Introduction
In one of their ‘Cato Letters’ (1720-23), John Trenchard MP and Thomas Gordon praised Roman Emperors Nerva and Trajan for dismissing the spies and informers hitherto used to gag critics of State policy; and they recalled how Timoleon, the Greek general who toppled dictators for a living, had never felt more proud than when the Opposition slandered him in Parliament.
THE best Princes have ever encouraged and promoted Freedom of Speech; they know that upright Measures would defend themselves, and that all upright Men would defend them. Tacitus, speaking of the Reign of some of the Princes above mention’d, says with Extasy: A blessed Time, when you might think what you would, and speak what you thought.*
The same was the Opinion and Practice of the wise and virtuous Timoleon, the Deliverer of the great City of Syracuse from Slavery.* He being accused by Demaenetus,* a popular Orator, in a full Assembly of the People of Several Misdemeanors committed by him while he was General, gave no other Answer, than that He was highly obliged to the gods for granting him a Request that he had often made to them, namely, that he might live to see the Syracusians enjoy that Liberty of Speech which they now seem’d to be Masters of.
Abridged, original spelling
* These words come from the opening lines of Tacitus’s Histories, I.i, where he explains that he will write about the controversial Emperors now, “because of the rare good fortune of an age in which we may feel what we wish and may say what we feel.” He would save the placid reigns of Nerva (r. 96-98) and the current Emperor, Trajan (r. 98-117), for later on, he said, just in case he needed some light, uncontroversial material to write about under another Nero. Tacitus lived to see the reign of Hadrian (r. 117-138).
* Timoleon (?411–337 BC) unseated Dionysius II of Syracuse (r. ?367-345 BC) in 345 BC. Timoleon was a Corinthian general who dedicated his life to toppling tyrants, a term which in those days implied power concentrated in one man’s hands rather than raging violence. That said, Dionysius was not unusual in maintaining his position by mercenary forces and by suppressing vocal opposition. Timoleon retired from politics in 337 BC and died soon afterwards, having put down several other petty tyrants in the region and rebuffed a Carthaginian army in 341 BC. The people of Syracuse loved him, and gave him a grand funeral. Dionysius’s father Dionysius I (r. 405-367 BC) was the ruler who was so impressed by the friendship of Damon and Pythias.
* Trenchard is paraphrasing Plutarch’s Timoleon 37 here; Plutarch names a second critic as Laphystius.
Précis
In the ‘Cato Letters’, written in George I’s time, John Trenchard and Thomas Gibson agreed with Tacitus that free speech was the mark of a golden age. The best Roman Emperors fostered it, and after ousting the dictator of Syracuse Timoleon had borne slanderous accusations good-humouredly, remarking that Syracuse’s politicians could not have criticised the previous regime like that. (59 / 60 words)
In the ‘Cato Letters’, written in George I’s time, John Trenchard and Thomas Gibson agreed with Tacitus that free speech was the mark of a golden age. The best Roman Emperors fostered it, and after ousting the dictator of Syracuse Timoleon had borne slanderous accusations good-humouredly, remarking that Syracuse’s politicians could not have criticised the previous regime like that.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, despite, may, ought, since, unless, until.
About the Authors
John Trenchard (1662-1723) was a barrister and MP for Taunton, remembered today for his partnership with his secretary Thomas Gordon (?-1750). In 1720-23, the two men published a series of outspoken letters in the British press, criticising the government of George I for misuse of public funds, abuse of patronage, meddling in the lives of citizens, and destroying the prosperity of the nation by military interventions. The letters, signed ‘Cato’ in reference to the vocal critic of Roman dictator Julius Caesar, were popular in Britain and also in America, where they were quoted by leading figures in the American independence movement.
Archive
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Enjoy. Misdemeanor. Oblige.
2 Namely. Upright. Well.
3 No. Some. You.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Statements, Questions and Commands Find in Think and Speak
Use each word below in a sentence. Try to include at least one statement, one question and one command among your sentences. Note that some verbs make awkward or meaningless words of command, e.g. need, happen.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Man. 2 Practise. 3 Commit. 4 Request. 5 Answer. 6 Time. 7 Speak. 8 Make. 9 Accuse.
Variations: 1. use a minimum of seven words for each sentence 2. include negatives, e.g. isn’t, don’t, never 3. use the words ‘must’ to make commands 4. compose a short dialogue containing all three kinds of sentence: one statement, one question and one command
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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