196 
when these secrets dnd traditions were 
on the point of being accomplished, is 
not one of the least extraordinary cir- 
cumstances about that highly-gifted 
genius; and we are almost led with Pe- 
trarch to call him a Christian. We say 
nothing of the Mithratic or Magian 
priests; but this is certain, that at the 
time in question there was an universal 
anticipation over the whole pagan world, 
of some great and divine king, who 
would unite the world under his autho- 
rity. 
Virgil opens his eclogue in a manner 
which suffices to show, that he was 
going to expound a mystery. He de- 
scribes the binding and unloosing of the 
god, as Homer describes that of Pro- 
teus, when Menalaus sought informa- 
tion at his oracle. Now the changes of 
Proteus into animals and vegetables, 
meant nothing but the sacred lan- 
guage; and the binding and solving of 
his fetters, their secrecy and interpre- 
tation. 
The above metaphor is employed to 
this day. Virgil, therefore, begins by 
implying, that he is going to interpret a 
religious parable, and unloose the knot 
of a traditional secret. The god’s face is 
smeared, as was the case in the myste- 
ries; and then being unbound, he relates 
the cosmogony and moral order of the 
world, 
It is a remarkable circumstance, and 
a striking corroboration of my inference, 
that many commentators imagine, in 
- consequence of the Epicurean doctrines 
Virgil puts into Silenus’s mouth, that 
he meant to do honour to SILO (both 
names being radically the same), the 
pupil of Epicurus, who had been the 
bard’s master. It is not improbable 
that Virgil may have employed the name 
typically, as he employs that of Daph- 
nis, derived from the laurel, which is 
the symbol of immortality, and as he 
couches a compliment to Asinius Gal- 
lus, under the name of one of the 
Galli, the high priests of Atys, or 
Thammuz—Syrian names of Osiris— 
and the universal funereal deity. 
_It is remarkable, that even in this 
eclogue the metaphors resemble those 
of Isaiah : 
‘« Tum vero in nemora faunesque, ferasque 
videres, 
Ludere ; tum rigidas motare cacumina 
quercus.” 
And again, at the conclusion : 
** Audiet Eurotas, jussitque edicere lauros ;. 
Pulsa referunt ad sidera valles.” 
Erection and Use of Lightning-Rods. 
[Oct. 1, 
Tothe Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
Sir: 
N a paper on “ The Erection and 
Use of Lightning Rods,’ com- 
mencing at page 309 of the former 
volume of your Miscellany, the writer 
says, “‘ Accordingly, such buildings as 
have been provided with lightning-rods 
have never, perhaps, been damaged. or 
thrown down,” &c. &c. This. seems 
to be too great an assumption: and 
Dr. Rensselaer (in an essay read before 
the Lyceum of Natural History at New 
York), without hesitation arrives at a 
very opposite conclusion, “It is 
known,” says he, “ that some bualdings, 
having rods attached to them, have been 
struck.” However, we so frequently 
hear of the melancholy effects of this 
destructive element, that it is a matter 
of surprise and grief that more re- 
peated experiments are not made to 
reduce, at least, the sum of misfortune 
that awaits its progress, not only on 
the lives and bodies, but also on the 
property of men. Its power being so 
far beyond our reach, it will not be ex- 
pected that -effectual control can be 
exercised: but if any mean seems to 
offer an approximation to efficacy, I 
think, Sir, you will not be among those 
who decry the use of it. In a country, 
where a glimpse of such discovery has 
been obtained, extensive endeayours to, 
realize it might naturally be expected; 
yet, to the glory of our own country, 
and our respected neighbour, France, 
they have shewn themselves more de- 
sirous and indefatigable in this pursuit, 
than the country of that Franklin, of 
whom it has been boldly and hyber- 
bolically said— 
“ Eripuit coelo fulmen, sceptrumque ty- 
rannis.”” 
The use of the paratonnerre, or 
lightning-rod, has hitherto been thought 
most conducive to safety; but the range 
to which the influence of this extends, 
has not yet been accurately determined, 
though MM. Guy Lussac, de Romas, 
and Charles, have done somewhat to- 
wards arriving at this desirable con- 
clusion. The latter of which gentle- 
men thinks that a rod will effectually 
protect a circular space from lightning, 
the radius of which is twice that of the 
conductor stem, from which it appears 
that the space protected may vary as the 
height of the rods: but convenience, 
if not safety, demands that the number, 
rather than height of the rods, be in- 
creased. 
The 
