306 PLINX'S KATCfi^L HISTOBY. [Book XXXVI. 



search amid the regions of the clouds for vessels 8 with which 

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

 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. Tor 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. 



CHAT. 2. WIIO WAS THE FIRST TO KM PLOY MAUIJLE 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 4 laws, which forbid the kernels 5 in the 

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

 tilings too trilling to mention : aud 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 cedileship of M. Scaurus, 6 three hundred aud 

 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. Hut then, why such indulgence? or how do vices 

 more insidiously steal upon us than under the plea of serving 

 the public ? lly what other way, 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 fur the amusements of the 

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



' lie alludes to vessels made of crystal, which, ns Dalcchamps remarks, 

 is lung supposed to be nothing hut ice in a concrete form. See U. xxxvii. 

 9. 4 See B. viii. c. 82. 4 "Glondia." 



See Chapter 24 of this Book. 



