Daily globe., 1882-07-02


rank and distinction in society. Licin-
| ius Crassus was known for his i'm
mense ponds Of murenes. They obeyed
his voice, coming forward at his call for
their food. This same man with others
equally noted shed tears whenever dead
murene was found in their ponds. They
| multiplied to such an extent that Cesar
after one of his triumphs distributed over
| 10000. So far their affection was but an
affair of taste-fashion-but.c cruelty and
corruption soon entered into this passion.
The Romans imagined that these fishes
became much more delicate and savory
| when fed on human flesh. A rich, en-
franchlsed slave, named Pollion, had
the cruelty to throw into his
| reservoir Of murenes such slaves as Of
| Tended him, and sometimes even those
who had merited no punishment 1t is
related that one day the Emporer ugus-
tus dined with him, and poor slave
while serving had the misfortune to break
costly vessel. Immediately Pollion Or
dered him to be thrown to the murenes to
die, but the emperor. to show his indig-
nation and to resent Pollion's conduct,
gave the slave his freedom, and ordered
all the collection of costly vessels in Pol
lions house to be broken. These fishes
are still much sought after along the
coasts of Italy, where they are found in
large quantities.
| The red mullet was also held in great
favor, and owes its celebrity to its
brilliant skin which reflects all the hues
of the rainbow, and it was also esteemed
for its firm white flesh. The Romans
caused the red mulIet to become great
luxury, spent great sums on the ponds
destined for their use, and paid most ex-
| travagant prices for them. They kept
them not only to eat but also TO admire,
and this admiration soon grew into great
cruelty. Rich noblemen in Italy used to
give themselves the barbarous pleasure of
letting these poor fishes die in their hands
for the simple pleasure of watching their
which succeeded each other from cinna-
bar rcd to the palest white as the fish lost
strength little by little and at last died.
We are told that the lawyer Hortensius,
CicerO's rival, who drew such crowds of
people to the forum to hear his orations,
had an excessive passion for these fish.
He had them brought to his table in
small cutters we'll supplied with water
and took delight at his sumptuous feasts
to have them taken out and put on the
table palpitating, agitated with con-
vulsions of death, to perish before his
eyes, while their colors took on
thousand rainbow hues. 1t soon
became the fashion to possess
these fish, as was the case with the
murenes, and they soon became much
sought after During Caligulas reign
over 81, ,l20 is said to have been paid for
three red mullets. But one finds only
too many examples in imperial Rome of
these savage pleasures and bad taste,
ostentatiously displayed. Although the
red mullets are no longer objects of such
prodigal expense and senseless care, still
they are highly esteemed and sought
after for their beauty and excellent
comestible qualities. They abound in
several seas, but are, perhaps, most
abundant in the Mediterranean.
LEAVING ROME.
We left Rome with regret, which, l
think, must be the dominating feeling in
all hearts on leaving, for it would take
long years, if not lifetime. to satisfac-
torily see alllts treasures. Only one thing
fancy can take the place of this regret,
| and that is when one has had the great
misfortune to take that much feared
fever which for some reason seems to
prefer to fasten itself upon strangers
rather than upon natives.
ISLE OF ELBE.
We caught sight of the Isle of Elbe in
the far distance, as we came along, and
had glorious sight of Genoa, the
superb. Turin was already agitated
| over the news of
GEN GARIRAIDI'S
death, yet Notwithstanding this prepara-
ton, the news of his death came to
all hearts with startling force. How
strange it is that death always takes us
by surprise
GREAT INDIGNATION
is expressed on all sides, because Carl
baldi's wish to be cremated was not ex-
ecuted, and it is asked 'if wish clearly
expressed in the will of a sane man, con-
corning the MODE of his burial can be
put aside with so little difficulty, of what
use are laws?' But l will speak more of
this at another time, as the chapter is
quite long enough for to-day. j. IS.
n N