'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎89] (136/905)

CHAP. IV.] ASTROLOGY, BELIEF IN OMENS.
89
names ; l and Neuruz, the first day, is on the 20tli of March.
The week is divided into seven days, and commences with our
Saturday. 2 These periods, as well as the changes of the Astrological
moon and the names of the planets, are accurately noted in 8u P er8tltlon8 -
an illuminated almanack, which is generally carried about
the person, in order to determine the lucky moment for any
undertaking. A knowledge of astronomy, therefore, still
forms the most influential part of religion in this country,
since it enables the Minatzim at will to retard or encourage
any proposed measure. The ancient inhabitants professed to
have received their books on astrology from the Chaldeans;
and this occult science had at its head the brother of Darius
Hystaspes (Jam asp), who is pretended to have left a work
containing an account of all the conjunctions of the planets
before his time, as well as of those which were to occur in
succeeding ages. 3
But in a country where the choice of the sovereign to rule
from the Indus to the Nile has been determined by the
neighing of a horse, 4 and in which the prince still remains
for days before the gates, in order to enter his capital at the
fortunate conjunction, it is not surprising that superstition
should operate in many other ways. Thus the people have
unbounded confidence in omens; a firm belief in the irresistible
influence of good and evil spirits; a childish confidence in
alchymists, in the expounders of dreams, and even in the lots
cast by strolling fortune-tellers.
Although these vanities formed part of the instruction, itThePe^a^^
is evident that, in the time of Xenophon, the education of educated,
youth was carefully continued to the age of 16 or 17. 5 The
1 Muharam, Safar, Rabbi (first and second), Jamd(5 (first and second),
Rageb, Sohaban, Ramaddn, Scevel, Dulcaida, and Dalbagich.—Ogilby's Asia,
p. 71.
2 The names of the days are, Schembe, Seckschembe, Duschembe, Ses-
chembe, Ischarschembe, Penschembe, and Adine, or Tzumah, Friday, the
sabbath.—Ibid.
3 Hyde, Veterum Persarum et Magorum Religionis Historia; also Universal
History, Vol. "V., p. 415.
4 Herod., book III., § 86, ed. Gronovius. Leyden, 1115.
5 The Persians formed the morals of their children, instructed them in the
VOL. I. N