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 through Asia after the death of Smerdis — First the revelation of Magic — Second, the impoverishing of Egypt, after the conquest of the Romans caused priests of inferior grades, who trafficked in the secrets of the temples, to abound in Rome — Third, the polytheists who were converted to Christianity, carried into its bosom the knowledge of the magic which they possessed — In the second epoch, the remains only of tbe sacred science existed; first, in the schools of the Theurgian philosophy; secondly, in the possession of wandering priests, and, above all, of Egyptian priests. As successors to the former may be assigned, with much probability, the secret societies of Europe ; tothe latter, the modern jugglers . 201 — 237