the East,* well described by Somerville in his spirited Poem of the Chase; and practised also in ancient Italy, as we find from the descriptions of Virgil and Statius. Saltusque indagine cingunt.' 2. They coursed with dogs, perhaps like the Persian greyhounds, in the open plains, the chasseur following in his chariot; as we read good Queen Anne used to hunt at Windsor in her one-horse chaise, while Harley and St. John rode in attendance. 3. They employed the loop or lasso of the South Americans to catch the ibex or wild cx. 4. They trained the lion for their assistance in the chase, as the tall leopard or cheeta is now used in India. 5. The lion was frequently brought up tame, as it is now, we believe, in Abyssinia and some parts of Africa; and from some sculptures at Thebes we find the favourite lion accompanying the monarch to battle. Mr. Wilkinson saw some tame lions at Cairo; and it is a fact, however, to be accounted for, that animals are more easily and quickly tamed in hot climates than in Europe; for which, see what M. La Martine says on the horses and birds of Palestine, in the very elegant and eloquent narrative of his travels; and our author remarks how much more tractable and attached the cat is in Egypt than in our part of the globe. The animals hunted were the gazelle, the ibex, the oryx, wild ox, stag, kebsh or wild sheep, hare, and porcupine. The fox, hyæna, wolf, and jackal were destroyed as beasts of prey or for their skins; and the ostrich was held in high value for its plumes. It is singular that the chase neither of the wild boar or the wild ass, though both animals are common, and are the usual objects of pursuit in the East, are to be seen in the sculptures. The monsters that we meet with in the sculptures and among the hieroglyphics, are generally unnatural com binations of parts of the foregoing animals. ‡ Denon has justly remarked on the comparative size of animals common to Europe and Egypt, that the latter are always smaller than our own; this is strongly exemplified in the hare and the wolf. The giraffe was not a native of Egypt, but Ethiopia; where it was brought with apes and other animals as a tribute to the Pharaohs. The camel is never seen in sculpture, as we mentioned, nor either fowls or pigeons among the domestic poultry. The cat and dog were sacred animals, and to kill them was a capital offence: 'Oppida tota Canem venerantur.' ARTS.-One of the most remarkable inventions of a remote æra, and with which the Egyptians appear acquainted as early as the reign of Osirtasen (3500 years ago) is that of Glass-blowing. The process is shown in the paintings of Beni Hassan (v. pl. 349). Many glass bottles § have been found in the tombs of Upper and Lower Egypt; and a glass bead, bearing a king's name who lived about 1500 B. C. of the same gravity as the crown glass now manufactured in England. In a hot country, and under a burning sky like that of Egypt, glass was not used for windows; but their method of staining it, and counterfeiting in it precious stones, as purple amethysts and green emeralds, have never been equalled by modern skill of Europeans and a necklace of false stones could be purchased or hired for occasion at a Theban jeweller's, as at London or Paris. "Among the many bottles found in the tombs of Thebes, we may suppose that none have excited greater curiosity and surprise than those of Chinese manufacture, presenting inscriptions in that language. Mr. Wilkinson has seen several, two of which he brought to England. Another is described by Professor Rosel * When the Chinese emperor Cang-hi went to his great hunting expeditions on the borders of Tartary, a hundred thousand horsemen and sixty thousand men on foot accompanied the march, for the purpose of sweeping the country and inclosing the animals. † In vol. iii. p. 25, No. 329, is an animated and spirited drawing of a chase in the Desert of the Thebaid, from a painting at Thebes. The hippopotamus was destroyed in the same manner as we do the whale, with a harpoon and rope attached. An Austrian nobleman asked an English ambassador at Vienna, whose arms presented a griffin and other monsters common in English heraldry," In what forest they were met with?" To which the ambassador answered, " In the same where you find eagles with two heads." § Panes of glass and broken bottles have been discovered at Pompeii.-V. Plin. N. H. xxxvi. c. 26. || Athenæus, lib. v. says, the Egyptians gilt glass. From an epigram of Martial, we may suppose the Egyptian drinking glass as delicate as the manufacture of Venice. 