Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-02-14

OF telegraphlc lines. lhe establishment can
manufacture in twenty. -four hours 2,700 rails,
100 locomotive wheels, 180 wagon wheels and
1900 shells, and in month, 250 field pieces
and 81 others of larger oalibre. .-.--.---
THE SPARTANS.
THE MOST STRANGELY GOVERNED OF THE
ANCIENT PEOPLES.
Among the Spartans one kind of theft was
encouraged, and even authorized by the law,
and by 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 dex-
terity. The design of the Spartan legislator,
in allowing this practice, was to inspire the
Spartan youths, who were designed for war,
with view to selfdefence, and to extent of
dominion; wit, boldness, subtlety, and ad-
dress; to inure them betimes to the life of
soldier to teach them to live upon little,
and to be able to shift for themselves.
Corpulency incurred public contempt and
sometimes banishment. Magnificent sepul-
chres were forbidden; nor was the plainest,
or most modest inscription permitted, except
for such as were slain in battle, or for women
who had devoted themselves to a religious
life. Tears, sighs, and outcries were not per.
mitted in public, because they dishonored
Spartsns 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 conceive it as thing dreadful in it.
self, or that dead bodies defiled the living.
Celibacy was regarded in men as Infamous,
and punished by various tokens of contempt.
If man did not marry when at full age, he
was liable to an action as those also were
who married above or below themselves.
Such as had three children had certain i'm
munities, and those who had four were free
from all taxes. Virgins were married with
out portions; and husbands were allowed to
beat their wives. The men of Sparta we're
distinguished for their virtue, but the Spar
tan women for their boldness. Lycurgus
would not allow all sorts of persons to trav-
Ell, lest they should bring home foreign man
ners, and return infected with the licentious
customs Of other countries
A soldier was the only reputable profession
in Sparta; mechanic or husbandman was
looked upon with contempt. A soldier was
never to fly or to turn bis back upon bis enc
his post; or to deliver up his arms; in
word, either to conquer or die. A Spartan
mother hearing that her son was killed in
battle (6ghting for his country,) answered
coldly:
II brought him into the world for no 9th.
or purpose"
After forty years. service, man was by
law no longer required to 60 into the field;
and, consequently, if the military age was
thirty years (for this was the period, it is sup
posed, 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 a warrior, and to receive
his half.pay!
Drunkenness was considered infamous
among them, and punished and that young
men might conceive the greater adherence
of this species of debauchery, the slaves were
compelled to drink to excess, that the beastli-
ness of the vice might appear. When they
retired from the public meals, they were not
allowed any torches or lights, because it was
expected that men who were perfectly sober
should be able to find their way in the dark;
besides, this practice gave them facility Of
marching without light, a quality very useful
to them in time of war.
As to dress, there was was no distinction
between the rich and poor. Their garments
were made for use and not for show and
they were taught betimes to distinguish them
selves by their virtues, rather than by their
robes. Boys were always used to 60 without
shoes, nor were they permitted to cut or
trim their hair. Bankers were not allow
ed, and interest was also forbidden in the
Spartan commonwealth.
A writer has observed with respect to Ly-
curgus, "That this legislator ordained that
the magistrates should not be appointed by
lot, but elected by suffrages. He deprived
riches of the influence and respect annexed
ed them, and divested even love Of jealousy"
1t has likewise been observed, "Tbat the
main design of Lycurgus, in the establish
ment of his laws, and especially of that which
prohibited the use of gold and silver, was to
curb and restrain the ambition of bis citizens,
to disable them from making conquest, and
in a manner to force them to confne them
selves within the narrow bounds of their own
country" E.
The PARIS EXPOSITION BU1D1NGs.-The
building of the coming Paris exhibition in
1878, are the largest yet conceived for the
purposes. The nave of the main building is
nearly 1900 feet long, the vista, which in
cludeN the two vestibules, is more than $500
feet ard each of the transepts and vestibules
more .han 1,10O feet. The eight industrial
courts are all parallel, and ere divided into
two series of four each; one series being
devoted to the productions of France, and the
other to the rest Of the exhibiting nations.
In the centre of the garden between the two
series are two ranges of fine art galleries. On
the opposite side Of the river is the Trocadero
Palace, which is to be devoted to the history
of man from the savage state down to the
most modern appliances of science and art. 1t
will afterward be used as municipal muse
um. .'' ...
sg- Boswell once asked johnson if there
was no possible circumstance under which
suicide would be justi6able. NO." was the
reply. "Well," says Boswell, suppose a
man has been guilty of fraud that he was GER
tain would be found out" "Why, then,"
says johnson, "in that case let him 90 to
anno oountrv ruhoro he 10 MT known not tn