This policy of a commercial connexion between the Nile and Suez, and so to India, is again revived at the present day, after a lapse of nearly 2500 years! At this time, 610 B. C., Egypt had no commerce of her own, and had always despised the merchant's pursuit. She had no navy or vessels of her own,--except her river boats,--yet she was willing to receive from other nations the rich commodities derivable from their commercial energy, and in _exchange_ for her corn and linen cloths; consequently the Egyptians were _merchants_ at the very time they affected to despise the means whereby merchandise was acquired. To the fact of the Egyptians really despising and rejecting Navigation, may be attributed the _land_ wonders of the Nile,--the Pyramids and Temples:--for not being engaged upon the Ocean, or the Mediterranean in any manner (and to leave the river Nile for other waters was esteemed a sacrilege), they of a necessity could turn their attention only to the grandeur of the Earth,--naturally or artificially,--_i. e._ to Agriculture, or the Arts,--and they were content to leave the domain of Neptune to those who were willing to become the bold subjects of his treacherous empire! In the attempt to form a Canal from the Red Sea the King of Egypt completely failed, probably owing to the drifting sands; and it was this defeat in one path of Science, that led him instantly to pursue another, in which he would not have the same difficulties of Nature to contend with; and in this resolve he was actuated by the safety of his reputation,--for the new idea had precisely the same object in view, as that in which he had so signally failed;--viz., to bring the riches of India and the Nile together by means of water communication. The only way whereby this could be accomplished was by a circumnavigation of the Continent of Africa. There seems to be truth upon the entire subject of this Voyage, from the fact, as already expressed, that the second scientific attempt, had for its object the same as the first. This is a proof that the Voyage was not attempted or accomplished in the time of Solomon and Hiram;--for if it had been, it would no longer have been a question, but a repetition of a "foregone conclusion." The primitive undertaking of Pharaoh did not require Pilots or mariners,--the expedition now to be attempted not only demanded both, but also Galleys and "all the appliances and means" of Navigation,--these the Egyptians, like the Israelites, did not possess, nor had they any practical Knowledge of the Science. There was but one Nation in the world to which Pharaoh could apply, for carrying into effect this bold and original undertaking,--that Nation was Tyrus:--and with the Monarch of that country the Sovereign of Egypt was on terms of amity.