THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS 



pursue his studies. Before daybreak he used to wait 

 upon Vespasian, who likewise chose that season to 

 transact business; and when he had finished the affairs 

 which that emperor committed to his charge, he would 

 return home again to his studies. After a slender repast 

 at noon, he would frequently in the summer, if he was 

 disengaged from business, repose himself in the sun; 

 during which time some author was read to him from 

 whom he made extracts and observations. This was 

 his constant method, whatever book he read ; for it was 

 a maxim of his, that no book was so bad, but some- 

 thing might be learned from it. 



"When this was over he generally went into the cold 

 bath, after which he took a slight refreshment of food 

 and rest; and then, as if it had been a new day, re- 

 sumed his studies till supper time, when a book was 

 again read to him, upon which he would make some re- 

 marks as they went on. His nephew mentions a singu- 

 lar instance to show how covetous he was of his time, 

 and how greedy of knowledge. His reader having pro- 

 nounced a word wrong, somebody at the table made him 

 repeat it; upon which Pliny asked his friend if he un- 

 derstood it? who acknowledging that he did; 'Why 

 then/ said he, ' would you make him go back again? 

 We have lost by this interruption above ten lines/ 

 In summer he always rose from supper by daylight; 

 and in winter as soon as it was dark. 



"Such was his way of life amidst the noise and hurry 

 of the town ; but in the country his whole time was de- 

 voted to study without intermission, excepting only when 

 he bathed; and this, no longer than while he was ac- 



