As the Phœnicians were accustomed to carry on their trade themselves, and had no factors or agents established, at least in the infancy of the trade, at Sofala, we may assume that they spent the whole of the six months from April to November of year 2, when the south-west or fair monsoon for the return voyage was blowing, in trading with the natives or residents at thisAfrican-Arabic settlement of Sabia; and also that they were only prepared to return when the next fair monsoon (S.W.) set in at Sofala, viz., in April of year 3. That is to say, they were detained by trading and a contrary monsoon for one year at Sofala.
In the month of April or May of year 3, we will suppose the fleet to leave Sofala with the south-west monsoon, and reach Aden, or any neighbouring Arab emporium, before the unsettled weather which is to be found in the Gulf of Aden in the month of August. The fleet would be able to refit there so as to take advantage of the south wind commencing to blow in the month of October, and would reach Ezion-geber before the end of December of the year 3.
I have thus endeavoured to show that the time for prosecuting a successful trading voyage from Ezion-geber to Ophir or Sofala and back, would be nearly three years.
All the articles enumerated in Scripture are to be found at Sofala, with, perhaps, the exception of the peacock (see vol. i., p. 208); I am not aware that this bird is to be found in Africa—ithas hitherto been looked upon as an Indian bird; and, in consequence, I suppose, some have compared תוכיים,tukejem, with the word תכה,takah, to cling; in Deuteronomy xxxiii., v. 3, and translated it parrots.[11]But the east coast of Africa has no parrots—only paroquets—while they are to be found in great numbers at the mouth of nearly all the rivers on the west coast of Africa. The nearest place to Sofala where parrots can be obtained is on the island of Madagascar, where a very handsome jet-black parrot may be procured.
The meaning of the Hebrew word translated peacocks is a disputed point, and some have held that it means the bird called guinea-fowl, which is found in great numbers on the east coast of Africa.
The inscriptions on the ruins at Zimboë might throw a new light on the position of Ophir, and perhaps entirely clear up one of the most interesting questions of Sacred history.
THE END.
LONDON:PRINTED BY R. BORN, GLOUCESTER STREET,REGENT’S PARK.
FOOTNOTES[1]See vol. i., p. 333.[2]See vol. i. p. 120.[3]See vol. i., chap. viii. on Delagoa Bay: its History and Resources.[4]To his widow and five orphans he has left the heritage of a good name: while it is hoped that the reader will assist the author to respond to an earnest appeal which has just reached him, from Natal, on their behalf.[5]1 Kings, chapter x., v. 10.[6]See Appendix C.[7]See Captain R. L. Playfair’sHistory of Arabia Felix, or Yemen, 1859.[8]See the accompanying chart of Eastern Africa, and the author’s letters on this route in “The Times” of September 14, 1859,et seq.[9]The author has to acknowledge the kind assistance of his friend Mr. Consul Brand in translating the above from a Portuguese account.[10]Note by Sir J. W. Hooker:—“This is doubtless the common hemp (Cannabis sativa), which is grown and used in various parts of tropical Africa and all over India (where it is also called ‘Bang’) for smoking, &c. In Europe, and as far north as Archangel, it is only used for its fibre in making cloth, cordage, &c.”[11]For this information I am greatly indebted to the Rev. Dr. M. Heidenheim.
FOOTNOTES
[1]See vol. i., p. 333.
[1]See vol. i., p. 333.
[2]See vol. i. p. 120.
[2]See vol. i. p. 120.
[3]See vol. i., chap. viii. on Delagoa Bay: its History and Resources.
[3]See vol. i., chap. viii. on Delagoa Bay: its History and Resources.
[4]To his widow and five orphans he has left the heritage of a good name: while it is hoped that the reader will assist the author to respond to an earnest appeal which has just reached him, from Natal, on their behalf.
[4]To his widow and five orphans he has left the heritage of a good name: while it is hoped that the reader will assist the author to respond to an earnest appeal which has just reached him, from Natal, on their behalf.
[5]1 Kings, chapter x., v. 10.
[5]1 Kings, chapter x., v. 10.
[6]See Appendix C.
[6]See Appendix C.
[7]See Captain R. L. Playfair’sHistory of Arabia Felix, or Yemen, 1859.
[7]See Captain R. L. Playfair’sHistory of Arabia Felix, or Yemen, 1859.
[8]See the accompanying chart of Eastern Africa, and the author’s letters on this route in “The Times” of September 14, 1859,et seq.
[8]See the accompanying chart of Eastern Africa, and the author’s letters on this route in “The Times” of September 14, 1859,et seq.
[9]The author has to acknowledge the kind assistance of his friend Mr. Consul Brand in translating the above from a Portuguese account.
[9]The author has to acknowledge the kind assistance of his friend Mr. Consul Brand in translating the above from a Portuguese account.
[10]Note by Sir J. W. Hooker:—“This is doubtless the common hemp (Cannabis sativa), which is grown and used in various parts of tropical Africa and all over India (where it is also called ‘Bang’) for smoking, &c. In Europe, and as far north as Archangel, it is only used for its fibre in making cloth, cordage, &c.”
[10]Note by Sir J. W. Hooker:—“This is doubtless the common hemp (Cannabis sativa), which is grown and used in various parts of tropical Africa and all over India (where it is also called ‘Bang’) for smoking, &c. In Europe, and as far north as Archangel, it is only used for its fibre in making cloth, cordage, &c.”
[11]For this information I am greatly indebted to the Rev. Dr. M. Heidenheim.
[11]For this information I am greatly indebted to the Rev. Dr. M. Heidenheim.