'How easy was the discovery of this great branch of manufacture! A dog, keen with hunger, bounding along the Tyrian shore, crunched the shells which were cast up there. The purple gore dyed his jaws with a marvellous colour; and the men who saw it, after the sudden fashion of inventors, conceived the idea of making therewith a noble adornment for their kings. What Tyre is for the East, Hydron[213] is for Italy--the great cloth-factory of Courts, not keeping its old art (merely), but ever transmitting new improvements.'
[Footnote 213: I presume the same as Hydruntum (Otranto).]
3. KING THEODORIC TO CASSIODORUS, VIR ILLUSTRIS AND PATRICIAN[214].
[Sidenote: Praises of the father of Cassiodorus.]
Extols in high-flown language the merits of the minister who in the early and troublous days of Theodoric's reign conciliated the wavering affections of the suspicious Sicilians[215], governed them so justly that not even they (addicted as they are, according to Cicero, to grumbling) could complain; then displayed equal rectitude in the government of his own native Province of Bruttii and Lucania (hard as it is to be perfectly just in the government of one's own native place); then administered the Praefecture in such a way as to earn the thanks of all Italy, even the taxes not being felt to be burdensome under his rule, because so justly levied; and now, finally, as a reward for all these services, is raised to the distinguished honour of the Patriciate.
[Footnote 215: 'In ipso quippe imperii nostri devotus exordio, cum adhuc fluctuantibus rebus provinciarum corda vagarentur, et negligi rudem dominum novitas ipsa pateretur.']
4. KING THEODORIC TO THE SENATE OF THE CITY OF ROME.
[Introducing Cassiodorus (Senior) on his accession to the honours of the Patriciate.]
[Sidenote: Great deeds of the ancestors of Cassiodorus for three generations.]
Compliments to the Senate, of which Theodoric wishes to increase the dignity by bestowing honours on its most eminent members.
Recital of the services and good qualities of Cassiodorus[216]:
[Footnote 216: Father of Cassiodorus Senator.]
(General reflections on the importance of a governor being himself a virtuous man).
'Having been trained thus to official life under the preceding King [Odovacar] he came with well-earned praises to our palace.'