.


"The statue of Persephone, (that ominous bridal gift.)" p. 226.

While Persephone was gathering flowers, she was seized by Pluto, and carried to the regions of the dead, over which she presided. Hence the hair of the deceased was consecrated to her, and her name invoked at funerals.


"Milza sneezed aloud." p. 227.

This was considered a lucky omen; particularly if the sound came from the direction of the right hand.


"He will trust to Hermes to help him." p. 239.

Hermes was the god of lies and fraud.


"Have I told you all my flames." p. 241.

Part of the 14th ode of Anacreon.


"Threatened to appeal to the magistrates for another master." p. 250.

The Athenian slave laws were much more mild than modern codes. If a servant complained of being abused, his master had no power to retain him.


"Build the wall of Hipparchus." p. 251.

A wall built round the Academia by Hipparchus was so expensive that it became a proverb applied to all costly undertakings.


"One of the slaves whose modesty Alcibiades had insulted." p. 251.

Slaves that were either personally abused, or insulted, took refuge in the Temple of Theseus, and could not be compelled to return to those of whom they complained.


"These brooks are Creüsa's tears." p. 253.

Ion was the son of Phœbus and Creüsa. His mother, to avoid her father's displeasure, concealed the birth of the infant, and hid him in the grotto, which afterwards bore her name. The child was preserved, and brought up in the temple of Phœbus.


"She does not speak like one brought up at the gates." p. 254.

The lower classes of tradesmen were generally placed near the gates.


"One of the illustrious Pasargadæ." p. 280.

These were the noblest families in Persia.

In some unimportant matters, I have not adhered strictly to dates; deeming this an allowable freedom in a work so purely romantic, relating to times so ancient.

I am aware that the Christian spirit is sometimes infused into a Grecian form; and in nothing is this more conspicuous than the representation of love as a pure sentiment rather than a gross passion.

Greek names for the deities were used in preference to the Roman, because the latter have become familiarized by common and vulgar use.

If there be errors in the application of Greek names and phrases, my excuse must be an entire want of knowledge in