hment"--a shadowy tradition, I
presume, of the state of innocence! It may also be true that "the mythology
of the Nile agrees with that of the Ganges." But it would not follow that
the cross is a myth derived from the mysteries of Egypt or the astronomy of
India. It would still remain an unquestionable fact, that the cross, for
ages an instrument of ignominious torture under Pagan Rome, only ceased to
be so when Christianity had won its way through all ranks of society up to
the imperial throne; then its employment was abolished by Constantine,
partly from the humanising influence of the new faith, and partly out of
reverence to Him who had suffered on it for the world's redemption.

The anticipations of Christianity supplied by Paganism, of which Krishna
"burnishing the head of the serpent" is a striking example, may be easily
accounted for, and their source pointed out. As a corruption of the
earliest revelation, Paganism contains, as might be expected, a portion of
truth blended with much error. Indeed, it would be no difficult task to
prove that classical and oriental mythology is in some sense, and to a
great extent, the shadow of biblical truth. What then? In endeavouring to
supplant idolatry in the Roman empire, were the Apostles and first
preachers of Christianity merely "fighting their own shadow?" They
recognised those truths which even heathens admit, but opposed and
overthrew the accumulated errors of ages. Yet there were some even then who
condemned the preaching of the cross as "foolishness," till success
demonstrated its wisdom.

Lastly, H. N., having "travelled much in this country and on the
Continent," is convinced "that superstition prevails comparatively _less_
in Asia than in Europe," and that "the pages of 'N. & Q.' abundantly
corroborate the opinion."

This is far more startling than the discovery of the "cross and basilica"
at Muttra. To admit it, however, would require us to disregard the
testimony of a cloud of witnesses, and to ignore all our former reading.
The vast systems of Asiatic superstition, it seems, are less objectionable
than our own folk lore; the tremendous shades of Brahma and Budhu, of
Juggernaut and the goddess Kali, with their uncouth images and horrid
worship, are harmless when compared with Puck, the Pixies, and Robin
Goodfellow; and Caste, Suttee, and Devil-worship[3] are evils of less
magnitude than cairns, kist-vaens, and cromlechs. The mental balance must
be peculiarly