The first-created man, we are informed, was stung to death by Ahriman; who introduced into the world an universal disorder and rebellion. His daring spirit of opposition however was speedily crushed and the victory remained with the good principle Ormusd. Yet it was thought necessary to bring over the face of the earth a general deluge, that all impurity might be washed away and a second man, who, like the first, was compounded of a human being and a bull, was the person appointed to effect this great work. He was aided by three associates and the pure souls watched with care over his safety. During thirty days and thirty nights his light shone on high: and he caused rain to descend for the space of ten days. Every drop of that rain was like a large salver. The earth was wholly covered with water to the height of a man: and all the Kharfesters perished in the inundation, for the waters penetrated into every recess. At length they began to retire, and were again confined within their proper bounds: for a violent wind, during three days, agitated them on all sides upon the earth. Meanwhile God the creator drove back the waters from the Arg of the primeval Magus. Then he caused mount Albordi to appear, and afterwards all the other mountains. These multiplied themselves from the root of Albordi, as suckers are propagated from a tree and

by a comparatively modern hand: just as the fables, recited in the Metamorphoses of Ovid, were not the invention of Ovid himself, though he was the author of the work.

at last the surface of the whole earth became visible. The world was now renewed, and restored to its pristine shape: for, in the region of mount Albordi, Ormusd planted the germs of those Kharfesters, who remained, and from whom all things were destined to spring. Here another bull was framed, which was the author of general abundance. Two animals likewise of the bovine species were produced, a male and a female: and from them the Universe, comprehending all kinds of animals and birds and fishes, originated."

I need scarcely observe on this legend, that the second man-bull with his three companions is Noah with his three sons, that the Arg of the Magus is the Ark of the second great father of mankind, and that mount Albordi is mount Ararat.*

3. It is worthy of observation, that the Persians sometimes describe the patriarch who escaped, by the very same mystic title as that employed both by the Hindoos and the Greeks.

One of the names of the Indian Menu is Cala or Time: Cronus, the Greek appellation of Saturn, has a manifest affinity with Chronus which also signifies Time: and Sir William Jones was assured by a learned follower of Zeradusht, that in the books, which the Behdins hold sacred, mention is made of an universal flood styled the deluge of Time.3

2

Zendavesta. vol. iii. p. 348-363.

The reader will find a more ample elucidation of the present history in my Orig. of Pagan Idol. book iii.

Macrob. Saturn. lib. i. c. 22. p. 214. Asiat. Res. vol. i. p. 240.

IV. From the Persic traditions, let us pass on to that very minute and remarkable history of the deluge, which has been preserved by the Brahmens of Hindostan.

This narrative is contained in the ancient poem of the Bhagavat: and it treats of a flood, which destroyed all mankind, except a pious prince with seven of his attendants and their wives. To transcribe the whole narrative would be superfluous, as it is replete with fabulous corruptions and additions; but that part of it, which is more immediately applicable to the present purpose, is as follows.

The demon Hayagriva having purloined the Vedas from the custody of Brahma, while he was reposing at the close of the sixth Manwantara ; the whole race of men became corrupt, except the seven Rishis and Satyavrata, who then reigned in Dravira, a maritime region to the south of Carnata. This prince was performing his ablutions in the river Critamala, when Vishnou appeared to him in the shape of a small fish; and, after several augmentations of bulk in different waters, was placed by Satyavrata in the ocean, where he thus addressed his amazed votary. In seven days, all creatures, who have offended me, shall be destroyed by a deluge; but thou shalt be secured in a capacious vessel miraculously formed. Take therefore all kinds of medicinal herbs and esculent grain for food; and, together with the seven holy men, your respective wives, and pairs of all animals, enter the ark without fear. Then shalt thou know God face

to face; and all thy questions shall be answered. Saying this, he disappeared: and, after seven days, the ocean began to overflow the coasts, and the earth to be flooded by constant showers; when Satyavrata, meditating on the Deity, saw a large vessel moving on the waters. He entered it, having in all respects conformed to the instructions of Vishnou ; who, in the form of a vast fish, suffered the vessel to be tied with a great sea-serpent, as with a cable, to his measureless horn. When the deluge had

ceased, Vishnou slew the demon and recovered the Vedas, instructed Satyavrata in divine knowledge, and appointed him the seventh Menu by the name of Vaivaswata.'

V. In pursuing the present inquiry, our attention is next called to the great empire of China. Here also we shall find a tradition of the deluge, though perhaps not quite so clear and decisive as those which have been already considered.

1. Martinius informs us, that the Chinese writers make frequent mention of the flood, but that they do not enter into the causes which produced it. This deficiency led that author to doubt, whether they spoke of the Noëtic flood or of some partial deluge confined to the realm of China. So far as this however he ventures to assert, that there is no great dissimilitude between the two accounts: and he adds, that in point of chronology they near

p. 117.

* Asiat. Res. vol. ii. A print of the Fish-Avatar of Vishnou may be seen in Maurice's Hist, of Hind, vol. i. p,

.507.

ly coincide, each having taken place about three thousand years before the Christian era.'

2. Such is the direct history of the deluge, which the Chinese possess: but they have likewise vari, ous legends, which seem to refer to it indirectly.

Their authors, we are told, frequently speak of two heavens, the latter of which in point of time succeeded the former. From the description which they give of them, the first very evidently alludes to the antediluvian world commencing with a state of innocence, and the second to the postdiluvian world which was immediately preceded by an universal deluge.

Whilst the first state of heaven lasted, say their sacred books, a pure pleasure and a perfect tranquility reigned over all nature. There was neither labour, nor pain, nor sorrow, nor criminality. Nothing made opposition to the will of man; the whole creation enjoyed a state of happiness; every thing was beautiful, every thing was good; all beings were perfect in their kind. In this happy age, heaven and earth employed their virtues jointly, to embellish nature. There was no jarring in the elements, no inclemency in the air; all things without labour; and universal fertility prevailed. The active and passive virtues conspired

grew

1

Martin. Hist. Sin. lib. i. p. 12. In mentioning this term of years, Martinius follows very judiciously the longer computation which has been adopted by the eastern churches. Ac-. cording to the Hebrew chronology, the deluge occurred in the year 2349 A. Æ. C.; according to the Samaritan, in the year A. Æ. C. 2939.