Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-19

uiuSi the IeSeTNolfS' III Lne spacious
anterooms, the citizens congregated and
discussed the news Of the day, and all
the gossip of the Roman world.
Was there any lack Of news?
Welcome, Aurslus," said Julian, his
friend, though an opponent in the morn
ing's contest in the forum. Have you
heard the news p /
"Only the usual gossip. A new arri-
val Of wild beasts, and some more gladi.
ators = s.. .#
That is not it. Caesar has gained a
victory over the Britons He is coming
heme with an immense train of captives
and the Senate will give him a triumph"
Another triumph! Africa will not
Civ as lions enough for the shows of the
amphitheatre. And where are the glad I
iators to come from, if we XIII them off
so fast A dozen generals in the field
wars at all points of the compass
We can't give triumphs to ALL"
No, my Aurelius, all are not Caesars
The rest must be content with ovations
but this conquerer writes home such
striking accounts Of his doings, that all
Rome will rise up to welcome him."
Alter the bath, the people had their
choice of the theatre, where actors play
ed comedies modelled on the Greek
much as ours are on the French; or the
more popular ainphitheatre, where the
vast populace could enjoy the spectacle
of the wild beasts fighting together. of
gladiators and criminals fighting with
beasts and, better still, of gladiators
fghting-fghting to the death for sell
dom were the Roman populace in hu-
NOR to spare a life in jeopardy. These
were the spectacles, attended by all the
rank fashion, elegance, and refinement
Of tie Eternal City.
| After the spectacle, which was given
by daylight, came the evening repast
principal meal Of the day, and the con-
! clusion of its eWoyments. The choicest
viands were prepared by ,ski1lful slaves.
Handsome boys, in graceful costumes,
! brou rhr water to tt4e guests, crowned
!! Z sais,. dds with towers and filled their
day seem fabulous.
| Thus lived Aurelius the busy, gay,
luxurious life of young patrician of
Rome. 1t has been said that love.-the
sentiment and passion to which we
give that name, was unknown to the Ro-
mans. Do not believe it. The human
heart beat in the bosoms of those world
conuuerors Aurelius. He yielded to a
fatal passion, destined to plunge him
from the height of worldly felicity to ig-
nominy, darkness, and death.
In. the full strength of the gay, luxuri-
Gus life, we have rather limited at than
described, Aureiius stood, one golden
morning, in the portico of the Temple of
Vesta. A religious procession entered
the temple, led, as usual, by the vestal
virgins, whose duty it was to watch the
sacred fire. AS they passed along, one
of them, the fairest where all were fair,
, the noblest where all were noble, attrac-
, ted the attention of every spectator -
Juliana was of an imperial family. In
her childhood she had been dedicated te
: the service of the temple, and to posi-
r ton which the Romans, with all theil
ferocity and licentiousness, honored abov
|, all others. AS the vestal walked tn
S streets of Rome, the haughtiest and tn
a rudest alike bowed in reverence. If Sd
S met criminal on the road to execution
a he was pardoned for the fortunate meet
a ing.
l. Aurelius gazed on the lovely form {
a the vestal Juliana, as he had not gazed o
woman before. 1t chanced that her ey
le met his gaze. What was its power
is what was its language, that it sent a fus
d. over her cheeks and brow She passe
t. on, bearing with her the instantaneoi
j. daguerreotype Of Aurelius upon her pu
It. soul-an image never to be etfaced.
is Aurelius went to his morning levee
ne changed man. He was pre- occupic
and unified for business. In the forul
e. he uttered passionate bursts of poetr
he which were abundantly applauded, b
nd which did not, however, much bene
ess his client. He found no amusement
the gossip of the baths no distraeti
on in the play. But in the symposium,
et revcl which followed, he drank deep a
It's, was intoxicated; he played deep, a
els lost Aurelius was in love.
Madly-madly, as if he loved the me
the or evening star. Madly, not only in
ow wild excess of his passion, but beca'
ent his passion was SO utterly hopeless, 8
ere so impious, that rad he been less pI
and osopher-by which | mean an adept
Try, Athenian sophistry-he could never b
uld entertained the thought Of such lC
ere In love with q Roman Vestall i
4 of as if one should, atthis day, fall in |
e. with Sister of Charity But %.
one comparison, in one respect, is not su
ton, cient. The Sister of Charity takes
up VOWS for only one year at time. Es
and year she renews her VOWS, if she des
to do so, and if her superior judge
(N.l