New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-01

>, II IS by his letters that PIin, bas 1,yos 80 IN,
Of the sreat that have gone besore ee inner fe
ness.s |Sn Is so quick 10 seize the obvious weaE
society seems 10 little unratefu % W ancient
ad left us similar revelation of s5ciet 0ie T0
Danube o~ ws U.s. ho,lding back the Germans on the
oaT OF The third century The letters Of Cicero
be used TO the ermsn,u cGmparison which may
ssir 80" "a = rather inept Cicero was a man OF az
sttss 70 TIE STUDENT oft 0ot and =. his
reign letter WT,ta! no B9t m the calm of Trajan's
IMAM the fortunes the state IJterat1re
Of country life The thousand trivial ne99es1 ehaT arm
OF the ,oid OF IN over-ripe society in the capital
ntp si a which could ideallze its surroundings
rediocTty; but like our own Horace Waipoie
nerId 'd ',e Keen sense TO see that social routine
iia ire ski to 40 SO might make himself famous
ment Ard intense iq nt in his social environ
one greht secret of literary success Pliny had also
select distinction OF style which NAV he crciseS
,h whIeh cannot be ignored He had the iaudable
grace which may make even commonplace attrac-
Dr' plil power Of compression. his analytical
shih' MS Felicity Of phrase and his comprehen-
siVe grasp Of large subject make his survey OF
period or Of an individual as ;l'rroira+irr "a
1t is absorbingly interesting Nowhere do these
possessions show to greater advantage than in
the passages devoted to the society of the freed
men, OF these pushing pretentious overrich
and vulgar products OF the long contest between
the throne and the Senate, between the whfms
Of despot and the prejudices OF an aristocracy
we have lively and racy picture. largely drawn
from the sattrical pages OF Petronius. Full of
humorous eXaggeration and wild fun most
realistic tale points with amused contempt TO
the follies. the weaknesses and pretensions OF a
large and growing class-a tale which, un-
folded with endless vivacity and good humor
may claim distant relationship with Gil Bias
Roderiok Random and Tom Jones
From this depressing and somewhat ghostly
atmosphere it is pleasant to pass to the REIN ed
and cultivated circle in which the younger Pliny
moved His day. carefully planned for self-irr-
provement. combined continuous study with the
care OF rural estate, while his domestic life
was model OF tenderness sympathy and re-
clpTocated devotion. In public spirit and gen
crosby 10 philanthropic and educational causes
Pliny followed high standard He gave Hber-
ally to schools and libraries while his private
oenefactions were munihcent as they were
modest. Yet, the spirit Of the age called for
such gifts. and countless inscriptions are proof
that many persons IN obscure centres all over
the world were not less public spirited. For the
life OF the provincial cities, the routine of shop
and forum, we must seek information from the
inscriptions. as author acutely points out
that the poets and men of letters were nearly all
countrybred and spent their praise on their
native hills and dales. From the inscriptions
and from the numerous existing remains rescued
by the archeologist we have a fairly complete
picture OF the municipal life as distinguished
from that Of the capital. The greatest glory of
the imperial administration for nearly two CEN
turtles. We told. the skilful and polite
tolerance with which It reconciled central
Tpcn
liberty. There was no uniform bureaucratic con-
troll OF ell the provinces regardless of their in
divfduai tastes and differences. But, naturally
the tendency was TO an imitation OF the capital
while the provinces were generally more tran
Gull and prosperous than the seat OF govern
ment Travel was easy and general in these
days good roads bound the empire together and
the frequent visits OF proconsuls and minor
officials. with the attending train OF ubiquitous
traders kept the renotest places in touch with
the metropolis. On hardly any side OF ancient
life, we learn, is the Information furnished by
the inscriptions rich as on the spirit and
organization of municipalities Here one NAV
learn details of communal life which are never
alluded TO in Roman literature From this sourc.
also we must seek the only authentic materials
for the reconstruction of a municipality of the
first century These inscriptions Dr. Dill has
used with great skill. Not only DO they treat of
such subjects as elections in advocating certain
candidates, but they throw a strong light on the
civic duties and standards of the time There
probably never was time when the duties of
wealth were so powerfully enforced by opinion
or so cheerful!y and even recklessly performed"
This general fact is abundanty illustrated IN
enumeration Of the libraries schools, aqueducts.
temples and public edifces erected by private
nunifcenee.
The various colleges, sodaIities and guilds at
ford material for another attractive study and
It is interesting TO note how from an efigy Of
an apple seller commencing his fruit, a
copper with his cask. or a smith with his ham
Is 6educed q new and healthy pride In
honest industry. IN skill and independence In
dividually weak and looked down upon. the ar
tisan and trader were deyelupIng an organIza-
ton which cultivated social feeling heightened
self-respect and guarded their collective inter
osts A curious Illustration Of the character OF
tho inscriptions thus called upon is found in
Tho act of the patron Of a society. who directed
that the deed Of foundation should be inscribed
on the inner walls or the portico of the temple,
SO that newly admitted members might be in
formed Of their rights and their obligations.
This document, unearthed in the last century. re-
veals many interesting and important facts in
connection with such societies.
II were idle in the merest skeleton of a survey
10 follow the author over so wide field. His
work is distinctly one that be read piece
meal with pleasure and profit-so broad is the
subject AMI the digressions numerous and
complete in themselves. Enough has doubtless
been set down to convey some measure Of the
favor of vigorous. delightful and unusual
work