The Cradle of the Twin Giants, Science and History

This two-volume work of 1849 describes how popular mythology kept alive beliefs about the occult, alchemy and the paranormal.

Henry Christmas (Author)

9781108037624, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2011

392 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.5 kg

Henry Christmas (1811–68) was a scholar of very wide interests and a fellow of both the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He wrote extensively about many subjects including philosophy, religion, literature, mythology and numismatics. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, and soon afterwards became the librarian and secretary of Sion College. Between 1840 and 1860 he edited a number of books and journals, including The Literary Gazette. He also translated Calmet's Phantom World, and Wieland's Republic of Fools into English. Published in 1849, this two-volume set examines how popular mythology kept alive beliefs about the occult, alchemy and the paranormal. In Volume 1, the author looks at astrology, dream-interpretation, magic and fantastical automata. He shows how some of these beliefs were so entrenched in tradition and culture that they came to be regarded almost as fact, and so had a detrimental influence on rational thought.

Preface
Book I: 1. Introductory
2. Astrology
3. Of the origin of astrology
4. Of astrology considered as a science
5. Nativities
6. Conclusion of the sketch of astrology
7. Medical astrology
8. Magic
9. Of the early history of magic, and particularly among the Egyptians
10. Automata, or moving images
11. Arithmetical magic, or the magical operation of numbers, and of magic squares
12. Oneiromancy - sleep and dreams
13. Oneiromancy (continued) - the interpretation of dreams
Book II: 1. The heroic, or romantic ages
2. The heroic, or romantic ages
3. The heroic, or romantic ages of Britain
4. The heroic ages of Britain
5. Ecclesiastical romance
6. Modern ecclesiastical romance
7. Mesmeric wonders
Appendix.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]