PROLEGOMENA. . CXXiii. 



The characters of the gods and goddesses — Ju- 

 piter ahisonans, Minerva, Neptune, and all the 

 rest of them, as well as all the fables, symbols, 

 and ensigns which have become so popular, and 

 are entwined into every modern language, are mere 

 emblems either of the revealed truths perverted, 

 or of the elementary powers of nature. The 

 Golden Fleece, the Argonautic Expedition, the 

 sign Aries, and the others of the Zodiac, the torch 

 of Hymen, the trident of Neptune, the bolt of 

 Jove, the chest of Pandora, the Cornucopia, the 

 Seven Stars, the Phffiiiix, the Pelican, the Ibis, 

 the Scarabeus, and all the whole mythology, both 

 of the Egyptian divinities and of Northern fairies, 

 belongs to the same class, and will admit of an 

 easy explanation. Let protestants, before they 

 accuse us of idolatry, recollect that what few ce- 

 remonies and images they have, they derive from 

 us ; but that those are the real idolaters who 

 worship gold and sensuality, and who hunt after 

 idols of pleasure of their own creating instead 

 of following Christ.* 



Objection 2. We are accused of believing 

 in spurious miracles. 



Answer. We believe that miracles, so im- 

 portant to uphold the truth of the Christian 



* An analysis of Heathen Customs, on an enlarged scale, 

 will be found in Forster's Perennial Calendar, sold by all the 

 catholic booksellers. 



