men in Rome, that perhaps Octavius made a better use of his power than any other would have done.

9. His reign from this time was peaceful and quiet, and offers few events that need be recorded in this brief history. Nearly the whole world was under his sway, and therefore he had no occasion to increase his dominions by going to war. The greatest glory of his times consists in the works of poets and other men of genius.

the

it

10. Octavius, or, as he is always called, Augustus Cæsar, reigned forty-one years, and died at the age of seventy-six, in year 14 after the birth of Christ. You will observe that was during his reign that Christ appeared in Palestine. QUESTIONS.-1. When did Cæsar's death take place? What of Rome? The friends of Cæsar? 2. Who were obliged to flee from the city? Who now governed Rome? Who was Octavius? 3. What did the triumvirate do? 4. What acts of cruelty did they perform? 5. Where now were Brutus and Cassius? Who opposed them? Where was the battle fought? Fate of Brutus and Cassius? 6. What of the triumvirate? 7. Which of the triumvirs triumphed? What became of Antony? What did Octavius call himself? 8. What other name did the senate give him? 9. Describe the reign of Augustus. 10. How long did he reign? When did he die? Who appeared in Palestine during his reign?

CHAP. LXXXII.-EUROPE continued.

ABOUT THE GREAT POWER AND EXTENT OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN THE TIME OF AUGUSTUS.

1. As Rome was now at its greatest height of wealth and splendour, I shall try to give you some idea of the extent and

power of this vast empire, and then, having told you a little more of its history, I shall say something about the manners and customs of the ancient Roman people.

2. In the time of Augustus, the Roman empire embraced all the nations of Europe except a few northern tribes who maintained their independence. It included England, France, Spain, part of Germany, all the states of Italy, Greece, the country now occupied by Turkey in Europe, beside many

other nations.

3. In Asia, it embraced all the kingdoms from Asia Minor on the west, to India on the east. Of course, it included Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, Arabia, Persia, Parthia, and many other countries.

4. It included the whole northern portion of Africa, from Mauritania, now Morocco, on the west, to Ethiopia on the east. This was the whole of Africa then known; the interior being only inhabited by scattered bands of negroes.

5. It seems wonderful that one country could govern so many nations. This was done, however, by placing Roman governors over these various kingdoms; the governors being sustained by a multitude of Roman soldiers.

6. During this period, the people of Rome had great skill in architecture, sculpture, painting, and many other arts. These arts were extended to all parts of the empire.

7. Thus a multitude of cities in various parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia were filled with costly temples and palaces of marble, with beautiful statues and valuable paintings. The

splendour and magnificence of many of these cities, at this period, was indeed wonderful.

8. Nor was this all; the Romans built many public works of great utility; they constructed roads paved with stone; they built durable bridges, and made aqueducts for supplying the cities with water. So numerous and so permanent were these vast works, that the remains of them are still to be found in most of those countries over which the Roman dominion was then established, though they were executed nearly two thousand years ago.

9. But of all the cities in the world, Rome was itself the most wonderful. In the time of Augustus, it was fifty miles in circuit, and contained four millions of inhabitants.

10. Like all ancient cities, it was surrounded by high strong walls of stone; for in these warlike times, as I have before said, walls were a necessary protection against the attacks of an enemy. The walls of Rome were entered by thirtyseven gates.

11. The interior of this wonderful city surpassed all description. The various generals who had conquered other countries, had robbed them of their choicest treasures, and these had been brought to Rome to decorate and enrich that capital.

12. There were beautiful statues from Greece, obelisks and columns from Egypt, and a great variety of curious and costly manufactures from Asia. Gold, silver, and precious stones had been gathered from every part of the earth.

13. Nor was this all. The city was embellished with temples, many of them of marble, and beautifully sculptured; there were also theatres, amphitheatres, porticoes, public baths, triumphal arches, and aqueducts.

14. In short, the city of Rome was enriched with the spoils of the whole world, and had that air of pomp and magnificence which suited the capital of the greatest empire that the world ever saw.

QUESTIONS.-2. What of Rome during the reign of Augustus? What did it include in Europe? 3. In Asia? 4. In Africa? What parts of Africa were then known? Tell the direction of each of the countries named from Rome. 5. How did Rome govern all these nations? 6. What of the people of Rome? 7. With what were many cities filled? 8. What of public works? What of aqueducts? 9. Describe the city of Rome. 11. How was the capital decorated? 13. What of temples? Other buildings? 14. What of the city?

CHAP. LXXXIII.-EUROPE continued.

THE MEANS BY WHICH ROME ACQUIRED ITS POWER.

1. I TRUST you have now some faint idea of the extent, wealth, and power of the Roman empire. We cannot look back upon it but with feelings of admiration; yet, when we look at the means which had been employed to establish this dominion; when we look at the condition of mankind during that age, and consider that this vast dominion soon crumbled into atoms, we cannot but feel the strongest emotions of pain.

2. In the first place, the means used to aggrandize Rome were those of conquest. The Roman generals went abroad to subdue other countries, for no other purpose than to acquire fame and spoils for themselves, and power for Rome.

3. They slaughtered the inhabitants without mercy; they robbed them without scruple, and they subjected them to the Roman yoke without the slightest regard to the rights of mankind.

4. Such were the means by which the fabric of Roman power was erected. And what must have been the condition of mankind during the seven hundred years that Rome was carrying on its wars for no other purpose than to enslave the world?

5. It is true that a few men, generals, senators, consuls, and governors, might have lived in splendour, and enjoyed wealth and fame. Some of the Roman soldiers, too, might have led lives of adventure, gratifying to bold and restless spirits.

6. But how much suffering, sorrow, and despair must there have been among the millions of wounded men; among the millions who were bereaved of their friends; among the millions who were stript of their fortunes; among the millions who were reduced to slavery!

7. The simple truth is, that the policy of Rome was wholly selfish. The Roman people, like the Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, and other ancient nations, had some notions of virtue, and occasionally displayed noble and generous qualities.