A question will here naturally present itself, how the Jews became so much more vicious and depraved than their neighbours? And to resolve that question, it will be necessary to consider in what respects their laws and customs differed from those of others. It will be found that they differed most essentially from all other nations in the world in two particulars: 1st. They had more religion than any other nation; and, 2dly. They had more priests. Other nations among whom superstitious rites and ceremonies prevailed, were satisfied with practising them on solemn festivals, and occasionally on particular or important events; but the Jews practised their superstition incessantly: none of the common duties, or ordinary functions of life, could be performed by them, without a reference to the rules of their superstition; they were bound to a strict observance of them whenever they ate, drank, or performed any other of the natural functions.* ** * Moses quo sibi in posterum gentem firmaret, novos ritus coutrariosque ceteris mortalibus indidit; profana illic omnia, quae apud nos sacra; rursum concessa apud illos, quæ nobis incesta.--Seperati epulis, discreti cubilibus, projectissima ad libidinem gens, aliena rum cubitu abstinent, inter se nihil illicitum, circumcidere genitalia instituere, ut diversitate noscanttir.--Taciti Hist. Lib. v. It is impossible to draw a more disgusting picture of a nation than this elegant and correct historian, in describing the Jews.