The higher classes living, here and there, in separate households; but not as eremites.

Some buried themselves in the cool, quivering bosoms of the groves.

Others, fancying a marine vicinity, dwelt hard by the beach in little cages of bamboo; whence of mornings they sallied out with jocund cries, and went plunging into the refreshing bath, whose frothy margin was the threshold of their dwellings.

Others still, like birds, built their nests among the sylvan nooks of the elevated interior; whence all below, and hazy green, lay steeped in languor the island's throbbing heart.
Thus dwelt the chiefs and merry men of mark.

The common sort, including serfs, and Helots, war-captives held in bondage, lived in secret places, hard to find.