The Life And Death Of King John: Bilingual Edition (English – Hungarian)

La ?mplinirea unui deceniu de la moartea filosofului de la R??inari, profesorul I. Necula ne ofer? un incitant studiu despre opera ?i via?a acestui controversat moralist francez de origine rom?neasc?. Cartea se adreseaz? elevilor, studen?ilor, precum ?i publicului larg de cititori.

Volumul reune?te c?teva studii ?i eseuri care interogheaz? rela?ia controversat? ?n ?tiin?a actual? dintre comparatism ?i germanistic?, respectiv noua paradigm? cu preten?ii salvatoare, ?germanistica intercultural?“, aduc?nd ?n scen? c?teva analize consacrate scriitorilor germani mai vechi ?i mai noi sau unor probleme de estetic? a crea?iei. Incitante sunt perspectivele deschise de investigarea fenomenologiei faustice ?n hermeneutica lui Ernst Bloch ?i Constantin Noica ?i nu mai pu?in interesante sunt spa?iile de cercetare asupra operei lui Lucian Blaga ?n context german ?i cele dedicate lui Heidegger ?i implica?iei sale politice.Reflex al dublei direc?ii pe care o reprezint? de fapt toate volumele lui Vasile Voia, cartea de fa?? este expresia unei dimensiuni de profunzime ?i, desigur, am putea spune, a unicit??ii ei ?n cultura noastr? actual?. Ea ?mbin? inspirat un comparatism al ideilor cu estetic? ?i filosofia, realiz?nd interferen?a ?i unitatea la nivelul superior al discursului critic.

O confesiune ?i o medita?ie despre mediul evreiesc din Rom?nia de dup? al doilea r?zboi mondial, pornind de la propria experien?? ?i biografie a autorului, ?n prezent conferen?iar la Universitatea Ebraic? din Ierusalim. Av?nd ca nucleu un dialog cu t?n?rul filozof Sandu Frunz?, de la Universitatea din Cluj, cartea reconstituie via?a evreilor din Ia?i (ora?ul natal al autorului), de dup? r?zboi, adolescen?a ?n perioada stalinist?, dilemele ?i reflec?iile stimulate de op?iunile mediului evreiesc din Rom?nia ?n noile condi?ii de dup? r?zboi, av?nd de ales ?ntre integrarea ?n viata social? ?i intelectual? rom?neasc? marcat? de tenta?ia ?i pervertirea comunist? sau, dimpotriv?, alternativa stabilirii ?n Israel. O semnificativ? parte a c?r?ii se concentreaz? asupra evolu?iei acelor intelectuali evrei care au p?r?sit Rom?nia ?n perioada ceau?ist?, dificult??ile ?i dramele adapt?rii la o noua ambian?? cultural?, ca ?i complexa rela?ie cu mediul ?i cultura ?n care s-au format. Pe parcursul a c?teva decenii, amintirile ?i reflec?iile autorului reconstituie, dintr-un unghi inedit ?i foarte personal, mediul universitar ie?ean, ca ?i universul spiritual al intelectualilor israelieni originari din Rom?nia.O medita?ie despre comunism ?i antisemitism, despre dramele dublei apartenen?e culturale, despre emigra?ie, despre tensiuni ?i interferen?e rom?no-evreie?ti, despre lumea v?zut? de la Ia?i ?i de la Ierusalim.

