Letters

Introduction to the Letters. ———————————— Of Saint Basil the extant letters, according to popular ascription, number three hundred and sixty-six.

Introduction. — Introduction. (¶1)

Letter III. To Candidianus . 1. When I took your letter into my hand, I underwent an experience worth telling. I looked at it with the awe due to a document making some state announcement, and as I was breaking the wax,…

To Candidianus. — To Candidianus. (¶2)

Letter VI. To the wife of Nectarius . 1. I hesitated to address your excellency, from the idea that, just as to the eye when inflamed even the mildest of remedies causes pain, so to a soul distressed by heavy sorrow,…

To the wife of Nectarius. — To the wife of Nectarius. (¶3)

Letter IX. To Maximus the Philosopher . 1. Speech is really an image of mind: so I have learned to know you from your letters, just as the proverb tells us we may know “the lion from his claws.” I am delighted to find…

To Maximus the Philosopher. — To Maximus the Philosopher. (¶4)

Letter XII. To Olympius . Before you did write me a few words: now not even a few. Your brevity will soon become silence. Return to your old ways, and do not let me have to scold you for your laconic behaviour.

To Olympius. — To Olympius. (¶5)

Letter XV. To Arcadius, Imperial Treasurer . The townsmen of our metropolis have conferred on me a greater favour than they have received, in giving me an opportunity of writing to your excellency.

To Arcadius, Imperial Treasure — To Arcadius, Imperial Treasurer. (¶6)

Letter XVIII. To Macarius and John . The labours of the field come as no novelty to tillers of the land; sailors are not astonished if they meet a storm at sea; sweats in the summer heat are the common experience of the…

To Macarius and John. — To Macarius and John. (¶7)

Letter XXI. To Leontius the Sophist . The excellent Julianus seems to get some good for his private affairs out of the general condition of things.

To Leontius the Sophist. — To Leontius the Sophist. (¶8)

Letter XXIV. To Athanasius, father of Athanasius bishop of Ancyra . That one of the things hardest to achieve, if indeed it be not impossible, is to rise superior to calumny, I am myself fully persuaded, and so too, I…

To Athanasius, father of Athan — To Athanasius, father of Athanasius bishop of Ancyra. (¶9)

Letter XXVII. To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata . When by God’s grace, and the aid of 132 your prayers, I had seemed to be somewhat recovering from my sickness, and had got my strength again, then came winter, keeping me…

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosat — To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata. (¶10)

Letter XXX. To Eusebius of Samosata . If I were to write at length all the causes which, up to the present time, have kept me at home, eager as I have been to set out to see your reverence, I should tell an interminable…

To Eusebius of Samosata. — To Eusebius of Samosata. (¶11)

Letter XXXIII. To Aburgius . Who knows so well as you do how to respect an old friendship, to pay reverence to virtue, and to sympathise with the sick?

To Aburgius. — To Aburgius. (¶12)

Letter XXXVI. Without address . It has, I think, been long known to your excellency that the presbyter of this place is a foster brother of my own.

Without address. — Without address. (¶13)

Letter XXXIX. Julian to Basil . The proverb says “You are not pro 142 claiming war,” and, let me add, out of the comedy, “O messenger of golden words.” Come then; prove this in act, and hasten to me.

Julian to Basil. — Julian to Basil. (¶14)

Letter XLII. To Chilo, his disciple . 1. If , my true brother, you gladly suffer yourself to be advised by me as to what course of action you should pursue, specially in the points in which you have referred to me for…

To Chilo, his disciple. — To Chilo, his disciple. (¶15)

Letter XLV. To a lapsed Monk . 1. I am doubly alarmed to the very bottom of my heart, and you are the cause. I am 148 either the victim of some unkindly prepossession, and so am driven to make an unbrotherly charge; or,…

To a lapsed Monk. — To a lapsed Monk. (¶16)

Letter XLVIII. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata . I have had considerable difficulty in finding a messenger to convey a letter to your reverence, for our men are so afraid of the winter that they can hardly bear even to…

To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosat — To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata. (¶17)

Letter LI. To Bishop Bosporius . How do you think my heart was pained at hearing of the slanders heaped on me by some of those that feel no fear of the Judge, who “shall destroy them that speak leasing”?

To Bishop Bosporius. — To Bishop Bosporius. (¶18)

Letter LIV. To the Chorepiscopi . I am much distressed that the canons of the Fathers have fallen through, and that the exact discipline of the Church has been banished from among you.

To the Chorepiscopi. — To the Chorepiscopi. (¶19)

Letter LVII. To Meletius, Bishop of Antioch . If your holiness only knew the greatness of the happiness you cause me whenever you write to me, I know that you would never have let slip any opportunity of sending me a…

To Meletius, Bishop of Antioch — To Meletius, Bishop of Antioch. (¶20)

Letter LX. To Gregory his uncle . Formerly I was glad to see my brother. Why not, since he is my brother and such a brother? Now I have received him on his coming to visit me with the same feelings, and have lost none…

To Gregory his uncle. — To Gregory his uncle. (¶21)

Letter LXIII. To the Governor of Neocæsarea . The wise man, even if he dwells far away, even if I never set eyes on him, I count a friend. So says the tragedian Euripides.

To the Governor of Neocæsarea. — To the Governor of Neocæsarea. (¶22)

Letter LXVI. To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria . No one, I feel sure, is more distressed at the present condition, or, rather to speak more truly, ill condition of the Churches than your excellency; for you compare…

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexa — To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. (¶23)

Letter LXIX. To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria . 1. As time moves on, it continually confirms the opinion which I have long held of your holiness; or rather that opinion is strengthened by the daily course of events.

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexa — To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. (¶24)

Letter LXXII. To Hesychius . I know your affection for me, and your zeal for all that is good. I am exceedingly anxious to pacify my very dear son Callisthenes, and I thought that if I could associate you with me in…

To Hesychius. — To Hesychius. (¶25)

Letter LXXV. To Aburgius . You have many qualities which raise you above the common run of men, but nothing is more distinctly characteristic of you than your zeal for your country.

To Aburgius. — To Aburgius. (¶26)

Letter LXXVIII. Without inscription, on behalf of Elpidius . I have not failed to observe the interest you have shown in our venerable friend Elpidius; and how with your usual intelligence you have given the prefect an…

Without inscription, on behalf — Without inscription, on behalf of Elpidius. (¶27)

Letter LXXXI. To Bishop Innocent . I was delighted to receive the letter your affection sent me; but I am equally grieved at your having laid on me the load of a responsibility which is more than I can carry.

To Bishop Innocent. — To Bishop Innocent. (¶28)

Letter LXXXIV. To the President . 1. You will hardly believe what I am about to write, but it must be written for truth’s sake. I have been very anxious to communicate as often as possible with your excellency, but when…

To the President. — To the President. (¶29)

Letter LXXXVII. Without address on the same subject . I am astonished that, with you to appeal to, so grave an offence should have been committed against the presbyter as that he should have been deprived of his only…

Without address on the same su — Without address on the same subject. (¶30)

Letter XC. To the holy brethren the bishops of the West . 1. The good God Who ever mixes consolation with affliction has, even now in the midst of my pangs, granted me a certain amount of comfort in the letters which…

To the holy brethren the bisho — To the holy brethren the bishops of the West. (¶31)

Letter XCIII. To the Patrician Cæsaria , concerning Communion . It is good and beneficial to communicate every day, and to partake of the holy body and blood of Christ.

To the Patrician Cæsaria, conc — To the Patrician Cæsaria, concerning Communion. (¶32)

Letter XCVI. To Sophronius, the master . Who ever loved his city, honouring with filial love the place which gave him birth 181 and nurture, as you do; praying for the whole city together, and for every one in it…

To Sophronius, the master. — To Sophronius, the master. (¶33)

Letter XCIX. To Count Terentius . I have had every desire and have really done my best to obey, if only in part, the imperial order and the friendly letter of your excellency.

To Count Terentius. — To Count Terentius. (¶34)

Letter CII. To the citizens of Satala . Moved by your importunity and that of all your people, I have undertaken the charge of your Church, and have promised before the Lord that I will be wanting to you in nothing…

To the citizens of Satala. — To the citizens of Satala. (¶35)

Letter CV. To the deaconesses, the daughters of Count Terentius . On coming to Samosata I expected to have the pleasure of meeting your excellencies, and when I was disappointed I could not easily bear it.

To the deaconesses, the daught — To the deaconesses, the daughters of Count Terentius. (¶36)

Letter CVIII. To the guardian of the heirs of Julitta . I am very much astonished to hear that, after the kind promises which you made and which were only such as might be expected from your generous character, you have…

To the guardian of the heirs o — To the guardian of the heirs of Julitta. (¶37)

Letter CXI. To Modestus, the prefect . Under any ordinary circumstances I should have lacked courage to intrude upon your excellency, for I know how to gauge my own importance and to recognise dignities.

To Modestus, the prefect. — To Modestus, the prefect. (¶38)

Letter CXIV. To Cyriacus, at Tarsus . I need hardly tell the sons of peace how great is the blessing of peace. But now this blessing, great, marvellous, and worthy as it is of being most strenuously sought by all that…

To Cyriacus, at Tarsus. — To Cyriacus, at Tarsus. (¶39)

Letter CXVII. Without address . For many reasons I know that I am a debtor to your reverence, and now the anxiety in which I find myself necessarily puts me in the way of services of this kind, although my advisers are…

Without address. — Without address. (¶40)

Letter CXIX. To Eustathius, Bishop of Sebasteia . I address you by the very honourable and reverend brother Petrus, beseeching you now and ever to pray for me, that I may be changed from ways dangerous and to be…

To Eustathius, Bishop of Sebas — To Eustathius, Bishop of Sebasteia. (¶1)

Letter CXXII. To Pœmenius , bishop of Satala . When the Armenians returned by your way you no doubt asked for a letter from them, and you learnt why I had not given the letter to them.

To Pœmenius, bishop of Satala. — To Pœmenius, bishop of Satala. (¶2)

Letter CXXV. A transcript of the faith as dictated by Saint Basil, and subscribed by Eustathius, bishop of Sebasteia. 1. Both men whose minds have been preoccupied by a heterodox creed and now wish to change over to the…

A transcript of the faith as d — A transcript of the faith as dictated by Saint Basil, and su (¶3)

Letter CXXVIII. To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata . 1. Hitherto I have been unable to give any adequate and practical proof of my earnest desire to pacify the Churches of the Lord.

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosat — To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata. (¶4)

Letter CXXXI. To Olympius . 1. Truly unexpected tidings make both ears tingle. This is my case. These compositions against me, which are being carried about, have fallen upon ears by this time pretty well seasoned, on…

To Olympius. — To Olympius. (¶5)

Letter CXXXIV. To the presbyter Pœonius . You may conjecture from what it contains, what pleasure you have given me by your letter. The pureness of heart, from which such expressions sprang, was plainly signified by…

To the presbyter Pœonius. — To the presbyter Pœonius. (¶6)

Letter CXXXVII. To Antipater, on his assuming the governorship of Cappadocia . I do now really feel the loss which I suffer from being ill; so that, when such a man succeeds to the government of my country, my having to…

To Antipater, on his assuming — To Antipater, on his assuming the governorship of Cappadocia (¶7)

Letter CXL. To the Church of Antioch . 1. “ Oh that I had wings like a dove for then would I fly away” to you, and satisfy my longing to meet you.

To the Church of Antioch. — To the Church of Antioch. (¶8)

Letter CXLIII. To another accountant . Had it been possible for me to meet your excellency I would have in person brought before you the points about which I am anxious, and would have pleaded the cause of the…

To another accountant. — To another accountant. (¶9)

Letter CXLVI. To Antiochus . I cannot accuse you of carelessness and inattention, because, when an opportunity of writing occurred, you said nothing.

To Antiochus. — To Antiochus. (¶10)

Letter CXLIX. To Trajan . You yourself have seen with your own eyes the distressing condition of Maximus, once a man of high reputation, but now most of all to be pitied, formerly prefect of my country.

To Trajan. — To Trajan. (¶11)

Letter CLII. To Victor, the Commander . If I were to fail to write to any one else I might possibly with justice incur the charge of carelessness or forgetfulness.

To Victor, the Commander. — To Victor, the Commander. (¶12)

Letter CLV. Without address . In the case of a trainer . I am at a loss how to defend myself against all the complaints contained in the first and only letter which your lordship has been so good as to send me.

Without address. In the case o — Without address. In the case of a trainer. (¶13)

Letter CLVIII. To Antiochus . My sins have prevented me from carrying out the wish to meet you, which I have long entertained. Let me apologise by letter for my absence, and beseech you not to omit to remember me in…

To Antiochus. — To Antiochus. (¶14)

Letter CLXI. To Amphilochius on his consecration as Bishop . 1. Blessed be God Who from age to age chooses them that please Him, distinguishes vessels of election, and uses them for the ministry of the Saints.

To Amphilochius on his consecr — To Amphilochius on his consecration as Bishop. (¶15)

Letter CLXIV. To Ascholius . 1. It would not be easy for me to say how very much delighted I am with your holiness’s letter. My words are too weak to express all that I feel; you, however, ought to be able to conjecture…

To Ascholius. — To Ascholius. (¶16)

Letter CLXVII. To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata . I am delighted at your remembering me and writing, and, what is yet more important, at your sending me your blessing in your letter.

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosat — To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata. (¶17)

Letter CLXX. To Glycerius . How far will your mad folly go? How long will you counsel mischief against yourself? How long will you go on rousing me to wrath, and bringing shame on the common order of solitaries? Return.

To Glycerius. — To Glycerius. (¶18)

Letter CLXXIII. To Theodora the Canoness . I should be more diligent in writing to you but for my belief that my letters do not always, my friend, reach your own hands.

To Theodora the Canoness. — To Theodora the Canoness. (¶19)

Letter CLXXVI. To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium . God grant that when this letter is put into your hands, it may find you in good health, quite at leisure, and as you would wish to be.

To Amphilochius, Bishop of Ico — To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium. (¶20)

Letter CLXXIX. To Arinthæus . Your natural nobility of character and your general accessibility have taught me to regard you as a friend of freedom and of men.

To Arinthæus. — To Arinthæus. (¶21)

Letter CLXXXII. To the presbyters of Samosata . Grieved as I am at the desolation of the Church, I none the less congratulate you on having been brought so soon to this extreme limit of your hard struggle.

To the presbyters of Samosata. — To the presbyters of Samosata. (¶22)

Letter CLXXXV. To Theodotus, bishop of Beræa . Although you do not write to me, I know that there is recollection of me in your heart; and this I infer, not because I 223 am worthy of any favourable recollection, but…

To Theodotus, bishop of Beræa. — To Theodotus, bishop of Beræa. (¶23)

Letter CLXXXVIII. ( Canonica Prima .) To Amphilochius, concerning the Canons . “ Even a fool,” it is said, “when he asks questions,” is counted wise. But when a wise man asks questions, he makes even a fool wise.

To Amphilochius, concerning th — To Amphilochius, concerning the Canons. (¶24)

Letter CXCI. To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium . On reading the letter of your reverence I heartily thanked God. I did so because I found in your expressions traces of ancient affection. You are not like the majority.

To Amphilochius, bishop of Ico — To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium. (¶25)

Letter CXCIV. To Zoilus . What are you about, most excellent sir, in anticipating me in humility? Educated as you are, and able to write such a letter as you have sent, you nevertheless ask for forgiveness at my hands,…

To Zoilus. — To Zoilus. (¶26)

Letter CXCVII. To Ambrose, bishop of Milan . 1. The gifts of the Lord are ever great and many; in greatness beyond measure, in number incalculable.

To Ambrose, bishop of Milan. — To Ambrose, bishop of Milan. (¶27)

Letter CC. To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium . I am attacked by sickness after sickness, and all the work given me, not only by the affairs of the Church, but by those who are troubling the Church, has detained me…

To Amphilochius, bishop of Ico — To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium. (¶28)

Letter CCIII. To the bishops of the sea coast . I have had a strong desire to meet you, but from time to time some hindrance has supervened and prevented my fulfilling my purpose.

To the bishops of the sea coas — To the bishops of the sea coast. (¶29)

Letter CCVI. To Elpidius the bishop. Consolatory . Now , most of all, do I feel my bodily infirmity, when I see how it stands in the way of my soul’s good.

To Elpidius the bishop. Consol — To Elpidius the bishop. Consolatory. (¶30)

Letter CCIX. Without address . It is your lot to share my distress, and to do battle on my behalf. Herein is proof of your manliness. God, who ordains our lives, grants to those who are capable of sustaining great…

Without address. — Without address. (¶31)

252 Letter CCXII. To Hilarius . 1. You can imagine what I felt, and in what state of mind I was, when I came to Dazimon and found that you had left a few days before my arrival.

To Hilarius. — To Hilarius. (¶32)

Letter CCXV. To the Presbyter Dorotheus. I took the earliest opportunity of writing to the most admirable Count Terentius, thinking it better to write to him on the subject in hand by means of strangers, and being…

To the Presbyter Dorotheus. — To the Presbyter Dorotheus. (¶33)

Letter CCXVIII. To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium. Brother Ælianus has himself completed the business concerning which he came, and has stood in need of no aid from me.

To Amphilochius, bishop of Ico — To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium. (¶34)

Letter CCXXI. To the Beræans. You were previously known to me, my dear friends, by your far-famed piety, and by the crown won by your confession in Christ.

To the Beræans. — To the Beræans. (¶35)

Letter CCXXIV. To the presbyter Genethlius. 1. I have received your reverence’s letter and I am delighted at the title which you have felicitously applied to the writing which they have composed in calling it “a writing…

To the presbyter Genethlius. — To the presbyter Genethlius. (¶36)

270 Letter CCXXVII. Consolatory, to the clergy of Colonia . What is so goodly and honourable before God and men as perfect love, which, as we are told by the wise teacher, is the fulfilling of the law?

Consolatory, to the clergy of — Consolatory, to the clergy of Colonia. (¶37)

Letter CCXXX. To the magistrates of Nicopolis. The government of the Churches is carried on by those to whom the chief offices in them have been entrusted, but their hands are strengthened by the laity.

To the magistrates of Nicopoli — To the magistrates of Nicopolis. (¶38)

Letter CCXXXIII. To Amphilochius, in reply to certain questions. I. I know that I have myself heard of this, and I am aware of the constitution of mankind. What shall I say?

To Amphilochius, in reply to c — To Amphilochius, in reply to certain questions. (¶39)

Letter CCXXXVI. To the same Amphilochius. 1. Enquiry has already frequently been made concerning the saying of the gospels as to our Lord Jesus Christ’s ignorance of the day and of the hour of the end; an objection…

To the same Amphilochius. — To the same Amphilochius. (¶40)

Letter CCXXXVIII. To the presbyters of Nicopolis . I have received your letter, my reverend brethren, but it told me nothing that I did not already know, for the whole country round about was already full of the report…

To the presbyters of Nicopolis — To the presbyters of Nicopolis. (¶1)

Letter CCXLI. To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata . It is not to increase your distress that I am so lavish of painful topics in my letters to your excellency.

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosat — To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata. (¶2)

Letter CCXLIV. To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ . 1. I have read, and read with pleasure, the letter which you have sent by Strategius the presbyter.

To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ. — To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ. (¶3)

Letter CCXLVII. To the Nicopolitans. When I had read the letter of your holinesses, how did I not groan and lament that I had heard of these further troubles, of blows and insults inflicted on yourselves, of destruction…

To the Nicopolitans. — To the Nicopolitans. (¶4)

Letter CCL. To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ. There has been some delay in my receiving your answer to my former letter; but it has reached me through the well-beloved Strategius, and I have given thanks to the Lord for…

To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ. — To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ. (¶5)

Letter CCLIII. To the presbyters of Antioch. The anxious care which you have for the Churches of God will to some extent be assuaged by our very dear and very reverend brother Sanctissimus the presbyter, when he has…

To the presbyters of Antioch. — To the presbyters of Antioch. (¶6)

Letter CCLVI. To the very well beloved and reverend brethren the presbyters Acacius, Aetius, Paulus, and Silvanus; the deacons Silvinus and Lucius, and the rest of the brethren the monks, Basil, the bishop.

To the very well beloved and r — To the very well beloved and reverend brethren the presbyter (¶7)

Letter CCLIX. To the monks Palladius and Innocent. From your affection for me you ought to be able to conjecture my affection for you.

To the monks Palladius and Inn — To the monks Palladius and Innocent. (¶8)

Letter CCLXII. To the Monk Urbicius. 1. You have done well to write to me. You have shewn how great is the fruit of charity. Continue so to do. Do not think that, when you write to me, you need offer excuses.

To the Monk Urbicius. — To the Monk Urbicius. (¶9)

Letter CCLXV. To Eulogius, Alexander, and Harpocration, bishops of Egypt, in exile. 1. In all things we find that the providence exercised by our good God over His Churches is mighty, and that thus the very things which…

To Eulogius, Alexander, and Ha — To Eulogius, Alexander, and Harpocration, bishops of Egypt, (¶10)

Letter CCLXVIII. To Eusebius, in exile. Even in our time the Lord has taught us, by protecting with His great and powerful hand the life of your holiness, that He does not abandon His holy ones.

To Eusebius, in exile. — To Eusebius, in exile. (¶11)

Letter CCLXXI. To Eusebius, my comrade, to recommend Cyriacus the presbyter. At once and in haste, after your departure, I came to the town.

To Eusebius, my comrade, to re — To Eusebius, my comrade, to recommend Cyriacus the presbyter (¶12)

Letter CCLXXIV. To Himerius, the master. That my friendship and affection for the very reverend brother Hera began when I was quite a boy, and has, by God’s grace, continued up to my old age, no one knows better than…

To Himerius, the master. — To Himerius, the master. (¶13)

311 Letter CCLXXVII. To the learned Maximus. The excellent Theotecnus has given mean account of your highness, whereby he has inspired me with a longing for your acquaintance, so clearly do his words delineate the…

To the learned Maximus. — To the learned Maximus. (¶14)

Letter CCLXXX. To Modestus the Prefect. I feel my boldness in pressing my suit by letter upon a man in your position; still the honour that you have paid me in the past has banished all my scruples.

To Modestus the Prefect. — To Modestus the Prefect. (¶15)

Letter CCLXXXIII. To a widow. I hope to find a suitable day for the conference, after those which I intend to fix for the hill-country.

To a widow. — To a widow. (¶16)

Letter CCLXXXVI. To the Commentariensis . Whereas certain vagabonds have been arrested in the church for stealing, in defiance of God’s commandment, some poor men’s clothing, of little value otherwise, yet such as they…

To the Commentariensis. — To the Commentariensis. (¶17)

Letter CCLXXXIX. Without address. Concerning an afflicted woman. I consider it an equal mistake, to let the guilty go unpunished, and to exceed the proper limits of punishment.

Without address. Concerning an — Without address. Concerning an afflicted woman. (¶18)

Letter CCXCII. To Palladius. The one-half of my desire has God fulfilled in the interview He granted me with our fair sister, your wife.

To Palladius. — To Palladius. (¶19)

Letter CCXCV. To monks. I do not think that I need further commend you to God’s grace, after the words that I addressed to you in person.

To monks. — To monks. (¶20)

Letter CCXCVIII. Without address. [A short letter of commendation.] 318 Letter CCXCIX. To a Censitor . I was aware, before you told me, that you do not like your employment in public affairs.

Without address. — Without address. (¶21)

Letter CCCI. To Maximus. [Consolatory on the death of his wife.] Letter CCCII. To the wife of Briso. [Consolatory on the death of her husband.

To Maximus. — To Maximus. (¶22)

Letter CCCIV. To Aburgius. [A few unimportant words of introduction.] Letter CCCV. Without address. [An unimportant letter of recommendation.] Letter CCCVI. To the Governor of Sebasteia .

To Aburgius. — To Aburgius. (¶23)

Letter CCCVII. Without address. [A request to mediate between two litigants.] Letter CCCVIII. Without address. [Commendatory, with the mention of a place called Capralis.] Letter CCCIX. Without address.

