35 



It is in vain, Sir, that you dwell on the fabulous 

 and obscure relations of ancient history ; and 

 hang upon the phrase of " Gratia mendax-" 

 and tell us that " we cannot trace the branches 

 <c of any such original family, nor point out 

 " the time and manner in which they divided 

 " and spread over the globe." p. 255. All this 

 has been long since accomplished by men of the 

 most comprehensive learning and consummate 

 talents, who have collected such a mass of evi- 

 dence, and with such minuteness of detail, as 

 was hardly to be expected on subjects of this 

 remote antiquity and undefined extent. 



The author * whom you have cited, after 

 having compared the affinities of a hundred 

 languages, and circumnavigated the bounds of 

 human knowledge, was obliged to acquiesce in 

 an account of the origin of the human race, very 

 similar to that of Moses. He places Paradise 

 in the regions of Cashmire, and gives it as his 

 opinion, " that no spot on the whole earth 

 " unites so many advantages, and that it 

 " seems to be the most appropriate situation 

 " for the birth-place of the human race." p. 260. 



But I forget, that I am insensibly deviat- 

 ing into argument. It is my present object 

 not to debate this question with you on the 

 grounds of evidence ; but merely to point out 

 the impropriety of bringing it before such an 



* Adelung's Mithridates. See also TownsencTs Life and 

 Character of Moses. To these I would wish to add a most va- 

 luable work frequently cited by Mr. L. viz. Dr. Pritchard'* 

 Researches into the History of Man. 



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