CHAr. XII. ASTROLOGICAL PREDICTIONS. 153 



of the predictions and promises of an oracle*; and 

 Neco was warned not to continue the canal from 

 the Nile to the Red Sea, lest he should expose his 

 country to foreign invasion. t Oracles were also 

 consulted, like the magicians of the present day, in 

 cases of theft; and Amasis is reported to hav^e be- 

 stowed presents on those which he found capable 

 of returning true answers, and remarkable for dis- 

 crimination. 



They predicted future events, both relative to 

 private occurrences, and natural phenomena ; for 

 which purpose, Diodorus t tells us, they took ad- 

 vantage of their skill in arithmetical calculations; 

 this last being of the highest importance to them 

 in the study of astrology. *' For the Egyptians 

 most accurately observe the order and movement 

 of the stars, preserving their remarks upon each for 

 an incredible number of years; that study having 

 been followed by them from the earliest times. 

 They most carefully note the movements, revolu- 

 tions, and positions of the planets, as well as the 

 influences possessed by each upon the birth of 

 animals, whether yjroductive of good or evil. And 

 they fi'equently foretell what is about to happen to 

 mankind with the greatest accuracy, showing the 

 failure and abundance of crops, or the epidemic dis- 

 eases about to befal men or cattle: and earthquakes, 

 deluges, the rising of comets, and all those phjeno- 

 mena, the knowledge of which appears impossible 

 to vulgar comprehensions, they foresee by means 



* Ilcrodot. ii. 133. 139. |- Ilcrodot. ii. I.J8. 



J Diodor. i. 81. 



