Classical Theology.—Lxxxiv.

into history . Still AA e never did discover either of the former elements to be a mortal man . Japheth , the meaning of Avhich word is " the enlarger , " some say Avas the eldest son of Noah ; also some assert that Neptune Avas the eldest son

of Saturn . We alloAV in this respect there is a certain coincidence . But if the text , "And Noah aAvoke from his AA ine , and kneAV Avhat his youngest son had done unto him , " admits of no error , the text , "And Noah AA as five hundred

years old ; and Noah begat Shem , Ham , and Japheth , " involves a hysteron proteron tending to no trifling confusion and uncertainty . In some works on Heathen Theology aud of ancient history , Japheth is knoAvn under the name of 5 Japetoes , the son of Calum and Terra , and Greek historians have concurred in believing Japheth to

have been the progenitor of the Grecian Avhose race Avere of the Ionian settlers under Javan , who was the fourth son of Japheth . In the Mythistorios Works Ave are told that Perseus , on his travels , by chance entered the kingdom of

Mauritania , reigned over by Atlas , brother of Prometheus , and the son of Japetus or 'Japetos , and out of respect designed to visit him . The ungracious reception the hero met Avith provoked him to so much anger that , lifting his terrible

shield before the King ' s eyes , aud thus showing him the head of Medusa , he turned him into the mountain , still retaining his name , whose top was thought to reach . Heaven . Also , Ave are told , and what are Ave not told ? When Atlas was

sinking beneath the Aveight of his burden , Hercules relieved him thereof , and supported the heavens upon his OAVU shoulders .-

_ No power the pride of mortals can control ; Prone to new crimes , by strong presumption driven ; With sacrilegious hands Prometheus stole Celestial fire , and bore it down from Heaven . Audax omnia perpeti Gens humana ruit per vetitum nefas .

So Horace very sweetly , and someAvhat truly sang . There are hoAvever those Avho say , Jupiter did not punish Prometheus for his theft , but because he Avas the first AVIIO made a human image ont of clay . Others assert it was because

he made Avoman , and they Avould thus almost apply the continued meaning of the verse to her as one Avith Pandora ' s box . Setting that aside , we think that in it there may be discerned a close resemblance , as ascribed , not only Avith the blending of the Heaven Avith the earth , but in

the consequence-of the disobedience m the eating of the forbidden fruit . Post ignenic . therea domo Subduetnm , macies et nova febrinm Terris ineubuit cohors Semotique terris tarda necossitas

Lethi corrupuit viam . That fatal gift brought on the mortal race An army of Diseases : death began Witli vigour then to mend his halting pace , And found a more compendious way to man . The figure Prometheus made was doubtless

passing skilful . At the sight of this man of clay , even Minerva became so enraptured that she promised to procure from Heaven anything he thought would complete his works . Then also , doubtless , his Avoman out of clay Avas exceeding

beautiful , both before and after she was animated . The Artese Avas a son of Jupiter . For all that , is it likely she could be companion with Milton ' s ideal description of the innocent Eve ? Nay , conld the real young Eve or Eva have been more

lovely ? Our selected lines , well as they are knoAvn , will lose nothing by reperusing . The help meet for Adam or Adama says :

That day I oft remember , Avhen from sleep I first waked , and found myself reposed , Under a shade , on flowers ; such wondering , where , And what I was : whence thither brought , and how ! Not distant far from thenee , a murmuring sound Of Avaters issued from a cave , and spread Into a liquid plane , then stood unmoved ,

Pure as the expanse of Heaven , I thither went , With unexperienced thought , and laid me down On the green bank , to look into tbe clear , Smooth , lake , that to me seemed another sky . As I bent down to look , just opposite , A shape within the watry gleam appeared

Bending to look on me—I started back ; It started back ; but pleased I soon returned ; Pleased it returned as soon ; witli answering looks Of sympathy and love . There I had fixed Mine eyes till now , and pined with vain desires , Had not a voice thus warned me—AA hat thou seest ,

AA h , _ t there thou seest , fair creature is thyself ; With thee it came , and goes ; but follow me , And I will bring thee where no shadow stays Thy coming , and thy soft embraces ; he , AVhose image thou art , him thou shalt enjoy , Inseparable thine ; to him shalt bear Multitudes like thyself , and thence be called Mother of Human race .

Jupiter commanded Mercury to chain Prometheus to Mount Caucasus , and ordered an eagle to prey upon his liver as fast as it grew . Hercules , hoAvever , desired to kill the eagle . Prometheus had revealed to Jupiter his father Saturn ' s conspiracy . He also had prevented his marriage