Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/99

 Rh with more Expedition, and a great many Temptations to Idleness, and Debauchery, remov'd out of the Peoples way.

He took particular care of the Concerns of Minors, and erected a new Court for that purpose ; the Judge of it was call'd Prætor Tutelaris, because he assign'd Guardians, and tried all the Causes depending between them and the "Infant". He likewise made a Supplemental Provision to the Law call'd Læx Lætoria ; which order'd a sort of Guardians to Adult Minors only in Cases of Distraction or Debauchery, whereas all such Persons were now to be under that check without Exception.

He was so careful to prevent unlawful Marriages, and to keep People from running within the Prohibited Degrees, that he null'd a Marriage of many Years standing between a Woman of Quality, and her Uncle, but at the same time declared the Children Legitimate. The Emperour's Rescript, or Order sent to this Lady by a Manumis'd Slave, is still extant ; It runs in the Name of Verus and Antoninus, and is very well worth the inserting.

The long time you have been married to your Uncle, the Number of your Children, and your being dispos'd of by your Grandmother at an Age when you were not capable of