and that, to accomplish a purpose, which cannot, at this distance of time, be understood: for it appears evident, that the former size of vessels was fully equal to the superincumbent weight of the bridgeways, and as many men, horses, or carriages, as could stand on them at a time; exclusive of the necessary quantity of ballast to keep them steady: and therefore a larger kind was not required. The Hellespont has not an expanse of water sufficient to admit of any very great agitation from the winds, and in particular from the southern quarter, where alone, from its blowing in opposition to the current, a dangerous wave might have been raised, had the conformation of the strait been different9. It is certain that 313 vessels of 15 to 16 feet in breadth would occupy a space equal to about 4,850 feet, or about 400 feet short of an English mile. And if there was any proportion of large vessels 8 When boats or pontoons are placed close together, as happened here, those of a very moderate size will suffice, in respect of any weight that could be required to be laid on them. Witness the ordinary pontoons used in war, and in bridges of communication. Coal barges are equal to any purpose of this kind, where there is no great agitation of the water, although placed at some distance apart. It may be urged that, in the present case, the situation required close, or decked vessels; and it is certain that something must be allowed on this score, where the breadth was a mile, or thereabouts, and at times a current ; but we are of opinion, notwithstanding, that vessels of the size of the smallest coasting craft, were adequate to such a purpose. If the direction of the wind had been mentioned, one might have guessed the position of Xerxes's first bridge, which was destroyed by a tempest. amongst them, the required space would probably be increased to a full mile. Therefore, at all events, it must be allowed, that there is no great difference between the calculation of the space occupied by the vessels, taken on a reasonable footing, and the allowed breadth of the strait, by those who have seen it; which appears to be from of a mile, to a mile for whatsoever the length of the stadium of Herodotus may have been, Dr. Pococke certainly meant by his stade, the eighth of a mile. And thus we close our speculations on this project, which may be classed with many other of the follies, wrought by those, who having at their disposal the labour of myriads, employed it to a useless purpose. It may well be supposed that the success of Darius Hystaspes, in making his bridge over the Bosphorus, encouraged his son Xerxes to try a like experiment on the Hellespont; where the greater breadth of the sea, and the exposure of the situation, rendered it a more difficult task. Of the bridge of Darius across the Danube no description is given. It is probable that it could not have been of less extent than that at the Bosphorus ; but from the regular and constant stream of the river, the vessels could with more ease be kept in their stations, than in a place where the current would often be so slack, as to allow the force of the wind to preponderate. SECTION VII. OF THE COUNTRIES SITUATED BEYOND THE EUXINE SCYTHIA, TO THE EASTWARD AND NORTH-EASTWARD. Nations, or Tribes, situated beyond Scythia-Iyrcæ or Turcæ— Seceding Royal Scythians-Argippæi-Issedones, Arimaspians, and Gryphins-The Issedones answer to the Oigurs, Yugures, or Eluths-Error of Herodotus in placing the Issedones opposite to the Massagetæ-Aral Lake mistaken for a part of the Caspian Sea-Argippai and Arimaspi placed: the former at the mountains of the Great Steppe; the latter at the Altaian, or Golden Mountains-The Gold of the Arimaspi derived from the province of Kolyvan, bordering on Altai— Seceding Scythians supposed to have inhabited the Desht Kipzak, and part of the Great Steppe-Turcæ, or Iyrcæ, taken for the Torgauti-Riphæan Mountains-Altaian Mountains, the extreme boundary of the knowledge of Herodotus, eastward.-Particulars respecting the Argippæi and Issedones: the former celebrated for their probity; the latter a polished people-Arimaspian Verses-Herodotus in doubt concerning the Northern and Eastern Boundary of Europe; and silent concerning the Southern Boundary-Northern Ocean -Hyperboreans-Country and Rampart of Gog and Magog -An imputed error of Herodotus done away-Hyperboreans send offerings to Delos.-Melancholy fate of Travellers, who perish in a foreign land, whilst in pursuit of knowledge-Communication between individuals of distant nations, to be encouraged.-Apology for harmless Superstition in uninformed minds-General Observations. WE shall next endeavour to collect the ideas of Herodotus respecting the countries situated beyond the Western, or Euxine Scythia; as also concerning the north part of Europe generally; and the tract which, from its relative situation, was named the country of the HYPERBOREANS. It must be recollected that, according to his system, all of the above tracts were included in EUROPE; since the Colchian Phasis, and the country of the Massagetæ, were by him regarded as the northern frontiers of ASIA. It has been suggested, that Herodotus derived his knowledge of Scythia, in a great measure, from the history of the Expedition of Darius, which must then have been fresh in the memories of the Greeks settled on the borders of the Euxine. And when it is farther remarked, that the Thyssagete are the last people, whose country is particularly described, and placed; that opinion receives additional strength : for the Thyssagetæ were situated at the extreme boundary of his expedition, eastward. Beyond the Thyssagetæ (EASTWARD; for so it must be understood by the context: for immediately afterwards our Author, speaking of the Royal Scythians who had seceded from the others, says, " advancing from this people still nearer to the east,") were the IYRCE, who, like the Thyssagetæ, lived by the chase. Melpom. 221. The Royal Scythians, who had seceded from those at the Euxine, established themselves, as we have just seen, on the east of the Iyrce; but no particulars concerning them are given. 1 The reader is referred to the Maps Nos. II. and V. for an explanation of the actual geography of this quarter and to No. I. for our Author's ideas of the relative positions. "Thus far," continues our Author, Melp. 23, " the whole country is flat, and the soil excellent; but beyond these Scythians, it becomes barren and stony. After travelling over a considerable space, a people are found living at the foot of some lofty mountains-these are called ARGIPPEI." He farther observes, Melp. 24, that," as far as the Argippæi, the knowledge of the country is clear and satisfactory, and may be obtained from the Scythians, who have frequent communication with them: from the Greeks of the port on the Borysthenes, and from many other places of trade on the Euxine. As these nations have seven different languages, the Scythians, who communicate with them, have occasion for as many interpreters." 66 Beyond the Argippæi, no certain intelligence is to be had; a chain of lofty and inaccessible mountains precluding all discovery.-To the east of the Argippai, it is beyond all doubt that the country is possessed by the ISSEDONES; but beyond them, to the north, neither the Issedones nor the Argippæi know any thing more than I have already related;" Melpom. 25. "The Issedones themselves affirm, that the country beyond them, (we conclude that to the eastward is meant) is inhabited by a race of men who have but one eye; and by GRYPHINS, who are guardians of the gold.-Such is the information which the Scythians have from the Issedones, and we from the Scythians: in the Scythian tongue they are called ARIMASPIANS, from Arima, the Scythian word for one; and spu, an eye." Melpom. 27. Thus we collect the extent of the knowledge of |