ptians, who
perceived the advantage it would be to them in recovering the
boundaries of estates obliterated by the wished-for deluge[321] of the
Nile.

[Footnote 321: 'Votiva inundatione.']

'Therefore let your Greatness send an experienced land surveyor
(agrimensor) to settle this dispute by assigning fixed boundaries to
the two estates.

'Augustus made a complete survey of the whole "Orbis Romanus," in
order that each taxpayer should know exactly his resources and
obligations. The results of this survey were tabulated by the author
Hyrummetricus. The Professors of this Science [of land surveying] are
honoured with a more earnest attention than falls to the lot of any
other philosophers. Arithmetic, Theoretical Geometry, Astronomy, and
Music are discoursed upon to listless audiences, sometimes to empty
benches. But the land surveyor is like a judge; the deserted fields
become his forum, crowded with eager spectators. You would fancy him a
madman when you see him walking along the most devious paths. But in
truth he is seeking for the traces of lost facts in rough woods and
thickets[322]. He walks not as other men walk. His path is the book
from which he reads; he _shows_ what he is saying; he proves what he
hath learned; by his steps he divides the rights of hostile claimants;
and like a mighty river he takes away the fields of one side to bestow
them on the other.

[Footnote 322: An excellent description of an antiquary walking along
a Roman 'Limes Imperii.']

'Wherefore, acting on our instructions, choose such a land surveyor,
whose authority may be sufficient to settle this dispute, that the
litigants may henceforth cultivate their lands in peace.'

53. KING THEODORIC TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS APRONIANUS, COUNT OF THE PRIVATE
DOMAINS.

[Sidenote: On Water-finders.]

'Your Greatness tells us that a water-finder has come to Rome from
Africa, where, on account of the dryness of the soil, his art is
greatly in request.

'We are glad to hear it. It is a very useful art.

'Signs of the existence of water are the greenness of the grass, the
size of the trees, the nature of the plants, reeds, rushes, brambles,
willows, poplars, &c. Some discover water by putting out dry wool
under a bowl at night. So too, if you see at sunrise a cloud [or
gossamer, 'spissitudinem'] of very small flies. A mist rising like a
column shows water as deep below as the column rises high above.

'The water-finder will also predict the qu