Vulcano, and so do many others of Esernia, Lipari, and Athens.

The forge of Vulcan, with the Cyclops at work, is the subject of a good painting in the gallery of the Grand-duke of Tuscany. The artist was Victor Cassini, who died at Florence in 1748. Coronis pursued by Neptune is the subject of a painting by Giulio Carpioni, which adorns the above-mentioned gallery. The picture exhibits a fine landscape near the sea.

Notes.- Erichthonius. This fable is supposed to be a highly ornamented poetic fiction relating to the story of Erichthonius, the fourth king of Athens, who was believed to be the son of the princess Minerva, daughter of Cranaus, the second king of that country, and of a priest attached to the service of Vulcan. Erichthonius is described as a cripple, or at least that he had legs so ill-formed as scarcely to be able to walk; and he is said to have been the inventor of chariots. It appears by the Arundel marbles that Erichthonius died 1501 years B. C., after a reign of 50 years. Erichthonius on his accession to the throne caused a superb statue of the goddess Minerva to be erected in the citadel, and the institution of the splendid festivals called the Panathenea is attributed to this monarch.

2 Vulcan. Vulcan was the god of fire. Burning mountains received the name of Volcanos from their being supposed to be the forges of this divinity. The Cyclops were his ministers and attendants, and wrought with him or under his directions in the fabrication of thunderbolts, arms, chariots, and even ornaments for the gods and goddesses.

DEATH OF THE THESSALIAN CORONIS-BIRTH OF ESCULAPIUS.

THE white-winged bird of Apollo, unmoved by the affecting story of the poor banished rook, despised her counsels, and flew off to inform her master that she had seen his favourite, the beautiful Thessalian princess Coronis, daughter of Phlegyas, king of the Lapithæ, in company with Ischys, one of her young compatriots, and that she seemed to be particularly delighted with his gallantry and attentions.

Apollo appeared thunderstruck at this unwelcome intelligence. His laurels fell from his temples; his lyre dropped from his hands; and, seizing his bow, he sent, with unerring aim, an arrow directed to the heart of his beloved Coronis. No sooner had the deadly shaft left the string than he repented of his rashness and cruelty. But it was too late. Coronis expired! and Apollo, in

an agony of grief, followed her corpse in the long mourning procession by which it was conveyed to the funeral pile. There, he sprinkled it with a species of celestial balm, the grateful perfume of which rose like incense to the throne of Jupiter. From the midst of the devouring flames he then snatched the infant Esculapius,' and consigned him to the care of the centaur Chiron.2

The raven, who, by her unwelcome communication, had caused this dire catastrophe, was dismissed from his presence; and farther to punish the officious babbler, he caused her feathers to turn quite black. In this garb of mourning her progeny appear to this day, living mementos of the misfortunes and death of the beautiful Thessalian Coronis.

The centaur to whom Apollo committed the care and education of his son Esculapius was eminently qualified for the important charge. He had made ample discoveries in the sublime science of astronomy, and introduced divers important improvements into the arts of medicine and surgery. He excelled in the knowledge of music, and was celebrated for his skill in archery and equestrian exercises. His grotto, situated at the foot of Mount Pelion, became one of the most famous schools in all Greece.

Chiron had a beautiful daughter, whose name was Ocyroe; she was initiated in all the secrets of her father's learning, and was also endowed with the gift of prophecy.

One day as Ocyroe was amusing herself with the young Esculapius, she was suddenly seized with the prophetic spirit, and predicted that the child she caressed was destined to immortal renown for the skill he would acquire in the art of medicine; that Jupiter, becoming jealous of his healing powers, would kill him with his thunderbolts; and that afterwards he should be placed among the gods. She then informed her father of the events that would befall him in the latter part of his life; and concluded by announcing her own approaching metamorphosis into a mare,-a prediction which was instantly accomplished.

This humiliating transformation was said to have been effected by Jupiter, in anger at the predictions she had uttered respecting Esculapius.

In her new form, Ocyroe bore the more appropriate name of Evippe-a word which, in the language of her country, signifies a fine mare.

Observations.We know of no monument that represents the death of Coronis, or the birth of Esculapius, though there are many paintings and

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