of the Egyptians is extremely interesting, and affords an instance, almost as striking as that of phonetic hieroglyphics, of the triumph of genius, combined with perseverance, over difficulties which appeared entirely insuperable. Accident, it is true, contributed in both cases to diffuse a light over the subject, which could not have been struck out by dint of unaided sagacity. The Rosetta stone enabled our antiquaries to accomplish what the learning of Clemens and the ingenuity of Warburton had failed to make known; and, in the latter inquiry, the appearance of a neglected papyrus, containing the translation of an ancient deed, supplied the means of determining the value of a long list of numerical signs.

There can be little doubt that it was to Egypt the Saracens were indebted for the scheme of arithmetical notation which they subsequently communicated to the scholars of Europe. Thus it is rendered more than probable that to the same people we owe two of the most important inventions which could be employed in the service of learning,an alphabet, and a regular scale of numbers suited to the profoundest investigations of science. Justly, indeed, has it been remarked, as a most striking fact in the history of the human mind, that the only two discoveries which no one has ever claimed as his own are precisely those which succeeding ages have found it impossible to extend or improve, and which, at the period of their first introduction, were as complete and as universal in their application as they are at the present moment. It is hardly less surprising that the Greeks, who were indebted to the Egyptians for the elements of almost all those sciences which they afterward so much advanced, should have failed to discern the manifold conveniences attached to their numerical system. Some centuries, however, had passed away before they were induced to adopt it from a people comparatively barbarous, but who, like themselves, had profited by their vicinity to that fountain of knowledge which so long beautified and enriched the country of the Pharaohs.*

*To the authorities mentioned in the text we feel satisfaction in adding an article, in a recent number of the Westminster Review, on the "Egyptian Method of Notation," to which we acknowledge ourselves under great obligations. See also "Remarques sur les Signes Numé riques des Anciens Egyptiens. Par E. Jomard. Description de l'Egypte, vol. ii. p. 57. Antiquités."

A review of the literature of this ancient nation might seem to require that we should give an account of the theological opinions entertained by the priests, as well as of the doctrines received by the multitude, relative to the nature of the human soul, and a future state of reward and punishment. But it must be apparent that the object of our undertaking precludes all such discussion, as being at once too abstruse and too extensive in its ramifications. It may therefore be sufficient to observe that the popular religion of Egypt, like that of all pagan tribes, was directed towards those qualities in the physical system of the universe upon which the permanence of the animal kingdom is known to depend. The generative and prolific powers, under their various forms, and as affecting every description of organized matter, were worshipped as the Universal Parent, whose names were multiplied according to the changing aspect of nature, and whose attributes, when personified, gave birth to a thousand subordinate divinities. The tenet of the metempsychosis appears to have regulated the faith of the people so far as it applied to the effect of their conduct on their future condition. The soul was understood to expiate the sins committed in the human body, or to enjoy the rewards due to pureness of living, in a succession of transmigrations during three thousand years; at the end of which it was expected to resume its former tenement, and to discharge once more the functions of an earthly existence

Again, as to the poetry, the eloquence, and the polite literature of that remarkable people, we are still too ignorant of the Coptic to form an accurate judgment. But there is reason to hope that the example presented by M. Quatremère to the scholars of Europe will not be neglected-that the spoken language of the Egyptians will at length receive a degree of attention equal to its importance-and, consequently, that the productions of the poets and orators of Thebes, the passionate effusions of the lover and the patriot, may yet be added to the stores of English learning.

In respect to the arts of the ancient Egyptians, we shall have a better opportunity of introducing a few observations in the following chapter, where we intend to bring before the reader a view of some of the more striking remains of their taste and skill, as collected from the descriptions of recent travellers.

CHAPTER VI.

Remains of Ancient Art in various Parts of Egypt.

General Magnificence of Remains-Alexandria-Pillar-Cleopatra's Needle Catacombs-Memphis-Beni Hassan-Hermopolis MagnaAntinopolis-Siout-Sepulchral Grottoes-Temple of AntæopolisAbydos-Dendera or Tentyra-Magnificent Temple and PorticoElegant Sculptures-Zodiac and Planisphere-Opinions as to their Antiquity-Thebes-The Gateway or Propylon at Luxor-Magnificent Sculptures-Karnac-The Temple; its Approaches and splendid Gateways; its vast Extent-Temples at Dair and Medinet AbouThe Memnonium-Statue of Memnon-Tombs-Herment-EsnehEleithias-Striking Representations of Domestic Life-Edfou-Hadjur Silsili-Koum Ombos-Es Souan-Quarries of Syené-Island of Elephantiné-Concluding Remarks.

