On my way here, I found it sometimes extremely hot; it is now the first of May, and I am shaking by the side of a good fire, and have had one constantly every day for this fortnight.


LETTER XLIII.

Lyons.

The Lyonoise think their town was particularly honoured by the Taurobolium; but it was a common practice to offer that sacrifice not only for the Emperor's health, but for the preservation of a city. There are two of these altars in the town of Letoure; one consecrated for the preservation of the Emperor Gordian, on which is the following inscription:

PRO SALVTE IMP. ANTONINI GORDIANO PII FEL.

AVG. TOTIVSQVE DOMVS DIVINÆ PROQVE STATV CIVIT.

LACTOR TOROPOLIVM FECIT ORDO LACTOR D.N. GORDIANO

II ET POMPLIANO COS VI ID DEC CVRANTIS M

EROTIO ET FESTO CANINIS SACERD.