CHAPTER I.

And, therefore, as a stranger, give it welcome.There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio,Than are dreamt of in our Philosophy!Shakspeare.

And, therefore, as a stranger, give it welcome.

There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in our Philosophy!

Shakspeare.

Book the Second.

THE SCRIPTURAL, POLITICAL, AND COMMERCIAL HISTORY OF THE PHŒNICIAN NATIONS,—BUT ESPECIALLY OF THE KINGDOM OF TYRUS, AND THE MIGRATION TO THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

THE NATIONS OF PHŒNICIA.

2349Before Christ.] In reviewing the history of the great Phœnician family, an interest of a strong and peculiar character is now given to it from the new and apparent fact, that the Nations of that family were not annihilated—in its literal sense—by the Babylonian, Macedonian, or the Roman, at the great capitals, Sidon, Tyrus, and Carthage.

The Phœnicians as a people, will now possess an interest in the mind of the English and American reader (and of all Europe) of no common character:—for "all time" forward the History of Tyrus (and of Israel) must be regarded as being blended with that of the Western Hemisphere;—and as a consequence, with the Anglo-Saxonrace: whose colossal tread, ere a century shall have passed, will obliterate every minor footprint on the Western Continent,—for the Institutions of Alfred and of Washington—freedom-founded—tower, like sheltering Palm-trees, over the desert sands of the previous Nations.

The Phœnicians claim with absolute certainty the most remote antiquity for the foundation of their "house;" for as the history of Nations requires no date antecedent to that of the Deluge,—that of Phœnicia is traceable to that event—[2349B. C.]—and as a consequence, the first Book of MOSES is the fountain from which all the channels of certain and early knowledge are derived. From the Sacred Volume we learn that the three and only Sons of Noah "were Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father ofCanaan."Japhethwas the eldest, and from him is supposed to have descended the family of Europe. To Shem, the second son, is traceable the House of Israel, and to that august family was granted byThe Almighty, the Sacred Covenant, the Holy-laws, and the Nativity of the BlessedSaviour.

The family of the youngest Son—Ham—is traceable with the same certainty as that of his next elder brother: while that of Japheth, the firstborn, is left in comparative obscurity.

The branch of our History now before the reader, contemplates the fate and family of the last Son of Noah, and to those points only will attention now be directed;—and at the conclusion the reader will not failto observe, that Noah's malediction upon the youngest offspring of his last child, was not uttered by the insulted Patriarch in vain. The cause of that curse is familiar to every reader, but for the argument to follow, it is necessary to bring it forward in this place.

2218B. C.] "And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: and he drank of the wine and was drunken: and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham,the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father: and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine,and knew what his younger son had done unto him: and he said,Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be untohis brethren. And he said, Blessed be theLord GodofShem;—and Canaan shall behisservant.Godshallenlarge Japheth, andheshall dwell in thetents of Shem, and Canaan shall behisservant." [Gen. ix. 20-27.]

ThePropheticalpart of the above, and its accomplishment, will be proved in the last Chapter of this Volume, and in support of the present Theory:—theMaledictionwill here be especially noticed as belonging to this history. It is singular that Noah's curse is not cast upon the Son (Ham) who foully wronged his person, but upon that Son'syoungest male child,—viz.,Canaan. Ham had four Sons only, Shem five, and Japheth seven.

"And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut,and Canaan."

The cause why the Curse was not bestowed uponallthe children of Ham, and their descendants, may be as follows:—viz., Noah's lastgrandsonwasCanaan, and being born in the very dotage of Noah (for he had no child ofhis ownafter the Deluge), it is natural, therefore, that his youngest grandson (and which was the sixteenth) would be the object of his aged fondness,—(as Jacob loved Joseph, being "the son of his old age,")—this must have been known to his Sons and their children, and when his person was violated byhis own and youngest son—the Patriarch—to give greater power to his curse of indignation, cast it upon the dearest object of his doting love,—reasoning thus: viz., "Myyoungestsonhath wronged me,—therefore,hisyoungestsonshall suffer." We do not say his youngestchild, for that might have been a Daughter,—and the Daughters of Noah, or those of his three Sons are not mentioned in the Bible, although Noah's "Wife" "and his Sons'Wives" are. The same Sacred Historian has omitted any mention of the immediate Daughters of Adam,—and it is evident they must have been born before the birth of Eve's third son,—Seth,—for "Cain knew his Wife, and she conceived and bare Enoch." Now the Wife of Cain must have been his ownSister,—while the grandsons of Noah must have married theirCousins,—or perhaps Sisters. Some sceptical writers have believed that many "Adams and Eves" were placed simultaneously in different parts of the globe:—if not, they say, "they (people) must have married their Sisters." If such disbelievers had travelled through even the paths of history, they would have found that such was actually the custom, even after the Deluge. Abram's Wife,—Sarah,—was his own Step-Sister. It was practised in Egypt, and thought no crime,—from the monarch to the peasant:—but, the progress of Religion and Civilization, with their attendant radiant blessings dispelled the darkness, and destroyed the degenerating custom. Intellect was, also, thereby rescued from gradual but certain decay: for experience has proved, that the nearer the blood relationship of man and wife, the more distant are children of such marriages from intellectual or physical endowments. This slight digression is introduced merely to shew thatMosesomitted, in more than the instance of Eve (previous to the birth of her third son), to mention the birth of Daughters,—they areunderstoodto have been born,—attendant upon Nature,—like the bright beams from the Sun!—but, the first Historian was anxious only to record theSonsof Men,—as being the recognised founders of the several branches of the human family. However unjust must be viewed Noah's curse upon an innocent object,—viz., his grandson—Canaan,—most truly and terribly has that malediction been accomplished.

The Arabs at the present day have an ancient lawapparently founded upon the above, though in a reverse position and partaking of a strong moral obligation,—viz., If a descendant of "Hagar's offspring"—Ishmael—shall commit a murder,among his own race, theFatherof the assassin is given to the executioner,—upon the ground of argument, that the Father had not educated his son correctly,—for if he had, the child would not have committed the homicide! This law has a strong tendency to prevent crime, for the Son would not only give his Father to the sword, and thus become a parricide,—but, worse (in the estimation of the Arabs), he would cast upon his Sire's memory, the lasting infamy of having neglected his own offspring. To prevent this hazard, the Spartan child was educated by the State.

Noah's sentence upon his youngest grandson, for the crime of that child's father, has never been repeated from that day to the present period, or imbodied in a code of laws,—yet has that sentence been literally accomplished upon Canaan and his descendants. The scriptural reader may, however, believe that theprincipleof the above is again repeated in the Decalogue;—it is true that a curse is there placed in contrast to a blessing,—but (with humility we submit) that is upon a point of Religious worship only.

"Thou shalt haveno other Godsbefore me. Thou shalt not make unto thee anygraven image[statue], or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above [Sun, Moon, or Stars], or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.—Thou shaltnot bow down thyself to them [i. e.Idols], nor serve them: for I theLordthyGodam a jealousGod, visiting the iniquityof the fathers upon the childrenunto thethirdand fourthgenerationof them thathateme [i. e.worship other Gods], and shewing mercy unto thousands [i. e.of generations] of them that love me, and keep my commandments." [i. e.notto worship Idols.] (Ex. xx.)

