A HISTOEY OF CAVALEY. 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



It seems to be established by Scripture that in the 

 earliest times human society commenced practically by 

 a group of families ; that in the infancy of the world 

 the patriarchal government alone sufficed, and that there 

 were no wars on account of the sparseness of the popu- 

 lation, the abundance of pasturage and animals of the 

 chase, and the close relationship that existed in the race 

 for a considerable time.^ 



The first cause of strife arose, in all probability, 

 from contention for the best fields for pasture, and for 

 the possession of the most available springs and streams. 

 As families multiplied, and population became more 

 dense, the causes of strife increased in the same ratio. 

 At a time when almost everything was in common, and 

 the rights of property had not been defined, the hunters 

 and shepherds seeking to supj^ly ^heiv wants were apt to 

 encroach on the rights and properties of their neighbours. 

 Aggression naturally produced resistance and retaliation, 

 families calling their relatives to their aid, until numbers 

 would be engaged on each side, and deadly feuds lasting 

 for generations would be- originated. 



These conflicts and feuds naturally led to families 

 uniting into tribes for mutual protection, and the same 

 cause in time led to the formation of great nations. 

 Ambition then became added to the causes of war, 

 ^ Lord Arundel of Wardour. Tradition. 



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