thought. Being is limited, but limited only by itself, and embodied in a perfect sphere. It is independent of time, space, and motion, all of which are denied to have any absolute existence. It is a state of ever- lasting repose. All changes and motions are apparent onl}' ; they are mere semblances. On this system be- ing is indestructible — a dogma which has returned upon us unexpectedly in the philosophy of Herbert Spencer, and those with whom he coincides. Tliere is no loss or cessation of existence, only variation of species, or change of apparent condition. Everything is determined bj' an indwelling necessity — a law which is involved in the existence by which it is revealed.
There is a singular accordance in the procedure of Parmenides and that of Des Cartes. The highest speculations of man roll, like the world on which he dwells, in one self-repeating orbit around tlie centre of attraction, deviating b}' slight deflections from the precisely-described track, but never departing so far as to destro}' the uniformity of the course. Contrast- ed but connected schemes of thought succeed each other in each revolution like the seasons, and all " lead up the golden year."
In the physical application of liis princi]iles Par- menides recurred, like Xenoiihanes, to the ]irocedure of the Ionic and Pjthagorean schools, admitting an- tagonistic elements and forces, whose collisions and conjunctions produced the phenomena of the universe.
In all these speculations, one main cause of bewil- derment and exaggeration is the oscitancy and im- palpability of abstract terms. We are at the mercy of the abracadabra with which the enchantments are at- tempted. The perplexity and hallucination resulting from loose and elastic phrases was of course most per- ilous and least suspected before logical science arose, and before metaphysicians distinguished between rig- orous thought and current expression.
Such defects exposed tlie doctrines of Parmenides to the attacks of acute contemporaries, and led to the recognition of the necessit}- of precision in statement, and to the consequent examination of the strict import of terms and of the validity' of arguments. Hence the}' furnished to his disciple the occasion of inaugu- rating logic.
Zeno. — Tlie relation of Zeno to Parmenides is the most certain fact connected witli tlie filiation of the Eleatic School. He was pupil, friend, companion, and apologist. He was the only prominent member of the sect who was unquestionably a native of Elea. He defended and explained the dogmas of his preceptor; but the mode of his exposition led to notable changes in the career of philosophy, and prepared the way for the Socratic irony, the Platonic dialectics, tlie Orga- non of Aristotle, and other developments scarcely less important. He became tlie inventor of regular dia- lectic procedure , but Iiis claims in this respect arc limited by the remarkable declaration of the Stagyrite in regard to his own labors, that his predecessors had only furnished examples of the forms of reasoning, while he had created the art {Sophist. Elench. sub fin.).
Increase of logical precision may give greater con- sistency and intelligibility to a philosophical system, but it renders its errors and dangers more prominent. This was the case with Zeno's presentation of the views of Parmenides. In urging the unreliability of the senses, and of inferences from observation, he ar- rayed experience against reason, and denied the valid- ity of the former. He acknowledged, at the same time, the impossibility of recognising in things sensiljle the unity which was alone real existence, and thus in- vited scepticism and provoked the age of the Sophists.
Melissns. — There is no reason for believing that Me- lissus of Samos was directly or consciously connected with the Eleatic family, but he is habitually included in their number in consequence of substantial identity of doctrine. He confined his attention almost exclu- sively to the negative aspects of the system, endeav-
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oring to demonstrate the unrealit\' of the phenomenal | world, and the inconsistency of ascribing time, motion, change, divisibilitj' or limitation to the solitary Exist- ence. In representing being as infinite, he recoiled from the position of Pannenides and Zeno, and in some degree also from Xenoi)hancs. He dilfered from tlieni also in asserting that vvc can have no knowledge of tlio gods ; and, according to Aristotle, inclined to materialism in liis conception of the universal One. The Eleatic idealism was thus vei'ging towards the form of doctrine propounded b}' Epicurus. It had com- pleted its course, and had swung round nearly to the opposite extreme from the point where it started.
A\'liatever extravagances may be justly charged upon this celebrated school, its services to speculation and to the cause of truth should be neither denied nor underrated. It was surely a splendid and meritorious office, in the dawn of systematic philosophy, to awaken the minds of men to the recognition of the vain and evanescent character of all temporal things ; to protest against the delusions of Polytheism ; to direct atten- tion to a supreme and omnipresent Intelligence, per- fect in all attributes ; to unveil the everlasting truth which was latent, but active, beneath all material and transitorj^ forms ; and to bring the reason of man into direct communion with the sovereign Power of the universe, in which he and all things else " lived, and moved, and had their being." In discharging this high function, the Eleatics promoted phj'sical specula- tion, laid the foundations of logic, and perhaps of rhetoric, and introduced the argumentative dialogue which was employed with such consummate genius bv Plato.