"Thank you, Fanny," said Aunt Jane. "I took particular pleasure in hearing you, because you repeated the lines so slowly, that I could hear every word distinctly. And now, Anne, let us hear a little more before it is time to give over."-Anne went on reading.

As Titus was riding along the wall which led to the city, a number of Jews leaped suddenly out of the towers called Women's Towers, near the monuments of Queen Helena, and standing directly opposite his horse, prevented him from going on to the rest of his men. But few of his own soldiers were with him, and they were so wedged in, that they could neither move forward nor retreat. Nor did the other soldiers know in what a dangerous situation he was placed, but fancied that he was still in the camp.

So Titus perceiving that his escape must be owing to his own valour alone, called to his men to follow him, turned his horse, and rushed through the enemy's troops. His soldiers kept quite close to him, and, though the enemy with shout hurled darts and

javelins at them, they succeeded in breaking through the ranks.

Two only of his brave

followers were killed, one of whom fell from his horse, and the other got separated from his companions; but Titus with the rest escaped, and reached the camp in safety.

As soon as Titus was joined by his third legion, he removed his camp to a place called Scopus, or the Prospect, within a mile of the city, which commanded a view of the famous temple. Here he fortified one camp, and another he made a few furlongs off. His army was again joined by another legion, who received from Titus orders to encamp about three quarters of a mile from Jerusalem, at a mount called the Mount of Olives, which lies on the east side of the city, and is parted from it by a deep valley called Cedron.

"Well, my dear Anne," said Aunt Jane, as she saw Anne closing her book at the entrance of the servant to lay the cloth for dinner, " your curiosity will soon be gratified, for we are actually beginning the account of the famous siege of Jerusalem, prophesied by our Saviour, and which was the cause of the total overthrow of the Jewish nation."

"Yes, Aunt, I am very glad that we are getting to the famous siege; and I expect to hear of wonderful inventions, like those of Josephus at the siege of Jotapata. But, for all that, I shall be sorry when it is all over, and when my little book is finished."

"Oh! I dare say, Anne, I shall be able to find some new history, even more interesting than this; and if I perceive that you remember this, I may, perhaps, look out for one even before your next birth-day," said the kind Aunt.

"And let us come and read it here Aunt, where we are so nice and snug! I am sure I can attend a great deal better than in the school-room at home, where there is always so much noise, and Sam is for ever saying his long lesson to Mrs. Johnstone.".

N

CHAPTER VII.

As Aunt Mary had dropped a hint of an excursion to Moucaup that very evening, our little party lost no time in assembling after dinner to their book and their work. They even gave up their stroll to the bottom of the field, which indeed had become almost impracticable, as the weather had very rapidly become hot during the last two days.

Anne, with a look of very great importance, took her station on her little stool near Aunt Jane, and began to read.

Before we begin this celebrated siege, we must give a short description of the city of Jerusalem itself, a city so favoured and renowned.

"It is in the very centre of Judea, I see, Aunt, in the map," said Anne.

It was built upon two hills, opposite to each other, and divided by a valley, on the entrance of which the houses terminated. One of these hills, on which the upper city was