Page:The Cry of Nature.pdf/156

 and lateſt mode of ſacrifice, that of immolating animals, did not, like the cuſtom of ſacrificing fruits, owe its origin to any glad occaſion or joyful circumſtance, but was rather the conſequence of famine or ſome other dire diſtreſs. Of all the animals that were ſlain among the Athenians, the firſt cauſe of death, ſays Porphyrius, was either anger, fear, or accident. A woman for example of the name of Clymene, by an involuntary blow killed a hog. Her huſband, terrified at the impiety of the action, went to Delphos to conſult the oracle in what manner the crime ſhould be expiated. The Deity of Delphos treated the affair as a venal tranſgreſſion, and men began ſoon to conſider the murder of ſwine as a matter of little moment.—Porphyr. de Abſtin. To