Wilkinson, John Gardner: Topographie of Thebes, and general view of Egypt: being a short account of the principal objects worthy of notice in the valley of the Nile, to the second cataracte and Wadi Samneh, with the Fyoom, Oases and eastern desert, from Sooez to Bertenice (London, 1835)

X INTRODUCTION.

from that primitive state which contents itself with
merely satisfying the common wants of man; and
if he attempts a predatory warfare against a neigh-
bouring tribe, his conquests are confined to the
pillage or desolation of the invaded territory.
But when agriculture enables man to produce an
abundant supply of the necessaries of life, always
keeping pace, in a favorable soil, with the in-
crease of population, property becomes established
and defined, emulation succeeds, and arts and
civilization are rapidly introduced. The labors
of the few, besides satisfying their own wants,
are found sufficient to maintain those members of
society who are employed in other occupations ;
and hence arises that distinction of agricultural
and other classes, which were at so early a period
introduced into the fertile regions of Egypt and
India. Nor are we at a loss to account for the
great esteem in which the husbandman was held
in the former country; and their contempt for the
shepherd might have originated in the unfavor-
able opinion they entertained of the indolent Arab,
from his unworthy occupations, or from his inutility,
as an ignorant and unimproving member of society.
It was agriculture which so speedily rendered
Egypt superior to all her neighbours; and while
others were immersed in the barbarism of a pri-