We repeat that the above sentence concernsReligiousworship only, and not for anypersonalact,—for that is covered by the after-laws upon the same Tablets,—and in regard to the crime committed by the father of Canaan, it is especially alluded to in Leviticus [xviii. 7].

Of the Sons of Ham:—Cush, the eldest, was the father of Nimrod, the founder of the Babylonian and Assyrian families: the second son,Mizraim, was the founder of the Egyptian empire,—thence the ancient name of Mizraim being applied to that country.—Phut, the third son,apparentlydied without issue,—at least there is no scriptural record of his descendants; but, as this would be very improbable in that early date, immediately following the Deluge,—we will venture the suggestion, whether the third Son was not the founder of the great African family—known as Negroes; for this is the only race not defined (apparently) by Moses,—and Phut is the only child of the "accursed" branch of Noah's "house," whose descendants are not mentioned.Canaan—the fourth and youngest son—was the founder of the Canaanites. Canaan had eleven children, all of whom (except one) established Nationsknown under one general name—Canaanites:—who, as a people were subsequently conquered, and their lands possessed by Moses, Joshua, and the Israelites. Thefirst Child of Canaan, however, was not included with his brethren in founding the Canaanitish family.

"And Canaan begatSidon, his firstborn." [Genesis x. 15.]

From that "firstborn" of Canaan sprung the great Phœnician family:—for upon the authority of Justin, an earthquake compelled aportionof the family of Canaan to leave the country they had first settled in, and they took up their residence upon the border of the Assyrian Lake:—but which they afterwards vacated, and journeyed to the Sea-coast, [2178B. C.] where the leader of that portion,—viz.,Sidon,—built a city bearing his name, and he thus became the founder of the great maritime Nations of the Mediterranean; and being divided from their brethren, the Sidonians became a separate and independent people.

1689B. C.] In the deathbed blessing ofJacobupon Zebulun, the country of Sidon is mentioned. [Genesis xlix. 13.]

"Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships: and his border shall be untoSidon."

1451B. C.]Moseswrote of them as a Nation in more than one instance.—

"And the border of the Canaanites was fromSidon, as thou comest to Gerar unto Gaza." [Genesis x. 19.]

"—* * * from the river of Arnon unto Mount Hermon, (which Hermon theSidonianscall Sirion; and the Amorites [Canaanites] call it Shenir)." [Deut. iii. 8,9.]

In the last quotation the Sidonians are distinctly stated to be a separate nation from the other branches of the Canaanites.

1444B. C.]Joshua, also, defines them to be so, and a powerful one.

"And theLorddelivered them [the Canaanites] into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased themunto greatSidon," &c. [Joshua xi. 8.]

The early character of National Independence enjoyed by the Sidonians, and the primitive character of justice among them, may be gathered from the description of the people of Laish, who are compared to the Sidonians; and the military prowess of the latter people is also expressed.

1406B. C.] "Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dweltcareless, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; and therewas no magistrate in the land,[11]that might putthemto shame for any thing;—[i. e.for crimes]—and they were far from the Sidonians,and had no business with any man." "And there was no deliverer,—becauseit [Laish] was far from Sidon." [Judges xviii. 7, 28.]

In the course of time there were six Kingdoms or Nations of Phœnicia,—viz., Sidon, Tyrus, Aradnus, Berytus, Byblos, and Carthage. The inhabitants of the kingdoms in Asia bore one general name—Phœnicians,—though each had its own name from its derivative,—as Sidonians, Tyrians, &c. The great nation in Africa, was not included in the general appellation, but from its Republican character, possessed its own,—viz., Carthaginians.

ITS RISE AND FALL, AND THE MIGRATION OF THE TYRIANS TO THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

THE FOUNDING OF TYRUS—EARLY NAVIGATION OF THE TYRIANS—FOUNDING OF THE MONARCHY—THE FIRST KING OF TYRUS, &c.

The Nation of Sidon having increased in power and population, sent one of the Cadmii with a Colony to foundPæle Tyr: this was on theContinent, or main land of the Phœnician coast,—23 miles from Sidon, and 80 from ancient Jebus (i. e.Jerusalem). The Mother-land at another period sent a second Colony to aid the previous one, and from which blended circumstance, it is found in the Bible that Tyrus is called "The Daughter of Sidon." The year in which the first Colony was sent, is not defined, but it must have been many years before the Conquest of the Canaanites byJoshua;—for not only were there in existence at that time the "great Sidon,"—but, in dividing the subdued lands among the Tribes, that of Asher received certain portionson the sea-coast of Phœnicia, and it is distinctly stated that Tyrus at that period was a metropolis and fortified.

"And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah even unto great Sidon; and then the coast turneth to Ramah, and tothe strong City Tyre," &c. [Joshua xix. 28-29.]

It is, therefore, evident that Tyrus was a "strong city" anterior to 1444B. C., which was the time ofJoshua, and the conquest of the "land of promise;"—we have, therefore, and in reference to an event previous to Joshua, placed the foundation of Tyrus as early as 1600 yearsB. C.Some authors have remarked thatHomerhas not mentioned Tyrus, and as a consequence, that that City was not in existence at the period of the Siege of Troy. Homer mentions both Mother and "Daughter" under one name; viz., Sidonians: it was a term applied by the ancients to both Nations, and to every thing elegant in Art,—until the Tyrians by their superior skill won their own, and a distinctive appellation. Nor can Homer be charged with ignorance in joining the two names;—he followed what appears from his own language to have been a received custom. This is also proved by Solomon's message to a subsequent King ofTyrus,—and the Tyrians in their early days were flattered by being called Sidonians.

"For thou knowest that there is not among us [i. e.Israel] any that can skill to hew timber like unto theSidonians." [1 Kings v. 6.]

Then to assert that Tyrus did not exist at, or before the Fall of Troy, because the Epic Poet does not mention it,—or that it is not to be found recorded as a city, is to proclaim that which is not sanctioned by the consentient voice of acknowledged history. We will briefly review this point.

The Trojan war, consequent upon the rape of the Spartan Queen, commenced in the year 1194B. C.Now in the previous page it is proved, that Tyrus was a "strong City" 250 years before the Siege of Troy, for Joshua speaks of it as one of the boundaries for the Tribe of Asher, and this event was 1444B. C., and that upon the authority of Holy-Writ.

Again.—Had such sceptics in the antiquity of Tyrus, given a moment's consideration to the Grecian Fleet, employed to convey Agamemnon and his troops to Troy, they would have found that the Knowledge of Navigation was first introduced at Sidon, and was, as a practical science,—established by the Tyrians,—and from them the Greeks derived their nautical skill and knowledge.

Homer intended both Nations in the one term,—Sidonians:—but, Euripides is more defined, for his subject demanded it;—and as it has reference to this History, as being the first recorded event after the founding of Tyrus, it will be mentioned more in detail.

