ll into one hole.

'The Patrician Paulinus represents to us that such and such granaries
are falling into ruin and are of no use to anyone, and asks to be
allowed to repair them and transmit them to his heirs. We consent to
this, if you are of opinion that they are not wanted for the public,
and if there is no corn in them belonging to our Treasury.

'It is especially fitting that all ruined buildings should be repaired
in Rome. In Rome, praised beyond all other cities by the world's
mouth, there should be nothing sordid or mediocre[296].'

[Footnote 296: This letter is well illustrated by an inscription of
the time of Severus Alexander, found at Great Chesters in
Northumberland, and recording the repair of 'horreum vetustate
conlabsum.' The words of Cassiodorus are 'horrea longi temporis
vetustate destructa.']

30. KING THEODORIC TO ARGOLICUS, ILLUSTRIS AND PRAEFECTUS URBIS.

[Sidenote: Repair of the Cloacae of Rome.]

'We are ever vigilant for the repair and beautification of Rome.

'Let your Sublimity know that we have directed John to repair the
Cloacae of the City, those splendid works which strike astonishment
into the hearts of all beholders. There you see rivers as it were shut
in by concave mountains, flowing down through mighty rafters[297] (?).
There you see men steering their ships with the utmost possible care,
lest they should suffer shipwreck. Hence may the greatness of Rome be
inferred. What other city can compare with her in her heights when
even her depths are so incomparable?

[Footnote 297: 'Per ingentia ligna decurrere.' Fornerius proposes to
read 'stagna.']

'See therefore, O Praefect, that John as a public officer receives his
proper salary.'

31. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.

[Sidenote: Commission issued to John to check ruin of aqueducts and
temples in Rome.]

'Our care is for the whole Republic, "in which, by the favour of God,
we are striving to bring back all things to their former state;" but
especially for the City of Rome. We hear that great depredations are
being committed on public property there.

'(1) It is said that the water of the aqueducts (formae) is being
diverted to turn mills and water gardens--a thing which would not be
suffered even in the country districts. Even in redressing this wrong
we must be observant of law; and therefore if it should be found that
those who are doing this can plead thirty years' prescription, they
must be bou