Classical Theology.—Xxix.

as many illustrious virgins . These were conveyed into Crete , there to be consigned to the depths of a complicated labyrinth , and the tender mercies of the monster Minotaur , half man and half bull , until they could effect their escape by discovering the clue to the one and evading the terrible jaws of the other . In the fourth year Theseus placed himself among the youths

eloc-mecl to this supposed certain death . Ennobling and iierro-souled as was the act , it struck consternation and grief into the affectionate heart of his generous and Jxrave father . The shi p in which Theseus set out on his funereal voyage , had for that reason black sails ; but in the event of his safe return , by the propitious assistance of heaven , it was arranged that the black should be changed for white sails .

Heavenly interventions are inconsistent with earthly contrivances—the event was fortunate to Theseus but fatal to his sire . ' When Theseus arrived at Crete he was ? , with his companions , confined in the labyrinth ; hut , with the help of Ariadne , the fair daughter of Minos , who had at first si ght of the brave aud handsome

Athenian prince , fallen violently in love with him ; he contrived to slay the dreadful Minotaur . " Willi the rest of the Athenians he made his way out of their intricate prison to his shi p , the same dismal vessel which had srought him to Crete ; and steering at once for Athens , forgot , in his excessive joy , to have the sails changed .

iCing iEgeus , who anxious ]) - on the look out , had ascended a watch-tower , concluded , as heart-broken he beheld the approach of the mournful craft , that his son had perished with all his noble companions . Unable to contend with the feeling of his awful despair , the monarch cast himself headlong- into the foaming deep beneath

Mm , which , in memory of this catastrophe , was afterwards called the iEgean Sea . The devoted Ariadne , love sEstracted , accompanied or followed Theseus to Naxos , the iEgean isle , formerly called Strongyle and Dia , where , we are sorry to have to observe , a not unusual procedure in such instances took lacea warning to too confiding

p , yoirng ladies . The perfidious Theseus , hitherto so just and honourable , most shamefully and ungratefully abandoned his guardian angel , leaving her in "a delicate situation" alone in Naxos . All who have seen the noble

picture in our A ational Gallery will recollect , however , that her sorrowful condition ' excited the pity of the chivalrous Bacchus . Pit y kindled into love , ' and the -iving of Wine ' s noble disposition as a lover , and godlike actions , not to mention his other good qualities , as a glorious conqueror , soon supplanted all tender recollection of Theseus . In her affections soon the great

benefactor ofthe human race indelibly affixed his image aud Inspired her with ardent love , lie , on the other " hand , thought her not unworthy of his immortal self , or ofthe crown he had received from Venus Urania , called Corona G-iiossia , illuminated with seven stars ( whence her name of Gnossis , and also that of the city she founded on

Crete ) , which , after her death , was translated into heaven , and made a constellation amongst the stars . Bacchus was a great conqueror allegorical !) -, or godofinany victories , to whom there was instituted an extensive wor & iiip , embracing the services of those victories , which were over oppression , unciviiization , and darkness . But

Ariadne had been a votary of Diana and one of her . priestesses , therefore , as she had not preserved her virginity , the offended and severe goddess would not raffer her to go unpunished ; consequently she herself , 2 ? :. s siiid , caused the death of Ariadne . Bacchus , as we pRve shown , crowned his young wife with glory , and , at i . er death advanced her everlastingly amid the heavenl y sfflusteliarions .

The Study Of Classical Archæology.

THE STUDY OF CLASSICAL ARCH ? OLOGY .

( 'Cone ! tided from page 101 . ) The Comifcium , open on all sides , was raised upon a flight of steps , and was protected by an immense valeriuni from the effects of sun and rain . The tribunal of the praetor and the tribune of harangues characterised the Comitium . They here called to mind that justice and eloquence were the two grand supports of the RepublicA semicircular alcove

. , with the judge ' s seat at the far end , such was tho tribunal . As to the tribune , its form recalled the ambo —[ rather suggested]—that jieaceful pulpit whence , in Christian basilicas , tho Epistle and the Gospel were read to the people during tho celebration of mass . The tribune , according to M . Bunscn , presented tho appearance of a little temple , the facade of which should be ornamented with six rostra , or

prows of vessels . It was surmounted by a platform , which was sufficiently capacious to allow the orator to walk a few steps either way upon it . It is at the extremity of the Comitium , on the border of the Olivus Saeer , facing the Capitol , that the tribunal of harangues must be placed . The reason is obvious : from this spot the voice of the orator could bo heard by the plebians who were listening to him in the Forum .

One day , in the most flourishing epoch of its aristocracy , Rome saw a novel spectacle in this tribune . Instead of addressing himself to the senators , who from the neighbouring balcony of the curia joined in the debates , an orator , Licinius Crassus , wishing to carry a project of democratic law , turned towards the people assembled in tho Forum , as if they alone had a riht to an inion on such a

g pronounce op subject . This light cloud hi the clear horizon presaged the coining storm , and ushered in those fearful convulsions which were ultimately to crush the Republic . Twenty years later , a man superior by his talent , but -whom impetuosity c . u-i-ied beyond all limits , was debating in the tribune ofthe Comitium , holding a shuddering people in thrall beneath his words of fire . This was Cuius Gracchus I In the later

times of the civil wars , at tho moment when the horror ol this struggle between colossal factions was at its height , Anthony ordered the head and hands of Cicero to be fastened to the rostra of the tribune . Fortunately for the Comitium , tho tribune had changed its position ; in his attempts to annihilate republican forms , Caesar , three months before his death , had caused it to be transported to the Forum , which

lie wished to restore . On such questions as these , and a hundred other subjects , the publications of tho Archaeological Institute shed a light : witty discussions by Lctroime ; polemics from Raoul-Roehette , fertile in suggestions ; remarkable works by Messieurs Borghesi and Cavedoni , Philippe Lebas and Ratlicgcbcr , Canina and Lopsius ; continual investigations

by the indefatigable Emilo Braun , —who , wonderfully learned in comparative Archaeology , was prematurely taken from the study ho loved—are all recorded in the collection which wc arc recommending to the attention of all men of study . They will also find therein the philosophic researches of a great hilologerM . Welckerand those of Panofka brimful

p , , of Pausanias ; daring but ingenious observations of a scholar not long since suddenly raised to Archaeology ; more than one proof of tho happy perspicacity of Messrs . De Saulcy and Dc Longpcrrier ; and , lastly , the conscientious descriptions of M . De Wit-to . It is a matter of astonishment that this deep philology , this notable movement in these novel paths of criticism should not have penetrated more

intimately into the enlightened portion of the French public . Those whom their vocation leads to aesthetics and arcbaeogi-aphy could not possibly have more profitable reading . What sources of preparation for studies whose beauty and usefulness have been so often denied ! Assuredlv if ever

ancient- genius makes its extraordinary power apparent , it is in its art monuments ; there , above all , shines forth its incomparable spontaneity ; if it ever attains to a sublime perfection which has never been equalled , much less excelled , it is still in these wc find it . There are faults in the Iliad ; the Parthenon is exempt . "Which of the twain , Ltvy or the Coliseum , speaks to us the more eloquently of Roman greatness ?