in antiquity, solemn feasts in honour of Venus, and in memory of her beloved Adonis. The Adonia were observed with great solemnity by most nations; Greeks, Phoenicians, Lycians, Syrians, Egyptians, &c. From Syria, they are supposed to have passed into India. The prophet Ezekiel is understood Ch. viii. to speak of them. They were still observed at Alexandria in the time of St Cyril; and at Antioch in that of Julian the Apostate, who happened to enter that city during the solemnity, which was taken for an ill omen. The Adonia lasted two days: on the first of which certain images of Venus and Adonis were carried, with all the pomp and ceremonies practised at funerals: the women wept, tore their hair, beat their breasts, &c. imitating the cries and lamentations of Venus for the death of her paramour. This lamentation they called Adoniacae. The Syrians were not contented with weeping, but subjected themselves to severe discipline, shaved their heads, &c. Among the Egyptians, the queen herself used to carry the image of Adonis in procession. St Cyril mentions an extraordinary ceremony practised by the Alexandrians: A letter was written to the women of Byblus, to inform them that Adonis was found again: this letter was thrown into the sea, which (it was pretended) did not fail punctually to convey it to Byblus in seven days; upon the receipt of which, the Byblian women ceased their mourning, sung his praises, and made rejoicings as if he were raised to life again: Or rather, according to Meursius, the two offices of mourning and rejoicing made two distinct feasts, which were held at different times of the year, the one six months after the other, Adonis being supposed to pass half the year with Proserpine, and half with Venus.—The Egyptian Adonia are said to have been held in memory memory of the death of Osiris; by others of his sickness and recovery. Bishop Patrick dates their origin from the slaughter of the first born under Moses.