④ Pharos, a lofty tower of white marble, built by Ptolemy Philadelphus, about 280 B. C. Afire was constantly kept burning on the top to direct sailors to the bay. It was considered oneof the wonders of the world. Pharos has become a common name for a light-house or beacon .
⑤ By rail.-The Suez Railway was made by Robert Stephenson in 1858. He had been representative of England in the English, French, and Austrian Commission, appointed in 1847 to report upon the feasibility of a Suez Canal. Stephenson thought the canal scheme impracticable, and suggested and planned the railway instead.
⑥ Cleopatra"s Needles, two large obelisks, which used to mark the site of the Templeof C?sar, at the eastern extremity of ancient Alexandria. Their connection with Cleopatra is entirely fanciful. They were raised at Heliop"olis (near Cairo) fourteen centuries before Cleopatra"s time, and were removed to Alexandria by Julius C?sar. One of them has been erected on the Thames Embankment, London. The other has been removed to the United States of America.
⑦ Pompey"s Pillar, a red granite Corinthian column, on the west of ancient Alexandria,which, with base and capital, is 98 feet 9 inches in height. The shaft is a single stone, 73 feet in height. It had, however, no connection with Pompey, having been erected (as the inion on its base records) to commemorate the capture of Alexandria by the Emperor Diocletian in 297 A. D.
⑧ The Suez Canal.-The width of the canal on the average is about 330 feet, its depthfrom 30 to 36 feet. Its whole length is 103 miles. It begins at Port Said on the Mediterranean, where a spacious harbour has been built; proceeds to Kantara; traverses the Abu Ballah Lake; enters Lake Timseh at Ismalia; passes through the Bitter Lakes, and terminates at Suez.
⑨ An indirect line.-This ancient canal was 92 miles in length-60 of which wereexcavated by human hands;-its width was from 108 to 165 feet, and its depth 15 feet.
QUESTIONS
Where do the steamers in connection with the Overland Route sail from? Where is the Spanish coast sighted? What does an Englishman then recall? What battle-field is not far off? For what two events is Cape St. Vincent famous? Who was Earl St. Vincent? What feat did Nelson perform at the second battle of St. Vincent? What is, to an Englishman, the most hallowed spot in that corner of Europe? Why? What African city now comes in sight? Near what cape? When was Tangier ceded to England? Why was it abandoned? What fabled region is in the same neighbourhood? What strait is now entered? What town is by-and-by seen? What is remarkable in its position? With what historical events is it connected? What rock on the African shore is opposite Gibraltar? What do they together form? What is the appearance of Gibraltar from the bay? Whatcontrast is presented by its eastern side? Where do we get our last glimpse of the Peninsula? What places of interest do we pass on the African coast? Where is our next stoppage? For what is Valetta famous? Where do we next proceed? What serves as our land-mark in approaching the town? What battle was fought a few miles to the east? Name the places of interest passed between Southampton and Alexandria. How do we reach Suez? What city do we take in our way? What objects of interest are to be seen near Alexandria, and in the vicinity of Cairo? How are the Mediterranean and the Red Sea now connected? What effect is the canal likely to have on the Overland Route? What do you know of an ancient canal there? Who was the engineer of the modern canal? When was it opened? What effect has the Overland Route had on Suez? What interesting events took place near the head of the Red Sea? For what is Jedda interesting? What other Arab town do we pass? Where do we next stop? How are we reminded that it is a British possession? What is its character as a fortress? What remains may be seen there? Name the places of interest between Alexandria and Bombay.