Secret Sciences Of The Ancients.

SECRET SCIENCES OF THE ANCIENTS .

ZONDOFT , SATURDAY , SFPTFMBFR 2 , I 860 .

Among the wonder-workers of the ancients the Chaldeans bear the palm , and their system comprehended all the occult sciences . The Chaldeans were an Indo-Persian race , and our only sources of information respecting * their history are the

fragments of Berosus and the Old Testament . The religion of these people Avas Sabasism , and especially the adoration of the sun , moon , the five planets , and the tAvelve signs of the Zodiac . The worship of the heavenly luminaries led to

astronomical observations and the regular division of time . They also cultivated the science of astrology ; Bel ( Jupiter ) , and Meni ( Venus ) , Avere considered to be good , as Mai's ( Merodach ) and Saturn Avere of evil omen . To draAV conclusions

as to the future destinies of men from the position of the stars at the hour of their birth , to interpret dreams , or found predictions on the flight of birds ; solar and lunar eclipses , earthquakes and other natural occurrences , was a principal occupation of

the priests . The science of astronomy is commonly supposed to have had ifcs origin ou the plains of Babylon , but Avhether with the Indo-Persian race or an earlier people , it is difficult to determine ;

and it was eventually carried there to as high a degree of perfection as it attained in any of the ancient nations . The mild climate , and the employment of the people as shepherds , leading them to pass much of their time at night under the open heavens , gave them the opportunity of observing the stars , and thev occupied themselves in

marking their positions and their changes , and in mapping out the heavens in a variety of fanciul figures , UOAV called constellations . Astrology was at first a branch of astronomy , or Avas almost identical with it , for the stars were

studied principally to endeavour to ascertain Avhat influence they exerted over the fates of men , and especially Avhat mi ght be predicted from their position on the birth of an individual as to his future life . Astrology Avas then deemed a science

Avhose laAVS Avere to be ascertained in the same way of any other science ; and the Avoi'ld has been SIOAV to disabuse itself of the notion that the stars exert an influence over the fates of men . Even Lord Bacon held it Avas a science to be " reformed , but not wholly rejected . To these they added magic , sooth-saying ,

divination , or whatever other illusive scheme it was supposed would contribute to lay open the future , or disclose the secrets of the invisible world . Hence the Chaldeans applied themselves to the interpretation of dreams ; they made use of

magical arts probably , employing , as magicians do , some of the ascertained results of science in producing optical illusions , impressing the vulgar with the belief that they were familiar Avith the secrets of the invisible world ; hence the name ef

Chaldean and Magician became almost synonymous terms , see Dan ., - chap . 2 , 4 , & c . It is not improbable that they had made advance in other sciences , In the absence of satisfactory history the worthiest account Ave have of the Ma ° i is in O the Book of Daniel .

Herodotus speaks of the Magi as a distinct people . The word Mag , or Mog ( whence the Mayor of the Greeks , and the Magi of the Romans ) means properly a priest ; and at a very early period the names of Chaldeans and Magi were

interchangeable , and both Avere regarded as of the same class . They were , doubtless , at first , a class of priests employed , among other things , in the search for wisdom , Avho were connected with heathen oracles ; Avho claimed acquaintance with

the will of the gods , and AVIIO professed to have the poAver , therefore , of making knoAvn future events , by explaining dreams , visions , preternatural appearances , & c . The Magi are said to have formed one of the six tribes , into Avhich the Medes Avere

divided , but on the downfall of the Median empire they continued to retain at the court of the Conqueror , a great degree of poAver and authority . The learning of the Magi Avas connected with astrology and enchantment , in Avhich they Avere so celebrated that their name Avas applied to all orders of magicians and enchanters .

The claim AA hich they set up with regard to the future Avas evidently only that of explaining what Avere regarded as the prognostics of future events . It Avas not that of being able to recal what is forgotten or even to originate what might be

regarded as pre-intimations of Avhat is to happen . This Avas substantially the claim which Avas asserted by all the astrologers , augurs , and soothsayers of ancient times . Dreams , the flight of birds , the aspect of the entrails of animals slain for

sacrifice , the position of the stars , meteors , and uncommon appearances in the heavens , were supposed to be intimations made by the gods of Avhich was to occur in future times , and the business of