100 ON THE ORIGIN OP CREMATION, 



was pretty general in Greece before the existence either of 

 Thales or of Heraclitus, and, indeed, before either of their 

 peculiar systems had been broached. It seems highly probable, 

 indeed, from what Homer has said in regard to the fate of 

 Ajax, that tl ose philosophers who honoured fire as the prima- 

 ry element, had built their hypothesis on ancient tradition. 



Besides, it is attested by universal experience, that the theo- 

 ries of philosophers have had very little influence on the man- 

 ners and customs of mankind. In many instances they have 

 endeavoured, in their own way, to account for certain customs 

 which prevailed among their countrymen, or in other nations ; 

 and have occasionally accommodated their systems to those 

 modes which had the sanction of antiquity. But it may well be 

 questioned, if, in any one instance, the dogma of the most cele- 

 brated school has given rise to a rite or custom which has been 

 generally received by the multitude. The influence of their 

 authority was almost entirely confined to their own disciples ; 

 and, while a theory directly opposite was keenly supported br- 

 others, who claimed equal authority, and who had an equal 

 right to exhibit this claim, the surrounding multitude could 

 only stare at the supposed wisdom of contending sects, without 

 attempting to decide the controversy, or even supposing that 

 they were qualified for so arduous a task. 



We must inquire, therefore, if there was no idea pretty ge- 

 nerally received among men, that entwined itself with their re- 

 ligious creed, and derived peculiar influence from their hopes 

 and fears, as to a state of future existence ; which, if it did not 

 absolutely originate this custom, must have greatly facilitated 

 its progress. We accordingly observe, 



7. That the body was believed to be unclean after the depar- 

 ture of the soul ; and that it was therefore deemed necessary 

 that it should be purified by fire. This is given by Eustathius 



as 



