, and Spain. The wealth of her merchant princes had often tempted
the cupidity of the despots of Asia. Salmanassar, the Assyrian conqueror
of Israel, directed his attacks against Tyre, and continued them for
five years, but was finally compelled to raise the siege. Nabuchadonosor
was more persevering, and succeeded in capturing the city, after a siege
that lasted thirteen years. The old town, situated on the continent was
never rebuilt; but a new Tyre rose from its ruins. This occupied the
area of a small island, described by Pliny as two miles and a half in
circumference. On this confined space a large population existed, and
remedied the want of extent by raising story upon story, on the plan
followed by the ancient inhabitants of Edinburgh. It was separated from
the main land by an armlet of the sea, about half a mile in breadth
and about eighteen feet deep. The city was encircled by walls and
fortifications of great strength and height, and scarcely pregnable
even if accessible.

_Family Library, No. 3._

* * * * *

SIR WILLIAM DEVEREUX,

_A Portrait--by the Author of Pelham._

My uncle did as his ancestors had done before him; and, cheap as the
dignity had grown, went up to court to be knighted by Charles II. He was
so delighted with what he saw of the metropolis, that he foreswore all
intention of leaving it, took to Sedley and champagne, flirted with Nell
Gwynne, lost double the value of his brother's portion at one sitting to
the chivalrous Grammont, wrote a comedy corrected by Etherege, and took
a wife recommended by Rochester. The wife brought him a child six months
after marriage, and the infant was born on the same day the comedy was
acted. Luckily for the honour of the house, my uncle shared the fate of
Plimneus, king of Sicyon, and all the offspring he ever had (that is to
say, the child and the play,) "died as soon as they were born." My uncle
was now only at a loss to know what to do with his wife, that remaining
treasure, whose readiness to oblige him had been so miraculously
evinced. She saved him the trouble of long cogitation,--an exercise
of intellect to which he was never too ardently inclined. There was
a gentleman of the court celebrated for his sedateness and solemnity;
my aunt was piqued into emulating Orpheus, and six weeks after her
confinement she put this rock into motion,--they eloped. Poor gentleman!
it must have been a severe trial of patience to a