I can with my pittance I subsidise his narrow means.  I have also begun practising declamation in Greek with Cassius; in Latin I like having my practice with Bruttius.  My intimate friends and daily company are those whom Cratippus brought with him from Mitylene,—­good scholars, of whom he has the highest opinion.  I also see a great deal of Epicrates the leading man at Athens, and Leonides, and people of that sort.  So now you know how I am going on.

“You say something in your letter about Gorgias.  The fact is that I found him very useful in my daily practice of declamation, but I put my father’s injunctions before everything else, and he had written telling me to give up Gorgias at once.  I wouldn’t shilly-shally about it, for fear my making a fuss might put some suspicion in my father’s head.  Moreover it occurred to me that it would be offensive for me to express an opinion on a decision of my father’s.  However, your interest and advice are welcome and acceptable.

“Your apology for want of time I readily accept, for I know how busy you always are.  I am very glad you have bought an estate, and you have my best wishes for the success of your purchase.  Don’t be surprised at my congratulations coming at this point in my letter, for it was at the corresponding point in yours that you told me of this.  You must drop your city manners (urbanitates); you are a ‘rusticus Romanus!’ How clearly I see your dearest face before me at this moment!  I seem to see you buying things for the farm, talking to your bailiff, saving the seeds at dessert in your cloak.  But as to the matter of money, I am sorry I was not there to help you.  Don’t doubt, my dear Tiro, about my helping you in the future, if fortune will but stand by me, especially as I know that this estate has been bought for our mutual advantage.  As to my commissions about which you are taking trouble, many thanks!  I beg you to send me a secretary at the first opportunity, if possible a Greek:  for he will save me much trouble in copying out notes.  Above all, take care of your health, that we may have some literary talk together some day.  I commend Anteros to you.  Adieu.”

CHAPTER VII

THE SLAVE POPULATION

In the last age of the Republic the employment of slave labour reached its high-water mark in ancient history.[306] We have already met with evidence of this in examining the life of the upper classes; in the present chapter we must try to sketch, first, the conditions under which it was possible for such a vast slave system to arise and flourish, and secondly, the economical and ethical results of it both in city and country.  The subject is indeed far too large and complicated to be treated in a single short chapter, but our object throughout this book is only to give such a picture of society in general as may tempt a student to further and more exact inquiry.