diers; and his other name, Mavors, shows that all great exploits are executed and brought about through his means.

The Greeks call him Agrs [Ares,] either from the destruction and slaughter which he causes; or from the silence which is kept in war, where actions, not words, are necessary. But from whatever words this name is derived, it is certain that those famous names Areopagus and Areopagita, are derived from Agns. The Areopagus, that is, the "hill" or " mountain" of Mars, was a place at Athens, in which Mars, being accused of murder and incest, was forced to defend himself in a trial before twelve gods, and was acquitted by six voices; from which time, that place became a court wherein were tried capital causes, and the things belonging to religion. The Areopagitæ were the judges, whose integrity and credit was so great, that no person could be admitted into their society, unless he delivered in public an account of his past life, and was found in every part thereof blameless. And, that the lawyers who pleaded, might not blind the eyes of the judges by their charms of eloquence, they were obliged to plead their causes without any ornaments of speech; if they did otherwise, they were immediately commanded to be silent. And, lest they should be moved to compassion by seeing the miserable conditions of the prisoners, they gave sentence in the dark, without lights; not by words, but on paper; hence, when a man speaks little or nothing, they used proverbially to say of him, that "He is as silent as one of the judges in the Areopagus.'

His name Gradivus comes from his stateliness in marching; or from his vigour in brandishing his spear.

He is called Quirinus, from Curis or Quiris, siguifying a spear; whence comes securis or semicuris, a piece of a spear. And this name was afterward attri

buted to Romulus, because he was esteemed the son of Mars; from whom the Romans were called Quirites. Gradivus is the name of Mars when he rages; and Quirinus, when he is quiet. And accordingly there were two temples at Rome dedicated to him; one within the city, which was dedicated to Mars Quirinus, the keeper of the city's peace; the other without the city, near the gate, to Mars Gradivus, the warrior, and the defender of the city against all outward enemies.

The ancient Latins applied to him the title of Salisubsulus, or "dancer," from salio, because his temper is very unconstant and uncertain, inclining sometimes to this side, and sometimes to that, in wars : whence we say, that the issue of battle is uncertain, and the chance dubious. But we must not think that Mars was the only god of war; for Bellona, Victoria, Sol, Luna, and Pluto, used to be reckoned in the number of martial deities. It was usual with the Lacædemonians to shackle the feet of the image of Mars, that he should not fly from them: and among the Romans, the priests Šalii were instituted to look after the sacrifices of Mars, and go about the city dancing with their shields.

The poets relate only one action of this terrible god: this is his attachment to Venus, and her treachery. Sol was the first that discovered it, and he immediately acquainted Vulcan, Venus' husband. Vulcan instantly made a net of iron, whose links were so small and slender, that it was invisible. By this the lovers were caught, Alectryon, Mars' favourite, suffered punishment, because, when he was appointed to watch, he fell asleep, and so gave Sol an opportunity to slip in; therefore Mars changed him into a cock, which to this day is so mindful of his old fault, that he constantly gives notice of the approach of the sun, by crowing.

QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION

What does the name of Mars import?

What do the Greeks call him?

What names are derived from Agno?

Who were the Areopagita?

From what does Mars derive his name Gradivus?

Why is he called Quirinus ?

On what account has he the title of Salisubsulus?

What action is related of Mars?

Who discovered Venus' treachery, and what was done in consequence?

What happened to Alectryon?

SEC. 3.-THE STORY OF TEREUS; AND THE SACRIFICES OF MARS.

Tereus, the son of Mars, by the nymph Bistonis, married Progne, the daughter of Pandion, king of Athens, when he was king of Trace. This Progne had a sister called Philomela, a virgin in modesty and beauty inferior to none. She lived with her father at Athens. Progne, being desirous to see her sister, asked Tereus to fetch Philomela to her, with which he complied. Tereus fell desperately in love with Philomela; and as they travelled together, because she refused to favour his addresses, he overpowered her, cut out her tongue, and threw her into a gaol; and returning afterwards to his wife, pretended that Philomela died in her journey; and that his story might appear true, he shed many tears and put on mourning. But injuries sharpen the wit, and a desire of revenge makes people cunning: for Philomela, though she was dumb, found out a way to tell her sister the villany of Tereus. She described the violence offered to her in embroidery, and sent the work folded up to her sister. Progne no sooner viewed it, than she was so transported with passion that she could not speak, her thoughts being wholly taken up in contriving how she should avenge the affront. First, then, she hastened to her sister, and brought her home without

Tereus' knowledge. While she was thus meditating revenge, her young son Itys came and embraced his mother; but she carried him aside into the remote parts of the house, and slew him while he hung about her neck, and called her mother. When she had killed him, she cut him into pieces, and dressed the flesh, and gave it Tereus for supper, who fed heartily on it. After supper he sent for his son Itys: Progne told him what she had done, and Philomela showed him his son's head. Tereus, incensed with rage, rushed on them both with his drawn sword; but they fled away, and fear added wings to their flight so that Progne became a swallow, and Philomela a nightingale. Tereus was also changed into a hoopoe [upupa,] which is one of the filthiest of all birds. The gods out of pity changed Itys into a pheasant. Ovid Met. 6.

To Mars were sacrificed the wolf for his fierceness; the horse for his usefulness in war; the woodpecker and the vulture for their ravenousness; the cock for his vigilance, which is a prime virtue among soldiers; and grass, because it grows in towns laid desolate by war.

Among the ancient rites belonging to Mars, the most memorable is the following: Whoever undertook the conduct of any war, went into the vestry of the temple of Mars; and first shook the Ancilla, a holy shield, afterwards the spear of the image of Mars, and said "Mars, watch."

Qui belli alicujus susceperat curam, sacrarium Martis ingres sus, primo Ancilia commovebat, post hastum simulacri ipsius; dicens, Mars, Vigila. Servius

QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION.

Who was Tereus, and whom did he marry?

Give some account of the story of Philomela. [The pupil might shut the book, and write the story from memory, in his own words.]

Into what were Progne, Philomela, Tereus, and Itys meta morphosed?