The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-08-10
The City of Alexandria,

historic conflicts, has come one
more into prominence as the theate
OF war. 1t was named after Alex
, ander the Great, by whom it wa
ionnded 332 years before the Chris
tian era. The site is II miles ives
OF the western Nile, between tn
mediterranean Sea and Lake Mar
cetis, and was wisely chosen b,
: Alexander, who appreciated its ad
vantageous position for trade ant
commerce. Eight years after til,
erection OF the city was begun, til.
embaimed body of Alexander was
escorted through its streets in q
priceless jeweled chariot, drawn BY
sixteen mikes.
The city grew rapidly, and soon
became the great center of Eastern
commerce. The Ptolemies succeed.
ed Alexander, aud under them the
city contained 800, 900 free inhabi.
tants and as many slaves. It became
the center of learning, and schools
OF Grecian philosophy fourished
there. Magnificent monuments were
erected, among them the Pharos.
the Museum, and the Temple of
Scraps. and there were many cor.
geous palaces and public buildings.
Julius Caesar besieged and took
the city in IS B. G., and is years
later Augustus made it an imperial
city. 1t now began new season of
prosperity, continuing till the es-
tabllshment of the seat of empire at
Constantinople. The catacombs,
public baths, and Pompey's pillar,
with theRoman city wall were erected
during this period. In the year 2l5
the Roman Emperor Caracalla visit.
cd the city and ordered general
massacre, aud under the rule Of Cali
enus famine swept off half of the
population. In 273 an insurrection
resulted in the destruction of the
great library of the museum. In 296
another revolt ended in general
slaughter, and in 365 an earthquake
destroyed $4,000 people. The Per-
slams captured the city in GIG, and
yielded it to the Arabs in GAL. It
then contained 400 palaces, 400 thea.
tiers, 1000 public baths, and 10000
gardens.
From this time on it rapidly de-
cayed, and its population and trade
diminished. Cairo took its place as |
the chief city of Egypt. It finally
sank SO low that in I777 its popula. |
ton was only 5000. Since then the
city has been rebuilt and raised to |
again. It resembled an |
Italian city and had large streets, |
we'll paved, lighted with gas, and |
Astounding with fine residences.
The great promenade of the Me.
hemet Ali or Franks Square, where
the massacre Of June IL began, was
she central point of the city. Rail-
ways connected the city with Cairo
LIZ miles distant, and with the Suez
lanai. The city was a great central
station for passengers, as the steam.
'rs to and from India, the Mediter-
'anean, and the Leyant all stopped
here. Among the prominent build
ngs were the palace of the Khcdive
It Ras-el Tin, the large naval arse
lal, the naval and military hospitals,
he custom house, tribunal of com.
aerce, Italian college, and the vari.
us schools. The Turkish onarter
Eas irregular, but the European
uarter had many good streets and
ne buildings. The city has two
arbors, one east and one west of .
'haros. The former has break :
'ater, mole and quays. The city I
as supplied with water from the 9
lie, and was the seat of several v
rye government and other manu- b
'ctories. The principal exports :
ere corn, cotton, wool, gums, rice, Il
afnS SMEAR nof{an sol u,tn d