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24 clothes and all, to purify himself, The swineherds formed an isolated race, outcasts from society, forbidden to enter a temple, or intermarry with other families." Hence it probably is, that, in the beautiful parable of the Prodigal Son, this unhappy young man is represented as being reduced to the office of a swineherd, that being considered as the lowest possible degradation.

Others are of opinion that this and many other of the prohibitions and ordinances established by Moses were solely for the purpose of distinguishing the Jews from other nations, and making them what they are to this day in all countries and under all climates, "a peculiar people." Others, again, assert that it was with a view to correct their gross and gluttonous habits that none but the simplest and mildest kinds of animal food were permitted to the Jews. And, lastly, another maintains that the swine was thus declared an abomination in the sight of God, as a lesson to the Jews to abstain from the sensual and disgusting habits to which this animal is given. The aversion to swine has descended to the Jews, Egyptians, and followers of Mohammed of modern times. The Copts rear no pigs, indeed this animal is scarcely known in most of the cities of Lower Egypt; and the poorest Jew would sooner starve than touch a morsel of this forbidden food, even though the presumed cause of prohibition has long ceased to exist, and he is removed to colder climes, where pork is both wholesome and nutritious.

By the precepts, warnings, and threatenings of the prophets, we read that, so great was the detestation excited in the minds of the Jewish nation against this animal, that they would not even pollute their lips by pronouncing its name, but always alluded to it as "that beast," "that thing;" and we read in the history of the Maccabees, that Eleazer, a principal scribe, being compelled by Antiochus Epiphanes to open his mouth and receive swine's flesh, spit it forth, and went of his accord to the torment, choosing rather to suffer death than break the divine law and offend his nation. And yet it is well known that immense numbers of swine were reared in the country of the Jews, probably for the purpose of gain, and in order to supply strangers and the neighboring idolaters; and it has been supposed, that it was in order to punish this violation of the Divine commandments that our Saviour permitted the herd of swine to be affected with that sudden disorder which caused them to rush headlong into the lake of Genesareth.

Martin says—at what period the hog was reclaimed, and by what nation, we cannot tell. As far back as the records of history go, we find notices of this animal, and of the use of its flesh as food. By some nations it was held in abhorrence, and prohibited as food; while among others its flesh was accounted a great delicacy. By the Mosaic law, the Jews were forbidden to use the flesh of the swine as food—it was unclean; and the followers of Mohammed,