LETTER XX. [A. U. 708.] TO CLUVIUS.* In the visit which, agreeably to our friendship, and that great respect with which you always treat me, I received from you, upon your setting out for Gaul, we had some general discourse relating to those estates, in that province, which are held of the city of Atella; † and I then expressed how much I was concerned for the interest of that corporation. But, in confidence of the singular affection you bear me, and in performance of a duty, which it is incumbent upon me to discharge, I thought proper to write to you more fully upon affair, as it is, indeed, of the last importance to a community, with which I have the strongest connections. I am very sensible, at the same time, both of the occasion and extent of your commis this * He was one of the commissioners nominated by Cæsar for settling the division of the lands, for the purposes mentioned in the note, p. 114. The department assigned to him was Cisalpine Gaul. + A city in Campania, situated between Naples and Capua. It is now called Santo Arpino. sion, and that Cæsar has not entrusted you, in the execution of it, with any discretionary power. limit my request, therefore, by what, I imagine, is no less within the bounds of your authority, than, I am persuaded, it is not beyond what you would be willing to do for my sake. In the first place, then, I entreat you to believe, what is truly the fact, that the whole revenues of this corporation arise from these lands in question, and that the heavy impositions, with which they are at present burdened, have laid them under the greatest difficulties. But although, in this respect, they may seem to be in no worse condition than many other cities in Italy, yet, believe me, their case is unhappily distinguished by several calamitous circumstances peculiar to themselves. I forbear, however, to enumerate them, lest, in lamenting the miseries of my friends, I should be thought to glance at those persons whom it is, by no means, my design to offend. Indeed, if I had not conceived strong hopes, that I shall be able to prevail with Cæsar in favour of this city, there would be no occasion for my present very earnest application to you. But, as I am well persuaded, that Cæsar will have regard to the dignity of this illustrious corporation; to the zeal which they bear for his interest; and, above all, to the equity of their cause, I venture to entreat you to leave the decision of this affair en tirely to his own determination.* If I could produce no precedent of your having already complied with a request of this nature, it is a request which I should nevertheless have made, but I have so much the stronger hopes, that you will not refuse me in the present instance, as I am informed you have granted the same favour to the citizens of Regium. It is true, you have some sort of connection with that city; but, in justice to your affection towards me, I cannot but hope, that, what you have yielded to your own clients, you will not deny to mine, especially as it is for these alone that I solicit you, notwithstanding so many others of my friends are in the same situation. I dare say, I need not assure you, that it is neither upon any ambitious motives that I apply to you in their behalf, nor without having just reason to be their advocate. The fact is, I have great obligations to them; and there has been no season of my life, in which they have not given me signal proofs of their affection. As you are sensible, therefore, that the interest of this corporation, with which I am so strongly connected, is greatly concerned in the success of my present request, I conjure you, by all the powerful ties of our mutual friendship, * Cæsar was not yet returned out of Spain. and by all the sentiments of your humanity, to comply with these my intercessions in their behalf. If, after having obtained this favour, I should succeed likewise (as I have reason to hope) in my application to Cæsar, I shall consider all the advantages of that success as owing entirely to yourself. Nor shall I be less obliged to you, though I should not succeed, as you will have contributed all in your power, at least, that I might. In one word, you will, by these means, not only perform a most acceptable service to myself, but for ever attach, to the interest both of you and your family, a most illustrious and grateful city. Farewell. LETTER XXI. [A. U. 708.] TO FABIUS GALLUS. You need be in no pain about your letter. So far from having destroyed it, as you imagine, it is perfectly safe, and you may call for it whenever you please. Your admonitions are extremely obliging, and I hope you will always continue them with the same freedom. You are apprehensive, I perceive, that, if I should render this Tigellius my enemy, he may, probably, make me merrier than I like, and teach me the Sardinian laugh.* In return to your proverb, let me present you with another, and advise you to "throw aside the pencil.” † For our master will be here much sooner than was expected; and * It is said, there was a sea-weed frequently found upon the coasts of Sardinia, the poisonous quality whereof occasioned 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 Sardinian. I 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 Cæsar. But this letter seems evidently to be upon the same subject as the 19th of this Book, and was, probably, an answer to one which Gallus had written in return to that epistle. + This proverb, Victorius 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 proverb, alludes to the panegyric which Gallus had written upon Cato. See p. 124, note. Cæsar, who was at this time upon his return from Spain. |