Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-04-06
For the Chronicle.
HISTORICAL READINGS, No. l.

II would be very pleasant to us to have
headed our article differently, and written
the earliest nations of the world" But
that could not be, because what we do say
we wish to say with authority, and respect.
ing the earliest nations of the world there il
none. There is vague tradition, there is
conjecture, but there is no certainty with
regard to the nations that ruled, or the
events which occurred before the historical
ages. Even with regard TO much that falls
within this period, a wise and cautious
criticism needs to be exercised.
There are three nations which have long
claimed, and been allowed the claim Of great
antiquity. Egypt, China and India, were
venerable for age and wisdom, before nations
long since perished had come into existence.
Which of these was first, we have no means
Of determining. But if, where certainty is
not attainable, we would be guided by the
mos' ancient traditions, as well as the
opinions of all those whose researches and
studies enttle them to voice on the sub
ject, we must regard Egypt and China as
recent in comparison with India.
The Indian Archipelago, called by the
natives, Pungabhumi, or the land of gentle
virtues, is regarded by many of the learned
as the place where man first existed, and
civilization first dawned. In tracing back
the lines of the migration of the different
tribes, in comparing their language, religion,
modes of reckoning time, and their customs,
they think they discover evidence to support
the opinion that the region of Hindostan
was the central point whence they all origi-
mated. But as similar claims have been set
up for America, the valley of the Euphrates,
and even for Ceylon, we may pass over this
without further notice.
However 1t may be, it is certain that the
Hindoos were long civilized people. In
their first historical existence, they are pre-
sented to Us as a civilized nation, pos essed
of considerable political and scientific know
ledge, organized into society, under law,
divided into separate trades and professions
An undoubted proof of long civilization.
In their philosophy too, there is evidence Of
the same remote antiquity. Their vedas OF
sacred books, composed at an early period,
contain systems of philosophy evideucing a
metaphysical culture which could only re.
suit from long civilization. If we would
follow their own chronology, we would as
cribe TO them wonderful antiquity, but
their tables are well known to be unworthy
Of reliance. Nothing, too, can be more un-
certain than dates. The destruction OF
Troy, for instance--a remarkable event In
ancient times, is placed by some, lls4-by
Homer, who sang of its fall, $50, and by
Cadmus the Ancient 624 years d. c.
Though we must allow that India arrived al
a high state Of cultivation at a very early
period, there is no safe historic ground
earlier than l20OBC.
With regard TO the degree of civilization,
the voice Of all antiquity places it very high
indeed, so high, that ever since they have
been known to history, they must be re-
garded as degeneating. Widely was II
known, and early visited by the inquirine
sages of other nations. Still from tn,
jealousy Of the particular class to which the
secrets Of science and religion were com.
mitted, or from design on the part of those
who came and drank Of wisdom, but little
correct knowledge of Indian science and
PHILOSOPHY was possessed by other nations
Our knowledge Of India is probably neither
so accurate nor so extensive, as Of ancient
Egypt, with which, from its more intimate
connection with the cultivated nations o.
Europe, and Its monumental remains, rich
in records Of the past, we have means Of be,
coming extensively acquainted.
Science in India, in its political ant
social existence, was entirely blinded with