Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

you have parchafed for me what pleafed you own eye, and what you imagined would be worthy of mine: and I always confidered you as a man of the most judices and elegant tafte in every kind. Nevertheless, I thall be extremely glad if Damafippus fhould continue in the refoion of taking thefe figures off my hands: for, to own the plain truth, I have no fort of inclination to them myfeif. As you were not apprized of my intentions, you have actually confented to pay more for these four or five pieces of Iculpture, than I would have given for all the ftatues in the univerfe. You compare the images of the priefteffes of Bacchus, to thefe of the Mufes which I bought of Metellus. But furely, my friend, the po inftances are by no means parallel. For in the first place, the Mufes themfelves would have condemned me, if I had ever rated them at fo extravagant a price: and in the next, I purchased the Egures you mention as bearing an allufion to my ftudies, and affording a fuitable crament to my library. But where can 1, with any propriety, place thefe Bacchanals? That they are, as you affure me, extremely beautiful, I know full well; for I have frequently feen them; and therefore I fhould particularly have named them to you, if they had fuited my purpose. The purchases which I afally make of this kind, are fuch only as are proper to embellish my Palæftra f, in the fame manner as the public GyṛLana are generally decorated. But would it not be abfurd enough, my good friend, if I, who upon all occafions, you know,

Damafippus was a celebrated virtuofo of these times, who after having ruined his fortunes by his extravagant paffion for antiques, turned Stoie, Honce has ridiculed his character and his converfion with great humour, in one of his fatires. Vid. Horat. Sat. ii. 3.

+ Thefe ftatues appear, by what follows, to have been three Bacchanals, a Mars, and fome #gare defigned for the fupport of a table.

1 The Palestra was properly a part of thofe pic buildings, which the Grecians (from whom the Romans took them) called Gymnafia: which were originally defigned for exercifes of various kinds, and in which, in after-times, the philofophers bkewife held their schools. What Cicero bere cails bis Palaftra, feems to be the fame building which in a letter to Atticus he terms his Acamia, and which appears to have been fome apartments, or perhaps a diftinct building, of his Tufcalan villa, appropriated principally to the purposes of tudy, but adapted alfo to thofe bodily exercises which the ancients feldom paffed a day without preffing. Vid, ad Att. i, 5, 6, 9.

have diftinguished myself as the friend of peace, fhould erect a ftatue of the God of war? It is well there was not a Saturn too for how could I have expected to have been out of debt, whilft I had lived under the afpect of two fuch unlucky di vinities ||? Mercury would have been a much more welcome gueft; for I should have hoped, by his influence, to have made a more advantageous bargain § with Avianus. As to the figure defigned for the fupport of a table, which you intended to referve for your own ufe; you fhall have it, if you ftill remain in the fame mind: if not, I am ready to take it myself. Upon the whole, however, I 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 hoft. But this mistake is partly owing to the careleffness of my freed-man, in not obferving the inftructions I gave him; and partly alfo to Junius: whom I fuppofe you know, as he is a particular friend of Avianus. As I have lately built fome additional apartments to my little portico at Tufculanum**, I was defirous of adorning them with a few pictures: for if I take pleasure in any thing of this kind, it is in paintings. However, if I must have thefe ftatues, let me know where they are, when they will arrive, and by what conveyance you purpose to fend them. For if Damafippus fhould change his intentions of buying them, I fhall find, perhaps, fome pretender to his tafte, who may be glad of the purchase: and I fhould be willing to part with them even at a lofs.

When I received your first letter concerning the houfe you want to take, belonging to Caffius, I was juft fetting out from Rome, and therefore I left your

Alluding (as Manutius obferves) to the notions of the judicial aftrologers; who pretended that Mars and Saturn were unlucky planets.

§ Mercury was fuppofed to prefide over commerce from whence it is probable that the Mercuriales mentioned in a letter of Cicero to his brother, were a company of merchants. Vid. Ad 2: F. ii. 5.

It is now called Terracina: a town in the campagna di Roma. It lay in the road from Rome to Cicero's villa at Formia.

** Cicero, if we may credit the invective afcribed to Salluft, expended immenfe fums in this his favourite villa: which probably was a very fine one when it came into his poffeffion, as it originally belonged to Sylla the dictator. Some confiderable remains of it are ftill fhewn at Grotta Ferrata.

