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THEORIES OF THE ever as new as it is now, to those who know not “quain multa renovantur quae jam cecidere.” And as if human invention was really never to be new, here also do we find the parentage of that more modern system which is at length a theory under evidence ; though he who may vainly seek geological knowledge in Sanconiatho, will search to as little purpose the records of Hindustan. If the Chaldean cosmosgony deserves notice here, it is chiefly from having furnished that of our Northern ancestors. I he Chaos, of water and darkness alone, contained certain monstrous animals, which were slain by Bel, together with the goddess Omorca, who, being divided, produced the earth and the heavens: while, as man was formed from her head, thence, says Berosus, his intellectual powers. In the Voluspa, Alfader created all things; before which, all was a continuous abyss. Heaven and earth were no where: yet Niflheim and Muspelshcim, the hell of frost and storms, and the luminous world, had been prepared. Hence shall issue Surtur, the genius of darkness, with his flaming sword, vanquish the Gods, and consume the universe. The reader can turn to the Edda for the contest of the sons of Bore with the giant Ymir, the result imitating the fate of Omorca, as for much more : but the conflagration is succeeded by a new earth, fruitful without cultivation; while the death of the Gods is their absorption into the Supreme Cause. 1 need not agjiin point out that origin which is amply confirmed by the history and language of the Gothic race. On certain modern Cosmogonies. C' If, under this division, there are some rivals of the former inventions, so are there some, partially sup ported by facts. I have no intention to examine this c c 2