Rome
.Founders of Rome. (1) Romulus, the legendary founder, B.C. 752; (2) Camillus was termed the Second Romulus, for saving Rome from the Gauls, B.C. 365; (3) Caius Maʹrius was called the Third Romulus, for saving Rome from the Teutoʹnes and Cimbri, B.C. 101.
From Rome to May. A bantering expression, equivalent to the following:—“From April to the foot of Westminster Bridge;” “Inter pascha Rennesque feror” (Reinardus, ii. 690); “Inter Cluniacum et Sancti festa Johannis obit” (Reinardus, iv. 972); “Cela sʹest passé entre Maubeuge et la Pentecóte.”
ʹTis ill sitting at Rome and striving with the Pope. Never tread on a man’s corns. “Never wear a brown hat in Friesland” (q.v.).
“Mr. Harrison the steward, and Gudyell the butler, are no very fond oʹus, and it’s ill sitting at Rome and striving with the pope, sae I thought it best to flit before ill came.”—Sir W. Scott: Old Mortality, chap. viii.
Oh, that all Rome had but one head, that I might strike it off at a blow! Caligula, the Roman emperor, is said to have uttered this amiable sentiment.
When you go to Rome, do as Rome does—i.e. conform to the manners and customs of those amongst whom you live, and donʹt wear a brown hat in Friesland. St. Monʹica and her son St. Augustine, said to St. Ambrose: At Rome they fast on Saturday, but not so at Milan; which practice ought to be observed? To which St. Ambrose replied, “When I am at Milan, I do as they do at Milan; but when I do as they do at Milan; but when I go to Rome, I do as Rome does.” (Epistle xxxvi.) Compare 2 Kings v. 18, 19.
