practice obtained, which serves to show the respect in which females were held. On the evening after his election, the senator repaired to the public hall, and was there greeted by an assembly of his female friends. On that occasion two portions of food were allotted to him at the evening meal, one of which, as a mark of respect, he offered to the individual whom he most esteemed among the females, and it was considered a high honour. The other women all applauded this public testimony of his regard, and afterwards conducted her who had been thus distinguished, to her own house. 16. The government of Sparta was not supported by taxes. The magistrates were at small additional expense on account of their station, they were taken from the rank of citizens, and possessed the property of citizens—a portion of the land. Upon occasions when an extraordinary supply of money was required the citizens voluntarily gave it. Among the Spartans, kings, magistrates, and the lowest of the citizens, wore the same dress. Though their houses and furniture were extremely plain, yet neatness and order were carefully observed in them. The king and all his subjects assembled to eat in certain halls. Each table contained a selected number of individuals who formed a society particularly intimate. It is worthy of observation that the ancients did not sit at their meals, as we do, but that the higher orders of people in Greece and Rome reclined on couches around the tables. The Spartans lay down when they eat, upon hard couches of oak, resting their elbows upon stones or blocks of wood. Persons hunting, or engaged in religious services, were permitted to be absent from the public repasts, but the absent man was required to send thither a part of the game, or of the victim. 2. A statue of the god of laughter was placed in the hall, to intimate that cheerfulness was proper to the meeting of friends. Self-respect was early taught among this people, and in the public meetings was never forgotten, though the utmost animation and gaiety prevailed. A certain quantity of barley-meal, wine, cheese, figs, and animal food-commonly flesh of the wild boar, and game, from Mount Taygetus, was furnished by each citizen. 3. The greater number of people in Sparta, could neither read nor write; and many could not reckon numbers. They had no ideas of astronomy and other sciences connected with mathematics. The better informed were accustomed to recite the poems of Homer and Tyrtaeus, and they delighted in music, but they confined it to a few simple notes. A magistrate of Sparta cut four strings from the lyre of Timotheus, a celebrated musician, that the music of his instrument might not be capable of much variety of sound. 4. Oratory is the art of discoursing in public upon subjects that interest and concern large numbers of people. The Athenians were celebrated for their skill in this art, but the Spartans despised it. The people of a neighbouring island, being in distress, sent to Sparta for assistance; their messenger began a long discourse on the sufferings of his countrymen. The Spartans insulted this embassador, and he returned without relief. The islanders despatched a second embassador, who appeared in the assembly of Sparta with an empty sack; this sufficiently expressed what he wanted, and the assembly immediately supplied the island with provisions. 5. Besides the combined power of the assembly, and the king, about one hundred and fifty years after the death of Lycurgus, a new authority was created-this was the Ephori-five magiswates chosen annually from among the citizens. This office was properly, what its name signifies, that of inspector. As education, and all the conduct of life, were public concerns in Sparta, all persons, from the king to the youngest of the children, were under constant observation of the magistrates; and when any individual failed in the exact requirements of the laws, the Ephori sat in judgment upon the offence, and decreed its pu nishment. 6. The Spartans celebrated a great number of festivals; in one of them was seen a procession, consisting of persons at three different periods of life-the old men, the middle aged, and the children. The old men, as they marched along, sang one portion of a popular song, the younger men continued, and the boys concluded it. This song from Plutarch's Greek has been paraphrased as follows by a poet, whose genius, often, and most happily employed upon original and beautiful conceptions, has condescended, in the service of children, to this little work of imitation. Old Men. 7. We are old and feeble now- To the strife we once could bring Young Men. Though your youthful strength departs, Children. We shall yet that strength attain, Haply may surpass your own. 1. The Spartan women entered so savagely into the warlike spirit of the nation, that it is related of them, that when any of their sons fled from the army, through fear, they were known to kill them with their own hands. 2. A Spartan 'scaping from the fight, 3. The Spartans were never afflicted with low spirits. Their violent exercises of running, wrestling, hunting, and dancing, preserved them from self-weariness from ennui, as fashionable people call the pain of ignorant idleness. This is the fatigue of indolence in the state of being alone, without sympathy. It is a common disease of the mind among rich grown persons, and excessively indulged children, in modern times. Ennui is a French word, in very common use among the opulent, in cities. Neither the disease, or the name, are much known in the country. Miss Hannah More says of people who are afflicted with Ennui The wretch who digs the mine for bread, To him who will not think nor read." |