us, and has been compared to the '_miserere_' of Rome,
was followed, _in three days_, by the language of
triumph."[222:3]

Herodotus, who had been initiated into the Egyptian and Grecian
"_Mysteries_," speaks thus of them:

"At Sais (in Egypt), in the sacred precinct of Minerva; behind
the chapel and joining the wall, is the tomb of one whose name
I consider it impious to divulge on such an occasion; and in
the inclosure stand large stone obelisks, and there is a lake
near, ornamented with a stone margin, formed in a circle, and
in size, as appeared to me, much the same as that in Delos,
which is called the circular. In this lake they perform by
night the representation of that person's adventures, which
they call _mysteries_. On these matters, however, though
accurately acquainted with the particulars of them, _I must
observe a discreet silence_; and respecting the sacred rites
of Ceres, which the Greeks call Thesmyphoria, although I am
acquainted with them, I must observe silence except so far as
is lawful for me to speak of them."[222:4]

_Horus_, son of the virgin _Isis_, experienced similar misfortunes. The
principal features of this sacred romance are to be found in the
writings of the Christian Fathers. They give us a description of the
grief which was manifested at his death, and of the rejoicings at his
_resurrection_, which are similar to those spoken of above.[222:5]

_Atys_, the Phrygian Saviour, was put to death, _and rose again from
the dead_. Various histories were given of him in various places, but
all accounts terminated in the usual manner. He was one of the "Slain
Ones" who rose to life again on the 25th of March, or the "_Hilaria_" or
primitive Easter.[223:1]

_Mithras_, the Persian Saviour, and mediator between God and man, was
believed by the inhabitants of Persia, Asia Minor and Armenia, to have
been put to death, _and to have risen again from the dead_. In their
mysteries, the body of a young man, apparently dead, was exhibited,
which was feigned to be restored to life. By his sufferings he was
believed to have worked their salvation, and on this account he was
called their "_Saviour_." His priests watched his tomb to the midnight
of the veil of the 25th of March, _with loud cries, and in darkness_;
when all at once the lights burst forth from all parts, and the priest
cried:

"_Rejoice, Oh sacred Initia