Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-27

they mad Dy them.-Applan, hp. w.
p. S56. ..... ..... ...... ....
The second Scipeo Africanus, being
bound by the will Of Aemilia, VINO
had left him large fortune, to pay
at three different times to the two
daughters of his grandfather by
adoption, half their portions, which
amounted to eleven thousand two
hundred and fifty pounds, the time
for the payment Of the first sum be-
ling expired, Scipeo put the whole
money into the hands Of banker.
/ Tiberius Gracious and Scipeo Nasica,
who had married the two sisters,
imagined that Scipeo had made a
mistake, went to him and observed
that the laws allowed him three years
to pay that sum in, and at three Diff
ferent times. Young Scipeo answered
that he knew very well what the laws
directed on this occasion; that they
might indeed be executed In the
greatest rigor with strangers, but
that friends and relations ought to
treat one another with a more gen.
erous simplicity; and, therefore, he
desired them to receive the whole
sum. They were struck with such
admiration at the generosity Of their
kinsman that in their return home,
they reproached themselves with their
narrow way of thinking, at the time
when they made the greatest figure,
and had the highest regard paid to
them of any family in Rome. The
generous action, says Polybius, was
the more admired because no person
in Rome, so far from consenting to
pay so large a sum before 1t was due,
would pay even twenty pounds be-
fore the time Of payment was elapsed.
Papiria, the mother Of Scipeo hav-
ing been divorced from her husband,
was not in circumstances to support
the dignity Of her birth, and there
fore lived in great obscurity. never
appearing in the assemblies or at pub.
lie ceremonies. Scipeo, after ne be-
came possessed Of the fortune above
|
1t to his mother as enabled her not
only to enjoy the conveniences Of life,
but to appear as usual. in the best
company, with an equipage and
splendor in every way suitable to her
birth, and the august house to which
she was related. The noble generosi-I
ty Of Scipeo did him great honor,
especially in the minds Of the ladies,
who expatiated on 1t in all their con-
versations, and in city whose in
habitants, says Polybius, were not
easily prevailed upon to part with
their money. After the death Of his
mother, the rich possessions he had
given her reverted to him, by law as
we'll as equity, and his sisters, accord
ing to the custom Of those times, had
not the least claim to them. Never
the less, Scipeo thought it would be
dishonorable had he taken them back.
He therefore made over to his sis
ters whatever he had presented to his
mother, which amounted to a very
considerable sum, and by this fresh
proof of his glorious disregard Of
wealth and the tender friendship he
had for his family, acquired the ar.
plause Of the whole city.-Excerp. e.
Polyb. D.. .. .. .... s....'n. .. -.
The disinterested generosity Of this
great man was not confined to his
own family or relations. Going to
command in Spain, during the war
with Numantia, Antiochus Sidetes
sent him rich and magnificent pres
ents. Some generals would have ap-
propriated them to their own use;
Scipio received them in public, sit
ting upon his tribunal, in the view
Of the whole army, and gave orders
that they should be delivered to the
treasurer of the army, (the quaestor),
to be applied in rewarding those Of
ficers and soldiers who should dis
tinguish themselves in the service
Epit. Liv. lib. 81.
Aeschines and Demosthenes were
the two greatest orators which Greece
or. perhaps, any other nation, ever
produced. The former having drawn
up an accusation against one Ctesi-
phon, or rather against Demosthenes, a
time was fixed for hearing the trial.
No cause ever excited so much curl
osity nor was pleaded with so much
pomp. People fiocked to 1t from all
parts, says Cicero, and they had great
reason for so doing; for what sight
could be more noble than a conflict
between two orators, each Of them
excellent in his way; both formed by
nature. improved by art, and animat-
ed by perpetual dissensions, and an
insuperable jealousy? The disposi-
ton of the people, and the juncture OF
the times, seemed to favor Aeschines;
nevertheless he lost his cause, and
was Justly sentenced to be banished
for his rash accusation. He there
upon went and settled at Rhodes,
where he opened a school Of eloquence
the fame and glory of which contin-
ued for many ages. He began his lee
lures with the two orations that had
occasioned his banishment. Great
economiums were given to that Of Aes-
chimes; but when they heard that Of
Demosthenes, thep laudits and accla-
nations were redoubied; and it was
then he spoke these words, so greatly
laudable in the mouth of an enemy;
But what applauses would you have
bestowed, had you heard Demosthenes
speak it himself"
The victor likewise made a good
use of the conquest; for the instant
Aeschines left Athens, in order to en-
bark for Rhodes, Demosthenes ran
after him, and forced him to accept
Of purse Of money. which must have
obliged him so much them ore, as he
had little room to expect such an Of
fer On this occasion Aeschines cried
out: How will it be possible for me
not to regret a country in which