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28 And yet not even his modesty and retirement exempted Agricola from danger. While in Britain, he had often been a mark for informers, though he was uniformly acquitted. So far at least Domitian deserves credit for turning a deaf ear alike to those who accused, or to those who insidiously extolled the absent proconsul; "for," Tacitus justly remarks, "the worst class of enemies" under a despotism "are the men who praise."

One more offer of preferment was made to Agricola. The year, the fifty-second of his age (90 ), had arrived in which the proconsulate of Asia or Africa was to fall to him by lot. Perhaps his friends, certainly the voice of the people, called on him to accept this office, for both of them contrasted his vigour, firmness, and experience in war, with the inertness and timidity of other generals. His enemies, however, on this occasion were his better counsellors. Knowing Domitian's reluctance to employ him in any high office, they artfully contrived to lead Agricola himself to refuse it. They tendered their services in procuring acceptance fur his excuse; and at last, throwing off all disguise, brought him by entreaties and threats to Domitian. The excuse was offered, was accepted, and the Cæsar thanked for his gracious condescension. However, notwithstanding his supposed envy and hatred of the man, Domitian "was softened by the moderation and prudence of Agricola"—and Tacitus closes this section of the Biography with one of the many pregnant observations that, well understood, throw such light on Cæsarian history, as well as afford a clue to his own opinions. "Let it be known," he says, "to those whose habit it