Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
A DINNER OF LUCULLUs.
Pompey and Cicero Gould Not Catch
the Roman GOurIuapd I'm N Trap

bright Side of History is the title of
series of articles r. H. House is con-
! tributing 10 st. Nicholas. In a story
form, Introducing modern boys and & rls.
! the author recounts some Of the most
amusing episodes in history. The follow
Ing is one Of his stories from the Novem-
Der st. Nicholas:
"LucuIlus was very fond Of fine dinners
more so than was good for him in his
later years. In early life ne was one of
the greatest of Roman generals, and at
middle age he had kingdoms at his feet.
But. like many public men Of that period,
he was pursued by envious enemies. and
instead of making a stand against them
he gave up all his glory and devoted him
self TO idle luxury. Although he wht
enormously rich, he amazed his friends
by the amount of money he spent in feast
ing them. No matter at what hour a
visitor called, costly banquet was al
ways ready 10 be served People who
were intimate with him often tried to
catch him unpTepared, but no one ever
succeeded. The most artful trap of all
was set by Pompey and Cicero, but Luz
cuius was too sharp, even for these able
men,"
do you mean" asked Harry, his eyes
round with astonishment, do you mean
the great Pompey and Cicero we hear so
much about al SCHOOL,"
THE very same; those were the men.
Did YOU think that Pompey was always
fighting battles, and that Cicero did no
thing but speak pieces in the Senate? Oh.
no. They used to vary those occupations
by strolling about the Forum on pleasant
afternoons, and one day they met Lu-
cullus, Stfolhng like themselves, and laid
plan to take him by surprise. They
said they had a particular favor to ask
He promised TO do anything in his power,
and then they proposed to dine with him
that very day, on condition that he should
make no preparations and give no instruc-
tons, but let them share the ordinary
ell i,,f1, Al 10 4
not expected this. Though he was extrav-
agant enough, even when whollv alone.
he could not bear to entertain guests with
out a good deal Of extra eXtTdtasan.e n
their account. So he tried to make an ap-
pointment for the next day, but they
would not listen to him. Then he wanted
to call his servants. and they objected to
this also, suspecting that he might con-
trive TO give some secret orders. They in
sisted that he should not open hts lips TO
any one besides themselves, but just
ramble around until dinner time, and then
take them directly 10 his dwelling rTe~o
he made stand. He protested. reason
ably enough. that they demanded too
saying that he should go back there to
dire. AT least his friends must allow
him to announce that he would return
at the customary hour; otherwise there
might be no food provided at all. They
saw no harm In this, and, after consult
ing together, agreed that he could send
that one short message and nothing more.
but he must employ a stranger to do the
erTand, and must speak to him In their
hearing, so that they could guard against
any suspicious words or private signals.
Lucullus pretended 10 be extremely trou-
bled. and declared that they deserved
nothing ft 10 eat: nevertheless he con-
sented and. calling a public messenger,
gave this direction. Go to my house and
tell the steward to serve dinner in the
Apollo, as usual Pompey and Cicero
were delighted. They kept close to their
host through the rest Of the day. feeling
sure that. though they would have an
excellent meal, they had prevented him,
oCs displays In which he reveled.
When, at last, the three entered the
dining room, the sight OF the table almost
took away their breath 1t was deco
rated with q magnihcence they had not
dreamed of. But this was nothing to
what followed. Course after course of
the rarest food was set before them. with
wines that were almost beyond price,
until. at the end. they calculated that
the cost of the repast could not have been
less than sum equal to $4,000 in our
money of to-day. Lucullus had outwitted
them and carried his point, exactly as
he wished. You must remember the mes
saga which Lucullus sent TO his steward
that he would dine in the Apollo He
had several dining halls. named after
various Roman gods and all differently
arranged for different kinds of feasts.
He had only TO mention which OF these
he would occupy to let his servants know
what preparations were necessary, and
precisely how muck money should be
spent. 1t was the rule that dinner or
supper In the Apollo should cost a sum
equal TO about $4,000 Of our American
money, and 1t was at this rate that Pom
pey and Cicero were entertained. They
did not learn till long after how Lucullus
has managed the affair.""