which Plato alludes, is that, which in the sacred writings is called tv, Tsayn, or as it is termed in our translation, Zoan. This the Grecians took for Sain, an inflexion from Saïs, the city, we have been so long treating of, and have called it by that name. That Zoan was called Zayn and Tzayn, is certain from so many people supposing it to be Tanis: for which they had no other reason, than a similitude of sound: they had not otherwise the least inducement to fix it there. Jerome, Theodoret, Isidorus, and many others suppose Zoan to have been Tanis but, as I have before observed, they have nothing to alledge for it, but what 4 Bochart has comprised in a short compass; er Tzohane vel Tzahan factum est Tanis, sedes Aula Regia: which, though the inference be not true, yet shows, how the word is supposed to have been pronounced at different periods. It is on this account, that in the Seventy we find it rendered after this manner, where the Psalmist mentions, 15" the marvellous things, that God had done in the sight of the "Israelites, in the land of Egypt, in the field of 4 Zoun : θαυμασια εν γη Αιγυπτῳ, εν πεδίῳ Τανεως.Ως έθετο εν Αιγύπτῳ τα σημεία αυτό, και τα τέρατα αυτή εν πεδίῳ Τάνεως. For the same reason the Chaldee

14 Bochart's Sedes Aulæ Regiæ. vol. 1. pag. 1103.

15 Ps. 78. v. 12. 43.

Hence Syncellus calls the Shepherds in Egypt Tanita. p. 103.

paraphrast expresses Tzain by D'IND, Tanis: all which shows plainly, how the original word was at different times pronounced; and that what was the Zoan of Moses, was the Tzain and Zain of after ages. This Zain the Greeks took for Suin, and from hence constituted a new nome and city of Sais.

In respect to Tanis, I do not believe, that it was ever the seat of royal residence, or at any time of much note. What reputation it may seem to have gained, has been intirely owing to its being taken for Zoan: whence all the fame and magnificence of that antient city has been transferred to this place; and several dynasties of kings have been likewise appropriated, to which it had no pretensions. Some represent it as a large place, though Josephus styles it 16 πολιχνην τινα Τανιν. It is said to have subsisted by trade; having little else to depend on. The situation of it was upon a great lake, about three miles from the sea; and like the other seaports in its vicinity, it was bare of many conveniencies, and even of the necessaries of life. 17 Lacus Alzar propè attingit lacum Tennis, distatque à mari salso (i. e. Mediterraneo) III. M. P. Iste lacus præfatus est ingens, et amplus terminis

16 Josephus of the march of Titus: Exelder de atoßaç ödεvel, xαt κατα πολιχην τινα Τανιν αυλίζεται. Bell. Jud. lib. 4. cap. 11. 17 Geogr. Nubiens. Clim. 3. part. 3.

-Aqua hujus lacús Tennis, cum Nilus inundat tempore æstivo, dulcescit: cum autem hyberno tempore recedit usque ad æstatem, prævalet aqua maris, atque ideò salsa evadit. We have a like account from Cassianus: 18 Thenesi Egypti urbem appulimus, cujus incolæ ita mari vel salsis lacubus cinguntur, ut præ agrorum inopiá commercium unicè exerceant, marisque opportunitate ditescant: quinetiam solo, nisi aliunde navibus adsportetur, adibus ædificandis "9egeant. As Egypt had seldom rain, and lower " Egypt no springs, and this city was so situated as above described; let any one judge, if it could ever have been chosen for a place of residence by a series of kings. All places at the mouths of great rivers, and of a marshy situation, are highly inconvenient, and generally unwholesome. Tanis seems to have been destitute both of water and soil; and the whole country about it bad, especially towards Pelusium. 25 Μεταξύ δε το

20

21

15 Cassiani. Collat. 2. cap. 1.

19 Est Insula in medio mari. Benj. Tudelens. pag. 126. and l'Empereur's notes, pag. 229. It is called at this day Tennes and

Tenesse.

Ex eo porrò [flumine] quod Pelusium præterfluit, alius derivatur alvcus, qui in lacum conversus angustis faucibus mari conjungitur, ad cujus ripam Tenesse, antiquissima civitas, est condita. Leo African. lib. 8. cap. 1.

20 Των μεν προς θαλαττη μοναις ψέκασιν αραιαις λιπαινομένων. Philonis Vita Mosis.

21 Strabo. lib. 17. pag. 1154.

Τανιτικα και τε Πηλεσίακε λιμναι, και έλη μεγάλα και συνεχή, κώμας πολλας έχοντα· και αυτό δε το Πηλεσίον κυκλῳ περικείμενα έχει ἑλη, ο τινες βάραθρα καλεσι, και TEλpara. Though this part of the world was inhabited; yet we find it to be situated in the midst of lakes, abounding with swamps and morasses, and full of mud and sea ooze. It was for this reason, that Alexander, when he saw Egypt so finely circumstanced for commerce, chose to found a new city beyond the precincts of the country, rather than make use of any one already built: though there were some more opportunely situated for the trade, which was to be brought down the river; had they been equally fortunate in other particulars. It is a great pity, that men of learning will not consider the natural history of the places, they treat of, before they determine their situation; as it depends so much on this kind of knowledge. Had these things been sufficiently attended to, the best of the land of Egypt would never have been placed in the wilds of Arabia, nor in the salt marshes of Tanis. And although "Zoan be represented by the name of Tanis; yet they should not have been led merely by sound, but have considered the true representation of the place, as it is to be found in the original writings. Names may be varied and changed: but the context is not so easily perverted.

22 See Bochart's Sedes Aulæ Regiæ. vol. 1. pag. 1103.

23

This city and province is often mentioned with Memphis, and occurs always in the vicinity of upper. Egypt, even according to the version of the Seventy, however they may miscall it. 3ETOV OL Εξελιπον δι αρχοντες Τάνεως, και ύψώθησαν οι αρχοντες Μέμφεως και πλανησουσιν Αιγυπτον κατα φυλας. 14 Και απολώ με γιςανας απο Μέμφεως, και αρχοντας Μεμφεως,και ουκ Και απολω γην Φαθωρης [Pathros], και ποιησω εκδικησιν εν Διοσπολεί.

έσονται ETI.

δωσω πυρ επι Τανιν, και

25

-24

in

All these places are high up in Egypt. But what puts the matter out of all dispute, is a passage the book of Judith; where the country of Ramesse and Goshen is mentioned; and the chief cities of that part of the world, Memphis, and, as it is there termed, Tanis are pointed out, and geographical order apparently maintained. Nebuchodonosor, king of the Assyrians, when he was going to engage in a mighty war with Arphaxad of Media, sent unto all that dwelt in Persia, and to all "that dwelt westward, and to those that dwelt in Cilicia, and Damascus, and Libanus, and Anti"libanus, and to all that dwelt upon the seacoast; and to those among the nations, that "were of Carmel, and Galaad, and the higher Galilee, and the great plain of Esdrelom; And

26.66

23 Isaiah. 19. v. 13.

24 Ezekiel. 30. v. 13, 14.

25 This part differs greatly from the original.

26 Chap. 1. v. 7, 8, 9.