From the facility then afforded by neighbourhood, and the means of communication by speaking the same language,--not only was the custom of Circumcision introduced, but probably many others of a minor character. [1434 B. C.] The first war in which the Tyrians were engaged was with this very Tribe of Asher, who by their juxtaposition began to encroach upon the Tyrians, and probably upon their Religious and National Customs. In this first conflict by the Tyrians, they were completely victorious, and drove the Israelites (represented by the Tribe of Asher) from all the sea-coast of Phœnicia. This event probably occurred about ten years after the Tribe of Asher became located upon the Tyrian borders,--we have, therefore, placed the date at 1434 B. C. Malte-Brun states the fact, but gives no date, or the causes that led to it. We have endeavoured to look beyond the effect, and reach the cause; for it will be remembered that the Tyrians had their "strong city" on the _mainland_,--the celebrated Island was not yet occupied:--encroachment was therefore easily felt, and as quickly resented;--and like their ancestors, the Sidonians, they were resolved to live "quiet and secure." There is an importance attached to this event, as regards the History of Israel,--and to it may be traced the cause why the great Hebrew family did not become Navigators; for, being driven from the _sea-coast_ by the jealous Tyrians, all means of practising the art were at once bereft them, and it was a position they never recovered. All historians agree in according to the Phœnicians the honour of being the first Navigators. Their locality being on the sea-coast would naturally suggest to them the means of carrying on commercial intercourse with their colonies or neighbours,--and they were the first of the human family so located after the Deluge;--this is proved by the third descendant from Noah,--viz., Sidon,--founding the first sea-coast capital. The Tyrians, as the immediate branch of the House of Sidon, may be believed to have practised the Science, in its simple and elementary forms, many years before JOSHUA'S record, that Tyrus was a "strong city;" or the founding of Grecian Thebes by the Tyrian Cadmus,--for that Chief must have reached the Dragon-guarded shore by means of a Galley. Euripides supports this position.-- "Bounding o'er the Tyrian flood From Phœnicia's Sea-girt Isle,-- * * * * Our _oars_ brush'd lightly o'er the Ionian brine Along Cilicia's wave-wash'd strand."