SECT.

I.

20 ' AN HISTORICAL DISQUISITION

of places, nor their difiances, can be ascertainedwith the fame accuracy as in the interior provinces,or even in the Panjab. But from the refearchesof Major Rennell, carried on with no lefs difcern-ment than indufiry, the diRnnce of that place onthe Hydafpes, where Alexander fitted out his fleet,from the ocean, cannot be lefs than a thoufandBritifh miles. Of this extenfive region a confiderableportion, particularly the upper Delta, firetchingfrom the capital of the ancient Malh, now Moul-tan, to Patala, the modern Tatta, is difiinguilhedfor its fertility and population !I .

Soon after he reached the ocean, Alexander,Satisfied with having accomplifhed this arduousuridertaking, led his army by land back to Perfia.The command of the fleet, with a confiderablebody of troops on board of it, he left to Nearchus ,who, after a coafting voyage of feven months,conducted it fafely up the Perfian Gulf into theEuphrates ,l .

In this manner did Alexander firft open theknowledge of India to the people of Europe , andan extenlive dillrid of it was furveyed with greateraccuracy than could have been expeded from thefhort time he remained in that country. Fortunatelyan exad account, not only of his military opera-tions, but of every thing worthy of notice in thecountries where they were carried on, was re-corded in the Memoirs or Journals of three of his

M Rennell, Mem. fig, &c. Plin. Nat. Hift.

lib. vi. c. 2j. See NOTE VI.