d these same things. The reasoning of our
Cajetan does not convince me, and least of all that of Aristotle.
This thing, however, existing among them is excellent and worthy of
imitation--viz., that no physical defect renders a man incapable of
being serviceable except the decrepitude of old age, since even the
deformed are useful for consultation. The lame serve as guards, watching
with the eyes which they possess. The blind card wool with their hands,
separating the down from the hairs, with which latter they stuff the
couches and sofas; those who are without the use of eyes and hands give
the use of their ears or their voice for the convenience of the State,
and if one has only one sense he uses it in the farms. And these
cripples are well treated, and some become spies, telling the officers
of the State what they have heard.

G.M. Tell me now, I pray you, of their military affairs. Then you
may explain their arts, ways of life and sciences, and lastly their
religion.

Capt. The triumvir, Power, has under him all the magistrates of arms,
of artillery, of cavalry, of foot-soldiers, of architects, and of
strategists; and the masters and many of the most excellent workmen
obey the magistrates, the men of each art paying allegiance to their
respective chiefs. Moreover, Power is at the head of all the professors
of gymnastics, who teach military exercise, and who are prudent
generals, advanced in age. By these the boys are trained after their
twelfth year. Before this age, however, they have been accustomed to
wrestling, running, throwing the weight, and other minor exercises,
under inferior masters. But at twelve they are taught how to strike at
the enemy, at horses and elephants, to handle the spear, the sword, the
arrow, and the sling; to manage the horse, to advance and to retreat, to
remain in order of battle, to help a comrade in arms, to anticipate the
enemy by cunning, and to conquer.

The women also are taught these arts under their own magistrates and
mistresses, so that they may be able if need be to render assistance
to the males in battles near the city. They are taught to watch the
fortifications lest at some time a hasty attack should suddenly be made.
In this respect they praise the Spartans and Amazons. The women know
well also how to let fly fiery balls, and how to make them from lead;
how to throw stones from pinnacles and to go in the way of an attack.
They are accustomed also to give up wine unm