Before eating, it was customary to cut off some part of the meat, which was first put into a pan, or little dish, then into the fire, as an offering to the household gods: this they called a Libation.
Note III.
Drawn from the root of some old Tuscan tree.—P. [232].
The Tuscans were accounted of most ancient nobility. Horace observes this in most of his compliments to Mæcenas, who was derived from the old kings of Tuscany; now the dominion of the Great Duke.
Note IV.
Who, clad in purple, canst thy censor greet.—P. [232].
The Roman knights, attired in the robe called trabea, were summoned by the censor to appear before him, and to salute him in passing by, as their names were called over. They led their horses in their hand. See more of this in Pompey's Life, written by Plutarch.
Note V.
Sicilian tortures, and the brazen bull.—P. [233].