The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-07-24
Caesar Crosses the RubicOn.

On the ever memorable night, when Ju-
lius Cesar had resolved to take the first
step, (and in such case the first step, as
regarding the power Of re.reating, was also
the final step. which placed him in arms
against the Staie,) it happened that his head
quarters were at some distance from the lit
lie river, Rubicon, which formed the boun-
Diary Of his province. With his usual eau
tion, that no news of his motions might run
before himself, on this night Cesar gave an
entertainment 10 his friends, in the midst OF
which he slipped away unobserved, and
with small retinue proceeded through the
woods 10 the point of the river al which he
designed 10 cross
The night was stormy, anG by the vio-
lence OF the wind, the torches of his escort
were blown out so that the whole party lost
their road, having probably at first inten-
:ionally deViated from the main road. until
the early dawn enabled them 10 recover
their true course. The light was still grey
and uncertain as Caesar and his retinue
rode down upon the banks of The fatal river
TO cross, which with their arms in their
hands, since the farther bank lay within the
territory OF the Republic ipso tacfo pro-
claimed any Roman rebel and traitor
No man, the frmest or most obtuse. could
be otherwise than deeply agitaied when
looking down upon this little brook-so in
significant in itself, but invested by law
with sanctity so awful and so dire con-
secraton. The whole course OF future his
tory, and the fate of every nation, would
necessarily be determined by the irreuiev-
able act of the next half hour.
la these moments, and with this specta
Gle before him, and contemplating these
/ immeasurable consequences consciously
for the last time lha, would allow him re-
| treat-impressed also by the solemnity and
| deep tranquility of the silent dawn. while
the exarstion of his night wanderings pre-.
disposed Caesar, we may be sure. was pro-
/ foundIy agiated. The whole elements oil
/ the scene were almost scientifically dispos-
/ ed; the law OF antagonism having perhaps
! never been employed with so much effect
/ the little quiet brook presenting a direct
antiihesis 10 its grand political character
and the innocent dawn, with It's pure, un-
troubled repose contrasting poienly, TO a
man of anv intellectual sensbility, with a
! long chaos of bloodshed, darkness, anarchy,
which was 10 lake is rise from the appaent
/ ly trihing acts of this one morning So pre-
( pared, we need not much wander al what
/ followed. Caesar was yet lingering on the
hither bank, when suddenly at a point no
Tar distant from himself, an apparilion was
deserted IN sitting posture, and holding
in its hand what seemed a flute This
( phantom was of unusual size, and of beauty
more than human, so far as its lineament
could be traced in the early dawn. What
is singular, however, in the story, on any
( hypothesis which would explain it out o.
Cgsars individual condition is, that others
saw ii well as be both pastoral aborer
(who were present probably. in the char
acter oil guide, and some of the sentinel:
stationed it the passage of the river.
These men fancied even tha; strain o
music issued from the aerial flute AND
some, both OF the sheperds and Roman SOL
diers, who were bolder than the rest, ad
vanced towards the figure. Among thi.
party, it happened that there were few
Roman trumpelers. From one o. these The
phantom, rising as they advanced nearer
suddenly caught trumpet, aud blowing
blast Of superhunan breath, plunged int
Rubicon, passed 10 the other bank-ant
disappeared in tie dusky twilight OF la,
dawn Upon which Cesar exclaimed -
''li is fnished-the die is cast-let US fol
low whittier the guiding portents of Heaver
and the malice of our enemy, alike sum
mon Us to go ~ So saying, he crossed tn
river with mPeluosity and in a sudde
rapture of passionate and vindctiYe ambi
Iion, placed himself and his retinue upol
Italian soil; and, as if by inspiration from
Heaven, in one moment, involved himse
and followers in treason, raised the stan
dard o! revolt, put his loot upon the necl
OF the iEvincble republic, which mad hum
bled all the kings OF the earth, and founde,
an empire which was TO last for thousan,
and halt thousana years. In what man
ner this spectral appearance was managet
whether the Cesar was its author or it
dupe-will remain unknown forever r-[D
Quincey.
In Bangor, Me, there resides certa
Z