The from its upper extremity. The soil is described as a mixture of coarse marl and sand. chemical reader will be at no loss to perceive that this imflammable gas is produced by the decomposition of certain substances, under the surface; and that it is probably the same with the carbonated hydrogen gas, which is obtained from coal, for the purpose of lighting streets and manufactures. The naphtha springs, in the neighbourhood of Baku, are a copious source of revenue to the khan. The naphtha, of which the the principal spring is in a small uninhabited island, is of various degrees of consistence: sometimes it is in a liquid form, when it boils over and runs in a continued stream; and sometimes solid and black, like pitch. If accidentally kindled, the whole course of the current, as it proceeds to a great distance into the sea, appears in a flame. The naphtha is collected in reservoirs, and it is drawn -off from one to another, for the purpose of purification; it is conveyed in vessels to different parts of Persia, and is employed, by the poorer inhabitants, for both light and heat. Springs of hot water are found in the same vicinity; and are employed, for both bathing and drinking, in the cure of various diseases. The naphtha, taken internally, or used as an external application, is also regarded as a sovereign remedy in a long list of disorders; though it may be doubted, whether it penetrates instantaneously into the blood, as has been asserted. Hanway's Travals. and Asphaltus yielded light. Asphaltus, or Jew's pitch, an inflammable mineral substance, which is found on the waters of the Dead Sea, in Palestine; and, far more abundantly, in the extensive tar lake, in the island of Trinidad, in the West Indies. 731 And some the Architect. Vulcan, whom they feigned to have been thrown by Jupiter from heaven, to the Isle of Lemnos in the Ægeon Sea, where he constructed immense forges; likewise in Mount Etna, and worked there with his black Cyclops: his talents were celebrated; and Jupiter, his father, loaded him with honour, and made him god of fire: many temples were erected to him; where he was represented, leaning upon an anvil, and having the eagle ready to carry the thunder: he assisted the Titans in their war against heaven. Vulcan is Tubal, see Genisis, iv. 22. 739 In ancient Greece. Græcia, a celebrated country of Europe, bounded on the west by the Ionian Sea, south by the Mediterranean Sea, east by the Ægean, and north by Thrace and Dalmatia. This country has been reckoned superior to every other part of the earth, on account of the salubrity of the air, the temperature of the climate, the fertility of the soil, and, above all, the fame, learning and arts of its inhabitants. The austerity of their laws, and the education of their youth, particularly at Lacedæmon, rendered them brave and active, insensible to bodily pain, and fearless and intrepid in the time of danger. The Greeks planted many colonies, and totally peopled the western coast of Asia Minor. In the eastern parts of Italy, there 739 were also many settlements made; and the country received, from its Greek inhabitants, the name of Magna Grecia. and in Ausonian land. Ausonia, one of the ancient names of Italy, which it received from Auson, the son of Ulysses. Men called him Mulciber. 764 thrown by angry Jove. Jove, a title of Jupiter, On Lemnos th' Ægean Isle. Lemnos, an island in the Ægean Sea, between Tenedos, Imbros, and Samothrace. It was sacred to Vulcan, called Lamnius pater, who fell there when kicked from heaven by Jupiter. Lemnos is one hundred and twelve miles in circumference, according to Pliny, who says that it is often shadowed by Mount Athos, though at the distance of eighty-seven miles. It has been called Hipsipyle, from Queen Hipsipyle. It is famous for a certain kind of earth or chalk, called terra Lemnia, or terra sigillata, from the impression or seal which it can bear. As the inhabitants were blacksmiths, the poets have taken occasion to fix the forges of Vulcan in that island, and to consecrate the whole country to its divinity. Lemnos is also celebrated for a labyrinth, which, according to some traditions, surpassed those of Crete and Egypt. Some remains of it were still visible in the age of Pliny. The island of Lemnos is now called Stalimene. and at the Soldan's chair. Soldan or Sultan, an ancient title used by the Turks, Persians and Arabians to their emperors. 765 Defy'd the best of Panim chivalry. Heathenish champions or horse soldiers. 780 when the sun with Taurus rides. Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters in April. The twelve signs of the zodiac may not here be inapplicable to our young friends, whom we particularly address. The ram, the bull, the heavenly twins, The virgin and the scales, like that pygmean race. The race of Pygmæi, said to be a nation of dwarfs in the most extreme parts of India. 794 The great seraphic lords and cherubin, Belonging to the highest order of angels, cherubim to the second. 795 In close recess and secret conclave sat. A council chamber; a secret hall, appointed for the election of popes. Conclave here means a council chamber within the Pandemonian. 796 A thousand demi-gods on golden seats. Those gods, among the heathen, who partook of human nature, as Hercules, &c. END OF FIRST BOOK. BOOK II. 2 2 3 Out-shone the wealth of Ormus. An island in Asia, in the Gulf of Persia. Asia may be esteemed the richest and most fruitful part of the world: it supplies us with the richest spices, drugs, diamonds and other precious stones; with silks, muslins, coffee, tea, &c. and of Ind. The Indus, called by the natives Sindek, is the boundary of India to the west, and gives name to the country. It derives its origin from ten streams, springing remote from each other, out of the Persian and Tartarian mountains, one of which originates in Cashmere. In its course to the Indian Sea, it receives five great rivers: the Behut, the ancient Hydaspes; the Chunab or ancient Acesinas; the Rauvee, or Hydrastes; the Setlege, or Hesudrus; and a river on the ancient Hyphasis. These rivers form the Panjah, or country of the five rivers. The Indus is also called the Nilab or Blue river and the Attock. Its whole course is one thousand miles. Or where the gorgeous east. The eastern peninsula of India, Hindoostan, &c. 43 He ceas'd; and next him Moloch, scepter'd king. A king, the god of the Amorites; to whom F |