Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-05-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Millimans History of the Jews" Family
Library"
TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM

40 Si"oSiioN BY FIRE, UNDER TITUS.
II was the 10th OF August, the day al
ready darkened in the Jewish calendar
by the destruction of the former Temple
by the King Of Babylon; it was almost
passed Titus Withdrew again into Anto-
MO, intending the next morning to make
general assault. The quiet SUMMER eve
ming came on ; the setting sun shone for
the last time on the snow-white walls. and
giislenlng plnnacies of the Temple roof.
Titus had retired to rest and suddenly a
Wild and terrible cry was heard, and
man came rushing IN, announcing that
the Temple was on fire. Some of the
oesieged, Notwithstanding the repuIse in
the morning, had sailed out to attack the
men who were busiIy employed in extin-
gushing the fires about the cloIsters. The
Romans not merely drove them back, but,
entering the sacred space with them, for
ced their way to the Temple. A soldier.
without orders. mounting on the shout
ders OF one OF his comrades, threw a bla.
Eing brand into gilded small door on the
north side of the chambers, in the outer
building or porch, The flames sprung up
at once. The Jews uttered one simul,a.
neous shrek, and grasped their swords
with furious determination of reveDginu
and perishIng in the ruins of the Temple
Titus rushed down with the utmost speed:
he shouted, he made signs to his soldiers
TO quench the FIRE; his voice was drowned
and his signs unaot'ced, in the blind con-
fusion. The leg'onaries either could not
or would not hear; they rushed on, tramp
ling each other down in their furious haste
or stumbling over the crumbling rufus.
persisted with the enemy. Each exhor,ed
the other, and each hurled his blazing
brand into the inner part of the edi6ce,
and then hurried to the work of carnape.
The unarmed and defenceless people were
slain in thousands ; they lay heaped, like
sacrifices around the altar the steps OF
the Temple ran with streams of blood
which washed down the bodies that lay a.
bout.
Titus found il impossible to check the
rage of the soldiery; he entered with his
officers. and surveyed the interior of the
sacred edifce. The splendour filled them
with wonder and as the flames had no,
yet penetrated to the holy place, he made
u last effort to save il, and spriDging forth
again exhorted the soldiers to stay the pro-
jgress ofthe conhagration. The centurion
Liberals endeavored to force obedience
with his staff of office; but even respect
for the Emperor gave way to the furious
luminosity against the Jews, TO the fierce
Iexcitement Of battle. and to the Unsuitable
hope Of plumber. The soldiers saw every
thing around them radian: with gold
which shone dazzingly in the wild light
Of the flames; they supposed that incalcu.
liable treasures were laid up in the sanctu,
larry. "A soldier, unperceived, thrust light.
led torch between the hinges of the door
the whole building was in flames in an
instant The binding smoke acd fire
forced the officers to retreat and the no
BILE edi6ce was left to its fate.
| Ii was an appalling spectacle to the Ro-
man what was it TO the Jew? The whole
summit Of the hill, which commanded the
lefty, blazed like volcano. One after an
otber the buildings fell in, with a tremen
dous crash, and were swallowed up in the
hrery abyss. The roofs Of cedar were like
sheets OF fame the gi!ded pinnacles shone
like spires Of red light; the gate towers
sent up tall columns Of flame and smoke
The neighbouring hills were lighted up
and dark groups OF people were seer
watching in horrible anxiety the progress
Of the destruction the walls and heights
of the upper city were crowded with faces
some pale with the agony OF despair, 9th
ers scowlng nnavaiIing vengeance. The
shouts Of the Roman soldiery, as they ran
; 10 and fro, and the bowling Of the insur-
gents who were perisbing in the flames
mingled with the roaring Of the confa
grafton and the laundering sound Of fall
ling timLers, The echoes Of the noun