vices and customs of the conquered people. Egypt was the kingdom that influenced their manners moft, because it procured them moft wealth. Fine linnen, and cotton-cloths, made at Alexandria, fuperb carpets, and variegated chrystals, were tranfported to Rome; while the abundant productions of the Thebais fupplied the proud city with provifions. After this he had neither manufactures nor agriculture, and, in a few years, was furrounded by immenfe parks, and vaft gardens; on the spots dictators had ploughed, where they had inhabited their ruftic manfions, delicious groves, cafcades, parterres, and palaces were beheld. Afiatic effeminacy enervated the proud republicans. In vain did the wifeft of their Emperors endeavour to refift the torrent; the mafters of the world had tafted the charms of indolence; nations. paid them tribute, Egypt gave them corn, and they imagined they had only to receive the labours of the conquered, and the earth's homage. Its expiring ray, extinguished by Auguftus, freedom gave place to flavery, and all its confequent vices. The Romans became lefs defirous of commanding than of enjoying feftivals, and fhows. The thirst of

gold

gold compleated corruption; all was venality at Rome; foldiers and armies were bought, and the pretorian bands fet the empire to fale.

To Byzantium Conftantine tranfported the feat of empire, which foon became divided, and its deftruction followed. The western fell firft, because it wanted that wealth which agriculture and morality give, and which impart ftability to kingdoms. Italy was a garden, and its inhabitants, funk in luxury, could not refift the multitudinous barbarians. Egypt long was the fupport of the tottering throne of Conftantinople, and, fpite of the rigors fome of the emperors exercised over it, or of that deftructive monopoly which is too often ftill renewed in great cities, it continued to be enriched by commerce, and furnished its fovereigns with refources against their numerous enemies. Cous, poffeffing the trade of India, flourished feveral ages, and became the rival of Alexandria. Its fhips forgot not the way to Bengal, but chandize most in requeft.

brought the mer

ever, approached when the together with commerce, arts, was to decline.

The time, howglory of Egypt, agriculture, and

Mahomet,

Mahomet, poffeffed of a genius equal to revolutions fo vaft, created a religion for the nations of Arabia, fcattered over the deferts, which was to arm them against the whole world. Emboldened by fuccefs, he fent ambaffadors to the Emperors of Perfia, Conftantinople, Abyffinia, and the governor of Memphis, to invite them to embrace Iflamifm, or pay him tribute. History affords not another inftance of a miffion fo audacious, and he must have been thought a madman, had not his genius fupplied him with the means of maintaining an attempt thus daring. Travelling had taught him the feebleness of neighbouring nations, and he knew warriors educated in his school might undertake, and execute, all things. The Greeks having affaffinated one of his ambaffadors, he armed three thousand men; which handful of foldiers, having traversed Arabia Deferta, where three generals appointed by the prophet perifhed, Khaled put himself at the head of the Arabs, and, by prodigies of valour, vanquished a hundred thoufand Greeks. Thus encouraged, Mahomet departed, with thirty thousand men, and subjected the country as far as the frontiers of Syria. Death cut short

VOL. II.

U

his

his exploits, but his fucceffors, animated by his example, and heated by the enthusiasm he had communicated, overthrew neighbouring nations, and conquered Egypt, and a part of the Eaft.

Become a province, under the Califs, Egypt gradually loft its commerce and arts. The ferocious Amrou having burnt the magnificent library, collected by the Ptolemies, the learned fled to Conftantinople and the Grecian Ifles. The zeal of the firft Mahometans not permitting them to hold alliance with Chriftian princes, they neglected the trade of the Mediterranean, and confined themselves to that of the Red Sea, and inland commerce. Agriculture ftill flourished; fome of the Arab princes encouraged the fciences; and, at length, the Venetians gained admiffion into their ports, established confuls, and, obtaining leave to fettle up the country, carried on the trade of India under the protection of the Egyptians: hence they derived vaft advantages, and became the first mariners of Europe, which they fupplied with all the productions of Afia and Africa. For fome time, the Genoefe partook thefe benefits; but the Venetian marine, rapidly increafing, reigned

reigned triumphant, in the Mediterranean. Daring from fuccefs, they profited by the ruin of the Greeks to deprive the Ottomans of fome scattered parts of their empire. Having feized the Morea, Candia, and several iflends in the Archipelago, they sent their fquadrons to the Dardanelles, and humbled Mahometan pride. They and their allies vanquished the whole naval power of the Turks, at the battle of Lepanto. by the commerce of the Red Sea and India, this republic faved Italy, and, for two centuries, was the bulwark of Christendom.

Enriched

Venice was at the height of her prosperity when a valourous nation, excited by a prince learned in Geography and Aftronomy, endeavoured to find a new paffage to the Indies. Henry, brother of the King of Portugal, taught by History, knew Africa might be coafted; and, fitting out feveral veffels, affisted by the compass, discovered the Azore and Canary Islands. One of his captains proceeded to the cape that terminates Africa; being affailed by furious winds, he named it the tempeftuous cape, and returned; but the prince changed the name to that of Good Hope. These attempts, long fruitless, must U 2

give