To the unfortunate view of these sciences, Mythology, attri-butes much of the cruelties of the Pharoah of Moses. Terrified by the alarming predictions of his Astrologers, who announced his death by the hand of a young Israelite, he commanded, in the weakness of his mind, that all the male children of that chosen people should be thrown into the Nile. The hand of omnipotence, which never tails even from the most unexpected and discordant causes, to produce the desired effect, if such be his divine will, ordained that this event should operate for the deliverance of the Israelites, and the ruin of the tyrant, who with his nobles and his whole army, were overwhelmed in the depths of the Red Sea. Amidst this general desolation, there being no male surviving on whom the widows could bestow the throne, the oriental writers affirm, that they chose Deluke. the most aged amongst themselves, concerning whom they recount the following tradition, which is perhaps as wild and singular as any to be found in the oriental records.

"To preserve the state from foreign invasion, this queen had recourse to the enchantments of Nedoure, the greatest female magician of the country. In the centre of the capital, she erected a superb edifice of stone, whose four doors fronting the four cardinal points, were decorated with figures and images, representing numerous armies. Several thousand persons were day and night employed in the most active exertions. "Now" said she to the queen, "you may enjoy tranquillity, your capital and empire are exempt from danger. If an enemy should have the temerity to approach you, combat him, by attacking the figures, which are on that side, of the edifice, to which he directs his march; cut off their heads, break their arms and legs, beat out their eyes: the destiny of these figures shall be that of your enemies". The virtue of this magic edi-fiee, says the historian, kept in awe all the neighbouring people; and Egypt continued in prosperity during four centuries, till the epocha of the destruction of that miraculous building, which began under the reign of Licass, and fell down entirely under that of Cawmess. It is strange, that the event verified the baneful prediction of the fall and ruin of that monarchy.

In consequence of Cawmess having afforded an asylum to the melancholy remnant of the Israelites, who were subjected and led into captivity by Nabuchodonosor; that savage conqueror, irritated by the contemptuous refusal of the Egyptian king, made war against him, and killed him in battle: this was followed by the massacre of one part of the nation, the captivity of the other, and the entire ruin of Egypt. This remarkable desolation, which the Astrologers had predicted, fortified more strongly the popular opinion of these occult sciences. They were perpetuated in the nation, notwithstanding the political revolutions which it successively experienced under the Babylonians, Macedonians, Romans, Persians, Greeks, and Mahometan Arabs.

Amidst the "crash of empires", the vicissitudes of ages, and the revolutions of public opinion, (which in no other instance had evinced such firmness) these sciences, but more especially Astrology, were preserved in Egypt from one generation to another; with various degrees of power and enthusiasm; now reigning " Lord of the ascendant", and again suffering a temporary wane, as fanaticism occasionally overshadowed its sublime truths. Hence these sciences were circulated amongst the different Arabian tribes, by whom they were as much respected as in Egypt: indeed the respect entertained for them by the Ara-bians in general, contributed in a great degree to the success of Mohammed, In his life we see the favourable predictions of many very celebrated Astrologers of his time; and among others, that of a priest of Eukkaz, who told the uncle of the "Prophet", that all circumstances in his infancy conspired to announce that he would be an extraordinary man, and that his life should be guarded with the most vigilant attention. As also the prediction of another, no less famous in the art, who on being presented to him at Bassora, took Mohammed by the hand, and exclaimed with transport, " Behold the Lord of the World, the Mercy of the Universe", etc.

These predictions are said to have been corroborated by a remarkable vision, which Mohammed made known at the beginning of his enterprise. He declared, that in a dream he saw the two hemispheres recede in such a manner, as to show him distinctly the utmost extremities of the east and west. This he explained to his disciples, as expressive of the extensive territories and immense dominion which, by the decrees of heaven, were reserved for those, who in obedience to the Cour'ann, combated for his religion.

The annals of the Othoman empire, and the history of Mohammedanism, are replete with marvellous events, predictions, supernatural warnings, and ominous details; no less wonderful than the foregoing recitals; some few of which shall be related, since they will not only prove interesting to the curious reader, but will serve to give an idea of the spirit of that nation; and the extraordinary events which have sprung from their wild enthusiasm.

Osman I. experienced happy presages, respecting the future prosperity of his family. A Scheykh, who was an Astrologer, who passed a solitary life in the study of the occult sciences, came to him, and declared with enthusiastic rapture, that the prophet Elijah had appeared to him, and commanded him to announce, by his authority, the successful enterprises of Osman; that he should be the brightest sun of the east, and that his posterity should reign over seven climates; that is, over all the habitable regions of our globe. Osman loaded the old man with caresses; he offered him a rich sabre, and a costly vase. He accepted only the latter, and left the young prince with many blessings. The prediction became fulfilled, so far as success and enterprise were concerned; and at the height of his sovereign power, Osman recollected the Scheykh,sent him valuable presents, and ordered an ample convent to be built in the city where he resided, with a considerable fund, which subsists even at present.