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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c05f777 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50611 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50611) diff --git a/old/50611-0.txt b/old/50611-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0c4b1ee..0000000 --- a/old/50611-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,17638 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pillar of Fire, by Joseph Holt Ingraham - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Pillar of Fire - or, Israel in Bondage - -Author: Joseph Holt Ingraham - -Release Date: December 5, 2015 [EBook #50611] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PILLAR OF FIRE *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -The text comprises a series of letters in three groups. The first -group, the first letter within that group, and the third group, -lack headings. Appropriate headings have been copied from the -Table of Contents and inserted on pages 25 and 468. - -Apparent typographical errors have been corrected as has inconsistent -hyphenation. - -Italics are indicated by _underscores_. Small capitals have been -converted to full capitals. - - - - -[Illustration: THE FINDING OF MOSES.--PAGE 388.] - - - - - THE - PILLAR OF FIRE; - OR, - Israel in Bondage. - - [Illustration] - - BY REV. J. H. INGRAHAM, - Rector of Christ Church, and of St. Thomas' Hall, Holly Springs, Miss. - - AUTHOR OF - "THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID." - - BOSTON: - ROBERTS BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS. - NO. 299 WASHINGTON STREET. - 1881. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by - G. G. EVANS, - in the Clerk's Office of the District Court - for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. - - - - - THE MEN OF ISRAEL, - SONS OF - ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB, - KINDRED OF MOSES, - THE GREAT LAWGIVER AND FRIEND OF GOD: - This Book - IS INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR; - WITH THE PRAYER, - THAT YOU, OF THIS GENERATION, WHO ARE DISPERSED IN ALL THE EARTH - MAY BEHOLD AND FOLLOW THE LIGHT OF - THE CROSS, - AS YOUR FATHERS FOLLOWED - THE PILLAR OF FIRE - AND ENTER AT LAST THE REAL CANAAN, - UNDER THE TRUE JOSHUA, - JESUS, THE SON OF ABRAHAM, - WHO ALSO WAS - THE SON OF GOD. - - - - -AUTHOR'S CHAPTER TO THE READER. - - -The idea of illustrating scenes of that period of the history of Egypt -in which the Israelites were held in bondage by her kings, and -presenting it from a point of view outside of the Mosaic narrative, -yet strictly harmonizing therewith, occurred to the writer some years -ago. - -In view of his object, he has carefully studied the history and -chronology of Egypt, and endeavored to inform his mind upon the -manners, customs, laws, religion, and polity of the ancient Egyptians, -so far as to aid him in an intelligent and practical execution of his -work. - -The difficulties which the question of dynasty, and of _individual_ -reigns have presented, will be understood by the Egyptian student. -Whatsoever chronology or theory the author might finally decide upon, -he saw would be open to the objections of adherents to the opposite -school. - -After a thorough examination of the subject of the dynasties, the -author has followed, chiefly, the chronology and theory of Nolan and -Seyffarth, whose opinions are sustained by the ablest scholars. - -But this work is by no means a "Book on Egypt." It professes to have -nothing more to do with Egyptian antiquities, mythology, chronology, -and history, than these naturally assemble about his subject, which -is, mainly, "The Bondage and Deliverance of the Children of Israel -from the Land of Egypt." - -The plan upon which the author has constructed his work is similar to -that of "The Prince of the House of David;" viz., by presenting the -scenes and events he would describe, through a series of letters, -alleged to be written by one who is supposed to witness with his own -eyes what he is made to place before those of the reader. - -As in "The Prince of the House of David," a young Jewish maiden is -supposed to witness many of the most remarkable scenes in the human -life of the Lord Jesus, and to write of them to her father in Egypt, -so in the present work a young prince of Phœnicia is made the -medium of communication between the author and his reader. - -This prince, SESOSTRIS, the son of the king and queen of Phœnicia, -upon reaching the age of eight-and-twenty, prepares to go into Egypt, -for the purpose of studying the laws and arts, religion and government -of that country, which, at this period, was the most powerful kingdom -of the earth. Mistress of wisdom, learning, and letters, she drew to -her brilliant court youths, nobles, philosophers, and travellers of -all lands; as in later centuries, even in her decadence, Greece sent -her scholars there to be perfected in the sciences and philosophies of -her academies. - -Young Sesostris takes leave of his mother, now a widowed queen, and -embarks in the royal galley at the marble pier of the palace of the -Isle of Tyre. He bears letters to Amense, the queen of Egypt, -commending him to her courtesy. - -Between Egypt and Phœnicia existed bonds, not only of friendly -alliance, but of relationship. But few centuries had passed since a -king of Phœnicia, at the head of a vast army of Syrians, invaded -Egypt, and taking Memphis, set up a foreign throne in the valley of -the Nile. - -Under this dynasty of conquerors, Joseph ruled in Egypt, and Jacob -dwelt; for, being Syrians, these new Pharaohs regarded with partiality -the descendants of Abraham, who was also "a Syrian." - -But after the death of Joseph, not many years elapsed ere the Theban -kings of Upper Egypt invaded the Memphitic realm of the Nile, and, -overturning the power of this foreign dynasty, friendly to the sons of -Israel, re-established the native Egyptian monarchy, "which knew not -Joseph," nor recognized the descendants of Abraham dwelling in the -land. On the contrary, looking upon them as of similar lineage with -the expelled Syrian or Assyrian invaders, as they were equally called, -the new monarch and conqueror, AMOSIS, at once placed them in -subjection, and oppressed them with a bitter bondage. - -This new Egyptian monarchy, under Pharaoh-Amosis, came into power -again, some years after the death of Joseph, during which period the -children of Israel had increased to a great people. For the space of -seventy years their oppression was continued by successive kings, -until, under Amenophis I. (the father of Amense, "Pharaoh's -daughter"), the alarming increase of the numbers of the Hebrews, led -this monarch to take harsher measures with them, "for the more they -afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew."[1] Fearing for the -stability of his kingdom, if they should rise upon their taskmasters, -and remembering the Syrian shepherd-kings, who had so lately ruled -Egypt, he issued the command for the destruction of all their male -children, as soon as born! - -At the time of the promulgation of this sanguinary edict, Amense was a -young princess, to whose feet the little ark, containing the infant -Moses, God-directed, came. - -The theory of Egyptian chronology which we have decided to follow, -represents this princess as the Queen of Egypt, at the time when we -present the Prince Sesostris of Tyre to the reader Under her wise -rule, Egypt had attained the culmination of its glory and power. Her -father, having died, after reigning twenty-two years, she began her -brilliant reign when Moses was twelve years of age--B. C. about 1560. -She had been upon the throne twenty-one years, when the Prince -Sesostris prepares to visit her court. - -We will not longer delay presenting the reader to the Letters of -Prince Sesostris, trusting that this feeble attempt to illustrate one -of the most interesting periods of human history, as it might have -appeared to a stranger in Egypt, may lead to a study of the Old -Testament by many who are unfamiliar with its pages; and also show -how, in his dealings with Pharaoh, God wielded not merely an arbitrary -power, but that, in all the "mighty works" He did, He was striking at -Egypt's _gods_, and asserting His own Divinity, as the Only Living and -True God, "besides Whom there is none else." - - THE AUTHOR. - - HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, - _Jan. 1, 1859_. - -NOTE.--The Egyptian scholar, the critic, and the Biblical student -are referred to the "Concluding Essay by the Author," in the Appendix, -at the close of the volume. - -[1] Exodus ii. - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - -LETTERS OF SESOSTRIS TO QUEEN EPIPHIA. - -LETTER I. - -On, the City of the Sun--Grandeur of Egypt--Emotions at the sight of -its wonders of art and scenes of beauty--The Queen of the ancient -house of Pharaoh--Her son, Prince Remeses (Moses)--Tyre, and its -traffic with distant lands--Damascus--Voyage from Tyre to -Pelusium--Scene at the departure of the fleet--The Nile--Its -encroachments--First view of Egypt--Meeting with Egyptian -war-ship--Invitation to visit the Court of Queen Amense--Description -of Egyptian war-ship--Banquet on the Admiral's ship--Singular -custom--Panorama of the Nile--pp. 25-38. - -LETTER II. - -Love for native land--Avenue of temples and palaces--Sublime temple of -the Sun--Emblem of Osiris--Artificial canal--Gardens and circular -lake--Gathering of philosophers and scholars--Obelisks--Message from -Queen Amense--Great temple of Osiris--Splendid approach to the City of -the Sun--Row of sphinxes--Osiris and Isis--Colossi--An Arabian -charger--Magnificent scene--Spectacle of architectural grandeur--Beautiful -palace--Religious notions of the Egyptians--Personal appearance of the -Lord-prince Remeses (Moses)--View of the Desert--Hebrew -laborers--Interview with Remeses--pp. 39-52. - -LETTER III. - -Climate of Egypt--Eternal sunshine and crystalline atmosphere--Costume -of the Egyptian prince--Hieroglyphic writing--Legend of the Obelisk of -Mitres--More of the personal appearance of Remeses (Moses)--The Hebrew -prince Abram (the Patriarch)--His personal appearance--His -tomb--Interior of Egyptian palace--Egyptian Mythology--Mnevis, the -sacred ox--Legend of Osiris--Pantheism--Apis, or the sacred -bull--Out-of-door life at midday--Hebrews, under their taskmasters, in -the burning sun--Prospect from the terrace of the palace--Isle of -Rhoda, in the Nile--pp. 53-66. - -LETTER IV. - -Palace of Remeses--Invitation to meet the Queen--Costume of a prince -of Tyre--Egyptian chariots and horses--Nubian charioteer--Escort of -the Queen's body-guard--Pleasure chariots--The Queen in her -chariot--Beautiful lake--Sphinxes--Royal palace described--The -throne-room--The throne-chair of ivory--Its footstool and -canopy--Assembly of military princes--Magnificent attire, and splendid -appearance of Remeses (Moses)--Ceremony of presentation to the -Queen--Queen Amense; her appearance and costume--Termination of the -audience--pp. 67-80. - -LETTER V. - -Egyptian magnificence--Egyptian architecture--Osiride pillars--Vastness -of objects--Avenue of Sphinxes--Temple of the god Horus--The emblem of -Hor-hat--Court of Colonnades--Grand hall--Rich colors in -architecture--Sculpture--Bass-reliefs--Splendid temple--Chamber of art -and beauty--Magnificent review of the army of four thousand chariots -of iron--A warrior-prince in his war-chariot--Description of -war-chariot--Ethiopian slaves--Bewildering spectacle--Military and -civil homage to the Queen--The Lord of Uz (Job) described--Ceremonies -preparatory to a royal banquet--The banquet--Costly wine-goblets--Arabian -dancing-girls--Jugglers--Guests overcome by wine--pp. 81-98. - -LETTER VI. - -Visit from Prince Remeses (Moses)--Great gate of the city--Phalanx of -dark Libyan soldiers--Varied accomplishments of Remeses--Avenue of -gardens, villas, and lakes--Temples in circular lakes--Egyptian -field-laborers--Hebrew brick-makers--Description of this "mysterious" -race--Account of the mode of their toil--Cruelty of their -taskmasters--Emotions of pity at the sight of their sufferings--The -lash!--Beautiful Hebrew girls--Dwellings of brick-makers--Joseph--Scene -at the "Fountain of Strangers"--Distant view of the City of the -Sun--Of Raamses--Of the pyramids--Of the illimitable desert--Wounded -Hebrew youth at the Fountain of Strangers--Majestic old Hebrew beaten -by taskmasters--Touching scene--pp. 99-114. - -LETTER VII. - -Interview with the venerable Ben Isaac at the Well of the -Strangers--Raamses, the Treasure-city--Joseph's granary--Exquisite -temple of Apis--Beautiful young Hebrew girl pursued by the -taskmaster--Her rescue and story--The punishment of the -taskmaster--Intolerable burdens of the Hebrews--Garden of Flowers for -the use of the temple of Apis--Account of the Syrian prince Abram -(Abraham)--Of Melchisedec--Of the Hyksos, or Shepherd-Kings--Their -conquest of Egypt--The Princess Sara (wife of Abraham)--Prince Jacob -(the Patriarch) and his twelve sons--Joseph--Pharaoh's dream--Elevation -of Joseph--Monuments of his power--pp. 115-129. - -LETTER VIII. - -Eagles of prey--Account of the Hebrews--Imposing funeral of the -Patriarch Jacob--His powerful and able government--Overthrow of the -dynasty of the Shepherd-Kings--Dynasty of the Thebaïd--Flourishing -condition of the Hebrews in the land of Goshen, under the government -of Joseph--Aspirations after the One God--Reduction of the Hebrews to -servitude--Their rapid and miraculous increase--The massacre of their -male infants--Courageous affection of the Hebrew mothers--Egyptian -nurses sympathize with them--Infants hid--Queen Amense's -humanity--Courage and wisdom of many of the Hebrews--Exciting ride -past Joseph's ruined palace--Jacob's Well--The plain of the Hebrew -brick-makers--Death of a Hebrew under his taskmasters--Sculptured -obelisk of Queen Amense--Emotions of Syrian painters at sight of their -prince--pp. 130-144. - -LETTER IX. - -Reflections on the degradation of the Hebrews--Hebrew pages and maidens -in the service of Egyptian nobles--Amram, the palace gardener--Contrast -between the physiognomy of the Egyptians and Hebrews--Remarkable -likeness of Prince Remeses to the Israelites--Description of the -Lord-prince Mœris--He seeks a quarrel with Remeses--Illness of -Queen Amense--Filial devotion of Remeses--Magnificent prospect of the -Nile, the Plain of the Pyramids, the City of the Sun, Jizeh and -Memphis--Myriads of human beings at labor--Naval review and -sham-battle--Exciting scene of contending thousands--pp. 145-157. - -LETTER X. - -Recovery of Queen Amense--Gropings after the True God--Pleasure-galley -of the Nile--Voluptuous ease--River chant--Phœnician Mythology and -Learning--Procession of the Dead--Tradition of the universal Deluge -and of Noe-menes (Noah)--Myths of Ammon, and of Belus the Warrior-god -and Founder of Babylon--Nimrod's temple--Baalbec--Worship of the -Sun--Myths of Apis, Horus, Adonis, and Io--Magnificent worship of -Osiris and Isis--Mysteries of the temple of Tyre--Baal-phegor--Pillars -of the West--Marvels of foreign lands, and islands of wonderful -beauty--Men formed like monkeys--The edge of the world--A -sea-storm--Gulf down which the full sea plunges--Legends of the form -of the Earth; of its foundation; of its motion through space--pp. -158-172. - -LETTER XI. - -The beautiful Isle of Rhoda--Prince Mœris and his favorite -lion--Refinement of Egyptians--Polite observances at the reception of -visitors--Parting between Queen Amense and Remeses--Military -emblems--Magnificent display of the Egyptian "tented hosts"--Striking -religious and military display of the army--Columns formed of trophies -taken in battle--The chief priest of Mars--His gorgeous attire and -imposing ceremonies--Gigantic statue of Mars, in full armor--Offerings -of the soldiers--Invocation by the High-priest--Libations for the -army--Clouds of incense--Appearance of the beautiful daughters of the -priest--The musical sistrum--Sacred offices in the temple filled by -women--The Virgins of the Sun--Social position of Egyptian -women--Thrilling martial hymn chaunted by the priests, the army, and -the maiden--Sacrifice--Remeses reviews the army--Ethiopia--Description -of an Egyptian army; its tactics and weapons--The nations composing -it--pp. 173-190. - -LETTER XII. - -Immense military force of Egypt--Sublime sunrise--Morning hymn--Gala -of the resurrection of Osiris--Festivals to the gods--Visit to the -Queen--Glimpse of dark-eyed Egyptian girls--Their tasteful -dress--Life, manners, and customs of high-born Egyptian ladies--Their -high social estimation--Egyptians can have but one wife--Occupations -of ladies--Classifications of Egyptian society--The habitations of the -Egyptians--Family customs and gatherings--House of the Admiral -Pathromenes--Home-life of the Egyptians--pp. 191-208. - -LETTER XIII. - -Ancient worship of the gods on Libanus--Natural temples--Legend of the -weeping for Tammuz--Unsatisfactory nature of the worship of -idols--More aspirations and gropings after the true God--Where is the -Infinite?--There can be but one God!--His nature--Body-guard rowers of -Prince Remeses--Their captain--Nubian slaves--Great quay, or -landing-mart of Memphis--Merchants from all parts of the world--Street -lined with temples--Avenue of statues and columns--Memphis--Gradual -change of the true religion into idolatry--The four deified bulls of -Egypt--Sacred birds, serpents, scorpions, vegetables, and -monsters--pp. 209-225. - -LETTER XIV. - -Majestic temple of the sacred bull, Apis--Tyrian mariner torn to -pieces by the Egyptians for ignorantly killing a sacred cat--Imposing -worship of the deified bull--Description of the sacred animal--Costly -offerings at his shrine--An omen!--Tasteful palace of the hierarch of -the temple--Transmigration of souls--Brute incarnation of -deity--Tradition concerning Osiris--Foreshadowing of the coming of the -Invisible upon earth in human form--Lamentations upon the death of a -deified bull--His obsequies--Pomp and rejoicings over a new god, -Apis--Mausoleum of the Serapis--Sarcophagi--The Sarapeum--The Lady -Nelisa--Beautiful daughter of the priest of Mars--The Lake of the -Dead--Embalmers and their art--Customs attending death and -embalmment--Funeral procession of Rathmes, "lord of the royal -gardens"--The venerable head-gardener, Amram--The baris, or sacred -boat--pp. 226-244. - -LETTER XV. - -Conclusion of funeral ceremonies of the lord of the royal gardens--The -Sacred Way--Processions of mourners--Avenue to the tombs--The -"dead-life" of the Egyptians--Awful ceremony of the judgment of the -dead--Burial of the unworthy dead prohibited--False accusers stoned -away--Myth as to the state of the soul after death--Metempsychosis--The -mystery of the tribunal of Osiris--Reception of the justified soul -into the celestial kingdom--Doom of the reprobate soul--Monkeys, -emblems of the god Thoth--The gate of the pyramids--Colossal -Andro-sphinx, or Watcher before the pyramids--Beautiful temple of -Osiris--The twin pyramids, Cheops and Chephres--pp. 245-261. - -LETTER XVI. - -Continuation of description of the Pyramids--Colossal monolith of -Horus--Perilous ascent of Cheops--Prospect from a resting-place upon -the pyramid, four hundred feet in air--A prince of Midian falls from -Chephres--Magnificent view from the top of Cheops, six hundred feet in -air--Tombs of kings--The Giants before the Flood founders of the great -pyramids--Ancient appearance of pyramids--Greater duration of human -life--The third pyramid built by Amun, son of Noah--Egyptian tradition -of Noah and his sons--Entombment of Noah in Cheops, and the mourning -of the Nations--Verdant plain of the Nile--The desolation of the -Desert--Jizeh--Raamses and Pythom, the treasure-cities--The smiling -land of Goshen--Prophecy of an Unknown World, in the West--The sacred -papyri--Descent of the pyramid--Luxora, the beautiful daughter of the -high-priest--Her legend of the Emerald Table of Hermes--Osiria--pp. -262-276. - -LETTER XVII. - -The lovely Osiria's legend of King Saurid--Stately Hebrew -woman--Tradition of the construction of the larger pyramid--Its -foundations--Its gates--Its covering of silk--Its treasure-chambers and -magical guardians of stone and agate--Miriam, the papyrus-copier--Her -striking resemblance to Prince Remeses--The pyramid penetrated by a -Phœnician conqueror--Discovery of treasures--Mighty sarcophagus of -the dead monarch of two worlds, Noah--Chamber of the precession of the -equinoxes--Hall of the Universe--Pyramids built before the -Deluge--Configuration of the seven planets as at the Creation--Astrology-- -Enigma of the Phœnix--The riddle solved--Nelisa--Interview with the -stately Miriam in the Hall of Books--pp. 277-293. - -LETTER XVIII. - -Tidings from Prince Remeses and the army--Antediluvian origin of the -pyramids--The barbaric King of Ethiopia, Occhoris--His body-guard of -Bellardines--His sacrilege in the temple of the sacred bull at -Thebes--Pious vengeance of the people--Visit of Remeses to the tomb of -his father--Remarkable conversation with Miriam, the papyrus-copier-- -Description of Miriam--Ben Isaac and the lad Israel--Contempt of the -Egyptians for Israel--Religious and political degradation of the -Hebrews--Miriam declares the mystery of the God of her fathers--Her -denunciation of idol-worship--Miriam's occupation--The winged -asps--Interview with the Prince of Uz, Ra-Iub (Job)--Job speaks of the -ALMIGHTY!--Seems inspired of God--Tradition of a Day's-man, or -mediator--Job convinces Sesostris that there is but one God--pp. -294-313. - -LETTER XIX. - -Intelligence from Ethiopia--Remeses a conqueror--Great spoils--He -enters Memphis in triumphal array--His filial piety--The captive -Ethiopian king--Victorious army of one hundred thousand men in -triumphal procession--The Prince of Egypt in his war-chariot--Column -of twelve thousand Ethiopian captives--Description of the bands of -captives, and their treatment--Invocation of the victors in the great -temple of Pthah--Distinction between captives taken in war and the -Hebrews--pp. 314-330. - -LETTER XX. - -Delightful climate--Indolence and leisure by day--Spirit of life and -enjoyment reigns at night--Galley of a noble designedly runs down a -small baris--Handsome Hebrew--Another startling resemblance to Prince -Remeses!--The lad Israel again--Miriam, the papyrus-copier, the sister -of the handsome Hebrew--What he saw, in boyhood, beside the Nile--His -infant brother committed to the river--Subterranean chambers for -casting images of the gods--The Hebrew gives an account of his people -and his God--He mourns the oppression of his race--pp. 331-346. - -LETTER XXI. - -Thirty-fifth birthday of Prince Remeses--Queen Amense proposes to -abdicate in his favor--The Hebrew page, Israel--Melancholy of the -Queen--Prince Mœris--Moving interview between the Queen and -Remeses--He declines the throne of Egypt--A secret!--Prince Mœris -seeks the ruin of Remeses--A bribe!--Suspicion!--Terrible agitation of -the Queen--Attempt of Mœris to poison Amense at a banquet--Another -bribe--A mystery!--Remeses consents to accept the sceptre--pp. -347-363. - -LETTER XXII. - -Remeses prepares for his coronation by an initiation into the -mysteries of the temple--Power and influence of Egyptian -priesthood--Daily public duties of the Queen--Her attire--Her bathing -and dressing rooms--Skilful adornment of their hair by Egyptian -ladies--The Queen acts as chief priestess--Her delightful -hospitalities--Beautiful trait of character--Proposed succession of -Remeses--Solemn vigil, and other ceremonies of initiation--Remeses -shut out from the world in the gloom of the mysterious temple-- -Israelisis with a message from the Queen--The Celestial Sea--A -courier from Mœris--Great distress and singular manner of the -Queen--A terrible secret--An impatient follower--pp. 364-380. - -LETTER XXIII. - -Revelations--Letter from Mœris--His haughty demand--Is Remeses the -son of Pharaoh's Daughter?--Another letter and another haughty demand -from Mœris--Still another--A doubt!--An investigation--Amense never -a mother!--Her descent to the Nile to bathe--The little ark of -basket-work and beautiful child--The princess adopts it--A -threat!--The Queen unfolds the terrible secret--Her agony of fear--Her -touching story of the discovery of the infant Remeses--She gains -resolution and defies Mœris--Remeses a Hebrew!--pp. 381-397. - -LETTER XXIV. - -Mournful reflections--Sacred poem by Remeses, being scenes in the life -of Job--Remeses discovers all--A sirocco of the soul--He narrates the -mysterious scenes of his initiation--Startling spectacles--Overwhelming -displays of enchantment and magic--Mysterious journey beneath the -pyramids--Labyrinthine catacomb--March of Time through the -heavens--Remeses alone beside the altar--Amense not his mother!--His -vision in the dark chamber of the pyramids--The massacre of the Hebrew -infants--Scene in the Hebrew hut--The mother and child--The babe -committed to the Nile--The little maid--The beautiful lady, Pharaoh's -Daughter--The Hebrew nurse--The image-caster--pp. 398-414. - -LETTER XXV. - -Continuation of vision of Remeses--Himself the child of his -vision--Mysterious voices in the vaulted chamber of the -pyramid--Mocking eyes--He flees--Tender interview between the Queen -and Remeses--He narrates his vision--The secret fully unveiled-- -Discovery of a father, mother, brother, sister--Illness of the -Queen--She assembles the councils of the nation--Remeses renounces the -throne--Amense adopts Mœris--Her death--Amram--The mother of -Remeses--Miriam--Aaron--Egypt in mourning--Remeses assumes his Hebrew -name, Moses--Arts of magicians and sorcerers--pp. 415-431. - - -LETTERS BETWEEN REMESES (MOSES) AND OTHER PERSONS. - -LETTER I. - -Moses beholds the thousands of his countrymen under the lash of the -taskmasters--A prophecy--Visits Tyre and is cordially received by -Queen Epiphia--Tyre--Damascus--He meets the venerable Prince of Uz -(Job)--Nuptials of Sesostris--pp. 432-435. - -LETTER II. - -Defeat of the King of Cyprus by Sesostris--Moses in Syria--He journeys -to sit at the feet of Job--Cruelty of Pharaoh (Mœris)--The Lake -Amense--pp. 436-438. - -LETTER III. - -Moses visits Job--The wisdom of Job--His wealth and power--Moses -writes his life--Job leads Moses to the knowledge of the true God--pp. -439-441. - -LETTER IV. - -Mœris increases the burdens of the Hebrews--Tradition as to the -term of their servitude--Nearly accomplished--Moses, in Syria, yearns -to be with his brethren in Egypt--pp. 442-444. - -LETTER V. - -Moses determines to visit Egypt--Receives from Job the history of the -Creation--Job's piety and his favor with God--Prayer the path to the -throne of God--King Sesostris and Queen Thamonda--Israelisis--pp. -445-448. - -LETTER VI. - -Moses departs for Egypt--The Illimitable Sea--Reflections upon the -infinity of God--A storm--Despair of passengers--Their gods unavailing -to save--Moses invokes the true God--The storm ceases--The crowd offer -divine honors to Moses--His anger at their sacrilege--He arrives in -Egypt--Is in the bosom of his family--Oppression of the Hebrews--Their -miraculous increase--Tradition of God's revelation of Himself to -Abram--A miracle!--God's command to Abraham--His obedience--God's -promise--The fulness of time at hand--Woman of salt--City of -Salem--Moses strives to arouse the Hebrews--He is doubted and -discredited--pp. 449-461. - -LETTER VII. - -Moses, in disguise, sees King Mœris amid his chief captains-- -Terrible cruelties inflicted upon the Hebrews--Taskmaster -pursues a Hebrew youth, to kill him--Moses slays the taskmaster--Comes -upon two Hebrews in altercation--He rebukes them--They threaten to -expose him to Pharaoh for slaying the Egyptian--Prophetic inspiration -of Amram, the father of Moses--Moses flees from Egypt--pp. 462-467. - - -LETTERS OF REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO HIS FATHER, KING SESOSTRIS. - -LETTER I. - -The young prince visits Egypt--The acts of the Egyptian kings--The -reign of Mœris--He constructs an immense lake--Inauguration of a -temple--Splendid spectacle of idol-worship--Plain of the -Mummies--Enlargement of Memphis--Discovery of treasures beneath the -Sphinx before Chephres--The captive King Occhoris--Increase of -Hebrews--Character of the reigning Pharaoh--His cruelty to the -Hebrews--Good feeling between Hebrew and Egyptian women--Intelligence -of the long-absent Remeses (Moses)--pp. 468-476. - -LETTER II. - -A caravan from Ezion-geber--Its governor a Midianite--Prince -Jethro--Abram--Moses in Midian--The young prince determines to -accompany the caravan into Midian, and to seek Moses--pp. 477-481. - -LETTER III. - -Moses to his old friend Sesostris--Account of his mode of life--His -meditations upon the oppression of his nation, and upon the character -of their predicted Deliverer--Is inspired to write a narrative of the -Creation of the World--pp. 482-484. - -LETTER IV. - -Journey across the desert--Mount Horeb--Moses, standing upon a -mountain-rock--Affecting interview--Grotto of Moses--His wife and -sons--Story of his rescue of the daughters of Jethro at the well--His -sublime teachings--Will he be the Deliverer?--View from Mount -Horeb--Aaron--Miriam--pp. 485-490. - -LETTER V. - -Moses leads his flock to a secluded valley--Wonderful appearance of -the Burning Bush--Astonishment of the shepherds--The Voice in the -midst of the fire--God reveals Himself to Moses, and commissions him -to lead forth the people--The humility of Moses--His staff converted -into a living serpent--The leprous hand--Moses hesitates--The Lord -rebukes him, and the flame in the bush shoots fiery tongues--Aaron to -be the mouth-piece of the Lord--Miraculously advised, Aaron comes to -Moses--Moses converts his staff into a serpent, before Aaron--He -obtains the consent of Jethro to his departure from Midian--Moses in -Egypt--Sends messengers to summon the elders of Israel to meet him at -Jacob's well--Pharaoh's cruel designs against the Hebrews--pp. -491-503. - -LETTER VI. - -Midnight meeting of the elders of Israel--Jacob's well a source of -superstitious dread to the Egyptians--Beautiful moonlight scene--Moses -opens his errand from the Most High--Aaron unfolds the traditional -promises--Unbelieving Hebrews--Terrible means used for their -conviction--Korah persists in unbelief--His punishment and horror--The -assembly dissolves--pp. 504-508. - -LETTER VII. - -Moses goes before Pharaoh--Amazement of the Egyptian courtiers--Harshness -of Pharaoh--Moses delivers God's message--Pharaoh defies the Living -God--He is overcome by his emotion, but hardens his heart--New toils -devised for the Hebrews--pp. 509-513. - -LETTER VIII. - -The rod! the whip! the cry of the sufferers!--The Hebrews reproach -Moses and Aaron--Moses appeals to the Lord--Seeks to comfort his -brethren with the words of the Most High--Hope dies in their -hearts--Pharaoh redoubles his worship of all manner of idols--He -curses God--Sacrifices a living Hebrew child to the Nile--Sacrifices a -Nubian slave to Typhon--Invokes his idol-god against the God of -Moses--A secret dread--Children of Israel groan under oppression--pp. -514-522. - -LETTER IX. - -Moses and Aaron again seek Pharaoh, and demand the freedom of -Israel--He requires a miracle--Miracle of Moses' rod--Jambres and -Jannes, the magicians--They convert their rods into serpents--Moses' -serpent destroys theirs--The brothers confront the King at the river's -side--He defies their God--The Nile runs blood--Goshen, the land of -the Hebrews, sparkles with clear water--Jambres again appealed to--The -plague of the frogs--Jambres and Jannes produce, but cannot remove -them--Pharaoh relents, and the plague is stayed--The plague of -lice--Jambres and Jannes disgraced--God speaks to Moses by the well of -Jacob--The plague of flies--Pharaoh again relents--He hardens his -heart, and God sends a pestilence upon the cattle--God again speaks to -Moses beside the well--The plague of boils--Goshen unharmed--God -threatens further vengeance upon Pharaoh--pp. 523-538. - -LETTER X. - -Moses denounces the plague of thunder and hail against Egypt--Grand -gathering of the storm of God's anger--The storm hangs over Goshen but -harms it not--The purpose of God in these judgments--Terror of -Pharaoh--Agrees to let Israel go--Scene of desolation and -death--Pharaoh seeks to drown his terror in a banquet--In his revels -curses God--Again refuses to let the people go--He vacillates--Orders -Moses and Aaron to be thrust from the palace--The plague of the -locusts--Despair of the Egyptians--Pharaoh acknowledges his sin--The -plague ceases--Character of Pharaoh--The plague of darkness--Description -of the plague--Pharaoh unequal to the combat with God--His rage -against Moses--Moses denounces upon Pharaoh God's last and terrible -judgment--The Egyptians deify him--pp. 539-558. - -LETTER XI. - -Moses and Aaron call the elders of Israel together--The Passover -Instituted--The Hebrews cease work--They all flock to Goshen--Moses -deified by priests in the temples--Hopefulness of the Hebrews--The -sprinkling--Egyptians seek refuge with the Hebrews--Silence of -expectation--Awful vision of the Angel of the Lord in the Pillar of -Fire--A cry from Egypt--Messengers from Pharaoh to Moses--Amunophis, -the son of Pharaoh, slain by the Angel of the Lord--Egyptians implore -Moses to depart--Israel marshalled--Guided by the Pillar of Fire, the -Hebrew host leave Egypt--The Lamb of God prefigured--Moses explains -the lessons of God's judgments--pp. 559-575. - -LETTER XII. - -The departure--Sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Joseph--The -Shekinah--Succoth--Etham--Pi-hahiroth--Migdol--Hebrews inclosed -between the mountains and the sea--Calm confidence of Moses--Fulfilment -of prophecy--Pharaoh determines to destroy the entangled -Hebrews--Gathers a mighty host and follows in pursuit--Dismay of the -Hebrews--The Egyptian army comes in sight--The elders reproach -Moses--He calls upon God--The Voice of the Lord--The Pillar of Cloud -and the Pillar of Fire--The sea--Israel in the midst of the sea--The -procession--The pursuit--Frantic terror of Pharaoh and his army--Their -destruction--Israel filled with awe and gratitude--They go into the -wilderness--The bitter waters--Journey abounding in miracles--The rock -in Horeb--God's awful presence on Horeb--Moses disappears in the mount -of God--The people murmur--They demand a god--They sacrifice to a -molten calf--An indignant God!--Terrible vengeance upon the -offenders--Joshua--pp. 576-596. - - -APPENDIX. - -The author to the scholar and critic--pp. 597-600. - - - THE PILLAR OF FIRE, - OR ISRAEL IN BONDAGE. - - - - -LETTERS OF SESOSTRIS TO QUEEN EPIPHIA. - - - - -LETTER I. - - - PRINCE SESOSTRIS - TO HIS ROYAL MOTHER, EPIPHIA, - QUEEN OF PHŒNICIA. - -At length, my dear mother, I have reached the "Land of the Seven -Rivers," and do now write to you from her gorgeous capital, ON, The -City of the Sun. - -How shall I describe to you the grand and solemn magnificence of this -city of divine temples, and convey to you a just idea of its palaces -that seem rather to have been erected for the abodes of gods than of -men! - -Wheresoever I turn my eyes, I realize that I am in mighty Egypt; for -everywhere I behold grandeur and glory, excellency and perfection. -Every object illustrates the power, munificence, and taste of the -imperial princess who now sits on the throne of the Pharaohs, and the -splendor of whose reign has raised Egypt above the mightiest empires -of the earth. - -And all that I behold recalls the ancient glory, my dear mother, of -our own land, the once princely Palestina and Phœnicia,--twin -kingdoms which of old gave conquerors, and rulers, and laws to Egypt, -under the short but brilliant dynasty of her Shepherd Kings! But, -though fading with age, Phœnicia still lives in the beauty, pride, -and power of her daughter Egypt. - -I will not lament over the waning glory of my own dear land, my royal -mother, while I can see it revived here with increased magnificence. -Phœnicia is not dead while Egypt lives. Every ruin in my own -kingdom is restored with augmented beauty and splendor on the green -plains of this land of the shining River, whose fountain-head is -underneath the throne of Thoth, far in the southern sky. - -How shall I describe what I behold? Every new object enchants me, and -moves my soul with a fresh pleasure. I am intoxicated, not with wine, -but with the splendor of art and scenes of beauty, and with -manifestations of human glory and power hitherto inconceivable. I have -heard my royal father describe the glory of Salem in Palestine, under -the princes of the dynasty of Melchisedec, with its gorgeous temples -to the Sun, and its palaces of marble, its hanging gardens, and noble -terraces overlooking its flower-enamelled valleys; but the cities of -Egypt surpass this Syriac magnificence. - -In coming hither, across the Levantine seas, from Syria, I seem to -have crossed to the shores of that mystic world where dwell the sacred -divinities, rather than only to another land of the plane of the -earth; for Egypt, compared with the kingdom of Phœnicia seems truly -the land of the blessed. What far-famed warriors! what stately -priests, clothed with power from the gods! what superb princes! what a -majestic queen! what grace and dignity in the virgins of the Sun! what -a stupendous system of worship! what mighty mausoleums, both tomb and -temple, rising like mountains hewn into solid triangles everywhere -over the illimitable plain! What a land of verdure and of -flowers!--land of gardens and palaces, obelisks and fountains, fanes -and altars, sphinxes and gigantic statues!--land, comprising all that -can delight the heart or take captive the sense! - -I ask myself--Am I, indeed, in Egypt, the "Land shadowing with wings," -as those proud Pharaohs, Thothmeses I. and II., termed it, upon their -winged globe-carved shields?--am I in Egypt, the glory of the earth, -the kingdom above all kingdoms, whose queen is above all the monarchs -that reign, and before the elevation of whose golden sceptre all -sceptres fall? - -I have not yet, my dearest mother, seen, save at a distance, as she -was ascending the steps of her palace, this mighty queen of the -ancient house of the Pharaohs; but the third day hence I shall be -formally presented to her in the throne-room, where she receives the -ambassadors and princes of the nations who come into Egypt either to -learn arts or arms, or to behold the magnificence of her empire, or to -study the religion, laws, and government of a nation, the fame of -which has filled the earth. - -Upon my arrival with my galleys off the mouths of the Nile, I -forwarded to her, by a private messenger in my gilded barge, the -letters written by your loving hand and sealed with the regal signet -of your kingdom, commending me to her personal favor and royal -consideration. - -Although I have not yet been presented to the court, I have seen, and -must describe to you, the royal son of Queen Amense--this proud -daughter of the Pharaohs--Prince Remeses. Never did the gods set their -seal upon a nobler and truer prince. Every movement of his stately and -graceful person, his rich voice, his superb height, his lordly eyes, -his majestic yet winning carriage, all bespeak a youth born to -empire--created for dominion over men. - -He is now in his thirty-fourth year, and is in the full glory of -manhood. He is skilled in all the arts of war, and not less celebrated -for his learning in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Sages and -philosophers listen to his words when he converses, not so much with -the deference that is the homage due to rank, as with the attention -which intelligence lends to superior wisdom. - -He received me with kindness and embraced me with affection, inquiring -after the welfare of my royal mother, and welcoming me to his country -with gracious and courteous words. Notwithstanding there is a -difference of six years in our ages, I feel that I shall be regarded -by him on terms of equal friendship, and that to his companionship I -shall owe the happiest hours I may pass in the land of Egypt. - -But, dear mother, as I promised to write you an account of my voyage -hither, with the adventures and scenes thereof worthy of your notice, -I will devote the remainder of my letter to this subject. - -When I took leave of you on the marble steps of the stately pier which -extends along the front of our palace, and had stepped upon the deck -of my galley, I felt that a twofold cord had parted at my heart,--one -which bound me to thee, O mother, from whom I had never before been -separated, and one which tied me to my native land. - -Although for the first time in command of a beautiful fleet, numbering -a score and ten galleys, and about to visit the fairest of all realms -under the sunny skies of Afric, yet the pang of this twofold -separation deeply grieved my soul. It was with tears glittering upon -my eyelids that I gazed upon you, as you waved your adieux and called -on the god of our race to bless me! It was with a voice thick with -emotion that I gave orders to the admiral to spread the purple sails -of my golden galley to the favoring breezes which seemed to be sent in -answer to your prayers. - -Long I stood upon the lofty poop of my ship, gazing towards the -receding city, with its noble lines of palaces, its crowning temples, -its familiar groves, and pleasant gardens. (Even now I am moved as I -recall the sweet emotions of that time.) As I surveyed the fleets of -merchantmen from all lands gathered about her piers and anchored in -the haven, I felt my sorrow at parting, yielding gradually to a -feeling of pride that I was the prince of the great city to which -these argosies came bearing the merchants of all the earth. Indeed it -was a noble and stirring sight, dear mother, and calculated to divert -my thoughts, to see these ships, as my galley passed through them, -lower their banners, or elevate their rows of shining oars high in the -air, both in homage and farewell to the departing lord of the port. -There were vessels for bringing the merchandise of gold, and silver, -and precious stones from unknown seas; galleys from Tarsus and the -isles of the West, bearing pearls, and coral, and precious woods, and -thyme-wood; gayly decked barges, that carry fine linen, and purple, -and silk, and scarlet down to Egypt from Syria; painted ships from the -Nile, that receive by caravans from Ind and the East cinnamon, and -odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and ivory, and diamonds; the -low dark galleys from Afric, that bring Ethiopian slaves; and the -broad heavier vessels from the Delta, laden with wheat and fine flour! -There were also the strong craft from Colchis and the North, with -iron, and brass, and marble; and oaken argosies from further -Britannia, bringing tin; tall ships from Græcia with horses and -chariots; while from the south shores of the summery seas were light, -graceful vessels laden with dainty and goodly fruits, and birds of -gorgeous plumes and of ravishing songs! All these annually lay their -treasures at thy feet! - -As I moved slowly in my galley through the rich fleet of ships which -filled your haven, I felt my heart beat quicker, and I returned the -salutations of the ship-masters and of the foreign merchants on their -decks, with smiles of gratification at the prosperity still at least -of our port of Tyre; though the half our realm has been lost by -invasion and our interior cities are decaying. So long as Damascus and -Tyre remain, dear mother, those two eyes of your kingdom, your power -and throne will stand. The decadence of our sister city Sidon will not -affect our prosperity, since her ships will flock to Tyre. Yet Sidon -will rise again, if in my power to restore it. - -I remained upon the poop of my ship until we had passed, not only the -fleet of merchant galleys, but the fourscore war-ships with their -hundred banks of oars, that ever guard the entrance to the port with -vigilant eyes and arms. The sun was gilding with his setting beams the -battlements of the temple of Hercules; and the columns of the graceful -temple of Io were richly roseate in the blushing glory of his -radiance. The last object on which my eye rested was the gilded gate -of the gorgeous Fane of Nyeth on Lebanon; and I sent from my lips a -prayer to the fair and kind-hearted goddess to guard thee, mother, and -me for thy sake. - -We soon passed the bright red Pharos, from the lofty lantern of which, -as the shades of evening rapidly fell around us, streamed forth like a -new-born star its cheering splendor for the haven-bound mariner. Soon -in the heavens over us other lights were kindled by the gods; and the -moon, rising over the lofty mountain-range of Libanus, made far out -upon the sea a path of light, that seemed like a band of silver with -which she would bind me still to the shores I was leaving! But in -Egypt I yet behold the same moon shine down upon me with familiar -radiance; and as I gaze upon her I can feel, that even here she is a -link to bind me to my native land--that upon her winged beams I can -send a thought to my dear mother, on whom also she shines. - -My whole fleet got well out of the port before the star Aldebaran -rose; and as the breeze was light, the governors of the rowers -commanded them to ply their oars. Thus with the fall of a thousand -sweeps into the blue sea at one motion, keeping time to the voice of a -singer who stood upon the bridge across the mid-ship, we kept our -course down the coast of Palestine. We would have steered directly for -the Delta of the Nile, but had knowledge, by a vessel that met us, of -a fleet of Rhodian pirates, which lay wait, in that vicinity, for the -Egyptian merchant-ships; and, as my galleys were rather an escort of -honor than a war-fleet, I did not wish to measure my strength with -them, but dispatched one of my ships, the same night, back to Tyre, to -the admiral of your Tyrian fleet, who, no doubt, has gone out ere this -in pursuit of these sea-rovers and enemies of our commerce. - -Nevertheless, after we had passed Jaffa, and the next day Ascalon in -lower Philistia, we beheld half a score of ships of doubtful -appearance, and, by my orders, six galleys were detached from the -fleet and gave chase. They proved to be fast-sailing Ionian pirates, -for one of them, being crippled, was overtaken. They had been many -weeks on the sea, and were returning to their own distant and -barbarous islands, richly laden. The captain of the galley took out -her merchandise, and precious stones, and spices, of which she had -robbed other ships, and burned her on the sea, with all the wretches -who appertained to her. - -The shores of Egypt were reached by us on the seventh day, without any -accident to my fleet. It was two hours after the sun rose that we came -in view of the low line of land which marks the entrance to the -"Garden of the World," and from which open the seven gates of the Nile -into the great blue sea. - -Upon ascending to the castle for bowmen on the highest mast of the -ship, I could discern the tall columns erected by King Menes at the -chief entrance of the river, from the summit of each of which at night -blazes a wonderful flame, said to have been invented by the Magi of -Egypt. As our galley rowed nearer the faint line of coast, I could see -numerous ships coming out and entering the Pelusian branch of the -Nile,--some of them in the interior so far, that only their tops could -be seen above the level land. I was now suddenly surprised with a -change in the color of the sea, which, from an emerald green, became -clouded with an intermixture of tawny water, thick with mud, that -seemed to flow upon the surface of the sea, as if lighter than itself. -I soon perceived that this was the outrush of the river against the -sea, with which it refused wholly to intermingle and lose itself,--as -if the proud Father Nilus reluctantly yielded his power, so long -wielded for a thousand miles, to the sceptre and dominion of the god -of the Mediterranean. Yet the latter--so vast was the volume of the -yellow waves of the former--was forced a league from the shore before -the conquered Nile ceased to resist his fate. - -The sun shone upon the battlements of the great city of Pelusium--the -oldest fortified place in Egypt, and called "the Key of Egypt," and -also "the Strength of Egypt"--and lighted up the terraces of its -gardens and temples; but the admiral told me that every year the -deposit of the Nile is covering them, and that ere many centuries no -trace will be left of a city which is older than On or Memphis. We -saw, from the deck, palaces and obelisks and groves in the suburbs, -and further inland a country of wonderful beauty and of the highest -cultivation, but as level as the sea, from which it is elevated but a -few feet. The muddy and wonderful Nile is overflowing annually these -pleasant maritime plains; and as the plane of the Delta is steadily -raised, these ancient cities and palaces and this fair land will -become a fen for the stork and the sea-mew! How different the site of -Tyre, my dear mother! Built upon the firm coast, and defended by -nature, it will stand forever as the key of Syria and of the East; and -to the end of time the commerce of the world will flow into the -palace-like warehouses of its opulent merchants! - -As we drew near the port, one of the large fishing eagles which have -their home in the Delta soared above our heads, scanning our deck with -his piercing glances: and snow-white birds with black-tipped wings -skimmed past from wave to wave; while others, resting upon the crest -of a shining billow, rocked gracefully with the motion of its -undulations. An ibis stalked upon the shore, and numerous aquatic -birds, unknown to us, soared about our galleys with sharp and strange -outcries. - -The atmosphere of the morning was slightly hazy, and, suffused by the -sunbeams, cast a soft veil over the land, investing galley, pharos, -and fane with the hues of gold. It was a scene of novel beauty, and I -hailed the very first view of Egypt with delight. It was a happy omen -of the future. - -As my galley advanced before the fleet, a large war-ship with a triple -poop-deck, and propelled by three hundred oars, swept like a swift -dark cloud out of the mouth of the river and bore down towards me in -hostile attitude. I displayed the insignia of my kingdom at the top of -the chief mast, and awaited the Egyptian guard-ship. The vessel was -brought to, a bow-shot from my own, and I was asked by the governor -thereof, who I was, whence I came, and my destination? To these -inquiries I gave satisfactory replies through my admiral; whereupon -the Egyptian captain, commanding an elegant barge to be made ready, -came on board, attended by his suite, to pay his respects to me as -Prince of Tyre. I came forth from my state-room to receive him, my -dear mother, attired as became my rank. In the most courteous -language, and with an elegance of manners unsurpassed save in the -polite land of Egypt, he assured me of the pleasure it would give his -royal mistress, Queen Amense, "The Support of Worlds," as he termed -her, to have me visit her court. He said she was just then returning -from a visit to the temple of Isis and Nephthys, at Philæ, with a vast -retinue of state and sacred galleys, and by the time I arrived at -Memphis she would be either there or at her private palace at On. - -By his advice, I dispatched, in our handsomest galley, my secretary, -Acherres, with a copy of the letter to the queen, which you gave to -me, sealed with my own signet. This done, I entertained the Egyptian -officer with a magnificence becoming my position and his own. He was -much pleased with the elegance of my ship, and the complete -appointment of my fleet. He said he had never seen a Tyrian squadron -before, but had heard much of our luxury and perfection in maritime -affairs. - -His ship was stately in height, and terrible with its warlike aspect. -The poop bristled with armed warriors in polished helms of brass. It -had four short masts, and upon each top thereof a huge castle -containing a score of Libyan bowmen with steel-headed arrows. Upon the -prow was a sort of fortress, on which stood a group of soldiers armed -with long spears and with large oval shields, on which were painted -hieroglyphic devices in brilliant colors. Arranged on the sides above -the rowers were black Ethiopians, gigantic men in steel cuirasses, -with long swords held before them. The captains of these warriors were -stationed at various points, arrayed in rich armor of varied fashion, -according to the class of soldiers that were under them. The prow of -this mighty battle-ship, which carried one thousand fighting men, -besides three hundred rowers, was ornamented with a lion's head and -shoulders of colossal size; while across the stern stretched the -broad, gilded wings of the feathered globe of the Sun, which is the -emblem of the kingdom of Egypt. Besides this gorgeous and majestic -galley, there were many lesser ones near, having but a single mast and -fifty oars. This fleet ever kept guard at the mouth of the Nile, and -thus defended the gates of Egypt on the sea against foes. - -When I had sufficiently admired his ship from my own, the admiral, -whose name is Pathromenes, invited me to go on board. After viewing -all the parts of the ship, and especially the noble apartments devoted -to him and his officers, I was entertained with musical instruments by -players of infinite skill. Then I was amused with the performances of -jugglers and the wonderful antics of grotesque deformed dwarfs, who -seemed kept on board only for the entertainment of these Egyptian -nobles. Towards evening, a banquet was offered me. Among other rare -dishes were gazelles. Before the feast, the admiral made a signal to a -priest of Osiris, who presided over the sacred rites on board, and -inaugurated it by a prayer to the god for the welfare of the queen and -the prosperity of the kingdom. This custom recalled our own, of -offering first a libation of wine to the gods. During the banquet, -sweet strains of music floated around us. After we had closed the -feast, and were drinking wine, an attendant entered, bearing a -miniature mummy, elaborately painted and gilded. Holding this emblem -of mortality before me and the admiral, he said solemnly: - -"Behold this, and drink and be happy; for such thou shalt be when thou -art dead!" - -I was not a little surprised at this unwelcome, and, as it seemed to -me, unseasonable intrusion. Pathromenes, observing my looks, said with -a smile: "This introduction of a memorial of death to our feasts, O -prince, is not unseasonable. It is designed to exhort us to enjoy life -while we possess it, for when we are no more, enjoyment will be past." -Thus saying, he poured out a vase of wine into our golden cups, and -pledged me "Thy health, my mother!" So I drank to thee, and the glory -of thy reign. Nevertheless, I do not agree with the admiral, but -think, rather, that the intention of this exhibition of Death to -guests, is to warn them that, while life is so short, it ought not to -be spent wholly in pleasure and festivities. - -At length, night coming on, I returned to my ship, and the next day, -with a light wind and aided by but one bank of rowers, entered the -mighty Nile, and slowly ascended its powerful but sluggish stream. The -courtly Pathromenes escorted me past Pelusium, and then took leave of -me, embracing me more like a father than a friend. I left my fleet at -the Pelusian Delta, to return to Tyre after it shall have received -fresh water on board from the Nile. The only galleys I took with me -are the one I came in, and that on board of which I sent my secretary -to the capital in advance of me. I trust the remainder will safely -reach Syria. - -The shores of the Eastern Nile, as we ascended, presented an -unchanging scene of gardens, verdant fields of corn, villages, -temples, and tombs, all united in one unbroken belt for leagues. The -river was dotted with fishers in their slender boats, and we -constantly met vessels descending, bound to the open sea: some for -Afric for gold-dust and ivory; others to Philistia, for copper and -iron; others to Colchis, for silver, or to the Isle of Thasos. The -evening of the day we entered the river, we beheld the sacred -crocodile. It was a vast scaly monster, basking on the shore. I gazed -upon him with wonder and fear. If he be a god, his votaries worship -him rather through terror than from love. But to my senses all the -minor deities of Egypt are gross and revolting. Yet I must not dare to -be impious while in the very land of these gods. - -The next day, after sailing for hours between gardens, we drew near -the City of On, on the east bank. Our approach to it was marked by the -increased size and grandeur of the palaces and temples, and the life -and activity on the shores. Before reaching the city, I caught view of -Memphis on the west side of the river, and far beyond towered the apex -of one of those mighty pyramids whose age is lost in the oblivion of -the past. - -Farewell, dear mother. In my next letter I will describe my arrival -and debarking at the terrace of the City of the Sun, and my gratifying -reception by the Prince Remeses. