tives were conducted without hands, and with other signs, purporting them to be men destitute of courage: On the third, were a great variety of sculptures and paintings, indicating the sacrifices and triumph of the king. In the middle of this court was an altar of very beautiful stone, admirable for its size and its workmanship. On the fourth side were two sitting statues, of a single block each, measuring twentyseven cubits in height. Near these courts were three passages, supported throughout by columns, and built in the manner of a theatre; these passages were 200 feet square. In this place were many wooden statues, representing persons engaged in law-suits, and the judges hearing the causes. These last, thirty in number, were carved on one side, with their president in the centre, at whose neck hung an image of Truth, with his eyes closed, and who was surrounded with many books. This signified that the duty of a judge was, to receive no bribe, and that he should only regard truth and equity. After this was a corridor, filled with numerous chambers, in which all kinds of viands most agreeable to the palate were introduced. Here the king was most curiously wrought, and painted in the most elegant colours. He was represented as presenting to the deity the gold and silver he annually received from the mines throughout Egypt, the amount whereof was 3,200 myriads of minae, or 96,000,000 sterling. To these chambers, the sacred library succeeded, over which was inscribed, 'The balsam of the soul!' tiguous to the library, were the images of all the Egyptian gods, to each of whom the monarch presented a suitable offering, in order that Osiris, and the rest of the deities placed beneath him, might know that he had passed his life with piety towards the gods, and with justice towards men. Adjacent to this library, was an edifice of remarkable architecture, elegantly fitted up with twenty couches, where the statutes of Jupiter, Juno, and the king were placed, who was thought to be here entombed. Around this were several pavilions, in which were hung beautiful paintings of all the sacred animals of the country. From hence was the ascent to the sepulchre. Beyond this, and immediately over the sepulchre, was a golden planisphere, which was carried away by Cambyses, when the Persians invaded Egypt. This planisphere measured 365 cubits in circumference, and one in thickness; and it was divided and marked at every cubit with the days of the year, the rising and setting of the stars

Con

double fosses that surrounded their walls, their bridges over them, and their mode of drawing up the phalanxes of infantry, suggest a considerable progress in civilization and the art of war. Their offensive and defensive arms consisted of spears and swords, helmets, shields, and coats of mail. They pos

sessed two-horsed chariots, which contained each three men, thus forming a well constituted and powerful body of troops. Some fought on horses, which they guided by a bridle, without saddle; but the far greater part fought in cars, all of which is indicative of an Asiatic people.

PROTEUS.

Proteus, whose Copic name was Cetes, which Suidas says, signified a manifold sea monster, sometimes a lion, a panther, a toad, a whale, etc., very difficult to be overcome, was a Memphite.

It was the name of this monarch that gave rise to the Grecian fable of Proteus, as described by Homer, (Odyss. iv. 414-460,) and Virgil, (Georg. iv. 388-450.) Diodorus explains the fable, (for which we refer the reader to the pages of these poets,) as arising from a custom among the Egyptian kings of wearing on their heads, as emblems of sovereignty, the figures of bulls, lions, and dragons, fire, branches of trees, with frankincense, and perfumes, not only to adorn themselves, but to strike awe and terror into the hearts of their subjects.

This explanation, however, is questioned by some, from the circumstance of the head dresses of the kings being represented in the sculptures, when offering to the gods, both numerous and varied in their forms.

The shrine of Proteus was still visible at Memphis in the time of Herodotus. It stood on the south of the temple of Vulcan, (the god of the ancients, who presided over fire, and who was the patron of all artists who worked in iron and metals,) and was magnificently ornamented. The Phenicians of Tyre who had settled in Egypt lived in its vicinity when Herodotus visited the country, and the whole of the environs thence obtained the name of the Tyrian camp.

