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diff --git a/old/2001-09-ltpln10.txt b/old/2001-09-ltpln10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a733fc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/2001-09-ltpln10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9842 @@ +****The Project Gutenberg Etext Letters of Pliny the Younger**** + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + +Prepared by David Reed haradda@aol.com or davidr@inconnect.com + + + + + +Letters of Pliny + + + + +Translated by William Melmoth revised by F. C. T. Bosanquet + + + + +GAIUS PLINIUS CAECILIUS SECUNDUS, usually known as +Pliny the Younger, was born at Como in 62 A. D. He was only +eight years old when his father Caecilius died, and he was adopted +by his uncle, the elder Pliny, author of the Natural History. He was +carefully educated, studying rhetoric under Quintilian and other +famous teachers, and he became the most eloquent pleader of his +time. In this and in much else he imitated Cicero, who had by this +time come to be the recognized master of Latin style. While still +young he served as military tribune in Syria, but he does not seem +to have taken zealously to a soldier s life. On his return he entered +politics under the Emperor Domitian; and in the year 100 A. D. +was appointed consul by Trajan and admitted to confidential +intercourse with that emperor. Later while he was governor of +Bithynia, he was in the habit of submitting every point of policy to +his master, and the correspondence between Trajan and him, +which forms the last part of the present selection, is of a high +degree of interest, both on account of the subjects discussed and +for the light thrown on the characters of the two men. He is +supposed to have died about 113 A. D. Pliny's speeches are now +lost, with the exception of one, a panegyric on Trajan delivered in +thanksgiving for the consulate. This, though diffuse and somewhat +too complimentary for modern taste, became a model for this kind +of composition. The others were mostly of two classes, forensic +and political, many of the latter being, like Cicero's speech against +Verres, impeachments of provincial governors for cruelty and +extortion toward their subjects. in these, as in his public activities +in general, he appears as a man of public spirit and integrity; and +in his relations with his native town he was a thoughtful and +munificent benefactor. + +The letters, on which to-day his fame mainly rests, were largely +written with a view to publication, and were arranged by Pliny +himself. They thus lack the spontaneity of Cicero s impulsive +utterances, but to most modern readers who are not special +students of Roman history they are even more interesting. They +deal with a great variety of subjects: the description of a Roman +villa; the charms of country life; the reluctance of people to attend +authors readings and to listen wizen they were present; a dinner +party; legacy-hunting in ancient Rome; the acquisition of a piece +of statuary; his love for his young wife; ghost stories; floating +islands, a tame dolphin, and other marvels. But by far the best +known are those describing the great eruption of Vesuvius in +which his uncle perished, a martyr to scientific curiosity, and the +letter to Trajan on his attempts to suppress Christianity in +Bithynia, with Trajan s reply approving his policy. Taken +altogether, these letters give an absorbingly vivid picture of the +days of the early empire, and of the interests of a cultivated Roman +gentleman of wealth. Occasionally, as in the last letters referred to, +they deal with important historical events; but their chief value is +in bringing before us, in somewhat the same manner as "The +Spectator" pictures the England of the age of Anne, the life of a +time which is not so unlike our own as its distance in years might +indicate. And in this time by no means the least interesting figure +is that of the letter-writer himself, with his vanity and +self-importance, his sensibility and generous affection? hvs +pedantry and his loyalty. + +LETTERS GAIUS PLINIUS CAECILIUS SECUNDUS + +I + +To SEPTITTUS + +YOU have frequently pressed me to make a select collection of my +Letters (if there really be any deserving of a special preference) +and give them to the public. I have selected them accordingly; not, +indeed, in their proper order of time, for I was not compiling a +history; but just as each came to hand. And now I have only to +wish that you may have no reason to repent of your advice, nor I of +my compliance: in that case, I may probably enquire after the rest, +which at present he neglected, and preserve those I shall hereafter +write. Farewell. + +II + +To ARRIANUS + +I FORESEE your journey in my direction is likely to be delayed, +and therefore send you the speech which I promised in my former; +requesting you, as usual, to revise and correct it. I desire this the +more earnestly as I never, I think, wrote with the same +empressenient in any of my former speeches; for I have +endeavoured to imitate your old favourite Demosthenes and +Calvus, who is lately become mine, at least in the rhetorical forms +of the speech; for to catch their sublime spirit, is given, alone, to +the "inspired few." My subject, indeed, seemed naturally to lend +itself to this (may I venture to call it?) emulation; consisting, as it +did, almost entirely in a vehement style of address, even to a +degree sufficient to have awakened me (if only I am capable of +being awakened) out of that indolence in which I have long +reposed. I have not however altogether neglected the flowers of +rhetoric of my favourite Marc-Tully, wherever I could with +propriety step out of my direct road, to enjoy a more flowery path: +for it was energy, not austerity, at which I aimed. I would not have +you imagine by this that I am bespeaking your indulgence: on the +contrary, to make your correcting pen more vigorous, I will +confess that neither my friends nor myself are averse from the +publication of this piece, if only you should join in the approval of +what is perhaps my folly. The truth is, as I must publish something, +I, wish it might be this performance rather than any other, because +it is already finished: (you hear the wish of laziness.) At all events, +however, something I must publish, and for many reasons; chiefly +because of the tracts which I have already sent in to the world, +though they have long since lost all their recommendation from +novelty, are still, I am told, in request; if, after all, the booksellers +are not tickling my ears. And let them; since, by that innocent +deceit, I am encouraged to pursue my studies. Farewell. + +III + +To VOCONIUS ROMANUS + +DID YOU ever meet with a more abject and mean-spirited +creature than Marcus Regulus since the death of Domitian, during +whose reign his conduct was no less infamous, though more +concealed, than under Nero's? He began to be afraid I was angry +with him, and his apprehensions were perfectly correct; I was +angry. He had not only done his best to increase the peril of the +position in which Rusticus Arulenus1 stood, but had exulted in his +death; insomuch that he actually recited and published a libel upon +his memory, in which he styles him "The Stoics' Ape": adding, +"stigmated2 with the Vitellian scar."3 You recognize Regulus' +eloquent strain! He fell with such fury upon the character of +Herennius Senecio that Metius Carus said to him, one day, "What +business have you with my dead? Did I ever interfere in the affair +of Crassus' or Camerinus'? " Victims, you know, to Regulus, in +Nero's time. For these reasons he imagined I was highly +exasperated, and so at the recitation of his last piece, I got no +invitation. Besides, he had not forgotten, it seems, with what +deadly purpose he had once attacked me in the Court of the +Hundred. Rusticus had desired me to act as counsel for Arionilla, +Titnon's wife: Regulus was engaged against me. In one part of the +case I was strongly insisting upon a particular judgment given by +Metius Modestus, an excellent man, at that time in banishment by +Domitian's order. Now then for Regulus. "Pray," says he, "what is +your opinion of Modestus?" You see what a risk I should have run +had I answered that I had a high opinion of him, how I should have +disgraced myself on the other hand if I had replied that I had a bad +opinion of him. But some guardian power, I am persuaded, must +have stood by me to assist me in this emergency. "I will tell you +my opinion," I said, "if that is a matter to be brought before the +court." "I ask you," he repeated, "what is your opinion of +Modestus?" I replied that it was customary to examine witnesses to +the character of an accused man, not to the character of one on +whom sentence had already been passed. He pressed me a third +time. "I do not now enquire, said he, "your opinion of Modestus in +general, I only ask your opinion of his loyalty." "Since you will +have my opinion then," I rejoined, "I think it illegal even to ask a +question concerning a person who stands convicted." He sat down +at this, completely silenced; and I received applause and +congratulation on all sides, that without injuring my reputation by +an advantageous, perhaps, though ungenerous answer, I had not +entangled myself in the toils of so insidious a catch-question. +Thoroughly frightened upon this then, he first seizes upon +Caecilius Celer, next he goes and begs of Fabius Justus, that they +would use their joint interest to bring about a reconciliation +between us. And lest this should not be sufficient, he sets off to +Spurinnz as well; to whom he came in the humblest way (for he is +the most abject creature alive, where he has anything to be afraid +of) and says to him, "Do, I entreat of you, call on Pliny to-morrow +morning, certainly in the morning, no later (for I cannot endure +this anxiety of mind longer), and endeavour by any means in your +power to soften his resentment." I was already up, the next day, +when a message arrived from Spurinna, "I am coming to call on +you." I sent word back, "Nay, I will wait upon you;" however, both +of us setting out to pay this visit, we met under Livia's portico. He +acquainted me with the commission he had received from +Regulus, and interceded for him as became so worthy a man in +behalf of one so totally dissimilar, without greatly pressing the +thing. "I will leave it to you," was my reply, "to consider what +answer to return Regulus; you ought not to be deceived by me. I +am waiting for Mauricus'7 return" (for he had not yet come back +out of exile), "so that I cannot give you any definite answer either +way, as I mean to be guided entirely by his decision, for he ought +to be my leader here, and I simply to do as he says." Well, a few +days after this, Regulus met me as I was at the praetor's; he kept +close to me there and begged a word in private, when he said he +was afraid I deeply resented an expression he had once made use +of in his reply to Satrius and myself, before the Court of the +Hundred, to this effect, "Satrius Rufus, who does not endeavour to +rival Cicero, and who is content with the eloquence of our own +day." I answered, now I perceived indeed, upon his own +confession, that he had meant it ill-naturedly; otherwise it might +have passed for a compliment. "For I am free to own," I said, "that +I do endeavour to rival Cicero, and am not content with the +eloquence of our own day. For I consider it the very height of folly +not to copy the best models of every kind. But, how happens it that +you, who have so good a recollection of what passed upon this +occasion, should have forgotten that other, when you asked me my +opinion of the loyalty of Modestus?" Pale as he always is, he +turned simply pallid at this, and stammered out, "I did not intend +to hurt you when I asked this question, but Modestus." Observe the +vindictive cruelty of the fellow, who made no concealment of his +willingness to injure a banished man. But the reason he alleged in +justification of his conduct is pleasant. Modestus, he explained, in +a letter of his, which was read to Domitian, had used the following +expression, "Regulus, the biggest rascal that walks upon two feet :" +and what Modestus had written was the simple truth, beyond all +manner of controversy. Here, about, our conversation came to an +end, for I did not wish to proceed further, being desirous to keep +matters open until Mauricus returns. It is no easy matter, I am well +aware of that, to destroy Regulus; he is rich, and at the head of a +party; courted8 by many, feared by more: a passion that will +sometimes prevail even beyond friendship itself. But, after all, ties +of this sort are not so strong but they may be loosened; for a bad +man's credit is as shifty as himself. However (to repeat), I am +waiting until Mauricus comes back. He is a man of sound +judgment and great sagacity formed upon long experience, and +who, from his observations of the past, well knows how to judge of +the future. I shall talk the matter over with him, and consider +myself justified either in pursuing or dropping this affair, as he +shall advise. Meanwhile I thought I owed this account to our +mutual friendship, which gives you an undoubted right to know +about not only all my actions but all my plans as well. Farewell. + +IV + +To CORNELIUS TACITUS + +You will laugh (and you are quite welcome) when I tell you that +your old acquaintance is turned sportsman, and has taken three +noble boars. "What!" you exclaim, "Pliny! "--Even he. However, I +indulged at the same time my beloved inactivity; and, whilst I sat +at my nets, you would have found me, not with boar spear or +javelin, but pencil and tablet, by my side. I mused and wrote, being +determined to return, if with all my hands empty, at least with my +memorandums full. Believe me, this way of studying is not to be +despised: it is wonderful how the mind is stirred and quickened +into activity by brisk bodily exercise. There is something, too, in +the solemnity of the venerable woods with which one is +surrounded, together with that profound silence which is observed +on these occasions, that forcibly disposes the mind to meditation. +So for the future, let me advise you, whenever you hunt, to take +your tablets along with you, as well as your basket and bottle, for +be assured you will find Minerva no less fond of traversing the +hills than Diana. Farewell. + +V + +To POMPEIUS SATURNINUS + +NOTHING could be more seasonable than the letter which I +received from you, in which you so earnestly beg me to send you +some of my literary efforts: the very thing I was intending to do. So +you have only put spurs into a willing horse and at once saved +yourself the excuse of refusing the trouble, and me the +awkwardness of asking the favour. Without hesitation then I avail +myself of your offer; as you must now take the consequence of it +without reluctance. But you are not to expect anything new from a +lazy fellow, for I am going to ask you to revise again the speech I +made to my fellow-townsmen when I dedicated the public library +to their use. You have already, I remember, obliged me with some +annotations upon this piece, but only in a general way; and so I +now beg of you not only to take a general view of the whole +speech, but, as you usually do, to go over it in detail. When you +have corrected it, I shall still be at liberty to publish or suppress it: +and the delay in the meantime will be attended with one of these +alternatives; for, while we are deliberating whether it is fit for +publishing, a frequent revision will either make it so, or convince +me that it is not. Though indeed my principal difficulty respecting +the publication of this harangue arises not so much from the +composition as out of the subject itself, which has something in it, +I am afraid, that will look too like ostentation and self-conceit. For, +be the style ever so plain and unassuming, yet, as the occasion +necessarily led me to speak not only of the munificence of my +ancestors, but of my own as well, my modesty will be seriously +embarrassed. A dangerous and slippery situation this, even when +one is led into it by plea of necessity! For, if mankind are not very +favourable to panegyric, even when bestowed upon others, how +much more difficult is it to reconcile them to it when it is a tribute +which we pay to ourselves or to our ancestors? Virtue, by herself, +is generally the object of envy, but particularly so when glory and +distinction attend her; and the world is never so little disposed to +detract from the rectitude of your conduct as when it passes +unobserved and unapplauded. For these reasons, I frequently ask +myself whether I composed this harangue, such as it is, merely +from a personal consideration, or with a view to the public as well; +and I am sensible that what may be exceedingly useful and proper +in the prosecution of any affair may lose all its grace and fitness +the moment the business is completed: for instance, in the case +before us, what could be more to my purpose than to explain at +large the motives of my intended bounty? For, first, it engaged my +mind in good and ennobling thoughts; next, it enabled me, by +frequent dwelling upon them, to receive a perfect impression of +their loveliness, while it guarded at the same time against that +repentance which is sure to follow on an impulsive act of +generosity. There arose also a further advantage from this method, +as it fixed in me a certain habitual contempt of money. For, while +mankind seem to be universally governed by an innate passion to +accumulate wealth, the cultivation of a more generous affection in +my own breast taught me to emancipate myself from the slavery of +so predominant a principle: and I thought that my honest intentions +would be the more meritorious as they should appear to proceed, +not from sudden impulse, bttt from the dictates of cool and +deliberate reflection. I considered, besides, that I was not engaging +myself to exhibit public games or gladiatorial combats, but to +establish an annual fund for the support and education of young +men of good families but scanty means. The pleasures of the +senses are so far from wanting the oratorical arts to recommend +them that we stand in need of all the powers of eloquence to +moderate and restrain rather than stir up their influence. But the +work of getting anybody to cheerfully undertake the monotony and +drudgery of education must be effected not by pay merely, but by a +skilfully worked-up appeal to the emotions as well. If physicians +find it expedient to use the most insinuating address in +recommending to their patients a wholesome though, perhaps, +unpleasant regimen, how much more occasion had he to exert all +the powers of persuasion who, out of regard to the public welfare, +was endeavouring to reconcile it to a most useful though not +equally popular benefaction? Particularly, as my aim was to +recommend an institution, calculated solely for the benefit of those +who were parents to men who, at present, had no children; and to +persuade the greater number to wait patiently until they should be +entitled to an honour of which a few only could immediately +partake. But as at that fime, when I attempted to explain and +enforce the general design and benefit of my institution, I +considered more the general good of my countrymen, than any +reputation which might result to myself; so I am apprehensive lest, +if I publish that pIece, it may perhaps look as if I had a view rather +to my own personal credit than the benefit of others, Besides, I am +very sensible how much nobler it is to place the reward of virtue in +the silent approbation of one's own breast than in the applause of +the world. Glory ought to be the consequence, not the motive, of +our actions; and although it happen not to attend the worthy deed, +yet it is by no means the less fair for having missed the applause it +deserved. But the world is apt to suspect that those who celebrate +their own beneficent acts performed them for no other motive than +to have the pleasure of extolling them. Thus, the splendour of an +action which would have been deemed illustrious if related by +another is totally extinguished when it becomes the subject of +one's own applause. Such is the disposition of mankind, if they +cannot blast the action, they will censure its display; and whether +you do what does not deserve particular notice, or set forth +yourself what does, either way you incur reproach. In my own case +there is a peculiar circumstance that weighs much with me: this +speech was delivered not before the people, but the Decurii;9 not +in the forum, but the senate; I am afraid therefore it will look +inconsistent that I, who, when I delivered it, seemed to avoid +popular applause, should now, by publishing this performance, +appear to court it: that I, who was so scrupulous as not to admit +even these persons to be present when I delivered this speech, who +were interested in my benefaction, lest it, might be suspected I was +actuated in this affair by any ambitious views, should now seem to +solicit admiration, by forwardly displaying it to such as have no +other concern in my munificence than the benefit of example. +These are the scruples which have occasioned my delay in giving +this piece to the public; but I submit them entirely to your +judgment, which I shall ever esteem as a sufficient sanction of my +conduct. Farewell. + +VI + +To ATRIUS CLEMENS + +IF ever polite literature flourished at Rome, it certainly flourishes +now; and I could give you many eminent instances: I will content +myself, however, with naming only Euphrates10 the philosopher. I +first became acquainted with this excellent person in my youth, +when I served in the army in Syria. I had an opportunity of +conversing with him familiarly, and took some pains to gain his +affection: though that, indeed, was not very difficult, for he is easy +of access, unreserved, and actuated by those social principles he +professes to teach. I should think myself extremely happy if I had +as fully answered the expectations he, at that time, conceived of +me, as he exceeds everything I had imagined of him. But, perhaps, +I admire his excellencies more now than I did then, because I +know better how to appreciate them; not that I sufficiently +appreciate them even now. For as none but those who are skilled in +painting, statuary, or the plastic art, can form a right judgment of +any performance in those respective modes of representation, so a +man must, himself, have made great advances in philosophy before +he is capable of forming a just opinion of a philosopher. However, +as far as I am qualified to determine, Euphrates is possessed of so +many shining talents that he cannot fail to attract and impress the +most ordinarily educated observer. He reasons with much force, +acuteness, and elegance; and frequently rises into all the sublime +and luxuriant eloquence of Plato. His style is varied and flowing, +and at the same time so wonderfully captivating that he forces the +reluctant attention of the most unwilling hearer. For the rest, a fine +stature, a comely aspect, long hair, and a large silver beard; +circumstances which, though they may probably be thought trifling +and accidental, contribute, however, to gain him much reverence. +There is no affected negligence in his dress and appearance; his +countenance is grave but not austere; and his approach commands +respect without creating awe. Distinguished as he is by the perfect +blamelessness of his life, he is no less so by the courtesy and +engaging sweetness of his manner. He attacks vices, not persons, +and, without severity, reclaims the wanderer from the paths of +virtue. You follow his exhortations with rapt attention, hanging, +as it were, upon his lips; and even after the heart is convinced, the +ear still wishes to listen to the harmonious reasoner. His family +consists of three children (two of which are sons), whom he +educates with the utmost care. His father-in-law, Pompeius +Julianus, as he greatly distinguished himself in every other part of +his life, so particularly in this, that though he was himself of the +highest rank in his province, yet, among many considerable +matches, he preferred Euphrates for his son-in-law, as first in +merit, though not in dignity. But why do I dwell any longer upon +the virtues of a man whose conversation I am so unfortunate as not +to have time sufficiently to enjoy? Is it to increase my regret and +vexation that I cannot enjoy it? My time is wholly taken up in the +execution of a very honourable, indeed, but equally troublesome, +employment; in hearing cases, signing petitions, making up +accounts, and writing a vast amount of the most illiterate +literature. I sometimes complain to Euphrates (for I have leisure at +least to complain) of these unpleasing occupations. He endeavours +to console me, by affirming that, to be engaged in the public +service, to hear and determine cases, to explain the laws, and +administer justice, is a part, and the noblest part, too, of +philosophy; as it is reducing to practice what her professors teach +in speculation. But even his rhetoric will never be able to convince +me that it is better to be at this sort of work than to spend whole +days in attending his lectures and learning his precepts. I cannot +therefore but strongly recommend it to you, who have the time for +it, when next you come to town (and you will come, I daresay, so +much the sooner for this), to take the benefit of his elegant and +refined instructions. For I do not (as many do) envy others the +happiness I cannot share with them myself: on the contrary, it is a +very sensible pleasure to me when I find my friends in possession +of an enjoyment from which I have the misfortune to be excluded. +Farewell. + +VII + +To FABIUS JUSTUS + +IT is a long time since I have had a letter from you, "There is +nothing to write about," you say: well then write and let me know +just this, that "there is nothing to write about," or tell me in the +good old style, If you are well that's right, I am quite well. This +will do for me, for it implies everything. You think I am joking? +Let me assure you I am in sober earnest. Do let me know how you +are; for I cannot remain ignorant any longer without growing +exceedingly anxious about you. Farewell. + +VIII + +To CALESTRIUS TIRO + +I HAVE suffered the heaviest loss; if that word be sufficiently +strong to express the misfortune which has deprived me of so +excellent a man. Corellius Rufus is dead; and dead, too, by his +own act! A circumstance of great aggravation to my affliction: as +that sort of death which we cannot impute either to the course of +nature, or the hand of Providence, is, of all others, the most to be +lamented. It affords some consolation in the loss of those friends +whom disease snatches from us that they fall by the general destiny +of mankind; but those who destroy themselves leave us under the +inconsolable reflection, that they had it in their power to have +lived longer. It is true, Corellius had many inducements to be fond +of life; a blameless conscience, high reputation, and great dignity +of character, besides a daughter, a wife, a grandson, and sisters; +and, amidst these numerous pledges of happiness, faithful friends. +Still, it must be owned he had the highest motive (which to a wise +man will always have the force of destiny), urging him to this +resolution. He had long been tortured by so tedious and painful a +complaint that even these inducements to living on, considerable +as they are, were over-balanced by the reasons on the other side. In +his thirty-third year (as I have frequently heard him say) he was +seized with the gout in his feet. This was hereditary; for diseases, +as well as possessions, are sometimes handed down by a sort of +inheritance. A life of sobriety and continence had enabled him to +conquer and keep down the disease while he was still young, +latterly as it grew upon him with advancing years, he had to +manfully bear it, suffering meanwhile the most incredible and +undeserved agonies; for the gout was now not only in his feet, but +had spread itself over his whole body. I remember, in Domitian's +reign, paying him a visit at his villa, near Rome. As soon as I +entered his chamber, his servants went out: for it was his rule, +never to allow them to be in the room when any intimate friend +was with him; nay, even his own wife, though she could have kept +any secret, used to go too. Casting his eyes round the room, "Why," +he exclaimed, "do you suppose I endure life so long under these +cruel agonies? It is with the hope that I may outlive, at least for +one day, that villain." Had his bodily strength been equal to his +resolution, he would have carried his desire into practical effect. +God heard and answered his prayer; and when he felt that he +should now die a free, un-enslaved, Roman, he broke through +those other great, but now less forcible, attachments to the world. +His malady increased; arid, as it now grew too violent to admit of +any relief from temperance, he resolutely determined to put an end +to its uninterrupted attacks, by an effort of heroism. He had +refused all sustenance during four days when his wife Hispulla +sent our common friend Geminius to me, with the melancholy +news, that Corellius was resolved to die; and that neither her own +entreaties nor her daughter's could move him from his purpose; I +was the only person left who could reconcile him to life. I ran to +his house with the utmost precipitation. As I approached it, I met a +second messenger from Hispulla, Julius Atticus, who informed me +there was nothing to be hoped for now, even from me, as he +seemed more hardened than ever in his purpose. He had said, +indeed to his physician, who pressed him to take some +nourishment, "'Tis resolved": an expression which, as it raised my +admiration of the greatness of his soul, so it does my grief for the +loss of him. I keep thinking what a friend, what a man, I am +deprived of. That he had reached his sixty-seventh year, an age +which even the strongest seldom exceed, I well know; that he is +teleased from a life of continual pan; that he has left his dearest +friends behind him, and (what was dearer to him than all these) the +state in a prosperous condition: all this I know. Still I cannot +forbear to lament him, as if he had been in the prime and vigour of +his days; and I lament him (shall I own my weakness?) on my +account. And--to confess to you as I did to Calvisius, in the first +transport of my grief--I sadly fear, now that I am no longer under +his eye, I shall not keep so strict a guard over my conduct. Speak +comfort to me then, not that he was old, he was infirm; all this I +know: but by supplying me with some reflections that are new and +resistless, which I have never heard, never read, anywhere else. For +all that I have heard, and all that I have read, occur to me of +themselves; but all these are by far too weak to support me under +so severe an affliction. Farewell. + +IX + +To SOCIUS SENECIO + +THIs year has produced a plentiful crop of poets: during the whole +month of April scarcely a day has passed on which we have not +been entertained with the recital of some poem. It is a pleasure to +me to find that a taste for polite literature still exists, and that men +of genius do come forward and make themseves known, +notwithstanding the lazy attendance they got for their pains. The +greater part of the audience sit in the lounging-places, gossip away +their time there, and are perpetually sending to enquire whether the +author has made his entrance yet, whether he has got through the +preface, or whether he has almost finished the piece. Then at +length they saunter in with an air of the greatest indifference, nor +do they condescend to stay through the recital, but go out before it +is over, some slyly and stealthily, others again with perfect +freedom and unconcern. And yet our fathers can remember how +Claudius C~sar walking one day in the palace, and hearing a great +shouting, enquired the cause: and being informed that Nonianus11 +was reciting a composition of his, went immediately to the place, +and agreeably surprised the author with his presence. But now, +were one to bespeak the attendance of the idlest man living, and +remind him of the appointment ever so often, or ever so long +beforehand; either he would not come at all, or if he did would +grumble about having "lost a day!" for no other reason but because +he had not lost it. So much the more do those authors deserve our +encouragement and applause who have resolution to persevere in +their studies, and to read out their compositions in spite of this +apathy or arrogance on the part of their audience. Myself indeed, I +scarcely ever miss being present upon any occasion; though, to tell +the truth, the authors have generally been friends of mine, as +indeed there are few men of literary tastes who are not. It is this +which has kept me in town longer than I had intended. I am now, +however, at liberty to go back into the country, and write +something myself; which I do not intend reciting, lest I should +seem rather to have lent than given my attendance to these +recitations of my friends, for in these, as in all other good offices, +the obligation ceases the moment you seem to expect a return. +Farewell. + +X + +To JUNSUS MAURICUS + +You desire me to look out a proper husband for your niece: it is +with justice you enjoin me that office. You know the high esteem +and affection I bore that great man her father, and with what noble +instructions he nurtured my youth, and taught me to deserve those +praises he was pleased to bestow upon me. You could not give me, +then, a more important, or more agreeable, commission; nor could +I be employed in an office of higher honour, than that of choosing +a young man worthy of being father of the grandchildren of +Rusticus Arulenus; a choice I should be long in determining, were +I not acquainted with Minutius Aemilianus, who seems formed for +our purpose. He loves me with all that warmth of affection which +is usual between young men of equal years (as indeed I have the +advance of him but by a very few), and reveres me at the same +time, with all the deference due to age; and, in a word, he is no +less desirous to model himself by my instructions than I was by +those of yourself and your brother. + +He is a native of Brixia, one of those provinces in Italy which still +retain much of the old modesty, frugal simplicity, and even +rusticity, of manner. He is the son of Minutius Macrinus, whose +humble desires were satisfied with standing at the head of the +equestrian order: for though he was nominated by Vespasian in the +number of those whom that prince dignified with the praetorian +office, yet, with an inflexible greatness of mind, he resolutely +preferred an honourable repose, to the ambitious, shall I call them, +or exalted, pursuits, in which we public men are engaged. His +grandmother, on the mother's side, is Serrana Procula, of +Patavium:12 you are no stranger to the character of its citizens; yet +Serrana is looked upon, even among these correct people, as an +exemplary instance of strict virtue, Acilius, his uncle, is a man of +almost exceptional gravity, wisdom, and integrity. In short, you +will find nothing throughout his family unworthy of yours. +Minutius himself has plenty of vivacity, as well as application, +together with a most amiable and becoming modesty. He has +already, with considerable credit, passed through the offices of +quaestor, tribune, and praetor; so that you will be spared the +trouble of soliciting for him those honourable employments. He +has a fine, well-bred, countenance, with a ruddy, healthy +complexion, while his whole person is elegant and comely and his +mien graceful and senatorian: advantages, I think, by no means to +be slighted, and which I consider as the proper tribute to virgin +innocence. I think I may add that his father is very rich. When I +contemplate the character of those who require a husband of my +choosing, I know it is unnecessary to mention wealth; but when I +reflect upon the prevailing manners of the age, and even the laws +of Rome, which rank a man according to his possessions, it +certainly claims some regard; and, indeed, in establishments of this +nature, where children and many other circumstances are to be +duly weighed, it is an article that well deserves to be taken into the +account. You will be inclined, perhaps, to suspect that affection +has had too great a share in the character I have been drawing, and +that I have heightened it beyond the truth: but I will stake all my +credit, you will find everything far beyond what I have +represented. I love the young fellow indeed (as he justly deserves) +with all the warmth of a most ardent affection; but for that very +reason I would not ascribe more to his merit than I know it will +bear. Farewell. + +XI + +To SEPTITIUS CLARUS + +An! you are a pretty fellow! You make an engagement to come to +supper and then never appear. Justice shall be exacted;--you shall +reimburse me to the very last penny the expense I went to on your +account; no small sum, let me tell you. I had prepared, you must +know, a lettuce a-piece, three snails, two eggs, and a barley cake, +with some sweet wine and snow, (the snow most certainly I shall +charge to your account, as a rarity that will not keep.) Olives, +beet-root, gourds, onions, and a thousand other dainties equally +sumptuous. You should. likewise have been entertained either with +an interlude, the rehearsal of a poem, or a piece of music, +whichever you preferred; or (such was my liberality) with all three. +But the oysters, sows'-bellies, sea-urchins, and dancers from Cadiz +of a certain -- I know not who, were, it seems, more to your taste. +You shall give satisfaction, how, shall at present be a secret. + +Oh! you have behaved cruelly, grudging your friend, --had almost +said yourself ;--and upon second thoughts I do say so ;--in this way: +for how agreeably should we have spent the evening, in laughing, +trifling, and literary amusements! You may sup, I confess, at many +places more splendidly; but nowhere with more unconstrained +mirth, simplicity, and freedom: only make the experiment, and if +you do not ever after excuse yourself to your other friends, to come +to me, always put me off to go to them. Farewell. + +XII + +To SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS + +You tell me in your letter that you are extremely alarmed by a +dream; apprehending that it forebodes some ill success to you in +the case you have undertaken to defend; and, therefore, desire that +I would get it adjourned for a few days, or, at least, to the next. +This will be no easy matter, but I will try: + +. . . . . "For dreams descend from Jove." + +Meanwhile, it is very material for you to recollect whether your +dreams generally represent things as they afterwards fall out, or +quite the reverse. But if I may judge of yours by one that happened +to myself, this dream that alarms you seems to portend that you +will acquit yourself with great success. I had promised to stand +counsel for Junius Pastor; when I fancied in my sleep that my +mother-in-law came to me, and, throwing herself at my feet, +earnestly entreated me not to plead. I was at that time a very young +man; the case was to be argued in the four centumviral courts; my +adversaries were some of the most important personages in Rome, +and particular favourites of Caesar;13 any of which circumstances +were sufficient, after such an inauspicious dream, to have +discouraged me. Notwithstanding this, I engaged in the cause, +reflecting that, + +"Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, +And asks no omen but his country's cause."14 + +for I looked upon the promise I had given to be as sacred to me as +my country, or, if that were possible, more so. The event happened +as I wished; and it was that very case which first procured me the +favourable attention of the public, and threw open to me the gates +of Fame. Consider then whether your dream, like this one I have +related, may not pre-signify success. But, after all, perhaps you +will think it safer to pursue this cautious maxim: "Never do a thing +concerning the rectitude of which you are in doubt;" if so, write +me word. In the interval, I will consider of some excuse, and will +so plead your cause that you may be able to plead it your self any +day you like best. In this respect, you are in a better situation than I +was: the court of the centumviri, where I was to plead, admits of +no adjournment: whereas, in that where your case is to be heard, +though no easy matter to procure one, still, however, it is possible. +Farewell. + +XIII + +To ROMANUS FIRMUS + +As you are my towns-man, my school-fellow, and the earliest +companion of my youth; as there was the strictest friendship +between my mother and uncle and your father (a happiness which I +also enjoyed as far as the great inequality of our ages would admit) +; can I fail (thus biassed as I am by so many and weighty +considerations) to contribute all in my power to the advancement +of your honours? The rank you bear in our province, as decurio, is +a proof that you are possessed, at least, of an hundred thousand +sesterces;15 but that we may also have the satisfaction of seeing +you a Roman Knight,16 I present you with three hundred thousand, +in order to make up the sum requisite to entitle you to that dignity. +The long acquaintance we have had leaves me no room to +apprehend you will ever be forgetful of this instance of my +friendship. And I know your disposition too well to think it +necessary to advise you to enjoy this honour with the modesty that +becomes a person who receives it from me; for the advanced rank +we possess through a friend's kindness is a sort of sacred trust, in +which we have his judgment, as well as our own character, to +maintain, and therefore to be guarded with the greater caution. +Fared well. + +XIV + +TO CORNELIUS TACITUS + +I HAVE frequent debates with a certain acquaintance of mine, a +man of skill and learning, who admires nothing so much in the +eloquence of the bar as conciseness. I agree with him, that where +the case will admit of this precision, it may with propriety be +adopted; but insist that, to leave out what is material to be +mentioned,-or only briefly and cursorily to touch upon those points +which should be inculcated, impressed, and urged well home upon +the minds of the audience, is a downright fraud upon one's client. +In many cases, to deal with the subject at greater length adds +strength and weight to our ideas, which frequently produce their +impression upon the mind, as iron does upon solid bodies, rather +by repeated strokes than a single blow. In answer to this, he +usually has recourse to authorities, and produces Lysias17 amongst +the Grecians, together with Cato and the two Gracchi, among our +own countrymen, many of whose speeches certainly are brief and +curtailed. In return, I name Demosthenes, Aeschines, Hyperides,18 +and many others, in opposition to Lysias; while I confront Cato +and the Gracchi with Caesar, Pollio,19 Caelius,20 but, above all, +Cicero, whose longest speech is generally considered his best. +Why, no doubt about it, in good compositions, as in everything +else that is valuable, the more there is of them, the better. You may +observe in statues, basso-relievos, pictures, and the human form, +and even in animals and trees, that nothing is more graceful than +magnitude, if accompanied with proportion. The same holds true +in pleading; and even in books a large volume carries a certain +beauty and authority in its very size. My antagonist, who is +extremely dexterous at evading an argument, eludes all this, and +much more, which I usually urge to the same purpose, by insisting +that those very individuals, upon whose works I found my opinion, +made considerable additions to their speeches when they published +them. This I deny; and appeal to the harangues of numberless +orators, particularly to those of Cicero, for Murena and Varenus, in +which a short, bare notification of certain charges is expressed +under mere heads. Whence it appears that many things which he +enlarged upon at the time he delivered those speeches were +retrenched when he gave them to the public. The same excellent +orator informs us that, agreeably to the ancient custom, which +allowed only of one counsel on a side, Cluentius had no other +advocate than himself; and he tells us further that he employed +four whole days in defence of Cornelius; by which it plainly +appears that those speeches which, when delivered at their full +length, had necessarily taken up so much time at the bar were +considerably cut down and pruned when he afterwards compressed +them into a single volume, though, I must confess, indeed, a large +one. But good pleading, it is objected, is one thing, just +composition another. This objection, I am aware, has had some +favourers; nevertheless, I ant persuaded (though I may, perhaps, be +mistaken) that, as it is possible you may have a good pleading +which is not a good speech, so a good speech cannot be a bad +pleading; for the speech on paper is the model and, as it were, the +archetype of the speech that was delivered. It is for this reason we +find, in many of the best speeches extant, numberless +extemporaneous turns of expression; and even in those which we +are sure were never spoken; as, for instance, in the following +passage from the speech against Verres :--"A certain mechanic-- +what's his name? Oh, thank you for helping me to it: yes, I mean +Polyclitus." It follows, then, that the nearer approach a speaker +makes to the rules of just composition, the more perfect will he be +in his art; always supposing, however, that he has his due share of +time allowed him; for, if he be limited of that article, no blame can +justly be fixed upon the advocate, though much certainly upon the +judge. The sense of the laws, I am sure, is on my side, which are +by no means sparing of the orator's time; it is not conciseness, but +fulness, a complete representation of every material circumstance, +which they recommend. Now conciseness cannot effect this, +unless in the most insignificant cases. Let me add what experience, +that unerring guide, has taught me: it has frequently been my +province to act both as an advocate and a judge; and I have often +also attended as an assessor.21 Upon those occasions, I have ever +found the judgments of mankind are to be influenced by different +modes of application, and that the slightest circumstances +frequently produce the most important consequences. The +dispositions and understandings of men vary to such an extent that +they seldom agree in their opinions concerning any one point in +debate before them; or, if they do, it is generally from different +motives. Besides, as every man is naturally partial to his own +discoveries, when he hears an argument urged which had +previously occurred to himself, he will be sure to embrace it as +extremely convincing. The orator, therefore, should so adapt +himself to his audience as to throw out something which every one +of them, in turn, may receive and approve as agreeable to his own +particular views. I recollect, once when Regulus and I were +engaged on the same side, his remarking to me, "You seem to +think it necessary to go into every single circumstance: whereas I +always take aim at once at my adversary's throat, and there I press +him closely." ('Tis true, he keeps a tight hold of whatever part he +has once fixed upon; but the misfortune is, he is extremely apt to +fix upon the wrong place.) I replied, it might possibly happen that +what he called the throat was, in reality, the knee or the ankle. As +for myself, said I, who do not pretend to direct my aim with so +much precision, I test every part, I probe every opening; in short, +to use a vulgar proverb, I (eave no stone unturned. And as in +agriculture, it is not my vineyards or my woods only, but my fields +as well, that I look after and cultivate, and (to carry on the +metaphor) as I do not content myself with sowing those fields +simply with corn or white wheat, but sprinkle in barley, pulse, and +the other kinds of grain; so, in my pleadings at the bar, I scatter +broadcast various arguments like so many kinds of seed, in order +to reap whatever may happen to come up. For the disposition of +your judges is as hard to fathom as uncertain, and as little to be +relied on as that of soils and seasons. The comic writer Eupolis,22 +I remember, mentions it in praise of that excellent orator Pericles, +that + +"On his lips Persuasion hung, +And powerful Reason rul'd his tongue: +Thus he alone could boast the art +To charm at once, and pierce the heart." + +But could Pericles, without the richest variety of expression, and +merely by the force of the concise or the rapid style, or both (for +they are very different), have thus charmed and pierced the heart. +To delight and to persuade requires time and great command of +language; and to leave a sting in the minds of the audience is an +effect not to be expected from an orator who merely pinks, but +from him, and him only, who thrusts in. Another comic poet,24 +speaking of the same orator, says: + +"His mighty words like Jove's own thunder roll; +Greece hears, and trembles to her inmost soul." + +But it is not the close and reserved; it is the copious, the majestic, +and the sublime orator, who thunders, who lightens, who, in short, +bears all before him in a confused whirl. There is, undeniably, a +just mean in everything; but he equally misses the mark who falls +short of it, as he who goes beyond it; he who is too limited as he +who is too unrestrained. Hence it is as common a thing to hear our +orators condemned for being too jejune and feeble as too excessive +and redundant. One is said to have exceeded the bounds of his +subject, the other not to have reached them. Both, no doubt, are +equally in fault, with this difference, however, that in the one the +fault arises from an abundance, in the other, from a deficiency; an +error, in the former case, which, if it be not the sign of a more +correct, is certainly of a more fertile genius. When I say this, I +would not be understood to approve that everlasting talker25 +mentioned in Homer, but that other' described in the following +lines: + +"Frequent and soft, as falls the winter snow, +Thus from his lips the copious periods flow." + +Not but that I extremely admire him,26 too, of whom the poet +says, + +"Few were his words, but wonderfully strong." + +Yet, if the choice were given me, I should give the preference to +that style resembling winter snow, that is, to the full, +uninterrupted, and diffusive; in short, to that pomp of eloquence +which seems all heavenly and divine. But (it is replied) the +harangue of a more moderate length is most generally admired. It +is :--but only by indolent people; and to fix the standard by their +laziness and false delicacy would be simply ridiculous. Were you +to consult persons of this cast, they would tell you, not only that it +is best to say little, but that it is best to say nothing at all. Thus, my +friend, I have laid before you my opinions upon this subject, and I +am willing to change them if not agreeable to yours. But should +you disagree with me, pray let me know clearly your reasons why. +For, though I ought to yield in this case to your more enlightened +judgment, yet, in a point of such consequence, I had rather be +convinced by argument than by authority. So if I don't seem to you +very wide -of the mark, a line or two from you in return, intimating +your concurrence, will be sufficient to confirm me in my opinion: +on the other hand, if you should think me mistaken, let me have +your objections at full length. Does it not look rather like bribery, +my requiring only a short letter, if you agree with me; but a very +long one if you should be of a different opinion. Farewell. + +XV + +To PATERNUS + +As I rely very much upon the soundness of your judgment, so I do +upon the goodness of your eyes: not because I think your +discernment very great (for I don't want to make you conceited), +but because I think it as good as mine: which, it must be confessed, +is saying a great deal. Joking apart, I like the look of the slaves +which were purchased for me on your recommendation very well; +all I further care about is, that they be honest: and for this I must +depend upon their characters more than their countenances. +Farewell. + +XVI + +To CATILIUS SEVERUS 27 + +I AM at present (and have been a considerable time) detained in +Rome, under the most stunning apprehensions. Titus Aristo,28 +whom I have a singular admiration and affection for, is fallen into +a long and obstinate illness, which troubles me. Virtue, +knowledge, and good sense, shine out with so superior a lustre in +this excellent man that learning herself, and every valuable +endowment, seem involved in the danger of his single person. How +consummate his knowledge, both in the political and civil laws of +his country! How thoroughly conversant is he in every branch of +history or antiquity? In a word, there is nothing you might wish to +know which he could not teach you. As for me, whenever I would +acquaint myself with any abstruse point, I go to hint as my +store-house. What an engaging sincerity, what dignity in his +conversation! how chastened and becoming is his caution! Though +he conceives, at once, every point in debate, yet he is as slow to +decide as he is quick to apprehend; calmly and deliberately sifting +and weighing every opposite reason that is offered, and tracing it, +with a most judicious penetration, from its source through all its +remotest consequences. His diet is frugal, his dress plain; and +whenever I enter his chamber, and view him reclined upon his +couch, I consider the scene before me as a true image of ancient +simplicity, to which his illustriotis mind reflects the noblest +ornament. He places no part of his happiness in ostentation, but in +the secret approbation of his conscience, seeking the reward of his +virtue, not in the clamorous applauses of the world, but in the +silent satisfaction which results from having acted well. In short, +you will not easily find his equal, even among our philosophers by +outward profession. No, he does not frequent the gyntnasia or +porticoes29 nor does he amuse his own and others' leisure with +endless controversies, but busies himself in the scenes of civil and +active life. Many has he assisted with his interest, still more with +his advice, and withal in the practice of temperance, piety, justice, +and fortitude, he has no superior. You would be astonished, were +you there to see, at the patience with which he bears his illness, +how he holds out against pain, endures thirst, and quietly submits +to this raging fever and to the pressure of those clothes which are +laid upon him to promote perspiration. He lately called me and a +few more of his particular friends to his bedside, requesting us to +ask his physicians what turn they apprehended his distemper +would take; that, if they pronounced it incurable, he might +voluntarily put an end to his life; but if there were hopes of a +recovery, how tedious and difficult soever it might prove, he +would calmly wait the event; for so much, he thought, was due to +the tears and entreaties of his wife and daughter, and to the +affectionate intercession of his friends, as not voluntarily to +abandon our hopes, if they were not entirely desperate. A true +hero's resolution this, in my estimation, and worthy the highest +applause. Instances are frequent in the world, of rushing into the +arms of death without reflection and by a sort of blind impulse but +deliberately to weigh the reasons for life or death, and to be +determined in our choice as either side of the scale prevails, shows +a great mind. We have had the satisfaction to receive the opinion +of his physicians in his favour: may heaven favour their promises +and relieve me at length from this painful anxiety. Once easy in +my mind, I shall go back to my favourite Laurentum, or, in other +words, to my books, my papers and studious leisure. Just now, so +much of my time and thoughts are taken up in attendance upon my +friend, and anxiety for him, that I have neither leisure nor +inclination for any reading or writing whatever. Thus you have my +fears, my wishes, and my after-plans. Write me in return, but in a +gayer strain, an account not only of what you are and have been +doing, but of what you intend doing too. It will be a very sensible +consolation to me in this disturbance of mind, to be assured that +yours is easy. Farewell. + +XVII + +To VOCONIUS ROMANUS + +ROME has not for many years beheld a more magnificent and +memorable spectacle than was lately exhibited in the public +funeral of that great, illustrious, and no less fortunate man, +Verginius Rufus. He lived thirty years after he had reached the +zenith of his fame. He read poems composed in his honour, he +read histories of his achievements, and was himself witness of his +fame among posterity. He was thrice raised to the dignity of +consul, that he might at least be the highest of subjects, who30 had +refused to be the first of princes. As he escaped the resentment of +those emperors to whom his virtues had given umbrage and even +rendered him odious, and ended his days when this best of princes, +this friend of mankind31 was in quiet possession of the empire, it +seems as if Providence had purposely preserved him to these +times, that he might receive the honour of a public funeral. He +reached his eighty-fourth year, in full tranquillity and universally +revered, having enjoyed strong health during his lifetime, with the +exception of a trembling in his hands, which, however, gave him +no pain. His last illness, indeed, was severe and tedious, but even +that circumstance added to his reputation. As he was practising his +voice with a view of returning his public acknowledgements to the +emperor, who had promoted him to the consulship, a large volume +he had taken into his hand, and which happened to be too heavy +for so old a man to hold standing up, slid from his grasp. In hastily +endeavouring to recover it, his foot slipped on the smooth +pavement, and he fell down and broke his thigh-bone, which being +clumsily set, his age as well being against him, did not properly +unite again. The funeral obsequies paid to the memory of this great +man have done honour to the emperor, to the age, and to the bar. +The consul Cornelius Tacitus32 pronounced his funeral oration +and thus his good fortune was crowned by the public applause of +so eloquent an orator. He has departed from our midst, full of +years, indeed, and of glory; as illustrious by the honours he refused +as by those he accepted. Yet still we shall miss him and lament +him, as the shining model of a past age; I, especially, shall feel his +loss, for I not only admired him as a patriot, but loved him as a +friend. We were of the same province, and of neighbouring towns, +and our estates were also contiguous. Besides these accidental +connections, he was left my guardian, and always treated me with +a parent's affection. Whenever I offered myself as a candidate for +any office in the state, he constantly supported me with his +interest; and although he had long since given up all such services +to friends, he would kindly leave his retirement and conte to give +me his vote in person. On the day on which the priests nominate +those they consider most. worthy of the sacred office33 he +constantly proposed me. Even in his last illness, apprehending the +possibility of the senate's appointing him one of the five +commissioners for reducing the public expenses, he fixed upon +me, young as I am, to bear his excuses, in preference to so many +other friends, elderly men too, and of consular rank and said to me, +"Had I a son of my own, I would entrust you with this matter." And +so I cannot but lament hig death, as though it were premature, and +pour out my grief into your bosom; if indeed one has any right to +grieve, or to call it death at all, which to such a man terminates his +mortality, rather than ends his life. He lives, and will live on for +ever; and his fame will extend and be more celebrated by posterity, +now that he is gone from our sight. I had much else to write to you +but my mind is full of this. I keep thinking of Verginius: I see him +before me: I am for ever fondly yet vividly imagining that I hear +him, am speaking to him, embrace him. There are men amongst +us, his fellow-citizens, perhaps, who may rival him in virtue; but +not one that will ever approach him in glory. Farewell. + +XVIII + +To NEPOS + +THE great fame of Isaeus had already preceded him here; but we +find him even more wonderful than we had heard. He possesses +the utmost readiness, copiousness, and abundance of language: he +always speaks extempore, and his lectures are as finished as +though he had spent a long time over their written composition. +His style is Greek, or rather the genuine Attic. His exordiums are +terse, elegant, attractive, and occasionally impressive and majestic. +He suggests several subjects for discussion, allows his audience +their choice, sometimes to even name which side he shall take, +rises, arranges himself, and begins. At once he has everything +almost equally at command. Recondite meanings of things are +suggested to you, and words--what words they are! exquisitely +chosen and polished. These extempore speeches of his show the +wideness of his reading, and how much practice he has had in +composition. His preface is to the point, his narrative lucid, his +summing up forcible, his rhetorical ornament imposing. In a word, +he teaches, entertains, and affects you; and you are at a loss to +decide which of the three he does best. His reflections are +frequent, his syllogisms also are frequent, condensed, and carefully +finished, a result not easily attainable even with the pen. As for his +memory, you would hardly believe what it is capable of. He +repeats from a long way back what he has previously delivered +extempore, without missing a single word. This marvellous faculty +he has acquired by dint of great application and practice, for night +and day he does nothing, hears nothing, says nothing else. He has +passed his sixtieth year and is still only a rhetorician, and I know +no class of men more single-hearted, more genuine, more excellent +than this class. We who have to go through the rough work of the +bar and of real disputes unavoidably contract a certain +unprincipled adroitness. The school, the lecture-room, the +imaginary case, all this, on the other hand, is perfectly innocent +and harmless, and equally enjoyable, especially to old people, for +what can be happier at that time of life than to enjoy what we +found pleasantest in our young days? I consider Isaeus then, riot +only the most eloquent, but the happiest, of men, and if you are not +longing to make his acquaintance, you must be made of stone and +iron. So, if not upon my account, or for any other reason, come, for +the sake of hearing this man, at least. Have you never read of a +certain inhabitant of Cadiz who was so impressed with the name +and fame of Livy that he came from the remotest corner of the +earth on purpose to see him, and, his curiosity gratified, went +straight home again. It is utter want of taste, shows simple +ignorance, is almost an actual disgrace to a man, not to set any +high value upon a proficiency in so pleasing, noble, refining a +science. "I have authors," you will reply, "here in my own study, +just as eloquent." True: but then those authors you can read at any +time, while you cannot always get the opportunity of hearing +eloquence. Besides, as the proverb says, "The living voice is that +which sways the soul;" yes, far more. For notwithstanding what +one reads is more clearly understood than what one hears, yet the +utterance, countenance, garb, aye and the very gestures of the +speaker, alike concur in fixing an impression upon the mind; that +is, unless we disbelieve the truth of Aeschines' statement, who, +after he had read to the Rhodians that celebrated speech of +Demosthenes, upon their expressing their admiration of it, is said +to have added, "Ah! what would you have said, could you have +heard the wild beast himself ?" And Aeschines, if we may take +Demosthenes' word for it, was no mean elocutionist; yet, he could +not but confess that the speech would have sounded far finer from +the lips of its author. I am saying all this with a view to persuading +you to hear Isaeus, if even for the mere sake of being able to say +you have heard him. Farewell. + +XIX + +To AVITUS + +IT would be