Dr. JVall on the Ufe of Symbols. 245 
ral, arrogated to themfelves the prior right to 
thefe chara&ers, upon the pretence, that they 
point out mod accurately the various qualities of 
the metals ■, whereas, to the planets they have no 
kind of relation. Yet, notwithftanding the plau- 
Ability of their arguments, I am inclined to 
entertain a contrary opinion, and to believe that 
the pretenfions of the Aftronomers have a better 
foundation. 
Aftronomy was cultivated in all the oriental 
nations, particularly in iEgypt, Phoenicia and 
Chaldea, in the very earlieft ages, of which we 
have any record. Not only the uniform appear¬ 
ances of the fixed ftars, but even the more 
irregular movements and revolutions of the 
planets, and the peculiar circumftances of colour 
and fplendour, by which they are diftinguifhed 
from each other, were accurately marked and 
obferved. 
In the fame period of time, the opinion of 
polytheifm had been gradually difleminated : 
and it was extremely natural, that thofe fplendid 
bodies rolling apparently above the earth, in the 
immenfity of fpace, by fuch determined laws, 
Ihould be confidered as the habitations of the 
immortal beings, by whofe immediate influence 
and fuperintendence the affairs of the world were 
conduced. 
Having premifed this, let us now, for the far¬ 
ther inveftigation of this fubjedV, pay a particular 
R 3 attention 
