We might fancy that we were reading words from Cicero himself! Then
the speaker in this imaginary conversation goes on to tell us how far
matters had derogated in his time, pointing out at the same time that
the evils which he deplores had shown themselves even before Cicero,
but had been put down, as far as the law could put them down, by its
interference. He is speaking of those schools of rhetoric in which
Greek professors of the art gave lessons for money, which were evil in
their nature, and not, as it appears, efficacious even for the purpose
in hand. "But now," continues Messala, "our very boys are brought into
the schools of those lecturers who are called 'rhetores,' who had
sprung up before Cicero, to the displeasure of our ancestors, as is
evident from the fact that when Crassus and Domitius were Censors they
were ordered to shut up their school of impudence, as Cicero calls it.
Our boys, as I was going to say, are taken to these lecture-rooms, in
which it is hard to say whether the atmosphere of the place, or the
lads they are thrown among, or the nature of the lessons taught, are
the most injurious. In the place itself there is neither discipline
nor respect. All who go there are equally ignorant. The boys among the
boys, the lads among the lads, utter and listen to just what words
they please. Their very exercises are, for the most part, useless.
Two kinds are in vogue with these 'rhetores,' called 'suasoriae' and
'controversiae,'" tending, we may perhaps say, to persuade or to
refute. "Of these, the 'suasoriae,' as being the lighter and requiring
less of experience, are given to the little boys, the 'controversiae'
to the bigger lads. But--oh heavens, what they are--what miserable
compositions!" Then he tells us the subjects selected. Rape, incest,
and other horrors are subjected to the lads for their declamation, in
order that they may learn to be orators.

Messala then explains that in those latter days--his days, that