OLYMPIC DIALOGUE. 355 



which their increafe had neceffitated them to difpe'rfe. 

 Unufual events, earthquakes, volcanos, inundations, 

 produced alterations in the figure of that planet ; while 

 w r hole countries were fwallowed up by the ocean, 

 others gradually fprung up from the waves : but the 

 greater part of the antient inhabitants pe rimed amid ft 

 this dreadful fubverfion of things. The few that re- 

 mained wandered about bewildered, dejected and alone 

 amid the ruins of nature. Chance indeed brought here 

 and there a Deucalion and a Pyrrha together ; but 

 their defendants, from want ind mifery, foon funk 

 into brutal ferocity. In the mean time the earth was 

 gradually recovering from the chaotic ftate which was 

 the natural effect of thole dreadful convulfions, and 

 becoming from day to day more adapted to afford 

 lodging and nourifhment to its new inhabitants. The 

 frefh progeny with which it was again peopled, pro- 

 cured themfelves a fcanty fupport from the fiflaefy 

 and the chace : and, where thefe were wanting, they 

 lived upon acorns and other fruits of the foreft ; they 

 moftly dwelt in woods and caverns, and in general were 

 fo rude as to be ignorant of the ufe of fire. Happily, 

 on the lofty tops of Imaus, a ftem of that firft race of 

 more perfect men were frill remaining, with their ori- 

 ginal prerogatives, and in the enjoyment of all the 

 benefits ariling from the arts and fciences difcovered 

 by their anceftors. Compelled by limilar cataftrophes 

 to abandon their hereditary abodes, they fpread them- 

 felves to the fouth and the weft ; and in all places whi- 

 ther they came, their arrival was like the appearance 

 of beneficent deities. For, together with a language 

 already formed and gentle manners, they brought with 



A a 2 them 



