without number or end, we cannot but confider the fubmerfion of our little fpheroïd as an infinitely less event in refpect of the immeasureable universe, than the deftruction of a city or an ifle in respect of this habitable globe. Let a general flood, however, be fuppofed improbable in proportion to the magnitude of so ruinous an event, yet the concurrent evidences of it are completely adequate to the fuppofed improbability; but, as we cannot here expatiate on those proofs, we proceed to the fourth important fact recorded in the Mofaick history; I mean the first propagation and early dispersion of mankind in feparate families to feparate places of refidence.

Three fons of the juft and virtuous man, whofe lineage was preserved from the general inundation, travelled, we are told, as they began to multiply, in three large divifions variously subdivided: the children of YA'FET feem, from the traces of Sklavonian names, and the mention of their being enlarged, to have fpread themselves far and wide, and to have produced the race, which, for want of a correct appellation, we call Tartarian; the colonies, formed by the fons of HAM and SHEM, appear to have been nearly fimultaneous; and, among those of the latter branch, we find so many names incontestably preserved at this hour in Arabia, that we cannot

hefitate in pronouncing them the fame people, whom hitherto we have denominated Arabs; while the former branch, the most powerful and adventurous of whom were the progeny of CUSH, MISR, and RAMA (names remaining unchanged in Sanferit, and highly revered by the Hindus), were, in all probability, the race, which I call Indian, and to which we may now give any other name, that may feem more proper and comprehensive.

The general introduction to the Jewish hiftory closes with a very concife and obfcure account of a prefumptuous and mad attempt, by a particular colony, to build a fplendid city and raise a fabrick of immenfe height, independently of the divine aid, and, it should seem, in defiance of the divine power; a project, which was baffled by means appearing at first view inadequate to the purpose, but ending in violent diffention among the projectors, and in the ultimate separation of them: this event alfo feems to be recorded by the ancient Hindus in two of their Puránas; and it will be proved, I trust, on some future occafion, that the lion bursting from a pillar to destroy a blafpheming giant, and the dwarf, who beguiled and held in derision the magnificent BELI, are one and the fame ftory related in a fymbolical style.

Now these primeval events are described as

having happened between the Oxus and Euphrates, the mountains of Caucafus and the borders of India, that is, within the limits of Iràn; for, though moft of the Mofaick names have been confiderably altered, yet numbers of them remain unchanged: we ftill find Harrán in Mefopotamia, and travellers appear unanimous in fixing the fite of ancient Babel.

Thus, on the preceding fuppofition, that the first eleven chapters of the book, which it is thought proper to call Genefis, are merely a preface to the oldest civil history now extant, we fee the truth of them confirmed by antecedent reasoning, and by evidence in part highly probable, and in part certain; but the connection of the Mofaick history with that of the Gospel by a chain of fublime predictions unquestionably ancient, and apparently fulfilled, muft induce us to think the Hebrew narrative more than human in its origin, and confequently true in every fubftantial part of it, though poffibly expreffed in figurative language; as many learned and pious men have believed, and as the most pious may believe without injury, and perhaps with advantage, to the cause of revealed religion. If MOSES then was endued with fupernatural knowledge, it is no longer probable only, but abfolutely certain, that the whole race of man proceeded from Iràn, as from a centre, whence they

migrated at firft in three great colonies; and that thofe three branches grew from a common stock, which had been miraculously preserved in a general convulfion and inundation of this globe.

Having arrived by a different path at the fame conclufion with Mr. BRYANT as to one of thofe families, the most ingenious and enterprising of the three, but arrogant, cruel, and idolatrous, which we both conclude to be various shoots from the Hamian or Amonian branch, I fhall add but little to my former observations on his profound and agreeable work, which I have thrice perused with increased attention and pleafure, though not with perfect acquiefcence in the other lefs important parts of his plaufible fyftem. The fum of his argument feems reducible to three heads. Firft; "if the deluge

really happened at the time recorded by "MOSES, thofe nations, whofe monuments are preferved or whofe writings are acceffible, "must have retained memorials of an event fo

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ftupendous and comparatively fo recent; but "in fact they have retained fuch memorials:" this reafoning feems just, and the fact is true beyond controverfy: Secondly; "thofe memorials

were expreffed by the race of HAM, before "the use of letters, in rude fculpture or paint"ing, and moftly in fymbolical figures of the

having happened between the Oxus and Euphrates, the mountains of Caucafus and the borders of India, that is, within the limits of Iràn; for, though moft of the Mofaick names have been confiderably altered, yet numbers of them remain unchanged: we still find Harrán in Mefopotamia, and travellers appear unanimous in fixing the fite of ancient Babel.

Thus, on the preceding fuppofition, that the first eleven chapters of the book, which it is thought proper to call Genefis, are merely a preface to the oldest civil history now extant, we fee the truth of them confirmed by antecedent reasoning, and by evidence in part highly probable, and in part certain; but the connection of the Mofaick history with that of the Gospel by a chain of fublime predictions unquestionably ancient, and apparently fulfilled, muft induce us to think the Hebrew narrative more than human in its origin, and confequently true in every fubftantial part of it, though poffibly expreffed in figurative language; as many learned and pious men have believed, and as the most pious may believe without injury, and perhaps with advantage, to the cause of revealed religion. If MOSES then was endued with fupernatural knowledge, it is no longer probable only, but abfolutely certain, that the whole race of man proceeded from Iràn, as from a centre, whence they