those communities, in which none but virgins marry, and where to a single marriage all their views and inclinations are at once confined.  Thus, as they have but one body and one life, they take but one husband, that beyond him they may have no thought, no further wishes, nor love him only as their husband but as their marriage.  To restrain generation and the increase of children, is esteemed an abominable sin, as also to kill infants newly born.  And more powerful with them are good manners, than with other people are good laws.

In all their houses the children are reared naked and nasty; and thus grow into those limbs, into that bulk, which with marvel we behold.  They are all nourished with the milk of their own mothers, and never surrendered to handmaids and nurses.  The lord you cannot discern from the slave, by any superior delicacy in rearing.  Amongst the same cattle they promiscuously live, upon the same ground they without distinction lie, till at a proper age the free-born are parted from the rest, and their bravery recommend them to notice.  Slow and late do the young men come to the use of women, and thus very long preserve the vigour of youth.  Neither are the virgins hastened to wed.  They must both have the same sprightly youth, the like stature, and marry when equal and able-bodied.  Thus the robustness of the parents is inherited by the children.  Children are holden in the same estimation with their mother’s brother, as with their father.  Some hold this tie of blood to be most inviolable and binding, and in receiving of hostages, such pledges are most considered and claimed, as they who at once possess affections the most unalienable, and the most diffuse interest in their family.  To every man, however, his own children are heirs and successors:  wills they make none:  for want of children his next akin inherits; his own brothers, those of his father, or those of his mother.  To ancient men, the more they abound in descendants, in relations and affinities, so much the more favour and reverence accrues.  From being childless, no advantage nor estimation is derived.

All the enmities of your house, whether of your father or of your kindred, you must necessarily adopt; as well as all their friendships.  Neither are such enmities unappeasable and permanent:  since even for so great a crime as homicide, compensation is made by a fixed number of sheep and cattle, and by it the whole family is pacified to content.  A temper this, wholesome to the State; because to a free nation, animosities and faction are always more menacing and perilous.  In social feasts, and deeds of hospitality, no nation upon earth was ever more liberal and abounding.  To refuse admitting under your roof any man whatsoever, is held wicked and inhuman.  Every man receives every comer, and treats him with repasts as large as his ability can possibly furnish.  When the whole stock is consumed, he who has treated so hospitably guides and accompanies his guest to