92 
CIVILIZATION. 
class such amongst the civilised, though, in many respects, far 
behind some of the coloured sections of the human family, 
and by reckless deeds, readiness to shed blood, and mental 
degradation, prove they are as much entitled to be classed 
amongst the uncivilized as any of their darker coloured 
brethren. 
Before the word * civilized ’ can be correctly applied, it is 
necessary to find out its origin and true meaning. The 
word is evidently derived from civis or civitas , and this opens 
up a page of ancient history, when men first consorted to- 
gether for mutual protection and maintenance of their 
individual rights, not only against foreign foes but also those 
amongst themselves, who by superior strength of numbers 
obtained such a degree of power as to endanger individual 
life and liberty. This has ever been necessary when com- 
munities attained such a state as to be sensible of their rights, 
and capable of combining together to maintain them. The 
commencement of such a compact seems to be fear. The 
first man who is recorded as having built a city was Cain, 
who, when driven forth as a wanderer, expressed his fear lest 
everybody who found him should slay him. Continually 
pursued by this fear, when his family became sufficiently 
numerous after the birth of his son Enoch, he built a city 
and called it by his name, evidently hoping by this concen- 
tration of his children in one spot to secure his own safety. 
In lawless times, when might was right and club law pre- 
vailed, this was the only way which the weak possessed of 
offering effective resistance to those who would oppress them. 
Hence arose communis - — common rights. These still exist 
in England as well as in New Zealand, where lands are thus 
held and cultivated either in common or by each confining 
his labor to his own particular allotment. This work was 
originally performed by the entire community at the same 
time, and armed for mutual protection . 
As these communities increased cities gradually arose, 
houses were erected contiguous, and surrounded by walls to 
defend them from sudden assaults. Thus the citizens, when 
able to maintain themselves against such attacks, gradually 
