14 DECEMBER 1889, Page 16

THE HEROIC PIT-BOYS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I hope that you will be able to find room to reprint a fine epigram by Professor Lewis Campbell (published in the• Classical Review), with an attempt at a translation. One likes to add a leaf of laurel to the young heroes' graves.—Z

" ON AN INCIDENT IN A COAL-MINE.

' Three pit-boys, pony-drover', might have escaped ; but turned to warn their comrade; and were killed.'

Ivraprum-iih, ipuxaf. Xdpws.

Zr.—qiuds Oepnou-LAperi pkyav Vcrxopev aivov 12upta ,LLEIYCLPTES (Pi3Act. TpLasdrLoL• YVY SE, Xdpeav TiYaS LS' hrdyets aUaYdxpol A443T, botav Trrnv ax6vras .rpeis Timaaocriofs; Xa.—Orr &maw ircuSfolcoL Y alOaAdevTi tleTalay Be[YoTi.prY roA4nou troptca{Co gitevor.

LEWIS CAMPBELL?'

" SOU/S of Spartans. Charon.

Spartans.—Full well Thermopylfe our glory knows

Who stood, three hundred 'gainst ten thousand foes But, Charon, say what souls thy bark conveys, Three with three hundred matched in equal praise

Charon.—In burning mine, children, not soldiers, tried By fiercer flame than war, they dared and died?'