lified, abridged, and
condensed, being most indebted to Rawlinson, Grote, Thirlwall, Niebuhr,
Mommsen, and Merivale,--following out the general plan of Philip Smith,
whose admirable digest, in three large octavos, is too extensive for
schools.

Although the author has felt warranted in making a free use of his
materials, it will be seen that the style, arrangement, and reflections
are his own. If the book prove useful, his object will be attained.

STAMFORD _October, 1869_.

BOOK I.

ANCIENT ORIENTAL NATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

THE ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD.

(M1) The history of this world begins, according to the chronology of
Archbishop Ussher, which is generally received as convenient rather than
probable, in the year 4004 before Christ. In six days God created light
and darkness, day and night, the firmament and the continents in the midst
of the waters, fruits, grain, and herbs, moon and stars, fowl and fish,
living creatures upon the face of the earth, and finally man, with
dominion "over the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and cattle,
and all the earth, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
He created man in his own image, and blessed him with universal dominion.
He formed him from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life. On the seventh day, God rested from this vast work of
creation, and blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, as we suppose,
for a day of solemn observance for all generations.

(M2) He there planted a garden eastward in Eden, with every tree pleasant
to the sight and good for food, and there placed man to dress and keep it.
The original occupation of man, and his destined happiness, were thus
centered in agricultural labor.

(M3) But man was alone; so God caused a deep sleep to fall upon him, and
took one of his ribs and made a woman. And Adam said, "this woman," which
the Lord had brought unto him, "is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh;
therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto
his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Thus marriage was instituted. We
observe three divine institutions while man yet remained in a state of
innocence and bliss--the Sabbath; agricultural employment; and marriage.

(M4) Adam and his wife lived, we know not how long, in the garden of Eden,
with perfect innocence, bliss, and dominion. They