have the cause of Eclipses; and it is upon this very ancient opinion, that the general practice is founded, of making noises at that time, to fright away the monster, who would otherwise devour the two great luminaries. Threatened as they so often were with being swallowed up, could they hope always to escape the danger? The ancient Scandinavians*,' who never loft fight of the future ruin of this universe, did not flatter themselves so far. The monster was to prevail at the last day; as we shall see in the sequel. I say nothing here as to the idea of theothermonster's sucking out the substances of men who die away insensibly. If it were worth while, one might find still traces of this notion among the popular prejudices of our own times. It is of more consequence to remark here, the great obligations we owe to the progress of science, and in particular to the study of nature, for our present security and exemption from such groundless terrors. THE SEVENTH FABLE, G Of the Way that leads to Heaven. ANGLER afks; Which way do they go from earth to heaven ? Har answered, with a smile of derision, That is a senseless question; have you never been told, that the Gods have erected a Bridge, which extends from earth to heaven, and that the name of it is Bifrost? You have furely seen it; but, perhaps, you call it the RAINBOW. It is of three colours, is extremely folid, and constructed with more art than any work in the world. But altho' it be so very strong, it will nevertheless be broke in pieces, when the sons of Mufpell, those mischievous Genii, after having traversed the great Rivers of Hell, shall pass over this Bridge on horseback. Then, says Gangler, It appears to me that the Gods have not executed their work truly and faithfully, in erecting a Bridge so liable to be broken down, fince it is in their pow ef er to perform whatever they please. The Gods, replied Har, are not to be blamed on that account. Bifrost is of itself a good bridge; but there is nothing in nature that can hope to make resistance, when those Genii of Fire fally forth to war (A). But, says Gangler, What did the Universal Father do, after he had built Afgard? Har answered, He in the beginning established Governors (B); and ordered them to decide whatever differences should arise among men, and to regulate the government of the celestial city. The affembly of these judges was held in the plain called Ida, which is in the middle of the divine abode. Their first work was to build a Hall, wherein are Twelve Seats for themselves (c), befides the throne which is occupied by the Universal Father. This Hall is the largest and most magnificent in the world. One fees nothing there but gold, either within or without. Its name is Gladheim *, or the Mansion of Joy. They also erected another Hall, for the use of the Goddesses. It is a most delightful and delicate structure; they call it Vinglod, or the Mansion of Love and Friendship. Lastly, they built a house, wherein they placed furnaces, hammers, an anvil, and f * Glad-heim, is literally in English GLAD-HOME. Τ. all all the other infstruments of a forge; then they worked in metal, stone, and wood; and composed so large a quantity of the metal called Gold, that they made all their moveables, and even the very harness of their horses of pure Gold: hence that age was named the Golden Age (D). This was that age which lasted till the arrival of those women, who came from the country of the Giants, and corrupted it. Then the Gods feating themselves upon their thrones, distributed justice, and took under confideration the affairs of the DWARFS; a species of beings bred in the dust of the earth; just as worms are in a dead carcafe. It was indeed in the body of the Giant YMIR, that they were engendered, and first began to move and live. At first they were only worms; but by order of the Gods, they at length partook of both human shape and reafon; nevertheless, they always dwell in fubterraneous caverns, and among the rocks (E). Here follow fome verses of the Voluspa, accompanied with a long list of the principal Dwarfs. Some of which are said to dwell in the rocks, and others in the duft, &c. REMARKS ON THE SEVENTH FABLE. "When those (A) "to war."] It is very "Genii of Fire sally forth remarkable that this me nace nace should so often occur. But the Gothic and' Celtic nations were in general perfuaded, that nature was in continual danger; and that its secret and public enemies, after having for a long time undermined and shaken it, would at last bring on the great day of its general ruin. This melancholy idea must, I think, have had its rise from fome of those disorders, to which our world is often exposed; at which times one would almost believe that the powers who govern it, were engaged in war with each other. And although this idea must have prevailed more extensively, and been more easily impressed in those climates where the seasons, subject to sudden and violent revolutions, often present nature under a languishing, or convulfed appearance: yet it is well known that there is scarcely any people, but what have had expectations of the end of the world; and have accordingly represented it fome way or other; either as effected by a deluge, or a confla gration: or, lastly, un der the veil of fome allegory; as by a battle between good and evil Genii. The EDDA employs all these three means at the same time: fuch deep root had this doctrine taken in the minds of the poets, the theologians of the north. (B) "He established "governors."] The legifslators of the Scythians represented God himself, as author of the Laws which they gave to their fellow citizens. Neither ought we to esteem this pretence of theirs as altogether a political imposture. When men had brought them selves to look upon their Gods as the protectors of Justice and integrity; the Laws, which gave a public fanction to those virtues, being regarded as the expreffion of the divine will, might naturally enough be called the Work of the Gods. This manner of speaking, though misunderstood afterwards, would be sufficiently authorized by that respect and gratitude, which so great a benefit would inspire. It is well known |