The state, it is true, was often thrown into convulsions:  but talents were exercised, and genius opened the way to public honours.  He who possessed the powers of persuasion, rose to eminence, and by the arts which gave him popularity, he was sure to eclipse his colleagues.  He strengthened his interest with the leading men, and gained weight and influence not only in the senate, but in all assemblies of the people.  Foreign nations [b] courted his friendship.  The magistrates, setting out for their provinces, made it their business to ingratiate themselves with the popular speaker, and, at their return, took care to renew their homage.  The powerful orator had no occasion to solicit for preferment:  the offices of praetor and consul stood open to receive him.  He was invited to those exalted stations.  Even in the rank of a private citizen he had a considerable share of power, since his authority swayed at once the senate and the people.  It was in those days a settled maxim, that no man could either rise to dignities, or support himself in office, without possessing, in an eminent degree, a power of words, and dignity of language.

Nor can this be a matter of wonder, when we recollect, that persons of distinguished genius were, on various occasions, called forth by the voice of the people, and in their presence obliged to act an important part.  Eloquence was the ruling passion of all.  The reason is, it was not then sufficient merely to vote in the senate; it was necessary to support that vote with strength of reasoning, and a flow of language.  Moreover, in all prosecutions, the party accused was expected to make his defence in person, and to examine the witnesses [c], who at that time were not allowed to speak in written depositions, but were obliged to give their testimony in open court.  In this manner, necessity, no less than the temptation of bright rewards, conspired to make men cultivate the arts of oratory.  He who was known to possess the powers of speech, was held in the highest veneration.  The mute and silent character fell into contempt.  The dread of shame was a motive not less powerful than the ambition that aimed at honours.  To sink into the humiliating rank of a client, instead of maintaining the dignity of a patron, was a degrading thought.  Men were unwilling to see the followers of their ancestors transferred to other families for protection.  Above all, they dreaded the disgrace of being thought unworthy of civil honours; and, if by intrigue they attained their wishes, the fear of being despised for incapacity was a spur to quicken their ardour in the pursuit of literary fame and commanding eloquence.