The story should follow, if possible, a tale or lesson on the subject of the myth. If the children have already had the scientific truths given them, then the myth serves as a reminder of facts already learned.
The special directions are merely suggestive. Teachers will supplement them or subst.i.tute others at their pleasure.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LESSON ON PHAETON.
Secure, if possible, before the reading of the story of Phaeton, a good plaster cast or marble bust of Apollo, or some reproduction of the Aurora of Guido Reni. Show a picture of the temple of Apollo, if one can be obtained; let the children understand how much a part of the life of the Greek was this belief in Apollo"s power and Apollo"s beauty. The child will then begin to understand how much the ancients strove after beauty in all things.
The Indian, African, and Chinese all have their stories of the origin of light and heat, and history and geography may a.s.sist in this lesson on Phaeton.
Sprinkle water on the window sill, and notice its disappearance, caused by the heat of sunshine or of the room. Ask for the reason of a similar loss of water in the street, road, or river. What is the sun"s color? What is the color of fire? What is the sun"s effect on ice and snow, on vegetable and animal life? Does it work quietly? Is great power usually quiet?
Lower the shades in the schoolroom. Why is it dark? Close the eyes. Why is it dark? What is darkness? What causes dark or dull days? What shapes do clouds take? Are they ever like horses, cattle, sheep, or swans? Is the sun somewhere always shining? Are clouds like curtains? Paint or draw a sunrise or sunset.
Notice a rainbow, when possible, and form one with a prism in the schoolroom. What colors of the prism are shown most in sunset or sunrise? Are all shown each time? How many have seen the same colors on a soap bubble or elsewhere? Mention some other name of the sun, as Sol; the derivation of Sunday; the effect of the sun on the seasons. Describe spring, summer, autumn, and winter as persons. Is the sun king of the hours, the days, the months, and the years? Did the ancients know the real truth concerning the distance, size, and nightly disappearance of the sun? Where is the Great Bear? The Little Bear? Do you think the ancient Greeks really believed the story of Phaeton?
Reproduce it orally after reading.
_Each myth may be developed in a similar way_.
A BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The following list is given as containing many books which will be helpful for reference or study, as indicating the sources of myths and the customs of the ancients, and as supplying an extended account of any mythical person or object referred to in this volume.
While each book is considered valuable, those marked with a star are especially compact, concise, and helpful to readers who can have access to but few books, and that by purchase.
GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHS.
"Age of Fable," compiled by Thomas Bulfinch.
_McKay, Philadelphia_ $1 25
"Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography, Mythology, and Geography." _D. Appleton & Co., New York_. Half morocco 6 00
"The Mythology of Greece and Rome," with special reference to its use in art, Oscar Seeman. _American Book Company, New York_ 60
"Harper"s Dictionary of Cla.s.sical Literature and Antiquities," edited by Harry Thurston Peck. _Harper Bros., New York_, 1 vol. 6 00 2 vols. 7 00
"Seiffert"s Dictionary of Cla.s.sical Antiquities,"
from the German of Oskar Seiffert.
_The Macmillan Co., New York_ 3 00
"Makers," by John Fiske.
_Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston_ 2 00
"The Cla.s.sic Myths in English Literature,"
by C.M. Gayley. _Ginn & Co., Boston_ 1 50
"Myths of Greece and Rome," narrated with special reference to literature and art, by H.A. Guerber. _American Book Company, New York_ 1 50
"The Heroes," by Charles Kingsley. Several publishers; various prices.
"The Queen of the Air," by John Ruskin.
Several publishers; various prices.
NORSE MYTHS.
"Myths of Northern Lands," by H.A. Guerber.
_American Book Company, New York_ 1 50
"Norse Mythology, or the Religion of Our Forefathers," by R.B. Anderson. _Scott, Foresman & Co., Chicago_ 2 50
"Dr. Wilhelm Wagner"s Asgard and the G.o.ds, a Manual of Norse Mythology," edited by W.W. Macdowall. _Sonnenshein & Co., London, England_ 2 00
RUSSIAN MYTHS.
"The Hero of Esthonia," and other studies in the romantic literature of that country, compiled by W.F. Kirby. _John C. Nimmo, London, England._ 2 vols. 6 00
"Selections from the Kalevala, the Epic Poem of Finland." _Henry Holt, New York_ 1 50
This epic is in the same measure as Longfellow"s "Hiawatha," and is interesting to all those who enjoy that poem.
OLDEST EGYPTIAN TALES.
"Egyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri."
_Frederick A. Stokes & Co., New York._ 2 vols., each 1 50
These tales are interesting from their evident antiquity and from the insight they give as to ancient Egyptian customs.
A p.r.o.nOUNCING INDEX
The following key explains the symbols which are used in the p.r.o.nouncing index to indicate the p.r.o.nunciation of the words. It is based upon the 1900 edition of Webster"s International Dictionary:
a- _as in_ fate.