Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 1.djvu/538

 484 NORTH-EAST AFRICA. change of ideas between the Eastern and Western worlds, between India, Greece, and Egypt, out of which arose the modern philosophies and religions. Nevertheless, Alexandria has failed to revive its past glories as a centre of the sciences and letters. At present it is essentially an emporium of commerce. More than one-third of all the Egyptian exchanges with the rest of the world are effected in this seaport, which before the opening of the Suez Canal enjoyed a monopoly of the export and import traffic with the West. In 1866, the year of its greatest prosperity, caused by the effects of the American Civil War on the cotton trade of the world, its exports rose to nearly £20,000,000. The north-east harbour, wrongly called the "New Port," although no improvements have been executed here, is very shallow, and frequented only by small coasting craft. During the last century vessels of this class owned by Christians were compelled to cast anchor in this harbour. The south-east, or " Old Port," the Eunostos, or " Haven of Welcome " of the ancients, is alone available for vessels of heavy draught. Unfortunately it is of difficult access, the channels being tortuous and obstructed by reefs, amongst which large ships cannot venture without a pilot. In rough weather even light craft are not free from the risk of running aground. But inside the pier, which forms a south- westerly prolongation of the coast-line from the peninsula of Pharos, shipping of every description finds complete shelter and ample space to ride at anchor. There is altogether a water surface of no less than 1,000 acres, with a normal depth of from 28 to 33 feet. The Mahmudieh Canal, which has its outlet in this port, should and occasionally does serve, jointly with the railway, as a highway of communication between Alex- andria and the Nile Valley. But notwithstanding its foul condition, the water of this canal is utilised chiefly to supply the inhabitants of this seaport, and to irrigate the surrounding plains. At times the canal has been completely exhausted, leaving the boats frequenting it landed high and dry on its muddy banks. The local industries contribute but little to the general trade of the place. The chief articles here manufactured are silk and cotton woven goods, reed and palm matting, essences and perfumery. Ramleh — Meks — MUDAR. Like all other great cities, Alexandria has its complement of suburban resi- dences, environs, and pleasure-grounds. Along the canal and fortifications stretching southwards the country seats enjoy the shade of avenues of palms, clusters of bananas, mimosas, and other tropical plants. Towards the north-east Nicopolisy built by Augustus to commemorate the battle of Actium, has been replaced by the modem town of Ramleh, or "The Sands." During the last century little more than a shifting dune, Ramleh has now become an extensive aggregation of palaces, country residences, villas, hotels, houses in every •form and style of architecture, painted in every hue, and scattered without order along the beach or within view of the sea. Southwards stands the chateau of MekSy at a point of the coast-line where it