Part 57 (1/2)

'Coins are to keep their full weight. They used to pa.s.s current by weight, not by tale, whence the words for profit and expenditure[488].

_Pecunia_ was named from cattle (pecus). You must see that our money does not return to this low condition. King Servius first used stamped money. Take then the care of the mint; hold it for five years, and be very careful how you administer it.'

[Footnote 488: 'Compendium et dispendium' (from _pendere_, to weigh).]

33. FORMULA RESPECTING THE AMBa.s.sADORS OF VARIOUS NATIONS.

[Sidenote: Formula Legatorum Gentium Diversarum.]

'Since it is important that when amba.s.sadors return to their country they should feel that they have been well treated in ours, hand the enclosed _douceur_ (humanitas), and a certain quant.i.ty of fodder for their horses, to the amba.s.sadors of such and such a nation. Nothing pleases those who have commenced their return journey better than speeding them on their way.'

34. FORMULA OF SUMMONS TO THE KING'S COURT (UNSOLICITED).

[Sidenote: Formula Evocatoria quam Princeps dirigit.]

'We summon you by these presents to our Comitatus, that you may have an extraordinary pleasure. Be brisk therefore, and come on such a day to such a city. Our Palace longs for the presence of good men, and G.o.d puts it into our hearts to give them a cordial reception.'

35. FORMULA OF SUMMONS TO THE COURT (SOLICITED).

[Sidenote: Formula Evocatoria quae petenti conceditur.]

'It is a sign of a good conscience to seek the presence of a just ruler; it is only good deeds that crave the light of the sun. Come then speedily. We consider our own glory augmented when we see n.o.ble men flocking to our obedience.'

36. FORMULA GRANTING TEMPORARY LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

[Sidenote: Formula Commeatalis ad tempus.]

'All men require change: even honey cloys after a time. We therefore give you leave to visit such a Province and remain there so many months, with the understanding that when they are over you return to the City. If it be tedious to live always in the City, how much more to live long in the country! But we gladly give you this holiday, not that Rome should be deserted, but that absence from her may commend her to you all the more.'

37. FORMULA CONFERRING THE RANK OF A SPECTABILIS.

[Sidenote: Spectabilitas.]

'Wis.h.i.+ng to bestow the right honours on the right man among our subjects, we decorate you with the splendour of a _Spectabilis_, that you may know that your opinion is duly respected[489] at all public meeting-places, when you take your honoured seat among the n.o.bles.'

[Footnote 489: 'Spectandam,' an allusion to the derivation of _spectabilis_.]

38. FORMULA CONFERRING THE RANK OF A CLARISSIMUS.

[Sidenote: Clarissimatus.]

'The desire of praise is a good thing, and leads to the increase of virtue. Receive the honour of the _Clarissimatus_, as a testimony to the excellence of your past life and a pledge of your future prosperity. Observe, you are not called _Clarus_, but _Clarissimus_.

Everything that is most excellent may be believed of him who is saluted by such a splendid superlative.'

39. FORMULA BESTOWING 'POLICE PROTECTION.'