- —a man generally very careful in money matters—comes
back to town, I will at once consult with him to see whether anything can be done, as he seems inclined to have confidence in me.
I am much delighted that you approve so highly of my Orator.[1] My own view of it is that I have put into that book all the critical power I possessed in the art of speaking. If the book is such as you say that you think it to be, then I too am somewhat. If not, then I do not decline to allow the same deduction to be made from my reputation for critical judgment as is to be made from the book. I am desirous that our dear Lepta[2] should take pleasure in such writings. Though his age is not yet ripe for them, yet it is not unprofitable that his ears should ring with the sound of such language.
I am kept at Rome in any case by Tullia's confinement; but when she gets as well again as I can wish, I am still detained till I can get the first instalment of the dowry[3] out of Dolabella's agents. Besides, by Hercules, I am not so much of a traveller as I used to be. My building and my leisure satisfy me entirely. My town house is now equal to any one of my villas: my leisure is more complete than the loneliest spot in the world could supply. So I am not hindered even in my literary employments, in which I am plunged without interruption. Wherefore I think that I shall see you here before you see me there. Let our dearest Lepta learn his Hesiod by heart, and have ever on his lips:
"On virtue's threshold god sets sweat and toil."[4]
- [Footnote: great-grandfather of the Emperor Galba, who, it is interesting to note,
maintained his ancestor's "carefulness" in money.].]
