CATO THE YOUNGER. 393

own purposes, desired rather to increase than extinguish them ; and standing up, he made a very merciful and per- suasive speech, that they ought not to suffer death with- out fair trial according to law, and moved that they might he kept in prison. Thus was the house almost wholly turned by Csesar, apprehending also the anger of the people ; insomuch that even Silanus retracted, and said he did not mean to propose death, but imprison- ment, for that was the utmost a Roman could suffer. Upon this they were all inclined to the milder and more merciful opinion, when Cato standing up, began at once with great passion and vehemence to reproach Silanus for his change of opinion, and to attack Ccesar, who would, he said, ruin the commonwealth by soft words and popu- lar speeches, and was endeavoring to frighten the senate, when he himself ought to fear, and be thankful, if he escaped unpunished or unsuspected, who thus openly and boldly dared to protect the enemies of the state, and while finding no compassion for his own native country, brought, with all its glories, so near to utter ruin, could yet be full of pity for those men, who had better never have been born, and whose death must deliver the com- monwealth from bloodshed and destruction. This only of all Cato's speeches, it is said, was preserved ; for Cic- ero, the consul, had disposed, in various parts of the sen- ate-house, several of the most expert and rapid writers, whom he had taught to make figures comprising numer- ous words in a few short strokes ; as up to that time they had not used those we call short-hand writers, who then, as it is said, established the first example of the art. Thus Cato carried it, and so turned the house again, that it was decreed the conspirators should be put to death. Not to omit any small matters that may serve to show Cato's temper, and add something to the portraiture of

his mind, it is reported, that while Caesar and he were in