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER II. - - -CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY DEAR AND ROYAL MOTHER: - -Think not that the splendors of the Court of "Pharaoh's Daughter," as -the Egyptians still love to call their queen, will lead me to forget -my own royal home and the dear scenes in which I have passed my -life--scenes that memory will ever cherish, as they are associated -with the love and care of a mother, such as a prince was never before -blessed with by the gods. Think not, my queenly mother, that while I -describe with pleasure the magnificence of Queen Amense's realm, I -think less of your own kingdom; but, rather, all I behold only causes -me to love my native land the more; for the glory of Tyre, my home, is -my mother's presence--and my mother is not here! Queen Amense may have -the homage of my intellect, but that of my heart is reserved only for -thee! - -I have prefaced my letter in this manner, dear mother, lest you should -jealously read the glowing descriptions I give of what I behold, and -may fear that the luxuries and grandeur of Egypt will make me -dissatisfied with the lesser splendor of the Court of Phœnicia. -Fear not. I shall bring back to thee a son's faithful love, and to my -people the loyal affection due to them from their prince. - -I closed my letter to you in sight, as I thought, of the City of the -Sun. But what I believed to be the capital of the gods, was but the -colossal gateway leading from the river to the city, which is half an -hour's ride inland. Yet from the Nile to the city there is a -continuous avenue of temples, such as earth has never beheld--not even -Nineveh or Babylon, in all their glory. For a mile fronting the river -extends a row of palaces, which, stupendous as they are, form but -wings to a central temple of vaster dimensions. The palaces that guard -it, as it were, are adorned with sculptured columns of the most -elegant description. They are three hundred in number, covered with -gorgeous paintings in the richest tints, and carved with the most -finished art. The beautiful capitals of these columns are shaped -alternately like a flower-bud, not yet expanded, or like the open -flower of the lotus, and the sides formed of imitations, by the -wonderful artist, of leaves and flowers indigenous to Egypt. The -columns and capitals, thus exquisitely fashioned, are gigantic in -size, and of the grandest altitude. - -The central temple is a lofty and wonderful edifice of brilliant red -sandstone, with sixty columns of marble enriching its façades; these, -with the three hundred, representing the three hundred and sixty days -of the ancient Egyptian year. The front of this sublime temple is -pierced by three colossal gateways, broad enough for four chariots to -pass abreast. These gateways are adorned with paintings, in the -brightest tints, representing processions of priests, sacrifices, -offering of incense, and all the imposing religious ceremonies -appertaining to the worship of the Sun. - -Above the centre gateway, between the noble wings of the propyla which -flank it, is a representative emblem of Osiris, in the shape of a -splendid shield of the sun, a half-sphere of gold, from which extend -wings for many yards, each feather glittering with precious stones. -Around the globe are entwined two brazen asps emblems of which I have -not yet learned the signification. - -Imagine, my dear mother, this stupendous and noble temple, with its -vast wings facing the river, and reflected upon its sunny surface. -Fancy the river itself, flowing laterally through these gateways into -an artificial canal, lined with trees, and bordered by lesser temples, -which recede in long lines of diminishing columns. Behold oranges -swinging in clusters from branches bending over the water, while -scarlet pomegranates, figs, and olives fill trees innumerable that -shade the terraces; and vines, either gorgeous with flowers of -wonderful beauty and form, or pendent with purple grapes, entwine the -columns, and depend from the carved abacus of the capitals. - -Into this canal my beautiful galley was received, in the sight of -thousands of admiring gazers standing upon the steps of the terrace -which led down to the entrance, and on which I had landed to pay my -homage to the chief captain at the propylon, who, magnificently -attired, waited, by the queen's command, to receive me and conduct me -to the city. - -Returning with me on board my galley, he gave orders for it to be -taken in charge by two royal barges, with prows of silver, and golden -banners waving above the heads of the rowers, who were Nubian slaves -clothed in scarlet tunics. Thus, in state, my dear mother, as became a -prince, was I borne along this avenue of palaces and fanes, and -fragrant gardens. The vanishing line of columns was, at short -intervals, interrupted by gateways, above which were statues of Osiris -and Isis. - -I was almost bewildered by the novelty and splendor of these varied -scenes, and was thinking that nothing could surpass in magnificence -this mighty avenue to a city, when all at once the canal expanded into -a circular lake completely inclosed by columns, forming majestic -colonnades on all sides, in which were walking and conversing -innumerable richly dressed persons, while others were grouped around -noble-looking ancient men, listening to their discourses. The chief -captain, who was with me in my galley, informed me that these columned -halls were the favorite resort of the eminent philosophers and -scholars of all lands, who came hither to be taught in the learning -and wisdom of the Egyptians. I then looked a little closer, when he -was pleased to point out to me several great philosophers, who, called -wise men in their own kingdom, yet had come hither to learn at the -feet of these masters of the world's wisdom, the wise men of Egypt. As -we were rowed past and around this majestic circle of columns, I saw -two noble youths from Damascus, who came last year to Tyre, in order -to embark for Memphis. I beheld also Prince Melchor of the City of -Salem, in Syria, the descendant of the great king Melchisedec, whose -wise reign, about three centuries ago, is still remembered with glory -and honor to his name. The prince recognized me, and returned my -salutation, and leaving the group with which he stood, hastened around -the terrace to meet me at the place of debarkation; for this -delightful lake, dear mother, terminated the noble canal which united -it with the river. Beyond it, the galleys and barges did not go. -Instead of water, this mighty avenue to On was now to be continued by -land. At the place opposite the inlet rose two lofty obelisks a -hundred feet in the air, of incomparable elegance and beauty. They -were dedicated to Osiris and Isis. Elevated upon pedestals of -porphyry, they formed the graceful entrance to a semicircular flight -of marble steps which led from the lake to a broad terrace interlaid -with parti-colored marbles, in every variety of device which taste -could conceive, or art execute. Landing upon these steps, I ascended -to the terrace, and was there met and embraced by the Prince of Salem. -Here the chief captain took leave of me, and immediately there -advanced towards me a noble person, wearing a chain of gold about his -neck, and clothed in purple silk, richly embroidered, and who carried -in his right hand a long silver wand, with the head of an ibis, cut -out of a precious stone, upon it. He said that he was an officer of -the court of the queen, and had come to conduct me on my way to the -city. - -"Her majesty," he said, with dignity becoming one who served so mighty -a monarch, "has received your letter, royal prince, and has directed -her servants to pay you all honor!" - -I acknowledged the grace of the queenly Amense in this courteous -reception of a stranger, and followed him across the terrace, which I -perceived was encircled by statues of all the divinities of the earth; -and I was gratified to see that Io, and Hercules, and the favored -deity of Phœnicia, Athyris, had conspicuous pedestals allotted to -their sacred images, near the Theban god Amun. - -Indeed, dear mother, this fact, and the manner of my reception, shows -that the present dynasty has graciously forgotten the conquest of -Egypt by the warlike hosts of Phœnicia. But when we recollect that -the first Amosis of the present house of Pharaohs had for his queen -the beautiful Ephtha, daughter of the last Phœnician Pharaoh, -taking her captive when he expelled the father from the throne of -Memphis, we need not be surprised at the favor shown us by the noble -Queen Amense, for, fourth only in descent from the fair Phœnician, -who was of our own blood, she is our cousin by just hereditary -lineage. - -When I had traversed the "Hall of the Gods," we came to a lofty -two-leaved gate of brass, which stood between two sculptured propyla -of Libyan stone. At a wave of the wand of my escorter, they flew wide -open, and revealed the most magnificent and awe-inspiring spectacle -that it was possible to conceive the world could present. - -Before me was revealed an avenue, more than a mile in length to the -eye, leading straight to the City of the Sun, which rose, temple -rising beyond temple, shining like gold in the sunbeams, a mountain of -architecture, fashioned as if by the hands of gods rather than of men. -In the midst stood, elevated above all surrounding edifices, the great -temple of Osiris itself, encircled by a belt of twelve glittering -obelisks, representing the twelve months. In the centre of this -wonderful girdle, upon the apex of a pyramid rising within the walls -of the temple, two hundred feet high, blazed that sacred gold shield -of the sun--the shield of Osiris--the fame of which has filled the -world. It was like the sun itself for glory and splendor! Oh, how can -I describe all this! My pen refuses to find language to record what I -wish to write. - -But I will be brief, lest I overpower you with gorgeousness, and blind -you with glory. Verily, the Egyptians seem resolved to rob the heavens -of their celestial architecture, and set up a rival heaven on earth! - -From the open gateway of brass I beheld the city thus described, with -its temple, obelisks, pyramid, and countless palaces, while the whole -was encircled by a green belt of gardens, which shut it in from the -desert, like a setting of Indian diamonds in a bed of Assyrian -emeralds. - -The avenue itself was paved with red-colored Syene stones from the -isles of the Cataracts, and on each side was a gigantic row of -sphinxes, reposing on broad, elevated dromoi. Some of these -represented lions, leopards, and other beasts of the African and -Nubian deserts. Some of them had the head of a ram, with the body of a -lion, the fore-paws extended upon the terrace, the vast body resting -upon the hind-paws, all presenting aspects of majestic repose. There -were one hundred of these stone effigies, in a double row twenty feet -apart, facing the avenue, and fastening upon the passer-by their stony -eyes in immovable watchfulness. This avenue I walked up, preceded by -the queen's officer, and escorted by a retinue, which fell in behind -me. - -Having passed this row of crio-sphinxes we ascended three broad steps, -on each side of which towered a lofty pylon, elaborately adorned with -costly paintings of colossal size, representing sacred scenes. Another -dromo bordered with fourscore andro-sphinxes, having alternate faces -of Osiris and Isis, the one stamped with majesty, the other with -beauty, now began, and passing this solemn and awful range of gigantic -faces we came to another ascent of marble steps, flanked by obelisks: -four lofty pylones, and three spacious courts were at the end of the -dromos of sphinxes, also a vast arena inclosed by palaces. Crossing -this noble square, we came to two colossi of granite, representing -Cheops and Nilus, their shields covered with hieroglyphics wrought -with the highest degree of perfection, each cartouch recording their -titles and deeds. - -At this point there met me a superbly caparisoned Arabian charger, -held by two pages; while a young noble, bearing upon his breast the -insignia of a prince of the queen's palace, addressed me, and invited -me to mount the beautiful and fiery animal. - -I obeyed, leaping into the saddle with delight at once more being upon -horseback. Scarcely had I pressed the bit with the gilded bridle, ere -a score of horsemen, in splendid armor, issued from the propylon on my -left, in two columns, and, inclosing me between them, escorted me -through several magnificent courts, in which I caught glimpses of -obelisks, monoliths of kings, pylones sixty feet in height with -pyramidal wings, giving entrance to courts each more magnificent than -the last. - -At length I saw before me the great and splendid pylon which gives -admission to the city. In front of it, raised upon a throne of crimson -stone, stood, with his ibis head fifty feet in the air, a monolith -statue of Thoth. In his outstretched right hand he held a pair of -scales, and in his left a tablet. - -At this gate, the city is entered in its central point. Two obelisks, -ninety feet in height, towered on each side of the entrance. Here I -was received by a venerable noble, who was mounted upon a snow-white -horse, and attended by a brilliant retinue, all superbly mounted. This -personage extended to me the same hospitable and courteous welcome -from his queen, which had been presented to me from the others. He -rode by my side, and we took our way at a rapid trot along an avenue -of alternate obelisks and sphinxes, until we passed through a pylon -which opened into the streets of the city. The splendor around -bewildered me. Palaces, with gorgeous façades and triple stories of -colonnades, composed street after street, while fountains and statues -and propyla, temples, monoliths, andro-sphinxes and crio-sphinxes -presented, as I rode along through this superb "City of the Sun," an -endless spectacle of architectural grandeur and marble magnificence. -The streets were thronged with handsomely attired citizens, either in -the pursuit of pleasure or business, while priestly processions, -festival parties crowned with flowers and attended by musicians, and -bodies of horse, were met by us. Gilded chariots, palanquins, and -vehicles of rare and graceful forms, were numerous. The whole city -wore an air of pleasure and life, and impressed me with the idea that -the Egyptians are not only master-builders in architecture, but know -how to enjoy the splendid cities they erect with such costly care. - -My senses sated with luxury, I was not unwilling to alight at the -entrance of a beautiful palace, which the venerable horseman said the -queen had placed at my service. Upon its portico I was met by my -private secretary, Acherres, who, in his joy at beholding me again, -forgot for a moment my rank, and embraced me with tears of delight; -for, in this foreign land, he saw in me alone the link which bound him -to his native country. - -I have now been two days in this palace, wherein is furnished me, by -the queen, the attendance of slaves; and every luxury of Egypt is at -my command. As I said to you, dear mother, in my first letter, I have -yet only seen the Queen of Egypt at a distance, as she was ascending -the steps of her palace, but to-morrow I am formally to be presented -to her, for on that day of the week alone she receives princes and -ambassadors. She had returned four days before to Memphis, from Philæ, -with a great retinue of the lords and officers of her realm, and -yesterday, crossing the Nile in her barge of state, she entered this -sacred city, which she visits for three days every month to perform in -the great temple the sacred rites of her gorgeous religion. Of this -worship I will soon write you more fully. It is an error, however, to -suppose that these enlightened Egyptians worship the sun, or any other -objects, as such, of mere matter. Their fundamental doctrine is the -unity of the deity, whose attributes are represented under positive -and material forms. The common people perhaps never go beyond these -forms, and their minds never are admitted to a knowledge of the truth -of the mysteries; but the priests, and the high in rank, look upon the -sun, and moon, and animals, and the fecund Nile, only as so many -attributes of a one infinite deity. The sun--believed to possess much -of the divine influence in its vivifying power and its various other -effects--is regarded as one of the grandest agents of the one deity. -The moon is another direct manifestation of the invisible author, and -as the regulator of time, say their sacred books, is figured in -painting and sculpture as the ibis-headed Thoth, and the deity who -records, as time flies, the actions of men's lives. Osiris, if I -understand their mythology, is this supreme god (symbolized here by -the sun), who is also the judge of the souls of the dead, rewarding or -punishing hereafter the creatures he has created, according to their -lives. But when I learn more fully their system of religion, I will -explain it to you, dear mother. - -Although I have not seen, to speak with her, the august lady who -reigns over Egypt, I have been visited by her son, the lord Prince -Remeses. I have already written of him. He is in his thirty-fourth -year, and the noblest appearing man my eyes ever beheld. Upon his brow -the gods have set the seal and impress of command. I will narrate the -manner of our first intercourse. - -I was standing by the window of the stately apartment, which overlooks -one of the squares of the city, interested in watching the toils of -several hundred men, coarsely attired in blue aprons or loin-cloths, -and gray breeches reaching only to the knee, the upper part of their -bodies being naked, who were at work constructing a wall which was to -inclose a new lake before the temple of Apis, in the midst of the -square; for On is a city of alternate lakes (all of great beauty and -adorned with trees), temples, squares, and palaces, interspersed with -dromos of sphinxes connecting court after court, through lofty -pylones; while obelisks, statues, and fountains fill up the -interspaces. - -My window not only commanded a view of these laborers with their heavy -burdens of bricks, borne on their shoulders to the top of the wall -they were building, but also, beyond the wall and distant temples, a -glimpse of the yellow expanse of the desert. How mighty, and grand, -and solemn it looked in its loneliness and ocean-like vastness! A -faint dark line that I at length perceived in motion, was, doubtless, -a caravan coming from the haven of the Red Sea, where the galleys from -Farther Ind land their precious freights of untold wealth. This -caravan seeks the port of On, six miles below on the Nile, whence sail -ships, laden with the treasures of the caravan, to all parts of the -known earth. Sesostris, Thothmes, Menes, all planned a canal from the -Nile to this sea; but the camels are the only ships, to this day, that -cross this desert waste. Again my eyes rested upon the laborers, -seeing that they were sorely pressed by cruel taskmasters, who, with -long rods, urged them to their ceaseless toil. I perceived, then, that -they were men with Syrian features, arched eagle noses, long black -beards, and narrow but fine eyes, which seemed to have a strange -expression of tears in them. There were among them noble and manly -men, handsome youths, though pale with toil, and bent forms of aged -men. I marvelled to see so fine a race thus in bondage, as slaves -under taskmasters, for in the day of the Phœnician Pharaohs, there -were no such bondmen in the land of Egypt. From their remarkable -likeness to some natives of Mesopotamia I had seen in Tyre, I judged -that they must be captives of that ancient Orient people, taken in the -wars of Amunoph. - -While I was regarding them, and especially an interesting youth, whose -dark eyes, as he staggered under a heavy burden of bricks, were turned -up to me as if seeking sympathy, Acherres entered and said: - -"My lord Sesostris, the mighty Prince Remeses is alighting from his -chariot upon the steps of your palace!" - -Upon hearing this news I hastened to the portico, wondering if I were -to be honored with a personal visit from the lord of Egypt, ere the -queen mother should receive me in state. - -Upon reaching the circular peristyle hall within the portico, the -ædile of my palace opened the gilded doors, and there stood before me -the Prince of Egypt. I have already described his noble presence and -personal appearance. Upon seeing me he advanced, waving his attendants -to withdraw, and with mingled dignity and sweetness, that at once won -my heart, said: - -"I welcome you, noble Prince of Tyre, to Egypt! I have been engaged in -reviewing the army of the Nile, a day's march hence, and heard but -yesterday of your arrival. I hail you, not as a stranger, but as -cousin, dear Sesostris; for are we not allied by blood?" - -"You, my lord prince," I said, "are descended from two lines of -kings--the Syrian and Theban--I from but one. But by that one we are -indeed of the same blood. But what is a prince of Tyre, compared with -the heir to the throne of Egypt?" - -"We are to be friends and equals," he said, smiling, as he pressed my -hands. I accepted this pledge of friendship with grateful emotion, my -dear mother; and from that moment we became as brothers,--he the -elder, I the younger, and looking up to him with admiration and pride, -as henceforth my model of what a prince should be. - -He remained with me three hours. We discoursed of you, of Tyre, of the -beautiful city of Damascus,--my sword of Damascene steel attracting -his notice (for he is a famous soldier), and leading to the mention of -this city. We talked also of Egypt, and her glory, and her power; of -the queen, his mother, and the manners, religion, and policy of the -kingdom. - -But, my dear mother, I will here close this letter, and in another -relate to you what passed at our interview, and the most interesting -portion of his conversation. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER III. - - -THE CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -The climate of this land of the Sun is so delightful to the senses -that one feels a constant buoyancy of the heart, and experiences in -the consciousness of mere existence, an undefinable and delicious joy; -and herein I discover the key to the cheerful gayety of the Egyptians. -The skies are blue with eternal sunshine. The atmosphere, free from -moisture, is so transparent and crystalline, that distant objects lose -one half their distance to the eye. The sun rises ever with cloudless -splendor, and sets in a sea of golden glory, without a shadow of a -cloud falling upon his fiery disk. The moon sails by night across the -starry ocean of the heavens, with a brilliancy unknown in other lands; -while the stars burn with an increased intensity, and seem enlarged by -means of the purity of the upper air through which we behold them. It -is no marvel that the dwellers in this happy land are wise, and love -art, and delight in forms of beauty, and build palaces for gods! But I -promised in my last letter, dear mother, to describe what particularly -passed in the long and interesting interview which the Prince Remeses -had with me on his first visit to my palace. I have already described -his personal appearance; but, as ladies are always interested in -costume, I will relate to you how he was attired. - -The Egyptians, you are aware, always shave the head and beard closely, -save when in mourning. They have nevertheless a plaited lock of hair -on the height of the forehead, which falls down over the ear. Such is -the fashion with which the youthful god Horus is represented in -paintings and statues, though the beautiful locks of this deity are -not so closely removed but that a crest of golden tresses covers the -top of his head like the plume of a helmet. Something in this manner -Prince Remeses wore the lock of jet-black hair which remained. But -upon his head he had a rich cap or kaftan of green silk, the front of -which was shaped like the beak of an eagle, while behind, it fell to -the shoulders in a sort of cape, fashioned like drooping wings--the -whole most becoming and striking. In the eyes of the eagle, blazed -diamonds, and his plumage was studded with precious stones, beryls, -sardine gems, and the onyx-stone. This head-costume, in varied forms, -is worn by all the nobles and men of high rank. With some the ibis or -the vulture, with others the lion or the hawk, form the insignia. I -have seen him since in his chariot, in a close-fitting helmet-cap of -burnished gold, resembling that of the Egyptian god of war, which, -with his martial form and commanding glance, lent to him the aspect of -the god himself! - -His vesture was of fine linen, worn in numerous folds about his form; -and a surcoat embroidered with gold in royal devices, left open in -front, displayed a girdle of links of steel and gold, exquisitely and -cunningly woven, to which hung his jewelled sword. About his neck was -fastened, by a pearl of price, a collar of the red-hued gold of Ophir, -massive and large; and upon his manly chest glittered a breastplate, -sparkling with the enamelled _cartouch_ of the god Athothis, the deity -who presided at his birth, and who is the same as our Taut, the -inventor of letters. - -And here let me remark, that writing by letters is scarcely yet known -in Egypt, the hieroglyphic form being still in current use; but -Remeses has cultivated the Phœnician art, and writes with a -character of his own construction, with the facility and beauty of one -of our own men of letters. Ere long, through his influence, this form -of writing will supersede wholly the hieroglyph, which is cumbersome -and difficult to be understood, save by a native-born Egyptian; yet I -have commenced the study of it, and can read already the cartouch of -Mitres, on his obelisk over against the portico of my residence. Of -this obelisk, which is ninety-nine feet high, it is said that when it -was about to be elevated to its position, he employed 20,000 workmen, -and apprehensive that the engineer would not raise it with sufficient -care, he bound the prince his son to the apex while it lay on the -ground, and thus effectually guaranteed the safety of his monument. -This was many centuries ago; but, as I gazed to-day upon the towering -apex, I could not but think, with a tremor of the nerves, of the -hapless young prince as he mounted into the sky, on that slow and -perilous journey! - -Have I not been digressing, dear mother? But you must not, in familiar -letters, look for artistic continuity of narrative. I shall digress, -or go from subject to subject, as collateral objects suggest -themselves in passing them; but, nevertheless, I shall not leave your -curiosity unsatisfied upon any matter which I have commenced, but in -due time, from every digression, shall return to it. I will, -therefore, this apology once for all, return to the princely Remeses. - -He wore upon his right hand a signet-ring of silver, once belonging to -his ancestor, Amosis, the leader of the XVIIIth dynasty; and also a -large ring of pure gold, set with a chrysoprasus, and bearing the -shield of Osirtasen I., or Sesostris--for he has both names in -history--for whom I am named. - -In all respects he was attired with magnificence, and yet with -simplicity, as became a man of taste and a prince. The profuse -ornaments of jewelry, with which I perceive the nobles about the court -load themselves, his good sense disdains. He retains only the insignia -belonging to his high rank. - -I have said that his hair is raven-black, and may add that his eyes -are large, expressive, heavily-lidded, and with a peculiar expression -of mingled softness and brilliancy. Unlike the Egyptians, his features -are truly Syriac, with the high arched nose and full red lips of the -inhabitants of the city of Damascus. Do you remember when we last year -visited Damascus, seeing, in the painted chamber of the adytum of the -mausoleum of Eliezer, a representation of the Hebrew prince Abram, of -Syria? To that venerable prince, whose virtues and wisdom tradition -would have preserved, even if he had not erected this tomb to his own -and his master's memory, Eliezer was chamberlain or steward for many -years. Returning to Damascus with great wealth, which Abram had -bestowed upon him, he brought with him from Egypt, where he had once -been, a cunning artist in colors, who decorated the tomb he erected -for himself, in that wonderful manner which has excited the admiration -of all beholders. But, dear mother, beautiful as that is, and well -preserved as it has been for four hundred years, it is not to be -compared with art in Egypt at the present day. You remember you were -struck with the majesty and almost celestial sublimity of the old -shepherd prince's face, which the affection of his steward has -preserved. You spoke of the eagle-like nose, the dark, yet -tearful-looking eyes, with the drooping lid just casting into shadow -the depth of its inner light. You remember the nobly shaped head and -commanding brow. Such a head and profile is that of Remeses, the -Prince of Egypt. My first look at his face recalled the portrait in -the tomb, which its founder has so beautifully and modestly inscribed: - - "ELIEZER OF DAMASCUS, - THE STEWARD OF ABRAM, - PRINCE BELOVED OF THE GODS." - -After I had received Remeses into my house, I conducted him through a -two-valved door, opened before us by my chief butler, into the superb -apartment allotted for recreation and repose. My mansion consisted of -a court encircled by columns, and from it extended corridors to -various chambers. The court is crossed by avenues of trees, while -fountains and flowering plants refresh the eye in every direction. - -The apartment into which Remeses came with me, was divided into tall -panels, upon which were executed, in the most brilliant colors, the -fairest pictures. These panels were intercolumnar, each column adorned -with carvings of leaves and flowers, and terminating in a capital in -imitation of an open lotus. This room was open to the air, but -shielded from the sun by a purple awning that extended to its four -sides, and was a little raised above the walls upon the columns, so -that the breezes, which were wafted over the gardens of flowers, might -freely enter. - -This was my reception-room, or _mándara_, as it is termed. A beautiful -cornice surrounds the whole room. The furniture is of the most -tasteful and luxurious description, and of forms and uses unknown to -our severer Syrians. There are tables of Arabian wood, inlaid with -ivory; sofas of ebony and other rare materials, covered with silken -cushions; a chair ornamented with the skin of a leopard; another, of -still more graceful outline, embroidered with silk and threads of -gold; another, the frame of which recedes gradually, terminating at -its summit in a graceful curve, and supported by resting upon the back -of a swan with feathers of ivory. A chair for repose is covered with -gilded leather, and arched by a rich canopy of painted flowers, birds, -and fancy devices. The legs of all these chairs were in imitation of -some wild beast, while the arms represented in ivory or ebony the -beaks of birds,--that of the ibis, sacred as it is, being the -favorite. There are couches, too, which are nothing more nor less than -crouching lions gilded, upon the backs of which the sleeper reposes on -gorgeous housings stuffed with the softest down. The shapes of the -furniture exhaust all forms. There are, in some of my rooms, chairs -shaped like harps, others like leaves of the fig-tree, others like -birds. Tables of ebony are supported on the heads of naked Nubian -slaves two feet high, carved in ebony, while the bronze lamps are -uplifted upon the palm of a dancing girl cast in bronze, who seems to -hold the light for you while you read or write. Carpets and -foot-stools, covered with embroidery, are not wanting; and I have -three round tables--one of metal, one of ivory, one of ebony--polished -like mirrors of steel. These are covered with ornaments of the most -exquisite finish and beauty; and before my window where I write is a -sort of bureau ornamented with hieroglyphics, carved in intaglio, -inlaid with sycamore, tamarisk, and palm woods, and enriched with -bosses of solid gold. - -In this apartment I received Remeses. Placing a seat by the window, I -sat near him. For a moment he surveyed me with a close but courteous -scrutiny, such as strangers irresistibly cast upon each other after a -first meeting. - -"I hope you are at home here, noble Sesostris," he said. "This is one -of my palaces, but I have more than I can make use of, such is the -bounty and affection of my mother." - -"I have every comfort and luxury--more than I desire," I answered. "I -was not prepared to find in Egypt such splendor and magnificence. The -half, my noble prince, has not been told the world." - -"And yet you have seen but a small portion of this kingdom," he said, -with a smile of pardonable pride. "Although On is the city of palaces -and temples, for there is a temple to each of the three hundred and -sixty gods of our calendar year, yet Memphis is the true seat of our -empire. We rule Egypt from Memphis: we worship the gods from On." - -"But is not the great god Apis the peculiar deity of Memphis?" I -asked; "and is not his worship the most magnificent and imposing on -earth?" - -"Yet here in the City of the Sun is the temple of Mnevis, the sacred -ox of On, honored with a worship as profound and universal as that of -Apis." - -"But do the more polished Egyptians indeed worship the ox, either here -or in Memphis?" I asked with some hesitation, for, as prince, Remeses -is first priest of the realm, next to the high-priest of Osiris. - -"Do not fear to ask freely any questions, my dear Sesostris," he said. -"We do not worship these animals. They are but the embodiment of -attributes. Under both of these gods, at On and at Memphis, Osiris the -great Judge of men is veiled. They are but the living images of -Osiris. The origin of their introduction is unknown save to the -priests, whose office it is to keep the records of all things -appertaining to religion." - -"What is revealed concerning the history of Osiris?" I asked; "for I -am at a loss to understand the exact relation a deity known over the -world by name, but of whose worship little is understood, holds to -Egypt and to the other gods. At home, in Syria, I have marvelled how -the Egyptian mythology could stand, when made up of such contradictory -elements,--a part directing the worship of an invisible divinity, and -a part directing the adoration of the hosts of heaven and beasts of -the earth. In Phœnicia we worship the Invisible through the sun, as -his representative. We worship nothing earthly. In Palestine, south of -us, Ashteroth, Belus, and images of stone and brass are adored, but -not with us." - -"The Egyptians, through all their forms, and by all their gods, adore -the Supreme Infinite, my Sesostris," said the prince. "The history of -our faith is briefly this, according to common tradition: Osiris was -in the beginning the one lord of worlds; the sun of truth and the -glory of his universe. He came upon earth for the benefit of mankind. -Before his coming, the ox and all other animals were wild, and of no -service to man. The Nile was a terror to Egypt. Vegetation had -perished. He came as a 'manifester of good and truth,' as saith the -great golden book in the Hall of Books. He entered into all things, -and infused his life, and good, and uses into all. He bound the Nile -to its banks, by breasting its flood and subduing it. His spirit -passed into the bull, and all cattle. He tempered the heat of the sun, -and drew the poison from the moon. The earth became his bride, under -the name of Isis; and brought forth Horus, and the order of equal -times, and thus man was benefited and the earth made habitable. Upon -this, his brother Sethis, who represented 'evil,' as Osiris did -'good,' sought his destruction, and caused him to be hated and put to -death. He was buried, and rose again, and became the judge of the -dead. And this legend or fable is the foundation, noble Sesostris, of -our mythology. The sun, moon, Nile, animals, and vegetables even, are -regarded as sacred, therefore, because the spirit or soul of Osiris -had been infused into them, to change them from evil to good. Thus one -god is worshipped through visible objects, which he has -consecrated,--objects once his temples and abodes; for, says the -sacred record, he had to enter into every thing which he restored to -the use of man." - -"The mythology of Egypt," I said, "is at once relieved, O prince, from -the charge of grossness and superstition which has been attached to -it. I can now understand more clearly your system of religion." - -"The mysteries of our religion are still unfathomable," answered -Remeses. "It is doubtful if they are fully comprehended by the -priests. In the multiplicity and diversity of objects of worship I am -often confounded, and it is a relief to me to pass by all material -forms of Osiris, and send my mind upward only to himself!" - -"That is a noble conception, great prince," I said, admiring the lofty -and almost divine expression with which this pure sentiment lighted up -his fine countenance. - -"But the people of Egypt are not able to comprehend Deity except -through visible forms; and, in order to convey an impression of the -abstract notions men form of the attributes of Deity, it will always -be necessary, perhaps, to distinguish them by some fixed -representation; hence the figures of Osiris under the various forms in -which he is worshipped, of Pthah, of Amun, Neith, and other gods and -goddesses, were invented by the ancient priests as the signs of the -various attributes of the Deity. And as the subtlety of speculation -expanded the simple principles of our mythology, the divine nature was -divided and subdivided, until any thing which seemed to bear any -analogy to it was deified, received a figure or form as a god, and was -admitted into the Pantheon of the kingdom, to a share of the worship -of the people." - -"And this nicety of philosophical speculation," I said, "must have -given rise to the several grades of deities in Egypt." - -"Yes; the gods of the first, second, and third orders: each with its -system of priesthood and rituals." - -"In all this, I see you give no divine honors to departed heroes," I -remarked. - -"No. Our gods are none of them deified men. They are not like Bacchus, -and Hercules, and other of the ancient and Syriac deities, who were -human heroes. Our mythology is a pure spiritualism: its object, -Divinity, worshipped by emblems, symbols, signs, figures, and -representative attributes." - -"It is a pantheism, then, rather than a polytheism," I remarked. - -"You speak justly, Sesostris," he said. "The figures of our gods, -which you see hewn in marble, painted on temples, standing colossal -monoliths in the entrance of the city, are but vicarious forms, not -intended to be looked upon as real divine personages. Not a child in -Egypt believes that a being exists, with the head of a bird joined to -the human form--as the statue of Thoth, with the ibis head, in front -of the temple; or under the form of a Cynocephalus, having the horns -of the moon upon his head; or as the goddess Justice, without a head; -or a bird with the head of a woman; or a god with a ram-headed -vulture's head, or that of a hawk, like the deity Horus; or Anubis, -with the head of a dog. Why these unnatural forms were chosen as -emblems of these gods, the priests fancifully explain, and perhaps in -many cases truly. They are all, simply personifications of divine -attributes." - -"Abuses," I remarked, when he had thus eloquently spoken, "must -naturally flow from such representations, and these emblems, among the -people, soon assume the importance of the divine personages to which -they appertain. The mass of the population must be idolaters." - -"You speak truly. They are. The distinction between the image and the -idea which it represents is too subtle for the ignorant; they lose -sight of the attribute, by filling the whole horizon of their minds -with its image. Thus the Egyptian mind is clearly more and more being -drawn away from its ancient spiritual worship, to a superstitious -veneration for images, which originally were intended only to control -and fix attention, or to represent some religious tradition or idea of -divinity." - -"Are not Apis, the sacred bull, at Memphis, and Mnevis at On, regarded -as gods?" I asked. - -"Only as the soul of Osiris. The bull is the most powerful animal in -all Egypt, and hence a type of the Deity. But this subject, my dear -Sesostris," added the prince, with a fine look of friendship, "you -will know more of by and by, as you dwell among us. I will command -that you shall have every facility from the priests, and also from the -philosophers and wise men, in your further studies of our people. I am -happy to have given you your first lesson in Egyptian lore." - -"You have done me infinite honor, noble Remeses," I replied, returning -with gratitude his looks of kindness. "I hope ere long so to profit by -your information as to understand your ancient system of religion. -From what you have said, I perceive that it stands above all others on -earth, rightly interpreted; and before its spiritual essence, our -worship in Phœnicia--which is chiefly a union of idolatry and -Sabæanism--is pure materialism." - -At this moment we rose, as by one impulse, and walked out upon the -terrace to enjoy the breeze which was waving refreshingly, to our -eyes, the branches of a palm that stood before the door. The day was -intensely hot. In the shade of the columns on the square, many of the -citizens had gathered for shelter from the sun's beams. But still in -its burning heat the bondmen of whom I have spoken, toiled on, with -their burdens of brick. Not far off were a score under one taskmaster, -who stood by with a long staff with which he severely beat an old man, -who had sunk to the earth under the combined heat of the sun and the -weight he was compelled to bear. My heart was touched at once with -pity and indignation. - -"What unhappy people are these, O prince," I said, "who endure such -heavy labor?" - -"Hebrews!" he answered, haughtily and indifferently. "Hast thou not -heard of these bond-slaves of our land? They have been in Egypt -several generations. They build our cities, our walls, our canals. -They number two millions, and are the hereditary slaves of the -Pharaohs." - -"To what circumstances do they owe their captivity?" I asked. - -"If it will interest you, my Sesostris," he said, "I will at another -time relate their history." - -"It will gratify me to listen to it," I answered. "I am struck with -the Syriac cast of their features." - -"Indeed! They originally came from Syria. Do they preserve still the -lineaments of their country?" - -"Strikingly so," I answered. - -We now walked the noble terrace together, while he pointed out to me -the prospect from it. In view was one half the city, and the dark -"Lake of the Dead," of which I will speak hereafter; the avenues of -sphinxes; the gigantic gateways or pylones and obelisks on the river; -and the mighty Nile itself, flowing like an ever-lengthening sea amid -the fairest scenery of earth. Reposing upon its bosom, like a gigantic -floating garden, was visible the noble isle of Rhoda, decked with -gorgeous palaces,--one of which, said Remeses, is the favorite home of -his royal mother. Still beyond this lovely island rose from the water -the gardens, villas, palaces, temples, and propyla which lay between -Memphis and the river; while the city of Apis, "the diadem of Egypt," -in all the glory of architectural majesty and beauty, reposed on the -plain beyond; the mighty pyramids, with their winged temples and -colossal dromos of sphinxes, filling the background of this matchless -scene. