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60 B.C.]

opposed us, Metellus the consul-elect; there was another to come, our hero Cato, but the debate had to be adjourned before his turn was reached. Thus I stand firm by our plans and principles, and maintain so far as I can the union of the orders which was cemented by my exertions."

Cato's opposition proved serious, and it was conducted in a singularly provoking manner. Cato was a master of the art of Parliamentary obstruction, and was able by means of long speeches and irrelevant objections to put off indefinitely the decision of the House. "For two good months," writes Cicero, in a subsequent letter, "he has been harrying the unhappy tax-farmers, who used to be his best friends, and he will not allow the Senate to give an answer to their petition. So we on our side are obliged to obstruct all other business until an answer has been given to the tax-farmers."

Such were the causes of discord which broke up Cicero's ideal party. The precious months, during which it was still possible that a union should be consolidated between Pompey, the Senate, and the equestrian order, were fast passing away. Cicero alone of Roman statesmen saw what was to be aimed at; but he had preached in vain, and now the man was at hand, who was to take advantage of the confusions of the situation and organise the conflicting forces for his own purposes. In a letter written early in June we find a casual remark that Cæsar is expected in two days' time. For the last year and