A Dissertation on the Mysteries of the Cabiri, Vol. I

CHAP. I.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

THE fictions of ancient poetry, however wild and extravagant, will generally be found to comprehend some portion of historical truth. Hence, the classical mythology of paganism, although it be now happily superseded by a purer religion, may yet give rise to investigations, not totally devoid of utility. Impious and absurd as it was, much valuable information may nevertheless be extracted from it; and it is pleasing to find that, while the idols of the Gentiles A term often used for non-Jewish or non-Christian nations bow down before the God of Christianity, their fabulous legends also are constrained to bear testimony to the truth of Scripture.

Perhaps no part of heathen mythology is involved in a greater degree of obscurity, than the Mysteries of the Cabiri. The rites of these highly venerated personages were carefully concealed from the vulgar eye; the authors, who occasionally mention them, seem to shudder with superstitious dread at the thought of revealing their secrets to the profane Those outside the initiated group.