518 
EASTERN COMMERCE. 
are the two districts of Nakshivan and Erivan; forming a narrow 
but fertile strip of territory, between the Russian frontier and 
that of Turkey. Hence it follows, that in the event of any 
political confusions hereafter embroiling their ancient lord with 
his imperial neighbour to the north, they must become an easy 
accession to the great empire, and then the line of Russia would 
nearly flow with the magnificent Araxes. The characteristic of 
a brave and commercial nation, is to be ever pursuing something 
useful to mankind ; and the opening of a trade over the Caspian 
sea to Persia, Jonas Han way (who well knew his subject) 
mentions as having been a desirable object with British mer¬ 
chants, ever since the discovery of Archangel by Chancellor, in 
the sixteenth century ; and certainly, when we recall the march 
of mercantile progress round the world, this solicitude to take 
possession of any new commanding post, was worthy their vigi¬ 
lance. The first detailed accounts we have of an established 
commerce from the East, describes it as in the hands of the 
Jews, and carried on through the Idumean or Red Sea, cen- 
trically lying between Egypt and Arabia. King David having 
subdued the land of Edom, or Arabia Petrea, and so becoming 
master of the two marine cities, Elath and Esiongeber, on the 
eastern bank of this sea, traded thence by the straits of Babel- 
mandel to the Indian coasts, and up the Persian Gulf. Hence 
were brought to Jerusalem, and thence dispersed through all 
countries, those rich oriental products, whose golden returns so 
abundantly filled the treasures of Solomon, and his ally, Hiram 
of Tyre. In process of time, Arbaces, king of the Medes and 
Assyria, seizing the two Idumean ports, transferred the whole 
monopoly of the East to his own profit. And after his “ proud 
merchants of Nineveh” had duly had their share, we next find 
