Taylor - Theoretic Arithmetic.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

composition of which the hebomad is formed. It would however
be impossible for bodies to be measured by the hebdomad,
according to the composition of three dimensions and four
boundaries, unless it happened that the ideas of the first numbers,
viz. of one, two, three and four, in which the decad is
founded, comprehended the nature of the hebdomad. For
these numbers have indeed four boundaries, the first, the second,
the third, and the fourth; but three intervals; the first interval
being from 1 to 2, the second from 2 to 3, and the third
from 3 to 4. Independent also of these things, the ages from
infancy to old age, most clearly exhibit the perfective power of
the hebdomad, since they are measured by it. In the first seven
years therefore, the teeth shoot forth. In the second is the time
in which there is an ability of emitting prolific seed. In the
third there is an increase of the beard. And in the fourth there
is an accession of strength. The season of marriage is in the
fifth. But in the sixth is the acme of intelligence. In the seventh
there is an amelioration and an increase both of intellect
and reason. But in the eighth, perfection in each. In the ninth
there is equity and mildness, the passions for the most part becoming
gentle. And in the tenth age, is the desirable end of
life, the organic parts being still entire. For extreme old age
is wont to supplant and afflict. Solon also the Athenian legislator,
enumerates human life by the above mentioned hebdomads.
But Hippocrates the physician says there are seven ages,
~iz. of the infant, the child, the lad, the young man, the man,
the elderly man, and the old man; and these are measured by
hebdomads, but do not extend beyond seven. His words however
are as follow: "In the nature of man there are seven seasons,
which they call ages, the infant, the child, the lad, &c.
And infancy indeed continues to the shedding of the teeth; but
the child, to the generation of the seed which extends to twice
seven years. The lad continues till the beard becomes rough
with hairs; but the young man, as far as to the increase of the