[Footnote 797: 'Scarus.']

'So too the Sauri (?), a clever race of fish, named from their speed,
when they have swum into a net, tie themselves together into a sort of
rope; and then, tugging backwards with all their might, seek to
liberate their fellow-prisoners.

'Many facts of the same kind would be discovered on enquiry. But my
discourse must return to thee, O Gaoler. Thou wilt be miserable in the
general joy, because thou art wont to derive thy gladness from the
affliction of many. But as some consolation for thy groans, we leave
to thee those prisoners whom the Law, for very pity's sake, cannot set
free--the men found guilty of outrageous crimes, whose liberation
would make barbarous deeds frequent. Over these thou mayest still
exert thy power.'

BOOK XII.

CONTAINING TWENTY-EIGHT LETTERS WRITTEN BY CASSIODORUS IN HIS OWN NAME
AS PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT.

1. SENATOR, PRAETORIAN PRAEFECT, TO THE VARIOUS CANCELLARII OF THE
SEVERAL PROVINCES.

[Sidenote: General instructions to the Cancellarii.]

'It is generally supposed that long attendance at the Courts of Law
increases the love of justice. The character of the Judge also is in
some degree estimated by that of his officers[798], as that of a
philosophical teacher by his disciples. Thus your bad actions might
endanger our reputation, while, on the other hand, with no effort on
our part, we earn glory from all that you do well. Beware, therefore,
lest by any misconduct of yours, which is sure to be exaggerated by
popular rumour, you rouse anger in us, who as your Judge will be sure
to exact stern recompence for all the wrong you have done to our
reputation. Study this rather, that you may receive praise and
promotion at our hands, and go forth, with Divine help, on this
Indiction, to such and such a Province, adorned with the pomp of the
Cancelli, and girt about with a certain proud gravity. Remember the
honour of the _fasces_ which are borne before you, of the Praetorian
seat whose commands you execute.

[Footnote 798: 'Per milites suos judex intelligitur.']

'Fly Avarice, the Queen of all the vices, who never enters the human
heart alone, but always brings a flattering and deceiving train along
with her. Show yourself zealous for the public good; do more by reason
than by terror. Let your person be a refuge for the oppressed, a
defence of the weak, a stronghold for him who is stricken down by any
calamity. Never do you more truly discharge the func