^46 
DISSERTATION ON THE 
succeeded of course to this trade : but the genius of that people 
was ill-formed for commerce ; and the very nature of their govern- 
ment was such, as to render their power of short duration in this 
part of the world ; for so long only could they hope to hold it, as 
they followed the line marked out to them by their predecessors. 
On the contrary, instead of adding strength to the union that ought 
to have subsisted between them and the Arabians, their deshe of 
conquest led them to take possession of their sea ports, and even to 
send an army into the heart of their country.* In this expedition, 
however, they effected nothing of consequence, but were harassed, 
baffled, and driven back with disgrace. The remoteness, too, of 
their seat of government, was in itself alone sufficient to prevent a 
long continuance even of their influence here ; for the viceroys of 
Egypt were more likely to think of enriching themselves, than of 
benefiting the Egyptian traders : besides that the empire itself was 
hastening fast to its end. These circumstances, added to the su- 
pineness and indolence of the Arabians, made an opening for the 
neighbouring powers, too advantageous to be long neglected ; and 
accordingly we find, that it was shortly afterwards laid hold of, and 
by a nation which, until the Christian aera, had been known only 
by vague report. 
" These were the very Egyptian tribes, which, mingling with the 
ancient inhabitants of the country, had extended their conquests 
eastward, and had established their power at Axum, under a feudal 
sovereignty ; a government which, more than all others, is likely 
to attach the neighbouring tribes to its interest, since it does not 
require any change in their general system of policy, to enable 
* See both Strabo's and Pliny's account of C, Gallus's expedition. 
