DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15#0215
202 THE ORIGIN OF THE WEEK.
attesting in its favour ; but when we find that for
another and yet another theory a similar array of
facts can be adduced, we lose faith in all theories
thus supported. At least those only• retain their
belief in a theory of the kind who have given so
much care to its preparation that they have had
no time to examine the evidence favouring other
theories.
On the other hand, there is much to be said in
favour of an à priori method of dealing with
ancient chronological arrangements. We know
certainly how the heavens appeared to men of old
times ; if occasion arise we can determine readily
and certainly the exact aspect of the heavens at
any given place and time ; we know generally
the conditions under which the first observations
of the heavens must have been made; hence we
can infer, not unsafely, what particular objects
would have been first noted, or would have been
early chosen as time-measures ; what difficulties
would have presented themselves as time pro-
ceeded ; and how such difficulties would have been
met.
The inquiry, let me remark at the outset, has
an interest other than that depending on chrono-
logical relations. I know of none better suited to
commend to our attention the movements of the
attesting in its favour ; but when we find that for
another and yet another theory a similar array of
facts can be adduced, we lose faith in all theories
thus supported. At least those only• retain their
belief in a theory of the kind who have given so
much care to its preparation that they have had
no time to examine the evidence favouring other
theories.
On the other hand, there is much to be said in
favour of an à priori method of dealing with
ancient chronological arrangements. We know
certainly how the heavens appeared to men of old
times ; if occasion arise we can determine readily
and certainly the exact aspect of the heavens at
any given place and time ; we know generally
the conditions under which the first observations
of the heavens must have been made; hence we
can infer, not unsafely, what particular objects
would have been first noted, or would have been
early chosen as time-measures ; what difficulties
would have presented themselves as time pro-
ceeded ; and how such difficulties would have been
met.
The inquiry, let me remark at the outset, has
an interest other than that depending on chrono-
logical relations. I know of none better suited to
commend to our attention the movements of the