pects to the dictator. Sylla's house at that time looked like a place of execution, such were the numbers of people tortured and put to death there. Cato, who was now in his fourteenth year, seeing the heads of many illustrious persons carried out, and observing that the bystanders sighed in secret at these scenes of blood, asked his preceptor why somebody did not kill that man. "Because," said he, "they fear him, even more than they hate him." "Then," said Cato, "give me a sword, that I may kill him, and deliver my country from slavery." When Sarpedon heard such a speech from the boy, and saw with what a stern and angry look he uttered it, he was greatly alarmed, and watched him narrowly afterwards, to prevent his attempting some rash action.

WH

ISADAS, A SPARTAN YOUTH.

WHEN the Thebans, under Epaminondas, attacked the city of Sparta, Agesilaus defended it with a vigour beyond his declining years; Archidamus also distinguished himself, but Isadas, the son of Phabibas, was the most extraordinary and striking spectacle, not only to his countrymen, but to the enemy. He was tall and beautiful in his person, and just growing from the boy into the man: he had but a few

minutes left the bath, when the rumour spread that the Thebans had crossed the Eurotas: naked and newly anointed with oil, a spear in one hand, and a sword in the other, he rushed out of his house, and having made his way through the combatants, he dealt his deadly blows among the enemy's ranks, striking down every man he engaged. Yet he received not one wound himself; whether it was that Heaven preserved him in regard to his valour, or whether he appeared to his adversaries as something more than human. It is said, the Ephori honoured him with a chaplet for the great things he had performed, but at the same time fined him a thousand drachmas for going to battle without his armour.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT, AND BUCEPHALUS.

WE

WHEN the horse Bucephalus was offered to Philip of Macedon, at the price of thirteen talents, or £2518 15s. sterling, the king, with the prince and many others, went into the field to see some trial made of him. The horse appeared extremely vicious and unmanageable, and was so far from suffering himself to be mounted, that he would not bear to be spoken to, but turned fiercely upon all the grooms. Philip

was displeased at their bringing him so wild and ungovernable a horse, and bade them take him away. But Alexander, who had observed him well, said, "What a horse are they losing, for want of skill and spirit to manage him!" Philip at first took no notice of this; but, upon the prince often repeating the same expression, and showing great uneasiness, he said, Young man, you find fault with your elders, as if you knew more than they, or could manage the horse better." "And I certainly could," answered the prince. "If you should not be able to ride him, what forfeiture will you submit to for your rashness?" "I will pay the price of the horse."

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Upon this, all the company laughed, but the king and prince agreeing as to the forfeiture, Alexander ran to the horse, and laying hold on the bridle, turned him to the sun; for he had observed, it seems, that the shadow which fell before the horse, and continually moved as he moved, greatly disturbed him. While his fierceness and fury lasted, he kept speaking to him softly and stroking him; after which he gently let fall his mantle, leaped lightly upon his back, and got his seat very safe. Then, without pulling the reins too hard, or using either whip or spur, he set him going. As soon as he perceived his uneasiness abated, and that he only wanted to run, he put him in a full gallop,

and pushed him on, both with the voice and with the spur.

Philip and all his court were in great distress for him at first, and a profound silence took place. But when the prince had turned him, and brought him straight back, they all received him with loud acclamations, except his father, who wept for joy, and kissing him, said, "Seek another kingdom, my son, that may be worthy of thy abilities; for Macedonia is too small for thee."

PRESENCE OF MIND.

Presence of mind, and courage in distress,
Are more than armies, to secure success.

RESENCE of mind is a quick perception of what

Pis right, with the power of acting upon that per

ception. To Princes, whose lofty station and important functions render them liable to sudden calls for decisive action, this quick judgment may prove of vital importance. That firmness of character which is founded upon strong principle, added perhaps to personal courage, is the quality which most gives promise,. that such a power will manifest itself in the moment of danger.