at the peril of his life, from which it appears, that it is one avowedly inimical to the most sacred social ties, and subversive of all peace and tranquillity. And so, indeed, it will prove, if we trace the application of it by the priLet us, by way of illustration, review his conduct on the night of his return from Rome. soner. "If there be any sight which can melt the heart, and soften down even the most rancorous misanthropy; it is surely that of one's country in flames: and if there be a moment when the bosom is peculiarly susceptible of such generous weakness, it is at one's first return to that country after a long absence! Now, to a person so situated, viewing such a calamity,-what, I would ask-what, amid the general wreck, would seem to lay the strongest claim upon his exertions to rescue it from destruction? Is it not something connected with the religion, or the glory of that country? And would not a generous person sacrifice his life in the preservation of such a relic? What, then, shall we say of one, who at such a time, and under such circumstances, could after a long exile, behold unmoved, the fiery deluge overwhelming his country? Nay, could draw his sword against his prince's servant, employed in endeavouring to extinguish the flames; and what is even still more horrible, and almost incredible, avail himself of such an opportunity to deface a sacred shrine, and despoil it of a glorious trophy! Execrable, most execrable, were such crimes in any person; but when perpetrated by a soldier, -the professed protector of his country,—and a soldier just returned from Britain, too, who must have known what each pearl in that trophy cost the divine Cæsar-no words can designate the turpitude of such conduct! Verily, a religion which could have prompted it, must have been sent not to bring peace, but a sword, and to set a man at variance with his father! In other words, it must inculcate principles opposed to all that is most sacred and estimable; arming a man against his country-his country's government, his country's glory, and his country's religion ! "But the deep-rooted inveteracy, as well as malignity, of these principles is deserving of notice. This is finely exemplified by the prisoner's conduct in confinement. To a per son in durance, one would imagine, all other thoughts, all other anxieties, would yield to the paramount desire of liberty. Not so, however, with Aulus Pudens: he desires, indeed, to be freed from his chain; but why? To assist Lucan in his secret work.' He is somewhat impatient of his confinement; but wherefore?—To consult with Seneca about a certain plot!' Well may he have exposed himself to the most imminent perils to rescue from the flames a treasure which could inspire him with principles so noble and elevated;-principles which could enable him to despise the petty partialities of meaner minds, and thus sublimely to triumph over the love of one's country, the love of liberty, and the love of life!" Carus having concluded his accusation with this climax of irony, Nero demanded of the prisoner, what he had to say in his defence. Pudens had revolved the various charges of this accusation in his mind; and found that there was not one which he could satisfactorily refute. With respect to his letters to Lucan and Seneca, he reflected, that if he attempted an explanation, he should perhaps be render ing Lucan liable to the loss of that immortal meed, which should reward his talents, on the one hand; and on the other hand, be exposing Claudia, to the hazard of a discovery. With respect to his having slain the Emperor's servant, he saw, at once, that the Emperor, in his own defence, would justify the conduct of his servant, and resent his own interference. As it regarded his rescue of the fragment of the holy scriptures, — although incidental and fortuitous, it would lead to an exposure of his relation to Claudia, which he would risk his life to avoid: and as to the charge of his having robbed the shrine of Venus, it contained such a mixture of truth and falsehood, as would require evidence, which he was not then in a situation to procure, to exculpate himself. Under these circumstances, he begged time to prepare his defence, alleging his ignorance of the nature of the accusation, and complaining of the insidious manner in which charges had been introduced of crimes, which if they had any existence at all, could only have occurred subsequently to the notice of impeachment. The ferocious Emperor, how |