TERRORS FROM AN ECLIPSE. 331 
ling in splendour of machinery, and magnificence 
of achievement, the dazzling mythology of the 
eastern nations. Rude as their traditions were, 
in the gigantic exploits they detail, and the bold 
and varied imagery they employ, they are often 
invested with an air of romance, which shews that 
the people possessed no inferior powers of ima¬ 
gination. 
By their rude mythology, each lovely island 
was made a sort of fairy-land, and the spells of 
enchantment were thrown over its varied scenes. 
The sentiment of the poet that—■ 
“ Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth, 
Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep,” 
was one familiar to their minds ; and it is impos¬ 
sible not to feel interested in a people who were 
accustomed to consider themselves surrounded by 
invisible intelligences, and who recognized in the 
rising sun—the mild and silver moon—the shoot¬ 
ing star — the meteor’s transient flame — the 
ocean’s roar—the tempest’s blast, or the evening 
breeze—the movements of mighty spirits. The 
mountain’s summit, and the fleecy mists that hang 
upon its brows—the rocky defile—the foaming 
cataract — and the lonely dell — were all re¬ 
garded as the abode or resort of these invisible 
beings. 
An eclipse of the moon filled them with dismay; 
they supposed the planet was natua, or under the 
influence of the spell of some evil spirit that was 
destroying it. Hence they repaired to the temple, 
and offered prayers for the moon’s release. Some 
imagined that on an eclipse, the sun and moon 
were swallowed by the god which they had by 
neglect offended. Liberal presents were offered. 
