254 anecdote of the emperor Severas. April l8^ • 



which ?i!s sire had trodden, and to instill into his ex- 

 panding mind an emulation of parental virtue. His 

 young breast felt the glowing flame ; and he wai 

 wont to weep when I led him to the grave which 

 glory had dug for his father. 



" But he, too, is taken from me — he sleeps be- 

 neath this turf which I adorn with flowers — here my 

 fancy feeds ray sorrow ; and this sacred flirine of af- 

 fection I fliall daily visit, till weary nature conduct 

 me to my hufband and m.y child." 



. ANECDOTE OF THE EMPEROR SEVERUS. 



A CERTAIN Vetruvius Turinus had insinuated him- 

 self into the good graces of the emperor. He abused 

 his power by laying under contribution all those who 

 solicited places or pe<iisions.. He often made them pay 

 even for services which he had not done ; and he fre- 

 quently received money from opposite parties. Seve- 

 rus, informed of his odious behavioiir, did not think, 

 it unvvorthy of his rank to hold out a snare to the 

 avidity of this unfaithful minister, to obtain a clear 

 and evident proof against him. Some one in concert 

 with the emperor publicly demanded a favour, and 

 implored secretly the support of Turiaus ; — he pro- 

 mised to speak of the alFair but did not. The favour 

 havmg been obtained, Turinus exacted a certain sum 

 for the obligation, which was counted out to him in 

 presence of wltnefses. Then the emperor made him 

 be accused. Turinus could not defend himself, nor 

 deny a crime proved by the testimonj'- of those who 

 had been concerned in the negociation. As Sevexris. 



