Through the long life of Hiram (whom we haveventured to style "The Great"), he continued the firm ally of David and Solomon,—was the friend and promoter of peace, humanity, the arts and sciences,—was the uncompromising enemy, as a consequence, to all warfare depending upon, or emanating from, the bloody path of Conquest: and to these high points of character may be justly added, that he was "the sworn and covenanted foe" to Religious bigotry or intolerance! The reader will not then wonder that, during his reign, that Tyrus reached the highest point of intellectual grandeur in the estimation of antiquity; and from united acclamation, her triumphant Statue was placed upon the chief pedestal in the Temple of History.
While Hiram lived, his mind was as a Pharos, whose revolving light illumined every point to guard his fellow-man from the rocks of danger, and to ensure a peaceful haven—true Nature's harbour; but, at his death [about 990B. C.], the shade remained upon the Tyrian quarter, and threw its shadow over the People; while other Nations took advantage of the forecast gleams, and found for themselves a brilliant track to power and safety.
Such was the patriotic, peaceful, and intellectual King Hiram of Tyrus, whose reputation has descended with increasing splendour through a period of nearly three thousand years! His elevated mind, extensive knowledge, Religious toleration, the patron of Education, Literature, Arts and Science,—the friend of oppressedhumanity, and the Patriot King,—are all again revivified amid the applause of nations, in the person of the present William of Prussia; and may posterity record his memory to the date of his Tyrian prototype, that his example may be imitated by future Kings and Rulers!
KING PYGMALION.THE HIGH-PRIEST ACERBAS, AND THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH.FOUNDING OF CARTHAGE, &c.THE DEATHS OF THE QUEEN OF CARTHAGE AND CATOCOMPARED.HEROISM OF THE BRITISH QUEENS BOADICEA, ELIZABETH,AND VICTORIA.
As it is the intent in these volumes to glance over the ancient world with an Eagle's far-reaching gaze, undazzled by its splendour,—and not as the mole, to wanderbeneaththe Ruins of Empires, clouded in darkness,—the chief events only, therefore, will be brought forward; for they were thecausesof action, and when they are understood, theeffectswill appear not only natural, but unavoidable. Thence Hiram'scharacterwas a cause,—peace and prosperity were theeffectsof that cause,—so mighty are the deeds of one great mind in the annals of a Nation! The Tyrant Pygmalion is a direct contrast to Hiram,—and theeffects from that cause are not without their utility,—for from evil, good is to be derived.
The next event in the history of Tyrus, is the ascension of Pygmalion, who possessed every essential of a cruel and avaricious monarch,—viz., never virtuous by design, or guilty from accident. This reign brings us also to contemplate the celebrated Tyrian Princess, his Sister, whose virtuous life, heroic immolation, and the genius of Virgil, have rendered immortal!
That the Poet did not follow History, must be apparent to every classic scholar,—though the general reader's knowledge of Dido arises from her association with Æneas; yet this hero, who, at the destruction of Troy, rescued the "old Anchises," lived three hundred and twenty-five years before the Tyrian Princess, who subsequently became the foundress of Carthage. Virgil, in writing for the Romans, had selected the renowned ancestor of their race as the hero; and as the hatred between his country and that of Carthage was deadly, he flattered the citizens of Rome, by making the Queen of the former nation as the original cause of the malignant animosity. Although this may be sanctioned by that saving clause in writing verse,—viz., "a poetical licence," yet in this instance, it is at the greatest sacrifice of truth to be found in the records of History.
868B. C.] Pygmalion ascended the throne of Tyrus 868 years before the Christian Æra, and from an after action against the life of a near relation, andthat relative even closer allied by marriage,—his character must have been cruel, bloody, and treacherous.
Acerbas the near kinsman of the Monarch, was not only a Royal Prince, but also High Priest of the Religion of the Country, and consequently of superior knowledge and accomplishments. In addition to his station by birth and intellect (for he was regarded as the wisest man of Tyrus) he was, also, the richest person in the kingdom, and in default of issue from the reigning family, was heir to the throne. These circumstances combined were causes of jealousy to Pygmalion while Acerbas was yet unmarried. His immense wealth may have been augmented by the then novel and favourable results of Commerce; for, according to the ProphetIsaiah, the Tyrian "traffickers were the honourable of the earth," and in "the crowning city" her "merchants werePrinces."
The sister of the King was the renowned Princess, known in poetry and general history as Dido; but whose name, while yet in Tyrus, was Eliza,—or Elizabeth,—which name translated from the original language meansan Oath,—and as applied to its possessor may be defined—an Oath-taker. It is therefore probable that the attachment and devotion of the Princess for Acerbas must have commenced in her earliest days,—because her death (as will be shewn) arose from anirrevocable oathtaken by her of fidelity and widowhood to Acerbas, should she in the course of nature survive her betrothed. She, therefore, upontaking the Oath probably received the name of Elizabeth, and from that circumstance, its definition, and final consummation completely illustrate our supposition.
There was no Princess of antiquity endowed with more enlarged attributes of the mind than the Tyrian Elizabeth:—her resolution, active courage, intellect, and womanly devotion were alike conspicuous, and consequently she was worthy of being allied to a Prince possessing the exalted virtue and character of Acerbas. That the Oath was taken before the marriage is apparent; for the Tyrant did not prevent the union, but actually promoted it,—and from this deceitful acquiescence on the part of the King, their nuptials must have been solemnized amid the rejoicings of the Nation and of the Throne. [861B. C.]
The happy bride and bridegroom, in the consummation of their devoted union, were blinded to the deep scheme revolving in the traitorous brain of their King and brother.
The honourable, yet fatal Oath taken by the Bride, was to be continued as the Wife,—but its sacredness could only beprovedby the Widow. Upon the death of the Husband, it was easy for the King to seize upon the enviable riches of the Prince and Priest; if this death should occur before the Princess was blessed by the name of Mother, the absence of an heir would place, by constructive law, all the wealth (except the widow's dower) in the quiet possession of the avaricious Tyrant. His Sister's oath formed a barrier against theexistence of any future heir,—and consequently the death of her first and only Husband must be accomplished with expedition, otherwise Nature might claim her prerogative and adorn the Wife with the title of Parent, and thus place before the Nation, not only an heir to the Father's riches, but to the Throne itself. In the foregone manner most probably the envious King reasoned and reflected; and like the usurper of ancient Scotia when contemplating the acquisition of wealth and power, and when the virtuous means whereby they could only be accomplished, were about to leave the citadel of conscience, his resolution was—
"If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere wellIt were done quickly."
"If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere wellIt were done quickly."
"If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly."
