m


and  cabinets  belonging  to  it,  which  were  open  to  all  visitors;  and  the  in*
boa  Greeks  resorted  to  this  ftbode  of  the  muses  to  hold  literary  converse,
in  which  LucuUue  delighted  to  join  thum.  Other  Roman  patricians  haa
patronized  literature,  by  ex  lending  their  protection  to  a  favoured  tew,  as
the  elder  Sr-ipio  Africanus  to  Ennius.  ana  the  younger  to  Terence  j  but
Lucullus  was  the  llrsi  who  encouraged  nil  the  arts  and  sciences,  and  pro-
nnjictl  learning  with  princely  munificence.
*  *  *  4  *  *

**Thu  library  of  Varro,  howevert  and  all  ihe  others  which  we  have  men-
tioned, were  private — open,  indeed,  to  literary  men,  from  the  general
courtesy  of  the  poseeseors,  but  the  access  to  them  still  dependent  on  their

food  will  and  indulgence*  Julius  Caesar  was  the  first  who  formed  the
csicrn  of  establishing  a  great  public  library  [  and  to  Varro  he  assigned  the
task  of  arranging  the  books  which  he  had  procured.  This  plan,  which
was  rendered  abortive  by  the  untimely  fate  of  CffiBar,  was  carried  into
effect  by  Asinius  Pollio,  who  devoted  part  of  the  wealth  he  had  acquired
from  the  spoils  of  war,  to  the  construction  of  a  magnificent  gallery,  adjacent
to  the  Temple  of  Liberty,  which  he  filled  with  books,  and  the  busts  of  ihe
(earned,  Varro  was  the  only  living  author  whot  in  this  public  library,  had
the  hononur  of  an  image,  whi^j  was  erected  to  him  as  a  testimony  of
respect  for  his  universal  erudition.  He  a! bo  aided  Angustat,  with  his
advice,  in  the  formation  of  the  two  libraries  which  that  emperor  established,
and  which  wae  imrt  of  his  general  system  for  the  encouragement  of  science
and  learning."  Vol.  ii.  pp.  "50-53.
