* * * * * OF CHUS; STYLED ΧΡYΣΟΣ AND ΧΡYΣΑΩΡ. Among the different branches of the great Amonian family which spread themselves abroad, the sons of Chus were the most considerable, and at the same time the most enterprising. They got access into countries widely distant; where they may be traced under different denominations, but more particularly by their family title. This we might expect the Greeks to have rendered Chusos, and to have named the people Χυσαιοι, Chusæi. But, by a fatal misprision, they uniformly changed these terms to words more familiar to their ear, and rendered them Χρυσος, and Χρυσειος, as if they had a reference to gold. I have before mentioned the various parts of the world where the Amonians settled, and especially this branch of that family. Their most considerable colonies westward were in Iönia and Hellas; and about Cuma and Liguria in Italy; and upon the coast of Iberia in Spain. They were likewise to be found in Cyrene; and still farther in Mauritania, and in the islands opposite to that coast. In the north they were to be met with at Colchis, towards the foot of Mount Caucasus, and in most regions upon the coast of the Euxine sea. In the histories of these countries the Grecians have constantly changed Chusos, the Gentile name, to Chrusos, Χρυσος; and Chus-Or, Chusorus, to Χρυσωρ, Chrusor: and, in consequence of this alteration, they have introduced in their accounts of these places some legend about gold. Hence we read of a golden fleece at Colchis; golden apples at the Hesperides; at [105]Tartessus, a golden cup; and, at Cuma, in Campania, a golden branch: Aureus et foliis, et lento vimine, ramus. Something similar is observable in the history of Cyrene. The natives were not remarkable for either mines or merchandize: yet, Palæphatus, having mentioned that they were κατα γενος Αιθιοπες, Ethiopians by extraction, that is, Cuseans, subjoins: [106]Εισι δε σφοδρα χρυσοι. Pindar, in celebrating each happy circumstance of the Insulæ Fortunatæ, mentions, that there were trees with branches of gold: [107]Ανθεμα δε χρυσου φλεγει. The river Phasis, in Colchis, was supposed to have abounded with gold; and the like was pretended of the Hermus and Pactolus in Iönia. Not only the Poets, but many of the graver [108]historians, speak of their golden sands. Yet there is reason to doubt of the fact: for not one of them produces any good voucher for what they suppose. They do not mention any trade carried on, nor riches accruing from this lucky circumstance: so that there is no reason to think that one grain of gold was gathered from these celebrated streams. Among the several islands occupied by this people were Rhodes and Delos. In the former, the chief city is said to have been blessed with showers of gold. [109]Ενθα ποτε βρεχε θεον Βασιλευς ὁ μεγας χρυσαις νιφαδεσσι πολιν. At Delos every thing was golden, even the slippers of the God.