Thus resolved, the Royal assassin instantly carried into effect, the demoniac murder of his Sister's newly married Husband. [B. C.861.] It is in trials of adversity that our natures are proved,—and Woman at such a time stands pre-eminent,—she treads the steps of the fiery ordeal triumphantly:—though blinded by the blow of fate, still her after-resolution illumines her path, and proves to wondering Man, that the ploughshares of cruelty have been heated in vain! Never was this proved to a greater degree than by the Tyrian Princess. Scarcely had Acerbas been thus basely deprived of life, when secret intelligence of the deed was conveyed to the Wife,—as, also, the cause which led to it, and by whose authority the murder was committed. Terrible indeed must have been the triple-tonguedintelligence that conveyed to her the maddening truth, that one act had made her a widowed bride,—a fond Husband murdered, and her Sovereign and Brother that cruel Assassin! In the whole range of fiction, or poetry, there is not to be found a tragic incident, equal to this fact from the romance of History.
Rising superior to her fate, her resolution was instantly formed to defeat the deep-laid scheme of her unnatural Brother: she felt that the base mind which could encompass her Husband's death,—and in that Husband the triune character of Prince, Brother, and High Priest of their ancient Gods,—would not scruple to sacrifice the Wife and Sister, but would rather accomplish it, if Nature had already ordained that she should become a posthumous Mother:—for Avarice being the motive which led to the murder, it would naturally lead to a further and a greater crime,—therefore, in self-defence, and to preserve her Brother from an increase of Sin, she resolved upon instant flight,—and for that purpose a Galley was forthwith furnished, and manned by her Countrymen. The faithful Tyrians, by her directions, succeeded in placing on board the entire treasure of her murdered Consort, together with her own wealth and jewels,—the Galley cleared the harbour in safety, and gained the open Sea without detection,—thus defeating the entire Scheme of the Tyrant, who had for his present punishment, the assured conviction of his crime, the execration of his Country, and the loss of the very object for which the murder was accomplished. The perfection of retributive justice was here accomplished.
This royal assassination, and the flight of the Tyrian Princess, occurred in the seventh year of the Tyrant's reign. [B. C.861.] These events were the immediate cause of the founding of the Kingdom of Carthage, which took place in the same year.
Upon the successful escape of the Royal and youthful Widow, she coasted along the Asiatic Shores, and reached those of Africa, and landed at Utica. There are several reasons for believing that Tyrians had already reached this spot, as some Historians have suggested. The following are the arguments here offered for such a conclusion: 1st. That the general name given to the country at this time was Cadmeia (i. e.Eastern), evidently derived from the word Cadmus, a name borne only (as stated in the previous pages) by the ancient Tyrian Chiefs. 2dly. The city, or town at which she first landed was Utica [i. e.ancient], and she named the Capital of her own founding, Carthage (i. e.newcity) apparently merely in contradistinction to the previous, or "ancient" city built by Tyrians. And 3dly. The fact of going at once to Utica, seems to indicate that her reception would be certain, and from no people could her sorrows meet with such sympathy as from her own countrymen. Upon her arrival, and her misfortunes being made known, it can easily be imagined that every Tyrian would swear fealty,—while her immense riches, that had been fatal in one respect,—now enabled her to purchase lands, and build a citadel and walls for future defence;—her own judgment, and the skill of her companions, instantly laid theplans for an enlarged and successful commercial intercourse, which should outrival (as it did eventually) that enjoyed by her cruel Brother at Tyrus. In addition to these plans, she formed a scheme of Political action, which, as applied to the perfect government of a Nation, and which was consolidated at her death, Aristotle boldly stated to be, the most triumphant, and perfect, that had ever emanated from the human mind!
Thus the Tyrian Elizabeth founded the kingdom of Carthage, of which she was at once created Queen:—from this period she is generally named by Poets and Historians as Dido;—and Virgil, more than any other writer, has for ages led the student into error in regard to her true history.
So far as the chief events of Tyrus, or of founding Ancient America, may be concerned, the future fate of the Queen of Carthage has no connexion: but, it may be permitted for the pleasure of the writer (and he dare hope the reader also) to follow this devoted woman to her death.
It can readily be imagined that the Queen of Carthage, in her present position, both as regards her regality and widowhood would not be without suitors for her hand in a second marriage. Many surrounding Princes approached her court to obtain that honour, but all were respectfully rejected, not only in fulfilment of her oath, but from her idolatrous devotion to the memory of her murdered bridegroom. These Royal suitors received the refusal with the respect due to her station, andwithout any desire to inquire into the cause, or motive of her negative. There was one, however, who would not be satisfied with the simple denial,—but resolved that if she could not be won by the terms of peace, she should be conquered by the deeds of war;—even if, as at a later period, that war should be carried into Africa,—though the Catonian sentence "Delenda est Carthago" should be the motto of his advancing banners.
This bold suitor was Jarbas, the powerful King of Getulia, who threatened to declare war against her new nation, if she persisted in refusing his solicitation of her widowed hand in marriage.
To violate her oath was impossible,—it would have been a double perjury,—to the Gods and to the Dead: to have married in disregard of her oath, would have merged her own kingdom into that of her proposed husband's: if she suffered war to be made upon Carthage, her capital might be entirely destroyed,—her people enslaved,—and herself the violated victim of the Conqueror. In this dire extremity, she desired time from Jarbas for full consideration of the alternative; and, also, that the manes of her departed husband might be appeased by a necessary sacrifice! The King of Getulia at once was softened, and instantly yielded to her reasonable request. The Queen, however, before she made the proposal, had formed her resolution. There was but one way to save her name and people,—to keep her oath inviolate,—and to prove the heroism of Woman's devotion:—it was indeed by a Sacrifice toher Husband's departed Spirit,—but Death was to be the Priest,—her Country the Altar,—and her own Life the Offering!
With this resolution she commanded a funeral pyre to be erected as for a sacrifice: she then gathered the Ministers of State and her People around her; and attired in her robes of Royalty, she ascended the newly-erected Altar of her Nation's freedom! The surrounding multitude, unconscious of her motives, listened with breathless attention to her fervent and patriotic eloquence: she urged them to perpetuate her laws,—to renew their energies for peace or war;—upon her death to place the reins of government in the firm grasp of wise men only, whether they now wielded a priestly sceptre or a peasant's distaff;—as she had no child,—the offspring of her brain they must receive as her successor! To these points of National glory she demanded their oath. The vast assembly, gazing from their elevated Queen to the azure Dome,—and, with one voice, called Apollo, and all his host, to bear witness, and accept their united and sacred Oath;—while Echo caught the sound, and bore it even to the surrounding shores and walls of Carthage, and the People's eyes were raised to Heaven,—the Queen,—sudden as the flash,—stabbed herself to the heart! The high-reared Altar became the funeral pyre of surrounding danger and desolation, for her heroic sacrifice appeased the claims of the warlike king.
