at one in the morning, but never later than two, and often at midnight. No man ever spent less time in bed; insomuch that he would sometimes, without retiring from his book, take a short sleep, and then pursue his studies. Before day-break, he used to wait upon Vespasian, who likewise chose that season to transact business. When he had finished the affairs which that emperor committed to his charge, he returned home again to his studies. After a short and light repast, at noon (agreeably to the good old custom of our ancestors), he would frequently, in the summer, if disengaged from business, repose himself in the sun; during which time some author was read to him, from whence he made extracts and observations; as indeed this was his constant method whatever book he read: for it was a maxim of his, that "no book was so bad, but something might be learned from it." When this was over, he generally went into the cold bath, and as soon as he came out of it, just took a slight refreshment, and then reposed himself for a little while. Thus, as if it had been a new day, he immediately resumed his studies till supper-time, when a book was again read to him, upon which he would make some hasty remarks. I remember once his Reader having pronounced a word wrong, somebody at the table made him repeat it again; upon which my uncle asked his friend if he understood it?

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.

who acknowledging that he did; "Why then," said he, "would you make him go back again ? We have lost, by this interruption, above ten lines :" so covetous was this great man of time! In summer he always rose from supper by day-light: and in winter, as soon as it was dark; and he observed this rule as strictly as if it had been a law of the state. Such was his manner of life amidst the noise and hurry of the town: but in the country his whole time was devoted to study without intermission, excepting only when he bathed. In this exception, I include no more than the time he was actually in the bath; for while he was rubbed and wiped, he was employed either in hearing some book read to him, or in dictating. In his journies he lost no time from his studies, but his mind, at those seasons, being disengaged from all other business, applied itself wholly to that single pursuit. A secretary constantly attended him in his chariot, 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 remember he once reproved me for walking: "You might," said he, " employ those hours to more advantage:" for he thought every hour lost, that was not given to study. By this extraordinary application, he found time to compose the several treatises I have mentioned, besides one hundred and sixty volumes which he left me by his will,

*

* The word, in the original, implies a person who wrote short hand; an art which the Romans carried to its highest perfection.

consisting of a kind of common-place, written on both sides, in a very small character; so that one might fairly reckon the number considerably more. I have heard him say, that when he was comptroller of the revenue in Spain, Largius Licinius offered him four hundred thousand sesterces for these manuscripts: and yet they were not quite so numerous. When you reflect upon the books he has read, and the volumes he has written, are you not inclined to suspect that he never was engaged in the affairs of the public, or the service of his prince? On the other hand, when you are informed how indefatigable he was in his studies, are you not disposed to wonder that he read and wrote no more? 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 perform? I cannot but smile, therefore, when I hear myself called a studious man, who, in comparison to him, am an arrant loiterer. But why do I mention myself, who am diverted from these pursuits by numberless affairs, both public and private? Even they, whose whole lives are devoted to study, must blush to appear as mere idlers, when compared with him. I have run out my letter, I perceive, beyond the extent I at first designed, which was only to inform you, as you desired, what treatises he has left behind him. But I trust this will not be less acceptable to you than the books themselves, as it may, possibly, not only raise your curiosity to read his works, but your emulation to copy his example, by some attempts of the same nature. Farewel.

LETTER XX.

TO SEVERUS.

I HAVE lately purchased, with a legacy that was left me, a statue of Corinthian brass. It is small, indeed, but well executed, at least if I have any judgment; which, most certainly, in matters of this sort, as perhaps in all others, is extremely defective. However, I think I have a taste to discover the beauties of this figure: as it is naked, the faults, if there be any, as well as the perfections, are more observable. It represents an old man in an erect attitude. The bones, the muscles, the veins, and wrinkles, are so strongly expressed, that you would imagine the figure to be animated. The character is well preserved throughout every part of the body: the hair is thin, the forehead broad, the face shriveled, the throat lank, the arms languid, the breast fallen, and the belly sunk; as the whole turn and air of the figure behind is expressive of old age. It appears to be antique, from the colour of the brass. In short, it is a performance so highly finished, as to merit the attention of the most curious, and to afford, at the same time, pleasure to the most common observer: and this induced me, who am an absolute novice in this art, to buy it. But I did so, not with any intent of placing it in my own house (for I have nothing of that kind there), but with a design of fixing it in some conspicuous place in my native province, perhaps in the temple of Jupiter: for it is a present well worthy of a temple and a god.

1 desire, therefore, you would, with that care with which you always execute my requests, give immediate orders for a pedestal to be made for it. I leave the choice of the marble to you, but let my name be engraven upon it, and, if you think proper, my titles. I will send the statue by the first opportunity; or, possibly (which I am sure you will like better), I may bring it myself: for I intend, if I can find leisure, to make an excursion to you. This is a piece of news which I know you will rejoice to hear; but you will soon change your countenance, when I tell you my visit will be only for a few days: for the same business that now detains me here, will prevent my mak ing a longer stay. Farewel

i

LETTER XXI.

TO CATILIUS.

ACCEPT of your invitation to supper; but I must make this agreement beforehand, that you dismiss me soon, and treat me frugally. Let our entertainment abound only in philosophical conversation, and even that too with moderation. There are certain offices which bring passengers into the streets at midnight, and which Cato himself could not safely fall in with; though I must confess, at the same time, that J. Cæsar*, when he reproaches him with that circumstance, exalts the character he meant to expose: for he describes those per

Julius Cæsar wrote an invective against Cato of Utica, fó which, it is probable, Pliny here alludes,