464 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



thefe events to Alexandria feems to have fuftained the pro- 

 fperity of Egypt, even againfl the ravages committed in the 

 war between Ptolemy the VI. and VII. Alexandria was 

 then befieged, and not only deprived of its riches, but re- 

 duced to the utmofl want of necefTaries, and the horrid be- 

 haviour of Ptolemy VII. (had it continued) would have foon 

 rendered that city defolate. The confequence of fuch a 

 conduct, however, made a flrong impreflion on the prince 

 himfelf, who, at once recalling his unjufl edicts, by which 

 he had banifhed all foreign merchants from Alexandria, 

 became on a fudden wholly addicted to commerce, the encou- 

 rager of arts and fciences, and the protector of ftrangers. 



The impolitic conduct in the beginning of his reign, 

 however, had affected trade even in India. For the ftory 

 preferved by Pofidonius, and very improperly criticifed by 

 Strabo, feems to import little lefs. One day, the troops 

 polled on the Arabian Gulf found a fhip abandoned to the 

 waves, on board of which was one Indian only, half dead 

 with hunger and third, whom they brought to the king. 

 This Indian declared he failed from his own country, and, ha- 

 ving loft his courfe and fpent all his proviiions, he was carried 

 to the place where he was found, without knowing where he 

 was, and after having furvived the reft of his companions : 

 he concluded an imperfect narrative, by offering to be a guide 

 to any perfon his majefty would fend to India. His propofals 

 were accordingly accepted, and Eudoxus was named by 

 the king to accompany him. Strabo * indeed laughs at 



this 



Strabo, lib. ij. p. 98. 



