BOOK I, PREFACE 11-13 



prietorship would compensate in large measure the 

 losses occasioned by lack of knowledge ; and men 

 whose interests were at stake would not wish to 

 appear forever ignorant of their own affairs, and for 

 that reason more zealous to learn, they would gain 

 a thorough knowledge of husbandry. As it is, we 12 

 think it beneath us to till our lands with our OAvn 

 hands, and we consider it of no importance to appoint 

 as an overseer a man of very great experience or at 

 least, if he is inexperienced, one who is wide-awake 

 and active, that he may learn more quickly what he 

 does not know. But if a rich man purchases a farm, 

 out of his thi-ong of footmen and litter-bearers he sends 

 off to the fields the one most bankrupt in years and 

 strength, whereas such work requires, not only 

 knowledge, but the age of vigour and physical 

 strength as Avell, to endure its hardships ; or, if the 

 OAVTier is of moderate means, out of the number of his 

 hands for hire he orders someone who now refuses him 

 the daily tribute money, since the man cannot be a 

 source of income, to be made a foreman, though he 

 may know nothing of the work which he is to super- 

 intend. 



When I observe these things, reviewing in my mind 13 

 and reflecting upon the shameful unanimity with 

 which rural discipline has been abandoned and 

 passed out of use, I am fearful lest it may be dis- 

 graceful and, in a sense, degrading or dishonourable 

 to men of free birth. But when I am reminded by 

 the records of many -writers that it was a matter of 

 pride with our forefathers to give their attention 



* pudenda, aut inhonesta videatur ingenuis vulgo. 

 ' pluribiis, Gesn., Schn. 



