Egyptians had a tendency to wool. From whence we may infer, that it was a circumstance more or less to be observed in all the branches of the line of Ham, but universally among the Nigritæ, of whatever branch they may have been.

The learning and wisdom of the Egyptians have been always greatly celebrated, so that there is no writer of consequence who treats of their history, but speaks of them with admiration. The Grecians had high notions of their own antiquity and learning; yet, notwithstanding all their prejudices, they ever allow the superiority of the Egyptians. Herodotus had visited Egypt, and seen the temples and colleges of that country. In consequence of this, he had opportunities of gaining some intelligence of the natives, whom he mentions with the highest marks of honour. He says, that they were the " wisest of all nations and he acknowledges, that they were never beholden for any thing to the Grecians; but on the contrary, that " Greece had borrowed largely from Egypt. No nation appears to have enjoyed a better established polity. Their councils, senate, and tribunais seem to have been

2.2

21 L. 2. c. 121. c. 160.

22 L. 2. c. 49. See Clemens. Alexand. Strom. 1. 1. p. 361.

24

very "august, and highly regarded. Their community was composed of seven different orders. In most of these there were degrees of honour, to which particulars, upon their any ways excelling, were permitted to rise. They were deeply skilled in 25 astronomy and geometry; also in chymistry and physic. Indeed they seem to have been acquainted with every branch of philosophy; which they are supposed of all nations to have cultivated the 26 first.

The natives of Thebes above all others were renowned for their great wisdom; and for their knowledge in these 27 sciences. Their improvements in geometry are thought to have been owing to the nature of their 28 country; for the land of Egypt being annually overflowed, and all property confounded, they were obliged,

23 Sec Johannes Nicolaus de Synedrio Egyptiorum. Lugd. Bat. anno 1706.

24 Herodotus 1. 2. c. 163.

657.

25 Diodorus. 1. 1. p. 63. Clemens Alex. Strom. 1. 5. p. Ilerodot. 1. 3. c. 129. The very term Chymistry, Chemia, Xnuia signifies the Egyptian art. The country itself was named Chemia, and Chamia, or the land of Cham. Another sense of Chemia, and Al-Chemia is a process by fire.

25 Tatianus Assyrius. p. 243. Just. Martyr. Cohort. p. 18.

27 Οι δε Θηβαιοι φασιν ἑαυτες αρχαιοτατος είναι παντων ανθρώπων, και παρ ἑαυτοις πρώτοις φιλοσοφίαν τε Ευρησθαι, και την επ' ακριβές αερολογίαν. κτλ. Diodorus. 1. 1. p. 46.

28 Herodot. 1. 2. c. 109.

upon the retreat of the waters, to have recourse to geometrical decision, in order to determine the limits of their possessions. All the best architecture of Greece may be traced to its original in 29 Egypt. Here were the first efforts of genius disclosed; as may be still seen about Luxorain, Ombus, Assouan, and Thebes. In these parts resided the Artists, who formed the antient cornice and architrave: and who invented the capital, and shaft, of which the first pillar was composed. And however early these specimens may have been, yet there are among them some, which witness no small elegance and beauty. To them is attributed the invention of the 30 zodiac and sphere and they are said to have first observed accurately the solstitial points; and to have determined the year. Macrobius styles Egypt the parent of "arts: and he says, that Julius Cæsar,

29 See Pocock's Egypt. p. 216. and Norden, Plates 107. 127. and 144.

30 Macrobius Semn. Scip. 1. 1. p. 75. 76. Herod. 1. 2. c. 4. Anni certus modus apud solos Ægyptios semper fuit. Macrob. Saturn. 1. 1. p. 169.

31 Ægyptus artium mater. Ibid. p. 180.

Λεγεσι τοινυν Αιγυπτιοι παρ' αυτοις την τε των γραμμάτων ευρεσιν γενεσθαι, και των αγρών παρατηρησιν προς δε τέτοις τα τε περί την γεωμετρίαν θεωρηματα, και των τεχνων τας πλείςας ευρεθηναι. Diod.

Sic. 1. 1. p. 63.

VOL. IV.

mense.

when he took in hand to correct the Roman Ca lendar, effected it upon Egyptian principles; 32 copying those great masters, who were the only proficients upon earth in the noble and divine sciences. The works which they erected were imBoth their obelisks and pyramids have been looked up to with amazement: and it has been the study of the world to devise, by what mechanical powers they were effected. Their ramparts, sluices, canals, and lakes, have never been surpassed, either in number, or magnificence, by any people in the world. Their sculptures, though executed in so early an age, are represented in many instances as very curious and precise, Frederic Hasselquist, a learned Swede, assures us, that he could plainly distinguish every bird, and the particular species of every bird, upon the

obelisk at Matarea.

33

No wonder, that a people so excellent should be beheld with a degree of 34 veneration by the Grecians. On this account all those, who were zealous of making a proficiency in philosophy, be

32 C. Cæsar-imitatus Ægyptios, solos divinarum rerum omnium conscios. Macrob. Sat. 1. 1. p. 178.

33 Travels. p. 99.

34 Πολλα γαρ των παλαιών εθών γενόμενων παρ' Αιγυπτιοις & μόνον· σπάρα τους εγχώριους αποδοχής ετυχεν, αλλα και παρα τους Ελλησιν δ HETRINS εDavμacon. Diod. Sic. 1. 1. p. 62.

took themselves to " Egypt, which was the academy of Greece. Among the foremost of these were Pythagoras, Thales, Solon, 36 Eudoxus, 37 Plato: who studied there a good while. In the days of the two last, the country was more open to foreigners and from that time it was more generally and more eagerly visited. Yet the Ægyptians were then lowered, by having been so often subdued: their histories had been greatly damaged, and their knowledge much impaired. Yet there was sufficient merit still left to make even a Grecian admire. From hence we may fairly judge of the primitive excellence of this people for if science appeared so lovely in ruins, what must have been its lustre, when in a state of perfection?

:

O, quam te dicam bonam

Antehac fuisse, tales cum sint reliquiæ !

It is observable, that in the law of Moses a defer

A

35 Diodorus, ibid. Clemens Alex. Strom. 1. 1. p. 356.*.

36 Eudoxus primus ab Ægypto motus (siderum) in Græciam transtulit. Conon postea, diligens et ipse inquisitor, defectiones quidem (forte quasdam) solis ab Ægyptiis servatas collegit. Senecæ Quæst. Nat. 1. 7. c. 3.

37 Macrobius mentions, that Plato in particular was an admirer of the Egyptians. Plato Egyptios, omnium philosophiæ disciplinarum auctores, secutus. Somn. Scip. 1. 1. p. 64.