THE ANCIENTS. 27 



Among the Latin poets we often find allusions to fish. 

 Speaking of the turbot, Horace says, 



" Grandes rhombi patinseque 

 Grande ferunt una cum damno dedecus." 



11 Great turbots and late suppers lead 

 To debt, disgrace, and abject need." 



And Martial, on the same fish, says, 



" Q.uamvis lata gerat patella rhombum, 

 Rhombus latior est tamen patellis." 



" The border of the broadest dish 

 Lay hid beneath the monster fish." 



A fisherman with his rod and line in a boat, from an 

 antique in the MaiFei Collection at Verona, has been 

 engraved; and likewise a beautiful painting of Venus 

 and Cupid angling, found in the house of the tragic poet 

 at Pompeii. 19 



Varro, Columella, and Pliny are the chief authors from 

 whom we derive our knowledge of the nature and con- 

 struction of these Eoman fish stews. Varro was in his 

 eightieth year when he penned his De Re Rmtica, dedi- 

 cating it to his wife, with a view to instruct her in the 

 cultivation of his farm when he should be called to his 

 long home. In the language of great common-sense 



19 Sir William G-elTs Pompeiana, vol. ii. 



