With a people possessed of so large and varied an assortment of deities, suited to every possible human need and shade of mortal endeavor, it would be strange indeed if there was not some mythical or legendary character among the Greek gods to preside over architecture, if not as a distinct art, at all events in association with some of its kindred branches. That the Greeks did not ignore such a necessity is found to have been the case, and the great Dædalus rises most admirably to the occasion in personifying the early infancy of architecture as well as sculpture and wood-carving. Dædalus, like most of his spiritual relations and associates, led a life of much romance and adventure, not unmixed with hardship and trial. He was either a native Athenian or Cretan, a point upon which there is some dispute, as well as upon another involving his parentage. It is perhaps sufficient to know that Dædalus flourished in the age of Minos and Theseus, and was introduced more or less into the legends pertaining to those two early characters. It is upon Dædalus that responsibility must rest for the first introduction of jealousy into the personality of artists, a vice, by the way, which they have never been quite able to shake off from his time to the present. Dædalus was rather sorely afflicted with this unfortunate trait, and to its early exhibition is due much of his subsequent misfortune. It was in connection with his devotion to sculpture that his jealousy first involved him in trouble. He became very expert as a carver generally, and undertook to instruct his nephew Perdix in the art. In due time and under the careful tutorage of his uncle, Perdix also became proficient, and in a moment of inspiration is said to have invented that very useful tool of the mechanic, the saw. This it was that excited Dædalus, who, in a fit of jealous rage, threw his nephew over the Pelasgic walls of the Acropolis, killing him instantly as he supposed. Dædalus was, of course, condemned to death for this unseemly and cruel manifestation of envy, but managed to escape and fly to Crete. There his professional reputation had preceded him, and he obtained the friendship of king Minos. In Crete he developed his latent architectural skill, and built a very elaborate and intricate dwelling for the hideous monster Minotaur, since known as the celebrated labyrinth at Cnossus. The story of how Theseus, with the connivance of Ariadne, the charming daughter of Minos, slew this monster, is one of the most thrilling of the mythological legends, and is quite familiar.