172 EPOCHS IN THE HISTOItt OP THE CONTEMPLATION 



and intellectual fructification of that which had long been 

 collected. During the long period of many centuries,, and 

 until the powerful genius of Aristotle appeared, natural 

 phenomena, not regarded as objects of accurate observation, 

 were subjected in their interpretation to the exclusive sove- 

 reignty of ideas, and even given over to the sway of vague 

 presentiments and unstable hypotheses. There was now, 

 however, manifested a higher appreciation of empirical know- 

 ledge. Men examined and sifted what they possessed. 

 Natural philosophy becoming less bold in her speculations 

 and less fanciful in her images, at length approached nearer 

 to a searching empirical investigation in treading the sure 

 path of induction. A laborious tendency to accumulate 

 materials had enforced the acquisition of a corresponding 

 amount of technical information; and although in the 

 works of distinguished and thoughtful men, an extensive 

 and varied knowledge presented valuable results, yet in tiie 

 decline of the creative power of the Greek mind this know- 

 ledge appeared too often to want an animating spirit, and 

 wore the character of mere erudition. The absence of due 

 care in respect to composition, as well as want of animation and 

 grace of style, have also contributed to expose Alexandrian 

 learning to the severe censure of posterity. 



It particularly belongs to these pages to bring forward 

 that which the epoch of the Ptolemies contributed towards 

 the contemplation of the physical Universe, whether by the 

 concurrent action of external relations, by the foundation 

 and suitable endowment of two great establishments (the 

 Alexandrian Institution, and the libraries of Bruchium 

 ( 266 ) and Rhakotis), or by the collegiate assemblage of so 

 many learned men of active and practical minds. An en- 



