a loose robe of a slight texture, and generally
white.

Before supper the Romans bathed themselves, and took various kinds of
exercise, such as tennis, throwing the discus or quoit, riding, running,
leaping, &c.

Small figures of Mercury, Hercules and the penates, were placed upon the
table, of which they were deemed the presiding genii; and a small
quantity of wine was poured upon the board, at the commencement and end
of the feast, as a libation in honor of them, accompanied by a prayer.

As the ancients had not proper inns for the accommodation of travellers,
the Romans, when they were in foreign countries, or at a distance from
home, used to lodge at the houses of certain persons whom they in return
entertained at their houses in Rome. This was esteemed a very intimate
connexion, and was called _hospitium_, or _jus hospitii_: hence _hospes_
is put both for a host and a guest.

CHAPTER XXIV.

_Weights, Measures and Coins._

The principal Weight in use among the Romans, was the pound, called _As_
or _Libra_, which was equal to 12 oz. avoirdupoise, or 16 oz. 18 pwts.
and 13-3/4 grains, troy weight. It was divided into twelve ounces, the
names of which were as follow: _Uncia_, 1 oz.--_Sextans_, 2
oz.--_Triens_, 3 oz.--_Quadrans_, 4 oz.--_Quincunx_, 5 oz.--_Semis_, 1/2
lb.--_Septunx_, 7 oz--_Bes_, 8 oz.--_Dodrans_, 9 oz.--_Dextans_, 10
oz.--_Deunx_, 11 oz.

The As and its divisions were applied to anything divided into twelve
parts, as well as to a pound weight. The twelth part of an acre was
called Uncia and half a foot, Semis, &c.

The Measures for Things Dry.--_Modius_, a peck--_Semimodius_, a
gallon--_Sextanus_, a pint--_Hemina_, one-half pint, and 3 smaller
measures, for which we have not equivalent names in English. One Modius
contained 2 _Semimodii_--each Semimodius contained 8 _Sextarii_--each
Sextarius, 2 _Heminae_--each Hemina, 4 _Acetabula_--each Acetabulum,
1-1/2 _Cyathi_--each Cyathus--4 _Ligulae_.

The Liquid Measures of Capacity were the _Culeus_, which was equal to
144-1/2 gallons--it contained 20 _Amphorae_ or _Quadrantales_--each
Amphora, 2 _Urnae_--each Urna, 4 _Congii_--each Congius, 6
_Sextarii_--and each Sextarius, 2 _Quartarii_ or naggins--each
Quartarius, 2 _Heminae_--each Hemina, 3 _Acetabula_ or glasses--each
Acetabulum, 1-1/2 _Cyathi_--and each Cyathus, 4 _Ligulae_.

The Measures of Length in use among the Romans were, _Millarium_ or
_Mille_, a mile--each mile contained 8 _