CHAPTER IX.

Notwithstanding the rivalry of religious sects, the spirit of a fixed form of civilization existed — Mystery in the schools of philo- sophy was ultimately banished by the influence of more perfect civilization — In the first epoch there was an habitual communi- cation of the Greeks with the successors of the Magi, who were dispersed throu^ Asia ofiber tiie death of Sraerdis — ^First the revdatim of Msgifr-^SecaiuU die impoverishing of Egypt, after the conquest of die Romaas caused piiesta of infisrior grades, who trafficked in the secsrets of the temples, to abound in Rone- Third, the polydieists who were converted to Ghristiamty, carried into its bosqm the knowledge of the magic whidi they possessed -—In the second epoch, the remains only of the sacred science existed; ficst, in the schools of the Theurgian philosophy; secondly, in the possession of wandering priests^ and, above all, of Eg3rptian priests. As successors to the former may be assigned, with much probability, the secret societies of Europe ; tothe latter, the modem jugglers . 201 — 237