Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-12-12
The Spartans.

Among the Spartans one kind of theft
was encouraged and even authorized by
the law, and by the consent of the citizens !;
and this was their stealing herbs or roots
from the gardens and public baths; but if
they were caught in the act they were
punished for want of deXterity. The de-
sign of the Spartan legislator, in allowing
this practice was TO inspire the Spartan
youths, who were designed for war, with
a view of sef-defence, and to extent of do
minion; wit. boldness, subtlety, and adj
dress; to inure them betimes to the life of
q soldier; to teach them to live upon a
little, and to be able to shift for them
selves.
Corpulency incurred public contempt,
and sometimes Punishment. Magnificent
sepulchres were forbidden; nor was the
painest or most modest inscription per-
mitted, except for such as were slain in
battle, or for women who had devoted
themselves to a religious life. Tears, signs,
and outcrics were not permitted in public,
because they dishonored Spartans, who
ought to bear all things with equanimity.
Graves were allowed in the city, and they
buried close to the temples that all people
might be familiar with death, and not con-
ceive it as n thing dreadful in itself, or
that dead bodies detiled the living.
Celibacy was regarded in men as in
famous, and punished by various tokens of
contempt. If man did not marry when
at full age, he was liable to an action; rs
those also were who married above or be-
low themselves. Such rs had three chill
dron had certain immunties, and those
who had four were free from all taxes.
Virgins were married without portions;
and husbands were allowed to beat their
wives. The men of Sparta were distin-
guished for their virtue, but the Spartan
women for their boldness. Iycurgus
would not allow all sorts of persons to
travel, lest they should bring home for
eign manner, and return infected with the
licentious customs of other countries.
A soldier was the only reputable profes.
sion In Sparta; II mechanic or husband
man was looked upon with contempt. 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 de-
liver up his arms; in word, either to con-
quer or die. A Spartan mother hearing
that her son was killed in battle lighting
for his country, answered coldly:
" | brought him into the world for no
other purpose"
After forty years service, man was by
law no longer required to 90 into the field;
and consequently, if the military age was
thirty years, Qor this was the period. it
is supposed, at which they entered into the
service of their country the Spartans were
not held invalids till they were seventy. A
pretty period of life for soldier to retire
from the arduous career of warrior and
to receive his half pay!
Drunkenness was considered Infamous
among them, and punished; and that
young men might conceive the greatest alb.
horrence OF this species of debaucherv. the
slaves were compelled TO drink to excess
that the beastliness of the vice might an.
pear. When they retired from the public
meals they were not allowed any torches
or lights, because it was expected thot
men who were perfectly sober shonld he
able to find their way in the dark beside
lnlS practice gave them q facility for
marching without light, quality verv
"'SA"i w Uieiu III Time Ot war.
AS to dress, there was no distinction no.
tween the rich and poor. Their garments
were made for use and not for show: and
tney We're taught betimes to distinpnish
themselves by their virtues, rather than bv
their robes. Boys were always used to 90 ~
without shoes nor were they permitted 10
cut or trim their hair. Bankers wero not "
allowed, and interest was also forbiddem
IN the Spartan commonwealth.
A writer has observed with resnoot 10
Lycurgus, That this legislator ordained
that the magistrates should not be- anno 1lou
ed by lot, but elected by suffraoes Ho
deprived riches of their influenza and 10
spect annexed to them, and divested evon
love of jealousy" 1t has likewise Ieom
observed, That the main design of Nv
our,gus, in the establishment of his laws
and especially of that which prohibited the
use of gold and silver, was to curb and rr0
strain the ambition of his citizens to de
abb, them from making oonquests, tests and IN pi in
n mann, or to force them to confine them
selves within the narrow bounds of their
own country