LATRINÆ, were public houses of office, or necessaries, amongst the Romans. We do not find, in the writings or buildings that remain of antiquity, that they had any privies in their dwellings. The latrines were public places where the slaves washed and emptied their matters close stools. We are pretty well assured that the Romans had public places of convenience, which were covered over, and had a sponge hanging up in them for cleanliness. Rich men had close stools, which were taken away occasionally to the common sewers.