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tiaarii — were next fully described by the learned lecturer. The 

 history of the martyrs, who shed their blood in vast numbers on 

 the arena of the Colosseum, was ably and graphically traced by 

 Mr. Wood ; among the foremost of whom was Ignatius, Bishop of 

 Antioch, in the third century. Such scenes existed until the time 

 of Constantine, when Christian martyrdom ceased, while the gladia- 

 torial battles with wild beasts lingered on until the reign of Theo- 

 dorie, a.d. 519 — 523. The bloody spectacles of gladiatorial combats 

 are said to have been finally put an end to by the self-dedication 

 of Telemachus, a pious monk from the East, who, in the year 404, 

 rushed between the combatants, and was himself cut down. The 

 Emperor Amorius was so wrought upon by the death of this volun- 

 tary martyr that he abolished such cruelties by a decree. The 

 history of the decline and partial destruction of the noble building 

 itself was afterwards most learnedly detailed by the lecturer, but 

 our space prevents us from giving even an extract. Several of the 

 Roman pontiffs endeavoured to utilise the Colosseum, but without 

 success. Sixtus V. and Clement XL were chief among this number ; 

 and, finally, Benedict XIV., in 1750, converted this vast monument 

 of Pagan antiquity to Christian pui-poses by dedicating it to the 

 memory of the Christian martyrs. It has thus continued to the 

 present day. Pius VII., at a vast outlay, strengthened some of 

 the falling exterior walls, and so preserved it from further decay. 

 It has since been visited by Christian pilgrims of every creed, as 

 among the most sacred spots of earth, and consecrated to the 

 memory of many, though from among the humblest, yet most 

 truly heroic, of the human family. 



At the close of the lecture, the Chairman stated that, although 

 the practice of the society precluded the passing of a formal vote 

 of thanks to the lecturer, yet he felt bound to convey to him his 

 own high appreciation of the most interesting and valuable state- 

 ments they had just heard. These sentiments were warmly ap- 

 plauded by the entire assembly, and the meeting separated after 

 one of the most truly intellectual treats it has for a long period 

 been our good fortune to have enjoyed. 



