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On the other hand, Muratori tells us, that he had met with

well-informed persons in Milan, whose ancestors were decidedly

convinced of the absurdity of this widely spread and

extraordinary error, but whose safety rendered it imperative on

them to keep their sentiments on the subject to themselves.

The magistrates employed the little vigilance and resolution

which remained to them in searching out the poisoners, and

unhappily thought they had detected them. A recital of these and

similar cases would form a remarkable feature in the history of

jurisprudence. But it is high time we should resume the thread of

our story.

CHAPTER XXXII.