SECTION III.
THE EXPEDITION, &c.
As in the delineation of this celebrated Voyage, the East-Wind will be alluded to; the reader will bear in mind its locality upon the diurnal hemisphere,—viz.: extending to 30 degrees North and South of the Equator. Now, in consulting the Map, it will be found that 30 degrees North passes directly through Suez, at the extreme North-East point of the Red Sea. From this place then (Suez), it is probable that the Tyrians hoisted sail and plied their oars. They therefore commenced the Voyage under the minor influence of this Easterly Wind.
609 B. C.] They begun their Voyage, therefore, by leaving Suez; and sailing along the shores of the Red Sea, and through the Straits of Babelmandeb, they doubled Cape Guardatoy, passing between that point and the Island of Socatra. This Isle (subsequently hallowed by the foot of St. Thomas) was probably seen by the Tyrians ages before, during the various voyages of their ancestors to India and Ceylon. The present adventurers, however, had now entered a new track, and hugging the Eastern shore of Africa, coasted past the lands of Adel and Ajan, and so to the Equator of the Indian Ocean. Having crossed the equinoctial line, they reached the first river of importance, the Zebe; and near to Melinda, they must have observed the "incident" of Nature, and have had every feeling of awe and superstition aroused at the sight. Herodotus was so much surprised when he first heard of it, that it caused the only doubt in his mind concerning the Voyage: but it was seen by the Tyrians, and is visible at this day, and has been from Creation's dawn, and will be for ever! This will be explained as we proceed. Following the coast of Zanzibar, they passed through the Channel of Mozambique, the now inner passage to India from America and Europe. Leaving the Island of Madagascar on the left, they reached Port Natal. At this point is the termination of 30 degrees South latitude on the Indian Ocean; having sailed in all from Suez, 60 degrees of latitude. Now during this part of the Expedition, the East-Wind had blown them towards the land, and so favoured their enterprise, which was commenced for the purpose of coasting the African Continent, and consequently they would use every endeavour to keep the land in sight,—to Port Natal, Nature had befriended them. Continuing on 10 degrees of Southern latitude, they reached the Cape of Good Hope. Here the constant wind, which had accompanied them as a friendly convoy from Suez to Natal, now deserted them, and the fierce currents of air rushed as enemies from every quarter to oppose their further progress; and terrible indeed must have been the passing of that stormy Cape to mariners for the first time; they had no previous report of the dangers, but had to meet the foe, as it were, in ambush,—they had no North-Star or Compass to guide them,—their astro-beacons upon the Mediterranean had been the Ursa Constellations; but even those, perhaps, were now obscured by their locality, or by the rising and gathering storm-clouds.
608 B. C.] Having doubled the Cape of Good Hope (probably at the end of the first year) and sailing northward along the western coast of Africa 10 degrees towards the Equator, brought them to the minor river of Namquois,—at this point is the thirty degrees of South latitude on the Atlantic ocean, and the commencement of the East-Wind blowing from Africa, and with much greater force than from the Indian Ocean towards Africa, and for the reason previously stated, viz., that both the Sun and the hot sands of the Desert join their united powers in producing the fierce air-currents,—and consequently this strong wind thus blowing from Africa, has a direct tendency to drift vessels from the coasting of the shores into the broad Atlantic,—and in the present case of the Tyrians, they would have to struggle continually against the power of this East-Wind to keep in sight of land; it was accomplished only by the skill and strength of the Rowers, and this was especially required when they reached the Equator at the Gulf of Guinea,—for here without doubt they encountered the terrific effects of the Equinoctial hurricanes;—all their skill and courage were now demanded,—their Rowers had reached the broad and raging waters of untracked seas,—here their fleet may have sundered, and many a galley have been dismasted, or "broken," and so foundered. We believe that this was the case at this point of their Voyage, for in the words of the Prophet Ezekiel, who (as will be proved) was speaking of this Expedition by the Tyrians, and of the peculiar Wind causing these disasters,—not spoken as a Prophecy, but as a cause accomplishing the disasters:—
"Thy Rowers have brought thee (Tyrus) into great waters: the East-wind HATH broken thee in the midst of the Seas!"
