It was a sad lesson that she learned, for on that very night the child died of croup. She had asked her mother, the last thing as she went up to her little bed, if she would kiss her in the morning; but in the morning her innocent lips were cold. VIRGINIA. Macaulay, in his “Lays of Ancient. Rome,” includes the tragic incident which led to the downfall of the execrable government of Appius Claudius, who had made an attempt upon the chastity of a beautiful young girl of humble birth. The decemvir, unable to succeed by bribes and solicitations, resorted to an outrageous act of tyranny. A vile dependant of the Claudian house laid claim to the damsel as his slave. The cause was brought before the tribunal of Appius. The wicked magistrate, in defiance of the clearest proofs, gave judgment for the claimant; but the girl’s father, a brave soldier, saved her from servitude and dishonor by stabbing her to the heart in the sight of the whole forum. Virginius, in the course of a thrilling appeal to the people, says,— “Have ye not graceful ladies, whose spotless lineage springs From consuls, and high pontiffs, and ancient Alban kings? Ladies who deign not on our paths to set their tender feet, Who from their cars look down with scorn upon the wondering street; Who in Corinthian mirrors their own proud smiles behold, And breathe of Capuan odors and shine with Spanish gold? Then leave the poor Plebeian his single tie to life,— The sweet, sweet love of daughter, of sister, and of wife, The gentle speech, the balm for all that his vexed soul endures, The kiss in which he half forgets even such a yoke as yours; Still let the maiden’s beauty swell the father’s breast with pride, Still let the bridegroom’s arms enfold an unpolluted bride; Spare us the inexpiable wrong, the unutterable shame, That turns the coward’s heart to steel, the sluggard’s blood to flame, Lest, when our latest hope is fled, ye taste of our despair, And learn by proof, in some wild hour, how much the wretched dare.” Having led the devoted maiden to the spot for sacrifice, he pours out in passionate language the wealth of his affection, closing thus: “With all his wit, he little deems that, spurned, betrayed, bereft, Thy father hath in his despair one fearful refuge left, He little deems that in this hand I clutch what still can save Thy gentle youth from taunts and blows, the portion of the slave; Yea, and from nameless evil that passeth taunt and blow,— Foul outrage which thou knowest not, which thou shalt never know. Then clasp me round the neck once more, and give me one more kiss, And now, mine own dear little girl, there is no way but this.’ With that he lifted high the steel and smote her in the side, And in her blood she sank to earth, and with one sob she died.” THE KISS IN EPIGRAM. CASUISTRY.