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The history of silk, cotton, linen, wool, and other fibrous ... - Cd3wd.com

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PASTORAL LIFE OF THE ANCIENTS. 251<br />

sculptor in iEgina, in which he was represented carrying a ram<br />

under his arm, <strong>and</strong> which they placed in the great temple <strong>of</strong><br />

Jupiter at Olympia*. At Corinth there was a brazen statue <strong>of</strong><br />

Mercury in a sitting posture with a ram st<strong>and</strong>ing beside him.<br />

According to Pausanias (ii. 3, 4.) the reason <strong>of</strong> this representa-<br />

tion was, that <strong>of</strong> all the gods Mercury was thought most to<br />

take care <strong>of</strong> flocks <strong>and</strong> to promote their increase. But, as the<br />

Corinthians had httle or nothing to do with the tending <strong>of</strong><br />

sheep <strong>and</strong> were devoted to <strong>com</strong>merce, we may ask what inter-<br />

est had they in this attribute <strong>of</strong> Mercury? It is very evident<br />

that it could only be an interest arising from the part which Cor-<br />

inth took in the <strong>wool</strong>-trade. That the Arcadians did not<br />

themselves consume their <strong>wool</strong> is manifest. How could they<br />

have built cities, which were so large, numerous, <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>some<br />

in proportion to the extent <strong>of</strong> their country, <strong>and</strong> have lived<br />

even in that degree <strong>of</strong> elegance <strong>and</strong> luxury, to which they at-<br />

tained, unless they had been able to dispose <strong>of</strong> the chief prod-<br />

uce <strong>of</strong> their soil in a pr<strong>of</strong>itable manner 7 It is probable<br />

therefore, that the representation <strong>of</strong> Mercury or <strong>of</strong> his emblems<br />

in conjunction with the figure <strong>of</strong> the sheep on the coins <strong>of</strong> Cor-<br />

inth <strong>and</strong> Patrce may be regarded as an intimation, that the<br />

Arcadians disposed <strong>of</strong> their <strong>wool</strong> in those cities for exportation<br />

to foreign countries.<br />

But, notwithst<strong>and</strong>ing the important share, which Mercury<br />

had in the religious sentiments <strong>and</strong> observances <strong>of</strong> the Arca-<br />

dians, the proper god <strong>of</strong> the shepherds <strong>of</strong> Arcadia was Pan, <strong>and</strong><br />

we have already had abundant evidence to suggest the convic-<br />

tion, that their songs <strong>and</strong> dances were performed principally in<br />

honor <strong>of</strong> him, <strong>and</strong> were supposed to be taught, guided, <strong>and</strong><br />

animated by him.<br />

Arcadia has for many centuries exhibited a most melancholy<br />

contrast to that condition <strong>of</strong> hardy <strong>and</strong> yet peaceful independ-<br />

ence, <strong>of</strong> rustic simplicity united with tasteful elegance, <strong>of</strong> so-<br />

cial kindness <strong>and</strong> domestic enjoyment undisturbed by the proj-<br />

ects <strong>of</strong> ambition, which has supplied many <strong>of</strong> the most beauti-<br />

ful pictures to the writers <strong>of</strong> poetry <strong>and</strong> romance. <strong>The</strong> great<br />

* Paus. 1. V. 27. 5. <strong>and</strong> 1. viii. 14. 7.

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