In return for these benefits, benefits at which they are simply astonished.  I will not allow any but verbal honors to be voted to me.  Statues, temples, chariots of bronze, I forbid.  In nothing do I make myself a trouble to the cities, though it is possible I do so to you, while I thus proclaim my own praises.  Bear with me, if you love me.  This is the rule which you would have had me follow.  My journey through Asia had such results that even the famine—­and than famine there is no more deplorable calamity—­which then prevailed in the country (there had been no harvest) was an event for me to desire; for wherever I journeyed, without force, without the help of law, without reproaches, but my simple influence and expostulations, I prevailed upon the Greeks and Roman citizens, who had secreted the corn, to engage to convey a large quantity to the various tribes.”  He writes again:  “I see that you are pleased with my moderation and self-restraint.  You would be much more pleased if you were here.  At the sessions which I held at Laodicea for all my districts, excepting Cilicia, from February 15th to May 1st, I effected a really marvelous work.  Many cities were entirely freed from their debts, many greatly relieved, and all of them enjoying their own laws and courts, and so obtaining self-government received new life.  There were two ways in which I gave them the opportunity of either throwing off or greatly lightening the burden of debt.  First:  they have been put to no expense under my rule—­I do not exaggerate; I positively say that they have not to spend a farthing.  Then again:  the cities had been atrociously robbed by their own Greek magistrates.  I myself questioned the men who had borne office during the last ten years.  They confessed and, without being publicly disgraced, made restitution.  In other respects my government, without being wanting in address, is marked by clemency and courtesy.  There is none of the difficulty, so usual in the provinces, of approaching me; no introduction by a chamberlain.  Before dawn I am on foot in my house, as I used to be in old days when I was a candidate for office.  This is a great matter here and a popular, and to myself, from my old practice in it, has not yet been troublesome.”

He had other less serious cares.  One Caelius, who was good enough to keep him informed of what was happening at Rome, and whom we find filling his letters with an amusing mixture of politics, scandal, and gossip, makes a modest request for some panthers, which the governor of so wild a country would doubtless have no difficulty in procuring for him.  He was a candidate for the office of aedile, and wanted the beasts for the show which he would have to exhibit.  Cicero must not forget to look after them as soon as he hears of the election.  “In nearly all my letters I have written to you about the panthers.  It will be discreditable to you, that Patiscus should have sent to Curio ten panthers, and you not many