Africa, celebrated
for sucking the poison from wounds inflicted by serpents, with which that
country anciently abounded. They pretended to be endowed with an
antidote, which rendered their bodies insensible to the virulence of that
species of poison; and the ignorance of those times gave credit to the
physical immunity which they arrogated. But Celsus, who flourished about
fifty years after the period we speak of, has exploded the vulgar
prejudice which prevailed in their favour. He justly observes, that the
venom of serpents, like some other kinds of poison, proves noxious only
when applied to the naked fibre; and that, provided there is no ulcer in
the gums or palate, the poison may be received into the mouth with perfect
safety.]

[Footnote 128: Strabo informs us that Ptolemy caused it to be deposited
in a golden sarcophagus, which was afterwards exchanged for one of glass,
in which probably Augustus saw the remains.]

[Footnote 129: A custom of all ages and of people the most remote from
each other.]

[Footnote 130: Meaning the degenerate race of the Ptolomean kings.]

[Footnote 131: The naval trophies were formed of the prows of ships.]

[Footnote 132: A.U.C. 721.]

[Footnote 133: Because his father was a Roman and his mother of the race
of the Parthini, an Illyrian tribe.]

[Footnote 134: It was usual at Rome, before the elections, for the
candidates to endeavour to gain popularity by the usual arts. They would
therefore go to the houses of the citizens, shake hands with those they
met, and address them in a kindly manner. It being of great consequence,
upon those occasions, to know the names of persons, they were commonly
attended by a nomenclator, who whispered into their ears that information,
wherever it was wanted. Though this kind of officer was generally an
attendant on men, we meet with instances of their having been likewise
employed in the service of ladies; either with the view of serving
candidates to whom they were allied, or of gaining the affections of the
people.]

[Footnote 135: Not a bridge over a river, but a military engine used for
gaining admittance into a fortress.]

[Footnote 136: Cantabria, in the north of Spain, now the Basque
province.]

[Footnote 137: The ancient Pannonia includes Hungary and part of Austria,
Styria and Carniola.]

[Footnote 138: The Rhaetian Alps are that part of the chain bordering on
the Tyrol.]

[Footnote 139: The Vindelici principa