About Balbus I have written in the tablet, and I think of doing as you say, as soon as he comes back. If he is rather slow about it, still I shall be three days there; and, I forgot to say, Dolabella will be with me too.
VIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Tusculum, intercalary month, B.C. 46
My plan for my son meets with general approval. I have found a suitable companion.[[49]] But let us first see to the payment of an instalment of Tullia's dowry. The time is near and Dolabella is in a hurry. Please write and tell me what Celer says Caesar has settled about the candidates, whether he thinks of going to the field of Fennel or the field of Mars.[[50]] I should much like to know too whether I must come to Rome for the elections. For I must do my duty by Pilia and anyhow by Attica.
[49]. Cicero wished to send him to Athens with L. Tullius Montanus.
[50]. i.e. will he appoint the magistrates in Spain or let the elections at Rome take place? The campus Fenicularius was near Tarraco.
IX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Astura, July 27, B.C. 45
I should be perfectly comfortable here and become more and more so every day, if it weren't for the reason I mentioned in my former letter. Nothing could be pleasanter than this solitude, except for the occasional interruptions of Amyntas' son.[[51]] How his chatter does bore one! All the rest is more charming than you can imagine, the villa, the shore,
[51]. i.e. L. Marcius Philippus, jestingly referred to as Philip, king of Macedonia.