is ears. Before
him rose monuments and temples, the white sheen of the imperial palace,
the innumerable domes and columns towering upward like a city in the
air, and high above all the lofty Capitoline mount, crowned with the
shrine of Jove.

But, more impressive than all the splendor of the home of the living was
the solemnity of the city of the dead.

What an array of architectural glory was displayed around him! There
arose the proud monuments of the grand old families of Rome. Heroism,
genius, valor, pride, wealth, everything that man esteems or admires,
here animated the eloquent stone and awakened emotion. Here were the
visible forms of the highest influences of the old pagan religion. Yet
their effects upon the soul never corresponded with the splendor of
their outward forms, or the pomp of their ritual. The epitaphs of the
dead showed not faith, but love of life, triumphant; not the assurance
of immortal life, but a sad longing after the pleasures of the world.

Such were the thoughts of Marcellus as he mused upon the scene and again
recalled the words of Cicero, "Can you think that the buried inmates are
unhappy?"

"These Christians," thought he, "whom I am now seeking, seem to have
learned more than I can find in all our philosophy. They not only have
conquered the fear of death, but have learned to die rejoicing. What
secret power have they which can thus inspire even the youngest and the
feeblest among them? What is the hidden meaning of their song? My
religion can only hope that I may not be unhappy, theirs leads them to
death with triumphant songs of joy."

But how was he to prosecute his search after the Christians? Crowds of
people passed by, but he saw none who seemed capable of assisting him.
Buildings of all sizes, walls, tombs, and temples were all around, but
he saw no place that seemed at all connected with the Catacombs. He was
quite at a loss what to do.

He went down into the street and walked slowly along, carefully
scrutinizing every person whom he met, and examining closely every
building. Yet no result was obtained from this beyond the discovery that
the outward appearance gave no sign of any connection with subterranean
abodes. The day passed on, and it grew late; but Marcellus remembered
that there were many entrances to the Catacombs, and still he continued
his search, hoping before the close of the day to find some clue.

At length his search was rewarded. He had walked backward