from Manetho-Mistake as to the Israelites-Indian Tradition in regard to the Conquest of Egypt by Pastoral Chiefs-The Origin of the Pyramids-Hatred of Shepherds entertained by the Egyptians in time of Joseph-The Reign of Maris-Accession of Sesostris; his Exploits; Proofs of his warlike Expedition; the Magnificence of his Buildings; his Epitaph-Invasion by Sabaco the Ethiopian or Abyssinian-By Sennacherib-By Nebuchadnezzar-By Cyrus-And complete Subjugation by Cambyses-The Persian Government-Conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great--Ancient Dynasties-The PtolemiesThe Romans-The Saracens... ..Page 48 CHAPTER IV. MECHANICAL LABOURS OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. The Magnitude of Egyptian Edifices-Their supposed Object connected with the Doctrine of the Metempsychosis-Proposal made to Alexander the Great-Lake Maris; its Extent-The Narrative of Herodotus; supported by Diodorus and Pomponius Mela-Opinion that the Nile originally flowed through the Valley of the Dry River-Facts stated by Denon; and by Belzoni-Lake Mæris not a Work of ArtThe River of Joseph, and Canals connecting it with the Nile-Pyramids; Account by Herodotus; Researches of Davison; of Caviglia; of Belzoni; Dimensions of Pyramids--Sphinx; Exertions of Caviglia -Monolithic Temple-Tombs-Reflections... CHAPTER V. .... Page 74 THE LITERATURE AND SCIENCE OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. Remains of Egyptian Literature scanty but valuable-Meaning of Hieroglyphics-Picture-writing-Progress towards an Alphabet; Illustrated by the Hebrew and other Oriental Tongues-Different Modes of Writing practised by the Egyptians, Epistolographic, Hieratic, and Hieroglyphic properly so called-Discovery of Rosetta Stone-Researches of Dr. Young and Champollion-The Practice of Chinese in rendering Words Phonetic-The Advantages of the Hieroglyphical Method-Discoveries of Mr. Salt-Anecdote of King Thamus-Works of Thoth or Hermes-Quotation of Clemens Alexandrinus-Greeks learned History from Egypt-The Numerical System of the Ancient Egyptians The Arabians derived their Arithmetical Signs from Egyptians.. ... Page 129 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 Grottos-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 Abon- CHAPTER VII. THE CIVIL HISTORY OF MODERN EGYPT. Saracenic Dynasties-Foundation of Cairo-Crusaders-Saladin the CHAPTER VIII. THE ACTUAL STATE OF EGYPT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF MOHAMMED ALI. Nature of Innovations-Members of Government-Household-Tenure of Land-Resumption of it by the Pasha-Condition of the PeopleArmy-Military Schools-European Arts-Canal of MahmoudiehIntroduction of Cotton Manufactures--Exportation of the raw Material to England-Fear of Plague-Silk, Flax, Sugar-Monopoly of Viceroy-Disadvantages of it-Caravans-Imports and Exports-Revenue and Expenditure-Population--Copts, Arabs, Turks,Greeks, Jews, and Syrians-Characteristics-Cairo-Houses-Citadel-Joseph's Well, Joseph's Hall-Necropolis-Tombs-Mosques-Palace at ShoubraSplendid Pavilion-Comparison of Egypt before and under the Government of Mohammed Ali-Future Prospects under his Suc.. Page 258 cessor... CHAPTER IX. THE OASES, ANCIENT BERENICE, AND DESERT OF THE THEBAID. Meaning of the Term Oasis-Those of Egypt described in various and opposite Colours-Used as Places of Exile-Their Number-The Great Oasis-Described by Sir A. Edmonstone-Ancient BuildingsNecropolis or Cemetery-Supposed Origin of such Land-Western Oasis-First visited by Sir A. Edmonstone-El Cazar-Soil-Position -The Little Oasis-El Kassar-Greek Temple-Fountain-El HaixEl Moele-Oasis of Siwah-Description of Towns-Of the Temple of Jupiter Ammon-Fountain of the Sun-Sacred Lake-Other Oases -Desert of the Thebaid-Berenice-Trade-Account of an imaginary City by Caillaud-Situation and Extent of Berenice-Emerald Mountains-Present Condition of Miners-Inhabitants of the DesertSharkin-Myos Hormus-Cosseir.. .. Page 287 CHAPTER X. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE EGYPTIANS. Great Variety of Manners in Egypt-Funeral Ceremonies described by Diodorus-Judgment pronounced on the Dead-Civil Suits in ancient Times-Account of Coptic Baptism-Levantines-Moslem Marriages; Description by Mr. Browne-Interior of a Harem-CircassiansEthiopian Women-Mode of Living among Turks; among Europeans-Mosques - Mohammed Ali and Burckhardt-Language of Copts-Religion-Festival of Calige--Virgin offered to the Nile; a similar Custom in India-Female Mourners in Egypt-Dress of Ladies-Amusements of Cairo-Reptiles, Insects, Nuisances-Anecdote of Sir Sidney Smith-Opinion of Denon-Character of Egyptian Arabs Houses-Mode of Life - Barbers-Doctors-Piety-Arabic Manuscripts-Serpent-eaters and Charmers-Mamlouk Notions of Respectability....... ..Page_308 CHAPTER XI. