hence we may observe the great pains and curious precautions of the Egyptians relative to the bodies of their deceased friends. Pliny and Diodorus agree, that no less than three hundred and sixty thousand men were employed in erecting the first pyramid. It is also said, that twenty years were spent in the work; and Herodotus tells us, that, in his time, there was an inscription on the pyramid, which expressed, that 1600 talents of silver, or £413,333. 6s. 8d. sterling, were expended in garlic, leeks, onions, &c. for the workmen. These structures afford incontrovertible evidence of the early progress made by the Egyptians in astronomy, for the four sides of the great pyramid are turned exactly to the four quarters of the world, and consequently show the true meridian of that place. This precise position, which was undoubtedly the effect of art and design, proves also, that, during the long space of time which has elapsed since the erection of the pyramid, no alteration has taken place in the poles of the earth, or in the meridians. The Labyrinth seems to have been designed as a pantheon of all the Egyptian deities that were worshipped in the provinces, and as a place for the general assembly of the magistracy of the whole nation. It contained three thousand chambers, fifteen hundred of which were subterraneous, and set apart either for the sepulchre of the kings, or for the abodes of the sacred crocodiles. At the present day, a considerable part of this truly wonderful building may be seen at the southern extremity of the lake Moris, and thirty miles distant from the ruins of Arsinoë. The lake Moris, however, is pronounced by Herodotus as infinitely superior to the Egyptian pyramids, and to the justly celebrated Labyrinth. It was constructed by a king of Egypt called Moris, who formed it for the purpose of correcting the irregularities of the Nile, by preventing the stagnation of the water in other places to the detriment of the lands, or by preserving an ample supply when the river failed in its usual inundations. Notwithstanding the accumulations of earth and mud, which must have contracted its dimensions, it is still twelve or fifteen leagues in circumference. The Nile is in reality the greatest wonder of Egypt. By its annual augmentation, it waters the surrounding lands, and abundantly supplies the defect which must otherwise inevitably result from the want of rain. Though it is now well known, that the sources of this river are in Ethiopia, yet the ancients were so ignorant on this subject, that they thought it impossible to discover them. The Nile enters Egypt almost under the tropic of Cancer, and precipitates itself over seven successive falls or cataracts. It passes through Upper and Lower Egypt, divides itself into two large arms a little below Memphis, and subdividing itself into seven channels, mingles its waters with the ocean. The great increase of this river is occasioned by the heavy rains which fall in Ethiopia. The waters of the Nile spread slowly over the lands, which they gradually cover, and are conducted to the more distant parts, by various means which the Egyptians have been taught by necessity and practice. They remain four months almost stagnant; and that they may not flow off too rapidly, before they have deposited their fertilizing mud, during that time a sea-wind blows, by which they are detained. It is not lawful to cut the trenches for the reception of the water, till the river has attained its height, which is twentyfour feet. Egypt exhibits, at two seasons of the year, two most beautiful and magnificent prospects. If a man ascend some lofty mountain, or one of the great pyramids of Grand Cairo, in the month of July or August, he beholds with amazement a spacious sea, spotted with innumerable towns and villages, intersected with several causeys, and occasionally contrasted with groves and orchards; while at the same time, a magnificent display of sylvan and mountainous scenery bounds the delightful view, and terminates a most exquisite horizon, at the utmost distance which the eye can possibly discover. On the contrary, if the view be taken in the months of January and February, the whole country resembles one extensive meadow, clothed with the finest verdure, and enamelled with an infinite variety of flowers; the plains are embellished with innumerable flocks and herds; the mild zephyrs are literally impregnated with the sweet odours that rise from the orange and lemon blossoms, and the * According to Mr. Brown, the rise of the Nile is still much the same as in the most ancient times. air is altogether so pure and salubrious, that a more healthful and agreeable cannot be found in the universe. The Egyptian husbandman has not the laborious task of ploughing, digging, or breaking the clods; nor has he any occasion for manure, as the Nile, by bringing with it a profusion of mud or slime, fattens the earth, and renders it exceedingly fruitful. When, therefore, the river has subsided, he mingles a little sand with the earth to abate its strength, and then sows the seed with little trouble, and at an inconsiderable expence. The time of sowing is generally in October and November; within two months the ground is covered with a rich variety of grain and pulse; and in March and April the harvest is gathered. Lower Egypt extends from Heptanomis to the Mediterranean, and contains, besides the Delta, Mareotis and Alexandria to the west, and Casiotis and Augustamnica, with some other territories, towards the east. That part which, from its triangular figure, has obtained the name of the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, or the Delta, is encompassed by the arms of the Nile, and lies between the Canopic branch to the west, and the Pelusian to the east. The name Mizraim, by which Egypt is designated in Scripture, renders it probable, that the aboriginal inhabitants of this country were descended from the son of Ham, the second son of Noah. In Egypt, the royal dignity was hereditary; but the sovereign was obliged to model his actions after the established laws of the realm, as well in matters of a private nature, as in the management of state affairs. His education was not intrusted to his parents, but to the priests, who were grave personages well instructed in religion and the laws. No person was admitted into his immediate service, who had not received an honourable birth and a liberal education. By religious exercises, by example, and by the daily recital of the consequences of noble or base actions, the prince was taught, that God would reward virtue and punish vice. His employments were appointed for every hour of the day; the form of his dress was prescribed; the times for the repetition of his exercises were fixed; and the dishes of his table regulated. Whilst the monarch lived, he was reverenced as a god; but, at his death, he submitted to the lot of other mortals. All the people sat in judgment over him; and, if his good did not exceed his evil actions, he was, in some cases, disgracefully refused the usual honours of sepulture. Each nome or province had its respective governor; and the lands were divided between the king, the priests, and the soldiers. The priests, whose rank was next to that of the sovereign, were greatly esteemed and venerated by the whole body of the people, not only for their attendance on the worship of the gods, but also for their prudence, skill, and erudition. They enjoyed several peculiar advantages, being exempt from all taxes, free from domestic cares, and receiving a daily allowance of consecrated bread, beef, geese, and wine. The Egyptian husbandmen have always been very skilful in tillage, and in the management and breeding of cattle. They still practise their ancient method of hatching eggs in ovens, and thus raise prodigious numbers of fowls. Their judges were to be men of irreproachable morals. The members of the first tribunal of the nation, whose number was thirty, were taken from the principal cities; because they were supposed to possess more knowledge and information. They elected a president from their own number, who, as a mark of his dignity, wore about his neck a chain of gold, from which was suspended the image of Truth, composed of precious stones. The parties pleaded their causes in person. The plaintiff presented his complaint in writing, a copy of which was given to the defendant, who delivered an answer to it. The court then taking the two writings into consideration, passed judgment, the president, without speaking a word, turning his brilliant image of Truth towards the party, in whose favour the trial was decided. The laws and institutions of the Egyptians seemed to excel those of all other nations; but when we contemplate the objects, modes, and consequences, of their religion, we are insensibly led to deplore the blindness and ignorance of their hearts, which were enveloped in the dark clouds of bigotry and superstition. The principal gods of the Egyptians were Osiris and * Osiris was sometimes represented by a sceptre and an eye, to signify his power and providence; sometimes by a hawk, and in latter ages by a disgusting human figure; but the bull was his chief living representative. |