MISCELLANY.

SCENES IN JUDEA.

II.

AGAIN I draw from my letters to my mother; for although my recollection is exact and vivid of those days and events, so that, as I think, I could set them down in order, applying to that source alone, and without material error, yet in this the beginning of my history, I shall, I doubt not, more perfectly comply with your wishes, my kinsmen of Rome, if I appear before you in the very form in which I painted myself in those remote days. It was thus then, the second time, that I addressed myself to the blessed Naomi.

"I said, my mother, that I would write again so soon as new events had happened. That necessity presented itself immediately upon my sending to you the letter which I last wrote; if those may be called new events which are to be witnessed, not so much in saparate acts or occurrences, as in the ripening of the time toward some general and final issue. Such seems to me to be the condition of Cesarea. Large numbers of the people, indeed, both of Jews and Greeks, are little concerned by this quarrel with the Governor, being wholly engrossed by the expected games, either preparing to attend them with every circumstance of display, or to receive into their dwellings as visitors, during their continuance, the friends and kinsfolk who make it their five years' custom to assemble at Cesarea at this great festival. But greater numbers, however, although together with the rest they look forward to the games with pleasure, and to the entertainment of both friends and strangers, are much more deeply engaged by the difficulties of which I have already given you some account. The games may occupy their hands, but other interests, hopes, and fears are busy at their hearts. Especially is this the case with the Jewish portion of the population. No one would dream that less than an empire were at hazard, to judge by the demeanor of this people. In truth they seem to me at all times a solemn tribe; and this feature

of their general character is darkened to a gloom like that of night, by the present aspect of their affairs. Their motion through the street is slow and cautious, with eyes cast down, or talking with one another in low and secret tones turning continually with sudden movement the head to this side and that, as if expecting instantly the blow of an assassin, or the insult of a Greek. I confess myself amused not a little as I watch them. But if this is so with the Jews generally- or rather with the more zealous portion of them how much more is it true of so fierce a spirit as Philip. Not the dark Casca nor the lean Cassius ever carried in their eyes what so threatened States with ruin and revolt. Although I cannot but judge his cause in the main a right one, yet can I not work up myself to his pitch of fury; but, on the contrary, do what in me lies, partly by reason, and partly by a lighter rhetoric, to soothe his almost disordered mind. My success has been much such as it would have been, had I essayed to stem the northern tide as it rushes in at the open mouth of the Port, making colossal Rome and Asia to tremble on their bases.

"On the morning of the day which preceded the opening of the games, and which was to witness the hearing of the Jewish deputation before Pilate, the air being close and oppressive, I sought the cooler walks of the Garden, and reaching the little arbor of which I have spoken, took out my tablets and wrote. I had been not long thus engrossed, when I was interrupted by the sudden entrance of Anna, with a countenance more than usually expressive of anxiety. She seated herself near me, saying, as she did so, 'I have come seeking you, and am glad to have found you here, and yet I hardly know why I have come, and I fear lest I deprive you of time that you need for more important objects.' I assured her that I was performing no duty of more importance than writing to my mother, and that her name was the last from my pen, but what I had said I could not inform her. It was, however, no evil report, she might well believe. But what, I asked, was it which disturbed her, for her countenance spoke of some new alarm. It is nothing new,' she answered, 'nor anything, I fear, in which you will think you can serve us, and I hardly can say why I apply to you yet you have inspired us with a strange confidence, and we think that because you are from Rome, while still you are of our own race, you will judge of our affairs more justly than we can do, who are so near, that everything appears of per

haps an unnatural size and interest. In a word, my mother begs you, and I join her in the entreaty, to use whatever power you may possess, to moderate the zeal of Philip, and hold him back from aspiring to be a leader in these affairs. I, alas, can do nothing; for no sooner does he appear with that face of his, and his burning words, than I am straightway kindled with his ardor, and grow as hot as he.' I told her, that what she had now asked of me, I had already of my own mind attempted, but with no good effect whatever. Philip will take no counsellor to his bosom, beside his own impatient spirit, and Simon, who, good as he is, is mad as Philip himself.'

"Mad! Julian? Oh, not quite mad

"My dear Anna, you cannot yourself bear the whole truth.' "I will try now say on you must forgive me.' "Take, however, Anna, all that I would say, and not a part only. Philip is mad only in his impetuosity and haste; not wholly in the great purposes which he cherishes. I blame him not that he is restive, as a Jew, beneath Roman oppression, such as I now see it with my own eyes to be. I can with him scorn the base spirits who, with new submissions, are waiting to purchase the forbearance of the Governor. Were I a born Jew of Cesarea, I would with Philip be a Jew in the full possession and enjoyment of my rights, or I would renounce together my faith and my country. A Jew, with the name only, is one who, with wonderful folly invites insult from the whole world, while from that which brings this universal contempt upon his head, he derives neither profit nor pleasure. Here, Anna, I speak the words of experience. I would not that Philip should be the fool that I have been. You will be glad to know that in the few days I have been here, I have lived years, and that the Demon who has so long possessed me is departing. I am not now the fool that I was. I am become a Jew in feeling, at least, as well as in name. Henceforward, if I am still to bear reproach, it shall not be for nought. Such at least is the resolve of to-day. You now cannot doubt that I am on Philip's side, that with him I would fight for the fair rights and the honored name

"Ah! how I bless you,' cried Anna with glowing cheeks, 'for these words, You then think with Philip, that he is right'

"But you came to me, Anna, did you not, that I might oppose him?" She answered nothing, but only covered her face with her hands.

