Book i

. El. viii. 1. 94, and the Note.]

[Footnote 772: The loosely-clad pedlar.--Ver. 421. Institor' was properly a person who sold wares, and kept a 'taberna' or 'shop' on account of another. Sometimes free persons, but more frequently slaves, were 'institores.']

[Footnote 773: A promissory note.--Ver. 428. 'Syngraphus/ or 'syngrapha,' was a 'bill' 'bond,' or 'promissory note,' which was most probably the kind of writing that the pedlar would here require. It may possibly mean a cheque upon his bankers, the 'argentarii' of Rome.]

[Footnote 774: Not to have learned.--Ver. 428. The reading here seems to be non didicisse juvat.' 4 It is not to your advantage that you have learned (to write).' The other reading, 'ne didicisse juvet,' may be rendered, '(perhaps) it may be no advantage that you have learned (to write).']

[Footnote 775: Birth day cake.--Ver. 429. See the Amores, Book i . El. viii. 1. 94.]

[Footnote 776: The jewel.--Ver. 432. For an account of the earrings of the ancients, see the Notes to the Metamorphoses,