This act of the Queen of Carthage would be viewed in modern days as madness; but to estimate it correctly,the mind must retire into the Temples of antiquity, when self-immolation was regarded as the highest test of pure and disinterested virtue! As without asimilitude, there can be nocomparison, either of Institutions or Nations,—therefore we can onlycontrastour own with ancient days. This difference in language—the mere instrument of truth properly applied—has been the cause of great injustice to events and personages of antiquity. We have no just right tocompareourselves with the ancients, or to measuretheirmorals or virtues by the standard of our own supposed perfections; and our posterity would be equally as unjust to themselves as to us, were they, twenty centuries hence, to record our actions and institutions by their then received ideas of increased and (truly so) advanced civilization. To be just, they will in mercy to the faults and sins of their ancestors (i. e.ourselves)contrast, notcompareus.
The suicide—or rather in ancient phrase—self-immolation of the Queen, was then regarded as the highest virtue; and Cato, the Man of Rome, in after ages (and at the same Utica where the Princess first landed), butimitatedthe act of Woman at Carthage. Acomparisonbetween these two actscan beinstituted, because, at the time of their being committed, the ancient world regarded them both insimilitudeof virtue. The same as the suicidal deaths of the Patriots—Brutus and Cassius,—after the fall of Freedom at Philippi.
The Queen of Carthage, and Cato of Utica, bothdied by their own hands, in full possession of their minds and faculties,—both sacrifices to the highest principles of national virtue; but how much nobler was the Queen's than the Senator's! The former, by her death, saved her People—the latter died uselessly, and his sword pierced other bosoms than his own. Cato ceased to live, because he would not survive the downfall of his country; but by his death did he save his native land, or even wrench a link asunder from the enslaving chain of Tyranny? No! but had he lived and returned to Rome upon Cæsar's invitation, he might—he must—have rendered service to his groaning country, and by his high character and talents have saved her from suffering,—but by his falsely conceived destruction, they were both lost to Rome and to posterity! The Queen, on the contrary, byherdeath, rescued her young nation from a war of slavery—gave it additional power by her farewell wisdom, pronounced from the Altar destined to receive her ashes,—bound her tried and faithful Tyrians to elect their Rulers from the scrolls of Intellect only,—the fulness of patriotism was accomplished,—and as the steel pierced her heart, Nature never received a last sigh from a nobler victim! Honoured in life, she was idolized in death,—her last words were as from her tomb, and consequently upon the fall of the Queen, ceased theKingdomof Carthage; but from those Royal ashes arose, with Phœnix power, the Tyrian and giant Republic, which, in after ages, sent its victorious army across the Seas and snow-crowned Alps, even to the Gates of Rome!
The Queen of Carthage died for her People—the over-applauded Cato for himself alone; the former cast her far-reaching gaze along the deep vista of posterity; the latter only looked within the narrow circle of his own death-chamber. The former died to embrace the Public good—the latter to avoid a selfish evil! Mankind have applauded man, because, in so doing, they praise themselves. Thence Cato's immolation has received undying praise from the pens of Poets and Historians; and even the Tragic Toga has moved in mimic life to infoldhis deathamid Man's applause; but Woman, when she is heroic as the Queen of Carthage, she falls from man's envy, upon her own Altar, never to rise again; or, if she does, it is only to falsely move through the brain of a sycophantic Virgil; or, for her true death to be given to adorn the final fate of the Foundling youth of Argos, who, asIon, is to be shrouded in aGrecianmantle, and forthatpeople, and not the Tyrian, received the wild applause of an enraptured audience!
Woman does not ask Man to begenerous, but to bejust,—the latter will secure the former.
Every good or brave deed traced by the pen of History, should be for the purpose of Justice to the original party, and for the effect of virtuous example to posterity. Thence the self-sacrifice of the Queen of Carthage was not without its effect (in the same land) upon the mind of Cato, who, though he but imitated the Tyrian Elizabeth, and failed to reach her high motive, still her example inspired him, and secured his fame!
In like manner the glorious heroism of the first British Queen,—Boadicea,—when she opposed at Battle-bridge the Roman army under Paulianus, was not without its effect upon England's Elizabeth, when she addressed her assembled knights upon the threatened Invasion from the then haughty Spain. Elizabeth butimitatedBoadicea: but in our own time it has been the peculiar felicity of England to witnessan original act of heroism, by the present and beloved British Queen: for when Regicide, like a wild demon, stalked abroad unsecured,—and when the Sovereign was within the arena of assassination, then it was she threw aside the mantle of her own protection, to shelter those faithful and dear to her; and to enjoy that personal freedom, of which as Sovereign she is the chief champion,—and companioned by her Royal and noble Consort alone,—unguarded,—except by her GOD and People, she braved the demon efforts of the assassin! The Almighty in His mercy cast His mantle over both! This noble act,—this self-sacrifice of Queen Victoria to the interest and dignity of her Nation, will live on to all ages, as a patriotic example to all Sovereigns and Rulers; and for its true Courage and Patriotism,—Religious dependence,—pure Heroism, and her royal Mercy to the convicted regicide,—will bear a triumphant comparison with any renowned record in the Annals of Antiquity!
CONCERNINGTHE OVERTHROW, THE RISE, AND THE FINAL FALL OFTYRUS.(FORETOLD 712B. C.)
The next circumstance claiming peculiar attention in order of datum, is the foretelling of the destruction of Tyrus from the lips of that Prophet, who announced the advent ofThe Saviour! The sacred writer whose words are believed by both Jew and Christian, thetime onlyof the Messiah's coming being the question at issue between them (apart from His attributes) must be received as an evidence, inspiring both awe and veneration; for it is founded upon one of the highest proofs of Religion itself. Believing, as a Christian, that the Prophecy of the miraculous Advent on earth ofThe Christ-Immanuel, was accomplished by theBirth ofJesus,—any and every Prophecy of less importance by Isaiah, we receive with absolute belief inits accomplishment,—either past, present, or future. This was our education in boyhood, received from the lips of a fond and pious Mother,—it was continued in our youth,—reason and reflection have produced firm conviction in our manhood: nor in arriving at this conclusion have we rejected or forgotten the student's duty in solving a problem or proposition,—viz., that all arguments should be investigated, either in favour or against the question;—we, therefore, have attentively read the writings of atheists, and all that have endeavoured to refute the authority of the Bible,—the result has been to increase and consolidate the belief first obtained from Maternal eloquence, and to enable us to pass through the Infidel-ordeal unscathed and scarless! Even as a book of historic record relative to the house of Abraham,—either collectively or in its separate branches,—it bears truth upon every page; for although written by Hebrew Historians, thevicesof the Rulers and the People are recorded, as well as the virtues,—the former, for their own fame, they would have naturally concealed, had notTruthbeen stronger than any desire to obtain the applause of posterity through the means of Falsehood.
