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with and their cries for juftice. Nevertheless, I will do every thing that lies in my power to gratify your inclinations. He is to be defended at his trial by Vokes: and if his profecutors can be vanqied by eloquence, there is great rean to expect that the force of your difcple's rhetoric will put them to flight. I depend upon your being my advocate at Rome, if there should be any occafion. Czar indeed has not yet done me the jatice to move for a public thanksgiving for the fuccefs of my arms in Dalmatia: as if, in truth, I were not entitled to more, and might not juftly claim the hotour of a triumph! But as there are above threescore cities that have entered into an alliance with the Dalmatians, befides the twenty, of which that country anciently confifted; if I am not to be honoured with a public thankfgiving, till I fhall have taken every one of these confiderable towns, I am by no means upon equal terms with the rest of our generals. Immediately after the fenate had appointed the former thanksgiving for my victories, I marched into Dalmatia; where I attacked and made myself master of fix of their towns. One of these, which was of very confiderable ftrength, I might fairly fay that I took four several times. For it was furrounded by a fortification confifting of four different walls, which were defended by as many forts: through all which I forced my way to the citadel, which I likewife compelled to furrender. But the exceffive feverity of the cold, together with the deep fnows that fell at the fame time, obliged me to retreat: fo that I had the mortification, my dear Cicero, to find myself under the neceffity of abandoning my conquefts, juft as I was upon the point of finishing the war. I intreat you then, if occafion fhould require, to be my advocate with Cæfar, and in every other respect to take my intereft under your protection; in the affurance, that no man poffeffes an higher degree of affection for you than myself.

LETTER CXL,
To Curius.

[A. U. 709.]
'TIS true, I once both advised and ex-
horted you to return into Italy: but
1 am fo far from being in the fame fenti-

ments at prefent, that on the contrary, I wish to efcape myself,

To fome bleft clime remote from Pelop's race

My heart indeed moft feverely reproaches me for fubmitting to be the witness of their unworthy deeds. Undoubtedly, my friend, you long fince forefaw our evil days approaching, when you wifely took your flight from thefe unhappy regions: for though it must needs be painful to hear a relation of what is going forward amongst us; yet far more intolerable it furely is, to be the fad fpectator of so wretched a fcene. One advantage at leaft you have certainly gained by your abfence; it has fpared you the mortification of being prefent at the late general affembly for the election of quæftors. At feven in the morning, the tribunal of Quintus Maximus the conful, as they called him, was placed in the field of Mars +: when news being brought of his fudden death, it was immediately removed. But Cæfar, notwithstanding he had taken the aufpices ‡ as for an affembly of the tribes, converted it into that of the centuries: and at one in the afternoon declared Caninius duly elected conful. Be it recorded then, that during the confulate of Caninius, no man had time to dine; and yet that there was not a fingle disturbance of any kind committed: for he was a magistrate, you muft know, of fuch wonderful vigilance, that he never once flept throughout his whole adminiftration. The truth of it is, his adminiftration continued only to the end of the year; and both expired the very next morning. But ridiculous as thefe tranfactions may appear to you, who are placed at fo 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 be affected then, were I to mention the numberlefs inftances of the fame arbitrary kind which daily occur! For my own part, they would be utterly infupportable to me, had I not taken refuge in philofophy; and enjoyed likewife

Alluding to the Cæfarian party.

+ Where the poll for the election of magistrates was ufually taken. It was fituated on the banks of the Tiber.

No affembly of the people could be regularly had declared that the omens were favourable for held, nor any public act performed, till the augurs the purpose in agitation.

that

that friend of ours * for the companion of my ftudies, whofe property, you tell me, you are. However, fince you affure me at the fame time, that all the benefit which can arife from you, belongs folely to myfelf; I am perfectly well contented: for what can property give more?

