either of us) we are always equally considered, and that the legacies bequeathed to us are generally the same both in number and value. Since therefore we are thus united by a similitude of studies, manners, reputation, and even testamentary donations, those last instances of the world's good opinion; should not these circumstances tend to inflame us mutually with the most ardent affection? Farewell."

There are few lovers of literature and elegant retirement to whom a description of the manner in which Pliny spent his leisure whilst resident at his summer and winter villas would not be a delineation of high interest and value. Fortunately we are in possession of a draught from his own pencil which

effectual testimony of their respect and gratitude; and the more a man received in this way, the more it redounded to his credit. Thus Cicero mentions it, to the honour of Lucullus, that, while he governed Asia as Proconsul, many great estates were left to him by will. And Nepos tells us, in praise of Atticus, that he succeeded to many inheritances of the same kind, bequeathed to him on no other account than of his friendly and amiable temper. Cicero, when he was falsely reproached by Antony with being neglected on these occasions, declared in his reply, that he had gained from this single article about two hundred thousand pounds."

Middleton's Life of Cicero, vol. ii. p. 514.

places before us this very subject, and, as might be expected, in the most fascinating colours. It is one also which, after the glowing sketches already brought forward of the literary enthusiasm of this accomplished writer, very appropriately completes the picture.

"C. PLINIUS FUSCO SUO S.

"Quæris, quemadmodum in Tuscis diem æstate disponam evigilo, cum libuit, plerumque circa horam primam, sæpe ante, tardius raro, clausæ fenestræ manent: mire enim silentio, et tenebris animus alitur. Ab iis, quæ avocant, abductus, et liber, et mihi relictus, non ocules animo, sed animum oculis sequor, qui eadem quæ mens vident, quoties non vident alia. Cogito si quid in manibus, cogito ad verbum scribenti emendantique similis: nunc pauciora, nunc plura, ut vel difficile, vel facile componi, tenerive potuerunt. Notarium voco, et, die admisso, quæ formaveram, dicto; abit, rursusque revocatur, rursusque remittitur. Ubi hora quarta vel quinta (neque enim certum, dimensumque tempus): ut dies suasit, in xystum me, vel cryptoporticum confero, reliqua meditor, et dicto, vehiculum ascendo. Ibi quoque idem, quod ambulans aut jacens. Durat

intentio, mutatione ipsa refecta: paulum redornio, dein ambulo, mox orationem Græcam Latinamve clare et intente, non tam vocis causa, quam stomachi, lego pariter tamen et illa firmatur. Iterum ambulo, ungor, exerceor, lavor. Conanti mihi sic cum uxore vel paucis, liber legitur, post cœnam comœdus, aut lyristes: mox cum meis ambulo, quorum in numero sunt eruditi. Ita variis sermonibus vespera extenditur, et quanquam longissimus dies, cito conditur. Non numquam ex hoc ordine aliqua mutantur: nam si diu jacui, vel ambulavi, post somnum demum lectionemque, non vehiculo, sed quod brevius, quia velocius, equo gestor. Interveniunt amici ex proximis oppidis, partemque diei ad se trahunt, interdumque lassato mihi, opportuna interpellatione subveniunt. Venor aliquando, sed non sine pugillaribus, ut quamvis nihil ceperim, non nihil referam. Datur et colonis, ut videtur ipsis, non satis temporis, quorum mihi agrestes querelæ literas nostras, et hæc urbana opera commendant. Vale *."

66 TO FUSCUS.

"You desire to know in what manner I dispose

Lib. ix. Epist. 36.

of my time in my

just when I find generally with the

summer villa at Tuscum. I-rise myself in the humour, though

sun; sometimes, indeed, sooner, but seldom later. When I am up, I continue to keep the shutters of my chamber-windows closed, as darkness and silence wonderfully promote meditation. Thus free and abstracted from those 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 by these means they are not distracted with a multiplicity of external objects, and see nothing but what the imagination represents to them. If I have any composition upon my hands, this is the time I choose to consider it, not only with respect to the general plan, but even the style and expression, which I revise and correct as if I were actually writing. In this manner I compose more or less, as the subject is more or less difficult, and I find my memory able to retain it. I then call my secretary, and, opening the shutters, dictate to him what I have composed; after which I dismiss him for a little while, and then call him in again. About ten or eleven of the clock (for I do not observe one fixed hour), according as the weather proves, I either walk

upon my terrace, or in the covered portico; and there I continue to meditate or dictate what remains upon the subject in which I happen to be engaged. From thence I get into my chariot, where I employ myself as before, when I was walking or in my study, and find this changing of the scene refreshes and enlivens my attention. At my return home I repose myself, then take a walk, and after that repeat aloud some Greek or Latin oration, not so much for the sake of strengthening my voice as my digestion*; though indeed the power of the voice at the same time is improved by this practice. I then walk again, am anointed, take 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, in the number of which I am not without some persons of literature. Thus we

"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, legere clare debet, post lectionem ambulare," &c.

Celsi Medic. Lib. i. c. 8.