MASTER NEGATIVE NO. 91-80126 MICROFILMED 1991 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES/NEW YORK as part of the "Foundations of Western Civilization Preservation Project" Funded by the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbia University Library COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The copyright law of the United States - Title 17, United States Code - concerns the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material ... Columbia University Library reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. A UTHOR : CICERO, MARCUS TULLIUS TITLE: LETTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO... PLACE: LONDON DA TE : 1804 Restrictions on Use: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT Master Negative # BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET Original Material as Filn\ed - Existing Bibliographic Record 870L3 JI2 I. ''^'■•'•^■•P^wpp ■■ M n 111^ ■I ■ I ■ iw » ^- ^?<'^:!*.;--4l Epistolae. Ad famtliares Cioerot Marcus TulliuB# ^'^S* Meiaotti The Letters of Marous Tullius Cicero to several of his friends, with remarks by William Melmoth 4., 6th ed. to which is now added a general index ... London, Laokington, 1804 # 3 V. plate, 211 cm* I TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 3X^0 rvy.^ . REDUCTION RATIO:. IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA (^ IB UB DATE FILMED: ^> 8^9/ INITIALS_jZ.ii/i^4_. ZJj<. HLMEDBY: RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS. INC WOODBRIDGE. CT c Association for Information and Image Management 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301/587-8202 Centimeter 1 2 3 mi IMWUUIJP^ 4 5 6 7 8 liiiiliiiiliiiiliniliiiilimliiiiliiiil 9 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinlin 10 11 12 13 14 15 mm iiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiiliiiil Inches 1 T TTT MT I.I 1.25 T TTT 1.0 l^"- 10 Hill "^ 9 63 u; I 3.6 ■iiftu 1 4.0 1.4 12.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 MTTT 1 MfiNUFfiCTURED TO RUM STfiNDPROS BY fiPPLIED IMRGE, INC. » .J .-^._ .* "^ <^-,-x . ■S^-^f- -1^ St *■ '% t, 1 - i] fi ^■^,' .H 1 ;t, ,i'*.|i ■!^-- J* •i^^^l- \..l!l|ii - .,* .^Mi. ;> -1-. ... * ^- -f. ;. Columbia ^nittf rsitp LIBRARY I 'I i ^c /'^^ SOClfixx. Mi 'Hf^ • I THE LETTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEYEIi.AX pF..j[IIS. FRIENDS. , « ••» • • BY* • • • • * • • • * •• • a • • • ! • • WILGIAjft mnmt-^} ESQ IN THREE VOLUMES. ~ Quo fit lit omois Votiva pateat veluti descripU tabella vita senis. i/bw-. THE SIXTH EDITION. To which is now added d GENERAL INDEX. VOL. I. 3^Q^- M/r. rirKuo, LONDON: PRIflTED POR LACKINGTON, ALLEN,, AND CO. LONGMAN AND CO CUTHELL AND MARTIN, VERNOR AND HOOD, CADELL AND DAVIES, DARTON AND HARVEV, J. WALKER, P. LEi, J. NUNN, J. ASPERNE, E. BOOKER, W. 01 RIDGT AND SON, OGILVY AND SON, AND W. J. AND J. RICHARDSON. \> ^^-V' (I \ j|vV ]804. i> '••.. V •" t \ 1 * ho nJ ^lU)I.S.v 'f ADVERTISEMENT. • * • :v: • ••• « • • • • • • • • • • • *• • • • ••• 4 .•• ••• • • • ••••• • • • m M» * • • • • • • •• •••••• • • • •• •• ••••• • • • • • •• • • •«••• ••••• • ••• • •• •••• • ••;•••/; • ••••• • .^ may safely appeal to your own conscience, whether you have ever made me the least re- turn : so far from it, indeed, that I have heard (for I dare not say I have been informe^y as it is an expression, it seems, which you frequent- ly, tlio' I am sure injuriously, object to me) I have heard then that you have intimated something as if— But I leave it to Atticus to tell you the rest : as the report* has given him no succeed as governors. This which Antonius possessed, one of the most desirable in all the Roman empire, having fallen to Cicero, he resigned it to his colleague. . • This alludes to an expression which Cicero had often occasion to employ in the atfair of Cataline's conspiracy. As his principal intelligence arose from some of the conspirators Iheraselves, who communicated to him from lime to time the designs of their associates, he was obliged to conceal the authors of these discoveries : and, therefore, in laying his allegations before the senate or the people, he was under the necessity of speaking only in general terms, and of assuring them that he had been informed of the particular articles he mentioned. But tho* the event proved that his informations were true ; yet, in general, this method of accusation was extremely odious, and of dangerous example. Cicero's ene- mies, therefore, did not fail to take advantage of this popu- lar objection, and were perpetually repeating the phrase, I ■cm informed, whenever they were disposed to reproach his conduct in this transaction. See Mong. rem. ig. on the ipih let. of the first book to Atticus. Plut. in lit. Cicer. Sallusi. Declam. in Cic. 2. * This report was of a very unfavourable kind indeed ; for it charged Cicero with having a share in the money which Antonius raised by his exactions on the unhappy people of his province. The very judicious French translator of the epistles lo Atticus, seems to imagine there was some founda- tion for this report ; as he thinks it probable that Antonius had agreed to pay Cicero a certain sum in consideration of his ' ') ' Book If OF CICERO. 19 less concern than it gave myself. In the mean time, I wiH only say, that the senate and the whole Roman people have been witnesses of that uncommon zeal with which I have entered into yourinterest. What sentiments of gratitude this has impressed upon your mind, you yourself are the best judge ; how much you owe me in con- sequence of it, let others determine. It wasi friendship that first engaged my good offices in your favour ; and I afterwards was induced to continue them merely from a principle of constancy. But, believe me, your present' af- fairs his having relinquished to him the government of Macedo- nia : but this is a conjecture altogether unsupported by any evidence. Thus much, however, is certain ; in the first place, that Cicero had some demands upon Antonius, of a na- ture which he did not choose should be known ; as, when- ever he hints at them to Atticus, it is always in a very dark and enigmatical manner: and, in the next place, that he sa- crificed his own judgment and the good opinion of the world, in order to support Antonius in his present government. From which facis the reader is left to draw the conclusion that he shall judge reasonable. Vid, ad At t. L xii, 13, l^. See the following remark. ^ Pompey had declared his intentions of very strenuously insisting that Antonius should be recalled from his govern- ment, in order to give an account of his administration: which, it seems, had been extremely oppressive. It was upon this occasion that Cicero promised him his service : and it seems, by the following letter, that he kept his word. But if he had not, his honour, perhaps, would not have been the more questionable : for it appears, from a letter to At- ticus, that Cicero could not undertake the defence of Anto- nius without suffering in the opinion, not only of the popu- lace, but of every worthy man in Rome. Ad Att, u 1%^ See remark 5th on the following letter. £0 The letters Book I. Book I. OF CICERO. SI fairs require a much larger proportion of my zeal and pains : the utmost exertion of which shall not be wanting, provided I may have reason to think that they are not entirely thrown away. For I shall never be so absurdly officious, as to employ them where they are not acceptable. Atticus will inform you iu what particular instances you may, probably, have occasion for my good offices : in the mean while, I very warmly recommend him to yours. I am well persuaded, indeed, that his own in- terest with you is his best advocate : however, if you have any remaining affection for me, let me entreat you to shew it (and it is the most oblisiuff manner in which you can shew it) by your services to my friend. Farewel LETTER V, [A. U. 692.1 To PuBLius Sestius, Qua:stor\ I COULD scarce credit your freedman Decius, as highly as I think of his fidelity and attach- ment to your interest, w^hen he requested me in ' Every proconsul, or governor of a province, ha^l a quaestor under him, who acted as a sort of pa> master -gene- ral to the provincial forces, and as superiotendant likewise of the public revenues. Sebtius was at this time exercising that office under Antonius, in Macedonia. Some further account will be occasionally given of hira in the progress of these remarks. in your name to use my endeavours that you jpay not at present be recalled. Remembering, indeed, the very different strain in which all the letters I had before received from you were written, I could not easily be induced to think that you had so greatly altered your mind. But after Cornelia s visit to my wife, and the dis- course which I had myself with Cornelius, I could no longer doubt of this change in your inclinations : and accordingly I never failed to attend in your behalf, at every subsequent meet- ing of the senate. The question, however, did not come on tillJanuary last, when we carried it without much opposition : tho' I found some difficulty in persuading Quintus Fusius*, and the rest of your friends, to whom you had writ- ten upon this subject, to believe me rather than your own letters. I had not agreed with Crassus for his house,- when you wished me joy of the purchase: but I was so much encouraged by your congratula- tions, that I soon afterwards bought it at thirty-five hundred thousand sesterces'. I am now, therefore, so deeply involved in debt as to * One of the tribunes of the people. ^ About 28,0001. Cicero, il is said, borrowed a consi- derable part of this sum from a man whose cause he had un- dertaken to defend. But eloquence was not as yet profes- sedly venal in Rome ; and it was looked upon as highly dis- C 3 honourable I r f2 The letters Book I. Book I. OF CICERO. 23 w to be full ripe, you must know, for a plot, if any malecontent will be so charitable as to ad- mit me into one. But the misfortune is, this sort honourable for an advocate, not only to receive any reward, but even a loan of his client. Cicero, therefore, being pub- licly reproached with this transaction, most confidently de- nied the charge ; declaring at the same time that he had not the least intention of making this purchase. However, he soon afterwards completed his bargain : when being taxed in the senate with this unworthy falsehood, he endeavoured to laugh it off, by telling his censurers, thsii they must know very little of the world indeed^ if they imagined any prudent nantcould raise the price of a commodity, by publicly avowing iis intentions of becoming a purchaser. It is Aulus Gellius who gives us this story, which Dr. Middleton supposes he might have picked up from some spurious collection of Ci- cero's jokes : and many such, it is certain, were handed about, even in Cicero's life-lime. As every reader of taste and learning must wish well to the moral character of so in- valuable an author as Cicero, one cannot but regret that neither his own gcrieral regard to truth, nor the plea of his ingenious advocate, seem sufficient to discredit this piece of secret history. That Cicero was capable of denying facts, where it was not for his advantage they should be discover- ed, will appear, perhaps, beyond controversy in the pro- gress of these remarks. In the mean time a very strong in- stance of this may be produced from one of his letter's to Atiicus. Cicero had written an invective against some per- son whose interest he had occasion to make use of in the af- fair of his restoration. This piece of satire had stolen into the world, it seems, without his knowledge ; but as he never had any formal quarrel with the man against whom it was le- velled, and as it was drawn up in a style by no means equal to the usual correctness of his performances, it might easily, he tells Atticus, be proved not to have come from his hand : ^to posse probari non esse meam. The truth of it is, sincerity does not seem to have been the virtue upon which Cicero was very solicitous of establishing his character. Thus, Plu- tarch assures us, that our author having made a speech in public, full of the highest encomiums on Crassus, he did not •cruple a few days afterwards to reverse the panegyric, and represent sort of patriots are all disposed to ^xc^ude me from their society : and whilst I am the aver- sion of some of them, as the avowed avenger of , conspiracies, others suspect that I only pleajd poverty with a view of gaining their confi- dence, in order to betray them. They think jt inci-edible, indeed, that the man who rescued the bags of all the usurers in Rome from a ge- neral attack, should ever be in distress for money*. The truth of the matter is, there is enough to be raised at six per cent, and 1 have gained this much, by the services I have done my country, that I am considered by your money-lenders, at least, as a good man. I must not forget to mention that I have lately looked over your house and buildings, and am much pleased with the improvements you are making. Notwith- represent bim before the same audience in all the darkest colours of his invective. Cicero being reminded, upon this occasion, of his former harangue, very gravely replied, " it ** was only by way of an oratorical exercise, and in order '** to try the force of his eloquence upon so bad a subject." Jul. QtlL xii. 12. See Life ofCic. i. 259. Svo. Ed. Ad Att. . iii. 12. P/m^. in vit. Cicer. ♦ The chief of those who engaged in Cataline's rebellion, were men of the same desperate fortunes as himself : Qtft- cunque bona patria laceraverat, says the historian of this con- spiracy, quicunque alienum a:s grande con/luveraty were the worthy associates of Cataline in this infamous enterpri^e: and though liberty was, as usual, the pretence ; the true motive of their taking up arms was, in order to make war upon their creditors. SaUust. Bell. Cat. 14. C* V I f 24 The LETTERS Book 1. Notwithstanding all the world is sensible that Antonius has by no means acted towards me with the gratitude he ought, yet it did not pre- vent me from being his advocate lately in the senate : when, by the influence of my autho- rity, and the force of what I said, I greatly tlisposed the house in his favour*. I will only add my wishes that you would write to me oftener. Farcwel, LETTER 'The question in this debate probably turned on the recal of Antonius: a question, which seems either to have been carried in h.s favour, or to have been dropped during a consHlerable t.me. For it appears, by a letter to Atticus, wniten two years after the date of the present, that Anto- nius was st.ll inhi, government: and D.on Cassius assures n», that he was not brought upon his trial till the consulate then arraigned for his ill-conduct in Macedonia, and as beinjj «ODcerned likewise in Cataline's conspiracy. This last art"! «f i, n ""P*"''^""'"' '""'•' •"'* *>« P'°*«d ; •»" the truth nUhmont c °"""' ^"1^ Condemned to perpetual ba- sioS an^ , *'° "PP'""* "' *■■' '«'v°"te upon this occa- sion and ,t was an occasion which contributed more, pet- baps, than any other, to his future misfortunes. For. in the warmth of hi, speech, he indiscreetly threw out some reflec! SoTdid n'oT'ti I''"'' '"""-B'" •■" g-t masTer :?his passions did not think proper at that time openly to resent U., probable he never forgave. Dion Cassius, at le.ir"n: S«"s''to rj! *■". "P°" "■" """""" •■« secr;tly instigated ™r„..^ n^ '".°'*"' ™«""« "hich soon afterwards ter- mmated in Ccero's exile. Ad Alt. ii. 2. Dio xxxwT sJe the last remark on the preceding letter, p 19 Book L OF CICERO. 25 • LETTER VL [A. U. 695.] To Terentia, to my deareSt Tullia, and to my Son*^. If you do not hear from me so frequently as you might, it is because I can neither write "to you, nor read your letters, without falling into a greater passion of tears than I am able to support : for though I am at all times, indeed, completely miserable, yet I feel my misfortunes with a particular sensibility upon those tender occasions. Oh ! * There is an interval of two years between the date of this and the foregoing letter; the correspondence which Cicero carried on during the intermediate period being en- tirely lost, except that which he held with Atticus. The following letters to Terentia, were ^^rltten in our author's exile, and will prove, either that Cicero wa.s a philosopher only in speculation, or that philosophy itself pretends to more than it has power to pt rform. Perhaps, they will prove both ; for, as on the one hand they discover the raost unmanly dejection of spirit ; so it is certain, on the other, that much weaker minds have been able, with the assistance of better principles, to support with fortitude far severer trials. Those in which Cicero was at present exercised, were occasioned by Clodius, who procured himself to be electe<4 tribune with the single view of destroying this his avowed adversary. It has already been observed in the sixth remark, on the third letter of this book, that Cicero, in his consulate, had put to death some of the conspirators concerned with Cataline, without any formal trial, and upon no other au- thority than a decree of the senate. And it was upon this charge that Clodius founded his impeachment. Cicero's conduct upon this occasion, has also been arraigned by % late very accurate and judicious historian; and it must be acknowledged that, as tar as we can be competent judges of it at this distance from the time and scene of action, it seems to have been attended with some circumstances not easily 4' 26 The letters Book L I ff 4 it Oh ! that I had been more indifferent to life ! Our days would then have been, if not wliolly unacquainted with sorrow, yet by no means thus wretched. However, if any hopes are still reserved to us of recovering some part at least of what we have lost, I shall not think that I have made altogether so imprudent a choice. But if our present fate is unalterably iixed— Ah ! my dearest Tercntia, if we are utterly and for ever abandoned by those gods whom you have so religiously adored, and by those men whom I have so faithfully served ; let me see you as soon as possible, that I may have the satisfaction of breathing out my last departing sigh in your arms. I have spent about a fortnight at this place^, with my friend Marcus Flaccus. This worthy man did not scruple to exercise the rites of friendship and hospitality towards me, notwith- standing the severe penalties of that iniquitous law against those who should venture to give me reception*. May I one day have it in my power easily reconcileable to the principles either of justice or good policy. See Hook's Rom. Hist, vol. iii. p. 31 6. ^ Brundisium : a maritime town in the kingdom of Na- ples, now called Brindm, Cicero, when he first withdrew from Rome, intended to have retired into Sicily, but being denied entrance by the fi;overnor of that island, he changed hit direction, and came to Brundisium, in his way to Greece. fro Plane. 40, 41. • Ass^on as Cicero bad withdrawn from Rome, Clodius procured Book I. OF CICERO. 97 power to make him a return to those generous services, which I shall ever most gratefully re- member. I am just going to embark, and purpose to pass thro' Macedonia in mv way to Cyzicum^. And now, my Terentia, thus wretched and ruined as I am, can 1 entreat you, under all that weight of pain and sorrow with which, I too well know, you are oppressed, can I entreat you to be the partner and companion of my exile ? But must I then live without you ? I know riot how to reconcile myself to that hard condition ; unless your presence at Rome may be a mean of for- warding my return ; if any hopes of that kind should indeed subsist. But should there, as I sadly suspect, be absolutely none, come to me, I conjure you, if it be possible : for never can I think myself completely ruined, whilst I shall enjoy my Terentia's company. But how will my dearest daughter dispose of herself? A question which youyourselves must consider: for, as to my own part, I am utterly at a loss what to advise. At all events, however, that dear unhappy girl must not take any measures that procured a law, which, among other articles, enacted, that ** no person should presume to harbour or receive him on ** pain of death." LifeofCic. i. 354. ^ A considerable town in an island of the Propontis, which lay so close to the continent of Asia, as to be jein€d with it by a bridge. ^ The letters Book I. f 'A i llhat may injure her conjugal repose', or affect her in the good opinion of the world. As for ^y son— let me not at least be deprived of the consolation of folding him for ever in my arms. But I must lay down my pen a few moments : my tears flow too fast to suffer me to proceed. I am under the utmost solicitude, as I know not whether you have been able to preserve any part of your estate, or (what I sadly fear) are cruelly robbed of your whole fortune. I hope Piso* will always continue, what you re- present him to be, entirely ours. As to the manumission of the slaves, I think you have no occasion to be uneasy. For, with regard to your own, you only promised them their liberty as they should deserve it; but, except- ing Orpheus, there are none of them that have any great claim to this favour. As to mine, I told them, if my estate should be forfeited, :^I would give them their freedom, provided I could obtain the confirmation of that grant : but if I preserved my estate, that they should all of them, excepting only a few whom I particu- larly named, remain in their present condition. But this is a matter of little consequence. With ' TuUia was at this time married to Caius Piso Frugi ; a young nobleman of one of the best families in Rome. See remark 9th, on letter ix. p. 42. of this book. * Cicero's son in-law, mentioned in the last note. Book I. OF CICERO. 29 With regard to the advice you give me of keeping up my spirits, in the belief that I shall ao-ain be restored to my country, I only wish that I may have reason to encourage so desi- rable an expectation. In the mean time, I a^ greatly miserable, in the uncertainty when I shall hear from you, or what hand you will find to convey your letters. I would have waited for them at this place ; but the master of the ship on which I am going to embark, could not be prevailed upon to lose the present opportunity of sailing. For the rest, let me conjure you in my turn to bear up under the pressure of our afflictions with as much resolution as possible. Remember that my days have all been honourable ; and that I now suffer not for my crimes, but my virtues, jfs o, my Terentia, nothing can justly be imputed to me, but that I survived the loss of my dignities. However, if it was more asrreeable to our children that I should thus live, let that reflection teach us to submit to our misfortunes with cheerfulness; insupport- able as upon all other considerations they would undoubtedly be. But, alas, whilst 1 am etr deavouring to keep up your spirits, I am ut-. terly unable to preserve my own !. I have sent back the faithful fhiletae^us, as the so The letters Book la- the weakness of his eyes made him incapable of rendering me any service. Nothing can equal the good offices I receive from Sallustius. Pescennius, hkewise, has given me strong marks of his affection : and I hope he will not fail in his respect also to you. Sica promised to attend me in my exile, but he changed his mind, and has left me at this place. I entreat you to take all j>ossible care of your health, and be assured, your misfortunes more sensibly affect me than my own. Adieu, my Terentia, thou most faithful and best of wives ? adieu. And thou, my dearest daughter, toge- ther with that other consolation of my life^ my dear son, I bid you both most tenderly farewel. Bnmdislnm» April the joth. LETTER VIL [A. U. 695.] To Terentia, to my dearest Tullia, and to my Son. Imagine not, my Terentia, that I WTite longer letter to others than to yourself: be assured, at least, if ever I do, it is merely be-* cause those I receive from them require a more particular Book I. OF CICERO. SI particular answer. The truth of it is, I am always at a loss what to write ; and as there is nothing in the present dejection of my mind, that I perform with greater reluctance in ge- neral ; so I never attempt it with regard to you and my dearest daughter, that it does not cost me a flood of tears. For how can I think of you without being pierced with grief, in the reflection, that I have made those completely miserable whom I ought, and wished, to have rendered perfectly happy ? And I should have rendered them so, if I had acted with less ti- midity. Piso's behaviour towards us in this season of our afflictions, has greatly endeared him to my heart ; and I have, as well as I was able in the present discomposure of my mind, both ac- knowledged his good offices, and exhorted him to continue them. I perceive you depend much upon the new tribunes ; and if Pompey perseveres in his pre- sent disposition, I am inclined to think that your hopes will not be disappointed ; though, I must confess, I have some fears with respect to Crassus. In the mean while, I have the sa- tisfaction to find, what, indeed, I had reason to expect, that you act with great spirit and tenderness in all my concerns. But I lament it * should • ji 52 The letters Book L should be my cruel fate to expose you to so many calamities, whilst you are thus generously endeavouring to ease the weight of mine. Be assured, it was with the utmost grief 1 read the account which Pubhus sent me, of the oppro- brious manner in which you were dragged from the temple of A^esta, to the office of Valerius*. Sad reverse indeed ! that thou, the dearest ob- ject of my fondest desires, that my Terentia, to whom such numbers were wont to look up for relief, should be, herself, a spectacle of the most affecting distress ! and that I, who have saved so many others from ruin, should have ruined both myself ^nd my family by my own indiscretion ! As to what you mention with regard to the area belonging to my house, I shall never look upon myself as restored to my country, till that spot of ground is again in my possession^ J3ut this is a point that does not depend upon ourselves. Let me rather express my concern for what does, and lament that, distressed as your ♦ Terentia had taken sanctuary in the temple of Vesta, but was forcibly draggt'd out from thence bv the directions ofCli dius, in order to be examined at a public. office, con- cerning her husl>and's effects. Mr. Ross, ' After Clodius had procured the law against Cicero al- ready taken notice of, he consecrated the area where his houiie in Rome stood, to the perpetual service of religion, and erected a temple upon it to the goddess Liberty. Dfc o/Ck. Book I. of CICERO. 8f your circumstances already are, you should en- gage yourself in a share of those expences which are incurred upon my account. Be assured, if ever I should return to Rome, I shall easily re- cover my estate : but should fortune continue to persecute me, will you, thou dear unhappy woman, will you fondly throw away in gaining friends to a desperate cause, the last scanty re- mains of your broken fortunes ! I conjure you then, my dearest Terentia, not to involve your- self in any charges of that kind : let them be borne by those whv ► are able, if they are willing, to support the weight. In a word, if you have , any affection for me, let not your anxiety upon my account injure your health : which, alas ! is already but too much impaired. Believe me, you are the perpetual subject of my waking and sleeping thoughts : and as I know the assiduity you exert in my behalf, I have a thousand feai-s lest' your strength should not be equal to so continued a fatigue. I am sensible, at the same time, that my affairs depend entirely upon your assistance : and therefore that they may be at- tended with the success you hope and so zea- lously endeavour to obtain, let me earnestly en- treat you to take care of your health. I know not whom to write to, unless to those who first write to me, or whom you particularly mention in your letters. As you and Tullia are Vol. L D of 34 The letters Book I. I of opinion that I should not retreat farther from Italy, I have laid aside that design. Let me hear from you both as often as possible, parti- cularly if there should be any fairer prospect of my return. Farewel, ye dearest objects of my most tender affection, Farewel ! Thessalonica'^, Oct. the 5th. LETTER VIIL [A.U.695.] To Terentia, to my dearest TuL LI A, and to my Son. I LEARN, by the letters of several of my friends, as well as from general report, that you dis- cover the greatest fortitude of mind, and that you solicit my aifairs with unwearied applica- tion. Oh, my Terentia, how truly wretched am I, to be the occasion of such severe misfortunes to so faithful, so generous, and so excellent a woman ! And my dearest TuUia too ! — That she who was once so happy in her father, should now derive from him such bitter sorrows ! But how shall I express the anguish I feel for my little boy ! who became acquainted with grief as soon as he Was capable of any reflection^. Had these afflictioi[is happened, as you tenderly represent them, by an unavoidable fate, they would ^ A city in Macedonia, now called SdonichL ^ Cicero^ son was at this tinoie about eight years of a^e^ Manvt, Book L OF CICERO. 5i would have sat less heavy on my heart. But they are altogether owing to my own folly iu imagining I was loved where I was secretly en- vied^ and in not joining with those who were Sincerely desirous of my friendship'. Had I been governed, indeed, by my own sentiments, without relying so much on those of my weak or wicked advisers, we might still, my Teren- tia, have been happy'. However, since my friends ' The persons to whom he alludes are, Hortensius, Arrius, and others of that party, who (if we may believe Cicero's complaints to Atticus) took advantage of his fears, and ad- vised him to withdraw from Rome on purpose to ruin him. But persons under misfortunes are apt to be suspicious, and are frequently therefore unjust : as Cicero seems to have been with respect to Hortensius at least, who does not appear to have merited his reproaches. Ad Att, iii. g, 14. Ad Q, iV i. 3. See Mongaulfs remarks, vol. ii. p. 44. ^ Caesar and Crassus frequently solicited Cicero to unite himself to their party, promising to protect him from the outrages of Clodius, provided he would fall in with their measures. Life ofCic. i. 288. 315. Hvo. Ed. ■ Cicero is perpetually reproaching himself in these let- ters to Terentia, and in those which he wrote at the same time to Atticus, for not having taken up arms and resolutely with* stood the violences of Clodius. He afterwards, however, in several of his speeches, made a merit of what he here so stronglj condemns, and particularly in that for Sextius, he appeals to Heaven, in the most solemn manner, that he sub- mitted to a voluntary exile in order to spare the blood of his fellow-ciiiEens, and preserve the public tranquillity. TV, te^ f atria, testor, (says he) et vos penates patriique Dii, me vci- trarum sedttm iempiorumgne causa, me propter salvtem meortnA civium, qtiw mihi semper fuit mea carior vita, dimicationem c^-* demquejugisse. But Cicero's veracity, in this solemn assever- aiioq, seems liable to be justly questioned. It is certain that he once entertained a design ot taking up arms in his own de- fence : and the single motive that appears to have determined him in the change of this resolution was, his finding himself D 2 most I 36 Th£ letters Book I. Book T. OF CICERO. 37 '/ friends encourage me to hope, I will endeavour to restrain my grief, lest the effect it may have upon most perfidiously deserted by Pompey, Si — quisquam fuisset (says he, m a letter to Atticus) qui me Pompeii minus liberali tesponso perterritum, a turpissimo consilio revocaret ; — aut occubuissem honeste., aut tictores hodie viveremus, iii. 15. Dion Cassius asserts, that Cicero, notwithstanding this unexpected desertion of Pompey, was preparing to put himself in a pos- ture of defence ; but that Cato and Hortensius would not suffer him to execute his purpose : awtj^sigojas ptev ozjXac •^fltffGfltj, xflyXi/Sfir Je vzjo rs t« Karovof xa< nt 0§T»}(T4tf &c. Lib. 38. Perhaps this author may be mistaken as to his having actually made any formal preparations of this kind : but that he had it in his intentions seems clear beyond all reasonable contradiction. The French historian of our author's banishment has relied, therefore, toojmuch upon Cicero's pompous professions after his return, when he main- tains that nothing could be farther from his thoughts than a serious opposition. Hist, it Vexil de Cicer. p. 148. The contrary appears most evidently to have been tht case; and that the patriot-motive which he so often assigns in his sub- sequent orations for leaving his country, was merely an after- thought, and the plausible colouring of artful eloquence. Why else, it may be asked, is there not the least hint of any such generous principle of his conduct, in all the letters he wrote during this period ? Why else is he perpetually re- proaching his friend:^ for having suffered him to take that measure ? And why, in a word, does he call it, as in the pas- sage above-cited, turpissimum consilium^ the effect of a most ignominious resolution ? But were it to be admitted that a regard to his country determined him to withdraw from it ; still, however, he could not, with any degree of truth, boast of his patriotism upon that occasion ; for the most partial of his advocates must acknowledge, that he no sooner executed this resolution, than he heartily repented of it. The truth is, how unwilling soever he might be to hazard the peace of his country in maintaining his post, he was ready to renounce all tenderness of that kind in recovering it; and he expressly desires Atticus to raise the mob in bis favour, if there wete any hopes of making a successful push for his restoration : Oro tt ut. It qua spes erit posse itudiis bonorum^ auctoritute^ multitudine coroparata, rem conjici^ des operam ut ung impetu werfrtngatur. Ad Att. iii. 23, upon my health should disappoint your tender efforts for my restoration. I am sensible, at the same time, of the many difficulties that must be conquered ere that point can be effected : and that it would have been much easier to have maintained my post, than it is to recover it. Nevertheless, if all the tribunes are in my in-- terest ; if Lentulus is really as zealous in my cause as he appears; and if Pompey and Gsesar likewise concur with him in the same views, I ought not, most certainly, to despair. With regard to our slaves, I am willing to act as our friends, you tell me, advise* As to your concern in respect to the plague which broke out here, it is entirely ceased : and I had the good fortune to escape all infection. ' How- ever, it was my desire to have changed my pre- sent situation for some more retired place in Epi- rus, where I might be secure from Pisoand his soldiers*. But the obliging Planqius was un- willing * Lucius Calphurnius Piso, who was consul thfs year with Gabinius : They were both the professed enemies of Gicero^ and supported Clodius in his violent measures. The pro- vince of Macedonia had fallen to the former, and be was now preparing to set out for his government, where his troops were daily arriving. Cicero has delineated the characters at large of these consuls in several of his orations ; but be has, in two words, given the most odious picture of them that exasperated eloquence, perhaps, ever drew, where he ^alls them duo reipublicot portenta ac pmefunera : an expres- sion for which modern language can furnish no equivalent. Ve prov. consul. See remark 21. p. 174. of this vol. and re^ Wark 2. p. 102. vol. 2. P3 38 The letters Book I. willing to part with me ; and still indeed detains me here in the hope that we may returu together to Rome'. If ever I should live to see that happy day; if ever I should be restored to my Terentia, to my children, and to myself, I shall think all the tender solicitudes we have suffered, during this sad separation, abundantly repaid. Nothing can exceed the affection and huma- nity of Piso's* behaviour towards every one of us : and I wish he may receive from it as much satisfaction, as, 1 am persuaded, he will honour. —I was far from intending to blame you with respect to my brother : but it is much my de-^ sire, especially as there are so few of you, that you should live together in the most perfect harmony. — I have made my acknowledgments where you desired, and acquainted the persons you mention, that you had informed me of their Iprvices. As to the estate you propose to sell; alas ! my dear Terentia, think well of the consequence : think what would become of our unhappy boy, should fortune still continue to persecute \is. But my eyes stream too fast to suffer me to add more : nor would I draw the same tender flQp4 "^ from ^ Plancius was, at this time, Quawtor in Macedonia, and distinguished himself by many generous offices to Cicero ii\ his exile. Pro Plane, passim. See remark 1. on letter 2» B. viii. . ♦ Cicero's son-in-law. Book I. OF CICERO. from yours. I will only say, that if my friends should not desert me, I shall be in no distress for money : and if they should, the money you can raise by the sale of this estate will little avail. I conjure you then, by all our misfortunes, let us not absolutely ruin our poor boy, who is well-nigh totally undone already. If we can but raise him above indigence, a moderate share of good fortune and merit will be sufficient to open his way to whatever else we can wish him to obtain. Take care of your health, and let me know by an express how your negotiatioM proceed, and how affairs in general stand.— My fate must now be soon determined. I tenderly salute my son and daughter, and bid you aU farewel. Dyrrachium^y November. 26. P. S. I came hither, not only as it is a free city* and much in my interest, but as it is 'si- tuated, likewise, near Italy^. But if I should find any inconvenience from its being a town of such great resort, I shall remove elsewhere, and give you due notice. LETTER 'A city in Macedonia, now called Durazzo, in the Turkish dominions. This letter, though dated from Dyrrachiumy ap- pears to have been wholly written, except the postscript, at Thessalofiica. * That is a city which had the privilege, though in the do- minions of the Roman republic, to be governed by its own laws. ^ Besides the reasons here mentioned, there was another ^nd much stronger, which induced Cicero to leave Thessalo- D 4 nica : 40 The letters Book I. LETTER IX. [A. U. 695.] To Terentia. 1 RECEIVED three letters from you by the hands of Aristocritus, and have wept over them till they are almost defaced with my tears. Ah ! my Terentia, I am worn out with grief: nor do my own personal misfortunes more severely tor- ture my mind, than those with which you and my children are oppressed. Unhappy indeed, as you are, I am still infinitely more so ; as our common afflictions are attended with this aggravating circumstance to myself, that they are justly to be imputed to my imprudence alone. I ought, most undoubtedly, either to have avoided the danger by accepting the com- mission^ which was offered me ; or to have re- pelled force by force, or bravely to have pe- rished in the attempt. Whereas nothing could have been more unworthy of my character, or more pregnant with misery, than the scheme I have liica: for he had received intelligence that Piso's troops were •pproachmg towards that city. Jd Att. lii. 22. ^ Ami answered Cesar's purposes either to gam Cicero^ or to rum him, he anfuily laid his measures for both. Andac. cordingly, dt»er having instigated Clodius to pursue Cicero, he offered to lake hnn into Gaul in the quality of his lieutenant, as a means ol protecting htm from that vengeance he had se- cretly inflamed. But Cicero being more disposed to try his strength w,th his adversary, imprudently declined the pro- posal. i;w, xxxvii. AdAtt.\\.\%.\^, , Book L OF CICERO. 4! have pursued'. I am overwhelmed, therefore, not only with sorrow, but with shame : yes, my Terentia, I blush to reflect that I did not exert that spirit I ought for the sake of so ex- cellent a wife and such amiable children. The distress in which you are all equally involved^ and your own ill state of health in particu- lar, are ever in my thoughts ; as I have the mortification, at the same time, to observe, that there appear but slender hopes of my being recalled. My enemies are many; while those who are jealous of me are almost innu- merable: and though they found great dif- ficulty in driving me from my country, it wiU be extremely easy for them to prevent my return. However, as long as you have any hopes that my restoration may be effected, I will not x^ease to co-operate with your endea- vours for that purpose ; lest my weakness should seem, upon all occasions, to frustrate every measure in my favour. In the mean while, my person (for which you are so tenderly concern- ed) is secure from all danger: as, in truth, lam so completely wretched, that even my enemies themselves must wish, in mere malice, to pre- serve my life. Nevertheless, I shall not fail to observe the caution you kindly give me. I have * See remark X, on the preceding letter The letters Book L I have sent my acknowledgments by Dexip- pus to the persons you desired me, and men- tioned, at the same time, that you had informed me of their good offices. I am perfectly sensi- ble of those which Piso exerts towards us with so uncommon a zeal : and, indeed, it is a cir- cumstance which all the world speaks of to his honour. Heaven grant I may live to enjoy, with you and our children, the common hap- piness of so valuable a relation^ ! The only hope I have now left, arises from the new tribunes ; and that, too, depends upon the steps they shall take in the commencement of their office : for if they should postpone my affair, I shajl give up all expectations of its ever being effected. Accordingly I have dispatched Aristocritus, that you may send me immediate notice of the first measures they shall pursue, together with the general plan upon which they propose to conduct themselves. I have like- wise • He had tbe great misfortune to be disappointed of this m^h : for Piso died soon after this letter was written. Cu cero mentions him io several parts of his writings, with the highest gratitude and esteem. He represents him as a young nobleman of the greatest talents and application^ who devoted his whole time to the improvements of his mind, and the exercise of eloquence : as one whose moral qualifications were bo less extraordinary tiian his intellec** tual, aud, in short, as possessed of every accomplishment and every virtue that could endear him to his friends, to his family, and to the public. Pro Sext. 31. De clar, orator^ 271, Ad QuiriteSf iiu Book L OF CICERO. '^i9 -wise ordered Dexippus to return to me with aH expedition, and have written to my brother to request he would give me frequent information in what manner affairs proceed. It is with a view of receiving the earliest intelligence from Rome, that I continue at Dyrrachium : a place where I can remain in perfect security, as I have^ upon all occasions, distinguised this city by my particular patronage. However, as soon as I shall receive intimation that my enemies'are approach- ing, it is my resolution to retire into Epirus. In answer to your tender proposal of accom- panying me in my exile, I rather choose you should continue in Rome ; as I am sensible it is upon you that the principal burthen of my afK^irs must rest. If your generous negotiations should succeed ; my return will prevent the necessity of that journey : if otherwise But I need not add the rest. The next letter I shall receive from you, or at most the subsequent one, will determine me in what manner to act. In the mean time, I desire you would give me ^ full and faithful information how things go on : though, indeed, I have now more reason to expect the final result of this affair, than au account of its progress. Take * The troops of Piso. See remark 2. on the fornoci letter. 44 The letters Book L Take care of your health I conjure you ; as- suring yourself, that you are, as you ever have been, the object of my fondest wishes. Fare- wel, my dear Terentia ! I see you so strongly before me whilst I am writing, that I am utterly spent with the tears I have shed. Once more, farewel\ • LETTER Dyrrachium, Nov. the 30lh. * '* This great man, who had been the saviour of bis ** coinitry, who had feared, in the support of tbat cause, nei- " iher the insults of a desperate party, nor the da^ers of as- ** sassins ; when he came to suffer for the same cause, sunk •* under the weight. He dishonoured that banishment which " indulgent Providence meant to be the means of rendering ** his glory complete. Uncertain where h« should go, or ** what he should do, fearful as a woman, and froward as a " cbi^d, he lamented the loss of his rank, of his riches, and ** of his splendid pcipulariry. His eloquence served only to " paint bis misery in btronger colours. He wept over th^ ruins of bis fine house, which Clodius had demolished ; and his separation from Terentia, whom he repudiated not long afterwards, was, perhaps, an affliction to him at this •* time. Every thing becomes intolerable to the man who " is once subdued by grief. He regrets what he took no '* pleasure in enjoying, and, overloaded already, he shrinks ** at the weight of a feather. Cicero's behaviour, in short, ** was such, that his friends, as well as his enemies, believed ** him to have lost his senses. Caesar beheld, with a secret ** satisfaction., the man, who had refused to be his lieutenant, ** weeping under the rod of Clodius. Pompey hoped to find ** some excuse for his own ingratitude in the contempt which ** the friend, whom he had abandoned, exposed himself to. ** Nay, Atiicus judged him too nearly attached to his for- mer fortune, and reproached him for it. Atticus, even Atticus blushed for Tully, and the most plausible man alive assumed the style of Cdto." Boling. Kefiect. on Ex- ti ii « <( it Ci Book L OF CICEHO. U LETTER X. [a. U. ^96.] To QuiNTus Metellus Nepos, the Consul. 1 HE letters I received both from my brother and my friend Atticus strongly encouraged me to hope, that you were not less disposed than your colleague to favour my recal. In consequence of this persuasion, I immediately wrote to you in terms suitable to my present unfortunate circumstances : acknowledging my grateful sense of your generous intentions, and entreating your future assistance. But I after- wards learned, not indeed so much by any hint of this kind from my friends, as from the re- port of those who passed this way, that you did not continue in the same favourable senti- ments^ : for which reason I would not venture to importune you any farther. My brother, however, having transmitted me a copy of the speech * This is the same person, who, when he was tribune, gave occasion, by his ill-tieHtment of Cicero, to the second and third letters of this book. He was now consul with Pub- lius Cornelius Leniulus. ^ Whilst the friends of Cicero were exerting their endea- vours to procure his restoration, Clodius was opposing their designs by every method of artifice aiid violence : in°which he wai protected by iMeiellu?, notwiihsiandiug he had given intimations of a disposition to favour Cicero's lutere&t. Lif^ o/Cic.i. 408.810. Edit. 46 The letters Book I. speech you lately made in the senate, I found it animated with such a spirit of candour and moderation, that I was induced to write to you once more. Let me earnestly request you then to consider rather the interests than the pas- sions of your family*, lest, by falling in with their unjust and cmel opposition to me, you should open a way by which they themselves may be oppressed in their turn. Is it possible, indeed, that you, who gained such a glorious conquest over yourself, as to sacrifice your own private enmities^ to the welfare of the republic, should be prevailed upon to add strength to a resent- ment in others which evidently tends to its de- struction ? If ypu think proper then to afford me your assistance in this conjuncture, you may, upon all occasions, depend on my utmost services in return. On the other hand, should that lawless violence, which has. wounded the commonwealth through my side, be suffered still ♦ Clodius was cousin to Metellus. Post red, in sen, 10. ' The first step that Lentulus took when he entered upon the administration of his office, was to move the senate that Cicero might be recalled. Upon which occasion, his colleague Metellus made the concession to which Cicero seems here to allude ; declaring that he was willing to sacri- fice his private resentment against Cicero, to the general in- clinations of the senate and the people. Nevertheless, he still continued to support Clodios, as has been already observed in the note above. Pro Sext. 32. post red. in sen, iv. See' r«maik 26. oa letter 17. p. 17 B. 13. ii. Book I. 01* CICERO. 47 still to prevail, it imports you to reflect, whe- ther, if you should hereafter be inclined to re-^ cal the opportunity of preserving our general , liberties, you will not have the misfortune of finding it much too late^ Farewel. I i » LETTER XL [A.U. 696.] To Fabius Gallus*. I HAVE been attacked with a disorder in my bowels, which continued with great violence during ten days : but as it was not attended with a fever, I could not persuade those who had ^ Notwithstanding that Pompey, Cajsar, and indeed all the principal persons of the republic now concurred in fa- vouring Cicero's return, yet the practices of Clodius pre- vented a decree for that purpose, till the first of June. Nor was it till the 4ih of August following, that this de- cree passed into a general law : in consequence of which, Cicero soon afterwards made his triumphant entry into Rome. Metellus joined in procuring this decree: a change of sentiments which Cicero imputed to a most pathetic speech which Servilius Isauricus delivered in the senate upoa this occasion, and which so softened Metellus, it seems, that he melted into tears. But the true cause is more probably to be ascribed to the influence of Caesar and Pompey : who, in order to mortify Clodius, whose power now begdn to b* troublesome to them, thought it convenient, for their pur- poses, that Cicero should be restored. Pro Sext, 31. 62.' ActQidr. 7, * Gallus is only known by three or four letters which Cicero has addressed to him : from which, however, nothing particular can be collected concerning his history or cha- racter. 48 The LSTTERS Book L Book I. OF CICERO. had occasion for my services, that I was really indisposed. In order, therefore, to avoid their importunities, I retired to Tusculanum ; having observed so strict an abstinence for two days before, as not to have tasted even a drop of water. Reduced then as I am by my illness and my fasting, I had more reason to hope for a visit from you, than to imagine you expected one from me. Distempers of every kind I greatly dread, but particularly of that sort for which the Stoiqs have censured your favourite Epicurus, M'here he complains*" of being violently afflicted with the dysentery and the strangury ; as the for- mer, they assert, is the consequence of t^ble indigencies, and the latter of a more shame- ful intemperance. I had, indeed, great reason to apprehend a dysentery : but whether it be from change of air, or a relaxjation from busi- ness, or that the distemper had almost spent it- self, I know not ; but I am somewhat better since I came hither. You will wonder, perhaps, w^hat excesses I have been guilty of, to bring upon myself this disorder. I must inform you then, that I owe it to the frugal regula- tions ^ In a letter which he wrote during bis last sickness : a translation of which is given us by Cicero, in his treatise. De finibus, ii. 31. tions of the sumptuary law^ The products of the earth being excepted out of the restrictions of that act; our elegant eaters, in order to bring vegetables into fashion, have found out a method of dressing them in so high a taste, that nothing can be more palatable. It was immediately after having eaten very freely of a dish of this sort, at the inauguration feast of Lentulus*^, that I was seized with a diarrhoea, which has never ceased till this day. Thu^you see, that I, who have withstood all the tempta- tions that the noblest lampreys and oysters could throw in my w^ay, have at last been over- powered by paltry beets and mallows: but it has taught me, however, to be more cautious for the future. As Anicius found me in one of my sick fits, you must undoubtedly have heard of n)y iUness ; I was in hopes, therefore, you would not have contented yourself with inquiring after my welfare, but would have given me the satis- faction « Manutius cojijectures, that the law alluded to is one which IS ascribed by Aulus GeUius to Marcus Lucinius Cras. «us, and which passed in the year of Rome 64^ By thi| iiiw the expences ot the table were regulated both in regard to ordinary and extraordinary occasions,, with the express exception mentioned by Cicero in the next sentence, con- cerning the article of vegetables. Vid, Aui. GelL ii. 24^ He was son ofi^ublius Cornelius Lentulus, one of the consuls of the present year, to whom the next letter and several of the following ones in this and the subsequent bo(»k, are written. He gave this entertainment on occasion of his being chosen a member of the college of augurs. Ma|l^t. Vol. I, {: 50 The letters Book I. SopK L OF CICERO. 51 faction of a risit. I purpose to continue licrc, till I shall have i-c-established my health : for I am extremely weakened and emaciated. Bnt if I can once get the better of my disorder, I hope I shall find no difficulty in recovering all the rest. Farewel. LETTER XIL [A. U. 697.] To PuBLius Lentulus, Proconsu!*. I FIND it much easier to satisfjf^ the world than myself, in those sacred offices of friend- ship I ex/crt in your behalf. Numberless, in- deed, ' Publius Lentulus was consul together with Quintus Metellub Nepos, A. U. 696, the year betore this letter was written. Durmg his administration of tliat office, he distin- guished binv.ell by his zeal in promi)tinj» Cicero's recal tronv banishment; which, after many difficulties thrown in the way by Clodius, he at length effected. At the expiration of bia hip, particularly m gaming him mn enlrai>ce into the pontidcial college ; in procuring him the province of low^r Spain, alter he had passed through the «Ace of praetor ; and by assisting him iii obtaining the con*- sul^hip. Yet ihes* obl!gatit»ns were "not so powerful in the senHtnenis of Lemulu>, as to superseery, and he is supplied with money for this puFpose, from the same quarter as when you were in Rome. The party in the king s in- terest, (tho' their number, it must be owned, is inconsiderable) are all desirous that Pompey may be employed to re-instate him in his do- minions. The senate, on the other hand, fall in with the pretended oracle' ; not, indeed, a,s giving. among the venal part of the republic, rendered him gene- rally d tested at Home; insomuch, that notwithstanding he vas z -al u-ly ^upp^rted by Pompey, who actually obtained ft decree in his favour, yet the opposition was so strong, that the senate, afier various debates, thought proper to let the affw^r wholly drop. His last resource, therefore, was to apply Jiimsell to Gabinius, proconsul of Syria. Accordingly, G-ibinius upon the promise of 10,000 talents, and at th# recommendation of Pompey, boldly undertook, and cftct«d his restoration without beuig authorise(i by any legal cominissu)n f >r that purpose. Dio. xxxix. Tat. Epit, 105. Cic. Ot^t. in [*ison. Sec remark 7- p. .06\ of this vol. ^ Caius Cato, a relation of the celebrated M. Portius Cato, who killed himself at VUica, was in the number of "th')^who most strenuously opposed the restoration ot Pto- lemv. He \%a> a young man of a turbulent and enterprising 4irjpositr'»n, which he supported with some degree of elo- qu«iice. This, at K-ast, is the character which Feneslella give? ol him, as that aiialist is cited by Nonius ; but if he tvas never cn;»Hged in an opposition less reasonable than the present, history has not d 'nc him justice. Among other expedients which he emplo)ed to obstruct the designs of tho^e who favoured Ptoh mv, he had recourse to a prophecy which hf pretended to have found in the S»bylliue books, and whicn c ntained a ^evcre denanciation a^ainst the slate, if the Romans assisted a kirg of Egypt with their troops in recwvcMag his throne. This ha4>, in some measure, its de- sired tfffCt ; f r the senatv (which in general was in i he same sentimenir, a^ to thij^ p .int, wiiti Cato) voted it dangerous te the i'Kc'ois of the republic, to employ any force in favour of Pioieniy. •\ Book I. OF CICERO. Si giving any credit to its predictions, biit as being in general ill-inclined to this prince^ and de- ^estinghis most corrupt practices. In the mean^^ while, I omit no opportunity of admonishing Pompey with great freedom, and conjuring him not to act such a part in this affair, as would cast the deepest stain upon his characters. I must do him the justice, at the same time, to ^acknowledge^ that, so far as his own conduct is concerned, there does not appear the least foundation for any remonstrances of this sort* rOn the contrary, he is perpetually expressing the highest zeal for your interest : and he lately supported it in the senate, with the utmost force of eloquence^ and the strongest professions of friendship. Marcellinus^ I need not tell you, is a good deal displeased at your soliciting this '.fr^r. commission; •• The Sibyls were certain supposed prophetesses, concern- ing whom there is a great variety of opinions; historians be- ing by no means agreed as to their number, thtiir. Country, or the age in which they lived. Those who are inclined to read a very ridiculous story, may find an account in Aulus Gellius, of the manner by which the Romans are said to have possessed themselves of these oracular writings. These prophecies were carefully deposited in the Capitol, and con- sulted upon certain extraordinary occasions. There are some i^cient writings ijtill extant which pass under the name of the Sibylline oracles; but these oracles "seem t) have *' been all, from first to last, and without any exception, *' mere impostures." Ad Q. Frat. ii. '2. Aul, GdL i. 19. Jortin'g Remarks m Eccles, Hist, p. 2S4. "*' * One of the present Consuls. E3 f.i I S4 th* letters Book L e6miiiis5ion ; in all other respects, I dare ven- ture to say, he will very strenuously promote your interest. We must be contented to take him in his own way, for I perceive it is impos- sible to dissuade him from proposing that the injunctions of the oracle shall be complied with. And, in fact, he has already made several mo- tions to that pui'pose. I wrote this early on the 13th, and I will now give you an account of what has hitherto passed in the senate. Both Hortensius and LucuUus agreed with me in moving, that the prohibition of the oracle should be obeyed ; and, indeed, it does not seem possible to bring this matter to bear upon any other terms. But we proposed, at the same time, that in pursu- ance of the decree^ which was made on your own motion, you should be appointed to re- establish Ptolemy in his kingdom ; the situa- tion of your province lying so conveniently for that purpose. In a word, we consented that the army should be given up, in deference to the ^ Before Lentulus set out for his government, the senate had come tu a resolution of assisting Ptolemy with a body of troops ; and (as has already bcei\ observed) a decree had actually passed for that purpose. It was voted at the same time thac the consul, whose lot it should prove to adminis- ter the province ofCilicia, should be charged with this com- mission j and accordingly fortune decided it in favour of Lentulu>. But the artifices of Caius Cato, taken notice of in the note above, prevented this decree from being carried into execution. Orai, pro Rabir. 4 Book I. OF CICERO. 55 the oracle; but insisted, nevertheless, that you should be employed in effecting this res- toration. Crassus, on the other side, was for having this conxinission executed by three pep- *ons, to be chosen from among our genemls : and consequently he did not mean to exclude Pompey. Marcus Bibulus joined with hiru /^ to the number, but thought that the persons to be nominated should not bear any military com- mand. All the rest of the consulars were in the isame sentiments, except Servilius, Afranius, an4 Volcatius. The first absolutely opposed our engaging in Ptolemy's restoration upon any terms whatsoever : but the two last were of opi- nion, that, agreeably to the motion of Lupus, this commission should be given to Pompey. This circumstance has increased the suspicion concerning the real inclinations of the latter, a^ his most particular friends were observed to con- cur with Volcatius. They are labouring this point yvith great assiduity ; and, I fear, it will be carried against us. Libo and Hypsseus are ppenly soliciting for Pompey; and, in truth, the conduct of all his friends at this juncture makes It generally believed, that he is desirous of the office. Yet the misfortune is, that those who are unwilling it should fall into his hands, are not the more inclined to place it in yours, as th: y E 4 arc H iM 56 The letters Book Li i- ¥Afl^>¥^ displeased at your having contributed, to,tl>elate advancement of his power^* Eor* myself, Lfind I have the less influence in your* cause, as it is supposed 1 am solely governed by^ -a principle of gratitude; at the same time, the notion which prevails that this affair affords an opportunity of obliging Pompey, renders myj vrij. appli-. ,V u^"^"^'**» during his consulate, proposed and carried a' law in Uvour of Pompey, which, in effect, invested him with the whole power of the Roman empire. For, under a pfe-^^ tended scarcity of corn (as some of the historians seem t^, represent it, tho' Dion Cas-ius, indeed, speaks of it as real)' he was commissioned to provide the republic with that com- modity, by which means all those who were concerned io the naval, the commercial, and landed interest, either in Italy or the provinces, became his tributaries and depen-r dents. By aiioiher law, Pompey was authorised, during the ^acc of five years, to exercise proconsular power throughout all the Roman dorainians ; and it is to these extravagaud grants that Cicero seems to allude. The former, indeed, of these tw«> laws, Cicero himself very zealously promoted, in return to the services he had lately received from Pompey in the affair of his restoration. And tho' the latter invested that aspiring chief with a power much too exorbitant (as is iptimared in a letter to Atticvu) to be endured in a free state; yet Cicero suffered it to pass, without the least opposition. We learn, from his own confession, the mean motive of this unworthy silence. As the Pontificial college, it seems, had not yet made their report concerning the validity of Clo- dius's consecration of his area, (See remark 5. p. 32. of this Mo\.) he thought it unsafe to wiihstand any of Pompey's de- mands, M he might influence their decision to his pnju^ dice : no* tacemus, et eo magis, quod de domo nostra nihil ad- htc Fontiftces respondcrunt. Lentulus, on the other hand, *ras suspected of procuring these laws in view of his own de- signs, and in order to divert Pompey from the thoughts of being employed in re-establishing Ptolemy on his throne. Thus were the liberties of Rome sacrificed to tSe private pari' poses of her pretended patriots \ Pint, in Tit. Pomp. Dio, Jix5cix. Ad Aft. iv. 1. BoO«iD 1/ ckf-^CIGEHOihT ST applications likewise notaitdgether so effectual as they might otherwise prove. It is thiis f 'ittl' labouring in this perplexed business^^ Whi(!}i th6' king himself, long before you left Rome, i&* well as the friends and dependents of Pompey,' had artfttUy embarrassed. To this I' m^sfl add^ the avowed opposition rifc meet with fh^ tHe consulars, who represent our assisting Ptolemy with an army, as a measure that wotild highly reflect upon the dignity of the senate. Be as* sured, however, I shall employ every rtl^ans iu my power of testifying both to the world in ge*-' neral, and to your friends in parti g^ul^j^/^he sincerity of that affection I bear you. And, Verc therie any honoiir in those wjip ought to have shewn themselves influenced bv its hiarhest ^hrf^'ih'dst' tefined principles, I should not have so many difficulties to encounter. Farewel. . b'J. ' ^dt \iiiS tj'~:.h .noflic ?idf lo ')^{|f)frr m- biii -oiD LETTER XIII. [A. U. 697.] a I iwti moT «i '■*'■ li To QuiNTus Valerius Orca. .jaalk yrijiowaL 4i0y., remember, I doubt not, .tia^t when >I attended you on your way towdrds ^oui / provihce, ^ He had hcen praetor the yeir before^ ^"d.ve^y^^nsi^'A* mental in procuring Cicero's recal from exile. 4f th« <3X4 ptration of his praetorship, h^v obtained {he government of Africa : and this letter seems to have been v^ritien to him soon after bis arrival in that province. Pij^L annaf^ i'u 384. y i 58 The letters Book L ftoiyic f. diTrrCHRa 2^ province, I took occasion, in thf presence of Publius Cuspius, to desire you would consider every friend of his whom I should recommend to you, as in the number of my own : and that I afterwards repeated this request in the strong- est manner. You then assured me, with great generosity and politeness, and agreeably to that affectionate regard with which you have ever distinguished me, that you would comply with my request. I am to inform you, then, that Cuspius, having been twice in Africa, during the time that he had the direction of the affairs of the company which farms the revenues of that province, contracted some acquaintance in that part of the world whom he greatly loves : and, as no man is more zealous to serve his friends, he very warmly espouses their interest, I am always ready to assist him, for that pur- pose, to the utmost of my credit and influence ; which I mention as a reason for my recom- mending his African friends in general to your protection. For the future, therefore, I shall only acquaint you that the person in whose be- half I may happen to write, is a friend of Cus- pius : and then add the distinguishing mark we agreed upon\ But my present recommenda- tion ^ To distinguish those recommendations which were writ- ten merely in compliance with solicitations he could not re- cuse, from others that were the sincere dictates of his heart. tion TS of the strongest kifid : as it is in com- pliance with the most earnest desife of Cuspid tis, that I entreat your good offices to Lucius Julius. If 1 were to request them in the terms that are usually employed in the sincerest soli^ citations of this nature, I should scarce satisfy, I believe, the zeal of my friend. He requires somethilig more new and singular in the man*- ner of my present address ; and imagines I am master of a certain art, that renders me ex- tremely well qualified for the task. I promised, therefore, to recommend his friends to you, by all the most skilful and insinuating methods of persuasion. But, as I find myself incapable of executing this promise, I can only entreat yon to give him i-eason to imagine, that there was something wonderfully efficacious in this letter. Now this he will certainly suppose, if you exer- cise towards Julius every generous act that your politeness and your station enable you to con- fer ; not only by distant services, but by your personal notice and distinction : for you cannot imagine, as you have not been long enough in your post to know it by your own observation, how great an advantage it is to a man to have the countenance of the governor of his province. 1 am persuaded that Julius well deserves every mark of your friendship upon his o\ra account; not ^Hh 60 The letters Book I. not only because Cuspius has assured me that he does, (which, of itself, indeed, would be a very sufficient reason for my thinking so) but ^because I know the great judgment of the lat^ 'ter in the choice of his friends. Time will soon discover the effects which tfii^s letter shall produce ; and they will be suchj I confidently trust, as to demand my acknow- ledgments. In the mean while, you may de- pend upon my best services here, in every in* stance wherein I shall imagine you would desire them. Farewel. P. S. Publius Cornelius, the bearer of this letter, is one whom I likewise recommend to you at the request of Cusoius : and how much I am bound, both by mctination and gratitude, to do every thing for his sake that is in my power, is a circumstance of which I have al- ready sufficiently informed you. Let me en- treat you, therefore, that he may very soon, and .very frequently, have the strongest reasons to thank me for this my recommendation of his friend. Farewel. ' 10 -Ul IJiUj iitU 'O'/ «;/ij fo?rTo- ?r-» ^-f >. r ■ LET- Bqo^ I. ^^rCICERO.T LETTER XIV. 61 To Pub LI us Lentulus, Proconsul. 4 HE senate met on the 13th of January, but came to no resolution ; the greatest part of that day having been spent in some warm contests which arose between Marcellinus^, the consul and Caninius, one of the tribunes of the peo;^ ple. I had myself also a very considerable share m the debates ; and I represented the zeal 3 ou have always she^vn towards the senate, in terms that influenced them, I am persuaded, much to YQuv advantage. The next day, therefor^ we tnought it sufficient briefly to deliver our opi- pions ; as I perceived, not only by the favour- able manner in which I was heard the day bcr fore, but also by inquiring into the sentiments gf each particular member, that the majoritv was clearly on our side. The business of the day opened with repovting to the house the several opinions of Bibulus, Hortensius, and -Volcatius. Tlie respective questions, there- foret were, in the first place, whether three commissioners should be nominated for restor- ing the king, agreeably to the sentiments of Bibulus ; ^ I 7 Cneius Lentulus Marcellinus,'who was consul this year with L. Marcius Phiiippus. ^ The letters Qo9» I; \ Bibulus ; in the next, whether, according to those of Hortensius, the oflfice should be con- ferred upon you, but without employing any forces; or, lastly, whether, in conformity tQ the advice of Volcatius, this honour should be assigned to Pompey. The points being thus stated, it was moved that the opinion of Bibu- lus might be referred to the deliberation of the house in two separate questions*. Accordingly, as it was now in vain to oppose his motion, so far as it related to paying obedience to the de- claration of the oracle, the senate in general came into his sentiments : but as to his propo- sal of deputing three commissioners, it was re- jected by a very considerable majority. The opinion next in order was that of Hortensius. But, when we were going to divide upon it, Lupus, a tribune of the people, insisted, that, in virtue of his office, he had the privilege of dividing the house, prior to the consuls ; and therefore demanded that the voices should be first * ** When an opinion iva« proposed to the senate whict *^ was thought too general, and to include several distinct ar-^ *• iiclefi, it was usual to require that each part might be pro* -** pounded and voted separately. Thus Bibulus moved, that •'they might submit to the Sybilline oracle, and appoint **'th«»e private senators to restore the king. But the house *' required that they might vote separately upon Uiese two ** questions: and the event was, they unanimously agreed to, ** the 4"0rmer, but rejected the latter." &ou ran, on Cic» fcemil, epist, tuL i. p. 348. Book I. OP CICERO. 6S iirst taken upon Ae motion he had made in fa- vour of Pompey. This claim was generally and strongly opposed ; as, indeed, it vi^s both unprecedented and unreasonable. The consula themselves, however, did not greatly contest that point, nor did they absolutely give it up. Their view was to protract the debates, and they succeeded accordingly. They perceived, indeed, that, notwithstanding the majority af- fected to appear on the side of Volcatius, yet, upon a division, they would certainly vote with Hortensius. Nevertheless, several of the naem- here were called upon to deliver their opinions, though, in truth, much against the inclinations of the consuls, who were desirous that the sen- timents of Bibulus should prevail. These de- bates continuing till night, the senate broke up without coming to any resolution. I hap- pened to pass the same evening with Pompey ; and, as i had that day supported youi^ cause, in the senate, with more than ordinary success, I diought it afforded me the most favourable opportunity of speaking to him in your behalf. And what I said seemed to make so strong an impression, that I am persuaded I have brought him wholly over to youx interest. To say the truth, wlienever I hear him mention this affair himself, I entirely acquit him of being secretly desirous I 64, The letters Book L desirous of this commission. On the other hand, when 1 observe the conduct of his friends of every rank, I am well convinced (and indeed it is now evident likewise to the whole world) that they have been gained by the corrupt measures which a certain party, with the con- sent of Ptolemy and hi* advisers, have employ- ed. I write this before sun-rise on the l6th of January, and the senate is to meet again ox\ this . very day. I hope to preserve my authority in that assembly, as far, at least, as is possible amidst such general treachery and corruption which has discovered itself upon this occasion. As to what concerns the bringing this matter before the ])ccple, I think we have taken such pjccautions as will render it impracticable, un^ less by actual violence, or in direct and open contempt both of our civil and religious insti- tutions. For this purpose, a very severe order of the senate^ (which, I imagine, was immedi- ately transmitted to you) was entered yesterday in our journals, notwithstanding the tribunes ,Cato' and Caninius interposed their negatives. You ' When an act passed the senate in a full house, held ac- cording to the prescribed forms, and without any oppositioa from the tribunes, (who had the privilege of putting a nega- tive upon all proceedings in the senate) it was called a satar tus consuliutn, a decree of the senate. But if any of these eiisentials were wanting, or a tribune interpojed, it was then only staled a scJiatus auctoritaSf an order of the senate, and consid^ered as of less authority. Manut, * See remark 3. p. 5C, of this vol. BboK I. OF CICER©-^ Si % You may depend upon my sending you a^ faithfiil account of eYei^y other dcctffr<**(gas! which may arise in this affair : smd be assured F shaM exert the utmost of my Vigilance and my credit, to conduct it in the most advantageotB- manner for your interest. FareweK '* ^ ;o LETTER XV; ♦ ffi rnn0 jV [A. U. 697.] ;^I()--- ' To the same. AuLCs Trebbniiis, who fe an old a¥id inti- raat* friend of liiine, has some important af-* fairs iii your province, which require ifftn^*^dti" ate dispatch. His own illustrious charafcter^ together with the recomTAendatic^^'^6f ^{fs'^lp and others, have, upon former occasions of tHi^ kind, obtained fbr him the indiilg^hce of ybii# predecessors. He is strongly persuaded, there^ fdi^, from th^t affection and thos^ mutual ffbod offices which subsist between you ^lid me, tfet! tlrift^ictter will riot provd a less effectual solici- ' tor in^liiiB behalf : and let me earnestly entreltt^^ ytm 4iot to disappoint him in this his expecta- tron. Acbotdtiigly 1 recornirteatf Ms ^eiH^a^tV„ hWf^eed-men, his agents, and, in short, his concerns of every kind to your patronage: 1^^*!^ particularly, I beg you would^oonfirtn^thi^ db^- OL. I. F cree 66 The letters Book L OF CICERO. 67 cree which Titus Anipius* passed in his favour. In one word, I hope you will take all opportu- nities of convincing him, that you do not con- sider this recommendation as a matter of com- ipon and unmeaning form. Farewel. LETTER XVL [A. U. 697.] To the same. • When the senate met on the l6th of this month*, your aft'air stood in a very advantage- ous posture. We had succeeded the day be- fore against the motion of Bibulus for ap- pointing three commissioners, and had now only to contend* with Volcatius ; when our ad- versaries prevented the question from being put, by artfully protracting the debates. For they saw we had, in a very full house, and amidst great contrariety of opinions, carried otir point, to the considerable mortification of those who w^re for taking the king's affairs out of your direction, and transferring them to an- other hand. Curio opposed us upon this oc- casion with extreme warmth; while Bibulus spoke with more temper, and, indeed, seemed almost • The predecessor of Lcmulus in Figh, Ann. U. C. 69^. * January. this government. almost inclined to favour our cause. But Ca- to and Caninius absolutely refused to suffer any decree to pass, till a general assembly of the people should be convened. By the Pupian law, as you well know, there cannot be another meeting of the senate till th« first of February: nor, indeed, throughout that whole month, unless all the foreign ambassadors should have received, or be refused, audience. In the mean while, a notion prevails among the people, thai: your adversaries have insisted upon this pretended oracle, not so much with an intent of obstructing your particular views, as in order to disappoint the hopes of those who may be desirous of this expedition to Alexandria, merely from the ambition of com- manding an army. The whole world is sensi- ble, indeed, of the regard which the senate has shewn to your character : and it is notoriously owing to the artifices of your enemies, that the house did not divide upon the question pro- posed in your favour. But should the same persons, under a pretended zeal for the public, (though, in fact, from the most infamous mo- tives) attempt to bring this affair before a ge- neral assembly of the people, we have concert- ed our measures so well, that they cannot, pos- sibly, effect their designs, without having re- F 2 course f CB The letters Book I. 11 if course to violence ; or, at least, without setting the ordinances of our country, both civil and re- ligious, at avowed defiance^— But I will neither ostentatiously display my own endeavours to as- sist you in this conjuncture, nor dwell upon the unworthy treatment you have received from others. What merit, indeed, can I thence claim to myself, who could not acquit half the obliga- tions I owe you, were I even to sacrifice my life to your service ? On the other hand, what avails it to disquiet my mind with complaining of those injuries, which I cannot reflect upon without the deepest concern? I will, therefore, only add, if methods of violence should be em- ployed, I cannot pretend, in this general con- tempt of all legal authority, to answer for the •vent. In every other respect, I will venture to assure ^ It was no very difficult matter for the contending par- ties in the republic, when they were disposed to obstruct the designs of an opposite faction, to find an expedient for that purpose. One cannot but wonder, indeed, that any public business could be carried on, when nothing more was neces- sary to embarrass the proceedings, than to procure sonvc tri- bune to interpose his negative, or any magistrate to observe the hectcen^. This latter was a species of divination prac- tised among the Romans, in order to determine whether any scheme under delibcratioa would be prejudicial or advan- tageous to the state. In consisted in remarking certain ap« pearances in the heavens, or particular modes in the voice or flight of birds, which were supposed intimations of good or ill luccess. While this ceremony was performing, no assembly of, the people could be legally held, nor any act pass into a law. To botbihese methods, it is probable, Cicero here alludes. Book I. OF CICERO. ^ assure you, that both the senate and4he people will pay the highest attention to your dignity and character. Farewel ' , LETTER XVII. [A. U.69r.] To the same. There is nothing I more ardently wish, than to convince both yourself, and the world, with how much gratitude I retain the re- membrance of your services. I cannot, however, but extremely regret, that your aiFairs should have taken such a turn since your absence, as to give you occasion of trying the affection and fidelity of your friends. You are sensible, as I perceive, by your last letter, that you have teen treated with the same insincerity by those who ought to have concurred in supporting your dignities, as I formerly experienced from some of my pretended friends, in the affair of my banishment. Thus, whilst I was exerting the utmost efforts of my vigilance, my policy, and my interest, in ordei to serve you in the article relating to Ptolemy, I was unexpectedly alarmed in a point of much more important concern, by the infamous law which Cato has F 3 lately >i\ 70 The letters Book I Book I. OF CICERO. 71 \m lately proposed to your prejudice*. Where af- fairs are thus embroiled, every thing is, uiv- doubtedly, to be feared : yet my principal ap- prehension, I confess, arises from the treachery of your false friends. But, however that may be, I am earnestly endeavouring to counter-act the malevolent designs of Cato. As to the Alexandrian commission, both yourself and your friends will, I trust, have abundant reason to be satisfied with my con- duct. But, at the same time, I must say, I greatly fear it will either be taken out of your hands, or entirely dropped : and I know not which of these alternatives I should least choose. However, we have another expedient in reserve, which (should we be driven to it) neither Seli- cius nor myself disapprove. By this scheme we shall, on the one hand, prevent the senate from refusing to assist Ptolemy, and, on the other, remove all appearance of our being dis- appointed, if that person should be employed, who, it is more than probable, will now obtain this commission. To be short, I shall take such precautions, that should our designs fail, you may not seem to have suffered the disgrace of a repulse : ♦ Caius Cato, in order to cut off all hopes at once from Le tulus of being employed in this contested commission, p.t»p.>sed a law to ibe people for recalling bim from bis government. Ad Q. F, i. S, a repulse : yet, at the same time, I shall remit nothing of my best efforts to support your claim, *so long as there shall be the least pros- pect of success. But which ever way this point may finally be determined, it wilLbe agreeable to those wise and elevated sentiments you pos- sess, to consider the true glory of your charac- ter, as resulting entirely from the dignity of your actions and the virtues of your heart. And should the perfidiousness of a certain party deprive you of some of those honours, which fortune has conferred upon you ; be assured, it will cast a much dai:Ver shade oi^ their characters than on yours. In the mean while, your affairs are the constant subject of my thoughts : and I neglect no opportunity of acting in them for yaur best advantage. I concert all my measures for this purpose with Selicius : as, indeed, I know not any one of your friends who has a greater share of good sense, or a more affectionate zeal for your ser-. vice. Farewel. F4 l4ETrER -~---^--*— - 7f THt LETTERS Book I. LETTER XVIIL [A. U. 697.] To the same*. X ou arc informed, I imagine, by many hands, of what passes here. I will leave it, therefore, to your other friends to supply you with au account of our transactions, and content my- self with only sending you my conjectures. To this end T must previously acquaint you, that, on the 6th of February, Pompey made a speech, in a general assembly of the people, in favour of Milo; during which he was insulted with much cjamour and abuse. Cato afterwards in- veighed in the senate against Pompey, with great acrimony, and was heard with the most profound silence and attention : both which ^circumstances seem to have affected him very §ensibly. Now from hence I surmise, that he has entirely laid aside all thoughts of being em- ployed in the Alexandrine expedition. That affair remains, as yet, entirely open to us : for the senate has hitherto determined nothing to your prejudice, but what they are obliged, in deference to the oracle, to refuse to every other candidate • This and the foregoing letter are blended together in the cqmm 'X^ e4ifi'>ns, but they are here separated upon the au- tkority df Manutius^nd Grouovius. Book L OF CICERO. 75 candidate for this office. It is my present hope, therefore, as well as endeavour, that the king may throw himself into your hands, when he shall find that he cannot, as he expected, be restored by Pompey ; and that unless he is re- placed upon his throne by your assistance, hi« affair will be entirely dropped. And this step he will undoubtedly take, if Pompey should give the least intimatioa of its being agreeable to him. But I need not tell you of the diffir culty of discovering the sentiments of a man of his reserve. However, I shall omit no method in my power to effect this scheme ; as I shall easily, I trust, be able to prevent the injurious designs of Cato. I do not find that any of the consulars are in your interest, except Hortensius and Lu« cullns : all the rest of that rank either openly, or in a more concealed manner, oppose your views. Nevertheless, my friend, be not dis- couraged : on the contrary, let it be still your hope, notwithstanding the attempts of the worthless Cato, that you will again shine out in all your former lustre*. Farewel. LETTER » See remark 4. p. 69, ih] f: i!- i 74 The LETTERS Book I. LETTER XIX. [A. U. 697.] To the same. You will receive a full account from PolHo of all that has been transacted in your affair : as he was not only present, but a principal ma- nasrer. Believe me, I am much concerned at the unfavourable aspect of this business. How- ever, it affords me a very sensible consolation, that there is strong reason to hope the pru- dence of your friends will be able to elude the force of those iniquitous schemes, which have been projected to your prejudice. Even time itself will, probably, contribute to this end : as it often wears out the malevolence of those who, either professedly, or in a disguised man- ner, mean one ill. 1 am yet' farther confirmed in these pleasing hopes, Mhenever I reflect upon the faction that was formerly raised against myself : of which I see a very lively image in the present opposition to you. In the latter instance, inde€d, the attack is by no means so extensive, or so dangerous, as that which was made upon me ; nevertheless, there is, in general, a strong similitude between the two cases: and you must pardon me, if I can- not fear, upon your account, what you never thought Book L OF CICERO. •' 75 thought reasonable to be apprehensive of on mine. But, whatever may be the event, con- vince the world that you are influenced by those principles for which I have admired you from your earliest youth : and believe me, my friend, the malice of your enemies will only serve to render your character so much the more illustrious. In the mean time, do mc the justice to hope, from my affection, whatever the warmest friendship can effect ; and be as- sured, I shall not disappoint your expecta* tions. Farewel. LETTER XX. [A. U. 697.] To Lucius LuccEius'. I HAVE frequently had it in my intentions to talk with you upon the subject of this letter ; but a certain awkward modesty has always restrained ■ It is very little that is known of Lucceius, more than what the following letter informs iis. Cicero, in one of his orations, speak of his moral character with the highest applause, representing him as a man of the greatest huma* nity, and of the most unblemished honour. All that has been transmitted down to us of his public transactions is, that he was joint candidate with Caesar in soliciting the consulship, in opposition to Bibulus : in wHich, however, he did not succeed. In the civil war which afterwards broke out, he took part with Pompey ; if not actively, at least by his good wishes and advice : for it appears, by a passage in Caesar's Commentaries, that the former was wholly guided by bis counsels. It is unnecessary to mention the high reputation i'i 76 The letters Book L Book I» OF CICERO. 77 restraitied me from proposing in person, what I can, with less scruple, request at this distance : for a letter, you know, spares the confusion of a blush. I will own then, that I have a very strong, and, 1 trust, a very pardonable passion of being celebrated in your writings : and though you have more than once given me •assurance of your intending me that honour, Vet, I hope you will excuse my impatience of "seeing your design executed. I had always, indeed, conceived an high expectation of your performances in this kind : but the specimen I have lately seen of them, is so far superior to all I had figured in my imagination, that it has fired me with the most ardent desire of being immediately distinguished in your glorious an- nals. It is my ambition, I confess, not only to live for ever in the praises of future ages, but to have the present satisfaction, likewise, of see- ing myself stand approved in the authoritative records of my ingenious friend. I am sensible, at the same time, that your thoughts are already deeply engaged in the prosecution of your ori- ginal design. But, a5 1 perceive you have almost completed your account of the Italic and Ma- rian reputation he had gained by his literary abilities, as this part oi his charaQter will be sufficiently laid open to the Reader m the present Ittter. Orat. pro Ccslio. Suet, m Cas. 19- C(r*. de keii civ. iii. rian civil wars\ and remember you proposed to carry on the remainder of our history in a regular ^series ; I cannot forbear recommending it to your consideration, whether it would be best to weave tlie relation of Catiline's conspi- racy into the general texture of your perform- ance, or cast it into a distinct work. It is cer- tain, several of the Greek historians will justi- fy you in this latter method. Thus Callist- henes wrote a narrative of the siege of Troy, as both Timaeus and Polybius did of the Pyrr- hic and Numantine wars, in so many detached pieces from their larger histories\ As to the honour that will arise to me, it will be much the * The Italic war which broke out An. Urb. 66S, owed its rise to a rejected claim of the Italian provinces to be admitted into the freedom of the city. It employed the Arms of the republic for more than two years, and occa- sioned greater bloodshed and devastation than those wars in which she had been engaged with Hannibal and Pyrr- bus. Towards the close of it, Cicero, who was at that time about 18 years of age, served as a volunteer under the father of Pompey the Great. Flor, iii. 18. FJtilip.xii. The Marian civil war immediately succeeded the Italic, and was occasioned by the insatiable ambition of Marius. This haughty Roman, envying Sylla the honour of leading the army of the republic against Mithridates, to which he had been appointed by the senate, procured a law for divesting him of that command, and transferring it into his own hands. This war was carried on between the two contend- ing chiefs and their adherents, with various success, and the most unparalleled cruelty on both sides, till it terminated in the perpetual dictatorship of Sylla. Flor. iii. 21. Fiut. in ut. Mar. Sf Syll. ' Callisihenes lived in the times of Alexander the Grea;t, and attended that illustrious commander in his expedition into 4 78 The letters Book I. the same, I must own, upon whichever scheme you may determine to proceed : but I shall re- ceive so much the earher gratification of my wishes, if, instead of waiting till you regularly advance to that period of our annals, you shpuld enter upon it by this method of antici- pation. Besides, by keeping your mind atten- tive to one principal scene and character, you will treat your subject, I am persuaded, so much the more in detail, as well as embellish it with higher hip be enjoyed with Scipio and Laelius. De Orat. ii. 5. 8. Ad Att, vi. 1. Pint, in vit, Nici(c. Longin Sect. 4. Voss. de Hist, Grccc. i. 9. 12. 19. Book 1. OF CICERO. 79 However, when a man has once transgressed the bounds of decency, it is in vain to recede ; and his wisest way is to push on boldly in the same confident course, to the end of his pur- pose. I will venture, then, earnestly to entreat you, not to confine yourself to the strict laws of history, but to give a greater latitude to your encomiums, than, possibly, you may think my actions can claim. I remember, indeed, you declare, in one of your very elegant prefaces, that you are as inflexible to all the pleas of af- fection, as Xenophon represents Hercules to have been to those of pleasure*. Let me hope, nevertheless, if friendship should too strongly recommend my actions to your approbation, you will not reject her generous partiality; but give somewhat more to affection, than ri- gorous truth, perhaps, can justly demand. If ♦ The story to which Cicero here alludes, is this : Her- cules, when he was yet a youth, as Prodicus relates the fable, retired into a place of undisturbed solitude, in order to determine, with himself, what course of life he should pursue. Whilst he was iu the midst of his contemplations, Pleasure and Virtue appeared to him under the figures of two beautiful women, and each accosted him in her turn. He heard their respective pleas with great attention : but Virtue gained her cause, and entirely won the heart of the future hero. If the English reader is disposed to know this story in all its circumstances, he will find it wrought up into a v^ry beautiful poem by the Rev. Mr. Lowth, and in.sertcd in PylynictiS} P* 135. 80 The letters Book L If I should prevail upon you to fall in m ith my proposal, you will find the subject, I per- suade myself, not unworthy of your genius and your eloquence. The entire period from the rise of Catiline's conspiracy to my return from banishment, will furnish, I should imagine, a moderate volume. It will supply you likewise with a noble occasion of displaying your judg- ment in politics, by laying open the source of those civil disorders, and pointing out their pro- per remedies, as well as by giving your reasons for approving or condemning the several trans- actions which you relate. And should you be disposed to indulge your usual spirit of freedom, you will have an opportunity of pointing out, at the same time, with all the severity of your indignation, the treachery and perfidiousness of those who laid their ungenerous snares for my destruction. I will add too, that this period of my life will furnish you with numberless inci- dents, which cannot but draw the reader's at- tention in a very agreeable manner : as nothing is more amusing to the mind than to contem- plate the various vicissitudes of fortune. And though they were far, it is true, from being ac- ceptable in experience, they cannot fail of giv-* ing me much entertainment in description : as there is an inexpressible satisfaction in reflect- ing Book I. of CICERO. gl ing at one's ease, on distresses we have formerly suffered. There is something likewise in that compassion, which arises from reading an ac- count of the misfortunes which have attended others, that casts a most agreeable melancholy upon the mind. Who can peruse the relation of the last moments of Epaminondas at the battle of Mantinea, without finding himself touched with a pleasing commiseration ? That glorious chief, you may remember, would not suffer the dart to be drawn out of his side, till be was informed that his shield was safe from the hands of his enemies: 4nd all his concern amidst the anguish of his wound was, to die with glory^ What can be more interesting, al- so, than the account of the flight and death of Tliemistocles* ! The truth of it is, a mere nar- rative ' Epaminondas headed the forces of the Thebans in a ba tie wb.ch they fou»ht with the Lacedemonian, at Ma„ti* nea,a town, n Arcadia. The Thebans gained the victory SL Ti 7 s! "'"""^'"""^ *'^''='^ Cicero here mentions. hi, !• J''r'""^'^l' "'"fl' '"'^'"S 'Jislinguished himself among ficuUrl 'Tk'"' "" A'^<="i-'». •'y his military virtues, par? ticularly ,„ the wars ,n which they were engaged with Xerxes had rendered himself so popula?, that if la, thought ne.' ce^ry to remove him: and accordingly he was oblfgedto ^o wlT ' *^*""""' Pf'PO'es an emenis arms against his country, chose to put an end to his l.fe by a draught of poison, riiit. invito Themhf. » These originally were books prfscrvrd in tl.e pont heal collc«^e, whcrei'n the several divisii)ns of the Jlnm-^n year were^marked out as thev uere regulated by Numa, and the pariicul-.u festivals no'ed upon which it ^^as unlauful to transact anv public affairs. These registers in the later ages of the republic were much enlarged, and contained a sort of journal of the most memorable events, both civil and religi- ous, that happened in every year. IJv. i. ip, CO. Dissert, sur lesfastes par Couture dans Us Mem. de tit, de VAcadem. 'de bel. id. i. 67. Book L OF CICERO. 8^ When I tell you it is my ambition to be cele- brated by your pen, I am, by no means, appre- hensive you will suspect me of flattery. The consciousness of your merit must always incline you to believe, it is envy alone that can be silent in your praise : as, on the other side, you cannot imagine me so weak as to desire to be transmit- ted to posterity by any hand, which could notse- cure to itself the same glory it bestowed// When Alexander chose to have his picture drawn by Apelles7, and his statue formed by Lysippus^ it was not in order to^ ingratiate himself with those distinguished artists : it was from a firm persuasion that the works of these admired geniuses would do equal credit both to his re- putation and their own. The utmost, however, that their art could perform, was to perpetuate^ the persons only of their celebrated contempo- raries: but merit needs not any such visible exhibitions to immortalize its fame. Accord- ingly the Spartan Agesilaus, who would never suffer any picture or statue of him to be taken', is 7 See an account of this celebrated Grecian painter in rem^ark 29- p. 180, of this vol. P«inier, iq * A famous statuary, of whom Demetrius, as cited bv Quintiiian, remarks, that he was more celehrated for lak ing a strong than an agreeable Jikenes.^. Qumt List (hn/^ xii. 10. M. . *oc. wfuf, ^ Acrpsilaus, king of Sparta, was one of the most con-' siderable persons of his age, both for civil and militarv vir- tues ; insomuch that he justly ncquired the apneilarion of G2 Agetilaus ^ Thi letters Book I. !s not less universaliy known, than those ^ho have been most fond of having their persons co- 4jied out for posterity. The single treatise which Xenophon has written in praise of that renown- ed -eneral, is more to his glory, than all the picrures and statues of all the artists in the uni- verse It would be a much higher satisfaction to me, therefore, as it would be a far greater honour, to be recorded by your hand than that of any other ; not only because your genius . would raise and adorn my actions with the same advantage as Timffius', has displayed those of Timoleon', or Herodotus' those of Themis- tocles ; 1. „» nm iKoueh nature had been uncom- uiipromismg a figure. Hut. in in. /ig*^*"* tita jigesil. 8. 1 ^rXS^foronL'lSt characters in a„ an.i- tCnViS-l offie forces which'^ tiLy sent to the re- thian»a»genei execrable tyranny of Di- "F !• Sit r-z;;:.":^ r&rs Book I. ot CICERO.. W tocles* ; but because of the additional credit J shall receive from the applause of so iUu$tripu% so experienced, and so approved a patriot. By this means I shall enjoy, not only the same glp- xious privilege which, as Alexander observejd when he was at Sigeum, Achilles received from Horner^ ; but what is still more impor- tant, the powerful testimony of a man, who is himself distinguished by the noblest and most uncommon virtues. Accordingly, I have been always wonderfully pleased with the sentiment which Nasvius^puts into the mouth of Hector, where Plutarch observes, the glorious satisfaction of seeing so many cities owe their ease and happiness to his generous and he- roic labours, Plut.in vit. TimoL ' Herodotus flourished about 4-40 years before the birth of Christ, under the reigns of Xerxes and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. * See above, remark 6. p. 81. * Alexander being elected commander in chief of the con- federate troops which the Grecians sent against Xerxes, crossed the Hellespont with his army, and landed at Sigeum, a promontory near Troy, where he visited the tomb of Achil- les. Upon this occasion, he is said to have broken out into the following exclamation: ** O happy youth! in having ** found an Homer to celebrate thy virtues." Plut. in tit, Alex. Cic. pra Arch, poet, * A dramatic poet who died at Rome An, Urb. 550, about $03 years before the christian o^ra ; some fragments of his works still remain. The sentiment here quoted from him, is truly noble; as there is not, perhaps, a more certain indication of a low and little mind, than to be elevated .by undistinguishing applause, or depressed by vulgar censure. TTrophies of honour, or monuments of disgrace, are nf)t^ihe works of every hand. Some men are incapable of blastmg a reputation, but by approving it : and are never satyrists, bu,t when they mean to be panegyrists. G3 i\ 86 The letters Book I. I where that hero, speaking of the approbation he had received from his iUustrious father, adds, that it gave him so much the more satis- faction, as coming from one who was, himself, the great object of universal applause. But should want of leisure, (for it would be an in- justice to our friendship to suppose it can be want of inclination,) should your occupations then pi event your compliance with this my re- quest ; I may, perhaps, be obliged to take a method, which, though often condemned, is supported, nevertheless, by several considerable examples : I mean, to be' the historian of my own transactions. But you are sensible there are two inconveniences which attend this scheme : for a man must necessarily be more reserved in setting foith those parts of his con- duct which merit approbation ; as he will be inchned entirely to pass over others which may deserve reproach. I must add, likewise, that what a writer says to his own advantage, al- ways carries with it a less degree of force and authority, than when it comes from any other pen. In a word, the world in general ishttle disposed to approve any attempt of this kind. On the contrary, one often hears the more mo- dest method of the poets at the Olympic games, recommended upon such occasions, who, Book I. OF CICERO. 87 who, after they have crowned the several vic- tors, and publicly called over their names, al- ways employ some other person to perform the same office to themselves, that they may not be the heralds of their own applause. This impu- tation, therefore, I would willingly avoid : as I certainly shall, if you should comply with my request, and take this employment out of my hands. You will be surprised, perhaps, tliat I spend so much time and pains in soliciting you for this purpose, after having so often heard you declare your intentions of giving the world a very accurate history of my administration. But you must remember the natural warmth of my temper, and that I am fired, as I told you in the beginning of my letter, w ith an im- patient desire of seeing this your design carried into execution. To own the whole truth, I am ambitious of being k^iown to the present gene- ration by your writings, and to enjoy, in my life- time, a fore-taste of that little share of glory which I may expect from future ages. If it be not too much trouble, therefore, I should be glad you would immediately let me know youx resolution. And should it prove agreeable to my request, I will draw up some general mc- inoirs of my transactions for your use: if other- G4( ■\V ISC, 85 The letters Book J. wise, I will take an opportunity of discoursing further with you upon this affair in person. In the mean time, continue to polish the work you have begun, and to love me as usuaP. Farewel. LETTER 1 I ^ Pliny b«s made 9 rec^uest to Tacitus, of the same na- ture witb that which is the subject of the letter before u« ; and though it is by no means enlivened with so much spirit; it IS dictated, however, by a far less extravagant passibn. He confesses himself fond, indeed, of being transmitted to posterity, by the pencil of that- celebrated historian : but adds, at the same time, that he is far from desiring him to paint his actions in colours more strong than fact will justify. See Plin, Ut^ vol, ii. p. 43*2, rem. c. This express restriction seems to glance at that most extraordinary paii§age in the present epistle, where Cicero entreats his friend *' not to confine himself to the strict laws of history, but to give a greater latitude to his encomiums than Lucteius might possi- bly think his actions could cltiim." And never did vanity, it must be acknowledged, utter or conceive a more ridicu- lous and contemptible wish ! The voice of praise can alone be jubtly pleasing, when it harmonizes with conscious merit : and the applause that d«es not accord with truth, must, of til dissonancies, surely, prove the most offensive to a well- formed ear. But 11 is extremely observable how much Ci-» cero's judgment was at variance with his practice : for he ^as himself shewn, in very strong terms, the absurdity of claiming mure reputation than a man has merit to support. It is solid worth alone, he justly remarks, that can secure a lasting fame; for nothing can be durable that is fictitious. The former, says he, strikes its root deep, and spreads far : vhile the latter soon withers and dies away* like the beauties of a transient flower. Vera ghria radices agit, et propaga- tur : Jicta omnia ceferiter^ tanquam fiosculiy decidant ; riec si- nailatam potest esse qmdquanx dmturaum, De oOkr. ii. 12. Book I. OF CICERO. 89 I *^ " ' ■■ LETTER XXL [A. U. 697.] QuiNTus Metellus Nepos', to Cicero, Those calumnies with which the most viru- lent, surely, of the human race^ is perpetually loading me in his public harangues, are well compensated by the satisfaction I receive from your obliging offices. When I consider, in- deed, the worthless hand from whence these arrows take their flight, I look upon them with the contempt they deserve ; and am very willing ' It is impossible to determine exactly when this letter was written, as it carries no internal marks sufficient to point out iis date with precision. Ra^azonius, who has taken the pains to settle the order of the^e epistles, places it under the present year, and supposes it to have been written by Metellus, when he was governor in Spain : to which pro- vince he went as proconsul after the expiration of his con- sulship. «• The commentators suppose that the person here alluded to is Clodius, who was now iEdiie, and employing the power which that othce gave him, to the same factious purposes a& he had exercised his late tribuneship. But this conjecture appears altogether groundless. For Cicero taking notice to Atticus of the death of Metellus, which seems to have hap- pened soon after this letter was written, tells him it was pro- bable that he had appointed Clodius his heir : a circum- stance utterly inconsistent with the supposition abuve men- tioned. The same letter may be produced as an evidence likewise, that, whatever were the good offices which Metel- lus here acknowledges, they did not proceed from the sug- gestions of Cicero's heart ; for he speaks of him to Atticus as of one whose character and conduct he greatly disap- proved. Ad Att, iv. 7. . o J r n go The LETTERS Book I. willing he should cease to act as a relation, since "l have the pleasure to see you assume that character in his stead. To say the truth, notwithstanding I had formerly so much re- gard for him, as to have twice preser^'ed him, even in spite of himself, I should now be glad to forget there i& such a person in the world. That Imight not trouble you too frequently with my letters, I have written to Lollius con- cerning my affairs: who will let you know what measures I am desirous may be taken in regard to the accounts, of this province'. If it be possible, let me still enjoy a place in your affection. Farewel. LETTERS * Spain. ''i& i 91 ) LETTERS Of MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. BOOK IL 'i: ••» LETTER I. [A. U,698.] To QuiNTus Ancharius*, Proconsul. 1 RECOMMEND tlic two SODS of my vcrv ex* cellent friend Aurelius, as well deserving your esteem. They are adorned, indeed, with every polite and valuable qualification : as they are in * Quintus Ancharius was tribune An. Urb. 69^ ; when he distinguished himself by his resolute opposicion to the fac- tious measures of hks colleague Vatinius. In the year 6*97 be was chosen praetor; and at the expiration of that office, be 92 The letters Book II. Book II. OF CICERO. 93 i' r in the number, likewise, of those with whom I most intimately converse. If ever then my recommendation had any weight with you, (and much, I am sensible, it ever had) let it prevail, I conjure you, in the present instance. And be assured, the honours with which you shall distinguish these, my friends, will not only indissolubly unite to you two excellent and grateful young men, but, at the same time^ confer a very singular obligation upon myself. Farewel. LETTER II. [A. U. 698.] To PuBLius Lentulus, Proconsul I HAVE received your letter, wherein you as- sure me, that the frequent accounts I send you of your affairs, together with the convincing proofs I have given you of my friendship, are circumstances extremely agreeable to you. I should ill deserve, indeed, those singular fa- vours you have conferred upon me, if I were capable of refusing you my best services : and \ nothing is more pleasing to me, in this long and very distant separation, than thus to converse with xT*-^ "... he succeeded Piso in the government of Macedonia ; in which 'province this letter is addressed to him. Orat. pro Scxt, 53. is Pison. o6. Ross remark on the ejiist, of Cic, ^vith you as often as possible. If you do not hear from me as frequently as you wish, it is solely because 1 dare not trust my letters to every conveyance. But whenever I shall be able to put them into hands, upon which I may safely rely, be assured I shall not suffer the opportunity to slip by me. It is not easy to give a satisfactory answer to your enquiry concerning the sincerity of your professed friends, and the disposition of others in general towards you. This only I will venture to say, that a certain party, and particularly those who have the strongest ob- ligations, as well as the greatest abilities to you have necessarily offended, are your avowed opposers ; as others, whose interests and honours you have generously supported, are much less inclined to remember your fa- vours than to oppose your gloiy. These are circumstances,, indeed, which I long suspectpd, and have often intimated to you : but of which I am now most thoroughly convinced. I ob- served upon the same occasion (and I believe I fold you so in a former letter,) both Ilorten- sius 94 The letters Book II. sius and LucuUus to be extremely in your in- terests : as among those who were in the ma- gistracy, Lucius Racilius appeared very sin- cerely and aftectionately to espouse your cause. But, excepting the two former, I cannot name any of the consulars, who discovered the least degree of friendship towards you, when your affair was before the senate. As for my own endeavours, they might, perhaps, be generally considered as flowing rather from those sin- gular favours I have received at your hands, than from the uninfluenced dictates of my real sentiments. With regard to Pompey, he seldom attended the house at that season : but I must do him the justice to say, he often takes an op- portunity, w ithout my previously leading him into the subject, of discoursing with me con- cerning your affair ; as well as very m illingly enters into the conversation, whenever 1 start it myself. Your last letter, I perceived, was extremely agreeable to him ; and I could not but observe, with equal admiration and plea- sure, the polite and most judicious manner in which you addressed him. Before he received this letter, he seemed a little incHned to suspect, that the notion which some had entertained of his inclination to be your competitor, had alienated you from him. But you have now wholly V Book H. OF CICERO. 95 wholly fixed that excellent man in your in- terest : who, in truth, had all the antecedent reasons for being so, that an uninterrupted se- ries of the highest services could possibly give him^ I must confess, he always appeared to me, even when the conduct of Caninius had raised the strongest suspicions of the contrary^, to favour your views: But I can now assure you, that I found him, after he had perused your letter, entirely disposed to promote what- ever may contribute either to your interest, or your honours. You may consider then what I am going to offer as his immediate senti- ments and advice : as indeed it is tlie result of frequent consultations which we have held to- gether. * See remark 6. p. 56. * It was an usual artifice wiih Pompey to employ his friends in soliciting those honours in his bi-half, to which he affected to appear himself perfectly indifferent, or even averse. This was his policy in the pre^e^t ins ance; and at the same time that he pretended to serve Lentulus in this af- fair, his creature Caninius, a Tribune of the people, whs practising every stratagem in order to procure this com- mission for Pompey. " And tht.ugh Ccero (as Mr. Ross " observes) either out of a tenderness for Leniulus, or out of an apprehension of displeasing Pompey, to whom he was at this time making his court, represents him in this place as acting an honest and friendly part: yet in a let- ter to bis brother, where he may be supposed to deliver ** his real sentiments, he speaks quite difj^rently : 9tam quod de Pompeio Caninius agit, sane qvam refritii : neque enim res probafur ; et Pompeius mster in amkHia P. Lcntuli litiiperatur, et hercule non est idem. Kp. vi. L. 2. 'J he *' truth of the case u this, when Pompey found it was im- •* possible for him to procure this c«)nlmi^sion, he pre- " tended a friendship for Lentulus, and joined with Cicero ** in living th« advjce, which makes a great part of this •• letter/' ' *i (( << (i << <( «i 't 96 The letters Book II. H gether. Accordingly we are of opinion, that it may be proper for you to consider, whether any advantages may be derived from your being in possession of Cicilia and Cyprus. For if there should appear a sufficient probabiHty of being able to make yourself master of A- lexandria and Egypt, wc think it equally for your own honour, and that of the republic^ to march thither with your army, supported by your fleet;, having first left the king at Ptolemais, or some other convenient place in that neighbourhood. By these means, when you ^ A general sketch of Ptolemy's character has already been given in the notes on the preceding book ; and it ap- pears irom thence, that nothing could be less to the honour of the commonwealth, than to interpose in the behalf of this justly-rejecred monarch. Cicero himself represents him, in one of his orations, as unworthy of the crown he wore: eum (says he) negue genere neqtie animo regis essey inter omnes fere video com: enire. In Rull. ii. But what is still more extraordinar), Cicero makes the very measures which he here so strongly recommends to Lentulus, an article of his char^ge against Anthony. It was by the persuasion of the latter that Oabinius undertook (as has already been observed) the restoration of Ptolemy : and Anthony com- manded the Roman cavalry in that expedition. This af- fords a topic of great indignation in one of the Philippics; and Cicero there speaks of this transaction (as he ought al- ways to have spoken of it) as a n^ )«t impudent violation of all authority both sacred and civil : inde iter (says he) ad Alexandriam contra senatut auctoritatem, coiitra revipublicam el reiigiGttes. Philip, ii. 19, But what opinion must every unprejudiced reader conceive of our author, when he thus finds bim condemning and approving the same transaction, and advising his friend to pursue a step which he afterwards publicly and justly reproached in his adversary ? See re- mark 2. p. 51. of this vol. Book II. of CICERO. gT you shall have quieted the disturbances irl Alexandria, and secured it by a propernum- berof forces; Ptplemy may safely take pos- session of his kingtlom. Thus he will be re- stored by you, as the senate had once' de- creed : and restored too without anarmy, agree- ably to the sentiments of those who insist upon obser\'ing the injunctions of the oracle. We are the rather confirmed in recommending this measure, as there is no decree of the senate'sub- sisting which particularly prohibits you from replacing Ptolemy on his throne. As to the or- atriotism of your illus* trious consulship. You are sensible, therefore, how much the least additional glory, which shall accrue to you from your civil and military conduct in the government of your province, wUi increase and strengthen this general lustre of your reputation. But let me express my wi&htfs at the same time, in the first place, that you would not engage in any enterprize with your army, without having long and maturely examined it in all its consequences, nor with- out being sufficiently prepared to carry it into execution : and in the next, that vou would be persuaded, of what I doubt not you are al- ready sensible, that you will find it extremely easy to continue in the possession of that pre- eminence amongst your fellow-citizens, to whiqji, you have always aspired. That you may nol imagine, however, 1 am ofFeiing the idle tribute tribute of unnecessary advice, I must add, that I could not reflect upon thcj treatment we hav4 both received, without thinking it proper tor exhort you well to consider, for the future, on whom you repose your confidence. As to your enquiry concerning the situatiofi^ of public affairs, there are great divisions^ amongst us : but the zeal and prudence of tl>e several parties are by no means equal. Thos«. who enjoy the largest share of wealth and power*,, have gained a superiority of credit likewise by the folly and instability of their antagonists : for they have obtained from the senate, with very little opposition, what they had no hopes of receiving, even from the people, without raising great disturbances. Accordingly the house has voted Caesar a sum of money for the payment of his army, together with a power of nominating ten heutenants; as they have also, without the least difficulty, dispensed \vith the Sempronian law for appointing him a successor^ I do but slightly touch upon these particulai^, * Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. ^ These immoderate and fatal concessions to Csesar's am^ bition, were absolutely unconstitutional, and most evidently tended to the subversion of the republic. But if the reader is surprised at so mean and so impolitic a compliance on the part of the senate, how much higher will his wonder rise> when he is informed that Cicero himself was the chief adviser •nd promoter of these \'cry measures which he here con- H 4 demn? ? f m The .I^ETJEIi^ Book JI. Book II. of CICERO. 105 particulars, as I cannot reflect on our affairs wi|;lj any^ sa^^i^^^tiou. However, I n^eutiou them as suggesting an useful caution to both ol"^^^ t^Q^pveserye a proper poise between our interest and our honour, and not to advance one by an undue depression of the other. A niaxira this which I have learned, not so much frorii niy favourite philosopliy, as from sad ex- j^rience.^ and which, I would recommend to you, ere you are taught it by the same unpleas- ing method of conviction. Your congratulations on my daughter s marriage with C.rassipes*, are agreeable to your 1 - * usual demns ? If this were a fact which stood upon the credit of hiiioridns, the passage before us would strongly incline one to suspect that they had misrepresented the truth. But we have a testimony to produce, which, though of undoubted authority, is the last one should have expected in the case ; for it is lite tesiimony of Cicero himself. In a speech which lie prunounct'd at the bar either a little before, or soon after the dale of this letter, he mentions each of these particular ^rnjiis, which he enumerates to Lentulus, and then adds, Harum ego u/itcntiarum et Princeps tt Auctor fuL Orat, pro HaUto. 27. Tfte St mpn>nian law here spoken of, was procured by C. Sempronius Grdcchu*, a tribune of the people, A. U. 6*31. iiiid enacted that tiie sei.atc should annually appoint succes- sors to the Consular provinces. OJ :*iTullia, when ^h«i married Crassipes, was the widow of Piso^ surnamed Frugi ; of whom au account has been given in the noies on the former book. This second match did -jDpt prove s«» sa is'aclory as Cicero here promises himself; fi'r Cxas!»^|>p^ syun took a disgtist to Tullia, which ended m a div>>rce. A^ he i» very seldom and but slightly mentioned in Cicen/s wntsngs, all that we know of him is, that he. was a Doblemaii of the irst rank. usual politeness : I hope and believe this alli- ance will yield me great satisfaction.-— Your son is a youth of so promising a turn, that I cannot forbear conjuring you to trkm him up in those refined arts which have ever been your pecuHar taste and study ; but chiefly in that best and noblest discipline, the imitation of your exalted virtues. Believe me, I greatly love and esteem him, not only in return to the singular affection he has ever shewn me, but par- ticularly as he is the son, and the worthy son too, oij^ raluable friend. Farewel, Z>tJf^ LETTER f^, [A. U. 698.] To Fabius Gallus*. 1 RECEIVED your letter immediately upon my return from Arpinum, together with one like- wise from Avianus*", in which he very gene- rously offers to give me credit as long as I shall require. Now let me desire you to ima- gine yourself in my situation, and then tell me, whether I can, with a good grace, ask him to allow me even the least time for the payment of * The same person to whom the 11th letter of the forego- ing book is written. *» He seems to have been the proprietor of the statues mpnlioned below. 109 Th« letters Book IIU i of this maney, much less above a year ? In-»^ deed, my dear friend, I should not have been in this difficulty, if you had not exceeded the limits of my coniniission, both in the particulars and tlie sum. However, I am not only mU ling to ratify the agreement you have made for the statues you mention^ but am likewise much obliged to you. I am sensible, indeed, that in the zeal of your friendship, you have purchas- ed fur me wliat pleased your own eye, and wlut you imagined would be worthy of mine ; and I always considered you as a man of the most ju- dicious and elegant taste in every kind. Never- theless, I shall be extremely glad if Damasippus« should continue in the resolution of taking these figures off my hands ; for, to own the plain truth, I have no sort of inclination to them myself. As you were not apprised of my inten*- tions, you have actually consented to pay more for these four or five pieces of sculpture**, thaa. I would have given for all the statues in the universe. You compare the images of the priestesses of Bacchus, to those of the Muse§. which ' Damasippus was a celebrated virtuoso of these times, who, afier having ruined hw fortunes by his extravagant passion for antiques, turned Stoic. Horace has ridiculed hH character and his conversion with great humour, m ©nc of hts satires. Vid. Horat, Sat. ii. 5. * These statues appear, by what follows, to ha:ve been three Bacchanals, a Mar^^ and some figure designed for the support of a table. Book IL OF CICERO. 107 which I bought of Metellus. But surely, my friend, the two instances are by no means pa- rallel For, in the first place, the Muses them- selves would have condemned me, if I had ever rated them at so extravagant a price: and ia the next, I purchased the figures you mention as bearing an allusion to my studies, and afford- ing a suitable ornament to my library. But where can I, with any propriety, place thest Bacchanals ? That they are, as you assure me extremely beautiful, I know full well; fori have frequently seen them ; and, therefore, I should particularly have named them to you, if they had suited my purpose* The purchases which I usually make of this kind are such only as are proper to embellish my Palaestra^ in the same manner as the public Gymnasia^ are generally decorated. But would it not bc^ absurd enough, my good friend, if I, who, upon all occasions, you know, have distinguished myself TpfThePalajstra was properly a part of those public build- ings which the Grecians (from whom the Romans took them) called Gymnasia, which were originally designed for exer- cises of various kinds, and in which, in after-times» the philosophers, likewise, held their schools. What Cicero here calls his PaloEHra, seems to be the same building, which, in a letter to Atticus, he terms his Academia, and which appears to have been some apartments, or, perhaps, a dis- tinct building, of his Tusculan villa, appropriated, princi- pally, to the purposes of study, but adapted alsj t.* (hose bodily exercises which the ancients seldom pawed a day with- out practising. Fid. ad Att. i. 5, 6, 9. : " 1 108 The LETTEES Book II. TOYself as the friend of peace, sliould erect a •if statue of the God of war. It is well there was not a Saturn too, for how could I have expect- ed to have been out of debt, whilst I had lived under the aspect of two suchunlucky divinities^? Mercury would have been a much more wel* come guest ; for I should have hoped, by his influence, to have made a more advantageous bargain^ with Avianus. As, to thc.%ure der sigiK^d for the support of a tablc^ Avhich you intended to reserve for your own use, you shall have it, if you still remain in the same mind, if not, I am ready to take it myself. Upon the whole, however, 1 had much rather have employed this money in the purchase of a little lodge at Tarracina\ that I might not always trouble my friend and host. But this mistake is partly o\v ing to the carelessness of my freed^ man, in not observ ing the instructions 1 gave him, and partly also to J unius, whom I sup^ pose you know, as he is a particular friend of Avianus. f Alluding (^ Manutius observer) to the notions of ihe judicial a-trologcrs, who preiciided that Mars and Saturn W^re unlucky planets. i Mercury was supposed to preside over commerce, from whence it is probable that the Mercuriales, mentioned in a letter of Cicero to his brother, were a com/;a/7j^ of merchants, Vid. Ad. Q. /*. ii. 5. ' ',yit is now called Terracina, a town in the campagna dj. ivma. It lay in the road from Rome to Cicero's villa ajt B60K It: OF CldERO. 109 Avianus. As I have latelv built some acUli- tional apartments to my little portico at Tuscu- lanum', I was desirousof adorning them with a fe\v^ pictures: for, if I take pleasure in any thing of this kind, it is in paintings. However, if I must have these statues, let me know where they are, when they will arrive, and by what conveyance you propose to send them. For, if Damasippus should change his intentions of buying them, I shall find, perhaps, some pre- tender to his taste, who may be glad of the purchase, and I should be willing to part with them even at a loss. Ji(^ When I received your first letter conceminsr the house you want to take, belonging to Cas- sius, I was just setting out from Rome, atftf, therefore, I left your commission with my daughter. However, I took an opportunity myself of talking upon this affair Mithyour friend Nicia, who, you know, is very intimate wdth Cassius. At my return hither, and before I had opened your last letter, I inquired of Tullia what she had done in this matter. She told me, she had applied to Licinia to speak to her 5^* Cicero, if we may credit the invective ascribed to Sal* lust, expended immense sums in this his favourite vdla| which, probably, was a very fine one when it came into bis possession, as it originaliv belonged to Sylfa the dictator. Some considerable remains of it arc still shewn at Grotta Ferrata. Saliust, dcdam, in Cic. 63, riin. H, N. xxii. no The letters fiooK IL Book II; «^i ^CICERO. m her brother Cassius ; but, I believe, he is ndt uf>on very good terms with his sister. The answer which Licinia gave my daughter was, that her husband being gone into Spain, she durst not remove* in his absence and without his knowledge. I am greatly obliged to you for being so desirous of my company as to be impatient to get into a house where you may not only be near me, but actually under the same roof. Be assured, I am no less desirous of having you for my neighbour, and as I am sensible how much it will contribute to our mutual satisfaction, I shall try every expedient for that purpose. If I should have any suc- cess, 1 will let you know : in the mea while, I beg you would return me a particular answer to this letter, and tell me at the same time when I may expect to see you. Farewel. LETTER ^Tbis lady seems to have been the tenant of the house, which Gallus wanted either to buy or hire. I*'- • 7 '^Ar LETTER IV. [A. V, 69a] ■ To PuBLius Lentulus, Proconsul. fnh 'Marcus Pketorius will fully inform you of the promises we have received from Pompey, together with every other circumstance that has been either attempted, or effected in your favour. He was not only present, but, indeed, a principal agent throughout the whole pro- ceedings, and he acted in every article of your concerns, agreeably to m hat might fce^eixpecl- ed from a judicious, a vicrilant and an affec- tibnate friend. To him, likewise, I must refer you for an account of public affairs, not well knowing what to say of them myself. This much, however, I can assure you, that they are in the hands (and in the hands they are likely to remain) of our professed friends^ As for myself, both gratitude and prudence, together with your particular advice, have determined me, as they, ought, to join in his^ interest, whom you Avere formerly desirous of associating with you in mine. You are sensible ncverthe- I less, 5 CiEsar, Pompey, and Crassus. 112 The letters Book IL Book II. OF CICERO. 113 less, how difficult it is to renounce our old and habitual notions of politics ; especially under a full persuasion of their rectitude. However, I conform myself to his system, since I cannot, with any decency, oppose him ; and whatever some may, perhaps, imagine, I am by no means acting in this a counterfeit part. The truth of it is, Pompey has gained such an absolute possession of my esteem, that I begin to look upon every thing as just and reasonable, which falls in with his interest or inclination^. I should think too, it would be no impmdent resolution, even in his adversaries themselves, to desist from an opposition to which they are evidently unequal. In the mean time, I have the satisfaction to find the world in general agreed, that my character requires I should support, or, at least, not obstruct the measures of Pompey; while some are even of opinion I may reasonably retire from all public business, to my favourite pursuits of a hterary kind. And, indeed, were I not prevented by my friendship to Pompey, I should most certainly adopt this latter scheme, as of all others the most suitable to my inclinations. For I can now no longer maintain that dignity in the senate, and that freedom in the commonwealth, which, was the single 7 See remark 17ih, p. 171. of this vol. single motivfe of my ambition, and the sole end I proposed to myself in all my labours ; a mis- fortune, however, which is not peculiar to my- self, but extends to every Roman in general. In a word, I am under the sad necessitv either of tamely submitting to the sentiments of those few who lead the republic, or of imprudently joining in a weak and fruitless opposition*. I the rather mention this, that you may delibe- rate, before you return amongst us, what part it may be adviseable for you to act in the pre- sent conjuncture. To speak freely, the mea- sures both of those of Senatorian and Eques- trian rank ; and, indeed, the whoh system of the commonwealth in general, are totally changed. All, therefore, that I have now to wish, is the preservation of the public tranquil- lity, • A determined patriot could not have been reduced to die alterative which Cicero here mentions : as there was a third expedient which every man of strict political integrity, who dared to act up to his principles, would undoubtedly have embraced. *' An honest physician," says Sir William Temple, ** is excused for leaving his patient, when he finds ** the disease growing desperate, and can, by his attendance, " expect only to receive his own fees, without any hopes or ** appearance of deserving them." Our author, in one of his orations, mentions it to the immortal honour of the ce- lebrated Metellus, that de Cvvitate decedereqvnm de sentattia maluit ; and he who is actuated by the same sublime patriot- ism, will never find himself under the poor necessity of jus- tifying wrong measures by the impossibility of enforcing right ones. See remark 30. p. 181. of this vol. Vol. L I 114 The letters ISooK IL lity, which those, who are in the administra- tion, seem to give us a prospect of enjoying, if a certain party could be prevailed upon to submit with less impatience to their power. 'As to any hopes of supporting, in the senate, that true consular character of a firm and in- flexible patriot, it is in vain now to expect it ; every mean for that purpose is totally lost, by the mistaken conduct of those who disobliged Pompey', and dissolved that strong union which subsisted between the senate and ttic Equestrian orders ^ But » Pompey was very desirous of having the several grants ^hich he had made to the cities of Asia, after his defeat of Mithridates, confirmed by the senate, in which he was strongly opposed by Cato, Metellus Celer, LucuUus, and others. This occasioned a breach between Pompey and the senate, and gave Caesar an opportunity of establishing an in- terest with the former; which, at that juncture, he found necessary for his purposes. Accordingly, being soon after elected consul, he procured a law from the people to ratify these acts. Suet, in JuL Cas, Ip- 9 The farmers of the public revenues, who were compos- ed of the principal persons among theEfjuestrian order, hav- ing, as they pretended, rented some branch of the finances at too high a rate, applied to the senate for relief. Their dema^ds. it seems, were unreasonable: however, in the si- tuation wherein public affairs then stood, it was thought prudent by the more moderate party, not to disoblige so considerable a body of men. But Cato obstinately opposed their demands ; and, by his means, the senate, after keeping them in suspense for several months, at length rejected their petition. ButCsesar, who knew how to turn every incident to his advantage, took up the interests of these knights ; and, in his consulship, obtained from the people a remission ot one-third part of the stipulated rent. This single piece of ^ policy Bqox It OF CICERQ. J 15 But to return to what more immediately re- lates to your own private affairs ;— Ppmpey is extremely your friend, and, by all that I can observe, you may obtain any thing you shMl desire during his consulship'. At least I shall solicit him very strenuously for that .purpose, and you may rely upon my most active offices in every instance where you are concerned. J am well persuaded my assiduity upon this occasion will not be disagreeable to him : on the contrarv. he will receive it with pleasure, were it for no other reason than as affording him a proof of my grateful disposition. In the mean time, I entreat you to believe, that whatever bears tlie least connexion with your interests, is of more importance to me than my own. From these sentiments it is, that I despair not only of being able to return, but even sufficiently to acknow- ledge, the infinite obligations I owe you, tho', at the same time, I am conscious of havino- exerted, upon all occasions, the most unwe^- -ri^d endejavours in your service. It is rumoured here that you have obtained :a complete victory, and we impatiently expect an expr^i^s . policy (as one of the Greek historians observes) gave him a more considerable accession of power, even thaa he had be- ; fore acquired by means of the people, as it gained over a much more important order to his party. Ad Att n 1 Suet, in Jul. Cat, 20. Ap, B, C. ii. ' Pompey and Crassus were at this time consuls, I i i 116 The letters Book IL express with the confirmation of this agreeable news. I have aheady talked with Pompey upon this subject, and as soon as your courier arrives, I shall employ my utmost diligence ia convening the senate. In fine, were I to per- form much more for your interest than Hes within the compass of my present power, I should still think I had fallen far short of what you have a right to expect. Farewel. LETTER V. [A. U. 698.] To Marcus Marius*. If your general valetudinary disposition pre- vented you from being a spectator of our late public entertainments^ it is more to fortune than to philosophy, that I am to impute your absence. But if you decUned our party for no other * The person to whom this letter is addressed, seems to have been of a temper and constitution, that placed him far below the ambition of being known to posterity. But a pri- vate letter from Cicero's hand has been sufficient to dispel the obscurity he appears to have loved, and to render his retirement conspicuous. 2 They were exhibited by Pompey, at the opening of his theatre; one of the most magnificent siructures of ancient Rome, and so extensive as to contain no less than 80,000 spectators. It was built after the model of one which he saw at Mitylene, in his return from the Mithridatic war ; and adorned with the noblest ornaments of statuary and paintine. Some remains of this immense building still sub- sist. Uv. xxxix. Plin, H, N, vii, 3, Plut. in vit. Pomp, Book IL OF CICERO. 117 other reason than as holding in just contempt^ what the generality of the world so absurdly ad- mire, I must at once congratulate you both on your health and your judgment. Isaythisupona supposition, however, thatyou were enjoying the philosophical advantages of that delightfulscene, in which, I imagine, you were almost wholly de- serted. At the same time that your neighbours, probably, were nodding over the dull humour of our trite farces; my friend, I dare say, was in* dulging his morning meditations in that elegant apartment, from whence you have opened a prospect to Sejanum, through the Stabian hills*. And * Sejanum (if that be the true reading, for the MSS. dif- fer extremely) is found in no other ancient author. Stabise was a maritime town in Campania, situated upon the bay of Naples, from whence the adjoining hills here mentioned took their name. One may figure the philosophical Marius as looking down upon the world from this his delightful retire- ment, with reflections of the same kind as those which the poet has so exquisitely imaged, in the following beautiful lines : HerCy on a single plank, thrown safe on shore y I hear the tumult of the distant throng , As that of seas remote, or dying storms^ And meditate on scenes more silent still. Here, like a shepherd gazing from his hut. Touching his reedy or leaning on his staffs Eager ambition* sfery chase I see: I see the circling hunt of noisy men Burst law's inclosure, leap the mounds of right , Pursuing and pursud ; each other's prey ; As wolves for rapine, as the fox for wiles : Till death, that mighty hunter, earths them all ! Young. 13 1 I" ii« TflE LETTERS Book It Atid whilst you are employirig the rest of the day in those various polite amusements, which you have the happy privilege to plan out for yourself; we, alas ! had the mortification of tamely enduring those dramatical representa- tion^, to which Msetius^, it seems, our professed critic, had given his infallible sanction ! but ai you will have the curiosity, perhaps, to require a more particular account ; I must tell you, that though our entertainments Merc extremely magnificent 5 This person is supposed, by rbe comraentators, to bf the same to whose judgment Horace advibcs the Pisus to re- fer their poetical compositions : Si quid tamen olim l^cripseriSf in McBti descendat judkis aures. Art Poet. 385. But the compliment paid in these lines lo the taste of Mctius, ill agrees with the contemptuous manner in which Cicero here speaks of Pompey's Dramatic Censor. It appears by an ancient scholias>t on Horace, that Au- gustus instituted a kind of poetical court of judicature^ con- sisting of five judges ; the chief of which was Metius Tarpa^ mentioned in the verses above quoted. They held their as- semblies in the temple of Apollo : and no poet was permitted to bring his play upon the stage without their approbation. Domitian seems to have improved upon this establishment, and extended it into an academy that distributed prizes to those who excelled, not only in poetical, but prose composi- tions. We have seen societies of this sort formed among our neiglibour nations, with good effect : and perhaps, if in this instance, as well as in some others, we were to follow their example, it might prove a mean, not only of refining our lan- guage, and encouraging a spirit of polite literature, but of calling off oar minds from those political speculations, which, though the privilege, indeed, are not always ihc happiness of ever) i Me Briton. Dae remarq, sur lu x. Sat. du 1, live d'JJQ- race. Sttet in Domit. 4. Book IL OF CICERO. 11>9 magnificent indeed, yet they were by no means such as you would have relished : at least if 1 may judge of your taste by my own. Some of those actors who had formerly distinguished themselves with great applause, but had long since retired, I imagined, in order to preserve the reputation they had raised, were now again introduced upon the stage : as in honour, it seems, of the festival. Among these was my old friend iEsopus^: but so different from what wc • He excelled in tragedy, and was the most celebrated actor that had ever appeared upon the Roman stage. Cicero experienced the advantage of his friendship and his talents during his exile ; for iEsopus being engaged in a part upon the stage, wherein there were several passages that might be applied to our aulhor^s misfortunes: this excellent tragedian pronounced them with so peculiar and affecting an emphasis, that the whole audience immediately took the allusion : and it had a better effect, as Cicero acknowledges, than any thing his own eloquence could have expressed for the same pur* pose. But It is not in this instance alone that Cicero was obliged to i^sopus, as it was by the advantage of his pre- cepts and example, that he laid the foundation of his ora- torical fame, and improved himself in the art of elocu- tion. The high value which the Romans set upon the ta- lents of this pathetic actor, appears by the immense estate which he acquired in his profession, for he died worth almost 200,0001. sterling. He left a son behind him, whose remarkable extravagance is recorded by the Ro- man satirist. This youth having received a present from a favourite lady of a pearl out of her ear, worth a mil- lion of sesterces, or about 80001. of our money, dissolved it in a liquid, and gallantly drank it off: to the health, we may suppose, of his generous mistress. Pliny the naturalist, who likev%ise mentions this story, adds, that he presented, at the same time, to each of his guests, a cup of the same valuable ingredient. Orat, pro Sext. 56. Pint, in vit. Cicer. I 4 * Macrob^ ■, p I i ■i 120 The letters Book IE we once knew him, that the whole audience agreed he ought to be excused from acting any more. For when he was pronouncing the ce- lebrated oath, If I deceive, be Jove's dread vengeance hurVd, S(c. the poor old man's voice failed him : and he had not strength to go through with the speech. As to the other parts of our theatrical enter- tainments, you know the nature of them so well, that it is scarce necessary to mention them. They had less, indeed, to plead in their favour than even the inost ordinary representations of this kind can usually claim. The enormous parade with which they were attended, and which, I dare say, you would very willingly have spared, destroyed all the grace of the performance. What pleasure could it afford to a judicious spectator, to see a thousand mules prancing about the stage, in the tragedy of Cly- taemnestra; or whole regiments accoutred in fo- reign armour, in that of the Trojan Horse ? In a word, what man of sense could be entertained with viewing a mock army drawn up on the stage in battle array? These, I confess, are spec- tacles extremely well adapted to captivate vul- gar Macrob. Saturn, ii. 10. Hor, sat, ii. 3, vcr. 239. P^n^ JL N, X. 51. Book II. OF CICERO. 121 gar eyes ; but undoubtedly would have had no charm in yours. In plaiii truth, my friend, you w^ould have received more amusement from the dullest piece that Protogenes could possibly have read to you^, (my own orations, however, let me always except) than we met with at these ridiculous shews. I am well persuaded, at least, you could not regret the loss of our Oscian and Grecian farces^. Your own noble senate will always furnish you with drollery sufficient of the former kinder and as to the latter, I know you have such an utter aversion to every thing that bears the name of Greek, that you will not ■^ It was usual with persons of distinction amongst the Romans to keep a slave in their family, whose sole business It was to read to them. Protogenes seems to have attended Marius in that capacity. ^ The Oscian farces were so called from the Osci, an ancient people of Campania, from whom the Romans re- ceived them. They seem to have been of the same kind with our Bartholemew tlrolls, and to have consisted of low and obscene humour. As to the nature of the Greek farces, the critics are not agreed. Manutius supposes they differed only from the former, as being written in the Greek language. But it does not appear that Greek plays were ever represented upon the Roman stage : and the most probable account of them is, that they were a sort of pantomimes in imitation of those on the Grecian the- atre. Liv, Vii. 2. Mong, rem. siir les lett. d, Att, vi. , 449. ^ The municipal or corporate towns in Italy were governed by magistrates of their own,, who probably made much the same sort of figure in their rural senate, as our Burgesses in their town-hall. This, at least, seems to have been the case in that corporation to which Marius belonged) and to have given occasion to our author's rail- lery. V ]£2 Tap LETTERS Book IL Book II. or CICERO. m I I m not even travel the Grecian road to your villaV A§ I reipember you once despised our formida- ble gladiators^ I cannot suppose you would.^ have * Ptjrhajis the Grecian road might bf muck out of re- pair, and little frequented at the time when this letter was writifcfl : and on that circumstance Cicero, it is possible, Daay have founded hi» witticism. Among the many in- stances of Roman magnificence, that of their public roads. i^ particularly observable. They were formed at an im- Bvense cost, and extended to a great distance from all sides of the city. Lipsius computes the Appian way at 350 miles, tome part of which still remains as entire as when it was first made; though it has now subsisted above 1800 years. It is twelve feet broad, and chiefly composed of blue stones,, about a foot and a half square. Criminals of a less atro* cious sort Were generally employed in those useful works : and, perhaps, it might be well worthy the consideration of the legislature, whether punishments of this kind in delin- quencies of the same nature, might not, in all respects, be of more advantage to the public, than that which seems to kave so little etfect in restraming the violences that are daily committed a^ong us. Usp. dtmagnif. Ro?m. Buniet's TraxK let, iv. P//«. EjjUt. X. 33. * G^^iBvius supposes (and it is a conjecture extremely pro- bable) tha,t this alludes to some i«ervices ^^hich Cicero ha process of time it grew into a profession, and there were xne.n who hired themselves out for this purpose. Atticus,. i»ho seems to have omitted no opportunity of improving bis finances, had a band of gladiators which he let owt on public occasions, to those who were not rich enough IQ main.tain them at their own expence. The passion for these combats became at length so immoderate, that it was osual to exhibit matches of gladiators at their private en- t^t^nments : and not only men of the first quality, but #.veQ women entered these lists. Reason, moU undoubtedly, cannot Iwpve looked with less contempt on our athletic* performers : and, indeed, Pompey himself ac- knowledges, that they did not answer the pains and expence they had cost him. The remainder of our diversions consisted in combats of wild beasts^, which were exhibited evciy morning and cannot but rise up against spectacles of this sanguinary kind. It is observable, however, that they were not intro- duced among the Romans till they began to be civiijied: and their passion for these cruel combats seems to have ga- thered strength in proportion as their manners, in all other respects, became more refined. There is, indeed, a won- derful disposition in human nature, to be pleased with sights of horror : which even the most polite nations, in their highest periods of improvement, have not been able entirely to subdue. A very ingenious French writer imagines, that if we did not profess a religion which absolutely forbids the %vanton destruction of our species, we should soon convert our prize-fighters into gladiators, and be as sanguinary in our diversions as the Romans themselves. Liv. xxxix. S2. Ad AH. iv. 8. Strab. v. p. 173. Stat, Sylv. i. 6, ver. S^, Suet, in vit. Jul. 39- Reflex, sur la poes. et sur la peint[ 1. 18. * The athletic games were of a less cruel kind than those described in the preceding note, as they principally consisted of running, wrestling, and boxing-matches. It sometimes happened, indeed, that one of the combatants lost Lis life; but this was contrary to the laws of the sport: and if it appeared to have been the effect of design in his adversary, though he was not punished with death, he was punished in a way still more dreaded, by being deprived of the crown that would otherwise have been due to his victory. Pausanias mentions an athletic combatant, who having in- curred this penally, was so affected by the disgrace, that he lost his senses. 3 Beasts of the wildest and most uncommon kinds were sent for, upon these occasions, from every corBcr of the known world ; and Dion Cassius relates, that no less than 500 lions were killed at these hunting-matches, with vihich. Pompey entertained the people. Dio, Lib, xxxix. !,; 124 The letters KooK L ' i 4 ; i , i ■( ti t and afternoon during fivedays successively ; and it must be owned, they were magnificent. Yet, after all, what entertainment can i)0ssibly arise to an elegant and humanized mind, from seeing a noble beast struck to the heart by its merciless hunter, or one of our own weak species cruelly mangled by an animal of much superior strength? But were there any thing really worth observing in spectacles of this savage kind, they are spectacles extremely familiar to you : and those I am speaking of had not any pecu- liar novelty to recommend them. The last day's sport was composed entirely of elephants : which, though they made the common people stare, indeed, did not seem, however, to afford them any great satisfaction. On the contrary, the terrible slaughter of these poor aninijis, created a general commiseration : as it is a jffc- vailing notion, that these creatures, in some de- gree, participate of our rational faculties*. That you may not imagine I had the happi- ness of being perfectly at my ease during the \vhole of this pompous festival, 1 must acquaint you, ♦ This was not merely a vulgrrr opinion, but entertained by some of the learnctl amon;^ the anciints, as appears from the last cited historian ; who likewise takes notice how much the spectators of Pompcy's shews were affected by the mourfc* ful cries of these poor aivimals. Vwy Lib. xxxix. ^, Book IL •V OF CICERO. ^> i25 you, that while the people were amusing them- selves at the plays, I was almost killed with the fatigue of pleading for your friend Callus Ca- iiinius. Were the world as much inclined to favour my retreat, as they shewed themselves in the case of iEsopus, believe me, I would for ever renounce my art, and spend the remaipdcj: of my days with you and some others of the same philosophical turn. The truth of it is, I began to grow weary of this employment, even ^t a time when youth and ambition prompted my perseverance : and I will add, too, when I was at full libertv to exercise it in defence of those only whom I was inclined to assist But in my present circumstances, it is absolute sla- very. For, on the one side, I never expect to reap any advantage from my labours of this kind ; and, on the other, in compliance with solicitations, which I cannot refuse, 1 am some- times under the disagreeable necessity of ap- pearing as an advocate in behalf of those who - ill deserve that favour at my hands^ For these reasons I am framing every possible pretence for II , .: living ' Cicero was now wholly under the influence of Pompey and Caesar: but the particular instances of his unworthy submission to which he here only alludes, are mei»(iorit d more fully in a subsequent letter to Lentulus, an^l will be considered in the remarks on that epistle, Seeleitr 17. o^ this book, remarks 5, 34, and 39' 126 The letters Book IL living hereafter according to my own taste and sentiments : as I highly both approve and ap- plaud that retired scene of Hfe which you have so judiciously chosen. I am sensible, at the same time, that this is the reason you so seldom visit Rome. However, I the less regret that you do not see it oftener, as the numberless unpleasing occupations in which I am engaged would prevent me from enjoying the entertainment of your conversation, or giving you that of mine : if mine, indeed, can afford you any. But if ever I should be so fortunate as to disentangle myself, in some degree at least, (for I -am con- tented not to be wholly released) from these perplexing embarrassments, I will undertake to shew even my elegant friends, wherein the truest refinements of life consist. In the mean while, continue to take care of your health, that you may be able, when that happy time shall arrive, to accompany me in my litter to my several villas. You must impute it to the excess of my friend- ship, and not to the abundance of my leisure, that I have lengthened this letter beyond my usual extent. It was merely in compliance with a request in one of yours, where you intimatea desire that I would compensate in this manner what you lost by not being present at our public diversions. Book 11. OF CICERO. 1^ Aliversions. I s^hall be extremely glad If That^e •succeeded ; if not, I shall have the satisfaction however to think that you will, for the future, be more inclined to give us your company on these occasions, than to rely on my letters for your amusement Farewel, LETTER VI. •. . . tA. tJ.698.] To QuiNTus Phi LI pp US : Proconsul*. HOUGH I am too well convinced of your friendship and esteem, to suspect that you are unmindful of my former application in behalf of my friends Oppius and Egnatius; yet, I cannot forbear again recommending their joint affairs to your protection. My connexion, in- deed, with the latter, is of so powerful a kind, that I could not be more solicitous for my own personal concerns. I entreat you, therefore, to give him proofs of my enjoying that share of your affection, which I persuade myself I pos- sess : "The person to whom this letter is addressed, and the time when it was written, are equally unjinown. Piobius ^supposes he was governor of Asia, in the year of Rorac^70S, But, in this instance, the usual accuracy of that laborious annalist seems to have failed him. For it appears, by a letcer of congratulation which Cicero writes to Philippus upon tiis return from the province, that he must have been proconsul at some period previous to the civil war : Gratulor tihi (says he) quod ex provincia salvum te ad tnos recepisti inco\um)fafrim et Repubuca. Epist. Famil. xiii. 73. See let. 22. p. 210. of this vol, ^ 128 The letters Book II. sess : and be assured you cannot shew me a more agreeable instance of your friendship. Farewel. LETTER VIL [A. U. 699.] To Marcus Licixius Crassus^ I AM persuaded that all your friends have in- formed you of the zeal with which I lately both defended and promoted your dionities^ : as * He had been twice consul in conjunction with Pom* pey, and was at this time governor of Syria : to which pro- vince he succeeded at the expiration of his second consulate, the year preceding the date of this letter. He was esteemed among the considerable orators of his age: but his principal distinction seems to have bren his immense wealth, the great- est part of which he acquired by sharing in the confiscated estates of those unhappy victims who fell a sacrifice to the cruel ambition of SyUa. In his first consulate he gave a ge- neral treat to the people upi)n ten thousand tables, and, at the same time, distributed to ihem a largess of three monih* provision of corn. Plut. in tit. Crassi. Dion Cass, xxxix. ^ Crassus accepted the province of Syria merely with, a design of making war upon the Parthians : for which, how- ever, there was no other pretence than what his boundless avarice and ambition sug<^ested. Accordingly, some ul the tribunes endeavoured to obstruct his levies for this expedi- tion : and when that attempt failed, Ateius, one of their number, had recour-e to certain soperstiiious ceremonies of their religion, and devoted him in form ta deMruction. It was a general persuasion that none ever escaprd the effect of those mysterious execrations : and, in the present instance, the event happened to correspond with this popular belief. For Crassus, together with his army, perished in this enter- prize. The judicious Manutius conjectures, that after Cras- sus had left Rome, some motion was made in the senate for recalling him, which gave occasion to Cicero's services and to Book IL' of CICERO. 12» as indeed it >vas too warm and too conspicuous to have been passed over in silence. The oppo- sition I met with from the consuls*, as well as from several others of consular rank, was the strongest I ever encountered, and you must now look upon me as your declared advocate upon all occasions, where your glorj^ is con- cerned. Thus have I abundantly compensated for the intermission of those good offices, which the friendship between us had long giyen you a right to claim; but whigh, by a variety of accir dents, have lately been somewhat interrupted. There never was a time, believe me, when I wanted an inclination to cultivate your esteem, or promote your interest. Though, it must be owned, a certain set of men, whp are thp h^^e of all amicable intercourse, and who envied us the mutual honour that resulted from ours, have, upon some occasions, been so unhappily suc- cessful as to create a coolness between us^ It has to the present letter. This supposition, however, tho' in- deed highly probable, is not supported by any of the histo- rians Flut, in vie. Crassi. Dio. xxxix. Vel, Pat, ii. 46. ' The consuls of this year were L. Domitius Aheno- b^rbus, and Appius Claudius Pulcher. * How effectually soeyer Cicero ipight have icrved Crasr 8US upon the occasion to which this letter relates ; it is most certain his good offices did not proceecj from a principle of friendship. It is extremely probable, indeed, that his sup- porting the cause of Crassus in the senate h one of those instances of our author's subjection, of which hq cpm.plains Voi. I. K " * ii^ i9b The letters "Bo ox II. has happened, however, (what I rather xvished than expected) that I have found an opporta- tiity, even when your affairs were in the most prosperous train, of giving a public testimony by my services to you, that I always most sin- cerely preserved the remembrance of our former amity. The truth is, 1 have approved myself your friend, not only to the full conviction of your family in particular, but of all Rome in general In consequence of which, that most va- luable of women, your excellent wife', together with i*^ 4he preceding letter: and that it was entirely in compli- ance with the inclinations of Cesar and Pompey, with whciu Crassus was now united. The coolness, here mentioned, seems to have subsisted ever since the afiuir of Catiline ; in whose coDspiracy, as one of the witnesses examined upon that occasion deposed, Crassus was concerned. There were few, iadced, who gave credit to this evidencel, and ihe senate, upon the motion of Cicero, voted it false and mali- cious. Crassus, nevertheless, assured Sallust (as that histo* Tian declares) that this affront was thrown upon him by ih« artifices of Cicero himself. But whether Crassus had any jutst grouftd for this suspicion, or wheihtr it was suggesied t© hira by the false insinuations of those to whom Cicer»» here alludes, is a question by no means capable of deing deter- mined by any circumstance in the history or character of the two men. It is certain that Crassus, from this time, concaived a strong and lasting aversion to our author ; as, Qn the other hand, that Cicero, after the death of Crassus, published an oration in which he expressly charged him with being engaged in this conspiracy. However, a formal re- conciliation had lately passed between them, and when Crassus set out for his eastern expedition, they parted with all the exterior marks of a sincere friendship. Ad Att, iv^ 1:5. ^qUust. Bel, Cat. 49. Plut, in vit, CrassL BpUt, lam. • This lady's name was Tertulla ; and, if Suetonius may ^ be Book II.' OP CICERO. 191 with those illustrious models of virtue and filial piety, your two amiable sons have perpetual recourse to my assistance and advice ; and the whole world i« sensible, that no one is more jealously disposed to serve you than myself. Your family correspondents have informed you, I imagine^ of wliat lias hitherto passed ill your affair, as well as of what i$ at present ii| agitation. As for myself, I eaUeat you to do me the justice to believe, that it wa$ not any sudden start of inclination, which disposed me to embrace this opportunity of vinilicating your honour ; on the contrary, it was my ambition, from the first moment I eutej-ed the foxum, to fce ranked in the number of your friends*, J have the satisfaction to reflect, that I have never, froip that time to ilm hour, failed in the highest sentiments of f&teem for you; and, J doubt not, you have always retained the same aflfectionate regard towards me. If the effects of this mutual disposition have been inter- rupted by any little suspicions, (for suspicions only, I am sure they were) be the reinembrancc of be credited, she was better acquainted with some of Casar's talents than was altogether consistent with her being (what Cicero here calls her) the most valuable of^ll woTntn. Svtt. mJ,Cwts,50. Crassus was almost ten years older than Cicero ; so that when the latter first appeared at the bar, the former had al- ready established a character by his oratorical abilities. K2 The LETTERS Book IL of them for ever blotted out of our hearts. I aiti^p&rsuaded, indeed, from those virtues which foriil your character, and from those which I am desirous should distinguish mine, that our friendly union, in the present conjuncture, can- hot but be attended with equal honour to us both. What instances you may be willing to give me of your esteem, must be left to your own determiation; but they will be such, I 'flatter myself, as may tend most to advance my digiiities. For my own part, I faithfully pro- mise the utmost exertion of my best services, in every article wherein I can contribute to in- cfease yours. Many, I know, will be my rivals in these amicable offices, but it is a contention 'in which all the world, I question not, and par- ticularly your two sons, will acknowledge my superiority. Be assured, I love them both in a very uncommon degree ; tho' I will own, that Pubjius' is my favourite. From his infancy, indeed, ^ Whatever sincerity mif;ht be wanting in our author'* •""professions ot friendship to the father; it is certain he had a ■ -very unfeigned affection for the son ; as, indeed, Cicero had beeil greatly obliged to hisaealous services when he was per- secuted bv Clodius. Soon after this ielttr was written, Publius followed bis father with a body of Gallic cavalry into Par4hia, where he behaved with uncommon bravery, but perished in that unfortunate expedition. He fell not, indeed, by the enemy, but by the hand of one of his atten- dants, who stabbed him by his own orders, as scorning to survive so shameful a defeat. Cic. in Brut, Plut, in tit, Crasii, Book II. OF CIGERO, 135 indeed, he discovered a singular regard tome, as he particularly distinguishes me at this time Avith all the marks even of filial respect antj^f- fection. Let me desire you to consider this letter, not as a strain of unmeaning compliment, but^as a sacred and solemn covenant of friendships which I shall most sincerely and rehgiously observe* I shall now persevere inbgingthe advocate of your honours, not only ftpm^ motive of affection, but from a. principle of constancy, and without any appUcation on your part, you may depend on my embracing every opportunity, wherein I shall think my services may prove agreeable to your interest, or your inclinations. Can you once doubt, then, that any ♦ It has been asserted, in these remarks, that Cicero acted a counterfeit part in his professions of friendship to Crasisus, but as he here very strongly aflfirms the contrary, it will be proper to produce the evidence. This, indeed, is Cicero himself, who, in a letter to Atticus, written not long before the present, and wherein he gives an account of the depar- ture of Crassus, for his Parthian expedition, speaks of bim ' in a style utterly irreconcileable with the sentiments he here professes, and in terms of the utmost contempt. " Crassum *' nestrumy' says he, *' minore dignitate aiufit prqfectum palu-^ «* datum, quam olim--L, Paulum. O hominem neqUamT It must be owned, at the same time, ttiat it is highly pro- bable the heart of Crassus was as li lie concerned in their pretended reconcilement as that of Cicero; for Crassus ge- lierally regulated his attachments by bis interest, and was no farther a friend or an enemy than as it suited with his avarice and ambition. Ad Att. iv. 13. Plut. in vit, Crtmi. K3 / t54 The letters Book II. Boob: IL OF CICERO. l^ any request to me for this purpose, either by yourself or your family, will meet with a most punctual observance? I hope, therefore, you vnll not scruple to employ me in all your con- ^crns^, of what nature or importance soever, as dne who is most faithfully your friend : and that you will direct your family to apply to me in all their affairs of every kind, whether re- lating to you or to themselves, to their friends, or their dependents. And be assured, I shall spare no pains to render your absence as little uneasy to them as possible. FareweL LETTER VIII. [A. U. 699.] To Julius CitsAR.' 1 AM gomg to give you an instance how much I rely upon your affectionate services, not only towards myself, but in favour also of my friends. It was my intention, if I had gone abroad in any foreign employment, thatTrebatius^ should have accompanied me ; and he would not have returned without receiving the highest and most * Capsar was at this time in Gaul, prq>aring for his first expedition into Britain, which, as Tacitus observes, he rathet discovered than conquered. • See^ftn account of him in the following letter. xnost advantageous honouris I should have been able to have conferred upon htm. But as Pom- pey, I find, defers setting out upon his cooi- mission longer than I imagined^ : and I am apprehensive, likewise, that tlic doubts you kao-w 1 entertain in regard to Bpy attending him, may possibly prevent, as they will certainly at least delay, my jouniey, I take- the liberty to refer Trebatius to your goad offices, fox those benefits he expected to have received from mine. 1 have ventured, indeed, to promise that he will find you full as well-disposed to advance his interest, as I have always assured him he would find me : and a very extraordi- nary circumstance occurred, which seemed tQ confirm this opinion I entertained of your ge- nerosity. For, in the very instant I was talk- ing with Balbus upon this subject, your letter was delivered to me : in the close gf which you pleasantly tell me, that " in comphapc:?? with " my request, you will make Orfius king of ^ A law had lately passed, by which Poiupey was in- vested with the government of Spain during five years; md it was upon this occasion that Cicero had thoughts qf at- tending him as his lieutenant. Pompey, however, instead of going to his province, chose to continue in Italy; though^ he seems to have amused Cicero with a notion of bis intend- ing the contrary. For it appears, by a letter to Atticus, written towards the latter end of this year, that our author had fixed the day for his departure. Ftut. in vU, rQfn^* K4 136 The letters BdbK IL '' Gaul, or assign him over to Lepta, and ad- " vauce any other person whom I should be ''inclined to recommend/' This had so re- markable a coincidence with our discourse, that it struck both Balbus and myself as a sort of a happy omen, that had something in it more than accidental'. As it was my intention^ therefore, before I received your letter^ to have transmitted Trebatius to you ; so I now con- sign him to your patronage, as upon your own invitation. Receive him then, my dear Caesar, with your usual generosity ; and distinguish him Among the various kinds of omens obseryed with much superstition by the Romans, that of words happening to coincide with any particular subject under consideration^ was esteemed of singular regard. A remarkable instance of this sort is recorded by Livy. After the burning of Rome by the Gauls, it was debated whether the capital city should not be removed into the country of the Veii. This point was long and warmly discussed, till, at length, the question was decided by an officer of the guards, who, accidentally passing by the senate-house with his company, called out to the ensign, Signifer, statue si gnum : hie maricbimus op- time. These worUs being heard by the fathers in councif, were considered as a divine intimation : and it was imnie* diately and unanimously agreed to rebuild the city on its former scite. Caesar, of all the Roman historians, has most avoided the marvellous of this kind : and it is observ« able, that he does not mention a single prodigy throughout his whole Commentaries, except in his relation of the b^tlc of Pharsalia. Upon that occasion, indeed, he very artfully /alts in with this popular superstition, and gives an account of many predictive intimations of that day's important event. And nothing, in truth, could be more to his purpose than this indirect manner of persuading his countrymen that the Gods were parties in his cause. Lir. v. 55. Cai. bet. civ, iii. 85. Boo^ IL OF CICERO- IS? him with every honour that my solicitations can induce you to confer. I do not recom* mend him in the manner you so justly rallied, when I wrote to you in favour of Orfius : but I will take upon me to assure you, in true Rod- man sincerity, that there lives not a man of greater modegty and merit. I must not forget to mention also (what indeed is his distinguish- ing qualification) that he is eminently skilled in the laws of his country^, and happy in an uncommon strength of memory. I will not point out any particular piece of preferment which I wish you to bestow upon him ; I will only, in general, entreat you to admit him into a share of your friendship. Nevertheless, if you should think proper to distinguish hira with the tribunate or prsefecture', or any other \ • The profession of the law was held among the Romans, as it is with us, in great esteem; but this body of men seem, in general, to have acted rather in the nature of our cham- ber counsel, than as advocates at rhe bar. The 1 a properly the province of those whom they called their ora- tors: and for which every man of good sente, a ready utter- ance, and a general knowledge of the constitutions of bis couniry, was thought qualified. Ck, de off. ii. 19. de Orat^ 55| &c * The military tribunes were next in rank to the lieu4e- nanis or commanders in chief under the general; as the prflF-' '' fecfus legionis was the most honourable post in the: Roman armies after that of the military tribunes. The Imsiness of the former was, among other articles, to decide all contro- versies that arose among the soldiers ; and that of the latter was to carry the chief standard of the legion. 138 The letters Book II. B^o« It Of CICERO. 139 little honours of that nature, I shall have »o manner of objection. In good earnest, I en* tirely resign him out of my hands into yours, which never were lifted up in battle, or pledged in friendship, irithout effect. — But I fear I have pressed you farther upon this occasion than was necessary : however I know you wiU excuse my warmth in the cause of a friend. Take care of your healthy and continue to love me. FareweL LETTER IX. [A. U. 699.] To Trebatius*. I NEVER write to Caesar or Balbus, without taking occasion to mention you in the ad- vantageous terms you deserve : and this in a style that evidently distinguishes me for your sincere well-wisher. I hope, therefore, you will check * This is the same person in whose behalf the foregoing letter to Caesar is wrilien, and which seems to have had so good an effect, that we finci him mentioned by Suetonius as in the number of Caesar's particular favourites. He appears, in this earlier part of his life, to have been of a more gay and indolent disposition than is consistent with making a figure in business ; but he afterwards, however, became a very cele- brated lawyer : and one of the most agreeable satires of Ho- race is addressed to him under that honourable character. If the English reader is desirous of being acquainted with tho spirit of that performance, he will iind it preserved, and even improved, among Mr. Pope's excellent imitations of Horace. Suet, in vi$.JulXasar. Ihr, Sat, ii. 1. P opt* s poms, vol, u. p. 109. »•' • check this idle passion for the elegancies of Rome, and resolutely persevere in the purpose of your journey, till your merit and assiduity shall have obtained the desired effect In the mean time, your friends here will excuse your absence, no less than the ladies of Corinth did that of Medea in the play', when she artfully persuades them not to impute it to her as a crime, that she had forsaken her country : For, as she tells them. There are who distant front their nathe soily Still for their own and country^ s glory toil : While some ^fast-rooted to their parent^pot^ Jn life are lAStless, and in death forgot. • In this last inglorious class you would most cer- tainly have been numbered, had not your friends all conspired in forcing you from Rome. But more of this another time : in the mean while, let me advise you, who know so well how to manage securities for others, to ^ec^^re yourself froii) * Medea being enamoured of Jason, assisted him in ob- taining the golden fleece, and then fled with him from her fa- ther's court. He afterwards, however, deserted her for Cre- usa, the daughter of Creon, king of Corinth, whom Medea de- stroyed by certain magical arts. Ennius, % Roman poet, who flourished about a century before the date of this letter, formed a play upon this story : from which performance the lollowing liues are quoted. 140 The letters BoaK II; from the British charioteers*. And since I have been playing the Medea, let me make my exit with the following lines of the same tragedy, i^liich are well worth your constant remem- brance : His wisdom y sure^ on folly's confines lies^ Whoy wise for others^for himself s unwise, Farewel. LETTER X. [A. U. 699.] To the same. I TAKE all opportunities of writing in yoiir favour: and I shall be glad you would let me know with what success. My chief reliance is on Balbus : in my letters t6 whom I frequently and warmly recommend your in- terest. But why do you not let me hear from you every time my brother dispatches a cou- rier ? I am informed there is neither gold nor silver in all Britain^ If that should be the case, I would ♦ The armies of the ancient Britons were partly com- posed of troops who fought in open chariots, to the axletrees of which were fixed a kind of short scythe. C(es. de bell. Gall, iv. 29, Sir William Temples introduction to the Hist, of England. 5 A notion had prevailed among the Romans, that Britain abouDded in gold and silver mines : and this report, it is probablei Book IK m CICERO/ 141 irould advise you to seize one of the enen>y s military cars, and drive back to us with all expedition. But if you think you shall be able to make your fortune without the assistance of British spoils, by all means establish yourself in Caesars friendship. To be serious ; both my brother and Balbus will be of great service to you for that purpose: but, believe me, your own merit and assiduity will prove your best re- commendation. probable, first suggested to Cxsar the design of conquering our island. It was soon discovered, however, that these sources of wealth existed only in- their own imaginations: and, all their hopes of plunder ended in the little advan- tage they could make bv the sale of their prisoners. Cicero, taking notice of this circumstance to Atticus, ridicules the -poverty and ignorance-of our British ancestors; which gives occasion to the ingenious historian of his life, to break. out into the following pertinent and useful observations : ** From ** their railleries of this kind (says Dr. Middleton) one can- ~^* not help reflecting on the surprising fate and revolutions /* of. kingdoms: how Rome, once the mistress of the world, '** the scat of arts, empire, and glory, now lies sunk in sloih, ** ignorance, and poverty ; enslaved to the most cruel as well '* as to the most contemptible of tyrants, superstition and " religious imposture : while this remote country, anciently •*'the jest and contempt of the polite Romans, is become the happy seat of liberty, plenty, and letters, flourishing in ** all the arts and refinements of civil bfe ; yet, running, per- haps, the same course which Rome itself had run before it ; from virtuous industry to wealth ; from wealth to lux- ury ; from luxury to an impatience of discipline, and cor- " ruption of morals; till, by a total degeneracy and loss of ^♦f virtue, being grown ripe for destruction, it falls a prey, at ." last, to some hardy oppressor, and, with the loss of liberty, ** losing every thing else that is valuable, sinks gradually ** again into its original barbarism." Ad Att, iv, JJfe of CiCs ii, 105. 4< it it it 142 Thx letters Book IL commendation. You have every favourable cir*- cumstance indeed for your advancement that can be wished. On the one hand, you are in the prime and vigour of your years ; as on the other, you are serving under a commander dis- tinguished for the generosity of his disposition, and to whom you have been recommended in the strongest terms. In a word, there is not the least fear of your success, if your own con* . currence be not wanting. Farewel. LETTER XL [A. U. 679,] To the same. J HAVE received a very obliging letter from Caesar, wherein he tells me, that though his numberless occupations have hitherto prevented him from seeing you so often as he wishes, he Av^ill certainly find an opportunity of being bet- ter acquainted with you. I have assured him, in return, how extremely acceptable his gene- rous services to you, would prove to myself. But surely you are much too precipitate in your detejminations : and I could not but wonder that you should have refused tlie ad- vantages of a tribune^s commission, especially as Book IL OF CICERO. 143 as you might have been excused, it seems, from the functions of that post. If you con- tinue to act thus indiscreetly, I shall certainly exhibit an infoi^mation against you to your friends Vacerra and Manilius. I dare not ven- ture, however, to lay the case before Corneli- us : for as you profess to have learned all your wisdom from his instructions ; to arraign the pupil of imprudence, would be a tacit reflec- tion, you know, upon the tutor. But in good earnest, I conjure you not to lose the fairest opportunity of making your fortune, that pro- bably will ever fall again in your way. i frequently recommend your interests to Precianus, whom you mention ; and he writes me word that he has done you some good of- tices. Let me know of what kind they arc. I expect a letter upon your arrival in Britain, Farewel. LETTER 144 The letters Book II. LETTER XIL [A.U.699.] To the same. I HAVE made your acknowledgments to my brother, in pursuance of your request : and am glad to have an occasion of applauding you for being fixed, at last, in some settled resolution, fhe style of your former letters, I will own, gave me a good deal of uneasiness. And allow me to say, that in some of them, you discovered an impatience to reti^rn tq the polite refineipents of Rome, which had the appearance of much levity: tliat, in some, I regretted your indolence, and in others your timidity. They frequently, likewise, gave me occasion to think, that you were not altogether so reasonable in your expec- tations, as is agreeable to your usual modesty. One would have imagined, indeed, you had carried a bill of exchange upon Caesar, instead of a letter of recommendation : for you seemed to think you had nothing more to do than to receive your money and hasten home again. But money, my friend, is not so easily acquired ; and 1 could name some of our acquaintance who have been obliged to travel as far as Alexandria p pursuit of it, without having yet been able to obtain Eoj;)jL II. Qda ncEHa \^ obtain even their just demands^ If my incli- nations were governed solely by my interest, I should certainly choose to have you here : as nothing affords me more pleasure than your company, or more advantage than your advice and assistance. But as you sought my fHend- shii> and patronage from your earliest youth, I always thought it incumbent upon me to act with a disinterested view to your welfare; and not only to give you my protection, but t^'ka- vance, by every means in my power, both your fortunes and your dignities. In conse<|tt^nce of which I dare say you have not forgotten those unsolicited offers I made you, when I had thoughts of being employed abroad^. I no sooner gave up my intentions of this kind, and perceived that Caesar treated me with great dis- tinction and friendship, than I recommended you, in the strongest and warmest tenns, to his favour, perfectly well knowing the singular pro- bity and benevolence of his heart. Accord- ingly he shewed, not only by his letters to me, but by his conduct towards you, the great re- gard he paid to my recommendation. If you have This alludes to those who supplied Ptolemy with money when he was soliciting his affairs in Rome: an account of which has already been given in the notes on the foregoin^^ book. See rem. 2. p. 51, of this vol. ** ? See rem. 7. p. 135. of this vol. YoL. I. L ' 146 The letters Book II^ have any opinion, therefore, of my judgment. Of imagine that I sincerely wish you well, let mt persuade you to continue with him. And notwithstanding you should meet with some J \ things to disgust you; as business, perhaps, or other obstructions may render him less expedi^i tious in gratifying your views than you had reason to expect; still, however, persevere; and trust me, you M^ill find it prove in the end both for youT interest and your honour. To exhort you any farther, mi^ht look like impertinence: let me only remind you, that if you lose this opportunity of improviu^ your fortunes, you will never meet again with so generous a pa- tron, so rich a provinqg^jor so convenient a season for this purpose. And (to express my- self in the style of you lawyers) Corneliua has give?i his opinioyi to the same effect. I am glad, for my sake, as well as yours, that you did not attend Ca?sar into Britain : as it has not only saved you the fatigue of a very dis- agreeable expedition, but me likewise that of being the perpetual auditor of your wonderful exploits. Let me know in what part of the world you are likely to take up your winter- quarters, and in what post you are, or expect to be employed. Farewel LETTER Book IL OF CICERO. 147 LETTER XIIL [A. U. 699.] To the same. It is a considerable time since I have heard any thing from you. As for myself, if I have not written these three months, it was because, after you were separated from my brother, I neither knew where to address my letters, nor by what hand to convey them. I much wish to be informed how your affairs go on, and in what part of the world your winter-quarters are likely to be fixed. I should be glad they might be with Caesar : but, as I would ^ot venture, in his present affliction^ to trouble him with a letter, I have written upon that subject to Balbus. In the mean while, let me entreat you not to be wanting to yourself: and for ' Csesar, about this time, lost his daughter Julia, who di'ed ill child -bed. She was married to Pompey, who was so passionately fond of her, that she seems, during the short time they lived together, to have taken entire possession of his whole heart, and to have turned all his ambition into the single desire of appearing amiable in her eye. The death of this young lady proved a, public calamity, as it dissolved the only forcible bond of union between her father and her hus- band, and hastened that rupture which ended in the destruc- tion of the commonwealth. It is in allusion to this that the elegant Paterculus calls her medimi male cohcercntis inter Pompeinm et Cctsarum concordice pig?ius» Pint, in vit» Pomp^ ^t Ccssar, VeL Paten, i. 47. LSI 148 The letters Book IL Book II. OIF CICERO. 14& for my own part, I am contented to give up so much more of your company, provided the longer you stay abroad the richer you should letum. There is nothing, I think, particu-. larly to hasten you home, now that Vacerra is dead. However you are the best judge : and I should be glad to know what you have dt^ termined. There is a queer fellow of your acquaintance, one Octavius or Cornelius (I do not perfectly recollect his name) who is perpetually inviting me, as a friend of yours, to sup with him. He has not yet prevailed with me to accept his compliment : however, I am obliged to the man. Farewel. LETTER XIV. [A. U. 699.] To MUNATIUS'. Lucius Livineius Trypho is the freedmau of my very intimate friend Regulus : And though the misfortunes of the latter cannot raise him higher in my affection, they have, howevei', • The person to whom this letter is addressed, is un- known, as is the precise lime, likewise, when it was written: It seems p'obable, however, not to have been very long after Cicero's return from banishment. For by the expres- sion, his HOitris temporibus, he undoubtedly alludes (as Mr. Ross observes) to the misfortunes which were brought upon him by Clodius. however, rendered me more assiduous to testify it in every instance wherein he is the least con- cerned. But I have still a farther reason to in- terest myself in belialf of his freed-man, as I experienced his services at a season when I had the best opportunity of proving the sincerity of my friends. I recommend him, therefore, to your protection with all the warmth of the most sensible gratitude ; and I shall be ex- tremely obliged to you for shewing him, that you place to your own account, those many dangerous winter voyages he formerly under*, took upon mine. Farewel. LETTER XV. [A. U. 699.] To Trebatius. I PERCEIVE, by your letter, that my friend Csesar looks upon you as a most-wonderful lawyer ; and are you not happy in being thus placed in a country where you make so const* derable a figure upon so small a stock* ? But with * The ludicrous auihor of the Tale of a Tub has applied this passage with more humour, perhaps, than it was first conceived. He is accounting for the propagation of the se- veral absurd doctrines of philosophy and religion that have prevailed in the woild, by supposing that every system-maker is always sure of finding a set of disciples whose tone of un- derstanding is exactly pitched to the absurdity or extrava- gance of his tenets. ** And in this one circumstance," says L3 he 150 The letters with how much greater advantage would your noble talents have appeared, had you gone into Britain ? Undoubtedly there would not have been so profound a sage in the law throughout all that extensive island. Since your epistle has provoked me to be thus jocose, I will proceed in the same strain, and tell you there was one part of it I could not read without some envy ; and how, indeed, could it be otherwise, when I found that, whilst much greater men were in vain attempt* ing to get admittance to Csesar, you were sin- crled out from the crowd, and even summoned to an audience' ? But after giving me an ac- count of affairs which concern others, why -were you silent as to your own, assured as you are he, ** lies all the skill or luck of the matter. Cicero under- •* stood this very well, when writing to a friend in England, ** with a caution, among other matters, to beware of being " cheated by our hackney-coachmen, (who, it seems, in •* those days, were as errant rascals as they are now) has •* these remarkable words : est quod gaudeas te in ista loca " tenisscy uhi aliquid sapere viderere. For, to speak a bold ** truth, it is a fatal miscarriage, so ill to order affairs, as (o ** pass for a fool in one company, when in another you ** might be treated as a philosopher; which I desire some •' certain gentlemen of my acquaintance to lay up in their " hearts as a very seasonable inuendo,'* Tale of a Tub. p. l64. • Tr«batius, it is probable, had informed Cicero, in the letter to which this is an answer, that he had been summoned by Caesar to attend him as his assessor upon some trial ; which seems to have led our author into the railleries of this and the preceding passages. Book IL OF CICERO. 