On the opposite side is another mountain, called the Iron Mountain, and the country between these two mountains is called the Great Plain. The river Jordan divides it; and it has two lakes, Tiberias and Asphaltites: the waters of the former are sweet and fertile; and those of the latter, salt and barren. Plantations of palmtrees are seen on the banks of the Jordan, but the rest of the plain is burnt up with heat, and the air is very unwholesome.

Our party was here interrupted by the arrival of a few of their visitors, with their workbags in their hands. Aunt Mary and Aunt Jane, who were charitably disposed, and who were likewise much respected in the neighbourhood, had proposed to all their friends that they should meet once a month at each other's houses, to make clothes for the poor, each giving a small subscription, and each having alternately the power of recommending a poor neighbour to the notice of the charity. There were so many poor in the neighbourhood, and, I should likewise say, so many well-disposed ladies, that the charity

had much increased since its establishment, and new rules were made. This evening about twenty ladies met at Longfield; and after tea, which was always a merry meal with them, for there was plenty of gossip, they got the tables out and set to work. Aunt Mary was secretary, and sat with her book before her, ready to note the names of those who had been relieved, and of those who wanted relief. Miss Mayer, of the Marsh, with a few more notable ones, sat with their large shining scissars at a round table, cutting out and preparing the work. Miss Ellen Rhodes and Miss Wilson, the visitors for the last month, were seated round Aunt Mary's table, relating all they had seen, and all they had done, during their daily rambles; while good old Mrs, Brooke, whose eyesight was indifferent, sat in the bow-window with a large flannel petticoat in her hand, chatting freely with Fanny and Anne, who were much amused with the droll stories she told them, though they were careful not to let their mirth interfere with their work, which they fancied themselves highly honoured to be intrusted with.

CHAPTER VI.

THE next morning, Fanny and Anne rose early and walked out before breakfast, to carry the two little caps they had made the evening before, to a poor woman who lived at Hartshill. They had received Aunt Mary's consent the night before, and directions where to find the cottage; and as it was a fine fresh morning, and the birds were singing, and the ploughboys whistling in the field, they enjoyed their walk amazingly.

They easily found the cottage; fitted the caps on the head of the unwashed child, and tripped home again, heartily rejoiced to see their Aunts seated at the breakfast-table, ready to begin breakfast. Aunt Jane, moreover, had placed before each of their plates a cabbage-leaf full of black currants, which she had herself gathered fresh from the trees that morning.

They talked over the last night's meeting;

and Aunt Mary could not help congratulating herself upon having gained the society so good a patroness as the rich Miss W., who had already placed in her hands a handsome donation, which had nearly doubled the funds of their little treasury. All the little domestic arrangements were soon settled; the party were summoned to the shady bow-window by Aunt Jane, and Anne had the pleasure of again finding herself in the dignified situation of reader to the party. Her little book was soon opened, her maps spread out with care, and she read on.

Vespasian having fortified all the towns round about Jerusalem, and placed garrisons in them, was preparing to march to the capital itself, when news reached him of the death of Nero, the Emperor of Rome.

"Do you remember, my dear Anne, reading an account of the death of this cruel emperor in the little History of Rome, which I gave you for your last birth-day present ?" said Aunt Jane.

"Yes, indeed, Aunt, I do," said Anne. "I remember that a plot was laid against him, and that he ran away with a few of his friends,

and killed himself in some hiding-place about Rome."

"Friends he had none, I should think," said Aunt Mary; "he might have had slaves. But, however, go on, Anne: for I think we all remember about this cowardly emperor."

Vespasian gave over fighting for a time, until he saw who was elected emperor by the Romans; and when he heard that their choice had fallen upon Galba, he still would not proceed, till he received directions from the new emperor. He sent Titus to salute him, and to wait his commands. Agrippa set sail on the same errand with Titus; but before they had got far, they heard that Galba was slain, after a short reign of seven months, and that Otho had taken the management of the government upon him.

Agrippa continued his voyage to Rome; but Titus resolved to return and join his father. The suspense they both were in, prevented them from pursuing the Jewish war until they saw how things went on at Rome.

In the mean time, another civil war arose in Jerusalem. A man of the name of Simon,