Remote Origin of Oracles--Influence of Oracles--Opinions respecting them--Cause of the Cessation of Oracles--Superstition early systematized in Egypt--Bœotia early famous for Oracles--Origin of the Oracle of Dodona--Ambiguity of Oracular Responses--Stratagem of a Peasant--Oracles disbelieved by Ancient Philosophers--Cyrus and the Idol Bel--Source of Fire-Worshipping--Victory of Canopus over Fire--The Sphinx--Sounds heard from it--Supposed Cause of them--Mysterious Sounds at Nakous--Frauds of the Priests of Serapis--The Statue of Memnon--Oracle of Delphi--Its Origin--Changes which it underwent--The Pythoness--Danger attendant on her office--Tricks played by Heathen Priests--Origin of the Gordian Knot--The Knot is cut by Alexander--Ambrosian, Logan or Rocking Stones--Representations of them on Ancient Coins--Pliny’s Description of a Logan Stone in Asia--Stones at Sitney, in Cornwall, and at Castle Treryn--The latter is overthrown, and replaced--Logan Stones are Druidical Monuments. The knowledge of the origin of the ancient oracles is lost in the distance of time; yet it seems reasonable to suppose, that traditionary accounts and confused recollections of the revelations graciously vouchsafed to Noah, to Abraham, and the Patriarchs, more especially Moses, may have been the foundation of these oracles, which were venerated in ancient times; and established in temples, which were, in some instances, supposed to be even the abode of the gods themselves: thus, Apollo was supposed to take up his occasional residence at Delphos, Diana at Ephesus, and Minerva at Athens. The manner of prophecy was various, but that employed by oracles enjoyed the greatest repute; because they were believed to proceed, in a most especial manner, from the gods themselves. Every thing of essential consequence being, therefore, referred to them by the heads of states, oracles obtained a powerful influence over the minds of the people; and this popular credulity offered tempting opportunities to the priests for carrying on very lucrative impostures, nor did they disdain or neglect to take advantage of those opportunities. Added to this, the different functions of the gods, and the different and often opposite parts which they were made to take in human affairs by the priests and poets, were plentiful sources of superstitious rites, and therefore of emolument to those who, in consequence either of office or pretension, were supposed to have immediate communications with the deity in whose temples they presided. Much has been written on this subject; and some have even gone so far as to suppose that Divine permission was granted to certain demons, or evil spirits, to inhabit pagan shrines, and thence, by ambiguous answers, to deceive, and often to punish, those who sought by their influence to read the forbidden volume of futurity.