stories of antiquity is related in the `Zenda-
Vesta,' to the effect that Zoroaster, to confute
his calumniators, allowed fluid lead to be
poured over his body, without receiving any
injury.''

To me the ``astounding'' part of this story
is not in the feat itself, for that is extremely
easy to accomplish, but in the fact that the
secret was known at such an early date, which
the best authorities place at 500 to 1000 B.C.

It is said that the earliest recorded instance,
in our era, of ordeal by fire was in the fourth
century. Simplicius, Bishop of Autun, who
had been married before his promotion,
continued to live with his wife, and in order to
demonstrate the Platonic purity of their intercourse
placed burning coals upon their flesh
without injury.

That the clergy of the Middle Ages, who
caused accused persons to walk blindfold
among red-hot plowshares, or hold heated
irons in their hands, were in possession of the
secret of the trick, is shown by the fact that
after trial by ordeal had been abolished the
secret of their methods was published by
Albert, Count of Bollstadt, usually called
Albertus Magnus but sometimes Albertus