Salluft, declam. in Cic. 63. Plin. H. N. xxii.

commiflion

commiffion with my daughter. However, I took an opportunity myfelf of talking upon this affair with your friend Nicia: who, you know, is very intimate with Caflius. At my return hither, and before I had opened your laft letter, I enquired of Tullia what he had done in this matter. She told me, she had applied to Licinia to speak to her brother Caflius: but I believe he is not upon very good terms with his fifter. The anfwer which Licinia gave my daughter was, that her husband being gone into Spain, the durit not remove * in his abfence and without his knowledge. I am greatly obliged to you for being fo defirous of ny company as to be impatient to get into a houte where you may not only be near me, but actually under the fame Be affured, I am no lefs defirous of having you for my neighbour: and as I am fenfible how much it will contribute our mutual fatisfaction, I thall try every expedient for that purpofe. If I Should have any fuccets, I will let you know; in the mean while, I beg you would return me a particular anfiwer to this letter, and tell me at the fame time when I may expect to fee you. Farewel.

roof.

to

LETTER

XI.

To Marcus Marius †.

JA. U. 68.1

mire, I must at once congratulate yo both on your health and your judg ment. I fay this upon a fuppofition however, that you were enjoying the ph lofophical advantages of that delightf fcene, in which, I imagine, you wer almost wholly deferted. At the fam time that your neighbours, probably were nodding over the dull humour our trite farces, my friend, I dare fay was indulging his morning meditations in that elegant apartment, from whence you have opened a profpect to Sejanum through the Stabian hills |}. And whilt you were employing the rest of the day in thofe various polite amufements which you have the happy privilege to plan ou for yourfelf; we, alas, had the mortification of tamely enduring thofe dramatical reprefentations, to which Matius, it feems, our profeffed critic, had given his infallible fanction! but as you will have the curiofity, perhaps, to require a more particular account, I must tell you, that though our entertainments were extremely magnificent indeed, yet they were by no means fuch as you would have relithed; at leaft if I may judge of your taile by my own. Some of thofe actors who had formerly distinguished themfelves with great applaufe, but had long fince retired, I imagined, in order to preferve the reputation they had raised, were now again introduced upon the ftage; as in honour, it feems, of the festival. Among these was my old friend Efopus: but fo different from what we once knew him, that the whole audience agreed he ought to be excufed from acting any more. For

your general valetudinary difpofition prevented you from being a fpectator of ou late public entertainments, it is more to fortune than to philofophy that I But if you am to impute your abfence. declined our party for no other reafon than a holding in jull contempt what the gamorality of the world to abfurdly ad- pania, fituated upon the bay of Naples, from whence

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]

Sejanum (if that be the true reading: for the MSS. differ extremely) is found in no other ancient author. Stabia was a maritime town in Cam

the adjoining hills here mentioned took their name.
One may figure the philofophical Marius as looking
down upon the world from this his delightful re-
tirement, with reflections of the fame kind as those
which the poet has fo exquifitely imaged, in the
following beautiful lines:

Here, on a fingie plank, thrown fafe on here,
I bear the tumult of the diftant throng,
As that of feas remote, or dying forms,
And meditate on scenes more filent ftill.
Here, like a fi pherd gazing from bis but,
Touching bis reed, or leaning on bis faff,
Eager ambition's fiery chace I fee:
1 fee the circling bunt of neily men
Burf law's enclosure, leap the mounds of right,
Pursuing and purju'd: each other's prey;
As wolves for rapine, as the fox for wiles:
Till death, that mighty kunter, carths them all!

YOUNG.

when

If I deceive, be Jove's dread vengeance bari'd, Sc.

when he was pronouncing the celebrated have fuch an utter averfion to every thing 2ம், that bears the name of Greek, that you will not even travel the Grecian road to villa. As I remember you once your defpifed our formidable gladiators, I cannot fuppofe you would have looked with lefs contempt on our athletic performers: and, indeed, Pompey himself acknowledges, that they did not answer the pains and expence they had coft him. The remainder of our diverfions confifted in combats of wild beasts ||, which were exhibited every morning and afternoon during five days fucceffively; and it must be owned, they were magnificent. Yet after all, what entertainment can poffibly arife to an elegant and humanized mind, from feeing 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 fuperior ftrength? But were there any thing really worth obferving in fpectacles of this favage kind; they are fpectacles extremely fa miliar to you and thofe I am fpeaking of, had not any peculiar novelty to recommend them. The laft day's fport was compofed entirely of elephants, which, though they made the common people ftare indeed, did not feem however to afford them any great fatisfaction. On the contrary, the terrible flaughter of thefe poor animals, created a general commiferation; as it is a prevailing notion, that these creatures in fome degree participate of our rational faculties §.

