lated patrician, in the splendour of their residences, we now behold some few remnants of columns, here and there a solitary capital, and broken arch; or, if a stranger's curiosity has investigated what the people care little or nothing about, we may perhaps espy the remnant of a 'column or statue extracted from the rubbish. With the exception of the foreigners alluded to, the convicts engaged in excavating, as a punishment, and the occasional use of a part as a cattle-market, the Roman Forum, the scene of many a triumphal procession and crowded comitium, is by human being unoccupied and undisturbed.

I willingly leave these reflections, to describe the place in detail. The Roman Forum differed materially from that of the Greeks. With the latter the plan was square; whereas the Forum Romanum, Magnum, or Vetus, was seven hundred feet in length, by five hundred in breadth; or about one-third longer than it was broad. Within the walls of Rome were several open places denominated Forums. One was erected by Julius Cæsar, at the expense of nearly a million of money; another by Augustus; another was commenced by Domitian, and completed by Nerva; and another was finished in a most splendid manner by Trajan. But when I speak of the Forum, either singly or with any of the appellations already mentioned, I mean that instituted by Romulus, and used during the Commonwealth ; where public business was transacted, justice administered, and assemblies of the people were convened.

It was situated between the Capitoline and Palatine hills, on a site originally marshy and covered with wood. Romulus and Tatius removed the trees, and drained off the water which continually flowed from the surrounding eminences. It is generally supposed that a considerable space was left for public meetings, forensic business, &c.; and that this area was surrounded by temples, shops, public halls, and other buildings. It was beautified in this respect by Tarquinius Priscus. Streets passed through different parts in various directions; and sometimes the extraordinary luxury was practised, of covering it with awnings, for games and the convenience of those engaged in law-suits. We read in Horace that a statue of Marsyas was placed in the Forum, who will be remembered to have been

flayed alive for challenging Apollo. This example was exhibited for the purpose of deterring unjust litigants.

To attempt to describe buildings no longer existing in the Forum, once so ornamented, would be impossible; to give the various and conflicting conjectures of antiquaries, useless and uninteresting. The position of the Rostra and Comitium is likewise involved in obscurity; and the three heaven-towering columns that stand on the verge of the area, and have escaped the wreck of time, are described by different authors as belonging to the temples of different deities. As the Forum stands at present, it is ill calculated to assist the antiquary in his conjectures as to the buildings it contained; so that the only available sources of information are those supplied by history. Were the excavations, so frequently commenced, continued with vigour, some light might probably be thrown on the subject.

If this is to be the fate of earthly glory and magnificence, how does it behove every one to place his affections, hopes, and treasure, in that truly Eternal City, where "neither moth nor rust corrupteth," no "thieves break through and steal," and "whose builder and maker is God!" DIDYMUS SECUNDUS.

London.

ANECDOTE OF MELANCTHON.

THE German Reformers, at the time of the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, deeply felt the danger of their situation; but they committed their cause to their heavenly Father, and knew that all things would work together for good. An affecting anecdote in reference to this confidence has been preserved. Luther and Melancthon, with some other Divines, were assembled at Torgau, to consult about the measures proper to be followed in their present exigencies. After having spent some time in earnest prayer, Melancthon was called out of the room. He left his companions with the deep anxiety of his mind apparent in his countenance; but shortly after returned with an expression of cheerfulness which surprised Luther, and induced him to ask the cause. Melancthon exclaimed, "Let us not be discouraged; for I have seen those who are à

protection and defence for us, and will prove invincible against every foe." Luther eagerly inquired who these warriors were. Melancthon replied, "They are the wives of our elders and deacons, with their children, whose prayers I have just now witnessed; prayers which I am satisfied our God will hear; for the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has never yet neglected them, nor can he, we may trust, neglect them.' While absent from the room, he had seen the wives of the elders of their churches busily employed in the care of their families, and also engaged in prayer. With them were infants at the breast, while some children a little older were presenting their youthful supplications to the Lord.

A YOUTH HURRIED INTO ETERNITY.

