1. He makes the proper diftinction between generations and reigns, which quantities Herodotus, and other Gentile writers, erroneously confounded, as equivalent and commenfurate.

2. In his elaborate work, the CHRONOLOGY OF ANCIENT KINGDOMS AMENDED, is the mean term of intervals, in family defcents, fixed to three fucceffions in a century. If the reckoning proceed in the line of the eldest fons, 28, or at the most 30 years, is the measure of a generation: if in that of younger brothers, 33; that is three in a century at an average.

3. IN computing by reigns, and by the first born fons, 18 is the common meafure; if by younger brothers 20, or five reigns for a century. Thefe diftinctions between generations and reigns, founded in common sense, are eminently serviceable in regulating hiftory. For in the words of this great author, "The reigns of kings are fhorter than generations, because kings are fucceeded not only by their eldeft fons, but fometimes by their brothers. Sometimes they are flain or depofed, and fucceeded by others of an equal or greater age, especially in elective or turbulent kingdoms *.". For thefe obvious reafons, generations, -counted in the line of kings, are fhorter than in families of a fubordinate rank. In hereditary monarchies, the apparent heirs contract early marriages from political motives; while others, not provided with equal advantages for rearing a family, defer connubial engagements to a more advanced ftage of life.

• Newton's Chronology, page 54.

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ONE other remark, to this purpose is not here to be fuperfeded. Sir Ifaac Newton reckons the proportionate quantum, both in generations and reigns, from the abbreviated term of natural life, which was firft reduced to its prefent ftandard about the time of Saul. Some of the arrangements with respect to the ancient hiftory, if so it may be called, of Egypt and Greece, this very refpectable author has brought too low; and on this account, a greater latitude in computation for those early periods is reasonable.

IN the Hebrew records the vouchers for the mean length of generations, and the real measure of fingle magistracies, are much more explicit, regular, continuous, (not to say far more authentic), than in thofe of paganifm, the earlieft of which are comparatively recent. An abridged scheme of the genealogy, in the times of the patriarchs and judges, has been given in the foregoing chapters of this Analyfis: and it is judged requifite to fubjoin a more minute fpecimen of fundamental principles in computation, during the period of regal government from Saul to Zedekiah.

THE Conftruction and uses of the following table, will, it is hoped, be much more perfpicuous from explanatory notes on each column, than it could have been made by preliminary rules for the illuftration of its feveral parts,

A. M.

I

1

CHAP. V.

CHRONOLOGICAL Problems folved by Genealogy.

HIS fubject, being retrofpe&tive, may be pro

ΤΗ

nounced a deviation from ftrict method. But it could nowhere elfe be introduced more naturally; and its fubfervience to future arrangements will, it is hoped, recommend it as an interlude, which tends rather to diverfify, than retard the profecution of the primary undertaking, or mar its final effect.

OF modern chronologers Sir Ifaac Newton was the first who, with a degree of penetration, peculiar to himself, (successfully applied genealogy, as a middle term, for adjusting to the course of nature the chronology of the Gentiles in the fabulous ages), made important difcoveries. It is to be regretted, that he did not adopt for his ftandard the Hebrew computation, as extant in the original records of the facred canon; and not as exhibited by Petau, Scaliger, Ufher, and their followers. To him, however, the learned world is indebted for certain improvements in the art of hiftorical combination, no lefs ufeful than fingular.

1. He makes the proper diftinction between generations and reigns, which quantities Herodotus, and other Gentile writers, erroneously confounded, as equivalent and commenfurate.

2. In his elaborate work, the CHRONOLOGY OF ANCIENT KINGDOMS AMENDED, is the mean term of intervals, in family defcents, fixed to three fucceffions in a century. If the reckoning proceed in the line of the eldest fons, 28, or at the moft 30 years, is the measure of a generation: if in that of younger brothers, 33; that is three in a century at an average.

3. IN computing by reigns, and by the first born fons, 18 is the common measure; if by younger brothers 20, or five reigns for a century. Thefe diftinctions between generations and reigns, founded in common sense, are eminently ferviceable in regulating hiftory. For in the words of this great author, "The reigns of kings are fhorter than generations, because kings are fucceeded not only by their eldest fons, but fometimes by their brothers. Sometimes they are flain or depofed, and fucceeded by others of an equal or greater age, especially in elective or turbulent kingdoms *.". For thefe obvious reafons, generations, counted in the line of kings, are fhorter than in families of a fubordinate rank. In hereditary monarchies, the apparent heirs contract early marriages from political motives; while others, not provided with equal advantages for rearing a family, defer connubial engagements to a more advanced ftage of life.

* Newton's Chronology, page 54.

ONE