Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-10-11

ssAnd NAV they be faithful Witnesses" said
Prytheus, hurriedly: 'sbnt what hath the
madness Of the Emperor set against rs 20 he
inquired, eagerly.
ssYes;'' said Valcns, sand all who sacrifice
at the altar Of his Gods
Prytheus made no reply, but looked at Va
lens, calm, and resigned.
ssThc Emperor's conduct" he continued,
ssduring the confagration reused the suspi-
cions oi the citizens. These suspicious gath
cred strength with the progress of the flames;
and when the city lay in ashes before the eyes
OF the people, nothing could exceed their IN
dignation and wrath. The Emperor was bold
" charged with setting the city on fire. and
being the author of all their miseries. The
public feelingwas soon at its highest pitch and
loudly demanded his condemnation and death.
esWhy. what hath been our Emperor's con-
duct % inquired Prythcus, astonished.
ssInfatuated! wretched mani" exclaimed
Valens. scarcely able to suppress his indigna-
ton: sswhile the flames ragged and devoured,
like some insatiate N onster, the dwellings and
families Of the Roman people-he sat on the
top of the Tower of Macenas--and playing
upon his harp, sung the song of the burning
of Troy, declaring that he wished the destruc-
ticn Of all things before his death
s,Nor doth their suspicions surprise me-"
said Prytheus.
.sNor me; nor any one in Rome,' said Va
lens, sswho knows the man and his acts
q fear he is capable OF the most perfdious
cruelty,' said Prytheus.
ssTo be sure;' said Valens, ':only hear it !!
To excuse his conduct, and divert the wrath of
his subjects from off himself, he hath laid the
blame on us christians. With monster injus-
ticc he has succeeded, and even tonight, as
said, the flames are kindled for our death"
oThc will of the Lord be done,' said Pry-
theus, LAYING his hand on his breast, and rails
ing his eyes to heaven.
Reader, be not incrcdulous. In this conver-
sation, you have only been listening to the re-
cital of a familiar and well authenticated fact
of history. 1t is hard, l know, to believe
any man capable OF an act so black, detestable,
and depraved-much less the Emperor of an
illustrious nation.
But. alas the days of Rome's virtue and
glory were past. in the person of Augustus,
the republican spirit of the people had been
cxtinguished; and, lulicd into security and ir-
toxcated by the facinations thrown around
them by that artful and insiduous tyrant, they
were prepared to submit to any injustice. and
wear the chains of slavery without complaint.
In his reign-though in some respects the
most renowned and illustrious in the ma
tion's history--the form of government was
radically changed, monarchy established
r,lI, 10 hoy heir
necks to the iron rule of the despot.
| Unfortunately, his successors had none OF
| those virtues that aim at making the best even
| Of despotism. Vicious and depraved. they
were disttute OF courage and magnanimity
| and soon the Empire was shorn Of all its an
cient glory, and the people reduced to state
of the most abject yassalage.
In Nero, we have only personificaton o
their general character-though of all the mon
| sters who rapidly succeeded to the throne, du
ring the first few centuries Of the christian era
he was without doubt, the most detestable
cruel, and per6dious. As has been justly OBJ
served, ssalmost every act of his life was al
outrageous, horid crime. Not satisfied witt
putting 10 death many of the noblest citizens o
Rome, he had murdered his wife and mother
and now, as if to optdo all his other crimes, h
burns the metropolis of his empire, and char
ges it upon an innocent and harmless sect =
And for what end No other can possibly b
conceived, than his antipathy TO their faith
or his Unsuitable thirst for blood; and that h
might have opportunity of gratifying hi
horid propensities, and witnessing new spec
tacles of suffering and death.
Only think of feeble and harmless class c
citizens, at the mercy ofsnch monster; and i
the very midst, too, OF outraged millions, VIII
believed them guilty of crime for which n
attonement could be found but in their blood
Wen, indeed, might philosopher tremble
and a.nobleman turn pale.
scan such base injustice be endured +
said Valens, rising and walking hastily acros
the floor.
s:They may destroy our bodies, but the
cannot destroy our souls. There's an exist
encc for them, beyond the wrath of Empcrors
or the regrets and sorrows of the world. Sue
are the exalted teachings of our faith; and wit
such a faith. why should we shrink from dealt
J or seek revenge upon our enemies 20
, Valens made no reply; but stopping quick
, ly. he stood for some minutes gazing fxedl
at the floor, and then glancing his eyes w
: ward moment, he took his seat and burrie
his face in his hands. f $
1t is perfect tornado outdoors. The raj
is whirling and dashing furiously upon the roe
and against the old walls. The successir
peals OF thunder are frightfully audible aboy
the wild roar of the watery Clements.
[ Our two friends, for the present, arc ave
into silence, and are siitin-