has apparently done an excellent job by letting Hadrian do the writing. He starts out with "My dear Marc."

HADRIAN (Publius Aelius Hadrianus), who lived from 76 to 138 A.

was Spanish and a relative of Trajan, whom he succeeded as Em! peror in the year 117. He proved a far greater and more successful ruler than his predecessor, for Trajan's reign had been characterized by endless wars. Much more than most rulers of Rome, it can be said of Hadrian that above everything else he sought and cherished-if at all feasible-peace But he also directed the building of many fine libraries, temples, bridges, aqueducts, roads, and even whole new cities. He encouraged agricultural experimentation, worked for liberalized legislation for the less fortunate, was tolerant toward Christianity, and ameliorated the condition of the slave. Concerning the last, he even went so far on one occasion as to banish from Rome a patrician woman who had been given to mistreating her aged slaves. Hadrian was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the codification of the Roman law, which later became a reality under Justinian.

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"Any law," declared Hadrian, "too often subject to infraction is bad, it is the duty of the legislator to repeal or to change it . . ." That Hadrian was a person of great mental power, no one will deny. He coud write and converse while at the same time dictating to four secretaries. Unusually versatile, he delved into everything-music, art, drama, architecture, law, relig. ion, magic, astrology, anatomy, philosophy, geometry, horticulture. In addition, he was a good soldier. And his love poems he wrote in Greek, instead of Latin. Nearly all his waking hours were devoted to intellec-

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tual pursuits and the affairs of state. If there was ever a homosexual who tried to sublimate, it was Hadrian. -3

Then at 28 Hadrian married Sabin, Trajan's great-neice, thus giving heterosexuality a chance He admits that the marriage was a failure although they never divorced because of his position. They were not much together, what with his frequent journeys abroad and her desire to live in separate quarters. She preceded him in death and told him she

was glad she bore him no children, since if she had she would have disliked them because they would undoubtedly resembled him By way of retort, Hadrian says he was less sorry at her passing than at that of a housekeeper who died about the same time. Shortly before his death, however, Hadrian ordered that his wife's remains should be removed and interred near his own.

Hadrian admits he had adulterous relations with several highly placed women-for two reasons, he tells us: curiosity, 'and to obtain state secrets of prominent men by consorting with their wives: He also had intimacies with men before he came upon An-) tinous. Lucius in particular, an 18 year-old son of a friend, was a rather special object of Hadrian's affection before Antinous. A feminine boy, Lucius liked to arrange flowers, recite poetry, and concoct unusual dishes. Hadrian confesses that his memory of Lucius is confined to the "more secret recesses" of ¬ his mind,

But it was Antinous; the Greek lad with the heavy curling hair and perfect feqtures, whom Hadrian really loved. Antinous was 15 or 16, and Hadrian 50 or past, when they met. Hadrian had been visiting in Asia Minor and first saw Antinous seated at the edge of a water basin. So great was his affection for this boy

mattachine REVIEW

from the editor's

NOTEBOOK

EVOLUTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL CONCEPT. Lact issue carried mntion of starting Fattachine chapters in various localities. Mile chapters will alway's remin the basic unit, it's good to report that present areas are coordinating chapter functions under. Area Council setup, whereby chapters actually become only working committees under desimated chairmen, with only one set of area officers to handle: duties of administration, communication and finance. San Francisco instituted this system months ago, Los ADgates followed in late 1954, and has now combined Long Beach newsletter with it This method is under consideration in Chicago, reports the Society 'sresident agent tlcrt. Chicf benefits noted under this system are less paper work, fewer treasury ports; bċtter discusion programs, efficient division of responsibility, eliminated duplication of effort, and centralized control. Various chapters aro actually.desimated as arca units for pro rar, membership, social activities, publications, rescarch, public relations and education under this method of operation. However, first unit organized in, any afcis the chapter, as in the past. In the future, it appears, these new chapters will evolve and grow into arca organizations with working committees. the special BONUS ISSUE AWAITED. Announcement of Christmas issue for subscribers only has resulted in favorable comment. As stated, this issue al go to paid addressees only, not newsstands. The pro duction department hopes to have it in nail by December 10, It will complete volume I for 1955. RELATIONSHIP STILL, COI FUSED, Readers often ask. about the connection between ONE magazine and at tachine Society. Answer, as both have stated previously is: None. Further, no competitive element exists between the two, nor with the Rovicw. Differ