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government ; and 2dly, what the condition of the Arabs is 

 who still maintain it- 



§3. 



Of the condition of Mankind in the Patriarchal state after the 



dispersion. 



UNDER the ancient patriarchal government the mere 

 corporeal pleasures seem to have been fully enjoyed. Abia- 

 ham never wanted a comfortable habitation ; he lived some- 

 times in the city of Arbea, Gen. xxiii. sometimes under 

 tents, Gen. xii. xiii. he had flocks, herds and money in 

 abundance, besides a number of servants and slaves. His 

 nephew, Bathuel, appears to have been sufficiently opulent. 

 So also were the sons and grandsons of Abraham ; they were 

 clad by the produce of their flocks, and subsisted partly by 

 agriculture ; partly on the cattle they pastured, and fre- 

 quently on the wild animals they caught in the chase. Their 

 lives were usually extended beyond 100 years, and tempe- 

 rance appears to have secured them uninterrupted health. 

 What their amusements were is not recorded. 



But 