a long story, and of no great importance, to tell you by +what accident I found myself dining the other day with an +individual with whom I am by no means intimate, and who, in his +own opinion, does things in good style and economically as well, +but according to mine, with meanness and extravagance combined. +Some very elegant dishes were served up to himself and a few +more of us, whilst those placed before the rest of the company +consisted simply of cheap dishes and scraps. There were, in small +bottles, three different kinds of wine; not that the guest might take +their choice, but that they might not have any option in their +power; one kind being for himself, and for us; another sort for his +lesser friends (for it seems he has degrees of friends), and the third +for his own freedmen and ours. My neighbour,34 reclining next +me, observing this, asked me if I approved the arrangement. Not at +all, I told him. "Pray then," he asked, "what is your method upon +such occasions ?" "Mine," I returned, "is to give all my visitors the +same reception; for when I give an invitation, it is to entertain, not +distinguish, my company: I place every man upon my own level +whom I admit to my table." "Not excepting even your freedmen?" +"Not excepting even my freedmen, whom I consider on these +occasions my guests, as much as any of the rest." He replied, "This +must cost you a great deal." "Not in the least." "How can that be ?" +"Simply because, although my freedmen don't drink the same wine +as myself, yet I drink the same as they do." And, no doubt about it, +if a man is wise enough to moderate his appetite, he will not find it +such a very expensive thing to share with all his visitors what he +takes himself. Restrain it, keep it in, if you wish to be true +economist. You will find temperance a far better way of saving +than treating other people rudely can be. Why do I say all this? +Why, for fear a young man of your high character and promise +should be imposed upon by this immoderate luxury which prevails +at some tables, under the specious notion of frugality. Whenever +any folly of this sort falls under my eye, I shall, just because I care +for you, point it out to you as an example you ought to shun. +Remember, then, nothing is more to be avoided than this modern +alliance of luxury with meanness; odious enough when existing +separate and distinct, but still more hateful where you meet with +them together. Farewell. + +XX + +To MACRINUS + +THE senate decreed yesterday, on the emperor's motion, a +triumphal statue to Vestricius Spurinna: not as they would to many +others, who never were in action, or saw a camp, or heard the +sound of a trumpet, unless at a show; but as it would be decreed to +those who have justly bought such a distinction with their blood, +their exertions, and their deeds. Spurinna forcibly restored the king +of the Bructeri35 to his throne; and this by the noblest kind of +victory; for he subdued that warlike people by the terror of the +mere display of his preparation for the campaign. This is his +reward as a hero, while, to console him for the loss of his son +Cottius, who died during his absence upon that expedition, they +also voted a statue to the youth; a very unusual - honour for one so +young; but the services of the father deserved that the pain of so +severe a wound should be soothed by no common balm. Indeed +Cottius himself evinced such remarkable promise of the highest +qualities that it is but fitting his short limited term of life should be +extended, as it were, by this kind of immortality. He was so pure +and blameless, so full of dignity, and commanded such respect, +that he might have challenged in moral goodness much older men, +with whom he now shares equal honours. Honours, if I am not +mistaken, conferred not only to perpetuate the memory of the +deceased youth, and in consolation to the surviving father, but for +the sake of public example also. This will rouse and stimulate our +young men to cultivate every worthy principle, when they see such +rewards bestowed upon one of their own years, provided he +deserve them: at the same time that men of quality will be +encouraged to beget children and to have the joy and satisfaction +of leaving a worthy race behind, if their children survive them, or +of so glorious a consolation, should they survive their children. +Looking at it in this light then, I am glad, upon public grounds, that +a statue is decreed Cottius: and for my own sake too, just as much; +for I loved this most favoured, gifted, youth, as ardently as I now +grievously miss him amongst us. So that it will be a great +satisfaction to me to be able to look at this figure from time to +time as I pass by, contemplate it, stand underneath, and walk to +and I ro before it. For if having the pictures of the departed placed +in our homes lightens sorrow, how much more those public +representations of them which are not only memorials of their air +and countenance, but of their glory and honour besides? Farewell. + +XXI: + +To PAISCUS + +As I know you eagerly embrace every opportunity of obliging me, +so there is no man whom I had rather be under an obligation to. I +apply to you, therefore, in preference to anyone else, for a favour +which I am extremely desirous of obtaining. You, who are +commander-in-chief of a very considerable army, have many +opportunities of exercising your generosity; and the length of time +you have enjoyed that post must have enabled you to provide for +all your own friends. I hope you will now turn your eyes upon +some of mine: as indeed they are but a few Your generous +disposition, I know, would be better pleased if the number were +greater, but one or two will suffice my modest desires; at present I +will only mention Voconius Romanus. His father was of great +distinction among the Roman knights, and his father-in-law, or, I +might more properly call him, his second father, (for his +affectionate treatment of Voconius entitles him to that appellation) +was still more conspicuous. His mother was one of the most +considerable ladies of Upper Spain: you know what character the +people of that province bear, and how remarkable they are for their +strictness of their manners. As for himself, he lately held the post +of flamen.36 Now, from the time when we were first students +together, I have felt very tenderly attached to him. We lived under +the same roof, in town and country, we joked together, we shared +each other's serious thoughts: for where indeed could I have found +a truer friend or pleasanter companion than he? In his +conversation, and even in his very voice and countenance, there is +a rare sweetness; as at the bar he displays talents of a high order; +acuteness, elegance, ease, and skill: and he writes such letters too +that were you to read them you would imagine they had been +dictated by the Muses themselves. I have a very great affection for +him, as he has for me. Even in the earlier part of our lives, I +warmly embraced every opportunity of doing him all the good +services which then lay in my power, as I have lately obtained for +him from our most gracious prince37 the privilege38 granted to +those who have three children: a favour which, though Caesar very +rarely bestows, and always with great caution, yet he conferred, at +my request, in such a matter as to give it the air and grace of being +his own choice. + +The best way of showing that I think he deserves the kindnesses he +has already received from me is by increasing them, especially as +he always accepts my services so gratefully as to deserve more. +Thus I have shown you what manner of man Romanus is, how +thoroughly I have proved his worth, and how much I love him. Let +me entreat you to honour him with your patronage in a way +suitable to the generosity of your heart, and the eminence of your +station. But above all let him have your affection; for though you +were to confer upon him the utmost you have in your power to +bestow, you can give him nothing more valuable than your +friendship-That you may see he is worthy of it, even to the closest +degree of intimacy, I send you this brief sketch of his tastes, +character, his whole life, in fact. I should continue my +intercessions in his behalf, but that I know you prefer not being +pressed, and I have already repeated them in every line of this +letter: for, to show a good reason for what one asks is true +intercession, and of the most effectual kind. Farewell. + +XXII + +To MAIMUS + +You guessed correctly: I am much engaged in pleading before the +Hundred. The business there is more fatiguing than pleasant. +Trifling, inconsiderable cases, mostly; it is very seldom that +anything worth speaking of, either from the importance of the +question or the rank of the persons concerned, comes before them. +There are very few lawyers either whom I take any pleasure in +working with. The rest, a parcel of impudent young fellows, many +of whom one knows nothing whatever about, come here to get +some practice in speaking, and conduct themselves so forwardly +and with such utter want of deference that my friend Attilius +exactly hit it, I think, when he made the observation that "boys set +out at the bar with cases in the Court of the Hundred as they do at +school with Homer," intimating that at both places they begin +where they should end. But in former times (so my elders tell me) +no youth, even of the best families, was allowed in unless +introduced by some person of consular dignity. As things are now, +since every fence of modesty and decorum is broken down, and all +distinctions are levelled and confounded, the present young +generation, so far from waiting to be introduced, break in of their +own free will. The audience at their heels are fit attendants upon +such orators; a low rabble of hired mercenaries, supplied by +contract. They get together in the middle of the court, where the +dole is dealt round to them as openly as if they were in a +dining-room: and at this noble price they run from court to court. +The Greeks have an appropriate name in their language for this +sort of people, importing that they are applauders by profession, +and we stigmatize them with the opprobrious title of +table-flatterers: yet the dirty business alluded to increases every +day. It was only yesterday two of my domestic officers, mere +striplings, were hired to cheer somebody or other, at three denarii +apiece :39 that is what the highest eloquence goes for. Upon these +terms we fill as many benches as we please, and gather a crowd; +this is how those rending shouts are raised, as soon as the +individual standing up in the middle of the ring gives the signal. +For, you must know, these honest fellows, who understand nothing +of what is said, or, if they did, could not hear it, would be at a loss +without a signal, how to time their applause: for many of them +don't hear a syllable, and are as noisy as any of the rest. If, at any +time, you should happen to be passing by when the court is sitting, +and feel at all interested to know how any speaker is acquitting +himself, you have no occasion to give yourself the trouble of +getting up on the judge's platform, no need to listen; it is easy +enough to find out, for you may be quite sure he that gets most +applause deserves it the least. Largius Licinus was the first to +introduce this fashion; but then he went no farther than to go round +and solicit an audience. I know, I remember hearing this from my +tutor Quinctilian. "I used," he told me, "to go and hear Domitius +Afer, and as he was pleading once before the Hundred in his usual +slow and impressive manner, hearing, close to him, a most +immoderate and unusual noise, and being a good deal surprised at +this, he left off: the noise ceased, and he began again: he was +interrupted a second time, and a third. At last he enquired who it +was that was speaking? He was told, Licinus. Upon which, he +broke off the case, exclaiming, 'Eloquence is no more!'" The truth +is it had only begun to decline then, when in Afer's opinion it no +longer existed: - whereas now it is almost extinct. I am ashamed to +tell you of the mincing and affected pronunciation of the speakers, +and of the shrill-voiced applause with which their effusions are +received; nothing seems wanting to complete this sing-song +performance except claps, or rather cymbals and tambourines. +Howlings indeed (for I can call such applause, which would be +indecent even in the theatre, by no other name) abound in plenty. +Up to this time the interest of my friends and the consideration of +my early time of life have kept me in this court, as I am afraid they +might think I was doing it to shirk work rather than to avoid these +indecencies, were I to leave it just yet: however, I go there less +frequently than I did, and am thus effecting a gradual retreat. +Farewell. + +XXIII + +To GALLUS + +You are surprised that I am so fond of my Laurentine, or (if you +prefer the name) my Laurens: but you will cease to wonder when I +acquaint you with the beauty of the villa, the advantages of its +situation, and the extensive view of the sea-coast. It is only +seventeen miles from Rome: so that when I have finished my +business in town, I can pass my evenings here after a good +satisfactory day's work. There are two different roads to it: if you +go by that of Laurentum, you must turn off at the fourteenth +mile-stone; if by Astia, at the eleventh. Both of them are sandy in +places, which makes it a little heavier and longer by carriage, but +short and easy on horseback. The landscape affords plenty of +variety, the view in some places being closed in by woods, in +others extending over broad meadows, where numerous flocks of +sheep and herds of cattle, which the severity of the winter has +driven from the mountains, fatten in the spring warmth, and on the +rich pasturage. My villa is of a convenient size without being +expensive to keep up. The courtyard in front is plain, but not +mean, through which you enter porticoes shaped into the form of +the letter D, enclosing a small but cheerful area between. These +make a capital retreat for bad weather, not only as they are shut in +with windows, but particularly as they are sheltered by a projection +of the roof. From the middle of these porticoes you pass into a +bright pleasant inner court, and out of that into a handsome hall +running out towards the sea-shore; so that when there is a +south-west breeze, it is gently washed with the waves, which spend +themselves at its base. On every side of this hall there are either +folding-doors or windows equally large, by which means you have +a view from the front and the two sides of three different seas, as it +were: from the back you see the middle court, the portico, and the +area; and from another point you look through the portico into the +courtyard, and out upon the woods and distant mountains beyond. +On the left hand of this hail, a little farther from the sea, lies a +large drawing-room, and beyond that,a second of a smaller +size,which has one window to the rising and another to the setting +sun: this as well has a view of the sea, but more distant and +agreeable. The angle formed by the projection of the dining-room +with this drawing-room retains and intensifies the warmth of the +sun, and this forms our winter quarters and family gymnasium, +which is sheltered from all the winds except those which bring on +clouds, but the clear sky comes out again before the warmth has +gone out of the place. Adjoining this angle is a room forming the +segment of a circle, the windows of which are so arranged as to get +the sun all through the day: in the walls are contrived a sort of +cases, containing a collection of authors who can never be read too +often. Next to this is a bed-room, connected with it by a raised +passage furnished with pipes, which supply, at a wholesome +temperature, and distribute to all parts of this room, the heat they +receive. The rest of this side of the house is appropriated to the use +of my slaves and freedmen; but most of the rooms in it are +respectable enough to put my guests into. In the opposite wing is a +most elegant, tastefully fitted up bed-room; next to which lies +another, which you may call either a large bed-room or a modified +dining-room; it is very warm and light, not only from the direct +rays of the sun, but by their reflection from the sea. Beyond this is +a bed-room with an ante-room, the height of which renders it cool +in summer, its thick walls warm in winter, for it is sheltered, every +way from the winds. To this apartment another anteroom is joined +by one common wall. From thence you enter into the wide and +spacious cooling-room belonging to the bath, from the opposite +walls of which two curved basins are thrown out, so to speak; +which are more than large enough if you consider that the sea is +close at hand. Adjacent to this is the anointing-room, then the +sweating-room, and beyond that the bath-heating room: adjoining +are two other little bath-rooms, elegantly rather than sumptuously +fitted up: annexed to them is a warm bath of wonderful +construction, in which one can swim and take a view of the sea at +the same time. Not far from this stands the tennis-court, which lies +open to the warmth of the afternoon sun. From thence you go up a +sort of turret which has two rooms below, with the same number +above, besides a dining-room commanding a very extensive +look-out on to the sea, the coast, and the beautiful villas scattered +along the shore line. At the other end is a second turret, containing +a room that gets the rising and setting sun. Behind this is a large +store-room and granary, and underneath, a spacious dining-room, +where only the murmur and break of the sea can be heard, even in +a storm: it looks out upon the garden, and the gestatio,40 running +round the garden. The gestatio is bordered round with box, and, +where that is decayed, with rosemary: for the box, wherever +sheltered by the buildings, grows plentifully, but where it lies open +and exposed to the weather and spray from the sea, though at some +distance from the latter, it quite withers up. Next the gestatio, and +running along inside it, is a shady vineplantation, the path of which +is so soft and easy to the tread that you may walk bare-foot upon it. +The garden is chiefly planted with fig and mulberry trees, to which +this soil is as favourable as it is averse from all others. Here is a +dining-room, which, though it stands away from the sea enjoys the +garden view which is just as pleasant: two apartments run round +the back part of it, the windows of which look out upon the +entrance of the villa, and into a fine kitchen-garden. From here +extends an enclosed portico which, from its great length, you +might take for a public one. It has a range of windows on either +side, but more on the side facing the sea, and fewer on the garden +side, and these, single windows and alternate with the opposite +rows. In calm, clear, weather these are all thrown open; hut if it +blows, those on the weather side are closed, whilst those away +from the wind can remain open without any inconvenience. Before +this enclosed portico lies a terrace fragrant with the scent of +violets, and warmed by the reflection of the sun from the portico, +which, while it retains the rays, keeps away the north-east wind; +and it is as warm on this side as it is cool on the side opposite: in +the same way it is a protection against the wind from the +south-west; and thus, in short, by means of its several sides, breaks +the force of the winds, from whatever quarter they may blow. +These are some of its winter advantages, they are still more +appreciable in the summer time; for at that season it throws a +shade upon the terrace during the whole of the forenoon, and upon +the adjoining portion of the gestatio and garden in the afternoon, +casting a greater or less shade on this side or on that as the day +increases or decreases. But the portico itself is coolest just at the +time when the sun is at its hottest, that is, when the rays fall +directly upon the roof. Also, by opening the windows you let in the +western breezes in a free current, which prevents the place getting +oppressive with close and stagnant air. At the upper end of the +terrace and portico stands a detached garden building, which I call +my favourite; my favourite indeed, as I put it up myself. It contains +a very warm winter-room, one side of which looks down upon the +terrace, while the other has a view of the sea, and both lie exposed +to the sun. The bed-room opens on to the covered portico by +means of folding-doors, while its window looks out upon the sea. +On that side next the sea, and facing the middle wall, is formed a +very elegant little recess, which, by means of transparent41 +windows, and a curtain drawn to or aside,can be made part of the +adjoining room, or separated from it. It contains a couch and two +chairs: as you lie upon this couch, from where your feet are you get +a peep of the sea; looking behind you see the neighbouring villas, +and from the head you have a view of the woods: these three views +may be seen either separately, from so many different windows, or +blended together in one. Adjoining this is a bed-room, which +neither the servants' voices, the murmuring of the sea, the glare of +lightning, nor daylight itself can penetrate, unless you open the +windows. This profound tranquillity and seclusion are occasioned +by a passage separating the wall of this room from that of the +garden, and thus, by means of this intervening space, every noise is +drowned. Annexed to this is a tiny stove-room, which, by opening +or shutting a little aperture, lets out or retains the heat from +underneath, according as you require. Beyond this lie a bed-room +and ante-room, which enjoy the sun, though obliquely indeed, +from the time it rises, till the afternoon. When I retire to this +garden summer-house, I fancy myself a hundred miles away from +my villa, and take especial pleasure in it at the feast of the +Saturnalia,42 when, by the licence of that festive season, every +other part of my house resounds with my servants' mirth: thus I +neither interrupt their amusement nor they my studies. Amongst +the pleasures z,nd conycnienccs of this situation, there is one +drawback, and that is, the want of running water; but then there are +wells about the place, or rather springs, for they lie close to the +surface. And, altogether, the quality of this coast is remarkable; for +dig where you may, you meet, upon the first turning up of the +ground, with a spring of water, quite pure, not in the least salt, +although so near the sea. The neighbouring woods supply us with +all the fuel we require, the other necessaries Ostia furnishes. +Indeed, to a moderate ~ man, even the village (between which and +my house there is only one villa) would supply all ordinary +requirements. It has three public baths, which are a great +convenience if it happen that friends come in unexpectedly, or +make too short a stay to allow time in preparing my own. The +whole coast is very pleasantly sprinkled with villas either in rows +or detached, which whether looking at them from the sea or the +shore, present the appearance of so many different cities. The +strand is, sometimes, after a long calm, perfectly smooth, though, +in general,through the storms driving the waves upon it, it is rough +and uneven. I cannot boast that our sea is plentiful in choice fish; +however, it supplies us with capital soles and prawns; but as to +other kinds of provisions, my villa aspires to excel even inland +countries, particularly in milk: for the cattle come up there from +the meadows in large numbers, in pursuit of water and shade. Tell +me, now, have I not good reason for living in, staying in, loving, +such a retreat, which, if you feel no appetite for, you must be +morbidly attached to town? And I only wish you would feel +inclined to come down to it, that to so many charms with which +my little villa abounds, it might have the very considerable +addition of your company to recommend it. Farewell. + +XXIV + +To CEREALIS + +You advise me to read my late speech before an assemblage of my +friends. I shall do so, as you advise it, though I have strong +scruples. Compositions of this sort lose, I well know, all their force +and fire, and even their very name almost, by a mere recital. It is +the solemnity of the tribunal, the concourse of advocates, the +suspense of the event, the fame of the several pleaders concerned, +the different parties formed amongst the audience; add to this the +gestures, the pacing, aye the actual running, to and fro, of the +speaker, the body working43 in harmony with every inward +emotion, that conspire to give a spirit and a grace to what he +delivers. This is the reason that those who plead sitting, though +they retain most of the advantages possessed by those who stand +up to plead, weaken the whole force of their oratory. The eyes and +hands of the reader, those important instruments of graceful +elocution, being engaged, it is no wonder that the attention of the +audience droops, without anything extrinsic to keep it up, no +allurernents of gesture to attract, no smart, stinging impromptus to +enliven. To these general considerations I must add this particular +disadvantage which attends the speech in question, that it is of the +argumentative kind; and it is natural for an author to infer that +what he wrote with labour will not be read with pleasure. For who +is there so unprejudiced as not to prefer the attractive and sonorous +to the sombre and unornamented in style? It is very unreasonable +that there should be any distinction; however, it is certain the +judges generally expect one style of pleading, and the audience +another; whereas an auditor ought to be affected only by those +parts which would especially strike him, were he in the place of +the judge. Nevertheless it is possible the objections which lie +against this piece may be surmounted in consideration of the +novelty it has to recommend it: the novelty I mean with respect to +us; for the Greek orators have a method of reasoning upon a +different occasion, not altogether unlike that which I have +employed. They, when they would throw out a law, as contrary to +some former one unrepealed, argue by comparing those together; +so I, on the contrary, endeavour to prove that the crime, which I +was insisting upon as falling within the intent and meaning of the +law relating to public extortions, was agreeable, not only to that +law, but likewise to other laws of the same nature. Those who are +ignorant of the jurisprudence of their country can have no taste for +reasonings of this kind, but those who are not ought to be +proportionably the more favourable in the judgments they pass +upon them. I shall endeavour, therefore, if you persist in my +reciting it, to collect as learned an audience as I can. But before +you determine this point, do weigh impartially the different +considerations I have laid before you, and then decide as reason +shall direct; for it is reason that must justify you; obedience to your +commands will be a sufficient apology for me. Farewell. + +XXV + +To CALVISIUS + +GIVE me a penny, and I will tell you a story "worth gold," or, +rather, you shall hear two or three; for one brings to my mind +another. It makes no difference with which I begin. Verania, the +widow of Piso, the Piso, I mean, whom Galba adopted, lay +extremely ill, and Regulus paid her a visit. By the way, mark the +assurance of the man, visiting a lady who detested him herself, and +to whose husband he was a declared enemy! Even barely to enter +her house would have been bad enough, but he actually went and +seated himself by her bed-side and began enquiring on what day +and hour she was born. Being informed of these important +particulars, he composes his countenance, fixes his eyes, mutters +something to himself, counts upon his fingers, and all this merely +to keep the poor sick lady in suspense. When he had finished, +"You are," he says, "in one of your climacterics; however, you will +get over it. But for your greater satisfaction, I will consult with a +certain diviner, whose skill I have frequently experienced." +Accordingly off he goes, performs a sacrifice, and returns with the +strongest assurances that the omens confirmed what he had +promised on the part of the stars. Upon this the good woman, +whose danger made her credulous, calls for her will and gives +Regulus a legacy. She grew worse shortly after this; and in her last +moments exclaimed against this wicked, treacherous, and worse +than perjured wretch, who had sworn falsely to her by his own +son's life. But imprecations of this sort are as common with +Regulus as they are impious; and he continually devotes that +unhappy youth to the curse of those gods whose vengeance his +own frauds every day provoke. + +Velleius Blaesus, a man of consular rank, and remarkable for his +immense wealth, in his last illness was anxious to make some +alterations in his will. Regulus, who had lately endeavoured to +insinuate himself into his good graces, hoped to get something +from the new will, and accordingly addresses himself to his +physicians, and conjures them to exert all their skill to prolong the +poor man's life. But after the will was signed, he changes his +character, reversing his tone: "How long," says he to these very +same physicians, "do you intend keeping this man in misery? Since +you cannot preserve his life, why do you grudge him the happy +release of death ?" Blaesus dies, and, as if he had overheard every +word that Regulus had said, has not left him one farthing.--And +now have you had enough? or are you for the third, according to +rhetorical canon? If so, Regulus will supply you. You must know, +then, that Aurelia, a lady of remarkable accomplishments, +purposing to execute her will,44 had put on her smartest dress for +the occasion. Regulus, who was present as a witness, turned to the +lady, and "Pray," says he, "leave me these fine clothes." Aurelia +thought the man was joking: but he insisted upon it perfectly +seriously, and, to be brief, obliged her to open her will, and insert +the dress she had on as a legacy to him, watching as she wrote, and +then looking over it to see that it was all down correctly. Aurelia, +however, is still alive: though Regulus, no doubt, when he solicited +this bequest, expected to enjoy it pretty soon. The fellow gets +estates, he gets legacies, conferred upon him, as if he really +deserved them! But why should I go on dwelling upon this in a city +where wickedness and knavery have, for this time past, received, +the same, do I say, nay, even greater encouragement, than modesty +and virtue? Regulus is a glaring instance of this truth, who, from a +state of poverty, has by a train of villainies acquired such immense +riches that he once told me, upon consulting the omens to know +how soon he should be worth sixty millions of sesterces,45 he +found them so favourable as to portend he should possess double +that sum. And possibly he may, if he continues to dictate wills for +other people in this way: a sort of fraud, in my opinion, the most +infamous of any. Farewell. + +XXVI + +To CALVISIUS + +I NEVER, I think, spent any time more agreeably than my time +lately with Spurinna. So agreeably, indeed, that if ever I should +arrive at old age, there is no man whom I would sooner choose for +my model, for nothing can be more perfect in arrangement than his +mode of life. I look upon order in human actions, especially at that +advanced age, with the same sort of pleasure as I behold the settled +course of the heavenly bodies. In young men, indeed, a little +confusion and disarrangement is all well enough: but in age, when +business is unseasonable, and ambition indecent, all should be +composed and uniform. This rule Spurinna observes with the most +religious consistency. Even in those matters which one might call +insignificant, were they not of every-day occurrence, he observes a +certain periodical season and method. The early morning he passes +on his couch; at eight he calls for his slippers, and walks three +miles, exercising mind and body together. On his return, if he has +any friends in the house with him, he gets upon some entertaining +and interesting topic of conversation; if by himself, some book is +read to him, sometimes when visitors are there even, if agreeable +to the company. Then he has a rest, and after that either takes up a +book or resumes his conversation in preference to reading. +By-and-by he goes out for a drive in his carriage, either with his +wife, a most admirable woman, or with some friend: a happiness +which lately was mine.--How agreeable, how delightf~il it is +getting a quiet time alone with him in this way! You could imagine +you were listening to some worthy of ancient times! What deeds, +what men you hear about, and with what noble precepts you are +imbued! Yet all delivered with so modest an air that there is not +the least appearance of dictating. When be has gone about seven +miles, he gets out of his chariot and walks a mile more, after +which he returns home, and either takes a rest or goes back to his +couch and writing. For he composes most elegant lyrics both in +Greek and Latin. So wonderfully soft, sweet, and gay they are, +while the author's own unsullied life lends them additional charm. +When the baths are ready, which in winter is about three o'clock, +and in summer about two, he undresses himself and, if their +happen to be no wind, walks for some time in the sun. After this he +has a good brisk game of tennis: for by this sort of exercise too, he +combats the effects of old age. When he has bathed, he throws +himself upon his couch, but waits a little before he begins eating, +and in the meanwhile has some light and entertaining author read +to him. In this, as in all the rest, his friends are at full liberty to +share; or to employ themselves in any other way, just as they +prefer. You sit down to an elegant dinner, without extravagant +display, which is served up in antique plate of pure silver. He has +another complete service in Corinthian metal, which, though he +admires as a curiosity, is far from being his passion. During dinner +he is frequently entertained with the recital of some dramatic +piece, by way of seasoning his very pleasures with study; and +although he continues at the table, even in summer, till the night is +somewhat advanced, yet he prolongs the entertainment with so +much affability and politeness that none of his guests ever finds it +tedious. By this method of living he has preserved all his senses +entire, and his body vigorous and active to his seventy-eighth year, +without showing any sign of old age except wisdom. This is the +sort of life I ardently aspire after; as I purpose enjoying it when I +shall arrive at those years which will justify a retreat from active +life. Meanwhile I am embarrassed with a thousand affairs, in +which Spurinna is at once my support and my example: for he too, +so long as it became him, discharged his professional duties, held +magistracies, governed provinces, and by toiling hard earned the +repose he now enjoys. I propose to myself the same career and the +same limits: and I here give it to you under my hand that I do so. If +an ill-timed ambition should carry me beyond those bounds, +produce this very letter of mine in court against me; and condemn +me to repose, whenever I enjoy it without being reproached with +indolence. Farewell. + +XXVII + +To BAEBIUS MACER + +IT gives me great pleasure to find you such a reader of my uncle's +works as to wish to have a complete collection of them, and to ask +me for the names of them all. I will act as index then, and you +shall know the very order in which they were written, for the +studious reader likes to know this. The first work of his was a +treatise in one volume, "On the Use of the Dart by Cavalry"; this +he wrote when in command of one of the cavalry corps of our +allied troops, and is drawn up with great care and ingenuity. "The +Life of Pomponius Secundus,"46 in two volumes. Pomponius had +a great affection for him, and he thought he owed this tribute to his +memory. "The History of the Wars in Germany," in twenty books, +in which he gave an account of all the battles we were engaged in +against that nation. A dream he had while serving in the army in +Germany first suggested the design of this work to him. He +imagined that Drusus Nero47 (who extended his conquest very far +into that country, and there lost his life) appeared to him in his +sleep, and entreated him to rescue his memory from oblivion. Next +comes a work entitled "The Student," in three parts, which from +their length spread into six volumes: a work in which is discussed +the earliest training and subsequent education of the orator. +"Questions of Grammar and Style," in eight books, written in the +latter part of Nero's reign, when the tyranny of the times made it +dangerous to engage in literary pursuits requiring freedom and +elevation of tone. He has completed the history which Aufidius +Bassus48 left unfinished, and has added to it thirty books. And +lastly he has left thirty-seven books on Natural History, a work of +great compass and learning, and as full of variety as nature herself. +You will wonder how a man as busy as he was could find time to +compose so many books, and some of them too involving such +care and labour. But you will be still more surprised when you +hear that he pleaded at the bar for some time, that he died in his +sixty-sixth year, that the intervening time was employed partly in +the execution of the highest official duties, partly in attendance +upon those emperors who honoured him with their friendship. But +he had a quick apprehension, marvellous power of application, and +was of an exceedingly wakeful temperament. He always began to +study at midnight at the time of the feast of Vulcan, not for the +sake of good luck, but for learning's sake; in winter generally at +one in the morning, but never later than two, and often at +twelve.49 He was a most ready sleeper, insomuch that he would +sometimes, whilst in the midst of his studies, fall off and then +wake up again. Before day-break he used to wait upon Vespasian' +(who also used his nights for transacting business in), and then +proceed to execute the orders he had received. As soon as +hereturnedhome, he gave what time was left to study. After a short +and light refreshment at noon (agreeably to the good old custom of +our ancestors) he would frequently in the summer, if he was +disengaged from business, lie down and bask in the sun; during +which time some author was read to him, while he took notes and +made extracts, for every book he read he made extracts out of, +indeed it was a maxim of his, that "no book was so bad but some +good might be got out of it." When this was over, he generally took +a cold bath, then some light refreshment and a little nap. After this, +as if it had been a new day, he studied till supper-time, when a +book was again read to him, which he would take down running +notes upon. I remember once his reader having mis-pronounced a +word, one of my uncle's friends at the table made him go back to +where the word was and repeat it again; upon which my uncle said +to his friend, "Surely you understood it?" Upon his acknowledging +that he did, "Why then," said he, "did you make him go back +again? We have lost more than ten lines by this interruption." Such +an economist he was of time! In the summer he used to rise from +supper at daylight, and in winter as soon as it was dark: a rule he +observed as strictly as if it had been a law of the state. Such was +his manner of life amid the bustle and turmoil of the town: but in +the country his whole time was devoted to study, excepting only +when he bathed. In this exception I include no more than the time +during which he was actually in the bath; for all the while he was +being rubbed and wiped, he was employed either in hearing some +book read to him or in dictating himself. In going about anywhere, +as though he were disengaged from all other business, he applied +his mind wholly to that single pursuit. A shorthand writer +constantly attended him, with book and tablets, who, in the winter, +wore a particular sort of warm gloves, that the sharpness of the +weather might not occasion any interruption to my uncle's studies: +and for the same reason, when in Rome, he was always carried in a +chair. I recollect his once taking me to task for walking. "You need +not," he said, "lose these hours." For he thought every hour gone +that was not given to study. Through this extraordinary application +he found time to compose the several treatises I have mentioned, +besides one hundred and sixty volumes of extracts which he left +me in his will, consisting of a kind of common-place, written on +both sides, in very small hand, so that one might fairly reckon the +number considerably more. He used himself to tell us that when he +was comptroller of the revenue in Spain, he could have sold these +manuscripts to Largius Licinus for four hundred thousand +sesterces,50 and then there were not so many of them. When you +consider the books he has read, and the volumes he has written, are +you not inclined to suspect that he never was engaged in public +duties or was ever in the confidence of his prince? On the other +hand, when you are told how indefatigable he was in his studies, +are you not inclined to wonder that he read and wrote no more +than he did? For, on one side, what obstacles would not the +business of a court throw in his way? and on the other, what is it +that such intense application might not effect? It amuses me then +when I hear myself called a studious man, who in comparison with +him am the merest idler. But why do I mention myself, who am +diverted from these pursuits by numberless affairs both public and +private? Who amongst those whose whole lives are devoted to +literary pursuits would not blush and feel himself the most +confirmed of sluggards by the side of him? I see I have run out my +letter farther than I had originally intended, which was only to let +you know, as you asked me, what works he had left behind him. +But I trust this will be no less acceptable to you than the books +themselves, as it may, possibly, not only excite your curiosity to +read his works, but also your emulation to copy his example, by +some attempts of a similar nature. Farewell. + +XXVIII + +To ANNIUS SEVERUS + +I HAVE lately purchased with a legacy that was left me a small +statue of Corinthian brass. It is small indeed, but elegant and +life-like, as far as I can form any judgment, which most certainly +in matters of this sort, as perhaps in all others, is extremely +defective. However, I do see the beauties of this figure: for, as it is +naked the faults, if there be any, as well as the perfections, are the +more observable. It represents an old man, in an erect attitude. The +bones, muscles, veins, and the very wrinkles, give the Impression +of breathing life. The hair is thin and failing, the forehead broad, +the face shrivelled, the throat lank, the arms loose and hanging, the +breast shrunken, and the belly fallen in, as the whole turn and air +of the figure behind too is equally expressive of old age. It appears +to be true antique, judging from the colour of the brass. In short, it +is such a masterpiece as would strike the eyes of a connoisseur, +and which cannot fail to charm an ordinary observer: and this +induced me, who am an absolute novice in this art, to buy it. But I +did so, not with any intention of placing it in my own house (for I +have nothing of the kind there), but with a design of fixing it in +some conspicuous place in my native province; I should like it best +in the temple of Jupiter, for it is a gift well worthy of a temple, +well worthy of a god. I desire therefore you would, with that care +with which you always perform my requests, undertake this +commission and give immediate orders for a pedestal to be made +for it, out of what marble you please, but let my name be engraved +upon it, and, if you think proper to add these as well, my titles. I +will send the statue by the first person I can find who will not mind +the trouble of it; or possibly (which I am sure you will like better) I +may myself bring it along with me: for I intend, if business can +spare me that is to say, to make an excursion over to you. I see joy +in your looks when I promise to come; but you will soon change +your countenance when I add, only for a few days: for the same +business that at present keeps me here will prevent my making a +longer stay. Farewell. + +XXIX + +To CANINIUS RUFUS + +I HAVE just been informed that Silius Italicus51 has starved +himself to death, at his villa near Naples. Ill-health was the cause. +Being troubled with an incurable cancerous humour, he grew +weary of life and therefore put an end to it with a determination +not to be moved. He had been extremely fortunate all through his +life with the exception of the death of the younger of his two sons; +however, he has left behind him the elder and the worthier man of +the two in a position of distinction, having even attained consular +rank. His reputation had suffered a little in Nero's time, as he was +suspected of having officiously joined in some of the informations +in that reign; but he used his interest with Vitellius, with great +discretion and humanity. He acquired considerable honour by his +administration of the government of Asia, and, by his good +conduct after his retirement from business, cleared his character +from that stain which his former public exertions had thrown upon +it. He lived as a private nobleman, without power, and +consequently without envy. Though he was frequently confined to +his bed, and always to his room, yet he was highly respected, and +much visited; not with an interested view, but on his own account. +He employed his time between conversing with literary men and +composing verses; which he sometimes read out, by way of testing +the public opinion: but they evidence more industry than genius. In +the decline of his years he entirely quitted Rome, and lived +altogether in Campania, from whence even the accession of the +new emperor52 could not draw him. A circumstance which I +mention as much to the honour of Caesar, who was not displeased +with that liberty, as of Italicus, who was not afraid to make use of +it. He was reproached with indulging his taste for the fine arts at an +immoderate expense. He had several villas in the same province, +and the last purchase was always the especial favourite, to the +neglect of all the rest, These residences overflowed with books, +statues, and pictures, which he more than enjoyed, he even adored; +particularly that of Virgil, of whom he was so passionate an +admirer that he celebrated the anniversary of that poet's birthday +with more solemnity than his own, at Naples especially where he +used to approach his tomb as if it had been a temple. In this +tranquillity he passed his seventyfifth year, with a delicate rather +than an infirm constitution. + +As he was the last person upon whom Nero conferred the consular +office, so he was the last survivor of all those who had been raised +by him to that dignity. It is also remarkable that, as he was the last +to die of Nero's consuls, so Nero died when he was consul. +Recollecting this, a feeling of pity for the transitory condition of +mankind comes over me. Is there anything in nature so short and +limited as human life, even at its longest? Does it not seem to you +but yesterday that Nero was alive? And yet not one of all those +who were consuls in his reign now remains! Though why should I +wonder at this? Lucius Piso (the father of that Piso who was so +infamously assassinated by Valerius Festus in Africa) used to say, +he did not see one person in the senate whose opinion he had +consulted when he was consul: in so short a space is the very term +of life of such a multitude of beings comprised! so that to me those +royal tears seem not only worthy of pardon but of praise. For it is +said that Xerxes, on surveying his immense army, wept at the +reflection that so many thousand lives would in such a short space +of time be extinct. The more ardent therefore should be our zeal to +lengthen out this frail and transient portion of existence, if not by +our deeds (for the opportunities of this are not in our power) yet +certainly by our literary accomplishments; and since long life is +denied us, let us transmit to posterity some memorial that we have +at least LIVED. I well know you need no incitements, but the +warmth of my affection for you inclines me to urge you on in the +course you are already pursuing, just as you have so often urged +me. "Happy rivalry" when two friends strive in this way which of +them shall animate the other most in their mutual pursuit of +immortal fame. Farewell. + +XXX + +To SPURINNA AND COTTIA53 + +I DID not tell you, when I paid you my last visit, that I had +composed something in praise of your son; because, in the first +place, I wrote it not for the sake of talking about my performance, +but simply to satisfy my affection, to console my sorrow for the +loss of him. Again, as you told me, my dear Spurinna, that you had +heard I had been reciting a piece of mine, I imagined you had also +heard at the same time what was the subject of the recital, and +besides I was afraid of casting a gloom over your cheerfulness in +that festive season, by reviving the remembrance of that heavy +sorrow. And even now I have hesitated a little whether I should +gratify you both, in your joint request, by sending only what I +recited, or add to it what I am thinking of keeping back for another +essay. It does not satisfy my feelings to devote only one little tract +to a memory so dear and sacred to me, and it seemed also more to +the interest of his fame to have it thus disseminated by separate +pieces. But the consideration, that it will be more open and +friendly to send you the whole now, rather than keep back some of +it to another time, has determined me to do the former, especially +as I have your promise that it shall not be communicated by either +of you to anyone else, until I shall think proper to publish it. The +only remaining favour I ask is, that you will give me a proof of the +same unreserve by pointing out to me what you shall judge would +be best altered, omitted, or added. It is difficult for a mind in +affliction to concentrate itself upon such little cares. However, as +you would direct a painter or sculptor who was representing the +figure of your son what parts he should retouch or express, so I +hope you will guide and inform my hand in this more durable or +(as you are pleased to think it) this immortal likeness which I am +endeavouring to execute: for the truer to the original, the more +perfect and finished it is, so much the more lasting it is likely to +prove. Farewell. + +XXXI + +To JULIUS GENIT0R + +IT is just like the generous disposition of Artemidorus to magnify +the kindnesses of his friends; hence he praises my deserts (though +he is really indebted to me) beyond their due. It is true indeed that +when the philosophers were expelled from Rome,54 I visited him +at his house near the city, and ran the greater risk in paying him +that civility, as it was more noticeable then, I being praetor at the +time. I supplied him too with a considerable sum to pay certain +debts he had contracted upon very honourable occasions, without +charging interest, though obliged to borrow the money myself, +while the rest of his rich powerful friends stood by hesitating about +giving him assistance. I did this at a time when seven of my friends +were either executed or banished; Senecio, Rusticus, and Helvidius +having just been put to death, while Mauricus, Gratilla, Arria, and +Fannia, were sent into exile; and scorched as it were by so many +lightning-bolts of the state thus hurled and flashing round me, I +augured by no uncertain tokens my own impending doom. But I do +not look upon myself, on that account, as deserving of the high +praises my friend bestows upon me: all I pretend to is the being +clear of the infamous guilt of abandoning him in his misfortunes. I +had, as far as the differences between our ages would admit, a +friendship for his father-in-law Musonius, whom I both loved and +esteemed, while Artemidorus himself I entered into the closest +intimacy with when I was serving as a military tribune in Syria. +And I consider as a proof that there is some good in me the fact of +my being so early capable of appreciating a man who is either a +philosopher or the nearest resemblance to one possible; for I am +sure that, amongst all those who at the present day call themselves +philosophers, you will find hardly any one of them so full of +sincerity and truth as he. I forbear to mention how patient he is of +heat and cold alike, how indefatigable in labour, how abstemious +in his food, and what an absolute restraint he puts upon all his +appetites; for these qualities, considerable as they would certainly +be in any other character, are less noticeable by the side of the rest +of those virtues of his which recommended him to Musonius for a +son-in-law, in preference to so many others of all ranks who paid +their addresses to his daughter. And when I think of all these +things, I cannot help feeling pleasurably affected by those +unqualified terms of praise in which he speaks of me to you as +well as to everyone else. I am only apprehensive lest the warmth of +his kind feeling carry him beyond the due limits; for he, who is so +free from all other errors, is apt to fall into just this one +good-natured one, of overrating the merits of his friends. Farewell. + +XXXII + +To CATILIUS SEVERUS + +I WILL come to supper, but must make this agreement beforehand, +that I go when I please, that you treat me to nothing expensive, and +that our conversation abound only in Socratic discourse, while +even that in moderation. There are certain necessary visits of +ceremony, bringing people out before daylight, which Cato himself +could not safely fall in with; though I must confess that Julius +Caesar reproaches him with that circumstance in such a manner as +redounds to his praise; for he tells us that the persons who met him +reeling home blushed at the discovery, and adds, "You would have +thought that Cato had detected them, and not they Cato." Could he +place the dignity of Cato in a stronger light than by representing +him thus venerable even in his cups? But let our supper be as +moderate in regard to hours as in the preparation and expense: for +we are not of such eminent reputation that even our enemies +cannot censure our conduct without applauding it at the same time. +Farewell. + +XXXIII + +To ACILIUS + +THE atrocious treatment that Largius Macedo, a man of praetorian +rank, lately received at the hands of his slaves is so extremely +tragical that it deserves a place rather in public history than in a +private letter; though it must at the same time be acknowledged +there was a haughtiness and severity in his behaviour towards them +which shewed that he little remembered, indeed almost entirely +forgot, the fact that his own father had once been in that station of +life. He was bathing at his Formian Villa, when he found himself +suddenly surrounded by his slaves; one seizes him by the throat, +another strikes him on the mouth, whilst others trampled upon his +breast, stomach, and even other parts which I need not mention. +When they thought the breath must be quite out of his body, they +threw him down upon the heated pavement of the bath, to try +whether he were still alive, where he lay outstretched and +motionless, either really insensible or only feigning to be so, upon +which they concluded him to be actually dead. In this condition +they brought him out, pretending that he had got suffocated by the +heat of the bath. Some of his more trusty servants received him, +and his mistresses came about him shrieking and lamenting. The +noise of their cries and the fresh air, together, brought him a little +to himself; he opened his eyes, moved his body, and shewed them +(as he now safely might) that he was not quite dead. The murderers +immediately made their escape; but most of them have been +caught again, and they are after the rest. He was with great +difficulty kept alive for a few days, and then expired, having +however the satisfaction of finding himself as amply revenged in +his lifetime as he would have been after his death. Thus you see to +what affronts, indignities, and dangers we are exposed. Lenity and +kind treatment are no safeguard; for it is malice and not reflection +that arms such ruffians against their masters. So much for this +piece of news. And what else? What else? Nothing else, or you +should hear it, for I have still paper, and time too (as it is holiday +time with me) to spare for more, and I can tell you one further +circumstance relating to Macedo, which now occurs to me. As he +was in a public bath once, at Rome, a remarkable, and (judging +from the manner of his death) an ominous, accident happened to +him. A slave of his, in order to make way for his master, laid his +hand gently upon a Roman knight, who, turning suddenly round, +struck, not the slave who had touched him, but Macedo, so violent +a blow with his open palm that he almost knocked him down. Thus +the bath by a kind of gradation proved fatal to him; being first the +scene of an indignity he suffered, afterwards the scene of his death. +Farewell. + +XXXIV + +To NEPOS + +I HAVE constantly observed that amongst the deeds and sayings of +illustrious persons of either sex, some have made more noise in the +world, whilst others have been really greater, although less talked +about; and I am confirmed in this opinion by a conversation I had +yesterday with Fannia. This lady is a grand-daughter to that +celebrated Arria, who animated her husband to meet death, by her +own glorious example. She informed me of several particulars +relating to Arria, no less heroic than this applauded action of hers, +though taken less notice of, and I think you will be as surprised to +read the account of them as I was to hear it. Her husband Caecinna +Paetus, and her son, were both attacked at the same time with a +fatal illness, as was supposed; of which the son died, a youth of +remarkable beauty, and as modest as he was comely, endeared +indeed to his parents no less by his many graces than from the fact +of his being their son. His mother prepared his funeral and +conducted the usual ceremonies so privately that Paetus did not +know of his death. Whenever she came into his room, she +pretended her son was alive and actually better: and as often as he +enquired after his health, would answer, "He has had a good rest, +and eaten his food with quite an appetite." Then when she found +the tears, she had so long kept back, gushing forth in spite of +herself, she would leave the room, and having given vent to her +grief, return with dry eyes and a serene countenance, as though she +had dismissed every feeling of bereavement at the door of her +husband's chamber. I must confess it was a brave action55 in her to +draw the steel, plunge it into her breast, pluck out the dagger, and +present it to her husband with that ever memorable, I had almost +said that divine, expression, "Paetus, it is not painful." But when +she spoke and acted thus, she had the prospect of glory and +immortality before her; how far greater, without the support of any +such animating motives, to hide her tears, to conceal her grief, and +cheerfully to act the mother, when a mother no more! + +Scribonianus had taken up arms in Illyria against Clatidius, where +he lost his life, and Paetus, who was of his party, was brought a +prisoner to Rome. When they were going to put him on board ship, +Arria besought the soldiers that she might be permitted to attend +him: "For surely," she urged, "you will allow a man of consular +rank some servants to dress him, attend to him at meals, and put +his shoes on for him; but if you will take me, I alone will perform +all these offices." Her request was refused; upon which she hired a +fishing-boat, and in that small vessel followed the ship. On her +return to Rome, meeting the wife of Scribonianus in the emperor's +palace, at the time when this woman voluntarily gave evidence +against the conspirators--" What," she exclaimed, "shall I hear you +even speak to me, you, on whose bosom your husband +Scribonjanus was murdered, and yet you survive him? "--an +expression which plainly shews that the noble manner in which +she put an end to her life was no unpremeditated effect of sudden +passion. Moreover, when Thrasea, her son-in-law, was +endeavouring to dissuade her from her purpose of destroying +herself, and, amongst other arguments which he used, said to her, +"Would you then advise your daughter to die with me if my life +were to be taken from me?" "Most certainly I would," she replied, +"if she had lived as long, and in as much harmony with you, as I +have with my Paetus." This answer greatly increased the alarm of +her family, and made them watch her for the future more narrowly; +which, when she perceived, "It is of no use," she said, "you may +oblige me to effect my death in a more painful way, but it is +impossible you should prevent it." Saying this, she sprang from her +chair, and running her head with the utmost violence against the +wall, fell down, to all appearance, dead; but being brought to +herself again, "I told you," she said, "if you would not suffer me to +take an easy path to death, I should find a way to it, however hard." +Now, is there not, my friend, something much greater in all this +than in the so-much-talked-of "Paetus, it is not painful," to which +these led the way? And yet this last is the favourite topic of fame, +while all the former are passed over in silence. Whence I cannot +but infer, what I observed at the beginning of my letter, that some +actions are more celebrated, whilst others are really greater. + +XXXV + +To SEVERUS + +I WAS obliged by my consular office to compliment the +emperor56 in the name of the republic; but after I had performed +that ceremony in the senate in the usual manner, and as fully as the +time and place would allow, I thought it agreeable to the affection +of a good subject to enlarge those general heads, and expand them +into a complete discourse. My principal object in doing so was, to +confirm the emperor in his virtues, by paying them that tribute of +applause which they so justly deserve; and at the same time to +direct future princes, not in the formal way of lecture, but by his +more engaging example, to those paths they must pursue if they +would attain the same heights of glory. To instruct princes how to +form their conduct, is a noble, but difficult task, and may, perhaps, +be esteemed an act of presumption: but to applaud the character of +an accomplished prince, and to hold out to posterity, by this +means, a beacon-light as it were, to guide succeeding monarchs, is +a method equally useful, and much more modest. It afforded me a +very singular pleasure that when I wished to recite this panegyric +in a private assemby, my friends gave me their company, though I +did not solicit them in the usual form of notes or circulars, but only +desired their attendance, "should it be quite convenient to them," +and "if they should happen to have no other engagement." You +know the excuses generally made at Rome to avoid invitations of +this kind; how prior invitations are usually alleged; yet, in spite of +the worst possible weather, they attended the recital for two days +together; and when I thought it would be unreasonable to detain +them any longer, they insisted upon my going through with it the +next day. Shall I consider this as an honour done to myself or to +literature? Rather let me suppose to the latter, which, though +well-nigh extinct, seems to be now again reviving amongst us. Yet +what was the subject which raised this uncommon attention? No +other than what formerly, even in the senate, where we had to +submit to it, we used to grudge even a few moments' attention to. +But now, you see, we have patience to recite and to attend to the +same topic for three days together; and the reason of this is, not +that we have more eloquent writing now than formerly, but we +write under a fuller sense of individual freedom, and consequently +more genially than we used to. It is an additional glory therefore to +our present emperor that this sort of harangue, which was once as +disgusting as it was false, is now as pleasing as it is sincere. But it +was not only the earnest attention of my audience which afforded +me pleasure; I was greatly delighted too with the justness of their +taste: for I observed, that the more nervous parts of my discourse +gave them peculiar satisfaction. It is true, indeed, this work, which +was written for the perusal of the world in general, was read only +to a few; however, I would willingly look upon their particular +judgment as an earnest of that of the public, and rejoice at their +manly taste as if it were universally spread. It was just the same in +eloquence as it was in music, the vitiated ears of the audience +introduced a depraved style; but now, I am inclined to hope, as a +more refined judgment prevails in the public, our compositions of +both kinds will improve too; for those authors whose sole object is +to please will fashion their works according to the popular taste. I +trust, however, in subjects of this nature the florid style is most +proper; and am so far from thinking that the vivid colouring I have +used will be esteemed foreign and unnatural that I am most +apprehensive that censure will fall upon those parts where the +diction is most simple and unornate. Nevertheless, I sincerely wish +the time may come, and that it now were, when the smooth and +luscious, which has affected our style, shall give place, as it ought, +to severe and chaste composition.