than three hundred thousand persons could be seated in the Circus Maximus !

But to return to the Coliseum: we went up under the conduct of a guide upon the walls and terraces, or embankments which supported the ranges of seats. The seats have long since disappeared; and grass overgrows the spots where the pride, and power, and wealth, and beauty of Rome sat down to its barbarous entertainments. What thronging life was here then!--what voices, what greetings, what hurrying footsteps up the staircases of the eighty arches of entrance! And now, as we picked our way carefully through the decayed passages, or cautiously ascended some mouldering flight of steps, or stood by the lonely walls-ourselves silent, and, for a wonder, the guide silent too-there was no sound here but of the bat; and none came from without but the roll of a distant carriage, or the convent bell from the summit of the neighbouring Esquiline.

It is scarcely possible to describe the effect of moonlight upon this ruin. Through a hundred rents in the broken walls, through a hundred lonely arches and blackened passage-ways, it streamed in, pure, bright, soft, lambent, and yet distinct and clear, as if it came there at once to reveal, and cheer, and pity the mighty desolation. But if the Coliseum is a mournful and desolate spectacle as seen from within, without, and especially on the side which is in best preservation, it is glorious. We passed around it; and, as we looked upward, the moon shining through its arches, from the opposite side it appeared as if it were the coronet of the heavens, so vast was it, or like a glorious crown upon the brow of night.

I feel that I do not and can not describe this mighty ruin. I can only say that I came away paralyzed, and as passive as a child. A soldier stretched out his hand for a gratuity, as we passed the guard; and when my companion said I did wrong to give, I told him that I should have given my cloak if the man had asked it. Would you break any spell that worldly feeling or selfish sorrow may have spread over your mind, go and see the Coliseum by moonlight.

DEWEY.

That we become a part of what has been, Ere ceased the inhuman shout which hailed And grow unto the spot, all-seeing, but

unseen.

And here the buzz of eager nations ran, In murmured pity, or loud-roared applause,

As man was slaughtered by his fellow

man.

And wherefore slaughtered? wherefore,

but because

Such were the bloody Circus' genial laws, And the imperial pleasure.--Wherefore not?

What matters where we fall to fill the maws

Of worms-on battle-plains or listed spot?

the wretch who won.

He heard it, but he heeded not-his eyes

Were with his heart, and that was far

away:

He recked not of the life he lost, nor prize;

But where his rude hut by the Danube

lay

There were his young barbarians all at play,

There was their Dacian mother-hi their sire,

Butchered to make a Roman holiday.-All this rushed with his blood.-Shall he expire,

Both are but theatres where the chief actors And unavenged?-Arise, ye Goths, and glut

rot.

your ire!

BYRON.

THE STORY OF HORATIUS.

A LEGEND OF ANCIENT ROME.

THE early history of Rome, as recorded by Livy and other Latin writers, was probably compiled from legendary poems that had been transmitted from generation to generation, and often rehearsed at the banquets of the great. The historian Macaulay has aimed at reconstructing some of these poetic legends, which he has given to the world under the title of "Lays of Ancient Rome." As a specimen of these beautiful and stirring poems, the "Story of Horatius" is here given.

It is stated by all the Latin historians, that, a few years after the expulsion of the Tarquins for their despotism and crimes, the neighbouring Etruscans, to which nation they belonged, endeavoured to restore the tyrants to power, and came against Rome with an overwhelming force. The Romans, repulsed at first, fled across a wooden bridge over the Tiber, when the Roman Consul ordered the bridge to be destroyed, to prevent the enemy from entering the city. The continuation of the legend is supposed to be narrated by one of the Roman minstrels, at a period one hundred years later than the events recorded:

But the Consul's brow was sad,

And the Consul's speech was low,
And darkly looked he at the wall,
And darkly at the foe.
"Their van will be upon us

Before the bridge goes down;

And if they once may win the bridge,
What hope to save the town?"

Then out spake brave Horatius,
The captain of the gate:
To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late;
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,

And the temples of his gods!

Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul,
With all the speed ye may;
I, with two more to help me,
Will hold the foe in play.
In yon strait path a thousand

May well be stopped by three;
Now, who will stand on either hand,
And keep the bridge with me?"

Then out spake Spurius Lartius,---
A Ramnian proud was he:

"Lo, I will stand at thy right hand,
And keep the bridge with thee."
And out spake strong Herminius,-
Of Titian blood was he:
"I will abide on thy left side,
And keep the bridge with thee."

"Horatius," quoth the Consul,

As thou say'st, so let it be."
And straight against that great array
Forth went the dauntless three.

For Romans in Rome's quarrel

Spared neither land nor gold,
Nor son nor wife, nor limb nor life,
In the brave days of old.

Then none was for a party;

Then all were for the state;
Then the great man helped the poor,
And the poor man loved the great;
Then lands were fairly portioned;
Then spoils were fairly sold:
The Romans were like brothers
In the brave days of old.

Meanwhile the Tuscan army,

Right glorious to behold,
Came flashing back the noonday light,
Rank behind rank, like surges bright
Of a broad sea of gold.
Four hundred trumpets sounded

A peal of warlike glee,

As that great host, with measured tread,
And spears advanced, and ensigns spread,
Rolled slowly toward the bridge's head,

Where stood the dauntless three.

The three stood calm and silent,
And looked upon the foes,
And a great shout of laughter

From all the vanguard rose:
And forth three chiefs came spurring
Before that mighty mass;

To earth they sprang, their swords they
drew,

And lifted high their shields, and flew
To win the narrow pass.

[But the scorn and laughter of the Etruscans were soon changed to wrath and curses, for their chiefs were quickly laid

low in the dust at the feet of the "daunt- | regained the opposite bank in safety.