There was also in the same spot a small temple dedicated to Venus, the stranger, a goddess who was conjectured by Herodotus to be the Grecian Helen, who was said to have lived some time at the court of Proteus. This author says, that the priests of Egypt gave him the subjoined information

concerning this heroine :-"Paris, having carried off Helen from Sparta, was returning home, when contrary winds arising in the Egean, he was driven into the Egyptian sea. 'The winds continuing unfavourable, he proceeded to Egypt, and putting into the Canopic mouth of the Nile, landed at the Tarichæa, or the salt pans, near a temple of Hercules. If, at any time, a slave fled for refuge to this shrine, and submitted to be marked with certain characters, in testimony of consecrating himself to the service of the deity, no one was permitted to molest him. The servants of Paris were aware of this privilege, and fleeing from their master, with a view of injuring him, became suppliants to the deity. They revealed the secret concerning Helen, and the wrong he had done to Menelaus, not only to the priests, but also to Thonis, governor of that mouth of the river.

"Thonis despatched a courier to Proteus at Memphis, with this message: A Trojan is arrived here, who has committed an atrocious crime in Greece. Not only has he seduced the wife of his host, but he has carried her away with his treasures. Contrary winds have brought him hither: shall I permit his departure, or seize his person and property? Proteus commanded, that whoever the man was who had thus violated the rights of hospitality, he should be brought before him. Paris, with Helen, and all his treasures, were, therefore, sent to Memphis. Proteus inquired who he was, and from whence he came ? The delinquent related the name of his family and country, and from what place he had set sail; but when he was questioned concerning Helen, he equivocated, and endeavoured to conceal the truth, till the slaves who had deserted him were confronted with him, and explained all the circumstances of his guilt. Proteus, therefore, pronounced this sentence: 'If I did not consider it a great crime to put a stranger to death, who has been driven on my coast by contrary winds, I would, thou worst of men, avenge the Greek whose hospitality thou hast abused in so treacherous a manner. Thou hast seduced his wife, and, not contented with this, thou hast stolen her away, and still detainest her; and to complete the crime, thou hast robbed his house. But, as I consider it not right to put a stranger to death, I suffer thee to depart. This woman, however, and wealth thou hast brought, I forbid thee to take. These shall

remain with me till the Greek demands them in person. In three days leave the coasts of Egypt with thy companions, or expect death.

On

"Helen was detained by Proteus till the arrival of Menelaus, who finding, when Troy was taken, that Helen was in Egypt, repaired to the court of the Egyptian monarch. his arrival, he related the object of his journey. He was received with the rites of hospitality, and Helen who had been treated respectfully, was restored to him, with all his treasures. He then returned to the coast, intending to return to Greece immediately; but the winds were contrary; and Menelaus, unmindful of the favours he had received, clandestinely seized two children, and offered them as a sacrifice. This was no sooner made public, than the Egyptians resolved to punish the perpetrator of this gross outrage. But, as he fled by sea into Africa, they were unable to overtake him, and Menelaus thereby escaped their indignation, and the punishment he deserved." Thus history demolishes much of the Homeric fable.

Proteus is said to have founded the city of Memphis, the metropolis of Lower Egypt.* He reigned about fifty years, during which time, the country is supposed to have enjoyed peace and prosperity. He is the last of the Egyptian monarchs whose history is connected with that of the heroic age.

RHAMPSINITUS.

This monarch is not distinguished for the extent of his conquests; but he surpassed all his predecessors in wealth, and in his fondness for riches. Diodorus says, that he was so avaricious, that he would not employ any of the treasures he had amassed, either for the service of the gods, or the benefit of his subjects. The monuments, however, which he erected at Memphis, disprove this statement, and claim for him a place among the patrons of his religion, and the encouragers of art. According to Herodotus, he added the western vestibule to the temple of Vulcan, and adorned it with two colossal statues, twenty-five cubits high. The same author relates a romantic tale concerning an artful and daring robbery committed on his treasury, and of the singular expedient which he employed to discover the robber; but the details deserve no mention in these pages.

Rhampsinitus is supposed to have been the patron of the

* The reader will observe, that the founding of Memphis is ascribed by ancient historians to two different monarchs of different ages, namely, to Menes and Proteus. It is probable that Menes founded it, and that it was enlarged by Proteus.