LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR OF CLASSIC VAGARIES.

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LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR OF CLASSIC VAGARIES.

DEAR S: In my communication to you on the subject of the Roman Angler, a few serious typographical mistakes occurred. May I trouble you to correct them.*

In the last chapter of the "Vagaries," I omitted to mention one amusing fact, illustrating the passion of Roman epicures for the mullet. You have read Cicero's defence of Milo, as it has come down to us from his own pen. No doubt you have been delighted with so fine a model of criminal pleading-for Milo was charged with murder. But you knew Milo was found guilty. Do not be surprised: Cicero did not deliver the oration now extant. Embarrassed by the shouts and threats of the partizans of Clodius-the man so justly slain by Milo's adherents-and by the military array of an armed police, stationed around the tribunal to prevent popular violence, Cicero did not dare to make the defence which he had prepared with reference to a favoring populace instead of an opposing mob. His self possession was gone, and he did neither himself nor Milo justice. Milo went immediately into exile at Marseilles. Shortly after his arrival there, he received from Cicero a copy of the oration as Cicero had originally prepared it. Having read it over, he sent back to Cicero this phlegmatic reply: "I am glad you did not deliver the oration in my behalf as you wrote it if you had, I should not now be luxuriating on such noble mullets as those I dine upon here."

While I write, the bell is tolling in token of the national grief for the loss of the most illustrious of our fellow-citizens, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. His desire to "die in harness" has been the subject of newspaper gossip for years. His wish, so full of the pride of patriotism, was granted. Death invaded the Council-Hall of this great people and claimed his noble victim there. The circumstance, of course reminds me of the fall of Chatham in the House of Lords, from which he was carried out to die. I remember also in the same connexion a remark of Professor SILLIMAN, of Yale College. "I would," said he, one day, to his class in chemistry, "as soon be taken away, in the providence of God, while engaged in an experiment before you as in the closet at prayer. Either place, I trust, would be the post of duty." But the peculiar history

84th page, line 25, for "salt fish," read "salt water fish;" line 32, for "preserving," read "persevering;" 86th page, line 31, for “ Formiae," read "Formiæ;" page 87, line 11, for " aroma," read "round:" page 88, line 6, for a golden hook," read golden hooks." The note at the bottom of 85th page, belongs to the 38th line of page 86. Other mistakes the reader can correct for himself.

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of JOHN QUINCY ADAMS reminds me most especially-so Roman are my predilections-not only of Cato* but of Turennius, a provincial governor in the time of Julius Cæsar. Seneca speaks of him thus. "Turrennius was an old man of most scrupulous industry. As he was past ninety years of age, Cæsar offered him a dismission from his office and he accepted it. But the circumstance so stung him, that he immediately gave orders that he should be laid out like a corpse on his bed and that his family should weep around him as if he were really no more. Thus were his household compelled to continue to bewail the old man's retirement from public life until, by an imperial order, his office was restored to him. Nay but is it pleasant to die while thus engaged?" Seneca, however, by no means admired this mode of dying in harness. He says; "he is base, who, weary of life sooner than of labor, falls in the midst of his duties."

Since writing about the "Christians of Rome," several persons have confessed to me that they take great interest in the subject. The progress of principles, professed by a body of outlaws, who could not proclaim their creed aloud, or advocate it in popular assemblies, or bring to its aid power and position, appearing at so early an age, seenis amazing to all. In a Roman province, men and women and youths, of every rank in society, had become Christians, without any noisy revolution or social excitement. The true religion had spread so far, that idol-worship was almost abandoned, victims were seldom purchased in the shambles, and heathen rites rarely performed. Some have asked me whether this progress continued, or was subject to ebbs and revulsions. To this inquiry, it may be enough to cite in reply a passage from Tertullian's "Apology." Addressing the pagan Romans, he exclaims: "We are but of yesterday, yet we have filled every place that belongs to you; your cities, your islands, your mountain fastnesses, your townships, your election districts, your very camps, your tribes, your tithings, your imperial court, your senate, your market place: we leave you nothing but your pagan temples!"

See vol. 1st, page 103.

This letter was unintentionally omitted in the last number. Its value, however, bespeaks for it a place in this.

THE CORONATION OF NAPOLEON.

BY GEORGE HENRY BURNHAM.

The rise and elevation of Napoleon Bonaparte, is perhaps unparalleled in the history of the world. Commencing as lieutenant of artillery, he soon rose to the rank of general, and at the early age of twenty-five, was appointed to the chief command of one of the armies of the French Republic-the army of Italy. That army he found scattered along the ridges of the Alps, and though. full of courage, and panting for action, yet destitute of magazines and military stores, in want of food and clothing, and suffering from cold and hunger. As if foreseeing the successes which awaited him, he addressed his soldiers in that bold, stirring language, which he so well knew how to use. He told them he had come to lead them into the most fertile plains which the sun looks upon, where they would find rich provinces and opulent towns, and where they could reap harvests of honor and glory. At once forming the plan of the campaign, he immediately proceeded to put it in execution. In less than a month from the time of commencing operations, he opened the way into Italy, gained the splendid victories of Montenotte, Millesimo, and Mondovi, over forces greatly superior to his own in numbers, broke asunder the Austro-Sardinian army, and compelled the king of Sardinia to abandon the coalition, and make peace with the Republic. Losing no time, he followed after the retreating Austrians, crossed the Po, forced a passage of the Adda, at Lodi, routed the imperial forces, and entered Milan in triumph. Austria, trembling for her Italian possessions, redoubled her efforts. A second, and yet a third army was sent to cope with the youthful conqueror. But though thrice reinforced, the three armies were each in turn vanquished; and the victorious general, turning his attention for a little time to the Italian states, and com. pelling them all to acknowledge the sway of the French Republic, then took up his march for the Austrian capital. All opposition was driven before him, and he continued to advance, until from the summits of the Noric Alps, the steeples of Vienna were seen in the distance. The imperial court was in consternation, and at length sued for peace. An armistice was granted, and Napoleon returning to Milan, concluded a treaty; proving himself in the negoitation as able a diplomatist as he had already shown himself a warrior. Taking up his residence at Montibello, he there held his court in more than royal splendor. Envoys of Austria, of the Pope, of Sardinia, Genoa, Naples, Venice, and the Swiss Republics, were there assembled. Warriors whose deeds had filled Europe with their renown, were gathered about, and couriers com

