uld know also," continued Cato, "the domestic rules of every
good citizen. When our fathers wished to eulogize a worthy man they
called him 'a good husbandman.' This was the highest praise. At that
time they lived on the land itself, in rustic tribes, the most honorable
of all, and they only saw Rome on market days and on days of _comitia_.
There are still good citizens who lead the sane life of Cincinnatus and
Camillus, and only come when the Senate gathers; but war, with its
expeditions to new countries, has corrupted many, who wish only to live
in the city, and they have substituted for the old Roman home, with its
roof of boards and its simple penates, houses crowded with columns as
if they were temples, and adorned with gods and goddesses which they
order from Greece."

The austere gesture of Cato displayed immense scorn for the imported
refinements which had begun to break down the sturdiness of his native
land.

"In the country the good citizen should not lose a day. If the weather
prevent his going out he should entertain himself cleaning the stables
and barnyards, fixing up the old utensils, and seeing that the women
mend the clothing. Even on feast days something can be done; irrigate
the young vineyards, wash the sheep, go to the city to sell oil or
fruit. No time should be lost in consulting haruspices and augurs, nor
in devotion to cults which oblige the citizen to abandon his house. The
gods of the household or of the nearest cross-road are sufficient. The
lares, the manes, and the silvani are sufficient to protect a good
citizen. Our fathers had no others, but nevertheless they were great."

The youthful Scipio listened attentively, but his eyes were fixed on two
young men from the Campagna, who with the _cucullus_ fallen over their
shoulders, were having a boxing match close to a vendor of mulled wine.
The young man's cheeks flushed with emotion seeing the blows exchanged
by the athletes with quivering muscles.

"If the citizen dwell in Rome," continued Cato, without noticing this
incident which failed to disturb the gravity of the Forum, "he should
open the door of his house at dawn of day to explain the law to his
clients, and to place his money prudently, teaching the young men the
art of increasing their savings and how to avoid ruinous follies. The
father of the family should turn everything into money and waste
nothing. If he give new garments to his slaves, he should recover the
old ones for o