4. The inhabitants of Thebes, like those of Athens, were divided into three classes, the citizens, the resident foreigners, and the slaves. Thebes was a powerful city. The other cities of

Boeotia held themselves to be independent, but Thebes waged frequent wars against them, and they often yielded to her arms. The cities of Boeotia formed a confederacy, and instituted an assembly. Magistrates called Beotarchs commanded the armies, but the law forbade that they should retain this authority more than a year, under pain of death.

5. The Thebans carried on a lucrative trade with other nations. The laws of Thebes interdicted the exposure of infants, and inflicted punishments upon artists who produced indecent pictures or statues. The Thebans were greatly wanting in the polished manners of their attic neighbours.

6. Pindar was born in Boeotia. Of his poetry and his genius we are accustomed to hear, though we know little of either. But it is highly honourable to him, that all the states of Greece esteemed and celebrated his talents. At Delphi during the Pythian games, Pindar, compelled by the persuasions of a great multitude, crowned with a laurel wreath, and raised upon an elevated seat, brought forth such charming sounds from his lyre as excited unbounded applause from the assembly around him, and afforded the most delightful entertainment of the festival; and when the sacrifices were ended, the priests, as the highest homage, presented to him a portion of the first fruits that were offered in the temple.

7. This great poet was not too much exalted by the praise of men--he was above vain glory

He expressed himself to this effect as he drew near the end of his days. "I walk," said he, "through simple paths, contented with my condition, and beloved by my fellow-citizens; my whole ambition is to please them, without giving up my independence ;-I would still retain the right to declare what I deem to be honourable and dishonourable. In this disposition I tranquilly approach the grave; happy if I can but leave my children the precious inheritance of an unblemished reputation."

8. Pindar's wish was accomplished; he lived and died in peace and honour. Those who are not gifted with his talents may yet cultivate his virtues. He lived during the Persian war.

MEGARA.

The territory of Megara extended along the Saronic gulf from Attica to Corinth. This smali tract was sometimes subject to Athens, and sometimes in alliance with her enemies, and under the control of a government within itself.

PHOCIS.

1. A little province of Greece which extended rom Boeotia on the east to Etolia on the west, which was bounded on the south by the waters of the Corinthian Gulf, and extended to The saly on the north. From this country it was separated by the range of mountains called Eta. Its principal river was the Cephisus which ran into Boeotia, and emptied into Lake Copais. The range of mountains called Parnassus, the fabled abode of the Muses, extended in broken ridges from east to west in this province: and the city of Delphi on the river Plistus, was a place interesting throughout Greece, as the city of Apollo and of his oracle.

2. In this city were collected more gold and silver than could be found in all Greece besides. The Pythian games in honour of Apollo, were celebrated every fourth year in Delphi; they were called Pythian because they commemorated the destruction of the serpent Python by Apollo. At Delphi was the most splendid collection of statues and paintings which then existed in the world; all offerings to Apollo from the nations which spoke the language and worshipped the gods of Greece.

3. These nations extended from Marseilles, in France, where was a Greek colony, to the eastern limits of the Euxine sea. Maps of the Roman empire are common; look upon this map; see Massilia in Gaul, Magna Grecia in the south of Italy, and some of the cities in Sicily; proceed to the country of Greece proper, include the

islands of the Egean sea, carry your eye eastward along the north coast of Asia minor-for more than twelve hundred miles of territory which lay on the south border of the Euxine; return again and traverse the verge of the whole peninsula of lesser Asia; and all along this immense tract may be found, at wide intervals, towns and colonies which were originally settled by Greece. Many of these explored the counsels of Apollo, and sent to his consecrated city, deputies who celebrated his festivals, and offerings which annually augmented his treasures. It is impossible to imagine how splendid these festivals, or how rich these treasures were.

4 About 354, B. C. the Thebans accused the Phocians of sacrilege, for cultivating certain lands, which, their accusers said, appertained to the oracle of Delphi. The Amphyctionic council decreed a very heavy fine against the Phocians on account of this transgression. Philomelus, a Phocian, exhorted his countrymen to disregard the decree. They trusted to his suggestion, and he procured troops, who seized on the temple. Philomelus then appropriated some of its treasures to the payment of the troops, and caused some of its brass to be manufactured into armour. The Athenians, Lacedæmonians, and some other states declared in favour of the Phocians. The Thessalians declared against them; and Philip of Macedon was leagued with the Thessalians. A combined army, under Philip's command, attacked and defeated the Phocians; 6000 of them were slain, and 3000 were thrown into the sea as a punishment for sacrilege. By this cruel act the success of Philip in his subsequent conquest of Greece

was greatly facilitated.

The Greeks believed

that the gods must assist him for his religious zeal, as he had declared himself their avenger; he, thought they, whom the gods favour, must be irresistible; and it becomes a duty as well as necessity, to submit to him.

5 The Phocians however retained the temple at Delphi ten years, and, during that time, defended themselves against the Thebans and Thessalians. This was called the Sacred war. At the end of that time, Philip, at the head of his army, passed the Strait of Thermopyla, and without the loss of a soldier, induced the Phocians through fear to surrender to him. Philip immediately repaired to Delphi, called together the Amphyctions, and requested a decree against the offenders. They were devoted to execration, and condemned to be punished wherever they should fly. It was recommended that all their infant children should be precipitated from the top of a rock, but this was not executed.

6. In the destruction of this people, twenty walled towns were reduced to ashes. The aged, the infirm, and their children, were seen wandering about in want, or lying down to die in their fields-sons,husbands, and fathers, had been driven away from the protection of these their dependants, and were either sold to slavery, or fugitives in foreign countries. After the council which decreed these enormities had finished their deliberations, Philip offered sacrifices, and returned thanks to the gods. What a commentary

is this consummation upon a cruel and exterminating war-upon religious zeal, uninformed by humanity.