If he chose to be merciful he could go to the praetor, and get what was called a _missio in bona_, i.e.a legal right to take the whole of his debtor's property, waiving the right to his person.

And it must be noted that no more humane law of bankruptcy was introduced until the time of Augustus.

No wonder that at least three times in the last century of the Republic there arose a cry for the total abolition of debts (_tabulae novae_): in 88 B.C., after the Social War; in 63, during Cicero's consulship, when political and social revolutionary projects were combined in the conspiracy of Catiline; and in 48, when the economic condition of Italy had been disturbed by the Civil War, and Caesar had much difficulty in keeping unprincipled agitators from applying violent and foolish remedies.

But to this we shall return in the next chapter.
Secondly, let us consider that in a large city of to-day the person and property of all, rich or poor are adequately protected by a sound system of police and by courts of first instance which are sitting every day.

Assault and murder, theft and burglary, are exceptional.