--Thus have I given you an +account of my doings of these last three days, that your absence +might not entirely deprive you of a pleasure which, from your +friendship to me, and the part you take in everything that concerns +the interest of literature, I know you would have received, had you +been there to hear. Farewell. + +XXXVI + +To CALVISIUS RUFUS + +I MUST have recourse to you, as usual, in an affair which +concerns my finances. An estate adjoining my land, and indeed +running into it, is for sale. There are several considerations +strongly inclining me to this purchase, while there are others no +less weighty deterring me from it. Its first recommendation is, the +beauty which will result from uniting this farm to my own lands; +next, the advantage as well as pleasure of being able to visit it +without additional trouble and expense; to have it superintended +by the same steward, and almost by the same sub-agents, and to +have one villa to support and embellish, the other just to keep in +common repair. I take into this account furniture, housekeepers, +fancy-gardeners, artificers, and even hunting-apparatus, as it +makes a very great difference whether you get these altogether into +one place or scatter them about in several. On the other hand, I +don't know whether it is prudent to expose so large a property to +the same climate, and the same risks of accident happening; to +distribute one's possessions about seems a safer way of meeting the +caprice of fortune, besides, there is something extremely pleasant +in the change of air and place, and the going about between one's +properties. And now, to come to the chief consideration:--the lands +are rich, fertile, and well-watered, consisting chiefly of +meadow-ground, vineyard, and wood, while the supply of building +timber and its returns, though moderate, still, keep at the same +rate. But the soil, fertile as it is, has been much impoverished by +not having been properly looked after. The person last in +possession used frequently to seize and sell the stock, by which +means, although he lessened his tenants' arrears for the time being, +yet he left them nothing to go on with and the arrears ran up again +in consequence. I shall be obliged, then, to provide them with +slaves, which I must buy, and at a higher than the usual price, as +these will be good ones; for I keep no fettered slaves57 myself, +and there are none upon the estate. For the rest, the price, you must +know, is three millions of sesterces.58 It has formerly gone over +five millions,59 but owing, partly to the general hardness of the +times, and partly to its being thus stripped of tenants, the income +of this estate is reduced, and consequently its value. You will be +inclined perhaps to enquire whether I can easily raise the +purchase-money? My estate, it is true, is almost entirely in land, +though I have some money out at interest; but I shall find no +difficulty in borrowing any sum I may want. I can get it from my +wife's mother, whose purse I may use with the same freedom as +my own; so that you need not trouble yourself at all upon that +point, should you have no other objections, which I should like you +very carefully to consider: for, as in everything else, so, +particularly in matters of economy, no man has more judgment and +experience than yourself. Farewell. + +XXXVII + +To CORNELIUS PRISCUS + +I HAVE just heard of Valerius Martial's death, which gives me +great concern. He was a man of an acute and lively genius, and his +writings abound in equal wit, satir~, and kindliness. On his leaving +Rome I made him a present to defray his travelling expenses, +which I gave him, not only as a testimony of friendship, but also in +return for the verses with which he had complimented me. It was +the custom of the ancients to distinguish those poets with honours +or pecuniary rewards, who had celebrated particular individuals or +cities in their verses; but this good custom, along with every other +fair and noble one, has grown out of fashion now; and in +consequence of our having ceased to act laudably, we consider +praise a folly and impertinence. You may perhaps be curious to see +the verses which merited this acknowledgment from me, and I +believe I can, from memory, partly satisfy your curiosity, without +referring you to his works: but if you should be pleased with this +specimen of them, you must turn to his poems for the rest. He +addresses himself to his muse, whom he directs to go to my house +upon the Esquiline,60 but to approach it with respect. + +"Go, wanton muse, but go with care, +Nor meet, ill-tim'd, my Pliny's ear; +He, by sage Minerva taught, +Gives the day to studious thought, +And plans that eloquence divine, +Which shall to future ages shine, +And rival, wondrous Tully! thine. +Then, cautious, watch the vacant hour, +When Bacchus reigns in all his pow'r; +When, crowned with rosy chaplets gay, +Catos might read my frolic lay."61 + +Do you not think that the poet who wrote of me in such terms +deserved some friendly marks of my bounty then, and of my +sorrow now? For he gave me the very best he had to bestow, and +would have given more had it been in his power. Though indeed +what can a man have conferred on him more valuable than the +honour of never-fading praise? But his poems will not long survive +their author, at least I think not, though he wrote them in the +expectation of their doing so. Farewell. + +XXXVIII + +To FABATUS (HIS WIFE'S GRANDFATHER) + +You have long desired a visit from your grand-daughter62 +accompanied by me. Nothing, be assured, could be more agreeable +to either of us; for we equally wish to see you, and are determined +to delay that pleasure no longer. For this purpose we are already +packing up, and hastening to you with all the speed the roads will +permit of. We shall make only one, short, stoppage, for we intend +turning a little out of our way to go into Tuscany: not for the sake +of looking upon our estate, and into our family concerns, which we +can postpone to another opportunity, but to perform an +indispensable duty. There is a town near my estate, called +Tifernum-upon-the-Tiber,63 which, with more affection than +wisdom, put itself under my patronage when I was yet a youth. +These people celebrate my arrival among them, express the +greatest concern when I leave them, and have public rejoicings +whenever they hear of my preferments. By way of requiting their +kindnesses (for what generous mind can bear to be excelled in acts +of friendship?) I have built a temple in this place, at my own +expense, and as it is finished, it would be a sort of impiety to put +off its dedication any longer. So we shall be there on the day on +which that ceremony is to be performed, and I have resolved to +celebrate it with a general feast. We may possibly stay on there for +all the next day, but shall make so much the greater haste in our +journey afterwards. May we have the happiness to find you and +your daughter in good health! In good spirits I am sure we shall, +should we get to you all safely. Farewell. + +XXXIX + +To ATTIUS CLEMENS + +REGULUS has lost his son; the only undeserved misfortune which +could have befallen him, in that I doubt whether he thinks it a +misfortune. The boy had quick parts, but there was no telling how +he might turn out; however, he seemed capable enough of going +right, were he not to grow up like his father. Regulus gave him his +freedom,64 in order to entitle him to the estate left him by his +mother; and when he got into possession of it, (I speak of the +current rumours, based upon the character of the man,) fawned +upon the lad with a disgusting shew of fond affection which in a +parent was utterly out of place. You may hardly think this credible; +but then consider what Regulus is. However, he now expresses his +concern for the loss of this youth in a most extravagant manner. +The boy had a number of ponies for riding and driving, dogs both +big and little, together with nightingales, parrots, and blackbirds in +abundance. All these Regulus slew round the funeral pile. It was +not grief, but an ostentatious parade of grief. He is visited upon +this occasion by a surprising number of people, who all hate and +detest the man, and yet are as assiduous in their attendance upon +him as if they really esteemed and loved him, and, to give you my +opinion in a word, in endeavouring to do Regulus a kindness, +make themselves exactly like him. He keeps himself in his park on +the other side the Tiber, where he has covered a vast extent of +ground with his porticoes, and crowded all the shore with his +statues; for he unites prodigality with excessive covetousness, and +vain-glory with the height of infamy. At this very unhealthy time +of year he is boring society, and he feels pleasure and consolation +in being a bore. He says he wishes to marry,--a piece of perversity, +like all his other conduct. You must expect, therefore, to hear +shortly of the marriage of this mourner, the marriage of this old +man; too early in the former case, in the latter, too late. You ask +me why I conjecture this? Certainly not because he says so himself +(for a greater liar never stepped), but because there is no doubt that +Regulus will do whatever ought not to be done. Farewell. + +XL + +To CATIUS LEPIDUS + +I OFTEN tell you that there is a certain force of character about +Regulus: it is wonderful how he carries through what he has set his +mind to. He chose lately to be extremely concerned for the loss of +his son: accordingly he mourned for him as never man mourned +before. He took it into his head to have an immense number of +statues and pictures of him; immediately all the artisans in Rome +are set to work. Canvas, wax, brass, silver, gold, ivory, marble, all +exhibit the figure of the young Regulus. Not long ago he read, +before a numerous audience, a memoir of his son: a memoir of a +mere boy! However he read it. He wrote likewise a sort of circular +letter to the several Decurii desiring them to choose out one of +their order who had a strong clear voice, to read this eulogy to the +people; it has been actually done. Now had this force of character +or whatever else you may call a fixed determination in obtaining +whatever one has a mind for, been rightly applied, what infinite +good it might have effected! The misfortune is, there is less of this +quality about good people than about bad people, and as ignorance +begets rashness, and thoughtfulness produces deliberation, so +modesty is apt to cripple the action of virtue, whilst confidence +strengthens vice. Regulus is a case in point: he has a weak voice, +an awkward delivery, an indistinct utterance, a slow imagination, +and no memory; in a word, he possesses nothing but a sort of +frantic energy: and yet, by the assistance of a flighty turn and much +impudence, he passes as an orator. Herennius Senecio admirably +reversed Cato's definition of an orator, and applied it to Regulus: +"An orator," he said, "is a bad man, unskilled in the art of +speaking." And really Cato's definition is not a more exact +description of a true orator than Seneclo's is of the character of this +man. Would you make me a suitable return for this letter? Let me +know if you, or any of my friends in your town, have, like a stroller +in the marketplace, read this doleful production of Regulus's, +"raising," as Demosthenes says, "your voice most merrily, and +straining every muscle in your throat." For so absurd a +performance must excite laughter rather than compassion; and +indeed the composition is as puerile as the subject. Farewell. + +XLI + +To MATURUS ARRIANUS + +Mv advancement to the dignity of augur65 is an honour that justly +indeed merits your congratulations; not only because it is highly +honourable to receive, even in the slightest instances, a testimony +of the approbation of so wise and discreet a prince,66 but because +it is moreover an ancient and religious institution, which has this +sacred and peculiar privilege annexed to it, that it is for life. Other +sacerdotal offices, though they may, perhaps, be almost equal to +this one in dignity, yet as they are given so they may be taken away +again: but fortune has no further power over this than to bestow it. +What recommends this dignity still more highly is, that I have the +honour to succeed so illustrious a person as Julius Frontinus. He +for many years, upon the nomination-day of proper persons to be +received into the sacred college, constantly proposed me, as +though he had a view to electing me as his successor; and since it +actually proved so in the event, I am willing to look upon it as +something more than mere accident. But the circumstance, it +seems, that most pleases you in this affair, is, that Cicero enjoyed +the same post; and you rejoice (you tell me) to find that I follow +his steps as closely in the path of honours as I endeavour to do in +that of eloquence. I wish, indeed, that as I had the advantage of +being admitted earlier into the same order of priesthood, and into +the consular office, than Cicero, that so I might, in my later years, +catch some spark, at least, of his divine genius! The former, +indeed, being at man's disposal, may be conferred on me and on +many others, but the latter it is as presumptuous to hope for as it is +difficult to reach, being in the gift of heaven alone. Farewell. + +XLII + +To STATIUS SABINUS + +YOUR letter informs me that Sabina, who appointed you and me +her heirs, though she has nowhere expressly directed that +Modestus shall have his freedom, yet has left him a legacy in the +following words, "I give, &c.--To Modestus, whom I have ordered +to have his freedom": upon which you desire my opinion. I have +consulted skilful lawyers upon the point, and they all agree +Modestus is not entitled to his liberty, since it is not expressly +given, and consequently that the legacy is void, as being +bequeathed to a slave.67 But it evidently appears to be a mistake +in the testatrix; and therefore I think we ought to act in this case as +though Sabina had directed, in so many words, what, it is clear, +she had ordered. I am persuaded you will go with me in this +opinion, who so religiously regard the will of the deceased, which +indeed where it can be discovered will always be law to honest +heirs. Honour is to you and me as strong an obligation as the +compulsion of law is to others. Let Modestus then enjoy his +freedom and his legacy as fully as if Sabina had observed all the +requisite forms, as indeed they effectually do who make a +judicious choice of their heirs. Farewell. + +XLIII + +To CORNELIUS MINICIANUS + +HAVE you heard--I suppose, not yet, for the news has but just +arrived--that Valerius Licinianus has become a professor in Sicily? +This unfortunate person, who lately enjoyed the dignity of praetor, +and was esteemed the most eloquent of our advocates, is now +fallen from a senator to an exile, from an orator to a teacher of +rhetoric. Accordingly in his inaugural speech he uttered, +sorrowfully and solemnly, the following words: "Oh! Fortune, how +capriciously dost thou sport with mankind! Thou makest +rhetoricians of senators, and senators of rhetoricians !" A sarcasm +so poignant and full of gall that one might almost imagine he fixed +upon this profession merely for the sake of an opportunity of +applying it. And having made his first appearance in school, clad +in the Greek cloak (for exiles have no right to wear the toga), after +arranging himself and looking down upon his attire, "I am, +however," he said, "going to declaim in Latin." You will think, +perhaps, this situation, wretched and deplorable as it is, is what he +well deserves for having stained the honourable profession of an +orator with the crime of incest. It is true, indeed, he pleaded guilty +to the charge; but whether from a consciousness of his guilt, or +from an apprehension of worse consequences if he denied it, is not +clear; for Domitian generally raged most furiously where his +evidence failed him most hopelessly. That emperor had +determined that Cornelia, chief of the Vestal Virgins, should be +buried alive, from an extravagant notion that exemplary seventies +of this kind conferred lustre upon his reign. Accordingly, by virtue +of his office as supreme pontiff, or, rather, in the exercise of a +tyrant's cruelty, a despot's lawlessness, he convened the sacred +college, not in the pontifical court where they usually assemble, +but at his villa near Alba; and there, with a guilt no less heinous +than that which he professed to be punishing, he condemned her, +when she was not present to defend herself, on the charge of +incest, while he himself had been guilty, not only of debauching +his own brother's daughter, but was also accessory to her death: for +that lady, being a widow, in order to conceal her shame, +endeavoured to procure an abortion, and by that means lost her +life. However, the priests were directed to see the sentence +immediately executed upon Cornelia. As they were leading her to +the place of execution, she called upon Vesta, and the rest of the +gods, to attest her innocence; and, amongst other exclamations, +frequently cried out, "Is it possible that Caesar can think me +polluted, under the influence of whose sacred functions he has +conquered and triumphed?"69 Whether she said this in flattery or +derision; whether it proceeded from a consciousness of her +innocence, or contempt of the emperor, is uncertain; but she +continued exclaiming in this manner, till she came to the place of +execution, to which she was led, whether innocent or guilty I +cannot say, at all events with every appearance and demonstration +of innocence. As she was being lowered down into the +subterranean vault, her robe happening to catch upon something in +the descent, she turned round and disengaged it, when, the +executioner offering his assistance, she drew herself back with +horror, refusing to be so much as touched by him, as though it +were a defilement to her pure and unspotted chastity: still +preserving the appearance of sanctity up to the last moment; and, +among all the other instances of her modesty, + +"She took great care to fall with decency."70 + +Celer likewise, a Roman knight, who was accused of an intrigue +with her, while they were scourging him with rods71 in the Forum, +persisted in exclaiming, "What have I done?--I have done nothing." +These declarations of innocence had exasperated Domitian +exceedingly, as imputing to him acts of cruelty and injustice, +accordingly Licinianus being seized by the emperor's orders for +having concealed a freedwoman of Cornelia's in one of his estates, +was advised, by those who took him in charge, to confess the fact, +if he hoped to obtain a remission of his punishment, circumstance +to add further, that a young nobleman, having had his tunic torn, +an ordinary occurrence in a crowd, stood with his gown thrown +over him, to hear me, and that during the seven hours I was +speaking, whilst my success more than counterbalanced the fatigue +of so long a speech. So let us set to and not screen our own +indolence under pretence of that of the public. Never, be very sure +of that, will there be wanting hearers and readers, so long as we +can only supply them with speakers and writers worth their +attention. Farewell. + +XLV + +To ASINIUS + +You advise me, nay you entreat me, to undertake, in her absence, +the cause of Corellia, against C. Caecilius, consul elect. For your +advice I am grateful, of your entreaty I really must complain; +without the first, indeed, I should have been ignorant of this affair, +but the last was unnecessary, as I need no solicitations to comply, +where it would be ungenerous in me to refuse; for can I hesitate a +moment to take upon myself the protection of a daughter of +Corellius? It is true, indeed, though there is no particular intimacy +between her adversary and myself, still we are upon good enough +terms. It is also true that he is a person of rank, and one who has a +high claim upon my especial regard, as destined to enter upon an +office which I have had the honour to fill; and it is natural for a +man to be desirous those dignities should be held in the highest +esteem which he himself once possessed. Yet all these +considerations appear indifferent and trifling when I reflect that it +is the daughter of Corellius whom I am to defend. The memory of +that excellent person, than whom this age has not produced a man +of greater dignity, rectitude, and acuteness, is indelibly imprinted +upon my mind. My regard for him sprang from my admiration of +the man, and contrary to what is usually the case, my admiration +increased upon a thorough knowledge of him, and indeed I did +know him thoroughly, for he kept nothing back from me, whether +gay or serious, sad or joyous. When he was but a youth, he +esteemed, and (I will even venture to say) revered, me as if I had +been his equal. When I solicited any post of honour, he supported +me with his interest, and recommended me with his testimony; +when I entered upon it, he was my introducer and my companion; +when I exercised it, he was my guide and my counsellor. In a +word, whenever my interest was concerned, he exerted himself, in +spite of his weakness and declining years, with as much alacrity as +though he were still young and lusty. In private, in public, and at +court, how often has he advanced and supported my credit and +interest! It happened once that the conversation, in the presence of +the emperor Nerva, turned upon the promising young men of that +time, and several of the company present were pleased to mention +me with applause; he sat for a little while silent, which gave what +he said the greater weight; and then, with that air of dignity, to +which you are no stranger, "I must be reserved," said he, "in my +praises of Pliny, because he does nothing without advice." By +which single sentence he bestowed upon me more than my most +extravagant wishes could aspire to, as he represented my conduct +to be always such as wisdom must approve, since it was wholly +under the direction of one of the wisest of men. Even in his last +moments he said to his daughter (as she often mentions), "I have in +the course of a long life raised up many friends to you, but there +are none in whom you may more assuredly confide than Pliny and +Cornutus." A circumstance I cannot reflect upon without being +deeply sensible how incumbent it is upon me to endeavour not to +disappoint the confidence so excellent a judge of human nature +reposed in me. I shall therefore most readily give my assistance to +Corellia in this affair, and willingly risk any displeasure I may +incur by appearing in her behalf. Though I should imagine, if in +the course of my pleadings I should find an opportunity to explain +and enforce more fully and at large than the limits of a letter allow +of the reasons I have here mentioned, upon which I rest at once my +apology and my glory; her adversary (whose suit may perhaps, as +you say, be entirely without precedent, as it is against a woman) +will not only excuse, but approve, my conduct. Farewell. + +XLVI + +To HISPULLA + +As you are a model of all virtue, and loved your late excellent +brother, who had such a fondness for you, with an affection equal +to his own; regarding too his daughter72 as your child, not only +shewing her an aunt's tenderness but supplying the place of the +parent she had lost; I know it will give you the greatest pleasure +and joy to hear that she proves worthy of her father, her +grandfather, and yourself. She possesses an excellent +understanding together with a consummate prudence, and gives the +strongest evidence of the purity of her heart by her fondness of her +husband. Hcr affection for me, moreover, has given her a taste for +books, and my productions, which she takes a pleasure in reading, +and even in getting by heart, are continually in her hands. How full +of tender anxiety is she when I am going to speak in any case, how +rejoiced she feels when it is got through. While I am pleading, she +stations persons to inform her from time to time how I am heard, +what applauses I receive, and what success attends the case. When +I recite my works at any time, she conceals herself behind some +curtain, and drinks in my praises with greedy ears. She sings my +verses too, adapting them to her lyre, with no other master but +love, that best of instructors, for her guide. From these happy +circumstances I derive my surest hopes, that the harmony between +us will increase with our days, and be as lasting as our lives. For it +is not my youth or person, which time gradually impairs; it is my +honour and glory that she cares for. But what less could be +expected from one who was trained by your hands, and formed by +your instructions; who was early familiarized under your roof with +all that is pure and virtuous, and who learnt to love me first +through your praises? And as you revered my mother with all the +respect due even to a parent, so you kindly directed and +encouraged my tender years, presaging from that early period all +that my wife now fondly imagines I really am. Accept therefore of +our mutual thanks, mine, for your giving me her, hers for your +glaring her me; for you have chosen us out, as it were, for each +other. Farewell. + +XLVII + +To ROMATIUS FIASIUS + +Look here! The next time the court sits, you must, at all events, +take your place there. In vain would your indolence repose itself +under my protection, for there is no absenting oneself with +impunity. Look at that severe, determined, praetor, Licinius Nepos, +who fined even a senator for the same neglect! The senator +pleaded his cause in person, but in suppliant tone. The fine, it is +true, was remitted, but sore was his dismay, humble his +intercession, and he had to ask pardon. "All praetors are not so +severe as that," you will reply; you are mistaken--for though indeed +to be the author and reviver of an example of this kind may be an +act of severity, yet, once introduced, even lenity herself may +follow the precedent. Farewell. + +XLVIII + +To LICINIUS SURA + +I HAVE brought you as a little present out of the country a query +which well deserves the consideration of your extensive +knowledge. There is a spring which rises in a neighbouring +mountain, and running among the rocks is received into a little +banqueting-room, artificially formed for that purpose, from +whence, after being detained a short time, it falls into the Larian +lake. The nature of this spring is extremely curious; it ebbs and +flows regularly three times a day. The increase and decrease is +plainly visible, and exceedingly interesting to observe. You sit +down by the side of the fountain, and while you are taking a repast +and drinking its water, which is extremely cool, you see it +gradually rise and fall. If you place a ring, or anything else at the +bottom, when it is dry, the water creeps gradually up, first gently +washing, finally covering it entirely, and then little by little +subsides again. If you wait long enough, you may see it thus +alternately advance and recede three ssccessive times. Shall we say +that some secret current of air stops and opens the fountain-head, +first rushing in and checking the flow and then, driven back by the +counter-resistance of the water, escaping again; as we see in +bottles, and other vessels of that nature, where, there not being a +free and open passage, though you turn their necks perpendicularly +or obliquely downwards, yet, the outward air obstructing the vent, +they discharge their contents as it were by starts? Or, may not this +small collection of water be successively contracted and enlarged +upon the same principle as the ebb and flow of the sea? Or, again, +as those rivers which discharge themselves into the sea, meeting +with contrary winds and the swell of the ocean, are forced back in +their channels, so, in the same way, may there not be something +that checks this fountain, for a time, in its progress? Or is there +rather a certain reservoir that contains these waters in the bowels +of the earth, and while it is recruiting its discharges, the stream in +consequence flows more slowly and in less quantity, but, when it +has collected its due measure, runs on again in its usual strength +and fulness? Or lastly, is there I know not what kind of +subterranean counterpoise, that throws up the water when the +fountain is dry, and keeps it back when it is full? You, who are so +well qualified for the enquiry, will examine into the causes of this +wonderful phenomenon; it will be sufficient for me if I have given +you an adequate description of it. Farewell. + +XLIX + +To ANNIUS SEVERUS + +A SMALL legacy was lately left me, yet one more acceptable than +a far larger bequest would have been. How more acceptable than a +far larger one? In this way. Pomponia Gratilla, having disinherited +her son Assidius Curianus, appointed me of one of her heirs, and +Sertorius Severus, of pretorian rank, together with several eminent +Roman knights, co-heirs along with me. The son applied to me to +give him my share of the inheritance, in order to use my name as +an example to the rest of the joint-heirs, but offered at the same +time to enter into a secret agreement to return me my proportion. I +told him, it was by no means agreeable to my character to seem to +act one way while in reality I was acting another, besides it was +not quite honourable making presents to a man of his fortune, who +had no children; in a word, this would not at all answer the +purpose at which he was aiming, whereas, if I were to withdraw +my claim, it might be of some service to him, and this I was ready +and willing to do, if he could clearly prove to me that he was +unjustly disinherited. + +"Do then," he said, "be my arbitrator in this case." After a short +pause I answered him, "I will, for I don't see why I should not have +as good an opinion of my own impartial disinterestedness as you +seem to have. But, mind, I am not to be prevailed upon to decide +the point in question against your mother, if it should appear she +had jusL reason for what she has done." "As you please," he +replied, "which I am sure is always to act according to justice." I +called in, as my assistants, Corellius and Frontinus, two of the very +best lawyers Rome at that time afforded. With these in attendance, +I heard the case in my own chamber. Curianus said everything +which he thought would favour his pretensions, to whom (there +being nobody but myself to defend the character of the deceased) I +made a short reply; after which I retired with my friends to +deliberate, and, being agreed upon our verdict, I said to him, +"Cnn-anus, it is our opinion that your conduct has justly drawn +upon you your mother's displeasure." Sometime afterwards, +Curianus commenced a suit in the Court of the Hundred against all +the co-heirs except myself. The day appointed for the trial +approaching, the rest of the co-heirs were anxious to compromise +the affair and have done with it, not out of any diffidence of their +cause, but from a distrust of the times. They were apprehensive of +what had happened to many others, happening to them, and that +from a civil suit it might end in a criminal one, as there were some +among them to whom the friendship of Gratilla and Rusticus73 +might be extremely prejudicial: they therefore desired me to go +and talk with Curianus. We met in the temple of Concord; "Now +supposing," I said, "your mother had left you the fourth part of her +estate, or even suppose she had made you sole heir, but had +exhausted so much of the estate in legacies that there would not be +more than a fourth part remaining to you, could you justly +complain? You ought to be content, therefore, if, being absolutely +disinherited as you are, the heirs are willing to relinquish to you a +fourth part, which however I will increase by contributing my +proportion. You know you did not commence any suit against me, +and two years have now elapsed, which gives me legal and +indisputable possession. But to induce you to agree to the +proposals on the part of the other co-heirs, and that you may be no +sufferer by the peculiar respect you shew me, I offer to advance +my proportion with them." The silent approval of my own +conscience is not the only result out of this transaction; it has +contributed also to the honour of my character. For it is this same +Cunianus who has left me the legacy I have mentioned in the +beginning of my letter, and I received it as a very notable mark of +his approbation of my conduct, if I do not flatter myself. I have +written and told you all this, because in all my joys and sorrows I +am wont to look upon you as myself, and I thought it would be +unkind not to communicate to so tender a friend whatever +occasions me a sensible gratification; for I am not philosopher +enough to be indifferent, when I think I have acted like an +honour-able man, whether my actions meet with that approval +which is in some sort their due. Farewell. + +L + +To TITIUS ARIST0 + +AMONG the many agreeable and obliging instances I have +received of your friendship, your not concealing from me the long +conversations which lately took place at your house concerning my +verses, and the various judgments passed upon them (which served +to prolong the talk,) is by no means the least. There were some, it +seems, who did not disapprove of my poems in themselves, but at +the same time censured me in a free and friendly way, for +employing myself in composing and reciting them. I am so far, +however, from desiring to extenuate the charge that I willingly +acknowledge myself still more deserving of it, and confess that I +sometimes amuse myself with writing verses of the gayer sort. I +compose comedies, divert myself with pantomimes, read the lyric +poets, and enter into the spirit of the most wanton muse, besides +that, I indulge myself sometimes in laughter, mirth, and frolic, and, +to sum up every kind of innocent relaxation in one word, I am a +man. I am not in the least offended, though, at their low opinion of +my morals, and that those who are ignorant of the fact that the +most learned, the wisest, and the best of men have employed +themselves in the same way, should be surprised at the tone of my +writings: but from those who know what noble and numerous +examples I follow, I shall, I am confident, easily obtain permission +to err with those whom it is an honour to imitate, not only in their +most serious occupations but their lightest triflings. Is it +unbecoming me (I will not name any living example, lest I should +seem to flatter), but is it unbecoming me to practise what became +Tully, Calvus, Pollio, Messala, Hortensius, Brutus, Sulla, Catulus, +Scaevola, Sulpitius, Varro, the Torquati, Memmius, Gaetulicus, +Seneca, Lucceius, and, within our own memory, Verginius Rufus? +But if the examples of private men are not sufficient to justify me, +I can cite Julius Casar, Augustus, Nerva, and Tiberius Casar. I +forbear to add Nero to the catalogue, though I am aware that what +is practised by the worst of men does not therefore degenerate into +wrong: on the contrary, it still maintains its credit, if frequently +countenanced by the best. In that number, Virgil, Cornelius Nepos, +and prior to these, Ennius and Attius, justly deserve the most +distinguished place. These last indeed were not senators, but +goodness knows no distinction of rank or title. I recite my works, it +is true, and in this instance I am not sure I can support myself by +their examples. They, perhaps, might be satisfied with their own +judgment, but I have too humble an opinion of mine to suppose my +compositions perfect, because they appear so to my own mind. My +reason then for reciting are, that, for one thing, there is a certain +deference for one's audience, which excites a somewhat more +vigorous application, and then again, I have by this means an +opportunity of settling any doubts I may have concerning my +performance, by observing the general opinion of the audience. In +a word, I have the advantage of receiving different hints from +different persons: and although they should not declare their +meaning in express terms, yet the expression of the countenance, +the movement of the head, the eyes, the motion of a hand, a +whisper, or even silence itself will easily distinguish their real +opinion from the language of politeness. And so if any one of my +audience should have the curiosity to read over the same +performance which he heard me read, he may find several things +altered or omitted, and perhaps too upon his particular judgment, +though he did not say a single word to me. But I am not defending +my conduct in this particular, as if I had actually recited my works +in public, and not in my own house before my friends, a numerous +appearance of whom has upon many occasions been held an +honour, but never, surely, a reproach. Farewell. + +LI + +To NONIUS MAXIMUS + +I AM deeply afflicted with the news I have received of the death of +Fannius; in the first place, because I loved one so eloquent and +refined, in the next, because I was accustomed to be guided by his +judgment--.and indeed he possessed great natural acuteness, +improved by practice, rendering him able to see a thing in an +instant. There are some circumstances about his death, which +aggravate my concern. He left behind him a will which had been +made a considerable time before his decease, by which it happens +that his estate is fallen into the hands of those who had incurred +his displeasure, whilst his greatest favourites are excluded. But +what I particularly regret is, that he has left unfinished a very noble +work in which he was employed. Notwithstanding his full practice +at the bar, he had begun a history of those persons who were put to +death or banished by Nero, and completed three books of it. They +are written with great elegance and precision, the style is pure, and +preserves a proper medium between the plain narrative and the +historical: and as they were very favourably received by the public, +he was the more desirous of being able to finish the rest. The hand +of death is ever, in my opinion, too untimely and sudden when it +falls upon such as are employed in some immortal work. The sons +of sensuality, who have no outlpok beyond the present hour, put an +end every day to all motives for living, but those who look forward +to posterity, and endeavour to transmit their names with honour to +future generations by their works--to such, death is always +immature, as it still snatches them from amidst some unfinished +design. Fannius, long before his death, had a presentiment of what +has happened: he dreamed one night that as he was lying on his +couch, in an undress, all ready for his work, and with his desk,74 +as usual, in front of him, Nero entered, and placing himself by his +side, took up the three first books of this history, which he read +through and then departed. This dream greatly alarmed him, and +he regarded it as an intimation, that he should not carry on his +history any farther than Nero had read, and so the event has +proved. I cannot reflect upon this accident without lamenting that +he was prevented from accomplishing a work which had cost him +so many toilsome vigils, as it suggests to me, at the same time, +reflections on my own mortality, and the fate of my wrtiings: and I +am persuaded the same apprehensions alarm you for those in +which you are at present employed. Let us then, my friend, while +life permits, exert all our endeavours, that death, whenever it +arrives, may find as little as possible to destroy. Farewell. + +LII + +To DOMITIUS APOLLINARIS + +THE kind concern you expressed on hearing of my design to pass +the summer at my villa in Tuscany, and your obliging endeavours +to dissuade me from going to a place which you think unhealthy, +are extremely pleasing to me. It is quite true indeed that the air of +that part of Tuscany which lies towards the coast is thick and +unwholesome: but my house stands at a good distance from the +sea, under one of the Apennines which are singularly healthy. But, +to relieve you from all anxiety on my account, I will give you a +description of the temperature of the climate, the situation of the +country, and the beauty of my villa, which, I am persuaded, you +will hear with as much pleasure as I shall take in giving it. The air +in winter is sharp and frosty, so that myrtles, olives, and trees of +that kind which delight in constant warmth, will not flourish here: +but the laurel thrives, and is remarkably beautiful, though now and +then the cold kills it--though not oftener than it does in the +neighbourhood of Rome. The summers are extraordinarily mild, +and there is always a retreshing breeze, seldom high winds. This +accounts for the number of old men we have about, you would see +grandfathers and great-grandfathers of those now grown up to be +young men, hear old stories and the dialect of our ancestors, and +fancy yourself born in some former age were you to come here. +The character of the country is exceedingly beautiful. Picture to +yourself an immense amphitheatre, such as nature only could +create. Before you lies a broad, extended plain bounded by a range +of mountains, whose summits are covered with tall and ancient +woods, which are stocked with all kinds of game. + +The descending slopes of the mountains are planted with +underwood, among which are a number of little risings with a rich +soil, on which hardly a stone is to be found. In fruitfulness they are +quite equal to a valley, and though their harvest is rather later, +their crops are just as good. At the foot of these, on the +mountain-side, the eye, wherever it turns, runs along one unbroken +stretch of vineyards terminated by a belt of shrubs. Next you have +meadows and the open plain. The arable land is so stiff that it is +necessary to go over it nine times with the biggest oxen and the +strongest ploughs. The meadows are bright with flowers, and +produce trefoil and other kinds of herbage as fine and tender as if +it were but just sprung up, for all the soil is refreshed by never +failing streams. But though there is plenty of water, there are no +marshes; for the ground being on a slope, whatever water it +receives without absorbing runs off into the Tiber. This river, +which winds through the middle of the meadows, is navigable only +in the winter and spring, at which seasons it transports the produce +of the lands to Rome: but in summer it sinks below its banks, +leaving the name of a great river to an almost empty channel: +towards the autumn, however, it begins again to renew its claim to +that title. You would be charmed by taking a view of this country +from the top of one of our neighbouring mountains, and would +fancy that not a real, but some imaginary landscape, painted by the +most exquisite pencil, lay before you, such an harmonious variety +of beautiful objects meets the eye, whichever way it turns. My +house, although at the foot of a hill, commands as good a view as +if it stood on its brow, yet you approach by so gentle and gradual a +rise that you find yourself on high ground without perceiving you +have been making an ascent. Behind, but at a great distance, is the +Apennine range. In the calmest days we get cool breezes from that +quarter, not sharp and cutting at all, being spent and broken by the +long distance they have travelled. The greater part of the house has +a southern aspect, and seems to invite the afternoon sun in summer +(but rather earlier in the winter) into a broad and proportionately +long portico, consisting of several rooms, particularly a court of +antique fashion. In front of the portico is a sort of terrace, edged +with box and shrubs cut into different shapes. You descend, from +the terrace, by an easy slope adorned with the figures of animals in +box, facing each other, to a lawn overspread with the soft, I had +almost said the liquid, Acanthus: this is surrounded by a walk +enclosed with evergreens, shaped into a variety of forms. Beyond it +is the gestatio~ laid out in the form of a circus running round the +multiform box-hedge and the dwarf-trees, which are cut quite +close. The whole is fenced in with a wall completely covered by +box cut into steps all the way up to the top. On the outside of the +wall lies a meadow that owes as many beauties to nature as all I +have been describing within does to art; at the end of which are +open plain and numerous other meadows and copses. From the +extremity of the portico a large dining-room runs out, opening +upon one end of the terrace, while from the windows there is a +very extensive view over the meadows up into the country, and +from these you also see the terrace and the projecting wing of the +house together with the woods enclosing the adjacent hippodrome. +Almost opposite the centre of the portico, and rather to the back, +stands a summer-house, enclosing a small area shaded by four +plane-trees, in the midst of which rises a marble fountain which +gently plays upon the roots of the plane-trees and upon the +grass-plots underneath them. This summer-house has a bed-room +in it free from every sort of noise, and which the light itself cannot +penetrate, together with a common dining-room I use when I have +none but intimate friends with me. A second portico looks upon +this little area, and has the same view as the other I have just been +describing. There is, besides, another room, which, being situate +close to the nearest plane-tree, enjoys a constant shade and green. +Its sides are encrusted with carved marble up to the ceiling, while +above the marble a foliage is painted with birds among the +branches, which has an effect altogether as agreeable as that of the +carving, at the foot of which a little fountain, playing through +several small pipes into a vase it encloses, produces a most +pleasing murmur. From a corner of the portico you enter a very +large bed-chamber opposite the large dining-room, which from +some of its windows has a view of the terrace, and from others, of +the meadow, as those in the front look upon a cascade, which +entertains at once both the eye and the ear; for the water, dashing +from a great height, foams over the marble basin which receives it +below. This room is extremely warm in winter, lying much +exposed to the sun, and on a cloudy day the heat of an adjoining +stove very well supplies his absence. Leaving this room, you pass +through a good-sized, pleasant, undressing-room into the +cold-bath-room, in which is a large gloomy bath: but if you are +inclined to swim more at large, or in warmer water, in the middle +of the area stands a wide basin for that purpose, and near it a +reservoir from which you may be supplied with cold water to brace +yourself again, if you should find you are too much relaxed by the +warm. Adjoining the cold bath is one of a medium degree of heat, +which enjoys the kindly warmth of the sun, but not so intensely as +the hot bath, which projects farther. This last consists of three +several compartments, each of different degrees of heat; the two +former lie open to the full sun, the latter, though not much exposed +to its heat, receives an equal share of its light. Over the +undressing-room is built the tennis-court, which admits of +different kinds of games and different sets of players. Not far from +the baths is the staircase leading to the enclosed portico, three +rooms intervening. One of these looks out upon the little area with +the four plane-trees round it, the other upon the meadows, and +from the third you have a view of several vineyards, so that each +has a different one, and looks towards a different point of the +heavens. At the upper end of the enclosed portico, and indeed +taken off from it, is a room that looks out upon the hippodrome, +the vineyards, and the mountains; adjoining is a room which has a +full expostire to the sun, especially in winter, and out of which +runs another connecting the hippodrome with the house. This +forms the front. On the side rises an enclosed portico, which not +only looks out upon the vineyards, but seems almost to touch +them. From the middle of this portico you enter a dining-room +cooled by the wholesome breezes from the Apennine valleys: from +the windows behind, which are extremely large, there is a close +view of the vineyards, and from the folding doors through the +summer portico. Along that side of the dining-room where there +are no windows runs a private staircase for greater convenience in +serving up when I give an entertainment; at the farther end is a +sleeping-room with a look-out upon the vineyards, and (what is +equally agreeable) the portico. Underneath this room is an +enclosed portico resembling a grotto, which, enjoying in the midst +of summer heats its own natural coolness, neither admits nor wants +external air. After you have passed both these porticoes, at the end +of the dining-room stands a third, which according as the day is +more or less advanced, serves either for Winter or summer use. It +leads to two different apartments, one containing four chambers, +the other, three, which enjoy by turns both sun and shade. This +arrangement of the different parts of my house is exceedingly +pleasant, though it is not to be compared with the beauty of the +hippodrome,' lying entirely open in the middle of the grounds, so +that the eye, upon your first entrance, takes it in entire in one view. +It is set round with plane-trees covered with ivy, so that, while +their tops flourish with their own green, towards the roots their +verdure is borrowed from the ivy that twines round the trunk and +branches, spreads from tree to tree, and connects them together. +Between each plane-tree are planted box-trees, and behind these +stands a grove of laurels which blend their shade with that of the +planes. This straight boundary to the hippodrome75 alters its shape +at the farther end, bending into a semicircle, which is planted +round, shut in with cypresses, and casts a deeper and gloomier +shade, while the inner circular walks (for there are several), +enjoying an open exposure, are filled with plenty of roses, and +correct, by a very pleasant contrast, the coolness of the shade with +the warmth of the sun. Having passed through these several +winding alleys, you enter a straight walk, which breaks out into a +variety of others, partitioned off by box-row hedges. In one place +you have a little meadow, in another the box is cut in a thousand +different forms, sometimes into letters, expressing the master's +name, sometimes the artificer's, whilst here and there rise little +obelisks with fruit-trees alternately intermixed, and then on a +sudden, in the midst of this elegant regularity, you are surprised +with an imitation of the negligent beauties of rural nature. In the +centre of this lies a spot adorned with a knot of dwarf plane-trees. +Beyond these stands an acacia, smooth and bending in places, then +again various other shapes and names. At the upper end is an +alcove of white marble, shaded with vines and supported by four +small Carystian columns. From this semicircular couch, the water, +gushing up through several little pipes, as though pressed out by +the weight of the persons who recline themselves upon it, falls into +a stone cistern underneath, from whence it is received into a fine +polished marble basin, so skilfully contrived that it is always full +without ever overflowing. When I sup here, this basin serves as a +table, the larger sort of dishes being placed round the margin, +while the smaller ones swim about in the form of vessels and +water-fowl. Opposite this is a fountain which is incessantly +emptying and filling, for the water which it throws up to a great +height, falling back again into it, is by means of consecutive +apertures returned as fast as it is received. Facing the alcove (and +reflecting upon it as great an ornament as it borrows from it) +stands a summer-house of exquisite marble, the doors of which +project and open into a green enclosure, while from its upper and +lower windows the eye falls upon a variety of different greens. +Next to this is a little private closet (which, though it seems +distinct, may form part of the same room), furnished with a couch, +and notwithstanding it has windows on every side, yet it enjoys a +very agreeable gloom, by means of a spreading vine which climbs +to the top, and entirely overshadows it. Here you may lie and fancy +yourself in a wood, with this only difference, that you are not +exposed to the weather as you would be there. Here too a fountain +rises and instantly disappears--several marble seats are set in +different places, which are as pleasant as the summer-house itself +after one is tired out with walking. Near each is a little fountain, +and throughout the whole hippodrome several small rills run +murmuring along through pipes, wherever the hand of art has +thought proper to conduct them, watering here and there different +plots of green, and sometimes all parts at once. I should have +ended before now, for fear of being too chatty, had I not proposed +in this letter to lead you into every corner of my house and +gardens. Nor did I apprehend your thinking it a trouble to read the +description of a place which I feel sure would please you were you +to see it; especially as you can stop just when you please, and by +throwing aside my letter, sit down as it were, and give yourself a +rest as often as you think proper. Besides, I gave my little passion +indulgence, for I have a passion for what I have built, or finished, +myself. In a word, (for why should I conceal from my friend either +my deliberate opinion or my prejudice?) I look upon it as the first +duty of every writer to frequently glance over his title-page and +consider well the subject he has proposed to himself; and he may +be sure, if he dwells on his subject, he cannot justly be thought +tedious, whereas if, on the contrary, he introduces and drags in +anything irrelevant, he will be thought exceedingly so. Homer, you +know, has employed many verses in the description of the arms of +Achilles, as Virgil has also in those of Aeneas, yet neither 'of them +is prolix, because they each keep within the limits of their original +design. Aratus, you observe, is not considered too circumstantial, +though he traces and enumerates the minutest stars, for he does not +go out of his way for that purpose, but only follows where his +subject leads him. In the same way (to compare small things with +great), so long as, in endeavouring to give you an idea of my +house, I have not introduced anything irtelevant or superfluous, it +is not my letter which describes, but my villa which is described, +that is to be considered large. But to return to where I began, lest I +should justly be condemned by my own law, if I continue longer in +this digression, you see now the reasons why I prefer my Tuscan +villa to those which I possess at Tusculum, Tiber, and Praeneste.76 +Besides the advantages already mentioned, I enjoy here a cozier, +more profound and undisturbed retirement than anywhere else, as I +am at a greater distance from the business of the town and the +interruption of troublesome clients. All is calm and composed; +which circumstances contribute no less than its clear air and +unclouded sky to that health of body and mind I particularly enjoy +in this place, both of which I keep in full swing by study and +hunting. And indeed there is no place which agrees better with my +family, at least I am sure I have not yet lost one (may the +expression be allowed!77) of all those I brought here with me. And +may the gods continue that happiness to me, and that honour to my +villa. Farewell. + +LIII + +To CALVISIUS + +IT is certain the law does not allow a corporate city to inherit any +estate by will, or to receive a legacy. Saturninus, however, who has +appointed me his heir, had left a fourth part of his estate to our +corporation of Comum; afterwards, instead of a fourth part, he +bequeathed four hundred thousand sesterces.78 This bequest, in +the eye of the law, is null and void, but, considered as the clear and +express will of the deceased, ought to stand firm and valid. Myself, +I consider the will of the dead (though I am afraid what I say will +not please the lawyers) of higher authority than the law, especially +when the interest of one's native country is concerned. Ought I, +who made them a present of eleven hundred thousand sesterces79 +out of my own patrimony, to withhold a benefaction of little more +than a third part of that sum out of an estate which has come quite +by a chance into my hands? You, who like a true patriot have the +same affection for this our common country, will agree with me in +opinion, I feel sure. I wish therefore you would, at the next +meeting of the Decurii, acquaint them, just briefly and +respectfully, as to how the law stands in this case, and then add +that I offer them four hundred thousand sesterces according to the +direction in Saturninus' will. You will represent this donation as +his present and his liberality; I only claim the merit of complying +with his request. I did not trouble to write to their senate about +this, fully relying as I do upon our intimate friendship and your +wise discretion, and being quite satisfied that you are both able and +willing to act for me upon this occasion as I would for my~ self; +besides, I was afraid I should not seem to have so cautiously +guarded my expressions in a letter as you will be able to do in a +speech. The countenance, the gesture, and even the tone of voice +govern and determine the sense of the speaker, whereas a letter, +being without these advantages, is more liable to malignant +misinterpretation. Farewell. + +LIV + +To MARCELLINUS + +I WRITE this to you in the deepest sorrow: the youngest daughter +of my friend Fundanus is dead! I have never seen a more cheerful +and more lovable girl, or one who better deserved to have enjoyed +a long, I had almost said an immortal, life! She was scarcely +fourteen, and yet there was in her a wisdom far beyond her years, a +matronly gravity united with girlish sweetness and virgin +bashfulness. With what an endearing fondness did she hang on her +father's neck! How affectionately and modestly she used to greet us +his friends! With what a tender and deferential regard she used to +treat her nurses, tutors, teachers, each in their respective offices! +What an eager, industrious, intelligent, reader she was! She took +few amusements, and those with caution. How self-controlled, +how patient, how brave, she was, under her last illness! She +complied with all the directions of her physicians; she spoke +cheerful, comforting words to her sister and her father; and when +all her bodily strength was exhausted, the vigour of her mind +sustained her. That indeed continued even to her last moments, +unbroken by the pain of a long illness, or the terrors of +approaching death; and it is a reflection which makes us miss her, +and grieve that she has gone from us, the more. 0 melancholy, +untimely, loss, too truly! She was engaged to an excellent young +man; the wedding-day was fixed, and we were all invited. How our +joy has been turned into sorrow! I cannot express in words the +inward pain I felt when I heard Fundanus himself (as grief is ever +finding out fresh circumstances to aggravate its affliction) ordering +the money he had intended laying out upon clothes, pearls, and +jewels for her marriage, to be employed in frankincense, +ointments, and perfumes for her funeral. He is a man of great +learning and good sense, who has applied himself from his earliest +youth to the deeper studies and the fine arts, but all the maxims of +fortitude which he has received from books, or advanced himself, +he now absolutely rejects, and every other virtue of his heart gives +place to all a parent's tenderness. You will excuse, you will even +approve, his grief, when you consider what he has lost. He has lost +a daughter who resembled him in his manners, as well as his +person, and exactly copied out all her father. So, if you should +think proper to write to him upon the subject of so reasonable a +grief, let me remind you not to use the rougher arguments of +consolation, and such as seem to carry a sort of reproof with them, +but those of kind and sympathizing humanity. Time will render +him more open to the dictates of reason: for as a fresh wound +shrinks back from the hand of the surgeon, but by degrees submits +to, and even seeks of its own accord the means of its cure, so a +mind under the first impression of a misfortune shuns and rejects +all consolations, but at length desires and is lulled by their gentle +application. Farewell. + +LV + +To SPURINNA + +KNOWING, as I do, how much you admire the polite arts, and +what satisfaction you take in seeing young men of quality pursue +the steps of their ancestors, I seize this earliest opportunity of +informing you that I went to-day to hear Calpurnius Piso read a +beautiful and scholarly production of his, entiled the Sports of +Love. His numbers, which were elegiac, were tender, sweet, and +flowing, at the same time that they occasionally rose to all the +sublimity of diction which the nature of his subject required. He +varied his style from the lofty to the simple, from the close to the +copious, from the grave to the florid, with equal genius and +judgment. These beauties were further recommended by a most +harmonious voice; which a very becoming aiodesty rendered still +more pleasing. A confusion and concern in the countenance of a +speaker imparts a grace to all he utters; for diffidence, I know not +how, is infinitely more engaging than assurance and +self-sufficiency. I might mention several other circumstances to his +advantage, which I am the more inclined to point out, as they are +exceedingly striking in one of his age, and are most uncommon in +a youth of his quality: but not to enter into a farther detail of his +merit, I will only add that, when he had finished his poem, I +embraced him very heartily, and being persuaded that nothing is a +greater encouragement than applause, I exhorted him to go on as +he had begun, and to shine out to posterity with the same glorious +lustre, which was reflected upon him from his ancestors. I +congratulated his excellent mother, and particularly his brother, +who gained as much honour by the generous affection he +manifested upon this occasion as Calpurnius did by his eloquence; +so remarkable a solicitude he showed for him when he began to +recite his poem, and so much pleasure in his success. May the gods +grant me frequent occasions of giving you accounts of this nature! +for I have a partiality to the age in which I live, and should rejoice +to find it not barren of merit. I ardently wish, therefore, our young +men of quality would have something else to show of honourable +memorial in their houses than the images80 of their ancestors. As +for those which are placed in the mansion of these excellent +youths, I now figure them to myself as silently applauding and +encouraging their pursuits, and (what is a sufficient degree of +honour to both brothers) as recognizing their kindred. Farewell. + +LVI + +To PAULINUS + +As I know the humanity with which you treat your own servants, I +have less reserve in confessing to you the indulgence I shew to +mine. I have ever in my mind that line of Homer's-- + +"Who swayed his people with a father's love": + +and this expression of ours, "father of a family." But were I harsher +and harder than I really am by nature, the ill state of health of my +freedman Zosimus (who has the stronger