XXX. Lacedæmonian customs, according to Plutarch, were these: they were very temperate in their eating and drinking, their most delicate dish being a pottage made for the nourishment of ancient people. They taught their children to write and read, to obey the magistrates, to endure labour, and to be bold in danger: the teachers of other sciences were not so much as admitted in Lacedæmonia.--They had but one garment, and that new once a year. They rarely used baths or oil, the custom of those parts of the world.--They accustomed their youth to travel by night without light, to use them not to be afraid.--The old governed the young; and those of them who obeyed not the aged, were punished.--It was a shame not to bear reproof among the youth; and among the aged, matter of punishment not to give it. They made ordinary cheer, on purpose to keep out luxury; holding, that mean fare kept the spirit free, and the body fit for action. They permitted not their youth to travel, lest they should corrupt their manners; and for the same reason they permitted not strangers to dwell amongst them, that conformed not to their way of living. In this they were so strict, that such of their youth that were not educated in their customs, enjoyed not the privileges of natives. They would suffer neither comedies nor tragedies to be acted in their country. They condemned a soldier but for painting his buckler of several colours: and publicly punished a young man for having learned but the way to a town given to luxury. They also banished an orator for bragging, that he could speak a whole day upon any subject: for they did not like much speaking, much less for a bad cause.--They buried their dead without any ceremony or superstition; for they only used a red cloth upon the body, broidered with olive leaves; this burial had all degrees. Mourning they forbad, and epitaphs too.--When they prayed to God, they stretched forth their arms, which with them was a sign that they must do good works, as well as make good prayers. They asked of God but two things, patience in labour, and happiness in well-doing.