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arrears of what you promised and have already given me. Not only am I anxious to perfect myself in the study of augural law for its own sake, but you cannot think how delighted I am with your kind attentions and gifts. But you say you long to have something of the same sort from me; well, I must really consider by what style of composition I may best requite your kindness; for it would certainly be unlike me, who, to your frequent surprise, put such a lot of hard work into my writing, to make the mistake of letting you think that I had been slovenly in my writing, especially when I should probably be accused not only of slovenliness but also of ingratitude.^{[1] 4}That, however, I will see to. As to your other promise, I should be glad if in conformity with your loyalty and sincere consideration for me, and in the name of friendship that is of no recent date, but has stood the test of years, you would make it your care and spare no effort to secure my having a "thanksgiving" decreed me, and that in the most complimentary terms, and at as early a date as possible. I have been later altogether in sending my dispatch than I could have wished; and in that not only was I plagued with difficulties in finding a ship, but I believe that the Senate was prorogued at the very time my dispatch arrived.^[2] But it was at your instance and by your advice that I did so; and I think I acted aright in not sending my dispatch immediately upon my winning the title of imperator, but after the performance of other services and the completion of the summer campaign. You will, therefore, I am sure, attend to all this as you declare you will, and regard as commended to your care all there is of me, and all I have, and those belonging to me.