r 313 i 



the arts of tillage and of fowing corn. For this 

 eifential fervice, fhe was, agreeable to the fuper* 

 ftition of thole ages, deified, and worfhipped as 

 the goddefs of plenty. 



The truth of this is, that in the time of Ceres, 

 the iftand, through her endeavours and the in- 

 duftry of the people, became very fruitful in corn: 

 And agriculture was there eftecmed fo honourable 

 an employment, that even their Kings did not dif* 

 dain to praclife it with their own hands** 



But time, which at firft gave birth to arts, 

 often caufed them to be forgotten when they were 

 removed from the place of their origin. The 

 defendants of Noah, who fettled in Europe, 

 doubtlefs carried their knowledge of agricul- 

 ture with them into the regions which they fuc- 

 ceffivcly occupied. But thofe who took pofTeflion 

 of Greece were fuch an uncivilized race, that they 

 fed on roots, herbs, and acorns, after the manner 

 of beads. 



Pelasgus had taughr them the culture of the 

 oak, and the ufe of acorns as food, for which fer- 



* Triptolemus, in particular, who wa? taught by Ceres the 

 *rt of fowing com. 



vice 