1493B. C.] Forty-nine years before the period in which Joshua divided the lands of Canaan, a Tyrian Chief (i. e.a Cadmus) left Tyrus and Sidon (apparently with a colony) and founded Thebes in Greece.He is known in classic history as Cadmus, and has the reputation of introducing into his new territory of Thebes, the ciphers of his country, and from which were formed the letters of the ancient Grecian alphabet,—the language in which Homer subsequently depicted the deeds of Greeks and Trojans.

That the Theban Cadmus was a Tyrian, and not a Sidonian, is established by Euripides;—as, also, the worship of Apollo, and the Sacred Virgins. The Poet has made a singular local error, as will be seen in the second line about to be quoted,—for though theIsleof Tyrus was inhabited in the time of Euripides, it wasnotat the period contemplated by his Tragedy. It is true that the Isle (previous to Alexander) was "sea-girt," but it is evidently intended by the Poet to have reference to the Island-Capital, and therefore an anachronism. The following translation from the original Greek, will prove Cadmus to have been a Tyrian.

VIRGIN CHORUS.

Bounding o'er theTyrianfloodFrom Phœnicia's sea-girt Isle,—* * * * * * * * * *Cull'd fromTyre, its brightest grace,Worthy of the god, I cameTo Agenor's high-born race,Glorying,Cadmus, in thy name."* * * * * * * * * *Phœnicia is my country, gave me birth,And nurtured me, till, captive by the spear.Selected from the virgin train, the sonsOfCadmusled me hither, to ApolloA hallowed offering.* * * * * * * * * *As yet Castalia's silver waveThese flowing tresses waits to lave,Delicious stream, where bathes the virgin train,Serving at Apollo's fane."* * * * * * * * * *WhenCadmusfrom theTyrian strandArriving, trod this destined land."—[i. e.Thebes.]* * * * * * * * * *A dragon there in scales of goldAround his fiery eyeballs roll'd,By Mars assigned that humid shade,To guard the green extended glade,And silver-streaming tide:Him, as with pious haste he cameTo draw the purifying stream,Dauntless theTyrian Chiefrepress'd,Dashed with a rock his sanguine crestAnd crush'd his scaly pride.* * * * * * * * * *Virgin queen, at whose commandCadmuscrush'd the dragon's crest."The Phœnician Virgins.

Bounding o'er theTyrianfloodFrom Phœnicia's sea-girt Isle,—

Bounding o'er theTyrianflood

From Phœnicia's sea-girt Isle,—

* * * * * * * * * *

Cull'd fromTyre, its brightest grace,Worthy of the god, I cameTo Agenor's high-born race,Glorying,Cadmus, in thy name."

Cull'd fromTyre, its brightest grace,

Worthy of the god, I came

To Agenor's high-born race,

Glorying,Cadmus, in thy name."

* * * * * * * * * *

Phœnicia is my country, gave me birth,And nurtured me, till, captive by the spear.Selected from the virgin train, the sonsOfCadmusled me hither, to ApolloA hallowed offering.

Phœnicia is my country, gave me birth,

And nurtured me, till, captive by the spear.

Selected from the virgin train, the sons

OfCadmusled me hither, to Apollo

A hallowed offering.

* * * * * * * * * *

As yet Castalia's silver waveThese flowing tresses waits to lave,Delicious stream, where bathes the virgin train,Serving at Apollo's fane."

As yet Castalia's silver wave

These flowing tresses waits to lave,

Delicious stream, where bathes the virgin train,

Serving at Apollo's fane."

* * * * * * * * * *

WhenCadmusfrom theTyrian strandArriving, trod this destined land."—[i. e.Thebes.]

WhenCadmusfrom theTyrian strand

Arriving, trod this destined land."—[i. e.Thebes.]

* * * * * * * * * *

A dragon there in scales of goldAround his fiery eyeballs roll'd,By Mars assigned that humid shade,To guard the green extended glade,And silver-streaming tide:Him, as with pious haste he cameTo draw the purifying stream,Dauntless theTyrian Chiefrepress'd,Dashed with a rock his sanguine crestAnd crush'd his scaly pride.

A dragon there in scales of gold

Around his fiery eyeballs roll'd,

By Mars assigned that humid shade,

To guard the green extended glade,

And silver-streaming tide:

Him, as with pious haste he came

To draw the purifying stream,

Dauntless theTyrian Chiefrepress'd,

Dashed with a rock his sanguine crest

And crush'd his scaly pride.

* * * * * * * * * *

Virgin queen, at whose commandCadmuscrush'd the dragon's crest."

Virgin queen, at whose command

Cadmuscrush'd the dragon's crest."

The Phœnician Virgins.

There can remain upon the mind of the reader, (from the previous quotation) not a doubt, that the celebrated Cadmus of Classic history was of Tyrus,—and consequently it is the first name to be found having reference to Tyrian history. Thechief eventsonly of that history will be enlarged upon in these pages;—for our aim will be to obtain, and delineate the vital spirit of the Nation, and its principle of action,—thatInstructionmay not be forgotten, in the contemplation of History's wild romance,—for her prerogative has ever been, to prove thattruthis more strange thanfiction!

1444B. C.] This date has peculiar importance fromthe fact, that from the words ofJoshua, Tyrus was then "thestrong City!" consequently having its walls and means of defence; and byJoshua'snot attacking either Sidon or Tyrus, it is evident that they were not regarded as Nations of Canaan,—but as a separate and independent people. It is, also, an important æra from the fact, that one of the Tribes of Israel (Asher) was portioned to possess the land of Canaan that approached "tothe strong City Tyre,"—thus were the Israelites in juxtaposition with the Tyrians,—and consequently it is apparent that the custom of Circumcision (optionally) must have been introduced into the Phœnician family at this time; for it is recorded in the Bible, that the great Covenant withAbrahamwasdiscontinuedbyMoses, during the period of forty years, while journeying through the Wilderness, and that every warrior of Israel, who had left Egypt with the Lawgiver, had ceased to exist: and thereupon,Joshua, as the successor ofMoses, was commanded to renew the Covenant with the new race of Israelborn inthe Wilderness. This was accomplished in the year 1451B. C.—Now this was onlyseven yearsbefore the Tribe of Asher were located in the immediate vicinity of the Tyrians,—viz., 1444B. C.The Egyptians received the above custom of the Israelites, while the latter people sojourned with the former, and consequently previous to their Exodus from the Nation of the Nile. By the Egyptians it was practised in the same manner (excepting their Priests) as by the Tyrians,—viz.,optionally. The Mummies establish this fact.

The facility of the Tyrians to receive this custom was not only given by their vicinity to a Tribe of Israel, but from the apparent fact,that they both spoke the same language;—the original language of the descendants of Abraham was not lost while they were in bondage in Egypt,—because theEgyptians spoke the same language as the Israelites!—These novel and important points we shall endeavour to establish, when reviewing the original languages of Phœnicia, Egypt, Israel, and the two Aboriginal races in the Western Hemisphere, all of which languages will be found to be the same!—and if this present History is correct, those languagesmust be radically identical. Startling as the above may appear to the classic or general reader, we trust that his opinion will not be formed, until he has investigated the argument of the present writer upon the subject, and which will be found in the Second Volume.

