The best commentary may be found in Mr.Hume's Natural History of Religion; and the best contrast in Bossuet's Universal History.

Some obscure traces of an intolerant spirit appear in the conduct of the Egyptians, (see Juvenal, Sat.

xv.;) and the Christians, as well as Jews, who lived under the Roman empire, formed a very important exception; so important indeed, that the discussion will require a distinct chapter of this work.

* Note: M.
Constant, in his very learned and eloquent work, "Sur la Religion," with the two additional volumes, "Du Polytheisme Romain," has considered the whole history of polytheism in a tone of philosophy, which, without subscribing to all his opinions, we may be permitted to admire.

"The boasted tolerance of polytheism did not rest upon the respect due from society to the freedom of individual opinion.