dages cut out of cotton cloth, and smeared over with gum. It is then given back to the relatives, who procure a wooden case in the shape of a man, and place the body in it. This is a

description of the most costly process; the other two modes require less care, and were practised for persons of inferior rank. The first method cost a talent of silver, which is equal to 2257. of our money; the second method twenty minæ, or 751.; and the third a much smaller sum. In many cases the intestines were thrown into the Nile, and in others preserved in vases, or replaced within the body. The cuticle was removed, that the body might receive the full effect of the ablutions and soakings in the preparation made for it. It appears likely, from the appearance of many mummies on examination, that the body was exposed to a very strong heat, so that the aromatic and resinous substances penetrated into the structure of the bones. After the embalming, and before the bandages, the body was often gilded in part or whole, and in cases of extreme costliness wrapped in sheets of gold. In the mummies the body is always extended and the head erect, the only difference of position taking place in the disposition of the arms, which are sometimes found with their palms on their thighs, or are brought forward in contact with each other, or placed across the breast, or have one arm extended along the body, and the other carried across the chest.

When the mummies were kept in the house,

they were put in movable boxes, like closets, with folding doors, and offerings of various kinds were made to them by the different members of the family. Sometimes they were even introduced at table, or were kept in the house till the death of other inmates, or until the tomb was built ready for their reception. Within the tombs small tables were often placed, on which offerings were laid of cakes, ducks, and other things, according to the inclination of the person offering. It was these offerings to the dead which were strictly prohibited by the law of Moses.

CHAPTER VI.

ON THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE EGYPTIANS.

Principle of caste King and nobles-The priesthood-The soldiers and arms of the Egyptians-Their chariots-The husbandmen, traders, and shepherds-The laws, courts of judicature, and methods of punishment-Domestic lifeDescription of houses in city and country, flower-gardens and pleasure-grounds-The vine and fruit trees of Egypt— Festivities and entertainments-Furniture, food, cookery, and amusements-Hunting, fowling, and fishing-Arts and manufactures-Glass, linen, dyeing, paper from papyrus, and leather-Boats and ships of war-Use of precious metals in gilding and casting-Mechanical forces-Medicine-Dress and decorations.

LIKE most eastern nations, the Egyptians were divided into separate classes or castes. The principle of caste consists in the fact, that peculiar occupations descend from father to son, and that the member of one family is not permitted to interfere with the trade or employment of another. Herodotus mentions

seven tribes or castes in Egypt-the priesthood, the soldiery, herdsmen, swineherds, shopkeepers, interpreters, and boatmen. Diodorus gives in one place three classes, and in another five, as prevailing among the people of Egypt; while Strabo fixes the number at three, and Plato at six. The apparent contrariety of statement in

these authors can only be explained by supposing subdivision of the leading classes, and sir G. Wilkinson arranges them under four comprehensive divisions-the priests, the soldiers and peasants, or agriculturists, the townsmen, and the common people. In India, four castes prevail-the Brahmins, or sacred order, the Chehterre, or soldiers and rulers, the Bice Vaissya, or husbandmen and merchants, and the Sooders-Sudras, or labourers and mechanics. Megasthenes, a Greek historian about three hundred years before Christ, in a portion of his writings preserved by Strabo, gives a different account of the Indian castes, arranging them in seven classes. There is a general analogy between the castes of India and those of Egypt, and in the two countries the principle appears to have been rigidly and scrupulously maintained.

The nobles of Egypt were always of the first two classes, either the priestly or the military; and when the king was chosen out of the military class, it was necessary that he should be initiated into the priesthood, and taught the learning which the priests peculiarly professed to retain and cultivate amongst them. Among the Egyptians, the office and person of the king were invested with peculiar honours. He was chief of the religion and of the state; regulated the sacrifices, and on extraordinary occasions officiated as high-priest. He proclaimed peace and war, and commanded the armies in the field. The monarchy was constitutionally hereditary, though it was disturbed by usurpa

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tion on the part of powerful chieftains; and in the event of a failure in the lawful heir, the succession was determined by nearness of kin or marriage. The kings were subject to the control of the laws, which were framed for the good of the community. The wisest and most illustrious of the priests formed his privy council, and they are the persons mentioned in the book of Genesis as the elders of Pharaoh's house, with whom he consulted before admitting Joseph to the high station of ruler over the nation of Egypt. The highest respect was paid to the monarch and to his proclamations, and he was held to be the representative of the gods upon the earth. The quantity of food the king ate, and of wine which he drank, was regulated with the greatest care and nicety. He was held to be the property of the nation, and the preservation of his bodily and mental health was considered most important to the welfare of the community. No one of inferior rank was suffered to be about his person, but only those who belonged to the first families of the state. A time was fixed for the transaction of all business, and system and punctuality were. strictly observed. Early in the morning letters were opened, then followed ablutions, the investiture of official robes, and the offering of the sacrifices in the temple. The high-priest, in the presence of the king and the people, offered prayers for the monarch, and enumerated his virtues, reviewing the general conduct of kings, and the faults into which they were led