Aceast crticic nu reprezint pariul unor mari ambiii auctoriale, nu urmrete s revoluioneze “filosofia iubirii“, nici s deschid vreun drum nou. Nu este nici un manual, un “ghid“ al relaiei de cuplu, cum au nceput sa apar attea, ca i cum ai putea da sfaturi n ceea ce privete iubirea! Scopul su este infinit mai modest – i anume de a depune mrturie despre un fenomen esenial cum este dragostea, n funcie de experiena proprie, de lecturile ce fac i ele parte din aceasta experien i de meditaia, cat s-a putut de onest, n jurul propriilor mele triri. Dac o singura pereche va nelege ce miracol i se ntmpl, dac un singur solitar ce sufer din dragoste va depi criza, dac un mare dezamgit va cpta puterea i curajul de a mai ncerca o dat, voi crede c n-am scris-o aiurea, c n-am nfruntat n zdar temperaturile unei veri incendiare. Pe deasupra, am crezut, cred i voi crede, pn la extincie, c se mai poate nc scrie despre dragoste i altfel dect n romanele “roz“, n filmele de serie X ori n celebrele telenovele. Dragostea este mult prea importanta pentru a fi abandonata complet i definitiv melodramei, vulgaritii, prostului gust. Un subiect vechi de cnd lumea, frecventat de pene ilustre, compromis de scribi mediocri, te poate solicita s-i ncerci puterile nelegerii, precum i pe cele expresive. M ntreb ct de sincer am reuit s fiu. Dar nu mai este, de-acum, problema mea, ci a eventualilor cititori. Ca niciodat, probabil, oricum nu n aceste proporii, m ncearc emoia. n cele din urm, nu te poi prezenta oricum fa n fa cu dragostea.“ (Liviu Antonesei)

Proza rural“ ajunsese s nsemne, n percepia obteasc, o proz conservatoare, desuet, presupus simplist, schematic, dnd seam cu mijloace artistice modeste de o realitate uman mai degrab rudimentar, lipsit de rafinament, subtilitate ori profunzime sufleteasc. I se opunea, ntr-o viziune cvasi-maniheist, proz urban, presupus a fi n mod automat purttoarea complexitii, a nnoirii i rafinamentului, a valorii. n practic, ns, respectiva prejudecat a fost, de fapt, tot mai viguros contrazis de ivirea unor opere de proz rural“ nzestrate cu caracteristicile literaturii moderne de calitate. Acest studiu caut s depisteze, s reliefeze i expliciteze succint trei dintre etapele semnificative ale afirmrii unei proze efectiv moderne, cu tematic rural“, survenite de-a lungul ultimelor dou treimi ale secolului trecut i marcate de contribuia a trei scriitori reprezentativi: Pavel Dan, Marin Preda i Sorin Titel.

Planeta Rilke. Planeta uria?ului Rilke. Totul irumpe ?nl?untru cu for?e neb?nuite, ?mplinindu-se sub semnul ?noii fiin?e“, al unui ?nceput formidabil de puternic, sugestiv, inspirat, ?n raza presim?irii unei ?noi mari str?luciri, care d? for?? ?i o abunden?? de imagini limbii mele“, a?a ?nc?t ?ma surprind c?teodat? c?t de mult ?mi sunt mie ?nsumi receptiv ?i c?t de mult ?nv??, ?ntr-o uimitoare venera?ie, din propriile mele dialoguri. R?sun? ceva ?n ad?ncul meu, ce vrea s? ajung? la oameni, trec?nd peste aceste pagini, peste dragele mele c?ntece ?i peste toate planurile de viitoare fapte“.?nsemn?rile jubilatorii se transform?, sub ochii no?tri, ?n prelungirea ?ncinselor lecturi de sine, ?n exces de for??, deci, ?ntr-o iubire at?t de plin? ?i de puternic?, ?nc?t elibereaz? numaidec?t din grelele lan?uri ale fricii, devenind o laud? fiin?ei, o laud? f?cut? ?mplinirii ?i viului con?inut ?n exces: ?M? simt de parc? ar trebui s? vorbesc acum, ?n clipe de for?? ?i claritate, c?nd din mine vorbe?te mai mult dec?t eu ?nsumi: sufletul meu. M? simt de parc? ar trebui s?-i convertesc pe to?i cei care ezit? ?i care se ?ndoiesc; c?ci am mai mult? putere ?n mine dec?t pot re?ine ?n cuvinte ?i vreau s? o folosesc pentru a elibera oamenii de str?ina fric?, din care eu ?nsumi am venit“.

