The «astern
and western
dialects had
one common
origin.
Besides a sufficient affinity both in the roots and verbs of
eastern and western languages to indicate that they had one
common origin, it also appears, from the high authority of Sir
William Jones, that the square Chaldaic letters in which most
Hebrew books are copied, were originally the same, or derived
from the same prototype, as the Indian and Arabian characters;
and there can be little doubt that the Phoenician had a similar
origin.1
Another well-known philologer, in his learned researches,
speaking of one of the oldest tongues extant, observes, that the
Sanscrit draws its origin, and that some steps of its progress
may be traced, from a primitive language which was gradually
refined in various climates, and became Sanscrit in India,
Pehlavi in Persia, and Greek on the shores of the Mediterranean.
8
1 Asiatic Researches, vol. I ., p. 423.
* H. T. Colebrooke, Esq., vol. I., p. 201 of Asiatic Researches.
CHAPTEE IY.
GLANCE AT THE PHOENICIAN, EGYPTIAN, JEWISH, AND ARABIAN
HISTORIES, FROM B.C. 1623 TO B.C. 1322.
Successive Colonies proceed from Arabia into Egypt.—Commerce of the
Egyptians maintained principally by Land.—The Sepulchres furnish a
Pictorial History o f the Country.—Cotton, Linen, Porcelain, and other
Manufactures.—Alphabetical Writing in use antecedently to the construction
of the Pyramids. —Costumes of the various People.—Rich Hangings
and Carpets manufactured.^—Dyeing in u s e ; also Metals, Chariots, and
Household Utensils.—System o f Cultivation pietorially represented.—
Use of the Himyaritic character by the Arabs in the time of Joseph.—
Agricultural Products, and Caravan Trade to distant Countries.—Products
and Caravan Trade of the Phoenicians.—Position of their Territory.
—Settlements of the Phoenicians previously to the coming of the Shepherds.
—Commencement of Sea Navigation and rise of Tyre.—Colonies planted
in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, &c.—Rapid rise of the Egyptians after
the expulsion of the Shepherds.—The Egyptians become jealous o f the
Hebrews.—Forced Servitude of the latter.—Commencement of their
flight from the Land of Goshen®Pursued by Pharaoh.,—Passage o f the
Red Sea, near Suez.—Advanced state of the Edomites and Midianites.__
Jethro visits Moses.—Arab Polity made the basis of Moses’ Government.
|® ^M o s e s conducts the People to Mount Sinai.—Promulgation of the Moral
Law.—Guided by Hobab, the Israelites advance to Kadesh-Barnea, and
the southern borders of Canaan.—Retreat from thence after being defeated
by the AmalekitesSDestruction of Korah and his Companions.__
Journey to Ezion Geber and Mount H o r; and eventually to the foot of
Mount Pisgah.—Limited extent of the country traversed during the
Exodus.—Passage of the Jordan.—Some o f the ancient Inhabitants are
driven into Egypt, others settle in Armenia.—War between Armenia
and Assyria.—Progress of the Egyptian Kingdom.—Sesostris and his
Conquests. -
A s t a t e of civilization approaching that mentioned in the Successive
preceding chapter as belonging to the Himyarites, had long “rX'fto °m
prevailed in the neighbouring country of Egypt; to whichEgypt
kingdom the tide of emigration had been constantly flowing