"I think Philip to be both right and wrong,' I then continued, as you would see yourself, if you would reflect one moment. In his principles and general purpose, he is right, so I judge; in his present action he is wrong. He is over hasty. He will but inflame both the Governor and the Greeks to visit upon your part of the population some new violence, while he is in no condition to resist them, or take the least advantage of the contest that may ensue. He can display all the courage and spirit of one who is ready to perish for his rights; but I fear to suffer will be all that he can achieve. Do that it is so?'

you not feel

"I do believe it,' she answered. It is my constant thought when alone; but the presence of my brother drives it away. Where he is I can only feel. I am never myself but by halves. Wisdom, I fear, I shall never reach.'

“Wisdom, Anna, is not for so young as you. I am older by many years than you, yet I have not so much as come in sight of it. What I have now been saying, may sound very wise, but I know not if it be so. I can only say that I think as I do now. I pretend not to know. It is a new thing for me to be appealed to for counsel, who have hitherto been myself a dependant upon others.'

"As I said these words, steps rapidly approached, and Philip entered the little building where we sat. His countenance expressed a mind disturbed and angry.

"How now, Philip,' said Anna, 'what new evil have you to report with that ill-boding brow? Surely Pilate refuses not to hear us?'

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No, my sister, it is not that, - but worse. Pilate refuses not to hear. But we refuse to be heard. Digest that.'

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How, Philip, can that be? Was it not in full assembly of our people, that the five hundred were deputed once more to wait upon the Governor? Who can have revoked that decree but the people themselves? And they have not done it.' "The decree hath not been revoked, and the five hundred proceed this day to the judgment seat of Pilate, but with their tongues cut out and their hands bound.'

"Speak not in riddles, Philip — what is it?'

"It is true, Anna, as I have said, we go with our tongues out, and our hands bound. Neither Simon, nor Eleazer is our mouth-piece, but whom think you? Sylleus!'

"Our tongues are out indeed," exclaimed his sister; 'whose bad work has it been?'

"Of all save a sacred few. And now, may

"Nay, Philip, swear not,' said Anna, and laid her hand across his mouth. He thrust it rudely from him, and again began his usual oath; but his affection for his sister obtained the mastery, and he suddenly paused, kissed her cheek, and asked her forgiveness. The kiss put to flight all her remaining resolutions of moderation, and changed her for the moment to but the counterpart of himself.

"It might indeed, then,' she cried,' as well be that we were heard not at all. A Roman is as good a Jew as that unbelieving Sadducee our Julian here were a better.'

"Who, I pray you,' I then asked, 'is this Sylleus that it so inflames you, that he should fill this office?'

"Have you not heard of him?' said Philip. But I forget you are but newly come to Cesarea. Sylleus leads the Herodians; and what with their own numbers, and the faint-hearted among us of the stricter sort, it has been an easy victory to place him at the head of this embassy. I ought not in reason mayhap to have looked for other issue than this. Yet I cannot but feel it, for it brings us bound hand and foot, to bide the will of Pilate. Peace, not truth and right, is the watch-word with these slaves with souls less in bigness than a grain of mustardseed, or the point of a needle, who would, like their true ancestor, sell their birth-right for a mess of pottage. Surely, now-adays there can be no shame like that of being a Jew apostates all-hypocrites and slaves.' So did he run on, full of violence till he had spent himself, and exhausted his stores of a proud and indignant passion. I could not but honor the feelings from which it all came, growing up, as they did, from that deep root of religious reverence, which, planted in his youth, had been duly nurtured, till it had spread throughout his whole nature, and drew everything to itself. Still I was sufficiently conscious that his was a virtue in its excess in such excess that it was changed almost to a vice. His religion seemed to me little more, or better, than a blind and dangerous superstition. I dared to say to him a part of what I thought. I said, ' that, according to my belief, he would gain more, by a more moderate course of action that the laws of his own faith would be better observed, not to speak of a true policy, by conduct which should exhibit signs of patience and forbearance, and a willingness sometimes to yield a little, for the sake of peace; especially when so to yield was not to surrender anything that could be VOL. XXVII. -3D S. VOL. IX. NO. II.

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