From the facility then afforded by neighbourhood, and the means of communication by speaking the same language,—not only was the custom of Circumcision introduced, but probably many others of a minor character. [1434B. C.] The first war in which the Tyrians were engaged was with this very Tribe of Asher, who by their juxtaposition began to encroach upon the Tyrians, and probably upon their Religious and National Customs. In this first conflict by the Tyrians, they were completely victorious, and drove the Israelites (represented by the Tribe of Asher) from all the sea-coast of Phœnicia. This event probably occurred aboutten years after the Tribe of Asher became located upon the Tyrian borders,—we have, therefore, placed the date at 1434B. C.Malte-Brun states the fact, but gives no date, or the causes that led to it. We have endeavoured to look beyond the effect, and reach the cause; for it will be remembered that the Tyrians had their "strong city" on themainland,—the celebrated Island was not yet occupied:—encroachment was therefore easily felt, and as quickly resented;—and like their ancestors, the Sidonians, they were resolved to live "quiet and secure."

There is an importance attached to this event, as regards the History of Israel,—and to it may be traced the cause why the great Hebrew family did not become Navigators; for, being driven from thesea-coastby the jealous Tyrians, all means of practising the art were at once bereft them, and it was a position they never recovered.

All historians agree in according to the Phœnicians the honour of being the first Navigators. Their locality being on the sea-coast would naturally suggest to them the means of carrying on commercial intercourse with their colonies or neighbours,—and they were the first of the human family so located after the Deluge;—this is proved by the third descendant from Noah,—viz., Sidon,—founding the first sea-coast capital. The Tyrians, as the immediate branch of the House of Sidon, may be believed to have practised the Science, in its simple and elementary forms, many years beforeJoshua'srecord, that Tyrus was a "strong city;" or the founding ofGrecian Thebes by the Tyrian Cadmus,—for that Chief must have reached the Dragon-guarded shore by means of a Galley. Euripides supports this position.—

"Bounding o'er the Tyrian floodFrom Phœnicia's Sea-girt Isle,—* * * * * * * * * *Ouroarsbrush'd lightly o'er the Ionian brineAlong Cilicia's wave-wash'd strand."

"Bounding o'er the Tyrian floodFrom Phœnicia's Sea-girt Isle,—

"Bounding o'er the Tyrian flood

From Phœnicia's Sea-girt Isle,—

* * * * * * * * * *

Ouroarsbrush'd lightly o'er the Ionian brineAlong Cilicia's wave-wash'd strand."

Ouroarsbrush'd lightly o'er the Ionian brine

Along Cilicia's wave-wash'd strand."

The Tyrians were early renowned for their fisheries,—and the produce from that toil became their chief object of export. This, and all discoveries by voyages, they guarded with a monopolizing and constant vigilance;—and their peculiar characteristics may be traced to the coastwise and early maritime expeditions,—for they were acknowledged by all nations to be the pilots and mariners of the ancient world. They had for many ages no rivals upon the waters of the Mediterranean;—but when by degrees other Nations were established upon the opposite shores, or Islands of the great Inland Sea, and availing themselves of the same means as the Tyrians to increase their power or wealth,—then Tyrus, ever jealous of her original strength,—instantly made war, or piratical crusades, against those infant navies, and crushed them even in their cradled security. Thus early in her history did the "Daughter of Sidon" put forth her hand and power, against every encroachment upon her supposed prerogative, until she was acknowledged as "Queen of the Sea;" and when Neptune had placed the naval crown upon her brow, still so jealous was this Ocean-Juno of her high station, that she wouldallow of no courtiers or flatterers upon that element where she had resolved to reign supreme:—nor could she fear any decision against her, for no Shepherd of Ida existed to give, at that time, a marine preference to Athens or Cyprus;—the Tyrian-Juno admitted of no argument, or comparison with her beauty, intellect, or authority: she, therefore, cast the golden apple beneath her imperious foot,—it withered upon her shores;—but the seeds of discord were scattered by envious winds to distant lands, and, in after ages, she found that her rivals in fame were firmly planted, and thence enthroned at Carthage and Alexandria.

The only city permitted by the Tyrians to practise Navigation was Sidon,—and that permission was founded upon the remembrance of their Mother-land, and not for the purpose of promoting or encouraging the Science. The same courtesy, founded upon blood-relationship, was extended at a later period to Carthage,—(a colony from Tyrus). From these family considerations were created the ever-existing friendship between the Sidonians, Tyrians, and Carthaginians.

For about five centuries and a half, Tyrus was governed by Chiefs of the People,—each succeeding Cadmus having the civil, military, and naval power,—not granted to him as to a Dictator, but aided by a Council, somewhat similar to the Judge and Sanhedrim of Israel. The same causes may have led the People of Tyrus to demand a King as the Israelites, and they may have used the same argument. Not only that, but the Tyrians may have received the idea itself of a Monarchyfrom their neighbours of Israel, who obtained it onlythirty-nine yearsbefore the Tyrians. There seems to be such a singular connexion in regard to the periods of the commencement of the first Monarchies of Israel and Tyrus; for, by tracing the causes of the former, a conclusion may be arrived at for the latter. The following quotations will be found in the first Book of Samuel [ch. viii.]:

"And it came to pass that when Samuel was old, that he made his Sons Judges over Israel." * * * "And his Sons [Joel and Abiah] walked not in his ways, but turned aside afterlucre, and tookbribesandperverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel unto Ramah; and said unto him, Behold thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways:—nowmake us aKingto judge us like all the nations."

Samuel'scelebrated remonstrance against the institution of an unlimited Monarchy was useless.

"Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay!—but wewillhave a King over us:—that we also may be like all the Nations; and that our King may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles." Saul was consequently anointed the first King of Israel,—this was in 1095B. C.Such an event could not pass unnoticed by the Tyrians. Israel had passed from the flowing robes of a chief Judge, to the gorgeous Mantle and Crown of Sovereignty. The Tyrians had already received some of the customs of the Hebrews,—that especially ofCircumcision,—and they may have felt that Monarchy was becoming, in the scale of Nations, as a test of a People's power,—and it would naturally lead them to exclaim, "Letusbe governed like all the nations." Whatever the arguments of the Tyrians for a King, certain it is, that in a few years (39) after the election of the first Monarch in Israel, the Tyrians threw off the Cadmean Government, and elected their first King in the person [1056B. C.] ofAbibal,—who, according to Menander of Ephesus, and Dius of Phœnicia, commenced his reign in the year 1056B. C.This record is sanctioned by the Jewish historian Josephus, who is supported by Theophilus Antiochenus.

