WE have seen how Jonathan the Asmonean became a most important party leader in the State, without, however, Obtaining the outward marks of sover eignty. He would probably have received them had it not been for the snare into which he fell, and the captivity which before long ended his life. It was his brother Simon who attained, after thirty years of warfare, the end always kept in View by the ambition of the sons of Mattathiah.