Janus first instituted them in gratitude to Saturn,
from whom he had learnt agriculture; others suppose
that they were first celebrated in the year of Rome
257, after a victory obtained over the Latins by the
dictator, Posthumius. The Saturnalia were originally
celebrated only for one day, but afterwards the solemnity
continued for three, four, five, and at last for seven
days. The celebration was remarkable for the
license which universally prevailed. The slaves
were permitted to ridicule their masters, and to speak
with freedom upon any subject. It was usual for
friends to make presents one to another; all animosity
ceased; no criminals were executed; schools were shut;
war was never declared, but all was mirth, riot, and
debauchery. In the sacrifices the priests made
their offerings with their heads uncovered,—a
custom which was never observed at other festivals.
The Divalia was a feast held on the 2lst of
December, in honour of the goddess Angerona,
whence it is also called Angeronalia. On the day
of this festival the pontifices performed sacrifices
in the temple of Voluptia, or the goddess of joy and
pleasure, who, some say, was the same with Angerona,
and supposed to drive away all the sorrow and chagrin
of life.
The feast of Laurentinalia was held on the
23rd of December, but was ordered to be observed twice
a year by Augustus; by some supposed to be in honour
of the Lares, a kind of domestic genii, or divinities,
worshipped in houses, and esteemed the guardians and
protectors of families, supposed to reside in chimney-corners.
Others have attributed this feast in honour of Acca
Laurentia, the nurse of Romulus and Remus, and wife
of Faustulus.
P.T.W.
* * * *
*
(For the Mirror.)
Hibernia.—Ireland is called by the
Latin writers, Hibernia, Ivernia—Ierne[1]—and
Verna—names differing but little
in sound, and all, merely Latinizations of the Irish
words Ibh Eirin—that is, the Land
of Erie—for Ibh, in Irish, signifies
a land, or country, and Eirin is the genitive
case of Eire, the name of Ireland in the Irish
tongue—from Ibh Eirin the Romans
formed Hibernia, &c. the termination only being Latin—and
from Eire, by adding land, the Saxons
formed Eireland or Ireland. This
Eire was a very ancient queen who gave her name to
the country, as in modern times Virginia was
called after Queen Elizabeth, Maryland after
the queen of Charles I., &c.
[1] Scotorum cumulos flevit
glacialis Ierne. CLAUDIAN.