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER IV. - - -CITY OF ON. - -DEAR AND ROYAL MOTHER: - -I am still in the City of the Sun, or RE, as I find it is often called -by the Egyptians, and I write to you from the palace of Remeses, not -the abode which was first allotted me, but in apartments in his own -imperial residence, an honored sharer of his table and society. - -Here, in a sumptuous chamber, the walls of which are intercolumnar -panels, enriched by paintings on gold and blue grounds, tastefully -bordered by flowers and fruit, I once more resume my pen to write to -you about this wonderful land. - -The day after I closed my last letter, dear mother, a high officer -from the Queen Amense alighted from his chariot at my palace, and -placed in my hands the signet of his royal mistress, with a message -that she desired me to be presented to her. - -I had already received an intimation from the prince of this intended -honor, and had made myself ready, being attired, when the messenger -came, in the full costume of a prince of Tyre, save the golden crown, -instead of which I wore the helmet-shaped cap of Tyrian gold-thread, -which was presented to me by your own loved hands. Over my shoulders I -clasped the cloak of Tyrian purple, embroidered by the hands of the -fair princess Thamonda; and instead of my sword I held a gold-tipped -wand, as no one is permitted to appear before the queen with arms. -These wands or rods are carried by all Egyptians, of every rank, as -constant companions; but their value and beauty are regulated by the -position and wealth of the person,--those of nobles being tipped with -gold, while ivory, ebony, palm-wood, and common woods, are the -materials of which others are made. The rod borne by me was a present -from Remeses, and near the burnished gold head of it was a massive -ring of great price, bearing his royal cartouch, in which he is called -"Remeses-Moses, Son of Pharaoh's Daughter, and Prince of Re Memphis, -and Thebes, Son of the god Nilus, and Leader of the Sacred Hosts." - -There stood in front of my palace three chariots, two of them drawn by -a pair of beautifully spotted horses, while to the third, and most -elegant, were harnessed four snow-white steeds. A burnished shield -rising above the gracefully curved back, showed that it was a royal -chariot. The charioteer was a Nubian, wearing bracelets of gold, as -well as otherwise richly attired. The chariot was gorgeously -ornamented at the sides with ornaments of light open-work. It was -lined with crimson silk, which was visible through the interstices of -the open carvings. These chariots had two wheels; the pole projected -from the middle of the axle, and was bent upwards at a short distance -from the body of the carriage. At the end of the pole the yoke was -fastened, and each horse attached to the car by a single trace, -extending on his inner side from the base of the pole to the saddle. I -noticed, too, that the heads of the spirited horses were borne up -tight by a rein made fast to a hook in front of the saddle, and the -long reins passed through a loop or ring at the side. Also, that the -heads of the horses were adorned with lofty plumes; that the harness -was ornamented with silver and gold, or burnished brass, while upon -their bodies were housings of the most elaborate and beautiful -workmanship, representing royal devices. - -One of these superb chariots was that in which the queen's officer -came. In the other sat the grand-chamberlain, behind his charioteer. -The third, I found, was for my use. Drawn up, hard by, there were not -less than threescore footmen of the queen's guard, who, ranging -themselves from the door, paid me the lowest obeisance as I passed to -my chariot, at the side of which stood the venerable and stately -grand-chamberlain, to assist me to enter it. - -There was no seat; for the Egyptians stand in their chariots, as a -more dignified and commanding attitude,--a custom probably derived -from the necessity of doing so in their war-chariots, in order to -combat. I have, however, seen three or four very light and elegant -pleasure-chariots, in which ladies of high rank were seated, but one -only in each. But when the queen rides, she stands upon a dais in her -chariot, and, as she is borne at speed by six horses harnessed -abreast, she has the air and port of a flying goddess. The eyes of her -subjects follow her as if she were a meteor, and gaze after her with -admiration and awe. - -The day was bright, as it always is in Egypt, with a cloudless sun. It -lighted up the long lines of palaces where dwelt priests and nobles, -illumined the propyla of the temples, burnished the lakes, gilded -the obelisks, and flooded the whole City of the Sun with -magnificence;--for there is a splendor and glory in the sunshine of -Egypt unknown in other lands, the result of the purity of the -crystalline atmosphere. - -My charioteer dashed onward as if great speed was a royal pace. Before -me ran footmen with wands clearing the avenue, and behind came the -swift-footed retainers, while on each side of me rolled the two -chariots. Acherres, my secretary, rode near upon an Arabian courser; -and his superb seat in the saddle and his masterly horsemanship drew -the applause of the Egyptians, who are better charioteers than -horsemen. - -After a dashing ride of a mile, we entered a vast square which I had -not before seen. It extended two thousand feet each way. In the centre -was a calm lake basking in the sunshine. Around this lake was a border -of palm-trees, then a border of orange-trees filled with singing -birds, while in their shade walked groups of handsomely attired -people, and children enjoyed themselves in play. Upon the lake, -ornamented pleasure galleys were moving in various directions, and a -spirit of enjoyment pervaded the whole scene. Around this grand square -with its central lake were arranged as follows: on the north side a -superb colonnade of sculptured columns, forming the façade of the -Temple of Mnevis, the sacred ox of On, at the gate or propyla of which -crouched two sphinxes, with majestic human heads. On the west side was -a vast paved area, in the centre of which towered the obelisk of -Thothmes the Great. This area is inclosed by the royal armory, an -edifice expressive of strength and grandeur in its massive and warlike -proportions. On the east is a pyramid two hundred feet high, in front -of which two sphinxes with heads of women and bodies of birds repose, -while on each side extends a range of noble pylones opening into -avenues that lead to interior courts. This singular edifice is the -temple of Re, and sometimes gives its name to the city, Re being also -another name for the sun. On the fourth side of this stupendous area -rises a grand palace, which occupies the whole space of the breadth of -the square. I can only describe the front of this royal palace by -representing it as a city of columns, interspaced at regular intervals -by noble propyla, which, in their turn, are sculptured and adorned in -such profusion as to bewilder the eye with forms of beauty. Two -sphinxes of colossal proportions, with the bodies of lions and the -heads of beautiful women wearing double crowns, guard the entrance to -this august palace. Upon the terrace, to which a flight of broad steps -ascended, stood the royal guard of the palace like statues, each of -the one hundred Theban soldiers leaning upon his spear, with his oval -shield resting against his side. - -We drove up in front, and between the heads of the sphinxes I -alighted. The moment I did so, the Theban guard stood to their arms, -and their captain, with a glittering helmet upon his head and holding -his sword in his hand reversed, descended to receive me. Escorted by -him, and followed by the grand-chamberlain, I ascended to the terrace -saluted by the guard with the honors paid to royalty. The terrace was -surrounded with the statues of the kings of this dynasty, and of the -Theban Pharaohs; but the Phœnician Pharaohs are not now numbered -among the kings of Egypt. The terrace led into a circular hall which -was richly carved, gilded, and painted with historic scenes, -battle-pieces and naval combats. Conspicuous upon a panel, directly in -front of the entrance, was the representation of the expulsion of the -Shepherd Kings from Memphis. In the faces of the monarchs Amosis and -Amunophis, the immediate ancestors of Prince Remeses, I see no -resemblance to him. His style of face is wholly different from the -heroes of the dynasty to which he belongs. His features have a nobler -cast, and seem to belong to a man of a higher intellectual -development, and no doubt he is superior to all other Egyptians; for, -young as he is, his name is already associated with all that is wise, -and great, and true. - -The entablature of the next hall we entered was a wonderful sculpture. -It represented a circle of beautiful girls chained together by wreaths -of flowers, and with interlaced arms, bending over and smiling down -upon those in the hall, each extending a hand holding a vase. There -was a unity of design in the whole of the interior of this adytum or -presence-chamber, with the distribution of light and the groups of -figures shown by it on the walls, that surpassed any apartment I had -yet seen. As I entered this enchanted hall, the martial music which -had hailed me as I came into the outer vestibule ceased, and was -succeeded by the most ravishing sounds of instrumental music from an -unseen source. I would have lingered, but there advanced a beautiful -youth, all clad in gold and purple, it seemed to me, so richly was he -attired, who said: - -"The queen desires me to conduct the noble Prince of Tyre to her -presence." - -I followed, and before him opened, as if by their own volition, a pair -of two-leaved doors of ivory, inlaid with emeralds. The throne-room -stood before me--if an apartment a thousand feet across may be termed -a room. I stood at the threshold of a chamber surrounded by columns -ninety feet high. A guard of soldiers, in silver cuirasses and helmets -covered with silken scarfs, inclosed the space. An avenue of statues -of the gods, in the centre, led for eight hundred feet to the throne. -Along this avenue was arranged a brilliant array of officers, in armor -and uniforms of the most dazzling description, to which every color -and every precious metal contributed, while helm and cuirass, of those -highest in rank, blazed with jewels. I advanced, led by the beautiful -page, in whose fine black eyes and long lashes, arched brow and -aquiline nose, I recognized the now well-known lineaments of the -Hebrew race. He moved with his eyes cast down. I experienced, my dear -mother, at a public reception so august, not a little embarrassment; -but I repressed it, and endeavored to receive these honors, at the -greatest court on earth, with the ease and self-command that became my -rank. As I drew near the throne the scene increased in magnificence. -At length two statues of Osiris and Isis terminated the vista I had -traversed; and I saw before me the throne of Egypt, one hundred feet -in front, in the centre of a space one half a stadium in diameter, and -elevated upon a dais or platform of variegated marble, twelve feet -from the floor. This noble platform was square, and at each of the -four corners crouched a lion, respectively with the head of an eagle, -a sea-dragon (no doubt, a fabulous monster), a bull, and a man--all, -figures representing the four kingdoms of the air, the sea, the earth, -and the intellect or soul. These four colossal beasts faced inward, -towards the throne, to signify that they beheld in its occupant their -mistress and sovereign. Upon their heads were crowns, namely, of -Thebes, Memphis, Re, and Ethiopia. - -The platform, upon the angles of which crouched these majestic -figures, was ascended by four flights of steps of red Syene stone, -inlaid with precious stones. There were seven steps to each ascent, -representing the seven mouths of the Nile by which the land of Egypt -is approached. These symbols were subsequently explained to me by -Remeses; but I describe them now, as I may not again have an -opportunity of so doing in the varied scenes and subjects that -challenge my attention. - -In the midst of this elevation, rising island-like in the centre of -the "Hall of the Pharaohs," stood the throne itself. It was separated -from every object in solitary splendor, a space of many yards being -left on all sides of the polished floor, in the brilliancy of which -not only the throne itself, but the heads of the four sphinxes, were -reflected. How shall I give you, dear mother, a just conception of the -throne-chair? It was of the purest ivory, carved with wonderful -beauty. The simple grandeur of its form and material was more -impressive than the most gorgeous display of gilding and precious -stones. Its shape was not unlike that of a chariot, the back curving -gracefully over the head of the occupant, and terminating in an -expanded canopy of feathers, all of ivory, yet so thin and delicately -executed that they waved in the south breeze that stirred through the -hall. This chariot-shaped throne rested upon the bodies of two -Nigritian lion-leopards of Rhodian marble, between which three steps -ascended to the seat of the chair. The seat was a single pearl, a gift -from the Queen of Ind to Amunophis the Great, the father of Amense. - -The footstool of this beautiful throne was a single onyx stone in a -border of gold, standing upon does' feet, each of which was a ruby. -The carpet before the throne was woven of the plumage of the -bird-of-paradise intermingled with that of birds of India and Arabia, -of divers colors. Skins of lions and leopards, fringed with -gold-thread, lay upon the mirror-like floor of the dais, from the -footstool to the steps which descended from the platform, or no -footstep could have crossed it, so high was the polish of the marble -surface. - -High above the throne was a canopy of blue silk extending over the -whole dais, and representing the signs of the heavens when Amense was -born, with the presiding constellation delineated in its vertical -position. Imagine this court of the throne, a peristyle of aquamarine -and white columns, with capitals carved in imitation of flowers, and -the shafts enriched by painting and sculpture; surround it with -gorgeously attired courtiers, their eyes fixed upon the queen; behold -at the steps of the dais the highest officers of her court, awaiting -with looks of homage. On each side of the throne itself stand the two -military princes of her realm, one who commands her armies, the other -her navies. They are in the full costume of their high rank, and -glitter with jewels. Behind the throne, near two stately figures -representing Truth and Justice, is a brilliant guard of honor, called -"pages of the throne-room," who are sons of nobles, and whose place in -public is always near the person of the queen. Their hands are so -laden with rings that they appear rather like a chain of gold and -jewels held therein. They wear orange-colored jewelled bonnets and -necklaces, and carry blue wands tipped with pearls. - -I have now described, dear mother, all the externals of the scene into -which I was presented, in order that you may form some idea of the -glory and majesty of this court, and the style of its magnificent -monarchs. I will now come to the central person, around whom is -gathered all this courtly splendor and architectural grandeur. - -As I advanced towards the steps of the dais, two chief officers in -flowing linen robes, and wearing chains of gold about their necks, -drew near, when my Hebrew page fell back, giving them place. - -One of these dignified personages said to me in pure Syriac, for the -Egyptians are learned in all polite tongues-- - -"We are sent to lead you to the foot of the stairs of the four -kingdoms." - -They placed themselves one on each side of me, and as I came to the -seven steps, to my great joy I beheld prince Remeses descending them -to welcome and receive me; for the majesty, and glory, and -magnificence, and novelty of the whole scene had nearly overwhelmed me -with awe: indeed, I felt as if verily advancing into the presence of -the enthroned OSIRIS himself. - -The prince looked more strikingly noble than in my first interview. He -was attired with the utmost richness, and looked the personification -of kingly dignity. He was now distinguished by the amplitude of his -robes, and their fineness, and a girdle ornamented with the _uræus_ or -royal serpent. All his garments were of the lightest and finest -material, instead of the heavy and costly stuffs which form the robes -of state in Phœnicia and Assyria; for, as my own embroidered and -heavy mantle showed me, such material would be out of place in this -clime of perennial summer. He wore a gorgeous vesture embroidered with -leaves, and a silken sash wound about his body, after the fashion of -ancient Egyptian princes, which sash was divided into three different -folds, over which fell his upper garment of fine Persian cloth, with -long sleeves, also embroidered. The distinguishing mark of his rank, -as a prince and "son," and which hung down the side of his face, was -the badge of the god Horus, terminating in a fringe of gold, of a -fashion worn only by this dynasty. With this badge was entwined his -braided lock of hair, of which I have before spoken. This costume is -arbitrary, and may not be changed, as the laws regulate it for king, -priest, and people; therefore do I so particularly describe it. - -With grace and dignity he saluted me before the whole court, saying, -"Noble prince, with pleasure I present you to my mother the queen. She -is already prepossessed in your favor, and welcomes you to her court -with distinctions becoming the heir to the throne of Phœnicia, and -our royal cousin." - -I bowed in recognition of this courtesy, and Remeses, taking my hand, -led me up the steps of the dais. The Queen Amense, seated upon her -ivory throne, awaited my approach. Remeses, leading me to within three -paces of her footstool, said, with a low obeisance of mingled filial -reverence and princely homage,-- - -"Mother and queen! I introduce to your court, Sesostris, Prince of -Tyre!" - -I also did profound obeisance to the majesty of the presence near -which I stood, and then fixed my eyes upon the mighty potentate about -to address me, and presented to her your original letter. - -As she opened it, I observed her face. I beheld before me a woman of -noble aspect, with rich brown hair, slightly silvered, worn with -severe plainness across her temples. Her face was still beautiful, -though fifty-three years had passed over her head, but it was marked -with lines of thought and care. What her fine features had lost in -beauty, they had gained in majesty. They recalled those of the statue -of Astarte, in the temple of the Moon at Sidon; and, in truth, her air -and port would have become a goddess. Her eyes were the color of her -hair--a rich sunny brown, like that of the Syrian women of Damascus; -and is she not, by descent through Ephtha, the daughter of the last -Phœnician Pharaoh, allied to the royal line of Syro-Phœnicia? I -never beheld a countenance so dignified, yet so benign. Her eyes are -piercing, and imperial in their glance; and she carries her superb -head with a consciousness of dominion. I did not marvel longer at her -vast power over her subjects, and their submission, as well as that of -the kingdoms around her, to the rule of her will. - -Upon her head she wore the double diadem of the Thebaïd and Memphis, -symbol that the sovereignty of Upper and Lower Egypt is vested in her -person. The inner crown was a graceful conical bonnet of white silk, -sown with pearls and lined with cloth of silver, terminating in a -knob, like a pomegranate bud, which is the emblem, I believe, of Upper -Egypt. The outer crown, which is similar to that worn by the -Phœnician Pharaohs, is a rich band of gold, faced with cloth of -gold and lined with red silk, red being the special color of Lower -Egypt as white is of Upper. This crown is open at the top, and is put -on over the other; and the two worn together form a diadem of beauty -and glory. - -About her neck the queen wore a necklace of precious stones, the clasp -of which was a vulture, his neck encircled by an asp, on which he was -trampling--emblem of the goddess Maut, mother of Isis. She was dressed -in a vestment of Persian gauze of silk, of the purest whiteness and of -the fineness of mist, and a green vesture enriched with gold and blue -needle-work, reaching below the waist and secured by a girdle blazing -with diamonds. Long robes descended to her feet, of those most -beautiful patterns and rare colors which the looms of Damascus produce -only for royal wearers, and in the manufacture of which years are -consumed. Carelessly over one shoulder was thrown a Persian shawl, one -like which is only made in a lifetime, and would buy a king's ransom. -The monarchs of Egypt thus can command with their wealth, dear mother, -what other kings can only sigh for and envy. - -She did not rise to receive me, but when I would have kneeled at her -footstool, she bended forward and touched my hand with her jewelled -right hand, which I reverently raised to my lips and forehead. She -would not suffer me to kneel, but made me stand on one side of her, -while Remeses stood on her right, and proceeded to ask me a variety of -questions. She uttered her interrogatories with grace and benignity. -She expressed her gratification at seeing me at her court--trusted I -would find Egypt so agreeable that I should remain a long time her -guest--asked after your health and welfare, and desired me to convey -to you the expression of her esteem for you, and her desire that the -friendly relations now existing between the two courts may be -strengthened by my visit. She was also pleased to say, that every -opportunity should be afforded me for seeing Egypt, and that if I -desired to visit Karnac and Luxor, and the temples and cities of the -Thebaïd, she would furnish me with galleys. - -To all this exceeding kindness and courtesy, my dear mother, I -returned, as you may be sure, appropriate acknowledgments; and after -some further conversation, in which Prince Remeses took part, the -audience terminated: but only to introduce a spectacle, such as I had -no conception was in reserve--the review of her army of chariots and -horsemen, on the parade of the palace. - -But I must reserve my description of this scene to a subsequent -letter. Till then, I remain, - - Royal and dear mother, - Your faithful - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER V. - - -CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY EVER BELOVED AND ROYAL MOTHER: - -In my last letter I described to you, as well as the feebleness of -language would admit, my presentation to the Queen Amense, and the -splendors of her court and palace. In Syria we have no approach to -this Egyptian magnificence, unless it is to be found in Tadmor, the -city of the Euphrates country, which travellers call a single temple -the size of a city! The peculiarity of Egyptian architecture is very -striking. It has an air of ponderous majesty--being, in all its -proportions, colossal. Yet this massive aspect is relieved by shaping -the stone and marble in the most graceful lines, and enriching with -sculpture, either in relief or intaglio, the immense surfaces of their -gigantic columns and enormous propyla. In all the temples and palaces -I have yet seen here, two species of column chiefly prevail--one of -which, this being the most ancient style, is fluted and composed of a -single shaft, with a capital in the shape of an opening pomegranate, -the reflexed edge being an imitation of the opened flower of the -lotus, and presenting a graceful object to the eye. The other column, -introduced by the present dynasty, is always colossal; but its -massiveness is relieved by being striated, which gives the mass the -appearance of being composed of united stems, and increased by -horizontal belts or bands cut in the stone, which seem to tie them -together under the capital and in the middle. Just above the square or -round plinth, the base of the shaft itself is rounded and adorned with -leaves, which gives it the appearance of growing up from the plinth. -You can judge of the combined grandeur and grace of such columns, dear -mother, by imagining several buds of the rose of Palestine set like -cups, one upon the other, and upon the top of all a lotus-flower, and -the whole magnified to ninety or a hundred feet in height, and -converted into Syene stone. - -On the abacus of the columns, which form so prominent and universal a -feature in Egyptian architecture, rests a broad but simple architrave, -usually sculptured with hieroglyphics illustrating subjects connected -with the deity of the temple, or the occupant of the palace which they -adorn. The upper edge of it is often occupied by a row of the sacred -serpent, _uræus_. The boldness and breadth of the cornice supplies the -want of a pediment--flat roofs being used in this country, when used -at all, where rain is scarcely known, and where snow was never seen. - -The porticos and façades present double and triple rows of columns, -but seldom are they found on the sides or around the temples, as at -Damascus and Tadmor. The circular arenas in the city, which I have -described in a former letter, were not temples but colonnades, and -these column-inclosed squares are the introduction of Queen Amense, -and are only found at On. Usually the great lines of Egyptian edifices -are straight, and their temples are quadrangles, with avenues of -mighty columns extending from pylon to pylon in a succession of inner -courts--these series of vast and magnificent vestibules sometimes -extending half a mile, their avenues bordered by sphinxes and columns -alternately, until the great fane of the temple, to which they are the -approach, is reached. - -For columns, I have seen in the temple of the sacred ox--MNEVIS, -colossal figures of Osiris, or of sovereigns with the attributes of -Osiris. These Osiride pillars are often thirty feet in height. Upon my -mind they produce an unpleasing effect. The impression is as if the -god was brought into the service of man as a slave, to uphold his -temples, though I believe they do not bear any portion of the -superincumbent weight. But one cannot behold a row of these mighty men -of stone without an emotion of awe. The general tone of the temples -and palaces betrays the pyramid as their type. The walls sloping on -the outside as if the lower section of a pyramid, give to the edifices -of Egypt that expression of self-reposing and immovable stability -which belongs to the pyramidal form. The whole effect is in the -highest degree sublime, and at once subdues and elevates my mind as I -gaze. The scale of architecture is so vast, that even the innumerable -sculptured objects by which walls, columns, and entablatures are -covered, do not interfere with the grandeur of the whole effect. -Moreover, the heaviness which would adhere to such massive edifices in -Syria, disappears when they are seen through the crystalline medium of -this Egyptian atmosphere. - -There is another peculiarity, my dear mother, of Egyptian -architecture, which no one can contemplate without an increasing -impression of awe. I allude to the dromos, or double row of -sphinxes--figures of which I have already spoken, and of which we have -no idea in Syria, though an Assyrian noble whom I met in Sidon, -described to me reposing colossi with majestic heads of kings and -bodies of lions, as guarding the approach to the temples of the gods -of his country. Such mysterious compounds of the human form with a -lion or a ram, denoting the union of intellect with strength, are to -be encountered here before every temple. These avenues of sphinxes, in -profound repose and with a grave and serious aspect, are usually -entered through a lofty gateway or pylon, before which are seated -gigantic figures of gods, or stand obelisks of granite, placed in -pairs, and richly and elaborately sculptured with hieroglyphics. -Through such a gateway and avenue, I approached the city of On. A day -or two ago I was in a temple dedicated to the god Horus, son of Osiris -and Isis. Upon the pylon was inscribed a sun, supported by two asps -with outspread wings--the emblem of Hor-hat, the good genius of -Egypt--and hence to be found everywhere represented. It is this which -is erroneously called, by some travellers, a winged globe. In the -entrance, this god was pictured with the head of a hawk (at once his -symbol and a type of the sun, from the piercing brightness of its -eye), as an actor in various scenes, both celestial and terrestrial, -such as hunting, sailing, and engaged in war against Typhon, and -others. - -Passing these, I entered a spacious court, open to the sky and -surrounded by sculptured colonnades. Crossing this court, which -inferior priests were traversing or idly lounging in, I came to a -second propylon, the magnificent wings of which were divided into -numerous compartments, and sculptured ten stories high, with the most -exquisite art. This pylon, in the wings of which the priests lodge, -led into an open court one hundred paces long, through the centre of -which extended an avenue of twenty-four columns, sixty-six feet high -and twelve in diameter, and on each side of these were seven rows of -lesser columns, forty feet in height and nine in diameter. All these -presented sculptured surfaces, and the richest description of -capitals. A still more magnificent gateway, at the extremity of this -street of columns, conducted me into a vast hall with covered -cloisters on the sides, and a double row of colossal pillars running -down the centre. All the rest of the space was paved and adorned with -fountains, statues, and fruit and flower trees, growing from large -alabaster vases. Priests and worshippers moved in all directions -through this and the other courts. The walls of this grand hall were -decorated with battle-pieces--the triumphs of the Pharaohs in the -conquest of neighboring kingdoms--representations of offerings to the -gods, and of captive princes led at the wheels of chariots. I advanced -to another pylon, still loftier and more noble than the rest, and as I -looked back to the remote outer entrance, two thousand feet off, I -discovered that an artifice of architecture had been employed to -increase the apparent distance by diminishing the gateways in height, -as if by the effect of a lengthened perspective. The effect was all -that the architect could have desired. - -The Egyptians apply colors freely to their architecture. This -peculiarity increases in a wonderful degree the richness and harmony -of the general effect. The cloudless sky of Egypt gives brilliancy to -all the colors of nature, and these imitated on the walls of temples -and palaces, have a beauty and splendor that must be seen to be -appreciated. Granite, serpentine stone, breccia, or basalt, whatever -be the material, its appearance, however elaborately polished, is by -the Egyptians enriched, as they believe, and as I begin to think, by -the pencil. The profusion with which they employ colors and sculpture -in their temples, palaces, and tombs, has no parallel on earth. In -Syria they are subsidiary to architecture. Here they are a part of it. -The sloping outer walls, the external surfaces,--ceiling, column, and -pylon,--are all covered with sculpture. Their sculptured bass-reliefs -unite the qualities of a cameo and an intaglio, the figure itself -rising from the broadly cut and deep outline of the design. Thus, -though the design is in relief, the figure does not project, and is -protected from injury. The colors which are laid on these are softened -by their retiring below the surface. Real bass-reliefs, however, exist -on the monuments of the age of Sesortasen I. - -The adytum of the temple which I am describing so minutely, with -descriptions of the peculiarities of the architecture of the Egyptians -(knowing your architectural taste and curiosity about all such -subjects, my dear mother), was, unlike any of the halls I had -traversed, much smaller, and yet far more beautiful than any of them. -It was a square chamber, the ceiling of which was painted blue and -studded with stars, while the moon shone down, a shield of polished -silver, from the zenith point. Figures of vultures, hawks, and other -emblems, were placed upon columns around the hall, and separated only -by the winged asp-encircled sun. These figures were richly colored, -and the eyes of the birds glittered with diamonds set in them. Upon -the entablature around the hall were sculptured the twelve months. All -these, and the walls, were beautifully painted, with a harmony of -distribution and combination of their gorgeous colors singularly -pleasing to the eye. Hieroglyphics, traced in gold on blue panels, -recorded the virtues and deeds of Horus. The floor of this sumptuous -chamber represented the great circle of the sun through the twelve -constellations, and also the images of the seven planetary gods, -executed in the pavement with almost every variety of colored stone, -such as the emerald, amethyst, agate, lapis lazuli, root of emerald, -cornelian, greenstone, hæmatite, all interset with gold, silver, and -bronze. Nothing could be richer. A sun of pure gold was placed in the -centre of this wonderful zodiac, if I may so term it, for I do not -know whether it is a true planetary configuration which is represented -with a fixed date, or simply arbitrary, and executed as an ornament. -The Egyptians are, however, skilful astronomers, and have the skill -and learning to interpret and thus record the ages of the past by the -procession of the heavens. - -On one side of this chamber of art and beauty, stood the monolith -which contained the shrine of the god. It was a rock of solid granite, -in which a recess was hollowed out, wherein sat the deity. Nothing -could be more majestic and simple. The Egyptians seem to delight in -contrasts. All the magnificence and architectural glory I have -described, directed the footsteps of the votary to a plain block of -stone, containing a statue of Syenite marble the size of a man. The -face is calm and majestic, and the eyes are fixed upon the worshipper -with a supernatural expression which awes him. The genius which had -erected the superb edifice of the god, had concentrated its power in -the face of the divinity. Though stone, it seemed above humanity; and -the soul of the god seemed dwelling in it, and giving its countenance -a divine energy. - -But, my dear mother, I will not longer occupy your time with temples -and architecture. I have written of them sufficiently to give you an -idea of the land I sojourn in. But my descriptions will enable you to -form a more correct idea of such events as I may hereafter write -about, and enable you, when I relate scenes and actions, to conceive, -in a measure, the surrounding features and aspect of places. If I were -writing a volume "on Egypt," I would then visit and describe all her -magnificent temples, pyramids, obelisks, palaces, canals, lakes, -cities, and tombs, from Pelusium to the tower of Syene. But I know -that these would not interest you, after what I have written, and that -what is personal to myself and descriptive of the people, that is, -life and action, will be more agreeable for you to read (and for me to -write) than gorgeous pictures of architectural results. I shall, -therefore, for the future, only incidentally describe edifices -(unless, indeed, I give you a letter upon the mighty pyramids), and -devote my pen to scenes passing around me. - -And in pursuance of this purpose, my dear mother, I will describe to -you the review of the army of chariots of iron, which followed my -presentation to the queen. I will not be so vain as to suffer you to -think that this superb spectacle was arranged purposely in honor of -your son; though had it been so, it could hardly have added to the -honors which that august and courteous lady has showered upon me; but -I feel that the distinction is due rather to the friendship which -Remeses entertains for me, than to any merit or claim of my own beyond -my simple rank. - -The review in question was prepared for this day; and, in order that I -might witness it, the queen had graciously appointed the occasion for -my presentation to her. Although, in my account of that interview, I -spoke only of myself, yet there had been presented, just before I -entered the palace, several ambassadors, princes, and philosophers, -from various countries, including Arabia, Persia, Sheba, Javan, -Iberia, Abyssinia, and the isles of the sea. These had come to Egypt, -either to enter the schools of philosophy, to negotiate terms of -tribute or alliance, or to study the science of war, for which Egypt -has become eminent, even rivalling the mighty Philistine armies in -discipline, effect, and valor. - -From the throne-room we passed out through a gateway, from which -descended steps to the parade, which was a vast square, capable of -holding one hundred thousand men; while the colonnades around it would -accommodate as many more spectators. - -The queen did not descend the steps, but took her seat by a statue of -the god of war, upon a sort of throne beneath a canopy, supported by -six bearers, to shield her from the sun. But Remeses, leaving me by -the side of his royal mother, who was also surrounded by her guard, -and near whom stood the ambassadors and princes and philosophers, -received from an attendant a helmet of gold, which he put over his -silken bonnet, and from another a corselet of steel inlaid, mounted a -war-chariot in waiting, and, casting a glance around upon the field, -looked all at once the warrior-prince, which the heightened color of -his cheek and proud carriage of his head showed he felt himself to be. -Thus, whether a soldier at the head of the hosts of Egypt, a -counsellor by the throne of his mother, a courtier among the nobles, a -philosopher in the Academies, he is perfect in all things. As a son, -he sets an example of devotion and filial respect to the young men of -the kingdom; as a man, his private character is pure from every vice -or folly--a worthy heir to the throne of the dominant kingdom of the -earth. The sight which the square presented surpasses my ability to -convey to your mind a just conception of. The vast area was one third -occupied by a division of chariots. The chariot corps constitutes a -very large and effective portion of the Egyptian army. Each car -contained two soldiers--for, from the position I occupied, my eyes -could take in the whole splendid scene--besides the charioteer. The -car on which Remeses stood was drawn by two horses, but without any -charioteer, the reins being fastened to an upright spear. His chariot -was inlaid with silver and gold. The sides and back were open, and the -base or floor of the car curved upward in front, serving as a -safeguard to the charioteer when one was required; but it now -supported his quiver of silver and bow-case of gilded leather, richly -ornamented with figures of lions. The spear-case, which was of bronze, -and fastened by chains of gold, pointed over his shoulder. Close to it -was an additional quiver containing Parthian arrows, while a mace of -iron and heavy sword, that reflected the sunlight, hung by thongs from -the rings of the spear-case. All the other chariots, which were -constructed of wood and iron handsomely painted, were similarly -accoutred, though less elegant in form and finish, and provided only -with a single quiver, bow, and spear. The housings upon the horses -were cuirasses of woven links of the finest steel, while gorgeous -feathers decked their heads. - -No sooner had the prince leaped upon his chariot, than the Ethiopian -slaves, who held his two fiery steeds, sprung aside, releasing them in -the act, when they bounded into the air and dashed forward over the -plain. Remeses, immovable as a statue, let them fly before him until -he came in front of the drawn-up phalanx of chariots, when, at a -slight signal with his hands, the horses, whose eyes are wholly free -from shields or blinders, stopped full. These proved to be his -favorite chariot-horses, and had been trained to render perfect -obedience. - -Now commenced a grand movement of the whole battalion. While Remeses -stood in his chariot, the van of the four thousand chariots, which -constituted the host, moved forward. In a few moments the whole body -was in motion. Dashing forward across the field, they swept round at -its extremity in vast curves, and came thundering on, to pass the -point where the queen sat. The ground shook with the roll of eight -thousand wheels and the fall of twice as many horse hoofs! It was a -magnificent sight, as, one hundred abreast, the column came on. The -head of it, led by the chief captains, passed our position like a -mighty river, the surface of which tossed with helmets, glittering -spears, bows, plumed heads of steeds, and gorgeous housings--a -dazzling, bewildering spectacle, full of sublimity and terrible power. -The splendor of the head-dresses and trappings of the steeds, mingling -with the shining cuirasses and steel weapons of the armed charioteers, -presented a scene I shall never cease to remember. - -In the centre of the field of review stood Remeses, his eagle glance -reviewing their movements, with a few of his generals about him, each -in his own chariot. When this grand and imposing army had compassed -the square, they resumed their former position with a precision and -order marvellous to witness. Then followed evolutions by detachments -of chariots. Five hundred of them, divided into two equal bodies, took -position, one at each end of the parade, and, at a signal, charged -upon each other at a speed which, at first slow, increased each -moment. My heart leaped with excitement. I looked to see a very -battle, and to behold horses and charioteers overturned in tumultuous -confusion from the inevitable shock. But so well-drilled were they, -that the two lines, deploying as they drew nearer, passed through each -other in spaces measured by the eyes of the charioteers so nicely, -that in a moment they were rattling away, each to occupy the other's -vacated position. There was a general shout of applause from the tens -of thousands of spectators at this brilliant manœuvre. Other -displays of battle-charioteering took place, during which was -exhibited every evolution that war demands on the veritable field of -conflict. - -This magnificent review occupied three hours, when it terminated by -all the generals, and chief captains, and leaders of cohorts and -legions, simultaneously detaching themselves from their several -commands, and one after another galloping at full speed, first around -the prince, saluting him, and then wheeling and turning in front of -the queen's pavilion, paying her military homage as they passed her, -by placing the left hand upon the breast, lowering the point of the -spear, and then raising it above their glittering helmets. The queen -rose, smiled, and returned the salute by a graceful wave of her hand. -This company of warrior chiefs excelled, in richness of armor and -apparel, and housings and head-dresses for their steeds, and in the -beauty of their war-chariots, all that had gone before. Returning to -their post, the trumpets of the whole army sounded, and this martial -array of chariots and horsemen moved all together across the parade, -at a rapid trot, and, defiling by fifties through a colossal pylon, -soon disappeared outside of the walls on their way to their camp. -Their retiring trumpets could be still heard dying away beyond the -gates, as Remeses rejoined us, alighting from his chariot after -loosing the reins of his steeds from about his body, to which he had -bound them during one part of the evolutions, in which he took the -lead of a charging legion in his own chariot, as ever without a -charioteer. - -We now retired into the palace, it being past noon, and were conducted -towards the reception-rooms of the royal banquet-hall by the -grand-chamberlain. At the door we were received by the chief butler, -while the other officers of the royal household stood in a line, -bending low as the queen and her guests passed in. We consisted, -besides her majesty, the prince and myself, of the ambassador from -Chaldea, the king's messenger from the Court of Chederlaomer III., in -whose country, three hundred years and more ago, the famous battle of -Sodom was fought; the ambassador from the kingdom of Assyria; the -young Prince of Tarshish; the Duke Chilmed of Sheba, and the Dukes -Javan and Tubal; the Lord of Mesech, and the Prince of Midian. Besides -these was a great and wise prince from the land of Uz, near the -country of Prince Abram, the Mesopotamian. He was accompanied by two -friends, philosophers and men of note, Zophar of Naamath, and Lord -Eliphaz of Teman. This lord of Uz came into Egypt with a great retinue -and train of servants, for he is a man of vast possessions. He had -heard of the wisdom and power of Amense, and had come with his own -merchants to visit her court. He is also an eminently wise man, a -worshipper of the one Deity, as was the ancient king Abram. He is of -venerable and majestic aspect, is learned in all the wisdom of Chaldea -and Arabia, and seeks to add thereto the lore of Egypt. Besides this -distinguished prince, there are other philosophers of note and name. -In such noble company, dear mother, was it my fortunate lot to fall. -Truly, to come into Egypt is to see the whole world! - -The queen, after entering the ante-room, retired to the right, where -her ladies-in-waiting received her and escorted her to her own -apartments to prepare for the banquet, which had been delayed by the -review. Remeses leading the way, with me by his side, we came to the -outer room, where handsomely dressed pages offered us scented water in -ewers of gold, to lave our fingers, removed our sandals, and in -foot-pans of gold washed our feet, beginning with Remeses. They then -dried them with perfumed napkins of the softest linen fringed with -threads of gold, and placed upon them sandals of crimson cloth, -embroidered with flowers. Our upper garments were removed by Nubian -servants, and replaced by a banquet-vesture, more or less rich -according to our rank. Thus refreshed, we entered a beautiful -reception-room containing the most elegant articles of furniture. Here -every one of us was presented by the chief gardener of the palace with -a lotus-flower, to be held in the hand during the entertainment. As we -moved about, admiring the beauty of the rooms and the furniture, and -such objects of luxury and art as were intended to gratify the tastes -of guests, there were several arrivals of generals, and officers of -the chariot legion, and other divisions of the army of Lower Egypt, -who had been summoned to the banquet. Among these I recognized some of -the superbly uniformed officers who had lined the avenue of the grand -approach to the throne--for you will recollect that I said it was an -army of officers, soldiers of this rank alone being permitted to do -the honors of the palace on the reception of princes or foreign -ambassadors. - -There were, also, nobles, and distinguished citizens, Egyptian -gentlemen of worth and condition, that entitled them to the honor of -dining at the palace. From a window I witnessed the arrival of these. -They came in elegant pleasure-chariots, attended by a number of -servants. One of these footmen came forward to announce to the chief -porter his master's name; others took the reins, for the Egyptian lord -prefers to drive himself in the streets; another, who held above his -head, standing behind him, a large parasol of gorgeous plumes, -alighted, carried it still above him as he crossed to the portico of -the palace. - -Several aged persons arrived in palanquins exquisitely carved and -painted, and borne by slaves. Two or three arrived on foot, an -attendant holding a shield or large fan above them. Water was brought -also for their feet, but not in golden foot-bowls, and robes and -sandals were distributed according to rank. - -At length, for these polite Egyptians (as well as ourselves) regard it -as a want of good-breeding to sit down to table immediately on -arriving, the music, which had played all the while the guests were -arriving, ceased, and the chief butler announced the moment of the -banquet. At the same instant the queen entered the apartment, and, -after receiving the salutations of us all, was escorted by Remeses to -the banquet-hall. As we entered, a company of musicians, stationed -near the door, struck up one of the favorite airs of the country, -playing upon tambourines, cymbals, double-pipes, flutes which rested -on the floor, guitars, lyres, and instruments unknown to me. The music -was full of harmony, and, to my ear, novel, from the number of strange -instruments. This continued until we had been seated according to -rank, my place being to the left of the queen, Remeses sitting at her -right. There were four ladies of rank also near the queen, along the -table, which I may mention was of polished silver. - -When we had taken our places the loud music ceased, and seven -minstrels, who stood by as many harps behind the queen, commenced -playing a beautiful air, accompanying it by their voices. The melody -was full of richness and sweetness. While this was performing, -servants approached, and from exquisite porcelain vases poured -sweet-scented ointment upon our heads. Then entered from the gardens, -into which the banquet-room opened on two sides, as many beautiful -maidens, bearing necklaces of fresh flowers which they had just -gathered, and cast them over our shoulders. - -Having received these tokens of welcome, a train of servants presented -us wine in one-handled goblets. That of Remeses, and mine own, was of -gold and jewelled. The others were of silver or agate. The queen's was -presented to her in a single crystal, and that of the ladies in small, -delicate vases of some precious metal. The health of the queen, and of -the prince, and others present, was drunk, while music regaled our -senses. Remeses, who acted as ruler of the feast, pledged me to drink -thy health, my dear mother, which was responded to by all the company; -the Prince of Uz remarking, that the fame of your virtues and the -wisdom of your reign had reached his country. You may judge how my -heart swelled with pride and joy at this testimony to your -excellencies, O my noble and royal mother, from so dignified a source, -in the presence of such a company of witnesses! Until the dinner was -served up, various songs and performances were introduced, and at the -close of the banquet there were the wonderful dances of Arabian girls, -exhibitions of buffoonery, games, and feats of agility by jugglers. I -regret to say, that some of the guests retired overcome with wine, and -had to be borne on the shoulders of their servants to their homes; -while two of the ladies were freer with their little crystal goblets -than was seeming for their sex. The queen scarce touched the wine to -her lips, while Remeses preserved the severest temperance. After the -banquet, Remeses accompanied me to apartments in the palace, which he -said were for the future to be my abode. Here, taking leave of him, I -commenced this letter, which I now close, assuring you of my filial -love and reverence. - - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER VI. - - -PALACE OF THE PHARAOHS, CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAR AND HONORED MOTHER: - -This morning, as I was about leaving the palace, in order to spend -several hours in traversing the city on foot, that I might see the -citizens at their pursuits, and observe the manners and customs of -this people, the Prince Remeses rode up in his silver-embossed -chariot, himself his own charioteer, two footmen, carrying their -sandals in their left hand, running by the side of his superb horses. -With that absence of form and ceremony which belongs to true -friendship, he did not wait for me to order my grand-chamberlain and -other chief officers of my retinue to receive him, but came straight -to the room "of the alabastron," so called from its alabaster columns, -which was my reception-room, and in the window of which he had seen me -from the street. I met him at the door of the ante-room, and when I -would have saluted him by laying his hand against my heart and then -raising it to my lips, he embraced me with affection. - -"Nay, noble Sesostris, said I not we are friends and cousins, and -therefore equals? I have come for you to go with me to Raamses, the -treasure-city, built by Amunophis, my grandfather. I am planning a new -palace, to be erected there for the governor of the treasures of the -kingdom, and am to meet, to-day, the chief architect. Will you -accompany me?" - -"With pleasure, my prince," I said; "though I had just proposed to -walk about the city among the people, and see them in their homes and -domestic pursuits." - -"You will find time for this always--come with me. You can stand with -me in my chariot, or I will give you one to yourself, with a -charioteer." - -I replied that I would go with him, as I should wish to ask him many -questions on the way. In a few moments we were moving rapidly through -the superb streets of the city, and, passing through three grand -pylones uniting as many courts, we came to the great gate of the city -to the south. The towers on each side of it were ninety-nine feet -high, and the pylon between them a wonder of beauty, for the elegance -of its intaglio adornments. - -At this gate stood a phalanx of dark Libyan soldiers, who form, -everywhere, the guards of the gates, being noted both for faithfulness -and for their gigantic size. They were armed with lances and swords, -and as we passed through the gate paid to us the military salutation -due to royalty; for though Remeses is not the ruler of Egypt, yet he -wields an influence and power, both from his personal popularity and -the confidence reposed in him by his queen mother, which is almost -equal to the supreme dignity. And when he comes to the throne he will -rule wisely, and, if possible, raise Egypt to still greater glory. I -have already spoken of the remarkable air of dignity about him, -combined with an infinite gracefulness. He has an excellent -understanding, and the distinguished Egyptians with whom I have -conversed, tell me that "no man ever more perfectly united in his own -person the virtues of a philosopher with the talents of a general." -Gentle in his manner, he is in temper rather reserved; in his morals -irreproachable, and never known (a rare virtue in princes of Egypt) to -exceed the bounds of the most rigid temperance. Candor, sincerity, -affability, and simplicity, seem to be the striking features of his -character; and when occasion offers, he displays, say the officers of -his army, the most determined bravery and masterly soldiership. - -Having passed the gate, the prince drew rein a little, to relieve the -footmen, six of whom ran before and as many behind the chariot, -besides the two "pages of the horse," who kept close to the heads of -the horses. Once outside of the city, we were in a beautiful avenue, -which led through groves and gardens, past villas and ornamental -lakes, for half a mile,--the city, for this breadth, being inclosed by -such a belt of verdure and rural luxury. - -"Here," said Remeses, "dwell the nobles, in the intense heats of -summer. The summer palace of my mother is on the island of Rhoda, -between On and Memphis, in the Nile. I am yet to conduct you thither, -and also to the pyramids. You see pavilions on small islets in these -circular lakes. They are temples, or rather shrines for the private -devotions of the families." - -We left this lovely suburb, and entered upon a broad road, which, -after crossing a plain on which stood the ruins of a palace of -Osirtasen I., wound through a region of wheat-fields, which extended -along the Nile as far as the eye could see. The laborers were chiefly -Egyptian, and wore the loin-cloth, and short trowsers reaching -half-way to the knee, which I have before described. They sang -cheerful songs as they worked, and stopped to gaze after the rolling -chariot which was passing across their lands like a meteor, its silver -panels flashing in the sun. - -About twenty stadia, or nearly four miles, from the city, we came -suddenly upon a vast desolate field, upon which thousands of men -seemed to be engaged in the occupation of making brick. As we drew -near, for the royal road we were traversing passed directly through -this busy multitude, I saw by their faces that the toilers were of -that mysterious race, the Hebrew people. - -I say "mysterious," dear mother; for though I have now been six weeks -in Egypt, I have not yet found any of the Egyptians who can tell me -whence came this nation, now in bondage to the Pharaohs! Either those -whom I questioned were ignorant of their rise, or purposely refrained -from talking with a foreigner upon the subject. - -You will remember that I once inquired of Remeses as to their origin -and present degradation, and he said he would at some other time reply -to my question. Since then I have had no opportunity of introducing -the subject again to him, other objects wholly absorbing our attention -when we met. Yet in the interim I was forced irresistibly to notice -these people and their hard tasks; for, though they were never seen in -the streets mingling with the citizens (save only in palaces, where -handsome Hebrew youths often serve as pages), yet where temples, and -granaries, and walls, and arsenals, and treasure-houses were being -erected, they were to be found in vast numbers. Old and young men, -women, and children, without distinction, were engaged in the plain -across which we moved. - -"Pardon me, noble prince," I said; "permit me to linger a moment to -survey this novel scene." - -Remeses drew up his horses, and from the chariot I cast my eyes over -the vast level which embraced half a square league. - -"These fields, Sesostris," said the prince, "are where the brick are -made which are to erect the walls of the treasure-city, one of the -towers of which you behold two miles distant. The city itself will -take the years of a generation of this people to complete, if the -grand design is carried out. On the left of the tower you see the old -palace, for this is not a new city we are building so much as an -extension of the old on a new site, and with greater magnificence. It -is my mother's pride to fill Egypt with monuments of architecture that -will mark her reign as an era." - -The scene that I beheld from the height of the chariot I will attempt -to describe, my dear mother. As far as I could see, the earth was dark -with people, some stooping down and with wooden mattocks digging up -the clay; others were piling it into heaps; others were chopping straw -to mix with the clay; others were treading it with their feet to -soften it. Some with moulds were shaping the clay into bricks. Another -stood by with the queen's mark, and stamped each brick therewith, or -the one which was to be the head of a course when laid. There were -also the strongest men employed in raising upon the shoulders of -others a load of these bricks, which they bore to a flat open space to -be dried in the sun; and a procession of many hundreds was constantly -moving, performing this task. Some of the slaves carried yokes, which -had cords at each end, to which bricks were fastened; and many of the -young men conveyed masses of clay upon their heads to the moulders. -Those who carried the brick to the smoothly swept ground where they -were to be dried, delivered them to women, who, many hundreds in -number, placed them side by side on the earth in rows--a lighter task -than that of the men. The borders of this busy plain, where it touched -the fields of stubble wheat, were thronged with women and children -gathering straw for the men who mixed the clay. It was an active and -busy spectacle. Yet throughout the vast arena not a voice was heard -from the thousands of toilers; only