151 1 are that I interest myself in them with as much zeal as if they immediately related to myself. Accordingly, as I am extremely afraid you will have no employment to keep you warm m your winter-quarters, I would, by all means, advise you to lay in a sufficient quantity of fuel. Both Mucins and Manilius* have given their opinions to the same purpose ; especially as your regimentals^ they apprehend, will scarce be ready soon enough to secure you against the approaching cold. We hear, how- ever, there has been hot work in your part of the world, which somewhat alarmed me for your safety ; but I comforted myself with con- sidering, that you are not altogether so despe- rate a soldier, as you are a lawyer. It is a wonderful consolation, indeed, to your friends, to be assured that your passions are not an over-match for your prudence. Thus, as much as I know you love the water^ you would * Mucius and Manilius, it must be supposed, were two lawyers, and particular friends of Trebatius, as the humour of this witticism evidently consists in an allusion to that pro- fession. ^ In the original it is studiosissimus homo natandi, the am* biguity of which could not have been preserved in a more literal translation. The art of swimming was among the number of polite exercises in ancient Rome, and esteemed a necessary qualification for every gentleman. Thus we find Cato the elder himself instructing his son in this accom- plishment ; as Augustus likewise performed the same ofiice L 4 in U2 The letters Book U. would not venture, I find, to cross it with Cae- sar ; and tho' nothing could keep you from the combats in the education of bis two grandsons, Caius and Lucius. It waS) indeed, one of the essential arts in military disci- pline, as both the soldiers and officers had frequently no other means of pursuing or retreating from the enemy. Ac- cordingly the Campus Martius, a place where the Roman youth were taught the science of arms, was situated on the banks of the Tiber ; and they constantVy finished their exer- cises of this kind by throwing themselves into the river.—- This shews the wonderful propriety of those noble lines which Shakespear puts into the mouth of Cassius, in that masterly scene where he is endeavouring to sound the senti- ments, and fire the indignation of Brutus towards Caesar. We can both Endure the winter's cold as well as he. For once upon a raw and gusty day, The troubled Tiber chafing with his shores, Caesar says to me, ** Darest thou, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point ?" Upon the word, Accoutred as I was, I plunged in, And bade him follow : so indeed he did. The torrent roar'd, and we did buffet it With lusty sinews, throwing it aside, And stemming it with hearts of controversy. But ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cry'd, ** Help me, Cassius, or I sink." I, as iEneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy, upon his shoulder, The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tyber Did I the tir'd Caesar : and this man Is now become a God, ccc. Monsieur Dacier observes, that this passage of Cicero disco- Ters the justness of those verses in Horace, where Trebatius is represented as advising the Roman satirist to swim across the Tyber, as an excellent remedy against his poetical pro- pensity : since, like other physicians, he prescribed a regi- men, it seems, most agreeable to his own taste and prac- tice. Plut, in nV. Cato, Censor, Stiet. in vit. Augvsti 64. Vcgft. de re mility i. 10. D^citrrtm. stir la Sat. i. du Hv. ii. d^Uor, Book It. OF CICERO. 153 combats in Rome, you were niiicli too wise, i perceive, to attend them in Britain^ \. But pleasantry apart: you know, without my telling you, with what zeal I have recommended you to Cffisar ; though, perhaps, you may not be apprised, that I have fiequently, as well as warmly, written to him upon that subject I had, for some time, indeed, intermitted my so- • licitations, as I would not seem to distrust his friendship and generosity; however, I thought proper, in my last, to remind him once more'of his promise. I desire you would let me know what effect my letter has produced, and at the 3ame time, give me a full account of every thing that concerns you. For I am exceedingly auxi- ous to be informed of the prospest and situation of your affairs, as well as how long you ima- gine your absence is likely to continue. Be per- suaded, that nothing could reconcile me to this separation, but the hopes of its proving to your advantage. In any other view, I should not be so impoHtic as not to insist on your return ; as you would be too prudent, I day say, to delay it. The truth is, one hour s gay, or serious conversation together, is of more importance to us, than all the foes and all tlie friends that the whole nation of Gaul can produce. I entreat ^ Alluding to his fondness of the gladiatorial games.' ^ee remark 5, p. i3^^ of thi« vol. you I' 'i 154 The letters Book IL Book IL OF CICERO. 155 you, therefore, to send me an immediate ac- count in what posture your affairs stand ; and be assured, as honest Chremes says to his neighbour in the play^ Whatever cares thy laboring bosom grieve, Mxf tongue shall soothe them, or my hand relieve, Farewel. LETTER XVL [A. U. 699.] To the same. You remember the character given of the Phrygians in the play^ ; " that their wisdom *' ever came too late :" but you are resolved, my dear cautious old gentleman', that no im- putation of this kind shall be fixed upon you. Thank heaven, indeed, you wisely subdued the romantic spirit of your first letters, as you were not so obstinately bent upon new adven- tures, as to hazard a voyage for that purpose into * Id Terence's play calleH the Self tormentor, f A tragedy called the Trojan Horse, which seems, by Cicero's frequent quotations Irora it, to have been in great esteem. » The celebrated Monsieur Dacier produces this passage as a proof that Trebatius must have been more than four- score years of age, when Horace addressed the satire to him mentioned in the remarks on the preceding letter. But that learned critic has been led into this error by taking in a se- rious sense, what Cicero most evidently meant in a ludicrous one. into Britain; and who, in troth, can blame you ? It is the same disposition, I imagine, that has immoveably fixed you in your winter-quarters, and certainly there is nothing like acting with circumspection upon all occasions. Take my word for it, prudence is the safest shield. If it were usual with me to sup from home, most undoubtedly I could not refuse your gal- lant friend Octavius. I will own, however, I love to mortify the man's vanity ; and, when- ever he invites me, I always aifect to look with some surprise, as not seeming to recollect his person. Seriously, he is a wondrous pretty fellow ; what pity it is that you did not take him abroad with you* ! Let me know how you are employed, and whether there is any probability of seeing you in Italy this winter. Balbus assures me, that you will certainly return immensely rich ; but, whether he means in the vulgar sense, or agree- ably to the maxim of his friends the Stoics, who maintain, you know, ** that every man is rich, " who has the free enjoyment of earth and *' a?i';" is a doubt which time will clear up. I find, by those who come from your part of the world, that you are grown wonderfully re- served: for they tell me, you answer no que- ries. * See the conclusion of let. xiii, p. 148. of this vol. / 136 The letters Book IL riey^. However, it is on all hands a settled point, (and you have reason, certainly, to con- gratulate yourself upon it) that you are the most profound sage in the law, throughout the whole city of Samarobriva*^ Farewel. LETTER ' The witticism of this passage consists in the double •ense of the verb responderCj which, besides its common ac- ceptation, signifies likewise the giving an opinion as a lawyer^ This conceit, such as it is, seems to have been a favourite one with our author, for he repeats it in a subsequent letter, where he is rallying another of his friends upon an occasion of the same nature. See note 6. p. 213. of this vol. But — Antoni gladios potuit contemnere^ si sic Omn ia dirisset ! ^ J u v . '** A principal town iu Gaul, now called Amiens, and where Trebatius seems to have had his winter-quarters. •\ Book IL OF CICERQ. 157 LETER XVII. [A. U. 699.] To LKNTUtUS. It is with singular pleasure I perceive, by your letter, that you are sensible, I will not say of my affection only, but of my devotion towards you. Even that sacred term, indeed, can but ill express the sentiments you merit from me : and if you esteem yourself (as you would per- suade me) obliged by my endeavours to serve you, it is your friendship alone which can make you think so. I am sure, at least, I could not refuse you my best good offices, without being guilty of the most unpardonable ingrati- tude. You would have experienced, however, much stronger and more powerful instances of my friendship, if, instead of being thus long separated from each other, \ve had passed this interval together at Rome. It is not only in the particular article you mention, and in Avhich no man is more qualified to shine, that I impa- tiently wish to receive you as my co-adjutor : it is not, I say, in the senate alone, that our amicable concurrence would have been distin- guished ; it would have appeared conspicuous, my friend, in every act of public concern- ment. 158 The letters Book IL Book II. OF CICERO. 150 ment. Suffer me then to add, previously to the information you request me to give you of my political sentiments and situation, that if fortune had not thus divided us, I should have enjoyed in you a wise and faithful guide ; as you would have found in me, a kind, a friendly, and, perhaps, no unexperienced associate. How- ever, I rejoice (as undoubtedly I ought) at the honourable occasion of your absence, and in which your military conduct and success has procured you the illustrious tit\(^ of Imperator^. Nevertheless, J must repeat it again, it is ow- ing to this circumstance, that you have not re- ceived far more abundant and efficacious fruits of that friendship, to which you have so undis- puted a claim. In particular, I should most strenuously have united with you in taking just vengeance on those whose ill offices you have experienced, partly in resentment of your hav- ing supported and protected me in my adver- sity, and partly a,s they envy you the glory of so generous an action. One of them, however, has sufficiently anticipated our revenge, and drawn down by his own hands the chastise- ment he merits from ours. The person, I mean is ' History is altogether silent as to the occasion upoa yi(hich Lentulus was saluted by bis army witb tbis titU. is that man who has ever distinguished himself by opposing his benefactors, and who, after having received from you the highest services, singled you out as the object of his impotent malice. This man, in consequence of being detected in his late infamous attempts, has en-« tirely and irretrievably lost at once both his honour and his liberty*. As to yourself, tho' I had much rather you should gain experience by my misfortunes than your own, yet it af- fords me some consolation, under your present disappointment', that you have not paid so se- vere a fine as I did, for being taught the little dependence there is upon the professions of the world. A reflection this, which may very properly serve as an introduction to the ac- count you require of the motives of my late transactions. You are informed, then, it seems, that I am reconciled with Csesar and Appius*: a step, you assure me, which you do not disapprove. But * The conj(5Cture of Manutrus seems highly probable, that the persoa'to whom Cicero alludes isCaius Cato, whose ill offices to Lentulus have been often mentioned in the pre- ceding letters. . But what the secret practices were which had been discovered so much to his disgrace, is a point ia which history does not afford any light. ^ In not obtaining^ the commission to replace Ptolemy on his throne. ♦ He was embroiled with Appius, as being the brother of bis inveterate enemy, Clodius. [A. \ 160 The letters Book II. .\-'/i I 4 Is But you are at a loss to guess what yeasQus could induce me to appear at the trial of Vatinius, not only as an advocate, but as a witness ip his fa- vour?. To set this matter in the clearest light> it will be necessary to trace back the motives of mv conduct to their orisiinal sou^.ge.. LetJaie observe then^ my Lentulus, that when I was- recalled from exile by your generous pfl^c^ .1. considered myself as restored, not only to my friends and to my family, but to the comn^qi;^ wealth in general. And as you had a right to the best returns of my affection and gratitude for v* ft wascastomary ^t trials for the person arraigned t6 produce witnesses to his cbaraclcr, who were called Laudct- iorts, aod ten was the number requibite for this purpose. Vairnios was tribune of thj& people in the consulate orf<22esar,. and had been in the number of Cjcero's most inveterate ene- mies, as he was his constant opposer likewise in politics. lie was a man of a most abandoned characler, and whose person (as Palerculus assures us) was not less deformed than kis mind. A very learned and polite author, whose just e:»tcem for Cicero's writings has betrayed him, jwrhaps, into^ some partiality towards his actions, acknowledges that ** the *' defence of Vatinius gave a plausible handle for some cen** »* sure upon Cicero." The truth of it is, the censure was more than plausible^ for nothing certainly could discover more meanness of spirit than thus, in compliance with those in power, not only to defend Vatinius as an advocate, but to bear public testimony likewise to his general good con- duct. Some colourable excuse, indeed, may be given fot the former, by considering it in the light which Valerius. Maximus has placed it, as an instance of Cicero's genero- sity Inwards his enemies ; but the latter seems to stand be- yond the reach even of a plausible justification. Pat, ii. 69-» t'al. Max. i\\ 2. [/■ Book II. OF CICERO, I6l for the distinguished part you acted in that af^ fair ; so I thought there was something more than ordinary due from me to my country, which bad so singularly co-operated with you upon this occasion, I often took an opportur nity, during your consulate, of publicly dcr glaring these my sentiments in the senate ; as J always, you well know, expressed myself to the same purpose in our private conversations. Nevertheless, I had many reasons at that time to be highly disgusted, I could not, in truth, but observe the disguised malice of some, an4 the coolness of others, when you were endea-^ vouring to procure a decree for restoring the in- scription of that honourable monument of my public services, which had been erected by the senate^ But it was not only in this instance that those who had many obligations to concur in your good offices towards me, acted a part I had little reason to expect. They looked in^ deed with niuch ungenerous indjflerepce oji the cruel • The expression which Cicero makes use of in this place IS am^guous : neque de monumentis meis ah its adjutus, e*. *c. The commentators have supposed that this relates to Uceros bouse: but Mr. Ross, with much greater proba- bility, imagmes It alludes to X\it Atrium Ubertatis.vflixch had been erected, by order of the senate, as a memorial of Uceros services in rescuing the commonwealth fr€>m the dangerous conspiracy of Catiline. For Clodius had erased the original inscription, and placed his own name in it« 8tead. See rem. 27 on this letter. ' ' " , Vol. I. M 162 The letters Book II. Book H, ^JV^CICIJIIO. ^ the consulship of Lentulus, and a great instrument m re. rr storing Cicero, He resisted the taction of Clodius by > force of arms, and was, upon that account, in the follow- lowing year, accused of public violence by M, Tullius :f Albinovanus. Cicero defended him in an elxcelleiit ora- ..tion, which is still extant, and he was acquitted by the ^< suffrages of all the judges.'^ Mr. Ross. IT ^' ^*'^P"''"^"8 Bibulus was joint consul with J. Caesar Av U. 694i. The senate secured the election of the former, U^Mmt ^.his bein^ ^ check to the ambitious designs of ■ Jiisi M2 I i I l64 Trti LETTERS Boo^ If. occasion (and asserted too, in the hearing of Pompey,) that the same persons who confined Bibulus to his house, had driven rae from mine. Indeed, the whole series of those interroga- tories", which I put to Vatinius at this trial,, was entirely designed as an invective against hi$ tribunate : and I particularly exposed, with much freedom and indignation, his contempt of the auspices, his corrupt disposal of foreign kingdoms", together with the rest of his violent bis colleague ; ard it was thought of so much importance to the republic, that he should be chosen, that even Cato did not scruple, upon this occasion, to employ methods of bribery for that purpose. But Bibulus, after many vain efforts ot patriotism, and being gros^ly insulted m the forum by Lae- lar's mob, at length withdrew from the functions of his ot- lice, and voluntarily confined himself (as Suetomui relate^ to his own house; though, by tl»e expression which Tully liere uses, it rather seems as if Casar had employed some force in keeping him there. After which, as the same his- torian informs us. Casar governed the republic without con- trol Suet, in Jul. Cttsar, c. $0. .. r . " " Cicero, instead of examining Vatinius upon the tact* •« in his evidence against Sexlius, put to him a series of ques- « lions in such an artful manner, that he exposed all the " intrigues and iniquity of his tribunate. This examination " is still extant, under the title of Interrogatio m Vatimum. ^'» It is wholly uncertain to^what particular facts Cicero %llude«, when he imputes to Vatinius what he calls the dma- tioregnorwn: however, by comparing this expression with the oration to which it refers, and w.ih a passage in a letter to Atticus, it seems probable that Vatmius, when he was tn- bune, kad been bribed to procure a confirmation from the people of some disputed regal title, or, perhaps, to ob am .issistance from the republic, in transferring a contested crown from iU rightful possessor into the ^^a^^^f^^ *° usurper. It 18 certain, U IwU that buch unworthy me- Book IL t3*^ CICERO, v-» IG5 Violent and illegal proceedings. But it was not only upon this occasion that I spoke thus unreservedly, I frequently avowed my senti- ments with the same resolute spirit in the se- nate. Thus> when Marcellinus and Philippus were* consuls, I carried a motion that th? affair of the Campanian lands'' should be re- ferred to the re-consideration of a full house'*, on the 15th of May following. Now tell me, my methods were frequently practised at this time, in order to gratify the insatiable avarice and profusion of these degene- rate Romans. Orat. in Vdtin. Ad Aft, ii. 9. * They were consuls. A. U. S^J, " The lands in Campania, a district in Italy, now called the Terra di lavoro, in the kingdom of Naples, were partly appropriated to the use of the republic, and partly in pri- vate hands. Casar had procured a law ibr dividrng the former among 25,000 poor citizens, and for purchasing the latter in order to distribute them in the same manner. Both these designs seem to have been very artfully calculated by Caesar to promote and facilitate his grand purpose of usurping the supreme power. For by parcelling out these lands among the common people which belonged to the re- public, he secured the populace to his interest, and, at the ^ame time, deprived the government of those very conside- itible supplies both of money and corn, which it derived from its demesnes in Campania; as on the other side, by purchas- ing the reraaintler of therie estates, he must necessarily have weakened those public treasures which were already much impoverished, and consequently rendered the commonwealth less capable of opposing his ambitious measures. Suet, in J. '€ces, c. 20. Cic. Agrar. li. 29. ** A decree of the senate had not its complete force, un- less it passed in a full house ; that is, when a competent fiumber of the members were present. It seems, by a pas- sage ^^hich M anutius quotes from Dio, 1. 5-fc. that before the times of Augustus, who made some alteration therein, th« 'ttumber requisite to make an act valid was 400. Ms t66 The letters BdoK It Book II. OF CICERO. 167 ftiy friend, could I possibly have made a bolder or mote formidable attack upon this party ? Could 1 possibly have given a more convincing evidence, that I had not departed from my old principles, notwithstanding all I had formerly suffered for their sake ? The truth of it is, this motion greatly exasperated, not only those whom it was reasonable to expect it would of- fend* but others upon whom I did not imagine it would have had any such effect. Pompey, soon dfter this decree had passed, set forward up6n his expedition into -Sardinia and Africa*, with- out giving me the least intimation of his being disgusted. In his way thither, he had a con- ference with Cajsar at Lucca^ who made great complaints * • This expedition of Pompey into Sardinia ami Africa, trasin pursuance of the commission with which he had been invested for supplying the public magazines with corn. S«e rem. 6. p. 56. of this vol. ** Lucca was a frontier town in Cx>ar's province of Cisal- pine Gaul, adjoining to Italy : it still subsists under the same names and is a celebrated republic. It was Casar's poiicy, at thp end of every campaign, to fix his winter-quar- ters as near Italy as possible, in order to be within observa- tion of what passed at Rome. A numerous court was imme- diately formed around him in these places of his residence, consisting of the most distinguished persons in Rome, and the neighbouring provinces, and no less than 200 senators have been observed among his attendants upon these occar sions. Candidates for offices ; young men who had run out their estates ; and, in a word, all whose affairs of any kind, were embarrassed, flocked to him in these cities; and by liberal concessions to their respective wants and interests, he strengthened complaints of this motion. He had before, it seems, been informed of it by Crassus at Ra- venna''; who took that opportunity of incens- ing him against me. And it appeared afterwards that Pompey \ras likewise much dissatis^ed upon the same account. This I learnt from several hands, but particularly from my brother, who met him in Sardinia, a few days after he had left Lucca, Pompey told him he was extremely glad of that accidental interview, as he wanted much to talk with him. ^e begun with say- ing, that as my brother stood engaged**, for my conduct, he should expect him to exert all his endeavours to influence me accordingly. Pompey then proceeded very warmly to re- monstrate against my late motion in the senate; reminding my brother of his services to us both, and particularly of what had passed between them concerning Caesar's edicts, and of those assurances, strengthened his faction, and forwarded his grand enterprise. It was th\is (as the judicious Plutarch observes) he had the address to employ the forces of the republic against Gaul, and the spoils of Gaul against the republic. PluL in Cas. 4* Pomp, Suet, in Jul. ^ A city in Cisalpine Gaul, still subsisting under the same name in the Pope's dominions. This alludes to those engagements which Quintus Ci- ceto entered into in behalf of his brother, in order to induce Pompey to favour his recal from banishment. And, it ap- pears, by what fellows, that he promised, on the part of Ci- *Clodius was so elated wilb his success against Cicero, that be had no sooner driven him out of Home, than be conceived hopes of rendering himself no lest formidable to Cxs^r and Pompey. Accordingly, he entered into an open opposition against them both ; which he carried on with s^ much warmth and petulance, that at length they fovnd it expedient for their purposes, to mortify bim by recalUn^ Cicero. Be o^ned, exerted themselves with much fineate? vigow in procuri'^ig my return, than irr pre»vent- ing' my banislmient And had they persisted in the same resolute disposition, they might have recovered their own authority at the sante tim^ that they obtained my restoration. The spirits, in truth, of the aristocratical part of the re- public were, at this juncture, greatly raised and animated by the inflexible patriotism of youi conduct during your consulship, together with Pompey 's concurrence in the same measures. Csesar, likewise, when he saw the senate distin- guishing his glorious actions by the most sin- gular and unprecedented honours, joined in add- ing weight to the authority of that assembly. Had these happy circumstances, therefore, been rightly improved, it would have been impossi-^ ble for any ill-designing citizen, to have vio- lated the laws and liberties of the commoti- v/ealth. But let me entreat you to reflect a mo- ment on the subsequent conduct of my political associates. In the first place, they screened ' from punishment that infamous intruder on the matron-mysteries, who shewed no more reve- rence for the awful ceremonies of the goddess in whose honour these sacred solemnities' are cele*" brated, thanfor thechastity of his tliree sisters*^ And '5 Clodius (as Plutarch relates the story) had ati intrigue Vol. 1. N with 178 The letters Book II. And thus, by preventing a worthy tribune of the people from obtaining that justice upon Clodius which he endeavoured to pro- cure, they deprived future times of a most salutary example of chastised sedition*^ Did not they suffer, likewise, that monument, that with Pompeia, Caesar's wife : but as be could not easily gain access lo h^r, he look ihe opportunity, while she was cele- braiing iiu in\>ieries of the 6owa Dec at her own house, to en- ter di^^u'^o.i in a woman's habi'. While he was waiting m one uftho apartments for Pompeia, he vvas discovere^i by a maid servant of CiEsar's mother: who immediately giving the alarm, he uas driven out of this female assembly with great indignaiinn. The bona Dea, as the same author inlorms us, was supposed to have been a Dryad with whom the God Faunus had an amour. These nics were held in the highest veneration, and conducted wnh the most profound secresy. They were celebrated annually by women at the house of the consul or prsctor, and it was not lawful for any male to be present. Seneca tells us, they carried this precaution so far, that if there happened to be a picture of any male animal in the room where these mystic ceremonies were performing, it was thought necessary it should be veiled. Plut. tn Ca:s. Sen. ep. 97> . . , Clodius was suspected of having a criminal commerce with his three sisters. *« Lentulus, immediately upon entering on his consular office, A. U. 696, moved the senate that Cicero might be restored : in which he was seconded by Pompey with much zeal, and the wh(.le house unanimously concurred in the motion. Serranus, however, a tribune of the people, m- terpoiing his negative, no decree could pass at that time : nevertheless, it was with one consent resolved, that, on the 22d of the same month, a law should be proposed to the people for Cicero's recal. When the appointed day ar- rived, the friends of Cicero found the Forum in the pos- session of Clodius, who had planted his mob there over-night in order to prevent the promulgation of this law. A very bloody skirmish ensued, in which several lives were lost and many other outrages committed : in consequence of which, Clodius was impeached by Milo as a disturber of the public *^ . peace. Book II. OF CICERO. 179 that glorious monument, which -waS' erededf^ not indeed with the spoils I had "gained in foreign wars, but by the generosity t)F^ie senate for my civil services ; di<4 they not niosl: shamefully suffer it to be inscribed with the name of the cruel and avowed enemy of Ri$ country ^7? Obliged, most certainly, I am to them for having restored me to the common- wealth : but I could wish they had conducted themselves, not only like physicians, whose views terminate merely in the health of their patients, but like the Alipt^^' also, who en- deavour to establish the spirits and vigour of those peace. But Metellus, the colleague of Lentulus, together «»iih Appius the praetor, and Serranus the tribune, deter- mined to screen Clodius: and accordingly, by a most dan- gerous exercise of their authority, they published their se- veral edicts, commanding all farther proceedings in this pro- secution to be discontinued. It was a very impolitic power (as a lale ingenious writer upon government observes) which was lodged in the tribunes, of thus preventing the execution of the laws as well as the passing of them, and which caused inhnite mischiefs to the republic. Orat, pro sext, 34, 35, 41. L Esprit des loix, i. 223. ^ *7 " After the suppression of Catiline's conspiracy, the ^ senate decreed that a temple should be erected to liberty, ^ as a public monument of their late happy deliverance. ^ 1 his temple was raised at the foot of Mount Palatine, near i Ai"^ s n^>"se. And as the inscription fixed thereon, un- ^ doubtedly mentioned Cicero with honour, Clodius erased MamJtivT^^'' and placed his own name in their stead." 41. '*I!'^ "^^'^^ "^^^^ persons who prepared the bodies of the athletic combatants, by unctions and other proper me- thods, for rendering them vigorous and active in their SN-ra. uasiic exercises. ^ t 1. v N 2 ,^ " , , 180 The letters Book IL those under their care. Whereas they have keted with regard to me, as Apelles did in rela- tion to his celebrated picture of Vetius*' : they have finished one part of their work with great skill and accuracy, but left all the rest a mere rude and imperfect sketch. In one article, however, I had the satis- faction to disappoint my enemies. They ima- gined my banishment would have wrought the same effect on me, which they falsely supposed a calamity of a like kind produced formerly in Quintus IMetellus. This excel- lent person (whom I look upon to have been a man of the greatest fortitude and magnanimity of any in his times) they repre- sented ^' Apelles, one of the greatest masters of painting in ancient Greece, was a native ot Coos, and flourished in the 112tlr Olymp. or about 332 years before Christ. His prin- • cipal excellency consisted in the inimitable grace which dis- tinguished all his performances. Pliny the elder has, by a very strong expression, informed us of the amazing force of his pencil : pinxit (says that author) qufe pingi noji possunt^ tonitrua, fuigura et fulgetra. lie could even convey ideas which seemed impossible to be raised by colours, and ani- mate his sublime pieces with all the terrors of thunder and lightning. His capital performance was a figure of Venus, which appears to have been at Rome in the times of Augustus. The lower parts of this picture being damaged, no painter would venture to retouch it. Something of the same kind is mentioned to the honour of Raphael, whose paintings in the little Farn«se, at Rome, being somewhat spoiled, it wa^ with the greatest difficulty that even Carlo Maratti was pre- vailed upon to restore them. Apelles began a second figure of Ventis which he intended should excel his first : but he died before he had proceeded any farther in that design than the head and shoulders. Quiftct. xii. 10. Plm, H, N, xxxv. 10. Rejiex, sur la Poes, et sur U Feint. Book IL OF CICERO. m, sented as broken and dispirited after his return from exile'"*. But if broken he really were, it could 2° Q. Caicilius Mctellus was in the number of those who opposed the faction of Caius JMarius; in consequence of which he was at length driven into exile. The immediate occasion, however, of his sentence was this : Saturninus, a tribune of ihe people, and creature of Marius, proposed a law in the year 653, which, among other things, enacted, that *' the senators should swear to ratify whatever the peo- ** pie ordained." This oath, Metellus, with the true spirit of ancient Rome, resolutely refused to take, and when his friends represented to him the dangerous consequences which would probably attend his persevering in that honest reso- lution, he nobly replied, " it is the characteristic of a man of ** virtue and honour to act right Ij/^ whatever consequences may " ensue." Accordingly, a decree passed in an assembly of the people for his banishment; and when his friends otl'ered him their assistance to withstand this piece of public injus- tice, he generously refused their aid ; **,/or," said he, " either " public measures will be changed ^ and the people will repent of ** the injury they have done ine ; and then I shall be recalled ** with honour : or they will continue in the same sentiments ; ** and in that case banishment will be a happiness.'* He greatly chose, therefore, to withdraw himself trom the destructive politics of his country; and, retiring to Rhodes, he calmly spent his time in philosophical studies. His virtues, how- ever, prevailed at last over the iniquity of his persecutors, and he was restored to the republic, notwithstanding all the opposition of Marius, Cicero has recorded a circumstance relating to Metellus, that gives one the highest idea of thp cha- racter he enjoyed amongst bis countryinen. Pie was accused, it seems, by the Marian faction, of having been guilty of public extortion ; but when he entered upon his defence, and produced his acoounts, the judges refused to inspect them, as being well convinced that Metellus had a soul much too enlarged to be capable of any thing so mean as injustice, J cannot forbear mentioning likewise a noble expression of this great man in a letter written during his banishment, as it shews the spirit with which he bore his misfortune. Illi (inimici sc.)jure et honestate interdicti ^ ego n^que aqua nequ^ igifi careo, ef summa gloria fruniscor, ** Whilst my enemies,'* N 3 sftyfi 182 The letters Book IL could not be the effect of his adversity ; as it is certain he submitted to his sentence without the least reluctance, and hved under it, not only with indifference, but with cheerfulness. The truth is, no man ever equalled him in the strength and heroism of his mind; no, not even the celebrated Marcus Scaurus'\ Neverthe- less. says hfj " vainly hopecl to banish me from the common be- ** n* fits of society ; wiiich, r.owever, I still enjoy, together ** With the highest ulury ; they have much more severely »* banished from their own breasts, all seniimonls of justice " and honoHf." One cannot but acknowledge with regret, that neither the enemies nor the fnends of Cicero did hin> justice, when they compared him to Metellus ; for, besides the great superiority of ihe latter in the present instance, he, upon all occasions, acted con^IstcI»tly with his avowed poli- lical principles, and preserved an uniform and unsullied re- putation to tiie end of his days. Plut. in vit. C. Mar, Ep. ad Att. \. 1(). Orat. pro Balbo in princip, AuL Gel. xvii. 2^ Sal. bcl. Jugurth. 47. 5' M. .^milius Scaurus was advanced a second time to the hoikour of the consular office, in the jcir of Rome 64-6, hav;n'» enjoyed that dignity eight years before. He is men- tioned by Cicero among the orators of that age ; but there was more ol force and authority in what he delivered, than of grace in his manner, or elegance in his expression. He was accused, in his latter days, of having carried on a trai- torous correspondence wiih Mithridates. The short speech which he made in his defence, is extremely remarkable, and gives one a lively image of that manly contempt with which a msnd, conscious of its integrity, ought ever to treat the calumnies of an accuser, whose known characUr dffoTds th« best and most expeditious antidote against his malice. The venerable old man stood forth in the midst of the assembly, and addresbing himself to the whole audience, spake to this effect : ** It IS somewhat hard, my countrymen, that 1 should ** be obliged to give an account to the present generation, of ** what 1 transacted before they were born. But, notwith- ** standing Book II. OF CICERO. 183 less, such as they had heard, or, at lease, chose to imagine Metellus to have been, they figured me to themselves ; or, if possible, indeed, even yet more abject. The reverse, however, proved to be the case, and that general concern which the whole republic expressed at my absence, inspired me with more vigorous spirits than I had ever before enjoyed. The fact is, that the sentence of banishment against Metellus was re- pealed by a law proposed only by a single tri- bune of the people; whereas, I was recalled from mine upon the motion of the consul himself'*, and by a law in which every magistrate of Rome concurred. Let me add, likewise, that each order and degree in the commonwealth, headed by the senate, and supported by all Italy, zea- lously " standing the greater part of this assembly are too young to ** have been witnesses of the services aud honours of my ** former life, I will venture to rest the whole of my defence ** upon a single question. Varius, then, a^>e^ts, thatScau- ** rus was bjibed to betray his country ; Scaurus, on the oi her ** hand, utterly denies that he ever was tainted with a crime " of this nature. Now lay your hands upon your hearts, .** and tell me, my leliovy-citizens, to xyhich of these two " men you will give credit f" Ttie people were so struck with the honest simplycity of ihis speech, that Scauius was dismissed with honour, and his infamous accuser hissed out ot the assembly. Declar. Orat. 110, 111. Val. Mux. iii. 7. Salust. bel. JugurtL Orat pro Fronteio. Act. 1. m Verr, ^" Lentulus, the person to whom this letter is addressed. N4 184 The letters Book II. lously united in one common effort for reco- vering me to my country. Yet, high as these unexampled honours were, they have never jclated my heart with pride, or tempted me to assume an air which could give just offence even to the most malevolent of my enemies. The whole of my ambition is, not to be wanting either in advice or assistance to my friends ; or jeven to those whom I have no great reason to Tank in that number. It is this, perhaps, which has given the real ground of complaint to those who view only the lustre of my actions, but can- not be sensible of the pains and sohcitude they fcost me. But whatever the true cause may be, the pretended one is, my having promoted the honours of CiEsar; a circumstance which they interpret, it seems, as a renunciation of my old maxims. The genuine motives, however, of my conduct, in this instance, are, not only what I just before mentioned, but particularly what I hinted in the beginning of my letter, and will now more fully explain. You will not find then, my friend, the aristo- cratical part of the repubhc disposed to pursue the same system as when you left them. That system, I mean, which I endeavoured to establish when I was consul, and which, tho' afterwards occasionally Book II. OF CICERO. 185 4 occiisionally interrupted, and at length entirely overthrown, was again fully restored during your admijiistration. It is now, however, totally abandoned by those who ought most strenu- ously to have supported it I do not assert this upon the credit only of appearances, in which it is exceedingly easy to dissemble; I speak it upon the unquestionable evidence of facts, and the public proceedings of those who were styled patriots in my consulate. The general scheme of politics, therefore, being thus changed, it is time, most certainly, for every man of prudence (in which number I have the ambition to be justly accounted) to vary likcr wise his particular plan. Accordingly that chief and favourite guide of my principles, whom I have already quoted, the divine Plato himself, advises not to press any political point farther than is consonant with the general sense of the community ; for methods of vio- lence, he maintains, are no more to be used to^ wards one's country, than one's parent. Upon this maxim, he tells us, he declined engaging in public affairs ; and, as he found the people of Athens confirmed, by long habit, in their mistaken notions of government, he did not think it lawful to attempt, by force, what he despaired of effecting by persuasion. My si- tuation, however, is, in this respect, different from 186* The letters Book II. from Plato's ; for, on the one hand, as I have already embarked in public affairs, it is too late to deliberate whether I should now enter upou them or not : so, on the other, the Roman peo- ple are by no means so incapable of judging of their true interest, as he represents the Athe- nians. It is my happiness, indeed, to be able, by the same measures, to consult at once both xny own and my country \s Melfare". To these considerations 33 If Cicero was sincore in what he here assered, and reaUy imag^inea, that, by falling in wiih the schemes of Cae- sar and Pompey, he could mure effectually serve his coun- try, as well as himself, bis policy, as far as we can judge of It at this di>tance, seems to have been very extraordinary. — To have supported the one, in opposition to the other, migh^, perhaps, have been a pr(»bable method of defeating the de- signs of both, as they could neither of them have advanced to so formidable a height, if they had not mutually assist in raising each other. But to join in their coalition, was ia effect to be accessary in cemenlin2 an union most evidently calculated for the ruin of the commonwealth. This reason- ing is Hot built merely upon distant speculation, but is sup- ported by the express testimony of one who was not only an actor in 'this important scene, but well understood the plot that was carrying on. " You are mistaken (said Caio, to ** those who were lamenting the breach that afterwards hap- »* pened between Pi)mpey aud Caesar) you. arc roistakenin ** charging our calamities on that event : they pwe iheir rise ** to another cause, and began, not when Pompey and Gaesar " became eremies, but when they were made friends." The d.t^iculiy of justifying Cicero in this measure grows still strongtr, when it is rtmembered that he must have been sensible at this very t»me how much was to be dreaded irom the power of these his pretended friends. For he assures Atticus, in a letter which was written at the breaking out of ^he civil war, that he toresaw the storm that had been gather- ingto destroy the republic, fourteen years before it fell; and calls the union of these ambitious chiefs, scelttata cojir mcnmnii Jidcs, a wicked confederacy. To which he adds, t " tii&« Book II. OF CICERO. 187 considerations I must add those uncommon acts of generosity which Caesar had exerted both to- wards my brother and myself: so much, indeed, beyond all example, that, even whatever had been his success, I should have thought it in- cumbent upon me at least to have defended him. But now, distinguished as he is by such a wonderful series of prosperity, and crowned with so many glorious victories, I cannot but esteem it a duty which I owe the republic, ab- stracted from all personal obHgations to himself, to promote his honours as far as lies in my power. And believe me, it is at once my con- fession and my glory, that, next to you, toge- ther with the other generous authors of my re- storation, there is not a man in the world from whom I have received such amicable offices. And now, having laid before you the prin- cipal motives of my conduct in general, I shall be the better able to satisfy you concerning my behaviour with respect to Crassus and Vatini- us in particular : for as to Appius and Caesar, I have tfie pleasure to find that you acquit me of all. reproach. My that they had, upon all occasions, preferred the interest of their families, and the advancement of their power, to the honour and welfare of their country. Fl>ut. in ut. Pomp, Adi Att. ^.4. 18S The letters Book JI. My reconciliation then with Vatinius^* was effected by the mediation of Ponipey, soon af* ter tlic former was elected Praetor. I must confess, wlien he petitioned to be admitted a candidate for that office, I very wannly opposed him in the" senate : but it was much less from '** Some observations have already been made upon Ci- cero's conduct with regard to Vaiinius ; see remark the 5th on this letter. ^' The passage in the original, it is acknowledged, docs not absolutely imply the sense ivhich is given to it in the t;-anslation. It runs thus: cum quidem e^o ejus pefitionem gruvissimis in senatu sent ent its oppugnassem. But it is not easy to conceive in what manner the competition between Cato and Vatinius, in relation to the office ot Prscior, could come before the senate, unless the authority of that assem* bly were some way necessary in nominating or recommend- ing the candidates to the people. This interpretation seems to be favoured by a passage in one of Pliny's letters. Mfa sufFragio (says he, speaking of a friend for whom, not being legally qualified to sue for the Tribunate, he had obtained & dispensation from the Emperor for that purpose) Mco suffra- gio pcrxenit ad jus Tribunutum petcndij quern nisi obtinet in seaatu, vercor ne decepisse Cctsarem videar, ii. 9. That the Senate originally claimed this prerogative with respect to the election of kings, is indisputable. Patrcs decreventnt (as Livy informs us) ut cum populus regemjussisset, id sic raium eueif « patres auctores Jicrent, i. 17. It is equally clear, likewise, that the Senate exercised a privilege of the same kind, after the republican government was tstablisbed ; for Cicero, taking notice, in one of his orations, of an unsuccess- ful attempt that had been formerly made by that August as- sembly, in order to extend their power, adds, turn enim m0- gistratum non gerebat is qui ceperaty si patres auctores non €rantjacti, Orat. pro Plane. 3. But the difficulty is, this speech was delivered in the very same year in which the pre- sent letter was written ; so that the passage quoted from it seems to imply that no such right subsisted at the time under consideration : and indeed Dr. Chapman produces it in confirmation of this notion, (Essay on R. S. p. 3*7.) 3 Book II. OF CICERO. 185 liiy resehtment to the man himself, than in or- der to support the honour and interest of Ca- to*. Soon after this, he was impeached; and it Was in compliance with the earnest solicitation of Caesar, that I undertook his deftnce. But you must not enquire why I appeared at this trial, or, indeed, at any other of the same kind, as a witness in favour of the accused, lest t should hereafter have an opportunity of retort- ing the question upon you. Though, to say truth, I may fairly ask it even now ; for do yon not remember, my friend, in whose behalf it was that you formerly transmitted certain ho- nourable *rhe difficulty, however, may, pierhaps, be solved by suJ)pos- ing that Cicero's meaning is to be taken restrictively, and that the prerogative of the senate, in the nornination of can- didates for the several magistracies, or at least in confirming their election, was abolished only with respect to the elec- tion of ^Ediles, which it is certain he had principally in view, but remained, nevertheless, in its usual force as to all others. Conjectures are allowable in points of so much obscurity, and in which neither critics nor commentators afford any light : but what solidity there may be in that which runs through the present remark, is submitted to the judgment of more successful inquirers. * Cato, the year before the date of this letter, had solicited the praetorship, in order to arm himself with the authority of that important office against the dangerous designs of Cras- «us and Pompey, who were at that time Consuls. But they were too well aware of the honest purposes of this inflexible patriot, not to obstruct his election ; and accordingly they t'arried it against him in favour of the pliant and worthless Vatinius, whose pretensions they supported by every infa- mous method of artifice, corruption, and violence. Vlut. in 190 The letters Book IL nourable testimonials even from the utmost li- mits of the Roman Empire ? You need not scruple, however, to acknowledge the fact : for I have acted, and shall continue to act, the same part towards those very persons. But to return to Vatinius: besides the reasons I have already assigned, I M^as provoked to engage in his defence, by an opposition of the same sort which the parasite recommends to the amorous soldier in the play'^ The obsequious GnathOj you know, advises his friend, the captain, whenever his mistress endeavours to pique his jealousy, by mentioning his rival Phaedria, to play off Pamphila upon her in return. Thus, as I told the judges at this trial, since certain honourable persons, who were formerly much in my interest, had thought proper, by many little mortifying instances in the senate, to ca- ress my avowed enemy before my face, I thought it but equitable to have a Clodius on my part, in opposition to the Clodius on their s. Accordingly, I have upon many occa- sions acted suitably to this declaration, and all the world acknowledges I have reason". Having ^* The Eunuch of Terence. " The Conduct of Ciceru, with regard to Vatinius, ap- pears by no means parallel with that of the aristocratical party towards Clodius. The latter was m-tw at variance ynfith Czsar and Pompey ; and it was undoubtedly a just and rational policy to take advantage of that dissention, ' 3, m Book II. OF CICERO. 151 ' \(\ Having thus explained my conduct with re- gard to Vatinius, I will now lay before you those motives which determined me in respect to Crassus^^ I was willing, for the sake of the common cause, to bury in oblivion the many and great injuries I had formerly receiv- ed from him. Agreeably to this disposition, as we were then upon good terms, I should have borne his unexpected defence of Gabi- nius'5», (whom he had very lately with so much wai'mtlr and endeavour by an artful management to gain him over to the cause of liberty. But Cicero's engaging in the sLpport of Vatinius, cannot be justified by any poljtical reasons of tbis nature; and, to speak truth, it seems to be altoj*etb«r without excuse. For Vatinius was actually in league witb tbe enemies of his country ; to esptmse his cause, therefore, was to strengthen their faction, and sacrifice public interest to private |)ique. - ^ See the remarks on the 7th letter of this B. particu- larly rem. 6. and 9. p. 128. ^5> Aulus Gabinius was consul the same year in which Cicero was so outraoeouvly persecuted by Clodius ; with whoni (as has been observed in the notes above) Gabinius most zealously concurred. To gi%e his character as Cicero himself has drawn it, in several of his orations, he was effemi- nate in his mien, dissolute in his principles, and a professed libertine in every kind. After the expiration of his consu- late, in 696, he went governor into Syria; from whence he was recalled the following year by a decree of the senate. Cicero spiike very warmly in favour of the decree, and it is probable that the dispute here mentioned between him and Crassus, happened in the debates which arose upon this oc- casion. Not many months after the date of this letter, Ga- binius was impeached for mai-practices durina the adminis- tration of his proconsular government, and Cicero was now so entirely at the disposal of Caesar and Pompey, tbat in compliance with their request, he meanly undertook his'de- fenc* II wt The letters BdoK IT. t waimtb opposed) if he had avoided all personal reflections on myself. But when, with the most unprovoked violence, he broke in upon me whilst I was in the midst of my speech, I must confess it raised my indignation ; and, perhaps, I took fire so much the sooner, as possibly there still remained in my heart some latent sparks of my former resentment. However, my beha - viour in the senate upon this occasion was much and generally applauded. Among the rest, I was complimented likewise by the same men whom I have often hinted at in this letter, and who acknowledged I had rendered a very essen- tial service to their cause, by that spirit which 1 had thus exerted. In short, they affected to speak of me in public, as being now, indeed, re- stored to the commonwealth in the best and most fence. But it was. not without great struggles with himself, that he submitted- to an office so unworthy of his principles and his charactw.- However, he endeavoured to represent it to the world as an act of pure generosity ; and, indeed, the3cnt'imcnt with which he defended himself from the cen- sure that pas^eJ upon him on this occasion, is truly noble : Neque me vero pahitet mortahs inimkitias, sempifernas amici- Has habere. But Gabinius was by no means entitled to the benedt of this generous maxim, nor was it true (as will in- contestibly appear by a passage I shall presently have occa- sion to produce) that Cicero was governed by it m the case under consideration. Cicero's conduct, indeed, upon this occasion, is so utterly indefensible, that his very ingenious and learned advocate, Dr. Middleton himself is obliged to confess, that it was " contrary to his judgment, his resolu- « uon, and his dignity." Orat. pro, Sext. in Piso de Prov. conndar. pro Rabir. Plut. in tit, Caton. Uticin. JJfc of Cker. 11. 12\. Svo. Edit. See rferaark 44 below. Book IL OF CICERO. ]9S most glorious sense. Neverthelsss, they had the malice in their private conversations (as I was informed by persons of undoubted honour) to express singular satisfaction in the new variance that had thus happened between Cr^ssus and my- self; as they pleased themselves with imagining it would for ever throw me at a distance from those who were joined with him in the same in* terest^. Pompey, in the mean time, employed incredible pains to close this breach : and Cgesar also mentioned it in his letters, as an incident that gave him much concern. Upon these con- siderations, therefore, I thought it expedient to act agreeably both to the dictates of my natural temper, and to that experience which I had gained by my former misfortunes. In pursuance of tht ;e sentiments, I consented to a reconcile- ment ; and, in order to render it more con* spicuous to the world, Crassus set out for Im government** almost from under my roof; for, having ♦*" C«sar and Pompey. The former (who was undoubt- ediy as much superior to the rest of his contemporaries in genius as m fortune) finding it necessary for his purposes that Crassus and Pompey should act in concert, procured a reconciliation between them ; and by this means, says Plu- tarch, formed that invincible Triumvirate which ruined the authority both of the senate and the people ; and of which ll^IJf ^«<^e'^ed the advantage. Plut, in Crass The province of Syria was allotted to Crassus, for which he set out a month or two before the expiration of his consulate, m the year 6^8, and from whence he never re- . ^^^-^^ O turned. 194 The letters Book IL having iavited himself to spend the preceding night with me ; we supped together in the gar- dens of my son-in-law Crassipes**. It was for these reasons that I thought my honour obliged me to defend his cause in the senate*', and I con- fess, I mentioned him with that high applause, of which, it seems, you have been informed. - . Thus I have given you a full detail of the several views and motives by which I am go- verned in the present conjuncture, as well as of the particular disposition in which I stand with respect to the slender part I can pretend to claim in the administration of public affairs. And, believe me, I should have judged and acted entirely in the same manner, had I been totally free from every sort of amicable bias. For, on the OTie hand, I should have esteemed it the most absurd folly to have attempted to oppose 80 superior a force; and, on the other, suppos-^ ing it possible, I should yet have deemed it im- prudent to weaken the authority of persons so eminently and so justly distinguished in the commonwealth^. Besides, it appears to mc to turned, as has already been observed ift the notes on the 7tb letter of this book. Seep. 128. ♦* These gardens were situated a small distance from Rome, on the banks of the Tiber. Ad Att. iv. 12. Ad Q. F, iii. 7. ♦' See rem. 7. p. 128. of this vol. ^ It will appear very evident, perhaps, from tfce fore- going Book II. OF CICERO. 1$5 to be the dictates of sound policy, to act in accommodation to particular conjunctures, and not inflexibly pursue the same unalterable scheme, when public circumstances, together with the sentiments of the best and wisest members of the community, are evidently changed. In conformity to this notion, the most judicious reasoners on the great art of government, have universally condemned an obstinate perseverance in one uniform tenor of measures. The skill of the pilot is shewn in weathering going observations, that what Cicero here asserts, could not possibly be his real sentiments. That it was not practicable to bring down Caesar and Pompey from that height of power to which they were now arrived, will not, probably, be dis- puted ; though, at the same time, it is very difficult to set limits to what prudence and perseverance may effect. This at least, seems undeniable, that if their power were abso- lutely immoveable, Cicero's conduct was in the number of those causes which contributed to render it so. However, one cannot but be astonished to find our author seriously maintaining, that, granting it had not been impossible, it would yet have been impolitic, to have checked these tower- ing chiefs in their ambitious flight. For it is plain, from a passage already cited out of his letters to Alticus (see above, remark 33.) that he long foresaw their immoderate growth of power, would at last overturn the liberties of the com- monwealth. It had already, indeed, destroyed his own ; and this too, by the confesbion of himself. For, in a letter which he writes to his brother, taking notice of the strong applications that Pompey had made to him to defend Gabi- nius, he declares he never will comply with that unworthy request, so long as he retained the least spark of liberty. But, comply, however, he actually did ; equally, in truth, to his own disgrace, and to the confutation of the doctrine he here advances. Ad Q. F. iii. 1. See remark 39. above. 2 196 The letters Book IL Book II. OF CICERO. 197 weathering the storm at least, tho' he should not gain his port; but if shifting his sails, and changing his direction will infallibly carry him with security into the intended harbour, would it not be an instance of most unreasonable te- naciousness to continue in the more hazardous course, wherein he began his voyage ? Thus (and it is a maxim I have often had occasion to inculcate) the point we ought all of us to keep in view in our administration of the com- monwealth, is the final enjoyment of an ho- nourable repose ; but the method of securing to ourselves this dignity of retreat, is by hav- ing been invariable in our intentions for the public welfare, and not by a positive persever- ance in certain favourite modes of obtaining it**. To repeat, therefore, what I just now de- clared, had I been absolutely uninfluenced by every motive of friendship, I should still have pursued the same public measures in which I am ♦* The reasoniivg which Cioero here employs is certainly just, considered abstractedly ; but by no means applicable to the present case. The question between the arisiocraiical party, and ihose who ntre favourers of Csesar and Pompey, was, not what road should be taken to the same end, but wheiht-r Rome should be free or enslaved. Let who would then have changed their sentiments in this point, it became Dot the father of his country to increase the number. But as Cicero acquired that mobt honourable of all appellations, by Catiline, he lost it again by Clodius ; or, to express the same thing in his own words, non recordor (as be confei)8es to Atticus) unde ccciderim, scd wide ierrexerim. Ad Att, iv. l6. am now engaged. But when gratitude and re- sentment both conspire in recommending tliis scheme of action to me, I cannot hesitate a moment in adopting it, especially, since it ap- pears most conducive to the interests of the republic in general, as well as to my own in particular. To speak freely, I act upon this principle so much the more frequently, and with the less reserve, not only as my brother is Lieutenant under Caesar, but as the latter receives the slightest action or even word of mine in his favour, with an air that evidently shews he considers them as obligations of the most sensible kind. And, in fact, I derive the same benefit from that popularity and power which you know he possesses, as if they were so many advantages of my own. The sum of the whole, in short, is this : I imagined that I had no othermethodof counteractingthose per- fidious designs with which a certain party were secretly contriving to undermine me, than by thus uniting the friendship and protection of the men in power, with those internal aids which have never yet beea wanting to my support*. lam • There is no character in all antiquity, perhaps, that lies so open to discovery'as that of Cicero; and yet there is none, at the same time, which seems to be less generally underblood. Had there been no other of his writings extant, however, but this single letter, the patriot character, one ^ r ),; O 3 shoul(i i. If V ^1 I 198 The letters Book IL ^ I am well persuaded, had you been in Rome, yon would have concurred with me in these sentiments. I know, indeed, the candour and moderation of your temper; and I know, too, that your heart not only glows with friendship towards me, but is wholly untainted with male- volence towards others ; in a word, I know that as you possess every sublime and generous af- fection, you are incapable of any thing so mean as artifice and disguise. Nevertheless, even this ele%^ated diisposition has not secured you from the same unprovoked malice, which I have experienced in my own affairs. I doubt not, therefore, if you had been an actor in this scene, the same motives would have swayed your conduct, which have governed mine. But, however should have imagined, would have been the last that the world would ever have ascribed to our author. It is obser- vable, and it is a» observatio.n for which I am obliged to a gentleman, who, amidst far more important occupations, did not refuse to be the censurer of the^e ^japers) that " the ** principles by which Cicero attempts to justify himself in '* this epistle, are such as will equally defend the most aban- " doned prostitution and desertion in political conduct. Per- ** sonal gratitude and reicntmcni ; an eye to private and «* particular interest, mixed with a pretended regard to pub- ** lie good ; an attention to a brother's advancement and •* farther favour; a sensibility in being carested by a great " man in power; a calculation of the advantages derived " from the popularity and credit of that great man to one's " " own personal ^elf, arc very weak foundations, indeed, to *' support th« .superstructure of a true patriot's character. "Yet these are the principles which Cicero here expressly " avows and defends !" Book Ilf OF CICERO.:^ 199 however that may be, I shall most certainly submit all my actions, to your guidance and advice, whenever I sliall agaiaenjoy your com-? pany; and I am sure yoa will nqt be less, at-? tentive to the preserv^tionof my honour, than you formerly were to that of my person. Of this, at least, you may be persuaded, that you will find me a faithful friend and associate in all your counsels and measures ; as it will b^ the first and daily purpose of my life, to sup* ply you with additional and more powerful reasons for rejoicing iq those obligations ybit have conferred upon mc. ■ As you desire me to send you those compo^ sitions which I have written since you leffc Rome, I shall deliver some orations into the hands of Menocrates for that purpose, - How- ever, not tQ alarm you, their number is but inconsiderable; forl'withdraw as much as pos- sible from the contention of the bar, in order to join those more gentle Muse^ which wcxc always my delight, and are particularly so at this juncture, Acc9rdingly, I have drawn up thre^ dii^logues upoii oratory, wherein I hav^ endeavoured to imitate the manner of Aristotle. J trust they will not prove altogether useless to your son, as I have rejected the modem precepts of rhetoric, and adopted the ancient O 4 Aristotelian I mMm t09 THt tETTERS Book IF. i Aristbtclian and Isocratic rules. To this cata- logue of my writings, I must also add an his« torical poem which I have lately composed in three cantos, upon the subject of my banish* xnent**, and as a lasting memorial likewise of your friendship and my gratitude. This I should long since have transmitted to you, had it beeu my immediate intention to make it pub- lic. But I am discouraged from this design at present, not, indeed, as fearing the resentment of those who may imagine themselves the ob- jects of my satire, (for, in this respect, I have been extremely tender) but as finding it im- possible to make particular mention of every ^ne from whom I received obligations at that season. However, when I shall meet with a proper opportunity, I will send it to you ; sub* mitting my writings as well as my actions en- tirely to your judgment. I know, indeed, these literary meditations have ever been the favourite employment of your thoughts, no less than of mine*^ Your ** This poem Cicero delivered, scaled up, to hit son ; •njoining him, at the same time, not to publish or read it tilJ alter his death. Manut, ♦^ To turn from the actions of Cicero to hit writings, is changing our point of view, it must be acknowledged, ex- tremely to bis advantage. It is on this bid«, indeed, that liis character can never be too warmly admired ; and ad- mired it will undoubtedly be, so long as manly eloquence •nd genuine philosophy have any friends. Perhaps there is something Book II* of CfCEKOr^ 26} Yourfamily concerns, which yoti fecbnimend to me, are so much a part of my own, that I am sorry you should think it necessary even td remind me of them. I cotild not, "therefore, read your solicitations^ for that purpose, with* out some uneasiness/ I find you were prevented, by an indisposi- tion, from going the last summer into CiKcia; which was the occasion, it seems, of your riot settling my brother's affairs in that province; However, you give me assurance that you will now take all possiblemethods of adjusting them* You cannot, indeed, oblige him more : and he will think himself as much indebted to you for procuring him this additional farm, as if yoii had settled him in the possession of his patri- mony. In the mean time, I entreat you to inform me frequently and freely t)f all your affairs, and particularly give me ah account of the studies and exercises in which your son is engaged. For be well persuaded, never friend was more agreeable or more endeared to another, than you something in that natural mechanism of the human frame necessary to constitute a fine genius, which is not altogether favourable to the exeellencies of the heart. It is certain, at least, (and let it abate our envy of uncommon parts) that great superiority of intellectual qualifications, has not often been found in conjunction with the much nobler advantages. of a moral kind. 202 Thi; betters .Upok II, Book II. OF CICERO. 203 I you arc to me : and of this truth I hope' to render not only you, but all the world, and even posterity itself, thoroughly sensible. Appius^9 has lately declared in the senate (what he had before, indeed, often intimated in conversation) that if he could get his procpn- sular commission confirmed in an assembly of the Curiae^^, he would cast lots witli his col^ league for the particular province to which thpy should respectively succeed: if not, that, by an amicable agreement between theniselves, he had resolved upon yours*'. He added, that, in the case of a consul, it was not absolutely neces- sary, tho', perhaps, it might be expedient, to procure a law of this kind: and, as a govern- ment had been appointed him by a decree of the senate, he was entitled, he said, in con^e-: quence *9 Appius Claudius Pulcher, one of the present consuls. See remark 3. p. 225 of this vol, '® Romulus divided the city into a certain nurpber of districts called Curi;E, which somewhat resembled our pa- lishcs. When the people were supimoned together, to trans- act any business agreeably to this division, it was called an assembly of the Curise: where the most votes in every Cu- riae was considered as ihe voice of the whole district, and the most Curix as the general consent of the people. Ken, R.A. '' The senate annually nominated the two provinces Xo which the consuls should succeed at the expiration of their office; but it was left to the consuls themselves to deter- mine, either by casting lots, or by private agreement, which of the particular provinces so assigned, they should respec- tively administer. Manut, de Ug, c. x. quence of the Cornelian law, to a military command, till the time of his entrance into Rome^*. I know not what accounts you may have received of this matter from your other friends : but I find the sentiments of the world are much divided. Some are of opinion, that you are not obliged to resign your govern- ment, if your successor should not be autho- rised by an assembly of the Curiae : whilst others maintain, that, notwithstanding you should think proper to leave the province, you may, nevertheless, depute a person to preside in your absence. As to myself, I am not altogether so clear with respect to the law in question : tho' I must 5* Tho' the nomination of the proconsular provinces was a privilege reserved to the senate, yet it was the prerogative of the people to confer on the proconsuls the power of exe- cuting the hulitary functions, and likewise it should seem to grant the. necessary appointments for conveying them to their respective governments. ' By a law, however, which was made by Cornelius Sylla, during his Dictatorship, in the year 672, it was enacted, that, whatever magistrate, at the expiration of his office, should obtain a province by a decree of the senate, he should be invested with the full power of a proconsul, notwithstanding his commission were not confirmed by an assembly of the Curiae. But Sylla's dictatorship being considered as an usurpation, it is proba- ble, from the passage before us, that this law was not gene- rally esteemed valid. Appius, nevertheless, endeavoured to avail himself of it, from an apprehension that he might meej with some obstruction in the usual method of applying for a ratification of his powders: and, indeed, it may be collected from a letter to Atticus, that he at last set forward to his government without the sanction of the people. Manut, de Leg. Grcev. prcrf. in antiq. 1. Ad Att, iv. l6. , 204 The letters Book IL I must own, at the same time, that my doubts are by no means considerable. Of this, howe^ ver, I am perfectly sure, that it is agreeable to your honour, and to that generosity of conduct in which I know you place your highest grati- fication, quietly to yield up your province to your successor; especially as you cannot in this instance oppose his ambitious views, with- out incurring the suspicion of being influenced by the same motives yourself. But, be that as it will, I thought it incumbent upon me to inform you of my sentiments, as I shall cer- tainly defend yours, whichever way they may determine you to act. After I had finished my letter, I received your last concerning the farmers of the reve- nues". Your decision appears to me, I must own, perfectly equitable; yet, at the same time, I cannot but wish you might be so happy as not to disgust a body of men whose interest you have hitherto always favoured. However, you may be assured I shall support the decrees you " The society of farmers of the public revenues, among the Romans was a body of men in high repute, as bfing composed ol the principal persons of the eque^ir an order : liu^ equitum Romanorum, says Cicero, ornameiitum civitatisy Jirinamtntum reip, Pvblicanorum ordine contiiietur. Pro Plam:. Disputes frequently arose between ihekC and the tributary provinces : and it is to some difference of this kind %kber"in Lenlulus had gi>en judgment against them, that Ci- cero seems to allude. Book II. OF CICERO. soi you have made upon this occasion : tho' you well know the temper and disposition of these people, and what formidable enemies they proved to the excellent Quintus Scaevola'*. I would recommend it to you, therefore, if pos- sible, to recover their good graces, or at least to soften them. The task, I confess, is diffi- cult; but prudence, 1 think, requires yoH should use your best endeavours for that pur- pose. FareweL '♦ There were two very eminent persons of this name in Cicero's time. The first, the mo«t celebrated lawyer an4 politician of his age, is distinguished by the title of Augur. The other, who was high Priest, was slain at th« entrance of the temple of Vesta, ai he was endeavouring to make his es* cape from that general massacre of the senators which was perpetrated by the orders of the young Mariu!>. To which of these Tully alludes is uncertain. Manutius supposes to the former, but without assigning his reasons. It seems hot unlikely, however, to be the latter, as there is a passage iu Valerius Maximus, by which we find (hat he exercised his Asiatic government with so much honour and integrity, that the senate, in their subsequent decrees for nominatirrg the Proconsuls to that province, always recommended him as an example worthy of their imitation. It appears, by a frag- ment of Diodorus Siculus, that he endeavoured, during his administration in Ai>ia, to reform the great abuses which were committed by the farmers of the revenues in his pro- vince, and imprisoned many of them for their cruel oppres- sions of the people. This drew upon him their indignation : but in what particular instance he was a suflferer by it, his- tory does Dot mention. Liv, epit. S6\ VaL Max» viii. 15. LETTER I ■ I 20^ The letters Book 1L LETTER XVIIL [A. U. 699.] To Lucius CuLLEOLus, Pfoconsul'. It was with the warmest expressions of gra- titude, that my friend Lucceius* acquainted me, you had generously assured his agents of your assistance : as, indeed, I know not a man in the world who has a heart more sensible of obligations. But if your promises only were • thus acceptable to him, how much more will he think himself indebted to you when you shall have performed (as I am well persuaded you will most faithfully perform) these your obliging engagements ? The people of BuUis' have intimated a dis- position to refer the demands in question be* tween Lucceius and themselves, to Pompey's arbitration : but as the concurrence of your influence and authority will be necessary, I very strongly entreat you to exert both for this purpose. It ' The person to whom this letter is addressed, and the province of which he ivas proconsul, are equally unknown. * An account of Lucceius has already been given in rem. 1. p. 75 of this vol. 3 Geographers are not agreed as to the situation of this city, some placing it in lilyria, others in Macedonia. rCV ,^' ■ Book IL ot CICfiRO. X 2or It affords me great satisfaction to find that your letter to Lucceius, together with your promises to his agents, have convinced them that no man has more credit with you than myself: and I earnestly conjure you to confirm them in these sentiments, by every real and substantial service in your power. FareweL LETTER XIX. To the same. m You could never have disposed of your fa- vours where they would be more gratefully re- membered, than on my friend Lucceius. But the obligation is not confined to him only ; Pompey likewise takes a share in it : and when- ever I see him (as I often do) he never fails to express, in very strong terms, how much he thinks himself indebted to you. To which I will add (what I know will give you great sa- tisfaction) that it aftbrded me also a very sen- sible pleasure. As you cannot now discontinue these obliging offices, without forfeiting your character of constancy, I doubt not of your persevering in the same friendly services for your own sake, which you at first engaged in for ours. I cannot forbear, nevertheless, most ■1\ .. earnestly s n I so» The letters Book II. Book II. OF CICERO. 209 II earnestly entreating you to proceed in what you have thus generously begun, till you shall have perfectly completed the purposes for which we requested your assistance. You wili by these means greatly oblige not only Luc- ceius, but Pompey : and never, I will venture to assure you, can you lay out your services to more advantage. I have nothing further to * add, having given you my full sentiments of public affairs, in a letter which I wrote to you a few days ago, by one of your domestics.— Farewel. LETTER XX. [A.U.699.] ' To CuRius, Proconsul*. I HAVE long been intimately connected with Quintus Pompeius, by a variety of repeated good offices. As he has upon many former occasions supported his interests, his credit, and his authority in your province, by my influ- ence; so, now the administration is in your hands, he ought undoubtedly to find, by the effects of this letter, that none of your prede- cessors have ever paid a greater regard to my recommendations. The strict union indeed that subsists between you and myself, gives me a right • The person to whom this letter is addressed, and the time when it was written, are unknown. right to expect that you will look upon every friend of mine as your own. But I most ear- nestly entreat you to receive Pompeius in so particular a manner into your protection and favour, as to convince him that nothing could have proved more to his advantage and his honour than my applications to you in his be» liajf. f^ey^d. ^/^-o4J-«MP •^iiS ■ If I 2 Iff The letters Book II. I I.ETTER XXII. [A. U. 690.] To QuiNTUs Philippus, ProconsuK I coxGRATULATEyour Safe return from your province, in the fulness of your fame, and amidst the general tranquillity of the republic. If I were in Rome, I should have waited upon you, for this purpose, in person, and in order, likewise, to make my acknowledgments to you for your favours to my friends Egnatius and Oppius. I am extremely sorry to hear that you have taken great ofi'ence against my friend and host„ Antipater. I cannot pretend to judge of the merits of the case ; but I know your character too well, not to be persuaded that you are in- capable of indulging an unreasonable resent- ment. I conjure you, however, by our long friendship, to pardon, for my sake, his sons, who lie entirely at your mercy. If I imagined you could not grant this favour consistently with your honour, I should be far from mak- ing the request ; as my regard for your repu- tation is much superior to all considerations of friendship which I owe to this family. But, if * ^ Sec rem.* p. 127 of this fol. Book II. or cicMa 81t if I am not mistaken, (iind, indeed, I very possibly may) your clemency towards them will rather add to your character, than dero- gate from it. If it be not too much trouble, therefore, I should be glad you would let mc know how far a compliance with my request is in your power ; for that it is in your inclina« tion, I have not the least reason to doubt.— FareweL P S LETTER i I 1 tii The letters Book II. LETTER XXin. ' '1 I [A. U. 699.] To Lucius Valerius*, the Lawjer. For5 why should I not gratify your vanity with that honourable appellation ? Since, as the times go, my friend, confidence Mill rea- dily pass upon the world for skill. I have executed the commission you sent me, and made your acknowledgments to Len- tulus. But I wish you w^ould render my of- fices of this kind unnecessary, by putting an end to your tedious absence. Is it not more worthy of your mighty ambition to be blended with your learned brethren at Rome, than to stand the sole great wonder of wisdom, amidst a parcel ♦Valerius is only known by this letter and another, wherein Cicero recommends him to Appius as a person who lived in his family, and for whom he entertained a very sin- gular affection. By the air of this epistle he seems to have been one of that sort of lawyers who may more properly be said to be of the profession than the science. But, as the vein of humour which runs through this letter partly cori- sists in playing upon words, it is not very easy, perhaps it is impossible, to be -preserved in a translation ; and, as it al- ludes to circumstances which are now altogether unknown, it must necessarily lose much of its original spirit. 5 The abrupt beginning of this letter has induced some of the commentators to suspect that it is not entire. But Ma- nutius has very justly observed, that it evidently refers to the inscription : arid he produces an instance of the same kind Book II. (TF CICERO, S13 a parcel of paltry provincials^ ? But I long to rally you in person : for which merry purpose I desire you would hasten hither as expediti- ously as possible. I Avould by no means, how- ever, advise you to take Apulia in the way, lest some disastrous adventure, in those un- lucky regions, should prevent our welcoming your safe arrival. And, in truth, to w^hat pur- pose kind from one of the epistles to Atticus. Vid. Ad Att» iii. 20. ^ After this passage in the original, Cicero goes on in the following strain : Quanqaam qui Mnc leniunt, partim te su* perbum esse dicunt, quod nihil respondeas ; partim contumelio" sum, quod male respondeas. The translator, however, has ventured to omit this witticism, upon the advice of Horace. Desperat tentata nitcscere posse, relinquit. It is a pun, indeed, which has already occurred in one Qf the preceding letters to Trebatius, where our author plays in the same manner upon the equivocal sense of the verb respondere. See p. 156 of this vol. Voiture has managed an allusion of this kind much more successfully. Si vous pretendez (says that agreeable writer to his friend the pleni- potentiary at Munster) que la dignife de plenipotentiare vous dispense de respondrt, Papinian avoit cl sa charge toutes les af- faires de Vempire Romain, etje vous moristrerai en cent lieux dans de gros livreSy Papinianus respondit, et respondit Papi- nianus. Les plus sages et les plus prudens etoient ceux qui avoient accoustumc de rcpondre, et de la responsa sapientum, et prudentum responsa. Les oracles mtmeSy quand vous en se- riez uuy respondoient ; et il n'est pas qu*aux choses inanimees^ qui ne se mettent quelqitefois en devoir de repondre : Les eaux et les rockers et les bois lui respondent, Let. de Voit. i. 1^5. P3 I i 1214 The letters Book It. Book II. o* CICERO. ■215 I pose should you visit this your native province^? For, like Ulysses, when he first returned to his ' Manutius imagines that Cicero means to rally tbe ob- scurity of bis friend's birth. Perhaps it would be nearer the truth, to acknowledge, that it is impossible to know what be means : yet^ as this sense is as consistent with the original as any other, it is adopted in the translation. But if this very learned commentator be right in his general notion of this passage, he is certainly deceived in his inlerpretation of tari' quam Ulysses, cognosces tuorvm neminem, with which the let- ter concludes. For he takes the verb cognosco in its usual acceptation : by which means he makes Cicero mistake so Ivell known a story as that of the behaviour of Ulysses upon his first return to Ithaca. However, he is persuaded that this is a designed misrepresentation in his author : and discovers I know not what improvement of the humour by this very per- version of the fable. The labours of this penetrating com- mentator have cast such a light upon the writings of Cicero, that even his errors deserve to be treated with respect, other- wise one might justly laugh at a nution so exactly in the true spirit of a fanciful critic, who refines upon his own mis- takes. It is a mistake, nevertheless, in which all the suc- ceeding commentators concur with him, except Mr. Ross, who has removed the whole difficulty of the passage, by ex- plaining cognosco in the sense of agnosco. This sense (in which, indeed, it is not unfrequently used) reconciles the al- lusion to the truth of the fact : and where a word has seve- ral significations, it would be out of all rule of criticism to understand it in an application the least favourable to an author's meaning. It is not always so easy, however, to justify Cicero with respect to Homer; and he has, in cue instance, at least, been betrayed into an error in quoting that poet. The instance occurs in his Tu8cu!*j; diaaipated his fortune by extravagant iodulgencie-, for which no estate could suffice, he fell an easy prey to corruption. Accordingly, Caesar paid his debts, amounting to almost 500,0001. and by that means gained him over from rhe cause uf liberty, to become one of the warmest and most active of his partisans. It is generally imagined thai Viroil glances at him in those well-known lines, vendidit hie auro patrianty Sec, though, indeed, they are ap- plicable to so many uthers of his contemporaries, that there seems no great reason to imagine the poet had Cur.o parti- cularly in his view. Lucan mentions him as one whose ta- lents would probably have been of the highest honour and benefit to his country, if he had lived in times of less conta- gious depravation : Haud alium ttmUt dvsm tutU indole Romdy Aut cut plus leges deberent^ recta sequenti. Perdita tunc urhi nocuerunt secula^ post quant Ambitus et luxus^ ei opum metuendafacultofy Transversa mentem dubiam torrente tulerunt, ji soul more formed to aid his counlr\fs camcy Avenge her tnsuUs^ and support her lawsy Rome never knew ; but ah ! in evil hour^ Fate bade thee live when virtue was no more ! When lawless lust of power ^ and av'rice dready And baneful luxury the land o^^rspread. Thy wavering mind the torrent ill'Withstood, Bome^ scarce resisting^ down tk* impefuons flood. He distinguishied himself with great bravery in support of Cssar's cause in Africa, where Varus commanded on the part of the republic. But, after some successful engagements, he lost his life before the battle of Pharsalia, in an action against the troops of Juba, near Utica. At the time when this letter, and the rest that are addressed to him in the pre- sent book, we e written, he resided in Asia, where, as Ma- nutius conjectures, he was employed in quality of quaestor to Caius Clodius. Vd. Pat. ii. 48. Plut. in vit, Cas, Vol. Max. ix. 6. £n, vi. 620. Luc, iv. 814. Ltv. epit, 110. Book III. of CICERO. S1J» «f that affection which I have already so fre- quently experienced. Believe me, I have never omitted writing, whenever any person offered whom I imagined likely to convey my letters into your hands ; and, which of your acquaint* ance, I will venture to ask, is a more punc- tual correspondent than myself? In return, however, I have scarce received more than one or two letters from you since you left Rome ; and those two extremely concise. Thus, you ,see, I can justly retort your charge ; you must not, therefore, pass too severe a sentence on your part, if you hope to receive a favourable one on mine. But I will dwell no longer on this article than to assure you, that since you are disposed to accept these memorials of my friend&hip, I doubt not of acquitting myself to your full satisfaction. Tho' I regret extremely the being thus long* deprived of your very agreeable company, yet I cannot but rejoice at an absence which has con- tributed so much to your honour ; as fortune, indeed, has, in all that concerns you, answered my warmest wishes. I have only to offer you one short piece of advice, and I offer it in compliance a (< Curio had been most probably absent from RiJinft ** about two years; for Caius Clodius, to whom he is sup- posed to have been quxstor, obtained the government ci Asia an urb. 698. Pig. Anual." Mr. K(/*c. 1 4( r V i I- t ! ) £20 The letters Book IIL compliance with the sincere dictates of that singular affection 1 bear you. Let me earnestly then, entreat you, to come well-prepared, at your return, to act up to those great ideas which the world has, with so much reason, conceived of your spirit and talents. And as nothing can ever wear out the deep impressions your good offices have stamped upon my mind^ ; so, I hope, you will not forget, on your side, that you could not have attained those honours or ad- vantages that attend you, if you had not, in tlie earlier part of your life, complied with my faithful and affectionate admonitions*. Have I not reason, then, to expect in return, that as the weight of old age now begins to bend me down^ you will suffer me to repose my declin- ing years upon your youth and friendship ? Farewel. LETTER 5 Curio assisted him in his contest with Clodius. ♦ Curio, when he was a very young man, had entered into a commerce of the most criminal and detestable kind with Antony. His father, in order to break off.this infamous intercourse, was obliged to call in Cicero to his assibiance; who, by his prudent and friendly advice, weaned the son from a passion not less expensive, it seems, than it was exe- crable ; and, by this means, (as Cicero reproaches Antony in one of his Philippics) he saved an illustrious family from utter ruin. Flut. in vit, Anton. Cic. Pint, ii. 18. 5 Cicero was at this time in the 54tu year of his age. Manut, Book III. of CICERO, 221 M I -1. LETTER II. [A. U. 700.] To Trebatius. t,:* ,'J V,J If you were not already in the number of ouf absentees, undoubtedly you would be tempted to leave us at this juncture, for what business can a lawyer expect in Rome, during this long and general suspension of all juridical proceed* ings^ ! Accordingly, I advise my friends whQ have any actions commenced against them, to petition each successive interrex^ for a double enlargement of the usual time for putting in their pleas: and is not this a proof how w^onder- fuUy I have profited by your sage instructions ^ The feuds in the republic were raised to so great a height towards the latter end of the preceding year and the beginning of the present^ that the office of the late con- suls had expired several months before new ones could be elected. In exigencies of this kind, the constitution had provided a magistrate called an Interrex^ to whom the con- sular power was provisionally delegated. But public busi- ness, however, was at a stand, and the courts of judicature, in particular, were shut up during this interregnum, a cir- cumstance from which Cicero takes occasion to enter into his usual vein of pleasantry with Trebatius, and to rally him in perpetual allusions to his profession. Dio. xl. ' This office of Interrex continued only five days ; at the expiration of which, if consuls were not chosen, a new In~ terrex was appointed for the same short period. And in thi« manner the succession of these occasional magistrates was carried on, till the elections were deterraiRcd. 3 !• The letters Book IIL in the law' ? But tell me, my friend, since your, letters, I observe, have lately run in a mor& enlivened strain than usual, what is it that has elevated you into so gay a humour ? This air of pleasantry I like well, it looks as if the world went successfully with you, and I am all impa- tience to know what it is that has thus raised your spirits. You inform me, indeed, thatCa- sar does vou the honour to advise with you. For my own part, however, I had rather hear that Be consulted your interest, than youj judgment* But seriously, if the former is really the case, or there is any probability of its proving soy kt me entreat you to continue in your present situation, and patiently submit to the incon- veniences of a military life ; as, on my part, I shall support myself under your absence with the hopes of its turning to your advantage. But if all expectations of this kind are at an end^ let us see you as soon as possible ; and, perhaps, some method may be found here, of improving your *The minute forms of law- proceedings among the Ro- mans, are not sufficiently known to distinguish precisely the exact point on which Cicero's humour in this passage turns; and, accordingly, the explanations which the commentators have offered, are by no means satUfactory. It would be fo- rei^n to the purpose of these remarks, to lay before the rea- der their several conjectures ; it will be sufficient, m general, to observe, that there was some notorious impropriety in the advice which Cicero here represents himself as having •given to his friends, and in which the whole force of bis pica- santry consists. Book III. OF CICERO. M3 your fortunes. If not, we shall at least have the satisfaction of enjoying each other's con^t^ pany, and one hour's conversation together is of more value to us, my friend^ than the whole city of Samarobriva', Besides, if you retura soon, the disappointment you have suffered may pass unremarked; whereas a longer pursuit to no purpose, would be so ridiculous a circum- stance, that I am terribly afraid it would scarce escape the drollery of those very arch fellows*, Laberiu& •A city in Belgic Gaul, and probably the place whereiir Trebatius had his present quarters. * Laberius was a Roman knight, who distinguished himself by his conaic humour, and he had written several farces which were acted with great applriuse. He was pre- vailed upon by Caesar to take a part himself in one of his own performances, and the prologue which he spoke upon that occasion is still extant. The whole composition is ex- tremely spirited, and affords a very advantageous specimen of his genius ; but there is something so peculiarly just and beautiful in the thought of the concludirg lines, that the reader, perhaps, will not regret the being carried out of his way in order to observe it. Laberius was sixty years of age» ithen, in complaisance to Caesar, he thus made his first en^ trance upon the stage ; and, in allusion to a circumstance sa little favourable to his appearing with success, he tells the audience, Ut hedera serpens vires arhoreas necat ; It a me vetusias amplexu annorum etiecat: Sepulchri similis^ nihil nisi nomen retineo ! While round the oak thefraudful ivy tzzines^ Robbed of its strength^ th€ sapless tree declines f Thus envious age^ advanced with stealing paccj Qasps my chiWd limbs^ and kills with cold embrace, lake empty monuments to heroes fame ^ Of all I Kos retaining but the Thame ! Macrob. Saturn^ ii, 7%. S24 The letters Book III. 11 i\ Laberius and my companion Valerius*. And what a burlesque character would a British lawyer furnish out for the Roman stage ! You may smile, perhaps, at this notion ; but tho' I mention it in my usual style of pleasantry, let me tell you it is no jesting matter. In good earnest, if there is any prospect that my recommendations will avail in obtaining the honours you deserve ; 1 cannot but exhort you, in all the sincerity of the warmest friend- ship, to make yourself easy under this absence, as a means of increasing both your fortunes and your fame : if not I would strongly advise your return. 1 have no doubt, however, that your own merit, in conjunction with my most zealous services, will procure you every advan- tao-e you can reasonably desire. Fare\^el. LETTER '^This Valerius is supposed by some of the commentators to be Quinius Valerius Catullus, a celebrated poet, who, as appears by his works, which are still extant, was patromzed by Gicero. But the opinion of Manutius is much more pro- bable, that the person here meant is the same to whom the 13th letter of the tirst book in this collection is addressed, and who is likewise mentioned in the fpUowin^ epistle. Book III. OF CICERO. 225 LETTER IIL i [A. U. TOO.] To Appius Pulcher^ If the genius of Rome were himself to giv4> you an account of the commonwealth, you could not be more fully apprised of public af- fairs, than by the information you will receivo from Phanias : a person, let me tell you, not only of consummate politics, but of infinite cu- riosity. I refer you, therefore, to him, as Xq the shortest and safest means of being ac- quainted with our situation. I might trust him^ likewise with assuring you, at the same time, of the friendly disposition of my heart towards you : but that is an office which I must claim the privilege of executing with my own hand. Be persuaded then, that I think of you with the highest affection : as, indeed, you have a m ' Appius Clodius Pulcher had been consul the preceding year, and was, at this time, governor of Cilicia. The parti- cular traits of his character will be occasionally marked out in the observations on the several letters addressed to him in this and the subsequent books. In the mean time it may be efficient to observe that Cicero very zealously cultivated his friendship, not from any real opinion of his merit, but as one x^hose powerful alliances rendered him too considerable to be despised as an enemy. For one of Appius's daughters wa. married to Pompey's son, and the other to Brutus. S90 Life ofCic. ii. 204. ^vo, ed. Ep, Fa?n. ii. 13. Vol. I. Q 226 The letters Book III. •1 fiill right to these sentiments, not only from the many generous and amiable qualities of your mind, but from that s:rateful sensibility, with which, as I am informed, both by your own let- ters and the general account of others, you re- ceive my best services. I shall endeavour, there- fore, by my future good offices, to compensate for that lohg intermission which unhappily sus- pended bur former intercourse*. And since you seem willing to renew our amicable com- merce, I doubt not of engaging in it with the general approbation of the world^ Your freedman Cilix, w^as very little known to me before he delivered your obliging letter into my hands: the friendly purport of which he confirmed with great politeness. The account indeed ♦ Appius was brother to Cicero's declared enemy, thetur- buknt Clodius; which occalsioned that interruption of iheir friendship to which he here alludes. It appears by a passage in the oration for Milo, that Clodins, in the absence of his brother, had forcibly taken poiisession of an estate belonging to Appius; and the indignation which this piece of injustice must Dccessarily raise in the latter, rendered him, it is pro- bable, so much the more disposed to a re-union with Cicero. Oraf.pro Mil.'27. , . ttrr 5 The whole passage, in the original, stands thus : " Idque " we, quoniajn tui(a vis, puto non inxita Miucna Jacturum: •* quam qiiidem ego, si forte de tuis sutnpsero, non solum •« Pallada, sed etium Appiada nominabo." The former part of this sentence is translated agreeably to the interpretation <^f the learned Gronovias : but the latter is wholly omitted. For, notwithstanding all the pains of the commtentators to explain its difficulties, it is utterly unintelligible ; at least, I «lo not scruple lo confess, it is so to me. Book III; of CICERO. 337 indeed he gave me of you sentiments, as well as of the frequent and favourable mention you are pleased to make of my name, were circum- stances which I heard with much pleasure. In short, during our two days conversation to- gether, he entirely won my heart : not to the exclusion, however, of my old friend Phania^ whose return I impatiently expect. I imagine you will speedily order him back to Rome : and I hope you will not dismiss him without send- ing me, at the same time, your full ^ and unre- served commands. I very strongly recommend to your patron- age Valerius the lawyei^; even though you should discover that he has but a slender clalni to that appellation. 1 mention this, as being more cautious in oWiating the flaws in his title, than he usually is in guarding against those of his clients. But, seriously, I have a great affec- tion for the man : as indeed he is my partiSiiiar ' friend and companion. I must do him the jus- tice to say, that he is extremely sensible of the favours you have already conferred upon him. ^Nevertheless he is desirous of my recommenda- tJOn, as he is persuaded it will have much weight With you. i entreat you to convince hxra that lie is not mistaken. Farewel. . „, LETTER • See p. 212. of this vol. Q S V i i !i it «5$ Ths letters Book IIL LETTER IV. [A. U. TOO.] To Caius Memmius'. Your tenant Caius Evander, is a person mtli whom I am very intimate: as his patron Mar- cus iEmiUus is in the number of my most par- ticular friends. 1 entreat your permission, therefore, that he may continue some time onger in your house, if it be not mconve- b' ent to you : for as he has a great deal of work upon his hands, he cannot remove so soon as the first of July, without being ex- tremely hurried. I should be ashamed to use „,any words in soliciting a favour of .this na- tur7at your hands: and 1 am persuaded that, if it is not veiy much to your preju- . dice you wiU be as well inclined to grant „.e 'thU request, as 1 should be to con^^ with any of yours. I will only add, there- IZ tl^at your indulgence will greatly obhge me. Farewel. LETTER 7 See an account of him in remark 5. on the 27th letter ofthisbook, p.281. Book IIL aw 909 or eiCERO. LETTER V. [A. U. 700.] To Trebatius. I WAS wondering at the long intermission of your letters, when my friend Pansa accounted for your insolence, by assuring me that you were turned an Epicurean, Glorious effect in- deed orcamp-conversation ! But if a metamor- phosis so extraordinary has been MTOUght in you amidst the martial air of Samarobriva, what would have been the consequence had I sent you to the softer regions of Tarentum\^ I have been in some pain for your principles, I confess, ever since your intimacy with my friend Seius, But how will you reconcile your tenets to your profession,, and act for the interest of your client, now that you have adopted the maxim of doing nothing but for your own ? With what grace can you insert the usual clause in your deeds of agreement: The parties to these presents as be^ comes good men and true, ^x\ ? For neither truth nor trust can there be in those who pro* > fessedjy • Tarentum was a city in Italy distinguished for the soft- ness and luxury of its inhabitants. Geographers inform us that the greatest part of their year was consumed m the cele- bration oi btaled lesiivals. Vid. Bunon, comment, in Cluverii ideograph. Q 3 1 The letters Book III. 230 fesscdly govern themselves upon motives of ab- solute selfishness ? I am in some pain, likewise, how you will settle the law concerning the par- tition of " rights in common :" as there can be nothing in common between those who make their own private gratification the sole criterion of right and wrong. Or can you think it pro- per to administer an oath, while you maintain that Jupiter is incapable of all resentment ? In a word, what will become of the good people of UiubriE^who have placed themselves under your protection ; if you hold the maxim of your sect, *' that a wise man ought not to engage himself ** in public aflFairs ?" In good earnest I shall be extremely sorry, if it is true that you have really deserted us. But if your conversion is nothing more than a convenient compliment to the opi- nions of Pausa, I will forgive your dissimula- tion, provided you let me know soon how your affairs go on, and in what manner I can be of any service in them. Farewel. t £txer ' «* Cicero jocosely speaks of this people, as if they be- " lonecd to the most considerable town in Italy ; whereas it '* was so mean and contemptible a place, that Horace, in " order to shew the power of contentment, says, that a per- " son possessed of that excellent temper of mmd, may be " happy even at Ulubrai : ,^ ** Est Ulubris, animus si U non deficit ccquus. Mr. Ross^ — -ta Book IIL OF eiCERO. SSI LETTER Vl. [A. U. 700j To Caius Curio. . Our friendship, I trust, needs not any other evidence to confirm its sincerity, th^n whi^t arises from the testimony of our own hearts. I cannot, liowever, but consider the death of your illustrious father, as depriving me of a most venerable witness to that singular affection I bear you'. I regret that he had not the saris- faction of taking a last farewel of you, before he closed his eyes : it was the only circumstance wanting to render him as much superior to the rest of the w^orld ^n his domestic happiness, as in his public fan^e*, I sincerely wish you the happy enjoyment of your estate : and be assured, you will find in tne a friend who loves aJ^d values you with the same tenderness as your father himself coa- ceived for you, Farewdt LETTER • ^ See remark 4th on the first letter of this book. * He was consul in the year of Rome 6Y6', when he acted with great spirit in opposition to theatiempis of Sicinius, for restoring the tribunitial power, which had been much abridged by Sylla. In the following year he went governor into Mace- donia, and, by his military conduct in that province, obtained ^he honour of a triumRb. He distinguished himself among the friends of Cicero when he was attacked byClodius, Jfreuishm, suppkm, in Liv, xci. ciii. Q 4 f ! % u 232 The letters Book III, LETTER VIL [A.U.700.] ,1 ToTrebatius. Can you seriously suppose me so unreasonable as to be angry, because I thought you disco^ vered too inconstant a disposition in your im- patience to leave Gaul ? And can you pos- sibly believe it was for that reason I have thus long omitted writing ? The truth is, I was only concerned at the uneasiness which seemed to have overcast your mind : and I forebore to write upon no other account, but as being en- tirely ignorant where to direct my letters. I suppose, however, that this is a plea which your loftiness will scarce condescend to admit. But tell me then, is it the weight of your purse, or the honour of being the counsellor of Caesar, that most disposes you to be thus insufferably arrogant ? Let me perish if 1 do not believe that thy vanity is so immoderate, as to choose rather to share in his councils than l]^|^p|gers, But should he admit you into a particTpaffbn of both, you will undoubtedly swell into such intolerable airs, that no mortal will be able to endure you : or none, at least, except myself, who am philosopher enough, you know, to it Book IIL of CICERO, 333 endure any thing. But I was going to tell you, that as I regretted' the uneasiness you formerly expressed, so I rejoice to hear that you are better reconciled to your situation. My only fear is, that your wonderful skill in the lav will little avail you in your present quarters ; for I am told, that the people you have to deai with, Mest the strength of their cause on the force of their viight. And the sword is supreme arbitrator of righf." ^p-^i^uJ^ As I know you do not choose to be concerned m forcible entries, and are much too peaceably disposed to be fond of making assaults, let mc leave a piece of advice with my lawyer, and by all means recommend it to you to avoid the Treviri* : for I hear they are ipost fonnidable fellows. I wish from my heart they were as harmless as their name-sakes round the edges of o&r coin'. But J must reserve the rest of my he Treviri were a most warlike people, borderine on Germany. They were defeated about thij time by l^! GarWii!"* "f Csesar's lieutenants in Gaul. C«/,r. &/. ficersIJllH"^ ^ ^"'" ""' "J"^" ""* ''"P«<:tion °( three of- are?,iiri^ r^^^n "lOBe^afe, ; and several pieces of money are still extant in the cabinets of the curious, inscribed with wLT" Jnagistrates. Vid. Petri Bembi epist. apui 234f The letters Book III. jokes to another opportunity: in the mean time, let me desire you would send me a full account of whatever is going forward in your province. Farewel. March the 4th. t • i LETTER VIIL [A. U. 700.] To CORNTFICIUS*. Your letter was extremely agreeable to me in all respects, except that I wj^s sorry to find by it, you had slighted my lodge at Sinnuessa. I shall not excuse the affront you have thys passed upon my little hovel, unless you give me double satisfaction by making use both of my Cuman and Pompeian villas. Let me en- treat you then to do so, and to preserve me likewise in your affection. I hope you will provoke me to enter into a literary contest with you, by some of your writings : as I find it much easier to answer a challenge of this kind, than to send one. However, if you shlSfffd per- severe in your usual indolence, I shall ventui>e to lead the way myself; in order to shew you, that your idleness has not infected me, I I ste4 • Sec an account of him, vol. iii. p. 6l. rem. 6. Book IIL OF CICERO. 235 I steal a moment to write this whilst I am in tlie senate : but you shall have a longer let* ter from me when I shall be less engaged* Farevrel. LETTER IX. [A. U. 700.] To Trebatiu3. T • • 1 AM givmg you an mstance, that those who love are not easily to be pleased, when I assure you, that though I was very much concerned when you told me that you continued in Gaul with reluctance, yet I am no less mortified now your letter informs me, that you like your si- tuation extremely well. To say the truth, as I regretted you should not approve a scheme, M'hich you pursued upon my recommendation; so I can ill bear that any place should be agree- able to you where I am not. Nevertheless, I had much rather endure the uneasiness of your absence, than suffer you to forego the advan* tages'with which, I hope, it will be attended. It is impossible, therefore, to express how much I rejoice in your having made a friendship with a man of so improved an understanding and so amiable a disposition as Matius : whose pstcem, I hope, you wiU endeavour to culti- vate, 23« The LETTERS Book III. vate, by every means in your power. For, be- lieve me, you cannot bring home a more valu- able acquisition. Farewcl LETTER X. [A. U. 700.] To Caius Curio. You must not impute it to any neglect in Rupa, that he has not executed your commis- sion ; as he omitted it merely in compliance with the opinion of myself and the rest of your friends. We thought it most prudent that no steps should be taken during your absence, ^vhich might preclude you from a change of measures after your return: and, therefore, that it M'ould be best he should not signify your intentions of entertaining the people with public games^ I may, perhaps, in some fu- ture letter, give you my reasons at large, ag.ainst your executing that design : or rather, that vou may not come prepared to answer my " objections, • Curio's pretence for exhibiting; these n^mes, ^^" ^o pay an bonour .> the memory of h.s ^^^^^^^^^-'^^^^^^^ ^^o bis principal motive wa. to inorat.ale l^""^*^^^/^''^^;^^^^^^ n e who were passionately attached to entertainments of tb.s D ArcTce^ro well knew the pr<.fusion o Curn/s temper ind thaf the scheme h. .as meaitating cou .1 not be executea luhout great expence, he acted a very jud.cious «na hone. Trt in labouring to turn him aside from a pr.yect that & contribute to embarrass his finance*, ana most proba- biy, therefore, impairlhe foundation of hi» integrity. Book III. OF CICERO. 237 objections, I believe it will be the wisest way to reserve them till we meet. If I should not bring you over to my sentiments, I shall have the satisfaction, at least, of discharging the part of a friend: and should it happen, (which I hope, however, it will not) that you should hereafter have occasion to repent of your scheme ; you may then remember that I en- deavoured to dissuade you from it But this much I will now say, that those advantages which fortune, in conjunction with your own industry and natural endowments, have put in- to your possession, supply a far surei* metliod of opening your way to the highest dignities^ than any ostentatious display of the most splen- did spectacles. The truth of it is, exhibitions of this kind, as they are instances of wealth only, not of merit, are by no means considered as reflecting any honour on the authors of them : not to mention that the public is quite satiated with their frequent returns.— .But I am fallen unawares into what I designed to have avoided, and pointing out my particular rea- sons against your scheme. I will wave all far- ther discussions, therefore, of this matter, till we meet; and in the mean time, inform you, that the world entertains the highest opinion of your virtues. Whatever advantages may be hoped 238 The letters B6bK III hoped frbm the most exalted patriotism united with the greatest abilities, the public, believe me, expects from you. And should you come prepared (as I am sure you ought, and I trust you will) to act up to these its glorious expec- tations, then, indeed, you will exhibit to your friends, and to the commonwealth in general, a spectacle of the noblest and most affecting kind\ In the mean while, be assured, no man has a greater share of my aifection and esteem than yourself. Farewel. LETTER 7 Curio was not of a disposition to listen to this prudent council of his friend : but, in opposition to all the grave ad- -vice of Cicero, he persevered in his resolution, and executed it with great magnificence. The consequence was, just what Cicero foresaw and dreaded : he contracted debts which he tvas incapable of discharging, and then sold himself to Caesar,' in order to satisfy the clamours of his creditors. See rem. 1. OD the first letter of this book, I ,« / u i ' Book III. Dt ClCEROi 239 L ETTER XL [A. U. TOO.] To Trebatius. Two or three of your letters which lately came to my haiids at the same time, though of* different dates, have afforded me great plea- sure : as they were proofs that you have recon- ciled yourself, with much spirit and resolution, to the inconveniences of a military life. I had some little suspicion, I confess, of the contra- ry : not that I questioned your courage, but as imputing your uneasiness to the regret of our separation. Let me entreat you then to persevere in your present temper of mind : and, believe me, you will derive many and consider- able advantages from the service in wliich you are engaged. In the mean while, I shall not fail to renew my solicitations to Caesar in youf- favour, upon all proper occasions; and have herewith sent you a Greek letter to deUver to^ him for that purpose : for, in truth, you cannot be more anxious than I am that this expedition may prove to your benefit. In return, I desire you woidd send me a full relation of the Gal- lic war : for you must know, I always depend most 4 II 1 / 240 The letters Book III. most upon the accounts of those who are least engaged in the action* As I do not imagine you are altogether so considerable a person as to retain a secretary in your service, 1 could not but wonder you should trouble yourself with the precaution of sending me several copies of the same letter. Your par- simony, however, deserves to be applauded ; as one of them, I observed, was written upon a tablet that had been used before. I cannot conceive what unhappy composition could be so very miserable as to deserve to give place upon this occasion : unless it were one of your own conveyances. I flatter myself, at least, it was not any sprightly epistle of mine that you thus disgraced, in order to scribble over it 4 dull one of your own. Or was it your intention to intimate affairs' go so ill with you, that you could not afford any better materials ? If that should be your case, you must even thank yourself for not leaving your modesty behind you. I shall recommend you in very strong terms to Balbus, when he returns into Gaul. But you must not be surprised if you should not hear from me again so soon as usual : as I shall be absent from Rome during all this month. I .3" write 4 Boox III. ov CICERO. g4j write this from Pomptinus, at the villa of Me- trilius Philemon, where I am placed within hearing of those croaking dients whom you re- commended to my protection : for a prodigious number, it seems, of your' Ulubrean frogl are assembled, in order to compliment my arrivai among them. FareweL April the 8th. P. S. I have destroyed tlie letter I received from you by die hands of Lucius Aiuntius, though it was much too innoceat to deseirve «, severe a treatment : for it contained no(iiing that might not have been {proclaimed before a general assembly of the peopfc. However it wa» your express desire I should destroy iu and I have complied accordingly. I mil only add, that I wonder much at not having imvd from you since; especiaUy as ao many extra* ordmaiy events have lately happened in ymt |>rovince. LETTER «Je&n '"'"T"''^ ^"V^"" inl.sbit.nt, of Ulubra!*his (^tr* "L*""*'"" '^ •!'« Jo* «nd marshy situation^ weir town. See rem. 9, p. 330. of this vol. '0 Vox. I. n I II ll f. 442 The LETTERS Book III. LETTER XIL [A. U. 700.] To Caius Curio. pf uMberless arc the subjects which may en- ter into a correspondencie of the epistolary kind : but the most usual, and which indeed gave the first rise to this amicable commerce is, to inform an absent friend of those private affairs, which it may be necessary, either for his interest o^ pni-'Own, that he should know. You must not, however, expect any thing of the latter sort from me V*is your family correspondents, I am sensible, communicate to you what relates to your own concerns ; and nothing new has hap- pened in mine. There are two other species of letters, wth which I am particularly pleased t those, I mean, that are written in the freedom and pleasantry of common conversation; an^ those which turn upon grave and moral topics. But in which of these it would be least im- proper for me to address you at this juncture, is a question not easily determined. 111,^ in- deed, would it become me to entertain you with letters of humour, at a season when every man of common sensibility has bidden adieu to mirth. Book III. OF CICERO. ^iS mirths And what can Cicero write that shall deserve the serious thoughts ©f Curio, unless it be on public aflairs? My situation, however, is such, that I dare not trust my real sentiments of those points in a letter' : and none other will I ever send you*. Thus precluded as I am from every other topic, I must content myself with repeating what I have often urged : and ear- nestly exhort you to the pursuit of true and 5olid gbry. Believe me, it will require the ut- most efforts of your care and resolution, to act up to those high and uncommon expectations which the world has conceived of your merit. There is, indeed, but one possible method that can enable you to surmount this arduous task. -qBil cci: The » Affairs at Rome were, at this time, in the utmost con- fiision, occasioned (as has alreadj been observed in the notls above) by the factious interruption that was given to the usual ejection of the maoistraies. See note 6. p. 221. of this vol; This state of tumult, or indeed, to speak more properly, of al- most absolute anarchy, was, however, somewhat cbmposcd towards the latter end of the present year, by the election of Domiiius Calvinus and Vateiius Messala to the consular of- fice. Dio,xlf, 14J. * The disturbances mentioned in the preceding note, were artfully fomented by Cresar and Porapey,"in order tp turn them to the advantage of their ambitious purposes. But this was too delicate a circumstance for Cicero to explain him-, self upan: especially as he was now cultivating a friendshira with both. ** * *The text in the original is evidently defective: otque in hoc gencre hac mea causa est, at neque ea qua mn sentio Veiim' ^cn^re. The seii5,e is supplied in the translation, in a waw that seemed to coincide best" with tliis mutilated sentence. R2 244 The letters Book IIL Tbetnethod I mean is, by diligwitly cultivating those qualities -which arc the foundation of a just applause: of that applause, my friend, which I know is the constant object of your warmest ambition. I might add much more to this purpose : but I am sensible you stand not in need of any incitements. And indeed I have thrown out these general hints, far less Mith a view of inflaming your heart, than of testifying the ardency with which I give you mint. Farewel. LETTER XIIL [A. U. 700.] To Memmius. i CLAIM the promise you gave me when we met last, and desire you to treat my very inti- inate knd zealous friend Aulus Fusius in the manner you assured me you would. He is^ a man of letters as well as great politeness : arid, indeed, in every view of his character, he is Iilghty deserving your friendship. Thecivdities you shall shew him will be extremely agreeable to me : as they will, at the same time, for ever sfttach to your interest a person of a most •bilging and friendly disposition. FareweK LETTER . Booh III. OF CICERO. 845 . u. LETTER XIV. [A.U. TW.} To Caius Curio. Public affairs are so circumstanced, that I dare not communicate my sentiments of them in a letter. This, however, I will venture in general to say, that I have reason to congratu- late you on your removal from the scene in which we are engaged. But I must add, that in whiatever part of the world you might be placed, you would still (as I told you in my lastO be embarked in the same common bottom with your friends here. I have another reason likewise for rejoicing in your absence, as it has placed your merit in full view of so consider- able a number of tlie most illustrious citizens, and allies of Rome: and mdeed the reputation you have acquired is universally, and without the l^ast exception, confirmed to qs on all hands. But there is one circumstance attendt wig y<^u, upon which I know not whether I ought to send you my congratulations, or not; I mean with respect to those high and singular . ' advantages d ^ The letter to which Cicero refers is not extant. "i [ n. ! ' R 3 £45 The LETTERS IJOOK lift advantages which the commonwealth promises itself from your return amongst us. Not that I suspect your proving unequal to the opinion which the world entertains of your virtues; but as fearing that whatever is most worthy of your care will be irrecoverably lost ere your arrival to prevent it : such, alas, is the weak and welU nigh expiring condition of our unhappy re- public ! But prudence, perhaps, will scarce justify me in trusting even this to a letter : for the rest, therefore, I mu3t refer you to others. In the mean while, whatever your fears or your hopes, of pubhc affairs may be; think, my friend, incessantly think on those virtues which that generous patriot ^lust possess, who, in these evil times, and amidst such a general deprava^ tion of manners, gloriously purposes to vindi- cate the ancient dignity an<;l liberties of his op- pressed country. .Farewel. LETTER ~»f t'Vt Jl^T :iL w ji 9 > n Jr. i : Book III. OF CICERO. 247- LETTER XV. [A. U. 700.] To Trebatius. If It were not for the compliments you sent ;ne by Chrysippus, the freedman of Cyrus the architect, I should have imagined I no longer possessed a place in your thoughts. But surely you are become a most intolerable fine gentle- man, that you could not bear the fatigue of writing to me ; when you had the opportunity^ of doing so by a man, whom, you know, I look upon as one almost of my own family. Perhaps, however, you may have forgotten the use of your pen, and so much the better, let me tell you, for your clients ; as they will lose no more causes by its blunders. But if it i^ myself only that has escaped your remembrance, I must endeavour to refresh it by a visit, before T am worn out of your mind beyond all power of recollection. After all, is it not the appre* hensions of the next summer's campaign, that has rendered your hand too unsteady to perform its office? If so, you must e'en play over again the same gallant stratagem you practised last year in relation to your British expedition, and frame some heroic excuse for your absence. R 4 How- li 2^ Th b letters iro0K III, HoH^eycr, I v\ras extremely glad to hear, by Chrysippus, that you are much in Csesars goo4 graces. But it would be more like a man of equity^ methiuks, as well as more agreeable to my inclinations, if you were to give me frer quent notice of what concerns you, by your own hand: a satisfaction I should undoubtedly ^PJoy, if you had chosen to study the laws of good fellowship, rather than those of conteu- tion. You see I rally you as usual, in your own way, not to 3ay a little in mine. But to end seriously ; be assured, as I greatly love you, I aim no less confident than djesirous of your af- fection in return. Farewel. LETTER XVI. 1 [A. U.700.] To Py^i-ivs Sextius*. HOPE you will not imagine by ray long sir lence that I have been unmindful of our friend- ship,, or that I had any intention of dropping my usual correspondence with you.. The siur cere * The Commentators are greatly divided as to the time w^cn this letter was written, and the pierson to whom it is addressed. To examine the several reasons upon which they support their respective opiniuas, would be leading tfcte English reader into a field^ of criticism, which could afford him neither amusement nor instruction. The sub- ject, indeed, of this letter, whicH is merely consolatory, to a friend in exi^e, is not of consequenco enough to merit any pains in ascertaining (if it were possiblp to ascertain) iU W Book (II# OF CICERCX U9 cere trudi is, I was prevented from writing dur- ing the former part of our sepatration, by those cabmities in which the general confusion of the times had involved me : as I afterwards delayed it, frona an unwilHngness to break in upon youj whilst your own severe and unmerited injuries were yet fresh upon your mind^ But when I J-eflect that ti sufficient time has elapsed, to wear off the first rmpi-es^ons of your misfortUiles : ^ml consider, likewise, tlie virtues and masmaiii- Wity of your heart; I think I may nbw write to you consistently with my general caution of a^^oiding an unseasonable officiousness* Yuu are sensible, my dejjir Sextiu^, that I warmly stood forth your advocate, when a pro* secution ^as foriiierly commenced against you in your absence : as afterwards, when you was involved in that accusation which was brought against your frienjd^ I exerted every means in my power for your defence. Thus, likewise, upon my return into Jt^ly^, tho'I found your aifairqr,ble, therefore, frcm this pas- saacs that Soxtius was banished for some leal, or pretended lui^cooducc ill the administration of tkat oiTice. I wish I could, with truth, be contradicted) that the injurious sentence you lament, had- only banished you from a commonwealth irl which no rational mind can receive the least satisfaction. If I were to say nothing of your son, it would look as if I were inattentive to that general ap- plause which his virtues so justly receive : oa the other hand, were I to tell you all that I hear and think of him, I am afraid I should only renew your grief for being thus separated from his cotnpany. However, you should wise- ly consider his uncommou virtues as a posses- sion which inseparably attends you, in whatever part of the world you may be placed. For sure- ly the objects of the mind are not less inti- mately present with us, than those of the eye. The reflection, therefore, on his singular merit and filial piety, the fidelity of myself and tTie rest of those friends whom you have found, and will ever find, to be the f6llo\\^rs, not of your fortune, but of your virtue; and, above all, the consciousness of not having deserved your suf- ferings, are circumstances which ought to ad- minister the highest consolation to you. And they will more effectually do so, if you consider, that it is guik, and not misfortune; one's own crimes, and not the injustice of others, which ought £5S TftE LETTERS Boo« III. ought ta disturb the serenity of a well-regu- lated mind. In tlie meam tiwe, be assureti^ that, in comphanGe with the dictates of that friendship I have long entertained for you, and of that esteem which I bear for your son, I shall neglect no opportunity, both of alleviating your afflictions> and of contributing all! can tosup^ port you under them. In a word, if, upon any occasion, you should think it necessarj" to write to me, you shall find that your application was not made in vain, FareweL jf ,* - %0- ^ i X. *- -' LETTER XVIL [A,U. TOO.] To CURIO. 1 DISPATCH Sextus V'illius, a domestic of my Triend Milo, to meet you with this letter, not- withstanding we have received no account of your being yet advanced near Italy. However, WC are assured that you are set forward from Asia'^ : and as it is generally behcved, it will not be long ere you arrive hi Rom^, I persuade myself that the importance of the affeir which Wcasions you this application, will justify ijiy 1 desire of making it as early as p.o^^iWe. •^ ' - ' If * Sec p. 218. rem. 1. tow^ds th^ end. Boon UL OF CICERO. £S9 If I estimated my sen ipes towards yw jby the sa«je enlarged standard tlut you gratefully measure ttoa yourself, I sihould Jb^ extremely reserved in requesting any considerable farour 0$ yKjur haiids. Jt is painful, indeed, to ^ man of a modest and generous mind, to &Qlieit great obligaticms from those whom he has greatly ob- liged ; lest he should seem to claim tlie price pf his good ofEces, and ask a matter of rigbt rather tha^ of grace. But I can liave jqo scruples of this sort w ith respect to you ; as the services you have conferred upon me, and particularly in my late troubles, ane not only of the high- est, but niost conspicuous naturc. An ingenu- ous disposition, whei-e it already owes much, is w^illing to owe more : and it is upon this prin- ciple, that I make no difficulty of requesting your a^si^tance in an article of the last import- ance to me, I have no reason, indeed, to fear, that I should sink under the weight of your favours, even if they wxre to rise beyond ^11 number : as I trust there is none so considera- ble that I should not only receive with grati- tude, but return with advantage. I am ^ertiug the utmost efforts ofniy e;are, my industry^ and my talents, in order to secure the elec}a<9u^Qf/j\Iilo to the consulate; ^nd I think myself bound, upon this occasion, to give a proof S54 The letters Booiw HL BKokIIL qoT CICERO; ^S a proof to the world, of the more than common affection with which I enter into his interest. I am persuaded, no man ever was so anxious for the preservation of his own person and fortunes, as I am, that Milo may obtain this honour: an event upon which the security of my o^vn dignities, I am sensible, depends. Now, the as* sistance which it is in your power to give my friend, is so very considerable, that it is all we i^'ant to be assured of victory : for thus our forces stand. In the first place, Milo's conduct to^ wards me in his tribunate^ has gained him (as I hope you perfectly well know) the affections of all our patriots : as the liberality of his temper and the ma?fnificence of his shews have se- cured to him the favour of the populace'^ In the next place, all the young part of the republic, together with those who have the most influence in elections, are wholly in his interest, as having received, or expecting to receive, the benefit of his own popularity and active ofHces * Milo was tribune in the year of Rome 6q6 : at which time he conferred very singular obligations on Cicero» by rao>t z-alously exerting all bis power and credit in piomot- ing his recal from exile. Orat. pro Milan. ^ Milo b^ dissipated three very considerable eslates iri the extravagant bhews which, upon ditleicut occasions, he had exhibited to the people ; as he was likewise at this time proposing to entertain them in the same ma«>nificent mannerf at the expense of 250,0001. Orat, pro Miloti. 25. Ad Q. Z. ill. 9. 1 offices upon occasions of a like nature. I will add, likewise, that he has ray suffrage ; which, though it may not draw after it any consider- able effects, is, however, v4iiversally approved as a tribute, which is justly his due: and so far, perhaps, it may be considered^s^g^ ^otoc M^eight with the public. All, therefore, that we farther require, is a person to appear as the leader of these our rude forces, and to uuite -them together under one head : and liad we the choice of the whole world, we could not fix upon a man so well qualified for this purpose as yourself. If you believe then, that I have any worth or gratitude, or can even infer it from these my earnest endeavours to serve Milo ; in a word, if you esteem me deserving of your favours, I entreat you to co-operate with me in this affair, upon which my character (or to come still nearer to the truth) upon which almost my very preservation depends*. With reg-ard to Milo •'Cicero was particularly concerned to secure Milo's election, not only from a principlcM>f gratitude, but of self- preservatjon. For Ciodius, our auihcr's implacabK*' rne- my, was now soliciting the office of prietor : and if Milo were rejected from tlie cons^ulship, it. would fall into thts hands of Plautus Hypjceusand Metcdlus Scipio, who wc-re both undf r the influence of Ciodius. By these weans, 'the latter would once agflin have been armed with the principal ■authority of the commonwealth ; and Cicero kiicw, M- sad and recent p.xperience, that he had everv thins to fear fr^iti sucfr^ 256 The letters Btoox IIL Milo himself, I will only assure you, that ywt never can oblige a man of a more solid turn of mind, of a more resolute spirit, or one who, if you should embrace his interest, will receive your good offices with a more affec- tionate gratitude. You will at the same time also confer so singular an honour upon myself, as to convince me, that you have no less regard for the support of my credit, tlianyou formerly shewed for the safety of my person. I should en- larg*e much farther upon this subject, if I wer€ not persuaded that you are perfectly sensibk of the infinite obligations I have received from Wilo; and that it is incumbent upon me to promote his ekction with my utmost zeal, and even at the hazard of my life'. I will only then, in one word, recommend this affair, and thereitt sucli an enerav when he could add power to malice. His inierest, therefore, conspired wiih his friendship in supporting the pretensions of Milo, who had, upon all occasions, op- posed the designs of Clodius with great warmth and spirit : ond who, in the present instance, would have proved a counr ter -balance, if Clodius should havt; attempted a second time to fall with his whole weight upon Cicero. I'id, Orat, pro Milon. passim. 9 In this declining state of the republic, the elections were carried on, not only by the most shameful and avowed bri- bery, but by the several mobs of the respective candidate*. These, it may well be imagined, were both disposed and pre- pared to commit every outrage, that the cause of their lead- ers should require. Accordingly, the party of Milo, and that of his competitors, had such frequent and bloody engage- ments with each other, as to raise a general apprehension of a civil war. P/«^ in vit. Cat on. Book IIL ©f CICERO. ^S? therein the most important of my concerns, to your favour and protection : an,m, instead of soliciting any loneer for Milo as a candidate, to defend him as a criminal It Ln C; h'eX'^'° "":! ^''"""^ ''-»= -'' -Teywere at: «r was killed. i\l,lo was arraigned for this murder • and being convicted, was sentenced To banishment. Ocer'o "J h.s defence, laboured to prove, by a varielv of circumsmnces lhatth,,mee,,„gcould nothave beenpremeditatedonthenar; of h.s client: and, indeed, it seems probable tn.t u «a! no u however casual that panicolar incident might have beer M.lo. u IS certain, had long before de.ermined^oaslsslna,e C od.us : and it appears too, that Cicero himself was ^pp Ued of .be design. This ,s evident from a letter to At.icus, wr en *bout four yeat-s antecedent to the tact of wh.ch I .m speak- ^"S- iie,m Puilum, savs Cicero, rmsianteoccisus e^.jlt nM.knePuto. Hi seinter viam obtukrit, occisum iriabiZ p. 143, 146. Orat. pro Milon. ad Att. iv. 3. ' Vol. I. s It I 558 ThK LETTERS Book III. LETTER XVIIL [A.U.700.] To Titus Fadius*. 1 KNOW not any event which has lately hap- pened, that more sensibly affects me than your disgrace. Far, therefore, from being capable of giving you the consolation I wish, I greatly stand in need of the same good office myself. Nevertheless, I cannot forbear, not only to ex- hort, but to conjure you likewise by our friend- ship, to collect your whole strength of reason, in order to support your afflictions with a firm and manly fortitude. Remember, my friend, that calamities are incident to all mankmd, but particularly to us who live in these miserable and distracted times. Let it be your consola- tion, however, to reflect, that you have lost far less by fortune, than you have acquired by me- rit : as there are few under the circumstances of your birth, who ever raised themselves to the same dignities ; though there are "^^^ers^of » It is altogether uncertain to whom this |ette^^.»* *^^: dressed artheTe is great variety in the several readings of ?ts rscnp' on If the^title adopted in the translation be the ru Tner^ it is that which has the g-^test num^^^^^^^^^^ commentators on its side,) the person to ^^^''''^^^^^ was qusstor to Cicero in his consula e ; ^^^^^^^^^^^/^^^^^ of those tribunes who. in the year of Rome 696, pr^Jt^^ the law by which he was restored to hit country ytU. ^a Book ill. of CICERO. S5? the highest quality who have sunk into the «aine disgrace. To say truth ; so wretched is the fate which threatens our laws, our liberties, and our constitution in general that well may he esteem himself happily dealt with, who i§ dismissed from such a distempered government upon the least injurious terms. As to your own case, in particular, when you reflect that you are still undeprived of your estate : that you are happy in the aflfections of your children, your family, and* your friends ; and that, in all probability, you are only separated from them for a short interval: when you reflect, that emong the great number of iinpeachn;ie^ts which have lately been carried on^, yours is the only one that was considered as entirely groundless ; that you were condemned by a majority only of one single vote; and that, too, universally supposed to have been given in compliance witli some powerful influence.- — These, undoubtedly, are considerations which ought ^ The circumstance here mentioned renders it probable that the letier before us was written in the present yean Fvv Pompey being at this time appointed sole consul, made se- veral salutary regulations with respect to the method pf trials, and encouraged prosecutions against tho^c who had been guilty of illegal practices in order to securetheir elections. Accordingly, many persons of the fira^ rank in R')me wiere arraigned and convicted : and Fadius seems to have beea one of that number. I'lul, in lit. Pomp. ei£atQ}u %2 .260 TfiE LETTERS Book III. ou-ht greatly to alleviate the weight of your xiiirfortune. 1 will only add, that you may always depend upon finding in me that dis- position both towards yourself and your fa- niily as is agreeable to your wishes, as well as to what you have a right to expect. Farewel. LETTER XIX. [A. U. 700.] To Titus Titius. It is by no means as suspecting that my for- mer recommendation was not sufficient, that I crive you this second trouble, but merely in ""compliance with the request of my friend Avianus Flaccus : to whom I neither can, nor indeed ought to refuse any thing. ' The truth is notwithstanding your very obliging answer when I mentioned his affair to you in person, and that I have already written to you in strong terms upon the same subject ; yet he imagmes I cannot too often apply to you in his behalf. I hope, therefore, you will excuse me, if m thus vieldincr to his inclinations, I should seem to ^ ^ forget ♦The person to whom this letter is inscribed, is wholly unknown :':nd the occasion upon which U was wntten is not Timportance enough to d^erve any animadversion.. Book IIL OF CICERO. 361 forget that you are incapable of receding from your word; and again entreat you to allow him a convenient port and sufficient time for the exportation of his corn. Both these fa- vours I obtained for him when Pompey had ^ the commission in which you are now em- ployed : and the term he granted him was three years. To say all in one word, you will very sensibly oblige me by convincing Avianus, that I enjoy the same share in your affection, which he justly imagines he possesses of mine. Farewel. LETTER XX. [A. U. 700.] To Trebatius. I ACQUAINTED you with the affair of Silius. He has since been with me : when I informed him that it was your opinion we might safely enter into the usual recognizance. But he has consulted, he tells me, Avith Servius, who as-, sures him, that where a testator has no power to make a will, it must be considered, to all intents and purposes, as if it had never sub- sisted : and OffiHus, it seems, agrees in this opinion. He told me, at the same time, that he had not applied to you upon this subject : but desired I would recommend both himself S 3 and 262 The letters Book HI. and his cause to your protection. I do not know a worthier man than Silius, nor any one^ excepting yourself, who is more my friend. You will extremdy oblige me, therefore, my dear Trebatius, by calling upon him in order to give him the promise of your assistantrc : and I earnestly entreat you, if you have any regard for me, to pay this visit as soon as possible. FareweL If h LETTER XXL [A. U. 700.] To Marcus Marius. I SHALL punctually execute your commis- sion : But is it not a most wonderful specimen of your sagacity, thus to employ a man in making a purchase for you, whose interest it is to advance the price as high as possible ? Above all, I most admire the wisdom of your restriction, in confining me to a particular sum. For had you trusted me with an unlimited or- der, I should have thought myself obliged, in point of friendship, to have settled this affair with my coheirs upon the most advantageous terms in your behalf: whereas, now I know your price, you may depend upon it, I shall rather set up a fictitious bidder, than suffer the Book IIL OF CICERO. 26a estate to be sold for less than the money you mention. But jesting apart ; be assured I shall discharge the commission you have assigned me, with all the care I ought I know you are well pleased with my victory over Bursa^ : but why then did you not n^ore warmly congratulate me upon the occasion? You were mistaken in imagining the chj^racter of the man to be much too despicable to ren- der this event a matter of any great exulta- tion. On the contrary, the defeat of Bursa has afforded me a more pleasing triumph, even than the fall of Clodius. Much rather, in- deed, would I see my adversaries vanquished by ' Minutius Plancus Bursa was tribune the year before this letter was written, and had distinguished himself by inflaming those disturbance^ in Rome, which were occasioned by the assassination of Clodius. The body of Clodius being produced before the people in the Forum, Bursa, together with pne of his colleagues, infused such a spirit of not into the populace, that, snatching up the corpse, they instantly conveyed it to the curia hostilia ; (a place in which the se- nate sometimes assembled,) where ihey paid it the funeral honours. This they executed in the most insolent and tu- multuous manner, by erecting a funeral pile with the benches, and setting tire to the senate-nouse itself. Bursa, not satis- tied with thes« licentious outrages, endeavoured likewise to instigate the mob to fall upon Cicero, the avowed friend and advocate of Milo, by whom Clodius had been killed. Ci- cero, therefore, as soon as Bursa was out of his office (for no magistrate could be impeached during his ministry) ex- hibited an information against him, for this violation of the public peace : and Bursa being found guilty, was sentenced to suffer banishment. Dio,x\. p. 143, 146. Ascon. argument^ % Orat. pro Miion, S 4 k III 254 The letters Book IIL Book III. OF CICERO. 265 by the hand of justice, than of violence: as I would choose it should be in a way that does honour to the friends of my cause, without ex- posing them, at the same time, to any uneasy consequences. But the principal satisfaction I derive from this affair, is in that honest and undaunted zeal with which I was supported against all the incredible efforts of a very great man^, who most warmly exerted his power in favour of my antagonist. I will mention an- other circumstance, likewise, that recommends this victory to me, and which, though perhaps you will scarcely think it a probable one, is, nevertheless, most assuredly the case : I have conceived a much stronger aversion to this man, than I ever entertained even against Clodius himself. To speak truth, I had openly de- clared war against the latter : whereas I have been the advocate and protector of the former. Besides, there was something enlarged, at least, in the views of Clodius, as he aimed, by my destruction, at overturning the whole common- wealth : and even in this he acted less from the motions of his own breast, than by the instiga- tions of a party, who were sensible they could never be secure, whilst I had any remaining credit. But the contemptible Bursa, on the contrary, * Pompry, Vid, Dio, p. 146. contrary, singled me out for the object of his malice, in mere gaiety of heart : and without the least provocation, offered himself to some of my enemies as one who was entirely at their service upon any occasion wherein they could employ him to my prejudice. Upon these con- siderations, my friend, I expect that you warmly congratulate my success, as, indeed, I esteem it an event of very considerable importance. Never, in truth, did Rome produce a set of more inflexible patriots, than the judges who presided at this trial : for they had the honest courage to pass sentence against him, in op- position to all the power and influence of the very person by whom they were appointed^ to this honourable office. And, undoubtedly, they would not have acted with such uncom- mon spirit, had they not considered the insults I suffered from this man, as so many indigni: ties offered to themselves. I have, at present, a great deal of trouble- some business upon my hands : as several con- siderable impeachments are going forward, ancj many new laws are in agitation. It is my daily wish, ^ Pompey, in his late consulship, made some alterations with respect to the method of chusing the judges, and elected a certain number out of the three orders of the state, for the cognizance of civil and criminal causes. MamU de leg. p. 12i?* Vel. Pat ere, u,76. U N m The letters Book III, Book III. OF CICERO. 267 wish, therefore, that no intercalation' may pro- tract these affairs beyond the usual period, and prevent the pleasure I propose to mysdf, of paying you^ a visit very soon. Farewel. LETTER XXIL f [A. U. 700] To Trebatiu6. You laughed at me yesterday, when I asj- serted, over our wine, that it was a question among the lawyers, whether an action of theft could be brought by an heir, for goods stolen before he came into possession. Though it was late when I returned home, and I had drunk pretty freely, I turned to the place where this question is discussed, and have sent you an ex- tract • The Roman months being lunar, a proper number of supplemental days were added every iwo years in order to a<)just their reckoning to ibe cours« of the sun. This was. culled an intercalation ; and was performed by the pontificiat college at their own discretion. Accordingly they often ex- ercited this important trust as intervst or ambition dictated : and by their arbitrary intercalations, either advanced or re-^ tarded the slatpd times for transacting civil or religious af- ikirs, as bc6t suited the private purposes of themselves or their friends. By these means, these unworthy observers of the heavenly motions, had introduced so great a confusion hito their calendar, that, when Caesar undertook its refov- Biation, all the seasons were misplaced ; and the appointed. fes^tivaU for harve^it aud vintage, were no longer found in the Mwumer and autumn quarters. 8vet. in Jul. 40. JUtfcrai^. tract of the passage : in order to convince you, that a point which you imagined had never been maintained by any man, was actually holden by Sextus iEHus, Marcus Manlius, and Marcus Brutus*. But, notwithstanding these great names, I agree in opinion with Scasvola and Trebatius^ FareweL LETTER • These were all of them lawyers of great note in their respective generations, and whose writings in the science tiiey professed were in much esteem. The two former flou- rished about the year of Rome 545, and 600 : the latter about the year 630. Pompon, de orig. Juris. ^ ScKvola was one of the names of Trebatius, as appear* by a letter to Atticus wherein he is so called. There wa» likewise a Quintus Mucins Scavola, a lawyer of very consi- derable eminence, who lived about fifty years before the pre- sent date, and who compiled a body of laws in eighteen vo- lumes. Manutius imagines, therefore, that in allusion to this person, Cicero jocularly separates the names SoBVola and Trebatius by an intervening copulative, as if he were speaking of two different men, though he only means his frieDd to., whom he is writing. '•i» 368 The LETTERS Book III. Book III. OF CICERO; 2b9 LETTER XXIIL [A. U. 700.] ToAppius Pulcher. I FiN-^D myself obliged, contrary, indeed, to my expectation, as well as my wishes, to accept the government of your province'. Amidst the numberless uneasy thoughts and occupa- tions which this circumstance occasions me, it is my single consolation, that I could not have succeeded any man in this employment who would be more disposed than yourself, to deli- ver 5 The arcat coimnotions that had been raised the last year in Rome, on account of the elections, have already iecn mentioned in ihe notes above. In order, therefore, to leniedy these evils for the future, by abating the intempe- rate ardour with ;vhich the magistracies were pursued j it was thought expedient to deprive the praHorship and con- sulate of one of the.r principal and most tempting advan- tae-s. This consisted in the government of provinces : ta which those magistrates of course succeeded at the expiration of their respective administrations. For these governments not only secured them from any impeachments during th<^ lime they continued in them, but were likewise inexhausti- ble sources of wealth to those who were not scrupulous m the means of obtaining it. Accordingly a law passed, by which It was enacted, that no future pr^tor o^ consul shouUl be capable of a provincial charge, uU five years after the ex- ptratl of h,s omce : and, in the mean t.me that the pro- Lees should be supplied from among those of P^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^ consular rank, who had laid down the.r offices -ithout sue- ceedinc^ to anv government. Cicero was of this number., and ins probable, there were so few of them that he w Bot at liberty to refuse, what it is ve^ry certain he had no m^- clination to accept. Pio, xl. p. H^* Jiver it up to me as little embarrassed as possi- ble. I hope you entertain the same opinion of my disposition Avith regard to you : and be as- sured I shall never disappoint you in this ex- pectation. I most earnestly then entreat you, by all the ties of our friendship in particular, as well as by that uncommon generosity which dis- tinguishes your actions in general, to render me, upon this occasion, every good office in your power : as undoubtedly there are many. You will observe, from the decree of the ^senate, that I was under a necessity of accept- ing the government of some province : and I must repeat it once more, the ease with which I shall pass through the functions of my minis- try, depends upon your smoothing, as far as in you lies, the difficulties at my first entrance. You are the best judge in what particular in- stances you can contribute to this end : I will only, in general, beseech you to do so in every article wherein you imagine your services may avail me. I might enlarge on this subject, if either your own generous temper, or our mu- tual friendship, A\^ould suffi?r me to dwell upon it any longer : and I may add too^ if the nature of my request did not sufficiently speak for it- self. I will only, therefore, assure you, that if I should not make this application in vain,, you may i4 r, I'l The letters Book III. I may depend upon receiving a strong and last-* ins satisfaction from the faithful returns of my gratitude. Farewel. LETTER XXIV. [A. u. roo.] To the same. I ARRIVED on the 22d of May at Brutidisi- um, where I found your lieutenant' Quintus Fabius: who, agreeably to your orders, in- formed me, that it is highly expedient Cilicia should be strengthened with an additional num- ber of forces. This was conformable, not only to my own sentiments, who am more immedi- ately concerned in the security of that province, but to the opinion likewise of the senate : who thought it reasonable, that both Bibulus* and myself should reinforce our respective legions with recruits from Italy. But it was strongly opposed • Every proconsul, or governor of a -province, was ac- companied with a certain number of lieutenants, in propor- tion to his rank and quality. These officers served him as a kind of first ministers in civil affairs : and they commanded in chief under him when he took the field. * Some account has already been given of Bibulus in the notes on the preceding book. See rem. 10. p. l63. He was appointed governor of Syria, a province bordering on that of Cilicia ; to which Cicero was on his way when he wrote the present Utter, and all the subsequent ones in this book. ^ Book III. OF crcERo. 271 opposed by Sulpicius^ the consul: though not \rithout very warm remonstrances on our parts. However, as it seemed to be the general incli- nation of the senate that we should hasten our departure, we were obliged to submit: and we «et forward accordingly. Let me now repeat the request I made in mv last from Rome, and again entreat you to favour me in all those instances wherein one friend can oblige another who succeeds to his government. In short, let it be your care to convince the world that I could not have followed a more affectionate predecessor : as it shall be mine to give conspicuous proofs, that you could not have resigned your province to one more sin- cerely devoted to your interest. I understood by the copy which you commu- nicated to me of those dispatches you sent to tl>c senate, that you had actually disbanded a considerable part of your army. But Fabius assures me, this was a point which you only had in your intention ; and that when he left you, the whole number of your legions was com- plete. If this be the case, you will greatly oblige me by keeping the few forces under your command ' Servius Sulpicius Rufus was consul this year, together with Marcus Claudius Marcellus. For a more particular ac- count of the former, see rem. 1. p. ll|). vol. li. and of ih« latter, rem. 3. let. 35. of this book. 1 £7S The letters Book IIL Book III. of CICERO. ,jt command entire : as I suppose the decree of the senate which passed iu relation to this ar- ticle, has already been transmitted to you. To comprise all in one word, I pay so great a de- ference to your judgment, that whatever mea- sures you may tliink proper to pursue, I shall, undoubtedly, believe them reasonable : though I am persuaded, at the same time, you will pursue such only as shall appear to be for my benelit. • I am waiting at Brundisium for my lieute- I nant Caius Pontiuius, whom I expect here on j the .first of J unc : and I shall take the earliest opportunity, after his arrival, of proceeding on my voyage. Farewel. LETTER XXV. [A. U. 70?.] C(EL1US* to CiCERO. Agreeably to my promise when we parted, I have sent you a full account of every event that has happened since you left Rome. For this purpose, I employed a person to collect the news of the town: and am only afraid ♦ Manutius has, with great induslry, drawn together the several scattered passages in the ancient historians, relating to Coflius : and it is but a piece of justice due to that learn- ed critic to acknowledge, that the following account is ex- tracted from those materials, which bis labours spared me the trouble of collecting. 2>'3' afraid you will think he has executed his office much too punctually. I am sensible, at the same time, that you are a man of infinite curio- sity ; and that travellers take pleasure in being informed of every little circumstance transacted at home. But I hope you will not impute it to any want of respect, that I assigned over this employment to another hand. On the contrary, as much engaged as I really am, and as little fond of writing as you know me to be, I should with great pleasure execute my com- mission, which gave me occasion to think of you. Marcus Coelius was tribune of the people, the year before this letter was wruien. He distinguished himself in that office by zealously and boldly supporting the claims of the Z^^„ , •''Vr'"'' °^ '^^ "i»'»cra.ical party, against •he attacks of the opposite fac.iun. When the civ.l war broke out between Pompey and Ciesar, he affected at first to stand neuter: he afterward,, however, thought proper to ^o.n w,th the latter. But Ca=sar not gratifying his ambition m the manner he expected, he changed sidls, and ra ed great disturbances in Rome in favour of Pompey f„, .J^l"" "P*'"*'' himself early to the art of oratory : and, for that purpose, was introduced by his father to the ac quaintance of Cicero, under whose direction he formed his eloquence. His parts and genius soon distinguished him with nlr I'l""" '■ ■ ' '^"Sh his speeches were conceived Ztr \V^u" '"'' '''r'y' •"' '''"g"«g« «"' 'bought forced, ami ,he harmony of his periods too much neglected. His m.-rals were suitable to the degenerate age in which if. I'm' '"r "°"^. .'""' di^olu.e: .as his temper was re- markably inflammable, and apt to kindle into the most im- p acab e resenlments. Cic orat. pro Cvere here'. If you had an interview' with Pompey (as I rci^iember it was your intention) let me know the conversation that passed between you, and what you could discover of his designs': for though he seldom speaks his real sentiments, he has not artifice enough to conceal them*. Af to This seems to be the circumstance to which Coslius here al- udps: as Ccero obscurely hints at it likewise ,n pne of h, letter, to Att.cus. See ^dAtt. v. 2. and the remark ofM„n! gaiflt upon that passage. »^ "> "f-^a ' Warcellus, the present consul, distinguished himself hroughout h>s who e administration by a warm^ oppoS l?rTc V" K ''""7^''' »<='"'»lly made the motion, of which Coehus here spe«ks. He was not, however, so fortu- nate as to succeed in it ; being opposed by his colleague Sul- picius in conjunction with some of the tribunes. Dio. xli n 148. See his character in remark 3. on tbe 35th letter of this book, p. 320. , ' ,''"">P«y *« at this time atTarentuM, a maritime city of Ca.abna : where Ccero spent a few days with him in his way to Cihca while he waited the arrival of his lieateoaat f ontinius. ^d Att. v. 6. ■ » Cicero in his letters to Afticus often mention, the dif- ficulty of penetrating into Pompey's real designs : but if Coehus may be credited, he was, it seems, one of those over- *■ ^ refined t. I i ' 276 The LETTERS Book II^ to Csesar, we have frequent, and no very fa- vourable reports concerning him: however, they are at present, nothing more than ru- mours. Some say he has lost all his cavalry ; and I believe this is the truth of the case : others, that the seventh legion has feeen'^tifire- ly defeated, and that he himself is surrounded by the Bellovaci', that he cannot possibly re- ceive any succours from the main body of his army. But this news is not publicly kno\vn : on the contrary, it is only the whisper of a party which I need not name, and who men- tion it with great caution ; particularly Domi* tins*, who tells it in your ear with a most im- portant air of secresy. A strong report prevailed here, that you were assassinated upon the road on the 24th of May, by Quintus Pom.peius'. I heartily cursed the idle authors of this alarm : however, it did not give me any great disturbance, as I knew Pom- peius refined dissemblers, who, as our British Horace observes^ are. ■So very close they re hid from none. Pope, ' A most martial and powertul people in Belgic Gau^ against whom Caesar was at this time making war. * Lucius Domitius if^nobarbus, one of Caesar's avowed enemies. A particular account will be given of him in the remarks on the letter addressed to him in this collection. 3 Quintus Pompeius Rufus was tribune the last year, and a principal author of those disturbances which ensued upon the death of Clodius. See remark 5. p. 263. of this vol. At .Book III. OF CICERO. ^77 peius to. be then at Baulis^ where the poor man is reduced to exercise the miserable office of a pilot, to keep himself from starving. May you ever be as secure from all other dangers, as you were from this ! Your friend^ Plancus is at Ravenna; and, notwithstanding the very considerable bene- faction he has lately received from C.cesar^ the man is still in distress. r¥o "^' political treatise^ is universally read and much admired. Farewell. LETTER ^t the expiration of his office, therefore, being convicted of thes^ misdemeanors., he was banished from Rome. Dio xl l>. 146\ • • * A city in Campania. 5 Munatius Plancus Bursa: of whom an account has been given in remark 5. p. ! Book III. OF CiCERO. -281 LETTER XXVIL [A.V.70S.] > ' , To Caius Memmius', I AM doubtful whether I liave more reason to regret or rejoice, that I did not find you, as I ' '■ expected, ' The family of Caius Mommius was esteemed one of the most ancient .n ail Rome ; Le.ng descende,), it «as said, r m Italy, Memmms, having pa«ed through .he office, of tri! bune and pr»tor. offered himself as a Candida., tor .he con sulshii,, m the year of Rome t,99 : and the iniquitous ~ went into which be en.ered, m order to secure hi, elec^!on afford, a very remarkable specimen, not only of his own cba' racter, but of the unparalleled degeneracy of (he aee in «h,ch be lived The consul, of tlfat yeaf were Donffiii" ^nobarbu,, and Aj.pius Pulcher, ,he person ,o wbom the preceding letter, and several others in this bocfc arrad dresse.1. It was s.ipula.ed be.ween these worthy magiWa.e; and the .wo associates who were j.int-candida.i, to Jccled them, that they should mutually assist each o.her in ,h.i- rcspecuve views On the part o? .he consuls was a.rtT that ihey should promote the elerrinn r.f Vi agreed, friend Calvinus, w'lth all £ tra"n'^ptr'"S "' return, eniered into a bond in .he nenaJK ,,f" I ' '" .ban 30001. by which .hey Vbt'dT^l ^ ^ '' -- three Augurs, who should at.est, that .hey were pre.";?/* he Comma when a law passed .o invest these consuls wib the military command in their orovinr^, « consuls with farther added, tbat they would ilso produc ethre^'ro^TI consular rank, who should likewise depose ihr. ^h ^ not only present in the senate, but acSv in tbe '^^k*"! those who signed a decree bv which .hi ^ . ""''" "^ appointmentf were granL^d toVppit '^:/Ml':Z7t,l .ri-atirereM- x^:; '^^^rnr '- - '--^ «uher to the people o? t'he sSalL 2 ""' '"" '"''^'^'' R<»»"no» rcrum diminos, geutmque togatam ! l^lraordinary I. 1/ •S82 The letters Book III I i • expected in Athens^ On the one hand, if that meeting would have renewed my concern for the Extraordinary as this infamous association was, it. is still more surprising that Menimius bhould have had the front publicly to avow ii, by becoming himself the informer of the whole transaction. \ ct so the fact is: and, in compliance with the persuasions r those passngcs in the letters to Atti- cus wherein their pr^cftvlings in relation to this aftair seem lo be hinted at, are extremely dark ; and rendered still more obsture by the n'^iilijiencc of the transciibers, in blending cpi>tlc5 together of tiifl'erent and distant dale?. It is certain, however, that Memmius lost his election : some time after which, being impeached, and sentenced to banishment, he re- tired to Athens; where he seems to have spent the remainder of hi:j days. He was a man of greater pajis than application, and uould have proved an excellent orator, if he had trusted lebs to the strength of his nalui^l genius : or rather, indeed, if he had r.ol been too indolent to improve his faculties of this kind, bv an habitual exercise. He was nrt too Itzy, however, to employ them with the ^aHies : iu which he was extremely successful : particularly with the wife of Marcus Lucullus, brother to the celebrated LAicius Lucullus, so well known to every reader of the Roman story. He seems, in tr*tth, to have been one of that sort of men, who, in the lan- guage of Shakespcar, informed to make wunian false ; at least jf a poet may be supposed no flatterer in the picture he draws «>f his patron. For Lucretius, who inscribed his poem to Memmius, represenib Vcqus, in his invocation to that god- dess, Book IIL OF CICERO^ 283 tht injustice^ which has been done you; I should have had the satisfaction, on the other, of being a Avitness of your supporting it with the most philosophical magnanimity. Upon the whole, however, I cannot but lament that I did dess, as having bestowed upon this her favourite, everv charm Te sociam studeo scribundis verdbus esse Quos ego de Rerum Natura pangere cmof Memmiadte nostro : quam tu, Dea, tempore in omne Ummbus ornatum voluisti excellere rebus. Thy aid, celestial Queen of beauty, brin. Ad Ait. I. IS. Lucret. i. ^5. '•«./i». that he withdrew on purpose lo avoid our author, with whom he jmagines, Memmius was disgusted for not having aiven bim his assistance alhis trial. But this is merely conjecture- hW V.l" T^^.'\^'f foundation, as there is not the least fiint of this kind in the fetter to Atticus, wherein Cicero ac quaints him with the circumstance of his not meeting with Jlemmius. Ad. Ait. v. 10. '_It is by no means certain open what occasion Memmius was banished. The principal commentators, indeed. ar^"f opinion,.that it was in consequence of a prosecution that was comtnenced against him for those corrupt practices men- tioned in the iirst remark on this letter. But it seems to ap- pear from Cicero s epistles to his brother, either that Meji- mms and his associates were all acquitted of that impeach- dO F •• '^^"*^ prosecutions were dropped. Fid. ***• Mfc* **• HI. 4. o» o» ill I., /■ 284 The letters Book III. ! I did not see you : for the uneasiness I feel at your unmerited sufferings is too great to have admitted of much increase by that interview} and, in all other respects, it would have added very considerably to my pleasure. It is a plea- sure, therefore, in which I shall, without scruple^ indulge myself, the first convenient opportu- nity. In the mean time, so much of the purpose of my intended visit as may be explained, and, I should hope, settled too, in a letter I wiH nayf^ lay before you. The favour I am going to re- quest, though of little consequence to you, is of much importance to me : however, ere I en-^ ter upon the subject, let me previously assure, you, that I do not desire you to comply witlv my inclinations any farther than it shall be agreeable to your own. I must inform xm then, in the first place, that I am most inti- mately united withPatro, the Epicurean ;,^ijj every article, I mean, except his philosophy : for there, indeed, we are at a great distance. I received the first marks of his esteem, so long ago as when he distinguished himself at Rome by his singular attachment to you and your fa- mily : and in the cause which he lately gained in our courts, I was a principal advocate both for him and his associates. I must add, that he was recommended to me by my very worthy 3 friend 14 Book IIL OF CIGERO. 285 friend^ Pha^drus : a man whom, long before I became acquainted with Philo', and, indeed, from my childhood, I always highly valued The first quality that recommended lum to my esteem, was his philosophical abilities : as T afterwards had reason to admire him for his moral and social virtues. Before I left Rome, f iftceived a letter from Patro requesting me, in the first place, to intercede with you to be rt^bnciled to him ; and in the next, that you would make him a grant of an old niirious edifice which belongs, it seems, to the college of Epicurus*. I forbore writing to you, how- ever, upon this subject, as being unwilling to interrupt you in the design, which [ then thought you entertained, of building upon that spot. But I now comply with his solicita- tion, as he has assured me, since my arrival in Athens, that it is the general opinion of your friends, that you have totally laid aside this scheme. » Phaedrus, it is supposed, was the predecessor of Patro m the Epicurean college. r 'Cicero, in another part of his wrliinas, mentions an Academic philosopher of ihis name, whose lectures he at- tended. If the same person be meant in b^nh places, as in- deed is hiohly probable. Mr. R.)ss is undoubtedly ri^ht in charging the learned Mdnuiius with a misrakm; and, believe me, he will rejoice to embrace you as his friend. He now, ndeed Cf":f t "'"^^^™^" '^^'^ ^^^^'^ >- -'' ™>self, of the good and ill intentions of the different parties in the republic. I have spent these last ten days atAthens- fromwhencelamthismoment'setting";' l^unng my continuance in this city, I have frequency enjoyed the company of ot friend Callus Caninius9. Trov'nce ' ""f"^ '''''' "^ ^^^'^-- - *« p. ov mce may not be prolonged'. I will not pre- scriDf* cumsfance which seem* at oii ♦• . , s.derable influence ^^"'nC.cror^,; ^'''' ^""^ '' ''^y ^°"- characcers and design's of meT ^^K, Tg^'"^ ''" ing of his celebr^ed fhea re', r,!"'"''"'"'"""'* *' "■« "P^"- this is the same pers^nl^ ^""""' '="''i««"res. that peachment, was now he',,!^' '" ^""'^qu^nce of that im- ' The ^n.. ' '"PPOses, an exile at Athens ine succession to ihp «ovi>..»r .*■•"- -linens. *nnual. As Cicero entered "'*'*' P'°"""' *'" "*°a"y against his inclinltton, helvaTcxtreLr"""'"'''". ""«=*« «ny accidental circums ancelof ^^^"'""^'y ""<^asy. I«t, by seiiate. I ill I: I 292 The letters Book IIL scribe the methods you should employ for that purpose, as you are the most competent judge by what means, and by whose intervention it may be best effected. Farewel. July the 6th. LETTER XXIX. [A. u. ro2.] Marcus C(ELIvs* to Cicxro. Yes, my friend, Wessalla' is most certainly acquitted, and acquitted too, not only by a majority in the several orders*, which compose the senate, where be iraaginepcy, was composed of senators, knights, and certain officers al- .rays chosen from among the Plebeians, called Tribttni arrarii, .vho, in modern languai;e, might, perhaps, be styled auili- tors of the treasury. These judges (sonvewhat m the na- ture of our juries) were divided into three classes, agreji- BooKlIL OF CICERO, 2go the l>ench of judges, but by every individual member of each respective class. I give you this as a fact within my own knowledge, for I was present when their verdict was deliVered. You must not imagine, however, that the world is convinced of his innocence; on the contrary, never was there an event more un- expected, or which raised so universal an in- dignation. For my own part, even with all tny prejudices in his favour, I was under the ut- most astonishment when I heard him pronounc- €d not guilty ; and, indeed, it was a circum- stance I so httle expected, that I was actually preparing to condole with him on the reverse. What must have been the surprise then of others, less biassed in his behalf! The whole assembly, in truth, warmly exclaimed against tlie judges, and very strongly intimated, that they looked upon them as guilty of the most insufferable corruption. My friend, in the mean time, is in much greater danger than he was before, as he will now most assuredly be indicted on the Licinian law^ I must not fory^et ably to their respective orders, and gave tbeir verdict by bal- ' The author of this law was M. Licinius Crassus when he was consul with Pompey, an. urb. 698. It was caHrd2 Sodal,Uu- by which seems to have been understood an un! lawful making of parties at elections. Sec Ken IX^, V3 -• ' |l M li i94 The letters Book IIL forget to add, that the day after his trial, his advocate Hortensius* appeared in Curios thea- tre\ with a view, as I suppose, of receiving the general congratulations. But he no sooner entered, than lo ! The hiss contemptuous, and indignant roar, With thunder harsh the rending concave tore. This circumstance is so much the more ohser- vable, as Hortensius has passed on to a good old age, without ever having before been thus in- sulted. But it broke out upon him with so much violence in the present instance, that it midit well suffice for a whole life ; as I am per- suadcd, indeed, it occasioned him heartily to repent of the victory he had obtained. I have no political news to send you. Mar- cellus has dropped the design^ upon which he was lately so intent; but not so much from in- dolence, I believe, as prudence. It is wholly uncertain * Hortensius was uncle to Messalla, and the only orator of this age whose eloquence stood in any degree of competi- tion with Cicero's. See vol. ii. p. 45. rem. 5. 7 This theatre was erected by Curio on occasion of those jjaraes which he exhibited in honour of hi^ father's memory. See rem. 6. p. 236. of this vol. •Coelius in this instance was not so happy in his conjec- tures, as Cicero represents him in the foregoing letter. For Marcellus had not dropped the design to which Ca-lius here alludes ; as appears, not only from the authority cited in rem. 7. p. '275. of this vol. but alio from one ot his own subsequent fpisllrs. See the 7th letter of the following book. p. ^^9* Book III. op CICERO. ^95 uncertain who will be our succeeding consuls. As to my own pursuits, there are two competi- tors with me for the ^Edileship ; the one really is, and the other would fain be thought a man of quality. In short, Marcus Octavius^, and Caius Hirrus' are candidates with me for that office*. I mention this, as I know your con- tempt ^ No particular account can be given of the person here nrentioned. It is certain, however, he was not the same Octavius who was father of Augustus Ca;sar. l^>r it appears by the epistles to Atlicus that the latter was governor of Ma- cedonia long before the time when this letter was wriiten ; and consequently could not now be a candidate for the office of iE lile. ' liirrus was a warm partizan of Pompey ; but if Cicero, wno was his declared enemy, may be credited, he was efa character more likeiy to prejudice than advance any cause he should espouse , for he represents him as an empty con- ceited coxcomb, who had the mortification to stand unrivall- ed in the good opinion he entertained of his own merit and importance. O Dii ! (says he, speaking of Hirrus in a letter to his brother) O Dii f quam incptus ; quam se ipse amans sine rivali ! Yet a time came when Cicero did not scruple to court the friendship of this man, whom he so much affected to despise, and when he was making interest to obtain the honour of a triumph fur his exploits in Cilicia, we find him applying to Atticus for his good offices, in order to close the breach between Hirrusand himself. Cicero seems, indeed, upon many occasions, to have recollected too late, that in popular governments, a man who is not superior to the am- bition and interests of the w^rld, can scarcely make a con- temptible enemy. Ad Q. F. iii. 8. Ad Att. vii. 1. * The i^diles were of two kinds, plebeian and curule ; and it was the latter office that Coelius was at this time soli- ciiing. They bad the care of the temples, theatres, and other public structures ; they were the judges, likewise, in all causes relative to the sellmg or exchanging estates. Rosin, Antiq, U4 I « m s' 596 The LETTER5 Book tlL tempt for the latter will raise your impatience to be informed of the event of this election. I entreat you, as soon as you shall hear that I am chosen, to give proper directions about the Panthers'; and, in the mean time, that you would endeavour to procure the sum of money which is due to me on the bond of Sittius. I sent my first collection of domestic news by Lucius Castrinius Partus, and I have given the subsequent part to the bearer of this letter. Farewel. LETTER 3 It was customary for the iildiles to entertain the people with public shews twice, during their office. The principal part of these entertainments consisted in combats of wild ^asts of the moH uncommou kind* Manut, '"\i ■ f} 1 • ■ Book lit. op CICERO. i97 j.)i f • ■ ,» LETTER XXX. [A, u. ros.j From the same. Own the truth, my friend : have I not vcvU fied what I could not persuade you to believe, when you left Rome, and written to yon as frequently as I promised ? I am sure, at least, if all my letters have reached your hands, you must acknowledge that I have been a more punctual correspondent than yourself. I am the more regular in my commerce of this kind, as it is the only method I have of amusing those few vacant hours I can steal from business, and which I used to take so much pleasure in passing with you* I greatly, indeed, lament your absence, and look upon it, not only as having reduced me, but all Rome in general, to a state of total solitude. When you were within my reach, I was careless enough to let whole days slip by me without seeing you : but now you arc absent, I am every moment regretting the loss of your company. Thanks to my noble competitor, Hirrus, for giving me an additional reason thus frequently to wish for you. It would afford you high diversion, in truth, to observe with what a ridiculous awk- wardness C98 The letters Book IIL wardness this formidable rival of yours* en- deavours to conceal his mortification, in find- ing that my interest in the approaching elec- tion' is much stronger than his own. Believe me, however, it is more for your gratification than mine, that I am desirous you may sooii receive such an account of his success in this pursuit, as 1 know you wish. For, as to my- self, his disappointment may possibly prove a means of my being chosen in conjunction with a colleague, whose superior finances will draw me, I fear, into much inconvenient expencc. But, however that may be, I shall rejoice if Hirrus should be thrown out, as it will supply us with an inexhaustible fund of mirtli. And this appears likely enough to prove the case ; for the disgust which the people have con- ceived against the other candidate, Marcus Octavius, does not seem to have any great effect in lessening their many objections to Hirrus. As to what concerns the behaviour of Philo- timus, in relation to Milo's estate*, I have en- deavoured ♦ Hirrus stood in competition with Cicero for the office of Au^ur, when the latter was chosen. ' See the preceding letter. * Milo having been senicnced to banishment, (See rem. 1. p. 257. of this vol.) his estate xvas sold for the benefit of his creditors. Philolirous, a frecdman of Cicero, bought this estate, in partnership with some others, at an unJer- value. It was thought strange that Cicero should suffer ' Philotimus, Book III. of CICERO, r gg^ deavoiired that he shall act in such a manner as to give full satisfaction to Milo and his friends, and at the same time clear your character fron'i all imputation. And now I have a favour to beg in my turn ; let me entreat you, when your leisure slul! per- mit (as I liope it soon will) to give me an in- stance of your regard, by inscribing to me some of your literary performances. You will wonder, perhaps, at the oddness of this re- quest ; but I am very desirous, I confess, that posterity should see, among the many ingeni- ous monuments you have erected to friend- ship, some memorial, likewise, of the amity which subsisted between us. You who possess the whole circle of science will best judge what would be the most proper subject for this pur- pose ; but I sliould be glad it might be of a kind Philotimus, who acted as a sort of steward in bis family to engage ,n a purchase of th.s kind, which was always iSed fTcicL"o r^ ''^•^"i y-^rucuUrly so in th* presJntt e foi C.cero had received great obligations from Jlilo Ac cordtngly the latter complained o' it, in the letters he Jol flL n ,t. f" '""7P<""'«"t». ftrn»ed by Pighius. Ha was competitor ibr the consulate wiih Marcellus, mentioned in the prcced-. ing note. The wonder, therefore, in these two instances, was, (at Mr. Ross observes) that Marcellus should be chosen con- sul, who was an avowed enemy to Caesar ; while Calidius, though supported by the Caisarian party, lost his eleaion. • Calidius was one of the moat agreeable orators of hfs mgty as Cicero, who has drawn his character at large, informs us. His sentiments were conceived with uncom- jnon delicacy, as they were delivered in the most correct, perspicuous, and elegant expression. His words were so happily combined together, and accorded wit*i each other in such a well-adjusted arrangement, that Cicero, by a tcry was immediately impeached by the two Galli; and that Dolabella^ is appointed one of the Quindecimvirs* ! In one article, however, you are a loser by your absence ; as it deprived you of a most diverting spectacle in the rueful coun- tenance which Lentulus' exhibited, when he* found himself disappointed of his election. It was an event for which he was lo little prepared, ' tliat he entered the field in all thegay confidence of victory : whilst his competitor Dolabella, on the contrary, was so diffident of success, that if ' our very strong image, compares his styje to a piece of beauti- Tul in-laid work. His metaphors were so justly imagined and so properly introduced, that they rather seemed to arise spontaneously out of his subject, than to have beeti trans- planted from a foreign soil. His periods, at the same time, were exquisitely musical. They did not, however, lull the ear with one uniform cadence ; but were artfully diversified with all the various modulations of the most skilful hafmony. In short, if to instruct and to please had been the single ex- cellencies of an orator ; Calidius would have merited the first rank in the Roman Forum. But he forgot that the princi- pal busiaess of his profession was to animate and to inflame. Cic de clar, orat. 274. ^ A particular account will be given of him in the notes on the following book. ' They were the presiding magistrates at the Appollinari- an and secular games, and entrusted likewise with the care of the Sibylline oracles. See Mr. Ross on this epistle. ' There is some variation amongst the MSS. in the read- ing of this name. The best commentators, however, suppose, that this person is the same who was advanced to the con- sulship two years after the date of this letter : that is, in the year of Rome 704. It appears he was a competitor with Dolabella for the office of Quindecimvir. Vol. I. X r: i i / $06 The letters Book III. Book III. OP CICERO. bur friends of tlie Equestrian order had not been too wise to have suffered him, he would have tamely retreated without the least contest. But as much disposed as you may be to wonder at our transactions, you will not be surprised, I dare say, when I inform you that Servius, the Tribune elect, has been tried and convicted ; and that Curio"° is a candidate to succeed him. This last circumstance greatly alarms those who are unacquainted with the real good quahties of Curio's heart. I hope, and indeed believe, he will act agreeably to his professions, and join with the senate in supporting the friends of the republic. 1 am sure, at least, he is full of these designs at present : in which Caesars, conduct has been the principal occasion of engaging him. For Csesar, though he spares no pains or expencc to gain over even the lowest of the people to his interest", has thought fit to treat Curio with singular contempt. The latter has behaved with 80 much temper upon this occasion, that he, who »<> Sec rem. 1. p. 217. of this vol. «' The account which Dion Cassius gives of Caesar, ex- actly corresponds with what Calms here asserts. For it appears, from this historian, that C»sar, when he could not by direct means secure the master in his interest, insinuated himself by proper applications into the good graces of the favourite slave : and, by condescensions of this political kmd, he gained over many persons of principal rank in Home. D/o, xi. p. 149. 307 who never acted with artifice in all his life", is suspected to have dissembled his resentment, in order, the more effectually, todefeatthe schemes of those who oppose his election : I mean the LjElii and the Antonii, together with the rest of that wonderful party. I have been so much engaged by the difficul- ties which have retarded the several elections, that I could not find leisure to write to you sooner: and, indeed, as I every day expected they would be determined, I waited their con- clusion, that I might give you, at once, an ac- count of the whole. But it is now the first of August, and they are not yet over ; the elections of praetors having met with some unexpected delays. As to that in which I am candidate, I cdti give yoii no account which way it is likely to be decided : only it is generally thought that Hirrus will not be chosen. This is collected from the fate that has attended Vinicianus, who '>■■#/ was " If Curio did not act with artifice in (he present in- stance : (of which, however, there is great reason to doubt) it is^enain, at least, that he was far from being so incapable of assuming that character, as Coelius here represents him. . On the contrary, it appears by the concurrent testimony of V the ancient historians, that he secretly favoured the cause of Caesar, bug before he avowed bis party. And Dion Cassius, 10 particular, assures us, that Curio, at the same time that be pretended to act in concert with the enemies of C^sar, was only gaining their confidence, in order to betray them. VdPaterc. ii. 48, Dio, xl. p. Up, X2 A\ 308 TtiE LETTERS Book III. Book III. OF CICERO. 309 was a candidate for the office of Plebian ]Ec\\le'\ That foohsh project of his for the nomination of a dictator'^ (which we formerly, you may remember, exposed to so much ridicule) sud- denly turned the election against him : and the people expressed the loudest acclamations of joy at his repulse. At the same time, Hirrus was universally called upon by the populace to give up his pretensions at the ensuing election. I hope, therefore, you will very soon hear that this affair is determined in the manner you wish with respect to me, and which you scarce dare promise yourself'^ I know with regard to Hirrus. As to the state of the commonwealth ; we begin to give up all expectation that the faoe of public '^ The Plebeian iEdiles were chosen out of the com- mons : and were, in some respects a sort of coadjutors to the Tribunes. *♦ The dictator was a magistrate invested with supreme and absolute power : but was iever created unless on emer- gencies of great and sudden danger, which required the exer- tion of an extraordinary authority. Accordingly, it was on occasion of the disturbances that happened at Rome in tli« year 700, (See rem. 9- p. 256. and rem. 5. p. 263, of this vol.) that some of the friends and flatterers of Pompey pro- posed him for this office. Vinicianus and Hirrus were th« principal promoters of this scheme : but it was so unaccept- able to the people in general, that this single circumstance, it appears, turned the election afjainst the former j and, probably, was the chief reason that the latter was likewise disappointed s. f the .Edileship. Sec let. 29- of this book, p. 295. Ad, Q. F, iii. 8. *' Bi.»cause Hirrus was supported by Pompey. public affairs will be changed. However, at a meeting of the senate, holden on the 2^d of the last month in the temple of Apollo, upon a de- bate relating to the payment of the forces com- manded by Pompey'^, mention was made of that legion, which, as appeared by his accounts, had been lent to Csesar ; and he was asked, of what number of men it consisted, and for what purposes it was borrowed. In short, Pompey was pushed so strongly upon this article, that he found himself under a necessity of promising to recal this legion out of Gaul : but he added, at the same time, that the clamours of his enemies should not force him to take this step too pre- cipitately. It was afterwards moved, that the question might be put concerning the election of a successor to Caesar. Accordingly the senate came to a resolution that Pompey (who was just going to the army at Ariminum'^ and is now actually set out for that purpose) should be m ordered ** Pompey, though he remained in Rome, was at this time governor of Spain : which had been continued to him for four years at the end of his late consulship. It was the payment of bis troops in that province, which was under the consideration of the senate. Flut. in vit. Pomp. *^ Now called Rin)ini, situated upon the Rubicon : a river which divided Italy from that part of the Roman pro- vince called Cisalpine Gaul. The army here mentioned, is supposed to be part of those four legions which were decreed to Pompey for the support ©f bis government in Spain. Vid* Plut, ibid, X3 316 The letters Book lit Book IIL OF CICERO. 