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wishing to be deemed men of real science, called themselves 

 mathematicians, a name which frequently occurs in the Annals 

 of Tacitus. 



Many augurs and soothsayers in India, though not of any 

 particular caste or tribe, are I believe set apart and educated for 

 the purpose in the seminaries of the Brahmins. We frequently 

 read of the schools of the prophets among the Jews; few of the 

 pupils, probably, were afterwards dignified with that sacred title, 

 or endowed with any supernatural gift. On the contrary, Amos, 

 when invested with that high honour, says " I was no prophet, 

 neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdsman, and a 

 gatherer of sycamore fruit. And the Lord took me as I followed 

 the flock, and said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel." 

 I am led to imagine that in many Hindoo seminaries, instead of 

 encouraging mental and moral improvement, in those liberal and 

 solid acquirements, which expand the ideas, and dignify human 

 nature, the pupils are instructed in astrology, geomancy, cabalis- 

 tical knowledge, and similar attainments, which tend to weaken 

 and degrade the rational character. Unlike the great and wise 

 Akber, who instituted public schools throughout his extensive 

 empire, where, after the boys had been taught the letters of the 

 Persian alphabet, and the first rudiments of science, they were 

 then instructed in morality, arithmetic,, astronomy, geometry, agri- 

 culture, oeconomics, physic, logic, natural philosophy, abstract 

 mathematics, divinity, history, and the art of government. In the 

 Hindoo schools every one was educated according to his circum- 

 stances, or particular views in life. A plan which might be wisely 

 adopted in many civilized countries of Europe. From those regu- 



