Excerpt from A New System, or an Analysis of Antient Mythology, Vol. 6 of 6: Wherein an Attempt Is Made to Divest Tradition of Fable; And to Reduce the Truth to Its Original Purity It is true, that in historical disquisitions we can Dot expect mathematical certainty; much less can we obtain experimental knowledge: the nature of the evidence will not admit of such a proof. Yet there are not wanting proper data to proceed upon; matters of fact well stated, that are illus trated by other contingencies, especially such as have been never controverted. There is oftentimes, in respect to an historical transaction, such a con nection and correspondence with other events; so marvellous a coincidence of collateral circumstances, as, produces an internal proof superior to the tes timony of the writer, through whose hands we re ceive the account. So that we yield our assent, not merely on the credibility of the narrator: but from being certified in our belief, by an aggregate of cir cumstances, credible of themselves singly; but of infinite force and in uence, when they are brought collectively to a point, and operate together. From hence many truths may be deduced; such as we may fairly assent to; and of which we may be me rally certain. And the evidence resulting in this case is as home and satisfactory, as any that is founded on mathematical knowledge; and the as sent we yield to it is as determined and full. But it may be said, that, in very remote inquiries we cannot always obtain this satisfactory light: and, though no one can well hesitate to pronounce that there was once such a country as Chalda'a or Egypt. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."