ON THE PUBLIC SHOWS. Argument. — The writerfirstof alltreatsagainstthosewho endeavouredto defend thepublicexhibitionsof the hea thensby scripturalauthority; and he proves that,al thoughtheyare neverprohibitedby the expresswords of Scripture,yet thattheyare condemned in the scriptural prohibitionof idolatry,from the fact that thereis no kindof publicshow which isnot consecratedtoidols.He thenprosecutesthe subject,by going throughthe several kindsof public exhibitions,and setsforth,a littlemore diffuselythan in the Epistleto Donatus,what risksare incurredby the spectators,and especiallyin respectof thoseexhibitionswherein,as he says, " representations of lust convey instructionin obscenity." Finally,he brieflyenumeratessuch exhibitionsas are worthy of the interestof a Christianman, and in which he oughtright fully to find pleasure,obviouslyimitatingTertullians treatiseu De Spectaculis." ilYPRIAN to the congregationwho stand fast in the gospel,sends greeting. As itgreatly saddens me, and deeplyafflictsmy soul,when no opportunityof writingto you is presented to me, for it is my lossnot to hold conversewith you ; so nothing restoresto me such joyfulnessand hilarity,as when thatopportunityisonce more affordedme. I thinkthatI am with you when I am speaking to you hy letter.Although, therefore,I know that you are satisfiedthatwhat I tellyou iseven as I say,and that you have no doubt of the truthof 221