gorical ceremonies to conceal the foibles and moral blemishes recorded in the histories of their heroes and tutelary deities." "These accounts (returned I) are very plausible, and coincide nearly with what I have heard. But give me leave to ask your thoughts on the dispute so much agitated between the Greeks and Egyptians, whether Greece borrowed gods from Ægypt, or Ægypt from her? Several treatises have been written on both sides, and copies of them have been transmitted to the learned in both nations. EURYDAMUS, the chief priest in the temple at Eleusis, has gained great credit by his performance in defence of the Grecian claims. I am told a priest of Heliopolis has lately written an answer to him."

"It is a dispute (replied the philosopher) in which no man of sense interests himself, and which concerns only those formal antiquaries who lay much weight on points of imaginary moment. To me it seems wrapt up in impenetrable darkness; and to this the forgeries produced on both sides have not a little contributed. If I have any opinion on the subject, it is this: since it is generally allowed that Ægyptian colonies settled here, I think it likely, that the science of religious rites, and the characters of heroes fit to be made gods, with the names proper to be given them, were brought from thence, and applied to persons in our own country. Many reasons might be offered in support of this sentiment; but I wave going into a detail of them; and thus you have my thoughts on the origin and progress of idolatry, a subject, the curiosity of which is inferior to nothing but its importance. I have delivered myself openly to you, who are my friend; as some would say, dogmatically, and not after the manner of those cautious conversations which I hold in publick with the sophists.

"If you would know why I profess not these things, and undeceive mankind, I answer, it is against my principles to disturb the religion of my country. Wise men in every age are acquainted with all that I have communicated to you; and when they meet with a fair opportunity to work, or a fair disposition in their neighbours to bear a reformation, let them zealously endeavour to effect it; but gradually, and not at once; but gently, and not forcibly. Let them address their arguments to the reason, without using such methods of conviction as may stir their own passions, or excite the stubbornness of mankind." Thus SOCRATES discoursed, while I was lost in admiration of him.

VOL. II.

E

C.

I

LETTER CVII.

CLEANDER to GOBRYAS.

HAVE received a letter from HYDASPES the chamberlain, which contains the melancholy news of MEGABYZUus's death, and some friendly cautions with regard to my own safety, now endangered by the intrigues of my powerful enemies. Less solicitous for my private welfare than for that of Persia, I poured out my supplications to OROMASDES, that he would not permit the detested author of ill to bring any farther misfortunes on the empire, when he ought to be satisfied with having deprived ARTAXERXES of his wisest counsellor. I had scarcely time to recover myself from the impression which this fatal event made upon me, when a bark, sent expressly from Ephesus, brought me a dispatch, signed with the king's own hand, and sealed with the royal signet, which enjoins me immediately to repair to Thebes, to foment the practices of the Median faction in that city. I own to thee, noble scribe, I was not less surprised at the order itself than the manner of wording it, and my own designation for the business. The Thebans have been reputed by the most understanding people here to have been, ever since the change in their government after the defeat of MARDONIUS, firmly attached to the Lacedæmonians, who have laid them under stricter ties by sacrificing Platea last year to their resentment. The king's letter is drawn in short and general terms, giving me no particular directions to what persons I am to apply, or what offers I am to make those who shall be ready to assist me. It is likewise unaccompanied with any letter or explanation from the ministers, as thou knowest is constantly practised in a business of this nicety and

importance.

importance. All these circumstances induce me to think, not only that thou wert unacquainted with it, but that the whole is a contrivance of my enemies to remove me from a place where a five years' residence enables me to perform the duties of my station, to another, where I have no correspondence, and can hope for no success. But as I shall always esteem the king's orders, however obtained, too sacred for me (his poor slave) to dispute, I shall take a journey to Thebes in the retinue of an Athenian agent, who is sent thither to treat of an exchange of prisoners. From thence you may expect to hear of me. In the mean time I presume to hope, that, under the shadow of thy protection, I may find a secure shelter from the calumnies of my opposers.

ATHENIAN NEW S.

The plague is renewed at Athens, and spreads daily. The Peloponnesian forces assembled at Corinth under AGIS king of Sparta, but were prevented from invading Attica by the earthquakes which have happened there, as well as in several parts of Euboea and Boeotia. In this city, part of the fortifications, and some publick buildings, particularly the Prytaneum, were thrown down by the violence of the shocks. Two thousand Athenians in sixty gallies, commanded by NICIAS, after making an unsuccessful descent in the island Melos, passed over to Oropus, and advanced to Tanagrum in Boeotia, where, receiving a reinforcement out of Athens, they defeated the natives, and set up a trophy.

P.

LETTER CVIII.

ORSAMES to CLEANDER. From Bubastus.

HERODOTUS has accompanied me through the Delta; for having visited Ægypt a second time, he now is taking another journey into the east, in order to complete that noble work, which was read with applause at Athens some years ago; and to collect materials for a particular history of Assyria and Babylon, which the world may one day expect from him. There is a city of ancient fame in Palestine, lately rebuilt by the favour of our august monarch, after it had lain in ruins for several years from its destruction under the later Assyrian kings, which he designs to see in his way.

In our return from the pyramids, we came directly to Sais, a place of such fame and antiquity that no curious traveller would omit seeing it. The night we arrived there, the grand festival of the lighting of lamps was solemnized, which is observed after a peculiar manner. All the houses throughout the town of Sais are illuminated with rows of lamps set round the windows on the outside, at which time a great sacrifice is performed to the guardian Deity of the place, to which as many as can conveniently resort from all parts of Egypt. But those who cannot be present there at the celebration of it, neglect not, wherever they are, to solemnize the night, and to set out lights before their houses. By this means, not only the town of Sais, but the whole country of Ægypt, is illuminated on that night. The Deity, in honour of whom the festival is kept, is called by the Greeks, MINERVA; but, if I conjecture