CONTENTS. xiii 



GREAT I NSTAU RATION 



Announcement of the Author 

 Author s Preface 

 Distribution of the \Voik 



TlIE \VkDOM OF THE ANCIENTS 



1 KI.I-ACE ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 415 



1. The Fable of Cculuin. Explained of the Creation, or Oiitjin 



of all Tilings ... .. ... ... ... 417 



II. The Fable of Prometheus. Explained of an Over-ruling 



Providence, and of Human Nature ... ... ... 419 



III. The Fable of Orpheus. Explained of Natural and Moral 



Philosophy ... ... ... ... ... 426 



IV. The Fable of Atalanta and Hippomenes. Explained of the 



Contest Betwixt Art and Nature ... ... ... 428 



V. The Fable of Ericthonius. Explained of the Improper Use 



of Force in Natural Philosophy ... ... ... 429 



VI. The Fable of Icarus, and that of Scylla and Charybdis. 



Explained of Mediocrity in Natural and Moral Philosophy 430 

 VI I. The Fable of Proteus. Explained of Matter and its Changes 4 

 VIII. The Fable of Cupid. Explained of the Corpuscular 



Philosophy ... ... ... ... ... 432 



IX. The Fable of Deucalion. Explained of a Useful Hint in 



Natural Philosophy ... ... ... ... 43 \ 



X. The Fable of Sphinx. Explained of the Sciences... ... 435 



XI. The Fable of Proserpine. Explained of the Spirit included 



in Natural liodies ... ... ... ... 437 



XII. The Fable of Memnon. Explained of the Fatal Precipitancy 



of Youth ... ... ... ... .. ... 439 



XIII. The Fable of Tythonus. Explained of Predominant 



Passions ... ... ... ... ... 410 



XIV. The Fable of Narcissus. Explained of Self-Love ... 440 

 XV. The Fable of Juno s Courtship. Explained of Submission 



and Abjection .. ... ... ... ... 4.11 



XVI. The Fable of Cassandra. Explained of Too Free and 



Unseasonable Advice ... ... ... ... 4)2 



XVII. The Fable of the Sirens. Explained of Men s Passions for 



Pleasure ... ... ... ... ... 4.13 



XVIII. The Fable of Diomed. Explained of Persecution, or Zeal 



for Religion ... ... 445 



XIX. The Fable of Acteon and Pentheus. Explained of Curiosity, 



or Prying into the Secrets of Princes and Divine Mysteries 44^ 

 XX. The Fable of the River Styx. Explained of Necessity, jn 



the Oaths or Solemn leagues of Princes ... ^7 



XXI. The Fable of Jupiter and Metis. Explained of Princes rifld 



their Council ... ... ... ... ... 448 



