14.  What was the character of Regulus?

15.  What was the amount of the force on both sides?

16.  On what side did the advantage lie?

17.  With whom did the victory remain?

18.  What was the consequence of this victory?

19.  What were the orders of the senate?

20.  What was the next event deserving notice, and its consequences?

21.  To what expedient were the Carthaginians obliged to have recourse?

22.  What were the first acts of this general?

23.  What were the effects his arrival produced?

24.  What was the consequence?

25.  In what way was the Carthaginian army drawn up?

26.  What was the event of the battle?

27.  What other disasters did the Romans encounter?

SECTION II.

  Who has not heard the Fulvian heroes sung
  Dentatus’ scars, or Mutius’ flaming hand? 
  How Manlius saved the capitol? the choice
  Of steady Regulus?—­Dyer.

1.  The Carthagin’ians being thus successful, were desirous of a new treaty for peace, hoping to have better terms than those insisted upon by Reg’ulus.  They supposed that he, whom they had now for four years kept in a dungeon, confined and chained, would be a proper solicitor.  It was expected that, being wearied with imprisonment and bondage, he would gladly endeavour to persuade his countrymen to a discontinuance of the war which prolonged his captivity. 2.  He was accordingly sent with their ambassadors to Rome, under a promise, previously exacted from him, to return in case of being unsuccessful.  He was even given to understand that his life depended upon the success of his negociation.

3.  When this old general, together with the ambassadors of Carthage, approached Rome, numbers of his friends came out to meet him, and congratulate him on his return. 4.  Their acclamations resounded through the city; but Reg’ulus refused, with settled melancholy, to enter the gates.  In vain he was entreated on every side to visit once more his little dwelling, and share in that joy which his return had inspired.  He persisted in saying that he was now a slave belonging to the Carthagin’ians, and unfit to partake in the liberal honours of his country. 5.  The senate assembling without the walls, as usual, to give audience to the ambassadors, Reg’ulus opened his commission as he had been directed by the Carthagin’ian council, and their ambassadors seconded his proposals. 6.  The senate themselves, who were weary of a war which had been protracted above fourteen years, were no way disinclinable to a peace.  It only remained for Reg’ulus himself to give his opinion. 7.  When it came to his turn to speak, to the surprise of the whole, he gave his voice for continuing the war. 8.  So unexpected an advice not a little disturbed the senate:  they pitied as well as admired a man who had used such