Notices respecting New Books. 131 
less than a ceutury; as the routes along the Tigris and Euphrates 
are so accessible and easy: and on the other hand, the distance 
from the east of Persia, aud the time of arrival at Shinar, seem to 
be much more proportionate than those of Shinar and Armenia. 
** It is improbable that the fertile plain of Jordan would have 
been destitute of proprietors for so loug a time as 450 years after 
the flood, if the ark had settled so contiguously as the Gordian 
mountains ; whence, the descent to Jordan would have been so 
facile aud convenient; and we find (Gen. xiii. 11) that the whole 
of this fine country was open to the choice of Lot, who took 
possession of it without opposition: and here may the rapid 
Progress of population be particularly instanced; for in a few 
centuries afterwards, this became the most populous district that 
the earth ever contained. 
“* It is probable, that if Armenia had been the focal point, Eu- 
rope would have been colonized before India; but it is agreed 
beyond dispute, that India was planted much earlier than Europe ; 
ud it is moreover certain, that the most eastern parts of Europe 
were peopled before the western; which, had the migration been 
from Armenia, would not have been the case. 
** It is probable, had the first post-diluvian progress been made 
from Armenia, that Syria and Asia Minor would have become 
famous settlements before Egypt ; because, from their contiguity, 
they could not fail of being soon discovered; and their inviting 
aspects, both with regard to climate and fertility, would certainly 
have insured the sojournment of whatever colonies chanéed to 
come towards them —but it is certain that Egypt was overspread 
with inhabitants Jong before Syria or Asia Minor; and it is 
‘therefore probable, that the first Egyptian colony proceeded 
coastwise from the Indus; whereas, had it passed from Armenia, 
it would most likely have gone through some part of Syria, and 
would, of course, have cecupied it in the way to Egypt; which 
was not the case. 
** Although neither the perilous arduities of mountains, nor 
the terrible menaces of oceans, were insuperable and daunting 
to the daring enterprisers; yet the even valleys and less rugged 
tracks of rivers were most readily pervaded: and if we search 
the surface of the whole globe, no spot seems to distribute so 
many streams as that part of ancient Asia, whence they issue on 
both sides of the mountains from Herat to Gaur, and run in all 
directions towards the north and towards the south. 
“¢ This sublime tract of heights, though in themselves steadfast 
and durable as time itself, have, as every latter circumstance 
rolled on and involved its forerunner, fluctuated in name with the 
successive changes. By Megasthenes, Strabo, and Pliny, they 
are called Paropamisus, from the ancient Persian province of 
12 that 
