he Stoics of old used to say, an acorn may lie
torpid in the ground, unable to exert its living force, until it
receives warmth, and moisture, and other things needful for its
germination; when it grows, it may put forth one bud here and another
bud there; the wind may bend one branch, the frost blight another; the
innate vitality of the tree may struggle against adverse conditions or
luxuriate in those that are congenial; but, whatever the circumstances
may be, there is an overruling power for ever constraining and modelling
it. The acorn can only produce an oak.

The application of this principle to human societies is completely
established by a scientific study of their history; and the more
extensive and profound that study, the better shall we be able to
distinguish the invariable law in the midst of the varying events. But
that once thoroughly appreciated, we have gained a philosophical guide
for the interpretation of the past acts of nations, and a prophetic
monitor of their future, so far as prophecy is possible in human
affairs.

INDEX.

Abba Oumna, a distinguished Jewish physician, i. 401.

Abbot Arnold, his sanguinary order at the capture of Beziers, ii. 62.

Abdallah penetrates Africa as far as Tripoli, i. 334.

Abdalmalek invades Africa, i. 334.

Abderrahman slain at the battle of Tours, ii. 30.

Abderrahman III., description of the Court of, ii. 32.
Introduces cotton manufacture into Spain, ii. 386.

Abderrahman Sufi improves the photometry of the stars, ii. 42.

Abdulmalek, his scrupulous integrity in regard to the church of
Damascus, i. 338.

Abelard, Peter, his character and doctrines, ii. 11.

Abkah, his temporary success in subjugating Africa, i. 334.

Aboul Wefa discovers the variation of the moon, i. 325.

Abraham Ibn Sahal, obscene character of the songs of, ii. 35.

Absorption of the soul of man, the Veda doctrine of, i. 60.

Abu-Bekr, the successor of Mohammed and first Khalif, i. 334.

Abul Cassem, a Moorish writer of the tenth century, on trade
and commerce, ii. 44.

Abul Hassan, an Arab astronomer, ii. 42.

Abu Othman, a Moorish writer on zoology, ii. 39.

Acacius, Bishop of Constantinople, excommunicated by Felix, the
Bishop of Rome, i. 352.

Academies, accusation of heresy against the Italian, ii. 213.
Foundation of modern learned, ii. 287.

Academy, Old, founded by Plato, i. 169.
Middle