86 PHYSICAL SCIENCE BK. n 



this assumption left to us, all sway is handed over to 

 fate. When I come to treat of that subject, I will 

 explain how, without infringing the power of fate, 

 3 something may still be left to human choice. For 

 the nonce, I have explained the point at issue, viz. 

 how, consistently with an order fixed by fate, perils 

 from prodigies may be averted through expiation 

 and sacrifice, inasmuch as they do not conflict with 

 fate, but, on the contrary, are assumed by the very 

 law of fate. What benefit, then, you say, can I derive 

 from a soothsayer? In any case I must of necessity 

 offer expiation, even though he be not by to advise 

 it. He so far does good in that he is the instru 

 ment of fate. In like manner, when recovery 

 from illness seems the work of fate, it is due at the 

 same time to the doctor, because the boon of fate 

 passes through his hands in order to reach us. 



XXXIX 



THERE are, Caecina says, three kinds of lightning 

 the counselling, the authoritative, and what is 

 called the ordinary. The counselling occurs before 

 an event, but after the design is formed. When 

 something is simmering in one s mind, the lightning 

 stroke either urges it or deters from it. The 

 authoritative one succeeds an event, indicating its 

 outcome as good or ill fortune. In the ordinary 

 case, people are busied neither with action nor design 

 when the lightning suddenly occurs. The flash 

 conveys either threat, promise, or warning. The 

 last form is indeed called admonitory : I am disposed 

 to think it is identical with the counselling mentioned 

 above. One who warns at the same time counsels. 



