immortalized his name and shed glory upon the age and country in which he lived, was known to the ancients. As the ancients gave birth to the sciences, so they seemed determined to leave little for posterity to discover. Pythago ras had a just conception of the formation of colours, and his disciples taught the doctrine that they were the result of the different modifications of reflected light. Plato and his disciples taught, that light was emitted in straight lines, and proved that the angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection. Plato has told us the same thing that Newton has told us; that colours are produced by light transmitted from bodies. Descartes held the doctrine that light was propagated in an instant, which, though wrong, he took from Aristotle. Modern philosophy teaches that light is progressive, that one particle sets another particle in motion, until it reaches the earth. Aristotle held the same opinion. He calls light a pure, subtle and homogeneous matter; and Chrysippus, with Philoponus says, that light is set in motion in the same manner that when one end of a stick is moved the other end moves also. The attraction of gravitation is considered an immortal honour to modern discovery, but this too was known to the ancients, Sir Isaac Newton having only explained it in a clear and forcible manner. The followers of Pythagoras, and Plato himself, accounted for the revolution of the planets by the two powers of projection and gravity, and Timæus mentions the same. Plutarch, who was well versed in astronomy, speaks of that force by which the planets gravitate towards each other, and, in mentioning the tendency all bodies have to fall to the earth, he says, it is owing "to a reciprocal attraction, whereby all bodies have this tendency, and which collects into one, the parts constituting the sun and moon, and retains them in their spheres." The ancients knew that gravitation was to a planet, as the inverse proportion of its quantum of matter and the square of its distance. Aristotle and Lucretius believed, that the gravity of a body was increased or diminished according to the quantity of matter contained in it. Gallileo candidly acknowledges that he derived from Plato his idea of the mode of calculating how the different degrees of velocity ought to produce that uniformity of motion seen in the revolutions of the planets. The Copernican System, which fixes the sun in the centre, the fixed stars in the circumference, and the planets in the space between, is another boast of modern discovery, though it was well known to Pythagoras, to Plato, to Aristarchus, and to many other celebrated ancient philosophers. Philolaus, who published the system of Pythagoras, remarks that the earth moves in an oblique circle, evidently meaning the zodiac. Aristarchus placed the sun, as a fixed body in the centre of an orbit, around which the earth revolved. Plato became convinced of his error in making the sun revolve round the earth, and reassumed the doctrine which he had long before imbibed from Timeus, the Locrian. He expressed himself sorry that he had not followed the indications of nature, and placed the sun in the centre. There is no doctrine in philosophy so ancient as that which teaches that the earth is round, thongh Gallileo in modern times was punished for asserting it. We are told by Diogenes Lærtius, that Plato was the first who called those people on the opposite side of the earth antipodes; Pythagoras having the honor of the doctrine. The doctrine was a subject of controversy in the time of Plutarch, as may be gathered from his works. The very appearances and circumstances, which were brought in ancient times as proof of the sphericity or roundness of the earth, are still used. From the circular shadow of the earth on the moon in an eclipse, and from the stars changing their position as we travel south, Aristotle concluded that the earth was round; and Pliny drew the same consequence from observing, that when the land has disappeared from a person on the deck of a ship, it is still visible to one on the mast. Notwithstanding the great invention of telescopes, by which the moderns have discovered that the planets revolve on their own axis, the ancients discovered the same without any such aid. Atticus tells us, that Plato made each of the planets move about its own centre, while they were moving in their general course round the sun. Cicero tells us that the same doctrine was held by Nicetas of Syracuse. The very same doctrine, which is taught by the moderns concerning the moon, was held by the ancients. Thales taught that the moon had no light within itself, but shone by reflected light from the sun. From this, Empedocles accounts for the absence of heat in its rays, it being impossible by the strongest lens to produce fire. Orpheus, and after him Pythagoras, taught the doctrine that the moon, like our earth, was inhabited; though they believed that they were a nobler race than those on the earth. Orpheus speaks in his verses, of the mountains and valleys of the moon, and Democritus declares that the shadowy parts of the moon were occasioned by the lofty Lunar mountains, which prevented the vallies from reflecting light, by overshadowing them. Plutarch gives another reason for the existence of those spots. He says, "those deep and extensive shades on the moon, must be occasioned by the vast seas it contains, which are incapable of reflecting so vivid a light, as the more solid and opaque parts; or by caverns extremely wide and deep, wherein the rays of the sun are absorbed." It may be gathered from the works of the same author, that in his time, as well as in modern times, it was a subject