The _Saturnalia_ were festivals in honour of Saturn, celebrated the 16th or 17th, or, according to others, the 18th of December. They were instituted long before the foundation of Rome, in commemoration of the freedom and equality which prevailed on earth in the golden reign of Saturn. Some, however, suppose that the Saturnalia were first observed at Rome in the reign of Tullus Hostilius, after a victory obtained over the Sabines; while others support, that Janus first instituted them in gratitude to Saturn, from whom he had learnt agriculture; others suppose that they were first celebrated in the year of Rome 257, after a victory obtained over the Latins by the dictator, Posthumius. The Saturnalia were originally celebrated only for one day, but afterwards the solemnity continued for three, four, five, and at last for seven days. The celebration was remarkable for the license which universally prevailed. The slaves were permitted to ridicule their masters, and to speak with freedom upon any subject. It was usual for friends to make presents one to another; all animosity ceased; no criminals were executed; schools were shut; war was never declared, but all was mirth, riot, and debauchery. In the sacrifices the priests made their offerings with their heads uncovered,--a custom which was never observed at other festivals. The _Divalia_ was a feast held on the 2lst of December, in honour of the goddess _Angerona_, whence it is also called Angeronalia. On the day of this festival the pontifices performed sacrifices in the temple of Voluptia, or the goddess of joy and pleasure, who, some say, was the same with _Angerona_, and supposed to drive away all the sorrow and chagrin of life. The feast of _Laurentinalia_ was held on the 23rd of December, but was ordered to be observed twice a year by Augustus; by some supposed to be in honour of the _Lares_, a kind of domestic genii, or divinities, worshipped in houses, and esteemed the guardians and protectors of families, supposed to reside in chimney-corners. Others have attributed this feast in honour of Acca Laurentia, the nurse of Romulus and Remus, and wife of Faustulus. P.T.W. * * * * * CELTIC ETYMOLOGIES. (_For the Mirror._) _Hibernia_.--Ireland is called by the Latin writers, _Hibernia, Ivernia--Ierne_[1]--and _Verna_--names differing but little in sound, and all, merely Latinizations of the Irish words _Ibh Eirin_--that is, the Land of Erié--for _Ibh_, in Irish, signifies a land, or country, and _Eirin_ is the genitive case of _Eire_, the name of Ireland in the Irish tongue--from _Ibh Eirin_ the Romans formed Hibernia, &c. the termination only being Latin--and from _Eire_, by adding _land_, the Saxons formed _Eireland_ or _Ireland_. This Eire was a very ancient queen who gave her name to the country, as in modern times _Virginia_ was called after Queen Elizabeth, _Maryland_ after the queen of Charles I., &c.