The Monarchy assails Feudality-Middle Ages. Triumph of the Monarchy-Seventeenth Century AN HISTORICAL RETROSPECT. 4111 FIRST CIVILIZATION, ASIA. THE first civilization on record is that of Hindostan, more familiarly known as India. Its origin is wrapped in fable, but the first dynasty may be traced to 3200 years before Christ. The date of the sacred books entitled the "Vedas" is put down at fifteen centuries before the same period. The "Institutes of Menu," a compilation of moral and political laws, are said to have appeared some twelve centuries before the Christian era. The most remarkable feature in this civilization is, that it remains to this day nearly what it was five thousand years ago: that is to say, the vast majority of the population now, as then, are sunk in poverty and slavery; whilst the Upper Classes monopolize all the wealth and power, political and social. The singular duration of this ill-balanced system is due to causes not difficult to discover. Chief among these must be placed the climate of the country. The A |