As for the lighter poems, they are calculated only for amusement. But the Author has the satisfaction of reflecting, that nothing will be found in them which can offend against the purest feeling of religion, morality, or delicacy. Studley Priory, Sept. 1840. ALEXANDER CROKE. Introduction, and subject proposed. The creation.-Man created perfect, and the worshipper of one God.-His fall, and consequent corruption the cause of idolatry.-General wicked- ness and idolatry.-The destruction of mankind by the The tower of Babel, built in honour of Baal.- The dispersion of mankind, and, with them, idolatry disseminated through the The Sabæan idolatry of the Arabians.-Job, unpolluted by it, retains the worship of the true God. Idolatry further extended, and the foundation and origin of it. Worship of the heavenly bodies.-Deification of the inventors of useful arts, benefactors, conquerors, princes, the powers of inferior Deities.-Creation of the world.-Brahm, Maya.Brahma produced.-Creates the world. The wives of the Deities their active agents.-Sarasvati, Brahma's consort. Vishnu, his powers.—Lachsmi, his wife, sprung from the Ocean, when churned, as Rembha, Queen of Beauty and Love.Their son Cama, resembling Cupid.--He attacks Siva, by whom his corporeal parts are consumed.-Vishnu's Avatars, or descents upon the earth.-His ninth, as Chrishna.—The Gopis. His marriage and adventures with Radha.-Gita Govinda, his many wives. BOOK III. EASTERN IDOLATRY CONTINUED. Page 55. Siva. His wife Parvati, as Anna Purna, as Durga, as Kali.— Her two sons, Ganesa and Kartikeya.-Other Gods.—Indra, Ganga, Arun the Dawn, Surga the Sun, Chandra the Moon, Rama and Sita his wife.-Hanuman.-Yama, the god of Hell; his wife Bhavani. Corruption of worship and morals.-Introduction of Christianity. BOOK IV. NORTHERN OR GOTHIC IDOLATRY. Page 69. Odin.-Religion affected by the climate.-They held one God, and an original Chaos.-Creation of the world.-First, the Giants from Ymer's body, then Odin and the Aser.-The |