text:  "Though inhabiting from immemorial times regions in juxtaposition and almost contiguous to each other no two races of men can be more strongly contrasted than were the ancient Egyptian and Syro-Arabian races; one nation full of energy of restless activity changing many times their manner of existence--sometimes nomadic feeding their flocks in desert places--now settled and cultivating the earth and filling their land with populous villages and towns and fenced cities--then spreading themselves impelled by the love of glory and zeal of proselytism over distant countries; the other reposing ever in luxurious ease and wealth on the rich soil watered by their slimy river never quitting it for a foreign clime or displaying unless forced the least change in their position or habits of life