The Early Ages Of Science.

gory and metaphor peculiar to the Orientals , and which in after ages proved very perplexing to the Avestern philosophers . Then , again , astrology and astronomy were so intimately associated that a tendency has existed to regard the students of Chalclasa as merely astrologers and magicians , whose arts

were employed to effect and preserve the mental subjugation of the masses , over which they extended their influence , admitting , it is true , that astrology was the germ from which the more useful science sprung , as chemistry did from the blind groping of the old school of alchemists , but

overlooking some of the most important conclusions arrived at . As an instance of this we may cite the application of the mystical numbers which , in many cases , may be merely regarded as Avhat we should now call fundamental dataAvherefromby different

, , processes , certain definite results frequently required in daily life are arrived at . Thus to take a commercial illustration , if Ave want to reduce shillings to pounds Ave divide by tAventy ; according to other precedents the Chaldees would have "used twenty as a mystical number . Thafc this is a

tolerably apt illustration we shall presently be able to show by allusion to the number seven , Avhich , from the earliest times of which Ave have any record , has been conspicuous for some supposed virtue . It is perhaps AY ell here to mention the fact as accepted , thafc Moses had obtained his information chiefly from the very sect to which Ave

have been referring , as "he was learned in all the Avisdom of fche Egyptians , " aud many of his precepts and instructions set forth in the Pentateuch bear signs of his having regard to the preservation of the bodily health of the Jews by certain sanitory precautions , to which he has given extra

authority by associating them Avith others tending to the spiritual Avelfare of his people . The number seven is particularly conspicuous as being regarded as mystic together witli its multiples , and , in fact , it is much used in the NOAV Testamentasfor instancewhere the disciple

, , , asks if he shall forgive his brother " until seven times , " and the reply is , " until seventy times seven . " NOAV it is desirable to see IIOAV this particular number had become so impressed upon the human mind , and why the Chaldees had given it such importance . It is unnecessary here to enter

into the arithmetical computations , but from certain multiplications of the number seven the length of a day is determined Avithin tvro minutes , fifty-nine seconds of Sir John Herschell ' s calculation , which must be regarded as a very accurate result to be attained at the very outset of the

science . It must be remembered that we do not intend to infer that the length of the day was discovered from the number seven , but that it Avas found to generate a convenient formula whereby to recollect and teach certain astronomical facts previous to the invention of Avritten characters , and although the memory of the mystical nature

of the number has not yet passed away , the probable origin to which it may be ascribed is nofc commonly understood . Astrology plays a most conspicuous part in the history of the pre-Christian sages , and in fact there is even at the present time a greater amount ;

of reliance placed upon its dicta in certain circlesthan many Avould imagine , though Ave ought perhaps scarcely to be astonished at some reverencebeing paid to a superstition Avhich can certainly claim antiquity of origin when Ave consider how many , even in educated circles , are led astray by

spirtualistic theories dating no further back than the time of Swedenborg *; and , in point , of fact , it appears almost necessary for the comfort of the human mind that it should have some mystery Avherewith to amuse itself , nor is it an easy task to determine exactly Avhere science terminates and *

quackery begins . Many plausible arguments may be brought foi'Avard to support the system of ancient astrology , but ifc is very doubtful whether any such arguments were ever contemplated by the originators of that mode of divination . To take one theory for example , it is known , that actinic

( chemically acting , in visible ) rays proceed from the sun and produce photographs and develop colours in different descrijjfcions of organic matter , as herbage , & c . Extending this view the astrologers Avould say thafc radial influences are exerted by the heavenly bodies , Avhich affect and direct the human mind , so that the results of human exertion shall

depend upon the positions of such celestial bodies ; and then if we care to pursue the matter further Ave can enter into the sophisms of odic force , bufc this is at present beside our object ; and , probably , as a rule set forth ad captanduin vulgus . Science , art , and religion , although not of necessity in any

Avay radically opposed , could not progress together ,, and for the simple reason that the two former impress themselves upon the mind by force of fact and experience derived almost entirely from the outer world , Avhereas the latter , notwithstanding that it may to a certain extent be taught or

implanted , cannot be said to have any development , except a pure and interior spiritual faith arises , and it is therefore easy to account for the indefinite condition of technical knowledge previous to the era of those Avhom , for distinction , Ave maycall the heathen philosophersconspicuous amongst

, fche first of whom stands Thales , the discoverer of electricity , the first Greek astronomer and geographer , AVIIO died 548 years B . C . He appears to have imparted an impulse to science , which , taken up by those Avho folloAved in his steps , gradually lead to the organisation ofthe more correct systems

of our own times ; but it appears that even then complication and confusion Avere to some degree introduced by the peculiar mode of reasoning of the metaphysical school of philosophy , Avhich was decidedly too theoretical in its mode of dealing Avith natural phenomena . Thus , for instance , Lucretius , about 60 years B . C ., gives the folloAving