The Balance of Evidence decidedly in 22 favour of the alleged Discovery of the American Continent many Ages before Columbus 862. A Scandinavian Dynasty founded in Russia 23 by Ruric Circumstances connected with that 24 memorable Event; how far probable 861, 862. Novogrod the Seat of the new Dynasty 25 The Domination of the Strangers extended 26 to Kief; two Governments 882. Evils arising from the Creation of two 27 States; Kief subdued by the Regent of Novogrod Maritime Expeditions of the Northmen 27 into Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Greece, &c. CHAP. V. COSMOGONY AND RELIGION OF SCANDINAVIA. INTRODUCTION. THE TWO EDDAS, THE ELDER AND THE YOUNGER, THE POETIC AND THE PROSE.—CONTENTS OF THE FORMER.—DIVISION INTO CLASSES. 1. THE MYSTICAL. 2. THE MYTHIC-DIDACTIC. 3. THE PURELY MYTHOLOGICAL. 4. THE MYTHIC-HISTORICAL.—POEMS OF EACH CLASS.—THE PROSE EDDA.—SNORRO STURLESON. Page Religion of the Pagan Northmen an 30 interesting Subject of Inquiry The Two Eddas 30 I. Sæmund, reputed Compiler of the 31 Poetic Edda; its slow Publication Poems included in the Elder Edda 31 divisible into four Classes 1. The Mystic Class:— The Voluspa 32 The Grougaldor 32 The Magic of Odin similar in many 33 Respects to that of Zoroaster 2. The Mytho-didactic Class:— The Vafthrudnis-mâl 34 Grimnis-mâl 34 Other Pieces of this Class 36 The Hava-mâl 36 3. The purely Mythologic Class:— The Hymis-guida 37 The Hamars-heimt 37 The Rafna-galdur Odins 37 The Skirnirs-for 37 The Vegtams-Quida 38 Undoubted Antiquity of the preceding 38 Poems 4. The Mytho-historical Class 38 II. The Prose or Younger Edda, usually 39 ascribed to Snorro Sturleson Some Account of that celebrated Man 40