first was long the exclusive carrier of the Indian trade by Egypt, it was the vigour derived from the mixture of Slaavic blood in the principal families of the Republic that enabled the Queen of the Adriatic to be so formidable a maritime rival to the Porte. It was this Levantine connection that gave the Venice of the 15th century an aspect so thoroughly Oriental, and it was the capital accumulated in this trade that, on the revival of Roman architecture in Italy, enabled the Palladio and a Sansovino, to raise those edifices which still preserve to Venice her peculiar pre-eminence.

But, in spite of the reciprocal pecuniary advantages which they derived from this trade, the Venetians were always treated with hauteur by the Moslem authorities in Alexandria,-the Consul was regarded as a hostage to the Sultan, and bound for the good behaviour of the merchants. On this theory the Sultans acted, and, in addition, the first thing done when a Venetian ship arrived, was to take away the main sail and rudder; and when a dispute occurred, Consul and merchants were all carried off to Cairo until the matter was made up; the Sultan meantime, threatening to give the trade to the Genoese, and at length the difference was usually adjusted by an exchange of extraordinary Embassies.

The Venetians prosecuted their overland trade long after the discovery of the route by the Cape of Good Hope, for so great is the force of habit, and so slowly does commerce alter its channels, that it was not until the Dutch and the Portuguese traded largely with the Eastern seas, in the 17th century, that the Venetian trade declined. At this period, the Levantine trade of England was concentrated, rather at Aleppo than in Alexandria, which was a city of above 200,000 souls. During the Commonwealth and the reign of Charles II., above sixty British mercantile houses were established at this great emporium, by means of which our cloths were sent over all Asia, and we received in return, through Aleppo and its port (Scandaroon), the fine textures of India and China.*

But notwithstanding the transfer of the Indian trade from Alexandria and Cairo to Aleppo and Scandaroon, and the still more fatal blow inflicted on it by the full development, in the 18th century, of the trade from England to India, by the Cape, yet so great is the hold that Egypt, by her geographical position, has of east and west, that the Indian trade was never altogether extinguished, although at the close of the last century, Alexandria had fallen to be a place only of 8,000 inhabitants. No sooner was the East India Company somewhat at its ease, through the military talents of Clive, and the civil administration of Hastings, than various attempts were made to reopen a direct trade by Egypt. Two vessels, the Endeavour and the

*The reader will find fuller details on this subject in "The Modern Syrians, or Native Society in Damascus, Aleppo, and the Mountains of the Druses." Several of the wealthiest peerages in England rose out of the fortunes made at Aleppo. The last relic of the old, wealthy, and flourishing British factory at Aleppo, was the father of the venerable Mrs. Barker, widow of the highly respected gentleman who was so long our Consul at Aleppo, and afterwards Consul-General in Egypt.

Enterprise, were fitted out for this object, and despatches were repeatedly conveyed overland, long before the introduction of steamvessels. It was not, however, until this important revolution in navigation took place, that the rapidity gained by the route by Egypt was sufficient to compensate for the inconvenience of transhipment. A. A. P.

RETIREMENT OF COLONEL PROSSER.

We have great satisfaction in giving publicity to the annexed address, presented to Colonel Prosser, Lieut.-Governor of the Royal Military College, on his retirement from that important post, which he has so ably and honourably filled for upwards of twenty years; and we cannot but regret that the establishment and the country are now to lose his important services. Colonel Prosser will carry with him in his retirement the kind wishes of all who have the pleasure and honour of his acquaintance.

"To Colonel Prosser, Lieut.-Governor of the Royal Military College.

"Sir,-We, the undersigned Professors and Masters of the Royal Military College, cannot allow you to close your connection with us without expressing our regret at the circumstance.

"It does not become us to comment upon the manner in which, during so many years, you have discharged your arduous and important duties, and latterly, as Lieut.-Governor; still we trust you will accept the assurance of our appreciating the uniform kindness in which you have acted towards us individually; and of the sincere desire we all feel that the rest and quiet you are now seeking may tend, with God's blessing, to the re-establishment of your health.

"JOHN NARRIEN, PROF.

MATH. S. DEP.

