Atkins, Sarah: Relics of antiquity, exhibited in the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum: with an account of the destruction and recovery of those celebrated cities (London: St. Harris, St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1825)

82 PLINY THE ELDER.
sion any interruption to his studies; and having,
on one occasion, observed his nephew walking
without a book in his band, he censured him for
misspending his time ; observing, that ‘ he might
employ those hours to more advantage.’ ”
Although his life was comparatively short (for
he died at the age of fifty-six), and although he
was constantly occupied with the duties of his
important and public situations, he was a very
voluminous writer; and when we consider that
he was incessantly engaged in some active service
of the state, we are astonished at the industry
which enabled him to compose so many volumes
on such diversified and abstruse subjects. Of all
his multifarious productions, however, none but
his <s Natural History,” in thirty-seven books,
have been handed dowm to us; but this presents a
lasting proof of the accuracy and diligence of its
learned author, of the extent of his investigations,
and the comprehensiveness of his genius. It
treats of the earth, the stars, the heavens; wind,
rain, hail; minerals, trees, flowers, and plants;
birds, beasts, and fishes; medicines, commerce,
and navigation; and contains also a description
of every place on the globe, then discovered; a
history of the rise and progress of the liberal and
mechanical arts; and of the origin of customs :