against several persons, who, upon ex'amination, denied that they were Chris'tians, or had ever been so. They repeated after me an invocation to the 'gods, and offered religious rites with 'wine and frankincense before your statue; '(which for the purpose I had ordered to "be brought, together with those of the 'gods;) and even reviled the name of Christ; whereas there is no forcing, it is said, those who are really Christians, 'into a compliance with any of these articles: I thought proper, therefore, to discharge them. Some among those who were accused by a witness in person, 'at first confessed themselves Christians, 'but immediately after denied it; whilst 'the rest owned indeed that they had 'been of that number formerly, but had 'now, (some above three, others more,

and a few above twenty years ago,) for'saken that error. They all worshipped 'your statue and the images of the gods,

G

throwing out imprecations at the same 'time against the name of Christ. They 'affirmed, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they met on a certain day, before it was light, and addressed 'themselves in a form of prayer to Christ, 'as to some God, binding themselves by ⚫ a solemn oath, not for the purposes of any wicked design, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery; never to 'falsify their word, nor deny a trust when

they should be called upon to deliver it · up; after which, it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to eat in " common a harmless meal. From this custom, however, they desisted after the 'publication of my edict, by which, according to your orders, I forbade the 'meeting of any assemblies. After re

ceiving this account, I judged it so much 'the more necessary to endeavour to ex❝ tort the real truth, by putting two female 'slaves to the torture, who were said to

́ administer in their religious functions; but I could discover nothing more than 'an absurd and excessive superstition. I thought proper, therefore, to adjourn all 'further proceedings in this affair, in or'der to consult with you. For it appears 'to me a matter highly deserving your 'consideration; more especially as great numbers must be involved in the danger ' of these prosecutions, this inquiry having already extended, and being still likely to extend, to persons of all ranks and ages, ' and even of both sexes. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the 'cities only, but has spread its infection among the country villages. Neverthe'less, it still seems possible to remedy this ' evil, and restrain its progress. The tem

ples, at least, which were almost deserted, 'begin now to be frequented; and the 'sacred solemnities, after a long intermis'sion, are again revived; while there is

' for some time past have met with but few 'purchasers. From hence it is easy to

imagine, what numbers might be reclaim'ed from this error, if a pardon were

granted to those who shall repent.'

Such was the letter of Pliny. Trajan's reply immediately followed, and Harry read that also to his mother.

'The method you have pursued, my 'dear Pliny, in the proceedings against 'those Christians who were brought be'fore you, is extremely proper; as it is 'not possible to lay down any fixed plan by which to act in all cases of this nature. But I would not have you officiously ' enter into any inquiries concerning them. 'If indeed they should be brought before you, and the crime is proved, they must 'be punished; with the restriction, how

self to be a Christian, and shall make it 'evident that he is not, by invoking our gods, let him (notwithstanding any for'mer suspicions) be pardoned upon his repentance. Informations without the ac'cuser's name subscribed, ought not to be ' received in prosecutions of any sort, as it 'is introducing a very dangerous prece'dent, and by no means agreeable to the ' equity of my government.'

Harry was very much interested by these letters, on several accounts. He could not help expressing some surprise at the easy familiarity with which they are written. "It seemed," he said, "more like one friend conversing with another, than the correspondence of an emperor with the governor of a distant province." He also appeared forcibly struck with Pliny's testimony to the good character of the Christians, and their inflexible con"But, mamma," added he,

stancy.