Chaldéens: originally a Mongolian tribc that settlcd

at the head of the Persian Giilf and attained a high degree of civilization as Babylonia. When their power as a nation decayed, their skill in divination and astrology still influenced the peoples about them and became the source of most of the magie arts that hâve conie from the East. See the note on mage, p. 7, 1. 7 ; and cf. Daniel i. 4, ' Children cunning in knowledge and understanding, whom they might teach the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans.'

1. 23. métaphysique. Voltaire ne ver misses an opportunity to jest at metaphysics ; see Micromégas, p. 109.

Page 17. 1. 1. La nouvelle philosophie seems to refer to the proposai to change the calendar in England ; cf. Micromégas, p. 100, 1. 11, nouveau style, and note.

1. 20. satellite : homme armé, ministre des violences de celui qu'il accompagne ; cf. p. 68, 1. 36.

1. 22. faire accroire = faire croire faussement. Accroire is used only in tlie infinitive and with/a(Ve.