Ipse, aiunt, praeterea in Evangelio imitatur serpentis ipsius sacram
potestatem, dicendo, et sicut Moyses exaltavit serpentem in deserto, ita
exaltari oportet filium hominis. Ipsum introducunt ad benedicenda
Eucharistia sua. In the above we see plainly the perverseness of human wit,
which deviates so industriously; and is ever after employed in finding
expedients to countenance error, and render apostasy plausible. It would be
a noble undertaking, and very edifying in its consequences, if some person
of true learning, and a deep insight into antiquity, would go through with
the history of the [534]serpent. I have adopted it, as far as it relates to
my system, which is, in some degree, illustrated by it.

* * * * *

CUCLOPES OR CYCLOPES.

[Greek: Palaiotatoi men legontai en merei tini tes choras (tes
Sikelias) Kuklopes, kai Laistrugones oikesai; hon ego oute genos echo
eipein, oute hopothen eiselthon, e hopoi apechoresan.] Thucydides. l.
6. p. 378.

Thucydides acquaints us concerning the Cyclopes and Laestrygones, that they
were the most antient inhabitants of Sicily, but that he could not find out
their race: nor did he know from what part of the world they originally
came, nor to what country they afterwards betook themselves. I may appear
presumptuous in pretending to determine a history so remote and obscure;
and which was a secret to this learned Grecian two thousand years ago. Yet
this is my present purpose: and I undertake it with a greater confidence,
as I can plainly shew, that we have many lights, with which the natives of
Hellas were unacquainted; besides many advantages, of which they would not
avail themselves.

The gigantic Cyclopes were originally Ophitae, who worshipped the symbolical
serpent. They have been represented by the poets, as persons of an enormous
[535]stature, rude and savage in their demeanour, and differing from the
rest of mankind in countenance. They are described as having only one large
eye; which is said to have been placed, contrary to the usual situation of
that organ, in the middle of their foreheads. Their place of residence was
upon mount AEtna, and in the adjacent district at the foot of that
[536]mountain, which was the original region styled Trinacia. This is the
common account, as it has been transmitted by the Poets, as well as by the
principal mythologists of Greece: and in this we have been taught to
acquiesce. But the