of dispute whether the moon yielded vapours for the production of rain. He held the negative opinion, and believed that it was impossible, inasmuch as the moon was heated by the constant rays of the sun which must dry up its humidity. Therefore, he was convinced that clouds, rain, winds, plants and animals had no existence on the bright sattellite of the earth. The moderns hold the very same opinions, and indulge in the same controversy, The doctrine of the trul philosophic Herschel, that the fixed stars were suns round which othher systems like our Solar system revolved, was taught by the ancient philosophers, proof of which I could bring from the works of many, if space would permit. Herschell's idea of the gal ON KNOWLEDGE. axy, or milky way, was familiar to the ancients. Aristotle's notion that it was caused by exhalations suspended in the air was false, and also that of Pythagoras, who believed it once to have been the sun's path; but Democritus tells us, "that what we call the milky way, contains in it innumerable fixed stars, the mixture of whose distant rays occasion the brightness which we thus denominate." This is precisely the doctrine of Gallileo. The Grecian philosophers were familiar with the idea of a plurality of worlds, for Plutarch says he had no doubt of the existence of innumerable, though not an infinite multitude of worlds, and that like ours they were composed of land and water, and surrounded by sky. Anaximens believed that there were other systems revolving round other suns, and Thales held the same opinion. Even Orpheus, who lived in the time of the Trojan war, hints at it in one of his poems. Democritus hints at the existence of sattellites, which the telescope has since brought to light. 395 honour, first opened the way to the discovery of the procession of the equinoxes. Though the invention of the printing press and the steam engine have conferred great honour on the moderns, yet they have not surpassed the ancients in mechanics and the general arts; indeed in many of them they are far behind. The vast engines by which Archimedes defended the city of Syracuse, have never been equalled. He invented an organ of very complicated construction, which, besides the sounds of flutes and other instruments, imitated the male and female voice in a variety of tones, though all in harmony. His machines for hurling at the enemy vast stones, and the iron arms, which were so constructed as to seize a ship and tear her to pieces, were truly wonderful. We are told that there was an engine at Alexandria, when that city was besieged by Julius Cæsar, that drew vast quantities of water from the river and hurled it in the faces of the enemy. To Archimedes we owe the invention of the screw which bears It appears that the ancients had a correct no- his name, and to Ctesibius the invention of the tion of comets, for Pythagoras and Aristotle pump. Many others might be mentioned, but I both call them wandering planets, which ap-shall pass on to architecture. The Pyramids of peared only in certain parts of their orbits. Egypt have never known a rival_in_modern Seneca informs us that the Chaldeans considered times, and the magnificent temples and palaces comes to be planetary bodies, and Diodorus of Palmyra, now in ruins, have never been even Siculus says that the Egyptians could foretell the imitated, to say nothing of the noble buildings return of comets. Seneca, in his seventh book of Babylon. The grandeur of ancient Italy will of natural questions, speaks elegantly on the perhaps never be surpassed or equalled in arsubject; he tells us, "that there was an immense chitecture. number of them, but that their orbits were so situated, that so far from being always in view, they could only be seen at one of the extremities." The ancients left the moderns far behind in making discoveries in Mathematics, a few of which I shall mention. It is conceded by all that Thales was the first who predicted eclipses, taught that the earth was spherical, and the ecliptic in an oblique position. No less service did he render to geometry than to the sciences generally. He demonstrated the properties of the circle, discovered that the angles at the base of an isosceles triangle are equal, and that the two opposite angles of a right line cutting another are equal. He also taught the Egyptians how to measure the pyramids by the length of their shadows. Pythagoras, who was versed in all the sciences, was the first who reduced music to the principles of a science, which was suggested by the different sounds which proceeded from the hammers of a forge. Noticing that they came into unison at the fourth, fifth and eighth percussions, he supposed that the difference in the weight of the hammers must be the cause, which he found to be the case from experiments on strings. He made many discoveries in geometry, among which is that, wherein he demonstrates that of all plane figures, the circle is the largest, and the sphere of all solids. Plato discovered the conic sections, and if we judge from the arithmetic of Diophantes, there can be no doubt but the ancients understood Algebra. It is further evident from the demonstrations of Archimedes, concerning the spiral line and its properties. Aristarchus was the first who concerted a manner of measuring the sun's distance from the earth, and Hipparchus, to his immortal With respect to statues and sculpture generally, the ancients excelled. The Colossus at Rhodes was a wonderful production, the thumb of which few men could encompass without stretched arms. Pliny tells us that Semiramis had a mountain cut into a statue of herself, which was nearly two miles high; and an artist, according to