Secret Sciences Of The Ancients.

or whether they had already entered upon the enjoyment of that felicity , the picture of which had so often been presented to their imagination , they yielded in transport to all the kinds of seduction by which they were surrounded . After

they had passed some days in these gardens , the same means Avhich had been adopted to introduce them , without their being conscious of it , were again made use of to remove them . Advantage was carefully taken of the first moments of an

awakening , AA'hich had broken the charm of so much enjoyment , to make them relate to their young companions the Avonders of Avhich they had been the witnesses ; and they remained themselves convinced that the happiness which they had

experienced in the few days which had so elapsed > vas but the prelude and , as it Avere , the foretaste of that of AA'hich the } ' might secure the eternal possession by their submission to the orders of their prince .

AVe learn from D'Herbelot that , long previously , Schedad-ben-acl , a king of Arabia , wishing to be adored like a god , had collected in a garden , of which the name has remained proverbial in the East , all the joys of Paradise , and shared them

Avith the trusty followers Avhom he deigned to admit . In this case , these gardens , these enjoyments doubtless existed only in dreams , induced , Avith young mon habituated to simple and severe regimen , by the unaccustomed usage of liquors suited to lull their feeble reason and exalt their

ardent imagination . It may be objected that these effects coulcl not be produced by any beverage Avithout the votary being conscious that he Avas partaking it , biit the same effects might ensue from the use of

fumigations , Avithout any suspicion or distrust . In the Orphic Hymns , a particular perfume is ordered for the invocation of * each divinity .

We also learn from Herodotus that the Scythians inebriated themselves by inhaling the A'apours of the seeds of hemp throAvn upon redhot stones . It is to these practices the prophet Isaiah alludes— " a people AVIIO

pro-A'oke me to my face occasionally ; who sacrifice in gardens ; Avho burn incense upon bricks " Modern medicine has made knoAvn that the odour alone of the seeds of henbane , particularly when its poAver is increased by heat , jiroduces a choleric and querulous disposition in those who respire it . L'Encyclopodie Methodique

cites three recent instances which prove it ; the most remarkable is that of a married pair , Avho , living in perfect harmony everywhere else , could never remain a few hours in the room Avere they worked Avithout quarrelling excessively . The

apartment , of course , Avas thought to be bewitched , until there Avas discovered iu it a considerable packet of henbane seeds placed near a stone , the source of their daily dissentions , Avhich the individuals themselves were the first to lament ,

and Avhich the removal of the poisonous substance put an cud to . To the causes assigned may be added as an equivalent the action of the imagination predisposed for any impression , by an habitual credence in marvellous accounts , aided by

physical accessories , by music , by an extraordinary exaltation of the moral faculties , by vague irrational terror , and that negative act of the mind , presentiment . Medicine has ackuoAvledged the power of the imagination , and it is impossible to limit the extent of its effects .

The science of medicine being confined to the temples , every cure performed by the priests was reported a miracle . All diseases being ascribed to the vengeance of Heaven , prayer and sacrifice Avere the ostensible causes of relief Avhen the

supposed interposition of the God was nothing more than the practical art of his priest . A Greek inscription , supposed to have belonged to the temple of Esculapius , in Rome , relates four cures Avhich this god produced . An acute reasoner

remarks" The suspension of an hemotysis ( spitting of blood ) by the use of sweet kernels ancl honey , presents nothing surprising , not even the oracle Avhich predicted it . When the god prescribes for a pain iu the side the application of a topic , of Avhich the

ashes , collected upon the altar of his temple should form the base , it may be conjectured that his priests mingled with the cinders some less insignificant ingredients . If a eollyrium in Avhich the blood of a white cock Avas mixed AA'ith honey had

produced good effects , Ave may be permitted to believe that the colour of the bird served only to impart a mysterious tinge to the composition of the remedy . After some genufluxions a blind man places upon his eyes the hand which he had

extended over the altar , ancl he suddenly recovers his sight ( he had never lost it ) , and he probably performed this trick at a critical moment , Avhen it Avas of importance to raise the reputation of Esculapius and his temple . " ( To be continued . )