An additional impulse would naturally be given to the Tyrians in regard to a Monarchy, from the fact, that in this very year the first King of Israel (being defeated in the battle of Gilboa) committed suicide, andDavid(who was already in renown) was chosen to the Sovereignty of the house of Judah: not over all Israel,—that followed eight years after. Therefore thesecondHebrew King, and thefirstTyrian Monarch, ascended their respective thrones in thesame year—(1056B. C.)—and between whom there commenced, and continued, a lasting friendship. It would therefore seem that the ancient victory obtained by the Tyrians, in driving from the sea-coast the Tribe of Asher, had been acknowledged to the victors, without any resentment from the united Tribes of Israel. As the conflict on the part of the Tyrians was founded in justice against encroachment, the descendants of Abraham,feeling keenly the bondage they experienced in Egypt, could estimate and appreciate a victory, gained upon the very ground of argument which they themselves had resolved to resent,—conquer or die!

Abibal reigned apparently with satisfaction to his subjects, as he did not die a violent death:—and the hereditary succession to the throne was established by the People in the reception of his Son,—Hiram,—who became the most celebrated of the Tyrian Monarchs.

Abibal reigned ten years and died in the year 1046B. C.,—and from Scripture seems to have borne the surname of Huram (i. e.Hiram), which has led some authors to style his son and successor, Hiram the Second. The following, however, is an extract from the letter written by the Son of Abibal to Solomon, after the death of the first King of Tyrus, wherein the father's name is distinctly stated to be Huram. The letter has reference to the Temple.

"And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, ofHurammy father's."

The Phœnician writer, Dius, and others, style the first King,Abibal, without any surname:—if it had been borne, it is likely that it would have been mentioned. It appears, therefore, evident that the National name of the first King was Abibal only,—Huram (i. e.Hiram) was perhaps the family name, and assumed by the Second Monarch in remembrance of that fact, and in affection to his Parent.

(1046—990B. C.)

BUILDING OF DAVID'S PALACE—THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TYRUS AND ISRAEL—BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE BY HIRAM—THE COMMERCE AND FLEETS OF TYRUS—THE CAUSES OF HER WEALTH AND POWER—POLICY WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES, &c.—DEATH OF HIRAM—HIS CHARACTER.

1046B. C.]Davidhad been King of Judah ten years, and Monarch over all Israel two years, when Hiram ascended the throne of Tyrus. The intimacy and friendship betweenDavidand Abibal were continued upon the death of the latter, by his son and representative, Hiram;—for it is recorded that the Tyrian King sent toDavid, at Jerusalem, Messengers of Peace, Architects and Sculptors, and even materials to erect a Cedar Palace for the Monarch of Israel:—a royal gift, as magnificent as it was original, and (in our reading) we do not remember that it was ever imitated. He was indeed "a lover of David."

1043B. C.] "And Hiram king of Tyre sentmessengersto David,—andcedar trees, [from Lebanon] andcarpentersandmasons; and they built David a house." (i. e.Palace.) [2 Samuel v. 11, 12.]

In the Hebrew the word "masons" is defined to be "hewersof the stone of the wall,"—i. e.Sculptors:—the common workmen are identified by a term, as expressive as can be desired for illustrating the rudiment of the art,—viz., stone-squarers. [1 Kings v. 18.]

"And Hiram'sbuildersdid hew them, and thestone-SQUARERS."

For two years previous to the death of the warlikeDavid, he gathered material for building the Temple of Jerusalem, which by Prophecy was to be erected by his sonSolomon, [i. e.the peaceable]—for no Sovereign whose life had been passed in the battle-field, and amid scenes of warfare and carnage, could erect (except in mockery) a Temple to The Peaceful GOD. During this periodDavidcommanded that the Sculptors, who were "strangers" in the land of Israel, should be gathered for the purpose of commencing the Sculpture for the great edifice. These "strangers" were, without doubt, Tyrians. They had furnished Cedar for the building, and they were, also, the skilful artists to work in all kinds of metals. This calling forth of foreign artists to build and decorate The Temple, is a conclusive proof that the Israelites were not practical Architects or Sculptors. The Tyrians had already built forDavidhis regal Palace at Jerusalem, and were, therefore, naturally received with every courtesy by the Israelites, and manyprobably remained in the country. In illustration of the previous remarks, the following extracts are given from the 1st Book of Chronicles [ch. xii.]:

"And David commanded to gather together thestrangersthat were in the land of Israel: and he setmasonstohew wroughtstones to build the house of God" (i. e.The Temple).

From this quotation it would appear that the stones were "wrought," or put into shape, by common workmen of Israel (i. e.the "Stone-squarers"); and thus subsequently the "Strangers" (i. e.Tyrians) were to "hew" the stones—i. e.Sculpture them.Davidgathered material of all metals,—and the only wood he obtained appears to have been the Cedar from Lebanon, and for this he was indebted to the Tyrians.

"Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David."

The following is part of David's address to Solomon, and refers to the accomplished Tyrians, as will be shewn hereafter.

"Timber [cedar] and Stone have I prepared: and thou mayst add thereto. Moreover there areworkmenwith thee in abundance,hewersandworkersof stone and timber, andall manner of cunning[i. e.skilful]men for every manner of work."

1015B. C.] Hiram of Tyrus had reigned 31 years whenDaviddied.Solomonhaving been anointed King during the last year of his father's life, was already in possession of the regal power. Upon the ascension of the "wise" Sovereign of Jerusalem, theMonarch of the Tyrians instantly sent ambassadors to congratulate him on the event.

"And Hiram king of Tyre sent servants [ambassadors] untoSolomon: for he had heard that they had anointed him King in the room of his father; for Hiram was ever a lover ofDavid." [1 Kings v. 1.]

Solomon, appreciating the proffered friendship of Hiram, and having resolved to build The Temple to the One God, sent the following message to the Tyrian monarch, for artists and materials to erect the edifice:

"As thou didst deal withDavidmy father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. Behold, I build an house to the name of theLordmyGod, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense and for the continual shew-bread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, and on the new-moons, and on the solemn feasts of theLordourGod. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. And the house which I build is great,for great is ourGodabove all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain him?—who am I, then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? Send me now, therefore, a man cunning to work in gold and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and in crimson, and in blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father didprovide[i. e.did bring from Tyrus.] Send me, also, cedar trees,fir trees, and algum trees out of Lebanon; and behold my servants [labourers] shall be with thy servants [artists] even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great. And behold I will give to thy servants the hewers [carvers] that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil." [2 Chron, ii. 3—10.]

In answer to these propositions for artists and material to build the first Religious Temple in Israel, Hiram sent his acceptance of the proposal inwriting. Believing, as we do, that the spoken languages of the two nations (Tyrus and Israel) at this period were the same (with such slight variations as localities might produce), the answer being inwritingconfirms that opinion, for it is not probable that the Tyrian monarch would send his autograph letter in a language not to be read or understood bySolomon. Upon the elevation ofSolomonto the throne of his father, Hiram sent anambassadorto congratulate him.Solomonreplied by anambassador,—that was the ancient custom; and if to foreign nations speaking a different language, an interpreter attended the embassy,—but here none appears to have attended, and so far from being necessary, Hiram sent his last response in writing,—the Bearer of the Despatch, without doubt, was a special Envoy. A full investigation of the dispersion of languages will be given in the second volume.

