Manual of Mythology: Greek and Romen, Norse, and old German, Hindoo and Egyptian Mythology

About The Book -: There is a charm in the name of ancient Greece; there is glory in every page of her history; there is a fascination in the remains of her literature, and a sense of unapproachable beauty in her works of art; there is a spell in her climate still, and a strange attraction in her ruins. We are familiar with the praises of her beautiful islands; our poets sing of her lovely genial sky. There is not in all the land a mountain, plain, or river, nor a fountain, grove, or wood, that is not hallowed by some legend or poetic tale. We look back over a period of more than two thousand years with feelings of wonder at her achievements on the battle-field and in the arts of peace. We emulate her in many ways, but always confess to failure; and when we have no desire of emulation, we are still ready in most cases to admire. How far we may find just cause for admiration or the contrary with regard to her religion remains to be seen. But whichever way it be, we shall at any rate find abundant evidence of the intense hold it has upon the great mass of the people, and of the important influence it was calculated to exercise on their civilization. The mechanic traced the skill and handicraft which grew unconsciously upon him by practice to the direct Influence of a god. Artists ascribed the mysterious evolution of their ideas, and poets the inspiration of their song, to the same superior cause. Everywhere in nature was felt the presence of august invisible beings: in the sky, with its luminaries and clouds; on the sea, with its fickle, changeful movements; on the earth, with its lofty peaks, its plains and rivers. It seemed that man himself, and everything around him, was upheld by Divine power.