'Tolle, Puer, calices, tepidique toreumata Nili Et mihi securâ pocula trade manu.' lini, and found by him in a previously unopened tomb of uncertain date, which he refers, however, to a Pharaonic æra. A fourth is in the Museum of Jersey; another at Alnwick, and others are in the possession of individuals; they are about two inches high,* presenting an inscription, which, interpreted by Mr. Davis, is, The flower opens, and lo! another year.' The quality of these bottles is inferior to what the Chinese manufacture attained to in after times. They were probably brought to Egypt through India, and contained some ingredient valuable and rare; and they seem to afford a proof of the early trade of the Egyptians with the nations of the Indus and the Ganges. Indeed, that the productions of India came to Egypt so early as in the time of Joseph, is evident from the spices which the Ish maelites were carrying to sell there; and the amethysts, lapis lazzuli, and other objects found at Thebes of the time of the third Thothmes and the succeeding Pharaohs, argue that the intercourse was maintained. PAPYRUS.-Pliny was in error when he supposed that the papyrus was not used till the time of Alexander, for we find it in the most remote Pharaonic periods, and the same mode of writing on it is shewn to have been common in the age of Cheops, the builder of the great pyramid. It is uncertain till what period paper made of the papyrus continued in general use; but there is evidence of its being employed to the end of the seventh century, when it was superseded by parchment. All public documents under Charlemagne and his dynasty were written on this last, and the papyrus was then given up. It is still occasionally made as a curiosity in Sicily from the plant which grows in the small rivulet formed by the fountain of Cyane, near Syracuse. There are several other subjects of great importance and curiosity, which we are obliged to omit for want of space; but we recommend our readers to peruse the valuable chapter on the use of tin and other metals, and to some very curious observations on the bronze tools of the Egyptians, and the success with which they marked with these the hardest granite of the country. It certainly is curious that among the many arts, occupations and trades represented in the paintings of Thebes and Beni-Hassan, not one is found relating to this process. As regards the arts of design, in painting and sculpture, on which Mr. Wilkinson makes some learned researches, it certainly is curious and marks the genius of the people, that no accidents were ever capable of changing their fixed reverence for prescribed forms: nor do we find, after the Greek and Roman conquests, that any deviation from established custom was tolerated, or that any innovation was introduced from communication with these foreigners, howAfter the accession of the ever superior their proficiency in the arts. Ptolemies, Greek art became well known in Egypt, and every opportunity was given to the artists to improve from the best models; but no change was effected from this intercourse with the Greeks; and when Adrian wished divine honour to be paid to his favorite Antinous, and statues to be erected to his memory, no form was admitted but that which religious usage had established and Egyptian models prescribed. The epochs of Suphis, of Osirtasen, of the early part of the eighteenth dynasty, and of Osiris and Rameses the Great, may be looked upon as the four known gradations through which the arts passed, from mediocrity to excellence. We find in the tenth chapter, some interesting observations on the introduction of Colour, both in Egyptian and Greek architecture; by which it appears that certain parts of the Greek temples, of the oldest and best periods, were painted, as well as the statues.† Of the mechanical skill of the *See Plate No. 351, where they are figured. + Red and blue were used for the ground, and these, with green, were the chief colours introduced. See Transactions of the Institute of British Architects on the Egyptians as employed in architecture, and the success with which they employed its powers in moving enormous and ponderous weights, our author offers some curious examples. The obelisks transported from the quarries of Syene to Thebes vary from 70 to 90 feet in length: they are of a single stone, and the largest in Egypt in the temple at Karnak may be about 297 tons: this was brought about 140 miles. A Colossus at the Memnonium weighed 887 tons; but the monolithic temple marked by Herodotus, is still larger, and weighed 1200 tons. The skill of the Egyptians and their knowledge of mechanism is shown also in the erection of obelisks, and in the position of large stones raised to a considerable height, and adjusted with the utmost precision, and sometimes in situations where the space will not admit the introduction of the inclined plane. The lofty doorway leading to the hall at Karnak is covered with sand-stone blocks 40 feet long and 5 feet square. M. Lebas, an eminent French engineer, who removed the obelisk of Luxor, now at Paris, has paid a just tribute to the skill of the Egyptians.