_Martial's Distribution of Hours_ (Vol. iv., p. 273.).--Martial's
distribution of hours and employments seems to me to be as
follows:--From 6 till 8 the visits of the "salutantes" are received;
from 8 till 9 the law tribunals are attended; from 9 till 11 the "varii
labores" occupy; from 11 till 12 the "quies." The expression "in
quintam" must bring us to the end of the 5th hour; and the "sexta hora"
must be that which concludes at 12.
Your inquirer A. E. B. might have further asked what is the difference
between the "quies" of the "sexta," and the "finis" of the "septima." To
understand this is to understand the difficulty which he propounds. I
apprehend the "quies" not to mean the "siesta," but that gradual and
perhaps irregular cessation or suspension of employments which precedes
the close of business for the day. The "siesta" is the "finis" of
Martial, which would thus fall between 12 and 1; that time of the day at
which A. E. B. fixes it rightly. I think he errs in identifying the
"siesta" with the "sexta hora."
To question 214 I may be allowed to reply, that the effect of moonlight
upon the face of those who sleep exposed to it in hot climates is very
severe indeed, producing an appearance not very unlike that of a swollen
and putrescent corpse. The Psalmist refers to it Ps. cxxi. 6.; and all
who have lived in the East Indies are well acquainted with the
phenomenon.