ACCORDING to an ancient legend, the
first
man was made by Jupiter,
the first bull
by Neptune, and the first
house by Minerva.
On the completion of their labors, a dispute
arose as to which had made the
most perfect
work.
They agreed to
rest the decision with
Momus, a judge, and to abide by his word.
Momus, however, being very envious of
the
handicraft of each, found fault in turn with
all.
He blamed the work of Neptune because
he
had not made the horns of the bull below the
eyes, that he might better see where to strike.
He condemned the work of Jupiter because
he had not placed the heart of
man on the
outside, so that every one
might read the
thoughts of the evil-disposed, and take precau-
tions against intended mischief.
And lastly, he inveighed
against Minerva
because she had not contrived iron
wheels in
the foundation of her house, that its
inhabi-
tants might more easily remove if a neighbor
proved unpleasant.
Indignant at such inveterate
fault-finding,
Jupiter drove him from his office as judge, and
expelled him from the mansions of Olympus.
