through several high offices* of state, he was created Consul by Trajan, on his accession to the purple; on which occasion he pronounced the celebrated and still extant Panegyric upon the character of Trajan. Succeeding afterwards to the proconsular governinent of Bithynia and Pontus, he discharged the duties of his office with such integrity and humanity, as to gain the respect and applause of his countrymen, and of those whose interests he had been appointed to protect. It was during this proconsulate, that he wrote to Trajan that celebrated and most valuable letter, in which he makes known to the Emperor the true character of the Christians. The result of this fair and humane conduct was the exemption of the followers of Christ from the heavy burdens and the fearful persecutions to which an avowal of their faith exposed them. Succeeding to his uncle's estates as well as to his name, he was enabled to exercise the benevolence and generosity which were distinguishing qualities in his character. The poor ever found in him a ready friend; the distressed and unprotected, a warm advocate. He was a great patron of genius and learning; and, prompted by this disposition, he founded a most valuable library at his native Comum. The most eminent men of the age were proud in the friendship of him, who was at once so virtuous, learned, generous, and humane: and it adds not a little lustre to the character of both, that the closest and most virtuous intimacy subsisted between * Tribunus militum; Trib. plebis; Prætor; Præfectus Ærarii; afterwards, Augur; Pro-prætor provinciæ Pontica; &c. Pliny and Tacitus the great Historian. The most learned and accomplished men flourished with him— Tacitus, Suetonius, Martial; and with them all, he was in constant correspondence. He died, it is said, about A.D. 113, in the 52d year of his age; but of this, nothing is known with certainty. Pliny was small in stature, and of a weak constitution: in allusion to this, Trajan, in one of his letters (x. 29), calls him corpusculum. Of his numerous Orations, he published several; but of all his works, none remain, except the Panegyric on Trajan; and ten Books of Letters, which he himself collected for publication, and which were written probably (for they are each without date) between A.D. 84 and 102. EPISTOLÆ PLINII SECUNDI SELECTÆ. 169 I. (LIB. I. 3.) Writing to Caninius, who was at his Villa at Comum, he recommends him to aim at immortality, by the performance of some great literary work. C. PLINIUS CANINIO RUFO SUO, S. QUID agit Comum', tuæ meæque delicia?? quid suburbanum amœnissimum? quid illa porticus, verna semper? quid rλatavèv3 opacissimus? quid Euripus viridis et gemmeus? quid subjectus et serviens lacus'? quid illa 5 12 mollis, et tamen solida, gestatio? quid balneum illud, quod plurimus sol implet et circumit? quid triclinia illa popularia 1o? quid illa paucorum? quid popinæ ? quid cubicula diurna" nocturnaque? Possidentne te, et per vices partiuntur? An, ut solebas, intentione rei familiaris obeundæ, crebris excursionibus avocaris? Si te possident, felix beatusque es: sin minùs, unus ex multis 22. Quin tu (tempus est enim) humiles et sordidas curas aliis mandas; et ipse te in alto isto pinguique secessu studiis adseris. Hoc sit negotium tuum, hoc otium; hic labor, hæc quies: in his vigilia, in his etiam somnus reponatur. Effinge aliquid et excude, quod sit perpetuò tuum 14. Nam reliqua rerum tuarum post te alium atque alium dominum sortientur 15: hoc nunquam tuam desinet 13 11 Diurna nocturnaque. Some editions have diurna, nocturna; perhaps a more spirited reading. For an account of the internal arrangement of the Roman houses, consult Gell's Pompeii. 12 Unus ex multis-corresponding to the Greek expression ouros ir iv woλhois, i. e. 'ignoble.' Compare Horace, Ep. 1. 2. 27. Nos numerus sumus. 12 Alto isto pinguique secessu. -Translate pingue 6 tranquil.' Compare VII. 27. Mollis et pinguis vita. Ix. 3. Pingue illud altumque otium. 14 Perpetuò tuum. .Compare Thucyd. 1. 22. Κτημά τε ἐς ἀεί· μᾶλλον, ἢ ἀγώνισμα ἐς τὸ παραχρῆμα ἀκούειν, ξύγκειται. 15 Post te sortientur.-Compare Hor. Sat. II. 2.129. Nam propriæ telluris herum na- |