Not long since, a young man, in the vigour of health. with the fairest prospect of a long and prosperous life, was thrown from a vehicle, and conveyed to the nearest house in a state that excited instant and universal alarm for his safety. A physician was called. The first question of the wounded youth was, Sir, must I die? must, I die? Deceive me not in this thing." His firm tone and penetrating look demanded an honest reply. He was told that he could not live one hour. He waked up, as it were, at once, to a full sense of the dreadful reality. "Must I then go into eternity in one hour? God knows that I have made no preparation for this event. I knew that impeni tent youth were sometimes cut off thus suddenly; but it never entered my mind that I was to be one of the number. And now what shall I do to be saved?" He was told that he must repent, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ "But how shall I repent and believe? Here is no time to explain the manner. Death will not wait for an explanation. The work must be done. The whole business of an immortal being in this probationary life is now crowded into one short hour; and that is an hour of mental agony and distraction." Friends were weeping around, and running to and fro, in the frenzy of grief. The poor sufferer, with a bosom heaving with emotion, and an eye gleaming with desperation, continued the cry of, "What

shall I do to be saved?" till, in less than an hour, his voice was hushed in the stillness of death.- Wilcor's Sermons.

ADDRESS OF A DEPARTED FRIEND.

My young friends, I was recently with you, but have passed away, and shall never visit you again. When present, I brought you many blessings, and it cannot surprise you that I am somewhat concerned about the use you have made of them: for though I am gracious to those who esteem my favours, I am clothed with terror against all who dare to abuse them. This concern must be my apo logy for addressing you; and if the sayings of dying friends áre valued and remembered, treat not with indifference the admonitions and counsels of one who has ceased to exist among you. During my being, it was a prevailing custom in your world, for persons to introduce themselves by announcing their names; you must, however, excuse me from imitating their example. Yet, should I for a season remain concealed, do not think it is because I am ashamed of being known; for though the period of my existence was brief, it was honourable; and few were equal to me in deeds of greatness, or surpassed me in extent of dominion. You may have some conception of my importance and respectability, when I inform you that I was the intimate companion of all the kings and mighty men of the earth; I was with them in public, when they appeared in all the splendour and majesty of station and office; and in private, when they became as other men ; and that in all places, at the same moment, however distant they were from each other. But lest you should conclude I was so elated with the company of my noble associates, that I neglected those who were of meaner birth, it is a duty I owe to myself to declare, I despised no one, however poor or wretched. I attended on all ranks of society, and was found in all cir cumstances; and as I did not respect the persons of any, neither was there any variation in my friendship. I existed for the good of mortals; to promote their interest was the principal end of my being; and though that being was not

so protracted as the life of many who are very young, yet a history of all I witnessed and all I did would fill immense volumes. Such a history must not be expected from me: it must suffice to observe, that, during my short life, I visited every land and every sea; I was present at every action of every creature, whether it was done by night or by day. I attended every council that was held, every battle that was fought, every marriage that was celebrated, and every death which occurred; and various, it may be supposed, were the opinions of my subjects respecting my character and worth. Some complained that I was a very dull companion, and rested upon them with a weight too heavy to be endured; and all their ingenuity was exerted to find out means of driving me from them; nay, to employ their own language, they would even deliberately endeavour to kill me; while others complained that I passed from them with a swiftness impossible to be increased. In health and strength many accounted me of no value; but even they set a price upon me above all they possessed, when I was withdrawing myself from them; and would gladly have parted with all their titles and property to prevail on me to continue with them a few weeks or months longer. And here I must be allowed to observe, that those who died were miserable or happy, according as they abused or esteemed my favours. Young people, it is said, are very unwilling to hear of death; but though I never was old, yet I was very familiar with this mórtal foe of man; for many thousands expired during my short existence; and I attended the closing scene of them all.

I witnessed the approach of death into the princely palace and the lowly cottage; to the downy couch of the lordly rich, and straw bed of the abject poor; to those who lived ready for his appearing, and those who had spent their days regardless of all preparation for him. I have seen the wicked die, who had lived in worldly pomp and dignity, and who sacrificed my benign influence to obtain riches, pursue pleasure, and adorn their persons; and had you heard at that solemn moment their bitter lamentations for their past folly, you must have been deeply affected. Then they were convinced of the vanity of their conduct,