Prof. Church has in this story sought to revivify that most interesting period, the last days of the Roman Republic. Scarcely recovered from the effects of her long struggle for supremacy in Italy, and from the evils of the terrible strife of the nobles against the people, Rome was engaged in suppressing the revolt of Spartacus and the slaves and the insurrection of Sertorius, while at the same time she was waging war with Mithradates, king of Pontus. Meanwhile the pirates held almost undisputed possession of the Mediterranean Sea, till Pompey eventually put them down in b.c. 67. The hero of the story, Lucius Marius, is a young Roman who, through the influence of Cicero, obtains an official appointment in Sicily. He has a very chequered career, being now a captive in the hands of Spartacus, again an officer on board a vessel detailed for the suppression of the pirates, and anon a captive once more, on a pirate ship. He escapes to Tarsus, gets a position under Deiotarus, tetrarch of Galatia, is taken prisoner in the war with Mithradates, and detained by the latter in Pontus for a number of years. There is thus plenty of scope for the narration of stirring adventure and exciting episode.
While boys will follow with the deepest interest the career of Lucius, they will gain a clear insight into the history and life of the ancient Roman world.
THE UNIVERSE:
Or the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little. A Sketch of Contrasts in Creation, and Marvels revealed and explained by Natural Science. By F. A. Pouchet, M.D. Illustrated by 273 Engravings on wood. 8th Edition, medium 8vo, cloth elegant, gilt edges, 7s. 6d.; morocco antique, 16s.
"We can honestly commend this work, which is admirably, as it is copiously illustrated."—Times.
"As interesting as the most exciting romance, and a great deal more likely to be remembered to good purpose."—Standard.
"Scarcely any book in French or in English is so likely to stimulate in the young an interest in the physical phenomena."—Fortnightly Review.
CHEEP AND CHATTER:
Or, Lessons from Field and Tree. By Alice Banks. With 54 Character Illustrations by Gordon Browne. Small 4to, cloth, handsome design on cover, 3s. 6d.; gilt edges, 4s.
