Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-08-17
THE STORY OF VIRGINIA.

This most touching tragedy is found il
nearly al the school histories, but greatly ab
ridged. We publish it entire, from trans
lation from Livy--Book III, Chap. xLIv-.
by George Baker, A. NJ. For two thousan,
years the reader, of history have wcpt owe
the unhappy fate of the beautiful Virginia
and VIC know that our young friends vii
thank US for this excellent translation Ed
HAGgRsrowN HERALD AND ToRcnLIemr.
There followed, in the city, another afro
cious proceeding, which took its rise frou
lust, and was not less tragical in its conse
quences than that which, through the iniurcc
chastity and violent death of Lucreta, had
occasioned the expulsion of the Tarquini from
tho throne and city SO that the government
of the dcceWvirs not only ended in the same
manner as that of the kings. hut was lost
through the same cause. ApPius Cladius
was inlamed with criminal passion towards
young woman, of plebcan rank. The fa-
ther of this young woman, Lucus Virgnius,
held an honorable rank among the centurions,
in the camp near Algidum. man of exem-
plary good conduct, both as soldier and a
citizen and by the same principles were
the behavior Of his wife, and the education of
his family regulated. lie had bethrothcd his
daughter to Lucus I;ilius, who had been tri-
bune, man of spirit, and Of approved zeal in
tho of fto H.,
the bloom of youth. and of extraordinary beau.
ty, Appius. burning with desire, had attemp-
ted to seduce by bribes and promises; but.
finding every avenue to his hopes barred by
modesty. he resolved to have recourse to vio-
lencc. He gave instructions to Marcus Clau-
dius, one Of his dependents that he should
claim the young woman us his slave. and not
submit to any demand which should be made,
for her being left at liberty until the decision
of the suit. thinking that the absence of the
damsel's father afforded the fttest opportunity
for the injury which he meditatcd. AS Vir-
ginia came into the forum, (for the schools Of
learning were held there in Sheds this min
lister of the decemvirs lust laid his hand on
her. and affirming that "she was slave. and
born of woman who was his slave" ordered
her to follow him !; threatening. in case of re-
fusal. to drag her away by force. While the
girl stood motionless through fright and as
crowd was collected by the cries
of her nurse, who imp.ored the protection of
the citizens. The popular names Of her faith
er. Virginius, and her spouse, Icilius. were
heard on every side. The acquaintances we're
engaged in favor of the maiden, by their re-
gard for them, and the multitude in general
by the Nervousness Of the proceeding. She
was now secured from violence, when the
claimant said, "there was no occasion for rails
ing mob, be was proceeding by law, not by
force" and summoned the maiden to court
of Justice. She being advised. by those who
appeared in her favor. to follow him, they ar
rived at the tribunal of Appius. The claim
ant rehearsed the concerted farce before the
u &c, alledged that 1.-THE girl was born in
lis house and had been clandestinely re-
moved from thence to that of Virginius, her
'upeosvd father; that Of this he had sufficient