foolish obstinacy, Jews of Cæsarea, ye seek my judgment seat? Do you think to change my mind, by this new embassy? Think you to gain anything by setting the whole city in an uproar ? Who speaks for you?"

One of the priests replied, "Sylleus, noble Governor, the Herodian Sylleus is set to plead for us."

"Why not the Roman Sylleus? Methinks it became you more to have among you a sect of Romans than of Herodians. Belonging to Rome, it were well that some of you, at least, bore the name."

"The name comes not," replied humbly the same priest, "chiefly from Antipas of Galilee, but as much from his great father."

"Ah, well, that is better. There were little honor in coming of him of Galilee. Where is this Sylleus? let him say on, and let him be brief. A cause heard twice, may be heard quickly. Let Sylleus the Herodian declare himself."

Whereupon Sylleus rose, and stood before Pilate; and after much fawning, and a long exordium of swollen flatteries, he was about to enter upon somewhat more pertinent, when Pilate's impatience broke forth in a stern rebuke;

"Cease, Sylleus, to praise. We are Gov

ernor here in Cæsarea, we know; and the right arm of Cæsar. Tell us not of that with which we are already well acquainted, but come at once to the matter in hand."

"Most noble Pilate," then began Sylleus again, we are fain to seek thy great presence once more, for that we are well convinced, that when before we stood in this place, the people of the Jews, who are ever desirous to demean themselves as good citizens, were not represented by those who could or would make known to you the real sentiments of devotion to Cæsar, which fill the bosoms of our nation generally, and more especially of the inhabitants of this great Capital. They spake, so we judge, not so much as suitors for a favor, as after the manner of those who stood to enforce what they wished. Verily, their words were more those of the foes, than the friends of Rome. They spake too sharply of their rights, and of Rome's duty to her far off provinces, whom, said they, she is bound to protect, and defend against aggression, specially when aimed at their religion, which it hath ever been the custom of Rome to respect and secure to her subjects. Whatever truth, noble Pilate, there may be in such things, we name them not, but rather come pleading our friendship and affection for Rome, and asking to be held by her as

lovers and children. It was the Great Herod who first taught our people to seek their country's prosperity no longer, in separating themselves so far from others in their manners, laws, and worship, but in mingling with the people of every nation, and adopting with freedom whatever was seen to be excellent in their various modes of life; and especially to make these interchanges with those who are the masters and the model of the whole world. It is well known to you, with what success he drew almost the whole nation after him; but particularly those who dwelt upon the sea-coast; so that in the process of not many years, the customs and manners of Rome were to be seen in a great many of our cities, and nowhere more than in Cæsarea; so that even the games and sports of the Circus and the Theatres were to be enjoyed in many places, in Cæsarea, Herodium, Gamala, Machærus, without the necessity of a voyage to Rome; and so that even our religion, for adhering to which with devotion, we have been famous through all history, we began to think might relax somewhat of its harshness, and receive somewhat of the milder spirit which marks the faith of Rome. Receive it, then, O Pilate, as a truth not to be gainsaid, that we, who live now, are more pervaded by this leaven, as many do call

it, of Herod, than were those who lived but a little while before us; to that degree indeed, that, save in some few respects of little moment, the Jew of Cæsarea may, without impeaching greatly one's powers of discernment, be taken for a Roman. His garb is the same, his language the same, his amusements the same; and what separates him, is indeed but little worthy of regard. Now, most excellent Governor, if the Jews of Cæsarea be such, why should they not be dealt with as friends, subjects, citizens, and children of the Universal Empire ? We see not why a synagogue of the Jews should be razed for this purpose, any more than a temple of Jupiter or Apollo. We will not yield to any in our love and honor of Rome. Condescend, great Prince, to consider this, our great affection and to grant our suit. And now" Pilate interrupted him;

"That is well said, Sylleus. Thou hast done well, and said enough. I doubt not now your love for Rome. But answer me this are you not still Jews? Call you not yourselves Jews?"

"Assuredly we do," responded Sylleus.

"Ah, hah," said Pilate, "then are you not Romans. A Jew is a Jew. A circumcised Jew can be no Roman." And upon that the Greeks and the rabble laughed. Pilate, as

this subsided, continued, in a sharp and bitter

tone.

"You Jews are surely a short-sighted, besotted people. What cares Rome, think you, for your good will? Shall she owe you thanks and favors, that you affect her, and honor her? She owes not these to her own citizens and children. What she wants, by the Gods, she can command; her arm is long enough and strong enough to reach even to you, and what she would have you, that shall she make you. What more would you say? Speak, for time presses, and the air grows hot."

Sylleus thus urged, and finding, doubtless, that much of the argument he had prepared could not so much as be uttered in the ears of the Governor, much less set forth in order with his usual flourishes, came, at length, after much hesitating, and a long and indirect preface in which he was more than once interrupted and rebuked by the Procurator

to the statement of the proposition which he had been directed to reserve to the last.

"The Jews of Cæsarea," he began, "as is well known to your Greatness, and, indeed, to all the world, are a poor people, and what little wealth they can heap together is obtained by a labor, and by hardships and industry, such, it is believed, as the natives of no other land ever