Description of our Saviour.
The following epistle was taken by Napoleon from the public records of Rome, when he deprived that city of so many valuable manuscripts. It was written at the time and on the spot where Jesus Christ commenced his ministry, by Publius Lentullus, the governor of Judea, to the Senate of Rome—Cæsar, Emperor. It was the custom in those days, for the Governor to write home any event of importance which transpired while he held office. "Conscript Fathers: There appeared in these our days, a man named JESUS CHRIST, who is yet living among us, and of the Gentiles is accepted as a Prophet of great truth; but his own disciples call him the SON OF GOD. He hath raised the dead, cured all manner of diseases. He is a man of stature somewhat tall and comely, with a very ruddy countenance, such as the beholder may both love and fear. His hair is the color of the filbert when fully ripe, plain to his ears, whence downward, it is more orient of color, curling and waving about his shoulders; in the middle of his head is a seam or partition of long hair, after the manner of the Nazarites. His forehead is plain and delicate; his face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a comely red; his nose and mouth are exactly formed; his beard is of the color of his hair, and thick—not of any great height, but forked. In reproving, he is terrible; in admonishing, courteous; in speaking, very modest and wise; in proportion of body, well shaped. None have seen him laugh, but many have seen him weep. A man, for his surpassing beauty, excelling the children of men."