is believed to have been the great propagator in the latter country, where it seems to have been universally believed, at least in the first ages of its history. From the sacred priests, the opinion passed through Thales and Pythagoras to Greece and Italy, where, more or less modified, it formed a tenet of all the schools. To Egypt, indeed, may be traced nearly all the doctrines and mythic fables which form the ground-work of classic mythology, as well as the principles on which even the exact sciences of modern times are based.

Very diversified were the opinions entertained of its real character, some regarding it as of the nature of fire, others a kind of air, some an ether—a spirit—the breath, and some as water. In the form of fire it has been immor talized in the history of Prometheus, and his famous story of stealing fire from heaven. Whatever were its nature it was believed to influence the world in the capacity of life and soul, and to be the divine aura, whence a part or particle was infused into every organized being, as the principle of vitality and soul of existence. This universal principle or power, is the nearest approach which seems to have been made to the belief in a Great First Cause of all things.

Thus, under the name of Athor or Athyr, a goddess, we find this principle adored. One of the recent travellers in Egypt mentions that on the roof of the pronaos of the great temple of Dendera he found "a mythological repre sentation of the birth of the universe from the bosom of Athor, whose outstretched arms appear to embrace the whole expanse of the heavens; from her mouth proceeds the winged globe, (the emblem of the world self-balanced in space,) her womb gives birth to the sun and moon, which diffuse their light and generative influence over the earth, while the other gods with their stellar mansions, mystic symbols, transmigrations, avatars, and earthly representives, are seen moving in order along the firmament,