In [Letter 30] Ursus is appointed Primicerius Deputatorum, and Beatus (probably the Cancellarius addressed in [Letter 10]) is made Primicerius Augustalium.
In [Letter 31] Urbicus, on vacating the post of Primicerius Singulariorum (Chief of the King's Messengers), is placed among the Body-guards (Domestici et Protectores), where he may adore the Royal Purple, that, being made illustrious by gazing on the Sovereign, he may rejoice in his liberation from official harassment.
[As the Singularii did not form part of the learned staff (Militia Litterata), their chief on retiring receives a guardsman's place, but still one which gives him access to royalty.]
In [Letter 32] Pierius receives the post of Primicerius Singulariorum which is thus vacated.
Delegatoria.
In [Letter 33] Cassiodorus, expanding the proverb 'Bis dat qui cito dat,' agrees that the Delegatoria[778] (or Delegatiorius), the letter conferring on the receiver the right to receive the increase of rations due to his promotion, should not be long delayed.
In [Letter 34] Antianus, the retired Cornicularius of [Letter 18], receives a somewhat evasive answer to a petition which apparently affected the rights of those below him in the official hierarchy[779].
In [Letter 35] we have an example of the Delegatoria alluded to in [Letter 33]. It is concerned with a Princeps, apparently the Princeps of the Agentes in Rebus; and, after extolling the zeal and alacrity of those officers, who are constantly intent on enforcing obedience to the Imperial decrees and reverence for the authority of the Praetorian Praefect, he observes that it would be impiety to delay the reward of such labour.
'Therefore let your Experience[780] pay, out of the third instalment of land-tax[781] from such and such a Province, those monies which the wisdom of Antiquity directed should be paid to the Princeps Augustorum[782]. Let this be done at once to those who are chargeable on the accounts of the thirteenth Indiction (Sept. 1, 534—Sept. 1, 535). Let there be no venal delays. Behave to the out-going public servant as you would wish that others should behave to you on your retirement from office. All men should honour the veteran, but especially they who are still toiling in the public service.'