called *Aglaia, from her cheerfulness, her beauty, or her worth; because kindness ought to be performed freely and generously. The second, Thalia, from her perpetual verdure; because kindness ought never to die, but to remain fresh always in the receiver's memory. The third, Euphrosyne, from her cheerfulness; because we ought to be free and cheerful, as well in doing as in receiving a kindness. These sisters were painted naked, or in transparent and loose garments, young and merry, with hands joined. One was turned from the beholder, as if she was going from him; the other two turned their faces, as if they were coming to him; by which we understand, that when one kindness is done, thanks are twice due; once when received, and again when it is repaid. The Graces are naked, because kindnesses ought to be done in sincerity and candour, and without disguise. They are young, because the memory of kindness received ought never to grow old. They are virgins, because kindness ought to be pure, without expectation of requital. Their hands are joined, because one good turn requires another; there ought to be a perpetual intercourse of kindness and assistance among friends. Adonis was the son of Cinyras, king of Cyprus, and Myrrha. As he was very handsome, Venus took great delight in him, and loved his company. When he hunted, a boar gored him with his tusks, and killed him. Venus bewailed his death with much sorrow and concern, and changed his blood, which was shed on the ground, into the flower anemone, which ever since has retained the colour of blood. While she flew to assist him, being led by his dying voice, a thorn ran into her foot, and the * Ayλala id est, splendor, honestas, vel dignitas. tarala (nam Jaλía est Musæ nomen) id est, veriditas et cinnitas á Daλa vireo. Eupporvvn, id est, lætitia et urbanitas. Vide Hesiod, in Theog. blood that came thence fell on the rose, which béfore was white, but thereby made red. Venus besought of, and obtained from Jupiter, that he should return to life for six months in every year; so that Adonis revives and dies in incessant succession. In Greece, Phoenicia, and some other countries, festivals were appointed expressive of this circumstance: the solemnity continued several days; the first part being spent in lamentations for his loss, and the second in joy for his restoration. QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION. Who was Hymenæus, and of whom was he the protector? Whose son was he, and how was he represented? Who was Cupid, and whose son was he said to be? How many Cupids do the poets describe, and how are they represented? What is his character with regard to power? Why is he represented naked? How is his chariot drawn? Why is he represented blind, winged, and armed with arrows? Who were the Graces, and what were their names? How are they represented in paintings? Why are they said to be ever young, naked, and with their hands joined? Who was Adonis? what was the cause and consequences of his death? CHAPTER X. LATONA. LATONA was the daughter of Phoebe, by Cæus the Titan. So great was her beauty, that Jupiter fell in love with her, which excited the jealousy of Juno, who caused her to be cast out of heaven to the earth; not contented with this, she obliged Terra, by an oath, not to give her a habitation, and besides she set the serpent Python upon her, to per secute her wherever she went. Juno, however, was disappointed, for the island Delos received Latona, where, under a palm or an olive tree, she brought forth Diana; who, as soon as she was born, nursed and took care of her brother Apollo. Her reception at Delos, notwithstanding the oath of Terra, is thus accounted for. This island formerly floated in the sea, and they say that at the time it was hidden under the waters, when Terra took her oath, but that it emerged afterwards by the order of Neptune, and became fixed and immoveable for Latona's use, from which time it was called Delos, because it was visible like other places. 1 The island Delos emerged for Latona's use, because it was sister to Latona. Some say, that her name was formerly Asteria, whom Jupiter loved and courted, but she was converted into an island: others report that she was converted into a quail, (Ovid Met. 15,) and flew into this island, which was, therefore, among other names, called Ortygia. Niobe's pride, and the barbarity of the countrymen of Lycia, increase the fame of this goddess.. Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus, and the wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. She was so enriched with all the gifts of nature and fortune, and her happiness so great, that she could not bear it: being puffed up with pride, and full of self-conceit, she began to despise Latona, and to esteem herself the greater, saying: "is any happiness to be compared to mine, who am out of the reach of fortune? She may rob me of much wealth, but she cannot injure me, since she must leave me still very rich. Does any one's wealth exceed mine? Is any one's beauty like mine? Have I not seven most beautiful daughters, and as many ingenious and handsome sons? And have I not, therefore, reason to be proud?" In this manner she boasted of her happiness, and despised others but her pride, in a short time, depri ved her of all the happiness which she possessed, and reduced her from the height of good fortune to the lowest degree of misery. For when Latona saw herself despised, and her sacrifices disturbed by Niobe, she appointed Apollo and Diana to punish the injury that was offered to their mother. Immediately they went with their quivers well filled with arrows, to Niobe's house; where first they killed the sons, then the daughters, and next the father, in the sight. of Niobe, who by that means was stupified with grief, till at length she was turned into marble, which, because of this misfortune, is said to shed many tears to this day.-Ovid Met. 6. The rustics of the country of Lycia in Asia, did also experience the anger of Latona to their ruin; for when she wandered in the fields, the heat of the weather and toil of her journey brought such a drought upon her that she almost fainted for thirst. At last discovering a spring in the bottom of the valley, she ran to it with great joy, and fell on her knees to drink the cool waters: "Gelidos potura liquores." To quench her thirst with the refreshing stream. But the neighbouring clowns hindered her, and bid her depart. She earnestly begged leave, and they denied it she did not desire she said to injure the stream by washing herself in it, but only to quench her thirst. "Quid prohibetis aquas? usus communis aquarum : |