CHICAGO: The Craig Press. 1891 COPYRIGHT, 1891. JAMES HAROLD ROMAIN....

America is free and her people boast of her freedom in every realm of thought and every department of activity. Her pride is a form of discussion from which no man is excluded because of the opinions he may advocate. We declare a man should be heard in the very face of prejudice or passion. Mr. Romain’s book, in our judgment, is entitled to publication for other reasons than those above mentioned. It is replete with learning, and original in conception. The philosophy is broad and the tone digni

Two doughty knights, clad cap-a-pie in burnished mail, once journeyed forth in search of martial adventure. Their noble steeds all caparisoned for war, both wandered up and down through the world, defending the fair and protecting the weak. Betimes they chance to meet where stood in majestic beauty a bronze statue of victory. In her right hand the goddess clasped a sword, while in graceful pose her left rested upon an ægis richly wrought in the precious metals. Approaching from opposite directio

A traveler once sought to explore an unknown country. Compass he had not, and both chart and guide were wanting. In the distance a mountain loomed above the plain. To its summit our traveler made his way. From thence he beheld the region stretching away in all directions. The land he would traverse the eye could now sweep from center to circumference. It was not possible to know the landscape in detail, but the relative proportions, distances and boundaries were unfolded at his feet. So, when pr

Reader, in imagination go backward with me more than 20 centuries. Enter with me the magnificent and imposing Temple of Fortuna, in old Præneste. We are within the portico of that stately hemicycle. Far above is the marble dome, and about us cluster the snowy columns. As it is early morn, flamens and virgins are assembled inside the sacred precincts. They are grouped about the flaming tripod, and the robes of purple and white blend in harmony of color. The sanctuary is redolent with burning ince

In mediæval romance the Alchemist is a familiar figure—with flowing robe and skull-cap, in the midst of crucibles and alembics. This period of the world did not present a feature more weird and picturesque: a body of learned but misguided men, professing the “chemistry of chemistries.” With eagerness and devotion they vainly sought for a principle that could indefinitely prolong human life and transmute the baser metals into gold and silver. Although centuries have elapsed since Gebir and Parace

On one occasion, an aged scholar soliloquized as follows: “Homer was at the same time beggar and poet: his mouth more often filled with verses than with bread. Plautus turned a mill that he might live. Menander, Cratinus and Terrence were drowned; Empedocles lost in the crater of Mount Etna; Euripides and Heraclitus torn to pieces by dogs; Hesiod, Archilochus and Ibychus, murdered. Sappho threw herself from a precipice. Condemned by a tyrant, respectively, Seneca, Lucan, and Petronius Arbiter, c

For ages, mankind were believers in magic. One of the phases was Exorcism, or a pretended exercise of supernatural power, through certain words of magic import. “Healing words,” says Van Helmont, “were used against the devil and all diseases.” And it is asserted by the Zendavesta that “many cures are performed by words.” That the magic power of words was a belief of the Greeks and Romans, is evident from their literature. Thus it is said of Plotin, that while in Sicily he cured Porphyrius of a f

Expressive was the coronation ceremony in the ancient Dukedom of Carinthia. The ducal candidate, in a peasant’s garb, and with head proudly erect, walked towards the marble throne of his ancestors. But upon it was already seated a peasant, attended by the black bull and the lean horse—those sad and severe symbols of his class. Then was commenced between them this rude dialogue: Peasant:—“Who so proudly dares enter here? Is he a just judge? Has he the good of the country at heart?” Duke:—“He is a