B.C. 491.

T is too much the custom in this cool matter-of-fact

IT

age to ignore the sympathies and affections, and to look upon maternal love or filial duty with indifference; but history teaches us, on almost every page, that to the influence of mothers may be frequently

traced the destiny of nations, and that the greatest of men have been indebted to their mothers for the high principles and noble line of conduct which has characterized their lives. In no case is this fact more strikingly exemplified than in the life of Cnæus Marcius, surnamed Coriolanus, who was called the "Boy of Tears" by his last and greatest enemy, Aufidius.

His family was one of the noblest in Rome, for he was descended from Ancus Marcius, the fourth king of Rome. He lost his father in his early childhood; but this misfortune seemed almost compensated by the care of his mother, Volumnia, who not only devoted her life to his education, but strove to inspire him with the noblest sentiments, and that martial ardour which in those times led to the highest distinctions. And so fully was her influence felt by the young patrician, that he was pre-eminently distinguished for his prompt obedience to her commands in all things. He returned her love with the most respectful yet devoted affection, and the hope of adding to her joys was the strongest impulse which animated him to his career of victory. He learned early to excel in all the robust exercises which were preparatory to the exploits of the field; and acquired so great an excellence, that scarcely any one of his own age dare enter into competition with him. Above all this, he was the very soul of honour, full of magnanimity, and of that noble pride which would not let him do a mean or wicked action.

The young Marcius was early permitted by his

heroic mother to encounter the dangers of battle; and he had soon an opportunity of displaying those great qualities with which he was endowed, in the fiercest of engagements which Rome had yet conflicted for the preservation of her freedom. Tarquinius, the expelled king of Rome, unsubdued by his numerous misfortunes, prevailed on the Latins to espouse his cause, and, although exceedingly old, marched with the army which was commanded by Octavius Mamilius, who had married the king's daughter.

The Romans, under the command of Aulus Postumius the Dictator, hastened to meet the enemy, and hearing that the exiled king and his sons were among the hostile forces, rushed with uncommon ardour to give the Latins battle, and met them on the borders of the lake Regillus. Here a combat of the most ferocious and sanguinary character ensued, in which the generals on both sides, carried away by their ardour, fought hand-to-hand among the soldiers. Tarquin himself, feeble with age, concentrating all his energy for a single effort, spurred his horse to attack the Dictator, but received a wound in his side, and was borne from the field by his allies. Mamilius and Valerius were both killed, after performing the most astonishing feats of valour. At length the Roman fortune prevailed; and the Latins fled, after a resistance in which scarcely a soldier escaped unwounded.

In this mighty contest the prowess of young Marcius shone forth. As he saw one of his comrades struck