G. CAMBIER.

H. MARILLier.

G. BOULLY.

F. DEMMLER.

W. H. ADAMS, LT.-COL.

E. DELAMOTTE.
W. PETLEY.

"GEORGE E. COLE.

C. DRESSMER.
J. F. TWISden.

E. M. HEALE.

W. WALKER.

J. D. VERNER, CAPTAIN.
ALFRED WRek.

GEO. POPE.

W. PATIESON, CAPTAIN."

"March 28th, 1857."

"R. M. College, 30th March, 1857.

"Gentlemen,-I beg to thank you for the handsome expression of your kind feeling, presented to me on Saturday last, and which I assure you was highly appreciated by me.

"I have been intimately acquainted with you all, for periods varying from two to twenty-nine years, and I can conscientiously affirm

that a more hard-working, zealous, body of men is nowhere to be met with.

"I hope to find a retirement in this neighbourhood, and I trust you will permit me to renew, in private life, those associations which have been formed and cemented during my long public service.

"I remain, Gentlemen, with great regard,

"Your very faithful servant,

"GEDO PROSSER."

"R. M. College, April 15th, 1857. "Governor's Orders.-1. The Governor has received a notification from the Military Secretary, that His Royal Highness, the General Commanding in Chief, has been pleased to accept the resignation by Colonel Prosser of his appointment as Lieutenant-Governor of the Royal Military College.

"2. His Royal Highness has requested the governor to convey to Colonel Prosser the assurance of His Royal Highness's sincere regret for the cause which has obliged him to retire from the Public Service, and to separate himself from an Institution with which he has been so long and usefully connected. His Royal Highness trusts that, when relieved from duties which of late may have inconveniently pressed upon him, Colonel Prosser may be restored to the enjoyment of health in the retirement which he has felt that he now requires.

"3. In the sentiments so feelingly expressed by His Royal Highness, the governor feels assured that every person connected with the Royal Military College, including the gentlemen cadets, will most cordially join, and on his own part he begs to tender to Colonel Prosser his best thanks for the able and valuable assistance he has, at all times, afforded him since his appointment as governor. The long period during which Colonel Prosser has been connected with the College, his great talents, military knowledge, and amiable manners, are so well known to the officers and professors, that it is unnecessary for the governor to say that he feels assured that every one will deeply regret the loss of his valuable assistance, and also as to the cause which has compelled him to retire from the high position filled by him in this College. In those feelings, no doubt, the gentlemen cadets will cordially join; they have ever found in Colonel Prosser a kind friend and impartial superior, who has always treated them with great courtesy and respect.

"4. Until Colonel Prosser's successor arrives, the governor requests that Lieut.-Colonel MacDougall, in addition to the duties of his present office, will perform those of the Lieut.-Governor, and all orders given by him are to be obeyed accordingly.

"5. Colonel Prosser will be struck off the Returns of the Royal Military College from this date, the 15th instant.

"6. Until Colonel Prosser finally quits the College, he is to receive military compliments due to his rank.

"By order of the Governor,
(Signed)

"G. MAN, "Major and Captain."

THE NEW CAVALRY COLLEGE.

On Monday, the 25th of May, the grounds of the Cavalry College, at Richmond Green, were the scene of an interesting ceremony, consequent on the laying of the foundation-stone of the permanent building which is to form the centre of the new edifice. At an early hour all Richmond was alive with the stir and excitement aroused by the note of preparation, and the approaches to the establishment were thronged by a good-humoured crowd, awaiting the commencement of the proceedings. A number of distinguished visitors had been invited from London to witness the ceremony; and shortly before 2 P.M., the appointed hour, the company arrived by express at the adjacent terminus, when the large riding-school immediately attracted the eye, and left no doubt as to the situation of the College. The extensive and beautiful grounds were soon crowded by the new arrivals, among whom we noticed Field-Marshal Lord Combermere and the Viscountess Combermere, Lady Raglan, Lord Ranelagh, Lady Harriet Clinton, and a train of well-known fashionables, General Lord Downes, and a number of officers of rank, Mr. Fergusson, Mr. S. W. Fullom, Mr. Lindsay, and other gentlemen connected with naval and military science. The band of the 1st Life Guards was in attendance, and played a variety of spirited airs, while the company, exhilarated alike by the music and the weather, promenaded the grounds, inspecting the spacious riding-school and other buildings, which form the temporary establishment, and which present a completeness and compactness very rarely attained in this country. Gradually the visitors began to collect on the lawn, which was canopied by an awning affording a grateful shelter from the sun; and much interest was excited by a view of the future building, suspended on a pole, showing that it would be a handsome stone structure, susceptible of enlargement by wings to any extent that might be required. At length, Mr. Stocqueler and the other officers of the institution conducted Lady Combermere to the site of the projected edifice, the first stone of which was to be laid by her ladyship; and the Reverend Dr. Emerton, Principal of Hanwell College, commenced the ceremony by an impressive prayer, invoking a blessing on the institution and its founders, and especially mentioning Her Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince Albert, and His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief. Mr. Bracebridge, the architect, having submitted to Lady Combermere the ground plans of the building, Mr. Stocqueler described the character and objects of the institution in the following address to Lady Combermere :—

