ALEXANDRIA

[s. 33] : A city of Egypt, on the Founded by Alex shore of the Mediterranean. During the Roman ander the Great, 332 B.C. Empire it was the capital of the country and a large and important city. It was the seat of a patriarch, and an important center of learning During the Middle early Christian history. Ages it declined greatly in importance, and at the time of the Mameluke rule (1300-1800 a.d.) the inhabitants were reduced to about 5,000. Under the Turkish rule, however, and especially during the reign of Mohammed Ali (1811) Alexandria grew rapidly, and now the populaOf these 250,000 tion numbers about 320,000. are natives (chiefly Mohammedans), speaking The remainder are from the Arabic language. every country in Europe and almost of the world, so that it is even more of a Babel than is Constantinople. The presence of a large number of Europe ans resident there throughout the year has had a great influence in making the city one of the most attractive in appearance on the Mediterranean, with broad streets, fine Being on the sea, buildings and pleasant drives. the heat is not as intense as at Cairo, and there have grown up a number of suburbs, among which Ramleh is one of the most popular. The general character of the people is very low, the natives having acquired most of the vices of the Europe ans. Some of these foreign residents, however, are men who take an interest in the public welfare, and are liberal in sustaining hospitals and other benevolent and philanthropic undertakings. The Mohammedans have acquired a very bitter feeling toward the Christians and the Jews, and are ever ready to join in any demonstration or insurrection against them, if they have any reason to suppose that such a movement is agreem Alert Bay Algiers 13 able to the rulers of the city. This feeling found expre ion in a ma acre during Arabi Pasha’s rebellion, when the city was bombarded by the British fleet, June 11, 1882, and occupied by British troops the next day. Next to the Mohammedans the Syrian CathThe Greek Church is olics are quite strong. wealthy and influential, but the Coptic community is small and feeble. Mi ion work is carried on chiefly by the Mi ions of the United Presbyterian Church of the United States, who maintain 2 schools, one for boys and a very flourishing and eflicient one for girls. The Kaiserswerth Deacone es also have a fine The Bible dis tri school here, opened in 1857. bution is under the care of the BFBS. The Church of Scotland has a mi ion to the Jews in the city carried on by 10 mi ionaries, men and women, who have 4 schools. The North Africa Mi ion, the Egypt Mi ion Band, and the WMS also have stations in this city. 33