Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-08-08
Scene in the Roman Senate.

Everybody has heard the statement that
Caesars wife should be above suspicion.
but everybody doesn't know under what
circumstances this statement, now become
n proverb. was FIRST made We ARE inform
cd by PlutaToh that when Caesar-the
great Juiias-was Eeung man, Publias
CiodiuS. eminent both for his riches and
eloquence, but in iicentiousnes Of lite and
andacity of purpose, one of the greatest
proiiigates of his day. was in love with
Pompeia, Cessar's wife. and it was gcner
ally whispered among the Roman gossips
of that day that she was not averse to
Clodius. But there was strict watch
kept on Pompeia, by her mother-in-law,
Aurelia, who was discreet woman and
had no desire to see her son julius made a
cuckold. An interview was both danger
our and difficult. Clodius, however, was
bold spirit, and not to be thwarted by
the vigilance of mother-in-law. 1t came
to pass after awhile that the time approach
ed for the celebration of the festival of
Bona, q Roman goddess. "Now it is not
lawful for man to be by, nor so much as
in the house." whilst the rites are celebrat-
ed but the women BY themselves perform
the sacred Offices. When this festival
comes, the husband, with every male
creature, quits the house The wife then
taking it under her care sets it in order
and the principal ceremonies are perform
ed during the night, the women playing to-
gether amongst themselves as they keep
watch, and music Of various kinds going
on. As Pompeia was at this time cele-
brating this feast Clodius, who as yet had
no beard, and so thought to pass undiseov-
cred, took upon himself the dress and or
naments of singing woman, and so come
thither having the air of a young girl.
Finding the door open he was without stop
introduced by the maid, who was in the
intrigue. She presently went to tell Pom
peia, but before she returned Clodius i'm
prudently went mousing about the house
and was discovered and recognized by Cae-
sar's mother. Immediately there was a
great ado. The festival was broken up.
and the women went home and told their
hu Stands. The next day Cloudius was
im peached for profaning the holy rites,
and worse charges were trumped up
against him. Caesar at once divorced
Pompeia, but being summoned as a wit
ness against Clodius said he had nothing
to charge him with. This looking like a
paradox, the accuser asked him wherefore
he had parted with his wife. Caesar re-
piled, II wish my wife to be not so much
as suspected"
But it'appears from the records that
Caesar was not as chaste as an icycle.
Cleopatra having born him three children.
and his intimacy with Catos sister being a
public scandal. He therefore had no right
to be so confounded fly about divorcing
his wife Oh mere suspicion. Plutarch tells
US that at the time the Roman Senate was
discussing the bill to punish Cataline and
his co-conspirators, Cato and Caesar were
taking CONSPICUOUS part in the debate.
Cato, it appears, was to the Roman Senate
what Holman, OF Indiana, is to the Lower
House of Congress- guardian-a great
objector, and very suspicious fellow
withal. Caesar, it seems, had the floor,
and was advocating leniency in furnishing
the conspirators, when n messenger came
in and handed him letter Caesar read
it quietly to himself and thrust it under his
toga next his heart. Wherenpon Cato
sprang to his feet and said:
'Conscript Fathers, did you catch onto
thata Do you tumble to the fact that Ju-
lius Caesar is holding correspondence with
and receiving letters from the enemies of
Commonwealth-that he is in secret SYM
pathy with the eonspiratorsl
CIcERo-This does, indeed, O, Conscript
Fathers, look little suspicious demand
that the communication be read.
PUBLIUs-I am in favor of banishing
Caesar along with the other conspirators as
an enemy of Rome. [Applause it the gal
leries.
CAEsAR-I hope, for the venerable Cato
sake, that the Senate will not pursue this
subject further. 1t will be dead give
away TO Cato, and will cause him to repent
that he has been so fresh.
CATo-The naughty Caesar cannot put
us off with this bold bluff. We will be sat
isfied.
SEVERAL SESAToRs-The letter. Pro
duce the letter.
CAEsAR-[ Handing Cato the letter l
hope, since the Honorable Senator has
seen fit to let Rome in a howl about q
billet doux be viii have the goodness to
read it.
CATO Opening the letter, which was a
love letter from his own sister Servlia, ana
proceeding to readl: my own glorious
julius. Ny heart panteth for thee, and /
would fain have thee call this evening
without fail. May the gods so speed me,
l will not sleep wink If thou dost not
Yours, until the Coliseum crumbles. SER
VILLA CARO-" Keep it thou Epicurian
sot. Throwing the letter at Caesar1 and
hereafter do not mix your unlawful amours
with affairs of State.
CAEsAR-I hope the big headed states
man from Utica is satisfied.
CICERo-I demand the previous question
on the bill to hang Cataline.-Punxsu utaw-
ney Spirit