"Then Huram king of Tyre answered inwriting,which he sent to Solomon," [as follows] Because the Lord hath loved his people he hath made thee king over them. Blessed be theLord Godof Israel, that made Heaven and earth, who hath given David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for theLordand an house for his kingdom. And now I have sent a cunning man endued with understanding,—of Huram my father's—[i. e.his father's especial artist],—the son of a woman of the Daughter of Dan [i. e.of the Tribe of Dan], and his father was a man of Tyre,—skilful to work in gold and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber; in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson: also, to grave any manner of graving, and to find out [i. e.to invent] every device which shall be put to him with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lordDavidthy father. [Both Father and Son gathered those artists from the Tyrians.] Now, therefore, the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which my Lord hathspokenof, let him send it unto his servants:—and we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need; and we will bring it to thee in floats [i. e., rafts] by sea to Joppa [a Tyrian seaport], and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem." [2 Chron. ii. 11-16.]

The above artist,—the Tyrian Phidias,—whose genius seems to have been universal, had been named in compliment after the reigning monarch of his country,—viz., Hiram,—and the Tyrian love of the Arts may be gathered from the fact that the "King's namesakewas the artist-ambassador from Hiram to the King of Israel. This special Envoy might, also, have been selected in compliment to Solomon, for the artist's widowed mother was an Israelite, of the Tribe of Dan [the 1st Book of Kings states of the tribe of Naphtali], his father was a Tyrian, and also, doubtless renowned for works of art,—as it was the Tyrian, as well as the Egyptian custom, for the son to be of the same profession or trade as the father; thence the numerous pilots and mariners of Tyrus. The same custom prevails at this day in the ancient institutions of China, upon the principle that as a king's son shall be king, so shall every son be as the father.

For what the ambassadorial artist accomplished the reader is referred to the Books of Kings and Chronicles,—a higher compliment was never paid to the Arts than by the appointment of an Architect and Sculptor to be a monarch's ambassador to a foreign King, and his representative at the building of the chief Temple of a powerful potentate; and as if to give peculiar character to the Tyrian Envoy's reception at Jerusalem,Solomondeputed a delegation to proceed to Tyrus, for the purpose of escorting him to Israel, that the chief artist of The Temple should have those honours conferred upon him, which were alike demanded by the solemnity of the occasion, the amity of the King of Tyrus, and the intellectual character of the artist-envoy.

"And Solomonsent and fetchedHiram [the artist] out of Tyre. [1 Kings vii. 13.]

Hiram the King not only, through his artists, built The Temple of Jerusalem forSolomon, but also his "house [cedar palace] of the forest of Lebanon," and a palace for his Egyptian wife, the daughter of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. For these services Hiram received the promised gift ofSolomon,—viz., 20,000 bushels of flour ("beaten wheat"), 20,000 bushels of wheat, and of wine and oil 150,000 gallons each,—for an "Epha" or "bath of wine," is a fraction more than seven-and-a-half gallons. In addition to the above, which may be received as for the Temple only, there was also, a Treaty of peace and amity drawn up between the two neighbouring kings,—to the effect that Hiram should receive anannualpayment,—that might have been for the two Palaces erected after The Temple.

"And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures ("baths") of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiramyear by year. And there waspeacebetween Hiram and Solomon:—and they two made aLEAGUEtogether:" [1 Kings v. 11, 12.]

The last line of the previous quotation,—viz., and Hiram and Solomon "made aleaguetogether," may have reference to a fact mentioned by Tatian, who followed the records of three Phœnician historians,—viz., that Hiram gave hisdaughter[we think hissister] in marriage to KingSolomon, and that it was through her influence that he was seduced to worship Astartē, the Tyrian Goddess. This record by Tatian is apparently supported by Scripture itself.

"But King Solomon loved many strange women together [besides] with the daughter of Pharaoh [Egypt], women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, andSidonians" [Tyrians.] * * * "And it came to pass when Solomon was old that his wives turned away his heart afterother gods." * * * "For Solomon went after Ashtoreth[Astartē]the goddess of the Sidonians" [Tyrians.] "And likewise did he for all hisstrange wives, which burnt incense andsacrificed unto their gods." [1 Kings xi.]

The King of Israel having broken his nation's law by marrying out of his kingdom,—as by his union with a daughter of Egypt,—it would naturally appear to him to be no increase of the misdemeanor by intermarrying with a Tyrian Princess; and believing that this event must have been some years subsequent to the building of The Temple, we have, therefore, hazarded the date at 1000B. C.

The wealth expended bySolomonin the building The Temple,—his Palaces,—and that attending his household, had greatly impoverished the national treasury, and led to excessive taxation; and this was the chief cause (after his death) of the Rebellion of the Ten Tribes from their brethren at Jerusalem, when those taxes were to be continued.

It must have been upon the exhaustion of the national treasury bySolomon, that he obtained from Hiram loans of money,—to be paid, not in kind, but incities;—and this borrowing by the magnificent monarch must have continued for a score of years. TheTyrian King, however, refused to receive the proffered cities or lands, as being unworthy of the donor or the receiver, and he thereupon affixed upon the gift a name, which is now as unpleasant to a Briton's ear, as it must have been to the King of Israel. The Tyrian monarch, to prove that he was not personally offended (and perhaps to shew his superior wealth), sent to Solomon a present of gold, in value over 600,000l.at that period. [992B. C.] "And it came to pass at the end oftwenty years, whenSolomonhad built the two houses,—the house of theLord, and the king's house (now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar-trees and fir-trees, andwith gold according to all his desire), that then KingSolomongave Hiramtwenty citiesin the land of Galilee. And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, and they pleased him not. [Hebrew, 'were not right in his eyes,'] and he [Hiram] said, 'What cities are these which thou hast given me, myBrother?' And he called them theLand of Cabul[i. e.displeasing] unto this day. And Hiram sent to the king six-score talents of gold." [1 Kings ix. 10—14.] From the expression "mybrother," it would seem (as we before hinted) that Solomon married thesister, and not thedaughterof Hiram, although it may be regarded as an expression of royalty. It scarcely admits of a question which of the two monarchs exerted their royalty in the greatest splendour,—whether it regards wealth or the arts and sciences. Jewish historians have elevated Solomon,truly at theexpenseof Hiram,—for it is expressly stated in the Bible, that for "twenty years" Hiram supplied Solomon not only with material and artists for building his Temple and Palaces, but with money,—"withgoldaccording toallhis desire,"—and added to this, (which will be shewn in the next pages,) Hiram supplied anavyfor his "brother," for the voyages to Ophir and Tarshish.

It should also be remarked that the liberality of Hiram's character, and his toleration in matters of Religion, are without their parallels in Ancient History. This was known toDavidandSolomon, for no other monarch but that of Tyrus is applied to for building and decorating The Temple.

