Book I. 



AGRICULTURE OF THE ROMANS. 



19 



ought not," says he, " to trade on his own account, nor employ his master's money in 

 purchasing cattle or any other goods ; for this trading takes off his attention, and prevents 



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him from keeping square accounts with his master. But when he is required to settle 

 them, he shows his goods in the place of money. This, above all, he should be careful 

 of, not to think he knows any thing he does not know ; and always to be ready to learn 

 what he is ignorant of. For as it is of great advantage to do a tiling well, so it is most 

 hurtful to have it ill done. This one thing holds true in all rustic work, to do but once 

 what the manner of culture requires ; because, when imprudence or negligence in work- 

 ing is to be set to rights, the time for the work is already wasted ; nor are the effects of 

 the amendment such as to make up the lost labour, and balance the advantages that might 

 have been gained by improving the season that is past." (Co/., lib i. cap. 8.) 



87. The qualities of the other villa servants are represented by the same author in this 

 manner : " The careful and industrious," says he, " should be appointed masters of the 

 works ; these qualities are more necessary for this business than stature or strength of 

 body, for this service requires diligent care and art." Of the ploughman he says, 



88. In the ploughman, though a degree of genius is necessary, yet it is not enough. " There should be 

 joined to it a harshness of voice anil manner, to terrify the cattle : but he should temper strength with 

 elemenev ; because he ought to be more terrible than cruel, that so the oxen may obey his commands, 

 and continue the longer at their work, not being spent, at the same time, both with the seventy of 

 labour and stripes. But what the offices of masters of -n.-orks and of ploughman are, I shall mention in 



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