claim upon my +tenderness, in that he now stands in more especial need of it) +would be sufficient to soften me. He is a good, honest fellow, +attentive in his services, and well-read; but his chief talent, and +indeed his distinguishing qualification, is that of a comedian, in +which he highly excels. His pronunciation is distinct, correct in +emphasis, pure, and graceful: he has a very skilled touch, too, upon +the lyre, and performs with better execution than is necessary for +one of his profession. To this I must add, he reads history, oratory, +and poetry, as well as if these had been the sole objects of his +study. I am the more particular in enumerating his qualifications, +to let you see how many agreeable services I receive from this one +servant alone. He is indeed endeared to me by the ties of a long +affection, which are strengthened by the danger he is now in. For +nature has so formed our hearts that nothing contributes more to +incite and kindle affection than the fear of losing the object of it: a +fear which I have suffered more than once on his account. Some +years ago he strained himself so much by too strong an exertion of +his voice, that he spit blood, upon which account I sent him into +Egypt;81 from whence, after a long absence, helately returned with +great benefit to his health. But having again exerted himself for +several days together beyond his strength, he was reminded of his +former malady by a slight return of his cough, and a spitting of +blood. For this reason I intend to send him to your farm at +Forum-Julii,82 having frequently heard you mention it as a healthy +air, and recommend the milk of that place as very salutary in +disorders of his nature. I beg you would give directions to your +people to receive him into your house, and to supply him with +whatever he may have occasion for: which will not be much, for +he is so sparing and abstemious as not only to abstain from +delicacies, but even to deny himself the necessaries his ill state of +health requires. I shall furnish him towards his journey with what +will be sufficient for one of his moderate requirements, who is +coming under your roof. Farewell. + +LVII + +To RUFUS + +I WENT into the Julian83 court to hear those lawyers to whom, +according to the last adjournment, I was to reply. The judges had +taken their seats, the decemviri84 were arrived, the eyes of the +audience were fixed upon the counsel, and all was hushed silence +and expectation, when a messenger arrived from the praetor, and +the Hundred are at once dismissed, and the case postponed: an +accident extremely agreeable to me, who am never so well +prepared but that I am glad of gaining further time. The occasion +of the court's rising thus abruptly was a short edict of Nepos, the +praetor for criminal causes, in which he directed all persons +concerned as plaintiffs or defendants in any cause before him to +take notice that he designed strictly to put in force the decree of +the senate annexed to his edict. Which decree was expressed in the +following words: ALL PERSONS WHOSOEVER THAT HAVE +ANY LAW-SUITS DEPENDING ARE HEREBY REQUIRED +AND COMMANDED, BEFORE ANY PROCEEDINGS BE HAD +THEREON, TO TAKE AN OATH THAT THEY HAVE NOT +GIVEN, PROMISED, OR ENGAGED To GIVE, ANY FEE OR +REWARD TO ANY ADVOCATE, UPON ACCOUNT OF HIS +UNDERTAKING THEIR CAUSE. In these terms, and many +others equally full and express, the lawyers were prohibited to +make their professions venal. However, after the case is decided, +they are permitted to accept a gratuity of ten thousand sesterces.85 +The praetor for civil causes, being alarmed at this order of Nepos, +gave us this unexpected holiday in order to take time to consider +whether he should follow the example. Meanwhile the whole town +is talking, and either approving or condemning this edict of Nepos. +We have got then at last (say the latter with a sneer) a redressor of +abuses. But pray was there never a praetor before this man? Who is +he then who sets up in this way for a public reformer? Others, on +the contrary, say, "He has done perfectly right upon his entry into +office; he has paid obedience to the laws; considered the decrees +of the senate, repressed most indecent contracts, and will not +suffer the most honourable of all professions to be debased into a +sordid lucre traffic." This is what one hears all around one; but +which side may prevail, the event will shew. It is the usual method +of the world (though a very unequitable rule of estimation) to +pronounce an action either right or wrong, according as it is +attended with good or ill success; in consequence of which you +may hear the very same conduct attributed to zeal or folly, to +liberty or licentiousness, upon different several occasions. +Farewell. + +LVIII + +To ARRIANUS + +SOMETIMES I miss Regulus in our courts. I cannot say I deplore +his loss. The man, it must be owned, highly respected his +profession, grew pale with study and anxiety over it, and used to +write out his speeches though he could not get them by heart. +There was a practice he had of painting round his right or left +eye,86 and wearing a white patch87 over one side or the other of +his forehead, according as he was to plead either for the plaintiff +or defendant; of consulting the soothsayers upon the issue of an +action; still, all this excessive superstition was really due to his +extreme earnestness in his profession. And it was acceptable +enough being concerned in the same cause with him, as he always +obtained full indulgence in point of time, and never failed to get an +audience together; for what could be more convenient than, under +the protection of a liberty which you did not ask yourself, and all +the odium of the arrangement resting with another, and before an +audience which you had not the trouble of collecting, to speak on +at your ease, and as long as you thought proper? Nevertheless +Regulus did well in departing this life, though he would have done +much better had he made his exit sooner. He might really have +lived now without any danger to the public, in the reign of a prince +under whom he would have had no opportunity of doing any harm. +I need not scruple therefore, I think, to say I sometimes miss him: +for since his death the custom has prevailed of not allowing, nor +indeed of asking more than an hour or two to plead in, and +sometimes not above half that time. The truth is, our advocates +take more pleasure in finishing a cause than in defending it; and +our judges had rather rise from the bench than sit upon it: such is +their indolence, and such their indifference to the honour of +eloquence and the interest of justice! But are we wiser than our +ancestors? are we more equitable than the laws which grant so +many hours and days of adjournments to a case? were our +forefathers slow of apprehension, and dull beyond measure? and +are we clearer of speech, quicker in our conceptions, or more +scrupulous in our decisions, because we get over our causes in +fewer hours than they took days? O Regulus! it was by zeal in your +profession that you secured an advantage which is but rarely given +to the highest integrity. As for myself, whenever I sit upon the +bench (which is much oftener than I appear at the bar), I always +give the advocates as much time as they require: for I look upon it +as highly presuming to pretend to guess, before a case is heard, +what time it will require, and to set limits to an affair before one is +acquainted with its extent; especially as the first and most sacred +duty of a judge is patience, which constitutes an important part of +justice. But this, it is objected, would give an opening to much +superfluous matter: I grant it may; yet is it not better to hear too +much than not to hear enough? Besides, how shall you know that +what an advocate has farther to offer will be superfluous, until you +have heard him? But this, and many other public abuses, will be +best reserved for a conversation when we meet; for I know your +affection to the commonwealth inclines you to wish that some +means might be found out to check at least those grievances, +which would now be very difficult absolutely to remove. But to +return to affairs of private concern: I hope all goes well in your +family; mine remains in its usual situation. The good which I enjoy +grows more acceptable to me by its contjnu~nce; as habit renders +me less sensible of the evils I suffer. Farewell. + +LIX + +To CALPURNIA88 + +NEVER was business more disagreeable to me than when it +prevented me not only from accompanyinng you when you went +into Campania for your health, but from following you there soon +after; for I want particularly to be with you now, that I may learn +from my own eyes whether you are growing stronger and stouter, +and whether the tranquillity, the amusements, and plenty of that +charming country really agree with you. Were you in perfect +health, yet I could ill support your absence; for even a moment's +uncertainty of the welfare of those we tenderly love causes a +feeling of suspense and anxiety: but now your sickness conspires +with your absence to trouble me grievously with vague and various +anxieties. I dread everything, fancy everything, and, as is natural to +those who fear, conjure up the very things I most dread. Let me the +more earnestly entreat you then to think of my anxiety, and write +to me every day, and even twice a day: I shall be more easy, at +least while I am reading your letters, though when I have read +them, I shall immediately feel my fears again. Farewell. + +LX + +To CALPURNIA + +You kindly tell me my absence very sensibly affects you, and that +your only consolation is in conversing with my works, which you +frequently substitute in my stead. I am glad that you miss me; I am +glad that you find some rest in these alleviations. In return, I read +over your letters again and again, and am continually taking them +up, as if I had just received them; but, alas! this only stirs in me a +keener longing for you; for how sweet must her conversation be +whose letters have so many charms? Let me receive them, +however, as often as possible, notwithstanding there is still a +mixture of pain in the pleasure they afford me. Farewell. + +LXI + +To PRISCUS + +You know Attilius Crescens, and you love him; who is there, +indeed, of any rank or worth, that does not? For myself, I profess +to have a friendship for him far exceeding ordinary attachments of +the world. Our native towns are separated only by a day's journey; +and we got to care for each other when we were very young; the +season for passionate friendships. Ours improved by years; and so +far from being chilled, it was confirmed by our riper judgments, as +those who know us best can witness. He takes pleasure in boasting +everywhere of my friendship; as I do to let the world know that his +reputation, his ease, and his interest are my peculiar concern. +Insomuch that upon his expressing to me some apprehension of +insolent treatment from a certain person who was entering upon +the tribuneship of the people, I could not forbear answering, - + +"Long as Achilles breathes this vital air, +To touch thy head no impious band shall dare."89 + +What is my object in telling you these things? Why, to shew you +that I look upon every injury offered to Attilius as done to myself. +"But what is the object of all this?" you repeat. You must know +then, Valerius Varus, at his death, owed Attilius a sum of money. +Though I am on friendly terms with Maximus, his heir, yet there is +a closer friendship between him and you. I beg therefore, and +entreat you by the affection you have for me, to take care that +Attilius is not only paid the capital which is due to him, but alt the +long arrears of interest too. He neither covets the property of +others nor neglects the care of his own; and as he is not engaged in +any lucrative profession, he has nothing to depend upon but his +own frugality: for as to literature, in which he greatly distinguishes +himself, he pursues this merely from motives of pleasure and +ambition. In such a situation, the slightest loss presses hard upon a +man, and the more so because he has no opportunities of repairing +any injury done to his fortune. Remove then, I entreat you, our +uneasiness, and suffer me still to enjoy the pleasure of his wit and +bonhommie; for I cannot bear to see the cheerfulness of my friend +over-clouded, whose mirth and good humour dissipates every +gloom of melancholy in myself. In short, you know what a +pleasant entertaining fellow he is, and I hope you will not suffer +any injury to engloom and embitter his disposition. You may judge +by the warmth of his affection how severe his resentments would +prove; for a generous and great mind can ill brook an injury when +coupled with contempt. But though he could pass it over, yet +cannot I: on the contrary, I shall regard it as a wrong and indignity +done to myself, and resent it as one offered to my friend; that is, +with double warmth. But, after all, why this air of threatening? +rather let me end in the same style in which I began, namely, by +begging, entreating you so to act in this affair that neither Attilius +may have reason to imagine (which I am exceedingly anxious he +should not) that I neglect his interest, nor that I may have occasion +to charge you with carelessness of mine: as undoubtedly I shall not +if you have the same regard for the latter as I have for the former. +Farewell. + +LXII + +To ALBINUS + +I WAS lately at Alsium,90 where my mother-in-law has a villa +which once belonged to Verginius Rufus. The place renewed in +my mind the sorrowful remembrance of that-great and excellent +man. He was extremely fond of this retirement, and used to call it +the nest of his old age. Whichever way I looked, I missed him, I +felt his absence. I had an inclination to visit his monument; but I +repented having seen it, afterwards: for I found it still unfinished, +and this, not from any difficulty residing in the work itself, for it is +very plain, or rather indeed slight; but through the neglect of him +to whose care it was entrusted. I could not see without a concern, +mixed with indignation, the remains of a man, whose fame filled +the whole world, lie for ten years after his death without an +inscription, or a name. He had however directed that the divine +and immortal action of his life should be recorded upon his tomb +in the following lines: + +"Here Rufus lies, who Vindex' arms withstood, +Not for himself, but for his country's good." + +But faithful friends are so rare, and the dead so soon forgotten, that +we shall be obliged ourselves to build even our very tombs, and +anticipate the office of our heirs. For who is there that has no +reason to fear for himself what we see has happened to Verginius, +whose eminence and distinction, while rendering such treatment +more shameful, so, in the same way, make it more notorious? +Farewell. + +LXIII + +To MAXIMUS + +O WHAT a happy day I lately spent! I was called by the prefect of +Rome, to assist him in a certain case, and had the pleasure of +hearing two excellent young men, Fuscus Salinator and Numidius +Quadratus, plead on the opposite sides: their worth is equal, and +each of them will one day, I am persuaded, prove an ornament not +only to the present age, but to literature itself. They evinced upon +this occasion an admirable probity, supported by inflexible +courage: their dress was decent, their elocution distinct, their tones +were manly, their memory retentive, their genius elevated, and +guided by an equal solidity of judgment. I took infinite pleasure in +observing them display these noble qualities; particnlarly as I had +the satisfaction to see that, while they looked upon me as their +guide and model, they appeared to the audience as my imitators +and rivals. It was a day (I cannot but repeat it again) which +afforded me the most exquisite happiness, and which I shall ever +distinguish with the fairest mark. For what indeed could be either +more pleasing to me on the public account than to observe two +such noble youths building their fame and glory upon the polite +arts; or more desirable upon my own than to be marked out as a +worthy example to them in their pursuits of virtue? May the gods +still grant me the continuance of that pleasure! And I implore the +same gods, you are my witness, to make all these who think me +deserving of imitation far better than I am, Farewell. + +LXIV + +To ROMANUS + +You were not present at a very singular occurrence here lately: +neither was I, but the story reached me just after it had happened. +Passienus Paulus, a Roman knight, of good family, and a man of +peculiar learning and culture besides~ composes elegies, a talent +which runs in the family, for Propertius is reckoned by him +amongst his ancestors, as well as being his countryman. He was +lately reciting a poem which began thus: + +"Priscus, at thy command"-- + +Whereupon Javolenus Priscus, who happened to be present +as a particular friend of the poet's, cried out--" But he is mistaken, I +did not command him." Think what laughter and merriment this +occasioned. Priscus's wits, you must know, are reckoned rather +unsound,91 though he takes a share in public business, is +summoned to consultations, and even publicly acts as a lawyer, so +that this behaviour of his was the more remarkable and ridiculous: +meanwhile Paulus was a good deal disconcerted by his friend's +absurdity. You see how necessary it is for those who are anxious to +recite their works in public to take care that the audience as well as +the author are perfectly sane. Farewell. + +LXV + +To TACITUS + +YOUR request that I would send you an account of my uncle's +death, in order to transmit a more exact relation of it to posterity, +deserves my acknowledgments; for, if this accident shall be +celebrated by your pen, the glory of it, I am well assured, will be +rendered forever illustrious. And notwithstanding he perished by a +misfortune, which, as it involved at the same time a most beautiful +country in ruins, and destroyed so many populous cities, seems to +promise him an everlasting remembrance; notwithstanding he has +himself composed many and lasting works; yet I am persuaded, the +mentioning of him in your immortal writings, will greatly +contribute to render his name immortal. Happy I esteem those to +be to whom by provision of the gods has been granted the ability +either to do such actions as are worthy of being related or to relate +them in a manner worthy of being read; but peculiarly happy are +they who are blessed with both these uncommon talents: in the +number of which my uncle, as his own writings and your +history will evidently prove, may justly be ranked. It is with +extreme willingness, therefore, that I execute your commands; and +should indeed have claimed the task if you had not enjoined it. He +was at that time with the fleet under his command at Misenum.92 +On the 24th of August, about one in the afternoon, my mother +desired him to observe a cloud which appeared of a very unusual +size and shape. He had just taken a turn in the sun93 and, after +bathing himself in cold water, and making a light luncheon, gone +back to his books: he immediately arose and went out upon a rising +ground from whence he might get a better sight of this very +uncommon appearance. A cloud, from which mountain was +uncertain, at this distance (but it was found afterwards to come +from Mount Vesuvius), was ascending, the appearance of which I +cannot give you a more exact description of than by likening it to +that of a pine tree, for it shot up to a great height in the form of a +very tall trunk, which spread itself out at the top into a sort of +branches; occasioned, I imagine, either by a sudden gust of air that +impelled it, the force of which decreased as it advanced upwards, +or the cloud itself being pressed back again by its own weight, +expanded in the manner I have mentioned; it appeared sometimes +bright and sometimes dark and spotted, according as it was either +more or less impregnated with earth and cinders. This +phenomenon seemed to a man of such learning and research as my +uncle extraordinary and worth further looking into. He ordered a +light vessel to be got ready, and gave me leave, if I liked, to +accompany him. I said I had rather go on with my work; and it so +happened, he had himself given me something to write out. As he +was coming out of the house, he received a note from Rectina, the +wife of Bassus, who was in the utmost alarm at the imminent +danger which threatened her; for her villa lying at the foot of +Mount Vesuvius, there was no way of escape but by sea; she +earnestly entrealed him therefore to come to her assistance. He +accordingly changed his first intention, and what he had begun +from a philosophical, he now carries out in a noble and generous +spirit. He ordered the galleys to be put to sea, and went himself on +board with an intention of assisting not only Rectina, but the +several other towns which lay thickly strewn along that beautiful +coast. Hastening then to the place from whence others fled with +the utmost terror, he steered his course direct to the point of +danger, and with so much calmness and presence of mind as to be +able to make and dictate his observations upon the motion and all +the phenomena of that dreadful scene. He was now so close to the +mountain that the cinders, which grew thicker and hotter the +nearer he approached, fell into the ships, together with pumice- +stones, and black pieces of burning rock: they were in danger too +not only of being aground by the sudden retreat of the sea, but also +from the vast fragments which rolled down from the mountain, +and obstructed all the shore. Here he stopped to consider whether +he should turn back again; to which the pilot advising him, +"Fortune," said he, "favours the brave; steer to where Pomponianus +is." Pomponianus was then at Stabiae,94 separated by a bay, which +the sea, after several insensible windings, forms with the shore. He +had already sent his baggage on board; for though he was not at +that time in actual danger, yet being within sight of it, and indeed +extremely near, if it should in the least increase, he was +determined to put to sea as soon as the wind, which was blowing +dead in-shore, should go down. It was favourable, however, for +carrying my uncle to Pomponianus, whom he found in the greatest +consternation: he embraced him tenderly, encouraging and urging +him to keep up his spirits, and, the more effectually to soothe his +fears by seeming unconcerned himself, ordered a bath to be got +ready, and then, after having bathed, sat down to supper with great +cheerfulness, or at least (what is just as heroic) with every +appearance of it. Meanwhile broad flames shone out in several +places from Mount Vesuvius, which the darkness of the night +contributed to render still brighter and clearer. But my uncle, in +order to soothe the apprehensions of his friend, assured him it was +only the burning of the villages, which the country people had +abandoned to the flames: after this he retired to rest, and it is most +certain he was so little disquieted as to fall into a sound sleep: for +his breathing, which, on account of his corpulence, was rather +heavy and sonorous, was heard by the attendants outside. The +court which led to his apartment being now almost filled with +stones and ashes, if he had continued there any time longer, it +would have been impossible for him to have made his way out. So +he was awoke and got up, and went to Pomponianus and the rest of +his company, who were feeling too anxious to think of going to +bed. They consulted together whether it would be most prudent to +trust to the houses, which now rocked from side to side with +frequent and violent concussions as though shaken from their very +foundations; or fly to the open fields, where the calcined stones +and cinders, though light indeed, yet fell in large showers, and +threatened destruction. In this choice of dangers they resolved for +the fields: a resolution which, while the rest of the company were +hurried into by their fears, my uncle embraced upon cool and +deliberate consideration. They went out then, having pillows tied +upon their heads with napkins; and this was their whole defence +against the storm of stones that fell round them. It was now day +everywhere else, but there a deeper darkness prevai1ed than in the +thickest night; which howevcr was in some degree alleviated by +torches and other lights of various kinds. They thought proper to +go farther down upon the shore to see if they might safely put out +to sea, but found the waves still running extremely high, and +boisterous. There my uncle, laying himself down upon a sail cloth, +which was spread for him, called twice for some cold water, which +he drank, when immediately the flames, preceded by a strong +whiff of sulphur, dispersed the rest of the party, and obliged him to +rise. He raised himself up with the assistance of two of his +servants, and instantly fell down dead; suffocated, as I conjecture, +by some gross and noxious vapour, having always had a weak +throat, which was often inflamed. As soon as it was light again, +which was not till the third day after this melancholy accident, his +body was found entire, and without any marks of violence upon it, +in the dress in which he fell, and looking more like a man asleep +than dead. During all this time my mother and I, who were at +Miscnum--but this has no connection with your history, and you +did not desire any particulars besides those of my uncle's death; so +I will end here, only adding that I have faithfully related to you +what I was either an eye-witness of myself or received +immediately after the accident happened, and before there was +time to vary the truth. You will pick out of this narrative whatever +is most important: for a letter is one thing, a history another; it is +one thing wrIting to a friend, another thing writing to the public. +Farewell. + +LXVI + +To CORNELIUS TACITUS + +THE letter which, in compliance with your request, I wrote to you +concerning the death of my uncle has raised, it seems, your +curiosity to know what terrors and dangers attended me while I +continued at Misenum; for there, I think, my account broke off: + +"Though my shock'd soul recoils, my tongue shall tell." + +My uncle having left us, I spent such time as was left on my +studies (it was on their account indeed that I had stopped behind), +till it was time for my bath. After which I went to supper, atmd +then fell into a short and uneasy sleep. There had been noticed for +many days before a trembling of the earth, which did not alarm us +much, as this is quite an ordinary occurrence in Campania; but it +was so particularly violent that night that it not only shook but +actually overturned, as it would seem, everything about us. My +mother rushed into my chamber, where she found me rising, in +order to awaken her. We sat down in the open court of the house, +which occupied a small space between the buildings and the sea. +As I was at that time but eighteen years of age, I know not whether +I should call my behaviour, in this dangerous juncture, courage or +folly; but I took up Livy, and amused myself with turning over that +author, and even making extracts from him, as if I had been +perfectly at my leisure. Just then, a friend of my uncle's, who had +lately come to him from Spain, joined us, and observing me sitting +by my mother with a book in my hand, reproved her for her +calmness, and me at the same time for my careless security: +nevertheless I went on with my author. Though it was now +morning, the light was still exceedingly faint and doubtful; the +buildings all around us tottered, and though we stood upon open +ground, yet as the place was narrow and confined, there was no +remaining without imminent danger: we therefore resolved to quit +the town. A panic-stricken crowd followed us, and (as to a mind +distracted with terror every suggestion seems more prudent than its +own) pressed on us in dense array to drive us forward as we came +out. Being at a convenient distance from the houses, we stood still, +in the midst of a most dangerous and dreadful scene. The chariots, +which we had ordered to be drawn out, were so agitated backwards +and forwards, though upon the most level ground, that we could +not keep them steady, even by supporting them with large stones. +The sea seemed to roll back upon itself, and to he driven from its +banks by the convulsive motion of the earth; it is certain at least +the shore was considerably enlarged, and several sea animals were +left upon it. On the other side, a black and dreadful cloud, broken +with rapid, zigzag flashes, revealed behind it variously shaped +masses of flame: these last were like sheet-lightning, but much +larger. Upon this our Spanish friend, whom I mentioned above, +addressing himself to my mother and me with great energy and +urgency: " If your brother," he said, "if your uncle be safe, he +certainly wishes you may be so too; but if he perished, it was his +desire, no doubt, that you might both survive him: why therefore +do you delay your escape a moment?" We could never think of our +own safety, we said, while we were uncertain of his. Upon this our +friend left us, and withdrew from the danger with the utmost +precipitation. Soon afterwards, the cloud began to descend, and +cover the sea. It had already surrounded and concealed the island +of Capreae and the promontory of Misenum. My mother now +besought, urged, even commanded me to make my escape at any +rate, which, as I was young, I might easily do; as for herself, she +said, her age and corpulency rendered all attempts of that sort +impossible; however, she would willingly meet death if she could +have the satisfaction of seeing that she was not the occasion of +mine. But I absolutely refused to leave her, and, taking her by the +hand, compelled her to go with me. She complied with great +reluctance, and not without many reproaches to herself for +retarding my flight. The ashes now began to fall upon us, though in +no great quantity. I looked back; a dense dark mist seemed to be +following us, spreading itself over the country like a cloud. "Let us +turn out of the high-road," I said, "while we can still see, for fear +that, should we fall in the road, we should be pressed to death in +the dark, by the crowds that are following us." We had scarcely sat +down when night came upon us, not such as we have when the sky +is cloudy, or when there is no moon, but that of a room when it is +shut up, and all the lights put out. You might hear the shrieks of +women, the screams of children, and the shouts of men; some +calling for their children, others for their parents, others for their +husbands, and seeking to recognise each other by the voices that +replied; one lamenting his own fate, another that of his family; +some wishing to die, from the very fear of dying; some lifting their +hands to the gods; but the greater part convinced that there were +now no gods at all, and that the final endless night of which we +have heard had come upon the world.95 Among these there were +some who augmented the real terrors by others imaginary or +wilfully invented. I remember some who declared that one part of +Misenum had fallen, that another was on fire; it was false, but they +found people to believe them. It now grew rather lighter, which we +imagined to be rather the forerunner of an approaching burst of +flames (as in truth it was) than the return of day: however, the fire +fell at a distance from us: then again we were immersed in thick +darkness, and a heavy shower of ashes rained upon us, which we +were obliged every now and then to stand up to shake off, +otherwise we should have been crushed and buried in the heap. I +might boast that, during all this scene of horror, not a sigh, or +expression of fear, escaped me, had not my support been +grounded in that miserable, though mighty, consolation, that all +mankind were involved in the same calamity, and that I was +perishing with the world itself. At last this dreadful darkness was +dissipated by degrees, like a cloud or smoke; the real day returned, +and even the sun shone out, though with a lurid light, like when an +eclipse is coming on. Every object that presented itself to our eyes +(which were extremely weakened) seemed changed, being covered +deep with ashes as if with snow. We returned to Misenum, where +we refreshed ourselves as well as we could, and passed an anxious +night between hope and fear; though, indeed, wIth a much larger +share of the latter: for the earthquake still continued, while many +frenzied persons ran up and down heightening their own and their +friends' calamities by terrible predictions. However, my mother +and I, notwithstanding the danger we had passed, and that which +still threatened us, had no thoughts of leaving the place, till we +could receive some news of my uncle. + +And now, you will read this narrative without any view of inserting +it in your history, of which it is not in the least worthy; and indeed +you must put it down to your own request if it should appear not +worth even the trouble of a letter. Farewell. + +LX VII + +To MACER + +How much does the fame of human actions depend upon the +station of those who perform them! The very same conduct shall +be either applauded to the skies or entirely overlooked, just as it +may happen to proceed from a person of conspicuous or obscure +rank. I was sailing lately upon our lake,96 with an old man of my +acquaintance, who desired me to observe a villa situated upon its +banks, which had a chamber overhanging the water. "From that +room," said he, "a woman of our city threw herself and her +husband." Upon enquiring into the cause, he informed me, "That +her husband having been long afflicted with an ulcer in those parts +which modesty conceals, she prevailed with him at last to let her +inspect the sore, assuring him at the same timethat she would most +sincerely give her opinion whether there was a possibility of its +being cured. Accordingly, upon viewing the ulcer, she found the +case hopeless, and therefore advised him to put an end to his life: +she herself accompanying him, even leading the way by her +example, and being actually the means of his death; for tying +herself to her husband, she plunged with him into the lake." +Though this happened in the very city where I was born, I never +heard it mentioned before; and yet that this action is taken less +notice of than that famous one of Arria's, is not because it was less +remarkable, but because the person who performed it was more +obscure. Farewell. + +LXVIII + +To SERVIANUS + +I AM extremely glad to hear that you intend your daughter for +Fuscus Salinator, and congratulate you upon it. His family is +patrician,97 and both his father and mother are persons of the most +distinguished merit. As for himself, he is studious, learned, and +eloquent, and, with all the innocence of a child, unites the +sprightliness of youth and the wisdom of age. I am not, believe me, +deceived by my affection, when I give him this character; for +though I love him, I confess, beyond measure (as his friendship +and esteem for me well deserve), yet partiality has no share in my +judgment: on the contrary, the stronger my affection for him, the +more exactingly I weigh his merit. I will venture, then, to assure +you (and I speak it upon my own experience) you could not have, +formed to your wishes, a more accomplished son-in-law. May he +soon present you with a grandson, who shall be the exact copy of +his father! and with what pleasure shall I receive from the arms of +two such friends their children or grand-children, whom I shall +claim a sort of right to embrace as my own! Farewell, + +LXIX + +To SEVERUS + +You desire me to consider what turn you should give to your +speech in honour of the emperor,98 upon your being appointed +consul elect.99 It is easy to find copies, not so easy to choose out +of them; for his virtues afford such abundant material. However, I +will write and give you my opinion, or (what I should prefer) I will +let you have it in person, after having laid before you the +difficulties which occur to me. I am doubtful, then, whether I +should advise you to pursue the method which I observed myself +on the same occasion, When I was consul elect, I avoided running +into the usual strain of compliment, which, however far from +adulation, might yet look like it. Not that I affected firmness and +independence; but, as well knowing the sentiments of our amiable +prince, and being thoroughly persuaded that the highest praise I +could offer to him would be to show the world I was under no +necessity of paying him any. When I reflected what profusion of +honours had been heaped upon the very worst of his predecessors, +nothing, I imagined, could more distinguish a prince of his real +virtues from those infamous emperors than to address him in a +different manner. And this I thought proper to observe in my +speech, lest it might be suspected I passed over his glorious acts, +not out of judgment, but inattention. Such was the method I then +observed; but I am sensible the same measures are neither +agreeable nor indeed suitable to all alike. Besides the propriety of +doing or omitting a thing depends not only upon persons, but time +and circumstances; and as the late actions of our illustrious prince +afford materials for panegyric, no less just than recent and +glorious, I doubt (as I said before) whether I should persuade you +in the present instance to adopt the same plan as I did myself. In +this, however, I am clear, that it was proper to offer you by way of +advice the method I pursued. Farewell. + +LXX + +To FABATUS + +I HAVE the best reason, certainly, for celebrating your birthday as +my own, since all the happiness of mine arises from yours, to +whose care and diligence it is owing that I am gay here and at my +ease in town.--Your Camillian villa100 in Campania has suffered +by the injuries of time, and is falling into decay; however, the most +valuable parts of the building either remain entire or are but +slightly damaged, and it shall be my care to see it put into +thorough repair.--Though I flatter myself I have many friends, yet I +have scarcely any of the sort you enquire after, and which the +affair you mention demands. All mine lie among those whose +employments engage them in town; whereas the conduct of +country business requires a person of a robust constitution, and +bred up to the country, to whom the work may not seem hard, nor +the office beneath him, and who does not feel a solitary life +depressing. You think most highly of Rufus, for he was a great +friend of your son's; but of what use he can be to us upon this +occasion, I cannot conceive; though I am sure he will be glad to do +all he can for us. Farewell. + +LXXI + +To CORNELIANUS + +I RECEIvED lately the most exquisite satisfaction at +Centumcellae101 (as it is now called), being summoned thither by +Caesar102 to attend a council. Could anything indeed afford a +higher pleasure than to see the emperor exercising his justice, his +wisdom, and his affability, even in retirement, where those virtues +are most observable? Various were the points brought in judgment +before him, and which proved, in so many different instances, the +excellence of the judge. The cause of Claudius Ariston came on +first. He is an Ephesian nobleman, of great munificence and +unambitious popularity, whose virtues have rendered him +obnoxious to a set of people of far different characters; they had +instigated an informer against him, of the same infamous stamp +with themselves; but he was honourably acquitted. The next day, +the case of Galitta, accused of adultery, was heard. Her husband, +who is a military tribune, was upon the point of offering himself as +a candidate for certain honours at Rome, but she had stained her +own good name and his by an intrigue with a centurion.103 The +husband informed the consul's lieutenant, who wrote to the +emperor about it. Caesar, having thoroughly sifted the evidence, +cashiered the centurion, and sentenced him to banishment. It +remained that some penalty should be inflicted likewise upon the +other party, as it is a crime of which both must necessarily be +equally guilty. But the husband's affection for his wife inclined +him to drop that part of the prosecution, not without some +reflections on his forbearance; for he continued to live with her +even after he had commenced this prosecution, content, it would +seem, with having removed his rival. But he was ordered to +proceed in the suit: and, though he complied with great reluctance, +it was necessary, nevertheless, that she should be condemned. +Accordingly, she was sentenced to the punishment directed by the +Julian law.104 The emperor thought proper to specify, in his +decree, the name and office of the centurion, that it might appear +he passed it in virtue of military discipline; lest it should be +imagined he claimed a particular cognizance in every cause of the +same nature. The third day was employed in examining into an +affair which had occasioned a good deal of talk and various +reports; it was concerning the codicils of Julius Tiro, part of which +was plainly genuine, while the other part, it was alleged, was +forged. The persons accused of this fraud were Sempronius +Senecio, a Roman knight, and Eurythmus, Caesar's freedman and +proacurator.105 The heirs jointly petitioned the emperor, when he +was in Dacia,106 that he would reserve to himself the trial of this +cause; to which he consented. On his return from that expedition, +he appointed a day for the hearing; and when some of the heirs, as +though out of respect to Eurythmus, offered to withdraw the suit, +the emperor nobly replied, "He is not Polycletus,107 nor am I +Nero." However, he indulged the petitioners with an adjournment, +and the time being expired, he now sat to hear the cause. Two of +the heirs appeared, and desired that either their whole number +might be compelled to plead, as they had all joined in the +information, or that they also might have leave to withdraw. +Caesar delivered his opinion with great dignity and moderation; +and when the counsel on the part of Senecio and Eurythmus had +represented that unless their clients were heard, they would remain +under the suspicion of guilt,-- "I am not concerned," said the +emperor, "what suspicions they may lie under, it is I that am +suspected;" and then turning to us, "Advise me," said he, "how to +act in this affair, for you see they complain when allowed to +withdraw their suit." At length, by the advice of the counsel, he +'ordered notice to be given to the heirs that they should either +proceed with the case or each of themjustify their reasons for not +doing so; otherwise that he would pass scntcnce upon them as +calumniators.108 Thus you see how usefully and seriously we +spent our time, which however was diversified with amusements +of the most agreeable kind. We were every day invited to Caesar's +table, which, for so great a prince, was spread with much plainness +and simplicity. There we were either entertained with interludes or +passed the night in the most pleasing conversation. When we took +our leave of him the last day, he made each of us presents; so +studiously polite is Caesar! As for myself, I was not only charmed +with the dignity and wisdom of the judge, the honour done to the +assessors, the ease and unreserved freedom of our social +intercourse, but with the exquisite situation of the place itself. This +delightful villa is surrounded by the greenest meadows, and +overlooks the shore, which bends inwards, forming a complete +harbour. The left arm of this port is defended by exceedingly +strong works, while the right is in process of completion. An +artificial island, which rises at the mouth of the harbour, breaks the +force of the waves, and affords a safe passage to ships on either +side. This island is formed by a process worth seeing: stones of a +most enormous size are transported hither in a large sort of +pontoons, and being piled one upon the other, are fixed by their +own weight, gradually accumulating in the manner, as it were, of a +natural mound. It already lifts its rocky back above the ocean, +while the waves which beat upon it, being broken and tossed to an +immense height, foam with a prodigious noise, and whiten all the +surrounding sea. To these stones are added wooden piers, which in +process of time will give it the appearance of a natural island. This +haven is to be called by the name of its great author,109 and will +prove of infinite benefit, by affording a secure retreat to ships on +that extensive and dangerous coast. Farewell. + +LXXII + +To MAXIMUS + +You did perfectly right in promising a gladiatorial combat to our +good friends the citizens of Verona, who have long loved, looked +up to, and honoured, you; while it was from that city too you +received that amiable object of your most tender affection, your +late excellent wife. And since you owed some monument or public +representation to her memory, what other spectacle could you have +exhibited more appropriate to the occasion? Besides, you were so +unanimously pressed to do so that to have refused would have +looked more like hardness than resolution. The readiness too with +which you granted their petition, and the magnificent manner in +which you performed it, is very much to your honour; for a +greatness of soul is seen in these smaller instances, as well as +in matters of higher moment. I wish the African panthers, which +you had largely provided for this purpose, had arrived on the day +appointed, but though they were delayed by the stormy weather, +the obligation to you is equally the same, since it was not yowr +fault that they were not exhibited. Farewell. + +LXXIII + +To RESTITUTUS + +THIS obstinate illness of yours alarms me; and though I know how +extremely temperate you are, yet I fear lest your disease should get +the better of your moderation. Let me entreat you then to resist it +with a determined abstemiousness: a remedy, be assured, of all +others the most laudable as well as the most salutary. Human +nature itself admits the practicability of what I recommend: it is a +rule, at least, which I always enjoin my family to observe with +respect to myself. "I hope," I say to them, "that should I be +attacked with any disorder, I shall desire nothing of which I ought +either to be ashamed or have reason to repent; however, if my +distemper should prevail over my resolution, I forbid that anything +be given me but by the consent of my physicians; and I shall resent +your compliance with me in things improper as much as another +man would their refusal." I once had a most violent fever; when +the fit was a little abated, and I had been anointed,110 my +physician offered me something to drink; I held out my hand, +desiring he would first feel my pulse, and upon his not seeming +quite satisfied, I instantly returned the cup, though it was just at +my lips. Afterwards, when I was preparing to go into the bath, +twenty days from the first attack of my illness, perceiving the +physicians whispering together, I enquired what they were saying. +They replied they were of opinion I may possibly bathe with +safety, however that they were not without some suspicion of risk. +"What need is there," said I, "of my taking a bath at all?" And so, +with perfect calmness and tranquillity, I gave up a pleasure I was +upon the point of enjoying, and abstained from the bath as serenely +and composedly as though I were going into it. I mention this, not +only by way of enforcing my advice by example, but also that this +letter may be a sort of tie upon me to persevere in the same +resolute abstinence for the future. Farewell. + +LXXIV + +To CALPURNIA111 + +You will not believe what a longing for you possesses me. The +chief cause of this is my love; and then we have not grown used to +be apart. So it comes to pass that I lie awake a great part of the +night, thinking of you; and that by day, when the hours return at +which I was wont to visit you, my feet take me, as it is so truly +said, to your chamber, but not finding you there, I return, sick and +sad at heart, like an excluded lover. The only time that is free from +these torments is when I am being worn out at the bar, and in the +suits of my friends. Judge you what must be my life when I find +my repose in toil, my solace in wretchedness and anxiety. +Farewell. + +LXXV + +To MACRINUS + +A VERY singular and remarkable accident has happened in the +affair of Varenus,112 the result of which is yet doubtful. The +Bithynians, it is said, have dropped their prosecution of him being +convinced at last that it was rashly undertaken. A deputy from that +province is arrived, who has brought with him a decree of their +assembly; copies of which he has delivered to Caesar,113 and to +several of the leading men in Rome, and also to us, the advocates +for Varenus. Magnus,114 nevertheless, whom I mentioned in my +last letter to you, persists in his charge, to support which he is +incessantly teazing the worthy Nigrinus. This excellent person was +counsel for him in his former petition to the consuls, that Varenus +might be compelled to produce his accounts. Upon this occasion, +as I attended Varenus merely as a fricnd, I determined to be silent. +I thought it highly imprudent for me, as I was appointed his +counsel by the senate, to attempt to defend him as an accused +person, when it was his business to insist that there was actually no +charge subsisting against him. However, when Nigrinus had +finished his speech, the consuls turning their eyes upon me, I rose +up, and, "When you shall hear," I said, "what the real deputies +from the province have to object against the motion of Nigrinus, +you will see that my silence was not without just reason." Upon +this Nigrinus asked me, "To whom are these deputies sent?" I +replied, "To me among others; I have the decree of the province in +my hands." He returned, "That is a point which, though it may be +clear to you, I am not so well satisfied of." To this I answered, +"Though it may not be so evident to you, who are concerned to +support the accusation, it may be perfectly clear to me, who am on +the more favourable side." Then Polyaenus, the deputy from the +province, acquainted the senate with the reasons for superseding +the prosecution, but desired it migh't be without prejudice to +Caesar's determination. Magnus answered him; Polyaenus replied; +as for myself, I only now and then threw in a word, observing in +general a complete silence. For I have learned that upon some +occasions it is as much an orator's business to be silent as to speak, +and I remember, in some criminal cases, to have done even more +service to my clients by a discreet silence than I could have +expected from the most carefully prepared speech. To enter into +the subject of eloquence is indeed very foreign to the purpose of +my letter, yet allow me to give you one instance in proof of +my last observation. A certain lady having lost her son suspected +that his freedmen, whom he had appointed coheirs with her, were +guilty of forging the will and poisoning him. Accordingly she +charged them with the fact before the emperor, who directed +Julianus Suburanus to try the cause. I was counsel for the +defendants, and the case being exceedingly remarkable, and the +counsel engaged on both sides of eminent ability, it drew together +a very numerous audience. The issue was, the servants being put to +the torture, my clients were acquitted. But the mother applied a +second time to the emperor, pretending she had discovered some +new evidence. Suburanus was therefore directed to bear the cause, +and see if she could produce any fresh proofs. Julius Africanus was +counsel for the mother, a young man of good parts, but slender +experience. He is grandson to the famous orator of that name, of +whom it is reported that Passienus Crispus, hearing him one day +plead, archly said, "Very fine, I must confess, very fine; but is all +this fine speaking to the purpose?" Julius Africanus, I say, having +made a long harangue, and exhausted the portion of time allotted +to him, said, "I beg you, Suburanus, to allow me to add one word +more." When he had concluded, and the eyes of the whole +assembly had been fixed a considerable time upon me, I rose up. "I +would have answered Africanus," said I, "if he had added that one +word he begged leave to do, in which I doubt not he would have +told us all that we had not heard before." I do not remember to +have gained so much applause by any speech that I ever made as I +did in this instance by making none. Thus the little that I had +hitherto said for Varenus was received with the same general +approbation. The consuls, agreeably to the request of Polyaenus, +reserved the whole affair for the determination of the emperor, +whose resolution I impatiently wait for; as that will decide whether +I may be entirely secure and easy with respect to Varenus, or must +again renew all my trouble and anxiety upon his account. Farewell. + +LXXVI + +To TUSCUS + +You desire my opinion as to the method of study you should +pursue, in that retirement to which you have long. since +withdrawn. In the first place, then, I look upon it as a very +advantageous practice (and it is what many recommend) to +translate either from Greek into Latin or from Latin into Greek. By +this means you acquire propriety and dignity of expression, and a +variety of beautiful figures, and an ease and strength of exposition, +and in the imitation of the best models a facility of creating such +models for yourself. Besides, those things which you may possibly +have overlooked in an ordinary reading over cannot escape you in +translating: and this method will also enlarge your knowledge, and +improve your judgment. It may not be amiss, after you have read +an author, to turn, as it were, to his rival, and attempt something ol +your own upon the same topic, and then make a careful +comparison between your performance and his, in order to see in +what points either you or he may be the happier. You may +congratulate yourself indeed if you shall find in some things that +you have the advantage of him, while it will be a great +mortification if he is always superior. You may sometimes select +very famous passages and compete with what you select. The +competition is daring enough, but, as it is private, cannot be called +impudent. Not but that we have seen instances of persons who +have publicly entered this sort of lists with great credit to +themselves, and, while they did not despair of overtaking, have +gloriously outstripped those whom they thought it sufficient +honour to follow. A speech no longer fresh in your memory, you +may take up again. You will find plenty in it to leave unaltered, but +still more to reject; you will add a new thought here, and alter +another there. It is a laborious and tedious task, I own, thus to +re-enfiame the mind after the first heat is over, to recover an +impulse when its force has been checked and spent, and, worse +than all, to put new limbs into a body already complete without +disturbing the old; but the advantage attending this method will +overbalance the difficulty. I know the bent of your present +attention is directed towards the eloquence of the bar; but I would +not for that reason advise you never to quit the polemic, if I may so +call it, and contentious style. As land is improved by sowing it +with various seeds, constantly changed, so is the mind by +exercising it now with this subject of study, now with that. I would +recommend you, therefore, sometimes to take a subject from +history, and you might give more care to the composition of your +letters. For it frequently happens that in pleading one has occasion +to make use not only of historical, but even poetical, styles of +description; and then from letters you acquire a concise and simple +mode of expression. You will do quite right again in refreshing +yourself with poetry: when I say so, I do not mean that species of +poetry which turns upon subjects of great length and continuity +(such being suitable only for persons of leisure), but those little +pieces of the sprightly kind of poesy, which serve as proper reliefs +to, and are consistent with, employments of every sort. They +commonly go under the title of poetical amusements; but these +amusements have sometimes gained their authors as much +reputation as works of a more serious nature; and thus (for while I +am exhorting you to poetry, why should I not turn poet myself?) + +"As yielding wax the artist's skill commands, +Submissive shap'd beneath his forming hands; +Now dreadful stands in arms a Mars confest; +Or now with Venus's softer air imprest; +A wanton Cupid now the mould belies; +Now shines, severely chaste, a Pallas wife: +As not alone to quench the raging flame, +The sacred fountain pours her friendly stream; +But sweetly gliding through the flow'ry green, +Spreads glad refreshment o'er the smiling scene: +So, form'd by science, should the ductile mind +Receive, distinct, each various art refin'd." + +In this manner the greatest men, as well as the greatest +orators, used either to exercise or amuse themselves, or rather +indeed did both. It is surprising how much the mind is enlivened +and refreshed by these little poetical compositions, as they turn +upon love, hatred, satire, tenderness, politeness, and everything, in +short, that concerns life and the affairs of the world. Besides, the +same advantage attends these, as every other sort of poems, that +we turn from them to prose with so much the more pleasure after +having experienced the difficulty of being constrained and fettered +by metre. And now, perhaps, I have troubled you upon this subject +longer than you desired; however, there is one thing I have left out: +I have not told you what kind of authors you should read; though +indeed that was sufficiently implied when I told you on what you +should write. Remember to be careful in your choice of authors of +every kind: for, as it has been well observed, "though we should +read much, we should not read many books." Who those authors +are, is so clearly settled, and so generally known, that I need not +particularly specify them; besides, I have already extended this +letter to such an immoderate length that, while suggesting how you +ought to study, I have, I fear, been actually interrupting your +studies. I will here resign you therefore to your tablets, either to +resume the studies in which you were before engaged or to enter +upon some of those I have recommended. Farewell. + +LXX VII + +To FABATUS (HIS WIFE'S GRANDFATHER) + +You are surprised, I find, that my share of five-twelfths of the +estate which lately fell to me, and which I had directed to be sold +to the best bidder, should have been disposed of by my freedman +Hermes to Corellia (without putting it up to auction) at the rate of +seven hundred thousand sesterces115 for the whole. And as you +think it might have fetched nine hundred thousand,116 you are so +much the more desirous to know whether I am inclined to ratify +what he has done. I am; and listen, while I tell you why, for I hope +that not only you will approve, but also that my fellow-coheirs will +excuse me for having, upon a motive of superior obligation, +separated my interest from theirs. I have the highest esteem for +Corellia, both as the sister of Rufus, whose memory will always be +a sacred one to me, and as my mother's intimate friend. Besides, +that excellent man Minutius Tuscus, her husband, has every claim +to my affection that a long friendship can give him; as there was +likewise the closest intimacy between her son and me, so much so +indeed that I fixed upon him to preside at the games which I +exhibited when I was elected praetor. This lady, when I was last in +the country, expressed a strong desire for some place upon the +borders of our lake of Comum; I therefore made her an offer, at +her own price, of any part of my land there, except what came to +me from my father and mother; for that I could not consent to part +with, even to Corellia, and accordingly when the inheritance in +question fell to me, I wrote to let her know it was to be sold. This +letter I sent by Hermes, who, upon her requesting him that he +would immediately make over to her my proportion of it, +consented. Am I not then obliged to confirm what my freedman +has thus done in pursuance of my inclinations? I have only to +entreat my fellow-coheirs that they will not take it ill at my hands +that I have made a separate sale of what I had certainly a right to +dispose of. They are not bound in any way to follow my example, +since they have not the same connections with Corellia. They are +at full liberty therefore to be guided by interest, which in my own +case I chose to sacrifice to friendship. Farewell. + +LXXVIII + +To CORELLIA + +You are truly generous to desire and insist that I take for my share +of the estate you purchased of me, not after the rate of seven +hundred thousand sesterces for the whole, as my freedman sold it +to you; but in the proportion of nine hundred thousand, agreeably +to what you gave to the farmers of the twentieths for their part. But +I must desire and insist in my turn that you would consider not +only what is suitable to your character, but what is worthy of mine; +and that you would suffer me to oppose your inclination in this +single instance, with the same warmth that I obey it in all others. +Farewell. + +LXXIX + +To CELER + +EVERY author has his particular reasons for reciting his works; +mine, I have often said, are, in order, if any error should have +escaped my own observation (as no doubt they do escape it +sometimes), to have it pointed out to me. I cannot therefore but be +surprised to find (what your letter assures me) that there are some +who blame me for reciting my speeches: unless, perhaps, they are +of opinion that this is the single species of composition that ought +to be held exempt from any correction. If so, I would willingly ask +them why they allow (if indeed they do allow) that history may be +recited, since it is a work which ought to be devoted to truth, not +ostentation? or why tragedy, as it is composed for action and the +stage, not for being read to a private audience? or lyric poetry, as it +is not a reader, but a chorus of voices and instruments that it +requires? They will reply, perhaps, that in the instances referred to +custom has made the practice in question usual: I should be glad to +know, then, if they think the person who first introduced this +practice is to be condemned? Besides the rehearsal of speeches is +no unprecedented thing either with us or the Grecians. Still, +perhaps, they will insist that it can answer no purpose to recite a +speech which has already been delivered. True; if one were +immediately to repeat the very same speech word for word, and to +the very same audience; but if you make several additions and +alterations; if your audience is composed partly of the same, and +partly of different persons, and the recital is at some distance of +time, why is there less propriety in rehearsing your speech than in +publishing it? "But it is difficult," the objectors urge, "to give +satisfaction to an audience by the mere recital of a speech"; that is +a consideration which concerns the particular skill and pains of the +person who rehearses, but by no means holds good against +recitation in general. The truth is, it is not whilst I am reading, but +when I am read, that I aim at approbation; and upon this principle I +omit no sort of correction. In the first place, I frequently go +carefully over what I have written, by myself, after this I read it out +to two or three friends, and then give it to others to make their +remarks. If after this I have any doubt concerning the justness of +their observations, I carefully weigh them again with a friend or +two; and, last of all, I recite them to a larger audience, then is the +time, believe me, when I correct most energetically and +unsparingly; for my care and attention rise in proportion to my +anxiety; as nothing renders the judgment so acute to detect error as +that deference, modesty, and diffidence one feels upon those +occasions. For tell me, would you not be infinitely less affected +were you to speak before a single person only, though ever so +learned, than before a numerous assembly, even though composed +of none but illiterate people? When you rise up to plead, are you +not at that juncture, above all others, most self-distrustful? and do +you not wish, I will not say some particular parts only, but that the +whole arrangement of your intended speech were altered? +especially if the concourse should be large in which you are to +speak? for there is something even in a low and vulgar audience +that strikes one with awe. And if you suspect you are not well +received at the first opening of your speech, do you not find all +your energy relaxed, and feel yourself ready to give way? The +reason I imagine to be that there is a certain weight of collective +opinion in a multitude, and although each individual judgment is, +perhaps, of little value, yet when united it becomes considerable. +Accordingly, Pomponius Secundus, the famous tragic poet, +whenever some very intimate friend and he differed about the +retaining or rejecting anything in his writings, used to say, "I +appeal117 to the people"; and thus, by their silence or applause, +adopted either his own or his friend's opinion; such was the +deference he paid to the popular judgment! Whether justly or not, +is no concern of mine, as I am not in the habit of reciting my +works publicly, but only to a select circle, whose presence I +respect, and whose judgment I value; in a word, whose opinions I +attend to as if they were so many individuals I had separately +consulted, at the same time that I stand in as much awe before +them as I should before the most numerous assembly. What Cicero +says of composing will, in my opinion, hold true of the dread we +have of the public: "Fear is the most rigid critic imaginable." The +very thought of reciting, the very entrance into an assembly, and +the agitated concern when one is there; each of these +circumstances tends to improve and perfect an author's +performance. Upon the whole, therefore, I cannot repent of a +practice which I have found by experience so exceedingly useful; +and am so far from being discouraged by the trifling objections of +these censors that I request you would point out to me if there is +yet any other kind of correction, that I may also adopt it; for +nothing can sufficiently satisfy my anxiety to render my +compositions perfect. I reflect what an undertaking it is resigning +any work into the hands of the public; and I cannot but be +persuaded that frequent revisals, and many consultations, must go +to the perfecting of a performance, which one desires should +universally and forever please. Farewell. + +LXXX + +To PRISCUS + +THE illness of my friend Fannia gives me great concern. She +contracted it during her attendance on Junia, one of the Vestal +virgins, engaging in this good office at first voluntarily, Junia +being her relation, and afterwards being appointed to it by an order +from the college of priests: for these virgins, when excessive +ill-health renders it necessary to remove them from the temple of +Vesta, are always delivered over to the care and custody of some +venerable matron. It was owing to her assiduity in the execution of +this charge that she contracted her present dangerous disorder, +which is a continual fever, attended with a cough that increases +daily. She is extremely emaciated, and every part of her seems in a +total decay except her spirits: those, indeed, she fully keeps up; +and in a way altogether worthy the wife of Helvidius, and the +daughter of Thrasea. In all other respects there is such a falling +away that I am more than apprehensive upon her account; I am +deeply afflicted. I grieve, my friend, that so excellent a woman is +going to be removed from the eyes of the world, which will never, +perhaps, again behold her equal. So pure she is, so pious, so wise +and prudent, so brave and steadfast! Twice she followed her +husband into exile, and the third time she was banished herself +upon his account. For Senecio, when arraigned for writing the life +of Helvidius, having said in his defence that he composed that +work at the request of Fannia, Metius Carus, with a stern and +threatening air, asked her whether she had made that request, and +she replied, "I made it." Did she supply him likewise with +materials for the purpose? "I did." Was her mother privy to +this transaction? "She was not." In short, throughout her whole +examination, not a word escaped her which betrayed the smallest +fear. On the contrary, she had preserved a copy of those very books +which the senate, over-awed by the tyranny of the times, had +ordered to be suppressed, and at the same time the effects of the +author to be confiscated, and carried with her into exile the very +cause of her exile. Ilow pleasing she is, how courteous, and (what +is granted to few) no less lovable than worthy of all esteem and +adlniration! Will she hereafter be pointed out as a model to all +wives; and perhaps be esteemed worthy of being set forth as an +example of fortitude even to our sex; since, while we still have the +pleasure of seeing and conversing with her, we contemplate her +with the same admiration, as those heroines who are celebrated in +ancient story? For myself, I confess, I cannot but tremble for this +illustrious house, which seems shaken to its very foundations, and +ready to fall; for though she will leave descendants behind her, yet +what a height of virtue must they attain, what glorious deeds must +they perform, ere the world will be persuaded that she was not the +last of her family! It is an additional affliction and anguish to me +that by her death I seem to lose her mother a second time; that +worthy mother (and what can I say higher in her praise?) of so +noble a woman! who, as she was restored to me in her daughter, so +she will now again be taken from me, and the loss of Fannia will +thus pierce my heart at once with a fresh, and at the same time +re-opened, wound. I so truly loved and honoured them both, that I +know not which I loved the best; a point they desired might ever +remain undetermined. In their prosperity and their adversity I did +them every kindness in my power, and was their comforter in +exile, as well as their avenger at their return. But I have not yet +paid them what I owe, and am so much the more solicitous for the +recovery of this lady, that I may have time to discharge my debt to +her. Such is the anxiety and sorrow under which I write this letter! +But if some divine power should happily turn it into joy, I shall not +complain of the alarms I now suffer. Farewell. + +LXXXI + +To GEMINIUS + +NUMIDIA QUADRATILLA is dead, having almost reached her +eightieth year. She enjoyed, up to her last illness, uninterrupted +good health, and was unusually stout and robust for one of her sex. +She has left a very prudent will, having disposed of two-thirds of +her estate to her grandson, and the rest to her grand-daughter. The +young lady I know very slightly, but the grandson is one of my +most intimate friends. He is a remarkable young man, and his +merit entitles him to the affection of a relation, even where his +blood does not. Notwithstanding his remarkable personal beauty, +he escaped every malicious imputation both whilst a boy and when +a youth: he was a husband at four-and-twenty, and would have +been a father if Providence had not disappointed his hopes. He +lived in the family with his grandmother, who was exceedingly +devoted to the pleasures of the town, yet observed great severity of +conduct himself, while always perfectly deferential and submissive +to her. She retained a set of pantomimes, and was an encourager of +this class of people to a degree inconsistent with one of her sex +and rank. But Quadratus never appeared at these entertainments, +whether she exhibited them in the theatre or in her own house; nor +indeed did she require him to be present. I once heard her say, +when she was recommending to me the supervision of her +grandson's studies, that it was her custom, in order to pass away +some of those unemployed hours with which female life abounds, +to amuse herself with playing at chess, or seeing the mimicry of +her pantomimes; but that, whenever she engaged in either of those +amusements, she constantly sent away her grandson to his studies: +she appeared to me to act thus as much out of reverence for the +youth as from affection. I was a good deal surprised, as I am sure +you will be too, at what he told me the last time the Pontifical +games118 were exhibited. As we were coming out of the theatre +together, where we had been entertained with a show of these +pantomimes, "Do you know," said he, "to-day is the first time I +ever saw my grandmother's freedman dance?" Such was the +grandson's speech! while a set of men of a far different stamp, in +order to do honour to Quadratilla (am ashamed to call it honour), +were running up and down the theatre, pretending to be struck with +the utmost admiration and rapture at the performances of those +pantomimes, and then imitating in musical chant the mien and +manner of their lady patroness. But now all the reward they have +got, in return for their theatrical performances, is just a few trivial +legacies, which they have the mortification to receive from an heir +who was never so much as present at these shows.