cities around were also included in the government. Corinth was another, and Argos another, of these independent governments, (and there were others still,) which yet were in some form, linked together, so that, although all were free, the whole were the stronger for the union. Indeed very much like our United States,' except they were not so closely or so firmly united. I shall not trouble you with many of the very ancient affairs of Greece, for they are so mingled with fables about their gods, and their heroes, that the precise truth cannot be known. They first learned the benefit of being united, in the Trojan war: this was while they were under their king, and about the time that Jepthah was judge in Israel; you recollect the story of Jepthah's daughter?

F. Yes, mama, and the story of the destruction of Troy; it was told in the history of Egypt in the reign of Proteus.

Mrs H. You are quite right. I will tell you one other story about the changes in the Greek government while they were under their kings; and then we will pass to other things. The one I speak of, relatés to what is called in history, 'the reign of the Pisistratidæ,' or Pisistratus and his descendants. In the early ages of Greece, their laws were very severe; but about the year

of the world 3330, or nearly 1000 years af ter the settlement of Athens, the kings became so cruel, that the people changed their government, and declared the god Jupiter alone, to be the governor of Athens. It was soon found this would not do, as every man did what was right in his own eyes, and all was confusion; so they appointed a very wise man, called Draco, to make laws for them. But Draco did not understand the art of making laws, as well as they thought he did; for he made them so strict that they were soon entirely set aside, and then they were in as much trouble as ever. At last they applied to Solon. There were in Greece about this time several very wise men; and Solòn was one of them: you shall hear more of him by and by. He made some very good laws, and they all lived very happily awhile; but while Solon was gone on a visit to some friends, a man by the name of Pisistratus, took upon himself the authority, and by taking sides with a party of rebellious people, he obtained possession of the city and established himself as a king. He reigned very well; but his descendants grew proud and tyrannical, and finally were put to death, and Greece again delivered from servitude; and after this, they remained free a great many years. But I must be a little more particular about

the manner of their gaining their liberty. Harmodias and Aristogiton were two young men of Athens, who were much attached to each other and to the public good. They were the first who attempted to rid the city of its tyrants; one of whom they killed, but were apprehended and both put to death. The other king who was left, now became intolerable, yet no one at first could control him.

But the family of Alcmeon, whom he had banished from the city, were very rich, and they contrived to get themselves appointed to superintend the rebuilding the temple at Delphos; and they made it so much more splendid, by their own generosity than they were under obligations to make it, and gave the priests and priestess so much money, that they would say and do whatever they wished: and whenever the Spartans came to ask any thing of the oracle at the temple, the priestess would give them no encouragement unless they would promise to deliver Athens from the tyranny of Hippias. The Spartans at last, afraid of offending Apollo, the god of the temple, sent an army, and obliged Hippias to leave the city, and suffered the people to make their own laws, and choose their own governors. Sparta afterwards undertook to place Hippias again on the throne of Athens, but the other Grecian cities would not agree to it,

and the disappointed tyrant, retired to Artaphernes, governor of Sardis under Darius king of Persia. He tried constantly to engage this governor, to go against Greece; and Artaphernes finally sent a command to the Athenians, to reinstate Hippias in the kingly office. To this demand, the Athenians sent a downright refusal; and this began the long contention between the Persians and Grecians. The Athenians were not forgetful of the young men who had lost their lives in the attempt to regain their liberty. They caused statues to be erected to them in the most public places, and honored their memory in all the ways they could devise. Many years after this, they heard that the grand-daughter of Aristogiton, lived at Lemnos in very poor circumstances. They immediately sent for her to Athens, married her to one of the richest of their citizens, and gave her a handsome estate in land as her marriage portion.

Now I believe I have told you enough of the general history of Greece, to enable you to understand its condition at the time when the Persians invaded it. But there are several persons who lived within the compass of one or two hundred years before and after this time, with whose characters I wish you to be acquainted;-and I

will give you the books, and Henry and Frances may look them over, and tell me tomorrow what they have found that is curious in the manners, and customs, and laws of this people, and give me a sketch of the principal characters, who are celebrated as poets, wise men, and lawgivers, of Greece. And if you can find a story that is not too long for Jane to learn, she may repeat it with you.

J. That's right, mama; thank you, thank you; you will find me one won't you, Fanny?V

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