When, therefore, a Prophecy ofIsaiahhas not been (apparently to human knowledge) accomplished, our religious belief teaches us that it has been, or will be fulfilled; and if the Theory of this present work is proved or admitted (from previous facts and analogies, and those to follow), our faith will be still further increased,—for we shall have lived to see another Prophecyaccomplished, and (with the humility of the most humble ofGod'screatures we write)—ourselves to have proved and established its fulfilment.
EzekielandZechariahboth prophesied the fall of Tyrus 124 years after the time ofIsaiah,—but the latter Prophet foretold its first destruction 140 years before its occurrence,—not only that, but that it should be regenerated as a nation after seventy years,—and then be again destroyed:—these remarkable Prophecies were accomplished. There was, however, another portion of the last words ofIsaiahin reference to the Tyrian kingdom, in themselves a perfect Prophecy, which was, and is, as we firmly believe, fulfilled; but now for the first time so contemplated. The words have been passed over even by Christian writers, upon the supposed ground that they would prove a negative in regard to the truth of Prophecy, and atheists have availed themselves of that silence to advance their own wishes; but Time, the chief champion of Heaven's children—Truth and Faith,—has now established the affirmative in the Western Hemisphere.
The entire Prophecy, or rather Prophecies, regarding Tyrus will now be given as uttered byIsaiah, they having been predicted in the year 712B. C., and consequently next in chronological order, in reference to the History now under the contemplation of the reader.
We shall offer no minute analysis at this time, but such remarks as may be required to explain the passages. The lines italicised have peculiar reference tothe present subject. The reader will observe that the prediction was uttered forty years after the founding of Rome, and 149 years after that of Carthage, as expressed in the previous chapter; and from the savage deed committed by the tyrant Pygmalion, it will be presumed (at least in argument) that every principle of honour and exalted character, as possessed and practised by Hiram the Great, had ceased to be exercised by the throne of Tyrus; and probably so continued to the time ofIsaiah, who, thereupon—God-instructed—uttered the following triple Prophecy concerning the Metropolis of the World;—that it should be destroyed, butthat a Remnant should be saved!
It should be remembered in reading the Prophecy, that Tyrus was originally colonized by, and from, Sidon; that theIslewas only partly inhabited, and that the Capital, at this time, was on themainland, which was distant from the Island about half a mile.
The celebrated Prophecy is as follows: viz.—
"The burden of Tyre! Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land Chittim, it is revealed to them. Be still ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Sidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. And by great waters, the seed of Sihor [i. e.Nile], the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations. Be thou ashamed, O Sidon! for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth childrenneither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre. Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle. Is this your joyous city [Tyrus], whose antiquity is of ancient days?Her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn!
"Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning [Royal] city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth? TheLordof hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. Pass through thy land as a river, O Daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength. He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: theLordhath given a commandment against the merchant-city,to destroy the strongholds thereof. And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, Daughter of Sidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there, also, shalt thou have no rest. Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian [Nimrod] founded it for them, that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers [of Babel] thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and He brought it [Nineveh] to ruin. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for your strength is laid waste.
"And it shall come to pass in that day [i. e.after the first fall],that Tyre shall be forgotten[as a Nation]seventy years, according to the days of one king: after theendof seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlotthat hast been forgotten: make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayst be remembered [i. e.as in her early days]. And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that theLordwill visit Tyre [i. e.give her strength], and she shall turn to her hire [i. e.merchandise], and shall commit fornification [i. e.havecommerce] with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. And her merchandise, and her hire, shall beholinessto the Lord [i. e.they shallprove the Sabbath:—they did so at Jerusalem,videNehemiah]: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before theLord[i. e.house of Israel], to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. Behold, theLordmaketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down,and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. And [so] it shall be,as with the People so with the Priest; as with the servant, so with the master; as with the maid, so with the mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the gainer of usury to him.The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for theLordhath spoken this word. WhenTHUSit shall be [i. e.at the second and last fall], in the midst of the land among the people,there shall be as the shaking of an olive-tree, and as the gleaning of grapes when the vintage is done. They [i. e.the remnant] shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of theLord,—they shall cry aloud[i. e.praise]from the Sea!" [Isaiah xxiii. & xxiv.]
Some of the Prophet's reflections have been omitted, as not being prophetical.
That the reader may not think that we have made an error in regardto a Remnant of the Tyrians being saved, the following quotation from the same Prophet is given, wherein the same figure of speech is used concerning the fall of Israel, and the safety of a small portion.
"And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory ofJacobshall be madethin, and the fatness of his flesh [i. e.race] shall wax lean. And it shall be as when the harvest-man gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. Yetgleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of the olive-tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branchesthereof, saith the Lord God of Israel." [Isaiah xvii. 4—6.]
The comparison of the remnant of a nation, to the few remaining grapes upon the vine, or in the baskets, after a general gathering of the harvest, is used also byJeremiahin prophesying the destruction of Judæa,—the word "remnant" is distinctly used.
"Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my Soul depart from thee: lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. Thus saith theLordof hosts,—They shall throughlyglean theREMNANTof Israelas a vine: turn back thine hand as agrape-gathererinto the baskets." [Jeremiah vi. 8, 9.]
The same simile is found in the Apocrypha. [2 Esdras xvi. 29—31.]
The preceding figure of speech used by the ProphetsIsaiahandJeremiahwas evidently taken by them from the words of the first Lawgiver, spoken over seven centuries before, in reference to the stranger's, the widow's, and the orphan's right to theremnantsof the field, and of the fruit trees. This law is practised and permitted even to this day, by that class of harvest-followers, calledgleaners,—the modern Ruths,—from the original of whom sprang the all-charitySaviour!Mosescommanded that—
"When thou cuttest down thine harvest in the field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it:—it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow,—that theLordthyGodmay bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thineolive-tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again,—it [the remnant] shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.When thou gatherest the grapesof thy vineyard, thou shalt notgleanit afterwards,—it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow."
Theremnant—orgleanings—of a Nation, as applied to the Tyrians byIsaiahmust be apparent to the reader:—its application to the present Work (together with other portions of the Prophecy), will be proved, as we advance, from the records of Classic and acknowledged History.
KING ITHOBALUS THE FIRST.[i. e.ETH-BAAL.]
THE FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA BY THE TYRIANS, SCIENTIFICALLY INVESTIGATED AND ESTABLISHED, &c.
THE FIRST CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA BY THE TYRIANS, SCIENTIFICALLY INVESTIGATED AND ESTABLISHED, &c.