-- I send you this +account, knowing you do not dislike hearing town news, and +because, too, when any occurrence has given me pleasure, I love to +renew it again by relating it. And indeed this instance of affection +in Quadratilla, and the honour done therein to that excellent youth +her grandson, has afforded me a very sensible satisfaction; as I +extremely rejoice that the house which once belonged to +Cassius,119 the founder and chief of the Cassian school, is come +into the possession of one no less considerable than its former +master. For my friend will fill it and become it as he ought, and its +ancient dignity, lustre, and glory will again revive under +Quadratus, who, I am persuaded, will prove as eminent an orator +as Cassius was a lawyer. Farewell. + +LXXXII + +To MAXIMUS + +THE lingering disorder of a friend of mine gave me occasion lately +to reflect that we are never so good as when oppressed with illness. +Where is the sick man who is either solicited by avarice or +inflamed with lust? At such a season he is neither a slave of love +nor the fool of ambition; wealth he utterly disregards, and is +content with ever so small a portion of it, as being upon the point +of leaving even that little. It is then he recollects there are gods, +and that he himself is but a man: no mortal is then the object of his +envy, his admiration, or his contempt; and the tales of slander +neither raise his attention nor feed his curiosity: his dreams are +only of baths and fountains. These are the supreme objects of his +cares and wishes, while he resolves, if he should recover, to pass +the remainder of his days in ease and tranquillity, that is, to live +innocently and happily. I may therefore lay down to you and +myself a short rule, which the philosophers have endeavoured to +inculcate at the expense of many words, and even many volumes; +that "we should try and realise in health those resolutions we form +in sickness." Farewell. + +LXXXIII + +To SURA + +THE present recess from business we are now enjoying affords +you leisure to give, and me to receive, instruction. I am extremely +desirous therefore to know whether you believe in the existence of +ghosts, and that they have a real form, and are a sort of divinities, +or only the visionary impressions of a terrified imagination. What +particularly inclines me to believe in their existence is a story +which I heard of Curtius Rufus. When he was in low +circumstances and unknown in the world, he attended the governor +of Africa into that province. One evening, as he was walking in the +public portico, there appeared to him the figure of a woman, of +unusual size and of beauty more than human. And as he stood +there, terrified and astonished, she told him she was the tutelary +power that presided over Africa, and was come to inform him of +the future events of his life: that he should go back to Rome, to +enjoy high honours there, and return to that province invested with +the pro-consular dignity, and there should die. Every circumstance +of this prediction actually came to pass. It is said farther that upon +his arrival at Carthage, as he was coming out of the ship, the same +figure met him upon the shore. It is certain, at least, that being +seized with a fit of illness, though there were no symptoms in his +case that led those about him to despair, he instantly gave up all +hope of recovery; judging, apparently, of the truth of the future +part of the prediction by what had already been fulfilled, and of the +approaching misfortune from his former prosperity. Now the +following story, which I am going to tell you just as I heard it, is it +not more terrible than the former, while quite as wonderful? There +was at Athens a large and roomy house, which had a bad name, so +that no one could live there. In the dead of the night a noise, +resembling the clashing of iron, was frequently heard, which, if +you listened more attentively, sounded like the rattling of chains, +distant at first, but approaching nearer by degrees: immediately +afterwards a spectre appeared in the form of an old man, of +extremely emaciated and squalid appearance, with a long beard +and dishevelled hair, rattling the chains on his feet and hands. The +distressed occupants meanwhile passed their wakeful nights under +the most dreadful terrors imaginable. This, as it broke their rest, +ruined their health, and brought on distempers, their terror grew +upon them, and death ensued. Even in the day time, though the +spirit did not appear, yet the impression remained so strong upon +their imaginations that it still seemed before their eyes, and kept +them in perpetual alarm, Consequently the house was at length +deserted, as being deemed absolutely uninhabitab1e; so that it was +now entirely abandoned to the ghost. However, in hopes that some +tenant might be found who was ignorant of this very alarming +circumstance, a bill was put up, giving notice that it was either to +be let or sold. It happened that Athenodorus120 the philosopher +came to Athens at this time, and, reading the bill, enquired the +price. The extraordinary cheapness raised his suspicion; +nevertheless, when he heard the whole story, be was so +far from being discouraged that he was more strongly inclined to +hire it, and, in short, actually did so. When it grew towards +evening, he ordered a couch to be prepared for him in the front +part of the house, and, after calling for a light, together with his +pencil and tablets, directed all his people to retire. But that his +mind might not, for want of employment, be open to the vain +terrors of imaginary noises and spirits, he applied himself to +writing with the utmost attention. The first part of the night passed +in entire silence, as usual; at length a clanking of iron and rattling +of chains was heard: however, he neither lifted up his eyes nor laid +down his pen, but in order to keep calm and collected tried to pass +the sounds off to himself as something else. The noise increased +and advanced nearer, till it seemed at the door, and at last in the +chamber. He looked up, saw, and recognized the ghost exactly as it +had been described to him: it stood before him, beckoning with the +finger, like a person who calls another. Athenodorus in reply made +a sign with his hand that it should wait a little, and threw his eyes +again upon his papers; the ghost then rattled its chains over the +head of the philosopher, who looked up upon this, and seeing it +beckoning as before, immediately arose, and, light in hand, +followed it. The ghost slowly stalked along, as if encumbered with +its chains, and, turning into the area of the house, suddenly +vanished. Athenodorus, being thus deserted, made a mark with +some grass and leaves on the spot where the spirit left him. The +next day he gave information to the magistrates, and advised them +to order that spot to be dug up. This was accordingly done, and the +skeleton of a man in chains was found there; for the body, having +lain a considerable time in the ground, was putrefied and +mouldered away from the fetters. The bones being collected +together were publicly buried, and thus after the ghost was +appeased by the proper ceremonies, the house was haunted no +more. This story I believe upon the credit of others; what I am +going to mention, I give you upon my own. I have a freedman +named Marcus, who is by no means illiterate. One night, as he and +his younger brother were lying together, he fancied he saw +somebody upon his bed, who took out a pair of scissors, and cut +off the hair from the top part of his own head, and in the morning, +it appeared his hair was actually cut, and the clippings lay +scattered about the floor. A short time after this, an event of a +similar nature contributed to give credit to the former story. A +young lad of my family was sleeping in his apartment with the rest +of his companions, when two persons clad in white came in, as he +says, through the windows, cut off his hair as he lay, and then +returned the same way they entered. The next morning it was +found that this boy had been served just as the other, and there was +the hair again, spread about the room. Nothing remarkable indeed +followed these events, unless perhaps that I escaped a prosecution, +in which, if Domitian (during whose reign this happened) had +lived some time longer, I should certainly have been involved. For +after the death of that emperor, articles of impeachment against +me were found in his scrutore, which had been exhibited by Carus. +It may therefore be conjectured, since it is customary for persons +under any public accusation to let their hair grow, this cutting off +the hair of my servants was a sign I should escape the imminent +danger that threatened me. Let me desire you then to give this +question your mature consideration. The subject deserves your +examination; as, I trust, I am not myself altogether unworthy a +participation in the abundance of your superior knowledge. And +though you should, as usual, balance between two opinions, yet I +hope you will lean more on one side than on the other, lest, whilst +I consult you in order to have my doubt settled, you should dismiss +me in the same suspense and indecision that occasioned you the +present application. Farewell. + +LXXXIV + +To SEPTITIUS + +You tell me certain persons have blamed me in your company, as +being upon all occasions too lavish in the praise I give my friends. +I not only acknowledge the charge, but glory in it; for can there be +a nobler error than an overflowing benevolence? But still, who are +these, let me ask, that are better acquaillted with my friends than I +am myself? Yet grant there are any such, why will they deny me +the satisfaction of so pleasing a mistake? For supposing my friends +not to deserve the highest encomiums I give them, yet I am happy +in believing they do. Let them recommend then this malignant zeal +to those (and their number is not inconsiderable) who imagine they +show their judgment when they indulge their censure upon their +friends. As for myself, they will never be able to persuade me I can +be guilty of an excess121 in friendship, Farewell. + +LXXXV + +To TACITUS + +I PREDICT (and I am persuaded I shall not be deceived) that your +histories will be immortal. I frankly own therefore I so much the +more earnestly wish to find a place in them. If we are generally +careful to have our faces taken by the best artists, ought we not to +desire that our actions may be celebrated by an author of your +distinguished abilities? I therefore call your attention to the +following matter, which, though it cannot have escaped your +notice, as it is mentioned in the public journals, still I call your +attention to, that you may the more readily believe how agreeable +it will be to me that this action, greatly heightened by the risk +which attended it, should receive additional lustre from the +testimony of a man of your powers. The senate appointed +Herennius Senecio, and myself, counsel for the province of +Baetica, in their impeachment of Boebius Massa. He was +condemned, and the house ordered his effects to be seized into the +hands of the public officer. Shortly after, Senecio, having learnt +that the consuls intended to sit to hear petitions, came and said to +me, "Let us go together, atid petition them with the same +unanimity in which we executed the office which had been +enjoined us, not to suffer Massa's effects to be dissipated by those +who were appointed to preserve them." I answered, "As we were +counsel in this affair by order of the senate, I recommend it to your +consideration whether it would be proper for us, after sentence +passed, to interpose any farther." "You are at liberty," said he, "to +prescribe what bounds you please to yourself, who have no +particular connections with the province, except what arise from +your late services to them; but then I was born there, and enjoyed +the post of quaestor among them." "If such," I replied, "is your +determined resolution, I am ready to accompany you, that +whatever resentment may be the consequence of this affair, it may +not fall singly upon yourself." We accordingly proceeded to the +consuls, where Senecio said what was pertinent to the affair, and I +added a few words to the same effect. Scarcely had we ended +when Massa, complaining that Senecio had not acted against him +with the fidelity of an advocate, but the bitterness of an enemy, +desired he might be at liberty to prosecute him for treason. This +occasioned general consternation. Whereupon I rose up; "Most +noble consuls," said I, "I am afraid it should seem that Massa has +tacitly charged me with having favoured him in this cause, since +he did not think proper to join me with Senecio in the desired +prosecution." This short speech was immediately received with +applause, and afterwards got much talked about everywhere. The +late emperor Nerva (who, though at that time in a private station, +yet interested himself in every meritorious action performed in +public) wrote a most impressive letter to me upon the occasion, in +which he not only congratulated me, but the age which had +produced an example so much in the spirit (as he was pleased to +call it) of the good old days. But, whatever be the actual fact, it lies +in your power to raise it into a grander and more conspicuously +illustrious position, though I am far from desiring you in the least +to exceed the bounds of reality. History ought to be guided by +strict truth, and worthy actions require nothing more. Farewell. + +LXXX VI + +To SEPTITIUS + +I HAD a good journey here, excepting only that some of my +servants were upset by the excessive heat. Poor Encolpius, my +reader,122 who is so indispensable to me in my studies and +amusements, was so affected with the dust that it brought on a +spitting of blood: an accident which will prove no less unpleasant +to me than unfortunate to himself, should he be thereby rendered +unfit for the literary work in which he so greatly excels. If that +should unhappily result, where shall I find one who will read my +works so well, or appreciate them so thoroughly as he? Whose +tones will my ears drink in as they do his? But the gods seem to +favour our better hopes, as the bleeding is stopped, and the pain +abated. Besides, he is extremely temperate; while no concern is +wanting on my part or care on his physician's. This, together with +the wholesomeness of the air, and the quiet of retirement, gives us +reason to expect that the cotlntry will contribute as much to the +restoration of his health as to his rest. Farewell. + +LXXXVII + +To CALVISIUS + +OTHER people visit their estates in order to recruit their purses; +whilst I go to mine only to return so much the poorer. I had sold +my vintage to the merchants, who were extremely eager to +purchase it, encouraged by the price it then bore, and what it was +probable it would rise to: however they were disappointed in their +expectations. Upon this occasion to have made the same general +abatement to all would have been much the easiest, though not so +equitable a method. Now I hold it particularly worthy of a man of +honour to be governed by principles of strict equity in his domestic +as well as public conduct; in little matters as in great ones; in his +own concerns as well as in those of others. And if every deviation +from rectitude is equally criminal,123 every approach to it must be +equally praiseworthy. So accordingly I remitted to all in general +one-eighth part of the price they had agreed to give me, that none +might go away without some compensation: next, I particularly +considered those who had advanced the largest sums towards their +purchase, and done me so much the more service, and been greater +sufferers themselves. To those, therefore, whose purchase +amounted to more than ten thousand sesterces,124 I returned (over +and above that which I may call the general and common eighth) a +tenth part of what they had paid beyond that sum. I fear I do not +express myself sufficiently clearly; I will endeavour to explain my +meaning more fully: for instance, suppose a man had purchased of +me to the value of fifteen thousand sesterces,125 I remitted to him +one-eighth part of that whole sum, and likewise one-tenth of five +thousand.126 Besides this, as several had deposited, in different +proportions, part of the price they had agreed to pay, whilst others +had advanced nothing, I thought it would not be at all fair that all +these should be favoured with the same undistinguished remission. +To those, therefore, who had made any payments, I returned a +tenth part upon the sums so paid. By this means I made a proper +acknowledgment to each, according to their respective deserts, and +likewise encouraged them, not only to deal with me for the future, +but to be prompt in their payments. This instance of my +good-nature or my judgment (call it which you please) was a +considerable expense to me. However, I found my account in it; +for all the country greatly approved both of the novelty of these +abatements and the manner in which I regulated them. Even those +whom I did not "mete" (as they say) "by the same measure," but +distinguished according to their several degrees, thought +themselves obliged to me, in proportion to the probity of their +principles, and went away pleased with having experienced that +not with me + +"The brave and mean an equal honour find."127 + +Farewell. + +LXXX VIII + +To ROMANUS + +HAVE you ever seen the source of the river Clitumnus? If you +have not (and I hardly think you can have seen it yet, or you would +have told me), go there as soon as possible. I saw it yesterday, and +I blame myself for not having seen it sooner. At the foot of a little +hill, well wooded with old cypress trees, a spring gushes out, +which, breaking up into different and unequal streams, forms +itself, after several windings, into a large, broad basin of water, so +transparently clear that you may count the shining pebbles, and the +little pieces of money thrown into it, as they lie at the bottom. +From thence it is carried off not so much by the declivity of the +ground as by its own weight and exuberance. A mere stream at its +source, immediately, on quitting this, you find it expanded into a +broad river, fit for large vessels even, allowing a free passage by +each other, according as they sail with or against the stream~ The +current runs so strong, though the ground is level, that the large +barges going down the river have no occasion to make use of their +oars; while those going up find it difficult to make headway even +with the assistance of oars and poles: and this alternate interchange +of ease and toil, according as you turn, is exceedingly amusing +when one sails up and down merely for pleasure. The banks are +well covered with ash and poplar, the shape and colour of the trees +being as clearly and distinctly reflected in the stream as if they +were actually sunk in it. The water is cold as snow, and as white +too. Near it stands an ancient and venerable temple, in which is +placed the river-god Clitumnus clothed in the usual robe of state; +and indeed the prophetic oracles here delivered sufficiently testify +the immediate presence of that divinity. Several little chapels are +scattered round, dedicated to particular gods, distinguished each by +his own peculiar name and form of worship, and some of them, +too, presiding over different fountains. For, besides the principal +spring, which is, as it were, the parent of all the rest, there are +several other lesser streams, which, taking their rise from various +sources, lose themselves in the river; over which a bridge is built +that separates the sacred part from that which lies open to common +use. Vessels are allowed to come above this bridge, but no person +is permitted to swim except below it. The Hispellates, to whom +Augustus gave this place, furnish a public bath, and likewise +entertain all strangers, at their own expense. Several villas, +attracted by the beauty of this river, stand about on its borders. In +short, every surrounding object will afford you entertainment. You +may also amuse yourself with numberless inscriptions upon the +pillars and walls, by different persons, celebrating the virtues of +the fountain, and the divinity that presides over it. Many of them +you will admire, while some will make you laugh; hut I must +correct myself when I say so; you are too humane, I know, to laugh +upon such an occasion. Farewell. + +LXXXIX + +To ARISTO + +As you are no less acquainted with the political laws of your +country (which include the customs and usages of the senate) than +with the civil, I am particularly desirous to have your opinion +whether I was mistaken in an affair which lately came before the +house, or not. This I request, not with a view of being directed in +my judgment as to what is passed (for that is now too late), but in +order to know how to act in any possible future case of the kind. +You will, ask, perhaps, "Why do you apply for information +concerning a point on which you ought to be well instructed ?" +Because the tyranny of former reigns,128 as it introduced a neglect +and ignorance of all other parts of useful knowledge, so +particularly of what relates to the customs of the senate; for who is +there so tamely industrious as to desire to learn what he can never +have an opportunity of putting in practice? Besides, it is not very +easy to retain even the knowledge one has acquired where no +opportunity of employing it occurs. Hence it was that Liberty, on +her return129 found us totally ignorant and inexperienced; and +thus in the warmth of our eagerness to taste her sweets, we are +sometimes hurried ott to action, ere we are well instructed how we +ought to act. But by the institution of our ancestors, it was wisely +provided that the young should learn from the old, not only by +precept, but by their own observation, how to behave in that sphere +in which they were one day themselves to move; while these, +again, in their turn, transmitted the same mode of instruction to +their children. Upon this principle it was that the youth were sent +early into the army, that by being taught to obey they might learn +to command, and, whilst they followed others, might be trained by +degrees to become leaders themselves. On the same principle, +when they were candidates for any office, they were obliged to +stand at the door of the senate-house, and were spectators of the +public council before they became members of it. The father of +each youth was his instructor upon these occasions, or if he had +none, some person of years and dignity supplied the place of a +father. Thus they were taught by that surest method of discipline, +Example; how far the right of proposing any law to the senate +extended; what privileges a senator had in delivering his opinion in +the house; the power of the magistrates in that assembly, and the +rights of the rest of the members; where it is proper to yield, and +where to insist; when and how long to speak, and when to be +silent; how to make necessary distinctions between contrary +opinions, and how to improve upon a former motion: in a word, +they learnt by this means every senatorial usage. As for myself, it +is true indeed, I served in the army when I was a youth; but it was +at a time when courage was suspected, and want of spirit +rewarded; when generals were without authority, and soldiers +without modesty; when there was neither discipline nor obedience, +but all was riot, disorder, and confusion; in short, when it was +happier to forget than to remember what one learnt. I attended +likewise in my youth the senate, but a senate shrinking and +speechless; where it was dangerous to utter one's opinion, and +mean and pitiable to be silent. What pleasure was there in +learning, or indeed what could be learnt, when the senate was +convened either to do nothing whatever or to give their sanction to +some consummate infamy! when they were assembled either for +cruel or ridiculous purposes, and when their deliberations were +never serious, though often sad! But I was not only a witness to +this scene of wretchedness, as a spectator; I bore my share of it too +as a senator, and both saw and suffered under it for many years; +which so broke and damped my spirits that they have not even yet +been able fully to recover themselves. It is within quite recently +(for all time seems short in proportion to its happiness) that we +could take any pleasure in knowing what relates to or in setting +about the duties of our station. Upon these considerations, +therefore, I may the more reasonably entreat you, in the first place, +to pardon my error (if I have been guilty of one), and, in the next, +to lead me out of it by your superior knowledge: for you have +always been diligent to examine into the constitution of your +country, both with respect to its public and private, its ancient and +modern, its general and special laws. I am persuaded indeed the +point upon which I am going to consult you is such an unusual one +that even those whose great experience in public business must +have made them, one would have naturally supposed, acquainted +with everything were either doubtful or absolutely ignorant upon +it. I shall be more excusable, therefore, if I happen to have been +mistaken; as you will earn the higher praise if you can set me right +in an affair which it is not clear has ever yet fallen within your +observation. The enquiry then before the house was concerning the +freedmen of Afranius Dexter, who being found murdered, it was +uncertain whether he fell by his own hands, or by those of his +household; and if the latter, whether they committed the fact in +obedience to the cornmands of Afranius, or were prompted to it by +their own villainy. After they had been put to the question, a +certain senator (it is of no importance to mention his name, but if +you are desirous to know, it was myself) was for acquitting them; +another proposed that they should be banished for a limited time; +and a third that they should suffer death. + +These several opinions were so extremely different that it was +impossible either of them could stand with the other. For what +have death and banishment in common with one another? Why, no +more than banishment and acquittal have together. Though an +acquittal approaches rather nearer a sentence of exile than a +sentence of death does: for both the former agree at least in this +that they spare life, whereas the latter takes it away. In the +meanwhile, those senators who were for punishing with death, and +those who proposed banishment, sate together on the same side of +the house: and thus by a present appearance of unanimity +suspended their real disagreement. I moved, therefore, that the +votes for each of the three opinions should be separately taken, and +that two of them should not, under favour of a short truce between +themselves, join against the third. I insisted that such of the +members who were for capital punishment should divide from the +others who voted for banishment; and that these two distinct +parties should not be permitted to form themselves into a body, in +opposition to those who declared for acquittal, when they would +immediately after disunite again: for it was not material that they +agreed in disliking one proposal, since they differed with respect +to the other two. It seemed very extraordinary that he who moved +the freedmen should be banished, and the slaves suffer death, +should not be allowed to join these two in one motion, but that +each question should be ordered to be put to the house separately; +and yet that the votes of one who was for inflicting capital +punishment upon the freedmen should be taken together with that +of one who was for banishing them. For if, in the former instance, +it was reasonable that the motion should be divided, because it +comprehended two distinct propositions, I could not see why, in +the latter case, suffrages so extremely different should be thrown +into the same scale. Permit me, then, notwithstanding the point is +already settled, to go over it again as if it were still undecided, and +to lay before you those reasons at my ease, which I offered to the +house in the midst of much interruption and clamour. Let us +suppose there had been only three judges appointed to hear this +cause, one of whom was of opinion that the parties in question +deserved death; the other that they should only be banished; and +the third that they ought to be acquitted: should the two former +unite their weight to overpower the latter, or should each be +separately balanced? For the first and second are no more +compatible than the second and third. They ought therefore in the +same manner to be counted in the senate as contrary opinions, +since they were delivered as different ones. Suppose the same +person had moved that they should both have been banished and +put to death, could they possibly, in pursuance of this opinion, +have suffered both punishments? Or could it have been looked +upon as one consistent motion when it united two such different +decisions? Why then should the same opinion, when delivered by +distinct persons, be considered as one and entire, which would not +be deemed so if it were proposed by a single man? Does not the +law manifestly imply that a distinction is to be made between +those who are for a capital conviction, and those who are for +banishment, in the very form of words made use of when the house +is ordered to divide? You who are of such an opinion, come to this +side; you who are of any other, go over to the side of him whose +opinion you follow. Let us examine this form, and weigh every +sentence: You who are of this opinion: that is, for instance, you +who are for banishment, come on this side; namely, on the side of +him who moved for banishment. From whence it is clear he cannot +remain on this side of those who are for death. You who are for +any other: observe, the law is not content with barely saying +another, but it adds any. Now can there be a doubt as to whether +they who declare for a capital conviction are of any other opinion +than those who propose exile! Go over to the side of him whose +opinion you follow: does not the law seem, as it were, to call, +compel, drive over, those who are of different opinions, to contrary +sides? Does not the consul himself point out, not only by this +solemn form of words, but by his hand and gesture, the place in +which every man is to remain, or to which he is to go over? "But," +it is objected, " if this separation is made between those who vote +for inflicting death, and those who are on the side of exile, the +opinion for acquitting the prisoners must necessarily prevail." But +how does that affect the parties who vote? Certainly it does not +become them to contend by every art, and urge every expediment, +that the milder sentence may not take place. " Still," say they, +"those who are for condemning the accused either capitally or to +banishment should be first set in opposition to those who are for +acquitting them, and afterwards weighed against each other." +Thus, as, in certain public games, some particular combatant is set +apart by lot and kept to engage with the conqueror; so, it seems, in +the senate there is a first and second combat, and of two different +opinions, the prevailing one has still a third to contend with. +What? when any particular opinion is received, do not all the rest +fall of course? Is it reasonable, then, that one should be thrown +into the scale merely to weigh down another? To express my +meaning more plainly: unless the two parties who are respectively +for capital punishment and exile immediately separate upon the +first division of the house it would be to no purpose afterwards to +dissent from those with whom they joined before. But I am +dictating instead of receiving instruction.--Tell me then whether +you think these votes should have been taken separately? My +motion, it is true, prevailed; nevertheless I am desirous to know +whether you think I ought to have insisted upon this point, or have +yielded as that member did who declared for capital punishment? +For convinced, I will not say of the legality, but at least of the +equity of my proposal, he receded from his opinion, and went over +to the party for exile: fearing perhaps, if the votes were taken +separately (which he saw would be the case), the freedmen would +be acquitted: for the numbers were far greater on that side than on +either of the other two, separately counted. The consequence was +that those who had been influenced by his authority, when they +saw themselves forsaken by his going over to the other party, gave +up a motion which they found abandoned by the first proposer, and +deserted, as it were, with their leader. Thus the three opinions were +resolved at length into two; and of those two, one prevailed, and +the other was rejected; while the third, as it was not powerful +enough to conquer both the others, had only to choose to which of +the two it would yield. Farewell. + +XC + +To PATERNUS + +THE sickness lately in my family, which has carried off several of +my servants, some of them, too, in the prime of their years, has +been a great affliction to me. I have two consolations, however, +which, though by no means equivalent to such a grief, still are +consolations. One is, that as I have always readily manumitted my +slaves, their death does not seem altogether immature, if they lived +long enough to receive their freedom: the other, that I have +allowed them to make a kind of will,130 which I observe as +religiously as if they were legally entitled to that privilege. I +receive and obey their last requests and injunctions as so many +authoritative commands, suffering them to dispose of their effects +to whom they please; with this single restriction, that they leave +them to some one in my household, for to slaves the house they are +in is a kind of state and commonwealth, so to speak. But though I +endeavor to acquiesce under these reflections, yet the same +tenderness which led me to show them these indulgences weakens +and gets the better of me. However, I would not wish on that +account to become harder: though the generality of the world, I +know, look upon losses of this kind in no other view than as a +diminution of their property, and fancy, by cherishing such an +unfeeling temper, they show a superior fortitude and philosophy. +Their fortitude and philosophy I will not dispute. But humane, I +am sure, they are not; for it is the very criterion of true manhood to +feel those impressions of sorrow which it endeavors to resist, and +to admit not to be above the want of consolation. But perhaps I +have detained you too long upon this subject, though not so long as +I would. There is a certain pleasure even in giving vent to one's +grief; especially when we weep on the bosom of a friend who will +approve, or, at least, pardon, our tears. Farewell. + +XCI + +To MACRINUS + +Is the weather with you as rude and boisterous as it is with us? All +here is in tempest and inundation. The Tiber has swelled its +channel, and overflowed its banks far and wide. Though the wise +precaution of the emperor had guarded against this evil, by cutting +several outlets to the river, it has nevertheless flooded all the fields +and valleys and entirely overspread the whole face of the flat +country. It seems to have gone out to meet those rivers which it +used to receive and carry off in one united stream, and has driven +them back to deluge those countries it could not reach itself. That +most delightful of rivers, the Anio, which seems invited and +detained in its course by the villas built along its banks, has almost +entirely rooted up and carried away the woods which shaded its +borders. It has overthrown whole mountains, and, in endeavouring +to find a passage through the mass of ruins that obstructed its way, +has forced down houses, and risen and spread over the desolation +it has occasioned. The inhabitants of the hill countries, who are +situated above the reach of this inundation, have been the +melancholy spectators of its dreadful effects, having seen costly +furniture, instruments of husbandry, ploughs, and oxen with their +drivers, whole herds of cattle, together with the trunks of trees, and +beams of the neighbouring villas, floating about in different parts. +Nor indeed have these higher places themselves, to which the +waters could not reach up, escaped the calamity. A continued +heavy rain and tempestuous hurricane, as destructive as the river +itself, poured down upon them, and has destroyed all the +enclosures which divided that fertile country. It has damaged +likewise, and even overturned, some of the public buildings, by the +fall of which great numbers have been maimed, smothered, +bruised. And thus lamentation over the fate of friends has been +added to losses. I am extremely uneasy lest this extensive ruin +should have spread to you: I beg therefore, if it has not, you will +immediately relieve my anxiety; and indeed I desire you would +inform me though it should have done so; for the difference is not +great between fearing a danger, and feeling it; except that the evil +one feels has some bounds, whereas one's apprehensions have +none. For we can suffer no more than what actually has happened +but we fear all that possibly could happen. Farewell. + +XCII + +To RUFINUS + +Tun common notion is certainly quite a false one, that a man's will +is a kind of mirror in which we may clearly discern his real +character, for Domitius Tullus appears a much better man since his +death than he did during his lifetime. After having artfully +encouraged the expectations of those who paid court to him, with a +view to being his heirs, he has left his estate to his niece whom he +adopted. He has given likewise several very considerable legacies +among his grandchildren, and also to his great-grandson. In a +word, he has shown himself a most kind relation throughout his +whole will; which is so much the more to be admired as it was not +expected of him. This affair has been very much talked about, and +various opinions expressed: some call him false, ungrateful, and +forgetful, and, while thus railing at him in this way as if they were +actually disinherited kindred, betray their own dishonest designs: +others, on the contrary, applaud him extremely for having +disappointed the hopes of this infamous tribe of men, whom, +considering the disposition of the times, it is but prudence to +deceive. They add that he was not at liberty to make any other will, +and that he cannot so properly be said to have bequeathed, as +returned, his estate to his adopted daughter, since it was by her +means it came to him. For Curtilius Mancia, whose daughter +Domitius Lucanus, brother to this Tullus, married, having taken a +dislike to his son-in-law, made this young lady (who was the issue +of that marriage) his heiress, upon condition that Lucanus her +father would emancipate her. He accordingly did so, but she being +afterwards adopted by Tullus, her uncle, the design of Mancia's +will was entirely frustrated. For these two brothers having never +divided their patrimony, but living together as joint-tenants of one +common estate, the daughter of Lucanus, notwithstanding the act +of emancipation, returned back again, together with her large +fortune, under the dominion of her father, by means of this +fraudulent adoption. It seems indeed to have been the fate of these +two brothers to be enriched by those who had the greatest aversion +to them. For Domitius Afer, by whom they were adopted, left a +will in their favour, which he had made eighteen years before his +death; though it was plain he had since altered his opinion with +regard to the family, because he was instrumental in procuring the +confiscation of their father's estate. There is something extremely +singular in the resentment of Afer, and the good fortune of the +other two; as it was very extraordinary, on the one hand, that +Domitius should endeavour to extirpate from the privileges of +society a man whose children he had adopted, and, on the other, +that these brothers should find a parent in the very person that +ruined their father. But Tullus acted justly, after having been +appointed sole heir by his brother, in prejudice to his own +daughter, to make her amends by transferring to her this estate, +which came to him from Afer, as well as all the rest which he had +gained in partnership with his brother. His will therefore deserves +the higher praise, having been dictated by nature, justice, and sense +of honour; in which he has returned his obligations to his several +relations, according to their respective good offices towards him, +not forgetting his wife, having bequeathed to that excellent +woman, who patiently endured much for his sake, several +delightful villas, besides a large sum of money. And indeed she +deserved so much the more at his hands, in proportion to the +displeasure she incurred on her marriage with him. It was thought +unworthy a person of her birth and repute, so long left a widow by +her former husband, by whom she had issue, to marry, in the +decline of her life, an old man, merely for his wealth, and who was +so sickly and infirm that, even had he passed the best years of his +youth and health with her, she might well have been heartily tired +of him. He had so entirely lost the use of all his limbs that he could +not move himself in bed without assistance; and the only +enjoyment be had of his riches was to contemplate them. He was +even (sad and disgusting to relate) reduced to the necessity of +having his teeth washed and scrubbed by others: in allusion to +which he used frequently to say, when he was complaining of the +indignities which his infirmities obliged him to suffer, that he was +every day compelled to lick his servant's fingers. Still, however, he +lived on, and was willing to accept of life upon such terms. That +he lived so long as he did was particularly owing, indeed, to the +care of his wife, who, whatever reputation she might lose at first +by her marriage, acquired great honour by her unwearied devotion +as his wife.--Thus I have given you all the news of the town, where +nothing is talked of but Tullus. It is expected his curiosities will +shortly be sold by auction. He had such an abundant collection of +very old statues that he actually filled an extensive garden with +them, the very same day he purchased it; not to mention +numberless other antiques, lying neglected in his lumber-room. If +you have anything worth telling me in return, I hope you will not +refuse the trouble of writing to me: not only as we are all of us +naturally fond, you know, of news, but because example has a very +beneficial influence upon our own conduct. Farewell. + +XCIII + +To GALLUS + +THOSE works of art or nature which are usually the motives of +our travels are often overlooked and neglected if they lie within +our rcach: whether it be that we are naturally less inquisitive +concerning those things which are near us, while our curiosity is +excited by remote objects; or because the easiness of gratifying a +desire is always sure to damp it; or, perhaps, that we put off from +time to time going and seeing what we know we have an +opportunity of seeing when we please. Whatever the reason be, it +is certain there are numberless curiosities in and near Rome which +we have not only never seen, but even never so much as heard of: +and yet had they been the produce of Greece, or Egypt, or Asia, or +any other country which we admire as fertile and productive of +belief in wonders, we should long since have heard of them, read +of them, and enquired into them. For myself at least, I confess, I +have lately been entertained with one of these curiosities, to which +I was an entire stranger before. My wife's grandfather desired I +would look over his estate near Ameria.131 As I was walking over +his grounds, 1 was shown a lake that lies below them, called +Vadirnon,132 about which several very extraordinary things are +told. I went up to this lake. It is perfectly circular in form, like a +wheel lying on the ground; there is not the least curve or projection +of the shore, but all is regular, even, and just as if it had been +hollowed and cut out by the hand of art. The water is of a clear +sky-blue, though with somewhat of a greenish tinge; its smell is +sulphurous, and its flavour has medicinal properties, and is +deemed of great efficacy in all fractures of the limbs, which it is +supposed to heal. Though of but moderate extent, yet the winds +have a great effect upon it, throwing it into violent agitation. No +vessels are suffered to sail here, as its waters are held sacred; but +several floating islands swim about it, covered with reeds and +rushes, and with whatever other plants the surrounding marshy +ground and the edge itself of the lake produce in greater +abundance. Each island has its peculiar shape and size, but the +edges of all of them are worn away by their frequent collision with +the shore and one another. They are all of the same height and +motion; as their respective roots, which are formed like the keel of +a boat, may be seen hanging not very far down in the water, and at +an equal depth, on whichever side you stand. Sometimes they +move in a cluster, and seem to form one entire little continent; +sometimes they are dispersed into different quarters by the wind; +at other times, when it is calm, they float up and down separately. +You may frequently see one of the larger islands sailing along with +a lesser joined to it, like a ship with its long boat; or, perhaps, +seeming to strive which shall out-swim the other: then again they +are all driven to the same spot, and by joining themselves to the +shore, sometimes on one side and sometimes on the other, lessen +or restore the size of the lake in this part or that, accordingly, till at +last uniting in the centre they restore it to its usual size. The sheep +which graze upon the borders of this lake frequently go upon these +islands to feed, without perceiving that they have left the shore, +until they are alarmed by finding themselves surrounded with +water; as though they had been forcibly conveyed and placed there. +Afterwards, when the wind drives them back again, they as little +perceive their return as their departure. This lake empties itself +into a river, which, after running a little way, sinks under ground, +and, if anything is thrown in, it brings it up again where the stream +emerges.--I have given you this account because I imagined it +would not be less new, nor less agreeable, to you than it was to +me; as I know you take the same pleasure as myself in +contemplating the works of nature. Farewell. + +XCIV + +To ARRIANUS + +NOTHING, in my opinion, gives a more amiable and becoming +grace to our studies, as well as manners, than to temper the serious +with the gay, lest the former should degenerate into melancholy, +and the latter run up into levity. Upon this plan it is that I diversify +my graver works with compositions of a lighter nature. I had +chosen a convenient place and season for some productions of that +sort to make their appearance in; and designing to accustom them +early to the tables of the idle, I fixed upon the month of July, +which is usually a time of vacation to the courts of justice, in order +to read them to some of my friends I had collected together; and +accordingly I placed a desk before each couch. But as I happened +that morning to be unexpectedly called away to attend a cause, I +took occasion to preface my recital with an apology. I entreated +my audience not to impute it to me as any want of due regard for +the business to which I had invited them that on the very day I had +appointed for reading my performances to a small circle of my +friends I did not refuse my services to others in their law affairs. I +assured them I would observe the same rule in my writings, and +should always give the preference to business, before pleasure; to +serious engagements before amusing ones; and to my friends +before myself. The poems I recited consisted of a variety of +subjects in different metres. It is thus that we who dare not rely for +much upon our abilities endeavour to avoid satiating our readers. +In compliance with the earnest solicitation of my audience, I +recited for two days successively; but not in the manner that +several practise, by passing over the feebler passages, and making +a merit of so doing: on the contrary, I omitted nothing, and freely +confessed it. I read the whole, that I might correct the whole; +which it is impossible those who only select particular passages +can do. The latter method, indeed, may have more the appearance +of modesty, and perhaps respect; hut the former shows greater +simplicity, as well as a more affectionate disposition towards the +audience. For the belief that a man's friends have so much regard +for him as not to be weary on these occasions, is a sure indication +of the love he bears them. Otherwise, what good do friends do you +who assemble merely for their own amusement? He who had +rather find his friend's performance correct, than make it so, is to +be regarded as a stranger, or one who is too lackadaisical to give +himself any trouble. Your affection for me leaves me no room to +doubt that you are impatient to read my book, even in its present +very imperfect condition. And so you shall, but not until I have +made those corrections which were the principal inducement of +my recital. You are already acquainted with some parts of it; but +even those, after they have been improved (or perhaps spoiled, as +is sometimes the case by the delay of excessive revision) will seem +quite new to you. For when a piece has undergone variotis +changes, it gets to look new, even in those very parts which remain +unaltered. Farewell. + +XCV + +To MAXIMUS + +My affection for you obliges me, not indeed to direct you (for you +are far above the want of a guide), but to admonish you carefully +to observe and resolutely to put in practice what you already know, +that is, in other words, to know it to better purpose. Consider that +you are sent to that noble province, Achaia, the real and genuine +Greece, where politeness, learning, and even agriculture itself, are +supposed to have taken their first rise; sent to regulate the +condition of free cities; sent, that is, to a society of men who +breathe the spirit of true manhood and liberty; who have +maintained the rights they received from Nature, by courage, by +virtue, by alliances; in a word, by civil and religious faith. Revere +the gods their founders; their ancient glory, and even that very +antiquity itself which, venerable in men, is sacred in states. +Honour them therefore for their deeds of old renown, nay, their +very legendary traditions. Grant to every one his full dignity, +privileges, yes, and the indulgence of his very vanity. Remember it +was from this nation we derived our laws; that she did not receive +ours by conquest, but gave us hers by favour. Remember, it is +Athens to which you go; it is Lacedaemon you govern; and to +deprive such a people of the declining shadow, the remaining +name of liberty, would be cruel, inhuman, barbarous. Physicians, +you see, though in sickness there is no difference between freedom +and slavery, yet treat persons of the former rank with more +tenderness than those of the latter. Reflect what these cities once +were; but so reflect as not to despise them for what they are now. +Far be pride and asperity from my friend; nor fear, by a proper +condescension, to lay yourself open to contempt. Can he who is +vested with the power and bears the ensigns of authority, can he +fail of meeting with respect, unless by pursuing base and sordid +measures, and first breaking through that reverence he owes to +himself? Ill, believe me, is power proved by insult; ill can terror +command veneration, and far more effectual is affection in +obtaining one's purpose than fear. For terror operates no longer +than its object is present, but love produces its effects with its +object at a distance: and as absence changes the former into hatred, +it raises the latter into respect. And therefore you ought (and I +cannot but repeat it too often), you ought to well consider the +nature of your office, arid to represent to yourself how great and +important the task is of governing a free state. For what can be +better for society than such government, what can be more +precious than freedom? How ignominious then must his conduct +be who turns good government into anarchy, and liberty into +slavery? To these considerations let me add, that you have an +established reputation to maintain: the fame you acquired by the +administration of the quaestorship in Bithynia,133 the good +opinion of the emperor, the credit you obtained when you were +tribune and praetor, in a word, this very government, which may +be looked upon as the reward of your former services, are all so +many glorious weights which are incumbent upon you to support +with suitable dignity. The more strenuously therefore you ought to +endeavour that it may not be said you showed greater urbanity, +integrity, and ability in a province remote from Rome, than in one +which lies so much nearer the capital; in the midst of a nation of +slaves, than among a free people; that it may not be remarked, that +it was chance, and not judgment, appointed you to this office; that +your character was unknown and unexperienced, not tried and +approved. For (and it is a maxim which your reading and +conversation must have often suggested to you) it is a far greater +disgrace losing the name one has once acquired than never to have +attained it. I again beg you to be persuaded that I did not write this +letter with a design of instruction, but of reminder. Though indeed, +if I had, it would have only been in consequence of the great +affection I bear you: a sentiment which I am in no fear of carrying +beyond its just bounds: for there can he no danger of excess where +one cannot love too well. Farewell. + +XCVI + +To PAULINUS + +OThERS may think as they please; but the happiest man, in my +opinion, is he who lives in the conscious anticipation of an honest +and enduring name, and secure of future glory in the eyes of +posterity. I confess, if I had not the reward of an immortal +reputation in view, I should prefer a life of uninterrupted ease and +indolent retirement to any other. There seems to be two points +worthy every man's attention: endless fame, or the short duration +of life. Those who are actuated by the former motive ought to +exert themselves to the very utmost of their power; while such as +are influenced by the latter should quietly resign themselves to +repose, and not wear out a short life in perishable pursuits, as we +see so many doing--and then sink at last into utter self-contempt, in +the midst of a wretche'd and fruitless course of false industry. +These are my daily reflections, which I communicate to you, in +order to renounce them if you do not agree with them; as +undoubtedly you will, who are for ever meditating some glorious +and immortal enterprise. Farewell. + +XCVII + +To CALVISIUS + +I HAVE spent these several days past, in reading and writing, with +the most pleasing tranquillity imaginable. You will ask, "How that +can possibly be in the midst of Rome?" It was the time of +celebrating the Circensian games; an entertainment for which I +have not the least taste. They have no novelty, no variety to +recommend them, nothing, in short, one would wish to see twice. +It does the more surprise me therefore that so many thousand +people should be possessed with the childish passion of desiring so +often to see a parcel of horses gallop, and men standing upright in +their chariots. If, indeed, it were the swiftness of the horses, or the +skill of the men that attracted them, there might be some pretence +of reason for it. But it is the dress134 they like; it is the dress that +takes their fancy. And if, in the midst of the course and contest, the +different parties were to change colours, their different partisans +would change sides, and instantly desert the very same men and +horses whom just before they were eagerly following with their +eyes, as far as they could see, and shouting out their names with all +their might. Such mighty charms, such wondrous power reside in +the colour of a paltry tunic! And this not only with the common +crowd (more contemptible than the dress they espouse), but even +with serious-thinking people. When I observe such men thus +insatiably fond of so silly, so low, so uninteresting, so common an +entertainment, I congratulate myself on my indifference to these +pleasures: and am glad to employ the leisure of this season upon +my books, which others throw away upon the most idle +occupations. Farewell. + +XCVIII + +To ROMANUS + +I AM pleased to find by your letter that you are engaged in +building; for I may now defend my own conduct by your example. +I am myself employed in the same sort of work; and since I have +you, who shall deny I have reason on my side? Our situations too +are not dissimilar; your buildings are carried on upon the +sea-coast, mine are rising upon the side of the Larian lake. I have +several villas upon the borders of this lake, but there are two +particularly in which, as I take most delight, so they give me most +employment. They are both situated like those at Baiae:135 one of +them stands upon a rock, and overlooks the lake; the other actually +touches it. The first, supported as it were by the lofty buskin,136 I +call my tragic; the other, as resting upon the humble rock, my +comic villa. Each has its own peculiar charm, recommending it to +its possessor so much more on account of this very difference. +The former commands a wider, the latter enjoys a nearer view of +the lake. One, by a gentle curve, embraces a little bay; the other, +being built upon a greater height, forms two. Here you have a strait +walk extending itself along the banks of the lake; there, a spacious +terrace that falls by a gentle descent towards it. The former does +not feel the force of the waves; the latter breaks them; from that +you see the fishing-vessels; from this you may fish yourself, and +throw your line out of your room, and almost from your bed, as +from off a boat. It is the beauties therefore these agreeable villas +possess that tempt me to add to them those which are +wanting.