their' paintings and sculptures, which display in general a very
remarkable and peculiar physiognomy or type of countenance
and bodily conformation. Denon has thus: recorded the impression
produced" on him by these representations :—H -
“ In {delineating the character of the human figure, the
Egyptians, being unaccustomed to borrow-from other nations,
could only copy from their own figure, which is rather delicate
than strongs The female forms, however, resembled the figures
of beautiful women of the present day, round and voluptuous .
a small nose, the eyes long, half shut, and turned up at the
outer angle, like those of all persons whose sight is habitually
fatigued by the burning heat of the sün, or the dazzling whiteness
of snow ; the cheeks round and rather thick ; the lips full ;
the mouth large, but cheerful and smiling ; displaying, in
short, the African character, of which the Negip is the exag-*
gerated picture, though perhaps the original type.”*
No writer has taken greater pains in this investigation than
Blumeaibach, who has examined many mummies; and has in
several works expressed his opinion respecting the physical
characters of the Egyptians, founded on this inspection^ and
on a study of the remains of ancient art, Blumenbach has
been led to the conclusion that De Pauu, Winekelmann, and
D’Hancarville, were mistaken in ascribing to the Egyptian
monuments one common character of physiognomy. In Blu-
menbach’s opinion, there are three varieties in the physiognomy
expressed in paintings and sculptures, or three principal types
ta which individual figures, though with more or less of deviation,
may be reduced—these are the Ethiopian, the Indian
and the Berberine. “ The first,” according to this writer; “ coincides
with the descriptions given of the Egyptians by the
ancients. It is chiefly distinguished by prominent maxillæ,
turgid lips, a broad, flat nose, and protruding eye-balls.”
The second is considerably different from the first : its clia-
racters are—“ a long narrow nose, long and thin eye-lids,
which turn upwards from the bridge of the nose towards the
temples, ears placed high on the head, a short and thin bodily
structure, and very long shanks.” As a specimen of this
* Denon’s Travels in. Egypt, translated by Aikin.
form he' mentions the painted fëmale figure on the back of the
sarcophagus-of Captain •Letheuilly’s^mummy, which he considers
as decidedly vëSembpng the Hindoosi^MThe third sort of
Egyptian figures partakes, SorhetHingtof both the former. It
is characterised by a peculiardttirgid habit; flabby cheeks, a
short chin, large prominent eyes, arid aöplump form of body.”
This is_ the type mostwgenerally - followed- in' Egyptian pointings.
It is supposed’to1" represent'therbrdinary form of the
Egyptians, and. what miyt be termed their peculiar national
physiognomy; It is- thought by Blumenbach to approach
very nearly to ;theJ form of thé Barabra ors Berberins#
^ectiqn V.—Of the Copts.
The Copts.;cj,re• believed,ion apparently suflicienhgrounds,
to be the representatives, and nearly genuine ^descend ants of
the .old-Egyptians, whose physical characterisecs-they may.be
supposed to „have-inherited. Egypt, liasv ifedepdtj pndergonh
many conquests, and from each may have . received additions
to its- former stock of inhabitants. But the diversities of
manners and,religion have., prevented,any considerable intermixture
of these different tribes of its population| and-thefebest-
informed travejff^t,, particularly someiof the French scientific
men who accompanied Napoleon,. have- clearly recognised in
that country several distinct races, which have not approximated'
in the least towards a - common stand ard, but still; remain as
diverse in their physical character as in their moral disposition
and habits. During the period of the Ptolemaic-and Roman
* See Blumenbach's account of an examination of several mummies, in Philosophical
Transactions, 1794. See also the learned treatise on mummies in his
“ Beytrage zur Naturgeschichte.”
In the plates of the great French work, “ Description de PEgypte^” are many
strikingly peculiar representations which may be supposed to exemplify the national
countenance of Egyptians, and most of its varieties. In tom. i. plate 16, there
are several figures showing the red Egyptian complexion, particularly figure 2.
In pi. 27, fig. 1, are two sitting figures, with Negro characters. In tom. ii. pi;
47, fig. 12, is a countenance with the full chefeks and characteristic expression of
the Egyptians. PI. 94, fig. 2, is an excellent specimen.