Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/66

 xiv Senate unless the Consul, who was the Principial Member, brought in the Bill: For 'twas his Prerogative to make the first Proposal of the Matter. The Consuls relinquish'd this Right in favour of Augustus, and by a formal Act empower'd him to make his Report, as they call'd it, every Day in the Senate; that is to Move, or propose the passing what he had a mind to, every Day of their Sitting.

But when People have once begun to Flatter, and Complement away their Privileges, 'tis a difficult Point to make a Halt, and keep within Bounds. Thus this Privilege granted to Augustus of Moving for a new Act once a Day, was afterwards improv'd to succeeding Emperours, and mounted to the Liberty of bringing in three, four or five distinct Bills in the same compass of Time ; and Marcus Aurelius had it in the last, and largest Extent. Now this Prerogative carried such a vast weight of Power along with it; that 'twas enough of it self to make all the Sessions of the Senate insignificant.

But as it happen'd this Authority was lodg'd in the best Hands imaginable. For all the use Marcus Aurelius made of it was only to maintain the Liberties, and promote the Happiness of the People. Rh