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When Marcus succeeded to the throne in 161, the letters begin

again, with slightly increased formality on Fronto's part, and

they go on for some four years, when Fronto, who has been

continually complaining of ill-health, appears to have died. One

letter of the later period gives some interesting particulars of

the emperor's public life, which are worth quoting. Fronto speaks

of Marcus's victories and eloquence in the usual strain of high

praise, and then continues.[38]