"The projectors and proprietors of the Cavalry College desire that I will offer to your Ladyship their respectful acknowledgments of your kindness and courtesy in coming here this day to lay the first stone of the edifice they propose to rear. When the idea of establishing a College for the proper preparation of officers for the Cavalry first presented itself to the gentlemen I have the honour to represent, they determined to seek a suitable patron, whose reputation would cast lustre on the institution, and afford the public a guarantee for its future usefulness. The name of Field-Marshal Lord Combermere was at once sug

gested. As the oldest cavalry officer in the British Army, imperishably associated with the brilliant Asiatic and Peninsular Campaigns of the immortal Duke of Wellington-as the distinguished officer whom that illustrious warrior always delighted to honour-as the chieftain whose skill and perseverance had levelled with the dust the proud fortress of Bhurtpore, which had baffled the attacks of a gallant and accomplished predecessor, and which had long been a source of alarm and uneasiness to the Government of India, it seemed to myself and my friends a point of great interest and importance that we should seek his countenance and protection. The readiness with which his Lordship assented to our request claims our warmest gratitude, the more especially as his example enabled us to obtain the co-operation, as vice-patrons, of many generals and field-officers whose names fill honourable places in our military history. It has often been a subject of surprise that while institutions of various degrees of merit have long been in existence, assuming to educate candidates for commissions in the infantry, the engineers, and artillery, not one establishment is to be found in the United Kingdom which professes to prepare gentlemen for the British Cavalry. It might be inferred from this circumstance that the Cavalry needed no special preparation,-that an ordinary school education, followed by the usual course of regimental training, would suffice to give to England her Ruperts and Murats. But whatever the theory may have been in this respect it has been falsified by results. Our Cavalry has rarely taken that prominent place in our campaigns, and in the determination of great contests, which it would have achieved had its strength and the previous cultivation of the officers been commensurate with the high purposes of so noble a branch of the service.

"Whatever was accomplished in the wars in which we have been engaged must be set down to the daring and discipline of our Dragoons, and the heroic and valorous example of their leaders; they offered their blood in atonement of professional ignorance, and England accepted the sacrifice without taking a single step thereafter to avert so cruel a waste of energy, intrepidity, and patriotism. It is with the hope of rendering the British Cavalry in the future an arm of more extensive usefulness, of sparing the country, as far as may be, the mortification of repulse; of introducing into the service generally a passion for profitable professional study, and of sending up candidates for commissions to the Horse Guards and the East India House completely qualified for the regimental duties of subalterns, that the projectors of this College have entered upon their self-imposed functions. Ostensibly, the College merely offers advantages to the mounted branch of the British and Indian armies, but the scope of education which we have engaged to embrace is so wide, and so exclusively devoted to the now acknowledged acquirements of Officers, that gentlemen intended for the Infantry and Scientific Corps, and Officers seeking Staff employment, are equally provided for. Unhappily, the accidental destruction by fire of the building which stood upon the present site, immediately after we had obtained possession of the premises, has somewhat retarded our operations, but we have engaged suitable houses. We possess a handsome lecture-room, and have built a riding-school,