ompeii. The
ancients said "make the beds," instead of "lay the table."

To the right of the peristyle on the first range, glides a corridor
receding toward a private door that opens on a small side street. This
was the _posticum_, by which the master of the house evaded the
importunate visitors who filled the atrium. This method of escaping
bores was called _postico fallere clientem_. It was a device that must
have been familiar to rich persons who were beset every morning by a
throng of petitioners and hangers-on.

The left side of the peristyle was occupied by three bedchambers, and by
the kitchen, which was hidden at the end, to the left of the oecus. This
kitchen, like most of the others, has its fireplaces and ovens still
standing. They contained ashes and even coal when they were discovered,
not to mention the cooking utensils in terra cotta and in bronze. Upon
the walls were painted two enormous serpents, sacred reptiles which
protected the altar of Fornax, the culinary divinity. Other paintings (a
hare, a pig, a wild boar's head, fish, etc.) ornamented this room
adjoining which was, in the olden time among the Pompeians, as to-day
among the Neapolitans, the most ignoble retreat in the dwelling. A
cabinet close by served for a pantry, and there were found in it a large
table and jars of oil ranged along on a bench.

Thus a large portico with columns, surrounding a court adorned with a
marble basin (_piscina_); around the portico on the right, three
bedchambers or _cubicula_; on the right, a rear door (_posticum_) and an
eating room (_triclinium_); at the end, the grand saloon (_oecus_),
between an exedra and kitchen--such was the peristyle of Pansa.

This relatively spacious habitation had still a third depth (allow me
the expression) behind the peristyle. This was the _xysta_ or garden,
divided off into beds, and the divisions of which, when it was found,
could still be seen, marked in the ashes. Some antiquaries make it out
that the xysta of Pansa was merely a kitchen garden. Between the xysta
and the peristyle was the _pergula_, a two-storied covered gallery, a
shelter against the sun and the rain. The occupants in their flight left
behind them a handsome bronze candlestick.

Such was the ground-floor of a rich Pompeian dwelling. As for the upper
stories, we can say nothing about them. Fire and time have completely
destroyed them. They were probably very light structures; the lower
walls could not have su