Demersul exegetic al lui Constantin Cuble?an vine ?ntr-o perioad? ?n care scriitorii nu sunt trata?i a?a cum se cuvine ?n societatea actuala. Cartea include eseuri docte, ample, axate pe crea?ia unor importan?i scriitori ca, bun?oara, Valeriu Anania, Ioan Alexandru, Ion Barbu, Ana Blandiana, Nicolae Breban, Emil Brumaru, Augustin Buzura s.a. Un fragment important, sugestiv, din peisajul literaturii de dup? 1989. ?i nu numai.

Cosmoza, demonstrat? aproape matematic ?ntr-o construc?ie original?, este drumul sacru al ?mplinirii. Iubirea cosmic? e ideea de raport ?ntre Dumnezeu ?i lume, un raport ?ntemeiat pe compatibilitate ?i justificat prin deosebire. F?r? ea, crea?ia s-ar destr?ma. Cu ea, cele dep?rtate se apropie, se unesc, se ?nal?? ?i devin asemenea. Un parcurs temerar al g?ndului ?ntre generarea, degenerarea ?i regenerarea noastr?.Un demers care une?te prin metafizic? ?i metafor? trecutul cu viitorul, Orientul cu Occidentul, credin?a cu ?tiin?a, matematica cu teologia. Un eseu holistic profund ?i liric pres?rat cu sentin?e ingenue ?i disec?ii nemiloase. O carte despre cunoa?tere, care se cite?te cu creionul ?n m?n?...

Pentru c? jurnalul de scriitor al Aurei Christi – o parte a acestuia ap?rut ini?ial ?n dou? volume (Trei mii de semne ?i Foamea de a fi) – are circa o mie de pagini, la sugestia editorului, acestea au fost redistribuite ?n volume. Titlul Trei mii de semne (Editura Ideea European?, 2007) – edi?ie rev?zut? ?i ad?ugit? – a r?mas intact, pe c?nd Foamea de a fi (ed. I-a: Editura Contemporanul, 2010) apare cu titlul Coasta lui Apollo. Publicistica polemic? a fost organizat? ?ntr-un volum separat.?Am trecut pe l?ng? Academie, ?n a c?rei gr?din? am admirat ni?te castani b?tr?ni ?i at?t de m?ndri, Doamne, ?n solitudinea lor, dezvelit? ?n plin? urbe. Am urm?rit felul ?n care – ezit?nd parc? sau nu e dec?t o prejudecat? – c?deau ni?te castane; auzind pocnetul acela copil?ros ?i grav, care m-a dus cu g?ndul la o ?mplinire, apoi la un sf?r?it de drum, m-am oprit locului. Era o zi senin?; sufla un v?nt u?or ?i greu, de septembrie t?rziu, cu ochi ?ntuneca?i. Un septembrie cu cearc?ne de b?tr?n ?nsingurat. Dup? ce c?dea, straniu, nici o castan? parc? nu mai mi?ca; fiecare fruct r?m?nea pe locul desemnat parc? ?n timpul c?derii; da, fiecare castan? avea locul ei, ?tiut parc? ?nainte de a fi slobozit? pe asfaltul aleilor asimetrice sau pe p?m?ntul ?mp?nzit de frunze de un galben putred, uitat, ruginit. Privind acele castane, mi-am dorit ca poemele, eseurile ?i prozele mele s? se bucure de aceea?i, minunat?, ?nt?mplare: fiecare cuv?nt s? cad? ?n pagin? ca un fruct greu, copt, imposibil de urnit, fiecare cuv?nt s? r?m?n? ?n textura frazei, ca ?i cum ar fi acolo dintotdeauna.Prin urmare, rolul meu const? ?n dexteritatea r?bd?toare de a asista cuvintele, a?a cum Iosif – copilul f?nt?nii ?i al norocului – ajuta v?ntul ?n gr?dina de palmieri a prietenului faraonului, Putifar. (Aura Christi)

