Home1860 Edition

AETION

Volume 2 · 352 words · 1860 Edition

celebrated painter, who left an excellent picture of Roxana and Alexander, which he exhibited at the Olympic games. It represented a magnificent chamber, where Roxana is sitting on a bed of a most splendid appearance, which is rendered still more brilliant by her beauty. She looks downwards in a kind of confusion, being struck with the presence of Alexander standing before her. A number of little Cupids flutter about, some holding up the curtain, as if to show Roxana to the prince, whilst others are busied in undressing the lady; some pull Alexander by the cloak, who appears like a young bashful bridegroom, and present him to his mistress. He lays his crown at her feet, being accompanied by Hephestion who holds a torch in his hand, and leans upon a youth, who represents Hymen. Several other little Cupids are represented playing with his arms; some carry his lance, stooping under so heavy a weight; others bear along his buckler, upon which one of them is seated, whom the rest carry in triumph; another lies in ambush in his armour, waiting to frighten the rest as they pass by. This picture gained Action so much reputation, that the president of the games gave him his daughter in marriage.—Lucian.

Etites, or Eagle-stone, in Natural History, a flinty or crustated stone, hollow inside, and containing a nucleus, which, on shaking, rattles within. It was formerly in repute for several extraordinary magical as well as medical powers; such as preventing abortion, discovering thieves, and other ridiculous properties. The word is formed from æros, eagle, the popular tradition being, that it is found in the eagle's nest, whither it is supposed to be carried while the female sits, to prevent her eggs from becoming rotten. It is found in various places. Near Trevoux, in France, one can scarcely dig a few feet without finding considerable strata or beds of the coarser or ferruginous kind. They are originally soft, and of the colour of yellow ochre. But the finest and most valued of all the eagle-stones are accidental states of one or other of our common pebbles.