the poor old man's voice failed him; and
be had not ftrength to go through with
the peech. As to the other parts of our
theatrical entertainments, you know the
Bature of them fo well, that it is fcarce
necary to mention them. They had
les indeed to plead in their favour than
even the most ordinary reprefentations of
this kind can ufually claim. The enor-
Los parade with which they were at-
taled, and which, I dare fay, you would
very willingly have fpared, destroyed all
the grace of the performance. What
defare could it afford to a judicious
pectator, to fee a thousand mules pran-
tg about the fiage, in the tragedy of
Citemneftra; or whole regiments ac-
toured in foreign armour, in that of the
jan borje? In a word, what man of
fake could be entertained with viewing a
mock army drawn up on the ftage in bat-
de array? Thefe, I confefs, are fpecta-
des extremely well adapted to captivate
algar eyes; but undoubtedly would have
had no charm in yours. In plain truth,
y friend, you would have received
zore amufement from the dulleft piece
that Protogenes could poffibly have read
you (my own orations, however, let
e always except), than we met with at
tele ridiculous fhews. I am well per-
faded, at least, you could not regret the
as of our Ofcian and Grecian farces +.
Your own noble fenate will always furnish
you with drollery fufficient of the former
Kind; and as to the latter, I know you

It was ufual with perfons of diftinction amongst Romans, to keep a ilave in their family whofe e beliefs it was to read to them. Protogenes fe to have attended Marius in that capacity.

+ The Ofcian farces were fo called from the Ofei, an ancient people of Campania, from whom the Romans received them. They feem to have of the fame kind with our Bartholomew , and to have confifted of low and obfcene

As to the nature of the Greek farces,

the critics are not agreed. Manutius fuppofes they feed only from the former, as being written in he Greek language. But it does not appear that Greek plays were ever reprefented upon the Roman face and the most probable account of them is, ft they were a fort of pantomimes in imitation of tale on the Grecian theatre. Liv. vii. 2. Mong. rem. fur les lett. à Att. vi. 449.

The municipal or corporate towns in Italy gverned by magiftrates of their own, who bly made much the fame fort of figure in their

That you may not imagine I had the happiness of being perfectly at my ease during the whole of this pompous feftival, I must acquaint you, that while the people were amufing themselves at the plays, I was almost killed with the fatigue of pleading for your friend Gallus Caninius. Were the world as much inclined to favour my retreat, as they shewed

rural fenate, as our burgeffes in their town-hall. This at least feems to have been the cafe in that corporation to which Marius belonged, and to have given occafion to our author's raillery.

Beats of the wildest and most uncommon kinds were fent for upon these occafions, from every

corner of the known world: and Dion Caffius re

lates, that no less than 500 lions were killed at thefe hunting-matches with which Pompey entertained the people. Dio, lib. xxxix.

This was not merely a vulgar opinion, but entertained by fome of the learned among the ancients, as appears from the laft cited hiftorian: who likewife takes notice how much the fpectators of Pompey's fhews were affected by the mournful cries of thefe poor animals. Dio, lib. xxxix.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

am fometimes under the dilagreeable recellity of appealing as an advocate .. be in half of the who ad d- eve that favour at my hands. For the reasons I am reafons I am framing every poffible protence for living hereafter according to own take a 1 fentiments: a. I highly both I highly both approve and applaud that retirea scene of life which you have to judicis any choir. I am fen ible at the fame time, that this is the reafon vou fo feldom visit Rome. However, I the les regret that you do not fee it oftener, as the numberleis unples ing occupations in which I am engaged, would prevent me from enjoying the entertainment of your converfation, or giving you that of mine: if mine, indeed, can afford you any. But if ever I thould be fo fortunate as to dilectangle myself, in fome degree at leat (for I am contented not to be wholly released), from thefe perplexing embarraffments; I will undertake to fhew even my elegant friend,

wherein the trueft refinements of life confiit. In the mean while, continue to take care of your health, that you may be able, when that happy time fhall arrive, to accompany me in my litter to myfeveral villas. You muit impute it to the excets of my friendship, and not to the abundance of my leifure, that I have lengthened this letter beyond my ufual extent. It was merely in compliance with a request in one of yours, where you intimate à defire that I would compenfate in this manner what you loft by not being prefent at our public diverfions. I fhall be extremely glad, if I have fucceeded; if not, I fhall have the fatisfaction however to think, that you will for the future be more inclined to give us your company on thefe occafions, than to rely on my letters for your amufement. I wel.

a

[blocks in formation]

To Retus Philippus, Proco

[A. U. 698.] THOUGH I am too well convi

your triendıhip and efteem, to that you are ur mindful of my for plication in behalf of my friends and Egnatis; yet I cannot forbea nding their joint affairs t prot etion. My connection indee is of powerful a kind,

ld not be more folicitous for m puribnal concuras. I intreat you, fore, to give him proofs of my enj that thate of your affection, which fade myff I polefs: and be a myself you cannot thew me a more agreeal Hance of your friendship. Farewel

