[24]. There is a mediæval legend that Constantine had been advised by the pagan priests to cure his leprosy by bathing in the blood of three thousand children, and that he was about to immolate that number for the purpose, when, his pity being aroused by the despair of their mothers, he forbade the sacrifice. That this is a pure invention is patent, for Constantine was a just and merciful man, even before his conversion, and, when he came to Rome, was familiar with the tenets of Christianity and well disposed to embrace them.
[25]. Tighe Hopkins: “The Man in the Iron Mask.” Hurst & Blackett, Publishers, London, 1901.
[26]. Hopkins, p. 196 et seq.
[27]. Baron: The celebrated French playwright and actor (1653-1729).
[28]. “The Venetian Republic,” Vol. 4, p. 525.
Transcriber's Notes
Original spelling and punctuation have been preserved as much as possible. Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
Cover created by Transcriber and placed into the Public Domain.