the sharp authoritative tones of -their taskmasters broke the stillness, or the creaking of carts with -wooden wheels, as, laden with straw from distant fields, they moved -slowly over the plain. - -The laborers were divided into companies or parties of from a score to -one hundred persons, over whom stood, or was seated, an Egyptian -officer. These taskmasters were not only distinguishable from the -laborers by their linen bonnet or cap with a cape descending to the -neck, but by a scarlet or striped tunic, and a rod or whip of a single -thong or of small cords. These men watched closely the workmen, who, -naked above the waist, with only a loin-cloth upon many of them, -worked each moment in fear of the lash. The taskmasters showed no -mercy; but if the laborer sunk under his burden, he was punished on -the spot, and left to perish, if he were dying, and his burden -transferred to the shoulders of another. So vast was the multitude of -these people, that the death of a score a day would not have been -regarded. Indeed, their increase already alarms the Egyptians, and -their lives, therefore, are held in little estimation. - -The vast revenue, however, accruing to the crown from this enslaved -nation of brick-makers, leads to regulations which in a great measure -check the destructive rigor of the taskmasters; for not only are -thousands building cities, but tens of thousands are dispersed all -over Lower Egypt, who make brick to sell to nobles and citizens, the -crown having the monopoly of this branch of labor. Interest alone has -not prompted the queen to make laws regulating their treatment, and -lessening the rigor of their lot; but also humanity, which is, -however, an attribute, in its form of pity, little cultivated in -Egypt. Under the preceding Pharaohs, for seventy years, the condition -of these Hebrews was far more severe than it has been under the milder -reign of the queen. I am assured that she severely punishes all -unnecessary cruelty, and has lightened the tasks of the women, who -also may not be punished with blows. - -I surveyed this interesting and striking scene with emotions of wonder -and commiseration. I could not behold, without the deepest pity, -venerable and august looking old men, with gray heads and flowing -white beards, smeared with clay, stooping over the wooden moulds, -coarsely clad in the blue and gray loin-cloth, which scarcely -concealed their nakedness: or fine youths, bareheaded and burned red -with the sun, toiling like cattle under heavy burdens, here and there -upon a naked shoulder visible a fresh crimson line where the lash or -the rod of an angered officer had left its mark! There were young -girls, too, whose beautiful faces, though sun-burned and neglected, -would have been the envy of fair ladies in any court. These, as well -as the others of their sex, wore a sort of tight gown of coarse -material tied at the neck, with short close sleeves reaching to the -elbow. Their black or brown hair was tied in a knot behind, or cut -short. And occasionally I saw a plain silver or other metallic ring -upon a small hand, showing that even bondage has not destroyed in -woman the love of jewels. - -As we rode along, those Egyptians who were near the road bowed the -knee to the prince, and remained stationary until he passed. We rode -for a mile and a half through this brick-field, when at its extremity -we came upon a large mean town of huts composed of reeds and covered -with straw. - -"There," said Remeses, "are the dwellings of the laborers you have -seen." - -These huts formed long streets or lanes which intersected each other -in all directions. There was not a tree to shade them. The streets and -doors were crowded with children, and old Hebrew women who were left -to watch them while their parents were in the field. There seemed to -be a dozen children to every house, and some of five and six years -were playing at brick-making, one of their number acting as a -taskmaster, holding a whip which he used with a willingness and -frequency that showed how well the Egyptian officers had taught the -lesson of severity and cruelty to the children of their victims. In -these huts dwelt forty thousand Hebrews, who were engaged either in -making brick, or conveying them to Raamses, close at hand, or in -placing them in mortar upon the walls. - -We passed through the very midst of this wretched village of bondmen, -whose only food in their habitations is garlic, and leeks, and fish or -flesh, their drink the turbid water of the Nile, unfiltered from its -impurities by means of porous stone and paste of almonds--a process of -art so well known to the Egyptians. On the skirts of the village was a -vast burial-place, without a tomb or stone; for these Hebrews are too -poor and miserable to embalm their dead, even if customs of their own -did not lead them to place them in the earth. The aspect of this -melancholy place of sepulture was gloomy enough. It had the look of a -vast ploughed plain; but infinitely desolate and hideous when the -imagination pictured the corruption that lay beneath each narrow -mound. I felt a sensation of relief when we left this spot behind, and -drove upon a green plateau which lay between it and the treasure-city -of the king. The place we were crossing had once been the garden of -Hermes or Iosepf, the celebrated prince who about one hundred and -thirty years ago saved the inhabitants of Egypt from perishing by -famine, having received from the god Osiris knowledge of a seven -years' famine to befall the kingdom, after seven years of plenty. This -Prince Iosepf or Joseph was also called Hermes, though he wrote not -all the books attributed to Hermes, as we in Phœnicia understand of -that personage. - -"Was this Joseph an Egyptian?" I asked of the Prince Remeses, as we -dashed past the ruins of a palace in the midst of the gardens. - -"No, a Hebrew," he answered. "He was the favorite of the Phœnician -Pharaoh who commenced the palaces of this City of Treasure." - -"A Hebrew!" I exclaimed. "Not one of the race I behold about me -toiling towards the city with sun-dried bricks upon their heads, and -whom I have seen at work on the plain of bricks?" - -"Of the same," he answered. - -"Your reply reminds me, O Remeses, that you have promised to relate to -me the history of this remarkable people, who evidently, from their -noble physiognomies, belong to a superior race." - -"I will redeem my promise, my dear Sesostris," he said, smiling, "as -soon as I have left the chariot by yonder ruined well, where I see the -architect and his people, whom I have come hither to meet, await me -with their drawings and rules." - -We soon drove up to the spot, having passed several fallen columns, -which had once adorned the baths of the house of this Hebrew prince, -who had once been such a benefactor to Egypt; but, as he was the -favorite of a Phœnician king, the present dynasty neglect his -monuments, as well as deface all those which the Shepherd Kings -erected to perpetuate their conquest. Hence, it is, dear mother, I -find scarcely a trace of the dominion in Lower Egypt of this race of -kings. - -The ruined well was a massive quadrangle of stone; and was called the -"Fountain of the Strangers." It was in ruins, yet the well itself -sparkled with clear water as in its ancient days. Grouped upon a stone -platform, beneath the shade of three palms, stood the party of artists -who awaited the prince. Their horses, and the cars in which they came, -or brought their instruments, stood near, held by slaves, who were -watering the animals from the fountain. - -Upon the approach of the prince these persons, the chief of whom was -attired handsomely, as a man of rank (for architects in Egypt are -nobles, and are in high place at court), bowed the knee reverently -before him. He alighted from his chariot, and at once began to examine -their drawings. Leaving him engaged in a business which I perceived -would occupy him some time, I walked about, looking at the ancient -fountain. In order to obtain a view of the country, I ascended a tower -at one of its angles, which elevated me sixty feet above the plain. -From this height I beheld the glorious City of the Sun, a league and a -half to the north, rising above its girdle of gardens in all its -splendor. In the mid-distance lay the plain of brick-workers, covered -with its tens of thousands of busy workers in clay. Then, nearer -still, stretched their squalid city of huts, and the gloomy -burial-place, bordering on the desert at the farther boundary. - -Turning to the south, the treasure-city of Raamses lay before me, the -one half ancient and ruinous, but the other rising in grand outlines -and vast dimensions, stretching even to the Nile, which, shining and -majestic, flowed to the west of it. Further still the pyramids of -Memphis, the city itself of Apis, and the walls and temples of Jisah -towered in noble perspective. The Nile was lively with galleys -ascending and descending, and upon the road that followed its banks -many people were moving, either on foot, in palanquins, chariots, or -upon horseback. Over the whole scene the bright sun shone, giving life -and brightness to all I beheld. - -To the east the illimitable desert stretched far away, and I could -trace the brown line of road along which the caravans travel between -the Nile cities and the port of Suez, on the sea of Ezion-Geber, in -order to unlade there for ships from Farther Ind that are awaiting -them. - -Almost beneath the crumbling tower, on which I stood taking in this -wide view of a part of the populous valley of the Nile, wound a broad -path, well trodden by thousands of naked feet. It was now crowded with -Hebrew slaves, some going to the city with burdens of brick slung at -the extremities of wooden yokes laid across the shoulder, or borne -upon their heads, and others returning to the plain after having -deposited their burdens. It was a broad path of tears and sighs, and -no loitering step was permitted by the overseers; for even if one -would stop to quench his thirst at the fountain, he was beaten -forward, and the blows accompanied with execrations. Alas, mother, -this cruel bondage of the Hebrews is the only dark spot which I have -seen in Egypt,--the only shadow of evil upon the brilliant reign of -Queen Amense! - -I took one more survey of the wide landscape, which embraces the -abodes of one million of souls; for in the valley of Egypt are -fourteen thousand villages, towns and cities, and a population of -nearly seven millions. Yet the valley of the Nile is a belt of verdure -only a few miles wide, bounded by the Libyan and Arabian hills. Every -foot of soil seems occupied, and every acre teems with population. In -the streets, in the gardens, in the public squares, in temples, and -courts of palaces, in the field, or on the river, one can never be -alone, for he sees human beings all about him, thronging every place, -and engaged either in business or pleasure, or the enjoyment of the -luxury of idleness in the shade of a column or a tree. - -Descending the tower, and seeing the prince still engaged with his -builders, pointing to the unfinished towers of Raamses, and the site -of the new palace he proposed erecting near by, I went down the steps -to the fountain, to quaff its cool waters. Here I beheld an old and -majestic-looking man bending over a youth, a wound in whose temple he -was bathing tenderly with water from the well. I perceived at a -glance, by the aquiline nose and lash-shaded dark, bright eye, that -they were Hebrews. - -The old man had one of those Abrahamic faces I have described as -extant on the tomb of Eliezer of Damascus: a broad, extensive, and -high forehead; a boldly-shaped eagle nose; full lips; and a flowing -beard, which would have been white as wool but that it was stained -yellow by the sun and soil. He wore the coarse, short trowsers, and -body cloth of the bond-slave, and old sandals bound upon his feet with -ropes. The young man was similarly dressed. He was pale and nearly -lifeless. His beautiful head lay upon the edge of the fountain, and as -the old man poured, from the palm of his hand, water upon his face he -repeated a name, perhaps the youth's. I stood fixed with interest by -the scene. At this moment an Egyptian taskmaster entered, and with his -rod struck the venerable man several sharp blows and ordered him to -rise and go to his task. He made no reply--regarded not the shower of -blows--but bending his eyes tearfully upon the marble face before him, -with his fingers softly removed the warm drops of blood that stained -the temples. - -"Nay," I said, quickly, to the Egyptian, "do not beat him! See, he is -old, and is caring for this poor youth!" - -The Egyptian looked at me with an angry glance, as if he would also -chastise the speaker for interfering; when seeing from my appearance -that I was a man of rank, and perceiving, also, the prince through a -passage in the ruined wall, he bent his forehead low and said: - -"My lord, I did not see you, or I would have taken the idle graybeard -out and beaten him." - -"But why beat him?" I asked. - -"His load awaits him on the road where he dropped it, when my second -officer struck down this young fellow, who stopped to gaze at a -chariot!" - -"What relation do they bear to each other?" said I. - -"This is the old man's youngest son. He is a weak fool, my lord, about -him, and though, as you see, he can hardly carry a full load for -himself, he will try and add to his own, a part of the bricks the boy -should bear. Come, old man, leave the boy and on to your work!" - -The aged Hebrew raised to my face a look of despair trembling with -mute appeal, as if he expected no interposition, yet had no other hope -left. - -"Leave them here," I said. "I will be responsible for the act." - -"But I am under a chief captain who will make me account to him for -every brick not delivered. The tale of bricks that leaves the plain -and that which is received are taken and compared. I have a certain -number of men and boys under me, and they have to make up in their -loads a given tale of bricks between sun and sun. If they fail, I lose -my wages!" This was spoken sullenly. - -"What is thy day's wages?" I demanded. - -"A quarter of a scarabæus," he answered. This is the common cheap -coin, bearing the sacred beetle cut in stone, copper, lead, and even -wood. Higher values are represented by silver, bronze, brass, and gold -rings. Money in disk-form I have not yet heard of in Egypt. An -Egyptian's purse is a necklace of gold rings of greater or less value. -The scarabæus is often broken in four pieces, each fraction containing -a hieroglyphic. The value is about equal to a Syrian neffir. - -I placed in his hand a copper scarabæus, and said: "Go thy way! This -shall justify thee to thy conscience. These Hebrews are too helpless -to be of further service to thee this day." - -The taskmaster took the money with a smile of gratification, and at -once left the court of the fountain. The old Hebrew looked at me with -grateful surprise, caught my hand, pressed it to his heart, and then -covered it with kisses. I smiled upon him with friendly sympathy, and, -stooping down, raised the head of the young man upon my knee. By our -united aid he was soon restored to sensibility. - -But, my dear mother, I will, with your permission, continue my -narrative in another letter. The trumpets, which from the temple of -Osiris proclaim that the last rays of the setting sun are disappearing -from its summit, also warn me to draw my letter to a close. The -incense of the altar rises into the blue and golden sky, and typifies -prayer. I will receive the lesson it teaches, and retire to my oratory -and pray, O mother, for thy health and happiness and the prosperity of -thy reign. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS - - - - -LETTER VII. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY ROYAL AND BELOVED MOTHER: - -I will now continue the narrative of my interview with the venerable -bond-servant at the fountain or "well of strangers," near the -treasure-city Raamses. - -After the youth had recovered his senses, I was for a few moments an -object of profound surprise to him. He surveyed me with mingled fear -and wonder. - -"My lord is good, fear him not, Israel," said the old man. The youth -looked incredulous, and, had his strength permitted, would have fled -away from me. I said-- - -"I am not thy taskmaster! Dread not my presence!" The tone of my voice -reassured him. He smiled gently, and an expression of gladness lighted -up his eyes. A drop of blood trickled down his forehead and increased -the paleness of his skin. - -"What is thy name?" I asked the old man, speaking in Syriac, for in -that tongue I had heard him murmur the name of his son; and I have -since found that all Hebrews of the older class speak this language, -or rather Syro-Chaldaic. They also understand and speak the Egyptian -vernacular. - -"Ben Isaac, my lord!" he answered. - -"Art thou in bondage?" - -"I and my children, as my fathers were!" - -"What brought thee and thy people into this servitude?" - -"It is a sad history, my lord! Art thou then a stranger in Egypt, that -thou art ignorant of the story of the Hebrew?" - -"I am a Phœnician. I have been but a few weeks in Egypt." - -"Phœnicia! That is beyond Edom; nay, beyond Philistia," he said -musingly. "Our fathers came farther, even from Palestine." - -"Who were your fathers?" - -"Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." - -"I have heard of them, three princes of Syria, many generations past!" - -"Yes, my lord of Phœnicia," said the venerable man, his eyes -lighting up; "they were princes in their land! But, lo! this day -behold their children in bondage! And _such_ a servitude!" he cried, -raising his withered hands heavenward. "Death, my lord, is preferable -to it! How long must we groan in slavery? How long our little ones -bear the yoke of Egypt?" - -At this moment one of the footmen of Prince Remeses found me and said: - -"My lord prince seeks for thee!" - -I put money in the hands of the venerable Hebrew and his son, and left -them amid their expressions of grateful surprise. When I rejoined -Remeses, he was already in his chariot. Having placed myself by his -side, he said that he would now drive me around the walls of the new -city, and show me its general plan. He had explained all particulars -with his builders, and they were to commence the erection of the -palace of the governor the following week. - -The wide circuit we made along the plain afforded me a commanding view -of the treasure-city in its progress. The walls at one part were -literally black with slaves, who like ants traversed them, carrying -their burdens of bricks to those who laid the courses. A vast pile, -built more for strength than beauty, attracted my notice. "That is one -of the twelve great granaries of the Prince Joseph, which he built one -hundred and fourscore years ago, in the twelve districts of Egypt. It -is still in use as such." As we passed the gateway, I perceived that -the cartouch was defaced. Remeses said that this was the act of -Amunophis, when he came to the throne, whose policy was to remove not -only every trace of the rule of the Palestinian kings, but all the -memorials which brought their dynasty to remembrance; and these -granaries of Pharaoh's prime minister, Iosepf or Joseph, were among -the noblest monuments of the reign of the last of the foreign rulers, -the father of the Princess Ephtha, from whom Remeses is descended, in -the fourth generation only, I believe. - -At length we stopped at a beautiful gate of a small temple dedicated -to Apis. Every part of it was minutely and exquisitely sculptured. It -contained a single shrine, within which was the effigy of the sacred -bull, a cubit in length, of solid gold. Boys dressed in the finest -white linen were the officiating priests. While I was admiring this -miniature edifice and the richness of all its appointments, Remeses -said:-- - -"This is an affectionate tribute of a mother's love On my twelfth -birthday she had this sacred fane dedicated in honor of the event. -Here she consecrated me as a boy to the youthful god Horus. I remember -perfectly, the solemn impression the whole scene made upon my heart -and imagination. Once a year I come hither and pass a night watching -before its altar and in prayer, rather in filial acquiescence with her -wishes, which to me are laws, than from reverence for the god!" - -We had already alighted, and were standing on the portico of the -temple, which was of crescent shape, and bordered by a row of -elegantly veined alabaster columns from Alabastron, rich quarries of -the Pharaohs near the Cataracts. After examining the temple, and -expressing the admiration which it merited, we were going out, when I -saw a young Hebrew girl flying from the pursuit of one of the -taskmasters. Just as we were entering the temple, I had seen her -passing with many other females, some laden with straw, others with -bunches of leeks and garlic, which they were taking to the fields for -the dinner of the laborers, who were not permitted to go to their huts -until dark, having left them at the first blush of dawn to commence -their ceaseless toils. Those women who worked not in the brick-fields -were the providers of food for the rest. This young girl I had noticed -was bending painfully under an intolerable load of garlic and leeks, -which she bore upon her head, and yet assisting a tottering woman, who -was walking by her side with an equally heavy burden of provisions, in -a coarse wicker-basket. I was struck with the elegance of her figure -and with the beauty of her face, as well as with her kindness to her -companion, when she herself needed aid. We were leaving the temple, as -I have said, when I beheld her flying. As she came near, she saw the -prince, and cast herself at his feet, embracing them, and exclaiming-- - -"O my lord--O great and mighty god! mercy!--save me!" - -Remeses regarded her with surprise, and said, sternly yet not -cruelly-- - -"What dost thou wish? Why dost thou fly from thy taskmaster?" - -"When I cast down my load and took up my mother's, who was ready to -die, he struck me because I could not take both together. I would have -done it, O lord prince, but had not the strength." - -"Go back to thy task, young woman. Thou shalt not be punished for a -kind act to thy mother. The gods forbid we should destroy all filial -ties, even among our slaves." This last sentence was spoken rather -with his own mind than addressed to any one. "What is this I hear?" he -continued, speaking to the sub-officer, who, seeing his slave seek the -protection of Remeses, had stopped, a short distance off, expecting to -have her sent back to him. "Didst thou strike this Hebrew girl?" - -"She is wilful and intractable, your highness," answered the man -humbly, "and--" - -"Is there not a law forbidding blows to be given to the females of -this people? You will deliver your rod of office to my chief servant -here, and are no longer a taskmaster. It shall be known, that it is -the will of the queen that women shall have light tasks, that they be -treated leniently, and not made to suffer the punishment of blows." - -The man, with a downcast face, came forward, and placed his rod in the -hands of the chief servant, who was the captain of the twelve footmen -of the prince's chariot, and who, at a glance from his master, broke -it, and cast the pieces upon the ground. "Now go, and bring hither the -basket. I will see what are the burdens you place upon the weak, and, -henceforth, they shall be proportioned to the strength of the bearer." - -The man returned several hundred yards along the road, and after -several strenuous efforts, with great difficulty lifted the basket, -and placed it at the prince's feet. To the amazement of all about him -he stooped to raise the wicker-basket of leeks from the ground. -Putting forth his strength he lifted it, for he is a man of great -vigor, but immediately setting it down again, he said, with -indignation flashing from his eyes, as he addressed the disgraced -taskmaster-- - -"Seest thou what thou wouldst compel this frail child to bear upon her -head? Thou art cruel and barbarous! Bind him! He shall go to prison." - -"My lord, I am not alone--" - -"So much the worse. If the abuse is wide-spread, it is time to correct -it, and see that the law of the realm is observed. Take him away!" - -Two of the servants seized him, and, tying his hands behind him with -the thong of one of his own sandals, led him away into the citadel of -Raamses. The Hebrew girl still kneeled, trembling and wondering. -Remeses spoke to her kindly, no doubt moved by her tears and -extraordinary beauty, and said-- - -"Go in peace, child. Return to thy mother. Fear no more the rod of thy -taskmasters. The hand of the first that is laid on a Hebrew woman -shall be cut off with a sword." - -The young girl kissed the sandaled feet of the prince, and hastened to -the spot where she had left her mother seated on the ground. Remeses, -with his eyes, followed her, and sighed. Who can tell what heavy -thoughts were passing in his mind! When he comes to the throne, I know -him not, my mother, if the condition of the Hebrews will not be -greatly ameliorated, and their lot rendered far happier. I saw the -girl embrace and raise her mother from the earth, and then supporting -her affectionately, lead her away towards a group of huts, not far -off, in one of which, probably, was their abode. - -"My Sesostris," said the prince, "walk with me along this terrace. I -have yet to see the governor of the queen's granaries, and will -converse with thee until he arrives." - -The terrace ran along the south side of the low pyramidal area on -which the temple was elevated. From it there was a lovely view of -fields, and gardens, and groves of palm and orange trees, extending -over the land of Goshen, which is the most fertile and highly-cultivated -portion of Egypt that I have seen. From the terrace, steps of polished -porphyry led to a garden fragrant with flowers, which were cultivated -alongside of the temple, in order to make of them offerings of -chaplets to the god, who was crowned with them every morning by the -"flower priest." The office of this dignitary was as sacred as his who -offered incense, which indeed is but the fragrance of flowers in -another form, purified by fire. In this garden I saw the myrobalanum, -with its rich fruit, out of which a rare ointment is extracted for -anointing the priests; the phœnicobalanus, which bears an -intoxicating fruit, and gives to the priests who eat of it divining -powers; the graceful palma, or sheath for the palm-flowers; the -almond-tree, brilliant with its flowering branches; the wine-giving -myxa; the ivory-palm fruit, of which censers are made; the mimosa -Nilotica, and the golden olive of Arsinoë. All these grew on one path, -which traversed the garden close to the terrace, and I enumerate them, -dear mother, as I know your horticultural taste, and that any thing -about the plants of Egypt will gratify you. I have already selected -several of the most beautiful, and intend, by the first ship that -sails for Tyre from the Nile, to forward them to you. That they may be -cared for, and rightly managed when you receive them, I shall send -with them an Egyptian gardener. I have seen no oaks in Egypt, nor does -our majestic Libanian cedar grow here. It is a land rather of flowers -than of trees. The myrtle is everywhere seen as an ornamental tree, -and is highly odoriferous in this climate. Here, I saw also the -endive, and the Amaracus, from the latter of which the celebrated -Amaracine ointment, used to anoint the Pharaohs, is expressed. One bed -of variegated flowers, at the end of the terrace, attracted my -attention from their combined splendor. There were the edthbah, with -its proud purple flower; the ivy-shaped-leaved dulcamara, used by the -priests for sacred chaplets; also the acinos, of which wreaths are -made by maidens, to wear intermingled with their braided tresses. -Above all towered the heliochrysum, with which the gods are crowned, -and by it grew its rival, the sacred palm, the branches of which are -borne at the feasts of Isis. - -There were many other rare and beautiful plants, but I have enumerated -these to show you what a land of flowers is this sunny land of Osiris -and Isis. - -The prince, after we had once traversed the terrace in silence, turned -his thoughtful face towards me and said, betraying what was upon his -thoughts-- - -"Prince, this is the problem of Egypt. Its solution calls for greater -wisdom than belongs to man!" - -"You mean the bondage of the Hebrew people?" I answered, at once -perceiving the meaning of his words. - -"Yes," he replied, with a sigh and a grave brow. "I have promised to -acquaint you with their history. Listen, and as far as I know it you -shall have it given to you. Our records, kept and preserved by the -priests in the Hall of Books in the Temple of the Sun, give the -following account of the origin of this race, which, allowing for the -errors that are interwoven in all mere tradition, is, no doubt, worthy -of credit. - -"About four hundred years ago," says the History of the Priests, -"there arrived in the land of Palestine a Syrian prince from -Mesopotamia or Assyria, with large flocks and herds; having formed an -alliance with Melchisedec, king of Salem, the two dwelt near one -another in peace and friendship,--for not only was the Assyrian wise -and upright, but the gods were with him, and blessed and prospered him -in all that he did." - -"This Melchisedec the king," I said, "was also favored of his god; and -his virtues have come down to us fragrant with the beauty of piety and -good deeds." - -"Tradition has been faithful to him," answered Remeses. "Among the -Arabian priests of Petra he is held as a god, who came down on earth -to show kings how to reign and benefit mankind. With him the Prince of -Assyria, Abram, was on terms of the closest friendship. At length a -famine arising in the land where he dwelt, he came down into Egypt -just after the invading hosts of Phœnicia and Palestine had -inundated our kingdom, and conquering On and Memphis, had subdued -Lower Egypt, and set up their foreign dynasty, known as that of the -Hyksos or Shepherd Kings." - -"This history is well known to our archives kept in the temple of -Astarte at Tyre," I answered; "and therein we learn that the hero -SAITES, who had a warlike spirit which could not find field in Lower -Syria, was threatened by famine, and hearing of the abundance in Egypt -and the splendor of its cities, combined with the enervating habits -which grow out of luxury and unbroken peace, he conceived the idea of -its invasion; and at the head of an undisciplined but brave army of -one hundred and seventy thousand men, horsemen and footmen, with three -hundred chariots of iron, he descended through Arabia Deserta, and -entered Egypt by the desert of the sea, capturing and fortifying -Ezion-Geber on his march." - -"These particulars are not so fully given by our historians," answered -Remeses. "This ambitious warrior having entered the Sethroite country, -encamped and founded a city which he made his arsenal of war; and from -it he sent out his armies and conquered Memphis and the whole of Lower -Egypt. The kings of Egypt, abandoning to him Lower Egypt, retired with -their court and army to the Thebaïd, and were content to reign there -over half the kingdom, while the haughty conquerors established their -foreign throne at Memphis. - -"It was," continued Remeses, "during the reign of Bnon, the first -Phœnician Pharaoh after the death of the conqueror, that Abram came -into Egypt. He had known this prince in Palestine when he was in his -youth, and the king gladly welcomed so powerful a lord and warrior, -who had in battle overthrown Chedorlaomer, the mighty King of Elam, -and whose language was nearly similar to his own. This Prince Abram -dwelt in Egypt during the continuance of the famine in Syria and near -the court of the king, who not only took him into his counsels, but -lavished upon him great riches. 'But the king,' says the history, -'becoming enamored of the beautiful Princess Sara, the wife of the -Lord of Palestine, Abram removed from his court; and with great riches -of gold, silver, cattle, and servants, marched out of Egypt into -Arabia of the South, and so to his own city.'" - -"It is probably," I said, "from this fact of Prince Abram's coming -into Egypt about the time that the Phœnicians came, that some -traditions have made him its conqueror and the founder of the dynasty -of the Shepherd Kings." - -"Yes; for this Abram was not only eminent as a warlike prince, but his -usual retinue was an army, wherever he moved; and no doubt Bnon, the -king, willingly let him depart when he had offended him, rather than -meet the valor of the arm which had already slain five kings of the -East, and taken their spoil. At length Prince Abram died and left a -son, who succeeded him not only in his riches but his wisdom. After a -time he also died and left a son, Prince Jacob, who had twelve sons, -all princes of valor--but who, like the Arabians of to-day, lived a -nomadic life. One of these brothers was beloved of his father more -than the others; and, moved by envy, they seized upon him and sold him -to a caravan of the bands of Ishmael, the robber king of Idumea, as it -was on its way to Egypt. These barbarians sold the young Prince Joseph -to an officer of the king's palace, Potipharis, captain of the guard, -whose descendant, Potiphar-Meses, is the general of cavalry you met at -the queen's banquet. This officer became the friend of the young -Syrian, and raised him to a place of honor in his household. In the -course of time the king, who was the eminent Pharaoh-Apophis, dreamed -a dream which greatly troubled his mind, and which neither his -soothsayers, magicians, nor the priests could interpret. Joseph, who -was eminent for his piety, love of truth, and devotion to his God, -being in prison--to which, on some false charge of seeking the love of -his master's wife, he had been committed--had interpreted the dreams -of two prisoners, one of whom, being released and hearing of the -king's dream, sent him word that while in prison the Hebrew captive -had truly interpreted a dream, which both he and his companion had -dreamed. Thereupon Pharaoh sent for the Hebrew, who interpreted his -dream, which prophesied seven years of great plenty, such as was never -known in Egypt, and seven years to follow them of such scarcity as no -kingdom on earth had ever suffered from. And when the Hebrew had -recommended the king to appoint an officer to gather in the corn -during the years of plenty, and to husband it in treasure-houses -against the seven years of scarcity, Apophis at once elevated him to -that high position. Removing from his hand his own signet ring, he -placed it upon the finger of Joseph; and, having arrayed him in -vestures of fine linen and placed a gold chain about his neck, -presented him with the second state-chariot to ride in, and made him -ruler over all his realm, commanding all men to bow the knee before -him as to a prince of the blood, and second in power only to himself." - -"And these," I said, glancing at a group of Hebrew laborers not far -off, who were seated upon a ruin eating garlic and coarse bread for -their noon-day meal--"and these are of the same blood?" - -"Yes, Sesostris! But you shall hear their history. This Joseph reigned -in Egypt above threescore years, holding in his hand the supreme -power, save only that he wore not the crown of Apophis, who, given up -to pleasure or to war, gladly relieved himself of the active cares of -state. But while he was early in power, and yet a young man, his -father and brothers were driven into Egypt by the seven years' famine, -which followed the seven years of plenty." - -"Then," I interrupted, "the dream of Pharaoh was rightly read by the -Hebrew youth?" - -"In all particulars he interpreted it with the wisdom of a god, who -sees into the future as into the past! But, to resume my narrative--he -recognized his father, Jacob, and his brethren." - -"Did he make use of his power to punish the latter for their cruelty -in selling him into bondage?" - -"On the contrary, he forgave them! At first they did not recognize -their shepherd brother in the powerful and splendid prince of Egypt, -before whom they came under his name of Hermes-Osiris, which Pharaoh -had conferred upon him." - -"It must have been both a wonderful surprise and a source of terror to -them when they at length found in whose presence they bowed," I said, -picturing in my mind the scene when they perceived who he was. I -imagined not only the trembling fear of the men, but the joy of the -venerable father. - -"Doubtless a most touching and interesting interview," answered -Remeses. "Instead of avenging their cruelty he entertained them in his -palace with a banquet, and afterwards solicited of Pharaoh, who -refused him no request, that his father and brethren might dwell in -the land." - -At this moment a tall Hebrew young man passed, returning with a proud, -free step, having carried his burden and placed it by a well, which -some workmen were repairing. I gazed upon him with interest, fancying -I beheld in his face the lineaments of the prince of whom Remeses was -talking. I thought, too, the eyes of my companion followed the -youthful bondman, as he went away, with something like a kindred -sentiment; for, as he discoursed of the glory and virtues of Prince -Joseph, it was impossible that we should not be drawn nearer, as it -were, to these hapless captives of his race. - -"It was in this part of Egypt where the Syrian patriarch dwelt. This -very temple is erected upon the site of his habitation, and from here, -as far as you can see, stretched the rich fields and fertile plains -occupied by him, his sons, and their descendants. Here they erected -cities, most of which were destroyed by the subsequent dynasty, with -all the monuments of Joseph's power; and here they dwelt for seventy -years in peace and plenty, increasing in numbers, wealth, and -intelligence--their best-educated men holding offices in the state, -and commanding the respect and confidence not only of the king, but of -the Egyptians." - -But, my dear mother, it is time I close this letter. Until I again -take up my pen to write you, remain assured, I pray you, of my filial -reverence and love. - - Your affectionate - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER VIII. - - -PALACE OF AMENSE. - -MY HONORED AND BELOVED MOTHER: - -My last letter closed with the narration of a history of the Hebrews, -from the lips of Prince Remeses, to which I listened as we walked to -and fro on the terrace of the temple. I will in this letter continue, -or rather conclude, the subject, feeling that it will have interested -you quite as deeply as it has engaged my attention. - -The governor of the queen's granaries having arrived, mounted upon a -handsomely caparisoned horse, and attended by runners, the prince at -once gave him the orders for which he came, and then, dismissing him -with a wave of his hand, turned to me, as I was watching the majestic -flight of several eagles of prey, which, circling above my head at a -great height, with seemingly immovable wings, through cutting the air -so swiftly, gradually diminished the circles of their flight, and -descended upon some object not far distant, on the road leading to -another treasure-city, called Pithom, many leagues up the Nile, which -the Hebrews had built for Amunophis I., threescore years and more ago. - -"I will now resume my history of the Hebrews, my dear Sesostris," said -the prince, "and will be brief, as we must return to On. The Prince -Joseph, as I have said, obtained for his father and brethren all this -fair plain, the heart and beauty of Egypt. Here they dwelt when the -old man died, after seventeen years' residence in Egypt; and the -Hebrew prime minister of the king made for his father a funeral such -as few kings receive. It is said to have been more magnificent than -that of Osirtasen I., of which our poets have sung. By Pharaoh's -command, as his favorite wished to bury his father in Palestine, a -vast army went up with the body,--chariots, horsemen, and footmen,--so -that to this day the splendor and pomp of the funeral is a tradition -throughout the lands they traversed. Joseph then returned to Egypt, -and ruled sixty-one years, until both he and Apophis the king were -waxed in years. At length he died, and was embalmed, and his body -placed in the second pyramid, which you behold a little to the right -of Memphis. There his body does not now rest, for, after the expulsion -of the Phœnician dynasty, the Hebrews secretly removed it, and its -place of concealment is known only to themselves. There is a saying -among them that the bones of this prince shall rise again, and that he -shall go with them forth from Egypt to a new and fair country beyond -Arabia." - -"Then they have a hope of being one day delivered from their present -condition?" I asked. - -"It is a part of their faith, and inborn, if I may so speak. It is -this hope, I think, which makes them bear up so patiently under their -servitude." - -"And how, noble Remeses, were they reduced to bondage in the fair land -wherein they once dwelt so peacefully, under the benign sway of their -mighty brother?" - -"The answer to this question, my Sesostris," said the prince, "will -involve a history of the overthrow of the dynasty of the Phœnician -conquerors, which lasted over two hundred years, with a succession of -six kings. Upon the death of the Prince Joseph in his one hundred and -tenth year, Apophis the king, being also of great age, became -incapable of managing his kingdom, which he had for sixty years -intrusted to the hands of his Hebrew prime minister. Ignorant of the -true condition of his government--known to but few of his -subjects--aged and imbecile, he was incapable of holding the reins of -state, left by the Hebrew in his hands. The ever-jealous and watchful -king of the Thebaïd, in Upper Egypt, did not delay to take advantage -of an opportunity like this to attempt the restoration, in Lower -Egypt, of the ancient throne of the native Pharaohs, by the expulsion -of the usurping dynasty. But, my Sesostris, you know well the -subsequent history--how Pharaoh Amosis, with his Theban hosts, drove -them from city to city, and finally pursued them into Arabia, whence -they settled in the land of the Philistines, and, capturing Salem, -made it their capital city--at least such is one of the traditions." - -"They held it for a time," I answered, "but, being driven from it by -the King of Elam, they subsequently fortified Askelon. They are still -a powerful people, under the name of Philistines; and, what is -singular, retain scarcely a custom derived from the two hundred and -twenty-five years' residence and reign in Egypt." - -"It is not more remarkable than the fact that their domination here -made no impression upon the people of Egypt; they left no words of -their own in our language, and no customs of theirs were adopted by -the Egyptians They simply held military possession of the kingdom, -living in fortified cities and levying tribute upon the people for -their support. The few monuments they erected were defaced or -overthrown by the victorious Theban king and restorer, Amosis, my -great ancestor, or by his successor, Amunophis I. - -"When these invaders were expelled from Lower Egypt, then the two -crowns of the Thebaïd and Memphitic kingdoms became united in the -person of Amunophis, the son of 'the Restorer,' and it is this Thebaïd -dynasty which now holds the sceptre of the two kingdoms, and which is -represented in the person of my mother, the daughter of Amunophis, who -died when she was a young girl. She has ever since reigned with the -title of 'the Daughter of Pharaoh,' being so called by the people when -she ascended the throne of Memphis and Thebes. But my dear prince," -said Remeses, with a smile, "I have been giving you the history of the -dynasty of my race, rather than of the Hebrew people." - -"I am not the less interested, dear Remeses," I said, "and perceive -that the two histories are naturally united." - -"Yes. The new king, Amosis, called 'Restorer,' upon the obelisk at -Memphis which bears his name, and upon which the scenes of the -expulsion of these Philistine soldier-monarchs are depicted with great -spirit and fidelity--the new king, I say, upon driving out the -invaders, keeping the Phœnician king's fair daughter, Ephtha, as -his wife, turned his attention to the other class of strangers, who -had the fairest portion of Egypt for their possession. He accordingly -visited, in state, the city of Succoth, in the province of Goshen, -which they had built and beautified during the seventy years they had -dwelt there under Prince Joseph's mild and partial rule. It was -without walls, wholly unfortified, and had not even a temple--for the -Hebrews of the better class worship only with the intellect, a -spiritual Deity in his unity." - -"Which, if I dare speak so boldly to you, O Remeses," I said, "appears -to me to be the noblest species of worship, and the purest sort of -religion for an intellectual being." - -"Sayest thou?" quickly demanded the prince, surveying my face with his -full bright gaze. "Thou art in advance of the rest of mankind, my -Sesostris! The same feeling exists in my own bosom; but I believed -myself alone in experiencing it. Some day we will hold discourse -together on this high mystery. There seems to come up from my -childhood a voice which I can never silence, and which I hear loudest -when I am most solemnly engaged in the sacred rites of the altars of -our gods, saying-- - -"'Son of earth, there is but one GOD, invisible, eternal, uncreated, -and whose glory He will not share with another; worship Him with the -spirit and with the understanding.'" - -"This is remarkable," I said, "for such also is the mystery taught by -the priests of Chaldea, of whom Melchisedec was the first high-priest. -I have read their sacred books in Damascus." - -"I have never seen them; yet this voice forces itself upon me -everywhere, my Sesostris. All is dark and inscrutable to us mortals. -We hang our faith upon a tradition, and our hopes upon a myth. We feel -ourselves equal or superior to the deities we worship, and find no -repose in the observances our religion demands. Would that I had the -power to penetrate the blue heavens above us and find out God, and -know what life means, and whence we came and whither we go." - -"Once across the Lake of the Dead," I answered, "and all will be -revealed. Osiris in his vast judgment-hall will give each soul the key -of the past and the future." - -"So say the priests, and so we believe. But to return to the Hebrews. -Another time we will discourse on these themes. The new king hearing -that two hundred thousand and more foreigners dwelt here, called all -the elders and chief men before him; and when he had questioned them -and heard their history, and had learned that the Prince Joseph, who -had done so much to uphold and consolidate the Phœnician rule, was -one of their ancestors, his wrath was presently kindled against them. -He saw in them the friends and adherents of the overthrown dynasty; -both as allied by blood to the great Hebrew prime-minister, and as -originating from the same country with the expelled Phœnician king. -He, therefore, perceiving they were not a warlike people, and could -not be dreaded as an army, instead of declaring war against them and -driving them out of Egypt, as he had done the Syrian kings, resolved -to reduce them to servitude like captives taken in war. Having come to -this resolution, he held as prisoners the chief men before him, and -placed the whole people under the yoke of bondage, enrolling them -under task-officers, and putting them to work upon the cities, -temples, palaces, and canals, which the Phœnicians had either -destroyed, or suffered to fall into ruin. This was the beginning, my -Sesostris, of the subjugation to perpetual labor of these Syrians or -Hebrews in the very land where one of their family had ruled next to -the throne. They have been engaged since in building cities, and -walls, and in cultivating and irrigating the royal wheat-fields; -aiding in hewing stone in the quarries, and in all other works of -servitude: but as the making of bricks requires no intelligence, and -as it was not the policy of Amunophis-Pharaoh to elevate their -intellects, but the contrary, lest they should prove troublesome, they -have chiefly been kept to this, the most degrading of all labor." - -"How long is it that they have been in this condition?" I asked. - -"About one hundred and five or six years have elapsed since the death -of Prince Joseph. But they were gradually reduced to their present -state. During the latter years only of Amunophis were their tasks -increased. They, nevertheless, multiplied in such numbers that the -king began to apprehend danger to his crown from their multitude." - -"Were there men among them who sought to free their fellows?" I -inquired. - -"Always, and to this hour. They are a proud, haughty, resolute, and -stubborn race. They bend to the yoke, indeed, but with hatred of the -oppressor, not with the willing submission of the Libyan or Nubian -captive. The king had reason to fear from the increase of their -numbers, when he found the census of this people gave more than a -million of souls, while the number of his own subjects in both -provinces did not exceed six millions; his own Thebans not amounting -to as many as the Hebrews numbered. Upon this he became alarmed, for -he was about entering into a war with the kings of Syro-Arabia, and -apprehended that being of the same Syrian stock they might join -themselves to his enemies. He, therefore, increased their burdens and -taskmasters in order to keep them in closer subjugation; but the more -he oppressed them the more they multiplied. In relating these facts, O -prince, do not think I approve of cruelty even in my royal ancestor. -It was, no doubt, a great wrong in the beginning inflicted upon them, -in making them servants, and the subsequent series of oppressions were -but the natural results of the first act. It was one unmixed evil -throughout. Having committed the manifest error in the outset, of -enslaving them to the crown, it now became a necessary policy to -prevent their dangerous increase. He would not send them with his army -into Arabia lest they should join his enemies. He, therefore, to keep -down their numbers, ordered all the male infants as soon as born to be -put to death by the Egyptian women." - -"A dreadful alternative!" I exclaimed. - -"Yes, and one not to be defended," answered Remeses, in a decided -tone. "But Amunophis, having caught the lion by the jaws, was -compelled either to destroy him, or be destroyed himself. The result -of the edict was, that many perished. The Nile, it is said, was -constantly bearing down upon its bosom corpses of new-born Hebrew -babes." - -"Dreadful!" I ejaculated. - -"It became so to the king. But he felt that one or the other must -perish, and that these innocent infants must die for the future safety -of the kingdom. There were sad and tragic scenes! Many a Hebrew mother -fought to save her infant, or perished with it clasped to her heart! -Many a desperate father resisted the soldiers who sought his hut for -his concealed child, and died on the threshold, in the ineffectual -effort to save his son! You perceive, Sesostris, that I speak with -emotion. I have heard the scenes of that era described by those who -witnessed them. I was an infant at the time, and do not speak of my -own knowledge; but many live who then saw tragedies of horror such as -few lands have witnessed. Had I been Amunophis I think I should have -devised some other way to ward off the anticipated danger from my -kingdom. But this sanguinary edict was unsuccessful. The Egyptian -nurses were tenderer of heart than the king, and saved many to the -tears and entreaties of mothers. Thousands of mothers, stifling every -cry of nature, gave birth secretly, and in silence, to their babes, -and the fathers or friends stood ready to fly with it to some prepared -concealment. Thousands were thus saved, as the innumerable multitudes -of men you have beheld this day toiling in the fields, making brick to -build up Raamses, bear witness. The edict continued in force for two -years, when Amunophis died. After the seventy days of mourning were -ended, his daughter Amense, who had been married to the prince of the -Thebaïd, a nephew of Amunophis, but had been left a widow about the -time of her father's death, came to the throne as the next in -succession to the double crown. With the sceptre was bequeathed to her -the iron chain that bound the Hebrews. Young, inexperienced in rule, -without advisers, my mother knew not how to solve the problem these -enslaved Syrians presented to her. As a woman, she felt that she could -originate no new policy. But prompted by humanity, the first act of -her power was to repeal the edict commanding the death of the infants. -This act alone kindled in the hearts of the whole of the oppressed -people a sentiment of gratitude. On the contrary, her lords, generals, -chief princes of the nomes, and dukes of cities, with one voice -assured her that this act of clemency would destroy her throne. But -you see, my Sesostris, that it still stands. For thirty-four years she -has reigned over the empire of Egypt, and it has never before reached -so high a degree of prosperity, power, and strength. Her armies of the -east, and of the south, and of Libya, are superior to those of all -nations." - -"Yet is the problem more intricate, and farther from solution than -ever," I said to the prince. "The Hebrew is still in the