The subject now to be considered is of peculiar interest in reference to the history of early Science; and more so from the fact, that doubts have been entertained by some Historians as to whether this celebrated Voyage was accomplished, or even attempted. These doubts have arisen from the silence of some of the early Roman writers upon the subject, and subsequent authors have, thereupon rejected the supposed expedition. It will be our object in this Chapter, tofirmly establish that the Voyage did take place, and to set the question at rest. This will be done not only on the authority of the Greek historian, Herodotus, but upon the higher authority of Scripture,—from the words of the ProphetsJeremiahandEzekiel,—which will now be brought forward (as we humbly submit) for the first time to bear upon the question.
The establishing of this proposition in the affirmative, and beyond further dispute, has a material effect towards supporting the Theory of this entire work, so far as relates to the Aborigines of Mexican America being of Tyrian descent;—therefore, the interesting subject calls for minute investigation in order to sustain the proposition. It must also be of interest to the general reader, merely as an elucidation of early Science, and especially the analysis of the celebrated "East-Wind," so often mentioned in the Bible.
The suggestion by some writers that the circumnavigation of Africa took place in the time of Hiram and Solomon [1000B. C.] cannot be supported by any proofs, or even probabilities, but, on the contrary, is refuted from two causes; viz., 1st, From the motive why the Egyptian, Pharaoh-Necho, undertook, or rather resolved upon the expedition,—which establishes it to have been the first voyage; and 2dly, Thenatural incidentor fact, observed during the voyage (of this hereafter), and which appeared so surprising not only to the Tyrians and Egyptians, but even to Herodotus himself,—provesthat the expedition did not take place before the time of Ithobalus, for the same "incident" would have beennoticed whenever the first voyage was made, as it will be whenever the last voyage shall be accomplished around the Continent of Africa.
This Expedition was at theexpenseof the Egyptian King, Pharaoh-Necho, who slew in battle Josiah, King of Judah, as recorded in Scripture. [2 Kings xx. 3.] The Monarch of the Nile ascended the throne 616B. C.
The ships of the Expedition were built by the Tyrians;—piloted, manned, and equipped by them, and consequently the voyage belongs to their history conjointly with that of Egypt. Let us review the circumstance which led to the Expedition, and the means of defraying the expense:—the latter will be found to emanate from the coffers of Judæa, and not from those of Egypt. Pharaoh-Necho possessed a mind of no ordinary character, not only in regard to government, but for scientific pursuits. Six years after his ascension to the throne he declared war against the King of Babylon, and marched an army towards the Euphrates. It was at this time that Josiah "the pious," King of Judah, followed the Monarch of Egypt, for the purpose of making warfare upon him and his army, and thus prevent his approach upon the Babylonians. Pharaoh used every entreaty to Josiah to entice him to return to his own nation, as he had no wish to make battle with Judæa, but rather desired the amity of that country. Josiah, however, still followed on the rear of the Egyptian army,—when Pharaoh suddenly turned upon the Judæan force, before the approach of the army of Babylon. The two enemies met in the plain of Megiddo.Josiah was mortally wounded, carried from the field in his chariot, and shortly after died at Jerusalem. His son Jehoahaz succeeded him, but reigned only three months, when he was dethroned by the indignant Pharaoh, and Josiah's eldest son crowned by orders of the Egyptian, and Judæa placed under an annual tribute "of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold." [i. e.41,425l.] This event occurred 610B. C.; and returning victorious to Egypt, Pharaoh probably contemplated how he might best employ the Judæan tribute, and make it available in the paths of peace. From relative circumstances we are led to reason that such were his thoughts,—for we now find that he resolved to attempt the joining of the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, or with the River Nile, by means of a Ship-Canal between either of the two waters. Egypt would then receive merchandise direct from India, passing through the Straits of Babelmandeb, and so through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez; and by means of the proposed Canal to some harbour, or commercial emporium to be erected on the banks of the Nile, at the fork of the Delta, or at one of the mouths of the river on the Mediterranean.
This policy of a commercial connexion between the Nile and Suez, and so to India, is again revived at the present day, after a lapse of nearly 2500 years! At this time, 610B. C., Egypt had no commerce of her own, and had always despised the merchant's pursuit. She had no navy or vessels of her own,—except her river boats,—yet she was willing to receive from other nationsthe rich commodities derivable from their commercial energy, and inexchangefor her corn and linen cloths; consequently the Egyptians weremerchantsat the very time they affected to despise the means whereby merchandise was acquired. To the fact of the Egyptians really despising and rejecting Navigation, may be attributed thelandwonders of the Nile,—the Pyramids and Temples:—for not being engaged upon the Ocean, or the Mediterranean in any manner (and to leave the river Nile for other waters was esteemed a sacrilege), they of a necessity could turn their attention only to the grandeur of the Earth,—naturally or artificially,—i. e.to Agriculture, or the Arts,—and they were content to leave the domain of Neptune to those who were willing to become the bold subjects of his treacherous empire!
In the attempt to form a Canal from the Red Sea the King of Egypt completely failed, probably owing to the drifting sands; and it was this defeat in one path of Science, that led him instantly to pursue another, in which he would not have the same difficulties of Nature to contend with; and in this resolve he was actuated by the safety of his reputation,—for the new idea had precisely the same object in view, as that in which he had so signally failed;—viz., to bring the riches of India and the Nile together by means of water communication. The only way whereby this could be accomplished was by a circumnavigation of the Continent of Africa. There seems to be truth upon the entire subject of this Voyage, from the fact, as already expressed, that thesecond scientific attempt, had for its object the same as the first.
This is a proof that the Voyage was not attempted or accomplished in the time of Solomon and Hiram;—for if it had been, it would no longer have been a question, but a repetition of a "foregone conclusion."
The primitive undertaking of Pharaoh did not require Pilots or mariners,—the expedition now to be attempted not only demanded both, but also Galleys and "all the appliances and means" of Navigation,—these the Egyptians, like the Israelites, did not possess, nor had they any practical Knowledge of the Science.
There was but one Nation in the world to which Pharaoh could apply, for carrying into effect this bold and original undertaking,—that Nation was Tyrus:—and with the Monarch of that country the Sovereign of Egypt was on terms of amity.
Herodotus states that the Voyage did take place,—that the Phœnicians (i. e.Tyrians) were the mariners, and of course the Pilots,—that they were three years [609 to 606B. C.] in accomplishing this then extraordinary expedition. The glory of this victory over the elements was claimed (and justly) by the Tyrians,—for without them it could not have been even attempted: and upon this occasion it was natural that both the King of Tyrus and his subjects, would hail the opportunity for such an expedition with every feeling of national enthusiasm,—and to that may be attributed its consequent success.
