only of all riches which come from thence, and are at length swallowed
up by it, but likewise of the dead; for as all living things spring from
the earth, so are they resolved into the principles whence they arose.
Proserpine is by them reputed to be the seed or grain of fruits or corn,
which must be taken into the earth, and hid there before it can be
nourished by it.

PLUTUS, the god of riches. Though Plutus be not an infernal god, yet as
his name and office were similar to Pluto's, we shall here distinguish
them, although both were gods of riches. Pluto was born of Saturn and
Ops, or Rhea, and was brother of Jupiter and Neptune; but Plutus, the
god of whom we here speak, was son of Jason or Jasion by Ceres. He is
represented blind and lame, injudicious and fearful. Being lame, he
confers estates but slowly: for want of judgment, his favors are
commonly bestowed on the unworthy; and as he is timorous, so he obliges
rich men to watch their treasures with fear. Plutus is painted with
wings, to signify the swiftness of his retreat, when he takes his
departure. Little more of him remains in story, than that he had a
daughter named Euriboea; unless the comedy of Aristophanes, called by
his name, be taken into the account.

Aristophanes says that this deity, having at first a very clear sight,
bestowed his favors only on the just and good: but that after Jupiter
deprived him of vision, riches fell indifferently to the good and the
bad. A design being formed for the recovery of his sight, Penia or
poverty opposed it, making it appear that poverty is the mistress of
arts, sciences, and virtues, which would be in danger of perishing if
all men were rich; but no credit being given to her remonstrance, Plutus
recovered his sight in the temple of AEsculapius, whence the temples and
altars of other gods, and those of Jupiter himself, were abandoned, the
whole world sacrificing to Plutus alone.

PROSERPINE, the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres, was educated with Minerva
and Di{=a}na. By reason of this familiar intercourse, each chose a place
in the island of Sicily for her particular residence. Minerva look the
parts near Himera; Di{=a}na those about Syracuse; and Proserpine, in
common with her sister goddesses, enjoyed the pleasant fields of Enna.
Near at hand are groves and gardens, surrounded with morasses and a deep
cave, with a passage under ground, opening towards the north. In this
happy retirement was Proserpine situated, wh