Mr. Layard, in his work upon Nineveh and Babylon, in reference to the
articles of bronze from Assyria now in the British Museum, states, that the
_tin_ used in the composition was probably obtained from Phoenicia; and,
consequently, that _that_ used in the Assyrian bronze may actually have
been _exported_ nearly _three thousand_ years ago from the British Isles.
The Assyrians appear to have made an extensive use of this metal; and the
degree of perfection which the making of bronze had then reached, clearly
shows that they must have been long experienced in the use of it. _They_
appear to have received what they used from the Phoenicians. _When_ and _by
whom_ was tin first discovered in our island? Were the _Celtic tribes_
acquainted with it _previously_ to the arrival of the Phoenicians upon our
shores?
It is said that the Phoenicians were indebted to the Tyrian Hercules for
their trade in tin; and that this island owed them its name of _Baratanac_,
or Britain, the land of tin. Was the _Tyrian Hercules_, or, as he was
afterwards known and worshipped, as the Melkart of Tyre, and the Moloch of
the Bible, was _he_ the _merchant-leader_ of the first band of Phoenicians
who visited this island? _When_ did _he_ live?