Excerpt from Twelve Lectures on the Connexion Between Science and Revealed Religion, Vol. 2: Delivered in Rome After having thus ascertained, as far as we may, when was first constructed and adorned this the atre, upon which have been acted all the great scenes of human life, it may seem superfluous to interrogate those who have trod its stage, how long it is since they commenced their varied drama of war and peace, of barbarism and civiliza tion, of rude vices and of simple virtues. For, in nature, whom we have hitherto consulted, there is no pride, no desire, and no power, to represent herself other than in reality she is. But if we ask the oldest nations, when they sprang up, and when they first entered on the career of their social existence, there arise instantly, in the way of a candid reply, a multitude of petty ambitions, jealousies, and prejudices; and there intervenes between us and the truth a mist of ignorance, wilful or traditional, which involves the enquiry both in mystery and perplexity, and leaves us to find our way by the aid of the most uncertain elements, with the constant danger of most serious error. N. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.