hat, whatever the use the Jews made of it, it ought to be
preserved. Alexander, Cerealis, and Fronto went over to the opinion
of Titus; and therefore, by a majority of one, it was agreed that
the Temple should be spared, however fiercely the Jews might
resist. Orders were given to prevent the fire spreading to the
Temple, and to clear the ground for an assault against it.

The 5th of August broke. It was on that day that the Temple of
Solomon had been burned, by Nebuchadnezzar; but the courage of the
Jews was not depressed by the omen. The brief pause had enabled
them to recover from the despair which they had felt, in seeing the
inner cloister in flames; and at eight o'clock in the morning,
sallying from the Eastern Gate, they rushed down upon the Romans.
The latter formed in close order and, covered by their shields,
received the onslaught calmly. But so desperately did the Jews
fight, and in such numbers did they pour out from the Temple, that
the Romans had begun to give way; when Titus arrived, with great
reinforcements. But even then, it was not until one o'clock that
the Jews were driven back, again, into the walls of the inner
Temple.

Titus, having seen his troops victorious, retired to his tent; and
the soldiers continued their work of clearing the platform, and
extinguishing the smouldering fire of the cloisters. Suddenly the
Jewish bands burst out again, and another deadly struggle
commenced. Then one of the Roman soldiers, seizing a burning brand
from the cloisters, hurled it into the window of one of the side
chambers that inclosed the Temple on the north.

In the furious struggle that was going on, none noticed the action;
and it was not until the flames were seen, rushing out of the
window, that the Jews perceived what had happened. With a cry of
anguish, they discontinued the conflict, and rushed back to try and
extinguish the flames. But the woodwork, dried by the intense heat
of the August sun, was ripe for burning and, in spite of the most
desperate efforts, the fire spread rapidly.

The news that the Temple was on fire reached Titus and, starting
up, accompanied by his bodyguard of spearmen--commanded by
Liberatus--he hastened to the spot. His officers followed him and,
as the news spread, the whole of the Roman legionaries rushed, with
one accord, to the spot. Titus pushed forward into the first court
of the inner Temple--the Court of the Women--and then into the
inner court and, by shouts an