_Mythology of the Stars._--I want (in perfect {24} ignorance whether there
is such a book) a "Mythology of the Stars." Considering how often persons
of sound mind express an enthusiasm for the celestial bodies, and exclaim,
of clear night, that the stars are the poetry of Heaven, it is wonderful
how little most of us know about them. Nine out of ten educated persons
would be quite unable to do more than point out the Great Bear and North
Star.
If there is not, there _ought_ to be, some collection of the nomenclature
and mythological history of the heavens, with a familiar treatise on
astrology ancient and modern. The Chaldeans, Egyptians, Grecians, Arabs,
Celts, and Norsemen, must have had names and stories, whose relation (both
in itself and to one another) would make a very pretty volume either of
poetry or prose. Perhaps some of your readers may be able to inform me of
such a work, or where detached masses of the information I want could be
found.