Preface The following Work is translated from a Manuscript, in the German language, which was found among the camp equipage belonging to the late Emperor of France, when he retreated from Leipzic, after the defeat of his army, in the year 1813. It fell to the lot of a Prussian officer, who, ignorant of its great value sold it for a few Napoleons to a French general officer, then a prisoner of war in the fortress of Koningsburg. This gentleman aware of its great importance, and knowing from Nepoleon's arms which were emblazoned upon it that it once belonged to his imperial master, was resolved on his return to France to present it at the Tuilleries; but, alas! he did not live to accomplish this purpose; for, although his medical atten- dants gave him every hope of recovery from his wounds, their efforts to restore him to health proved unavailing, for he died soon after from mortification which took place after amputation of the right arm.

Introduction No institution is more famous than the ancient Oracles of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. They were said to be the will of the gods themselves, and they were consulted, not only upon every important matter, but even in the affairs of private life. To make peace or war, to introduce a change of government, to plant a colony, to enact laws, to raise an edifice, or to marry, were all sufficient reasons to con- sult the will of the gods. Mankind, in consulting them, showed that they wished to pay implicit obedience to the command of the divinity, and, when they had been favoured with an answer, they acted with more spirit, and with more vigour, conscious that the undertaking had met with the sanction and approbation of heaven. In this, therefore, it will not appear wonderful that so many places were sa- cred to oracular purposes.

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