of the deceased were supposed to be delighted with blood, various animals were killed and thrown on the pile. Sometimes slaves were treated in this way, but this was only in early times."

Sometimes there were gladiatorial | fights, and great expense was incurred. We know among some nations of today it is considered that great honour is done to the deceased by an expensive funeral. Such used, at one time, to be the case in the Scotch Highlands, and the survivors were often burdened with debt for years, owing to the extravagant expenditure of a few days.

After the fire had burned itself out, the ashes were soaked with wine, the bones were collected by the nearest friends, and after being besprinkled with the richest perfumes, were put into a vessel called an urn. An urn is a frequent device in graveyards of our own times, and this classic custom is the reason why it is so. The urn was then laid in the tomb, those present were three times sprinkled by a priest with pure water, from a branch of olive or laurel, to purify them. Then the word of dismissal was given, and they departed, repeating several times, "Farewell for ever," for their cold and gloomy religion forced them to sorrow as those that had no hope. After the lapse of nine days a solemn sacrifice was offered up, and the current of their life resumed its ordinary course.

The Romans were, above all things, a military people. It was by force they obtained all that they had. Theirs were not the peaceful triumphs of industry. Britain has become, in a great measure, a mighty nation by creating wealth, by fighting against Nature; but Rome took wealth from others because she was stronger than other nations.

There is a story of a Roman to whom great wealth was shown. "He that comes better skilled in the fight than you are," said he to the owners of the wealth, be master both of you and of your riches."

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This idea thoroughly took possession of all the Roman nation. Hence, the greatest rewards of the state were reserved for the successful warrior. And the very highest honour that could be obtained was a triumph, in which the general and his soldiers, after a victory, marched in victorious procession through the streets of Rome to the Capitol, accompanied by the shouts of the multitude.

"When the Romans gained a victory, the soldiers, with shouts of joy, saluted their commander by the title of general. His lictors, or attendants, wreathed their rods with laurel, as did also the soldiers their spears and javelins. He immediately sent letters wrapped round with laurel to the senate, to inform them of his success, and, if the victory was considerable, to demand a triumph.

The triumphal procession began from the Campus Martius, and went from thence along the Triumphal Way, through the Campus and Circus Flaminius to the Triumphal Gate, and thence through the most public places of the city to the Capitol. The streets were strewed with flowers, and the altars smoked with incense. First went musicians of various kinds, singing and playing triumphal songs; next were led the oxen to be sacrificed, having their horns. gilt, and their heads adorned with fillets and garlands; then in carriages were brought the spoils taken from the enemy. statues, pictures, plate, armour, gold and silver, and brass; also golden crowns, and other gifts sent by the allied and tributary states. The titles of the vanquished nations were inscribed on wooden frames, and the images or representations of the conquered countries and cities. The captive leaders followed in chains, with their children and attendants; after the captives came the lictors, having their fasces wreathed with laurel, followed by a great company of musicians and dancers, dressed like satyrs, and wearing crowns of gold; i the

midst of whom was a pantomime, clothed in a female garb, whose business it was, with his looks and gestures, to insult the vanquished. Next followed a long train of persons carrying perfumes. Then came the general, dressed in purple embroidered with gold, with a crown of laurel on his head, a branch of laurel in his right hand, and in his left an ivory sceptre, with an eagle on the top, having his face painted with vermilion, in like manner as the statue of Jupiter on festival days, and a golden ball hanging from his neck on his breast, with some amulet in it, or magical preservative against envy, standing in a gilded chariot adorned with ivory, and drawn by four white horses, sometimes by elephants, attended by his relations, and a great crowd of citizens all in white. His children used to ride in the chariot along with him; and, that he might not be too much elated, a slave, carrying a golden crown, sparkling with gems, stood behind him, who frequently whispered in his ear, Remember that thou art a man!' After the general followed the consuls and senators on foot, at least, according to the appointment of Augustus; for formerly they used to go before him. His lieutenant-generals and military tribunes commonly rode by his side.

The victorious army, horse and foot, came last, all in their order, crowned with laurel, and decorated with the gifts they had obtained for their valour, and often shouting Triumph!' On reaching the Capitol a magnificent entertainment was given, which concluded the day's proceedings."

We have only space left to draw one other picture from the manners of the ancient Romans. Their luxurious dresses and houses and feasts we shall, for the present, pass over. Our illustration presents us with a picture of a lady at her toilet. She is attended by her slaves; but, as we have said, ancient dress is a subject we shall not enter into at present.

We give some little account of a Roman bath. This will, perhaps, be found more interesting, as in some points it is not unlike the luxury known as a Turkish bath among ourselves. We suppose, then, that a party of Roman exquisites, led by one Lepidus, and belonging to one of the provincial towns of Italy, go to perform this daily duty.

"Those who took only the cold bath began to undress; they suspended their garments on hooks fastened in the wall, and receiving, according to their condition, either from their own slaves or those of the therma, loose robes in exchange, withdrew into a graceful circular building.

The more luxurious departed by another door to the tepidarium, a place which was heated to a voluptuous warmth, partly by a movable fireplace, principally by a suspended pavement, beneath which was conducted the caloric of the laconicum.

And

Here this portion of the intended. bathers, after unrobing themselves, remained for some time enjoying the artificial warmth of the luxurious air. this room, as befitted its important rank in the long process of ablution, was more richly and elaborately decorated than the rest; the arched roof was beautifully carved and painted; the windows above, of ground glass, admitted but wandering and uncertain rays; below the massive cornices were rows of figures in massive and bold relief; the walls glowed with crimson, the pavement was skilfully tessellated in white mosaics. Here the habituated bathers, men who bathed seven times a day, would remain in a state of enervate and speechless lassitude, either before or (mostly) after the water-bath; and many of these victims of the pursuit of health turned their listless eyes on the new-comers, recognising their friends with a nod, but dreading the fatigue of conversation.

From this place the party again diverged, according to their several fan