37 8 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



tended themfelves through the neighbouring mountains. 

 As the Cufhites grew populous, they occupied thofe that were 

 next them, fpreading the induftry and arts which they cul- 

 tivated, as well to the eaftern as to the weftern ocean, but, 

 content with their firft choice, they never defcended from 

 their caves, nor chofe to refide at a diftance on the plain. 



It is very lingular that St Jerome does not know where 

 to look for this family, or dependents of Cum ; though 

 they are as plainly pointed out, and as often alluded to by 

 fcripture, as any nation in the Old Teflamcnt. They are 

 defcribed, moreover, by the particular circumflances of 

 their country, which have never varied, to be in the very 

 place where I now fix them, and where, ever fince, they 

 have remained, and ftill do to this prefent hour, in the fame 

 mont aires, and the fame houfes of ftone they formed for 

 themfelves in the beginning. And yet Bochart *, profef- 

 iedly treating this fubjecl:, as it were induftrioufly, involves 

 it in more than- Egyptian darknefs. I rather refer the 

 reader to his work, to judge for himfelf, than, quoting it 

 by extracts, communicate the confuiion of his ideas to my 

 narrative. 



The Abyffmian tradition further fays, they built the city 

 of Axum fome time early in the days of Abraham. Scon 

 after this, they pufhed their colony down to Atbara, where 

 we know from Herodotus * they early and fuccefsfully 

 purmed their ftudies, from which, Jofephus fays J, they were 

 called Meroetes, ox inhabitants of the iiland o^ Meroe. 



The 



J3och. lib. 4. cap. 3. t Hevod. lib/2, cap. 29. t lok S h. antiquit. Jud. 