Plutarch, offered to make a statue out of Mount Athos to represent Alexander, which should hold a city in one hand and a river in the other. It would have been eight or ten miles in height, and more than a hundred in circumference. What sculptors of modern times can be compared with Praxitles, Phidias, Polycletus, Cleomenes and others? What works can equal the Venus de Medicis, now in the Farnesian palace, at Florence, executed by Cleomenes, the Athenian; the Niobe of Praxiteles, at Rome; the Hercules strangling Anteus, by Polycletus; the statue of Laocoon, made by Polydorus, Athenodrus and Agesander; and the dying Gladiator, by Ctesilas? And what modern artist has equalled the Apollo of the Belvidere, executed by Agathias of Ephesus? This statue has been admired by thousands. The ancient paintings were also of a superior cast. Those found in the ruins of Herculaneum may serve as examples. The picture of Chiron and Achilles, supposed to be the production of Parrhasius, and that of Theseus vanquishing the Minotaur, are considered excellent; also those of Pan and Olympe and the birth of Telephus. These were all produced in the decline of the arts, and if they were so excellent, what must have been the productions of Apelles, Zeuxes and the great masters of their time! Thus we see that the ancients were not deficient in a general knowledge of the sciences and arts, though the superiority of the moderns down two of the enemy, who lay for a few mois much harped on by those who are ignorant of ments at the mercy of the lady. Seizing the axe, the subject. The subject of this essay was sug- she quickly despatched them, and was instantly gested by hearing a gentleman in conversation afterwards summoned to the door, where the say, that "the ancients knew nothing of the only remaining savage now appeared endeasciences in comparison with the moderns, and voring to effect an entrance, while Mrs. Merrill that no ancient undertaking could equal the was engaged at the chimney. He soon received proud achievements of modern times." Let the a gash in the cheek, which compelled him, with reader judge from the few instances here re-a loud yell, to relinquish his purpose, and return corded, and they will teach those who scoff at the hastily to Chillicothe, where, from the report of a knowledge of the ancients, to "render unto prisoner, he gave an exaggerated account of the Cæsar the things which are Caesar's," or to be- fierceness, strength, and courage of the "long stow praise where praise is deservedly due. To knife squaw!" know that we are so much indebted to the ancients, may also teach us to be grateful, and to improve those inestimable blessings, the sciences, which they have handed down to us. THE CONSUMPTIVE 397 adores me. But I must die-and she will be-" come broken-hearted, and sink to the earth, blighted in mind and body! Oh! 'tis too, too much!" In evident anguish I left the poor invalid.His feelings were wrought to positive horror, and they imparted to mine a deep tinge of sadness. I felt much for him, and had done every thing in my power, but he had already struck the breakers, and must soon be stranded. July 20. Went to see L. The flame was yet glimmering in the socket. He was feeble, and required support when he changed his position. The sepulchral stone must soon press his breast. I was forcibly struck at the sight of his hands-the skin parched, the bones protruding. His face too was pallid, and much corrugated. He coughed, and it cut me to the quick. It seemed to hurt him; he writhed so. My poor friend cannot die too quick. July 30. To-day L is no better. He feels the paucity of his days, and talks without hesitation about dying. He has given me directions where to lay his body, and the order in which he wants his funeral rites performed. I was affected to hear him converse. He talked of Mary, of her kindness, her love, and said she was unwell. He was much excited and asked for an opiate. I administered it, and he soon slept, though restless and disturbed. He raved impassionately. I left, sore at heart. August 7. Received the following note from Dear M. I am much better. I feel like a new man, and begin again to think of life and its joys. I nave seen Mary, and my condition fairly inspirits her. We may both become like you, and enjoy life and its blessings. Do come and see me. My heart leaps with gladness. Yours truly, L. Delusive indeed, said I aloud, are such hopes. It is but the brightening up of life previous to final extinction. I knew there was no chance of his regaining his health, and did not call to see him. His hollow expectations would have sickened me. August 15. Was sent for in haste. Lwas thought to be dying. I was not surprised. I hastened to his house, and found him a distressing picture of despair, prostrate, and fast verging to the grave. "I must reproach you, M said he, "for inattention." I made satisfactory apology. I saw he could live but few hours, perhaps less than I anticipated. Mary was there, and sobbed piteously. It was excruciating to behold a young and devoted girl about being estranged forever, by death, from the object she loves. Human life contains no scene, so terrific and awful. "M-," murmured L I am now near my last moments. Earth is fading from me, and my vision is growing indistinct. After I am gone, I rely on you to preserve my memory, and to meet my detractors with calm and considerate opposition. My life has been short, but it has been honourable and virtuous. I have broken no human laws, I have impoverished no widows or orphans, yet I feel grievously wicked when I contemplate the duty I have paid my God. Of my error I repent sincerely, and trust in him for redemption. My property, what |