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PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES.

33

SECTION II.

THF PROGRESS OP SCIENCE FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESCHOOL OF ALEXANDRIA TO ITS DECLINE.

The School of Alexandria.

W e have now arrived at a memorable epoch in the historyof science. When, at the death of Alexander, the divi-sion of his empire among his officers took place, Egypt fell to the share of Ptolemy Lagus, — a prince, whoselove of learning and disposition to encourage it soonattracted to Alexandria, his capital , a number of learnedmen from Greece and other countries. His son, PtolemyPhiladelphus, was the inheritor of the taste and ability,as well as the throne, of his father; and soon evincedhis zeal in carrying on what his predecessor had com-menced. The same spirit, indeed, animated several of hissuccessors on the throne. But the second Ptolemy gavethe most convincing proof of his ardour in the cause ofimprovement, by the magnificent foundation of theschools of science, the observatory, and the library, whichadorned his capital, and gave his sovereignty a pre-emi-nence in its best attribute,—that of promoting the goodof the human species. The patronage so munificentlybestowed was amply recompensed in the results it pro-duced. A succession of philosophers of the most dis-tinguished ability continued long to adorn this royalschool; and the stimulus and encouragement thus given toabstract enquiry produced some of the most valuableaccessions to philosopichul knowledge, and laid deeplyand permanently the foundations of astronomical,mechanical, and geometrical science. Above all, a spiritof enquiry was called forth; and the human mind taughtand encouraged to exert its energies in the search aftertruth.

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