: all these are
subjected in turn to the analysis of the minutest mathematical
calculations. Finally, even the occult significance of numbers in names
of persons and cities, in events, and like matters, receives unwonted
attention. If, on the one hand, a great portion of the educated public
is running into atheism and scepticism, on the other hand, we find an
evident current of mysticism forcing its way into science. It is the
sign of an irrepressible need in humanity to assure itself that there is
a power paramount over matter; an occult and mysterious law which
governs the world, and which we should rather study and closely watch,
trying to adapt ourselves to it, than blindly deny, and dash ourselves
vainly against the rock of destiny. More than one thoughtful mind,
while studying the fortunes and reverses of nations and great empires,
has been struck by one identical feature in their history--namely, the
inevitable recurrence of similar events, and after equal periods of
time. This relation between events is found to be substantially
constant, though differences in the outward form of details no doubt
occur.
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