themselves by a solemn Oath, in their Presence, not to acknowlege any other for their Bishop so long as _Liberius_ lived[748]. [Sidenote: Felix _is chosen in his room._] _Liberius_ being thus driven from his See, another was placed on it in his room; and the Person, whom the Emperor and the _Arian_ Faction pitched upon, was one _Felix_, then only Deacon of the Church of _Rome_[749]. But the Clergy could not proceed to a new Election, without an open Violation of the Oath they had taken; the People began to mutiny, and, assembling in Crouds, would suffer none of the _Arian_ Faction to enter their Churches. The Imperial Palace therefore served instead of a Church; Three of the Emperor’s Eunuchs represented the People; and Three Bishops, Slaves of the Court, _viz._ _Epictetus_ of _Centumcellæ_, _Acacius_ of _Cæsarea_, and _Basilius_ of _Ancyra_, ordained the new-elected Bishop[750]. Thus was _Felix_ chosen, and thus ordained. As _Liberius_ was greatly beloved by the People, chiefly on account of his vigorous Opposition to _Constantius_, the Intrusion of _Felix_ occasioned a great Sedition, in which many lost their Lives[751]. The Clergy were not so zealous in the Cause as the People; for great Numbers of them, unmindful of the Oath they had taken, were by degrees reconciled to _Felix_, and communicated with him[752]; whereas the People continued to abhor and avoid him at least till the Year 357. When _Constantius_ came to _Rome_[753]. [Sidenote: Constantius _goes to_ Rome.] For that Prince, being desirous to see the Metropolis of his Empire, undertook a Journey to _Rome_ in the above-mentioned Year, and entered it in Triumph on the 28th of _April_[754]. During his short Stay in that City, the _Roman_ Ladies gave a signal Instance of the Zeal and Affection they still retained for their exiled Bishop. They thought a more favourable Opportunity could never offer to solicit the Emperor for his Return; and therefore, by a private Agreement among themselves, they pressed their Husbands, with great Earnestness, to lay hold of it, threatening to abandon them, if they did not, and repairing to their Bishop to share with him the Hardships of his Exile. The Husbands, unmoved by such Menaces, which they well knew would never take place, answered, that by such an Application they might incur the Displeasure of the Prince, which would prove fatal to them, as well as to the Person in whose Behalf they interposed; whereas, should they themselves take such a pious and commendable Office upon them, the Respect due to their Sex would, in all Likelihood, extort from the Prince the desired Favour, at least it would restrain his Resentment, and stifle all Thoughts of Revenge. The Proposal was universally applauded by the Ladies, unwilling to expose their Husbands to the dire Effects of the Emperor’s Indignation. [Sidenote: _The_ Roman _Ladies intercede for_ Liberius.] On an appointed Day therefore, attiring themselves in an Apparel suitable