Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-04-08
aaaisesllansous &eaains
LIGHTHOUSES FROM HISTORY

LiSEI nSSSGS TflSm THO iSn'
Examples of Human Virtue That Have
Made the World Better.
[Under this heading from time to
time will be published series Of au-
thenticated extracts dealing with his
torical examples Of the good and bad
in human nature, mostly good; but all
furnishing an admirable chart Of con-
duct to be emulated or avoided:
.... r COURAGE. s.. ..
Sentiments.
That man only is truly brave who
fears nothing so much as doing a
shameful action; and that dares reso-
lutely and undauntedly go where his
duty, how dangerous soever 1t Is, may
call him.
Perfect courage consists in doing.
without witness, all we should be cap
able Of doing before the whole world.
Courage without conduct Is like
no ballast.
ITO die or conquer proves a hero's
heart"
Porsenna, the most potent king of
his time in Italy, having undertaken
to restore the TarQrins to the throne
Of Rome, from which they had been
banished for their cruelty and OPP
preston, sent propos, MS to the senate
for that purpose; b', finding they
were rejected with scorn, he ad-
vanced towards Rome in a confident
persuasion that he should easily re-
duce It. When he came to the bridge,
and saw the Romans drawn up in or
der Of battle before the river, he was
surprised at their resolution, and. not
doubling but he should overpower
them with numbers, prepared to fight.
The two armies being engaged fought
with great bravery, and long contend
ed for victory. After great slaugh-
ter on both sides, the Romans be-
gan to give way, and were quickly
put to flight. All fed into the city
over the bridge, which at the same
time would have afforded passage
in the heroic courage Of one Of her
citizens, a bulwark as strong as the
highest walls. Publius Horatius was
the man, surnamed Coolies, because he
had but one eye, having lost the 9TH
er in a battle. He was the strongest
and most undaunted Of all the Ro-
mans. He used every method to stop
the flying army; but perceived that
neither entreaties nor exhortations
could overcome their fear, he resolv-
ed. however, badly supported he
might be. to defend the entrance of
the bridge till 1t was. demolished be-
hind. On the success Of this depend
ed the preservation Of the city. Only
two Romans followed his example,
and partook Of his danger; nay, when
he saw but few planks Of the
bridge remaining. he obliged them to
retire, and to save themselves.
Standing alone against a whole army,
but preserving his intrepidity, he even
dared to insult his numerous enemies;
and cast terrible looks upon the prin-
cipal Hetrurians, one while challeng-
ing them to single combat, and then
bitterly reproaching them all. "Vile
slaves that you are" said he, mot
satisfied with being unmindful of
your own, ye are come to deprive 9TH
ers Of their liberty who have had the
courage to assume it." Covered with
his buckler, he sustained shower of
darts; and at last, when they were
all preparing to rush upon him, the
bridge was entirely demolished, and
arms into the Tiber safely swan over,
having performed an action, says
Livy, that will command the admir-
alton more than the faith Of posteri-
ty. He was received as in triumph
by the Romans. The people erected
him a brazen statue In armour In the
most conspicuous port Of the Forum.
AS much land was given him as he
could surround with plough in a
day. All the inhabitants, men and
women, contributed to his reward;
and in the midst Of a dreadful scarce
ity, almost every person In the city,
depriving themselves of part Of their
substance, made him present Of pro-
visions.-Liv. lib. II. ell. n
While the Romans were at war
with the Gauls "a. B. 394) the latter
advanced as far as the banks Of the
river Anio, within three miles of
Rome. The Romans marched against
them; the two armies continued some
time in sight Of each other, without
coming to action, separated only by
the bridge over the river. A Gaul,
Of gigantic stature, advanced upon
the bridge, and cried with loud
voice, Let the bravest man in the
Roman army enter the lists with me
the success Of our combat shall de-
termine which is the most valiant
nation" His extraordinary size and
fierce looks struck the Romans with
such terror. that for long time not
one in the whole army appeared to ac-
cept his challenge. At length young
Manlius. who had so remarkably
signalized his pity for his father
touched with a just sense Of the
affront offered to the Roman name,
quilted his post, and flying to
the dictator, asked leave to encounter
the enemy: Though I were sure of
victory" says he, II would not fight
this proud Gaul without your order,
but If you will give me leave, I will
am Of the blood Of that Manlius
whose valor proved so fatal to the
Gauls in the Capitol" The dictator
who had been very uneasy that nc
Roman had accepted the challenge
before, readily complied with the re-
quest of the brave youth. go, Man
lius,' said he, "and humble the pride
Of this insulting enemy; revenge the
cause Of the city where you first drew
your breath, as successfully as you
relieved him to whom you owe 1t. v
Upon this the young Roman. having
| changed the round buckler which he
WOTe DIS d tbOllldIl hIliSnl, lOI d
one, and armed himself with a short
sword, fit both for cutting and stab
| bing, advanced against the Gaul
who was strutting about in his ar
mour, and making an ostentatious
show of his strength. Both Romans
and Gauls retired to their respective
posts, leaving the bridge free for the
two champions. The Gaul, says Livy
began the combat by discharging 9
great blow with his long sword al
Manlius, which made much noise, but
did no execution. Hereupon the
young Roman dexterously slipped
under the enemy's shield. stabbed him
in two places, so that he soon fell, and
covered, to use Livy's expression. g
vast piece of ground with his enor.
nous body. The conqueror cut off hi.
head. without troubling himself about
the rest Of the spoils, only seized 6
golden collar. which he tore from his
neck, and bloody as it was, put 1t up
on his own, in token Of victory; ant
hence he got the name of Torquatus
which he transmitted to his posterity
The event Of this combat so discour
aged the Gauls that they abandoned
their camp in the night and retired
into mpania.-Livy. lib. II. C. p. IL