View of Ancient and Modern Egypt

However dark may be the cloud which still hangs over the more ancient portion of Egyptian history, it is much less obscure than it was forty years ago. The united exertions of travellers abroad, and of learned men at home, since the beginning of the present century, have contributed not a little towards removing the perplexity which was wont to beset the historian and chronologer at the very threshold of their inquiries. The labours of Dr Young and of M. Champollion have opened up a path by which, there is great reason to hope, the research of modern authors will be enabled to penetrate into those remote ages which preceded the Persian Conquest, and which it has been too long the fashion to consign to mysticism and fable. Without permitting ourselves to yield to an undue confidence in regard to the discoveries which are said to have been made, since the comparatively recent period when the language of hieroglyphics was supplied with a key, we may nevertheless cherish the expectation that the light which has been already thrown on the dynasties of the ancient kings of Egypt will increase hereafter into a much greater degree of brightness. It was not the least pleasant part of our task to trace the steps of that arduous investigation which finally led to the knowledge of Phonetic Hieroglyphics; one of the most valuable additions made in modern times to our acquaintance with the mysteries of antiquity.

The reader will find that we have not neglected any source of information in respect to the learning and science of the Egyptians, and more especially as these are in any way connected with the mechanical labours, the arts, or the political government which distinguished the first ages of their existence as a civilized people.

In collecting materials for the history of Modern Egypt, we have placed the greatest reliance on the works of such writers as had lived some time in the country, and who had thereby an opportunity not only of marking the progress of events under that extraordinary man who for nearly thirty years has directed the government, but also of comparing the actual condition of the inhabitants with the oppression and barbarism from which they have gradually emerged. In this point of view the successive communications of Mr Salt are extremely important; as are also several notices which have been received in this country through the medium of France. Among these last a distinguished place is due to the "Histoire de la Régénération de l'Egypte," written in the form of letters by Jules Planat, a staffofficer in the service of the pasha.

Since the first impression of this volume was thrown off, we have had access to several valuable works and communications, which we have used so far as to correct or confirm such statements as might seem to admit a difference of opinion. Among these we may enumerate Rifaud's "Tableau de l'Egypte," Wilkinson's "Materia Hieroglyphica," and "Extracts from Hieroglyphical Subjects found at Thebes and other Parts of Egypt," Mure's "Dissertation on the Calendar and Zodiac of Ancient Egypt," and his " Brief Remarks on the Chronology of the Egyptian Dynasties." In the third number of the Journal of the Royal Institution there is an ingenious article by Professor Renwick on

Egyptian Chronology," in which he attempts to ascertain the date at which the colonization and history of that remarkable country may be supposed to have begun. We waited with some impatience for the publication of "Les Monuments de l'Egypte et de la Nubie, par MM.

Champollion et Rosellini ;" but the death of the former of these writers has, in the mean time, disappointed our hopes. Two works on a corresponding subject have however issued from the Parisian press, namely, " La Grammaire Egyptienne, par M. Champollion ;" and "Analyse Grammaticale Raisonnée de differens Textes Anciens Egyptiens, par François Salvolini, volume premier.” The latter composition, as its title denotes, is an exposition of Hieroglyphical Inscriptions, more especially the texts on the Rosetta stone.

With regard to the customs and manners of the Modern Egyptians, we have found much interesting matter in the volumes of Mr Lane, which, with valuable notices derived from other and more private sources, we have endeavoured to present in a methodical form to the eyes of our readers.

It is not necessary to remark that the Chapter on Natural History is meant entirely for popular use, and has no particular claims to scientific precision either in the description or arrangement. Besides, as our second volume contains a full view of the Geology and Animal Kingdom of Africa, contributed by two able writers, we have intentionally limited our survey to such objects as are peculiar to the Egyptian valley, or to the rocky barrier by which it is bounded.

The map, which we are satisfied cannot be surpassed for accuracy both in the names and position of places, has in this edition been so far improved as to comprehend an outline of the ancient canal from the Nile to the Red Sea, as well as that of Alexandria, lately finished by Mohammed Ali.

EDINBURGH, March 1838.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

Importance of Egyptian Antiquities-Egypt an old Country in the

Infant Age of Greece-Thebes famous in the Days of Homer-

Learning and Science of Europe derived from Egypt through

Phenicia and Greece-Inquiry into the Source of Egyptian

Learning and Civilisation-The early Improvement of Nubia

and Abyssinia-Resemblance between the Religion, the Symbols,

and Architecture of India and of Egypt-Anecdote of the Sepoys

in British Army-Remarks on the Temples in both Countries-