verty and hunger we make our own. Therefore, with all speed,
let stores of grain in good condition be at once collected, so that
the bread cooked therefrom may be a delight and not a horror. Let just
weight be given. Flee all thought of unholy profit from this source.
My own soul is wounded if anyone dares to transgress in this matter of
the food-supply of the people. Not favour nor popular applause is my
aim; but to be permitted, by God's help, to accomplish my own heart's
desire.

'I love all my fellow-countrymen, but the Roman citizens deserve more
than ordinary love from me. Theirs is a City adorned with so many
illustrious Senators, blest with such a noble commonalty, a City so
well fitted to celebrate the victories of our glorious rulers. When
the question of my promotion hung in suspense, it was the good wishes
of these citizens which turned the scale in my favour with the lords
of the world[736], who complied with the universal desire of the Roman
people. Come, then; so act that this goodwill of theirs to me may
continue. Let us all beseech the mercy of the Most High to bless us
with an abundant harvest; and let us resolve that, if we are thus
favoured, no negligence of ours shall diminish, no venality divert
from its proper recipients, the bounty of Heaven[737].'

[Footnote 736: Athalaric and Amalasuentha.]

[Footnote 737: In the last sentence but one, 'Fidem meam promitto: sed
cum ipsis Divinitatis dona sustineo, cautelam offero,' I would suggest
_ipsius_ for 'ipsis,' making _cum_ = 'when,' not 'with.' There does
not seem to be any antecedent plural to which 'ipsis' can refer.]

6. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT, TO JOANNES, CANCELLARIUS.

[An interesting letter, as showing the lowly original of the office
from whence have sprung the mediaeval and modern Chancellors.]

[Sidenote: Functions of the Cancellarius.]

'Your rare merit causes you to enjoy a position beyond that which of
right belongs to you in the official hierarchy[738]. Those who are
above you cheerfully manifest to you a deference which you might be
required to show to them; and thus you, while keeping your inferiors
in their proper place, take without presumption precedence of many of
your superiors.

[Footnote 738: 'Transgressio matriculae actio tua est.']

'This laudable prejudice has assigned to you, from the twelfth
Indiction[739], the dignity of Cancellarius[740].

[Footnote 739: September 1, 533.]

[Footnote 740: 'Hoc igitur la