HAP. in. PRECIOUS METALS. 1-1-7 



them, enjoyed a greater degree of freedom ; and 

 being more skilful in the management of flocks , 

 and herds, increased both in numbers and in 

 wealth with a rapidity much beyond the natives. 

 Even when their prosperity had excited the ani- 

 mosity of the government, and had drawn upon 

 them oppression and exactions, we learn that 

 still " they multiplied and waxed very mighty." 

 We have already seen that the gold and silver 

 mines of Egypt, Nubia, and the countries in 

 their vicinity were in full activity at that time, 

 and that those metals were in great abundance. 

 It is then highly probable that an industrious 

 and frugal people like the Hebrews, whose pro- 

 perty kept pace with the increase of their num- 

 bers, would condense their savings, and keep in 

 the more compendious substances some portion 

 of their wealth. In the three centuries which 

 the nation passed in Egypt, an annual small accu- 

 mulation would amount to a large sum, to say 

 nothing of the jewels of silver and of gold which 

 before their departure they borrowed of the 

 Egyptians. Accordingly we find that soon after 

 the commencement of their wanderings the gold 

 ear-rings of the females were sufficient to form 

 the golden calf, and that contributions levied on 

 all the males above twenty years of age, for the 

 purpose of decorating the temporary tabernacle 

 in the wilderness, amounted to twenty-nine ta- 

 lents and seven hundred and thirty shekels of 