land, still -increasing in numbers, and now far more formidable than in the reign -of your grandsire, Amunophis." - -"This is true. My mother and I have talked for hours together upon the -theme. She, with her woman's gentler nature, would not oppress them, -yet has she been compelled by necessity to hold them in strict -subjugation, lest they become a formidable element of insurrection in -the kingdom. So far as is consistent with safety to her two crowns, -she mitigates the severity of their condition; and as you have -understood, has forbidden the women to be struck with blows, or put to -heavy toil. Still it is not easy, among so many thousand taskmasters, -and so many myriads of bondmen, to oversee all individual acts of -oppression; but when brought to our notice they are severely punished. -The condition of the Hebrew is an incubus upon the soul of my noble -mother, and if it were in her power, with safety to her subjects, to -release them to-morrow from their bondage, she would do so. But state -policy demands imperatively, rigid supervision, severe discipline, and -constant labor, lest being idle, and at liberty to go where they -choose, they conspire against us. Several times agents from the King -of Ethiopia, our natural and hereditary foe, with whom we are almost -always at war, have been discovered among them; and arms have been -placed in their possession by the spies of the Queen of Arabia. They -have, moreover, among them men of courage and talent, who, like their -ancestor, Prince Abraham, possess warlike fire, and, like the Prime -Minister Joseph, have wisdom in council, to advise and rule. Such -persons, among slaves, are to be feared, and there is necessary a -certain severity, you would call it oppression, to keep down all such -spirit." - -"The burdens of these Hebrews still seem very heavy, O Remeses," I -said. - -"They doubtless are; but their condition is far lighter than it has -been. They are allotted certain tasks, according to their strength, -and if these are done early they have the rest of the day to -themselves." - -"And if late?" - -"They must complete their tale of bricks, unless disabled by sickness. -Blows are not given to men unless they are wilful and insubordinate. -Once a year the queen visits all the Hebrews in the country of Avaris, -of which Goshen forms but a part, and regulates abuses. The Hebrew -always has the right of appealing to the governor of the province, -against his taskmaster, if cruelly treated. All that the queen can do -is to execute with severity the laws against oppressing them." - -"This Hebrew people, O Remeses," I said, as he ceased speaking, "are -the cloud which overshadows Egypt. I foresee danger to the dynasty -from it." - -"I have in vain tried to settle upon some policy, to be pursued--when -I come to the throne, if it please Heaven that my mother depart this -life before me, (I pray the god to keep her to a good old age)--in -reference to them. But my wisdom is at fault. When I take the sceptre -I shall feel that the bondage of the Hebrew, which I inherit with it, -will make it lead in my hand." - -While he was speaking, the impatient pawing of his spirited -chariot-horses, restrained with difficulty by three footmen, reminded -him that we were delaying at Raamses when we ought to be on our way -back to On. - -"Come, Sesostris, let us get upon the chariot and return, for I -promised to dine with my mother and the Lord Prince Mœris to-day; -and it is already past noon by the shadow of that obelisk." - -We stood upon the silver-chased chariot, and taking the leopard-skin -reins in his left hand, he made a sign to his footmen, who, springing -away from the heads of the fretting and frothing horses, let them fly. -Away, like the wind, we swept the plain in front of the treasure-city; -along the plateau where had stood the palace and gardens of Joseph, -the lord of Egypt; past the ruined strangers' fountain, where I had -talked with the venerable Ben Isaac and his handsome son; past a well -beside which Jacob had his great house, during the seventeen years he -lived in Goshen, the ruins of which were visible a little ways off to -the east. On we rolled, preceded and followed by the fleet-footed -runners, across the plain of the Hebrew brick-makers, who still bent -to their labors. Women and children, with dark fine eyes and raven -hair, gathering straw by the wayside or in the stubble-fields, were -passed in vast numbers. Crossing an open space, I saw before me a -black mass on the ground, which, as we advanced, proved to be a crowd -of vultures or carrion eagles, that slowly and reluctantly moved aside -at our coming; and the next moment our horses shied at the dead body -of a man, around which they had been gathered feasting upon the flesh. -The long beard and dark hair, the coarse blue loin-cloth, and the pile -of bricks at his side, told the whole tale. It was an emaciated -Hebrew, who had perished on the road-side under his burden. - -I did not look at Remeses. I knew that he saw and felt. He reined up, -and sternly commanded two of his footmen to remain and bury the body. - -"Sesostris," he said, as we went forward again, "what can be done? -Humanity, piety, and every element of the soul call for the deepest -commiseration of this unhappy people. I sometimes feel that it would -be better to send them in a mass out of Egypt into Arabia, and follow -them with an army to see that they went beyond our boundaries, and -then establish a cordon of military posts from Ezion-Geber, on the -Arabian Sea, to the shores of the Great Sea, north. But how could we -provide food for such a host, now amounting to two and a half millions -of people? Thousands would perish in the wilderness for want of water -and food. Only a miracle of the gods could preserve them, their women -and children, from a lingering death. And would not this be more cruel -than the edict of Amunophis; only executing it in an indirect way, and -on a gigantic scale? I would, were I Pharaoh to-day, give the half of -my kingdom to the wise man who could devise a practicable way of -freeing Egypt from the Hebrews, without destroying them or suffering -them to die in the wilderness. If men are ever deified, such a -benefactor would deserve the honor." - -These words, my dear mother, were spoken with deep feeling, and showed -me that the heart of Remeses is manly and tender, that his sentiments -are always elevated and noble, and that the oppression of the Hebrew -is not so much the fault of himself or of the queen mother, as it is -the irresistible sequence of causes which were in action before they -were born; and to the effects of which they must yield, until the gods -in their wisdom and power make known to them the way to remove from -the land so great an evil: for none but the Deity Supreme is wise -enough to solve this intricate problem of Egypt. Certain it is, that -if the Hebrews go on multiplying and growing as they now do, in -another generation they will outnumber the Egyptians, and will need -only a great leader like their warlike ancestor Prince Abram, or the -hero king of Philistia, who established the Phœnician dynasty, to -enable them to subvert the kingdom, and upon its ruins establish -another Syro-Hebraic dynasty. One of their ancestors has already ruled -Egypt, and another may yet sit in the very seat of the Pharaohs. - -As we re-entered the City of the Sun, we passed by the base of an -obelisk which Queen Amense is erecting to mark the era and acts of her -long reign. Upon it were sculptured representations of her battles -with the Ethiopians, her wars with Libya, and her conquest of Arabia. -The work was executed by Phœnician and Egyptian artists; and I am -rejoiced to see that the painters of Tyre and the sculptors of Sidon -are greatly esteemed for the delicacy and perfection of their work. -When these persons saw me, they dropped their pencils and chisels, and -with their hands upon their bosoms, manifested every sign of delight. -You may suppose I responded with more than usual gratification to the -homage thus paid me; for in a foreign land the sight of the humblest -of one's own countrymen, refreshes the eye and warms the heart. - -But I have too long occupied your time, dearest mother, with one -letter. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER IX. - - -ISLE OF RHODA, NILE. - -ROYAL AND BELOVED MOTHER: - -My preceding letters, dearest mother, have enabled you to form some -idea of the Hebrew vassalage, which is one of the peculiarities of -Egypt. This subject has deeply interested me. In that oppressed people -I behold Syrians and men of my own race, as it were, reduced to such a -pitiable and miserable condition. My sympathies are therefore -naturally with them. Was not Prince Abram, of Palestine, who conquered -the enemy of our ancestor's throne in those days, Chedorlaomer, King -of Elam and Tidal, and sovereign of the nations east of the inland -sea, the founder of their family; and was not the same Abram the -friend of Neathor, the founder or restorer of Tyre upon the Isle? When -I recall these facts of past history, and how ably the wise Prince -Joseph ruled here, I am deeply moved at their present degradation and -suffering. - -Since writing to you, I have conversed with the queen upon the -subject. I find her ready and willing, with mind and heart and hand, -to take any safe steps for putting an end to this bondage. But, as she -feelingly says:-- - -"It is an evil which descended to me with the crown and sceptre of my -father; and I know not how to remove it, and yet protect that crown -which I am bound to transmit to Remeses!" - -Such then, dear mother, is the present condition of Hebrew servitude. -When it will terminate, whether by some bold act of Remeses, when he -comes to the throne, or by their own act, or by the intervention of -the gods, are questions the solution of which lies hidden in the womb -of the future. - -Not all the Hebrews are employed in the field. It has of late years -been a fashion with the nobles, governors, and chief captains of Egypt -to have the young captives of both sexes as servants near their -persons; their beauty, activity, and trustfulness rendering these -Syrian youths particularly fitted for this domestic employment. Thus, -I have seen Hebrew pages attending on lords and ladies in their -palaces, and Hebrew maidens acting as personal attendants upon the -mistress of the family. These young foreigners soon become favorites, -and are rewarded for their devotion and usefulness by rich dresses and -jewels, which last they all especially delight in, and wear in great -quantities. The Egyptians, also, lavishly display them on their -fingers, in their ears, and upon their necks. Every lord wears a large -signet, on which is carved his _cartouch_, or shield of arms. To -present this to any friend is a mark of the highest confidence and -honor. Such an expression of regard, you will remember, the Prince -Remeses bestowed upon me. With it I shall seal this letter, that you -may see its designs in the hieroglyph representation. - -The queen has three Hebrew pages, noble and princely-looking boys, -with fine, sparkling, black eyes, and intelligent faces; but there is -a fixed air of pensiveness about them all, which is perhaps the result -of hereditary oppression. This pensive look I have remarked in Prince -Remeses, whose style of face is very strongly Syriac or Hebraic. -Indeed, I have seen an old Hebrew bondman, a gardener in the palace -garden, by the name of Amram, who is so strikingly like the prince -that I can easily see by him, how Remeses himself will look at eighty -years of age. But this Syriac countenance of Remeses comes from his -grandmother, Ephtha, the daughter of the last Phœnician Pharaoh; -yet it is marvellous he has about him nothing of the Egyptian type. -The Egyptian or Nilotic race, have a sharp and prominent face, in -which a long and straight, or gently aquiline nose forms a principal -part. The eye is sometimes oblique; the chin short and retracted; the -lips rather full and tumid, so to speak; and the hair, when it is -suffered to escape the razor in times of mourning, long and flowing. -The head is elongated upward, with a receding forehead. The profile is -delicate, rather than strong. This style of features and head is -strictly Egyptian, and pertains to every class, from Amense on the -throne to the priests and people. I see it sculptured on all the tombs -and monuments, and carved on the most ancient sarcophagi. The head of -Horus is but a sublimer modification of this type. - -On the contrary, the head of the Hebrew is large and round, with full -brows, a forehead low in front, and high temples. The nose is strongly -eagle-like; the eyes set even, but of an almond-shape--yet large, -full, and exceedingly black, and soft in expression. The chin is full; -the face oval; the hair short, and inclined to curl in the neck and -over the brow. The profile is strong and bold--not unlike the Arabian. -The Egyptian is slender and light; the Hebrew usually below the medium -height, with broad shoulders and full chest. The Egyptian has a pale -reddish-copper complexion--save the women, who are bright -olive-colored--while the Hebrew face is a ruddy and finely toned -brown. The Egyptian females, when not exposed to the sun and outer -door labor, are exceedingly fair. The children of the race are all -beautiful. Prince Remeses does not share a single characteristic of -this Egyptian national head and face; on the contrary, he resembles -the highest type of the Hebrew. Is not this remarkable? That is, is it -not wonderful that the Syriac blood, derived from the Queen Ephtha, -should descend pure to the third generation, unmingled with the -Thebaïd characteristics of Amunophis, his grandfather? - -I am not aware whether the prince is conscious of his great likeness -to this oppressed people, nor would I be so rude as to speak to him of -it; for though he has sympathy for them, and tries to improve their -condition, yet he possesses that haughty sense of superiority which is -natural, in a prince and an Egyptian educated to despise them both as -foreigners and slaves of the crown. - -The father of Remeses, as I have before said, was the Vicegerent or -Prince of Upper Egypt, and one of the royal line of the powerful -Theban kings. He had been married but a few months to Pharaoh's -daughter, when, being called to repulse an invasion of the warlike -Ethiopians, he was slain in battle. Remeses was born not long -afterwards, and is, therefore in a twofold degree the heir of the -silver crown of the Thebaïd. Had he been willing to leave his mother, -she would, when he became thirty years old (which is the age of -maturity by the laws of Egypt), have sent him with a splendid retinue -to Upper Egypt, and made him Prince of Thebes, as his father had been -before him. But he chose to remain with the queen, to whom he appears -as much attached as I am to you, my dear mother; and Amense -substituted a nephew of her deceased husband, Prince Mœris, and -placed him, four years since, on the vicegerent throne of the kingdom -of the Upper Nile. - -It was this Prince Mœris, with whom Remeses was to dine in the -palace on the day we drove to the treasure-city of Raamses. I was also -present, dear mother, at the dinner. The Lord Mœris is about the -age of Remeses, but altogether a very different person. He is -thoroughly Egyptian, both in looks and lineage as well as by prejudice -and feeling. - -He has a slender, elegant person; delicate straight features; a high, -retreating forehead; and a nose slightly aquiline. His mouth is -full-lipped and sensual. His retreating chin betrays deficiency of -firmness, and an undue proportion of obstinacy. The expression of his -oblique, Nubian-looking eye, I did not like. It was sinister and -restlessly observant. He was reserved, and while he asked questions -from time to time, he never replied to any. His complexion is a bright -olive, and he is a handsome man; his rich dress increasing the fine -effect of his personal appearance. The uniform he wore was that of -Admiral of the Nile; the queen having appointed him commander of the -great fleet of war-galleys she has collected near Memphis for the -subjugation of Ethiopia. He has, therefore, come down within a few -days to take charge of his ships. The character of this man for -courage is undoubted, but he has the reputation of great cruelty. He -tarries long at the wine-cup, and in his private life is a gross -sensualist. He professes great piety to the gods, and sacrifices -often, with pomp and display. In Memphis yesterday he burned incense -with his own hands to Apis, and to-day he worshipped Mnevis, the -sacred ox of On. - -He was more communicative with me at the dinner than with Remeses. He -expressed the greatest admiration of Phœnicia, praised the -brilliancy of your reign, and the rich commerce of the Isle of Tyre. -He said he had a great reverence for our deities, Astarte, Hercules, -Io, and Isis; for, he asserted that Isis was quite as much a -Phœnician as an Egyptian goddess. "Had he not in Thebes," said he, -"instituted a procession and a rite in honor of the return of Isis -from Phœnicia! We are one in religion, one in commerce, one in -glory," he continued, with fulsome enthusiasm. "Are not our kingdoms -both ruled by queens? Let us draw closer the bonds of alliance, and -together rule the world! You are a free city, your Tyre! never been -conquered! Amunophis would have exacted tribute, but your king -replied: 'Since the foundation of the earth, and the great Deluge -retired from Libanus, Tyre has been free, and will remain free to the -end of days.'" - -I answered, that I trusted the words of my noble grandsire would -remain prophetic forever. He then gave as a toast:-- - -"Phœnicia and Egypt, twin sisters of Isis, and health to their fair -queens!" - -This was well received. Mœris was, however, evidently deep in his -cups, and soon became quarrelsome towards Remeses, to whom he said, -with a sneer-- - -"You and I, prince, when the queen, my aunt, has departed to the -shades of the realm of Osiris, will divide Egypt between us. I will be -content with the Thebaïd country, and will defend your borders on that -side. Two crowns are too much for one man's head, albeit you have a -large one upon your shoulders!" - -"Prince Mœris," said Remeses, with a look of indignation, "forget -not yourself in my mother's palace!" - -Thus speaking, the son of Amense rose from the table, and I followed -him to the portico which overlooked the gardens. - -"That man, Sesostris," said he to me, after a moment's silence, "would -not hesitate to conspire to the whole throne and both crowns of Egypt, -if he were hopeful of success." - -"He is a man of an evil eye," I said. - -"And heart! But he must not be incensed. He is powerful, and as wicked -as powerful. In a few days he will be on his way to Upper Egypt; and -in this war with Ethiopia, will find an outlet for his restless -ambition." - -"Suppose (the gods guarding your gracious mother, the queen) you -should come to the throne; what, Remeses, would you do with or for -your cousin, your father's nephew? Would you suffer so dangerous a man -to hold the viceroyalty of Upper Nile?" - -"I should wear both crowns, Sesostris," answered Remeses, quietly and -steadily. - -While we were thus conversing, a Hebrew page came, and said: - -"My lord prince, her majesty is taken ill, and desires to have you -come to her." - -"My mother ill!" he exclaimed, with deadly pallor covering his face. -"Pardon me, prince, I must leave you and go to her." And in a moment -he hastened to the wing of the palace occupied by his mother and the -ladies of her retinue. - -The queen had left the table some time before Prince Mœris began to -converse with me, excusing herself on the plea of slight fatigue and -indisposition; for she had passed an hour that day in giving -directions to the chief architect, to whom was intrusted the erection -of her obelisk, outside of the gate of the Temple of the Sun. Remeses -had been gone but a few moments, when I beheld Prince Mœris borne -across the terrace by his servants to his chariot, in a state of -helpless intoxication. - -The illness of the queen was not of an alarming nature, and the next -day she appeared in the saloon, but was very pale. The result is, the -court physicians have advised her to go to her palace on the isle of -Rhoda, in the Nile, as a more salubrious spot than the interior of a -vast city. Remeses accompanied her thither, and the date of my letter, -my dear mother, shows you that I am also still one of the queen's -favored household. Her health continues doubtful, but she is much -improved in appearance by the change. Remeses, with beautiful filial -devotion, passes with her every hour he can spare from the various -pressing duties which demand his personal attention; and preparations -for the Ethiopian war call for all his time as general of the armies. - -Opposite the palace in which I write to you, the plain between the -river and the pyramids is covered with a vast army assembled there -within three days, preparatory to their southern march; while the -bosom of the Nile, for half a league above this palace-covered island, -is almost concealed by war-galleys, which, to the number of one -thousand and upward, are at anchor ready to ascend the river. - -From the lofty west wing of the propylon of the gate of this -island-palace of the Pharaohs, I command not only a prospect of the -fleet, but of the plain of the pyramids outside of Memphis. I have but -to turn slowly round from that elevation, to see On with its three -hundred and sixty temples--its gardens and towers; and Raamses, the -treasure-city, to the east: to the south, the Nile, studded with -barges and gay vessels having silken and colored sails, filled with -citizens, come to look at the fleet of war-ships; the immense squadron -itself, gay with the variegated flags of its different divisions and -captains; with towers, temples, obelisks, and propyla on the two -shores terminating the perspective: and on the west, Jizeh, with its -sphinxes and colossi, its terraced gardens and amphitheatre of the -gods; and still farther off, Memphis united to the Nile by a -magnificent aqueduct; and the pyramids of Cheops and of his daughter. -Between the city and these mysterious mausolea, stands alone, amid -gardens, the red granite temple of Pthah and Athor, the two chief -divinities of Memphis: for Apis, the sacred bull of Memphis, is not a -divinity, properly, but only a visible incarnation of Osiris, the -emblem and type of the power and strength of the Supreme Creator -Imagine this vast and varied scene of architectural and naval glory, -interspersed with verdure of the brightest green, with palm, orange, -and fig trees, garden linked to garden, grove to grove, and villas -half seen through the foliage; and lastly, the mighty river flowing -with shining waves amid the inimitable landscape, and you have before -you a scene of grandeur and beauty such as Egypt alone can produce. -Add the myriads of human beings, the crowded galleys, the thronged -shores, the eighty thousand soldiers encamped on the west plain, the -army of chariots drawn up on the east bank, and farther up, opposite -the aqueduct of Pharaoh Apophis, a battalion of twelve thousand -cavalry manœuvering, and the scene which I, an hour since, beheld -from the top of the gateway, is before you. - -Since I wrote the last sentence, I have witnessed a naval review, with -a sham battle. The Prince Mœris, in a gorgeous galley decorated -with all the emblems of the cities and nomes of Egypt, after -displaying the skill of his one hundred oarsmen, and the swiftness of -his vessel in front of the palace, before the eyes of the queen, moved -among his ships, and gave orders for their division into lines of -battle. The greater number of these galleys had only a single mast -with a long swallow-winged sail; and were propelled by forty rowers. -But the ships of the captains were larger and more imposing. All the -galleys were handsomely painted, and the whole fleet together made a -splendid moving spectacle, which was heightened by the thousand -bannerets fluttering in the wind, and the ten thousand shields and -spears gleaming in the sun, as they were held in the hands of the -soldiers upon their decks. - -When the signal was given for the two parties to combat, the air was -filled by a loud shout, and a hundred galleys charged each other, just -as did the battalions of chariots in the review I have already -described. The vessels, set in motion by the rowers, were driven -towards each other with terrific velocity. The Abyssinian soldiers -upon the bows, and the bowmen in the tops, shot off flights of arrows, -which sounded like a storm of wind, as they hurtled through the air. -The Libyan spearmen, on the lofty poops, brandished their spears with -wild cries; while the Nubians, amidships, struck their triangular -shields with battle-axes of iron, producing a sound like crashing -thunders. The war bugles and hollow drums beaten on board each vessel -increased the loud confusion, and added to the terror of the scene. -The fall of thousands of oars, the rush of waters from the cleaving -bows, the shouts of the captains, the warlike spirit and -battle-fierceness of the whole, presented a spectacle of sublimity -unequalled. Nor was it without an element of terror. Such was the -excited manner of the simulating combatants, I believed that no -earthly power could prevent a real collision and hand-to-hand conflict -in hot blood, when, at a signal from the Prince Mœris, the rowers -of the leading galleys turned suddenly, as they came within touch of -each other's sweeps, and so, one after another wheeling in line, both -divisions passed down the river, until they moved in parallel columns. -The whole manœuvre was one of the most wonderful exhibitions of -naval discipline and generalship. Ere the shouts of the people on the -shores and in the numerous pleasure barges had died away, the two -columns, at a signal from the mast of the ship of their admiral, came -side by side, and a battle between the soldiers on opposite decks -commenced--one party attempting to board, the other repelling them. -Not less than six thousand combatants were engaged at once, above the -heads of the banks of rowers. The clash of swords and spears and -battle-axes, and other offensive and defensive weapons, produced a -noise so terrible and grand that I believe there is no other sound on -earth, as well calculated to quicken the pulse and bring out all the -enthusiasm of the soul of a man. I can compare these metallic and iron -tones, only to what might be the sound of the brazen voice of Mars -himself rolling his war-cry along the battle-ranks of his foes. -Suddenly the iron din of war ceased, and separating, one of the -divisions commenced a flight, and the other a pursuit. This scene was -the most exciting of all. The chase was in a direction down the east -side of the island, opposite the queen's window; for all these -exhibitions were given in her honor, and, though by no means well, she -remained upon the terrace during the whole; and it was, perhaps, the -consciousness of their monarch's eye being upon them, that caused -these demi-barbaric soldiers, gathered from all the provinces and -tributary countries of Egypt, to surpass themselves, being ready even, -at her nod, to convert the mock battle into a real one. - -The two fleets, flying and pursuing, moved past the island like a -sirocco. Their lion or eagle-headed prows tossed high in the air -clouds of white spray. The roar of the waters as the vessels ploughed -through them, the dash of the banks of oars, the cries of pursuit, the -whizzing and shrieks of arrows cleaving the air, the shouts of the -contending thousands, and the velocity with which they moved, brought -color to the queen's cheek, and the light of interest to her eyes. It -was now an actual and real trial for mastery in speed; and the contest -partook of all the realities of a war-chase. The two divisions, -rounding the lower end of the island, were hidden by the Temple of -Isis, which crowns it, but soon reappeared on the west arm of the -river, ascending. When they came opposite to the queen, having passed -entirely round the island, they resumed their former line, two or -three with broken banks of oars, and shattered poops or prows from -collision. - -Prince Mœris came on shore to receive the compliments of the queen, -and dined with us. Remeses was not present, being with the cohorts of -cavalry; for he is visiting and inspecting every arm of the service, -as it is intended this shall be the most formidable host that has ever -been sent into Ethiopia. - - Adieu, dearest mother, and believe me - Your truly devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER X. - - -ISLAND PALACE OF RHODA. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -It is with heartfelt pleasure I assure you of the recovery of the -queen. The heart of the noble and devoted Remeses is lightened of a -heavy weight of solicitude. Smiles once more revisit his features, and -cheerfulness replaces his late depression. - -"Sesostris," said he to me this morning, as we were returning in his -galley from a visit to the pyramids and vast city of tombs that -stretch between Memphis and the Libyan hills, "if my excellent and -dear mother had died, I should have been made one of the most unhappy -of men. I shall to-morrow, in testimony of my gratitude, offer in the -Temple of Osiris a libation and incense to the God of Health and Life, -wherever in his illimitable universe such a Being may dwell." - -"Then you would not, my dear Remeses, offer it to Osiris himself?" I -said. - -"You have heard, my friend," he replied, "my views of these mysteries -of faith: that I look, through all material and vicarious -representatives, onward and upward to the Infinite and Supreme Essence -of Life--the Generator, Upholder, and Guide of the worlds and all that -dwell upon them. From a child I have never entered, as my dear mother -does, into the heart and spirit of our worship. There is something -within me which tells me that we consist of a twofold being--a soul -within a body. The soul must have had a Soul as its creator; -therefore, O Sesostris, do I believe in a Supreme Soul of the -universe--the Fountain of all souls; a Being of thought, invisibility, -intelligence, and reason, each supreme and eternal; for I can conceive -no creator of a SOUL, nor end of its existence. Before all things that -actually exist, and before all beings, there is One Being whom I would -designate, for want of another term, God of gods, prior to the first -god or king of earth, remaining unmoved and unapproachable in the -singleness of His own unity. He is greater than, as He was prior to, -all material things, of which He is the sole fountain; and He is also -the foundation of things conceived by the intellect, and from His -intellect spring the spirits of the gods and the souls of men." - -"Then," said I to the prince, to whom I had listened with surprise and -pleasure--for, mother, similar to these are the deep mysteries taught -by our most sacred priests of Io, into which I was initiated when I -became twenty-five years of age--"then you believe that God is -Intellect conceiving itself, and that the creation of man was but the -beginning of an infinite series of resistless conceptions of Himself?" - -"Not resistless, but voluntary. Finding Himself existing, He -multiplied Himself, for His own glory and delight primarily; and -secondly, for the happiness of the offspring of His Intellect." - -"We are then His offspring, that is, our souls?" - -"Without doubt, if my theories be founded in truth," he answered -contemplatively. We were then in mid-river, and the forty-four rowers -of our gilded barge were slowly dipping their brazen-mounted oars into -the glassy water, while with gentle motion we were borne towards the -isle of palaces and terraces. Our heads were shaded from the sun by a -silken pavilion stretched above the stern of the galley, under which -we reclined upon sumptuous cushions as we conversed. Remeses, however, -is by no means a voluntary seeker of luxurious ease; but in Egypt, -where splendor and voluptuous furniture everywhere invite to -indulgence, one must either deprive himself of all comforts, for the -sake of enduring hardship, or yield unchallenging to the countless -seductive forms of couches, lounges, chairs, and sofas, which -everywhere, on the galleys and in houses, offer themselves to his use. - -The air was balmy and soft, and fanned our faces; while the beautiful -shores, lined with villas of the chief men of the court, afforded a -grateful picture to the eye. Our rowers let their sweeps fall and rise -to the low and harmonious time of a river chant, which, while it -inspired conversation between the prince and myself, did not disturb, -but rather veiled our subdued voices. - -"Do you believe there are lesser gods?" I asked. - -"Do you mean, Sesostris, beings higher in rank than men, and so -created, to whom the Supreme Intellect of the Universe delegates a -part of His authority and power over man and nature? Such, in its -purity, is our Egyptian idea of gods." - -"Such is not the Phœnician," I answered, hesitatingly; for I felt -how far in advance of the hero demigods of our Assyrio-Median -mythology was the Egyptian theological conception of a god, while the -still sublimer idea held by Remeses, that they are celestial princes -under the Supreme Prince, created as his servants, yet so far above -men as to be as gods to us, took fast hold of my imagination, and -commended itself to my intellect. - -"What, my dear Sesostris, is the mythology of your country?" he asked, -with a look of deep interest. "I have read some of your sacred books, -and from them I perceive we obtain our myths of Isis, Mars, Hercules, -Vulcan, and even Venus, who is your Astarte and our Athor. We owe much -of our religion and learning to you Tyrians, my Sesostris." - -"The recipient has become mightier than the giver," I replied. -"Without doubt you have received from us the great invention of the -phonetic alphabet, which your scholars are already making use of, -though I learn the priests oppose it as an invasion upon the sacred -writing of the hieroglyphic representations. I have seen here many -rolls of papyrus written in our Phœnician letter, in the vernacular -Koptic words, and executed with taste and beauty." - -"It is not pictorial, and therefore the priests, who are all artists -and lovers of colors, reject it. It will be slowly introduced. Upon -obelisks and tombs the brilliant and varied hieroglyphic writing will -continue, even though the records and rolls may by and by be written -with the Tyrian alphabet. You have seen my Chaldaic letter, which I -have formed partly on the model of your great Kadmus, and partly on -the sacred characters, reducing forms of things to outlines and -strokes of the stylus. This I invented, hoping to introduce it into -Egypt, if the Tyrian letter is opposed by our priests, on the score of -being foreign cabalistic signs; for such do they see fit to regard -them, and speak of them. But, my Sesostris, let me learn of you -something of your mythology." - -I was about to reply, when my attention was attracted to a "procession -of the dead" crossing the river just above us, the body being placed -in a gorgeous car which stood in a richly painted and gilded _baris_, -with a curved prow carved with the head of Osiris. It was tied to a -barge, with twenty rowers, which moved to a slow and solemn strain of -music that came wildly floating across the waters to our ears, mingled -with the wails of mourners who crowded the deck of the galley; chiefly -women with long dishevelled hair and naked breasts, which they beat -frantically at times, with piercing cries. Through a small window in -the ark or car I could see the painted visage upon the head of the -mummy case. - -It soon landed, and we resumed our conversation. - -"You are aware, O prince," I said, turning to him, "that Phœnicia -was settled among the first of the nations, after Typhon sent the -flood of waters to destroy Osiris upon earth. Of course you Egyptians -believe in the universal inundation of the earth?" - -"The tradition is well-founded," he answered. "We believe that mighty -nations existed aforetime, beyond the history of any kingdom, and that -for their evils the Divine Creator of men brought upon them as -punishment a mighty unknown sea, which drowned the world: that Menes, -a great and good king, also called Noe-Menes, was spared by the gods, -he with all his family being saved in a ship of the old world, which -sailed to the mountains of Arabia Deserta, where, guided by a dove, -they landed and sacrificed to the gods. This Menes, descending from -the mountain, founded Egypt, first building This, or Thebis, and then -Memphthis, dividing Egypt into the Thinite and Memphite provinces; and -so from Egypt all the world was repeopled. - -"Such is our tradition, O Remeses," I said, smiling, "only instead of -a mountain in Arabia, it was Libanus, in Syria, to which his galley -was guided, not by a dove, but by a raven; and that his name was -Ammon, or Hammun; and that the first city built was Sidon, and the -next the city of the Island of Tyre." - -Remeses returned my smile and said, "No doubt there was a disposition -in all our forefathers to give the honor of being the oldest nation to -their own. Hammun is also a person in our Egyptian tradition, but is -called the son of Menes; who, rebelling against his father, was driven -from This or Thebis into Africa, where he founded Libya, and erected -to himself, as a god, the ancient temple and worship of Ammon. From -him come the Nubians and Ethiopians." - -"Then I will claim no traditionary alliance with him," I answered -good-humoredly. "_Our_ Ammon was called also Hercules, and the first -temple of the earth was built to him on the rocky isle of ancient -Tyre. Then Belus, the hero and warrior-god, and founder of Babylon, -became the patron of Tyre; and a noble temple was also erected to -Nimrod, who slew the wild beasts that swarmed in ancient Syria, and -who became the protector of shepherds and agriculture. Thus came our -first gods, being men deified; while yours are but attributes, or -created celestial powers, high above men; or animated forms -representing the Deity incarnate and comprehensible to the senses. -Baalbec was a city built to Bel or Belus, who, like your Osiris, is -the symbol of the sun, which, of burnished gold, he displayed upon his -shield in battle. In Phœnicia we call him 'the Lord of the Sun,' -and the 'Sun-God.' We pay him divine honors by sacrifices, libations, -and offerings of incense. And this recalls a discovery I recently made -in On, that the true meaning of Re and of On is not 'the City of the -Sun,' but the 'Lord of the Sun's' city; that is, the city of Osiris, -who is the lord of the sun. This meaning of the name at once removes -from On the impression which was at first made upon my mind, that you, -and the queen, and your whole court, worshipped the sun as the Persic -and Parthian nations do; whereas it is Osiris, the Lord of the Sun, -that is the Supreme god, generator, producer, and creator of the sun -and all things that are. No sooner had I made this discovery, which I -did by conversing with the high-priest of On, than I perceived that -whatsoever grossness may be found in the religion of the lower castes -of the people, who seldom see beyond the symbol, the theology of the -wise and great is free from idolatry." - -"I am glad you justify us in this matter, dear Sesostris," answered -the prince. "We are not idolaters like the Persian and Barbara kings. -Our sacred books teach an intellectual and spiritual theology. But, as -I have before said to you, the Invisible is so veiled from the people, -by the visible forms under which he is offered to them by the -priesthood, that while _we_ adore the God of power and strength in -Apis, _they_ worship the bull himself: while _we_ in the form of -Horus, with his uræus and disk, adore Him who made him a benefactor to -men and a pursuer of evil, _they_ bow down to the hawk-headed statue -of porphyry and worship the sculptured colossus of stone. But I -interrupt you. Proceed, if you please, with the account of the origin -of your country's religion." - -"I have not much more to add of interest," I answered, "save of Adonis -and Astarte." - -"Are not these your Osiris and Isis?" asked the prince readily. - -"I will first explain," said I, not immediately answering his -question, "what we in Phœnicia think of Isis. The priests teach -that the identity of the goddess Io, who is worshipped with rites -unusually imposing at Byblos, is one with Isis." - -"What is your opinion, Sesostris?" - -"There is," I answered, "a close resemblance between the rites which -relate to the death and revival of Adonis at Byblos, and of your -divinity Osiris in Egypt. Indeed the priests at Byblos claim to have -the sepulchre of Osiris among them, and maintain that all the rites -which are commonly referred to Adonis properly relate to Osiris." - -"Then Egypt derives Osiris from Phœnicia?" remarked Remeses, with a -slight movement of the brows, and a smile. - -"Without doubt," I replied. "In Tyre we call Egypt the daughter of -Phœnicia." - -"The daughter has out-grown the mother, dear Sesostris. We are proud -of our parentage. We bow to Phœnicia as the mistress of letters and -queen of the merchants of the earth. But what think the priests of -Baalbec of Osiris and Isis?" - -"It is the tradition of those haughty priests that they are distinct -persons," I replied. "The ceremonies and rites with which they worship -these deities are truly magnificent, and are invested with every form -of the beautiful and gorgeous. Ours, as I have said, in some points -resemble your Egyptian rites in honoring Osiris and Isis; but while -you Egyptians, Remeses, adore only an abstract attribute of the deity, -_we_ adore the hero and the heroic woman--Adonis and Astarte. We rise -not beyond them. We elevate them to the heavens and to the moon, and -call them our gods. Truly, in the presence of the sublimer, purer myth -which is the element of your faith, O Remeses, I feel that I am not -far above the Barbara kings of Southern Africa, who deify each his -predecessor. The priests of Isis, when they were in Phœnicia, -attempted to elevate our worship; but we are still idolaters, that is, -mere men-worshippers. Or, where we do not pay them divine honors, we -offer them to the sun, and moon, and stars. I must be initiated, O -Remeses, into the profounder intellectual mysteries of your spiritual -myth, now that I am in Egypt." - -"You shall have your wish gratified. The high priest of On shall -receive orders to open to you (what is closed to all strangers) the -sacred and mystic rites of our faith." - -"I have alluded to the mysteries of the temple at Tyre," I added. -"Initiated thereinto, I was taught that religion had a higher object -than human heroes, and that in Astarte is worshipped the daughter of -Heaven and Light, who is LIFE, and that Adonis, her son by the Earth, -signifies Truth. Thus, from heaven spring Light, Life, and Truth. -These three, say the mystic books which I studied, constitute the -Trinity of God, who consists and subsists only in this undivided -Trinity as a unit; not Light alone, not Life alone, nor Truth alone; -but One in Three. That these three are not three deities, just as in -geometry the three sides and three angles are not three triangles, but -one triangle. That in order to bring this mystery to a level with the -minds of men, light was symbolized by the sun, life by Astarte, truth -by Adonis. In the temple of Bel-Pheor, in Cœle-Syria, the sun -itself is worshipped as light, life, and truth in one; his rays -representing light, his heat life, his material disk or body truth." - -"This is interesting to me, Sesostris," said Remeses. "It explains to -me what I did not before understand, why the Syrians worship the sun. -To them it is the majestic symbol of the trinity of deity. But I fear -that in Egypt he is worshipped as an idol; for he, doubtless, is -worshipped by many, and in many cities are temples to him. But this -material worship, which separates the symbol from the truth behind it, -was introduced by the Palestinian dynasty, and it is almost the only -trace it has left in Egypt of its presence. The worship of Osiris, -rightly understood, is the worship of the deity, as revealed in our -sacred books. But the mystery of his trinity is unknown to our -theology. Have you many temples of the sun in Tyre?" - -"One only," was my answer, "but worthy, if I may so say, from its -splendor, to stand in your city of 'the Lord of the Sun,' as I must -call it." - -"Is there not a city of your kingdom called Baal-phegor, in which is a -famous sun-temple?" - -"You mean Baalbec, the same words, only changed slightly. This city -deserves its great fame, so grand are its fanes, so noble its palaces, -so imposing the worship of the sun before its altars, so gorgeous the -interiors of its temples, so rich the apparel of its priests, so -sublime its choral worship. It is in Syrio-Euphrates, and is so shaded -by palms that it has the aspect, in approaching it across the desert, -of being an oasis filled with temples." - -"Is not Phœnicia a lovely land, Sesostris?" he asked, at the same -time returning the salutation of the admiral, Pathromenes, who passed -in his war-galley, on his way to join the Prince Mœris, whose fleet -sails to-morrow on its expedition. I was glad, also, to behold again -my courteous friend of the Pelusian coast, and cordially received and -answered his polite and pleased recognition of my person. - -"It is indeed a lovely land, with its verdant plains, majestic -mountains clothed with cedar, and beautiful but narrow rivers. It is -covered with fair cities from the peninsula of Tyre to the further -limits of Cœle-Syria, and is a rich and lovely kingdom, populous -and happy. Its two great cities, Tyre and Sidon, are called the eyes -of the world." - -"I have so heard," he answered, "and when this Ethiopian war ends, and -I find time to be absent, I hope to cross the sea to your kingdom and -see 'the mother of Egypt,' as she also calls herself; 'the merchant of -the seas,' whose galleys have discovered in unknown oceans, beyond the -Pillars of the West, the isles of the blessed." - -"So report our bold and venturous mariners," I answered. - -"We who stay at home, know not, Sesostris, what marvels lie beyond the -seas at the extremity of the plane of the earth's vast area. It is -possible that islands and lands of wonderful beauty may exist where -the sun wheels over the West to return to his rising in the Orient; -and if we credit mariners who follow the shores of the Arabian and -Indian seas, there are fair shores from whence come off to them -breezes laden with fragrance of unknown flowers, while birds of rare -melody fill the air with their songs by day; but at night the odorant -forests echo with the dread roar of fierce monsters, that guard the -shores from the invasion of man!" - -"I have sailed along those shores, if I may be so bold as to speak in -such a presence, my lord prince," interrupted the captain of the -galley, who had stood by listening to our discourse. - -"Say on, Rathos," answered the prince courteously. "What have you to -tell of marvels on foreign seas?" - -"The lands at the earth's end, your excellency, are not like ours of -Egypt. I have seen isles where the men are like larger monkeys, and -have a language no one understands, and build their houses in the -trees. Evil demons I doubt not, or else souls sent back to earth from -Amenthe, by Osiris, to atone for crimes in monstrous forms, neither -human nor beast!" - -"I have heard of these creatures," said I. "How far hast thou sailed, -O Rathos?" - -"To the very edge of the world, my lord of Tyre," he answered quietly. -"I was in a ship going to Farther Ind. In sailing round the end of the -earth we lost the shore in a dark storm; and when day came we saw only -sky and water. All were in consternation to be thus between heaven and -sea, and no land to guide our course. To add to our terror, I -perceived that we were borne swiftly upon an ocean-current eastward. -It increased in velocity, and I soon saw that we must be approaching -the verge of the vast and horrid gulf, over which the full ocean -plunges, a thousand leagues in breadth, prone into chaos and the -regions of the lost spirits of the unburied souls of men! But by the -interposition of the god of winds, to whom I vowed a libation and a -bale of the richest spices of Bengal, a great storm swept over the sea -against us, and before it we fled as with wings, until we came to a -great island, under the shelter of which we anchored, rejoicing in our -safety." - -"Verily, brave Rathos, thou wert in a great peril," I said. "Thinkest -thou it was at the world's end?" - -"So said the king of the island, and he congratulated us on our -escape; saying that few ships, when once upon that downward tide, ever -returned again to the top of the earth." - -"Thinkest thou the earth is square, Rathos, from what voyages thou -hast made?" I asked of the gray-haired captain, whose silvery locks -were braided around his head, and covered by a green embroidered -bonnet, with a fringed cape falling to his neck. - -"Or a triangle, my lord prince; but some say four square, with a -burning mountain at each angle." - -"Which is thine own opinion, Rathos?" asked the prince, who had been -listening to our conversation. - -"That it is irregular and jagged, my lord of Egypt, in shape not -unlike this fair Isle of Rhoda, at which we are about to land." - -"And what thinkest thou, Rathos, is its foundation?" continued the -prince. - -"The Indian wise men say it is held up on the back of a huge tortoise; -and our priests of Egypt that it floats in a vast ocean; while in -Jaffa they teach that it floats on a boundless sea of fire. I know -not, my lord prince. I leave knowledge of such wisdom to the great -philosophers; and for my part am content to live upon our fair earth -as long as the gods will, be it fire, or tortoise, or even though it -stand on nothing, as the people in Persia hold that it does. But we -are at the terrace-steps, my lord of Memphis!" - -Here he bowed low, holding his hand to his heart, and left us to -superintend the landing of the galley, at the porphyry staircase of -the propylæum of the palace. - -"Sesostris," said the prince to me, "has the idea occurred to you that -this world may be a globe, suspended in subtle ether, and in diurnal -revolution around the _fixed_ sun?" - -"Never, Remeses!" I cried, with a look of amazement at this bold and -original thought. "It is impossible it should be so!" - -"Nothing is impossible with the Author of creation!" said Remeses, -with great solemnity. And, then, after an instant's pause, he added -pleasantly--"On what does the sea of fire or the tortoise rest, my -dear prince? Which theory is the most difficult to receive? But I have -given astrology considerable attention, and if you will examine with -me some observations and calculations that I have made, I think you -will be with me in my novel opinion, that this earth _may prove_ to be -a sphere and in orbitual motion, with its seven planets, about the -sun; its annual progress in its circuit giving us seasons, its diurnal -motion night and day! But I see you stand perplexed and amazed. By and -by you shall be initiated into the mysteries of my studies. Let us -land!" - -Farewell, dear mother. The great length of this letter renders it -necessary that I should close it abruptly, but believe me ever - - Your dutiful son, - SESOSTRIS - - - - -LETTER XI. - - -PALACE OF RHODA, ON THE NILE. - -MY BELOVED MOTHER: - -In my last letter I narrated a conversation between Prince Remeses and -myself, upon the myths of Egypt and Phœnicia, and other subjects, -while being borne in his galley from the Memphis bank of the river -down to the Island of Rhoda. I have already described this beautiful -isle, and spoken of it as the favorite residence of the queen. It is -situated nearly midway between her two chief cities, On and Memphis, -both of which--one on the west and the other on the east--are in sight -from the top of the central pylon of her palace, that divides the -"court of fountains and statues" from her gardens. - -Also from this point the queen commands, at one view, the noble -spectacle of her navy anchored in the river, and her armies encamped, -the one on the plain of Memphis, and the other upon that of Raamses. - -I wrote you a letter day before yesterday, my dear mother, after my -return from a very interesting visit to the plain of Memphis, whither -the prince went in his state barge to review the 80,000 soldiers -encamped there. I will devote this letter to an account of a second -visit, and a description of the scenes I witnessed, and a narration of -the events which transpired. - -Early this morning, when the queen and Remeses and I were about to be -seated at our repast; and, as the pious custom of the Egyptians of all -ranks is, Remeses having just asked the blessing of the gods before -partaking, lo! Prince Mœris, lord of the Thebaïd, came in -unannounced, accompanied by his favorite lion, which always follows -his steps or stalks by his side, and said, with bluntness unsuited to -the presence-- - -"Your majesty, I have come to say to you that I am ready to weigh -anchor and commence my voyage to the Cataracts! I await your orders -and pleasure!" - -Thus speaking, he stood with his head-admiral and half a dozen of his -chief officers behind him in the entrance, his sword at his side, and -his gold helm with its nodding plumes towering proudly. His whole -appearance was singularly splendid and martial, and he seemed to be -conscious of the effect the striking