* Upon the whole, the mass of information so surprisingly preserved to this day, from an age little subsequent even to the Deluge, on the manners, customs, the domestic life, the progress in arts, the legal ordinances and social habits, has thrown a strong light upon the history of this remarkable people:-it is a whole nation sitting for its portrait: but still we must observe that sufficient data cannot be expected from the sculpture of the tombs to enable us to form an accurate opinion of the whole extent of the knowledge, or the vast variety of their inventions. The objects buried with the dead were mere models of those they used, and varied in quality according to the disposition, feeling, or wealth of the parties; but the best found in the tombs are of inferior quality, and not equal to those described in the paintings. The paintings also indicate a very small portion of their inventions; many which we know they were acquainted with are omitted; and the same remark applies to some of their common occupations, the animals they kept, and the ordinary productions of the country; and we find ample room to be cautious in drawing inferences, from the absence of any particular object in the paintings and sculpture, of their not existing, or not being known; and also, their want of skill in depicting certain objects, and their conventual style of drawing, have left many parts of the subjects delineated in much obscurity. DIARY OF A LOVER OF LITERATURE. (Continued from vol. IX. p. 469.) 1813. July 3. Mr. Mitford called after dinner; sate during the evening in agreeable conversation.-Parr renewing his charge of embezzlement against Mackintosh.-Mr. M. discovered an original copy of Thomson's Seasons, from which it appeared, by his hand-writing, that Pope had incomparably amended and improved these poems from the first edition, Polychromy of Greek Architecture, from the German of Kugler, by W. R. Hamilton, p. 85, &c. Dr. Ure has analysed the Egyptian colours; vide p. 301. Fontana employed 600 men and 140 horses to move the obelisk at the Vatican. Sextus the Fifth had it exorcised publicly by a Bishop. 2 K GENT. MAG. VOL. X. which was very bald and uncouth in parts, and had much of a Scottish provincialism. The review of Clarke's Travels in the last Quarterly, by Southey; that of Warburton in a former number by Whitaker, of Craven. July 4. Read Fox's Correspondence with Wakefield. Fox has the simplicity of a man, Wakefield of a child. The former seems always guided by native, spontaneous good sense, and just taste. The latter's reprehension of Fox for shooting, and his occasional ebullitions of self-complacency, are very characteristic. I certainly side with Fox (though he really seems shaken) in instinctively rejecting the idea, that the Iliad is a collection of Rhapsodies by different Poets. Such unity of design and execution never could result from such a process. Ovid* (letters 25, 26) seems rated not only much higher by Wakefield, but by Fox, than I should have expected. Wesley has the same predilection. Fertility of invention and variety of pathos he undoubtedly possesses in a supereminent degree; but they are perpetually debased by those infallible symptoms of a little mind— conceits. Wakefield's character of Porson (lett. 27) is highly curious. In the 29th letter he mentions 500 solid and nervous words from Milton alone, omitted in Johnson's Dictionary. There are perpetual traits of bonhommie in Fox, which are very delightful: but is it possible that he should have thought our political condition so deplorable as he frequently represents it, or our politicians the dupes of their party-feelings? Aug. 22. A writer in the Monthly Magazine (No. 1, of this year) considers that a ford, still discernible between the Red-house and the bank near the site of Ranelagh, Chelsea, to be the point where Cæsar crossed the Thames, not Coway Stakes, near Chertsey: he would, no doubt, cross it at the lowest point where it was fordable. Aubrey states that the first person who planted hops at Farnham, in Surrey, brought his husbandry from Suffolk, about the end of the 16th century. Aug. 26. Voltaire (Hist. Univ. c. 126) thinks it a part of natural law, that if a wife proves barren a second may be taken, and quotes to this effect a decretal of Grey, ii. 726. He mentions Lord Chancellor Trevor, of England, who, in the reign of Charles the Second, married a second wife, with the consent of the first. Sept. 8. Mr. Austin sate with