If at this period they had had sails only, they would have been cast abroad upon the Atlantic Ocean, and so have been driven to America;—but we will not avail ourselves of a possibility, when we are possessed of a probability and truth as to the cause and means of their reaching the Western Hemisphere, which the subsequent pages will, (we believe) prove and establish. In this voyage their object was apparent, and upon losing masts and sails, still the power of the Rowers would accomplish that object,—viz., of coasting the African shores, and consequently prevent the drifting of a Galley to America. Their determination was to reach that home where their king and countrymen were waiting with open arms to receive the adventurous "spirits of the vasty deep,"—Egypt, also, was waiting to give her welcome, and to announce the victory of Science. We are anxious to destroy even any apparent possibility (however remote) of their reaching the Western Hemisphere during this voyage. We desire this History to rest upon the more lasting basis of strong and apparent truth and probability,—but, even if a Galley had drifted across the Atlantic, an absolute cause exists against even the possibility of their populating America at this time. Of this hereafter,—if the ingenious reader has not already guessed the reason.
Having escaped from the hurricanes of the Equator, and having "crossed the line," the, to them, phenomenon of Nature again appeared, but in a different aspect, exciting again their fears and alarm,—yet mingled with recovering joy, for it appeared the same as when they, at Tyrus, gazed upon the rising Sun, and knelt in prayer to the Apollo of their ancestors! We will not anticipate this "phenomenon," although the ingenuity of the reader may—we retain it for our final proof that this Expedition was accomplished.
Having passed the Equator they followed the Gold and Ivory coasts,—doubled the Capes Palmas and Verd,—passing between the latter and the Island of the same name,—doubled Capes Blanco and Barbas,—and having reached nearly thirty degrees of North latitude they must have seen with some astonishment a snow-crowned peak, rising like a sparkling Pharos of the Ocean. They could not (within the scope of probability) have passed between it and the Continent and not have seen it, as they must have been several days in reaching the base of so elevated a land-beacon; and having witnessed so conspicuous an object they would not pass without landing. The ocean and silver-crested giant attracting the attention of the Tyrians, was the now renowned Peak of Teneriffe, upon the Island of the name; and forming the principal of a group of thirteen, now called the Canaries, but known in ancient geography as the Fortunate Isles. They are all within the thirty degrees of North latitude, and consequently within the influence of the East-Wind. This fact is of importance, and will again be brought forward,—we mention this to impress the fact upon the mind of the reader.
The Tyrians in all probability landed at Teneriffe,—"replenished," refitted, and repaired all damages, for a continuation of the voyage;—of its remaining distance as yet they could have no intelligence. They were, however, within ten degrees of the Herculean Gates of that Sea, which their fellow-countrymen claimed to be their own! As the entire expedition occupied three years in its accomplishment they probably landed at the Isle of Teneriffe in about two and a half years from the time of their leaving Suez. [606½ B. C.]
It appears certain that none of the Tyrians would leave the Galleys for the purpose of becoming the Aborigines of the Island at this time,—for they knew not of the future dangers of the voyage, therefore "all hands" were required. Again,—the peculiar character of the Expedition would not permit it,—and having been so long from their native land, together with the pride of receiving the National applause attendant upon their Nautical triumph,—would be against any supposition that the Tyrians would remain from choice, or as exiles and outcasts. This slight review of the apparent impossibility of any of the voyagers remaining upon the Islands after the departure of the Galleys, is required in order to establish in the future pages, when the Phœnicians did land and dwell there, and so account for the ancient Mummies found at this day in the rocky caverns of Teneriffe;—and of which, allusion and comparisons have been made, in investigating the Tyrian and Mexican analogies. [Vol. i., Book i., ch. vii., § 4.] We considered it established, therefore, that no settled residence would take place at any period of this Expedition: and apart from all other reasons, there is one that would render it absolutely impossible,—viz., They had not with them that lovely portion of Nature, without which life itself is but a desert Isle or a desolation,—viz., Woman! This fact, also, produced an incontrovertible argument against even the possibility (as before hinted) that the foundations of the Aboriginal family were laid in Ancient America during any period of this Expedition. This part of the argument must appear to every reader as irrefragable. The custom of not permitting the Wives to accompany the mariners, and especially on a Voyage of Discovery, is practised even at this day. This arises not only from physical reasons, but from mental causes;—for in the hour of storm or wreck, the courage of the mariner would be divided from his duty, remembering that his affections were in danger; and in contemplating the proverbial solicitude and devotion of Woman, for the safety of her husband or her child, he would be compelled to turn from the general rescue, to aid her resolution, and selfishly (though naturally) confront danger for themselves alone.
By thus proving the impossibility of Ancient America having been founded during this Expedition, and for the above reason,—we bring down upon ourselves the responsibility of proving, that when the Western Continent was first reached, Women were the associates of the Voyage! We bring this proposition forward for the purpose of proving to the reader, that it is not intended to establish this Romance of Time (i. e. Truth) upon idle or visionary grounds.