311 ordered to l^tum to Rome with all expedition, that the affair relating to a general election of new governors for all the provinces, might be debated in his pi-esence. This point, I imagine, Mill be brought before th(^ senate on the 15^h of tliis month : \vhen, if no infamous obstacles should be thrown in the way by the tribunes"*, the house will certainly come to some resolu- tion. ForPompcy, in the course of the debate, let fall an intimHtiort, that he " thought every " man owed obedience to the authority of that " assembly.'^ However, I am impatient to hear what PAitlus, the senior consul elect, will say wh^n he delivers his opinion upon this question. I repeat my former request in relation to the TTr(!mey due to me on the bond of Sittius : and I do s6, that you may see it is an article in Whie^h I am greatly interesteil. I must again, liketrise, entreat you to employ the Cybiratife'^, m ■' iSome of the tribunes, together with Sulpicius, ^ne of Aie J)re^ent consuls, were uholly irt Cre^aY's interest. — They thought, or pretended to think, that \X was highly unjust to divest Cae?ar of his government, before the time was Completed for which it had been decreed : and of which there now remained about nvo y^ars unexpired. Dio, xl. p. 148. ■9 ** Cibyra was a city of Phrj^ia major, situated upon ^ tlie banks of the river Meander, and ga\'e name to one of ** the three Asiatic dioceses, wh.ch were under the jurisdiction " of the governor of Cilicia." Mr. Ross, in order to procure me some Panthers, I have only to add, that we have received certain ac- counts of the death of Ptolemy ". Let me know, therefore, what measures you would advise me to take upon this occasion ; in what condition he has left his kingdom ; and in whose hands the administration is placed. Farewel. August the first. LETTER XXXIII. [A. U. 702.] From the same. How far you may be alarmed at the inva- sion' which threatens your province and the neighbouring countries, I know not ; but for myself, ao Ptolemj Auletes : of whom an account has been given in the notes on the tirst book. By the following inquiries , which Ccjjiius makes, it is probable, he was one of those who had lent money to that king when he was at Rome, solicit- ing the senate to assist him with troops for the recovery of his dominions. See rem. 2. p. 51. of this vol. ' The Parthians, having lately obtained a most signal victory over Crassus, (an account of whose unfortunate ex- pedition has already been given in the course of these notes) were preparing to make an incursion in the Roman pro- vinces that lay contiguous to their dominions. — Accordingly they soon afterwards executed this design by invading Syria and Cilicia : as will be related at large in the letters of the following book. The kingdom of Parthia is now included in the empire of Persia; of which it makes a very considerable pro-^ vince. X4 S12 The letters Book HE rayself, I confess, I am extremely anxious for the consequence. Could we contrive, indeed, that the enemy's forces should be only in pro- portion to the number of yours, and just suffi- cient to entitle you to the honour of a triumph*; there could not be a more desirable circum- stance. But the misfortune is, if the Parthians should make any attempt, I well know it will be a very powerful one : and I am sensible, at the same time, that you are so Uttle in a con- dition to oppose their march, that you have scarce troops to defend a single defile. Rut the world, in general, will not be so reasonable as to make the proper allowances for this cir- cumstance. On the contrary, it is expected from a man in your station, that he should be prepared for every occurrence that may arise, without once considering whether he is furnished with the necessary supplies for that purpose. I am still the more uneasy upon your account, as I foresee the contests concerning affairs in Gaul will retard the nomination of your successor : and though I dare say you have already had this contingency in your view, yet I thought proper to apprise you of its probabi- * No general could legally claim this honour, unless he bad destroyed 5000 of the enemy in one engagement. Val» Max, ii. 8. Book III. OF CICERO. 313 lity, that you might be so much the more early in adjusting your measures accordingly. I need ^ot tell you that the usual artifices will un- doubtedly be played off. A day will be ap- pointed for considering of a successor to Cse- sar : Upon which some tribune^ will interpose his negative; and then a second will probably declare, that unless the senate shall be at liberty to put the question freely, concerning all the provinces in general, he will not suffer it to be debated with regard to any in particular. And thus we shall be trifled with for a considerable time: possibly, indeed, two or three years may be spun out by these contemptible artifices. If any thing new had occurred in public af- fairs, I should, as usual, have sent you the ac- count, together with my sentiments thereupon: but, at present, the wheels of our political ma^ chine seem to be altogether motionless. Mar- cellus is still pursuing his former designs con- cerning the provinces: but he has not yet been able to assemble a competent number of sena- tors. Had* this motion been brought on the preceding ' See rem. 18. on the foregoing letter, mpnt Jt^^'l '' ''" oWurity in the original, which the com- None oMK ' ^«!^«-voured to dissipate by vanous readings. None of their conjectures, however, appear so much to the ve'rlTs Th^' 1 ^ir^'t^ f '^^^™'' ' '^ whose animad! rem • D 107 nf ^l''^"*^! acknowledged myself indebted. See. rem. p. 197 of this vol. My judicious friend supposes that some 314 The letters Book III. preceding year, anH had Curio at the same time been tribune : it would, probably, have suc- ceeded : but as affairs are now circumstanced, you are sensible liow easy it will be for C«gar, regardless as he is of the public interest, when it stands in competition with his own, to ob- struct all our proceedings. Farewel. LETTER XXXIV. [A. U. 702.] From the same. Will you not be surprised when I tell you of the victory I have gained over Hirrus^? But if you knew how easy a conquest he proved, you would blush to think, that so powerless a com- petitor once ventured to stand forth as your rival*. His behaviour, since this repulse, af- fords us much diversion : as he now affects, upon all occasions, to act the patriot, and vote against Caesar. Accordingly, he insists upon Csesar's being immediately recalled : and most unmercifully inveighs against the conduct of Curio. some words of the wrae import with those which are distin- pi\%\i^d by Italics in the translation, have been omitted by the carelessness of transcribers; a supposition extremely proba- ble, and which solves the principal difficulty of the text. 5 At the election for curule iEdiles. See let. 29- of this book. • As a candidate with Cicero for the office of Augur. Book III. OF CICERO. 315 Curio. In a word, as little conversant as he is in the business of the Forum, he is now become an advocate professed ; and most magnanimous- ly pleads the cause of liberty'. You are to ob- serve, however, that it is only in a morning he is seized with these violent fits of patriotism : for he is generally much too elevated in an after- noon to descend into so grave a character. I mentioned, in one of my former, that the affair of the provinces would come before the senate on the 13th of the last month : neverthe- less, by the intervention of Marcelius, the con- «ul elect, it was put off to the flFst of this in- stant. But when the day arrived, they could not procure a sufficient number of senators to be present. It is now the second of September, and nothing has yet been done in this business: and I am persuaded it will be adjourned to the following year. As far as I can foresee, there- fore, you must be contented to leave the admi- nistration of your province in the hands of some person, whom you shall think proper to appoint for that purpose: as I am well convinced you wdll not soon be relieved by a successor. For as Gaul must take the same fate with the rest of the provinces ; any attempt that shall be made for settling the general succession, will certainly be • Instead of agjt cavsas liberalis, as in the common edi- tions, I read witii Gronovius, a^it cauaam iibertatis. i 316 The letters Book IIL .:! be obstructed by Caesar's party. Of this I have not the least doubt, and therefore I thousrht it necessary to give you notice, that you may be prepared to act accordingly. I believe I have reminded you of the Pan- thers, in almost every one of my letters : and surely you will not suffer Patiscus to be more liberal in this article than yourself. He has made Curio a present of no less than half a score: great, therefore, will be your disgrace,, if you should not send me a much larger num- ber. In the mean time. Curio has^ given mc those he received from Patiscus, together with as many more from Africa : for you are to know, it is not only in granting away the lands of the^ public, that the generous Curio displays his li- berality. As to yourself, if you can but charge your memory with my request, you may easily procure me as m^-ny of tliese animals as you please : it is only sending for some of the Cy- biratae to hunt them, and issuing forth your or- ders, likewise, into Pamphylia ; where, I am told, they arc taken in great abundance. I aui the more solicitous upon this article, as I be- lieve my colleague and I shall exhibit our games separately ; so that the whole preparation for them ^ This seems to allude to some attrmpfs which Curio had lately made to revive the Agrarian law. See rem. 13. p. l65. of this vol. H Book III. OF CICERO. 317 them must lie singly upon myself. I know you love ease as well as I do: but I should be glad if you could by any means prevail with your- self to part with a little of it upon the present occasion. In good earnest, you will have no other trouble, than merely to give your com- mands : as my people, Avhom I have sent into your province, in order to recover the money tlue to me from Sittius, will be ready to receive the Panthers, and convey them into Italy, It is probable, likewise, if you should give me any hopes of succeeding in my request, that I may send a reinforcement to assist them. I recommend Marcus Feridius, a Roman knight, to your protection and friendship, who comes into Cilicia to transact some business relating to his private affairs. He is a young man of great worth and spirit ; and his father is my very particular friend. He holds an estate under certain cities in your government of which he is desirous to procure the enfran- chisement: and I am persuaded he may easily obtain his point, by the intervention of your good offices. Your employing them upon this occasion, will, indeed, be doing an honour to yourself: as it will oblige two men of great merit, who, I will venture to assure you, are not capable of proving ungrateful. •\r - lOU 518 The letters Book III. Book III. OF CICERO. 319 You were mistaken when you imagined that Favonius' was opposed by the more contemp- tible part of the people : on the contrary, it was all the better sort that voted against him. Your friend Pompey openly declares that C«^ ear oirght not to be admitted as a candidate for the consulship, while he retains his command in the province'. He voted, however, against passing a decree for this purpose at present— Scipio' moved, that the first of March next, might be appointed for taking into considera- tion the nominating a successor in the Gallic provinces; and that this matter should be proposed to the house separately, and without blending it with any other question. Balbus Cornelius » He was a ojcat admirer and imitator of the virtues and manners ot Cat*. : as he was also in the number of those who assassinated Caesar. Manutius conjectures that he was at thii time chosen praetor. Plut in, xU. Pomp. Dio, xiyii. p. 366. * Pompey, who coi.tiibuted more than any man to the advancement of Caesar's power, had lately procured a law, by which ibf personal appearance of the latter was dispen^d with in sohcHJ! g the consular office. But Pompey now be- gan to repert ot a concessi n so entirely unconstitutional : not that his own designs were more favc^urable to the liber- ties of Rome, than those ol Caesar : but as discovering at last that they could not both subsist together. His present op- position, however, was as impotent as bis former compliances were impolitic ; and only tended to bring on so much the sooner his own destruction, together with that of the repablic. Vid. ad Att. viii. 3. * Metellus Scipio : he was chosen consul by Pompey the latter end of the last year, agreeably to a power with which k« was invested by the senate, for nominating his col- league. Cornelius* was much discomposed at this mo- tion: and I am well assured, he has complained of it to Scipio in very strong terms. Canidius defended himself, upon his trial, with much eloquence: but in the impeachment which he afterwards exhibited, he supported his charge with little force or spirit. Farewd. LETTER league. Pompey likewise married his daughter, the ami- ftble Cornelia : who added to the charms of her person €vcry moral and intillectual qualification that could render her the most estimable and accomplished of her sex. And yet with all these extraordinary endowments, she was still more distinguished by that singular modesty and humihty with which they were accompanied. It is Plutarch who gives her this character: upon which Monsieur Dacier remarks - Je dots etre plm persuade qiCun autre, que Veloge que Plul tarque donne a Cornelk, peat iC kre point JlattL JW un ex* emple domestzque, quiprouve que beaucoup d' esprit ct de savoir et de grands talens peuvent se trouver dans unefemmr, et Stre accompagnes d'une modestie aussigrandeet plus estimable en. core que ses talens. May I add my suffrage to that of this celebrated critic, by declaring from the same domestic expe- rience, that uncommon knowledge and a superior understand- ing, are perfectly consistent with those more valuable quali- ties of the heart, which constitute the principal grace and or- nament of the female character. Plut, in vit. Pomp, Le^ vies dt Plut. par Dae, vol. v. p. 498. ren'i. 89. * He was inviolably attached to Caesar, and seems to have been the principal manaaer of his affairs at Rome. -fi 320 The LETTERS Book III. LETTER XXXV- [A. U. 702.] To Marcus Marcellus', Consul. I VERY warmly congratulate you on your re- lation Caius Marcellus being elected to succeed you : as I sincerely rejoice in your having re- ceived this happy fruit of your pious affection to your family, of your patriot zeal to your country, and of your illustrious deportment in the 3 He was distinguished by a long line of ancestors, who had borne the most honourable offices in the republic : as he himself was advanced to the consular dignity this year, in con- , , iunction with Servius Sulpicious Rufus. It is mentioned tQ ^ the credit of both these illustrious magistrates, that they were chosen without having employed those corrupt and violent measures, which were at this period so generally practised : and Marcellus, in particular, had recommended himself to the oeople by the superior grace and energy of his eloquence. It has already been observed in these remarks, that he was ^.xtremely zealous in promoting the decree by which Caesar was recalled from his province, and which forwarded the flames of that unhappy civil war, which soon afterwards broke out to the destruction of the commonwealth. Upon that occasion Marcellus took the part of Pompey. But after the battle of Pharsalia, he threw down his arms, and with- drew to Mitylenae, the capital of Lesbos, where he purposed to devote the remainder of his days to a philosophical rttire- ment But being persuaded by his friends, and particularly bv Cicero, to accept the clemency of the victor ; he, at length. Yielded to their solicitation : and was preparing to return home, when he was cruelly assassinated by a mari who had been in the number of his clients. The reader will find a particular account of this murder, together with some other circumstances concerning Marcellus, m tbe farther progress of these letters and remarks. Suet, tn vit. I iber. U Vio, xl. p. 148. Cic.dc clar. orat. 250. ep. Fam. iv. 12. Book lit. of CICERO. 32 J the consular office. I can easily imagine the sentiments which your address, upon this occa- sion, has created in Rome : and, as to myself, whom you have sent to these far distant parts of the globe, believe me, I speak of it with the highest and most unfeigned applause. I can, with strict truth, assure you, that I have ever had a particular attachment to you from your earliest youth : and I am sensible, you have always shewn, by your generous offices in pro- moting my dignities, that you deemed me worthy of the most distinguished honours. But this late instance of youf judicious ma- nagement in procuring the consulship for Marcellus, together with the proof it affords of the favour in which you stand with the repub- lic, has raised you still higher in my esteem. It is with great complacency, therefore, that I hear it observed by men of the first distinction for sense and merit, that, in all our words and actions, our tastes and studies, our principles and pursuits, we bear a strong resemblance to each otlier. The only circumstance that can render your glorious consulate still more agree- able to me, will be your procuring a successor to be nominated to this province, as soon as possible. But if this cannot be obtained, let me entreat you, at least, not to suffer my con- tinuance here to be prolonged beyond the time Vol. I. Y limited i 322 The letters Book IIL limited by your decree and the law which passed for that purpose. In a word, I hope, upon all occasions, to experience, in my absence, the be- nefit of your friendship and protection. Fare- wel. P. S. I have received some intelligence con- cerning the Parthians : but as it is not at present sufficiently confirmed, I forbear to communicate the particulars to you. For, as I am writing to a consul, my letter, perhaps, might be consi- dered as an information to the senate. LETTER XXXVL ■ [A. U. 702.] To Caius Marcellus*, Consul elect. I iiECEivED great pleasure in hearing of your advancement to the consulate. May the gods o-ive you success in the enjoyment of this ho- nour ; and may you discharge its important duties in a manner worthy of your own illustri- ous character and that of your excellent father ! You have my best wishes indeed upon this oc- casion, not only from affection, but gratitude, and in return to those warmest instances of your friendship ♦ He was cousin gcrman to Marcus Marcellus, to whom the preceding letter is addreMsed : and by whose interest, in conjunction with that of Pompey, he was elected to succeed him in the consular office. He pursued the pohticsof his il- lustrious relation and predecessor, by firmly opposing the vi«\YS of C»bar. D/o, xl. Book III. ©f CICERO. 335 friendship, which I have ever experienced in all the various incidents of my life. Many and im- portant are the obligations, likewise, which I have received from your father, both as my protector in adversity, and as having contri- blited to adorn my prosperity. I must add, al- so, to this family-list of my benefactors, your worthy mother: whose zealous services in behalf both of my person and dignities have risen much higher than could have been expected from one of the tender se^. Being then, as I most car- tainly ought, entirely devoted to your family^ let me earnestly entreat your friendship and protection in. my absence. Farewel ■$ 9" "1 ,1*1, < * * LETTER XXXVII. [A.u.ro2.] To Caius Marcellus*. The advancement of your son to the con- sular dignity, and your enjoying a pleasure you so much wished to obtain, are circumstances which afford me a very uncommon satisfaction. They do so not only upon his account, but yours, whom I esteem as highly deserving of every advantage that Fortune can besto\^. Let me is WfiS^""^*^'"' Marcellus, to whom the foregoing letter 324 The letters Book III. me acknowledge, at the same time, that I have experienced your singular good-will towards me, both in the adverse and prosperous seasons of my life : and, indeed, my welfare and ho- nours have been the zealous concern of your whole family. I shall be extremely obliged to you, therefore, for making my sincere and par- ticular congratulations upon this occasion, to that excellent woman your wife. To which request, I will only add, that I entreat the continuance of your friendship and protection in my absence. Farewel. LETTER XXXVIII. [A. U. 702.] To Lucius Paulus', Consul elect. Though I never once doubted, that, in con- sideration of your most illustrious family, and of those important services you have yourself likewise rendered to the commonwealth, you would be unanimously elected consul ; yet, the confirmation of this desirable news, afforded me an « He was colleague wi.lt Caius Marcellus, mentioned in the Ian noie. He set out in h.s adroin.strat.on. u «-as too h with pri.ciples agreeable to tbo.e of h.s assocm.e But CxUr perfectly well knew how to make h.m change his fentiments : and, bv proper applications to h.s avar.ce and profuMun. he added h.m to the number of h.s supple merce- naries. Plvt. in vit. Pomp. Book IIL OF CICERO. 325 an inexpressible satisfaction. It is my sincere wish, that the gods may give success to your administration, and that you may acquit your- self of this honourable and important trust, as becomes your own character and that of your distinguished family. I should have thought myself extremely happy to have been present at your election, and to have contributed those ser- vices which your extraordinary favours to me require. But, as the unexpected government of this province has deprived me of that plea- sure, I hope I shall have the satisfaction of seeing you, at least, in the worthy exercise of your consular office. For this purpose, I most earnestly entreat you not to suffer me to be in- juriously continued in this province beyond the expiration of my year : a favour which I shall esteem as a very considerable addition to those instances of friendship I have already re- ceived at your hands. Farewel. Y3 LETTER f J I / J i t*r mmm ( 327 ) LE.TTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. BOOK IV. LETTER I. [A. U. 702.] I To the Consuls, the Praetors, the Tribunes of the People, and the Senate, The many obstructionsL^I met with in my way to this province', both by sea and land, prevented me from reaching it sooner than the last of July, I thought it my first duty, on my * Cicero's province comprehended not only Cilicis, but Pamphylia, Lycaonia, part of Phrygia,and the island of Cy- prus, together with som« other less considerable appendages. Y 4 Cilicia 328 Ttiz LETTERS Book IV. my arrival, to see that the Militia and Garri- sons were in good order ; being articles in which the interest of the republic is principally con- cerned. Accordingly, I have taken all proper measures to that end : though I cannot for- bear adding, that 1 have been enabled to ef- fect this, more by my own care and dihgence, than from any supplies I was furnished with for that purpose. Having thus adjusted my mili- tary preparations, and receiving daily intelli- gence that the Parthians had actually invaded Syria, I thought it adviseable to move with my forces through Lycaonia, Isaurica, and Cappa- docia. It seemed highly probable, indeed, if the enemy bad any design of attempting an irrup- tion into my province, that they would direct their route thro' Cappadocia ; as being a coun- try that could give them the least opposition. I marched, therefore, into that part of Cappa^- docia which lies contiguous to Cilicia, and en- camped at Cybistra: a town at the foot of Mount Taurus. I had a double view iaJead- ing my troops to this place. The first was, that in whatever disposition Artuasdes, king of Armenia, stood towards us, he might be se:a- sible r>,l C llcia was first ad()fd to the Roman provinces by Publius St^rv^iius dunuimed rauncu*, in the sear of Rome 680. Ad 4it* V. 2i. AtiJ. MarctUin, xiv. ». ,. Book IV. OF crcimo; 32^ sible ^lat a Roman arfny^ Was riot far from his frontiers ; and in the next place, that I might be as near as possible to Deiotams* : a prince, I well knew, extremely bur friend, and whose counsel and assistance might prove of great ad- vantage in the present conjuncture. As soon ais I had finished my encampment, I detached my cavalry before me into Cilicia. This I did in order to confirm the several cities in that part of my province in their allegiance, by giving them notice of my arrival : and likewise that I might have the earliest intelligence of what was transacting in Syria. During the three days that I continued in this camp, I was engaged in discharging a commission equally necessary and important. I had received your express commands to take the worthy and faithful Ariobarzanes ^ He was prince of Galatia ; a country bordering on Phrygia. He disliuguished his zeal tor the republic in all the Asiatic wars in which the Romans were engaged during hi« reign, and wau particularly serviceable to Pompey in his expedition against Miihndates: for which he wa«^ honoured by the senate with the title of king. Sorne time after the battle of Pharsalia, (in- which he joined writh Pompey ),jii;s own grandson came to Rome with an impeachment agi^inst hiin. He pretended that Deiotarus fbrmfed a design, when Caesar was his guest,, as be lately passed through hti domi* nions, of assassinating that general. This cause seems to have been pleaded in Caesar's own house : where both Cicero and Brutus appeared as advocates for Deiotarus. The speech which the former made upon this occasion is^slili-extant raiid if^n orator may be credited in the character he gives of his client, this prince W4S eiidpwed with every: royal virtue^ Orat. fro Deiot. 330 The letters Book IV. Ariobarzanes^ under my particular protection ; and to defend both his person and his kingdom to the utmost of my power. In your decree, which passed for this purpose, a clause was in- serted, declaring that " the welfare of this pro- ** vince was much the concern of the people " and senate of Rome :" an honour which was never before paid to any potentate. For this leason, I thought it became me to signify to him, in person, the distinction which you had conferrf^d upon him. I acquainted him, there- fore, in the presence of my council, with tlie instructions you had given me in his behalf: and called upon him to let me know if there was any instance in which he had occasion for my service. I assured hm at the same time, t The kiDg(!om of Cappaaocia, of which Ariobarzancs was monarch, was of a very large extent ; comprehending the greater part of those countries, at present under the Ot- toman dominion, which are now called Araasia, Genec, and Tocat. It appears, however, by the letters to Atticus, that this kingdom was so extremely impoverished, that the crown was almost wholly destitute of any revenues: a circumstance to which Horace alludes in one of his epistles. MancipUs locuples eget am Cappadocum Rer. The instance that Plutarch gives of the great scarcity of money among these people is indeed almost incredible, if what the ancient geographers assert be true, that their country abound- ed in silver mines: for that historian tells us, that when Lu- cullus was carrying on the war ajrainst Mithridates, in this part of the world, an ox sold in Cappadocia for about four- pence, and a slave for six-pence. Ad AH, vi. I. Hon ep. i. 6. l^itit, in vit, Litculli, Book IV. OF CICERO. 351 time, on my own part, that I offered him my protection Avith the utmost zeal and fidelity. He began his speech with expressing a proper sense of the high honour thus conferred upon him by the people and senate of Rome. He then addressed his acknowledgments to me in particular, for having executed my commission in such a manner as to convince him both of the sincerity with which I proffered him my good offices, and of the strong injunctions I had received from the repubhc for that pur- pose. It gave me great satisfaction to hear him say in this our first interview, that he neither "knew, nor indeed suspected, any designs to be carrying on either against his life, or his crown. After I had congratulated him upon so happy a circumstance, and exhorted him, in remem- brance of his father's fate, carefully to ob- serve the admonitions of the senate in being particularly cautious of his person, he took his leave, and returned to Cybistra. The next day, however, he paid me a second visit in my tent, accompanied by his brother Ariarathes, together with several venerable old ministers of his late father: who, in a very plaintive and affecting manner, all joined with him in im- ploring my protection. Upon my inquiring, with 532 The LETTERS Book IV.. with much surprise, what sudden accident had occasioned this unexpected visit, he told me: that he had just received certain information of a design to seize his crown : that those who >vere apprised of this conspiracy, had not the courage to disclose it till my arrival, but in confid'ence of my protection, had now ven- tured to lay open to him the whole plot; and that the disaffected parly had actually made treasonable applications to his brothei;, of whose singular loyalty and affection he ex- pressed, at the same time, the strongest assu^ ranee. This account was confirmed to me by Ariarathcs himself, who acknowledged that he had been solicited to accept the govern, ment : which, in effect, he said, was avowing their intention of destroying Ariobarzanes, as he could never reign during his brothers life. He added, that he had not acquainted the king with these treasonable ovei;t^res l>efore, as being apprehensive for his own person, if he had ventured to reveal them sooner. When he had finislied, I exhorted Aiiobarzanes to take all proper precautions for his security : and then turning to the approved and expe- ricncfed ministers of his latl^er's and grand* father-s reign, 1 reminded them of the cruel fate that had attended their late sovereign^ an^ admonished Book IV. ot CICERO. 333 atlmonished them to be so much the more par- ticularly vigilant in protecting their present. The king requested me to supply him with some troops both of horse and foot ; whicli, however, I refused, notwithstanding I was empowered, and indeed directed, to do so by your decree. - The truth is, the daily accounts. I received of what was transacting in Syria, rendered it expedient, for the interest of the republic, that I should inarch my whole army, with all expedition, to the borders of Cilicia. Besides, as the conspiracy against Ariobar- zanes was now fully detected, he appeared to be in a condition of defending his crown with- out the assistance of a Roman army. I con- tented myself, therefore, with giving him my advice : and recommended it to him, as the first art of government, to found his security on the affections of his people. With this view, I pervaded liim to exert his royal au- thority in the present conjuncture, no fartiier than necessity should^ require, and against those only whom he perceived to be most deeply engaged in the plot: as for the rest, that he should grant them a ir^^ and general pardon. To which I added, that the best ^se he could make of my army was, to intiniiclat^ the guilty from persevering in their desigas^ -- ' j't f M '■ t I I , rather 334 Thi: letters Book IV. rather than actually to turn it against them : and that, when the decree of the senate in his favour should be generally known, the disaf- fected party would be well convinced that I should not fail of assisting him, pursuant to your orders, if occasion required. Having thus encouraged him, I struck my tents : and am now proceeding on my march to Cilicia. I had the satisfaction, in leaving Cappadocia, to reflect, that my arrival had wonderfully, and indeed almost providentially, delivered that monarch from a conspiracy which was upon the very point of taking ef- fect. This reflection was so much the more agreeable to me, as you had not only volunta- rily, and without any ap])lication for that pur- pose, honoured Ariobarzanes with the acknow- ledgment of his regal title, but had particularly recommended him to my protection, and ex- pressly declared in your decree th%t his security was highly your concern. I judged it proper, therefore, to send yon this minute account of wliat has passed in relation to Ariobarzanes, that you might see with how much piiidence you had long before provided against a con- tingency which had well nigh happened. And this I the rather do, as that prince appears to be so faithfully attached to the republic, as well as Book IV, OF CICERO. SSJ as endowed with such great and excellent qua* lities, as to justify the extraordinary zeal you have shewn for his interest LETTER II. [A. U. 702.] To Therm US, Propraetoi'*. Liucius Genucilius Curvus, has been long in the number of my most intimate friends : aad indeed no man possesses a worthier or more grateful heart. I recommend him, therefore^ most warmly and entirely to your protection; beseeching you to assist him upon every occa- sion that shall not be inconsistent with your ho- nour and dignity. This is a restriction, however, which I might well have spared; as I am sure he will never make you a request unworthy either of your character or his own. But I must parti- cularly entreat your favour in relation to his af- fairs in Hellespontus. In the first place, then, I beg you would confirm the grant of certain lands which was made to him by the city of Parion^, and which he has hitherto enjoyed without ♦ Quintus Minucius Tbermus, was prastor in the vetr of Kome 701. At the expiration of his office, he was appointed proprffitor, or governor of that part of the Asiatic continent, styled Asia proper : which included Lydia, Ionia, Caria, My- sia, and part of Phrygia. Cicero speaks of him in a letter to Atticus, as exercuing kis administration with great integrity. * A city in Hellespont. . 4^ 336 The letters Book IV. Book IV. of CICERO- without molestation : in the next place, that if any inhabitant of Hellcspontus should contro- vert his rights of this kind, you would direct the cause to be heard in that district. But, after having already assigned him wholly to your pa- tronage, it is unnecessary to point out particular articles wherein I request your good offices. To say all then in one word : be assured I shall consider every instance wherein you shall ad- vance either his honour or his interest, as so many immediate favours conferred upon my- self. Farewel. LETTER IIL [A. U. 702.] To Appius Pulcher. Though I am by no means disposed to be more favourable to myself than to you, in judging of the part we have respectively acted towards each other ; yet, when 1 reflect on our late mutual behaviour, I have far greater reason to be satisfied with my own conduct than with yours. As I knew the high rank which Phanias justly possesses in yotr confidence and esteem, I enquired of him when Ave met at Brundisiura, in what part of the province he imagined you chose I should SSf .) should receive the resignation of your govern- ment. He assured me it would be extremely agreeable to you if I landed at Sida*. For this reason, notwithstanding I could not have made so splendid an entrance from that city, and it was inconvenient to me, likewise, upon many other accounts, yet I told him I would certainly comply with your inclinations. Some- time afterwards, I had a conference with your friend Clodius, at Corcyra, and I always con- sider myself as talking to you, whenever I am conversing with him. I repeated, therefore, the same promise I had given to Phanias, and as- sured him that I intended to pursue the route which the latter had marked out to me. Clo- dius made many acknowledgments upon this occasion in your name, but entreated me to change my design, and proceed directly to Lao- dicia. For it was your purpose, he said, to advance towards the maritime part of the pro- vince, in order to embark as soon as possible. He added, at the same time, that it was from yourgreat desire to see me that you had deferred your departures for, had any other person been your successor, you would not have waited his arrival. And this, indeed, corresponded with the letters • A soi-port town of considerable note in Pamphylia. Vol. I. 7 338 The letters Book IV. Book IV. OF CICERO. 339 letters I received from you at Rome, by which I perceived your great impatience to leave the province. I informed Clodius that I would comply with his request, and with much more willingness, I told him, than if I had been to have executed my first engagement with Pha- nias. I, therefore, changed my plan, and imme- diately gave you notice of it with my own hand : which, I find by your letter, you received in due time. When I reflect upon my conduct in this instance, I have the satisfaction to be assured that it is perfectly consonant to the strictest friendship. And now let me desire you to con- sider your behaviour in return. You were so far then from waiting in that part of the province which would have given us the earliest oppor- tunity of an interview, that you withdrew^ to such a distance, as to render it impossible for me to reach you within the thirty days limited (if I mistake not) by the Cornelian law, 7 It was usual for the governors of provinces when they entered upon their administration, to publish what they styled an edict ; which was a kind of code or formulary of laws, by which they intended to proceed in the dispensation of jus- tice. Cicero's institutes of this sort were founded upon maxims so extremely different from those by which Appius bad regulated himself, that the latter looked upon them as so many indirect reflections upon his own unworthy conduct. And this seems to have been the occasion of his treating Cicero in the manner, of which he here, and in other subse- quent letters, so much and so justly complains. Ad jit t. ^u 1. law', for your departure. This proceeding (to speak of it in the softest terms) must look with no friendly aspect in the eye of those who are unacquainted with our real sentiment towards each other ; as it has the appearance of your industriously avoiding a conference. Whereas, mine, on the contrary, must undoubtedly be deemed conformable to whatever could be ex- pected from the strongest and most intimate union. In the letter I received from you before my arrival in the province, though you mentioned your design of going to Tarsus^, you still flat- tered me with hopes of a meeting. In t|ie mean time, there are some who have the malice (for malice, I suppose, is their motive, as that vice, indeed, is w^idely diffused among mankind) to lay hold of this plausible pretence to alienate me from you, little aware that I am not easily shaken in my friendships. They assure me, that when you had reason to believe I was arrived in the province, you held a court of judicature ' This law was so called from its author, Cornelius Sylla, the dictator. 'The capital city of Cilicia. It is celebrated by Strabo, for having once vied with Athens and Alexandria in polite and philosophical literature; but it is far more worthy of notice as being the birth-place of that great apostle of the Gentiles, St. Paul Z2 34a The letters Book IV, judicature at Tarsus, and exercised such other acts of authority, as even those who have yet some httle time unexpired in their ministry, do not usually choose to discharge. Their insinu- ations, nevertheless, are far from making any impression upon me. On the contrary, I rather consider you as having kindly eased me of part of my approaching trouble ; and I rejoice that you have thus abridged me of one fatiguing month out of the twelve I must pass through in my government. To speak freely, however, theiC isK circumstance that gives me concern; and I cunnot but regret to find, that out of the small number of forces in the province, there are no less than three complete cohorts want- ing, and I know not in what part they arc dispersed. But my principal uneasiness is, that I cannot learn where I shall see you ; and I should have sooner told you so, if I had not concluded, from your total silence, both as to "what you were doing, and where you proposed to give me an interview, that I might daily expect your arrival. I have, therefore, dispatch- ed my brave and worthy friend Antonius, prae- fect of the Evocati\ with this letter ; and, if you ' These were troops composed of experienced soldiers, wlio had served out their legal time, or had received their ilismission as a reward of their valour. They usually guard- ed •er persons, and therefore I entreat you to command these cities to dispatch those officers to Rome, that this question may be soon and finally de- termined. I am farther to acquaint you, that Philotes, of Alabanda, has assigned certain ef- fects to Cluvius by a bill of sale. But the time for paym^ent of the money, for which they are a security, being elapsed, I beg you would compel him either to discharge the debt, or to deliver the goods to the agents of' Cluvius. My friend has likewise some de- mands of the same kind upon the cities of Heraclea and Bargylos^ I beseech you, there- fore, either to procure him satisfaction, by an immediate payment, or to oblige them to put him in possession of a proportionable part of their demesnes. The corporation of Caunus' is also indebted to Cluvius : but they insist that, as the money has been ready for him, and actually lodged in the temple, for that purpose, he is not entitled to any interest be- yond the time the principal was so deposited*. I entreat ^ In Caria. * This city was likewise in Carfa. » This passage is rendered in a sense very different from that m which all the commemators have understood it. 346 The LETTERS Book IV- the favour of you to enquire into the truth of the fact, and if it shall appear that the sum in question was not paid into the sacred treasury either They take the expression, aiunt se pfCvniatM depositam habu- isse 10 mean, That the Caunians pretended the money m ^i.pute xvas a deposite ; and, therefore, that they were not liaUe to pay interest. But if we suppose the question be- tween the Caumans and Cluvius to have been, whether the sum he demanded was or w«9 not a deposite ; the request i^hich Ckero afterwards makes must be highly unjust :« intelkieris eos ncque ex edicto neque ex decreto depo^itam ha^ hmsse, rfef optram ut usnrx Cluvw comerxciitur i'or rt they were merely trustees, it could make no equitable differ- ence whether the money came to them by a judicial de- cree or from a private hand : and in either case it must have been equally oppressive to oblige them to pay interest. Kow this difficulty will be entirely removed, by supposing that the expression dtpositam hahume, is penphrastical, and to be resolved into deposuisic, Ai»d this is agreeable to the idiom of the Latin language, as well as to the manner m which Cicero expresses himself upon other occasions. 1 hus ,n his treatise De clar. oral. U?. habere cogmtum Scttiolum, is equivalent to cogfioscere : as in ?\^utu, lobis have hibco tdktlo^em, is the same as edica. Pseud, i. n. 39- i^ut it vecuniam depositam habuisse, is a circumlocution lor (/e6««M- Use some substantive must be understood to complete the sense: and accordingly, a passage in the letters to Atticus will not only point out the word required, but prove like- wise that dcpouo is used in this ebptical manner.--Ci- cero, giving an account to Atticus of a transaction relahng to the claim of a debt due from the city o* Salamis, in C>- prus, tells him, that dcponere volebant. Ad Alt. vi 1. which, in another letter, where he is speaking of the veiy same affair, he expresses at full length : ut ^"/^"^/^Z^^" rent postulant thus, says he, noH cmcesst. Ad Att. v. ^i. And The last cited passages will not only justify, but explain, the sense contended for: as they prove that it was usual where any controversy arose concerning the quantum ol a debt, for the defendant to apply for leave to pay the money into some temple ; from which time it no longer carried in- terekt Thus Cicero tells Atticus that the interest "P^'^^^ Book IV. OF CICERO. 347 either in conformity to the general edict^ or special decree, of the prsetor; to direct that Cluvius may have such a rate of interest al- lowed him, as is agreeable to the laws you have established in these cases. I enter with so much the more waimth into these affairs, as my friend Pompey likewise makes them his own ; and, indeed, seems more solicitous for their success than even Cluvius himself As I am extremely desirous that the latter should have reason to be satisfied with my good offices, I most earnestly request yours upon this occasion. Farewel. LETTER debt due from the city of Salamis ought to have ceased comutere usura dehuit : and assigns this reason for it • depol fiere vokbant : they were ready and desirous to have lodged It in the sacred treasury. But, in the case of Cluvius, if the Caunians had paid in the money without giving him notice (which might very possibly have been the fact, if they had not acied under a judicial order) it was no unreasonable re- quest to desire they might be compelled to pay the whole in- terest up to the time when Cluvius should receive the princi- • , /' By the term edict is meant, in this place, that formulary of provincial laws explained in rem. 7. p. 338. of this vol. S4S The letters Book IV. LETTER VL [A. U. TOJ.] To the Consuls, the Praetors, the Tribunes of the People, and the Senate. Th e first inteUigence I received that the Par- thians had passed the greatest part of their army over the Euphrates, was extremely posi- tive. However, as I imagined the proconsul, Marcus Bibulus-, could give you a more certain account of this event, I did not think it neces- sary to charge myself with the relation of what more immediately concerned the province of another. But, since my last dispatch, I have been farther and more satisfactorily assured of this fact, by several expresses and deputations, that have been sent to me for that purpose.— When I consider, therefore, the great impor- tance of this news to the republic ; that it is uncertain, likewise, whether Bibulus is yet arrived in Syria ; and that I am almost equally concerned with him in the conduct of this Avar ; I deem myself obliged to communicate to you the purport of my several informa- tions. The first advice I received was from the ambassadors of Antiochus, king of Comma- gene; Book IV. OF CICERO. 349 gene ; who acquainted me tliat the Parthians had actually begun to transport a very consi- derable body of forces over the Euphrates. . But, as it was the opinion of some of my coun- cil, that no great credit was to be given to any intelligence that came from this quarter, I thought proper to wait for better information. Accordingly, on the 19th of September, whilst I was on my march towards Cilicia, I was met by a courier on the frontiers of Lycaonia and Cappadocia, with an express from^ Tarcondi- motus : a prince esteemed the most faithful of our allies on that side the Taurus, and ex- tremely in the interest of the Romans. The purport of his dispatches was to inform me, that a powerful body of horse, commanded by Pacorus, the son of Orodes, king of Parthia, had passed the Euphrates, and were encamped at Ty ba ; and that the province of Syria was in great commotion. The same day I received an express likewise to this purpose from Jam- blichus, an Arabian Phylarch^ and one who has the general reputation of being a friend to the ' His dominions lay on the southern side of Mount Tau- rus, in a part of Cilicia which the Romans had not thought proper to annex to their province. A coin of this prince is still extant. Se^ Biblioth. raisonie, Tom. xii. P- 329. * Th« lord cr chief of a cjan. 350 The letters Book IV. the republic. Upon the whole, therefore, I came to a resolution of leading my army to Tarsus*. I was sensible that our allies in ge- neral were far from being warm in our interest, and were only waiting the opportunity of some favourable revolution to desert us. I flattered myself, however, that the lenity and moderation of my conduct towards such of them through whose territories I had already passed, would render them better inclined to the Romans, as I hoped to strengthen Cilicia in its allegiance, by giving that part of my province an opportunity of experiencing also the same equitable administration. But I had still a farther inducement : I determined upon this march, not only in order to chastise those who had taken up arms in Cilicia, but also to convince our enemies in Syria, that the army of the Romans, far from being disposed to re- treat upon the news of their invasion, were so much the more eager to advance. If my advice, then, has any weight, let mc earnestly exhort and admonish you to take proper measures for the preservation of these provinces : measures, indeed, which ought to , have » In the original it is flrf T» suil Cicero • fhi r K . "f^" punishment of marking a letter upon • ine the firs U,^ ^"'' T ""P'""''* "P"" "'«'". ^^at be- Vol. I. Aa 554 The LETTERS Book IV. the Roman games'', was impeached by Marcus Tuccius ; and being sensible that the charge vould be proved against him, and that his trial must unavoidably come on this year, unless some other of an higher nature' intervened, he determined upon an expedient for that purpose. Accordingly, as no one, he thought, had so good a title to the honour of this precedence as his prosecutor: he preferred an accusation upon the Plotianla>v' against Tuccius, for a violation of the public peace; a cliarge, however, which he could not prevail with a single person to sub- scribe". As soon as I was apprised of tliis affair, I flew ' These ?ames were if.stit..t«.d by Tarquimu, Phsws, A U. 138, in houour of Jupiter, JuRo, and Minerva. Their annual celebration cumme.'ced on the pth of September, and continued nine diiys. , • .„., » It is probable, as Manutms observes that the jud|e» of the nrelt year were m general no friends to Refus, wh c^ ^ade h.m endeavour to pos.pose,bis trial. The -^a^e '«r. - ed comtnentaior re.t.arks. that all trials were brought o„m I regular rotation, unless in accusations that were connec - ^H^ith some other cause, that b^dbeen .mmed.a ely beft«. adjudged, or in the case of impeachments for the violation of the public peace. 1 hese, he proves, by several instance . ^ere always determined preferably to all other causes what- '^T'hc author of «his law was P. Platius. or PIautf«s, tribune of the people, an. urb. 675 ; and the penalty .n-. flirted bv it was banishment. . ■ It sterns to have been customary or the prosocutor m capital causes to procure some of his f"^-'* '"J^i^'f^J^^, in sianinc the articles of bis impeachment. These «eie "iXuLrirtores, and acted as a sort of -^onds to ..m m tL judicial combat. They could not, however, be adm^u- BooK IV. OF CICERO. 555 I flew to the assistance of Tuccius, without waiting his request. But when I rose up to speak, I forbore entering into a particular de- fence of my friend, contenting myself with displaying the character of his adversary in all its ti-ue and odious colours, in which you may be sure I did not forget the story concerning Vestorius, and his unworthy conduct towards you. I must inform you, likewise, of another trial, which at present greatly engages the Forum! Marcus Servilius had been convicted of extor- tion in his office', and I ventured to be his ad- vocate, notwithstanding the popular clamour •was strongly against him. Servilius, however, having dissipated his whole estate, and being utterly insolvent, Pausanius' petitioned the pr«tor Laterensis (and I spoke, likewise, in support of this petition) that he might be em- powered ted into this association without a special licence from the judges for that purpose. Vid. Hottom. in Q. Cacil. divin. 15. I he whole account of the following transactions con- cerning Servilius, is extremely (perhaps impenetrably) ob- scure in the original; and has exercised the ingenuitv of all the commentators to enlighten. The translator, however, ftas ventured, in some instances, to depart from them ;" tho' lie acknowledges, at the same time, that he is scarce more sausned with his own interpretation, than with theirs. Who this person was, or in what manner concerned in the present cause, is altogether undiscoverable. Perhaps, as Air. Ross conjectures, he might have been the prosecutor. As 556 The LETTERS Book IV. powered to pursue the sum in question, into Hrhose hands soever it should appear to have been paid* But this petition was dismissed ; the pnEtor alledging that Pihus, a relation of our friend Atticus, had also exhibited articles • of impeachment against my client for a crime of the same kind. This news immediately spread throughout Rome, and it was generally said in all conversations, that Pilius would cer- tainly make good his charge. Appius, the younger, was much disturbed at this report, as having a claim upon Servilius, of eighty-one hundred thousand sesterces', a sum which he scrupled not to avow, had been deposited m the hands of Servilius, in order to be paid over to the prosecutor in an information against his father, provided the informer would suffer liim- self to' be nonsuited. If you are surprised at the weakness of Appius, in thus acknowledging so ♦ It ai>nears bv a passage which Ma«utios produces from kind the money was recoverable by the Julian law from ai^ hand imo whfch it could be prved to hate been pa.d. Ff* Rabir. fMt.4<_. . . , '• ' -"n » About 6i.367i. of out motley. This s"™ .•""^' »PP*f, e^ie. if. considered onVj^'.^-Pect to^he w^^^^^^ o^ the DTCsent times. But Appms rai.gni ^^'^ ,:„w.^ like- S;Tt, ana it .ight ^^^^^^^-i^^^^ : L?;;?i v^ise. to have done so, if »^»%PJ°'!^X°" /l^iJ^ plundereti hiahly probable) on account of bis father s having piuna*^ some pr .vinqp committed to bis administram>D. , Book IV. OF CICERO. 357 so shameful a bargain, how much higher, would your astonishment have risen, if yoi| had heard his evidence upon the trial of that very ill-judged action which he brought against Servilius for this money ? He most clearly, in- deed, made appear, to the full satisfaction of the whole court, both his own folly and his fa-r ther's guilt. To complete the absurdity of his conduct, upon this occasion, he was so impru- dent as to summon the very same judges upon this cause, who tried the information I just now mentioned to have been brought against his fa-- ther. It happened, however, that their voices were equally divided^ But the praetor, not knowing how the law stood in this case, de- clared that Servilius had a majority of the three classes of judges in his favour; and, ac- cordingly, acquitted him in the usual form. At the rising of the court, therefore, it was gene* rally imagined that the acquittal of Servihus would be enrolled. But the praetor thinking it ^dviseqtble to look into the laws upon this point, before he made up the record, found it ex- pressly enacted, that ** in all causes sentence snail be pronounced according to the majo- rity of the votes in the whole collective num-^ "ber * In this case the Roman law determined by the most fa- vourable presumption, and absolved the aefeodant. Aa3 Ci 4i f > I 358 The letters Book IV. *' ber of judges^/' Instead, tlierefore, of re- gistering the acijuittal of Serviiius, he only in- serted in the roll the number of voices as they stood in each respective class. Appius, in con- sequence of this mistake, re-commenced his suit, Avhile the praetor, by the intervention of Lollius, promised to amend the record, and enter a proper judgment. But the hapless Ser- viiius, neither entirely acquitted, nor abso- lutely condemned, is, at length, to be deliver- ed over, with this his blasted character, to the hands of Pilius. For Appius not ven- turing to contend with the latter, which of their actions should have the priority, has thought proper to wave his prosecution. He, himself, is likewise impeached by the relations of Serviiius for bribery : as he has also another accusation laid against him by one Titius, a creature of his own, who has charged him with a breach of the peace. And thus are these ^ It has already been observed in the foregoing remarks, that the judges were divided into three classes. See rem. 4. p. 292 ol this vol. It is obvious, therefore, that there might have been a majority in two of the classes out of the three, in favour of Serviiius, and yet that the voices considered with respect to the whole number of judges, might have been equal. But it is inconceivable that a magistrate of Praeto- rian rank could possibly be ignorant of a practice which one can scarce suppose the most common citizen of Rome to have been unacquainted with. Notwithstanding, therefore, Coe- lius ascribes the piacior's conduct to ignorance, it seema much more probable to have arisen from design. Book IV. OF CICERO. 359 these two worthy combatants most equally matched. As to public affairs ; we had waited several days in expectation that something would be determined concerning Gaul; frequent motions having been made in the senate for this pur-; pose, which were followed by very warm de-? bates. At length, however, it plainly appear- ing, agreeable to Pompey's sentiments, that Caesar's command in Gaul should not be con* tinued longer than the first of March, the se-p nate passed the following orders and decrees^. " Br AUTHORITY OF THE SENATE, hcld ^' in the temple of Apollo, on the 30th day of *' September. Signed^: L, Domitius Aheno- " barbas; Q. Csecihus; MetuUus Pius Scipio; " Jw. ViUius Annalis; C. Septimius; Caius ** Lucceius Hirrus; C, Scribonius Curio; L. '^ Atteius Capito ; M. Oppius, Whereas a 4^ motion was made by Marcus Marceilus, the " consul, concerning the consular provinces, '^ it is ORDERED, that Lucius Paulus, and Caius *' Marceilus, consuls elect, shall, on the first of ^' March next, following their entering upon their ' With regard to the difference between nn order and a decree of the senate, see remark 9. p- ^^o. csf this vol. ^ The decrees of the senate were usually signed in this laanner by thos# who were the principal pron^oters of th^ question. A a 4 i' 360 The letters Book IV. ** their office, move the senate concerning the " consular provinces, at which time no other " business shall be proceeded upon, nor any " other motion made m conjunction therewith. " And, for this purpose, the senate shall con- '* tinue to assemble, notwithstanding the comi- " tial days'*, and until a decree shall be passed." '* Ordered, that when the consuls shall " move the senate upon the question aforesaid, " they shall be empowered to summon such of ** the 300 judges who are members of the se- " nate to attend"." (C u " Resolved, that if any matters shall arise upon the question aforesaid, which shall be necessary to be laid before the people ; that " Servius Sulpicius, and Marcus Marcellus, ** the pfesent consuls, together with the prcetors '[ and *® The comitial days were those on which the Comitia, or assemblies of the people were held ; and, on these, the law prohibited ihe senate to be convened. The senate, however, in the pesent instance, and agreeably to a prerogaiive which they claimed and exercised upon many other occasions, took upon tlicmselves to act with a dispensing power. See Mid, on the Rom, Sen, p. 121. *' This clause was inserted in order to secure a full house, a certain number of senators being nece'^sary to be present for making a decree valid. See remark 14. p. i65. of this vol. The correction of Manutius has been adopted in tbc translation, who, instead of sex abducere liceret| reads eos abducere, &c« Book IV. OF CICERO. 3Sl " and tribunes of the people, or such of them *^ as shall be agreed upon, shall call an assem- bly of the people for this purpose : and if the magistrates aforesaid shall fail herein, the same " shall be proposed to the people by their sue- (( if cessors. 5 f • u yn son ahould lay violent hands upon me ?" From ex- pressions of this kind the world has conceived a notion that a rupture will undoubtedly ensue between Pompey and Caesar. I am of opi-' nion, however, that the latter will submit to :K one Book IV- or CICERO. 36S one of these two conditions; jcither to giveiip his present pretensions to tlie consulate, and continue in Gaul, or to quit the province, provided he can be assured of bis elections- Curio is preparing most strongly to oppose his demands. What he may be able to effect, I know not ; but sure I am, that a man w^io acts upon such patriot principles, must gain ijio- nour at least, if he gain nothing else. He treata me upon all occasions with great gene- rosity ; and, indeed, in a late instance, has been more liberal than I could have wished; as his civility has drawn upon me a trouble which, perhaps, I might otherwise have escaped. He has presented me with some African panthers, which he had procured for his own games, and by that means laid me under a nQqessity of making use of them'^ I must, therefore,, re- mind you of what I have often mentioned aU ready, and entreat you to send me some of these animals from your part of the world;, and I again likewise recommend to your car$ the bond of Sitius. ,^ o Him*) 1 ->:I have had occasion to dispatch my free^? ma%JRbil9, together with Piogenes,,;t^jQreekj, into your province. I hope, jqu >viU aftW your patronage both to them and their, cpxuj^ -. ; P'^ur I ftrf mission; STk^' In tht games he was preparing to exhibit as iEdile. i . » 566 The letters Book IV. mission ; as you will find, by the letter they are to deliver to you on my part, that it is an af- fair'* in which I am deeply interested* Fare- wel. i LETTER VIIL [A. U. 702.] To PuBLius SiLius', Propraetor. You are apprised, I imagine, of the friend- ship that subsisted between Titus Pinnius and myself. He has sufficiently declared it, indeed, by his will, w^herein he not only appointed me one of the guardians to his son, but left me the contini»:ent reversion also of his estate. My WMrd (who is a youth of uncommon mo- desty, as well as great application to his studies) has '• This affair seems to I)e explained by an epistle to At- ticus, wherein Cicero mentions the rect-ipt of a very pressing letter from Ccelius, by the hands of his freedman. The pur- port of it appears to bave been, to solicit Cicero to levy a contribution upon his province, towards the expence of those public games which Coelius, as JEdWc was obliged to exhibit. This oppressive tax had been frequently raised by the governors of provinces, in favour of their friends at Rome, and was, indeed, almost established into a custom. — But CiCero, notwithstanding he seems to have had a sincere affection for Cojlius, w.ald by no means be prevailed upon to break through the equitable maxims of his administration, and with great integrity refased his request. Jd Att, vi. 1, Ad Q, F, 1. 1. No. 9. " He was at this time propraetor, or governor, of Bithy- nia and Pontus in Asia, where he discharged the provincial functions with great applause. Ad Att, vi. 8. Book IV. OF CICERO. i^ 567 has a very considerable demand upon the city of Nicaea, amounting to eight millions of ses* terces*: and the corporation, I am told, are incUned to pay oiF part of this sum the first debt they shall discharge. Now, as not only the rest of the trustees, who know the regard you bear me, but the young man himself, is persuaded tliat you will not refuse any thing to my request, I shall be exceedingly obliged to you for employing your good offices, (asfar^ I mean, as may be consistent with your dig- nity and character) that they pay off as large a proportion of this demand as possible. FareweL LETTER IX, [A. U. 702.] To Marcus Cgelius, CuruIe-iEdile elect 1 CONGRATULATE you ou the houourablc post you have lately obtained^ and on the prospect which, by this mean, is open to you, of advancing still higher in the dignities of the republic. I am somewhat late, I confess, in my compliments : however, you must not impute it to any intentional neglect, but merely to ray ignorance of what passes at Rome. For, partly from the great distance of my » About 70,0001. steriing. . »> The y^dileship. * 4 3G5 The letters Book IV. Book IV. • ^ OF CICERO. 369 my situation, and partly from those banditti which infest the roads, it is a considerable time before I can receive any intelligence from Italy. And now I know not where to find words sufficiently strong to give you joy upon this occasion, or to express my thanks for your having thus " furnished me (as you termed it •* in one of your former letters) with a subject •' of perpetual ridicule." When I first received.^ the news of your victory, I could not forbear mimicking a certain xcorthy friend of ours, and imitating the droll figures those gallant youths exhibited, of whose interest he had so confidently boastcd\ But it is not easy to give you in description a complete idea of this my humorous sally. I must tell you, however, that I next figured you to myself, and accost- ed you, as if present, in the words of the co- mic poet- Far lessy my goodfriend, I rejoice at your deedy As exceeding xchataer before did exceed^ Than as mounting aloft 6*er my hopes the most high ; And for thisy " By my troth 'tis amazing,'* / ciy. Upon * A mere modern reader, who judges of past ages by the modes that prevail in bis own, must undoubtedly con« ceive a very low opinion of Cicero from the account which he here gives of his behaviour. But mimickry was not esteemed by the Romans, as it is with us, a talent becoming only a comedian or a buffoon. On the contrary, this spe- cies of humour was thought worthy of the gravest cha- racter Upon which I broke out into a most immode- rate fit of laughter : and when some of my friends reproved my mirth, as deviating al- most into downright folly, I excused myself by the old verse, Excessive joy is not exceeding wise. In short, whilst I ridiculed this noble friend of ours, I became almost as ridiculous as himself. But you shall hear farther upon this subject an- other opportunity : for, in truth, I have many things to say both ^ you and to yon, whenever I shall find more leisure for that purpose. In thfc mean time be assured, my dear CoeHus, that I sincerely love you. I consider you, indeed, as one whom fortune has raised up to advance my glory, and avenge my wrongs : and I doubt not^ you will give both those who hate and those who envy me, sufficient reason to repent of their folly and their injustice. Farewel. LETTER tacters even upon the gravest occasions : and it was prac- tised by their orators^ as well as recommended by their rhe- toricians, as a quality, under certain restrictions, of singular grace and efficacy in the whole business of public eloquence. Vii, Cic. de Orat. ii. 69, 60. Vol. I. B b 370. The LETTER3 Book IV. hi LETTER X. [A. U. 702.] To PuBLius SiLius, Propraetor. Your good offices in the affair of Atilius, afr, ford me an additional motive for giving you my affection. Late, indeed, as I applied to you in his behalf, I have, however, by your ge-^ nercms intervention, preserved a most worthy Roman knight from ruin. The truth is, I al- ways looked upon my friendship with Lamia, as giving me a claim to yours. In the first place, then, I return you thanks for easing my mind of all its disquietude with respect to Ati- lius ; and, in the next, after thus acknowledging your last favour, I have the assurance to request another : and it is a favour which I shall repay with the utmost returns of my esteem and gra- titude. Let me entreat you, then, if I have any share in your heart, to allow my brother an equal enjoyment of the same privilege: which will be adding a very considerable obli- gation to that important one I so lately re- ceived at your hands. Farewel. LETTER Book IV. OP CICERO. 371 «•■.-" f . i'*^ LETTER XI. [A. U. 702.] ToAppius Pulcher. Br all that I can collect from your last let- ter, this will find you in the suburbs^ of Rome. But though the impotent calumnies of these paultry provincials will probably be subsided ere this reaches your hands, yet, I think it necessa-ry to return some answer to the long epistle 1 received from you upon that sub- ject ; and I shall do so in as few words as pos- sible. ^ As to the accusation contained in the two fixst paragraphs of your letter, it is conceived in such vague and general terms, that it ii impossible to give it a direct reply. The AYhole that I can gather from it is, that I am accused of having discovered, by my coun- tenance and my silence, that I was by no means your friend: a discovery which I made, it y seems, ' App'us at his return from Cilicia, demanded a tri- umph, a:> the reward of his milnar); exploits in that pro- vifKre: and accordingly took up his residence without the city. Fur those who claimed this honour were not admitted wiihin the walU of Rome till their petition was either granted or rejected, or they chose to drop it themselves. The lat- ter was the case with respect to Appius, as will hereafter appear. Bb2 A 57a The letters Book IV. Book IV. OF CICERO. 373 seems, upon some occasion in the courts of ju- dicature, and likewise at certain public enter- tainments. I am very sure, there is not the least ground for tliis imputation ; but as vou do not point out the particular instances, I know not in what manner to vindicate niyself troni the charge. This, liouever, I most undoubtcdlv know, that I have mentioned you, upon all oc- * casions, both public and private, with the hic»-h- est applause, and with the warmest professions of friendship. As to the affair of the deputies*. I will appeal to your own breast, whether I could possibly have acted with more probity and discretion than to lessen the expences of these empoverished cities, without any diminu- tion, at the same time, of those honours which they proposed to pay you : especially as it was ia compliance * " It was a custom for the governors of province^ ,Vupon their retirement from their government, to pro- ** cure ambassadors W) be sent to Home from the several ** cities under their jurisdiction, to praise the integrity and *' equity of their administration. The origin of this custom " was undoubtedly gootJ, and, in some few instances, we find ** that it wa^ UHderiaken voluntarily: but.it was generally ** extoited by force, and a great burden to the miserable " »nha^)itantsi, who, perhaps, had* bten already fleeced by ** the rapine and plunder of that very person whose lenity " an*l moderation they were compelled to extol. Appius •^ had taken tare, before he left Cilicia, to secure this com- " pliment t.> be paid to himse'f, thoujih as undeserving of it I* as any <»f his predecessors. Bui Cicero, who set out upon I* a mote fiiugal plan than other governors, prevented it, out •• of compassion to the povcriv and iudixeuce of the nro- •' fincc." Mr. Ross. ' ^ compliance with their own immediate request ? And, indeed, I was wholly unapprised of the particular purposes of that deputation, which w^as going to Rome with the customary com- plimental address to the senate upon your ac- count When I was at Apamea^ some of thr principal inhabitants of several different cities, complained to me of the excessive appointments that were decreed to their deputies ; assuring me, that their respective communities were by no means in a condition to support the assessments levied upon them for that purpose. This sug- gested to my thoughts various reflections: and I imagined, that a man of your refined senti- ments could not be extremely fond of honours of this unsubstantial nature. Accorduigly, it was at Synnada, I think, that I took occasioij to say from the tribunal, (and I expatiated very largely upon the subject) " that the approved *' merit of Appius was sufficient, without the " testimony of the Midensians (for it was in their '' city^ that the proposal first arose) to recom- ** mend him to the esteem of the senate and the *' Roman 5 A city in that part of Phrygia which was annexed to Cicero's province: as was Synnada, likewise, mentioned a few lines below. * A town in t4ie neighbourhood of Synnada. In the ori- ginal it is Myndensium : but Quariier has given good reasons for the reading here followed. Bb3 / 374 The letters Book IV. Book IV. op CICERO. 375 i( : a " Roman people; that I had often, indeed, seen instances of this kind of deputations, hut did not remember they were ever admitted to an "audience; that, however, I applauded the " gratitude they had thus shewn for your merit " towards them, but thought the particular ** instance in question was wholly unnecessary; " that if any of them were willing to undertake ** this commission at their own expence, I should " highly commend their zeal ; and I would " even consent it should be performed at the ** public charge, provided they did not exceed *' a reasonable sum : but, beyond that, I would " in no sort give my permission.'' I am persuaded there is nothing in what I thus said, that can possibly give you offence : and, indeed, your principal complaint is levelled, I perceive, against my edicts For there were some, it seems, who thought it manifestly drawn up with a view of preventing these legations. I cannot forbear saying, that, to give attention to these groundless insinuations, is no less inju- rious to me than to be author of them. The truth of it is, I settled this edict before I left Rome: and the single addition that I made to it afterwards, was at the instance of the farmers of ^ The nature of these proconsular edicts has already been explained lu rem. 7. p. 338. of this vol. of the revenues : who, when they met miS at Samos*, desired I would transcribe a paragraph out of your edict and insert it into mine. It was that article which restrains the public ex- pencesj and contains several new and very salu- tary regulations, which I greatly approved. But as to that particular section which gave rise, I find, to the suspicion that I framed it with a design of striking at you, it is copied entirely from the old precedents. I was not, in- deed, so absurd, as to think (what I perceive you imagine) that some private affair was concerned iti this deputation ; well knowing that it was sent from a public body in relation to your pub- lic character, and addressed to that great coun- cil of the whole world, the senate of Rome. Nor did I, (as you object,) when I prohibited any person from going out of the province with- out my permission, exclude all those from the possibility of obtaining that leave, who could not follow me to the camp and beyond Mount Taurus : an imputation, I must needs say, tl>e most ridiculous of any in your vvhol^ letter. For where, let me ask, was the necessity that any person should follow me for this purpose to •iiitodj u lU the • An island near the coast of Ionia, Ivins oppns te t ^ the city of Ephesus. Cicero touched at this island in his Vva- a^e to the proYince. Bb4 It \ 576 Th£ letters Book IV. the camp, ox Hyqnsl Mount Taurus ; when I regulated my journey from Laodieea to Iconi- um in such. ^.manner, that all the magistrates and deputies of the several cities in that district migh^ have an opportunity of meeting me? They could not, therefore, be under the diffi- culty you charge me with having thrown in their way, unless they had taken ^p tlie design 9(,.go^^g to Rome after my having passed Mount Taurus : which most undoubtedly was iip.t; the case. For, during my stay at Apamea, Synn^da, Philomelum^ and Iconium, all affairs o|;,th?t nature were entirely settled. I mpt fartl^er a^ure you, that I decreed nothing concerning the abating or aboUshing the aj^pointments of the deputies, but at the express request of the principal inhabitants of several cities : and their view was, to prevent^ , any unnecessary exactions that were occa- sioned by the farming of the subsidies imposed for this purpose, and raising them in that cruel method of capitation, with which you are so well acquainted. Compassion, indeed, as well a& justice, inclined me to ease the calamities of these unhappy cities, oppressed as they chiefly were 'Ani^'^^ Phrygia Majpr, situated on the frontiers to- A wardl Galatia. The>iiuation of the other cities meniioned^io in thi8 place has already been occasionally noted as ihry occurred in the preceding letters. Book IV. OF^CICERO. 377 by their own magistrates*: and when I was en- gaged in a design of that nature, I could not possibly overlook an expence which appeared so extremely superfluous as that of the appoint- ments of these deputies. It was but a piece of justice therefore due to me, not to have hstened to any idle tales that might be related to you upon this subject But if it should prove, after all, that you attribute to the reports of others, what, in truth, receive their rise merely from your own suspicions, you Certainly make use of a sort of figure which the language of friendship will by no means authorise. Had it ever, indeed, been my design to derogate from your reputation in the province, I should scarce have acted in the manner I did, I' should not have referred it to your son-in-law at Rome, to your freedman at Brundisium/" and to the commander of your artillery when I saw him at Corcyra, to name the place which they ' It appears from the letters to Atticus, to whom it was that the grievances of these unhappy cities were principally owing. Their own magistrates, it is true, had sora« share in them : but their chief oppressor was Appius himself. The desolation he had brought upon this plundered province was 10 dreadful, that one would rather imagine, says Cicero, some savage monster had been let loose upon them, than that they had been trusted to the care of any human creature. And in another letter he* tells Atticus, that he had sufficient employment in applying remedies to those wounds which bad . been given to this province by his predecessor. M Att^ v, »6. 17. • . * \ 378 The letters Book IV. they thought would be most agreeable to you for our meeting. In short, I wish you would remember the maxim which those great air- thors have laid down, who have written so ex- cellently upon friendship ; that ^' to accuse and *^ to defend are terms which ought for ever to *' be banished from intercourses of this ami- " cable kind." But do yon imagine that I have had no op- portunities of listening, in my turn, to accu- sations of the same nature against yourself? Was it never told me, do you think, that after you had appointed mc to meet you at Laodicea, yotf Vetfred beyond Mount Taurus? Tliat, at the ver\' time I Ava^' employed in my jiiridicaroffice at Apamea, Synnada, and Phi- lomelum, you took the liberty to exercise the same authority at Tarsus ? But I forbear to "enter farther into these particulars, that I may not follow your example in the ATry instance of which I am complaining. This, however, I will say, (and I say it with great sincerity) that if you are really persuaded of the truth of these reports, you dome much injustice; and you are uot entirely without reproach, if you only suffered them to be related to you. The truth is, it will appear that I have acted to- wards you in one uniform tenor of friendship; 1 * Aud Book IV. OF CICERO. 379 .And let those who impute artifice to me, say, ^.whether it is probable, that, after having paid 4lhe utmost attention to your interest, during your absence from Rome, and at a time when , .1 had not the least expectation of its ever be- ing in your power to return nie the same fa- vour, I should give you just reason to abandon me now that I have so many occasions for your good offices. I must, however, acknow- ledge, that there is one article wherein 1 may not, perhaps, have regulated myself altogether agreeably to your inclinations. I am sensible you would be displeased with any liberties that cshould be taken with the characters of those who acted in office under you : and I will own that I have heard very unfavourable representa- tions of some of them. But I must add, that no persons were ever mentioned upon this oc- casion, or any greater irregularities laid to their charge^ than those which your friend Clodius himself named to me when I saw him at Cor- cyra: who lamented, I remember, that you had been some sufterer in your reputation by the mal-practices of those officers*. Reports of ^.i f A particular instance of the cruelty of oueof these offi- cers under Appius, is mentioned in the letters to Atticus. Scaptius, who commanded a troop of horse in Cyprus, iuN rouoded their senate with his forces in order to conopel them, U is probable, to comply with some unjust demands, and kept 580 The LErrERS Book IV. this kiiul (and. many such indeed there are) I never in the least encouraged : but I will frankly acknowledge, likewise, that I never greatly em deavoured to n press them ; well persuaded as 1 am, that they can, in no sort, affect your character. - 1^ Whoever attempts to persuade you, that there is no such thing as a perfect reconcile- ment between friends whose affections have once been alienated, discovers the perfidy of his own heart, instead of proving the dissimu- lation of mine: at the same time that it is evi- dent that he has not a worse opinion of my . . sincerity, kept them thus besieged till five of ihc members perishef to I per cent. This vcjuitable reduction very considerably affectel Brutus, who was concerned in these loans; and he seems to have complained of it to Atiicus. Birt notwithstand- ing the la«er.§trongly pressed Cicero to favour Brutus in this aflTair, and Brutus himself likewise had written to Cicero tor the saixie purpoie: yet he reioluiely vwiihstooJ their united solicitations. »* l( Brutus," says he, " resents my conduct " upon this occasion, I shall be sorry : but much more so, .**» to find him a different man from what I always thought " him." And if Cicero, I will add, had spoken and acted upon every other occasion with the same spirit and integrity, as he certainly did in the pnsent, he would have mentied all the encomiums which the warmest of his admirers could bave^ bestowed. Jd Att. vi. 1. 2. Book IV. ot'XICERO, 381 sincerity, than he must necessarily entertain of yours. But if any man has taken offence at 4he measures I pursue in my government, as liot exactly coinciding with yours, I am per- fectly unconcerned at the loss of his frietidshiji. To say truth, we have both acted in the man- ner we ought, though -we have not both fol- lowed the same plan. The instances you gave of your diffusive liberality, in this province, were suitable to a man of your quality, Tho' indeed, even you yourself were obliged, the last year, in comphance with the calamities of -the season, a little to restrain the munificence of your natural disposition. But if mine, on the contrary, jflows in a somewhat more limited channel, let not those to whom the benefit of that stream has not reached, wonder that I rather choose they should suffer from the ne- cessary restrictions of my bounty, than that / should from the just reproaches of my con- science. I have ever, indeed, been extremely reserved in dispensing largesses at another's cost : as I cannot but be sensibly affected with distresses that extend themselves throughout a whole community. I am much obliged to you for the account you ^ave me of affairs at Rome ; and particu- larly for the assurance of your faithfully exe- cuting I , »v 382 The letters Book IV. cuting all my requests. What I principally re- commend to your care is, that neither the bu- siness nor the period of my administration may be enlarged. To this end, I beg you Av^ould entreat our common friend and^ col- league Hortensius, that if ever he was disposed to comply with my inclinations, he would not persist in my continuing two years in this go- vernment, than which he cannot do me a more unfriendly office. As to the information you desire concerning my own motions; I marched from Tarsus in my way to Amaiius on the 7th of October, and, I write this the day following, from my camp in the plains of Mop5uhesta^ If any action should happen, I shall not fail of giving you notice: aiid you may depend upon my eu-^.j closing a letter to you whenever I send one to my fauiily. With respect to the Parthians whom you inquire after; I am persuaded that none ever appeared. They were only a troop of Arabians, armed after the Parthian manner.,, But these, it is said, are all returned home^^ and I am assured there is now no appearance of an enemy in Syria. I entreat you to write to me as often as pos- sible ' In the Au2ural Collfge. ^ A city io Cilicia, situated upon the banks of the liver Pyramus. Book IV. 0Frt!I€ERO. 383 sible, not only as. to what regai'd% youiojQwa^ and my private aifairs, but as to those likewise of the republic, I am more than ordinarily, indeed, soHcitous concerning the latter, as I find, by your letter, that Pompey is going into Spaing FarcM el. I I. LETTER XIL [A. U. 702.] To PuBLius Si LI us, Proprietor. I DID not imagine I should ever have found myself at a loss for expressions : yet at a loss, believe me, I am, to recommend Marcus Lse- nius to vou in the terms he deserves. I must content myself, therefore, with explaining the business of this letter in a few words : but in such, however, as may render you sufficiently sensible of my inclinations. It is incredible how great an esteem both my dearest brother and myself entertain for Laenius : an esteem, which is founded, not only on the many good offices he has conferred upon us, but on the exalted integrity of his heart, and the singular modesty * The government of Spain had been renewed to Pompey for five years at the end of his consulate in the preceding year: which provinci', however, he administered by his lieutenants, whU*l fce himself tiiii coniinued in Home. X/W, xli. p. 148. 384 The letters Book IV. modesty with which all his virtues are accom- panied. It was with the utmost regret, there- fore, that I consented to part with him : as I receive much advantage from his counsels, as well as great entertainment from his company. But if I should expatiate any farther in his praise, will you not think that, far from want- ing word's as I just now complained, I have em- ployed more than are necessary ? To be short then; I recommend La^nius to your protec- tion, with all that warmth which you must be sensible I ought, after what I have here said. Let me earnestly entreat you to expedite the business which has called him into your pro- vince, and to favour him, likewise, with your advice in the conduct of it. You will find him, be assured, a man of a most generous and well- natured disposition : for which reason, I beg you will send him back to us with the satisfac- tion of having finished his affairs by your means, as soon as possible. Your compliance with this request, will extremely oblige both my brother and myself. Farewel. . LETTER • ^ Book IV. of CICERO. 3^5 LETTER XIII. • • ' ■ [A. U. 702.] * To Marcus C(E LI us, Curule-^dile elect. 1 WISH you would enquire the reason that your letters miscarry; for I cannot be induced to think tiiat you have not once written to me since ypur election*. I am persuaded, on the contrary, that you would not have omitted to communicate a piece of news I so much viish- ed with regard to yourself; and so little ex- pected in relation to Hirrus. The truth, how- ever, is, that I have not heard from you since that glorious and joyful event; which gives me some uneasiness, lest my letters should have had no better success in finding their way to your hand. But fc assured I have never writ- ten to my family without accompanyin<''e death the comn,anH o. .he province devo yed "P"" J-' '^^ n^hulu. who «as appointed successor to Cr«ssus. arrived .- A mt:* part.cular account «.ll be given of bim m the far- ther progress of ihese remarks. L ^ Book IV, qf CJCERQ. gg^ complete victory, I wa$ saluted with the titl^ of Imperator, by the whole army, at Issus?; the very place (as your favourite historian, Clitarchub', has often, I have heard you say, informed you) where Alex^^nder defeated Da- rius. From thence I marched into the most infested parts of Cihcia, where I am now be- fore Pindenessum, a city of great strength, and which I have already been battering above these three weeks. The garrison makes a most obstinate and vigorous defence; sp jthat co- thing seems wanting to complete the glory I «hali here obtain, but that the name of thi? place were less obscure. If I sjbould maj, bad reached Rome ; and consequently betore CceUus had received the preceding epistle. Book IV. of CICERO. 389 are with troops ; the principal concern I feel from this invasion, with respect to you, is lest you should be a loser by it in point of reputa- tion. Had you been better prepared, indeed, to receive the enemy, I should have been in great pain for your life : but as the very small num- ber of your forces m^II incline you, I imagine, rather to think of a retreat than an engage- ment, I am only anxious concerning your ho- nour. For how far the world may consider the necessity of the case, and approve of your thus dechning a battle, is a point, I confess, which gives me much uneasy reflection. In short, I shall be in continual anxiety till I hear of your arrival in Italy. In the mean time, this news " of the Parthians has occasioned a variety of speculations. Some are of opinion that Pom- pey ought to be sent to oppose them ; and others, that it is by no means convenient be should leave Rome. A third party is for as- signing this expedition to Caesar and his army, whilst a fourth names the consuls' as the most proper persons to be employed. But all agree, however, in being silent as to any decree of the senate for placing this command in private hands*. The consuls, in the apprehension that they * Marcus Marcellus, and Servius Sulpicius. * That is, in the hands of those who were not investfcl with some public command. Cc3 Vi 590 THt LETTERS Book ir. they shall either be nominated to a commission which they do not relish, or suffer the disgrace T)f its being given from them, forbear to con- vene the senate, and by this mean incur the censure of neglecting the public interest. But whether indolence or pusillanimity be the leal motive of their declining the conduct of this Dirat, it is concealed under the specious appear- ance, however, of modesty. As we have received no courier from you, it was suspected, till the dispatch from Deiotarus arrived, that the whole was an invention of Cassius, who, it was thought, in order to cover his own rapihe, had suffered a parcel of Arabs to make an incursion into the province, and then represented them to the senate as a for- midable body of Parthians. Whatever, there- fore, may be the true state of the affair, let me persuade you to be extremely circumspect in giving a faithful and accurate account of it to the senate, that you may neither be reproached with magnifying matters in order to gratify the private purposes of Cassius, nor with conceal- ing any thing which may be of importance for the public to know. It is now the 18th of November: and as we krt advanced thus far towards the end of the year, I do not sec that any thing can bie done in Book IV, OF CICERO. 391 in this affair before the first of Januarys For you knovv how slow and inactive Marcellus is upon all occasions, and are no stranger to the dilatory disposition of Sulpicius. You will easily judge, therefore, what is to be expected from two men of this unperforming cast ; and that they who usually act with so much cold- ness, as to make one doubt their inclinations, even in points they really desire to effect, will not be very warm in forwarding a business from which they are certainly averse. If the Parthian war should become a serious matter, the new magistrates will be engaged, for the first two or three months of their office, in adjusting the proper measures to be taken in this conjuncture. On the other hand, if it should appear to be an invasion of no conse- quence, or such, at least, that, with the supply of a few additional troops, may easily be re- pelled by you and the other proconsuls already in those provinces, or by your successors. Cu- rio, I foresee, will begin to play his double game : that is, he will in the first place attempt to weaken the authority of Caesar^ : and in the next endeavour to throw some little advan- tages 3 When the consuls elect entered upon the administra- tion of their office. j j ♦^ Curio had not as yet pulled off the mask, and deciared himself openly in favour of Gaesar. Cc4 392 Thi letters Book IV. tages on the side of Pompey. As for Paulus', he declares most vehemently against suffering Ca?sar to continue in Gaul ; and our friend Furniusis the only tribune whom I suspect of obstructing his measures for that purpose. You may depend upon these articles as certain : but beyond these I cannot with any assurance pro- nounce. Time, indeed, may produce much; as many schemes, I know, are concerted : but they all turn upon the points I have already specified. I forgot to mention that Curio de^ signs to make an attempt to procure a division of the lands in Campania*. It is pretended that Caesar does not concern himself in this matter; certain, however, it is, that Pompey is very desirous of having the distribution set- tled before Caesar's return, that he may be pre- cluded from applying them to his own pur- poses. As to wliat concerns your leaving the pro- vince, I dare not promise that you shall be re- lieved ' One of the consuls elect. See rem. 6. p. 324. of this vol. * Cacsar, when he was consul, an. urb. 6^4, had procured a law UtT the Hisiribution of these lands, and part of them had actually been distributed accordingly. The remaining pan was what Curi > had in bis view, which were to be pur- chased uf the private possessors with the public monev, and parcelled out amongst the poor citizens in the same riianner as those had beeu which were already divided. See rem. 13. p. 165, of this vol. Vid ctiam Manut, in ep, Fam, i. % Book IV> of CICERO. S93 lieved by a successor 5 but you may rely upon my endeavouring all I can that your admini- stration shall not be prolonged. Whether you will think proper to remain in your government if affairs should be so circumstanced as to ren- der it indecent for me to oppose any decree of the senate for that purpose, depends upon your- self to determine, as it does upon me to re- member, how warmly you made it your request when we parted, that I would prevent any such resolution from being taken. Farewel. LETTER XV. [A. U. 702.] To PuBLius SiLius, Proprator. It was with the warmest and most grateful acknowledgment of your favours, that my friend Nero assured me, you have distinguished him with every honour in your power. You may depend upon the most efficacious instances of his friendship in return, as there is not a man in the world, of a more grateful and generous disposition. You have conferred, at the same time, a very singular obligation upon myself, for I know not any man amongst all our nobi- lity, who stands higher in my esteem and af- fection. Your good offices to him, therefore, in 4 594 The letters BookIV. I in the following instances, wherein he desired I would particularly request them, will he highly jioreeable to me. In the first place, 1 beg you to defer tlie affair of Pausanias, an inhabitant ©f Alibanda, till Nero arrives in your province; and as this is a point in which I perceive he is exceedingly solicitous, it is with a proportion- able degree of zeal that I entreat your compli- ance. The next favour I anrto ask is, your particular protection for the citizens of Nysa. Nero is greatly attached to the interest of this corporation, and I hope you will shew them that nothing can be more to their advantage than his patronage. I have frequently had oc- casion of recommending Strabo ServiUus to you, but I renew my applications with so much the more ardour, as Nero takes a share in his concerns. We jointly then entreat you to settle his affair, ai^d not leave an innocent man to be a prey, perhaps, to one who may succeed to your government with a turn of mind far different from that generosity which disnnguishes yours^ This will be acting in a manner highly agreeable to myself, and suitable at the same time to your usual humanity. In a word, the purport of my present application amounts to this ; that you would, upon all occasions, continue to dis- tiniruish Nero with your most peculiar regard. The Book IV. OF CICERO. 395 The truth is, your province has, in this respect, greatly the advantage over mine, as it affords you full scope of doing honour to so noble, so ingenious, and so virtuous a youth. Your per- severance in the same generous offices with which you have thus far assisted my friend, will give him an opportunity of confirming and strengthening those illustrious clientships which have been delivered down to him from his an- cestors. And let me add, that it will be placing your favours with great judgment in respect to Nero, as well as bestowing them in the most obliging manner, likewise, with regard to my- self, FareweL m LETTER XVI. [A. U. 702.] To Curio, Tribune of the People. Ihe congratulations of a friend are not usually considered as too late, if they are paid as early as possible : my great distance, there- fore, from Rome, together with the slow pro- gress with which news travels into this corner of the world, will excuse me for not sooner sending you mine. But I now sincerely give them you, and most ardently wish that "you may obtain immortal honour by your adminis- tration ...■■":'l:.,-^:-Vi I 596 The letters Book IV. tration of the tribunate. To this end, I must exhort you not to suffer yourself to f)e turned aside from your natural bias, in compliance with the sentiments and advice of others ; on the contrary, let me entreat you to be directed in your ministry by the faithful light of your own superior wisdom. No man, indeed, is ca- pable of giving you more prudent counsels than will arise from the suggestions of your own good-sense; and, believe me, you can never be misguided so long as you pursue the honest dic- tates of your uninfluenced judgment. I say not this inconsiderately, but as perfectly well know- ing the genius and principles of him to whom I am addressing myself. Yes, my friend, I can never be apprehensive that you will act either weakly, or irresolutely, whilst you support the measures your heart approves. It was neither chance nor ionorance that led vou to solicit this magistracy in so important a crisis. It was a deliberate and well considered resolution that engaged you in this design, and you wei;e perfectly sensible of the great and general coi>- fu&ion in which the commopwealth is involved, together with the utter uncertainty in what man- ner these our unhappy divisions will finally be terminated. You frequently reflect, I doubt not, on the vain, the treacherous, and the pliant dispositions Book IV. OF CICERO. 397 dispositions of the present generation. To repeat, then, what I just now mentioned, let me conjure you stedfastly to persevere in your old principles; to consult the dictates of your own breast; and faithfully to comply with its wise and worthy admonitions. Hardly, per* haps, is any man more quahfied than yourself to direct the conduct of others: none, lam sure, to steer your own. Good Gods ! Why am I thus prevented from being a witness of your glorious actions, and an associate in your patriot designs ? The latter, 1 am persuaded, you are far from wanting; however, the strength and warmth of my affection might possibly render the conjunction of my coun- sels with yours not altogether unprofitable. You will hear from me again very soon: as I purpose in a few days to send an express to the senate with a particular account of the success of my arms during the last summer's campaign. In the mean time, you will perceive, by the letter which I delivered to your freed-man Thraso, with what zealous pains I have solicited your election to the pontifical dignity; an election, indeed, that will be attended with much difficulty. I conjure you, in return, my dear Curio, not to suff'er this my very trouble- some provincial administration to be length- ened I »• 598 The letters Book IV. cued out beyond the usual period, and I entreat it by all the strong and tender ties of our mu- tual friendship. When I first made this re- quest to you in person, and several times after- wards repeated it by letter, I had not the least imagination of your being tribune. I then, in- deed, only entreated your good offices as an il- lustrious senator, and as one who stood high in the favour and esteem of every Roman. But I now apply to Curio, not only as my noble friend, but as a powerful tribune. I do not desire, however, (what, indeed, would be more difficult to obtain) that any thing unusual should be decreed in my favour ; but, on the contrary, that you would support that decree, and maintain those laws by which I was ap- pointed to this government. In a word, my single and most earnest request is, that the terms upon which I set out for this province may not be changed. Farewel. LETTER Book IV. J 6F CICERO. LETTER XVII. ^^ [A. U. 702,] To Therm US, Proprgetor. 1 FOUND you perfectly well inclined to em- ploy every good office in your power for my lieutenant Marcus Anneius, when I mentioned his affair to you at Ephesus. However, as my affection will not suffer me to omit any circum- stance which may tend to his advantage, I write to you in the belief that this letter will considerably add to the favourable disposition in which you already stand towards him. He has long enjoyed a share in my friendship ; as^ indeed, I have sufficiently shewn the good opi- nion I entertain of him, by having appointed him my lieutenant in preference to so many others, who solicited for that office. The war in which I was soon afterwards enffawd, grave me occasion of experiencing his military abili*. ties ; and the prudence, the courage, and the fidelity with which he executed his commission, together with the extraordinary marks he gave me of his affection, have raised him to the higliest possible degree of my esteem. I in- formed you at Ephesus, that there were some points in controversy between him and the city of I A 400 The letters Book IV. Book IV- OF CICERO: 401 of Sardis^; the particulars of wliich you will best learn when the cause shall come before you. And here, I must confess, I have been long debating with myself what I should farther say to you. The world universally acknowledges and admires your impartial administration of justice, and my friend's claim is so well founded as to require no other protection than that of your usual equity. However, as I am sensible of the great authority which naturally attends the Prcctorian office, especially where it is exer- cised with so much honour, lenity, and wisdom, as are well known to distinguish your adminis- tration ; I entreat you to exert that influence in such a manner, upon this occasion, as may convince Anneius that you are his friend. He is already, indeed, persuaded that you are so, and has often mentioned you to me in that cha- racter. Nevertheless, I cannot forbear conjuring you, by those reciprocal good oflices whicli have equally passed between us, to let him see that this letter has rendered you still more inchned to serve him. Be assured, the whole extent of your provincial power cannot supply you with an opportunity of more effectually obliging me. It is unnecessary I should add, that you cannot better dispose ofyour favours, than by conferring them ' In Lydia. them on Anneius: and I am persuaded you have too high an opinion of his merit and gra- titude to entertain the least doubt upon that article. Farewel. LETTER XVIII. [A. U. 702.] To V0LUMNIUS8. 1 HE familiar manner in which your letter to me was addressed, though extremely agreeable' indeed to the intimacy that subsists between us, made me at first doubt whether it did not come from my very good friend, your name- sake, the senator. But I soon found, by that lively and elegant humour with which it was distinguished, that it could be the produce of no other hand than yours. I was exceedingly pleased with it in every respect, but that I perceived you had not sufficiently discharged your • The person to whom this letter is addressed was a Ro- man knight, extremely admired for his wit and pleasantry. It was this quality, it is probable, that recommended him to Antony, with whom he appears to have been in some cre- dit ; as he was likewise employed by him in the civil wars, Atticus also was in the number of Volumnius's friends ? and after the battle of Modena, when Antony's faction was sup- posed to be irrecoverably ruined, he generously protected him from the violences of the successful party. Ad Att, xv. $. Corn, Nep. in vit, AtticU Vol. I. D d 402 The letters Book IV. your trust, and defended the credit of my pos-. sessions as a wit. For you tell me, that since I left Rome, every paltry joke, evea those of the dull Sextius himself, is placed to my ac- count. And did you suffer your friend to be thus dishonoured, without heroically standing forth in vindication of his genius ? I was in hopes that my wit was stamped with such distinguishing marks as to prevent the possi- bility of its being mistaken. But it seems there is such a general depravation of taste in Rome, that no man s conceits are so execrably vile, as not to meet with admirers. As you value my reputation then, assert boldly that every low thing which is repeated of this sort^ is none of mine. And unless it be some smart pun, or elegant hyperbole, some striking para- gram ', or some arch and unexpected turn*; in a word, unless it answers the character of true humour ' The hyperbole is a figure of speech by which any thing is extravagantly magnified or diminished beyond the truth : ^ a paragram is a species of the pun, which consists in Cha'*^ing liie initial letteib of a name. It would be needless to produce any example in explanatic/n of the former; atxl an insiance of ihc laner kind will occur to every English Tender lu the weil-kn«!»\vn reply which Cromwell made to the ju(U;es4 when they reminded him oi Magna Chartu, * Ot this kind ts what the Duke of Buckingham ooce said to a tioble Earl : My Lord, you wUl ceilainly be damned. Hov^y my Lord ! returned the Earl, with some warmih. Aq^, replied the Duke, there's no help for it : for it ispositrceiy saidy Cursed^ is he o/'whom all men speak mell. Taller , vol. i. No. 17. Book IV. OF CICERO. 403 humour', as described in my dialogue oil ora- tory, I desire you would do me the favour most vehemently to swear, that mine you are confident ' Cicero, in the treatise to which he here refers, intro- duces one of his- speakers as pointing out the principal sources of oratorical humour: among which he makes very honour- able mention of the pun. There is scarce an author, indeed, of any note among the ancients, that has not, in some part or other of his writings, tried his genius at a conceit : and it is remarkable, that there is one in particular which runs through almost the whole set of Roman Classics. The first that appears to have started it is, that venerable censor, Cato the elder : who, in a grave speech recorded by Livy, taking notice of those fine statues that had been lately transported into Italy, after the conquest of Greece, expresses his concern ne ilicB magis res no$ ceperint quam so* itlas. Horace was so well pleased with this witticism, that he has transplanted it into one of his epistles : Groecia captafentm viciorem cepit, et artes Intulit agresti Latio» And even the majestic Virgil could not secure himself from the infection of this contagious ambiguity : Num Capti poPuere Capi ? a quibble, which was afterwards taken up by Quintus Cur«* tius : though it seems to be somewhat damaged in passing through his hands : phres captivi (says that historian, speak- ing of one of Alexanders victories) quam qui caperent, erant. When it is considered how early this species of false wit ap- peared in the world ; with what difficulty it has been sub- dued ; that some of the best writers have not been able en» tirely to abstain from it ; and that it was the favourite of so unquestionable a genius as Cicero ; one cannot forbear think- ing with the inimitable Mr. Addison, ** that the seeds of punning are in the minds of all men/' It is the business, therefore, of criticism, to root out a weed, which the best as well as the worst soil, it seems, is so ^t^ongly disposed to produce: as it cannot spread without checking the nobler gjpowth of true wit and just imagination. Cic. de orat, ii. 3S^ Xit;. xxxiv.4. Hor. fp. ii. 1. 157. Virg, Mn.s\u295, Quint, Cur. V. 13. Addison Spect, i. No. 6l. 404 The letters Book IV, confident it is not. With regard to those little pretenders to eloquence, of whom you com- plain, as having usurped my place in the Fo- rum, I am much less concerned. Fare it as it may with plaintiffs and defendants of every kind, I am nothing disturbed ; no not though the worthless Sehus himself should be deemed eloquent enough to persuade the world that he is not an arrant slave. But in the article of wit, my friend — there, indeed, I am much too jea- lous not to assert my prerogative. It is an ar- ticle, however, in which I stand in fear of no other competitor but yourself: for your preten- sions, doubtless, are formidable. Yet when I say this, you will modestly suspect, perhaps, that I am bantering : and who but must own that Volumnius is a man of penetration ? To speak seriously : a most agreeable and lively vein of wit runs throughout your whole letter. I will confess, however, that what you men- tion concerning our friend*, though you repre- sented it in a very droll light, did not once make me smile. It is much my desire, I must own, that he should conduct himself through his tribunitial office with dignity ; not only for his own sake, as you know he is a man I value, but for the sake hkewise of my country : which, however ^ This seems to allude to Curio. \ ... Book IV. OF CICERO. 405 however ill it has treated me, I shall never cease to love. And now, my dear Volumnius, I hope you will continue the agreeable correspondence you have begun, and give me frequent accounts of affairs both private and public : for, be assured, your letters are extremely pleasing to me. I entreat you, likewise, to endeavour to gain Dolabella entirely to my interests, by confirm- ing him in that amicable disposition towards me, which, I know, he is inclined to enter- tain. Not that I suspect he wants any ap- plications of this sort : but, as I am very de- sirous to make him my friend, it is a point, I think, that cannot be too much laboured. FareweL » V^ )■*» I ■•» . \ ■♦ DdS LETTER 406 The LETTERS Book IV* LETTER XIX, [A. U. 702.] To Crassipes\ I TOOK occasion, before I left Rome, of re- commending the Bithynia* company to you in the strongest terms I was able : and I had th« pleasure to find you perfectly well disposed, not only from my instances, but your own in- clinations, to do them all the good offices in your power. However^ as those who are con- cerned in the affairs of this society, think it may be to their advantage that 1 should thus repeat my assurances of the regard I bear them, I make no difficulty of yielding to their solicita- tions. Be well persuaded then, that I have ever been desirous of rendering to this whole or- der, in general, my best services : to which, in- deed, the important obligations they have con- ferred upon me, give them an undoubted right. But my attachments are more particu- larly strong to that branch of them concerned in 'He was Quxstor in Bithynia: and, probably, at the same time \*bHn P. Silius was governor of that province : See rem 1. p. 3^6 of this v(»l. ♦The . even lies of the republic arising from the foreiga provinces wf le larmed b) the Roman knights^ who were di- vi'eH into several C"mpanies distinguished by the name of the particular pr )vince whose taxes they rented. See rem* 53. p. 204. of this vol. Book IV. OF CICERO. 407 - in the finances of Bithynia : as this compatiy, from the rank and character of its members, forms one of the most considerable bodies in the whole republic. It is composed, indeed, out of all the other companies, and happens to consist of several of my most intimate friends. In this number their governor Publius Rupi- lius holds the principal rank : the most impor- tant part of whose function is concerned in my present address. I make it then my earnest request (and it is a request you may very easily comply with) that you assist and protect their agent Pupius in discharging his services to the satisfaction of the company : and, in general, that you would promote their interest by all those means which, I well know, are in the power of a Quaestor. Your compliance in this instance will greatly oblige me : and I will add too, what I can affirm from my own expe- rience, that you cannot confer your gopd of- fices upon a society that will more gratefully remember them. Farevvel. . Dd4 LETTER 408 The LETTERS Book IV; LETTER XX. [A.U.702.] To PuBLius Si LI US, Proprseton X UBLius Terentius Hispo, who is deputy* receiver-general of the customs arising from pasture and cattle in your province, is a person for whom I have a very particular firiendship : as, indeed, many important good offices have mutually passed between us. The settling hi« accounts with the several cities under his de- partment which yet remain unadjusted, is a point wherein his character, you are sensible, is greatly concerned. This I attempted in his behalf with regard to the inhabitants of Ephe- SU5 : but my attempts, I must confess, prov- ed unsuccessful. It is the general opinion of the world, however, and what I am firmly assured of myself, that the justice and cle- mency of your administration has gained you such an ascendant over the people of Greece, that you may easily obtain of them anything you shall request. I entreat you then to employ your interest with them in favour of Hispo : and I ask it as a point in which my honour is pt culiarly concerned. The truth is, not only the whole company in this branch of the revenues has placed itself under my pro- tection, Book IV. OF CICERO. 4t)9 tection, but I have particular intimacies M-ith many of its members. Your compliance, there- fore, with my requst, will strengthen my interest with this society in general, and will also give me the satisfaction and credit of having obtain- ed your good offices for my friends To this I will add, that you may depend on receiving great complacency, both from the grateful re- turns of Hispo in particular, and from the in- terest you will establish with this illustrious company in general. You will likewise oblige me in a most sensible manner : for, be assured, the whole extent of your government cannot supply you with an opportunity of rendering me a more acceptable service. Farewel. ,.•• f V ;..YJ-:,-^ LETTER ...,>yef»'2 ■•> kl: f • ,y . * t AH ) LETTERS JPF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEVERAL or His FRIENDS. BOOK V. LETTER L [A. U. 703.] To Marcus Cato'. The great authority you bear in the republic^ together with the high esteem I have ever en- tertained for your uncomtnon virtues, make me * This illustrious Roman was great- grand son to Marcus Cato the Censor : to whom he w^s no less allied in virtue than in blood. He had all histnerit, indeed, without any of fai» failings : and with the sam« determined inflexibility in his 412 The letters Book V. me look upon it as a point of much conse- quence to me, that you should be apprised of the in his public conduct, he was far more amiable in the com- mon intercourses of private life. Perhaps a character eqwally perfect, is no where to be found in the whole annals of pro- fane history ; and it may well be questioned whether kuman philosophy ever produced, either before, or since, so truly great and good a man. It is a just observation of Seneca ; magnam rem putUj unum hominem agere: and it is this un- common consistency of action that marks the character of Cato with its most distinguishing beauty. All the parts of his conduct accord with each other, and are the regular result of one steady and invariable principle : -Patria — impcndere vitam : Ncc iibi, sed toti genitum se credere mundo. . This was the glorious object of his ambition from his first appearance in the world to the last moment of his life : and he undauntedly pursued it through all the various insulis and opposition that Caesar, Crassus, and Poropey could contrive to traverse and perplex his way. He resolutely, indeed, op- posed the progress of their power, in every step of its un- constitutional advancement ; and, with a most consummate prudence, perpetually forewarned his countrymen of those calamities which they afterwards experienced. Cicero, nevertheless, has said (and it has been often repeated after • him) that there was more of probity than of prudence in Cato's politics; and particularly instances his treatment of the Roman knights in a very nice case, wherein they peti- tioned the senate for redress. See rem. 9. p. 114. of this vol. Perhaps Cato's firmness in this article cannot be jus- tified : but certainly it would not be reasonable to pro- nounce, from a particular article, that he did not, in the general tenor of his public actions, discover great abilities. Cicero speaks of them, it is true, upon other occasions also, yikh some diminution : but it is no wonder he should repre- sent that conduct as injudicious, which was almost in every respect the very reverse of his own. One cannot easily, in- deed, believe that Cato's talents were unequal to his vir- tues, when one considers the perpetual jealousy with which he was looked upon by the first triumvirate; the violent measures they employed to prevent his being elected prae- tor; Book V. OF CICERO. 413 the success of my arms ; of the ^disinterested protection I have given to our allies ; and of the integrity of my administration in general. And I doubt not, when you shall be informed of these several articles, I shall find the less dif- ficulty in persuading you to comply with the request I am going to make. I arrived in this province on the last of July ; and, as the season of the year rendered it neces- sary for me to hasten to the army, I continued only two days at Laodicea, four at Apamea, threfe at Synnadae, and as many at Philome- lum. I found great numbers of people assem- bled in these several towns, in expectation of my arrival : and, during my stay in each, I re- lieved many cities from the oppressive taxes they laboured under, reduced the exorbitant interest they paid for the money they had been obliged to borrow, and discharged them from the unjust demands of their usurious creditors. Before I arxived tor; and that they would never suffer him to attain the consular office. Integrity under the direction of much in- ferior abilities, could not, surely, have been thus formida- ble ; especially in an age the most venal and unprincipled that ever darkened the annals of human corruption. But whatever may be determined as to the measure of his intel- kctual qualities, he unquestionably possessed the patriot virtues in their highest perfection : and (as a noble author justly observes) ** if he could not save, he prolonged the " life of liberty." Plut. in vit, Qaton, Senec. ep, 120. Lu- can. ii. 382. Ad Att, i. 18. 11. 5. Let, on the spirit ofpa^ t riot ism f p. 35. 414 The letters Book V. arrived in my governinent, a mutiny had arisen in the army, and the soldiers had dispersed them-« selves into diifei*ent parts of the provinces: five cohorts, in particular, were retired to Philome- lum, without a single officer to command them. I therefore ordered my lieutenant Anneius ta conduct these scattered regiments to the main body in Lycaonia^ and to assemble the whole army at Iconium ; where I directed him to encamp. These orders he very diligently exe- cuted : and I joined the troops on the 26th of August. In the interval I employed myself, agreeably to the injunctions of the senate, in 1 aising a strong body of Evocati', together with a proper number of cavalry, as also in assem- bling those auxiliary forces which the free as well as regal states in alliance with the republic bad voluntarily offered me. As soon as the junction of all the troops was completed, I re- viewed the whole army ; and, on the 50th of August, w^e began to move towards Cilicia. In the mean time, envoys from the king of Com-t magene arrived with a very confused indeed,, but, however, as it appeared afterwards, a very* true account, that the Parthians had invaded Syria. This news greatly alarmed me, not only for the danger to which that province, but my own^ ^ See remark 1. on letter 3. book iv. Book V. OF CICERO. 415 own, was exposed : and which threatened, like^ wise, all Asia in general. I thought it ad viseable, therefore, to lead my troops through that part of Cappadocia which borders on Cilicia. If, indeed, I had marched directly into Cilicia, I could easily have protected that district of my province from any invasion on the side of Sy- ria : as it cannot be entered from thence with- out traversing Mount Amanus, over which there are only two narrow defiles, that might be de-^ fended by a very small force. In short, no- thing can be more impregnable than Cilicia is from that quarter, by the fortifications with which nature has secured it. But my chief concern was for Cappadocia, which lies entire- ly open towards Syria : and besides, there are several little kingdoms in its neighbourhood, which, though in friendship with the Romans, 5^et dare not openly act against the Parthians. These considerations, therefore, determined me to lie with my army on the borders of Cappa- docia : and accordingly I encamped at Cybis- tra, a town situated not far from Mount Tau- rus. By these means, I was in a condition of protecting Cilicia, at the same time that, by possessing myself of Cappadocia, I prevented the contiguous states from entering into any measures to our prejudice, Whilst I 41^ The letters Book V. Whilst aflfairs were in this commotion, and there was reason to apprehend a general war, King Deiotarus sent an embassy to my camp> with an offer of joining me with all his forces. I was extremely sensible of this instance of his zeal and friendship : and immediately returned him a letter of acknowledgments, with my press- ing exhortation, at the same time, that he would liasten his march. I cannot but observe, upon this occasion, that Deiotarus justly merits those, peculiar marks of favour and esteem, with which both you and I in particular, as well as the se- nate in general, have ever distinguished him.^ He discovers, indeed, a remarkable fideHty and affection to the republic, together with an un- common presence and greatness of mind both in action and in council. I found it necessary, for the better concerting my plan of operations, to continue five days at Cybistra. Durlfig my stay there, I had the sa- tisfaction to be of singular service to Ariobar- zanes: a prince particularly assigned to my pro- tection by the senate, in consequence of your motion for that purpose. I delivered him from a* very dangerous conspiracy, >vhich was just upon the point of being carried into execution. I did more indeed : and not only preserved his person, but strengthened his authority. ^Porthis * — purpose BbOK V-* OF CICERO. 417- purpose I procured Mctras and Athenaeus, (the latter of whom you strongly recommended to my caFe) not only to be recalled from that exile into which the intrigues of the cruel Athenais had driven tbem^ but to be restored to their former favour and credit with the king. And as it,^ould have produced a very terrible civil war, if _the high priest*, who was among the disaffected party, had taken up arms, as waj generally supposjed to be his intention; I found means of obliging him to depart the kingdom. This young man abounded both in mo-ney and troops, and possessed every other advantage that could render him of importance to those who were inclined to attempt a revolution. — In a WQfd, I recovered the authority of Ariobar- «anes, without occasioning the least blood- shed, ,or disturbance^ and firmiy established him in his royal dignity. In the mean tiwe, I was informed, by various expresses^ that a considerable army of Parthianj and AjC^ians were advanced to the city of An- tioctiia'; and that a large body of their cavalry,, which had penetrated into Cilicia, were en- tirely * It appears, by a passage which Manutius cites from HirtiMS, that the high priest of the temple of Bellona, at Coramaoa, a city in Cappadocia, was next in rank aud power to the kiD^ himself. Hirt, dt Bd> Al€9Wid. > In Syria. Vox.. L Ee \ 418 The letters Book V. tirely cut to pieces by a detachment of mine, supported by the praetorian* cohort in garrison, at Epiphanea^ Perceiving, therefore, that the Parthians had turned off from Cappadocia, and were approached within a small distance of the frontiers of Cilicia, I conducted the army with all possible expedition to Amanus. Upon my arrival, I found the enemy was retired from An- tiochia, and that Bibulus had taken possession ef the city. I sent an express, therefore, to Dei- otarus, who was upon full march with all his forces to join me, acquainting him that I did not at present see occasion of drawing him out cf his dominions ; but that if any new occur- rence should arise, I would immediately give hhn notice. My principal view in advancing to Amanus was, that I might be ready to assist either Cili- cia or Syria, as circumstances should require. I had likewise another design, which I had before meditated, and now prepared to execute, as be- ing of great importance to both provinces: I mean to quell the insurrection of these high- landers, and extirpate an enemy that was per- petually ♦ The praetorian cohort composed a sort of body-guard to the proconsul, or general ; and consisted of a select number chosen out <>f the Evocati. The nature ©f the latter has been alread) explained in remark 1. p. 340. of this vol. ' A city in Cilicia. Book V. dF CICERO. 41:9 petually infesting us. To this end I made a feiiit of retiring towards another part of Cilicia ; and, having actually returned a day's march, I en- camped at Epiphanea. But, on the 12th of Oc- tober, in the evening, I struck my tents, and, by a long march during the whole night, I ar- rived early the next morning at Amanus. I im- mediately formed in order of battle, heading part of the troops myself, in conjunction with my brother, and distributing the command gf the rest amongst my other lieutenants. The enemy being thus surrounded by surprise, were taken and destroyed in great numbers. Mean^ while, my lieutenant Pontinius, attacked Sepyra; Commons, and Erana; the latter of which is the principal town on these mountains, and, in*- deed, considerable enough to be called a city. They each made a very obstinate resistance; and, notwithstanding the attack began before day-break, they did not suiTender till night, nor without having suffered a prodigious slaughter. In this action we took six fortresses, and burnt many more. Having thus successfully completed this ex* pedition, we encamped at the foot of Mount Amanus, near Alexander's^ altars, where I con- ' tinned • A place near Issus, where Alexander having defeated Darius, consecrated three altars to Jupiter, Hercules, and Minerva, as memorials of his victory. Quint, Curt, iii. Ee2 420 The letters Book V; eontinued four days. During the whole time I remained here, I was employed in cxtii-pating the rest of these mountaineers, and destroying that part of their lands which lies within my province. From hence I sat down before Pin- dinessum ; a city in the territories of that part of Cilicia, which has never submitted to the Romans. This Av^as a place of great strength, and inhabited by a stubborn people, who had preserved themselves unconquered, even by the neighbouring kings. It was a harbour, like- wise, for fugitives of every kind, and they were greatly, also, in the interest of the Parthians, whose approach they impatiently expected^ Upon these considerations, I thought it for the honour of my arms to restrain their insolence; especially, as 1 should by this means the more easily subdue the spirit of those other cantons which were equally averse to the Roman govern- ment In consequence of this resolution, I in- vested the town ; and, having raised six large fortresses, I began to play my battering en- gines against their walls. They held out, how- ever, fifty-seven days ; but, at length, finding the flames had seized several parts of the town, and that other quarters were laid in ruins, they surrendered at discretion, after having occ^- fiioned me an infinite fatigue. I had the satis- 4 faction Book V. OF CICERO. 421 faction to complete this enterprise without oc* casionino* our allies the least inconvenience or expence. After having thus reduced Pindi- nessum, and received hostages from the Tibu- rani, a neighbouring people equally bold and insolent, I sent my army into winter-quarters. This care I assigned to my brother, and order- ed him to canton the troops amongst those towns we had lately taken, or that were most disposed to revolt. And now, if a motion should be made in the senate concerning the honours due to the suc- cess of my arms, I shall esteem it the highest glory to be supported in my pretensions by your suffrage. I am sensible it is usual for the gravest characters to request, as well as to be requested, for favours of this nature, in the strongest terms ; but I persuade myself it will be more proper for me to remind, than to solicit you, in the present instance. You have fre- quently, indeed, not only distinguished me with your vote, but with your highest applause, both in tlie senate and in the assemblies of the peo- ple^. And believe me, I have ever thought fnh there / )?l Cicero, soon after the expiration of his eonsulate, had very particular obligations to Cato, of the kind he mentions. For the latter being tribune at that time, procured him a con- firmation from an assembly of the people, of the glorious litleof FATHKH or HIS COUNTRY. FM. iu t^, C^« Ee 3 423 Th£ letters Book V. there was so much weight and authority in all you uttered, that a single word of yours in my favour was the highest honour I could possibly receive. I remember, upon a certain occasion, when you refused to vote for a public thanks- giving^ which was proposed in favour of a very worthy and illustrious citizen; you told the senate that you should willingly have given your suffrage in support of the honour in ques- tion, had it been designed as a reward for any civil services which that consul had performed in Rome. Agreeably to this maxim, you for- merly concurred in voting that a public thanks- giving should be decreed to me ; not, indeed, for having advanced the glory of our country by itty military achievements (for that would have been aeircumstancenothinguncommon) butfor having, in atnosti singular and unexampled man* B^r, preserved the liberties of the whole com- monwealth^ without drawing a sword. I for- hmt to mention the generous share you have tftken in all the envy, the difficulties, and the dangers to which my lif6 has been exposed ; and a far greater you were willing to have taken, if I could ■ Thishonotir wai usually 4«cre<»d to a general after some sigi'^al aag€) obtained by his arms. It consisted in ap- pTtfrtPing a solemn festival in order to return thanks to the god:* for the public success; at which time the senate went in soleHin^f>ni*ceiM4m to the principal templls in Roma, and as- sisted at the sacrifices instituted for such occasions. ^ By the suppression of Catiline's conspiracy. Book V. OF CICERO. .423 I could have been prevailed upon to have con- sented. I forbear to mention, likewise, that you considered my enemy'° as your own; and that, in order to give me aconvincingproof of your great regard, you scrupled not to shew your approbation even of his death, by defending Milo in the senate. In return, (and I speak of it, not as a favour for which you are indebt- ed to me, but as a tribute which I owed to truth) I have been no silent admirer of your virtues ; for who, indeed, can suppress his ap- plause of them ? In all my speeches, both in the forum and the senate, as well as in the se- veral pieces I have published, either in our own language, or in Greek, I have ever represented your character as superior, not only to the noblest amongst our contemporaries, but to the most celebrated in history. After all, you will wonder, perhaps, what should induce me to set so high a value upon ^ these little transient honours of the senate. I will acknowledge, then, the whole truth, and lay open my heart before you with a freedom ' becoming that philosophy we cultivate, and that friendship we profess ; a friendship delivered ' down to us from our parents, and improved by m^ny reciprocal good offices.. Let »°Clodius. E e 4 424 The letters Book V. Let mc previously observe, that if ever any man was a stranger to vain-glory, and a desire of vulgar admiration, it is myself; and this frame of mind, which I possess by temper, has been still strengthened (if I am not deceived) by reason and philosophy. As an evidence of this, I appeal to my consulate ; in which, as in every other part of my Hfe, tho' I pursued that conduct, I confess, from whence true hor nours might be derived, yet I never thought they were of themselves an object worthy of my ambition. On the contrary, I refused the government of a very noble province" ; and, notwithstanding it was highly probable 1 might have obtained a triumph, yet I forbore to pro- secute my pretensions of that kind. I forbore, too, the offering myself as a candidate for th^ office of augur, tho' you are sensible, I dare say, that I might have succeeded without much diffi- culty. But I will acknowledge, that the injurious treatment I afterwards suffered, tho' you always speak of it, indeed, as a circumstance which re- flects the highest honour upon my character, and as a misfortune only to the republic, has ren- dered me desirous of receiving the most distin- guished marks of my country's approbation. '' Macedonia ; to which he had a right by lot to have succeeded at the expiration of his consulate. See rem. 1. p. p. of this voL Book V. OF CICERO; 4S3 For this reason, I solicited the office oFaiTgur, which I had before declined : and, as Httle as t once thought the military libnbUTs deserved my pursuit, I am now ambitious of thaft dis- tinction which the senate usuallv confers on Its successful 2:enerals. I will own I have some view, by this mean, of healing the wounds of my former unmerited disgrace; and, therefore, tho' I just now declared that I would not press you upon this article, I recal my words, and most earnestly conjure your suffrage and assistance. I make this request, however, upon the supposition that what I have performed in this campaign shall not ap- pear contemptible in your eye, but, on the contrary, far superior to th^ aStiofts '6f many of those generals who have obtained the most glorious rewards from the senate. I have observed (and you are sensible I at ways listen with great attention whenever you deliver your opinions) that, as often as any question of this nature has come before the se- nate, you were less inquisitive into the military than civil conduct of the proconsul. It was the political ordinances he had established, and the moral qualities he had displayed, that seemed to have the principal weight in determining your vote. If you should exa- mine my pretensions in this view, you will see that, 426 The letters Book V. that, with a weak and inconsiderable army, I found a strong resource against the danger of a very formidable invasion in the lenity and justice of my government. By these aids I ef- fected what I never could by the most power- ful legions : I recovered the friendship of our alienated allies ; firmly strengthened their alle- giance to the republic ; and conciliated their affections at a time when they were waiting the opportunity of some favourable conjunc- ture to desert us. But perhaps I have expatiated farther upon this subject than is necessary ; especially to you, before whom all our allies in general are accustomed to lay their complaints'*. To them,, therefore, I refer you for an account of the be- nefits they have received by my administration. They will all of them, as with one voice, I am persuaded, give you the most advantageous testimony in my favour; but particularly those illustrious clients of yours, the Cyprians*^ and Cappa- ** Cttto settler! a correspondence throughout the whole Roman provinces, and received constant intelligence of the conduct of the several governors in their respective commands, so attentive was J his vigilant patriot to what- ever concerned the interest of the commonwealth ! Flut, m vit. Cat an, *^ Cyprus had a particular claim to the patronage of Cato, a» he had been employed in executing a commission by which that island was annexed to the dominions of the repubiic. This commission was arUuUy connived by Clo- dius Book V. OF CICERO. 4S7 Cappadocians, to whom I may likewise add your dius in his tribunate, in order to remove Cato out of his way : but the precise nature of it is no where distinctly ex- plained. It should seem, by what may be collected from Plutarch, that it was only an embassy in which Cato was appointed to claim, on behalf of the republic, the dominions of Ptolemy, king of Cyprus, and to offer him, at the same time, the high-priesthbod of the temple of Venus, in the island of Paphos, which in those days might have been no disadvantageous exchange. Cato, however, has been sevei*e- ]y censured by some modern historians, for having accepted this office; and Dr. Middleto'n, in particular, thinks he can- not be justified. But none of the ancient historians speak of it as in the least unworthy of Cato's virtue : and, indeed, one of the most moral writers in all antiquity mentions it upon an occasion which evidently shews that it was by no means thought inconsistent with that character of rigid jus- tice which this illustrious Roman had so deservedly obtained. Seneca, in his letter of consolation, addressed to Marcia, on the loss of her son, taking notice of the advantages of an early death, instances, among other examples, those calamities which a more extended period had brought upon Cato. Marcum Catonem, says he, si a Cypro et hereditatis regict dU- pematione redeuutem mare decorassety — nonne illo bene actum foret ? — Nunc annorum adjectio paucissimoruniy virum liber- tati non suot tantum sed publicce natum, coegit Ccesaremfu- gere, Pompeium sequi. It is evident, then, that this action was so far from being deemed unjustifiable in the opinion of the ancients, (by which alone it can be fairly examined) that the Loblest of their moralists has chosen it to complete the glory and grace the exit of his favourite hero. It must unquestionably, therefore, have been founded upon some circumstances that reconciled it to that law of nations which then prevailed in the world. Accordingly, it appears, by some passages in Cicero's orations, that the republic had an ancient claim to these dominions. For Alexander, king of Egypt, to whose territories Cyprus belonged, appointed the Roman commonwealth his general heir; and though the senate did not judge proper, at that juncture, to assert their full right under his will, they thought it, however, a suffici- ent title to possess themselves of Alexander's effects. From that time dowu to the date of Cato's commission, frequent attempts 438 Thj; letters Book V, Book V. OF CICERO. 49]? your great and royal friend**, prince Deiotanis. If thus to act is a merit of the most superior kind ; if in all ages the number has been far less considerable of those who knew how to subdue attempts bad been made in the senate to enforce tbeir right under the will : and a decree had actually passed for that purpose. But as this decree was protested against by some tribune, it had never been carried into execution. Thus fa^ it should seem that Cato's commission was not founded upon a mere arbitrary exertion of power, but on a right which had long before received the sanction of the senate, and which had already in part been vindicated to the public. — In the next place, the inhabitants of Cyprus were extremely oppressed under the government of Ptolemy, and desirous of transferring their subjection to the Romans. Peterculus re- presents this prince as one who well deserved the punish- ment he sutfered : omnibus monan vitiis, say? he, earn coutu^ meiiam merituni. And Dion Cassius expressly declares that the Cyprians received Cato, ** ovxoKOvtjuos hoping that, from " slaves as they were before, they should be raised into the ♦• number of the friends and allies of Rome." But to consi* der this question in another view ; what probable reason of personal interest can be assigned for Cato*s undertaking this office ? It could not be from a spirit of avarice : for itisunani-* mously confessed that he discharged it with the most unspotted integrity. It could not be from a motive of ambition ; for he refused all the honours, upon this occasion, which his coun- try would have paid him. It could not be from a servile compliance with the power of Clodius ; for he died rather than submit even to that of Cpesar. Upon the whole, there- fore, it seems reasonable to assert, that Cato acteU in thijj instance, as in all others, upon a principle ©f disinterested patriotism, and consistently with the strictest maxims of Pa« gan morality. P/«/. in vit, Caton, Orat, in Rul. i. 1. 11. W VeL Faterc. ii. 4$, Jpto, p. 10^. Senec. Consol, ad Marc. 20, "^-o . >jlij2 ■♦ Cato took a voyage ii\to Asia^ in order to inform him-, self of the strength and disposition of these eastern provinces ; aad it was upon this occasion that he entered into a persona^ friendship with Deiotarus, who paid him the hoiiours of bis court with singular marks of estecia and 4»»sidenaion.-r^ m^U. in Tit. Caton. ■ .,^-l\ : subdue their desires, than to vanquish their enemies; he that has given an instance of both, cannot, certainly, but be deemed, in Ca- to's estimation at least, to have strengthened his claim to the honours of his country, and to have improved the splendour of his military achievements, by the more unusual lustre of his civil conduct. Let me, in the last place, and as in diffi* «dence of my own solicitations, call in Philoso- phy for my advocate ; than which nothing has ever aflForded me a more sensible satisfaction. The truth is, she is one of the noblest blessing$ that the gods have bestowed on matt. At her shrine we have both of us, from our earliest years, paid our joint and equal adorations : and while she has been thought by some the com** paiuon only of indolent and secluded specula- tists, we (and we alone I had almost said) have introduced her into the world of business^ and familiarised her with the most active and important scenes. She, therefore, it is that now solicits you in my behalf; and when Phir losophy is the suppliant, Cato, surely, can ne- ver rjefiise. To say all iri one word^ be wejt as- sured, if I should prevail with you to concut *e glory of my reputation is concerned, that 1 want no solicitor to recommend me to your good offices, FareweL Vol. I. Ff LETTER if 4t .., I »i \ 1 434 Th£ letters Book Yi .a LETTER IV. (A.U.70S.] To Lucius Paulus', Consul. Among many reasons for wishing myself with you at Rome, the principal was, that I might, both at your election, and in the course of your consular ministry, have given you proofs of that ^al to which you have so undoubted a riffht. I am sensible, at the same time, that the unanimity with which you were chosen, (and of which, indeed, I never entertained the least doubt) would have rendered my assistance in that article altogether unnecessary : and I sincerely wish you may have as little occasion for it in the subsequent discharge of your otBce. However, I should have had the satisfaction, at least, of seconding your views in both. It is a great concern to me, I confess, when I reflect that, notwithstanding I experienced many im- portant instances of your affection during my consulship, I am yet utterly incapable of mak- ing any return in yours- And what renders this reflection still more mortifying, is, that you were but a young man when you thus ge- nerously displayed the effects of your friend- ship : ' See rem. 5. p. 324, of this vol. Book V^* of OCERO. 435 ship : whereas, I am at a time Qf life wh/^n, much greater advantages might wqllbe expect* cd from mine. 1 know not, in truth, by what fatality it is, that you bav^ qantinually had op- portunities of advancing my dignities^ and that; I have never been able to contribute any thiwg but ineffectual good wishes to yours, Thus^ a4 iiot only in the instance I just now mentioned* btit in the article of my restoration^ I was in- debted to you for the higiiest hon^ufft; so a fresh occasion now preseirts itself t^ you of dis- tinguishing me, as my luilitary ^bi^vamentsi have happened to fall within the period of y qui consulate. The dignity of that office with whkXit you are invested, and the importance of thqsa honours I am suing for, might well reqwim that' I should address you in all the warmth of ^licitation, but I dare not venture thu« to pr^s you, lest it should look as if I forjpH, Qr at least imagined that you had forgo4iten, ymr usual disposition to serve ;me. I will make my request, therefore, in few words : and it will be treating you in a manner more agreeable, I dare say, to your oWit inclinations, as well as to those favours which all the world is sensible I have received at your hands. If any others, indeed, than you and your colleague were in possesion of the consular office, you are the Ff2 first 436 The letters Book V* ^ first man whose mediation I should have em- ployed in order to render the consuls favourable to my pretensions. But as this high authority is vested in you, with whom 1 have the strong- est and most conspicuous connexions, I can- not scruple to conjure your assistance in spee- dily procuring a decree of the most illustrious kind in my favour : an honour which you will find, by the letter I have addressed to the se- nate, that my arms are not unworthy of receiv- ing. I recommend then my reputation, and, indeed, my concerns of every sort, to your ge- nerous patronage. But, above all, I beseech you (and it is a request I mentioned in my former letter) that you would not suffer the time of my continuance here to be prolonged. It is much my desire, in truth, to see you in your consular office : and I doubt not of ob- taining from your administration every advan- tage, both here and in Italy, that I most wish to enioy. FareweL •^ ^ LETTER I Book V. r r Of CICERO. LETTER V. 437 [A. U. 703.] lU.. Marcus CcELius to Cicero. You have been informed, I doubt not, that Dolabella has exhibited articles of impeach- ment against Appius*: and this prosecution seej^s to be more agreeable to the world in general than I imagined. Appius, however, ha;s acted with great prudence upon the occa- sion ; for as soon as his adversary had lodged Jbis information, he withdrew his petition for a triamph, and immediately entered the city^ JJy^ these means he silenced the reports to his -disadvantage : as he appeared more willing to take his trial than his prosecutor expected. Appius relies greatly in this conjuncture upon your assistance : and I am persuaded you are not disinclined to serve him, You have it now m your power^ to do so, as far as you shall think * He was prosecuted by Dolabella in two distinct im- peachments. The first was, for being guilty of treason in his government of Cilicia ; and ihe other, for bribery and corruption in his election to the consulate. Ep. Fam, iii. 11. ' See rem. 3. p. 371. of this vol. * As one of Dolabella's impeachments against Appius vas for his mal-practices in Cilicia, it was extremely in the F f 3 power i h 4M The letters Book V. ■ think proper : though I raust add, you would be more at liberty to limit your good offices to- wards him, if you and he had never been upon ill terms together. But as the case now stands, were you to measure out your services by the right he has to demand them, it might be «u§pected that yt)u Tvrre not sincere in yoQr Tee^ficil^ment : whereas, yon can hazard no censure by obliging him ; as you will shew tliat yon are not to be discouraged frbni acting" A generous part, even where friendship* might in LETTER VI. [A. u. ro3.] From the same, 1 Kxow not how soon you may wish to resign -your government ; but, for my own part, my impatience for your return is in proportion to the good fortune that has hitherto attended your arms. Whilst you continue in the pro- vince, therefore, I shall be under perpetual ap- prehensions, lest some unlucky reverse should damp the joy 1 take in your late successful ex- pedition. * I have time to write but a very few words, as I convey this by the hands of the courier to the farmers of the revenue, who is just set- ting out ; and, indeed, I sent you a long letter 1 yesterday yesterday by your f reed-man. Nothing has since occurred worth communicating : unless you should have curiosity enough to think (as I imagine you will) that the following articles deserve notice. In the first place then, Comi- ficius is upon the point of being married to the J^oungest daughter of Sylla : and in the next, Paula Valeria, on the very day her husband was expected from his government, procured a divorce, without alledging the least cause. She is to be married to Decimus Brutus. Se- veral very extraordinary incidents of the same kind have happened during your absence. But would you have suspected that Servius Ocella was so well with the ladies, as to have been twice discovered inclose gallantry within the space of three short days ? If you ask me %vhere the scene of this amorous adventure was laid ? In sad truth, my friend, where I least wished : but for the rest, I leave you to inquire of others^ And a pleasant piece of intelli- gence it will be for our noble general to learn, in^ whose fair quarters the luckless Ocella was seized ! Farewel LETTER ' One would almost suspect, from the reserved manner in whicli Coelius relates this adventure, that he had a staring reoiQU. on kit bra^ (as the peet humorously calls it) ^ not being more explicit. y HI ;! 444 The letters Book V. BtooK V. OF CICERO. 4AS } |i«f LETTER VII. [A. U. 70.^.] ToAppius Pulcher. I WILL answer your letter more fully thani can at present, the very first moment I shall have more leisure. In the mean while I snatch the opportunity of sending this by the hands of some domestics of Brutus, who just now called upon me at Laodicea, and are returning with all expedition to Rome. They are in so much haste, that I have only time to write this, and another to Brutus. ^f- The deputies from Apamea delivered your long letter to me, wherein you very unjustly accuse me of having obstructed, by my 4nan- dates, the public monument^ which that city proposed to raise. You desire I wo\ild suffer lhen;i * It was usual with these Aifiatic provinces, to consecrate temples to their Roman governors, and associate ihem vsith the gods in the same common ceremonies of religious worship. Probably, llierefore, the building which ihe city of Apamea proposed to erect, was some compliment to Appius of this sacred kind. The very ingenious Monsieur MongauU has /ibewn, in a learned dissertation which he read before the Royal Academy of Belks Leittes at Paris, that the diviue JionoUrs which were paid to the Roman Emperors, were <)nly 9 CoDlUiuance ot the same infamous prosliiution which bad hoen practised during the times of the republic. Pivt. in xit. \ Jlamin, Memoires de litter at, vol. i. p. 369. them to proceed immediately upon the execu^ tion of that design, le^t they should l>e pre- vented by the winter ; and very severely reproach me for having suspended the assessments for that purpose till I should be able to inquire into the justice of raising them. This, you tell me, ivas in some sort an absolute prohibition: since the winter would necessarily be set-in, before I could return out of Cilicia in order to examine into that affair. Having thus stated the se- veral articles of your charge, I will now shew you that they are altogether unreasonabk In the first place then, as I had received com- plaints on the part of those who thought them- selves aggrieved by excessive taxes, where \vas the injustice, if I forbade these subsidies to be levied till I could examine into the merits of the case ? But this, it seems, I could not be able to effect, till the winter. Yet why not? let me ask : since it was the part of those who made these complaints to wait upon me, rather ,thau mine to attend them. But you will ob- ject, perhaps, to the reasonableness of iavinff these people under the difficulty of taking so ^oiiga journey. Yet this journey you yourself must! necessarily have designed they shoukl tj^ke, when you gave them y 0114; Jetter to, fl^; liver to me. And dehver it they accordingly i. J* T.I 446 The letters Book V. Book V. 6t CICERO, 447 did : but they timed it so absurdly, that thoC it was to desire they might be permitted to begin their work during the summer, they did, not bring it to me till that season was expired. I must acquaint you, however, that far the greater part of these very citizens are averse to the levying this tax in question : nevertheless I shall take such measures, for that purpose, as I imagine will prove most agreeable to your in- clinations. And thus much for this Apamean business. ■-U'^Ui. I am informed, by Pausanias, a freedman of Lentulus, and one of my accensors*, that you complained to him of my having treated you with great haughtiness and incivility by not coming to meet you in your approach to Ico- nium. The fact, however, is this : I received a message from you late at night, acquainting me that you proposed to give me an interview in that city before the next morning : but your servant could not inform me which of the two roads you intended to take. In order, there- fore, that I might be ready to attend you,: I dispatched your friend Varro, together with' Lepta, the captain of my artillery, directing- them to take different roads, and whichever shouW « The accensors were officers who attended on the pro- consular magistrates in their courts of justice. should meet you first, to return with immediate notice. Accordingly Lepta came back with great expedition ; and assuring me that you had actually passed the camp, I instantly went to Iconiuin. What followed I need not men- tion. And now is it probable, that I, who am cather apt to be more assiduous in offices of this kind, than my station and character require, should neglect to pay the accustomed honours to Appius Claudius ; to one dignified with the august title of Imperator ; and what is still stronger, to my friend.? But not to dwell any longer upon this article, I cannot forbear tak- ing notice of an expression you made use of to the same person. *' A compliment of this '* kind, you told him, had mutually passed be- ^fctween you and Lentulus*; and did Cicero *^.take upon himself to act towards a person "/^of your quality with less ceremony ?'' But can it be true, that eo weak an expnession should drop from a man of your improved under- standing, and knowledge of tlie world : I will add too, (what the stoics justly rank in the number of social virtues) ofyoui* refined good breeding? Can you possibly believe me so m^aq, a^ to be influenced more by the distinc- tions of birth, than of merit ? I have ever, in- deed, ♦ Lentulus was predecessor (o Appius in the government ofCilicia : as Appius was to Cicero. 44S Tm LETTERS Book V. Book v.* . tf^ CICERO. 44» deed, held the founders of illustrious families as truly great : but never could 1 esteem the splendid names they transmitted to their pos- terity, as objects of my admiration. These were my sentiments even before I had myself attained what the world considers as the high- est honours. But now, after having filled the most distinguished posts in the commonwealth with a character that leaves nothing more for my ambition to wish ; though I am far from thinking myself superior to those of your rank, I hoped, however, that I might be deemed their equal. I am persuaded, at least, that I have been alvv ays regarded as such, not only by Len- tulus, to whom I yield the preference to my- self in every respect, but by Pompey likewise, whom I look upon as the greatest man the world has ever produced. But if you differ from them in this opinion, I would recommend the writings of Athenodorus* to your attentive pe- rusal : as they will teach you to form a more just distinction between high birth and true nobility^ But not to deviate farther from the purpose of my letter : I beg you would do me the- jus- tice to believe, not only that I am your friend, but • He was preceptor to Augustus Cxsar. Manut. * See rem. 1. p. 101. of this vol. but that I am most affectionately so ; the truth of which I shall endeavour to evince, by every means in my power. Nevertheless, if you arc disposed to make the world suspect that you have less reason to take my interest under your protection during my absence, than I had to act for yours in the same circumstance, I wil^ linorly spare you the trouble : There wdnt not chiefs in such a cause tofighly And Jove himself shall guard a monarches rights. But, notwithstanding you should give me rea-* son to think that you are of a temper too apt to take offence, you will not, however, extin- guish my desire of exerting my best services ia your behalf; you will only render me less soli* citous in what manner you may receive them. Thus I have^ opened my heart to you with a freedom that results from the conscious since* rity of my friendship towards you ; and whichj as it was founded on dispassionate judgmwi^ I shall preserve just as long as may be agreeable - to your own inclinations. Farewel. LETTER ^ Horn. Pope's translat. These lines are taken from the speech of Agamemnon to Achilles, in the first Iliad, where the latter ilireatens to withdraw his forces from the commva cause. Cicero seems to apply them in particular allusion te his mtereat with Pompey ; who, at this time, was the great idol of his devotion, and the political Joye, ftt whode shmwjw most devoutly bowed, ^ Vol. I. G g !d ikeis arti^ce remain undiscnvsred. They were wil- ** )iqg it should be known how serious their play was, and ^ how elaborate tb^ir freedom and facility, that they might ^ ^y, as the agreeable and polite poet, glancing on himself^ ** Ludentis spcciem dabit et torquebitur/' Shafts, chaiact. 1. 233. sto^s upon his compositions, to suffer any ctiKie and indigested performance to come forth from his hands ; especially upon an occa- sion that would justly expose him to the cen- sure, not only of being guilty of negligence, but of a most ungrateful disrespect Howe- ver, I may find some opportunity, perhaps, of satisfying both you and myself upon this arti- cle. In the mean time, I liope you will en* deavour, in conformity to your promise, that a pubhc thanksgiving, of the most distin- guished kind, be decreed, as soon as possible, on account of my late victories ; and I am per- suaded you will act with that zeal which is agreeable to your sincerity, and to the friend- ship which has long subsisted between us. I was somewhat later in my public dispatches for this purpose, than I wished ; and, as they were delayed likewise by the difficulty of na- vigation at that season, they did not, I suppose, arrive before the senate was prorogued. It was the influence which your advice always has upon my judgment, that induced mc to defer them; and I am satisfied it was perfectly right not to acquaint the senate of my being saluted with the title of Imperafor^ till I had gained still fartlier advantages by my aims, and entirely completed the campaign, I confi- d«\Sly rely, therefore, upon the assistance you hav« 4^2 The letters Book V* have promised me, and recommend to your protection whatever else concerns either my affairs or my family. Farew el. LETTER XIL [A. U. 703.] To Marcus Ccelius. W^ouLD you imagine that I should ever be at a loss for words ! I do not mean of that chosen and elegant kind which are the privi- le^-e of vou celebrated orators, but those of or- dinary and common use. Yet, believe me, I am utterly incapable of expressing the solici- tude 1 feel concerning the resolutions that may be taken in the senate, in regard to the pro- vinces. I am extremely impatient, indeed, to return to my friends at Rome, among which number you are principally in my thoughts. I will confess, hkewise, that I am quite satiated of my government. For, in the first place, I have more reason to apprehend that some re- verse of Fortune may deprive me of the glory I have here acquired, than to expect I shall be able to raise it higher. And, in the next place, I cannot but look upon the whole business of this scene as much inferior to my strength, which is both able and accustomed to support . a fer Book V. OF CICERO. 463 i far more important weight. I will acknow- ledge, too, that I am uneasy in the expectation of a very terrible war^ which is likely to be kindled in this part of the world,. and which I may probably escape, if I should obtain my dismission at the stated time. I do not forget the panthers you desired, and have given my orders to the persons usu- ally employed in hunting them : but these ani- mals are exceedingly scarce with us. They take it so unkind, you must know, that they should be the only creatures in my province for whom any snares are laid, that they have withdrawn themselves from my government, and are marched into Caria. However, the huntsmen, and particularly honest Patischus, are making very diligent enquiry after their haunts ; and all the game they can meet with shall certainly be yours : but what the number will prove is altogether uncertain. Be well as- sured the honour of your iEdileship is much my care, and this day particularly reminds me of it, as it is the festival of the Megalesian games. »., ,||^...,j ,■ «'i.^,|,i I hope ^ With the Parthians. * The Megalesian games were under the conduct of the curule - ■• • • • • t •III** t • . • » » • • ■ I I » • * • » » *, • • • * I • I • • • • • • • • • I ••* • • • • • ! » • • • • * 4 I . • >l I • * * • If • I 1 • ' V J I ^j .;* t i I I. m 1 AN INDEX, Referring to the order in which the Letters of this Volume stand in the Edition of GrcBvius. • « • • • « • « < • :s- « 1 1 *- " Letter I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. Book L Lib, - V. - ▼. - T. - V. - V. - xir. - xiy. - xiv. - xiT. - V. • • - Tll. - 1. • • • - XUl. 1. « 1. - 1. - 1. - 1. 1. - V. - T. Book II. i Letter I. IL IIL IV. V. VI. vn. VIII. — Xlll. — 1. Til. 1. VII. • • • Xlll. - V. - TU. m Ep. 7 I 2 5 6 4 2 1 3 4 26 1 6 2 3 4 6 5 6 12 3 .40 7 8 1 a Book IL IX. X. XI. xn. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIIL Idb. TU. Til. *. - Til. - ■ Tll. - - tH. ■ -Xlll. - • Tll. - • TIU - 1. - XUl. - XUl. - XUl. > Tl. - XUl. - 1. - Book IIL Letter L#r" "• " n. -^ Til. - TIL — iii. - IV. — xiw. - V. — ?ii. - VI. — ii. r VII. — Til. - Vm. — xii. - IX. — Tii. - X. — ii. - XL — Tii. - XII. — ii. - XIIL -- xiii. - XIV. ~ ii. - jiP m \ EjK 6 7 - 8 . 17 - 9 . 60 - 10 - 16 ' 9 - 42 41 49 IS 73 10 - 1 - 11 - 1 - 2 - 12 - 2 - 13 - 20 - 15 - 3 - 18 - 4 - 3 - 6 XV. INDEX Book III. Ub. XV.— vii. . XVI.— T. - XVII.— ii. - XVIIL— ▼. - XIX. — xiii. - XX. — vii. - XXI. — vii. - XXII. — vii. - XXIII.— iii. - XXIV.— iii. - XXV. — viii. - XXVI.— iii. - XXVII.— xiii. - XXVIII.— ii. XXIX. — viii. XXX. — viii. XXXI. — iii. XXXII. — viii. XXXIII. — viii. XXXIV.— viii. XXXV.— XV. XXXVL— XV. XXXVII.— XV. XXXVIII— XV. • , Book IV. L^er I. — XV. - II. — xiii. - III.— « - IV.— XV. - V,-— xiii. - VI.— XV. - VII.— viii. VIII— xiii. 14 17 6 18 75 21 2 22 2 3 1 4 1 8 2 3 5 4 5 9 9 7 8 12 2 53 6 3 50 1 8 61 Book IV. IX.— X.— XL— XII.— XIII.- XIV.- XV.— XVI.— XVII.— XVIIL— XIX.— XX.- Ub. m m 11. XIII. • • • 111. • • • XUl. • • 11. • • • Vlll. • • • XIU. • ■ 11. • « • XIII. • • VII. ■ • « XIII. • • • XIU. Book V. Letter I. — XV. II. XV. III.— XV. IV.— XV. V. — viii. VI.— viii. VIL— iii. VIII.— XV. IX. — ii. X. — XIII. XL — iii. XII.— ii. XIII. — xiii. XIV. — xiii. XV.— ii. XVL— ii. XVIL— xiii. XVIIL— xiii. XIX. — xiii. XX. — xiii. THE ETYD OF THE HEST VOLUME. Ep. - 9 - 62 - S - 63 - 10 - 10 - 64 - 7 - 55 - 32 - 9 - 65 4 5 10 13 6 7 7 14 14 59 9 11 54 57 13 18 58 47 51 76 V ^ ^rioted bjf J. Wright, St. John's Stuart. * X ^t . COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 1010688838 / 8'7CL'3 I CO DEC 8 1936 f nr 1 I 1 1. "■ II S: 'i't \^ U- 'i " -J ' 1 •' ' 4 Colnmbta (Bnttiersitj) LIBRARY il THE LETTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. WITH REMARKS BY WILLIAM MELMOTH, ESQ. IN THREE VOLUMES. -w~ ."Quo fit ut omnis Votiva pateat veluti dcscripta tabella Vita senis. ifof. THE SIXTH EDITION. To which is now added A GENERAL INDEX, VOL. II. LONDONi FRINTED FOR LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO. LONGMAN AND CO, CUTHELL AND MARTIN, VERNOR AND HOOD, CADELL AND DA VIES, DARTON AND HARVEY, J. WALKER, R. LEA, J NUNN, J. ASPERNE, E. BOOKER, W. OTRIDGt AND SON, OGILVy AND SON, AND W. J. *>. AND J. RICHARDSON. 1804. J ( 1 ) I SOClF'T"^* - * LETTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO Printed by J. Wright, St. John's Square. SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. BOOK VI. LETTER L [A.U.703.] ' To ApPIUS PuLCHER. When I first received an account of the ill- judged prosecution which has been commenced against you', it gave me great concern : and, indeed, nothing could possibly have happened that I less expected. But as soon as I had re- covered from my surprise, I was well satisfied that you will easily disappoint the malice of your enemies : for I have the highest confidence in your own judicious conduct on this occa- sion, as well as a very great one in that of your friendSt ■ See rem. 4. p. 437. yoL 1. Vol. IL B Ag28 84 ^0256 s The letters Book VI. friends. I see many reasons, indeed, to be- lieve, that the envy of your adversaries will only brighten that character they mean to sul- ly : though I cannot but regret that they should have thus snatched from you an honour you so justly merit, and of which you had so well- grounded an assurance ; the honour, I mean, of a triumph\ However, you will shew your judgment, if you should consider this pompous distinction in the light it has ever appeared to my own view ; and, at the same time, enjoy a triumph of the completcst kind in the confu- sion and disappointment of your enemies : as I am well convinced that the vigorous and pru- dent exertion of your power and influence will give them abundant reason to repent of their violent proceedings. As for myself, be well assured (and I call every god to witness the sincerity of what I promise) that I will exert my utmost interest in support, I will uot say of your person, which I hope is in no danger, but of your dignities and honour; To this end, I shall employ my best good offices for you in this province, where you once presided : and employ them with all the warmth of an intercessor, with all the assiduity of a relation, with all the in- fluence of a man who, I trust, is dear to these cities, and with all the authority of one who is invested * See rem. 3. p. 371. vol. 1. Book VI. OF CICERO. invested with the supreme command. In a word, I hope you will both ask and expect of me, every service in my power : and believe me, I shall give you greater proofs of my affection than you are disposed, perhaps, to imagine. Notwithstanding therefore that the letter I received from you by the hands of Quintus Servilius was extremely short; yet I could not but think it much too long : for it was doing an injury to the sentiments of my heart, to suppose you had any occasion to solicit my assistance. I am sorry you should have an opportunity of experiencing, by an incident so little agreeable to yoii, the rank you bear in my affection, the esteem which I entertain for Pom- pey, whom I justly value indeed above all men, and the measure of my unfeigned regard for Brutus: circumstances, I«should hope, of which our daily intercourse had rendered you suffici- ently sensible. However, since it has so happen- ed, I should think that I acted a most unworthy, not to say a criminal part, if I were to omit any article wherein my services can avail you. Pontinius remembers the singular instances of friendship he has received from you, and of which I myself was a witness', with all the gratitude and ' Pontinius was praetor in the consulate of Cicero, and at t^is time one of his lieutenants in the province. He distin- guished himself in the affair of Caiiline : and having quelled the insurrection of the Allobroges, who took up arms on that occasion, he demanded a triumph. But he met with so B 2 strong The letters Book Vt Book VI. of CICERO. and affection to which you have so undoubted a right. The urgency of his affairs had oblig* ed him, though with great reluctance, to leave me. Nevertheless, having been informed just as he was going to embark at Ephesus, that his presence in this province might be of advan- tage to your caused he immediately returned back to Laodicea. I am persuaded you will meet with numberless such instances of zeal upon this occasion : can I doubt then that this troublesome affair w ill prove, in the con- clusion, greatly to your credit ? If vou should be able to brins: on an election of censors'^, and should exercise that office in the manner you certainly ought, and for w^hich you strong an opposition to thh claim, am! particularly from Cato, that it was four years before his petition was granted. Appius was at that time consul ; by whose interest it chiefly vas, that Pontinius at length succeeded : and it is to this^ circumstance that Cicero set-ms to allude. Liv, Epit. 103. Dio. xl. yld Att. iv. l6\ ♦ Seerem. 6\p. 437.V0I. 1. * The ofl^ce of censor was the most honourable post in the Roman republic; though iis authority was not so consi- derable as thai of the consul. The two principal branches of Ills duty consisted in taking a general survey of the people, in order to range them in their proper classes ; and in watch- ing over the public manners. Appius, together with Piso, whose daughter Caesar had married, were chosen censors soon after the date of this leiter: and they were the last (as Dr. Middletou observes) ** who bore thai office during the free- •* dom of Che republic." If the republic, indeed, could with any propriety be said to have enjoyed freedom at this period, when all was faction and misrule. Rosin, de Antiq, Rom, 699. Life of Tuily, ii. 210. 8ro. . Fam, ii. 15. 3^ The letters BoQK vr. indulging so injurious a thought : but it is neces- sary I should convince you, that it is altogether without foundation. Tell nie then, wherein did I obstruct the deputation which was intended to be sent to Rome Avith the complimental ad- dresses to you of this province? Had I been your avowed enemy, I could not have indulged my spleen by a more important piece of malice: and most certainly, if I had meant to act with a disguised malevolence, I could not have chosen an occasion that would have rendered my sentiments more notorious. Were I as per- fidious as the authors of these unjust insinua- tions, yet surely I should not have been so weak either to discover my enmity where I designed to conceal it, or to shew a strong inclination of injuring you by instances utterly ineffectual. I remember, indeed, that some complaints were made to me, concerning the excessive appointments allowed to the deputies from this province. In answer to which, I rather advised than directed that all expences of this kind should be regulated by the Cornelian law^ But far was I from insisting even upon this : as may appear by the pubhc re- cords of the several cities. For when they afterwards passed their accounts before me, I suffered ' This law was enacted, it is probable, in order to re- 9(fain the immoderate suras which were expended in these complimental deputations. Manutius. Book Vr. of CICERO. 5 I suffered them to charge to the article of their deputations, whatever sum they thought proper. Yet what falshoods have not these worthless in- formers imposed upon you? They have affirmed, it seems, not only that I absolutely prohibited all expences of this kind, but even obliged the agents of those deputies, who were actually set forward in their way to Rome, to refund the ap- pointments that were lodged in their hands, and by these means discouraged several others from undertaking the same commission. I might here, with great justice, complain of yourgiving credit to these calumnies: but I forbear, as I said be- fore, in tenderness to your present disquietude, thinking it more proper, at this season, to vindi- cate my o\vn conduct than to reproach yours. I will only, therefore, remind youofafew reasons that ought to have secured me against suffering in your opinion from these groundless imputa- tions. If ever then you experienced the probity of my heart, or observed a disposition in me worthy of those sublime contemplations to which I have devoted myself from my earliest youth ; if ever you discovered by my conduct, in the most im- portant transactions, that I was neither void of spirit, nor destitute of abilities, you ought to have believed me incapable of acting a low and little part towards my friends, much more a base and ^treacherous one. But ifartifice be the character 3 after 10 The letters Book VL Book VI. OF CICERO, 11 after all, in which I must needs be represented, could any thing, let me ask, be less consistent with such a temper, than either to slight the friendship of aman of your high rank and credit, or to oppose your glory in an obscure and re- mote province, after having openly supported it in view of the whole world at Rome ? Can any thing have less the appearance of artifice than to discover an impotent malevolence, and betray to very little purpose a strong propensity of doing an injury. But what possible motive could in- duce me to cherish so implacable a spirit toward you, who was far from shewing yourself my ene- my (and I speak it upon the information of my own brother) even at a time when you were al- most under an indispensible obligation of appear- ing so* ? And after our reconciliation had beea effected agreeably to our mutual desires for that purpose, did you once, throughout the whole period of your consulate, make a single request to me in vain? or which of the commands that you left with me when I attended you to Puteo-- te', did I not execute with a zeal and assiduity even • This alludes to the services which Cicero received from Appius io his recal from banishment. **' For Appius (ab Mr. ** Ross observes) was at that lime praetor : and though he, ** at first, supported his brother Clodius, and opposed the re- *' peal of his law, yet he afterwards deserted him, and joined *• with the friends of Cicero." Cic. pro Rom. 33. * A maritime city in Campania, in the kingdom of Naples^ BOW called PozzuoU. When the proconswls set out for their governments, even beyond your expectations ! But were I really the artful man I am represented, and if it * be the characteristic of thaj disposition to act entirely with a view to interest, nothing surely could be more conducive to mine, than the friendship of one, from whose rank and abili- ties, from whose power, family, and alliances, I might hope to derive the highest honours and advantages : considerations, I will own, that rendered me ambitious of your friendship, not from any low unworthy cunning, but from those principlesof prudence which Wisdom will surely justify. But these were not the only considera- tions that attached me to your interest ; I was drawn by others of an higher and more prevail- ing influence with me : by a simihtude of taste and studies, by the pleasing habitudes of familiar intercourse, and by the same common researches into the most concealed and unfrequented paths of philosophy. To these inducements of a pri- vate kind, I may add those of a more popular and public nature. For after having rendered our mutual reconcilement conspicuous to the whole world, I could not even undesignedly act counter to your interest, without incurring a suspicion of my sincerity. Let me mention also those obligations which result from my being associated governments, they were usually escorted by their friends t^ {loine distance from Rome. ii \ IS The letters Book VI, Book VL OF CICERO. 13 f associated with you in the college of augurs : oblisrations which our ancestors esteemed of so sacred a nature, that they not only held it im- pious to violate them, but would not even suffer a candidate to be elected into this society, who was known to be at variance with any of its mem- bers. Butabstractedly from these numerous and powerful motives, there is one, which of itself might be sufficient to evince the disposition ii> M^hich I stand towards you : for tell me, did ever any man possess, or had reason to possess, so high an esteem for another, as that which you know I entertain for the illustrious'°father-in-lawofyour daughter? If personal obligations, indeed, can givehimi a title to these sentiments, do I not owe to Pompey the enjoyment of my country, my fa- mily, my dignities, and evei^ my very self*? If friendship *• Pompey. * Cicero by no means thought himself so much obliged ta Pompey as he here pretends : and all these extravagant pro- fessions were a mere artifice (and a thin one it must be owned) to make Pompey believe that he had forgotten the ill usage he had formerly received from him. Vid. Ad Att, ix. 13. The truth of it is, Cicero had just the same sort of obligation to Pompey for the enjoyments he mentions, as he would have had to a highwayman, who, after having taken his purse„ should have restored it again : for if Pompey had not acted a treacherous and dishonest part in the a^air of Clodius, to which our author here alludes, Cicero would never have beea deprived of his country , his family^ and his dignities. But ijf Pompey restored him to tfiese^ he could noi restore him to himself: for, as the elegant Mongault, in his remarks on tha epistles to Atticus, justly observes, if he rose after his fall, he always appeared, however^ tg be SQmewhat stunped by th^ friendship may be supposed to have any effect, is there an instance amongst all our consulars, of a more intimate union than his and mine ? If con- fidence can create affection, what has he not committed to my care, or communicated to my «ecresy ? Whenever he was absent from Rome, was there any other man whom he preferred to be the advocate of his interest in the senate? And what honour is there which he lias not endeavour* ed to confer upon me, in the most distinguished manner ? In fine, with how much temper did he suffer my zeal in the cause of Milo, no twithstand- ing the latter had upon some occasions joined iu the opposition to his measures ? And how gene- rously did he protect me by his counsel, his autho- rity, and even his arms, from the insults and the dangers to which I exposed myself in that" de- fence? '* If Dion Cassius may be credited in what he relates con- cerning the circumstances which attended Milo's trial, Cicero bad as little reason to acknowledge his obligations to Pompey in the present instance, as in that mentioned in the preceding remark. For Pompey being apprehensive that Miio*s party might attempt some violent measures in order to obstruct the course of justice, surrounded the court with his troops, which so intimidated Cicero, that it utterly disconcerted his elo- quence, and he made a very lanquid defence of his friend. Accordingly the oration which Cicero published, and which is still extant, was not spoken, as Dion assures us, at the trial, but was the after-produce of his more composed thoughts. But whether the historian's assertion is to be corrected by Cicero, or Cicero's to be discredited by the historian, is a point I shall not venture to decide. Though I must in justice add, that Asconius, a much earlier writer than Dion Cassius, and one who was a greater admirer of Cicero, accounts in a dif- ierent manner for the disorder which seized the Roman ora- tor 14 The letters Book VI. I fence? And I cannot but here observe, that far from being disposed, as you have shewn yourself in this affair of the deputies, to listen to the little idle tales that might be propagated to my disad- vantagebyany paltry provincial,he noblyscorned to give attention to themahcious reports, which were dealtabouttomy prejudice by themost con- siderable persons in Rome'*. Upon the whole then, as you are united, not only by alliance, but by affection, to my illustrious friend, what are thesentiments, do you imagine, that I ought to bear towards you ? The truth of it is, were I your professed enemy, as I am most sincerely the reverse, yet after the letter which I lately received fromPompey, I should think myself obliged to sacrifice my resentment to his request, and be wholly governed by the inclinations of a man to whom I am thus greatly indebted. But I have said enough, and perhaps more than was necessa- ry, upon this subject : let me now therefore give you a detail both of what I have effected, and am still attempting for your interest''. ♦ * ♦ This tor upon this occasion. For he ascribes it to the clamours with which he was insulted by the party against Milo, when lie rose up to speak in his defence. Dion, xl. p, 145, 146» Aifon. argument, in Milan, '* Milo was suspected, or at least his adversaries pretended to suspect him, of having a design against Pompey's life: and perhaps Cicero's enemies endeavoured to persuade Pompey, that our author was privy to that design. Orat, proMiion, 24. '^ The particular instances of Cicero's services to Appius art Book VI. OF CICERO. \S This, my friend, is what I have performed, or am endeavouring to perform, in support of your character, I will rather say, than in defence of your person. But I expect every day to hear that you are,chosen censor : thedutiesof which office, as they require the highest fortitude and abilities to execute, so, I am sure, they far better deserve your attention than any services I am capable of rendering to you in this province. FareweL * LETTER 11. [A. u. ro3.] To PaPIRIUS P.ETUS'. 1 ou R le|;ter has rendered me a most complete general. I protest I did not imagine you were so wonderfully skilled in the art military. But I perceive you are an absolute adept, and deep- ly studied in the tactics of king Pyrrhus* and his minister Cineas. I have some thoughts, therefore^ are omitted in the original : and, probably, were so by the first editor of these letters, as not being thought proper, perhaps, for public inspection. ' Lucius Papirius Psetus appears to have been a person of great wit and humour, and in close friendship with Cice- ro. ** He was an Epicurean : and in pursuance of the plan ** of life recommended by the principles of that sect, seems ** to have sacrificed his ambition to his ease. He had sent ** som« military instructions by way of raillery to Cicero : '* who returns an answer to this- letter in the same jocose ** manner." Mr. Ross, * Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, who flourished about 300 years before the date of this letter, was esteemed by the an- cients, as one of the greatest soldiers that ever appeared in the world. His whole thoughts and application were turned to 16 The letters Book VL lit therefore, of following your most curious pre- cepts : and, indeed, of improving upon them. For as I am assured that the best armament against the Parthian cavalry is a good fleet, I am designing to equip myself accordingly. Se- liously, you cannot imagine >vhat an expert commander you have undertaken to tutor: for after having worn out Xenophon's life of Cyrus, with reading it at Rome, I have now fairly practised it out in the province. — But I hope soon to joke with you in person. In the mean time, attend with submission due to my high behests. You are not ignorant, I suppose, of the particular intimacy that subsists between Marcus Fabius and mvself. I value him, in- deed, extremely, not only for the singular inte* grity and modesty of his heart, but as he is a most excellent second to me in those contests wherein I am sometimes engaged with certain jovial Epicurean companions of yours. He late- ly joined meat Laodicea; where I am very desirous of detaining him : but he received an unexpected letter, which has given him great uneasiness. The purport of it is, that his bro- ther has advertised his intentions of selling an estate to the art of war : upon which subject he published some treatises, that were extant in Plutarch's time. Cineas was one of the generals who commanded under this heroic prince ; and who, as it should bcem from this passage, had likewise distinguished himself by bis military writings. PitU. in vit^ Pj/rrhi, Book VI. OF CICERO. 17 i estate atHerculaneum^ in which they are both equally interested. This news exceedingly alarms my friend, and as his brother's under- standing is not extremely strong, he is inchned to think he has been instigated by some of their common enemies, to take this very extraordi- nary measure. Let me then entreat you, my dear Paetus, if you have any friendship for me, to ease Fabius of the trouble of this affair, by receiving the whole burthen of it upon your- self We shall have occasion for your autho- rity, your advice, and your interest; and I hope you will exert them all, in order to pre- vent these two brothers from the disgrace of appearing as adversaries in a court of justice. I must not forget to tell you, that the persons whom Fabius suspects to be the maUcious au- thors of this advice to his brother, are Mato and Pollio. To say all in one word, I shall think myself inexpressibly obliged, if you ease my friend of this troublesome affair ; a favour, he persuades me, entirely in your power. Fare- wel. LETTER ' The famous city near Naples, which was swallowed up by an earthquake in the reign of Vespasian ; and which is now furnishing the literary world with so many invaluable treasures of anticjuiry. Vol. II. '1 IS The letters LETTER IlL Book VI. Book VL oi^ CICERO. 1!^ [A. U. 703.] To CcELics Caldus*, Quaestor elect When 1 received the very acceptable news of your being elected my qusestor, I was well per- suaded, that the longer you continued with me in this province, the more I should have occa- sion to be satisfied with that choice. It is of importance to the public relation, which has thus arisen between us, that it should be im- proved by a nearer intercourse. But, having received no account either from yourself or any other of my friends, of your being set forward on your way hither, I began to be apprehen- sive (what I still fear) that I should leave this province before your arrival. I was favoured, 'tis true, with a most obliging and polite letter from you, on the 22d of June, whilst I was encamped in Cilicia ; and it afforded me a very pleasing ♦ He was a young man of a noble family, and this seems to have been the whole of his merit. For, notwithstanding Cicero addrest^es him in this leCter, as one of whose talents and virtues he had conceived a favourable opinion, it is cer- tain his real sentiments of him were far dift'ercnt. This ap- pears from an epistle to Atticus, where both fhe morals and understanding of Caldus are mentioned in terms greatly to his disadvantage. Nos proiincict prteficimus Ccclium : puerum w- gvieSy ^ fort asie fat uuMy 4* w^wi gravem^ Sr non contifientem, Assentior : Jieri non potuit aliter. Ad Alt. vi; 6. See tb« 13th letter ef this book. 1 pleasing instance both of your abilities and friendly disposition; But it was without any date, nor did it mention when I might expect you. The person, likewise, that delivered it, not having received it iitimediately from your own hands, could give me no informatioa either when, or from what plac^ it was written. Nevertheless, I thought proper to dispatch my couriers and lictors with thiis express ; arid if it' teaches you time etiougli, you will gteatly' oblige m^ by meeting itt€ in Ciliicia as soon as" possible. The strong letters I received iti ybiir behalf^ from your relations, Curius and Virgiliu^, had all the influence which is due to the^ recommen- dations of such very intiriiate and very wortliy friends ; but your own letter had still a greater. Believe me, there is no liian whoni I should* have rather wished for my qusestor; andlshalt endeavour to shew tTie world^ by distidguish- i'ng you with every honour in my power, tliat I pay all the regard which is so justly due to your ovvn personal merit, as well as to that of* your illustrious ancestors. But this I shall tlie more easily be enabled to effect, if you should meet me in Cilicia ; a circumstance in which not only the public interest and mine, but par- ticularly your own, is, I think, nearly cou- cerried. Farewel. C2 LETTER 20 The letters Book VI. Book VI. OF CICERO. 