the Hyperborean; a celebrated sage of antiquity, whose history and travels have been the subject of much learned discussion. Such a number of fabulous stories* were told of him, that Herodotus himself seems to scruple to relate them. He tells us only†, that this Barbarian was said to have travelled with an arrow, and to have taken no sustenance: but this does not acquaint us with the marvellous properties which were attributed to that arrow; nor that it had been given him by the Hyperborean Apollo. With regard to the occasion of his leaving his native country, Harpocrates‡ tells us, that the whole earth being infected with a deadly plague, Apollo, upon being consulted, gave no other answer, than that the Athenians should offer up prayers in behalf of all other nations: upon which, several countries deputed ambassadors to Athens, among whom was Abaris the Hyperborean. In this journey, he renewed the alliance between his countrymen and the inhabitants of the island of Delos. It appears that he also went to Lacedemon; since, according to some writers‖, he there built a temple consecrated to Proserpine the Salutary. It is asserted, that he was capable of foretelling earthquakes, driving away plagues, laying storms‡, &c. He wrote several books, Porphyry says Suidas† informs us, viz. Apollo's arrival into the country of the Hyperboreans; The nuptials of the river‡ Under the Hebros; ὁ γονεύς, or the Generation of the Gods; A word ἀγαπητόν collection of oracles; &c. Himerius the sophist applauds him for speaking pure Greek; which attainment will be no matter of wonder to such as consider the ancient intercourse there was between the Greeks and Hyperboreans.—If the Hebrides, or Western Islands of Scotland, (says Mr Toland*), were the Ἀβάρις of the Drupeboreans of Diodorus†, then the celebrated Abaris, in his was of that country; and likewise a druid, having been the priest of Apollo. Suidas, who knew not the distinction of the infular Hyperboreans, makes him a Scythian; as do some others, misled by the same vulgar error; though Diodorus has truly fixed his country in an island, and not on the continent. Indeed the fictions and mistakes concerning our Abaris are infinite: however, it is by all agreed that he travelled quite over Greece, and thence into Italy, where he conversed familiarly with Pythagoras, who favoured him beyond all his disciples, by instructing him in his doctrines (especially his thoughts of nature) in a plainer and more compendious method than he did any other. This distinction could not but be very advantageous to Abaris. The Hyperborean, in return, presented the Samian, as though he equalled Apollo himself in wisdom, with the sacred arrow, on which the Greeks have fabulously related‡ that he sat affrighted, and flew upon it, through the air, over rivers and lakes, forests and mountains; in like manner as our vulgar still believe, particularly those of the Hebrides, that wizards and witches fly whithersoever they please on their broomsticks. The orator Himerius above mentioned, though one of those who, from the equivocal sense of the word Hyperborean, seem to have mistaken Abaris for a Scythian, yet describes his person accurately, and gives him a very noble character. "They relate (says he) that Abaris the sage was by nation an Hyperborean, appeared a Grecian in speech, and resembled a Scythian in his habit and appearance. He came to Athens, holding a bow in his hand, having a quiver hanging on his shoulders, his body wrapped up in a plaid, girt about the loins with a gilded belt, and wearing trowsers reaching from his waist downward." By this it is evident (continues Mr Toland) that he was not habited like the Scythians, who were always covered with skins; but appeared in the native garb of an Aboriginal Scot. As to what relates to his abilities, Himerius informs us, that "he was affable and pleasant in conversation, in dispatching great affairs secret and industrious, quick-lighted in present exigencies, in preventing future dangers circumspect, a searcher after wisdom, desirous of friendship, trusting little to fortune, and having every thing trusted him for his prudence." Neither the Academy nor the Lyceum could have furnished a man with fitter qualities to travel so far abroad, and to such wise nations. ABA

And if we further attentively consider his moderation in eating, drinking, and the use of all those things which our natural appetites incessantly crave; joining the candour and simplicity of his manners with the fidelity and wisdom of his answers, all which we find sufficiently attested; it must be owned, that the world at that time had few to compare with Abaris.