In the investigations concerning the agrarian institutions I have made frequent and considerable use of the works and fragments which treat of the art of dividing lands. The collection of these works, at least in the latest of the three different editions which were publisht during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, each subsequent one containing fresh matter derived from manuscripts, is by no means rare even in common private libraries; yet at the same time, as has been remarkt already, it is less known than any other work of ancient profane literature. One would hardly believe that in books on literary history it is classed under the head of agriculture: and although a few quotations here and there seem to shew that in our days these writings are rather less neglected than they used to be, yet it is quite plain that they are still a sealed mysterious book, wherein only such scattered passages are noticed as are intelligible when taken apart from the rest, such as may be found even in the volumes of the cabbalists.

For me these writings from several causes have had a peculiar charm. There is always some kind of attraction in whatever is mysterious and difficult: and as I derived much instruction from them when I learnt in some degree to understand them, they called forth a feeling of gratitude, which excites a particularly lively interest even in neglected books.