21 s . LETTER IV. [A. U. 703.] To Marcus Ca:Lius, Curule-iEdile* 1am extremely anxious concerning affairs at Rome, as I hear there have been great distur- bances in the general assemblies of the people^, and that the festival of Minerva^ was celebrated in a most riotous manner. But my intelligence goes no lower than that period, and I am alto- gether uninformed of any thing which has since passed. Yet nothing mortifies me more than being prevented the pleasure of laughing with you at several ridiculous incidents which attended, I am told, these public tumults; but they are of such a delicate nature, that I dare not mention them in a letter. 1 am a good deal uneasy, likewise, at not having received any ac- count of these commotions from yourself. For which reason, notwithstanding I shall be set out for Italy before this reaches your hand, yet I hope ' Manutius conjectures that this alludes to the distur- bances which some of the tribunes occasioned at Rome, in opposing the attempts of the Pompcian party to divest Csesar of his government in Gaul. At the head of these tribunes, Curio, who had lately changed sides, now chose to distin- guish himself. Vid, AdAtt, vi. 2. ^ This festival was celebrated on the 19th of March, and continued five days. I hope I shall meet a letter from you upon the road, that I may not arrive an utter stranger to the state of public affairs ; as I am sure no man is more capable of instructing me concern- ing them than yourself. Your agent, the worthy Diogenes, together with your freed-man Philo', parted from me at Pessinus^, in order to proceed on their journey to the king of ^ Galatia; though, with little hopes of succeeding at a court neither very able nor very willing to comply with the purposes of their embassy. Rome, my friend, Rome alone, is the object that merits your attention ; and may you ever live within the splendour of that illustrious scene ! All foreign employments (and it was my sentiments from my first entrance into the world) are below the ambition of those who have talents to distinguish themselves on that more conspicuous theatre. And would to God, as I was ever well convinced of this truth, that I had always acted accordingly ! Be assured the pleasure of a single walk with you, would / afford ^Ccelius mentions these persons in a former letter, as be- ing employed by him to execute some commission in this part of the world ; but the nature of the business with which they were charged, docs not appear. Vid. Ep, Fam, viii. 8, "> A city in Phrygia, within the jurisdiction of Qicero's government, ' Deioiarus. C3 \^. 32 Thi: LETTEHS Book VL Book VI. OF CICERO. 23 j afford me more 8atis(fa<;Uon than all the advan- %2kge& I can derive from my government. I hope, indeed, I shall receive the appkuse of having conducted myself, throughout my ad- ministration, with an untainted integrity; bovvever, I should have merited as much ho- nour by refusing the government of this pro- vince, as by having thus preserved it from the bands of our enemies. " But where then,*^ you ;i¥Ul ask, perhaps, " bad been the hopes ''of a triumph?" Believe me, 1 should have deemed that loss well compensated, by escap- ing so long and so tedious a separation from all that I hold most valuable, But I hope I shall now soon be with you. In the mean time^ let me meet a letter from you, worthy of your political penetiation'. FareweL LETTER • In the original it is only sftid, mihi tniite epistolas U liignas. But it seems evident vhat Cicero had in his thoughts, by a passage a litile higher in this letter : obvm mihi leltm sint litierx tua, qiujs me trudiaut de omni repMica, And our author frequently speaks of Ccelius as one of that sort of discerning poliiiciaas, who, in the language of Shakes- ptjare, can look into the seeds of time^ And saif which grain will growy and which m^ not, Macbeth, LETTER V. [A. u. ro8,] ToAppius Pulcher. Whilst I lay encamped on the banks of the Pyramus', I received two letters from you, and both at the same time, which Quintus Servilius forwarded to me from Tarsus. One of them was dated on the 5th of April, but the other, which seemed to have been written later, was without any date. I will answer the former, therefore, in the first place, wherein you give me an account of your having been acquitted of the impeachment exhibited against you for maUadministration in this province. I had before been apprised of many circumstances of this event by various letters and expresses, as well as by general report; as, indeed, there never was any occurrence more particularly known. Not that it was in the least unexpect- ed, but because the world is usually very mi- nute in its accounts of all that concerns the ho- nour of so distinguished a character. But, notwithstanding your letter was thus in some measure anticipated, yet it heightened my sa- tisfaction to receive the same good news from your own hand. My information was by this means not only more full than what I had kamt * A river in Cilicia.. C4 S4 The letters Book VI. Book Vt OF cicERO; S5 •I f learnt from common fame, but it brought you nearer to my imagination, and rendered you in some sort present to those sentiments of joy which arose upon this occasion in my heart. Accordingly, I embraced you in my thoughts, and kissed the letter that gave me so much reason to rejoice, upon my own account, as well as upon yours. I say upon my own ac- count, because I look upon those honours which are thus paid by the general voice of my coun- try, to virtue, industry, and genius, as paid to myself; being too much disposed, perhaps, to imagine that these are qualities to which my own character is no stranger. But though I am by no means surprised that this trial should have ended so much to your credit, yet I can- not forbear being astonished at that mean and unworthy spirit which induced your enemies* to engage in this prosecution. But you will tell me, perhaps, that I am premature in my congratulations; for, while there is a charge still subsisting against you, what imports it, you will possibly ask, of which impeachment you are first acquitted ? And I must confess it is a point of no con- eequence with respect to your character ; for you » It may b« unnecessary, perhaps, to remind the reader that this al.uHes to Dolabella, whose fiiendhhip and alliance Cicero was at ihis time courting. vou are not only perfectly innocent of both ac- cusations, but are so far from having commit*- ted any action injurious to the honour of the republic, that you have greatly contributed to raise and extend its glory\ However, there is this advantage gained by your present victory, that the principal difficulty of the whole con- test is now over. For, by the terms in which Sylla's law is drawn up, concerning offences against the state, and upon which your first prosecution was founded, it is easy for any man to give a colour to the most groundless charge. Whereas an information of bribery turns upon a fact in its own nature notorious, as lib man can be guilty of this crime, unobserved by the pub- lic ; ' Cicero himself will furnish the most proper comment upon this passage. For, in a letter to Atticus, written not many months before the present, he describes the conduct of Appius, in Cilicia, in terms which shew that he was far from being unjustly arraigned by Dolabella. He represents him as having spread desolation through the province by fire and sword ; as having left nothing behind him which he could possibly carry away, and as having suffered hi$ officers to commit all kinds of violences which lust and avarice could suggest : *' And I am going," says he, ** this very ** morning, to repeal several of his iniquitous edicts." Ap- pius, cum 6$ a^ai^effs^j- provinciam curarit, sanguinem mist' rity quidquid potuit detraxerii, mihi tradiderit eiiectam, SfC, -^ Quid dicam de illius protfectis, comitibus^ legatis ? etiam de ra- pinisy de libidinibus, de contumeliis /— Eo ipsedk, quo hcec ante lucem scribebam, cogitabam ejus multa inique constituta S^ acta iollere. It is pleasant to observe, upon some occasions, the different colours. in which the same character is painted by different hands : but one has not so frequently the opportu- nity of hearing the same conduct thus ahubed and thus ap^ plauded by the same man, and almost; too, in the same breath. Ad Att, vi* 1« I «s The letters Book VL lie ; and consequently either the prosecutor, or the person accused, must evidently, and beyond aU power of artifice, appear infamous. But whoever entertained even the shghte&t suspi- cions of your having obtained the high digni- ties through which you have passed, by illegal methods ? How do I regret that I could not he present at tliese prosecutions, that I might have exposed them to all the ridicule they so justly deserve ! You mentioned t\v o circumstances which at- ^nded your trial, that afforded me particular satisfaction. The one is, that general zeal which was expressed by the whole republic in your behalf: the other, that generous and friendly part which both Pompey and Brutus have act- ed towards you in this conjuncture. With re- gard to the first, it would undoubtedly have been the interest of the commonwealth, even in the most flourishing periods of heroic virtue, to have distinguished a citizen of your exalted merit ; but it is more especially so in the pre- sent age, when there are so few of the same pa- triot character, to whom she can look up for protection. And as to the latter, I sincerely rejoice that your two relations, and my very particular friends, have thus warmly and zea- lously exerted themselves in your cause. The truth of it is, I look upon Pompey as the most considerable m Book VI. of CICERO. 87 considerable man that any age or nation has ever produced"^ : and Brutus, I am persuaded, will soon rise to the same honourable pre-emi- nence . above his fellow citizens in general, which now distinguishes him among our youth in particular. With regard to those witnesses who were suborned to give evidence against you, it shall be ♦ In the last remark I took occasion to contrast Cfcer* with himself, in respect to his sentiments and bis professions of Appius. The present passage affords an opportunity oC shewing him in the same opposition with regard to Pompty. The author> then, of this encomium, has elsewhere said o£ the hero of his present penegyric, that " he was artful and ** ungenteel in his common intercourse ; and as to his poli- " tical conduct, that was altogether void of every thing great ** or disinterested, and utterly unworthy of a man who meant ** well to the liberty of his country/' Nihil comcy nihil sim* plex, nihil ev roif dkirtnois honestum, nihil illustre, nihil fortCf nViil liherum. This character, 'tis true, wasdrawn several years before the date of the present letter ; and different sentiments of the same man, at different times, are perfectly reconcile- able, no doubt, with truth and sincerity. But there is ex- tant a letter to Atticus, written after this to Appius, and at the distance too of not many months, wherein Cicero ex- presses the same contemptible opinion of Pompey. Ego ho^ minem azjoKiTMoratrov (says he) omnium jam ante cognorum, nunc vero etiam a.'i^xTrf/ixMrarty*, And in another still more recent letter to Atticus, he asserts, that Pompey's political conduct had been full of mistakes during the last ten years : Ut enim alia decern annorum peccata omittam, &c. The truth of it is, Cicero seldom continues long in the same sentiments^ or at least the same language of Pompey ; and if he raises a trophy to his fame in one letter, we may be almost sure of see- ing it reversed in another. If our author's judgment and penetration were less unquestionable, these variations from himself might be imputed to a more favourable cause than can now, perhaps, be reasonably assigned. Jid Att, i. 1% \iii. 16. vii. 13. > £8 The letters Book VI. * be my care, when I pass through Asia, (if Flaccus has not already prevented me) to bring them to condign punishment. And now let me turn to your second letter. 1 iTceived great pleasure from the judicious sketch you communicated to me of public af- fairs. It appears that the dangers of the com- monwealth are much less considerable, as weH as her resources much more powerful, than I imagined, since the principal strength of Rome is united (as you inform me) under Pompey. It afforded me much satisfaction, at the same time, to remark that spirit of patri- otism which animates vour letter: and I am infinitely obliged to you, likewise, that you should suspend your own more important oc- cupations, in order to teach me what judg- ment to form of our political situation. As to your treatise upon augury*, I beg you would reserve it to a season when we shall both of u» be more disengaged. When I reminded you of that design, I imagined you were who+Iy unemployed, and waiting in the suburbs of Home the determination of your petitiom. Bflt 'I shall now expect your orations*^ in its stead ; ^ See vol. !. p. 279. 1. I. & note 1. k p. 450. 1. 1. * For a triumph. Appius.niamtamed some rank in the republic tor, and was weJl skilled likewise in the laws awl an as ao ora- ntiquities oi Lis Book VL OF CICERO. 29 stead ; and hope, agreeably to your promise, that you will send me such of those perform- ances as have received your last hand. TuUus, whom you charged, it seems, with a commission to me, is not yet arrived ; nor have I any other of your friends with me, except those of my own train; every one of whom I" may with strict propriety call yours. u; I do not well know what particular letters you mean by those which you call my angry ones. I have written twice, 'tis true, in order fully to justify myself against your suspicions, as well as tenderly to reprove you, for too has- tily crediting reports to my disadvantage : and I thought I acted in this agreeably to the strictest friendship : but since you seem to be displeased with what I said, I shall not take the same liberty for the future. However, if * these letters were not, as you tell me, marked with my usual vein of eloquence, I desire you would consider them as none of mine. For, at i* Aristarchus^ insisted that every verse in Homer his country. The orations which Cicero enquires after Tfere- probably those which Appiiis spoke in defence of himself on these trials. Be Clar, Orat. Spf. "^ A celebrated critic, who flourished at Alexandria \7^ years before Christ. He is said to have left two sons be* bind him, both of them fools ; but they will not, perhaps, be thought to have degenerated very greatly from their fa* ther, if what is reported of him be true, that he wrote above a thousand commentaries upon different authors. Miar si iam multa supcrvacua legisset f 4' sa The letters Book Vt Book VI. <)f CICERO. 31 was spurious, which he did not approve, I de- sire you would in the same manner look upon every line which you think unrhetorical, as not the produce of my pen. You see I am in a humour to be jocose. Farewel : and if you are (as I sincerely hope) in the possession of the censorial office, reflect often on the virtues of your illustrious ancestor*. LETTER VL [A. U. 703.] From Marcus Ccelius. \Ve met with a difficulty that greatly embar- rassed our schemes for procuring you a thanks- giving; but a difficulty, however, which we w ere not long in surmounting. For Curio, not* withstanding he is much in your interest, de- clared that, as all his attempts for convening a general assembly of the people had been ob- structed'', he would by no means suffer the se- nate • The commentators suppose that Cicero alludes to Ap^ pius Claudius Coecus, who was censor in the year of Rome 442. He distinguished himself in his office by two works of great utility to the public ; for he made that famous road called the Via Appia, part of which subsists to this day ; and was the first, likewise, that supplied the city of Rome with water, by conveying the river Anio through an aque- duct of eleven miles in length. Lip. ix. 29. ' Paulus, one of the present consuls, not having yet sa- crificed his integrity to his interest, very warmly opposed the attempts of Curio, who was endeavouring to procure certain laws from the people in favour of Caesar's present de- signs. Curio, in revenge, would not suffer any business to proceed nate to pass any decree of tke kind in question. If he were to depart, he said, from this resolu- tion, it would look like giving up the advah* tages he had gained by the indiscreet zeal o€ the consul Paulus, and heshouldbs considcredr as deserting tlie cause of the public. In order, therefore, effectually to remove this objection, we entered into an agreement with him, that if he would suffer the decree for your thanksgiv- ing to pass, no other thanksgiving should be proclaimed during the remainder of this year, to which the consuls likewise consented. Your ac- knowledgments are accordingly due to them both, but particularly to. Paulus; for he caine wholly and readily into our proposal, in tJie most obliging manner; whereas Marcellus some- what lessened the merit of his compliance, by telling us, that '' the affair of these thanksgiv- ** ings was an article upon whicli he laid no sort " of stress." After havingthus adjusted matters with Curio, we were infonned that Hirrus in- tended to defeat our measures, by lengthening out the debates', when the question should come proceed in the senate ; a power with which he was invested as tribune of the people. ' A very singular custom prevailed in the Roman senate, with regard to their method of debating ; for when a senator was required to deliver his sentiments on the point in ques- tion, he was at liberty to harangue on any other subject as long as he thought proper. This method was frequently employed to postpone a decree by those of an opposite party, when they found the majority was likely to be against ihem. 32 The letters Book VL come before the senate. Our next business, therefore, was to make our applications on that side ; which we so successfully did, that we not only prevailed with him to drop this design, but when the question was moved concerning the number of the enemies forces, and he might easily have prevented the decree, by requiring a list of the slain*, he sat entirely silent. In- deed the single opposition he gave to us, was by voting with Cato ; who, though he would not assent to this motion, spoke of your con- duct, however, in very honourable terms. I must not forget to mention Favonius, likewise, as a third in this party. You will distribute your thanks, therefore, as they are respectively due^ — to the three last, for not preventing this decree, when it was both in their inclination and their power to have done so ; and to Cu-> rio, .for making an exception in your favour to the general rule he had laid down to himself. Fumius and Lentulus laboured in this affair, as they ought, with as much zeal as if it had been their own, and went about with me in all my applications to solicit votes. It is but jus- tice to Balbus Cornelius', to name him too in the ' The number of slain necessary to entitle a general to the honour of a triumph, was 5000 ; but, as a public thanks- giving was a distinction of an inferior nature, perhaps a less number might be suflicient. Val. Max, ii. 8. ' I have already had occasion to observe, that Balbus acted r: Book VI. OF CICERO. 33 the catalogue of your active friends. He ex- erted himself, in truth, with great spirit in gaining over Curio : to whom he warmly re- monstrated, that if he continued to obstruct the senate in this article, it would affect the inte- rest of Caesar*, and consequently render his own sincerity suspicious^ Among those who voted in your favour, there were some that, in their hearts, nevertheless, were by no means well- wishers to the decree. In this number were the Domitii and the Scipios : in allusion to which. Curio made them a very smart reply, when they affected to be extremely importunate with him to withdraw his protest. ** I am the more in- *' clined, said he, to do so, as I am sure it would ** be a terrible disappointment to some who " have voted on the other side." As to political affairs, the efforts of all parties are at present directed to a single point ; and the general contest still is in relation to the pro- vinces. Pompey seems to unite in earnest with the senate, that the 13th^ of November may be limited acted as a kind of superinteadant of Caesar's political afiaim at Rome. ♦ As Cicero's popular talents could not but render him of service to any party he should espouse ; he was at this time courted both by Pompey and Caesar. 5 That is, with respect to Caesar : in whose interest Cu* rio had lately declared himself. * The commencement of Cssar's government in Gaul cannot be dated bioher than the year of Rope 695 ; for it is Vol. II. D unanimously r 94 Th» letters Book VL ^ limited for Caesar's resigning his government Curio, on the contrary, is determined to oppose this lo the utmost : and accordingly has relin- quished all his other schemes, in order to apply his whole strength to the affair in question. As to our party ^, you well know their irresolution : aj^d, consecjuently, will readily believe me when J tell you, they have not the spirit to push thgir opposition to the last extremity. The whole mystery of the scene, in short, is this : Pompey, unanimously agreed by all ihe aocient historians, tbathewas consul ill the year by*. This government was at first granted to him for five years, and afterwards enlarged for five more. Agreeably to this computation, therefore, the legal period of his administration could not expire till the year 705; yet •Cicero, in a letter to Atticus, written in the very beginning of the year 704, speaks of it as absolutely completed. Cassar, on the contrary, in the harangue which he made to his ar- my, just before his march into Italy, in th« commencement of the same year, expressly says, that they had served under him nine years : and it appears, by what he mentions soon af- terwards, that there wanted six months to complete his de- cennial period when he was recalled from his government. The historians, likewise, are neither agreed with themselves, 7)or with each other, in their account of the continuance of Cesar's administration in Gaul. For Suetonius in one place taltiit nine years, and in another ten : whereas, Dion Cassi- ua expressly says it was but eight. As the decision of this difficulty would prove very little entertaining to the genera- lity of English readers, it is only marked out for the consider- ation of those, who may think the solution worth their inqui- ry. Vid, Ad Att. vii. 9. Cats. Bel, CiviL i. 7. 9. Suet, in Jul. 25. 69, Dio. xliv. p. 0^3. ' This party was what they called the opiimates, and which, in modern language, might be termed the ** country parly." They wanted not only spirit, but- unanimity, to act to any effectual purpose : noti cnim bani, ut putanty consenti" wu, says Cicero, in a letter lo Atticus, vii. 5. Book VL Of CICERO. 35 Pompey, that he may not seem to oppose Ca- ¥dl^, or to aim at any thing but what the latter shall think perfectly equitable, represents Cnrio as acting in this affair merely upbn his own aiu thority, and with no other view than to create disturbances. It is certain, at the same tfmi^ that Pompey is much averse to Caesar's being elected consul, before he shdl have delivered up his government, together with the command of the army : and, indeed, he seems to be ex- tremely apprehensive of the consequences, if it should prove otherwise. In the mean while, lie is severely attacked by Curio : who is perpetually reproaching him with deviatingfrom the princi- ples upon which he acted in his second consul- ship. Take my word for it, notwithstanding al J the difficulties they may throw in Curio's way> Caesar will never want a friend to rise up in his cause : and if the whole tnrns, as they seem to fear, upon his procuring some tribune to inter- pose his negative to their decrees, 1 will ven- ture to pronounce that he may remain in Gaul as long as he shall think proper. You will find the several opinions of the sena- tors in relation to this affair, in the newspaper which I herewith send to you, 1 leave you to select such articles as you may think worthy of notice: for though I have omitted all the idle D 2 stories 36 The letters Book VI. k stories of such a man being hissed^ at the public games, of another being buried with great fu- neral pomp, together with various impertinen- cies of the same uninteresting kind ; it still a- bounds with many paragraphs of little moment. However, I chose to err on the right side: and had rather hazard informing you of what you may not, perhaps, desire to hear, than pass over any thing material. I am glad to find that your care has not been wanting to procure me satisfaction from Sitti- us : and since you suspect that affair is not iu very safe hands, I entreat you to take it alto- eether into your own. Farewel. LETTER ' It was usual with the populace, vrhom any person, who had incurred their displeasure, entered the places of public cntertainmeiits, to express their resentments by a general hiss. An instance of this kind which happened with regard to the celebrated Hortensius, is mentioned in the 29th letter of the third book. Vol. 1. p. 294. RooK VL OF CICERO. tr LETTER VIL [A. U. 703.] To Caninius Sallustius', Proqusestor. 1 OUR courier delivered both your letters to me at Taurus, on the 17th of July : which I will answer, as you seem to desire, according to their respective dates. I have heard no news of my successor, and, indeed, I am inclined to beheve, that none will be appointed. Nevertheless, I see no occasion for my continuance in this province after the expiration of my year*: especially now that all our fears are over with respect to the Parthi- ans. I do not propose to stay at any place in my return ; though, perhaps, I may visit Rhodes, in order to shew that city to my son and nephew^ : but of this I am not yet deter- mined. ' Nothing more is known of this person than what may be collected from the present letter: by which it appears that he was quatstor to Bibulus in Syria. * That period was now within a few days of expiring; for the letter before us could not have been written sooner than the 17th of July, and Cicero's administration ended on the last day of the same month ; computing it from the time he entered his province. Vid, Ep, Fam. xv. 2. ' " The island of Rhodes is situated in the Mediterra- ** nean. not far from the coast of Lycia and Caria. It had " a city of the same name, which was at this time much ce- ** lebrated and resorted to, on account of its schools of el o- " quence and philosophy. Cicero himself, in the course of his ** travels, resided some time here, and applied himself to the ** study of oratory under the direction of Molo : who was •* both an experienced pleader and fine writer." Mr» iios$, D3 S9 The letters Book VL mined. The truth is, I am desirdus of reach- ix\^ Rome as soon as possible : however, I shall regulate my journey according to the posture of public affairs. But I am afraid it will be impossible for your successor to be so expedi- tious, as to give you an opportunity of joining me in Asia. As to what you mention concerning your ac- counts, it may save you, I confess, some trouble, to make use of the dispensation which Bibulus^ it seems, is willing to grant. But I think you can scarce neglect delivering them in, without violating the Julian law*: and though Bibulus may have his particular reasons* for not paying obedience to that ordinance, I cannot but strongly advise your observing its injunctions. I find you agree with some others of my friends, in thinking that I ought not to have ' drawn the troops out of Apamea : and I am sorry * Julius Cxsar procured a law in his first consulate, by irbich it was enacted that ihc several magistrates in the pro- truces should deposite a copy of their respective accounts in the two principal cities of their governmenr. Figh. Annate i. 352. 5 Bibulus, in the year of Rome 6^4, was elected joint consul wiih Casar, by whom he was treated with great eontempl and indignity for endeavouring to withstand the ▼iolent measures of his administration. [See rem. 10. p. l63. vol. 1.] It is probable, therefore, that Bibulus, in wsentment of these injuries, refused to acknowledge the validity of the law mentioned in the preceding note: as not having been passed, perhaps, with all the necessary foi» malitiec. Book VI- dF CICERO. sorry I should have giv«i occasion, by that step, to the malicious censures of my enemies. But you are singular in doubting whether the Parthians had at that time actually repassed the Euphrates, It was in fuH confidence of a fact so universally confirmed, that I evacuated the several garrisons of those brave and nnme* rous troops with which I had filled them. It is by no means reasonable that I should transmit my quasstor's accounts to you : noi^ indeed, are they yet settled. I intend, how- ever, to deposite a copy of them at Apamea. In answer to what you mention concerning the booty we took from the Parthians in t^f^iswar^ let me assure you, that no man shall toucn any part of it, except the city qusestars <^]i behalf ,,of the public. I purpose to leave the money at Laodicea which shall arise from the sale of ..those spoils, and to take security for its being ^r paid in Rome : in order to avoid the hazard both to myself and the commonwealth of con-^ veying it in specie. As ta your reqtiest con- cerning the 100,000 drachmas*; it is not in my power to comply with it. For the chests of money taken in war, fall under the direction of the prsefects, in the same manner as all i qitk^r plunder : and the particular share that be- longs * About 30001. of OUT money.. D 4 I m The letters Book VI. Book VL OF CICERO. 4f longs to myself, is in the hands of the quaestor; In return to your question, what my thoughts are concerning the legions, which liave received orders to march into Syria, I always doubted of their arrival. But I am now fully persuaded, if it should be known at Rome that every thing is quiet ^in your province, before those forces enter Syria, that they will certainly be counter- manded. And as the senate has appointed your successor, Marius, to conduct those troops, I imagine it will be a considerable time before you see him. Thus far in reply to your first letter : I am now to take notice of your second. I want no inclination to recommend you, as you desire, in the strongest manner to Bibulus. But I must take this opportunity of chiding you a little, for having never acquainted me of the ill, though unmerited terms on which I stand with him^ You are, indeed, the only one of my friends among his officers, who omitted to inform me, that when the city of Antiochia was in a ge- neral consternation from the late invasion of the i Parthians ^ Notwithstanding Cicero represents the disgust which Bibulus had conceived agkinst him, to have been altogether ivithoit foundation ; yet, (as Manutius justly observes upon this passage) he had great reason to be offended : for Cicero Iiad been a principal promoter of those excessive honours which had been paid to Caesar. See note 5 above. Parthians, and their great hopes depended lipoit me and my army, that Bibulus often declared, he would suffer the last extremity rather than be obliged to my assistance. However, I was not offended at your silence, as I imputed it to that' particular and powerful connexion in which- you stood related to him as his quaestor, though- I was not ignorant, at the same time, of the manner in which he treated you. But his un- fiiendly disposition appeared likewise in another instance: for though he'dispatched a courier to Thermus with an account of the irruption of the Parthians, he did not think proper to communi-^ cate any intelligence of that kind to me ; not- withstanding he well knew that I was particu- larly concerned in the consequence of that in* vasions. The single letter I received from him, was to desire my interest when his son was so^ liciting the office of augur : to which, in com- pliance with those sentiments I ever bore'to- Avards him, and in tenderness to the affliction under which he then laboured^, I endeavoured to return him the most civil and friendly answer I was ■ Cicero's province being contiguous to that of Syria. . ^T^'^ ^^ his sons had lately been murdered at Alexan- dHa by some Roman soldiers. Seneca mentions the beha- viour of Bibulus, upon this occasion, as an example of philo- sophical magnanimity ; for the very next day after be had received this afflicting news, he had the resolution to appear in the public exercise of his proconsular ofHce. Fal. Max. iv. I, Senec. consul, ad marc, 14. i 4* The letters Book VI. Book VI. OF CICERO. m ' ! 1 iras capable. If this behaviour proceeded from a general moroseness of temper (which I confess, I never took to be his disppsition) I have the less reason to complain : but if it arose from any particular coolness to myself, my re- commendations can. nothing avail you. I am inclined to suspect the latter, from the whole tenor. of his conduct towards me. For in hi& late dispatches to the senate, he is pleased ta usurp the entire credit of an affair, in which I was jointly concerned with him : and assures that venerable assembly that " he had taken " proper care to settle the exchange''' in such a " manner as would be most advantageous to " the public.'' He mentions, at the same time, as his own act, what was solely and absolutely mine : and says, that " in aider to ease the " people of the burthen of maintaining the ^* Lombard troops", he forbore to demand " them." On the other hand, he thought proper to give me part in an action which belongs al-^ too-ether to himself: and names me in the letter \ am speaking of, as *' joining in his applica- " tion for a larger allowance of corn for the use '' of the auxiliary troops." To point out another instance, also, which betrays the meanest and most "• Of tbe public money which was to be remitted from Cilicia and Syria, to the treasury at Rome. ** Which were raibcd ia order to b€ sent against th€ Par-» |ki<'lQS. most contemptible malevolence : Ariobarzanes having been particularly recommended by the senate to my protection", and it being by my means they were prevailed upon to acknow* ledge his regal title, Bibulus constantly speaks of him, throughout his letter, under the de- grading appellation of " the son of the late king." My recommendation, therefore, to a person thus ill-disposed towards me, would only render him so much the more disinclined to serve you. Nevertheless, I herewith enclose a letter, which I have written to him, in com- pliance with your request : and I leave it ta your own discretion to make whdX use of it you shall think proper. Farewel. LETTER VIII. ,«. • i [A. U. 703.] Marcus Ccelius, to Cicero. 1 CONGRATULALE you ou your alliance' with so worthy a man as Dolabella : for such I sin- cerely think him. His former conduct, it is true, has not been altogether for his own ad- vantage. But time has now worn out those •little indiscretions of his youth : at least if any of them should still remain, the authority and advantage '• See let. 1. book 4. " See rem. 6\ on the first letter of this book. m The letters Book VL Book VI. OP CICERO. 4^ . I ■[ advantage of your advice and friendship, to- gether with the good sense of Tullia, will soon, I am confident, reclaim him. He is by no means, indeed, obstinate in his errors : and it is not from any incapacity of discerning better, whenever he deviates from the right path. To say all in one word, I infinitely love him. Do you know, my dear Cicero, what a vic- tory Curio has lately obtained in relation to the provinces ? The senate, in pursuance of a former order, having assembled to consider of the obstruction which some of the tribunes had given to their decree*, Marcus Marcellus moved, that application might be made to those magistrates to withdraw their protest : but it was carried in the negative by a considerable majority. Pompey is at present in such delicate circumstances, that he will scarce find any measures, I believe, perfectly to his satisfac- tion. The senate, however, seem to intend, by the resolution I just now mentioned', that Caesar shall be admitted as a candidate for the consulship, notwithstanding he should refuse to * Thii dfcree, together with the protest of the tribunes here mentioned, is inseried at large in the 7th letter of the 4th book. P. 353. vol. 1. ' Cicero speaks of this resolution in a letter to Atticus, and produces n as a proof that the intentions of the senate were not true to the interest of the commomvcalih. For had the Motion of J^larceiIo< beeiv vigorously supported, Curio's op^siiion, he says, would have been in vaii), and Caesar niUbt necessarily Lave resigned his command. Ad Att, vii. % to resign his government. What effect this may have upon Pompey, you shall know as; soon as I can discover*. In the mean time, if imports you wealthy veterans to consider what methods to pursue, in case the latter should • appear either unable, or unwilling to support/ the republic. Hortensius^ lies at the point of death. Far€- weL LETTEil ♦ There is evidently some error in the Latin text: which, nins thus, Quemadmodum hoc laturus Pompems sit, cum cog^ noscat, quidnaffi reipublicce futurum iii, si aut noti cttret, vos senesy &c. I have ventured, though unsupported by any.ot* the manuscripts or commentators, to read this passage in the following manner; Quemadmodum hoc Pompeius laturus sit; cum coonoscam, te certiorem faciam. Quidnam reip. futurum sit, si aut non possit, aut non curet, vos, ^c. 5 Hortensius would have been considered as the noblest • orator that ever shined in the Roman Forum, if Cicero had not risen with superior lustre. There was a peculiar elo* * quence in his manner, as well as in his expression: and it was difficult to determine whether his audience beheld the grace of his action, or listened to the charms of his rhetofic, ' with greater admiration and pleasure. Cicero often cele- brates him for the prodigious strength of his memory: of which the elder Seneca has recorded a remarkaWe in^tj stance. He undertook, it seems, as a proof of its force, tp . attend a whole day at a public auction, and give an exact account of every thing that was put up to sale, of the .price at which it was sold, and of the name of every particular pur- chaser : and this he accordingly executed without failing in a single article. Cicero received the news of his death with real concern : for though there was a perpetual emulation, there was a mutual friendship nevertheless between them. , This harmony, so unusual with those who contend together for the same prize, was greatly owing to the good offices of ' Atticus ; who seems, indeed, upon all occasions, (and it is th« most amkble part of his very singular character) to have em* ploye4 R) » The letters Book VL LETTER IX. [A. U. 703.] To Appiius Pulcher. That I may answer your letter in due form, let me pay my congratulations to you in the first place, and then turn to what concerns myself. Be assured, the account you gave me con- cerning the event of your trial on the informa- tion for bribery*, afforded me great pleasure. Not because you wxre acquitted ; for I never entertained the least doubt of the contrary ; but to find that there was not a single judge who dared throw in a negative upon your innocence, even under all the secresy and safety which the method of balloting would have secured to his malice. This is a circumstance altogether extraordinary : a circumstance, indeed, so little agreeable to the general principles and pur- poses of the present depraved generation, that the more I reflect on your high rank, on your public and private virtues, and on the distin- ^ guished ployed the remarkable influence be enjoyed witb all parties, in reconciling differences and cementing friendships. Hor- tensius was about six years older than Cicero : and died in ' the 6dd year of his age. Val. Max, viii. 10. Cic. de dor, QraL 301. Sencc. cmtroniers, i. imprccm. Ad Att. vi. 6. viii. ^ Com, Nep. in Vii, Att, 5. • See rem. 4 on let. 5. book 5. 1 :- Book VL PF CICERO. m guished honours to which they have exalted you, the more I consider it with astonishment* I can truly say, no occurrence has happened for a considerable time that surprised me more. And now, let me entreat you to imagiae yourself, for a moment, in my situation with respect to the affair you mentioned\- and if you should then find that you are under no difficul- ties, I will not desire you to excuse mine. You will allow me to join in your own good-natured wishes, that an alliance which was conducted without my knowledge, may prove happy both to me and to my daughter, I will venture to hope too, that something may be derived not al- together unfavourable to my wishes«, even from the paiticular conjuncture whei-ein this trans- action has happened: though I must add, tJiat nothing encourages me in this hope so much as the sentiments I entertain of your candour and good sense. What farther to say I know not. On the one hand, it would not become me to speak with more despondency of an af- fair, to which you have kindly given your fa- vourable presages : on the other, there are some lights 1? The marriage of Cicero's daughter with Dolabella, What Cicero seems to intimate in this passage is, that be might, probably, be enabled, by the influence which his alliance would give him with Dolabella, to infuse into hini^ more favourable disposition towards Appius, 48 The letters Book VL Book VI. OF CICERO. 4^ lights in which I cannot view it without unea- siness. I am apprehensive, indeed, lest you should not be sufficiently persuaded, that this treaty was managed without my privity' : as, in truth, it was by some of my friends, to whom I gave a general commission to act in my absence as they should judge proper, without referring themselves, at this great distance, tome. But if you ask what measures I would have taken, had I been present ? I will freely own, I should have approved of the match'° : though, as to the time of consummating it, I should cer- tainly have done nothing either without your advice, or contrary to your inclination. You have already discovered, I dare say, how terribly I am perplexed between apologizing for a step which I am obliged to defend, and avoid- ing, at the same time, saying any thing that may cive you offence. Have so much charity, there- fore, I beseech you, as to ease me of this em- barrassment : for, in fair truth, I never pleaded a more » See rem. 6. on let. 1. of this book. '® Cicero bad surely forgonen what he said to Appius in ft former letter. For taking notice of the report -which Dola- bella had spread concerning ihib match, he affirms there wa» JO little of truth in it, that he would much sooner renounce all former correspondence with Dolaheila, than enier into a new connexion with a man %vho had declared himself the enemy of Appius. Ego cttins cum eo, qui tttas mmicitias svtcrpisi^ty teterem amjimctioiiem diremmem^ quam mvam conciliasscm. Jip. Faro. iii. 10. S€e th^ fifst leUer of thii book. a more difficult cause. Of this, however, be well persuaded, that, had I not, ere I was in- formed of this alliance, completed my good of- fices in your service, it would have induced me to defend your reputation, not, indeed, with more zeal (for that would have been impossi- ble) but certainly with so much the more con- spicuous and significant testimonies of my friendship. The first notice that was given me of this marriage, was by a letter which I received on the 3d of August, upon my arrival at Sida; at which city I touched in my voyage from the province. Your friend Servilius, who was then with me, seemed a good deal concerned at the news ; but I assured him, that the only effect it would have, with respect to myself^ would be to give an additional strength to my future services in your behalf. To be short, though it cannot increase my affection for you, it has increased my endeavours of rendering that af- fection more evident ; and as our former dis* union made me so much the more cautious to avoid affwding the least suspicion that my re- concilement with you was not thoroughly sin- cere; so this alliance will heighten my care not to give the world reason to think that it has in any degree impaired the strength of that per- fect friendship I bear you, Farewel. Vol. II. E LETTER so The letters Book VL LETTER X. • [A. U. 703.1 To Marcus Cato'. J^RAlSEfrom thy lips Uis mine with pride to boast: Jfe best can give it who deserves it most : as Hector, I think, says to the venerable Pri- am, in one of Naevius's plays. Honourable, in- deed, is that approbation which is bestowed by .those who have themselves been the constant object of universal applause. Accordingly, I esteem the encomiums you conferred upon me in the senate, together with your congratula- tory letter, as a distinction of the highest and most illustrious kind*. Nothing could be more agreeable i J* X^is letter is an answer to the second in ihe preceding book, p. 430. vol. 1. * Cicero was al this time \yell pleased wi4h the part which Cato h^d acted towards him : for he teUs Atlicus, what he likewise says in this letter, that ** he looked upon ^' the uppUuses which the former had conferred upon him, ** ii\ the senate*, as preferable to all the triumphs in the •* world.** But he soon changed his language : and, in his subsequent letters to Atticus, he expresses himself with great warmth and indignation against Cato's behaviour in this very article. Cato, it seems, had granted to Bibulus what he refused to Cicero, and voted that a general thanksgiving should be appointed, for the success of the former in Syria. This was a prefereince which Cicero could not digest, and he complains of it to Atlicus in terms to the following purposju. " Cato," says he, " has given me his applauses, which I dk Book VI. OF CICERO. 5\ agreeable to my wishes, as nothing could be more glorious for my reputation, than your having thus freely given to friendship, what- ever you could strictly give to truth. Were Rome entirely composed of Catos, or could it produce many (as it is surprising it can furnish even one) of that venerable character, my de- sires would be amply satisfied, and I should prefer your single approbation to all the laurels and all the triumphal cars in the universe. In my own judgment, indeed, and according to the ** did not desire, but refused me his SHffrage, though I ear- '' nestly requested it. Yet this un^raicful man has voted " that a thanksgiving shall be appointed for twenty days, in ** honour of Bibulus. Pardon me for saying it ; but I nei- ther can, nor will forgive so injurious a treatment." Ci- cero ascribes this conduct of Cato to envy ; and his ingenir aus translator, Monsieur Mongaulr, imputes it to partiality. On the contrary, I am persuaded it flowed neither from the one nor the other, but was the pure result of that impartial justice which seems upon all occurrences to have invariably determined his actions. For Cicero had undoubtedly no cl'iim to the honour he demanded : and for this reason, among others, because the number of the slain on the side of the enemy was not so great as the laws in these cases re- quired. [Vid. Ep. Fam. viii. 11.] But it is probable that the claim of Bibulus was supported by all the le^al requi- sites. For though the Parthians were driven out of Syria before his arrival in the province; yet Cassius, by whose bravery they were repulsed, acted under the auspices of Bi- bulus : sub ejiis auspicia res gcstcc erant, as they expressed it. Now the success of the lieutenant, or other subordinate officer, was always imputed to the general, notwithstanding he were not actually present ; as being supposed to arise trom the effect of these auspicia^ or sacred rites, which he previously performed ere he set out on his intended expedi- tion. Ad 4tt, vii. 1. 2. 3. Rosin, Jntiq* Rom. 96$, E2 i 52 Thi letters Book VL the refined estimate of true philosophy, the ho- nours you paid me in the senate, and which have been transmitted to me by my friends, is undoubtedly the most significant distinction I can possibly receive. I acquainted you, in my former letter, with the particular motives which induced me to be desirous (for I will not call it ambitious) of a triumph: and if the reasons I there assigned will not, in your opinion, jus- tify a warm pursuit of that honour, they must prove, at least, that I ought not to refuse it, if the senate should make me the offer : and I hope that assembly, in consideration of my services in this province, will not think me un- deserving of a reward so usually conferred. If I should not be disappointed in this hope, riiy only request is, (what, indeed, you kindly pro- mise) that, as you have paid me the honours you thought most to my glory, you would re- joice in my obtaining those which are most to my inclination. And this disposition you have already veiy sincerely shewn, not only by your letter, but by having signed the decree that has passed in my favour : for decrees of this kind, I know, are usually subscribed by those wjio are most in the interest of the person to whose honour they are voted. I will only add, that I hope to see you very shortly : and may I find the republic in a happier situation than I have reason to fear ! FareweL LETTER Book VL OF CICERO. IS LETTER XL [A.U.r03.] To Caius Marcellus, Consul I AM informed, by the letters of all my friends, what, indeed, I was suflSciently sensible of by the effects, that you have exerted the same ge^ nerous zeal in promoting my honours^, now that you are consul, which you always disco- vered, in conjunction with your whole family, in every preceding station of your life. There is no good oflSce, therefore, which you have not a full right to claim at my hands, as there is none which I shall not at all times be most warmly and joyfully ready to return. It is a point of much injportance from whom one re- ceives an obligation ; but believe me there is not a man in the world I would rather choose to be obliged to than yourself. For, not to mention that I have been attached to you by a similitude of studies, and by the many gene- rous services I have received both from your- self and your father : there is an additional in- ducement, which, in my estimation, is, of all others, the most engaging : I mean the manner in ' This alludes to the good offices of Marcellus, in rela- iion to the general thanksgiving which had lately been vpted for the success of Cicero's arms in Cilicia. See the 6th let-* ter of this book, p. 30. E3 54 The letters Book VI. in which you act, and have ever acted, in the administration of public affairs. As nothing, then, is more dear to me than the common- wealth, can I scruple to be as much indebted to you in my own particular, as I am in com- mon with every friend to the republic ? And may your patriot labours be attended, as I trust they will, with all the success they deserve. If the Etesian winds*, which usually begin to blow about this season of the year, should not retard my voyage, I hope to see you very speedily. Farewel. LETTER XII. [A. U. 703.] To ApPIUS PULCHER. When the question concerning the military honours to be paid to your arms' was formerly debated in the senate, I supported the cause of jour glory with as much warmth and zeal, as if I had foreseen that I should one day have occasion for your good offices of the same kind to myself Truth obliges me, however, to acknowledge ♦ Periodical winth, which constantly blow the same way during a certain number of months every year. * In Cilicia, probably; in which province Appius, as the reader has been iRformed, was predecessor to Cicero, This letter is upon the samv subject with the preceding. Book VE of'GICERO, 65 Jtcknowledge, that you have returned much more than you received. All my letters, indeed, from Rome agree in assuring me, that you.»ot only supported my interest by the authority^Off your eloquence, and the credit of /^your vote, {which was as much as I could inr reason d^ sire from a man of your rank and character) but that, by contributing your advice, by as- sisting at the meetings which were held upon my account, by your personal applications, and, in short, by your assiduity in general, you rendered the good offices of the rest of my friends altogether superfluous. These are cir- cumstances far more to ray credit than the ho- nour itself for which you thus generously la- boured. The latter, indeed, has frequently heen obtained by those who had done nothing to deserve it; but no man was ever supported with so much zeal by an advocate thus illustri- ous, without merit to justify his claim. But the great benefit that I propose to myself by jour friendship, arises entirely from the advan- tages which naturally flow from an intercourse of this kind : as nothinor in truth, can be at- tended with greater, especially bietween two persons, who, like you and me, are united by the same common pursuits ; for I profess to act with you upon the same political principles in E4 which 56 The letters Book VI. which our sentiments are perfectly agreed, as well as to be joined with you in an equal at- tachment to the same arts and sciences which we mutually cultivate. I sincerely wish that fortune had as strongly connected us in every other respect, and that you could think of all who belong to me^ with the same friendly sentiments I entertain for those who stand re- lated to you. ' But I do not despair that even this may be effected. It is a point, however, in which you are no way concerned, and which it is my part alone to manage. In the mean time, I beg you would be persuaded, as you will most certainly experience, that this alli- ance has, if possible, rather augmented than diminished the warmth of my zeal for your service. But, as I hope I am now writing to a censor^ I must have the modesty to shorten my letter, that I may not be guilty of a breach of respect to a magistrate who is the great superintendant of good manners. Farewel. LETTER * This alludes to Dolabella, whose conduct to Appius has been so often mentioned in these remarks. ^ See rem. 5. on th^ first letter of this book. Book VL OF CICERO. 57 LETTER XIIL [A. U. 703.] To Marcus Ccelius, Curule-^dile. W OTHIN'G could be more judicious, nor more carefully conducted, than your management of Curio in relation to the thanksgiving". Indeed, the circumstances of that whole affair, have proved entirely conformable to my wishes ; not Only as it passed the senate with so much ex- pedition, but as our mutual competitor, the angry Hirrus, expressed his assent to those di- vine encomiums with which Cato honoured my actions. I am inclined to flatter myself therefore, that this will lead to a triumph; and I desire you would be prepared accordingly. It is with great pleasure I find that Dolabella enjoys the happiness of your esteem and friend- ship. I was at no loss to guess the circum- stance to which you alluded, when you men- tioned your hopes that the prudence of my daughter Tullia would temper his conduct But what would you have said had you seen the letter I wrote* to Appius, immediately after I received ' See the sixth letter of the present book, to which this is an answer. * The letter to which Cicero alludes is the first of the pre- sent book. 58 The letters Book VI. I received yours upon that subject ? Yet thus we must act, my friend, if we would live in the world*. I hope the gods will give success to this match, and that I shall have reason to be well satisfied with my son-in-law; I am sure, at least, your amicable offices will ex- tremely contribute to that end. The dark prospect of public affairs fills me with great disquietude. I am well- inclined towards Curio ; it is my wish that Caesar's achievements may meet with the honourable rewards they deserve ; and I would wiUingly sacrifice my Hfe in support of Pompey ; still, however, none of my affections are superior to « that which I feel for my country. But, I per- ceive, you do not take any great part in her contests; being divided, I suppose, between the different obligations of a patriot and a friends: Upon my departure from the province, I left the administration in the hands of Caldus'. You will be surprised, perhaps, that I should com- mit so great a trust to so young a man. But you will remember that he was my quaestor; that he is a youth of a noble family, and that I am justified in my choice by a practice almost universal. Besides, I had no other person near me * See rem. 6. on let. 1. of this book. ' The person to whom the third letter of this boqk ifi ad- dressed. /. "V. . Book VI. or CICERO. 59 me of superior rank ; for Pontinius had long before quitted the province, and as to my bro- ther, I could by no means have prevailed upon him to accept tlie employment. Indeed, if I had placed the administration in his hands, the malicious part of tlie world would probably have said, that, instead of resigning my go- vernment in obedience to the decree of the se- nate, I still continued it in the person of one who may justly be considered as my second self. They might, perhaps, have added, too, that the intentions of the senate were, that those only should command in the provinces who had never enjoyed a government before* ; whereas my brother had actually presided in Asia* during three whole years. The method I have taken, therefore, secures me from all censure; whereas, if I had substituted my bro- ther, there is no abuse I should not have had reason to expect. In fine, I was induced, I will not say to court, but at least to avoid dis- obliging a young man of Caldus's quality, not only by my own inclination, but by the exam- ple also of our two great potentates^ ; who, in . ?i the * The particular decree to which Cicero alludes, may he found among those which are inserted ifi the seventh letter of the fourth book. It stands the last. * He was elected governor of Asia Minor, in the year of Rome dp?. * Cxsar and Pompey. €0 The letters Book VL Book V"I. OF CICERO. 61 the same manner, and for the same reason, distinguished their respective quiestors, Cassius and Antonius^. Upon the whole, my friend, I expect that you approve of my choice ; for it is now out of my power to recal it. The hint you dropped concerning Ocella, was so extremely obscure', that I could make no- thing of it, and I find no mention of it in youf newspaper. You are become so wonderfully celebrated, that the fame of your conduct in relation to Matrinius, has travelled beyond Mount Taurus. If I should not be delayed by the Etesian winds, I hope to embrace you and the rest.of ray friends very soon. Farewel. LETTER ^ Quintus Cassius, brother to the celebrated Caius Cas- bius. was quaestor to Pompey, in Spain ; as Mark Antony served under Cssar in the same quality, when he prei^ided as propraetor in that province. • See the sixth letter of the fifth book, vol. 1. p. 442. J i.' : .Uu LETTER XIV. ' [A. U; 703.] ^ Marcus Ccelius to Cicero. I AM ashamed to own how much occasion I have to complain of Appius. This ungrateful man singled me out as the object of his secret spleen, for no other reason but because he has received greater obligations from me than his harrow spirit would suffer him to return. How- ever, he could not carry on his malicious pur- poses with so much concealment, as to pre- vent my receiving an intimation of them ; and, indeed, Thad myself observed, that he cer- tainly did not mean me well. Accordingly, I found that he had been tampering with his col- league' to my prejudice ; as he soon afterwards openly avowed his injurious designs to some others of his friends. I discovered, also, that he had entered into some consultations of the same kind with Lucius Domitius ; who is lately, I must inform you, become my most bitter enemy. In short, I perceived that he was endeavouring to recommend himself to Pompey, by his ill offices to me. Nevertheless, I could not submit to enter into any personal remonstrances, ■ Lucius Calphurnius Piso, tbe father-in-law of Caesar, was colleague with Appius in the censorial office. 09 The letters Book VI. Book VI: OF CICERO. 69 remonstrances, or intercessions, with a man whom I had reason to consider as indebted to me even for his life. I contented myself, there- fore, with complaining to some of our common friends, who had been witnesses to the obliga- tions he had received at my hands. But, as this method, I found, was to no purpose, and that he would not deign to give me the least sa- tisfaction; I determined to apply to his col- league. I rather chose, indeed, to ask a favour of the latter, (notwithstanding I was sensible that my connexions with you* had rendered him far from being my friend) than undergo the mortification of engaging in a personal confi- dence with so ridiculous and contemptible a mortal as Appius. This step extremely exas- perated him, and he was no sooner apprised of it, than he warmly complained that I was seek- ing a pvetcncc to quarrel with him merely in resentment, he said, for his not having fully gratified my avaricious expectations. Soon after this, he openly endeavoured to procure Servius to exhibit articles of impeachment ajirainst me, and entered into several consulta- tions with Domitius for that purpose. But> whcu • An enniitv had subsisted between Piso and Cicero, ever •rncc ihe consulate of the former, who concurred with CU)- Ui us in 'those viuleut measures which terminated in Citcro's exile. See rem. 2. p. 37. and rem. fl. o. 174. vol. li' • I when they perceived that they could not succeed in their intended charge, they dropped this de- sign, and resolved to encourage a prosecution of another kind ; though, at the same time, they well knew that there was not the least shadow of evidence to support their accusation. How* ever, towards the close of my Circensian games', these shameless confederates caused me to be indicted on the Scantinian law*. But Pola, whom they had spirited up to be the informer, had scarce entered his action, when I lodged an information against ourworthy censor* himself, for the very same crime. And nothing, in truth, could have been more happily concerted. For this retaliation was so universally applauded, and ^ Circensian games is a general name for those shews of various kinds, which were exhibited at different seasons to the people in the Circus ; a place in Rome set apart for those purposes. But the particular games alluded to in this pas- fcage, are most probably (as Manuiius, with great reason, conjectures) those which fhey called the Roman, For these were exhibited by the aediles in September; and this letter seems to have been written some time in that or the follow- ing month. The nature of these games has been explained in a former note. ^ The author of this law was Marcus Scantinius, who was tribune of the people in the year of Rome 601. It prohi- bited that horrid and unnatural commerce, which, in af- ter-ages of more confirmed and shameless corruption, be- came so general as to be openly avowed even by those who affected, in other respects, a decency of character. Horace and Pliny the consul are both instances of this kind, and af- ford a very remarkable evidence, that the best dispositions are not proof against fashionable vices, how detestable soever, without a much stronger counterpoise than a mere mor^l sense can supply. * Appius. 64 The letters Book VL and by the better sort too among the people, that the general satisfaction they have express- ed, has mortified Appias even more than the disgrace of the information itself, 1 have charged kim, likewise, with appropriating a little chapel to his private use, which belongs to the public^ It is almost six weeks since 1 delivered my former letter to the slave, who now brings you both; and I am extremely vexed at the fellow's delay. — I think I have no farther news to send you, except that Domitius^ is in great pain for the success of his approaching election. As I earnestly wish to see you, I expect your arrival with much impatience. I will only add my request, that you would shew the world you are as sensible of the injuries done to me, as I have ever warmly resented those which have at any time been offered to yourself. Farewell LETTER • Manutiufy id his remark upon this place, produces a passage from Livy, by which be proves, that it was the busi- acss of the censors to take care that ihese public chapels should not be shut up by private persons from the general and common use to which they were originally erected. Coeiius, therefore, informed against his adversary for having practised 4iflnelf what it was incumbent upon him, by the duties of -4is office, to punish in others. Kirf. Manut, m loc, ^ This person, it is probable, is the same who is mentioned •MtMre in this letter. The commentators sappote that the election, of which Ccelius speaks, was for a member of the augural college, in the room ol Hortensius, lately deceased. For it is said, in the next letter, that Mark Antony waa his competitor; and it appears, from Mirtius, that the former was >€hoatn augur about this tjme. litrt. de bd, GallL vii. 50. Book VI. OF CICERO. 65 LETTER XV. [A.U.703.] From the same. r If you had taken the king of Parthia himself prisoner, and sacked his metropolis, it would not make you amends for '^y our absence from these diverting scenes. You have lost, indeed, a subject of inexhaustible mirth, by pot being a spectator of the very ridiculous figure which the luckless Domitius displayed, when he lately found himself disappointed of his election*. The assembly of the people was exceedingly numerous upon this occasion: but the fo^ce of party bore down all before it^, and even carried away many of the friends of Domitius from his interest This circumstance he imputes to my management : and as he considers the prefe- rence which has been thus given to his com- petitor, as a real injury done to himself, he ho- nours me with the same marks of his displea- sure, with which he distinguishes the most in-^ timatQ * See the last note of the preceding letter, * Mark Antony was supported by all the interest and ere-* dit of Cxsar : who exerted himself very strenuously upon this occabion, by going in person to the several municipal towns of Italy that lay nearest to his province of Gaul, in or- der to engage them in favour of his friend. For these cities being admitted to the freedom of Rome, had a right of VOt* ing at elections. Hirt, de bell. Gall, viii. 50. Vol. II. F 64 The letters Book VL and by the better sort too among the people, that the general satisfaction they have express- ed, has mortified Appias e\en more than the disgrace of the infonnation itself, I have charged liim, likewise, with appropriating a Uttle chapel to his private use, which belongs to the puWic^ It is almost six weeks since 1 delivered my former letter to the slave, who now brings you both: and I am extremelv vexed at the fellow's delay. — I think I have no farther news to send you, except that Domitius^ is in great pain for the success of his approaching election. As I earnestly wish to see you, I expect your arrival with much impatience. I will only add my request, that you would shew the world you areas sensible of the injuries done to me, as 1 have ever warmly resented those which have at any time been offered to yourself. Farewell LETTER • ManutiuSy io his remark upon this place, produces a fMtlge from Livy, by wliich be proves, that it was the busi> iie»$ of the censors to take care that ihese public chapels should Dot be shut up by private persons from the genera! and comiaoD use to which they were originally erected. Coelius, tiMrefore, informed against his adversary for having practised 4iflMeif what it was incumbent upon him, by the duties oC ■^ts office, to punish in others. Vid. Mimut. in ioc, ? This person, it is probable, is the same who is mentioned before id this letter. The commentators suppose that the ekction, of which Cc&lius speaks, was for a member of the augural college, in the room ol Hortensius, lately deceased. For it is said, in the De.xt letter, that Mark Antoay was his competitor; and it appears, from Hirtius, that the former was chosen augar about this tjme. Jiirt. de htL GallL vii. 50. Book VI. OF CICERO. 65 LETTER XV. [A.U.703.] From the same. i ■ If you had taken the king of Parthia himself prisoner, and sacked his metropoHs, it would not make you amends for ^y our absence from these diverting scenes. You have lost, indeed, a subject of inexhaustible mirth, by ^ot being a spectator of the very ridiculous figure which the luckless Domitius displayed, when he lately found himself disappointed of his election*. The a.ssembly of the people was exceedingly numerous upon this occasion: but the foj-ce of party bore down all before it^, and even carried away many of the friends of Domitius from his interest This circumstance he imputes to my management : and as he considers the prefe^ rence which has been thus given to his com- petitor, as a real injury done to himself, he ho^ nours me with the same marks of his displea- sure, with >\Jiich he distinguishes the most in-« timatQ * See the last note of the preceding letter, * Majrk Antony was supported by all the interest and cre- dit of Csesar : who exerted himself very strenuously upon _ this occasion, by going in person to the several municipal towns of Italy that lay nearest to his province of Gaul, in or-* der to engage them in favour of his friend. For these cities being admitted to the freedom of Rome, had a right of VQt* ing at elections. Hirt, de bell. Gall, viii. 50. Vol. II. F 4 6& The letters BodK VL Book VL OF CICERO. er timate of his friends. He is at present, indeed, a very diverting spectacle of indignant wrath : which he inipotently discharges, in the first place against myself, for promoting the elec- tion of Mark Antony, and in the next against the people, ifor expressing so much satisfaction in his repulse. Under this article of news relating to Do- niitius, I must not forget to mention, that his son has commenced a prosecution against Sa- turninus : a man, it must be owned, whose con- duct, in the former part of his life, has rendered him extremely odious. The public is waiting with great impatience for the event of this trial : but since the infamous Peducseus has been ac- quitted, there is a fair prospect that Saturninus will not meet with more incxoriable judges. As to political aifairs ; I have often mentioned to you, that I imagined the public trahquilhty could iaot possibly be preserved beyond the pre- sent year: aii3 the nearer we approach tb those contentions which must inevitably arise, the niore'evidient this danger a|)peats. For Potn- pey is determined most strenuously to oppose Char's being consul, unless he resigns his com- mand : and Cxsar, on the contrary, is per- ^kded that he cannot be safe upon those terms'. He has offered, however, to throw up his • Caesar had acted in a very arbitrary and illegal manner during i commission, provided Pompey will do the same. And thus their very suspicious friendship anio, p. 148. * It were to be wished that every man who embraces this maxim, were as little scrupulous of acknowledging it, as the author of this letter : for of all noxious creatures, a knave without a mask is by far the least dangerous. * The expression in the original is, quiqueres judkant : which Dr. Middleton has translated, and all who judge of things. But this explanation is contrary to the concurrent sentiments of the best commentators, who agree that qtd res Judkant is a circumlocution ioTJudkes. The phrase, it must be owned, is singular : and so is the style of CoeHus in gene* F ? neraU 68 The letters Book VL declare in favour of Pompey : and that all those of desperate fortunes, or who are obnoxious to the laws, will list themselves under the banners of Caesar. As to their armies; I am persuaded there will be a great inequality. But I hope we shall have time enough to consider the strength of their respective forces, and to de- clare ourselves accordingly. I had almost forgotten to mention a piece of news, much too remarkable to be omitted. You must know that our worthy censor Appius is become the very prodigy of reformers, and is most outrageously active in restraining our ex- travagancies in pictures and statues, in limit- ing the number of our acres, and abolishing usurious contracts*. The man imagines, I sup- pose ral. But what principally confirms the sense liere adopted is, that it is most aj^reeable both to credibility and to fact. For it is by no means probable that every man of judgment was an enemy to Cxsar : and it is most certain that the whole order of judges were friends to Pompey. lid. Ad Att, viii. 1(). Life ofCk. ii. 212. Svo. ed. ^ It IS probable that Appius had himself as remarkably transgressed the rules of moderation in this last article, as he undoubtedly had in the other two : for avarice is an atten- dant that seldom fails of accompanying luxury. It is certain^ at least, that his own possebsions were far above mediocrity: for Cicero frequently speaks of him in the preceding letters as a man who, by his wealth as well as by his alliances and abilities, was of great weight in the republic. And as to his extravagance of the virtuoso kind, it appears that when h& intended to offer himself a^ a candidate for the otliceof aedile, he plundered all the temples of Greece, as well as oiber less »acred repositories, in ordci to make a collection of pictures and Book VI. OF CICERO. 69 s pose, that the censorship is a kind of specific for discharging the stains of a blemished repu- tation^ But I have a notion he will find him- self mistaken : for the more pains he takes of this sort to cle^r his character, the more visibly the spots wi41 appear.— In the name of all the gods, my dear Cicero, hasten hither to enjoy the diverting spectacle of Appius sitting in judgment on extravagance, and Drusus* on de- bauchery ! It is a sight, believe me, well worth your expedition. Curio is thought to have acted very pru- dently, in withdrawing his protest against the decree for the payment of Pompey's troops. — But to answer your question in few words con- cerning my sentiments of public affairs ; if one or other of our chiefs should not be employed against the Parthians, I am persuaded great dissentions will soon ensue: dissentions, my friend, and statues for the decoration of the games which were an- nually exhibited by those magistrates. Ep.Fam.iii. 10. Bro Dorno 43. Vid. et Pigh. Annal. anno 69S. 5 The batteries of ridicule are nevermore properly point- ed, than when they are thus levelled at counterfeit virtue: as there is nothing that more justly raises contempt and indig- nation than those reforming hypocrites, Qui Curios simvlwit ^ Bacchmialia vivmt, Juven. * It is supposed from what Coelius here says of him, that he was one of the praetors this year, Pigh. AnnaL 703. F3 70 The letters Book VI. fiiend, which nothing can terminate but the sword, and which each of them seem well-iu- cHned and prepared to draw. In short, if your own safety were not deeply concerned, I should say that Fortune is going to open to you a iliost entertaining scene^ Farewel. LETTER XVL [A. U. 703.] To Terentia and Tullia. Ihe amiable young Cicero and myself are perfectly well, if you and my dearest Tullia are so. We arrived here' on the 14th of this month, after a very tedious and disagreeable passage, occasioned by contrary winds. Acastus* met me upon my landing, with letters from Rome; having been so expeditious as to perform his journey in one-and-twenty days. In the packet which he delivered to me, I found yours, wherein you express some uneasiness lest your former letters should not have reached my hands. • The meaning of this seems to be (as one of the commen- tators has explained it) that if Cicero himself were not in danger from the dissention between Cxsar and Pompey, it must afford him great diversion to see these two chiefs, who had both of th«m used him ill, revenging his quarrel upon each other. • Athens. • A freedman belonging to Cicero* >i BopK yi. OF cieERo. 71 Ijands. They have, my Tjerent j^ : and I fm extremely obliged to you for the very full ?c- counte you g^ve me of ev^ery tiling I was con- cerned to know. I am by no means surprised at tlj^e shprtn^? of your last, as you had reasou t^ expect us ,so SQon. It is witl;i great impatience I wisli for that njeeting: though I am sensjJ^k, At th^ .same time, of the unhappy situation in \vk\ch I sjiali find the repul>Jic. AJl the lettej;s, ipde^d, wbick 1 received hy Aca,stus, agree in a^sw'ing ,nxe, that there is a general tendency to a civil w.aa\: ^ so that when I come to Rome I aliall be under a necessity of declaring myself on one side or the other. However, since there is no avoid- ing the scene which fort^uJie has prepared for me, I shall be the more expeditious in my jour- ney, that I may the better deUberate on the se- veral circumstances which must determine my choice. Let me entreat you to mqe;t me as far on my way as your health will permit. The legacy which Precius has left me, is an acquisition that I receive with great cqnceru,: .35 I tenderly loved him, and e^ctremely lam^t jhjs^death. If ^is^estate should be put up .to auction before my arrival, I beg you would re- conjipcnd my iutqre^t in it f o ,t^)e ca^-^qf ^^ ticus : or in case his affairs should not allow him to undertake the.office, tli^t yqujvvo^ifl ,j:e- F4 q^^st n The letters Book VI. Book VI. op CICERO. 73 ^ quest the same favour of Camillus. And if I tills should not find you at Rome, I desire you would send proper directions thither for that IrPurpose. As for my other affairs, I hope I shall be able to settle them myself: for I pur- pose to be in Italy, if the gods favour my voyage, about the 13th of November. In the mean time I conjure you, my amiable and ex- cellent Terentia, and thou, my dearest Tullia, I conjure you both, by all the tender regards , you bear me, to take care of your healths. Farewel. Athens, October the 18th. LETTER XVII. [A. U. 703.] To Tiro*. 1 DID not imagine I should have been so little able to support your absence : but indeed it is more than I can well bear. Accordingly, not- withstanding,, * He was a favourite slave of Cicero, who trained him up in ' his family, and formed him under bis own immediate tuition. The probity of his manners, the elegance of his genius, and his uncommon erudition, recommended him to his master's peculiar esteem and affection : of which the letters addressed to him in this collection, are a lasting and remarkable me- morial. They are many of them written, indeed, in a style so different from the ordinary language of friendship, that they probably gave strength and currency to a suspicion highly disadvantageous to Cicero's moral character. This imputa- tion seems to have been first propagated by the son of the ce- leijrated Asinius Pollio ; who, io a treatise which he pub- lished \ withstanding it is of the last importance to my interest^ that 1 should hasten to Rome, yet I cannot but severely reproach myself for having thus deserted you. However, as you seemed altogether averse from pursuing your vT)yagetill you should re-establish your health, 1 approv* ed of your scheme : and I still approve of it, if you continue in the same sentiments. Never- theless, if after having taken some refreshment, you should think yourself in a condition to follow me, you may do so, or not, as you shall judge proper. If you should determine in the affirmative, I have sent Mario to attend you: if not, I have ordered him to return immediate- ly. Be well assured, there is nothing 1 more ar- dently Wished in order to magnify his father's eloquence at the ex- pence of Cicero's, inserted a wanton sonnet, which he pre- tended was composed by the latter on Tiro. But to speak impartially, there does not seem, from all that can be traced of Cicero's private conduct, the least sufficient evidence to charge him with bavins' been infected with this execrable vice of his degenerate coumrymen. In passing judgment, therefore, on these letters to Tiro, it should be remembered that Cicero's temper was more than commonly warm : which infused a peculiar heat into all his expressions, whether of friendship or of enmity. This, together with those notions of amity which were carried by the ancients, in general, so inucb higher than they have risen in modern ages, may ac- count, perhaps, for those overflowings of tenderness which are so very observable in the letters to Tiro. Aul. Gel, xnu 9. Plitu Epist. vii. 4. ^ As Cicero was full of the hopes of obtaining a triumph, he was desirous of hastening to Rome before the dissent;ous between Caesar and Pompey should be raised to so great a teioht as to render it impossible for him to enjoy thit honour. 1 74 Tut: LETTERS Book Yl dently desire than to have you w'ith me, provided I may enjoy that pleasure without prejudiQe to yourself. But be assured too, that if your con- tinuing somewhat longer at Patra;^ should t>e thought necessary, I prefer your health to all other considerations. If you should embark im- jjicdiately, you may overtake me at Leucas^ But if you are more inclined to defer yovr voy- age till your recovery shall be better confirmed, let me entreat you to be v^ry careful in choos- ing a safe ship ; and that you would neither sail lit an improper season nor without a ,convoy. I particularly chaige you, also, my dear Tiro, by all the regard you bear me, not to suffer the arrival of Mario, or any thing that I have said in this letter, in the least to influence your '"^ resolution. Believe me, whatever will be mosjt agreeable to your health, will be most agreea-M* ble, hkewise, to my inclinations : and, there^ " fore, I desire you would be wholly governed by your own prudence. It is tioie, I am ex- tremety ^^ ♦ A city in Peloponnesus, which still subsists under the name of Patras. Cicero had left Tiro indisposed in this place; i* the day before the dale of the present letter. ' A little Grecian island in the Ionian sea, now called Saint Maure. It was on this island that the celebrated pro- u montory stood, from whence the tender Sappho is said to have thrown herself in a fit of amorous despair; and which the inimitable Addison has rendered still more celebrated by bis ingenious papers on the Lover's Leap, See 6fec/. vol. 3. No. 223, 233. Book VL ov CiCEflO. 7$ tremely desirous of your company, and of en- joying it as early as possible: but the same af- | fee tion which makes me wish to see you soon, makes me wish to see you well. Let your health, , , therefore, be your first and principal care ; as- suring yourself, that among all the numberless ffood offices 1 have received at your hands, I shall esteem this by far the most acceptable. November the 3d. LETTER XVIIL [A.U. 70S.] . ? To the 3ame. * I CANNOT describe to you (nor would I, in- deed, if it were in my power) the uneasy situa- tion of my mind. I will only say, that your speedy recovery and return to me, will aftbrd infinite satisfaction to both of us. yhe third day after we parted brought me to this place^ It lies within a hundred and twenty ,^| stadia^ of Leucas ; where I promise myself that' we shall meet ; or at least, that I shall find Ma- rio there with a letter from you. In the raeau while, let me entreat you to be careful of your health, in proportion to the mutual tenderness we bear towards each other. Farevv el. Alyzia, Nov. the 5th. LETTER * Alyzia, a city of Acarnia in Greece. ' About 15 miles. 76 The LETTERS Book VI. LETTER XIX. [A. U. ro3.] To the same. ' 1 DISPATCHED a letter to you yesterday from this place, where I continued all that day in order to wait the arrival of my brother : and I write this before sun-rise, just as we are setting out. If you have any regard for us, but par- ticularly for me, shew it by your care to re-es- tablish your health. It is with great impati- ence I expect to meet you at Leucas : but if that cannot be, my next wish is, that I may find Mario there with a letter. We all of us, in- deed, but more especially myself, earnestly long to see you : however, we would by no means, my Tiro, indulge ourselves in that pleasure, unless it may be Gonsistent with your health. There is no necessity, therefore, of has tening your journey, as there will be days enough to enjoy your company when once you shall be thorough- ly recovered. I can easily, indeed, forego your services ; but your health, my dear Tiro, I would fain preserve, for your own sake in the first place, and, in the next, for mine. Fare- weL LETTER / Book VL of CICERO. 77 LETTER XX. [A.U. 703.] To the same. Your letter produced very different effects on my mind ; as the latter part somewhat alle- viated the concern which the former had occa- sioned. I am now convinced that it will not be safe for you to proceed on your voyage, till your health shall be entirely re-established: and I shall see you soon enough, if I see you perfectly recovered. I find by your letter, that you have a good opinion of your physician : and I am told he deserves it. However, I can by no means ap- prove of the regimen he prescribed : for soups * cannot certainly be suitable to so weak a sto- mach. I have written to him very fully con- cerning you ; as also to Lyso. I have done the same likewise to my very obliging friend Curius : and have particularly requested him, if it shoiiid be agreeable to yourself, that he would remove you into his house. I am ap- prehensive, indeed, that Lyso will not give you proper attendance : in the first place, because carelessness is the general characteristic of all his countrymen* ; and, in the next, because he has • The Grecians. .1 n Tnt LETTERS Book VI Book VL of CICERO. r^ has returned no answer to my letter. Never- theless, as you mention him with esteem, I leave it to you to continue with him, or not, just as you shall think proper. Let me only enjoin you, my clear Tiro, not to spare any ex* pence that may he necessary towards your re- covery. To this end, I have desired Curius to supply you with whatever money you shall re- quire: and I think it would be proper, in ofder to render your physician the more careful in his attendance, to make him some present. Numberless are the services I have received from you, both at home and abroad ; in my pub-« lie and my private transactions ; in the course of my studies and the concerns of my family. But would you crown them all ? Let it be by your care that I may see you (as I hope I soon shall) perfectly recovered. If your health should permit, I think you cannot do better than to take the opportunity of embarking with my quaestor Mescinius : for he is a good-natured man, and seems to have conceived a friejidshipi for you. The care of your voyage, indeed, is the next thing I would reconmicnd to you, after that of your health. However, I would now by ncj means have you hurry yourself; as my single concern is for your recovery. Be assured, mjr dear Tiro, that all my friends are yours : and 4 con- eonsequetitly, as your health is of the greatest importance to me as well as to yourself, there ate numbers who are solicitous for its preserva- tion. Your assiduous attendance upon me has hitherto prevented you from paying due regard to it. But now that you are wholly at leisure, I conjure you to devote all your application to that single object : and I shall judge of the af- fection you bear me, by your compliance with this request. Adieu, my dear Tiro, adieu! adieu ! may you soon be restored to the perfect fsnjoyment of your health. Lepta, together with all your other friends jBalute you. Farewel. Leucas, Kov. the 7th. ■•/(I ^id t'» ■ LETTER XXI. [A.u.ros.1 To the same. ThoiJgh it was but an hour or two that yotf and I spent with Xenomenes at Thyreum', yet lie has conceived as strong an affection for you, as if he had conversed with you his whole Iiife': so wonderfully engaging is my Tiro ! Ac- cordingly he has promised to assist you in all - - your ■' ilrU A city of Peloponnesui. 80 The letters Book VI. Book VI. OF CICERO. 81 i t vour occasions : aud it is a promise, I am well persuaded, he will punctually perform. 1 should be glad, if you find yourself better, that vou would remove to Leucas, in order to perfect your recovery. Nevertheless, 1 >vould not have you change your present situation^ without taking the sentiments of Curius and Lyso, together with those of your physician. I had some thoughts of sending Mario back to you : whom you might return to me with a letter as soon as your health should be some- what mended. But I considered, that thia would b-e only securing the pleasure of hearing from you once : whereas, I hope to receive that satisfaction frequently. And if you have any re- gard for me, you may easily give it me, by send- ing Acastus every day to the quay : where he cannot fail of meeting with many who will rea- dilv charge themselres with conveying a letter to me. You may be assured, in return, that I shall not suffer any opportunity to escape me of sending a line or two by those who are go- ing to Patree. I rely entirely upon the care of Curius for your recovery : as nothing, I am sure, can exceed either his friendship to myself, or his huma- nity in general. I desire, therefore, you would l)e \vholly resigned to his direction. As I am willing- willing to sacrifice the pleasure of yourcompany to the advantage of your health ; I entreat you to have no other concern but what relates to your recovery; all the rest, be assured, shall be mine. Again and again I bid you farew^eL I am this moment leaving Leucas. Nov, the 7th, ■ * LETTER XXIL [A. U. 703.] To the same* 1 HIS is the third letter I have written to you v/ithin these four-and-twenty hours; and I now take up my pen more in compliance with my usual custom, than as having any thino- new to say. I can only repeat, iadecd, what I have often requested, that you would propor- tion the care of your health to the affection you bear me. Yes, my Tiro, I conjure you to add this to the numberless good offices you have conferred upon me, as the most accepta- ble of them all. When you have taken, as I hope you will, all necessary measures for that purpose, my next desire is, that you would use the proper precautions, likewise, to secure to yourself a safe voyage. In the mean time, you will not fail to write to me, as often as you VoL-IL G shall ^ The letters Book VI shall meet with any person who is coming into Italy, as I shall take all occasions of doing the same on my part, by those who may be going to Patras. In one word, take care of yourself, my dear Tiro, I charge you; and since we have been thus prevented from pursuing our voyage together, there is no necessity for resuming your's in haste. Let it be your single care to re-establish your health. Again and again farewel. Actium', Nov. tke 7th, in the evening I LETTER XXIIL [A. U. 703.1 To the same. I HAVE been detained here* this whole week, by contrary winds; which have, likewise, con- fined my brother and his son at Buthrotum'. I am full of anxiety about your health, though by no means surprised at not hearing from you, as the same winds which delay my voyage, prevent the arrival of your letters. Let me entreat you to exert your utmost care in regaining your health ; and, I hope, as soon as the season of the year and your reco- very shall render it convenient for you to em- bark, ■ A city in £pirus« * In Corey ra. ^ A city in Epiruf. m>K viJ if CICMo. 8J bark, f<)\x will return tO Him who iftfinitely teves ycni. Your arrival will be impatiently expected by numberless others, as Ivell as by *iysetf ; fbr all who bear any affection for me, ^t^ tender well-wishers to you. Again and again, my dear Tiro, I conjure you to tak^ or^fw^i/»i «$ pctftejunvs reipvhlicce; at least if CS> • This, howevc^r, Cicero contrived to avoid : and though,^ aftwr- hiticH he!>i{«tioi>, he fo^lovcd Pompcy ihto^ere scjirce ever reduced to the necessity of i^ing up their lodgings at an Inn. Those who were thus enter- Uine»r's b«>dy, that he derived bis origin on one side from the ancient kings of Italy, and on the other from the immortal gods. Suet, in vit. Jul, 6, Dio. xliv. p. 235. 259- 5 BclUenus, commaifder of the garrison at Intemelium ; and lineage, and had treated Domitius, at Corfiis nium^ in the sauie iiuatxier .that his namesake ha$ been treated at Intemelium. I salute your son. Farewel. 'k^h LETTER VIII. lA. 0.704] To Tmo. f I SHALL think myself indebted to you for all that I most value, whenever you give me^jie satisfaction of seeing you perfectly recovei-(?d. In the mean time, I aai in the utmost. impktC ^W ^P'^ *^^ return of Menande^r, whom I lately dispatched with a letter to you.'' Iconjureyou, if you have any affection for me, to take care ot your healtli, and lel me see you as soon as i^ shall be thoroughly re-established, far ©wdL April the lOih. ' ' ''^ ...^ LETftR WM *bo, a> appean /rora this hetter, #88 thts'son oTa reteslt. .^'^.^^k""' Enobarbus, a little before the date pfihis !ef ^*a* at kngth tfbhged to wirrender t^e ,town. . Cas«r lr«ued C ^ ^Ti 8*.""°'i'y' ^n<' not onfp gave hilThis ffi^ Wt rwK.r«rf io h.m a 6^m o» money wbici, he had IpdgeiK the public treasury of the city. Some wcftuat of the o«a^ -*^,.V. • ... .1 2 . CI' J. 'i lo i'/ij^i. 116 Th& letters Book VII: TV." LETTER IX. [A.U. 70I4.] To the same. iNf EN'ANDER retumcd a day later than I ex- pected, which caused me to pass a miserable night, in the most disquieting apprehensions. But though your letter did not remove my ut\. certainty as to your health, it, in some mea- sure, however, dispelled the gloom which had overcast my mind, as it was an evidence, at itast, that you were still in being. I have bidden adieu to all my literary amuse- ;inettt5 of every kind ; nor shall I be capable of liesuming them again till I see you here. ^lean- U^Hile, I desire you would give orders that your physician's demands may be satisfied ; for which Ipurpose I have, likewise, written to Curius. The if ormer, I am told, attributes ypur distemper to that anxiety which I hear you indulge. But, if you have any regard for me, a^wai^en in your brdst that manly spirit of philosophy, for which ;1 ID tenderly love and value you.; It U impo§- tible you should recover your health, if you do not preserve your spirits, and 1 entreat you to J keep them up, for my sake as well as your own. **1 de^fe you, like^vise, to retain Acastus, that ydu Bo6Kf VII. ^liatTCERO. you may be the more conveniently attended. In a word, my Tiro, preserve yourself for me.- Remember the time, for the performance of my promise^ is approaching ; but, if you return to Italy before the day I fixed for that purpose, I will execute it immediately. Again and ag^uu I bid you fareweU ^t Uill LETTER X. [A. U. 704.] To the same. -^GYPTA returned hither'on the 12th df April. But, though he assured me that you had lo^t your fever, and were much mended, it gave me great uneasiness to find, that you wcie hot yet able to write ; and the more $0^ asHisr- '-mia, whom I expected the same day, knot yet arrived. The concern I feel on account of your health is beyond all belief. Fred me irom this disquietude, I conjure you, and, iki^rctufli^ Twill ease you of all yours. 1 would wiitea longer letter, if I thought you were: i»^ ^dispo- sition to read one, I will, therefom, oaily^add my request, that you would employ that acdd- '^^' ' T,'^^ commentaf oi^sHpposc, wltli^etit pr^tebiliq^^t : thii aludes to a promUe which Qccro had made to Tiro, of giving him his freedoiiL "^ I 3 m 01 lis Thi? letters BoeK VIL Iffit vnderstasding for iriMch I sq gr?stly esr teem you^ in studying what itetkods may best preserve you both to yourself and roe. I repeat it again and again^ take caie of your hcahh. Farewel •^ Since I wrote the above, Hennia. ia arrived. He delivered your letter to me> which is written, r perceive, with a very unsteady hand. How- ever, I cannot wonder at it, ^ter so severe an illness. 1 dispatch iEgypta with this ; and, as he is a good-natured fellow, and seems to have an affection for you, I desire you would keep him to attend you. Hq i^ accompanied with a cook^ whom I have^ likewise, sent for your use. F^ewel. lETTER XL fA. U. 7M,] QuixTus CiczRO to the sameV I If AVE Btrongly reproached yoa in my own Hiind, for suffering a second packet to com# fway without inelosing a htier to roe. All yoitf own rhetoric will be insufficient to avert the punishment you have incurred by this ux>- kind • Tke tiiD« uben thi» le««f wn writben t» «hftgethcr un- cettain, and it is placed nnd^r the prtsant year, not be«avM' there is any gocd reason for it; but kecattte UMre it fiOB^ a||mst it. BO0|t VIL: Of^:; •L>|.. I . Ki9\ kind negleiBti and yOH must liave recourse ta^f soi^ eiabojiate production of yoi^ pation^t eloquence, to appease my wrathf /jXhough I^ doiiht whether even his oratory will be al))^ ,ta . persuade me that you hav« not been guilty ic^ a wry unpardonable on>ission» ^J, retn^n^lwjHt was a custom of my mother, to put^ seal upo^ her empty casks; inord^r, if anyofiheiDliquarai should be purloined, tl^at the seiwijipl*; mi^jU not'prctend the vessel hod been exhausted be»ti fore. In. the same manner you sh uldwdtftt^ me, though you have nothing to say, thatypuc^ empty letters may be; a proof,, atUca^. titafey^^. would not defraud me of whatil value. I.v^-t^ lue all, indeed, that come fromvyojii, as the- very sincere and agreeable dictates of your heart. Earewel, arid continue to love me. LETTER XII. To Servius SujLPicius'* -...„T I AM informed, by a letter from my friend Trebatius, that you latdy enquired after mfe; and expressed, at the same time, much concern^ that * Servius Sulpicius Rufus was descended from one of the noblest and naost con&idei:able families in Rome ; seyeraj of bU. ancestors having borne the Highest offices and, honour* of |ho< republic. He was elected to the consular dignitj^ ip the 1 4f '/^'^^ m The letters B«ox VI J; that your indisposition had prevented you from scfjnji.me when I was in the suburbs of Rome To which he adds, that you are desirous, if L shovfl4 approach the city, of baviog a confe-*: rence with me, in order to deliberate in what manner it becomes us to act in this critical sea*t son. I sincerely wish it had been in our powef to have conferred together, ere our affairs were utterly ruined, as I am persuaded we might have contributed somewhat to the support of our declining constitution. For, as you had long foreseen these public calamities^ sol had theplea- s^e.tjc^j^^i, whii&t I was in Cilicia, that; t|oth during your consulate, and afterwards, yoil aW> waysstood forth an advocate for the peace of our country*. But, though I totally concurred with ya\viii these sentiments ; yet, upon my return to Rome, it was too late to enforce them. I was, in-r, d^ed, w^holly unsupported in my opinion, and not only found myself among a set of men who were year of Rome 709; to which his eminent tkii) in the la>K principally contributed. Suet, in vit, Tiberii. Dio. xli. p. 14i. Sftrtmi 6. on let, 1. £. ix. uf>Sui|)icitis^wat well a^are, tbftt the recallini; Cxsa^fronin bisgoyernment in Gaul before the expiration of the time for wbivb il was granted him, together with the refusing him the prjvilege, which he had obtained by an express law, of suing for t.hf consulate in his absence, would inevitably draw on a civil wiir. And, accordingly, he exerted himself wkh great^ zeal IB opposing his colleague, Marcus Claudius Marcellus^-^^ in the leTcral aueropts which he made h% t^at purpose. Di^^ ubi svp, , V mbKvit oF^fl^EWd. m madly inflamed with a thirst of war, but ^V considered, hkewise, as one Avho, by a long' aP*' sence, was utterly unacquainted w5th the trtif stai^e of the commonwealth. But though it seems in vain to hope that our united- cdiifl^ds caft-now avail the republic, yet, if they can hi- any degree advantage ourselves, there is fi8^ man with whom I should mom iv^illingly co^:' fe?^ Not, indeed, with any View^M^^cfimig^ the least' part of our former dighities;^Wkf W^ consider in what manner we may most- %o^'> thily deplore then- loss: for I welijcnow^fii^^ your mind is amply stored witli tliose e^campfe' of' the great, and those maxhns of the wise, which ought to guide and animate our coir-' duct in this important conjuncture, Vrtrrifo •-I should h'l^ve fold you before now, thatyotiK presence in the senate, or, to speak moVe ptdl^ jierly, in the convention ofsemtors\ would B^ ^ altogether ineffectual, if Thad'iiot beefi^ajlpfki'^ hensive of giving offence to that person who endeavoured, by rastancing your example, to persuade me to join them. I vei')^ plainly a#ii^ sured him, however, wheiv .he applied to me for b*»i(iij,;^ &um ! ^Tft The meeting of the senate; to which Cicerd aHudet, was held. m Rome, after Pompey had deserted ItaFy. Cicero cal»S4t a convention of senators,*«M not admitting the W"^ gamy of Its assembling; both the consul*, togcthef. with rh"^' principal magistrates of the Tepublic, having tvitbdrawrf' themselves, together wiih Pompey, into Greece. 1J«» The letters Babi YlIuF / I this purpose, that if I went to thr senate; Itt shouW^ declare th«f same opinion: concerning^ peace, and his expedition into Spain, whtchn y mi had aheady delivered as youfs^ The flames of war, you see^ have spreaA^ themselves thronghout the whole Roman' do*» mifiions> and all the world have taken np arms; under our respective chieft. Rome, in tte mean time, destitute of all rule or magiHracyj^i of all justice or control, i» wretchedly aban-.^ doned to the dreadful inroads of rapine and devastation. In this general anarchy amd conwi fusion, I know not what to expect : I scarce know even what to wish. But, notwithstand^ inor I had determined to retire to a farther dis- tance from Rome, (as^ indeed, I cannot even^ hear it named without reluctance) yet I pay so great a regard to your judgment, that, if ybu think any advantacgc may arise from onr* interview, I am willing to return. In the mean tjme, ♦ CrctTO had an interview with Ca^ar, in the return of thte^ laH^r from Brundifium, after Pninpey had abandoned tba^ city, and fled into Greece. Caesar laboured to prevail with of:^r breaking open the femple of baturn, in which this money 'Was pre«>erved, hv flrsr plundered his- country of'lier pat?i- .|]gon5, (jfayb i'Horus) and then of her* liberty. H^in^ thus possessed himself of an immen e wealth, he immediafely ^^t out upon his expedition against Afranius nnd Petreius, the lieutenants of Pompe^' io 3(»CD. Ctcs. Bel, CiviL i. 3X pio. xli. Ftor» iv. i^. ;^^ijj^4li3posi$ion toiJ^w the le^stfeVour tqlns ^le, toryoursei^ ta^ypurson, /or to your, family m^gfe^eral ; if : either my4iie»tUhip^^v^ ^IJ^- fttiim Qf that worthy man who )wi3 . ipar^^^' tjour . d^Mghtcr, cau give us a. clawi tq^^r^e influence over you, let me conjure you.notjto 4^epcert the measure* j^ l^^ take© to pi;e- mv€ our fortunes, nor lay us under tlie mi^er- ,^bAq alternative of either ahandoning 4 cau$c Hipon whicli our own. safety depends>py,o^ifji- ^iously wishmg well to one which.must neces- sarily be inconsistent with yours • ^ QonsHjer, y-ou hav^ already disgusted Pompey, by this ^ur -delay in joining him ; and,would;it;;?^Qt he utterly impolitic, after having so cautiously :^vpided giving ojSkncQ to Csesar, when h». af- fairs were yet doubtful,, to declare against him .gow that they are attended with such uncom- ttmn success ? AYould .it not b^, the highest aS^?9^0o^t<>Join^wAth9se who;^re fleeiijg ^before his troops, after having refus«ed: to ).^et IP^co^^ theai, when they seemid'ii*. clmed ;to resist? In finfe, my fc«;nd,. let me escape the imputation of being deficient in pa- jtr^otjsm, ^a.^jfoajretul l^at yoi^ mcntMy^^Q^fx- 'J^lt^^^^^ ^F.^^^^^ in t>rudeti,ce. t But,- af. f^ui^nJ^H biniiiii'i^nk Um^^n uoiHU^qK^ ;yo j^ lf& The LETTERS Bod*: VHi B90 K VUl ttF CICEAO. isr I ter idl^utf I'Cantiot whaUytdU^adei^ir fmmb youor^olution, suffer roe at least to \ktev$H. With you toen^pend the execution pi^itf till tlnd event of our expeditiou into Spain; wiiichi shall venture, however, to assure you, aviU mosi certainly fall iato our hand* upon, the veiy first appearance of Cjesajfs troops. ; And what hopes ^he opposite party can possibly entaitaijOk after the loss of that province, I am perftctiy UKMtble to discorer. As ^tr, likewi^> i& itthor. yondmy penetration, what motive cart mdiice you to join with tbobe whose afiaLcs.are thus evidently desperate. This design, which you •o obscurely intimated in your letter, had reached the knowledge of Caesar : and the first thing he said, after the usual salutations had pas^d between us^ was to iafonn nie of what he had heard concernfaig. you, I professed my • self entirely ignorant that ypu haxlany sudt thoughts: but if you had, I said, itwaiwy request Siiat he wjould write to you iti such terms as^might most probably prevail with youtD rei^^Qce them. I have received his.jCO^>ands to attend him into Spain ; otherwise, I would insjaatly have come to you^ whe^^>rcrg^^i^ |^ been, in order to have pressed these reasons y^gmryon in person, .and, indeed, to Mye^j^ tained you in Italy by absolute forcj^^^ Consi- der well your schenie, my dear Cicero^ erg )ff^ carry carry )it diito eacecution, .lest^you ohstinaitelyj^ and ^^inst ^ semonstrauces, imi^olre^ liodt j^nietf and your ftimily in cutter andirrecovei'- able min. But if ywou .are aflccted -by tlic te- fOrdSDbhfis of Ithose Wiho styie themselves pa- triots, or cannot submit to i« a witness of the •lifilenceQf some m die opposite party, let me advise you to retreat ixi^io a neutrail ^city^ :(iU cur ctoiitests ishall be decided. This will ie acting with a pnadence which I cannot hutOY()il^ to be a laudable one, and which Caesar, ^I om Wmti'^ mil « by no means .disapprovx. Earewei. '' ^,,,1 , BETTER XIV. ^^Li ^.'Cac'ErfRO to MAftcu;S CcEiEva.. anub - -.4 I SHOULD hsive been extremely aflfected by yout letter, if reason had not banished from my heart ail its disquietudes, atid despair of seeing bt^B- ter days had not long since hardened it against ^ery newimpressidn'ofgrief; YcJtsfroitj^ttsl hittSt ackno\viedge my despondency to be, I arh tiot ucfc^lble, hbweVen^ftig^^^satd any^tHitfgih iriy kst whiey'5 leav.og Italy, he seems, an tar as can be judged at th.s chsunce of time, to have acted upon a very rational Wan. Pompe)'s forces were much infermr to Cttsar's : and W the few troops which he had, were such a> he could by ':«o means depend upon. As he was master of h very consi- •derab.e fleet, there was great probability of his being able to prevent Caesar from following him into Greece : at the same '^And has any event since happened, that could ^t'e me just reason of changing my sentiments? On the contrary, has not every circumstance tdhcurred to fix me in them^ ? ' Be assured, (and I am well persuaded it is what you already believe) that the single aim ^^'%iy actions in these our pubHc calamities, has been to convince the world, that my great and earnest desire was to preserve the peace of our country ; and when this could no longer "be hoped, that there was nothing I wished more, than to avoid taking any part in the civil war. lime that Afranius and Petreius were in the rear of Caesar, with an array composed of approved and veteran forces. I^aly was supplied with corn from the eastern provinces, espe- cially from Egypt: which Pompey was in hopes of cutting ofl; by means of his fleet. These provinces, together with the neighbouring kings, were likewise greatly in his interest: and he had reason to exptict very large subsidies from them, both ol men and money. Perhaps, ^therefore, when these several .Circumstances shall be duly weighed, it will not appear that Pompey determined injudiciously, when he resolved to cross the Adriatic. Ad Att, vii. 13, ix. 9. x. S. Dio, xli. p. 158. Notwjthstrtndjng Cicero's strong assertions that he bad ,110 thoughts of joining Pompey, he had actually determined to do so a few days before he received the preceding letter , from Callus : as appears by an epistle to Atticus, whereiu he expressly tells him, that he was only wailing for a fair ,|Pfind.^ But before he wrote the present letter, he had re- , ccived some news not altogether favourable fo Pompey's party • ; in consequence of which he renounced his former deliun and ,^,was now determined (though he does not think properVown ,U in this letter) to retire to Malta, as a neutral island. This . resolution, however, he soon afterwards rejected, and re- sumed his first .intentions of following Pompey into Greece And this scheme he at length executed. Ad Att, x 8 «" See rem. 4. p. Hi. of this tol. * K2 I I <\ I '■ ft / 132 Th£ letters Book VIL BookVIL 6t CICERO. 133 war. And I shall never, I trust, have reasoo. to repent of fimily persevering in these senti* nients. It was the frequent boast, I remember^^ of my friend Hortensius, that he had never taken up arms in any of our civil dis&entions. But I may glory in the same honest neutrality, with a much better grace : for that of Horten- sius w-as suspected to have arisen from the ti- inidity of his temper ; whereas mine, I think, cannot be imputed to any motive of that un- worthy kind. Nor am I in the least terrified by those considerations, with which you so faithfully and affectionately endeavour to alarm mv fears. The truth of it is, there is no cala- mity so severe, to which we are not all of us, it should seem, in this universal anarchy and confusion, equally and unavoidably exposed. But if I could have averted this dreadful storm ftom the republic, at the expence of my own •prii-ate and domestic enjoyments, even of those, my friend, which you so emphatically recom- mend to my care, I should most willingly have made the sacrifice. As to my son, (who I re- joice to find has a share in your concern) J shall leave him a sufficient patrimony in that honour with Avhich my name will be remem- bered, so long as the republic shall subsist: and if it be destroyed, I shall have the consolation at least to reflect, that he will sufFpr nothing more more than must be the common lot of every Roman. With regard to that dear and excel- lent young man my son-in-law, whose welfare you entreat me to consider; can you oncedoubt^ knowing as you perfectly do the tenderness I bear, not only for him, but for Tullia, that I am infinitely anxious upon his account ! I am the more so indeed, as it was my single consolation, amidst these general distractions, that they might possibly prove a means of protecting him from those inconveniences in which his too ge^ nerous spirit had unhappily involved him^ How much he suffered from them, during th« time he cH)ntinued in Rome, as well as how little thai circumstance was to my credit, are points which I xhoose to leave to your enquiry. Affairs in Spain, I doubt not, will terminate in the manner you mention. But I neither wait the event of them in order to determine my con- i. \,,# ^ It should seem, by ibis passage, that DolabelU, who had contracted very considerable debts, was at this lime un- der some diflftcuUies from bis creditors: fr(»m whomCvcefo flattered himsell' that Caesar's power would have protected ^im. Some commentators, however, instead of liheralithte^ adopted in this translation, read libertate ; and suppose ik^t (jlicera. alludes to the pjpsecuiion in v^hich DolabcUa had been engaged against Appius : of which a detail has been given in the preceding remarks. But whichever be the true word, ihe. sentiment is observable. For surely it was utterly unworthy of Cicei-o, to find the least consolation amidst the .•calamities of hi« country, in the hope tlwit they jmigbt prove a scr4*en to Dolabeila, either from the ju&tice of his creditors^ or the malice of his enemies. ^TO m K3 134 The letters Book VII. duct^; nor am I acting, in any other respect, with the least artifice. If the republic should be preserved, I .shall certainly hold my rank in it: but if it should be subverted, you yourself, I dare say, will join me in my intended soli- tude. But this latter supposition is, perhaps, the vain and groundless surmise of a disturbed imagination ; and affairs, after all, may take a happier turn than I am apt to presage. I re- member the despondency which prevailed in my earlier days, amongst our patriots of more ad- vanced years* : possibly my present apprehen- sions may be of the same cast, and no other than the effect of a common weakness incident to old age. Heaven grant they may prove so ! And yet you have heard, I suppose, that a robe of magistracy is in the looms for Oppius ; and that Curtiushas hopes of being invested with the ^double-dyed purple^ : but the principal work- man, ... y y^^ contrary of this was the truth : for Cicero was, at tills lime, determined to w»lt the event of Cxsar*sexpedifion against the heuienants of Pompey in Spain. And for this purpose he had thoughts of retiring to Malta: Melitvm, opi- nor, capessamus (says he to Atiicus) dum qnid in Hispania. Ad Att, X. 9. ^u • This alludes to the contentions between Sylla and Ma- Hus ; which, notwithstanding the probability of their ter»i- narin^ in the total subversion of the constitution, the republic however survived. ^a • Oppms and Curtius were persons who probably had dis- tinguished ihemselves in no other manwr than as being the servile in*irumenis of Caeaar^ ambition. The former, how- ever, appears to have been in high credit during Caesar's usurpation . n Book VII. of dCERO. 133 man, it seems, somewhat delays liirn". I throw mM^ little pleasantry, to l?t^ you see that I can smile in the midst of my indignation. ^ Let me advise you to enter into the affair which I formerly mentioned concerning Dola- bella, with the same warmth as if it were jour own. 1 have only to add, that you ma))^depend upon it, I shall take no hasty or inc«?psidera^ measures. But to v/hatever part of the' world I may direct my course, I entreat you to protect both me and mine, agreeably to your honour,' and to our mutual friendship. Farewel.; ^ ' LETTffeR ti usurpation : but the latter is often mentioned in the lettecs to Atticus with great contempt. Servius, in his (Comment dn the 7th bouk pf the iEneid, informs us that the colour of ike au- gural robe was a mixture of purple and scarlet : it is pjo- bable, therefore, from the expression which Cicero 'employs, that Curtius had a promise of being advanced into thf^«a wed college. It might well discourage Cicero's hopes of belter days, when he saw men of this character singled ott 'id £11 the most important dignities of the repi^bliq. And, ii)d^d, it was an earnest of what Caesar afterwards practised, when he became the sole fountain of all preferment ; which be dis- tributed in the most arbitrary njaoner, without any regard to rank or merit. Nvllosnon konores, says one of the historians, ad libidinent cepit ^ dedit, Civitate domtos, ^ quosdam c semibarbaris Gall&rum, recepit in curiam. Suet, in Jvl. 70. *® Sed cum infector mQraiur, This witticism, whicH tiiicn's upon the equivocal sense of the word injector^ con.l4.iM>f be preserved in the translation. It is probable that Caesar had gaiiied Ctiriius, as he had many others, by. some seasonable application to hjs vvants pi" bis avarice ; for Cipero ^ewito use this word in allusion to the verb from whence it is de- jived, as wellas.in.its appjopriated nieaAJng; tn/^cia .signify- ing b^ath to corrj/pt and to dj/e, K 4 I \\ 'ti 'I i 'i ♦. 13? Tni LETTERS Book Vlh ;m a> 101 LETTER XV. [A. U. 704.J To Se&Vius Sujupiqius. J RtCEiVED your letter at my Curtian villa, ^n the 2Sth of April. I find you shortened it vpon the supposition that ^hilotimus M^ould deliver it into my hand$ ; whom, it seems, you h^ inJtructed to give mc a more full and ex^ plicit information. But he did not execute his commission with the care he ought : for instead ctf bringing your letter to me himself, he sent it by another person. Houever, this omission 1>^^^pFe, you must either approve the measures which are there flurrying on, or be present at a scene wVi^ }^wr h^art condemns. But the former seems au. un- worthy part, and the latter, I think, altogetho- an unsafe one. My opinion is consequently fgr retiring: and the single point i$, whither tadi^ l^ct our course ? But a^. public ^^jF3ir3.5^ere ne- ver in a more desperate situatioD^ so never was there 'i i\ tl ii i i f, im The letters Book VIL Book VII. ot CICERO. 139 there a question attended with greater difficul- ties: whichever way one turns it, some impor- tant objection occurs. If you have resolved upon any scheme which is not consistent with mine^ I could wish you would spare yourself the trouble of a journey hither: but if you are inclined to participate of my measures, I will wait your ar- rivaP. I beg you would be as expeditious for that purpose as you conveniently can : a request in which both Servius and Posthumia equally join^ Farewel, ^ •Rli >f LETTER XVL [A. U. 704.] To RUFUS^ Fio UGH I nevei once doubted that I enjoyed the highest rank in your friendship, yet every da> '5 experience strengthens me in that' per- suasion. You assured me, I remember, in one of ' Sulpiciiis had an interview with Cicero at his Cuman v]]]'d, soon after the date of this letter; but the former was . ao iDuch dispirited, ami so full of fears, that Cicero colild not bring him 10 any determination. 1 l»ey broke up their roriference, therefore, without coming to any explicit re^jo- lution: for thouuh Cicero's was already formed, he did Dot thiiik proper to avow his design of joining Pompey, to a man Whom he k)iM\4 in so timid and fluctuating a state of roind. * I^he son and wife of Sulpicius. Posthumia was one of ihcse many ladies ubo found Csssar as irresistible a gallact as he was a boldier. Suet, in Jul, 50, ^ See rem. 1. p. 91. of your letters, that you should be more assidu- ous in giving me proofs of your affection now, than when you were my qusestor, as they would faiore indisputably appear to be the free result of a disinterested esteem. And though no- thing, I thought, could exceed your good of- fices to me in the province, yet you have since fully evinced the sincerity of this promise. Ac- cordingly, it was with great pleasure I observ- ed the friendly impatience with which you ex- pected my arrival in Rome, when I had thoughts of going thither, as well as the joy you after- wards expressed at my having laid aside that design, when aifairs had taken a different turn from what you imagined. But your last letter Avas particularly acceptable to me, as an instance both of your affection and your judgment. .It afforded me much satisfaction, indeed, to find, on the one hand, that you consider your true interest (as every great and honest mind ought always to consider it) as inseparably connected "^ith a rectitude of conduct: and on the other, Hhat you promise to accompany me, whither- soever I may determine to steen Nothing can 'be more a y^HJill jIBII I AM entirely free from the disorder in my stomach : which was the more painful, as I saw it occasioned both you and that dear girl whom I love better than my life, so much uneasiness^ I discovered the cause of this complaint th^ niglit after I left you, having discharged a great quantity of phlegm. This gave me so immedi- ate a relief, that I cannot but believe I owe my c^fe to some heavenly interposition: to Apollo^ no doubt, and iEsculapius. You will offer up your grateful tributes, therefore, tft, these restpr^ V^K fWMh ^'^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ardency of your usual devotio%it;j 37/ J. lufii jvi^r ? I am this moment embarked*: and have pro^ jifjiirKfx-^) l«Ofn ifif exi .^lo ' aoqi> ^^^^^ ♦ In order to join Pompey in Greece, who had left Italy •bout thne mor»ths beloie the date of this letter. A late learued M'l 14« Trt* LETTERS Book VI r. cured a ship which I hope is well able to perform her voyage. As soon as I shall have finished this letter, I propose to write to severalof my friends, recommending yon and our dearest Tullia in the strongest terms to their protection. In the mean time I should exhort you to keep up your spirits, if I did not know that both of you are animat- ed learned and most able paneojyrist of Cicero assures us, that he took this measure, as choosing to ** follow ihe cause " which he thought to be the best, and preferring the consi- *• tieration of duty to that of his safety." Cicero deserves so highly from every friond to genius and literature, that it is no wonder Dr. Middleton should not always speak of him with the cool impartiality of an unbiassed historian. But it is the principal purpose of these remarks, to inquire, without pre- judices of any kind, into the real merit of Cicero's political character: and as his conduct during this important crisis will evidently shew the strength and measureof his patriotism, I shall trace it from the breaking out of the civil war to the present period, and then leave the facts to speak for them- selves. Upon the news that Ca?sar was marching into Italy, Pom^- pey was appointed general in chief of the republican forces, and the principal magistrates, together with those who wei* invested with proconsular power, were distributed intoditter- ent cantons of Italy in order to raise troops, f^)r the doit'nce of the common cause. Cicero had his particular district as- signed him among the rest ; but instead of ex^cuiing this important commission with spirit and vigour, he remained «lrng#»ther inactive at his several villas in that part of Italy. Anar's name, in oHer to prevail with him to return to R(»me. liescripsi ad Trebafium quam illud hoc tempore cssct difficile: mc tumcn in pradiiji meis c5Ae, ncqtte delcvtum ullum, luque nrgotium sus- cepis9e. Ad Att. vii. 37. Poinpey, in the mean lime^ was pressing Cicero to join him: but he excused Inmselt by re- pre'enting that whilst he was actually on the n>ad for that purp<>-c, he was inlornied that he could not proceed wiihout the dcinijer of being iulerceplcd by Cie>ar'3 troops. Epiit. 2. Cicer* Book VII. OF CICERO. U3 ed with a more than manly fortitude. And, in- deed, I hope there is a fair prospect of your re- maining in Italy without any inconvenience,and of my returning to the defence of the republic, ia conjunction with tliosc who are no lessfailli-' • fully devoted to its interest. After Cicer. ad Pom. apudepist. ad Att. viii. Cicero, however, is so ingenuous as to acknowledge, in the same letter to Pompey, that so long as there were hopes that the negotiations for a peace would be attended with success, he thought it a justifiable piece of prudence not to be too active in forward- ing the preparations that were carryincj on "against CsBsar ; remembering, he says, how much he had formerly suffered from the resentment of the latter in the affair uf his exile. This was explaining, at once, the true principle of his whole CO nd ct, and he avows it moie expressly in a letter to At* ticus. Non Bimul cum Pompeio mare transierimus ? OinniHO non poterimus ; exstat ratio dienim^ sed tamen (fateamur enim quod €fit)fefeUit ea me res, yuccjbrtasse )io?t Jcbuit, sed fefeliit.; pacein putavijore : quae si csset, iratum mihi Casai'um, esse, cum idem amicus esset Pompeio^ iiolui. Hendeiaiu enim quam idea essent. Hoc verens in hanc larditaiem incidu Ad Att. x. 8. Pompey, however, had no souner set sail fi)r Greece, ihun Cicert) was struck with the consciousness of his having acted an unworthy part : Postquam Pompeius ef consulen es Italiajexieruntjfion angor, says lie, sed ardeo dolorc uou sufHy inquam^ mihi credty mentis compos^ tantum mihi dedecom r is adinisisse video r. Ad Ait, i\. 6, After several delibera- tions, therefore, he was determined, he telis Atiicus, to tol- Jow Poinpev, without waiting the event of Caesar's aims in bpain. Ad Att. ix. ip. x. 8. This resolution, nevertheless, hoon gave way to a second ; for havng received some ac- counts which contradicted a former report that had battii spread conceruiiig tbe advantageous posture of Pompey's af- fairs, Cicero renounced his intention ot joining him, and now purposed to stand neuter. Ad Att. x. 9« l^ut u new turn in favour of Pompey seems tu have brought Cicero back to his former scheme : for, in a subsequi-nt letter to Atticu^, wherein he menu:)ns some reasons to believe that Pumpey*s aflat ts 144 The letters Book VII. I After earnestly recommending to you the caie of your health, let me make it my next re- quest, that you would dispose of yourself in such of my villas as are at the greatest distance from the army. And if provisions should be- come scarce in Rome, I should think you will find it most convenient to remove with your servants to Arpinum^ The •fTairs went well in Spain, and takes notice, likewise, of some d.S;.ust which the p- pulice txpre^sed towards Caesar in the !i eatrr, we find him ifsumn.g his design ot openly uniting wiih Poiupcv : and accordingly he rosoWed to join th«)«^e who wen* inainiaining Potnpey's cause in Sicily. Ad Att. X 12. li di>es not tippear, by any of his letters, upon wh.it motive be al'erwanii exchanged his plan fr that of sailing directly to Pomje>'s camp in Greece: which, after various deba ts with h'niaelf, he at leugih, we see, executed. There is a passage, however, in Caesar's Commentaries, which, perhapn, will render it pr»bable, that the news which, about t)ii>t'iDe, ^«hs confidently spread at Rome, (hat Caesar's army hnd been almost totally defeated in Spain, was the deteimntkni; rea«»on that seiit Cicero to Ft nipey. The fact wa>, tnaC Alran'us and Pctreiu» had gained some advantages ovtf Ciesnr ; but as they magnified ihem, in their letters to Hjmc, much beyond the truth, several ^.eisons of note, w-h > had ht'.ht-rto been fluc'uating in their rc-^olutions, tb •iisi'ht It was now high time to declare iliem-^elves, and wtn; otV immetiiately to P< mpey. Hac Aframufy Vetreius^ que^ ei eorum aniia\ pieniora eiiam atque uUoriura Romam iiU suoa jmncribcLant . MuUa rumor fingcbat : lU peiw bel' lum coiijeduui vide ret ur, ^uiOus Uteris nuucivque liomatn perla/ts muUi ex Italia ad Cn, Pompeium proficv-cehan^ tur ; aUi ut principes talem nunciam attalisie ; alii riec ecen^ turn belli exptclusie^ aui ex omnibus twvissimi veniise vide- renlur* Oe Bel. Civil, i. 53. * A ci y ia the couuiryof the Volsci, a district of Italy which now comprehends part . f iheCaaipHgna di Romn, and of the Terra di Lavoro. Ciceio was born in this town, which still subsists under the name of Arpiuo. Book VII. OF CICEftQ. 14& The amiable young Cicero most tenderly sa- lutes you. Again and again I bid you farewel. . Jmdc (he lltb. LETTER XVIII. [A. U. 704.] Marcus Ccelius to Cicero. VV.A8^ it for this that I followed Caesar into Spain ? Why was I not rather at Formiae, that I might have accompanied you to Pompey ? But I was infatuated ; and it was my aversion to Appius^, together with my friendship for Curio, that gradually drew me into this cursed cause. Nor were you entirely unaccessary to any error : for that night, w^hen I called upon you • This letter confirms the character that has been given of Ccelius, in a former remark*, and shews him to have been of a temper extravagantly warm and impetuous. The re- sentment and indignation with which it is animated, was ow- ing to some disappointments that he had met with from Cz* sar, who had not distinguished him agreeably to his expecta- tions, Coelius, therefore, who was one of the praetors for the present year, endeavoured to take his revenge by opposing the execution of certain laws which Caesar had procured.— His attempts for this purpose having created great disturb- ances in Rome, he was not only deposed from his office, but expelled the senate : and the present letter seems to have been written immediately upon that event, Dio, xlii. p. J95. Ccti. de Bel, Civil, iii. 20. 7 Appius engaged on the side of Pompey, as Curio was a warm partisan of Caesar. For the occasion of Coelius's re- sentment against Appius, see B, vi, let. 14. p« 6l, of this vol, • See rem. 4. vol. 1. p. 272. Vox. II. L y 146 The letters Book VIL you in my way to Ariminum', why did you forget the friend, when you were gloriously acting the patriot, and not dissuade me from the purpose of my journey, at the same time that you commissioned me to urge Caesar to pacific measures ? Not that I have an ill opi- nion of the cause ; but, believe me, perdition itself were preferable to being a witness of the insufferable behaviour of these his insolent par- tisans^ They have rendered themselves so ge- nerally odious, that we should long since have been driven out of Rome, were it not for the apprehensions which people have conceived of the cruel intentions of your party'^ There is not, at this juncture, a man in Rome, except a few rascally usurers", who does not wish well to • In order to join Caesar. Coelius was one of the party with Curio and Antony, when they fled to Cse>ar. Dio. xli. p. 153. See the first ielier of this book, and rem. 4. on the same. * The chiefs of Cesar's party at Rome. '° When Poropey left Rome, upon the approach of Caesar, he declared that he should treat all those as enemies uho did not follow him : a declaration, it was imagined, which he would most rigorously have fulfilled, if fortune had put it in his power. Grs, Bel, Civil, i. Cic. Epist. passim. " As great numbers of those who embraced the party of Caesar were deeply involved in debt, it was apprehended that they would procure a law for a general discharge from their creditors. But Cscsar adjusted matters by a more prudeiit method, and in such a manner as to facilitate the payment of the^e loans with little prejudice to those who had advanced them. It appears that Cae>ar rendered himself, by these means, extremely acceptable to those persons at Rome, who dealt in this sort of pecuniary commerce. Cas, dc Bel. G- t i/. i. Book VII. OF CICERO. 147 to Pompey ; and I have already brought over to your cause, not only those among the ple- beian families who were in the interest of Cje- sar, but the whole populace in general. But you will ask, perhaps, what can this avail us now ? Wait the event, my friend : victory shall attend you in spite of yourselves". For surely a profound lethargy has locked up all the senses of your party, as they do not yet seem sensible how open we lie to an attack, and how little capable we are of making any considerable opposition. It is by no means from an interested motive that I offer my as- sistance, but merely in resentment of the un- worthy usage I have received : and resentment is a passion which usually carries me, you know, the greatest lengths.— But what are you doing on the other side the water'^ ? Are you imprudently waiting to give the enemy battle? What Pompey 's forces may be, I know not : but CsBsar's, I am sure, are accustomed to ac- tion, and inured to all the hardships of the most severe campaigns. Farewel LETTER 11 * i./'ji.-," 4i * This boast of Ccelius ended in nothing but his own de- struction. For, not succeeding in his attempts at Rome, be withdrew to Thurii, a maritime town on the gulph of Te^ rentum; where, endeavouring to raise an insurrection in fa- vour of Pompey, he was murdered by the soldiers of Caesa^r'^ faction. Dio. xlii, p, ig6. '' Cicero was at this time in Pompey's camp in Greece^ L2 ii *4| 148 The letters Book VII. Book VIL of CICERO. 149 t^ I" LETTER XIX. [A. U. 704.] DoLABELLA' to CiCEEO. 1 SHALL rejoice to hear you are well: I have the satisfaction to inform you, that both Tul- lia and myself are perfectly so. Terentia, in- deed, has been somewhat indisposed, but is now, I am assured, perfectly recovered. As to the rest of your family, they are all of them \^ the state you wish. It would be doing me great injustice to sus- pect that I have at any time advised you to joinoyjtb^lne in tb€-4:4use of Caesar, or at least to stand neuter, more with a view to the ad- vantage of my own party, than of your inte- rest. But now that fortune has declared on our side*, it is impossible I should be supposed to recommend this alternative for any other reason, but ■ The reader has already been apprised, in the foregoing remarks, that DolabeUa was son>in-law to Cicero. He was a young man of a warm, enterprising, factious disposition, and one of the most active partisans of Cesar*s cause. His character, conduct, and fortune wiU be more parttcuharly marked out as occabion abail offer, in the farther progress of these observations. * Cxsar having defeated Afranius and Petreius, the lieu- tenants of Pompey, in Spain, was at this time wiih his army before Dyrrachium, a maritime city in Macedonia, now called Duraazi. but because the duty I owe you will not suffer me to be silent. Whether my advice, there- fore, shall meet with your approbation or not, you will at least be so just as to believe, that it proceeds, my dear Cicero, from an honest intention, and from a heart most sincerely de- sirous of your welfare. You see that neither the lofty title with which Pompey is distinguished', nor the credit of his former illustrious actions, nor the advan- tages he so frequently boasted, of having kings and nations in the number of his clients, have any thing availed him. On the contrary, he has suffered a disgr^ice which never, per- haps, attended any other Roman general. For, after having lost both the Spains*, toge- ther with a veteran army, and, after having also been driven out of Italy, he is now so strongly invested on all sides, that he cannot execute what the meanest soldier has often per- ^ formed ; he cannot make even an honourable ^etreat^ You will consider, then, agreeably to ^ When be was a very young man, he was honoured by Sylla with the title of Pompey the Great; a title which he ever afterwards assumed. * This country was divided by the Romans into the Nearer and the Farther Spain; that part which lay near the Pyrenees and the river Ibro being comprehended under the former appellation, and all beyond that river, under the latter. ' Ft is probable that some slight success which Caesar had obtained before Dyrrachium, had been greatly magnified at L 3 Rome : r 150 The letters Book VII. to your usual prudence, what hopes can possi- bly remain either to him or to yourself; and the result will evidently point out the measures which are most expedient for you to pursue. Let me entreat you, if Pompey has already ex- tricated himself out of the danger in which he was involved, and taken refuge in his fleet, that you would now at least think it time to consult your own interest, in preference to that of any other man. You have performed every thing which gratitude and friendship can ex- pect, or the party you approved can require. What remains, then, but to sit down quietly under the repubHc, as it now subsists, rather than, by vainly contending for the old consti- tution, to be absolutely deprived of both ? If Pompey, therefore, should be driven from his present post, and obliged to retreat still far- ther, I conjure you, my dear Cicero, to with- draw to Athens, or to any other city uncon- cerned in the war. If you should comply with this advice, I beg you would give me no- tice, that I may fly to embrace you, if by any means it should be in my power. Your own interest with Caesar, togetlier with the natural generosity of his temper, will render it ex- tremely Rome : for Pompey was so far from being in the situation which Dolabella here represents him, that Cxsar found him- self obliged to abandon the siege of this city, and to retirt into Thessaly. Dio, xli. p. 177. Book VII. OF CICERO. 15\ tremely easy for you to obtain any honourable conditions you shall demand ; and I am per- suaded that my solicitations will have no in- considerable weight for this purpose, I rely upon your honour and your humanity to take care that this messenger may safely re- turn to me with your answer. Farewel. ■f 1 1 f k .. LETTER XX. [A.U. 704.] To TERENTIA^ AM informed, by the letters of my friends^ as well as by other accounts, that you have had a sudden attack of a fever. I entreat you, therefore, to employ the utmost care in re- establishing your health. The early notice you gave me of Caesar's letter was extremely agreeable to me ; and let me desire you would send me the same expedi- tious intelligence, if any thing should hereaf- ter occur that concerns me to know. Once more I conjure you to take care of your health. Farewel. June the 2d. . i-w^ - ' LETTER * " This letter was written by Cicero, in the camp at " Dyrrachium ; for there is one extant to Atticus later than " this, and dated from the camp. Ad Att, xi. 18." Mr. Ross, L 4 1 ' f 152 The LETTERS Book VII. LETTER XXL [A. U. 704.] To the same/ A XN TREAT you to take all proper measures for the recovery of your health. Let me re- quest, Hkewise, that you would provide what- ever may be necessary in the present conjunc- ture, and that you would send me frequent ac- counts how every thing goes on. Farewel. LETTER XXIL ' [A. U. 704.] To the same. I HAVE sddom an opportunity of writing, and scarce any thing to say that I choose to trust in a letter. I find, by your last, that you cannot meet with a purchaser for any of our farms. I beg, therefore, you would con- aider of some other method of raising money, in order to satisfy that person who, you are sensible, I am very desirous should be paid*. I am ^ This letter was probably writteD soon after the forego- ing, and from the same place. • This letter, as well as the two former, was written while Cicero was with Pompey in Greece. The business at which he so obscurely hints, has been thought to relate to the pay- ment Book VIL OF CICERO. 153 I am by no means surprised that you should have received the thanks of our friend, as I dare say she had great reason to acknowledge your kindness. If Pollex^ IS not yet set out, I desire you would exercise yOur authority, and force the loiterer to depart immediately. FareweL July the 15th. LETTER ment of part of Tullia*s portion to Dolabella. But it seems evident from the 4th epistle of the 11th book to Atticus, that Cicero was not at this time come to any resolution con- cerning the second payment of his daughter's portion ; for, in a postscript, he desires the sentiments of Atticus upon that subject. De pensione altera^ says he, oro te omni cura considera quid faciendum sit. Ad Att, xi. 4. Now that this letter to Atticus was written about the same time, with the present to Terentia, appears from hence, that Cicero plainly refers in it to the same epistle to which this before us is an answer. Ex proximis cognovi prcedia non venisse : [Ad Att. ibid.] which tallies with what he says in the letter under ex- amination : ex tuis Uteris, quas proxime accepi, cognovi prce^ dium nullum venire potuisse ; and proves that the date of each must have been nearly, if not exactly, coincident. For these reasons, it seems necessary to look out for another interpre- tation of the present passage , and, from the cautious cir- cumstance of the name being suppressed, it may be suspected that Cawar is the person meant. It is certain, at least, that Cicero owed him a sum of money ; concerning which, he ex- presses some uneasiness to Atticus, upon the breaking out of the civil war ; as he couM not, indeed, continue in Cassar't debt with any honour, after he had joined the party against bim. Ad Att. vii. 3. "^ ^ ^ ^ It appears, by a letter to Atticus, that this person acted ts a sort of steward in Cicero's family. Ad. Att. xiii. 47. . 15* The letters Book VI I. Book VII. OF CICERO. 153 lit \ LETTER XXIII. [A. U. 704.] To the same. May the joy you express at my safe arrival in Italy', be never interrupted ! But my mind was so much discomposed by tliose atrocious injuries I had received', that I have taken a step, I fear, which may be attended with great difficulties^ Let me, then, entreat your utmost assistance ; ' After ihc battle of Pharsalia, Cicero would not engage himself any farther with the Pompeian party ; but, having endeavoured to make his peace with Caesar by the mediation of Dolabella, he seems to have received no other answer than an order to return immediately into Italy. And this he ac- cordinoly did a few days before the date of the present letter. Ad Att. xi. 7. * Cicero, who was somewhat indisposed, and much out of humour, did not attend Pompey when he marched from Dyrrachium in order to follow Cssar. Cato was likewise left behind, with fifteen cohorts, to conduct the baggage ; but upon the news of Pompey's defeat, in the plains of Phar* salia, he pressed Cicero to take upon himself the commaiwi of those troops, as being of superior rank in the republic. Cicero, who had all along declined accepting any commission in Pompey's army, was not disposed, it may well be ima- gined, to be more active against Caesar, when the latter had just obtained a most signal victory. Accordingly, he abso- lutely refused this offer which Cato made ; declaring, at the same time, his resolution of withdrawing from the common cause. This exasperated the young Pompey and his friends to such a degree, that they would have killed Cicero upon the spot, if Cato had not generously interposed, and con- ducted him safely out of the camp. It is probably to this outrage that he here alludes. Ad Att. xi. 4. Pint, in rit.Cic. 3 It has been observed, that Cicero scarce ever executed an important resolution, of which he did not immediately repent. assistance; though, I must confess, at the same time, that I know not wherein it can avail me. I would by no means have you think of coming hither. For the journey is both long and dangerous, and I do not see in what man- ner you could be of any service. Farewel. Brundisium, Nov. the 5th. repent. This, at least, was the situation of his mind, in the present instance ; and he was no sooner arrived in Italy, than he began to condemn himself for having too hastily de- termined upon that measure. The letters which he wrote to Atticus, at this period, and which comprise almost the lltb book of those epistles, contain little eUe than so many proofs of this assertion. Cicero imagined, after the decisive action that had lately happened in the plains of Pbarsalia, that the chiefs of the Pompeian party would instantly sue for peace. But Caesar, instead of directly pursuing his victory, suffered himself to be diverted by a war altogether foreign to his pur- pose, and in which the charms of Cleopatra, perhaps, car- ried him farther than he at first intended. This gave the Pompeians an opportunity of collecting their scattered forces, and of forming a very considerable array in Africa. As this circumstance was utterly unexpected by Cicero, it occasioned him infinite disquietude, and produced those reproaches which he is perpetually throwing out upon himself in the let- ters abovementioned lo Atticus. For, if the republican par- ty should, after all, have returned triumphant into Italv, he knew he should be treated as one who had merited their ut- most resentment. , «;. : /jouji i This and the following letters in this book to Tere^tia, were written during the interval of Cicero's arrival at Brun- disium, and Caesar's return into Italy, which contains a period of about eleven mouths. t56 The letters Book VII. LETTER XXIV. [A. u. ro4.] To the same. The ill state of health into which TuUia is fallen, is a very severe addition to the many and great disquietudes that afflict my mind*. But I need say nothing farther upon this sub- ject, as I am sure her welfare is no less a part of your tender concern than it is of mine. I agree both with you and her in thinking it proper that I should advance nearer to Rome^ ; and I should have done so before now, if I had not been prevented by several difficulties, which I am not yet able to remove. But I am in ex- pectation of a letter from Atticus, with his sen- timents upon this subject; and I beg you would forward it to me by the earliest opportunity. Farewel. LETTER ♦ The anxiety wbich Cicero laboured under, at this junc- ture, was undoubtedly severe. Besides the uneasiness men- tioned in the last remark, he was, like^rise, under great dis* quietude from the uncertainty of the disposition in which CffiAr stood towards him. And, to add yet more to the dis- composure of his mind, it was at this time that he received the cruel usage from his brother, of which an account has been given in rem. 7. p. 1 10. of this vol. He had still greater misfortunes of a domestic kind, to increase the weight of his borrows, which will be pointed out as they shall occasionally offer themselves in the remaining letters to Terentia. ' Cicero was still at Brundisium, from which place all the following. letters in this book to Terentia, except the last, aeem to have been written. Book VIL of CICERO, U7 LETTER XXV. [A, U. 704.] To the same. In addition to my other misfortunes, I hav« BOW to lament the illness both of Dolabella and Tullia. The whole frame of my mind is, indeed, so utterly discomposed, that I know not what to resolve, or how to act, ii\ any of my affairs. I can only conjure you to take care of yourself and of Tullia. Farewel. ■t i III t LETTER XXVL [A. U. 704.] To the same. If any thing occurred worth communicating to you, my letters would be more frequent and much longer. But I need not tell you the situation of my affairs ; and, as to the effect they have upon my mind, I leave it to Lepta and Trebatius to inform you. I have only to ^dd my entreaties, that you would take care of your own and Tullia's health. Farewel. 4 LETTER 158 TheILETTERS BookVIL LETTER XXVII. [A. U. 704.] ToTlTIUS^ There is none of your friends less capable than I am to offer consolation to you under your present affliction ; as the share I take in your loss7 renders me greatly in need of the same good office myself However, as my m\ef does not rise to the same extreme degree as youi*s, I should not think I discharged the duty which my connexion and friendship with you require, if I remained altogether silent at a time when vou are thus overwhelmed with sorrow. I determined, therefore, to suggest a few reflections to you which may alleviate, at least, if not entirely remove, the anguish of your heart. There is no maxim of consolation more com- mon : vet, at the same time, there is none which deserves to be more frequently in our thoughts, than that we ought to remember, " We are ^'menf ♦ It is altogether uncertain who the person is to whom this letter is addressed ; perhaps the same to whom the l6th of the third book is written. See rem. * p. 248. vol. 1. The precise dale, likewise, is extremely doubtlul ; however, the opinion of Dransfeld is here followed, who, in his edition of these eftistles, has placed it under the present year. '' Of his bon. Book VII. of CICERO. 159 \ " men ;" that is, creatures who are born to be exposed to calamities of every kind ; and, there- fore, " that it becomes us to submit to the con- " ditions by which we hold our existence, with- " out being too much dejected by accidents " which no prudence can prevent." In a word, that we should learn by '^ reflecting on the mis- *' fortunes which have attended others, that " there is nothing singular in those which befal " ourselves." But neither these, nor other argu- ments to the same purpose, which are inculcated in the writings of the philosophers, seem to have so strong a claim to success, as those which may be drawn from the present unhappy situation of public affairs, and that endless series of misfor- tunes which is rising upon our country. They are such, indeed, that one cannot but account those to be most fortunate, who never knew what it was to be a parent ; and as to those persons, who are deprived of their children, in these times of general anarchy and mis-rule, they have much less reason to regret their loss, than if it had happened in a more flourishing period of the commonwealth, or while yet the republic had any existence. If your tears flow, indeed, from this accident, merely as it afitcts your own per- sonal happiness, it may be difficult, perhaps, en- tirely to restrain them. But, if your sorrow takes i its 160 The letters BookVIU its rise from a more enlarged and benevolent principle; if it be for the sake of the dead themselves that you lament, it may be an ea- sier task to assuage your grief. I shall not liere insist upon an argument, which I have frequently heard maintained in conversations, as well as often read, likewise, in treatises that have been written upon this subject "Death,*' ** say those philosophers, " cannot be consi- ** dered as an evil ; because, if any conscious- ** ness remains after our dissolution, it is rather ** an entrance into immortality, than an extinc- ** tion of life ; and if none remains, there can *' be no miserj^ where there is no sensibility^'' Not • The notion of a future state of positive punishment, seems to have been rejected by the ancient philosophers in ge- neral ; both by those who maintained the eternal, and those who only held the temporary duration of the soul after death. Thus Cicero and Seneca, though of different sects^ yet agree in treating the fears of this sort as merely a poe- tical delusion : [Tvsctil. Disput, /. 21. 30. Seuec, Consolat. ^d Marc. I9.] and even Socrates himself affixes no other penalty to the most atrocious deviations from moral recti» tude, than that of a simple exclusion from the mansions of the gods. This shows how impotent the purest systems of the best philosophers must have been, for the moral govern- ment of mankind, since they thus dropped one of the most powerful of all sanctions for that purpose* the terrors of an actual chastisement. The comparative number of those is infinitely small, whose conduct does not give reason to sus- pect that they would be willing to exchange spiritual joys \ik reversion, for the full gratification of an importunate appe- tite in present ; and the interest of virtue can alone be suffi- ciently guarded by the divine assurance of intense pwiuAmen^ as well as of complete happiness hei'eafter^ Book VIL of CICERO. 161 Not to insist, I say, upon any reasonings of this nature ; let me remind you of an argument which I can urge with much more confidence. He who has made his exit from a scene where such dreadful confusion prevails, and where so many approaching calamities are in prospect, cannot possibly, it should seem, be a loser by the exchange. Let me ask, not only where ho- nour, virtue, and probity, ^here true philoso- phy and the useful arts, can now fly for refuge ; but where even our liberties and our lives can be secure.^ For my own part, I have never once heard of the death of any youth during all this last sad year, whom I have not considered as kindly delivered bv the immortal orodsfrom the miseries of these wretched times. If, therefore, you can be persuaded to think that their con- dition is by no means unhappy, whose loss you so tenderly deplore; it must undoubtedly prove a very considerable abatement of your present affliction. For it will then entirely arise from what you feel upon your own account ; and have no relation to the persons whose death you regret. Now it would ill agree with those wise and generous maxims which have ever inspired your breast, to be too sensible of misfortunes which terminate in your own person, and affect not the happiness of those you love. You have Vol. II. M upo^ 162 The letters Book VIL upon all occasons, both public and private, shewn yourself animated with the firmest for- titude : and it becomes you to act up to the character you have thus justly acquired. Time necessarily wears out the deepest impressions pf sorrow : and the weakest mother that ever lost a child, has found some period to her grief. But we should wisely anticipate that effect which a certain revolution of days will un- doubtedly produce : and not wait for a remedy from time, which we may much sooner receive from reason. If what I have said can any thing avail in les- sening the weight of your aflliction, I shall have obtained my wish : If not, I shall at least have discharged the duties of that friendship aiul af- fection which, believe me, I ever have pre- serve He was governor of Sicily : which is all that is known of his history? The laborious and accurate Pighius places his aaministration of that island under the present year: and Mr. Ross assigns a very good reason for being of the same opinion. For it appears (as that gentleman observes) that Cicero's correspondence >*ith Acilms was carried on when the latter was proconsul of Sicily, and during the time ihat Caesar had the supreme authority. It is probable, therefore, that these letters were written in the present >ear ; becau>e in all the others that fall within that period, the per>ons who severaUy presided in Sicily are known to have been Posthu- mius Albinus, Aulus Allienus, and Titus Fursanius. See Mr. Ross's ran. on the Epist. Tamil, vol. ^. p. 502. ^ A maritime city in Sicily, now called Catania. It con- tinued to be a town of considerable note, till the eruptions of mount iEtua in 1669 and l693, which almost entirely laid it in niius. he has other affairs of consequence in Sicily, I recommend his concerns of every kind in that island to your protection. But I particularly recommend himself to you as a most worthy man ; as one with whom I am intimately con- nected ; and as a person who excels in those sciences I principally admire. Whether there- fore he shall think proper to return into Sicily or not, I desire you would consider him as my very particular friend : and that you would treat him in such a manner as to convince him that this letter proved greatly to his advantage, Farewel. LETTER XXX. ' [A. U. 706.] To Terentia. TuLLiA arrived here' on the 12th of this month*. It extremely affected me to see a wo- man of her singular and amiable virtues re- duced (and reduced too by my own negligence) to a situation far other than is agreeable to her rank and filial piety^ ^ ' ■•" I have •»ij*«;B'^u'^dis'u»n : where Cicero was still waiting for Caesar's^ arrival from Egypt. * June. '1*/ Oolabella wasgceatly embarrassed in his affairs: and it seems by this passage as if he had not allowed Tullia a main- tenance, during his absence abroad, sufficient to support her M 3 rauk 166 The LETtERS Book VII I have some thoughts of sending my soti, accompanied by Salltts-tius, with a letter to Caesar*: and if I should execute this design, I will let you know when he setf* out. In the mean time be careful of your health I conjure you. Farewel. LETTER XXXI. [A.U. 706.] To the sauK. I HAD determined, agreeably to what I men- tioned in my former, to send my son to meet Cassar on his return to Italy. But I have since '■ altered mv resolution : as I hear no news of his arrival For the rest I refer you to Sicca, who will inform vou what measures I think neces- sary to be taken: tl>ough I must ^d, that ik)- thing new has occurred since I, wiote; last. TuUia is still with me.— Adieu, and take all possible care of your health. . June the 20th. ' ■■ . ■ . ♦ ♦ i»i}\i and dsgnity. The negligence with which Cicero re- proaches him\elt, probably relates to his not having secured a proper settlement on his daughter, t^henf h<* made the se- cond payment of her fortune to Dolabella. Por in a better wriuen to Atticus about this, time, he expressly condemns himself for having acted imprudently in that affair. In pen- sione secunda, says he, ccecifirimtis. Ad Att. xi. ip. 4 In order to sirpplictte Caesar's pardon, for having en- gfiged against him on the side of Pumpey. Boot VIL OF CICERO. 167 LETTER XXXII. [A.U.706.J To AciLius, Proconsul. C A I u s F L A V I u s, an illustrious Roman knight, of an honourable family, is one with whom I live in great intimacy: he was a very particular friend likewise of my son-in-law Piso. Both ho and his brother Lucius shew me the strongest instances of their regard. I shall receive it, therefore, as an honour done to myself, if you Avill treat Caius with all the marks of favour and distinction th?t shall be consistent with your character and dignity : and be assured you cannot, in any article, more effectually oblige me, than by complying with this re- quest. I will add, that the rank which he bears in the world, the credit in which he stands with thos^ of his own ord^r, together with his polite and grateful disposition, will afford you reason to be extremely w^ll satis- fied with the good offices you shall confer upon him. When I say this, beheve me, I am not prompted by any interested motives, but speak the sincere dictates of truth and friend- ship. Farewel. M 4 LETTER 158 The LETTERS BookVIL LETTER XXXIIL [A. U. 706] To Terentia. I WROTE to Atticus (somewhat later indeed than I ought) concerning the aflfair you men- tion. When you talk to him upon that head, he will inform you of my inclinations : and I need not be more explicit here, after having written so fully to him^ Let me know as soon as possible what steps are taken in that busi- ness : and acquaint me at the same time with every thing else which concerns me. I have onlv to add my request, that you would be careful of your health. Farewel. ' July the 9th. LETTER - * Mr. Ro^s supposes that the letter to which Cicero re- fers, h the Ipth oi the llih bock fo Atticus. If this cuojec- ture be nght (as it is highly probable) the business hinted at concerned the making of Terentia's will, and also the raising of muney towards the support of Tullia, by the sale of SLorae pUie and furniture, ^rf Alt. xi. 1^. CO. ' k •ijb' nnsz I' ciiii Book VII. of CICERO, \h LETTER XXXiV. [A. U. 706.] To the same. 1 If answer to what you object concernin^'fhB divorce I mentioned in my last*^, I can only say, that I am perfectly ignorant what power Dolabella may at this time possess, or what fer- ments there may be among the populace^ However, if you think there is any thing to be apprehended from his resentment, let the mat- rfft ' ■ ■ ter * Between Tullia and Dolabella. The occasion of this divorce is so darkly hinted at in the letters to Atticus, thai it is altogether impossible to penetrate into the reasons that produced it : one, however, seems to have ariseafrom an in- trigue that was carrying on between Dolabella and-Metella. This lady was wife to Lentulus Spiniher (to whom several let- ters in the first and second book of this collection are ad- dressed) and is supposed to be the same person whom Ho- race mentions to have had a commerce of gallantry with the son of th*- celebrated tragedian iEsopus. See rem. 6. p. 1 ip. vol. i. Ad Ait. xi. 20. ' Dolabella was at this time tribune of the people, and employing the power and credit witb which he was invesl^d by that office, to the most seditious purposes. Amono other attempts, he endeavoured to procure a law for the general cancelling of all debts, and likewise to oblige the propri«tors of houses in Rome, to remit one year's rent to their respec- tive tenants. The disturbances ran so high, that the senate was under a necessity of suffering Antony to enter Rome with a body of troops, and no less than SCO citizens lost their lives upon this occasion. But nothing proved effectual for quieting these commotions, till it was known that ('aesar, af- ter having finished the war in Egypt, was actually upon his return into Italy. Plut, in vit. Anton. Dio. xlii. Uv. Epit. il3. 170 The letters Book VIL ter rest : and, perhaps, the first proposal may come from hm^ir. Ne\'ertheless, I leave you to act as you shall judg^e proper ; not doubtinjj that you will take such mea&ures in this most imfortunate affair, as shall appear to be at- tended, with the fewest unhappy consequencesi Farewel. ^ July the Iflrh. LETTER XXXV. [A.V.706.] To AciLius, Proconsul. Marcls and Caius Clodrus, tcJgether with A^chagathus and Philo, all of them inhabitants of the noble and elegant city of Halcsa, are persons with whom I am united by every tie of friendship and hospitality. But 1 am afraid if I recommend so many at once to your particu- lar favour, you will be apt to suspect that I write merely from some motive of an interested kind : though, indeed, both myself and my friends have reason to be abundantly satisfied with the Icgard you always pay io my letters of this na- ture. Let me assure you then, that both Archa- gathus and Philo, as also the whole family of the • The pa«s}»Qnp m tiie original i* <*?ttrefm»iy corrupt. The Iranslalor has (Ulofncd the rcadinij prwpo^ed by Mr. Ross: Sid si metuetidusiratum'si: quiesce: turn ab Uh fort asse nascetur* BoaK VIL OF CICERO. 171 the Clodii, havi, by a long series of affection- ate offices, a right to my^ best assistance. I very earnestly entreat yott^i therefore, asan obli- gatioR that will' be highly agreeable to i;n^^ that you would promote their interest upon) all oc- casiomis, as far as the honour and dignity of your character shall permit. Farewel. LETTER XXXVr. [A. U. 706.1. To* Cass I us. It was the hope that peace would be restored to our country, and the abhorrence of spilling the blood of our fellow-citizens, that equally induced both you and myself to decline an ob- stinate perseverance in the civil war*. But though these sentiments were common to us both, * Caj>ar, after the battle of Pharsalia, crossed the Helles- pont in parsuit of Pompey. Cassius, who was at the same time sailing in those streights with;a very considerable fl^et, might with great ease have destroyer! him; as Cassar was in no condition tt> have resiste might recover the victory : and rendered others i so despei-ate as not to dread the reverse. Fortune, however, must be answerable for the whole train I of evils which this delay has produced. For who would have imaonned either that the Alexandrine^ war could have been drawn out to so great a length, or that the paltry Pharnaces could bave^ struck such a terror throughout Asia^ 'nri But> Yni See rem. 3. p. 154-. of this vol. ;. u * PhariiHces was son of the famous Mithridates, king of Pontus. [S^e Tvm. 2 p. 2. vol. 1.] This young prince, talt- > iqij advantage of CiesarN being engaged in the Ale^HUf^riq^j War, made an incursion into Cappadocia and the Lesf^er Ar- menia ; the (Icmiinions of Deiotarus, a tributary king l<» iJie Homans. pumiiias CaKinqs, whom Caesar had aj)^>'>infed to command iii Asia and the neighbouring proviiK*e«:^,havi»ig recetved notice uf this invasion, marched immediately to the aisistancc of DeioUrus. The two armies came lo an engage- ment, 174 Th^ LETTEllS .Book VII. But though we both acted by the same mea- sures, our present situations, however, are ex- tremely different. The scheme which you thought proper to execute, lias given you ad- mission into Caesars councils, and opened a prospect to you of his future purposes : an ad- vantage, most certainly, that must spare you all the uneasiness which attends a state of doubt and suspense. Whereas, for myself, as I imagined that Caesar would immediately after the battle of Piiarsalia have returned into Italy, I hastened hither in order to encourasre and improve that pacific disposition which he had discovered, by his generosity to so many of his illustrious enemies : by which means, I have ever since been separated from him by an im- mense distance. Here, in truth, I sit the sad witness of those complaints'' that are poured forth xneot, in which Pbarnaces bad the superiority. Calvinus, at the same time, being called away by Ca;sar, who had occasion for those troops to complete the conquest of Alexandria, Pbarnaces took that opportunity of entering Ponius, which he seized as his beredirary dominions, and where be com- mitted great cruellies and devastation. This letter seems to have been untien soon after the transaction above related, and probably while Caesar himself was on ihe march in order to chastise the insolence of Pbarnaces. It was in giving an account of thib expedition, that Cxsar made use of that cele- brated expression in a letter to one of his friends, Vcm\ r/t/y, vici. Hirt. Bel. Alexand, Zl. Plut, in 'jit. Cce&ar. ^ Cajsar, after the battle of Pharsalia, sent Mark Antony into Italy as his master of the horse : an oflice, in tie ab- sence of the dictator, of supreme authority in the common- wealth Book VIL ojf CICERO. 175 forth in Rome, and throughout ail Italj^: com- plaints which both you and I, according to our respective powers, might contribute somewhat to remove, if Caesar were present to support us. I entreat you, then, to communicate to me, agreeably to your wonted friendship, all that you observe and think concerning the present state of affairs : in a word, that you would infoim me what we are to expect, and how you would ad- vise me to act. Be assured I shall lay great stress upon your sentiments, and had I wisely followed those you gave me in your first letter from Lu- ceria*, I might, without difficulty, have still preserved my dignities. Farewel. LETTER XXXVII. [A. u. ro6.] To Ac I LI us, Proconsul. 1 HERE is no man of the same rank as Otaci- lius Naso, with whom I more intimately con> verse : as, indeed, the polite and virtuous cast of i /*T1')3/ T"-) . I wealth : but Antony abused the power with which he was thus invested ; and taking advantage of the disturbances mentioned in rem. 7- p. I69. of this vol. turned them to his private purposes, by enriching himself with the spoils of his fellow citizens. This seems to have been the occasion of those general complaints to which Cicero here alludes. Flut. m vit. Anton. Cic. Phil. ii. 24, 25. * Now called Lucera, a city of Italy, situated in theCa- pitinata, a part of the ancient Apulia. 1 I 176 The letters Book VII. UOOK VII. OF CICERO. 177 of his mind, renders my daily intercourse with him extremely pleasing to me. After having thus acquainted you with the terms upon which we live together, I need add nothing further to recommend him to your good opinion. He has some affairs in your province which he has entrusted to the management of his freedmen Hilarus, Antigonus, and Demostratus : these, therefore, together with all the concerns of Naso, I beseech you to receive under your pro- tection. I ask this with the same warmth as if I were personally interested; and be assured, I shall think myself highly obliged, if I should find that this letter shall have had great weight with you. Farcwcl. LETTER XXXVIII. [A. I'. 706.] To Tkrentia. I HAVE not yet heard any news either of Cie- safs arrival, or of his letter w*hich Philotimus, I was informed, had in charge to deliver to me. But be assured, you shall immediately receive the first certain intelli2:ence I shall be able to send you. Take care of your health. Adieu. LETTER XXXIX. [A.U.r06.] .. . To the same- I HAVE at last received a letter from Caesar, and written in no unfavourable tenus^. It is now said that he will be in Italy much sooner than was expected. I have not yet resolved whether to M^ait for him here, or to meet him on his way ; but, as soon as I shall have deter- mined that point, I will let you know. I beg you would immediately send back this messenger; and let me conjure you, at the same time, to take all possible care of your health. Farewel August the 12lh. » This letter is not extant, but Cicero mentions the pur- port of It in one of his orations; by which it appears, that Caesar therein assured our author, that he would preserve to bim his former state and dignities. Pro Idgar. 3. Vol. II. N August the 11th. LETTER 1 17» The letters Book VIL I LETTER XL. [A. U. 706.] To Ac I LI US, Proconsul. I HAVE been an old and hereditary guest', at the house of Lyso, of Lilybaeum^ ever since the time of his grandfather, and he accordingly distinguishes me with singular marks of his re- spect; as, indeed, I have found him to be worthy of that illustrious ancestry from which he descends. For this reason, I very strenu- ously recommend both himself and his family to your good offices, and entreat you to let him sec that my recommendation has proved much to his honour and advantage. Farewel. LETTER * Cicero was proquacstor of Sicily, in th6 ye«'ir of Rome 678 ; and he afterwards visited that island in order to fur- nish liimself with evidence against Verres, the late governor,' whom he had undertaken to impeach for his oppressive and ^ cruel administration of that province. It was probably upon these occasions that he had been entertained at the hous«J of Lyso, as well as of several others whom be recommends in his letters to Acilius, as persons to whom he was indebted for the rites of hospitality. * A sea-port town in Sicily, now called Marsala. « ^ ,.«' /-)- .^y r'f - Book VH. of CICERO. 179 LETTER XLI. [A. U. 706.] ToTerentia. I AM in daily expectation of my couriers, whose return will, perhaps, render me less doubtful what course to pursue'. As soon as they shall arrive, I will give you immediate notice. Meanwhile be careful of your health. Parewel. v ' September the 1st. .■I l,^ ,-,, ,. .|. i; ..^4 . LETTER XLIL ' ' [A.U.706.] V J To the same. 1 PURPOSE to be at my Tusculan villa about the 7th or 8th of this month*. I beg that every thing may be ready for my reception, as I shall, perhaps, bring several friends with me ; and I may " Whether to wait at Brundisiura the arrival of Caesar, or to set out in order to meet him. , - * " Cicero continued at Brundisiura till Csesar arrived in " Italy,, who came much sooner than was expected, and " landed at Tarentum some time in September. They had ** an interview with each other, which ended much to the *' satisfaction of Cicero \ who, intending to follow Caesar to- • " wards Rome, wrote this letter to his wife, to prepare for " his reception at his Tusculan villa." Ross, Rem, m Cic. Epistles^ N2 180 The letters Boqk VII, may probably, too, continue there some time. If a vase is wanting in the bath, let it be sup- plied with one ; and I desire you would, like- wise, provide whatever else may be necessary for the health and entertainment of my guests, Farewel. Venusia', October the 1st. LETTER XLllL \ [A. U. 706.] To Ac 1 LI us, Proconsul. Caius Avianus Philoxenus is my old host. But, besides this connexion, he is, like- ivise, my particular friend ; and it was in con- sequence of my good offices that Cjcsar admit- ted him into the corporation of Novocomum. It was upoD this occasion he assumed the fa- mily name of his friend Flaccus Avianus, whom I beliere you know to be, likewise, extremely ^ mine. I mention these circumstances as s& many proofs that my recommendation of Phi- loxenus is not founded upon common mlotives. I entreat you, then, to receive him into the number of your friends ; to assist him in every instance that shall not break in upon your own convenience ; and, in a word, to let him see that 3 Now called Venosa, a town in the kingdom of Naples^ situated at the foot of the Appeunine m6uniains. BboK Vlt. OF CICERO. 181 that this letter proved of singular semce to him. Your compliance with this request will be oblig- ing me in the most sensible manner. FareweL LETTER XLIV. • [A. U. 706 J To Trebonius*. I READ your letter, but particularly the trea- tise that attended it^ with great pleasure. It was a pleasure, nevertheless, not without its alloy ; as I could not but regret that you should leave us at a time when you had thus inflamed my heart, I do not say with a stronger aiFec- tion, (for that could admit of no increase) but with * He was tribune in the year of Rome Ggs, at which time he distinguished himself by being the principal promoter of those unconstitutional grants that were made by the people to Pompey, C«sar, andCrassus, for the enlargement of their power and dignities. After the expiration of his tribunate, he went into Gaul, in quality of Caesar's lieutenant ; and, on the breaking out of the civil war, he was honoured by Caesar with the command at the siege of Marseilles. In the year before ^he date of this letter, he was elected to the office of prietor, in Which he discovered ^reat spirit and judgment in opposing the factious measures of his colleague, the turbu- lent Coelius; of whose attempts, mention has been made in note 6. p. 145. of this vol. In the present year, he was ap- pointed proconsul of Spain ; to which province he was either just setting out, or actually upon the road, when this letter was written. Dio. xxxix. p. 105. Ccesar de BeL CiviL i. 36. iii. 20. Hirt, de Bel. Afric. 64. For a farther account of Trebonius, see rem. 6. below, and rem. 8. p. 95. vol. iii. v '^"^ A collection of Cicero's Bons Mots. N 3 182 The letters Book VIL with a morc ardent desire of enjoying your company. My single consolation arises from the hope that we shall endeavour to alleviate the pain of this absence by a mutual exchange of long and frequent letters. Whilst I promise this on my part, I assure myself of the same on yours; as, indeed, you have left me no room to doubt, how highly I stand in your regard. Need I mention those public instances I for- merly received of your friendship, when you shewed the world that you considered my ene- mies as your own ; when you stood forth, my ge- nerous advocate, in the assemblies of the peo- ple; when you acted with that spirit which the consuls ought to have shewn, in maintaining the cause of liberty, by supporting mine; and, though only a quxstor, yet refused to submit to the superior authority of a tribune, whilst your colleague, at the same time, meanly yield- ed to his measures*^ ? Need I mention (what I «hall « Trebonius was quaestor in the year of Rome 693, wben Lucius Afranms and Quintus Metellus CeUr were consuls. It was at this lime that Cludius (desirous of obtaining the tribuiuue in order to oppress Cicero with the weight of that pow^rfui magistracy) made his first effort to obtain a law for ratifyiDfi his adoption into a plebeian family ; none but ple- beians being entiUed to exercise that office. The tribune, lowborn Cicero here aUudes, is Herenni us, whom Clod iiis had prevailed upon to propose this law to the people, and whose indigence and principles qualified him for umiertaking any work for any man that would give him his pnce. tioiti the consuls were, likewise, favourers' of this law, when it was Book VII. OF CICERO. 183 "'— V *^ shall always, however, most gratefully remem- ber) the more recent instances of your regard to me, in the solicitude you expressed for my safety when I engaged in the late war ; in the joy you shewed when I returned into Italy^; in your friendly participation of all those cares and disquietudes with which I was at that time op- pressed^; and, in a word, in your kind intent of visiting me at Brundisium^, ifyouhadnot been suddenly ordered into Spain ? To omit, I say, these various and inestimable proofs of yout friendship; is not the treatise you have now §ent me, a most conspicuous evidence of the share I f lenjoy in your heart ? It is so, indeed, in a double y'iGW ; and, not only as you are so partial as to be the constant, and, perhaps, single, admirer of my wit, but as you have placed it, likewise, in so advantageous a light, as to render it, whatever it may be in itself, extremely agreeable. The truth of it is, your manner qf^jelating my plea- santries, is not less humorous than the conceits you first proposed ; but Metellus, when he discovered the fecti- ous designs which Clodius had in view, thougtit proper, af- terwards, most strongly to oppose it. The colleague of Tre- bonius, in the quaestorJship, was Quintus Caecilius Nepos ; of whose particular enmity to Cicero, an account has been given in rem. 8. on let. 2. of book i. and by Cicero himself in the third letter of the same book. Ad Att, i. 18, 19, Di9. XXX vii. p. 53. Ptgh. Annal» 693. ^ After the battle of Pharsalia. • See rem, 3. p. 154. of this vol. ' When he was waiting the arrival of Caesar. N4 1S4 The letters Book Vlt you celebrate, and half the reader's mirth 1$.^ exhausted ere he arrives at my joke. In shorty* if I bad no other obligation to you for making this collection, than your having* suffered me to .^ be so long present to your thoughts, I should be utterly insensible if it were not to impress upon me the mast affectionate sentiments. When I consider, indeed, that nothing but the warmest attacliment could have engaged you in such a work, J^q^puQtsupposeanyman tohavTagrcater regard forliimself, than you have thus disco- vered for me. I wish it may be in my power to make you as ample a return in every other in- stance, as I most certainly do in the affection of my heart; a return, with which I trust, how- ever, you M'ill be perfectly well satisfied. But to return from your performance, to your very agreeable letter: full as it was, I may yet answer it in few words. Let me assure you, then, < in the first place, that I no more imagined the letter which I sent to Calvus"° would be made ., public, "* A very celebrated orator ; who, though not much above thirty when he died, (which was a short lime before this let- ter was written) yet left behind him a large collection of ora- tions: he was Concerned with Cicero in most of the princi- pal causes that came into the forum during the short time j in which he flouribhed. The letter here mentioned was pro- ,i bahly part of a correspondence carried on between Cicero i, and Calvus, on the subject of eloquence ; the whole of which was extant long after the death of our author, though none of these epistles have reached our timesr Quinct, InU, x, 1. Ai^t, Dialog, dtcaus. corrupt, eloquent, 18.21. Cook VII. OF CICERO. 185 public, than I suspect that this will; and vou are sensible that a letter designed to go no far- ther than the hand to Avhich it is addi*essed, is written in a very tlifferent manner from one in- tended for general inspection. Bit t you'think, it seems, that I have spoken in higher terms of his abilities, than truth will justify. It was my real opinion, however, that he possessed a great genius, and, notwithstanding that he misap- plied it by a wrong choice of that particular species of eloquence which he adopted, yet he certainly discovered great judgment in his ex- ecution. In a word, his compositions were marked w^ith a vein of uncommon erudition ; but they wanted a certain strength and spirit of colouring to render them perfecrtly finished. It was the attainment, therefore, of this quality that I endeavoiired to recommend to his pur- suit ; and the seasoning of advice with ap- plause, has a wonderful efficacy in firing the genius and animating the efforts of those one wishes to persuade". This was the true motive of " « It is but allowing a man to be what he would have the world think him, (says Sir Richard Steele) to make '\ him any thmg else that one pleases." This judicious piece of flattery, however, deserves to be highly applauded in the present instance, as it proceeded entirely from a desire of benefiting the person on whom it was employed.— But what renders it more remarkably generous is, that Cal- vus contested, though very unequally indeed, the palm of eloquence with Cicero. Yet the latter, we see, gene- rously endeavoured to correct the taste of his rival, and improve 186 The LETTERS Book VII. of the praises I bestowed upon Calvus, of whose talents I really had a very high opinion. I have only farther to assure you, that my affectionate wishes attend you in your journey ; that I shall impatiently expect your return ; that I shall faithfully preserve you in my re- n>embrance ; and that I shall soothe the unea- siness of your absence, by keeping up this epis- ^ tolary commerce. Let me entreat you to reflect, on your part, on the many and great good of- fices I have received at your hands ; and which, though you may forget, I never can, without being guilty of a most unpardonable ingrati* tude. It is impossible, indeed, you should re- flect on the oWigations you have conferred upon me, without believing, not only that I have some merit, but that I think of you with the highest esteem and affection, Farewel: LETTER Mnprove him into a less inaHcquate competitor. For Cicero was too conscious of his sublime abilities, to be infected wth that low jealousy so visible in wits of an inferior rank, who seem to think they can only rise in fame in proportion as they shall be able to sink the merit of contemporary ge- *. -wuses. Stntc. Cmtr(yc€rs/\\\» \9* jf Caesar, is the whole that is known of him. n * A city in the island of Cyprus. ' Before this time it was always aancxed (as Manutius observes) to tb€ province of Cilicia. your friend Lentulus*, together with those which were enacted likewise by myselP, as your adopting them will prove, I trust, much to your honour. Farewel ^.^'snul LETTER XLVIL [A.U.706.1 To Ac I LIU s, Proconsul. 1% STRONGLY recommcud my friend and hostj HTppias, to your good offices : he is a citizen of Calactina, and the son of Philoxenus. His estate (as the affair has been represented to me) has been illegally seized for the use of the pub-i lie ; and, if this should be the truth, your owik equity, without any other recommendation, wilt sufficiently incline you to see that justice is done' him. But, whatever the circumstances of hiir case may be, I request it as an honour to my- self, and ail honour too of the most oWiging^^ kind, that you would in this, and in every other Article in which he is concerned, iavour him with your assistance ; so far, I mean, as shall not be inconsistent with the honour and dignity of your character. Farewel -/ LETTER ^ Lentulus Spinther, to whom several letters ia the first and second books of this collection are addressed. Se§ rem, |. p. 50. vol. 1. ^ ){4! ^ Cicero succeeded Appias in the goverDment of Qilicia. 190 The letters Book VII. Book VII. of CICERa 191 LETTER XLVIIL [A. U. 706.] To the same. Luc I us Bruttius, a youngmanof equestrian rank, is in the number of those with whom I am most particularly intimate : there has been a great friendship, likewise, between his father and myself, ever since I was quaestor in Sicily. He distinguishes me by peculiar marks of his observance, and is adorned with every valua- ble accomplishment. He is at present my guest; but I most earnestly recommend his fa- mily, his affairs, and his agents, to your pro-^^ tection. You will confer upon me a most ac- ceptable obligation, by giving him reason to ^. find (as, indeed, I have ventured to assure him he undoubtedly will) that this letter proved^ letter' much to his advantage. Farewel. n f* lilO \ LETTER XLIX. [A. U. 706.] To Lucius Papirius P.etus\ Is it true, my friend, that you look upon your- self as having been guilty of a most ridiculous piece of folly, in attempting to imitate the thunder, as you call it, of my eloquence ?— With reason, indeed, you might have thought so, had you failed in your attempt : but, since you have excelled the model you had in view, the disgrace surely is on my side, not on yours. Ine verse, therefore, which you apply to your- self, from one of Trabea's* comedies, may with much more justice be turned upon me, as my own eloquence falls far short of that perfection at which I aim. But tell me what sort of fi- gure do my letters make ? are they not written, think you, in the true familiar ? They do npt constantly, however, preserve one uniform manner, as this species of composition bears no resemblance to that of the oratorical kind ; though, indeed, in judicial matters, we vary our style according to the nature of the causes in which we are engaged. Those, for exam- ple, ^ See vol. ii. p. 15. rem. 1. ' The time when this poet flourished is uncertain. His dramatic writings seem to have been in great repute, as Ci- cero frequently quotes them in his Tusculan Disputations. 1 192 The letters Book VIL pie, in which private interests of little moment are concerned, we treat with a suitable simpli- city of diction ; but where the reputation or the life of our client is in question, we rise into greater pomp and dignity of phrase. But, whatever may be the subject of my letters, they still speak the language of conversation. How came you to imagine that all your fa- mily have been plebeians, Avhen it is certain that many of them were patricians, of the lower ordei^ ? To begin w ith the first in this catalogue, I will instance Lucius Papisius ]\Ia- gillanus; who, in the year of Rome 312, was censor with Lucius Sempronius Atratinus, as he before had been his colleague in the consu- late. At this time your family name was Pa- pisius. After him there were thirteen of your ancestors who were curule magistrates*, before Lucius Papirius Crassus, who was the first of your family that changed the name of Papi- sius, * The Patrician families were distinguished into the higher and the lower order. Of the former sort were those who derived their pedigree from the two hundred senators that composed the senate, as it was originally established by Jlomulus : of the latter, were the descendants of the mem^ bcrs which, above a century afterwards, were added to this celebrated council, by Tarquinius Pnscus. Rosin. Antiquit, ^(m. p. 687. • The curule magistatcs were those particular officers of the state who had the privilege of being drawn in a car. — These were the consuls, the censors, the prsctors, and cu-i rule aediles. BookVIL of CICERO. 193 sius. This Papirius, in the year 315, being chosen dictator, appointed Lucius Papirius Castor to be his master of the horse, and four years afterwards he Avas elected consul, toge- ther with Caius Duilius. Next in this list ap- pears Cursor, a man highly honoured in his gd- neration ; and after him we find Lucius Masso, the asdile, together with several others of the same appellation : and I could wish that you had the portraits of all these patricians among your family-pictures. The Carbones and the Turdi follow next. This branch of your fahiily were all of them plebeians, and they by no meant reflect any honour upon your race. For, exbept*" ing Caius Carbo, who was murdered by Dama^^ sippus, there is not one of his name who was not an enemy to his country. There w^as another Caius, Avhom I personally knew, as well as the buffoon, his brother : they were both of them itlhi of the most worthless characters. As to the son of Rubria, he was my friend ; for which reason I shall pass him over in silence, and only iuentiou his three brothers, Caius, Cneius, and Marcus. Marcus, having committed numberless acts of violence and oppression in Sicily, was prosecuted for those crimes by Publius Flaccu^ and found guilty : Caius being, likewise, im- peached by Lucius Crassus, 1s said to have poisoned himself with cantharides. He was Vol. IL O the 194 The letters Book Vlt ^i the author of great disturbances, during the time that he exercised the office of tribune, and is supposed to have been concerned in the murder of Scipio Africanus. As to Cneius, who was put to death by my friend Pompey^; at Lilybaeum, there never existed, I believe, a more infamous character. It is generally ima- gined that the father of this man, in order to avoid the consequences of a prosecution which was commenced against him by Marcus Anto- nius, put an end to his life by a draught of vi- triol. Thus, my friend, I would advise you to claim your kindred among the patricians ; for you see the plebeian part of your family were but a worthless and seditious race?. Farewel. LETTER «■ This Cneius Pai>irii]s Carbo was three times consul ; the last of which was in the year of Rome 6/1. Having exer- cised his power in a most oppressive and tyrannical manner, he was deposed, to the great satisfaction of the republic, by Sylla, who was immediately declared dictator. Carbo soon afterwards appeared, wiih a considerable fleet, upon the coast of Sicily ; and being taken prisoner by Pompey, whoni Sylla had sent in pursuit of him, he was formally arraigned before the tribunal of Pompey, and publicly executed by bi8 erders at Lilybaeum. Plut. in tit. Pomp. 8 It may be proper to apprise ihe reader, in this place, that there is one epistle from Cicero to Partus, which is omitted in this translation. Cicero takes occasion, in thi« rejected letter, to explain to his friend the notion of the stoics concerning obscenity ; and, in order to illustrate theur absurd reasonins upon ibis subject, he introduces a great va- riety oUouble entendrcs, which, as ihey turn upon ambigui- ties that hold only in the Litin language, it is utterly im- poisible to translate. But, had they>bcen reconcileable to. ouf Book VIL of CICERO. 195 LETTER L. [A. U. 70C.] To Acilius, Proconsul 1 HAVE long had a friendship with the family of the Titurnii ; the last surviving branch of which is Marcus Titurnius Rufus. He has a claim, therefore, to my best good offices, and it is in your power to render them effectual. Accordingly 1 recommend him to your favour, in all the most unfeigned warmth of my heart; and you will extremely oblige me by giving him strong proofs of the regard you pay to my recommendation. Farewel. LETTER our idiom, the translator would nevertheless have declined the office of being their interpreter ; as he would not have deprived himself «f the satisfaction to think that there is no. thing m these volumes unfit for the perusal of the fair part of bis readers. I'id. Epist. Famil. ix. 22. ' ( 197 ) LETTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. .4 4 16. 'V ill - - ■•' BOOK VIII. LETTER I. [A. U. 707.] To Marcus Marius*. X Whenever I reflect, as, indeed, I frequently do, on those public calamities we have thus long endured, and are still likely to endure, it always brings to my thoughts the last inter- view we had together. It made so strong an im- pression ' See rem. 2. p. Il6. vol. 1. O 3 11 I 198 The letters Book VlII. fioOK VIII. OF CICERO. 