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which it is written was discovered by Ebers a German archæologist, during a visit to Egypt in the winter of 1872-3. An Arab from Luxor brought him some Archæological specimens of no special value; but he was led to believe that he had in his possession a rare treasure. This the Arab at length produced. It was a metallic case containing a papyrus roll wrapped in mummy cloths. Its great value was at once by Ebers, and by the liberality of a fellow-countryman the archæologist became possessor of this prize. The papyrus was said to have been found between the bones of a mummy in a tomb of the Theban Necropolis. It consisted of a single tightly rolled sheet of very fine papyrus which was of a yellowish brown hue, about a foot wide and between twenty and thirty yards long. This huge manuscript is divided into one hundred and ten pages all of which are carefully numbered, save two, the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth, omitted probably from some superstition attaching to them. writing is Hieratic, a running form of hieroglyphics: bearing the same relation to hieroglyphics as the "cursive MSS." do to the

The

"Uncial," in Greek. Even to those who know nothing of hieroglyphic characters, as employed by the Egyptians, it is quite possible to perceive (when placed side by side) the relation existing between the hieroglyphs proper, and these, their cursive or phonetic representatives. It appears that the priests chiefly employed this hieratic writing.

The age of this wonderful book has been determined with confidence, by the form and style of the characters used, by the examination of a calendar which occurs on the back of the first page, and by the

names of the kings which appear in the writing. The date assigned is 1552 B.C.; a period when the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt, and when, by the received chronology, Moses was twenty-one years of age. This book with forty-two others held in the highest veneration by the Egyptians was said to have been translated from still older sources by Hermes the king, who in the middle ages was looked upon as "the father of chemistry" and whose influence still lingers in our word "hermetical." The remaining books treated of Government, astronomy, cosmogony, geography, religion and priesthood. On all these subjects many manuscripts in the form of papyrus rolls have been found from time to time. But it had been affirmed by Clemens Alexandrinus, that six books existed on the subject of medicine which have remained undiscovered and these probably now are for the first time brought to light.

The first page of the scroll opens thus "The book begins with the preparation of the medicines for all portions of the body of a patient. I came from Heliopolis with the great ones from Het-aat, the Lords of Providence, the Masters of Eternity and Salvation." After the preface, we get a "chapter treating of the taking of medicine. The medicines approach. The expulsion of everything is accomplished from my heart, from my limbs. Powerful are the charms on the

medicines. Beginning: I think

of the time when Horus and Set were conducted to the great Hall of Heliopolis, so that counsel might be taken on the Hodes of Set and Horus . . . words which are to be spoken on the taking of medicines in their regular order and frequently." This was the priestly physician's charm. The chapter

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book of the eyes; ""Mendicaments for preventing the hair turning grey, and for the treatment of the hair;

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Salves for strengthening the nerves; and Medicines for healing the nerves; "Medicine for curing diseases of the tongue;" "Medicines for the removing of lice and fleas; "Medicines for ears hard of hearing; " and the "Secret book of the physician. The science of the beating of the heart and the knowledge of the heart as taught by the priestly physician Nebsecht."

Ebers only translates at present the first two pages of the book; but he gives a synopsis of the remainder. There are many prescriptions given with much care. The following is a specimen:-"To remove illness from the stomach. Rub up the seed of the Thehui plant with vinegar and give the patient to drink.

"The same for sick bowels.

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could not abstain, there is nevertheless no gibberish or nonsense in it. On the contrary it shows that complex receipts could be written with clearness and administered with care in the sixteenth century before Christ. The writing is in red and black; and after some of the receipts the word "good" has been written by a later hand, showing that it had been in actual use. As more than archæology is dependent upon the correct interpretation of this interesting scroll, there can be little doubt that it will receive much consideration from historians and men of science in all civilized countries.

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In consonance with ancient Egyptian affairs Dr. Birch has written a paper in the "Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archæology which may be studied with profit by certain Biologists. He has given a most interesting account of the representations of dogs from ancient Egyptian sculptures and records, by which it is clearly shown that the racial differences now known to exist amongst this species also existed then. The figures show animals like the modern greyhound, mastiff, bull-dog, turnspit and Eskimo dog. One of these is inscribed as 66 The dog of the white antelope; and Dr Birch learns from Mr. Bartlett of the Zoological Gardens, London, that hounds of a similiar form are still used to chase gazelles and other antelopes in North Africa. This is another proof that within the limits of human experience a species apparently most susceptible to variation has not even "under domestication" given proof of varietal change. This must decidedly prolong the period over which the production of " varieties " extends, provided they are only produced in the manner specified by the theory of natural selection.