The group of Islands now left by the Tyrians were of a character, from their locality and natural produce, (and especially that one possessing the snow-crowned Peak,) not to be forgotten by the voyagers in relating "the dangers they had passed."
They now coasted along the shores of Morocco and Fez, and entering the Straits of Gibraltar, passed the Pillars of Hercules, and floated on the waters of their native Sea,—thus proving for the first time that the boundary Columns of Alcides had been erected in vain;—and also, that human ingenuity and perseverance will conquer, and bear down all the barriers erected by Superstition as the landmarks of human Intellect!
In their triumphant passage along the shores of the Mediterranean, Carthage would not be passed unvisited by the descendants of the same race, who had followed the fortunes of a Tyrian Princess, when driven from her own land by treachery and cruelty. Leaving the Republic of Carthage, (in which commercial storehouse they must have seen the germs of a future rival,) with what pride and joy must they have reached the Delta of the Nile?—and beyond those feelings, when Tyrus was seen from the round-top of a galley-mast,—or when from their native shore they received the united voice of a gladdened nation?
Three years of danger and unyielding courage, upon an extended field of Science, preserved the fame of Egypt's King, and gave new and brilliant glory to the Tyrians and their Sovereign.
Pharaoh-Necho had achieved his wish by the circumnavigation of the Continent, of which Egypt was the Capital, and this being the only object of the Egyptian, all discoveries of Islands, as forming no part of the African Continent, would therefore be claimed by the Tyrians as their own. The Fortunate Isles (i. e. Canaries) for instance,—and consequently Ithobalus and his successors, would be the rightful "Kings of those Islands" discovered during this voyage, and situated "beyond the Sea,"—and to be reached by passing through the Gates of Gades,—i. e. Straits of Gibraltar.
Even if Pharaoh had claimed the Isles discovered, it would have been useless, for he had no navy (if opposed by Tyrus) to support that claim. It is not probable that he would attempt it,—but even the supposition is set at rest, for the King of Babylon conquered Pharaoh-Necho and Egypt, only seven years after this voyage, for compelling him to raise the first Siege of Jerusalem. Pharaoh was receiving his annual tribute from the Jews: Nebuchadnezzar, therefore, instantly left Judæa and turned his warfare upon the Egyptians, [599 B. C.] captured all the treasure of the Nile, and returned triumphant to the Euphrates.
This Section will be concluded by producing the authority of Scripture (with the incident of Nature) to support the statement of Herodotus: and although the Prophets will be quoted, in this instance Prophecy itself has no bearing upon the subject,—their words upon this direct investigation only refer to that which had taken place, and consequently only of past record, and not for predictions of a future. This was the case with Jeremiah and Ezekiel, but,—not with Isaiah,—and upon this fact do we rest the Scriptural record of the successful accomplishment of this Voyage. Our argument is as follows,—viz., In the Prophecy by Isaiah already quoted [Book ii., ch. v.] there is no allusion whatever to this Expedition, and for the reason,—that Isaiah wrote of the doom of Tyrus 106 years before the period of this Voyage,—consequently the absence of all notice by this Sacred writer (the subject not being prophetical) proves at least that the naval enterprise was undertaken after the time in which he prophecied the downfall of the Tyrian Nation:—Following out this train of reasoning, any Prophet, therefore, who came after the Expedition, and in speaking, or writing, of Tyrus, should allude to it as having taken place,—for it would form another item in the gathered glory of Sidon's Daughter, and would be included in that long list of pride about to be cancelled by the Babylonian Conquest. The reader will find that the later Prophets did allude to this Voyage, and, also, to the cluster of Isles of which Teneriffe is the principal.
The first of these is Jeremiah, who prophesied the destruction of several offending Nations, in the first year of the reign of the King of Babylon, and the fourth of Jehoiakim, Monarch of Judæa,—this was in the beginning of the year 606 B. C. Now supposing that the Voyagers left Suez in the commencement of the year 609 B. C. and occupying three years in the enterprise,—would bring the defined period to the end of 607 B. C.—consequently Jeremiah wrote his words only a few Months after the triumphant issue, and discovery of "the Isles beyond the Sea,"—the account of which would speed through Judæa and the surrounding nations, as it had through Egypt and Tyrus. It is a remarkable circumstance, that in tracing back the history of this Voyage nearly 2500 years, that it should be found to have been alluded to only a few months,—perhaps weeks—after its accomplishment, and in the sacred page of Scripture: and it is still more singular, that writers upon this subject of record by Herodotus, should have passed it unheeded; as, also, the allusion by Ezekiel.
