१३२ भारतीय साम्राज्य. [ भाग with marks of its industry; rich crops of the most coveted productions of Nature annually rewarded the toil of the husbandman; skilful artizans con- verted the rude_produce of the soil into fabrics of unrivalled delicacy and beauty, and architects and sculptors joined in contributing works, the soli- dity of which has not in some instances been over- come by the revolution of thousands of years. The princes and nobles of India, unlike the wandering chieftains of the neighbouring countries, already dwelt in splendid places, and clothed in the gorgeous products of its looms, and glittering with gold and gems, indulged a corresponding luxury in every act and habit of their lives. Poets were not want- ing to celebrate the exploits of their ancestors, nor philosophers to tread the mazes of metaphysical in- quiry and weave the net of ingenious speculation, with as much subtlety, and perhaps with not less success, than has attended the researches of subsequent in- quiries." ( Thornton's History fo India. ) ह्यावरून युरोपखंडांत अत्यंत पुरातन मानलेलीं जीं ग्रीक व रोमन राष्ट्रे त्यांहून, किंब- तात्पर्यार्थ. हुना त्यांसही पूज्य होऊन गेलेलें असे जे मिसरदेशचें फार प्राचीन राष्ट्र, त्यापेक्षाही
