p-son to prosecute his studies,
had written for him with his own hand, in which he made extravagant
provision for the dinner-expenses of the Caesar, Julian now forbade
pheasants, or sausages, or even sow's udder to be served up to him,
contenting himself with the cheap and ordinary food of the common
soldiers.

4. Hereupon arose his custom of dividing his nights into three portions,
one of which he allotted to rest, one to the affairs of the state, and
one to the study of literature; and we read that Alexander the Great had
been accustomed to do the same, though he practised the rule with less
self-reliance. For Alexander, having placed a brazen shell on the ground
beneath him, used to hold a silver ball in his hand, which he kept
stretched outside his bed, so that when sleep pervading his whole body
had relaxed the rigour of his muscles, the rattling of the ball falling
might banish slumber from his eyes.

5. But Julian, without any instrument, awoke whenever he pleased; and
always rising when the night was but half spent, and that not from a bed
of feathers, or silken coverlets shining with varied brilliancy, but
from a rough blanket or rug, would secretly offer his supplications to
Mercury, who, as the theological lessons which he had received had
taught him, was the swift intelligence of the world, exciting the
different emotions of the mind. And thus removed from all external
circumstances calculated to distract his attention, he gave his whole
attention to the affairs of the republic.

6. Then, after having ended this arduous and important business, he
turned and applied himself to the cultivation of his intellect. And it
was marvellous with what excessive ardour he investigated and attained
to the sublime knowledge of the loftiest matters, and how, seeking as it
were some food for his mind which might give it strength to climb up to
the sublimest truths, he ran through every branch of philosophy in
profound and subtle discussions.

7. Nevertheless, while engaged in amassing knowledge of this kind in
all its fullness and power, he did not despise the humbler
accomplishments. He was tolerably fond of poetry and rhetoric, as is
shown by the invariable and pure elegance, mingled with dignity, of all
his speeches and letters. And he likewise studied the varied history of
our own state and of foreign countries. To all these accomplishments was
added a very tolerable degree of eloquence in the Latin language.

8.