the minds of the
family and they will work more contentedly. Besides, if he works he
will have less desire to stroll about, and be healthier, and sleep
better. He should be the first to get up and the last to go to bed;
should see that the country house is locked up, that each one is
sleeping where he belongs, and that the cattle are fed.

FROM THE 'ATTIC NIGHTS' OF AULUS GELLIUS

[The extract given below, as will be seen, is quoted for the
most part not from Cato but from Aulus Gellius. However, the
practice of Gellius on other occasions where we are able to
compare his text with the original, indicates that he merely
modernized Cato's phraseology. In many cases such changes
probably make no difference at all in the modern rendering.]

Marcus Cato, in his book of 'Origins,' has recorded an act of Quintus
Caedicius, a military tribune, really illustrious, and worthy of being
celebrated with the solemnity of Grecian eloquence. It is nearly to
this effect:--The Carthaginian general in Sicily, in the first Punic
war, advancing to meet the Roman army, first occupied some hills and
convenient situations. The Romans, as it happened, got into a spot
open to surprise, and very dangerous. The tribune came to the consul,
pointing out the danger from the inconvenience of the spot, and the
surrounding enemy. "I think," says he, "if you would save us, you must
immediately order certain four hundred to advance to yonder wart" (for
thus Cato indicated a rugged and elevated place) "and command them to
take possession of it; when the enemy shall see this, every one among
them that is brave and ardent will be intent on attacking and
frightening them, and will be occupied by this business alone, and
these four hundred men will doubtless all be slain;--you, whilst the
enemy shall be engaged in slaughter, will have an opportunity of
withdrawing the army from this place: there is no other possible
method of escape."

The consul replied that the advice appeared wise and good. "But whom,"
says he, "shall I find, that will lead these four hundred men to that
spot against the battalions of the enemy?"--"If," answered the
tribune, "you find no one else, employ me in this dangerous
enterprise; I offer my life to you and my country."

The consul thanked and praised him. The tribune, with his four hundred
men, advanced to death. The enemy, astonished at their boldness,
waited to see where they were going; bu