ohen. It would be endless to
enumerate all the instances which might be brought of this nature. Of this,
I think, I am assured, that whoever will consider the uncouth names both of
Deities, and men, as well as of places, in the light recommended; and
attend to the mythology transmitted concerning them; will be able by these
helps to trace them to their original meaning. It is, I think, plain, that
what the Grecians so often interpreted [Greek: kunes], was an antient
Amonian title. When therefore I read of the brazen dog of Vulcan, of the
dog of Erigone, of Orion, of Geryon, of Orus, of Hercules, of Amphilochus,
of Hecate, I cannot but suppose, that they were the titles of so many
Deities; or else of their priests, who were denominated from their office.
In short, the Cahen of Egypt were no more dogs than the Paterae of Amon were
basons: and though Diodorus does say, that at the grand celebrity of
[90]Isis, the whole was preceded by dogs, yet I cannot help being persuaded
that they were the priests of the Goddess.

By this clue we may unravel many intricate histories transmitted from
different parts. In the temple of Vulcan, near mount AEtna, there are said
to have been a breed of dogs, which fawned upon good men, but were
implacable to the bad. [91]Inde etiam perpetuus ignis a Siculis alebatur in
AEtnaeo Vulcani templo, cui custodes adhibiti sunt sacri canes, blandientes
piis hominibus, in impios ferocientes. In the celebrated gardens of Electra
there was a golden dog, which shewed the same regard to good men, and was
as inveterate to others.

[92][Greek: Chruseos oidainonti kuon sunulaktee laimoi]
[Greek: Sainon ethada phota.]

What is more remarkable, there were many gaping dogs in this temple; which
are represented as so many statues, yet were endowed with life.

[93][Greek: Chasmasi poietoisi seseirotes anthereones]
[Greek: Pseudaleon skulakon stiches emphrones.]

Homer describes something of the same nature in the gardens of Alcinous.

[94][Greek: Chruseioi d' hekaterthe kai argureoi kunes esan,]
[Greek: Hous Hephaistos eteuxen iduieisi prapidessin,]
[Greek: Athanatous ontas, kai ageros emata panta.]

All this relates to the Cusean priests of Vulcan or Hephaistos, and to the
priesthood established in his temple: which priesthood was kept up by
succession, and never became extinct. What was Cusean, the Greeks often
rendered [Greek: Chruseion], as I shall hereafter shew. The same people
were also