TRESHAM.

ICILIUS EXCITING THE ROMANS.

THE incident treated in this picture is connected with one of the most remarkable events recorded in the annals of Rome. Dissatisfied with the conduct of the senate and consuls, the people became clamorous for a reform in the government; and ten persons were invested with absolute authority to carry their wishes into effect. The Decemviri laboured earnestly for some time to accomplish the object of their nomination; they drew up the famous laws of thetwelve tables, but artfully contrived from time to time various pretexts to postpone the resignation of they delegated power : which, from the ascendancy he had gained over his colleagues, in reality centered in Appius an ambitious and criminal patrician. In all the blind infatuation of security this detestable character conceived, and suborned witnesses to support, an infamous plot, by which be sought to obtain possession of Virginia, a young and beautiful maiden, the only daughter of a respectable veteran, and the betrothed bride of Icilius; and the Decemvir contrived that the adjudication of the affair should come before his own tribunal. His decision deprived the parent of his child; when the unhappy father, seeing no alternative between death and dishonour, hesitated not to plunge a knife into the heart of Virginia; and devoted the head of Appius to the Infernal gods. The populace, previously incensed against the Decemviri, warmly espoused the cause of injured innocence; and, excited by the exhortations aud example of Icilius and his friends, drove the tyrants into banishment, while Appius died by his own hand.

This picture was presented to the Royal Academy by its painter in 1799, and is placed in the Council Room of that institution. Its conception and execution merit honourable notice it has been well engraved in the chalk manner by N. Schiavonetti.

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