of traffic; for, early as it is, the market place is already filling, and every delay promises a loss.  There are still other companions bound toward the city:  countrymen bearing cages of poultry; others engaged in the uncertain calling of driving pigs; swarthy Oriental sailors, with rings in their ears, bearing bales of Phoenician goods from the Peireus; respectable country gentlemen, walking gravely in their best white mantles and striving to avoid the mud and contamination; and perhaps also a small company of soldiers, just back from foreign service, passes, clattering shields and spear staves.

10.  The Gate and the Street Scenes.—­The crowds grow denser as everybody approaches the frequented “Peireus Gate,” for nearly all of Attica which lies within easy reach of Athens has business in the Market Place every morning.  On passing the gate a fairly straight way leads through the city to the market, but progress for the multitude becomes slow.  If it is one of the main thoroughfares, it is now very likely to be almost blocked with people.  There are few late risers at Athens; the Council of Five Hundred[*], the huge Jury Courts, and the Public Assembly (if it has met to-day[+]) are appointed to gather at sunrise.  The plays in the theater, which, however, are given only on certain festivals, begin likewise at sunrise.  The philosophers say that “the man who would accomplish great things must be up while yet it is dark.”  Athenians, therefore, are always awake and stirring at an hour when men of later ages and more cold and foggy climes will be painfully yawning ere getting out of bed.

[*]The “Boule,” the great standing committee of the Athenian people to aid the magistrates in the government.

[+]In which case, of course, the regular courts and the Council would hardly meet.

The Market Place attracts the great masses, but by no means all; hither and thither bevies of sturdy slave girls, carrying graceful pitchers on their heads, are hurrying towards the fountains which gush cool water at most of the street corners.  Theirs is a highly necessary task, for few or no houses have their own water supply; and around each fountain one can see half a dozen by no means slatternly maidens, splashing and flirting the water one at another, while they wait their turn with the pitchers, and laugh and exchange banter with the passing farmers’ lads.  Many in the street crowds are rosy-cheeked schoolboys, walking decorously, if they are lads of good breeding, and blushing modestly when they are greeted by their fathers’ acquaintances.  They do not loiter on the way.  Close behind, carrying their writing tablets, follow the faithful ‘pedagogues,’ the body-servants appointed to conduct them to school, give them informal instruction, and, if need be, correct their faults in no painless manner.  Besides the water maids and the schoolboys, from the innumerable house doors now opening the respective masters are stepping forth—­followed by one, two, or several serving varlets, as many as their wealth affords.  All these join in the crowd entering from the country.  “Athenian democracy” always implies a goodly amount of hustling and pushing.  No wonder the ways are a busy sight!