Lucrarea de fa?? are ?n vedere tratarea unei adev?rate realit??i europene ?nc? nerezolvat?: migra?ia. Ea este un fenomen cu care se confrunt? aproape toate popoarele lumii, efectele ei marc?nd societatea, fie din perspectiva celor care pleac? dintr-o ?ar? (a emigran?ilor), fie din perspectiva celor care vin ?ntr-o ?ar? (a imigran?ilor). Personal eu am sim?it emigra?ia ca pe o tr?ire pe un interval ?n care omul vie?uie?te ?ntre dou? lumi, lumi ca dou? p?r?i din sine pe care nu poate s? le mai uneasc? pentru a fi un ?ntreg. Lectura acestei lucr?ri este o incursiune ?n via?a emigrantului, cu motiva?ia lui, cu lumea lui din ?ara de unde pleac?, cu lumea lui ?n ?ara unde se a?az?, cu efectele ?i schimb?rile pe care le provoac? acest fenomen la nivel individual ?i social. Este o incursiune ?n apropierea unor realit??i occidentale unde emigran?ii ?ncearc? s? supravie?uiasc? discrimin?rilor ?i umilin?elor. Este tr?irea re?ntoarcerii acas?, ?n apropierea anotimpurilor ?i a eternit??ilor rom?ne?ti.

Se poate comunica i e necesar sǎ se comunice cu valorile literaturii universale, pǎstrandu-se o perspectivǎ istoricǎ, citindu-l pe Sofocle ca pe contemporanul lui Pericle. Dar, am nceput sǎ nelegem, spre deosebire de secolul trecut, istoricist, cǎ tot att de necesarǎ, ba poate chiar mai fecundǎ, e o comunicare cu trecutul, adoptndu-se o perspectivǎ actualizatoare, citindu-l pe Sofocle ca pe contemporanul nostru. Dincolo de aceastǎ perspectivǎ care, n cele din urmǎ, e i ea oarecum istoricistǎ, doar cǎ istoria e localizatǎ n actualitate, se deschide o perspectivǎ a sincroniei literare care dispune sǎ-l citim pe Sofocle ca pe contemporanul nimǎnui ori al tuturor, ca pe un martor al esenialitǎii umane i nu numai al unei existene istoric cantonate. ncercare ambiioasǎ, ce nǎzuiete sǎ derelativizeze valorile literar-artistice, pǎstrnd totodatǎ contiina unei relativitǎi a formelor i figurilor pe care o hermeneuticǎ a textelor se cuvine sǎ o punǎ n luminǎ. Relativitate impusǎ chiar de prezena autorului, a cititorului interpret, a scriitorului i hermeneutului n comentariile sale. n cartea aceasta a attor cǎri, scribul interpret apare n textele sale ca i pictorul ce se zugrǎvete pictnd n propriile sale tablouri. Sǎ-i fie iertatǎ aceastǎ ultimǎ deertǎciune.” (Nicolae Balot)

