RETICULUM, is a Latin word, signifying a little or casting net. It was applied by the Romans to a particular mode of constructing their buildings. In the city of Salino (see SALINO) are still to be seen remains of some walls, evidently of Roman origin from the reticulum. This structure consists of small pieces of baked earth cut lozenge-wise, and disposed with great regularity on the angles, so as to exhibit to the eye the appearance of cut diamonds; and was called reticular, from its resemblance to fishing-nets. The Romans always concealed it under a regular coating of other matter; and Mr Houel informs us, that this was the only specimen of it which he saw in all his travels through Sicily, Malta, and Lipari. It appears to be the remains of some baths, which
(A) The French convention, whose principles are equally new, daring, and destructive of all that is decent or of good report, have decided this question in a very summary way, by decreeing death to be an eternal sleep; a decree equally absurd in itself and fatal in its consequences. Since this article went to the press, however, we have learned, from the most respectable authority, that wild and absurd as the opinion is, it has been industriously propagated in this country, and that in some places it has gained ground. The consequences of this, were it to become general, must indeed be baneful beyond all conception; and we shall afterwards take occasion to expose the opinion and its nefarious consequences at greater length than it is now possible to do in this place. See THEOLOGY.
which have been built for the convenience of sea-bathing.