455 
1876.] The Cradle of Civilisation. 
cides with 1188 years before Christ, and thus agrees very 
nearly with the time at which the Greeks say the Trojan war 
took place. 
“ Another remarkable difference consists in this, that the 
Myths know no origin, do not name either writers or relators 
of their stories, and therefore never can bring forward any 
authority ; whereas in Adela’s book for every statement is 
given a notice where it was found or whence it was taken. 
For instance — ‘ This comes from Minno’s writings — this is 
written on the walls of Waraburch — this is in the town of 
Frya — this at Stavia— this at Walhallagara.’ 
“ There is also this, further. Laws, regular legislative 
enactments, such as are found in great numbers in Adela’s 
book, are utterly unknown in Mythology, and indeed are 
irreconcilable with its existence. Even when the Myth 
attributes to Minos the introduction of law-giving into Crete, 
it does not give the least account of what the legislation 
consisted in. Also, among the gods of mythology there 
existed no system of laws. The only law was unchangeable 
Destiny and the will of the supreme Zeus.” 
Now, as regards the alleged non-mythical character of the 
“ Oera Linda Book,” we point out elsewhere some instances 
to the contrary which seem to have escaped Dr. Ottema’s 
notice. But the entire cosmogony contained in the “ Book 
of Adela’s Followers ” is mythical in the fullest sense of the 
word. Hertha gives birth to three maidens ; — 
“ Lyda out of fierce heat. 
“ Finda out of strong heat. 
“ Frya out of moderate heat. 
“ When the last came into existence Wr-alda breathed 
his spirit upon her, in order that men might be bound to 
him. As soon as they were full-grown they took pleasure 
and delight in the visions of Wr-alda. 
“ Hatred found its way among them. They each bore 
twelve sons and twelve daughters- — at each Jule-time a 
couple. Thence come all mankind.” 
This surely is of the very essence of mythology, as is the 
next following account of the apotheosis of Frya and her 
transfer to a watch-star. But admitting that the “ Oera 
Linda Book” differs in some points from the majority of 
mythological legends, we must draw from this circumstance 
a conclusion widely differing from that of Dr. Ottema. The 
references to authorities and the exact dates are, in our 
opinion, no mean testimony in favour of its being a suppo- 
sitious production. 
