ings was appropriated to Julia as the
lady of the feast; that next her, to Diomed. At one corner of the
centre table was placed the aedile; at the opposite corner, the Roman
senator--these were the posts of honour. The other guests were
arranged, so that the young (gentleman or lady) should sit next each
other, and the more advanced in years be similarly matched. An
agreeable provision enough, but one which must often have offended those
who wished to be thought still young.

The chair of Ione was next to the couch of Glaucus. The seats were
veneered with tortoiseshell, and covered with quilts stuffed with
feathers, and ornamented with costly embroideries. The modern ornaments
of epergne or plateau were supplied by images of the gods, wrought in
bronze, ivory, and silver. The sacred salt-cellar and the familiar
Lares were not forgotten. Over the table and the seats a rich canopy was
suspended from the ceiling. At each corner of the table were lofty
candelabra--for though it was early noon, the room was darkened--while
from tripods, placed in different parts of the room, distilled the odor
of myrrh and frankincense; and upon the abacus, or sideboard, large
vases and various ornaments of silver were ranged, much with the same
ostentation (but with more than the same taste) that we find displayed
at a modern feast.

The custom of grace was invariably supplied by that of libations to the
gods; and Vesta, as queen of the household gods, usually received first
that graceful homage.

This ceremony being performed, the slaves showered flowers upon the
couches and the floor, and crowned each guest with rosy garlands,
intricately woven with ribands, tied by the rind of the linden-tree, and
each intermingled with the ivy and the amethyst--supposed preventives
against the effect of wine; the wreaths of the women only were exempted
from these leaves, for it was not the fashion for them to drink wine in
public. It was then that the president Diomed thought it advisable to
institute a basileus, or director of the feast--an important office,
sometimes chosen by lot; sometimes, as now, by the master of the
entertainment.

Diomed was not a little puzzled as to his election. The invalid senator
was too grave and too infirm for the proper fulfilment of his duty; the
aedile Pansa was adequate enough to the task: but then, to choose the
next in official rank to the senator, was an affront to the senator
himself. While deliberat