pus 
OR THE BURNING OF THE DEAD. 99 
This, it has been observed, was the general doctrine of the 
Platonists. It was also held by other philosophers, especially 
by the Stoics. It has been asserted by the learned Grortus, 
that Zeno of Cittium, the founder of the sect of the Stoics, re- 
ceived this opinion from the Phenicians ; as Cittium was a Phe- 
nician colony in Cyprus. Whether this remark be well found- 
ed or not, the doctrine was generally adopted by his followers. 
Seneca expressly asserts, that, as “ the world had its origin by 
“ water, it shall be destroyed by fire*.” He says in another 
place ; “ All things shall fall by their own power ; the stars shall 
“ rush on the stars, and universal matter shall blaze in one 
“ fire. Whatever now shines in the world shall then be in 
“ flames +.” 
Diocenes Larrtius thus expresses the doctrine of Heracui- 
tus; “ There is one world, which was produced by fire, and 
“ shall be again reduced into fire t.” Need I add the well- 
known language of Ovip ? 
Esse quoque in fatis reminiscitur, affore tempus 
Quo mare, quo tellus, correptaque regia cceli 
_* Ardeat; et mundi moles operosa laboret. 
yr , ; Metam. lib. i. ver. 256. 
- 
It ought to be observed, however, that neither this, nor the 
preceding reason, assigned for the introduction of cremation, 
_ can be viewed as satisfactory. For it appears that this custom 
oF cca . N 2 "was 
Lamy gts ‘ t 
bs Ita ignis exitus mundi est, humor primordium, Natural. Quest. lib. iii. 
ec. 13. 
+ Epist. de Consolat. ad Porys. 
T “Evee civees xdopeoy, yeneiobas re dutoy & mens, xal mart exmuezctar. WV. Gain’s Court of 
the Gentiles, b. iii, c. 7. 
