s human life, nor ministers to health or enjoyment. But in the
Aqueducts of Rome we note both the marvel of their construction and
the rare wholesomeness of their waters. When you look at those rivers,
led as it were over piled up mountains, you would think that their
solid stony beds were natural channels, through so many ages have they
borne the rush of such mighty waters. And yet even mountains are
frequently undermined, and let out the torrents which have excavated
them; while these artificial channels, the work of the ancients, never
perish, if reasonable care be taken of their preservation.

[Footnote 473: 'Trajani Forum vel sub assiduitate videre miraculum
est.']

'Let us consider how much that wealth of waters adds to the adornment
of the City of Rome. Where would be the beauty of our _Thermae_, if
those softest waters were not supplied to them?

'Purest and most delightful of all streams glides along the _Aqua
Virgo_, so named because no defilement ever stains it. For while all
the others, after heavy rain show some contaminating mixture of
earth, this alone by its ever pure stream would cheat us into
believing that the sky was always blue above us. Ah! how express these
things in words worthy of them? The _Aqua Claudia_ is led along on the
top of such a lofty pile that, when it reaches Mount Aventine, it
falls from above upon that lofty summit as if it were watering some
lowly valley. It is true that the Egyptian Nile, rising at certain
seasons, brings its flood of waters over the land under a cloudless
sky; but how much fairer a sight is it to see the Roman Claudia
flowing with a never-failing stream over all those thirsty mountain
tops, and bringing purest water through a multitude of pipes to so
many baths and houses. When Nile retreats he leaves mud behind him;
when he comes unexpectedly he brings a deluge. Shall we not then
boldly say that our Aqueducts surpass the famous Nile, which is so
often a terror to the dwellers on his banks either by what he brings
or by what he leaves behind him? It is in no spirit of pride that we
enumerate these particulars, but in order that you may consider how
great diligence should be shown by you to whom such splendid works are
entrusted.

'Wherefore, after careful consideration, we entrust you for this
Indiction with the _Comitiva Formarum_, that you may zealously strive
to accomplish what the maintenance of such noble structures requires.
Especially as to the hurtf