Note 014 Sidonius (1. ii. Epist. 9) has described the country life of the Gallic nobles, in a visit which he made to his friends, whose estates were in the neighbourhood of Nismes. The morning hours were spent in the sphaeristerium or tennis-court, or in the library, which was furnished with Latin authors, profane and religious- the former for the men, the latter for the ladies. The table was twice served, at dinner and supper, with hot meat (boiled and roast) and wine. During the intermediate time, the company slept, took the air on horseback, and used the warm bath.

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The History Of The Decline and Fall Of The Roman Empire— Chapter 36