THÂLIS MALATI [THALES THE MILETIAN].

He was one of the most celebrated philosophers of the country of Malatiah, and the man who first broached philosophical questions in those parts. It is related that, according to him, the genesis of the universe took place as follows: The first principle of all things was water, which became the cause of the habitable earth. The dissolution of the winds produced air. Various species of water pro­duced fire, the smoke and vapours whereof constituted the firmament, and from the light thereof the Almighty created the luminaries of heaven. In the first chapter of the Pentateuch it is recorded that the origin of all things is an essence which the Lord Most High has created, and then having thrown a glance of awe upon it, in consequence whereof the said essence became melted. Then a smoke rose like vapour from the waters, and from that smoke God created the heavens. After that foam, resembling the foam of the sea, appeared on the surface of the waters. Then the Lord Most High said: ‘Produce the earth, and fix it by immovable mountains.’ Apparently Thâlis had received his system by prophetic inspiration.