22 FISHERIES AND FISHERMEN 



his father, and obtained a remission of the sentence for 

 both. The whole incident as it is recorded in history 

 illustrates in many points — if fresh illustration were needed 

 — the numerous anomalies inevitably attaching to such a 

 system of personal caprice as obtained under the heathen 

 emperors ; but it must never be forgotten that even in 

 contemporary affairs, and at the present day, men ignorant 

 of the inner workings of political machinery constantly set 

 down to personal influence that which is strictly governed 

 by precedent, and that a more accurate knowledge of the 

 Roman organisation might reveal all kinds of subtle limi- 

 tations and modifications by which the imperial power was 

 bound and restricted. 



Here is a list of fish from Draper's translation which might 

 entitle the author at once to take rank with ichthyologists — 



" Fish have no common rule of hfe assigned, 

 Not to one place, or to one choice confin'd. 

 The sev'ral kinds pursue their proper good, 

 Diff'rent their dwellings, and unlike their food. 

 Some near the shore in humble pleasures blest, 

 Approve the sands, and on their product feast. 

 The flouncing horse here restifif drives his way. 

 And soles on sands their softer bellies lay. 

 Sea-roach in ruddy shoals frequent the land, 

 And puny black-tails range the shelving strand. 

 The clouded mack'rels choose the sandy ground. 

 And with their speckled train the beach surround. ' 



Flat folios here stretch on the shaded seas, 

 Here spiny scads and fruitful carps encrease. 

 The broad-tail here, and dainty mullet feed, 

 Frisk on the sands, or batten on the weed. 

 Close to the shore soft slender swaths reside. 

 And the gay mormyl shows his spotted pride. 

 But what these love the slimy offspring hate ; 

 The cod and whiting kinds, the prickly skate. 

 The thornback-ray an arm'd and hardy race. 

 The pois'nous fire-flaire, and the smoother plaice, 



