The mythology of the Persians is fully as extravagant as that of the Hindoos. Anciently, as we learn from lierodotus, Strabo, and other writers, they worshipped the Sun, under the name of Mithras, and also paid ado ration to Fire, as representing the Sun. This is the re ligion of the Magi, which is said to have been introduced by Zoroaster. They also acknowledge the good and bad principle, under the names of Oromazes and Ari manius ; and they hold that, before the creation of Adam, this globe was inhabited by a race of beings called Peri and Dives ; the former, described as beautiful and be nevolent ; the latter, as deformed, malignant, and mis chievous. These beings make a great figure in the Persian poetry and romances. Indeed, Persia appears to be the genuine classic ground of eastern mythology, and the source of chivalry and romance ; which seen) to have been propagated from thence to the regions of Scandinavia, and to the remotest corners of Europe.
For an account of the mythology of the Americans we must conhtut ;lie annals of Peru and 'Mexico. The most remarkable article in the Peruvian religion is the worship of the Sun, and the pretended extraction of their first Inca, 1\1am-0-Caine, and his consort °culla, from that luminary. The idolatry of Pern was mild and bene ficent ; that of Mexico, gloorhy and sanguinary.
There arc but few vestiges remaining of the super stitions of the Celtic nations, and the Druidical worship. Thc mythology of thc northern nations of Europe, on the other hand, is uncommonly curious and entertaining. Their mythological traditions, which rival the extrava gance of the Peruvian fables, are to be found in the Edda and Voluspa. The Edda appears to have beer) compiled in Iceland in the thirteenth century, but, by whom, is uncertain. The greater part of this work is filled with the exploits and adventures of their supreme divinity, Odin, or Wodan. The greatest earthly happi
ness, according to the notions of those people, consisted in warlike enterprises ; and, accordingly, Odin is repre sented as the God of Battles, and of irresistible prowess. He is supposed to have emigrated from the east ; but from what country, or at what period, is uncertain. His palace is called Valhal or Valhalla, and is situated in the city of 'Midgard, where the souls of heroes who hale bravely fallen in battle enjoy supreme felicity. There they are represented as spending the day in mimic hunt ing matches, or imaginal.), combats. At night they as semble in the palace of Valhalla, where they feast on the most delicious viands, di cssed and served up by the Valkyriz—virgins adorned with celestial charms, and blooming with perpetual youth. One of their highest pleasures is drinking mead (the nectar of the Scandina vian heroes) out of the skulls of enemies whom they had killed in their earthly battles. Slupsur, the horse of Odin, is equally celebrated with his master. The hell of the Scandinavians was called Hela ; and Lok was the evil genius or devil of the northern nations, resembling very nearly the Typhon of the Egyptians. Signa or Sinna was the consort of Lok ; from whcnce is derived the English word sin. They had also a number of dwarfs and giants, who performed a variety of exploits, and were exhibited in the most frightful attitudes. Properly speak ing, however, Thor was the principal divinity of the Ice landers and Norwegians ; and Odin, or Wodan, of the Swedes, Danes, and North Germans. According to ri's description, Thor was represented as a person of colossal stature, with a hammer in his hand. The name was a term of later introduction, which was employed as a genet al designation of the northern di