and six years after Cæsar. Plutarch tells us a story of his childhood, which seems like a foreshadowing of his whole life. He was nephew of the great Livius Drusus, and happened to be with other children at his uncle's house, when the question of the enfranchisement of the allies was beginning to be mooted. Pompædius Silo, 91 B.C.an eminent Italian who was present, laughingly canvassed the children for their vote and interest in his cause; and all readily consented except Cato. He had somehow got it into his obstinate little head that to yield to the demands of her allies would be unworthy of Rome. When coaxing failed, Pompædius held him out of the window and threatened to drop him; but no, "he would not, and he would not." If the fate of Italy had rested with this urchin of five years old, he would have died sooner than allow her to be saved from the Social War.
The same unbending temper, inaccessible to reason, to fear, or to favour, characterised Cato throughout. He always did that which his conscience told him was right, irrespective of consequences, and his very narrowness made him a power. He was the only Roman whom Cæsar condescended to fear and to hate. He might unconsciously do Cæsar's work for him; in fact, his shortsightedness caused him repeatedly to throw the game into Cæsar's hands; but he could neither be bought, nor conciliated, nor coerced; and such a man was highly provoking to Cæsar. In aims, in character, and in conduct, alike in their qualities and in their defects, the two men were hopelessly antagonistic. Cato's