o Cato of Utica may perhaps be quoted no less
fittingly as the epitaph of his ancestor:--

"The gods preferred the victor's cause, but Cato the
vanquished;"

for in spite of him, the Latin literature which has come down to us
may be most truly characterized as "the bridge over which Hellenism
reaches the modern world."

ON AGRICULTURE

From 'De Agricultura.'

[The following extract gives a vivid glimpse of the life on a
Latian farm. The Roman gentleman may be regarded as an
"absentee landlord," giving this advice to his agent. The
"family" is, of course, made up of slaves.]

These shall be the bailiff's duties. He shall keep up good discipline.
The holidays must be observed. He shall keep his hands from other
people's property, and take good care of his own. He shall act as
umpire for disputes in the family. If any one is guilty of mischief,
he shall exact return in good measure for the harm done. The family is
not to suffer, to be cold, to be hungry. He is to keep it busy, as
thus he will more easily restrain it from mischief and thieving. If
the bailiff does not consent to evil-doing there will be none. If he
does allow it, the master must not let it go unpunished. For kindness
he is to show gratitude, so that the same one may be glad to do right
in other matters. The bailiff must not be a saunterer; he must always
be sober; he mustn't go out to dinner. He must keep the family busy;
must see to it that the master's commands are carried out. He mustn't
think he knows more than the master. The master's friends he must
count as his own. He is to pay no attention to any one, unless so
bidden. He is not to act as priest except at the Compitalia or at the
hearthside. He is to give no one credit save at the master's orders.
When the master gives credit he must exact payment. Seed-corn, kitchen
utensils, barley, wine, oil, he must lend to no one. He may have two
or three families from whom he borrows, and to whom he lends, but no
more. He must square accounts with his master often. The mechanic, the
hireling, the sharpener of tools, he must never keep more than a day.
He mustn't buy anything without the master's knowledge, nor hide
anything from the master, nor have any hanger-on. He should never
consult a soothsayer, prophet, priest, or Chaldean.... He should know
how to do every farm task and should do it often, without exhausting
himself. If he does this, he will know what is in