f the Oriental races. And a dabbler
in the Eastern tongues even sought to reduce the simple name of Zanoni,
which a century before had been borne by an inoffensive naturalist of
Bologna (The author of two works on botany and rare plants.), to the
radicals of the extinct language. Zan was unquestionably the Chaldean
appellation for the sun. Even the Greeks, who mutilated every Oriental
name, had retained the right one in this case, as the Cretan inscription
on the tomb of Zeus (Ode megas keitai Zan.--"Cyril contra Julian." (Here
lies great Jove.)) significantly showed. As to the rest, the Zan, or
Zaun, was, with the Sidonians, no uncommon prefix to On. Adonis was but
another name for Zanonas, whose worship in Sidon Hesychius records. To
this profound and unanswerable derivation Mervale listened with great
attention, and observed that he now ventured to announce an erudite
discovery he himself had long since made,--namely, that the numerous
family of Smiths in England were undoubtedly the ancient priests of the
Phrygian Apollo. "For," said he, "was not Apollo's surname, in
Phrygia, Smintheus? How clear all the ensuing corruptions of the august
name,--Smintheus, Smitheus, Smithe, Smith! And even now, I may remark
that the more ancient branches of that illustrious family, unconsciously
anxious to approximate at least by a letter nearer to the true title,
take a pious pleasure in writing their names Smith_e_!"

The philologist was much struck with this discovery, and begged
Mervale's permission to note it down as an illustration suitable to a
work he was about to publish on the origin of languages, to be called
"Babel," and published in three quartos by subscription.

CHAPTER 2.VII.

Learn to be poor in spirit, my son, if you would penetrate that
sacred night which environs truth. Learn of the Sages to allow
to the Devils no power in Nature, since the fatal stone has shut
'em up in the depth of the abyss. Learn of the Philosophers
always to look for natural causes in all extraordinary events;
and when such natural causes are wanting, recur to God.--The
Count de Gabalis.

All these additions to his knowledge of Zanoni, picked up in the various
lounging-places and resorts that he frequented, were unsatisfactory to
Glyndon. That night Viola did not perform at the theatre; and the next
day, still disturbed by bewildered fancies, and averse to the sober and
sarcastic companionship of M