charming villa of yours, what of it, and its portico where it is always
spring, its shady clumps of plane trees, its fresh crystal canal, and
the lake below that gives such a charming view? How is the exercise
ground, so soft yet firm to the foot; how goes the bath that gets the
sun's rays so plentifully as he journeys round it? What too of the big
banqueting halls and the little rooms just for a few, and the retiring
rooms for night and day? Have they full possession of you, and do they
share your company in turn? or are you, as usual, continually being
called away to attend to private family business? You are indeed a
lucky man if you can spend all your leisure there; if you cannot, your
case is that of most of us. But really it is time that you passed on
your unimportant and petty duties for others to look after, and buried
yourself among your books in that secluded yet beautiful retreat. Make
this at once the business and the leisure of your life, your occupation
and your rest; let your waking hours be spent among your books, and your
hours of sleep as well. Mould something, hammer out something that
shall be known as yours for all time. Your other property will find a
succession of heirs when you are gone; what I speak of will continue
yours for ever--if once it begins to be. I know the capacity and
inventive wit that I am spurring on. You have only to think of yourself
as the able man others will think you when you have realised your
ability. Farewell.


1.IV.--TO POMPEIA CELERINA.

What treasures you have in your villas at Ocriculum, at Narnia, at
Carsola and Perusia! Even a bathing place at Narnia! My letters--for
now there is no need for you to write--will have shown you how pleased I
am, or rather the short letter will which I wrote long ago. The fact