Lares, in connection with the Manks and the Pe- NATKS, were tutelary spirits, genii, or deities of the an- cient Romans. The derivation of the names is not per- haps quite certain, but the lirst is generally considered the plural of lar, an Etruscan word signifying " lord" or "hero;" the second is supposed to mean "the good or benevolent ones;" and the third is connected with jk- nus, " the innermost part of a house or sanctuary." The Lares, Manes, and Penates do not appear to have been regarded as essentially different beings, for the names are frequently used either interchangeably or in such a conjunction as almost implies identity. Yet some have thought that a distinction is discernible, and have look- ed upon the Lares as earthly, the Manes as infernal, and the Penates as heavenly protectors — a notion which has probably originated in the fact that jManes is a gen- eral name for the souls of the departed, those who in- habit the lower world; while among the Penates are included such great deities as Jupiter, Juno, Vesta, etc. Hence we may perhaps infer that the jNIanes were just the Lares viewed as departed spirits, and that the Pe- nates embraced not only the Lares, but all spirits, wheth- er dajmons or deities, who exercised a "special provi- dence" over families, cities, etc. Of the former, IManes, we know almost nothing distinctively. An annual fes- tival was lield in their honor on the 19th of February, called Feralia or Parentalia, of the latter, Penates, we are in nearly equal ignorance, but of the Lares we have a somewhat detailed account. They were, like the Pe- nates, divided into two classes — Lares domestici and Lares jjubUci. The former were the souls of virtuous ancestors set free from the realm of shades by the Ache- rontic rites, and exalted to the rank of protectors of their descendants. They were, in short, household gods, and their worship was really a worship of ancestors. The first of the Lares in point of honor was the Larfa- miliark, the founder of the house, the family Lar, who accompanied it iu all its changes of residence. The Lares puhlici had a wider sphere of influence, and re- ceived particular names from the places over which they
ruled. Thus we read oi Lares compitales (the Lares of cross-roads). Lares vicorum (the Lares of streets), the Lares rurales (the rural Lares), Lares viales (the Lares of the highways). Lares permarini (the Lares of the sea), and the Lares cnhiculi (the Lares of the bedcham- ber). The images of these guardian spirits or deities were placed (at least in large houses) in small shrines or compartments called cediculce or lararia. They were worshipped every day : whenever a Roman family sat down to meals, a portion of the food was presented to them; but particular honors were paid to them on the calends, nones, and ides of the month ; and at festive gatherings the lararia were thrown open, and the im- ages of the household gods were adorned with garlands. — Chambers, s. v. See Smith's Dictionary of Classical liioiiraphy and Mijthology, s. v.
Larned, Sylvester, an American Presbyterian minister, born in Pittsfield, Mass., Aug. 31, 1796, was educated at Lenox Academy and Middlebury College, studied theology in Princeton Seminary, and was or- dained in July, 1817. His earliest efforts at preaching showed rare gifts of eloquence, and his first sermons, delivered in New York city, attracted large crowds, and melted whole audiences to tears. President Davis, of Middlebury College, remarked of him that in his com- position and eloquence he was not surpassed by any j'outh whom he had ever known ; and John Quincy Adams declared that he had never heard his equal in the pulpit. To his wonderful gift of oratorj^ Larned added the strength of a dignified and commanding pres- ence, a voice fnU of melody and pathos, thorough and sjinpathetic appreciation of his theme, and an unj-ield- ing devotion to his calling. He had the unusual power of winning his audience with the utterance of almost his first sentence. His very look was eloquent. Larned was solicited to take the first stations, with the largest salaries ; but, desiring to give his energies to build up the Church where it was weak, he went to New Orleans, and soon organized a church, the First Presbyterian, over which he became pastor. He labored there with the greatest success, creating deep impressions upon the popular mind until his death, Aug. 20, 1820. Seldom, if ever, has the death of one so young caused such wide- spread sorrow. His Life and Sermo7)s were published by Rev. R. R. Giurley (Ncav York, 1844, 12mo). — AUi- bone. Diet of Brit, and A mer. A iithors, ii, 1060 ; Water- bury, Sketches of Eloquent Preacheis, p. 33 sq. ; New Eng- lander, v, 70 sq.
Larned,"William Augustus, a noted American Congregational theologian and professor, was born in Thompson County, Conn., June 23, 1806. His ancestors had li\'cd in that county for four generations, the first of the family having come over in John Winthrop's col- ony in 1630. Provided with suitable opportunities for obtaining an education by his father, a lawyer of con- siderable ability and renown, young Larned was gradu- ated at Yale College with honor when about twenty years of age. Although religiously trained he was somewhat sceptical in his youth, but, under the preach- ing of Dr. Fitch while in college, he was powerfuUy im- pressed, and in the great revival that occurred soon after his graduation he resolved to be a follower of Christ. After teaching five years, first at Salisburj', N. C, and then ff>r three years as tutor in Yale College, he entered upon his theological studies, and was ordained in 1834 liastor of the Second Congregational Church, Millbury, JIass., but was compelled to reUnqulsh this chii.rge iu the following year on account of impaired health. From 1835 to 1889 he was associated, at their request, with Rev. N. S. Beman, D.D., and Rev. Mr. Kirk, in instruct- ing theological students in Troy, N. Y. Soon after fin- ishing his labors in Troy he was appointed professor of rhetoric and English literature in Yale College, a posi- tion which he tilled with honor and usefulness till his death, Feb. 3, 1862. Prof. Larned's literary labors were mostly confined to the New Englamler, of wliich he was editor for two years, and to which he contributed twon-