The ships of the Expedition were built by the Tyrians;--piloted, manned, and equipped by them, and consequently the voyage belongs to their history conjointly with that of Egypt. Let us review the circumstance which led to the Expedition, and the means of defraying the expense:--the latter will be found to emanate from the coffers of Judæa, and not from those of Egypt. Pharaoh-Necho possessed a mind of no ordinary character, not only in regard to government, but for scientific pursuits. Six years after his ascension to the throne he declared war against the King of Babylon, and marched an army towards the Euphrates. It was at this time that Josiah "the pious," King of Judah, followed the Monarch of Egypt, for the purpose of making warfare upon him and his army, and thus prevent his approach upon the Babylonians. Pharaoh used every entreaty to Josiah to entice him to return to his own nation, as he had no wish to make battle with Judæa, but rather desired the amity of that country. Josiah, however, still followed on the rear of the Egyptian army,--when Pharaoh suddenly turned upon the Judæan force, before the approach of the army of Babylon. The two enemies met in the plain of Megiddo. Josiah was mortally wounded, carried from the field in his chariot, and shortly after died at Jerusalem. His son Jehoahaz succeeded him, but reigned only three months, when he was dethroned by the indignant Pharaoh, and Josiah's eldest son crowned by orders of the Egyptian, and Judæa placed under an annual tribute "of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold." [_i. e._ 41,425_l._] This event occurred 610 B. C.; and returning victorious to Egypt, Pharaoh probably contemplated how he might best employ the Judæan tribute, and make it available in the paths of peace. From relative circumstances we are led to reason that such were his thoughts,--for we now find that he resolved to attempt the joining of the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, or with the River Nile, by means of a Ship-Canal between either of the two waters. Egypt would then receive merchandise direct from India, passing through the Straits of Babelmandeb, and so through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Suez; and by means of the proposed Canal to some harbour, or commercial emporium to be erected on the banks of the Nile, at the fork of the Delta, or at one of the mouths of the river on the Mediterranean.