very obliquely, and after apparently grazing along its edge for several seconds, disappeared. About 5 minutes before the reappearance of the moon, the double star, already mentioned, emerged upon its western side; but the attention was particularly directed to the rapid increase of illumination upon the limb that was approaching the border of the shadow, and the time of the star's emersion was only approximately obtained. It was, however, noticed that both individuals of the double star re-appeared at nearly the same instant, and remained for a short time parallel to the moon's limb. A line of light upon the moon's western edge now gave notice of its emersion, and the border of the shadow entering upon its disc, passed slowly across, revealing in succession the mountains and spots, which had been enveloped in the darkness of the eclipse. Its appulses to some of the most remarkable of these were observed with great accuracy. We have yet to state the results, which were obtained by the reduction of the evening's observations. They are given in mean time at New Haven. Beginning of total eclipse, End of total eclipse, End of the eclipse, h. m. S. 5 39 1 7 11 13 8 11 43 The appulses of the moon's shadow to the following lunar spots are also given in New Haven mean time. 1st. Aristarchus, Lon. 47° 2' east, h. m. S. Lat. 23° 40′ north, 7 21 50 The observed times of the occultations which took place dur ing the eclipse are as follows. The double star first immersed was Piscium; the other a telescopic star. FLOWERS. I LOVE a flower-it ever brings They speak when lips would still be dumb, They are love's language, and they tell And few there are who'd banish it. Than drag through such a life as ours? E. J. ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. No. III. (Being principally descriptions of Ancient Medals, &c., translated from the Latin.) AMOR CUM SYMBOLIS JOVIS ET PALLADIS.—(In Cameo.) "In this Cameo of most exquisite workmanship, Amor is equipped with a thunderbolt and the Aegis, weapons both of Jupiter and Minerva. Who is not familiar with the 'Aegis-bearing Jove' and the 'Olympic thunderer?' Pallas Minerva too, is often represented as bearing an Aegis covered with the scaly skins of dragons, whose tails form a fringe for its margin; and, according to the Hetrurian superstition, she is likewise armed with the thunderbolt. Hence the Owl, equipped with the thunderbolt, is frequently represented upon coins as discharging the same office with the Eagle of Jove. But whether these symbols are referred to Jupiter or Minerva, it is evident, that Amor has obtained possession of them both; and this triumph is celebrated throughout Greece. He is therefore rightly called by Anacreon, Θεῶν Δυνάστης -Deorum Tyrannus." The Aegis here spoken of, is often mentioned by Homer. He describes it as having been wrought by Vulcan, and presented by him to Jupiter. Though 'Aegis' has been sometimes taken as a general term for shield, yet this was called by preeminence, 'The Aegis'-the property, as we believe, of Jove. This same shield was sometimes borne by Minerva, who, being the daughter of Jupiter, appeared in battle clad in the armor of her father. (Vide Iliad, V. 733.) We do not suppose then that there was more than one Aegis; and surely one such weapon were enough. The scholar has doubtless often admired Homer's description of its beauty and grandeur; the most striking of which we shall give as translated by Pope. Minerva is represented as arming herself for the defense of the Greeks. "Now heaven's dread arms her mighty limbs invest, Jove's cuirass blazes on her ample breast; Deck'd in sad triumph for the mournful field, Dire, black, tremendous! Round the margin roll'd, Here rages Force, here tremble Flight and Fear, In the description of the medal, the owl is mentioned as the bird of Minerva. The Greek name for an owl, and the epithet 'blueeyed,' so often applied to Minerva, are derived from a common Thema. How strikingly did the ancients represent the power of Love! Here it is seen not only mightier than the sword, but mightier than the thunderbolt of Jove. Its power perhaps has not diminished in modern times, and this little device may contain volumes of the 'poetry of human life.' We subjoin a description of a medal somewhat similar to the former. AMOR TROPÆUM FERENS.