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2. Write a short account of the following subjects connected with Sacred History.

SKELETONS.

I.-History of the Jews from the Call of Abraham to the Death of Moses.

Call of Abraham-Journey towards Canaan-Death of Terah-The Promise-Arrival at Canaan-Separation of Lot-Sojourn in the plain of Mamre-Isaac the heir of the Promise-Removal to Beersheba-Trial of faith-Marriage of Isaac and Rebecca-Their two sons -Jacob the heir of the Promise-Change of his name to Israel-His twelve sons-Treatment of Joseph by his brethren—The famine-Joseph and his brethren in Egypt-Settlement of the Israelites in Egypt-Oppression by the Egyptians-Deliverance by Moses-The forty years in the wilderness-The arrival at CanaanDeath of Moses.

II.-A short Account of the Kingdom of Israel.

Death of Solomon-Accession of Rehoboam-Revolt of the Ten Tribes-Establishment of the kingdom of Israel-Idolatry of Jeroboam-Its effects-The fate of his successors, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, and Zimri-Principal event in the reign of Omri-Accession of Ahab— His character-His idolatry-First appearance of Elijah -The famine-Concealment of Elijah-His return to Israel-Scene on Mount Carmel-The murder of Naboth

The doom pronounced upon Ahab-Expedition against the Syrians-Death of Ahab-His successors Ahaziah and Jehoram-Destruction of the house of Ahab by Jehu according to prediction-Encroachments of the Syrians-Dynasty of Jehu-Wickedness of the people Rise of the Assyrians-Invasion of Israel by Shalmaneser-Dispersion of the Ten Tribes-Destruction of the kingdom of Israel.

III.-The Three Great Feasts of the Jews.

The object of festivals among the Jews-The assemblage at Jerusalem-The Three Great Feasts-The

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Passover-What it commemorated-Why called the feast of unleavened bread-Particulars of celebrationThe time it lasted-The Passover as a type-The observances at the feasts of Pentecost and Tabernacles.

EXERCISES.

1. The Conquest of Canaan. 2. The Period of the Judges. 3. Reign of Solomon. 4. Short Account of the Kingdom of Judah. 5. Some Account of the principal Jewish Sects, 6. The Seventy Years' Captivity.

3. Write a short account of the following subjects connected with Roman History.

SKELETONS.

I.-Conspiracy of the Sons of Brutus.

Expulsion of Tarquin-Different feelings with which his removal was viewed by the common people and the younger portion of the aristocracy-Causes of this— Demand for the restitution of Tarquin's propertyFavourably entertained by the Senate-Origin of the plot-Its development-Names and rank of the parties engaged in it-Its discovery-The trial-The condemnation-The execution-Reflections on the character of the Roman mind as exemplified in this occurrence.

II.-First Punic War.

Respective position and resources of Rome and Carthage at the outbreak of the war-Causes which led directly to it-The Mamertines-Successes of the Roman expedition into Sicily-Battle of Agrigentum-Superiority of the Carthaginians by sea-Resolution of the Romans to build a fleet-Model furnished them by the stranding of a Carthaginian galley-First naval victory of the Romans-Honours paid to Duilius ever after Battle of Ecnomos-The Romans dispatch an army into Africa-Story of Regulus-His sufferings and death mythical-Hamilcar the hero of this war-His policy-The victory of the Romans at Insulæ Ægates

terminates the war-Exhausted state of both partiesTerms imposed on Carthage-Formation of the first Roman Province.

III.-Death of Cæsar.

State of parties at Rome about the close of year 54 B.C.-Cæsar virtually supreme-Brutus-His character -Generosity of Cæsar displayed in his case-Cassius -Gradual formation of a conspiracy-Number engaged in it-Different motives that actuated the conspirators -The feeling which seems to have animated BrutusInjudicious conduct of Antony-His behaviour at the Lupercalia-Day fixed by the conspirators for the execution of their design-Intimations of impending danger made known to Cæsar-He disregards themThe Ides of March-His wife's dream-He resolves not to attend the Senate that day-Is turned from his intention by the dread of ridicule-Warning of Spurinnus -Paper revealing the conspiracy put into his hand-He enters the Senate-house-Proceedings of the conspirators up to the arrival of Cæsar-Their determinationThe signal-The result-The dying words of CæsarEstimate of his character.

