ORIGIN OF COMMERCE.

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session. But in consequence of the various climates and peculiarities of different countries, and the consequent variety in the nature of their productions, mankind have the strongest inducement to promote intercourse with each other.

By means of this intercourse, every country can obtain the productions of all the other countries in the world, while the superfluous productions of each country acquire a value from their capability of purchasing the productions of other countries. Hence the happiness of all is increased. One country may have a superabundant quantity of the materials for building; another country may have a superabundant quantity of the materials for clothing. Now, if no communication takes place between these two countries, the inhabitants of one country may be well lodged, but badly clothed; and the inhabitants of the other country may be well clothed, but badly lodged. But let these two countries exchange their superfluous productions with each other, and the people of both countries will be well lodged and well

clothed. Almost every nation either has naturally, or produces by its own labour, some production in greater quantity than is necessary for its own consumption. This superabundant quantity, when kept at home, possesses no value. Of what use would it be to Norway to keep possession of all her forests; of Sweden, to retain all the metals in her mines; or of America, to keep to herself her cotton; or of India, her silk. These commodities, the superabundance of which would be useless at home, are given to other countries, to whom they are valuable. And, by all countries acting upon the same principle, the convenience and happiness of all nations are greatly promoted.

Commerce has also a claim on our consideration, from its being friendly to civilization. Commerce gives a rapid circulation to the valuable discoveries of science and of art. Whatever useful discoveries are made in any science; whatever new machines are invented; whatever new remedies for maladies are found out; they are quickly, by means of an extended commercial intercourse, circulated all over the

COMMERCE AND CIVILIZATION.

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world. It is chiefly by means of commerce that barbarous nations have become civilized. The most commercial nations have always been civilized nations. In the pursuit of commercial objects they have sought out new nations with whom to trade. They have discovered nations in a state of comparative barbarism, and by their commercial intercourse civilization has been extended. Commerce has laid the foundation of the most powerful empires. They have flourished as their commerce has flourished, and when their commerce has declined they have fallen into obscurity.

The mighty influence of commerce to promote the wealth of nations and of individuals, has, in every age, induced some men of wisdom and talent to endeavour to unfold the principles on which it is founded; to trace the causes of its prosperity, and notice the occasions of its decline. In our own times, books published upon the subject have abundantly increased. Commerce is now not merely followed as a profession, it is studied as a science; and, even at our universities,

professors are appointed, who deliver 1 upon the principles of commerce.

The subject of the present lecture History of Commerce, as it existed amor ancient Egyptians.

The

Soon after the Deluge, which took pl the year 1656 from the creation of the the different branches of the family of separated, and took possession of various of the earth, as their inheritance. of Shem went to the eastern part of Asia, Noah himself is supposed to have gone sti ther cast, and to have founded the kingd China. The family of Ham settled in Minor, and extended to Africa, while th mily of Japhet took possession of Europe.

Egypt was founded by Mizraim, the s Ham, soon after that Nimrod had founde kingdom of Babylon, about 2200 years b the Christian era. In the year 538 (B. C. Babylonian monarchy was subverted by C the Great, and thirteen years afterwards his conquered Egypt. Egypt had thus conti an independent kingdom for nearly seven

HISTORY OF EGYPT.

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hundred years. Notwithstanding several revolts, the Egyptians continued to be subject to the Persians, until that monarchy was overturned by Alexander the Great. On the death of Alexander, which took place in the year 324 before the Christian era, his kingdom was divided, and Ptolemy Lagus took possession of Egypt. It now again became an independent kingdom. But the monarch and the principal men in the country were Greeks, and his soldiers were Greeks. Hence this monarchy is distinguished from the former one, by being called the Greco-Egyptian Monarchy.

This monarchy continued for about 300 years, when it was overturned by the Romans, and Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire. It is not necessary for my present purpose, that I should trace the history of Egypt any farther. You perceive, then, that for 1700 years, Egypt was an independent monarchy. Then for 200 years it was under the yoke of the Persians. Then for 300 years it was an independent monarchy, with a Greek monarch. And this brings down the history of Egypt to