146 
and if there is, we do not know it.” “ We know nothing, 
not even if there is anything to know.” He denied the crea- 
tion of the world as in any way due to reason. He is stated 
to have believed in the existence of a higher order of beings 
than man, although of the same form, like him composed of 
atoms, longer-lived, still mortal, who influence human affairs, 
some for good, others for evil, and who appear to men in 
dreams. He considered the summum bonum of life to consist 
of tranquillity of mind, — a condition, according to him, incom- 
patible with marriage. 
But he who thus wrote was a bachelor. So also was Para- 
celsus. How, then, could either of those scientists and philo- 
sophers comprehend in their fulness the importance, the 
obligations, the responsibilities, or the dignity of humanity? 
I cannot say. 
In the early part of the sixteenth century Frascatorio* re- 
vived the theory of atoms of Democritus, and by representing 
the atoms as demons he struck out a doctrine in strict keeping 
with the circumstances of the period. These demons were 
popularly believed to be emanations from the Deity ; and the 
belief engendered a cabalistic theosophy, to which, according 
to the author quoted from, the medical delusions of the day 
were the most fitting accompaniments. The delusions here 
indicated were entertained in the minds of men as affiliated 
subjects of contemplation, just as we may observe nowadays a 
combination of heterodox doctrines finding a congenial lodg- 
ment in one brain. 
5. Proceed we to the farthest East. In China, some cen- 
turies before Democritus in the West announced the system 
now alluded to, questions similar to those to which he fur- 
nished the replies quoted were being discussed, and with a 
result not altogether different from what occasionally transpires 
at the present day, namely, absolute disaccord. We readf that 
during the first historical dynasty of China, b.c. 1122-250, Duke 
Ai propounded a theme in which occur the questions, thus 
expressed : — 
“ By which of the elements five!}! is the work of Nature done ? 
And of all the ten thousand things that are, say which is the wondrous 
one ? ” 
Whereupon Chi Nien exclaimed: “ This is but a question of 
* Born 1483 ; died 1553. See Brand (John), Observations on Popular 
Antiquities, vol. iii. p. 269 ; Meryon’s Hist, of Medicine, vol. i. pp. 381-383. 
t Historic China. By Herbert A. Giles. De la Bue & Co. 1882. 
Pp. 22, 23. 
J Viz., earth, wood, metal, water, fire. 