This would not have been unnatural, or unreasonable, had Hiram been of the same practical Religion as that of Israel,—but he was essentially an Heathen King, and erected in his own metropolis the most gorgeous temples and golden statues to Jupiter, Apollo, and the minor gods, and their splendour may be estimated by what he erected for his friend at Jerusalem. The language ofSolomonmust have offended any mind less liberal than that of Hiram's, for in his message to the Tyrian he says:

"And the house which I build is great, for great isour(my)God,above all gods." [i. e.pluralities.]

This is a direct allusion to the worship of Hiram, who believed that Jupiter and Apollo were the Gods of "all Gods,"—but, so far from resenting the unintentional rebuke bySolomon, he actually bestows ablessing upon the worship of his ally, though opposed to his own, for in his letter he writes:

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,"

and that his actions should be in keeping with his words, he forthwith entered into a Treaty to build the first Temple to the ever-living and the onlyGodat Jerusalem.

Had not Hiram been king of Tyrus, he was worthy to have been monarch of Israel; for the mind that could have acted as his own did, upon so august and solemn an occasion, was already prepared to reject plurality, and believe in The OneGod. What a contrast does Hiram's character present to all the Roman monarchs, from Tiberius to Maxentius, when in a similar position from the introduction of Christianity!

From the foregone description of the Tyrian arts and artists (and for details the Books of Kings and Chronicles will testify) it will not be questioned whether from personal knowledge and skill, they could have built the Cities and Temples lately discovered in the Western Hemisphere; but more especially is the question now inadmissible, from the fact, that the styles of the architecture of the Temples at Jerusalem and Palenque, we have shewn to be analagous if not identical.

Scripture does not warrant any Historian in writing that the Israelites had a Knowledge of Navigation. Ithas, however, been often stated that they had, because Solomon "made a Navy:"—but, the sense is, that hegathereda navy,—and this is proved from the fact that Hiram furnished that identical "navy" for the King of Israel. Navigation was the only point in Tyrian policy, in which they resolved to have no rivals,—and to prevent it, they supplied expeditions for other countries,—Galleys, Pilots, and Mariners;—they formed Treaties for this purpose with nations with whom they were on terms of amity. Hiram followed the National policy at this time with Solomon,—and the Tyrians did the same subsequently with the Egyptian. Writers in attributing to the Israelites a knowledge of Navigation, quote from the first Book of Kings [ix. 26].

992B. C.] "And King Solomon made a navy of Ships in Ezion-Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea in the land of Edom,"—but those writers avoid quoting the succeeding verses,—and two in 2 Chronicles [viii. 17, 18].

"AndHiramsent in the navy his servants,—shipmen [i. e.pilots and mariners] that have a knowledge of the Sea,—with the servants ["common-hands"] of Solomon."

"Then went Solomon to Ezion-Geber, and to Eloth, at the Sea-side [Red Sea] in the land of Edom. And Hiram sent him by the hands of his servants,—Ships, and servants that had a knowledge of the Sea"—[i. e.pilots and mariners]. Now this last quotation has reference to the same voyage,—and it is there shewn that the Tyrians actuallybuiltthe ships:—they were probablyframed and fashioned at Tyrus,—then taken in partsover land, (for Hiram "sent them")—and that is the only way the timbers could have reached the Red Sea, from the Mediterranean,—and then the ships were built or put together, by the Tyrians at Ezion-Geber,—and from thence they commenced their voyage to Ophir, (although some doubt the locality) on the shores of India, and their return cargo was "420 talents of gold." [i. e.two millions and a quarter sterling.]

We are anxious to establish the fact that the Israelites had no Knowledge of Navigation, and that upon the authority of Holy-Writ,—for the Aborigines ofNorthAmerica (who are descendants of Israel) have no nautical knowledge in its enlarged sense,—and, therefore, an analogy will be proved by the absence of Commercial Knowledge.

In concluding the reign of the most renowned of the Tyrian Kings, the record of whom is placed beyond doubt, or question, in that Volume which will endure until the world itself shall become a clouded scroll,—a glance may be necessary to review the causes that led to the exalted, and unrivalled character of Tyrus: for that Nation at the completion of the Judæan Temples and Palaces [992B. C.] was without a rival in station or power,—and beyond those worldly points, it stood unapproached (save by Israel) in the highest attributes of the mind,—in the majesty of intellect,—the chief ministers being Science, the Arts, and the long line of faithful followers, attendant on every refinement and accomplishment.

The great secret of the enviable distinction was,—Navigation. This power led the Tyrians into foreign cities,—it enabled them to give, or receive from, their Allies in the several parts of the then known world, all that was useful or novel,in exchange for their own exports, until Tyrus became the nucleus of all intelligence. Upon this treasury of gathered knowledge she improved and increased her power, by retaining what was good, rejecting what was useless. Tyrus stood in the estimation of the world like a majestic Temple, which all mankind had aided in building, but when erected and secure, none of the builders were allowed to enter. If a foreign nation required a naval expedition, Tyrus was the only power to furnish it in every department,—material, shipwrights, pilots, and mariners:—this is proved by the fleets loaned to the Kings of Israel and Egypt;—and the Tyrians never made a voyage for another country, that they were not the especial gainers by the expedition. All discoveries of islands were their own, for they alone could keep or reach them afterwards, for other countries were destitute of fleets. The Naval profession in the minds of the Tyrians was (apart from Religion) elevated above all others;—they regarded it as a peculiar gift from the Gods, bestowed upon them as a National blessing. This was confirmed in their estimation, because, as a necessity, it was associated with the Sublime study of Astronomy. Religion itself was brought to enhance its value,—thence their Temple to Neptune:—the highest attributes of the mind were brought forward to support the science,—thenceeven her philosophers were helmsmen:—for in the language of the ProphetIsaiah,—"ThyWise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee,were thy Pilots."

When a foreign Nation created a navy, without the sanction of Tyrus, then, as before stated, the latter country made war, or crusades against the vessels as they should appear upon the Mediterranean. The "Daughter of Sidon" attempted noinlandconquests; she was content that her throne should be on the Seas: and the means she took to conceal her discoveries, and the secret of her ship-building from foreign countries, were as ingenious and determined, as her resolution to have no rival was indomitable.

To conceal the then secret of Ship-building, the Tyrians resorted to the following means of commercial intercourse with all new, and even with some of the surrounding nations,—ancient Iberia and Etruria,—viz., A Tyrian Galley would approach for instance, Britain or Hibernia,—only by night,—the goods were landed, and left unattended upon the rocks or beach. The Galley would then be rowed to such a distance, that the natives in the morning could make no discovery of the manner in which it was built. The Galley, however, from her high mast, served as a beacon to them, and thence conveyed intelligence that a cargo had been landed. The natives would then investigate the goods,—and in return, place by their side, metals and other commodities supposed by them to be of equal value:they then(from a previous treaty)would retire out of sight,—whereupon asmall boatwould leave theGalley and approach the shore; the supercargo would compare the value of the metals or goods offered in return, and if found to be of an equal barter, the Galley would then be rowed to the coast,but at night only, the exchange-goods would be placed on board, and having left before the dawn, the secret was secure. If the natives placed in exchangelessthan the value, the Tyrianboatwould retire; the Aborigines would again approach and increase the payment: if they should placemorethan the value of the cargo, the honour of the Tyrian merchant (truly 'Singer of the Sea') was such, that he would not take the overplus, but leave something of value, set apart, as a compliment to the generous Islanders. This, without doubt, was the origin of commercial barter, and founded upon the refinement of honour and honesty.

