INTRODUCTION. 7 



cessful attempt at the subjugation of animals 

 serviceable to his interests, and constituting 

 his riches, to say nothing of his commencing 

 artificer in brass (copper) and iron, and his 

 construction of musical instruments, proves 

 that, in the infancy of the species, he was quick 

 to discern, prompt to execute, skilful in opera- 

 tions, and anxious to extend the sphere of his 

 actions. Doomed to "the toil and work of 

 his hands, because of the ground which the 

 Lord had cursed," he sat not down in savage 

 sloth and supineness, but, mustering his ener- 

 gies, both of mind and body, began his career 

 of improvement. After the deluge, we read 

 of Noah practising the arts of husbandry, 

 planting vines, and producing wine from the 

 juice of the grape, and we have some reason 

 to believe that he not only possessed flocks of 

 sheep, and herds of cattle, but even camels 

 and asses. Of Abraham we read that he was 

 rich in flocks and herds, and in silver and 

 gold. He had goats, also, and it is unques- 

 tionable that, in his day, the ass and camel 

 were domesticated, for these animals are enu- 

 merated among the riches of the Pharaoh, 

 king of Egypt, whom he went to visit during 

 a time of famine. 



