Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-13

uatiHg circumstances, acquitted her on
the third and sentenced her TO simple
transportation. tN
Burnine OF Rome. 4fra
As everything connected with great
fires has peculiar interest at the pres.
ent time, we reproduce the narrative Of
the historian Tacitus concerning the
conhagration which occurred at Rome,
A. d. Ga: ~
There followed dreadful disaster;
whether fortuitously. or by the wicked
contriyance Of the prince Nero, is not
determined, for both are asserted by his
torians--but of all calamities which ever
befel this city from the rage Of fire, this
was the most terrible aud severe. 1t
broke out in that part of the Circus
which is contiguous TO Mounts Palatine
and CGlius; where, by reason Of shops
in which were kept such goods as minis
ter aliment to fire, the moment it COM
menced it acquired strength, and being
accelerated by the wind, it spread at
once through the whole extent Of the
Circus; for neither we're the houses Sc
cured by enclosures nor the temples en-
vironed with walls; nor was there any
other obstacle to intercept It's progress;
but the fame spreading every way i'm
petuously. invaded first the lower regions
Of the city, then mounted TO the higher;
then again ravaging the lower, it bafiled
every effort TO extinguish il, by the
rapidity of its destructive course, and
from the liability of the city to conha-
grafton in consequence Of the narrow
and intricate alleys, and the irregularity
of the streets in ancient Rome. Add
to this the wailings of terrified women,
the infrm condition of the aged,
and the helplessness of childhood;
such as stroye to provide for
themselves, and those who had la.
bored to assist others; these dragging
the feeble, those waiting for them; some
hurryipS, others lingering; altogether
creating scene Of universal confusion
and embarrassment; and while they
looked back upon the danger in their
rear, they often found themselves beset
before and on their sidesI or, if they
had escaped into the quarter adjoining,
these, too we're already seized by the de-
vouring flames; even the parts which
they believed remote and exempt, were
fonnd 10 he in the same distress. Al
last. not knowing what to shun or where
TO seek sanctuary. they crowded the
streets and lay along the open fields.
Some from tbe loss Of their Whole sub-
stance even the means OF their daily
sustenance; others from affliction for
their relations. which thew had not been
able to snatch from the flames, suffered
themselves to perish with them. though
thew had opportunity for escape. Nei-
ther dared any man TO check the ere. so
repeated were the menaces Of many who
forbade TO extinguish Il. and because
others onenly threw 6re.brands. with
loud declarations that they had one
who authorized them; !" whether they did
il that they might plunder with the less
restraint or in consequence of orders
given. y" = '' "
Nero who was at the 10 ncture so;ourn.
ing at Antium. did not return 10 the city
tilI the fire annroacbed that quarter Of
his house which connected the palace
with the gardens of Mecenas; nor could
il however. be prevented from deyouting
the Loupe and palace. and everything
around. But fos tbs xelief Of the people
tbus destitute and driven from their
dwellings he opened tbe field of Mars
and the monumental edifices erected by
Aprippa and even his own gardens, He
likewise reared temporary houses for the
reception Of the forlorn multitude, and
lroin Vetla anu tue nelBhporlpS vities