The Rape of the Sabines.-The Roman State had now become so strong that it was a match for a n of its neighbours in war, but its ,greatness threatened to last for only one geaerar I See notes at end of vol. tion since through the absence of women there was no hope of offspring, and there was no right,of intermarriage with their neighbours. Acting on the' advice of the senate, Romulus sent envoys‘amongst， the surrounding nations. to ask for alliance.. and the right of intermarriage on， behalt of}.娜new community 杏tw竺r叩resented.that cities, like.everything else,_sprung 冬ronz t夕e humblest beginnings,. and those who were helpw w叫on by their own courage anal the tavour of heaven won for them,selves great power and great renown. As to the origin of Rome it was well known that whilst it had received divine assistan courage and self-reliance were not wanting. There shou C，.如扣叭 冶月U日以 、勺刁勺七U therefore, be no reluctance for men to mingle their blood Wx their fellow--men. Nowhere did the envoys meet with a favourable reception. whilst their proposals were treated with contumely, there was at the same time a general feeling of alarm at the power so raP idly growing in their midst. Usually they were dismissedapi with the question,“whether they had opened an asylum for women, for nothing short of that would secure for there intermarriage on equal terms.:’The Roman， youth could ill brook7 1 1 "1 '1 n suc ti insults, anct matters oegan to look like an appeal to force. To secure a favourable place and tune for such an attempt, Romulus, disguising his resentment. made elaborate preparations for the celebration of games in honour of “;Equestrian Neptune," which he called“the Consualia.” He ordered public noti ce of the spectacle， to be1 l 1 7幼en amongst the"1 1仲oining cities, and his people supported him in making the ceteoratxon as magnificent as the it knowledge and resources allowed, so that expectations were raised to the highest pitch. There was: ire eager to see the new City, all their nearest neighbours--the people of Caenina, Anti nnae, and ~。u，山‘，.，，，命人 Crustumerium--were t,aere, anct tie w.ioie Saoxne population came, with their wives and families. They were invited accept hospitality at the different houses, and after examin tong吐 the situation of the City, its walls and the large number dwellin houses it included, they were astonished at the rapidity with wh the Roman State had grown, 1，，自嘴 When the hour for the games nag come、and their eves and minds were alike riveted on the spectacle before them the preconcerted signal was given and the Rornan dashed in all directions to carry off the maidens who present. The larger part were carried「 off indiscriminately, but some r夕 p articularly beautiful girls who had been marked out for the lea再ng patric乎ns Were carried to their houses by plebeians told off for the task. ongst them. all for grace and beauty, is reported to have been carried off by a group led by a certain Talassius, and to the many inquiries as to whom she was intended for, the invariable answer was given,“For Talassius." Hence the use of this word in the marriage rites 4 Alarm and consternation broke up the games, and the parents of the maidens fled, distracted with grief, uttering bitter reproaches on the violators of the laws of ha hospitality anal appealing to the god to吵ose solemn games they had come, only to be the victims of impious perfidy. The abducted maidens were quite as despondent and indignant. Romulus, however, went round in person, and pointed 占r吞 out to them that it was all owing to the pride of their parents in denying.. ,..right of intermarriage1 11 _, to their neighbours. They would live in nonouraole wealocK, and share all their property and civil rights, and----dearest of all to human nature-would be the mothers of freemen。He begged them to lay aside their feelings of resentment and give their affections to those whom. fortune had made masters of their persons. .,fin injury had often led to reconciliation and love;they would find their husbands all the more affectionate, because each would do his utmost, so far as in him lay, to make up for the loss of parents ，沪‘~，护r.、产，，古，~， and country. }lnese a铭uments were reznxorcea oy the en.a.earmeats of their husbands, who excused their conduct by pleadingthe irresistible force of their passion-a plea effective beyond all others in appealing to a woman's nature.