The proofs of the successful termination of the Voyagewill now be established. The negatives will be first reviewed. These rest entirely upon thesilenceof several authors upon the subject during the time of the early Cæsars: and because they were silent, subsequent writers have taken upon themselves the responsibility of contradicting it entirely: but that very silence of the Roman writers (who desired only to advance themselves) should be received as a direct acquiescence, since they did notcontradictit,—and they would have done so if the negative truth had been on their side,—for they must have read, or heard, the original statement of the occurrence as made by the Greek Historian, written in his description of his visit to Egypt nearly five centuries before:—by being the first Historian of the Egyptian Nation, Herodotus, or his work, could not have been unknown to the Romans.
Upon the absolute refutation of a negative, and proving the reverse, an affirmative, as a necessity, is directly established. Here, then, follows one upon that ground of reasoning: viz.—
Some writers have affirmed that the Fleet could not have been built and manned by the Naval Architects and Pilots of Tyrus,becausetheir city was on the coast of the Mediterranean, and consequently could not reach the Red Sea, except all the Galleys were transportedover land,—i. e.across the Isthmus of Suez to the place of departure, and this, say they, would be impossible. Such annotations upon the solemnity of History, only shew those authors' ignorance of the First Book of record and Religion,—for in the Bible it is distinctlywritten, both in the first Book of Kings (ix. 26, 27), and 2 Chronicles xiii. 17, 18, that Hiram the Great built a Navy for the King of Israel,at Ezion-Geber, near Eloth, in Edom, "on the shore of the Red Sea."
Here, then, is the fact of a fleet having been built by the Tyrians, for a foreign king, on the shores of the Red Sea, and for a voyage to India. Now this Navy was built for Solomon three hundred and eighty-five years before the time of Pharaoh-Necho, the period now under contemplation. Why should not the Tyrians build another Navy upon the borders of the Red Sea, at a later period, for another nation,—and especially when for an expedition calling forth every energy of the renowned Navigators? We apprehend that this affirmative, founded upon a refuted negative, will not now be further questioned even by the most sceptical reader; and besides, it is more than probable, that the Tyrians from the time of Solomon to Pharaoh, had a fleet, or vessels on the Red Sea, and consequently could quickly prepare for any expedition.
The affirmatives will now be established,—we shall then endeavour to describe the voyage, the discoveries, and safe return; and then prove that the entire document has the Seal of Holy-Writ, stamped by the hands of two contemporaneous Prophets of Jerusalem—JeremiahandEzekiel.
Herodotus says, that the Voyage was successfully accomplished,—that the fleet, pilots, and mariners, were Tyrian.
Let us review the knowledge of this Grecian writer upon the subject. The expedition is recorded to have taken place 607—604B. C.This is evidently an error, and should be 609 to 606,—for Pharaoh instantly followed his first attempt by the second,—and the first was in 610B. C.This last arrangement is also supported by the words ofJeremiah. The Greek Historian visited Egypt, and wrote his History about 484B. C., deriving his knowledge from personal observation, and from the Priests of Memphis. The date, therefore, of his writing, is only a hundred and twenty-two years after the occurrence of the Voyage, and consequently not at so late a period, that the antecedent truth should have been lost. Again. He was writing of the Egyptians, to be read to, and by the Athenians, who were always proud of every glory claimed by the inhabitants of the Nile, because much of Grecian science and knowledge had been derived from Egypt,—consequently Herodotus would have given all the fame to the Egyptians concerning the enterprise, if he could have done so with honesty; therefore, from the above reasoning, the truth of his record is manifest,—for to another nation, to the Tyrians, is he compelled to give the honour of accomplishing the greatest Naval Expedition mentioned in classic History.
We will now produce a proof (the most remarkable to be true) of the accuracy of Herodotus as a writer, and which will establish his authority to be believed, concerning the subject now under consideration. In his second Book of History—the Euterpe—he gives thereigns of the Egyptian Kings down to the Conquest, by Cambyses the Persian. In the course of his writing, we find a minute description of the three classes or manners of embalming the Egyptian mummies.
In the highest class of embalming, he states, "In the first place, with a crooked piece of iron they pull out the brain by the[way of the]nostrils!" [Book ii., sections 86—89.]
So extraordinary a statement might well originally have brought suspicion upon his entire History; but, after a period of nearly 2500 years, his statementis proved to be absolutely correct!—for many Mummies of Egypt examined by Mr. Pettigrew (and others) have been found to haveno fractureorincisionin the skull: yet upon an after-dissection of the skull by the same eminent surgeon, it has been found that thebrain had been extracted: thus proving to demonstration, that it could only have been removed in the manner described by Herodotus! When, therefore, the pages of an Historian are established by scrutinizing Time itself, to have been traced by the pen of Truth, and in such minutiæ,—he may well be believed when recording so important an event as the first circumnavigation of the African Continent.
We may here observe (although in digression), that from the accuracy of the description of Embalming by Herodotus, and its late and absolute proof, not a doubt can now be entertained as to the truth of the unheard-of crime practised by the Egyptian Embalmers upon the female bodies; and which led, he writes, toa custom, or law, that the wives of the nobility, and the beautiful or celebrated women, should not be even prepared for embalming until the third or fourth day after decease. Here, then, is the secret why the Mummy bodies of the men of the first class are in better preservation than the bodies of the same class of the other sex. The men, instantly upon their death, were prepared and forthwith embalmed, thus checking even the first symptom of flesh decay; but with the superior or beautiful women, a delay took place of three or four days, for the express purpose of preventing the crime, which could only be done by the commencement of decomposition; and which decay, all the art of the Embalmers could never restore to that state when Death first made the fleshy-walls his chosen habitation!
Another, and a conclusive proof of the truth of Herodotus in regard to this Voyage, will be given at the conclusion of this Chapter.
This expedition was repeated, upon the authority of Pliny, by the Egyptiansthemselvesnearly 500 years after the first expedition by the Tyrians. This second undertaking was piloted by Eudoxus, at the command and expense of Ptolemy Lathyrus. The Greco-Egyptians had, during his reign (B. C.116), become a powerful commercial nation,—Alexandria having been founded 215 years before by the warrior whose name was given to the emporium. The Voyage by Eudoxus seems to have been but theimitationof a previous one,—with this exception, viz., that the pride of the Egyptians wascalled into action, to equal the former glory achieved by the Tyrians; and consequently in this voyage they had their own pilots, vessels, and mariners. Even the cognomen of this Ptolemy,—viz., Lathyrus,—(by simply omitting the letter-h,—or pronouncing it hard, as in thyme,—a herb) would seem to have some hidden meaning in reference to that pride. The nomen Ptolemy was a general name possessed by a long line of Kings from the death of Alexander,—as Pharaoh had been ages before the Macedonian,—but the cognomen, or surname was placed, or used, for some great event connected with the history of the possessor. The Romans practised this custom,—as instanced in the case of Scipio,—surnamed Africanus;—one of their Emperors received the cognomen of Germanicus,—and at an earlier period, Caius Marcius received the surname of Coriolanus,—all these were given for victories in the countries, of which their names of honourable distinction were the derivatives. In reference, therefore, to the surname Lathyrus,—by the omission, or hard sound of H, or by its silence as the letter P,—in the original name,—it would read Ptolemy Latyrus, and which might be easily rendered, in direct allusion to the second great Voyage having equalled the first.—Ptolemy the Tyrian.