199 pression upon my mind, that I can name the very day ; and I perfectly well remember it was on the 10th of May, in the consulate of Len- tulus and Marcellus*, that, upon my arrival at my Pompeian villa', I found you waiting for me with the most friendly solicitude. Your generous concern arose from a tenderness both for my honour and my safety ; as the former, you feared, would be endangered if I continued in Italy ; and the latter, if I went to Pompey. I was myself, likewise, as you undoubtedly per- ceived, so greatly perplexed, as to be incapable of determining which of these measures was most advisable. However, I resolved to sacri- fice all considerations of personal safety to the dictates of my honour, and accordingly I join- ed Pompey in G reece. But I no sooner arrived in his army, than I had occasion to repent of my resolution ; not so much from the danger to which I was myself exposed, as from the many capital faults I discovered among them. In the first place, Pompey's forces were neither very considerable in point of numbers*, nor by any means * An. Urb. 704 about two years before the date of this letter, which was probably written very early in the present 5 « This villa of Cicero was situated near Pompeii, upon " the eastern coast of the bay of Naples, and at no great « distance from the villa of Marius." Mr. Ross, • Pompev'g array, at the battle of Pharsalia, was more '^ "^ than means composed of warlike troops : and, in the next place, (I speak, however, with exception of Pompey himself^ and a few others of the principal leaders) they carried on the war with such a spirit of rapaciousness, and breathed such principles of cruelty in their conversation, that I could not think even upon our success without horror. To this I must add, that some of the most considerable officers were deeply involved in debt ; and, in short, there was no- thing good among them but their cause. Thus despairing of success, I advised (what, indeed, I had always recommended) that proposals of accommodation should be offered to Csesar ; and when I found Pompey utterly averse to all measures of that kind, I endeavoured to per* suade him, at least, to avoid a general engage* ment. This last advice he seemed sometimes inclined to follow ; and, probably, would have followed, if a slight advantage, which he soon afterwards gained"^, had not given him a con- fidence in his troops. From that moment. ^U the than double in number to that of Cassar, whose forces amounted only to about 22,000 men. Plut. in vit» Pomp, * Before the walls of Dyrrachmm. Notwithstanding Ci- cero speaks with some sort of contempt of this advantage which Pompey gained over the troops of Caesar ; yet it ap- pears to have been very considerable. It was thought so at least by Caesar himself, who observed to some of his friends, after the action was over, that the enemy would have ob- tained a complete victory, bad they been commanded by a generftl that knew how to conquer. Plut, invit. Pomp. 04 N'"' too The letters Book VIIL the skill and conduct of this great man seems to have utterly forsaken him : and he acted so little hke a general, that, with a raw and inex- perienced army, he hnprudently gave battle^ to the most brave and martial legions. The con- sequence was, that he suffered a most shameful defeat ; and, abandoning his camp to Caesar, he was obliged to run away, unaccompanied even with a single attendant^ This event de- termined me to lay down my arms ; being per- suaded ' In the plains of PJrarsalia. The principal officers of Pompey's army were so elated by their late success before Dyrrachium, that they pursued Caesar as to certain conquest; and, instead of concerting measures for securing their victory, were employed in warmly contesting among themselves their several proportions of the spoils. Pompev was not less con- fident of success than the rest ; and he had the imprudence to declare, in a council of war, which wa^ holden a few davs before this important battle, that he did not doubt of entirely defeating Caesar by the single strength of his cavalry, and without engaging his legions in the action. Cees, de Bel. Civ, iii. 83. 86. It is very observable, that the day on which this memo- rable battle was fought, is no where recorded, and that it was not known even in Lucan's tim« : , I Tenqwra signavit leviorum Roma malorum^ Hunc voluit nesctre diem. Luc. vii. 410. * Plutarch resembles Pompey*s flight to that of Ajax be- fore Hector, as described in the 11th Iliad : Sttj ^e Ta^ft/v, &C. Partial Jove^ espousing Hectares part^ Shot heav'fubred horror Ihro^ the Gre(;ian's heart ; Confus^dj unnerved in Hector^ s presence grovcn^ Amaz'd he stood^ Kith horrors not his oun. O^er his broad back his moony shield lie threis^ ^^ Jndy glaring round^ btf tardj^ steps zcithdrezc. Pope. In Book VIIL of CICERO. 201 suaded that, if we could not prevail with our united forces, we should scarce have better success when they were broken and dispersed. I declined, therefore, to engage any farther in a war, the result of which must necessarily be attended with one or other of the following unhappy consequences : either to perish in the field of battle, to be taken prisoner by the conquerors, to be sacrificed by treachery^, to h^ve recourse to Juba*, to live in a sort of voluntary In fact, however, it was attended with all the circumstances of disgrace which Cicero mentions, Pompey, after various deliberations, resolved to take shelter in Egypt, where he bad reason to hope for a protector in Ptolemy, whose father he had formerly assisted in recovering his dominions. [See vol. i. p. 51. rem, 2.] But Theodotus, a sort of tutor to this young prince, nol thinking it prudent either to receive Pom- pey, or to refuse him admittance, proposed, as the best po- licy, that he should be destroyed. Accordingly the persons who were sent to conduct him from his ship had directions to be his executioners ; which they performed, by stabbing him, as he was stepping out of the boat, in order to land. — These assassins, having severed Pompey's head, left his body on the shore, where it was burnt with the planks of an old fishing-boat, by a faithful freedman, who had been the un- happy spectator of this affecting tragedy. Pompey's ashes were afterwards conveyed to his wife Cornelia, who deposited them in a family monument near his Alban villa. Piut, in vit. Pomp, ^ This seems to allude to the fate of Pompey. ^ He was a very considerable prince, whi>se dominions extended not only over that part of Africa which is now called the coai»t of Barbary, but southward beyond mount Atlas, and from the Sireights mouth along the Atlantic ocean to the Canary islands. Upon the first breaking out of the ci- vil war, he distinguished himself in supporting the Pompeian party, in Africa, ag?iinst the army commanded by Cuiio, whi^iB ^1 202 The letters Book VIII. voluntary exile, or to fall by one's own hand. Other choice most certainly there was none, if you would not, or durst not, trust to the cle- mency of the victor. Banishment, itmust.be owned, to a mind that had nothing to reproach itself with, would have been the most eligible of all these evils ; especially under the reflection of being driven from a commonwealth, which presents nothing to our view but what we must behold with pain. Nevertheless, I chose to re- main whom he entirely defeated. [See rem. 1. on let. 1. B. iii.] Lucan has given a very poetical description of the several tributary nations which, upon this occasion, he led to battle ; Autololes^ Numidcrque vagiy semperque paratus IncuUo Gwtulus equo^ • And with spread mantles tawny Horn tame, Rowe. After the battle of Pharsalia, Scipio, who commanded the remains of Pompe^'s army that had assembled in Africa, ap-^ plied to Juba for assistance ; who, accordingly joined hun M/hh a very considerable body of men. But their united forces viere not kufficient to withstand the fortune of Caesar ; \tho, having defeated their combined troops, Juba was too high spirited to survive the disgrace, and, at his own request, was stabbed by one of bis ftttendants, Lucan, iV. 670. Hirt, dc Bell. Afric. 94. Book VIII. of CICERO. 203 main with my own ; if any thing now, indeed, can with propriety be called our own ; a mis- fortune which, together with every other cala- mity that this fatal war has produced, I long since foretold. I returned, therefore, to Italy, not as to a situation perfectly desirable, but in order, if the repubHc should in any degree sub- sist, to enjoy somewhat that had, at least, the semblance of our country; and if it were ut- terly destroyed, to live as if I were, to all essen- tial purposes, in a real state of exile. But, though I saw no reason that could justly induce me to be my own executioner, I saw many to be desirous of death. For it is an old and true maxim, tliat '4ife is not worth preserving, when ** a man is no longer what he once was." A blameless conscience, however, is undoubtedly a great consolation ; especially as I can add to it the double support that arises to my min<3, from a knowledge of the noblest sciences, and from the glory of my former actions ; one of which can never be torn from me so long as^ live ; and of the other, even death itself has not the power to deprive me. ^ ^, 2,^^^% I have troubled you with this minute deta,il, . from afull persuasion of the tender regarfl yotf''^'' bear both to myself and to our country. I was desirous, indeed, to apprise you fully of the principles by which I have steered, tliat you 1 might 204 The letters Book VIII. Book VIII. of CICERO. S05 might be sensible it was my first and principal aim, that no single arm should be more potent than the whole united commonwealth; and, after- wards, when there was one, who by Pompey's mistaken conduct, had so firmly established his power as to render all resistance vain ; that it was my next endeavour to preserve the public tranquillity. I was desirous you should know that, after the loss of those troops, and thatgene- ral' wherein all our hopes were centered, I at- tempted to procure a total cessation of arms; and when this advice proved ineffectual, that 1 determined, at least, to lay down my own. In a word, I was desirous you should know, that if our liberties still remain, I also am still a citizen of the republic ; if not, that I am no less an exile, nor more conveniently situated, than if I had banished myself to Rhodes or Mitylene". I should * Pompey. ■° Rhodes, the metropolis of an island in the Mediterra- nean, and Mitylene, the principal city of Lesbos, an island in the ^gean sea, where places to which Marcellus and some others of thePompeian party retired after the battle of Phar- salia. These cities were esteemed by the ancients for the delightful temperature of their respective climates, and for many other delicacies with which they abounded; and, ac- cordingly, Horace, in his ode to Plancus, mentions them in , the number of those which were most admired and celebrat- ed by his countrymen : Laudabunt alii claram Rhoden, avt Mityleften^ SfC. Both Vitruvius and Cicero, likewise, speak of Mitylene in par- ticular, with the highest encomiums on the elegance, beauty, and magnificence of its buildings. It should seem, therefore, that I should have been glad to have said this to you in person ; but, as I was not likely to meet with an opportunity for that purpose so soon a& I wished, I thought proper to take this earlier method of furnishing you with an answer, if you should fall in the way of those who are disposed to arraign my conduct. For, notwithstanding that my death could in no sort have availed the republic, yet I stand condemned, it seems, by some, for not sacrificing my life in its cause. But they are those only, I am well assured, who have the cruelty to think, that there has not been blood enough spilt already. If my advice, how- ever, had been followed, those who have perish- ed in this war, might have preserved their lives with honour, though they had accepted of peace upon ever so unreasonable conditions. For they would still have had the better caiise,^ though their enemies had the stronger swords. And now, perhaps, I have quite tired your pafierice ; .'iii-i d^at the text is corrupted in this place; and tha^, instead of fiofi incommodiore loca^ the true reading is non commodiore, Cicero, indeed, would make use of a very odd sort of justifi* location, if we suppose him to have said that he had not cho- / ijbTiso!,; . ii ,,'■,... . -Sill ba& Q06 The letters Book VIII. 'i patience ; I shall think so, at least, if you do not send me a longer letter in return. I will only add, that if I can dispatch some affairs which I am desirous of finishing, I hope to he with you very shortly. FarewcL II LETTER II. [A. U. 707.] To Cneius Planciu&\ I AM indebted to you for two letters, dated from Corcyra. You congratulate me in one of them on the account you have received, that ' I still ' Cneius Plancius was of an equestrian family. He was early initiated into public affairs by AulusTorquatus, whom he attended when he was proconsul in Africa. He after- wards served under Quintus Metellus, in his expedition against Crete; and, in the year of Cicero's banishment, was quaestor in Macedonia. This gave him an opportunity of distinguisli- JDg his friendship for our author, by the many good offices be exerted towards him as he passed through that province, Cicero very gratefully re^nembered them, as appears by his oration in defence of Plancius, when he was accused of illi- cit practices in obtaining the office of icdile. He seems, in the earlier part o( his life, to have indulged himself in the prevailng vices of the fashionable world ; but, upon the whole of his character, to have been a man of strict honour and integrity. Cicero particularly celebrates him for his filial piety, and that general esteem in which he lived with all his relations. At the lime when this letter was written, he was in Corcyra, a little island in the Ionian sea, now called Corfu. It is probable he retreated thither, with some others of the Pompeian party, after the total overthrow of tbeirar- lay in the plains of Pharsalia. Orut.pro. Pianc.7,il} t^* Book VIII. of CICERO. sor I still preserve my former influence in the com- monwealth, and wish me joy in the other, of my late marriage*. With respect to the first, if to mean well to the interest of my country, and to approve that meaning to every friend of its liber- ties, may be considered as maintaining my in- fluence, the account you have heard is certainly true. But if it consists in rendering those sen- timents effectual to the pubhc welfare, or, at least, in daring freely to support and enforce them ; alas ! my friend, I have not the least shadow of influence remaining. The fact is, it will be sufficient honour if I can have so much influence over myself as to bear with pa-^ tience our present and impending calamities; a frame of mind not to be acquired without diffi- culty, when it is considered that the present war' is such that if one party is successful, it will be attended with an infinite effusion of blood ; and, if the other, with a total extinc- tion of liberty. It affords me some consolation, however, under these dangers, to reflect, that I clearly foresaw them when I declared how great-^ ly 1 dreaded our victory as well as our defeat ; I was ^ See below note 5. 3 Between Casar, and the remains of the Pompeian party under the command of Scipio, who had assembled a very con- siderable army in Africa. Caesar set out upon this expeditioix towards the end of December, in the preceding year, about three or four months aftei: his return from the Aie.\andriQ^ war. 4 i( £08 The letters Book VIII. I was perfectly aware of the hazard to which our liberties would be exposed, by referring our political contentions to the decision of the sword. I knew, indeed, if that party should prevail which I joined, not from a passion for war, but merely with the hopes of facilitating an accommodation, what cruelties were to be ex- pected from their pride, their avarice, and their revenge. On the contrary, should they be vanquished, I was sensible what numbers of the best and most illustrious of our fellow-citizens Mould inevitably perish. And yet, when I forewarned these men of our danger, and justly advised them to avoid it, instead of receiving my admonitions as the effect of a prudential caution, they chose to treat it as the dictates of an unreas(mable timidity. But to turn to your other letter ; I am obliged to you for your good wishes in regard to my marriage* ; as 1 am well persuaded that they are perfectly 5 Cicero had very lately divorced his wife Terenlia, on occasion of some great offence hhe had given him in her crcoiKm»icui conduct. Tl*e person to v%hom he was now married, was called Publia, a young lady to whom he had been guard.ari, and of an age extremely di^propojtionate to his own. His principal inducement to this match, seems to have been her fortune; which, it is said, was very conside- rable. However, he did not long enjoy the benefit of it, fot finding himself uneasy, likewise, under this second marriage, he soon parted with hii young wife, and consequently with her portion. This very unequal match exposed Cicero to much censure; and Calenus warmly rtproaches him with it, in that bitter invective which he delivered^ as Dio, at least,. pretends,, V '^ Book VIIL of CICERO. sag perfectly sincere. I should have had. no thoughfa; in these miserable times, of entering Ji>to any new engagement of this sort^ if I hjjdiiQfe'upon my return into Italy, found my ddinojtio.a^airj in no better a situation than thus©' oEithe ire^ public. When I discovered that,- through the wicked practices of those whom I had infinitely obliged, and to whom my welfare ought to have been infinitely dear, that there was no security for me within my ov/n walls, and that I was sur- rounded with treachery on all sides, I thought it necessary to protect myself against the pej-fi- diousness of my old connexions, by having re- course to a more faithful alliance.— ^Biit ^Qough of my private concerns: and perhaps tpo much. As to those w^hich relate to yourself. I. hope you have the opinion of them which you justly ought, and are free from all particular uneasi- ness on your own account. For I am well per- suaded, that whatever may be the event of pub- lic affairs, you will be perfectly secure : as one of the contending parties, I perceive, is already reconciled to you ; and the other you have ne- ver offended. With respect to my own disposi- tion towards you : though I well Icridw the nar- row extent of my power, and how little my ser- vices can now avail, yet you may be assured of pretends, in reply to one of Cicero's against Mark Antony,' Jd Ate, xiii. 34, Dio. Ix. p. 303. Vol. II. P ^1 i 210 Th« letters Book VIII; of my most zealous endeavours, at least, upon every occasion wherein either your character or your interest is concerned. In the mean time, let me know, as soon as possible, how it fares with you, and what measures you purpose to pursue. Farewel. *• i LETTER IIL [A. U. 707.] To TORANIUS'. Although I imagine this miserable war ra either already terminated, by some decisive en* gagement*, or at least is approaching to its conclusion ; yet' **♦♦♦**♦♦. I frequently reflect, that there was not a man throughout all the ' Suetonius mentions a person of this nan*e, who was elected into the qflicc of J^\\e with Octsiviu^, the father oC Augtistus, and who aflerwarHs, notwithstanding he had been guardian to Augustus himself, was inihe number of those who peh!>hed by the sanguinary proscriptions of that empe- ror. One of ihe comim-ntaJors upon that historian, supposes bim to ht the tame person to whom this letier is addressed ; , and indeed the conjecture is extremely prob^l^le* However, all that can be affirmed wiih any ceriainiy concerning Tora- nius is, that he u>ok part in the civil war on ihe side of Pom- pey, and that, after ihe battle of PharsaJ,ia^ hereiiied tuCo^- cyra,'as he appears to have been in that island when this let- ter was written. Suet, in vit. Jugust. 27. See the rem. of Mr. Ross, on the Epist. Famil. vol. i. p. 498. * See rem. 3. on the foregoiog letter, p. 207. * The first period of this letter in the original runs thus : Etsi cum koBc ad te scribebam^ uut appropinquare exitus huju^ calamitosmimi belli, autjam aliquid actum Sf confectum vide- hatur ', tamcn quotidic commemorabam, te unum in tanto ex- ercitu ^66k Vim- OF cicma Iff the numerous army of Pompey who agreed with you and me in our opinion.^ ^We were fli^ only persons, indeed, who were sensfBre,W1thefe should be no hope of an accomm6datl6h| how pregnant with miscliief that war mUit proVe- iti which torrents of blood woulH' be the conse-' quence, if we were vanquished ; and slavery, if we proved victorious*. I was represented, at that time, by such wise and heroic spirits as your Domitii and your Lentuli, as a man alto- gether under the dominion of fear : and fear, I will confess, I did, that those calamities would, happen which have since ensued. But I am now totally void of all farther apprehenaiona • and I stand prepared to meet with indifference whatever it be that fortune may have iareserve^ While prudence, indeed, could any thing avail, I lamented to see her dictates neglected. But now that counsel can profit nothing ind jh^t^ the republic 5s utterly overturned^ thfeoiify'm- trctfttMhifuisse assentorem, ^ me tibu The e^^itiJIthe ttt^ men in this sentence, seem to be as absolutely incoherent as if Cicero had said, that " although .^.neas settled in Italy, yet ** Caesar was a consummate general/^ It shbuldseerti, the^d^ fore, th^t there is some error in the text. Perhaps the prp.per ' connecting words that followed famehy have Been dropped by the transcribers ; and that Quotidie was 'the beginning of a new sentence. The translator h^s ventured, at least, lo pro-* ' ceed upon this conjecture : and the place of the supposed omission is marked by asteri^i. .♦ This is explained by what he says of foropey in s^ ?uli- scfJtBcnt letter, p. 344. of this Tol, **...,: ;./:^ PS e f £12 The letters Book VIH, ■5 !i tional part that remains, is to bear with calmr iiess whatever shall l?e the event; especially when it is considered, that death is the final period of all human concerns. In the mean time I have the satisfaction to be conscious, that I consulted the dignity of the repubHc, whilst it was possible to be preserved ; and when it could no longer be maintained, that my next; endeavour was, to save the commonwealth from being utterly destroyed. I mention this, not to indulge a vanity in talking of myself, but that you, who were entirely united with me m the §ame sentiments and disposition, may be led into the same train of reflections. For it must undoubtedly afford you gre^t consoUtion to remember, that whatever turn affairs might have taken, your counsels were perfectly right. May we yet live to see the republic, in some degree at least, again restored ! and may we have the satisfaction of one day comparing to- gether the anxiety we mutually suffered, when \vc weje looked upon as men that wanted spi- rit, merely because we declared that those consequences wpuld happen which have ac- cordingly taken place ! Mean while, I will venture to assure you, that you have nothing to apprehend upon your own account, exclu- sive of the general subversion of the common- wealth. As for myself, be persuaded, that I shall Boon VIIL or CICERO. €13 ehall at all times'^ as far as lies in my power, ht ready to exert my utmost services towards you and your family. Farewel. I LETTER IV. {A. u. 7or.] To^ Marcus Terentius Varro. Attic us lately read a letter to me that ht had received from you, by which I was in^ formed where you are, and in what nianner em* ployed; but it mentioned no circumstance that could * Marcus Terentius Vatrohad been lieu-tenant to Pom* pey in the piratic war ; in which be distinguished himself with so much advantage, as (o be honoured with a naval icrowD ; an honour usually conferred ou those who had sig^ nalized' their valour in a sea engagement. He was afterwards etp^ointed, in conjunctikih with Afranius and Petreius'^ lieU* tenant to^ompey ia Spain : and he was serving in that qua- lify, when* the civil war broke out. He was at that time at the heUd of two legions in the farther Spain : but his col* leagues having been defeated by Gaesar, he found himself in Ti6 conditiorf to resist; and accordingly surrendered hiiriself find his army into the hands of the conqueror. He seems from that time to have withdrawn from public affairs, and to liave? (Joiti^rated the remaintfet ot his life (Which* he is said to have preserved^ wrth all his senses entire, to the age of aa hundred) wholly to philosophical studies. His genius and talents, md^^d, were- principally of the literary kind : in ^vhich he was universally acknowledged to hold the first rank among his contemporaries. He published many treatise^ in all the various branches of human science: one or two of tha least considerable of which, and those not entire^ are the whole thkt'riow remain of his numberless compositions, des, Bel, CitiL 17. &c. Vat, Max, viii. 7. Cic, Academ, i. 3. P3 k tH The letters Book VIII, I 1 N. could lead me to guess, when we might expect to see you. I hope, however, that the time of jrour coming hither is approaching, and that your company will afford me consolation un-- def our general misfortunes : though, indeed, they arc so numerous and so severe, that it is a folly to expect any thing w ill be sufficient focthatjjurpose. Nevertheless, there are some instances, perhaps, in which we may prove of mutual assistance to each other. For since my return to Rome, you must know, lam reconciled to those old companions of mine, my books. Not that I w^as estranged from them out of any disgust ; but that 1 could not look upon them without some sort of shame. It seemed, indeed, that I had ill observed their precepts, whea^ 1 joined with perfidious associates in" taking part in our public commotions. They are willing, however, to pardon my error, and invite me to renew my former acquaintance wftli fhem ; applauding, at the same time, your superior wisdom,^ in never having forsaken their 'society*^. Tliiis 'restored, therefore, as I am to* their good graces, may I not hope, if I can unite your company with theirs, to support myself under the pressure of our present and C;"i: T^VO ^'•;u^ :.u.'. .-.. > •■•" •■■ -*. • ,. ■» impendmg ^ Varro's books were Jiis companions, it seems, in Jhe camp as well as in the closet, and he was n^ver wholly sepa- rated from them, i! Vpp^ar^, even amfdst the molt active en- gagements of public life. v ^ i f I Book Vllt of CICERO. 215 impending calamities ? Wherever then you shall choose I should join you, be it at Tusculum, at Cumae*, or at Rome, I shall most readily obey your summons. The place I last named would, indeed, be the least acceptable to me. But it is of no great consequence where we meet: for if we can but be togetlier, I will undertake to render the place of meeting equally agreeable to both of us. Farewel. LETTER V. {A.U.707.] ToToBIANUS, As I wrote to you three days ago by some domestics of Plancius, I shall be so much the shorter at present : and as my former^ was a letter of consolation, this shall be one of ad- vice. 1 thiuK nothinor can be more for your ad- vantage than to remam m your present situa- tion till you shall be able to learn in what man-' ner you are to act. f'or not to mention that you will by this mean avoid the danger ot ^ long: winter-voyaffe, in a sea that affords but few harbours : there is this very material con- sideration. that you may soon cross over into ' Varro had ^ villa nm each of these duc^.j|^^ ^^ ^ ;;,*'^rohab|y ihe thir^^t^r of t^^^^ ^^. ,, ^^^ P 4 **l^llcHit|1o«^II?" I' \ 1 » tie T«E LETl'ERS Book VIIL if 3 J Italy, whenever you shall receive any certain intelhgence. Nor do I see any reason for your being desiroui^ of presenting yowrself to Caesars friends in their return. In short, I have raany other objections to your scheme: for the parti- culars of which I refer you to our friend Cbilo. Yottcarmot, indeed, in these unfortunate times, be mare coatvcttiently placed, than where you now are: as you may, with great facility and expedition, transport yourself from thence, to whatever other part of the world you shall find it necessary to remove; If Caesar should re- turn at the time he is exj>ected", you may be in Italy. soon enough to wait upon him; but shou|dany thing happen (as many things pos- sibly may) fo prevent or retard his march, ypu are in a place where you may receive an early information of alT that occurs. To re- peat it, therefore, once more, I am altogether of opinion,' that you should continue in vour present quarfers. I will only add, (what I have often exhorted you in my former letters fe be well persuaded ol") tiiat you Iiave rio- thiuff to fear beyond" the s:eneral danger to which every citizen of Rome is equally exposed. And though this, it must be owned, is suffi- cientlj)' great; yet we can both of us took back Wrth so much satisfaction upon our past.pqn- ' * duct, ■ From Africa. Set nm^3, p. 207. of this vol. Bioit VIM;I 6f CtCfiRO. 217 dtict, dtttf ¥t^arrhrcd !alt 'lutfe f^e!^^^ of Me% ^boit we o»ught to bear withr|>ai'ticular fortitucte vn\2.tev€t niufn^rited fate itray attend ui. Your family here are^ all Weil, and extremely regret yemr absence: as they love and honour you with the highest tenderness and esteem.— Take care of your health : and by no means re- move without duly weighing the consequence** Farewel. LETTER VI. [A.u.ror.] . • f . ' ) To DOMI.TJVS\ If you have not heard from me since your at- rival in Italy, it is not that I was discouraged . , irorn *' ^tctrb W«9 «t this time' aboat j52 ^yetfrs of age. .p^* The pe^s^to^ wh4)in ibis kftei^ |s; addressed, i& sup* posed to have been the son of tiomitius iilhobarbus, who commanded thegam*>(Mi of Cor^iim at the breaking oUt^of the civil war.. [See vol. ij. p; 1 15. rem. 6.^ The father was kiTTed in his flight from the* battle of^ JPliarsalia : ('t^ds^ Bd* Cfv. iri. 9^«]viUier. which hisisofov ^ it should seemly this letter, returned into Italy. He is mentioned in the list ^f thro^ who were concerned in assassinating Casar.'*^**'Btit fhe managed hisi aifairs (as Mr.rJXoss obseiives). ,w^th so " much address, that, after the death of Brutus and Cassius, **.he first made his jSeace! with Atrtony, and then, upon ^e ^^ decline of his power, took ^n occasion t^ leave him and "join himSeif with AligustUs. And though he did not live ** leng enough to enjoy the benefit of that union; yet iie ** left a son, who recovered tl^e ancient splendour of the fa- ^ mily, and taid a foundation for the eitipife, which took place t*' in the person of his grand-son Nero." Suet, in Nero, SfC, Faterc, ii. 72, HJ'< I'..,. s I 4 818 The letters Book Vllfc tf from writing on my part, by the profound si^ lence you have observed on yours. The single reason was, that I could find nothing to say. For on the one hand, I was in every respect too much distressed, as well as too much at a loss how to act myself, to offer you either assistance or ad- vice: and, on the otherj I knew not what conso- lation to suggest to you, under these our severe and general misfortunes. However, notwith- standing public affairs are so far from being in a better situation at present, that they are growing every day more and more desperate ; yet I could not satisfy myself with being silent any longer: and rather chose to send you an empty letter, than, not to send you any. If yoii were in the number of those who tena- ciously persevere in the defence of the republic, t)eyoHd all possibility of success^l should employ every argument in my powet, to reconcile .you , to those conditions, though not the most eligible ii)d^, whi^^ aii5. offered to^ gijt acceptance.. But as you judiciously terminated the noble struggle you. jpad^j'ti suppprt^^tf^^pjir. Jij^gfties^ by those limits which fortune herself marked o^t itft Quj opposition ; let meponjure yx)u by our long and mutual amity, to preserve yourself^ x for :.|2U _J^] It jpoks by this passage as if Doinitius b^ beep^ sus- pected at this time of an intentioa to destroy himse|i| ^ . i ^, Bdok yillr or CiClERO; aigf/ for tfae^sakepf your fri€nd$> your mother, your wife, and your children : for^fbe; sake of those^ in short, to whom you have evel* been infinitely dear, -and whose welfere and interest depends en- tuely upon yours. Let me entreat you to call to your aid, in this glbomy season, those glorious precepts of philosophy, in which you have been conversant from your earliest youth : and to supJ- port the loss of those with whom you were united by the most tender ties of affection and grati- tude', if not with a mind perfectly serene, at least, with a rational and manly fortitude. . How far my present power may reach, 1 know not ; or rather, indeed, I am sensible that it can- not extend far. This, however, I will assure you, (and it is a promise which I have likewisemade to that excellent woman your affectionate mother) that, in whatever instance I imagine my services cdftt avail either to your honour or your welfare, I shall exert them with the same zeal which you h^e always shewn in i*^rd to myself If there is any thing, therefore, in which you shalVbc^ dMroiri to employ them, I beg you will let mC'^ know : and I will most punctually perform your* coihmands. Indeed, without any such express jcqiit^ jf6\i may depend upon my best oflSces i y OB ^'The father iiti J-fViends of Ddfcltius, who had perished in the civil war. I 1 , 4 s$» Tnt LETTERS BdokVIIt li on every occasiort, wherein I ^hM he d«pabW of promoting your int^f edt. T^ttvtih lErrEn m [A. U. 707.] To CnI^IUI pLANClirs*. X HAVE received your v^ry short Utter, \i^Iiicf1i Informs me of what I never once questioiieid, but leaves me entirely ignorant in a point I was extremely desirous of knowing* I had not th6 least doubt, indeed, of the share I enjoy in yout friendship ; but wanted much to hear with what resolution you submit to our common calamities : a circumstance, of which if I had been apprised, I should have adapted my letter accordingly* However, though I mentioned in my last, >V^hat I thought necessary to say upon that subject, yet itmay be proper, at this juncture, just to Caution you again,' nor to imagine that you have any thing particular' to fear. It is true, we are every Ote of us in gfeat danger : but the danger, hoW^ ever, is general Met equal*. Yon ought not; therefore, to complain of your own fortune, or think it hard to take your part in cala^iittes that extend to all. Let as theft, my friend, preserve the ^ See note U p. 306. of this vol. ' See the 94 letter of this book. Rqq k Yllh o f CICERO. ?§ I the same mutual disposition of mind which ha3 ever subsisted between us. I am sure I shall, on my part, and I have reason to hope that you will do so likewise pn yours. Farewel. LETTER VIIL [A. U. 707.] To Lucius Plancus^ You are sensible, I dare say, that, amongst all those friends whom you claim as a sort of p,j^ternal inheritance, there is not one so closely attached to you as myself. I do not mean in consideration only of those mo^e conspicuous connexions of a public kind in which I was en- gaged with your father ; but in regard, like- wise, to that less observable intercourse of pri- vate friendship, which I had the happiness, you well know, of enjoying with him in the high- est degree. As this was the source from whence my ^ He was brother tp Plancus Burta, the great enemy of Cicero, and of whom an account has been given in rem. 5- fvol. 1. p. 26s. Piancus does not seem to have figured in tbe coramonwealth ; at least, history does not take much no-r iOiice of "him, till after the death of Caesar, at which timt he ^ ,was at the head of a considerable army in the farther Gaul, 'as governor of that province. But as there are ueveraHetters e?.in this collection which passed between him apd Cicfro.at K' at period, the particulars of his character will be best re- arked in the observations that will arise upon his conduct in that important crisis. In the mean time, it may be suffi- cient to observe, that when this letter was written, he wa» probably an officer under Capsar in the African war. See rem, ^, on let, JJO. B. xii. i : 122 The letters Book VIIL i| II iny affection for the son originally took its rise: so that affection, in its turn, improved and strengthened my union with the father: espe- cially when I observed you distinguishing me with peculiar marks of respect and esteem, as early as you were.capable of forming any judg- ment of mankind. To this I must add, (what is of itself, indeed, a very powerful cement) the similitude of our tastes and studies : and of those particular studies too, which are of a na- ture most apt to create an intimacy between men of the same general cast of temper^ And now, are you not impatient to learn the purpose of this long introduction ? Be assured, then, it is not without just and strong reason, that I have thus enumerated the several motives which con- cur in forming our amity : as it is in order to plead before you with more advantage the cause of my very intimate friend Ateius Capito*. I need not point out to you the variety of fortune with which my life has been chequered : but in all the honours and disgraces I have experienced, Capito has ever most zealously assisted me with bis pow^r, his interest, and even with his purse. ' Titus ' The studies to which Cicero here filludes, are, proba- bly, those of the philosophical kind. • Pighius supposes, that this is the same Ateius Capito, who devoted Crassus to destruction when beset out upon his Parthian expedition : of which the reader has already met with an account in rem. 7. p. 128. vol. i. Pigh, Armuh \\u 389. Book VIII. qv CrcERO. SOS Titus Antistius, who was his near relation, hap- pended to be quaestor in Macedonia (no person having been appointed to succeed him) when Pompey marched his army into that province'. Had it been possible for Antistius to have re- tired, it would have been his first and most ear- nest endeavour to have returned to Capito, whom he loved with all the tenderness of a fi- Kal affection : and, indeed, he was so much the more desirous of joining him, as he knew the high esteem which Capito had ever entertained for Csesar. But finding himself thus unex- pectedly in the hands of Pompey, it was not in his power wholly to decline the functions of his office : however, he acted no farther than he was absolutely constrained. I cannot denj^ that he was concerned in coining the silver at Apollonia\ But he was by no means a princi- pal in that affair : and two or three months were the utmost that he engaged in it. From that time he withdrew from Pompey's camp, and totally avoided all public employment. I hope you will credit this assertion, when I as^ sure you, that I know it to be fact : for, in- deed, Antistius saw how much I was dissatis- fied ' When Pompey retreatct^ before Caesar, *nd abandoned Italy. * For the paynient of Pompey 's army. ApolJonia was a city in Thrace : a part of Greece apnejted to tbe pr^Tmce of ^lacedonia« ! i •I • I 224 Thz letters Book VIIL Book VIIL of CICERO. 225 fftd with the war, and consulted with mc upon all his measures. Accordingly, that he might hav^ no part in it, he withdrew, as £ar.as possible, from Pompey's camp, and concealed himself in the interior parts of Macedonia. Afttr the bat- tle of Fbarsalia he retired to his friend AuIua Plautius% in Bithynia. It was here that he had an interview with Caesar^, .who. received him without the least mark of displeasure, and ordered him to return to Rome. But he soon afterwards contracted an illness, which he car- ried with him into Corey ra, where it put an end to his life. By his will, which was made at Rome in the consulate of Paulus and Marcel- lus, he has lei't ten twelfths, of his estate to Capito. The remaining two parts, amounting to 300,000 sesterces*, he has devised to those for whose interest no mortal can be concerned : , and, therefore, I am not in the least solicitous whether Caesar shall think proper, or not, to seize it as forfeited to the public. But I most earnestly conjure you, my dear Plancus, to con- sider the cause of Capito as my own, and to employ your intluence with Coesar, that my friend may be pennitted to inherit this legacy, i agreeably * At that time wovernor of Bitfcynia, an Asiatic province situated on the Euxine sea, ' Probably in his return from the Alexandrine war. ^ About ^4001. of our money ^ agreeably to the will of his relation. I entreat you by all the various ties of our friendship, as well as by those, likewise, which subsisted be- tween your father and myself, to exert your most zealous and active offices for i as purpose. Be assured, if you were to grant me all that lies within the compass of your extensive credit and power, you could not more effectually oblige me than by complying with my present request. I hope it may be a means of facilitating your success upon this occasion, that Capito, as Cae- sar himself can Witness, has ever held him in the highest esteem and affection. But Caesar, I know, never forgets any thing : I forbear, there- fore, to furnish you with particular instances of Capito's attachment to liim, and only desire you to make a proper use of those which are fresh in Caesar's memory. It may not, however, be un- necessary to point out one proof of this sort, which I myself experienced: and I will leave it to your own judgment to determine how far the mentioning of it may avail. I need not tell you by what party my interest had been supported, nor whose cause I espoused in our public divi- sions. But believe me, whatever measures I pur- sued in this war, which were unacceptable to Cae- sar, (and I have the satisfaction to find that he is sensible of it himself ) were most contrary to my own inclinations, and merely in comphance with Vol. II. Q the 226 The letters Book VIIL Book VIIL dr CICERO- £27 J I the persuasions and authority of others. But if I conducted myself with more moderation than any of those who were joined with me in the same cause ; it is principally owing to the advice and admonitions of Capito. To say truth, if the rest of my friends had been influenced by th# same spirit with which he was actuated, I might have taken a part that would have proved of some advantage, perhaps, to my country; I am sure, at least, of much to myself ^ In one word, my dear Plancus, your gratifying my present request, will confirm me in the hope that I pos- sess a place in your affection : and at the same time extremely contribute to your own advan- tage, in adding, by a very important obligation, the ' The part which Cicero here accuses his friends, (an^ surely with some want of generosity) that ihey would not suffer him to act, seems to have been that of standing neuter io the war between Pompey and Caesar. And it must be owned •that this conduct would have been far less exceptionable, if, instead of faintly joining with one side, he had determined to engage with neither. This too, as the event proved, might have been most prudential in point of interest : for a neutra- lity wi!i all thatCxsar desired of him. But that it could in any sort have advantaged his country, appears to be a notipa altogether improbable, and advanced only to give a colour to bis not having entered with more spirit into the cause of iha republic. Cicero often intimates, indeed, that by preserving a neutrality, he might have been more likely to have facili- tated an accommodation between Pompey and Caesar. But it is utterly incredible, from the temper and character of these contending chiefs, that either of them entertained the least disposition for this purpose : as it is certain, from Cioero'i own confession in his letters to Atticus, that he waa well peiv suaded Pompey would liever listen to any pacific overtures. Yiii. Ad Jtt. vii. ». viii. 15. the most grateful and worthy Capito to the number of your friends. Farewel. LETTER XI. [A.U.r07.] * ' ^ «, To Allien us, ProconsuK JJemocritus of Sicyon is not only my host', but (what I can say of few of his countrymen beside) he is likewise my very intimate friend. He is a person, indeed, of tlie highest probity and merit, and distinguished for his most ge- nerous and poiite hospitality towards those who come under his roof: in which number I have received particular marks of his^ affection and esteem. In one word, you will find him a man of the first and most valuable character amongst his fellow-citizens, I had almost said in all A- chaia. I only mean, therefore, by this letter, to introduce him to your acquaintance : fori know your sentiments and disposition so well, that I am persuaded nothing more is necessary to make you think him worthy of being re- ceived both as your guest and friend. Let ^le iio g>^wjj'^ «!ii r'jd' ;n ■ entreat * He was at this^lime proconsul, or governor of Sicily, and distingutfilied kimrielf by his oare and diligence iji traQS^ porting thft troopB which Caesar received from thence in order ^to daihry^on; the present war in Africa. There is a silver corn atiii exoint, on which i« inscribed, A. ALLIENVS. PRO. COS. and on the reve#.e, C. C^SAR. IMP. COS. ir£U. Pigh^ Annah iai. A5S. ^ See 4). 113.. of this vol. rem. 3. Q « S28 The letters Book VIII. entreat you, in the mean time, to favour him w ith your patronage, and to assure him that, for my sake, he may depend upon all the assistance in your power. If after this you should discover (as I trust you will) that his virtues render him deserving of a nearer intercourse : you cannot more sensibly obhge me than by admitting him into your family and friendship. Farewel. LETTER X. [A. U. 707.] To Lucius Mescinius** Your letter afforded me great pleasure, as it gave me an assurance (though indeed I wanted none) that you earnestly wish for my company. Believe me, I am equally desirous of yours : and, in truth, when there was a much greater abun- dance of patriot citizens and agreeable compa- nions, who were in the number of my friends, there was no man with whom I rather chose to associate, and few whose company I Hked so well. But now that death, absence, or change of disposition has so greatly contracted this so- cial circle, I should prefer a single day with you, to a whole life with the generality of those with whom I am, at present, obliged to llve*^ Solitude « See rem. 1. p. 91. of this vol. "'''''^ * The chiefs of the Cxsarean party : with whom Cicero now found it convenient to cultivate a friendship, in order to ingratiate himself with Caesar. Book VIII. of CICERO. 229 Solitude itself, indeed, (if solitude, alas ! I were at liberty to enjoy) would be far more eligible, than the conversation of those who frequent my house : one or two of them, at most, ex- cepted. I seek my relief, therefore, (where I would advise you to look for yours) in amuse- ments of a literary kind, and in the conscious-^ ness of having always intended well to my country. I have the satisfaction to reflect, (^$ I dare say you will readily believe) that I never sacrificed the public good to my own private views ; that if a certain person (whom for »iy sake, I am sure, you never loved) had not looked upon me with a jealous eye', both him- self and every friend to liberty had been happy; that I always endeavoured that it should not be in the power of any man to disturb the pub- lic tranquillity ; and, in a word, that when I perceived those arms, which I had ever dreaded, would 3 Pompey ; who being jealous of the popularity which, Cicero had acquired during his consulship, struck in with the designs of Caesar^ and others, who had formed a party against; our author. It was by these means that Pompey laid the principal foundation of Caesar's power, which, without the assistance of ^he former, could never have prevailed to the destruction both of himself and of the republic, [see rem. 4. p. 3. tol. i.] The censure which Cicero here casts upon Pompey's conduct towards him, is undoubtedly just : but it is a proof, at tbe same time, how unworthily he flattered that great man in the plenitude of his power, when he professed to have received obligations from him, that gave him the most unquestionable right to his highest gratitude. See riem. \ p^ l^. of this vol. . Q3- 230 The letters Book nil. Book VIII. of CICERO. 231 I would prove an over-match for that patriot- coalition I had myself formed* in the republic^ I thought it better to Jiccept of a safe peace npon any terms, than impotently to contend with a superior force. But I hope shortly to talk over these, and many other points, with you, in person. Nothing, indeed, detains me in Rome, but to wait the event of the war in Africa : which, I imagine, must new be soon decided. And though it seems of little im- portance on which side the victory shall turn ; yet I think it may be of some advantage to be near my friends when .the news shall arrive, in order to consult with them on th^ me&sures it may be adviseable for me to pursue*. Affairs are now reduced to such an unhappy situation, '";' that •dceto^f^fcably allttc^w to the coalitiow be furmed during his consulship, of the equestrian orcier wiih that of the se- nate : which, indeed, was one of ihe most shining parts of his adniinHrtrdtioi). ** This order, (as Dr. Middleton observes) ** consisted, next to the senators, of the richest and most ** splendid families in Rome : who, from the ease and affluence ** of their fortunes, were naturally well affected Iq the pros- " ptrity of the republic; and being also the constant farmers ** of ali the revenues of ihe empire, had a great part vt the **^ inferior people dependent upon them. Cicero imagined "that ihe united weight of these two orders would always be ** an overbalance to any other power in the Male, and ate- cure barrier against any attempts of the p('|)ular ai^d am- bitious upon th« common liberty." Life of Ck. t.TSQ. iro, edit. '♦ Cicero would have had great occasion for the advice of his friendi, if the reinains of Porapey's army had defeated Caesar's in Africa. For he had reason to expect, and would f robably have experienced, the severest eflfects of their resent- ment^ it that though there is a considerable difference, it is true, between the cause of the contend- ing parties, I believe there will be very little as to the consequence of their success. How- ever, though my spirits were too much de- jected, perhaps, whilst our affairs remained in suspense ; I find myself much more composed now that they are utterly desperate. Your last letter has contributed to confirm me in this dis- position ; as it is an instance of the magnaru*. mity with which you support your unjust dis- grace\ It is with particular satisfaction I ob- serve, that you owe this heroic calmness, not only to philosophy, but to temper. For I will confess, that I imagined your mind was softened with that too delicate sensibility which we, who passed our lives in the ease and freedom of Rome, were apt in general to contract. But as we bore our prosperous days with moderation ; it becomes us to bear our adv^rie fortune, or more properly, indeed, our irretrievable ruin, with fortitude. This advan- \tige we may at least derive from our extreme ^^calamities ; that they vnll teach us to look upon )ldeath with contempt : which, even if we were :^Iiappy, we ought to despise, as a state of total insensibility ; ^^inent, if they bad returned victorious into Italy. Vid.Epist, ij|. jawii/. IX. ^. . 5 Mescinius, it is probable, was banished by Caesar, as a partisan of Pompey, to a certain .distance from Rome. > J 232 The LETTERS Book VIII. insensibility^- but which, under our present afflictions, should be the object of our constant wishes * Cicero expresses himself to the same purpose, in two or three other ot these letters. Thus, in one to Torquatus ; si nontro, sensu omnino carebo : and in another to Toranius • Una ratio videUr, quicquid ei merit f err t moderate; pr(Eser4im cum omnium rerum mors sit extremum. From whence it has been inferred, that Cicero, in his private opinion, rejected the doctrine of the sourg immortality. In answer to which It niay be observed, in the first place, that these passaoes, ^•Uhout any violence of construction, may be interpreted as affirming nothing more, than that death is an utier extinction of all sensibility with respect to human concerns ; as it was a doubt with some of the ancients whether departed spirits did not still retain a knowledge of what passed in this world. In the next place, admittir.g these several passages to be so inany clear and positive assertions, that the soul perishes with the body; yet it would by no means follow, that this wa^ Cicero s real belief. It is usual with him to vary his senti- ments in these letters, in accommodation to the principles or circumstances of his correspondents. Thus, in a letter to Dolabella, he does not scruplo to say, sum axidior quam satis estgloncp: But in writing to Cato, he represents himself of a disposition entirely the reverse : ipsam quidem gloriam per *e nunquam putavi eipetendam. In a letter to Torquatus, when he is endeavouring to reconcile him to his banishment from Rome, he lays it down as a maxim, that in malis om- nibus acerbius est videre quam audire: but, in another letter to Marcellus, written in order to persuade him to returu, to Rome, he reasons upon a principle directly opposite, and tells him, non est tuum vno scnsu oculorum moveri : cum idem illud auribus percipias, quod etiam majus videri soUt^&LC. Other instances of the same variation from him- self might be produced: but these, together with those that have already been occasionally pointed out in the '^ course ot these remarks, are sufficient, perhaps te evince, that Cicero's real sentiments and opinii*ns cannot be proved by any particular passages in these letters. In those to Aiticus, indeed, he was generally, though not always, more sincere : and Mr. Ross has cited a passage from one of them, in which Cicero very expressly mentmns his expec- tations ot a future state : tempus est nos de ilia perpetua Jom, says h^, nvn de hac cxiguq vita cogitare. But Cicero's spc- culative. Book VIII. of CICERO. ^ZS wishes. Let not any fears then, I conjure you by your affection for me, disturb the peace of your retirement : and be well persuaded, no- thins: can befal a man that deserves to raise liis dread and horror, but (what I am sure ever was, and ever will be, far from you) the re- proaches of a guilty heart. I purpose to pay you a visit very soon, if no- thing should happen to make it necessary for me to change my resolution : and if there should, I will immediately let you know. But I hope you will not, whilst you are in so weak a condi- tion, be tempted by your impatience of seeing me, to remove from your present situation : at least, not without previously consulting me. In the mean time, continue to love me ; and take care both of your health and your repose, • parewel. LETTER XL [A. l>. 707.] ToAllienus, Proconsul. A.S you are no stranger, I imagine, to the es- teem I entertained for Avianus Flaccus ; so I have often heard him acknowledge the gene- rous pulative notions are best determined, by looking into his philosophical writings : and these abound with various and full proofs, that he was strongly persuaded of the soul's im- mortality. Epiit, FamiL ix. 14. xv. 4. vi. 4. iv. 9» -^^ '^^^» X. 8. see also Life ofCic, iii. 341. 8vo. edit. • I 234 The letters Book VIIL rous manner in which you formerly treated him ; as, indeed, no man ever possessed a more grateful or better heart. His two sons, Caius and Marcus, inherit all the virtues of their fa- ther : and I most warmly recommend them to your protection, as young men for whom I have a very singular affection* Caius is now in Sici- ly : and Marcus is at present with me. I entreat you to shew every mark of honour to the for- mer, and to take the affairs of both under your patronage; assuring yourself, that you cannot render me in your government a more accept- able service. FareweL LETTER XIL [A.U.707.] To Vakro. Though I have nothing to write, yet I could not suffer Caninius to pay you a visit, without taking the opportunity of conveying a letter by his hands. And now I know not what else to say, but that 1 propose to be with you very soon : an information, however, which I am persuaded you will be glad to receive. But will it be altogether decent to appear ip so gay a scene^, at a time when Rome is in such a ge- neral ^ Varro seems to have requested Cicero to give him a meeting at Baiae, a place much frequented by the Romans en account of \U hot baths : as the agreeabieiiess of its situ- ^ atioQ Book VIIL OF CICERO. 235 neral flame ? And shall we not furnish an occa- sion of censure to those, who do not know that we observe the same sober philosophical life, in all seasons, and in every place ? Yet, after all, what imports it ? since the world will talk of us in spite of our utmost caution. And, mdeed, whilst our censurers are immersed in every kind of flagitious debauchery ; it is much worth our concern, truly, what they say of our innocent re- laxations. In just contempt, therefore, of these iUiterate barbarians, it is my resolution to join you very speedily. I know not how it is, in- deed, but it should seem that our favourite studies are attended with much greater advan- tages in these wretched times than formerly : whether it be that they are now our only re- source ; or that we were less sensible of their salutary effects, when we were in too happy a state to have occasion to experience them.— But ation on the bay of Naples, rendered it at the same time the general resort of the pleasurable world. The tender Pro- pertius has addressed some pretty lines to his Cynthia at this place, which sufficiently intimate in what manner the Ruman ladies were amused in that dangerous scene of gal- lantry and dissipation. 7*21 modo quam primum corrvptas desere Baias^ Multis ista dabunt littora disaidium : lAUora qutefucrant castis inimica puellis, SfC» 1 Flyjiify my love, soft BaicB*s tainted coast, IVkeremany a pair connubial peace have lost ^ Where many a maid shall guilty joys deplore ; Ahjly, my fair i detested Baiie's shore / Q36 The letters Book VIIL But this is sending owls to Athens', as we say; and suggesting reflections which your own mind will far better supply. All that I mean by them, however, is, to draw a letter from you in return, at the same time that I give you no- tice to expect me soon. Farewel. LETTER XIIL [A. U. 707.J To the same. Our friend Caninius paid me a visit, some time ago, very late in the evening, and informed me that he purposed to set out for your House the next morning. I told him I would give him two or three lines to deliver to you, and desired he would call for them in the morning. Accordingly I wrote to you that night^: but as he did not return, I imagined he had forgotten his promise; and should, therefore, have sent that letter by one of my own domestics, if Ca- ninius had not assured me of your intention to leave Tusculum the next morning. However, after a few days had intervened, and I bg.d given over all expectations of Canmius, he made * A proverbial expression of the same import with that of " sending coals to Newcastle." It alludes to the Athe- nian coin, which was stamped (as Manuiius observes) witU ^he figure of an owl. • Probably the preceding letter. Book VIIL of CICERO. 237 made me a second visit, and acquainted me that he waa instantly setting out to you. But, not- withstanding the letter I had written was then become altogether out of date, especially after the arrival of such important news'; yet, as I was unwilling that any of my profound lucu- brations should be lost, I delivered it into the hands of that very learned and affectionate friend of yours : who, I suppose, has acquaint* ed you with the conversation which passed be- tween us at the same time. I think it most prudent for both of us to avoid the view, at least, if we cannot so easily escape the remarks of the world. For those who are elevated with this victory, look down upon us with an air of triumph ; and those who regret it, are displeased that we did not sacrifice our lives in the cause. But you will ask, perhaps, (as it is in Rome, that we are particularly ex- posed to these mortifications) why I have not followed your example in retiring from the city ? But tell me, my friend, superior as your judgment confessedly is, did you never find yourself mistaken ? Or who is there, in times of such total darkness and confusion, that can always be sure of directing his steps aright ? I have long thought, indeed, that it would be happy * Concerning Caesar's defeat of Scipio in Africa. 238 The letters Book VIIL Book VIIL of CICERO. 2n happy for me to retire where I might neither see, nor hear, what passes in Rome. But my groundless suspicions discouraged me from executing this scheme: as I was apprehen- sive that those who might accidentally meet me on my way, would put such constructions upon my retreat, as best suited with their own purposes. Some, I imagined, would suspect, or at least pretend to suspect, that I was either driven from Rome by my fears, or withdrew in order to form some revolution abroad ; and, perhaps, too, would report, that I had actually provided a ship for that purpose. Others, I feared, who knew me best, and might be dis- posed to think most favourably of my actions, would be apt to impute my recess to an abhor- rence of a certain party^ It is these appre- hensions that have hitherto, contrary to my in- clinations indeed, detained me in Rome : but custom, however, has familiarized the unpleas- ing scene, and gradually hardened me into a less exquisite sensibility. . Thus I have laid before you the motives which induce me to continue here. As to what re- lates to your own conduct ; I would advise you to Tcmain in your present retirement, till the warmth of our public exultation shall be some- what • 3 The Cacsareans. what abated, and it sliall certainly be knowa in what manner affairs abroad are terminated : for terminated, I am well persuaded, they are*. Much will depend on the general result of tbii* battle, and the temper in which Gassar may re- turn. And though I see, already, what is abundantly sufficient to determine my scntir- ments as to that point, yet I think it most ad- viseable to wait the event In the mean time, I should be glad you would postpone your journey to Baiae, till the first transports of this clamorous joy is subsided : as it will have a bet-r ter appearance to meet you at those waters,, when I may seem to go thither rather to join with you in lamenting the public misfortunes, than to participate in the pleasures of the place. But this I submit to your more enlightened judgment : only let us agree to pass our lives together in those studies, which were once, in- deed, nothing more than our amusement, but must now, alas ! prove our principal support. Let us be ready, at the same time, whenever we shall be called upon, to contribute not only our councils, but our labours, in repairing the ruins of the republic. But if none shall require out services ♦ Wb«n this letter was written, there seems to have been only some general accounts arrived of Caesar's suc- cess in Africa ; but the particula^rj of the battle were not ^'et known. £40 The letters Book VIIL. ! I services for this purpose, let us employ our time and our thoughts upon moral and political inquiries. If we cannot benefit the common- wealth in the forum and the senate ; let us en- deavour, at least, to do so by our studies and our writings : and after the example of the most learned among the ancients, contribute to the welfare of our country, by useful disqui- sitions concerning laws and government And now, having thus acquainted ygu witU my sentiments and purposes,! shall be extremely obliged to you for letting me know yours in return. Farewel. ^ ^^,^,, LETTER XIV. [A. U. 707.] To the same. .« ^*^»| r You must know, my friend, that I'afti one of those philosophers who hold the doctrine of Diodortts concerning contingencies^ Accord- ingly ^ Diodorus was a Qreek philosopher who lived in the court of Ptolomaeus Sotcr, and flourished about 280 years before the Christian sera. He is said to have died with grief for not being able immediately to solve a philosophical question, which that prince put to him in conversation. He maintained that nothing could be contingent ; but that whatever was possible must necessarily happen, Cicero lu- dicrously applies this absurd doctrine to the intended viiit of his friend, Cic. dcfato, 7. Book VIIL of CICERO, m\ ingly I maintain, that, if you should make us a visit here, you are under an absolute necessity of so doing; but if you should not, that it is because your coming hither is in the number of those things which cannot possibly happen,— Now tell me which of the two opinions you are most inclined to adopt: whether this of the philosopher I just now mentioned, whose sen- timents, you know, were so little agreeable to ©ur honest friend Diodotus^ or the opposite one of Chrysippus' ? But we will reserve these curious speculations, till we shall be more at leisure : and this, I will agree with Chrysippu^ is a possibility which either may or may not liappen, jam • Diodotus was a stoic philosopher, under whom Cicero had been educated, and whom he afterwards entertained for many years in his house. He died about thirteen years be- fore the date of this letter, and left his friend and pupil « considerable legacy. Cic, Academ. li. Ad Att. ii. 2Q. * Chrysippus was successor to Zeno, the celebrated foun- der of the Stoic School. It appears, by a list of some of hi$ writings, which Laertius has given, that he published a trea- use on Fate ; and probably it was in this book that he op- posed the ridiculous notions of Diodotus. Seneca represents him as a penetrating genius, but one whose speculations were iomewhat too subtle and refined. He adds, that his dictioa was so extremely close, that he never employed a superflu- ous word ; a character he could scarce deserve, if what is re- ported of him be true, that he published no less than 311 treatises upon logic, and above 400 upon other subjects.-* One cannot hear, indeed, of such an immoderate flux of pen, without being in some danger of suffering the same fate that attended this inexhaustible genius, who is said to have died in a fit of excessive laughter. Laertius in 9it Sfnec deben^ /c. I. 3. Stanley's Hist, of F kilos. 487. Vql. II. R \, 242 Th£ LETtCRS B66icVnl I am obliged to ^6\x fobfbvif good officer iik HUy aflfair with Cocceius', which I likewise re- commend to Atticus. If i'oti will not make me a visit, I will pay you one ; and, as your li* brary is situated in your garden, I shall want nothing to complete my two favourite amuse- xnents— reading and walking. Farewel. LETTER XV. [A. U, 707.] To Apuleius, Proquaestor*. Lucius Egvatius, a Roman knight, is a very particular friend of mine, whose affairs in Asia, together with his slave Anchialus, who superintends them, 1 recommend to you with as much zeal as if they were my own. For be assured we are united to each other, not only by a daily intercourse of the highest friend- ship, but by many good offices that have been mutually exchanged between us. As he has not the least doubt of your disposition to oblige « In the text he is called Costiui ; but, perhaps, (as one of the commemalors imagines) it should h^ Cocceius. For Cicero, in a lerter to Atticus, supposed to have been wntten about the ^ame time with the present, requests his assistance in procuring the payment of a sum of money, owing to hira from Cocceius; which is not unliitely to be the same iflair ke al udes to m this passage. Ad Att. xii. 13. » It is wholly uncertain both who this person was, and vhen he exercised the office of pruciuaestor. .Pdoic Vm. OF CICERO. MM ^blig^mq, l^tm^ earnestly entreat you tocpn- .yinq^ him, by your services in his favour^ t;^ |,|warmly reques^ted them. Fajrewd. WTTER XVL It [A.U.707.] To Varrq, The 7th seems to be a very proper time, not only in consideration of publiq affairs, but in regard also to the season of the year : I ap- prove, therefore, of the day you have named, jand will join you accordingly. I should be far from thiukin^ we had reason to reproach ourselves for the part we havfe lately acted, even were it true that those who pursued a different conduct had not repented of their measures. It was the suggestions of duty, not of interest, that we followed, When we entered into the war; and it wst^'i (!ranfee utterly desperate, not the duty we owed our "Country, that we deserted, when wc laid down bur arms. Thus we acted, on the one hand, with greater honour than those M'ho would not leave Italy, in order to follow the war abroad ; and, on the other hand, witli more prudence than those who, after having suffered a total defeat^ would not be prevailed upon to return home^ ^ At the battle of Pharsalia.. Ra •*■ 244 The letters Book VIII, home. But there is nothing that I can bear with less patience than the afFected severity of our inglorious neuters : and, indeed, whatever miffht be the final event of affairs, I should be much more inclined to venerate the memory of those mistaken men who obstinately perish-, ed in battle, than to be in the least concerned at the reproaches of those who only lament that we afre still alive. If I should have time, I purpose to call upon you at Tusculum before the 7th : if not, I will follow you to Cumx, agreeably to your ap- pointment. But I shall not fail to give you previous notice, that your bath may be pre- pared. Farewel. LETTER XVn. [A. U. 707.] To the's&me. Your letters to Seius and myself were deli- vered to us, whilst we were at supper toge- ther, in his house. I agree with you in think- ing that this is a very proper timg'for your in- tended expedition; which, to own my artifice^ I have hitherto endeavoured to retard' Dj^'a thousand pretences. I was desirous, indeed, of keeping you near me, in case any favour- able HP Bi^ofiYlll OF CICERO. 245 ^tilpljews should have arrived** For, as Ho- mer slugs, . Tke wise new wisdom from the wise acquire"^. But now that the whole affair is decided, be- yond all doubt you should set forward with the utmost speed. When I heard of the fate that has attended Lucius Caesar*, I could not forbear saying to myself, with the old man in the play, " What ^jjjfenderness then may not I expect^ !" For this reason I am a constant guest at the tables of our present potentates : and what can I do better, jou know, than prudently swim with the * Concerning the success of the Pompeian party against Caesar, in Africa ; an event, if it had taken place, that Would extremely have embarrassed Cicera. For which rea- son he was desirous of keeping Varro within his reach, that he might immediately have consulted with him in what man* ner to act. See rem. 3. p. 155. of this vol. ^ II. X. 224. Pope's transl. * He was a distant relation of Julius Caesar ; whom, how- ever, he had constantly opposed throughout the civil war. — Lucius, being taken prisoner at the late battle of Thapsus, where Caesar gained a complete victory over the combined troops of Scipio and Juba, obtained the conqueror's pardon ; but Caesar afterwards changed his mind, and gave private or- ders to have him assassinated- Dio^ xliii.p. 219. ; . ' This alludes to a passage in the Andria of Terence, where Simo, the father of Pamphilus, giving an account of his son's tender behaviour at the funeral of Cbrysis, could not fprbear reflecting, he says, Quid mihi kic'faciet patri f But Cicero applies it in a different sense, and means that, if Cswr acted towards his own relations with so much cruelty* \\e bad little reason to expect a milder treatment. E 3 t.J 246 ThI: L£YT£RS 860K VIIL the current of the times ? littt, to be seriou!^" (for serious, in truth, we have reason to be) Set vengeance stalfc o'er Afric^s trembltng plain ; And one xvide waste of horrid rrdn reign^ I A circumstance that fills i^e \v'ith very uneasy apprehensions. • '^ I am unable to answer yoUr Question, when Csesar will arrive, or wherfe he proposes to land. Some, I find, doubt whether it will be kt Bai« } and they now talk of his coining home by the way of Sardinia. It is certain, at least, thai he has not yet visited this part of his demesnes : and though he has not a worse farm!' upon all his estate, he is far, however, from holding it in contempt. For ^y own part, I am more inclined to imagine he will take Sicily in his return. 7 These lines are quoted from Ennius, a poet, of whom some account has been given in the foregoing remarks. The troops of Ciesar pursued their victory over those of Sctpio with great cruelty : acrior CcBsarianorum impetus fuit, says Florus, indignanthm post Pompeium crevisse bellum. Num* bcrs, indeed, of Scipi 's army must necessarily have been massacred in cool blood ; for the historians a^ree that Cib- Bar's loss amounted only to 50 men, whereas 10,000 were killed on the side of Scipio, according to the account which Hirtius gives of this action; and five times that number, if ire may credit Plutarch. Flor. iv. 2. Hirt, Bel, Afric, 85. Flut. in vit. Cctsar, * The island of Sardinia was, in the time of the Romans, (what it still is) extremely barren and unwholesome. Mar* tial has ft pretty allusioa to this latt«r circumstance, in one of his epigrams : . NuUofata loco possis txcludere : cum mors Venerity in medio TiOurc Sardinia est. iv. ^0. Book Vm. qf CICERO. 847 return. But these doubts Will soon be cleared up, ^s Dolabella'' is every moment expected. I believe, theiiefore, I must take my instructions from my disciple''; as many a pupil, you know, has becom(5 a greater adept than his master. However, if I knew what you had determined upon, I should chiefly regulate my measures by yours; for which purpose I expect a letter from you with great impatience. Farewel. :t LETTER XVIII. [A. u. ror.] To ApuLEius, Proquaestor. ■ ; - • • .:" Lucius Zoilus was appointed, by the will of his patron, coheir, in conjunction with me. I mention tliis, not only to shew you the oc- casion of my friendship with him, ])\it as an evidence, likewise, of his merit, by being thus distinguished • Dolabella attended Caesar in the African war. *-*^ Cicero means tWnt be should lear« from DolabdU where Cxsat purposed to land, and in what temper he was returning into Italy, together with such other circumstances fts k was necessary he should be apprised of, in order to pay his personal congratnlations to the conqueror in tb« most |)roper and acceptable manner. It seems piTobable, /ro^ this passage, that Uolabella had formed his eloq\|cvM:e un^er Cicero, agreeably to an excell€ntcustom which prevailed in Home, of introducing the yoM'h, upon their first entrance into business, to the acquaintance and palrona^« of SQm^ distinguished orator of the fprum, whom they constantly K^ tended m all the public exercises of his profassioo. Auct, Dialog, de caus, corrupt, eloquent, 34. R 4 248 tHz LETTERS Book VIII. distinguished by his patFon. I recommend him> therefore, to your favour, as one of my own family ; and you will oblige me in letting him see that you were greatly influenced to his advantage by this letter. FareweL LETTER XIX. . l.f'M [A.U.707.] To Varro. ^ ^^ Our friend Caninius acquainted me with your request that I would write to you whenever there was any news which I thought it concern- ed you to know. You are already informed that we are in daily expectation of Caesar*; but "^I am now to tell you that, as it was his inten- ^'tion^'lf seems, to have landed at Alsium', his friends have written to dissuade him from that ' • j 1 1 • design. They think that his coming on shore at that place will prove extremely troublesome to hi'niself, as well as very much incommode many 'others; and have therefore recommended Ostia* as * Caesar returned victorious from Africa, about tbe 26th df July, in the present year; so that this letter was proba- bly written either in the beginning of that month, or the lat- ter end of June. Hirt. dc Bel, Afric, 98. - * Thfe situation of this place is not exactly known : ftome geographers suppose it to be the same town which is now called Severa, a sea-port about twenty-five miles distant from Rome, on the western coast of Italy. j ui - ^^ ^It still retains its ancient name, and is situftted at the iibiith of the Tiber. fiooK Vin. OF jCICEJROs ^49 i- fts a nrore cdnvenient port Fof tny own part, ^'I can see no difference. Hirtius*^ lioweVef, as^ ^stores me, that himself as well as Falbus**, and Oppius^ (who, let me observe by thfe \Hyi kre every one of them greatly in your interest) have written to Casar for tliis purpose. I thought proper, therefore, to sen Jyou this piece of intel- ligence for two reasons. In the first place, that you might know where to engage a lodgino-; ,?//^^^^^' ^^^^ yo^ might secure one in both these towns ; for it is extremely uncertain at which of them Cassar will disembark. And in the next place, in order to indulge a little piece of vanity, by shewing you that I am so well with these favourites of Cassar, as to be ad- Tnittecl into their privy council. To speak se- ^ riously, I see no reason to decline their friend- 'ship; for, surely, there is a wide differ^pcebe- ^^^'^?5"^^^^^^^"& to evils we cannot remely, and approving measures that we ought to condemn^ Though, ' He lived in great intimacy with Caesar, and had served under him in quality of one of his lieuienants in Gaul It appears, by this passage, ihat he did not attend Cajsar into Africa ; so that if the history of that war annexed to Cesar's .-commentaries, was really written, as is generally supposed ty Hirtms, he was not an eye-wlineb of what he rejates • a circumstance which considerably weakens the authoritvof irrfcis account. ^ woi: « See rem. 2. p. Sip. vol; i. -44-* * -'' ' See rem. 9. p. 134. of this vol. .. ' T"", cultivate friendships with the feaders of a successful ^'ffecu.jn, has sufely something in it that teuch resembles the aj)proving 2o0 The letters BookVIIL Though, to confess the truth, I do not know there are any that I can justly blame, except ihose which involved us in the civil wars ; for these, it must be owned, were altogether vo-^ luntary. I saw, indeed, (what your distance from Home prerented you from observing^ that our party were eager for war ; whik Caesar, fm' the contrary, appeared less inclined than afraid to have recourse to aniis. Thus far, therefore, our calamities might have been pre- vented, but all beyond was unavoidable ; for one side or the other must necessarily prove su- perior. Now we both of us, I am sure, always lamented those infinite mischiefe that would ^nsue, whichever general of the two contend- ing armies should happen to fall in battle ; as we were well convinced, that of all the compli- cated evils which attend a civil war, victory is the supreme. I dreaded it, indeed, even on that side which both you and I thought pro- per to join, as they threatened most cruel ven- geance on those who stood neuter ; and were no approving of measures which wc ought to condemn ; and though it raav be policy, most certainly it is not patnoUsm. It ill agrees at leasi, with that sort of abstracted life, which Cicero, in the fir^i letier of this book, declares he proposed to lead, if the republic should be destroyed. Vid, Epht. Tamil, vii. 3. » Varro, at the breaking out of the civil war, was in Spain ; where be resided m quality of one of Pompey's lieu- tenants. Book VIIE ^f CICESO. S5l BO less oiFeaded at your sentiments than at my speeches. But had they gained tliis last battle; weshoiild stilt more severely have experienced the effects of their power, as our late conduct had incensed them to the highest degree. Yet what measures have we taken for our own se- curity, that we did not warmly recommend for theirs ? And how have they more advantaged the republic by having recourse to Juba and hi3 elephants^°, than if they had perished by their own swords, or submitted to live under the present system of affairs, with some hopes, at least, if not with the fairest. But they may tell us, perhaps^ {aaid, indeed, with trnith) tiiat the government iunder which we diave chosea to Hve, is altogether turbulentaud unsettled. Let this objection^ however, have weight with those who have treasured up no stores in their minds tosuf^oittliemiiflves under all the possible vi- cissitudes, of human affairs; a reflection, which brings me round to what I principally had ia view, when I undesignedly wandered into this long digression. I was going to have said, that as 1 always looked upon your character with great «o «« ..""These elephants ivere drawn up ih the front of the right and lett wiog o| Scipio's army, iiut being driven back upon the rine behind them, they put the ranks into great confusion; and, instead of proving of any advantage to Scipio, contri- buted 19 facilitate his defe;it. Uirt, de IkLJfric. S3. 5<2 The letters Book VIIL great admiration, so nothing raises it higher in my esteem, than to observe that you are aUnost the only person, in these tempestuous days, who has wisely retreated into harbour, and are en- joying the happy fruits of those important studies which are attended with more public ad* vantage, as well as private satisfaction, than all the ambitious exploits, or voluptuous indulgen* cies of these licentious victors. The contcm* plative hours you spend at your Tusculan villa, are, in my estimation, indeed, what alone deserve t<^*'be called life ; and I would willingly re- nounce the whole wealth and splendour of the world, to be at liberty to pass my time ih the 5ame philosophical manner. I follow your ex- ample, however, as far as the circumstances in which I am placed will permit, and have re- course, with great satisfaction of mind, to my favourite studies. Since our country, indeed, either cannot or will not accept our services, who shall condemn us for returning to that cbTitemptative privacy which many philosophers have thought preferable (I will not say with reason, however, they have preferred) even to the ki6st public and patriot labours ? And why should we not indulge ourselves in those learned inquiries, which some of the greatest men have deemed a just dispensation from all public em- ployment! j Book Vllt mi:\CICERO. 25« ployments ; when it is a liberty, at the saijfie time, which the commonwealth itself is willing to allow us. But I am going beyond the com**, mission which Caninius gave me, and while he only desired that I would acquaint you with those articles of which you were not already apr prised, I am telling you what you know fiur better than I can inform you. For the future, I ^hall confine myself more strictly to your le* quest, and will not fail of communicating Uf you whatever intelligence I may learn, which I shall think it imports you to know, FareweU LETTER XX. [A. U. 707.] '^ ■^..r^' 'I Hi To PaPIRIUS PiETUS*. ;^ Your letter afforded me a very agr^^ah}g in* stance of your friendship, ji^.thp.qpncern iV^j P^^ssp^M.^I ^V^ld bq im^ft.^jp^f^ ]Yj}V?h^|iad been brought hither by Silius*. I wa3 fey%^9>>i^l^?ed, perfectly sensible: Ijq^^jnugJ^j^Q^i were disturbed at this cifcumstance, bjr jour ' A>->M i^^^i iJcOk ',H ow blifiMS ^v/ See vqI. 5. p. 15, rem i. rrrn? rl-Mchr Mupn'r li^ Silius, it should seem, had brought an account from th/» ^rmy, that some witticisms of Cicero had been reported ta^ Cawar, which had give^i him offence. I f54 The letters Bao«: VIIL care in sending me duplicates of a former letter upon the same subject ; and I then returned such an answer as I thought would be sufficient to abate, at least, if not entirely remove, this your generous solicitude. But since I perceive, by your last letter, how much this affair still dwells uj)on'your mind, let me assure you, my dear Psettis, that I have employed every arti- fice (for we must now, my friend, be armed with cunning as well as prudence) to concilia^ the good graces of the persons you mention ; and, if I mistake not, my endeavoiirs have not proved in vain. I receive, indeed, so many marks of respect and esteem from those who are most in Caesar's favour, that I cannot but flatter myself they have a true regard for me. It must be confessed, at the same time, that a pretended affection is not easily discernible from a real one, unless in seasons of distress. For adversity is to friendship, what fire is to gold, the only infallible test to discover the genuine from the counterfeit ; in all other cir- cumstances, they both bear the same common signatures. I have one strong reason, however, to persuade me of their sincerity ; as neither their situation nor mine can by any means tempt them to dissemble with me. As to that per- ^n^ in whom all power is now centered, I am 3 Caesar. Book VIIL of CICERO. S5« not sensible that I have any thing to fear from him ; or nothing more, at least, than what arises from that general precarious state in which all things must stand where the fence of laws is broken down ; and, from its being impossible to pronounce with assurance con^ cerning any event which depends Avholly upon the will, not to say the caprice, of anotheh But this I can, with confidence, affirm, that I have not, in any single instance, given him just occasion to take offence ; and, in the article you point out, I have been particularly can* tious. There was a time, 'tis true, when I thought it well became me, by whom Rome itself was free^, to speak my sentiments with free- dom ; but now that our liberties are no more, 1 deem it equally agreeable to my present situa- tion, not to say any thing that may disgust ei- ther Csesar or his favourites. But were I to suppress every rising raillery, that might pique those at whom it is directed, I must renounce, you know, all my reputation as a wit. And, fn'^bd earnest, it is a character upon which I do not set so high a value, as to be unwilling to resign it, if it were in my power. However, I am in no danger of suffering in Cassar's opi- nion, by being represented as the author of any sarcasms * Alluding to his services in the suppression of Catiline's conspiracy. t5Q The letters Book VIIL sarcasms to which I have noclaim : for his judg- ment is much too penetrating ever to be deceiv- ed by any imposition of this nature. I remem- ber your brother Servius, whom I look upon tQ have been one of the most learned critics that this age has produced, was so conversant in the writings of ourpoet.% and had acquired such au excellent and judicious ear, that be could imme- diately distinguish the numbers of Plautus from those of any other author. Thus Caesar, I am told, when he made his large collection ofapoph- thegmsS constantly rejected any piece of wit that was brought to him as mine, if it happened to be spurious ; a distinction which he is much more able to make at present, as his particular friends pass almd^t every day of their lives in my company. As our conversation generally turns upon a variety of subjects, 1 frequently strike out thoughts which they look upon as not alto- gether void, perhaps, of spirit or ingenuity. Now these little sallies of pleasantry, together with the general occurrences of Rome, are con- stantly transmitted to Caesar, in pursuance of his own express directions ; so that if any thing of this kind is mentioned by others as coming / from ' This collection was made by Caesar uhen he was very young, and probably it was a perfornnance by no means to bis honour. For Augustus, into whose hands it came, after his death, would not suffer it to b« published. Suet, tn, viK ^,uL 66'. Book VIIL of CICERa ^57/ from me, he always disregards it You see, then, that the lines you quote with so much propriety from the tragedy of Oenomaus"^, contain a cau- tion altogether unnecessary. For tell me, my friend, what jealousies can I possibly create? Or who will look with envy upon a man in my humble situation? But granting that I were in ever so enviable a state; yet let me observe, that it is the opinion of those philosophers, who alone seem to have understood the true nature of virtue, that a good man is answerable for no- thing farther than his own innocence. Now in this respect I think myself doubly irre- proachable : in the first place, by having re- <'ommended such public measures as were for the Written by Accius, a tragic poet, who flourished about the year of Rome GlJ. The subject of this piece, probably, turned upon the Heath of Oenomauj^, kinj; of Elis, and the marriage of his daughter Hippodamia. This prince being in- formed, by an oracle, thac he should lose his life by his fu- ture son-in-iaw, contrived the following expedient to disap- point the prophecy. Being possessed of a pair of horses of sucb wonderful swiftness, that it was reported they were be- gotten by the winds, he proposed to the several suitors of his daughter, that whoever of ihem should beat him in a chariot race should be rewarded with Hippodamia, upon condition tbai they consented to be put to death if they lost the match. Accordingly, thirteen of these unfortunate rivals entered ihe list : and each of them, in their turn, paid the forfeiture of their lives. But Pelops, the son of Tantalus, king of Phryjjia, being more artful than the rest, bribed the charioteer of Oe- Bomaus to take out the lynch pin of his chariot wheel; by which means Oenomaus was da-hed to pieces in the course, and Pelops earned off the beautiful Hippodamia. Hygin. Fab. 83. Vol. IL S ^i Thb letters feo6K Vllt the interest of the commonwealth ; *n4 in the - next, that, finding I was not sufficiently sup- ported to render my counsels effectual, I did not deem it adviscablc to contend for them by arms against a superior strength. Most cer- tainly, therefore, I cannot justly be accused of having failed in the duty of a good citiacn. The only part then that now remains for me, is to be cautious not to expose myself, by any indiscreet word or action, to the resentment of those in power : a part which I hold likewise to be agreeable to the character of Uu4 wisdom. As to the rest ; what liberties any man may take in imputing words to me which I never spoke> what credit Csesar may give to such reports ; and how far those who court my friendship, are really sincere : these are points for which it is by no means in my power to be. answerable. My tranquillity arises therefore from the con* scions integrity of my counsels in the timeft that are p^t^ and from the moderation of my conduct in these that are present Accord*- ingly, I apply the simile you quote from Ac* cius^ not only to Envy, but to Fortune : that weak and inconstant ppwer, .yrl^9ffl,,^y^ and resolute mind should resist with as iteudh Srmness ajs a rock repels the wavea^^, Jp^fj^ci^ story will abundantly supply examples df thfc greati^t ^ The Po«t mentioned in tli« preceding rcmaTlrt'^> ^^^ IfooK Vllt or CICERO. ^ greatest men, both at Athens and Syracusi^ who have, in some sort, preserved their inde- , '|)eiideiicy, amidst the general servitude of their respective communities. May I not hope ttea to be able so to comport myself, under the same circumstances, as neither to give offence to our tuieps, on the one hand, nor to iiijuie the dig* Jiity of my character on the othen y But to turn from the serious to the jocose part of your letter. -r-The strain of pleasantry *ytMl Hreak int», immediately after having quoted the tragedy of Oeuonmus, puts me in iriirid of the modern method of introducing at the end of those graver dmmdtic piecds; thfe Jiumour of our mimes, instead of the old AtS- laBf ftrces*. Why else do you talk of your pahry polypus', and your mouldy cheese ? In pure gbbd^a^ttre, it is trne, I formerly submitted t6 i^'ettcr taste. For Hirtius and Dolabdla, let me ^M»you, are my preceptors in the science of tBffeThwfe AlelUnfarc^, which, in the earlier periods of the Roman stage, were sicted at the end of the more serious dra- Inatic performances, derived their name from Atella, a town •b It«Jy,fro« whence ibey were first introduced ttt Rbiti^ They consisted of a more liheral and genteel kind of hnnjpiif ttrar t^e Inimes : ' a specks of cbtnedy, wiilcli seems to hav6 ^•fqenits s»abi«ct frombw Jife. . Fi^» Manut. in hci^ rioU * A sea fish so extremely tough that it was necessary to W%l4i a'^ronsiderable time before it could be rendered fit for the table. Bruyfr^de recibar, xxi. J 4. S 2 660 The letters Book VIIL the table : as, in return, they are my disciples in that of the bar. But I suppose you have al- ready heard, at least if all the town- news is transmitted to you, that they frequently de- claim at my house'°, and that I as often sup at theirs. You must not, however, hope to escape my intended visit, by pleading poverty in bar to the admission of so luxurious a guest. Whilst you were raising a fortime, indeed, I bore with your parsimonious humour : but now that you are in circumstances to support the loss of half your wealth, I expect that you receive me in another manner than you would one of your compounding debtors". And though your finances may somewhat suffer by my visit, re- member it is better they should be impaired by treating a friend, than by lending to a stranger. I do not insist, however, that you spread your ! u <^. table io Cicero had lately Histiiuted a kiud of academy for elo- quence in his own hou^e: at which several of the leading yoang men in Rome used lo meet, in order to exercise them- selves in the ym of oratory. Cicero himself will acquaint the reader with his motives for instituting this society, in the 22d letter of the present book. " This alludes (as Manutius observes) to a law which Caesar passed in favour of those who bad contracted debts be- fore the commencement of the avil war. By this law, as ap- pears from the passages which that commentator has cited, commissioners were appointed to take an account of the estate and effects of these debiors, which were to be assigned to iheir respective creditors according to their valuation before the civil war broke out : and whatever sums had bteo paid for interest, was to be considered as in discharge of the principal. By this ordinance, Psetus, it seems, had been a particular suf- ferer. Cat. EtL Civil, iii. 1. Suet, in vU, Jul, 42. Book VIIL of GICERO. 26'1 table with so unbounded a profusion, as to fur- bish out a splendid treat with the remains : I am so wonderfully moderate, as to desire no- tliing more than what is perfectly elegant and exquisite in its kind. I remember to have heard you describe an entertainment, which was given by Phameas. Let yours be the exact copy of his : only I shoidd be glad not to wait for it quite so long. Should you still persist, •^fter all, to invite me, as usual, to a penurious supper, dished out by the sparing hand of ma- ternal oeconomy ; even this, perhaps, I may be able to support. But I would fain see that hero bold who should dare to set before me the yillanous trash you mention ; or even one of your boasted polypusses, with an hue as florid as vermilioned Jove". Take my word for it, my friend, your pruden<;e will not suffer you to be thus adventurous. Fame, no doubt, will have proclaimed at your viila my late conver- ' iion to luxury, long before my arrival ; and you ''will shiver at the sound of her tremendous re- port. Nor must you flatter [ yourselt with the .te. SLl^m^'S %.edge^f ^^Ef^jte by your cloying sweet- wines before supper: a silJy .ifii^^^iiMi I ^^aiy^;^^tj?^tir^^ reribiincf^d ; oj i^n^uea o« uj ,,>iw liouiw ,<;io;d')b beinff loU^rljlJ'l'f^y' ^^« naturalist, menfi^i ^ statiri)^ Jbpiter, l^^cftd in the Capitol, whtch; on certain festival days, it was -t/N*li^^''y ^^ P*i^^ with vei miiioh. Manut, ^6i The LfitTERS Boon VJlIii being much wiser than when 1 used to damp my stomach with your antepasts of olives and Leucanian sausages.— But not to run on any longer in this jocose strain ; my only serious wish is, that I may be able to make you a visit. You may compose your countenance, there^ fore, and return to your mouldy cheese in full si^ctlrity : for my being your gue»t Will occasion you, as usual, no othef expence than that of h^zfift^ y out baths'. " As for all the rest, yoi^ ate to look upon it as mer^ pleasantty. » The trouble you have given yourself About Selrcius's villa*V is extremely obliging: as you|[, description of it was excessively droll. I be^ lieve, therefore, from the account you give mc^ I shall renounce all thoughts of making that purchase: for though the country, it seemsy abounds in salt, the neighbourhood, I find, i* hnt insipid, Fareweh i q ^ In Naples- -^^' '"''• LETTER •»o .01 . "' i^: ' B6Bk Vin, OP CICERO. 863 III LETTER XXL [A. U. T07.] To VOLUMNIUS*, gnu X You have little reason, believe me, to regret the not being present at my declamations* : and if you should really envy Hirtius, as you assure me you should if you did not love him, it must be much more for his own eloquence^ than as he is an auditor of mine. In truth, my dear Volumnius, either I am utterly void of all genius, or incapable of exercising it to my sa^ tisfectioii, now that I have lost those illustrious fellow-labourers at the bar that fii-ed me with emulation when I used to gain your judicious applause. If ever, indeed, I displayed the powers of eloquence with advantage to my re* putation, let me send a sigh when I reflect^ with the fallen Philoctetes in^ the play, that These potent shafts, the heroes wonted dread. Now spend on meaner xcar their idle force; 4im'd at th^ xving'd inhabitants of air ! However, * See rem. ». on let. 18. B. iv. * See rem. 10. on the preceding letter. ^ Philoctetes was the friend and companion of Hercules, ifho, when he was dying, presented him with his quiver of arrows which had b^en dipped in the hydra's gall. When the Grecian princes assembled in order to revenge the cause of Menelaus, they were assured by an oracle that Troy S \ could W f64 The letters Bbot Vill however, if you \viH give me your company here, ciy spirits will be more enlivened : though -I-h^ed not add, that you will find me engaged in a multitude of very importafit occupations But if I can once get to the end of them (as 1 most earnestly wish) I shall bid a long fare- wel both to the forum and the senate, and chiefly devote my time ta you * and some few others of our common friends. In this num- battle Cassius and Dolabella, who are united with us in the same favourite studies, and to whose performances I with great pleasure at* tend. But we want the assistance of your refined judgment, and of that uncommon erudition which has often struck me with awe when I have been dehvering my senti- ments befotre you. I have determined, theja, 4{ I should obtain the consent, or at least tnc permission of Caesar, to retire from that stage could never be taken without tke assistancjc. of these arrows. An embassy, therefore, was gent to PhiloCtetes to engag* him on their side, who accordingly coivsented lo attend ibeir expedition. But being disabled from proceeding with these heroes in their voyage, by an accidental w6und ivhich be rtceived in the foot from one of his own arxov9is» thpy ungenerou!«ly left bim on a desolate island ; and it was here that he was redored to the mortifying n€cestity of empK)ying these formidable shafts in the humble purposes of supplying himself with food. The lines here quoted are taken from Accius, a dramatic poet who flourished r lix^owy iudeedf totally t(» QQuee^eiy^elf^ttl? ftecmfev^des ^f pl^iki^opby, .>»^^ftmiS.]^I« i<9 ^oy, with you, and some others /^f^tii^ sfU3^ eontej^latiYedispositio|i, tibe hou^W^J^fiffti^ ^ a studious leisure. - . ^ .j,^^j j^,^^^ v/^I am wnyyoubshortened your la^^ letter iiajtli^ apprehension that I should not have patience to !reada longer; But assure yourself, for the^fi^tWife that the longer yours are, tlie more acceptable ^tiaey will always prove to me. farew^^, y^cm^w ivci\r to 9'>fTBii=:i>*- i\H bn^t tiominooj r LETTER XXILi .^ i^^f b^^fiinr .(tii^r vm -To Papiriijs P.^TUS. '^^^^^^ "^'"^^ OUR very agreeable letter found me AvnoIIy disengaged at my Tusculan Ylua. 1 retirea hither during the absence of my pupil's*, whom Tr have sent to meet their victorious friend**, in ^^ ^iC0nciliate ^is good graces iff^ S'ji^^DionysIustb^ tyyaTif, afte;;h^)^|kgep from Syracuse, opened a school^ it is^ said, Hat ' CoTinth*;s*u uth| same manuei-,, >eing^riy^ '^''' » Hirtlils and Dplabella. '^^'^^^ ^^ ^'^^^C^sar^inhisTeturhfrom the African war. ^'^^^'' ^]^ "^^^rttc wase^ipelled from Sicily about 340 y^trs befofe I, 1 ,11 eW? THt LETTERS Book VIII. from my dominions in the forum, I have erected a «ort of academy in my own house : and I per-»'^ ccive, by your letter, that you approve the^ scheme. I have many reasons for approving iV too, and principally as it affords irte what ia highly expedient in the present conjuncture, -a" mean of establishing an interest with those^ in whose friendship I may find a protection. How far my intentions in this respect may be an- swered, I know not : I can only say, that I have hitherto had no reason to prefer the dif- ferent measures which others of the same party*^ with myself have pursued ; unless, perhaps, it would have been more eligible not to have survived the ruin of our cause. It would so. I confess, had I died either in the camp^, or in the field : but the former did not happen to be Hiy fate ; and, as to the latter, I never was en- ggi^ed in arxy action. But the inglorious man-t ncF W birth of our Saviour* on account of bis oppressive go- yernment ; when retiring lo Corinth, he employed himself in exercisins; the humbler tyranny of a pedagogue. It i». supposed that he engaged in ibis office the more eftecluaily to conceal the schemes be was still meditating, of recover- ing his a<^nvnions. Jus^m. xxi. 5. tiiusiuQ ' Furiicularly Hirtius and Dolabella. ' »'• Tlie^ expression in the original is extremely coneiM. — ^ ieciuhf Jateor: &ed uqu accidit. This seems to allude U> the^ickues«» with which Cicero was attacked. ii> the camp of Dyrrachium^ and that prevented him froui being preient At ak« ImitJe of Pbarsalia* or at least furnished him pnhs*, plausible excui^ for, bis absenc«.\ I'Ut , in vit . Cin Book VIII^^ qf CICERO, 9&P ner in which Pompey^, together with Scipio^^ Afranius^ and your friend Lentulus'*', severally lo$t their lives, will scarcely, I suppose, be thought a more desirable lot. As to Cato's, death", it must be acknowledged to have beei^ tjruly noble : and I can still follow his example, wheo^f ^ An account of the manner and circumstance of Pom* pey's death has already been given in rem. 6. p. 500. of this vol. f> * Scipio, after the unfortunate battle of Thapsus [see rem. 7. p. 245. of this vol.] endeavouring to make his escape into Spain, was driven back upon the coast of Africa, whex^ he fell in with a. squndron of Csesar's fleet, commanded by Hirtius. Scipio was soon overpowered by the strength and number of the enemy's ships : and himself^ together witU the few vessels that attended him, were all sunl^ ffirt. dc Bel. Afric.96. ^^'*^ h*'^'' ,1^ Afranius had been one of Pompey's lieutenants in Spain, and had a Command in Scipio's army in Africa. He was taken prisoner in attempting to make his escape afreii the defeat of that general, and murdered ,by, the soldiers^ mn. de Bd. J/ric 95. ^^*'"' ^' -'^" "^^'' ^' fi*^ This is not the same person to whom the letters in the first and second book of this collectioi) are addressed, byt Ludus Lentulus, who was consul with MarcellUs tn nii, 704, the year in which the civil war broke out. After the defeat at Pharsalia, he fled to th« island of Cyprus ; where, deceiving intelligence that Pompey w«s gone into Egypt, he immediately set sail in order to join him. He arrived oh the next day after that unfortunate general had been cruelly as- sassinated : and being seized the moment he landed, he xi^ derwent the same fate with that of his lllustrioiis frievxf, in pursuance of an order for that purpose from Ptolemy. Flut* in viL Pomp. Casar de Bel. Citil. iii. 105*. 1041'^'^'^^^*^ ' '* The manner and circumstances of Gate's having de- stroyed himself are too well known to be particularised in this plac^q scarce be supposed that it should have escaped every one of thfe ancient writers who speak of this illustrious Romae^s pxUr( and that Cicero, in particular, who most certaialy did not love Cato, bhould have made an honourable excep- tion of his death, out of that list which he here condemns^ it is true, the republican party, after the defeat of Scipio irt Africa, made a very powerful struggle against Caesar "under the command of young Pompey in Spain. But it is highly probable, that there was not the least rational ex- pectation of this circumstance, when Cato thought it. be-i ^came him to put an end to his life. For it appears, from ^^lutarch, that he would have defended Utica to the last, if he could have persuaded the principal Romans in that garrison to have supported him : and it was not till after d)i his remonstrances for that purpose proved utterly in^ effectual, and that he had secured the retreat of those who did Rot choose to surrender themselves to Caesar, that this exemplary patriot fell upon his otvn sword. Thus <)ied tbis truly^feat and virtuous Rom^n ! He had loiig stood forth tfire solt^ uncorrupted opposer of those vices that proved the rufn of this degenerate commonwealth; and suppofttd, as fit as a single arm could support, the declining c^nstitu-. lion. But when his services could no farther avails he •5t?orned to survive what bad beei\ the labour of Ris whoJe life to preserve, and bravely perished with the liberties of his -country. This is the purport of that noble eulogy which Seneca, in much stronger language, has ju^ly bestowed * lip m» Catd : yietverfusvittadcgeneranfhcivtiaiis^ says he, a/c- ''. "Pfat. iiix vir. Caton. Senec. de constant. SWjinent. ^. /- "^ ;i"jrjnt^ til '»* The only necessity which Cato ^i oi^^f'tlF putting ^{rt'ifiid'to hi)i life, arobe from that untfcrrm t^jspi^tioti fiHiad --*' given, Bp,oK Jilt oF;f ^f(3ERO: S69 first reason for engaging in my present sclieme* My next is^ that I find it an.adyantage, nptonly ^^ myhealth'^ which began to^ be impaired by die intermission of exercises of this kind, but also to my oratorical talents, if any I ever pos- sessed: which would have totally lost their vi- goar, it I nad not had ijecourse to thts methoa of keeping them in play. The last benefit' I shall mention (and the principal one, I dare say, M^oyr estin^ation) is, that it has introduced me to the demohshing of a greater number of dieljpipjus peacocks''^ than you have had tb^''(^j4- moil ,?iiisqqf. ' >: i^'^i *>- vourino* jW^'^rt^^ ^<^« «*"gerous designs of the conqueror: and it iWft^^llfc* aJlowe^,.thnt Cicero took sufficient care uolf.lo .faUondertMsanae. ,„^ ,,,, rjiuonnT .irt ili^ ^fj/;'?^4i'"«re E4iglj*h reader will be surprised to hear Cice- f fe8,viJm,u,res i^to action, bis ge^turt-s are generally such 3^s wpuW render the finest speecht that Deino^ihenes prCian would itink be w^, cheapc^i^ing a l)%bea,\ir : wben, perhaps, he is talking of ^hefaiq-jukfji^e *^Bfifist oatiou-" But among the oraiors of Qjrep<;p,;^i)d Rome it was fi^r otherwise. They stqdi^d.tbe eloqviexic.evpf action as po^pcii as that of diction: and tUeir rbetoricians ba»e laid dwwn tujes for the graceful manageDaeot gf the shoulders, tke' arias, the hands> and the feet, wbicb. wure ^eiqh Pf, them engaged. by turns in the emphatical^fj:^?;^^^^ pf ancient elocution. $pect,Vi.\>. 50. QuinctiL xj. i. > ^,, „, rrii.Jtjf his bird WfS^ e^teem^ by tbe Romans arai^ngst the b»WR>56i^,^-^i.cacie5 ofj^t ,^^^^ po efltert^iiimnn.t was 270 YiVE lETTfiRS iBooK VIIL vouring of paltry pigeons in all your life. TWe truth of it is, whilst you are humbly sipping the meagre broths of the sneaking Aterius, I am luxuriously regaling myself with the sa- voury soups of the magnificent Hirtifls?'^^ you have any spirit, then, fly hither, and learn, from our elegant bill^ of fare, hcixv^^trt 'define your own : though, to do your talents justice, this is a sort of knowledge in which you are much superior to our instructions. However, since you can get no purchasers for your mort- gages, aftd arc not likely to fill those pitchers you mention with denarii'^, it will be your wisest scheme to return hither : for it is a bet- ter thing, let me tell you, to be sick with good (gating at Rome, than for want of victuals at Naples'^ In short, I plainly perceive that your finances are in no flourishing situation, a,nd I expect to hear the same accountof all ypur neighbours : so that famine, my friend, most formidable • fi ' ■),(.''• iwas thought completely elegftnt where a peaucock djd no^ make one of the dishes. They bore a most incredible priced Varro assures us, that an hundred peacocks pix)duced iotht owner, the annual profit of about three hundred pounds ^toit ling. Far. A u Rustic, iii. 6. ""■'"' ^"^ '-'" ' ''^ >p; ■' Tbe^ denarius was a silver coin, equivalent to about eight pence of our money. Cicero*s raillery alludes to the loss which Paetus had suffered by the late edict of Caesar concerning debtors : of which aa account has been^ven in lerr. 11. p. 260. of this vol. xb^^O K ^\)*f Paetus had a house in Naples : where "be appdars to have l)een when this letter was written. to iO^Bw BooicVni- -OF CICEKO. sri ^^rmidable famine must ^, your fate,- ifyj9yL4o ^mtjprovide against it in due thne. And since jyott,have been jeduced to sell your horse, ^ ea mount your mule (the only animal, it seems, be- longing to you which you have not yet sacri- ficed to your table) and convey yourself imme- diately to Rome. To encourage you to do so, ^ou shall be honoured with a chair ami cushion nextto mine; and sit the second great pedagogue in my celebrated schools FareweL ^J7 Uli Jw b< \f LETTER XXIII. [A. U. 707.] To the same. )fl»2 WO'J i7 t X OUR satirical humour, I find, lias not yet forsaken you : and I perfectly well understand your raillery, when you gravely tell me,, that Kalbus cohtenfe^ hi'mself with yoiir humble rare. You insinuate, I suppose, that sincie t^iese oiir sovereign' rulers are thus wonderfully tern- berate, much more doe^ it' become a disci^fdM .consular* to practise the same abstemiousness. Btit do you know, my friend, tbatlliavfc' a'rf;^ fnily drawn from Balbus himself, the whole his- i£c%3 j-;fvtory ni £i* Qalbus was a&ort of prime minister and chief confident of Caesar. .q .! oj * The consular^ were those who had passed tBfuiigh the office of consul. 1 •>vf:d * ? f: f firi The letters Book VIIL P! tory of the reception you gave him ? He came directly to my house the moment he arrived in Rome : a circumstance, by the way, somewhat extraordinary. Not that I am surprised at his wanting the politeness to call first at yours; but my wonder is, that he should not go di- rectly to his own^ However, after the two or three first salutations had passed^ I immedi- ately enquired what account he had to give of my friend PsBtus? *' Never, he protested, was *' he better entertained in his whole life." Now, if you merited this compliment by your wit, I desire you to remember, that I shall bring as eles:ant a taste with me as Balbus himself: but if he alluded to the honours of your table, let it never be said, that the family of tlie stanj^ merers* were more splendidly regaled by Paetus, than the sons of elocution. Business has prevented me, from time to time, in my design of paying you a visit: but if I can dispatch i4 4? • There is undoubtedly some raillery in this passage, ei- ther upuu Pstus or Balbus : but it is impossible to discover rt of what nature, as it alludes to circumstances utterly un* knoifn. 4 In the original it is, we p/vn> es*e Balbos, qu^m diteriot pui^ : a witticism which could not, possibly, be preserved ift the translatioB. For it turns upon the equivocal sense of the word Bclbua: which was not only the name of the person of * whom Cicero is speaking, but signifies, likewise, a man who labours uader thdt defect of speech called stuttering. Book VIIL op C^GERd: SW di^atch fey affairs so as to be aT)Te f o cornt into your part of the word, I shall take care that you shall have no reason to complain of my not having given you timely notice. PareweL LETTER XXIV; [A. U. 7or.] To the same. Abe you not a pleasant mortal to question me concerning the fate of those estates' you mention, when Balbus had just before been paying you a visit ? It is from him, indeed, that I derive my whole fund of intelligence ; and you may be assured, that where heis igno- rant,- 1' have no chance of being better inform* ed, I might, with much more propriety, de- sire you would tell me \vhat is hkely to be the fate of my own possessiori< isirice ybuTiaVe ^i lately Wad a person^ under your roof, from whom, either in or out of his cups, you might certainly have disgayered tfeat secret- . BMJttbii, my' dear P«tus, fe an articte'tbat xfiakes nb pait . ^?f^\»M^ the estates of the Pompeiani that l*y «bofit Naples, where Pastus stems to have been^ when this Jetter wa^ wnttea. It appeals that Psbius bad been alarmed with a nimour that CKsar intended to aeiie these estates ; and^ therefore, had applied to Cicero^iio i«aratiie truth of this report. ' Balbus. Vol. IL -*i'niii& iixa^aj Ji^i^ ir i ii^ m THk LETTfeKS Book VJlfc part of my Ibq^iiry ; For, in the first plafcey 4 fiaVi f^isOii b be weU satisfied, bavitig liaw ^o^t these ibuV yeai^s^ been indulgtet! with W;^ life ; if lift or indulgence il taay be caHcc^ to be the sad survivor of our country's ruin. In the next place, I beBeVe it is a ^estibn I may easily answer myself. F6r I know it will be just as it shall seem meet to the men in power ; and the men in power, my friend, will ever be those i/)l\6^e sivords '^re tlie tnbst 'preVaiKng. 1 m\i^ ieht c^onfeftted, therefore, with whatever gVac^ it shall be their pleasui^e to shew me ; for he>ivrlr6 couW'liot^^^ely sib'rhit to sachSvretched tertrti, b\x0itt6 haVe taken refuge in the artns of death. 1sT5t\Vi'thgt^hS% therefbre, that the estates ibout Veii and C^pena», ire Actually Aivrdirlg ^ut, f^ticl th^e, ydu^ftdw, aife not fat distant Tfom TuscutumO yet it gives me no iart df aisqul^tadl?. ^"'One of the contra entatbfs, wlio coitceals Kis trufe name -ruwler that of Ragazonius, collects from this-Tiassflige, that the present letter was written A. U. 707- whereas it seems to prove, on the contrary, thit its (iate cannot be placed ear- ^ller than ihfe year 709- For Cicero a4)pears, ev.denUy. to ' allude to the pardon he had received from Caesar. Now :*'this'could not have been till after the battle of Pharsalit, A. U. 705 ; and the fourth year from that period brings ysdown HoVop*. In tlie begitining, therefore, of that year, this lA- ^r dught to have been pteced ; but the error of its present situation wiis not discovered till it was too late to be rectified. • Veil and Capena were cities in thatp^rt of Italy ealled Etruria, which is now comprehended under the name of Tuscany. *> Where Cicero had a villi. JBhiok tj CICERO. &7f / disquietude. I enjoy my property whilst I may, mnd please myself with the hope that I shall never be deprived of that privilege. But should it happen otherwise, still, however, since it wa$ my noble maxim (hero and philosopher a3 I was ! ) that life is the fairest of all possessions, I cannot, undoubtedly, but love the man" by whose bounty I have obtained the continuance pf that enjoyment. It is certain, at the samf time, that how much soever he may be dispx)^^^ 4>erhaps, to restore the republic, (as we ought all of us most certainly to wisi) yet he b^ ^a^ tangled himself in such a variety of different connexions, that he is utterly embarrassed iu what manner to ac^. But this is going farther into these points th^n is i^ecegsary, considering the per3on to whom I am writing. Neverthe- Jes3, I will add, that our chief himself is asah- 6blutely ignorant what measures will finally be ?esoiyg(l .j^ppp, a3 J am, who have no share iu \m cdaticils. For Caesar is no less under the ppntepl^of cij:ciuii}ist3.nces, th^n we are under the ;,ca]fetf6l of Caasar; apd it is as much impos^;blp /9f i)^ to foresee what these may require, as it ^ j^r us to p^i^etratp i^tp >KJtat h^ i^ inJg^cL ' ^?*^,^?«|tAOt impute it ta neglect, (a fault ^W ar^'iepsiWe, ,pf which J^m^eiJd9JDj eu^Ity in ^^t " Caesar. T2 ithe i i (276 The letters Book VIII. the article of writing) that I have not saicl t^us much to you before. The single reason for m jr not sooner answering your inquiry, was, that as I could only speak from conjecture, I was un- willing, without a just foundation, either to in- crease your fears, or to encourage your hopesc But this I can with truth assure you, that I have not heard the least hint of the danger you ap- prehend. A man of your philosophy, however, ought to hope for the best, to be prepared for the worst, and to bear, with equanimity, what- ever may happen. Farewel. I '/ vm;« LETTER XXV. [A. u. 7or.] To the same. Your letter gave me a double pleasure; for it not only diverted me extremely, but was a proof, likewise, that you are so well recovered as to be able to indulge your usual gaiety. I was well contented, at the same time, to find myself the subject of your raillei^y ; aiitf, ^ in truth, the repeated provocations I had givea you were sufficient to call forth all the seventy of yoiir satire. My only regret is, that I am prevented from taking my intended journey into your part of the world, where I purposed to have made myselt; 1 do not say' your guest,. but Book VIII. of CICERO. 277 butppe, of your family. You would have found me wonderfully changed from the man I for- merly was, when you used to cram me with your cloying antepasts'. For I now more pru- dently sit down to table with an appetite alto- g^ether unimpaired, and most heroically make iny way through every dish that comes before me, from the egg"- that leads the van, to the roast veal that brings up the rear'. The temperate and Ype^Pjensive guest whom you were wont to ap- pUud, is now no more. I have bidden a total farewel to all the cares of the patriot, and have joined the professed enemies of my former prin^* ciples ; in short, I am become an absolute Epi- curean. You are by no means, however, to consider me as a friend to that injudicious pro- fusion, ' These autepasts seem to have been a kind of collation preparatory to the principal entertainment. They generally consisted, it is probable, of such dishes as were provocative* to appetite; but prudent (Economists, as may be collected from the turn of Cicero's raillery, sometimes contrived them in such a manner as to damp rather than improve the sto- mach of their guests. * The first dish at every Roman table, was constantly eggs ; which maintained their post of honour even at the most magnificent entertainments : ,' Nee dum omnis abaci a ^'''Pauperis epulis regum: nam vilibmovis W y I ■ est—fwdie locus. HoR. Sat. ii. 2. The humble egg at lordly feasts we see : This still remains of old simplicity f b-j5 It appears, by a passage which Manutius cites from Ter- tuUian, that the Romans usually concluded their feasts with broifed or roasted meat. , 1 :i|. 275 Tni Ho hi Vllfe fusidh, which is no\^ the pretuilitig ta^tt of biff modem entertainments ; on the contrary, it is iiiat more elegant luxury I admire which '^ou formerly used to display when yOut finance were most flourishing^, though yout farm* Wtre not more numerous than at present. Be pre* pired, therefore, for my rec^ftio'n, ft8:6rdi^gT5r, tod remember you are to entertain a man who nks not only a most enormous appetite, hia't"4*iii() lias some little knowledge, let me tell you, in the science of elegant eating. You know th6re is a j>eculiar air of self-sufficiency, that getie^ rally distinguishes those who enter late into the ^"Btudy of any art. You will not wonder, there-p fore, when I take upon me to inform you, that you must banish your cakes atid your sweet-^ meats, as articles that are now utterly discard- ed from all fasMohiiblfe bflls tff fa1[«. ''I'km be. come, indeed, such a proficient in this science, fhat I frequently vetitufe 'to mtite'to trt^'t'llDle those refined friends of yours, the delicate Verr rius and Camillus. Nay, I am bolder stiH, and have presumed to give a supper even to Hirtius himself; though, I must own, 1 could not ad- vance so far as to'honoUY him^th^ pealcoik^ ^ To tell you the truth, my honest cook had 4iot skill enough' to imitate any other part of his splendid ' See rem. 11. p. 260. of ibis vol. * See rem. 14. p. 270. of this vol. Book yil^. cj^ CJf€#Sq. 279 splendid entertainments, except only ^b spioak- ing soups. ^^^ j^o^But to give you a general sketch of my manner of life ; I spend ):hp first part of the morning in receiving the compliments of sevcf- ralboth of our dejected patriots and our gay victors ; the latter of whom treat mc with great marks of civility and esteem. As soon as that .^ceremony is over, Ij-etire to my library, wheirc I employ myself either with my books or my pen; And here I am sometimes surrounded by ian ^diencC; wlio look upon me as a man of most profound erudition, for no other reasoii, per* haps, than because I am not altogether so ig*- norant as themselves. The rest of inyMme 1 - w;holly devote to indulgencies of a less intel*? lectual kind. I have sufficiently, indeed, paid the tribute of sorrow to my unhappy countiy ; the miseries whereof I have longer and more 5^, bitterly lamented, than ever tender mother be- wailed the loss of her only son, l^^^ Let me desire yoii, as you would secure ^^,your magazine of pxoy/sions from falling into my hands, to take care of y.o^r ^ealth ; for I ijl^^ve^jnost unmercifully resolved that no pr^- ^^^ptence of indisposition shall preserve yoiir larder gj^^oip. my depredations, farewel, i, ^ ^ T4 LETTER 11 .1 I |^.*|if .-| - *i *" ♦ ^■ ■ /'\ ' :280 The letters Book VHL cyi^f^ ,4^ *. ^r LETTER XXVI. it - [A. U. 707.J ill To the same. X ARRIVED yesterday at Cumae^, and perhaps I may pay you a visit to-morrow ; but I shall take cafe to give you a short notice before^ *liand; I am determined, indeed, not only to .see you, but to sup with you too. For though Iliad the mortification to be informed by Mar- cus Ceparius, whom I met on the road, that you were laid up with the gout ; yet I suppose your cook is not disabled as well as his master. You niay expect, therefore, very speedily to receive a guest, who, as he is remarkable for having a wonderous puny stomach, is equally famous likewise for being an irreconcileablp enemy to all sumptuous entertainments. FareweL LETTER XXVIL [A. U. 707.] To Marcus Marius. X ARRIVED at Cumae on the 24th, accompa- nied by our friend Libo, and purpose to be at my Pompeian villa* very shortly : but I will give ^ Where he had a country house. • See rem. 3. p. 198. of this vol. Book Vm. Of ClCER@cT 0284 give you previous notice when I shall have fixed the day. I wish yOu the enjoyment of your health at all times; but particularly whilst I am your neighbour. If you have an assigna- tion, therefore, with your old companion, the gout, pray contrive to put it off to spme pthjpr opportunity. In good earnest, let ipe desire you to take care of your health, and expect to see me in two or three days* Farewel. "^ "^ ' LETTEBS -/*ljr r^U^s ^-} 101 ' o-i — - ^- Y :• i>vit ;, '9ff^'' 9 _; .J <. *' A I -r;.*-! "rnr I I * lb. , » -I'fE'v •T-nr^' iSjjO ffrrff;^ t ft » t»? < 283 ) LETTERS OF t ■. MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. tt.ui r . i .i.ii BOOK IX. LETTER I. [A. U.707.] To Servius Sulpicius'. I AM continually receiving accounts from vari- ous hands, that you are in a more than com- mon degree affected by the general calamities of our country. This is by no means a matter of surprise to me, as it in some measure* corres- ponds ' Some account has already been given of Sulpicius, in rem. I, p. 11^. of ^is vol. Upon the breaking out of th^ civil II 284 The .LETTER>5 Book I X, sponds with what passes in my own bosppi. Nevertheless, I cannot but regret that a maa of your superior understanding should not ra-^ ther enjoy his own good fortune, than vainly disquiet himself with the misery of others. As for myself, there is none who has more bitterly liwnented the general desolation of the com^ monwealth: yet there are many reflectionit from which I now derive great relief; particu-j larly from a consciousness of the integrity g£ my former counsels. I long foresaw, a,s from sQgie advantageous eminence, the storm that^ was gathering around us; and I foresaw it, not Ql^iy by the force of my own discernment, but much clearer by the assistance of your pron phetic admonitions. For though I was absent during the greater part of your consulate^ yet I, was not unapprised how often you fore- told this fatal war, and what measures you re- • commended for its prevention. In the com- n\encement, indeed, of your consular admiuis- ~i iv tration, etfil tfar he was a consirferable time in suspense on wjiich side to declare himself: [See rem. 1. p. 138. of this vol.] baiat length he dcicrmined to join Pompey. However, soon aifter the battle of Pharsalia, he made his peace wiih Cawar* and was appointed by him governor of Greece. It- was during his adminisiraiion of this province, that the "pt#-v sent letter, together with the rest of those which arfe ad- dressed to him in this and the foUowin;^ book, were writter>J» '^■^Sulpicius was consul in the yenr 702 ; and it wa»Jabout^ the latttH* end of April, or the beginning of May, irv the same year, that Cicefo left Rome, in order to proceed to bi» ^»- vernraent inrCilicia. -AdAtt, wii * ••-c»^ i- .^.^tu.** ^oiy*^ Boo^lX. %u tfafioti, I was myself present in the senate when you prudently endeavoured to awaken oCir fears, by enumerating those civil wars that had happened within our own memories^ And if the authors of these, you told the house> unsupported by a single example of the same kind to give a colour to their conduct, had e^ ercised such dreadful cruelties*, whoever in ia^ tare times should successfully turn his arm¥ against the republic, would most assuredly prove a much more intolerable tyrant. For they that act by precedent, you observed, ge- nerally think they act by right, and in cases of tliis nature seldom fail of improving upon their model. You should remember, therefore, that those who refused to follow your judicious ad*4 vice, owe their destruction entirely ta thei^ own imprudence. But you will ask, perhaps^ "%hat relief can this consideration afford ttf " your mind, amidst the universal wreck of "the republic ?" It must be acknowledged, \n^ deed, that our misfortunes will scarce admit of i\ con- '-* Ab<^fit two-and-twenty years before the date of thi* letter, the diseentions between Marius and Sylla broke out into au open civil war, which terminated in ibe.perpetUf^i dictatorship of the latter. t . ^ f_ , „ ^ Both Marius and Sylla perpetrated, in their turns, tb^ most horrid outrages against the partisans of each other ; biut parUcularly Sylla, whose sanguinary proscriptions, dur- ing his usurpation, afford the most dreadful instances, per«< haps,, of human cruelty, that are to be met with in the whole annals of despotic power. Vid^Sallust. Bel, CatiL 51. 'i II 28<5 The LETTER& ]Mas;iK^ I i tonsolation : so total and soirreco^eTibte is the TuiD we deplore! However, CcBsar.hniwel^ as well as every citizen of Rome befeidffs, looks lipoo you as shining forth, amidgt-thisigeneral extinction of the great lights of the republic, ia all the lustre and dignity of wisdom auci virto^. These considerations, therefore, ought greatly to alleviate the generous disquietude- df your heart. Tis true you are absent from your friends and family ; but this you have tlielesft reason to regret, as you are removjed at the «ame time from many very disagreeable cir- cumstances. 1 would particularly point them «Bt tJO you, but that I am unwilling you should tmve the pain of lieariwg Avhat you ape so biippy lis not to see: aoi advantage which renders your situation, I think, so much die more elr- ^ble than ours. > d> '1 have thus far laid i>eft)re yoa, inthe warm- ^t friendship of my heart, those reasons which may justly contribute to tighten antf compose ^'our wu^siness. Tl>€ re^t are to be found within yourself; and they are consotations «*^'hich I know, by tiaity OKpcfience, to be of the best and most efficacious kind. J ^'^llj^-- member that you passionately cultiviated th« wliolc circle of sciences frojn your cai)it3jt youth, and carefully treasured up in jouf mintt whatever die wisest phUoisophci s liave dohveneiii • jki \V J ii) corictriAi^g 1iMKl%. of memo. SSSf ddheWftffif the beniiaiid M{)pim regulation of BfiiAiitt lift, i^bir lhe6fe kt6 ct^tttemplation* both ttift^ful iittd littterlaining, tyth iti seasoftd oFthfe ^Itatert talifi afrd prosperity ; bnt inthc ptefcAt tifemitilms situitioti of public affidrs, tftfeit T» hotting the that Catt iootfi and t^m- pose our minds. I would not be so arrosrant is tb tetke *iip6ii ttiysdf to exhott a man of ybilr Jr^nse and ktaowtedge to have i^cciurte ttl thid^ ittrdie^ to "which I know y<>tt have ytMit i^oit Irfe been dcvb^ted. I will i^Iy -say witfc rt^dtt to rtyseff, (aitd I hbpfe Tsh^Wbe jnstiiifid hyfotLT ^pptbbiition) that I CO(Bfsec?al^*ilI jny thnfc ^d a^ttentioil to ^Ib^Orp^hy, >ivhen I pet*- lxi\tA tVere i^a^ too fartJifer^taipTcfytw?tit'eitte9i' iii the fornm br the senate fot my favourite «Tt\ Scarcfe infiftt tdotnis there for 'the ttcevcis© n-'r^fT' mi LETTER IL^ f "^ [A. u. ror.] ' ■(. WL:. To Publics Servilius Isaubicus^, Proconsul. I RECEIVED the account you sent me of your voyage, with much pleasure, as it was a proof that you are not unmindful of our friendship i th^n which nothing, be assured, can afford me ^ more real satisfaction. Would you still oblige me more ! let it b? by freely communicating to me the state of your province, and the plan of government upon which you proceed. Fqi, though the fame of your administration wiU U|idoubtedIy reach me by many oUier ways» y^.' ^ *M^^^ ™o«t pleased in being made ac- quainted with it by your own hand. As % myself, the hazards to which my letters are" exposed, ^iU not suffer me to be so frequent in giving you my sentiments of public affairs, as I shall be in apprizing you of what palses amongst us. I have hopes, however, that our colleague » Cmn nominated hira joint consul with himself, in the ye«r 705; and Servilius exercised the consular functions at Korae, wh.lM his colleague was employed in carrying on the war agamst Pompey in Macedonia. He was, at this time proconsul of Asia Minor; to which province he succeeded at the expimtion of bis consulate. Cms. B«L Civil, iii. i V 01. II. , u t sm Th£ letters Book IX^ Book IX: OF aCERQ, •- 29^ colleague Caesar' intends, and, indeed, that he actually has it under his consideration, to esta- blish a repuhlican form of governn.ent of some kind ; and it is of much importance, that you should be present in his council for this pur- pose. But if it be more for your own glory to preside over Asia, and preserve that ill-affecte4 part of the republic in its allegiance, I ought to reirulatc mv inclinations by yours, and pre- fer what will most contribute to the advance- ment of your interest and your honour. Be assured, I shall employ my utmost zeal to pro- mote both, by every mean that shall appear conducive to that end ; among which, it shall t)c my principal care to distinguish your illus- trious father^ with all possible marks of my observance. r • « Cxsar was a follow member of the college of auguri with Cicero and Servilius. 5 Servilius the father, after havinp pa^^sed through lh« office of consul in ihe year 073, was elected gi»vernor of C^- licia, where he greatly distint^u shed himself in several obsti- nate and succesbful enj;iieements with ihe piratic nations, that infested the Roman commerce in this part of ihe eastern world. He particularly tuned his arms against the Isauri ;^ a people situated between Cilicia and Lycaonia ; and having penetrated as far as iheir capital, he not only laid it level with tin? ground, but demolished several strong fons which the pirates possessed in the maritime parts of that kingdom. It was upon this occasion, that he obtained the title of Isau- ricus ; and, at his return to Rome, he was hon< urod, like- wise, with a triumph. He died not long after this letter was written, in an extreme old age, and is said to have pre- served his health and senses entire to his last moments. 1aV4 Epit. 93. Flor. ill. 6. V'lo^ xlv. p. 277. observance. This, indeed, is what I justly owe him, not only in regard to his high cha-; racter, and the friendship in which we have been long united, but in return, likewise, to the many favours whicli you and he have cou- fcrred upon me. Farewel. , . • LETTER III. [A. u. 7or.] To Njgidius Figulus\ ffw 1 HOUGH I have long been looking out for an occasion of writing to you, yet I have not only been unable to meet with any particular sub- Nigidius Figulus was a person of great distinction, not only in the civil, but literary world. He had passed through the offices of tribune and praetor, with much honour; and was at this time in the number of those who were suffering exile for having taken up arms on the side of Pompey. He was extremely well versed in all the liberal sciences, but his studies were principally consecrated to moral and natural knowledge ; in the latter of which he seems to have made such extraordinary discoveries, as to have occasioned a sus- piciou that he practised the magic art. He was much ad- dicted to judicial astrology; and, it is said, that being in- formed of the birth of Octavius, he immediately pronounced that he was destined to empire. Lucan has celebrated him for his learning of this kind, and represents him as prophetic pally declaring the future calamities of his country • At Figulusy cui cura Deos secretaque cceli Kossefuit, SfC, One of the commentators asserts, (though it does not appear ^ 2 upon 292 Thx letters Book IX. ject for that purpose, but find myself utterly jrt: a loss even to furnish out a common letter. The calamities of our country have spoiled me- for those jocose epistles with which, in happier days, I used to entertain my friends ; as fortune has rendered me incapable of writing, or, in truth, of thinking, upon any subject of a cheer- ful nature. Theie remains another species of letters of a grave and serious cast, peculiarly adapted to these miserable times. But, as a let- ter of this kind ought to contain either some promise of assisting you to surmount your mis- fortunes, Of some arguments to support you under them ; from these, too, I am hkewise ex- cluded. Sunk, indeed, as I am, into the same ^abject fortune as yourself, what assistance can -I possibly oifer you? In sad truth, I am ^obliged to have recourse myself to the aid of others, and I have much more reason to lament that I live upon tl^ese disgraceful terms, than to rejoice that I am still in being. 1 say not this from any extraordinary injuries which I have suffered in my own person ; indeed, there ]§ nothing which in the present conjuncture I could wish for myself^ that Caesar has not Toluntarily upon what «athority) tftat Figulire Mc6 in exile, the year foUowmg the date of this letter. Jd Q. F. Y. 2. Cic, Fragm. d€ Uiutcr. in Prinei^. Dio. xlv. p. 270. Su€t, m yhig.3i»^ Lucan, i. 693. Book IX. OF CICERO: ^ voluntarily offered me. Nevertheless, the sor- rows that oppress my heart, are of so severe a iaature, that I think myself guilty of a crime in sti^l continuing to live. For i live deprived ef many of my most intimate friends, whom deatli, or those public calaimrtes which Yojn driven them from their country, have sepaiated from me ; as I have, likewise, iost, by the same means, all those whose good-will I formerly conciliated, when, by your assistance*, I suc- cessfully stood forth in defence of the republiev I have tl^ unhappiness, at the same time, t^ be placed in the midst of the ger>eral wi^eck an^ plutider of their fortunes ; and not only have the pain to hear, (but wbirt is itit more aflfect- feg) am a spectator of the dissipation of the estates which belonged to tliosiefflustrlous asso- ciates, who assisted me in extiiiguishmg the fiai^ '"^f that dangerous conspiracy. Fn a word, I have the mortificatioa to find -myself utterfy * ffiwked of air credit, authority, aiVd hcmoiirs in that republic, where I once flourt^lied m tKb'ftflrpossessi^n of those glorious distiiactteiis. Cteiaf, ?tis >trlic, acts towards me with the ut- most •^^^^^^lliifles to the affair of CatfHne's conspiracy; in which, as u^ ^ver^', other Arcide.of pubJjc corijcorg, .Cicero was principally determined in, his,con5uct by the sentiin^ts . aaU advice of Nigi^i us. . Plut. invito €icer. U3 294 The letters Book IX. Book IXi OF CICERO. 295 most generosity ; but his generosity cannot re- store what I have lost by the general violence and confusion of the times. Thus bereaved of those advantages to which I was habituated by genius, by inclination, and by custom, I ima- gine that the world is no less dissatified with me, than I am with myself. Formed, indeed, as I was by nature, to be perpetually engaged in the noblest and most important occupations, I am now deprived of every mean, not only of acting, but of thinking to any public purpose^^ There was a time when my assistance could have raised the obscure, and protected even the guilty; but now I cannot so much as send a favourable promise to Nigidius ; to the vip*^ ^uous, the learned Nigidius ; to the man who once flourished in the highest credit, and wha -^as always my warmest friend ! Thus you see that I am totally disqualified from writing let* ters. to you of this kiixl. The only subject that remains to me, then, is to endeavour to draw off your mind from its inquietudes, by laying before you such argu- ments as may afford you a well-grounded con-s solation. But, if ever any man was peculiarly qualified to employ tlie strongest reasonings of this nature, either for his own use, or for that of others, most undoubtedly it is yourself. Such, Such, therefore, as may b^ drawn frbm the' refined sources of philosophy, I av^II not pr^- ' tend to touch ; but shall teav^ them entirely td • your own suggestions. Whatever is worthy of a man of true wisdom and fortitude; whatever is agreeable to that character you have sustain- ed in the world, and -to those studies iii..wj>kh ^ you so early excelled; whatever, ii;i shoit,iiiaj expected from a great and exalted minicl»in,the' circumstances wherein you< arc pliiced, youri^ own reflections wilti best supply. : 1 will oqiiyT take upon myself, therefore, to inform yon of what I have been able? to discover from my^ being situated in Rome, and giving, a parti^^ cular attention to every occurreiiite that pas^sy ImwiU venture, then, -with confidence^ to 9LSh^ sure you, that your present troubles (perhaps,* too, I might add, that, those of tlie^jepublio itself) will not be of kng continuance. . Foiy in the first place, C£e8a^^e6ms well iheiinedto- recal you from exile; 'and, trust me, ^ I speak this from no hasty conjecture. On the otm^^ trary,r. I) examine his sentiments and- disposi- tions so much the more strictly, as I am less biassed in his favour by any. particular coti- nexions. I am persuaded, then, that, ^the^-^i^^i gle reason for his delayiaig toir^feore.yot^^a^ tlathe may with a better giace, refuse tliq'saii^^ U 4 • fstvoui? 296 Thz letters Book IX. Bo OK IX, OF CICERQ. a^ favour to others against whom he h HEOffe waxi»ly ificensed. I am sxux, at least, tkat althil most intimate friends and favourites bodi ifliink and speak of you highiy to your Advantage :£ In the next place, the populace, or rather,:! should say, the whole commniiity in general, arfe strongly in your interest. And let me adx^ that the republic herself, whose power ^i^tf^ sent, it must be confessed, iAx5ertainiy incoi^ siderable, but who must neceks^nVy, Howevei; recover some degree of cfiedit; thejfepuWic herself, believe me, will soon obtain >5^nP>^' tomtion from those who at this time hold her in subjection. In this respect, therefore, liftay v£nture even to promise you some assistance. With this view, I sliall closely attach myself to Gaesar's favourites, who are all of them, iadeoi, extremely fond of me, and spend much of tlieir time in my company ; as I shall insinua«te myself into an intimacy with Caesar, to which my own modesty has hitherto proved the single obstruc- tion^ In short, I shall pursue every probable Uiean of this kind (and some, too, that I dare not commit '•^ ' ItrecfUires, perhaps, no ordinary portion of faith, to believe It was modeHy that kept Cicero at a distance from Caesar. The true reason, indeed, appears from Cicero's own account In the tut paragraph of the^Uovring fetter, w^iere he touches upon this article in a more ingenuous manner, than he thought proper in the prtsent iiatance. See the I7th and 9^ Letters of this book. 1 tXMmmit to paper) in order to obtain yowrret tumu As to other articles of tsgistance^ I am sensible there are many who are perfectly weil inclined to o&ryon their services; butytmnii^ dqmid upfon me as the first and forwaidcat in Aat nuaabcr. Th« mo&t tratU is, tbere as lib part of my estate which is aot as jfi^jatryoac disposal as it is at mine. But I will say the less upon this subject, as I would ratlier encourage you to hope (what I am wejl persuaded will be the case) that you will soon h^ve itin^your pow* cr to make use of your own. In the mean while let aoc conjure you to preserve a firm and fia# feroken spirit, ranembering not only th^ sob* Buie ptrecepts you Iwivc necciyedfrom olher ce.^ iebrated philosophers, but those likewise which have been the produce of ycwr own judicious re- flections. If you attend to these, they will teach you to hope the best, and at the same time to meet whatever may happen with a wise compof «ure of miad* But these are sentiments which ;oia.''/'' -jff#»T illD '•n-*N%ifliu8 published manytj^atises on different ^bi^anches of human and theological science, the subjects of which Ma- nntius, >ith his usual learning and industry, has collected from the several ancient writers wherein they are cited; It is probable, from the present .passage, that he had> published tmlso some treatise concerning fortitude, upon th« Pyih^gork principle*. It is certain, at least, that Ni^idius (aad i|; is ^. circOTBstance greatly to the honour of his character) at- ^^empted to bring the piiyjosophy of Pythagoras into credit with 2pa The XETTERS B6oit IX. no man is so capable to suggest tb you as your* self* I will only add, then, that you inay be^ assured of my carefully and zealously embracing^ every opportunity of promoting your welfare ;.* as. I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the generous services youxonferred uponm© during my severe afflictions^ FareweL ' < ^ 1 t. * Ju i ^^•4) LETTER IV. [A.U.707.] : uc To Marcus MarcelIus^, . ,^ ..,^ X^kWII*^ not venture to condemn, though- 1, have not myself pursued those measured '-iti which I find you still persevere^, as I have toci high witk his countrymen ; wbicli, after having flbuFishedtTi Italy durin'» some centuries, was now grown almost enlir^jly out of repute. It is no wonder, indeed, that a system which, in many of its precepts, seems to have approached very near, to the divine morality of th^ Christian in^titutioi^, was re- jected in an age in which the only fashionable principles were, to acquire wealth by ^very means of avdrice and in- justice, and to dissipate it by every method of luxury and profusion. Cic. Fragm. de Univ. in Princip, 5 This alludes to Cicero's banishment, in tfee year 694?, at which time Nigidius was prajtor. Pigh, Annal. ii. 36 1. * For a particular account of the character and conduct of Marcejlus, see rem. 3. let. 31. of book iii. . ,- .^ ,., .- ^ This alludes to the different conduct of Cicfeh) ini Marcellus, after the battle of Pharsalia ; the former (as hai already been remarked) having immediately rfcturned into Italy, in order to throw himself at the feet of the conqueror, the latter retiring to Mitylenip, the capital of Lesbos,, l^, this city Marcellus probably resided, when the present leiler was written. Book IX. ■: *": t)^ CICERO, S9Sf high an bpttlion of your judgment, to think the preference is due to my own. The friendship^ however, in which we have so long been inti-» mately united, together with those singular mai*ks of affection you have shewn towards me, from your earliest youth, induce me to recom- mend to you what seems conducive to your in- terest, at the same time that it appears by no means inconsistent with your honour. • I am sensible that you long foresaw, no less than myself, tliose calamities that have fallen upon our country : and I well remember the patriot conduct fon displayed during your glo- rious administration of the consular office. But r remember, too, that you disapproved of the manner in which the civil war was conducted ; and that, far from being satisfied either with the strength or nature of Pompey's forces, you >yere always extremely diffident of their success; in which, I need not add, I entirely agi:ced with you. In conformity to these our mutual sen-* timents, as you did not enter very far into the war on your part, so I always endeavoured as much as possible to avoid it on mine. The point in contest between the adverse parties was not to be decided indeed by the force of their counsels," andthe justice of their cause, in which w^ I>a4 undoubtedly iht atdvantage, but by the single strength soo The letters Book IX. Boojc IX. OF CICERO. 301 strenjrth of their swords, wherein we were evi- dently inferior. Vanquished, therefore, we ac- cordingly are: or, if virtue never can be van- quished, yet certaifily, at least, we are fallen. Your conduct cannot but be greatly and uni- versally applauded, in having renounced the spirit of contention, when you lost the hopes of success ; and you shewed, by jx)ur own ex- ample, that as a wise and honest patriot Avill al- ways enter into a civil war with reluctance, so he will never choose to carry it on to its last desperate extremity. Those who did not pur- sue the same measures formed themselves into two different parties ; and while some retreated into Africa, in order to renew tlic war, others, and myself among the rest, submitted to the conqueror. But you thought proper to steer a middle course, unagining, perhaps, that it was mean to yield, and obstinacy to resist. In this, I must confess, you are thought by many (I might say by the world in general) to have given a proof of your virtue; while there are numbers who admire it likewise as an instance of great magnanimity'. Nevertheless there is a time, ^ It is probable that Brutus was in the number of those who were in Cicero's thoughts upon this occasion, as may be collected from a passage in Seneca. This noble moralist pelates, that Brutus, in a treatise which he wrote Concern- ing virtue, mentioned his having paid a visit to Marcellus at a time, it should seem, when this measure may cease to be any longer justifiable ; especially as nothing, I am persuaded, is wanting to, esta- blish yau ]Al» the full possession af your for- tunes, but your own concurrence. For he in wham all power is centred* has no otlier objec- tion, I find, to granting yoa this favour,, but that he is apprehensive you are by no mean$ disposed to think it one. What my own sen- timents are as to that point, is too evident by my conduct, to render it necessary to explain them. Bnt this, however, I will say, that al- ;^ugh you should prefer a state of perpetual exile, rather than be a spectator of what you cannot but disapprove, yet you should reflect, that it is impossible, in any part of the world, to be placed out of the readfi of his power whom you desire to avoid. And even grant- ing at Mitylenc, where he found him in the utmost tranquillity^ pursuing, with all his usual taste and spirit, the moral and polite arts. "And I could not forbear thinking," added Brutus, ** wh^n I took ray leave of Marcel lus, in order to ** return to Rome, that it was I myself, and not my friend, ^ who deserved to be lamented as the exile.'* Seneca takes occasion from hence to introduce a soliloquy, which be puts into the mouth of this illustrious exile ; and he concludes it with a sentiment that raises the highest idea both of Brutus and Marcellus. " Let conquered nations (he supposes ** Marcellus to have said to himself) look with wonder upon *^^* Cdesar; but live thou, Brutd miratore contehtus, "^satisfied with having gained the admiration of Brutus T ^i^tc. Consul, ad Ihhid, 0. ^"^* Caesar. «*^ ^ 7e 302 Th£ letters Book IX*- ing it probable that he should suffer you to live free and unmolested in a voluntary banish^' ment, yet it deserves your consideration, whe-^ ther it would not be more eligitte, whatever the situation of pubHc affairs may be, to spend your days in Rome, than at Rhodes or Mity-*T lene. But, since that power which we dread extends itself over every part of the globe, is it^ not better to live securely under your owo^ roof, than in perpetual danger under that of another ? For myself, at least, if even death were my resolution, yet I would rather choose to expire in my own country, and in my ownl mansion, than at a strangers house, and in a foreign land. All who love you (and your illustrious vir- tues have rendered that party extremely nume* rous) join with me in these sentiments. In this we have a regard, likewise, to the preser- vation of your estate, which we should be sorry to see dissipated. For though neither that per- son who governs the republic, nor, indeed, the republic itself, would suffer any injuries of this kind to remain always unredressed, yet I would not, in the mean time, have your estate ex- posed to the depredations of certain lawless in- vaders, whom I should not scruple to name, if I Avere not persuaded that you perfectly well know to whom I allude. Your Book IX. of CICERO. 303 Your very excellent relation, Caius Marcel- lus', discovers a singular zeal in his frequent and earnest applications to Cassar on your be- half And thpugh I am not in a situation to second these his solicitations, I claim, however; the next rank, in my anxiety for your welfare. The truth is, I have stood too much in need of an advocate myself, to take the liberty of acting that part for another ; as all the merit I can plead, is to have yielded after having beea conquered\ Nevertheless, as far as my advice and endeavours can be of any avail in your af- fairs, they are not wanting to Caius. The jcst of your family do not think proper to con- sult me, though they may always be assured of finding me ready to exert my best services wherever your interest is concerned. Farewel. LETTER "An account has been given of him in rem. 4. p. 322. vol. 1. ^ * See rem. 3. on the preceding letter. n, r! 'I .'1 I, T OJ 304 Tbt lETTERS Booa IX. _i LETTER V. [A. U. ror?.] A 4 • 'To TrebiajtusX • • ■ * ■ I SHOULD have written to you sooner, if it had been eithernn jny power to have prOTni««i you any effectual assistance, or necessary to have offered you any consolation ; eoietir.the other being the part of every friend, -in so un- happy a conjuncture as the present But I fbrborc the latter, as I was informed by many hands, of the resolute and philosophical spirit \rith lehich you support the umjust persecution jrou arc suffering from the violence of the times, and of the strong consolation you receire from the consciousness of that integrity by Avhich all vour counsels and actions towardsi tkc- public were directed. If this account bo true, . (and let. me earnestly exhort you to ve- rify it) you reap the happy . fruits of those noble cx>utempktions,in\vbich,.I well-know, you have evdr-been eon\^rsant. I will venture at the same tfiiie-Jaa^^ire you, (liow unnecessary soever that ^.:, ^d. ^v -..assurance' ••-« • ^ The pef^oti to wBom this letter is inscribed is mention-^ fd-bv na oiher*m.Hahl w.iter ; so ihat ootl^ing more Ukiwiwa, oAim thin wha*t roay^be collected from this and two more epiille« «44re%sed to^iiin M>tb« present^^ok.- 4r«ppears bd in Vhe cIvTw^r^r^d'nTa'f he was sVon atierwards reilo^ed lo fca.^b®M ry by the good oKces of Dolabella. ♦ - -^ JTtfoxIX. •.6F-CICER0. 305 assurance may be to a man so perfectly well at> quainted with the present ftge, and so tho- roughly versed in the annals of all the past) that the cruel injuries under which you are op- pressed cannot possibly continue long. And this, conjecture you may safely take from ©ne; whorifheis less a politician in theory, perhaps' than he wishes, is certainly much more so by experience than he desires. Cssar, indeed, seems to be every day more and more inclined fo adopt those equitable measures, which our public circumstances require. The cause, like- wise, for which you suffer, is of such a nature, that it must necessarily revive and flourish with the republic ; which most undoubtedly cannot always remain in its present state of subjection* To which I will add, thatCffisaris continually giving proofs of greater moderation and gene- rosity than we once imagined he would- hav€ shewn. But as instances of this kind are ge- netally protluced by particular conjunctures, and frequently too depend upon very minutB circumstances, I shall watch every favourable moment, and endeavour to improve it to your best advantage; for you may be assured I shall neglect no opportunity of assisting and alle- viating your Misfortunes. I hope, likewise, that the time is approaching, when I shall be enabled to promise you some more effectual Vol ir Y ■' **• ^ service: 306 The letters Book IX. service: of which, however, I had much rather give you proofs, than professions. In the mean while be persuaded, that, as far as I have been capable of observing, there is no man who either is, or has been, under the same misfor- tune with yourself, that can boast of so many zealous and faithful friends: in which number I claim the principal rank. Let me conclude with entreating you to pre- serve a firm and unbroken fortitude: for this is a possession which depends entirely upon your- jself. As to what is in the disposal of Fortune, it must be governed by particular circum- stances : and I shall exert all my prudence to turn them in the most advantageous manner for your interest. FareweL LETTER VI. , [A. U.T07.] To Gallvs*. I AM much surprised at your reproaches : as I am sure they are altogether without foundai- tion. But were they ever so just, they would come with a very ill grace from yoli, who ought r to :. .♦ Manutius conjecturci*, that this Gallus is the same wiA Publius Sesiius, to whom the fifth letter of the first book is addressed : whose family name, he supposes (from a passage which he cites j>ut ^f the oration for Milo) to have bee* Gailus, That leurned commentator supports this opinion .,-'-•• - * with Book IX. Of CICERO. sor to have remembered those marks of distinction you received from me during my consulate. It seems, however, (for so you are pleased to in- form me) thatCassar will certainly restore you. I know you are never sparing of your boasts : but I know too, that they have the ill luck never to be credited. It is in the same apiril you remind me, that you offered yourself as « candidate for the tribunitial office, merely in order to serve me^ Now tx) shew you ho# much I am in your interest, I wish you were a tribune still : as in that case you could Hot bu at a loss for an intercessoi^. You go on to ite^ proach me, with not daring to speak my seirti^ ments. In proof, however, of the contrary, I need only refer you ta the reply I made, whea you had the front to solicit my assistance. wlt^ soilie very plausible reasons : but as the pWAi iti tjues^ tion is of little consequence, the reader will readily excusp me that 1 save him the trouble of considering them. Gallus item to have been in the number of the Pompeian exiles: and to have drawn upon himself this letter, in answer lo one, wherein he had reproached Cicero with ingratitude, in re- fusing to assist him with his good offices. * Probably during Cicero's exile. * Cicero's witticism, in this passage, turns upon the double sense of the word intercessor: which, besides its general mean- ing, has relation likewise to a particular privilege annexed to the tribunitial office. For every tribune had the liberty of interposing his negative upon the proceedings of the senate : aifhich act was called infercessio, and the person who executed it was said lo be the intercessor of the particular law, or oth.r matter in deliberation. X 2 308 The letters Book IX. Thus, (to let you see how absolutely impo- tent you are, where you most affect to appear formidable) I thought proper to answer you in your own style. If you had made your remon- strances in the spirit of good manners, I should with pleasure, as I could with ease, have vm- dicated myself from your charge : and, in truth; k is not your conduct, but your language, that I have reason to resent. I am astonished, in-*- deed, that you, of all men living, should ac- cuse me of want of freedom, who are sensible it is by my means that there is any freedom left in the republic^. I say you of all men iiving: because, if the inforaiations you gave iie concerning Catiline's conspiracy were falser; wJiere are the services oi which you remind me? If they were true, yotu yourself are the best judge how great those obligations are which I have conferred upon every Roman in genetal. Farewel. f LETTER ^ Alludio^ to hit havii)g suppressed Catiline's conspiracj. ,/*^-i-ii .'A \'.\jk\ ' i\ -'^fi'li n6}«i9b i> . -..J ■-^mX \ ■-. r \ - ,4iidVl/[ Mi :*ejdj io • \* * * rf ^ * , ' • ' ^UW li i-i*-H. ... >. } ^Biil .iv>to ja^m ..^ s; JuijBni f&v» 4# ^^ Book IX- OF CICERO. 309 \ i^' 'i I 'J '// :.** LETTER VIL [A. u. ro7j To P. Servilius Isaur^cus, Proquses'tor. Wh I lst I was proconsul of Cilicia, (to which, you know, three Asiatic departments' were an- nexed) there was no man with Avhom I entered into a stricter intimacy than with Andro, the son of Artemon, of Laodicea. I was his guesi during my residence in that city : as his temper -and manner of life ej^tremely well accorded with mine. But my esteem for him rose still higher after I left the province, baving, upon many subsequent occasions, experienced the gratitude with which he preserved me in his rememrbrance. Accordingly, it was with great ' ■ pleasure ■ The classic writers speak of Asia in three different senses, which, if not carefully distinguished, are apt to create great confusion. Sometimes they comprehend under the denomi- nation of Asia, that vast tract of land which made up the third part in their general divisioij of the whole globe: some- times they mean only so much of that Continent which was terminated by the bay of Issus, and the Pontus ; and some- times they confine it to a still more limited portion, and un,- derstand by Asia that kingdom which Atalus Philometor, king of Pergamus, bequeathed to the Romans, containing Mysia, Phrygia, Ionia, Lycaonia, &c. In the two former of these senses, Cilicia was a province of Asia; in the latter it was not. It is with respect, therefore, to this last division that Cicero calls the three districts annexed to his govern- ment of Cilicia, Asiatic; in one of which the city of Laodicea was included. Sigon. de Jur. Provinc. i. 10^ X3 510 The letters Book IX. Book IX. of CICERO. Sli pleasure I lately saw him in Rome : as you will easily believe, who know, by the many good offices you have yourself conferred upon his countrymen, how few of them are disposed to be thus sensible of obligations. I mention these ext, that his merit wdl entitles him to a generous reception under your roof. I shall be greatly indebted to you, therefore, for giving him a proof of the regard you bear me, by receiving him into your pro- tection, and assisting him in all his affairs : so fkr> I mean, as may be consistent with your convenience and your honour. And this I most earnestly request, as an instance of your friend- ship that will be exceedingly agreeable to me. FareweL LETTER VIIL [A. U. 707.] ToTrebianus. I AM no less sensible of the share you allow vf\e inyourfriendshipjthanlamco^s.ciousofthataf-. fection which I have ever entertained for you in return. Agreeably to these sentiments, I always lamented that it was your choice, or rather, I should say, your fate, to persevere in our civil wars : wars ; and I now feel the $ame cpncern at the unjust delay you meet with in being restored to your estate and honours, as you have always shewn in my misfortunes. I have frequently and fully opened my heart upon this subject, not only to Posthumulenus, to Sestius, and to our common friend Atticus, but lately also to your freedman Theuda : to each of whom I have given repeated assurances, that it is my earnest desire to serve both you and your children to the utmost of my ability. I beg, therefore, when you write to the latter, that you would assure them they may most readily command me, upon every occasion, wherein my purse, my pains, or my sincere advice (for these, at least, are still in my power) can be of any advantage to their af- fairs. If I enjoyed that influence and autho- rity in the commonwealth, to which the public services I have performed most justly entitle me ; you, who deserve every honour that can be conferred, as well as are confessedly the first of that illustrious order to which you belong', should retain the same distinguished rank, in the republic you once possessed. BuVsftieewe both of us fell at the same time, and In the " same cause*, I can only promise you what yet remains * The equestrian. * That of Powpey. , X4 "• «♦ The letters Bqor(I35£ remains in my power: the small assi$taricc£lr iB|?Rtioned above, together with. that little deti gree of credit which I. still, perhaps^ htace in some sort preserved from the general wreck of my former dignities. I have reason, indeed, from many instances, to believe, that Ca?sar is not averse to me : and almost all his principal favourites, who happen to be persons to whom 1 have formerly rendered very considerable serr vfcVsJ* cfi^tihguish me with peculiar marks of their esteem and consideration. If, therefore! 1 sTioUia find a favourable opportunity of ap^ plying to Caesar in your behalf, (which 1 ain inore ^na riiore inclined to hope, from what I can discover by the conversation of , these my friend^;) I shall not fail very strenuously tp solicit nim m person for your restoration, a^ it \i iipon the obtaining of this point that the^ recovery 6f your estate must depend. It is unnecessary to enter into particulars upon ^hLs article ; let me only assure you, in one word^ that I am wholly and most affectionately de- vSt^ffHo youi^'setvice/ Uut, as it much im^^^ pdh^ me that a|l your family should be a|ipfisyH^'6¥ this 'truth, I hope your letters Trill acquaint them, that Trebianiis may ^fSmmand whatever is in the power of Ci- c^rp to perform. I particularly jnention this, as t am desirous they should be persuaded ^ """that Book XI. OT 'CrCERO; '* 515 -diat there is nothing so difficult which I should Bot with pleasure undertake, in Order to^rendfer you any service. Farewel jIo n ■■' ' " .bf)-)>. LETTER IX. [A.U. 707.J To QUINTU3 GAJLLIUS^ trrof' \JL HOUGH I hope to receive many instances hereafter of the regard \^oubear me, (of which^ ihdeed, you have long since rendered me suf- ficiently sensible) yet there is one which at prcr sent occurs, wherein you may give me a very convincing proof of your friendship. Lucius Oppius, the son of Marcqs, is a merchant in, Philomelium^, with whom I am extremely inti- mate. But, besides warmly recopimepding him as a man t love, I musf likewise qiaim your kindness to him, as he is an agent for EguatJU^ Kiifus, a Roman knight, with whom I an] most affectipnately connected, not only by^jiydstily intercourse, but by many and great good offices. I beseech you, then, to take the persoji of Op- pius, together witli the affairs of Egjiatius, into your protection : a request which J make with as * Who this person was, is entirely unknown. He seems, to' fekve been setting out for the government of one of the eastern provinces, when thitJ letter was written, ^ A city of Phrygia, upon the borders of Galatia. 314 The letters Book IX. aft much zeal as if my own interest were con- cerned. Again and again, thejefore, I entreat your compliance. I beg, likewise, that you would give two or three lines to be presented to you as a memorandum when you shall ar- rive in your province. But I desire you would express them in such terms, as Inay strongly remind you how very earnestly I applied in be- half of these my friends. FareweL LETTER X. [A. U. 707.] To Marcus Marcellus. I DAHE not pretend to advise, or to animate a man of your distinguished judgment and magnanimity; much less shall I attempt to send you any consolation. If it be true, in- deed that you bear the sad events which have lately happened, in the manner I am informed, T have more reason to congratulate your forti- tude, than to sooth your affliction. But wxre the fact entirely otherwise, and you had sunk under the pressure of our pubUc misfortunes ; yet I am so far from being qualified to allevi- ate your sorrows, that I am altogether incapa- ble of assuaging my ov/n. The single testi- mony, therefore, that I can give you of my friendship, Book IX. OF CICERO. 315 friendship, is to convince your family, by my reiaidiness in complying with all their request^ that there are no services so great which they have not reason to expect from me on your ac- count. But, notwithstanding I just now disclaimed all right of sending you my admonitions ; yet I cannot forbear saying (and you may consider it either as my advice, my opinion, or what my friendship would not suffer me to suppress) that I wish you would prevail with yourself to adopt the same measures which I have pursued, and return to Italy. 1 wish, indeed, you would be persuaded to think, that if the repub- lic should in any degree subsist, you ought to live in it, as one who, though justly, and iu the general estimation of the world, is deserving of the highest rank, yet, wisely submitted to the irresistible necessity of the times : and if the republic should be totally destroyed, that you would look upon Rome as the most proper .scene of exile. For, tell me, my friend, if li- berty be the object of our pursuit, what part of the world is exempted from the present do- minion ? or if some place of retirement be what we seek, where can we find a more eligible re- treat, than in our native country ? And, be- lieve me, he who holds the supreme power, is not Sl6 The LETTERS BobK IX» Book IX* o^i CICEBO. 817 not only a friend to genius and literature, but disposed, as far as the circumstances and situ- atien of his affairs will permit, to pay a particu- lar regard to those who are distinguished by their birth^ and dignities. But this is going farther than I intended. To return, therefore, to the single purpose of my letter : let me assure yon that I am wholly yours, and ready to co^oper rate with your relations in every instance wherein they shall approve themselves such^ B«t if they should not, you may depend, at least, upon my acting, upon allocccisions, agree* ably to our friendship. Earewel. LETTER ^j ? Th* family of Marcellus was one of the noblest ia Rome. See rem. 3. p. 320. vol. i. ♦If appears from tbis and other passages in tbese letters, that tome part of Marcellus's family discovered less warmth in promoting bis welfare tban seems to have been due to the pktui of to illustriouft a relation. lot la i^H ^im^ni lit? i uo/ iloiff^ ■ ll!')/ 14(1 "nLijy j»oL i.}uu .ii'.uiir. - itvAdjliii: : .. ' rv%4'y to is'Jfl U/il i. Jli jiii . • }'. »r -JA ^ . •ri ili.'/ 1 .l»i»i; ^^iswx 1 *j«;!)iiJ oi* ' ;*-... 5yd ^ .' ^;v -iili? ^n^ LETTER XI. [A. u. 7or.] ' lilO lOfl AT'. To PaPIRIUS P^TUS. rtf, ^\a to fioiJi ■\^ni • ' ■ . .'-'■ ' '((1 I RECEIVED a letter from you some time since by your courier Phileros, as also another three days ago by the hands of Zethus : both wbi<5ll I will now answer. It was" with much satis- faction I found, by the former, that you w6rc extremely sensible of the concern I expressed fot your health. Believe me, however, a lettet could but faintly represent the uneasiness I siaf- fcred upon that account. For though I can- not but acknowledge that there are many from whom I receive great marks of esteem and -af- fection : vet there is not one in th^l litttiib^r whom I prefer to yourself It is a very great, perhaps I might say, a principal inducement for my holding you in this rank, that you have lonor distinguished me with an unvaried friend- ship: yet this is a circunjstance which you share in common with many others. But your amiable disposition, and those agreeable quali- ties of every kind which you possess, are claims to my heart in which you are without a rival. To these I must add, I will not call it the At- tic, but (what is far more spirited) the true 3 old \ 318 The letters Book IX. old Roman wit, which so elegantly enlivens your conversation. I will not scruple, indeed, to acknowledge, (whatever you may think pfine from the confession) that I am wonderfully delighted with humour; especially with that sort which is of our own domestic growth. I esteem this latter kind so much the more, as it is now become extremely uncommon : for, by the adr mission some years since of the Latians^ into Rome, and lately even of the Gauls^ themselves, our native humour has been tainted with th(j inftision of foreign cant, and is almost entirely extinct". For this reason, whenever I con- verse 5 Tbc i:. habitants of Lafium : a part of Ilaly which is now caHed the Campagua di Roma. 1 hey oblained ihe ho- nour and advantage of being made free of Rome, towards the clt»5e of the Italic war. A, U.6^4. See rem, 2. p. 7/. of vol. i. Pigfi. Annal. ii. 226. ^ Cacrar, m the wantonness of his power, had lately ad- mitted several of the Gauls into the pnvijeges of Roman citi- zens : and had even introduced some of thera to a seat ia the li^natp. Sntt, inxit. Jul. 16. -^ ^ It is difficult, if not altogether impossible, to determine, with any precision, what it was that distinguished the spirft of this true old Roman wit and humour which Cicero tiere represents as almost entirely extinct. But, in general, as far as can be collected from other parts of our author's writ* ings, it beems to have consisted in what they C2l\\ Urbanity ; a term, however, which they themselves did not well know how to explain. For when Brutus, in the dialogue conoern^ ing tlie most celebrated orators, inquires, Qui est isit .t»o- x»-^>'i- P; 1^- 49. 50. Orat. pro Hext. 47. dj* acERa jiff blfrHce fs" there bet\reen those days and tlie present ? I xras, at that period, far from bein? iitfltTietrto absent myself from the care of the republic, as I then sat at the hefhi of the com- " monxtealth, and shared in the direction of its most important motiolls'^ But now I cau^ scarce claim the privilege to officiate even in; the lowest functions of the state. Were f to reside, therefore, altogether at Naples, would' tiiere be a single decree of the senate the leW by tny absence ? On the contrary, though 't live i^ Rome, and appear publicly in the fbrutn;' they are settled by our friend*' in his ovsrn^ house, entirely without my partirfpatitin. If I happen, however, to occur to his'hifeftory, he sometimes does me the honour to prefix mf name^*. Accordingly, I am often inforih^"^, ft-orti Syria and Armenia, that a decree of the senate is published in those provi^ces^ and l^ublished, too, as made on my motion, of >jrhich I had never heard the least mention be- fore. You will suspect, perhaps, that I am not serious; but, be assured, I speak the literal ^.^ truth, *»** The consulate of Cicero fell within the period men- tioned m the preceding remark ; that is, in the year^po. - '" Csesar. ** It was usual, irt drawing up the decrees of the senate, ^ preix the names of those senators who were principally coB-* cefned in promoting them. Vol. U. X 322 The letters Book IX. Book IX. OF CICERO. 323 truth, I have, at this instant, letters in my possession from the remotest potentates of the globe, returning me thanks for having procured them an acknowledgment of their regal title from the senate'^ : when I was so far from knowing they were honoiu-ed with that appel- lation, that I was utterly ignorant there were any such persons existing. Nevertheless, as long as this superintendant of our manrtcvs^ shall continue in Rome, I will comply with yo^ir advice ; but the moment he leaves us'', I sliall certainly set out to join you over a plate of mushrooms. '' It was the ambition of foreign princes to obtain an ac- kno\vledi»meht of their re^al title Ircm the senate, and to be decianrd friends and ailics of the republic; an honour, which, in the more rei;uUr times of the Roman government, wab but rarel)' granted, and only in consideration «>f s >me signal servicer. But, in that general corruption which preceded the ruin of the commonwealth, this honour became venal, as it supplied a very plentiful stream of wealth to titose le«iding men in the »tate, who were not ashamed to prostitute the moit sacreJ privileges to their insatiable avarice. Cu;^ur, iti parucular, drew immen:>c riches from this ^iii^le source; a vtrong insUiice of which h<^s already been produced in reni« 12. p. 51. vol. 1. Ca£$. Lei. Gal. i. 43. Suet, in xit. Jul. o4. • ** This title had lately been decreed to Caspar, by which he was invested with all the power of thecensorial othce, wiihou|i the name. It does not appear for what reason he chose this appellation rather than that of censor. Some have supposed that it was from at) affecuition of modesty ; but they who aissign this reason, seem to forget, that Cie^ar did not blush to be associated with the gods in the public worship of his degenerate K 'Uians. Huet. iu vit, Jul. 70\ Applan. Bel. Civil, iii. p. 4i)4. '* Caesar was at this time preparing to set out upon his expedition against the two soqs of Pompey, who bad as^tiu- bled a very considerable army ia Spaio. mushrooms*'. If I can procure a house at Na- ples, it is my purpose, you must know, to live so abstemiously, that what our late sumptuary law'' allows for one day's expence, shall suffice me for ten. But, if I cannot meet with one to my satisfaction, I intend to be youir guest, and I am sure it is not in my power to oblige youmore/- ;x Though I mentioned in my last, that J al- most despaired of Syllas house, yet I have not absolutely given up all thoughts of that purs- chase. Agreeably, therefore, to your offer, I beg you would take some workmen with you in order to survey it ; for, if the walls and- roof are in a good repair, I shall perfectly, ^^ell^opr- prove of all the rest. Farewel. '"^ ^^^"^ '^^" ^^ '• This dish was in great esteem among the Romans. . *' This law was enacted by Ca;sar soon after his retuni fVom the African war. It regulated the expenCes of the Roi mans, not only with regard to their tables, but also their dress, equipage, furniture, and buildings. But Cajsar seertil to have found it a much easier task to corrupt, than to r^ form ; for though he was very desirous of enforcing this salu- tary law ; yet, it appears to have been extremely ill ob- served. Suet, in Jul, 43. u^^f Att. xiii, 7. -!,( ' Mmi?« "'* ^.>i.-':» t*d Ol tr*. *. 324 The letters Book IX. LETTER XIL ^ [A. U. 707.1 To Treboxius- Though I had always a great affection for Dolabella, yet I never received any favour from hini till now. Indeed, be never before bad an opportunity of repaying ibose good offices he owed me, for having more than once stood 'forth in bis defence. But bis late zcttf in pro- tecting you^r estate, together with bis present assistance in promoting your restoration, have so ^abundantly satisfied every claim I bare to Ins" services, that there is no man to whom I think myself more strongly obliged. I take so sincere a part with you in thejoy of this event, that, instead of your thanks, I expect your congratulations. The former, indeed, I by no rncans desire; but the latter you may, with great propriety, send me. Since your distinguished merit has thus re-» moved all obstructiqn* to your return, it will be agreeable to your good sense, and greatness of mind, to forget all that you have lost, and reflect only on the advantages you have reco- vered. You will remember, then, that you are restored to your family and to your friends ; and Book IX. OF CICERO. 32^ and that, whatever you have suffered in your estate, is considerably o\^er-balanced by the glory you have acquired ; which, I am per- suaded, would be still more acceptable to you, if the republic had in any degree subsisted. I have received a letter from my friend Ves* torius, wherein he informs me of the grateful mention you make of my services. I am ek« tremely obliged to you for your professions of ^ this kind in general, but particularly for tnbse you expressed to our friend Syro* : as I am greatly desirous to approve my conduct upon all occasions to every sensible and judicious man. I hope to see you very soon, t'arewel. LETTER I a .. :i * A celebrated Epicurean philosopher, who is said to have been Virgil's preceptor. Y3 -f^ "'M1 1 J' 1 f ,-^lum :n iVvff 1: -r^ .' X. ■•''' hdr .0^' Ti =r/nV*^ 3^6 The letters Book IXvi cd .Of A baA LETTER XIIL [A. U. 707.] To Marcus Brutus.' 1 AM persuaded that your quaestor, Marcus i Varro*, who is setting out to attend you^ueeds'i no^recommendation to your favour; fori doubt not, i^ * Jtfircus Brutus was nephew to Cato, whose virtues he had the just ambition to copy. He seems, however, in some points, to have fallen short of the model he proposed to imi- tate ; as he by no means acted up to that inflexible unifor- mity of conduct, which renders the character of Cato so glo- nouslyaingular. Thus, though Brutus, at the battle of Phar- satia,, -engaged on the side of Pompey ; yet, immediately after the unsuccessful event of that action, he not only made his peffce \wth Cassar, but was willing to contribute to the ruin of that cause in which he had so lately engaged. For, when CaB>ar was doubtful what route Pompey had taken in his flight, it was by the axfvice and information of Brutos that he. followed him into %pt. Caesar, ju^t before he set out for Africa, appointed Brutus governor of Cisalpine Gaul, wtedi h« adminisitered with great moderation and integrity. It was during hjs residence in this province, that the present andfoUowihg letters addressed to him in this book, appear to iiate been written. P^ut. in ut. Brut. * Some of the commentators have supposed, that this is the celebrated Marcus Terentius Varro, to whom several letters in ih« precedmg book are addressed. But Cellarius has justly observed, that the age and dignity of that illustrious Kdman, render it highly improbable he should at this time - hate been quaestor to Brutus, who was a much younger man than himself. Perhaps the person recommeRded in this let- ler,"is the same whom Horace mentions as an unsuccessful< adventurer in satiric poetry : ^^ Hoc erai, experto frustra Vmrone Ataoirroj '.'ndj Jtquc quibusdam atiis, melius quod scriberc posscm. Sat. X. lib. i. 46."* For Book IX. or CICERO. sar not, that, in conformity to the maxims of our forefathers, you look upon Tifs office as giving him a sufficient title to your regard. And I need not tell you, that it \vas tlie policy of anci- ent times to consider the relation between a proconsul and his quaestor, as next to that of a father and son. However, as Varro imagines that a letter from me will have great weight, and has pressed me to write to you in the strongest terms, I willingly perform an office, M-liich, he believes, will prove so much to his advantage. That you may be sensible I ought not to refuse this request, I must inforni you, that he cultivated mv friendship from his first appearance in the forum; as, in his more ma- tafe ye^fs, two circumstances concurred, which extremely increased the affection- I i had con- caved for him ; the one, that he dis^m^v^sh^4 himself, as you well know, with great geniuis aiiH'ap>lication in that persuasive art, ftflMU?!.. I still take particular pleasure ; the otlier, that he eai4)'^ became a member of the society for zad 73. He must, consequently, in the present year, have been thirty-four, which perfectly well coincides with the age one may justly suppose {he person t,(^ have been, in whose lavuur this lel^er IS wriue^. -1 ^ 988 The LETTERS Book IX. farming Uie public revenues. I >yisli, ivideed, •that he had never embarked in their cQiicerns, gs he has been a considerable sufterer by bi^ en- gagements of this sort. However, his uuioa mth a company for whose interests I have $o ^reat a regard, was one means of more strongly cementing our friendship. After having acted >rith the highest integrity and applaase, botj^^^s ^n advocate and a judge, he turned his ambitrpn (long, indeed, before this revolution in th^qpi^- monwealth had taken place) upon obtaining some employment in the magistracy; and he esteemed the honours of tliis kind, which his country should confer upon him, as the noblj^st reward of all his former services. During my fate residence at Brundisium', he obli^Wno-lv charged himself with carrying a letter and a message from me to Ca:sar; and he gave m^.a very strong proof of his affection, in the zeal and fidelity with whicli he undertook and exe- cutey 3 Cicero, upon his return to Italy, after the battle of Fhar$alia, rtiided at Br undisium till Cssar's arrival. ^6ooK IX. OF CICERO. 329 my affection. Nevertheless, I Avill here, 19* a more distinct and explicit manner, assiire you, that you will receive much satisfaction and ad- vantage from the company and assistance of my friend. You will find him, indeed, to_be.aman of singular modesty and good sense, as well. ^« *^of indefatigable application to business- ajt.t^e same time that he is an entire stranger to im- 'tnoderatc desires of every kind. I. know not whether I ought to promise thus far in Iiis be- half, as his character, after all, must '^i;^- ferred to your own experience. But in fonn- Ing new connexions of every sort, it is^ol^ipii^ch importance in what manner the first approaches are made, and by whose hands the avenuesj 0f friendship (if I may so express niyself)^^^^^l^id open. It is this office that I have here unjlei;- taken; and though the employment in^Yhkii Varro stands related to you may well render my services unnecessary, yet they c^rta,ija,ly cannot render them prejudicial. If, thei?, I possess that share in your esteem which ^axrp imagines, and which I myself am persuaded I enjoy, let me soon have the satisfaction^^ hearing that my friend has received all the ad- vantages from this letter that are agreeable to hiy'own hopes, and to my firm expectations. Fiirewel. 'LETTER 330 The letters Book IX. LETTER XIV. [A. U. 707.] To LiGARIUS*. Though, agreeably to the friendship wnicli subsists betvv^een us, I ought to have offered you either assistance or consolation under your misfortunes; yet I have hitherto forborne writing, in the belief that it was not in tlie power of mere words to remove or alleviate' your afflictions. But, as I have now reason to' entertain the strongest hopes of shortly seeing you restored to your country, I cannot any longer omit to acquaint you with my senti- ments and inclination concernino^ vour affairs. In the first place, then, I am well convinced that you will by no means find Caesar inexo- rable. The situation of public circumstances, a regard to his character in the world, length of time, together with what appears to me to be his natural temper, these all concur to sof- ten his resentment every day more and more. This ' J r J r I ♦ Quinlus Ligarius was lieutenant to C. Considius, pro- consul of Africa, in the year 703 ; in which post he gained the general esteem of the whole province. Accordingly, al their unanimous request, Considius, upon bis departure from Rome, resigned the administration into the bands of Ligarius. During his residence in that station, the civil war broke out ; and he was at this time suffering exile, for having acted upon that occasion on the side of Pompey. — Orat,pro, Ugar, i. See rent, i. p, 366, of this vol, I BdoK IX. OF aCERO. SSi This, I imagine, will appear to be his disposi- tion towards all in general who have offended him ; but that it is particularly so with respect to yourself, I Mill assure you upon the autho- ritv of his most intimate friends. I have never ceased to solicit them in your behalf ever since we received the first news from Africa': and your brothers have, with equal assiduity, joined me in these applications. Their virtues, in- deed, together with that affectionate and un- wearied zeal with which they enter into your of ' , . , ^ Cause, are so extremely engaging, that 1 am persuaded even C-jesar himself cannot refuse any thing to their requests^ But if we do not advance with all the expedition we wish, it must be imputed to those numberless and important occupations which render Caisar dit- * ficult of access ; as it is to him alone that every suft isnow preferred. To this I must add, that, as he was particularly incensed by tlie late war fomented agamst him in Arnca, he was inclined to keep those so much longer in suspqnse concerning their tate, to whom he imagines it was owing that he had so many ad- ditional i.'>^nih .fl- ^^ Concerning Ca?sar*s victory over Scipio. /^We'two bn)thers of Li;:arius swm to have stood neutersd^ in the civil wkV. But one of them had something more than a niere pegativ(* merit to plead, as he had distinguished him- sef^'durifn^ jji's' c|utP«'f"6fship, by promoting ihe honours and interest of C>sar. VrdL pro. IJgar. l":. i3t The letters Book IX. ditional difficulties to encounter. But his re- sentment, even upon this article also, appears *W?(f^titly to be cooling ; and I desire yon would both believe and rememljer the assurance I here give you, that you will soon be removed from your present uneasy situation. Having thus acquainted you with my senti- ments of your affairs, I had rather leave it to my actions than professions, to declare how much I wish to assist you in them. Let me assure you, however, if I possessed that influence in the com- monwealth, which you are pleased to think I -have merited by my services, you should have no reason to regret your present circumstances. — But, alas ! the same cause for which you are suf- fering in your person, has impaired me in my credit But whatever remains to me of my former authority ; whatever shadow still attends me of that dignity I once enjoyed ; in a word, as far as my advice, my assistance, or my in- terest can avail, they shall, upon all occasions, be faithfully employed in seconding the pious zeal of your excellent brothers. In the mean time, preserve that manly composure of niind which you have always possessed. You ought Tto do ^o, indeed, in the first place, for the rea- sons I have abready assigned ; and in the next, ^because your public conduct has ev^r been such Bllois: IX. OF CICERO. S5S ^uch as to afford you a just ground to entertaiu the most favourable hopes. But were your prospect entirely the reverse, yet a consciousness of the integrity of all your counsels and actions, with regard to the commonwealth, should eur able you to support the worst that can happea with a firm and unshaken fortitude. Farewel^ 1 i'> rrm'>'i:r 'lOllf LETTER XV. [A. U. 707.] To Marcus Brutus. I ttAVE alwavs had the satisfaction toobsci^c that you were particularly inquisitive into eve- ry circumstance relating to me. I doubt "niA:, therefore, of your being apprised, not only that Arpinum is the place of my nativity, but that, "•tiji^^H all occasions, 1 zealously patronise the interests of this city. The whole of their rev^^- liues for religious purposes, as also for the re- pairs of their temples and other public build- W^, arises entirely from their estates in Gaul. Accordingly we have dispatched Quintus Fu- fldiusi Marcus Faucius, and Quintus Mamer- cus, each of them persons of equestrian rank,. Itt'ot^fer to Collect the rents, and 'to inspect onr affairs in that province. I therefore recommend tliefm to your particular protection, entreating 3 you. '334 The letters Book IX; Book IX. OF CICERO. 335 i t you, by our mutual friendship, to assist them in the speedy and successful discharge of their commission, and to distinc^uish their persons, agreeably to your usual politeness, with every possible mark of honour. You will, by these means, add three very worthy men to the num- ber of your friends, as well as oblige a commu- nity extremely sensible of the good offices they receive. Let me add, too, you will perform a service highly acceptable also to myself; who, as I have at all times stood forth the patron of the Arpinates, am in a more especial manner engaged to take their interests under my pro- tection during the present year. For, in order to the better government of this corporation, I have procured my son and nephew, together with my friend Marcus Cjpsius, to be chosen iediles; the only magistrates which our city admits. It will be much, therefore, to the cre- dit of their aclministration, as well as a parti-r cular honour to myself, if the affairs of thi.s 9PUmi unity, Uijuijig their office^ ^bpuld, by tjic assistance of your generous services, be placed in a more advantageous, posture. For whic;t| purpose I must again most earnestly conjure you to comply with my present ^eqi^e^.TTTxTn Farewel. .- mrH iM2?r rrj r y^fi' LETTER XVI. [A.U. 707.] To the same. I HAVE, in a separate letter, recommended to you, with all possible warmth, the commissaries appointed by the city of Arpinum. But I shall here single out one of them in particular, and desire your peculiar regards to Q. Fufidius, a person with whom I am united by every friendly tie. I do not mean, however, by thus distin- guishing him from the rest, to lessen the weight of my general recommendation, but only to add this as a sort of supplement to what I have there requested. Fufidius, who is son-in-law to my particular friend Marcus Ca^sius, acted under me in Cilicia, in quality of mihtary tribunej and he acquitted himself so much to my satis- faction, that I had reason to think I received a favour, instead of bestowing one, when I no- minated him to that employment. To this I must add, what I khow will considerably raise him in your esteem, that he has a taste and genius for our favourite studies. Let me entreat ybu, then, to receive? my friend with the^^ most distinguishing marks of your politeness, and to assist him in the more effectual discharge of aii dtete Wliifch he accepted merely in compliance with 336 The letters Book IX Book IX. o^ CICERO. 