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well as dignity. It was man's original employ-, 

 ment in the primaeval ages of happinefs and peace. 



We are told by the Sacred Hiftorian, that Adam 

 inftru&ed his children in this art both by precept 

 and example; and that Cain applied himfelf to 

 hulbandry, whilft Abel led the life of a fhepherd, 

 feeding his flocks. 



With refpect to the methods then ufed, or the 

 implements employed, we have no information; 

 but when we conlider the flow progrefs of the 

 mechanick arts, it is reafonable to fuppofe, that at 

 a time when the very rudiments of them could 

 fcarcely be known, thofe implements muft have 

 been very few, and of the limplefl kind. 



After the deluge had deftroyed all the works of 

 men, and fvvept away every veftige of human art 

 (except the Ark) from the face of the earth, we 

 find it was the firft care of Noah and his defcend- 

 ants, to revive the knowledge and practice of 

 hulbandry; and to eftablifh them as the firft 

 means of obtaining happinefs and plenty in the 

 various countries where they fettled. 



This art was carried on with the greater!: sim- 

 plicity in thofe early ages; and it would be a 



curious 



