Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 1) (London, 1832)

POJIPEIANA.. 59

mans indulged in draperies of wool or silk
embroidered or striped with gold and pur-
ple. This, however, was not in fashion pre-
viously to the emperors. Guests brought their
own napkins to dinner at private houses; but
as their slaves made it a common practice
to steal what they could wrap up in them on
retiring, the host at length supplied napkins
to his friends. Guests came in white or gay
dresses, the room was sprinkled with per-
fumes, they mounted by steps to a lofty tri-
clinium, sometimes inlaid with ivory, bronze,
and shells, or mother-of-pearl, and reposed
on soft mattresses covered with costly dra-
pery. Their hands and feet were newly
washed, and the latter sometimes fitted with
slippers. Dinner was preceded by oysters,
eggs, asparagus, lettuce, onions, figs, and
mulsum of wine mixed with honey to give
an appetite. Such an extravagant banquet
as must follow is the only one likely to be
left on record. In the ccenacula of Pompeii
there was not space sufficient for those who
were not content to sit at the table with their
backs to the wall. Ladies, indeed, always
sat at table till the time of the Caesars; and

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