precise events, indeed, which occurred, but he could have foreseen that vast changes must take place, and new aspects of affairs arise, in which his powers would be called into requisition.  We can always foresee in the midst of any storm, however dark and gloomy, that clear skies will certainly sooner or later come again; and this is just as true metaphorically in respect to the vicissitudes of human life, as it is literally in regard to the ordinary phenomena of the skies.

[Sidenote:  Caesar in Spain.] [Sidenote:  Defeat of Pompey’s sons.]

From Africa Caesar returned to Rome, and from Rome he went to subdue the resistance which was offered by the sons of Pompey in Spain.  He was equally successful here.  The oldest son was wounded in battle, and was carried off from the field upon a litter faint and almost dying.  He recovered in some degree, and, finding escape from the eager pursuit of Caesar’s soldiers impossible, he concealed himself in a cave, where he lingered for a little time in destitution and misery.  He was discovered at last; his head was cut off by his captors and sent to Caesar, as his father’s had been.  The younger son succeeded in escaping, but he became a wretched fugitive and outlaw, and all manifestations of resistance to Caesar’s sway disappeared from Spain.  The conqueror returned to Rome the undisputed master of the whole Roman world.

[Illustration:  The elephants made torch-bearers.]

[Sidenote:  Caesar’s triumphs.] [Sidenote:  The triumphal car breaks down.] [Sidenote:  Elephant torch-bearers.]

Then came his triumphs.  Triumphs were great celebrations, by which military heroes in the days of the Roman commonwealth signalized their victories on their return to the city Caesar’s triumphs were four, one for each of his four great successful campaigns, viz., in Egypt, in Asia Minor, in Africa, and in Spain.  Each was celebrated on a separate day, and there was an interval of several days between them, to magnify their importance, and swell the general interest which they excited among the vast population of the city.  On one of these days, the triumphal car in which Caesar rode, which was most magnificently adorned, broke down on the way, and Caesar was nearly thrown out of it by the shock.  The immense train of cars, horses, elephants, flags, banners, captives, and trophies which formed the splendid procession was all stopped by the accident, and a considerable delay ensued.  Night came on, in fact before the column could again be put in motion to enter the city, and then Caesar, whose genius was never more strikingly shown than when he had opportunity to turn a calamity to advantage, conceived the idea of employing the forty elephants of the train as torch-bearers; the long procession accordingly advanced through the streets and ascended to the Capitol, lighted by the great blazing flambeaus which the sagacious and docile beasts were easily taught to bear, each elephant holding one in his proboscis, and waving it above the crowd around him.