Describes the merits of the new Comes, who when young in years but mature in merit had entered the service of the Palace; his diplomatic career[331] and his moderation and reserve in the midst of success, although naturally 'joy is a garrulous thing,' and it is difficult for men who are carrying all before them to restrain the expression of their exaltation. [Footnote 331: Again we have 'exceptiones' mentioned (see preceding letter). 'Nunc ad colloquia dignus, _nunc ad exceptiones aptissimus_, frequenter etiam in legationis honorem electus.'] Compliments to the Senate, who are invited to give a hearty welcome to the new comer. 5. KING THEODORIC TO AMABILIS, VIR DEVOTUS[332] AND COMES. [Footnote 332: Probably this epithet means that Amabilis was a Sajo.] [Sidenote: Supply of provisions to famine-stricken Provinces of Gaul.] 'Having heard that there is dearth in our Gaulish Provinces we direct your Devotion to take bonds from the shipmasters along the whole western coast of Italy (Lucania, Campania, and Thuscia) that they will go with supplies of food only to the Gauls, having liberty to dispose of their cargoes as may be agreed between buyer and seller. They will find their own profit in this, for there is no better customer for a corn-merchant than a hungry man. He looks on all his other possessions as dross if he can only supply the cravings of necessity. He who is willing to sell to a man in this condition almost seems to be _giving_ him what he needs, and can very nearly ask his own price.' [It will be seen that in this letter there is no attempt to fix a maximum price, only to prescribe the kind of cargo, 'victuales species,' which is to be carried to Gaul.] 6. KING THEODORIC TO SYMMACHUS, VIR ILLUSTRIS, PATRICIAN. [Sidenote: The sons of Valerian to be detained in Rome.] 'The Spectabilis Valerian, who lives at Syracuse, wishes to return thither himself, but that his sons, whom he has brought to Rome for their education, may be detained in that City. 'Let your Magnificence therefore not allow them to leave the aforesaid City till an order has been obtained from us to that effect. Thus will their progress in their studies be assured, and proper reverence be paid to our command. And let none of them think this a burden, which should have been an object of desire[333]. To no one should Rome be disagreeable, for she is the common country of all, the fruitful mother of eloquence, the broad temple of the virtues: it is a striking mark of our favour to assign such a City as a residence to any of our subjects[334].' [Footnote 333: 'Non ergo sibi putet impositum quod debuit esse votivum. Nulli sit ingrata Roma, quae dici non potest aliena. Illa eloquentiae foecunda mater, illa virtutum omnium latissimum templum.'] [Footnote 334: Cf. the very similar letter, i. 39.] 7. KING THEODORIC TO SENARIUS, VIR ILLUSTRIS, COMES PRIVATARUM. [Sidenote: Losses by shipwreck to be refunded to those who were sending provisions to Gaul.]