Their walks were always the same, and, although they had plenty of nice things to eat, their appetites were not so good as when they worked hard for their living. One day the woman said: 'I wonder what there is under that cover?' After this, their wonder increased every day, till at last they determined, by taking a little peep, to satisfy their curiosity. They accordingly lifted up the cover, when, instantly, out jumped a little mouse, and away it ran. They now saw their folly, and were sadly vexed with themselves: but it was too late to complain. They returned to their daily labour, and from their own experience learned a useful lesson, and never blamed Adam and Eve any more." "I think, mamma, we may all learn a useful lesson from this story," said Edward, as Ferdinand concluded his account: "for I am sure I often feel curious to discover things, that are not of the least consequence to me." _Louisa_. Is it a true story, mamma? _Mrs. B._ I do not know, my dear; but the picture it draws of human nature is true, and, on that account, the instruction it conveys is valuable. _Mr. B._ Let us now turn our attention to history again. We concluded, last night, with the rash murder of his sister, committed by Horatius. Did he undergo any punishment for this crime? _Edward_. Yes, father: it was thought of dangerous consequence to slacken the rigour of the laws, in favour of any person, merely on account of his bravery and success in battle. The king was puzzled how to act. He was divided between a regard for the laws, and a desire to save the young warrior, who had rendered him such important service. _Mr. B._ How did Tullus extricate himself from this difficulty, Emily? _Emily_. He turned it into a state crime, and appointed two commissioners to try him as a traitor. As the fact was so publicly known, and Horatius did not deny it, he was found guilty, and condemned to be executed; but, by the king's advice, he appealed to an assembly of the people, whose authority was superior to that of the monarch himself; and they, from admiration of his courage, rather than the justice of his cause, revoked the sentence that had been passed against him. However, that he might not go wholly unpunished, they condemned him to pass under the yoke, a disgrace to which prisoners of war were subject. _Mr. B_. What was the yoke, Ferdinand? _Ferdinand_. It was a kind of gallows, papa, in the shape of a door- case. _Mr. B._ Did Horatius, then, receive no honour for his victory, Louisa? _Louisa_. Yes, papa: a square column was erected in the middle of the Forum, and the spoils of the Curiatii were hung upon it. _Mr. B._ Did the Romans continue at peace, after the victory of Horatius? _Edward_. No, father: they went to war, successively, with the Fidenates, Latins, and Sabines; in all of which the Romans were successful. _Mr. B._ How was the life of Tullus Hostilius terminated, Emily?