CHAPTER I. Effects of Incredulity and Credulity--Knowledge supposed to be Remembrance--Purpose of this Volume--Progress of rational Belief--Resemblance of Error to Truth--Contagious Nature of Excitement--Improved State of the Human Mind in Modern Times 13 Remote Origin of Oracles--Influence of Oracles--Opinions respecting them--Cause of the Cessation of Oracles--Superstition early systematized in Egypt--Bœotia early famous for Oracles--Origin of the Oracle of Dodona--Ambiguity of Oracular Responses--Stratagem of a Peasant--Oracles disbelieved by Ancient Philosophers--Cyrus and the Idol Bel--Source of Fire-Worshipping--Victory of Canopus over Fire--The Sphinx--Sounds heard from it--Supposed …
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