[This was the last work written by the celebrated Thomas Hobbes of
Malmsbury. "This history is in dialogue," remarks Bishop Warburton,
"and full of paradoxes, like all Hobbes' other writings. More
philosophical, political--or anything rather than historical; yet full
of shrewd observations." The editions are, 1679, 8vo.; 1680, 12mo.;
1682, 8vo.]
_"Deus ex Machinâ."_--From what author is the phrase "Deus ex machinâ"
taken? and what was its original application?