Falkener, Edward: Ephesus and the temple of Diana (London, 1862)

THE CONTENTS OF THE TEMPLE. 299

curtain to be removed amidst the shouts of an
adoring multitude.

Whether Ave believe the heathen oracles to
have originated from imposture, and to have been
confirmed by the credulence and superstition of
subsequent ages; or whether with some we suppose
them to have been occasionally influenced by the
spirit of God, for the fulfilment of his wise purposes
in the government of the world : or with others,
that they were caused by supernatural magic and
sorcery ; certain it is that they were upheld by
deceit and chicanery, and the employment of what
is called natural magic. Thus, in the supernatural
appearance of the gods1 in the Temple of Hercules
at Tyre, of Esculapius at Tarsus,2 of the Syrian
goddess at Hierapolis,3 of the " Mothers " at
Euguium, or Eugyum, in Sicily,4 of Diana of
Letrini, near Elis,5 like that of Apollo as described
by Callimachus in the following manner, the effect
must have been produced by the aid of natural

manic.

o

' See how the laurel's hallowed branches wave !
Hark ! sounds tumultuous shake the trembling cave !
Far )Te profane ! far off! with beauteous fed
Bright Phcebus comes, and thunders at the yale :

1 Apollo, Diana, and Minerva were believed to have appeared
bodily in the defence of Delos, and the supernatural discomfiture
of the Gauls.—(Justinus, xxiv. G.)

2 Philost. Apol. Tyom. i. 7. s Lucian. de Dea Syria.

4 Pint, in Marcel. 20. The mothers are supposed to be Cybele,
Juno, and Ceres. 5 Paus. vi. 22.