VEDAISM _the Contemplation of Matter, or Adoration of Nature, set forth in the Vedas and Institutes of Menu.--The Universe is God.--Transmutation of the World.--Doctrine of Emanation.--Transmigration.--Absorption.--Penitential Services.--Happiness in Absolute Quietude._ BUDDHISM _the Contemplation of Force.--The supreme impersonal Power.--Nature of the World--of Man.--The Passage of every thing to Nonentity.--Development of Buddhism into a vast monastic System marked by intense Selfishness.--Its practical Godlessness._ EGYPT _a mysterious Country to the old Europeans.--Its History, great public Works, and foreign Relations.--Antiquity of its Civilization and Art.--Its Philosophy, hieroglyphic Literature, and peculiar Agriculture._ _Rise of Civilization in rainless Countries.--Geography, Geology, and Topography of Egypt.--The Inundations of the Nile lead to Astronomy._ _Comparative Theology of Egypt.--Animal Worship, Star Worship.--Impersonation of Divine Attributes.--Pantheism.--The Trinities of Egypt.--Incarnation.--Redemption.--Future Judgment.--Trial of the Dead.--Rituals and Ceremonies._ 56 CHAPTER IV. GREEK AGE OF INQUIRY. RISE AND DECLINE OF PHYSICAL SPECULATION. IONIAN PHILOSOPHY, _commencing from Egyptian Ideas, identifies in Water, or Air, or Fire, the First Principle.--Emerging from the Stage of Sorcery, it founds Psychology, Biology, Cosmogony, Astronomy, and ends in doubting whether there is any Criterion of Truth._ ITALIAN PHILOSOPHY _depends on Numbers and Harmonies.--It reproduces the Egyptian and Hindu Doctrine of Transmigration._ ELEATIC PHILOSOPHY _presents a great Advance, indicating a rapid Approach to Oriental Ideas.--It assumes a Pantheistic Aspect._ RISE OF PHILOSOPHY IN EUROPEAN GREECE.--_Relations and Influence of the Mediterranean Commercial and Colonial System.--Athens attains to commercial Supremacy.--Her vast Progress in Intelligence and Art.--Her Demoralization.--She becomes the Intellectual Centre of the Mediterranean._ _Commencement of the Athenian higher Analysis.--It is conducted by_ THE SOPHISTS, _who reject Philosophy, Religion, and even Morality, and end in Atheism._ _Political Dangers of the higher Analysis.--Illustration from the Middle Ages._ 94 CHAPTER V. THE GREEK AGE OF FAITH. RISE AND DECLINE OF ETHICAL PHILOSOPHY. SOCRATES _rejects Physical and Mathematical Speculations, and asserts the Importance of Virtue and Morality, thereby inaugurating an Age of Faith.--His Life and Death.--The schools originating from his Movement teach the Pursuit of Pleasure and Gratification of Self._