and interesting; and I may venture to promise those who will take the trouble of reading my little volume, that they will not, when they have finished it, think their time has been thrown away. I address myself to those happy children, whose parents and friends have led them to read for instruction as well as for amusement, and to think and to judge of what they read, for themselves.

To such fortunate young people my best wish is, that they may be as happy as my niece Anne, for whom this little book is intended as a birthday present, by her affectionate

Longfield, June.

AUNT JANE.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.

Conversation between Aunt Jane and Anne. History of
Josephus, the learned Jew. Josephus undertakes a voyage
to Rome, and on his return is suspected of being a friend to
the Romans. Description of Judea. Antiochus Epipha-
nes. Conduct of Pompey in Palestine.
balsam tree.

Jericho, and the

Herod the Great, Story of the Robber's
Cave. Mariamne. Buildings erected by Herod. Unhap-
py Death of Herod. Florus the Roman Governor. Queen
Berenice goes barefooted to him. Her vow. The Jews
petition Agrippa. His speech

war.

CHAP. II.

Page 9.

Anne and Fanny go to Longfield. The Jews prepare for

Description of Idumea. Situation of Jericho and

other cities of Judea. Ananus, the High Priest, made

Governor of Jerusalem. Josephus introduced. He gains

the affection of the people; chooses Judges, and fortifies

the cities of Judea. He makes the Jews imitate the Ro-

mans. John of Gischala, an enemy of Josephus. Jose-

phus in danger at Taricheæ. His stratagem to save him-

self. Tiberias revolts. Josephus takes it by a stratagem.

The Emperor sends Vespasian to Judea. Three principal

cities of the Roman Empire described. Description of the

two Galilees. Titus, Vespasian's son, comes from Alex-

andria. The Roman Camp described. The party at

Longfield stroll down the fields

]*

Page 32.

CHAP. III.

The order of march described. City of Gadara taken. Jo
sephus flies to Tiberias. Siege of Jotapata. Romans anx-
ious to take Josephus. Situation of Jotapata. Roman

engines. Josephus's stratagem.

The trick of the water.

Droll invention of Josephus for getting in supplies, soon
found out. Wishes to leave Jotapata, but the Jews entreat
him not. Description of the Roman battering-ram. A
new contrivance of Josephus. Exploit of Eleazar. In-
vention of the scalding oil, and slippery boards. City tak-
en when the watchmen were asleep. Search made for Jo-
sephus. Found in a cavern under the city. Made prison-
er by the Romans. Titus treats him kindly. Expedition of
the Aunts and Nieces to Trentham.

CHAP. IV.

Page 52.

Vale of the Temple described. Walk home through the woods,

Rejoicings at Ptolemais. Joppa taken. Description of

Joppa. The people at Jerusalem angry with Josephus.

Taricheæ revolts. Titus makes a speech to his soldiers.

Lake of Genesareth. Cruel action of Vespasian. Gamala.

Vespasian in danger. His brave conduct. The citizens

hide themselves in the caves. The Romans undermine the

tower, and take the city. A walk to Stoke. Country

churchyard
Page 70.

CHAP. V.

Gischala. John of Gischala. His tyranny, and stratagem to

save his own life. Titus enters Gischala. John flies to

Jerusalem and heads the disaffected. The Zealots. Ana-

nus the High Priest makes a speech against them. Dis-

cord in Jerusalem. Treacherous conduct of John. The

Idumeans come to the assistance of the Zealots. Dread-

ful storm. Trial of Zacharias. The Sicarii, or band of

robbers. Vespasian puts garrisons into the towns. Ac-

count of the Dorcas Society at Longfield

Page 88,

-

CHAP. VI.

Morning walk of Fanny and Anne. Death of Nero. Galba
made Emperor, and killed. Agrippa goes to Rome. Si-
mon the Assassin. Joins the Sicarii. Enters the country
of the Idumeans. Description of the turpentine tree. The
Zealots take Simon's wife. Simon's enraged conduct.
Gets his wife back. Enters Jerusalem, and fights the Zeal-
Distressed situation of Rome. Vespasian declared

ots.

Emperor by the army, and by the Egyptians. Vespasian

goes to Alexandria. Generous conduct to Josephus. Titus

returns with the army to Judea. Josephus accompanies

him. Discord in the city continues. Titus appears before

the walls with his army. Some lines out of the Fall of

Jesusalem.' Danger and escape of Titus

CHAP. VII.

Page 108.

The famous siege of Jerusalem. Description of Jerusalem,

and of Herod's palace. Description of the Temple. Titus

views the walls. His friend Nicanor wounded by a dart.

The engines and the huge stones set to work. The son com-

eth. The Jews unite to defend the city. Fall of the Ro-

man tower Nico. Longinus the Equestrian. The stratagem

The Party return from

within the first wall.

Gains the second wall. The Romans

driven away,
but soon return and take the wall again.

Titus attempts to persuade the Jews to peace. His love of

mercy. Josephus makes a speech to the Jews. Dreadful

famine in the city. Brave conduct of Chagiras, or the

lame Jew

Page 142.

CHAP. IX.

Siege continues. Incredible industry of the Romans in build-
ing a wall all round Jerusalem. Mournful effects of the
famine. Tower of Antonia attacked. Titus makes a
speech to his army. The story of Sabinus. He deserves
a better fate. Tower of Antonia taken, while the watch-
men were asleep. Valour of a Roman centurion named
Julian. Roman army enter Jerusalem and attack the Tem-
ple. Stratagem of the Jews. The cloisters set on fire.
Visit from the young Wilmots, and merry evening at Long-
field
Page 156.

CHAP. X.

Titus tries to save the Holy

The battering-rams set to work.

House, but in vain. Titus enters it with his commanders.

The whole of the Temple onsumed. False prophets.

Signs which foretold the fall of the city. The prophetic

husbandman. The deceitful boy. Simon and John. The

upper city taken. Disposal of the prisoners. Curious trick

of Simon, Lines from the Fall of Jerusalem.' Triumph

of Titus and Vespasian

Page 172.