elegance and brilliancy of his -costume produced upon me; for, though brave as Osirtasen the -Conqueror, he is as vain as ever was the fair Princess Nitocris. - -Queen Amense, who enjoined the strictest etiquette in her court, -frowned at this discourteous intrusion; for the nobles of Lower Egypt -are remarkable by the grace and refinement of their manners, and the -court of the Pharaohs has for ages been distinguished for the high -tone of its polite observances. From portico to saloon, from saloon to -ante-room, from ante-room to reception-room, and so onward to the -deepest recesses of the palace or house, the guest is ushered by -successive pages, until the chief steward or grand-chamberlain admits -him into the presence of the lord of the mansion, who already, by a -swift page, has been informed of the advance of the visitor. In no -case are these formalities dispensed with by persons of high breeding. -Breaking through all such ancient and social ceremonies, the rude -Theban viceroy came before her as I have described. The brow of -Remeses darkened, but he preserved silence. - -"I am glad, prince, that you have been so diligent," said Amense, -coldly. "When will you depart?" - -"Within the hour, my royal aunt. If Remeses, my warlike cousin, wishes -to co-operate with me at Thebes, he will not long delay marching his -army forward. I hear, by a swift galley just arrived, that the fierce -Ethiopian king, Occhoris, with half his mighty host, has already dared -to enter the Thinite province, and menaces Thebes!" - -"There is no time for delay, then," cried Remeses, rising from the -table, leaving the grapes, figs, and wheaten rolls untouched. -"Farewell, my mother!" he said, embracing her. "In a few weeks I shall -return to you with tidings that the scourge of your kingdom has -perished with his armies!" - -I will not describe the tenderness of the parting between the queen -and Remeses, whom she would have held, refusing to release him, if he -had not gently disengaged himself, taken up his sword and helmet, and -hastened from the apartment. Prince Mœris, with a haughty bow to -the queen, for whom he seems to entertain bitter dislike, had already -taken his departure with his captains at his heels. I followed -Remeses, and together we crossed to the shore on the side of On, and -there meeting chariots, we were in a short time in the midst of the -war-camp of his chariot legions. They were encamped several stadia -south of On, on the plain beyond Raamses. Here, in the little Temple -of Horus, on the terrace of which we held our conversation about the -Hebrews as we paced its long pavement (and which I have already -repeated to you), the prince with his chief captains offered libations -and burned incense, invoking the favor and aid of Heaven on the -expedition. He then gave his orders to his generals of division, -chiefs of legions, and captains; and the whole host, forming in column -of march, moved forward towards the south, with trumpets sounding and -the rumbling thunder of thousands of wheels of iron. Seeing that they -were all in motion--each battalion under its own head-captain--the -prince took boat to cross the Nile to the plain of Memphis, in order -to put in motion the army of horse and foot there encamped. On our way -over, we saw the van of the fleet of the Prince of Thebes coming up -the broad river in stately style, fifty abreast, propelled by -innumerable oars. It was a brave and battle-like front, and what with -pennons flying, spears and shields gleaming from their poop-decks and -mast-towers, and the brazen or gilt insignia of hawks', eagles', -lions', or ibis' heads rising upon a thousand topmasts, and all -catching the sunbeams, the spectacle was singularly impressive. - -"There comes a prince, my Sesostris," said Remeses to me, as he -surveyed the advancing front of war, "who, if I should fall in this -Ethiopian expedition, will be Pharaoh of Egypt when my mother dies." - -"The gods forbid!" I exclaimed with warmth. - -"He is the next of blood. It is true, my mother could, by will, -alienate her crown and confer her sceptre upon any one she chose to -adopt. Indeed, I now remember that, by our laws, it would be necessary -for her publicly and ceremoniously adopt him as her son before he -could reign--since a nephew, by the ancient Memphitic law regulating -succession, cannot inherit. Mœris would, therefore, have to be -adopted." - -"Then he would never reign," I said. - -Remeses remained silent a moment. Resuming, he said, with a tone of -indignant emotion-- - -"Sesostris, my mother fears that evil young prince. He possesses over -her an inexplicable power. To this influence he owes his elevation, -from being a mere governor of Saïs, to the viceroyalty of Upper Egypt. -He would not fail, should I fall, to exert his mysterious power over -her mind, and his ambition would prompt him to aim at even the throne -of all Egypt. But let us mount!" he added, as we touched the shore. - -A score of horsemen, armed with long spears, were in waiting. Remeses -and I mounted horses already provided; and, at a wave of his hand, the -whole party dashed off along the avenue of the aqueduct, a magnificent -thoroughfare, two miles in length, bordered by palm-trees, with, at -intervals, a monolith statue of red Syenite granite, or an obelisk, -casting its needle-like shadow across the wide, paved road. At the end -of this avenue, which leads straight from the river to the pyramids, -we turned south, and before us beheld, spread out as far as the eye -could reach, the tented field of the vast Egyptian host, cavalry and -footmen of all arms, languages, and costumes, belonging to the nations -tributary to Egypt. I had visited this vast camp the preceding day. It -covered a league of ground, presenting a sea of tents, banners, -plumes, spears, and shining helms. As we came in sight, a trumpeter -sounded a few loud notes to proclaim the presence of the -prince-general. We dashed up to the central pavilion, on the summit of -which the winged sun of burnished gold showed that the army was to -march under the particular guardianship of the god. From the summit of -the staff of other handsome tents, the emblems of generals and chiefs -of battalions were displayed in the form of silver hawks' heads, the -brazen head of a lion or wolf, or the heads of the ibis, crocodile, -and vulture. Each phalanx thus marched under and knew its peculiar -emblem, following its lead in the column of advance on the march, and -rallying around it in the midst of battle. - -Prince Remeses was in a few moments surrounded by his generals and -chief warriors, to whom he made known the advance of the Ethiopian -king, Occhoris, upon Thebes,--intelligence of which he and the queen -had received by a mounted messenger, while Prince Mœris, who had -come to announce it also, was in her apartment. In a few words he made -known his orders to each general in succession, who, making a low -military obeisance, by bowing the head and turning the sword-point to -the earth, instantly departed to their divisions. The general-in-chief -in immediate command he retained by his side, with his gorgeous staff -of officers. In a few minutes all was life and movement throughout the -tented field. In four hours the whole army--their tents struck and -conveyed to barges, together with all other military impediments not -necessary for the soldiers on their march--was formed into a hollow -square on the plain, twenty thousand men on each side facing inward to -a temple of their war-god, Ranpo-re, which stood on the plain. This -was a small but beautiful temple, or marble pavilion, in the form of a -peristyle, with brazen columns, dedicated to the Egyptian Mars. It was -erected in this martial plain by Amunophis I., for the purpose of -sacrifices and oblations, and of offering libations and incense for -armies assembled about it before marching on warlike expeditions. The -circle of columns was cast from the shields and weapons which he had -taken in his Arabian and Asiatic wars. - -The chief priest of Mars, who is a prince in rank, and allied to the -throne, attended by more than one hundred inferior priests, advanced -from the inner shrine upon a marble terrace, in the centre of which -stood the iron-columned pavilion that inclosed the shrine of the god. -He was attired in a grand and imposing costume, having a tiara, -adorned by a winged sun sparkling with jewels, and the sacred uræus, -encircling his brows. He wore a flowing robe of the whitest linen, -descending to his feet. A loose upper cape of crimson, embroidered -with gold, and having flowing sleeves, was put on over the robe. Still -above this was a breastplate of precious stones, in the form of a -corselet, while the tiara partook also of the martial form, being -shaped like a helmet, with the sacred asp of gold projecting in front -as a visor. Above all this, hanging from his left shoulder, was a -splendid leopard's skin, heavy with a border of closely woven rings of -gold. As he advanced, he extended in his right hand a short sword, the -hilt of which was a crux, or the sacred cross-shaped Tau, surmounted -by a ball, the whole being an emblem of life; while in his helmet -towered, as symbols of truth and order, two ostrich feathers--the -evenness and symmetry with which the feathery filaments grow on each -side of their stem having suggested to the Egyptians the adoption of -this emblem; for order and truth, according to Egyptian philosophy, -are the foundation and preservation of the universe. - -Having reached the front of the lofty terrace, upon which was an altar -of brass, he raised his left arm by throwing back the superb -leopard-skin mantle; and, elevating his commanding form to its full -grandeur, he turned slowly round, pointing heavenward with his left -hand, and holding his sword, as it were, over the army as he turned, -until with it he had swept the circle of the horizon. This was an -invocation to all the gods for a blessing upon the assembled hosts. -During the act, every general bowed his head as if to receive it, -every soldier lowered his weapon, and at its conclusion, all the music -bands in the army before him simultaneously burst into an overwhelming -sound--drums, trumpets, cornets, cymbals, filling the air with their -mingled roll! Silence deep as night then succeeded; and the -high-priest, facing the shrine, stood while a company of priests -rolled out from the door of the temple the statue of the god, clad in -full armor of steel, inlaid with gold, a jewelled helmet upon his -head, and a spear in his right hand. It was of gigantic size, and -standing in an attitude of battle, upon a lofty chariot of burnished -brass, with wheels of iron. It was an imposing and splendid figure, -and a just image of war. The priests, who wheeled the car out of the -temple, having drawn it once all around the terrace, so that the whole -army could behold the mailed and helmeted god (whose presence they -hailed by striking their swords upon their shields, or swords against -swords), stopped in front of the prince-priest. He then prostrated -himself before it, the profoundest silence and awe prevailing during -the few moments he remained upon his face at the feet of the deity. - -When he rose and turned to the west, the Prince Remeses and all his -captains advanced to the steps of the pyramidal base on which the -temple was elevated. Each captain was followed by a Nubian slave, -bearing in a sacred vase the offering of his own phalanx of soldiers. -Remeses bore in his hand a costly necklace, dazzling with precious -stones, the offering of his mother. The generals and captains came -with flowers, chains of gold the lotus-leaf made of ivory, and -sparkling with jewels scattered upon it in imitation of dewdrops. Some -bore swords, and spears, and plumes. - -Remeses, at the head of his officers, ascended the steps and presented -to the priest his mother's offering, which he placed over the head of -the god. He then laid a sword, brought for the purpose, at the feet of -the statue; but, as he afterwards explained to me, and as I -understood, not as an offering to a mythical Mars, but to the Infinite -God of armies, whom the statue symbolized; yet I could see that the -greater part of his officers paid their homage and made their -offerings to the mere material statue. Such is the twofold idea -attached, either by one or another class of devotees, dear mother, to -all worship in Egypt. They do one thing and mean another; of course I -speak of the priests, princes, and philosophers. As for the people, -they mean what they do when they offer a libation or an invocation to -a statue. - -When the chief captains had presented their offerings, and the -high-priest had either decorated the god with them, or laid them upon -the altar of brass, then came the Nubian slaves, laden with the gifts -of the soldiers. There were sixty of these offering-bearers, and in -procession they ascended the terrace, each with a painted earthen vase -upon his shoulder. One after another they deposited them around the -over-burdened altar and descended to the plain, not daring to lift -their eyes to the god, so near to whose presence they came. It was my -privilege to stand always by the side of Remeses, who desired me to -witness the scene. - -The vases contained every imaginable article that, at the moment, a -common soldier might have about his person. There were rings of -silver, of copper, of wood, of glass; dried figs, tamarinds, dates, -and raisins; garlics, leeks, onions, bits of inscribed papyrus, -palm-leaves, flowers innumerable, scarabæi of burnt clay, pebbles, and -metal; seeds of the melon and radish, and incense-gum; little clay -images of Mars, of various weapons, and of Osiris. There were also -myrrh, resin, and small pots of ointment; pieces of iron, fragments of -weapons, locks of hair, shreds of linen, and bits of ostrich feathers; -beans, sandal-clasps, charms, amulets, and even tiny bottles of wine. -Indeed, to enumerate what met my eyes in the vases, which the common -soldiers in their piety voted to the god, praying for a successful -campaign, would fill the page on which I write, and give you the name -of nearly every thing to be found in Egypt. - -When all these offerings had been received by the high-priest, and -while the prince and his officers stood some paces to one side, he -stood before the altar: and one article from each vase being brought -to him, he laid it upon the altar, and then, in a solemn manner, -invoked the god, asking him to accept the offerings of this great -army, and of its prince and captains, and to grant them victories over -their foes, and a return to their queen crowned with conquest and -glory. - -In his prayer I could see that he elevated his noble countenance to -the heavens, as if, in his mind, mentally overlooking the inanimate -statue before him, and directing his thoughts to the Invisible and -Supreme Dweller in the secret places of His universe beyond the sun! -Remeses stood in a devotional attitude, but with his thoughtful brow -bent to the ground. I could perceive, now that we had conversed so -much together upon these divine things, that he was worshipping, in -the depths of his heart, the God of gods, wherever that Dread and -Mighty Power is enthroned on the height of His universe, or the wings -of the imagination can go out to Him and find Him. - -The great invocatory prayer ended, the high-priest received from -Remeses a votive crystal box of the fragrant Ameracine ointment--a -gift so costly and precious that only the princes and the priests are -permitted to possess it--and broke it upon the breast of the god, -anointing him in the name of the people of Egypt. The odor filled all -the air. A priest then handed to him a golden cup richly chased with -sacred symbols, and another, filling it from a vase of wine, the -offering of the chief Archencherses, who is next in military rank to -Remeses, he elevated it a moment, and poured it out at the feet of the -god as a libation for the hosts. Some other interesting ceremonies -followed, such as consecrating and presenting a sword to the prince, -and the touching of the altar by all the chiefs with the points of -their weapons as they passed it in descending to the field, the -high-priest sprinkling each one of them with sacred water from the -Nile. The last act of sacrifice--for, though bloodless, the Egyptians -term the whole rite a sacrifice to the god--was by Remeses. The -high-priest placed in his hands a censer--for the prince, by virtue of -his rank, is a royal priest; and Remeses, accepting it with reverence, -cast upon the live coals of palm-wood a quantity of incense. Then -approaching the altar, he waved it before it until clouds of smoke -rose into the air and enveloped his head. - -At this moment, the most sacred one of the whole scene, there appeared -advancing from the pavilion-temple a beautiful maiden, the daughter of -the high-priest. She was arrayed in a pure white robe, which floated -about her in the wind like a cloud. Over her shoulders was thrown a -crimson scarf, on which was embroidered the cartouch of the god. Her -rich, flowing hair was bound about her stately brow by a crown of -flowers, above which rose a silver helm with a crest of emeralds -and sapphires, in imitation of the feathery coronet of the -bird-of-paradise. Her face was wonderfully beautiful, her dark eyes -beamed with love and joy, and her form was the impersonation of grace. - -As she advanced, the priests on either side drew back with their hands -crossed upon their foreheads, and their heads bent lowly before her -presence. Coming forward between the two rows of officials, she shook -in the air above her head a small temple bell called the _sistrum_, -which emitted the sweetest and clearest melody. This little musical -instrument is sacred to the services of the temples, and the sound of -it is the signal for the beginning or ending of every rite. That which -was now borne by the high-priest's daughter consisted of a cylindrical -handle of pearl, surmounted by a double-faced head of ivory, one side -being that of Isis, the other of Nephthys. From this twofold head rose -a silver almond-shaped bow about five inches high, inlaid with gold -and precious stones. In this bended loop of metal were inserted four -metallic bars in the shape of asps, upon the body of which were -loosely strung several silver rings, As the maiden held this beautiful -instrument in the air, and shook it, the rings, moving to and fro upon -the bars, produced the clear bell-like sounds I have mentioned. In -ancient times so great was the privilege of holding the sacred sistrum -in the temple, it was given to the queens; and on great occasions -Amense has performed this high office. On an obelisk, now old, the -daughter of Cheops is represented holding the sistrum while the king -is sacrificing to Thoth. Though I have said little about the Egyptian -females, as in truth I have seen but little of them, yet I ought not -to omit to tell you that some of the most sacred offices are intrusted -to distinguished women, in the services of temples. I have seen not -only priests' daughters, but ladies of rank and eminent beauty, -holding these places; and in On there is a band of noble young ladies -having the distinguished title of "Virgins of the Sun," who devote -their lives until they are thirty years of age, to certain principal -services of the temples of Osiris and Isis. Indeed, my dear mother, in -Egypt woman is singularly free, and regarded as man's companion and -equal. She is respected and honored, both as wife and mother, and her -social relations are of the most unrestrained and agreeable kind. In -all houses, she is prepared gracefully to do honor to her lord's -guests; and while she is devoted to domestic duties, prides herself -upon her skill and taste at home; abroad, at banquets and evening -festivals, which are frequent, and where there is music and dancing, -she shines with all the charms she can borrow from splendor of attire, -or derive from inherent loveliness of person; while a profusion of -jewels upon her hands and neck reveal her wealth and rank. - -When the prince saw her advancing, he approached the statue with his -censer, and waving it once in the sight of the army, hung it upon the -spear of the god. The sistrum sounded as the incense rose, and every -man of that vast host bent his knee for a moment! Then the high-priest -commenced a verse of a loud chant in a sonorous voice. The one hundred -priests marching, in procession around the god, answered antiphonally -with one voice in a part; and, the whole army catching up the hymn, -the very pyramids seemed to tremble at the thunder of eighty thousand -deep voices of men rolling along the air. Then Remeses chanted a few -stirring words of this national and sacred war-hymn, the high-priest -answered, the maiden's clear voice rose in a melodious solo, the -hundred priests caught up the ravishing strain as it melted from her -lips in the skies, and again the great army uttered its voice! My -heart was oppressed by the sublimity. Tears of emotion filled my eyes. -I never was more deeply impressed with the majesty of the human voice, -united in a vast multitude, uttered as the voice of one man. The -combined voice of the human race--if such a thing could be--must be -like the voice of God when He speaks! - -The invocation and sacrifice were over. Remeses embraced the priest, -and receiving his blessing, in a few minutes every chief captain had -joined his battalion, and at the cry of trumpets and cornets, sounded -all over the plain, and echoed back from Cheops, the whole host formed -in columns of march. Remeses, I being in his company, galloped forward -and took a position on an elevation, from which he reviewed the whole -army as it tramped by. The fleet was in parallel motion at the same -time, and I saw the splendid galley of the Prince Mœris, with its -colored silken sails, and golden beak, gallantly ascending the river. -He stood upon the poop; a tame lion crouched by his side, on the tawny -shoulders of which he rested one foot as he gazed at us. The division -of cavalry was the last in moving, and trotted past us in splendid -array. This arm of the service is not large, nor much relied on in -Egypt. The chariots of iron, to the hubs of which terrible scythes are -sometimes fastened on the eve of battle, and the bowmen and spearmen, -have always been the main dependence of the kings in their wars. - -Ethiopia, against which this great army is moving by water and land, -is in a state of civilization and political power not greatly inferior -to Egypt. It has vast cities, noble temples, extensive cultivated -regions, adorned with palaces and villas; it has a gorgeous but -semi-barbaric court, a well-disciplined army, and skilful generals. It -is a race allied by blood and lineage to that of Egypt, and is not to -be confounded with Nubia and the pure Africanic kingdoms. In religion -it is idolatrous, and hostile to the worship of Egypt. A supposed -title, by a former conquest, to the crown of Thebes, has made Ethiopia -for three centuries the hereditary foe of Egypt. - -The Egyptian army is divided into sections, formed and distinguished -according to the arms they bear. They consist, like ours, of bowmen, -spearmen, swordsmen, macemen, slingers, and other corps. There are -captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, fifties, and tens. When -in battle-array, the heavy foot-soldiers, or infantry armed with -spears, and a falchion, or other similar weapon, are drawn up in the -form of an impenetrable phalanx; and once this massive wall of ten -thousand men formed, it is fixed and unchangeable; and such is its -strength, one hundred men on each front, and one hundred deep, no -efforts of any of the enemies of Egypt have been able to break it. -Presenting a wall of huge shields lapping and interlocked, resting on -the ground, and reaching to their heads, the missiles of the foe -rattle against it as against the steel-sheathed side of one of their -battle-ships. The bowmen, slingers, javelin-men, and lighter troops -act in line, or dispose themselves according to the nature of the -ground, or the exigency of the moment. There is a corps armed with -battle-axes and pole-axes, having bronze blades ornamented with heads -of animals. These wear quilted helmets, without crests, which -effectually protect the head. The chariot battalions are drawn up to -charge and rout the enemy's line, and the cavalry follow to slay the -resisting, and pursue the flying. Each battalion has its particular -standard, which represents a sacred subject--either a king's name on -his cartouch or painted shield, a sacred baris, a hawk, or a feather. -The chief standard-bearer is a man of approved valor, and an officer -of the greatest dignity, and stands next to the chief in rank. He is -distinguished by a gold necklace collar, on which are represented two -lions and an eagle--emblems of courage. The troops are summoned to all -movements by the sound of the trumpet and the long drum, with other -instruments. - -The offensive weapons of the army are the bow, spear, javelin, sling, -a short, straight sword, a dagger, broad knife, falchion, battle-axe, -spear-axe, iron-headed mace, and a curved club adopted from the -Ethiopians. Their defensive arms consist of the helmet, either of -iron, bronze, brass, silver, or plaited gold, according to the rank of -the wearer; usually without a crest, and extending to the shoulders, -in a collar or hood of chain-mail, protecting the neck; they wear also -a cuirass of metal plates, or quilted with bands of polished iron, and -an ample shield, of various forms, but usually that of a funeral -tablet, or a long and narrow horseshoe. This piece of armor is the -chief defence. It is a frame covered with bull's or lion's hide, bound -with a rim of metal, and studded with iron pins. The archers wear no -bucklers, but corselets of scale-armor. - -I will now end this long letter, my dear mother, and my description of -Egyptian armies, by naming the nations of which it was made up. As I -sat upon my horse by the side of the prince, surveying the marching -columns as they moved southward, I distinguished the tall, -Asiatic-looking Sharetanian by his helmet ornamented with bull's -horns, and a red ball for a crest, his round shield, and large -ear-rings--a fierce race, once the foes but now the allies of Egypt; -the bearded Tokkari from beyond the horns of the Arabian Sea, armed -with a pointed knife, and short, straight sword, with arched noses and -eagle eyes,--also once enemies of the queen, but now added to her -armies; an unknown people, with tall caps, short kilt and knife-girdle -of lion's hide, an amulet of agate on the neck of every -man--strangers, with wild, restless eyes, and fierce looks; the -swarthy Rebos, with his naked breast and shoulders, and long -two-headed javelin; the Pouonti, with faces painted with vermilion, -and cross-bows with iron-headed arrows, archers that never miss their -mark. There marched by, also, the relentless Shari, who neither ask -nor give quarter to their enemies, their masses of black hair bound up -in fillets of leather, and skull-caps of bull's hide on their heads, -whose weapons are clubs and short daggers. Other bands, differing in -costume and appearance, continued to pass, until it seemed that the -queen's army had in it representatives of all nations tributary to -Egypt. - -Continuing with Remeses a day's march, I then parted from him to -return to the palace, promising, as soon as I had seen Lower Egypt, I -would ascend the Nile and meet him at Thebes. - -Farewell, dearest mother; may the gods of our country preserve you in -health. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XII. - - -PALACE OF THE PHARAOHS, MEMPHIS - -MY HONORED AND VERY DEAR MOTHER: - -In my last letter I was particular in describing to you the armies of -Egypt, as I have not forgotten the interest you take in the discipline -of your own, nor that once you led in your chariot a battle-charge -when your kingdom was invaded by the king of the Elamites. In Egypt, -which is truly a warlike country, one cannot but be inspired by the -military spirit. Not only is she the school to all the world of -astronomy, sculpture, physic, astrology, and magic, but also of arms. - -In the army, recently departed for Ethiopia, I saw many young lords -and princes and heroes, strangers, who accompany the expedition to -learn the art of war. The Egyptians are eminent in planning and -executing sieges, and few fortified towns can resist their -war-engines. - -From my description in the last letter, you would suppose that Egypt -is now emptied of its soldiers. On the contrary, there is a garrison -in every city, and a fortress filled with troops in every one of the -thirty or more nomes. Besides, there are all over the country, where -the Hebrews are congregated, lesser detachments, who keep vigilant -guard over this toiling nation in bondage. The queen is also at war -with a prince of Arabia Deserta, and an army of twelve thousand men, -four hundred chariots, and a thousand horsemen, have recently marched -against him. Egypt is powerful enough to combat the combined world. -Her forces are not less than four hundred thousand trained warriors of -all arms, besides sixteen thousand chariots of iron. Power, thrift, -activity, and energy characterize Egypt. The wise, courageous, firm -rule of the queen has contributed to this. What she has brought to -such glory and perfection, Remeses, when he comes to the throne, will -preserve and perpetuate. - -The mention of my noble friend reminds me that he is no longer near -me. The army has been in motion southward eight days, and he has -written to the queen, and also to me, speaking of the prosperity -attending their advance. The fleet had not kept up with the army of -foot, while the chariot legion on the east bank has gone far in -advance and encamped. Every day, incense is burned, and intervention -made in all the temples, for the success of the expedition. - -In the mean while, my dear mother, I will devote my letters to daily -scenes around me. - -The queen's health is now firmly established, and she extends to me -the kindness and, I may say, affection, which she would to a son; but -I am conscious that I am so honored as the friend of her absent son, -who, at parting from me a stadium above Memphis, said: - -"My Sesostris, be near my mother, and in the pleasure of your society, -let her regrets at my absence find compensation. When you have seen -all of Lower Egypt, come to the Thebaïd, and go with me and my army -into Ethiopia." - -I promised that I would follow him by and by; but now I am engaged in -seeing the wonders of Memphis, and those marvels of ages--those -"temples of the gods"--the mighty pyramids. I will soon devote a -letter to an account of my first visit to Memphis and the pyramids. It -was made a day or two after we came to reside in the palace at Rhoda. -Remeses, though hourly occupied, had kindly promised he would -accompany me to the city of Apis, and there place me in charge of a -son of the priest of the temple. I arose the following morning a few -minutes before sunrise, in order to be prepared to go early. My window -looked forth upon On, a league and a half distant, with its grand -avenue of columns, sphinxes, obelisks, and towering propyla clasping -it to the shining river. The splendor of that morning, my dear mother, -I shall never cease to remember. The atmosphere of Egypt is so -crystalline, that light lends to it a peculiar glow. As I looked -eastward, the skies had the appearance of sapphire blended with dust -of gold; and from the as yet invisible sun, a gorgeous fan of radiant -beams, of a pale orange-color, spread itself over the sky to the -zenith. Not a cloud was visible; nor, indeed, have I seen one since I -have been in Egypt. This magnificent glory of the Orient steadily grew -more and more wonderful for beauty and richness of colored light, -when, all at once, the disk of the bright god of day himself -majestically rolled up into sight, filling heaven and earth with his -dazzling and overpowering light, while the golden shield on the temple -of the sun caught and reflected his rays with almost undiminished -brilliancy. - -As I regarded with delight this sublime sunrise, there came borne to -my ears, from the direction of the temple of Osiris, in Memphis, the -sound of music. Walking round the terrace to that side, I heard the -voices of a thousand priests chanting the morning hymn to the god of -light, the dazzling "Eye of Osiris." Then I recollected that this was -the day of the celebration of the revival or resurrection of Osiris, -one of the most important days in the sacred calendar. The whole city -seemed to be in motion, and boats garlanded with flowers, and filled -with gayly attired people, were crossing to the city and temple at -every point. Music from a hundred instruments filled the air, which -seemed to vibrate with joy and delight. The city of Apis had on its -gala apparel, and all the world was abroad to welcome the sun-rising -and join in the processions. - -Remeses joined me while I was watching the scene, and listening to the -grand waves of harmony as they rolled away from the temple and sounded -along the air in majestic volumes of sound. - -"I see you are interested, my Sesostris, in this enlivening scene. It -is a day of rejoicing to the worshippers of Osiris." - -"It seems, my dear prince," I replied, "as if every day I have passed -in Egypt has been a festival to some of its deities." - -"Our year is more than two thirds of it consecrated to the gods; that -is, supposing a day given to each, the most of the year is religious. -We are a people given to piety, so far as we understand. All our works -are consecrated by prayer or sacrifice; and whether we go to war, or -engage in merchandise, build a palace or a tomb, prayer and oblation -precede all. Are you ready to go to the city and pyramids as soon as -we break our fast? My mother has invited us to breakfast with her." - -I expressed my readiness, and we left to seek the presence of the -queen. As we entered, she was superintending a piece of embroidery of -the richest colors, which three maidens were at work upon at one end -of the apartment. They remained a few minutes after our entrance, -glancing at us timidly, yet curiously and archly. When their royal -mistress had received us, she made a slight gesture with her hand, and -the dark-eyed girls, disappearing behind a screen, left the apartment. -I had time to see that they were very young, of an olive, brunette -complexion, with braided and tastefully arranged dark-brown hair, -their slender persons habited in neat vestures of mingled colors, -fitting the form, but open in front, displaying a soft, fine linen -robe, with loose, fringed sleeves. They had ear-rings, and numerous -finger-rings, and gilt, red, gazelle-leather sandals, laced with gay -ribbons across the small, naked foot. These, as the queen informed me, -belonged to families of officers of the palace. One of them, the -tallest, and who was most striking in her appearance, had eyes of -wonderful beauty, the effect of the expression of which was deepened -by painting the lids with a delicate shade of cohol. She was the -daughter of the royal scribe, Venephis, and her own name is Venephe; -and here, my dear mother, since you asked me in your last letter why I -am so silent upon the subject of Egyptian ladies, I will devote a -little space to them. But you know that my heart so wholly belongs to -the lovely Princess Thamonda, the daughter of the Prince of Chaldea, -that it is entirely insensible to any impressions which the high-born -Egyptian maids might otherwise make upon it. I will, however, learn -more of them by seeking their society, my dear mother, and -henceforward will give them all the attention they merit in my -letters. - -I have seen many ladies of great elegance and ease of manner. The -court of Egypt is composed of an immense number of nobles and high -officers, whose palaces crowd the cities of On and Memphis, and whose -tasteful, garden-environed villas extend far beyond their limits. Some -of these nobles have the title of princes, when they govern one of the -thirty-six _nomes_, or command armies. They are opulent, fond of -display in apparel and architecture, great lovers of flowers and -paintings, and their dwellings are profusely decorated with the one -and adorned with the other. These men of rank are educated, polished -in bearing, courteous and affable. Their wives are their superiors in -refinement, being daughters of men of the same rank and social -distinction. Nobles and noble ladies by hereditary title there are -none in Egypt; for it is the boast of the Egyptians, and it is often -inscribed on their monuments, that Egyptians, being all equally "sons -of Misr," are all born equal. It is official elevation and position at -court, as the reward of talent or services, which create noble rank. -Yet there are families here who speak with pride of the glory and fame -of ancestors; and I know young Egyptian nobles whose forefathers were -lords in the court of the old Pharaohs, of the XVth and XVIth -dynasties. I have already alluded to the brave young officer of the -chariot battalion, Potipharis, whose ancestor, a lord of the court of -Apophis, purchased of the Idumeans the youthful Hebrew who -subsequently ruled Egypt as prime minister; and whose family, now -grown to a great nation, are held here in hopeless bondage. - -The women of Egypt owe their high social rank to the respect shown -them by the men, who give them precedence everywhere. The fact that -Egypt is ruled by a queen, is testimony that woman is honored here by -the laws of the realm, as well as by the customs of the people, or she -would not have succeeded to the throne. It is not a mere influence -derived from their personal attractions that women possess here; but -their claims to honor and respect are acknowledged by law, in private -as well as in public. Said Remeses to me, a day or two since, when I -was remarking upon the universal deference paid to the sex, "We know, -unless women are treated with respect and made to exercise an -influence over the social state, that the standard of private virtue -and of public opinion would soon be lowered, and the manners and -morals of men would suffer." How differently situated is woman with -us! Respected she undoubtedly is, but instead of the liberty she -enjoys here, behold her confined to certain apartments, not permitted -to go abroad unveiled, and leading a life of indolent repose. - -In acknowledging this, dear mother, the laws point out to the favored -women of Egypt the very responsible duties they have to perform. The -elevation of woman to be the friend and companion of man, is due to -the wisdom of the priesthood. These men have wives whom they love and -respect, and I have seen the priest of On seated in his summer parlor, -which overlooks the street, by the side of his noble-looking wife -(who, it is said, is a descendant of a priest of On, whose daughter -was married to Prince Joseph, the Hebrew), surrounded by their -children, and manifesting their mutual affection by numberless -domestic graces; and I was charmed with the expressions of endearment -I heard them use to each other and to their children. What a contrast -all this to the priests of Tyre, who regard celibacy as the highest -act of piety! - -The hand of your sex, my dear mother, is apparent in all the household -arrangements, and in the furniture and style of the dwellings. In her -contract of marriage it is written, that the lady shall have the whole -regulation of domestic affairs and the management of the house, and -that the husband shall, in all such matters, defer to the judgment and -wishes of the wife. Neither king, priest, nor subject can have more -than one wife, a custom differing from our own, and far superior to -it. It is owing to this universal honor paid to the sex, that queens -have repeatedly, since the ancient reign of Binothris, held the royal -authority and had the supreme direction of affairs intrusted to them. -It is proper to say, that although the Egyptians have but one wife, -they are not forbidden by the laws to have favorites, who are usually -slaves, and owe their elevation to talents or beauty. They do not, -however, hold any social relation; and the wife, to whom alone is -given the title "lady of the house," enjoys an acknowledged -superiority over them. But concubinage, though tolerated, is not -regarded with favor, and is practised by few. - -The Egyptian ladies employ much of their time with the needle; and -either with their own hands, or by the agency of their maidens, they -embroider, weave, spin, and do needle-work--the last in the most -skilful and beautiful manner. They embroider chairs with thread of -gold or silver, adorn sofas with embroidery, and ornament coverings -for their couches with needle-work of divers colors, so artfully -executed as to appear, on both sides, of equal beauty and finish. At -the banquets or social festivals, which are very frequent, for the -Egyptians are fond of society, the ladies sit at the same table with -the men, and no rigid mistrust closes their doors on such occasions to -strangers, towards whom they are ever courteous and hospitable; save -only in religious ceremonies, from which, and "the mysteries of their -theology," they are jealously excluded. - -I have already spoken of the services of women in the temples. These -do not marry. Although females may make offerings to Isis, they cannot -be invested with any sacerdotal office; and a priest must preside at -the oblation. They are rarely seen reading, their leisure being -occupied chiefly in talking together in social companies. They vie -with each other in the display of silver jewels, and jewels set in -gold; in the texture of their raiment, the neatness and elegance of -the form of their sandals, and the arrangement or beauty of their -plaited hair. - -If two ladies meet at a banquet or festival, it is considered an -amiable courtesy to exchange flowers from the bouquet that Egyptian -ladies always carry in the hand when in full costume. They are -passionately devoted to dancing, and frequently both ladies and -gentlemen dance together; but I think when the former dance in -separate parties, their movements are marked by superior grace and -elegance. Their dances consist usually of a succession of figures more -or less involved; yet I have seen two daughters of the captain of the -guard, at a private entertainment given by the queen, perform a dance -to a slow air played upon the flute and lyre, with a grace of attitude -and harmony of motion delightful to follow with the eye. Grace in -posture, elegance of attitude, and ease of movement are their chief -objects in the dance. - -It is not, however, customary for the nobles and their families to -indulge in this amusement in public, where usually the dancing is -performed by those who gain a livelihood by attending festive -meetings. They look upon it, however, as a recreation in which all -classes may partake; and all castes engage in it, either in private -festivities or in public. The lower orders delight in exhibiting great -spirit in their dances, which often partake of the nature of -pantomime; and they aim rather at ludicrous and extravagant dexterity, -than displays of elegance and grace. At evening, under the trees of an -avenue; at noon, in the shade of a temple, by public fountains, and -before the doors of their dwellings, I often see the men and women -amusing themselves, dancing to the sound of music, which is -indispensable. At the houses of the higher classes, they dance to the -harp, pipe, guitar, lyre, and tambourine; but in the streets and other -places, the people perform their part to the music of the shrill -double-pipe, the crotala or wooden clappers, held in the fingers, and -even to the sound of the drum; indeed, I have seen a man dancing a -solo on the deck of a galley at anchor in the river, to the sound of -the clapping of hands by his companions. Certain wanton dances, -consisting of voluptuous and passionate movements, by Arabian and -Theban girls, whose profession it was, from the impure tendency of -their songs and gestures, have been very properly forbidden by the -queen in her dominions. There are certain religious processions in -which women take part; they attend the funerals of their deceased -relatives, and hired women appear as mourners. - -I have devoted, my dear mother, so much of this letter to a -description of the ladies of Egypt, in compliance with your expressed -wish, and I will appropriate the residue of my papyrus, if the ink -fail not, to an account of their homes, that you may see how they -live; since, from their private life, great insight is obtained into -their manners and customs. The household arrangements, the style of -the dwellings, as well as the amusements and occupations of a people, -explain their habits. - -The style of domestic architecture, in this warm climate, is modified -to suit the heat of the weather. The poorer classes (for though all -Egyptians are born equal, yet there are poor classes), as well as -_castes_, live a great part of their time out of doors, seeking rather -the shade of trees than the warmth of habitations. And now that I have -alluded to "castes," I will briefly explain the degrees of society in -Egypt. - -Though a marked line of distinction is maintained between the -different ranks of society, they appear to be divided rather into -"classes" than "castes," as no man is bound by law to follow the -occupation of his father. Sons, indeed, do usually follow the trade of -their father, and the rank of each man depends on his occupation. But -there are occasional exceptions, as, for instance, the sons of a -distinguished priest are in the army with Remeses, and a son of the -admiral of the fleet of the Delta is high-priest in Memphis. - -Below the crown and royal family, the first class consists of the -priests; the second, of soldiers; the third, of husbandmen, gardeners, -huntsmen, and boatmen; the fourth, of tradesmen, shop-keepers, -artificers in stone and metals, carpenters, boat-builders, -stone-masons, and public weighers; the fifth, of shepherds, poulterers -fowlers, fishermen, laborers, and the common people at large. Many of -these, says the record from which I have obtained my information, are -again subdivided, as chief shepherds into ox-herds, goat-herds, and -swine-herds; which last is the lowest grade of the whole community, -since no one of the others will marry their daughters, or establish -any family connection with them; for so degrading is the occupation of -tending swine held by the Egyptians, that they are looked upon as -impure, and are even forbidden to enter a temple without previously -undergoing purification. - -Thus you perceive, my mother, that Egypt practically acknowledges many -degrees of rank, although she boasts that "every son of Misr is born -equal." - -These classes keep singularly distinct, and yet live harmoniously and -sociably with each other. Out of them the queen's workmen are taken, -and the lowest supplies the common laborers on the public -works,--thousands of whom, clad only in an apron and short trowsers of -coarsely woven grass-cloth, are to be found at work all over Egypt, -and even mingled with the Hebrews in some parts of their tasks. "And -the Hebrews?" you may ask; for I perceive by your letter that you are -interested in the fate and history of this captive nation; "what rank -do they hold among all these castes?" - -They remain a distinct and separate people, neither regarded as a -class or _caste_. They pursue but one occupation, brick-making, with -its kindred work of digging the loam, gathering the straw, kneading -the clay, and carrying the bricks to the place where the masons need -them. They neither associate nor intermarry with any of the Egyptian -classes. They are the crown slaves, born in bondage, below the lowest -free-born Egyptian in the land of Misraim. Even the swine-herd belongs -to a _class_, and is equal by birth, at least, with the Pharaoh who -rules; but the Hebrew is a bond-servant, a stranger, despised and -oppressed. Yet among them have I seen men worthy to be kings, if -dignity of aspect and nobleness of bearing entitle men to that -position. - -I will now return, and describe to you the habitations of the -Egyptians, my dear mother. Houses slightly removed beyond the degree -of mere barbarous huts, built of crude brick, and very small, are the -habitations of the lower orders. Others, of more pretension, are -stuccoed, and have a court; others, still superior, have the stuccoed -surface painted, either vermilion and orange, in stripes, or of a -pale-brown color, with green or blue ornaments, fanciful rather than -tasteful. Those of merchants and persons of that grade, are more -imposing;--corridors, supported on columns, give access to the -different apartments, through a succession of shady avenues and -courts, having one side open to the breezes; while currents of fresh -air are made to circulate freely through the rooms and halls, by a -peculiar arrangement of the passages and courts; for, to have a cool -house in this ardent latitude is the aim of all who erect habitations. -Even small detached dwellings of artificers and tradesmen, consisting -of four walls, with a flat roof of palm-branches, laid on split -date-trees as a beam, covered with mats, and plastered with mud of the -Nile, having but one door, and wooden shutters,--even such humble -habitations have in the centre an open court, however limited, with -rooms opening to the air on one side; while around the small court are -planted one or more palms, for shade, besides adorning it with plants -of their favorite flowers. I have seen some such neat little abodes, -not much larger than cages, with a cheerful family in it, who lived -out of doors all day, dining under the shade of their tree, and -dancing in their open court by moonlight, to the music of clapping -hands or the castanets, until bedtime, using their houses only to -sleep in; and such is the happy life of half the Egyptians of their -grade. - -The grander mansions, less than palaces, are not only stuccoed within -and without, but painted with artistic and tasteful combinations of -brilliant tints. They have numerous paved courts, with fountains and -decorated walls, and are adorned with beautiful architectural devices, -copied from the sacred emblems and symbols in the temples, and -arranged and combined in forms or groups in the most attractive style. -Over the doors of many houses are handsome shields or tablets, charged -with the hieroglyph of the master, inscribed with some sentence. Over -that of the house of the chief weigher of metals, opposite my palace -window in On, was written "The House of the Just Balance." Over -another "The good house;" and over a third, "The friend of Rathoth, -the royal scribe, liveth here." Any distinction, or long journey, or -merit, or attribute, gives occasion for an inscription over the -entrances. - -The beauty of a house depends on the taste, caprice, or wealth of its -builders. The priests and lords of Egypt live in luxurious abodes, and -a display of wealth is found to be useful in maintaining their power, -and securing the respect and obedience of the under classes. - -"The worldly possessions of the priest," said an Egyptian scribe of -the temple of Apis, "are very great, and as a compensation for -imposing upon themselves at times abstemiousness, and occasionally -limiting their food to certain things, they are repaid by improved -health, and by the influence they acquire thereby. Their superior -intelligence enables them," he continued, ironically, "to put their -own construction on regulations and injunctions emanating from their -sacred body, with the convenient argument, that what suits them does -not suit others." The windows of the houses are not large, and freely -admit the cool breezes, but are closed at night by shutters. The -apartments are usually on the ground-floor, and few houses, except -perhaps in Thebes, exceed two stories in height. They are accessible -by an entrance court, often having a columnar portico decked with -banners or ribbons, while larger porticos have double rows of columns, -with statues between them. When there is an additional story, a -terrace surmounts it, covered by an awning, or by a light roof -supported upon graceful columns. Here the ladies often sit by day: and -here all the family gather at the close of the afternoon to enjoy the -breeze, and the sight of the thronged streets and surrounding -scene,--for it is open on all sides to the air. In the trades' streets -the shops are on the ground-floor, and the apartments for families are -above. As it scarcely ever rains, the tops of the houses, terraced, -and covered with a handsomely fringed awning, are occupied at all -hours, and even at night as sleeping-places by the "lord of the -house," if the apartments below are sultry and close. Some noble -edifices have flights of steps of porphyry or marble leading to a -raised platform of Elephantine or Arabic stone, with a doorway between -two columns as massive as towers--ambitious imitations of the propyla -of the temples. These gateways have three entrances, a smaller one on -each side of the principal entrance for servants, who are very -numerous in an Egyptian house of the first class. Such is the house of -my friend, the Admiral Pathromenes, whom I visited the day I saw him -in his galley, and just before he sailed with the fleet for Ethiopia. - -On entering the portal, I passed into an open court, on the right side -of which was the mándara or receiving-room for visitors, where -servants took my sandals, and offered water for my hands in silver -ewers, at the same time giving me bouquets of flowers. This room, -surrounded by gilt columns, and decorated with banners, was covered by -an awning supported by the columns, and was on all sides open to -within four feet of the floor, which lower space was closed by -intercolumnar panels, exquisitely painted with marine subjects. Above -the paneling a stream of cool air was admitted, while the awning -afforded protection from the rays of the sun. This elegant -reception-hall had two doors--that by which I had entered from the -street, and another opposite to it which communicated with the inner -apartments. Upon my announcement by the chief usher, the admiral came -through the latter door to receive me; hence the title of -"reception-room" given to this column-adorned and paneled hall. He -embraced me, and entered with me by his side into a corridor which led -into a court of large dimensions, ornamented in the centre with an -avenue of trees--palm, olive, orange, and fig trees, the latter being -an emblem of the land of Egypt. Here numerous birds filled their leafy -coverts with melody. Six apartments faced as many more on two sides of -this court--the corridor, or piazza, of pictured columns extending -along their entire front; and before the corridor was a double row of -acacia-trees. We did not turn to these rooms, but, advancing along the -charming avenue between them, passed around a brazen fountain-statue -of Eothos or Neptune, who was pouring water out of a shell upon a -marble lotus-leaf, from which it fell into a vase of granite. Passing -this figure, we kept the avenue till we came to a beautiful door -facing the great court. It was of palm-wood, carved with devices of -branches and flowers, and inlaid with ivory and colored woods, all -finely polished. At this door a servant, in neat apparel, met us, and -opening it ushered us into the sitting-room of "the lady of the -house," who had already received notice of our approach, and who, -presenting me with flowers, welcomed me graciously, and with a -cordiality that gave me a favorable estimation of the goodness of her -heart, and the amiability of her disposition. - -Thus, dear mother, have I given you some insight into Egyptian -home-life, and introduced you into the inmost private room of one of -their houses. I will close my description by saying, that the ceiling -of the reception-room was richly and tastefully adorned with the -pencil; that gracefully shaped chairs, covered with needle-work; -sofas, inlaid tables, couches with crimson and gold embroidery, and -elegant vases of flowers, were charmingly disposed about it; and that -a lute and two sistra were placed near a window, and a harp stood -between two of the columns that inclosed a pictured panel representing -the finding of Osiris. - -Farewell, dearest mother. You will see that I have now acquitted -myself of the charge of indifference to so interesting a subject as -the mode of life of the ladies of Egypt, and by hastening to describe -it to you in this letter, have evinced my profound filial reverence -for your slightest wish. - - Your faithful and affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XIII. - - -THE CITY OF APIS. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -I thank you for your long and very welcome letter, written from your -palace, at Sidon, whither you went to celebrate the rites of Adonis. -It assures me of your continued health, which may the gods guard with -jealous care, for not only the stability of your kingdom, but my whole -happiness depends on your life, beloved mother and queen. You also -allude to your visits to the temples of Astarte and of Tammuz, on -Lebanon. What a noble worship was that of our fathers, who, amid its -gigantic cedars, old as the earth itself, there first worshipped the -gods! How majestic must have appeared their simple rites, with no -altar but the mountain rock, no columns but the vast trunks of mighty -trees, no roof but the blue heavens by day, and the starry dome by -night; while at morning and evening went up the smoke of the sacrifice -of bullocks to the gods. These were the first temples of men, not -builded by art, but made by the gods themselves as meet places for -their own worship. I question, dear mother, if the subsequent descent -of religion from its solemn shrines, in the dark forests of Libanus, -into the valleys and cities, to be enshrined in temples of marble, -however beautiful, has elevated it. Though the Phœnicians built the -first temples on the peninsula of Tyre, before any others existed, -save in groves; yet in Egypt (which claims also this honor), the -"houses of the gods," in their vast and pyramidal aspects, their -pillars like palm-trees, their columns like cedars, approach more -nearly to the dignity, sublimity, and majesty of the primeval forests -and eternal mountains where religion first offered prayer to heaven. - -Your visit to the temple of Tammuz, at Sareptha, recalls a legend -which, singularly enough, I first heard in Egypt, of the origin of the -rites to that deity. - -The books of the priests here, relating to Phœnician, Sabæan, -Persian, and Chaldean ceremonies (for the learning of the Egyptians -seems to embrace a knowledge of books of all countries), relate -that Tammuz was a "certain idolatrous prophet of the Sabæan -Fire-worshippers, who called upon King Ossynœces, our remote -ancestor, and commanded him to worship the Seven Planets and the -Twelve Signs of the constellations. The king, in reply, ordered him to -be put to death. On the same night on which he was slain," continues -the book from which I write, "a great gathering of all the images of -the gods of the whole earth was held at the palace, where the huge -golden image of the sun was suspended; whereupon this image of the sun -related what had happened to his prophet, weeping and mourning as he -spoke to them. Then all the lesser gods present likewise commenced -weeping and mourning, which they continued until daylight, when they -all departed through the air, returning to their respective temples in -the most distant regions of the earth." Such, dear mother, is the -tradition here of the origin of the weeping for Tammuz, the observance -of which now forms so important a feature in our Phœnician worship, -although introduced, as it was, from the Sabæans themselves. - -But the more I have conversed with the wise and virtuous Prince -Remeses, the more I feel the gross nature of our mythology, O mother, -and that images and myths, such as form the ground and expression of -our national worship, and that rest wholly in the material figure -itself, are unworthy the reverence of an intelligent mind. It is true, -we can look at them, and honor that which they represent,--as I daily -look at your picture, which I wear over my heart, and kissing it from -love for thee, do not worship and adore the ivory, and the colors that -mark upon its surface a sweet reflection of your beloved and beautiful -countenance. Oh, no! It is you far away I think of, kiss, love, and in -a manner adore. Yet an Egyptian of the lowest order, seeing me almost -worshipping your picture, would believe I was adoring an effigy of my -tutelar goddess. And he would be right, so far as my heart and -thought, and you are concerned, my mother. In this representative way, -I am now sure that Remeses regards all images, looking through and -beyond them up to the Supreme Infinite. I also have imbibed his lofty -spirit of worship, and have come to adore the statues as I worship -your picture. But _where_, O mother, is the Infinite? When I think of -you, I can send my soul towards you, on wings that bear me to your -feet, either in your private chamber at needle-work, or with your -royal scribe as you are dictating laws for the realm, or upon your -throne giving judgment. In memory and imagination, I can instantly -send my thoughts out to you, and behold you as you are. But the -Infinite, whom Remeses calls GOD, in contradistinction to lesser gods, -where does He hide Himself? Why, if He _is_, does He not reveal -Himself? Why does He suffer us to grope after Him, and not find Him? -If He be good, and loving, and gracious in His nature, He will desire -to make known to His creatures these attributes. But how silent--how -impenetrable the mystery that environs Him in the habitation of His -throne! Will He forever remain wrapped up in the dark clouds of space? -Will He never reveal Himself in His moral nature to man? Will He never -of Himself proclaim to the creation His unity--that there is no God -but One, and besides Him there is none else? How can He demand -obedience and virtue of men when they know not His laws? Yet, -consciousness within, visible nature, reason, all demonstrate that -there is but one Supreme God, a single First Cause, how numerous -soever the inferior deities He may have created to aid in the -government of His vast universe; and that to Him an intellectual and -spiritual worship should be paid. This is the theory of Remeses, who -seems to be infinitely above his people and country in piety and -wisdom. Sometimes I fancy that he draws inspiration from this Infinite -God whom he worships in his heart, and recognizes through his -intellect; for his utterances on these themes are often like the words -of a god, so wonderful are the mysteries treated of by him, so -elevating to the heart and mind. - -But I will repeat part of a conversation we had together, after he had -offered in the temple of Apis his sacrifice for the restoration of the -queen's health. He said, as we walked away together, along a beautiful -and sacred avenue of acacia and delicate, fringe-like ittel or -tamarisk trees, alternating with the pomegranate and mimosa: - -"Sesostris, doubtless, after all my conversations with you, I seemed -an idolater to-day, quite as material and gross, in the offerings and -prayers I made, as the galley-rower we saw offering a coarse garland -of papyrus-leaves and poppies to the god." - -"No, my noble prince," I answered; "I saw in you an intellectual -sacrificer, whose bodily eyes indeed beheld the sacred bull, but whose -spirit saw the Great Osiris, who once dwelt in the bull when on earth. -You honored the house where anciently a god abode." - -"No, Sesostris, the bull is nothing to me in any sense, but as the -prince of a realm whose laws ordain the worship of Apis in Memphis, of -the ram-headed Ammon at Thebes, or the sacred ox at On, I outwardly -conform to customs which I dare not and cannot change. Or if I would, -what shall I give the people if I take away their gods? My own -religion is spiritual, as I believe yours is becoming; but how shall I -present a spiritual faith to the Egyptians? In what form--what visible -shape, can I offer it to them? for the priests will demand a visible -religion--one tangible and material. The people cannot worship an -intellectual abstraction, as we can, Sesostris, and as the more -intelligent priests pretend they do and can. Yet if, when I come to -the throne, by an imperial edict I remodel the theology of the -priesthood and the worship of the people--remove the golden sun from -the temple in On, slay the sacred bull Apis, and banish the idols from -all the thousand temples of the two Egypts, with _what_ shall I -replace the religion I depose?" - -"With an intellectual and spiritual worship of the Supreme Infinite," -I answered. - -"But who will enlighten my own ignorance of Him, Sesostris?" he -inquired sadly. "What do I know of Him save from an awakened -consciousness within my bosom? How can I make others possess that -consciousness which is only intuitive, and so incommunicable? I must -first know _where_ God is, before I can direct the people whither to -look for Him when they pray. I must first cultivate their minds and -imaginations, in order to enable them to embrace a purely mental -religion, and to worship the Infinite independently of figures, -images, and visible mementos or symbols; for, so long as they have -these at all, they will rest their faith in them, and will look upon -them as their gods. But what do I know of the God I would reveal to -them? Absolutely nothing! That there can be but one Supreme God, -reason demonstrates; for if there were two equal gods, they would have -equal power, equal agency in the creation and upholding of all things, -in the government of the world, and in the worship of men! Two equal -gods, who in no case differ one from the other, but are in all things -one and the same, are virtually but one God. Therefore, as neither -two, nor any number of _equal_ gods, can exist without acting as a -unit (for _otherwise_ they cannot act), there can be only one God!" - -I at once assented to the conclusiveness of the prince's reasoning. - -"God, then, existing as One, all beings in his universe are below Him, -even His creatures the 'gods,' if there be such made by Him. It -becomes, therefore, all men to worship, not these gods, but the God of -gods. That he should be worshipped spiritually is evident, for he must -be a spiritual essence; and as we are certainly composed of spirits -and material bodies, and as our spirits are no less certainly our -superior part, so He who made the spirit of man must be superior to -all bodies or forms of matter; that is, he must be that by reason of -which he is superior, namely, a SPIRIT." - -I then said to this learned and great prince, "Thinkest thou, Remeses, -that this Infinite God, whom we believe exists, will ever make a -revelation of Himself, so that He may be worshipped as becomes His -perfections? Do you think the veil of ignorance which hangs between -Him and us will ever be lifted?" - -"Without question, my Sesostris," he answered, with animation, the -light of hope kindling in his noble eyes, "the Creator of this world -must be a benevolent, good, and wise Being." - -"Of that there can be no doubt," was my reply. - -"Benevolence, goodness, and wisdom, then, will seek the happiness and -elevation of man. A knowledge of the true God, whom we are now feeling -and groping after in darkness, with only the faint light of our reason -to illumine its mysterious gloom,--this knowledge would elevate and -render happy the race of men. It would dissipate ignorance, overthrow -idolatry, place man near God, and, consequently, lift him higher in -the scale of the universe. A God of wisdom, benevolence, and justice, -will seek to produce this result. The world, therefore, _will_ have a -revelation from Him, in the fulness of time,--when men are ready to -receive it. It may not be while I live, Sesostris, but the time will -come when the knowledge of the Infinite God will be revealed by -Himself to man, who will then worship Him, and Him alone, with the -pure worship due to His majesty, glory, and dominion." - -As Remeses concluded, his face seemed to shine with a supernatural -inspiration, as if he had talked with the Infinite and Spiritual God -of whom he spoke, and had learned from Him the mighty mysteries of His -being. Then there passed a shadow over his face, and he said, -sorrowfully-- - -"How can I lead the people of Egypt to the true God, when He hath not -taught me any thing of Himself? No, no, Sesostris, Egypt must wait, I -must wait, the world must wait the day of revelation. And that day -will come, or there is _no_ God! For an ever-silent God--a God who -forever hideth Himself from His creatures--is as if there were no God! -But that there is a God the heavens declare in their glory, the ocean -hoarsely murmurs His name, the thunders proclaim His power, the lilies -of the field speak of His goodness, and we ourselves are living -manifestations of His benevolence and love. Let us, therefore, amid -all the splendor of the idolatry which fills the earth, lift up _our_ -hearts, O Sesostris, to the One God! and in secret worship Him, -wheresoever our souls can find Him, until He reveals Himself openly to -the inhabitants of the earth." - -In relating this conversation, my dear mother, I not only am preparing -you to see my views of our mythology materially changed, but I unfold -to you more of the sublime character of Remeses, and give you some -insight into his deep philosophy and wonderful wisdom. - -I will, in connection with this subject, describe to you a religious -scene I witnessed in the Temple of Apis on the occasion of an -excursion made by me in company with Remeses, from the Island of -Rhoda. - -I have already spoken of his courtesy in offering to accompany me to -Memphis, at which city he left me, immediately after his oblation and -thanksgiving, and proceeded to attend to some urgent affairs connected -with the proposed movement of the army; with which, since then, he has -taken his departure. - -The barge in which I left the palace at Rhoda, was rowed by forty-four -men, swarthy and muscular to a noticeable degree, who belong to a -maritime people, once possessing the Pelusian Delta, but who are now -reduced to a servitude to the crown. They have a sort of chief, called -Fellac, whom they regard partly as a priest, partly as a patriarch. -Under him, by permission of the crown, they are held in discipline. -They have a mysterious worship of their own, and are reputed to deal -in magic, and to sacrifice to Typhon, the principle of evil. - -They were attired in scarlet sashes, bound about the waist, and -holding together loose white linen drawers, which terminated at the -knee in a fringe. Their shoulders were naked, but upon their heads -each wore a sort of turban of green cloth, having one end falling over -the ear, and terminating in a silver knob. These were the favorite -body-guard rowers of the prince. Their captain was a young man, with -glittering teeth, and large oval black eyes. He was mild and serene of -aspect, richly attired in a vesture of silver tissue, and had his -black hair perfumed with jasmine oil. His baton of office was a long -stick--not the long, slender, acacia cane which all Egyptian gentlemen -carry, but a staff short and heavy, ornamented with an alligator's -head, which, with that of the pelican, seem to be favorite decorations -of this singular people. - -As we were on the water, moving swiftly towards the quay of the city, -amid countless vessels of all nations, a slave-barge passed down from -Upper Egypt, laden with Nubian boys and girls, destined to be sold as -slaves in the market. Borne with velocity along, we soon landed at the -grand terrace-steps of the quay. They were thronged with pilots, -shipmen, those who hold the helm and the oar, mariners, and -stranger-merchants innumerable. A majestic gateway, at the top of the -flight of porphyry stairs, led to an avenue of palm-trees, on each -side of which was a vast open colonnade covered with a wide awning, -and filled with merchants, buyers, captains, and officers of the -customs, dispersed amid bales of goods from all lands of the earth. I -lingered here, for a short time, gazing upon these representatives of -the wealth and commerce of the world. This is the great landing-mart -of Memphis, for the products of the other lands; while Jizeh, lower -down, is the point from whence all that goes out of the country is -shipped. The strange cry of the foreign seamen, as they hoisted heavy -bales, and the wild song of the Egyptian laborers, as they bore away -the goods, the confused voices of the owners of the merchandise, the -variety and strange fashion of their costumes, the numerous languages -which fell upon my ear, produced an effect as novel as it was -interesting. - -The riches and beauty of what I saw surprised me, familiar as I am -with the commerce of Tyre. There were merchants from Sheba, bearded -and long-robed men, with gold-dust, spices of all kinds, and precious -stones of price; and others from the markets of Javan, with cassia, -iron, and calamus; there were wines from the vine-country of Helbona, -and honey, oil, and balm from Philistia; merchants of Dedan, with -embroidered linings and rich cloths for chariots, and costly housings -for horses, of lynx and leopard-skins; tall, grave-looking merchants -from our own Damascus, with elegant wares, cutlery, and damascened -sword-blades of wonderful beauty, and which bring great price here; -shrewd-visaged merchants of Tyre, with purple and broidered work and -fine linen; and merchants of Sidon, with emeralds, coral, and agate, -and the valuable calmine-stone out of which, in combination with -copper, brass is molten by the Egyptians. - -There were also merchants, in an attire rich and picturesque, from -many isles of the sea, with vessels of bronze, vases, and other -exquisitely painted wares, and boxes inlaid with ivory, jewels, and -ebony. I saw the dark, handsome men of Tarshish and far Gades, with -all kinds of riches of silver, iron, tin, lead, and scales of gold. -Shields from Arvad, beautifully embossed and inlaid; helmets and -shawls from Persia; ivory from Ind, and boxes of precious stones--the -jasper, the sapphire, the sardiüs, the onyx, the beryl, the topaz, the -carbuncle, and the diamond--from the south seas, and those lands under -the sun, where he casts no shadow. There were, also, wild-looking -merchant horsemen from Arabia, with horses and mules to be traded for -the fine linen, and gilt wares, and dyes of Egypt; and proud-looking -shepherd chiefs of Kedar, with flocks of lambs, rams, and goats; while -beyond these, some merchants of Saïs, men of stern aspects, bad bands -of slaves, whose shining black skins and glittering teeth showed them -to be Nubians from Farther Africa, who had been brought from the Upper -Nile to be sold in the mart. - -Thus does all the earth lay its riches at the feet of Egypt, even as -she pours them into the lap of Tyre. Meet it is that two nations, so -equal in commerce, should be allied in friendship. May this friendly -alliance, more closely cemented by my visit to this court, never be -broken! I am willing to surrender to Egypt the title, "Mistress of the -World," which I have seen inscribed on the obelisk that Amense is now -erecting, so long as she makes no attempt upon our cherished freedom, -nor asks of us other tribute to her greatness than the jewelled -necklace it was my pleasure to present to her queen, from your hand. - -Having crossed this wonderful mart of the world, we issued upon a -broad street, which diverging to the right led towards Jizeh, not far -distant, and to the left towards Memphis, the noble pylon of which was -in full sight. The street was lined with small temples, six on each -side, dedicated to the twelve gods of the months, statues of each of -whom stood upon pedestals before its gateway. - -This avenue, which was but a succession of columns and statues, and in -which we met several pleasure-chariots, terminated at an obelisk one -hundred feet in height--a majestic and richly elaborated monument, -erected by Amunophis I., whose name it bears upon a cartouch, to the -honor of his Syrian queen, Ephtha. Upon its surface is recounted, in -exquisitely colored intaglio hieroglyphs, her virtues and the deeds of -his own reign. At each of its four corners crouches a sphinx, with a -dog's head, symbolic of ceaseless vigilance. A noble square surrounds -the obelisk, and on its west side is the propylon of Memphis. The -great wings that inclose the pylon are ninety feet in height, and are -resplendent with colored pictorial designs, done in the most brilliant -style of Egyptian art. - -Here we found a guard of soldiers, whose captain received the prince -with marks of the profoundest military respect. We passed in, through -ranks of soldiers, who bent one knee to the ground, and entered the -chief street of Memphis--the second city in Egypt in architectural -magnificence, and the first in religious importance, as the city of -the sacred bull Apis. - -A description of this city would be almost a repetition of that of On, -slightly varying the avenues, squares, and forms of temples. You have, -therefore, to imagine, or rather recall, the splendor of the "City of -the _Lord of the Sun_" (for this is its true Egyptian designation), -and apply to Memphis the picture hitherto given of that gorgeous -metropolis of Osiris. - -After we had passed a few squares through the thronged and handsome -street, which was exclusively filled with beautiful and tasteful -abodes of priests, adorned with gardens and corridors, we came to a -large open space in the city, where was a great fountain, surrounded -by lions sculptured in gray porphyry stone. On one side of this square -was a lake, bordered with trees; on another, a grove sacred to certain -mysteries; on a third, a temple dedicated to all the sacred animals of -Egypt,--images of which surrounded a vast portico in front. An -enumeration of them will exhibit to you, how the first departure, in -ancient days, from the worship of the One Deity, by personating His -attributes in animal forms, has converted religion into a gross and -sensual superstition. It is not enough that they have fanciful emblems -in all their temples, and on all their sculptured monuments, of Life, -Goodness, Power, Purity, Majesty, and Dominion (as in the crook and -flail of Osiris), of Authority, of Royalty, of Stability; but they -elevate into representatives of the gods, the ape, sacred to Thoth; -the monkey; the fox, dog, wolf, and jackal, all four sacred to Anubis; -the ichneumon and cat, which last is superstitiously reverenced, and -when dead embalmed with divine rites. The ibex, which I once believed -to be sacred, is regarded only as an emblem; and so with the horse, -ass, panther, and leopard, which are not sacred, but merely used in -sculptures as emblems. The hippopotamus is sacred, and also an emblem -of Typhon, dedicated to the god of war. The cow is held eminently -sacred by the Egyptians, and is dedicated to the deity Athor. - -There are four sacred bulls in Egypt,--not only sacred, but deified. -In Middle Egypt, Onuphis and Basis are worshipped in superb temples; -and at On, Mnevis, sacred to the Sun. Here in Memphis is Apis, not -only sacred but a god, and type of Osiris, who, in his turn, is the -type of the Sun, which is the type of the Infinite Invisible; at least -this is the formula, so far as I have learned its mysteries. How much -purer the religion, dear mother, which, passing by or overleaping all -these intermediate types and incarnations, prostrates the soul before -the footstool of the Lord of the Sun Himself, the One Spiritual God of -gods! - -Of all the sacred animals above named, I beheld images in stone upon -the dromos which bordered the portico. There were also figures of the -sacred birds,--as the ibis, sacred to the god Thoth; the vulture, the -falcon-hawk, sacred to Re, and honored in the city of On, and the -egret, sacred to Osiris. Besides these sacred figures which decorated -this pantheonic portico, at each of the four gates was one of the four -deified bulls in stone, larger than life-size. There are also to be -found, all over Egypt, sculptured sphinxes,--a sort of fabulous -monster, represented either with the head of a man, a hawk, or a ram; -to these may be added a vulture with a serpent's head, and a -tortoise-headed god. - -The phœnix, sacred to Osiris, I shall by and by speak of, and the -white and saffron-colored cock, sacred to, and sacrificed in, the -Temple of Anubis. Certain fishes are also held sacred by this -extraordinary people, who convert every thing into gods. The -oxyrhincus, the eel, the lepidotus, and others are sacred, and at -Thebes are embalmed by the priests. The scorpion is an emblem of the -goddess Selk, the frog of Pthah, and the unwieldy crocodile sacred to -the god Savak--a barbarous deity. Serpents having human heads, and -also hawk's and lion's heads, were sculptured along the frieze of this -pantheon, intermingled with figures of nearly all the above sacred -animals. On the abacus of each column was sculptured the -scarabæus--the sacred beetle--consecrated to Pthah, and adopted as an -emblem of the world; also the type of the god Hor-hat, the Good Genius -of Egypt, whose emblem is a sun supported by two winged asps -encircling it. Flies, ichneumons, and bees, with many other insects -and animals, are represented in the sculptures, but are not sacred. - -Even vegetables do not escape the service of their religion. The -persea is sacred to Athor; the ivy to Osiris, and much made use of at -his festivals; the feathery tamarisk is also sacred to this deity; and -the peach and papyrus are supposed to be sacred, or at least used, for -religious purposes. Contrary to the opinion I formed when I first came -into Egypt, the onion, leek, and garlic are not sacred. The -pomegranate, vine, and acanthus are used for sacred rites, and the -sycamore-fig is sacred to Netpe. The lotus, the favorite object of -imitation in all temple-sculpture, is sacred to, and the emblem of, -the most ancient god of Egypt, whom the priests call Nofiratmoosis--a -name wholly new to me among the deities;--but it is also clearly a -favorite emblem of Osiris, being found profusely sculptured on all his -temples. Lastly, the palm-branch is a symbol of astrology and type of -the year, and conspicuous among the offerings made to the gods. - -Now, my dear mother, can you wonder at Prince Remeses--that a man of -his learning, intellect, sensibility, and sound judgment, should turn -away from these thousand contemptible gods of Egypt, to seek a purer -faith and worship, and that he should wish to give his people a more -elevating and spiritual religion? Divisions and subdivisions have here -reached their climax, and the Egyptians who worship God in every thing -may be said to have ceased to worship him at all! - -What was on the fourth side of the great square, of which the lake, -the grove, and the pantheon composed three, was the central and great -Temple of Apis in Lower Egypt. In my next letter I will describe my -visit to it. I am at present a guest of the high-priest of the temple, -and hence the date of my letter at Memphis. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XIV. - - -THE PALACE OF THE PRIEST OF APIS. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -I will now describe to you my visit, with the prince, to the most -remarkable shrine in Egypt. While the worship of Osiris, at On, is a -series of splendid pageantries, but little differing from the gorgeous -sun-worship which you witnessed some years ago at Baalbec, the rites -of Apis are as solemn and severe as the temple in which they are -celebrated is grand and majestic. - -The temple itself is a massive and imposing edifice, of reddish -Elephantine stone. It is of vast proportions, and the effect produced -is that of a mountain of rock hewn into a temple, as travellers say -temples are cut out of the face of cliffs in Idumea-Arabia. Its -expression is majesty and grandeur. It occupies the whole of one side -of the vast square described by me in my last letter. - -As we were about to ascend to the gate, I was startled by a loud and -menacing cry from many voices, and, looking around, perceived a Tyrian -mariner, recognized by me as such by his dress, who was flying across -the square with wings of fear. A crowd, which momentarily increased, -pursued him swiftly with execrations and cries of vengeance! As he -drew near, I noticed that he was as pale as a corpse. Seeing that he -was a Phœnician, I felt interested in him, and by a gesture drew -him towards me. He fell at my feet, crying--"Save me, O my prince!" - -"What hast thou done?" I demanded. - -"Only killed one of their cats, my lord!" - -The throng came rushing on, like a stormy wave, uttering fearful -cries. - -"May I try and protect him, O Remeses," I asked, for I knew that, if -taken, he would be slain for destroying one of their sacred animals. - -"I will see if I can; but I fear my interposition will not be heeded -in a case like this," he replied. At the same time he deprecatingly -waved his hand to the infuriated populace, which had in a few moments -increased to a thousand people. - -"No, not even for the prince! He has killed a sacred animal. By our -laws he also must die. We will sacrifice him to the gods!" - -In vain I entreated, and Remeses interposed. The wretched man was torn -from our presence by as many hands as could seize him, thrown down the -steps of the temple, and trampled upon by the furious crowd, until -nothing like a human shape remained. The formless mass was then -divided into pieces, and carried to a temple where numerous sacred -cats are kept, in order to be given to them to devour. Such is the -terrible death they inflict upon one who by accident kills a cat or an -ibis! - -"The power of the State is weak when contending with the mad strength -of superstition," remarked Remeses, as we entered the temple between -two statues of brazen bulls. Entering through a majestic doorway, we -came into an avenue of vast columns, the size of which impressed me -with awe. The temple was originally erected to Pthah, anciently the -chief deity of Memphis, and dedicated in the present reign to the -sacred bull, whose apartment is the original adytum of the temple. - -The worship of Apis and Mnevis, the bulls consecrated to Osiris, -exhibits the highest point to which the worship of animals in Egypt -has reached, and it was with no little interest I felt myself -advancing into the presence of this deified animal. We were met, at -the entrance of the avenue of columns, by two priests in white linen -robes, over which was a crimson scarf, the sacred color of Apis. They -had tall caps on their heads, and each carried a sort of crook. They -received the prince with prostrations. Going one before and one behind -us, they escorted us along the gloomy and solemn avenue of sculptured -columns, until we came to a brazen door. A priest opened it, and we -entered a magnificent peristyle court supported by caryatides twelve -cubits in height, representing the forms of Egyptian women. We -remained in this grand hall a few moments, when a door on the opposite -side opened and the sacred bull appeared. He was conducted by a -priest, who led him by a gold chain fastened to his horns, which were -garlanded with flowers. The animal was large, noble-looking, and -jet-black in color, with the exception of a square spot of white upon -his forehead. Upon his shoulder was the resemblance of a vulture, and -the hairs were double in his tail! These being the sacred marks of -Apis, I observed them particularly: there should be also the mark of a -scarabæeus on his tongue. - -The deity stalked proudly forth, slowly heaving up and down his huge -head and thick neck,--a look of barbaric power and grandeur glancing -from his eye. - -The curator of the sacred animal led him once around the hall, the -Egyptians prostrating themselves as he passed them, and even Remeses, -instinctively, from custom, bending his head. When he stopped, the -prince advanced to him, and taking a jewelled collar from a casket -which he brought with him, he said to the high-priest--who, with a -censer of incense, prepared to invoke the god-- - -"My lord priest of Apis: I, Remeses the prince, as a token of my -gratitude to the god, of whom the sacred bull is the emblem, for the -restoration of my mother, the queen, do make to the temple an offering -of this jewelled collar for the sacred bull." - -"His sacred majesty, my lord prince, accepts, with condescension and -grace, your offering," answered the gorgeously attired high-priest. He -then passed the necklace through the cloud of incense thrice, and -going up to the bull, fastened the costly gift about his neck, already -decorated with the price of a kingdom, while his forehead glittered -like a mass of diamonds. A cool draft of wind passing through the open -hall, a priest (at least two hundred attendant priests were assembled -there to witness the prince's offering) brought a covering or housing -of silver and gold tissue, magnificently embroidered, and threw it -over the god. - -The prince now, at the request of the queen, proceeded to obtain an -omen as to the success of his army. He therefore approached and -offered the bull a peculiar cake, of which he is very fond, which the -animal took from his palm and ate. At this good omen there was a -murmur of satisfaction; for a refusal to eat is accounted a bad omen. -Remeses smiled as if gratified. Could it be that he had faith in the -omen? I know not. Much must be allowed to the customs of a lifetime! -Trained to all these rituals from a child, had the philosophy of his -later years wholly destroyed in him _all_ faith and confidence in the -gods of his mother and his country? The priest now asked a question -aloud, addressed to the god: - -"Will the Prince of Egypt, O sacred Apis, be a successful king, when -he shall come to the throne?" - -The reply to the question was to be found in the first words Remeses -should hear spoken by any one when he left the temple. He immediately -departed from the peristyle, and we returned through the solemn avenue -to the portico. As we descended the steps, a seller of small images of -the bull called out, in reply to something said by another-- - -"He will never get there!" - -"Mark those words, Sesostris!" he said, not unimpressed by them; "my -mother is to outlive me, or Mœris will seize the throne from me!" - -"Do you put faith in this omen?" - -"I know not what to answer you, my Sesostris. You have, no doubt," he -added, "after all I have said, marvelled at my offering to Apis. But -it is hard to destroy early impressions, even with philosophy, -especially if the mind has no certain revelation to cling to, when it -casts off its superstitions. But here I must leave you, at the door of -the hierarch's palace. This noble priest is head of the priesthood of -Pthah, a part of whose temple, as you have seen, is devoted to -Apis,--or rather the two temples subsist side by side. You saw him -last week at our palace. He has asked you to be his guest while here. -Honor his invitation, and he will not only teach you much that you -desire to know, but will visit with you the great pyramidal temple of -Cheops." - -Having entered the palace, and placed me under the hospitality of the -noble Egyptian hierarch therein, the prince took leave of me. I would -like to describe to you the taste and elegance of this abode, my dear -mother; its gardens, fountains, flower-courts, paintings, and rich -furniture. But I must first say a little more about the god Apis, who -holds so prominent a place in the mythology of Egypt. In the -hieroglyphic legends he is called Hapi, and his figurative sign on the -monuments is a bull with a globe of the sun upon his head, and the -hieroglyphic cruciform emblem of Life drawn near it. Numerous bronze -figures of this bull are cast, whereupon they are consecrated, -distributed over Egypt, and placed in the tombs of the priests. The -time to which the sacred books limit the life of Apis is twenty-five -years, which is a mystic number here; and if his representative does -not die a natural death by that time, he is driven to the great -fountain of the temple, where the priests were accustomed to bathe him -(for he is fed and tended with the greatest delicacy, luxury, and -servility by his priestly curators), and there, with hymns chanted and -incense burning, they drown him amid many rites and ceremonies, all of -which are written in the forty-two books of papyrus kept in the sacred -archives of the oldest temple. - -No sooner does the god expire, than certain priests, who are selected -for the purpose, go in search of some other bull; for they believe -that the soul of Osiris has migrated into another body of one of these -animals, or "Lords of Egypt," as I have heard them called. This belief -of the constant transfer of himself by Osiris from the body of one -bull to another, is but the expression of a popular notion here, that -souls of men transmigrate from body to body; and my opinion is -confirmed by a scene depicted in the judgment-hall of Osiris, where -the god is represented as sending a soul, whose evil deeds outweighed -his good ones, back to earth, and condemning it to enter the body of a -hog, and so begin anew, from the lowest animal condition, to rise by -successive transmigrations through other beasts, higher and higher; -until he became man again, when, if he had acquired virtue in his -probation, he was admitted to the houses of the gods and became -immortal. - -The prince assures me that the belief in the transmigration of souls -is almost universal in the Thebaïd, as well as among the lower orders -in the northern nomes; and that the universal reverence for animals -is, without doubt, in a great measure to be traced to this sentiment. -A monstrous doctrine of the perpetual incarnation of deity in the -form, not of man, but of the brute, seems to be the groundwork of all -religious faith in Egypt. This idea is the key to the mysteries, -inconsistencies, and grossness of their outward worship; the -interpreter of their animal Pantheon. - -"There is a tradition," said to me, to-day, the prince-priest Misrai, -with whom I am now remaining, "that when Osiris came down to earth, in -order to benefit the human race by teaching them the wisdom of the -gods, evil men, the sons of Typhon, pursued to destroy him, when he -took refuge in the body of a bull, who protected and concealed him. -After his return to the heavens, he ordained that divine honors should -be paid to the bull forever." - -This account, my dear mother, is a more satisfactory myth than any -other, if any can be so; and recognizes incarnation as the principle -of the worship of Apis. This universal idea in the minds of men, that -the Creator once dwelt in the body of a creature, would lead one to -believe, that in ages past the Infinite had descended from heaven for -the good of men, and dwelt in a body; or that, responding to this -universal idea, he may yet do it. Perhaps, dear mother, the worship of -Osiris under the form of Apis, may be the foreshadowing and type of -what is yet really to come--a dispensation, preparing men for the -actual coming of the Invisible in a visible form. What a day of glory -and splendor for earth, should this prove true! The conception, dear -mother, is not my own; it is a thought of the great, and wise, and -good Remeses, who, if ever men are deified, deserves a place, after -death, among the gods. His vast and earnest mind, enriched with all -the stores of knowledge that man can compass, seems as if it derived -inspiration from the heavens. His conversation is deeper than the -sacred books; the ideas of his soul more wonderful than the mysteries -of the temple! - -The priests who seek another bull, discover him by certain signs -mentioned in their sacred books. These I have already described. In -the mean while, a public lamentation is performed, as if Osiris, that -is, "the Lord of Heaven," had died, and the mourning lasts until the -new Apis is found. This information is proclaimed by swift messengers -in all the cities, and is hailed with the wildest rejoicings. The -scribes who have found the young calf which is to be the new god, keep -it with its mother in a small temple facing the rising sun, and feed -it with milk for four months. When that term is expired, a grand -procession of priests, scribes, prophets, and interpreters of omens, -headed by the high-priest, and often by the king, as hereditary priest -of his realm, proceed to the temple or house of the sacred calf, at -the time of the new moon--the slender and delicate horns of which -symbolize those of the juvenile Apis. With chants and musical -instruments playing, they escort him to a gorgeously decorated _baris_ -or barge, rowed by twelve oars, and place him in a gilded cabin on -costly mats. They then convey him in great pomp and with loud -rejoicings to Memphis. Here the whole city receives him with trumpets -blowing and shouts of welcome; garlands are cast upon his neck by -young girls, and flowers strewed before him by the virgins of the -temple. - -Thus escorted, the "Living Soul of Osiris" is conducted to the temple -provided for him, which is now, as I have before observed, an -appendage to the Temple of Pthah or Vulcan, an edifice remarkable for -its architectural beauty, its extent, and the richness of its -decorations; indeed, the most magnificent temple in the city. A -festival of many days succeeds, and the young deity is then led in -solemn procession throughout the city, that all the people may see -him. These come out of their houses to welcome him, with gifts, as he -passes. Mothers press their children forward towards the sacred animal -that they may receive his breath which, they believe, conveys the -power to them of predicting future events. Returned to his sacred -adytum, he henceforth reigns as a god, daintily fed, and reverently -served. Pleasure-gardens and rooms for recreation are provided for him -when he would exercise. - -At the death of Apis, all the priests are immediately excluded from -the temple, which is given up to profound solitude and silence, as if -it also mourned, in solemn desolation, the loss of its god. His -obsequies are celebrated on a scale of grandeur and expenditure hardly -conceivable. Sometimes the rich treasury of the temple, though filled -with the accumulated gold of a quarter of a century, is exhausted. -Upon the death of the last Apis, the priests expended one hundred -talents of gold in his obsequies, and Prince Mœris, who seeks every -opportunity to make a show of piety, and to please the Egyptians, gave -them fifty talents more, to enable them to defray the enormous costs -of the funeral of the god. - -The burial-place of the Serapis, as the name is on the mausoleum -(formed by pronouncing together Osiris-Apis), is outside of the -western pylon of the city. We approached it through a paved avenue, -with lions ranged on each side of it. It consists of a vast gallery, -hewn in a rocky spur of the Libyan cliff, twenty feet in height, and -two thousand long. I visited this tomb yesterday, accompanied by the -high-priest. He showed me the series of chambers on the sides of this -sepulchral hall, where each embalmed Apis was deposited in a -sarcophagus of granite fifteen feet in length. There were sixty of -these sarcophagi, showing the permanency and age of this system of -worship. They were adorned with royal ovals, inscribed, or with -tablets containing dedications, to Apis. One of these bore the -inscription, "To the god Osiris-Apis, the Lord of the Soul of Osiris, -and emblem of the Sun, by Amense, Queen and upholder of the two -kingdoms." - -In front of the sculptured entrance of this hall of the dead god is -the Sarapeum, a funeral temple for perpetual obsequies. It has a -vestibule of noble proportions, its columns being of the delicately -blue-veined alabaster from the quarries in the south. On each side of -the doorway is a crouching lion, with a tablet above one, upon which a -king is represented making an offering. Within the vestibule stand, in -half circle, twelve statues of ancient kings. In a circle above these -sit, with altars before each, as many gods. Upon a pedestal in the -centre stands the statue of the Pharaoh who erected this beautiful -edifice. - -Thus, my dear mother, have I endeavored, as you requested, to present -before your mind a clear view of the system of theology, and the forms -of worship of the Egyptians. To evolve from the contradictory and -vague traditions a reasonable faith; to select from the countless -myths a dominating idea; to separate the true from the false, to bring -harmony out of what, regarded as a whole, is confusion; to know what -is local, what national in rites, and to reconcile all the theories of -Osiris with one another, is a task far from easy to perform. At first, -I believed I should never be able to arrive at any system in these -multifarious traditions and usages, but I think that my researches -have given me an insight into the difficulties of their religion, and -enabled me, in a great measure, to unravel the tangled thread of their -mythology. - -I will now resume my pen, which, since writing the above, I laid down -to partake of a banquet with the priest, my princely host, at which I -met many of the great lords of Memphis, namely--the lord-keeper of the -royal signet, the lord of the wardrobe and rings of the queen's -palace, and the lord of the treasury. These men of rank I well knew, -having met them before at the table of the queen. There were also -strangers whom I had not met before--men of elegant address, and in -rich apparel, each with the signet of his office on his left hand; -among others, the lord of the nilometer, who reports the progress of -the elevation of the river in the annual overflows, and by which all -Lower Egypt is governed in its agricultural work; the president of the -engravers on hard stones, an officer of trust and high honor; the -governors of several nomes, in their gold collars and chains; the lord -of the house of silver; the president of architects; the lord of -sculptors; the president of the school of art and color; with other -men of dignity. There were also high-priests of several fanes, of -Athor, of Pthah, of Horus, of Maut, and of Amun. Besides these -gentlemen, there was a large company of noble ladies, their wives and -daughters, who came to the banquet by invitation of the Princess -Nelisa, the superb and dark-eyed wife of the Prince Hierarch, and one -of the most magnificent and queenly women (next to the queen herself) -I have seen in this land of beautiful women. - -It was a splendid banquet. The Lady Nelisa presided with matchless -dignity and grace. But I have already described a banquet to you. This -was similar in display and the mode of entertaining the guests. - -I was seated opposite the daughter of the Priest of Mars, of whose -beauty I have before spoken. She asked many questions, in the most -captivating way, about Tyre, and yourself, and the Phœnician ladies -generally. She smiled, and looked surprised, when I informed her that -I was betrothed to the fair Princess Thamonda, and asked me if she -were as fair as the women of Egypt. She inquired if Damascus had -always been a part of Phœnicia, and how large your kingdom was. -When I told her that your kingdom was composed of several lesser -kingdoms, once independent, but now united far east of Libanus, under -your crown, she inquired if you were a warlike queen to make such -conquests. I replied that this union of the free cities of -Phœnicia, and of the cities of Cœle-Syria under your sceptre, -was a voluntary one, partly for union against the kings of Philistia, -partly from a desire to be under so powerful and wise a queen. She -said that if the danger were passed, or you were no more, the kings of -these independent cities might dissolve the bonds, and so diminish the -splendor of the crown which I was to wear. To this I replied, that to -be king of Tyre and its peninsula was a glory that would meet my -ambition. "Yes," said she, "for Tyre is the key of the riches of the -earth!" - -I repeat this conversation, dear mother, in order to show you that the -high-born daughters of Egypt are not only affable and sensible, but -that they possess no little knowledge of other lands, and take an -interest in countries friendly to their own. The grace and beauty of -this maiden, as well as her modesty, rendered her conversation -attractive and pleasing. She is to become the wife of a brave young -captain of the chariot battalion, when he returns from the Ethiopian -war. - -My visit to the pyramids I will now describe, dear mother, although in -a letter to the Princess Thamonda I have given a very full account of -it. Accompanied by the hierarch and a few young lords--his friends and -mine--we rode in chariots out of the gate of the city, passed the -guards, who made obeisance to the high-priest, and entered upon an -avenue (what noble avenues are everywhere!) of trees growing upon a -raised and terraced mound which bounded each side of it. The mound was -emerald-green with verdancy, and the color of the foliage of the -palms, acacias, and tamarisk trees was enriched by the bright sunshine -as seen through the pure atmosphere. At intervals we passed a pair of -obelisks, or through a grand pylon of granite. Then we came to a -beautiful lake--the Lake of the Dead--where we passed a procession of -shrines. Every nome and all large cities have such a lake. I will here -state its use, which, like every thing in Egypt, is a religious one. -It is connected with the passage of the dead from this world to the -next; for the Egyptians not only believe in a future state, but that -rewards or punishments await the soul. When a person of distinction -dies, after the second or third day his body is taken charge of by -embalmers, a class of persons whose occupation it is to embalm the -dead. They have houses in a quarter of the city set apart for this -purpose. Here the friends of the dead are shown three models of as -many different modes of embalmment, of which they choose one, -according to the expense they are willing to incur. "The most -honorable and most costly," said the high-priest to me, as we were -surveying the Lake of the Dead, towards which a procession was moving -from the city, when we came before it, "is that in which the body is -made to resemble Osiris. And a custom prevails among us, that the -operator who first wounds the body with the sharp embalming flint, -preparatory to embalming, is odious by the act, and is compelled to -take to flight, pursued with execrations and pelted with stones. No -doubt the man we saw flying out of a house this morning, as we passed, -was one of these incisors." - -The body remains seventy days, if that of a person of rank, at the -embalmers. It is then either taken to the house, to be detained a -longer or shorter time--according to the attachment of relatives, and -their reluctance to part with it--or is prepared for entombment. -During the interval of seventy days, the mourners continue their signs -of lamentation, which often are excessive in degree, such as tearing -off raiment, beating the breast, and pouring dust upon the head. The -pomp of the