HORATII AND CURIATII

COMBAT BETWEEN THE.—Fought B.C. 669. The forces of the two states met about five miles from Rome. While the armies were awaiting the signal for the battle, the Alban General, stepping into the space between them, proposed to decide the dispute by single combat. To this proposition Tullus agreed. There were in each army three twin brothers, all remarkable for their courage, strength, and activity, and to them it was resolved to commit the management of the combat. The Roman brothers were called Horatii and the Albans Curiatii. The champions met. Victory, which for a time, appeared doubtful, at last seemed to decide against the Romans. Two of their champions lay dead on the field, and the third seemed, by flight, to beg for mercy. Defeat was however only apparent. It soon became evident that this flight of the surviving Roman was pretence in order that, by separating his antagonists, he might have an opportunity of engaging them singly. Turning suddenly upon the foremost of the Curiatii, he laid him dead at his feet. The second instantly shared his fate. Fatigued and disabled by his wounds, the third slowly advanced to offer an easy victory. He was slain almost unresisting, while the conqueror exclaimed “Two have I already sacrificed to the Manes of my brothers; a third will I offer up to my country.” HUSSAR.—This kind of soldier originated in Poland and Hungary, and as they, being light cavalry, were more suited for hasty attacks than a set battle, they are supposed to have taken their name from the huzzas or shouts which they made at their first onset. Pardon says that they were oddly clothed, having the skins of tigers, ., hanging on their backs, against bad weather, and wore fur caps, with a cock’s feather. Introduced into the British service in the last century. I