33/ ivitb my persuasions, and contrary to his own convenience. But as it is the ambition of every man of a generous mind to be approved in all his actions, Fufidius is desirous of executing this comn.ission in such a manner, as to merit not only my applause in particular, who en- gaged him to undertake it, but that, likewise, of our whole community in general. Now this he will undoubtedly receive, if my recommen- dation should procure hw your friendly of-* fices. Farewcl. • LETTER XVII, [A. u. 7or.] To Servius Sulpicius, The excuse you alledge for so frequently sending me duplicates of your letters, I very readily admit; so far, I mean, as it relates to your caution of guarding against the negligence or treachery of those who undertake to deliver them. But when you add, that a poverty of genius likewise (to use your own expression) obliges you to this continual repetition, it is an apology I can neither approve nor allow. On the contrary, I who am enriched, as you ironi- cally tell me (for in that sense I understand your compliment) witli all the treasures of eloquence,' and and who, in good earnest, do not think myself wholly destitute of them ; even I am far from pretending to equal the delicacy and elegancd of your compositions. I always approv^ed of your having accepted the government of Achaia: but much more so, after I had read your last letter. The several reasons you mention are every one of them per- fectly just, and altogether worthy of that pru- dence and dignity which distinguishes your character. But I can by no means agree with you in thinking, that this affair has proved so different from what you expected as to give you just occasion to condemn the step you have taken. The truth of it is, the dreadful confusion and desolation which this detestable civil war has universally J>pread, inchnes every* man to imagine that both himself, and the scene ia which he happens to be placed, are, of all others, the most completely miserable. Hence it ij^jthat you repent of the choice you have made, and look upon us as much happier who remain at Rome: whereas we, on the contrary, though we do not suppose your situation is wholly without its incQuveniencies, yet think it greatly preferable to our own. In one respect I am §ure it is so ; as you have at least the hap- piness of daring to write your complaints : which is more than we can do wdth any safety* Voj-II. Z This, sss The letters Book IX. This, however, is not to be imputed to the con- queror ; who conducts himself, it must be ac- knowledged, with the utmost moderation : but is entirely owing to that general spirit qf inso- lence, which victory, in all civil wars, ne\Tr fails to inspire. The single point in which pur situation can pretend to have had the advan- tage of yours is, that it gave us the satisfactioa not only of knowing somewhat earlier than you could, that your colleague Marcellus^ has ob? tained hh pardon ; but of being witnesses in what manner that whole aflFair was conducted. J'pr, be assured, it is the only honourable trans- action, of a public nature, that has passed aa^oogst us since the breaking out of this ca- lamitous civil war. Caesar, after having com- iJained of the acrimony (as he called it) with which Marcellus had opposed him, and men- tioned, with the highest applause, the equity and prudence of your conduct in the same con- jltncture' ; on a sudden, and much beyond our expectations, declared, that notwithstanding he had so much reason to complain of Marcellus, he could not refuse to pardon him at the ge- neral request of the senate. For I should have told you, that as soon as Lucius Piso had mentioned ^ Sulpicius and MarceUus were .colleagues in the office of consul. An. Urb. 702. • That is, (luring the consulate of Sulpicius and Marcel- lus. See an account of his conduct at this critical period, in rem. S. p. 120 of this vol. Book IX. OF CICERO. 33» irfehtioned in the senate the affair of Marcellu^ and his relation Caius Marcellus had thrown himself at Carsar's feet, the whole house una- nimously rose up, and approaching toward* Caesar, joined in one common intercession. la short, there was something so truly glorious in the transaction of that day, that I could not but look upon it as a sort of symptom that the republic was again reviving. All the senators who had been asked' their opinion before me^ severally returned their acknowledgments to jo« LETTER > 1- ■ BooKlXrf OF CICEHaH oP|ij3^ flit- i >X' LETTER XIX. [A. U. 707.] r,-!iiirf« To Marcus Marcellus. I SENT you a long letter',)t|Tcry few days ago, by Quintius Mucins; wherein I fully explained my sentiments with respect to the disposition and conduct which I thought would become you in the present conjuncture. .N^verthejessf as your freedman Theophilus (of whose faithful affection towards you I have been a witness) is. setting out for Greece, I was unwilling h^ should wait upon you without brin^inj; a let^ terfromme. .^^.,, ^^,, ,t „,,;.fj ^, To^repeat what I urged in my M^ kt me again most earnestly exhort you, wbateyer t^e form of our government be, to ret^^^^ as soon as possible. 'Tis true, 'you wm tlie mortification, perhaps, to see manj^^^A^ that will o-ive you pain : but not more, how- ever, than you every day leara from com moij report. Now it would be unworthy a man pf youX character, to be affected onjywi* nasses .before his view : when h^ can hear the very sam^ tacts related^ (and probably magni- "^"^ ;^ " ' fiea * This letter is not extant : bu| it probably contained aa account of what had passefd* in the ^enat^ coociwrnng tlw re*- stoTation pf, Marcellus. See p. 338 of this vol. Z4 ^344 The letters Book IX. fied too) with less concern. — But you will tell me, perhaps, that should you return to Rome, you must submit either to act or to speak in contradiction to the sentiments of your heart. In answer to which, I must observe, in the first place, that it has ever been deemed the part of true wisdom, to yield to the circum- stances of the times ; or to express the same thing in other words, to comply with unavoid- able necessity : and, in the next place, that, aa matters now stand, the constraint you fearis in no sort among the number of our present griev- ances. Tis possible, indeed, that you m;iy not be at liberty openly to declare your opinions : but totally silent you may, undoubtedly, be. . For the sole cognizance of all affairs is cen- tered in a single person^ : and he determines as iiseems good to himself, without consulting any of his party. And this would have been t pretty much the case, had that other chief '^, whose cause we chose to follow, been now in possession of the commonwealth. For at a time when we were all embarked with him in the same common danger, he admitted none into his council, but those that were ill qua-^ lified to be his advisers. And can it be supposed that he would have placed himself more ^ C»sar. '.J ♦ Poinp#y. * Book IX. of CICERO. MS jmore upon a. level with us after victory, than when his success was altogether doubtful? la it to be imagined, that he who rejected those most prudent measures you recommended in f your consulate, and refused, Ukewise, to follow the concurrent sentiments of you and ypur re- lation^ who succeeded you in that office, and • administered it by your counsels — is it to be imagined that such a man, were he now at the head of the commonwealth, would consult either your opinion or mine ? All civil wais abound with numberless calamities : a truth, which though our ancestors were so happy as never once to have experienced, the present genera- tion too frequently has^ But amidst its many miserable consequences, none is more justly to be dreaded than victory itself For though it , should turn on the more meritorious side, yet it will be apt to inspire even these with a.spirit of insolence and cruelty: and if they should not be so by inclination, they at least ^ill by necessity. For, in many instances, the victor must find himself constrained to comply vnih ' the will of those who assisted him in his con- quest. Tell me, my friend, did we not both ill . foresee ' ' * Gaiu'5 Marcel lus. ^'* ^\ -^lo ^ The first civil war, in the strict acceptation of that icfm, which Rome had ever seen,, was between Marius and Sy\\& : about forty-two yeajs before the date of this letter. 3i6 The letters Book IXi foresee what cruelties would have been exer- cised, if our party had proved successful ? And would you, in that case, have lived an exiie from your country, that you might not have been a spectator of so sad a scene ? I know you will reply in the negative: and will assure me, that you should then have remained in theunn disturbed possession of your estate and honooisj Yet certainly it would have become a man of youT patriotic spirit to have been far less con-* cerned for his own interest^ than for that of the republic. ai.u£ But to what purpose, let me farther ask, should you persevere inbanishingyourself from Rome? Hitherto, indeed, the world has approved your conduct, in having* entered into the civil war with reluctance, and in having wisely declined pushing it to its last desperate extremity. The world admires, too, your good fortune (as it may justly be called, considering the distracted state of the times) in having been able to maintain your dignity and reputation in an honourable re^ treat. But the time is now arrived, when you uughtto think no place more desirable thanyoujf nativecountry. If she appears less beautiful thaa formerly, this circumstance should not diminish yonr aflfection, but rather raise your compassion: and, as there are so many illustrious citizens whose Book IX. OF CICERO. 347 whose loss she deplores, you should spare her the additional sorrow of being deprived Hkewise of you. If you discovered a true greatness of spirit in scorning to be the suppliant of Cae- sar's power, may you not betray too much pride in contemning the offers of his clemency ? And if you acted wisely in withdrawing from your country, may it not be thought insensibility, should you shew no desire of returning? In a word, though you should take no satisfaction in pubhc affairs, yet surely it is imprudent to abandon your own. But, above all, let me en- treat you to consider whether your present si- f nation is as secure, as it may perhaps be agree- able. Violences are every where committed with great licentiousness : but more partictt^* larly in foreign countries, where villany is less restrained by awe and shame from its cruel purposes. I mention this from my concern for your welfare : which is so great, indeed, that if it be not equal, it is certainly, at least, infe- rior only to that of your relation jMarcellus^. Beheve-me then, it becomes you to act agreea- bly to the circumstances of the times, and with a rational regard to the preservation of your life and fortunes. Farewel. LETTER ?Jf>Stlf'J 81JOJ 7 Caius Marcellus. cil 54S The letters Book IX, Book IX. 0^ CICERO. 349 LETTER XX. [A.r. 707.] Ul)i« i Marcus AL\rci:llus' to Cicero. I 11 AVE, upon every occasion, shewn you, but particularly in the present, that I pay the high- est rejrard to vour sentiments and advice. Ac- cordingly, notwithstanding my very affection- ate relation Caius ^larccllus, had not only en- treated, but earnestly conjured me to act in the manner you recommend, yet his persuasions could by no means prevail, till I found them supported by yours. ] I am indebted to your letter for a particular account of the manner in which this affair has been transacted : and I am extremely obliged to you for your congratulations thereupon, as I know they proceed from an excellent heart. But among the very few friends and relations who ^^tYP ?i^^cr^ly endc^yonred to pr^mpte my re- cal, notlunir in this whole transaction affords me so true a joy, as to have experienced your singular zeal and ofood-will towards me. Every thing- else, indeed, the calamities of the times liave taught mc to resign with great tranquillity and * This \i\U\ >ooms to be an answer to that which is nieu- tioiicd in the lii-t reinaik on the preceding epibllc. and indifference : but to be deprived of the friendship of men of your worth and character, would render life, under every circumstance, altogether insupportable. It is upon the en- joyment, therefore, of this privilege, that I chiefly congratulate myself: and I shall endea- vour to convince you, that you have conferred your good offices upon one who is most sin- cerely and warmly your friend. Farewel. LETTER XXI. [A.U.707.] To Marcus Brutus. Lucius TiTius Strabo is one of the most illustrious and most distinguished of our Ro- man knights. I live with him in the strictest familiarity: as, indeed, we are united by every kind of friendly connexion. He claims a debt xi^rhich is owing to him in your province, from Publius Cornelius : but Volcatius, who presides in our court of justice' at Rome, having refused to <:.!> ixMli* Jl .,1 \. ■ i i .,M i. ■ 9 The person who so presided was, according to ib© con- stitution of the Roman government, the Frcetor Urbanus, or city praetor: but Ca,^sar would not suffer the people to pro- ceed this year to the usual election of their magistrates, ex- cepting only with respcrt to the tribunes and aedjles. Instead of prSBtors, therefore, he arbitrarily appointed a certain num- ber of persons to administer the civil jurisdiction of the city, which is the reason (as one of the commentators conjectures') that Cicero does not call Volcatius by the proper title of his office. Su€f. in Jul. 76. 1 350 The letters Book IX. Book IX. OF CICERa 351 to take cognizance of the cause, has directed it to be tried in Gaul. I request your assist- ance, therefore, in bringing this affair to a speedy determination : and I request it so much the more earnestly than if it were my own, as a man may, with a better grace, be anxious for the pecuniary concerns that relate to his friend than to himself. Let me entreat you, then, to take the whole conduct of this busifi^/^^u^^qr your immediate direction. And I hope you will endeavour, as far as justice shall permit, that Strabo's freedman, who is employed to manage this suit, may recover the money in question with as httle trouble and expence as possible. In this you will greatly oblige me : and you will find, likewise, that Strabo is ex- tremely deserving of your friendship. Again and again, therefore, I conjure you to take his interest under your protection, with the same care you arc wont to exert in every instance that you know will be agreeable to me. FareweL ^ > LETTER XXIL ^ [A,U,707.] ibuni To L. Papiritts PjCTtrs. I ^ KITE this letter in great haste upon my ta* blets, in the midst of an entertainment* at tlic ntiuse of Volumnius. We lay down about the ninth hour* : and 1 am placed with your friends AtHcus on my right hand, and Verrius on my left You will wonder to find that I can pass my time thus jovially in the midst of servitude. Yet tell me, my friend, you who are the disci- ple of a philosopher, what else should 1 do ? And to what purpose should I torment myself with endless disqaretudes ? ^' Spend your days,'' you will, probably, reply, *' in literary occupa- tions." But can you imagine I have any other ? m* that, witliout them, my very being would not be utterly insupportable? However, though employments of this kind cannot satiate, there is a certain time, nevertheless, when it is proper to * The time of meals seems a very extraordinary season for the purpose of writing letters. However, it was cus- tomary with the Romans to employ themselves in this man- ner between the several courses : and they usually carried tablets about them for that use. Plutarch informs us, that C«sar generally signed his dispatches at table. Vlut, in vit, Cas. * The Romans reclined themselves upon couches at their meals. The ninth hour answers to our three o'clock in the Afternoon, and was the usual time wii«n thej made their la^t and principal meal. '♦' ■ A S d 352 The letters Book IX- feooK IX. OF CICERO. 353 to lay them aside. Now, at such intervals, though a party at supper is not altogether a point of so much importance to me, as it was to you, when you made it the single subject of your arch query to the philosopher'; yet I know not m what manner I can more agreea- bly dispose of myself till the hour of sleep. But I was going to name the rest of our company, and to tell you that* Cytheris is reclined^ at the left hand of Eutrapelus. You will be asto- nished, I suppose, to find your grave and phi- losophical friend in such society : and will be apt to cry out with the poet^ Jnd is tliis he, the man so late renown' d ? Whom virtue honoured, and zvhom glory crowned : This thtfavi'd chief, of exeiy tongue the praise : Of Greece t/iewondery and of crowds the gaze : The truth of the matter is, I had not the least suspicion that this fair lady was to be of our party. 5 The story to which Cicero here alludes, is more expli- citly mentioned in a subsequent part of this letter. ♦ A celebrated courtesan, who, a few years before the date of this letter, had been a very favourite mistress of Mark Antony. If the authority of Servius may be relied upon, she is the Lycoris whose infidelity to the poet Gall us is the subject of the last of Virgil's pastorals. Flut. in vit. Ant. Serv, Virg. Eclog. 10. 5 The reclining posture, at talble, was esteemed indecent for wemen, and only practised by those of a loose character : as the Roman ladies of modesty always sat at their meals. • Manutius supposes that the verses here quoted are from a tragedy of the poet Ennius, entitled Telamon : which is frequently mentioned by the ancient grammarians. ))arty. However, I have the example of the So* fcratic Aristippus^, to keep me in countenance : who, when he M'as reproached whh having a commerceof gallantry with theCorinthiancour- tcfsari, 'tis true, replied the philosopher, (without being in the least disconcerted) I possess Lais; but Lais possesses not me. The expression is touch stronger in the original; and I leave you, if you think propef, to render it in its full import. In the mean time, let me assure you, that I never had any passion of this sort, even when I was a young fellow, and much less now that I am an old one. But my great delight is in these festive meetings, where I throw out just what comes Uppermost, and laugh away the sighs and sor- rows of my heart. Nor were you yourself in a more serious mood, my friend, when even a ve- nerable philosopher could not escape your mil- lery ; to whom, when he was enquiring if the company had any questions to propose to him^, you replied, with great gravity, that "it had been " a question ^ He was a disciple of Socrates ; but either mistaXiug or perverting the lessons of his excellent master, he maintained that " sensual pleasure was the supreme and ultimate good.'' His practice was agreeable to his docirirF CICERO. $55 " a question with you the whole morning, where *' you should find a party to sup?" The formal pedant expected, perhaps, that you were going to ask him, whether there was one heaven only, or heavens innumerable ; whereas it was at that time, it seems, much more your concern to be re- solved in the humourous problem you proposed. Thus you see in what manner I pass my time. i devote part of every day to reading or writ- ing ; after which, that I may not entirely se- clude myself from the society of my friends, I generally sup in their parties. But upon these occasions I am so far from transgressing our 'Sumptuary law, (if any law, alas ! can now be said to subsist) that I do not even indulge -myself to the full extent it allows. You need not be alarmed, therefore, at my intended vi- •it : you will receive a guest who jokes much more abundantly than he eats. Farewel. LETTER - jiuman and divine; insomuch ibat one of tbem publicly ' boasted, at tbe Olympic games, that he was not only master ••of the whole arcle of liberal arts and sciences, but of the t meanest mechanic crafts. Accordingly, it was customary with 'them to call upon their audience to propose any question .whatever, in which they were desirous to be informed ; which was no sooner delivered out, than these philological mounte- banks harangued upon it in that fluent jargon with which - school-men, in all ages, have been so liberally endowed.— . The first who assumed these impious, shall they be termed, or ridiculous pretensions to omniscience, was one Gorgias, a Grecian: and this man, who, in more enlightened days, would have been looked upon with the utmost contempt by all true philosophers, was held in such high esteem by hit countrymen, that they erected a statue to his memory, of solid gold. Cic. dc Orat. iii. 32. d€ Finib. ii. LETTER XXIIL [A.u.ror.] V To Ampius', Believe me, my dear Appius, it is with the utmost reason that I congratulate you on the success of your affairs, I am by no means, indeed, so imprudent, as to flatter ypu with false hopes ; for an unexpected disappointment would probably so depress your spirits, that no- thing would ever be capable of raising them again. I have solicited your cause with more freedom than was altogether suitable, perhaps, to a man in my circumstances ; as the invariable friend- ship which I have ever borne towards you, and which you have always most faithfully culti- vated, taught me to surmount the difficulties that fortune, by impairing my credit, had thrown in my way. Accordingly the promise of your pardon is obtained, and all prelimina- ries ' Titus Ampios had gradually risen through the several employments ot the state, till he arrived at the prKtor»hip: from which post he was elected, in the year 696y to the go- vernment of Cilicia. As he had dist^ngui^hed himself, dur- ing his tribunate, by promoting the interest and honours of Pompey, so be appears to have been a warm partisan of his <:ause in the civil wars; in consequence of which, he Was at this time in exile. Pigh, Annal. iii. ^76, A a 2 % I HI S56 Tax LETTERS Book IX. I/. 1 !■ '1 ties are adjusted and confirmed that relate to your restoration. I speak this upon my own certain knowledge, having been a witness to the whole transaction. It happens, indeed^ very luckily, that I am connected with all Cae- sar's favourites ; insomuch that, next to Csesar, there is no one who stands so high in their friendship as myself. Pans^, Hirtius, and Op- pius; Balbus, Matius, and Postumius, have each of them distinguished me with particular marks of their esteem. If I had eiideavoured to establish this interest, merely with a view of serving you in the present conjuncture, I should by no means think I had reason to be ashamed. But I did not cultivate their good graces upon any motive of this temporizing kind : on the contrary, every one of these whom I incessantly solicited in your behalf, are my old friends. In this number we are principally obliged to Pansa; who, as he has the greatest credit and influence with Caesar, so he shewed himself extremely zealous for your interest, and very desirous likewise of obliging me. I must mention Tul- lius Cimber* also, as one with whose good of- fices, * This person, though greatly in favour with Caesar, was afterwards one of the principal conspirators against him. — It was he that gav« the signal to the rest of his associates, when they assassinated Cssar in the senate ; and Cimber held him by the gown, while Cassius gave him the firs]^ sub. Suet, in Jul, 82. Book I'M OF CICERO. 357 fices, upon this occasion, I have great reason to be satisfied. He employed them more suc- cessfully upon your account, than he possibly could in favour of any other man ; for it is not interested solicitations so much as those which proceed entirely from friendship and gratitude, that prevail with Caesar. Your warrant, howr ever, is not yet actually signed ; for there are certain malevolent spirits (who affect to talk as if they were not secretly pleased that this civil war broke out, and who represent you as the principal fomenter of it,) that would be exr ceedingly offended if they knew you liad obr tained your pardon. It was thought advisable, therefore, to manage this affair with great caii-p tion and secresy ; nor by any means, at present, to suffer our success to be pubUcly known. It soon, however, will ; and I doubt not that every thing will be ripe for that purpose, before this letter shall reach your hands : for Pansa, whose word may be depended upon, has promised me, in the strongest terms, that he will in a very few days procure your warrant. In the mean time, I thought proper to send you tliia previ- ous account of the prosperous state of your af- iairs. For I find, by talking with your wife Epulia, and by the tender tears of your daugh- ter Ampia, that you are more di$pirited than ' A a 3 youT h 1- % « S5« Thk letters Book IX. Book IX: O'F'CtCERa m your letters intimate ; and they are apprehen- sive that your uneasiness will be increased by their absence, In order, therefore^ to compose this anxiety of your mind, I thought it incum- bent on me thus to anticipate a piece of good news, which most assuredly will be verified. You aie sensible that in my former letters I have father employed such arguments of consolation ils were proper to affect a man of your philo- sophical magnanimity, than encouraged you to entertain any other certain hopes than those of being restored with the republic, when these flames should subside. And here let me remind you of your letters to me, in which you have always discovered the most heroic determination to meet with firmness and fortitude whatever it mi^^ht be vour fate to suffer. I was by no means surprised to find that you were animated with these manly sentiments, when I reflected that you had been conversant in the affairs of the world from your earliest youth ; that you had exercised son>e of the most important employ- ments of the commonwealth, at a time when our Kves and hberties were in the utmost danger*; and ♦Ampiu* was tribune in the consulate «f Cicero, wb«» Ibfl conspiracy of Catiline was discovered j and was praetor in the year 695, when Clodius, who at the same time was tribune, raised so much disturbance by bis seditious laws; particularly by that which occasioned Cicero'b banishment. Pigk, Annal. ii. 363. and that you entered into the preseat war, not merely with the pleasing prospect of victory, but with a mind prepared to bear the reverse, with a wise and philosophical resignation. In fine, as you are employed in recording the deeds of illustrious heroes^, it particularly con-, cerns you to copy out, in your own conduct^ that magnanimity which you are celebrating iu others. But this is talking in a style more suitable to your late circumstances than to your present. Let me only, then, exhort you to come prepared to endure those calamities which you must suffer here in common with every ci-. tizen of Rome : calamities, for which, if I hadi discovered any remedy, I should most certainly impart it to you. The only refuge from then^ B in those philosophical studies, in which w^ have both of us ever been conversant ; ^a4 these, though in more prosperous days they were only our amusement, must now prove Kkewise our strongest support. But^^ ti:^ ^^r^ I began, let me desire you to be well persuaded that all things are completely settled concern- ing your full pardon and restoration. Fare wel LETTER - > * Thk work seems to have been of the biographical kind, and to have included the life of Julius Caesar ; as Suetonius quotes a passage from it, concerniiig the conduct of that emperor. Vid. Suet, in Jul. 11, A a 4 H \- m 360 Thje letters Boos IX. Book IX, OF CICEBO. 361 ^ LETTER XXIV. [A. U. 707.] To P. Servilius IsAt ricus, Proconsul. As the friendship that subsists between us, and the singular affection you bear me, arc circumstances universally knovrn : I find my- self under a frequent necessity of applying to you in behalf of those who solicit my recom- mendations. But thoueh I am a oeneral well- wisher to all whom I thus introduce to your favour, yet I do not pretend to be equally in- terested in the success of every one of them. I am particularly so, however, in that of Titus Egnatius, as lie was the generous companion of my exile, and shared with me in all the pains, the difficulties, and the dangers which I underwent, both by sea and land, during that most unfortunate period of my life. Nor would he, without my consent, have left me at this juncture. I recommend him to you, there- fore, as one of my family for whom I have the greatest regard ; and you will much oblige me by convincing him that this letter shall have proved greatly to his advantage. Farewel. LETTER LETTER XXV. [A. U. 707.] - TQCURIUS^ There was a time when I thought you made a very injudicious choice, by preferring a fo- reign country tq your own. I imagined that Rome (while yet, alas! it was Rome) must be far more suitable, I will not only say than Pa- trse, but even than the noblest city in the Pelo- ponnesus, to a man of your amiable and elegant turn of mind. But now, on the contrary, I look upon your having retired into Greece, when our affairs were well nigh desperate, as a strong proof of your great penetration ; and I consider your absence, not only as a very judi- cious, but a very happy resolution. Yet, why dol call it happy ? when it is impossible that hapr piness should be the portion of any man, in these wretched times, who possesses the least degree * He was one of the city quaestors in the year 69 1, and about five years afterwards, was elected into the post of tri« bune. It does not appear that he advanced any farther in the offices of the state. On the contrary, it seems probable that he turned his pursuits into an humbler channel, and engaged in some branch of commerce. It was for this pur- pose, perhaps, that about the time when the dissentions be- tween Pompey and^Caesar broke out, he retired into Greece, and settled at Patrae, See let. 2, of the foUowipg book. Figk, 4nnal, li. 334. 568 The letters Book IX. "I -I II degree of sensibility. However, that desirable privilege which you, who wejre at liberty to leave Italy, ^njoy by travelling, I have pro- cured by another method ; and I can in some soft say, no less than yourself, that I live Where nor the name nor deeds accitrs'd I hear Of Pelops" impious ract'^. For, as soon as my levee is over, (which is somewhat more frequented tlian formerly, a patriot being now looked upon as a sight, of all others, the most uncommon*) I shut myself up. in my library. And it is there^ my friend, that I am employed in compositions which you will find, perhaps, to be animated with all that spi- rit you once said so ill agreed with my dejec- tion and despair, when you reproached me, at your house, for not acting up to the fortitude that ^ The sons of Pelops were Atreu^ and Thyestes, whose impious and cruel aicl* are recorded in fabulous history. The dramaiic poet, Aiiius, wrote a tragedy «ntitled Atreus, from which play, it is probable, this line was quoted, and which Cicero leeros to apply to the violences committed by some of the leading men in the successful party. That Ci- cero, however^ by no means lived the recluse he here repre- sents himself, has already appeared by several letters in the pre^jent and preceding book, by which il is evident that he mixed, wiih cftat freedom and gaiety, among the chiefs of ibf victorious faction. ■ A true patriot was a sight in all ages too uncommon, il must be owned, not to have been worth remarking; bur^^ whether those who visited Cicero, in order to view so singu- lar a curiosity, were disappointed or not, is a question which. every reader,' by this time, perhaps, may be able very clearly to determine. Book IX. of CICERO. 365 that appeared in my writings. I must confess, I could not at that time forbear lamentinsc the wretched fate of the repubhc ; to which I was the more tenderly attached, as I had not only been distinguished with its honours, but had greatly assisted it by my services. And even now, that time (which wears out the sorrows of the weakest minds) together with reason, (which ought to have the strongest influence for that purpose) have jointly contributed to compose my breast ; yet I still lament to see the commonwealth thus fallen, without a hope of ever rising more ! There is nothing, how- ever, that can at present be justly imputed to Him, in whom all power is now vested ; unless, perhaps, it be that he has more than be ought. And as to what is past, our fate and our follies have had so large a share in all that has hap- pened, that we cannot complain with a good grace. As little reason is there to hope that affairs will mend. I cannot, therefore, but con- clude my letter as I began it, with admiring your judgment if it were choice, or your for- tune if it were chance, that led you froBi this vnpkasing scene. FareweL LETTER 364t The letters Book IX, LETTER XXVL Book IX. bF CiCERO. 365 [A. U. 707.] To LiGARlUS. Be assured that I am exerting my utmost efforts of every kind in order to procure your restoration. In truth, the singular and pious affection of your brothers, for whom I bear the same warm friendship that I entertain for ybur- self, will not suffer me to neglect any opportu- nity of employing my best offices in your be- half But I had rather you should learn from their letters than from mine, what I have al- ready performed, and what I am still endca- Touring to perform, in your affairs. I will only, therefore, acquaint you myself with the strong and well-grounded hopes I have con- ceived, that your restoration will soon be effect- ed. Let me previously observe, that my fears in all doubtful cases of hnportance, are ever apt to be much superior to my hopes; a fault, if it be a fault, which I am very ready to acknow- ledge. Nevertheless, the last time I waited upon Caesar, I came away with a full persua- sion, that there was not the least reason to doubt of his granting you a pardon. I attend- ed him for this purpose, at the request of your brothers, on the 26th of November last, in the morning morning, not without encountering all the usual difficulties and indignities, before I could g-ain admittance. Your brothers^ and the rest of your relations, having thrown themselves at his feet, I supported their petition with such arguments as I thought suitable to the occasion^* And I could plainly * Cicero had, shortly afterwards, a more public occasioa of testifying his zeal for his friend. For Tubero, though he had himself engaged in the same party with Ligarius, having from private pique opposed the recal of Ligarius, Cicero de- fended him before CjKsar in the forum, in a noble oration^ which is still extant. It was upon this occasion, that the pomp and energy of the Roman orator's rhetoric is said to have had such a wonderful effect, that it not only made Caesar tremble, but what is yet more extraordinary, it made him change his determined purpose, and acquit the man he had resolved to condemn^ This story has often been alledged in proof of the power of ancient eloquence ; and the trans- lator confesses, that he has himself, in the letters published under the name of Sir Thomas Fitzosborn, produced it for that purpose. But, upon a stricter enquiry, the supposed fact seems to be extremely questionable. For, in the first place^ there is not the least trace of it in any part of Ci- cero's writings. Now this his total silence seems to furnish a very strong presumptive argument, to destroy the credit of the story ; for it is altogether improbable, that a man o£ Cicero's character should have omitted any opportunity of displaying a circumstance so exceedingly to the honour of his oratorical powers. In the next place, it is very observable, that Valerius Maximus, who has a chapter expressly to shew the force of eloquence, and who mentions a particular in- stance of this kind with regard to Caesar himself, yet takes not the least notice of the fact in question. But if it had been true^ is it credible either that it should never have reached his knowledge, or that, knowing it, he should have passed it over in silence ? especially as it afi'orded him a much stronger instance for his purpose, than any he has thought proper to enumerate. It is remarkable, likewise, than Quin- lillian, though he frequently cites the very passage in this ce- lebrated r ■A 566 The letters Book IX. Book IX. OF CICERO. 367 I plainly perceive, not only by the gracious an- swer which Caesar returned, but by the whole air of his countenance, together with several other little circumstances, much easier to re- mark than describe, that he was extremely well inclined in your favour'. Preserve then, my friend, a firm and vigorous frame of mind ; and, if you bore the dark and tempestuous season of your affairs with fortitude, let their present lebrated oration, which is supposed to have raised the strongest emotions in Caesar's breast; yet gives not the least intimation of the effect which it is pretended to have wrought. Plutarch is the only ancient writer who relates this story, and he introduces it with a Xsyerai Je, an expression which seems to imply, that he did not copy it from any earlier historian, but received it only from common tradition. Now It might be sufficient to give rise to such a report, if Ciesar bad been seized during the course of this trial with one of his usual epileptic fits, which were attended with that change of colour and trembling of the nerves, that Plutarch ascribes to the force of Cicero's rhetoric. And that this is all that there was of truth in the case, is rendered probable by the testimony of Suetonius, who informs us, that Caesar was twice seized with these fits, when he was engaged injudicial affairs. Vaf. Mar, viii. p. Quint. Instit. Orat, viii. 4. 6. jx. 2. Plut. in vit. Cicer, Suet, in Jul, 45. ' Cicero's presages in the present instance, appear to have been well groundetfir vantage. Farewel. >J}.h -i LETTER XXXI. [A. U.707.] To P. Servilius IsAURICUS; I NEED not inform you, that Curtilis Mithres is the favourite freedman of my very intimate friend Postumus: but let hie assure you,^ thit he distinguishes me with the same marks of respect t\ 580 The letters BookIX;' respect which he pays to his patron himself. Whenever I was at Ephcsus, I made use of hiu house as my own : and many incidents con- curred, which afforded me full proofs both of his fidelity and his affection. For this reason, as often as either my friends or myself have any affairs to transact in Asia, I always apply to Mithres : and I command not only his ser- vices, but his purse and his house, with the same freedom that I should dispose of my own. I particularise these circumstances the more minutely, that you may see it is not upon com- mon motives, or to gratify the purposes of any ambitious views, that I now apply to you : but on the contrary, that it is in favour of one with whom I am united by the strongest connexions. I entreat you tlicn to do me the honour of as- sisting him with your good offices, not only in the law-suit wherein he is engaged with a cer- tain citi7xn of Colophons but in every other instance also, as far as shall be consistent with your own character and convenience. But thouoh I make this exception, yet I am sure^e has,.too much modesty to ask any thing im- popcr of you. Indcecl it is his utmost wish, that his awn merit, in conjunction ^vith^my j^ccom^endalion, may procure him joui esteem. I; very' eariicstly, ' therefore, conjure ^"Pl^joflS-^ only ' \ cftv of Ionia, in Asia Minor : and one of those %vhich claimed ihf; hoi.oiir of bring ibe birth-place of Homer. Book IX* OF CICERO." 381 only to favour him with your protection, butto receive him into the number of your friends. In return, you may depend upon my most zea- lous services upon all occasions wherein I shall imagine either your interest or your inclination may require them. Farewel. LETTER XXXII. [A. U. 707.] To AULUS C.ECINA. As often as I see your son (and I see bim al- most every day) I never fail to assure him of my zealous assistance, without any exception of time, of labour, or of business : and I pro- misc him likewise mv credit and interest, with this single limitation, that he may rely upon them as far as the small share I possess of either can possibly extend. . I have read yourperformance^ and still con- tinue to read it, with much attention : as 1 shall preserve it with the greatest fidelity. Your affairs, indeed, of every kind, are my principal concern : and I have the pleasure to see them every day appear with a more and more favour- able aspect. You have many friends who con- tribute their good offices for this purpose : of wtiose zeal your son, I am assured, has alf^ady acquainted • Sec the 30ih letter of this book. /iiU' .t'2it: 382 The letters Book IX. Book IX. OF CICERO. 583 acquainted you, as well as of his own hopes that their endeavours will prove effectual. In regard to what may be collected from appear- ances, I do not pretend to discern more, than, I am persuaded, you see yourself: but as you may reflect upon them, perhaps, with greater discomposure of mind, I think it proper to give you my sentiments concerning them. . Believe me then, it is impossible, from the nature and circumstances of pubUc affairs, that either you, or your companions in adversity, should long remain under your present misfortunes : yes, my friend, it is impossible that so severe an in- jtirj' should continue to oppress the honest ad- Tocates of so good a cause. But my hopes are particularly strong with respect to yourself: not merely in consideration of your rank and virtues, (for these you possess in common with many others) but particularly from your sin- gular learning and genius. The man in whose power we all of us are, holds these shining qua- lities in much esteem : and I am well persuaded, you would not have remained, even a single moment, in your present situation, if he had not imagined himself wounded' by those ta- lents lie admires. His resentment, however, seems daily cooling : and it has been intimated to me by some of his most particular friends, that 3 See rem. 3. on let. 28. of this book. that you will undoubtedly find advantage in the high opinion he has conceived of your abi- lities. Let me conjure you then, in the first place, to preserve a firm and unshaken forti- tude of mind, as what you owe to your birth, to your education, to your learning, and tp that character you havT universally obtained; and, in the next place, that, for the reasom X have already assigned, you would entertain the strongest and most favourable hopes. Be well persuaded, likewise, that I shall always most readily contribute my warmest services both to you and to your family. You have, indeed, a full right to expect them, from that affection which has so long subsisted between us; froai the conduct I ever observe towards all my friends, and from tlie numberless good offices I have received at your hands. FareweL LETTER o i/ Ml ' 4>. y. ^ *" • morr ,f ;>ffr€^f «. .^ ' ' i I 384 The letters Book IX. LETTER XXX in. [A.U.707.] To P. Sekvilius Isauricus, Proconsul. As the share you allow me in your friendship is by no means a secret to the world, it occa- sions great numbers to apply to me for recom- mendations. My letters to you, therefore, of this kind are sometimes, I confess, no other than the tributes of common compliment. They are much more frequently, however, the dic- tates of a real afiFection : as is the case, be as- sured, in the present instance, when I recom- mend to you Ampius Menander, the freedmaa of my friend Ampius Balbus. He is a very worthy, modest man, and highly in the esteem both of his patron and myself. You will much oblige me then by assisting him with your good offices, in every instance that shall not be in- convenient to you : and, believe me, it is with great earnestness that I make this request. Farewel. LETTER Book IX. ot CICERO. 3S8 LETTER XXXIV. , [A. V. ror.] To AULUS CiECINA. 1 Aivi afraid you will think that I am a molt negligent correspondent than I ought, consi- dering the union between us as partisans of the** same cause, as being joined in the same studies, and, as having mutually conferred upon each other, many obliging good offices. The sincere truth, however, is, that I should much sooner and much oftener have written to you, if I had not been in daily expectation of seeing your affairs in a better train : and I rather chose, in- stead of confirming you in the spirit with which you bear y Our misfortunes, to have sent you my congratulations on their being ended. I still hope to have that pleasui-e very shortly. In the mean time, I think it incumbent upon me to endeavour, if not with ill the authority of a philosopher, at least with all the iniluence of a friend, to confirm and strengthen you ill that ' manly spirit with which I hear, and beheve, you are animated. For this purpose, I shall not address you as one whose misfortunes are with- out hope ; but as a person of whose restoration I have conceived the same well-grounded con- VoL. 11. Cc fidencc 386 The LETTERS Book IX. fidence which you formerly, I remember, enter- tained of mine. For when I was driven from my country, by a set of men, who were convinced theycould never effect their destructive purposes so long as I continued in the commonwealth, I was informed by many of my friends who visited me from Asia, where you then resided, that you strongly assured them of my speedy and honour- able recal. Now, if the principles of the Etrus- can science*, in which you were instructed by your illustrious and excellent father, did not de- ceive you with respect to me, neither will my presages be less infallible with regard to you. They are derived, indeed, not only from the maxims and records of the most distinguished sages, whose writings, you well know, I have studied with great application ; but, from a long experience in public affairs, and from hav- ing'passed through various scenes both of pros- perity and adversity. I have the stronger rea- son ♦ The Romans derived their doctrine and rites of divi- nation, and probably, mdeed. many otber of the.r religious anc^il insntauons from the Etruscans, a very anaent kar^d, and powerful nation, ^ho were once masters of almost all Ital^y, and wbo i.habued that part which as now caUed Tuscany. Ca^cina, wuo was a native of thu pro- vfnce and well skilled in that pretended prophetic art for which his countrymen were particularly famous, foi^told, u'eems that Cic'ero's banishment wouM soon end,.(a. .in fact it did) in a glorious restoration. I al Jiax i. 1. L^^ V. 33. Pigh. Annul, i. p. 430. See rem. 3. p. 369- of Uiis Book IX. OF CICERO. 387 son to confide in this method of divination, as it has never once deceived me during all these dark and distracted times: insomuch, that were I to mention my predictions, I am afraid you would suspect that I framed them after the events I pretend to have foretold^ How- ever, there are many who can bear me witness, that I forewarned Pompey against entering into any association with Caesar^ : and that I af- terwards as strongly endeavoured to dissuade him from breaking that union. I clearly saw, indeed, that their conjunction would consider- ably impair the strength of the senate; and that their separation would as inevitably kindle the flames of a civil war. I lived at that time in great familiarity with Caesar, as well as enter- tained the highest regard to Pompey ; and, ac- cordingly, the faithful advice I gave to the lat- ter, was equally to the benefit of both. I for- bear to instance several other articles, in which my prophetic admonitions have been verified. For ' Cicero's wonderful reach of judgment in penetrating far into the consequent:es of events, is by no means exaggerated in the present passage. On the contrary, it is confirmed by the testimony of an historian \vho knew him well ; and who assures us, that Cicero pointed out, with a prophetic dis- cernment, several circumstances that were fulfilled not only m his own Hfe-iime, but afttr his death. Corn. Nepos, in zit, ^itic, 17. "^ ^ The motives which induced Pompey to enter into this um'on with Coesar, have been alre^tdy explained io rem. 8. p. 114. vol. i. Cc2 588 The letters Book IX. Book IX. OF CICERO. 389 For, as I have received great obligations from CsBsar, I am unwilling he should know, that had Pompey followed my counsels, though Cae- sar would still have been the first and most dis- tinguished person in the republic, he would not have been in possession of that extensive power he now enjoys. I will confess, however, that I always gave it as my opinion, that Pompey should go to his government in Spain : with which, if he had happily complied, Ave should never have been involved in this fatal civil war^ I contended, likewise, not so much that Cirsar should be received as a candidate for the con- sulship during his absence^ as that the law which ' Pompey, instead of going to his government of Spain, continued in Italy, with the command of two legions which were quartered iiear Rome. This gave umbrage to Cxsar, who stispecied, as the truth wa^, that these troops were de- ligDcd to act against him. In order, therefore, to remove his apprehensions of this kind, it was proposed by Cicero, and some others of the more moderate party, that Pompey should retire to his government. But this motion was over- ruled by the consul Lentolus: who prevailed with the senate te pass a decree, whereby Caesar, who had already crossed the Rubi- con, was commanded to withdraw his forces out of Italy by a certain day therein named : and m case of disobedience, that he should be considered as a public enemy. liist, dc Bel Gal viii. 55. Cots. BtL CitU, »• 2. • Pompey, when he was consul the third time, in the year 701, procured a law empowering Caesar to offer himself as a candidate for the consulship, without appearing personally at Rome for that purpose. This was contrary to the funda- mental principles of the Roman constitution, and proved, m the event, the occasion of its being utterly destroyed : as it furnished C«sar with the only specious pretence lor turning r which the people enacted for that purpose, and enacted too at the earnest solicitation of Pom- pey in his consulate, should be religiously ob- served^. It was the rejecting of this advice, that gave occasion to the civil war : which I still laboured to extinguish by every method of re- monstrance in my power, and by warmly re- presenting, that in contests of this kind, though ever so justly founded, even the most disadvan- tageous terms of accommodation were prefer- able to having recourse to arms. But my sen- , timents his arms against the republic. Cicero affirms, in one of his Philippics, that he endeavoured to dissuade Pompey from suffering this law to pass : Duo — tempora ujciderunt, says he, quibus alujuid contra Coesarem Pompeio suaserim — Unumy 7ie, ^'C. alter mriy ne pateretur ferri ut absentis ejus ratio ha- beretur. Quorim si utrumvis persuasissenif in has miserias nunquam incidissemus. Philip, ii. 10. But if what Cicero here asserts be true, he acted a most extraordinary part in- deed. For, at the same time, that he laboured to dissuade Pompey from suffering this law to pass, he persuaded Coelius, who was one of the tribunes of the people, to promote it, or at least not to oppose it : agreeably to a promise which he had given to Ca?sar for that purpose. This appears by a passage in one of his letters to Atticus, where, speaking of Caesar's claim to sue for the consulate, without personally attending at Rome, he tells Atticus, Utilli hoc liceret, adju- w : rogatus ab ipso Ravennce dc CaUo tribuno plebis. Ad Ath vii. 1. . ^ Whether this law should, or should not, be superseded, was a question upon which Cicero found the republic di- vided at his return from Cilicia, just before the civii war broke out. And although he certainly acted an unjustifiable part in promoting this law ; yet, after it had once passed, it seems to have been right policy in him to advise that it should be observed ; as it was the only probable means of preserving the public tranquillity. CcS 390 The letters Book IX. timents were over-ruled : not so much by Pom- pey himself, (upon whom they seemed to make some impression) as by those who, depending upon his victory, thought it would afford them a very favourable opportunity of extricating themselves from the difficulties of their private affairs, and of gratifying their immoderate am- bition. The war, therefore, commenced with- out my participation : and I still continued in Italy as long as I possibly could, even after Pompey was driven out of it*^ My honour, however^ at length prevailed over my fears : and I could not support tlie thoughts of desert- ing Pompey in his distress, who had not aban- doned me in mine. Partly, therefore, upon a principle of duty ; partly in tenderness to ray reputation with the patriots ; and partly as be- ing ashamed to forsake my friend, I went, as ib fabled of Amphiaraus", to that ruin which 1 clearly foresaw. And, indeed, there was not a single misfortune attended us during that whole campaign, which I did not point out before it arrived. You see, therefore, that I have the same right of being credited, which augurs and astrologers **^ See rem. 4. p. 1 4 1 . of this vo?. " Amphiaraus was a Giecian i-roplu't, as the poets feign, ^ho, foreknowing that he shoul >i. : ' knowledged, ' : i-^ The war in Spain between CiBsar and the sons of Popipey. Dd3 )IM i'V!« j8^ 406 The letters Book X. knoxrledgcd, is so extremely great, that wlmt- ever philosophers may pretend, I question whe- ther any thing can effectually support us under it, except one consideration alone ; a conside- ration which is always more or less efficacious, in proportion to the strength and firmness of a man's own mind. But, if to mean honestly, and to act rightly, be all that is necessary ta constitute human happiness, it should seem a sort of impiety to call that man miserab^ wha is conscious of having always regulated his con- duct by the best intentions. It was not, I anv persuaded, any private advantage which we promised ourselves from the success of'our arms, that induced us lately to abandon our fortunes, our families, and our country*; it was the just sense of that sacred regard we owed both to the commonwealth and to our own cha- racters. Nor when we acted thus, were we so absurdly sanguine as toflatter ourselves with the prospect of certain victory. If the event, then, has proved agreeable to what, upon our first en- trance into the war, we were well aware it pos- sibly might ; we ought, by no means, surely, to be as much dispirited, as if the reverse of all that we expected had befallen us. Let us then, my friend, cherish those sentiments which true philosophy ♦ Upon the first breaking out of the civil war, when Ci- i^ro and Torquatus left Italy, in order to join the army of Pompey in Greece. Book X. a*-. CICERO- 407 philosophy prescribes, by esteeming it our only concern in this life to preserve our integrity; and so long a$ we are void of all just reproach, let us bear tlie various revolutions of human af- fairs wilJi calmness and moderation. The sum of wliat I would say, in short, is this ; that vir- tue seems sutficient for her own support, though all things else were utterly lost. Still, however, if any hopes should yet remain to the republic, you should by no means despair, whatever its future situation may be, of holding the rank in it you deserve. And here, my friend, it occurs to me, that there wa$ a time when you, likewise, used to condemn my despondency ; and when I was full of apprehensions, and altogether undetermined how to act, you inspired jne by your advice and example with more spirited and vigorous resolu- tions. At that season, it was npt our cause, but our measures, I disapproved. I thought it much too late to oppose those victorious arms ^ which we ourselves had long been contributing to strengthen ; and I lamented that we should refer the decision of our pohtical disputes, not to the weight of our counsels, but to the force of our swords. I do no t pretend to have been in- spired with a.spirit of divination, when I foretold what has since happened, I only saw the possi- bility and destructive consequences of such an D d 4 event. \ I 'I ) f« 40S ^ - The letters Book X. e^^ftt And it^ wa^ this that alarmed my feaFs; ^specially, as it was a contingency, of all others, {))^mqst likely to take effect. For the strength of our party, I well knew, was of a kind that would little avail us in the field ; as our troops were far inferior both in force and experience, Jfft those of our adversaries. The same spirit and Tesolution, then, which you recommended to me at that juncture, let me now exhort you, in my turn, to assume in the present. I was induced to write to you upon this sub- i^^f fji?X^.5r9«ycrsation I lately had with your freedman, Philargyrus. In answer to the very pj^ft^cular inquiries I made concemingyour wcl- dfane, he informed me (and I had no reason to -suspect )^is veracity) that you were at somesea- sfois exceedingly dejected. This is a state of mind yoiv should by no means encourage. For if tlic republic should in any degref^subsis^yciii i^W^Y^^'^o reason to doubt of recovering the rank ^jf^Qu Jf Sigr ve; ^ and should it be destroyed, your ^Wc?u?ar condition will be no worse, at least, $j^ that of every jRoman in general As to the f^mpoH^nt affair now depending^ and for the ,i?V;^.Qf which we are all of us in so muchanxi- •%i^yfhisis a circumstance which you ought to -hearwith the greater tranquillity, as you are in a city where philosophy, that supreme guide and governess of human life, not only received her birth, '^Thc war in Spain. r BookX. OF CICERO. 409 birthj but her best and noblest improvements*. But, besides this advantagfe,"^ fo\x enjoy tht company likewise oF Sulpicius^, that wise and favourite friend, from whose kind and prudent offices you must undoubtedly receive great consolation. Aiid, had we all of us lately been &o politic as to have followed his advice, we should have chosen rather to have submitted to the civil, than to the military power of Caesar\ But I have dwelt longer, perhaps, upon this siiUjecl than was necessary: I will dispatch, therefore, what is more material in fewer words. How much Towed to some of those friends, whom the fate of this cruel war has snatched from me, yoii perfectly well know ; but I have novv^ none remaining from whom I 'have re- ceived greater obligations than from yourself. I ani sensible, at tlie same time, hoW little my 'J an f ria-^K-yT fifii power * The Athenians (among whom Torquatus, as has been observed above, at this time resided) were supposed to have been thQ first who instructed mankind, not only in the re- finements of poetry, oratory, and philosophy, but in mana- fnctures, agriculture, and civil government. Athens, io short, was esteemed by the ancients to be the source, ai it \va9 uAquestiohably the seat, of all those useful or polite ^rts wl^ich u)ost contribute to the ease and ornament of hu- man life. Justin, ii, 6. Lucret. vi. 1. &c. '^Sulpicias was at Athens, as governor of Greece. See j^frpm. 1. p. 283. of this vol. • this alludes to the opposition which Sulpicius made to the proposal of recalling Caesar from his government in Gaul, just before the commencement of the civil war. See rem. 2. p.' 120. of this vol. I " K' • *C:\ J. V I 410 The letters Book X, power can at present avail : but as no man can -be so totally fallen, as not to be capable of ef- fecting somewhat at least by his earnest endea- ivours, be assured that both you and yours have an unquestionable right to the best and most zealous of mine. Farewel, LETTER IL [A. U. 707.] To Servius Sulpicius. MAN I us CuRius' a merchant of Patrae, is , I 4.* * • I > .-• a person whom I have many and great rea- sons to value. The friendship between us has long continued : so long, indeed, as from his first appearance In the forum. He has formerly, at , different juncture?, and lately, during this un- happy civil war, offered me an asylum at Patrae ; ^nd I should have used his house with the same freedom as my own, if I had found occasion. But my strongest connexion with him results from a motive of a more sacred kind, as it arises from his intimacy with my friend Atticus, for whom he entertains a very singular affection and es- teem. If Curius is known to you, I imagine I am paying him the. tribute of my good offices somewhat too late; for I dare say his jpolite and ^ This is the same person to whom the 25th letter of the * preceding book is addressed. See rem. 6. p. 36l. of this vol. ?i Book X. 0F CICERO. 411 and elegant manners have already recommend- ed him to your regard. However, should this prove to be the case, I very earnestly en- treat you to suffer this letter to confirm and increase the favourable disposition you have conceived towards him. But if his modesty has concealed him from your notice, or you have only a slight acquaintance with him, or, for any other reason, a farther recommendation may be necessary, I most warmly and most de- servedly give him mine. I will be answerable, too, (as every one ought, indeed, whose oflSces of this kind are sincere and disinterested) that you will experience so much politeness and pro- bity in Curius, as to convince you that he is worthy both of my recommendation and of your friendship. In the mean time, be assured you will very sensibly oblige me, if I should find that this letter shall have had all the influence with you which I confidently expect, Farewel. kj LETTER III. [A. u. 7or.l To AULUS TORQUAf cs. It was more in compliance with the affection of my heart, than as thinking it in the least ne- cessary that I detained you so long in my last'. Your ' The first letter of the present book. < J .(t !!-< 4is Thi letters Book X. JTour fortitude wants not to be animated by aoy exhortations of mine ; and, indeed, I am m every respect too much distressed myself, to be capable of encouraging another. But, what- ever reason there might or might not have jbeen for the length of my former letter, I am sure it may well excuse me from extending my present, nothing new having since occurred. For as to the various and contradictory reports, which are every day propagates! amongst us, concerning affairs in Spain, I imagine they aie :^pread likewise into your part of the world.T— They wiU.all terminate, however, in the same fatal catastrophe; a catastrophe, which I no less .clearly discern (and I am well assured,jj]l;,ii^ equally visible to yourself) than if it were now lactuailly before ray view. Tis true no one can deterjnine what will be the event of the ap- proaching battle ; but as to that of the war in ge- j^eraJ, I have no manner of dgubt ; at l^a^t, i?QP^ lyith respect to its consequences : for one side or the other must certainly be yictpripu^ ; aqd I am Wll convinced of the use that either party will jpaKt?. Qfthm success. Such an use, indeed, that ilj.had rather suffer what is generally esteemed H^S m<>^t terrible of all ^vilsj thw live, to ]i^,^ sp^<* tat or of so dreadful a scene. Yes, my frien4 JiftirJ|)>t)^ the terms on which we must the» en* dure it, would be the cpmpletion of humanmi - Book X. OF CICERa AA3 sery ; whereas death was never considered 4^ any wise man as an evil, eveil to the h^p^y them- selves. But you are in a city where the very walls will inspire you with these and other re- flections of the same tendency, in a far more efficacious manner than I can suggest them*. I will only, therefore, assure you (unsubstantial as the consolation is which arises from the misfortunes of others) that you are at present in no greater danger than any of those of the same party, who have either totally renounCfed the war, or who are still in arms, as they are TSbth under equal apprehensions froni the vic- toi'/^'tBut there is another aivl tar higher con- solation, which I hope is your support, as it certainly is mine. For so long as I shall pfe»- serre my innocence, I will never whilsf I exist be anxiously disturbed at any event that inay happen : and if I should cease to exist, all sensi- biUty must cease with me% But I am^gain re- turning to my unnecessary reflections^ and, iti the language of the old proverb, attt " sendiii^ i'*^ owls to Athens*'' To put an end to tliem, 1)6 assured that the welfare of yourself and fa- mily, together with the success of all yi)iijr cotjtcfe^ns, is my great and principal tef©," atl8 ^hall continue to be so to the end of itty Ifey^. ^areWel* -*^^^^^ iwuw/ iiL >j ^i LETT£^ • iril!ir,mjJii»:See re'm.fi^ p.^40f-'6ftliii voL Ji muh * See rem. 6. p. 232. of this vol. » Sec rem. 8. p. 236*. of this vci- ! I « '! I : M 414 The letters LETTER IV. [A. V. 707.] ToServius Sulpicius. Book X. Ji 1 OUR very polite and obliging letter to At- ticus, afforded him great satisfaction ; but not more than I received from it myself It was, indeed, equally agreeable to us both. But, al- though we neither of us doubted that you would readily comply with any request he should mak^, yet your having voluntarily and unexpectedly offered him your services, was a circumstance, I must acknowledge, that raised Atticus\s admi- ration less than mine. As you have given him the most ample assurances, therefore, of your good offices, it is unnecessary that I should de- sire you to add any thing to them from your re- gard to me. It would be no less impertinent, likewise, to send you my acknowledgments upon this occasion, as your offer was entirely the spontaneous result of your particular friendship to Atticus. This, however, I will say, that as such an uncommon proof of your esteem for a man whom I singularly love and value, could not but be highly agreeable to me, so it is an obligation I must necessarily place to my own account. And, indeed, as I may take the liberty from the intimacy between us, to transgress 1 . the Book X. OF CICERO. 41* the strict rules of propriety, I shall venture to do the two things which I just now declared were both improper and unnecessary. Accord- ingly, let me request, in the first place, that you would add as much as possible to those services, for my sake, with which you have shewn yourself willing to favour Atticus for his own : and, in the next place, desire your acceptance of my acknowledgments for those which you have already so generously promised him. And be assured, whatever good offices you shall render to Atticus in regard to his af- fairs in Epirus*, or upon any other occasion, will be so many obligations conferred upon myself Farewel. LETTER ♦ Epirus was contiguous to Greece, and annexed to the government of that province. It is now called Jamia, and is under the dominion of the Turks. A considerable part of Atticub's estate lay in this country. Kepos, invit. Att. 14. pi'i' (^ n't .-»■ 4-»' *-«-• ■• » r I r I ' ^4 . ft" Off £lyVi> rill 0l '-"^f .1 ■» '•'^ 'Zi ^:gild<> VJ m i1 i { ii i 416 1^ If The letters LETTER V. Book Xr Book X. OF CICERO. 417. [A. u. 70r.] To the same. 1 HAVE long been united with Lyso, a citizen of Patra, by ties which I deem of sacred obli- gation ; the ties, I mean, of hospitality^ This is a sort of connexion, 'tis true, in which I am engaged, also, with many others ; but I never contracted with any of my hosts so strict an intimacy. The many good offices I received from Lyso, together with the habitudes of a dally intercourse, improved our acquaintance into the highest degree of friendship ; and, in- deed, during the whole year, he resided here, we were scarce ever separated. We neither of U8 doubted that my former letter would have the effect I find it has, and induce you to take his affairs under your protection in his absence. Nevertheless, as he had appeared in arms in favour of our party, we were under perpetual apprehensions of his resentment, in whom all power is now centered. But Lyso's illustrious rank, together with the zealous applications of myself and the rest of those who have shar- fd in bis generous hospitality, have at length obtained ' See rem. 3* p. 113. of this vol. 9 obtained all that we could wish ; as you will per- ceive by the letter which Caesar himself has written to you. I am so far, however, from thinking him in circumstances that will allow me to release you from any part of my former solicitation ; that I now more strongly request you to receive him into your patronage and friendship. Whilst his fate was yet in suspense, I was less forward in claiming your good offi- ces; being cautious of giving you a trouble which possibly might prove to no purpose. But as his pardon is absolutely confirmed, I most ardently entreat your best services in his behalf Not to enumerate particulars, I recommend to you his whole family in general, but more es- pecially his son. My old chent Memmius Ge- mellus^ having been presented with the free- dom of the city of Patra^ during his unhappy banishment, adopted this youn^ man accord- mg to the forms prescribed by the laws of that community: and I beseech you to support him in his right of succeeding to the estate of his adoptive father. But, above all, as I have thoroughly experienced the merit and grateful disposition of Lyso, let me conjure you to ad- mit him into a share of your friendship. I am persuaded Probably the same person to whom the 27th let. of the 3d book is addressed. See rem. 5. p. 281. vol. i. Vol. IL . Ee 418 The letters Book K. Book X. OF CICERO. 419 if persuaded, if you should do so, you will here- after look upon him with the same affection, and recommend him with as much zeal as I have expressed in the present instance. There is no- thing, indeed, 1 more earnestly wish, than to raise in you this disposition towards him : as I fear if you should not confer upon him your hest ser- vices, he will suspect, not that you are unmind- ful of my recommendations, but that I did not sufficiently enforce them. For he must be per- fectly sensible, not only from w^hat he has fre- quently heard me declare, but from your own obliging letters to me, of the singular share I en- joy in your friendship and esteem. Farewel. LETTER VI. [A, V. 707.] To the same. AscLAPO, a physician of Patra?, is my very particular friend : to whose company, as well as skill in his profession, I have been much in- debted. I had occasion to experience the lat- ter, in my own family : and had great reason to be satisfied with his knowledge, his inte- grity and his tenderness. I recommend him, therefore, to your favour : and entreat you to let him see, by the effects of this letter, that I did did so in the strongest manner. Your compli- ance with this request will oblige me exceed- ingly, Fajewel LETTER VIL [A. U. 707.] To the same. r # ^- Marcus ^Emilius Avianus has distin- guished me, from his earliest youth, with pecu- liar marks of affection and esteem. He isva man not only of great politeness, but probity; and, indeed, in every view of his character, is ex- tremely amiable. If I imagined he were at Si- cyon^, I should think it utterly unnecessary to add any thing farther in his behalf; being well persuaded that the elegance and integrity of his manners would be sufficient of themselves to recommend him to the same degree of your affection, which be possesses, not only of mine, but of every one of his friends in general. But as I hear he still continues at Cybira, where I left him some time ago^ ; I most strongly re- commend his affairs and family at Sicyon, to your favour and protection. Amon^ these, I ,iiiAli ^' must ;v 7 A city in the Peloponnesqs, now called Batilica, ♦ Cybira was a city of Lycaonia, annexed to the govern- ment of Cilicia: Cicero aHudes to the time when he was proconsul of that province. Ee2 420 The letters Book X. must particularly single out his freedman Ham- monius, as one who has a claim to my recom- mendation upon his own account. He has gained my good opinion, not only by his un- common zeal and fidelity towards his patron, but by the very important services, likewise, which he has conferred upon myself. Indeed, had it been to me that he had been indebted for the privilege of his freedom, he could not have acted with a more faithful and affectionate assiduity than I experienced from him in my troubles'. In the first place, then, I entreat your protection of Hammonius, as agent in the afl'airs of his patron : and, in the next, I re- commend him upon his own account, as worthy to be received into the number of your friends. Believe me, you will find him of a modest, ob- liging temper, and well deserving a place in your affection. Farewel. LETTER VIIL [A. U. 70T.] To the same. 1 HAVE a very great regard for Titus Manlius, a merchant of Thespise ; not only as one from whom I have always received singular marks of consideration and esteem, but as he is an ad- mirer also of our favourite studies. To this I must • During his persecution by Clodius. Book X. OF CICERO. 421 must add, that my friend Varro Murena very -^warmly espouses his interest. And though Murena has full confidence in the effect of that letter which he has himself written to you in fa- vour of Manlius, yet he is persuaded that my recommendation, likewise, may somewhat in- crease your disposition to assist him. In com- pliance, therefore, with my desire of serving both Murena and Manlius, I recommend the latter to you in the strongest terms : and you will greatly oblige me by promoting the interest and honours of Manlius, in every instance con- sistent with your own character and dignity. I will venture to assure you, likewise, from the knowledge I have of his polite and humanized disposition, that your good offices towards him will be attended with all the satisfaction you can promise yourself from the gratitude of a, worthy man. Farewel. I*'] /< LETTER IX. [A. u. for.] To the same. My friend and tribe-fellow', Lucius Cossini- us, is one with whom I have long lived in great ^i4.i . w a,„ intimacy: * The collective body of the Roman people was divided into 35 tribes : and every citizen, of whatever rank, was ne- cessarily enrolled under one or other of these several classes. They were each distinguished by a particular name, as the £e3 Tribus 422 Trft LETTERS Book X Book X. 01? €ICERO. 433 intimacy : and which his connexions \Vith At- ticus has contributed still farther to improve. I enjoy the affection of his whole family, but particularly of his freedman Anchialus ; who h highly in the esteem, not only of his patron, but of all his patron's friends; in which litiitl- ber I have already mentioned myself. I recom- mend Anchialus, therefore, to your fevour, with as much warmth as if he stood in the Same re- lation to me that he does to Cossinius. Ybvt will oblige me, indeed, in a very sensible man- Brer, by receiving him into your friendship, and giving him any assistance he may require : as far, I mean, as your own convenience will ad- mit. And you will hereafter, I am persuaded, receive much satisfaction from your compliance with this request : as you will find Anchialus to be a man of the greatest politeness and pi-obity. Farewel. LETTER X. [A.U.707.] To the sam€. The pleasure 1 took in the i-eftfection bf hav- ing written to you in behalf of my frieUd and host Ttibus Popiiia, Tribus Velina, &c. Which natWB was derived either Irom the place which ihe tribe principally inhabited, or from some disunguiibed family U.comaiocd. Roiin. Au^ iiq. RuoK host Lyso, was much increased when I read his letter: and I particularly rejoiced in having so strongly recommended him to your esteem, when I found he had before been a sufferer in your good opinion. For my recommendation^ he tells me, was of singular advantage in re- moving the groundless suspicion you had en- tertained of him, from a report riiat he had fre- quently, whilst he was at Rome, treated your character in a disrespectful manner. Let me, in the first place then, return you those thanks which I so justly owe you, for suffering my let- ter to efface every remaining impression of this injurious calumny. And, in the next place, although Lyso assures me that, agreeably to your well-natured and generous disposition, he has entirely satisfied you of his innocence, yet I entreat you to believe me when I protest, not only in justice to my friend, but to the worid in general, that I never heard any man mention you without the highest applause. As to Lyso, in particular, in all the daily conversations we had together, whilst he continued here, you were the perpetual subject of his encomiums ;^ both as he imagined that I heard them with pleasure, and as it was a topic extremely agree- able, likew^ise, to himself. But though he is fully satisfied with the effects of my former E e 4 letter. ^ 4S4 The letters Book X. letter, . and I am sensible that the generous manner in which you treat him, renders all farther application perfectly unnecessary ; yet I cannot forbear renewing my earnest solicita- tions that you would continue your favours to- wards him. I would again also represent to you how well he deserves them, if I did not imagine you were, by this time, sufficiently ac- quainted with his merit. Farcwel. LETTER XL [A. U. 707.] To the same. ilAGESARETUs of Larissa' having received considerable honours from me during my con- sulate, has ever since distinguished me with sin- gular marks of gratitude and respect. I strong- ly recommend him, therefore, to you as my host and friend ; as a man of an honest and grateful heart; as a person of principal rank in his native city ; and, in short, as one who is altogether worthy of being admitted into your friendship. And I shall be exceedingly obliged to you for letting ' There were two cities of ihis name in Thessaly : a country contiguous to Greece, and which formerly mad^ part of the kingdom of Macedonia. One of these cities was situated upon the river Peneas, and is now called L^rsa : thf other was a maritime town. Geographers suppose the latter to be the present Armino : a considerable sea port be- longing to the Turks. Book X. OF CtCERO: 425 letting him see, that you pay regard to thisniy recommendation. Farewel. ^ % ,... Kr y LETTER XII. [A.U. 707.] To the same. '^ The connexion between Lucius Mescinius and myself, results from no less powerful a tie than that of his having been formerly my quaes- tor*. But, though I always considered a rela- tion of this kind in the high regard it was viewed by our ancestors, yet the refined and elejrant virtues of Mescinius^ rendered it still riiSre justly sacred. Accordingly, there, is" no man with whom I live in a higher degree of in- timacy, or from whose friendship 1 derive s:reater satisfaction. He doubts not of your disposition to serve him upon every occasion* that shall comport with your honour: however, he is persuaded that a letter from my hand will considerably strengthen your inclinations, for that purpose. This he collects not only^ from his own observation, but from those frequent declarations he has heard me make, of the very pleasing and intimate friendship in which you ♦ See rem. 1. p. 91 o^ l^is ^o'* 5 The reader will find, by the remark referred to in the last note, how little there was of truth and sincerity in the character which Cicero here bestows upon his friend. m6 The letters Book X. Book X. OF CICERO. 427 you and I are so strictly joined. I am to in- form you, then, that his late brother, who was a merchant in Ehs^, has left him his estate : and I entreat you, with all the warmth whicli you are sensible ought to animate me in the concerns of a friend to whom I am so strongly and closely attached, that you would assist him with your power, your influence, and your ad- vice in settling tliese his affairs in your pro- vince. In view to this, we have sent direc- tions to his agent, that if any disputes should ^^risc concerning the estate or effects of the testator^ that they shall be guided by your sen- .timentSy and (if it be not troubling you too much) determined by your arbitration : an office which I earnestly entreat you to undertake, and the acceptance of which I shall esteem as an honour done to myself. But if any of the claimants should be so obstinate as to refuse your award, I shall receive it as a singular ob- ligation if you will refer their pretensions (pro- vided you shall not think it a derogation from your dignity) to be determined in the courts at Rome : as the matter in contest is with a Ro- iiian senator. That you may the less scruple *to comply with this request, I have procured a sort of recommendatory letter to you from the ^ consul 11 • A city in the Peloponnesus. consul LepiduiS^ I say a recommendatory one ; fot to have desired him to write in a more au- thoritative style, would not, I thought, be treating your high station with the deference which is so justly due to it. I would add, that your obliging Mescinius in this instance, vn\l be laying out your favours to much advantage ; if I were not, on the one hand, well persuaded that this is a circumstance of which you are al- ready apprised ; and on the other, were I not soliciting you as for an affair of my own. For be assured, I take an equal concern with Mes- cinius in every article wherein he is interested. As I am very desirous, therefore, that he may obtain his right with as little trouble as pos- sible, so lam solicitous, likewise, that he should have rcason to think, that my recommendation has greatly contributed to this end. FareweL 'Ki LETTER XIII. .i,n [A.u.«for.] ' ' To the same. The regard you pay to my recommendations, has given me, and will hereafter give me, I dare say, frequent occasions of repeating my acknowledgments. However, I will attempt, if ^ He was this year appointed by Cresar to be his col^ league in the consular office. Fht. in vit, Anton. 4£8 The letters Book X. Bt)OK X. OF CICERO. 4?9 tf possible, to convey my thanks to you in a style as various as the several instances that de- mand them : and, in imitation of you lawyers*, express the same thing in different words. I have received a letter from Hammonius, full of the strongest expressions of gratitude for the services you have rendered both to him tnd Avianus, in consequence of my recom- mendation': and he assures me that nothing can be more generous than the personal civili- ties you have shewn to himself, as well as the attention you have given to the affairs of his patron. This would afford me a very sensible pleasure, were I to consider it only as a benefit to those to whom I have the strongest attach- ments : as indeed Avianus has distinguished himself above all my friends by his superior sen- sibility of the many and great obHgations I have conferred upon him. But my satisfaction still increases, when I view it as an instance of my standing so high in your esteem, as to in- cline you to serve my friends more efficaciously than I myself should, perhaps, were I present for that purpose. Possibly the reason of your having this advantage over me, may be, that I should not yield altogether so easily to their re^ quests, as you comply with mine. But wWt- ever Sulpicius was one of the most considerab^iO lawyers o£ llie a^e. See rem. 6'. p. 287. of this vol, * See the 7lh lei. ot this book. ever doubt I may have as to that point, I have none of your being persuaded that I entertain the sentiments of your favours they deserve : and I entreat you to believe (what I will be answerable is the truth) that both Avianus and Hammonius have received them with the same grateful disposition. I beseech you then, if it be not engaging you in too much trouble, that you would endeavour that their affairs may be settled before you leave the province. I live in a most agreeable intimacy with your son, whose genius and uncommon application, but, above all, his probity and virtue, afford me a very sensible pleasure. Farewel. I -Ml 'IK J LETTER XIV. T) 1 [A. U. 707.] To the same, i i»u.i>. It is always with much pleasure that I apply to you in behalf of my friends : but I find a still greater in expressing my gratitude for those favours you yield to my sohcitations. This, indeed, is a pleasure, with which you never fail of supplying me : and it is incredible what acknowledgments I receive, even from per^Siil whom I have but slightly mentioned to you; I think myself greatly indebted for these in- ' ^ ■' stances 430 The LETTERS Book X. itances of your frieftdship : but particularly for those good offices you have coiiferred upon Mes^ cmius. He informs me that immediately upon the receipt of my letter", you gave his agents full assurance of your services; and have since performed even more than you promised. Be- Meve me, (and I cannot too often repeat it) you have, by these means, laid an obligation upon me of the most acceptable kind: and it affords me so much the higher satisfaction, as I am persuaded Mescinius will give you abundant reason to rejoice in it yourself. Virtue and probity, in truth, are tlie prevailing qualities of his heart; as an obliging and friendly offi- ciousness is his distinguishing characteristic. To this I must add, that he is particularly de- voted to our favourite speculations : those phi- losophical speculations, my friend, which were always the delight, as they are now also the support and consolation of my life. Let me , entreat you then to give him fresh instances of your generosity upon every occasion, wherein it shall not be inconsistent with your dignity to interpose. But there are two articles in which I will particularly request it. Tlie first is, that if those who are indebted to the estate of his testator, should insist upon being in- demnified in their payments to Mescinius, that ^ . my • The 12th leUer of this book. Booj^ X. OF CICERO, 431 mysecuritymayibe accepted ; and thenext is, that as the greatest pait ^rf tlie testator's efli'ects a?c secreted by hds mfc, that y»o» would asskt in concerting measijres for se»diiig her to Rome Should 5he be once persuaded that this methoS >vill be taken with her, we doubt not of h«r settling every thing to the satif^faction of Mes- cinius : and that it may be so, I most strongly again request the interposition of your good offices. In the mean tin>e, I will be answerable for what I just now assured you, that the gra-> titude and other amiable qualities of Mestcinitts, will give you reason to think your favours were not ill bestowed, which I mention as a motive on his own account, to be added to those which induced you to serve him upon mine. I am persuadecl that the LacedaeiDoniaiw doubt not of being sufficiently recommended to your justice and patronage, by tlieir own anid their ancestors' virtues, and I know you too well to question your being perfectly acquainted with the national rights and merit of every people who* are connected with the republic. Accordingly, notwithstanding the great obli- gations I have received from the citizens of La- cedasmon, yet, when Philippus requested me to recommend them to your protection, my an- swer was, that the Lacedaemonians could not possibly 432 The letters Book X. possibly stand in need of an advocate with Sul- picius. The truth is, I look upon it as a cir- cumstance of singular advantage to all the cities of Achaia*, in general, that you preside over them in these turbulent times ; and I am per- suaded that you, who are so peculiarly conver? sant, not only in the Roman but Grecian an- nals, cannot but be a friend to the Lacedaemo- nians, for the sake of their heroic descent. I will only, therefore, entreat you, that when you are acting towards them in consequence of what your justice and honour requires, you would, at the same time, intimate, that you re- ceive an additional pleasure from indulging your own incHnations of that sort, by knowing them to be agreeable likewise to mine. As I think myself obliged to shew this city that their concerns are part of my care, it is with much earnestness I make this request. Farewel. LETTER * Greece. Book X. OF CICERO. 433 LETTER XV, [A. U. 7C8.] To Lepta^ 1 HE moment I received your letter from the hands of Seleucus, I dispatched a note to Bal- bus, to enquire the purport of the law you mention*. His answer was, that such persons as at present exercise the office of prseco^ are expressly excluded from being decurii*: but this prohibition extended not to those who had formerly been engaged in that employ- ment Let not our friends, then, be discou- raged. It would, indeed, have been intoler- able, 5 Cicero mentions a person of this name in a former let- ter, who appears to have been his Prwfectiis Fabrvm, or what might be called, perhaps, in modern language, the commander of his train of artillery; when he was governor ot Lilicia. "It IS probable, therefore, as Manutitis conjee-' tures, that he is the same person to whom this letter is ad- €lressed. Vid. Epist, Fam, iii. 7. , * Manutius very justly observes, that this could not be a law which Caesar had actually passed, but one which he in- tended, perhaps, to enact, when he should return from Spain ; for if it had been actually promulgated, Cicero could have had no occasion to apply to Balbus for his intelligence. * The office of prceco seems to have been much in the' nature of a crier in our courts of justice ; but not altogether so low in repute. * A decurio was, in a corporate city, the same as a sena- tor of Rome ; that is, a member of the public pouncil of the community. Vol. II. Ff 434 Th£ letters BookX. able, that a parcel of paltry fortune-tellers should be thought worthy of being admitted into the senate of Rome^ at the same time that liaVing formerly acted as a prceco should dis- qualify a man for being member of the coun- cil of a country corporation. We have no news from Spain : all that we know with certainty is, that young Pompey has drawn together a very considerable army. This we learn from a letter of Paciaecus^ to Csesar, a copy v/hereof Caesar himself has transmitted to us ; in w^iich it is affirmed that Pompey is at the head of eleven legions^ Messala, in a let- ter'he lately wrote to Quintus Salassus, informs Tiim that his brother, Publius Curtius, has been executed, by the command of Pompey, in the presence of his whole army. This man had entered, it seems, into a conspiracy w^ith some Spaniards, by which it was agreed, in case Pompey should march into a^ certain village for ' This is a ineer upon Caesar, who had introduced per- sons of the lowest rank and character into the Roman se- uate. See rem. 9. p. 134. of this vol. • He was a native of Spain, and a person of great note in that province, Cissar entrusted him with a very consider* able command in the expeditiuo against the sons of Pompey, Hirt, de Bell. Hisp. 3. • The number of horse and foot in a Roman legion varied in different periods of the republic. In its lowest computa- tion it appears to have amounted to 3000 foot and 200 horse.; and, in its highest, to have risen to 6OOO of the for- • mer, and 400 of the latter. Rosin, Antiq. Rom. 9^4. Book ^. or CICERO. 435 for provisions, to mze upon his persoiij and deliver him into the hands of Caesar. In relation to the security in which you stand engaged for Pompey, you may depend upon it, as soon as Galba, who is jointly bound with you, returns hither, I shall not fail to consult with him about measures for Settlitig that affair. He seemed, I remember, to ima* gine that it might be adjusted ; and you knotf he is a man who spares no pains where his mo^ ney IS concerned. It gives me much pleasure to find that you s6 highly approve of my'** Orator. Whatever skill I have in the art, I have displayed it all iti that treatise ; and if the commendations yoU bestow upon it are not too partial, I cannot but set some value upon my judgment. To speak truth, I am willing to rest all my reputa- tion of this kind upon the merit of that per- formance. I hope my little favourite, you t son, already discovers some relish for writings of this sort: and although he is 'yet too young to enter far into these studies, yet it will Jbe no disadvantage to him to begin thus early to form his taste by compositions of this nature, I have '** This elegant and judicious p-ece is itiscribed to firutus, and was written in answer to a question he had often pro- posed to Cicero, concerning the noblest and most perfect species of eloquence. Ff2 . 436 Th^ letters Book X. Book X. OF CICERO. 437 I have been detained at Rome, on account of my daughter TuUia's lying-in. But though she is now, I hope, out of all danger, yet I still wait here in expectation of my first pay- ment from the agents of Dolabella" ; and, to tell you the truth, I am not so fond of chang- ing the scene as formerly. The amusement I found in my country houses, together with the sweets of retirement, were wont heretofore to draw me frequently out of Rome. But the si- tuation of my present house is altogether as pleasant as that of any of my villas. I am, in- deed, as much retired here, as if I lived in the most unfrequented desart, and carry on my studies without the least interruption. I be- lieve, therefore, that I have a better chance of a visit from you in Rome, than you have of seeing me in the country. . I would recommend Hesiod to the agreeable little Lepta, as an author which he ought to retain by heart ; and particularly let him always have in his mouth those noble lines. High on a rugged rock, &c'*. Farewel LETTER " This seems to intimate that there had been a divorce between Dolabella and Tullia : as it was usual, in cases of tbat kind, for the husband to return the portion he had re- ceived from his wife, at three annual payments. See rem. 2. p. 4. and rem. 4. p. 7- of vol. iii. ^"^ '* The passage in llesiod, at which Cicero hints, is to the following purpose : , lit High on a rugged rock the gods ordain ^ Majestic Virtue shall her throne maintain : And LETTER XVI. [A.U. 708.] To AULUS TORQUATUS. There is no news to send you; and, indeed, if there were any, yet all accounts of that kind, I know, are usually transmitted to you by your own family. As to what may hereafter hap- pen, though it is always difficult to determine concerning future events, yet, when they are not placed at too great a distance, one may sometimes form a tolerable guess. At present, however, all I can conjecture is, that the war is not likely to be drawn out into any great length ; though I must acknowledge there are some who think differently. I am even in- clined to believe that there has already been an engagement : but I do not give you this as a .fact; I mention it only as extremely probable. The event of war is always precarious; but, in the present instance, the number of forces is so considerable on each side, and there is such a general spirit, it is said, in both armies, of coming to action, that it will not be matter of siirprise whichever side should obtain the vic- tory. And many a thorny path her sons must press, Ere the glad summit shall their labours bkss. There joys serene to arduous toils succeed^ And j^cc eternal is the victor* s meed, Ff3 «98 Thb letters Book X. tory*. In the mean time, the world is every day more and more persuaded, that although there may be some Httle difference in the cause of the contending parties, there will be scarce *ny in the consequence of their success. As to one of them, we have already, in some sort, ex- perienced their disposition^: and, as to the other, we are all of us sufficiently sensible how much is to be dreaded from an incensed con- queror*. If, by what I have here said, I may seem to increase that grief which I should endeavour to alleviate ; I must confess, that I know but one reflection capable of supporting us under these public misfortunes. It is a reflection, however, of sovereign efficacy, where it can be applied in its full force; and, of which, I every day more and more experience the singular advantage. It is, indeed, the greatest consolation under ad- versity, to be conscious of having always meant well, I. v^Thi« letter was prebably written very ei.rly in the presf ni yc«r; as it was on the 17ih of March that the two armies came to a genera! enwa^emenf. This deeisiv^ battle was fougkt under the v^aUs «f Mun^a, a cuy which atiil subsists in the province of Granada. Caesar obtained a complete victory ; but it was rii«puted by the Pompeians with so mach courage and obstinacy, that it was long doubtful on which side the a'lvaniage W( uld turn, or, as Florus most elegantly expre<«se< it, vt plane viderefur ntido quid deliberare FoHano, Hirt fie BfL Hisp. 31. Jiar. iv. j2. * The Caesarean party. ' Yc»ui»g Pv)mpe\, who, if he had succeeded, would un- doubtedly have acted with great severity towards Cicero, and the rest of those who had deserted the cause of his father. Book X. OF CTCERO. •439 weU^ and to be persuaded that nothing butguilt deserves to be considered as a severe evil. But as you and I are so far from having any thing to reproach ourselves with, that we ha\'e the sa- tisfection to reflect that we have ever acted upon the most patriot principles; as it is not our measures, but the ill success of those mea- sures, which the world regrets; in a word, as we have faithfully discharged that ^uty wt owed to our country, let us bear the event with calmness and moderation. But I pretend not to teach you how to support these our common calamities. It is a lesson which requires much greater abilities than mine to inculcate, as well as the most singular fortitude of soul to prac- tise. There is one point, however, in which any man is qualified to be your instructor, as r it is easy to shew that you have no reason to be particularly afflicted. For with respect to Cae- sar, though he has appeared somewhat more slow in granting your pardon than was gene- rafly imagined, yet i have not the least doubt ipf iis consenting to your restoration ; and as to the other party^, you perfectly well know how ^pur interest stands with them, without my telling you. Your only remaining disquietude, c ihen, must arise from being thus long separated from your family : and it is a circumstance, I confess, ^ The Pompeians. ■ ■ '■ Ff4 ■ ■ • ■ •■• ■ >i •* -> t 1 I I 440. The LETTERS Book X. confess, that justly merits your concern, espe- cially as you are by this mean deprived of the company of those most amiable youths, your sons. But, as I observed in a former^ letter it, is natural for every man, in these unhappy times, to look upon his own condition as, of all others, the most miserable, and to deem that place the least eligible in which it is his fortune to be situated. For my own part, indeed, I think that we who live at Rome are most to be lamented ; not only as, in misfortunes of every kiijd, a spectator must be more sensibly affect- ed than he who is acquainted with them merely bjf report; but as we are more exposed to the danger of sudden violences, than those who are placed at a greater distance. \et, after all my endeavours to reason vou out of your disquietudes, I cannot but acknow^^; ledge, that I am more obliged to time, than to that, philosophy which I have ever cultivated, for the mitigation of my own; and how great they once M'ere, you perfectly well know. But, in the first place, I have the consolation to reflect, that when I was so desirous of peace, as to think even a bad one preferable to a civil war, I saw farther into consequences than some of my countrymen. And although I do not pretenrl to a spirit of divination, and it was chance alone tLat verified my predic- tionsy ♦ The first letter of this book. Book X. OF CICERO. 441 tions, yet I will own that I take great satisfac- tion in the empty honour of my fruitless pene- tration. In the next place, I have the conso- lation, in common with yourself, that should I now be called upon to lay down my life, I shall not be cut off from a commonwealth, which I can by any means regret to leave ; es- pecially as the same blow that deprives me of my life, will deprive me, likewise, of all sensi- bility^. Besides, I am already arrived at a ful^ ness of years*; and, as I can look back with entire satisfaction, on the course I have com- pleted, so I have nothing to fear from any vio- lence which may be offered to me, since nature herself has now well-nigh conducted rny days to their final period. In a word, when I re- flect upon that great man^, or rather, indeed, upon those many illustrious personages who perished in this war ; it would seem a want of modesty to regret submitting to the same fate, whenever I shall find it necessary. The truth is, I represent to myself all that can possibly happen to me ; as, indeed, there is no calamity so severe which I do not look upon as actually impending. However, since to live in perpe- tual fear is a greater evil than any we can dread, I check ^ See rem. 6. p. 232. of this vol, • Cicero was at this lime in his 6 1st year. ^ Pompey. 442 The letters Book X. I check myself in these reflections, especially as I am approaching to that state, which is not only unattended with any pain in itself, but which will put an end to all painful sensations for ever. But I have dwelt longer upon this sub- ject, perhaps, than was necessary. However, if I run out my letters to an unreasonable extent, you must not impute it to impertinence, but affection. I am sorry to hear that Sulpicius has left Athens** ; as I am persuaded, that the daily company and conversation of so wise and va- luable a friend, afforded you great relief under your afflictions. But I hope you will continue to bear them as becomes you, and support your- self with your usual fortitude. In the mean ^ time, be assured, I shall promote, with the ut- most zeal and care, whatever I shall think agreeable to the interest or inclination either of you or yours. And, in this, I can only imitate you in your disposition to serve me, without being able to return your generous offices in the same efficacious manner. Farewel. «* LETTER *^lii order, probably, to return to Rome upon th« expi- ration of his government. . . Book X. OF CICERO. 443 .X- . .J.. T. LETTER XVIL [A.U.708.] To Caius Cassius. I SHO u LD not send you so short a letter, if your courier had not called for it just as he was set- ting out. But I have still another reason ; for I have nothing to write to you in the way of pleasantry, and serious affairs are topics in which it is not altogether safe to engage. You will, therefore, wonder, perhaps, that I should be in any humour to be jocose ; and, indeed, it iS;RO very easy matter. However, it is the only expedient left to divert our uneasy thoughts. But where then, you will probably ask, is our philosophy ? Why yours, my friend, is in the' kitchen, I suppose; and, as to mine, it is much too- troublesome a guest to gain admittance. ',X^(^,fact is, I am heartily ashamed of being a slave ; and, therefore, that I may not hear the severe reproaches of Plato, I endeavour to turn Miy attention another way. ~ We have hitherto received no certain intelli* gence from Spain. I rejoice, upon your account^ that you are absent from this unpleasing scene ; though I greatly regret it upon my own. But your ■ This is a raillery upon the tenets of Cassius, who held the doctrines of the Epicurean sect. 444 The letters BookX. BookX. OTF CICERO. 44i your courier presses me to dispatch, so that I can only bid you adieu, and entreat the conti- nuance of that friendship yoii have ever shewn me from your earliest youth. LETTER XVIII. ' [A. U,708.] J To DOLABELLA*. 1 WOULD not venture to omit writing to you liy our friend Salvius ; though I have nothing more to say than what you perfectly well know already, tliat I infinitely love you^ I have more reason, indeed, to expect a letter from you, than you can have to receive one from me, as I imagine there is nothing going for- ward in Rome, which you will think of impor- tance enough to raise your curiosity ; unless, perhaps, that I am to sit in judgment between two learned grammarians; our friend Nicias, and his antasronist Vidius. The latter, you must know, has produced a certain manuscript^ ^elating to an account between them ; to which Nicias,. * He was, at this time, with Ca?sar, in Spain. ^ Whatever disagreement there was between, DoiaDella •nd Tuilia, it did not, in appearance at lea^t, occasion any coolness between him and his father-in law ; a circumstance, which* comidcTing the tenderness of Cicero for his daughter, cnn only be accounted for by Dolabella's great credit with, Ca:sar. Nicias, like a second Aristarchus*, very peremp- torily insists that some of the lines are altoge- ther spurious. Now I, hke a venerable an- cient critic, am to determine whether these sus- pected interpolations are genuine or not. But you will question, perhaps, whether I have suf- ficiently forgotten the delicious mushrooms and those noble prawns^ with which I have been so often regaled by Nicias and his gentle spouse, to be qualified for an impartial judge in this important cause. Let me ask you, in return, whether you imagine I have so entirely thrown off all my former severity, as to retain nothing of my old solemnity of brow, even when 1 am sitting: in ffrave tribunal ? You may he sure, however, that my honest host shall be no gi'eat sufferer. Though, let me tell you, if I should pass sentence of banishment upon hmi, I stiall by no means allow you to reverse it, lest Bursa should be supplied with a pedagogue to teach tiim his letters^ But I am running on in this ludicrous style, without reflectmo; that you, who * A celebrated Greek critic. See rem. 7. p. 29- o^ this vol. ^ In the original it is CulinaruTtif which conveys no sense, or, at least, a very forced one. The reading, therefore, pro- posed by Gronovius, is adopted in the translation, who ima- gines the true word was SquUlarum, For prawns was a fish in great'repute amongst the Roman epicures. * Bursa was a particular enemy of Cicero, and had been banBhed for his riotous attempts to revenge the murder of Ciodius, froha which banishment he was lately recalled. Se« rem. 5. p. 26'3. vol. 1. U6 The letters Book X< Book X. OP CICERO. 44f ,1 I who arc in the midst of a campaign, may, per- haps, be too seriously engaged to relish these humorous sallies. When I shall be certain, therefore, that you are in a disposition to laugh, you shall hear farther from me. 1 cannot,, however, forbear adding, that the people were extremely solicitous concerning the fate of Sulla^, till the news of his death was confirmed ; 'but now that they are assured of the fact, they are no longer inquisitive how it happened, well contented with their intelligence that he is undoubtedly defunct. As for myself, I bear this deplorable accident like a philosopher; my only concern is, lest it should damp the spirit of Caesar s auctions'. Farewel. LETTER '' This man bad rendered himself extremely and generally odious by the purchases he had made of the confiscated estates, during the proscriptions both of Sylla and Caesar. Cic. de Offic. lu 8, ' In which the confiscated estates were put up to sale. One of the raethodi that Caesar took to reward his partisans, was by suffering them to purchase these estates at an under- value ; and it was the hopes of being a sharer in these iniqui- tous spoils, that furnished one of the principal incentives to the civil war. Cic. ubi $up. Jli UJ^Uti- , LETTER XIX. [A. u. 7oa] To AULUS TORQUATUS, I HOPE you will not imagine that you have been out of my thoughts, by my having lately been a more remiss correspondent than usual. The true occasion of my silence has partly arisen from an ill state of health, which, how- ever, is now somewhat mended, and partly has been owing to my absence from Rome,' which prevented me from being informed when any courier was dispatched to you. Be assured, that I constantly and most affectionately pre- serve you in my remembrance, and that your affairs, of every kind, are as much my concern as if they were my own. Believe me, you have no reason, considering the unhappy situation of public affairs, to be t^neasy that yours still remain in a more dubious and unsettled posture than was generally hoped and imagined. For one of these three everfts must necessarily take place; either we shall never see an end of our civil wars, or they will one day subside, and give the republic an op- portunity of recovering its vigour, or they will terminate in its utter extinction. If the sword is never to be sheathed, you can have nothing to 4^ The letters Book X. Beos'fK OF CICERO. ii. to fear cither from the party which you for- merly assisted, or from that by which you have lately been i eceived^ But should the repubUc agaia revive, either by the contending factions mutually agreeing to a cessation of arms ; or by tlieir laying them down in mere lassitude ; or by ont* side being vanquished ; you will undoub'tedly be again restored both to your rank and to your fortunes. And should our yn&titution be totally destroyed, agreeably to wliat the wise Marcus Antonius' long since apprehended, when he imagiued that the pre- sent calamities were even then approaching, you will have the consolation, at least, to re- flect, tliat a misfortune wliich is common to . ; . all, • '•Torqualus was now in Italy, having obtained the per- nii»!>ion of reluming, by means of Dolabella, with whom Cicero had employed his good offices for that purpose ; as appear* by several passages which Manatius has produced from the letters to Atucus. But whether Torquatus, after- wards, proctifed a full pardon from Caesar, and W4s restored tv> bis ^Wfiies and honours, is uncertain ; all that is farther known of fcim,* is, that he was in the army of Brutus and Cassius, at the battle of Pbilippi, and in the number oi those wkkolD ATiitus generously assisted in their distress after the event of tfTat unfortunate action. Ad Att. xiii. 9« *^* 21. Com, Nfp, in vit. Att, ii. « This eloquent and illustrious patriot, the grandfather of Mark Antony, was consul in the year 653 ; and, about 12 years afterwards, was put to death by the command of Ma- rius, whose parly he had strenuously opposed. Marius was at dinner when the executioner of his cruel orders brought htm the head of Antoniuf, which that sanguinary Roman re- ceived into his hands, with all the insolent and horrid exul- tation of the most savage barbarian. Plut. in Fit, Anton, ^(tppian. Bel. Civil, i. 344. Vol. Max. ix. 2. 1 all, cannot be lamented as peculiar to any : and miserable as this consolation must prove to u man of your patriot virtues, 'tis a consolation however, to which we must necessarily have recourse. If you well consider the full force of these few hints, (and I do not think it prudent to be moi-e explicit in a letter) you must be coa« vinced, without my telling you, that you have something to hope, and nothing to fear, so long as the republic shall subsist, either in its pre-* sent, or any other form. But should it be en* tirely subverted, as I am sure you would not> if you were permitted, survive its ruin ; so I am persuaded you will patiently submit to your fate, in the conscious satisfaction of hav- ing in no sort deserved it But I forbear to en* ter farther into this subject, and will only add m^ request, that you would inform me how it is with you, and where you purpose to fix your quarters; that I may know where a letter or a, visit will find you* Farewel. I Vol. 11. Gg LETTER " £^ -'. J^r. ->■■■-». if 450 TttE: LETTERS Book X. Book X. OF CICERO. %di . *.iii i.'^ , ,^i;i:ter xx. [A. U. 70a] To Caius Cassil's. % • ^. -J' Sun ELY, my friend^ your couriers are a set of most unconscionable fellows. Not that they liave given me any particular offence : but as they never bring me a letter when they arrive here,^ is it fair JtlKy should alw^ay^ press me for one when they return ? It would be more con- .v^epipotj howeyevvif they would give me earlier notice, aud not make their demands in tlie very . instant they are, setting put.; You must excuse •©1^,1. therefore, (if an excusQ I can want, who -illfusp mucbmore punctual -a correspondent than yourself) should this letter pjove no longer .j(han my last; as you may be assured of re- ociyin^ an ample detail of every thing in my . iiex t» But that my present epistle may not be ;^hpyx^^^^^ of news, I must inform you that ^3 J^ublius Sulla', the father, is dead. The occa- j^gn of>diis accident is variously reported: spme say he was a martyr to his palate ; and ., others, tliat he was murdered by highwaymen. jnbe people, however, are perfectly indifferent as to the manner, since they are quite clear as to the fact r for certain it is, that the flames pf . > -I. his * See rem. 7. oalcl. 18. of this book. his funeral pile have consumed him to ashes. And what though liberty herself, alas ! perished with this paragon of patriots, you will bear the loss of him, I guess, with much philosophy. But Cassar, 'tis thought, will be a real mourner, m the apprehension that his auctions will not now proceed so currently as usual. On the other hand, this event affords high satisfaction to Mindius Marcellus, and the essenced Attius, who rejoice exceedingly in havii^g thus gotten quit of a formidable antagonist. *'■ We are in great expectation of the news from Spain, having, as yet, received no certain intel- ligence from that quarter. Some flying re- ports, indeed, have been spread, that things • do not go well there: but they are reports with- • out authority. ' nnrb Ji Our friend Pansa set out for his govern- ment* on the 30th of December. Thecircuin- stances that attended his departure afforded a very strong proof that '' virtue is eligibfe tljibn *' its own account:" a truth which you have lately, it seems, begun to doubt*. The 'iiing:Ular humanity with which he has relieved such numbers in these times of public distress, drew after 'Of Gaul : in which he succeeded Marcus Brutus. • * A? baving lat6ly embraced the Epicurean priDciplies* See the following leUer. Gg2 45S The letters Book X. Book X. OF CICERO. 453 f after him, in a very distinguished manner, the -general good wishes of every honest man. I am extremely glad to find that you are still at Brundisium: and I much approve of your continuing there. You cannot be governed by a more judicious maxim, than to sit loose to the vain ambition of the world : and it will be a great satisfaction to all your friends to hear that you persevere in this pmdent inactivity. In the mean time, I hope you will not forget me, when you send any letters to your family : as, on my own part, whenever I hear of any peri^on that is going to you, I shall not fail to take the op- -portunity of writing. Farewek LETTER XXI. [A,U.T08.] To the same. Wixi you not blush when I remind you that this is the third letter I have written without having received a single line in return ? How- ever, I dd riot pressf you to be more ex^^di^ tious : as I hope, and indeed iasi^t, Jth^t you will make me amends for this " '(!eltiy,*''*by 1^fe length of your next epistle. As fiDr.iayself) if I had the opportunity of conveying rhy letters a» frequently as I wish, I should wxite to you, I believe, every hour: for as often as I employ 1 my my pen in this manner, you seem, as it were, actually present to my view. This effect is fey no means produced, let me tell you, by those subtle images which your new^ friend^ talk so much of: who suppose that ev-en the ideas of imagination are excited by what the late. C^iu$, with wonderous elegancy, has styled spectres. For by this curious word^ you must know, he has expressed what Epicurus, who borro>v€;d the notion from Democritus^, has called imuge>$. But granting that these same sptcires duo, ca- pable of affecting the organ of visioB, yet I cannot guess which way they can contrive to , make their entrance into the mind. But you . will ' The Epicureans : to wboifee system of philosophy Cas- sius had lately become a convert. Accordingly Cicero ral- lies him in this and the following passages, on their absurd doctrine concerning ideas : whicjb they maintained were ex« cited by certain thin forms, or images, perpetually floating in the air. These images were supposed to be constantly emitted from all objects, and to be of so delicate and subtle a texture, as easily to penetrate through the pores of the body, and by that means render themselves visible to the mind. Lvcret, iv. 726, &c. ^ It is probable that Catius either coined this word him- felf, or employed it in a new and improper manner, f^or it is observable, that both Lucretius and Cicero, whenever they have occasion to express, in their own language, what the Greek Epicureans called ei^u\»f always render it by the ^ord simulackr a or imagines. •' f^^"^ ' He was a native of Abdera, a city in Thrace, and flou- rished about 400 years before the Christian aera. Epicurus, who was born about forty years afterwards, borrowed muck of his doctrine from the writings of this philosopher. Czc, de Fm. i. 6. GgS 454t The letters Book X; will solve this difficulty when we meet, and tellt itife by what means, whenever I shall be dis- posed to think of you, I may be able to calb \tp your spectre: and not only yours, m hose, image, indeed, is already so deeply stamped: upon my lieart, but even that of the whole British island, for instance, if I should be in-t clined to make it the subject of my medita-: tions. — But more of this another time. In the mdin while, 1 send this as an experiment to try with what temper you can bear my railleries* Should they seem to touch you, I shall renew my attack with so much the more vigour, and will apply for a writ of restitution to reinstate you in your old tenets : " of which you, the ** said Cassius, have by force and arms^ been " dispossessed." Length of possession, in this case, will be no plea in bar : for whether the time be more or less since you have been driven by the allurements of pleasure from the man- sions of virtue, my action will be still main^ •^^^"^ . tainable. '^ ^ These were the formal words of the praetor's edict, cort*- manding the restoration of a person to an estate, of which he had been forcibly dispossessed. Cicero, perhaps, besides H^ie komotir of their general a|)plication, meant likewise archly to intimate, that Ca>sius had been driven out of his more ri<;id principles by his military companions: as, in a letter written to Trebatius, when he was making a campaign with Cx^f in Gaul, where our author is rallying him upon a similar occa- sion, he insinuates that he had acquired his Epicurism in the camp. Indkavdt miki Pansa, says he, Epicvrmm te esieyac- turn. ca^tra prccclara ! EpUt, Yam. vii. 12. Book X. o*.^GICERO. 4J&. tainable. But let me not forget whoiti it is that I am thus bantering: Is it not that illustI^o^f friend, whose every step, from his first entraiioe into the world, has been conducted by t\i^^ hicj-hest honour and virtue ? If it be true, then, that vou have embraced the Epicurean prin- ciples, I doubt they liave more strength and solidity in them than I once imagined. -- ^ And now, will you not be inclined to ask how I could possibly think of amusing you in thi^ idle manner ? The truth of it is, I am not fi^r- nished with a more important subject, as I have nothing to write to you concerning public af- fairs; nor, indeed, do I chuse to trust my sen- timents of them in a letter. Farewel. LETTER XXII, !>!£<* odi 1 [A.u.ro8.l Cassius to Cicero. Nothing affords me a greater pleasure inmy travels, than to converse with my friead. , It brings you, indeed, so strongly to my mind, that I fancy myself indulging a vein of plea- $^jrtry with you in person. This lively im- pression, however, is by no means produced by those Catian ^jo^c^re^ you mention': and for which piece of raillery I intend to draw up in "• In the preceding letter. See rem. 5 and 0. thereon. G g 4 ( - 456 The letters Book X; my next such a list of inelegant Stoics, as will force you to ackjiowledge that Catius, in com^ parison with these, may well pass for a native of the refined Athens. It gives me much satisfaction, not only upon our friend Pansa s account, but for the sake of every one of us, that he received such marks of public esteem when he set out for his go- vernnient\ I hope this circumstance M^ill be thought a convincing proof how amiable a spirit of probity and benevolence, and how odious the contrary disposition, renders its possessor : and that the world will learn from hence, that tiiese popular honours, which are so passion- ately courted by bad citizens, are the sure at- tendants on those whose characters are the re- verse. To persuade mankind that virtue is its own reward, is a task, I fear, of too much diffi- culty : but that real and undisturbed pleasures necessarily flow from probity, justice, and what- ever else is fair and bcautiftil in moral actions, is a truth, surely, of most easy admission. Epi- cuJTus himself, from whom the Catii, and the Amafinii, together with the rest of those inju- Tious interpreters of his meaning, pretend to derive their tenets, expressly declares, that " a ^* pleasurable life can alone be procured by the " practice • See rem. 3 oa letter 20. of this book. Book X. (fs^ CICERO. Uf *' practice of virtue;'' Accordingly Putira, who pursues pleasure agreeably to thisjust notion of it, still perseveres, you see, in a virtuous coni duct. The truth is, those whom your sect hai stigmatized by the name of voluptuaries, are warm admirers of moral beauty ; and conse- quently cultivate and practise the whole train of social duties. But commend me to the judi- cious Sulla : who, observing that the philoso- phers were divided in their opinions concern- ing the supreme good, left theiyi to settle the question among themselves, whilst he turned his views to a less controverted acquisition, by pnf- chasing every good thing that was put up to sale*. I received the news of his death with much fortitude : and, indeed, Cassar will - take care that weshall not long ba%^; ocfcasioh^to regret his loss; as. there are mimbers of equal Bierit whom he can r«^or^ to us^ in his place. Nor will Csesar himself, I suppose, much lament this excellent customer of his, when he^hall s^e what a worthy son he has left to succeed him. But to turn to public affairs; let me know -Hlfhat is doing in Spain. It is a point, indeed, upon ^ *, gae rem. J, on let. 1S» o/.tl»is book. ' "^ ^ l*his alludes to the great number of thpse whom Csesar, ^i* soon lis he got the power into his hands, had permitted to jeturn from the banishment to which they had for various crimes been condemned. 455 The letters Book X.. upon which I am extremely solicitous: as I had much rather submit to an old master, whose cle- mency I have experienced, than run the hazard of being exposed to the cruelty of a new one. You know the weakness of young Pompey's intellects ; that he looks upon cruelty as hero-^ ism ; and that he is sensible how much he has ever been the object of our ridicule. I fear, therefore, he w^ould be apt to treat us somewhat roughly, and return our jokes with the point of his sword. If you have any value for me, then, you will not fail to let me know whatever shall happen. Ah, my friend, how do I wish I were apprised whether you read this with an easy or an anxious mind ! for, by that single circum^, stance, I should be determined what measures are proper for me to pursue. But not to detain, you any long-er, I will bnly entreat you to con- tinue your friendship to me, and then bid you Farewel. Pfc S. .IkiiUJlli If Csesar should prove victorious, you may expect to see me very soon.ii >- i. > LETTER 11 V '- i»V' f BcroK X. bnri I hrr- OF CICERO. LETTER XXIII. [A. U. 708.] To DOLABELLA. 4S9> ■iif. Caius Suberinus, a native of^ Calenum^ is one with whom I am particularly united ; and he is extremely so, hkewise, with our very in- timate friend Lepta. This person, in order to avoid being engaged in our intestine commo- tions, attended Marcus Varro ii^to Spaing be- fore the civil war broke out : imagining, as, in- deed, every body else did, that after the defeat of Af^anius^ there would be no farther dis- turbances in that province. However, he wa% by that very measure, involved in those mis- fortunes he had taken so much pains to escape. For the sudden insurrection which was formed by Scapula, and afterwards raised to so formi- dable an height by young Pompey, forced him unwillingly to take a part in that unhappy en- terprize. The case of Marcus Planius likewise, who is also in the number of Lepta's particular friends, is much the same with that of Suberi- nus. ♦ A city of Campania, in the kingdom of Naples. 5 See rem. 6. p. 213. of this vol. * He was one of Pompey's lieutenants in Spain, m the year 704, in conjunction with Varro and Petreius. Caesar's victory over these generals has already been occasionally mentioned in the preceding remarks, 3 460 The letters Book X, nus. In compliance with my friendship, there- fore, for these tn^o persons, and in compassion to their misfortunes, I recommend them with all possible warmth and earnestness to your fa- vour. But I have still another motive which engages me in their cause : Lepta interests him-- self no less ardently in their welfare, than if his own were at stake ; and I cannot but feel th^ next, I might have said an equal, degree of so* licitude, where my friend is so anxiously con-* cerned. Accordingly, though I have often had occasion to experience your affection ; yet, believe me, I shall principally judge of it* strength by your compliance with my present request. I desire, therefore, or, if you will suf- fer me to employ so humble a phrase, I even beseech you, to afford your protection to these unhappy men, whose distress arises rather from unavoidable fortune, than from any thing blame-worthy in their own conduct I hope, that by your good offices in this affair, you will give me an opportunity of obliging, not only these my friends, but the corporation of Cale- num hkewise, with which I have great con- nexions : but, above all, that you will, by these means, put it in my power to render a grateful service also to Lepta. What I am going to add, is not extremely material, I believe, to the cause Book Xl OF CICERO. 461 cause I am pleading : however, it certainly can do it no prejudice. Let me assure you then, that one of these unfortunate persons is in very low circumstances, and the other has scarcely suffi- cient to entitle him to be admitted into the equestrian order^. As Caesar, therefore, has generously spared their lives, and they have lit- tle else to lose, I entreat you, by all your af- fection towards mc, to procure them the liberty of returning into Italy. The journey, indeed, h long ; however, they are willing to undergo it, for the $ake of living and dying among their friends and countrymen. I most earnestly request, therefore, your zealous endeavours for this purpose: or rather, indeed, (since lam persuaded it is entirely in your power) I warmly entreat you to obtain for them this desirable privilege. Farewel. LETTER e^ J- The estate necessary to qualify a man for being re- ceived into I he equestrian order was four hundred thi^usand sesterces: equivalent to about 30001. sterling. Cicero art- fully mentions the slender fortunes of his fifiends, as an ioti^ matiou to Dolabella not to expect any douceurs for his good offices towards them. if a-: I- » I f d ■♦ t um mn -i 3 ■iVl^y. 1>cUB'J 462 The letters BookX. LETTER XXIV. [A. U. 708.] To C^SAR. i VERY particularly recommend to your fa- vour the son of our worthy and common friend Prfficilius, a youth whose modest and polite be- haviour, together with his singular attachment to myself, have exceedingly endeared him to me. His father, likewise, a^ experience ha3inQ)v fully convinced me, was always my most sincere well-wisher. For, to confess the truth, he was the first and most zealous of those who used both to rally and reproach me for not joining in your cause, especially after you had invited me by so many honourable overtures. But^ i/i ,i t J I I Jl* All unavailing prov'd Jus every arty To shake the purpose of mxj stedfast heart^. For whilst the gallant chiefs of our party were on the other side perpetually exclaiming to- me, ** Rise thoUy distinguished ^ midst the ^ojis of fame y - ** And fair transmit to times unborn thy name^s'^ Too easy dupe of Flattery* s specious voiccy li Darkling I stray' d from WisdcTjf s better choice^^ And • Horn. Odyss. vii. 258. * Horn. Odyss. i. 302. *® Horn. Odyss. xxiv. 314. Book X. OF CICERO. 463 And fain would they still raise my spirits, while they endeavour, iniSensible as I now am to the charms of glory, to re-kindle that passion in my heart. With this view they are ever re- peating, "*- O let me not inglorious sink in death y '" 'Mi'^'Arui yield like vulgar souls my parting breath : ' 'J In same brave effort give me to expire y ^n-^rtfhat distant ages may the deed admire^ / -*^ But I am immoveable, as you see, by all their 'jpersuasions. Renouncing, therefore, the pom- pous heroics of Homer, I turn to the just max- Bis of Euripides, and say with that poet, ' ' ' fjurse on the sagey whoy impotently wisey ^^ Overlooks tJie paths where humbler Prudence lies. My old friend Priecilius is a grqat admirer of the sentiment in these lines : insisting that a patriot may preserve a prudential regard to his own safety, and yet, Above his peers the first in honour shvnc^ But to return from this digression : you will greatly oblige me by extending to this young man that uncommon generosity which so pecu- liarly marks your character, and by suffering my recommendation to increase the number of Jf^se favours which I am persuaded you are disposed * llom. II. xxii. * Horn. II. vi. 20$. 464 The letters Book X. BopK X. OF CICERO. 4^ disposed to confer upon him for the sake of his family. ' I have not addressed you in the usual style otxecommendatory letters, that you might see I did not intend this as an application of com* men form. Farewel. LETTER XXV. [A. u. ro8.] To the same. Amonost all our young nobility, Publius Crassus' was one for whom I entertained the highest regard, and, indeed, he amply justified, in his more mature years, the favourable opi- nion I had conceived of him from his infancy^ It was during his life that his freedman Apollo- nius first recommended himself to my esteem. For he was zealously attached to the interest of his patron, and perfectly well qualified to assist him in tho^e noble studies to which he was devoted. Accordingly, Crassus was extremely fond of him. But Apollonius, after the death of his patron, proved himself still more worthy of my protection and friendship, as he distinguished with peculiar marks of respect, all who loved Crassus, or had been beloved by him. It was this that induced Apollonius to follow me into CiUcia : ' See rem. 3. p. 132. vol. i. CiUcia, where, upon many occasions, I received singular advantage from his faithful and judici- ous services. If I mistake not, his most sin- cere and zealous oflSces were not wanting to you Jikewi^ in the Alexandrine war, and it is in the hope of your thinking so, that he has re- tiolved, in concurrence with my sentiments, but chiefly, indeed, from his own, to wait upon you in Spain. I would not promise, however, to recommend him to your favour. Not that I suspected my applications would be void of weight, but I thought tliey would be unneces- sary in behalf of a man who had served in the army under you, and whom, from your regard to the memory of Crassus, you would un^ doubted ly consider as a friend of your own. Besides, I knew he could easily procure letters of this kind from many other hands. But, as he greatly values my good opinion, and as I am sensible it has some influence upon yours, I very willingly give him my testimonial. Let nieiSfStre you, then, that I know him to be a man of literature, and one who has applied him- self to the polite arts from his earliest youth. J'or when he was a boy, he frequently visited kt my house with Diodotus, the Stoic : a phi- losopher, in my judgment, of consummate eru- dition. Apollonius, inflamed with zeal for the Vol. II, H h glory 466 The letters Book X. glory of your actions, is greatly desirous of re- cording them in Greek, and I think him very capable of the undertaking. He has an excel- lent genius, and has been particularly conver- sant in studies of the historical kind, as he is wonderfully ambitious, likewise, of doing jus- tice to your immortal fame. These are my sincere sentiments of the man ; but how far he deserves them, your own superior judgment will best determine. But though I told Apol- lonius that I should not particularly recom- mend him to your favour, yet I cannot forbear assuring you, that every instance of your ge- nerosity towards him will extremely oblige me. Farewel. LETTER XXVL [A. IT. 708.] QuiNTUs Cicero, to Marcus Cicero*. 1 PROTEST to you, my dear brother, you have performed an act extremely agreeable to me, in giving Tiro his freedom ; as a state of servitude was a situation far unworthy of his merit.— Believe me, I felt the highest complacency, when I found, by his letter and yours, that you rather chose we should look upon him hi tiie number of our friends, than in that of our slaves: and I both conmatulate and thank you ^ The date of this letter is aitogeihei upceitain^ * Book X. OF CICERO. 463^> for this instance of your generosity towards him. If I receive so much satisfaction from thescrvicesof my freedman, Statins, how much more valuable must the same good qualities appear in Tiro, as they have the additional ad- vantages of his learning, his wit, and his po- liteness to recommend them ? I have many powerful motives for the affection I bear you; and this mark of your beneficence to Tiro, to- gether with your giving me part (as, indeed, ydu had reason) in the family joy upon this occasion, still increases the number. In a word, I saw and admired all the amiable qua- hties of your heart, in the letter you wrote to me on this subject. - • I have promised my best services to the slaves of Sabinus ; and it is a promise I will most assuredly make good. Farewel. f LETTER XXVIL [A.U.708.] ■ To Rex^ LiciNius Aristoteles, anativeof Melita^ is not only my old host, but my very particu- lar friend. These are circumstances, I doubt not, that will sufficiently recommend him to vouv ' 5 He was at this time propraetor of Sicily. Pi^h, Annul, ii. 459. <^ The island of Malta. Hh2 46S The letters, &c. Book X. your favour ; as, in truth, I have experienced, by many instances, that my applications of this sort have always much weight with you. Caesar, in compliance with my solicitations, has granted him a pardon; for I should have told you, that he was deeply engaged in the same cause with myself. He persevered in it, indeed, much longer ; which, I am persuaded, will recommend him so much the more to your esteem. Let me entreat you, then, to shew him by your good offices, that this letter proved greatly to his advantage. FareweL AN {.J r ] ti i t 1; I > *'1^ AN V INDEX, Referring to the order in which the Letters of this Volume stand in the Edition of Grcevius. Book VI. I Letter I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. - XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. Ub. • • • HI. ix. • u. u. 111. vm.. • 11. VUl. • 111. - XV. • XV. - HI. - 11. - VUl. • • • - VUl. -xiv. - xvi. - xvi. - xvi. - xvi. - xvi. - xvi. -xvi. -xvi. Book VII. Letter I. II. III. IV. XVI. V. xiv. xiv. Ep. 10 25 19 12 11 11 17 13 12 6 11 13 15 12 14 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 11 20 14 18 Book VIL Ldh. V. — xvi. Vr. — xvi. VII. — viii. VIIL —xvi. IX. — xtL X. — xvi. XI. — xvi. XII. — iv. XIII. — viii. XIV. -. ii. XV. — iv. XVI. — v. XVIL —xiv. XVIIL — viii. XIX. — ix. XX. — xiv. XXI. — xiv. XXII. — xiv. XXIII. — xiv. XXIV. — xiv. XXV. — xiv. XXVI. — xiv. XXVII. — V. XXVIIL — xiv. XXIX. — xiii. XXX. — xiv. XXXI. — xiv. XXXII. — xiii. XXXIII. — xiv. XXXIV. — xiv. XXXV. — xiii. — 1? — S — 15 — 13 — 14 — 15 — 26 — 1 — 16' — 16 — 2 — 19 — 7 — 17 — 9 — 8 — 21 — 6 — 12 — 19 — 9 — 17 — 16 — 16 — 30 — 11 — 15 — 3L — 10 — 13 — 32 Book INDEX Book VIL Lib. XXXVL— XV. XXXVIL— xui. XXXVIIL— xiv. XXXIX. — xiv. XL. — xiii. XLI. — xiv. XLII. — xiv. XLI II. — xiii. XLIV.— XV. XLV. — xiii. XLVI. — xiii. XLVIL— xiu. XLVIII — xiii. XLIX. — ix. L. — xin. Book VIIL Letter I. H. UL IV. V. VI. VIL VII I. IX. X. XL XII. XIIL XIV. XV. . XVL XVIL XVIIL XIX. . XX. XXL XXIL XXIIL - VII. - iv. - vi. • ix. • vi. vi. iv. XUl. xiii. v. • ■ • XIII. ix. ix. ix. • • • XIIJ. i\. ix. • •• XIII. - ix. ■ ix. ■ vii. - ix. - Ji. - Ep, - 15 - 33 - 24 - 23 - 34 - 22 - 20 - 35 - 21 - 36 - 48 - 37 38 21 39 - 3 - 14 - 21 - 1 - 20 ~ 22 - 5 - 29 - 78 - 21 - 79 - 3 - 2 - 4 - 45 - 3 - 7 - 4(i - 6 - 16 - 33 -,18 - 19 Book VIIL XXIV. XXV. XXVI. XXVII. Lib, ix. ix. ■ ix. • • TU. Book IX. Letter I. — • iv. 11. — xiii. III. — iv. IV. — iv. V. — vi. VL — vii. VII. — xiii. VIIL — vi. IX. — xiii. X. — iv. XL — ' ix. XII. — vi. XIII. — xiii. XIV. — vi. XV. — xiii. XVI. — xiii. XVIL — iv. XVIIL — xiii. XIX. — iv. XX. — iv. XXL — xiii. ■ XXIL — ix. • XXIII. — vi. XXIV. — xiii. ■ XXV. — vii. ■ XXVI. ^ vi. XXVII. — xiii. - XXVIII. — vi. - XXIX. — vi. - XXX. — vi. - XXXI. — xiii. - XXXIl. — vi. - XXXIII. — xiii. - XXXIV. — vi. ^ Ep. 17 20 23 4 3 68 13 7 10 27 67 10 43 8 15 12 10 13 11 12 — 4 — 13 — 9 — 2 — 14 — 26 — 12 — 71 — 28 — 14 — 72 — 8 — 9 — 7 — 09 — 5 — 70 — 6 Book INDEX. Book IX. Lib, XXXV. —xiu. - XXXVL —xiii. - XXXVIL —xiii. - Book X. VI. • •• XIU. Letter I. - II. - III. — vi. IV^. — xiii. V. — xiii. VL — xiii. VII. — xiii. VIIL —xiii. IX. — xiii. X. — xiii. XL — -- xiii. Ep, ' 66 - 77 - 45 1 17 3 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Book X. I XIL XIII. XIV. XV. XVL XVIL XVIIL XIX. XX. XXI. XXIL XXIII. XXIV. XXV. , XXVI. XXVIL Lib. • • • XUI. • » • XUl. • • • XUl. vi. vi. • XV. - ix, • vi. - XV. ■ XV. - XV. ■ ix. - xiii. ■ • • XUl. ■xvi. • •• • XIU. Ep, - 26 - 27 - 28 - 18 - 4 - 18 - 10 - 2 - 17 - 16 - 19 - 13 - 15 - 16 - 16 . 52 i » V ! Y THE END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. .i:! — .. ■,*|i if'/ :\ ■f 1*17 4Z .rr .Hi/ V f / / 1/ Ml/ ,, f /■ '■V .1 / 1 1 i 7 Pfisted by J. Wiiglit, St. Johu'» SqusuT. C - J < '. i ' •' ' 0~' Xnw f ! f / ^ooO Mil. / d' I • \ 1 K f 1 7 X HliK XIX / / • I, « k ^*. 5' ii SpLUMB A UNIVSBSITV LIBRARIES 1010688846 / \ 87Cl_3> 12. ■■nMaaiMiNMipiaHiMfi DEC 8 (936 t^a ■T^ i CrimnWa 4 1 ( » -■■» LETTERS Oli OF MARCUS TULLIUS CtCERO 1 1 TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. i. BOOK XI. **»»• ^ J. WiiiUt, St. irtaii »i,M«. LETTER I. [A.U.roe.] To Tiro. Your letter encourages me to hope timt you find yourself better : I am sure, at least, I most sincerely wish that you may. I entreat you, therefore, to consecrate all your cares to that end ; and by no means indulge so mistaken a suspicion as that I am displeased you are not with me. With me you are, in the best sense of that expression, if you are taking care of your health ; which I had much rather you^ should attend, than on myself. For though i Vol. hi. B always Ag 28 84 60257 t ' The I^ETfTERS Book XL always both see and hear you with pleasure, that pleasure will be greatly increased, when I shall have the s^tisfactipn, at the sajne time, to be assured that you are perfectly well. My work is at present suspended', as I can- not Hjake us^e of my own hand : however, I em- ptey myself a good deal in reading. If your transcribers should be puzzled with my manu- script, I beg you would give them your assist- ance; ^^^ioclced, there is an interUneation re- lating to a circumstance in Cato's behaviour, when he was only four years of age*, that I could scarce * The work to which Cicero alludes was probably a pa- rcgyriC upon Cato, which he wrote and published about this time. * Plutarch mentions several instances in the life of Cato, wherein that consummate patriot had given very early indi- calions of his resolute and inflexible spirit. But the raost remarkable, and probably the same which Cicero had cele- brated in the passage he is here speaking of, was one that happened when Cato was in the house of his uncle, Liviuf Pf Uiyus who had taktin up>n himself the caw of hi^ educa- ^gti, M itiat time thfi several .states of Laly, in alliaDC/e ^hh di« republic, were strenuously soliciting the privileges of R«)i»afn atjgeqs; and. Pompediui Silo, a. person of great note, who came to Rome, in order to prosecute this affair, WW the guest of Drusus. As Pi'mpedius was one day amus- ing h»miell w*(h the cfeildreo of the femily, •* WelU young •* gentlemen," said he, addrtssing himsell particularly to the Httle Cato and bis brother, ** I hope you will use your inte- V rest wnh your unclie, to giv« his vole io our favottr," The Utier very readily answered m the affirmative, while CaXo signified his rctusal, by fixinsj his eyes sternly upoir Pt>mpe- diiu,- without sa>ing a siogle word in reply, Pompe*hrre she seems to have died. This letter furnishes a presuiupiivt; urf;ument against the opinion of tho^e who imagine that Dolabella and Tullia were never actually divorced. For, in the firt thpre was some dibtance cf time between the ac- cident of her death and the present epistle, yet it seems to have hten the first letter which Cicero had writ ten to Dolabella upon the occasion. Now it is altogether improbable, if the mar- ria<;e had subsisted, that Cicero should not have given him immediaLe notice of ao event in which, if Dot from affection, at lea*t from iuterest, he wtmld have been greatly concerned. In the next place, it is equally improbable, supposing ther« Vad been no divorce, that Cicero should »ptak of this mis- iortune only in general and distant terms, a^ he does through- out this whole letter, without so much as mentioning the o^me of Tuliia, or intimating even the remotest him of any connexion between her and Dolabella. But Uie following letter will supply a farther and more positive argument againsit the opiniop above-menponed. Sec rem. 4. on th^ next letter. M Aft xii. 45. 46'. JiQQK XI. OF.. CICERO. with me : for 3'our judicious couasek, and sin- gular affection towards nie, would greatly ^con- tribute to alleviate its M^eight. This good oi\ fice, indeed, I may yet, perhaps, recd^v'ej^for^^? I miagine we shall soon see you here^ you will lind me still so deeply affected, as to have an op- portunity of affording me great assistance: not that this affliction has so broken my spirit, as to render me unmindful that I am a man, or ap- prehensive that I must totally sink under its pressure. But all that cheerfulness and viva- city of temper, which you once so particularly admiied, has now, alas ! entircly forsaken me; My fortitude and resolution, nevertheless, (if these virtues were ever mine) I still retain; and retain them too in the same' vigour as when you left me. As to those battles which, yoii tell me, you have sustained upon my account, I am far less solicitous that you should confute my det^rac- tcir^'^, than that the world should know (as it unquestionably does) that I enjoy a place iu ^,A your ^^ The person to whom Cicero aUudes, was, in all proba. blTity-, his own nephew, who was at this time in the army with CcTiar. This young man had taken great liberties with his uncle's character; aspersing it upon all occasions, and in all companies : in particular, (and what gave Cicero the greatest iineasiness) he attempted to infuse a suspicion among the princrpalofiic^s of the army, that Cicero was a man of dan- gerous designs^- and one against whom Caesar ought to be particularly upon his guard. Ad Att, xii. 38. xm> 37. 63 § The LETTERS Book XI, I your affection ; and may you still continue to render that truth conspicuous. To this reques|: I will add another, and entreat you to excuse nie for not sending you a longer letter. I shorten it, not only as imagining we shall soon meet, but because my mind is at present by no means sufficiently composed for writing. Farewel. LETTER III. [A. U. 708.] Servius SuLPicius to Cicero. 1 RECEIVED the news of your daughters death, with all the concern it so justly deserves ; and, indeed, I cannot but consider it as a mis- fortune in which I bear an equal share with yourself If I had been near you when this fatal accident happened, I should not only have mingled my tears with yours, but assisted you with all the consolation in my power. I am sensible, at the same time, that offices of* this kind afford, at best, but a wretched rehef : fo^ as none are qualified to perform them, but those who stand near to us, by the ties either of blgcjd or affection, such persons are generally too much afflicted themselves, to be capable of ad- ministering comfort to others. Nev^rtliicless, I thought proper to suggest a fqw reflections which occurred tp me upon this occasipn : not 1 as ^60 tGEfta f ^s Imagining they \i^ouM' bB new* to fbfi, hixt believing that, in your present*9i?c?oilf[56^te of mind, they might jiossibly hav^'ekc^V3 5''6uf itr tentloii. Tell me;mA:iny'^eiM;'^^mm with every oneof irs ; that she has defiriv^e^ us of what ought to be no less dear than our chftdren^ and overwhelmed, in one general ruin, our ho- nours, our liberties, and our country. ' Atid; af- ter these losses, is it possible that any^ 6ther should increase our tears ? Is it possible that a tnind long exercised in calamities so truTy severe should not become totally callous and indifte- rent to every event ?' But you will tell me, per- haps, that your grief arises not so nruch on ydaf own account, as on that of TuUia, Yet, slirely, ybu must often, as well as myself, have had oc- casion, in these wretched times, to reflect, that tlieir condition by no means deserves to be re- gretted, whom death has gently removed from tills unhappy scene. What is there, let meask, in the present circumstancesof ourcountry, that could have rendered life greatly desirable to your daughter? What pleasinghopes, what agreeable views, what rational satisfaction could she possi- bly have proposed to herself, from a more e>;- tended period ? Was it in the prospect of conju- gdf Ha'{)piness, in the socTetyotsome distin^iiisli- B 4 ed Th^ letters. XI. cd youth* ? as if, indeed, you could have found a son-in-law, amongst our present set of young men, >rorthy of being entrusted with the care of your daughter ! Or was it in the expectation of being thejoy fill mother ofa flourishingrace, who pig^t possess their patrimony w^th indepen^* dence, who might gradually rise through the scr veral dignities of the state, and exert the liberty to which they were born, in the service and de- fence of their fricmds and country ? But is there one amongst all these desirable privileges, of whicji. ye wefenot deprived, before she was in a C^p^citj of transmitting them to her descends antst? Y^t, after all, you may still alledge, per- happ, that the loss of our children is a severe af, flictjop; and unquestionably it would be so, if it were not a much greater to see them live to en- dure those indignities which their parents suffer. . 1 lately ♦ This passage seems strongly to intimate, that the mar- riage between Dolabella and Tullia was actually di&solved be- fore her death. It must be acknowledged, however, that a very learned and accurate critic is of opinion, that the affirmative side of this qaestion can no more be proved from these words of Siilpicius, than it can be inferred from those which he im- mediately adds, an vt ea hbtros ex sese purerei, that TuUta died without issue ; which it is well known she did not. But there seems to be this difference between the two iniiances ; that, with respect to the latter, Sulpicius m^ht very properly pot the question he there doe5, notwithttanding TuUia's hav- Jnii kft a sou V fqr ^Jtiioogh sbe>^ one, she might reasonaWy indulge the expectation of having more : whereas, with regard to tfti# former, would it not hav« been highly injurious to her character, if Sulpicius had argued from a supposition which implied that Tullia entertained thoughts of another-husband, whilst her marriage with Dolabella was still subsisting ? Vid. ^pist. Tunstal. ad vir, emd. Con. Middkton, p, 18(). Book X& c^^ CTCEBa , I lately fell into a refli5fiion, whiclij^asit af* I'orded great relief to the disquiettide of my own lieart, it may possibly contribfiile, likewise^ to fissuage the angiiisb ofyoui^^ In my return out i)f Asia, as I wasi^ailingfrotn^gina toward^ Me- gara^ I amused myself with contemplating the circumjacent countries. Behind me lay iEgina, before me M^gara; on my right I saw F^raeeus*, and on my left Corinth^ These cities, once so flourishing and magnificent, now presented no- thing to my view but a sad spec^tacle of deso- lation. " Alas, (I said to myself) shall such a "short-lived creature as man complain, when tj^oneof his species falls either by th6 hand of J/^vjolence, or by the common course of nature ; •"whilst in this narrow compass,. so many great jj^ and glorious cities^ formed forasmuch longer '^duration, thus lie extended in ruin«? Re- .?f.^ember, then, oh my heart! the general lot ^1. to which m^n is born, and -le^ that thought ■^ ^i)j)tefei rtiy ttrtreasonable mtiT^itrs.^ BelieiinB in%I found my min^ greatly refreshed and com- toffei^ by fhesePfeBfedtions. Let mead'^lse you, in the sajne majioer, to represent to yourself, what numbers /h^i* .^gina, now called Engia^ is an island situated in the gulf that runs between thei Peloponnesus and Attica, to which it gives its name; Megara was a city near the isthmus qf Corinth. "*t '• A celebrated sea-port at a small distance from Athens, now called Port- Lion. ^ A city in the Peloponnesus, 10 The letters Book XF. numbers of our' illii.^trious countrymen have lately been cut off at once", how much the strength of the Roman republic is impaired, and what dreadful devastation has gone forth throughout all its provinces ! And can you, with the impression of these greater calamities upon your mind, be so immoderately afflicted for the loss of a single individual, a poor, little, tender; Woman? who, if she had not died at this time; must, in a few fleeting years more, have inevi* tably undergone that common fate to whicH she was born*. Reasonable, however, as these reflections are, I would call you from them awhile, ia order to lead * In the civil wars. ' Orie of the finest and most tle;^.int of all writers, cither ancieric or modern, hft& grven us s-oitie reflections which an^ in his mind, in \*alkin<» ainort of corol- hir>es to the sentifrtciifs of Salpiciu*^. "When I look upon •* tbe tomb» ut the «nat/' (says the iiicomparablf; Addison) ** every emotion ot envy dies within me ; when I read the " epitaphs of the be«Qtiful, every inordinate desire goes out ; ♦' when 1 meet with the ^ncf of parents, upou a tombstone, " my heart melts with compassion ; when I see the tomb of '* the parents, themselves, I consid^H* the vanity of grieving ** fur those whom we must quickly follow ; when I see kings " lying by those who deposed them ; when I consider rival wits, placed side by side, or tht holy men that divided i he world with their contests and disputes, I reflect with sor-» row and astonishment on the little competitions, factions," •* and debates of mankind. When I read the several dates of ** the tombs, of some that died yesterday, and some six hun- •* dred years ago, I consider that great day when we shall all^ •* of us be contemp-rarifs, arid make our appearance to2t^-v V iher." Spect. ^ui. 1. Numb, 2(x. Book XI* OF CICERO. n lead your thoughts to others more peculiarly suitable to your circumstances and character. Remember, then, that your daughter lived as long as life was worth possessing, that is, till liberty was no more ; that she lived to see you in the illustrious offices of praetor, consul, and augur ; to be married to some of the noblest youths in Rome'; to be blesse'd with almost every valuable enjoyment ; and, at length, to expire with the republic itself. Tell me, now, what is there in this view of her fate, that could give either her or yourself just reason to complain ? In fine, do not forget that you are Cicero ; the wise, the philo- sophical Cicero, who were wont to give advice to others, nor resemble those unskilful empirics, who, at the same time that they pretend to be furnished with remedies for other men's disor- ders, are altogether incapable of finding a cure for their own. On the contrary, apply to your private use those judicious preceptsyou have ad- ministered to the public. Time necessarily weakens the strongest impressions of sorrow ; but it would be a reproach to your character not to anticipate this its certain eflfect, by the force of your own good sense and judgment. If the dead retain any consciousness of what is here transacted, your daughter's aflfection, I am sure, • To Piso, Crassipes, and Dolabella ; of each of whom an account has been occasionally given in the preceding obser- vations. / 12 The letters Rook XI, sure, was such, both to you and |p all h^r i:elaT tions, that she can by no i>)eans desire you should abandon yourself to this, excels of griefi Restrain it then, I conjure you, for her sake„ and for the sake of the restof your family and friends, who lament to see you thus afflicted. Restrain it, too, I beseech you, for the sake of your country ; that whenever the opportunity shall serve, it may reap the benefit of your coun-.. sels and assistance. In short, since such i$ ou^ fortune, that we must necessarily submit to the present system of public affairs, suffer it not to be suspected, that it is not so much the death of your daughter, as the fate of the republic, and the success of our victors, that you deplore. But it would be ill-manners to dwell any- longer upon this subject, as I should seem to question the efficacy of your own good sense, J will only add, therefore, that as we have often seen you bear prosperity in the noblest manner, and with the highest applause, shew us, likewise,, that you are not too sensible of adversity^* 'but know how to support it with the same advan-? tage to your character. In a word, let it not be said, that fortitude is the single virtue to M'hich my friend is a straqger'". As ,: '® Sulpicius bas drawn togctLer, in ttiis aamired lettei^ 'whatever human philosophy has. of force to compose the p^^^ li^rbiiUons of a muid under the di:»(^uietude of severe a^li^ 13 'If As for what concerns nij^^df, I #ifl send you an account "of the state of this proviAc^; and of \^hat is transacting in this part of the world, as soon as I shall hear that you are sufficiently composed to receive the informatioii* Farewel i iiiii Ai .lij ■ LETTER IV. -mr^jj To Servius Suli>icius. I JOIN withy, ou, my dear Sulpicius, in wish- ing that ypu ]iad been in^jpq AY^ep^ U^^^^ s^yj^TQ calamijty hefel ine. I a^^ sei^ajblQ of the advantage I should have received, frpip,ypur presence, and I had .a^li^Ps; ;?ft^o3^'?M')f^3^^1 p^rficipation of my grief, by: l^aving^ found myself sompwitiat morip .^^pmposed af|^ i J^d r^^ your lette;:. It furnished me, indeed, with ^fguments extremely proper to soot^i^the anguish o|^9tion, an4 evidently %^ed from a hea^t that sympathized with the. spri;ap it,, f fl$^^^^ y9^^re4,tp.^,3suage. But, although J cpul^ not eiyoy the benefit of your own good pffic^§w pp^son, I hji^,}];^, ad vantage, ho^ey^j) of your ^n>, who gave me a proof, by every tender as- . §isjtance tiotrs. But, it is evident, that all arguments of the sort here produced, tend rather to silence the clamours of sorrow, than to soften and subdue its anguish. It is a much more exalted philosophy, indeed, that must supply the effectual remedies tor thispurpd^c; to whicb» no other but that of Christianity aloiw^ will be found, on the uial, to be in any rational degree suffi- cient. \i 14 The letters Book XL Book XL ofCICEHO.: 15 sistance that could be contributed upon so me* lancholy an occasion, how much he imagined' that he was acting agreeably to your senti- ments, when he thus discovered the affection of his own. More pleasing instances of his friendship, I have frequently received, but never any that were more obliging. As to those for which I am indebted to yourself, it is not only the force of your reasonings, and the very considerable share you take in my afflictions, that have contributed to compose my mind; it is the deference, likewise, which I always pay to the authority of your sentiments. For, knowing, as I perfectly do, tile superior wis- dom with which you are enlightened, I should be ashamed not to support my distresses in the manner you think I ought, I will acknow- ledge, nevertheless, that they sometimes almost entirely overcome me; and I am scarce able to resist the force of my grief when I reflect, that I am destitute of those consolations which at- tended others, whose examples I propose to my imitation. Thus Quintus Maximus* lost a son of consular rank, and distinguished by many brave * Quintus Fabius Maximus, so well known for his brave and judicious cunduct in opposing the progress of Hannrbars arms in Italy, was tive times advanced to the consular of- fice ; the last of which was in the year of Rome 545. At the expiration ofhu fourth consulate, he was succeeded in that office by his son, Marcus Fabius, who, likewise, distinguished ^ himself brave and illustrious actions ; Lucius Paulus* was deprived of two sons in the space of a sin- gle week, and your relation Gallus^, together with Marcus Cato*, had both of them the un- happiness to survive their respective sons, who were endowed with the highest abilities and virtues. himself by his military achievements. It does not appear when, or by what accident, Marcus died ; but his illustrious father was so much master of his grief upon th^t occasion, as to pronounce a funeral eulogy in honour of his son, be- fore a general assembly of the people. Liv. xxiv. 43. Plut. in vit. Fab, * A very few days before Paulus iEmilius made his public entry into Rome, in the year 585, on occasion of his victory oyer Perseus, he had the misfortune to lose one of his sons; and this calamity was succeeded by another of the same kind, which befel him about as many days after his triumph. Liv, xlv. 41. ^ Manutius conjectures, that the person here mentioned, is Cains Sulpicius Galkis, who was consul in the year 586. * The censor. His son was piaetor in the year of Rome 638, and died whilst he was in the administration of that ofKce» I cannot forbear transcribing upon this occasion a noble passage from Cicero's treatise concerning old age, as I find it extremely well translated to my hand, by a late in- genius writer (Mr, Hughes, if I mistake not) in the Specta- toi^j. Our author represtnts Catoas breaking out into the fol- lowing rapture at the thoughts of his approaching dissolu- tion : ** O happy day," (-^ays this amiable moralist) ** when I ** shall esCHpe from this crowd, this heap of pollution, and *' be admitted to that divine assembly of exalted spirits ! "when I shall go — to my Cato, my son; than whom a better '* man was never born, and whose funeral rites I myself per- ** formed ; whereas, he ought raiher to have attended mine. •*' Yet has not his soul de^^erted me, but seeming to cast a •' look on me, is gone before to those habitations to which rt " was sensible I should follow him. And though I might ap- ** pear to have borne my loss with courage,! was not unaffected **:with it; but I comforted myself in the assurance, that it " would not be long before we. should raeei again, and bedi- "'vorced no more." Pigh. Annul, ii. f)9- Plut, in tit. Caton, Cic, de Srnect, 23. Spect, Vol J. Numb. 537. I m The letters Book XL Book XL OF CICERO. 17 virtues. Yet these unfortunate parents lived in times when the honours they derived from the republic might, in some measure, alleviate the weight of their domestic misfortunes. But' as for myself, after having been stripped of those dignities yoif mention, and which I had acquired by the most laborious exertion of my abilities, I had one only consolation remaining ; and of that I am now bereaved ! I could no longer divert the disquietude of my thoughts, by employingmyself in the causes of my friends, or the business of the state ; for I could no longer, with any satisfaction, appear either in the forum, or the senate. In short, I justly considered myself as cut off from the benefit of allthoscalleviatingoccupations in which fortune and industry had quahfied me to engage. But I considered, too, that this was a deprivation which I suffered in common with yourself, and some others ; and, whilst I was endeavouring to recon- cile my mind to a patient endurance of those ills, there was one to whose tender offices I could have recourse ; and, in the sweetness of whose conversation I could discharge all the cares and anxiety of my heart. But this lastfatal stab to my peace, has torn open those wounds which seem* ed in some measure to have been tolerably heal- ed. For I can now no longer lose my private sorrows in the prosperity of the commonwealth, 3 as- as I was wont to dispel the uneasiness I suffered upon the public account, in the happiness I re- ceived at home. Accordingly, I have equally banished myself from my housed and from the public ; as finding no relief in either, from the calamities I lament in both. It is diis, there- fore, that heightens my desire of seeing you here ; as nothing can afford me a more effec- tual consolation than the renewal of our friendly intercourse : a happiness which I hope, and am informed, indeed, that I shall shortly enjoy. Among the many reasons I have for impatiently wishing your arrival, one is, that we may previously concert together our scheme of conduct in the present conjuncture ; which, however, must now be entirely accommodated to another's will. This person', it is true, is a man of great abilities and generosity ; and one, if I mistake not, who is by no means my ene-* my; as I am sure he is extremely your friend. Nevertheless, it requires much consideration, I do not say in what manner we shaH act with respect to public affairs, but by what methods we may best obtain his permission to retire from them. Farewel. LETTER * Cicero, upon the death of his daughter, retired from bis own house, to one belonging to Att:cu^, near Rome : ' fron: which, perhaps, this letter was written. • Caesar. Vol. III. C 18 The letters Book XL LETTER V. [A. U. 708.] To Lucius LuccEius\ All the letters 1 have received from you, upon the subject of my late misfortune, Mere ex- tremely acceptable to me, as instances of the highest affection and good sense. But the great advantage I have derived from them, princi- pally results from that animating contempt with which you look down upon human affairs, and that exemplary fortitude which arms you against all the various assaults of fortune. I esteem it the most glorious privilege of philo- sophy, to be thus superior to external accidents, and to depend for happiness on ourselves alone : a sentiment, which, although it was too deeply planted in my heart to be totally eradicated, has been somew^hat weakened, I confess, by the vio- lence of those repeated stomis to which 1 have been lately exposed. But you have endea- voured, and with great success indeed, to restore it to all its usual strength and vigour. I can- not, therefore, either too often, or too strong- ly, assure you, that nothing could give me an higher satisfaction than your letter. But, pow- erful * The same to whom the COlh letter of the first book is written. Sec an account ot him in rem. 1. on that epistle. Book XL OF CICERO. 19 erful as the various arguments of consolation are which you have collected for my use, and ele- gantly as you have enforced them, I must ac- knowledge, that nothing proved more effectual than that firmness of mind which I remarked in your letters, and which I should esteem as the utmost reproach not to imitate. But if I imitate, I must necessarily excel my guide and instructor in this lesson of fortitude ; for I am altogether unsupported by the same hopes which I find you entertain, that public affairs will improve. Those illustrations, indeed, which you draw from the gladiatorial combats'^, together with the whole tendency of your reasoning in general, all concur in forbidding me to despair of the com- monwealth. It w^ould be nothing extraordi- nary, therefore, if you should be more com- posed than myself, whilst you are in possession of these pleasing hopes : the only wonder is, how you can possibly entertain any. For say, my friend, what is there of our constitution that is not utterly subverted ? Look round the republic and tell me, (you who so well under- stand ^ Manuyu3isupposes, with great probability, that Luc- ceius, in the letter to which this is an answer, had endea- voured to persuade Cicero not to despair of better times, by reminding him of what sometimes happened at the gla- diatorial shews, where it was not unusual to see a combat- ant that seemed almost entirely vanquished, un«xpectedly recover his ground, and gain the day from his antagonist. C2 (20 The letters Book XI. stand the nature of our government) what part of it remains unbroken or unimpaired ? Most unquestionably there is not one ; as I would prove in detail, if I imagined my own discern- ment was superior to yours, or were capable (notwithstanding all yourpowerful admonitions and precepts) to dwell upon so melancholy a subject without being extremely affected. But I will bear my domestic misfortunes in the man- ner you assure me that I ought ; and as to those of the public, 1 shall support them, perhaps, with greater equanimity than even my friend. For (to repeat it again) you are not, it seems, without some sort of hopes ; whereas, for myself, I have absolutely none : and shall, therefore, in pursuance of your advice, preserve my spirits even in the midst of despair. The pleasing re- collection of those actions you recal to my re- membrance, and which, indeed, I performed chiefly by your encouragement and recommen- dation, will greatly contribute to this end. To say the truth, I have done every thing for the se^^^ice of my country that I ought, and more than could have been expected from the cou- rage and counsels of any man. ¥o\j will par- don me, I hope, for speaking in this advantage- ous manner of my own conduct, but, as you advise me to alleviate my present uneasiness by 1 a retro- BooK XI. OF CICERO. 21 a retrospect of my past actions, I will confess, that, in thus commemorating them, I find great consolation. I shall punctually observe your admonitions, by calling off my mind as much as possible from every thing that may disturb its peace, and fixing it on those speculations which are at once an ornament to prosperity, and the support of ad- versity. For this purpose, I shall endeavour to spend as much of my time with you as our health and years will mutually permit : and if we cannot meet so often as I am sure we both wish, we shall always at least seem present to each other by a sympathy of hearts, and an union in the same philosophical contemplations. Farewel LETTER VI. [A.u.ros.] LUCCEIUS to CiCEEO. iJiUiiiJt I SHALL rejoice to hear that you are well. As to my own health, it is much as usual ; or ra- ther, I think, somewhat worse. I have frequently called at your door, and am much surprised to find that you have not been in Rome since Caesar left it. What is it that so strongly draws you from hence ? If any of your usual engagements of the literary kind renders you thus enamoured of soUtude, I am so far C 3 from GO The letters Book XI, Book XI. OF CICERO. 2S \ \ from condemning your retirement, that I think of it with pleasure. There is no sort of Hfe, indeed, that can be more agreeable, not only in times so disturbed as the present, but even in those of the most desirable calm and serenity : especially to a mind like yours, which may have occasion for repose from its public labours, and which is always capable of producing something that will aftbrd both pleasure to others and ho- nour to yourself But if you have withdrawn from the world, in order to give a free vent to. those tears which you so immoderately indulged when you were here, I shall lament, indeed, your grief: but (if you will allow me to speak the truth) I never can excuse it. For tell me, my friend, is it possible that a man of your un- common discernment should not perceive what is obvious to all mankind ? Is it possible you can be ignorant that your perpetual complaints can profit nothing, and only serve to increase those disquietudes which your good sense re- quires you to subdue? But if arguments can- not prevail, entreaties perhaps may. Let me conjure you, then, by all the regard you bear me, to dispel this gloom that hangs upon your heart ; to return to that society and to those occupations which were either common to us both, or peculiar to yourself But though I would would fain dissuade you from continuing your present w^ay of life, yet I would by no means suffer my zeal to be troublesome. In the dif-^ ficulty, therefore, of steering between these two ] inclinations, I will only add my request that you would either comply with my advice, or excuse me for offering it. Farewel. LETTER VIL [A. U. 708.] To Lucius Luce EI us. Every part of your last letter glowed with that warmth of friendship, which, though it was by no means new to me, I could not but ob- serve with peculiar satisfaction ; I would say pleasure, if that were not a word to which 1 have now for ever bidden adieu. Not merely, how- ever, for the cause you suspect, and for which, under the srentlest and most affectionate terms, you, in fact, veiy severely reproach me ; but because all that ought in reason to assuage the anguish of so deep a wound is absolutely no more. For w^iither shaU I fly for consolation ? Is it to the bosom of my friends ? But tell me (for we have generally shared the same com- mon amities together) how few of that num- ber are remaining ? how few that have not pe- rished by the sword, or that are not become C4 strangely S4 The letters Book Xt Book XI. OF CICERO. S5 i Strangely insensible? You will say, perhaps^ that I might seek my relief in your society ; and there, indeed, I would willingly seek it The same habitudes and studies, a long inter- course of friendship — in short, is there any sort of bond, any single circumstance of connexion wanting to unite us together ! Why then ar^ we such strangers to one another ? For my own part, I know not : but this I know, that mc have hitherto seldom met, I do not say in Rome, where the Forum usually brings every body together*, but when we were near neigh- bours at Tusculum and Puteolae. I know not by what ill fate it has happened, that, at an age when I might expect to flourish in the greatest credit and dignity, I should find myself in so wretched a situation as to be a- shamed that I am still in being. Despoiled, in- deed, of every honour and every comfort that adorned my public life, or solaced my private, what is it that can now afford me any refuge ? My books, I imagine you will tell me : and to these, indeed, I very assiduously apply. For, to what else can I possibly have recourse? Yet even these seem to exclude me from that peaceful port *' which • The forum was a place of general resort for tbe whole city. 1j was here that the lawyers pleaded their causes, that the peers recited iheii works, and that funeral orations were spoken in honour of the dead. It was here, in shori, twery thing was going forward, that could engage the active, oi amuse the idle. Vid. Hor. lib. I . sat. 4. 74. sat. 6. 42. which I fain would reach, and reproach me, as it were, for prolonging that lift which only in- creases my sorrows with my years. Can you wonder then that I absent myself from Rome, where thei^ is nothing under my own roof to afford me any satisfaction, and where I abhor both public men and public measures, both the forum and the senate ? For this reason it is that I wear away my days in a total application to literary pursuits : not, indeed, as entertaining so vain a hope, that I may find in them a com- plete cure for my misfortunes, but in order to obtain, at least, some little respite from their bitter remembrance. If those dangers with which we were daily menaced, had not formerly prevented both you and myself from reflecting with that coolness w€ ought, we should never have been thus se- parated. Had that proved to have been the case, we should both of ns have spared our- selves much uneasiness : as I should not have indulged so many groundless fears for yoiit health, nor you for the consequences of my grief Let us repair then this unlucky mistake as M^U as we may : and as nothing can be more- suitable to both of us, than the company of each other, I purpose to be with you in a few days. Farewel. . LETTER 26 The letters Book XI. LETTER VIIL [A. U. 708.] To Marcus Marcellus. Notwithstanding that I have nothing* new to communicate to you, and am in ex- pectation of a letter from you very shortly, or rather, indeed, of seeing you in person; yet I Avould not suifer Theophilus to go away, with- out sending you a line or two by his hands. Let me entreat you then to return amongst us^, as soon as possible ; and, be assured, you are impatiently expected, not only by myself, and the rest of your friends, but by all Rome in general I am sometimes, however, inclined to fear, that you will not be extremely forward to hasten your journey : and, indeed, if you w^ere possessed of no other sense but that of seeing, I could easily excuse you if there are some persons whom you would chuse to avoid. But as the difference is very inconsiderable be- tween hearing and being a spectator of what one disapproves ; and as I am persuaded it is of great consequence, both in respect to youjr private affairs, as well as upon every other con- sideration, that you should expedite your re- turn, I thought it incumbent upon me to tell you so. And now, having acquainted you with my * See let. If), vol. ii. p. 343. Book XI, OF CICERO, 27 my sentiments, the rest must be left to your own determination : but I should be glad to know, however, when we may expect you, Farewel, LETTER IX. [A. U. 708.] To Tiro. Believe me, my dear Tiro, I am greatly anxious for your health : however, if you per- severe in the same cautious regimen which you "have hitherto observed, you will soon, I trust, be well. As to my library, I beg you would put the books in order, and take a catalogue of them, when your physician shall give you his consent : for it is by his directions you must now be governed. With respect to the gar- dener, I leave you to adjust matters as you shall judge proper. I think you might come to Rome on the first of next month, in order to see the gladiatorial combats, and return the following day : but let this be entirely as is most agreeable to your own inclinations. In the mean time, *if you have any affection for^ me, take care of your Jnealth. Farewel, LETTER i 28 The letters Book XI. i LETTER X. [A. U. 708.] Servius St LPicius to Cicero. The news I am going to acquaint you with, will, I am sure, prove extremely unwelcome : yet, as you cannot but, in some measure, be prepared for it, by being sensible that every man's life is subject to casualties, as well as to the general laws of nature, I thought proper to send you a circumstantial account of the uh- * happy accident that has lately happened. I arrived at Pircceus, from Epidaurus', on the 23d instant ; where I continued all that day, merely to enjoy the company of my col- leage, Marcellus\ The next day I took my leave of him, with an intention of going from Athens into Boeotia^ in order to finish the re- mainder of my circuit* : and I left him in the resolution, as he told me, of sailing to Italy by the way of Malea^ The day following, as I was '^ A city in the Peloponnesus, now called Pigrada, situated upon the bay of Engia, ^ It las already been noted, that Marcellus and Sulpicius were colleagues in the consular office, A. U. 702. ' A district of G recce, under the jurisdiction of Sulpicius, governor of that province, ♦ The Roman governors were obliged to visit the principal cities of their province, in order to administer justice, and settle other affairs relating to their function. ' A promontery in the south-east point of the Pelopon- nesus, now called cape Mails. Book XL OF CICERO. S» was preparing to set out from Athens, his friend Posthuniius came to me, about four in the morning, and informed me Marcellus had been stabbed the night before by Magius Gilo, whilst they were sitting together after supper^ : that he had I'eceived two wounds from a dagger, on^ of which was in his breast, and the other under his ear; but that neither of them, he hoped, was mortal He added, that Magius, after having committed this barbarous action, immediately killed himself; and that Marcellus had dis- patched him in order to give me this account, and likewise to desire that I would direct my physicians' to attend him. This I instantly did : and followed them myself as soon as it was light. But when I had almost reached Piraeeus, \fXiet a servant of Acidanus, with a note to ac- quaint me that our friend expired a little be;i fore day-break. Thus did the noble Mar- cellus unworthily fall by the hand of a vil- lainous assassin : and he whose life his very ene- mies had spared in reverence to his illustrious virtues, * The reason which induced Cilo to murder his friend, is not certainly known. It was suspected by some, at Rome, that it was at the secret instigation of Caesar : but the cir- cumstance of Cilo immediately afterwards killing himselt; renders that suspicion altogether improbable, and seems to determine the motive to some personal, and perhaps sudden resentment. Vid. ad Jit. xiii. 10. ' The ancient physicians practised surgery as well as me- dicine. if 39 The letters Book XI. Book XI. OF CICERO. ^i ii 1^4 i virtues, met with an executioner, at last, in his own friend ! However, I proceeded to his pa- villion, where I found only two of his freed^ men and a few slaves; the rest, I was told, hav- ing fled in apprehension of the consequences in which they might be involved by this murdet of their master*. I was obliged to place the body of Marcellus in the same sedan that brought me, and to make my chairmen carry it into Athens ; where I paid him all the funeral honours that city could supply; which, indeed, were not inconsiderable. But I could not pre- vail with the Athenians to suffer him to be bu- ried within their walls ; a privilege, they assured me, which their religious ordinances would by no means admit. Thev i^rauted me, however, what was the next honour, and which they had never permitted to any stranger before : they allowed me to deposit his ashes in any of the Gymnasia I should think proper. According- ly, I fixed upon a spot belonging to the Acade- my9 ; one of the noblest colleges in the whole world. * Manutius remarks, that, by the Roman law, where a man was murdered in his own house, hi* slaves were punishable with death. V\d. TacU, AnnaL xiv. 4-2. ^ " This ceiebraidd place look its name from one Acade* " mus, an ancient hero, who posbessed it in the time of the Tyndaridx. But, famous as it was, it was purchased after- wards fur about lOOl. and dedicated to the public for the convenience of walks and exercises for the citizens of ** Athens, and was gradually improved by the rich, who had ** received 4C «i 14 world. In this place I caused a funeral pile to be erected : and afterwards persuaded the Athenians to raise a marble monument to his memory, at the public expence. Thus have I paid to my relation and colleague, both during his life and after his deatli, every friendly office he had a right to expect from me. Farewel. Athens, May 31. LETTER XI. [A.U. 708.] To Tiro. 1 iMPATiENTLYexpectaletterfrom'yoUjUpon affairs of many and various kinds : but it is with j much greater impatience, however, that I ex- pect yourself. In the mean time, endeavour to gain Demetrius over to my interest, and to ob- tain whatever other advantage you shall be able. I know your care is not wanting to re- cover the money which is owing to me from Aufidius : but I beg you would be as expedi- tious in that matter as possible. If it is upon that account you delay your return, I admit it to be a good reason : if not, fly hither, I charge " received benefit or pleasure from it, with plantations of " groves, stately porticos, and commodious apartments, for " the professors of the academic school." MiddktotCs life of - Ck, iii. 325. I'if I 32 The letters Book XI. Book XI. OF CTCEKO. 3S 4 f charge you, with the utmost speed. To re- peat it once more : I expect a letter from you with great impatience. Farewel. LETTER XIL [A. U. T08.] Vatinius* to Cicero. If you have not renounced your usual custom of defending the cause of your friends, an old client of yours desires to engage you as his ad- vocate : and, as you formerly protected him in his humiliation*, I dare say you will not now abandon him in his glory. Whose aid, indeed, can I so properly invoke upon tlie occasion of my victories, as that generous friend's, who first taughtmehowtovtfwj^wi^A'.^Canl doubt, thathe who had the courage to withstand a combination of ' I have already had occasion to sive an account of the character of Vatinius, in rem. 5. p. loO. vol. 1. He was at this time, hy the appointment of Cawar, governor of niyficum ; which comprehended part of Austria, Hungary, Sclavonic, Bosnia, and Dalmatia. He was sent thither with a consi- derable army, to reduce the people of that province to obe- dience ; and having obtained some success, he wrote the pre- sent letter to Cicero, in order to en^^ge him to support his pretensions to the honour of a pubhc thanksgiving. Pigk* Annal. ii, 454. * When Cicero, much to his dishonour, defended Vati- nius against the impeachment of LiciniusCalvus. See vol. i. p. 189. ^ Alluding to his having, by the assistance of Cicero's elo- quence, vanquished his adversaries in the prosecution men- tioned in the preceding note. of the most powerful men in Rome, who had conspired my ruin, will not be able to beat down the envious and malignant efforts of a little con- temptible party, that may endeavour to oppose my honours ? If I still, then, retain the share I once enjoyed of your friendship, take me, I cut treat you, wholly under your protection, as one whose dignities it is incumbent upon you both to support and advance. You are sensible that I have many enemies, whose malevolence I have in no sort deserved ; but what avails innocence against so unaccountable a fate } If these, there- fore, should any of them attempt to obstruct the honours I am soliciting, I conjure you to exert your generous offices, as usual, in defence of your absent friend. In the mean time, you will find, at the bottom of this letter, a copy of the dispatches I send by this express to the senate, concerning the success of my arms, ^ Being informed that the slave whom you em- ploy as your reader had eloped from you into the country of the Vardaei*, I have caused dili- gent search to be made after him, although I did not receive your commands for that pur- pose, I doubt not of recovering him, unless he ' should ta,ke refuge in Dalmati^^ ; and even in that * A people contiguous to Dalmatia. ' Dalmatia made part of the province of Illyricum, but it was not, at this time, entirely subdued to the Roman go- vernment. Vol. III. D i 34 The letters Book XI. that case, I do not entirely despair. Farewel, and continue to love me. From the carop at Narana*, July the lltli. LETTER XIIL [A. U. 708.] To Tiro. You are not mistaken in supposing me desi- rous of your company; but, indeed, I am ex- tremely apprehensive of your venturing upon so long a journey. The abstinence you have been obliofed to observe, the evacuations you have undergone, together with the violence of your distemper itself, have too much impaired your strength for so great a fatigue; and any nedisence after disorders so severe as yours, is generally attended with consequences of the most dano-erous kind. You cannot reach Cuma in less than two days, and it will cost you five more to complete your expedition. But I pur- pose to be with you at Formia, towards the enrl of this month; and, I hope, my dear Tiro, it will not be your fault if I should not have the satisfaction of finding you perfectly recovered. My studies languish for want of your assist- ance ; however, the letter you sent by Acastns has * In Liburnia, now called Croatia, and which formed pari of Vaiiniua's government. Book XL OF CICERO. 3d has somewhat enlivened them. Pompeius is now here, and presses me much to read to him some of my compositions ; but I jocosely, though at the same time tmly assure him, that all my Muses are silent in your absence, i hope, therefore, you will prepare to attend then* with your usual good oflSce^. You may depend upon mine in the article, and at the time I pro- mised ; for, as I taught you the etymology of the word T^e*, be assured I shall act up to its full import. Take care, I cliarge you, to re- establish your health ; mine is perfectly well Adieu. LETTER XIV. [A.U. 708.] To Varro. To importune the execution of a promise, is a sort of ill-manners, of which the populace themselves, unless they are particularly insti- gated for that purpose, are seldom guilty 7. J cannot, however, forbear, I will not say to de- mand, but to remind you of a favour, which you long since gave me reason to expect. Tq This alludes to those promises of public shews, which iverc requently made to the people by the magistrates, and others Who affected popularity ; some particular instances of which have been occasionally produced in the course of the pre. ceding remarks. *^ VI 36 The letters Book XI. UookXI. OF CICERO. 37 i! I) M this end, I have sent you four admonitors' ; but admonitors, perhaps, whom you will not look upon as extremely modest. They are cer- tain philosophers, whom I have chosen from amon^ the disciples of the later academy' ; and confidence, you know, is the characteristic of this sect'. I am apprehensive, therefore, that you may consider them as so many importu^ nate duns, when my meaning only is, that they should present themselves before you as modest petitioners. But to drop my metaphor, I have lono- denied myself the satisfaction of addres- sing- to you some of my works, in expectation of receiving a compliment of the same kind from yourself I waited, therefore, in order ta make you a return, as nearly as possible, of the same nature. But, as I am willing to impute your delaying this favour to the desire of ren- dering it so much the more perfect, I could no lon^rer refrain from telling the world, in the best * These were dialogues entitled Acadewica, w>iicb appear from hence lo have originally consisted otfour books, though there is only part of one now remaining. ;•*•'"* 9 The followers of ihe Academic philosophy were divideei into two sects, called the old and the nrd\ The founder of the former was Plato; of the latter, Arce^ilas. The princi- pal dispute between them, seems to have related to the degree of evidence upon \yhich human knowledge is founded ; the earlier Academics maintaining that some propositions were certain ; the latter, that none were more than probable. Vid. Academ. I.passi7n. ' Alluding to their practice of queslioniog all opinions, best manner I was able, that we are united both in our affections and in our studies. With this view, I have drawn up a dialogue which I sup- pose to have passed between you and myself, in conjunction with Atticus, and have laid the scene in your Guman villa. The part I have as- signed to you, is to defend, (what, if I mistake not, you approve) the sentiments of Antiochus% as I have chosen myself to maintain the princi- ples of Philo^ You will wpnder to find, perhaps, in the perusal of this piece, that I have repre- sented a conversation, which, in truth, we never had; but you must remember the privilege which dialogue writers have always assumed. And now, my dear Varro^ let me hope that we shall hereafter enjoy together many of these philosophical conversations. If we have too long neglected them, the public occupations in which We were engaged, must be our apology ; but the time is now arrived when we have no such ex- cuse '.o 1, f A philosopher at Athens, whose lectures Varro had for- hiefly attended. He maintained the doctrines of the old Aca- demy. Cic. Academ, 1.3. ^ , 3 A Greek philosopher, who professed the sceptical prin- ciples of the new Academy. Antiochus, mentioned in the preceding note, had been bred up under him, though he af- ' terwards became a convert to the opposite sect. Cicero took the sceptical part in this dialogue, not as being agreeable to ,; ills own sentiments, but in order to pay Varro the greater ^l^ompliment of maintaining the moie rational opinion, Acadam. ubi sup. ad Att, \\\\, 19< D 3 and assenting to none. 38 The letters Book XL Book XL OF CICERO. 