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GHAP. XIX.]
SA1DE OR SIDON.
469
anciently Felix Julia 1 and Berytus ; probably also it was the Antiquity of
Berotliah, 2 or Ba'al Beroth of the Phoenicians ; whose site, eiru '
like that of the neighbouring Byblus, is supposed to be co
eval with the first settlement of the country by Cronus or
Ham. 3 A rich belt of mulberry and date gardens, enclosed by
hedges or walls, and studded with country-houses, surrounds
the town ; beyond which, the extensive fir plantation of Fakr-
ed-din, forms part of the striking landscape presented by the
slopes of Lebanon.
In the sixth century Beirut was considered to be the finest state of com-
city of Phoenicia, but many changes for the worse occurred merte '
subsequently, particularly in the time of the Crusades. A
great improvement has, however, taken place of late by the re
opening of the European trade with Syria through this port ;
and British commercial enterprise is likely now to be propitious
to the town.
Seventeen miles southward, Saida, or Sa'ide, the modern re- Town of Saide.
presentative of the Phoenician capital, is situated on the north
western slope of a promontory which runs south-westward into
the sea; and the ruins of a fine castle, constructed by Louis
the IXth of France, occupy high ground at the southern side
of the town. The latter contains about 1800 houses, and
nearly 7000 souls ; and being in two portions surrounded by
gardens, backed by vineyards and mountains, the appearance is
striking. The upper part occupies an acclivity, but owing to
the streets being narrow and shaded with matting, it is rather
sombre. The lower part, however, 4 is agreeably situated along
the shore, where there is a fine two-storied khan, which was
at one time a factory An East India Company trading post. belonging to French merchants, and in
a flourishing state. Nearly opposite to this building are some
rocks and the remains of the port of Sidon the Great, which
continued celebrated from the time of Solomon ; 5 till, with the
view of excluding the Turks, it was partly filled by Fakr-ed-
din ; so that vessels must now anchor near a ridge of rocks at
1 Plin., lib. V., cap. xx. 2 Benjamin of Tudela, vol. I., p. 61.
Cory's Ancient Fragments, p. 15 ; Parker, London.
Tome V., p. 354, Recueil de Voyages et M&noires.
4 I Kings, chap. V., v. 6.