A FRIEND OF ROME. J 05 



and so if the treasury was empty the inland revenue 

 ceased to flow in. The king could still live in luxury 

 on the receipts of the foreign trade ; but the life of 

 the people was devoured, and the ruin of the country 

 was at hand. The Ptolemies became invariably tyrants 

 and debauchees; perhaps the incestuous marriages 

 practised in that family had something to do with the 

 degeneration of the race. The Greeks of Alexandria 

 became half Orientals, and were regarded by their 

 brethren of Europe with aversion and contempt. One 

 by one the possessions of Egypt abroad were lost. 

 The condition of the land became deplorable. The 

 empire which had excited the envy of the world 

 became deficient in agriculture, and was fed by foreign 

 corn. Alexandria glittered with wealth which it was 

 no longer able to defend. The Greeks of Asia began 

 to fix their eyes on the corrupt and prostrate land. 

 Armies gathered on the horizon like dark clouds ; 

 then was seen the flashing of arms ; then was heard 

 the rattling of distant drums. 



The reigning Ptolemy had but one resource. In 

 that same year a great battle had been fought, a 

 great empire had fallen on the African soil. For the 

 first time in history the sun was seen rising in the 

 west. Towards the west ambassadors from Egypt 

 went forth with silks and spices and precious stones. 

 They returned, bringing with them an ivory chair, a 

 coarse garment of purple, and a quantity of copper 

 coin. These humble presents were received in a 

 delirium of joy. The Roman Senate accorded its 

 protection, and Alexandria was saved. But its inde- 

 pendence was forfeited ; its individuality became ex- 

 tinct. Here endeth the. history of Egypt ; let us 

 travel to another shore. 