Acilius, who is fent into Greece at the head of fome legions as fucceffor to Sulpicius, has great obligations to me: for I fuccefsfully defended him in two capital profecutions, before the commencement of our public troubles. He is a man of a very grateful difpofition, and one who, upon all occafions, treats me with much regard. Accordingly I herewith fend you a letter which I have written to him in your favour, in the ftrongest terms and I defire you will let me know what promifes he thall give you in confequence of my recommendation. Farewel.

LETTER CXLI.

To Auctus, Proconful.

[A. U. 709.]

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I am well pleafed that you had no occafion to deliver my letter to Acilius. I find likewife that you had not much, for

IN confidence of that thare you allow the fervices of Sulpicius; having made me in your esteem, and of which you fo great a progrefs, it feems, in your afgave me fo many convincing proofs fairs as to have curtailed them (to ufe during the time we continued together at Brundifium, I claim a fort of right of your own ludicrous expreffion) both of head and feet. I wish, however, you applying to you upon any occafion wherein I am particularly interefted. I take the fpared the latter, that they might proceed liberty therefore of writing to you in be-nity of one day fecing you again in Rome, a little fafter, and give us an opportu

half of Marcus Curius, a merchant at

Patra, with whom I am molt intimately united. Many are the good offices which have mutually paffed between us and what indeed is of the greatest weight, they reciprocally flowed from the mott perfect affection. If then you have reafon to promife yourfelf any advantage from my friendship; if you are inclined to render the obligations you have formerly conferred upon me, if poffible, even fill more valuable; in a word, if you are perfuaded that I hold a place in the esteem of every perfon in your family; let thefe confiderations induce you to comply with my requeft in favour of Curius. Receive him, I conjure you, under your protection, and preferve both his perfon and his property from every injury and every inconvenience to which

* Atticus.

had

that good old vein of pleafantry, which We want you indeed, in order to preserve is now, you may perceive, well-nigh worn out among us: infomuch that At

ticus may properly enough fay, as he

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LETTER CXLIII,

To Tiro.

[A. U. 709.]

NOTWITHSTANDING I wrote this morning by Harpatus, and nothing w has fince occurred; yet I cannot forbear making use of this opportunity of conveying a fecond letter to you upon be fine fubject: not, however, as enterning the leaft diftruft of your care, but ployed you, is of the last importance to My whole defign indeed in parting you was, that you might thoroughly le my affairs. I defire, therefore, the first place, that the demands of us and Aurelius may be fatisfied. Yor next endeavour must be, to obtain tart at least, if you cannot procure the whole, of what is due to me from Flamna: and particularly infift on his making his payment by the first of January. th regard to that debt which was gned over to me, I beg you would tert your utmost diligence to recover it: as to the advance-payment of the cther not yet due, I leave you to act as hall judge proper. And this much my private concerns. As to thofe of the public; I defire you would fend

becaufe the bufinefs in which I have em

all the certain intelligence you can colet. Let me know what Octavius and Antony are doing; what is the geteral opinion of Rome; and what turn you imagine affairs are likely to take. I fcarcely forbear running into the it of the fcene: but I reftrain myself, the expectation of your letter.

Your news concerning Balbus proves e: 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 Baia but let me know what you can discover of

their motions.

Do not forget to remind the Dolabella; nor to infift ment of what is due from Papia.

wel.

upon

agents of

the payFare

It appears by the letters written to Atticus at this time, that Cicero had fome confiderable dehands upon Dolabella: which arofe, it is probabt, from the latter not having yet returned the whole of Tullia's portion, agreeably to the Roman ews in cafes of divorce,

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To Bithynicus +.

[A. U. 709.]

I HAVE many reafons to wish that the republic may be restored: but, believe me, the promise you give me in your defire. You affure me, if that happy letter, renders it ftill more ardently my event fhould take place, you will confefurance which I received with the greatest crate your whole time to me: an afpleasure, as it is perfectly agreeable to and to the opinion which that excellent the friendship in which we are united, have received more confiderable services, man your father entertained of me. You I confefs, from the men who are, or have been capable of conferring upon lately were, in power, than any that I you: but in all other refpects, there is no person whose connections with you is with great fatisfaction, therefore, that are of a stronger kind than my own. It I find you not only preserve our friendfhip in your remembrance, but are defirous likewife of increafing its ftrength, Farewel,

LETTER CXLV,
To Tiro.

