400 WHETHER DOMESTIC POULTRY WEKE 
cook, whenever it was wanted ; and their experience soon 
informed them, that hen-eggs were strong, and hen-flesh 
sweet and nourishing food. 
Even if the Jews of those days could not be reconciled 
to the eggs and flesh of domestic poultry, as a part of diet ; 
they might be induced to keep them for sale to the Roman 
soldiers and publicans, who resided in Judea or resorted to 
Jerusalem. Whatever scruples they themselves might have 
to eating their eggs or flesh, to which their conquerors and 
lords were much addicted, they could have none to the sale 
of them to strangers, who might desire to purchase. 
All their descendants, at least, have been guided by 
the love of gain, as the principal spur to their actions. The 
whole world is agreed, that no class of men ever knew bet- 
ter the art of making money, or were more successful in 
making it. 
That the Jews of those days were accustomed at least 
to act as petty traders, we have positive proof. Though 
swine were held in the utmost abomination by the Jews, 
yet we learn from the gospel history, that these were com- 
mon in Judea ; and we cannot suppose that they were kept 
for any other purpose, than for sale to the Gentiles, who 
were very fond of swine's flesh. 
From the grounds now stated, then, it may be con- 
cluded, that the Jews of our Lord's day were not prevented 
by the Mosaic law, from using as food the eggs and flesh 
of hens ; or, if the tradition of the elders led them to view 
the matter in that light, they might breed them for sale to 
foreigners, just as they bred swine, from the profit which 
might be derived from their sale. 
In the neighbourhood of the palace of the high priest, 
therefore, either in the houses of Jews or Gentiles, poultry 
might be kept, either for use or sale, and, as is customary 
with cocks, they would crow betwixt midnight and morn- 
ing; and, as their instincts prompt them to crow several 
