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ment of Carthage; neither is it known at what period it assumed the form of a republic. It is, however, generally allowed, that the republic consisted of the people, a very numerous senate, and two suffetes, or presiding magistrates. These suffetes corresponded in rank and power with the consuls at Rome and kings at Macedon; but were not, like the latter, chosen for life. They were elected from among the richest citizens, that they might be the better able to support their dignity with splendor. The election of a senator depended upon the voice of the people, and the senators themselves; but the manner of their being chosen is unknown. When the votes of the senate were unanimous, they possessed the power of giving laws, from which there was no appeal. But when the suffrages were divided, or when the suffetes stood alone, the decision was referred to the people, who then gave the final decree.

5. The commerce of Carthage was the principal cause of her greatness and wealth-her fleets covered every coast; and by having the sovereignty of the sea, for more than six centuries, she monopolized, in no small degree, the commercial interests of the whole world. But what commerce was to the wealth of Carthage, Hannibal was to her military glory. Under him, she acquired a name more durable than brass. At the age of nine years, he is said to have taken an oath of eternal enmity to the Romans; and the indefatigable perseverance with which he ever aimed at their destruction proved his sincerity. He subdued all the nations of Spain that resisted the Carthaginian power; and after eight months' siege, took the city of Saguntum. This city was in alliance with the Romans; and its inhabitants were so attached to the Roman interests, that, rather than fall into the hands of their enemies, they set fire to their houses and other effects, and perished in the flames.

6. The capture of Saguntum is more celebrated for its being the commencement of the second Punic war, than for the magnitude of the city, or the force necessary to its reduction. It is nevertheless sufficiently memorable, when taken in connexion with the battle of Cannæ, that immediately followed it, to give Hannibal a place among the most distinguished warriors. The victory of Cannæ is not only one

To what may the greatness and wealth of Carthage be attributed? -Under what general did the Carthaginians obtain a military name?

of the most splendid achievements in the Carthaginian hero, but it is also one of the most splendid achievements recorded in the history of warfare. The whole army of Hannibal did not exceed 50,000; but so well directed were all his movements, that no less than 40,000 Romans were slain. This victory, although complete, proved of little use to the Carthaginians. The Romans, to free themselves from Hannibal, determined on invading his own dominions. When Carthage saw her coasts invaded, she recalled Hannibal, as it had been calculated by the Romans that she would.

7. Hannibal left Italy, which he had kept under perpetual alarms for sixteen years, with the greatest reluctance. He seemed aware of the reverse of fortune that soon awaited him. Shortly after his return to Africa, the two hostile armies met at Zama, where was a general engagement. The Roman victory was complete-23,000 Carthaginians were slain, and as many more taken prisoners. After this decisive battle, Hannibal seemed convinced of his own inability to revenge his country's wrongs; and therefore employed himself in persuading the neighboring princes to make war against the Romans. But not succeeding in his attempts, and the Roman senate being apprised of his designs, and sending to Bithynia to demand him of Prusias, Hannibal terminated his own life by poison.

8. The city and republic of Carthage were destroyed by the termination of the third Punic war, 147 years before Christ. The city was in flames during seventeen days; and the news of its destruction caused the greatest joy at Rome. The Roman senate immediately appointed commissioners, not only to raze the walls of Carthage, but even to demolish and burn the very materials of which they were made; and in a few days, that city, which had once been the seat of commerce, the model of magnificence, the common storehouse of the wealth of nations, and one of the most powerful states in the world, left behind no traces of its splendor, of its power, or even of its existence. The history of Carthage is one of the many proofs that we have of the transitory nature of worldly glory; for of all her grandeur, not a

How many of the Romans were killed in the battle of Canne?How many of the Carthaginians were slain and taken prisoners in the battle of Zama?-What were the circumstances of Hannibal's death? When was the city of Carthage destroyed?

wreck remains. Her own walls, like the calm ocean, that conceals for ever the riches hid in its unsearchable abyss, now obscure all her magnificence.

THE WARRIOR'S WREATH.

BEHOLD the wreath which decks the warrior's brow.
Breathes it a balmy fragrance sweet? Ah, no!
It rankly savors of the grave!

"Tis red-but not with roseate hues ;
"Tis crimson'd o'er

With human gore!

"Tis wet-but not with heavenly dews;

'Tis drench'd in tears by widows, orphans shed.
Methinks in sable weeds I see them clad,
And mourn in vain, for husbands slain,
Children belov'd, or brothers dear,
The fatherless

In deep distress,

Despairing, shed the scalding tear.

I hear, 'mid dying groans, the cannon's crash,
I see, 'mid smoke, the musket's horrid flash-
Here famine walks-there carnage stalks-
Hell in her fiery eye, she stains

With purple blood,

The crystal flood,

Heaven's altars and the verdant plains!

Scenes of domestic peace and social bliss
Are chang'd to scenes of wo and wretchedness,
The votaries of vice increase-

Towns sack'd, whole cities wrapt in flame!
Just Heaven! say,

Is this the bay

Which warriors gain-is this call'd FAME!