39 cuse to pkad. May we, then, exercise these speculations together, under a fixed and peace- able government, at least, if not under one of the most eligible kind ! Though, indeed, if that were to prove the case, far other employ- ments would engage our honourable labours. But, as affairs are at present situated, what is there else that can render life desirable ? For my own part, it is with difficulty I endure it, even with all the advantages of their powerful assistance ; but, without them, it would be ut*- terly insupportable. But we shall talk farther and frequently upon this subject when we meet; in the mean time, I give you joy of the new ha- imitation you have purchased, and highly ap- prove of your removal. Farewel. LETTER XV. ^ fA.U.708.] To Tiro. Why should you not direct your letters to me M ith the familiar superscription which one friend generally uses to another ? However, if you are unwilling to hazard the envy ^vhich this privilege may draw upon you, be it as you thmk proper ; though, for my o\vn part, it is a maxim which I have generally pursued with respect respect to myself, to treat envy with the utmost disregard. I rejoice that you found so much benefit by your sudorific ; and should the air of TusculuiJi be attended with the same happy effect, ho\^ infinitely will it increase my fondness for that favourite scene ! If you love me, then, (aod if you do not, you a-r*e undoubtedly the most successful of all dissemblers) considerate yom* whole time to tlie care of yoiur health ; which, hitherto, indeed, your assidiKvus attendance upon myself, has bu4: too mfucb pi^veuted. You well know the rides whidh it is neces.sary you should observe for this purpose, and I me:&^ jnot tell you that your diet should be light, and your exercises moderate ; that you should keep your body open, aad your mmd amused. Be it your care, in short, to return to me perfectly jecovered^ and I shall ever afterwards notp.nly love you, but Tujsculum so much the mare ax- •dently. I wish you could prevail with youriO^ighbour to take my garden, as it will be the mo^ effec- tual means of vexing that rascal Helico. This fellow, although he paid a thousand sesterces^ for the rent of a piece of cold barren ground, that had not so much as a wall or a shed upon -I', ij . ....|. . It, ' About Si. of our money. D4 I M 40 The letters Hook XI. it, or was supplied with a single drop of water, has yet the assurance to laugh at the price I require for mine, notwithstanding all the money I have laid out upon improvements. But let it be your business to spirit the man into our terms, as it shall be mine to make the same artful attack uponptho. Let me know what you have done Avith re^ spect to tk^ fountain ; though, possibly, this wet season may now have over-supplied it with water. If the w^eather should prove fair, I will send the dial, together with the books you de*- bire. But how happened it that you took none with you ? AVas it that you were employed in some poetical composition upon the model of your admired Sophocles ? If so, I hope you yilll soon oblige the world with your perform- ance. > ^^, Ligurius, Caesar's great favourite, is dead. He was a very worthy man, and much my friend. I^t me know when I may expect you 7 in the mean time be careful of your health, LETTJLR A/ Book XI. OF CICERO. 41 LETTER XVI. [A. U. r08.] ^'^"' To QuiNTus Valerius Orca^. I HAVE the strongest attachment to the citi* zens of Volaterrse', as a body of men, who, having received great obligations from me, have abundantly returned them. Their good offices, indeed, have never been wanting in any season of my life, whether of adversity or prosperity. But were I entirely void of all personal con- nexions with this community, I should, never- theless, merely from my great aflfection to- wards yourself, and in return to that which I am sensible you equally bear for me, most ear- nestly recommend them to your protection; especially as they have, in some sort, a more than common claim to your justice. For, in the first place, the gods themselves seem to have interposed in their behalf, when they so wonderfully escaped from the persecutions of Sylla; ^'^ He was praetor in the year of Rome 697, and at the ex- piration of his ofBce obtained the government of Africa. — Upon the breaking out of the civil war, be took possession of Sardinia, in the name of Caesar, by whom he was at this time appointed one of the commissioners for dividing those estates, with which be proposed, upon his return from Spain, to re- ward the valour and fidelity of bis soldiers. Pigh, Annal. ii. 384. * A city in Tuscany. 3 42 The letters Book XL Book XL OF CICERO. Sylla* : and, in the next, the whole body of the 11 > man people -expressed the warmest concern for their interest, when I stood forth as their advocate in my consulsliip. For, when the tribunes were endeavouring to carry a most iniquitous law for the distribution of the lands belonging to this city, I found it extremely easy to persuade the republic to favour the rights of a community which fortune had so Temarkably protected. And as Caesar, in the Agrarian law, which he procured during his first consulate', shewed his approbation of the ^rvices I had thus performed for them, by ex- pressly exempting their lands from all future impositions, I cannot suppose that he, who is per]>etttaily displaying new instances of hisge- aiei'Ositv, should intend to resume those which hh foa mer bounK has bestowed. As you have folloj^ed, then, his party and bis power with so riwuch honour to yourself, it should seem agree- able to your usual prudence, to follow liim likewise in tiiis instance of liis genei'Osity, or jcertainly, at least, to leave this matter entirely to his own decision. One thing I am sure you can * They held out u *»ie^o of two )»ears against the troops of "Sylla, who in vain entleavourerl to compel them to submii to liis edict for the confiscation of their lands. Quartkr. * The law alluded to seems to have been a branch df that proposed by Rullus ; an account of which has been given in these remarks. See rem. 13. p. l6o, vol. I. 1 can by no means doubt ; and that is, whether you should wish to fix so worthy and so illu^ trious a corporation in your interest, who are distinguished for their inviolable adherence to their friends. Thus far 1 have endeavoured to persuade you to take tliese people under your protection, for your own sake ; but, that you may not imagine I have no other plea to urge in their favour, I will now request it also for mine. You cannot, in truth, confer upon me a more acceptable service, than by proving yourself tlie friend and guardian of their interests. I recom- mend, therefore, to your justice and humanity the possessions of a city whi<:h have been hither- to preserved by the peculiar providence of tlie gods, as well as by the particular favour of tlie most distinguished personages in the whole Ro- man commonwealth. If it were in my power as effectually to serve those who place tliem- selves under my patronage, as it once was, there is no good office I would not exert, ther^ is no opposition I would not encounter, in or- der to assist the Volatcrraiiians. But I flatter myself I have still the same interest with yon, that I formerly enjoyed with the world in ge- neral. Let me entreat you, then, by all the powerful ties of our friendship, to give these citizens reason to look upon it as a providential circumstance, 44 The letters Book Xl. Book XI. OF CICERO. 4S circumstance, that the person who is appointed to execute this commission, happens to be one with whom their constant patron has the great* est influence. Farewel. LETTER XVIL [A. U. 708.] To Lepta* * • I AM glad that Macula has acted agreeably to the good offices I have a right to expect from him, bv offerini2: me the use of liis house. I afways thought the man's Falernian* was well enough for road-wiue, and only doubted whe- , jher he had sufficient room to receive my reti- nue: besides, there is somethino* m the situa- tion or his villa that does not disj)lease me.— - . However, I do not give up my design upon ^etrinum^ But it has too many charms to be •tised only as an occasional lodging; its beaii* ties deserve a much longer stay. Balbus is confined with a very severe fit of the ^ gout, and docs not admit any visitors ; so that '" riwrve not been able to sec him since you left Rome. However, I have talked with Oppiiis * ton't^ettiing your request to be appointed one of 9t^» '-'* ^v/ "VI J . the • Thit' #as *a favnurite wine among the Romans, which took its name from Falgrnus, a Utile hill in Campania, where Ibe grape was produced. ' A tuwuiu Campania^ where Lepta had a villa. the managers of Caesar's games'. But, in my opinion, it would bp most advisable not to un-« dertakc this trouble ; as you will by no means find it subservient to the point you have ia view : for Ca;sar is surrounded with such a mul- titude of pretenders to his friendship, that he i* more likely to lessen, than increase, the num- ber ; especially where a man has no higher ser- vice to recommend him, than what arises froni little offices of this kind ; a circumstance, top, which Cassar, possibly, may never be acquaint- ed with. But if he should, he w^ould look upon himself rather as having conferred, than re- ceived, a favour. Nevertheless, I wilitrVif this affair can be managed in such a mariner as to give you any reasonable hope that it mil answer your purpose ; otherwise, I think, you should be so far from desiring the employmcf^t, that vou ought by all means to avoid it. ^ Vr I believe I shall stay some time at Astura*. as I purpose to wait there the arrival of C^r sar'. Farewel. ; a LETTER • These were games which Caesar proposed tb exhibit in ^ the several quarters of Rome, upon his return from Spaing io honour of his victory over the sons of Pompey. S^iet, intiit, Jul. to i? A town in the Campagna di Romoy situated Jn6?r l^he sea-coast, between Civita Vecchia, and Monte Circello, 'Where Cicero had a villa. It was about two years after the dale of this letter, that Cicero was murdered i^a^ this villa,^ ty the order of Antony. tmar .. '.t i ' From Spain. - d? 46 The letters Book XL LETTER XVIIL [A, V. 7oa] To Qi iNTis Valerius Ohca'. I AM not displeased to find that the world is apprised of the fiiendshFp which subsists be- tween us. But it is not, you may well imagine,, from any vain ostentation of this kind, that I interrupt you in the honourable discharge of that troublesome and important commission >\hich Ccrsar has entrusted to your care. Ou the contrary, notwithstanding tliat th^ share I enjoy in your afiection is so generally known, as to occasion many applications to me, yet I would not be tempted, by any popular mo- tives, to break in upon you in the execution of your oiricc. However, I could not refuse the solici'tations of Curtius, as he is one witlx whom I have been intimately connected from his earliest youth. I took a very considerable part in the misfortunes he suffered from the un- just persecution of Sylla; and when it seemed agreeable to the general sense of the people, that' my friend, together with the rest of those who^ in conjunction with himself, had been deprived both of their fortunes and their country^ should ' See rem 9. on let. l6. of tJjis B. b^ Book XL OF CICERO. 47 be restored, at least, to the latter ; I assisted him, for that purpose, to the utmost of my power. Upon his return, he invested all that remained to him from this general wreck of his substance, in the purchase of an estate at Vo- laterrae ; of which, if he should be dispossessed, I know not how he will support the senatorial rank to which Caesar has lately advanced him. It would be an extreme hardship, indeed, if he should sink in wealth, as he rises in honours ; and it seems altogether inconsistent, that he should lose his estate in consequence of Caesar's general order for the distribution of these lands in question ; at the same time, that, by his par- ticular favour, he has gained a seat in the se- nate. But I will not alledge ail that I well might, for the equity of my friend's cause, lest, by enlarging on the justice, I should seem to derogate from the favour of your compliance with my request. I most earnestly conjure you, then, to consider this aifair of Curtius as my own ; to protect his interest as you would mine in the same circumstances ; and to be as- sured, that whatever services you shall'^hus confer upon my friend, I shall esteem as a per- sonal obligation to myself. Farewel. LETTER 1^ ,7'ii0fj^; 45 The LETTERS Book XL Book XL o^ CICERO. LETTER XIX, [A. U. 706.] To Fabius Galtus*. Instances of your friendship are perpetually meeting me wherever I turn ; and I have lately^ in particular, had occasion to experience them in regard to my affair with TigeUius^ I per-^ ceive by your letter, that it has occasioned you much concern, and I am greatly obliged by this proof of your affection. But let me give you a short history how the case stands. It was Cipius, I think, that formerly said *' lam *^ not asleep J or everif man^f neither am \^ my dear Galhis, so meanly complaisant as to be the humble servant of every minion. The truth of it is, I am the humble servant of none, and am so far from being under the necessity of submitting to any servile com- pliances, in order to preserve my friendship with * This is the same person to whom the llth letter of the first book is addressed. ' Tigellius was an extravagant debauchee, who, by his pleasantry, his skill in music, bis agreeable voice, together with his other soft and fashionable qualifications, had €X-» tremely ingratiated himself with Caesar. ♦Cipius was a complaisant husband, who, upon some oc- casions, would affect to nod, whilst his wife was awake and more agreeably employed. But a slave coming into the room wheTi he was in one of these obliging slumbers, and attempt- ing to carry off a fla^rqon that stood upon the table, "Sirrab.,** says he, ** non omnibus dormiQS* 4f with Caesar's favourites ; thai there is not one of them, except this Tigellius, who does not treat me with greater marks of respect than I ever received, even when I was thought to enjoy the highest popularity and power. But I think myself extremely fortunate in being upon ill terms with a man who is more corrupted than his own native air^, and whose character is no- torious, I suppose, to the whole world, by the poignant verses of the satiric Calvus^ But to let you see upon what slight grounds he has taken offence, I had promised, you must know, to plead the cause of his grandfather Phameas . ' which I undertook, however, merely in friend- ship to the man himself. Accordingly Pha- meas called upon me, in order to tell me that the judge had fixed a day for his trial : which happened to be the very same on which I was obfiged to attend as advocate for Sextius. I acquainted him, therefore, that I could not pos- sibly give him my assistance at the time he men- tioned ; but that if any other had been ap- pointed, ' Tigellius was a native of Sardinia : an psland noted fof its nojiious air. See rem. 8. p. 24(5. vol. ii* * Fate seem« to have decree^ that Tigellius sbouW nqt want a poet to deliver his character down to posterity : for, although the versesof Calvusare lost, tho^e of Horace remain, in which Tigellius is delineated with all those inimitdble strokes of ridicule which distinguish the masterly hand of that polite satirist. F/ It is said, there was a sea weed frequently found upon the coasts of Sardinia, the poisonous quality whereof occa- sioned a convulsive motion in the features which had the appearance of laughter ; and that hence the Sardinian laugh became a proverb usually applied to those who concealed a heavy heart under a gay countenance. Gallus seems to have cited this proverb as a caution to Cicero not to be too free in his railleries upon Tigellius : and there is a peculiar propriety in his application of it, as Tigellius was a Sardini- an. 1 must acknowledge, however, that I have departed from the sentiments of the commentators, in supposing that Tigellius is the person here alluded to : they all imagine, on the contrary, that it is Caesar. But this letter seems evi- dently to be upon the same subject as the 19th of this book; and was, probably, an answer to one which Gallus had writ-^ ten in return to that epistle. ^* This proverb, Victorious supposes, had its rise from the schools of the painters : where the young pupils, who, in the absence of their master were amusing themselves, perhaps, in drawing their pencils over the piece on which he was at work, called upon each other when they saw him returning to lay them aside. Cicero, in the application of this pro- verb, alludes to the panegyric which Gallus had written upon Cato. See rem. 8. on the Ipth letter of this book. * Caesar : who was at this time upon his return from Spain. *^ E4 i 56 The letters Book XL Book XL OF CICERO. 57 your ear ; and desire it may be a secret, even to your freedman Apella. Nobody, indeed, writes in this manner except ourselves. How far it is to be defended or not, I may consider, perhaps, another time : but this, at least, is in- disputable, that it is a style entirely our own. Persevere then in these compositions, as the best and surest method of forming your elo- quence. As for myself, I now employ some part even of my nights, in exercises of the same kind. Farewel. LETTER XXIL [A. U. 708.] To Marcus Rutilius*. In the consciousness of that affection I bear you, and from the proofs I have experienced of yours, I do not scruple to ask a favour which a principle of gratitude obliges me to request. To what degree I value Publius Sextius*, is a circumstance with which my own heart is best acquainted :' but how greatly I ought to do so, both you and all the world are perfectly well ap- prised. As he has been informed by some of his friends, that you are, upon all occasions ex- tremely • lie was employed in a commission of the same kind with that ol Orca and Cluvius, to whom the l6'th and 20ib letters of this bu«)k are aildressed. ' See rem. 9. p. l63. vol. 1. tremely well disposed to oblige me, he has de- sired I would write to you in the strongest terms in behalf of Caius Albinius, a person of senatorian rank. Publius Sextius married his daughter : and he has a son by her, who is a youth of great merit. I mention these cir- cumstances, to let you see, that Sextius has no less reason to be concerned for the interest of Albinius, than I have for that of Sextius. But to come to the point. Marcus Laberius purchased, under an edict of Caesar, the confiscated estate of Plotius, which he afterwards assigned over to Albinius, in satisfaction of a debt. If I were to say, that it is not foT the credit of the government to in- clude this estate among those lands which are directed to be divided ; I might seem to talk rather in the style of a man who is dictating, than of one who is making a request. But as Csesar thought it necessary to ratify the sales and mort2:as:es that had been made of those estates which were confiscated during Sylla's administration, in order to render his own pur- chasers of the same kind so much the more se- cure ; if these forfeited lands, which were put up to auction by his particular order, should be included in the general division he is now making, will it not discourage all future bid- ders ? I only hint this, however, for your own judicious 58 The LETTERS Book XL judicious consideration. In the mean time, I most earnestly entreat you not to dispossess Al- binius of the farms which Laberius has thus conveyed to him : and be assured, as nothing can be more equitable than this request, so I make it in all the warmth and sincerity of my lieart. It will afford me, indeed, not only much satisfaction, but in some sort, likewise, great honour, if Sextius, to whose friendship I am so deeply indebted, should have an opportunity, throusrh mv means, of servino^ a man to whom he is thus nearly related. Again and again, therefore, I entreat your compliance ; and as there is no instance wherein you can more ef- fectually oblige me, so you may depend upon fnulinoni Bais, of the salutary effects he experienced from th« waters of that place; in answer to which, Cicero plays u pen the ambiguous meaning of the word salubres, and applies, in a moral sense, what Dolabella had used in a medicinal. * If no other memoirs of these times remained than what might be collected from the letters of Cicero, it is certain, they would greatly mislead us in our notions of the principal actors, who now appeared upon the theatre of the Roman republic. Thus, for instance, who would imagine that the person here represented as interesting heaven and earth ia his welfare, was, in fact, a monster of lewdness and inhu- manity .? But how must the reader's astonishment be raised when he is informed, that it is Cicero, himself, who tells us 80 ? Dolabella — a puero pro diliciis crudelitasfuity (says our author in one of his Philippic orations) deinde ea libidinum turpitudo ut in hoc sit semper ipse IcBtatus, quod ea faceret quce sibi objici ne ab inimico quidem posseut verecundo. ' If this was F 2 a true I *■ t »i 68 The letters Book XU I did not imagine, that I had preserved, among my papers, the trifling speech which I made in hehalt' of Deiotarus* ; however, I have found it, and sent it to you, agreeably to your request. You will read it as a performance, w^hich was, by no means, of consequence enough to deserve much care in the composition ; and, to say truth, I was willing to make my old friend and host a present of the same indelicate kind with his own. May you ever preserve a virtuous and a gene- rous mind ! that the moderation and integrity of your conduct, may prove a living reproach to the violence and injustice of some others amongst our contemporaries ! Farewel. LETTER a true picture of Dolabella, what shall be said in excuse of Cirer-', for having disposed of his daughter to him in mar- riage ? Should arky too partial advocate of Ciccro*s> mora] character endeavour to palliate this unfavourable circum- stance, by telling us, that he had never enquired into Dola- beild's conduct, mijjht it not justly be suspected, that he meant to bonier ? Yet, this is the very reason which Cicero himself assigns, in the oration from whence the above pas- sage is cited. Et hie, dii immortaUs ! aliquando fnit meus ! occulta enim cratxitia non inquire!tti. Strange ! that a man who loved his daughter even to a degree of extrava- gance, should be so careless in an article wherein her hap- piness But I need not finish the rest ; where facts speak for themselves, let me be spared the pain of a comment, Vid. Philip. s\.U. ♦ See rem. 2. p. 329- vol. u Book XL -if OF CICERO. LETTER XXVIIL [A. U. 708.] Vatinius to Cicero, 69 I HAVE not been able to do any thing to the purpose, with regard to your librarian, Dio- nysius' ; and, indeed, my endeavours have hi- therto proved so much the less eftbctual, as the severity of the weather, which obliged me to retreat out of Dalmatia, still detains me here. However, I will not desist till I have gotten him into my custody. But surely I am always to find some difficulty or other in executing your commands, why else did you write to me — I know not what, in favour of Catilius* ? But avaunt, thou insidious tempter, with thy dan- gerous intercessions ! And our friend Servi- lius, too, (for ?Jiine my heart prompts me to call him, as well 2iS yours,) is, it seems, a joint pe- titioner with you in this request. Is it usual, then, I should be glad to know, with you orators, to be tlie advocates of such clients, and in such causes .^ Is it usual to plead in . behaJf tn'-rfSee let. 12. p. 33. of this vol. ^ This man was qusestor in the year 702 ; and, during the civil war, was entrusted with some naval command ; but it appears, by the present letter, that he had turned pirate, and committed great cruelties and depredations upon the coasts of lllvncum, Pigh, Jn/ial. u, 4i2l, F3 \ 4 70 The letters Book XL behalf of the most cruel of the human race ? in defence of a man who has murdered our fellow- citizens, plundered their houses, ravished their wives, and laid whole regions in desolation ? This worthless wretch had the insolence, like- wise, to take up arms against myself; and he is now, 'tis true, my prisoner. But tell me, my dear Cicero, in what manner can I act in this affair ? I would not willingly refuse any thing to your request ; and, as far as my own private resentment is concerned, I will, in compliance with your desires, remit the punishment I in- tended. But what shall I answer to those un- happy sufferers, who require satisfaction for the loss of their effects, and the destruction of their ships ? who call for vengeance on the inur- derer of their brothers, their children, and their parents ? Believe mc, if I had succeeded to the impudence as well as to the office of Appius^, I could not have the assurance to withstand their cries for justice. Nevertheless, I will do every thing that lies iu my power to gratify your 3 Manutius observes, that ibis is not the same Appius to whom the letters in the 3cl book are addressed ; and refers to a passage in Valerius Maximus, to prove, that he perished early in the civil wars. But so he undoubtedly might ; and, ueverthelciis, be the same periion here alluded to ; for it by no means appears whm, or in what post it was, that Vatinius succeeded to this Appius in question. Impudence, it is cer- tain, was in the number of those qualities, which distinguished that Appius to whom the letters above-mentioned are written. Vid. Ad Att. iv. 18, Book XI. of CICERO. 71 your inclinations. He is to be defended at his tri^I by Volusius : ^nd, if his prQsecutpr^ can \^t vanquished by eloquence, there is great rea- son to expect tjij^t the force of your ^isQiple's rhetoric will put them to flight. \ depend upop your being my a4 vacate %t jRa^e, if there should be any ogcasipn. Caesar, indeed, ha^ not yet done me the justice to Dipvfi for a public thanksgiving, for the suc- . cess of my arms in Dalm^tia ; as if, in truth, I yitxt not entitled to i^iore, and might not justly cl^im the honpur of a triumph ! But &s there ar 72 The letters Book XL marched into Dalmatia, where I attacked, and made myself master of, six of their towns.— One of these, which was of very considerable strength, L might fairly say that I took four several times : for it was surrounded by a for- -tification consisting of four different walls, which were defended by as many forts; through a1lN^hi<*h I forced my way to the citadel, which I likewise compelled to surrender. But the ex- cessive severity of the cold, together with the deep snows that fell at the same time, obliged me to retreat ; so that I had the mortification, my dear Cicero, to find myself under the ne- cessity of abandoning my conquests, just as I was upon the point of finishing the war. I entreat you, then, if occasion should require, to be my advocate with Csesar, and in every other respect to take my interest under your protection ; in the assurance, that no man pos- sesses an higher degree of affection for you than myself. Narooa, Dec. tie 15th. ^f liiiii LETTER mentioned in tbe present paragraph, was one which had been decreed on account of seme former successes of Vati- nius in his province ; And that the thanksgiving, concerning which he complains of Caesar's neglect, was one that he was now soliciting in honour of those successes io Dalmatia, of ^kicii he here gives an account. 1X3.0^5 ^^'WV '• 'T ■a I ■ f'rv LETTERS .nr\ i ♦ .■■"■i w -^ OF * -,--^ . «■ \"V I' tt "f MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO A "♦ -J TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS, BOOK XIL .311 ». LETTER L [A. U.709.] To CURIUS^ *Tis true, I once both advised and exhorted you to return into Italy ; but I am so far from being in the same sentiments at present, that, on the contrary, I wish to escape myself^ To some blest clime remote from Pelop's rac€\ ■ My ' This is an answer to the 25th letter of the foregoing book . * Alluding to the Caesarian party. See rem. 7. p. 362. vol. ii. ill 'I'lR* «fr 74 The letters Book XIL Book XII. o^ CICERO. -7.5 My heart, indeed, most severely reproaches me, for submitting to be the witness of their un- worthy deeds. Undoubtedly, my friend, you long since foresa\^ our evil days approaching, when you wisely took your flight from these unhappy regions : for though it must needs be painful to hear a relation of what is going for- ward amongst us, yet far more intolerable it surely is, to be the sad spectator of so wretch- ed a scene. One advantage, at least, you have certainly gained by your absence : it has spared you the mortification of being present at the late general assembly for the election of quses- tors. At seven in the morning, the tribunal of Quintus Maximus, the consul, as they called him', was placed in the field of Mars*; when, news being brought of his sudden death, it was immediately removed. But Caesar, notwith- standing he had taken the auspices' as for an assembly of the tribes, converted it into that of 'Caesar (as Manuiius observes) abdicated the consulship upon his late return froni Spain, and arbitrarily appointed Quintus Maximus, together with Trebonius, consuls for the remaining part of the year. Maximus, therefore, not beilig Jega.Ily elected, Cicero speaks of him as cue whose title was acknowledged only by the prevailing faction. *♦ Where the poll for the election of magistrates was usu- ally taken. It was situated on the banks of the Tiber. * No assembly of the people could be regularly held, nor any public act performed, till the augurs had declared that the omens were favourable for the purpose in agitation. 1 of the centuries*, and, at one in the afternoon, declared Caninius duly elected consul Be it recorded, then, that, during the consulate of •Caninius, no man had time to dine, and yet ^hat there was not a single disturbance of any Wnd committed : for he was a magistrate, you must know, of such wonderful vigilance, that he never once slept throughout his whole ad- ministration. The truth of it is, his administra- tion continued only to the end of the year, and both expii'ed the very next morning. But, ridi- xjulous as these transactions may appear to you, who are placed at so great a distance from them, believe me, you could not refrain from tears, if you were to see them in all their true and odious colours. How would you i^ af- ifected, then, were I to mention the numberless tinstances of the same arbitrary kind which daily . occur ! * The citizens of Rome were cast into three general di- visions ; into centuries, into curae, and into tribes. Some account of the two latter has been already given in rem. 50. |). -202. and rem. 7- p- 474. vol. i. The former was an in- stitution of Servius Tullius, who distributed the people into 193 centuries, according to the value of their respective pos- sessions. These companies had a vote in all questions that came before the people assembled in this manner, aiid the mtijority of voices in each determined the suffrage of that particular century. But, as the patricians and the weajthiest citizens of the republic filled up 98 of these 189 classes, the inferior citizens were consequently deprived of all weight in the public deliberations. The praetors, consuls, and censors were elected by the people assembled in centuries ; but the quaestors, iediles, and tribunes, were chosen in an assembly of the tribes. Dion. Halkarn, iv. 20. I ffli •'■II m 'li ^l m 76 The letters Book XIF. BboK XIL ot CICERO. Tf-; occur ! For my own part, they would be ut- terly insupportable to me, had I not taken re- fuge in philosophy, and enjoyed, likewise, that friend^ of ours for the companion of my stu- dies, whose properti/, you tell me, you are',— However, since you assure me, at the same time, that all the benefit which can arise from you belongs solely to myself, I am perfectly well contented ; for what can property give more ? Acilius, who is sent into Greece, at the head of some legions, as successor to Sulpicius, has great obligations to me ; for I successfully de- fended him in two capital prosecutions, before the commencement of our public troubles. He is a man of a very grateful disposition, and one who, upon all occasions, treats me with much regard. Accordingly, I herewith send you a letter, which I have written to him in your favour, in the strongest terms ; and I de- sire you will let mc know what promises he shall give you in consequence of my recom- mendation. Farewel. LETTER ^ Atticus. ' See the beginning of Curius's letter to Cicero, p, 63. of this vol. LETTER H. [A.U. 709.] ..... * ToAucTus^ Proconsul. In confidence of that share you allow me in your esteem, and of which you gave me so ma- ny convincing proofs, during the times we con- tiinued together at Brundisium', I claim a sort of right of applying to you upon any occ^sipn wherein I am particularly interested. I take the . 5> The commentators imagine that this person is the same whom Cicero mentions in the foregoing letter to have suc- ceeded to Sulpicius in ihe government of Greece j and that, therefore, either instead of Auctus, the true reading is Aci- lius, or thnt he was called Acilius Auctus. But, though it is altogether impossible to determine who the person was to whom this letter is addressed, or in what year it was written, yet it seems highly probable that Acilius and Auctus were different men : for Cicero, in the preceding epistle, mentions Acilius as one on whom he had conferred some very impor- tant services : whereas, in the present letter, Cicero appears to have been the person obliged. Now it is by no means credi- ble that our author, if he had ever done any good offices to Auctus, should have been totally silent upon a circumstance which would have given him a much higher claim to the fa- vour he was requesting, than any which he produces. And the incredibility grows still stronger, when it is remembered that Cicero never fails to display his services upon all occa- sions in whicti he can with any propriety mention them. Bttt on which side soever of this question the truth may he, it is a point of such very little consequence, that perhaps it will scarce justify even this short remark, ' Frobably during Cicero's residence in that city, upon his return into Italy, after the battle of Pharsalia ; an account of which has been given in the foregoing observations, '^ Hi 78 The letters EooK XIL Book Xlt of CICERO. 7§ the liberty, therefore, of writing to you, in be- half of Marcus Gurius^, ^ merchant at Patrse, with whom I am most intimately united. Ma- ny are the good offices which have m.utually passed between us; and, what indeed is of the greatest weight, they reciprocally flowed from the most perfect affection. If, then, you have reason to promise yourself any advantage from my friendship ; if you are inclined to render tTie: obligations you hav^e formerly conferred upon me, if possible, even still more valuable; in a word, if you arc persuaded that I hold a place in the esteem of every person in your fa- mily, let these considerations induce you to comply with my request in favour of Curius. Receive liim, I conjure you, under your pro- tection, and preserve both his person and his property from every injury and every inconve- nience to which they may be exposed. In the mean time, I will venture to assure you my- self, (what all your family will, I doubt not, confirm) that you may depend upon deriving great satisfaction from my friendship, as well as much advantage from the faithful returns of my gratitude. Farewel. LETTER T* LETTER III. [A.U.709.] To CURIUS. Your letter affords me a very evident proof ftiat I possess the highest share of your esteem, and that you are sensible how much you are endeared to me in return ; both which I have ever been desirous should be placed beyohd a doubt. Since, then, we are thus firmly assured of each other's affection, let us endeavour to vie in our mutual good offices ; a contest in which I am perfectly indifferent on which side the superiority may appear. I am well pleased that you had no occasion to deliver my letter to Acilius*. I find, like- wise, that you had not much for the services of Sulpicius ; having made so great a progress/ it seems, in your affairs, as to have curtailed them (to use your own ludicrous expression) both of head ^nd feet, I wish, however, you had spared the latter, that they might proceed a, little faster, and give us an opportunity of one day seeing you again in Rome. We want you, indeed, in order to preserve that good old vein of pleasantry which is now, you may perceive, well-nigh * See the latter end of the first letter in this book. f ll 80 The letters Book XII. Book XII. ..»...«■•-,-•—. OF CICERO. 8r well-nigh worn out amongst us : insomuch that Atticus may properly enough say, as he often, you know used, " if it were not for two or " three of us, my friends, what would become *' of the ancient glory of Athens !" Indeed, as the honour of being the chief support of Attic elegance devolved upon Pomponius*, when you left Italy ; so, in his absence, it has now descended upon me. Hasten your return, then, J be^ech you, my friend, lest every spark of wit, as well as of liberty, should be irrecover-^ ^bly extinguished with the republic. Farewel,^ LETTER IV. [A. u. ro9.] To CORNIFIGIUS. I RAVE the satisfaction to find, by 3'our very obliging letter, that my last was safely deliver- ed. I doubted not of its affording you plea- sure ; and, therefore, was so much the more un- easy lest it should lose its way. You inform me, at the same time, that a war is broken out in Syria*-, and that Caesar has given you the go- vernment of this province. I wish you much joy of your command, and hope success will attend * Pomponins Atticus, ^ See rem. 7. on let. 26, of the preceding book. attend it fas, in full confidence ofySSt^sdom and vigilance, I am well persuaded it wilL Ne- vertheless, I am truly alarmed at what you mention concerning the invasion, which, it is suspected, the Parthians are meditating. I find by your letter, that the number of your forces is agreeable to what I should have conjectured : I hope, therefore, that these people will not put themselves in motion, till the legions which I hear are ordered to your assistance, shall arritre. But if you should not, even with these supplies, find yourself in a conaition to face the enemy ; I need not remind you to follow the maxim of your predecessor Marcus Bibulus, who, you know, during the whole time that the Parthians continued in your province, most gallantly shut himself up in a strong garrison*. Yet, after all, circumstances will best determine in what man- ner it will be proper for you to act : in the mean time I shall be extremely anxious, till I receive an account of your operations. As * This seems to be intended as a sneer upon the conduct of Bibulu3. Cicero was governor of Cilicia ^hea Bibulu9 commanded in Syria, and they both solicited, al the same time, the honour of a public thanksgiving for the success of their respective armjs. Cato gave his suffrage, upon thisoiC* casion, in favour of Bibulus; but refused it to Cicero; a pre- ference which extremely exasperated the latter, and which was, probably, the principal cause of that contempt with which he speaks of Bibulus in the pre&eiit passage. See vol. ii« p. 50. rem. 2. Vol. III. G ii I 82 The letters Book XIL Book XIL OF CICERO. ss As I have never omitted any opportunity of writing to you, I hope you will observe the same punctuality with respect to me. But above all, let me desire you to represent me in your letters to your friends and family as one who is entirely yours. Farewel. LETTER V. [A. U. 709.1 Decimus Brutus' to Marcus Brutus and Caius Cassius. 1 ou will judge by this letter, in what posture our affairs stand. I received a visit yesterday ■ .. m * Deciffiui Brutus, rtf the same family with Marcus Bru- tus, served under Caesar in the wars in Gaul : at the cm\ of which, in the year 703, he relumed to Rome, and was chosen one 6f the city quaestors. It does not appear that he distin- guished himself by any thing remarlcable, till he engaged with Marcus Brutus and Cas« R«";^- ^ * Octavius, who was afterwards known ''"^ "kbra.ed by .h^ name of Augustus Caisar, was the son of. Atua, Julms claTniece His uncle, who designed him for the he.r. £h o hilpower aBd his fortunes, had sent h.m, about s.x month befo^re his death, to Apollonia, a learned seminary ^f &rsLnJ=s^?nS^'x^^^^^^^^^^^^ W..t as soon as Octavius was informed of the death ot Cassar, Ld that he bad appointed him his heir, he immediately ha - 7SX, were now attentively turned towards h.m. .n order G 4f 88 Thi letters Book XIL general opinion of Rome; and what turn you imagine affairs are likely to take. I can scarcely forbear running into the midst of the scene : but I restrain myself, in the expectation of your letter. Your news concerning Balbus, proves true ; he was at Aquinum at the time you were told ; and Hirtius followed him thither the next day. I imagine they are both going to the waters of Baias : but let me know what you can discover of dieir motions. Do not forget to remind the agents of Dola- bella' : nor to insist upon the payment of what is due from Papia. Farewel. LETTER to discoTcr in what manner he would act in this very critical situation, both of his own affairs, and those of the republic Dio. /). 27 1 . Jppian. Bel. Civil, ii. ^ Mt appears by the letters written to Atticus at this time, that Cicero had some considerable demands upon Dolabella; tvhich arose, it is probable, from the latter not having yet returned the whole of Tullia's portion, agreeably to the Ro. man laws in cases of divorce. Boo]^ XIL OF CICERO. 89 LETTER VIL «^,, !>' ■; ; ■• - f 1 » [A.U. 709.] To BlTHYNICUS*. I HAVE many reasons to wish that the repub- lic may be restored : but, believe me, the pro- mise you give me in your letter, renders it still more ardently my desire. You assure me, if that happy event should take place, you will con- secrate your whole time to me : an assurance which 1 received with the greatest pleasure, as it is perfectly agreeable to the friendship in which we are united, and to the opinion which tiiat excellent man your father' entertained of me. You have received more considerable services, I confess, from the men who are, or lately were, in power, than any that I have been capable of conferring upon you : but, in allotlicr respects, there is no person whose connexions with you are of a stronger kind than my o^vn. It is with great satisfaction, therefore, that I find, « This person is supposed, by Manutius, to be the son of Quintus Pompeius, who obtained the name of Bithynicus, in honour of his conquest of Bithynia. 7 Cicero mentions him in his treatise of celebrated ora- tors, as one with whom he had enjoyed a particular friend- ship. He attended Pompey in his flight after the battle of Pharsalia, and perished with him in Egypt. Ctc. de clar. orat, 240. 90 The letters Book XIL I you not only preserve our friendship in your re- membrance, but are desirous, likewise, of in- creasing its strength. Farewel. LETTER VIIL [A. U. 709.] To Tiro. If you should have an opportunity, you may register the money you mention : though, in- deed, it is an acquisition which it is not abso- lutely requisite to enroP. i^o^^'e^'er, it may, perhaps, be as well. I have received a letter from Balbus, wherein he excuses himself for not giving me an account of Antony's intentions concerning the law I in- quired ufter; because he has gotten, it seems, a violent deduction upon his eyes. Excellent ex- cuse, it must be owned ! For if a man is not able to write; most certainly, you know, he cannot dictate ! Ikit let the world iro as it will, SO I may sit down quietly herein the country. 1 have M^iitten to Bithynicus. — As to what vou mention concernino- Servilius : vou, who are a young man, may think length of days a desirable circumstance ; but, for myself, I have no • I1ie censors every five years nunibererjEtor. Book XIL of CICERO. 91 no such wish^. Atticus, nevertheless imagines, that I am still as anxious for the preservation of my life as he once knew me ; not observing how firmly I have since fortified my heart with all the strength of philosophy. The truth of it is, he is now seized in his turn with a panic himself; and would endeavour to infect me with the same groundless apprehensions. But it is my inten- tion to preserve that friendship unviolated, which I have so long enjoyed with Antony' : and, ac- cordingly, I intend writing to him very soon. I shall s> Servilius Isauricus died about this time, in an extreme old age : Manuiius conjectures, therefore, and with great proba'bility, that Tiro, in the letter to which the present is an answer, had given Cicero an account of this event, and, at the same lime, expresbcd his wishes of living to the same ad- vanced period. ' Both Antony and Cicero seem to have been equally unwilling, at this time, to come to an open rupture : but, as 10 a real friendship between them, it is highly probable there never had been any. On the part of Antony, at least, there were some very strong family reasons to alienate him from Cicero. For Antony's father married the widow of Lentu- lus, whom Cicero had put to death as an accomplice in Ca- tiline's conspiracy ; and he, himself, was married to Fulvia, ihe widow of Clodius, Cicero's most inveterate enemy. These alliances nlust unquesiionably have made impressions upon Antony's mind, little favourable to sentiments of amity : and, probably, contributed, among other reasons, to kindle that resentment which terminated in Cicero's destruction : but whatever the true motive of their enmity towards each other might have been ; the first coolness seems to have arisen on the side of Antony: and, if Cicero had relented it with greater moderation, be would have acted, perhaps, with more prudence in regard to the public interest, as -well as in re- spect to his own. Vid. Ad Att, xiv. 19- 1 92 The letters Book XIL shall defer my letter, however, till your return : but I do not mention this with ajiy design of calling you off from the business you are trans- acting*, and which, indeed, is much more jiearly my concern. I expect a visit from Lepta to-morrow : and ^hall have occasion for all the sweets of your conversation, to temper the bitterness with which his will be attended. Farcwel. LETTER IX. • [A. U. 709.] To DOLABELLA, ConSUP. I DESIRE no greater satisfaction, my dearDo- labella, than what arises to mc from the disin- terested part I take in the glory you have lately acquired : however, I cannot but acknowledge, I am infinitely pleased to find, that the world gives me a share in the merit of your late ap- plauded conduct. I daily meet, in this place, great * S«c rem. 2. p. 86. of this voL * ^ Cxsar had appointed Ddlabella to succeed him in the consulship as soon as he shouid hei out upon his Parthian ex- pedition ; and, accordingiy, Dolabelia, upon the death of Cae- sar, immediately assumed the administration of thnt oOice. His conduct in this critical conjuncture had rendered it some- what doubtful which side he was mi^t disposed to t'aTour : but an accident had lately happened which gave the friends of tbe republic great ho|)es that he would support the cause of the conspirators. Sonie of C9:>ar's freodoieB had erecietl - a sort Book XII. or CICERO. 95 great numbers of the first rank in Roifle, who are assembled here for the benefit of their health, as well as a multitude of my friends from the principal cities in Italy: and they all agree in joining their particular thanks to me, with those unbounded praises they bestow upon you. They every one of them, indeed, tell me, that they are persuaded it is owing to your compli- ance with my counsels and admonitions, that you approve yourself so excellent a patriot and so worthy a consul. I might, with strict truth assure them, that you are much superior to the want of being advised by any man ; and that you actions are the free and genuine result of your own uninfluenced judgment. But al- though I do not entirely acquiesce in their compliment, as it would lessen the credit of ypur conduct, if it should be supposed to flow aitogethcr from my suggestions ; yet, neither do I wholly reject it : for the love of praise is a passion, which I am apt, you know, some- what a sort of allar, upon the spot where his body had been burnt r at which the populace daily assembled in the most lumultuoas and alarming manner. Dolabella, m the ab- sence of his colleague Aatony, interposed his consular au- thotitv in order to suppress this mob : and having caused the alter to be demolwhed, he exerted a rery seasonable act of severity, by commanding the principal ringleaders of the riot to be imtdntly put to death. It was this that produced the following letter from Ciceto, written from some place of public resort, pobably from the Baths of Baiae. Dto. p. 240. 267. Jd Att. xiv. 15. 9* The letters Book XII. I I . 1 M If. what too immoderately to indulge. Yet, after all, to take counsel of a Nestor, as it was an ho- nour to the character even of that king of kings, Agamemnon himself, it cannot surely be unbecoming the dignity of yours. It is cer- tainly, at least, much to the credit of mine, that while in this early period of your Hfe*, you are thus exercising the supreme magistracy with universal admiration and applause; you are considered as directed by my guidance and formed by my instructions. I lately paid a visit to Lucius Ccesar^ at Na- ples ; and though I found him extremely indis- posed, and full of pain in every part of his body, yet the moment I entered his chamber he raised himself with an air of transport, and without allowing himself time to salute me, " O my " dear Cicero, said he, I give you joy of your " influence over Dolabella, and had I the same */ credit with my nephew, our country might (( now ♦ Dolabella was, at this time, no more than twenty-five years of age: which was almost twenty years earlier than he could legally have offered himself as a candiHare for the con- sular dignity; the Roman laws having verv wisely provided that no man >hould be capable of exercistng this important office till he had attained the age of forty-two. * He was a distant relation to Julius Caesar, and uncle to Mark Antony. Upon the celebrated coalition of the trium- virate, he was sacnfied by Antony to the resentment of Oc-^' tavius: as, in return, Cicero was delivered up to the ven- geance of Antony. But Lucius escaped the consequence of this proscription by the means of Julia, Antony's mother. r/ut. in vit. Ant. Book XII. of CICERO. 9S " now be preserved. But I not only congratu- " late your friend on his worthy conduct, but " desire you would return him my particular " acknowledgments: as, indeed, he is the single "consul who has acted with true spirit, since " you filled that office." He then proceeded to enlarge upon your late glorious action, re- presenting it as equal to the most illustrious and important service that ever was rendered to the commonwealth. And in this he only echoed the general voice of the whole republic. Suffer me, then, to take possession of those encomi- um's to which I am by no means entitled, and, in some sort, to participate with you in that ge- neral applause you have acquired. To be seri- ous, however, (for you will not imagine that I make this request in good earnest) I would much rather resign to you the whole of my own glory, (if there be any, indeed, I can justly claim) than arrogate to myself the least portion of that which is so unquestionably your due. For as vou cannot but be sensible that I have ever loved you, so your late behaviour Hs rais- ed that affection into the highest possible ar- dour : as, in truth, there cannot be any thing more engagingly fair, more irresistibly amiable, than the patriot virtues. I need not tell you how greatly the exalted talents and pohte man- ^ ners, 96 The letters Book XII. Book XII. OF CICERO. 97 i Ml 14 J ners, together with the suigular spirit and pro- bity of Marcus Brutus, had ever endeared him to my heart. Nevertheless, his late glorious achievement on the ides of March, has wonder- fully heightened that esteem I bore him : and which I had always looked upon as too exalted to admit of any farther advance. In the same manner, who would have imagined that my friendship towards yourself was capable of in- crease? yet it actually has increased so very con- siderably, that the former sentiments of my heart seem to have been nothing more than common affection, in comparison of that trans- cendent passion which I now feel for you. Can it be necessary that I should either exhort you to preserve the glory you have acquired, or, agreeably to the usual style of admonition, set before your view some animating examples of i illustrious merit ? I could mention none for thia purpose more forcible than your own : and you have only to endeavour to act up to the charac- ter you have already attained. It is impossible, si indeed, after having performed so signal a service to your countrj', that you should ever deviate from yourself. Instead, therefore, of sending you any unnecessary exhortations, let me rather con- gratulate you upon this nobl^ display of your patriotism. It is your privilege (and a privilege, perhaps, perhaps, which no one ever enjoyed before) to l»ve exercised the severest acts of necessary jus- tic5e, not only without incurring any odium, but with the greatest popularity : with the approba- tion of the lowest, as well as of the best and highest amongst us. If this were a circum- stance in which chance had any share, I should congratulate your good fortune : but it was the effect of a noble and undaunted resolution, un- der the guidance of the strongest and most en- lightened judgment. I say this, from having read the speech you made upon this occasion to the people ; and never was any harangue more judiciously composed. You open and explain the fact with so much address, and gradually rise through the several circumstances in so artful a manner, as to convince all the world that the affair was mature for your animadver- sion. In a word, you have delivered the com- monwealth in general, as well as the city of Rome in particular, from the dangers with which they were threatened : and not only per- formed a singular service to the present gene- ration, but set forth a most meful example for times to come. You will consider yourself, then, as the great support of the republic ; and i-emember, she expects that you will not only protect, but distinguish those illustrious per- Vol. Ill, H sons 1 98 The letters Book XII. BWokXII. OF CICERO. 99 sons* who have laid the foundation for the re- covery of our liberties. But I hope soon to have an opportunity of expressing my senti- ments to you more fully upon this subject in person. In the mean while, since you are thus our glorious guardian and preserver, I conjure you, my dear Dolabella, to take care of your- self for the sake of the whole commonwealth'. Farewel. . LETTER • Brutus and Cassius, together ^ith the rest of the con- spirators. ^ Cicero communicated a copy of this letter to Atticus, •vho appears to have much disapproved of those enci»miuni.s wth which it is so extravagantly swelled. The hypeibole, indeed, seertis to have been the prevailing figure in Cicero*> rhetoric; and he generally dealt n out, both to his friends and to his enemies, with more warmih than discretion. In the pre^jenf instance, at least, he was either very easily ino- posed upon by appearances, or he changed his opinion of Do- labella's public actions and designs, according to the colour of his conduct towards hinvself. Perhaps, both these causes might concur, in forming those great and sudden variations ^hich we find in our author's sentiments at this period, ^'uh -lespect to the hero of the panegyric before us : for, in a le4- ter to Atticus, written very shortly after the present, he speaks of Dolabella with high displeasure ; and, in another to ihe same person, a few months later, he exclaims against him with mucb bitterness, as one who had not only been bribed by Antony to desert the cause of liberty, bat who had eih- deavoured, as far as in him lay» entirely to ruin it. The ac- cusation sefm.> to have been just ; but, it is observable, how- ever, that in both the letters referred to, part of Cicero's m- di^oa' ion arises from some persona! ill-treatment which he c mplains of having received from Dolabella. Fid, AdAtt. xiY. 18. xvi. 1^ '^r LETTER X. . [A.U.709.] To Treboniuss 1 HAVE recommended my Orator (for that is the title which I have given to the treatise I promised to send you) to the care of y^ur freed- man Sabinus. I was induced to trust it in his charge, from the good opinion I entertain of his countrymen : if, indeed, I may guess at his country by his iiame^, and he has not, hke an artful candidate at an election, usurped an ap- pellation to which he has no right'. However, there ' Some account has already been given of Trebonius in rem. 4. p. 181. vol. ii. Caesar, upon his return from Spain, in the preceding year, appointed him consul with Quintus Fa- bius Maximus; but this and other favours of the same kind were not sufficient to restrain him from entering into the conspiracy which was soon afterwards formed against Caesar's life. At the same time, therefore, that Brutus and Cassius found it expedient to leave Rome, Trebonius secretly with- drew into Asia Minor, which had before been allotted to him as his proconsular province : and he was on his way to that government when the present letter was written. Dto. p. 236', 24-7. Ad Att. xiv. 10. >i,^:iCicero supposes that Sabinus was so called as being a native of Sabinia, a country in Italy, the inhabitants of which were celebrated for having long retained an uncor- rupted simplicity of manners. Hanc olim veteres vitam co- luere Sabmi, is Virgil's conclusion of that charming descrip- tion which he gives of the pleasing labours and innocent . re- creations of rural life. Georg. ii. 532. * It was an artifice sometimes practised by the candi- dates for offices, io order to recommend themselves- to the H 2 good 100 The letters Book XII. there is such a modesty in his countenance, and such an air of sincerity in his conversation, that I am much deceived if he does not possess, in some degree, at least, the true Sabine simpli- city. But not to suffer him to take up any more of my paper, I will now turn, my dear Trebonius, to yourself As there were some circumstances attending your departure that increased the aifection I bear towards you, let me entreat you, in order to sooth the uneasi- ness I feel from your absence, to be as frequent a correspondent on your part, as you shall cer- tainly find me on mine. There are two reasons, indeed, why you ought to be more so ; the first is, that, as the republic can now no longer be considered as in Rome, but removed with its glorious defenders, we, who remain here, must Expect to receive from our provincial friends what we used to transmit to them; an account, I mean, of the commonwealth. The next rea- son is, because I have many other opportuni- ties in your absence, besides that of writing, to give you proofs of my friendship : whereas, you have none, I think, of testifying yours, but by the frequency of your letters. As to all other articles, I can wait ; but my first and most good graces of their constituents, to pretend a kindred to ^hich they had no ri»ht, by assuming the name of some fti-- vowite and popular lamily. Manut, Book XII. of CICERO. m most impatient desire, is to know what sort of journey you have had, where you met Brutus*, and how long you continued together. When you are advanced farther towards your pro- vince, you will acquaint me, I hope, with your military preparations, and with whatever elae relates to our public affairs, that I may be able to form some judgment of our situation. 1 am jure, at least, I shall give no credit to any iu- telligence but what I receive from your hands. In the mean time, take care of your health, and continue to allow me the same singular share of your affection which I have always enjoyed. Farewel. LETTER » Brutus had not left Italy when Trebonius set out for Asia, nor did he leave it till several months afterwards : so that .he inquiry which C.cero here makes, must relate to some interview which he supposed thatTrebomustnightha>e had with Brutus before the former embarked. Tia.M Mt. xiv. 10. y, H 3 I, , * i r I 4 I '• C ■■ ^ f'lj? lli\l f :j ■riiH L im 11. , 'f » ft{ f>'*' t; y \ ■I 102 The letters Book XII. I LETTER XI. [A. U. 709.] Trebonius to Cicero*. J ARRIVED at Athens on the 22d of this month, where, agreeably to my wishes, I had the satisfaction of finding your son in the pur- suit of the noblest improvements, and in the highest esteem for his modest and ingenuous behaviour^. As you perfectly well know the place you possess in my heart, you will judge, without my telling you, how much pleasure this circumstance afforded me. In conformitv indeed, to the unfeigned friendship which had so long been cemented between us, I rejoice in every advantage that can attend you, be it ever so inconsiderable; much more, therefore, in one so important to your happiness. Believe me, my dear Cicero, I do not flatter you when I say, there is not a youth in all this seminary of learning more ardently devoted to those re- fined and elevated arts which are so peculi- arly your passion, or who, in every view of his character, is more truly amiable, than our young man. I call him otu^s, for, be assured^ I jiu cannot ' This letter seems to have been written before the pr«- ceding epistle bad reached the hands of Trebonius. ♦ See the remarks on let. 37. of this book. I Book XII. of CICERO. H>3 cannot separate myself from any thmg with which you are connected. It is with great pleasure, therefore, as well as with strict jus- tice, 1 congratulate both you and myself, that a youth for whom we ought to have some af- fection, whatever his disposition might be, is of a character to deserve our highest. As he inti- mated a desire of seeing Asia, I not only in- vited, hut pressed him to take the opportunity of visiting that province whilst I presided there : and you will not doubt of my supplying your place in every tender office of paternal care. But that you may not be apprehensive this scheme will prove an interruption of those stu- dies, to which, I know,' he is continually ani- mated by your exhortations, Cratippus' shall be- of our partv. Nor shall your son want my earnest incitements to advance daily in those sciences, into which he has already made so successful an entrance. I am wholly ignorant of what is going for- ward at Rome ; only I hear some uncertain rumours of commotions amongst you. But I hope there is no foundation for this report; that we may one day sit down in the peaceful posses- sion of our liberties, retired from the noise and bustle of the world : a privilege which hitherto -ft"! O ■*»!!■!'■! 9 It 5 See rem. 3. p. 171. of this vol. !N H4 J04 Th£ LETTERS Book XII. it has not been my fortune to enjoy. However, ha-vhig had ashort relaxation from business dur- ing my voyage to this place. I amused myself with putting together a few thoughts, which I always designed as a present to you. In this performance I have inserted that lively observa- tion which you formerly made so much to my honour, and have pointed out, by a note at the bottom, to whom I am indebted for the com- phment. If, in some passages of this piece, I should appear to have taken great liberties • I shall be justified, I persuade myself, by the cha- racter of the man at whom my invective is ajmed«: and you will, undoubtedly, excuse the just indignation I have expressed against a per- son of such infamous principles. Why, indeed, may I not be indulged in the same unbounded hcence as was allowed to honest Lucilius^ ? He could not be animated with greater abhorrence of the vices, which he has so freely attacked • and, certainly, they were not more worthy of satire than those against which I have in- veighed. I hope you will remember your promise, and take the first opportunity of introducing me as a partyin some of your future dialogues. I doubt not, if you should write any thing upon the sub- ,* Probably at Antony. ' See rem. 8. p. 319. vol. ii. BOOTK XII. OF CICERO. 105 vl t > ject of Caesar's death, that you will give an in* stance of your friendship and your justice, by ascribing to me no inconsiderable share of that glorious transaction. I recommend my mother and family to your good offices, and bid you fareweL Athens, May the 25th. •. '-»./'■: LETTER XII. [A. U. 709.] X To Mat I US'. I KNOW not whether it is with greater pain or pleasure, that I reflect on the visit which I lately received from our very good friend, the well-natured Trebatius. He called upon me the next morning after my arrival at Tuscu- lum: » It is principally owing to this and the following letter, that the name and character of Matius are known to poste- rity: as he is nowhere mentioned by any of the ancient his- torians of this memorable period. His inviolable and disin- terested affection to Caesar, together with the generous cou- rage with which he avowed that attachment when Caesar wa« no more ; as they strongly mark out the virtues of his heart, so they will best appear by his own spirited reply to the pre- sent epistle. But Matius was as much distinguished by h\t genius as his virtues: and he was perfectly well accomplishea in those arts, which contribute to the innocent pleasure and embellishment of human life. Gardening and poetry, in par- ticular, seem to have been his favourite amusements : in the former of which, his countrymen were indebted to him for some useful improvements ; as they likewise were in the lat- ter, for an elegant translation of the Iliad. Columel. xii.44r. AuL Gel, vi. 6. ix. 4. 1 I n\ i i U'-- i it » 106 The LETTERS Book XII. lum; and as he was, by no means, sufficiently recovered from his late indisposition, I could not forbear reproving him for thus hazarding his health. He interrupted me with saying, that nothing was of more importance to him than the business which brought him to my house: and upon my enquiry if any thing new had oc- curred ; he immediately entered into an ac- count of your complaints against me. But be- fore I give them a particular answer, let me begin with a few previous reflections. Amongst all my acquaintance, I cannot re- collect any man with whom I have longer en- joyed a friendship, than with yourself; and, although there are several for whom my affec- tion commenced as early, there are few for whom it has risen so high. The truth of it is, I conceived an esteem for you from the first moment I saw you : and I had reason to be- lieve, that you thought of me in the same fa- vourable manner. But your long absence from Rome, which immediately succeeded our first acquaintance, together with that active course of life wherein I was engaged, and which was so entirely different from yours, did not, at that time, admit of our improving this mutual dis- position, by a more frequent intercourse. Ne* vertheless, even so long ago as when Casar i **^was ii Book XI t OP €I€ERO- IW I. f' was in Gaul, and many years before tlie com-t mencement of the civil war, I experienced youfi friendly inclinations towards me. For as your imagined that my union with Caesar would be greatly advantageous on my side, and not alrr together unserviceable to his, you generously recommended me to his favour, and was the cause of his cultivating my friendship. libr-. bear to mention several instances which ocf curred at that period, of the unreserved mann^ in which we both conversed and corresponde4 together : as they were followed by others of a more important nature. At the opening of the civil war, when you were going to meet C«sa4 at Brundisium, you paid me a visit in my For^ mian villa. This single favour, had itib<3en.*t-^ tended with no other, was, at such a critical juncture, an ample testimony of your afFectionJ But can I ever forget the generous advice you so kindly gave me at the same time: and of which Trebatius, I remember, was himself a witness ? Can I ever forget the letter you aft terwards wrote to me, when you went to joia Csesar in the district, if I mistake not, of Tre^ bula ? It was soon after this, that, either by gr;^itude, by honour, or perhaps by fateyuJ wajs determined to follow Pompey into Greecef Olid was there any instance of an obliging zeal, which you did not exert in my absence, both for -'• '• I ' m f %i The letters Book XII. I wWhe and for my family ? was there any one, in short, whom either they or I had more reason 'iS'CsYeem our friend ? But I returned to Brun- disiuni : and can I forget (let me ask once more, with what an obliging expedition yoii hastened, as 8oon as you heard of my arrival, to meet me at Taretltatn ? How friendly were your visits; how kind your endeavours to reason me out of ■ '" 'lie name of the person to whom this If .J^i^f T"*; '"""' ''"*'"8 " ^W»'«. and others Oppivt. If the latier be the true reading, perhaps he is the same of •fawn some account has been given in rem. fl. p. 134. vol. ii. * bee rem. 2. p. 86. of this vol. Book Xlf. of CICERO. 125 stance of your sincerity. For notwithstanding your strong attachment to Caesar, who, yoa had reason to think, would have been better pleased if I had pursued a different conduct ; yet you rather chose I should act agreeably to my honour, than in conformity to his inchna- tion. My friendship for you, however, did not take its rise from this period ; for I was sensible that I enjoyed a share in your esteem long be- fore the time of which I am speaking. I shall ever remember, indeed, the generous services you conferred both upon myself and my fa- mily, during the great misfortunes which I suffered in my exile : and the strict intimacy in which we conversed with each other, after my return, as well as the sentiments which, upon all occusions, I professed to entertain of you, are circumstances which none who were inclined to observe them could possibly over- look. But you gave me a most distinguishing proof of the good opinion you had conceived of my constancy and fidelity, by the unre=- served resignation of your heart to me, after the death of Caesar. I should think myself, therefore, a disgrace to human nature, if I did not justify these your favourable sentiments, by every kind of good office in my power, a^ well as by the return of my warmest affection. Continue ^ u u ii i 126 The LETTERS Book XII. Continue yours to me, my dear Oppius, I en- treat you ; a request, however, which I prefer more in compliance with the customary form, than as thinking it in the least necessary. I recommend all my affairs in general to your protection, and leave it to Atticus to inform you in what particular points I desire your ser- vices. When I shall be more at leisure, you may expect a longer letter. In the mean time take care of your health, as the most agreeable instance you can give me of your friendship. Farewel. LETTER XVIL [A. U. 709.] To Trebatius. 1am the more enamoured with this city*, be- cause I find you are much the favourite of eve- ry body in it. But I know not, in truth, where you are otherwise ; and I should rather have told you, that even the absence of your freed- man, Rufio, is no less regretted among them, than ♦ Cicero, after much debate with himself, concerning the voyage which he mentions in the preceding letter, at length fixed his resolution, and embarked. He sailed along the western coast of Italy, towards Rhegiura ; but came ashore every night, in order to lodge at the villa of some friend. — He was in this manner pursuing his voyage into Greece, when he wrote the present letter from Velia, a sea port town oa the coast of Lucania. Book XIL of CICERO. 127 than if he were a person of as much conse- quence as you and I. However, I by no means disapprove of your having called him from hence, in order to superintend the build- ino-s you are carrying on in the LupercaP : for, notwithstanding your house at Velia is altoge- ther as agreeable as that which you have in Rome, yet I should prefer the latter to all the possessions you enjoy here. Nevertheless, if you should take the opinion of a man whose advice you seldom reject, you will not part with your patrimony on the banks of the no- ble Heles, nor forsake a villa which had once the honour of belonging to Papirius ; an inten- tion which the citizens of Velia are in some fear lest you should entertain. But although it be incommoded, indeed, by the great con- course of strangers who visit the adjoining grove ; yet that objection may easily be re- moved, you know, by cutting down^ this im- pertinent 5 A rans^e of buildings in Rome, so called from an an- cient temple of the same name, which had been formerly erected upon that spot, to the god Pan. Dion, Halicarn, * Groves were generally consecrated to some divinity, as this seems to hnv^ been, by the number of strangers who pro- bably trequented u on a religious account. Instead oi lu' cum, therefore, which is the reading adopted by Manutius, and followed in the translHiicn, some of the coramentatof* have thought it should he lotvm ; because, if it were a conse- crated grove, it could not be cut down without committing an act of impiety. But this objection is founded upon the mistake that Cicero spoke in a serious sense, what he »eeau, plainly to have intended in a ludicrous one. 128 The LETTERS Book Xlt € ■ pertinent plantation ; which will prove a very considerable advantage likewise both to your pocket and your prospect. To speak seri- ously, it is a great convenience, especially in such distracted times as the present, to be pos- sessed of an estate which affords you a refuge from Rome, in a pleasant and healthy situa- tion, and in a place where you are so univer- sally beloved. To these considerations, I will add, my dear Trebatius, that, perhaps, it may be for my advantage also, that you should not part with this villa. But, whatever you may determine, take care both of yourself and my affairs ; and expect to see me, if the gods per- mit, before the end of the year. I have purloined from Sextius Fadius, one of Nico's disciples, a treatise which the latter has written concerning the pleasures of the pzlkfe. Agreeable physician ! how easily will he make me a convert to his doctrine? Our friend Baesus was so jealous of this treasure, that he endeavoured to conceal it from me : but I ima- gine, by the freedom of your table indulgen- cies, that he has been less reserved in commu- nicating the secrets of it to you. — -The wind has just now turned to a favourable point, so that I must bid you farewel. Velia, July the 20ih. LETTER Book XII. of CICERO. 129 1 4 LETTER XVIIL [A.tJ.rosf.j To the same. JL ou see the influence you have over me: though, indeed, it is not greater than what you are justly entitled to, from that equal return of friendship you make to mine. I could not, therefore, be easy in the reflection, I will not say of having absolutely refused, but of not having complied, however, with the request you made me, when we were lately together. Accordingly, as soon as I set sail from Veiia^ I employed myself in drawing up the treatise you desired, upon the plan of Aristotle's topics^: as, indeed, I could not look upon a citj in which you are so generally beloved, without being reminded of my friend. I now send you the produce of my meditations: which I have endeavoured to express with all the perspicuity that a subject of this nature will admit Ne- vertheless, if some passages should appear dark ; you must do me the justice to remember, that no science can be rendered perfectly intelli- . gible ' The treatise here mentioned, is still extant among Ci- cero's works : and appears to be a sort of epitome of what Aristotle had long before published upon the same subject. The principal design of it is, to point out the several sources from whence arguments upon every question may be derived, VpL. III. K t 130 The letters Book XIL Book XIL of QCERO. i^^ gible, without the assistance of a master to explain and apply its rules. To send you no farther, for an instance, than to your own pro- fession, could a knowledge of the law be ac- quired merely from booUs? Undoubtedly it could not : for although the treatises which have been written upon that subject are ex- tremely numerous ; yet they are by no means of themselves sufficient instructors, without the help of some learned guide to enlighten their obscurities. However, with respect to the ob- i^rvations in the present performance ; if you ^Vc them a frequent and attentive pefiislil, y6u will certainly be able to enter into their mean- ing: but the ready application of them can only fte attained by repeated exercise. And in this exercise I shall not fail to engage you, if I should return safe into Italy, and find the f6- j^ublic in a state of repose. Farewd. Rhegium*, July the 28th. LETTER . • A sea*port upon the western point of Calabria, opposite to Sicily '. it is now called Regw, f -If LETTER XIX. [A.tJ.rog.] ' J : Brutus and Cassius, Prastors^, to Antonf^ Consul. 4 HE letter we have received from you is altot gether agreeable to your late contumelious and menacing edict, and by no means becoming you to have written to us. We have in no sort, Antony, given you any just provocation : nor could we have imagined, that you would lopk upon it as any thing extraordinary, if, invested as we are with the high authority oLpr«tor% we thought proper, in a public ananifesto, tct signify our requests to the consul. But if ij raises your indignation that we presumed to take this liberty as praetors, allow us to laiD^ai that you should not indulge us in it at least ft$ friends. We receive it as an instance of your justice, that you deny ever having complained of our levying » The praetors could not letjally absent themselves from Rome for above ten days, unless ihey obtained a special dis- pensation from the senate for that purpose. Brutus and Cas- sius, therefore, not thinking it safe to trust themselves in the city, published a son of manifesto, directed to Antony as consul, requesting him to move the senate for this licence in their favour. Antony, instead of complying with jheir re- quest, seems to have answered it by publi in attempting this passage, he was blown back by contrary winds on the coast of Italy. Upon his going ashore, iii order to refresh himself, he was'informed, by some of the principal inhabitants of that part of the country who were just„arriy^d from Rome, that there were great hopes Aotohy would aDp commodate affairs to the general satisfaction of all parti^ This news was followed by a letter from Atticus, pressfng him to renounce his intended voyage, asalso by an interview >vitli Brutus, who likewise expressed his disapprobation of tjat scheme. Upon these considerations, therefore, he gave ~uj^ all farther thoughts of Greece, and immediately returned to Rome. Vid, AdAtt, xiv. 13, 22. xv. 19, 20, ^1, 33.. xy^ 6,7. z. , ' ' ^ ^ ♦ Cicero was, at this time, in his o3d year. K 4 135 The letters. Bqok XII. }r^ijLr ^accession to the consular office^ is so re- ipote, that it is rather to be wished than ex- pected, that we should be able to preserve our liberties so long alive. What rational hopes, indeed, can possibly be entertained, where a commonwealth is totally oppressed by the arms of the most violent and outrageous of men, where neither the senate nor the people have any au- thority ; where neither laws nor justice prevail; and, in one word, where there is not the least trace or shadow of civil government remainin*^? But as you receive, I imagine, the public ac- counts of what is transacted amongst us, I peefJ, i^ot descend into a detail of particulars. Let me rather, \n consequence of that aft'ection J bear you, and which has been still increasing from our earliest youth ; let me rather remind and exhort you, to turn all your thoughts and cares towards the republic. If it should not be utterly destroyed ere you enter upon the consu- lar office, it may, without difficulty, be steered right. Tho' I will add, that much vigilance as well as great good fortune must concur, in order to preserve it to that desirable period. But I hope we may see you here, somewhat before that time 5 Plancus was in the number of those whom Cattar had »amed to the consulate, in that general designation of ma- gistrates uhich he made a short time before his death. But as Plancus stood la^t id the list, his turn was not to commence till the ^ear 711. Baoi^XII Fo eiCERO. 11 t37 'L time shall arrive. Mean w^hile, besides the in- ducements that arise to me from my regard to the well-being of the republic, you may be ^- sured that, from my particular attachment like- wise to yourself, I shall exert my utmost effi3rts for the advancement of your credit and honours. By these means, I shall have the satisfaction to discharge, at once, the duties I owe both to ipy country and to my friend : to that country which is the object of my warmest affections, and' lo that friend whose amity I would most religi- ously cultivate. I am extremely rejoiced, though by '^no means surprised, to find that you treat Purni- us*^ agreeably to his rank and merii '' WaJsur- ed that whatever favours you shall think pro- per to confer upon him, I shall coAsVd^er^tfiem as so many immediate instances of your regard to myself Farewel. i LETTER ^ He was lieutenant to Plancus in Gaul. I i *j. >; iC' i wu v^ 4 ia.j i-^ c. >nt. f i^; 4 138 The letters LETTER XXL Book XIL [A.U. 709.] Decimus Brutus, Consul" elect, to Cicero; If I entertained the least doubt of your incli- nations to serve me, I should be extremely co- pious in my solicitations for that purpose : but I have strongly persuaded myself, that my in- terest is already a part of your care. I led my army against the most interior inha- bitants of the Alps, not so much from an am- bition of being saluted with the title of Impe- rator*, as in order to comply with the martial spirit of my troops, and to strengthen their at- tachment to our rause. In both these vicM^s, I have, I think, succeeded : as the soldiers have had an opportunity, by this measure, of experi- ui. encmg ^ DecimuF. Brutus was nominated by Csesar to be col- eaiTue with Plancus : of whose appoiatmeni to the consular office, Hiention has been mude in rem. 5. on the.precedinc epistle, hoon after the rest of the conspirators found it ne- cessary lo leave Rome, Deciinus withdrew into Cisalpine Gaul, in order to lake possession of that province which had been allotted to him by Caesar, and to put himself in a pos- ture of defence against the attempts which Antony was nicdU tating. Shortly after his arrival in that province, he cm- ployed h;s troops in an expedition against certain inhabitant* of the neighbouring mountains; and having happily executed this scheme, he wrote the following letter to request Cicero*s suffrage in procuring him thi-se distinctions which the senate usually decreed to their successful generiiJs. • See vol i. p. 1. rem. I. Book XII. OF CICERO. 139 encing the courage and the generosity of their general. I was engaged with the most wariike of these people : and have taken and destroyed great numbers of their forts. In short, I thought the action sufficiently considerable, to send an account of it to the senate. I hope, therefore, you will support my pretensions with your suffrage : as it will, at the same time, be greatly contributing to the credit of the com- mon cause. Farewel. LETTER XXII. If;: [A.U. 709.] To Decimus Brutus, Consul elect. It is of much consequence to the success of this epistle, whether it reaches you in an anxi- ous^ or an easy hour. Accordingly, I have di- rected the bearer to watch the favourable mo- ment of delivering it into your hands : as there is a time, my friend, w^hen a letter, no less than a visit, may prove extremely unseasonable. But if he should observe the caution I have enjoined him, and this should find you, as I hope it will, in a state of mind perfectly serene and undis- turbed, 1 doubt not of your ready compliance with the request I am going to make. Lucius Lamia offers himself as a candidate, at the Wn I J 40 T«£ LETTERS Book XII. Book Xll^ *^r CIGERO. ,.' ^"..A. fc 141 the ensuing election of prsetors. There is no man with whom I live in an equal degree of familiarity : as we are intimately, indeed, unit- ed by a long acquaintance. But what greatly, h'kewise, recommends him to me is, that no- thing affords me more entertainment than his company.^ To this I must add, the infinite obligations I received from him in my affair with Clodius. He was at that time at the head ^f the equestrian order ; and he entered with so much spirit into my cause, that the consul Gabinius commanded him to withdraw from Rome; an indignity never offered before to any citizen of the republic. As the world has. not forgotten what he thus suffered upon my account, I am sure it would be the highest reproach upon my character if I did not re- member it myself: and, therefore, my dear friend, be well assured that the good or ill suc- cess of Lamia, in his present pursuit, will no less sensibly affect me, than if I were person- ally concerned. Notwithstanding, therefore, the ilhistripus character which Lamia bears, to- gether with the great popularity he has acquired by the magnificence of the games he exhibited when he was aedile, yet I am labouring with as much assiduity to promote his interest, as if he had none of these advantages to recommend him. him* If them 1 possess that share in your af-r ftsction which I am well persuaded I enjoy ; let m€ entreat yott to write to Lupisa to secure th^ votes of those eq\iestrian centuries, over which yoti bear an unlimited sway. But not to detaiit you with t multiplicity of words, I will cou-r ctedie all with most sincerely assuring you, that although there is nothing, my dear BrutuS: which I have not reason to expect from your friendship ;. yet you can, in no instance, more eflfectually oblige me, than by complying with my present request. Farewel. LETTER XXIII. [A. u. roe.] f I La, *.l ■ To the same^ There is none of my friends with whom I live in so strict an intimacy, as with Lamia. To say that I am much indebted to his good offi^ CCS, would not be speaking of them in the terms they deserve ; for the truth is, (and it is a tmth of which the whole republic is sensible) he ha^ conferred upon me the highest and most gene- rous obligations. Lamia, after having passed through the office of asdile with the greatest splendour and magnificence, now offers himself • Thii- letter seemr tt> hawrHiieen a kind of dupJicatb'of the former; as it is written ta the same- person, and upwi ih» same occasion. ^ m Ill 142 The letters Book XIL Book XII. OF CICERO. I4S I I as a candidate for the praetorship : and, it i» universally acknowledged, that he wants nei* ^er interest nor dignity to support his preten4 sions. However, the opposition he is likely to meet with from his competitors is so strong, that I have many fears for the event; and, therefore, think myself obliged to be his gene- ral solicitor upon this occasion. I well know how much it is in your power to serve me in this affair, and I have no doubt of your inclir nation. Be assured, then, my dear Brutus, that you cannot more sensibly oblige me, than by assisting Lamia in his present pursuit : and it is with all the warmth of my heart that I en- treat you to exert your utmost interest for that purpose. Farewel. LETTER XXIV. [A. U. 709.] To Caius Cassius. It gives me great pleasure to find that my late speech' has received your approbation. If I could ■ Upon Cicero's return to Rome, (see rem. 3. p. 134. o{ this vol.) he received a summon'^ from Antony to attend a meeting of the senate, which was to be holden the next morn- ing: but, as the business of this meeting was to dtcree cer- tain divine honours to the memory of Csesar, our author exr cased himself from being present. The following day, hmv- ever, Antony being absent, Cicero ventured to appear in the senate: when he delivered the speech to. which he here al- ludes, could more frequently enforce the same senti- ments, the hberties of the republic might easi- ly be recovered. But that far more desperate and detestable scoundrel* than he^ at whose death you said, ** the worst of all villains is ex^ '* pired," is watching for a pretence to begin his murderous purposes : and his single view, in charging me with having advised the killing of Caesar, is merely to excite the veteran soldiers against my life. But this is a danger which I am not afraid to hazard, since he gives me a share with you in the honour of that glorious deed. Hence it is, however, that neither Piso, who first ventured to inveigh against the measures of An- tony, nor myself, who made a speech to the same purpose about a month* afterwards, nor Publius Servihus, who followed my example, can any of us appear with safety in the senate. For this inhuman gladiator has evidently a design upon our lives : and he hoped to have rendered me the first victim of his cruel vengeance. With this sanguinary vie whe entered the senate on the 19th of September, having several days before retired to the villa of Metellus, in order to pre- pare an inflammatory speech against me^ But who ludes, and which is the first of those that are called his Phi* lippics. See life of Cic. lii. 81. * Antony. *» CsEsar. The speech mentioned m the preceding remark. ' It was in answer to this speech that Cicero composed I hit 144 The letters BaoK XII. wlio shall reconcile the silent meditations of elo- quence with the noisy revels of lewdness and de- bauchery ? Accordingly, it was the opinion of alt his audience, (as I have already, I believe, men- tioned to you in a fonnef letter,) that he could not so properly be said to have delivefed a speech, as to have discharged, with his usual indecency, the horrid fumes of his scandalous infetnperaAc^/ You are persuaded, you tell me, that my cre- dit and elocjuence wiH be able to produce some good effect. And some indeed they have produ- ced, considering the sad situation of our affairs. They have rendered the people sensible, that there are three persons of consular rank, who, be- cause they are in the interest of the republic, and have spoken their sentiments in the senate with freedom, cannot attend that assembly withouf the danger of being assassinated. And this is all the good you are to expect from my oratory. A certain relation of yours* is so captivated with his new alliance, that he no longer concerns himself in the success of your games ; but, on the contrary, is mortified to the last degree at those peals of applause with which your brother was distinguished. his second Philippic ; which, however, he did not deliver. For, by the advice of his friends, he absented himself from this meeting of the senate, as they did not think it safe for bim to be present. Manut. ♦ Lepidus is supposed to be the person here meant : ashe was related to Cassius by his own marriage, and had lately married his son to Antony's daughter. Book XII. OF CICERO. 145 distinguished^ Another of your family^ has been softened by some grants which it is pre- tended that Caesar had designed to confer upon him. This, however, might be borne with pa- tience ; but is it not utterly beyond endurance, that there should be a man who dares openly avow, that he supports the measures of that scoundrel, Antony, with the hopes that his son will be chosen consul when you and Brutus are entitled to be candidates for that office ? As to our friend, Lucius Cotta, a fatal despair (for so he terms it himself) has almost entirely driven him from the senate. Lucius Caesar, that firm and excellent patriot, is prevented from coming thither by his ill state of health ; and Servius Sulpicius, who is a true friend to the cause of liberty, and whose authority might be of infinite service in thepresent conjuncture, is, unhappily, absent from Rome. After hav- ing mentioned these, I must take the liberty to say, that I cannot add any others, excepting the consuls elect, who may be justly deemed as well-wishers to the republic. The truth is, these ^ Brutus and Cassius were obliged, as praetors, to exhibit certain games in honour of Apollo, with which the public were annually entertained on the third of July ; but as they had withdrawn themselves from Rome, these games were conducted by the brother of Cassius. • It is not known to whom Cicero alludes ia this place, nor in the period immediately following. Vol. IIL L 146 The letters Book XIL these are the only persons upon whose advice and authority the commonwealth can depend. And small, indeed, would their number be, even in the best of times ; how unequal, then, must their strength be found, to combat against the worst ? All our hopes, therefore^ rest en- tirely upon you and Brutus ; I mean, if you have not withdrawn from us with a view only to your own preservation ; for, if that should be the case, we have nothing, alas ! to hope either from Brutus or from you. But if, on the con- trary, you are forming some glorious enterprise, worthy of your exalted characters, I doubt not that the republic, by your assistance, will soon Tccover her liberties ; and I have only to wish, that I may not be destroyed ere that happy day shall arrive. In the mean time, my best services neither are, nor shall be, wanting to your family ; and whether they should apply to me for that purpose, or not, I shall never fail to give them proofs of my friendship towards you. Farewel. LETTER i Book XIL OF CICERO. H7 *.,•■' Cr«i» • LEXTEH XXy. [A. u, rp9.] To Plancus. Agedeably tQ the friqadi^hip which subsists between us, my servicer should npt b^ve beeft wanting to advance your dignities^ if I could have been present in the senate, qon&istently with my honour or my safety. But no nmn can freely deliver hi^ opinion in that assembly, without being exposed to die violences of a mi- litary force, that are licensed to commit theif outrages with full impunity ; and it would ill become my rank and character to speak upon public affairs, in a place where I am more at- tentively observed, and more closely surround- ed, by soldiers than by senators. In any in- stance of private concern, my best offices shall not be wanting to you ; nor shall thfy, indeed, even in those of a public nature, whatever ha- zard I may run, where my appearance is abso- lutely necessary to promote your interest. But where it may be equally advanced without my concurrence, suffer me, I entreat you, to pay a proper regard to my own dignity and preser- vation, Farewel. LETTER ^ The occasion on which Plancus had applied to Cicero fox hi» services in the sennte, does noi appear. L2 I 148 The letters Book XII. I LETTER XXVL [A. U. 709.] To Caius Cassius. The malignant spirit of your friend* breaks- out every day w ith greater and more open vio- lence. To instance, in the first place, the statue which he has lately erected near the rostrum, to Csesar, under which he has inscribed, To THE EXCELLENT FATHER OF HIS COUN- TRY; intimating, that you and your heroic associates are to be considered, not only as assassins, but parricides. In which number I am, likewise, included; for this outrageous man represents me as the principal adviser ami promoter of your most glorious enterprise. Would to heaven the charge were true ! for had I been a party in your councils, I should have put it out of his power thus to perplex and • embarrass our aifairs*. But this was a point which * Antony. ' ; ^ • t i » Cicero frequently reproaches the conspirators with hav- mo committed a capital mistake in sparing Antony when they destroyed Caesar, an error which our author would have prevented, it seems, had they admitted him into their coun- cils. But it may be affirmed, (and upon the authority of Cicero himself) that nothing could have been more unjusti- fiable than to have rendered Antony a joint victim with Cae- sar. 'Tis true, there was an ancient law subsisting by which every one was authorised to lift up his sword against the man who should discover any designs of invading the public liber- ties. But Antony was so far from having givca indicatio^ Book XII. oy CICERO. ,149 which depended upon yourselves to determine ; and, since the opportunity is now over, I can only wish that I were capable of giving you any effectual advice. But the truth is, I am utterly at a loss in what manner to act myself, for to what purpose is resistance, where one cannot oppose force by force ? It is evidently the intent of Caesar's party to revenge his death. And, accordingly, Antony being on the 2d of October last presented to the people by Canutius^, mentioned the gene- rous deliverers of our country in terms that traitors alone deserve. He scrupled not to as- sert, likewise, that you had acted entirely by my advice ; and that Canutius, also, was under the same influence. He had tlie mortification, however, to leave the rostrum with great dis- grace. In a wor CICERO. ISS estimation) I recommend the dignity of his rank and character to your peculiar regard ; and accordingly I make it my request, that you would appoint lictors to attend him. This is a compliment which I always spontaneousty paid, during my own proconsulate, to those of senatorial rank, who came into my province ; and which I have ever, likewise, myself re- ceived upon the same occasions ; as, indeed, it is what I have both heard and observed to have been generally practised by proconsuls of the greatest distinction. You will act, then, in the same manner, my dear Cornificius, in the present instance, if I have any share in your affection ; and in all other respects will consult the honour and interest of my fripnd ; assuring yourself that you cannot confer upon me a more acceptable service. Farewel, LETTER XXIX. [A. U. 709.] To Tiro. I SEE into your scheme: you have a design that your letters, as well as mine^ should make their appearance in public. But, tell me, how happened ^ It appears, from an epistle to Atticu?, tliat Cicero had £C)rined a design, about this time, of publishing a collection of his letters. It is probable, however, that the greater part ^f thost which are now extant were sent into the world at different ha}ypened it, that you^ who are wont to be the supreme judge and critic of my writings, should be guilty of so inaccurate an expression, as to desire me ^* faithfully^ to preserve my health?'' That adverb surely can have no business there^ as its proper employment! is to attend upon some word that imports a moral obligation* In figurative language, its u»e, indeed, is vari- ous, as it may be applied even to inanimate and intellectual objects, provided (as Theophras* tus observes) the metaphor be not too bold and unnatural. But we will reserve this for a conversation when we meet. Demetrius has been here : but I had the ad- dress to avoid both him and his retinue. — Doubtless, you will regret that you lost the ' ' opportunity different times, and by different hands, after his decease: as there are many of them which one can scarce suppose that either himself, or any friend who had a regard to his me- mory, would have suffered to come abroad. Vid, Ad Att, -\vi. 5. ■ It is inllpossible, perhaps, to determine, preci^ly, where- in the impropriety of this expression Consisted ; as it does Tiot appear from the original whether Tiro spoke of his own health or of Cicero's. In the translation, however, it js ap- plied to the latter; as it seems to render the expressioti le«s critically just. F©r as Tiro was Cicero's slave, the care of his health was a duty which the former owed to the latter, as a necessary means of enabling him to perform those ser- vices to which Cicero had a right. Accordingly, therefore, to our author's own remark, concerning the literal use of tLe vfordjidetisy Tiro might very properly have appHed it in the «enne here mentioned. But there was no such duty owifig from the master to the slave ; and consequently Tiro could not, in strict propriety, have applied it to Cicero. . 1 156 The letters Book XIL opportunity of seeing him. It is an opportu- nity, however, which you may still recover : for he returns, it seems, to-morrow. Accord- in !itr!f;ff) r^'^* 1 III I-Bl ^ili^ii. ,' r • oq 4 f\mi fflOi: UMJ,'J ii •-f-i-''. •UJilU mm i f 159 The letters Book XIL LETTER XXXL [A. U. 709.] To Decimus Brutus, Consul elect When our friend Lupus arrived with your dispatches, I had retired from Rome', to a place where I thought I could be most secure from danger. For this reason, notwithstanding he took care that your letter' should be dehvered into my hands, and continued some days in the city, yet he returned without receiving my answer. However, I came back hither on the gth of this month*, when I immediately, as my first and principal concern, paid a visit to Pan- sa^ from whom I had the" satisfaction of hear- in."'« "X'' of some divinity, as in the present instance, the legto Marda. Rosin, de Antiq. Rom. p. 966. \ Book XII. Of CICERO. 163 public'. To pursue measures which are agree- able to the general sense of the senate, may be well considered as acting under their express authority ; when it is fear alone that restrains them from signifying their approbation in a formal manner. In fine, you can no longer he- sitate, whether you should be guided by the principle I am recommending, as you have in two strong instances been governed by it aU ready ; first, on the ides of March, and lately wlien you raised your troops. Upon the whole, then, you ought to be both disposed and pre- pared to act, not merely as you shall be com- manded, but in such a manner as to render your achievements the subject of universal ad, miration and applause. Farewel. LETTER XXXIV. [A. U. 709.J To the same. Our friend Lupus very punctually delivered your commands and your letter to me, the next morning after his arrival in Rome ; which was in six days after his leaving Mutina'. I cannot ^,f^ "'l^ '" ^'"^'P'ne Gaui, where Decimtu Brutus was shor^ny^afterward, besieged by Antony. It is now called M 2 f % 164 Trtfe LETTERS 8o^k XII but consider you as recommending my own honours to my protection, when you requee^t fne to be the guardian of yours ; for, be assured, they are equally my concern. It will give me great pleasure, tiierefore, to find, that you doubt not of my promoting them, upon every occa- sion, to the best of my zeal and judgment. Ac- cordingly, although I had purposed not to ap- pear in the senate before the first of January Bext, yet the tribunes of the people, having on that very day on which your manifesto* was pubhshed, issued out a proclamation for a meeting of the senate on the 30th of this South', in order to move that a guard might be appointed for the security of the consuls "^lect* ; my affection towards you, induced me to change my resolution, and I determined to attend. I thought, indeed, it would be a most unpardonable omission, if the senate should be holden without taking notice of your inesti- tnable services to the republic, as it unques- tionably would have been if I had not attended ; br that I should not be present tp support any flecree that might happen to be proposed for the advancement of your honours. For this reason, *Thc purport of ikis Bimnifesto of Dicimus Brutus, was to declare his resolution of endeavouring to preserve tbe pro\ince of Cisalpi»e Gaul, over ipvbich b« presided, in its allegiance to the republic. Fiiilaf, iii. 4. 3 December. ^ Hirtius and Pansa. Book XII. «f CICERO. m reason, I came early into the senate, and my presence brought together a great number of the members. I will leave it to your other friends, to inform you what I there said to your advantage ; as well as of the speech which I afterwards made to the same purpose, in a very numerous assembly of the peopled In the mean time, let me entreat you to believe, that I shall most zealously embrace every opportunity of contributing to the increase of those dignities you already possess ; and although I am sen- sible I shall meet with many rivals in my good offices for this purpose, yet I will venture to claim the first rank in that honourable list Farewel. ' LETTER \ These two speeches are the third and fourth of the Phi- iippics. The senate, amongst other decrees which they passed upon this occasion, approved and ratified the mea- sures whjch Decimus Brutus had taken in Cibalpme Gaul fof the defence of that province. Fkilip, iv. 4. Ms 166 The letters Book XII. £ooK XII. OF CICERO. 1^67 " I tr LETTER XXXV. [A. U. 709.] To CORNIFICIUS. 1 AM waging war here against that most ini- quitous of all sanguinary ruffians, my col- league^ Antony ; but by no means, however, upon equal terms ; as I have nothing but my tongue to oppose to his arms. He ventured, in a speech which he lately made to the people, to throw out some bitter invectives against you. But his insolence did not pass unchas- tised ; and he shall have still farther reason to remember, against whom it is that he has thus pointed his injurious attacks. But, as your other friends, I imagine, supply you with ac- counts of our transactions, I should rather inform you what turn affairs are likely to take; and, indeed, it is a point of no very difficult conjecture. The republic labours under a total oppression ; her friends are without a leader, and our glorious tyrannicides are dispersed into different and distant quarters. Pansa means well to the commonwealth, and delivers his sen- timents with great spirit and freedom. Hirtius recovers but slowly^ ; and, in truth, I know not • Antony and^CScero were colleagues as members of th« college of Augurs. ' Poasa and Hirlius, as has already been noted, wer« consult not what to think of him. Our only hope is, that the people at last will be awakened from their lethargy, and act with a spirit becoming the descendants of their heroic ancestors. For myself, at least, I will never be wanting to my country ; and whatever misfortune may attend the commonwealth after I have exerted my best efforts to prevent it, I shall bear it with perfect equanimity. You may depend, likewise, upon my supporting you in your rank and dignities, to the utmost of my power. Accordingly, in an assembly of the senate, which was holden on the 20th of this month', I proposed (among other necessary and important articles, which I carried by a great majority) that the present proconsuls should be continued in their respec- tive governments ; and that they should be or- dered not to resign them into other hands, than those which the senate should appoint. I made this motion, not only as thinking it highly expedient for the interest of the republic, but with a particular view also of preserving you in your provincial commands Let me exhort consuls elect for the approaching year. The latter, about this time, was attacked by a most dangerous si( kness ; and his health was esteemed ot so much importance, at this junc- ture, to the commonwealth, that public vows were put up for his recovery. Philip, vii. 4. * December. - » ^ Antonv, a short time before he left Rome in order to M 4) march •'I 1^8 The letters Book XIL Book XII. exhort you, then, for the sake of our country, and kt me conjure you by your regard to my- self, not to suffer any man to usurp the least part of your authority ; but, ia every instance, to maintain the dignity of your rank and character, as a possession which nothing can countervail. To deal with you agreeably to that sincerity which our friendship requires, I must tell you, that all the world would have highly applaud^ ed your conduct, if you had complied with my advice in regard to Sempronius. But^ the affair is now over; and, in itself, indeed, it was. a Blatter ^f- no great importance. It. is of the utmost, however, that you should employ, as I hope you will, every possible mean to retain your province in its allegiance. I would add more, but your courier presses me to dispatch ; I must entreat you, therefore, to make my ex- cuses to Cherippus, for not writing to him by this opportunity. FareweL, ^ ^^ LETTER march against Decimus Brutus, had procured an illegal dis- tribution of the provinces among his friends; by which Caiu* Calvisius was appointed to succeed Cornificius in Africa. PMUp/m. Pigh Annal, ii, I), ^^5. }'r,c -, J OF CICERO. LETTER XXXVL ^^9 '-ju a * [A. U. 709.] QuiNTUs Cicero to Tibo. X OUR letter brought with it a very strong, though silent reproof, for my having thus loitg omitted writing to you. I could not, indeed, but be sensible how much I had lost by my negligence, when I observed that those points which my brother (from tenderness, perhaps, or haste) had but slightly touched in his let- ter, were faithfully represented in yours, in all theiT genuine colours. This was particularly the case, in respect to what you mentioned concerning the consuls elect*. I know, indeed, that they are totally sunk in sloth and de- bauchery : and if they should not recede from the helm, we are in the utmost danger of being irrecoverably lost. I was myself a witness, during a summer's campaign with them in Gaiil, that they were guilty of such actions, and within sight too of the enemy's camp, as are almost beyond all belief: and I am well per- suaded, unless we should be better supported than we are at present, that the scoundrel An- tony will gain them over to his party, by ad- mitting them as associates in his licentious pleasures, * Pansa and Hirtius. 170 The letters Book XIL Book XIL OF CICERO- 171 pleasures. The truth of it is, the republic must necessarily either throw herself under the pro- tection of the tribunes, or employ some private hand to defend her cause : for as to these noble consuls of ours, one of them is scarce worthy to preside over Caesena' ; and I would not trust the other with superintending the paltry ho- vels of Cossutius*. r I hope to be wnth you towards the latter end of this month. In the mean while, let me re- peat what I have often said, that I tenderly love you. My impatience to see you is, indeed, so immoderate, that if our first meeting were to happen in the midst of the forum, I should not forbear to transgress the rules of good breeding, and most warmly embrace you in the presence of the whole assembly. Farewel. LETTER I <( (( An obscure town in Italy, situated upon the Papis, a river which empties itself into the Adriatic, between " Ufens and the Rubicon." Mr. Ross, * Who this person was is unknown. Pique and preju- dice seem to have had a considerable hand in the draught which Quintus has here delineated of the two consuls. That Pansa and Hirtius were infected with the fashionable vices of the age, is altogether probable ; but that they wanted either spirit or capacity for action, is by no means true, as will evi- dently appear in the farther progress of these letters. LETTER XXXVII. [A. U. T09.] I Cicero, the Son', to his dearest Tiro. After having been in daily and earnest ex- pectation of your couriers, they are at length, to my great satisfaction, arrived, having per- formed their voyage in forty-six days from the time they left you. The joy I received from ray dear father's most affectionate letter, was crowned by the very agreeable one which at- tended it from yourself. I can no longer repent, therefore, of having neglected writing to you ; as it has proved a mean of furnishing me w^ith an ample proof of your good-nature ; and it is \y:ith much pleasure I find that you admit the apology I made for my silence. That the advantageous reports you have heard of my conduct, were perfectly agreeable, my dearest Tiro, to your wishes, I can by no means doubt : and it shall be my constant en- deavour ' He was at this time pursuing his studies at Athens, unr der the direction of Cratippus, one of the most celebrated philosophers of the peripatetic sect- If young Cicero had not the talents of his father, his genius, however, seems by no mean» to have been contemptible ; and the present Utter, written when he was but nineteen years of age, is a full con- futation of those who have chari»ed him with a want of sense, ven to a degree of stupidity. Sec p. 320. of this vol. i 172 The letters Book XII. Book XII. of CICERO. ITS dearour to confirm and increase the general good opinion which is thus arising in my fa- vour. You may venture, therefore, with great confidence, to be, what you obHgingly pro- mise, the herald of my fame. Indeed, I reflect with so much pain and contrition of mind on the errors into which my youth and inexperi- ence have betrayed me, that I not only look upon them with abhorrence, but cannot bear even to hear them mentioned : and I am well convinced that you take a part in the uneasi- ness which I suffer from this circumstance. It is no wonder you should be solicitous for the welfare of a person whom both interest and in- clination recommend to your good wishes, as I have ever been desirous you should partake of all the advantages that attend me. But if my conduct has formerly given you pain, it shall henceforward, be assured, afford you reason to think of me with double satisfaction. I live with Cratippus, rather as his son than his pupil ; and not only attend his lectures with pleasure, but am extremely dehghted with the peculiar sweetness of his conversation. Accord- ingly I spend whole days in his company, and frequently, indeed, the most part of the night, as I entreat him to sup with me as often as his engagements will permit. Since the introduction of of this custom, he every now and then unex- pectedly steals in upon us while we are at table ; and, laying aside the severity of the philosopher, enters with great good humour into all the mirth and pleasantry of our conversation. Let me re- quest you, then, to hasten hither as soon as pos- sible, in order to enjoy with us the society erf this most agreeable and excellent man. As to Bruttius, I never suffer him to be absent from me a single moment. His company is as enter- taining as his conduct is exemplary ; and he perfectly well knows how to reconcile mirth and good humour with the serious disquisitions of philosophy. I have taken a house for him near mine, and assist his narrow fortunes as far as my slender finances will admits ^ .^y^^ I have begun to declaim in Greek, under Cassius, as I choose to employ myself in Latin exercises of that kind with Bruttius. I live in great familiarity also with those learned and approved friends of Cratippus, whom he brought with him from Mitylene, and pass much of my time likewise with Epicrates, one of the most considerable persons in Athens, together with Leonides, and several others of the same rank and * Tbe allowance which CicercK made to liis8on» dianng his residence at Athens, was about 7001. a year. Vid, Ad Att, xvi. 1, 174 The letters Book XIL and merit. Thus I have given you a general sketch of my life. As to what you mention concerning Gorgias, notwithstanding that he was of service to me in my oratorical exercises, yet my father's com- mands were superior to all other considerations: and as he peremptorily wrote to me that I should immediately disrmiss him*, I have obeyed his injunctions. I would not suffer myself, indeed, to hesitate a moment, lest my reluctance should raise any suspicions in my father to my disad- vantage. Besides, I thought it would ill be- come me to take upon myself to be a judge of the propriety of his orders. I am extremely obliged to you, however, for the friendly ad- vice you give me in this affair. I very readily admit the excuse you make on account of your want of leisure, perfectly well knowing how much your time is generally en- gaged. I am extremely glad to hear that you have bought a farm, and wish you much joy of the purchase. But you must not wonder that I deferred my congratulations to this part of my letter; for you will remember it was about tlie • This unworthy tutor had encouraged his pupil in a pas- sion for drinking, a vice in which the young Cicero, how sin- cere soever he might have been in his present resolves, most shamefully signalised himself in his more mature years, — rtui. in rit, Cic. LHin, Hist. Nat, xiv. 22. Book XII. OF CICERO. 17S the same place in yours that you communicated to me the occasion of them. You have now a retreat from all the fatiguing ceremonies of the city, and are become a Roman of the true old rural kind^. 1 take pleasure in figuring you to myself, in the midst of your country employ- ments, buying your tools of husbandry, dealing out your orders to your bailiff, and carefully treasuring up the fruit-seeds from your desert. To be serious, I sincerely join Avith you in re» gretting that I could not be of service to you upon this occasion. But be assured, my dear Tiro, I shall not fail to assist you, if ever for- tune should put it in my power ; especially as I am sensible you made this purchase with a view to my use as \rell as your own. ' ' I am obliged to your c^re in executing my commission. I desire you would see that I have a writer sent to me who understands Greek, as I losemuch time in transcribing my lectures. But, above all, I entreat you to take care of your health, that we may have the pleasure of enjoy- mg together many philosophical conversations. I recommend Antherus to your good offices, and bid you farewel. LETTER ; ''Alluding, perhaps, to those celebrated Romans in the earlier ages of the republic, who, after having been called forth from their farms to the service of their country, dis- charged with glory the functions of the stale, and then re- turned to their ploughs. i r 'II 176 The letters Book XII. LETTER XXXVIIL [A.U. T09.] From the same, to Tiro. Xhx reasons you assign for the intermission of your letters are perfectly just ; but I hope that these excuses will not very frequently re* cur. 'Tis true I receive intelligence of public affairs from particular expresses, as well as from general report ; and am continually as- sured, likewise, of my father's aifection, by his owYiliand ; yet! always take great pleasure in reading a letter from yourself, be it upon ever so trifling a subject. I hope, therefore, since I am thus earnestly desirous of hearing from you, that you will not, for the future, send mc apologies instead of epistles. Farewel. I »-^* LETTER XXXIX. [A. U. 709.] BiTHYNICUS* to CiCERO. If we were not mutually attached to each other, by many singular good oflfices, 1 should remind you of that friendship which formerly subsisted between our parents : but I leave ar- guments ' See rem. 6. p. $9. ©^ thii vol. 1 Book XII. OF CICERO. 177 guments of this kind to those who have neg- lected to improve their hereditary connexions. For myself, I am well satisfied with going uq farther for my claim to your services, than to our own personal amity. In confidence of which let me entreat you, if you believe that none of your favours will be thrown away upon me, that you would, upon all occasions, during my absence', take my interests under your pro- tection. Farewel, ' , , LETTER , » In Sicily : to which province he succeeded as governor at the expiration of his prsetorship. Pigh. AnnaL lii: p. 47& Vol. III. N X u /" "/ tij S *,J 3 9< Mk m mm,, 'iMhi, '■'•■is I ,»^tht * These injunctions were, that Antony should instanUy quit the siege of Modena, and desist from all hostihties in Gdul. Cicero strongly opposed the sending this deputation, as it was below the dignity •f the senate to enter into any sort of treaty with a man whom they had already, in effect, declared a public enemy ; as it would have the appearance of fear ; and, as the only method of bringing Antony to bis duty, would be by an immediate an3 vigorous vrosecution of the war. But these reasons, and others of the same tenden- cy, which Cicero urged with great warmtli and eloquence, were over-ruled by the friends of Antony : and it was order- ed that Servius Sulpicius, Lucius Piso, and Lucius Philippus, all of them persons of consular rank, should carry this mes- •age from the senate to Antony. Vid, Philip, y. Book XIII. of CICERO. Ml the advocate of libertj% I have not lost the least favourable opportunity for the defence of our common rights. But this, likewise, is an article for which I choose to refer you to the information of others. It is with all possible warmth and earnestness that I recommend Titus Pinarius to your fa- vour, as one who, not only from a similitude of taste and studies, but as he is possessed also of every amiable virtue, engages my strongest af« fection. He comes into your province in order to superintend the affairs of Dionysius, who, as he is much, 1 am sensible, in your esteem, so no man stands higher in mine. Unnecessary, there- fore, as I know it to be to recommend his in- terests to your protection, yet I cannot forbear doing so : and I doubt not of your giving oc- casion to the very grateful Pinarius of sending .frip^^ letter of acknowledgment for your good i)ffices both to himself and to Dionysius. Fare- N 3 -.noiisiuiph «iifl tc nohu39goi » moiQ^v^ bm ^imbommi m yd 'id L LETTEa -nsbciiil 'jfnisa -ifft n^J f> •>* 182 The letters Book XIII, m 4 I LETTER II. [A. U. 710.] To Decimus Brutus, Consul elect. PoLLA^ sends me word that an opportunity- offers of conveying a letter to you : but, at present, I have nothing material to write. All imbiic business, indeed, is entirely suspended, till we shall hear what success the deputies* have met with, from whom we have not yet received any intelligence. I will take this occasion, how- ever, of telling you, that the senate and the people are greatly anxious concerning you, not only as their own preservation depends upon yours^ but as they are extremely solicitous that yon should acquit yourself with glory. The truth is, you have, in a very remarkable degree, the general affection of the whole republic, which confidently hopes, that as you lately de- livered us from one tyrants so you will now free us from the danger of another*. We are raising troops' in Rome and through- out allltaly,if that term may, with any propriety, be 3 The wife of Decimus Brutus. ♦ Those mentioned in the preceding letter. 5 CiBsar. ^ Antony. ^ . . . 7 The senate did not suspend their preparations for war, notwithstanding the deputation they had sent to Antony. On BoditXIII. 01? CICERO. 1S8- be employed, where every man eagerly presses to enter into the service ; so warmly are the people animated with a passion of recovering their liberties, and such is their abhorrence of the slavery they have thus long sustained ! We now expect soon to receive an account from you, not only of your own operations, but of those, likewise, of our common friend Hirtius, and of Csesar, whom I must particu- larly call mine. I hope, shortly, to see you all three united in the general honour of one com- mon victory. For the rest, I have only to add (what I had rather you should learn^ however, from the letters of your family, and what I hope they are so just as to assure you) that I neither do, nor ever shall, tieglect any opportu-*' 'ftity of contributing to the advaiicement of your public honours. F^reweK - LETTER the contrary, Hirtius and Octavhis marched into Gaul at th^ head of a considerable army, while Pansa remained in Italy^ in order to complete the additional troops with which he |>urpo9ed to join them. Life ofCicMu IS I. " . N4 N • 1»4 This letters BooK XIH- 'i I ri LETTER III, (A. U. 7K).] To Plancus*. i«nvhoni I am so much disposed to revere as your- self: as, indeed, the greatdisparity of ourages, may well justify me in looking up to you with all the sacred respect of filial veneration. I re- ceived your admonitions, therefore, as so many ^lictates of the most consummate wisdom ; at the same time that I considered them as in- stances, likewise, of your unfeigned sincerity ; for, in this respect, I judge of your heart by what I feel in my onui. If I had any doubt then, what measures to pursue, or w ere inclined to adopt others than those you recommend, .J should most certainly be determined by your judgment, or restrained by your advice : but in my present situation, can there possibly be an inducement to draw me from those paths you point out ? The truth is, that whatever honour- able distinctions I have acquired, either by my own ihdustry,^ or by the favours of fbrtunej, thouo-h far inferior to what jyour affection re- presents presents them ; yet they want no other lustre; perhaps, but that of having been attained with the general approbation of the commonwealth ; and this ev^n the most inveterate of my ene- mies acknowledge. Be assured then, that the whole of my power, my prudence, and my au- thority, shall ever be exerted in the service of the republic. As I am no stranger to your sentiments, I am well persuaded that mine wohld never disagree with yours, if I had the happiness of having you so near me as to be able to consult them. But though I cannot enjoy this very desirable advantage, yet I trust you will never have occasion to condemn my conduct. ^/^f^n I am extremely impatient to learn what is transacting in the nearer Gaul^, as well' aS what effect the present month^ may produce iii' re^ gard to affairs iEtt Rome. In the mean time;^*I am earnestly labouring to prevent the people df this province from pursuing the example bf their neighbours, by taking advantage of the jpftiblic disturbances to throw off their alle- giance. And should my endeavours be^^kt^^ tetide^d /('.f Where Deciraus Brutus commanded, who,, at this tili^fe, was actually besieged in Modena by Mark Antuny : aqir- curastance, to which Pfancus, 'tis probable, wa:s no stranger^ though he thought proper to aifept ignorapce. t j iv^ , ;. , ; J January : when the new consuls always entered upon their office. The consuls for the present year were llirtius and Pansa. u i)| J ISO The letters Book XIIL Book XIIL OE CICERO. 191 tended with the success they deserve, I doubt not of being approved, not only by every frieiftl of Hberty in general, but, what I am most am- bitious of> by yourself in particular* FareweJ^ my dear Cicero, and love me with an equal re- turn of that affection I bear you* LETTER V. [A.U.710.] To Plancus. The duplicate you sent me of your letter^ M'as an instance of your obliging care lest I should be disappointed of what I so impatiently wished to receive. The contents afforded me a double satisfaction ; and I am at a loss to determine whether the friendship you profess for myself, or the zeal you discover for the republic, ren- dered it most truly acceptable. To speak my own opinion, indeed, the public affections are altogether noble and sublime; but surely there is something more amiably sweet in those of the private kind. Accordingly, that part of your letter where you remind me of the intimady ill which I lived with your father, of the early dis^' position you found in yourself to love me, to- gether with other passages to the same friendly purpose, filled my heart with the most exqui-* site pleasure, as the sentiments you profess with regard • The foregoing. regard to the commonwealth, raised in me the highest satisfaction : and, to say truth, I was so much the more pleased with the latter, at they were accompanied, at the same time, witk the former. To repeat what I said in the letter to whiclfc you have returned so obliging an answer, kt me not only exhort, but entreat you, my dear Plancus, to exert your utmost powers in the service of the commonwealth. There is nothing that can mor^ contribute to the advancement of your glory: for amongst all human honours^ none most certainly is superior to thai: of de- serving well of one's country. Your great good sense and good nature will suffer me, I know, to speak my sentiments to you with the same freedom that 1 have hitherto used. Let me again observe then, that the honours you have ^?^,^^dy acquired, though you could not, in- deed, have attained to them without merit, yet they have principally been owing to fortune, in conjuuction w^ith the particular circumstances qS tb^. ime». But whatever services you shaU perform for the republic in tliis very critical conjuncture, will reflect a lustre upon your chaxacter, that will derive all its splendour from yottrself alone. It is incredible how odious A^t9^y is become to all sorts of people, except those only of the same dishonest views with himself; !^ li'' 111 m The letters Bothers, more trouble than you can well '*, imagine. I must acknowledge, at the same ' =» ••*« *^ -^- time, •Alluding to the contpiratars baving^red Antooy when they destroyed CaSsar. Sec re6i. S. p. 148. of this fol. li BooirXmr ot GICERO, ^ i^ time, that we have two most excellent consul** : , but as to those of consular rank, there is not one of them who does not merit the highest re- • proach. The senate in general, however, exert themselves with spirit, as the lowerorder of ma- gistrates distinguish themselves by their singular resplution and zeal. In a word, it is iinpossible to shew a better or more vigorous dispositioa . than appears in the populace, not only of Roift'^,* but throughout all Italy. But Philippus aftd Piso, on the contrary, whom the senate deputed with peremptory orders to Antony', have exe- cuted their comipission in a manner that raises our highest indignation. For notwithstanding that Antony refused to comply with every sin- gle article of the senate s iaji^nptions, yet these unworthy deputieshad the meanness to charge themselves with bringing baclc the most inso- lent demands'. This behaviour of theirs has occasioned all the world to have recourse to my • u- .• • , « assistance, s^n lands and rewardi to all bis troops, and confirm all « oI*"?t- «""".* "'"«='' '•* '^ D"'"''^"* h»d made inTbe', ' «co«,ul.l„p; ,b,t att his decree, froo, C»sar', bo^k, » bTdfZl'i !^''?'l^ """^"^^ •• «<•« no accouot ,houU " fjrfil ' "•" '"'.""«'" '"'"' "" «'«'-r Gaul io%xcb.5 " oJt «f .^' •"^'il •''»y °f ^'^ '^gioDS, to be compter" > oat of the troops of Deamns Bratos." UfeofCie iii o M I' troop! Vot. III. 194 The letters Book XIIL assistance, and I am become extremely popular (n^ way whereiu popularity i$ seldom acquired, I i:pean, by supporting a good cause. J ^m j^ltogether ignorant in what part of tU^ wo^]d you are at present, as \s:ell as of what schemes you are either executing or meditating. 4 report prevails that you are gone iato Syria, Vut for this we have no certain authority. W? cj^n a little mgi;^ depend upon the accounts we receive of Brutus, as his distance from us U Ir^^s remote'. It has been remarked here by men of some pleasantry, and muchindigna-tion against Dota- bella, that he has shewn himself in too grea.^ haste to be your successor, a$ he is most uuci- villy set out to take possession of your govern- ment when you have enjoyed it scarcp, ^ ^iflgl^ months The case is cle^r, therefore, say they, that Cassiu3 should by no nieans give him ad- mittance. But to be serious; both you and Brutus are mentioned with the highest applause, as it is generally supposed that each of you has ^ drarwn ? Marcus Brutus, when he found it necessary Xq leave Italy, withdrew imo Macedonia, where he was, at this time, employed in raising forces in support of the republicau cause. ♦ The province of Syria had been intended by C«sar tor Cassius ; but Mark Antony, after the death of Caesar, had Urtfully procured it tc be aUotted to DolabeUa. Accord^ ingk, the latter left Rome a sliort time before the expiration •f his consulship the last year, in order to be beforehand vith Cassius, io getting possession of this government ; and it is in allusion to this circuyistance, that the humour of the present passage, such as it is, consists. m Book XIIL of CICERO. m drawn together an army far beyond our expec* tations. I would add more, if I knew with certainty the situation of yourself and your affairs ; but I hazard this letter merely upon the doubtful credit of common fame. It is with great impatience, therefore, that I wait fof better intelligence from you own liSnd: FareweL LETTER VII. [A. U. 710.] To Teebonius^ . > Would to heaven you had invited me to that noble feast which you made on the ides of March ; no remnants, most assuredly, should have been left behind^ Whereas the part you unluckily spared gives us so much perplexity^ that we find something to regret, even in the godlike service which you and your illustrious associates have lately rendered to, the republic. To say the truth, when I reflect that it is owing to the fiivouTof so worthy a man as yourself, that AAtQQy no^ lives to be our general bane, I ^.i» sometimes inclined to be a little angry with you for * He was, at this time, in Asia Minor, of which province he Was governor. See rem. 8. p. 99, of this vol. * See rem. 9. on the preceding letter. 02 ■51 (4 iij 196 The letters Book XIIL for taking him aside M'hen Caesar feir ; as by this mean you have occasioned more trouble to myself in particular, than to all the rest of the whole community. From the very first mo- ment, indeed, that Antony's ignominious de- parture from Rome', had left the senate uncon- trolled in its deliberations, I resumed the spirit which you and that inflexible patriot, your fa- ther, were wont to esteem and applaud. Ac- cordingly, the tribunes of the people having summoned the senate to meet on the 20th of December, upon other matters, I seized that opportunity of taking the whole state of the republic into consideration^ : and more by the zeal than the eloquence of my speech, I re- vived .' fi ^ As it had been resolved, in a council of the conspirators, that Antony's life should be spared, they did not choose he should be present when they executed their design upon Cae- sar ; probably lest he should attempt to ai^sist his friend, and by that means occasion them to spill more blood than they intended. For this reason, Trebonius held Antony m dis* course, at the entrance into the senate, till the rest of the con- spirators had finished their work. Dio,p, 24-9. f^^' ^ ^^• Brut. • Upon the news that two of the four legions from Brun- disium [see rem. 4. p. 152. of this yoIJ had actually declared for Octavius, and posted themselves in the neighbourhood of Rome, Aniony left the city with great precipitation ; and, putting himself at the head of his army, marched directly, in order to wrest Cisalpine Gaul out of the hands of Decimus Brutus. Cicero, who was at this time in the country, took the opportunity of Antony's absence to return to Rome; where he arrived on the pth of December, in the preceding year, about a month or two, 'tis probable, beforis he wrote the present letter. SeeUfeofCk,i\\,S7- ' ^"^ 9 It was upon this occasion that Cicero spoke his third Fhilipp ic. Book XIIL of CICERO. 197 Vived the drooping spirits of that oppressed assembly, and awakened in them all their for- mer vigour. It was owing to the ardour with which I thus contended in the debates of this day, that the people of Rome first conceived a hope of recovering their liberties : and to this great point all my thoughts and all my actions have ever since been perpetually directed. Thus important, however, as my occupations are, I would enter into a full detail of our pro- ceedings, if I did not imagine that public trans- actions of every kind are transmitted to you by other hands. From them, therefore, you will receive a more particular information ; whilst I content myself with giving you a short and general sketch of our present circumstances and situation. I must inform you, then, we have a senate that acts with spirit; but that as tp those of consular dignity, part of them want tfife ve have reason to hope) it will, in all probabiHty, be totally at an end. — There are now, indeed, but few troops employ- ed in carrying on that siege; as Antony has sfxxt a l^ge detachment to keep possession of Bpnonia^ In the mean while, our friend Hir- tius ia posted at Claterna^ and Cassar at Forum Cqmeiii\ each of them at the head of a very considerable army ; at the same time that Pansa is r^ism^ a|^ Ronie a large body of Italian troops. But the season of the year has hitherto prevented their entering upon action ; and, in- deed, Hirtius appears, by the several letters I have received from him, to be determined to take all his measures with the utmost precaution. Both the Gauls, excepting only the cities of Bonohia, Regium, and Parma, are zealously af-"^ fectcd to the republic; as are also your clients >' ^ Quaderna. * Imola. »JL»«. 'o on (a on the other side the Po. The senate likewise is firm in the cause of liberty ; but when I say the senate, I must exclude all of consular rank;1eib cept Lucius Csesar, who, indeed, is faithfully attached to the interest of the commonwealth; The death of Servius Sulpicius has deprived us of i very powerful associate. As for the rest of the consulars, part of them are ill. affected to the republic, others want spirit to suppo¥£ its cause, and some there are who look with envy on those patriot citizens wh^fe conduct they see distinguished by the public applause. The populace, however, both in Rome, arid throughout all Italy, are wonderfully unani* mous in the common cause.— I have nothing farther, I think, to add, but my wishes that your heroic virtues may shine out upon us froiti yon eastern regions, in all their enlivening^ warmth and lustre. Fare weL "' "^^' * ""A"''' '"'' i LETTER IX. r>y30 .A* ^ [A.U.710.] Wf n ) ifTo Lucius Papirius PJETus^ I HAVE rieceiyed a^^econd letter from you^.t co^ngerning your friend Rufus: and since you interest yourself thus warmly in his behalf, you might depend upon my utmost assistance, even if ^ See rem. 1. p. 15. vol. ii. io^ The letters Book XIII. Book Xlll. of CtCERO. iioS If file had Hoiie the an injury. But I am per- fectly sensible, from those letters of his, \vhich y6u communicated to me, as Well as from your own, how much rriy welfare has been his con- cei^ii. I cannot, therefore, refuse him mv friendly offices, not only in regard to your re- Commendation, which has all the weight with ihe it ought, but in compliance also with mjr own inclinations. I must acknowledge that it was his and your letters, my dear Psetus, which first put me upon my guard against the de- sighs that were formed to destroy me*. I af- ^terwards, indeed^ received inteUigence from se- veral other likrids to the sanie eiFect, and par- ticularly of the consultations that Were held concerhiiig me both at Aquinium and Fabrate- ; fia^ ; of which meetings, 1 find, you Were like- wise apprised. One would imagine that this party had foreseen how much I should ehibdr- rass their schemes, by the industry they em- ployed in order to compass my destruction : and, as I had not the least suspicion of their purposes, ^ . f This probably alludfs to some design of the veteran soldiers against Cicero's life ; as it appears, from a letter to Atti^us, wriifen soon after CsHar'rf d^kth, ihat our author had be^n cautioneil aot to trust himself in Rume, on account of ihfe danger to which he would be exposed, from the inso- knc6 of thos^ troops. Vid Ad Att. k\; 5. ^ These towns were situated in Latium, or what is now called the Campagna di Kuma. They still subsist under the names of Aquino and Fabratera, I purposes, I might incautiously have fdllen into their snares, if it had not been for the admoni- tions you sent me, in consequence of the infor- mation you had received from Rufus. Yotlr friend, therefore, wants no advocate with the for my good offices ; and 1 wish the republic liiay be in so happy a situation, as to afford nle aft opportunity of giving him the most sub- stantial proofs of my gratitude. But, to dismiss this subject, t am sorry ybii no longer frequent the festive tables of your friends ; as you cannot renounce these parties of good cheer, without depriving yotirself of a very exquisite gratification. And, to tell you the truth, I am sorry, likewise, tijSori'aliother account ; as I am afraid you will lose the little ktiowledge you had acquired in th(i art of ^^ cookery, and be absolutely at a loss how to set forth a tolerable supper. For as you made no very considerable improvements in this fashion^ able science, even when you had many cufioua models for your imitation, what strange awk- ward things must your entertainments prove now that you enjoy no longer the same advan- tages ? When I informed Spurinna' of this wonderful pevolution in the system of jf&Wf af- feirs, he shook his prophetic head, and declared that; * A celebrated diviner, who is said to have forewarned Caesar of the ides of March. Suet, in Jul. 8i. - \ • 204 (l! If- The letters Book XIIL Book XIIL of CICERO. 205 that it portended some terrible disaster to the commonwealth ; unless, said he, this extraor- dinary phaenomenon be occasioned by the pre- sent cold weather, and your friend should re- turn with the zephyrs to his accustomed train of life. But, without a joke, my dear Paetus^ I would advise you to spend your time in the cheerful society of a set of worthy and agree- able friends ; as there is nothing, in my estima- tion, that more effectually contributes to the happiness of human life. .When I say this, I do not mean with respect to the sensual grati- fications of the palate, but with regard to that pleasing relaxation of the mind which is best produced by the freedom of social converse, and which is alwavs most asrreeable at the hour of oi^als. For this reason, the Latin lanscuage is much happier, I think, than the Greek, in the term it employs to express assemblies of this sort. In the latter they are called by a word which signifies compotations ; whereas, in ours, they aremore emphatically styled co«vit?ia/ meetings ; intimating that it is in a commUtil^ cation of this nature that life is most truly en- joyed. You see I am endeavouring td brlttg philosophy to my assistance, in recalling you to the tables of your friends ; and, indeed, I pre- scribe them as the best recipe for the re-esta- blishment of your health. '^ Do Do not imagine, my friend, from my writ- ing in this strain of pleasantry, that I have re- nounced my cares for the republic. Be as- sured, on the contrary, that it is the sole and unintermitted business of my life to secure t9 my fellow-citizens the full possession of xhtit liberties, to which end my admonitions, my labours, and the utmost powers of my mind, are, upon all occasions, unweariedly employed. In a word, it is my firm persuasion, that, if I should die a martyr to these patriot endeavours. I shall finish my days in the most glorioqs manner. Again and again I bid yqu fareweL^ ,. m w f !)• "•" * r% yt'^^f. -"^^ LETTER X. W [A. u. no.] Caius Cassius, Proconsul, to Cicero. '" m at I AM to inform you of my arrival in Syria, where I have joined the generals Lucius Muiv» O*^ and Quintus Crispus^. These brave and worthy citizens, having been made acquainted with what has lately passed in Rome, immedit^ ately resigned their armies to my command, and with great zeal and spirit co-operate with me in the service of the republic. Aulus Allie- ^Jfq 1 Imbni ,btm inri ^^^ 5 " They had been praetors, A. U. 708. Caesar scot the " former into Syria, and the latter into Bithynia, with pro- ** consular authority." Dio, xlvii, Jppian, iii. Mr. Ross. £06 The letters Jook XIIL pus has delivered to me the four legions which be brought from Egypt' : the legion which was commanded by Caecilius Bassus* has hkewise joined me* And now it is unnecessary, I am persuaded, that I should exhort you to defend the interest both of myself and of the common- wealth, to the utmost of your abilities : but it may animate your zeal and your hopes, to be assured that a powerful army is not wanting to support the senate and its friends in the gause of liberty. For the rest, I refer you to Lucius Carteius, whom I have directed to cour fer with you upon my affairs. FareweL From my camp at Tarichea^, March the 7th. LETTER ' " Allienus was lieutenant to Dolabella, by whom he ** was sent into Egypt, in order to conduct those legions into ** Syria. He accordingly executed bis commission ; but, ** instead of delivering these troops to Dolabella, he went " over with them to Cassius." Quartier. ♦ See rem. 7. p. 65. of this vol. « Situated upon the lake of Genesaret, in Galilee. ■H Book XIIL o? qiCERQ. LETTER XL ms [4, u. na] AsiNius PoLLio^ to Cicero. X ou must not wonder that you have heard nothing from me, in relation to public affairs, since the breaking out of the war. Our cou- riprs have always found it difficult to pass uii- molested through the forest of Castulo^ ; but it is now more than ever infested with robbers. These banditti, however, are by no means the principal obstruction to our intercourse with Rome, as the mails are perpetually searche<3 and detained ^ Asinius Pollio was, in every ref^pect, onp of the most ac- complished persons among his contemporaries. His exten- sive genius was equal to all the nol^^er branches of politic li- terature, and he gave the niost applauded proofs of his ta;- lents a^ ^ poet, an Orator, and an historian. He united the most lively ^pd pleasing yein of wit an(i pleasantry ^i?h a\l that strength and solidity of understanding which is neces- sary to render a man of weight in the more seriqan and im- portant qcca§ions 9f life ; in allusion to which uncoinmqii assemblage of qualities, it was said of him, thai he was a man omnium horarum. It is to be regretted that a character so truly brilliant on the intellectual side, should shine with less lustre in a moral view. 'Tis evident, hoi^ever, from the pre- sent epistle, that, in taking part with Coesar, against Fompcy, private considerations were of more force with him (han public utility, and determined him to support a cause which his heart condemned. This letter was written frc m the fer- ther Spain, of which province Caesar, a short time before his death, had appointed Pollio governor. ^ A city anciently of great note : at present it is only a small village, called Cazorla, in the province of New CaStile, in Spain. i'i I' 'I' fOS Thi: letters Book XIII, detained by the soldiers that are posted for that purpose, by both parties, in every quarter of the country. Accordingly, if I had not re- ceived letters by a ship which lately arrived in this river*, I should have been utterly ignorant of what has been transacted in your part of the world. But now that a communication by sea is thus opened between us, I shall fre- quently, and with great pleasure, embrace the opportunity of corresponding with you. 'Believe me, there is no danger of my being influenced by the persuasions of the person you , mention^ As much as the world abhors him, he is far from being detested to that degree which ; I know he deserves : and I have so strong an aversrbn to the man, that I would upon no consi- deration bear a part in any measures wherein he is concerned*. Inclined both by my temper and mf studies to be the friend of tranquillity and freedom, I frequently and bitterly lamented our late unhappy civil wars. But as the for- midable • The Qaadalquiver, upon which the city of Corduba, from whence this letter is daled, was situated. ' Antony, as Manutius conjectures, though son eof the commentators, with greater probability, suppose that be means Ltpidtts, Vid. EpUt. Famil. x. 11. & 15. ' Nothing could be more insincere, it should seem, than tbeM ^fessions, as it is probable that Pollio was at this time 4ct»rma]»ed to join Antony. It is certain, at least, that he did M loon afterwards, and carried with him the troops under Mi CKBiuund. Fata-cul. ii. 63. I. Id Book ^f OF CICERO. \n midable enemies which I had among both par- ties, rendered it, altogether, unsafe for me to re- main neuter; so I would not take up arms on that side where I knew I should be perpetually- exposed to the insidious' arts of my capital ad-,, versary*. But. though my incliaatioHs were adt with the party I joined, my spirit, however, woyld not suffer me to stand undistinguished among tTiem : in consequence of which, 1 was^ forward to engage in all the dangers of the cause I had espoused. With respecl; to CfBJV himself, I will confess that I loved him with the highest and most inviolable affection: and, in^.i deed, I had reason. For, notwithstanding his \ acquaintance with me commenced sa late a« when he was in the height of his power ; yet he admitted me into the same share of his friend- ship, as if I had been in the number of those -, with whom he had lived in the longest intimaji^ cy. Nevertheless, as often as I was at lib^i^^-t, to follow my own sentiments, I endeavoured that my conduct should be such as every, ho. nest man must approve; and whenever I wa« obliged to execute the orders I received, it wa« m a manner that evidently discovered how »=,! ^.*;.P"'!*'' """t^ «». »^ perhaps, Cto : at Pollio ha* early distinguished bit enmity towardt that most illuttriotl* ♦< ot Koinans by a public impeachment. Vid. Dial, di Gmf'*^ Corrupt. Eloquent. 34. Vol. III. p 7'- 510 Tue. LETTERS 5ook Xllt BookXIIL fo CICERO. fin ii tmch my actions wer^ at variaiKe with mj Jj^art. Tb€ unjust odiums however, that I in* .fiUTTcd by these unavoidable compliatices, might WCU t^ach me the true value of Uberty, and how wretched a condition it is to live under the go* ^ier^inent of a despotic power. If any attempts, therefore, arc carrying on to reduce us a se* fCOiid time under the dominioE of a single per-*. j5on, whoever that single person may be, I de* dare myself his irrecpncileable enemy- The ^uth is> tliere is no danger so great that I ivauld not cheerfully hazard for the support of oo^r coipmon hberties. But the consuls have not thought proper to signify to me, either by #Dy decree of tl)^ ^nate, or by their private {fitters, in what manner I should act in the pre- sent conjuncture. I have received, indeed, only :pne letter from Pansa since the ides of March : 1^ wlach he advised me to assure the senate, that I wa3 ready to employ the forces under my xommand in any service they should require. 3^t thi^ would have been a very imprudent d«- :claration at a time when Lepidus had professed, 4Ji| hi^ public speeches, as well as in the letters he wrote to all hi^ friends, that he concurred in J^tfjny's measures. For could I possibly, with- out the consent of the former, find means to » subsist my army in their march through his pro- vinces ? V »-.- yinces ? But granting that I could have suf- mounted this difficulty, I must have conquered another and a still greater : as nothing less than a pair of wings could have rendered it practi- cable for me to have crossed the Alps, whilst every pass was guarded by the troops of Lepiduit Add to this, that I could by no means convey any dispatches to Rome: as the couriers- were not only exposed in a thousand different places to' the danger of being plundered, bnt weredetam- ed, likewise, by the express orders of Lepidus\ it is well known, however, that I publicly declared at Corduba, that it was my resolution nol.to resign this province into any other hands than those which the senate should appoint: not to mention how strenuously I withstood all the ap- pHcations that were made to me for parting with the thirtieth legion. I could not, indeed, hav4 .given it up, without depriving myself of a very considerable strength for the defence of the re- public: as there are no troops in the whote world that are animated with a braver or moxse martial spirit than those of which this legion it < composed. Upon the w hole, I hope you will • dome the justice to believe, in the first place, that I am extremely desirous of preserving tbc qiubfe tranquillity ; as there is nothing I more "^"^ > n'2U0ldi ll^iTrrri tr^^rf't r^\'frTT> vrflinceEely ^ ' Lepidus was governor of that part of Spain which lay iwareft i9 Italy. See rem. a. on letter 44. of this book.' Pa 212 The letters Book XIII. Book XIII. of CICERO. 213 sincerely wish than the safety of all my fellow- citizens : and, in the next place, that I am de- termined to vindicate my own and my coun- try's rights. It gives me greater satisfaction than you can well imagine, that you admit my friend into a share of your intimacy. Shall I own, neverthe- less that I cannot think of him as the compa- nion of your walks, and as hearing a part in the pleasantry of your conversation, without feehng some emotions of envy ! This is a privilege, be- lieve me, which I in6nitely value : as you shall most assuredly experience, by my devoting the whole of my time to your company, if ever we should live to see peace restored to the repubhc. I am much surprised that youdid not mention, in your letter, whether it would be most satis- factory to the senate that I should remain in this province, or march into Italy. If I were to con- sider only my own ease and safety, I should certainly continue here: but as^ in the present conjuncture, the republic has more occasion for kgions than for provinces, (especial(ly as the 1q$s of the latter may, with great ease, be recovered) I have determined to move towards Italy wi^|i my troops. For the rest, I refer you to the let- ter I have written to Pansa : a copy of whicl^^ herewitktransmit to you. Farewel, ^^Jrl'Tr Curdaba, Match the l6th. ^„„^ LETTER « ' t ' 'If *"■■■■■ ■„■' .^3#J» ^ 1^ LETTER XII, [A.U.710.] To Caius Cassius. " * J ■ ■ ^ You will receive a full account of the present situation of affairs from Tidius Strabo, a person of great merit, and extremely well-affected to the republic. Need I add how strong his atr tachment, likewise, is to yourself, when it thus evidently appears by his leaving his family and his fortunes in order to follow you ? For the same reason, I forbear to solicit your good of^ fices in his behalf, as I am persuaded you will think his coming to you a sufficient recommen^ dation to your favour. If any misfortune should attend our arms, be assured that the friends of the republic have no other resource left than in you and Marcus Bru- tus. We are, at this juncture, indeed, in the most^ imminent danger : as it is with great dif- ficulty that Decimus Brutus still holds out at Miitina. However, if he should be speedily re- lieyed, we may look upon victory as our own ; if hot, let me repeat it again, every friend of lii- berty will fly for refuge to Brutus and to you. May you stand ready, then, with all that spirit which is necessary for the full and complete de- liverance of our distressed country ! Farewel. f 3 LETTER N ^, 214 II H The letters BOok XIII. LETTER XIIL Book XIII, of CICERO. 2ii « [A. u. no.] To Plancus. 1 HE account that Furnius gave us of your disposition towards the republic, afforded the highest satisfaction both to the senate and the people. But your letter, which was afterwards read in the' seriate, seemed by no m-^am to com* port with those sentiments our friend hud thu$ represented you is' eiitertaiiiihg. At'tTlFt^^fJr lame, indeed, when your illustrious colleague is sustaining a siege from the lawless crew of the most worthless villains, you do not scruple t^ advise us to peace. But if peace is their sin-^ ccife desire, let them immediately lay dowrf their arms, and sue for it in a proper manner,^ vm, uAdoubtedly, find my advice is found- ed on truth, if you make the experiment in a ipnRf r worthy of your character. Farewe!. March the 2pth, LETTER jii ,71'i la .rfuWr \. nnuoy To. Lepidus*' The singular regard I bear you, renders it greatly my concern that yBu should be distin- guished with the highest dignities of the re- public. I cannot, therefore, but regret, that, you « Marcus iErailius Lepidos was descended from one of the noblest and most ancient families in Rome : and he was himself distinguished with some of the most honqurabLe postf in the republic. He stood high in the confidence and friend- ship of Julius Caesar: who, when he was dictator, ijamed him for the master of the horse; when he was consul, in the year 707, declared him bis colleague; and who, a short tirie be- fore his death, appointed him governor of the nearer Spain. One of the most elegant of the Roman historians has repre- sented Lepidus as void of all military virtues, and in every view of his character as altogether unworthy of that high sta- tion to which fortune had exalted him. Accordingly he is de- *?5M ^^ Shakespear* in the tragedy of Julius Casar, as. -a slight unmeritabie man^ Meet to be sent on errands. But though the poet has been strictly true to history, it may be questioned, perhaps, whether the historian has been equally faithful to truth. For when one considers the great trust which Caesar reposed in Lepidus ; his address in prevailing with young Pompey, who had made himself master almost of all Spam, to renounce his conquests; together with the share he had m forming that celebrated league between Antony, Octavius, afid himself, which gave him a third part in the di- vision of the whole Roman dominions; is it credible that his talents were destitute of lustre? History, perhaps, may be more reasonably relied upon in what it has delivered con- cerning his moral character : and it is probable that Lepidus was stroYigly infected with avarice, ambition, and vanity. This at least is certain, that he acted towards the senate in the present conjuncture, with great dissimulation and treachery. At the Ume when this letter was written, he was at the head' of t)S The letters Book XIII, you omitted to pay your acknowledgments to the senate for those ej^traordinary honours they lately conferred upon you\ I am glad you are desirous of composing those unhappy dissentions that destroy the tranquillity of our country : and if you can cf-* feet this good work, consistently with the en- joyment of our liberties, it will be greatly tq your own credit, as well as to the advantage of the commonwealth. But if the peace you pro- pane, , is to re-establish a most oppressive ty^ ranny, be well assured there is not a man in his se^s^ who will not rather renounce hia^ life than thus suffer himself to be made a slave. I should think, therefore, that your wisest way would be to avoid engaging as the mediator of a peace which is neitlier approved by the senate,. or the people, nor indeed by a,ny lover of his country in the whole republic. But ^s this is a truth which you will undoubtedly learn from others, I will only add, that I hope you will consider, w^h your usual prudence, in what manner it will be best and most adviseable for you to act. Farewel. LETTER of a very considerable array in the Narbonensian Gaul, which CsBsar had annexed to the province of Spain, in favour of Lepidus. Pigh. Annal, ii. 451. VeL PatercuL ii. 63. 80. Dio. xlv. 275. *The senate had lately decreed, that the statue of Lepidu* should be erected in the forum with an inscription, in honour of the services he had performed to his country, by prevailing with young Pompey to lay down his arms. Philip, xvi. 4. fl BadkXIII. OF CICERO, $W LETTER XV, [A. U. 7^0.] To Caius Cassius. I WILL not tell you with how much ^eal I lately stood forth, both in the senate and be- fore the people, an advocate for the advance- ment of your honours*; as it is a circumstance which I had rather you should learn from the letters of your family, than from my own hand. I should easily have carried my point in the! former, if I had not met with a strenuous op* position from Pansa. Nevertheless, after hav- ing enforced my sentiments in the senate, I* made a speech, to the same pui-pose, ?n aii S^ sembly of the people: to which I was intro- duced by Marcus ServiHus, the tribfihe.'''!' urge^i upon this occasion, (and with a warmth and vehemence suitable to a popular audience) all that I most justly might in your favour if^ and my speech was received with a louder arid rnore universal applause than ever was known before l4^ W*"** ♦^Dokbella having entered into Asia Minor, and co«»^ miitid great outrages and hostilities in thlit province, wasde* dared, by a general vote of the senate, a public enemy : in^ conseqjuence of which a debate arose concerning the person to whoiii the war to be carried- on against Dolabella should be entrusted. Cicero moved that a commission shouldf be granted tv Cfks^iua for that purpose, with the ncio^t honour^ able and extenilre powers. But Ijis motion wa^ over^ruled by the superior intere^ of Pansa, who seems to have beeii secretly desirous of obtaining this^^ommand (fit himself. Vid,Pkilip» xi. sse The letters Book XIIL Book XIIL of CICERO. £!211 before. I hope you will pardon me that I took these steps contrary to the persuasions of your mother-in-law : who was apprehensive they might give offence to Pansa. He did not, in- deed, forget to avail himself of these fears: and he assured the people, that even your own fa- mily were averse to my making this motion. I was by no means, I confess, governed by their sentiments in the case : as I acted entirely with a view to an interest which I have always en- deavoured to promote; the interest I mean of the republic in general, as well as with a regard to the advancement of your glory in particular. There is one article upon which I very largely expatiated in the senate, as I afterwards repeated it likewise in my speech to the people : and I hope your conduct will fully justify what I then said. I undertook to assure the public, that you would not wait for the sanction of our de- crees; but, agreeably to your usual spirit, would, upon your own single authority, take such mea- sures as should appear expedient to you for the defence of the commonwealth, i went even farther, and almost ventured to affirm, that you Ha(! 'already acted in this manner. The truth of it is, although I was not at that time cer-„ tainfy informed either in what part of the world you were, or what number of troops you were furnished with ; yet I was confident, I said, - 4 that every legion in Asia^ had submitted to your command, and that you had recovered that province to the republic. I have only to add my wishes, that in every enterprise you shall undertake, you may still rise above yourself w^^h superipr glory. Farewel. ...,,,. ^rf «*/ LETTER XVI. ■I Plancus to Cicero. Itiho I 'i'iijq^^ SHOULD employ this letter in giving you a full explanation of my measures, if I had.no other method of convincing you, that I havQ i^ every respect conducted myself to wa^^dst^f republic agreeably to my own promises, and to your persuasions. I have ever been ambitious, indeed, of obtaining your esteem, as well 2^ your friendship : and if I have wished .to se- cure you for my advocate where I have acted wrong, I have been no less desirous of giving you occasion to applaud me for acting Tiajbtr. But I was going to say, that I shorten this le^ ter for two reasons ; the first is, because I hav^ cntiered into an ample detail of every thing in my public manifesto^ : and the next, because r . . ^^, you ^ ' ' Asia Minor. f ) I If * bee the next letter. t £23 The letters Book XIII. you will receive a circumstantial account of all that relates to me from Marcus Varisidius, a Roman knight, and my particular friend, whom I have directed to wait upon you. In the mean time, let me protest, that it was not without much concern that I saw others anticipate me in the good opinion of the republic : but I for- bore to declare myself, till I should be in a condition to effect something worthy of those expectations the senate has conceived of me, and of that high office^ 1 shall shortly bear. And should fortune second my endeavours, I hope to render such considerable services to the republic, that not only the present age shall feel the advantage of my assistance, but that it shall l>e' remembered, hkewise, in times to come. Meanwhile, that I may pursue these endeavours with the greater alacrity, let me entreat your suffrage in procuring mc those honours which your letter sets before my viet^ as ihciteiSi^irfi of my patriotism ; and your interest for this purpose is equal, I well kn6lrj to yBtir iticfiifia^ tion. Take care of your health, and give me your friendship in the same degree that I sili- cerclv give you mine. LETTER ^ The consulate, upon which Plancus was ta enter tlie fol- lowing year, aiu ^1, iio-fc5J 3 Boolc XIII. •t CICEEO. 223 rriA LETTER XVII. [A. V. no.] PiANCUs, Consul elect, to the Consuls, the Praetors, the Tribunes, the Senate, and the Commons of Rome. Sefosi: I make any professions with respect to my future conduct, I deem it necessary to justify myself to those who may think that I have held the republic too long in suspense concerning my designs'. For I would by no means have it imagined that I am atoning for my pa3t behaviour, when, in fact, I am only seizing the first favourable opportunity of pub* licly declaring a resolution, which I have long formed. I was in no sort ignorant, however^ thatj at a time of such general and alarming f:^9,nfusions, a less deliberate discovery 9f pj in^^ tentions would have proved most to my own j^JY^e advantage: as I was sen si t[le^, that se- veral of my fellow-citizens had been distin- guished with great honours, by a more hasty explication of their purposes. But as fortune had placed me in such a situation, that I could not be earlier in testifying mine without preju- diQing that cause which I could better serve by cpocealing them ; I was willing to suffer for a season in the good opinion of the world ; as I preferred • See rem, 2. p. 134. of this vol. 224 The letters Book XIII. prefered the interest of the public to that of my own reputation. That this was the genuine motive of my proceedings, cannot reasonably, I trust, be questioned. For can it be supposed that a man, in my prosperous circumstances, and of my well-known course of Hfe, whose utmost hopes too were upon the very point of being crowned', could be capable either of meanly submitting to the destructive ambition of an- other, or impiously cherishing any dangerous schemes of his own ? But it required some time, as well as much pains and expence, to render myself able to perform those assurances I purposed to give to the republic, and to every friend of her cause ; that I might not approach with mere empty professions to the assistance of my country, but with the power of performing an effectual service. To this end, as the army under my command had • been strongly and frequently solicited to re- volt, it was necessary to persuade them that a 'moderate reward, conferred by the gene- rat voice of the commonwealth, was far pre- ferable to an infinitely greater from any single hand. My next labour was to convince those many cities which had been gained the < / last ' AHudiog to his being to enter the nest year on the con- sular office. Book XIII. of CICERO. 225 last year by largesses and other donations, that these were obligations of no validity, and that they should endeavour to obtain the same bene- fectibns from a better and more honourable quarter. I had still the farther task to prevail with those who commanded in the neighbour- ing provinces, to join with the more numerous party in a general association for the defence of our common liberties, rather than unite wiA the smaller number, in hopes of dividing the •polls of a victory that must prove fatal to the whole world. Add to this, that I was obliged to augment my own troops and those of my auxiliaries, that I might have nothing to fear whenever I sliould think proper, contrary to the inclination of some about me, openly to avow the cause which it was my resolution to defend. Now, I shall never be ashamed to acknowledge^ that, in order to bring these several schemes to bear, I submitted, though very unwillingly, in- deed, to the mortification of dissembling the intentions I really had, and of counterfeiting those which I certainly had not : as the fate of my colleague' had taught me how dangerous it is -fhU^'"'!""' If"*"'- '^° *•"* particular circamstancft •fhiscnduci Plancus alludes, the history of lhe« time. S M 1 ». "J** "■P"'^en.ly dra^n upon b.nwelf (he s>e« ii^stlrauact" '" '" "''"' '"^ P^-P" •'"P"'"''^ Vol, III. Q /»* «S6 The LETTERS BookXIIL is for a nian who means well to his country, to divulge his resolutions ere he is sufficiently pre-, pared to carry them into execution. For this leason it was that I directed my brave and worthy lieutenant, Caius Furnius, to represent to you, more fully than 1 thought prudent to explain in my dispatches, those measures which seemed necessary for the preservation both of this province and of the republic in general, as be- ing the more concealed method of conveying my sentiments to you upon that subject, as well as the safer with respect to myself. It appears, then, that 1 have long been secret- ly attentive to the defenceof thecommonwealth. But now that, by the bounty of the gods, 1 am in every respect better prepared for that pur- pose, I desire to give the world, not only rea- Spn to hope well of my intentions, but clear and undoubted proofs of their sincerity. I have five legions in readiness to march ; all of them zealously attached to the republic, and disposed, by my liberalities, to pay an entire obedience to my orders. The same disposition appears in every city throughout this province : and they earnestly vie with each other, in giv- ing me the strongest marks of their duty. Ac- cordingly, they have fiirnished me with as con^ siderable a body of auxiliary forces, botli horse and Book XIII. op CICEllO. itf^ and foot, as they could possibly have raised for the support of their own national libertres.' As for myself; I am ready either to remain here, in order to protect this province, or to march- wheresoever else the republic shall demand my? services. I will offer, yet, another alternative; and either resign my troops and government into any hands that shall be appointed, or draw upon myself the whole weight of the war- if,r by these means, I may be able to establish' the tranquillity of my country, or even retardthose calamities with which it is threatened. If, at the time that I am making these decla- rations, our public disturbances should happily be composed, I shall rejoice in an event so ad- vantageous to the commonwealth, notwith- standing the honour I shall lose by being too late in the tender of my services'. But, on the contrary, if I am early enough in mV offers to bear a full part in all the dangers of the Avar, let me recommend it to every man of justic^ and candour to vindicate me against the male- volence of those, whom envy may prompt to asperse my character. ' f •* J • Pl.n J"* ''*'"'°*. sufficicmlydiscovers the true motive of nancus , present declarations : as they appear evidently to «t between Antony and the senate was likely to be adjusted in an amicable manner. / ' » aujusiea Q2 ini The letters Uook XIIL Book XIII. of CICERO. «29 In my own particular, I desire no greater re* ward for my services, than the satisfaction of having contributed to the security of the re- public But I think myself bound to recom- mend those brave and worthy men to your es- pecial favour, who, partly in compliance with my persuasions, put much more in confidence of your good faith, would not suffer themselves to be prevailed upon by all the applications Ihat have been made both to their hopes and thdt fears, to depart from their duty to die commonwealth. r fnicTo LETTER XVIII. [A.U.710.1 ^» To Plancus. ^ Alteoug^ I had received a very full account from our friend. Furnius of your disposition with regard to the republic, and of the mea- sures you were meditating in its defence, yet, the perusal of your letter^ afforded me a still clearer view into the whole plan of your patriot purposes. Notwithstanding, then, that you should not have an opportunity of executing your projected services, as the fate of the com* nonwealth, which depends upon a single bat- tle^ ' The foregoing ktt«r to the senate. tic, Mall, probably, be decided ere this reaches your hands ; yet you have acquired, neverthe- less, great and universal applause from what thfe world has been informed of your general good intentions. Accordingly, had either of the; consuls been in Rome** when your dispatches arrived, the senate would have declared, and in ^terms, I am persuaded, extremely to your ad- vantage, the sense it entertains of your z^lous and acceptable preparations in their cause. The proper season, however, for your being re- warded with honours of this kind, is, in my opinion, at least, so far from being elapsed, that, on the contrary, it seems to be scarce fully ar- lived : as those distinctions, alone, appear to me to deserve the name of honours that are con- ferred by our country, not in expectation of services to come, but in just retribution to those that have eflfectually been performed. Believe me, if any form of government shall subsist amongst us where merit can Roj^ ib be distinguished, you will shine out with all the most illustrious dignities it can bestbwl But ' nothing of this kind (let me repeat it again) can justly be called an honour, but Avhat is given. «::., i I i J irj ♦ " The two consuls, Hirtius and Pansa, were both in Gaul, and waitii^ to attempt a decisive battle with Anto- '^* ny, in order to deliver Decimus Brutus from the danger he " was in at Modena." Mr. Ross. . -'* Q3 230 The letters Book XIII. given, not as the incentive of an occasional service, but as the recompence of a constant and uniform course of patriotism. Be it then your earnest endeavour, my dear Plancus, to acquire these well-merited nvvaids, by ad- vancing to the relief of your rol league* ; by improving that wonderful unanimity which ap- pears in every province for the sui>port of the common cause; and by giving all possible suc- cour to your country in general. Be persuaded that I shall always be ready to assist your schemes with my best advice, and to promote your ho^^ nours with my utmost interest : in a word, that I shall act, upon every occasion, wherein you arc concerned, as one who is most sincerely and most warmly your friend. I am so, indeed, not only from that intercourse of affectionate good offices by which we have been long mu- tually united, but from the love I bear likewise to my country ; in tenderness to which I am more anxious for your life than for my own. Farewel March the 30tb. LETTER ' Deciraus Brutus. :• J"* Book XIII. OF CICERO- tSP LETTER XIX. [A. U. 710.] To CORXIFICIUS. I AGREE with you In thinking that those who were concerned in the design upon Lilybaeum*^, deserved to have been executed upon the spot But you spared them, it seems, in the apprehen- sion that the world would condemn you as too freely indulging a vindictive spirit : yet, as well might you have been apprehensive, my friend, that the world would condemn you for acting too agreeably to your patriot character. I very gladly embrace your overtures of re- newing that association with you, for the de- fence of the republic, in which I was formerly engaged with your father : and I am persuad- ed, it is an association, my dear Cornificius, in which we shall ever be united. It is with much pleasure, likewise, that I find you esteem it unnecessary to send me any ceremonious ac- knowledgments of my services: formalities, itiiVeed, would ill agree with that intimacy which subsists between us. If « A city in Sicily, opposite to the coa^st of Lybia in Afri- ca. The particulars of the affair alluded to, as well as the persons concerned in it, are unknown. Q4 sas T^iir LETTERS Book XIII; If the senate were ever holden in the absence of the consuls, tfntess up6Tr iome very sudden and extraordinary occasion, it would have been more frequently summoned in order to concert proper measures for the support of your autho- rity* But as neither Hirtius nor Pansa are in Rome, no decree can at present be procured, in relation to the several sums of two millions^, ii^wi of seventy millions' of sesterces which you i»c?ntion. 1 think, however, that you are su^ ficently authorized to raise this money byAray of loan, in virtue of that general decree of the senate by which you were confirmed in yoBr government I -Y'lV.-A?^ . ; ^ imagine you are informed of the state of our affairs, by those to whom it properly belongs to Sf a4 you the intelligence. As for myself, I con- ceive great hopes that things will take a fiivour- a})Ie turn. I am not wanting, at least, in my u^- IBost vigilance and efforts for that purpose : axfd I am resolutely waging war against every foe to the republic. The recovery of our liberties 4?!^ i^Qt &eem, indeed, evennow^ to be a mat- ter of great difficulty : I am sure it would have been perfectly easy, if son^e persons had acted .|n the manner they ought. Farewel. r \.jik li»./V i) t tV 4/ '.' i\ i i'ty »i ' LETTER ^ About if ,0001. of our money. ■ About 560,0001. — • » * V Book XIII. OF CieERO.' 239 LETTER XX. . [A.u.rio.] - £ To Plancus. It is principally for the sake of my coutitiy that I ouglit to rejoice in the very powerful succours with which you have strengthened the republic, at a juncture when it is well-nigh reduced to the last extremity. I protest, how- ever, by all my hopes of congratulating yoU on the victorious deliverance of the commoii- wealth, that a considerable part of the joy which I feel upon this occasion, arises from the share I take in your glory. Great, indeed, is the reputation you have already acquired, and -great, I am persuaded, will be the honoutfe that will hereafter be conferred upon you ; fOr as- sure yourself, nothing could ma|:c fetroiig^r ifn-^ -pression upon the senate^than your late letter* xMo that assembly. It did so^ both with fespeit to those very important services which -it ; brought us an account that you had p^rfbrmefl, ajid with regard to that strength of Sentiment and expression with which it was drawn up. lit contained nothing, however, that was in the least unexpected to myself: as I was hot only •p^iJecfly well acquainted with your heart, and ' had ■J '. v »^ i ' ' The letter here mentioned seems to have been a subse- quent one to that which stands the 17th in the present book, 3 4 {34 Thj: letters Book XIII. had not forgotten the promises you had given me in your letters, but as I had received froiji Furnius a full information of all your designs. These, indeed, appeared to the senate much be^ yond what they had allowed themselves to hope: not that they ever entertained the least doubt of your disposition, but because they were by no means sufficiently apprised either of what you were in a condition to effect, or whither you purposed to march. It was with infinite pleasure, therefore, that I read the letter which Marcus Varisidius dehvered to me on your part. I received it on the 7th of this month, in the morning, amidst a large circle of very worthy citizens; m ho were attending in order to con- duct me from my house : and I immediately gave them a share in my joy. Whilst we were mutually congratulating each other upon this happy occurrence, Munatius came to pay me liis usual morning visit : to whom I likewise communicated your letter. It was the first no- tice he had received of an express being ar-, rived from you: as Varisidius, in pursuance of your directions, did not deliver any of his dis- patches till he had first waited upon me. A short time, however, after Munatius had left me, he returned with your letter to him&el^n together also with that which you wrote to the senate. ii Book XIII. ^^ CICERO, a^ii senate. We thought proper to carry the latter immediately to Cornutus : who, as praetor of the city, supplies the office of the consuls in their absence, agreeably, you know, to an an- cient and established custom. The senate was instantly summoned: and the expectation that was raised by the general report of an express feeing arrived from you, brought together a very full assembly. As soon as your letter was read, it was objected that Cornutus had not taken the auspices in a proper manner : and this scruple was confirmed by the general sen- timents of our college^ In consequence of this, the senate was adjourned to the following day: when I had a very warm contest with Servilius/ who strenuously opposed the passing of any decree to your honour. For this purpose he had the interest to procure his own motion to b*^ first proposed to the senate' : which being rejected, however, by a great majority, mine was next taken into consideration. But when the senate had unanimously agreed to it, Pub- lius Titius*, at the instigation of Servilius, in- terposed ^ 5» See rem. 3. p. 279. vol. I. _'. The senate could not enter into any de))ate, unless th« subject of it was proposed to them in form by some of the ■ magistrates ; who bad the sole privilege of referring any question to a vote, or of dividing the house upon it. Midlct, on the Rom. S, p. 155. ' * One of the tribunes. It has already been observed, that those magistrates had a power of putting a stop to tbe pro- ceedings of the senate; by tbeir single negaUve. S36 The letters Book XIII. terposed his negative. The farther deliberation upon this affair was postponed, therefore, to the next day : when Servilius came prepared to support an opposition, which, in some sfcitt, might be considered as injurious to the honour even of Jupiter himself; aa it was in the Capi- top that the j^enate, upon this occasion, was as- sembled. I leave it to your other friends to inform you in what manner I mortified Servi- lius, and with how much warmth I exposed the contemptible interposition of Titius. But this I will myself assure you, that the senate couid ' The Capitol was a temple dedicated to Jupiter, and the most considerable structure of the sacred kind in all Rome. The ruins of this celebrated edifice are still to be seen. None of the commentators have taken notice of the indirect com- pliment which Cicero here pays to Piancas : which seems, however, to deserve a particular explanation. The Capitol was held in singular veneration, as being built upon the spot which Jupiter was supposed to have chosen for the. visible manifestation of his person. In consequence of this popular superitition, both Horace and Virgil often speak of the pros- perity and duration of the Capitol, as a circumstancf! U£on Vi'hich the fortune of the whole empire depended : ■ Stet CupUoUum FulgtnSy iriump/iatisque potiit . v; Eimaforox dare jura medis, HoR. Od. iii. 3. 4^. J}^ domus JEnei Capitoli immobile saxiim Af^colcti imperrumque Pater Rotnanm kabehit. JEfh ik. 448. ^ Cicero, therefcre, by a very artful piece of ^ttery, insi- nuates, that, the opposition Servilius made to the honours which the senate intended to have paid to Plancus, was, in eflhect, an affront to that supreme and guardian divinity in whose temple the transaction passed, as being contrary to the interest of a republic which was distinguished by Jupiter himself with his immediate presence. Vid, Mn, viii. d4(>. Book XIU. of CICEEO. 2?7 could not possibly act with greater dignity «nd spirit, or shew a stronger disposition to ad- Vance your honours, than it discovered upon this occasion. Nor are you less in favour with the whole city in general: as, indeed, all orders and degrees of men amongst us remarkably concur in the same common zeal for the deli- ^VCT^nce of the republic. Persevere then, my friend, in the glorious course upon which you have entered : and let nothing less than im- . mortal fame be the object of your well-directed .an^bition. Despise the false splendour of all those empty honours that are short-lived, tran- sitory, and perishable. True glory is founded upon virtue alone : which is never so illustri- ''^usly distinguished as when it displays itself by ^ important services to our country. You have •"at'this time a most favourable opportunity for ^ Aat purpose : which, as you have already cm- '' Braced, let it not slip out of your hands till you ''•^ihall have employed it to full advantage ; lest it Be said, that you are more oblig^^ fo the re- public than the republic is obliged tp^pw. As, for my own part, you will ahvays* Md me ...ready to contribute to the advancement as well '^as to the support of your dignities : Indeed, it ''"w wfiat r owe not only to our friendship, but to the commonwealth, which h far dearer to me isi than life itself. ' (H-^ ..u'f Whilst *'i a I S38 The letters Book XIII. BookXIIL of CICERO. 23J' r i Whilst I was employing my best services for the promotion of your honours, I received great pleasure in observing the prudence and fidelity which Titus Munatius exerted for the same purpose. I had experienced those quali- ties in him upon other occasions : but the in- credible diligence and affection with which he acted for your interest, in this affair, shewed them to me in a still stronger and more con** spicuous point of view. Farewcl. April the lltb. LETTER XXL [A.U. 710.J To CORNIFICIUS. Y friendship Avith Lucius Lamia is well known, I am persuaded, not only to yourself, who are acquainted with all the circumstances of my life, but to every Roman in general. It most conspicuously appeared, indeed, to the whole world, when he was banished by the con-»^ sul Gabinius^, for having, with so remarkable a spirit of freedom and fortitude, risen up in my defence^ Our friendship, however, did not commence from that period : it was from an afw fection of a much earher date, that he was inr. duced thus generously to expose himself to every ♦ See rem. 21. p. 174. vol. i. ' When Cicero was persecuted by Clodius. every danger in my cause. To these his me- ritorious services, I must add, that there is no man whose company affords me a more true and exquisite entertainment. After what I have thus said, you will think it needless, sure- ly, that I should use much rhetoric in recom- mending him to your favour. You see the just reason I have for giving him so large a share of my affection : whatever terms, therefore, the strongest friendship can require upon an occa- sion of this nature, let your imagination supply for me in the present. I will only assure you, that your good offices to the agents, the ser- vants, and the family of Lamia, in every article wherein his affairs in your province shall re- quire them, will be a more acceptable instance of your generosity than any.you could confer in my own personal concerns. I am persuaded, in- deed, from your great penetration into the cha- racters of men, that Avithout my recommenda- tion you would be perfectly well-disposed to give him your best assistance. I must confess, at the same time, I have heard that you suspect him of having signed some decree of the senate injurious to your honour. But I must assure you, in the first place, that he never signed any during the administration of those consuls^ ; and, * It is altogether uncertain to what consuls Cicero alludes : Manutius supposes, to Antony and Dolabella. S40 The letters Book XIIL and, in the next, that almost all the decrees which were pretended to be passed at that time, were absolutely forged. The truth is, you might just as reasonably suppose I was con- cerned in that decree to which my name was subscribed, relating to Sempronius; though, in feet, I was then absent from Rome, and com- plained, I remember, of the injury that had been done me, in a letter which I wrote to you upon the occasion. But not to enter farther into this subject ; I most earnestly entreat you, my dear Comificius, to consider the interest of Lamia, in all respects, as mine, and to let him see that my recommendation has proved of singular advantage to his affairs; assuring your- self that you cannot, in any instance, more ef- fectually oblige me. FarewcL LETTER I OF CICfellO. 241 LETTER XXIL [A. u. no.] To the same. Corn I Fi CI u^, delivered your letter to me on ^??F>}4^^^ ^C.^Jf^^'cli, about three weeks, as he told me, after he had received it from your Ij^nds. The ftmte did not assemble either on th4 day or the next; however, on the 9th they met, when I defended your cause in a T^^T Jl^n house, and with no unpropitious re- gards from Minerva'. I may with peculiar Pl^Pll^^y. ^^y ^^^ ^s tlie statue'of that guardian goddess of Rome, which I formerly erected in ^lf> 9^^^'^o^'>.,^MFhichha(J lately been thrown down by an high wind, was at the; same time d^cf^ed to be replaced. Your letter, which Pansa read to the senate, was much approved, and afforded great satisfaction to the whole as- sembly. It fired them, at the same time, with general indignation against the impudent at- tempts ■ It was a sort of proverbial expression among the Ro- mans» when they spoke of any successful undertaking, to say that It was carried on ** not without the approbation of Mi- •* nerva/' ^^ * ** Cicero, a little before his retreat into banishment, ^^ took a small statue of Minerva, which had long be^n re^ I* verenced in his family as a kind of tutelar deity, and car- ^^ rying it to the Capitol, placed it in the temple of Jupiter, . ^(^er thetii\eo{ Minerva, the suardian of the city." Lif« of Cic. i. 350. *^ Vol. IIL R '■■i ui The letters Book XIII. f tempts of the horrid Minotaur, for so I may well call those combined adversaries of yours, Calvisius and Taurus'. It was proposed, there- fore, that the censure of the senate should pass upon them ; but that motion was over- ruled by the more merciful Pansa. However, a decree was voted upon this occasion extremely to your honour. As for my own good offices in your favour, be assured, my dear Cornificius, they have not been wanting from the first moment I con- ceived a hope of recovering our liberties. Ac- cordingly, when I laid a foundation, for that purpose, on the 20th of December last^ while the rest of those who ought to have been equally forward in that work, stood timidly hesitating in what manner to act, I had a par- ticular view to the preserving you in your pre- sent post ; and to this end I prevailed with the senate to agree to my motion concerning the continuance of the proconsuls in their respec- tive provinces. But my zeal in your cause did not ' The Minotaur was a fabulous monster which the poets describe as half man half bull. Cicero, therefore, in allusion to the name of Taurus, who had joined with Calvisius in some combination against Cornificius, jocosely gives them the appellation of the Minotaur. .