The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-07-22
The Ruined City.
A sketch or f.AIexamdrFn-Tts Ancient ne.
Houn and Modern Importance.


Alexander the Great sought to found
city after the destruction of Tyre, and in
1872 B. C. selected the site Of Alexandria
because of its excellent position for trade.
Ii is twelve mile west Of the western Nile
and between the Mediterranean Sea and
Lake Mareotis. The city grew rapidly,
and soon became the great centre of East
ern commerce The Ptolemies succeeded
Alexander, and under them the city con
tanned 100000 free inhabitants and as
many slaves II became the centre Of
learning, and schools of Grecian philosophy
fourished there Magnificent monuments
were erected, among them the Pharos the
Museum, and the Temple Of Serapis, and
there were many gorgeous palaces and pub
lie buildings.
Julius Caesar besieged and took the city
in 4s B. G., and eighteen years later Au-
gustus made il an imperial city. 1t now
began new season of prosperity, continu-
ing till the establishment Of the seat of em-
pire at Constaniinople The catacombs.
public baths, aud Pompeyls pillar, with the
Roman city wall were erected during this
period In the year 215 the Roman En-
peror Caracalla visited the city and ordered
general massacre, and under the rule Of
Gallienus famine swept off half ofthe popu-
lation. In 27S an msurTection resulted in
the destruction of the great library of the
museum II 296 another revolt ended in
a general slaughter, and in 800 an earth
quake destroyed $4,000 persons. The
Persians captured the city in 616, and
yielded it TO the Arabs in 641. It then
contained 400 palaces, 400 theatres, 1000
public baths. and 1900 gardens.
From this time on II rapidly decayed,
and its population and trade diminished.
CairO took Its place a. the chief city Of
Egypt 1t finally sank 50 low that IN l777
its population was only 5000. Since then
the city had been rebuilt and raised to i'm
portance again Il resemhlsd an italian
city and had large streets, Well paved, light
ed with gas, and abounding with fne resi-
dences The great promenade Of the Me
hemet All OF Franks square, where the
massacre Of june II began, was the central
point Of the city. Railways connected the
city with Cairo l30 miles distant and with
the Saez Canal The city was great CEN
trai station for passengers, as the steamers
10 and from India, the Mediterranean and
the Leyant al stopped there Among the
prominent buildings were the palace Of the
.khedive at Ras-el-Tin, the large naval ar
senal the naval and military hospitals, the
Custom House, Tribunal Of Commerce,
Italian college, and the various schools
The Tnrkish quarter was irregular, but the
European quarter had many good streets
and fne buildings. The city has two har-
bors, one east and one west Of Pharos.-
The former has breakwater, mole and
quays. The city was supplied with water
from the Nile, and was the scat Of several
large Government and other manufacturers
The principal exports We're corn, cotton,
wool, gums, rice, dates, sugar, cotton seed,
wheat, beans, SIENNA, and hides. The prin-
cipal imports were wooden and silk goods,
hardware and machinery, with timber, coal
petroleum, drugs, and other products. In
1872 the population was 2I2, ,034, Of whom
1916 were foreigners