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Rh distinguishing mark between the civilized man and the barbarian.

The example thus set by the Apostle was followed by the early fathers of the church. Eusebius and Clemens Alexandrinus quote this same passage; and Aratus appears to have been a favorite author with Christians as well as Heathen.

Cicero remarks: "Aratum hominem ignarum Astrologiæ ornatissimis atque optimis versibus de coelo et stellis scripsisse;" thus highly praising his poetical talents, but disparaging his astronomical science. Cicero's remark is thus far true: Aratus might not make the observations himself, but study and adopt the notions of Eudoxus, in the same manner as Cicero himself, who was proud of his own astronomical knowledge, obtained it from writers upon the subject. Aratus was certainly a proficient in astronomy, as far as the science had advanced in his times. It is not to be expected that in all his statements he should he minutely accurate, for he is