Vd n Aura Christi scriitoarea romnc exponenial la nivel nalt pentru era globalismului (mondialismului), pentru europenismul multinaional, ntruct, asemenea unui arbore simbolic, axial, are rdcinile n Basarabia (fost component a Uniunii Sovietice, actual Republica Moldova) i coroana n Romnia, ar membr a Uniunii Europene din 2007.Scrisul su integral devine n mod constant o expresie a unui dramatic destin personal i colectiv. Prin identitatea sa creatoare, acest scris dobndete o inconfundabil expresivitate literar. El poart marca cert a anvergurii canonice.“ (Marian Victor Buciu) Aura Christi a gsit limbajul n care s toarne experiene ce preau s se afle dincolo de posibilitatea articulrii discursive: prbuirea umanitii pn la nivelul la care cineva ucide cu aprobarea deplin a contiinei n numele unei idei, procesul de nlocuire a omului din om printr-un monstru. Nu statistica crimei, impresionant aa cum e ea, o intereseaz pe Aura Christi. Ea l toarn pe Dostoievski n Nietzsche pentru a face anatomia rului absolut. Rul din inima omului. Titlurile crilor sale sunt gritoare n privina geografiei lor morale: Casa din ntuneric, Sfera frigului, Cercul slbatic. n Vest, filosoful Nietzsche a fost cel care a influenat epistemologia postmodern prin deconstrucia logocentrismului. n Romnia, Nietzsche al moralei demistificate e cel care a influenat dou mini strlucite ale literaturii contemporane: Nicolae Breban i Aura Christi. Romancierul Nicolae Breban l-a ales pe un Nietzsche masculin, al voinei de putere i al sufletelor de stpni. Aura Christi a fost atras de Nietzsche al aporiilor, cel care, n Ecce homo, i suprapune pe Christ i Dionisos. Dup cum spune Aura Christi, blndeea sfrind n gheare“. Ea este o scriitoare a unui Est czut, care i mai include pe Ismail Kundera, Bashkim Shehu, sau pe Fraii Strugatski, deoarece la toi o realitate comaresc e redat prin frnturi de suflet omenesc.“ (Maria-Ana Tupan)

Volumul este c??tig?torul Concursului de Debut organizat de Editura Adenium, sec?iunea ?Teatru“, ?i con?ine dou? piese ce readuc ?n prim-plan vechi personaje mitologice (Dionysos, Medeea, Electra, Antigona, Penteu) ?i literare (Don Quijote, Dulcinea, Arlechino, Pulcinella, Trufaldino), dintr-o perspectiv? liric?, dar ?i umoristic?.

Volumul De unde stau eu pot vedea cerul este c??tig?torul Concursului de Debut, sec?iunea Poezie, organizat de Editura Adenium ?n anul 2014.Volumul cuprinde trei sec?inui ?n care poemele se ?n?iruie ca o poveste intim? care merit? citit? pe ner?suflate. Poezia Ioanei Du?? este una feminin?, confesiv?, cald?, liric?, direct?, cu accente ironice. Cititorul este plasat ?n microuniversul autoarei, tensiunea creat? de aceasta fiind conving?toare.

The Voyage of the Beagle is the title most commonly given to reissues of the book written by Charles Darwin and published in 1839 as his Journal and Remarks, bringing him considerable fame and respect. This was the third volume of The Narrative of the Voyages of H.M. Ships Adventure and Beagle, and covers Darwin's part in the second survey expedition of the ship HMS Beagle, which set sail from Plymouth Sound on 27 December 1831 under the command of Captain Robert FitzRoy, R.N.. Due to the popularity of Darwin's account, the publisher reissued it later in 1839 as Darwin's Journal of Researches, and the revised second edition published in 1845 used this title. A republication of the book in 1905 introduced the title The Voyage of the "Beagle". ? While the expedition was originally planned to last two years, it lasted almost five—the Beagle did not return until 2 October 1836. Darwin spent most of this time exploring on land (three years and three months on land; 18 months at sea). ? The book is a vivid and exciting travel memoir as well as a detailed scientific field journal covering biology, geology, and anthropology that demonstrates Darwin's keen powers of observation, written at a time when Western Europeans were exploring and charting the whole world. Although Darwin revisited some areas during the expedition, for clarity the chapters of the book are ordered by reference to places and locations rather than by date. Darwin's notes made during the voyage include comments illustrating his changing views at a time when he was developing his theory of evolution by natural selection and includes some suggestions of his ideas, particularly in the second edition of 1845.

