Both are summoned to the 'Comitatus' of the King, that a fair division may there be made between them. 8. KING THEODORIC TO AMABILIS, THE COLLECTOR (EXSECUTOR). [Sidenote: The prodigality of Neotherius.] In reference to this same matter of the wasted property of Plutianus. It appears from this letter that Neotherius has been not merely a spendthrift, but has been actuated by motives of passionate hatred to his younger brother[221]. The King enlarges on his obligation to protect the weak, and orders the officer to see that justice is done according to the representations of Venantius, unless the other side have any counter plea to allege, in which case 'ad nostrum venire deproperet comitatum.' [Footnote 221: 'Neotherium fratrem suum, affectum germanitatis oblitum, _bona parvuli hostili furore lacerasse_.'] 9. KING THEODORIC TO EUSTORGIUS, BISHOP OF MILAN. [Sidenote: Offences charged against Ecclesiastics.] 'You will be glad to hear that we are satisfied that the Bishop of Augusta [Turin or Aosta] has been falsely accused of betrayal of his country. He is therefore to be restored to his previous rank. His accusers, as they are themselves of the clerical order, are not punished by us, but sent to your Holiness to be dealt with according to the ecclesiastical tradition.' [The reflections in this letter about the impropriety of believing readily accusations against a Bishop[222], and the course adopted of handing over the clerical false accusers to be dealt with by their Bishop, have an obvious bearing on the great Hildebrandic controversy. But as Dahn ('Koenige der Germanen' iii. 191) points out, there is no abandonment by the King of the ultimate right to punish an ecclesiastic.] [Footnote 222: 'Nihil enim in tali honore temeraria cogitatione praesumendum est, ubi si proposito creditur, etiam tacitus ab excessibus excusatur. Manifesta proinde crimina in talibus vix capiunt fidem. Quidquid autem ex invidia dicitur, veritas non putatur.'] 10. KING THEODORIC TO BOETIUS[223], VIR ILLUSTRIS AND PATRICIAN. [Footnote 223: If the MSS. are correctly represented in the printed editions, the name of the author of the Consolation of Philosophy was spelt Boetius in the Variae. There can be little doubt however that Boethius is the more correct form, and this is the form given us in the Anecdoton Holderi.] [Sidenote: Frauds of the moneyers.] The Horse and Foot Guards[224] seem to have complained that after their severe labours they were not paid in solidi of full weight by the 'Arcarius Praefectorum.' [Footnote 224: Why are these called 'Domestici patres equitum et peditum?'] Cassiodorus gives-- (1) Some sublime reflections in the true Cassiodorian vein on the nature of Arithmetic, by which earth and the heavens are ruled. (2) Some excellent practical remarks on the wickedness of clipping and depreciating the currency.