THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 469 



account, and with the funds of foreign merchants. The 

 Jews in Alexandria, until the reign of Ptolemy Phifcon, had 

 carried on a very extenfive part of the India trade. All 

 Syria was mercantile ; and lead, iron, and copper, fupplied, 

 in fome manner, the deficiency of gold and filver, which 

 never again was in fuch abundance till after the difcovery 

 of America. 



But the ancient trade to India, by the Arabian Gulf and 

 Africa, carried on by the medium of thefe two metals, 

 remained at home undiminiihed with the Ethiopians, de- 

 fended by large extenfive deferts, and happy with the en- 

 joyment of riches and fecurity, till a frefh difcovery again 

 introduced to them both partners and matters in their 

 trade. 



One of the reafons that makes me imagine the Indian 

 trade was not nourifhing, or in great efteem; immediately 

 upon the Roman conqueil of Egypt, is, that Auguftus, very 

 foon after, attempted to conquer Arabia. He fent Elius 

 Gallus, with an army from Egypt into Arabia, who found 

 there a number of effeminate, timid people, fcarcely to be 

 driven to felf-defence by violence, and ignorant of every 

 thing that related to war. Elius, however, found that they 

 overmatched him in cunning, and the perfect knowledge 

 of the country, which their conflant employment as Carriers 

 had taught them. His guides led him round from hard- 

 ihip to hardihip, till his army almoft perifhed with hunger 

 and thirft, without feeing any of thofe riches his mailer had. 

 fent him to take poneflion of. 



3, Thus 



