43. We may learn from Seneca Epist. cxxiii., three curious
circumstances relative to the journeys of the Romans. 1.
They were preceded by a troop of Numidian light-horse, who
announced by a cloud of dust the approach of a great man. 2.
Their baggage-mules transported not only the precious vases
but even the fragile vessels of crystal and 'murra', which
last is almost proved, by the learned French translator of
Seneca (tom. iii. p. 402-422), to mean the porcelain of
China and Japan. 3. The beautiful faces of the young slaves
were covered with a medicated crust, or ointment, which
secured them against the effects of the sun and frost.