16. See the fifty-fourth Epistle of the tenth book of
Symmachus [p. 289, ed. Paris, 1604]. In the form and
disposition of his ten books of Epistles,he imitated the
younger Pliny, whose rich and florid style he was supposed
by his friends to equal or excel (Macrob. Saturnal, l. v. c.
i.). But the luxuriancy of Symmachus consists of barren
leaves, without fruits, and even without flowers. Few facts
and few sentiments can be extracted from his verbose
correspondence.