Which four phrases in this excerpt from robert stawell ball's great astronomers convey a commendable tone toward ptolemy's work?

the name, ptolemy, appears to have been a common one in egypt in those days. the time at which he lived is fixed by the fact that his first recorded
observation was made in 127 ad, and his last in 151 ad. when we add that he seems to have lived in or near alexandria, or to use his own words, "on
the parallel of alexandria," we have said everything that can be said (a. so far as his individuality is concerned.)
ptolemy is, without doubt, the (b. greatest figure in ancient astronomy.) he (c. gathered up the wisdom) of the philosophers who had preceded him. he
incorporated this with the results of his own observations, and (d. illumined it with his theories.) his speculations, even when they were, as we now know,
quite erroneous, had such an (e. astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts) of nature that they commanded universal assent. even in these modern days
we not unfrequently find lovers of paradox who maintain that ptolemy's doctrines not only seem true, but actually are true.