“If,” replied Frank, “there were no other criterion of civilization than luxury and riches, you would have good grounds for surprise; but such is not the case.  Between ancient and modern times, Christianity arose, and that has tended in some degree to keep down the ostentation of the rich, and to augment, at the same time, the comforts of the poor.  In place of the heroes, Hercules and Achilles, we have had the apostles Peter and Paul; so Luther and Calvin have been substituted for Semiramis and Nero.  Pride has given place to charity, and corruption to virtue.”

“Would that it were so, Frank,” continued Ernest.  “Christianity has, doubtless, effected many beneficial changes, and produced many able men; but in this last respect antiquity has not been behind.  It has also its sages:  Thales, Socrates, and Pythagoras, for example.”

“True,” replied Frank, “antiquity has produced some virtuous men, but their virtue was ideal, and their creed a dream.”

“And the Stoics?”

“The Stoics despised suffering, and Christians resign themselves to its chastisements; this constitutes one of the lines of demarcation between ancient and modern theology.”

“But there were many signal instances of virtue manifested in ancient times.”

“Yes; but for the most part, it was either exaggerated or false; unyielding pride, obstinate courage, implacable resentment of injuries.  Errors promenaded in robes under the porticos.  Ambition was honored in Alexander, suicide in Cato, and assassination in Brutus.”

“But what say you to Plato?”

“The immolation of ill-formed children, and of those born without the permission of the laws, prosecution of strangers and slavery; such were the basis of his boasted republic, and the gospel of his philosophy.”

“Why, then, are these men held up as models for our imitation?”

“Because they are distant and dead; likewise, because they were, in many respects, great and wise, considering the paganism and darkness with which they were surrounded.  Life was then only sacred to the few; the many were treated as beasts of burden.  The Emperor Claudian even felt bound to issue an edict prohibiting slaves from being slain when they were old and feeble.”

“Which leaves a margin for us to suppose that they might be slain when they were young and strong,” observed Jack.

“By the constitution of Constantine certain cases were defined, where a master might suspend his slave by the feet, have him torn by wild beasts, or tortured by slow fire.”

“Does slavery and its horrors not still exist, for example, in Russia and the United States of America?”

“Slavery does exist, to the great disgrace of modern civilization, in the countries you mention; but, so far as I am aware, its horrors are not recognized by the laws.”

“There, Mr. Frank,” said Wolston, “I am very sorry to be under the necessity of contradicting you.  I have visited the slave states of North America, and have witnessed atrocities perhaps less brutal, but not less heart-rending, than those you mention.”