office, De Jurisdictione Siciliensi, in which is described his conduct
as a Roman magistrate on the island; De Re Frumentaria, setting forth
the abomination of his exactions in regard to the corn tax; De Signis,
detailing the robberies he perpetuated in regard to statues and other
ornaments; and De Suppliciis, giving an account of the murders he
committed and the tortures he inflicted. A question is sometimes
mooted in conversation whether or no the general happiness of the
world has been improved by increasing civilization When the reader
finds from these stories, as told by a leading Roman of the day, how
men were treated under the Roman oligarchy--not only Greek allies but
Romans also--I think he will be inclined to answer the question in
favour of civilization.

I can only give a few of the many little histories which have been
preserved for us in this Actio Secunda; but perhaps these few may
suffice to show how a great Roman officer could demean himself in his
government. Of the doings of Verres before he went to Sicily I will
select two. It became his duty on one occasion--a job which he seems
to have sought for purpose of rapine--to go to Lampsacus, a town in
Asia, as lieutenant, or legate, for Dolabella, who then had command
in Asia. Lampsacus was on the Hellespont, an allied town of specially
good repute. Here he is put up as a guest, with all the honors of a
Roman officer, at the house of a citizen named Janitor. But he heard
that another citizen, one Philodamus, had a beautiful daughter--an
article with which we must suppose that Janitor was not equally well
supplied. Verres, determined to get at the lady, orders that his
creature Rubrius shall be quartered at the house of Philodamus.
Philodamus, who from his rank was entitled to be burdened only
with the presence of leading Romans, grumbles at this; but, having
grumbled, consents, and having consented, does the best to make his