on the contrary, report, that it was made of the bones of Pelops, and sold to the Trojans by the Scythians. They add, that Æneas recovered it, after it had been taken by the Greeks, from Diomedes, and carried it with him into Italy, where it was laid up in the temple of Vesta as a pledge of the stability of the Roman empire, as it had been before a token of the security of Troy. And, lastly, others write. that there were two Palladia; one of which Diome des took, and the other Æneas carried with him. Parthenos, i. e. virgin, was another of Minerva's names: whence the temple at Athens, where she was most religiously worshipped, was called Parthenon. For Minerva, like Vesta and Diana, was a perpetual virgin; and such a lover of chastity, that she deprived Tiresias of his sight, because he saw her bathing in the fountain of Helicon but Tiresias' mother, by her petitions, obtained, that since her son had lost the eyes of his body, the sight of his mind might be brighter and clearer, by having the gift of prophecy. Ovid, indeed, assigns a different cause of his blindness. There is another illustrious instance of the chastity of Minerva: when Neptune had successfully made love to the beautiful Medusa (whose hair was gold) in the temple of Minerva, the goddess changed into snakes that hair which had tempted him; and decreed, that those who looked upon her thereafter should be turned into stone. Her name Tritonia was taken from the lake Triton, where she was educated; as we also may learn from Lucian, who mentions the love which Pallas bears to this lake: "Hanc et Pallas amat, patrio quod vertice nata This Pallas loves, born of the brain of Jove, This land next heav'n :) she standing by the side, And gave herself from the lov'd pool a name Tritonia. Or from τρίτω, Οι τριτων [triton] a word which in the old Boeotian and Æolic languages signifies a head, because she was born from Jupiter's head. Yet, before we leave the lake Triton, let me tell you the ceremonies that were performed upon the banks of it in honour of Minerva. A great concourse of people out of the neighbouring towns assembled to see the following performance: all the virgins came in companies, armed with clubs and stones, and on a sign being given, they assaulted each other; she who was first killed was not esteemed a virgin, and therefore her body was disgracefully thrown into the lake; but she who received the most and the deepest wounds, and did not desist, was carried home in triumph in a chariot, in the midst of the acclamations and praises of the whole company. Epyaris [Ergatis] operaria, "workwoman" was her name among the Samians, her worshippers; because she invented divers arts, especially the art of spinning, as we learn from the poets: thus the distaff is ascribed to her, and sometimes she is called Minerva, from her name, because she was the inventress of it. Although Minerva so much excelled all others in spinning, yet Arachne, a young lady of Lydia, very skilful at spinning, challenged her in this art; but it proved her ruin; for the goddess tore her work, and struck her forehead with a spoke of the wheel. This disgrace drove her into despair, so that she hanged herself; but Pallas, out of compassion, brought her again to life, and turned her into a spider, which continues still employed in spinning: "Frontem percussit Arachnes; Non tulit infælix, laqueoque animosa ligavit Guttura, pendentem Pallas miserata levavít Ov. Met. 6. Arachne thrice upon the forehead smote; Her falling weight:-Live wretch, yet hang, she said. She is called Musica; because, says Pliny, the dragons or serpents on her shield, which, instead of hair encompassed the Gorgon's head, did ring and resound, as if the strings of a harp near them were touched. But it is more likely that she was so na→ med, because she invented the pipe; upon which, when she played by the river-side, and saw in the water how much her face was swelled and deformed by blowing it, she was moved with indignation, and threw it aside, saying, the sweetness of the music is too dear, if purchased with so much loss. Glaucopis was another of her names; because her eyes, like the eyes of an owl, were gray or skycoloured, that is, of a green colour mixed with white. She was also called Pylotis, from a Greek word, signifying a "gate:" for, as the image of Mars was set up in the suburbs, so her effigy or picture was placed on the city gates, or doors of houses; by which they signified, that we ought to use our weapons abroad, to keep the enemy from entering our towns; but in the town we must use the assistance of Minerva, not of Mars; that is, the state ought to be governed at home by prudence, counsel, and law. QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION. What are the reasons given for the name Minerva? What proverb has her great wisdom furnished, and what does the term Minervale signify? Why is she called Athena? Why is she named Pallas? Give some account in writing of the Palladium. Why was she called Parthenos? What is the history of Tiresias? What is related of Neptune and Medusa ? Why was Minerva named Tritonia? What ceremony was performed on the banks of the lake Triton? Why is Minerva called Ergatis ? Repeat the lines from Ovid. Why is Minerva called Musica? Why is she named Glaucopis? Why is she called Pylotis? What inference is drawn from the circumstance? SEC. 3.-THE SIGNIFICATION OF THE FABLE. By the story of Minerva, the poets intended to represent wisdom; that is, true and skilful knowledge, joined with discreet and prudent manners. They hereby signify also the understanding of the noblest arts, and the accomplishments of the mind; likewise the virtues, and especially chastity for, : 1. Minerva is said to be born out of Jupiter's brain because the wit and ingenuity of man did not invent the useful sciences, which, for the good of men were derived from the brain of Jupiter; that is, from the inexhausted fountain of the divine wisdom, whence not only the arts and sciences, but the blessings of wisdom and virtue also proceed. 2. Pallas was born armed; because a wise man's soul being fortified with wisdom and virtue, is invincible he is prepared and armed against fortune; in dangers he is intrepid, in crosses unbroken, in calamities impregnable. Thus, though the image of Jupiter perspires in bad weather, yet as Jupiter himself is dry and unconcerned, so a wise man's mind is hardened against the assaults that fortune can make upon his body. 3. She invented and exercised the art of spinning; and hence other young women may learn, if they would preserve their good character, never to indulge idleness, but to employ themselves continually in some sort of work; after the example of Lucretia. 4. As the spindle and the distaff were the inven |