THE TESTIMONY

OF

PROFANE ANTIQUITY.

THE TESTIMONY

OF

PROFANE ANTIQUITY

TO THE ACCOUNT GIVEN BY MOSES

OF

PARADISE

AND

THE FALL OF MAN.

BY

MATTHEW BRIDGES.

LONDON:

L. B. SEELEY AND SON, 169, FLEET STREET.

J. CHILCOTT, 6, HIGH STREET, BRISTOL.

MDCCCXXV.

PREFACE.

THE following pages are a compilation from · manuscript observations, which the author has been in the habit of making, for some years, on the various works it has been his lot to meet with. It never appeared to him a legitimate expenditure of time, that so many writers in the learned languages should be perused, merely for the purpose of admiring or imitating their elegance of style, their originality of thought, or the glowing splendor of their genius. Both at home and abroad, therefore, he has aimed at connecting a nobler object with the study of the classics: and availing himself of the useful labours of