Letter 10033: A matter of city administration has come to my attention that I believe needs to be addressed promptly; I write to...

From: Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, senator and orator To: [Unknown correspondent] Date: ~382 AD Context: Symmachus, Book X, letter 33; early personal correspondence from his career as a senator and man of letters before his prefecture. A matter of city administration has come to my attention that I believe needs to be addressed promptly; I write to seek your advice before acting. I write briefly because the day has been long and my powers of composition have been exercised to their limits by obligations that do not carry my name. What remains is still genuine, even if it is not fresh. The season passes; the city makes its demands; the literary projects that I meant to complete this year remain the projects I mean to complete next year. This is the condition of every serious person who also has serious responsibilities, and I accept it with the grace that long experience has made available. Write to me when you can. As always, Symmachus