gle ancient
historian, he yet figures in the traditional pictures of the council as
the foremost figure of all. Type as he is of universal benevolence to
sailors, to thieves, to the victims of thieves, to children--known by
his broad red face and flowing white hair--the traditions of the East
always represent him as standing in the midst of the assembly, and
suddenly roused by righteous indignation to assail the heretic Arius
with a tremendous box on the ear.

One more group of deputies closes the arrivals. The Nicene Council was a
council of the Eastern Church, and Eastern seemingly were at least three
hundred and ten of the three hundred and eighteen bishops. But the West
was not entirely unrepresented. Nicasius from France, Marcus from
Calabria, Capito from Sicily, Eustorgius from Milan--where a venerable
church is still dedicated to his memory--Domnus of Stridon in Pannonia
were the less conspicuous deputies of the western provinces.

But there were five men whose presence must have been full of interest
to their Eastern brethren. Corresponding to John the Persian from the
Extreme East was Theophilus the Goth from the extreme North. His light
complexion doubtless made a marked contrast with the tawny hue and dark
hair of almost all the rest. They rejoiced to think that they had a
genuine Scythian among them. From all future generations of his Teutonic
countrymen he may claim attention as the predecessor and teacher of
Ulphilas, the great missionary of the Gothic nation.

Out of the province of Northern Africa, the earliest cradle of the Latin
Church, came Caecilian, bishop of Carthage. A few years ago he had
himself been convened before the two Western councils of the Lateran and
of Arles, and had there been acquitted of the charges brought against
him by the Donatists.

If any of the distant orientals had hoped to catch a sight of the bishop
of the "Imperial City," they were doomed to disappointment. Doubtless
had he been there his position as prelate of the capital would have
been, if not first, at least among the first. But Sylvester was now far
advanced in years; and in his place came the two presbyters, who,
according to the arrangement laid down by the Emperor, would have
accompanied him had he been able to make the journey. In this simple
deputation later writers have seen--and perhaps by a gradual process the
connection might be traced--the first germ of _legati a latere_. But it
must have been a very fa