ave been lost to us. A
metric arrangement of the stories was probably made to aid the singers
in remembering their subject matter. You know how much easier it is to
memorize something that has a swing or rhythm?"

Paul nodded.

"That without question accounts for the poetic form in which some of our
oldest literature has come down to us," Mr. Cameron said. "Then, as good
luck would have it, Roman and Greek slaves were compelled to copy many
of the writings of the time on long rolls of vellum or papyrus, and in
that way more of the ancient literature was preserved. There was only a
small reading public in either Rome or Greece, and those who were
interested in books could secure what they wished through professional
scribes, or could listen to readings of the classics from the portico of
some rich nobleman who had been fortunate enough to secure a copy of
some rare poem or play. Often, too, such things were read in the baths,
which in those days took the place of our modern clubs."

"And that was the way we got our early books?"

"Yes. There were slaves whose duty it was to do nothing but copy
manuscripts for their masters. They were given food, shelter, and
clothing in return for their labors. Of course they were not an educated
class of workers, and in consequence they often made mistakes; but they
served to prevent the total destruction of such classics as--"

"Caesar's Commentaries, I suppose," interrupted Paul mischievously.

"Caesar's writings would have been a great loss," declared his father
good-humoredly.

"Not to me! Nor Cicero's either."

"But are they not all old and interesting as a relic of history?"

"They are more interesting now that you have told me something about
them," admitted Paul, with characteristic honesty.

"Oh, you would find many interesting and even amusing incidents
connected with these early writings, were you to study into the matter,"
continued Mr. Cameron. "Fancy, for example, a hand-written scroll of a
book selling for the equivalent of two cents in our money; and fancy
others not selling at all, and being used by grocers to wrap up spices
and pastries. The modern author thinks he is paid little enough. What, I
wonder, would he say to such treatment?"

Paul laughed.

"Even at a later date when the monks began copying and illuminating
manuscripts there was at first no great demand for them. Learning was
conceded to be the rightful possession of the rich and powerful, and