



Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer






THE UNWILLING VESTAL

A Tale of Rome under the Caesars

By Edward Lucas White

Author of "El Supremo"



     Original Project Gutenberg editor's note: First published in
     1918, this book went through sixteen printings before it
     ceased to be a money-maker for its publishers. It provides a
     fascinating glimpse into a world most of us know nothing
     about.

     It has been slightly re-edited for ease in reading as an
     E-text. The author's spellings have been left alone even when
     they are incorrect in English English, American English, and
     Latin.




JACKET BLURB:

EDWARD LUCAS WHITE Author of "El Supremo"

This book presents, for the first time in fiction, a correct and
adequate account of the Vestal Virgins, their powers and privileges, as
well as of many strange Roman customs and beliefs.

The author combines the power of writing a rattling good story with
a sound and full knowledge of conditions of the life which he
is depicting. Mr. White brings to the history of Rome all the
picturesqueness and power which made his South American novel, "El
Supremo," so remarkable. The result is a vivid pageant of imperial Rome
and Roman life at the height of its power and splendor.




PUBLISHERS' NOTE

Readers of _The Unwilling Vestal_ who are not acquainted at first hand
with the lighter and more intimate literature of the Romans may be
surprised to discover that the lights of Roman high society talked slang
and were interested in horseracing. Most writers who have tried to draw
Roman society for us have been either ignorant or afraid of these facts.
The author of _The Unwilling