The Prophecy by Jeremiah concerning Judæa, as well as of Tyrus, will be quoted in order to shew the character of the approaching destruction. The last lines contain the allusion mentioned, having reference to the discovery of the Fortunate Isles.
"For thus said the Lord God of Israel unto me,—Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it: and they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. To wit,—Jerusalem and the Cities of Judæa and the Kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse: as it is at this day. And all the Kings of Tyrus, and all the Kings of Sidon,—and the Kings of the Isles which are BEYOND the Sea." [xxv.]
Now "the Sea" mentioned, means (as it does throughout the Bible) the Mediterranean, and especially when Tyrus is written of,—several proofs of this are found in the Book of Ezekiel.
"It (Tyrus) shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the Sea."
"Then all the princes of the Sea shall come down from their thrones," &c.
"How art thou destroyed, that was inhabited of sea-faring men,—the renowned City,—which was strong in the Sea," &c.
"Now shall the Isles tremble in the day of thy fall: yea, the Isles that are in [not "beyond">[ the Sea, shall be troubled at thy departure."
When Pharaoh's fatal Sea is spoken of, it is called by its name in full,—i. e. The Red Sea:—the Asphaltine Sea covering the crime-smitten Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, is called the Dead Sea,—and so of others,—but "the Sea" defines it to be the Mediterranean.
The Islands referred to by Jeremiah are stated to be "beyond the Sea"—i. e. Isles beyond the mouth of the Mediterranean, reached by passing through the Straits of Gibraltar; and the language, therefore, alludes distinctly to the Fortunate Isles discovered by the Tyrians during the voyage. "The Kings of Tyrus" were, also, by right of discovery the actual "Kings of the Isles which are beyond the Sea." That these are the Islands referred to, may be gathered from the fact, that the last quotation from Ezekiel proves that the Isles of the Mediterranean are spoken of as being "in the Sea," in direct contradistinction to those "beyond the Sea." The same defined locality is found in Isaiah.
"Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires [Hebrew, "valleys">[ even the name of the Lord God of Israel, in the Isles of the Sea." [xxiv. 15.]
The Prophet here refers to Cyprus, Crete, Sicily, and Sardinia, for these are "Isles OF" or "IN" the Mediterranean,—while the Fortunatæ Insulæ are those denominated "beyond" the same Sea,—Britain and Hibernia were not yet discovered by the Tyrians;—and the only Islands at this time known to them "beyond" the Mare Internum, were those discovered during this celebrated Expedition;—truly so, for being alluded to by the Sacred writers, proves the importance attached to it in the days of Prophecy. The Islands discovered, and claimed by the Tyrians, were additional causes for their fatal pride,—and are, therefore, the only part of the enlarging Kingdom referred to by Jeremiah,—from the apparent fact, that the terrible prediction in alluding to a recent geographical discovery, would attract the instant attention, and arouse the fears of the Judæans as well as the Tyrians.
Ezekiel uttered his celebrated Prophecy concerning Tyrus 588 B. C., consequently only eighteen years after the Voyage. He should, therefore, allude to it, if our previous argument is founded upon just grounds in reference to Isaiah's not writing of it.
Ezekiel in issuing his malediction against Tyrus, its King, Prince, and People, gathers in his catalogue of their united powers all that had made them great, and unrivalled among the nations of the earth. He commences by stating their knowledge of Shipbuilding and Navigation,—then the various Kingdoms receiving their Commercial commodities, and the riches given in return,—progressing in his description in apparent chronological order,—for this singular fact is arrived at,—viz., that the last verse referring to the deeds of the Tyrians, covers distinctly this very Voyage,—and which took place only 18 years before the Prophecy, and was, therefore, probably their last great action, before they were besieged and conquered by the King of Babylon; and which event was only three years after the prediction of Ezekiel,—who, in alluding to the last effort for fame by the Tyrians, and causing additional pride of heart, says—
"Thy ROWERS have brought thee (Tyrus) into GREAT waters [i. e. the Atlantic]—the East-Wind hath broken thee in the midst of the Seas." [xxvii.]
The word "Sea" in the singular number, and without any pre-nomen as Dead Sea, &c., has already been shewn, and from the same writer, to have direct reference to the Mediterranean. In the above quotation he evidently means larger, and collective bodies of "great waters,"—i. e. Seas,—(plural).—Again,—In the same chapter he writes:
"And thou wast replenished [at the Insulæ?] and made very glorious in the midst of the Seas."
