"Oh, Philip! Torquitius shall be my hero," exclaimed Anne: "that was really loving his country: was it not, mamma?"

"It was indeed, Anne, and I am glad you think so. I agree with you in considering him a greater hero, in conquering his pride for the sake of his country, than those who conquered thousands of its enemies. Continue, Philip, if you please."

"Cincinnatus," resumed Philip, "on arriving at the city, soon collected an army, and putting himself at its head, marched all night, and reached the enemy before day. Immediately, a loud shout was raised, to inform the consul's army that relief was at hand: the imprisoned Romans were, of course, as much delighted as the Equi; the enemy, with whom they were contending, were surprised at finding themselves enclosed in a worse trap than that in which they had shut up the Romans, as they had now an enemy on each side. They offered to yield to Cincinnatus upon his own terms, and he gave them their lives, but obliged them to pass under the yoke."

"The yoke,-what was that?"

"Oh, I had forgotten you did not know. Two spears were set upright in the ground,

and a third laid across them; passing under these was considered a great disgrace, and a mark of servitude. The plunder of the enemy's camp, Cincinnatus gave to his own soldiers, refusing any of it himself. He then returned to Rome, gave up his dictatorship, which he had only held fourteen days, and once more went back to his dear little cottage. Now, Anne, what do you say to my favorite?" "That he deserved to have been a Christian, Philip; but let mamma go on."

"I told you, my dear, that every rank of people was discontented, and required change. The Romans had, until now, been governed without any laws, except the judgment of the magistrates; as their decisions were not always agreeable, disturbances often took place, and, at last, all parties agreed in wishing to have a written body of laws, hoping it would put an end to much contention. Accordingly, three senators were chosen, and sent as ambassadors to the Greek cities in Italy, and to Athens, in order to bring home such laws as had been proved by experience to be most useful."

"That, mamma, was the wisest thing the Romans have ever done; laws that had been tried and found useful, must be better than new

ones, made by any person who should happen

to possess power.'"

"But do you suppose, Anne, that what suited one people would be sure to suit another? These ambassadors went in such a manner as should give the world at large an idea of the power of Rome, and after a year's absence they brought back those laws which, afterwards, formed the ten tables, and, with the addition of two more, made the famous code called the laws of the twelve tables, of which there are some remains even to this day. When the ambassadors returned, ten of the principal senators were chosen to arrange these laws, their power was to be absolute, and to continue in force one year. These magistrates were called Decemviri."

"Because there were ten of them, Anne,” interrupted Philip.

ration.

"The Decemviri agreed to exercise their power in turns, one day at a time; and at first gave satisfaction to all parties, by their modeAt the end of the year, pretending that there was still something more to arrange respecting the laws, they procured their reelection, and a second decemvirate was formed. They now threw off the mask, and became

tyrants in every sense of the word: yet, as their power was only to continue in force another year, the people bore with their ill-treatment, hoping that it would soon be over. This, however, was not the intention of the Decemviri, for a design was formed by Appius, with the assistance of his colleagues, to retain their power for ever, without the consent of either senate or people. Sad, indeed, was the condition of the Romans, under these harsh masters. Many of the best men were either banished from the city, or left it voluntarily, unwilling to behold the misery of their countrymen. This lasted until the end of the year, when the Decemviri made a law, by which they continued themselves in office. The Equi and Volsci, encouraged by the disputes of the Romans, again appeared in arms."

"Ah! mamma, the old fable of the man, his sons, and the bundle of sticks, that could only be broken when divided !"

"Yes, Anne, its aptness is shown even in the Roman history. The Decemviri were now obliged to ask assistance from the senate, who enabled them to raise and command an army, but such was the general detestation excited by their present rulers, that the soldiers suf

ferred themselves to be defeated, and the news of the defeat was received with joy at Rome. Instances of oppression occurred daily, but two in particular roused the indignation of the people, and ended in this yoke being thrown off. The first was the death of Siccius Dentatus, of whom Philip may like to relate some particulars to-morrow, but we have been so deeply engaged to-day, that I fear we have exceeded the hour allowed by your papa for Philip's stay with us."