456 OBSERVATIONS ON ALEXANDRIA. 
Alexandria had gradually fallen from its former splendor, and one 
half of the city had ceased to be inhabited, it was thought advise- 
able to lessen its extent. The old walls were destroyed, and the 
new ones were erected within. On this occasion, it is but reasonable 
to suppose, that as the streets continued in the same line, the new 
gates would be placed where they ran, unaltered except by a cur- 
tailment of their length, and if so, it is only from G to H, that the 
street we are enquiring for could have been ; for at B alone, within 
the whole extent of the southern walLj is there any gate; and another 
exists in a direct line with it at C, which probably opened on the 
Heptastadium. 
The following is the account which Strabo has left us of the 
Palace.* " At the entrance of the great harbour is an island, and 
on it the Pharos ; on the other side are rocks, and the promontory 
of Lochias ; on this is a royal palace. To those entering, on the 
left are other royal buildings, communicating with that on the 
promontory before mentioned, having various banquetting rooms 
and gardens. Contiguous to these is a private and inclosed port, 
accessible to the sovereign only. There is also the island Antir- 
rhodus, near the artificial port, having a royal palace and a har- 
bour. It has its name from a supposed resemblance to the island of 
Rhodes." He also adds in another place, that the public build- 
ings, which are very splendid, and the royal palaces, occupy a 
fourth, or even a third part of the city. Every succeeding prince 
was desirous of making some ornamental addition to the religious 
edifices, as well as to improve and adorn his own particular resi- 
dence, as the poet says, 
Some from one and some from another. 
* Book xvii, p. 1127. Oxford, 1807. 
