A VIEW OF SOCIETY

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To attend to the qualities of plants, and to th6curing of wounds, was another branch of theiroccupation (7); and, in times of war and depre-dation , it is difficult to conceive a circumstancewhich could recommend them more. Nor werethey inattentive to adorn their persons. The linen,which made the principal article of their dress,was of their own manufacture; and they had apride in intermixing it with purple («). They wentfrequently into the bath; their hair flowed in ring-lets ; a part of their charms was industriously dis-played ; and, in evidence of their beauty, theremay be brought the testimony of the historian ,and the song of the poet (9).

In the more serious and important wars in whichthese nations engaged , the chiefs and warriors seemconstantly to have carried their wives and femalerelations along with them as an incitement to theirvalor. These objects of their affection they placedat a small distance from the field of battle: Andthe most terrible calamity which could befal them ,,was their captivity. By their importunity andWailing, it is recorded, that armies, in the momentof submission, have been recovered; and the stipu-lations of states were never so certainly secured aswhen some virgins of rank were delivered amongthe hostages (10). In the blood of their women,it was conceived there was a charm and a virtue;and hence it proceeded , that, to their uncles bythe mother and to their fathers, children were theobjects of an equal affection and tenderness (11)

But, vyhat evinces their consideration beyond the