Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/135

 only Artifices of the Priests, who gave such Answers to Enquirers as they desired, when they had either Power or Wealth to back their Requests. If s Hypothesis be admitted, it will strengthen my Notion of Pythagoras very much; since when he did not care to live any longer in Samos, because of Polycratess Tyranny, and was desirous to establish to himself a lasting Reputation for Wisdom and Learning amongst the ignorant Inhabitants of Magna Græcia, where he setled upon his Retirement, he was willing to have them think that Apollo was of his Side. That made him establish the Doctrine of Transmigration of Souls, which he brought with him out of India, that so those Italians might think that he had a certain Reminiscence of Things past, since his first Stage of Life, and the Beginning of the World; and upon that Account admire him the more: For Laërtius (w) says, that he pretended to remember every Thing that he had done formerly, whilst he was in those other Bodies; and that he received this as an especial Favour from Mercury, who gave him his Choice of whatsoever he desired, except Immortality. (x) Hence also he obliged his Scholars to go through a Trial of Five Years, to Errata