ELEGANT EPISTLES.

BOOK THE FIRST.

Ancient and Classical.

PART II.

PLINY TO SEVERAL OF HIS FRIENDS.

LETTER I.

TO SEPTITIUS.

You have frequently pressed me to make a select collection of my letters (if, in truth, there be any which deserve a 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 they presented themselves to my hands. 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 inquire after the rest, which at present lie neglected, and preserve those I shall hereafter write. Farewel

VOL. I.

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LETTER II.

TO CANINIUS RUFUS.

How stands Comum*, that favourite scene of yours and mine? What becomes of the pleasant villa, the vernal portico, the shady planetree-walk, the crystal canal, so agreeably winding along its flowery banks, together with the charming lake t below, which serves at once the purposes of use and beauty? What have you to tell me of the firm yet soft gestatio, the sunny bath, the public saloon, the private dining-room, and all the elegant apartments for repose, both at noon § and night? Do these possess my friend, and divide his time with pleasing vicissitude? Or do the affairs of the world, as usual, call him frequently from his agreeable retreat? If the scene of your enjoyments lies wholly there, you are happy: if not, you are under the common error of mankind. But leave, my friend, (for certainly it is time) the sordid pursuits of life to others, and devote your

The city where Pliny was born: it still subsists, and is now called Como, situated upon the lake Larius, or Lago di Como, in the duchy of Milan. Pliny was born in the reign of Nero, in the 62d year of the Christian era.

+ The lake Larius, upon the banks of which this villa was situated.

A piece of ground set apart for the purpose of exercise, either on horseback, or in vehicles; it was generally contiguous to the gardens, and laid out in the form of a circus.

It was customary among the Romans to sleep in the middle of the day; and they had apartments for that purpose distinct from their bed-chambers.

self, in this calm and undisturbed recess, entirely to pleasures of the studious kind. Let these employ your idle as well as serious hours; let them be at once your business and your amusement; the subjects of your waking and even sleeping thoughts: produce something that shall be really and for ever your own. All your other possessions will pass from one master to another: this alone, when once yours, will remain yours for ever. As I well know the temper and genius of him to whom I am addressing myself, I must exhort you to think of your abilities as they deserve: do justice to those excellent talents you possess, and the world, believe me, will certainly do so too. Farewel.

LETTER III.

TO POMPEIA CELERINA,

You might perceive, by my last short letter, I had no occasion for yours, to inform me of the various conveniences you enjoy at your several villas. The elegant accommodations which are to be found at Narnia*, Ocriculum †, Carsola ‡, Perusia §, particularly the pretty bath at Narnia, I am extremely well acquainted with. The fact is, I have a property in every thing which belongs to

Now called Narni, a city in Ombria, in the duchy of Spoleto.

+ Otricoli, in the same duchy.

Carsola, in the same duchy.

Perugia, in Tuscany.

Σ

you; and I know of no other difference between your house and my own, than that I am more carefully attended in the former than the latter. You may, perhaps, have occasion to make the same observation in your turn, whenever you shall give me your company here; and I wish for it, not only that you may partake of mine with the same ease and freedom that I do of yours, but to awaken the industry of my domestics, who are grown somewhat careless in their attendance upon me. A long course of mild treatment is apt to wear out the impressions of awe in servants; whereas, new faces quicken their diligence, and they are generally more inclined to please their master by attentions to his guest, than to himself, Farewel.

LETTER IV.

TO CORNELIUS TACITUS.

You will certainly laugh (and laugh you may) when I tell you, that your old acquaintance is turned sportsman, and has taken three noble boars. What! (you will say, with astonishment) Pliny !— Even he. However, I indulge, at the same time, my beloved inactivity; and whilst I sat at my nets, you would have found me, not with my spear, but my pencil and tablet by my side. I mused and wrote, being resolved, if 1 returned with my hands empty, at least to come home with my memorandums full. Believe me, this manner of studying is not to be despised: you cannot conceive how greatly exercise contributes to enliven the imagi.

nation. There is, besides, something in the solemnity of the venerable woods with which one is surrounded, together with that profound silence* which is observed on these occasions, that strongly inclines the mind to meditation. For the future, therefore, let me advise you, whenever you hunt, to take your pencil and tablets with you, as well as your basket and bottle; for be assured you will find Minerva as fond of traversing the hills as Diana. Farewel.

LETTER V.

TO MINUTIUS FUNDANUS.

WHEN we consider how the time passes at Rome, we cannot but be surprised, that, take any single day, and it either is, or at least seems to be, spent reasonably enough; and yet, upon casting up the whole sum, the amount will appear quite otherwise. Ask any one how he has been employed to-day? he will tell you, perhaps, "I have been at the ceremony of investing the manly † robe; this friend invited me to a wedding; that desired me

* By the circumstance of silence, here mentioned, as well as by the whole air of this letter, it is plain the hunting here recommended was of a very different kind from what is practised amongst us. It is probable the wild boars were allured into their nets by some kind of prey, with which they were baited, while the sportsman watched at a distance, in silence and concealment.

The Roman youths at the age of seventeen changed their babit, and took up the toga virilis, or manly gown, upon which occasion they were conducted, by the friends of the family, with great ceremony, either into the forum or capitol, and there invested with this new robe.