We have purposely made a distinction between those immense works which display the gigantic plans and mechanical resources of the ancient Egyptians, and the specimens of the finer arts of architecture, statuary, and painting which still delight the eye of the scientific traveller amid the ruins of Thebes, Dendera, and Ebsamboul. No view of Egypt would be complete without such an outline as we now propose to exhibit; for it is not possible in any other way to connect the history of that remarkable country with its proud monuments of ancient taste and grandeur, or to render credible the sublime descriptions which have been transmitted to us by philosophers as well as by poets. The remains which still indicate the site of its oldest capital present the most unequivocal proof of its early civilization, and of the high degree of power which the inhabitants had attained by means of their knowledge. Its origin is lost in the obscurity of time, being coeval perhaps with the people who first took possession of the country; but, to give an idea of its great antiquity, it may be sufficient to remark that the building of Memphis, the date of which even stretches beyond the limits of authentic history, was the first attempt made to rival its magnificence and prosperity. Alluding to one portion of that splendid city, Champollion expresses himself in the following terms:-"All that I had

seen, all that I had admired on the left bank, appeared miserable in comparison with the gigantic conceptions by which I was surrounded. I shall take care not to attempt to describe any thing; for, either my description would not express the thousandth part of what ought to be said, or, if I drew even a faint sketch, I should be taken for an enthusiast or perhaps for a madman. It will suffice to add, that no people, either ancient or modern, ever conceived the art of architecture on so sublime and so grand a scale as the ancient Egyptians. Their conceptions were those of men a hundred feet high; and the imagination, which in Europe rises far above our porticoes, sinks abashed at the foot of the 140 columns of the hypostyle hall at Karnac."

The traveller from Europe usually lands at Alexandria, a city which in any other part of the world except Egypt would be denominated ancient. The pillar which graces that capital of the Grecian kings was long associated with the name of Pompey the Great; but an inscription upon it has, in modern times, been distinctly made out, which proves that its last dedication was to the Emperor Diocletian by a prefect who happened to bear the same name as the rival of Julius Cæsar. We have just insinuated that it was no uncommon occurrence, during the successive dynasties which governed the Egyptians, to carve the titles of princes on palaces, temples, and obelisks which had existed a thousand years before their accession to power; whence it must appear that nothing can be more fallacious, as a test of antiquity, than the names which are found in inscriptions, even in those of the hieroglyphic class. Mr. Salt, we have already mentioned, traced the appellation of one of the Ptolemies engraved over that of Psammeticus-the sovereign, it is probable, in whose reign the original building was erected.

The Alexandrian pillar stands upon a pedestal twelve feet high, which has obviously been formed of stones previously used for some other purpose. The shaft is round, about ninety feet in length, and surmounted by a Corinthian capital which adds ten feet more to the elevation. The column, we believe, is one block of porphyry, although it has more usually been described as consisting of syenite or Egyptian granite. It is nine feet in diameter, with a perceptible entesis, but without hieroglyphics; remarkably well

cut, and very little injured by the effects of time. No one, however, can fail to perceive that the shaft does not correspond with the capital, base, and pedestal, which are extremely poor both in execution and taste.

It is to be deeply regretted that the architectural beauties of this celebrated monument are not a little defaced by the undue freedoms which have been used by certain European visiters. One of the latest writers on the subject informs us, that what with black paint and red ochre, pitch and sand, the pedestal and the lower part of the shaft may now rival the party-coloured mantle of Jacob's favourite son. It was in vain to look for any of Diocletian's inscriptions, since the scribbling of those who had ascended to the top had obliterated all other traces. It appears, that in March, 1827, the officers of the Glasgow, ship of war, by means of flying a kite, had passed a string over the top of the column -to this they fastened a cord, and eventually a rope-ladder. Their example has been followed by the crew of almost every king's ship since stationed in that port. Breakfasts have been given, and letters written on the top, and even a lady has had courage to ascend. But the national flag having on one occasion been left by a party, the governor took so much offence as to prohibit all such frolics for the time to come.*

There is a want of unanimity among travellers as to the precise import of the inscription on this famous pillar. M. Quatremère has ascertained that there was in the time of Diocletian a prefect whose name was Pompeius, and thereby afforded a strong corroboration to the opinion of those who think that the monument was raised in honour of that emperor by one of his deputies. But Dr. Clarke read the Greek characters so as to substitute Adrian instead of Diocletian; and found out, at the same time, that the name of the commander who dedicated the pillar was Posthumus rather than Pompeius. The greater number, however, follow the version which retains the latter appellation, and which by that means accounts so easily for the vulgar error in regard to the object of the erection.

We are informed by Denon, that the earth about the

*Travels in the Crimea.-A similar feat was accomplished in 1777 by an English captain. Bee Irwin's Voyage.