ruling passion of the Romans, the love of fame, or the wish to be thought well of, and spoken of after death, which a Christian will consider as but a poor foundation for goodness."

"Poor, indeed, mamma; but as God is so just, do you not think he will make allowances for that ignorance which is not wilful?"

"We need not feel anxious about that, my dear Anne: our God is not only just, but merciful, and he will be the judge both of the Heathen and Christian; however, I think you now perceive the necessity of setting a guard over your feelings, while you read of the heroes of old times, lest, in your admiration of their many and great virtues, you forget the humbler graces of the Christian character, which are absolutely necessary to perfection."

"I do indeed, mamma, and I will try to admire the ancient hero, as one who does one or two great actions, which I take a pleasure in reading of, but which are out of my power to imitate. But the Christians I will think of as often as I can their examples will be useful to me in every moment of my life, and if I follow them, I shall be a good, humble, and happy child. Is not that what you wish me to feel, mamma?"

you

continue

"It is indeed, my love, and if to feel so, ancient history will improve your mind and enrich your imagination, without injuring your principles; but our conversation has been very serious. Run into the garden: I think I saw Philip pass the window a few minutes since."

CHAPTER III.

THE next day, at the usual hour, Mrs. Stratton entered the school-room, and finding Anne already seated at her work, was going to continue her recital; the little girl, however, begged her to stop a few minutes, saying, Philip wished to join them.

"that your

"I am afraid," said her mother, papa will expect his Latin exercises to be attended to now, and the slight account I am giving, will not, I should think, be either new or interesting to him."

"Mamma, he is gone to beg papa to let him work an extra hour before breakfast, and to allow him to come to us now. I have told him the stories of Romulus and Numa, and he says we are so very hard upon the poor Romans,

that he must come and defend them, that is, if you will allow him."

"I cannot have any objection, Anne, for, although Philip is so strongly attached to the ancients, I am sure he has too much candour to wish to support the faulty parts of their characters, and as I desire you to admire their really valuable qualities, he is quite at liberty to be their advocate: tell him we are ready." "Here I am," said Philip, stopping Anne as she was preparing to run to fetch him. "Papa has given me permission to come and protect the defenceless."

"Not the defenceless, my dear boy," said his mother, smiling. "I think if you call to mind the numerous able authors who have eulogized your favorite heroes, you will allow that they have little to fear from the occasional censure of a woman."

"But, mamma, as none of those able authors are present just now, my favorites are little the better for their assistance, unless I bring forward an anecdote, now and then, in behalf of their protegés. Do you permit me?"

"Most willingly, my dear be very glad of an assistant. have forgotten our history."

boy, and I shall

But we seem to

"After the death of Numa, five kings reigned successively in Rome, and the city increased both in size and power."

"Mamma, if you please," said Anne, "I should like to know the names of these kings, and something about their histories."

"Their histories, my dear, are not very interesting. However, the first was Tullus Hostilius."

"Hostile means warlike, mamma, in English: was this king fond of war?"

"He was, my dear, and a remarkable combat took place in his reign, which Philip shall have the pleasure of relating."

"Well, Anne, the first people who engaged in war with the Romans, during the reign of Tullus, were the Albans. For many reasons, both parties wished to avoid a battle, and it was agreed between the generals, that champions should be chosen on each side, whose victory or defeat should decide the contest. There happened to be three twin brothers in each army, which remarkable circumstance caused the choice to be decided directly. These brothers were celebrated for strength and courage, and to them was committed the fate of their countries. Both armies were arranged on

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