I

[blocks in formation]

fi

[A. U. 699.] AM perfuaded that all your have informed you of the zeal which I lately both defended and m ted year dignities: as indeed it too warm and too confpicuous to been paffed over in filence. The o ition I met with from the confuls" well as from feveral others of con rank, was the ftrongeft I ever encou ed: ard you must now look upon m your declared advocate upon all occafi where your glory is concerned. 1 have I abundantly compenfated for intermillion of thofe good offices, wị the friendship between us had long gi you a right to claim; but which, b variety of accidents, have lately b fomewhat interrupted. There nevery a time, believe me, when I wanted inclination to cultivate your esteem, promote your intereft. Though, it m be owned, a certain fet of men, who a the bane of all amicable intercourfe, a who envied us the mutual honour th refulted from ours, have fome o upon cafions been fo unhappily fuccefsful as

create a coolnefs between us.

It h

happened, however (what I rather wif cd than expected), that I have found a opportunity, even when your affairs we

* The confuls of this year were L. Domiti Ahenobarbus, and Appius Claudius Pulcher.

in the moi profperous train, of giving a pmony by my fervices to you, there I always mod fincerely preferved the embrance of our former amity. The trate it, I have approved myfelf your fed, not only to the full conviction of your family in particular, but of all Rome In confequence of which, the net raluable of women, your exwife, together with thofe illuftrics models of virtue and filial piety, your two amiable fons, have perpetual rear to my afiflance and advice: and whale world is fenfible, that no one is mert zulously difpofed to serve you than

world, I queftion not, and particularly
your two fons, will acknowledge my fa-
periority. Be affured, I love them both
in a very uncommon degree; though I
will own, that Publius is my favourite.
From his infancy indeed, he discovered a
fingular regard to me: as he particularly
diftinguishes me at this time with all the
marks even of filial respect and affection.

Let me defire you to confider this let-
ter, not as a firain of unmeaning com-
pliment, but as a facred and folemn co-
venant of friendship, which I fhall mof
fincerely and religioufly obferve. I fal
now perfevere in being the advocate of
affection, but from a principle of con-
your honours, not only from a motive of
ftancy: and without any application on
bracing every opportunity, wherein I
your part, you may depend on my em
hall think my fervices may prove agree-
able to your intereft or your inclinations.
Can you once doubt then, that any re-
queft to me for this purpoíe, enter by
yourself or your family, will meet with a
most punctual obirvance? Iange, there-
fore, you will not fcruple to employ me
in all your concerns, of what nature or
importance foever, as one who is mé
faithfully your friend: and that you wit
direct your family to apply to me it al
their affairs of every kind, whether re
lating to you or to themiglves, to más
friends or their dependents. And be a
fured, I shall fare no pains to render
your abfence as little medly to mez is
pothole. Farewel

Your family-correfpondents have infed you, I imagine, of what has hipated in your affair, as well as statist pretent in agitation. As for r, I intreat you to do me the juftice to beteve, that it was not any fudden 27 of inclination, which difpofed me to race this opportunity of vindicating bar: on the contrary, it was tion from the first moment I enthe Forum, to be ranked in the her of your friends t. I have the Aion to reflect, that I have never, that time to this hour, failed in the fentiments of efteem for you: and not, you have always retained the fectionate regard towards me. If fects of this mutual difpofition have terrupted by any little fufpicions picions only, I am fure, they were), de remembrance of them for ever led out of our hearts. I am per

indeed from thofe virtues which your character, and from thofe which erous fhould diftinguish mine, that frendly union in the prefent conjunctot but be attended with equal r to us both. What inftances you be willing to give me of your esteem, ud be left to your own determination: they will be fuch, I flatter myself, as ay trad moft to advance my dignities. the mod exertion of my best fervices, by own part, I faithfully promife

LETTER XIV.
To Jalia: Cefer +

[ocr errors]

feize one and drive But if ake your f British urfelf in us; both of great but, beaffiduity ndation. mftance

hat can

a are in irs; as nder a

AM ging give you an infance how
vices, not only towards myiff, but in
much I rely upon your afeffionate fer-
favour alo of my friends. It was my
intention, if I had gone abroad in any
Loud have accompanied me and he
foreign employment, that Trebatins
every article wherein I can contribute would not have returned without receiv-
cafe yours. Many, I know, willing the highest and most advantageous
my rivals in these anicatie cinces: honours Iced have been able to have

it is a contention in which all the

*The lady's name was Tertulia.

enero

m you ongeft e leaft

1 Cafir was at this time in Gaul, preparing for his fof creation into Britain: which, as Tacitus oderiel, be rather chicovered than com

Crafts was almoften years older than Cicero ; bar was the later first appeared at the bar, the guered. Ludaraty eftaphies a character by his

ncur

See an account of him in the following letter.
conferred

stter that

ave Vou

nly

1C

im

is

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »