178
Cicero's Ideal Party.
[61 B.C.
mark of Catulus to a juror: "What made you ask us for a guard? Were you afraid that your pocket would be lightened as you went home from the court?"[1]
It may be presumed that Pompey was disgusted with the shameless perversion of justice, for which the democratic leaders were responsible. At any rate we find constant evidence in the letters of the months which follow, that Pompey was now anxious to be on good terms with the constitutionalists, and that more especially he was drawing towards Cicero. He never frankly gives up his clumsy reticence, but it melts gradually away, and he finds heart at last to commit himself to a definite approval of the acts of Cicero's consulship. In the following December 61 B.C.Cicero writes to Atticus[2]: "However, since your friends" (the equestrian order) "seem unsteady, another road to safety is, as I hope, being laid. I cannot speak fully of it by letter, but I will indicate what I mean. I am on very intimate terms with Pompey. I perceive what you will say; yes, I will be cautious, where caution is needed, and I will write again to you more at length about my political projects." On the 1st of February 60 B.C.he says[3]: "Meanwhile you cannot find a single true statesman, no nor the ghost of one. One man might be, if he chose, my friend, for I wish you to understand that he is very much so, Pompey; but he only stares in silence on his lap, studying