and splendour of their mode of life was shown in their dinners. These usually consisted of three courses. The first was formed of light dishes, which it was thought would increase the appetite of the guests; such as olives, sausages, dormice sprinkled with poppy-seed and honey, fish, thrushes, asparagus, &c.: then followed the more solid meat, of which pork-especially sucking pigseems to have been the favourite dish, besides boar's flesh, venison, and game; afterwards came the dessert, consisting of fruits-which the Romans usually ate uncooked-sweetmeats, and confectionary. A peacock was considered a great luxury, but a very expensive one. When the persons who were to enjoy this meal first assembied, they took off their shoes for fear of soiling the couch, which was often inlaid with ivory or tortoise-shell, and covered with cloth of gold; next they lay down to eat, the head resting on the left elbow, and supported by cushions. Each person was carefully provided with a napkin, which was particularly necessary, as they had no forks but ate with their fingers. There were usually three persons on the same couch, the middle place being esteemed the most honourable. The servants stood near the tables, with napkins round their waists. Some removed the dishes, and wiped the tables with a rough cloth; others gave the guests water for their hands, or cooled the room with fans; others carried round dishes to the guests; and when any thing was particularly wanted, it was called for by a snapping of the fingers. They drank wine; but usually mixed it with water, and sometimes with honey and spices. The Romans always bathed, and were anointed with oil, before they went to dinner: it was one of their greatest luxuries; and public baths were provided

where any person might enjoy himself at a small expense. When a great man wished to gain favour with the people, he would give them a day's bathing. Gardens and libraries were, in later years, attached to some of the public baths; so that numbers of persons used to meet together there for conversation and amusement.

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With regard to the Roman dress, the toga was the principal outer garment worn by men, and at one time by women. This was a loose robe, not made up into any form like our dresses, but wrapped round the body. The material was usually wool; and, when persons wished to stand for any office, they rubbed their toga with white chalk: the toga was then called "toga candida." Our word "" candidate is derived from this custom. Candida being the Latin word for white. Black togas were worn in mourning; and, on occasions of triumph and rejoicing, they were ornamented and embroidered. Boys wore a toga with a broad purple hem till they were about fourteen, and this signified that they were not old enough to take care of their own property or govern themselves. There were regular ceremonies used when this first toga was left off, and the man's toga was put on: it was considered a very important event in a boy's life. Girls wore togas also; but they never made any change till they were married: then they put on what was called a stola-a sort of loose frock fastened round the waist by a girdle, and having a flounce at the bottom. Both men and women wore tunics, or short garments with sleeves, underneath their outer dress; and, when they wished to protect themselves from the cold, they used what we should call blankets-coverings made of the same rough material, but much ornamented. Blankets of this kind were common for several purposes:

sometimes they were spread on the ground, and served for carpets.

The use of shoes was not universal amongst the Romans: for instance, persons sometimes went bare-footed when they attended a funeral; but at other times their shoes were either mere soles fastened to the foot by bands, or else, like our own, covering the instep. The toes were frequently uncovered.

The art of printing was unknown to the Romans; and, when they wished to write, they used reeds split like our pens, and wrote with a thick kind of ink, either upon paper made from the bark of an Egyptian plant called papyrus, or else upon parchment. They also used little pointed iron instruments, with which they inscribed letters upon waxen tablets; and, in writing, instead of sitting upright, they generally lay upon couches, and raising one knee, rested the writing material against it.

The public games have already been spoken of; in which, besides the fights of the gladiators, they pleased themselves with chariot races and the combats of wild beasts.

During the persecution of the Christians, the martyrs were often killed by wild beasts at their public assemblies; and their sufferings were a source of amusement to the cruel spectators.

The Romans do not appear to have known much about flowers. They had gardens divided into flower beds and separated by borders of box, as we might have but the chief flowers which they appear to have been acquainted with, were roses and violets; although they also had the crocus, lily, iris, poppy, narcissus, gladiolus, and others. The most striking part, in a Roman garden, must have been lines of large trees planted in regular order;

and alleys formed by closely clipt hedges, and interspersed with statues, fountains, and summerhouses. They were very fond of cutting their shrubs into different figures. Conservatories and hothouses are mentioned in the times of the emperors.

These few particulars will be sufficient to show that, however the manners and customs of the Romans might differ from ours, they had a great love of luxury and refinement, and were in most respects quite as civilized as we imagine ourselves to be.