The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-10-02
BRUTUs AND HIS SONS.

pestilence had broken out within tb
city, and the people were dying in gref
numbers. To add to the general gloon
a serpent was seen to glide cautiousl
from one of the pillars of the palace an
disappear.
The news of this unusual occurrenc
spread rapidly, and created great alarm
Even the king was dismayed. His 81
perstitious fears were excited. He Re
garded the strange appearance of tn
serpent as on i'll omen. What did j
foreshow? His death, or the dissolu
ton of the monarchy? It was a prob
lem which could not be solved. Afte
much specializing, it was decided tha
his two sons, Aruns and Titus, shcul,
consult the oracle of Delphi, and seeI
an explanation of the mystery. TIL
young princes were thirsting for adven
ture, and joyously undertook the Jour
ney into France.
A man named LuciUs Junius Brutu
had accompanied them. His father hat
fallen victim to the cruelty of Taruuip
and to secure safety, he affected menta
imbecility. Aruns and Titus had NJ
suspicion that he was other than b;
seemed. They did not expect that h,
would share the perils they must en-
counter. His apparent idiocy made
them think it impossible for him to un
derstand the great issue at stake: but
he could jest, and amuse the party with
his tricks. He went simply as buffoon,
Upon reaching the temple of Delphi, ar
offering was presented to the god. II
was piece of gold, inclosed in a rod OF
carmel-wood cOnsecrated to receive it.
In this way, it was hoped to appease the
wrath of the deity.
The princes then inquired with great
anxiety, "Who shall reign in Rome
hereafter p
The reply was, "He shall be king.
who shall first kiss his mother"
Aruns and Titus were surprised.
They agreed to conceal the words of the
oracle from their elder brother, Lestus,
and to hasten back to embrace their
mother the queen, and to reign Jointly.
BrUtus had also heard the answer of
thego6. Heaffixed very ydifferentmean-
ing to it. The earth, he thought, was
the common mother of mankind.
Pretending to fall, he devoutly kissed
the ground and arose, cherishing q Sc
cret hope of becoming future ruler.
He returned with the princes to
Rome. The mask of idiocy he had
worn to conceal deep purposes was now
boldly thrown off.
He was burning to revenge the MUIR
der of his father, and personal injuries.
Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus, had
been cruelty wroDged by Lestus Tar
quini. She was relative of Brutus,
and his hatred of Tarquin and his fami-
ly now became intense. Every energy
was emplove in the work of overthrow
ing the regal power.
He became a public agitator. He
boldly set forth the oppressive acts of
Taruuin, and the advantages of sim
pier form of government. The people
listened and believed. An instruction
speedily followed, and the king and
princes were forced to leave Rome.
BY a single powerful stroke, Lucius
Janius Brutus had put an end to the
monarchy, after it had existed forty
three years.
The Romans were now called upon to
decide how they would be governed.
After much debate, it was determined
that the supreme authority should be
vested in two persons. Brutus I'D
Collatinus were elected consuls. They
were surrounded with all the ensigna of
power, and the kingdom was changed
to a republic.
The most rigid laws we're made. The
new consuls sought by leveling rank,
and allowing fortune to command no
respect. to obliterate all traces of the
monarchy.
In time this despotic exercise of pow
er made the republican government un-
popular. The young patricians, reared
in luxury and addicted to pleasure,
groaned under the arbitrary sway of
the consuls. Sympathy for the deposed
king and princes condemned to exile
began to be felt. The former gaieties
were remembered, and many earnestly
longed to have tn m revived.
Opposition to Brutus and Collatinus
arose and spread widely.
Tarquin soon became aware of the dis
affection. He sent his emissaries to
Rome, who found means to excite the
young men into a spirit of rebellion. A
plot was matured in secret, to restore
the monarchy. The noblest youths in |
Rome engaged in it. The two sons of |
Brutus, and the nephews of Collatinus,
were among the number.
The conspirators met by stealth, and |
bound themselves by solemn oath, to |
mite all their energies to overthrow the |
republic.
Their plot wss discovered.
4 slave, named Vindicius, suspecting |
treason, secreted himself in the house |
where their secret meetings were held. |
He listened to their conversation, and |
learned that a strong blow was coon to /
be aimed against the government. He |
revealed the plot to the authorities. |
The conspiratOrs were seized and prepa-
rations were made to give them trial.
EARLY the next day, the Consuls Brutus
and Collatinus went to the tribunal,
and ordered the oulprits to be brought
before them.
The young men were speeohless and
tel lror-stricken.
With unbroken firmness Brutus asked
them if they had any defence to offer.
He re ceived no answer.
The question was repeated. Still no
words issued from their lips.
Once n ore Brutus demanded If they
could dery the charge brought against
them.
Tears were his only reply, and their
dreadful silence revealed their inability
to prove their innocence.
Terrible was the situation of BrHtus.
Convinced of the guilt of his sons, Titus
md Tiberius, he was forced to pass SEN
,ence of death upon them. With a
irm, undaunted voice, he commanded
he executioner to perform his work.
The unhappy young men entreatedfor
mercy. The spectators were moved
with compassion, and urged Brutus to
spare them.
He sternIy refused. Calmly and m
alteringly he proceeded to execute the
avs, regardless of the ties of blood.
Ills sons had been false to Rome, and
must suffer the penalty of treason with
he others. The people looked upon
lim in admiration and awe.
Collatinus sought to save his nephews,
1ut was prevented by Brutus,