Page:The Letters of Cicero Shuckburg III.pdf/175

 that is the only food of the intellect. But pray what did you get that contributed to your summum bonum from that acute and grave essay? However, I am talking too much, and you have been occupied in some business which is perhaps mine: and in return for that dry basking of yours in the sun, of which you took such full advantage on my lawn, I shall ask of you in return some sunshine and a good dinner. But I return to what I was saying. The book if you love me, send me the book! It is certainly yours to give, since indeed it was dedicated to you.

"What, Chremes, Have you such leisure from your own affairs"

as even to read my "Orator"? Well done! I am pleased to hear it, and shall be still more obliged if, not only in your own copy, but also in those meant for others, you will make your scribes alter "Eupolis" to "Aristophanes."

Cæsar again seemed to me to smile at your word quæso, as being somewhat "fanciful" and cockneyfied. But he bade you to have no anxiety in such a cordial manner, that he relieved me of all feeling of doubt. I am sorry that Attica's ague is so lingering, but since she has now got rid of shivering fits, I hope all is well.is thought by some to refer to the treatise de Finibus, on which Cæsar was now employed; but it may equally well refer to the previous sentence—Atticus's [Greek: telos] or summum bonum was "knowledge."]