--But I need not assign a reason to you; who, undoubtedly, +will think it a sufficient one that I follow your example. Farewell. + +XCIX + +To GEMINUS + +YOUR letter was particularly acceptable to me, as it mentioned +your desire that I would send you something of mine, addressed to +you, to insert in your works. I shall find a more appropriate +occasion of complying with your request than that which you +propose, the subject you point out to me being attended with some +objections; and when you reconsider it, you will think so.--As I did +not imagine there were any booksellers at Lugdunum,137 I am so +much the more pleased to learn that my works are sold there. I +rejoice to find they maintain the character abroad which they +raised at home, and I begin to flatter myself they have some merit, +since persons of such distant countries are agreed in their opinion +with regard to them. Farewell. + +C + +To JUNIOR + +A CERTAIN friend of mine lately chastised his son, in my +presence, for being somewhat too expensive in the matter of dogs +and horses. "And pray," I asked him, when the youth had left us, +"did you never commit a fault yourself which deserved your +father's correction? Did you never? I repeat. Nay, are you not +sometimes even now guilty of errors which your son, were he in +your place, might with equal gravity reprove? Are not all mankind +subject to indiscretions? And have we not each of us our particular +follies in which we fondly indulge ourselves?" + +The great affection I have for you induced me to set this instance +of unreasonable severity before you--a caution not to treat your son +with too much harshness and severity. Consider, he is but a boy, +and that there was a time when you were so too. In exerting, +therefore, the authority of a father, remember always that you are a +man, and the parent of a man. Farewell. + +CI + +To QUADRATUS + +THE pleasure and attention with which you read the vindication I +published of Helvidius,139 has greatly raised your curiosity, it +seems, to be informed of those particulars relating to that affair, +which are not mentioned in the defence; as you were too young to +be present yourself at that transaction. When Domitian was +assassinated, a glorious opportunity, I thought, offered itself to me +of pursuing the guilty, vindicating the injured, and advancing my +own reputation. But amidst an infinite variety of the blackest +crimes, none appeared to me more atrocious than that a senator, of +praetorian dignity, and invested with the sacred character of a +judge, should, even in the very senate itself, lay violent hands upon +a member140 of that body, one of consular rank, and who then +stood arraigned before him. Besides this general consideration, I +also happened to be on terms of particular intimacy with +Helvidius, as far as this was possible with one who, through fear of +the times, endeavoured to veil the lustre of his fame, and his +virtues, in obscurity and retirement. Arria likewise, and her +daughter Fannia, who was mother-in-law to Helvidius, were in the +number of my friends. But it was not so much private attachments +as the honour of the public, a just indignation at the action, and the +danger of the example if it should pass unpunished, that animated +me upon the occasion. At the first restoration of liberty141 every +man singled out his own particular enemy (though it must be +confessed, those only of a lower rank), and, in the midst of much +clamour and confusion, no sooner brought the charge than +procured the condemnation. But for myself, I thought it would be +more reasonable and more effectual, not to take advantage of the +general resentment of the public, but to crush this criminal with +the single weight of his own enormous guilt. When therefore the +first heat of public indignation began to cool, and declining +passion gave way to justice, though I was at that time under great +affliction for the loss of my wife,142 I sent to Anteia, the widow of +Helvidius, and desired her to come to me, as my late misfortune +prevented me from appearing in public. When she arrived, I said to +her, "I am resolved not to suffer the injuries your husband has +received, to pass unrevenged; let Arria and Fannia" (who were just +returned from exile) "know this; and consider together whether +you would care to join with me in the prosecution. Not that I want +an associate, but I am not so jealous of my own glory as to refuse +to share it with you in this affair." She accordhigly carried this +message; and they all agreed to the proposal without the least +hesitation. It happened very opportunely that the senate was to +meet within three days. It was a general rule with me to consult, in +all my affairs, with Corellius, a person of the greatest +far-sightedness and wisdom this age has produced. However, in the +present case, I relied entirely upon my own discretion, being +apprehensive he would not approve of my design, as he was very +cautious and deliberate. But though I did not previously take +counsel with him (experience having taught me, never to do so +with a person concerning a question we have already determined, +where he has a right to expect that one shall be decided by his +judgment), yet I could not forbear acquainting him with my +resolution at the time I intended to carry it into execution. The +senate being assembled, I came into the house, and begged I might +have leave to make a motion; which I did in few words, and with +general assent. When I began to touch upon the charge, and point +out the person I intended to accuse (though as yet without +mentioning him by name), I was attacked on all sides. "Let us +know," exclaims one, "who is the subject of this informal motion +?" "Who is it" (asked another) "that is thus accused, without +acquainting the house with his name, and his crime?" "Surely" +(added a third) "we who have survived the late dangerous times +may expect now, at least, to remain in security." I heard all this +with perfect calmness, and without being in the least alarmed. +Such is the effect of conscious integrity; and so much difference is +there with respect to inspiring confidence or fear, whether the +world had only rather one should forbear a certain act, or +absolutely condemn it. It would be too tedious to relate all that +was advanced, by different parties, upon this occasion. At length +the consul said, "You will be at liberty, Secundus, to propose what +you think proper when your turn comes to give your opinion upon +the order of the day."143 I replied, "You must allow me a liberty +which you never yet refused to any ;" and so sat down: when +imniediately the house went upon another business. In the +meanwhile, one of my consular friends took me aside, and, with +great earnestness telling me he thought I had carried on this affair +with more boldness than prudence1 used every method of reproof +and persuasion to prevail with me to desist; adding at the same +time that I should certainly, if I persevered, render myself +obnoxious to some future prince. "Be it so," I returned, "should he +prove a bad one." Scarcely had he left me when a second came up: +"Whatever," said he, "are you attempting? Why ever will you ruin +yourself? Do you consider the risks you expose yourself to? Why +will you presume too much on the present situation of public +affairs, when it is so uncertain what turn they may hereafter take? +You are attacking a man who is actually at the head of the +treasury, and will shortly be consul. Besides, recollect what credit +he has, and with what powerful friendships he is supported ?" +Upon which he named a certain person, who (not without several +strong and suspicious rumours) was then at the head of a powerful +army in the east. I replied, + +"'All I've foreseen, and oft in thought revolv'd ;"144 + +and am willing, if fate shall so decree, to suffer in an honest cause, +provided I can draw vengeance down upon a most infamous one." +The time for the members to give their opinions was now arrived. +Domitius Apollinaris, the consul elect, spoke first; after him +Fabricius Vejento, then Fabius Maximinus, Vettius Proculus next +(who married my wife's mother, and who was the colleague of +Publicius Certus, the person on whom the debate turned), and last +of all Ammius Flaccus. They all defended Certus, as if I had +named him (though I had not yet so much as once mentioned him), +and entered upon his justification as if I had exhibited a specific +charge. It is not necessary to repeat in this place what they +respectively said, having given it all at length in their words in the +speech above-mentioned. Avidius Quietus and Cornutus Tertullus +answered them. The former observed, "that it was extremely unjust +not to hear the complaints of those who thought themselves +injured, and therefore that Arria and Fannia ought not to be denied +the privilege of laying their grievances before the house; and that +the point for the consideration of the senate was not the rank of the +person, but the merit of the cause." + +Then Cornutus rose up and acquainted the house, "that, as he was +appointed guardian to the daughter of Helvidius by the consuls, +upon the petition of her mother and her father-in-law, he felt +himself compelled to fulfil the duty of his trust. In the execution of +which, however, he would endeavour to set some bounds to his +indignation by following that great example of moderation which +those excellent women145 had set, who contented themselves with +barely informing the senate of the cruelties which Certus +committed in order to carry on his infamous adulation; and +therefore," he said, "he would move only that, if a punishment due +to a crime so notoriously known should be remitted, Certus might +at least be branded with some mark of the displeasure of that +august assembly." Satrius Rufus spoke next, and, meaning to steer +a middle course, expressed himself with considerable ambiguity. "I +am of opinion," said he, "that great injustice will be done to Certus +if he is not acquitted (for I do not scruple to mention his name, +since the friends of Arria and Fannia, as well as his own, have +done so too), nor indeed have we any occasion for anxiety upon +this account. We who think well of the man shall judge him with +the same impartiality as the rest; but if he is innocent, as I hope he +is, and shall be glad to find, I think this house may very justly deny +the present motion till some charge has been proved against him." +Thus, according to the respective order in which they were called +upon, they delivered their several opinions. When it came to my +turn, I rose up, and, using the same introduction to my speech as I +have published in the defence, I replied to them severally. It is +surprising with what attention, what clamorous applause I was +heard, even by those who just before were loudest against me: such +a wonderful change was wrought either by the importance of the +affair, the successful progress of the speech, or the resolution of +the advocate. After I had finished, Vejento attempted to reply; but +the general clamour raised against him not permitting him to go +on, "I entreat you, conscript fathers,"146 said he, "not to oblige me +to implore the assistance of the tribunes."147 Immediately the +tribune Murena cried out, "You have my permission, most +illustrious Vejento, to go on." But still the clamour was renewed. +In the interval, the consul ordered the house to divide, and having +counted the voices, dismissed the senate, leaving Vejento in the +midst, still attempting to speak. Re made great complaints of this +affront (as he called it), applying the following lines of Homer to +himself: + +"Great perils, father, wait the unequal fight; +Those younger champions will thy strength o'ercome."148 + +There was hardly a man in the senate that did not embrace and kiss +me, and all strove who should applaud me most, for having, at the +cost of private enmities, revived a custom so long disused, of +freely consulting the senate upon affairs that concern the honour of +the public; in a word, for having wiped off that reproach which +was thrown upon it by other orders in the state, "that the senators +mutually favoured the members of their own body, while they +were very severe in animadverting upon the rest of their +fellow-citizens." All this was transacted in the absence of Certus; +who kept out of the way either because he suspected something of +this nature was intended to be moved, or (as was alleged in his +excuse) that he was really unwell. Caesar, however, did not refer +the examination of this matter to the senate. But I succeeded, +nevertheless, in my aim, another person being appointed to +succeed Certus in the consulship, while the election of his +colleague to that office was confirmed. And thus, the wish with +which I concluded my speech, was actually accomplished: "May +he be obliged," said I, "to renounce, under a virtuous prince,149 +that reward he received from an infamous one! "150 Some time +after I recollected, as well as I could, the speech I had made upon +this occasion; to which I made several additions. It happened +(though indeed it had the apparance of being something more than +casual) that a few days after I had published this piece, Certus was +taken ill and died. I was told that his imagination was continually +haunted with this affair, and kept picturing me ever before his +eyes, as a man pursuing him with a drawn sword. Whether there +was any truth in this rumour, I will not venture to assert; but, for +the sake of example, however, I could wish it might gain credit. +And now I have sent you a letter which (considering it is a letter) is +as long as the defence you say you have read: but you must thank +yourself for not being content with such information as that piece +could afford you. Farewell. + +CII + +To GENITOR + +I HAVE received your letter, in which you complain of having +been highly disgusted lately at a very splendid entertainment, by a +set of buffoons, mummers, and wanton prostitutes, who were +dancing about round the tables.151 But let me advise you to +smooth your knitted brow somewhat. I confess, indeed, I admit +nothing of this kind at my own house; however, I bear with it in +others. "And why, then," you will be ready to ask, "not have them +yourself ?" + +The truth is, because the gestures of the wanton, the pleasantries of +the buffoon, or the extravagancies of the mummer, give me no +pleasure, as they give me no surprise. It is my particular taste, you +see, not my judgment, that I plead against them. And indeed, what +numbers are there who think the entertainments with which you +and I are most delighted no better than impertinent follies! How +many are there who, as soon as a reader, a lyrist, or a comedian is +introduced, either take their leave of the company or, if they +remain, show as much dislike to this sort of thing as you did to +those monsters, as you call them! Let us bear therefore, my friend, +with others in their amusements, that they, in return, may show +indulgence to ours. Farewell. + +CIII + +To SABINIANUS + +YOUR freedman, whom you lately mentioned to me with +displeasure, has been with me, and threw himself at my feet with +as much submission as he could have fallen at yours. He earnestly +requested me with many tears, and even with all the eloquence of +silent sorrow, to intercede for him; in short, he convinced me by +his whole behaviour that he sincerely repents of his fault. I am +persuaded he is thoroughly reformed, because he seems deeply +sensible of his guilt. I know you are angry with him, and I know, +too, it is not without reason; but clemency can never exert itself +more laudably than when there is the most cause for resentment. +You once had an affection for this man, and, I hope, will have +again; meanwhile, let me only prevail with you to pardon him. If +he should incur your displeasure hereafter, you will have so much +the stronger plea in excuse for your anger as you show yourself +more merciful to him now. Concede something to his youth, to his +tears, and to your own natural mildness of temper: do not make +him uneasy any longer, and I will add too, do not make yourself +so; for a man of +your kindness of heart cannot he angry without feeling great +uneasiness. I am afraid, were I to join my entreaties with his, I +should seem rather to compel than request you to forgive him. Yet +I will not scruple even to write mine with his; and in so much the +stronger terms as I have very sharply and severely reproved him, +positively threatening never to interpose again in his behalf. But +though it was proper to say this to him, in order to make him more +fearful of offending, I do not say so to you. I may perhaps, again +have occasion to entreat you upon this account, and again obtain +your forgiveness; supposing, I mean, his fault should be such as +may become me to intercede for, and you to pardon. Farewell. + +CIV + +To MAXIMUS + +IT has frequently happened, as I have been pleading before the +Court of the Hundred, that these venerable judges, after having +preserved for a long period the gravity and solemnity suitable to +their character, have suddenly, as though urged by irresistible +impulse, risen up to a man and applauded me. I have often +likewise gained as much glory in the senate as my utmost wishes +could desire: but I never felt a more sensible pleasure than by an +account which I lately received from Cornelius Tacitus. He +informed me that, at the last Circensian games, he sat next to a +Roman knight, who, after conversation had passed between them +upon various points of learning, asked him, "Are you an Italian, or +a provincial?" Tacitus replied, "Your acquaintance with literature +must surely have informed you who I am." "Pray, then, is it Tacitus +or Pliny I am talking with?" I cannot express how highly I am +pleased to find that our names are not so much the proper +appellatives of men as a kind of distinction for learning herself; +and that eloquence renders us known to those who would +otherwise be ignorant of us. An accident of the same kind +happened to me a few days ago. Fabius Rufinus, a person of +distinguished merit, was placed next to me at table; and below him +a countryman of his, who had just then come to Rome for the first +time. Rufinus, calling his friend's attention to me, said to him, +"You see this man?" and entered into a conversation upon the +subject of my pursuits: to whom the other immediately replied, +"This must undoubtedly be Pliny." To confess the truth, I look +upon these instances as a very considerable recompense of my +labours. If Demosthenes had reason to be pleased with the old +woman of Athens crying out, "This is Demosthenes!" may not I, +then, be allowed to congratulate myself upon the celebrity my +name has acquired? Yes, my friend, I will rejoice in it, and without +scruple admit that I do. As I only mention the judgment of others, +not my own, I am not afraid of incurring the censure of vanity; +especially from you, who, whilst envying no man's reputation, are +particularly zealous for mine. Farewell. + +CV + +To SABINIANUS + +I GREATLY approve of your having, in compliance with my +letter,152 received again into your favour and family a discarded +freedman, who you once admitted into a share of your affection. +This will afford you, I doubt not, great satisfaction. It certainly has +me, both as a proof that your passion can be controlled, and as an +instance of your paying so much regard to me, as either to yield to +my authority or to comply with my request. Let me, therefore, at +once both praise and thank you. At the same time I must advise +you to be disposed for the future to pardon the faults of your +people, though there should be none to interecede in their behalf. +Farewell. + +CVI + +To LUPERCUS + +I SAID once (and, I think, not inaptly) of a certain orator of the +present age, whose compositions are extremely regular and +correct, but deficient in grandeur and embellishment, "His only +fault is that he has none." Whereas he, who is possessed of the true +spirit of oratory, should be bold and elevated, and sometimes even +flame out, be hurried away, and frequently tread upon the brink of +a precipice: for danger is generally near whatever is towering and +exalted. The plain, it is true, affords a safer, but for that reason a +more humble and inglorious, path: they who run are more likely to +stumble than they who creep; but the latter gain no honour by not +slipping, while the former even fall with glory. It is with eloquence +as with some other arts; she is never more pleasing than when she +risks most. Have you not observed what acclamations our +rope-dancers excite at the instant of imminent danger? Whatever is +most entirely unexpected, or as the Greeks more strongly express +it, whatever is most perilous, most excites our admiration. The +pilot's skill is by no means equally proved in a calm as in a storm: +in the former case he tamely enters the port, unnoticed and +unapplauded; but when the cordage cracks, the mast bends, and +the rudder groans, then it is that he shines out in all his glory, and +is hailed as little inferior to a sea-god. + +The reason of my making ths observation is, because, if I mistake +not, you have marked some passages in my writings for being +tumid, exuberant, and over-wrought, which, in my estimation, are +but adequate to the thought, or boldly sublime. But it is material to +consider whether your criticism turns upon such points as are real +faults, or only striking and remarkable expressions. Whatever is +elevated is sure to be observed; but it requires a very nice +judgment to distinguish the bounds between true and false +grandeur; between loftiness and exaggeration. To give an instance +out of Homer, the author who can, with the greatest propriety, fly +from one extreme of style to another + +"Heav'n in loud thunder bids the trumpet sound; +And wide beneath them groans the rending ground."153 + +Again, + +"Reclin'd on clouds his steed and armour lay."154 + +So in this passage: + +"As torrents roll, increas'd by numerous rills, +With rage impetuous down their echoing hills, +Rush to the vales, and pour'd along the plain, +Roar through a thousand channels to the main."154 + +It requires, I say, the nicest balance to poise these metaphors, and +determine whether they are incredible and meaningless, or +majestic and sublime. Not that I think anything which I have +written, or can write, admits of comparison with these. I am not +quite so foolish; but what I would be understood to contend for is, +that we should give eloquence free rein, and not restrain the force +and impetuosity of genius within too narrow a compass. But it will +be said, perhaps, that one law applies to orators, another to poets. +As if, in truth, Marc Tully were not as bold in his metaphors as any +of the poets! But not to mention particular instances from him, in a +point where, I imagine, there can be no dispute; does +Demosthenes155 himself, that model and standard of true oratory, +does Demosthenes check and repress the fire of his indignation, in +that well-known passage which begins thus: "These wicked men, +these fiatterers, and these destroyers of mankind," &c. And again: +"It is neither with stones nor bricks that I have fortified this city," +&c.--And afterwards: "I have thrown up these out-works before +Attica, and pointed out to you all the resources which human +prudence can suggest," &c.--And in another place: "0 Athenians, I +swear by the immortal gods that he is intoxicated with the +grandeur of his own actions," &c.156--But what can be more +daring and beautiful than that long digression, which begins in this +manner: "A terrible disease ?"--The following passage likewise, +though somewhat shorter, is equally boldly conceived :--"Then it +was I rose up in opposition to the daring Pytho, who poured forth a +torrent of menaces against you," &c.157--The subsequent stricture +is of the same stamp: "When a man has strengthened himself, as +Philip has, in avarice and wickedness, the first pretence, the first +false step, be it ever so inconsiderable, has overthrown and +destroyed all," &c.158--So in the same style with the foregoing is +this :--"Railed off, as it were, from the. privileges of society, by the +concurrent and just judgments of the three tribunals in the +city."--And in the same place: "O Aristogiton! you have betrayed +that mercy which used to be shown to offences of this nature, or +rather, indeed, you have wholly destroyed it. In vain then would +you fly for refuge to a port, which you have shut up, and +encompassed with rocks."--He has said before: "I am afraid, +therefore, you should appear in the judgment of some, to have +erected a public seminary of faction: for there is a weakness in all +wickedness which renders it apt to betray itself !"--And a little +lower: "I see none of these resources open to him; but all is +precipice gulf, and profound abyss."-- And again: "Nor do I +imagine that our ancestors erected those courts of judicature that +men of his character should be planted there, but on the contrary', +eradicated, that none may emulate their evil actions."--And +afterwards: "If he is then the artificer of every wickedness, if he +only makes it his trade and traffic," &c.--And a thousand other +passages which I might cite to the same purpose; not to mention +those expressions which Aeschines calls not words, but +wonders.--You will tell me, perhaps, I have unwarily mentioned +Aeschines, since Demosthenes is condemned even by him, for +running into these figurative expressions. But observe, I entreat +you, how far superior the former orator is to his critic, and superior +too in the very passage to which he objects; for in others, the force +of his genius, in those above quoted, its loftiness, makes itself +manifest. But does Aeschines himself avoid those errors which he +reproves in Demosthenes? "The orator," says he, "Athenians, and +the law, ought to speak the same language; but when the voice of +the law declares one thing, and that of the orator another we +should give our vote to the justice of the law, not to the impudence +of the orator."159--And in another place: "He afterwards +manifestly discovered the design he had, of concealing his fraud +under cover of the decree, having expressly declared therein that +the ambassadors sent to the Oretae gave the five talents, not to +you, but to Callias. And that you may be convinced of the truth of +what I say (after having stripped the decree of its gallies, its trim, +and its arrogant ostentation) the clause itself."--And in another +part: "Suffer him not to break cover and escape out of the limits of +the question." A metaphor he is so fond of that he repeats it again. +"But remaining firm and confident in the assembly, drive him into +the merits of the question, and observe well how he doub1es."--Is +his style more reserved and simple when he says: "But you are ever +wounding our ears, and are more concerned in the success of your +daily harangues than for the salvation of the city ?"--What follows +is conceived in a yet higher strain of metaphor: "Will you not expel +this man as the common calamity of Greece? Will you not seize +and punish this pirate of the state, who sails about in quest of +favourable conjunctures," &c.--With many other passages of a +similar nature. And now I expect you will make the same attacks +upon certain expressions in this letter as you did upon those I have +been endeavouring to defend. The rudder that groans, and the pilot +compared to a sea-god, will not, I imagine, escape your criticism: +for I perceive, while I am suing for indulgence to my former style, +I have fallen into the same kind of figurative diction which you +condemn. But attack them if you please provided you will +immediately appoint a day when we may meet to discuss these +matters in person: you will then either teach me to be less daring +or I shall teach you to be more bold. Farewell. + +CVII + +To CANINIUS + +I HAVE met with a story, which, although authenticated by +undoubted evidence, looks very like fable, and would afford a +worthy field for the exercise of so exuberant, lofty, and truly +poetical a genius as your own. It was related to me the other day +over the dinner table, where the conversation happened to run +upon various kinds of marvels. The person who told the story was +a man of unsuspected veracity :--but what has a poet to do with +truth? However, you might venture to rely upon his testimony, +even though you had the character of a faithful historian to +support. There is in Africa a town called Hippo, situated not far +from the sea-coast: it stands upon a navigable lake, communicating +with an estuary in the form of a river, which alternately flows into +the lake, or into the ocean, according to the ebb and flow of the +tide. People of all ages amuse themselves here with fishing, +sailing, or swimming; especially boys, whom love of play brings to +the spot. With these it is a fine and manly achievement to be able +to swim the farthest; and he that leaves the shore and Ms +companions at the greatest distance gains the victory. It happened, +in one of these trials of skill, that a certain boy, bolder than the +rest, launched out towards the opposite shore. He was met by a +dolphin, who sometimes swam before him, and sometimes behind +hiiii, then played round him, and at last took him upon his back, +and set him down, and afterwards took him up again; and thus he +carried the poor frightened fellow out into the deepest part; when +immediately he turns back again to the shore, and lands him +among his companions. The fame of this remarkable accident +spread through the town, and crowds of people flocked round the +boy (whom they viewed as a kind of prodigy) to ask him questions +and hear him relate the story. The next day the shore was thronged +with spectators, all attentively watching the ocean, and (what +indeed is almost itself an ocean) the lake. Meanwhile the boys +swam as usual, and among the rest, the boy I am speaking of went +into the lake, but with more caution than before. The dolphin +appeared again and came to the boy, who, together with his +companions, swam away with the utmost precipitation. The +dolphin, as though to invite and call them back, leaped and dived +up and down, in a series of circular movements. This he practised +the next day, the day after, and for several days together, till the +people (accustomed from their infancy to the sea) began to be +ashamed of their timidity. They ventured, therefore, to advance +nearer, playing with him and calling him to them, while he, in +return, suffered himself to be touched and stroked. Use rendered +them courageous. The boy, in particular, who first made the +experiment, swam by the side of him, and, leaping upon his back, +was carried backwards and forwards in that manner, and thought +the dolphin knew him and was fond of him, while he too had +grown fond of the dolphin. There seemed, now, indeed, to be no +fear on either side, the confidence of the one and tameness of the +other mutually increasing; the rest of the boys, in the meanwhile, +surrounding and encouraging their companion. It is very +remarkable that this dolphin was followed by a second, which +seemed only as a spectator and attendant on the former; for he did +not at all submit to the same familiarities as the first, but only +escorted him backwards and forwards, as the boys did their +comrade. But what is further surprising, and no less true than what +I have already related, is that this dolphin, who thus played with +the boys and carried them upon his back, would come upon the +shore, dry himself in the sand, and, as soon as he grew warm, roll +back into the sea. It is a fact that Octavius Avitus, deputy governor +of the province, actuated by an absurd piece of superstition, poured +some ointment160 over him as he lay on the shore: the novelty and +smell of which made him retire into the ocean, and it was not till +several days after that he was seen again, when he appeared dull +and languid; however, he recovered his strength and continued his +usual playful tricks. All the magistrates round flocked hither to +view this sight, whose arrival, and prolonged stay, was an +additional expense, which the slender finances of this little +community would ill afford; besides, the quiet and retirement of +the place was utterly destroyed. It was thought proper, therefore, to +remove the occasion of this concourse, by privately killing the +poor dolphin. And now, with what a flow of tenderness will you +describe this affecting catastrophe!161 and how will your genius +adorn and heighten this moving story! Though, indeed, the subject +does not require any fictitious embellishments; it will he sufficient +to describe the actual facts of the case without suppression or +diminution. Farewell. + +CVIII + +To Fuscus + +You want to know how I portion out my day, in my summer villa +at Tuscum? I get up just when I please; generally about sunrise, +often earlier, but seldom later than this. I keep the shutters closed, +as darkness and silence wonderfully promote meditation. Thus free +and abstracted from these outward objects which dissipate +attention, I am left to my own thoughts; nor suffer my mind to +wander with my eyes, but keep my eyes in subjection to my mind, +which, when they are not distracted by a multiplicity of external +objects, see nothing but what the imagination represents to them. +If I have any work in hand, this is the time I choose for thinking it +out, word for word, even to the minutest accuracy of expression. In +this way I compose more or less, according as the subject is more +or less difficult, and I find myself able to retain it. I then call my +secretary, and, opening the shutters, dictate to him what I Wave +put into shape, after which I dismiss him, then call him in again, +and again dismiss him. About ten or eleven o'clock (for I do not +observe one fixed hour), according to the weather, I either walk +upon my terrace or in the covered portico, and theie I continue to +meditate or dictate what remains upon the subject in which I am +engaged. This completed, I get into my chariot, where I employ +myself as before, when I was walking, or in my study; and find this +change of scene refreshes and keeps up my attention. On my return +home, I take a little nap, then a walk, and after that repeat out loud +and distinctly some Greek or Latin speech, not so much for the +sake of strengthening my voice as my digestion;162 though indeed +the voice at the same time is strengthened by this practice. I then +take another walk, am anointed, do my exercises, and go into the +bath. At supper, if I have only my wife or a few friends with me, +some author is read to us; and after supper we are entertained +either with music or an interlude. When that is finished, I take my +walk with my family, among whom I am not without some +scholars. Thus we pass our evenings in varied conversation; and +the day, even when at the longest, steals imperceptibly away. Upon +some occasions I change the order in certain of the articles +abovementioned. For instance, if I have studied longer or walked +more than usual, after my second sleep, and reading a speech or +two aloud, instead of using my chariot I get on horseback; by +which oieans I ensure as much exercise and lose less time. The +visits of my friends from the neighbouring villages claim some +part of the day; and sometimes, by an agreeable interruption, they +come in very seasonably to relieve me when I aol feeling tired. I +now and then amuse myself with hunting, but always take my +tablets into + + + +the field, that, if I should meet with no game, I may at least bring +home something. Part of my time too (though not so much as they +desire) is allotted to my tenants; whose rustic complaints, along +with these city occupations, make my literary studies still more +delightful to me. FarewelL + +CIX + +To PAULINUS + +As you are not of a disposition to expect from your friends the +ordinary ceremonial observances of society when they cannot +observe them without inconvenience to themselves, so I love you +too steadfastly to be apprehensive of your taking otherwise than I +wish you should my not waiting upon you on the first day of your +entrance upon the consular office, especially as I am detained here +by the necessity of letting my farms upon long leases. I am obliged +to enter upon an entirely new plan with my tenants: for under the +former leases, though I made them very considerable abatements, +they have run greatly in arrear. For this reason several of them +have not only taken no sort of care to lessen a debt which they +found themselves incapable of wholly discharging, but have even +seized and consumed all the produce of the land, in the belief that +it would now be of no advantage to themselves to spare it. I must +therefore obviate this increasing evil, and endeavour to find out +some remedy against it. The only one I can think of is, not to +reserve my rent in nioney, but in kind, and so place some of my +servants to overlook the tillage, and guard the stock; as indeed +there is no sort of revenue more agreeable to reason than what +arises from the bounty of the soil, the seasons, and the climate. It is +true, this method will require great honesty, sharp eyes, and many +hands. However, I must risk the experiment, and, as in an +inveterate complaint, try every change of remedy. You see, it is not +any pleasurable indulgence that prevents my attending you on the +first day of your consulship. I shall celebrate it nevertheless, as +much as if I were present, and pay my vows for you here, with all +the warmest tokens of joy and congratulation. Farewell. + +CX + +To FUSCUS + +You are much pleased, I find, with the account I gave you in my +former letter of how I spend the summer season at Tuscum, and +desire to know what alteration I make in my method when I am at +Laurentum in the winter. None at all, except abridging myself of +my sleep at noon, and borrowing a good piece of the night before +daybreak and after sunset for study: and if business is very urgent +(which in winter very frequently happens), instead of having +interludes or music after supper, I reconsider whatever I have +previously dictated, and improve my memory at the same time by +this frequent mental revision. Thus I have given you a general +sketch of my mode of life in summer and winter; to which you +may add the intermediate seasons of spring and autumn, in which, +while losing nothing out of the day, I gain but little from the night. +Farewell. + +CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I1 + +TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE pious affection you bore, most sacred Emperor, to your +august father induced you to wish it might be late ere you +succeeded him. But the immortal gods thought proper to hasten the +advancement of those virtues to the helm of the commonwealth +which had already shared in the steerage.2 May you then, and the +world through your means, enjoy every prosperity worthy of your +reign: to which let me add my wishes, most excellent Eniperor, +upon a private as well as public account, that your health and +spirits may be preserved firm and unbroken.II + +II + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +You have occasioned me, Sir, an inexpressible pleasure in +deeming me worthy of enjoying the privilege which the laws +confer on those who have three children. For although it was from +an indulgence to the request of the excellent Julius Servianus, your +own most devoted servant, that you granted this favour, yet I have +the satisfaction to find by the words of your rescript that you +complied the more willingly as his application was in my behalf. I +cannot but look upon myself as in possession of my utmost wish, +after having thus received, at the beginning of your most +auspicious reign, so distinguishing a mark of your peculiar favour; +at the same time that it considerably heightens my desire of +leaving a family behind me. I was not entirely without this desire +even in the late most unhappy times: as my two marriages will +induce you to believe. But the gods decreed it better, by reserving +every valuable privilege to the bounty of your generous +dispensations. And indeed the pleasure of being a father will be so +much more acceptable to me now, that I can enjoy it in full +security and happiness. + +III + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE experience, most excellent Emperor, I have had of your +unbounded generosity to me, in my own person, encourages me to +hope I may be yet farther obliged to it, in that of my friends. +Voconius Romanus (who was my schoolfellow and companion +from our earliest years) claims the first rank in that number; in +consequence of which I petitioned your sacred father to promote +him to the dignity of the senatorial order. But the completion of +my request is reserved to your goodness; for his mother had not +then advanced, in the manner the law directs, the liberal gift3 of +four hundred thousand sesterces, which she engaged to give him, +in her letter to the late emperor, your father. This, however, by my +advice she has since done, having made over certain estates to +him, as well as completed every other act necessary to make the +conveyance valid. The difficulties therefore being removed which +deferred the gratification of our wishes, it is with full confidence I +venture to assure you of the worth. of my friend Romanus, +heightened and adorned as it is not only by liberal culture, but by +his extraordinary tenderness to his parents as well. It is to that +virtue he owes the present liberality of his mother; as well as his +immediate succession to his late father's estate, and his adoption +by his father-in-law. To these personal qualifications, the wealth +and rank of his family give additional lustre; and I persuade myself +it will be some further recommendation that I solicit in his behalf. +Let me, then, entreat you, Sir, to enable me to congratulate +Romanus on so desirable an occasion, and at the same time to +indulge an eager and, I hope, laudable ambition, of having it in my +power to boast that your favourable regards are extended not only +to myself, but also to my friend. + +IV +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WHEN by your gracious indulgence, Sir, I was appointed to +preside at the treasury of Saturn, I immediately renounced all +engagements of the bar (as indeed I never blended business of that +kind with the functions of the state), that no avocations might call +off my attention from the post to which I was appointed. For this +reason, when the province of Africa petitioned the senate that I +might undertake their cause against Marius Priscus, I excused +myself from that office; and my excuse was allowed. But when +afterwards the consul elect proposed that the senate should apply +to us again, and endeavour to prevail with us to yield to its +inclinations, and suffer our names to be thrown into the urn, I +thought it most agreeable to that tranquillity and good order which +so happily distinguishes your times not to oppose (especially in so +reasonable an instance) the will of that august assembly. And, as I +am desirous that all my words and actions may receive the +sanction of your exemplary virtue, I hope you approve of my +compliance. + +V + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You acted as became a good citizen and a worthy senator, by +paying obedience to the just requisition of that august assembly: +and I have full confidence you will faithfully discharge the +business you have undertaken. + +VI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +HAVING been attacked last year by a very severe and dangerous +illness, I employed a physician, whose care and diligence, Sir, I +cannot sufficiently reward, but by your gracious assistance. I +entreat you therefore to make him a denizen of Rome; for as he is +the freedman of a foreign lady, he is, consequently, himself also a +foreigner. His name is Harpocras; his patroness (who has been +dead a considerable time) was Thermuthis, the daughter of Theon. +I further entreat you to bestow the full privileges of a Roman +citizen upon Hedia and Antonia Harmeris, the freedwomen of +Antonia Maximilla, a lady of great merit. It is at her desire I make +this request. + +VII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I RETURN YOU thanks, Sir, for your ready compliance with my +desire, in granting the complete privileges of a Roman to the +freedwomen of a lady to whom I am allied and also for making +Harpocras, my physician, a denizen of Rome. But when, agreeably +to your directions, I gave in an account of his age, and estate, I was +informed by those who are better skilled in the affairs than I +pretend to be that, as he is an Egyptian, I ought first to have +obtained for him the freedom of Alexandria before he was made +free of Rome. I confess, indeed, as I was ignorant of any difference +in this case between those of Egypt and other countries, I +contented myself with Only acquainting you that he had been +manumitted by a foreign lady long since deceased. However, it is +an ignorance I cannot regret, since it affords me an opportunity of +receiving from you a double obligation in favour of the same +person. That I may legally therefore enjoy the benefit of your +goodness, I beg you would be pleased to grant him the freedom of +the city of Alexandria, as well as that of Rome. And that your +gracious intentions may not meet with any further obstacles, I have +taken care, as you directed, to send an account to your freedman of +his age and possessions. + +VIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IT is my resolution, in pursuance of the maxim observed by the +princes my predecessors, to be extremely cautious in granting the +freedom of the city of Alexandria: however, since you have +obtained of me the freedom of Rome for your physician +Harpocras, I cannot refuse you this other request. You must let me +know to what district he belongs, that I may give you a letter to my +friend Pompeius Planta, governor of Egypt. + +IX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I CANNOT express, Sir, the pleasure your letter gave me, by +which I am informed that you have made my physician Harpocras +a denizen of Alexandria; notwithstanding your resolution to follow +the maxim of your predecessors in this point, by being extremely +cautious in granting that privilege. Agreeably to your directions, I +acquaint you that Harpocras belongs to the district of Memphis.4 I +entreat you then, most gracious Emperor, to send me, as you +promised, a letter to your friend Pompeius Planta, governor of +Egypt. As I purpose (in order to have the earliest enjoyment of +your presence, so ardently wished for here) to come to meet you, I +beg, Sir, you would permit me to extend my journey as far as +possible. + +X + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I WAS greatly obliged, Sir, in my late illness, to Posthumius +Marinus, my physician; and I cannot make him a suitable return, +but by the assistance of your wonted gracious indulgence. I entreat +you then to make Chrysippus Mithridates and his wife Stratonica +(who are related to Marinus) denizens of Rome. I entreat likewise +the same privilege in favour of Epigonus and Mithridates, the two +sons of Chrysippus; but with this restriction' that they may remain +under the dominion of their father, and yet reserve their right of +patronage over their own freedmen. I further entreat you to grant +the full privileges of a Roman to L. Satrius Abascantius, P. Caesius +Phosphorus, and Pancharia Soteris. This request I make with the +consent of their patrons. + +XI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +AFTER your late sacred father, Sir, had, in a noble speech, as well +as by his own generous example, exhorted and encouraged the +public to acts of munificence, I implored his permission to remove +the several statues which I had of the former emperors to my +corporation, and at the same time requested permission to add his +own to the number. For as I had hitherto let them remain in the +respective places in which they stood when they were left to me by +several different inheritances, they were dispersed in distant parts +of my estate. He was pleased to grant my request, and at the same +time to give me a very ample testimony of his approbation. I +immediately, therefore, wrote to the decurii, to desire they would +allot a piece of ground, upon which I might build a temple at my +own expense; and they, as a mark of honour to my design, offered +me the choice of any site I might think proper. However, my own +ill-health in the first place, and later that of your father, together +with the duties of that employment which you were both pleased to +entrust me, prevented my proceeding with that design. But I have +now, I think, a convenient opportunity of making an excursion for +the purpose, as my monthly attendancet ends on the 1st of +September, and there are several festivals in the month following. +My first request, then, is that you would permit me to adorn the +temple I am going to erect with your statue, and next (in order to +the execution of my design with all the expedition possible) that +you would indulge me with leave of absence. It would ill become +the sincerity I profess, were I to dissemble that your goodness in +complying with this desire will at the same time be extremely +serviceable to me in my own private affairs. It is absolutely +necessary I should not defer any longer the letting of my lands in +that province; for, besides that they amount to abovc four hundred +thousand sesterces,6 the time for dressing the vineyards is +approaching, and that business must fall upon my new tenants. The +unfruitfulness of the seasons besides, for several years past, +obliges me to think of making some abatements in my rents; which +I cannot possibly settle unless I am present. I shall be indebted +then to your indulgence, Sir, for the expedition of my work of +piety, and the settlement of my own private affairs, if you will be +pleased to grant me leave of absence8 for thirty days. I cannot give +myself a shorter time, as the town and the estate of which I am +speaking lie above a hundred and fifty miles from Rome. + +XII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You have given me many private reasons, and every public one, +why you desire leave of absence; but I need no other than that it is +your desire: and I doubt not of your returning as soon as possible to +the duty of an office which so much requires your attendance. As I +would not seem to check any instance of your affection towards +me, I shall not oppose your erecting my statue in the place you +desire; though in general I am extremely cautious in giving any +encouragement to honours of that kind. + +XIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +As I am sensible, Sir, that the highest applause my actions can +receive is to be distinguished by so excellent a prince, I beg you +would be graciously pleased to add either the office of augur or +septemvir' (both which are now vacant) to the dignity I already +enjoy by your indulgence; that I may have the satisfaction of +publicly offering up those vows for your prosperity, from the duty +of my office, which I daily prefer to the gods in private, from the +affection of my heart. + +XIV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +HAVING safely passed the promontory of Malea, I am arrived at +Ephesus with all my retinue, notwithstanding I was detained for +some time by contrary winds: a piece of information, Sir, in which, +I trust, you will feel yourself concerned. I propose pursuing the +remainder of my journey to the province10 partly in light vessels, +and partly in post-chaises: for as the excessive heats will prevent +my travelling altogether by land, so the Etesian winds,11 which are +now set in, will not permit me to proceed entirely by sea. + +XV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +YOUR information, my dear Pliny, was extremely agreeable to +mc, as it does concern me to know in what manner you arrive at +your province. It is a wise intention of yours to travel either by sea +or land, as you shall find most convenient. + +XVI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +As I had a very favourable voyage to Ephesus, so in travelling by +post-chaise from thence I was extremely troubled by the heats, and +also by some slight feverish attacks, which kept me some time at +Pergamus. From there, Sir, I got on board a coasting vessel, but, +being again detained by contrary winds, did not arrive at Bithynia +so soon as I had hoped. However, I have no reason to complain of +this delay, since (which indeed was the most auspicious +circumstance that could attend me) I reached the province in +time to celebrate your birthday. I am at present engaged in +examining the finances of the Prusenses,12 their expenses, +revenues, and credits; and the farther I proceed in this work, the +more I am convinced of the necessity of my enquiry. Several large +sums of money are owing to the city from private persons, which +they neglect to pay upon various pretences; as, on the other hand, I +find the public funds are, in some instances, very unwarrantably +applied. This, Sir, I write to you immediately on my arrival. I +entered this province on the 17th of September,13 and found in it +that obedience and loyalty towards yourself which you justly merit +from all mankind. You will consider, Sir, whether it would not be +proper to send a surveyor here; for I am inclined to think much +might be deducted from what is charged by those who have the +conduct of the public works if a faithful admeasurement were to +be taken: at least I am of that opinion from what I have already +seen of the accounts of this city, which I am now going into as +fully as is possible. + +XVII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I SHOULD have rejoiced to have heard that you arrived at +Bithynia without the smallest inconvenience to yourself or any of +your retinue, and that your journey from Ephesus had been as easy +as your voyage to that place was favourable. For the rest, your +letter informs me, my dearest Secundus, on what day you reached +Bithynia. The people of that province will be convinced, I +persuade myself, that I am attentive to their interest: as your +conduct towards them will make it manifest that I could have +chosen no more proper person to supply my place. The +examination of the public accounts ought certainly to be your first +employment, as they are evidently in great disorder. I have +scarcely surveyors sufficient to inspect those works14 which I am +carrying on at Rome, and in the neighbourhood; but persons of +integrity and skill in this art may be found, most certainly, in cvery +province, so that they will not fail you if only you will make due +enquiry. + +XVIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THOUGH I am well assured, Sir, that you, who never omit any +opportunity of exerting your generosity, are not unmindful of the +request I lately made to you, yet, as you have often indulged me in +this manner, give me leave to remind and earnestly entreat you to +bestow the praetorship now vacant upon Attius Sura. Though his +ambition is extremely moderate, yet the quality of his birth, the +inflexible integrity he has preserved in a very narrow fortune, and, +more than all, the felicity of your times, which encourages +conscious virtue to claim your favour, induce him to hope he may +experience it in the present instance. + +XIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I CONGRATULATE both you and the public, most excellent +Emperor, upon the great and glorious victory you have obtained; +so agreeable to the heroism of ancient Rome. May the immortal +gods grant the same happy success to all your designs, that, under +the administration of so many princely virtues, the splendour of the +empire may shine out, not only in its former, but with additional +lustre.15 +XX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +Mv lieutenant, Servilius Pudens, came to Nicomedia,16 Sir, on the +24th of November, and by his arrival freed me, at length, from the +anxiety of a very uneasy expectation. + +XXI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +YOUR generosity to me, Sir, was the occasion of uniting me to +Rosianus Geminus, by the strongest ties; for he was my quaestor +when I was consul. His behaviour to me during the continuance of +our offices was highly respectful, and he has treated me ever since +with so peculiar a regard that, besides the many obligations I owe +him upon a public account, I am indebted to him for the strongest +pledges of private friendship. I entreat you, then, to comply with +my request for the advancement of one whom (if my +recommendation has any weight) you will even distinguish with +your particular favour; and whatever trust you shall repose in him, +he will endeavour to show himself still deserving of an higher. But +I am the more sparing in my praises of him, being persuaded his +integrity, his probity, and his vigilance are well known to you, not +only from those high posts which he has exercised in Rome within +your immediate inspection, but from his behaviour when he served +under you in the army. One thing, however, my affection for him +inclines me to think, I have not yet sufficiently done; and +therefore, Sir, I repeat my entreaties that you will give me the +pleasure, as early as possible, of rejoicing in the advancement of +my quaestor, or, in other words, of receiving an addition to my +own honours, in the person of my friend. + +XXII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +IT is not easy, Sir, to express the joy I received when I heard you +had, in compliance with the request of my mother-in-law and +myself, granted Coelius Clemens the proconsulship of this +province after the expiration of his consular office; as it is from +thence I learn the full extent of your goodness towards me, which +thus graciously extends itself through my whole family. As I dare +not pretend to make an equal return to those obligations I so justly +owe you, I can only have recourse to vows, and ardently implore +the gods that I may not be found unworthy of those favours which +you are the repeatedly conferring upon me. + +XXIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I RECEIVED, Sir, a dispatch from your freedman, Lycormas, +desiring me, if any embassy from Bosporus17 should come here on +the way to Rome, that I would detain it till his arrival. None has +yet arrived, at least in the city18 where I now am. But a courier +passing through this place from the king of Sarmatia,19 I embrace +the opportunity which accidentally offers itself, of sending with +him the messenger which Lycormas despatched hither, that you +might be informed by both their letters of what, perhaps, it may be +expedient you should be acquainted with at one and the same time. + +XXIV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I AM informed by a letter from the king of Sarmatia that there are +certain affairs of which you ought to be informed as soon as +possible. In order, therefore, to hasten the despatches which his +courier was charged with to you, I granted him an order to make +use of the public post.20 + +XXV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE ambassador from the king of Sarmatia having remained two +days, by his own choice, at Nicea, I did not think it reasonable, Sir, +to detain him any longer: because, in the first place, it was still +uncertain when your freedman, Lycormas, would arrive, and then +again some indispensable affairs require my presence in a different +part of the province. Of this I thought it necessary that you should +be informed, because I lately acquainted you in a letter that +Lycormas had desired, if any embassy should come this way from +Bosporus, that I would detain it till his arrival. But I saw no +plausible pretext for keeping him back any longer, especially as +the despatches from Lycormas, which (as I mentioned before) I +was not willing to detain, would probably reach you some (lays +sooner than this ambassador. + +XXVI +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I RECEIVED a letter, Sir, from Apuleius, a military man, +belonging to tile garrison at Nicomedia, informing me that one +Callidromus, being arrested by Maximus and Dionysius (two +bakers, to whom he had hired himself), fled for refuge to your +statue;21 that, being brought before a magistrate, he declared he , +was formerly slave to Laberius Maximus, but being taken prisoner +by Susagus22 in Moesia,23 he was sent as a present from +Decebalus to Pacorus, king of Parthia, in whose service he +continued several years, from whence he made his escape, and +came to Nicomedia. When be was examined before me, he +confirmed this account, for which reason I thought it necessary to +send24 him to you. This I should have done sooner, but I delayed +his journey in order to make an inquiry concerning a seal ring +which he said was taken from him, upon which was engraven the +figure of Pacorus in his royal robes; I was desirous (if it could have +heen found) of transmitting this curiosity to you, with a small gold +nugget which he says he brought from out of the Parthian mines. I +have affixed my seal to it, the impression of which is a chariot +drawn by four horses, + +XXVII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +YOUR freedman and procurator,25 Maximus, behaved, Sir, during +all the time we were together, with great probity, attention, and +diligence; as one strongly attached to your interest, and strictly +observant of discipline. This testimony I willingly give him; and I +give it with all the fidelity I owe you. + +XXVIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +AFTER having experienced, Sir, in Gabius Bassus, who +commands on the Pontic26 coast, the greatest integrity, honour, +and diligence, as well as the most particular respect to myself, I +cannot refuse him my best wishes and suffrage; and I give them to +him with all that fidelity which is due to you. I have found him +abundantly qualified by having seived in the army under you; and +it is owing to the advantages of your discipline that he has learned +to merit your favour. The soldiery and the