THERE 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 ; but 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, 



