Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/178

Every thing now begins to wear a new Aſpect. Thoſe who heretofore wandered thro' the Woods, by taking to a more ſettled Way of Life, gradually flock together, coaleſce into ſeveral ſeparate Bodies, and at length form in every Country diſtinct Nations, united in Character and Manners, not by any Laws or Regulations, but by an uniform Manner of Life, a Sameneſs of Proviſions, and the common Influence of the Climate. A permanent Neighbourhood muſt at laſt infallibly create ſome Connection between different Families. The tranſitory Commerce required by Nature ſoon produced, among the Youth of both Sexes living in contiguous Cabins, another kind of Commerce, which beſides being equally agreeable is rendered more durable by mutual Intercourſe. Men begin to conſider different Objects, and to make Compariſons; they inſenſibly acquire Ideas of Merit and Beauty, and theſe ſoon pro-