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Page:Palestine Exploration Fund - Quarterly Statement for 1894.djvu/158

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THE SIDON SARCOPHAGI.

literature, art and science of the Greeks by means of the Greek or Macedonian colonies which he projected, and which Seleucus, founder of the Syrian Empire, and companion of Alexander in his Asiatic expedition, was diligent in planting; colonies which Dr. Smith describes as so many centres of civilisation and refinement. The very coins of Bactrian Kings give evidence of the attractive power of Greek influence, since their names are stamped in Greek letters, and the title often added is Philhellen (lover of the Greeks).

St. Paul's Cathedral in London—a Polyandrion of England—contains many monuments of worthies of our nation, famed for their exploits in arts and arms, while the recording stone in honour of the architect himself is wanting. But this inscription arrests the visitor in his search: "Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice." "Reader, if thou art searching for his monument, look around." So would we say to one who desires to see the monument of the Great Alexander, "look around." Seek not only one in one city, but look at many in three continents of the earth.

The coffin of gold was stolen, the coffin of glass was broken, the sarcophagus is nowhere, but his memorials abound and his memory remains imperishable for ever.