and for whom, as for us, are the ages waiting to bring forth their treasures? shall not the promises of God be made good? Moreover, what causeth the sin that is, and for which the land mourneth, but this thrice cursed power of the gentile over us? While the idolater is in the land and its ruler, will not the people as of old bow down and worship the images that be everywhere set up? First, my daughter, first of all, must the oppressor be smitten and the oppressed made free; then shall the seed have been destroyed that brings forth this harvest of iniquity. Then shall righteousness find space and soil grow, and the gentile shall not be here to cause blasting and mildew—.”

to

A maid servant here quickly entered and said that a messenger from Macharus was just arrived in haste inquiring for Onias. Thy brother at this started, and with precipitation passed into the house following the servant.

When he was gone I still sat conversing with Judith; but perceiving that her mind was now frequently withdrawn as if possessed by other thoughts, I too departed and bent my way toward the deep shades, which not far before us I beheld covering a slight elevation on the hither bank of the river. "Beneath those shades," said Judith as I went, "you will find a calm and cool retreat, where, when as now the sun blazes with unusual heat, we sometimes pass the noonday hours. A simple structure stands beneath those trees, hidden now from our sight which overlooks the river and the vineyards. I commend you to its pleasant seats." Saying these things she passed into the house, while I pursued my way to the vineyards on the banks, and the retreat to which Judith had commended me,

Passing in my way through gardens, olive grounds, and vineyards, I came at length to the spot at which I aimed, distant at least half a Roman mile from the house. The building, hardly to be seen till approached very near, I found to be of a circular form, overrun with vines, which climbing up the columns to the roof then hung down in a confusion of polished leaves, bright berries, flowers and fruit. A few gray rocks here and there breaking through the ground rendered the ascent on the side toward the river difficult, the more as among them grew wild plants, shrubs, and flowers, according to their will, untouched by the hand of art. From the entrance, open toward the south, the eye fell first upon the slope of meadow and vineyard along the nearer bank; then upon the sacred stream as it wound slowly away and was hidden at length by overhanging foliage, and last upon a remote prospect of hill and wood, mountain and desert, even as far as the borders of the Dead Sea, till the warm haze of those regions shut in the scene and mingled the heavens and the earth together. I was not unwilling to enter where there was held out so rich a promise of rest and seclusion. Couches of many inviting forms standing around tempted to repose, of which, to say the truth, notwithstanding the sleep of a long night, I still had need. Here then I passed the morning and midday hours, now gazing forth upon the new scenes before me, and wondering what my course should be, and now watching the labors of the distant husbandman as he gathered in the last returns of the harvest; sometimes buried in musings which, beginning in somewhat bright as morning, ended as is their wont, in sleep; sometimes satisfying at once both hun

ger and thirst with the grapes which ministering hands had heaped upon the table; and sometimes writing to thee, my mother, to thee whose image waking or asleep is ever before me, outshining all else above or below, real or unreal. No step intruded on my privacy, no sound disturbed my slumbers or my musings, save that of the bee as he flew from flower to fruit, or from fruit to flower, or of insects and birds, as half asleep they sent forth now and then a drowsy note, showing that they as well as I were tasting the joys of a perfect repose. Thus I either sat or lay, until the sun sinking behind the hills, and the growing coolness of the air, warned me of the hour of the evening repast; for here as with us the principal meal is at the close of day, when the heat hath subsided and its labor is done.

Many days like this, only varied with such changes as you, my mother, will readily imagine, now passed away. Instructed by Judith, I made myself familiar with BethHarem and the surrounding regions, visiting with her, or alone, all such objects and places as were worthy to be seen, either for their present interest and beauty, or for their connexion with the early history of our people. In these brief journeyings I saw and discoursed with many of the inhabitants of these parts of Judea, in every condition of life. Among all I discovered a temper of dissatisfaction, and undefined desires and expectations of somewhat soon to be unfolded of advantage and glory to the land. Some great one is to arise, they are sure, who shall fulfil in his person and his deeds, and the power of his dominion, all that seems to them foretold by their prophets. They have been much stirred by the sudden appearance of this John of Hebron on the

banks and in the wildernesses of Jordan; but they do not see in him the signs of that power whose approach they are expecting, though they hold him to be one sent of God. We all desire to hear and know more of him. But, as we learn, he is now in upper Galilee.

Onias has been absent many days, insomuch that Judith wonders greatly thereat.

No more, my mother, at present. Name me with affection to our neighbors and friends, and especially to Hirpinus and Lucretius, who are returned, as I have heard, suddenly to Rome. Thou shalt soon hear again. Farewell.

VIII.

I KEEP my promise, my mother, and again present myself with wishes of health and peace.

Now when Onias had been absent, as I have said, many days, to the great concern of Judith,-which in these times is not strange, for so much does wickedness abound in all parts of the land, that it is not without danger that any one trusts himself in remote or unfrequented places, he at length returned in safety indeed, but as it seemed also, in no small perturbation of mind. His manner was more close and dark than even that which is usual with him, and it was a long time before, by our approaches, whether more or less direct, we could arrive at the causes of his discomposure. Judith, by her playfulness at some seasons, and her deep earnestness at others, seldom fails to reach her father's inward ear; and though he at times turns away even from her, yet is it done never with severity, or as if it were possible for any word from her to offend him. Although her questions now seemed to grate with harshness on his spirit, yet he refused not to answer them. "We have missed you greatly, father, these many days. But since you have been in kings' palaces we look to you to make amends for your long absence, by the agreeable things you have to tell us. Saw you the fair daughter of Arabia? They say she is unhappy."