ABSTRACT
THEPhrenicians,accordingtotheBible,theonlyauthentic historyofthisremoteperiodoftheworld,wereamongthe first,ifnottheveryfirstpeoplewhoprosecutedcommercial enterprise.Theircountrywasadmirablysituatedforsuchapurpose,andtheyappeartohavetakenfulladvantageoftheirlocal position,andcarriedonanextensivetrade,bothbyseaand land,intheveryearliesttimes.Profanewritersfurnishvery scantymaterialsonthesubject,butwhattheyhavesaidis entirelyconfirmatoryofwhatisrecordedinsacredhistory. Theywerenotsomuchamanufacturingpeopleastheywere thecarriersofothernations.Thecamelandthecaravanon land,andtheshipbysea,conveyedtheproductionsoftheeast towesternlands,givingwesterncommoditiesinexchangeto thenativesofeasternclimes.Theywereinfactthefirstmerchantstheworldever&aw,andtheyprosecutedtheirtrafficwith aperseveranceworthyofsuccess.Theirmaritimeenterprise hascommandedtheadmirationoftheworld.Theircivilizationwasfarinadvanceoftheage,andtheirlearningwasprofound.TothePhreniciansweareindebtedforthegiftof letters.Theartofmakingglasswasfirstpractisedbythem, anditissaidthatmirrorswerefirstinventedinSidon.
