The consuls and the senate.-Despatches from the two consuls arrived in Rome almost on the same day. The one from L. Cornelius contained his report of the battle at Mutina; that from Q. Minucius, at Pisae, stated that the conduct of the elections had fallen to his lot, but the whole position in Liguria was so uncertain that it was impossible for him to leave without brin彭ng ruin on the friendly tribes and injury to the interests of the republic. He suggested that i f the senate thought they should send word to his colleague, who had practica brought the war in Gaul to a close, reques咖g him to return Rome for the elections. If Cornelius objected on the ground that it was not Dart of his allotted duties. he was readv to do whatever the senate aeciaea upon. .taut ne Deggea tnem to give long ana careful consideration to the question whether it would be more in the interest of the State that an interrex should be appointed than that he should leave his province in such a condition. The senate instructed C. Scribonius to send two commissioners of senatorial rank to L. Cornelius to show him the despatch which his colleague had sent to the senate, and to inform him that unless he came to Rome for the election of the new magistrates the senate would consent to the appointment of an interrex rather than call away Q. Minucius from a war which had hardly begun. The co mmissioners brought back word that L. Cornelius would come to Rome for the election of the new magistrates. The despatch which he had sent after his engagement with the Boii gave rise to a debate in_ the. senate. M. Claudius had written unothcially to the majority of the senators stating that it was the good fortune of Rome and the valour of the soldiers that they had to thank for any success that had been gained. All the consul had done was to lose a large number of his men and let the enemv slip out of his hands when he had the chance of annimating them. tips tosses were mainly aue to the aelay in bringing up the reserves to relieve the first line, who were b eing overpo wered. The enemy were able to esc ape because he was too late in giving the order to the cavalry, and so prevented them from following up the