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A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

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—410 NOTES.Jastin as his authority. Bat what will <strong>the</strong> rtader think <strong>of</strong> Mr.Pinkarton, wheo I assure him that Justin does not once mentionTa7iaus on <strong>the</strong> occasion, nor, indeed, any Scythian king what»€¥er; nay, what is more, he does not, throughout his wholetreatise on <strong>the</strong> origin and history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Scythians, contained in<strong>the</strong> five first chapters <strong>of</strong> his second book, once mention <strong>the</strong> name<strong>of</strong> Tanaus. The only Scythian kings he mentions are Sagillusand Janeivus. <strong>the</strong> first cotemporary with Hercules, and <strong>the</strong> lastiwith Darius. Justin had, however, fixed <strong>the</strong> aera <strong>of</strong> both <strong>the</strong>sekings, and <strong>the</strong>y were, besides, too modern for Mr. Pir.karton'spurpose. But as Justin had assigned <strong>the</strong> Egyptians a king, andhad been so unpolite as to march <strong>the</strong> Scythians to this war withoutone, Mr. Pinkarton was obliged to look out for a straggler<strong>of</strong> some kind or o<strong>the</strong>r, and place him at <strong>the</strong> head <strong>of</strong> his red hair*edfriends. This straggler Tanaus he found in <strong>the</strong> first chapter<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first book <strong>of</strong> Justin. Speaking <strong>of</strong> Ninus, and <strong>the</strong> Assyrianmonarchy, which he reckons <strong>the</strong> first on record, Justin proceedsthus Fucre quidem temporibus anfiquiores, Sesostris JEgypti^ei Scj/thiae rex Tanaus ; quorum alter in Ponium^ alter usqueMgyptum processit. Sed lor.ginqua^ nonjinitima hclla gerebanfjncc iniperium sibi^ sed popuUs suis glorlaui quarebant^ conienti.que victoria^ imperio abstinebant. Ninus magnitudinem qucesitaedominationis continua possessionejirmavit— i. e. " Sesostris, king<strong>of</strong> Egypt, and Tanaus, king <strong>of</strong> Scythia, were indeed more ancientthan Ninus, <strong>the</strong> one <strong>of</strong> whom advanced as far as Pontus, and <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r as far as Egypt. But <strong>the</strong>y carried on wars at a distance,not in <strong>the</strong>ir own vicinity, nor did <strong>the</strong>y seek dominion for <strong>the</strong>mselyes,but glory for <strong>the</strong>ir people; and, content with victory,did not domineer over <strong>the</strong> conquered. Ninus established thagreatness <strong>of</strong> his acquired dominion by taking immediate possession<strong>of</strong> his conquests/' Jn <strong>the</strong> preceding part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> chapter,Justin informs us <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> j ustice and equity <strong>of</strong> ancient kings, whodefended <strong>the</strong> borders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own kingdoms, but did not advance<strong>the</strong>m by encroachments on <strong>the</strong>ir neighbours; and <strong>the</strong>n proceedsas above quoted. Ninus was <strong>the</strong> first who broke through this^qwitable principle.Justin admits <strong>the</strong>re were two kings before

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