Q Valerius Maximus his collections of the memorable acts and sayings of orators, philosophers, statesmen, and other illustrious persons of the ancient Romans, and other foreign nations, upon various subjects together with the life of that famous historian / newly translated into English.

CHAP. I. Of Matrimonial Ceremonies, and Duty of Re∣lations.

• 1. Good Signes preceding Marriage.
• 2. Marriage-Feasts.
• 3. Women praised for living Widows.
• 4. First Divorce.
• 5. Matrimonial liberty and decency.
• 6. Conjugal Love.
• 7. Modest Consanguinity.
• 8. The Feast of Charistia, or Love.
• 9. Age honoured.
• 10. Youth observed, and in∣structed by example.

WHile we are searching into the rich and potent kingdom of Nature, it will not be unseaso∣nable to take notice of the antient and memorable In∣stitutions, as well of our own City, as of other Nati∣ons. For it is worth our while to know the first ori∣ginal of those happy Manners, and that way of living which we now enjoy under the best of Princes, seeing that the consideration of them may perphaps be profi∣table to the present Customes.

1. Among the Antients there was nothing either publickly or privately undertaken, unless they had first observed the signe; from which Custome, the South-sayers were alwaies consulted before Marriages. And though they have left off the marking of Birds, or bodings of good or bad luck, yet nominally they fol∣low the footsteps of the old Custome.

2. The Women supp'd with the Men sitting, but the Men lay down: which Custome among men was observed in Heaven. For Jupiter is said to sup lying on his Couch, while Juno and Minerva are in∣vited to sit. Which kind of severe Custome our Age more diligently observes in the Capitol than in their Houses: It being more proper to adhere to the Discipline of Goddesses than Women.

3. They that were content to be married but once, were honoured with a Crown of Chastity. For they believed that Matron to have an incorrupted mind, and sincere Loyalty, that would not leave the Chamber where she had first deposited here Virginity; and e∣steemed the experience of many Matrimonies to be a signe of some Incontinency.

4. There was no Divorce between Man and Wife till Five Hundred and Twenty Yeares after the City was built. The first was Spurius Carvilius, who di∣vorced his Wife for being barren. Who though he appeared to have a good excuse for what he did, yet there were that blamed him enough, being such as believed that Conjugal Loyalty was to be preferred be∣fore desire of Children.

5. But that the Honour and Modesty of Matrons might be more sacred, when they were call'd into Court, no man was permitted to touch them, that their Gar∣ments might not be defiled by the contact of a strange hand. The use of Wine was formerly unknown to the Roman Women, for fear it might bring them to any disgrace, because the first degree to forbidden Ve∣nus is from father Bacchus. Yet that their Chastity might not alway occasion undecent retirement, but that they might appear in a comely Garb of converse, through the Indulgence of their Husbands they wore Purple, and ornaments of Gold. For then Corru∣pters of Marriages were not fear'd, but Women

might modestly behold, and chastly be beh••ld.

6. When there was any diff••rence between Hus∣band and Wife, they went to the Chappel of the God∣dess Viriplaca, which is in the Palace: and having li∣berty to talk what they had a minde to, after the heat was over, they returned home very good friends. This Goddess had her name from appeasing of men; wor∣thy of adoration, and to be worshipped not with choice but exquisite Sacrifices: as being the Keeper of dayly and Family-peace, rendring to men and women, under the same yoak of Peace, what is due to the Majesty of men, and the Honour of women.

7. This Modesty among Wives, is it not necessary among other Relations? ••o•• that I may be a small ex∣ample, set forth the great force thereof: formerly neither Father us'd to wash with his Son at age, nor Father-in-law with Son-in-law. Whence it appears, there was as much Religion attributed to Kind••••d and Consanguinity, as to the Immortal Gods; while a∣mong those that were thus ••i'd, it was no more law∣ful to strip themselves, than it was in the Temple.

8. Our Ancestors also instituted a sacred Feast, which was cal••••d Charistia, where none w••re admit∣ted but Kindred; that if there were any difference a∣mong Re••ations, there might be a reconciliation by the help of Friends, in the midst of their sacred Rites and holy M••rch.

9. Youth gave to Old Age such circumspect and manifold Honour, as if the ••lder were the common Fa∣ther of the younger. There upon Council-day, if a∣ny young man waited upon any Senator, Relation, or Friend of his Fa••her, to the Senate, they stay with∣out door till the other came to perform the same duty home again. By which voluntary attendance they accustom'd their bodies and minds to undergo publick Offices, and in a short time became more experienced

in labour and meditation. Being invited to a Feast, they diligently inquired who was to be there, that they might not be forced to rise to give way to their Elder: and when the Cloth was taken away, they always rose and went away first: and all the time of Supper they were very sparing and modest in their discourse.

10. The Elder were wont to sing the famous deeds of their Ancestors, in Verse, at their Festivals, thereby to stir up Youth by imitation thereof. What more splendid or more profitable than this kind of Combat? Youth honour'd Gray Hairs, and superannuated Age encourag'd those who were ready to enter into Action with the nourishment of their favour. What Athens, what School, what forraign Education may I prefer to this Domestick Discipline? This raised the Camilii Sci∣pio's, Fabricii, Marcelii, and Fabii: and that I may not be tedious in recounting all the lights of our noole Empire, thus the most glorious part of Heaven the ••a∣cred Caesars obtained their fame.