[A. U. 709.]

IF you fhould have an opportunity, you though indeed it is an acquifition which may register the money you mention : it is not abfolutely requifite to enrol ↓ However, it may perhaps be as well.

I have received a letter from Balbus, wherein he excufes himself for not giving concerning the law I inquired after; beme an account of Antony's intentions caufe he has gotten, it feems, a violent defluxion upon his eyes. Excellent excufe, it must be owned! For if a man is not able to write; moft certainly, you know, he cannot dictate! But let the

This perfon is fuppofed by Manutius, to be the fon of Quintus Pompeius, who obtained the name of Bithynicus, in honour of his conquefts in Bithynia.

The cenfors every five years numbered the people: at which time each citizen was obliged to give an exact account of his estate. But if in the interval a man had made any new acquifition, he was required to enter it before the prætor, II world

world go as it will, fo I may fit down quietly here in the country.

I have written to Bithyncus.-- -As to what you mention concerning Servilius; you who are a young man may think length of days a defirable circumftance; but for myself, I have no fuch wish. Atticus nevertheless imagines, that I am still as anxious for the prefervation of my life as he once knew me; not obferving how firmly I have fince fortified my heart with all the ftrength of philofophy. The truth of it is, he is now feized in his turn with a panic himself; and would endeavour to infect me with the fame groundless apprehenfions. But it is my intention to preferve that friendfhip unviolated, which I have fo long enjoyed with Antony and accordingly I intend writing to him very foon. I thall defer my letter, however, till your return but I do not mention this with any defign of calling you off from the bufinefs you are tranfacting, and which indeed is much more nearly my concern.

I expect a vifit from Lepta to-morrow; and fhall have occafion for all the fweets of your converfation, to temper the bitterness with which his will be attended. Farewel.

LETTER CXLVI. To Dolabella, Conful.

[A. U. 709.]

I DESIRE no greater fatisfaction, my

dear Dolabella, than what arifes to me from the difinterefted part I take in the glory you have lately acquired: however, I cannot but acknowledge, I am infinitely pleafed to find that the world gives me a fhare in the merit of your late applauded conduct. I daily meet in this place great numbers of the firft rank in Rome, who are affembled 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 beltow upon you. They every one of them indeed tell me, that they are perfuaded it is owing to your compliance with my counfels and admonitions, that you approve yourself so excellent a patriot and fo worthy a conful. I

Servilius Ifauricus died about this time, in an extreme old age.

might with ftri&t truth affure them, th you are much fuperior to the want of b ing advifed by any man; and that yo actions are the free and genuine refult your own uninfluenced judgment. B although I do not entirely acquiefce their compliment, as it would leffen th credit of your conduct, if it should be fuj pofed to flow altogether from my fugge tions; yet neither do I wholly reject it for the love of praife is a paffion, whic I am apt, you know, fomewhat too im moderately to indulge. Yet after all, take counfel of a Neftor, as it was a honour to the character even of that kin of kings, Agamemnon himself, it can not furely be unbecoming the dignity o yours. It is certainly, at leaft, much t the credit of mine, that while in thi early period of your life you are thus ex erciling the fupreme magiftracy with uni verfal admiration and applaufe, you ar confidered as directed by my guidance and formed by my inftructions.

