Chapter XI

_Adonibal._--I had already completed my fiction before I learnt
from the researches of M. Sainte-Marie that Adonibal was the
name usually borne by the naval suffects at Utica, or that it
is at least established that a long line of magistrates were so
called. It was a mere coincidence that I chose it as being the
first appropriate Phœnician name that occurred to my mind.

I may observe here that I have throughout the preceding
pages written proper names in the way in which they are
most familiar. It would be mere pedantry to put Hanna-baal
(cherished by the gods) instead of Hannibal, or Bod-melkarth
(the face of Melkarth) instead of Bodmilcar; and it will
suffice for any reader who has not studied the Semitic dialects
to know that any ancient Phœnician or Jewish name may be
dissected like most modern Arab names; for example, Hamilcar is
Abd-Melkarth (the servant of Melkarth), like Abd-Allah (the
servant of God). The student of the Semitic dialects will have
no need to come to my book for instruction.

With regard to the names of places, I have felt considerable
difficulty. My reasons for not writing them in Semitic are
threefold:--

1. They are not all known to us under this form.

2. If known, they are unfamiliar to the general reader.

3. The identity, orthography, and pronunciation could not be
substantiated without entering into minute arguments, which
would be out of place.

I have accordingly, with few exceptions, used the most familiar
forms, and have, at the risk of criticism, written Crete, for
Caphtorim; Egypt, for Mizraim; Libyans, for Mashowiah, &c.--_Page
177._