The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-12-27
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Among The Sparaaus eae Alma Of lheTt |
was encouraged aud even authorized BY
the las, aud by lho conseAt Of the eili-
zensi and this was their stealing herbs or
roots from the gardens and public baths
but Il they were caught 10 The act they
we're punished for want OF dextefily.
The design Of the Spartan legislator, In
allowing thisptaetIcc, was 70 inspire The
Spartan youths, wbe were designed FOR
war, with q view o fdeieace, aud TO
extent OF dominioni wit, boldnes, sub3
tlety, aud address; to inuve them beumes
to the life Of a soldier, " teach them 70
live upon little, and to be able 10 shift
for themselves.
Corpulency incurred public contempt
ana sometimes banishmcnt. Magnificent
sepalehfes were forbidden; nor was the
plsiaest or most modest inscription per-
mitted, except for such aswepc slain in
battle, on for women who had davoied
themselves 10 q religious slile. Tears.
sighs, and outories were. not permitted 10
public, because they dishonered Spartana
who ought to bear all things with eauan-
Unity. Graves were allowed in the city,
and they buried close TO thc temples that
all people might be familiar with death,
and not conceive il as thing dreadful IN
Itself, or that dead bodies deAled the liv.i
ing.
Celibaey was regarded in men as in
famous, aud punished by various tokens
of contempt. II a man did not marry
when at foliage, he was liable 10 an &C
tion; as those also were who married
above or below themselves. Such as had
three children had certiin immuDilies,
and those who had four were free from
al taxes. Virgins were married without
portions, aud husbands were allowed TO
beat their wives The men .Of sparta.
were distinguished for their virtue, bnli
the Spartan women for aheir boldness.
LyCureus would not allow all sorts Of
persons to travel, lest they should bring
home foreign manner, and return infect
ed with the licentious customs of other
countries
A soldier was he only reputable pro.
fession in Sparta; a mechanic or hus-
bandman was looked upon with con-
tempt. A soldier was never to fly or TO
turn his back upon his enemies, however
superior in number; or to quit his post;
or TO deliver up his arms; In a word,
either to conquer or die. A Spartan
mother hearing that her son was killed IN
battle (ighting for bis conntry,) answer
ed coldly: i Ha
! brought him into the world for no
otler purpose. vaa8ni VT
After forty years service, a man was
by law no longer required TO go into the
field; and consequently, |: the military
age was thirty years, (for this was the
period, L is supposed, at which they en-.
tered Into the service Of their country
the Spartans were moi held invalids Ill
they were seventy. A pretty period of
life for soldier to retire from the ardu-
ous career Of warrior, and to receive
his hall payl
As 70 dress, there was no distinction
between the rich. aud poor. Their gar.
meuls were made for use aud not for
show; and they were Taught bellmes 70
1 distinguish themselves by their virtues,
rather than by their robes Bays we're
always used 10 20 without ehoes nor
were they permitted to cut or trim their
hair. Bankers were not allowed, aud In
terest was also forbidden ia ibe Spartan
commonwealth.
4 writer has observed with respect to
Lycurgus, That this legislator ordained
that the magistrates should not be ap.
pointed by lot, bnt elected by fufirages,
lie deprived riches Of iheis Influence and
respect annexed 10 them, aud dlyesled
even love Of jealousy. II las likewise
been observed, That The main design oI
Lyeurgus, 10 the establishment Of BIZ
laws, and especially Of that which pro
hibited The use Of gold and silver, was te
curb aud restrain the ambition Of bis cili
zens, to disable them from mskipg con
quests, and iu manner to force them q
confne themselves within ihe narfou
bounds Of their own conoiry.