CHAPTER II.

Remote Origin of Oracles--Influence of Oracles--Opinions respecting them--Cause of the Cessation of Oracles--Superstition early systematized in Egypt--Bœotia early famous for Oracles--Origin of the Oracle of Dodona--Ambiguity of Oracular Responses--Stratagem of a Peasant--Oracles disbelieved by Ancient Philosophers--Cyrus and the Idol Bel--Source of Fire-Worshipping--Victory of Canopus over Fire--The Sphinx--Sounds heard from it--Supposed Cause of them--Mysterious Sounds at Nakous--Frauds of the Priests of Serapis--The Statue of Memnon--Oracle of Delphi--Its Origin--Changes which it underwent--The Pythoness--Danger attendant on her office--Tricks played by Heathen Priests--Origin of the Gordian Knot--The Knot is cut by Alexander--Ambrosian, Logan or Rocking Stones--Representations of them on Ancient Coins--Pliny’s Description of a Logan Stone in Asia--Stones at Sitney, in Cornwall, and at Castle Treryn--The latter is overthrown, and replaced--Logan Stones are Druidical Monuments 17