BOOK I. VIII. 18-20 



structions ; he also tests the quaUty of their food 

 and drink by tasting it himself, and examines their 

 clothing, their mittens, and their foot-covering. In 

 addition he should give them frequent opportunities 

 for making complaint against those persons who treat 

 them cruelly or dishonestly. In fact, I now and then 

 avenge those who have just cause for grievance, as 

 well as punish those who incite the slaves to revolt, 

 or who slander their taskmasters ; and, on the other 

 hand, I reward those who conduct themselves with 

 energy and diligence. To women, too, who are un- 19 

 usually proUfic, and who ought to be rewarded for 

 the bearing of a certain number of offspring, I have 

 granted exemption from work and sometimes even 

 freedom after they had reared many children. 

 For to a mother of three sons exemption from work 

 was granted ; to a mother of more her freedom as 

 well. 



Such justice and consideration on the part of the 

 master contributes greatly to the increase of his 

 estate. But he should also bear in mind, first to pay 20 

 his respects to the household gods as soon as he 

 returns from town ; " then at once, if time permits, 

 if not, on the next day, to inspect his lands and re- 

 visit every part of them and judge whether his 

 absence has resulted in any relaxation of discipline 

 and watchfulness, whether any vine, any tree, or any 

 produce is missing ; at the same time, too, he should 

 make a new count of stock, slaves, farm-equipment, 

 and furniture. If he has made it a practice to do all 

 this for many years, he will maintain a well-ordered 

 discipline when old age comes ; and whatever his 

 age, he will never be so wasted with years as to be 

 despised by his slaves. 



95 



VOL. I. E 



