26 
MEMOIR OF PLINY. 
the last and most important of his writings, his “ Na- 
tural History.” 
What we know of the private character, the vast 
erudition, and incredible industry of Pliny, is chiefly 
derived from his nephew, whose account we shall 
transcribe in his own words, from the Epistle ad- 
dressed to his friend Macer. After mentioning 
the different works wdiich we have already enume- 
rated, he thus proceeds : — “ You will wonder how’ 
a man so engaged as he was, could find time to com- 
pose such a number of books, and some of them, 
too, upon abstruse subjects. Cut your surprise will 
rise still higher, when you hear that for some time 
he engaged in the profession of an advocate ; that he 
died at the age of fifty-six ; that from the time of his 
quitting the bar to his death, he was employed part- 
ly in the execution of the highest posts, and partly 
in a personal attendance of those emperors who ho- 
noured him with their friendship. But ho had a 
quick apprehension, joined to unwearied application. 
In summer he always began his studies as soon as 
it was night ; in wdnter generally at one in the mor- 
ning ; but never later than two, and often at mid- 
night. No man ever spent less time in bed ; inso- 
much that he would sometimes, without retiring 
from liis books, take a short sleep and then pursue 
his studies. Before daybreak he used to wait upon 
Vespasian, wdio likewise chose that season to trans- 
act business. When he had finished the affairs 
