TABLE OF GENERAL REFERENCES.

V.

EPISTOLARY

(Arranged according to Topics.)

On political subjects (various)

On retirement and home life

Commendatory

Consolatory and sympathetic

Congratulatory

Literary topics (various)

Desponding or anxious in tone

Jocular and bantering letters

On travels

Local descriptions

CICERO, ad Famil. v. 7, 12.

PLINY, ix. 7, 19.

CICERO, ad Famil. v. 12.

ad Att. xiii. 13.

ad Q. Fratr. iii. 5, 6.

PLINY, Epist. i. 8, 13; ií. 10, 19;

v. 10; vi. 33; vii. 33;

viii. 4; ix. 23.

SENECA, Epist. Mor. cxiv.

CICERO, ad Famil. v. 15; xiv.

1, 2, 4.

PASSAGES FOR TRANSLATION INTO LATIN.

PART I.

HISTORICAL.

DUMBARTON CASTLE TAKEN BY SURPRISE. A.D. 1571.

HE situation of the castle on the top of a high and almost

inaccessible rock, which rises in the middle of a plain, rendered it extremely strong, and, in the opinion of that age, impregnable; as it commanded the river Clyde, it was of great consequence, and was deemed the most proper place in the kingdom for landing any foreign troops that might come to Mary's aid. The strength of the place rendered Lord Fleming, the governor, more secure than he ought to have been, considering its importance. A soldier who had served in the garrison, and had been disgusted by some ill-usage, proposed the scheme to the Regent, endeavoured to show that it was practicable, and offered himself to go the foremost man on the enterprise. It was thought prudent to risk any danger for so great a prize. Scaling ladders, and whatever else might be necessary, were prepared with the utmost secrecy and despatch. All the avenues to the castle were seized, that no intelligence of the design might reach the governor. Towards evening Crawford marched from Glasgow with a small but determined band. By midnight they arrived at the bottom of the rock. The moon was

B

set, and the sky, which hitherto had been extremely clear, was covered with a thick fog. It was where the rock was highest that the assailants made their attempt, because in that place there were few sentinels, and they hoped to find them least alert.

The first ladder was scarcely fixed, when the weight and eagerness of those who mounted brought it to the ground. None of the assailants were hurt by the fall, and none of the garrison alarmed by the noise. Their guide and Crawford scrambled up the rock, and fastened the ladder to the roots of a tree which grew in a cleft. This place they all reached with the utmost difficulty, but were still at a great distance from the foot of the wall. Their ladder was made fast a second time; but in the middle of the ascent, they were met by an unforeseen difficulty. One of their companions was seized with some sudden fit, and clung, seemingly without life, to the ladder. All were at a stand. It was impossible to pass him. To tumble him headlong was cruel; and might occasion a discovery. But Crawford's presence of mind did not forsake him. He ordered the soldier to be bound fast to the ladder, that he might not fall when the fit was over; then turning the other side of the ladder, they mounted with ease over his belly. Day now began to break, and there still remained a high wall to scale; but after surmounting so many great difficulties, this was soon accomplished. A sentry observed the first man who appeared on the parapet, and had just time to give the alarm, before he was knocked on the head. The officers and soldiers of the garrison ran out naked, unarmed, and more solicitous about their own safety, than capable of making resistance. The assailants rushed forwards, with repeated shouts and with the utmost fury; took possession of the magazine; seized the cannon, and turned them against their enemies. Lord Fleming got into a small boat, and fled all alone into Argyleshire. Crawford, in reward of his valour and good conduct, remained master of the castle.-Robertson.

SALLUST, Bell. Jugurth. c. 92, 93, 94.

LIVY, xxiv. c. 3, 46.

xxv. c. 23, 24. ix. c. 24, 37.