-(Incis. in Corneola.) Upon ancient monuments you often find Amor represented as greatly exulting in his victory over Mars, whose arms he carries as triumphals. In the Ludovisian gardens at Rome, there is a statue of the war-god, with Cupid standing beside his armor. The Amor represented in the medal may be considered a military genius. He presided over battles; and hence (according to Athe-. næus) the Lacedæmonians and Cretans always sacrificed to him before they essayed to fight, and the Thebans had a cohort composed of youthful lovers and suitors." Here again is exemplified the power of the 'little God.' The Thebans were not the only soldiers who have been sustained in the heat of battle by his aid. JUPITER CUSTOS. "Jupiter is here seen with a thunderbolt in his left hand, and in his right a burnished spear on which he is resting. He has sometimes been called Melizios nai Inéσios, i. e. placable, and a protector of suppliants. The title 'Custos' was graven on a statue of Jupiter in white marble,—the workmanship of the renowned Polycletus,-which stood in the temple of Lysian Apollo at Argos. Beyond the river Cephisus there was an altar dedicated to Jovi Custodi; many coins also, especially those of Nero, bear the same superscription. A beautiful description of Jupiter is contained in Homer's Iliad, (Book I, verse 529,) from which doubtless Phidias conceived his statue of the Olympic king. In this medal, as has been remarked, he is represented with a glittering spear or sceptre in his right hand; and a royal robe loosely folded about his limbs displays his huge proportions. Fabrettus and Eusebius suppose, that his intellectual and divine being are thus manifested, whilst his extremities are concealed in order to teach modesty to mortals, who are but dwellers on the ground. The Eagle stands near the monarch in token of his benignity; the emblem,' as Pindar says, ' of his providence and his love toward men."" We shall again take the liberty to quote from Pope. He thus translates the passage referred to above. 6 "He spoke, and awful bends his sable brows; The statue of Olympic Jove, by Phidias, has been considered one of the wonders of the world.' The artist executed it at Elis, whither he had retired after his unjust banishment from Athens, 'determined to revenge the ill-treatment he had received from his countrymen, by making a statue which should eclipse the fame of that of Minerva.' This was truly a noble vengeance; for he made himself superior even to the envy of the Athenians, and gained not only the favor of Pericles, but the admiration of the world. Had the ancients preserved their divinities from the imputation of vice, they had well nigh attained to the conception of a perfect God. Jupiter, for instance, though armed with the instrument of his wrath, is extending over men the wings of his protection and love. MINERVA.-(Incis. in Corneola Variegata.) "Pausanias describes a statue of Minerva representing her in a sitting posture, with a shield at her feet, a spear in her hand, and a serpent by her side. She is thus represented also in this gem, on the coins of C. Julius Cæsar, et passim. Minerva is the Salutifera et Hygeia,* whose temple both Pausanias and Aristides have so finely described. Among the many reasons why a serpent attends her, the following is the most plausible :—that this companionship is highly proper, since it implies that the Goddess possesses wisdom and sagacity, of both which the serpent is an emblem. Diomedes built a temple which he consecrated to Minerva and her attendant serpents; and the inscription upon it was "Minerva acutè videns." The Hierophantæ of the Egyptians, Etrurians, and Greeks, from whom the Romans derived their religion,-thought that serpents were Genii,-sources of safety, propitious, and possessing a sagacity which, when directed in the light of divine wisdom to right purposes and actions, is a fountain whence flow fortune, peace, prosperity, and happiness. Perhaps it is to indicate these blessings, that the serpent (in the medal) holds in his mouth a laurel wreath." The epithet Hygeia, sometimes applied to Minerva, is usually bestowed upon the daughter of Aesculapius. It should be borne in mind as proof of Minerva's sagacity, that she sprung from the brain of Jupiter, and was therefore endued with superior and almost supreme intelligence. But aside from this ridiculous fable, there is much that is interesting in the supposed character of MiHer benevolence toward mankind was so great, that she well deserved to be considered the 'source of health and safety.' nerva. VENUS COMAM ORNANS.-(Incis. in Corneola.) "Though this and similar representations are usually said to refer to Venus Anadyomene, yet judging from the two Genii or Amores, her attendants,-of whom one holds a glass and the other a napkin,-we prefer to class this medal with those which represent 'Venus adorning her hair.' In the Florentine Museum is a statue of Venus attended by Cupids, one of whom is presenting to her a beautiful pair of bracelets, and the other a vase of ointment. Her head is decked with a crown, perhaps in allusion to her sovereignty over the sea. 'Ignoras quod Venus è mari nata est, Et dominatur Ponto?"" VENUS VICTRIX.- —(Incis. in Gemma Prasma.) "When the Romans had gained a victory with little effort and almost without bloodshed, they ascribed their success to Venus the conqueress; and the leader who had thus subdued the enemy entered the city crowned with myrtle, which was sacred * Pliny, Hist. Nat. xxxvi. |