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Arabian interchanged at Alexandria the produce of Britain for that of
Ceylon and Hindostan。 And as for intellectual development； though
Alexandria wants； as she has always wanted； that insular and exclusive
position which seems almost necessary to develop original thought and
original national life； yet she may still act as the point of fusion for distinct
schools and polities； and the young and buoyant vigour of the new…born
nations may at once teach； and learn from； the prudence； the experience；
the traditional wisdom of the ancient Europeans。
This vision； however possible； may be a far…off one： but the first step
towards it； at least； is being laid before our eyesand that is； a fresh
reconciliation between the Crescent and the Cross。 Apart from all
political considerations； which would be out of place here； I hail； as a
student of philosophy； the school which is now； both in Alexandria and in
Constantinople； teaching to Moslem and to Christians the same lesson
which the Crusaders learnt in Egypt five hundred years ago。 A few years'
more perseverance in the valiant and righteous course which Britain has
now chosen； will reward itself by opening a vast field for capital and
enterprise； for the introduction of civil and religious liberty among the
down…trodden peasantry of Egypt； as the Giaour becomes an object of
respect； and trust； and gratitude to the Moslem； and as the feeling that
Moslem and Giaour own a common humanity； a common eternal standard
of justice and mercy； a common sacred obligation to perform our promises；
and to succour the oppressed； shall have taken place of the old brute
wonder at our careless audacity； and awkward assertion of power； which
now expresses itself in the somewhat left…handed Alexandrian
compliment〃There is one Satan； and there are many Satans： but there is
no Satan like a Frank in a round hat。〃
It would be both uncourteous and unfair of me to close these my
hasty Lectures； without expressing my hearty thanks for the great courtesy
and kindness which I have received in this my first visit to your most
noble and beautiful city； and often； I am proud to say； from those who
differ from me deeply on many important points； and also for the attention
with which I have been listened to while trying； clumsily enough； to
explain dry and repulsive subjects； and to express opinions which may be
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ALEXANDRIA AND HER SCHOOLS
new； and perhaps startling； to many of my hearers。 If my imperfect hints
shall have stirred up but one hearer to investigate this obscure and yet
most important subject； and to examine for himself the original documents；
I shall feel that my words in this place have not been spoken in vain； for
even if such a seeker should arrive at conclusions different from my own
（and I pretend to no infallibility）； he will at least have learnt new facts； the
parents of new thought； perhaps of new action； he will have come face to
face with new human beings； in whom he will have been compelled to
take a human interest； and will surely rise from his researches； let them
lead him where they will； at least somewhat of a wider…minded and a
wider…hearted man。
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