people here, who have +had full experience of his justice and humanity, rival each other in +that glorious testimony they give of his conduct, both in public and +in private; and I certify this with all the sincerity you have a right +to expect from me. + +XXIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +NYMPHIDIUS Lupus,27 Sir, and myself, served in the army +together; he commanded a body of the auxiliary forces at the same +time that I was military tribune; and it was from thence my +affection for him began. A long acquaintance has since mutually +endeared and strengthened our friendship. For this reason I did +violence to his repose, and insisted upon his attending me into +Bithynia, as my assessor in council. He most readily granted me +this proof of his friendship; and without any regard to the plea of +age, or the ease of retirement, he shared, and continues to share, +with me, the fatigue of public business. I consider his relations, +therefore, as my own; in which number Nymphidius Lupus, his +son, claims my particular regard. He is a youth of great merit and +indefatigable application, and in every respect well worthy of so +excellent a father. The early proof he gave of his merit, when he +commanded a regiment of foot, shows him to be equal to any +honour you may think proper to confer upon him; and it gained +him the strongest testimony of approbation from those most +illustrious personages, Julius Ferox and Fuscus Salinator. And I +will add, Sir, that I shall rejoice in any accession of dignity which +he shall receive as an occasion of particular satisfaction to myself. + +XXX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I BEG your determination, Sir, on a point I am exceedingly +doubtful about: it is whether I should place the public slaves28 as +sentries round the prisons of the several cities in this province (as +has been hitherto the practice) or employ a party of soldiers for +that purpose? On the one hand, I am afraid the public slaves will +not attend this duty with the fidelity they ought; and on the other, +that it will engage too large a body of the soldiery. In the +meanwhile I have joined a few of the latter with the former. I am +apprehensive, however, there may be some danger that this method +will occasion a general neglect of duty, as it will afford them a +mutual opportunity of throwing the blame upon each other. + +XXXI + +TRAJAN TO PLTNY + +THERE is no occasion, my dearest Secundus, to draw off any +soldiers in order to guard the prisons. Let us rather persevere in the +ancient customs observed in this province, of employing the public +slaves for that purpose; and the fidelity with which they shall +execute their duty will depend much upon your care and strict +discipline. It is greatly to be feared, as you observe, if the soldiers +should be mixed with the public slaves, they will mutually trust to +each other, and by that means grow so much the more negligent. +But my principal objection is that as few soldiers as possible +should be withdrawn from their standard. + +XXXII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +GABIUS BASSUS, who commands upon the frontiers of Pontica, +in a manner suitable to the respect and duty which he owes you, +came to me, and has been with me, Sir, for several days. As far as I +could observe, he is a person of great merit and worthy of your +favour. I acquainted him it was your order that he should retain +only ten beneficiary29 soldiers, two horse-guards, and one +centurion out of the troops which you were pleased to assign to my +command. He assured me those would not be sufficient, and that +he would write to you accordingly; for which reason I thought it +proper not immediately to recall his supernumeraries. + +XXXIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I HAVE received from Gabius Bassus the letter you mention, +acquainting me that the number of soldiers I had ordered him was +not sufficient; and for your information I have directed my answer +to be hereunto annexed. It is very material to distinguish between +what the exigency of affairs requires and what an ambitious desire +of extending power may think necessary. As for ourselves, the +public welfare must be our only guide: accordingly it is incumbent +upon us to take all possible care that the soldiers shall not be +absent from their standard. + +XXXIV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE PRUSENSES, Sir, having an ancient bath which lies in a +ruinous state, desire your leave to repair it; but, upon examination, +I am of opinion it ought to be rebuilt. I think, therefore, you may +indulge them in this request, as there will be a sufficient fund for +that purpose, partly from those debts which are due from private +persons to the public which I am now collecting in; and partly +from what they raise among themselves towards furnishing the +bath with oil, which they are willing to apply to the carrying on of +this building; a work which the dignity of the city and the +splendour of your times seem to demand. + +XXXV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IF the erecting a public bath will not be too great a charge upon the +Prusenses, we may comply with their request; provided, however, +that no new tax be levied for this purpose, nor any of those taken +off which are appropriated to necessary services. + +XXXVI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I AM assured, Sir, by your freedman and receiver-general +Maximus, that it is necessary he should have a party of soldiers +assigned to him, over and besides the beneficiarii, which by your +orders I allotted to the very worthy Gemellinus. Those therefore +which I found in his service, I thought proper he should retain, +especially as he was going into Paphlagonia,30 in order to procure +corn. For his better protection likewise, and because it was his +request, I added two of the cavalry. But I beg you would inform +me, in your next despatches, what method you would have me +observe for the future in points of this nature. + +XXX VII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +As my freedman Maximus was going upon an extraordinary +commission to procure corn, I approve of your having supplied +him with a file of soldiers. But when he shall return to the duties of +his former post, I think two from you and as many from his +coadjutor, my receiver-general Virdius Gemelhinus, will be +sufficient. + +XXXVIII +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE very excellent young man Sempronius Caelianus, having +discovered two slaves31 among the recruits, has sent them to me. +But I deferred passing sentence till I had consulted you, the +restorer and upholder of military discipline, concerning the +punishment proper to be inflicted upon them. My principal doubt +is that, whether, although they have taken the military oath, they +are yet entered into any particular legion. I request you therefore, +Sir, to inform me what course I should pursue in this affair, +especially as it concerns example. + +XXXIX + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +SEMPRONIUS CAELINUS has acted agreeably to my orders, in +sending such persons to be tried before you as appear to deserve +capital punishment. It is material however, in the case in question, +to inquire whether these slaves in-listed themselves voluntarily, or +were chosen by the officers, or presented as substitutes for others. +If they were chosen, the officer is guilty; if they are substitutes, the +blame rests with those who deputed them; but if, conscious of the +legal inabilities of their station, they presented themselves +voluntarily, the punishment must fall upon their own beads. That +they are not yet entered into any legion, makes no great difference +in their case; for they ought to have given a true account of +themselves immediately, upon their being approved as fit for the +service. + +XL + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +As I have your permission, Sir, to address myself to you in all my +doubts, you will not consider it beneath your dignity to descend to +those humbler affairs which concern my administration of this +province. I find there are in several cities, particularly those of +Nicomedia and Nicea, certain persons who take upon themselves +to act as public slaves, and receive an annual stipend accordingly; +notwithstanding they have been condemned either to the mines, +the public games,32 or other punishments of the like nature. +Having received information of this abuse I have been long +debating with myself what I ought to do. On the one hand, to send +them back again to their respective punishments (many of them +being now grown old, and behaving, as I am assured, with sobriety +and modesty) would, I thought, be proceeding against them too +severely; on the other, to retain convicted criminals in the public +service, seemed not altogether decent. I considered at the same +time to support these people in idleness would be an useless +expense to the public; and to leave them to starve would be +dangerous. I was obliged therefore to suspend the determination of +this matter till I could consult with you. You will be desirous, +perhaps, to be informed how it happened that these persons +escaped the punishments to which they were condemned. This +enquiry I have also made, but cannot return you any satisfactory +answer. The decrees against them were indeed produced; but no +record appears of their having ever been reversed. It was asserted, +however, that these people were pardoned upon their petition to +the proconsuls, or their lieutenants; which seems likely to be the +truth, as it is improbable any person would have dared to set them +at liberty without authority. + +XLI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You will remember you were sent into Bithynia for the particular +purpose of correcting those many abuses which appeared in need +of reform. Now none stands more so than that of criminals who +have been sentenced to punishment should not only be set at +liberty (as your letter informs me) without authority; but even +appointed to employments which ought only to be exercised by +persons whose characters are irreproachable. Those therefore +among them who have been convicted within these ten years, and +whose sentence has not been reversed by proper authority, must be +sent back again to their respective punishments: but where more +than ten years have elapsed since their conviction, and they are +grown old and infirm, let them he disposed of in such +employments as are but few degrees removed from the +punishments to which they were sentenced; that is, either to attend +upon the public baths, cleanse the common sewers, or repair the +streets and highways, the usual offices assigned to such persons. + +XLII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WHILE I was making a progress in a different part of the province, +a most extensive fire broke out at Nicomedia, which not only +consumed several private houses, but also two public buildings; +the town-house and the temple of Isis, though they stood on +contrary sides of the street. The occasion of its spreading thus far +was partly owing to the violence of the wind, and partly to the +indolence of the people, who, manifestly, stood idle and +motionless spectators of this terrible calamity. The truth is the city +was not furnished with either engines,1 buckets, or any single +instrument suitable for extinguishing fires; which I have now +however given directions to have prepared. You will consider, Sir, +whether it may not be advisable to institute a company of fire-men, +consisting only of one hundred and fifty members. I will take care +none but those of that business shall be admitted into it, and that +the privileges granted them shall not be applied to any other +purpose. As this corporate body will he restricted to so small a +number of members, it will he easy to keep them under proper +regulation. + +XLIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You are of opinion it would be proper to establish a company of +firemen in Nicomedia, agreeably to what has been practised in +several other cities. But it is to be remembered that societies of +this sort have greatly disturbed the peace of the province in +general, and of those cities in particular. Whatever name we give +them, and for whatever purposes they may be founded, they will +not fail to form themselves into factious assemblies, however short +their meetings may be. It will therefore be safer to provide such +machines as are of service in extinguishing fires, enjoining the +owners of houses to assist in preventing the mischief from +spreading, and, if it should be necessary, to call in the aid of the +populace. + +XLIV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WE have acquitted, Sir, and renewed our annual vows34 for your +prosperity, in which that of the empire is essentially involved, +imploring the gods to grant us ever thus to pay and thus to repeat +them. + +XLV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I RECEIVED the satisfaction, my dearest Secundus, of being +informed by your letter that you, together with the people under +your government, have both discharged and renewed your vows to +the immortal gods for my health and happiness. + +XLVI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE citizens of Nicomedia, Sir, have expended three millions +three hundred and twenty-nine sesterces35 in building an +aquedtict; bat, not being able to finish it, the works are entirely +falling to ruin. They made a second attempt in another place, +where they laid out two millions.36 But this likewise is +discontinued; so that, after having been at an immense charge to +no purpose, they must still be at a further expense, in oider to be +accommodated with water. I have examined a fine spring from +whence the water may be conveyed over arches (as was attempted +in their first design) in such a manner that the higher as well as +level and low parts of the city may be supplied. There are still +remaining a very few of the old arches; and the square stones, +however, employed in the former building, may be used in turning +the new arches. I am of opinion part should be raised with brick, as +that will be the easier and cheaper material. But that this work may +not meet with the same ill-success as the former, it will be +necessary to send here an architect, or some one skilled in the +construction of this kind of waterworks. And I will venture to say, +from the beauty and usefulness of the design, it will be an erection +well worthy the splendour of your times. + +XLVII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +CARE must be taken to supply the city of Nicomedia with water; +and that business, I am well persuaded, you will perform with all +the diligence you ought. But really it is no less incumbent upon +you to examine by whose misconduct it has happened that such +large sums have been thrown away upon this, lest they apply the +money to private purposes, and the aqueduct in question, like the +preceding, should be begun, and afterwards left unfinished. You +will let me know the result of your inquiry. + +XLVIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE citizens of Nicea, Sir; are building a theatre, which, though it +is not yet finished, has already exhausted, as I am informed (for I +have not examined the account myself), above ten millions of +sesterces;37 and, what is worse, I fear to no purpose. For either +from the foundation being laid in soft, marshy ground, or that the +stone itself is light and crumbling, the wails are sinking, and +cracked from top to bottom. It deserves your consideration, +therefore, whether it would be best to carry on this work, or +entirely discontinue it, or rather, perhaps, whether it would not be +most prudent absolutely to destroy it: for the buttresses and +foundations by means of which it is from time to time kept up +appear to me more expensive than solid. Several private persons +have undertaken to build the compartment of this theatre at their +own expense, some engaging to crect the portico, others the +galleries over the pit:38 but this design cannot be executed, as the +principal building which ought first to bu completed is now at a +stand. This city is also rebuilding, upon a far more enlarged plan, +the gymnasium,39 which was burnt down before my arrival in the +province. They have already been at some (and, I rather fear, a +fruitless) expense. The structure is not only irregular and +ill-proportioned, but the present architect (who, it must be owned, +is a rival to the person who was first employed) asserts that the +walls, although twenty-two feet40 in thickness, are not strong +enough to support the superstructure, as the interstices are filled up +with quarrystones, and the walls are not overlaid with brickwork. +Also the inhabitants of Claudiopolis41 are sinking (I cannot call it +erecting) a large public bath, upon a low spot of ground which lies +at the foot of a mountain. The fund appropriated for the carrying +on of this work arises from the money which those honorary +members you were pleased to add to the senate paid (or, at least, +are ready to pay whenever I call upon them) for their admission.42 +As I am afraid, therefore, the public money in the city of Nicea, +and (what is infinitely more valuable than any pecuniary +consideration) your bounty in that of Nicopolis, should be ill +applied, I must desire you to send hither an architect to inspect, not +only the theatre, but the bath; in order to consider whether, after all +the expense which has already been laid out, it will be better to +finish them upon the present plan, or alter the one, and remove the +other, in as far as may seem necessary: for otherwise we may +perhaps throw away our future cost in endeavot4ring not to lose +what we have already expended. + +XLIX + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You, who are upon the spot, will best be able to consider and +determine what is proper to be done concerning the theatre which +the inhabitants of Nicea are building; as for myself, it will be +sufficient if you let me know your determination. With respect to +the particular parts of this theatre which are to be raised at a +private charge, you will see those engagements fulfilled when the +body of the building to which they are to be annexed shall be +finished.-- These paltry Greeks43 are, I know, immoderately fond +of gymnastic diversions, and therefore, perhaps, the citizens of +Nicea have planned a more magnificent building for this purpose +than is necessary; however, they must be content with such as will +be sufficient to answer the purpose for which it is intended. I leave +it entirely to you to persuade the Claudiopolitani as you shall think +proper with regard to their bath, which they have placed, it seems, +in a very improper situation. As there is no province that is not +furnished with men of skill and ingenuity, you cannot possibly +want architects; unless you think it the shortest way to procure +them from Rome, when it is generally from Greece that they come +to us. + +L + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WHEN I reflect upon the splendour of your exalted station, and the +magnanimity of your spirit, nothing, I am persuaded, can be more +suitable to both than to point out to you such works as are worthy +of your glorious and immortal name, as being no less useful than +magnificent. Bordering upon the territories of the city of +Nicomedia is a most extensive lake; over which marbles, fruits, +woods, and all kinds of materials, the commodities of the country, +are brought over in boats up to the high-road, at little trouble and +expense, but from thence are conveyed in carriages to the sea-side, +at a much greater charge and with great labour. To remedy this +inconvenience, many hands will be in request; but upon such an +occasion they cannot be wanting: for the country, and particularly +the city, is exceedingly populous; and one may assuredly hope that +every person will readily engage in a work which will be of +universal benefit. It only remains then to send hither, if you shall +think proper, a surveyor or an architect, in order to examine +whether the lake lies above the level of the sea; the engineers of +this province being of opinion that the former is higher by forty +cubits,44 I find there is in the neighbourhood of this place a large +canal, which was cut by a king of this country; but as it is left +unfinished, it is nncertain whether it was for the purpose of +draining the adjacent fields, or making a communication between +the lake and the river. It is equally doubtful too whether the death +of the king, or the despair of being able to accomplish the design, +prevented the completion of it. If this was the reason, I am so +much the more eager and warmly desirous, for the sake of your +illustrious character (and I hope you will pardon me the ambition), +that you may have the glory of executing what kings could only +attempt. + +LI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THERE is something in the scheme you propose of opening a +communication between the lake and the sea, which may, perhaps, +tempt me to consent. But you must first carefully examine the +situation of this body of water, what quantity it contains, and from +whence it is supplied; lest, by giving it an opening into the sea, it +should be totally drained. You may apply to Calpurnius Macer for +an engineer, and I will also send you from hence some one skilled +in works of this nature. + +LII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +UPON examining into the public expenses of the city of +Byzantium, which, I find, are extremely great, I was informed, Sir, +that the appointments of the ambassador whom they send yearly to +you with their homage, and the decree which passes in the senate +upon that occasion, amount to twelve thousand sesterces.45 But +knowing the generous maxims of your government, I thought +proper to send the decree without the ambassador, that, at the same +time they discharged their public duty to you, their expense +incurred in the manner of paying it might be lightened. This city is +likewise taxed with the sum of three thousand sesterces46 towards +defraying the expense of an envoy, whom they annually send to +compliment the governor of Moesia: this expense I have also +directed to be spared. I beg, Sir, you would deign either to confirm +my judgment or correct my error in these points, by acquainting +me with your sentiments. + +LIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I ENTIRELY approve, my dearest Secundus, of your having +excused the Byzantines that expense of twelve thousand sesterces +in sending an ambassador to me. I shall esteem their duty as +sufficiently paid, though I only receive the act of their senate +through your hands. The governor of Moesia must likewise excuse +them if they compliment him at a less expense. + +LIV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I BEG, Sir, you would settle a doubt I have concerning your +diplomas;47 whether you think proper that those diplomas the +dates of which are expired shall continue in force, and for how +long? For I am apprehensive I may, through ignorance, either +confirm such of these instruments as are illegal or prevent the +effect of those which are necessary. + +LV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THE diplomas whose dates are expired must by no means be made +use of. For which reason it is an inviolable rule with me to send +new instruments of this kind into all the provinces before they are +immediately wanted. + +LVI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +UPON intimating, Sir, my intention to the city of Apamea,38 of +examining into the state of their public dues, their revenue and +expenses, they told me they were all extremely willing I should +inspect their accounts, but that no proconsul. had ever yet looked +them over, as they had a privilege (and that of a very ancient date) +of administering the affairs of their corporation in the manner they +thought proper. I required them to draw up a memorial of what +they then asserted, which I transmit to you precisely as I received +it; though I am sensible it contains several things foreign to the +question. I beg you will deign to instruct me as to how I am to act +in this affair, for I should be extremely sorry either to exceed or +fall short of the duties of my commission. + +LVII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THE memorial of the Apanieans annexed to your letter has saved +me the necessity of considering the reasons they suggest why the +former proconsuls forbore to inspect their accounts, since they are +willing to submit them to your examination. Their honest +compliance deserves to be rewarded; and they may be assured the +enquiry you are to make in pursuance of my orders shall be with a +full reserve to their privileges. + +LVIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE Nicomedians, Sir, before my arrival in this province, had +begun to build a new forum adjoining their former, in a corner of +which stands an ancient temple dedicated to the mother of the +gods.39 This fabric must either be repaired or removed, and for +this reason chiefly, because it is a much lower building than that +very lofty one which is now in process of erection. Upon enquiry +whether this temple had been consecrated, I was informed that +their ceremonies of dedication differ from ours. You will be +pleased therefore, Sir, to consider whether a temple which has not +been consecrated according to our rites may be removed,40 +consistently with the reverence due to religion: for, if there should +be no objection from that quarter, the removal in every other +respect would be extremely convenient. + +LIX + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You may without scruple, my dearest Secundus, if the situation +requires it, remove the temple of the mother of the gods, from the +place where it now stands, to any other spot more convenient. You +need be under no difficulty with respect to the act of dedication; +for the ground of a foreign city41 is not capable of receiving that +kind of consecration which is sanctified by our laws. + +LX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WE have celebrated, Sir (with those sentiments of joy your virtues +so justly merit), the day of your accession to the empire, which +was also its preservation, imploring the gods to preserve you in +health and prosperity; for upon your welfare the security and +repose of the world depends. I renewed at the same time the oath +of allegiance at the head of the army, which repeated it after me in +the usual form, the people of the province zealously concurring in +the same oath. + +LXI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +YOUR letter, my dearest Secundus, was extremely acceptable, +as it informed me of the zeal and affection with which you, +together with the army and the provincials, solemnised the day of +my accession to the empire. + +LXII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE debts which we are owing to the public are, by the prudence, +Sir, of your counsels, and the care of my administration, either +actually paid in or now being collected: but I am afraid the money +must lie unemployed. For as on one side there are few or no +opportunities of purchasing land, so, on the other, one cannot meet +with any person who is willing to borrow of the public42 +(especially at 12 per cent, interest) when they can raise money +upon the same terms from private sources. You will consider then, +Sir, whether it may not be advisable, in order to invite responsible +persons to take this money, to lower the interest; or if that scheme +should not succeed, to place it in the hands of the decurii, upon +their giving sufficient security to the public. And though they +should not be willing to receive it, yet as the rate of interest will be +diminished, the hardship will be so much the less. + +LXIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I AGREE with you, my dear Pliny, that there seems to be no other +method of facilitating the placing out of the public money than by +lowering the interest; the measure of which you will determine +according to the number of the borrowers. But to compel persons +to receive it who are not disposed to do so, when possibly they +themselves may have no opportunity of employing it, is by no +means consistent with the justice of my government. + +LXIV + +To TIlE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I RETURN you my warmest acknowledgments, Sir, that, among +the many important occupations in which you are engaged you +have condescended to be my guide on those points on which I have +consulted you: a favour which I must now again beseech you to +grant me. A certain person presented himself with a complaint that +his adversaries, who had been banished for three years by the +illustrious Servilius Calvus, still remained in the province: +they, on the contrary, affirmed that Calvus had revoked their +sentence, and produced his edict to that effect. I thought it +necessary therefore to refer the whole affair to you. For as I have +your express orders not to restore any person who has been +sentenced to banishment either by myself or others so I have no +directions with respect to those who, having been banished by +some of my predecessors in this government, have by them also +been restored. It is necessary for me, therefore, to beg you would +inform me, Sir, how I am to act with regard to the above- +mentioned persons, as well as others, who, after having been +condemned to perpetual banishment, have been found in the +province without permission to return; for cases of that nature +have likewise fallen under my cognisance. A person was brought +before me who had been sentenced to perpetual exile by the +proconsul Julius Bassus, but knowing that the acts of Bassus, +during his administration, had been rescinded, and that the senate +had granted leave to all those who had fallen under his +condemnation of appealing from his decision at any time within +the space of two years, I enquired of this man whether he had, +accordingly, stated his case to the proconsul. He replied he had +not. I beg then you would inform me whether you would have him +sent back into exile or whether you think some more severe and +what kind of punishment should be inflicted upon him, and such +others who may hereafter be found under the same circumstances. +I have annexed to my letter the decree of Calvus, and the edict by +which the persons above-mentioned were restored, as also the +decree of Bassus. + +LXV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I WILL let you know my determination concerning those exiles +which were banished for three years by the proconsul P. Servilius +Calvus, and soon afterwards restored to the province by his edict, +when I shall have informed myself from him of the reasons of this +proceeding. With respect to that person who was sentenced to +perpetual banishment by Julius Bassus, yet continued to remain in +the province, without making his appeal if he thought himself +aggrieved (though he had two years given him for that purpose), I +would have sent in chains to my praetorian prefects:43 for, only to +remand him back to a punishment which he has contumaciously +eluded will by no means be a sufficient punishment. + +LXVI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WHEN I cited the judges, Sir, to attend me at a sessions44 which I +was going to hold, Flavius Archippus claimed the privilege of +being excused as exercising the profession of a philosopher.45 It +was alleged by some who were present that he ought not only to be +excused from that office, but even struck out of the rolls of judges, +and remanded back to the punishment from which he had escaped, +by breaking his chains. At the same time a sentence of the +proconsul Velius Paullus was read, by which it appeared that +Archippus had been condemned to the mines for forgery. He had +nothing to produce in proof of this sentence having ever been +reversed. He alleged, however, in favour of his restitution, a +petition which he presented to Domitian, together with a letter +from that prince, and a decree of the Prusensians in his honour. To +these he subjoined a letter which he had received from you; as also +an edict and a letter of your august father confirming the grants +which had been made to him by Domitian. For these reasons, +notwithstandng crimes of so atrocious a nature were laid to his +charge, I did not think proper to determine anything concerning +him, without first consulting with you, as it is an affair which +seems to merit your particular decision. I have transmitted to you, +with this letter, the several allegations on both sides. + +D0MITIAN'S LETTER TO TERENTIUS MAXIMUS + +"Flavius Archippus the philosopher has prevailed with me to give +an order that six hundred thousand sesterces46 be laid out in the +purchase of an estate for the support of him and his family, in the +neighbourhood of Prusias,47 his native country. Let this be +accordingly done; and place that sum to the account of my +benefactions." + +FROM THE SAME TO L. APPIUS MAXIMUS + +"I recommend, my dear Maximus, to your protection that worthy +philosopher Archippus; a person whose moral conduct is agreeable +to the principles of the philosophy he professes; and I would have +you pay entire regard to whatever he shall reasonably request." + +THE EDICT OF THE EMPEROR NERVA + +"There are some points no doubt, Quirites, concerning which the +happy tenour of my government is a sufficient indication of my +sentiments; and a good prince need not give an express declaration +in matters wherein his intention cannot but be clearly understood. +Every citizen in the empire will bear me witness that I gave up my +private repose to the security of the public, and in order that I +might have the pleasure of dispensing new bounties of my own, as +also of confirming those which had been granted by predecessors. +But lest the memory of him48 who conferred these grants, or the +diffidence of those who received them, should occasion any +interruption to the public joy, I thought it as necessary as it is +agreeable to me to obviate these suspicions by assuring them of +my indulgence. I do not wish any man who has obtained a private +or a public privilege from one of the former emperors to imagine +he is to be deprived of such a privilege, merely that he may owe +the restoration of it to me; nor need any who have received the +gratifications of imperial favour petition me to have them +confirmed. Rather let them leave me at leisure for conferring new +grants, under the assurance that I am only to be solicited for those +bounties which have not already been obtained, and which the +happier fortune of the empire has put it in my power to bestow." + +FROM THE SAME TO TULLIUS JUSTUS + +"Since I have publicly decreed that all acts begun and +accomplished in former reigns should be confirmed, the letters of +Domitian must remain valid." + +LXVII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +FLAVIUS ARCHIPPUS has conjured me, by all my vows for your +prosperity, and by your immortal glory, that I would transmit to +you the memorial which he presented to me. I could not refuse a +request couched in such terms; however, I acquainted the +prosecutrix with this my intention, from whom I have also +received a memorial on her part. I have annexed them both to this +letter; that by hearing, as it were, each party, you may the better be +enabled to decide. + +LX VIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IT is possible that Domitian might have been ignorant of the +circumstances in which Archippus was when he wrote the letter so +much to that philosopher's credit. However, it is more agreeable to +my disposition to suppose that prince designed he should be +restored to his former situation; especially since he so often had +the honour of a statue decreed to him by those who could not be +ignorant of the sentence pronounced against him by the proconsul +Paullus. But I do not mean to intimate, my dear Pliny, that if any +new charge should be brought against him, you should be the less +disposed to hear his accusers. I have examined the memorial of his +prosecutrix, Furia Prima, as well as that of Archippus himself, +which you sent with your last letter. + +LXIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE apprehensions you express, Sir, that the lake will be in +danger of being entirely drained if a communication should be +opened between that and the sea, by means of the river, are +agreeable to that prudence and forethought you so eminently +possess; but I think I have found a method to obviate that +inconvenience. A channel may be cut from the lake up to the river +so as not quite to join them, leaving just a narrow strip of land +between, preserving the lake; by this means it will not only be kept +quite separate from the river, but all the same purposes will be +answered as if they were united: for it will be extremely easy to +convey over that little intervening ridge whatever goods shall be +brought down by the canal. This is a scheme which may be +pursued, if it should be found necessary; but I hope there will be +no occasion to have recourse to it. For, in the first place, the lake +itself is pretty deep; and in the next, by damming up the river +which runs from it on the opposite side and turning its course as +we shall find expedient, the same quantity of water may be +retained. Besides, there are several brooks near the place where it +is proposed the channel shall be cut which, if skilfully collected, +will supply the lake with water in proportion to what it shall +discharge. But if you should rather approve of the channel's being +extended farther and cut narrower, and so conveyed directly into +the sea, without running into the river, the reflux of the tide will +return whatever it receives from the lake. After all, if the nature of +the place should not admit of any of these schemes, the course of +the water may be checked by sluices. These, however, and many +other particulars, will be more skilfully examined into by the +engineer, whom, indeed, Sir, you ought to send, according to your +promise, for it is an enterprise well worthy of your attention and +magnificence. In the meanwhile, I have written to the illustrious +Calpurnius Macer, in pursuance of your orders, to send me the +most skilful engineer to be had. + +LXX + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IT is evident, my dearest Secundus, that neither your prudence nor +your care has been wanting in this affair of the lake, since, in order +to render it of more general benefit, you have provided so many +expedients against the danger of its being drained. I leave it to your +own choice to pursue whichever of the schemes shall be thought +most proper. Calpurnius Macer will furnish you, no doubt, with an +engineer, as artificers of that kind are not wanting in his province. + +LXXI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +A VERY considerable question, Sir, in which the whole province +is interested, has been lately started, concerning the state49 and +maintenance of deserted children.50 I have examined the +constitutions of former princes upon this head, but not finding +anything in them relating, either in general or particular, to the +Bithynians, I thought it necessary to apply to you for your +directions: for in a point which seems to require the special +interposition of your authority, I could not content myself with +following precedents. An edict of the emperor Augustus (as +pretended) was read to me, concerning one Annia; as also a letter +from Vespasian to the Lacedaemonians, and another from Titus to +the same, with one likewise from him to the Achaeans, also some +letters from Domitian, directed to the proconsuls Avidius Nigrinus +and Armenius Brocchus, together with one from that prince to the +Lacedaemonians: but I have not transmitted them to you, as they +were not correct (and some of them too of doubtful authenticity), +and also because I imagine the true copies are preserved in your +archives. + +LXXII +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THE question concerning children who were exposed by their +parents, and afterwards preserved by others, and educated in a +state of servitude, though born free, has been frequently discussed; +but I do not find in the constitutions of the princes my +predecessors any general regulation upon this head, extending to +all the provinces. There are, indeed, some rescripts of Domitian to +Avidius Nigrinus and Armenhis Brocchus, which ought to be +observed; but Bithynia is not comprehended in the provinces +therein mentioned. I am of opinion therefore that the claims of +those who assert their right of freedom upon this footing should be +allowed; without obliging them to purchase their liberty by +repaying the money advanced for their maintenance.51 + +LXXIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +HAVING been petitioned by some persons to grant them the +liberty (agreeably to the practice of former proconsuls) of +removing the relics of their deceased relations, upon the +suggestion that either their monuments were decayed by age or +ruined by the inundations of the river, or for other reasons of the +same kind, I thought proper, Sir, knowing that in cases of this +nature it is usual at Rome to apply to the college of priests, to +consult you, who are the sovereign of that sacred order, as to how +you would have me act in this case. + +LXX IV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IT will be a hardship upon the provincials to oblige them to +address themselves to the college of priests whenever they may +have just reasons for removing the ashes of their ancestors. In this +case, therefore, it will be better you should follow the example of +the governors your predecessors, and grant or deny them this +liberty as you shall see reasonable. + +LXXV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I HAVE enquired, Sir, at Prusa, for a proper place on which to +erect the bath you were pleased to allow that city to build, and I +have found one to my satisfaction. It is upon the site where +formerly, I am told, stood a very beautiful mansion, but which is +now entirely fallen into ruins. By fixing upon that spot, we shall +gain the advantage of ornamenting the city in a part which at +present is exceedingly deformed, and enlarging it at the same time +without removing any of the buildings; only restoring one which is +fallen to decay. There are some circumstances attending this +structure of which it is proper I should inform you. Claudius +Polyaenus bequeathed it to the emperor Claudius Caesar, with +directions that a temple should be erected to that prince in a +colonnade-court, and that the remainder of the house should be let +in apartments. The city received the rents for a considerable time; +but partly by its having been plundered, and partly by its being +neglected, the whole house, colonnade-court, and all, is entirely +gone to ruin, and there is now scarcely anything remaining of it but +the ground upon which it stood. If you shall think proper, Sir, +either to give or sell this spot of ground to the city, as it lies so +conveniently for their purpose, they will receive it as a most +particular favour. I intend, with your permission, to place the bath +in the vacant area, and to extend a range of porticoes with seats in +that part where the former edifice stood. This new erection I +purpose dedicating to you, by whose bounty it will rise with all the +elegance and magnificence worthy of your glorious name. I have +sent you a copy of the will, by which, though it is inaccurate, you +will see that Polyaenus left several articles of ornament for the +embellishment of this house; but these also are lost with all the +rest: I will, however, make the strictest enquiry after them that I +am able. + +LXXVI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +1 HAVE no objection to the Prusenses making use of the ruined +court and house, which you say are untenanted, for the erection of +their bath. But it is not sufficiently clear by your letter whether the +temple in the centre of the colonnade-court was actually dedicated +to Claudius or not; for if it were, it is still consecrated ground.52 + +LXXVII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I HAVE been pressed by some persons to take upon myself the +enquiry of causes relating to claims of freedom by birth-right, +agreeably to a rescript of Domitian's to Minucius Rufus, and the +practice of former proconsuls. But upon casting my eye on the +decree of the senate concerning cases of this nature, I find it only +mentions the proconsular provinces.53 I have therefore, Sir, +deferred interfering in this affair, till I shall receive your +instructions as to how you would have me proceed. + +LXXVIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IF you will send me the decree of the senate, which occasioned +your doubt, I shall be able to judge whether it is proper you should +take upon yourself the enquiry of causes relating to claims of +freedom by birth-right. + +LXXIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +JULIUS LARGUS, of Ponus54 (a person whom I never saw nor +indeed ever heard his name till lately), in confidence, Sir, of your +distinguishing judgment in my favour, has entrusted me with the +execution of the last instance of his loyalty towards you. He has +left me, by his will, his estate upon trust, in the first place to +receive out of it fifty thousand sesterces55 for my own use, and to +apply the remainder for the benefit of the cities of Heraclea and +Tios,56 either by erecting some public edifice dedicated to your +honour or instituting athletic games, according as I shall judge +proper. These games are to be celebrated every five years, and to +be called Trajan's games. My principal reason for acquainting you +with this bequest is that I may receive your directions which of the +respective alternatives to choose. + +LXXX + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +By the prudent choice Julius Largus has made of a trustee, one +would imagine he had known you perfectly well. You will +consider then what will most tend to perpetuate his memory, under +the circumstances of the respective cities, and make your option +accordingly. + +LXXXI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +You acted agreeably, Sir, to your usual prudence and foresight in +ordering the illustrious Calpurnius Macer to send a legionary +centurion to Byzantium: you will consider whether the city of +Juliopolis' does not deserve the same regard, which, though it is +extremely small, sustains very great burthens, and is so much the +more exposed to injuries as it is less capable of resisting them. +Whatever benefits you shall confer upon that city will in effect be +advantageous to the whole country; for it is situated at the entrance +of Bithynia, and is the town through which all who travel into this +province generally pass. + +LXXXII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THE circumstances of the city of Byzantium are such, by the great +confluence of strangers to it, that I held it incumbent upon me, and +consistent with the customs of former reigns, to send thither a +legionary centurion's guard to preserve the privileges of that state. +But if we should distinguish the city of Juliopolis57 in the same +way, it will be introducing a precedent for many others, whose +claim to that favour will rise in proportion to their want of +strength. I have so much confidence, however, in your +administration as to believe you will omit no method of protecting +them from injuries. If any persons shall act contrary to the +discipline I have enjoined, let them be instantly corrected; or if +they happen to be soldiers, and their crimes should be too +enormous for immediate chastisement, I would have them sent to +their officers, with an account of the particular misdemeanour you +shall find they have been guilty of; but if the delinquents should be +on their way to Rome, inform me by letter. + +LXXXIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +BY a law of Pompey's58 concerning the Bithynians, it is enacted, +Sir, that no person shall be a magistrate, or be chosen into the +senate, under the age of thirty. By the same law it is declared that +those who have exercised the office of magistrate are qualified to +be members of the senate. Subsequent to this law, the emperor +Augustus published an edict, by which it was ordained that persons +of the age of twenty-two should be capable of being magistrates. +The question therefore is whether those who have exercised the +functions of a magistrate before the age of thirty may he legally +chosen into the senate by the censors?59 And if so, whether, by the +same kind of construction, they may be elected senators, at the age +which entitles them to be magistrates, though they should not +actually have borne any office? A custom which, it seems, has +hitherto been observed, and is said to be expedient, as it is rather +better that persons of noble birth should be admitted into the +senate than those of plebeian rank. The censors elect having +desired my sentiments upon this point, I was of opinion that both +by the law of Pompey and the edict of Augustus those who had +exercised the magistracy before the age of thirty might be chosen +into the senate; and for this reason, because the edict allows the +office of magistrate to be undertaken before thirty; and the law +declares that whoever has been a magistrate should be eligible for +the senate. But with respect to those who never discharged any +office in the state, though they were of the age required for that +purpose, I had some doubt: and therefore, Sir, I apply to you for +your directions. I have subjoined to this letter the heads of the law, +together with the edict of Augustus. + +LXXXIV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I AGREE with you, my dearest Secundus, in your construction, +and am of opinion that the law of Pompey is so far repealed by the +edict of the emperor Augustus that those persons who are not less +than twenty-two years of age may execute the office of +magistrates, and, when they have, may be received into the senate +of their respective cities. But I think that they who are under thirty +years of age, and have not discharged the function of a magistrate, +cannot, upon pretence that in point of years they were competent +to the office, legally be elected into the senate of their several +communities. + +LXXXV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WHILST I was despatching some public affairs, Sir, at my +apartments in Prusa, at the foot of Olympus, with the intention of +leaving that city the same day, the magistrate Asclepiades +informed me that Eumolpus had appealed to me from a motion +which Cocceianus Dion made in their senate. Dion, it seems, +having been appointed supervisor of a public building, desired that +it might be assigned60 to the city in form. Eumolpus, who was +counsel for Flavius Archippus, insisted that Dion should first be +required to deliver in his accounts relating to this work, before it +was assigned to the corporation; suggesting that he had not acted +in the manner he ought. He added, at the same time, that in this +building, in which your statue is erected, the bodies of Dion's wife +and son are entombed,61 and urged me to hear this cause in the +public court of judicature. Upon my at once assenting to his +request, and deferring my journey for that purpose, he desired a +longer day in order to prepare matters for hearing, and that I would +try this cause in some other city. I appointed the city of Nicea; +where, when I had taken my seat, the same Eumolpus, pretending +not to be yet sufficiently instructed, moved that the trial might be +again put off: Dion, on the contrary, insisted it should be heard. +They debated this point very fully on both sides, and entered a +little into the merits of the cause; when being of opinion that it was +reasonable it should be adjourned, and thinking it proper to consult +with you in an affair which was of consequence in point of +precedent, I directed them to exhibit the articles of their respective +allegations in writing; for I was desirous you should judge from +their own representations of the state of the question between +them. Dion promised to comply with this direction and Eumolpus +also assured me he would draw up a memorial of what he had to +allege on the part of the community. But he added that, being oniy +concerned as advocate on behalf of Arehippus, whose instructions +he had laid before me, he had no charge to bring with respect to +the sepulchres. Archippus, however, for whom Eulnolpus was +counsel here, as at Prusa, assured me he would himself present a +charge in form upon this head. But neither Eumolpus nor +Archippus (though I have waited several days for that purpose) +have yet performed their engagement: Dion indeed has; and I have +annexed his memorial to this letter. I have inspected the buildings +in question, where I find your statue is placed in a library, and as to +the edifice in which the bodies of Dion's wife and son are said to +be deposited, it stands in the middle of a court, which is enclosed +with a colonnade. Deign, therefore, I entreat you, Sir, to direct my +judgment in the determination of this cause above all others as it is +a point to which the public is greatly attentive, and necessarily so, +since the fact is not only acknowledged, but countenanced by +many precedents. + +LXXXVI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You well know, my dearest Secundus, that it is my standing +maxim not to create an awe of my person by severe and rigorous +measures, and by construing every slight offence into an act of +treason; you had no reason, therefore, to hesitate a moment upon +the point concerning which you thought proper to consult me. +Without entering therefore into the merits of that question (to +which I would by no means give any attention, though there were +ever so many instances of the same kind), I recommend to your +care the examination of Dion's accounts relating to the public +works which he has finished; as it is a case in which the interest of +the city is concerned, and as Dion neither ought nor, it seems, does +refuse to submit to the examination. + +LXXXVII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE Niceans having, in the name of their community, conjured +me, Sir, by all my hopes and wishes for your prosperity and +immortal glory (an adjuration which is and ought to be most +sacred to me), to present to you their petition, I did not think +myself at liberty to refuse them: I have therefore annexed it to this +letter. + +LXXXVIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THE Niceans I find, claim a right, by an edict of Augustus, to the +estate of every citizen who dies intestate. You will therefore +summon the several parties interested in this question, and, +examining these pretensions, with the assistance of the procurators +Virdius Gemellinus, and Epimachus, my freedman (having duly +weighed every argument that shall be alleged against the claim), +determine as shall appear most equitable. + +LXXXIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +MAY this and many succeeding birthdays be attended, Sir, with +the highest felicity to you; and may you, in the midst of an +uninterrupted course of health and prosperity, be still adding to the +increase of that immortal glory which your virtues justly merit! + +XC + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +YOUR wishes, my dearest Secundus, for my enjoyment of many +happy birthdays amidst the glory and prosperity of the republic +were extremely agreeable to me. + +XCI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE inhabitants of Sinope62 are ill supplied, Sir, with water, +which however may be brought thither from about sixteen miles' +distance in great plenty and perfection. The ground, indeed, near +the source of this spring is, for rather over a mile, of a very +suspicious and marshy nature; but I have directed an examination +to be made (which will be effected at a small expense) whether it +is sufficiently firm to support any superstructure. I have taken care +to provide a sufficient fund for this purpose, if you should approve, +Sir, of a work so conducive to the health and enjoyment of this +colony, greatly distressed by a scarcity of water. + +XCII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I WOULD have you proceed, my dearest Secundus, in carefully +examining whether the ground you suspect is firm enough to +support an aqueduct. For I have no manner of doubt that the +Sinopian colony ought to be supplied with water; provided their +finances will bear the expense of a work so conducive to their +health and pleasure. + +XCIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE free and confederate city of the Amiseni63 enjoys, by your +indulgence, the privilege of its own laws. A memorial being +presented to me there, concerning a charitable institution,64 I have +stibjoined it to this letter, that you may consider, Sir, whether, and +how far, this society ought to be licensed or prohibited + +XCIV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IF the petition of the Amiseni which you have transmitted to me, +concerning the establishment of a charitable society, be agreeable +to their own laws, which by the articles of alliance it is stipulated +they shall enjoy, I shall not oppose it; especially if these +contributions are employed, not for the purpose of riot and faction, +but for the support of the indigent. In other cities, however, which +are subject to our laws, I would have all assemblies of this nature +prohibited. + +XCV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS, Sir, is a most excellent, +honour-able, and learned man. I was so much pleased with his +tastes and disposition that I have long since invited him into my +family, as my constant guest and domestic friend; and my affection +for him increased the more I knew of him. Two reasons concur to +render the privilege3 which the law grants to those who have three +children particularly necessary to him; I mean the bounty of his +friends, and the ill-success of his marriage. Those advantages, +therefore, which nature has denied to him, he hopes to obtain from +your goodness, by my intercession. I am thoroughly sensible, Sir, +of the value of the privilege I am asking; but I know, too, I am +asking it from one whose gracious compliance with all my desires +I have amply experienced. How passionately I wish to do so in the +present instance, you will judge by my thus requesting it in my +absence; which I would not, had it not been a favour which I am +more than ordinarily anxious to obtain. + +XCVI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You cannot but be sensible, my dearest Secundus, how reserved I +am in granting favours of the kind you desire; having frequently +declared in the senate that I had not exceeded the number of which +I assured that illustrious order I would be contented with. I have +yielded, however, to your request, and have directed an article to +be inserted in my register, that I have conferred upon Tranquillus, +on my usual conditions, the privilege which the law grants to these +who have three children, + +XCVII66 + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +IT is my invariable rule, Sir, to refer to you in all matters where I +feel doubtful; for who is more capable of removing my scruples, or +informing my ignorance? Having never been present at any trials +concerning those who profess Christianity, I am unacquainted not +only with the nature of their crimes, or the measure of their +punishment, but how far it is proper to enter into an examination +concerning them. Whether, therefore, any difference is usually +made with respect to ages, or no distinction is to be observed +between the young and the adult; whether repentance entitles them +to a pardon; or if a man has been once a Christian, it avails nothing +to desist from his error; whether the very profession of +Christianity, unattended with any criminal act, or only the crimes +themselves inherent in the profession are punishable; on all these +points I am in great doubt. In the meanwhile, the method I have +observed towards those who have been brought before me as +Christians is this: I asked them whether they were Christians; if +they admitted it, I repeated the question twice, and threatened +them with punishment; if they persisted, I ordered them to be at +once punished: for I was persuaded, whatever the nature of their +opinions might be, a contumacious and inflexible obstinacy +certainly deserved correction. There were others also brought +before me possessed with the same infatuation, but being Roman +citizens,67 I directed them to be sent to Rome. But this crime +spreading (as is usually the case) while it was actually under +prosecution, several instances of the same nature occurred. An +anonymous information was laid before me containing a charge +against several persons, who upon examination denied they were +Christians, or had ever been so. They repeated after me an +invocation to the gods, and offered religious rites with wine and +incense before your statue (which for that purpose I had ordered to +be brought, together with those of the gods), and even reviled the +name of Christ: whereas there is no forcing, it is said, those who +are really Christians into any of these compliances: I thought it +proper, therefore, to discharge them. Some among those who were +accused by a witness in person at first confessed themselves +Christians, but immediately after denied it; the rest owned indeed +that they had been of that number formerly, but had now (some +above three, others more, and a few above twenty years ago) +renounced that error. They all worshipped your statue and the +images of the gods, uttering imprecations at the same time against +the name of Christ. They affirmed the whole of their guilt, or their +error, was, that they met on a stated day before it was light, and +addressed a form of prayer to Christ, as to a divinity, binding +themselves by a solemn oath, not for the purposes of any wicked +design, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery, never to +falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called +upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, +and then reassemble, to eat in common a harmless meal. From this +custom, however, they desisted after the publication of my edict, +by which, according to your commands, I forbade the meeting of +any assemblies. After receiving this account, I judged it so much +the more necessary to endeavor to extort the real truth, by putting +two female slaves to the torture, who were said to officiate' in their +religious rites: but all I could discover was evidence of an absurd +and extravagant superstition. I deemed it expedient, therefore, to +adjourn all further proceedings, in order to consult you. For it +appears to be a matter highly deserving your consideration, more +especially as great numbers must be involved in the danger of +these prosecutions, which have already extended, and are still +likely to extend, to persons of all ranks and ages, and even of both +sexes. In fact, this contagious superstition is not confined to the +cities only, but has spread its infection among the neighbouring +villages and country. Nevertheless, it still seems possible to +restrain its progress. The temples, at least, which were once almost +deserted, begin now to be frequented; and the sacred rites, after a +long intermission, are again revived; while there is a general +demand for the victims, which till lately found very few +purchasers. From all this it is easy to conjecture what numbers +might be reclaimed if a general pardon were granted to those who +shall repent of their error. + +XCVIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You have adopted the right course, my dearest Secundtis, in +investigating the charges against the Christians who were brought +before you. It is not possible to lay down any general rule for all +such cases. Do not go out of your way to look for them. If indeed +they should be brought before you, and the crime is proved, they +must be punished;69 with the restriction, however, that where the +party denies he is a Christian, and shall make it evident that he is +not, by invoking our gods, let him (notwithstanding any former +suspicion) be pardoned upon his repentance. Anonymous +informations ought not to he received in any sort of