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF EGYPT. GEOLOGY-Valley of the Nile--Alluvial Formation-Primitive RocksSerpentine-Of Upper Egypt-Limestone Strata-Sandstone and Trap -Puddingstone--Verde Antico-Natron Rocks-Minerals-Precious Stones-Öres-ZOOLOGY-Camelus Dromedarius-Giraffe-Civet Cat -Ichneumon-Sorex, or Shrew-Jerboa-Hippopotamus-Crocodile ; cherished by Ancients-Monitor of the Nile-Hyena-Capra Aigros -Ovis Tragelaphus - Locust - BIRDS-Chenelopex-Ostrich-Ibis Ardea; Ibis Religiosa-Vulture; Mistake of Bruce-Oriental Dotterell-Charadrius Himantopus-Corvus Ægyptiacus-Alcedo Ægyptiacus-Anas Nilotica-Sterna Nilotica-The Pelican-The Quail, or Tetrao Coturnix-FISHES-Echencis Neucrates-Sparus NiloticusLabrus Niloticus-The Perch-Silurus Clarias-Salmo NiloticusTetraodon-Mugil Cephalus and Clupea Alosa-PLANTS-Papyrus; Uses-Persea-Lotus-Rose-lily-Rhamnus Lotus-Phoenix Dactylifera-- Ficus Sycomorus-Plantain-tree-Cucumis Chate-Cucurbita Lagenaria-Colocasium-Carthamus Tinctorius-Acacia; Gum; Frankincense-Henna-The Aloe-ZooPHYTES-Corallines--Red Coral-Sponges-Polypes-Madrepores, Millepores, Gorgonia or Sea.Page 327 fan.. MAP of Egypt.. ENGRAVINGS. To face the Titlepage. 157 167 202 283 Obelisk of Cleopatra, Pompey's Pillar, and Roman Tower... A VIEW OF ANCIENT AND MODERN EGYPT, &c. 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 Civilization -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 the British Army-Remarks on the Temples in both Countries-A similar Resemblance between the Egyptians and Chinese-All primitive Tribes derived their Knowledge from the same Source-Institution of Castes in Egypt and India -Statements of Herodotus and Diodorus on that Subject-Probability that Civilization and the Arts descended the Nile-Contrast between their advanced Knowledge and their debased Worship-Reflection on the Importance attached to the durable Nature of Architectural Monu ments. In many respects Egypt has long appeared to the scholar, the antiquary, and the philosopher the most interesting country on the face of the earth. Relatively to the various tribes who, at successive eras, have founded states westward of the Black Sea and the Syrian Desert, it has been universally regarded as the cradle of science, as well as the first seat of regular government; and hence we find that even the polished nations of modern Europe are accustomed to ascribe the rudiments of their literature and arts to the ingenious people who, at a period beyond the records of civil history, occupied the banks of the Nile. It is, no doubt, extremely difficult to construct, out of the scanty materials which have reached our times, a chain of narrative so complete and satisfactory as to connect, without the absence of some essential links, the present with the past, and to enable us to derive an explanation of what we see from a competent knowledge of what we are told has been. Between the immediate successors of Menes, twenty centuries before the Christian era, and the delegated rule which now directs the affairs of Egypt, there is a wide gulf, through which neither the boldest archæologist has yet been able to establish a path, nor the eye of history to direct its vision. It requires even a great effort of imagination to combine the ideas of that magnificence and power which must have distinguished the epoch when Thebes was built, and the splendid monuments of her kings were erected, with the facts which meet the view of the traveller in our own days, amid the desolations of Karnac and the ruins of Luxor. The land of the Pharaohs, in truth, was an old country in the infant age of Greece. The earliest writers of Europe described its grandeur as having already reached its consummation, and even as beginning to pass away; while the philosophers and historians who crossed the Mediterranean in search of knowledge were astonished at the proofs of an antiquity which surpassed all their notions of recorded time, and at the tokens of a wisdom, genius, and opulence of which they could hardly hope that their countrymen would believe the description. In the days of Homer the capital of the Thebaid, with its hundred gates and its vast population, was a subject of wonder and of the most exalted panegyric, an effect which we should at once attribute to the exaggeration of the poet, were it not that the remains which, even after the lapse of three thousand years, continue to resist the injuries of the atmosphere and of barbarism, bear evidence to a still greater magnificence than is recorded in the pages of the Odyssey. While the nations which at present make the greatest figure in the world, and influence most deeply the condition of human nature, had not yet passed through the first stage of social life, the inhabitants of Thebes and of Memphis had made a vast progress in civilization, and were even found gratifying a learned curiosity by inquiries into the constitution of the universe, and |