Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/167

 is founded. Since at the same Time that he objects the Secrecy of the ancient Egyptian Priests, as a Reason why the Memory of this Art was so little known, he owns himself obliged to a Greek, who had it from the Egyptians at Second Hand.

But how will these Pretenders to remote Antiquity, who tell us, that Moses, by his Skill in Chymistry, ground the Golden Calf to Powder, reconcile a Passage in Theophrastus to their Pretensions? He, speaking of Quicksilver (o), says that the Art of extracting it from Cinnabar was not known till 90 Years before his Time, when it was first found out by Callias an Athenian. Can we think that the Egyptians could hinder these inquisitive Grecians, who staid so long in their Country, from knowing that there was such a Metal as Mercury? Or could these Egyptians make Gold without it? If they could, they might reasonably suppose that the Israelites could make Brick without Straw, since they could make Gold and Silver without that, which Modern Adepti affirm to be the Seed of all Metals. Theophrastuss Words are too general, to admit of an Objection, as if he believed that Calliass Invention ought to be limited to his own Country. This, join'd