from Arabia and Syria: and Egypt being a source of particular
attraction to the people of the former country, it appears
that, down to a comparatively late period, a succession of Colonies
were continually entering it by the Straits of Bab-el-
Mandeb;—while the colonies, which quitted this country and
Phoenicia during the period now to be noticed, were the means
of spreading knowledge to countries more remote.
The settlement of the bulk of the fugitive shepherds amongst
the Phoenicians naturally gave a fresh impulse to the commerce
of the latter people, by the necessity of finding employment
and additional outlets for the new comers; and at this
time, circumstances were peculiarly favourable for emigration.
Land com- The deficiency of timber suitable for the construction of merce pursued , .
by the vessels, and the aversion of the Egyptians to undertake long
preference to voyages, greatly limited the navigation of that people; but so
that o f the sea. advantageous was the situation, and so vast the resources of the
country, that it maintained commercial intercourse, chiefly by
land, with nearly all the known parts of the world ; for which
its agricultural and other products furnished ample means.
The compartments of the Pyramids and Temples of Egypt
exhibit, in colouring still vivid, the history and occupations of
the inhabitants of the valley of the Nile, with a fidelity which
leaves little to desire regarding their architecture, sculpture,
painting, and hieroglyphics, as well as their social state.
scMptoeT’ ^ le ®ne linen? dyed cottons, and stuffs enveloping the
paintiug, &c. mummies, together with the finished specimens of porcelain,
the golden ornaments, and the rolls of papyri, which are occasionally
found in the sarcophagi, establish the fact that the
corresponding manufactures and arts, alphabetical writing
included,1 must have been in use amongst the inhabitants of
this kingdom antecedently to the construction of the great
Pyramids.
1 Three different charaoters were used by the ancient Egyptians ; viz., the
hieroglyphic or monumental, the hieratic, and enchorial. The second, which
was more particularly that of the priests, appears to have been taken from
the hieroglyphic, and it dates from a very remote e r a ; but the use of the
enchorial, which is derived from the hieratic, does not appear to go further
back than the accession of the Ptolemies.—Wilkinson’s Ancient Egyptians,
vol. I I .. n. 13.
In some of the cemeteries, and with colours almost as fresh pyes> cos" , tumes, carpets,
as when first applied, are shown the various costumes of the &c., of the
priests, husbandmen, artisans, and other classes of people. In Egyptians,
others are depicted rich hangings and bright carpets, with
coloured thread and golden wire interwoven,1 such as may
have served as models to the Israelites, when preparing the
costly materials for the tabernacle.2
In addition to weaving and various other manufactures, the
art of dyeing was far advanced, the materials for this purpose
being, in all probability, brought from distant parts of the
world; and, in the pictorial history of the country, one of the
kings is represented attired in magnificent robes, offering gold
and silver to the gods. These metals are said to have been
drawn annually from the mines to the value of thirty-two
millions ;3 and so abundant were they, that they were used by
Osiris in the formation of implements of husbandry.4
Other metals, including iron,5 were used for architecture and Their warlike
for warlike implements. The chariots, particularly from theiram fhousehold
light construction, seem to have been of brass.6 utensils.
These, as well as the ordinary articles of household furniture,
such as couches, vases, tripods, baskets, glass, and vessels of
earthenware, all betoken a state of refinement in the arts which
1 Goguet, Origin of Laws, &e., vol. I I ., p. 86. Carpets were in use in
Egypt, and a small rug has been brought to England: it was found at
Thebes, and is in the collection o f M r. Hay.—Wilkinson’s Ancient Egyptians,-
vol. I I ., p. 190, and vol. I I I ., p. 141.
8 Exodus, chap. V. Those who have not had an opportunity of examining
the monuments of Egypt, will have the means of judging of these representations
by inspecting the great work of Denon, or that of Sir Gardner
Wilkinson, on the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians, which is
equally interesting and faithful.
3 Diod. Sic., lib. I I ., cap. v. compared with Wilkinson’s Ancient Egyptians,
&c., vol. I., pp. 232, 233.
* Ibid., lib. I., cap. viii.
5 Colonel Howard Vyse discovered a piece of iron in the midst o f the
masonry of the Great Pyramid, which he thinks could only have been placed
there when that monument was erected.
6 This metal was largely used by the Israelites in the construction of the
altar of sacrifice, &c., and was probably brought from Egypt by them
amongst the spoil. Exod.,chap, X X V ., v. 3, and chap. X X V I I .