in America, as well as in ancient Babylonia. But none of the systems was destined to have the vogue acquired by that of the Semites, to become the parent also of the alphabets used by tongues so radically divergent as Indo-European, Mongolo-Tartar, and Malay.
In dealing with ancient peoples we are accustomed to use the term Literature with the greatest possible latitude. We include as such all that has come down to us of their writings, to whatever field of human activity they may refer. In this manner, Literature is no longer synonymous with belles-lettres, but may comprise treatises upon all possible subjects; including even business documents and social letters. In this use of the word there is, it is true, a certain justification, above and beyond that of mere archaeological convenience. Among the Semites, the line of demarcation between everyday writing and that which is formal and literary has never been drawn clearly; just as little as definite forms of literary expression have been reserved for the treatment of certain subjects. Jews, Syrians, and Arabs would write grammatical treatises in verse; or, if need be, medical and legal ones. The passion for poetic diction was supreme; and where we would write an order in council or an official document in the ordinary, albeit twisted, style of official parlance, the Arab scribe will make it an occasion for the exercise of whatever ingenuity he may possess in the turning of happy phrases and the collocation of pleasing rhymes. But the purpose of the present presentation will be served best if the latitude in the use of the word Literature be restricted and the attempt be made to conform to the more usual acceptation of the term. It is difficult, practically impossible, to give any general characterization of Semitic Literatures as a whole, for the reason that the historic and psychic development of the Semitic peoples has been so varied. It is true that the peoples which have produced these Literatures have kept their racial affinity intact to a surprising degree; and this despite
