The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-07-06

sign of the Spartan legislator, in allowing
this practice, was TO Inspire the Spartan
youths, who were designed for war, with
d view to self-defence, and to extent of
dominion; wit, boldness, subtlety, and ad-
dress; to inure them betimss to the life
Of soldier; to teach them to live upon
little, and to be able to shift for them
selves. f.. -.-.. gre r.-
Corpulency incurred public contempt,
and sometimes banishment. Magnificent
sepulehres were forbidden; nor was the
plainest, OF most modest inscription per-
mitted, except for such as were slain in
battle, or for women who had devoted
themselves to religious life. Tears,
sighs, and outcries were not permitted in
public, because they dishonored Spartans,
who ought to bear all things with equa-
nimity. 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
itself, or that dead bodies defled the liy-
ing.
Celibacy was regarded in men as infa-
nous, and punished by various tokens of
contempt. If a man did not marry when
at full age, he was liable to an action; as
those also were who married above or be-
low themselves. Such as had three chill
dren had certain immunities, 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-
suished for their virtue, but the Spartan
women for their boldness. Lyeurgus
would not allow all sorts of persons to
travel, lest they should bring home foreign
manners, and return infected with the Ii
centious customs of other countries.
A soldier was the only reputable pro-
fession in Sparta; a 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
conquer or die. A Spartan mother hear
ing that her son was killed in battle
(fghting for his country, answered,
coldly:
81 brought him into the world for no
other purpose.
After forty years service, men 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 supposed, at which they en-
tered 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 ardu-
Gus career of warrior, and to receive his
half-pay!
Drunkenness was considered infamous
among them, and punished and that
young men might conceive the greater abb
horrence of this species of debauchery, the
slaves were compelled to drink to excess,
that the beastliness of the vice might ap-
pear. 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 fnl their way in the dark; besides,
this practice gave them facility Of
marching without light, quality very
useful to them in time of war.
As to dress, there was no distinction be-
tween the rich and poor. Their garments
were made for use and not for show; and
they were taught betimes to distinguish
themselves by their virtues, rather than
by their robes. Boys were always used
J to 90 without shoes, nor were they per-
mtted to cut or trim their hair. Bankers
were not allowed, and interest was also
forbidden in the Spartan commonwealth.
A writer has observed, with respect to
Lycurgus, "That this legislator ordained
that the magistrates should not be ap-
, pointed by lot, but elected by suffrages.
He deprived riches of the influence and
respect annexed to them, and divested
even love of jealousy" 1t has likewise
, been observed, "That the main design Of
Lycurgus, in the establishment of his laws
and especially of that which prohibited the
r use of gold and silver, was to curb and re.
!, strain the ambition of his citizens, to dis.
, able them from making conquests, and in
manner to force them to confne them.
selves within the narrow bounds Of thei,
own country"