CHAP. XIII. MYSTERIES OF OSIRIS. 327 



already happened, and introducing that mystery 

 into their religious system.* 



Of the mysteries and of the festiv^als in honour 

 of Osiris, we can obtain Uttle or no information 

 from ancient authors. The former were too sacred 

 to be divulged ; and few of the Greeks and other 

 strangers were admitted even into those of the 

 lesser order. They w^ere divided into the greater 

 and less mysteries ; and before admission into the 

 former, it was necessary that the initiated should 

 have passed through all the gradations of the latter. 

 But, to merit this great honour, much was expected 

 of the candidate, and many even of the priesthood 

 were unable to obtain it. Besides the proofs of 

 a virtuous life, other recommendations were re- 

 quired ; and to be admitted to all the grades of 

 the higher mysteries, was the greatest honour to 

 which any one could aspire. 



It was from these that the mysteries of Eleusist 

 were borrowed. For, though celebrated in honour 

 of Osiris, they applied more immediately to Isis, 

 and to the grief she felt for the loss of her consort, 

 as the former recorded the lamentations of Ceres 

 at the fate of her daughter. The Themophoria, 

 in honom* of the same Goddess, were also derived 

 from Egypt. § 



Herodotus mentions a ceremony on the Lake of 

 Sais, in which the history of Osiris was represented. 

 They styled it the Mysteries. "Though," adds 

 the historian t, " I am well ac(piainted with them, 



* Supra, p. 200. f Vide Diotlor. i. 29. 



J Herodot. ii. 171. § Vide infra. Chap. \\. 



Y 4 



