ng to have been informed.
It is said, both of Pythagoras and Solon, that they resided for some time
in Egypt: where the former was instructed by a Son-chen, or priest of the
Sun. But I could never hear of any great good that was the consequence of
his travels. Thus much is certain; that whatever knowledge he may have
picked up in other parts, he got nothing from the Grecians. They, who
pretended most to wisdom, were the most destitute of the blessing.
[514][Greek: Alla par allois sullexamenos, monon para ton sophon Hellenon
echein ouden, peniai sophias kai aporiai sunoikounton.] And as their
theology was before very obscure, he drew over it a mysterious veil to make
it tenfold darker. The chief of the intelligence transmitted by Solon from
Egypt contained a satire upon his own country. He was told by an antient
[515]priest, that the Grecians were children in science: that they were
utterly ignorant of the mythology of other nations; and did not understand
their own. Eudoxus likewise and Plato were in Egypt; and are said to have
resided there some time: yet very few things of moment have been
transmitted by them. Plato had great opportunities of rectifying the
history and mythology of Greece: but after all his advantages he is accused
of trifling shamefully, and addicting himself to fable. [516][Greek: Platon
de, ho dokon ton Hellenon sophotatos gegenesthai, eis posen phluarian
echoresen.] Yet all the rites of the Helladians, as well as their Gods and
Heroes, were imported from the [517]east: and chiefly from [518]Egypt,
though they were unwilling to allow it. Length of time had greatly impaired
their true history; and their prejudices would not suffer them to retrieve
it. I should therefore think it by no means improper to premise a short
account of this wonderful people, in order to shew whence this obscurity
arose; which at last prevailed so far, that they, in great measure, lost
sight of their origin, and were involved in mystery and fable.

The first inhabitants of the country, called afterwards Hellas, were the
sons of Javan; who seem to have degenerated very early, and to have become
truly barbarous. Hence the best historians of Greece confess, that their
ancestors were not the first inhabitants; but that it was before their
arrival in the possession of a people, whom they style [519][Greek:
Barbaroi], or Barbarians. The Helladians were colonies of another family:
and introduced themselves somewhat later. They were