Enough has been adduced in support of the Expedition, as mentioned by Herodotus, to authorize a continuation of the subject.
In order to give a perfect illustration to the following remarks, and to the extracts from Scripture, a full elucidationof the celebrated "East-Wind" will be required, not only for the general reader, but for the advancement of this work. To facilitate the explanations, the reader should have before him a Map of the Atlantic Ocean (or a terrestrial globe), and observe where the Equator, or the equinoctial line, crosses the waters from the continent of Africa to that of America. It will be found to cross the shore of Nazareth Bay (Gulf of Guinea) on Africa,—and Jones' Land (at the mouth of the river Amazon) on America. This line (of course) passes around the entire globe. The reader will then trace 30 degrees of latitude from that line, both towards the North and the South Pole. Towards theNorthPole the line of 30 degrees (crossing the Atlantic) touches at the point of the kingdom of Morocco on Africa,enclosing within that line the Fortunate Isles(i. e.the Canaries): on America it touches at St. Augustine,—enclosing within the same line all of Florida. The two sentences in Italics will be referred to in the subsequent pages. Towards theSouthPole the line of 30 degrees touches at the minor Namquois river on Africa, and at Tramaday on the American Continent. Now between these 60 degrees,—the Equator forming the centre,—there is aperpetual East-WindblowingFROMAfrica across the AtlanticTOAmerica, and so around the Earth,—from East to West on our diurnal, and West to East on our nocturnal hemisphere.
This current of air has been called in modern times—theTradeWind,—a name evidently derived from the facility given by it to commercial intercourse, fromEurope, Africa and India, with Central South America, and the West India Islands. It is, however, in the Bible always mentioned as theEast-Wind, and as a proof of the truth of Scriptural record, (apart from its Religion) wherever a city or place is stated to have been effected by this East-Wind,it will be found to be within the 60 degrees(as detailed above) on Asia or Africa! Thus Science will support Scriptural record, although some writers have hazarded the contrary assertion. This ancient phenomenon (which is now explained by Science) must have been encountered by the Tyrians during this celebrated voyage, and is alluded to by the ProphetEzekiel,—as will be shewn in proof that this expedition was accomplished.
The reader will remember that this perpetual East Wind blowsfromthe Africantothe American Continent;—any vessel, therefore, goingtothe Western Hemisphere (within the degrees specified) with its sails set,—square before the wind, and its rudder secured on its centre,—the ship would then reach America (tempests excepted) without a single seaman or pilot to man or steer the vessel: and as a consequence, therefore, any shipfromAmerica to Europe or Africa,—or from India, having doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and coasting along the western coast of Africa (and being within the 60 degrees), wouldmeetthat East-Wind,—and would have to encounter what is technically called "a head wind,"—and consequently be in great danger of being "broken in the midst of the Seas" and there foundering; and especially in crossing in the line of theEquator; for directly over that line is the Sun nearest to the Globe,—varying (of course) according to the seasonal changes.
This constant current of air,—this Boræan Mercury, capped and heeled with wings of Light,—passes from Africa over the broad Atlantic,—crossing the Continent of America and the great Pacific, he pursues his faithful flight over the vast lands of China, Australia, and Hindoostan,—is borne across the waters of the Indian Ocean, the Sea of Oman and the Gulf of Persia; the sands of Arabia, and the wall-divided sea of Israel; avoiding Europe and the Mediterranean, he reaches his fiery and cradled-home on Afric's burning deserts; but no cessation is here given to his perpetual course, his energies are but renewed, and on he speeds,—his "royal progress," commenced at Creation's birth, and must continue until Nature ceases,—the glorious Sun his mighty Parent,—Light itself his swift-speeding herald,—the Breeze, Gale, Storm, and Hurricane his children and attendants,—the golden eyes of Heaven, with their princely North-star, the witnesses of his constancy,—Earth and Ocean his grand and gorgeous kingdoms,—the central line of the entire Globe, and for two thousand miles on either side, his broad and majestic pathway! Man, his only opponent;—his only conqueror,—Science,—the imaged mind of thatGod, who in the Eden of the Universe planted the undying Trees of Knowledge and of Life.
A scientific analysis of the cause of this perpetual Easterly Wind may be acceptable to the general reader,—it is also required by the subject matter of this volume,—for the Tyrians had no knowledge of the cause, they but experienced the effects,—and this upon two occasions,—once in opposing its power, and at another time in receiving its friendly aid. Columbus received the same during his voyage, which was accomplished entirely by this East-Wind,—it not only wafted him with continuous speed and safety, but it also subdued the fierce elements of human conflict, as threatened by the mutiny of his crew. Upon the success, he and his companions regarded the perpetual wind blowing towards the Western Continent as a Providential interposition in their behalf! Such was the superstition only four centuries and a half ago; but Columbus merely followed a track, (and also from theCanary Isles) which had been ploughed by Tyrian Galleys,eighteen centuries before; and wafted by the same ceaseless wind, he reached an islandin a direct westerly line, with the land or point of "Florida" first "touched" by his Phœnician predecessors! This we believe, in the subsequent volumes, will be firmly established. But to the analysis of this Orient Gale ever blowing towards the Occident.
We will first suppose (for illustration) that the Earth should suddenly cease its diurnal revolution, and become absolutely stationary;—in that case all the currents of air (winds) would rush from every part of the Globe towards that point over which the Sun (at the moment of the Earth's fixedness) should be vertical: and the Sun producing a partial vacuum by its heat, would cause the various currents of wind to leave the Globe, and rise in the form of a cone towards the immediate source of heat, and so rush with more or less fury, according to the degrees of the vacuum produced. Now from this contemplation of the action of air, upon the Earth being stationary, simply view the Globe in itsrevolvingcondition according to its eternal law,—our diurnal hemisphere ever turningFROMWestTOEast,—producing the natural fact, that every spot of earth (in the same latitude) holds nearly the same locality in infinite space once in every twenty-four hours! The Sun (for this second illustration) will be viewed as stationary,—and is nearest to the earth at the line farthest and most central from the North and South poles,—i. e.at the Equator,—the currents of air as a necessity pass from EasttoWest (thereverseof the Earth's action) following the principles of rushing towards the partial vacuum created by the Sun's intensity. As the Sun is farther from the Poles than from the line of the Equator, so the East-Wind diminishes in ratio force towards the Poles (for the cold airs are attracted from them) and increases in the same degree of ratio in approaching the line fromwhence the North and South latitudes are measured. The distance, as already stated, is thirty degrees on either side of the Equator, thus forming by the laws of Nature a perpetual East-Wind encircling one hemisphere (and a West-Wind the other), and spreading to the width of 3600 miles around the entire Globe!