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BOOK JOURNAL.

The Economy of Thought. By T. Hughes.

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1875. For an author it is quite as necessary as for a public speaker that he should have something to say and that he should know how to say it. The first qualification Mr. Hughes undoubtedly possesses. Not to mention previous publications, the present volume displays an amount of earnest and vigorous thinking that fully justifies its writer in giving it to the world. This, joined to an extensive acquaintance with the metaphysicians of all ages and climes, bestows a high value upon the work. To map out the whole "Economy of thought" is a prodigious undertaking, from which many men of no mean parts and learning would shrink appalled. Yet the praise of success cannot be justly withheld. The mere reading of the headings of the fifty-six chapters would prove that Mr. Hughes has surveyed the entire ground; its general outline and plan are clearly visible to his own mind. Nor does a closer scrutiny disappoint it further reveals the same systematic comprehensiveness. The book, too, is unique; there exists, we believe, in the English language, no other that treats of thought not merely logically and psychologically but in its relation to such matters as Education, Religion and Theology as well. The conclusions arrived at are generally solid and trustworthy.

But the manner of the work will militate most seriously against its serviceability. Its author does not know how to say his something. The author of "The Economy of Thought; ""The Human Will its Functions and Freedom; ""The Ideal Theory of Berkeley and the Real World; ;""Prayer and the Divine Order," might attain position among religious philosophers could he but express himself in a manner worthy of his subjects and his genius.

The Living Wesley, as he was in his Youth

and in his Prime. By J. H. RIGG, D.D., Author of "Modern Anglican Theology," etc., etc. London: Published for the Author at the Wesleyan Conference Office. 1875.

This is a restored portrait. Dr. Rigg clears away blurred and distorted representations of Wesley, and gives a picture of him, which being truthful and welldrawn, could not fail to be at once attractive and impressive. The first part deals

with his former "biographers and critics,” and is written in Dr. Rigg's best style. His judgment of the most recent biographers of Wesley is strikingly corroborative of the estimate expressed in this Magazine. (January and February, 1871.) His treatment of earlier writers also is just and kindly. We should, however, hardly attribute to Southey "spiritual insusceptibility."

His lack was rather that of spiritual experience. He had seen little of spiritual religion in actual life. Dr. Rigg also makes a Christian and knightly defence of some noble and saintly characters who had received rough handling elsewhere, e.g., Grace Murray and Sarah Ryan. But even he bears much too hardly on poor Miss Hopkey, and makes too much mystery about a very simple matter, -the mutual captivation of the most attractive young gentleman and the most attractive young lady in the little Colony of Savannah. That Wesley was deeply in love, and that he indulged himself in attentions to the object of his affections which won her love in return, is all too plain. The strength of his passion was shown by his grief and mortification on her marriage to another. And the bitterness of her sense of wrong and slight, when Wesley having won her heart, threw it back upon her-in deference to the decision of the German elders-was shown by her immediate perpetration of social and domestic suicide, by marrying a man altogether unworthy of her. Alas! she accomplished her purpose, if not "to draw repentance from her lover," at least

66

to wring his bosom." The last three chapters form the most valuable part of Dr. Rigg's book: Wesley the Preacher; Wesley as a Thinker; and Wesley's Disposition and Character. In these respects Wesley never before received full justice. The charm of the book is unfortunately lessened by the incessant drawing off the attention from the real Wesley, to the fictitious Wesleys of controversy and misconception. This gives the volume too much the appearance of a collection of reviews, a considerable portion of it, in fact, having originally taken that form. We cannot but indulge the hope that this is but an instalment, a sort of project for a future Life of Wesley, for which Dr. Rigg has the requisite qualities in a higher degree and in happier combination than any one who has yet taken that splendid task in hand.

HAYMAN BROTHERS AND LILLY, 19, CROSS STREET, HATTON GARDEN, E.C.

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