26 MEMOIR OF PLINY. 



the last and most important of his writings, his " Na- 

 tural History." 



What we know of the private character, the vast 

 erudition, and incredible industry of PJiny, is chiefly 

 derived from his nephew, whose account we shall 

 transcribe in his own words, from the Epistle ad- 

 dressed to his friend Macer. After mentioning 

 the different works which we have already enume- 

 rated, he thus proceeds : " You will wonder how 

 a man so engaged as he was, could find time to com- 

 pose such a number of books, and some of them, 

 too, upon abstruse subjects. But your surprise will 

 rise still higher, when you hear that for some time 

 he engaged in the profession of an advocate ; that he 

 died at the age of fifty-six ; that from the time of his 

 quitting the bar to his death, he was employed part- 

 ly in the execution of the highest posts, and partly 

 in a personal attendance of those emperors who ho- 

 noured him with their friendship. But he had a 

 quick apprehension, joined to unwearied application. 

 In summer he always began his studies as soon as 

 it was night ; in winter generally at one in the mor- 

 ning ; but never later than two, and often at mid- 

 night. No man ever spent less time in bed ; inso- 

 much that he would sometimes, without retiring 

 from his books, take a short sleep and then pursue 

 his studies. Before daybreak he used to wait upon 

 Vespasian, who likewise chose that season to trans- 

 act business. When he had finished the affairs 



