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26 Tacitus, "to accustom to rest and repose through the charms of luxury a population scattered and barbarous and therefore inclined to war, Agricola gave private encouragement and public aid to the building of temples, courts of justice, and dwelling-houses, praising the energetic and reproving the indolent. Thus an honourable rivalry took the place of compulsion. He likewise provided a liberal education for the sons of the chiefs, and showed such a preference for the natural powers of the Britons over the industry of the Gauls, that they who lately disdained the tongue of Rome now coveted its eloquence. Hence, too, a liking sprang up for our style of dress, and the 'toga' became fashionable. Step by step they were led to things which dispose to vice—the lounge, the bath, the elegant banquet. All this, in their ignorance, they called civilisation, when it was in fact but a part of their servitude."

He consulted alike for the good conduct of his army and the convenience of the Britons. He kept his household under restraint, a thing as hard to many as ruling a province. Neither freedmen not slaves were allowed to assist in transacting public business—a virtue which his Roman readers could more thoroughly appreciate than his modern ones. Promotion he determined by merit alone; impartial himself, he listened not to the prayers or recommendation of his friends. As regarded the nations—"he lightened the exaction of corn and tribute by an equal distribution of the burden, while he got rid of those contrivances for gain which were more intolerable than the tribute itself."

Agricola was recalled in 84, having been in his province nearly eight years. Tacitus insinuates that