females; some of these were employed in weaving and embroidery, others in lighter services. Hector in Homer, predicts the day when his wife, the fair Andromache, should become the captive of his enemies, and be compelled to delineate in the Argive looms, the story of the fatal war of Troy : that is, should be employed by the conquerors of Troy to make pictures, in embroidery, of the calamities of the war. Hector speaks to Andro mache thus:

"Andromache thy griefs I dread;
I see thee trembling, weeping, captive led!
In Argive looms our battles to design,
And woes of which so large a part was thine!
To bear the victor's hard commands, or bring
The weight of waters from Hyperia's spring.
There, while you groan beneath the load of life,
They cry, Behold the mighty Hector's wife!
Some haughty Greek, who lives thy tears to see,
Embitters all thy woes, by naming me.

The thoughts of glory past, and present shame,
A thousand griefs shall waken at the name;
May I lie cold before that dreadful day,
Press'd with a load of monumental clay!
Thy Hector, wrapt in everlasting sleep,

Shall neither hear thee sigh, nor see thee weep."

This short narrative of Athenian history, is too brief to do more than introduce readers to an acquaintance with the subject. Other books will inform them more about the extraordinary people that has been described in the last few pages.

The most remarkable events in the history of Athens, occurred in the following order of

Romans conquered Greece, and made the whole country a Roman province, Athens besieged by Sylla,

338

146

87

A. D.

Pillaged by the Goths,

396

Taken by the Turks.

1455

18

BOTIA.

1. Northwest of Attica lay Bootia. In this province were Thebes, Leuctra, and Platea.

At Platea the Greeks defeated the Persians. At Leuctra the Thebans vanquished the Lacedæmonians.

At Cheronea Philip subdued the allied armies of Greece.

2. Boeotia was remarkable for the dulness of its inhabitants, yet the mythology made it the residence of the Muses; this country was embellished with a multitude of statues in honour of these goddesses, and of poets and musicians. The fountains, Aganippe and Hippocrene were sacred to the Muses. Hippocrene signifies the horse's fountain; and the fable relates that when the Muse's winged horse, Pegasus, struck with his foot the spot whence it flows, the fountain burst forth. Helicon was the Muses' hill; its pure air, venerable trees, and cool shades, made it a delightful spot to mortals, and quite a fit abode, the Greeks thought for the heavenly sisters.

4. One of the most celebrated oracles was that of Trophonius: those who consulted this oracle went into a cave to learn the hidden things of futurity, and there some frightful spectacle was presented to them. The ignorant and credulous were sometimes so terrified in this cave, that it used to be said, they who entered the cave of Trophonius never laughed afterwards; but many, doubtless, laughed often at the foolish attempts made to deceive the superstitious, and at their weakness in being deceived.

4. The inhabitants of Thebes, like those of Athens, were divided into three classes, the citizens, the resident foreigners, and the slaves. Thebes was a powerful city. The other cities of Boeotia held themselves to be independent, but Thebes waged frequent wars against them, and they often yielded to her arms. The cities of Boeotia formed a confederacy, and instituted an assembly. Magistrates called Beotarchs commanded the armies, but the law forbade that they should retain this authority more than a year, under pain of death.

5. The Thebans carried on a lucrative trade with other nations. The laws of Thebes interdicted the exposure of infants, and inflicted punishments upon artists who produced indecent pictures or statues. The Thebans were greatly wanting in the polished manners of their attic neighbours. 6. Pindar was born in Boeotia. Of his poetry and his genius we are accustomed to hear, though we know little of either. But it is highly honourable to him, that all the states of Greece esteemed and celebrated his talents. At Delphi during the Pythian games, Pindar, compelled by the persuasions of a great multitude, crowned with a laurel wreath, and raised upon an elevated seat, brought forth such charming sounds from his lyre as excited unbounded applause from the assembly around him, and afforded the most delightful entertainment of the festival; and when the sacrifices were ended, the priests, as the highest homage, presented to him a portion of the first fruits that were of fered in the temple.

7. This great poet was not too much exalted by the praise of men-he was above vain glory.

He expressed himself to this effect as he drew near the end of his days. "I walk," said he, "through simple paths, contented with my condition, and beloved by my fellow-citizens; my whole ambition is to please them, without giving up my independence ;-I would still retain the right to declare what I deem to be honourable and dishonourable. In this disposition I tranquilly approach the grave; happy if I can but leave my children the precious inheritance of an unblemishcd reputation."

8. Pindar's wish was accomplished; he lived and died in peace and honour. Those who are not gifted with his talents may yet cultivate his virtues. He lived during the Persian war.

MEGARA.

The territory of Megara extended along the Saronic gulf from Attica to Corinth. This smali tract was sometimes subject to Athens, and sometimes in alliance with her enemies, and under the control of a government within itself.