The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1863-06-12

Gle. OF their mutual malignity was display
ed through the provinces. On their ar.
rival at Rome they occupied different pal
aces, with guards stationed, around the
doors, Every approach to their several
apartments was guarded with the same
strictness as in a besieged place. All the
spectators Of the court and all the Ell
quette of regal ceremony could not dis
guise the rancor of their hearts. This
constant discord led to the plan of divis-
ion of the Empire between them. A trea-
ty was drawn up by which Caracalla was
to be invested with the sceptre over Eu-
rope and Western Africa, and Geta, was
to have the sovereignty Of Asia and Egypt.
Geta was to establish himself at Alexan-
dria or Antioch, cities which already ri
vailed Rome in splendor. The frontiers
of the rival monarchies were to be guar
ded by immense armies on each side of
Thracian Bosphorus. The Roman people
were indignant at the idea Of this dismem-
berment of their majestic empire. 1t was
certain that such separation could only re-
suit in civil war, and the breaking up Of
the whole empire into fragments. Julia,
the accomplished, beautiful, highly talent
ed but not virtuous mother Of these boys
was exceedingly cbagrined by their bick-
erings and by this plan for the division
Of the vast empire which they had receiv-
ed from their father. ~, 1 "
Caracalla artfully listened to his moth
er's entreaties to meet his brother in the
apartment, to attempt some terms of re-
Cancellation. But with fend,lik treachery
he was planning the murder of his broth
er. In the midst of the conversation in
his mothers room, two assassins, whom
Caracalla had employed, rushed in with
drawn swords upon Geta. The frantic
mother in vain strove to protect her boy.
In the struggle she was severely wounded
in the hand. Caracalla himself pressed to
the aid Of the assassins. Geta was cut
down, in his mothers arms, drenching her
garments with his blood. AS soon as this
deed was accomplished, Caracalla hasten
ed to the Pretorian camp, which consisted
Of 10000 men just outside the walls of
Rome. "' 1"'. ne ,@ W.
The only trait Of humanity to be dis
cerned in Caracalla is to be found in the
fact that the horrid scene in which he had
taken part, filled him with undying re-
morse. He could never after Danish from
his mind the shrieks of his mother, the
frantic struggles of his brother. and the
spectacle of the blood spirting from his
wounds, as he sank down dying, drenched
with gore. He implored the protection of
the soldiers, assuring them that he had Kill
led Geta to save his own life By lavish
ing upon these soldiers all the treasure
which his father had accumulated he east
ly purchased their favor. Our sympathy
with Geta is somewhat abated by the con-
sideration that he wanted the power rath-
err than the inclination to serve his broth
err as his brother had served him. The
spirit of the iend was alike developed in
the bosoms of them both.
But even in this world, where we see
but the beginnings of the divine govern
ment, crime does not often go unpunish-
ed. In the reveries of the day and the
visions of the night Caracalla, the fratri-
eide, saw continually the mutilated and
bleeding form Of his brother, the frantic
grief of his mother, while his father SEEM
ed to rise from the grave and cast upon
him reproachful looks. This remorse,
however, tended only to madden him.
He threatened his mother with instant
execution II she did not cease lamenting
the death of her SON. He put to death
all who were suspected of being the friends
Of Geta, lest they might ferment an insur-
rection against him. 1t was computed
that twenty thousand persons, Of both sex.
es, thus suffered death. The friends of
these victims were compelled to hide their
tears and to veil their grief in smiles lest
they should incur the fatal displeasure of
the despot. ~ 'A'.'a s41ia''1H9f oil 23sa
About year after the murder of'Geta,
Caracalla left Rome to visit the distant
provinces He never returned to the i'm.
|perial city again. 70 Every province he vis-
ted became in turn the scene Of his ex.
tortion and sensual crime The courtiers,
who. were forced to attend him, were COM
PEELED 60 humor his capricious taste in
daily entertainments at extravagant cost.
No rich man was safe The imperial
robbcr easily found excuses TO seize upon
their wealth. At Alexandra, for some
fancied offence, he ordered the indiscfifni-
hate massacre Of the inhabitants Of the
city. From the turret Of d temple he
amused himself in witnessing the slaugh,
ter in The streets, until several thousand
citizers and stra !, e,srs Had npr;sbad n Tba