50 JEROME CARDAN. 



servants. Tlie practice usual in cardinals' houses of lock- 

 ing them in from the outside after dark, is inconvenient, 

 because, if one should be ill in the night, none can go out 

 for assistance, or in case of accident, escape is difficult. 

 Jerome recommends systems of dissimulation and espial, 

 by the adoption of which any man suspected of secret 

 ill-doing may be tricked into betrayal of himself. Has 

 anything been stolen, call the household together sud- 

 denly, and let each take a tremendous oath, involving 

 death upon himself within twelve months, if he be guilty. 

 Make a sign upon each man's breast, as he swears, in con- 

 secration of his vow; in so doing, the thief will be de- 

 tected by the movement of his heart. It is well, if one 

 has three or four good servants, to let some one watch 

 while they are eating, not to stint them, but to prevent 

 theft. It is a common thing for servants, when their food 

 is given out, to simulate an extraordinary appetite, and, 

 after eating for two or three days a very large allowance, 

 to make good their claim, set by what is given to them 

 in excess, and sell it out of doors, or take it to their sweet- 

 hearts. The usual daily allowance for a servant is two 

 pounds of bread, four measures of flat wine, and for other 

 victual seventeen farthings. 



Frangible vessels in a household must be left to princes, 

 but there is need to take care that the vessels used do not 

 corrupt the food that is put into them. There should be 



