10.  It is true [a], said Maternus, that seeing the forum deluged by an inundation of vices, I was glad, as my friend expressed it, to sound my retreat.  I saw corruption rushing on with hasty strides, too shameful to be defended, and too powerful to be resisted.  And yet, though urged by all those motives, I should hardly have renounced the business of the bar, if the bias of my nature had not inclined me to other studies.  I balanced, however, for some time.  It was, at first, my fixed resolution to stand to the last a poor remnant of that integrity and manly eloquence, which still lingered at the bar, and shewed some signs of life.  It was my intention to emulate, not, indeed, with equal powers, but certainly with equal firmness, the bright models of ancient times, and, in that course of practice, to defend the fortunes, the dignity, and the innocence of my fellow-citizens.  But the strong impulse of inclination was not to be resisted.  I laid down my arms, and deserted to the safe and tranquil camp of the muses.  But though a deserter, I have not quite forgot the service in which I was enlisted.  I honour the professors of real eloquence, and that sentiment, I hope, will be always warm in my heart.

11.  In my solitary walks, and moments of meditation, it often happens, that I fall into a train of thinking on the flourishing state of ancient eloquence, and the abject condition to which it is reduced in modern times.  The result of my reflections I shall venture to unfold, not with a spirit of controversy, nor yet dogmatically to enforce my own opinion.  I may differ in some points, but from a collision of sentiments it is possible that some new light may be struck out.  My friend Aper will, therefore, excuse me, if I do not, with him, prefer the false glitter of the moderns to the solid vigour of ancient genius.  At the same time, it is not my intention to disparage his friends.  Messala too, whom you, Secundus, have closely followed, will forgive me, if I do not, in every thing, coincide with his opinion.  The vices of the forum, which you have both, as becomes men of integrity, attacked with vehemence, will not have me for their apologist.  But still I may be allowed to ask, have not you been too much exasperated against the rhetoricians?

I will not say in their favour, that I think them equal to the task of reviving the honours of eloquence; but I have known among them, men of unblemished morals, of regular discipline, great erudition, and talents every way fit to form the minds of youth to a just taste for science and the persuasive arts.  In this number one in particular [a] has lately shone forth with superior lustre.  From his abilities, all that is in the power of man may fairly be expected.  A genius like his would have been the ornament of better times.  Posterity will admire and honour him.  And yet I would not have Secundus amuse himself with ill-grounded hopes:  neither the learning of that most excellent man, nor the industry of such as may follow him, will be able to promote the interests of Eloquence, or to establish her former glory.  It is a lost cause.  Before the vices, which have been so ably described, had spread a general infection, all true oratory was at an end.  The revolutions in our government, and the violence of the times, began the mischief, and, in the end, gave the fatal blow.