prosecution. It +is introducing a very dangerous precedent, and is quite foreign to +the spirit of our age. + +XCIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE elegant and beautiful city of Amastris,70 Sir, has, among +other principal constructions, a very fine street and of considerable +length, on one entire side of which runs what is called indeed a +river, but in fact is no other than a vile common sewer, extremely +offensive to the eye, and at the same time very pestilential on +account of its noxious smell. It will be advantageous, therefore, in +point of health, as well as decency, to have it covered; which shall +be done with your permission: as I will take care, on my part, that +money be not wanting for executing so noble and necessary a +work. + +C + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IT IS highly reasonable, my dearest Secundus, if the water which +runs through the city of Amastris is prejudicial, while uncovered, +to the health of the inhabitants, that it should be covered up. I am +well assured you will, with your usual application, take care that +the money necessary for this work shall not be wanting. + +CI +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WE have celebrated, Sir, with great joy and festivity, those votive +soleninities which were publicly proclaimed as formerly, and +renewed them the present year, accompanied by the soldiers and +provincials, who zealously joined with us in imploring the gods +that they would be graciously pleased to preserve you and the +republic in that state of prosperity which your many and great +virtues, particularly your piety and reverence towards them, so +justly merit. + +CII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +IT was agreeable to me to learn by your letter that the army and the +provincials seconded you, with the most joyful unanimity, in those +vows which you paid and renewed to the immortal gods for my +preservation and prosperity. + +CIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +WE have celebrated, with all the warmth of that pious zeal we +justly ought, the day on which, by a most happy succession, the +protection of mankind was committed over into your hands; +recommending to the gods, from whom you received the empire, +the object of your public vows and congratulations. + +CIV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I WAS extremely well pleased to be informed by your letter that +you had, at the head of the soldiers and the provincials, solemnised +my accession to the empire with all due joy and zeal. + +CV + +To TIlE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +VALERIUS PAULINUS, Sir, having bequeathed to me the right of +patronage71 over all his freedmen, except one, I intreat you to +grant the freedom of Rome to three of them. To desire you to +extend this favour to all of them would, I fear, be too unreasonable +a trespass upon your indulgence; which, itt proportion as I have +amply experienced, I ought to be so much the more cautious in +troubling. The persons for whom I make this request are C. +Valerius Astraeus, C. Valerius Dionysius, and C. Valerius Aper. + +CVI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +YOU act most generously in so early soliciting in favour of those +whom Valerius Paulinus has confided to your trust. I have +accordingly granted the freedom of the city to such of his +freedmen for whom you requested it, and have directed the patent +to be registered: I am ready to confer the same on the rest, +whenever you shall desire me. + +CVII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +P. ATTIUS AQUILA, a centurion of the sixth equestrian cohort, +requested me, Sir, to transmit his petition to you, in favour of his +daughter. I thought it would be unkind to refuse him this service, +knowing, as I do, with what patience and kindness you attend to +the petitions of the soldiers. + +CVIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I HAVE read the petition of P. Attius Aquila, centurion of the sixth +equestrian cohort, which you sent to me; and in compliance with +his request, I have conferred upon his daughter the freedom of the +city of Rome. I send you at the same time the patent, which you +will deliver to him. + +CIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I REQUEST, Sir, your directions with respect to the recovering +those debts which are due to the cities of Bithynia and Pontus, +either for rent, or goods sold, or upon any other consideration. I +find they have a privilege conceded to them by several proconsuls, +of being preferred to other creditors; and this custom has prevailed +as if it had been established by law. Your prudence, I imagine, will +think it necessary to enact some settled rule, by which their rights +may always be secured. For the edicts of others, how wisely goever +founded, are but feeble and temporary ordinances~ unless +confirmed and sanctioned by your authority. + +CX + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THE right which the cities either of Pontus or Bithynia claim +relating to the recovery of debts of whatever kind, due to their +several communities, must be determined agreeably to their +respective laws. Where any of these communities enjoy the +privilege of being preferred to other creditors, it must be +maintained; but, where no such privilege prevails, it is not just I +should establish one, in prejudice of private property. + +CXI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE solicitor to the treasury of the city of Amisis instituted a +claim, Sir, before me against Julius Piso of about forty thousand +denarii,72 presented to him by the public above twenty years ago, +with the consent of the general council and assembly of the city: +and he founded his demand upon certain of your edicts, by which +donations of this kind are prohibited. Piso, on the other hand, +asserted that he had conferred large sums of money upon the +community, and, indeed, had thereby expended almost the whole +of his estate. He insisted upon the length of time which had +intervened since this donation, and hoped that he should not be +compelled, to the ruin of the remainder of his fortunes, to refund a +present which had been granted him long since, in return for many +good offices he had done the city. For this reason, Sir, I thought it +necessary to suspend giving any judgment in this cause till I shall +receive your directions. + +CXII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THOUGH by my edicts I have ordained that no largesses shall be +given out of the public money, yet, that numberless private persons +may not be disturbed in the secure possession of their fortunes, +those donations which have been made long since ought not to be +called in question or revoked. We will not therefore enquire into +anything that has been transacted in this affair so long ago as +twenty years; for I would be no less attentive to secure the repose +of every private man than to preserve the treasure of every public +community. + +CXIII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE Pompeian law, Sir, which is observed in Pontus and Bithynia, +does not direct that any money for their admission shall be paid in +by those who arc elected into the senate by the censors. It has, +however, been usual for such members as have been admitted into +those assemblies, in pursuance of the privilege which you were +pleased to grant to some particular cities, of receiving above their +legal number, to pay one73 or two thousand denarii74 on their +election. Subsequent to this, the proconsul Anicius Maximus +ordained (though indeed his edict related to some few cities only) +that those who were elected by the censors should also pay into the +treasury a certain sum, which varied in different places. It remains, +therefore, for your consideration whether it would not be proper to +settle a certain sum for each member who is elected into the +councils to pay upon his entrance; for it well becomes you, whose +every word and action deserves to be immortalized, to establish +laws that shall endure for ever. + +CXIV + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +I CAN give no general directions applicable to all the cities of +Bithynia, in relation to those who are elected members of their +respective councils, whether they shall pay an honorary fee upon +their admittance or not. I think that the safest method which can be +pursued is to follow the particular laws of each city; and I also +think that the censors ought to make the sum less for those who are +chosen into the senate contrary to their inclinations than for the +rest. + +CXV + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE Pompeian law, Sir, allows the Bithynians to give the freedom +of their respective cities to any person they think proper, provided +he is not a foreigner, but native of some of the cities of this +province. The same law specifies the particular causes for which +the censors may expel any member the senate, but makes no +mention of foreigners. Certain of the censors therefore have +desired my opinion whether they ought to expel a member if he +should happen to be a foreigner. But I thought it necessary to +receive your instructions in this case; not only because the law, +though it forbids foreigners to be admitted citizens, does not direct +that a senator shall be expelled for the same reason, but because I +am informed that in every city in the province a great number of +the senators are foreigners. If, therefore, this clause of the law, +which seems to be antiquated by a long custom to the contrary, +should be enforced, many cities, as well as private persons, must +be injured by it. I have annexed the heads of this law to my letter. + +CXVI + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You might well be doubtful, my dearest Secundus, what reply to +give to the censors, who consulted you concerning their right to +elect into the senate foreign citizens, though of the same province. +The authority of the law on one side, and long custom prevailing +against it on the other, might justly occasion you to hesitate, The +proper mean to observe in this case will be to make no change in +what is past, but to allow those senators who are already elected, +though contrary to law, to keep their seats, to whatever city they +may belong; in all future elections, however, to pursue the +directions of the Pompeian law: for to give it a retrospective +operation would necessarily introduce great confusion. + +CXVII + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +IT is customary here upon any person taking the manly robe, +solemnising his marriage, entering upon the office of a magistrate, +or dedicating any public work, to invite the whole senate, together +with a considerable part of the cornmonalty, and distribute to each +of the company one or two denarii.75 I request you to inform me +whether you think proper this ceremony should be observed, or +how far you approve of it. For myself, though I am of opinion that +upon some occasions, especially those of public festivals, this kind +of invitation may be permitted, yet, when carried so far as to draw +together a thousand persons, and sometimes more, it seems to be +going beyond a reasonable number, and has somewhat the +appearance of ambitious largesses. + +CXVIII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You very justly apprehended that those public invitations which +extend to an immoderate number of people, and where the dole is +distributed, not singly to a few acquaintances, but, as it were, to +whole collective bodies, may be turned to the factious purposes of +ambition. But I appointed you to your present government, fully +relying upon your prudence, and in the persuasion that you would +take proper measures for regulating the manners and settling the +peace of the province. + +CXIX + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +THE athletic victors, Sir, in the Iselastic76 games, conceive that +the stipend you have established for the conquerors becomes due +from the day they are crowned: for it is not at all material, they +say, what time they were triumphantly conducted into their +country, but when they merited that honour. On the contrary, when +I consider the meaning of the term Iselastic, I am strongly inclined +to think that it is intended the stipend should commence from the +time of their public entry. They likewise petition to be allowed the +treat you give at those combats which you have converted into +Iselastic, though they were conquerors before the appointnient of +that institution: for it is but reasonable, they assert, that they should +receive the reward in this instance, as they are deprived of it at +those games which have been divested of the honour of being +Iselastic, since their victory. But I am very doubtful, whether a +retrospect should be admitted in the case in question, and a reward +given, to which the claimants had no right at the time they +obtained the victory. I beg, therefore, you would be pleased to +direct my judgment in these points, by explaining the intention of +your own benefactions. + +CXX + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +THE stipend appointed for the conqueror in the Iselastic games +ought not, I think, to commence till he makes his triumphant entry +into his city. Nor are the prizes, at those combats which I thought +proper to make Iselastic, to be extended backwards to those who +were victors before that alteration took place. With regard to the +plea which these athletic combatants urge, that they ought to +receive the Iselastic prize at those combats which have been made +Iselastic subsequent to their conquests, as they are denied it in the +same case where the games have ceased to be so, it proves nothing +in their favour; for notwithstanding any new arrangements which +has been made relating to these games, they are not called upon to +return the recompense which they received prior to such alteration. + +CXXI + +To THE EMPEROR TRAJAN + +I HAVE hitherto never, Sir, granted an order for post-chaises to +any person, or upon any occasion, but in affairs that relate to your +administration. I find myself, however, at present under a sort of +necessity of breaking through this fixed rule. My wife having +received an account of her grandfather's death, and being desirous +to wait upon her aunt with all possible expedition, I thought it +would be unkind to deny her the use of this privilege; as the grace +of so tender an office consists in the early discharge of it, and as I +well knew a journey which was founded in filial piety could not +fail of your approbation. I should think myself highly trngrateful +therefore, were I not to acknowledge that, among other great +obligations which I owe to your indulgence, I have this in +particular, that, in confidence of your favour, I have ventured to +do, without consulting you, what would have been too late had I +waited for your consent. + +CXXII + +TRAJAN TO PLINY + +You did me justice, my dearest Secundus, in confiding in my +affection towards you. Without doubt, if you had waited for my +consent to forward your wife in her journey by means of those +warrants which I have entrusted to your care, the use of them +would not have answered your purpose; since it was proper this +visit to her aunt should have the additional recommendation of +being paid with all possible expedition. + +FOOTNOTES TO THE LETTERS OF PLINY + +1 A pupil and intimate friend of Paetus Thrasea, the distinguished +Stoic philosopher. Arulenus was put to death by Domitian for +writing a panegyric upon Thrasea. + +2 The impropriety of this expression, in the original, seems to ha in +the word stigmosum, which Regulus, probably either coined +through affectation or used through ignorance. It is a word, at +least, which does not occur in any author of authority: the +translator has endeavoured, therefore, to preserve the same sort of +impropriety, by using an expression of like unwarranted stamp in +his own tongue. M. + +3 An allusion to a wound he had received in the war between +Vitellius and Vespasian. + +4 A brother of Piso Galba's adopted son. He was put to death by +Nero. + +5 Sulpicius Camerinus, put to death by the same emperor, upon +some frivolous charge. + +6 A select body of men who formed a court of judicature, called +the centurnviral court. Their jurisdiction extended chiefly, if not +entirely, to questions of wills and intestate estates. Their number, +it would seem, amounted to ion. M. + +7 Junius Mauricus, the brother of Rusticus Arulenus. Both brothers +were sentenced on the same day, Arulenue to execution and +Mauricui to banishment. + +8 There seems to have been a cast of uncommon blackness in the +char. acter of this Regulus; otherwise the benevolent Pliny would +scarcely have singled him out, as he has in this and some following +letters, for the subject of his warmest contempt and indignation. +Yet, infamous as he was, he had his flatterers and admirers; and a +contemporary poet fre. quently represents him as one of the most +finished characters of the age, both in eloquence and virtue. M. + +9 The Decurii were a sort of senators in the municipal or soporate +cities of Italy. M. + +10 Euphrates was a native of Tyre, or, according to others, of +Byzantium. He belonged to the Stoic school of philosophy. In his +old age he became tired of life, and asked and obtained from +Hadrian permission to put an end to himself by poison." Smith's +Dict. of Greek and Roman Biog. + +11 A pleader and historian of some distinction, mentioned by +Tacitus, Ann. XIV. 19, and by Quintilian, X, I, 102. + +12 Padua. + +13 Domitian + +14 Iliad, XII. 243. Pope. + +15 Equal to about $4,000 of our money. After the reign of +Augustus the value of the seat ertius. + +16 The equestrian dignity, or that order of the Roman people +which we commonly call knights, had nothing in it analogous to +any order of modern knighthood, but depended entirely upon a +valuation of their estates; and every citizen, whose entire fortune +amounted to 400,000 sesterces, that is, to about $16000 of our +money, was enrolled, of course, in the list of knights, who were +considered as a middle order between the senators and common +people, yet, without any other distinction than the privilege of +wearing a gold rrng, which was the peculiar badge of their order." +Life of Cicero, Vol. I. III. in note. M. + +17 An elegant Attic orator, remarkable for the grace and lucidity of +his style, also for his vivid and accurate delineations of character. + +18 A graceful and powerful orator, and friend of Densosthenes. + +19 A Roman orator of the Augustan age. He was a poet and +historian as well, but gained most distinction as an orator. + +20 A man of considerable taste, talent, and eloquence, but +profligate and extravagant. He was on terms of some intimacy with +Cicero. + +21 The praetor was assisted by ten assessors, five of whom were +senators, asd the rest knights. With these he was obliged to consult +before he pronounced sentence. M. + +22 A contemporary and rival of Aristophanes. + +23 Aristophanes, Ach. 531 + +24 Thersites. Iliad, II. V. 212. + +25 Ulysses. Iliad, III. V. 222. + +26 Menelaua. Iliad, III. V. 214. + +27 Great-grandfather of the Emperor M. Aurelius. + +28 An eminent lawyer of Trajan's reign. + +29 The philosophers used to hold their disputations in the +gymnasia and porticoes, being places of the most public resort for +walking, &c. M. + +30 "Verginius Rufus was governor of Upper Germany at the time +of the revolt of Julius Vindex in Gaul. A.D. 68. The soldiers of +Verginius wished to raise him to the empire, but he refused the +honour, and marched against Vindex, who perished before +Vesontio. After the death of Nero, Verginius supported the claims +of Galba, and accompanied him to Rome. Upon Otho's death, the +soldiers again attempted to proclaim Verginius emperor, and in +consequence of his refusal of the honour, he narrowly escaped +with his life." (See Smith's Dict. of Greek and Rom. Biog., &c.) + +31 Nerva. + +32 The historian, + +33 Namely, of augurs. "This college, as regulated by Sylla, +consisted of fifteen, who were all persons of the first distinction in +Rome; it was a priesthood for life, of a character indelible, which +no crime or forfeiture could efface; it was necessary that every +candidate should be nominated to the people by two augurs, who +gave a solemn testimony upon, oath of his dignity and fitness for +that office." Middleton's Life of Cicero, I. 547. M. + +34 The ancient Greeks and Romans did not sit up at the table as +we do, but rtelined round it on couches, three and sometimes even +four occupying one conch, at least this latter was thc custom +among the Romans. Each guest lay flat upon his chest while +eating, reaching out his hand from time to time to the table, for +what he might require. As soon as he had made a sufficient meal, +he turned over upon his left side, leaning on the elbow. + + +35 A people of Germany. + +36" Any Roman priest devoted to the service of one particuiar god +was designated F'lamen, receiving a distinguishing epithet from +the deity to whom he ministered. The office was understood to last +for life; but a flamen might be compelled to resign for a breach of +duty, or even on account of the occurrence of an ill-omened +accident while discharging his functions." Smith's Dictionary of +Antiquities. + +37 Trajan. + +38 By a law passed A. D. 762, it was enacted that every citizen of +Rome who had three children should be excused from all +troublesome offices where he lived. This privilege the emperors +sometimes extended to those who were not legally entitled to it. + +39 About 54 cents. + +40 Avenue + +41 " Windows made of a transparent stone called lapis specularis +(mica), which was first found in Hispania Citerior, and afterwards +in Cyprus, Cappadocia, Sicily, and Africa; but the best caine from +Spain and Cap. padocia. It was easily split into the thinnest sheets. +Windows, made of this stone were called specularia." Smith's +Dicttonae)' of Antiquities. + +42 A feast held in honour of the god Saturn, which began on the +i9th of December, and continued as some say, for seven days. It +was a time of general rejoicing1 particularly among the slaves, +who had at this season the privilege of taking great liberties with +their masters. M. + +43 Cicero and Quintilian have laid down rules how far, and in +what instances, this liberty was allowable, and both agree it ought +to be used with great sagacity and judgment. The latter of these +excellent critics mentions a witticism of Flavius Virginius, who +asked one of these orators, "Quot nillia assuum deciamassett" How +many miles he had declaimed. M. + +44 This was an act of great ceremony; and if Aurelia's dress was of +the kind which some of the Roman ladies used, the legacy must +have been considerable which Regulus had the impudence to ask. +M. + +45 $3,350,000. + +46 A poet to whom Quintilian assigns the highest rank, as a +Writer of tragedies, among his contemporaries (book X. C. I. 98). +Tacitus also speaks of him in terms of high appreciation (Annals, +v. 8). + +47 Stepson of Augustus and brother to Tiberius. An amiable and +popu. lar prince. He died at the close of his third campaign, from a +fracture received by falling from his horse. + +48 A historian under Au?ustus and Tiberius. He wrote part of a +history of Rome, which was continued by the elder Pliny; also an +account of the German war, to which Quintilian makes allusion +(Inst. X. 103), pronouncing him, as a historian, " estimable in all +respects, yet in some things failing to do himself justice." + +49 The distribution of time among the Romans was very different +from ours. They divided the night into four equal parts, which they +called watches, each three hours in length; and part of these they +devoted either to the pleasures of the table or to study. The natural +day they divided into twelve hours, the first beginning with +sunrise, and the last ending with sunset; by which means their +hours were of unequal length, varying according to the different +seasons of the year. The time for business began with sunrise, and +continued to the fifth hour, being that of dinner, which with them +was only a slight repast. From thence to the seventh hour was a +time of repose; a custom which still prevails in Italy. The eighth +hour was employed in bodily exercises; after which they constantly +bathed, and from thence went to supper. M. + +50 $16,000. + +51 Born about A. D. 25. He acquired some distinction as an +advocate. The only poem of his which has come down to us is a +heavy prosaic performance in seventeen books, entitled "Tunica," +and containing an account of the events of the Second Punic War, +from the capture of Saguntum to the triumph of Scipio Africanus. +See Smith's Dict. of Gr. and Roin. Biog. + +52 Trajan. + +53 Spurinna's wife. + +54 Domitian banished the philosophers not only from Rome, but +Italy, as Suetonius (Dom. C. X.) and Aulus Gellius (Noct. Att. b. +XV. CXI. 3, 4, 5) Inform us among these was the celebrated +Epictetus. M. + +55 The following is the story, as related by several of the ancient +his' lorians. Paetus, having joined Scribonianus, who was in arms, +in Illyria, egainst Claudius, was taken after the death of +Scribonianus, and condemned to death. Arria having, in vain, +solicited his life, persuaded him to destroy himself, rather than +suffer the ignominy of falling by the executioner's hands; and, in +order to encourage him to an act, to which, it seems, he was not +particularly inclined, she set him the example in the manner Pliny +relates. M. + +56 Trajan. + +57 The Roman, used to employ their criminals in the lower o~ces +of husbandry, such as ploughing, &c. Pun. H. N. 1. 18, 3. M. + +58 About $500,000. + +59 About $800,000. + +60 One of the famous seven hills upon which Rome was situated. + +61 Mart. LX. 19. + +62 Calpusnia, Pliny's wife. + +63 Now Citta di Castello. + +64 The Romans had an absolute power over their children, of +which no age or station of the latter deprived them. + +65 Their business was to interpret dreams, oracles, prodigies, &c., +and to foretell whether any action should be fortunate or +prejudicial, to particular persons, orto the whole commonwealth. +Upon this account, they very often occasioned the displacing of +magistrates, the deferring of public issemblies, &c. Kennet's Ron,. +Antig. M. + +66 Trajan. + +67 A slave was incapable of property; and, therefore, whatever he +acquiredbecame the right of his master. M. + +68 "Their office was to attend upon the rites of Vests, the chief +part of which was the preservation of the holy fire. If this fire +happened to go out, it was considered impiety to light it at any +common flame, but they made use of the pure and unpolluted rays +of the sun for that purpose. There were various other duties besides +connected with their office. The chief rules prescribed them were, +to vow the strictest chastity, for the space of thirty years. After this +term was completed, they had liberty to leave the order. If they +broke their vow of virginity. they were buried alive in a place +allotted to that peculiar use." Kennet's Antiq. Their reputatiun for +sanctity was so high that Livy mentions the fact of two of those +virgins having violated their vows, as a prodigy that, threatened +destruction to the Roman state. Lib. XXII. C. 57. And Suetonius +inform, us that Augiastus had so high an opinion of this religious +order, that he consigned the care of his will to the Vestal Virgins. +Suet, in vit. Aug. C. XCI. M. + +69 It was usual with Domitian to triumph, not only without a +victory, but even after a defeat, M. + +70 Euripides' Hecuba, + +71 The punishment inflicted upon the violators of Vestal chastity +was to be scourged to death. M. + +72 Calpurnia, Pliny's wife. + +73 Gratilla was the wife of Rusticus: Rusticus was put to death by +Domitian, and Gratilla banished. It was sufficient crime in the +reign of that execrable prince to be even a friend of those who +were obnoxious to him. M. + +74 In the original, scrinium, box for holding MSS. + +75 The hippodromus, in its proper signification, was a place, +among the Grecians, set apart for horse-racing and other exercises +of that kind. But it seems here to be nothing more than a particular +walk, to which Pliny perhaps gave that name, from its bearing +some resemblance in its form to the public places so called. M. + +76 Now called Frascati, Tivoli, and Palestrina, all of them situated +in the Campagna di Roma, and at no great distance from Rome. M. + +77 "This is said in allusion to the idea of Nemesis supposed to +threaten cxcessive prosperity." (Church and Brodribb.) + +78 About $15,000. + +79 About $42,000. + +80 None had the right of using family pictures or statues but those +whose ancestors or themselves had borne some of the highest +dignities. So that the jus imaginis was much the same thing among +the Romans as the right of bearing a coat of arms among us. Ken. +Antiq. M. + +81 The Roman physicians used to send their patients in +consumptive cases into Egypt, particularly to Alexandria. M. + +82 Frejus, in Provence. the southern part of France. M. + +83 A court of 3ustice erected by Julius Caesar in the forum, and +opposite to the basilica Aemilia. + +84 The deceniviri seem to have been magistrates for the +administration of justice, subordinate to the praetors, who (to give +the English reader a genera1 notion of their office) may be termed +lords chief justices, as the judges here mentioned were something +in the nature of our juries. M. + +85 About $400. + +86 This silly piece of superstition seems to have been peculiar to +Regulus. and not of any general practice; at least it is a custom of +which we find no other mention in antiquity. M. + +87 "We gather from Martial that the wesring of these was not an +unusual practice with fops and dandies. See Epig. II. 29, in which +he ridicules a certain Rufus, and hints that if you were to strip off +the 'splenia (plasters) '" from his face, you would find out that he +was a branded runaway slave." (Church and Brodribb.) + +88 His wife. + +89 Horn. II. lib, I. V. 88. + +90 Now Alzia, not far frorn Corno. + +91 Nevertheless, Javolentis Priscus was one of the most eminent +lawyers of his time, and is frequently quoted in the Digesta of +Justinian. + +92 In the Bay of Naples. + +93 The Romans used to lie or walk naked in the sun, after +anointing their bodies with oil, which was esteemed as greatly +contributing to health, and therefore daily practised by them. This +custom, however, of anointing themselves, is inveighed against by +the Satirists as in the number of their luxurious indulgences: but +since we find the elder Pliny here, and the amiable Spurinna in a +former letter, practising this method, we can not suppose the thing +itself was cstcemed unmanly, but only when it was attended with +some particular circumstances of an over-refined delicacy. M. + +94 Now called Castelamare, in the Bay of Naples. M. + +95 The Stoic and Epicurean philosophers held that the world was +to be destroyed by fire, and all things fall again into original chaos; +not excepting even the national gods themselves from the +destruction of this general conflagration. M. + +96 The lake Larius. + +97 Those families were styled patrician whose ancestors had +been membersof the senate in the earliest times of the regal or +consular government. M. + +98 Trajan + +99 The consuls, though they were chosen in August, did not enter +upon their office till the first of January, during which interval they +were styled consules designati, consuls elect. It was usual for them +upon that occasion to compliment the emperor, by whose +appointment, after the dissolution of the republican government, +they were chosen. M. + +100 'So called, because it formerly belonged to Camillus. M. + +101 Civita Vecchia. + +102 Trajan. + +103 An officer in the Roman legions, answering in some sort to a +captain In our companies. M. + + +104 This law was made by Augustus Caesar; but it nowhere clearly +appears what was the peculiar punishment it inflicted. M. + +105 An officer employed by the emperor to receive and regulate +the public revenue in the provinces. M. + +106 Comprehending Transylvania, Moldavia, and Walaehia. M. + +107 Polycletus was a freedman, and great favourite of Nero. M. + +108 Memmius, or Rhemmius (the critics are not agreed which), +was author of a law by which it was enacted that whosoever was +convicted of calumny and false accusation should be stigmatised +with a mark in his forehead; and by the law of the twelve tables, +false accusers were to suffer the same punishment as would have +been inflicted upon the person unjustly accused if the crime had +been proved. M. + +109 Trajan. + +110 Unction was much esteemed and prescribed by the +ancients.Celsus. expressly recommends it in the remission of acute +distempers: ungi leniterque pertractari corpus, etiam in acutic et +rccent,bus niorbis opartet; us rernissione fnmen," &c. Celsi Med. +ed. Aliucloveen, p. 88. M. + +111 His wife. + +112 See book V. letter XX. + +113 Trajan. + +114 One of the Bithynians employed to manage the trial. M. + +115 About $28,000. + +116 About $.26,000. + +117 There is a kind of witticism in this expreasion, which will be +lost to the mere English reader unless he be informed that the +Romans had a privilege, confirmed to them by several laws which +passed in the earlier ages of the republic, of appealing from the +decisions of the magistrates to the general assembly of the people: +and they did so in the form of words which Pomponius here +applies to a different purpose. M. + +118 The priests, as well as other magistrates, exhibited public +games to the people when they entered upon their office. M. + +119 A famous lawyer who flourished in the reign of the emperor +Claudius: those who followed his opinions were said to be +Cassians, or of the school of Cassius. M. + +120 A Stoic philosopher and native of Tarsus. He was tutor +for some time to Octavius, afterwards Augustus, Caesar. + +121 Balzac very prettily observes: "II y a des riviere: qui ne font +jamais tact de bien que quand elles se dibordent; de eneme, +!'amitie n'a mealleur quo I'excss." M. + +122 Persons of rank and literature among the Romans retained +in their families a domestic whose sole business was to read to +them. M. + +123 It was a doctrine maintained by the Stoics that all crimes +are equal M. + +124 About $400. + +125 About $600. + +126 About $93. + +127 Horn. II. lib. IX. V. 319. + +128 Those of Nero and Domitian. M. + +129 When Nerva and Trajan received the empire. M. + +130 A slave could acquire no property, and consequently was +incapable bylaw of making a will. M. + +131 Now called Amelia, a town in Ombria. M. + +132 Now Laghetto di Bassano. M. + +133 A province in Anatolia, or Asia Minor. M. + +134 The performers at these gaines were divided into companies, +distinguished by the particular colour of their habits; the principal +of which were the white, the red, the blue, and the green. +Accordingly the spectators favoured one or the other colour, as +humour and caprice inclined them. In the reign of Justinian a +tumult arose in Constantinople, occasioned merely by a contention +among the partisans of these several colours, wherein no less than +30,000 men lost their lives. M. + +135 Now called Castello di Baia, in Terra di Lavoro. It was the +place the Romans chose for their winter retreat; and which they +frequented upon account of its warm baths. Sonic few ruins of the +beautiful villas that once covered this delightful coast still remain; +and nothing can give one a higher idea of the prodigious expense +and magnificence of the Romans in their private buildings than the +manner in which some of these were situated. It appears from this +letter, as well as from several other passages in the classic writers, +that they actually projected into the sea, being erected upon vast +piles, sunk for that purpose. + +136 The buskin was a kind of high shoe worn upon the stage by the +actors of tragedy, in order ,to give them a more heroical elevation +of stature; as the sock was something between a shoe and stocking, +it was appropriated to the comic players. M. + +137 Lyons. + +138 He was accused of treason, under pretence that in a dramatic +piece which he composed he had, in the characters of Paris and +Oenone, reflected upon Domitian for divorcing his wife Domitia. +Suet, in Vit. Domit. C. 10. M. + +139 Helvidius. + +140 Upon the accession of Nerva to the empire, after the death of +Domitian. M. + +142 Our authors first wife; of whom we have no particular +account. After her death, he married his favourite Caipurnia. M. + +143 1t is very remarkable that, when any senator was asked his +opinion in the house, he,had the privilege of speaking as long as he +pleased upon any other affair before he came to the point in +question. Aul. Gell. IV. C. 10. M. + +144 Aeneid, LIB. VI. V. 105. + +145 Arria and Fannia. + +146 The appellation by which the senate was addressed. M. + +147 The tribunes were magistrates chosen at first out of the body +of the commons, for the defence of their liberties, and to interpose +in all grievances offered by their superiors. Their authority +extended even to the deliberations of the senate. M, + +148 Diomed's speech to Nestor, advising him to retire from the +field of battle. Iliad, VIII. 302. Pope. M. + +149 Nerva. + +150 Domitian; by whom he had been appointed consul elect, +though he had not yet entered upon that office. M. + +151 These persons were introduced at most of the tables of the +great, for the purposes of mirth and gaiety, and constituted an +essential part in all polite entertainments among the Ron'.ans. It is +surprising how soon this great people fell off from their original +severity of manners, and were tainted with the stale refinements of +foreign luxury. Livy dates the rise of this and other unmanly +delicacies from the conquest of Scipio Asiaticus over Antiochus; +that is. when the Roman name had scarce subsisted above a +hundred and threescore years. "Luxuriae peregrinae origio,' says +he, "ezxercitu Asiatico in urbem invecta est." This triumphant +army caught, it seems, the contagious softness of the people it +subdued; and, on its return to Rome, spread an infection among +their countrymen, which worked by slow degrees, till it effected +their total destruction. Thus did Eastern luxury revenge itself on +Roman arms. It may be wondered that Pliny should keep his own +temper, and check the indignation of his friends at a scene which +was fit only for the dissolute revels of the infamous Trimalchio. +But it will not, perhaps, be doing justice to our author to take an +estimate of his real sentinients upon this point from the letter +before us. Genitor, it seems, was a man of strict, but rather of too +austere morals for the free turn of the age: '' emendatus et gravis: +paulo etiam horridior et durior ut in hac licentia teniporuni" (Ep. +III. 1. 3). But as there is a certain seasonable accommodation to +the manners of the times, not only extremely Consistent with, but +highly conducive to, the interests of virtue, Pliny. probably, may +affect a greater latitude than he in general approved, in order to +draw off his friend from that stiffness and unyielding disposition +which might prejudice those of a gayer turn against him, and +consequently lessen the beneficial influence of his virtues upon the +world. M. + +152 See letter CIII. + +153 Iliad, XXI. 387. Pope. M. + +154 Iliad, V. 356, speaking of Mars. M. + +154 Iliad, IV. 452. Pope. + +155 The design of Pliny in this letter is to justify the figurative +expressions he had employed, probably, in same oration, by +instances of the same warmth of colourin? from those great +masters of eloquence, Demosthenes and his rival Aesehines. But +the force of the passages which he produces from those orators +must necessarily be greatly weakened to a mere modern reader, +some of them being only hinted at, as generally well known; and +the metaphors in several of the others have either lost much of +their original spirit and boldness, by being introduced and received +in Common language, or cannot, perhaps, he preaervcd in an +English translation. M. + +156 See 1st Philippic. + +157 See Deniosthenes' speech in defence of Cteisphon. + +158 See end Olynthiac. + +159 See Aesehines' speech against Ctesiphon. + +160 It was a religious ceremony practised by the ancients to pour +precious ointments upon the statues of their gods: Avitus, it is +probable, imagined this dolphin was some sea-divinity, and +therefore expressed his vcneration of him by the solemnity of a +sacred unction. M. + +161 The overflowing humanity of Pliny's temper breaks out upon +all occasions, but he discovers it in nothing more strongly than by +the impression which this little story appears to have made upon +him. True benevolence, indeed, extends itself thrcugh the whole +compass of existence, and sympathises with the distress of every +creature of sensation. Little minds may be apt to consider a +compassion of this inferior kind as an instance of weakness; but it +is undoubtedly the evidence of a noble nature. Homer thought it +not unbecoming the character even of a hero to melt into tears at a +distress of this sort, and has given us a most amiable and affecting +picture of Ulysses weeping over his faithful dog Argus, when he +expires at his feet: + +Soft pity toueh'd the mighty master's soul; +Adown his cheek the tear unbidden stole, +Stole unperceived; he turn'd his head and dry'd +The drop humane." . +(Odyss. XVII. Pope.) M. + +162 By the regimen which Pliny here follows, one would imagine, +if he had not told us who were his physicians, that the celebrated +Celsus was in the number. That author expressly recommends +reading aloud, and afterwards walking, as beneficial in disorders +of the stomach: "Si quis stomacho laborat, leqere clare debet; post +lectionem ambulare," &c. Celsi Medic. 1. I. C. 8. M. + +FOOTNOTES TO THE CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EMPEROR +TRAJAN + +1 The greater part of the following letters were written by Pliny +during his administration in the province of Bithynia. They are of a +style and character extremely different from those in the preceding +collection; whence some critics have injudiciously inferred that +they are the production of another hand: not considering that the +occasion necessarily required a different manner. In letters of +business, as these chiefly are, turn and sentiment would be foreign +and impertinent; politeness and elegance of expression being the +essentials that constitute perfection in this kind: and in that view, +though they may be less entertaining, they have not less merit than +the former. But besides their particular excellence as letters, they +have a farther recommendation as so many valuable pieces of +history, by throwing a strong light upon the character of one of the +most amiable and glorious princes in the Roman annals. Trajan +appears throughout in the most striking attitude that majesty can +be placed in; in the exertion of power to the godlike purposes of +justice and benevolence: and what one of the ancient historians has +said of him is here clearly verified, that " he rather chose to be +loved than flattered by Jima people." To have been distinguished +by the favour and friendship of a monarch of so exalted a character +is an honour that reflects the brightest lustre upon our author; as to +have been served and celebrated by a courtier of Pliny's genius and +virtues is the noblest inonunient of glory that could have been +raised to Trajan. M. + +2 Nerva, who succeeded Domitian, reigned but sixteen months and +a few days. Before his death he not only adopted Trajan, and +named him for his successor, but actually admitted him into a +share of the government; giving him the titles of Caesar, +Germanicus and Imperator. Vid. Plin. Paneg. M. + +3 $16,000. + +4 One of the four governments of Lower Egypt. M. + +5 The extensive power of paternal authority was (as has been +observed in the notes shove) peculiar to the Romans. But after +Chrysippus was made a denizen of Rome, he was not, it would +seem, consequentially entitled to that privilege over those children +which were horn before his denization. On the other haqd, if it was +expressly granted him, his childrcn could not preeerve their right +of patronage over their own freedmen, because that right would of +course devolve to their father, by means of this acquired dominion +over them. The denization therefore of his children is as expressly +solicited as his own. But both parties hecoming quirites, the +children by this creation, and not pleading in right of their father, +would be patres fam. To prevent which the clause is added, "ita ut +sint in patris potestate:" as there is another to save to them their +rights of patronage over their freedmen, though they were reduced +in patrmam potestate. M. + +6 Pliny enjoyed the office of treasurer in conjunction with +Cornutus Tertullus. it was the custom at Rome fur those who had +colleagues to administer the duties of their posts by monthly turns. +Buchner. M. + +7 About $16,000; the annual income of Pliny's estate in Tuscany. +He mentions another near Comum in Milan, the yearly value of +which does not appear. We find him likewise meditating the +purchase of an estate, for which he was to give about $117,000 of +our money; but whether he ever completed that purchase is +unceetsin This, however, we are sure of. that his fortunes were but +moderate, considering his high station and necessary expenses: and +yet, by the advantage of a judicious economy, we hove seen him. +in the course of these letters, exercising a liberality of which after. +ages have furnished no parallel. M. + +8 The senators were not allowed to go from Rome into the +provinces with. out having first obtained leave of the emperor. +Sicily, however, had the privilege to be excepted out of that law; +as Gallia Narbonensis afterwards was, by Claudius Caesar. Tacit. +Ann. XII. C. 23. M. + +9 One of the seven priests who presided over the feasts appointed +in honour of Jupiter and the other gods, an office, as appears, of +high dignity, since Pliny ranks it with the augurship. + +10 Bithynia, a province in Anatolia, or Asia Minor, of which Pliny +was appointcd governor by Trajan, in the siath year of his reign, A. +D. 103, not as an ordinary proconsul, but as that emperor's own +lieutenant, with powers extraordinary. (See Dio.) The following +letters were written doning his administration of that province. M. + +11 A north wind in the Grecian seas, which rises yearly come time +in July, and continues to the end of August; though others extend it +to the middle of September. They blow only in the day-time. +Varenius's Gcogr. V.I. p. 513. M. + +12 The inhabitants of Prusa (Brusa), a principal city of Bithynia. + +13 In the sixth year of Trajan's reign, A. D. 103, and the 41st of our +author's age: he continued in this province about eighteen months. +Vid. Mass, in Vit. Phin. 129. M. + +14 Among other noble works which this glorious emperor +executed, the forum or square which went by his name seems to +have been the most magnificent. It was built with the foreign +spoils he had taken in war. The covering of this edifice was all +brass, the porticoes exceedingly beautiful and magnificent, witls +pillars of more than ordinary height and dimensions. In the centre +of this forum was erected the famous pillar which has been already +described. + +15 It is probable the victory here alluded to was that famous one +which Trajan gained over the Daciaiss; some account of which has +been given in the notes above. It is certain, at least, Pliny lived to +see his wish accomplished, this emperor having carried the Roman +splendour to its highest pitch, and extended the dominions of the +empire farther than any of his predecessors; as after his death it +began to decline. M. + +16 The capital of Bithynia; its modern name is Izmid. + +17 The town of Panticapoeum, also called Bosporus, standing on +the European side of the Cimmerian Bosporus (Straits of Kaffa), in +the modern Crimea. + +18 Nicea (as appears by the 15th letter of this book), a city in +Bithynia, now called Iznik. M. + +19 Sarmatia was divided into European, Asiatic, and German +Sarmatia. It is not exactly known what hounds the ancients gave to +this extensive region; however, in general, it comprehended the +northern part of Russia, and the greater part of Poland, &c. M. + +20 The first invention of public couriers is ascribed to Cyrus, who, +in order to receive the earliest intelligence from the governors of +the several provances, erected post-houses throughout the kingdom +of Persia, at equal dis. lances, which supplied men and horses to +forward the public despatches. Augustus was the first who +introduced this most useful institution among the Romans, by +employing post-chaises, disposed at convenient distances, for the +purpose of political intelligence. The magistrates of every city +were obliged to furnish horses for these messengers, upon +producing a diploma, or a kind of warrant, either from the emperor +himself or from those who had that authority under him. +Sometimes, though upon very extraordinary occasions, persons +who travelled upon their private affairs, were allowed the use of +these post-chaises. It is surprising they were not sooner used fur +the purposes of commerce and private communication. Louis XI. +first established them in France, in the year 1414; hut it was not till +the 24th of Car. II, that the post-office was settled in England by +Act of Parhiament, M. + +21 Particular temples, altars, and statues were allowed among the +Romans as places of privilege and sanctuary to slaves, debtors and +malefactors. This custom was introduced by Romulus, who +borrowed it probably from the Greeks; but during the free state of +Rome, few of these asylums were permitted. This custom +prevailed most under the emperors, till it grew so scandalous that +the Emperor Pius found it necessary to restrain those privileged +places by an edict. See Lipsii Excurs. ad Taeiti Ann. III, C. 36, M. + +22 General under Deeebalus, king of the Dacians. M. + +23 A province in Daeia, comprehending the southern parts of +Servia and part ot Bulgaria. M. + +24 The second expedition of Trajan against Decebalus was +undertaken the saint year that Pliny went governor into this +province; the reason therefore why Pliny sent this Calhidromus to +the emperor seems to he that some use might possibly be made of +him in favour of that design, M. +25 Receiver of the finances. M. + +26 The coast rontid the Black Sea. + +27 The text calls him primipilarem, that is, one who bad been +Prirnipi1us, in officer in the army, whose post was both highly +honourable and profitable; among other parts of his office he had +the care of the eagle, or chief standard of the legion. M. + +28 Slaves who were purchased by the public. M. + +29 The most probable conjecture (for it is a point of a good deal of +obscurity) concerning the beneficiary seems to be that they were a +certain number of soldiers exempted from the usual duty of their +office, in order to be employed as a sort of body-guards to the +general. These were probably foot; as the equites here mentioned +were perhaps of the same nature, only that they served on +horsebsck. Equites singulares Caesaris Augusti, &c., are frequently +met with upon ancient inscriptions, and are generally supposed to +mean the bodyguards of the emperor. M. + +30 A province in Asia Minor, bounded by the Black Sea on the +north, Bithynia on the west, Pontus on the east, and Phrygia on the +south. + +31 The Roman policy excluded slaves from entering into military +service, and it was death if they did so. However, upon cases of +great necessity, this maxim was dispensed with; but then they were +first made free before they were received into the army, excepting +only (as Servius in his notes upon Virgil) observes after the fatal +battle of Cannae; when the public dis. tress was so great that the +Romans recruited their army with their slaves. though they had not +time to give them their freedom. One reason, perhaps, of this +policy might be that they did not think it safe to arm so +considerable a body of men, whose numbers, in the times when the +Roman luxury was at its highest, we may have some idea of by the +instance which Pun the naturalist mentions of Claudius Isodorus, +who at the time of his death was possessed of no less than 4,116 +slaves, notwithstanding he had lost great numbers in the civil wars. +Pun. Hist. Nat. XXXIII. 10. M. + +32 A punishment among the Romans, usually inflicted upon +slaves, by which they were to engage with wild beasts, or perform +the part of gladiators, in the public shows. M. + +33 It has been generally imagined that the ancients had not the art +of raising water by engines; but this passage seems to favour the +contrary opinion. The word in the original is sipho, which +Hesychius explains (as one of the commentators observes) +"instrumentuns ad jaculandas aquas adversas incendia;" an +instrument to throw up water against fires." But there is a passage +in Seneca which seems to put this matter beyond conjecture, +though none of the critics upon this place have taken notice of it: +"Solemiss," says he, "duabus manibus inter se junctis aguam +concipere, et com pressa utrinque palma in modum ciphonis +exprimere" (Q. N. 1. II. 16) where we plainly see the use of this +sipho was to throw UP water, and consequently the Romans were +acquainted with that art. The account which Pliny gives of his +fountains at Tuscum is likewise another evident proof. M. + +34 This was an anniversary custom observed throughout the +empire on the 30th of December. M. + +35 About $132,000. + +36 About $80,000. + +37 About $400,000. To those who are not acquainted with the +immense riches of the ancients, it may seem incredible that a city, +and not the capital one either, uf a conquered province should +expend so large a sum of money upon only the shell (as it appears +to be) of a theatre: but Asia was esteemed the most considerable +vart of the world for wealth; its fer. tility and exportations (aa +Tully observes) exceeding that of all other countries. M. + +38 The word carte, in the original, comprehends snore than what +we +call the pat in our theatres, as at means the whole space lit which +the spectators sat. These theatres being open at the top, the +galleries here mentioned were for the convenience of retiring in +bad +weather. M. + +39 A place in which the athletic exercises were performed, and +where +the philosophers also used to read their lectures. M. + +40 The Roman foot consisted of 11.7 Inches of our standard, M. +41 A colony in the district of Cataonia, in Cappadocia. + +42 The honorary senators, that is, such who were not received into +the council of the city by election, but by the appointment of the +emperor, paid a certain sum of money upon their admission into +the senate. M. + +43 "Graeculi. Even under the empire, with its relaxed morality and +luxurious tone, the Romans continued to apply this contemptuous +designation to people to whom they owed what taste for art and +culture they possessed." Church and Brodribb. + +44 A Roman cubit is equal to a foot 5.406 inches of our measure. +Arbuthanot's Tab. M. + +45 About $480. + +46 About $120. + +47 A diploma is properly a grant of certain privileges either to +particular places or persons. It signifies also grants of other kinds; +and it sometimes means post-warrants, as, perhaps, it does in this +place. M. + +38 A city in Bithynia. M. + +39 Cybele, Rhea, or Ops, as she is otherwise called; from whom, +according to the pagan creed, the rest of the gods are supposed to +have descended. M. + +40 Whatever was legally consecrated was ever afterwards +unapplicable to profane uses. M. + +41That is, a city not admitted to enjoy the laws and privileges of +Rome. M. + +42 The reason why they did not choose to borrow of the public at +the same rate of interest which they paid to private persons was (as +one of the Commentators observes) because in the former instance +they were obliged to give security, whereas in the latter they could +raise money upon their personal credit. M. + +43 These, in the original institution as settled by Augustus, were +only commanders of his body-guards; hut in the later times of the +Roman empire they were next in authority under the emperor, to +whom they seem to have acted as a sort of prime ministers. M. + +44 The provinces were divided into, a kind of circuits called +conventus, whither the proconsuls used to go in order to +administer justice. The judges here mentioned must not be +understood to mean the same sort of judicial officers as with us: +they rather answered to our juries. M. + +45 By the imperial constitutions the philosophers were exempted +from all public functions. Catariscus. M. + +46 About $24,000. + +47 Geographers are not agreed where to place this city; Cellarius +conjectures it may possibly be the same with Prusa ad Olyinpum, +Prusa at the foot of Mount Olympus in Mysia. + +48 Domitian. + +49 That is, whether they should be considered in a state of freedom +or slavery. M. + +50 Parents throughout the entire ancient world had the right to +expose their children and leave them to their fate. Hence would +sometimes arise the question whether such a child, if found and +brought up by another, was entitled to his freedom, whether also +the person thus adopting him must grant him his freedom without +repayment for the cost of maintenance." Church and Brodribb. + +51 "This decision of Trajan, the effect of which would be that +persons would be slow to adopt an abandoned child which, when +brought up, its unnatural parents could claim back without any +compensation for its ourture, seems harsh, and we find that it was +disregarded by the later emperors in their legal decisions on the +subject." Church and Brodribb. + +52 And consequently by the Roman laws unapplicable to any other +purpose. M. + +53 The Roman provinces in the times of the emperors were of two +sorts: those which were distinguished by the name of the +provinciae Caesaris and the provinciae senatus. The provinciae +Carsaris, or imperial provinces, were such as the emperor, for +reasons of policy, reserved to his own immediate administration, +or of those whom he thought proper to appoint: the provinciae +senatus, or proconsular provinces, were such as he left to the +government of proconsuls or praetors, chosen in the ordinary +method of election. (Vid. Suet, in Aug. V. 47.) Of the former kind +was Bithynis, at the time when our author presided there. (Vid. +Masson. Vit. Plin. p. 133.) M. + +54 A province in Asia, bordering upon the Black Sea, and by some +ancient geographers considered as one province with Bithynia. M. + +55 About $2,000. M. + +56 Cities of Pontus near the Euxine or Black Sea. M. + +57 Gordium, the old capital of Phrygia. It afterwards1 in the reign +of the Emperor Augustus, received the name of Juliopohs. (See +Smith's Classical Diet.) + +58 Pompey the Great having subdued Mithridates, and by that +means enlarged the Roman empire, passed several laws relating to +the newly conquered provinces, and, among others, that which is +here mentioned. M. + +59 The right of electing Senators did not originally belong to the +censors, who were only, as Cicero somewhere calls them, +guardians of the discipline and manners of the city; but in process +of time they engrossed the whole privilege of conferring that +honour. M. + +60 This, probably, was some act whereby the city was to ratify and +confirm the proceedings of Dion under the commission assigned to +him. + +61 It was a notion which generally prevailed with the ancients, in +the Jewish as well as heathen world, that there was a pollution in +the contact of dead bodies, and this they extended to the very +house in which the corpse lay, and even to the uncovered vessels +that stood in the same room. (Vid. Pot. Antiq. V. II. 181.) From +some such opinion as this it is probable that the circumstance ,here +mentioned, of placing Trajan's statue where these bodies were +deposited, was esteemed as a mark of disrespect to his person. + +62 A thriving Greek colony in the territory of Sinopis, on the +Euxine. + +63 A colony of Athenians in the province of Pontus. Their town, +Amisus, on the coast, was one of the residences of Mithridates. + +64 Casaubon, in his observations upon Theophrastus (as cited by +one of the commentators) informs us that there were at Athens and +other cities of Greece Certain fraternities which paid into a +common chest a monthly contribution towards the support of such +of their members who had fallen into misfortunes; upon condition +that, if ever they arrived to more prosperous circumstances, they +should repay into the general fund the money so advanced. M. + +65 By the law for encouragement of matrimony (some account of +which has already been given in the notes above), as a penalty +upon those who lived bachelors, they were declared incapable of +inheriting any legacy by will; so likewise, if being married, they +had no children, they could not claim the full advantage of +benefactions of that kind. + +66 This letter is esteemed as almost the only genuine monument of +ecclesiastical antiquity relating to the times immediately +succeeding the Apostles, it being written at most not above forty +years after the death of St. Paul. It was preserved by the Christians +themselves as a clear and unsuspicious evidence of the purity of +their doctrines, and is frequently appealed to by the early writers of +the Church against the calumnies of their adversaries. M. + +67 It was one of the privileges of a Roman citizen, secured by the +Sempro. riian law, that he could not be capitally convicted but by +the suffrage of the people; which seems to have been still so far in +force as to make it necesaary to send the persons here mentioned +to Rome. M. + +68 These women, it is supposed, exercised the same office as +Phoebe mentioned by St. Paul, whom he styles deaconess of the +church of Cenchrea. Their business was to tend the poor and sick, +and other charitable offices; as also to assist at the ceremony of +female baptism, for the more decent performance of that rite: as +Vossius observes upon this passage. M. + +69 If we impartially examine this prosecution of the Christians, we +shall find it to have been grounded on the ancient constitution of +the state, and not to have proceeded from a cruel or arbitrary +temper in Trajan. The Roman legislature appears to have been +early jealous of any innovation in point of public worship; and we +find the magistrates, during the old republic frequently interposing +in cases of that nature. Valerius Maximus has collected some +instances to that purpose (L. I. C. 3), and Livy mentions it as an +established principle of the earlier ages of the commonwealth, to +guard against the introduction of foreign ceremonies of religion. It +was an old and fixed maxim likewise of the Roman government +not to suffer any unlicensed assemblies of the people. From hence +it seenis evident that the Christians had rendered themselves +obnoxious not so much to Trajan as to the ancient and settled laws +of the state, by introducing a foreign worship, and assembling +themselves without authority. M. + +70 On the coast of Paphlagonia. + +71 By the Papian law, which passed in the consulship of M. Papius +Mutilus and Q. Poppeas Secundus, u. c. 761, if a freedman died +worth a hundred thousand sesterces (or about $4,000 of our +money), leaving only one child, his patron (that is, the master from +whom he received his liberty) was entitled to half his estate; if he +left two children, to one-third; but if more than two, then the +patron was absolutely excluded. This was afterwards altered by +Justinian, Inst. 1. III. tit. 8. M. + +72 About $7,000. + +73 About $175 + +74 About $350. + +75 The denariusi=7 cents. The sum total, then, distributed among +one thousand persons at the rate of, say, two denarn a piece would +amount to about $350. + +76 These games are called Iselastic from the Greek word invehor, +because the victors, drawn by white horses, and wearing crowns on +their heads, were conducted with great pomp into their respective +cities, which they entered through a breach in the walls made for +that purpose; intimating, as Plutarch observes, that a City which +produced such able and victorious citizens, had little occasion for +the defence of walls (Catanaeus). They received also annually a +certain honourable stipend from the public. M. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext Letters of Pliny the Younger + diff --git a/old/2001-09-ltpln10.zip b/old/2001-09-ltpln10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b11efb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/2001-09-ltpln10.zip |