CHAP. XIII. GODDESS OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE. 29 



though the resemblance of the Urim and the Uraeus 

 (or basiHsk), the symbol of majesty, suggested 

 by Lord Prudhoe, is very remarkable, I am disposed 

 to think the *Uights;" Aorim or Urim, more nearly 

 related to the Sun, which is seated in the breast- 

 plate with the figure of Truth. 



This Goddess was sometimes represented by 

 two similar figures placed close to each other ; 

 or by one figure wearing two ostrich feathers, 

 her emblem ; and sometimes by the two feathers 

 alone, as in the scales of the final judgment. It is 

 to these figures that Plutarch * alludes, when he 

 speaks of the two Muses at Hermopolis, under 

 the names of Isis and Justice. Diodorus describes 

 the chief judge in the sculptures of the tomb of 

 Osymandyast, with the figure of Truth suspended 

 to his neck, with her eyes closed ; and it is worthy 

 of remark, that the same mode of representing 

 the Goddess occurs in the paintings of Thebes t, 

 confirming the account of the historian, and es- 

 tablishing her claims to the character I have given 

 her.§ 



Her principal occupations were in the lower re- 

 gions, and she was on earth the great cardinal virtue. 

 For the Ancients considered, that as Truth or Jus- 

 tice influenced men's conduct towards their neiffh- 

 bours, and tended to maintain that harmony and 

 good will which were most essential for the welfare 

 of society, it was of far greater importance than the 

 other three, — Prudence, Temperance, and Forti- 



* Pint, de Is. s. 3. t Diodor. i. 48. 



X Plate 49. Part 1. fig. 2. § Vide Mater. Hierog. p. 46. 



