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IN ALEXANDRIA. 73
The contact of the spirit of Greece with the peoples of
the Orient exercised an abiding influence upon both sides.
The Orientals learned to understand Science and Art which
with them were but little developed if at all, and obtained
the opportunity of acquiring Grecian education and refine­
ment of manner; while the Greeks were freed from that
narrow-mindedness which, evidently as a consequence of
their small political commonwealth, had resulted in an over-
estimation of themselves and a contempt for foreigners.
Hellenism drew from this source that cosmopolitan colour­
ing which distinguished the efforts of the later Greeks.
Art and Science derived from this acquaintance with
foreigners many suggestions and improvements; espe­
cially so the natural sciences, —Zoology, Botany, Compara­
tive Anatomy, and Materia Medica. These received a rich
influx of material from lands thrown open to discovery,
which, arranged and sifted by able hands, facilitated and
promoted the carrying on of systematic work in these
branches of knowledge. ALEXANDER'S dreams of future
political power were soon forgotten. Only the plan of
making Egypt the central state, and Alexandria—named
after him—the capital of the world-empire he strove to
create, was carried out, though in a manner quite different
from his intentions. Egypt was indeed not the political, but
the intellectual, centre of nations and undertook the part of
dispenser of civilization, being especially called to this, as
much by its situation as by its possessing a history of
thousands of years. The princely family of the PTOLEMIES,
on whom after ALEXANDER'S death the dominion of the
Nile valley devolved, were of Greek descent and remained
true to their Greek character in their new home.
While the trade and industry of Egypt flourished and
her ships sailed as far as Madeira westwards, and east­
wards to India and Persia, Arts and Sciences were
nurtured at home and Greek culture was diffused. The
PTOLEMIES brought artists and learned men from Greece
to their court; caused magnificent buildings to be