Euphrates
, till such time as a new Canal was formed for its Reception, with the several Trenches through which that River was conveyed. I know there
persons who look upon some of these Wonders of Art as Fabulous, but I cannot find any
Grand
for such a Suspicion, unless it be that we have no such Works among us at present. There were indeed many greater Advantages for Building in those Times, and in that Part of the World, than have been met with ever since. The Earth was extremely fruitful, Men lived generally on Pasturage, which requires a much smaller number of Hands than Agriculture: There were few Trades to employ the busie Part of Mankind, and fewer Arts and Sciences to give Work to Men of Speculative Tempers; and what is more than all the rest, the Prince was absolute; so that when he went to War, he put himself at the Head of a whole People:
we find
Semiramis