proposed as a dernier for present support. CHAPTER IX. At daybreak, of the morning following our entry into Heraclea, the prætor and Correliana paid us a visit. After salutations of renewed welcome the prætor addressed us, in substance, as follows:— “You are already partially aware of the means of communication which have been employed to advise us of your presence, and the deliverance of our daughters’ rescuers from their extreme peril! Through the same source we have been advised of your daily progress for our relief, now happily consummated. When the health of our families shall have ceased to tax your anxious care, we will then endeavor to make you sensible of our gratitude through the warmth of affectionate reciprocation. For the present we will ask you to assume the responsibility of your own entertainment, for we are utterly powerless for the fulfillment of that duty so inseparably imposed by our obligations. But with our energies restored we shall claim the gratification of reassuming the privileges of our natural charge. Until this sum total of our past indebtedness shall have been fulfilled, please accept the keys of our city in token of our submission to your direction?” In reply to this tender, M. Hollydorf said, “We will accept the keys, but only in the light of a necessary facility to render our sympathetic aid more readily effectual, and will certainly feel more sincere gratification when your own, and the health of your associate citizens, will admit of their restoration. Until then we shall rely upon your advice for direction, for we have already learned to prize its transmitted agency beyond measure, as it exceeds the power of material recompense.” Then taking the prætor’s hands, he continued with glowing warmth and tearful emotions: “Indeed we feel assured, beyond the possibility of selfish reflection, that in preserving your people, we have acted as agents for the opening of a way through which the children of our race may exalt themselves above the gregarious instincts of animality. We have already realized premonitory emotions, which bespeak an assured glimpse of immortality, albeit our habits and customs intrude their practiced grossness to mar the beatific visions inspired from the influence of your exampled reflection.” Here the tremulous cadences of a pæan hymn caused the prætor to beckon us beyond the threshold, and from thence we saw gathered in groups, before the portals of each door, the residents uniting in the choral anthem of thanksgiving to the Creator for blessings vouchsafed with deliverance. At its close, we were apprised that it was their morning and evening custom to offer grateful salutations of praise with the rising and declining sun. Then, in the fullness of their grateful joy, they left to engage in the nursing avocations of the day.