THE 



PO'SITION 



OF THE 



SHEM1TIC NATIONS 



IN THE 



HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION. 



DELIVERED IN THE COLLEGE OF FRANCE, 



ON ASSUMING THE CHAIR OF THE 



HEBREW, CHALDAIC, & SYRIAC PROFESSORSHIP, 



BY 



M. ERNEST RENAN, 



MEMBRE DE L'lNSTTTUT, ETC. ETC. 



