THE ARGUMENT.

Continuation of the narrative. The Court removes to Baix. Naples. Palace of Aglaia. Rambles of Eudorus, Augustine and Jerome. Their conversation at the tomb of Scipio. Thraseas, the hermit of Vesuvius. Separation of the three friends. Eudorus returns with the Court to Rome. The catacombs. Adventure of the Empress Prisca and her daughter the Princess Valeria. Eudorus is sent in banishment to the army of Constantius. He leaves Rome. He traverses Italy and Gaul. He arrives at Agrippina upon the banks of the Rhine. He finds the Roman army prepared to attack the Franks. He serves as a private soldier among the Cretan archers, who with the Gauls compose the advance guard of the army of Constantius.

BOOK V.

"THE impression which the events of this fatal day made upon my mind, although now lively and profound, was then speedily effaced. My companions crowded around me; they laughed at my fears and at my remorse; they ridiculed the anathemas of an obscure pontiff possessed of neither credit nor power.

"The removal of the Court soon after from Rome to Baix, by withdrawing me from the scene

of my errors, relieved me from the recollection of their punishment; and believing myself now separated forever from the Christians, I determined to indulge in every species of pleasure.

“I might reckon the summer which I passed, with Augustine and Jerome, in the vicinity of Naples amongst the happiest days of my life, if happy days could ever be experienced whilst living in the total forgetfulness of God, and in the unrestrained indulgence of the passions.

"The Court was splendid and magnificent: all the princes who were either friends or children of the Cæsars, were assembled at this place. There

were Licinius* and Severus,† companions in arms of Galerius; Daia, nephew to the same Cæsar and but lately emerged from his native wilds; Maxentius, son of Maximian Augustus. But Constantine preferred our society to that of these princes, who were jealous of his virtue, his valour and his great renown, and both publicly and privately his enemies.

"We generally met at Naples, at the palace of Aglaia, a Roman lady whose name I have already mentioned. She was of senatorial rank and daughter of the pro-consul of Arsatia. Her wealth was immense. Seventy-three intendants managed her estates, and three times had she given public games at her own expense. Her beauty was equal to her talents and accomplishments: she united in her person whatever yet remained of elegance in manners, and of taste in letters and in arts. Happy, had she, in the decline of Rome, chosen rather to become a second Cornelia,|| than to re

Licinius, upon the death of Severus, became Augustus. Ch. Severus was made Cæsar after the abdication of Dioclesian, and Augustus after the death of Constantius. Ch.

Daia became Cæsar upon the abdication of Augustus. Ch § The tyrant who usurped the purple and was vanquished by Constantine at the gates of Rome. Ch.

This is the celebrated Cornelia who, when a lady had exhibited her jewels at Cornelia's house, and begged to be indulged with the sight of her's in return, produced her two sons, the illustrious Gracchi, saying "These are the only

cal to our remembrance those too celebrated females whose fame dwells only in the verses of Ovid, Propertius and Tibullus!

"Sebastian* and Pacomus,† centurions in the guards of Constantine; Genes, an eminent actor, who inherited the talents of Roscius; Boniface, principal intendant of the palace of Aglaia, and perhaps too dear to his mistress-embellished by their wit and gaiety the feasts of the voluptuous Roman. Boniface, however, although wholly devoted to pleasure, was possessed of three excellent qualities-hospitality, liberality and compassion. In returning from his orgies and festivals, he would visit those places where he might afford relief to the traveller, the stranger or the poor. Aglaia herself, in the midst of these disorders, preserved a sincere respect for the Faithful, and an unshaken confidence in the relics of Martyrs.

jewels that I have to shew." She was the daughter of Scipio Africanus, and wife of Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, who held the consulship in the year 177 B. C. After her decease the Romans erected a statue to her memory, bearing this inscription

"To Cornelia, mother of the Gracchi."

* The military martyr, surnamed the defender of the Roman church. Ch.

†The hermit of the Thebais who carried arms under Constantine. Ch.

The Martyr. § The Martyr.

Genes, the avowed enemy of the Christians, ridiculed her weakness.

"Well," said she, “I also have my super"stitions. I believe there is a virtue in the re"mains of that Christian who has suffered death "for his God; and I wish that Boniface would (6 procure me some relics."

"Illustrious lady," replied Boniface smiling, "I will take gold and perfumes. I will seek for "relics and lay them at your feet: but if you can 66 esteem my relics as those of a martyr, behold 46 they are yours!"

"Our evenings were generally spent in this seducing and dangerous society. I resided, with Augustine and Jerome, in the villa of Constantine, which is built upon the declivity of Mount Pausillipe. Every morning, at the earliest blushes of Aurora, did I repair to a portico that stretches along the sea. The sun arose before me upon Vesuvius, illuminating with his softest rays the mountains of Salernum, the azure expanse of the sea speckled with the white sails of the fishermen, the islands of Capræa, Enaria and Prochita, the ocean, the promontory of Misenum, and Baiæ with all its enchantments.

"Flowers and fruits, moistened with dew, are less sweet and grateful than Naples rising from the shades of night. I was always surprized, on arriving at the portico, to find myself upon the shore-as the noise of the waves scarcely ever