Without address. — Without address. (¶24)

Letter CCCX. Without address. [Commendatory on behalf of some kinsfolk, and of the people of Ariarathia, a place in the Sargaransene, about 60 m. E. of Cæsarea. ] Letter CCCXI.

Without address. — Without address. (¶25)

Letter CCCXIII. [Commendatory of the interests of Sulpicius.] Letter CCCXIV. Without address. [Commendatory.] Letter CCCXV. Without address. [Commendatory of a widow.]

Without Address — Without Address (¶26)

Letters CCCXVI., CCCXVII., CCCXVIII., CCCXIX. Without address. [Commendatory; short.] Letter CCCXX. Without address. [A salutation.] Letter CCCXXI. To Thecla.

Without address. — Without address. (¶27)

Letter CCCXXII. Without address. [Asking a friend to come with his wife and spend Easter with him.] Letter CCCXXIII. To Philagrius Arcenus. Letter CCCXXIV. To Pasinicus, the Physician.

Without address. — Without address. (¶28)

Letter CCCXXV. To Magninianus. Letter CCCXXVI. Without address. [Monitory.] 320 Letter CCCXXVII. Without address. [Hortatory.]

To Magninianus. — To Magninianus. (¶29)

Letter CCCXXVIII. To Hyperectius. [On Basil’s health.] Letter CCCXXIX. To Phalirius. With thanks for a present of fish.] Letters CCCXXX., CCCXXXI., CCCXXXII., CCCXXXIII. [All short and without address.

To Hyperectius. — To Hyperectius. (¶30)

Letter CCCXXXIV. To a writer. Write straight, and make the lines straight. Do not let your hand go too high or too low. Avoid forcing the pen to travel slantwise, like Æsop’s crab.

To a writer. — To a writer. (¶31)

Letter CCCXXXVII. Basil to Libanius. Lo and behold, yet another Cappadocian has come to you; a son of my own! Yet my present position makes all men my sons.

Basil to Libanius. — Basil to Libanius. (¶32)

Letter CCCXL. Libanius to Basil. Had you been for a long time considering how best you could reply to my letter about yours, you could not in my judgment have acquitted yourself better than by writing as you have…

Libanius to Basil. — Libanius to Basil. (¶33)

Letter CCCXLIII. Libanius to Basil. IF these are the words of an untrained tongue, what would you be if you would polish them? On your lips live fountains of words better than the flowing of springs.

Libanius to Basil. — Libanius to Basil. (¶34)

Letter CCCXLVI. Libanius to Basil. You yourself will judge whether I have added anything in the way of learning to the young men whom you have sent.

Libanius to Basil. — Libanius to Basil. (¶35)

Letter CCCXLIX. Libanius to Basil. Will you not give over, Basil, packing this sacred haunt of the Muses with Cappadocians, and these redolent of the frost and snow and all Cappadocia’s good things?

Libanius to Basil. — Libanius to Basil. (¶36)

Letter CCCLII. Libanius to Basil. Behold ! I have sent you my speech, all streaming with sweat as I am! How should I be otherwise, when sending my speech to one who by his skill in oratory is able to shew that the…

Libanius to Basil. — Libanius to Basil. (¶37)

Letter CCCLV. Libanius to Basil. Are you living at Athens, Basil? Have you forgotten yourself? The sons of the Cæsareans could not endure to hear these things. My tongue was not accustomed to them.

Libanius to Basil. — Libanius to Basil. (¶38)

Letter CCCLVIII. Libanius to Basil. Oh , for the old days in which we were all in all to one another! Now we are sadly 326 separated! Ye have one another, I have no one like you to replace you.

Libanius to Basil. — Libanius to Basil. (¶39)

Letters CCCLXI. and CCCLXIII., to Apollinarius, and Letters CCCLXII. and CCCLXIV., from Apollinarius to Basil, are condemned as indubitably spurious, not only on internal evidence, but also on the ground of Basil’s…

Letters CCCLXI-CCCLXV — Letters CCCLXI-CCCLXV (¶40)