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GRACES

Volume 2 · 112 words · 1771 Edition

heathen mythology, three goddesses, whose names were Agla, Thalia, and Euphrosyne; that is, shining, flourishing, and gay; or, according to some authors, Pasithae, Euphrosyne, and Agiale. Some make them the daughters of Jupiter, and Eurynome, or Eunomia, the daughter of Oceanus; but the most common opinion is, that they were the daughters of Bacchus and Venus.

They are sometimes represented dressed, but more frequently naked; to shew, perhaps, that whatever is truly graceful, is so in itself, without the aid of exterior ornaments. They presided over mutual kindness and acknowledgment; bestowed liberality, eloquence, and wisdom, together with a good grace, gaiety of disposition, and easiness of manners.

Graculus, in ornithology. See Corvus.