S E C T I a N IV.
Various Progre/swhich the Nations we/aw, have made
from the Savage State towards Civilization»
QtJOD C'UIQITE OBTULERAT PR^EDiE FORTUNA, FEKfiBAT,
S P.O.NTE SUA,, SIBI QJTISQUE VALERE,. &• VIVERE DOGTUS,,
Lucretius,
PR E V IO U S to other pofitions, mankind- feem not originally
to have lived in the extremities o f what we commonly, call
the temperate zones ; nor to have chofen thefe cold, inhofpitable
dimatesfor their abode. Th e mild happy climate in, or near the
tropics,, the rapid growthof animals and vegetables in.thefe.places ;
the facility of procuring food,, and fhelter. again!! the indemencies
o f the weather; the variety and fucceffion o f fine and wholefome
fpontanous roots and fruit, all- lead us to fuppofe that man was
originally fettled, there. W e ought to-be confirmed in this idea,
by confidering that the firft nakednefs of man m a, favage ftate, is
by no means calculated to bear the viciffitudes and inclemencies -of
the Northern and Southern extremities o f the. temperate, or the
rigour o f the two frozen zones j and that i f ever men are found
£ ' fettled
p r o g r e s s
OF S A V
A G E S .