their fellow-citizens the means of procuring, free of expense, bodily
cleanliness and comfort. These baths were generally very extensive, and
fitted up with every possible convenience;--the passages and apartments
were paved with marbles of every hue, and the tesselated floors were
adorned with representations of gladiatorial engagements, hunting,
racing, and a variety of subjects from the mythology. In the
_Thermæ_ at Rome, ingenuity and magnificence seem exhausted; and
the elegance of the architecture, and the vast range of rooms and
porticos, create in the beholder surprise and admiration, mingled with
feelings of regret for their neglected state. A quadrans (about a
farthing) admitted any one; for the funds bequeathed by the emperors and
others were amply sufficient to provide for the expensive establishments
requisite, without taxing the people beyond their means. Agrippa gave
his baths and gardens to the public, and even assigned estates for their
maintenance. Some of the _Thermæ_ were also provided with a variety
of perfumed ointments and oils gratuitously. The chief _Thermæ_[8]
were those of Agrippa, Nero, Titus, Domitian, Caracalla, and Diocletian.
Their main building consisted of rooms for swimming and bathing, in
either hot or cold water; others for conversation; and some devoted
to various exercises and athletic amusements. In some assembled large
bodies to hear the lectures of philosophers, or perhaps a composition
of some favourite poet; while the walls were surrounded with statues,
paintings, and literary productions, to suit the diversified taste of
the company.

Eustace describes these _Thermæ_ at some length:--"Repassing the
Aventine Hill, we came to the baths of Antoninus Caracalla, that occupy
part of its declivity, and a considerable portion of the plain between
it and Mons Cæliolus and Mons Cælius. The length of the _Thermæ_
was 1,840 feet; breadth, 1,476. At each end were two temples, one to