EXERCISES.

1. The Legend of Romulus and Remus. 2. Story of Mutius Scævola. 3. Hannibal's Campaign in Italy. 4. Siege of Syracuse. 5. Short Account of the Jugurthine War. 6. Summary of the Reign of Augustus Cæsar.

4. Write a short account of the following subjects connected with Grecian History.

SKELETONS.

I.-Battle of Marathon.

Revolt of Ionian cities in Asia Minor-Capture of Sardis-Wrath of the great king-Mighty preparations for the invasion of Greece-Want of union among the Grecian states-Hostility of Persia chiefly directed against Athens-Reasons for this-Terror at Athens

Approach of the Persian army-Descent upon Eubœa The Athenians seek help from Sparta-Pheidippides the courier-The God Pan-The Persians land at Marathon-Description of the ground-Position and numbers of the two armies-The battle-Impetuosity of Athenian onset-Individual deeds of heroism-Honours paid to Miltiades.

II.-Olympic Games.

Their institution lost in the remoteness of antiquity -Place of their celebration-Sacred character of the district-The ekecheiria or armistice-Description of the altis or holy grove-Statue of Zeus by Pheidias-Number of days on which the games were held-Nature of the exercises-Pentathlon-Superiority of the Olympic over the other great games of Greece-Effect of their institution upon the development of the Hellenic mind -The first Olympiad an important date in Greek chronology-The late period of Greek history at which the reckoning by Olympiads began to be employed.

III.-The Heroic Age.

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An heroic age in the history of every nation claiming to be civilised-Necessary to a nation's social development-Characteristics of the Greek heroic age-State of government-Prince-Nobles-Vassals-Parallel the feudal system of the middle ages-Social state of the heroic times-Respect paid to women-Favourable contrast in this respect to the historical age-MoneyQualifications of a Greek prince-Ulysses-Picture of society in that period to be found in HomerEminently truthful-Traces of customs of heroic time in the historical age-The mythology of later times built upon that of the heroic age.

EXERCISES.

1. Lycurgus and the Spartans. 2. Leonidas at the Straits of Thermopylae. 3. Some Account of the Peloponnesian War. 4. The Thirty Tyrants. 5. Retreat of the Ten Thousand. 6. Siege of Tyre.

5. Write a short account of the following subjects connected with French History.

SKELETONS.

1.-Joan of Arc.

State of France on the death of Charles VI.-Regency of the Duke of Bedford-The critical position of the Dauphin-Siege of Orleans-Joan of Arc-Her humble condition-Her enthusiasm-Her introduction to the Dauphin-The consecrated banner-Raises the siege of Orleans-Her subsequent successes- -Coronation of Charles at Rheims--Desire of Joan to return to private life overruled by the king-The English besiege Compiègne Joan taken prisoner-Is delivered into the hands of the English-Is tried and condemned as a sorceress and heretic-Her cruel death-Ingratitude of Charles-Remarks on her career and character.

II.-Massacre of St Bartholomew.

State of religious parties in France under Charles IX.-Catherine de Medicis-The Dukes of Guise-The Huguenots and their leaders-Condé and ColignyHenry of Navarre-Struggles of the two parties-Proposed reconciliation-Marriage of Henry and Margaret of Valois-Treachery of Catherine-The conspiracyThe midnight attack-Murder of Coligny-General slaughter throughout France-Anecdote of the Governor of Auvergne-Rejoicings at Rome.

III.-Reign of Philip Augustus.

Early part of his reign-Rebellions in FlandersCruel treatment of the Jews-Intrigues with the sons of Henry II. of England-Joins in the Crusade with Richard I.-Jealousies of Philip-His treacherous conduct towards Richard-War between the two kingsPhilip takes advantage of the weakness of King John -Reduces the English possessions in France-His proposed invasion of England-Is invited by the English barons to take part in the war against John-Result of the expedition of his son Louis to England-Latter

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