man who could so trust to the word of another, could not have been false to his own promise."

“I think not, my dear Philip; another battle soon followed, in which, although the Romans were again defeated, Pyrrhus lost a considerable part of his troops. Before the two armies again met, Fabricius, who was chosen consul, received a letter from the physician of king Pyrrhus, offering, for a reward, to poison his master, and deliver the Romans from their dangerous enemy, which would end the war. Great was the indignation of Fabricius at such an infamous proposal, and, after consulting with the other consul, the letter was sent back to Pyrrhus, lamenting that, while he trusted and favoured such a wretch, he was fighting against the generous and brave. Pyrrhus received this letter with mixed feelings of surprise at the generosity of the Romans, and anger at the treachery of his physician, and broke out into the celebrated exclamation of 'Admirable, Fabricius! it would be as easy to turn the sun from his course, as to make thee move out of the paths of honour.' He instantly ordered the Roman prisoners to be sent back to Rome without ransom, and again offered to treat

about peace. The Romans in return released an equal number of prisoners, but refused peace on any other conditions than before.Another battle followed, in which the Romans were victorious; they had become accustomed to the elephants, and, by throwing fireballs amongst them, had rendered them useless. Pyrrhus now finding he had no longer any hope of success, resolved to quit Italy; he accordingly called together the Tarentines, informed them that he was wanted at home, and took his leave of them for ever."

"What became of him, mamma?"

"He was killed by the hand of a woman, who threw a tile upon his head, as he was trying to take the city of Argos. Tarentum soon after fell into the power of the Romans. This appears to have been the time when this great people were most celebrated for the practice of virtue. A contempt of riches, and a love of frugality pervaded all classes; and their fame was spread to such distant regions that Ptolemy Philadelphus sent ambassadors to solicit their friendship. This is, I think, a good opportunity for us to leave off until to-morrow."

L

CHAPTER VIII.

"MAMMA, you said yesterday that the Romans had reached their highest point of goodness; I fear then that they will grow wicked, for you have often told me that we cannot stand still, but that we must either become better or worse."

"That remark, my dear Anne, does not so much apply to a nation, which is formed of many different characters, some of whom may be improving, while others are degenerating, or, as you call it, growing worse, as to the human disposition, taken singly, which I firmly believe can never be stationary; for, unless the best of men be constantly on their guard to improve every passing moment, they may be led into many faults, merely from not supposing it possible they could commit them. Even St.

Paul speaks of constant exertion, lest he, himself, whilst correcting others, should become a castaway. However this may be, we will continue our story, and let the Roman character be judged from that. About this time, a great change took place in the Romans. They had become acquainted with foreign nations, which had polished their manners, and the refinements and elegances of Greece were introduced into Rome: this caused their artisans to become more numerous."

"Artisan, mamma ?”

'Artisan, my love, means one who follows some art or trade."

"Then war did produce some advantages to them, mamma?"

'Yes, but it also brought with it disadvantages also the number of husbandmen or labourers grew less, and enough corn was not raised to supply their increased numbers; they were, consequently, obliged to procure it from foreign countries, and, as Sicily had the largest quantity to dispose of, they began to wish for the possession of a country which would be so useful to them. A pretence was soon found for interfering in its affairs. The Carthaginians, at that time, possessed the greatest part of the

Island of Sicily, and only wanted a pretence to seize the whole. The king of Syracuse, one of the unconquered states, entreated their assistance against the Mamertines, who were also still independent. The Carthaginians eagerly seized the opportunity, by encouraging the quarrels of the natives, of increasing their own power, and sent the assistance asked for. The Mamertines, on their side, put themselves under the protection of the Romans, who immediately declared war against Carthage, giving as a reason, that that city had formerly assisted the southern states of Italy against them. Thus commenced the first of those wars between Rome and Carthage, called Punic Wars."

Why so, mamma ?"

The word Punic is a corruption of Phæni or Pœni, which name belonged to the Carthaginians, who were originally a Phoenician colony. The Carthaginians, it is said by the Roman historians, were so remarkable for being faithless to their engagements, that the word Punicus, or Carthaginian, became synonimous with false or treacherous, in which sense it is used by the Roman poets; but as this is an assertion of their enemies, it ought, probably, to be received with some doubt. The power of these two great