22 Dr. Mac Culloch on the 
Art. IIL. Conjectures respecting the Greek Fire of the 
Middle Ages. By J. Mac Cuttocn, M-D.F.R.S., &e. 
[Communicated by the Author.] 
TueEre are few of the inventions of former times that have 
excited more inquiry, and given rise to more discussions, than 
the celebrated Greek fire, so often used in the middle ages, 
in the wars of the Christians and Saracens. The subject is, 
in itself, sufficiently obscure; bit it appears to have been ren- 
dered much more so, by many collateral causes, and most of 
all by that love of the marvellous in which the people loves to 
indulge. It seems pretty clear, that even grave historians are 
not exempt from this charge; and, in tracing their narratives 
and descriptions, the marks of exaggeration are not much less 
apparent than the confusion in which they have contrived to 
envelop this subject. 
Among these historians, there are some who were witnesses 
to its effects, and some who even pretend to describe its composi- 
tion. Yet to them we may turn in vain for distinctness, or truth. 
The actual terrors of some, the traditional ones of others, the 
exaggerated style of the times, and the general ignorance of 
science, have led to perplexities which it seems almost hopeless 
to try to disentangle. Succeeding antiquaries and historians, 
the analysts of all these barbarous histories, have had little 
better success; and after much vain toiling, the more prudent 
seem to have abandoned the inquiry in despair. Even Gibbon’s 
gigantic hand, that seems to have wielded all subjects alike, 
whose mastery of the most abstruse, and the most perplexed 
parts of history appears perfectly marvellous, seems to have 
been compelled, like the rest, to yield. 
Him we can excuse; while we may regret the want of that 
only knowledge, chemistry, which could have assisted him in 
the investigation, and which had he possessed it, would have 
left nothing for his successors to do. The same excuse will 
hold good for Du Cange, Des Brosses, and others; perhaps 
for Dutens also. Grose might have done more than he has; 