Ride in the back of the ambulance with Sherry Jones Mayo Share the innermost feelings of emergency services workers as they encounter trauma, tragedy, redemption, and even a little humor. Sherry Jones Mayo has been an Emergency Medical Technician, Emergerncy Room Nurse, and an on-scene critical incident debriefer for Hurricane Katrina. Most people who have observed or experienced physical, mental or emotional crisis have single perspectives. This book allows readers to stand on both sides of the gurney; it details a progression from innocence to enlightened caregiver to burnout, glimpsing into each stage personally and professionally.Emergency Service Professionals Praise Confessions of a Trauma Junkie "A must read for those who choose to subject themselves to life at its best and at its worst. Sherry offers insight in the Emergency Response business that most people cannot imagine." --Maj Gen Richard L. Bowling, former Commanding General, USAF Auxiliary (CAP) "Sherry Mayo shares experiences and unique personal insights of first responders. Told with poetry, sensitivity and a touch of humor at times, all are real, providing views into realities EMTs, Nurses, and other first responders encounter. Recommended reading for anyone working with trauma, crises, critical incidents in any profession." -- George W. Doherty, MS, LPC, President Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Institute "Sherry has captured the essence of working with people who have witnessed trauma. It made me cry, it made me laugh, it helped me to understand differently the work of our Emergency Services Personnel. I consider this a 'MUST READ' for all of us who wish to be helpful to those who work in these professions." --Dennis Potter, LMSW, CAAC, FAAETS, ICISF Instructor "Confessions of a Trauma Junkie is an honest, powerful, and moving account of the emotional realities of helping others! Sherry Mayo gives us a privileged look into the healing professions she knows firsthand. The importance of peer support is beautifully illustrated. This book will deepen the readers respect for those who serve." --Victor Welzant, PsyD, Director of Education and Training The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc Learn more at www.SherryJonesMayo.com From the Reflections of America Series Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

Nikolay Nekrasov was a Russian poet, critic and publisher, whose deeply compassionate poems about peasant Russia made him the hero of liberal and radical circles of the intelligentsia. He is credited with introducing into Russian poetry ternary meters and the technique of dramatic monologue; working as the editor of several literary journals, Nekrasov was also singularly successful and influential, launching the career of Leo Tolstoy. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Nekrasov’s complete poetical works, with beautiful illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Nekrasov's life and works* Concise introduction to Nekrasov’s life and poetry* Excellent formatting of the poems* Rare poems translated by Juliet M. Soskice, first time in digital print* Includes Nekrasov’s epic poem WHO CAN BE HAPPY AND FREE IN RUSSIA?, translated by Juliet M. Soskice* Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetry* Easily locate the poems you want to read* Features a bonus biography - discover Nekrasov's literary life* Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titles CONTENTS: The Life and Poetry of Nikolay NekrasovINTRODUCTION: NIKOLAY NEKRASOVPOEMS OF NIKOLAY NEKRASOVWHO CAN BE HAPPY AND FREE IN RUSSIA? The PoemsLIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDERLIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The BiographyNICHOLAS NEKRASOV: A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE by David Soskice Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set

The contemporary and personal friend of Geoffrey Chaucer, the English poet John Gower produced works in the tradition of courtly love and moral allegory. ‘Confessio Amantis’, Gower’s greatest English poem, is a collection of exemplary tales of love, whereby Venus’ priest, Genius, instructs the poet, Amans, in the art of both courtly and Christian love. The stories derive from classical and medieval sources and are told with a tender, restrained narrative style. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Gower’s complete English works, with related illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Gower's life and works* Concise introduction to Gower’s life and poetry* Images of how the poetry books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts* Excellent formatting of the poems* Easily locate the poems you want to read* Includes G. C. Macaulay’s 1901 text of ‘Confessio Amantis’, with line numbers* Macaulay’s seminal biography - discover Gower's medieval world Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titles CONTENTS: The Life and Poetry of John GowerBrief Introduction: John Gower by Sidney LeeConfessio AmantisTo King Henry IV: In Praise of Piece The BiographyLife of Gower by G. C. Macaulay Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set

