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GALGACUS TO THE CALEDONIAN SOLDIERS.

GALGACUS TO THE CALEDONIAN SOLDIERS.

145

But after all, who are these mighty Romans? Are they gods; or mortal men, like ourselves? Do we not see that they fall into the same errors and weaknesses as others? Does not peace effeminate them? Does not abundance debauch them? Does not wantonness (1) enervate them? Do they not even go to excess in the most unmanly (2) vices? And can you imagine that they who are remarkable for their vices are likewise remarkable for their valour? What, then, do we dread?

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Shall I tell you the very truth (3), my fellow soldiers? It is by means of our intestine divisions that the Romans have gained so great advantages over us. They turn the mismanagement (4) of their enemies to their own praise. They boast of what they have done, and say nothing of what we might have done, had we been so wise as to unite against them.

I conclude (5), my fellow countrymen, and soldiers, with putting you in mind (6), that on your behaviour this day depends your future enjoyment of peace and liberty; or your subjection to a tyrannical enemy, with all its grievous consequences. When, therefore, you come to engage, think of your ancestors, and think of your posterity.

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(1) Wantonness, licence.

(2) Unmanly, indigne d'un homme.

(3) The very truth, la vérité même.

(4) Mismanagement, déréglement, inconduite. (5) I conclude, je termine.

(6) To put in mind, rappeler.

INCREDULITY.

A sailor who had been many years absent from his mother, who lived in an inland country, returned to his native village, after a variety of voyages to different parts of the globe, and was heartily welcomed (1) by the good old woman, who had long considered him as lost. Soon after his arrival, the old lady became inquisitive (2), and desirous to learn what strange things her son John had seen upon the mighty deep (3). Amongst a variety of things that Jack (4) recollected, he mentioned his having frequently seen flying fish. "Stop, Johnny" (5), says his mother, "don't try to impose such monstrous impossibilities on me, child; for in good truth I could as soon believe you had seen flying cows (6); for cows, you know, John, can live out of water, but fish cannot. Therefore tell me honestly what you have seen, but no more falsehoods, Johnny. "

Jack felt himself affronted (7); and turning his quid (8) about when pressed for more information, he said, 66 Mayhap (9), mother, you won't believe me

(1) To be welcomed, être bien reçu, recevoir un bon accueil.

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PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE FROM ASSASSINATION.

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when I tell you that having cast anchor once in the Red Sea, it was with difficulty we hove it up (1) again; which was occasioned, do you see (2), mother, by a large wheel (3) hanging on one of the flukes of the anchor (4). It appeared a strange old Grecian to look at, so we hoisted it in (5); and our captain, do you mind me, being a scholar (6), overhauled (7) it and discovered it was one of Pharaoh's chariot-wheels when he was capsized (8) in the Red Sea. " This suited the old lady's understanding. "Aye, aye, Johnny," cried she, "I can believe this, for we read of this in the Bible; but never talk to me of flying fish, no, no neetc.

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PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE FROM ASSASSINATION.

Some years ago an Englishman who was going to make a tour on the continent, landed at Calais accompanied by only one servant. After staying a few days to view the town and make the necessary preparations for his journey, he hired (9) an additional servant and

(1) Hove up, passé de to heave up, terme de marine, lever, soulever.

(2) Do you see, voyez-vous.

(5) Wheel, une roue.

(4) Flukes of the anchor, les pattes de l'ancre.

(5) To hoist in, tirer à bord, embarquer.

(6) A scholar, un savant, un écolier.

(7) To overhaul, terme de marine, examiner, visiter.

(8) To be capsized, être renversé, chavirer.

(9) To hire, louer, prendre en lounge.

fixed the following morning for his departure. As he was sitting at dinner in his own private room, a waiter came and told him that a gentleman wished to speak with him, saying he had something of importance to communicate. The Englishman was much surprised that any one should inquire (1) for him at a place where he knew nobody; however he desired the waiter to introduce the gentleman.

A very gentlemanly (2) Frenchman was introduced, who, after apologizing for the interruption, said: 66 Sir, I have communication to make which is of the greatest importance to you; I am acquainted with your intentions respecting your journey; I know what money, jewels, etc., you have with you, and many other circumstances which will perhaps astonish you: you are in danger, sir, in great danger; are you a man of courage? Your conversation," said the Englishman, "is indeed very extraordinary; I cannot conceive the meaning of it; but with respect to courage, I flatter myself I should not be found wanting (5) in a case of necessity. I must however request you to be more explicit (4). "

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"Well then, sir, you are to be robbed (5) and assassinated in your bed to-night: I am prefect of the police; I am acquainted with the whole plan, and if you

(1) To inquire for, s'informer de.

(2) Gentlemanly, respectable, qui a l'air d'un homme bien né.

(3) Wanting, manquant, en défaut.

(4) Explicit, communicatif.

(5) To be robbed, être volé.

PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE FROM ASSASSINATION.

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have sufficient courage to follow my directions, the robbers will be taken and brought to justice; if not, we can only prevent the execution of their plan. Well," said the Englishman, "what do you wish me to do? - I advise you, " said the prefect, to take your accustomed walk after dinner, and not on any account (1) to examine the closets (2) of your bed-room, nor look under your bed before you go to rest; go to bed as usual, feign to sleep, and leave the rest to me. The traveller thanked him, went to take his usual walk, and having ascertained that it was really the prefect he had seen, returned to his lodging to prepare for the mys terious and alarming event. After taking a light supper, he retired to his room, and shortly went to bed, having followed the instructions he had received. He pretended to be soon asleep and to sleep very soundly, when, after a short time, he heard something move, and opening his eyes a little, he perceived two men come out of a closet and approach his bed, one of them having a dark lantern. Our Englishman had sufficient fortitude to remain quiet at this trying-moment (3); the men approached, one of them seized his arms, the other at the same moment was placing a poniard to his breast, when instantly, from another closet in the room, rushed four men (police officers) who seized the murderers almost in the act of assassination. Lights were immediately brought, and imagine the Englishman's surprise

(1) On any account, pour quelque raison que ce soit. (2) Closets, cabinets.

(3) Trying-moment, moment d'épreuve.

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