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I lately paid a visit to Lucius Cæfa at Naples; and though I found him ex tremely indifpofed, and full of pain i every part of his body, yet the momen I entered his chamber he raised himfel with an air of tranfport, and without al lowing himfelf time to falute me," ( my dear Cicero," said he, I give you joy of your influence over Dola bella, and had I the fame credit with my nephew, our country might now "be preferved. But I not only con gratulate your friend on his worthy conduct, but defire you would returt him my particular acknowledgments:

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indeed he is the fingle conful who "has acted with true fpirit, fince you "filled that office." He then proceeded to enlarge upon your late glorious action; reprefenting it as equal to the most illuftrious and important fervice that ever was rendered to the commonwealth. And of the whole republic. Suffer me then in this he only echoed the general voice to take poffeffion of thofe encomiums to in fome fort to participate with you in which I am by no means entitled; and To be ferious however (for you will not that general applaufe you have acquired. imagine that I make this request in good carneft), I would much rather refign to you the whole of my own glory (if there be any indeed I can justly claim), than arrogate to myself the leaft portion of

that

that which is fo unquestionably your due.
For as you cannot but be fenfible that I
have ever loved you; fo your late beha-
vas railed that affection into the
hige poffible ardour: as in truth there
be any thing more engagingly
more irrefiftibly amiable, than the
part-virtues. I need not tell you how
ely the exalted talents and polite
Lammers, together with the fingular spirit
probity of Marcus Brutus, had ever
deared him to my heart. Neverthe-
rt, his late glorious atchievement on
sides of March, has wonderfully
ghtened that efteem I bore him and
I had always looked upon as too
ated to admit of any farther advance.
the fame manner, who would have
gined that my friendship towards
elf was capable of increase! yet it
ay has increased so very confidera-
, that the former fentiments of my
Start feem to have been nothing more
man common affection, in comparison of
tranfcendent paffion which I now
sel for you.

judiciously compofed. You open and explain the fact with so much address, and gradually rife through the several circumftances in so artful a manner, as to convince all the world that the affair was mature for your animadverfion. In a word, you have delivered the commonwealth in general, as well as the city of Rome in particular, from the dangers with which they were threatened: and not only performed a fingular fervice to the prefent generation, but fet forth a most useful example for times to come. You will confider yourself then as the great fupport of the republic and remember, the expects that you will not only protect, but diftinguish thofe illuftrious perfons* who have laid the foundation for the recovery of our liberties. But I hope foon to have an opportunity of expreffing my fentiments to you more fully upon this fubject, in perfon. In the mean while, fince you are thus our glorious guardian and preferver, I conjure you, my dear Dolabella, to take care of yourself for the fake of the whole commonwealth. Farewel.

:

LETTER CXLVII.

To Trebonius.

[A. U. 709.]

Can it be neceffary that I should either hort you to preferve the glory you have quired, or agreeably to the ufual ftyle admonition, fet before your view fome ating examples of illuftrious merit? I would mention none for this purpose, e forcible than your own; and you Lave only to endeavour to act up to the I HAVE recommended my Orator (for Character you have already attained. It that is the title which I have given to impoffible indeed, after having per- the treatife I promifed to fend you) to red fo fignal a fervice to your coun- the care of your freedman Sabinus. I t, that you should ever deviate from was induced to truft it in his charge, arielf. Inftead therefore of fending from the good opinion I entertain of his any unneceffary exhortations, let me countrymen; if indeed I may guess at congratulate you upon this noble his country by his name, and he has not, Say of your patriotifm. It is your like an artful candidate at an election, Flege (and a privilege, perhaps, ufurped an appellation to which he has no one ever enjoyed before) to no right. However, there is fuch a motive exercifed the feverest acts of necef- defty in his countenance, and fuch an air yoffice, not only without incurring of fincerity in his converfation, that I am odium, but with the greatest popu- much deceived if he does not poffefs, in y; with the approbation of the low- fome degree at leaft, the true Sabine as well as of the best and highest fimplicity. But not to suffer him to take git us. If this were a circumftance up any more of my paper: I will now which chance had any fhare, I fhould turn, my dear Trebonius, to yourself. congratulate your good fortune: but it As there were fome circumftances attendthe effect of a noble and undaunted ing your departure, that increased the allation, under the guidance of the affection I bear towards you; let me inforget and most enlightened judgment. treat you, in order to footh the uneafiIay this, from having read the speech Fou made upon this occafion to the peoe; and never was any harangue more

Brutus and Caffius, together with the reft of the conspirators. nefs

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