He even seems to define the boundary of Tyrus in the Atlantic, for Islands are distinctly alluded to.
"Thy borders are in the midst of the Seas."
And as a distinct contrast of locality; he says of the Capital of the Mediterranean,—
"What City is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the Sea."
The Capital, at this time, was partly on the Island, but principally on the mainland. It is submitted that both Jeremiah and Ezekiel alluded to this Voyage and its discoveries.
We have reserved a positive, a conclusive proof, of the accomplishment of the Expedition until this time, that it might remove all doubts upon the subject. It, also, brings direct evidence against the supposition that in reaching Ophir (the locality of which is not yet defined) the Tyrian ships of Solomon could have passed around the Cape of Good Hope,—for if they had,—leagues before they reached there, they would have observed the same (to them) strange "incident" of Nature, and consequently have recorded it.
Herodotus in writing of this Voyage (and which he firmly believed) had his doubts upon one point only,—viz., the strange reports of the Pilots and Mariners upon their return to Tyrus, which were,—that during the Voyage their Shadows (as they looked at the Sun's rising) fell upon, or from their right-hand,—they (the Shadows) having consequently changed from the left hand, as they remembered them to fall at Phœnicia and the Mediterranean;—and a greater wonder still,—that their Shadows changed back again, as they continued their voyage, from right to left!
The Greek Historian viewed this report with astonishment and disbelief; and without doubt, it was originally regarded and laughed at as a mariner's story by both Tyrians and Egyptians,—for it was not likely, in their Theory of the Solar System, (this was before Pythagoras,) that any of the Ancients could be convinced that the Sun would alter its course or nature, so as to meet the result reported by the home-returned mariners, but which was given by them as an attested fact. The Ancients [606 B. C.] believed that the Earth was a Globe, because they believed that the Sun daily travelled around it,—but of the revolving character of the Earth, or of its measurement, they had no conception. Even Herodotus, therefore, looked upon the shadow-report as
"The baseless fabric of a vision,"
and regarded it not only with incredulity, but as an entire fiction of the Tyrian voyagers.
But modern Science proves the absolute truth of the Tyrian report,—viz., their Shadows changing from left to right, &c.; and this, as a necessity, was occasioned by their having crossed the line of the Equator!
If the story of the Pilots and Mariners had not been given to their countrymen upon their return, it would at this day be a strong presumptive proof that the Expedition was not accomplished; but having rendered the "incident" of Nature upon their arrival, it is a conclusive and undeniable proof that the Voyage was successfully completed, and during the time mentioned by Herodotus. Having sailed from the Red Sea, and crossed the line of the Equator, and looking East, their Shadows must have changed from left to right, and be perceptible at, or near, Melinda; and having doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and passed the Equator of the Atlantic, their Shadows would again change from right to left, near the Gulf of Guinea, and appear the same as when sailing upon the Mediterranean.
The statements of Herodotus concerning the "shifting of the shadows," and the manner of "extracting the brain" previous to Embalming; and with the foregone proofs of their accuracy both from science and ocular demonstration, are without their parallels for supporting the authenticity of an Ancient Historian—and truly may he be called the Father of History—for Nations were his children, and justly he wrote of them. Time has become his executor, and renders him ample justice in return for his valuable legacy to posterity!
We have been anxious to establish the accomplishment of this celebrated Voyage, the first mentioned having reference to the circumnavigation of a Continent;—but, more especially have we been solicitous to prove that the Fortunate Isles were known to the Tyrians during this Expedition;—for those Islands form an important feature in the great event to follow. In the endeavour to confirm these propositions, we have pursued a path of research and reasoning, we believe, untrodden, or attempted by any writer upon the subject. The Greek Historian is supported by his own accuracy of character and delineation,—and he is directly confirmed by Holy-Writ. Jeremiah wrote of it only a few months after the Expedition. Ezekiel 18 years subsequently, and Herodotus 122 years after the enterprise. The later (and jealous) Romans only are silent:—they do not deny it,—which they would naturally have done, if they would not also have been liable to have been contradicted.
We now submit the subject to the reader's opinion, upon a review of the evidence, facts, and reasoning upon the entire proposition; and shall proceed with the History of Tyrus and the Migration, in the belief that the decision is in the affirmative;—and that consequently the Fortunate Isles (i. e. the Canaries) are admitted to have been discovered, and claimed, by the Tyrians during this first great Voyage around the Continent of Africa, and between the years 609-606 before the Christian Æra; and that from the natural reason stated,—viz., the absence of Woman—the Founding of Ancient America could not have taken place at that time.