usual method of the Romans in like cases; for they were not accustomed to violate the rights of royal houses, which had acknowledged them for protec tors, and to give their crowns to strangers. Herod was, however, declared king of Judea by the senate; but it was not so easy for him to establish himself in the kingdom, as to obtain the title from the Romans. Antigonus, not being inclined to resign a crown which had cost him so much pains to acquire, disputed it with him very vigorously for almost two years.

In the mean time Herod consummated his mar riage with Mariamne, which had been contracted four years before: they had been prevented from coming together by the troubles which broke out. She was a princess of extraordinary beauty and virtue, and possessed every amiable accomplishment in an eminent degree. The attachment of the Jews to the Asmonean family, made Herod imagine, that by espousing her he should gain their affections.

Year of

3967.

With the assistance of the Romans, he besieged and took Jerusalem, after an obstinate resistance. A dreadful carnage ensued, in the World which neither sex nor age was spared. Antigonus was taken by the Roman general to Rome. Herod could not rest while this branch of the royal family remained, and even gave a large sum of money to procure his death. Thus ended the reign of the Asmoneans, after a duration of one hundred and twenty-nine years, from the beginning of the government of Judas Maccabeus.

This singular event, George, deserves your notice.

270

This was the first time that the sovereign authority over the Jews was given to a stranger, an Idumean, and was certainly an indication that the sceptre was departing from Judah. Nor is there any reason to doubt but that the truly pious of that age beheld in this event the near approach of Him to whom the gathering of the people should be. See Gen.

xlix. 10.

Revere, George, the faithful historian, who hands down, from generation to generation, the dealings of God in his providence with the various nations; but, above all, revere the sacred writings; they contain the whole œconomy of God, from the beginning to the end of the world: the prophetical part may be compared to a sealed book or roll, which is gradually unfolded at different periods of time. All the words of scripture will be fulfilled: not one will fail. When all other writings are consigned to oblivion, these shall be had in everlasting remembrance. May you esteem the word of God your chief treasure. This is the only thing of which death cannot deprive you; for here we have only copies, the original is in heaven. That my dear boy may hereafter contemplate it in the world above, is the prayer of

His affectionate aunt.

LETTER IX.

MY DEAR GEORGE,

DURING the reign of Herod the Great, the Jews were involved in many troubles; for he was jealous, ambitious, cruel, and tyrannical. There remained of the Asmonean family, Hyrcanus, Alexandra, Aristobulus, and Mariamne. Herod sent an invita tion to Hyrcanus, who was then at Babylon (beloved and reverenced by the Jews in those parts), to return to Jerusalem.

The great affection Hyrcanus felt for his own country, made him resist the pressing solicitations of the people for his continuance among them, and forced him from them to return to Judea. Herod received him cordially, and in all public assemblies placed himself below Hyrcanus, calling him brother: but, a few years after, he put him to death for supposed treason, of which most think him entirely innocent; for, even in his youth, he appeared little to regard who took the toils of government, so that he did but enjoy a tranquil life; and it was not to be thought, that when he was upwards of eighty, he should attempt to dispossess Herod, who was established in the kingdom. Herod had made one of the lowest of the people highpriest, in order to cut off the Asmonean family, to whom it belonged. Alexandra, the mother of Aristobulus, applied to Anthony, to whom she knew

Herod would not deny any favour, in behalf of her son, a youth of engaging person and manners, then only sixteen years of age. She obtained her suit; but, from that moment, the destruction of this amiable youth was determined upon.

Aristobulus continued in the office of high-priest two years. One day, as he was sacrificing in the temple in his pontifical robes, the people in general, being struck with his graceful appearance and deportment, recognised in his countenance the dignity of his race, and, openly recalling to remem. brance the noble actions of his ancestors, could not forbear to fill the temple and the city with his praises. This was enough to rouse the jealousy of Herod. He accordingly determined to delay no longer the execution of the plot he had formed against his life: but, to conceal his designs, he invited Aristobulus into the country, where he treated him with the greatest familiarity, and one day persuaded him to swim in the fish-ponds. Herod had some of his courtiers ready, who went in also to swim, and, as if in sport, began to duck Aristobulus, but took care to keep him under water till he was quite dead.

What must Mariamne's feelings be to lose her only brother by the hands of her husband! For though it was so artfully contrived, yet the horrid deed was well known. Herod endeavoured to persuade the people that he was ignorant of what had happened. He therefore put on the appearance of great sorrow, and made a magnificent funeral. Alexandra was almost distracted with the thought of the murder of her son, but, from motives of pru

dence, concealed her grief and knowledge of the fact, though she sought every opportunity to be revenged. For this purpose, she applied to Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, who excited Anthony to investigate the whole affair, in order that justice might be executed, and due punishment inflicted for so atrocious an offence. Anthony accordingly sent for Herod to answer to the accusation brought against him.

Herod, being obliged to obey the summons, committed the care of his kingdom and family, during his absence, to his uncle Joseph, with orders, that if Anthony should take away his life, he should immediately kill Mariamne, because he so passionately loved her, that he could not bear the thought that another should ever enjoy her affections. Joseph imprudently informed Mariamne of the king's order; but she, instead of considering it as a mark of his affection, looked upon it as a farther manifestation of his tyrannical and wicked disposition, that, even in the prospect of death, wished her to perish.

Herod, having found means to satisfy Anthony, returned to his own country. He immediately flew to embrace his wife, expressing, in extravagant terms, his affection to her: all which she received very coolly, reciting to him, as a proof of his insincerity, what Joseph had told her. Upon this he flew into a violent passion, ordered Joseph to be executed, and Alexandra, whom he supposed to be the cause of all these troubles, to be imprisoned: yet he still continued firm in his attachment to Mariamne. We need not wonder that a woman of