MARCUS CATO. 319

rhetoric, to have then profited a little by Thucydides, but more by Demosthenes : his writings, however, are' consid erably embellished with Greek sayings and stories ; nay, many of these, translated word for word, are placed with his own apophthegms and sentences. There was a man of the highest rank, and very influ- ential among the Komans, called Valerius Flaccus, who was singularly skilful in discerning excellence yet in the bud, and, also, much disposed to nourish and advance it. He, it seems, had lands bordering upon Cato's ; nor could he but admire, when he understood from his servants the manner of his living, how he labored with his own hands, went on foot betimes in the morning to the courts to assist those who wanted his counsel ; how, returning home again, when it was winter, he would throw a loose frock * over his shoulders, and in the summer time would work without any thing on among his do- mestics, sit down with them, eat of the same bread, and drink of the same wine. When they spoke, also, of other good qualities, his fair dealing and modera- tion, mentioning also some of his wise sayings, he or- dered, that he should be invited to supper ; and thus be- coming personally assured of his fine temper and his superior character which, like a plant, seemed only to require culture and a better situation, he urged and per- suaded him to apply himself to state affairs at Eome. Thither, therefore, he went, and by his pleading soon gained msiny friends and admirers; but, Valerius chiefly assisting his promotion, he first of all got appointed tri- bune in the army, and afterwards was made quaestor, or treasurer. And now becoming eminent and noted, he

• Plutarch's Greek word is exo- only the tunic, or ordinary woollen

mis, a woollen shirt with the right shirt or under-frock, but here it side open to leave the right arm seems to be almost literal, with only and shoulder free. — Without any a cloth about the loins, or apron thing, nudus, sometimes means, with on, a campestre.