THE DECLINE AND FALL
fi(i
CHAP.
II.
which his patron was a member. The conse-quences of this maxim would have prostitutedthe privileges of the Roman city to a mean andpromiscuous multitude. Some seasonable ex-ceptions were therefore provided; and the ho-nourable distinction was confined to such slavesonly, as, for just causes, and with the approba-tion of the magistrate, should receive a solemnand legal manumission. Even these chosenfreedmen obtained no more than the privaterights of citizens, and were rigorously excludedfrom civil or military honours. Whatever mightbe the merit or fortune of their sons, they like-wise were esteemed unworthy of a seat in thesenate; nor were the traces of a servile originallowed to be completely obliterated till thethird or fourth generation/ Without destroy-ing the distinction of ranks, a distant prospectof freedom and honours was presented, even tothose whom pride and prejudice almost dis-dained to number among the human species.
It was once proposed to discriminate theslaves by a peculiar habit; but it was justlyapprehended that there might be some dangerin acquainting them with their own numbers/Without interpreting, in their utmost strictness,the liberal appellations of legions and myriads, h
1 Spanheim. Orbis Roman. 1. i, c. 16, p. 124, &c.
8 Seneca de Clementi&, 1. i, c. 24. The original is much stronger,“ Quantum periculum immineret si servi nostri numerare nos cte-u pissent.”
h See Pliny (Hist. Natur. 1. xxxiii) and Athenaeus (Deipnosophist , 1.vi, p. 272). The latter boldly asserts, that he knew very many(wafxfroWot) Romans who possessed, not for use, but ostentation, ten andeven twenty thousand slaves.