The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-07-29
Original.
I0 (For the Literary Echo.
Eleusinian Mysteries.



clined to mystery, or who are among the
/" initiated" to know that secret societies
can lay claim to high antiquity. That
they have fourished even in the midst
of Greece. The following history OF
one, to which none but Athenians were
admitted, may interest some.
Pluto, who presided in the Internal
regions, reclining on throne of brim-
stone, was much like some modern
kings, quite a gallant. This swarthy
king fell in love with young lady by
the name of Proserpine. Whether the
damsel did not reciprocate his love, or
whether she had some objection to be-
come the queen of he'll, or whether she
anticipated trouble might arise in Pluto's
dominions from the turbulent character
of his subjects, or whether her mother
would not consent that her daughter
should become an inhabitant of climate
SO torrid as the country of Erebus-
suffice it to say that Pluto had resort
to mode of courtship not altogether
disagreeable to modern bellies. During
one of his tours of gallantry he came
across the damsel, who, like many of her
sex, made great show Of resistance to
compliance with the wishes of the young
king, to become his wife and partner OF
bis fiery territory. Pluto, who appears
to have had pretty correct idea about
the fair sex seems to have taken the
damsel's opposition as ruse designed
by the girl to inaame his passion still
more, and that her feint only concealed
a burning flame in her own breast for
him which she modestly declared in
this not altogether unusual way.
Like man of courage, if not Of pru-
dence, Pluto encircled her in his arm
and fed to the Gretna-green of his
dominion, where Vulcan stood ready to
make of the twain one, which act las in
most cases since, of similar nature)
seems to have had wonderful effect in
overcoming the brides opposition, not
only to matrimony, but to her lover.
Now, the country of this king lay
somewhat concealed from the view OF
mortals ; for, according to geographers,
it was located nearly in the center of the
earth, or under it, having on its right
the beautiful field of Elysian, which by
contrast at least, made the dominion Of
Pluto look most unpleasant. However
Proserpine became quite reconciled to
her place, cherished fond affection fol
her husband, who so beguiled away thC
time that his youthful bride seemed
almost to have fogotten her bereaved
mother whose heart was almost broken
at the loss of her daughter. Day after
day, Ceres the mother, in vain sough,
for her daughter. From place to place
she wandered, anxiously inquiring of all
concerning her lost child. Poor mother
Little does thy daughter think of thy
sorrows while she is folded in the soft
embrace of.bve. Daughters, when you
consent to ride to Gretna, think of thy
lonely mothers. In her rambles after
her daughter, Ceres come to Eleusis, a
town in Attica, and finding famine
prevailing there, invented corn as q
remedy for the evil, and taught the in
habitants how to raise it, She also in
structed them in charity, civility and
humanity, and it is owing to these in
structions that the Athenians became
remarkable for their politeness, courtesy,
and urbanity--at least, 30 it is said.
Her instruction appeared so wonderful
to those rude barbarians, that they called
them Thesmophoria. These laid the
foundation of society called, BY some,
the feast of Ceres. the Initiate and the