Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-19
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JULIANA,
THE ROMAN VEST AL.
A STORY OF ANc1ENr DAYS.


centuries. Rome is mistress of the world.
The world, it IS true was net so large as
now, in geographic space. We have add
cd continents, oceans and islands, a vast
number nations with hundreds OF mill
lions in population; and yet, what we
call the world is not much larger, than
that whose centre was imperial Rome.
Aureiius, young patrician, educated
by the most accomplished Grecian mas
ters, Of whom his father owned several
among the great number Of This slaves, found
Rome very much to his liking. He had
enjoyed the advantages Of foreign travel
His father, when pro-consul, had taken
him to Andalusia, where he admired the
dancing. He had seen the Pyramids.
His education had received its finishing
touches la the schools Of Athens, where
he had listened 10 the lectures of the
most famous sophists. New he was in
Rome, rich and independent, for his faith
er had died and left him his immense es.
tates Of lands, houses, ana slaves.
A patrician and 4 millionaire, young,
handsome, highly educated, eloquent,
popular; to live in Rome and enjsy its
luxuries and glorics, was something we
cannot conceive without an effort
Rome had three millions of inhabi-
tants. She was the great centre of the
power, wealth, luxury, pomp and mag
nifcence of the world In our day, great
cities are but aggregations a petty villa
ges but i'll Rome, the palaces, temples,
theatres, baths, and institutions of every
kind, were in proportion to the grandeur
of he fol 10 nl-c Of
colleges were her current literature
Tbs. models Of our arts were the work of
herArchitecSuYe and sculpters.
An tine IL. Of t.s fortunate Roru..n.. o
Yoanc- s.-s. ssssls, sucu as We nave ts-
scribed, was suited to its surroundings.
He rose at break of day. Aurora was a
goddess then; and there were few so in
dolent, as not to pay her their devotions.
With the Romans, religion claimed the
first fresh hours Of the day In the dewy
morning, when the stars were pallng IN
the auroral glow, before the domes OF the
seven>hlled city had caught the rays OF
the rising sun, the Romans gathered in
crowds to their beautiful temples, to pay
their deyotons to the deities they wor-
SHIPPED. ,
Aurelius was too we'll instructed in the
Grecian philosophy to join in their cere-
monies with very earnest faith but ne
was also too much of man of the world
not to conform to the outward observan
ces of the popular and established rell
gi9n. The mythology was allegorical anc
emblematical. The beauty OF the tenn
pies and statues the grandeur OF tn
ceremonies, the crowds, the SACRIFICES
the rising incense, moved his feelings
land he gave himself up to the express
ion of religious feeling which they offer
ed him, without asking for simple
faith or purer worship.
The morning ceremonies concluded
then the business of the day. Young a
he was, Aurelius was the patron of
crowd Of clients. Many had held tn
relation to his father. One applied for
lease Of farm, another wished to rent
villa, third begged him to use his Unfit
ence and eloquence in the forum, in
law-csse that day to be decided.
When the morning levee was over, Il
young patrician took his breakfast. In
early meal was simple and frugal. Brea
fruit, and wine were its principal const
uents. The Arabian berry had not,yi'
ded its exciting, but enervating draugf
The fragrant chocolate brought not
sedactions. China kept her tea. L
Romans drank water, beer, or wine.
After breakfast, the crowd, the excit
ment, the eloquence, the triumphs Of
forum Then came an early dinner, a
q brief siesta and Rome, its busin
done, awoke to pleasure.
First, the bath. None Of your Crot
bathing.tubs, packed away in clos
None of your hydropathic establishmer
even; or public bathing rooms in hot
and barber's shops.
1t is strange, strange, strange, that
whote civilized world to-day, can sh
us nothing like The baths of anci
Rome, in the days Of the Ceears. Th
were baths built of polished marble,
ornamented with carvings and status
where a hundred thousand people &C
enjoy this supreme luxury. There "
public baths for the. whole population
Rome-all her millions, and all fire.
Fifteen immense acqueducts, each
more costly than the boasted Gro
poured their rivers into Rome, and S
piled her baths, and her fountains,
her enormous population.
In these baths, the water was he