at skill in such matters
belonging to common life; for he took care of all such matters as
concerned the reception of strangers, and appointed them double seats
for them to sit on, according as the king had commanded him to do; for
he had commanded that half of their seats should be set at his right
hand, and the other half behind his table, and took care that no respect
should be omitted that could be shown them. And when they were thus set
down, he bid Dorotheus to minister to all those that were come to him
from Judea, after the manner they used to be ministered to; for which
cause he sent away their sacred heralds, and those that slew the
sacrifices, and the rest that used to say grace; but called to one of
those that were come to him, whose name was Eleazar, who w a priest, and
desired him to say grace; [8] who then stood in the midst of them, and
prayed, that all prosperity might attend the king, and those that were
his subjects. Upon which an acclamation was made by the whole company,
with joy and a great noise; and when that was over, they fell to eating
their supper, and to the enjoyment of what was set before them. And at
a little interval afterward, when the king thought a sufficient time had
been interposed, he began to talk philosophically to them, and he asked
every one of them a philosophical question [9] and such a one as might
give light in those inquiries; and when they had explained all the
problems that had been proposed by the king about every point, he was
well-pleased with their answers. This took up the twelve days in
which they were treated; and he that pleases may learn the particular
questions in that book of Aristeus, which he wrote on this very
occasion.

13. And while not the king only, but the philosopher Menedemus also,
admired them, and said that all things were governed by Providence, and
that it was probable that thence it was that such force or beauty was
discovered in these men's words, they then left off asking any more such
questions. But the king said that he had gained very great advantages
by their coming, for that he had received this profit from them, that
he had learned how he ought to rule his subjects. And he gave order that
they should have every one three talents given them, and that those that
were to conduct them to their lodging should do it. Accordingly, when
three days were over, Demetrius took them, and went over the causeway
seven furlongs long: it was a bank in th