It is a dialogue after the manner of Cicero himself, and is the work of an author well conversant with the subjects in hand.

But it is, no doubt, the case that those two unfortunate lines which have been quoted became notorious in Rome when there was a party anxious to put down Cicero.
APPENDIX B.
(_See_ ch.IV., note [84]) FROM THE BRUTUS--CA.

XCII., XCIII.
"There were at that time two orators, Cotta and Hortensius, who towered above all others, and incited me to rival them.

The first spoke with self-restraint and moderation, clearly and easily, expressing his ideas in appropriate language.

The other was magnificent and fierce; not such as you remember him, Brutus, when he was already failing, but full of life both in his words and actions.