During the year B.C.57, up to the time of his return, he wrote but three letters that have come to us--two very short notes to Atticus, in the first of which he declares that he will come over on the authority of a decree of the Senate, without waiting for a law.

In the second he falls again into despair, declaring that everything is over.

In the third he asks Metellus for his aid, telling the Consul that unless it be given soon the man for whom it is asked will no longer be living to receive it.

Metellus did give the aid very cordially.
It has been remarked that Cicero did nothing for literature during his banishment, either by writing essays or preparing speeches; and it has been implied that the prostration of mind arising from his misfortunes must have been indeed complete, when a man whose general life was made marvellous by its fecundity had been repressed into silence.

It should, however, be borne in mind that there could be no inducement for the writing of speeches when there was no opportunity of delivering them.