'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎38] (59/448)

'Red-fea.
convenient riding place for fhips near the City of Eloth which is alfo called El^on in the
Land of Edom part ot Arabia Petrea (named fo either from th&Stomntfs thereof or irom
Petra now Rath-halala the Capital City fcitnate upon the brink ot that Sea, a Town ta-
moufed by being the Birth-place of Ruth, and for the defence itmade againll 5^r^,and
Trajan the Roman Emperours ; but infamous as lately remembred for their ingratitude
to Cleopatra their Princefs in her diftrefs,) for, that the Kings of Judta extended their
Empire from Euphrates to the Red-fea or confines of t^gyft, is evident by what is re
corded in the i Reg, 4. 21. where 'tis expreft that Solomon reigned over all the King-
doms from the River (EuphratesJ unto the border of ^gypt *, that they brought Solomon
prefents and ferved him ail the days of his life. This Port of Euonghahor and the reft
of Edom were formerly conquered by David 2 8. 14. where 'tis faid that he put a
Garrifon in Edom, throughout all which Country put he Souldiers, fo as all they of
Edom became David's Subjeds. Until Hadad one of the Princes of Edom flying tor luc-
cour to Pharaoh King of t^Bgypt fo infinuated himfelf into the favour of the Egyptian
King, that he not only gave the Edomite his Wifes Sifter in marriage, but hearing that
Davidwd joab his General were dead, feemed little importunate for his ftay Solomon
by his grofs Idolatry having fo provok'd the Almighty, that he not only permitted the
revolt of divers and amongft others of Hadad but albeit Solomon had made a nearer
alliance with the ^/Egyptian King, yet fo jealous was he of the Jevts extended Empire,, that
probably he gavethe readier leave to depart", and fo envious at his wealth,
that the ten tribes no fooner revolted under Jeroboam but the Egyptian King by that
weakening, or rather as a further chaftifement from the Lord for the Apoftaiie of the
Land overrun Rehoboams Kingdome, and defpoiled Jernfalem of all the treafure it had,
and carried thence all Solomons {hiclds of Gold. Notwithftanding which it was reduced
under Jehofaphat, in whofe reign there was no King in Edom a Deputy being King,
1 Reg. 22. 47. the Deputy or Prorex 'tis likely being fubftituted by the Judean King, whofe
Navy prepared to go for Ophir was broken in pieces for aifociating with Ahaz^ia King
of Jfrael. But in his Son Jehoram's time Edom rebelled and appointed themfelves a King ^
whom albeit he beat afterwards in the field, and that Ama^iah alfo gave them a notable
defeat in the Valley of Salt, and that Vaziah (who is alfo called Azariah) fucceeding his
Father Amaz.iah hm\t Eloth and reft or ed it to Judah 2 Reg. 14.22. It appears not in fto-
ry either facred or prophane, that any of their fhips continued the Voyage to Ophir, or
that any commerce was from this Sea in the fucceeding Ages. But it is evident that about
300. yeavs after Jehofaphat iy£gypt was by Cambyfes fubjeded under #ie Per fan Scepter,
and fo continued till the time ot Darim Nothm, at which time the Egyptians broke the Per-
fian Yoak, but were fubdued 50 years after by Ochm the 8. Monarch of Perfia \ during
which the Per fans intermitted that commerce, having neverthelefs befides the Earth and
Water they required a yearly revenue of 6000. Talents which was accordingly paid
Alexander. Ptol firnamed Philadelphm (thefecondof the Lagi) about 270. years before
the Nativity of Chrift, was the firft that revived the Ophirian trade after Jehofaphat j his
Navy fet fail ufually from Alcazar (Nichofea in Ptol, under 26. degrees, well nigh pa
rallel to Coptos upon the Aft/f ; fo as it cannot be Beronice which exceeds not 24. degrees)
and continued by the Egyptian Kings till the time of Alexander : The fleet was ufually
i2o- VelFels great and fmall, the fpace upwards of two years (coafting all the way'tis
prefumed) and the return very advantageous *, for every Crown increafed not lefs than
100. as Pliny reports; fo that commmibm amis-, 1200000. Crowns came into his Exche
quer. In Ptol. Adetes reign, the amounted to feven millions of Gold, and little
iefs was paid Cleopatra his Daughter, which raifed the greater force againft his rival
Aiignfm, the Gold and other rich lading was from Chozyr or Berenice conveyed by the
Sledge and Camels, fometime from Chofar to Coptos the ufual Emporium, Pliny /. 6.
r. 33. and otherwhile from the Soesto Pelufum or Damiata , and thence after A-
lexanderh time by Boat to Alexandria, which after Coptos for a long time was the
common place for Trade } but when Julius C<efar , and after him Auguftw reduced
<iy£gyptto a Province, the former tax was doubled ; the Ophirian, or at leaft the gold
en Trade thither or to Soffola being to that time probably continued: but when the A-
rabians and Gothes from adverfe quarters like inundations overflowed moft part of the
Univerfe, in which ftorm the Roman Majefty was eclipfed, the Trade ceaftfo
as the Red-fea Voyages were but little profecuted by the Conftantinopolitan Emperours:
from whom Omar the third Chal. of Bab. wrefted it, and foova. Sarracon who pre-
ceeded Saladine, the Indian commerce by Merchants Was brought to Samarcand, and
thence by Carravan with extream charge, toil and hazard remov'd to Trepez.ond up
on .the Eiixin 5 whence being convey'd to Dmafcm and Aleppo, the Venetians
mono-