172. The fourth Dissertation of M. de la Bastie, sur le
Souverain Pontificat des Empereurs Romains (in the Mem. de
l'Acad. tom. xv. 75-144), is a very learned and judicious
performance, which explains the state, and proves the
toleration, of Paganism from Constantine to Gratian. The
assertion of Zosimus [iv. 36], that Gratian was the first
who refused the pontifical robe, is confirmed beyond a
doubt; and the murmurs of bigotry on that subject are almost
silenced.