titled to
special seats in the theatre. It was altogether
successful.

[153] This, which is extant, was spoken in defence of an
old man who was accused of a political homicide
thirty-seven years before--of having killed, that is,
Saturninus the Tribune. Cicero was unsuccessful, but
Rabirius was saved by the common subterfuge of an
interposition of omens. There are some very fine
passages in this oration.

[154] This has been lost. Cicero, though he acknowledged
the iniquity of Sulla's proscriptions, showed that their
effects could not now be reversed without further
revolutions. He gained his point on this occasion.

[155] This has been lost. Cicero, in accordance with the
practice of the time, was entitled to the government of
a province when ceasing to be Consul. The rich province
of Macedonia fell to him by lot, but he made it over to
his colleague Antony, thus purchasing, if not Antony's
co-operation, at any rate his quiescence, in regard to
Catiline. He also made over the province of Gaul, which
then fell to his lot, to Metellus, not wishing to leave
the city. All this had to be explained to the people.

[156] It will be seen that he also defended Rabirius in
his consular year, but had thought fit to include that
among his consular speeches. Some doubt has been thrown,
especially by Mr. Tyrrell, on the genuineness of
Cicero's letter giving the list of his "oratiunculas
consulares," because the speeches Pro Murena and Pro
Pisone are omitted, and as containing some "rather
un-Ciceronian expressions." My respect for Mr. Tyrrell's
scholarship and judgment is so great that I hardly dare
to express an opinion contrary to his; but I should be
sorry to exclude a letter so Ciceronian in its feeling.
And if we are to have liberty to exclude without
evidence, where are we to stop?

[157] Corn. Nepo., Epaminondas, I.: "We know that with
us" (Romans) "music is foreign to the employments of a
great man. To dance would amount to a vice. But these
things among the Greeks are not only pleasant but
praiseworthy."

[158] Conj. Catilinaria, xxv.

[159] Horace, Epis. i., xvii.:

"Si sciret regibus uti
Fastidiret olus qui me notat."

[160] Pro Murena, xxix.

[161] Pro Murena, x. This Sulpicius was afterward Consul
with M.