Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-06-24
lFor the Herald Of the Times
The "Last Struggle"

The last beams of the sun had faded from
uic plains OF Jndea, and death-like stiffness
PeNaded the Holy City" The inhabitants
had retired, not to refreshing sIumbers, bu,
to mcdilatei upon plans that wout best in.
sure their safety. However grand might
have been the appearance Of the city itself
certain It is, that there was scarcely an in.
dVidual within its walls who did not dread
u'e storm that was lowering over it. Des,i.
tute OF every thing essential 10 life, maddencd
by hunger, suffering and priyations, they re-.
sembled carc-worn group Of famine stricken
'norials. But although the inhabitants were
reduced to the last extremity of suffering.
although the mother who but short Time
before doated on her offspring, now sacrificed
them IN cold blood, to satisfy The CRAVINGS off
hunger that were gnawing q, he. vitals.-I
notwithstanding the ghastly appearance ofI
us inmates, the City, still retained oil it,
grandeur and magnifcence. Its massive
walls which had as yet defcd the attacks Of
the most powerful, gave no signs of ruin. bu,
lowered, giant-like aud firm, as if TO mock NIL
a''emPts to razo ii to the ground "The
works OF human skill remain uninno;red ,be
e''stenIng domes reflect brilliancy scarcely
Tess linn the consultations above ,llpm-andI
Tue Temple, that wonder of the world. still.
stood in oil lis grandeur, while the poloccs
"ii no tale oil distress to the idle Observer
nature, too, knew not. felt not, the gloom
that shroudcd The minds Of the once chosen
people OF Heaven. Every thing around looked
bright and gay, und tho "balIny air of even
ing" which famed the "lloly City" was
"swec'ened by the fragrance of flowers aud
fruits"
Dui lie, US look into the City, and glance
at the famine.strickcn wretches that compose
It's population. What picture Of misery
they present. Despair il written upon their
connlcnances, and The rayagcs Of famine arc |
stamped upon their emaciatcd forms. The
mother could no longer afford uourshment
!" The furnishing infant that cdng to her
h'easl, tor hunger had dried up the fountain II
Z" ne; aud, driven to desperation she tore
lie n''e hands from about her neck, and cast
rom her embrace that she might cscape
i's hesr,.rending slnick<.
Let us ngain draw the shades Of n,,b,
around the City aud It's inmates n,d r.,
moment turn our eyes wnhou, lis wall,
The Roman army, wh,h lay encomncd
around the City, although they had made
several fruilless attempts to enter il. were
now preparing for desperate aud final sally
They had been active in making preparations
for the assault, and all things wcro completed
beiore the inhabitants of The doomed City
were aware Of their intention. But the 1a,I
had gone forth aud their doom was sealed.
As have said, the night was serene and
calm, not cloud dnmcd The bripb,ncss olI
The STUDDED 6unomenl, aud no sound was
heard save tic tread of the weary sentinel
There was dcothlike stiffness, bu, /, uos
hc calm that prccedes the tempcsi. Tbr
iRht was fast wearing away, and nlIIIi
"ni'nued q'net. "IIn, IIarl! wba, clsngor 4
arms is that" "rhe MASSIVE walls have
wen way before the fesislless force Of the