ing and going, gave indications that interests of no ordinary character were there decided. Ladies of the highest rank, and most distinguished for beauty and accomplishments, surrounded and paid homage to Josephine. More powerful than any living monarch, Napoleon though but a general of the republic, already "had entered upon that dazzling existence which afterwards entranced and subdued the world."

While Napoleon, lording it over Italy, was dividing kingdoms and setting up republics, he was not inattentive to the political changes which were taking place in the French capital; and his mission being completed, he at length returned to Paris, to receive honors, such as had been awarded to no other general of the republic. He found the Directory filled by men, weak and unpopular, and the government torn and distracted by opposing factions. He was solicited to interest himself in political affairs, but one so young could not be made director, and the time was not then ripe for the overthrow of the existing constitution. Preferring to wait a more favorable opportunity for the realization of those ambitious views which were already agitated in his mind, he looked about for new fields of conquest and glory. Turning his eyes eastward, he discovered in the regions of the rising sun, a country "worthy his talents, his military skill, and his ambition." He solicited the privilege of leading an army into Egypt, and subduing that ancient kingdom to the sway of French arms. His request was granted. The expedition was successful. In sight of those gigantic structures of a former age, from whose summits "forty centuries beheld his actions," he fought the battle of the pyramids. The whole country was subdued, and submitted to the victor; who then turning from the duties of a warrior to those of a civil magistrate, established a government alike firm, just and impartial, such as Egypt had never before enjoyed.

Meanwhile war was declared against France, by the Ottoman Porte, and Napoleon was menaced with attack by land and sea. Undismayed by the dangers which surrounded him, he deliberately formed his plans. Anticipating the march of the Sultan's forces, he crossed the desert which separates Africa from Asia, with a part of his army, entered Syria, carried the ancient Joppa by assault, and laid seige to the fortified town of St. Jean d'Acre, the key of Damascus. A Turkish army, thirty thousand strong, approached for the relief of the beseiged, but only to be scattered, like the sands of the desert before the rolling fire of the French. The seige was continued with renewed vigor, and all the resources of art were exhausted to effect the reduction of the place. If carried, the east was opened to the young general, who indulging in dreams of oriental conquest, already anticipated renewing "the march of Alexander from the shores of the Nile to those of the Ganges." But the most desperate efforts of the French were in vain, and Napoleon, after consuming two months before the place, reluctantly gave the order to retreat, and returned into Egypt.

While Napoleon was prosecuting his conquests in the cast, he remained ignorant of events which were transpiring in France, the destruction of the French naval fleet by Nelson, in the Bay of Aboukir, having cut off communication with Europe. Shortly after his return from Syria, a file of English newspapers was sent to him by an English naval officer, from which he learned that France was again involved in war with Austria, aided by the forces of Russia. That the French armies along the Rhine had been beaten and driven back, that the conquests he had made in Italy had been all wrested from the republic, that insurrection had again broken out in La Vendée, and that the Directory embarrassed and in trouble on every hand, was tottering to its fall. His determination was immediately taken. He resolved to embark secretly for Europe, at the risk of being taken by the English cruisers on the passage. Making his preparations in all haste, he set sail, without disclosing his intention to any but the few favorite officers who accompanied him, and notwithstanding imminent dangers, reached France in safety. His arrival in Paris created an intense sensation. "Upon him all eyes, all wishes, and all hopes were immediately fixed." Generals, statesmen, and politicians gathered about him. A change in the government was earnestly desired, was absolutely needed; and a plan and the means of effecting it, were soon decided upon, and successfully carried into execution. The Directory of five was overthrown, and in its place three consuls were substituted, the first and chief of whom was Napoleon.

The government of Napoleon as first consul, was alike able and brilliant. He gratified France with victories, he humbled her enemies, he extended her conquests, and more than these, for the first time after a war of many years, he obtained for her, peace by land and sea, with all the nations of the earth. Nor was he less attentive to the internal improvement of the nation he ruled, than to its foreign relations. He restored order to the finances, he facilitated the means of communication, by building roads and canals, he encouraged commerce, manufactures, and agriculture. He reestablished that ancient religion which the excesses of the revolution had sweeped away, and caused it to be respected, he made provision for public instruction, and founded that deservedly celebrated civil code, which has survived all the other achievements of his genius, and is now the basis of the jurisprudence of half Europe.

Thus it was that Napoleon, by the accomplishment of great and memorable acts, gradually prepared the way for his elevation to the throne. The French people were grateful for the immense services he rendred them, and desiring to continue in his hands the authority which he had used for such noble purposes, by a vote almost unanimous, confined upon him the consulship for life. Possessed of the power, the first consul by degrees assumed the state of a monarch, and his gay capital soon gave every indication of the return of royalty. Public opinion reacting upon the sufferings and anxieties of the revolution, ran rapidly toward the centraliza