the northern Celtes, "the ancestors of the "Gauls, borrowed their "doctrines either from "the Perfians or their "neighbours, and that the Druids were form"ed upon the model of "the Magi." (Mythol. expl, Tom. II. 4to. p. .628.) We are, it is true, but very moderately acquainted with what the Gauls, the Britons or the Germans thought on this head; but as the little we know of their opinions, coincides very exactly with the EDDA, we may fafely fuppofe the fame conformity in the other particulars of which we are ignorant. Let thofe who doubt this, caft their eyes over the following paffages. "Zamolxis" (a celebrated Druid of the Getæ and Scythians) taught **his contemporaries, 66 "If we may believe "you," (fays Lucan to the Druids)" the fouls "of men do not defcend "into the abode of dark"nefs and filence, nor yet into the gloomy "empire of Pluto: you "fay that the fame fpirit "animates the body in "another world, and "that death is the paf"fage to a long life." Luc. Lib. 1. v. 454. "The Gauls" (fays Cæfar)" are particularly "affiduous to prove that "fouls perifh not." Cæf. Lib. 6. c. 14. Valerius Maximus, in a paffage quoted above in my REMARKS On the 16th Fable*, comes ftill nearer to the doctrine of the EDDA; for he tells us that the Celtes looked upon a quiet peaceable death as moft wretched and difhonourable, and that they leaped for joy at the approach of a battle, which would afford them oppor * Pag. 88. tunities tunities of dying with is "Among the ancient "Irish," fays Solinus, "when a woman "brought to bed of a fon, "the prays to the Gods "to give him the grace "to die in battle." This was to wifh falvation to the child. (See Solin. c. 25. p. 252.) These authorities may fuffice *: they do not indeed fay all that the EDDA does; but that makes this work fo much the more valuable. I cannot help adding to the authorities of our Author, what Quintus Curtius relates of the Sogdians: a nation, who inhabited to the eastward of the Cafpian Sea; not far from the country of ODIN and his companions. When fome of that people were condemned to death by Alexander, on account of their revolt, Carmen, Lætantium more, canere, tripudiifque & "lafciviori corporis motu, gaudium quoddam animi oftentare cœperunt.' When the king enquired the reafon of their thus rejoicing, they anfwered- "A tanto Rege, victore omnium gentium, MAJORIBUS SUIS "REDDITOS, boneftam mortem, quam fortes viri VOTO quoque expeterent, "Carminibus fui moris Lætitiaque celebrare,” Curt. Lib. 7. cap. 8. Edit. Varior. T. THE END OF THE FIRST PART OF THE EDDA. N 3 ΑΝ I DE A OF THE SECOND PART OF THE E D D A A. LL the most important points of the • northern * Mythology have been laid open in the preceding Dialogue, which forms the First Part of the EDDA. In the Second Part, the Author changing his stile, confines himself to the relation of feveral adventures which had happened to these Deities whom he hath been defcribing to us. The ancient SCALDS or Poets, are the guides he follows; and his chief aim is to explain the epithets and fynonymous expreffions, which have been in a manner confecrated in their language. The fame taste and mode of compofition prevails every where through this Second Part as in the former: We have conftantly Allegories, and * Celtique, Fr. Combats; Giants contending with the Gods, LoKE perpetually deceiving them; THOR interpofing in their defence, &c. This is nearly the whole of the Second Part. It would tire our Reader's patience to infert it here intire, although it is threefourths lefs than the former. I fhall perhaps stand in need of his indulgence, while I barely aim at giving him a fuccinct idea of it. "ÆGER, a Danish nobleman, was defirous, in imitation of GYLFE, of going to ASGARD, to vifit the Gods. The Deities expecting his coming, immediately mounted on their lofty feats, that they might receive him with the greater dignity: and the Goddeffes, who yielded to them in nothing, took their places along with them. ÆGER was fplendidly entertained. ODIN had ranged all along the hall where they feafted, fwords of fuch an amazing brilliancy, and polish, that no other illuminations were wanted. All the walls were covered with glittering fhields. They continued drinking for a long time large draughts of the most excellent mead. BRAGE, the God of Eloquence, fat next to Æger, and the Gods had committed their gueft to his care. The converfation that paffed between Æger and this Deity, is the fubject of this Second Part of the EDDA. Brage begins with re |