JUDITH.

Epoch doubtful.

HEROISM, as indeed many, if not most, of the human virtues, carries so much of our natural baseness within it, that, like the tub of Diogenes, "it will not bear too close inspection:" hence, while the tendency of our admiration is to exaggerate actions, we pass over their evil, in our absorbed gaze upon their good, and, riveting our attention upon the head of gold, grow oblivious of the feet of mire and clay. Yet human conduct in this resembles Nebuchadnezzar's image, for however bright the action may appear, it rests but too often upon the extremities of earthly motives and degrading passions; and great characters, gleaming like lights in the dark mists of a sinful world, cause us to pass over the gloom of the latter, forgetful that their very radiance draws augmented glory from the shadow: or, in disappointment at the rarity of noble examples in actual life, we seek to supply the deficiency from the regions of the fabulous and the forced pencilings of imagination; so that we deprive the lesson of existence of its due moral upon the heart, and rob incident of its proper force, by enveloping it in the mazes of doubt and suspicion. These observations will apply to the history of Judith.

Belonging to the tribe of Reuben, the daughter of Merari, and widow of Manasseh, Judith is almost as much celebrated for her beauty as for the deliverance of Bethulia when besieged by Holofernes. She had been told that Ozias, the general, had promised to deliver the town within five days into the hands of Holofernes; for which reason she sent for Chabris and Carmis, elders of the people, and informed them of her purpose to free her country, without, however, revealing the means by which she would effect it. Commending herself then with especial fervor to the Almighty protection, with what we must consider a strange self-deception, and ignorance of that frame of mind and line of conduct which God vouchsafes alone to bless, she dressed herself with the greatest care in her richest apparel, and under the erroneous idea that she might "do evil that good might come," went to the general's camp, and prostrated herself before Holofernes, pretending that she fled from the city.

It must be remembered, that not only is the story apochryphal, but, as will be observed presently, doubts are gravely entertained, and with reason, of its authenticity altogether. The whole tissue of it, indeed, shows the wisdom of the Church in being very guarded as to the admission of such questionable records into the canon of Scripture, seeing that this indeed can hardly plead the only object for which Jerome commends them at all; viz., for "example of life and instruction of man

ners." Still, inasmuch as heroism may be defined, an exemplification of stern self-sacrifice, by risk of suffering, for an elevated purpose, we allow Judith's name to be placed within the record of famous

women.

As soon as Holofernes beheld her, he, captivated by her address and appearance, promised her protection, with free ingress and egress of the camp. Upon the fourth day, he sent Bagoas to invite her to a superb entertainment, whither his fair captive went, adorned with every resource that could rivet the admiration of the ruler, already subdued by the graces of her first impression. Like all barbarian soldiers, he protracted the hours of the feast far into night, until, oppressed by wine and reveling, he sunk overpowered by stupor, an easy victim to the machinations of his treacherous guest. No sooner was he asleep, than placing her maid upon the watch to prevent surprise, Judith, still preserving the hypocrisy of religious zeal, we are told, prayed to God, took down the resting warrior's sword, and cut off his head, which having given to her maid, she wrapped the body in the curtains of the bed, and using the liberty she enjoyed of passing the lines unquestioned, went to Bethulia. By dawn the next day the head was exhibited upon the city walls, an event which so appalled the besiegers, that they fled in dismay; and to reward the infamy of her act, in which it appears she found willing accomplices even among the priests of her nation,