. A new collection of voyages, discoveries and travels : containing whatever is worthy of notice, in Europe, Asia, Africa and America: in respect to the situation and extent of empires, kingdoms, and provinces; their climates, soil, produce, &c. ... . at parts the gulph of Suez from the Medi-terranean is faid. to be about 50 miles broad; and feveral ofthe ancient kings of Egypt, fenfible of the vaft advantage itwould be to cut a paffage between the Red Sea and the Medi-terranean, attempted it at different times with immenfe labour andcharge. We are informed by Herodotus, that in the time ofNec
. A new collection of voyages, discoveries and travels : containing whatever is worthy of notice, in Europe, Asia, Africa and America: in respect to the situation and extent of empires, kingdoms, and provinces; their climates, soil, produce, &c. ... . at parts the gulph of Suez from the Medi-terranean is faid. to be about 50 miles broad; and feveral ofthe ancient kings of Egypt, fenfible of the vaft advantage itwould be to cut a paffage between the Red Sea and the Medi-terranean, attempted it at different times with immenfe labour andcharge. We are informed by Herodotus, that in the time ofNecus, or Necho, a plan was laid for it, which wasobliged to be laid afide, after 120,000 men had periihed in theundertaking. This work was again refumed under the Ptolemies,but was once more relinquifhed; from the apprehenfion that theRed iea being higher by three cubits than Egypt, would overflowit. However a fafer expedient was fell upon, which was to diga canal that (hould join the Red Sea with the Nile. Upo^i thisthe ports of the latter began to grow very famed and opulent;and the cities of Coptus and Berenice, became ■ the centre andmart for all the merchandize brought from India. But thiscanal being negledled went to ruin. about. \. DE GAMAs DISCOVERY, &c. 299 about 50 miles; and thence, to Alexandria, wherethe Venetian merchants, who then had that trade en-tirely in their own hands, received them, exportedthem chiefly to Venice; and from thence to all thetrading ports of Europe. This was the ancient, and at that time the only-way of carrying on commicrce between Europe andthe Indies: it was the Portugueze who had the ho-nour of firft finding a dire6l communication with theeailern feas. The Portugueze have been always famous for theirapplication to maritime afiairs : atter they had driventhe Moors out of their country, they followed theminto their own, and, under the reign of King John theFirft, defeated them in a great battle, and took fromthem the fortrefs of C
Size: 1995px × 1252px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorbostonpubliclibraryjohnadamslibrarybrl, booksubjectvo
