010-9-49 PINT

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

SECT. I.

The connexion of Language with Manners. The origin of antient tongues involved in darkness. Short hiftory of the Arabic. The character now in ufe nvented in the tenth century. Pag. 1

SECT. II.

The

Strictures on the language of Ancient Perfia.
The inconfiftencies of various writers with
regard to Zoroafter and his works.
Sadder published by Dr. Hyde; and the Zend
Avefta by Du Perron not authentic. The
Zend language not genuine. Obfervations on
the Farfi and Pehlavi dialects. The Speci-
mens of old Perfian in the Religio Veterum
Perfarum fimply modern language in ancient

characters.

P. 12

a

SECT. III.

Changes introduced, by the Arabian conqueft, in the government, religion, and language of Perfia. The Macedonians and Arabians perfecute the religion of the Magi; and destroy their books. Probable causes of this feverity. The Parfis fly from the Arabian profcription, and fettle in Guzerat and other places. They acknowledge that their books are of modern date. The Perfian language neglected by the Mohammedans till the tenth century. Becomes blended with Arabic on its revival: Singular attention paid by Eastern princes to learned men. Decline of Oriental literature after the invafions of Gengiz Khan and Tamerlane. Leading diftinctions between Weftern and Eaftern genius. The usefulness of the Perfian and Arabic languages in Hindoftan.

P. 20

Eaftern language and literature may throw great light on ancient hiftory, mythology, and manners. Syftematic writers on the actions of mankind always to be doubted. The Grecian hiftory of Ancient Perfia queftionable. The great

object of hiftory to improve fociety. Improbability not intitled to our belief, altho' tranfmitted to us by celebrated writers. Uncertainty of hiftory in general; and the propriety of impartial refearch.

P. 37

A fhort view of the early periods of Perfian hiftory. Like thofe of other nations disfigured by the marvellous; yet not entirely to be rejected. Difagreement between the Grecian and Afiatic hiftory of Perfia. Invafion of Xerxes improbable. Outlines of the Macedonian conqueft from Perfian hiftorians. P. 47

SECT. III.

The Greek language cultivated in the Eaft. All the ancient Perfian books not deftroyed by the Arabians. Obfervations on Oriental Tradition, Pride of blood and Genealogy. Hif torians greatly patronized in the Eaft. Afiatic hiftories numerous. The Greek hiftorians neglected in the Eaft. Probable reasons for this neglect.

SECT. IV.

p. 63

Contradictions in Greek Hiftorians and Chronologers. Queen Semiramis. The Argonautic expedition. Sefoftris. p. 82

SECT. V.

The Chronology of the Sacred Writings perplexed by endeavouring to reconcile it with that of the Greeks. An attempt to adjust the Seventy years Captivity. Building on Eaftern proper names, unsupported by facts, the rock on which Chronologers have split.

SECT. VI.

p. 89

Usefulness of the Arabic and Perfian languages in throwing light on early times. Strictures on Mr. Bryant's New Syftem or Analysis of Ancient Mythology.

CHAPTER III.

SECT. I.

p. 104

Obfervations on Eastern manners. Conjectures on channels through which Eaftern cuftoms may have flowed into Europe. Improbability of the expedition of Oden from the Euxine to Scandinavia. Tartary the great officina gentium of the barbarous invaders of the Roman empire. Miftakes of our greatest writers with regard to the Tartars. An example brought from Montefquieu. P. 136

SECT. II.

Prevalence of the Feudal Syftem in the Eaft in