_Emily._ How different, my dear father, are the happy days in which we live. No family, however indigent, need now be without a Bible. _Edward._ And almost every poor child has an opportunity, in some of the numerous charity-schools that are every where established, of learning to read it too, which is better still. _Mr. B._ We do, indeed, my beloved children, live in very glorious times. The scriptural prophecy seems to be fast accomplishing, which declares, that "the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea." May we prize our high privilege, and may our more virtuous conduct bespeak our gratitude for the superior blessings we enjoy. _Louisa._ In the days of the cruel Tarquin, papa, of whom we have been reading in our Roman history, the religion of Jesus Christ was not known. The wicked Tullia could not, I think, have acted so basely, had she been a Christian. _Mr. B._ Those who act up to the _precepts_ taught by Christianity, my dear girl, must act virtuously; but the _name_ of Christian will be found by no means sufficient for any of us. _Louisa._ Papa, it is very uninteresting to read about wicked people. I do not feel the least inclination to give you any account of Tarquin and Tullia. On the contrary, I quite enjoyed talking of the good Numa Pompilius, and Servius Tullius. _Mr. B._ Much is to be learned from history, my dear. It unmasks the human character. You there read man as he is, and trace the fatal effects of vice upon society, as well as the pleasing consequences of virtue. But let me now hear how Tarquin behaved, on mounting the throne so basely acquired. _Emily._ The whole series of his reign was suitable to the manner of his accession to the throne. Scarcely had he seated himself there, when, from his capricious humour and arrogant behaviour, he acquired the surname of the Proud. He refused to consult, either with the senate or people; but having secured a sufficient number of soldiers to guard his person and execute his will, arbitrary power actuated all his proceedings. Informers were dispersed throughout the city, the king was sole judge of the accused, and wealth and merit were considered unpardonable crimes. _Edward_. The cruel murder of the venerable Marcus Janius, was a proof of what Emily has just mentioned. He was descended from a noble family, and possessed great riches, on which account, Tarquinius Priscus had allowed him to marry his youngest daughter. The wicked Tarquin, in order to get possession of his estate, caused both him and his son to be assassinated. His youngest son escaped the same fate, by pretending to be an idiot, from whom he supposed he had nothing to fear. _Ferdinand_. He was mistaken, however; was he not, Emily? _Edward_. Stop, stop, Ferdinand; you must not forestal our history. Let Louisa give some account of Tarquin's government first.