Maitland Club > Works of Sir Thomas Urquhart

388 LOGOPANDECTEISION.
Omnis ava- 77. However, although by what is already said, my declining to pay those men
sitimmul- U needed not be imputed to me, for want of equity towards them in my proceedings,
tipiicat, they having received much from me, and often, and I from them never any thing at
ea qua; ap- all ; my obligations to them being so prescinded from all specialities and particular
petit adep- restrictions, that they never could shew neither what, nor when, nor time, nor place,
tus fuent, . J , . , . ' r »
ad appeten. nor any other circumstance whatsoever, denotating the existence of any thing
da alia am. on g^th, wherewith to upbraid my acceptance ; yet I shall wish, if so it please the
lat. publike, that they be satisfied and reimbursed of what they can with any kinde of
reason demand.
78. For as Julius Caesar, after he had repudiated his wife, being desired to call her
home, because the judges had absolved her from that adultery whereof with Clodius
she was accused, did very gallantly reply, That the wife of Caesar must be free of
suspicion, as well as guilt ; so, though 1 may vindicate my self and the land of my
progenitors from the stain of that debt wherewith some peevish and malicious men
would adulterate the hitherto-immaculate purity of our family ; yet would I rather
chuse some little coin should be bestowed on them, therewith to stop their bawling
mouthes, then have any the meanest distrust or jealousie remaining, though without
a cause.
79. I expect that the publike will be pleased to undergo, after what manner to
them shall seem most fit, the performance thereof; which that they do, even in the
most expensive way, is no new thing, and in matters of far less concernment.
80. Many have had their estates made up by monopolies, and other such publike
exactions, who afterwards employed the utmost of their power for subverting the State,
to which they had been so much beholding, although before that time they had never
made apparent their deservings for so great a favour.
81. How many have there been about the courts of kings, who having no higher
qualification, then to sweep the privie rooms, or at most to make the king's bed,
were short while after so bedaubed with honours, that although their endowments
continued still in the same degree of baseness, they disdained the touching of a missive
directed to them, whereof the superscription spoke not, To the most noble, high, and
potent Earl, with other signorial titles, attended by an et ccetera in the reer ?
82. Cheating at cards, dice, bowling, tennis, or any other game, where confede-
racie or betraying of trust hath at any time proved advantagious, and all those other
sneaking means that are commonly at corrupt courts practised, for cramming their
bags full of money upon any terms, have been in many places this long time the
usual scale of promotion, and very often the most infallible way for attaining to most
sublime and splendid dignities ; which sort of nobility, without valour, wit, or learn-
ing, may be fitly termed a kinde of metaphysical wonder, or relation sine fundamento
et fundandi ratione.
83. I have seen beyond sea a Marquess of twenty thousand crowns a yeer, who,