mitor, to receive sentence adequate to the offence he was guilty of. Numitor, so far from inflicting one that was severe, ordered him to his own house; as during the examination, he perceived something in his countenance which deeply engaged his attention, and induced him to make inquiries respecting his descent and way of life. To which Remus returned this spirited reply:

"Your justice in examining before you condemn, deserves, on my part, the return of truth and sincerity. I am a stranger to my family and descent; I have but one twin-brother; we have ever been considered as the sons of a shepherd; but since our accusation, it has been rumoured we are of noble extraction. Our birth is mysterious; our support in infancy miraculous; for a she-wolf suckled us, and a woodpecker supplied us with nourishment, whilst we lay in a neglected and helpless state by a river's side. The trough is preserved that contained us, and the inscription still legible: these, perhaps, may be discovered by our unhappy parents, when we are no more."

Numitor was much affected with this speech. The young man's appearance, and the substance of his narration, agreeing with the time

his daughter's children were born, induced him to hope they were her descendants; to confirm which, he had an interview with his daughter, who was then in prison. Faustulus the herdsman, thought in this critical juncture of affairs, any further delay would be dangerous; so he informed Romulus of his real birth, and resolved to produce the trough as a testimony of the real parentage of the young men.

Lady M. You cannot imagine, my dear Mentoria, how much I feel myself interested in their history!

Ment. Faustulus was at length determined to carry the trough to Numitor; his apparent haste and anxiety betrayed the importance of his errand. Unfortunately, one of the guards, who observed his eagerness, and was present when the children were left on the shore, and recollecting the trough and inscription, immediately informed Amulius of his discovery : who behaved as persons generally do who are enraged, and in fear of being detected in a bad action. He dispatched a messenger to Numitor, to inquire if his daughter's children were alive; who finding Numitor inclined to acknowledge the young men to be his grandchildren, advised him to assert his right, and of

fered

fered to assist him in so arduous an undertaking. Things were now brought to a crisis. Romulus. appearing at the head of a numerous band of his companions, the citizens, from the hate they bore to the usurper, readily revolted. Thus, by commanding a powerful army, and Remus: previously having gained the populace over to his cause, Amulius was dethroned; and being: unable to make any resistance, or to escape, he was seized and put to death. The two brothers were now in possession of the kingdom of Alba, but did not choose to reside there without holding the reins of government, which they could not do consistent with equity, as it was their grandfather's inheritance. After having resigned the kingdom to Numitor, and with, filial piety discharged their duty to their mother, they formed a plan of living together, and: determined to build a city amongst the hills,, where they received their education. In order to increase the number of their subjects, they caused their territories to be a refuge for all who had violated the laws of their own country, and dreaded the punishment due to their crimes. These considerations soon placed our heroes at the head of a numerous army. They now differed respecting the place where the G 5 city:

city was to be built. Romulus wished it to be built where he had made a square of houses, which he called Rome; but Remus thought the Aventine Mount a more eligible situation: at length, they agreed it should be determined by augury, or the flight of birds. The divina. tion proved in favour of Romulus, as twelve vultures appeared to him, whilst Remus saw but half the number.

Lady L.

How very foolish it was to let the flight of birds determine such an important

affair.

Ment. Your astonishment, my dear, will cease, when you reflect that the Pagans were guided in all their actions by means equally delusive: such as the oracles, which were sentiments delivered in so mysterious and ingenious a manner, as to bear any construction that suited their purpose, or by the flight of birds, blood of animals, &c. some of which were thought a good omen, and others portentous of some heavy calamity. There cannot possibly be a stronger argument to prove that every creature is inclined to worship, and seek the aid of a superior power; as in those early times, when the gospel was not revealed, and the greatest part of the world were totally ignorant of the

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existence and power of the great Creator, they sought redress from, and implored the assistance of, the sun, moon, stars, birds, beasts, and statues; to which they ascribed the power of relieving their necessities. We must now return to Romulus, who, as soon as he had gained his point, began to put his plan in exe-cution. Remus affected to despise his brother's attempt to fortify the city, and, whilst the foundation of the wall was digging, with a degree of insolent contempt, leaped over the ditch; which enraged Romulus so much, it is said, he killed him on the spot. Faustulus, the good old herdsman, was also slain in the scuffle. Romulus buried his brother, and old friend, with great pomp and solemnity, and then proceeded to build the city.

Lady M. What an act of cruelty it was in Romulus to murder his brother for so slight an offence, which at most deserved but a trifling reprimand! I think he must be very unhappy afterwards!

Ment. I dare say it gave him but little, or perhaps no uneasiness; as in those days it was not thought such a heinous offence for any persons to take away either their own life, or that of another, there being then no distinction between:

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