'Your Magnificence will therefore allow them to single out some one
merchant who shall buy for them in the market, without being subject
to monopoly, siliquaticum, or the payment of gold-fee[268].'

[Footnote 268: Auraria pensio. See note on ii. 26.]

[It is easy to see how liable to abuse such an exception was. Who was
to decide when this merchant was buying for the Church and when for
himself; when the Church was buying for the poor and when for her own
enrichment?]


31. KING THEODORIC TO THE DROMONARII [ROWERS IN EXPRESS-BOATS].

[Sidenote: State Galleys on the Po.]

'Those who claim the title of "militia" ought to serve the public
advantage. We have therefore told the Count of Sacred Largesses that
you are to assemble at Hostilia [on the Padus, about fifteen miles
east of Mantua], there to receive pay from our Treasury, and then to
relieve the land postal-service (veredarii) by excursions up and down
the channel of the Padus. There is no fear of _your_ limping; you walk
with your hands. No fear of _your_ carriages wearing out; they travel
over liquid roads, and suffer no wear and tear because they are borne
along upon the wave which itself runs with them.'


32. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.

[Sidenote: Drainage of marshes of Decennonium.]