me all the morning. He reminds me wonderfully of Symonds in the vigour and comprehension of his mind, and the disposition fearlessly heurter au front whatever stands in the way of his favourite theory: like him he appears to have philosophised away with the weaknesses and prejudices all the more ripened sensibilities of our nature. The great defects of the political economists seem naturally enough to be, to reject all that cannot be weighed and measured. Mr. Austin spoke highly of the convivial powers of Curran ;-full of exquisite and felicitous fancy. Complained that Burke ran into too great lengths in conversation. A. had conversed with many Austrian officers present at the battles of Wagram and Aspern. The Archduke completely overpowered by Bonaparte's complicated, but masterly and decisive manoeuvres. Spoke highly of the Neapolitan character, and the felicity of the Italian language: he considered the pre-eminent probity of this country, as generally and highly revered. Oct. 19.-Looked into Northcote's Life of Reynolds. I perfectly agree * La Harpe (Cour de Litterature) remarks that Virgil must have existed, to convince us of the imperfections of Ovid's style. Ep. with Goldsmith in his censure of the allegorical accompaniments to Beattie's portrait. Voltaire, Reynolds confesses to be among the Demons; and seems not displeased with another being taken for Hume. Burke, as was natural, disliked Gibbon's style, said it was affected,-mere foppery and trifle. Reynolds observed of a man who was dying, "that we are all under sentence of death, but that his warrant was signed." Considered the art of colouring as completely lost. Northcote takes from all quarters, but anything is better than his own style. Oct. 20.-Pursued Aubrey's Letters. The Vicar of Bray was Simon Aleyn, who had that Vicarage from 1540 to 1588. Lord Bacon, it is said, died from a damp bed. He and Berkenhead, it is stated, had their topics of local memory from Chambers, &c. Butler's is a good observation, "that the quibbling with sense, in Waller's manner, will be in time exploded as the quibbling with words." Oct. 21.-Finished Northcote's Memoirs. He affirms that Charles Fox said that Shakspeare's fame would have stood higher had he never written Hamlet. Notwithstanding the unaccountable defects of this drama, such are its transcendant merits that I can hardly give credit to such a criticism from such a quarter. Oct. 22.-Pursued Aubrey's Lives. Dr. Edward Davenant could not endure to hear of the new Cartesian philosophy; for, said he, if a new philosophy is brought in, a new divinity will shortly follow. This is very characteristic. Dr. Harvey, it appears, lost much of his practice from indulging the fancy that the blood circulated. He spoke lightly of Lord Bacon, whom he knew, as a philosopher. He writes philosophy, he would say deridingly, like a Lord Chancellor. There is some force in this censure. It appears that the inscription on Ben Jonson in Westminster Abbey was purely accidental. Jack Young, who was passing through the Cathedral at the time the grave was covering, gave the fellow eighteen pence to cut it. Aubrey's minute, familiar, and circumstantial touches are wonderfully interesting when applied to such men as Jonson and Milton; and bring out the humour of Ralph Kettle (known only through them) to the life. "He dragged with his right foot a little, by which he gave warning like the rattle snake of his coming." What a touch! cannot help pitying Milton's first wife, she must have led a wretched life, embittered by contrast. I have no opinion of his fire-side comforts. I Dec. 7.-Salmon mentioned that Dr. Drake said of Pytches' projected work,-"He undertakes a dictionary of the English language, which is a compound of all languages, without knowing any thing but English, and of English only the dialect of Suffolk." Dec. 11.-Read the critique on M. de Staël's Allemagne, in the Edinburgh Review (No. XLIII.), an elaborate revision of a most superior work; the glimpses afforded of the authoress are most inviting, the moral delineations seem exquisite. Nothing can exceed in truth and felicity that in which she traces and exhibits the subtle and evanescent lineaments of good French conversation. Of German literature they remark at the beginning, that it united the qualities of the childhood of Art, with those which usually attend on its decline. The whole concludes with a magnificent endeavour, by an enlarged and comprehensive view and liberal exposition, to reconcile * Unfortunately hardly any of Aubrey's anecdotes will bear the test of historical investigation. Those regarding Ben Jonson and Shakspeare have been almost entirely disproved, and they are a fair sample of the rest. Edit. |