Ten years after his consulship, Cato stood for the office of censor, which was indeed the summit of all honour, and in a manner the highest step in civil affairs; for besides all other power, it had also that of an inquisition into every one’s life and manners. For the Romans thought that no marriage, or rearing of children, nay, no feast or drinking-bout, ought to be permitted according to every one’s appetite or fancy, without being examined and inquired into; being indeed

The success of the people and Parliament of England in their efforts to gain greater freedom and more representation had made an impression on the people of Massachusetts. They were troubled that there was now more freedom in England than in the Bay Colony. Malcontents who had been denied the vote were horrified at the thought of being more restricted in New England than they would have been at home. It was inevitable that the future should bring an ever-increasing disharmony