"Two hundred and sixteen years!" exclaimed Louisa, with astonishment: "why that is almost as long as the patriarchs lived of old."
"Oh no, indeed, you are mistaken there, Louisa," said Ferdinand; "for I read in the Bible, this morning, that Methuselah, who was the oldest man ever known, lived nine hundred and sixty-nine years."
Mr. Bernard at this instant joined them, and in conversation equally instructive and entertaining, the time passed pleasantly away, till the dinner-bell summoned them to the house.
"Several days elapsed without any remarkable occurrence; frequent showers prevented their visiting the poor cottager, whose health gradually recovered, under the kind care of her excellent nurse Jane, and the tender attentions of her little Susan. On the day fixed for Edward's return, the two children were again taken to their humble home, and rejoiced their mother by their improved appearance.
Each hour was anxiously counted, as the time fixed for his arrival approached. Ferdinand, Louisa, and little Sophy, stationed themselves at the window. Anxiously they watched every carriage that drove past the gate; at length, a cry of joy announced his arrival. In an instant he was folded in the arms of his tender parents, and alternately embraced, with the greatest affection, by his brother and sisters. Every individual rejoiced at his return. And thus restored to the bosom of DOMESTIC PLEASURE, we leave him, for the present, tranquil and happy.
THE END.
* * * * * HISTORICAL QUESTIONS.
Who were Numitor and Amullus? Who was Romulus? To what danger were Romulus and Remus exposed in their infancy? How were they preserved? Where does the river Tiber rise, and where does it discharge itself? What is its present name? What was the employment of Romulus and Remus during their youth? What circumstance was the principal cause of the change in their situations? What occasioned the death of Remus? Who founded Rome? What was its first form of government? Did any thing extraordinary attend the first peopling of Rome? What was the cause of the Sabine war? How did the Sabines gain possession of the Capitoline hill? How was Tarpeia punished for her treachery? What was the consequence of the Sabines becoming masters of the Capitoline hill? How were the two nations reconciled? What change did this reconciliation occasion in the government of Rome? Did Tatius long survive this arrangement? What occasioned the death of Romulus? Who was Numa Pompilius, and what was his character? Was he elected to the sovereign authority immediately after the death of Romulus? How was he received by the Roman people? How did he fulfill the important duties of a king? What was the name of the temple he built, which was only opened during war? What regulations did he make, to allay the animosities subsisting between the Sabines and Romans? How many years did he reign, and what was his age at his death? Where was he buried? Can you tell me why Numa called the first month January, and whence the others derived their names? Who was the third king of Rome? What was his character? Who were the first people who gave Tallus an opportunity of indulging his warlike disposition? How was this war terminated? Who were the Horatii and Curiatii? What cruel action tarnished the honour which Horatius gained by his victory? Did he undergo no punishment for his crime? What was the yoke, used as a punishment by the Romans? Did Horatius receive no honour for his victory? Did the Romans continue at peace after the termination of the Alban war? How was the life of Tullus Hostilius terminated? Give me a sketch of his character. What new law did he establish? Who succeeded him? Who was Ancus Martius? What was his character? Give me a short sketch of his reign. How long did he govern Rome? Who succeeded him? Who was Lucius Tarquinius Priscus? How did he obtain the crown? How did he govern the city so unjustly acquired? Give me an account of Altius Naevius, and tell me the meaning of the word augur. What was Tully's opinion of the pretended miracle? How did Tarquinius close his long life? Were his murderers taken? Did they confess their guilt? What is the punishment of the torture? How did queen Tanaquil act upon the death of her husband? What became of the sons of Ancus Martius? How did Servius act? Who were his parents? Where is Corniculum situated, and what is its present name? Is any thing extraordinary related respecting his infancy? Who had the charge of his education? How can you account for his having so easily obtained the throne on the death of his father- in-law? In what manner did he conduct himself after his accession? How was he received by the nobles? How did Servius act in this emergency? How did he ingratiate himself with the people? Give me some account of the war with the Vicentes. Where is Veii? What was the result of this war? How did Servius still further work upon the feelings of the people? Did the nobles raise any other cabals against him? What resolution was he inclined to make in consequence of this? Who prevented his fulfilling this resolution? What was the character of Tanaquil? Was Servius engaged in any new war? How did he employ the interval of rest after the termination of this war? What important regulations did he introduce into the government? What was his most impolitic measure? What was the consequence of the ill-judged marriage of his daughters? What stratagem did Tarquin make use of to gain possession of the throne? In what manner did he behave to her aged father? How did Tullia act upon seeing the bleeding body of her father in the street? Give me a sketch of the character of the venerable Servius. At what age did he die, and how long had he reigned? Was he allowed the honours of a funeral? What became of his wife Tarquinia? What do you learn from this disgraceful catastrophe? How did Tarquin act upon the death of the aged Servius? Give me a proof of his injustice How did Brutus escape the same sad fate as the rest of his family? How did the nobles escape the tyranny of Tarquin? How did he act towards the people? How did he employ them, to prevent their brooding over their misfortunes? How were the patricians kept in submission? How afar distant was Gabii from Rome? What circumstance occurred to increase the discontents of the Roman people? What plan did Sextus devise, to extricate his father from his difficulties? How did he execute it? What were the consequences? What happened to Tarquin and his infamous son, after their treachery? What became of the unfortunate inhabitants of Gabii? Give me an account of the manner in which the Sybilline books were brought to Rome. What occurred to interrupt the tranquillity of Tarquin's reign? What means did he take to enquire into the cause of this calamity? Who accompanied the princes to the Oracle? What present did Brutus take to the god? What answer was returned to their enquiries of who should succeed Tarquin on the throne? How did Brutus act when he heard the reply? What occasioned the overthrow of the regal power in Rome? How did Brutus act on this occasion? What effect had his speech upon the people? How did Tarquin act? What was his object in going to Gabii? Did he succeed to his wishes? Whither did he next flee? What was passing in the meantime in Rome? Who did Tarquin persuade to undertake an embassy to Rome? What was the object of it? How were the ambassadors received? Being disappointed in this scheme, what was Tarquin's next attempt? Was this second embassy successful? What were his demands? Were they granted? What was the consequence? Who were the most remarkable among the conspirators? By whom was their plot discovered? Who sat in judgment on the sons of Brutus? What was his decree? What became of the other conspirators? How did Brutus meet his death? What funeral honours were decreed him? What became of Tarquin? When was Rome built? In what year was the regal power abolished? How long had it existed?
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