King of the John III. 'De Lombards. Orthographia' in 93rd year of Cassiodorus. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 574 " Death of BENEDICT I. Cleph. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 575 " Cassiodorus dies in his 95th year (?). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE LETTERS OF CASSIODORUS. PREFACE[192]. [Footnote 192: Translated in full.] [Sidenote: Reason for publication: entreaties of friends.] Learned men, who had become my friends through conversations which we had had together, or benefits which I had bestowed upon them, sought to persuade me to draw together into one work the various utterances which it had been my duty to make, during my tenure of office, for the explanation of different affairs. They desired me to do this, in order that future generations might recognise the painful labours which I had undergone for the public good, and the workings of my own unbribed conscience. I then replied that their very kindness for me might turn out to my disadvantage, since the letters which their good-will found acceptable might to future readers seem insipid. I reminded them also of the words of Horace, warning us of the dangers of hasty publication. [Sidenote: Difficulty of writing.]