306 pliny's natueal histoet. [Book XXXVI. 



searcli amid tlie regions of the clouds for vessels' with which 

 to cool our draughts, and to excavate rocks, towering to the 

 very heavens, in order that we may have the satisfaction of 

 drinking from ice ! Let each reflect, when he hears of the 

 high prices set upon these things, when he sees these ponderous 

 masses carted and carried away, how many there are whose 

 life is passed far more happily without them. For what 

 utility or for what so-called pleasure do mortals make them- 

 selves the agents, or, more truly speaking, the victims of such 

 undertakings, except in order that others may take their re- 

 pose in the midst of variegated stones ? Just as though too, the 

 shades of night, which occupy one half of each man's existence, 

 would forbear to curtail these imaginary delights. 



CHAP. 2. — WHO WAS THE FIRST TO EMPLOY MARBLE IN PUBLIC 

 BUILDINGS. 



Indeed, while making these reflections, one cannot but feel 

 ashamed of the men of ancient times even. There are still in 

 existence censorial* laws, which forbid the kernels^ in the 

 neck of swine to be served at table, dormice too, and other 

 things too trifling to mention : and yet there has been no law 

 passed, forbidding marble to be imported, or the seas to be 

 traversed in search of it ! 



(2.) It may possibly be observed, that this was, because 

 marble was not then introduced. Such, however, is not the 

 fact ; for in the sedileship of M. Scaurus,® three hundred and 

 sixty columns were to be seen imported ; for the decorations of 

 a temporary theatre, too, one that was destined to be in use for 

 barely a single month. And yet the laws were silent thereon ; 

 in a spirit of indulgence for the amusements of the public, no 

 doubt. But then, why such indulgence? or how do vices 

 more insidiously steal upon us than under the plea of serving 

 the public ? By what other waj^, in fact, did ivory, gold, and 

 precious stones, first come into use with private individuals ? 



Can we say that there is now anything that we have re- 

 served for the exclusive use of the gods ? However, be it so, 

 let us admit of this indulgence for the amusements of the 

 public; but still, why did the laws maintain their silence 



' He alludes to vessels made of crystal, which, as Dalechamps remarks, 

 ■was long supposed to be nothing but ice in a concrete form. See B. xxxvii. 

 c. 9. 4 See B. viii. c. 82. & "Glandia." 



* See Chapter 24 of this Book. 



