Little groups, removed as far as possible from the neighbourhood of the noisy plebeians, were scattered about, either engaged in animated conversation, or listlessly succumbing to the lassitude induced by a recent bath.

An instant's attention to the subject of discourse among the more active of these individuals will aid us in pursuing our social revelations.
The loudest voice among the speakers at this particular moment proceeded from a tall, thin, sinister-looking man, who was haranguing a little group of listeners with great vehemence and fluency.
'I tell you, Socius,' said he, turning suddenly upon one of his companions, 'that, unless new slave-laws are made, my calling is at an end.

My patron's estate requires incessant supplies of these wretches.
I do my best to satisfy the demand, and the only result of my labour is, that the miscreants either endanger my life, or fly with impunity to join the gangs of robbers infesting our woods.' 'Truly I am sorry for you; but what alteration would you have made in the slave-laws ?' 'I would empower bailiffs to slay upon the spot all slaves whom they thought disorderly, as an example to the rest!' 'What would such a permission avail you?
These creatures are necessary, and such a law would exterminate them in a few months.

Can you not break their spirit with labour, bind their strength with chains, and vanquish their obstinacy with dungeons ?' 'All this I have done, but they die under the discipline, or escape from their prisons.

I have now three hundred slaves on my patron's estates.