“In the largest circus,’ he relates, “a shew of a very great hunting contest was exhibited to the people. Of this, as I happened to be at Rome, I was a spectator. There were many savage animals, beasts of extraordinary size, and of unusual form and ferocity. But, beyond all the rest,” he observes, “the size of the lions was most wonderful, and one in particular was most astonishing. This one lion, by the strength and magnitude of his body, his terrific and sonorous roar, the brandishing of his mane and tail, attracted the attention and the eyes of all present. Among others who were introduced to fight with the beasts, was a Dacian slave, belonging to one of consular rank. His name was Androclus. When the lion observed him at a distance, he suddenly stopped as in surprize, and afterwards gradually and gently approached the man, as if recollecting him. Then he moved his tail with the appearance of being pleased, in the manner of fawning dogs: he next embraced, as it were, the man’s body, gently licking with his tongue the arms and the legs of the man, half dead with terror. Androclus, in the midst of these blandishments of the ferocious animal, recovered his lost spirits, and gradually turned his eyes to examine the lion. Immediately, as if from mutual recollection, the man and the lion were to be seen delighted, and congratulating each other. This matter, in the highest degree astonishing, excited,” as he relates, “the greatest acclamations from the people. Androclus was sent for by Caesar, who asked him the reason why this lion, fierce above all others, had spared him alone. Then Androclus told what is really a most surprising circumstance:—‘When my master,’ said he, ‘had obtained the province of Africa as his proconsular government, by his unjust and daily severities I was compelled to run away; and, that my place of retreat might be safer from him, the lord of the country, I went to the most unfrequented solitudes and deserts; and if food should fail me, I determined to take some method of destroying myself. When the sun was at midday most violent and scorching, having discovered a remote and secret cave, I entered and concealed myself within it. Not long afterwards this lion came to the same cave with a lame and bloody foot, uttering groans and the most piteous complaints from the pain and torture of his wound.’ He proceeded to declare, ‘that when he saw the lion first approach, his mind was overcome with terror. But when the lion was entered, and as it appeared into his own particular habitation, he saw me at a distance endeavouring to conceal myself; he then approached me in a mild and quiet manner, and with his foot lifted up appeared to point and reach it out to me, as soliciting my aid. I then,’ said he, ‘plucked from the bottom of his foot a large thorn, which there stuck; I cleared the corruption from the inner wound, and more carefully, and without any great apprehension, entirely dried and wiped away the blood. He then, being relieved by my care and aid, placing his foot betwixt my hands, laid down and slept. From this day, for the space of three years, the lion and I lived together in the same den, and on the same food. Of the beasts which he hunted, the choicest limbs he brought to me in the den, which I, not having any fire, roasted in the mid-day sun, and ate. But being tired of this savage life, one day, when the lion was gone out to hunt, I left the den, and after a journey of three days was discovered and apprehended by the soldiers, and brought by my master from Africa to Rome. He instantly condemned me to a capital punishment, and to be given to the beasts. I understand,’ he continued, ‘that this lion also, after my departure, was taken, and now he has shewn his gratitude to me for my kindness and cure.’