Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-25
CoRNELIA.


by the Campus Martius, broke upon its borders
in tiny waves of liquid fire. The Campus it.
self was sprinkled with groups OF Roman cltl-
zens, who had repaired to this tavorite prone
made to catch the earliest breath OF the evening
breeze, after the intolerable heat of the midsum
mer's day. As the sun approached nearer and
nearer to his setting, the throng was increased
by thousands pouring in from every quarter OF
the city; and when his rays became blended
with the prismatic twilight, behind the hills
bounding the immense plain, the moderns term
the Campagna, il seemed as ii all Rome had
assembled in that loved resort. Here knot of
young patricians were conversing with ANNA
ton upon the respective merits of two famous
gladiators, who were to fight on the morrow and
were betting against each others favortes. There
the grave looks and dress of the speakers show
ed them to be senator's engaged in devising
some plan to repress the audacity Of the popu-
lar faction, which, at the period OF which we
are treating, Immediately subsequent to the last
Punic war, had just begun to encroach upon
the privileges ofthe patrician and to show symp-
toms of that spirit which, soon after, convulsed
Italy with civil war. Thousands upon thous
andS swept along, wrapt in the pursuit of amuse-
ment or the concerns of business; while the va
cant laugh, or the low, earnest tones, betoken-
ing the absorbing interest with the diverse Ian
guages of Greeks and barbarians, mixed with
the majestic Latin, fell constantly upon the ear.
of physical and intellectual energies, might be
clearly imaged forth, in bold outline, Rome, the
mistress Of the world.
In the spacious balcony OF house overlook
ing the Campus, and commanding prospect
of the country beyond, safe grOun of Roman
matrons. Their dress and bearing showed them
patricians; but the gathering crowd beneath,
and the gorgeous splendor Of the setting sun,
seemed alike unregarded. They were engaged
in earnest discussion, ard while their voices
grew loud their countenanceS became flushed
with excitement
"What! Metea do you seriously compare
your Carthagenian ornaments with mine? Did
aotMummus select mine from the spoils of Co
rinth, the acknowledged mistress of Greece aid
the centre of taste and refinement To put Co
rinth on level with Carthage-those frow.y
Africans with the elegant Greek"
If the quastor did bring you homo jG;Scls,
selected with good taste, il is no merit OF his
some one better acquainted than hircsek with
the value chose them; for MumniuS las 10 moro
taste, With all his and your pretensions, thar an
Ostian bargeman; witness his barbaTous d.
structon of what ages cannot replace; ior orr
fine specimen Of art, brought BY c4.arce 20
Rome, he destroyed thousands in the c;ln.ulLd
city, iough sheer stupidity, end lack W opp u
citation! Taste"
The wife Of MummiUs, overpowored with
choler could at first hardly command herself to
" Show your Punic lubies, your Mauri; Ean
emeralds. Let us see what you weal' 1t yOnr
country festivals to astonish the rLstics Ground
your Campanian villa. challenge vou 70 ,lc
trial. Here is my Grec;an necklace; cans,
match it?-and here 4 studded cinc:me; VIII
Guido this2-and this circlet for the heads"
While thus uttering torrent Of rolubi.ity, si.-
opened a casket, and displayed the Offering
stones in their varied forms upon her e:-,cnGed
knee Having exhausted her yell filled rcpos
tory, she gazed with prodigious satisfaction ~
Or the cleaning ornaments; then looked ,iIn
triumphant spite upon hey discounted .h'cl
who, overpowered by the unexpected display o.
the wife of Mummns, eviaced by ley silence
and looks the modification felt at he supefio-
rity.
Metella, more to show that She indeed pos g.
Sed jewels than to otfeY them in competition,
produced frontlet o. rubies SIT III 5olI o. c.
rlous workmanship and antique pattern.
This can at least boast en- owner Who's
name was worth ell the gems Of Corhltii O.
Carthge-ths Was given by ,dalniicCr to lis
young son Aannibai, and wher ne :ied from CAY
image, the deputies from tie city Drought :, to
ScipiO; thence It GaLGe to me- Such names
might render priceless a meaner ornament"
ga marvellous way to atone for its inferoi-
ty, by adducing the name O. its owner, replied
the wife of AuEmus; "however my end is gain
cd knew my jewels eXcelled not only thirc,
hut those of every othel Romcn matroA.--
'Twefe pitt lift were lot So since IT'S not eve
ry one has the luck 70 sac' city, AID that city
Cor.nth.n
And the matt on, swelling With tie vuga.
pride of little minds, began tC replace the dCls
of her affection in the open casket.
But Metella. though defeated, could rot reprcss
her irritation; il broke out afresh Il this last dis
play Of vanity:
81 am bur one-there may be others in tire
company more able than you or to astonsh
with the show of jewelrJ'. There is MGicia,
the wife of consul who had Spain, and there,
too is Quintila-hcr husband conquered the
Tyrrhene pirates, who were reported 10 have
the wealth of cities on board their triremes Eut
still further, Cornelia--she certainly can outvie
you, for her family has given Rome magistrates
for years. Lo! there she comes along the colon
made, with her two children-pll ask her my
self'
While Metella was speaking tall, graceful
matron, with front of commanding dignity,
and a countenance Of serene yet fascinating
beauty, approached the party, leading a child
by each hand Her light complexion, large blue !
eyes, and hair Of that rare glistning brown which
tho u in OIL of No l;o Nd