^jib ♦When he spoke his third and fourth Philippic orations, wherein Cicero endeavoured, amongst other articles, to ani- mate the senate and the people to vigorous measures against Antony. Book XIII. op CICKRO. !24S not terminate here, and I still continued my attacks upon that person, wha, m <*ontempt of the senate, as well as most injuriously to you, had, even whilst he himself was absent from Rome, procured your government to be allotted to him. My frequent, or, to speak more pro- perly, my incessant, remonstrances against his proceedings, forced him, much against his in- clinations, to enter Rome, where he found him- self obliged to rehnquish the hopes of an ho- nour which he thought himself no less sure of, than if it had been in his actual possession. It gives me great pleasure that these my just and honest invectives against your adversary, in conjunction with your own exalted merit, have secured you in your government, as I rejoice extremely, likewise, in the distinguished ho- nours you have there received. I very readily admit of your excuse in regard to Sempronius, well knowing that your con^ duct upon that occasion may justly be imputed to those errors to which we were all equally liable, whilst we trod the dark and dubious paths of bondage. I myself, indeed, the grave inspirer of your counsels, and the firm defender of your dignities, even I, my friend, was inju diciously hurried away by my indignation at the times, when, too hastily despairing of li* R 2 berty, I ti ^1 Aj *t I 244 The tETTERS Book XIII. berty, I attempted to retire into Greece^ But the Etesian winds, like so many patriot-citi- zens, refused to waft me from the common- wealth, whilst Auster, conspiring in their de- signs, collected his whole force, and drove me back again to Regium. From thence 1 re- turned to Rome, with all the expedition that sails and oars could speed me, and, the very next day after my arrival, I shewed the world that I was the only man, amidst a race of the most abject slaves, that dared to assert his freedom and independency^ I inveighed, in- deed^ ^g^i^st the measures of Antony with so much spirit and indignation, that he lost all manner of patience; and pointing the whole rage of his Bacchanalian fury at my devoted head, he at first endeavoured to gain a pretence of assassinating me in the senate ; but that pro- ject not succeeding, his next resource was to lay wait for my life in private. But 1 extricated myself from his insidious snares, and drove him, all reeking with the fumes of his nauseous intemperance, into the toils of Octavius*. That excellent • An account of this intended voyage has already been given in a former note. See rem. 3. p. 134. of this vol. 7 This seems to aliude to his having refused to pay obedi- ence to a summons from Antony, to attend a meeting of the senate which was held on that day. See rem. 1. p. 142. of this vol. • » Octavius, as soon as he returned into Italy, after the death of Cajsar, endeavoured to secure Cicero in bis interest, as ' I Book XIII. of CICERO. £45 excellent youth drew together a body of troops, in the first place, for his own and my particu- lar defence ; and in the next, for that of the re- public as Cicero appeared no less forward to embrace the friend- ship of Octavius. They both of them, indeed, had one of the strongest of all motives, perhaps, for a mutual coalition ; as there is nothing in which men seem to unite more amicably, than in hunting down the same common foe. The league, however, into which Cicero entered with Octavius, extended no farther, at first, than to a matter of mere civil contro- versy : and he only engaged to support Octavius in his claim of part of Caesar's estate, which Antony, it was alledged, in- juriously withheld from him. But even this was going a greater length than a true patriot could prudently have ven- tured. For though the contest between Antony and Octa- vius, with respect to the money in question, was altogether personal, yet ** by natural consequence (as the accurate ob- ** server upon the epistles between Cicero and Brutus justly " remarks) it became a matter of more extensive concern. ** In the first place, it was joined with the succession to the ** name of Caisar; which was looked upon by the chiefs of ** the Caesarian party as an earnest of the continuance of " the public settlement made by Caesar ia the person of Oc- ** tavius; and, on the same account, it was always suspected by the more discerning republicans. In the next place, it gave Octavius the plausible occasion of being the distin- guished assertor of Caesar's acts, and of the full execution of all his bequests : by which means he drew upon him- " self the eye's of all the veterans, the military force of the " empire, and interested the whole populace of Rome in his ** cause ; since it was the comnion cause of all who were ex- " pecting with impatience the effect of Ca?sar's liberality." However, had Cicero's engagements with Octavius ended here, his conduct might have been excused, at least, though it cer- tainly could not have been justified. But when he afterwards armed Ociavius with the power and the dignities of the state ; when he trusted (as the excellent author of the observations on his life ingeniously expresses it) the last stake of liberty in the hands of a mail who had so great temptations to betray it^ he seems clearly to have acted in contradiction to the senti- ments of his heart, and to have sacrificed ihQ cause of the R3 tr,^rfP^^^'^ (i <( «( (( % 1 1 I 246 The letters Book XIII. public in general ; which, if he had not happily raised, Antony, in his return from Brundisium, would have spread desolation, like a wasting pestilence, around the land. What followed I need not add, as I imagine you are well ap- prised of all that has happened subsequent to that period. To return, then, to what gave occasion to this digression^ let me again assure you, that I am.perfectly well satisfied with your excuse concerning Sempronius. The truth is, it was. impossible to act.with any determined steadiness and uniformity in times of such to- tal anarchy and confusion. " But other days (to use an expression of Terence) are now arrived, and other measures are now re- quired." Come, then, my friend, let us sail forth together, and even take our place at the helm. All the advocates of liberty are embarked in one common bottom ; and it is my utmost endeavour republic to the hatred he bore to Antony. Plutarch ex- pressly assigns this as Cicero's motive for declaring in favour of Octavius; which, indeed, is abundantly confirmed by his letters to Atticus. It appears from these that there was so little diflference, with respect to the republican interest, whe* ther Antony or Octavius was at the head of affairs, that nei- ther Atticus nor Cicero could determine, in that view, which to prefer : valde tihi esserttior, "^avs our author to his friend, it multum possit Octavianus, mult 6 firmius acta tyranni com- probatum iri, quant in telluris : atque id contra Brutum Jieri, Sin autem vincitur, tides intolerahdem Avtonium , ut quern ue- hs nescias. Ad Att. xvi. 14. Plut. in Brut. Tunstal's ob- $erv. on the epist. between Brut, and Cic. p. 132. Observ, on the Life of Cic. p. 50* ic t€ tl 'I I Book XTII. OF CICERO. 247 endeavour to steer them right. May prosper- ous gales then attend our voyage ! But, what- ever winds may arise, my best skill, most as- suredly, shall not be wanting: and is it in the power of patriotism to be answerable for more ? In the mean time, let it be your care to cherish in your breast every generous and ex- alted sentiment, remembering always that your true glory must ever be inseparably connected with the republic. Farewel. R4 LETTER I f i 4 ( 249 ) LETTERS OF MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS. BOOK XIV. '; LETTER L [A.U.710.] Galea' to Cicero. On the 15th of this month, the day on which Pansa intended to join the army of Hirtius, Antony drew out of his lines the second and thirty-fifth legions, together with his own prar- torian cohort, and that of Silanus* ; both which were * He had been one of Caesar's lieutenants in Gaul • but not being favoured by him in his pursuit of the consulship he joined in the conspiracy with Brutus and Cassius. He was^great grand-father to the emperor Galba. Quartier ^ He was military tribune in thearray of Lepidus, and by the secret coiimvance, if not by the express orders, of that general, had conducted a body of troops to the assistance of Antony, m the siegei)f Modena. Dio. xlvi. p, 33^ •11 250 The letters Book XIV. i were composed of the Evocati^ I happened, at this time, to be in Pansa's army, having been sent an hundred miles express, in order to hasten his march. Antony advanced towards us with these troops, in the supposition that our forces consisted only of four new-raised legions ; whereas Hirtius, the better to secure our junction, had taken advantage of the pre- ceding night to reinforce us with the martial leo-ion, which I generally commanded, as also with two praetorian cohorts. These regiments, upon the very first appearance of Antony's ca- valry, could by no means be restrained from encraoino- ; so that we were under an absolute necessity of following them to the charge. Antony, in order to deceive us into a be- lief that none of his legions were with him, had posted them at Forum Gallorum*, and only appeared with his horse and light-armed troops in view. Pansa, when he saw that, contrary to his inclination, the martial legion had rushed on to the attack, gave directions that two of his new-raised legions, which were behind, should immediately come up. As soon as we had passed the woods and a morass, we formed in order of battle with twelve cohorts^; the other two legions I just now mentioned not being 3 See rem. 1. p. 340. vol. 1, - , zr • ♦ Now called Casiel-Franco, a small viUagc on the i±jm- lian way, between Modena and Bologna. 5 A cohort consisted of about four or five hundred men. ^ Book XIV. of CICERO. 251 being yet arrived. Antony observing this, drew all his forces out of the village, and in- stantly began the engagement. Both sides maintained the first onset with the most obsti- nate bravery; though, indeed, our right wing, in which I commanded eight cohorts of the martial legion, at the very beginning of the action, repulsed Antony's thirty-fifth legion, and pursued them above ****'^ paces out of the field. But I no sooner observed the ene- my s cavalry attempting to surround the winor from which I had advanced, than I endea- voured to rejoin it; ordering, at the same time, my light-armed troops to engage Antony's Moorish horse, lest they should fall upon us in our rear. But whilst I was attempting to regain ray post, I found myself in the midst of the enemy's troops, and perceived Antony himself at a small distance behind me. Upon this, throwing my shield cross my shoulders, I gallopped full speed towards one of our new- raised legions, which I saw advancing from the camp ; the enemy, at the same time pursuing me on the one side, and our own men aiming their pikes at me on the other ; but, as the lat- ter soon discovered who I was, I had the very extraordinary ^^ " The common editions add here quhgentos, but it is not found either in Dr. Mead's MS. or any oiher autho- ** nty." Mr. Rms, ^1 252 The letters Book XIV. ■a extraordinary good fortune to escape. Caesar's praetorian cohort^, which was posted on the ^milian road, made a very long and vigorous resistance. But our left wing, in which were two cohorts of the martial legion, together with the praetorian cohort, and which formed, indeed, the weakest division of our army, began to o-ive ground, being hemmed in by Antony's cavalry, in which he is extremely strong. As soon as all our troops had made good their re- treat, I began to think of mine, and was the last that entered our camp. Antony, consider- ing himself as master of the field, imagined he could, likewise, take possession of our camp ; but, after an unsuccessful attempt, he retired with great loss. As soon as Hirtius was informed of what had passed, lie put himself at the head of twenty ve- teran cohorts, and meeting Antony in his return from the attack of our camp, engaged him upon the very spot where our action had just before happened, and entirely defeated his army. — About ten o'clock that night, Antony, with his cavalry, regained his camp near Mutina ; as Hirtius retired to that which Pansa had quitted in the morning, and in which he had left the two legions that repulsed Antony. The enemy have lost the greatest part of their * Octayius, Book XIV. of CICERO. ^53 their veteran troops. But this advantage was not to be obtained without a loss, likewise, on our side ; the prsetorian cohorts, together with the martial legion, having somewhat suffered in this action. We have taken two legionary standards^, together with sixty others; and, upon the whole, have gained a very conside* rable victory. Farewel. From the camp, April the 20th, LETTER II. [A. U. 710.] Pl-ANCUS to CICEEO^ It affords me great pleasure to reflect, that I have amply justified your favourable represen- tations of me, by having strictly fulfilled the promises I made you. I give you a proof, likewise, of my particular affection, by ac- quainting you, before any other of my friends, with the measures I have taken. I hope you are well persuaded, that the republic will daily receive still stronger instances of my attach- ment; let me assure you, at least, that you shall /Each legion had a chief standard carried before it, upon which was fixed the figure of an eagle ; there was a particu- Jar one, likewise, to every company. » When Plancus wrote this letter, he had not received advice of the action between the troops of Antony and those of the republic ; of which an account has been given in the preceding epistle. m 254 The letters Book XIV. k I? Pi J shall be more and more couvinced of it by the clearest and most unquestionable evidence. As to what concerns my own personal interest, I protest to you, my dear Cicero, by all my hopes of rescuing the republic from those imminent dangers to which it is exposed, that notwith- standing I esteem those illustrious recompences which are conferred by the senate as no less desirable than immortal fame ; yet, believe me, I shall not, in the least, remit of my earnest endeavours to assist the commonwealth, al- though I should never participate of its glori- ous rewards. If the ardour and efficacy of my zeal should not distinguish me, amidst those many excellent citizens who stand forth in the defence of our country, let not your suffrage contribute to the increase of my honours. I have no ambition inconsistent with that gene- ral equality for which I have taken up arms, and am perfectly well contented to leave it to your own determination, both w^hen, and in what manner, my services shall be recompensed. Nothing, indeed, can be deemed too late or too inconsiderable, which is given to a man as a pubhc testimony of his country's approbation. Having reached the Rhone, by long marches, I passed that river, with my whole army, on the fiyth of April, and immediately ordered a de- I tachment Book XIV. OF CICERO. 255 tachment of a thousand horse to advance be- fore me from Vienna', by a shorter road. If I meet with no obstructions on the part of Le- pidus, I doubt not of giving the republic rea- son to be satisfied with my diligence and ex- pedition ; but, if he should attempt to inter- cept my passage, I must take my measures as circumstances shall require. Of this, however, I will now assure you, that the army I am conducting is highly respectable, whether considered with regard to the nature, the number, or the fidelity of my troops. I will only add, that I desire your friendship upon no other terms, than as you are sure I shall al- ways give you the. warmest returns of mine. Farewel. LETTER ^ 'Tis now called Vienne, a city in the province of Pau- phiny, situated upon the Rhone. i ,U I .'■! ti ' S56 The letters Book XIV. 1 LETTER III. [A.u. no] Decimus Brutus to Cicero. 1 ou are sensible how great a loss the republfc has sustained by the death of Pansa\ It be- hoves you, therefore, to exert all your credit and address to prevent our enemies from enter- taining any reasonable hope of recovering their strength, now that they have thus deprived us of both our consuls*. . I am preparing trf pursue Antony immediately ; and, I trust, shall be able to render it impossible either for Antony to continue in Italy, or for Ventidius^ to escape out of it. As ' Pansa died at Bologna a few days after ihe battle of Mutina, of the wounds he received in that action. Appian, iii. p. 572. * liirtius and Octavius, after the battle mentioned in the preceding note, *' were determined, at all hazards, to relieve ** Modena ; and after two or three days spent in finding the " most likely place of breaking through the intrenchments, they ** made their attack with such vigour, that Antony, rather than " suffer the town to be snatched, at last, out of his hands, chose " to draw out his legions and come to a general battle. The ** fight was bloody and obstinate, and Antony's men, though ** obliged 10 give ground, bravely disputed every inch of it ; •* till Decimus Brutus, taking the opportunity at the same " time to sally out of the town, at the head of his garrison, ** helped greatly to determine and complete the victory. ** Hirtius pushed his advantage with great spirit, and forced '* his way into Antony's camp ; but when he had gained the " middle of it, was unfortunately killed near the general's " tent." Ufe efCic, iii. 204. 3 Ventidius was a soldier of fortune, who from the meanest original Book XIV. of CICERO. 2S7 As I suppose you see very clearly; the mea- sures which Pollio will pursue, I heed say no- thing to you upon that article. But I make it my first and principal request, that you would send to Lepidus, in order, if possible, to prevent that light and inconstant man from re- newing the war, by joining with Antony : as both Lepidus and Pollio are at the head of very numerous and powerful armies. I do not men- tion this as imagining that you are not equally attentive to these important points ; but, from the firm persuasion that Lepidus, however du- bious original, became one of the most distinguished captains of the age. The father of Pompey having taken the city of Asca- lum, in the Italic or social war, reserved part of the inhabit- ants to grace his triumphal entry into Rome; among which was the mother of Ven idius, who walked before the victor's car, with her infant son at her breast. When he grew up, the gamed his livelihood by serving as a groom ; in which employment having gotten together a little money, he fur- »J6hed himselt with some mules and carriages, whicli he let out to the government for the use of the proconsuls in their way to the provinces. In this capacity he became known to Cae!- sar, who observing in him a genius much superior to his sta- tion, took him into Gaul, where he advanced him in I is army • and after the civil wars were ended, gHve him a place in tte senate, anuls^ may create in Rome: as it may give occasion to all the dangerous practices that anibition will suggest to those, who are desirous of succeed- ing to their offi<::e'. This is all that prudence will allow me to say in a letter: and all, indeed, that is necessary to be said to a man of your penetration. As to Antony, notwithstanding he macfe his escape from the field of bAttle with but a very few troops, and those too entirety fiisarmed ; yet, by setting open tlie prisons, and by pressing all sorts of men that fell in his way, he has collected no contemptible number of forces. These have likewise been considerably augmented by the accession of the veteran and other troops of Ventidius : who, after a very difficult march over the Apennine mountains, tas found means to join Antony in the fens of Sabata^ The only possible scheme which the latter can pursue, is, either to have recourse to Lepidus, if that general should be disposed to receive him; or to post liimself on thii Alpfe and Apennines, in order to make depredations with \K » ^ Hirtius and Pansa. * This seems plainly to point at Octavius ; who, in fact, sooii 'after procured himself to be elected coneul, vn-conianc* tion with Quintus Pedius. *** "^ • Between the Alps and the Apennines, on the coast of Genoa. Bopic ^IV. OF GICERO. 263 Yfith his cavalry (in which he is exceedingly strong) on the neighbouring cQuntry ; or to march into Etruria', where we have no army to oppose him. Had Cassar, however, passed the Apennine mouQtains agreeably to niy ad: vice\ I should have driven Antony into such (Jipiculties, that, perhaps, without staking a jingle blow, I shouljd have beeu able to have wasted his whole arnjy by famine. But the x^\^^ fqj-Jjune is, that Caesar will neither be governed J>y ine, nor will his army l^e governed by him^ both which are very unhappy cirjcumstaijcep for our cause. This t^en beiiig the sad state pf public affairs, can I be s^Jicitpus, as I said above, what opposition I may nieet yith in i^- ^pept to my own personal honours ? The par- ,tfculars I have here mentioned are of so very delicate a nature, that I know not how you will be able to touch upon them in the senate : or if you should, I fear it yrill be to no pur- pose. lit i. _, ^ ' Tuscany. * ♦* Octavius, from the beginning, had no thoughts of pur- ** suing Antony. He had already gained what he aimed at; ^*<< had reduced Antony's power so low, and raised his own so " high, as to be in a condition of making his own terms with j" him in the partition of the empire : whereas, if Antony had **^* been wholly destroyed, the republican party would have " probably been too strong for him and Lepidus. When Oc- ,v^* tavius was pressed, therefore, to pursue Antony, he con- -3** trived still to delay it until it was too late ; taking himself " to be more usefully employed in securing to his interest lo" the troops of the consuls." Lift ofCic, iii. 214. S 4 i! il L il 2S4 TiJE LETTERS Book XIV, Book XIV. pose. In the mean time, I am in no condition to subsist my troops any longer. When I first took up arms for the deUverance of the commonwealth, I had above four hundred .1;housand sestertia' in ready money : but at present I have not only mortgaged every part of my estate, but have borrowed all I could possibly raise on the credit of my friends. I leave you to judge, therefore, with what diffi- culty I now maintain seven legions at my own expence. The truth is, I should not be equal to so great a charge, were I possessed of ail • Yarro's^ immense treasures. As soon as I shall receive any certain infor- mation pf Antony's motions, I will give you notice. In the mean time, I will only add, that I desire the continuance of your friendship \ipon no other terms than as you shall find an ^ equal return of mine. Farewel. From my camp at Tcrtona^ May the 5lh. LETTER ^ About 320,0001. sterling. ^ VHio this man of immense wealth was, is not known. There is no reason to believe that be was the celebrated Te- reniius Varro, to whom several letters in the preceding part of this collection are addressed. * ToTtQnOy about thirty miles i)orlh from Genoa. loi OF CICERO. LETTER VII. £64^ [A.U.710.] Plancus to Cicero. 1 GIVE you a thousand and a thousand thanks *lFbr your late favours, which, as long as I live, I shall always most gratefully acknowledge. More than this I dare not venture to promise : for I fear it will never be in my power to acquit such uncommon obligations, unless you should think(what your letter endeavours, indeed, with much serious eloquence to persuade me) that to remember them is to return them. You could not have acted with a more affectionate zeal, if the dignities of your own son had been in ques- tion : and I am perfectly sensible of the high honours that were decreed to me in conse- quence of your first motion for that purpose. I am sensible, too, that all your subsequent' votes in my behalf were entirely conformable to the circumatances of the tim^s and the opinion of my friends : as \ am infonned, likewise, of the advantageous colours in which you are perpe- tually representing me> as well as of the ,fi;e- quent contests you sustain with my injurious detractors. It is incumbent upon me, there- fore, in the first place, to endeavour to con- vince the republic that I am worthy of the praises you bestow upon me ; and, in the next \ place, \ ji. \ Is I \ %66 The letters Book J^IV, It place, to render you sensible that I gratefully bear your friendship in remembrance. I will only add, under this article, that I desire you to protect m(B in the honours I }iave thus pro- c^ired by your influence: but I desire it np otherwise than as my actions shall prove that J am the man you wish to find me. As soon as I had passed the Rhone, I detachr fd a body of three thousand^ horse under thp ^pmqiand of my brother, with orders to ad- vance towards Mutina, to which place J in- tended to follow them with the rest of my ar- my. But, on my march thither, I received ad- vice tliatan action had happened, and that the siege was raised. Antony, I find, has no other resource left but to retire into the^e parts with the remains of his broken forces. His only Jiopes, indeed, are, that he may be able to gain either Lepidus or his army, in which there are some troops no less disaffected . to the xepuWiQ, thai^ those which served under An- tony himself. I thought proper, therefore, to recal my cayalry, and to halt in the coun- try of the Allobroges^ that I may be ready to « In the second letter pf this book, Plancus saj^s this (Je- tachment consisted only of a thousand horse ; in one or other, therefore, ot these passages, the transcribers must have committed some mistake. ^.f^:. 7 It comprehended the territories of Gwieva, with part of Sayoy and Dauphine : and formed a district of the province under the command of Lepidus. I- Book XIV. OF CICERO. 267 to act as circumstances shall require. If An* tony should retire into this country destitute of men, I make no doubt, notwithstanding; that he should be received by the army of Le- pidus, to be able to give a good account of him with my present forces. Should he even appear at the head of some troops, and should the tenth veteran legion revolt, which, together with the rest of those regiments, was, by my tneans, prevailed upon to engag-e in the service of the republic; yet I sliall endeavour, by act- ing on the defensive, to prevent him from gaining any advantage over us ; which I hope to effect, till a reinforcement from Italy shall enable me to exterminate this desperate crew. I will venture, at least, to assure you, my dear Cicero, that neither zeal nor vigilance shall be wanting on my part for that purpose. It is my sincere wish, indeed, that the senate may have no farther fears; but if any should still remain, ho man will enter into their cause with greater warmth and spirit, nor be willing to suffer more in the support of it, than myself. I am endeavouring to engage Lepidus to join with me in the same views : and I have promised him, if he will act with a regard to the interest of the repubhc, that I shall, upon all occasions, yield him an entire deference. I iiave employed my brother, together with Fur* nius I S68 The letters Book XIV. [: /. n nms and Laterensis', to ne^ociatc this associa- tion between us: and no private injury done to myself shall ever prevent me from concurring with my greatest enemy, whenever it may be necessary for the defence of the commonwealth. But should these overtures prove unsuccessful, I shall still persevere with the same zeal (and, perhaps, with more glory) in my endeavours to give satisfaction to the senate. Take care of your health, and allow me an equal return of your friendship. Farewel, ■li LETTER VIII. [A.U. 710.] Decimus Brutus, Consul-elect, to Cicero. I HAVE received a dupHcat€ of the letter you sent me by my couriers : to which I can only say, m return, that my obligations to you nse much higher than I can easily discharge. I gave you an account, in my last, of the pos- ture of our affairs : since which I have received intelligence, that Antony is on his march to- wards Lepidus. Among some papers of Antony, which are fallen into my hands, I found a list of the several persons whom he intended to em- ploy ' Furnius, it has already been observed, was lieutenant to Piancus, as Latcrensis acted in the same capacity under ^•epidus. I^ Book XIV. OF CICERO. 369 ploy as mediators in his behalf with PoUio, Le-, pidus and Piancus : so that he has nQ|; yet, it seems, given up all hopes of gaining the latter. Nevertheless, I did not hesitate to send an im- mediate express to Piancus, with advice of An- tony's march. I expect, within a few days, to receive ambassadors from the Allobroges, and all the other districts of this province : and I doubt not of dismissing them strongly con- firmed in their allegiance to the republic. You will be attentive on your part,' I dare say, to promote all such necessary measures at Rome as shall be agreeable to your sentiments, and to the interest of the commonwealth. I am equally persuaded that you wall prevent, if it he pos- sible to prevent, the malevolent schemes of my enemies. But if you should not succeed U these generous endeavours, you will, at least, have the satisfaction to find, that no indignities they can throw upon me, are capable of de-_ terring me from my purposes. Farewel. From my camp on the frontiers of the Statiellenses". May the 5th. LETTER * A territory in Liguria, the principal town of which was AqucE Statkllorum^ now called Aqui, in the district of Mont? serat. !' !| fi70 The letters Book XI Vi Hi in LETTER IX. [A. U.TIO.] Plancus to Cicero. Some occurrences have arisen since I closed my former letter, of which I think it may im- port the republic that you should be apprised : as both the commonwealth and myself, I hope, have reaped advantage fix)m my assiduity in tlie affair I am going to mention. I solicited Le* pidus by repeated expresses to lay aside all ani- mosities between us, and amicably unite with me in concerting measures for the succour of the republic ; conjuring him to prefer the in- terest of his family and his country to that of a contemptible and desperate rebel ; and assur- lag him, if he did so, that he might entirely command me upon all occasions. According- ly, by the intervention of Laterensis, I have succeeded in my negotiation: and Lepidus has given me his honour, that if he cannot pre- \^ent Antony from entering his province*, he will most certainly lead his army against him. He requests, hkewise, that I would join him with my forces ; and the rather, as Antony is extremely strong in cavalry, whereas, that of Lepidus » Narbonensian Gaul : which, together with part of Spain, composed the province of Lepidus. 3 fifeokXIV. OP GIGERO. 27i Lepidus is very incohsiderable ; and out of these few, ten of his best men have lately de- serted to my camp. As soon as I received this tekjiress, I lost no time to fotwai-d and assist the good intentions of Lepidus. I clearly saw, indeed, the advantage that would arise from my joining liim : as my horse tv^ould be of service in pursuing and destroying Ailtony's cavalry, and, as the presence of my troops in general, would be a restraint upon the disaffected part of those tihder his command. To this etrd, having spent a day in throwing a bridge across the Isara^, a very considerable river, that bounds the territories of the Allobroges, I passed it with my whole army on the 12th of May. But having received advice that Lucius Antonius* was advancing towards us with some regiments of horse and foot, and that he was actually arrived at Forum Julii* ; I ordered, on the 14th, a detachment of four thousand horse to meet him, under the command of my bro- ther: whom I purpose to follow hy long marches with four liglit-armed legions and the remainder of my cavalry. And should that Fortune which presides over the republic, prove in any degree favourable to my arms, I sihall soon ^ It is now called the IserCf a river in Dauphin^, which falls into the Rhone. * A brother of Mark Antony. * Now called Frejus, a eity in Provence. 1 « 873 The letters Book XIV. soon put an end, at once, both to our own fears, and to the hopes of these insolent rebels. But if the infamous Antony, apprised of our approach, should retire towards Italy, it will be the business of Brutus to intercept his march ; and Brutus, I am persuaded, will not be wanting either in courage or conduct for that purpose. Nevertheless, I shaU, in that case, send my brother with a detachment of horse to harass Antony in his retreat, and to protect Italy from his depredations. Farewel. LETTER X. [A. U. 710.] Cassius, Proconsul, to Cicero. Your letter^ affords me a new proof of your extraordinary friendship. I find, by it, that you are not only ^ well-wisher to my interest, (as you have, at all times been, indeed, for the sake of the republic as well as for my own) but enter into it with the warmest and most anxious solicitude. I was persuaded, therefore, , that as you could not suppose me capable of be- ing inactiveat aseason when my country labour- ed under a general oppression, you would be im- » This seems to be an answer to the 15th letter of the preceding book. p. 219* Book XIV. of CICERO. S^8 273 impatient to hear both of my personal welfare and of the success of my military preparationsj J'or this reason, as soon as Aulus Allienus had resigned those legions into my hands which he brought from Egypt«, I wrote to you by dif^ ferent couriers, whom I dispatched to Rome I sent a letter, at the same time, to the senate v and, if my people obeyed their instructions iH was not delivered till it was first read to yo«. ' But, if these expresses should not be arrived I" am persuaded they have been intercepted by Dolabella; who, after having most yillanously murdered Trebonius^ has made himself master ot his province. ^ See rem. 3. p. 206, of this voL • ^^^ it has already been observed in fem 4 n 704. «f*u- consulsh ,,, ,„ order to possess himself of the Lvernment of Syna. I„ h.s way thither, he arrived at Smyrna ^bll JZ^r'' P™""*"' °f Asia Minor, resided. Trebo'nius ret fused him admittance into the city, but treated him k but illustrious prisoner He S.i . ." ""'^"■■""'a'e^ i ♦ .. J. p'liouer. He Kept him two davs unAt^r t^r odv °„ "T\^ '''"''"y "' '*■« •»"•"<= money in hi c°r tody, insulting him, at the same tiine, with the mL^ brious language; he then ordered ht head to be cut off ^^ exhibited to the populace on .be point of a spear hi, koH afterwards to be thrown into the sea. See rem 7n oo f V OL. III. -p ;« m 374 The LETTERS Book XIV. AH the troops which I found in Syria, have submitted to my authority. However, I have beeA a little retarded in my preparations, in . order to distribute some donatives which I had promised to the soWiei-s, but I have now dis- diarged my engagements. If you are sensible that I have refused no la- bours nor dangers for the service of my coun- try ; if it was by your advice and persuasion, that I took up arms against those infamous in- vaders of our liberties ; if I have not only rais- ed an army for the defence of the common- wealth, but have even snatched it from most cruel and oppressive hands ; let these conside- rations recommend my interests to your care and protection. Had Dolabella, indeed, pos- sessed himself of these forces, the expectation of such an additional body of troops, even be- fore they had actually joined Antony, would creatly have confirmed and strengthened his party. If, upon this account, therefore, you think these soldiers deserve highly of the re- - public, let them experience the benefit of your patronage, nor suffer them to have reason to regret, that they preferred their duty to the commonwealth, to all the powerful temptations of plunder and rapine. I must also recommend it to your care, that due honours be paid to the m Book XIV. of CICERO. 273 the generals, Marcus and Crispus'. As to Bassus, lie obstinately refused to deliver up the legion under his command ; and had they not, ' without his consent, deputed some of their of' ficers to treat with me, he would have shut the gates of Apamea, and forced me to have en- tered the town by assault. I make these re- quests, then, as well in the name of our friend- ship, which, I trust, will have much weight with you ; as in that of the republic, which has ever, I know, been the object of your wamest affection. Believe me, the army under my command is zealously attached not only to the senate, and to every friend of our country, hut particularly to yourself. The frequent accountsi indeed, they hear of your patriot-disposition, have extremely endeared you to them, and should they find their interests to be a part of your concern, they will consider you, in aU re- spects, as their first and greatest benefactor. Since I wrote the above, I have received in- telhgence that Dolabella is marched into" Cili- cia, whither I purpose immediately to follow him. I will give you early notice of the event of this expedition, and may I so prove success- ful, as I shall endeavour to deserve well of the , „ republic. mentiord in'^r"' "^ """' ?"»«-'.«' well as of Ba«„,, T2 276 The letters Book XIV. Book XIV. of CICERO. 277 A r republic. Take care of your health, and con- tinue your friendship to me. Farewel. From my camp, May ihe 7th. LETTER XL [A. u.rioj To Decimus Brutus, Consul elect. The message you commissioned Galba and Volumnius to deliver to the senate, sufficiently intimates the nature of those fears and suspi- cions which you imagine we have reason to entertain. But I must confess, that the appre- iiensiofly'you would thus infuse into us, seem, by no means, worthy of that glorious victory you have obtained over the enemies of the com- monwealth. Believe me, my dear Brutus, both the senate, and the generals that support its cause, are animated with an undaunted re- solution ; we were sorry, therefore, that you, whom we esteem the bravest captain that ever tlie republic employed, should think us capable of any timidity. Is it possible, indeed, after having confidently reposed our hopes on your courage and conduct, when you were invested by Antony in all the fulness of his strength and power, that any of us should harbour the least fear now that the siege is raised, and the ene- 4 ^y^ my's army entirely overthrown ? Nor have we any thing, surely, to apprehend from Lepidus. For who can imagine him so utterly void of all rational conduct, as to have professed himself an advocate for peace, when we were engaged in a most necessary and important war, and yet to take up arms against the republic the moment that most desirable peace is restored ? You are far too sagacious, I doubt not, to en- tertain such a thoughts Nevertherless, thq fears you have renewed amongst us, at a time wiien every temple throughout Rome is re- sounding with our thanksgivings for your de- liverance, have cast a very considerable damp upon our joy. May the fact prove, then, (what, indeed, I am inclined to believe as well as hope) that Antony is completely vanquish- ed. But should he happen to recover some degree of strength, he will most assuredly find that neither the senate is destitute of wisdom, nor the people of courage ; I will add, too, nor the republic of a general, so long as you shall be alive to lead forth her armies. Farewel, • May the ipth. LETTER ' It will appear, in the progress of these letters, that if Cicero was really in earnest in what he here says concerning Lepidus, it was he himself, and not Bruius, who wanted jjagacity. T 3 £78 The letters Book XIV, LETTER XIL [A. u. no.] Plancus to Cicero. Antony arrived at Forum- Julii, with the van of his army, on the 15th of May, and Ventidius is only two days march behind him. Lepidus writes me word, that he proposes to wait for me at Forum-Voconii', where he is at present encamped, a place about four-and-r twenty miles distant from Forum- Julii. If he and Fortune do not deceive my expectations, the senate may depend upon my speedily termir nating this business to their full satisfaction. I mentioned to you, in a former letter, that the great fatigues which my brother had un- dergoHC, by his continual marches, had ex- tremely impaired his constitution. However, as soon as he was sufficiently recovered to get abroad, he considered his health as an acquisi- tion which he had gained as much for the ser- vice of the republic, as for himself; and was the first, therefore, to engage in every hazardous expedition. But I have recommended it to him, and, indeed, insisted, that he should re- turn to Rome, as he would be much moie likely to wear himself away by continuing in the canip, ' Now called Le Luc, in Provence. Book XIV. OF CICERO. S7fi camp, than be able to give me any assistance:. Besides, I imagined, now that the republic was most unhappily deprived of both the consuls, that the presence of so worthy a magistrate would be absolutely necessary at Rome. But if any of you should think otherwise, letTwebe censured for my imprudent advice; but let not by brother be condemned as failing in his duty. Lepidus, agreeably to my request, has deli- vered Apella into my hands, as an hostage for the faithful execution of his engagements to co-operate with me in the defence of the com^ monwealth. Lucius Gellius, has given me proofs of his zeal, as he has acted also in the affair of the three brothers, to the satisfaction of Sextus Gavianus. I hav^- lately employed the latter in some negociations between Le- pidus and myself, and I have found him firmly attached to the interest of the republic. It i$ uith great pleasure I give this testimony in his favour, a tribute which I shall always be ready to pay wherever it is deserved. Take care of your health, and allow me the 8ame share of your heart which you most as- suredly possess of mine. I recommend my dignities, likewise, to yaur protection j and I hope, if I can plead any merit, you will conv T 4 tinue 280 The letters Book XIV. tinue your good offices to me with the same singular affection you have hitherto discover- ed. FareweL LETTER Xin. [A.U. no.] To CORNIFICIUS. You recommend a friend of my own, M^ien you desire my good offices to Lucceius : be assured I shall faithfully support his interest by every mean in my power. We have lost our colleagues*, Hirtius and Pansa : and the death of these excellent con- suls, who discharged their office with great advantage to the repubhc, has happened at a very unseasonable conjuncture. For though we are at present delivered from the oppres- sions of Antony, \vc are not wholly free from all apprehensions of danger. But, if I may be permitted, I shall continue my usual endea- vours to preserve the commonwealth from ruin; though, I must confess, I am full weary of the work. No lassitude, however, ought to obstruct the duties we owe toour country.— But I for- bear to enter farther into this subject, as I had rather you should hear of my actions from others, than from myself. The account I receive of yours is entirely agreeable to my wishes; but it * In the college of augurs. Book XIV. of CICERO. 281 it is far otherwise with respect to the reports concerning Minucius. They are, indeed, very unfavourable to his character, notwithstanding all the fine things you said of him in one of your letters. I should be glad to know the truth of the case, and to be informed of every thing else which is transacting in your pro^ vince. Farewel LETTER XIV. [A.U.710.] To Decimus Brutus, consul-elect It is with infinite satisfaction, my dear Brutus, that I find you approve of my conduct in the senate, with respect both to the decemvirs', and to tlie honours decreed to our young' man. .Yet, after all, what have my labours availed ? Beheve me, my friend, (and you know I am not apt to boast) the senate was the grand en- gine of my power : but all those springs which I used so successfully to manage, have utterly lost * These decemvirs were probably the ten persons whom the senate, in the first transports of their supposed complete victory before the walls of Modena, had appointed, to enquire into the conductor Antony, during his administration of the consular office. Vid. Appian. B. C. iii. 578. ' ■ Octavms. The honours here mentioned were, perhaps, k- T"**'^"* (5 ^^^^ ^^ inferior and less splendid triumph) which, by the influence of Cicero, was decreed to yotjng Cae- sar, for his services at the siege of Modena. See Life ofCic. in. p. 211. ^ -^ £82 The letters Book XIV. lost their force, and I can no longer direct its motions. The truth of it is, the news of your glorious sally from the garrison of Mutina, of Antony's flight, and of his army being entirely cut to pieces, had inspired such confident hopes of a complete victory, that the disappointment has cast a general damp upon the spirit I had raised against our enemies ; and all my ardent invectives seem at last to have proved just as insignificant as if I had been combating with my own shadow. But to the purpose of your letter.— Those who are acquainted with the dispositions of the fourth and the martial le- gions, assure me, they will never be prevailed on to serve under you. As to the supply of money which you desire, some measures may, and most assuredly shall, be taken in order to raise it. I am wholly in your sentiments with re- gard to the calling Brutus" out of Greece, and retaining Caesar here for the protection of Italy. J agree with you, likewise, my dear Brutus, that you have enemies ; and though I find it no very difficult matter to sustain their attacks, yet still, however, they somewhat embarrass my schemes in your favour. The legions from Africa' are daily expected. In » Marcus Brutus. ' These were some of the veteran legions that had served wnder Julius Casar. See rem. 4. on let. 18. of this book. Book XIV. of CICERO, ggj Jn the mean time, the world is greatly astonish, ed to find that the war is broke out again in your province. Nothing, in truth, ever hap- pened so unexpectedly ; as we had promised ourselves, from theaccountof the victory which was brought to us on your birth-day, that the peace of the republic was established for many generations. But now ajl our fears are revived with as much strength as ever. You mentioned in your letter, dated the 1 5th of May, that you were just informed, by an ex- press from Plancus, that Lepidus had refused to receive Antony. Should this prove to be fact, our business will be so much the easier; if not, we shall have a very difficult struggle to maintain ; and it depends upon you to ease mc of my great apprehensions for the event. As for my own part, I have exhausted all my powers, and I am utterly incapable of doing more than I have already performed. It is far otherwise, however, with my friend ; and I not only wish, but expect, to see you the greatest ?nd most distinguished of Romans. Farewel LETTER iSI 284 The LETTERS Book XIV. LETTER XV. [A. U. 710.] To Plancus. NoTHixG, my dear Plancus, could be more glorious to yourself, nor more acceptable to the senate, than the letter you lately addressed to that assembly: I will add too, nothing could be more opportune than the particular juncture in which it was delivered. Cornutus received it in the presence of a very full house, just as he had communicated to us a cold and irresolute letter from Lepidus. Yours was read immediately afterwards, and it was heard with the loudest acclamations of applause. It was highly pleasing, indeed, to the senate, not only from the importance of its contents, and those zealous services to the republic of which it o-ave us an account, but from that strength and elegance of expression with which it was animated. The senate was extremely urgent that it might immediately be taken into consi- deration : but Cornutus thought proper to decline their request: However, the whole as- sembly expressing great indignation at his re- fusal, the question was put by five of the tri- bunes of the people. When Servilius was called upon for his opinion, he moved that the debate might Book XIV. of CICERO. 285 might be adjourned. What my sentiments were (and I was supported in them by the una- nimous concurrence of the whole house) you will see by the decree that passed upon this occasion. I am sensible that your own superior judg- ment is abundantly sufficient to direct you in all emergencies ; yet I cannot forbear advising you not to wait for the sanction of the senate in so critical a conjuncture as the present, and which undoubtedly must often demand imme- diate action. Be a senate, my friend, to your- self; and, without any other authority, scruple not to pursue such measures as the interest of the republic shall require. In one word, let your actions anticipate our expectations, and give us the pleasure of hearing that you have 'executed some glorious exploit, ere we are so much as apprised that you even had it in your intention. I will venture to assure you, that the senate will most certainly approve both your zeal and your judgment in whatever you shall thus undertake. Farewel. LETTER f 1 * S86 The LETTERS Book XIV. LETTER XVL [A. U. 710.] To Decimus Brutus, Consul elect. I AM indebted to you for your short letter by Flaccus Volumnius, as well as for two otherg more full, one of which was brought by the courier of Titus Vibius, the other was forward- ed to me by Lupus ; ^nd all of them came to my hands on the same day. I find, by your own account, as well as by that which Gr«- ceius has given me, that the war, far from be- ing extinguished, seems to be breaking out again with greater violence. You are sensible, if Antony should gain any strength, that all your illustrious services to the republic will be utterly frustrated. The first accounts we re- ceived here, and which, indeed, were univer- sally credited, represented him as haviqg run away in great consternation, attended only with a few frightened and disarmed soldiers. But if the truth, after all, should be (what Graeceius assures me) that Antony is, in fact, so strong as to render it unsafe to give him battle, he does not seem so much to have fled from Mutina, as to have changed the seat of war. This unexpected news has given all Rome another countenance, and a general air of dis- appointment Book XIV. OF CICERO. 287 appointment appears in every face. There are even some amongst us who complain of your not having immediately pursued Antony ; for they imagine, if no time had been lost, that he must inevitably have been destroyed. But it is usual with the people in all governments, and especially in ours, to be particularly dis- posed to abuse their hberty, by licentious re- flections on those to whom they are indebted for the enjoyment of it. However, one should be careful not to give them any just cause for their censures. To say all in one word, whoever destroys Antony will have the glory of terminating the war : a hint which I had rather leave to your own reflections, than enter myself into a more open explanation\ Farewel. LETTER XVII. [A. U. 710.] Decimus Brutus to Cicero. I WILL no longer attempt to make any formal acknowledgments of the repeated instances I receive of your friendship : mere words are a very inadequate return to those obligations which my best services can but ill repay. If you .will look back upon my former letters, you , . cannot I. '5 See rem. 6. p. 2^0. of this vol. sss The letters Book XIV. XIV. er CICERO. J«9 cannot be at a loss to discover the reasons that prevented me from pursuing Antony immedi- ately after the battle of Mutina. The truth, my dear Cicero, is, that I was not only unpro- vided both with cavalry and baggage-horses, but not having at that time had an interview with CoEsar, I could not depend on his Assist- ance : and I was wholly ignorant, likewise, that Hirtius was killed. This will account for my not having pui-sued Antony on the day of the engageinent. The day following f received an express from Pansa, to attend him at Bono- nia; but, in my way thither, being informed of his death, I immediately returned back to join my little corps. I may justly call them^ so, indeed, as my forces are extremely dimi- nished, and in a very bad condition, frohi th6 great hardships they suffered during the siege. It was by these means that Antony got two days' adx'ance of me ; and, as he marched in disorder, he could retire much faster than it was in my power to pursue. He increased his forces likewise by prcssing the inhabitants, and throwing open the prisons in every town through which he passed : and in this manner he continued his march till he arrived in the fens of Sabata. This is a place with w hich I raust bring you acquainted. It is situated be- tween the Alps and the Apennines, and the roads roads that lie about it are scarce practicable. When I had reached within thirty miles of An- tony, I was informed that he had been joined by Ventidius, and had made a speech at the head of their combined troops, to persuade them to follow him over the Alps; assuring them that Lepidus had agreed to support him. Never- theless, not only his own soldiers (which, in- deed, are a very inconsiderable number) but those likewise of Ventidius, repeatedly and una- nimously declared that they were determined either to conquer, or perish in Italy ; and at the same time desired that they might be conducted to Pollentia*. Antony found it in vain to op- pose them : however, he deferred his march till the ensuing day. As soon as I received this in- telligence, I detached five cohorts to Pollentia; and am now following them with the remainder of my troops. This detachment threw them- selves into that city an hour before Trebellius arrived with his cavalry ; a circumstance which gives me great satisfaction, as it is a point, I think, upon which our whole success depends. When the enemy found tliat their designs were thus frustrated, they conceived hopes of cros- sing the Alps into Gaul ; as they supposed the four legions commanded by Plancus would not bo * Some remains of this city still subsist, under the name of Poienza, It is situated at 4Jie confluence of the Stura and the Tanaro, in Piedmont. ' Vql, III. U S90 Thx letters Book XIV. 1 ti li be able to withstand their united forces, and that an army from Italy could not overtake tliem soon enough to prevent their passage.— However, the Allobroges, together with my de- tachment, have hitherto been sufficient to pre- vent their design ; which, I trust, they will find still more difficult to effect, when I shall come up with the rest of my forces. But should they happen, in the mean time, to pass the Isara, I shall exert my utmost endeavours that this cir- cumstance mav not be attended with anv ill consequences to the commonwealth. Let it raise the spirits and the hopes of the senate, to observe that Plancus and myself, to- gether with our respective armies, act in per- fect concert with each other, and are ready to hazard every danger in support of the common cause. However, whilst you thus confidently rely on our zeal and diligence, you will remit nothing, I hope, of your own, but employ your utmost care to send us a reinforcement, as well as every other necessary supply, that may ren- der us in a condition to defend your liberties against those who have infamously conspired their ruin. One cannot, indeed, but look up- on these our enemies with so much the greater indignation, as they have acted with the vilest hypocrisy, and suddenly turned those troops against their country, which they long pre- tended to have raised for ita defence. Farewel. LETTER Book XIV. of CICERO. m iiii a >iu LETTER XVIH. Decimus Brutus to Cicero. ..!t I WISH you would peruse the ktter I b^ve ad- dressed to the senate, and make wha,t altera- tions you shall judge proper. You will find by it, that I am under an absolute necessity of thus applying to them. Whilst I imagined that 1 should be joined by the fourthi add mar- tial legions^ agreeably to the decree of the se- nate which passed for that purpose on the mo- tion of Paulus and Drusus, I was less i^olicitous about the rest ; but now that I have only some new-raised regiments, and those too extremely ill accoutred, I cannot but be apprehensive upon your accounts, as well as upon ijiy own. The citizens of Vicentia* have always distin- guished Marcus Brutus and myself by their particular regard. I entreat ypu, therefore^ to endeavour that justice be done them by the se- nate, ia the affair coucerning the slaves. They are> ♦ These were veteran legions which had served under Cae- sar. But, notwithstanding that they entered into the army of the late consuls, Hirtius and Pansa, they could by no means be prevailed with to join Decimus Brutus; in resent- ment, 'tis probable, of the part he bore in the conspiracy against their favourite general. Vid, Ep* F^mil, ?(i. 14. ^ Viacnm^ a maritime city in the (erritorl&s pf (bf Vene- tiaas. Us S92 The letters Book XI Vi B66K XIV: ^ CICERO. 295 are, indeed, entitled to your favour, both by the equity of their cause, and the fidelity with which they have, upon all occasions, persevered in their allegiance to the republic : whereas their adversaries, on the contrary, arc a most seditious and faithless people. Farewel. ^lori Vercellae^ May the 2l8t. -lori LETTER XIX. tj.Kl [A. U.710.] J ^iK hnu Marcus Lepidus*' to Cicero. ' rr; Having received advice that Antony was ad"^ vancing'with his troops towards my province, and had sent before him a detachment of his cavalry, under the command of his brother Lu^ cius, I moved with my army from th^ c^oilftfi- ence of the Rhone and the Arar^ iti order to oppose their passage. I continued liiy 'maY^ti without halting, till I arrived at Forum V6co- nii, and am now encamped somewhat beyond that town, on the river Argenteus', opposite to Antony. Ventidius has joined him \^ith his three legions, and has formed his catnp at little aboVe mine. Antony, before this conjunction, had the second' l^gtori en tii^e^' togtfher with a cotisider- hijd 9l able • Vercelli, in the dutchy of Milan. ii^aiq aril leh *» See rem. *, p. 217. of this voJ. • 'ditr* -rq jzom . ^ The Saone, which falls into the Rhone at Lyonsk-'/^ lo * • The Angcns, in Provence : it empties ilself into the ^9- diterranean, a few miles below Freji»,V noinoiir'do UB'fl able number of men, though, indeed,, wholly unarmed, who escaped from the general slaugh- ter of his other legions : he is extremely strong HI cavalry ; for, as none of those troops suffered iia tJie late action, he has no less than**** horse. Great numbers of his soldiers, both horse and foot, are continually deserting to my camp ; so that his troops diminish every day. Both Silanus' and Culeo* have left his army, and are returned to mine. But notwithstand- ing I was greatly offended by their going to Antony, contrary to my inclination, yet, in re- gard to the connexions that subsist between us, ji^l^d jin compliance with my usual clemency, I h^?e thought proper to pardon them. How- c^yier, I do not, upon any occasion, employ their services, nor, indeed, suffer them to remain in o jAsto what concerns my conduct in tJiis war, ycvu may depend upon it I shall not be wanting in (fPy ^Mt^f ither to the senate or the republic ; and jwhat^jfPffarther measures 1 shall take to this end, I fth^lpioft faii to communicate tliem to you. dfhlmi ,aoir)i!uni The ^j^?.T|ie;mpl)er i^ omitted in all the ancient ^^^^^ . ■ See rem. 2. p. 250. of this vol. vX\^ He had been sent by Lepidus with a body of men, un- der the pretence of guarding the passes of the Alps; but, most probably, with secret instruction!* to favour the march of Antony over those mountains, in his way to the camp pf Lepidus; for he suffered Antony to pass them without th« least obstruction. Jpjfian, B. C iii. p. 579* U 3 'i B94 Tut LETTERS Book XIV. 53fi?Thc friendship between us has upon all occa- ^ons teen inviolably preserved on both sides, and we have mutually vied in our best good offices to each other. But I doubt not that, %mce this great and sudden commotion has been raised in the commonwealth, some false and in- jurious reports have been spread of me by my enemies, which, in the zeal of your heart for the interest of the republic, have given you much uneasiness. I have the satisfaction, how- ever, to be informed by my agents at Rome, that you are by no means disposed easily to credit these idle rumours ; for which I think my- self, as I justly ought, extremely obliged to you. I am so, likewise, for the former in- stances of your friendship, in promoting my public honours, the grateful remembran my camp, at Pons Argenteus, M»y the i2d, " LETTER XX. /ill V S 'i' . ' [A. u. no.] Pi^ANCus to Cicero. Tl6v have been' apprised, no doubt, by Laevus and Nerva, as well as by the letter they deli- '^vered to you on my part, of the design I was meditating when they left me; as, indeed, they have constantly borne a share in all my councils and measures of every kind. It has happened, however, to me, what happens not infrequently, I suppose, to every matn Avho is tender of his reputation, and ddsirous of ap- proving his conduct to the friends ofMs'fcoun- try : I have given up a safer scheme, as being liable, perhaps, to some ill-natured exceptions, fn "exchange for a more dangerous one that may better evince my zeal. I am to inform j/6^, Wi^n, that, after the departure of my lieu- tenants* I received two letters from Lepidus, tfhtreating me to join him. These were se- conded by the much stronger solicitations of Laterensis, .fdJIai grrii 1 ^ Lsvus and Nerva, the persons mentioned abov«. U4 f&5 TufcfllETTEllS Book X1% Book XIV. of CICERO. SS^ J^aterensU, who earnestly represented to me •fwhat, indeed, I am also apprehensive of my- selO that there is great reason to fear a mutiny among the disaffected troops under the condnct pfLepidus. I determined immediately, there- fore, to march to his assistance, and take an equal share in the dangers with which he was threatened. I was sensible, at the same time, that to wait on the banks of the Isara till Bru- J^s should pass that river with his army, and to meet the enemy in conjunction with my col- league, whose forces, as well as their general, vrpuld act in perfect harmony with me and my troopSj would be much the most cautious mea- sure with respect to my own personal security. But I reflected, that if any misfortune should attend Lepidus, it would be wholly imputed to me, and I should be condemned either as ob- stinately suffi^riug my resentment to prevent iBp, from giving succour to my enemy in tlie cause of the republic, or of timidly avoiding to take part ia the danger of a most just and ne- Jio^ ou III yJ^ii ^i Rf ayf ^.. 5 See rem. 3. p. 25o. of this voK 298 The letters Book XIV. I Ml May, having first erected a fort at each end of the bridge which I had thrown over that river, and placed a strong party to defend it, that when Brutus shall arrive, he may have nothing to re- tard his passage. I have only to add, that I hope to join Lepidus within eight days from the date of this letter. Farewel. LETTER XXL [A. U. 710.] From the same, to Cicero. I SHOULD be ashamed that this letter is so little consistent with my former, if it arose from any instability of my own. But it is much otherwise ; and I have steadily pursued every measure in my power to engage Lepidus to act in concert with me, for the defence of the re- public, imagining it would render you less ap- prehensive of my success against our wretched enemies. To this end, I not only complied \rith all the conditions he proposed; but even enoaared for more than he demanded ; and I had so much confidence in the sincerity of his in- tentions, that I ventured to assure you, no longer than two days ago, that he would zea- lously co-operate with me in carrying on the war upon one common plan. I depended, in- deed, upon the promises he had given me un- der his own hand, together with the assurances 1 I had Book XIV. of TCTCERO. 59t il had likewise received from Laterensis, who was at that time in my camp, and whoearnestly conjured me to forget all resentments against Lepidus, and to rely upon his good faith. But ILepidus has now put it out of my power to en- tertain these favourable hopes of him any longer: however, I have taken, and shall continue to take, all necessary precautions, that the republic may not be prejudiced by my too easy credulity, I am to inform you, then, that, after I had used the utmost expedition (agreeably to his own 4^arB6st request) to transportmy army over the Isara, and for that purpose had, in the space of # single day, thrown a bridge across that river, ^r received a counter-express from him, requir- fng me to advance no farther, as he should not have occasion, he said, for my assistance, Ne? vertheless, I will own to you, I was so impru- ^^nt as to proceed in my march, believing tli^ ithe true reason of his thus changing his min^ ^jpse from an unwillingness to have a partner ly^ith him in his glory. I imagined that, with - j^t^depriving him of any share of that honour ^hich he seemed so desirous to monopolize, ^ .ipight post myself at some convenient distanc€^ jn order to be ready to support him with my troc^5, in case he should be pressed by the ener ipy: an event which, in the simplicity of my ^eart, I thought not improbable. In the mean b time 300 f/ The letters Book XIW II time I received a letter from the excellent Late* rensis, which was conceived in terms full of des- pair. He compMl'ned that he had be^h ^e^tJy deceived, and assured me that neither Lepidus nor his army were to be trusted. He expressly cautioned me, at the same time, to be upon my guard against their artifices ; adding, that he had faithfully discharged the engagements he had entered into on his part, and hoped I would act with the same fidelity to the republic on mine. I have sent a copy of this letter to Ti- tins, and purpose to transmit the originals of all the rest relating to this aifair, by the hands of Laevus Cispius, who was privy to the m hole tiansaction. I shall insert in this packet the letters of Lepidus, to which I did not give any credit, as well as those to which I did. ' '-'^^ ** I must not forget to add, that when Lepidus harangued his soldiers, these mighty honest fellows were exceedingly clamorous for peace. They protested that, after the loss of both the consuls, after the destruction of so many brave men, who had perished in defence of their coun- try, and after Antony and his adherents had been declared enemies of the commonwealth, and their estates confiscated, they were deter- mined not to draw their swords any more ei- ther on the one side or the other. They were prompted to behave thus mutinously, not only ;^^. : by Book XIV. of CIGERO. 301 by the insolent suggestions of their own hearts, but by the encouragement also of their officers, particularly Canidius, Rufrenus^^^^^u^iOthers^ whose names the senate shall be acquainted with at a proper season. Lepidus was so f^i: frpm punishing this sedition, that he did not take even a single step to restrain it. I thought, therefore, that it would be the highest temerity to expose my own faithful troops, together with my auxiliaries, which are commandejd by some of the most considerable chiefs of Gaul, and in effect, too, my whole province, to their combined annies. I considered, if I shoukj thus lose my life, and*involve the republic iu my own destruction, I should fall^ not only without honour, but without pity, jlf^.conse-* quence of these reflections, I have determine4 to march my forces back again, that our >v;retched enemies may not have so great; .^^,^^1 vantage as my advancing any farther migfe'l possibly give them. I shall e^d^^y our to pospt my army so advantageously as to cover the prjp-r vj^ce under my command from being insult^^, ftjyen supposing the troops of Lepidus should a<5tually revolt In short, it shall be i»y iCajJf to prieserve every thing in. its present situation tin 'the senate shall send an army hither, an^ vindicate the liberties of the republip w^feh the same success in this part of the world, ?i^ atj tended m 302 The letters Book XlVi Book XIV. OF CICERO. 303 tended their arms before the walls of Mutina. In the mean time, be assured, that no man will act with more fervent zeal than myself in all the various occurrences of the war : and I shall roost readily either encounter the enemy in the field, or sustain the hardships of a siege, or even lay down my life itself, as any of these circum* stances shall prove necessary for the service of the senate. Let me exhort you, then, my dear Cicero, to exert your utmost efforts to send a speedy reinforcement to me, ere An- tony shall have increased the number of his forces, or our own shall be entirely dispirited. For if dispatch be divert to this affair, these in- famous banditti will undoubtedly be extirpated, and the republic remain in full f)Ossession of her late victory. Take care of your health, arid continue your friendship to me. ^ p. S. I know not whether it may be neces- s^ry to make any excuse for the absence of my brother, who was prevented from attending me Jn this expedition, by a slow fever, occasioned bv'tke great fatigues he has lately undergone, no man h?fcs shewn more zeal or courage in 'Se ^ause of'the-r^e^u^tic, he will undoubtedly return to the duties of his post the very first moment his health shall permit. , ^'1 recommend my honours tb'your protec- tioa; though I must confess^ at the same time. that all my desires ought to be satisfied, since I enjoy the privilege of your friendship, and the satisfaction of seeing you invested with the high credit aud authority I have ever wished you. I will leave it, therefore, entirely to your- self, both when and in what manner I shall ex- perience the effect of your good offices ; and will only request you to suffer me to succeed Hirtius in your affection, as I certainly do in the respect and esteem he bore you. I'areweL ■■'■^- Ya4,ii » if' that LETTER XXII. [A. u. no.] To FuRNIUS^. If the interest of the republic requires the con- tinuance of your services, and it be necessary (as all the world, indeed, is of opinion it is) that you should bear a part in those important operations, which must extinguish the remain- ing flames of the war, you cannot, surely, be engaged in a more worthy, a more laudable, or a more illustrious pursuit. I think, therefore, you should by no means interrupt your ap- plauded efforts in the cause of liberty, for the sake of obtaining the praetorship somewhat earlier than you are regularly entitled to enjoy it. I say your applauded efforts : for let not my ^ He had been tribune in the year of Rome 703, and was at this time in the army of Plancus, as one of his lieutenants. i 304 The letters Book XIV. my friend be ignorant of the fame which his conduct has acquired. Believe me, it is inferior only to that of Plancus himself, both by his own confession, and in the judgment too of all the worid. If there is any farther service then remaining for you to perform to your country, you ought to pursue it with an unbroken ap- plication, as an employment, of all others, the most truly honourable : and what, my friend, shall stand in competition with true honour ? But should you imagine that you have amply satisfied the duties you owe to the common- wealth, I do not dissuade you from hastening hither when the time of the elections shall approach, provided this ambitious impatience ^hall nothing diminish from the lustre of that reputation you have so justly obtained. I could name, however, many instances of per- sons of great distinction, who, during their engagements in the service of the republic abroad, have renounced their legal pretensions of soliciting employments at home ; a sacri- fice which, in your own case, will be so much the less, as you are not at present strictly qualified to offer yourself as a candidate. Had you already, indeed, passed through the office of eedile, and two vears* had intervened since your * By the laws of Rome a man could not be chosen pr^tor your exercising that function ; the self-d^tlF would have been greater : whereas now you will forego nothing of the usual i'ild stated time of petitioning for the post in question. I am very sensible that your interest is mufch^ to(i'l4tV6ng to require the assistance of Plancus: neverthe- less, should his arms be attended with the suc-t cess we wish, your applications would certainly ap^ar with greater advantages 'w^e tfj^}^ de^** ferred till the time of his eomulate. Thus much (as I waSf willing ycki shotdtf^' know my sentiments) I thought jirop<^f to siaff^ but more^ I sm« persuaded, yotrr own gond^mc and judgment WottW render unnecessary. The sum of all, then, is shortly this: that I wouW have Y^ti regulate your dklduct, uptrti tiff Ac- cArrences, tjot by the common st^dard of po* pular ambition, but Iry that of true ^ird scrlid*^ gtory; and look upon a lastfftg repulattdn ai^ of ftibte valufe'tlian the tran^Hithorfout^ of en- joying the prsetorian office somewhat earlier than usual. I had a cottsulta'frofn tlie bthei^dhy ' at my lK>Qse upon this subject; with your thery* good friends Cascina, Calvrsius, §nd my" bVo-^ ther, at which your freedman Dardanus was, likewise present : and they every one of them till two years after he had served the office of ^dile ; and tho same distance of time was likewise require^ between thejriB- 9'i ^ These vessels were much inferior to ihosf emjT^oycd for the same purposes in our i>ei,vice ; liie iargt^st of which are of 300 tons, and the smallest of 100. * This appellation wasat first giv«ri as a mark of distinc* tion to tho^c particular seuatJis who wcie added by Tar- Y 2 qiiiuiu^ I^f! 324 The letters Book XIV. at this dangerous design : I resolved to bear with the injurious treatment of the Rhodians, and to submit to every milder expedient of gaining them over to our interest. Ibr this purpose, I suffered myself to be introduced into their senate in the manner they thought piftj per : where I represented, in the strongest terms I was capable, the danger to which the repub- lic would be exposed, if that infamous rebel should transport his forces into Italy. But J^ found them most perversely disposed to ima- gine, that the friends of the republic were the weaker party ; that the general association iq favour of our liberties was by no means volun- tary.; that the senate would still patiently suf- fer the insolence of Dolabella ; and that no man tvould venture to vote him a public enemy. Ta be short, they were more inclined to believe the. false reports that had been propagated by the disaffected, than to credit my representations, though entirely agreeable to truth. In confor-* jnity with ^is disposition, they had sent, b^-, fore mv arrival in the island, two several em^, bassies to Dolabella, notwithstanding hi§ k^. assassi-> quinius Priscas, or by the people at the settling of the c before its date. But though he represen's himself as merely pa^sive in that transaction, and to hav- been fc ;ced into it by a gernral revolt of hi« troops ; yet It most evidently appears to have been iii consequence of a secret reaiy which had been in H^jtation during some months before, between him and Antony. soon have convinced you of this truth, if For- tune had not forced me to renounce those mea- sures I purposed to pursue. My whole army, indeed, expressed their usual tenderness to- wards their fellow countrymen, by a mutinous opposition to my designs; and, to own the truth, they absolutely compelled me not to re- fuse my protection to such a multitude of Ro- man citizens. I conjure you then, conscript fathers, to judge of this affair, not by the sug- gestions of private resentment, but by the in- terest of the commonwealth : nor let it be im- puted as a crime to me and my army, that, amidst our civil dissentions, we yielded to the dictates of compassion and humanity. Be as- sured, that by acting with an equal regard to the safety and honour of all parties, you will best consult both your own and your country's advantage. Farewel. From my camp, at Pons Argenteus, May the 30th. LETTER 1 1 "',:,< e somewhat angry at the shortness of your let- ters: but I am now so well reconciled to your con- cise manner, that I condemn my own as down- right loquacity, and shall make your epistles the models of mine. How short, yet how expressive are you when you tell mc, that " all things go ** well with you, and that you shall endeavour **to render them still better; that Lepidus ** seems favourably disposed ; and that we ** have ^ A people of the Narbonensian Gaul, in which Cularo, DOW called Grenoble, was situated. ♦ When Cicero wrote this letter, which is an answer to the 24lh of the preceding book, p. 310. of this vol. he had not yet received the news of Antony's junction with Lepidus, f Book XV. of CICERO. 347 " have every thing to expect from our three " armies' !" Were I ever so full of fears, these significant sentences would banish them all — But I exert the spirit you recommend ; and, indeed, if, at the time when you were closely blocked up in Mutina, my hopes, nevertheless, were fixed entirely upon you, how much higher, think you, must they be raised now ? I should be glad, my dear Brutus, to resign to you my post of observation, if I might do so M ithout incurring the censure of deserting it. As to what you mentioned of continuing in Italy till you should hear from me, I do not disapprove of it, if the motions of the enemy should not call you elsewhere ; as there are ma- ny points upon the carpet at Rome, which may render it prudent for you not to remove tq a farther distance. But, at all events, if your presence here may prove a mean of terminat- ing the war, it is undoubtedly the first and principal scheme you should have in view. The senate has decreed the first money that could be raised for the payment of your troops. Servius is extremely your friend ; and you may always depend upon me. FareweL June the Sth. LETTER Those of Decimus Brutus, Plancus, and Oct^vius. Ai < . »l «f Th£ letters Book XV.- LETTER VII. [A. U. 710.] AsiNIUS POLLIO to CiCKRO. BALBus^ my quiEstor, has withdrawn from Gades, with very considerable effects in his hands, which he had received of the public taxes^ consisting of a large quantity of uncoin- ed gold, a much larger of silver', together with a great sum of ready money ; and what adds to his iniquity, is, that he has not discharged even the pay of the troops^ In his flight he was deUined three days, by contrary winds, at Calpe' ; from whence, however, he sailed ou the 1st of this month, and has transported himself, together with his treasure, into the dominions of Jiogud, king of Mauritania*.— But ^.'A • He was nephew to Lucius Cornelius Balbus, the great friend and favourite of Cacbar, and of whom frequent mention has been made in the preceding letters. - 'v Xbc quaestor was receiver-general of the provincial taxes. * The province of Spain abounded in valuable mines of every sort, particularly in those of silver and gold ; the pro- prietors of ubich paid a certain proportion to the g )vern- ment, of the pure ore which these mines produced. Shab. ill. BunnQM. devcctigal. P, jR. dissert, p. 107, ^ The payment ol the forces was a part of the business be- longing to the provincial quaestors. ' Cibreltar, * One of the most considerable kingdoms in ancient Africa, ^comprehending those of Fez and Morocco, together with part Book XV- OF CICERO. ^ But whether the present prevailing reports^ will bring him back to Gades, or carry him to Rome, I know not ; for I hear that his resolu- tions vary with every different express that ar- rives. But, besides the robberies and the ex- tortions he has committed in this province, and the cruelties he has exercised towards our allies, he affected, in several instances, to imi- tate (as he himself used to boast) the actions of Caesar. Accordingly, on the last day of the games which he exhibited at Gades, he present- ed Herennius Gallus, a comedian, with the golden ring, and conducted him to one of the 1,4 benches of the theatre, which he had appro^ priated to those of the equestrian order. He likewise continued himself in the supreme ma-^ gistracy of Gades, by his own single authority, and at two immediately successive assemblies of the people, he nominated, for the two next fol- lowing years, such of his creatures whom he thought proper to succeed him in the goverftr ment of that city. He also recalled from exile, not, indeed, those unfortunate men wh^ were jflj .ii iij*^^^^'^*'--^! banished of Algiers and Billedulgerid. Bogud, the prince of this country, had, in the late civil wars, favoured afid assisted Caesar, by whom he bad been greatly disiinguished ; as he af- terwards supported Antony in the war between him and Oc- tavius. It is probable, therefore, that Balbus withdrew with these treasures, not in order to convert there to his private use, but to employ them in the catise of Antcwiy. Hirt. de BcL Alex, 59, de Bd, Afrk. 25. ' Concerning the junction ofLepidus with Antony, 350 TftE LETTERS Book XV. banished on account of the present commotions, but those infamous rebels who w^ere concerned in thesedition which was raised in Gades, during the proconsulate of Sextus Varrus*, and in which all the members of their council were either as* sassinated or expelled. Tims far he had Caesar for his mohed money and rents sufficient lo ease the cay *• ever after of that burthen, till the necebsiiy of the present " times obliged them to renew it." VuL Max, iv. 3. Life of Cic. ill. p. 249. . managers of the auction to adjourn the sale : their engagements and their oath oblige them, they assure me, to the contrary. I would by all means, therefore, advise him to hasten into Italy : and if the summons I sent him some time since had any weight, he will be at Rome when you read this letter. As to the affairs you mention, and particularly the money, I find you were not apprised of Pansa's death when you wrote your letter, by the hopes you express that, through my interest, he would comply with your request. And most un- doubtedly he would, had he been living : for he held you in great esteem. But as he is dead, I do not see that any thing can now be dorte in this matter. I approve, in general, of your measures with respect to Venullius, Latinus, and Horatius : and particularly, that you have deprived them of their lictors. But I am not altogether so well pleased, that, in order to render this cir- cumstance the less uneasy to them, you have taken away these attendants, likewise, from your own lieutenant. Those who deserve the highest honours ought not to have been thus levelled with a set of men, who certainly merit the utmost disgrace : and if they will not de- part from your province, in obedience to the A a 4 decree 360 The letters Book XV. decree of the senate, I think you should use compulsory methods for that purpose. I have nothing farther to add in answer to your last letter (of which I received a dupli- cate) but that 1 hope you will be persuaded, your credit and reputation are no less sacred to nie than my own*. Farewel. 11 • i LETTER X. [A.U.710.] To Decimus Brutus. 1 HOUGH I always receive your letters Avith the highest satisfaction, yet I am much better pleased that you employed your colleague Plan- cus to make an excuse to me, than if you had interrupted your very important occupations by writing yourself. He has executed your commission very fully : and nothing can ren- der your character more truly amiable to me, than the account he gives of your zeal and di- ligence. The junction of your forces with those of Plancus, and the harmony with Avhich you act ft * This letter closes the correspondence between Cicero and Cornificius. The latter, not long afterwards, lost his life in bravely deiending his pr »vii ce again>t the troops of Sex- tius : who claim' d It in the name of Octavius, by virtue of the general division of the Roman dominions that had been agreed upon between the triumvirs. Appian de B, C. p. 620. Book XV. OP CIGERO. «6i act together, as appears by your common let- ter to the senate, was extremely agreeable, both to that assembly, and to the people in general. What remains then, my dear Bru- tus, but to conjure you to persevere in the same unanimity, and to endeavour, I will not say to excel others, but (what is far worthier of your ambition) to rise above yourself. I need add no more : especially as 1 am writino- to one whose epistolary conciseness I purpose to imitate. I wait, with impatience, for your next dis^ patches : as I imagine they will bring us such accounts as are agreeable to our wishes. Farewel. LETTER XL « [A.U.710.] ToFuRNius^. When your letter assured me that it was ab- solutely necessary either to shght Narbonen- sian Gaul', ox to attack the enemy with great disadvantage, I was glad to find that the former had been chosen : as I much more dreaded the consequences of coming to an engagement uj)on unequal terms. What you mentioned, ^ See rem. 7, p. 303. of this vol. ■ In which province were the combined armies of Antony, and Lepidus, ^ n 362 The letters Book XV. mentioned, likewise, concerning the harmony oetVeen Plancus and Brutus, afforded me great pleasure : for it is a circumstance upon which I found my principal hopes of our success. Notwithstanding you modestly refer it to time to inform me to whom we owe that ge- neral zeal which appears in your province' ; be assured it is a point of which I am already per- fectly well apprised. I could not, therefore, but read the latter part of your letter, which, in all other respects, was extremely agreeable to me, with some concern. You there tell me, that if the election for cediles is fixed for the month of August, you will soon be at Rome ; but if it is already over, you will be there much sooner: " for wherefore," you ask, ** should you weak- *' ly continue to hazard your life, without the ** prospect of any recompence ?" O ! my friend, is it possible that you, who judge so well concerning the interests of others, should be thus a stranger to your own? But, as I am sensible of the strong impulse of your heart towards true glory, I cannot believe that these are its genuine sentiments : at least, if they be, I must condemn my own judgment as well as yours, for being so greatly deceived in your • Transalpine Gaul ; in which province Furni^s was li«u- tenant to Plancus. Book XV, OF CICERO. 36s your character. Shall the ambition of antici- pating a slight and common honour, (for so I must call the office you have in view, if obtained in the manner by which so many others have risen to it before you) induce you to withdraw from a theatre where you are acting with such universal and well-merited applause ? Shallitbe a question with you, whether to offer yourself as a candidate now, or at the next election for praetors : and is it none, how you shall deserve every illustrious distinction which the common- wealth can bestow ? Are you a stranger to the exalted reputation you have acquired ? Or do you consider it as of no value, thus to rise in the esteem of your country? If you are igno- rant, indeed, of the high credit in which you stand with the public, it is an ignorance for which we, who are your friends, are undoubt- edly to be blamed. But if you already know it; tell me, my Furnius, can any pratorship afford you a satisfaction superior to what you feel in discharging the duty you owe to your country, and in reaping immortal glory ? an acquisition which, though few, indeed, endeavour to de- serve, yet, every man, most certainly, wishes to enjoy. Calvisius, who is much your friend, and a man of great judgment also, frequently joins with me in complaining of you upon this arti- cle. 364 The letters Book XV. cle. However, since you are so desirous to at- tain this office, I shall endeavour that the elec- tion may be deferred till the month of Janua- ry : as this adjournment will, upon many ac- counts, I think, prove for the advantage, like- wise, of the republic. Farewel : and may vic- tory attend you ! LETTER XIL [A. U. 710.] ToCaius Cassius. I IMAGINE you are informed, by the public journals, which, I know, are duly transmitted to you, of the infamous conduct of that most light and inconstant man, your relation Lepi- dus'. We are again, therefore, involved in a war, which we flattered ourselves was entirely over : and all our hopes are now placed upon Decimus* and Plancus ; or, to speak more truly, indeed, upon Brutus^ and upon you. For it is from you two that we expect, not only a pre-^ sent assistance, in case any misfortune (which the gods avert ! ) should attend our arms, but a firm and lasting re-establishment of our liberties. The * Lepidus and Cassius were married to the two sisters of Marcus Brutus. * Brutus. ^ Marcus. Book XV. OF CICERO, 36S The reports in regard to Dolabella*, are, in all respects, agreeable to our wishes, excepting, only, that they want confirmation. In the mean time, be assured, that the opinion and expec- tations of the world concerning you, are such as evidently shew that they look upon you as a truly great man. Let this animate you to the noblest achievements : in the full persua* sion that there is nothing so considerable which your country does not hope to obtain by your courage and conduct. Farewel. LETTER XIIL [A. U. 710.] To the same. I '111 f.*}'.} '^ iji 1 TAKE example from the conciseness of your letters, to shorten mine : though, to say truth, nothing occurs at present that can tempt me to lengthen them. For, as to our transaction^, I well know you are acquainted with them by the pubHc journals: and we are perfectly ignorant of every thing that concerns yours. One would imagine, indeed, that all communication were cut oflf between us and Asia : for we have re- ceived no intelligence from thence, excepting only some uncertain, though, indeed, repeated rumours in relation to the defeat of Dolabella. We ♦ That he was defeated bj Cassius. 366 The letters BookXV, Book XV. OF CICERO. 367 / We imagined that the flames of this civil war were entirely extinguished : but, in the mid.st of this pleasing persuasion, we were suddenly and greatly alarmed by the conduct of your re- lation Lepidus. Be assured, therefore, that the hopes of the republic are wholly fixed upon you and your army. We have, it is true, a very powerful body of troops in this part of the world : nevertheless, your presence here is ex- tremely necessary, to give our affairs all the suc- cess we wish. I will not say that we have no hopes of recovering our liberties : but I must say our hopes are small. Such as they are, however, they are entirely founded upon your future consulate^ Fare\veU LETTER XIV. [A.U.710.] Cassius*, Quaestor, to Cicero. Th e preservation of the republic, by the vic- tory we have lately obtained, gives me inex- pressible joy : as the honours that have been paid * Ca«:sius and Brutus were praetors the last year : and the laws entitled a man to sue for the consulate two years after be hdd served the office of pra?tor. • It is altogether uncert«un whether the author of this letter was Lucius Cassius, the brother of Caius Cassius, or another Cassius, distinguished by the addition of ParmaisiSf from Parma, the place of his nativity. There is nothing, indeed, in the history of these two Cassii, or in the letter itself, that can render it more reasonable to suppose it to kave been written by the one, rather than the other : for ihey paid my friend^, afford me, likewise, a very sen- sible pleasure. I cannot sufficiently indulge my admiration, when I consider you as thus rising above yourself in glory ; and that the consular^ should shine forth even with more lustre than the consul. Some uncommon pri- vilege of fate most certainly attends your pa- triot virtues : as we h^ve often, I am sure, ex- perienced. How else should your single elo- quence be of more avail than the arms of all our generals ? You have a second time, indeed, rescued the well-nigh vanquished republic from the hands of our enemies ; and once more re- stored her to us again. From this period, there- fore, I date the return of our Uberties : and I shall now be honoured with the public applause of the most distinguished of patriots. Yes, my friend, they were both in the number of the conspirators against Cassar ; and both afterwards acted with Brutus and Cassius in Asia. This epistle appears to have been written from the- island of Cyprus, soon after the news of Antony's defeat at the battle of Mutina had reached that part of the world. Casanbon, ad Suet. Jul, 80. Jppian. B. C. p. 671. ^ This seems to allude to the honours that were paid to Cicero by the populace, upon the news that Antony had been forced to abandon the siege of Mutina, " The whole ** body of the people (to give the relation of this fact in the " words of Dr. Middleton) assembled about Cicero's house, ** and carried him in a kind of triumph to the capitol : " where, on their return, they placed him in the rostra, to ** give them an account of the victory : and then conducted •* him home with infinite acclamations." Phil, xiv. 5. Life qfCic. iii. igj. ^ Thosg who had passed through the office of consul, were styled congulars. S6^ The letters Book XV. friend, you will now declare, (what you pro- mised to conceal till the recovery of our free- dom should render it to my advantage to be known) you will now declare to the whole' \^orld those instances you received of my tender attachment both to you and to the republic, during the dark and dangerous season of our servitude. Tarn much less soKcitous, however, that you should publish my praises, than that* you should be persuaded I deserve thern : and I had rather stand approved by your silent judg- ment, than, without that internal verdict in my favour, to enjoy, by your recommendation, the good opinion of the whole world. It is my great ambition, indeed, tliatyou should esttein my late conduct to have been, not the effect of a sudden and irregular impulse, but the natural result of the same uniform principles of which you have been a witness : in a word, that you should think of me, as of one from whom the republic has so much to expect, as may well justify every honour ta which I shall be ad- vanced. I am sensible, my dear Cicero, that your own family, as they are well worthy of the relation they bear to you, deserve your first and most tender regard. But those surely have a right to the next place in your affection, whoendea- YOtrr to imitate your patriot virtues : and I shaU Book XV. OF CICERO. '369 shall be glad to find that their number is con- siderable: I imagine, however, that it is not so great as to exclude me from a share in your good offices, and prevent you from procuring any pubHc distinctions in my favour which shall be agreeable to your inclination and your judg- ment That I am not unwortfiy of them, with respect to the disposition of my heart, I have already, perhaps, sufficiently convinced you : and, as to my talents, whatever they may be, the general oppression under which our couti- try so long laboured, would not suffer them to appear in their full advantage. I drew together, out of the ports of this Asi- atic province, and of the neighbouring islands, all the ships of war I could possibly collect : and, considering the great opposition I met with from the several cities, I manned them with tolerable expedition. With this fleet I pursued thatof Dolabclla, commanded by Lucilius: who, after having frequently made a shew of coming over to me, but still, however, continuing to retreat, sailed, at length, into the port of Co- rycus^; where he blocked himself up. . I did not think proper to follow him thither ; not only as judging it most advisable to join our land forces, but as Turulius the quaestor lay behind me with a squadron which Tullius Cim- ber Vol. III. 9 In Cilicia. Bb 370 The letters Book XV. ber fitted out the last year from Bythinia. I put in, therefore, at Cyprus : from whence I take this first opportunity of acquainting you Avith the intelligence I have here received. I am to inform you then, that the city of Laodicea, (in pursuance of the example of our faithless allies the Tarsenses', though, indeed, with a greater degree of folly) have voluntarily called in Do- labella. From those two cities he has compos- ed an army (as far as numbers can make an ar- my) of Greek soldiers, and is encamped before Laodicea; having thrown down part of the walls, in order to join his camp with the town. On the other hand; Cassius* is encamped about twenty miles distant from him at Paltos. His army con- sists of ten legions, and twenty auxiliary co- horts, together with four thousand horse. He imagines that he shall be able to oblige the ene- my to surrender, without hazarding a battle : as wheat is so scarce in Dolabella's camp, that it is sold for twelve drachmae. The enemy must necessarily, indeed, be destroyed by fa- mine, if they are not soon supplied by the ships that belong to Laodicea. This, however, we shall with great ease prevent : for, besides the three squadrons under Turulius, Patiscus, and myself, Cassius has a considerable fleet in these seas commanded by Sextilius Rufus. Let me ■ The citizens of Tarsus. * Caius Cassius. encourage Book XV. of CICERO. ^71 €ncourage you, then, to hope, that we shall soon vindicate our liberties with the same success^ in this part of the world, as has attended your army in Italy. Farewel. Cromyacris, in Cyprus, June the 13lh. LETTER XV. lA.u. no.] To Decimus Brutus. I was expecting, every day, to hear from you, when our friend Lupus gave me notice that he was just setting out to you, and desired to know if I had any thing to write. But though I have nothing worth communicating, more than what you are furnished with by the public journals, and that you are no friend, I am told, to letters of mere empty form, yet, I canuot forbear fol- lowing your example, and sending you two or three short words. Be assured, then, that all our hopes rest upon you and your colleague*. As to Brutus^, I am not able to give you any certain account of him : I can only say, that, in pursuance of your advice, I endeavour to persuade him, in all my letters, to come over into Italy, and to take a part in this general ^ See rem. 8. p. 3l6. of this vol. ''■ Plancus. ^ Marcus Brutus. £b2 war. 372 The letters Book XV. Book XV. ^ If war*'. I much wish he were now here : as his presence would render me less apprehensive of the consequences of these intestine commo- tions^ which prevail in Rome ; and which are, by no means, indeed, inconsiderable. — But I forget that I proposed to imitate your laconic brevity, and am running on in a second page. Farewel then, and may success attend your arms' ! June 18tb. LETTER • The conduct of Marcus Brutus, as far as can be judged of it, at this great distance, appears altogether unaccounta> ble. Before the battle of Mutina, he had drawn down all his forces to the coast, in order to embark tor Italy, if any accident should make his assistance necessary. But, upon the news of Antony's defeat, he retired to the remotest parts of Greece and Macedonia, to oppose the attempts of Dula- bella : and from that time (as Dr. Middleton observes) seem- ed deaf to the call of the senate, and to all Cicero's letters, which urged him so strongly to come to their relief. But bad Brutus and Cassius (as the same ingenious historian remarks) marched with their armies towards Italy, at the time when Cicero first pressed it, before the desertion of Plancus and the death of Decimus ; it seems reasonable to believe, that the immediate ruin of the republic might have been prevent- ed. JUfe ofCic, iii. 247. ' The disturbances to which Cicero alludes, were, proba- Uy, those that were occasioned by the violent measures of Octavius, in order to obtain the consulate. See rem. 8. p. 381. of this vol. • Decimus Brutus, soon after the date of this letter, was most treacherously deserted by Plancus : who drew off his troops from those of his colleague, and went over with them to the camp of Antony and Lepidus. ** Decimus Brutus ** being thus abandoned, and left to shift for himself, with a •• needy mutinous army, eager to desert, and ready to give ** him up to his enemies, had no other way to save himself ** than by fiying to Marcus Brutus iu Macedonia. But the distance OF CICERO. LETTER XVI. 373 [A. U. 710.] To Caius Cassius. Your relation and my friend, the worthy Le- pidus, together with all his adherents, were, by an unanimous decree of the senate, which pas- sed on the 30th of June last, declared pubHc enemies to their country : but, at the same time, a full pardon was offered to such as shall return to their allegiance before the first of Sep- tember. The senate acts with great spirit ; but it is the expectation of being supported by your army, that chiefly animates them in their vi- gorous measures. I fear, indeed, that we shall have occasion for all your assistance ; as the war is now become extremely formidable by the villany of Lepidus. The accounts which daily arrive concerning Dolabella are altogether agreeable to our wishes : but, at present, they are nothing more than mere rumours. However, your letter ad- dressed " distance was so great, and the country so guarded, that " he was often forced to change his road, for fear of being ** taken ; till, having dismissed all his attendants, and wan- " dered for some time alone in disguise and distress, hecom- ** mitted himself to the protection of an old acquaintance " and host, whom he had formerly obliged : where, either ** through treachery,, or accident, he was surprised by An- " tony's soldiers, who immediately killed him, and returned «* with his head to their general. Vel. Paterc. ii. 64. ^m?. " iii. 588. Val. Max. ix. 13." LifeofCic, iii. 242. Bb3 574 The letters Book XV. dressed to the senate, dated from the camp on the 9th of May, has raised a general persuasion in Rome, that he is actually defeated. Accord- ingly, it is imagined, that you are now upon your march into Italy, with a view, on the one hand, of succouring us with your troops, if any of those accidents so common in war should have rendered our arms unsuccessful : or, on the other hand, of assisting us with your coun- sels and authortty, in case we should have proved victorious. You may be assured, in the mean while, that no endeavours of mine shall be wanting to procure the forces under your com- mand all possible honours. However, I must wait a proper season for this purpose, when it shall be known how far they have availed, or are likely to avail, the republic. At present, we have only heard of their endeavours in the cause of liberty: and glorious, it must be acknow- ledged, their endeavours have been. But still some positive services are expected ; and these expectations, I dare be confident, either already are, or soon will be, perfectly answered. No man, indeed, possesses a more patriot or heroic spirit than yourself: and it is for this reason that we wish to see you in Italy as soon as possible. The fact is, if you and Brutus were here, we should look upon the republic as restored. If Book XV. OF CICERO. 375 If Lepidus had not received Antony, weak and defenceless as he was, when he fled after the battle of Mutina, we should have obtained a complete victory. This infamous step, there- fore, has rendered him far more odious in Rome even than Antony himself ever was : for Antony raised a war at a time when the repub- lic was in the utmost ferment ; whereas Lepi- dus has kindled the flames in the midst of peace and victory. We have the consuls elect^ to lead our armies against him ; but though we greatly depend upon their courage and conduct, still, however, the uncertain event of war leaves us much to fear. Be assured, therefore, that our principal reliance is upon you and Brutus, whom we hope soon to see in Italy ; and Bru- tus, indeed, we expect every day. Should we have defeated our enemies, as I hope we shall^ before your arrival, the authority, nevertheless, of two such illustrious citizens will be of infinite service in raising up the republic, and fixing it upon some tolerable basis. All our business, in- deed, will by no means be over, notwithstand- ing we should be delivered from the infamous designs of our enemies: as there are many other disorders of a different kind, which it will be still necessary to redress. Farewel. LETTER ^ Deciraus Brutus and Plancus. Bb4 ' , 376 The letters Book XV. LETTER XVIL [A. U. 710.1 To Ampius'. Your family has informed you, I imagine, of my zealous labours to procure your restoration, as I have the pleasure to be assured that they are abundantly satisfied with my services.— Uncommon, indeed, as the affection is which they every one of them bear towards you, yet I cannot allow that they are more sincerely de- sirous of your welfare than myself I am sure, at least, their power of assisting you in this conjuncture is by no means equal to mine. I have employed it, and shall continue to cm- ploy it, for your benefit : and I have already gained a very considerable point, which will much contribute to facilitate your return. In the mean while, preserve a firm and manly spi- rit, and be well persuaded that my good offices shall not be wanting to you upon any occasion. Farewel. LETTER In some MSS. the superscription of this letter is to Appius, and in others to Ampius Balbus. The time when tftis leiter was written is no less uncertain than the person to whom it is addressed. I. Book XV. OF CICERO. 377 LETTER XVIIL [A. U. 710.] Plancus, Consul-elect, to Cicero. 1 CANNot forbear to express, upon every oc- casion, the sentiments I entertain of your re- peated favours ; though, at the same time, it is with some reserve that I indulge myself in this satisfaction. The great intimacy, indeed, which you allow me to enjoy Avith you, renders all formal acknowledgments of this kind unneces- sary ; nor would I make so cheap a return to the many important obligations I owe to you, as that of mere empty professions. I had much rather reserve the proofs of my gratitude to some future opportunity of testifying it in per- son ; and, if I live, I will convince you, by the assiduity of my good offices, and by every in- stance of respect and esteem, that you have not a friend, nor even a relation, who is so warmly attached to you as myself. In the mean time, I am at a loss to determine, whe- ther the daily pleasure I receive, or the lasting honour I shall derive from your affectionate regard, be greater. I find the interest of my troops has been a part of your care. It was not with any inten- tion 37i The letters Book XV. Book XV. OF CICERO. 379 tion of advancing my own power, that I was desirous they should be distinguished by the senate, as I am conscious of having no views but what regard the welfare of the repubhc. My reasons were, in tlie first place, because I tliought they deserved to be rewarded ; and, in the next place, because I was desirous they might, upon all occasions, be still more attached to the commonwealth. I hoped, likewise, by these means, so strongly to fortify them against all solicitations, that I might be answerable for their continuing to act with the same unshaken fidelity which they have hitherto preserved. I have kept entirely upon the defensive; and, though I am Ayell apprised with how much just impatience the public wishes for a decisive ac- tion, yet I persuade myself that the senate will approve my conduct. If any misfortune, in- deed, should attend our armies in this part of the world, the republic would not very soon be in a condition to oppose any sudden incursion of these ra])acious traitors. As to the state of our forces, I imagine you already know that those under my command consist of three ve- teran legions, together with one new-raised re- giment, which last, however, is composed of far the best disciplined troops I ever saw of this sort. Brutus' is at the head of ten legions, one one of which is veteran, another has been upon the establishment about two years, and all the rest are lately raised. Thus you see, though our army is very numerous, it is not extremely strong. The repubhc, indeed, has but too of- ten had occasion to be convinced, how little is to be expected from raw and unexperienced forces. However, if w^ had been joined either by the African legions', which are composed wholly of veteran troops, or by CaesarV, we should, without hesitation, have hazarded a general engagement. As the troops of the lat- ter were somewhat nearer than the former, I frequently pressed Caesar, by letters, to advance; and he accordingly promised to join us with all expedition. But other views, I perceive, have diverted him from these intentions. Ne- vertheless, I have dispatched my lieutenant, Furnius, with another letter to him, if happily it may any thing avail. You are sensible, my dear Cicero, that I take an equal part with you in the affection you bear to Octavius.— He has a right to my friendship, not only from ■'•n ».:,) that ^ These legions composed part of that army with \yhich Julius Csesar defeated Scipio in Africa, from whence they had lately been recalled by the senate. But, soon after their landing, they were corrupted by the other soldiers, and, de- serting the senate, they joined themsclvQs to Octavius. Lif^ ofCic. iii. 241. ** Octavius* , m ii Dcciraus. 380 The letters Book XV. that intimacy which I enjoyed with his uncle^ ; but, in regard also to his own disposition, which, as far as I could ever discover, is re- gulated by principles of great moderation and humanity. It would ill, indeed, become that distinguished amity, which subsisted between Julius Caesar and myself, not to look upon Octavius with all the tenderness which is due to the son of my friend, after he has been ailopted as such by Csesar's will, and that adoption approved by the senate. What I am going to say, therefore, is more the dictates of concern than resentment ; but, it must be ac- knowledged, that if Antony still lives, if he has been joined by Lepidus, if their armies are by no means contemptible ; in a word, all their hopes and all their attempts are singly owing to Ca?sar^ Not to look farther back than to his promise of joining me : had he fulfilled the assurances he gave me for that purpose, the war would, by this time, either have been totally at an end, or driven into Spain, where the enemy could not have carried it on without great dis- advantage, as that province is utterly averse to them. I am at a loss to conceive, there- fore, with what view, or by whose advice, CsEsar 5 Julius Caesar. * See rem 2. p. "X^Z. of this vol. Book XV. OF CICERO. 381 Caesar was diverted from a measure so greatly to his interest and his honour, in order to turn his pursuits towards a consulship of a few months duration^ : much to the terror, at the same time, of the republic*, and with preten- sions, too, exceedingly ridiculous^ The re- monstrances of his friends might be extremely serviceable upon this occasion, both to himself and to the commonwealth. But none of them, I am persuaded, would have so much influence over him as yours*"" ; as there is no man who is ' To the end of the current year ; of which there re- mained about five or six months unexpired, when Octavius was declared consul. * Octavius advanced towards Rome at the head of seve- ral legions, in order to demand the consulate : which threw the city into the utmost consternation and disorder. Di«. p; 319. Appian, p. 585, 6. ^ Perhaps, the absurdity to which Plancus here alluded, was, that Octavius, who was but a youth of twenty, and, consequently, who wanted above twenty years of the age prescribed by the laws for being qualified to sue for the con- sular office, should entertain so extravagant a thought as to aspire to the supreme magistracy. '** Plancus chose a very improper man to dissuade Octa- vius from pursuing his design upon the consulate, when he fixed upon Cicero as the most likely person to prevail with him for that purpose. It appears, indeed, that Octavius had artfully ensnared Cicero to enter into his views, by persuad- ing him that he was desirous of having him for his colleague in the consular office, and promising to leave the sole adjni- nistration of it to Cicero's superior wisdom and experience. The bait was too well adapted to his vanity and ambition, to be thrown out in vain : and Cicero undertook the managemrrit of this affair upon the terms proposed. Plutarch, Appian, and 1 382 The letters Book XV. Book XV. OF CICERO. 383 is so much obliged to you except myself: for I shall ever acknowledge that the favours I have received from you are great and innume- rable. I have given instructions to Furnius to solicit Caesar upon this subject : and if I should have that authority with him, which I am sure I ought, he will hereafter thank me for my ad- vice. In the mean time, we have a very diffi- cult part to sustain here : as, on the one hand, we do not think ourselves altogether strong enough to hazard an engagement : and, on the other, and Dion Cassius, all concur in giving testimony to the truth of this fact : but, as it is a fact which proves that Cicero was by no means, at this juncture, acting the part of a pa- triot, the polite apologist of his conduct has endeavoured to discredit the evidence of these historians. To this end, Dr. Middleton produces the following passage from the letters to Brutus, as an incontesiible proof, *' that no man was more ** bhocked at Octavius's attempt, or took more pains to dis- ** suade it than Cicero." CcEsarein — improbissimis litteris quidam fallacibusque nunciis impulerunt in spem certissimam consulaius. Quod simulatque sensi, neque ego iHnm- absent em litteris monere destiti, ncc accusare pruesentes ejus necessarios, qui ejus cupiditati suffragari xidebantur ; nee in senatu, scele- ratissimorum consiliorum fontes apperire dubitavi, Epist, ad Brut. 10. Now, there seems to be the strongest reason to question either the authenticity, or the veracity, of this let- ter : because it is most certain, from one of Cicero's Philip- pics, that he actually did favour the earliest possible promo- tion of Octavius to the consulate. Quid est enim P. C, (says he) cur earn (Octavium) non quam primura amplissimos ho- norcs capere cupiamus ? Legibus enim annalihus cum grandio- ran atatem ad consulatum constituebanty adolescentice temerita- tern rerebantur, C. desar ineunte estate docuit ab excellenti eximiaque lirtutej progressum aetatis expectari non oportere. In other, must take care not to expose the repub- hc to greater dangers by declining one. How- ever, if Caesar could comply with the dictates of his interest and his honour : or if the Afri- can legions should speedily join us : you may depend upon having nothing to fear from this quarter. — Let me entreat you to continue your friendship In hoc spes liber tatis posit a est; ab hoc accept a jam salus, huic summi honorese^ exquiruntur et parati swity Phil. v. 17, 18. Could Cicero, after this, without being guilty of the wildest and the weakest inconsistency, " admonish Octavius, ** by letter, against his designs upon the consulship ; re- " proach those to their face who encouraged him in that *' ambitious view ; and lay open the source of these iraito- ** rous counsels in the senate;" (all which the epistle in question affirms that he did ;) when he had, himself, in the speech and in the passage above cited, said every thing that his wit and eloquence could suggest in favour of Ottavius's premature advancement tg the consular ofhce ? Either the letters, then, to Brutus are not genuine ; or Cicero, to serve a present purpose, pretended that he had acted a part which he did not. The former of these suppositions is maintained by some very learned and judicious critics: and the latter will by no means be thought improbable, if there is any weight in the several instances of the same kind which have been occasionally produced in the course of these remarks. But whichever of these alternatives be the fact, it equally concludes in support of that historical evidence for which I have been contending. In farther confirmation of which, It may be observed, that Plutarch cites the authority of Oc- tavius himself, for what he affirms concerning the private agreement between Octavius and Cicero in regard to the con- sulate. And it is probable he took this piece of secret his- tory from those memoirs which Octavius wrote of his own life : as it is certain, that both Plutarch and Appian made great use of them in compiling their histories. Ptut. in vit. Cic. Appian. p, 578, 9. 385. Dio. p. 519. MiddUt. on the epist. to Brut. p. 134. rem. 8. Tunstal's observ. on the epist. to Brut, p. 222. et Suet, in Jug. S5. S84 The letters Book XV. A S ■■1^*' friendship to me, and to be assured that I am entirely yours". Farewel. From my camp> July the 28th. AN II Plancus, soon after the date of this letter, abandoned his colleague Decimus Brutus, and went over with his troops to Antony and Lepidus. See rem. 8. on letter 15. of this book. About four months, likewise, from the time when this letter was written, the celebrated coalition was formed between Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus ; in consequence of which, Cicero, it is well known, was sacrificed to Antony's resentment. In the last moments of his life he behaved with great composure : and it is the only circumstance in all his misfortunes that he bore with a becoming fortitude. He had, indeed, so much the less reason to complain of his fate, as it is certain that he suffered nothing more than he would have inflicted, had Fortune put Antony into his power. Omnium adversorum, says Livy, nihil ut viro dignum. eraty tulit, prceter mortem : quct, rere testimantiy minus tndigne videri potuity quod a victore inimico nihil ci-udelius passurus eraty qudm quod ejusdetn fortuncB compos ipse fecisset . Liv, fragm. apud Senec. Suasor, 6. This is the judgment which the noblest and most impartial of the Roman historians has passed upon Cicero : and the truth of it is abundantly con- firmed by the foregoing letters. AN INDEX, Referring to the order in which the Letters of this Volume stand in the Edition of Grcevius. Book XI. Ltttet I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XL XII. XIIL XIV. XV. XVI. XVIL XVIIL XIX. XX. XXL XXIL XXIIL XXIV. XXV. XXVL XXVII. XXVIIL Book XIL Letter I. — tH, II. — xiii. Vol. IIL Book XIL XXXV, i INDEX Book XII. Lib. XXXV.— xii. XXXVL— xvi. XXXVII.— xTi. XXXVIIL— xvi. XXXIX.— iv. Book XIII. Letter I. — xii» II. — xi. III.— X. IV.— X. v.— X. VI.— xii. VIL— X. VIII.— xii. IX.— ix. X. — xii. XL— X. XII.— xii. XIII.— X. XIV.— X. XV.— xii. XVI.— X. XVII.— X. XVIIL— X. XIX.— xii. XX.— X. XXL— xii. XXIL— . xi. Book XIV. Letter I. — x. IL— X. III.— xi. IV.— X. v.— X. VI.— xi. VIL— X. Vm.— xi. Ep. - 22 - 27 - 21 - 25 - 16 24 8 3 4 5 4 28 5 24 11 31 6 6 27 7 7 8 10 28 12 29 26 30 9 9 14 13 10 11 11 Book XIV. Lib. IX.— X. X. — xii. XL— xi. XII.— X. XIIL— xii. XIV.— xi. XV.— X. XVL— xi. XVIL— xi. XVIIL— xi. XIX.— X. XX.— X. XXL— X. XXIL— X. XXI 1 1.— ix. XXIV.— xi. XXV.— X. XXVL— xii. XX VIL— xii. XXVIIL— X. Book XV. Letter I.— X. IL— X. III.— xi. IV.— xi. v.— X. VI.— xi. VIL— X. VIIL— X. IX.— xii. X. — xi. XL— X. XII.— xii. • XIIL— xii. XIV.— xii. XV.— xi. XVL— xih XVIL— X. XVIIL— X. Ep. 15 12 18 17 25 14 16 12 13 19 34 18 21 25 20 23 20 14 15 35 19 33 26 21 23 24 32 22 30 15 26 8 9 13 25 10 2'9 ■ 24 INDEX INDEX. The Roman numerals refer to the volume, the figures to the pages, and n. to the notes. AbDERA, a city in Thrace, ii. 453. Acastus, ii. 80. Accensorsy their office, i. 446. n. Accius, wrote the tragedy of Oenomaus, ii. 257. Achaia, a part of Greece, ii. 443. ^d/i//^, Cicero's letters to, ii. i6'4, l67, 170, 175, 178. 180, W, 189, 190, 195. »/ ,1/0,1 w, — conjecture concerning him, ii. l64. n. Actium, a city of Epire, ii. 82. Addison, reflection amt.ng the tombs of the great, iii. 10. n. Adversity is to friendship, wha: fire is to gold, ii. 254. Mdiles, their office to superuuend the markets and ma£«- zines of corn, i. 250. — of two kinds, Plebeian and Curule, i. 295. n. — Plebeian, i. 308. ^gina, an Island between Peloponnesus and Attica, iii. o. Mius Sextius, i. 2^7. ^fnilius Paulus loses two sons in one week, iii. 15. n, ^sopus, the actor, account of him, i. II9. n.' — died worth nearly 200,0001. i. II9. n, * Afranius, i. 55. ii. 108. — murdered by the soldiers, ii. 267. n. Affection mutual, characterised, i. 9. Africa, sad situation of affairs there, iii. 150. Agesilaus would not suffer any picture or statue of him to be taken, i. 83. — account of him, i. 83. n. Agrarian law explained, i. 441. n. Ague, quartan, salutary, ii. 88. n. Alabanda, a city in Asia Minor, i. 344. Alexander would permit his picture to be drawn only by Apelles, his statue by Lysippus, i. 83. — visited the tomb of Achilles, i. ^5. n. C c 2 Alexander m i I r INDEX. Alexander appointed the Roman commonwealth his general heir, i. 427, n. AliptcB were persons who prepared the bodies of comba- tants for athletic exercises, i. 179« "• AUievus, Cicero's letters to, ii. 227, 233. — silver coin of, ii. 227. n. Alsinrtiy a town on the western coast of Italy, ii. 248. Ali/sia, a city of Acarnia in Greece, ii. 75. n. Atnanienses harassed by Cicero, i. 386. Amanus, a mountain that divides Cilicia from Syria, i. S86.. Ammonius, i. 51. Amphiaraus, the fable of, ii. 390. n. Ampins f ii. 130. — Cicero's letter^ to him, ii. 355. iii. 376. — account of him, ii. 355. n. 358. n. — Cicero obtains the promise of his pardon, ii. 355. Ancharius, Quintus, Cicero's letter to, i. 91- Anchialus recommended by Cicero to Sulpicius, ii. 422. Andro, ii. 309. AniciuSy i. 49, — recommended by Cicero to Cornificius, iii. 153. Anneius, Marcus, recommended by Cicero to Thermus, i. 399, 400, 401. Antepasts consisted of provocatives to appetite, ii. 262, 277. ARtiochia, siege of, abandoned, i. 386. — in Syria, iii. 327. Antiochus, king of Commagene, i. 342. 348. Antipater^ i. 210. . Antistm, Titus, leaves ten-twelfths ©f his estate to Ateius Capito, ii. 224. Antonii, i. 307. AntoniuSy i. 340. AntoniuSy Caius, i. 472. n* — Cicero's letter to, i. 17. — uncle to Mark Antony, i. 17. n. — Pompey insisted that he should be recalled, i. I9. n. — brought to trial, i. 24. n. Antonius, Marcus, put to death by command of Manus, 11. 448. Antony t Mark, i. 96. ii. 352 — his infamous intercourse with Curio, i. 220. n. — supported by Cicero in his election, ii. 65. "• _ — enriches himself by the spoils of his fellow-citiiens, 11. 174. n. — excitM the soldiers against Cicero, iii. 143. INDEX. Antony erects a statue to the memory of Caesar, iii. 148. — Cicero laments that he was spared when Cssar was mur* dered, iii. 148. n. — represents the murderers of Caesar as traitors, iii. 149. — Octavius and Cicero engage in a plot against his life, iii. 161. n. — suspected of perfidy to Brutus, iii. 83. n. — reasons for not entering into friendship with Cicero, iii. 91. n. — suspected of intending to rebuild the altar to Caesar, iii. 119. '—doubts on his drawing together the veteran troops, iii. 120, < — assembles the senate in a few days after Caesar's death, iii. 122. n. — Brutus and Cassius letter to him, iii, 118, 131, — cannot bear a word or look animated by the spirit of li- berty, iii. 135. — Cicero declares, that whoever destroys him will have the glory of terminating the war, iii. 260, 287, 332. — arrives at the Forum Julii, iii. 278. — recovers strength, iii. 286, -^ his retreat from Mutina in disorder, iii. 286. — joined by Ventidius, iii. 288. — acts with the vilest hypocrisy, iii. 290. — forms his camp above Forum Voconii, iii. 292. — his troops desert to Lepidus, iii. 293. •— reports respecting the battle between him and Hirtius, HI. 335, — offers great rewards to the soldiers who join him, iii. 352. »— would have been overcome had he not been joined by Le- pidus, iii. 375. ApameOf a city in Phrygia, i. 373. Apella delivered by Lepidus as an hostage, iii. 279« t »- ' ApelleSy i. 83. — his celebrated picture of Venus, i. 180. n. ApollOf ii.l^l, ' Apollonia, silver coined there for the payment of Pompey's army, ii. 223. — a learned seminary in Macedonia, iii. 87. n. Apollonius is desirous of recording the actions of Caesar in Greek, ii. 465. Appius, i. 159, 178. n. 202, 447- •r- Pulcher, Cicero's letter's to him, i. 225, 268, 270, 278, 300, 336, 444, 457, ii. 1, 23, 46, 54. C c 3 Appiusy INDEX. Appius, one of his daughters married to the son of Pompeyy the other to Brutus, i. 225.^n. — addresses his treatise on Augury to Cicero, i. 278. — his credulity in augury, i. 279« n. — on his return from Cclicia demanded a triumph, but dropped his claim, i. 37 !• n. — severely plundered Cilicia, i. 377. n. 379- n» — impeached of treason and biibery, i. 437* — supported by Pumpey, i. 439. •— accuses Cicero of obstructing the erection of a public mo- nument to him, i. 444. — Cicero's friendship for him, i. 468. — prosecution commenced against him, ii, 1. — Cicero promi-cs to support him, ii. 2. — - acquitted, ii. 23. — his character b} Cicero, ii. 25. — congratulated b\ Cicero on his acquittal, ii, 46. — his ingratitude, ii. 6l. — becomes a prodigy of reformers, ii. 68. — plundered the temples of Greece to collect statues for the game^^, ii. 68. n. — character of, by Marcus Coecus, ii. 6^. •— Claudius Coecus, the first who supplied Rome with water, ii. 30. n. Apuleius^ Cicero's letter to, ii. 242, 247. Arar^ a river near Lyons, now called the Saone, lii. 292. Archagathus recommended by Cicero to Acilius, ii. 170. AreopagiteSj magistrates of Athens, i. 288. n. ArgenteuSy a river in Provence, iii. 292. AriartheSj i. 331. % Ariobarzanesy king of Cappadocia, i. 4l6, 430. ii. 43. — implores the protection of Cicero, i. 330. — plot against him discovered, i. 332. Aristarchus, a critic of Alexandria, ii. 29. Aristippusy ii. 353. Aristocrat ical party, question respecting, i. I96. n. Aristocritus, i. 40, 42. AristotelaSy Licinius recommended by Cicero to Rex, ii. 467. Armj/y on the distribution of lands and rewards to the sol- diers, iii. 307. Arpirnm, a city of the Volsci, the birth-place of Cicero, ii. 144. — patronized by Cicero, ii. 335. Arrius, i. 33. n. ^r^uo^c/e^, king of Armenia, i. 328. AscalpOy INDEX. Ascalpo, the physician, recommended by Cicero to Sulpicius, ii. 418. Asia, spoken of by classic writers in different senses, ii. 309. n. AsturOy a town in the Campagna di Roma, iii. 45. AteiuSy i. 128. n. — recommended by Cicero to Lucius Plancus, ii. 2$2. ! — Tiiius Antestius leaves him ten-twelfths of his estate, ii* 224. Atelhy a city in Campania, now called Santo Arpino, re* commended by Cicero to the protection of Cluvius, iii. 51. Atellan farces were acted after serious dri^matic perforia* ances, ii. 259. n. Athenaisy i. 417. Athenodorus i. 448. AthenSy the seat of all the useful and polite arts, ii. 409. n« Athletic games, account of, i. 123. n. Atiliusy i. 370. Atrium Libertatis erected in honour of Cicero, i. 161. d« Atticusy i. 20. — kept a band of gladiators, which he let out on public oc^ casions, i. 222. n. AttiuSy the essenced, ii, 451. Avarice^ an attendant on luxury, ii. 68. n, AuctuSy Cicero's letter to, iii. 77. — conjecture concerning him, iii. 77' n. AufidiuSy Sextus, recommended by Cicero to Cornificius, iii* 160. Augursy college of i. 279. n. AugustuSy instituted a poetici^l court of judicature, which was improved by Domitian, i, 118. o. — instructs his grandsons in swimming, i. 151. n, Avianusy 1, 105, 108, 260. ii. 180. AvianuSy Marcus iEmilius, recommended by Cicero to Sulpi* cius, ii. 419. AureliuSy his two sons recommended by Cicero to AnchariuSi i. 9L Authors y the vanity of, i. 460. n. — various kinds of writing characterised, ii. 374f. — difficulty of writing with success when restrained by feari ii. 377. Bacchanals y improper statues for Cicero, i. 107< Bacilius, i. 209. d. Cc4 Baiie, INDEX. Bautf danger to the fair from frequenting tht hot baths there^ ii. 234. D. Balbus/i. 135, ii. 33, 271. ^- Cornelius inviolably attached to Caesar, i. 319. n. — withdraws from Gades wiih considerable eflects, iii. 34S. — attempts to make Caesar the model of his actions, iii. 349. — presents Herennius Gallus,a comedian, with a gold ring, iii. 349. — account of him, iii. 350. n. — orders Fadius to be put to death for refusing to enter the lists at the gladiatorial games, iii. 351. — other cruelties, iii. 352. Bargylos^ a city in Caria, i. 345. Barsilius, Cicero's letter to, i. 209. Bassus, Cajcilius, account of, iii. 60. n. S5. Bellianusy strangles Domitius, ii. 113. BtUona, high priest of, next in power to the king, 1. 417. n. Bibulm, Marcus, i. 5oy 61, 66, 7oy n. iii. 81. — takes possession of Antiochia, i. 418. — treated with contempt by Caesar, ii. 38. o. — offended at Cicero, ii. 40. n. — two of his sons murdered in Alexandria, ii. 41. d, Bilienus, iii. 3. Biography, advantages from the study of, 1. 81. Bitnyniu, formed by the Roman knights, i. 406. Bithynkus, Cicero's letter to, iii. 89. — letter to Cicero, iii. 176. Batia, a district of Greece, iii. 68. Bulanus, recommended by Cicero to Sulpicius, ii. 399. Bona Dea, celebration of, i. 178. n. Bribery, amazing at Rome, i. 281. n, Britain, supposed by the Romans to have abounded with gold and silver, i. 140. n. — progress of, from barbarism to liberty, i. 141. n. BrundisiumyC]cero arrives at, i. 26. n. Bruttiu$, Lucius recommended by Cicero to Acilius, ii. 190. Brutus, Decimus, letter to M. Brutus and Cassius, iii. 82. — account of him, iii. 89. n. 138. n. — letter to Cicero, iii. 138, 287, 291, 30€, SIO. — Cicero's letters to him, iii. 139, 141, 158, I6I, l63, 182, V6, 281, 286,371. — encouraged by Cicero to act without wailing for sanction of the senate, iii. 161. — reasons that prevented him pursuing Antony, iii. 288. — * defeated by Plancus, and killed by Antony's soldiers, iif. 371. n. Brutus^ INDEX. Brutus, Marcus, married to Junia, sister of Cassius, i. 455, n, — favourable report of, by Cicero, ii. 26. — Cicero's letters to, ii. 326, 333, 335, 342, 34^. — account of him, ii. 326. n. — Cicero recommends M. Varro to him, ii. 326. — Cicero recommends the commissioners of Arpinum to his friendship, ii. 333. — his conduct on the ides of March praised by Cicero, iii. ^6, «— ^ D. Brutus and Cassius letter to him, iii. 82. ' — and Cassius* letter to Mark Antony, iii. 118, 131. -r- his conduct after the battle of Mutina, iii. o72j n, - — state of his army, iii. 379- Buckingham, D, of, unexpected turn in a speech of his, i, 402. n, Bullis, the people of, i. 206. Bursa inflames the disturbances on the assassination of Clo- dius, i. 263, n. — banished, i. 263. n. '— Cicero entertains a stronger aversion to him than he ever did to Clodius, i. 264. Buthrotmn, a city of Epire, ii. 82. Qpcina, Aulus, Cicero's letters to, ii. 369, 381, Z^S* — - account of him, ii. Z6^, n. — advised by Cicero to continue in Sicily, ii. 370. — letter to Cicero, ii. 373. — suffers for the liberties of his pen, ii. 373. — his caution in mentioning Caesar in his work, ii. 374« — presages of his being recalled, ii. 391* — a native of Etruria, ii. 391. n. — recommended by Cicero to Isauricus, ii. 3^6, Ctesar, Julius, supposed to be alluded to, i. 2. n. — and Crassus solicit Cicero to join their party, i. 35. n» ^- purposes either to gain Cicero or ruin him, i. 40. n. — r by aiding the farmers of the public revenues, obtained their support, i. 114. n. Cicero's letters to, i. 134. ii. 462. 404. — rather discovered than conquered Britain, i. 134. n, -r- his scheme to usurp the supreme power, i. l65. n. — fixes his winter «[uarters near Italy, i. 166. n, -y paid Curio's debts, i. 218. n. 1 — foments confusion at Rome, i. 243. n. — his scheme of putting the transpadoni on the footing of the municipal towns of Italy, i. 274, n. r- endeavours to gain the lowest of the people to his int^ rest, i. 306. Gesar ii\ INDEX. I N D E X. I I t Crsar recalled from Gaul, i, 359' — debate on his government in Gaul, ii. $4, n« — to be admitted a candidate for the consuiate^ ii, 44* — bis opposition to Pompey, ii. 66, — sends a menacing letter to the senate, ii. 89. -*- letter received with indignation, ii. 8^^. n. 1— takes possession of Arminium and other towns, ii. 105. — offers conditions to Rome, ii. 106. — affected to be thought a descendant of Venas, ii. 114. n. — his generosity to Domitius Enobarbus, ii. 115. n. — incensed against the i>enate and tribunes, leaves Rome, it* 124. ^- takes money out of the temple of Saturn, an^ proceeds against the lieutenants of Pompey in Spain, ii. 124. n. — • distributes preferment without regard to rank or merits ii. 135. n. — gets a victory of Pompey at Pharsalia, ii. 200. '— defeats Scipio in Africa, ii. 237. n. — returns victorious from Africa, ii. 248, n. — less inclined than afraid to have recourse to arms, ii. 250w •~- made a collection of apophthegms, li. 256. — intendjs to establish a republican government, ii. 290. — his generosity to Cicero, ii. 295. — his moderation and generosity, ii. 305. •— admits some of the Gauls into the privileges of Roman citizens, ii. 318, n. — takes the name of superintend cmt of mcawertj ii. 322. — makes a law to regulate expences, ii, 323. n. *— his greatness of mind in pardoning Marcellus, ii. 330. — the reason why Caecina became the object of his wrath, ii. 37^. •— never speaks of Pompey but in terms of the highest honour, ii. 393. — <• obtains a complete victory over young Pompey, ii. 438. n. — his method of rewarding his partisans, ii. 446. n. — conspirators obliged to leave Rome, iii. 82. n. — appointed Dolabella to succeed him in the consulship, iii. 92. — at the time of his death purposed games in honour of Ve- nus, iii. 110. n. — act of oblivion passes the senate after his death, iii. 122. n. . -^ Rome more a slave to the plans of Cesar, after his death, than to himself when living, iii. 123. Ccesar Cassar, Brutus, and Cassius reproached by Antony, iii. 132. — a statue erected to his memory, iii. 148. — his party intent to revenge his death, iii. 149. — his murderers represented by Antony as traitors, iii. 149, — his murder styled hy Cicero x\iQ noblest enterprm, iii. 158. — many boasted of being concerned in the conspiracy, who were not, iii. 318. — Lucius pardoned by hi^i, and afterwards privately assaS' sinated by his order, ii. 245. n. Cwsena, an obscure town in Italy, iii. 170. Ccesim^ Publius, Cicero's letter to, i. 476. Caldus, Ccelius, Cicero's letter to, ii. 18. — his character, ii. 18. n. — Cicero leaves the administration of Cilicia in his hands. 11. 58. Calinum, a city of Campania, ii. 459. Calidius, one of the most agreeable orators of the age, u 304. n. — lost his election, i. 304. CalistheneSy i. 77, n. Calpe, now Gibraltar, iii. 348. Callus contested the palm of eloquence with Cicero, ii. 185, n. Camillus, ii. 72. Campaniay considerations respecting the lands referred to a full house, i. l65. — case of the lands, i. l65. n. — Curio attempts to procure a divison of the lands, i. 392. CanidiuSy i. 319. Caniniusy i. 61, 67, 95, 125, 291. Capena, a city in Italy, ii. 274. CappadociayiccourX of the kingdom of, i. 330, b. — not furnished with any place of strength, i. 352. Cassius, i. 109, 388, 390. — Cicero's letters to, 1. 450. ii. 171. 450. 452. iii. 12i 142, 148, 192, 199, 219, 364, 365, 373. .^ — his speech on having saved the life of Caesar, when ^ danger of drowning, i. 152. n. — account of him, i. 450. n. — deserted with his whole fleet from Pompey to Caesar, i. 171, n. — letters to Cicero, ii. 455. iii. 366. — D. Brutus letter to him, iii. 82. — and M. Brutus letter to Antony, iii. 131. Cassiui, INDEX. INDEX. If ]'■' Cassius pursues the fleet of Dolabella. commanded by Luci* lius, iii. 369. — his army, iii. 370, Catiline, those concerned in his conspiracy put to death without any process, i. 13. n. — supported by persons of desperate fortunes, i. 23. n. — recommended to Lucius Lucceius to write a history of that conspiracy, i. 80. — - capital punishments inOieted on all concerned in it, i^ 173, n. Cutilivs xurns pirate, iii. 69. Catina, a maritime town in Sicily, it. 1^4. Cato, Caius, opposed the restoration of Pompey, i. 5, n. 52, n. 73. — proposes the recal of Lentulus, i. 6p. n. Cato, Marcus, instructs his son in swimming, i. 151. n. -r- speech, i. 1 86. n. — Cicero's letters to, i. 342, 411, ii. 50. — his character, i. 411, n, — prolonged the life of liberty, i, 413, n. — settled a correspondence through the whole of the pro-^ vinces, i. 42iS. n, -r- enters into friendship with Deiotarus, i. 428. n. — acts upon the principles of disinterested patriotism, i^ 428. — letter to Cicero, i. 430. — his manners by no means rough or unpolished, i. 431. n, *-*? supports a thanksgiving to Bibulus, ii. 50. n. — opposes a thanksgiving to Cicero, ii. 50. n. — Cicero's thoughts on his death, ii. 267y n, — Seneca's eulogy on, ii. 268. n. . — anecdote of his stedfast behaviour at four years of age, iii. 2, n. — thoughts on his own approaching dissolution, occasioned by the death of bis soiv, iii. 15. n. — his character, a fashionable declamation for both parties . at Rome, iii. 50. n. Catullus, Q. L. makes the welfare of his country the object of his labours, ii. 320. Caunians refused to pay interest for money after having lodged it in the treasury, i. 346, n. Catmus, a city in Caria, i. 345. Ceasor^ that office explained, ii. 4, n. •p— every ^ve years number the people, iii. 90, n. Cerclia CtreUa, account of her, ii. 367. n. Chariots of the old Britons, i. 140. Chrysippus the philosopher, account of, i. 247. "• 241. n« Cibyra, a city in Phrygia Major, i. 310. n. Cicero, Quintus, letters to M. T. Cicero, ii. 466. -— io order to obtain the recai of his brother, engaged to aa unlimited resignation to the measures of Pompey, u 167. — letter to Tiro, ii. 110, 118. iii. I69. — his character, ii. 1 10. n. [There being so many references to the name (f Cicero, if appears easier to divide the volumes^ than to repeat the volume to each article*^ VOL. I. Cicero, M. T. letters to Pompey, i. 1. — complains of a want of return of friendship in Poiapeyi and his not congratulating him on his services, 3. — cause of Pompey 's coolness towards him, 6. n. — letter to Quintus Metellus Celer, 7. — resolves to receive no honours at the end of his consular office, 9« n. — swore that he had preserved Rome and the republic from destruction, 12. n. — his good offices to Pompey, 12. — letter to Caius Antonius, 17- — lam informed^ the reason for his using that expresst^Oy 18. n. — letter to Publius Sestius, 20. — purchases Crassus's house, 21. — - in distress for money, 23. — sincerity not the virtue of, 22. n» — letters to Terentia, 25, 30, 34, 40. \ — his dejection during banishment, 25, 30. -— a philosopher only in speculation, 25. n. — passes through Brundisium in his way to Greece, 26. n# — a law passed that no person should harbour him, 27- n* ! — his daughter Tullia married to Piso, 28. n. — promises freedom to his slaves conditionally, 28. — a temple erected to Liberty where his house stood, 32. n. — - solicited to join Caesar and Crassus, 35. n. — his design of taking up arms against his cOunttTt examin- ed, 35. n. • -;-;a..n:^-/-?' .. — deserted by Pompey, 36. n* INDEX. li?- Cicero, Cxsar offered to take him into Gaal as his lieute- nant, 40. n. — letter to Quintus Metellits Nepos, 45. — the treachery of Clodius to him, 45, n. — recalled from banishment, 47. n. — letters to Publius Lcntalus, 50, 6l, 65, 66, 69, 73,74, P^, 111, 157. — the part he took in placing Ptolemy in this kingdom, 53. ' — letter to Quintus Valerms Orca, 57. — recommends his African friends, 57. — his friendship to Lentulus, 69. — compares the fate of Lentulos with his own, 74. •— letter to Lucius Lucceius, 75, — served as a volunteer under the father of Pompey, 77, n. — wishes to have his life portraited by Lucceius in an his- tory of Catiline's conspiracy, 80. — purposes to be his own historian if Lucceius refuses it, &6. — his vanity, 88. n. -^letter to him from Quintus Metellus Nepos, 89. — letter to Quintus Ancharius, 9L — his and Pompey 's advice to Lentulus, 96, — his duplicity in the affair of Ptolemy, 96, n, — sometimes represents his approbation and condemnation o( the same actions, 96. n. 103. n. — exhorts Lentulus to a well-regulated ambition, 102. — makes immoderate and fatal concessions to the ambition of Caesar, 103. n. — letter to Fabius Gallus, 105. ii. 306, iii. 48, 54. — statues purchased for him, IO6, — prefers paintings to statues, 109. — motives of his attachment to Pompey, 112. — motives of his ambition, 112. — letter to Marcus Marius, 1 1(>, 262, ii. 197, 280. — on public shews, II6. — advantages he derived from i£sopus, II9. n. — dissatisfied in his situation of public advocate, 125. — wholly under the influence of Pompey and Caesar, 125, n. — letter to Quintus Philippus, 127, 210. — letter to Marcus Liclnius Crassus, 128. — supposed insincerity of his professed friendship for Cras- sus, 128. n. — Tetters to Julius Caesar, i. 134. ii. 462. 464, — letters to Trebatius, 138, 140, 142, 144, 147, 149, 154, 221,229. 232, 235, 239, 247, 261,266. iii. 126, 129- — letter to Munatius, 148. — reconciled to Caesar and Appius, 159. INDEX. Ckero, defence of Ms appearing advocate for Vatinius, l6(h — traces the motives for his conduct, 160. — the Atrium Libertatis erected as a monument for his ser- vices, 161. n. — - the inscription ordered to be restored, I6I. n. — his houses pillaged and burnt by order of Clodius, l6^. n. — adheres firmly to his political principles, l63. — the engagements on which Pompey favoured his recall 167. n. — had no esteem for Pompey, 171. — his motives for uniting with Caesar, 172. — in compliance to the law made against him by Clodius, he appears in mourning, and is joined by 20,000 knights, 175. n. — deserted by some of his friends, 175. — his recal opposed, 178. n. — his name dei«ced from his monument, and the name af Clodius inserted, 179. — inferior to Metellus in his beha?iotir E X. Cicero, letter to Ccelius Caldus, 18. — his expressions of joy on the acquittal of Appius PulcheF, 24. — his characier of Appius Pulcher in a former letter to At- ticus, 25. ji. — formed different opinions of Pompcy at different times, 27. n. — friendship for Appius Pulcher, 29* — difficulty la procuring a thanksgiving, 30, 32. . — courted both by Poinpey and Caesar, 33. n* — letter to Canninius Sallmtius, 37. — studied oratory at Rhodes under Molo, 37, n. — anxious to leave his province at the expiration of the year, 37. — intends to deposit a copy of his quaestor's accounts at Apamea, 39* — advises the Parthian plunder to be laid out in behalf of the public, 39- — not on good terms with Bibulus, 40. — congratulated on his alliance with Dolabella, 43. — received the account of the death of Hortensius with real concern, 45. n. — his thoughts on the marriage of Dolabella with Tullia, 48. — does not forgive Cato for refusing him a thanksgiving, 51. n. — acknowledges himself obliged to Cato, 52. — acknowledges his obligations to Appius Pulcher, 54. his disquietude on the dark prospect of public affairs, 58. — leaves the administration of Ciliciato Caldus, 58. — letters to Terentia and Tullia, 70, 100, 102. - — arrives at Athens, 70. — laments the death of Precius, who left him a legacy, 71. -^letters to Tiro, 72, 75, 76, 77, 79. 81, 83, 87, 105, 115, 116, 117. iii. 1, 27, 31, 34, 38, 86, 9©, 154. — his temper more than commonly warm, 73, n. — in hopc*tJ of obtaining a triumph, 73, n. — deliii..ed at Corcyra by contrary winds, 82. acount of his vo}age on his return Irom his government, 83. — mit by Teretitia at Brundisium, 84. — resolves not to engage in party measures, 85« CiccfVy INDEX. Cicero arrives in the suburbs of Rome, S8, — finds Rome in civil war, 88. — takes Capua in Italy under his protection, 90. n. — on the public expences of his government in Cilicia, 91. — pays a necessary obedience to the Julian law, 93. — his honorary list, g7, — the money he left in the hands of the farmers of th* reve- nues at Ephesus seized for Pompey, S9. — his wife and daughter leave Rome, 102. n. — with all the friends of the republic, abandon Rome, 105. — follows Pompey into Greece, but would not accept a com- mand in Pompey's army, 108. n. — letter to Servius Sulpicius, I19, 136, 283, 410, 414, 416, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 424, 425, 427, 429- i". 13. — will not take his seat in the senate without full liberty of speaking his sentiments, 122. — had formed a resolution of following Pompey into Greece, 123. n. — averse to Pompey's deserting Rome, 130. — resumes his intention of following Pompey into Greece, 131. n. — professes that his aim was to preserve the peace of his coun- try, 131. — determines to wait the event of Caesar's expedition in Spain, 134. n. — resolves to retire from Rome, 137. — letters to Terentia, 141, 151, 152, 154, 156, 157, l62, 165, 166, 168, 169, 176, 177, 179. — attributes his cure to Apollo and Esculapius, 141. — joins Pompcy in Greece, 141. n. — his political character stated, 142. n. — Dolabella's letter to Cicero, 148. — Dolabella endeavours to persuade Cicero to quit Pom- pey's party, 148. — conjecture respecting some inoney which he wishes to have paid, 152. n. — quits Pompey's party, 154. n. — Pompey exasperated against him, 154, — scarcely ever executed an important resolution without repenting immediately, 154. — his severe anxiety, 156. — consoles Titius on the loss of his son, 158. — thoughts on a future state, 160. D d 2 Gcero, INDEX. Cicero, letters to Acilius, l64, l67, 170, t7S, 178, 180, 189, 190, 195. - — reproaches hirtiRelf with negligence respecting his daugh- ter Tullia, l66. — letters to Cassius, 171. — reasons why he declined a perseverance in the civil war> 171. — had an interview with Caesar in Italy, 179* n. — letters to Trebonius, 181, 324. — acknowledges favours received from Trebonius, 182. — the palm of eloquence contested by Calvus, 185. — letters to Sextilius Rufus, 188. — repents that he joined Pompey, 198. \ — advised Pompey to propose terms of accommodation to Caesar, 199. — lays down his arms and returns to Italy, 201. — motives and defence of his conduct, 204. — letter to Cneius Plancius, 206. — laments the present and impending calamities, 207- — his wife Terenlia divorced, 208. n. — letter to Toranius, 210, 215. — letters to Marcus Terentius Varro, 213, 234, 236, 240, 243, 244, 248. iii. 35. — letter to Domitius, 217. — advice to Domitius against suicide, 218. — letters to Lucius Piancus, 221. iii. 134, 147, 1^4, I90, 214, 228, 258, 260, 284, 311, 331, 354. — his friendship for Piancus, 222. ^ declares that he joined Pompey contrary to his own in- clination, in compliance with the solicitation and au- thority of others, 235. — blamed for not standing neuter in the war between Pom- pey and Caesar, 226, n. — letters to Allienus, 227, 233. — letter to Lucius Mercinius, 228. — censures Pompey for his conduct towards him, 229* — obliged to associate with the Caesarean party, 229. — declares that he never sacrificed the public good to his own private views, 229. , . — rejected the doctrine of the immortality of the son! m bis ' private opinion, 232. n. — held different opinions of the same thing, at different times, 232. n. — motives for not quitting Rome, 2SS. CkCfOy INDEX. Cicero y letters to Apuleius, 242, 247. — his reasons for keeping Varro within his rdach, 245. n. — inclined to join the strongest parly, 250. — thinks it best not to disgust Caesar or his favourites, 255. -^institutes a kind of academy for eloquence at his own house, 260. n. 266, Q69, — intends a visit to Papirius Paelus, 261. — resolves to retire into the secret shades of philosophy, 265. ^ ^ — his thoughts on Cato's death, 267. — becomes an absolute epicurean, 277. — general sketch of his manHer of life, 279, 352. -^ laments the desolation of the commonwealth, 284. — consecrates all his time and attention to philosophy, 287. *— letters to Servilius Isauricus, 289, 309, 360, ZQj, 374^ 384, S96. — letter to Nigidius Figulus, 29I. — finds himself divested of all his credit, autharity, and honours, and thinks it a crime to c<>ntinue to live, 293. — wishes to insinuate himself into the friendship of C«* sar, and pretends that modesty keeps him from inti- macy, 296. — disapproved of the manner in which the civil war was carried on, 299. — could plead the merit of having yielded after he was con- quered, 303. — letters to Trebianus, 304, 310. — letter to QuintusGalluis, 313. — letters to Dolabella, 324, 400, 447, 459, "i. 4?, 67, 92. — letters to Marcus Brutus, 326, 333, 335, 342,349. — letter to Ligarius, 330. — zealously patronizes the city of Arpinum, 337. — addresses Caesar on the pardon of Marceilus, 340. — thought it true wisdom to yield to the circun>9tar>ces of the times, 344. — • Marcus Marcellus's letter to him, 348. -**• letter to Ampius, 355. — not equally solicitous in all bis recommendation*, 360. ^— mixes with the chief of the victorious faction, 362* — how far a patriot, 362. n. — letter to Ligarius, 364. -^h fiaid to have made C^sar tremble by his rhetoric, 3o5. n. l>d 3 Cicero'^ 'I' 4*' f INDEX. Cicero's letters to Aulus Caesina, 369, 381, 3S5. — letter to Titus Furfanius, 372. — Caesina's letter to him, 373. — his skill in divination, 387. — could not support the thoughts of deserting Pompey. 390. — advances daily in th? friendship of Cxsar, 395. — letter to Publius Sulpicius, 398. — letters to Aulus Torquatus, 403, 411. — letter to Lepta, 433. — inscribed his Orator to Brutus, 435. n. — letter to Aulus Torquatus, 437. — is appointed to judge between Nicias and Vidius, 444. — Caius Cassius's letter to him, 455. — letters/ to Caesar, 462, 464. — Quiutus Cicero's letter to him, 466. — gives Tiro his freedom, 467. — letter to Rex, 467. VOL. HI. — laments the death of Tullia, 4, 14, 18. — his character detracted by his own nephew, 5. n. — Servius Sulpicius's letter to Cicero, lamenting the death of Tullia, 6. — thinks Caesar by no means his enemy, 17. — letters lo Lucius Lucceius, 18, 23. — advantages he derived from the advice of Luccelus, IS. — Lucceius letter to Cicero, 21. — laments how few friends he has teft, and the miseries of life, 23. — Vatinius*s letter to Cicero, 32. -^ sends four dialogues called Academica to Varro, 36. — writes a dialogue between Atticus Varro and himself, 37. — letters to Quintus Valerius Orca, 41, 46. — recommends the citizens of Volaterra to Orca's protec- tion, 41. — Macula offers him the use of his house, 44. — letter to Cluvius, 51. — recommends the citizens of Atela to the protection of Clu- vius, 52. — letter to Marcus Rutilius, 56. — letter to Vatinius, 58. — Curius's letter to Cicero, 63. — blamed for not enquiring into the conduct of Dolabella, 67' n. — letter to Auctu?, 77. Gcero INDEX, Cicero favoured the conspirators against Csesar, 86, n. — sends Tiro to Rome to receive his debts, 87. — letter to Bithynrcus, 89. — no real friendship between him and Antony, 91. n. — approves of Dolabella's consular conduct, 93. — praises the conduct of Brutus on th« ides of March, 96. — letters toTrebonius, gg, 195. — Trebonius's letter to, 102. — character of his son, 102. — letters to Matius, 105, 112. — friendship for Matius, 106. — reviled that man [Caesar] when dea-d, whom be was the first to flatter when living. 111. n. — his declarations of friendship to Brutus and Cassius, 121. — letter to Oppius, 124. • — motive of his intended voyage into Greece, 134, n. — Decimus Brutus' letters to, 138, 256, 26l, 268, 28f , 291, 306,310, 338. — letters to Decimus Brutus, 139, 141, 158, I6I, l63, 182, 276, 281, 286, 339, 346, 360, 371. — neglects attending the senate when divine honours were to be voted to Caesar, 143. n. — cannot appear with safety in the senate, 143. — the occasion of his 1st and 2d Philippic, 143. n. — declines speaking when the senate is surrounded with sol- diers, 147. — reproaches the conspirators for sparing Antony, 148^. — laments that he was not one of the conspirators, 148, 192, 195. — supposed by Antony to have been one of the conspira- tors, 142, 149. — favoured the design of Octavius against the life of An- tony, 151. n. — had a design of publishing his letters, 154. — found it necessary to move from Rome, 158. n. — the killing of Caesar the noblest enterprize recorded by history, 159. — encourages Brutus to act without waiting for the sanc- tion of the senate, 161. — the occasion of the 3d and 4th Philippics, l65, 196, n. — Bythinicus's letter to Cicero, 176. — his flattery of Plancus in order to gain him over to his party, 184, I90. — Plancus's letters to Cicero, 187, 221, 233, 253, 265, 270, 278, 295, 298, 342, 377. D d 4 Cicero INDEX. I N D E X. I Cicero becomes popular, 194. ■ t — a design tp destroy bim^ 202. — Caius Cassius's letters to, 205, 313, 272, 373. — Asinius Pollio's letters to, 207, 333, 348. — his advice to Plancus, 215. — letter to Lepidas, 217. — is always ready to assist Plancos with bis advice and in- terest, 230. — hopes for a favourable turn in the affairs of the state, 232. — recommends Plancus to persevere, 239. — places a statue of Minerva in the temple of Japiter, 241. n. — was the only man who dared to assert his freedom and independency in the senate, 244. — his engagements with Octavius, 245. n. — inveighed against the measures of Antony, 244. — Galba's letter to, 249. — Octavius refuses to hearken to his advice, 263. -J— his disappointment in Antony not being defeated, 282. — advises Plancus not to wait for the sanction of tlie senate, 285. — Marcus Lepidus's letter to, 292. — letter to Furnius, 303, 36l. — displeases Octavius by an ambiguous expression, 306u — Lentulus's letter to, 313. — will not expose himself to any danger that prudence can prevent, 340. — Cassius Quaestor's letter to, 366, -— his eloquence of more avail than all the armies of their generals, 367. — honours paid him by the populace, 367. n, — the ruin of the republic would have been prevented by following his advice, 372. n. — letter to Ainpius, 376. — ' Plancus's letter to, 377. — artfully ensnared by Octavius, 381. — conjecture how far he assisted Petavius in obtaining thr consulate, 381. n. f-. , — was sacrificed to the resentment of Antony, 3d4. n. — his composure at his death, 384. n. Ckeroy the Fot^iger, letters to Tiro, iii. 171, 176. " — account of him, iii. 171. n. — lived with Cratippus both as his son and pupil, iii. 172. Ciccra Cicero the Younger y his studies, iii. 173. • ■ — his courage and conduct, iii. 320. Cilicia^ extent of that province, i. 327> n. 456. — military preparations there by Cicero, i. 328. — added to the provinces by P. Servilius, i. 328. o. — prsetors draw lots for the government of, i, 363. — prevented by Cicero from sending deputies to thank Ap» pius, i. 372. — severely plundered by Appius, i. 377> n- Cilix, i. 226. Cilo Magius stabs Marcellus, and then kills himself, iii. 29. CirabeTj his treachery to Caesar, ii. 356, n. Cineas, li. 15, l6, n. CipiuSj saying of, iii. 48. Circensian giunes consisted of shews of various kinds, ii* 63. n. Civil War, victory the supreme evil of, ii. 250. Cleopatray ii. 155, n. Clodius procures a law that no person shall harbour Cicero, i. 26, n. — treachery to Cicero, J. 45, n. — pillages and burns Cicero's houses, i. l62, n. — an enemy to the laws and tranquillity of Rome, i. 170. — after having driven Cicero from Rome, opposes Pomper and Caesar, i. 172, n. 176, n. — his schemes against Cicero* i. 174, n. — law procured by him, i. 174, n. — intrudes on the Matrons mysteries, i. 177. — suspected of trim. con. with his three^^sisfers, i, 178. n. — opposes the recal of Cicero, i. 178, n. — impeached by Milo, as a disturber of the public peace, i. 178, n. — killed by Milo, i. 257, n. — — his funeral pile made of the benches of the senate-house, i. 263, n. Clodius, Marcus, recommended by Cicero to Acilius^ xL 170, CUtviuSy i. 344. — the cities of IMyleta and Alabanda indebted ta him, i. 344. — has demands on Heraclea 3argylo8 and Caunus, i« 345. — his dispute with th« Caunians, i. 346, n. — Cicero's letters to^iii. 51. .. , .. ^ CocceiuSy ii. 242. C(£liusy Marcus, letters to Cicero, i. 272, 292, 9^7, 304, 311, 314, 353, 383, 437, 442, ii. 30, 43, 6I, 65, 112, 123, 145. C(eUus ,1 >■■■ I? INDEX. Callus, Cicero's letters to him, i. 289, 36?, 385, 455, 46^, '^Gj, ii. 20, 57, 127. — account of, i. 273, n. — wi>bes Cicero to address some of his works to him, i* 299. — ccraplains of the ingratitude of Appius, ii. 6l. — Caiub Domitius becomes his most bitter enemy, ii. 6l. — Appius endeavours to persuade Servius to impeach him, ii. 62. — indicted on the Scantinian law, ii. 63, — - lodges an information against Appius, ii. 63. — endeavours to persuade Pompey to join Caesar, ii. 123. — laments his having joined Caesar, ii. 145. — encourages Pompey 's party at Rome, ii. 146. — murdered by the soldiers of Caesar's faction, ii. 147, n. Co^nosco explained, i. 214, n. Colophon, a city ot lonia, ii. 380. Comitial days, i. 360, n. Commagene, a part ot Syria, i. 342. Conjidence frequently passes fur skill, i. 212. Conscript Fathers, the council of the republic addressed by that term, iii. 323. Consuls become infamous barterers for provinces, i. 174. — not under the age of 42, ii. 271, n. — might not be sued for until two years after havin^^ served the office of praetor, iii. 366, n. Consulars, whom, ii. 271, n. Corcyra, an island in the Ionian sea, now called Corfu, i. 302, ii. 206. Corinth, a city of Peloponnesus, iii. 9. Cornelia visits the wife of Cicero, i. 21. — her character, i. 319, »• Cornelian law, i. 339, "« 8, n. Cornelius, i. 21, 60. Comificius, i. 443. — Cicero's letters to, i. 234, iii. 6I, 64, SO, 150, 153, 156, 160, 166, 179, 280, 356. — account ot" him, iii. 61, n. — lost his life in defence of his province, iii. 360, n. Corporation, or municipal towns, i. 41W, n. Cossinius, Lucius, recommended by Cicero to Sulpicius, ii. 421. Corey cus, in Cilicia, iii. 36p. Crassipes, i. 194. -— married to Tullia, i. 104. CrasippeSf INDEX. Crasippes, Cicero's letter to, i. 406. Crassus, Marcus Licinius, Cicero's letter to, i. 128. — Cicero's profession of friendship for him, i. 128. — gives a general treat on 10,000 tables, and three months provisions of corn, i. 128, n. — accepts the province of Syria, with a design of makin<» war on the Parthians, i. 128, n. — regulated his attachment by his interest, i. 133, n. — his son heads a body of knights in support of Cicero, i. 175, n. , — cause of variance between him and Cicero, i. 190. — sets off for Syria, i. I93, n. — account of him, ii. 319, n. Cmzz/m/^ employed on the roads, i. 122, n. * Cromwell, paragram of his, i. 402, n. Cromyacris, irt Cyprus, iii. 371. Cularo, on the frontiers of the Allobroges, now Grenoble, iii. 346. Culeo returns to Lepidus, iii. 293. Culleolus, Lucius, Cicero's letters to, i. 206, 207. Cumce, a city in Campania, i. 274, n. Curiae, their votes considered as the voice of the people, i, 202, n. Curio, Caius, i. 66. ii. 30. — Cicero's letters to, i. 217, 231, 236, 242, 245, 252, 395. — his character, i. 217, 231, n. 307, n. — his debts paid by Cajsar, i. 218, n. — lost his life before the battle of Pharsalia, i. 218, n. — his infamous intercourse with Antony, i. 220, n. — gives public games, i. 238, n. — theatre, i. 294. — gives panthers to Ccelius, i. 3l6, 365. — prepares to oppose the demands of Cicero, i. 365, — joins Cajsar's party, i. 441. — becomes a convert to Caesar, i. 470. Curius, ii. 19. — Cicero's letters to, i. 208, ii. 36l, iii. 63, 73, 79, — account of him, ii. 361, n. Curius, Manius, recommended by Cicero to Sulpicius, ii. 410. — Marcus, recommended by Cicero to Auctus, iii. 78. Curtius, ii. 134, iii, 46. Curtius, Publius, evxecpied, by order of Pompey, for trea- chery, ii. 454. .a,- Curule f.i 11 INDEX. Ciirule magistrates drawn in a car, ii. 192, n. CMn?i/5,. Lucius Genucilius^ recommended by Cicero to Thcr- mus, i. 335. Cuspius, Publius, i. 58. Custidius, Lucius, i. 474. CybirOf a city of Lycaonia, ii. 41 9. Ciberitce hunt panthers, i. SI6. Cyprus had a peculiar claim on the patronage of Cato, i. 426, n. Cyprus extremely oppressed under the government of Pto- lemy, i. 428, n. Cyzicumy a town in the island of Propontis, i. 27* Dalmatian Vatinius's victories in, iii. 72. DamasippuSi i. 106\ lOp. Death to be wished for, after the loss of liberty la a country, III. 7. — consolation drawn from the prospect of rurned cities, iii. 9» — Addison's reflections amongst the repositories of the dead, iii. 10, n. — in an honest cause ought never to lue shunned, iii. 115. Decemviriy account of, iii. 281. — appointed to distribute lands to the soldiers, iii. 308. DtcuriOf that office explained, ii. 433. Deiotarus, prince of Galatia, i. 388, 390, 418, 428, ii. 173, n. — his character, i. 329* n. — his great array, i. 352, — offers to join Cicero with his forces, i. 4l6. Demetrius, Magus, on being granted the freedom of Rome, took the name of Publius Cornelius, ii. 187* Demetriust a celebrated author, iii. 3. Democritus of Sjcyon, ii. 227. Dialogue writers have the privilege of drawing up dialogues which had never taken place, iii. S7» Dictator, a ma^^istrate invested with supreme ami absolute power, i. 309, n. Diodorut, a Greek philosopher, ii. 240, n. ' Diodotus, a Stoic philosopher, ii. 241, n. Diogenes, Laertins, preserved the will of Epicarus, i. 286, n.' Dion Cassius, i. 24, n. 36, n. 56', n. Dionysius, i. 84» n. — steals books from Cicero's library^ ii. 599. ** '^•'^ Drvination attended to by the senate, i. 68. — derived from the Etruscans, ii. 386, n. 1 Dolabella INDEX. Dolabella exhibits articles of impeachment against Appius, i. 437. - — his wife obtains a divorce, i. 43S. - — ungrateful to his patron, ii. 5. — marries TuUia, ii. 43, 47, 58. — joins Caesar, ii. 108. — letter to Cicero, ii. 148. — his character, ii. 148, n. iii. 67, n, -— endeavours to persuade Cicero to leave Pompey, ii. 150. . — his neglect of Tullia, ii. l65. — divorce purposed, ii. 169. I — reasons for a divorce, ii. 169, n. • i fVm'^l — employs his power to seditious purposes, ii. I69, n. — attended Caesar in the African war, ii. 247. — Cicero's letters to him, ii. 444, 459. "i. 4, 67, 92. i — doubts whether the marriage with Tullia was dissolved, iii. 4, 7, n. — disperses the mob that gathered about Caesar's altar, iii. 93, n. — saves the commonwealth as well as the city, iii. 97. — if he should not succeed in Syria, intends to join Antony, iii. 313. — obliged to abandon the siege of Antiochia, iii. 3l6. — puts an end to his life by commanding one of his slaves to be his executioner, iii. 316, n. — in his march from Asia laid waste the country, and seiz- ed the public money, iii. 321. ^i — his fleet destroyed by Lentulus, iii. 322. — the gates of Antiochia shut against him, and his troops desert him, iii. 327. — defeated by Cassius, iii. 364, n. O — collects his forces at Laodicea, iii. 370. — price of wheat m his camp, iii. 370. Domitian improved Augustus's poetical court of judicA* ture, i. 118, n. Domitiiy ii. 33. Domitius, Cicero's letter to, ii. 217. ■ — account of him, ii. 217, n. Domitius, Lucius Enobarbus, one of Caesar'* avowed ene- mies, i. 276, n. >•. :vi — disappointed in his election, ii. 65» ' — seized and strangled by Bellienus, ii. 113. — treated by Caesar with generosity, ii. II6. Dyrrachium, a city in Macedonia, now Durazzi, i. 39- "• 148, n. I , , INDEX. INDEX. Eggs the first dish at etery table, ii. 277> n. EguatiuSj i. 127» n. 36, n. -^ his death and character, ii.45, n. Hospitaktif considered as a primary social duty, ii. liSy n. //j^^^ofc, a figure of speech, i. 402, n. ^ — a prevailing rigure with Caesar, iii. 9^* o. Hypocrisy, necessity of, for a man to keep well with the world, ii. 7, n. < Hypocrite* 1 K D E X. /(y/wmfef, proper objects of ridicule, ii. 69. IL Hypsceus, i, 55. lambUcas, an Arabian phylarch,i. 349. Iconium, a city of Cilicia, i. 302. lUyricum, comprehended Austria, Hungary, Sclavonia, Bos- nia, and Dalmatia, ii, 32. n. Imperator, during the times of the republic, explained, i. 1. n. Integrity, cannot be given up with a good grace, i. 169. n. Jntimelhm, a maritime city in Liguria, ii. 113. n. Intercalation, performed by the pontifical college at their discretion, i. 266. n. Intercessor, witticism of Cicero on, ii. 307. n. Interest of money lowered in Cilicia by Cicero*, i. 380» n. Inter-rex, that office explained, i. 221. n. Issus, a city on the frontiers of Cilicia and Syria, i. S87. — Alexander, having defeated Darius, consecrated three «l- tafti there, i. 419. n. Italy, cause of the war, i. 77 - n. — government of the corporate towns, i. 121. n. Jtiba, account of, and his death, ii. 201. n. Julia, Cxsar's daughter, her death, i. 147. n. Julian law^ ii. 38. Julius, Lucius, i. $9. Junius, i. 108. Laherius, account of, i. 223. n. Labienus goes over to Pompey 's party, ii, 101, lOli* Lcttii, i. 307. ' Lcelius, and Scipio Africanus, their friendship, i. 4. n. Lanius, Marcus, recommended by Cicero to Silius, i, 383, Lamia, i. 370. — supported by Cicero in his election for prsetor, iii. 140. Laodicea, a city of Phrygia, i. 302, 309, 3l6. Larissa, two cities of that name in Thessaly, ii. 424. Lateretisis, decreed by the senate a public funeral, and a sta* tue to his memory, iii. 334» Latian festivals, instituted by Pompey, i. 440. n. Latin language to be used by governors of provinces, i. 464. n. Latium, a part of Italy, made free of Rome, ii. 318. n. Laudator es, witnesses to the character of persons who were arraigned, i. 16O. n. Zmv profession held in great esteem, i. 137. n. Vol. IIJ. E e Law, % I INDEX. Laii, knowledge ot not to be acquired merely by books, iii. 130. Legion, number various at different periods, ii. 434. n. — how styled, iii. l62« n. Leniutui, Lucius, murdered by order of Ptolemy, ii, 26T» n. LentuluSf P. i. 37, 45. n. 54. n. 56. n. 125. n. — Cicero's letters to, i. 50, 6l, 65, 66, 69, 7% 74, 92, 111, 157. — moves for the recal of Cicero, i. 46. n. 50, n. — thought the obligation to his country superior to every other, i. 50. n. <^ — proposed, and carried, a law in favour of Pompey, i. 56, n. — his friends, i. 93. — Pompey's advice to him, i. 95. — advised by Cicero to make himself master of Alexandria and Egypt, i. 96. — Pompey bis friend, i. 115. — raised and animated the republic by his patriotism, i. 173, — recalled Cicero from banishment, i. 183. — flattery of Cicero to him, i. 1 98. ^ — gives judgment against the farmers of the revenues, i. 204. — letter to Cicero iii. 313. — takes Dolabella's transports, iii. 314. — complains of ill treatment from the Rhodians, iii. 314. — boasts of his services, iii. 318. — letter to the consuls, senate, &c. iii, 321. — gives an account of Dolabella and his fleet, iii. 321. Lepidus delivers Apella as an hostage, iii. 279- — letter to Cicero, iii. 292. — encamps near Forum Voconii, iii. 292. — his professions of loyalty to the senate, iii. 294. — a few days after joins Antony, iii. 294'' ». — Plancus joins him with his troops, iii. 295. — his army not to be trusted, iii. 300. — does not punish a sedition in his army, iii. 301. — letter to the senate and people, iii. 328. — joins Antony, iii. 338, 443, " — his sincerity doubled by Plancus, iii. 342. — his infamous conduct, iii. 364, 366. i — and hb adherents declared public enemies by the senate, iii. 373. Iw* or Laberius, appeared first op the ktige at 69 years of age, i. 223. n. idaciUa offers Cicero the use of his house, iii. 44. £ e 2 MatiuSf ii t I M D E X, McPtius, i^ 118. Magaiesian game?, i. 46' J. Ma/iilius, i. 151. Manlius, Marcus, i. 2G7. — Tirus recx>m mended by C'icero (o Sulpicius, ii. 420. Mantiers, superiutendant of, ii. 322. Marccllinus, i. 53, 61. Marcellusy Caius, the elder, Cicero's letter to, i. 323. — Caius, Cicero's letters to, i. 322, 432. ii. 53. — Marcus, Cicero's letters to, i. 320, ii. 98, 314, 343, 34S. iii. 26'. — account of, i. 320. n. — warmly opposed by Ciesar, i. 275. n. — slow and inactive, i. 39I. — a proof of his virtue, ii. 300. — during his volunthry exile visited by Brutus, ii. 300. n. — Cicero endeavours to persuade him to return, ii. 302. 315, 343. ■^- of 01^ of the noblest families in Italy, ii. 31 6. — obtains a pardon, iii. 338. — stabbed by Marius, iii. 29. — where buried, iii. 30. — a monument to his memory erected at Athens at the pub- lic expellee, iii. 31. Marian civil wars, i. 77. n. MariOy ii. 80. Marius, Marcus, i. 205. n. ii. 134. n, — cause of the civil wars, i. 77. n. — Cicero's letters to, i. 116', 26'2. ii. 197, 280, — characterised, i. II6. n. — horrid outrages of his party, ii. 285. n. Master of the horse at Rome, ii. 174. Matius, i. 235. — Cicero's letters to, iii. 105. ., ) — his character, iii. 105. n. — gardening and poetry his favourite amusemeut, iii, 105. n. — letter to Cicero, iii. 112. — laments the death of Casar, iii. 113. — reflections cast on him after the death of Caesar, iii. 113. — his friendship for Csesar, iii. 115. Mato, ii. 17> Matrinius, ii. 60. Mauritania^ in Africa, iii. 348. MaximttSf I N D E X. Maximiis, Q. Fabius, his resolution when he lost his son lii. 14. n. ' Medea, the story of that play, i. 139. n. Megara, a city near Corinth, iii. 9. Memmius, Caius, Cicero's letters to, i. 228, 244, 2S1 — account of the family of, i. 281. n. • - — enters into an infamous association, and turns informer. J. 281. n. ' — banished, i. 282. n. — his character, i. 282. n. — formed to make woman false, i. 282^ n. Menander, Ampius, recommended by Cicero, to Isauricus, Menoc rates y i. 199, Mescinius, ii. 78, 8^. — Cicero's letter to, ii. 228. 7- recommended by Cicero to Sulpicitis, ii. 425, 430. Messala, M, Val. tried and acquitted, i. 292. •--; condemned on a second impeachment, i. 304. \\^ssienus, Publius, recommended by Cicero to Casius. i. 47^ Metella, ii. 169. n. t *^» Metellus, i. 46. n. 50. n. 113. n. 178. n. MeteHus, Q. Caecil. Nepos, attempts to procure the recal of Pompey, i, 5. n. — retires in disgust to Pompey, i. 5, n. — censured by the senate, i. 6. n. — Cicero's letter to, i. 45. — letter to Cicero, i. 89. ~*= * — his character, i. 181. n. — cause of his exile, i. 181. n. — superior to Cicero in acting consistently,!. 182. n. Metellus, Q. Celer, letter to Cicero, i. 5. — complains of the persecution of his relation Metellus, i. 5. — Cicero's letter to hiip, i. 7. — character of his wife, i. 11. n. Metros, u 417. Milo, i. 72, 178. n. — supported by Cicero iji his election to the consulate. 1. 253. ' -— dissipated three considerable estates in shews, i. 255. n. — kills Clodius, i. 257, n. — banished, i. 257. n. — his estates sold, i. 298. n, — observations on ac«ro's defence of him, ii. IS. n. •—suspected of a design against Pompey's life, ii, 14. n. J/wa, indications of a low and little, i. S5, n. E e 3 . Mind, ►. INDEX. Mindf crimes, and not the injastice of others, ought to dis- turb its serenity, i. 252. Minerva, festival observed in a riotous manner, ii. 20. ^ MithridateSy a brave but cruel prince, overcome by Pom- pey, i. 2. n. Mitylene, capital of Lesbos, ii. 204. n. 298. n. Mol9, i. ^7* n. Money, scarcity of in Cappadocia, i. 330. n. MopsuhestOy a city in Cilicia, i. 382. Mucia, married toPompey, and afterwards divorced, i. 12. n. Mucins, i. 151. Munatius, Cicero's letter to, i. 148. Munda, a city in Granada, ii. 438. Murder, a master murdered in his own house, the slates punished with death, iii. 30. n. Mushrooms in great esteem, ii. 323, 445. Mutina, a city of Cisalpine Gaul, iii. l63. Mtjkta, a city in Asia Minor, i. 344. Nctvius, i. ^5, Narbonne in Provence, iii. 334. Neroiia in Liburnia, now called Croatia, ii. 39$. ui. 34 Naso, Otacilius, ii. 175. Nero, i. 394. — Cicero's esteem and affection for him, iii. sgs, Nicea, city greatly indebted to Titus Pinius, i. 367. Nigidius, Figulus, Cicero's letter to, ii. 291. — account of him, ii. 291. n. — Caesar is inclined to call him fi'om exile, iii. 295. Nobility amongst the Romans, i. 101. n. Nonianus, Considius, ii. 106. Numa regulates the public registers, i. 82. n. Numbera, superstitious notions respecting, ii. 85. n. NysOf protection for the citizens requested by Nero, i. 394. Obligations on asking, i. 253. Ocella, his amours, i. 443. ' Octavius takes the name of Augustus Caesar, 111. 87. n. — form a design against the life of Antony, iii. 151. — the design favoured by Cicero, iii. 151. n. ' — complains of the ambiguous expressions of Cicero, iii. . 306. — joins the triumvirate, iii. 345. n. 384. n. —r his conduct complained of by Plaocus, iii. 380. ■' Octariusf \ \ V INDEX. Octavius advances with several legions^ in order to demand the consulate, iii. 381. n. Oeno7naus, story of that tragedy, ii. 257, n. ^ OffiUuSf his opinion on wills, i. 261. Omens observed by the Romans, i. 136. n. Oppius, i. 127. ii. 134. — Cicero's letter to, iii. 124. OppiuSf Lucius recommended by Cicero toGallius, ii. $1^ Optimates, their irresolution, ii. 34. , , . .^y^. Orators of Greece and Rome, studied both action and dilu- tion, ii. 269. n. j; Oratory J three dialogues on, sent by Cicero to Lentuluj^ i Orca, Q. Val. Cicero's letters to, l. 57. iii. 41, 46. \^:^ — account of him, iii. 41. n. Orfius purposed to be made king of Gaul by Caesar, i. 1^^^ Osciau farces, account of, i. 121. n. ,,,^^^^ Ostia, a town on the mouth of the Tiber, ii. 248. ir Owls salt to Athens J a proverbial expression, ii. 23.6, 413. Pacorus, son of Orodes, king of Parthia, encamps at Tyba, Pflp^i«, Lucius Castrinius, i. 296. '■■^- — recommended by Cicero to Brutus, ii. 342. Pastus, Papirius, Cicero's letters to, ii. 15, 191> 253, 255, 271,273,276,280,317,351. — a person of great wit and humour, ii. 15. n. — his noble descent, ii. 192. ] Palestra, or public building for various exercises, i. 107.4. Pansa, i. 229. — died of his wounds, iii. 335. Panthers, to be procured forCcelius, i. 296, 310, 3l6, ^6Sj 463. . y Paphos, a city of Cyprus, ii. 188. '^^ Para^am, a species of pun, i. 402. n. Pnrion, a city in Hellespontus, i. 335. (^ Parthian, now a part of Persia, i. 311. n. — a son of the king of, married to a sister of th^^^ing .of Armenia, i. 342. ^ i\\Vr»r» — army of, passes the Euphrates, i. 348, 382. V^^o — commits hostilities, i. 386. — progress of the army, i. 388* — invade Syria, i. 414. — progress of Cicero against them, i. 417» — repulsed by Cassius, and driven out of Syria, ). 452. Patricians^ higher and lower order^ii. 1^2. n, , , [^ Ee4 Party, I I > 337. n. ''\ — his care of his troops, iii. 353, Polypus fish, ii. 259i 26l. fompciQf i. 178. n. . ^. .. . Pompeitts i r INDEX. INDEX. Tompeiusy Cneius, killed by Caesar's soldiers, iii. 85. n. Fompeius^ Quint us, recommended by Cicero to Curius, i. 208. • — a principal author of the disturbances on the death of Clodius, i. 276. n. Fo?npeiuSf Sextus, iii. 85. Pompey the Great, Cicero's letter to, i. 1. — — hib success against Mithridates, i. 2. n. — supposed cause of his coolness to Cicero, i. 3. n. — his recal attempted by Metellus Nepos, i. 5. n. • — good oftices by Cicero to him, i. 12. ^ insists that Antonius should be recalled from his govern- ment, i. 19. n. • — laws in his favour, i. 56. n. — insulted when he spuke in favour of Milo» i. 72. — artifice of, i. ^s, n. — — theatre, i. 11 6. n. — killed 500 lions at his hunting matches, i. 123. n. — invested with the government of Spain for five years, but chose to continue in Italy, i. 135. ^ — set forward on his expedition into Sardinia and Africa, i. 166. — his conversation with the brother of Cicero, i. 167. — refuses to protect Cicero against Clodius, i. 175. n. — foments confusion at Rome, i. 243. n. — made alterations in the method of chusing judges, i. 265. n. 292. n. — seldom spoke his real sentiments, yet had not artifice enough to conceal them, i. 275. '^ — secretly fomented the tumults, i. 282. n. — animated with the most patriotic seniiraent*, i. 290*> — •— debate on the payment of his forces, i. 309- — — married Cornelia, daughter of Scipio, i. 319' n« — questioned respecting Ca^^ar, i. 364. — looked on by Cicero a^ the greatest nian in the world, ^. 448. — Cicero's pretended obli;;ation5 to him> ii. 12. V — hia treachery to Cicero, ii. 12. n, ^ — his party attempt* to divest Caebar of his government iu Gaul, ii. 20. n. "^ — his character by Cicero at different periods, ii. 27* n. 'I — Opposes Caesar'ii being elected consul before he gives up the command of the army, ii. 35. — senate and judges declare in his favour, ii. 68. — apprehensive of the power of Caesar, ii. 90. — receives money for the public use, ii. 96. I Fwnpf^ Fompty, money seized for his use, ii. ^^. f — treated Cesar's design of invading Italy with contempt ii 106. n. ^ ' — the policy of his leaving Rome, and removing the war out of Italy, ii. 130. n. — ill-advised declaration when he left Rome, ii. 146. n. — after his defeat at Pharsalia, is deserted by Cicero, ii 154, n. J y . — defects in his army, ii. 198. — would have overcome Caesar, had his army been com- manded by a general who knew how to conquer, ii. 199, n. — runs away after the battle of Pharsalia with a single at- tendant, ii. 200, n. — would not follow the advice of Cicero, ii. 199. — resolves to take shelter in Egypt, but is stabbed by order of Ptolemy, ii. 201, n. — his body burned with the planks of a fishing-boat, and his ashes brought to Rome, ii. 201, n. PoTwpey, the younger y draws together a very considerable army in Spain, ii. 434. — weakness of his intellects, ii. 458. FomptinuSj the villa of Metrillius Philemdn, i. 240. Fontiffsy their function, iii. 328, n. Fontinius distisguished himself in the affair of Catiline, ii. "'^^ 3,^1. Frcecilim, his son, recommended by Cicero to Csesar, ii. 462. PrcEcOy similar to the cryer in a court of justice, ii. 433, n. Frcetor, not chosen until two years after having served th« office of edile, iii. 304j n. — office, i. 45^, n. — could not absent themselves for more than ten days, iii. 131, n. — exhibited games in honour of Apollo, iii. 145, b. PrtBtorian cohort, 1. 418, n. — provinces, why so called, i. 363, n. PrawnSy in great repute, ii. 445. • • Precius leaves a legacy to Cicero, ii. 71. PrescenniuSf i. 30. ProtogeneSy i. 121. Ptolemy y i. 54, 311, n. •*^ father of Cleopatra, i. 51, n. — money paid to settle him on his throfie, i. 51, n. — driven out of Egypt, i. 51, n. Ptolemy i .f..-. i^n\nx«i*l ;f'- ff'l ., i . IN D E X. .Ptolemiff prophecy found in the Sibylline books, against Kfs being assisted by the Romans, i. 52, n. — the part taken by Cicero to replace him in this kiBgdom. 1. 53. — debates on restoring, i. 6l. — Cicero advices Lentulus to place Ptolemy on his throne, i. 97> — his death,!. 311. — orders Pompey to be stabbed, ii. 201, n. Fublia married to Cicero, and soon atter parted, ii. 208, n. PubliuM, his death, i. 132, n. Punningy remarks on, i. 403, n. Pupiusy ). 407. Puteolw, a maritime city in Campania, now Poxzuoli, ii. 10, n. Puteolanus, Cluvius, i. 344. Pyramus, a river in Cilicia, ii. 23. Pyrrhusy king of Epirus, a great soldier, ii. 15, n. Qwtstor, was receiver-general of the provincial taxes, i. 20. iii.348. Quindecimvirs, presiding magistrates at the games, and keepers of the Sibylline oracles, i. 305, n, RaciliuSf Lucius, i. 94. RagdzoniiUf i. 89, n. Raphael, his paintings in the little Fai;nesc retouched by Maratti, i. ISO, n. Registers, public regulated by Numa, i. 82, n. Rcgium, a maritime city in Calabria, iii. 53, Rex, Cicero's letter to, ii. 467. Rhodes, an island in the Mediterranean, ii. 37, n, 204, n. — ill behaviour of the Rhodiaus to Lentulus, ji. 314, 332. il^orfo, i. 471. Romans, their manner of settling affairs of state, i, 6S, n* — public entertainments, i. 1 16. ; — magnificence of their roads, i. 12 J, n. ^~ progress to ruin, i. 141, n. — civil war not occasioned by the enmity of Caesar and Pompey, but by their former friendship, i, IS6, n. — divided into Curiae, whose votes were considerwl a& tke voice of the people, i. 202, n^,» ... swr.j .r^^.,^\SL^r — military function conferred by the people, i. 203, 0. RojttanSf^ IN D E X Romans, affairs in confusion, occasioned by Pompey anl Caesar, i. 243, n. 245. — elections carried by bribery and mobs, i. 256, n. •— law to prevent commotions at elections, i. 268, n. — increase of bribery, i. 281, n. 292. — severe laws against false accusers, i. 353, n. — soldiers could not be compelled to serve more than Un years, i. 36'2. — how divided by Romulus, i. 474, n. — united under Pompey, ii. 28. ^ — when first supplied with water, ii. 30, n. — tendency to a civil war, ii. 71. — immense wealth acquired by the governors of the pro- vinces, n, 99, n, — convention of senators, ii. 121, — reclined on couches at their meals, ii. 351, n. — state of patriotism, ii. 404. — divided into thirty-five tribes, ii. 421, n. -A^t;i k — critical state of the republic, ii. 447. — governors obliged to visit the principal cities in their pro- vinces, iii. 28, n. — citizens cast into three general divisions, iii. 75, n. '^— centuries explained, iii. 75, n. — senators could not be long absent without leave, w. 84, n — capitation tax, iii. 358. Ross, Mr. his sentiments of Pompey, i; 95, n. Rjifus, Lucius Mescinius, Cicero's letters to, ii. 91, 138, ^— his character, ii. 91, n. ^ — on the expences of Cicero's government in Cilicfefii. Oi. 92, n. "^ Rufus, Sempronius, convicted of false accusations, i 353. Rufus, Servius Sulpicius, i. 320, n, Rufus, Sextilius, Cicero's letter to, ii. 188. Rufus, C. Titiu«, Cicero's letter to, i. 474. Ruilus, i. 441, n. Rupa, i. 236. '^ »'^ Rupilius, Publius, i. 407. Sabata fens, account of, iii. 289. Sabinia, a city in Italy, iii. 99, n. Sabinus, ii. 46'7. qmcS. 'Salamis, a crty in Cyprus, i. 346, n. Sallustius, Caninius, Cicero's letter to, ii. 57, Samarobnva,2iCiiy in Belgic Gaul, i. 2ZS, 229. Samo^y an island gn the coast of Ionia, i. ti7&. Z Sardinia, r N D E X. Sardinia, island, ii. 246, n. iii. 49, n. A Sardinian laugh, iii. 55, n. Sardis, a city in Lydia, i. 400. Saturninus, his law that the senate should ratify whatever the people ordained, i. 181, n. <. — prosecution against, ii. 66. Sccevola, Quintus, ii. 205, 267. — compiled a body of laws in 18 volumes, i. 267, n. Scaptius besieges the senate house in Cyprus, i. 379> ni i >/. Scantinian law explained, ii. 63, n. Scaurus, M. ^roilius accused of a traitorous correspondence with Mithridates, i. 182, n. — his speech before the assembly, i. 182, n. Scipio Afncanus and Laelius, their friendship, i. 4, n. — his death, ii. 267, n, Scipio Metellus, i. 318, n. SeguUus execrated by Cicero, iii. 339« Sejanum^ the true reading of, i. 117* n. Seius, i. 229. Sdicius, i. 70, ii. 262. Selius, i. 404. Senate, forms of proceedings, i. 62, 64. — power of nomination of candidates for the magistracies, s. 188, R. - "^^ — singular custom of lengthening debates, ii. 31, n.u Seneca, eulogy on Cato, ii. 268, n. SerranuSy i. 178, n. Servilius the father, account of, ii. 290, n. <^ Serxilius Isauricus, i. 47» n. 53, 328, n. 356. -^ — Cicero's letters to, ii, 289, ^<>9y 360, ZGly 379r 384, 396. • t^i>t: — why called Isauricus, ii. 290. *^* — his death in extreme old age, iii. 9I1 n. ♦: Servilius, Marcus, convicted of extortion, i. 355. *" Servilius, Strabo, i. 394. Serviusy his opinion on will?, i. 261. — — tried and convicted, i. 306. Sestius, ii. 96. — Publius, Cicero's letter to^ i. 20. tixi^^^^ — SextiuSf P. i. 35, d. — account of, i. 168. — Cicero's letter to, i. 248. ♦ — professed friendship of Cicero for, i.248. -H Shakespeare, quoted, i. 152, n. 282>*Q. Sj/bils, i. 53, D. Sicca, i. 30. Sicinius, it INDEX. fi Sidnius, i. 231, n. Sicj/on, a city of Peloponneses, ii. 419. Stda, a sea»port of Pamphylia, i. 336. SUanm returns to Lepidus, iii. 293. Silius, Publius, i. 26l. — Cicero's letters to, i. 366, 370, 383, 393, 408, 475 •-- governor of Bithyniaand Pontus in Asia. i. 366, n. •Vj^^iM^, 1. 296, 310, ii. 36. Sophists, besides the arts and sciences, pretended to a know- ledge of the meanest crafts, ii. 253, n. Sosis, Luc\u% Manlius, recommended by Cicero to Acilius. 11. 164. ' Soul, Cicero's opinion enquired into, ii. 232, n Spain, government of, renewed to Pompey for five years, 1. 383, n. -- how divided by the Romans, ii. 149. Spectres, or images, ii. 453, 455. Stabite, a maritime town in Campania, i. 117, n. '^ iS^flr^e entertainments at Rome, i. 120. — • the Oscian and Greek farces, i. 121, n. Statues purchased for Cicero, npt approved of by him, i. 106. "^ Strabo, Lucius Titius, ii. 349. Suberinus, Caius, recommended by Cicero to Dolabella. II. 459. ' Suicide, Cicero's motives against, ii. 218. Sulla, his death, ii. 446, 450. Superstition ceremonies, credulity in, at Rome, i. 128, n. ^ iiulptcms, Pubhus, Cicero's letters to, ii. 3^8. — had a thanksgiving for his successes in Illyricuro, ii. 398, n. Sulpicius, Servius, Cicero's letters to, ii. 119, 136, 283, 330, 410, 414, 416, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 424. 425, 427, 429, iii. 6, 13, 28. r— account of him, ii. 119, n. >^ -- aware that the recal of Cssar would draw on a civil waK II. 120, n. ' — his skill in the laws, ii. 287. — accepted of the government of Achaia, ii. 337. — consolation to Cicero on the death of Tullia. iii. 6 ^mmmng, a polite exercise at Rome, i. 151, n. ^ at' n'*""'" regarded by the senate, i. 52, 62, 72. 97» yo. Sylla, i. 2, n. 109, d. 1^4, n. I f INDEX. Syllof law made by him, i. 203. — horrid outrages of his party, ii. 285, n. — Cicero intends to pwrcbase his house, ii. 323. Syndics, a kind of solicitors of the treasury, i. S**. Sfinnada, a city of Phrygia, i. 373. Syriot a great commotion there, i. 349* '^ cannot be entered without traversing mount Amanus, i. 415. — report of a war in, i. 4()5. Sp'us Publius, account of, iii. 66, n. Tflrcowrf/»?o^w*, a prince of Cilicia, i. 349. Tarentiimy softness and luxury of the inhabitants, i. 229> n. Tarqm'n, games instituted by him, i. 354, n. — instituted theLatian festivals, i. 440, c. Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, i. 339, ii« Terentia, C\cero*s letters to, i. 25, 30^ ii. 141, 151, 152, 154, 156, 157» 162, 165, 168, 169, 176, 177* 179. — andTullia-, Cicero's letters to, ii. 70, 100, 102. — dragged from the temple of Vesta, to the office of Va- lerius, i. 32. — divorced from Cicero, i. 32. Tertu/iUj wife to Crassus, i. 130, n. Thanksgivitigsy public, on what accounts voted, i. 422. ThcmistocleSy account of, i. 81, n. Thei^us, Cicero's letters to, i. 335, 344, "399* 464, 465, 471. Thessalonica, a city in Macedonia, i. 34. Thraso, i. 397. Thyreum, a city of Peloponnesus, ii. 79* TigelliuSf account of him, iii. 48, 49, 54. Timwust his character as an historian, i. 77 • Tiwoltm, account of, i. 84, n. Two, Cicero's letters to, ii. 72, 75, 76, 77. 79. 81, 83, 87t 105, 115, 116, 117, iii. 1, 27, 31, 34, 38, 86, 90, 154. — a favourite slave of Cicero's, account of hira, ii. 72, n. 74, n. ^ Quintus Cicero's letters to, ii. 110, 118, iii. I69, 171> 176. - — Cicero gives him his freedom, ii. 466. Titius, Titus, Cicero's letters to, i. 290, ii. 158. Tatutniiis, Cicero's letters to, ii. 210, 215. Torquutusy Aulu^, Cicero's letters to, ii. 403, 4U, 437*, 44?. Torquatits, INDEX. Torquatus, Aulus, account of him, ii. 403. n. — Cicero consoles him on his absence from Rome, i. 404 — allowed to return through the intercession of Doiabell'a, ". 448, n. ' Trabea, the poet, ii, 191. Tralles, a city in Asia Minor, i. 300. Trebanius, Cicero's letter to, ii. 304.' Trebatis, i. 213, n. Trebatius, i. 134, 135, 136. ii. 1 19. — Cicero's letters to, i. 138, 140, 142, 144, 147, 149, 154. 221, 229, 232, 235, 239, 247, 26l, 266, ii. 310. iii. 126, 129. — Horace addressed one of his satires to him, i. 138, n. — advised the Roman satirist to swim across the Tiber, i. 152, n. — looked on by Caesar as a wonderful lawyer, i. 149. — turns Epicurean, i. 229. — his arrogance, i. 232. Treboniusy Aulus, i. 65, — Cicero's letters to, ii. I8I, 324. iii. 99, 195. — account of him, ii. isi, n. 182, n. hi. 99. n. — letter to Cicero, iii. 102. ~- invites Cicero's son to Asia, iii. 103. Trevirt, a warlike people bordering on Germany, i. 233, n. irevtn momtales, inspectors of the public coin, i. 233, n. Inbufies, their rank, i. 137, n. Triumph could not be claimed without having destroyed 5000 ^ of the enemy, i. 312, n. ii. 32. persons demanding, remained without the city until it was either granted or rejected, i. 371, n. Triumvirate, Octavius treats with Lepidus and Antony, and soon after joins them, iii. 345, n. ~ formed, iii. 384, n. Trojan horse, a tragedy, i. 154, n. JSI/P^ recommended by Cicero to Munatius, i. 148. luccius, Marcus, i. 354. Tullia married to Caius Piso Frugi, i. 28, n. marries Crassippes, i. 104, n. — marries Dolabella, ii. 43, 47, 5%, — arrives at Brundisium, ii. 165. ~ neglected by Dolabella, ii. l65, n. — divorce purposed, ii. 169. — - her death, iii. 4, n. « < • INDEX. Tullia^ conjecture whether sb€ bad been divorced from D^ labella, iii. 4, n. 7i n. — > Sulpicius's coQsoiatioD to Cicero on ber death, iii. 6. Vacerra, his death, i. 148. Valeria, Paula, divorced, and a treaty of marriage with De* cimus Brutus, i. 445. Valerius, Lucius, Cicero's letter to, i. 212. ValeriiiSy the lawyer, i. 227. Vardteiy a people contiguous to Dalmatia, iii. 33. n» Varrius, accuses Scaunis of bribery, i. 183, n. VarrOf M. Terentius, Cicero's letters to, ii. 213, 234, 236, 240, 243, 244, 248. iii. 35. — his character, ii. 213, n. 329. — retires with his fleet into harbour, ii. 252. — recommended by Cicero to Bratus, it. 326, 327> n. 328. VatiniuSy i. 91» n. — why Cicero became his advocate, i. l60. — character of, i. l60, n. iii. 32, n. 59» n. — by the artful examination of him by Cicero, he exposed the iniquity of his tribunate, i. 1^4. — bribed, i. l64, n. — defended by Cicero, i, 190. * VatiniuSf letters to Cicero, iii. 32, 6^' — wishes to have a public thanksgiving, iii. 3!?. Vegetables, luxurious method of dressing, i. 49. Veii, a city in Italy, ii. 274. Velioy a sea-port of Lucania, iii. 126, n. Vtntidius joins Antony, iii. 289, 292. Venusiay a town in Naples, ii. 180. Vercelkty in the duchy of Milan, iii. 29^. Vettorius, i. 355. Viarian law threatened by Curio, i. ^41. Vibutlius, i. 168. Vicentiaj a maritime city of the Venetians, iii. 291* Viniciattus, i. 307. Virgil, supposed to allude to Curio in vendidit hie awro pM» triam, i. 218> n. Ulubrean frogs, i. 241. Ulysses, story of, referred to, i. 214. Vocontiif a people of Narbonensian Gani, iii. 343. Volaterne, a city in Tuscany, recommended to the protec- tion of Orca, iii. 41. Voicatius, i, 55, 61, 66, ii. 349^ Vokatiiu^ I njswx. Volcatiui, his noble spirit, ii. 339. Volumnia, ii, l63. Volumnius, Cicero's letters to, i. 401. ii, 263. > — account of him, i. 401, n. Volusius, ii. 94. ' * Voluptuaries, warm advocates for moral beauty, ii. 457. Wit, the loss of the trueoW Roman lamented, ii. 319. n, Xenomenes, ii. 7g, ZoUus, Lucius, recommended by Cicero to Apuleius, ii. 247. THE END. t IX BOOKS PRTNTED FOR THE PROPRIETORS OF MELMOTHS CICERO'S LETTERS. 1. CICERO'S CATO and LELIUS; or, Essays on Old Age and Friend- ship, translated by Melmoth, two Volumes, 8vo. 12«. boards. 2. FITZOSBORNE's LETTERS, on several Subjects, by Melmoth, 8vo. 6s. boards. :3. 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