Este Leopardi un poet pesimist, aa cum l-a clasat tradiia Nu. Din perspectiva zilei de azi, el apare mai degrab ca un poet tragic, ca un exponent al categoriilor existeniale fundamentale. Nu moartea ca atare l sperie pe Leopardi, ci murirea, adic manifestarea ei procesual. Tot astfel viaa leopardian este vieuire. Desfurarea acestora e inversat: trirea vieii (vieuirea) e retrospectiv, iar trirea morii (murirea) e perspectiv. Inversiunea ontologic este temeiul mitopo(i)eticii leopardiene. Cartea ne propune un Leopardi modern i postmodern, un spirit intercultural i multicultural n siajul integrrii europene. Nu lipsete, bineneles, odiseea receptrii lui n spaiul cultural romnesc, ca pattern al lirismului arhetipal, alturi de Eminescu.” (Mihai Cimpoi)Un studiu incitant despre unul dintre cei mai mari poei ai lumii.

“Love thy God, and love Him only,And thy breast will ne’er be lonely.In that One Great Spirit meetAll things mighty, grave, and sweet.Vainly strives the soul to mingleWith a being of our kind;Vainly hearts with hearts are twined:For the deepest still is single.An impalpable resistanceHolds like natures still at distance.Mortal: love that Holy One,Or dwell for aye alone.”De Vere In no province of the vast Roman empire, as it existed in the middle of the third century, did Nature wear a richer or a more joyous garb than she displayed in Proconsular Africa, a territory of which Carthage was the metropolis, and Sicca might be considered the centre. The latter city, which was the seat of a Roman colony, lay upon a precipitous or steep bank, which led up along a chain of hills to a mountainous track in the direction of the north and east. In striking contrast with this wild and barren region was the view presented by the west and south, where for many miles stretched a smiling champaign, exuberantly wooded, and varied with a thousand hues, till it was terminated at length by the successive tiers of the Atlas, and the dim and fantastic forms of the Numidian mountains. The immediate neighbourhood of the city was occupied by gardens, vineyards, corn-fields, and meadows, crossed or encircled here by noble avenues of trees or the re-mains of primeval forests, there by the clustering groves which wealth and luxury had created. This spacious plain, though level when compared with the northern heights by which the city was backed, and the peaks and crags which skirted the southern and western horizon, was discovered, as light and shadow travelled with the sun, to be diversified with hill and dale, upland and hollow; while orange gardens, orchards, olive and palm plantations held their appropriate sites on the slopes or the bottoms. Through the mass of green, which extended still more thickly from the west round to the north, might be seen at intervals two solid causeways tracking their persevering course to the Mediterranean coast, the one to the ancient rival of Rome, the other to Hippo Regius in Numidia. Tourists might have complained of the absence of water from the scene; but the native peasant would have explained to them that the eye alone had reason to be discontented, and that the thick foliage and the uneven surface did but conceal what mother earth with no niggard bounty supplied. The Bagradas, issuing from the spurs of the Atlas, made up in depth what it wanted in breadth of bed, and ploughed the rich and yielding mould with its rapid stream, till, after passing Sicca in its way, it fell into the sea near Carthage. It was but the largest of a multitude of others, most of them tributaries to it, deepening as much as they increased it. While channels had been cut from the larger rills for the irrigation of the open land, brooks, which sprang up in the gravel which lay against the hills, had been artificially banked with cut stones or paved with pebbles; and where neither springs nor rivulets were to be found, wells had been dug, sometimes to the vast depth of as much as 200 fathoms, with such effect that the spurting column of water had in some instances drowned the zealous workmen who had been the first to reach it. And, while such were the resources of less favoured localities or seasons, profuse rains descended over the whole region for one half of the year, and the thick summer dews compensated by night for the daily tribute extorted by an African sun.