a chapter devoted to the purpose some interesting particulars have been
collected respecting the public worship of the ancient Greeks and Romans
(more especially of the former), to which is subjoined an account of their
principal festivals.

I may add that no pains have been spared in order that, without passing
over details the omission of which would have {ii} marred the completeness
of the work, not a single passage should be found which could possibly
offend the most scrupulous delicacy; and also that I have purposely treated
the subject with that reverence which I consider due to every religious
system, however erroneous.

It is hardly necessary to dwell upon the importance of the study of
Mythology: our poems, our novels, and even our daily journals teem with
classical allusions; nor can a visit to our art galleries and museums be
fully enjoyed without something more than a mere superficial knowledge of a
subject which has in all ages inspired painters, sculptors, and poets. It
therefore only remains for me to express a hope that my little work may
prove useful, not only to teachers and scholars, but also to a large class
of general readers, who, in whiling away a leisure hour, may derive some
pleasure and profit from its perusal.

E. M. BERENS.

* * * * *

{iii}

CONTENTS.

PART I.--MYTHS.
Page
Introduction, 7

FIRST DYNASTY.
ORIGIN OF THE WORLD--
URANUS AND GAEA (Coelus and Terra), 11

SECOND DYNASTY.
CRONUS (Saturn), 14
RHEA (Ops), 18
DIVISION OF THE WORLD, 19
THEORIES AS TO THE ORIGIN OF MAN, 21

THIRD DYNASTY.
OLYMPIAN DIVINITIES--
ZEUS (Jupiter), 26
HERA (Juno), 38
PALLAS-ATHENE (Minerva), 43
THEMIS, 48
HESTIA (Vesta), 48
DEMETER (Ceres), 50
APHRODITE (Venus), 58
HELIOS (Sol), 61
EOS (Aurora), 67
PHOEBUS-APOLLO, 68
HECATE, 85
SELENE (Luna), 86
ARTEMIS (Diana), 87
HEPHAESTUS (Vulcan),