We note that libraries were placed in the baths, as we did above in the case of the Ulpian library, which was in the Baths of Diocletian. If you ask why, I would say because the Romans, while caring for the body in the bath, found their minds at ease, and discovered that then was a favourable time, especially for those who were deeply engrossed in affairs, to read or to be read to. For a like reason they had books in their villas and country seats. There also they found a leisure and a freedom from care which were favourable to reading. A decision of the jurisconsult Paulus calls attention to this custom of having libraries: “In a legacy of real estate any books and any library which are in the house pass to the legatee.” Pliny says, speaking of his own villa, “A bookcase is built into the wall, thus forming, as it were, a little library.” Martial praises the library at the country-place of a certain other Julius Martial, as follows: Thou lovely country library, Whence thy lord views the city nigh, If, ’mongst his serious studys, place My wanton muse may find, and grace, To these sev’n books afford a roome, Though on the lowest shelf, which come Corrected by their author’s penn.[4] FOOTNOTES: [4] _Translation from a sixteenth century MS. Bohn._ CHAPTER IX _The Decoration of Libraries with Ivory and with Glass. Bookcases and Shelves, Tables and Seats._ I have now gone rapidly over the early history of libraries and have mentioned those of which time has not destroyed all records. As to what I have written, I must confess that it is but a trivial mention of a great subject,--as the old saying goes, “a drop of water out of a full bucket.” Yet I have said enough, perhaps, to act as an incentive or to serve as an example. I shall add a few words on the decoration of libraries and the arrangement of their books. From Isidore I learn that the more experienced architects did not think that the ceilings of libraries should be gilded, or that the floors should be made of any but Carystian marble; this because the glitter of gold is rather tiring to the eyes, while the green of Carystian marble rests them. This is good advice from whomever it may have come. True it is, as my own experience proves, that a brilliant light is disturbing to the attention and makes writing difficult; and green is a colour which seems to rest and refresh the eyes.