carry on unbroken the chain of history-they are unconnected links which the childish mind does not unite. The more voluminous works are generally written in terms too abstruse for a very youthful comprehension, and contain circumstantial accounts of many events, always unnecessary, and often improper for children to be acquainted with. In the hope of, in some measure, supplying this deficiency to the children under the writer's own superintendence, she was induced to put the following pages together, and the possibility that what has been found useful to a few may become more extensively beneficial, prompts her to submit them to the public eye. Reigns of Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Martius, Lucius CHAPTER IV. 35 From the establishment of Military Tribunes to the burning of the city by the Gauls under Brennus 73 80 CHAPTER VII. From the expulsion of the Gauls by Camillus to the retreat of Pyrrhus from Italy CHAPTER VIII. page 89 From the commencement to the termination of the first Punic War CHAPTER IX. .. 110 From the termination of the first Punic War to the capture of Syracuse by Marcellus CHAPTER X. .. 120 From the death of the Gracchi to the death of Sylla.. 139 CHAPTER XII. From the rise of Pompey to the crossing the Rubicon THE RUBICON. CHAPTER I. "MAMMA," said Philip Stratton, looking up with a puzzled, anxious countenance, as his mother entered the room, where he was sitting with his sister, seemingly engaged in studying a map of Italy, which, with several thick volumes, lay upon a table before them. Mamma, I hope you are coming to sit here, as I am very much in want of your assistance." "I am very willing to give you my assistance, my dear boy," replied Mrs. Stratton, "but it must be at another time, for your papa is now ready to hear your Latin lessons." "Then Anne, as I must be off," said Philip, jumping up, "will you tell mamma all our diffi B culties, and when I have done with papa, I shall come back to hear the explanation she has given you." Away ran Philip, and his mother, addressing her little girl, who looked even more puzzled than her brother had done, asked what the weighty concern was. 'Mamma, it is the Rubicon; I cannot understand the Rubicon." "The Rubicon, my love, is the name of a small river in the North of Italy." 'Yes, mamma, so Philip says, and he shewed it to me in this map; but what could a river have to do with his drawing? that is what I cannot understand." "Nor I neither, Anne, at present; though, perhaps, if you were to tell me all that has happened between you and your brother, I might both understand it myself, and enable you to do so too; but first fetch me my work bag, that I may not waste any time." Anne, being quickly returned with the work bag, seated herself by her mamma's side, and began her story. "You know, mamma, that next Monday week will be cousin Mary's birth-day, and we are to spend the whole day with her; as both Philip |