AND FOR
THE BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE MYTHOLOGY
OF GREECE.
We must never deduce the etymology of an Egyptian or oriental term from the Greek language. Eustathius well observes, Ει βαρβαρον το ονομα ου χρη ζητειν Ἑλληνικην ετυμολογιαν αυτου.
We should recur to the Doric manner of expression, as being nearest to the original.
The Greeks adopted all foreign history: and supposed it to have been of their own country.
They mistook temples for Deities, and places for persons.
They changed every foreign term to something similar in their own language; to something similar in sound, however remote in meaning; being led solely by the ear.
They constantly mistook titles for names; and from these titles multiplied their Deities and Heroes.
All terms of relation between the Deities to be disregarded.
As the Grecians were mistaken, it is worth our while to observe the mode of error and uniformity of mistake. By attending to this, we may bring things back to their primitive state, and descry in antient terms the original meaning.