[Footnote 130: The advocates for Pope Joan produce one
hundred and fifty witnesses, or rather echoes, of the xivth,
xvth, and xvith centuries. They bear testimony against
themselves and the legend, by multiplying the proof that so
curious a story must have been repeated by writers of every
description to whom it was known. On those of the ixth and
xth centuries, the recent event would have flashed with a
double force. Would Photius have spared such a reproach?
Could Liutprand have missed such scandal? It is scarcely
worth while to discuss the various readings of Martinus
Polonus, Sigeber of Gamblours, or even Marianus Scotus; but
a most palpable forgery is the passage of Pope Joan, which
has been foisted into some Mss. and editions of the Roman
Anastasius.]