Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/59

 Rh And it being the Custom among the Romans for young Persons of Quality to pass through the Priesthood, in order to qualify themselves for State-Employment, he was admitted one of the Salii, that is a Priest of Mars. And in this Business he was far from behaving himself as other young People do, in an Office, Which they look upon only as a Title, and Qualification for some other more considerable Promotion ; No, he perform'd all the parts of the Function with that Constancy and Exactness, as if this Post had been the utmost of his Ambition. This Application made him Master of the Musick, and Head of the Order, so that during his being there, all those who were either entred into this Society or dismiss'd it, were always admitted, or discharg'd by him. And at these Solemnities there was no need of a Prompter to assist him, for he had all the Holy Forms, and Ceremonies by heart. And thus he practised betimes one of his own Maxims, To do every thing according to the Rules of Art, and with the utmost Improvement. 'Twas in this Society that he receiv'd the first Presages of his coming to the Throne : For the Priests according to Custom throwing Garlands of Flowers upon Mars's Statue, laid upon a Couch of State, that which was thrown by Rh