ARGUMENT. BERTHIER, after his entry into Rome, retiring to consider how he should most easily revive the memory of the heroes of the ancient republic, dreams that he is placing a chaplet on the statue of Marcus Brutus, at a festival, held in honour of that old patriot, whose conduct in conspiring against Cæsar had been the constant subject of praise in France from the commencement of the revolution;-when a voice is heard from the image, accounting for the assassination of the Dictator, as the plain consequence of the principles in which the Romans were educated; but admitting the errors of the patriot school, its tendency to inflame ambition and pride, and the inadequacy of its influence to support man under adversity. The voice then observes on the difference between that system and Christianity in those points, and also in respect to assassination; and concludes with a warning not to follow, in preference to the light of revealed religion, the examples of men, who confessedly walked in darkness. BERTHIER'S DREAM AT ROME, IN 1798. ADMONET IN SOMNIS ET TURBIDA TERRET IMAGO. VIRG. THE arts of France on Tyber's banks prevail'd, Then ran his thoughts o'er many a Roman name, From him a who struck his brother to the ground, To that firm band, who Cæsar's death conspir'd, b At once twelve hundred daggers to provide, ■ Romulus. On Sunday, 26 August 1792, Jean Debry proposed in the National Assembly, "l'organisation d'un corps de 1200 volontaires, qui se devoueront à aller attaquer corps a corps individuellement les tyrans, qui nous font la guerre, et les generaux, qu'ils ont preposes pour anéantir en France la liberté publique." See debates published in the Moniteur, 28 Aug. 1792. Two members of the assembly immediately declared their willingness to belong to the corps, as soon as they should be released from their legislative functions; but the measure was opposed on grounds of policy, as likely to lead to retaliation; an objection which had so much weight with the assembly, that the further consideration of this proposal was referred to a committee. Perhaps Mutius Scævola may at first sight appear better entitled to While thus he mus'd, before his slumbering eyes About the marble image, hand in hand, Young men and beauteous maids, a festive train, the honour of having inspired the French upon this occasion, than the conspirators against Cæsar; but Mutius, with all the merit of good intention, had the misfortune to kill only a king's secretary, instead of a king. The assassins of the dictator therefore rank much higher in the estimation of a true republican; and the fame of the unlucky Scævola is almost lost in the brighter glory of the successful Brutus and Cassius. 'Tis true, the world beheld great Cæsar bleed Beneath my arm; true, conscience own'd the deed: Yet think not, my example teacheth you In regal blood the dagger to imbrue: Not mine the school that form'd your infant minds, Each softer feeling of the soul resign: No touch of love but towards her friend to know; Her voice alone impell'd a Roman breast, Such stern Horatius stabb'd the love-sick maid, And dar'd the lustre of his triumph stain With tears of sorrow for a lover slain; |