This fact enables us to elucidate a portion of Scripture having reference to the celebrated Passage of the Red Sea by the Israelites, which will be investigated in the next volume.
The principle of nature established in its law of attracting air even towards a partial vacuum, be it created by natural or artificial means of heat (for the quality of the result is the same) has been shewn to prove, that the Earth revolving one way, (West to East) and the current of air rushing another, having the Sun as its source of attraction, must of a necessity produce the constant East-Wind. This secret of Nature instantly unfolds why the great Ocean on theWesterncoast of America is truly namedPacific, when compared to the tempests of the Atlantic. As thus:—the hot sands of Africa for man adjunct power to the Sun in creating an increased yet partial vacuum,—the winds, therefore, are attracted with doubled quantity on Africa,—thence the Simooms; but being compelled by Nature's law to follow (as it were) to the Sun, the quantity consequently drawn from Africa to its immediate neighbour, the Atlantic, is in the ratio of acquisition at the original source, Africa; but when on the Atlantic, the waters—not possessing the sand-heat,and thence losing the concentration—disperse the mass of storm-winds, and they pass over the Atlantic, gradually losing their force as they are removed from Africa; and in crossing over the American Continent, having no longer the hot sands to regenerate the increased vacuum, the East-Wind reaches the great Ocean truly in aPacificstate; and so continues around the Globe, until it comes within the influence of the furnace sands, when it again commences its impetuous course, and thence on to the Atlantic. The name—Pacific Ocean, was given from an absolute truth—aneffect,—not from an analysis of thecause,—we humbly submit that the latter is now produced.
Upon the same principle, the burning sands of Arabia, which are unendurable during the day, owing to the excessive heat contained,—possess at night the cool and reviving air;—it does not so much pass over the desert (in the absence of the Sun) as it is actuallydrawn down vertically upon the sands, like an avalanche;—for the cold air of the upper region, upon feeling the effects, and attraction of the substratum of heat, must follow the established principle,—as, also, the greater weight of the cold air follows the law of gravitation.
Pursuing this reasoning uponeffectfromcause, (and without which we cannot advance in wisdom) the following singular result must not only be apparent, but actually would be obtained,—viz., A Cloud surcharged with rain, and at a low distance from the Earth, and on a calm day, could be compelled to restore its stolen treasure, without waiting for its own period of honesty! This could be done byartificialmeans, yet the livingcausewould be that ofNatureand her laws,—viz., byheat. As thus,—if beneath that Rain-Cloud should be erected combustible matter covering a large extent; and upon being ignited the gathered heatshould reach that cloud,—as a necessity, the heavier cold air within, and around, that mass of vapour, would descend towards the partial vacuum occasioned by the heat,—with more or less speed according to the intensity,—and thence discharge the accumulated particles of rain upon the flame!
In following out the above train of reasoning, another secret is unveiled,—viz., During the dreadful Conflagrations of Cities and Capitals,—of Forests or Prairies,—it is almost invariably recorded, that the light wind increased to a breeze,—from that to a gale, or hurricane, and perhaps from a friendly quarter,—or that the Rain descended in torrents, and so Providentially extinguished the fierce fury of the flaming element:—in both these cases they were indeed Providential, for they were based upon the undeviating laws ofcauseandeffect,—ofGodandNature! By thus tracing the second principle (for it has its own results) to the first, how much is Religious veneration increased, when reflecting upon The Great Cause of the entire Universe!—Theeffectsthen appear but as the sparkling atoms of His ever brilliant Glory,—and the myriad of Worlds the mere witnesses of His infinite Power!
We have digressed,—we were never yet upon a happy path, or pursuit, that we did not wish tofollow it out,—for true happiness is found only in the walks of wisdom.
It may perhaps be proper to state, that the Orient Gale is mentioned in various parts of Scripture, and especially by the following inspired writers,—viz.,Moses[Exodus x. 13.—xiv. 21.]David[Psalms xlviii. 7.]Hosea[xiii. 15.]Jeremiah[xviii. 17.] and byEzekiel[xvii. 10.—xix. 12.—xxvii. 26.]
The great miracles of the plague of Locusts,—and the Passage of the Red Sea, were both carried into effect by the instrumentality of this celebrated Wind.
"And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and theLordbrought anEast-windupon the land all that day, and all that night: and when it was morningthe East-windbrought the locusts."
"And Moses stretched out his hand over the Sea: and theLordcaused the Sea to go back bya strong East-windall that night, and made the Sea dry land, and the waters were divided."
"Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish withan East-wind."
"Though he be fruitful among his brethren, anEast-windshall come, the wind of theLordshall come up from thewilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels."
"I will scatter them as withan East-windbefore the enemy: I will shew the back and not the face, in the day of their calamity."
"Yea, behold, being planted shall it prosper? Shall it not utterly wither when theEast-windtoucheth it? It shall wither in the furrows where it grew."
"But she was plucked up infury, she was cast down to the ground, and theEast-winddried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered, the fire consumed them."
Another quotation fromEzekielis reserved for the next Section, to illustrate the Expedition.
In the Book ofJonah, the verycauseof the East-Wind (i. e.heat) is given by the Prophet of Nineveh,—not given as an explanation, but as an attendant fact,—after 2700 years Science gives the former, by an application of the fact, and thus establishes another proof of the truth of Scriptural record.
"And it came to pass, when theSun did arise, thatGodprepareda vehement East-wind: andthe Sunbeat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live." [iv. 8.]
Presuming that this branch of our subject has been sufficiently explained,—a slight review of the Tyrian vessels will be required, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they were of sufficient size and strength to endure this voyage around the Continent of Africa; and at a later period to cross the Atlantic Ocean. One examination will answer for both questions.
The Tyrians had two species of large vessels. The earliest were theGauli, so called from being nearly round, and used for coasting purposes, between Tyrus and the neighbouring ports,—this species of Galley hada sail and a few oars. The superior vessels for long voyages were Galleys of a much larger class, and oblong in shape,—they had one, two, or three banks of oars, in addition to one or two very large square-sails. Therowsof oarsmen (hence the name ofrowersto this time, although the mode of working has passed away) were so placed on their banks or seats, as to be all seen by the officer of the deck,—for the centre of the Galley was open down nearly to the ballast. They all kept time, and moved together, by watching the action of the officer (at the stern of the vessel) having the command of the rowers,—or bysinging,—hence, we apprehend, arose the marine name,—Mer-chants,i. e.Singers of the Sea,—for the name is first applied in Scripture to the Tyrians.