The poetical fame of Ausonius condemns the taste of his age.] [Footnote 2: Ausonius was successively promoted to the Praetorian praefecture of Italy, (A.D.

377,) and of Gaul, (A.D.

378;) and was at length invested with the consulship, (A.D.

379.) He expressed his gratitude in a servile and insipid piece of flattery, (Actio Gratiarum, p.

699-736,) which has survived more worthy productions.] [Footnote 3: Disputare de principali judicio non oportet.