s the
Emperor Nero had issued an edict against all who dealt in magic; and,
although he knew that he was included in the denunciation, he boldly
went to the forum, where he restored to life the dead body of a
beautiful lady, and predicted an eclipse of the sun, which shortly
occurred. Nero caused him to be arrested, loaded with chains, and flung
into an underground dungeon. When his jailers next made their rounds,
they found the chains broken and the cell empty, but heard the chanting
of invisible angels. This story would not be believed by the head
jailer at Sing Sing.

Prolonging his trip as far as Spain, Apollonius there got up a sedition
against the authority of Nero, and thence crossed over into Africa. This
was the darkest period of his history. From Africa, he proceeded to the
South of Italy and the island of Sicily, still discoursing as he went.
About this time, he heard of Nero's death, and returned to Egypt, where
Vespasian was endeavoring to establish his authority. While in Egypt, he
explored the supposed sources of the Nile, and learned all the lore of
the Ethiopean necromancers, who could do any thing, even to making a
black man white; thus greatly excelling the skill of after ages.

Vespasian had immense faith in the Tyanean sage, and consulted him upon
the most important matters of State. Titus, the successor of that
monarch, manifested equal confidence, and regarded him absolutely as an
oracle. Apollonius, who really seems to have been a most sensible
politician, wrote the following brief but pithy note to Titus, when the
latter modestly refused the crown of victory, after having destroyed
Jerusalem.

"Apollonius to Titus, Emperor of Rome, sendeth greeting. Since you have
refused to be applauded for bloodshed and victory in war, I send you the
crown of moderation. You know to what kind of merit crowns are due."

Yet Apollonius was by no means an ultra peace man, for he strongly
advocated the shaving and clothing of the Ethiopians, and their thorough
chastisement when they refused to be combed and purified.

When Domitian grasped at the imperial sceptre, the great Tyanean sided
with his rival, Nerva, and having for this offence been seized and cast
into prison, suddenly vanished from sight and reappeared on the instant
at Puteoli, one hundred and fifty miles away. The distinguished Mr.
Jewett, of Colorado, is the only instance of similar rapidity of
locomotion known to us in this country and time.