But in the year 198 A.D. an exchange of letters between Pope Victor, Bishop Narcissus of Jerusalem, Polycrates of Ephesus, shows that the feast had been for years in existence.

This class of vessel is called samaina because it was first built at Samos by Polycrates, the despot of that island.

The Widow's finding her wedding Ring (which she dropt crossing the Thames) in the Belly of a Fish, is taken from the Story of Polycrates, in the Thalia of Herodotus.

You remember the tale of Polycrates.

Polycrates obeyed, and drew from his finger a precious jewel, of immense value, dear to his heart, and threw it into the sea.

There is a deep meaning in that tale of Polycrates.

One editor of Herodotus, Ch. F. Baehr, did, however, see exactly what was meant, for, with reference to the allusion to Polycrates, he says, classemaximumvaluit.

Polycrates Samius, that flung his ring into the sea, because he would participate of discontent with others, and had it miraculously restored to him again shortly after, by a fish taken as he angled, was not free from melancholy dispositions.

Lampsaca, that Lacedaemonian lady, was such another in Pliny's conceit, a king's wife, a king's mother, a king's daughter: and all the world esteemed as much of Polycrates of Samos.

In those days, scholars were highly beloved, [2060]honoured, esteemed; as old Ennius by Scipio Africanus, Virgil by Augustus; Horace by Meceanas: princes' companions; dear to them, as Anacreon to Polycrates; Philoxenus to Dionysius, and highly rewarded.

" Haguna laughed a little, and a little wondered what he meant; then observed, lightly, "You must value yourself very modestly, to consider your greatest happiness to consist in losing your self-consciousness,unless, indeed, like Polycrates, you hope to insure future prosperity by sacrificing your most valuable possession.

" "If so, I, like Polycrates, am the gainer by my own precaution; for, in your presence, dear lady, do I first truly find my right consciousness.

It made Anacreon's song divine; He servedbut served Polycrates A tyrant: but our masters then Were still at least our countrymen.