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now observe Alexander in the vigorous prosecution of those designs, 

 stopping after the battle of Issus in the full career of victory, and, with 

 high apparent impolicy, giving Darius an opportunity to recover his 

 severe loss, and arm all Asia against him, for the purpose of reducing 

 the maritime regions of Syria, of exploring Egypt, navigating the 

 Nile, and erecting Alexandria on the spot best adapted to effectuate 

 his purposes. After the battle of Arbela, in the pursuit of Bessus, 

 let us again observe him unnecessarily, as it should appear, traversing 

 the Northern Asia in every direction, warring on the Sogdians, 

 and advancing to the very deserts of Scythia, to make himself per- 

 sonally acquainted with the Avhole theatre of his glory, and realize 

 his views. That this, and not a wild thirst of conquest, was the prin- 

 ciple on which he acted, may be collected from his conduct, when 

 in those regions, in regard to the European Scythians, who sent 

 an embassy to request his alliance, and which I purposely omitted 

 to notice in any particular manner, till this concluding retrospect on 

 the life and exploits of Alexander. Arrian informs us, that, when 

 the ambassadors returned home, he sent back with them a select 

 band of his friends, apparently to do them honour, and as a mark of 

 respect and friendship for their nation, but in reality " to explore 

 the exact situation of their country, the extent of their population, 

 whether the people were robust and warlike, their mode of fighting, 

 and the arms used by them*." This circumstance is of a very im- 

 pressive nature, and connects a mode of thinking and a plan of 

 action at two very remote periods of life. 



At every commanding point throughout the whole of this exten- 

 sive march, he erects cities and fortresses, which he peoples with 

 Greeks, and makes immense dep6ts of arms in regions remote as 



* Anian, lib. iv. cap. 1. 



