ast. These were David and
Clive, who each, though from different causes, now felt himself
profoundly moved by this spectacle. David's enthusiasm was that
of a scholar; Clive's was that of a poet; yet each was keen in his
susceptibility, and eloquent in the expression of his feelings.

As for Frank and Bob, they were far less demonstrative; and though
they had plenty of enthusiasm of their own, yet it was not often
excited very violently by either poetic feeling or classical
reminiscences. The scene before them certainly moved their feelings
also, on the present occasion; but they were not in the habit of
indulging in exclamatory language, and so they looked on in quiet
appreciation, without saying anything.

Not so the other two, David and Clive. Each burst forth in his
own way.

"How magnificent!" cried Clive. "What a boundless scene! How
fortunate we are to have our first view of Rome! I don't believe
there is such another sight in all the world. But what a scene must
have appeared from these heights when Rome was in its glory!"

"Yes," said David, chiming in, "such a place doesn't exist anywhere
else in all the world. It's the cradle of history, and modern
civilization. Here is where the mighty Roman empire began. There
is the Rome of the kings and the consuls; and down there is the
arena, where they fought out that long battle that arranged the
course of future ages."

"Besides," said Clive; "there is the scene of all the latter part
of the Aeneid, and of all the immortal legends that arose out of
the early growth of Rome. What a place this would be to read
Macaulay's Lays of Ancient Rome!--

"Hail to the great asylum!
Hail to the hill-tops seven!
Hail to the fire that burns for aye!
And the shields that fell from heaven!"

At this moment Frank's attention was attracted to a place not very
far away, where the sheen of some silver water flashed forth from
amid the dark green hue of the surrounding hills.

"What is that?" he asked of the guide. "It looks like a lake."

"It is de Alban Lake."

"The Alban Lake!" cried David, in a fresh transport of enthusiasm;
"the Alban Lake! What, the lake that the Romans drained at the
siege of Veii?"

"It is de same," said the guide.

"Is it really? and is the canal or tunnel still in existence?

"It is."

"Is it far away?"

"Not ver far."

"Boys, we must go there. It is the greatest curiosity of the country
about here."

"Well," said Frank, "I