It may be remarked that a similar custom prevails even at the present day at Constantinople,—for when a shopkeeper retires for his meals, or even for a walk, he never closes his door or his windows,—every article has its price marked, or affixed to it:—the passer-by wishing to purchase, takes the article and puts in its place the amount in money;—fraud is not known, for the merchant leaves it to honour, and that never betrays honesty.

The Bard of Avon must have thought of this scene, and of the impossibility of its universal application, when in reply to the announcement "that theworldwas grownhonest" he states that the day of doom must be at hand! What a Millennium will be achieved bythe human race, when every Metropolis shall practise customs in analogy with that in the City of the Sultan, or those of the merchant-princes of ancient Tyrus.

The determination of the Tyrians to keep the secret of their discoveries was as desperate, as their method of concealing the secret of shipbuilding was ingenious. To illustrate this point of National Character, an historical anecdote will be given, as being required by this work,—although the incident occurred some ages later.

The Romans having become a maritime power, and having intercourse with Tyrus, ascertained that that Nation imported from a foreign country a white metal, which the Sons of Rome imagined to be Silver, and that it was brought from beyond the Pillars of Hercules,—now the Straits of Gibraltar. The metal which had aroused the curiosity and avarice of the Romans wasTin, and obtained by the Tyrians from the Isles of Britain and Hibernia, but especially from the former,—and to the Tyrians is that Island indebted at this day for her ancient name—Britain,—and of her guardian Goddess—Britannia:—for the word is derived from the Tyrian language,—viz.,Brit-tan-nack,—i. e.Land of Tin,—so that there is actually a mysterious link in the chain of history, between Tyrian-Britain and Tyrian-America, which has existed for more than two thousand years!

But to resume:—The future conquerors of Britain resolved to find out the secret, as to where the pseudo-silver came from,—and consequently they, unknown tothe Tyrians, placed a Galley in-shore on the coast of Gaul, within the British Seas, and patiently watched the approach of the vessel of their rival, known to be on a metal expedition with the Islanders. The Roman allowed the Tyrian to pass on without interruption (for the two nations were at peace) and then followed at a great distance unperceived, by lowering the mast and sail, and depending upon the rowers. As the owner of the secret approached Britain, (thus discovering which of the Isles was the object of their voyage,) the Romans hoisted sail, plied their oars, and followed on their foaming track,—thattheirchance for barter should be equal to the Tyrians. The latter finding that they were discovered, instantly increased their speed towards the Isle,—thus enticing the former to follow;—all were silent on board the Tyrian Galley, as if in sorrow at discovery,—the Romans gained upon them,—the Sons of Sidon in apparent despair threw overboard their cargo and all useless material, as in fear of losing the secret,—the Romans believing that the Tyrians by sailing close in-shore, and from their loss of cargo, were about to land in sullen silence, instantly renewed their energy both by oars and sail; on sped the first Roman prow through British seas,—dashing through the waves like a wild sea-bird;—and on the silver track of ambition,—amid loud huzzas, and shouts of victory, they were dazzled in their own eyes from danger,—on they flew like the Eagle of their country,—imperious and as proud;—when—sudden as the falling of a star—the RomanGalley struck upon the wave-covered rocks,—the ship was rent asunder,—all were lost,—not one returned to the Eternal city to betray the secret! The last Roman shout of despair at the moment of the defeat, was caught, and echoed as one of triumph by the ingenious and resolute Tyrians,—for they in thefriendlychase, threw over the cargo not only to lighten their ship for sailing, but to pass over shallows, rocks, and sands,—where the pursuer (heavy laden) would be sure to strike;—and although the danger of shipwreck was, also, apparent to the Tyrian himself,—his vessel, "wise men" and mariners,—still to follow a national monopoly according to the policy of his country, he dared the hazard of the die, although life and wealth were in the desperate game!

It is not, therefore, to be wondered at, that Tyrus, from practising such devices and courage upon the waters of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, should have gained and secured to herself the title of Queen of the Sea; but the Policy was not founded in brotherly love, or neighbourly intercourse; and as a consequence, the Tyrians were against every rising maritime nation, which drew from those countries in return, an unconquerable contempt for their pride and monopoly, and compelled them to place so high a duty upon imports into Tyrus, as by degrees to injure her prosperity, and the several nations thence (as a necessity) became their own manufacturers.

The writer (or the reader) of history would passhis time uselessly, if he did not draw strong conclusions for a nation's downfall,—when built upon such an unjust foundation as that of absolute and unconditional commercial monopoly. Nations of ancient days should be viewed as beacons for the modern.

Although Tyrus visited every country, yet every nation at this time (Sidon and Israel excepted) received her with wounded pride,—no home or haven was given from love, but from fear,—every hand was ready to be raised against her; and when the fatal moment arrived when it could be done with safety, not a Nation, upon the surrounding shores of the Mediterranean, but at once exerted the wished-for resentment;—and this was but in accordance with Prophecy. [Ezekiel xxvi.]

"Many nations to come up against thee." [i. e.Tyrus.] This just behaviour the Tyrians knew would be their doom; and in the day when the Judgment ofGodand of Nations fell upon them, they acted in the great emergency, in a manner perfectly in keeping with their ocean-spirit of Independence. We will not anticipate events pertaining to warfare,—for the reign now under consideration was one of peace and happiness.

Of King Hiram we may justly write, that he was the original upon whom the Athenian Pericles (in after ages) founded his own splendid public character. For the love of the Fine-Arts, in all their branches, seems to have been Hiram's dream by night, his realityby day. He gathered around him the wise and the good, the gifted and the talented, to illustrate his own conceptions,—for his brain was the casket, where, for his Nation's service and that of his Allies, were gathered those inestimable jewels of the mind, that wealth cannot purchase, and Death itself cannot destroy,—for corroding Time has hallowed them to the present day, and will to all posterity! The Temple of Jerusalem, erected to The One living GOD, claims notSolomonfor its Founder, with a greater certainty than it doesHiramfor its Builder. In following the above course, from the direction of a superior and elegant mind, Hiram but consulted the true glory of his People,—for he encouraged not only Poetry, Music, and the Scientific Arts, but enlarged his Commerce, enabling his kingdom thereby to pursue the accomplishments and the intellectual adornments of life,—for the Fine-Arts and Commerce are as essentially the instruments of Peace, as swords and spears are the weapons of war! The country, guarded by her feudal Towers and Banners, may bephysicallysecure inpartsof the kingdom; but the Nation that points to the Walls of Artistical and Scientific Galleries, to the Temples of the Muses, Literature, and Education, and tofreeswelling sails—for her Bulwarks and Standards,—isintellectuallydefended ineveryquarter of her domain,—for Peace is the Citadel, and the several branches of Prosperity, her moated outworks!

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