burial of the Pharaohs, I am informed, is inconceivably -grand and imposing. The whole realm joins in the rites and -processions, and every temple is crowded with sacrificers and -incense-burners. - -We stopped our chariots to witness the funeral procession advance to -the shore of the lake, from the wide street leading from Memphis. - -First came seven musicians, playing a solemn dirge upon lyres, flutes, -and harps with four chords. Then servants carrying vases of flowers; -and others followed, bearing baskets containing gilded cakes, fruit, -and crystal goblets of wine. Two boys led a red calf for sacrifice in -behalf of the dead, and two others carried in a basket three -snow-white geese, also for sacrifice. Others bore beautiful chairs, -tablets, napkins, and numerous articles of a household description; -while others still, held little shrines, containing the household gods -or effigies of their ancestors. Seven men carrying daggers, fans, -sandals, and bows, each having a napkin on his shoulder, followed. -Next I saw eight men appear, supporting a table; and lying upon it, as -offerings, were embroidered couches and lounges, richly inlaid boxes, -and an ivory chariot with silver panels, which, with the foregoing -articles, the high priest informed me had belonged to the deceased, -who, from the cartouch on the chariot, was Rathmes, "lord of the royal -gardens." - -Behind this chariot came the charioteer, with a pair of horses -caparisoned with harness for driving, but which he led on foot out of -respect to his late master. - -Then came a venerable man, with the features and beard of the Hebrew -race. Surprised to see one of these people anywhere, save with an -implement of toil in his hand, or bowed down to the earth under a -burden, I looked more closely, and recognized the face of the head -gardener, Amrami, or Amram, whom I had often seen in the queen's -garden, and whom Remeses had taken, as it were, into his service, as -he was his foster-father: for it is no uncommon thing with the nobles -to have Hebrew nurses for their infants; on the contrary, they are -preferred. When Remeses was an infant, it seems, therefore, that the -wife of this fine-looking old Hebrew was his foster-mother, or nurse. -I have before spoken of the striking resemblance he bears to Remeses. -Were he his father (if I may so speak of a prince in connection with a -slave), there could not be a much greater likeness. - -This venerable man, who must be full seventy years of age, bore in his -hand a bunch of flowers, inverted and trailing, in token that his lord -was no more. He was followed by not less than fifty under-gardeners, -four or five of whom had Hebrew lineaments, but the rest were -Egyptians and Persians,--the latter celebrated for the culture of -flowers, which are so lavishly used here in all the ceremonies of -society and rites of religion. - -After them followed four men, each bearing aloft a vase of gold, upon -a sort of canopy, with other offerings; then came a large bronze -chest, borne by priests, containing the money left to their temple by -the deceased. Then, in succession, one who bore his arms; another, a -pruning-hook of silver; another, his fans; a fourth, his signets, -jewelled collars, and necklaces, displayed upon a cushion of blue -silk, adorned with needle-work; and a fifth, the other insignia -peculiar to a noble who had been intrusted with the supervision of all -the royal gardens in the Memphite kingdom. - -Now came four trumpeters and a cymbal-player, performing a martial -air, in which voices of men mingled, called "The Hymn of Heroes." - -Next appeared a decorated barge or _baris_,--a small, sacred boat, -carried by six men, whom I saw elevate to view the mysterious "Eye of -Osiris;" while others carried a tray of blue images, representing the -deceased under the form of that god, also of the sacred bird -emblematic of the soul. Following these were twelve men, bearing, upon -yokes balanced across the shoulders, baskets and cases filled with -flowers and crystal bottles for libation. Next were a large company of -hired females, with fillets upon their brows, beating their bared -breasts, and throwing dust upon their heads,--now lamenting the dead, -now praising his virtues. - -Then came the officiating priest, his sacred leopard-skin cast over -his shoulders, bearing in his hand the censer and vase of libation, -and accompanied by his attendants holding the various implements -required for the occasion. Behind this priest came a car, without -wheels, drawn by four white oxen and seven men, yoked to it, while -beside them walked a chief officer, who regulated the movements of the -procession. Upon this car was the consecrated boat, containing the ark -or hearse. The pontiff of the Temple of Horus walked by the -sarcophagus, which was decked with flowers, and richly painted with -various emblems. A panel, left open on one side, exposed to view the -head of the mummy. - -Finally came the male relatives of the dead, and his friends. In his -honor the queen's grand-chamberlain and the master of horse marched -together in silence, and with solemn steps, leaning on their long -sticks. Other men followed, whose rich dresses, and long -walking-canes, which are the peculiar mark of an Egyptian gentleman, -showed them to be persons of distinction. A little in the rear of -these walked a young man, who dropped a lotus-flower from a basket at -every few steps, and closed the long procession. - -In no country but this, where rain seldom falls, and it is always -pleasant in the open air, could such a procession safely appear -bearing wares so delicate and frail. The only danger to be apprehended -is from storms of sand from the desert beyond the pyramids, of the -approach of which, however, the atmosphere gives a sufficient warning. - -This letter is quite long enough, dear mother, and I close it, with -wishes for your happiness, and assurances of the filial devotion of - - Your son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XV. - - -CITY OF MEMPHIS. - -DEAREST MOTHER: - -Your last letter, assuring me of your health, and that of the Princess -Thamonda, I received by the chief pilot, Onothis, who, in his new and -handsome galley, reached the head of the Delta two days ago. Thence he -came here in his boat, his ship being too large, in the present depth -of water, to come up to Memphis. - -I will now continue the description of the funeral of "the lord of the -royal gardens." When the procession reached the steps leading down to -the sacred lake, the hearse was borne upon a gilded and carved baris, -the consecrated boat for the dead. This was secured to a decorated -galley with sails and oars and a spacious cabin, richly painted with -funeral emblems. The friends and relatives of the deceased embarked in -other barges in waiting, and to the strains of wailing music, the -procession, reverently joined by the boats of several gentlemen, in -gay apparel, who were fishing on the lake, crossed to the other side. -Reaching the opposite shore, it formed again, as before, and moved -down "the Street of the Tombs," crossed a narrow plain, and entered -the gate of the great burial-place of Memphis. We slowly followed the -procession; and, alighting from the chariot, I saw them take the mummy -from the sarcophagus on the car, and place it upright in a chamber of -the tomb. An assistant priest then sprinkled all who were present with -sacred water, and the chief-priest burnt incense before an altar of -the tomb, and poured libations upon it, with other ceremonies. To -close the scene, the mummy was embraced by weeping friends, and a -funeral dirge played by the musicians without, which was wildly -answered by the mourning wail of woe from within. - -Driving around the Acherusis Lake, under the shade of its solemn -groves, the priest directed his charioteer to take me in again at the -gate of the tombs. Reseating myself by his side--for the chariots of -the priests, as well as those of ladies, are provided with a movable -curved chair which holds two persons--we proceeded in a direct line -towards the greatest of the three pyramids that stand near Memphis. We -were upon what is called "The Sacred Way." It commenced at the gate of -a temple to the god of the winds, beneath the pylon of which we -passed, and extended nearly a league in length over a vast plain -crowded with funeral temples, monuments, mausolean porticos, statues, -and fountains. All the architectural magnificence which is found in -other avenues, seemed to be combined here to form a royal road which -has no parallel on earth; not even the long column-lined approach to -the Temple of the Sun, at the end of the straight street in Damascus, -can be compared with it. - -This noble thoroughfare, as we drove slowly along that I might admire -its grandeur and beauty, was thronged with people going to and coming -from the city. There were processions returning from having deposited -their dead in one of the many tombs which covered the vast plain; -processions of the humbler orders, with but few signs of display and -wealth, proceeding, with real mourners, to the tomb. There were groups -of children, their hands filled with garlands, going to place them -upon the sarcophagus of a departed parent; for the custom of -decorating the resting-places of the dead with wreaths often renewed, -belongs to Egypt as well as to Syria. - -We overtook a rich lady in a gilded palanquin, borne on the shoulders -of four slaves. She was opulently and handsomely attired, and carried -a blue and green fan, while an attendant walked behind and held over -her head a large parasol. - -Two chariots, containing young Egyptian lords, dashed by us at full -speed in the excitement of a race, each driving his own ornamented -car, the charioteers standing a little in the rear. - -People selling little images of gods, or of eminent deceased persons, -or fruit, or flowers, or scarabæi, and amulets, were seated all along -the highway, upon pedestals, or in the shade of statues and tombs; -while along the road walked sellers of vegetables, and fowls, and -bread. Indeed, the way was crowded with life and activity. With no -other people would the avenue to its tombs be the most thronged of -any, and the favorite of all in the city; for Memphis, which extends -from and includes Jizeh, past the pyramids south for six miles, has -noble streets, but none like this leading to the pyramids. The -Egyptians say that the house is but the temporary abode of man, but in -the tombs his embalmed body dwells forever. "Let us, therefore, -decorate our tombs with paintings and art, and fill them with flowers, -and adorn the homes which are to be permanent." - -Hence the "dead-life" of the sepulchres is not less a reality to the -Egyptian than his life in the city. The poor, however, do not find -tombs. They are buried in graves or pits, like the Hebrew people. On -the other side of the river lies the most ancient burial-place of -Memphis; but since the construction of the Lake of the Dead, it is no -longer necessary to cross the Nile (for the dead _must_ be ferried -across water) for interment. - -As we drove on, we came to a stately sepulchre, before which was -gathered a large multitude. The coffin had just been removed from a -gorgeous hearse and set down upon the step of the tomb. It was the -funeral of a lady. I never saw any painting so rich as that which -adorned the mummy-case. It was an Osirian coffin, and covered in every -part with columns of hieroglyphics or emblematical figures, among -which were represented the winged serpent, the ibis, the cynocephalus -or the genii of Amenthe, and the scarabæus. - -"The hieroglyphics," said my companion, "contain the name and -qualities of the deceased." - -At this moment an official, partly in a priestly dress, advanced in an -imposing manner, touched the coffin with a wand, and said aloud: - -"Approved! Let the good be entombed, and may their souls dwell in -Amenthe with Osiris. Judgment is passed in her favor! Let her be -buried!" - -Upon hearing this address, I asked the high-priest what it signified. -He replied, with that courtesy which has always distinguished his -replies to my numerous questions: - -"This act has reference to the judgment of Osiris. We did not witness -a similar ceremony at the lake, because the deceased was brought from -On, and had already been judged at the crossing of the Nile. If we had -sooner seen this funeral procession, which came only from the city to -the lake, we should have beheld forty-two just persons, chosen as -judges, seated upon a semicircular stone bench along the shore." - -"I noticed the stone seats," I answered, "and intended to have -inquired their use." - -"Seated upon them, the forty-two judges await the procession. The -baris, or gilded galley, which is to receive the body, is then drawn -alongside of the steps. Before it the bearers stop, and turning to the -judges, rest their burden on the ground before them. Then, while all -the friends stand anxiously around, and hundreds of spectators line -the shores, one of the judges rises and asks if any one present can -lawfully accuse the deceased of having done wrong to any man. If the -dead has done injustice or evil, his enemy, or the one wronged, or -their relatives, advance and make the charge. The judges weigh the -accusation, and if it be sustained, the rites of sepulchre are -commanded not to proceed." - -Such a judgment, dear mother, I afterwards witnessed on our return -from the pyramids. It was the funeral of a woman of respectability. - -The accuser said, advancing into the space before the judges-- - -"I accuse the deceased of suffering her father to perish in want." - -"This is a great crime by our laws," said the judge sternly; "for, -though sons are not bound to provide for poor parents, daughters are. -This she knew, and was able to do it. Where are the proofs?" - -Three persons came forward and bore testimony to the fact. - -"The deceased is not worthy to pass the Lake of the Dead. The burial -is prohibited." - -Hereupon there was a great cry of woe on the part of the mortified -relations; and the mummy, without being permitted to enter the sacred -baris, was retaken to the city, where in a shrine in the house it will -remain above-ground for years; until finally, after certain -ceremonies, it is permitted to be ignominiously entombed in "the -sepulchre of the evil." - -This accusation and judgment, dear mother, is a striking illustration -of the veneration and respect children are expected to pay to their -parents in Egypt. - -If, on the other hand, the accusation is not sustained, the accusers -are stoned away by the friends, who then with great joy unite in a -eulogy of the dead, and joined by all the people present pray the gods -below to receive him to dwell among the pious dead. In the eulogy, -they speak only of virtues--praising his learning, his integrity, his -justice, his piety, his temperance, and truthfulness; but no mention -is made of rank, since all Egyptians are deemed equally noble. Such an -ordeal has no doubt a great influence upon the living Egyptian; for he -is certain that at his death every act of injustice he has committed -will be brought up before the forty-two judges, and if found guilty, -he will be denied sepulture, while infamy will be attached to his -memory. - -"What," I asked of my companion, the high-priest, "is the state of the -deceased soul after death?" - -"That, O prince," said he, "is one of the mysteries. But as you have -been initiated into the knowledge of the mystic books in your own -land, I will explain to you what our books of the dead teach. We -priests of Apis do not believe with those of Osiris at On." - -"What is their faith?" I asked. - -"That the soul of man is immortal (which we all believe)," he added -positively; "that when the body decays, the soul enters into and is -born in the form of a lower animal; and when it has gone the round of -the bodies of all terrestrial and marine animals, and of all flying -creatures, it enters again into the body of an infant at its birth." - -"Possibly in this belief," I remarked, "is found the reason for -preserving the human body as long as possible by embalming it, thus -keeping off the transmigration of its soul into a brute as long as -possible." - -"Without doubt," he replied, "embalming the dead grew out of the -doctrine of transmigration of souls. The circuit performed by a soul -in this series of inhabitations of the forms of animals, is three -thousand years in duration. Such is the belief of the priests of the -Sun. This transmigration is not connected either with reward or -punishment, but it is a necessity of its creation that the soul should -accomplish the whole circuit of the kingdom of animated nature ere it -again enters a human body. _Our_ doctrine of metempsychosis only so -far embodies this, as to make Osiris send back the transgressing soul -from Amenthe to earth, to dwell in the body of swine as a punishment; -and when its probation is passed, we allow an ultimate return to the -Divine Essence." - -"What is this tribunal of Osiris?" I asked. - -"The dead carry with them to the tomb a papyrus, on which is written -their address to the gods, and the deeds which entitle them to -admission into Heaven. When the soul leaves the grave, it is received -by Horus son of Osiris, and conducted to the gates of Amenthe, or the -regions of the gods. At the entrance, a dog with four heads--of the -wolf, lion, serpent, and bear--keeps guard. Near the gate, which is -called the Gate of Truth, sits the goddess of Justice, with her -gigantic scales of gold between her and the Gate of Truth. Hard by -sits the god Thoth, with a tablet and stylus. The scales are -superintended by the deity Anubis Through the open gate the throne of -Osiris is visible with the deity upon it. - -"As Horus advances with the soul to the Gate of Truth, as if to enter, -the goddess of Justice commands him to stop, that the sum of its -deeds, both good and evil, may be weighed and recorded. - -"Anubis then places a vase containing all the human virtues in one -scale, and the heart of the deceased, or sometimes the soul itself, in -the other. Horus repeats the result, which the god Thoth inscribes -upon his iron tablet. The dog watches the issue of the weighing with -eyes red with furious longing to devour the soul. If the sum of its -good deeds predominates, Horus, taking it by one hand, and the tablet -of Thoth in the other, advances into the hall, where his father, -Osiris, is seated upon the throne, holding his crook and flagellum, -and awaiting the report from the hand of his son. They approach the -throne between four genii of Amenthe, and come before three deities -who sit in front of the throne. These ask if he has been weighed, and -Horus exhibits to each the tablet of Thoth. They then permit him to -pass. Horus now stands before Osiris, with the soul by his side, and -presents the tablet, which the deity takes from his son's hand. If -satisfied by an inspection of the tablet, which records not only the -virtues but every error of the soul's life on earth, Osiris presents -him with an ostrich feather, the emblem of truth. One of the three -deities then gives him a vase containing all the virtues, his few sins -being pardoned; a second offers him a jewelled band for the forehead, -on which is inscribed in diamonds the word 'justified;' and the third -presents him with the emblem of life. He is now received by Isis, and -conducted through gates of gold that open with divine music, and -enters into scenes of celestial beauty and splendor; palaces of the -gods become his abode, he reposes by heavenly rivers of crystal -beauty, wanders through fields of delight, and dwells with the Lord of -the Sun, and all the immortal gods, in glory ineffable and endless." - -The hierarch said all this with great animation, and like a man who -believes what he utters. I was deeply interested. - -"And what, my lord priest, becomes of the soul which cannot meet the -scales of justice with confidence, whose evil deeds outweigh his good -ones?" - -"Such a soul does not see Osiris, nor the farther heavens where he -dwells illumined by the glory of the divine disk of the Lord of the -Sun. The reprobate spirit does not behold the Eye of Osiris, nor -repose in its pure light. It is not manifested to the sacred deities -of the inner heavens, nor does he hear the voice of the great god, -saying, 'Thou art justified, O soul! Enter thou the Gate of Truth.' - -"If the soul is all wicked, with no virtues, then Horus releases its -hand with horror, and the dog devours the wretched being in a moment. -But if he has one or two virtues--such as honoring his parents, having -saved a human life, or fed the hungry--then he is not given over to -the monster; but Horus, with a sad aspect, leads him to the throne of -Osiris, who, reading the dark tablet of Thoth, sternly inclines his -sceptre in token of condemnation, and pronounces judgment upon him -according to his sin, when, Horus leaving him, two evil gods from the -realms of Typhon appear and lead him forth." - -"What is the punishment ordained?" - -"To be led back to the gate of Truth and delivered to Justice, who, -without a head, sits thereat. The goddess seals the sentence of Osiris -upon the forehead of the unclean soul, and instantly it assumes the -form of a pig, or some other base animal. The god Thoth then calls up -two monkeys, who take the condemned soul to a boat and ferry it back -to the world, while the bridge by which it came from the earth is cut -down by Anubis, in the form of a man with an axe." - -"As every thing in Egyptian mythology is symbolical, what is the -signification of these monkeys?" - -"Monkeys are emblems of Thoth, the god of time," he answered. "The -books of our mysteries teach that the human race began with the -monkey, and progressively advanced to man. Osiris, by his judgment, -condemns the unclean soul to the level of the monkey again, but first -commands it to enter a swine's body, the uncleanest of all beasts, and -make its way through the whole circle of animal creation, back to the -monkey, and up through the black, barbaric races of men, who have arms -like apes, to true man himself. Then, practising virtue and rejecting -his former vices, he may after death finally attain to the mansions of -the blessed, in the presence of Osiris. But I should add, the souls of -bodies unburied can never enter the Gate of Truth." - -Here we came in sight of the gigantic pylon that opens to the Temple -of the Pyramid of Cheops, and the hierarch ceased speaking. He had, -however, but little to add, for his explanations covered all the -ground of my inquiries. - -Thus, dear mother, have I presented to you the system of worship in -this wonderful land. I will now proceed to a description of my visit -to the pyramids, which, in sublime majesty, occupied the whole horizon -as we advanced beyond the plain of the tombs. At the extremity of the -paved causeway of this stately "Avenue of the Dead," leading from the -Nile to the pyramids, we beheld the three great triangular mountains -of gigantic art obliquely, so that they were grasped by the eye in one -grand view. But the lofty mass of Cheops immediately before us, at the -end of the avenue, challenged the eye and whole attention of the -observer. For a moment, as we dashed onward in our brilliantly painted -chariot, our steeds tossing their plumed heads as if proud of their -housings of gold and needle-work, we lost sight of the pyramid by the -interposition of the gigantic wings of the Gate of the Pyramids. These -wings were towers of Syenite rock, one hundred and twenty feet in -height, looking down from their twelfth painted and sculptured story -upon the tops of the loftiest palms that grew on each side of the -entrance. The gate was guarded by priests, who wore a close silver -helmet, and held in their hands a short sword, the sheath of which -hung to a belt of leopard's skin. They were young men, numbering in -all three hundred and sixty, corresponding to the days of the former -Egyptian year; while their five captains typify five days added by the -gods. - -"These young men," said the high-priest, "are all sons of warlike -fathers. They desire to become priests, and are now in their -novitiate; but after a year's service as guards to the greatest of -temples, they will be advanced to a higher degree, and exchange the -sword for the shepherd's crook; and thence they rise to be bearers of -libation vases, and assistants in sacrifices." - -We passed under the lofty pylon, which was spanned by a bronze winged -sun, saluted by sixty of the guard on duty; this being the number of -each of the six bodies into which they are divided. As soon as we -entered the court of the gate, a sight of inconceivable grandeur burst -upon me. Imagine a double colonnade of the most magnificent pillars -which art could create, extending on each side of an open way a -thousand cubits in length. At the end of the grand vista, behold -crouched at full length, on the eastern edge of the elevated table on -which the pyramids stand, and in an attitude of eternal repose, with -an aspect of majesty and benignity inconceivable in the human -lineaments, an andro-sphinx of colossal size, having the face of a -warrior. Although stretched on the earth, with its fore-paws extended, -the summit of the brow is seventy feet above the earth. This sublime -image is emblematical, like all Egyptian sphinxes, and represents -strength or power combined with intellect. The face I at once -recognized to be that of Chephres, as seen upon his obelisk at Rhoda, -aggrandized by the vastness of its proportions to the aspect of a god. - -From my companion, the prince-hierarch, I learned it was begun by an -ancient Pharaoh of the same name, one of the kings of the oldest -dynasty, who conceived the idea of chiselling into these grand -proportions a mass of rock, which, projecting from the Libyan hills, -nearly obstructed the view of the principal pyramid. - -We were here forbidden to advance in our chariot, and the footmen, who -had never left the side of the horses, however swiftly our charioteer -might drive, caught them by the head, and we alighted. - -I had leisure now to contemplate the scene before me. The personation -of majesty, the sphinx, fills the breadth of the approach between the -massive pillars of the colonnade. Between his fore-paws, which extend -fifty feet, while the body is nearly three times this measure, stands -a beautiful temple faced with oriental alabaster. His head is crowned -with a helmet slightly convex, upon which, like a crest, is affixed -the sacred uræus or serpent, shining with gold. The cape or neck-band -of the helmet is of scales, colored blue, red, green, and orange, -intermingled with gilding. A great and full beard descends over his -breast, immediately under which, and between his feet, is the summit -of the temple where sacrifices are daily offered to the god. Above his -towering brow soars the mighty pyramid before which this colossus -keeps guard. - -"The majesty of this image, O prince," said the high-priest, as, -leaning at every step upon his slender acacia rod, he walked by my -side, "impresses you." - -"It is the most majestic of all the gods of Egypt," I answered. - -"Yes. Its age is nearly coeval with the pyramid." - -"On the pyramidion base of the left obelisk in front of the temple of -Osiris, have I not seen reposing four small sphinxes copied from -this?" - -"Thou hast seen them. That obelisk is many ages old; yet long before -it, was this sphinx-god, as silent, majestic, and immovable in eternal -repose as you behold him now." - -At the termination of the avenue of direct approach, we descended an -inclined plane to a platform of marble, on which is an image of Osiris -in stone, and were brought nearly opposite the lower part of its face. -Then another flight of steps, cased with polished porphyry, brought us -on a level with the top of the temple. In the centre of this level -platform stands a statue of Horus, cast in bronze. Thence descending -another flight of thirty broad steps, we stood in the space between -the enormous feet of the sphinx, and directly before the beautiful -temple. - -Our gradual approach in this descent, during which the sphinx was kept -constantly in view, rising above us as we descended, heightened the -impressions first made upon me by its colossal size; and I beheld, -with new emotions of sublimity, its posture of repose and calm majesty -of aspect. - -A priest, in the full costume of his sacred office, stood at the door, -and preceded by him we entered. As it was the hour of oblation, he -held a censer in his hand, and approaching an altar before a granite -tablet at the end of the temple, he invoked the mysterious god. The -temple has no roof, but is exquisitely decorated and painted with -sacred symbols. On each side stands a tablet of limestone. The tablet -over the altar is inscribed with the name of the designer of the -sphinx, Menes, the first mortal king after the general overflow of the -mountains, and also with the destruction of the gigantic gods by the -uprising of unknown oceans upon the globe. The tablet holds his -shield, and on it is pictured the escape of the son of the ancient -gods, in a ship, which is resting upon a mountain peak. In this -tradition, mother, we find repeated our Phœnician history of the -flood, before the days of the first kings. Without doubt all nations -retain a similar tradition. Upon the same tablet is also a -representation of a later king offering incense and libations to the -god to whom the sphinx is consecrated. The tablets on the side also -represent kings offering prayer to the god. The floor is beautifully -tesselated with variegated stones; and on all sides are ivory or -silver tables, covered with beautifully shaped vases, containing -offerings of worshippers. There are, besides, ten shrines before the -altar, upon each of which rests a golden crown, gifts of kings of -other lands. Without question this temple of the sphinx is the richest -in Egypt in gifts, as well as most honored by its Pharaohs. Is it not -the vestibule to the grand pyramidal temple which is the tomb of the -first mortal king? - -But, my dear mother, I must not linger at the feet of the sphinx. -Leaving the temple, we ascended one of two broad stair-cases, and -mounting to a succession of terraces, adorned with statues of gods, -the vast bulk of the sphinx being on our right, we reached a noble -stone platform behind the image, upon which stands an ancient figure, -in coarse marble, worn by age, of Chephres the Great. He stamps a -sea-dragon under his feet, and upon his capped head is the beak of a -galley, with the head and wings of a dove. In this symbol, dear -mother, behold again the representation of the deluge, and the dove -that guided the ship which held Chephren, or Chephres, and his father, -the god Noachis, or Noah. - -When we had gained this terrace, we beheld before us both pyramids, -and between them the pylon of a vast temple, which, extending its -great arms on each side, embraced the twin pyramids in one godlike -edifice, of grandeur and dimensions immeasurable to the eye, and -overpowering to the imagination. To explain more clearly what I -beheld: Between, but in advance of them, towered a colossal pylon, to -which each pyramid was a wing, united by a wall of brick, ninety feet -high, encased with marble. This central temple, or pylon, was as -massive and solemn in its aspect as the pyramids which formed its -propyla. For a few moments I stood and gazed with awe. Until the -spectator reaches the terrace, the whole effect is not perceived; for, -though the central temple is visible, even from the Lake of the Dead, -it appears as if merely intervening; it is only on the terrace before -which the sphinx, the gigantic watcher before the pyramids, reposes, -that the whole grand design is comprehended. Had I been all at once -brought in sight of the House of Osiris, in the realm of the gods, I -should not have been more overawed and impressed. - -This temple, built of brick, with marble casing, has in its outline -the ruinous aspect of great age, and is not in as good preservation as -the pyramids, although subsequently erected, not as an after-thought, -but in keeping with the great design. - -But a visitor is announced as in the hall of reception; therefore, at -present, dear mother, farewell, - - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XVI. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY HONORED AND DEAR MOTHER: - -I have described my chariot ride through the plain of tombs, along the -magnificent causeway, which extends from the Lake of the Dead to the -feet of the sphinx. All that I beheld of the grandeur of the monuments -showed, that the Egyptians of past generations who built them, and lie -buried here, were a populous and powerful nation, in advance of all -others in the arts of life; since not only do the cities for the -living, but the "Homes of the Dead," attest their taste and love for -the beautiful and sublime in nature and art. The culmination of all -Egyptian marvels in architecture is the sphinx-guarded pyramidal -temple. - -We approached the central pylon along a paved court, across which two -hundred chariots could have driven in a line. This court was entirely -surrounded by a double row of majestic columns, with the lotus-leaf -capitals I have before described. The vastness of their proportions -seemed to be increased by contrast with a group of priests, who looked -like pigmies in size as they stood by their bases. The gigantic -entablature, which united their summits, was covered with sacred -symbols, richly colored, and crowned with statues of kings, hewn out -of the dark-gray granite of Ethiopia. But some of these were mutilated -by Time, which, indeed, had thrown its mantle of decay over the -whole,--pillars, architecture, and sculpture; for this court is coeval -with the sphinx crouched at its entrance, and but a little later than -the two pyramids. In a few centuries, decay will have brought the -mighty fabric to the earth; for, massive as it looks, it is built of -brick, covered with pictured stucco; but the pyramids of stone, which -have withstood the lapse of ages beyond history, will last as long as -the everlasting hills of granite from which their enormous blocks were -hewn. - -Passing beneath the great portal, we found ourselves in the sacred -square of the temple of the Pyramids, and I could now perceive the -mighty design. Connected by stupendous columnar wings, the pyramids -rose in sublime grandeur on either hand. Their summits shone with the -light of the setting sun, which, reflected from the polished casing of -the pictured tiles yet remaining near the top, and that once covered -the whole surface from base to apex, lent a splendor to them -indescribable. On the opposite side of the quadrangle, formed by the -temple in front and the bases of the pyramids on the two sides, is a -dark grove of palms, intermingled with statues and altars; and beyond -rise the dark hills of Libya--a fitting and solemn background to the -scene. - -About the summits of the Queen's Pyramid, which is a little smaller -than the other, though it appears to be of equal height, from the -superior elevation of the platform of rock on which it stands, soared -flocks of the white ibis, their snow-white wings flashing like pinions -of silver as they wheeled in mid-air. At that immense height they -looked no larger than sparrows. - -A statue of Horus, whose name I had also seen inscribed on the tablet -of the temple of the Sphinx, rose a colossal monolith in the centre of -the quadrangle, with one of Thoth upon his right, and another of -Anubis on his left hand. These figures were symbolical of the funereal -use of the pyramids between which they stood. - -After walking around the columned avenue of this great mausoleum, we -began the ascent of the larger pyramid, known as that of Cheops; the -other bearing the name of Chephres, as the high-priest informs me; and -the third, which towers in its own unaided grandeur farther to the -south, being that of Pharaoh-Men-Cherines. We found the ascent -extremely difficult--indeed, in ancient times it must have been -impossible, when its polished and beautiful casing remained entire; -but this having been removed by time and accident in many places, and -purposely in others, a path, if it may be so termed, is made to the -summit. We were aided by attendants of the temple, who from long -practice ascend with ease, assisting also those strangers who would -climb the perilous height. - -As we reached half-way, a block, which had been removed from its place -either by the irresistible force of a sirocco from the desert, or by -lightning, gave the high-priest and myself a welcome resting-place. - -As we stood here a few moments, I looked down upon the prospect below. -The sight at first made me dizzy, for we were elevated four hundred -feet above the base. I seemed to be suspended upon wings above an -abyss, and a dreadful desire to throw myself out into mid-air seized -me; so that to resist it I closed my eyes and clung firmly to the -attendant. It soon passed off, and I gazed down upon the vast -quadrangle, the persons in which looked no bigger than ants, while the -three colossi of the gods, in the centre, were reduced to the natural -size of men. - -Opposite, not six hundred cubits distant, stood Chephres. From each -pyramid swept the avenues of columns and the great wall connecting -both with the central temple and its pylon. From the grove of palms, -curled up into the pure orange-colored atmosphere a blue cloud of -incense, where some priest offered at one of its shrines. - -Again we mounted upwards, and, after incredible fatigue, gained the -summit--not without peril, for a slip of the foot or the hand, each -block being as high as a man's neck, would prove fatal. Indeed, more -than one life has been lost in falling down the side of the pyramid. A -prince of Midian, a country in Arabia, lost his life last century by -losing his hold and falling from Chephres, which is more difficult of -ascent than Cheops, (or Chuphu), as the priests there call its name. - -How shall I describe to you, my dear mother, the scene which burst -upon my vision, as I gazed about me from this mountain-like elevation! -As I ascended, the prospect of the country enlarged at every step, but -now I seemed to behold the earth itself spread out beneath me. The -place where we stood, which looks from below like a sharp apex, is a -platform several cubits across, on which twenty men could stand or -move about with ease. - -I can give you no adequate conception of the scene I beheld. First, -the valley of the Nile was visible, extending for many leagues to the -right and left, and resembling a green belt a few miles wide, through -which the river flowed like a silver band--while upon its borders -countless cities were set like precious stones. It was a gorgeous and -magnificent assemblage of cities, temples, palaces, obelisks, villas, -gardens, monuments, avenues of trees and sphinxes, sepulchres, -aqueducts, statue-lined causeways, galleys and pleasure barges, -chariots, horses, and multitudes of people. Nor should I omit what now -became visible in one field of view, to the north and south. I mean -not less than one hundred pyramids, all much smaller than the mighty -triad, but each, had not the others been up-builded, would have been a -marvel of grandeur. - -"Those are all tombs of kings, but of a later age than this one," said -the hierarch, looking towards them. "Each monarch, at the commencement -of his reign, laid the foundation of a pyramid. He built first a small -one, containing his sarcophagus and sepulchral chamber. Then every -year he added to the outside a complete layer of stones, which, after -many years, extended its base, and increased its elevation in like -proportions. Therefore the size of the pyramids marks the age to which -the king lived." - -"Then," said I, "the kings who built the multitude of lesser pyramids, -which we behold in the distance, must have had much shorter lives than -the builders of these vast piles." - -"You are right, O prince," he said. "When the pyramid, on which we now -stand, and its companions were builded, men's lives were of the -duration of a thousand years." - -"That was before the traditional deluge?" I replied, with surprise and -interest. - -"True, O Prince of Tyre!" he answered. "These two great pyramids, say -our sacred books, were the work of the giants who lived in the days -before the flood of Noachis, or Noah. They are the tombs of their -kings, and were centuries in being built according to our years. And -when the gods brought the unknown oceans over the earth, to punish the -nations which living so long became as wise as the gods, but at the -same time grew as wicked as wise, these vast sepulchres withstood, -like the lesser hills, the waters of desolation, and remained in -ruinous grandeur, not only as witnesses of the flood, but monuments of -a past people whose towers, as well as tombs, reached unto the -heavens. You see these pyramids, and how they are now defaced by the -billows that dashed against and over them. Anciently, when they were -completed, their whole surfaces were encased with beautiful tiles of -the brightest blue and purest white, inlaid alternately in perfect -squares. Upon this magnificent encasing was inscribed, in pictorial -signs, the history of man; but no person has ever interpreted them. -You see, my prince, that here, at the top, are a few strata still -remaining of this rich encasement; all the rest having been destroyed -by the deluge--by the abrasion of the waves, and the hurling against -its sides of mighty ships, driven by the huge and angry billows which -rolled like a boiling sea across the earth. Thus you behold these vast -structures, as it were in ruins, yet still retaining fragmentary -portions of their original glory and beauty. When the waters departed, -the gods limited the lives of men to one hundred years; hence the -pyramids that the kings this side the flood have erected are -comparatively small in magnitude." - -"But the third, was it not built before the flood?" - -"I did not intend you should so understand," he answered. "It was -commenced before the flood by the king who was destroyed thereby. But -the son of the wise and good Prince Noah completed it during the -several hundred years that he lived--as did his father also--after the -flood; for it was only the lives of their descendants that were to be -limited. Thus Amun, says tradition, finished the third pyramid, but -did not encase it, as the art was lost by the deluge which had -destroyed those who were skilled in it. There are other accounts, my -prince, but they either come near this one, or so far differ from it -that they are entitled to no credit." - -"It is _your_ opinion, then, O high-priest, that these two pyramids -were built by the giants of the ages before the great deluge?" I -asked. - -"I have no other one," he replied firmly. "When the age of man was -shortened to one hundred years from one thousand, his stature was also -lessened. Hence the men of the ages since the flood cannot build a -pyramid like one of these. All the power of engines and art cannot -uprear such stones six hundred feet into the air. This is giants' -work." - -"Then you believe that there were giants in the earth in the days -before the flood?" I said, doubtingly. - -"These pyramids attest the fact," he replied, with an impressive -gesture of his right hand towards the opposite one. "Noah himself, -says tradition, and his sons, Chephres, Chufu, and Amun or -Men-Cherines, were gigantic, and are worshipped as gods, as you know, -not only here and in Syria and Ethiopia, but in the Orient, and beyond -the seas, under various names. In the third pyramid Amun was entombed. -In the second is Chephres, or Chefret, who, when an aged king, was -brought from the place where he died, and placed in a sarcophagus -above the chamber where lay the king who found sepulture there before -the flood. Within the pyramid on which we are, rest the sacred bones -of the Prince-god Noah, who, at the age of nine hundred and fifty -years, came hither to be buried by the side of his eldest son -Chephres. 'Such a mourning of the nations, all of whom sprung from his -loins, the earth never knew, and will never witness more,' say the -sacred scrolls of the temples. All kings, and queens, and princes, and -lords, and nobles, of every realm followed the embalmed body of their -father and deity; and King Menes, his grandson, went up from Egypt -with all the hosts of the land to meet the funeral procession, and to -receive the divine body. Cheops is but another name for Noah. Here -also is entombed Menes." - -Such, my dear mother, is the priestly tradition of the pyramids. We, -of Tyre, have a myth that the Father of the Flood is buried in -Damascus; but though Egyptians love to concentrate all history around -their own land, and make Egypt the cradle of the human race, yet as -this tradition seems to be better founded than ours, and as they can -point to the grand tombs of these kings of the flood, I am ready to -concede to her the honor which she claims of being the place of -sepulture of the giants who survived the deluge. And what fitter -tombs, than these eternal mountains of granite, could the progenitors -of the race repose in! Fit sepulchres are these in their grandeur of -proportions, for men whose stature was gigantic, and whose lives -extended through a thousand years! - -But I must return to the prospect from the summit of this mausoleum of -giants. The sun was near the horizon, and sent his level and mingled -rose, golden, and purple beams aslant across the valley. The air was -perfectly clear, and our view unimpeded in all directions. - -To the south, along the verdant plain of the Nile, the pyramids shone -in the sun as if sheathed with plates of gold. Palms, temples, -obelisks in pairs, and pylones were mingled with them in the richest -confusion; while as far as the eye could penetrate they receded into -the desert, till their size was diminished by distance to shining -mounds. - -Turning my eyes to the west, the yellow plain of Libya, with its rocky -hills inclosing the verdant valley of the Nile in that direction, -rolled away to the edge of the horizon, an arid, undulating, -illimitable expanse, which, under the sun, blazed like a lake of fire -from the burning reflection of its sands. The contrast of this realm -of desolation, and its storm-piled drifts of gray, brown, and dusky -sand, lying so near the groves, and green fields, and blooming gardens -which surrounded the pyramids and extended to the base of the ridge, -was very remarkable. One part looked like the abode of Osiris, full of -beauty, and light, and happiness: the other like that of Typhon, or -the spirit of evil, who strove, ever battling with his storms of sand, -to invade, overwhelm, and desolate these scenes of beauty! And, ere -many centuries, his arid hosts threaten to sweep past the pyramids, -and to overleap the very gates of Memphis! But at present, all the -land within the hills is a region of delight, presenting a pleasing -contrast, with its perennial green, to the desolate and savage realm -of the desert. Luxuriantly covered with verdure; bright with golden -wheat-fields, charming green meadows, foliage of every variety; groups -of trees rising from a thousand courts; countless villages everywhere, -and myriads of brilliant lakes, it was a scene of unmixed beauty. -Jizeh, a little to the east, with its temple-palaces and gardens, -filled the view. Farther east lay, first, the glorious city of Apis, -its squares, avenues, lakes, groves, fanes, and monuments, all open to -the eye like a magnificent picture. Beyond the glittering Nile, the -banks of which were rich with fertility and adorned with villas, I -beheld Raamses, and still farther Pythom, the treasure-cities, in the -fair expanse of the land of Goshen,--alas! beautiful only to the eye, -for upon it rests the dark shadow of Hebrew bondage; and south, a few -miles, after a thousand scenes of rural beauty fill the vision, -towers, like the throne of the kingdom, the city of the Lord of the -Sun, its gorgeous temple and forest of obelisks flinging back the -sunbeams with a splendor that fills the soul with wonder and delight! - -"O happy, glorious, mighty Egypt! what a blessed and favored land art -thou! With one foot upon the seven mouths of thy mighty river, another -upon Ethiopia, and thy head in the clouds, all nations bow down to thy -might and greatness! Leader of the kingdoms of the earth! what a -future is thine, if thy kings and rulers are true to thee and to -themselves!" - -The hierarch heard me utter these words, for I spake aloud in my -wonder at the glory of this kingdom and the magnificence of her power. - -"The future of Egypt, my prince, no man can foresee. But the sacred -books contain a prophecy, that during one cycle of a soul, three -thousand years, she will be a nation despised and ruled by kings of -another race, and all that will remain to her will be her defaced -pyramids and temples; the marvel of which will bring strangers from -the ends of the earth, curious to gaze upon these mute witnesses of -her ancient power and glory." - -"The gods forbid!" I said warmly. - -"The gods," he answered, "govern the earth, and do what they will with -its kingdoms. These sacred papyri also speak of Tyre and prophesy its -desolation, and say that the empire of commerce shall be removed to an -unknown world beyond the great sea of the West, and that a race yet -unborn shall sway the destinies of the earth, and another religion -shall prevail in the hearts of men." - -"What are these papyri?" I asked. - -"Books which have been handed down from the first kings, who in their -turn received them from the ancient gods." - -I turned away sorrowfully at the thought of this prediction, my dear -mother. The idea that Tyre, which now sits a queen upon the shores of -her sea, will ever be desolate, is not possible for me to conceive. -May her prosperity and peace be prolonged to the ends of the ages! - -We now turned to descend this elevation, from whence the heart of -Egypt lay open before us. The sight of the sheer eight hundred feet -along the inclined side of the pyramid was fearful. The projections -which were to receive our feet were not apparent; and we commenced the -descent with the greatest caution, being obliged to lower ourselves -from block to block; and where the encasement of tiles remained, we -were sustained by the iron heads of short spears with which each of us -was provided, a hook being secured at the opposite end. - -At length we reached the broad terrace which surrounds the pyramid, -and upon which are statues and small sphinxes facing outward. Between -two of large size, representing Osiris and Isis, we descended a broad -flight of steps to an ancient gate, which, as I was told, led to the -entrance of the pyramid. The passage, however, has not been opened for -many centuries--the piety of the Pharaohs permitting the mighty dead -to rest in their granite tumuli undisturbed by curiosity or cupidity. - -When we had crossed the court, the priest ascended with me one of the -towers of the pylon. From thence he showed me a mass of rock lying in -a position which answered, in reference to the main pyramid, to that -which the sphinx occupied. - -"Seest thou, O prince," he said, "that isolated rock? The ancients -intended to chisel it also into a sphinx to match this one, for they -used to place them in pairs, like their obelisks. But the grand -conception has never been carried out; and you perceive that our noble -queen, Amense, is erecting the pyramid of her years so near, that it -in part stands upon it. Two such sphinxes crouched in front of Cheops -would have been an entrance to the mausoleum worthy of it, and of him -who reposes therein. Instead of carrying out this original design, the -great temple and colossal wings have been built, and the avenue from -the sphinx so turned aside by a slight angle, as to terminate at the -central pylon; thereby making one sphinx answer the purpose of two, -but at the sacrifice of proportion; for the twofold grandeur of the -combined pyramids lessens the impression of the single sphinx, while -the two reposing before Cheops alone, would have been in keeping with -its majesty." - -As it was now sunset, we hastened to our chariot and drove back to the -city, along the magnificent causeway I have before described. - -Upon my return to the palace of the high-priest, and after describing -to his beautiful daughter, Luxora, the incidents of my visit, she -said, with an arch smile-- - -"You ought not, O Sesostris, to have come away without seeing the -emerald table of Hermes!" - -"I heard nothing of it, lady," I answered. "I have, moreover, seen -splendor enough for one day. What and where is this table?" - -"In the central chamber of the great pyramid. The people of Egypt -believe the tradition, and so also have some of its kings." - -"What is the tradition?" I asked. "But first, do you believe it?" - -"With all my heart. I never doubted it since I was a child," she -answered, smiling, yet with a tone of sincerity. "My father thinks if -it were true, it would have been removed when the god Noachis was -placed there." - -"It is not in the chamber of the sarcophagus, sister," said Osiria, -the sister younger than Luxora--a maiden remarkable for her -sprightliness and intelligence; "it is in a vault of crystal _under_ -the pyramid." - -"You are right, my dear sister," replied the elder, gracefully. "I -will tell the prince the legend." - -"Then I will tell him _mine_," said Osiria, with an arch look. "I know -he will like mine the best." - -"Because he likes you the best, is it?" her sister replied, playfully. -"But have a care, Osiria; our guest is betrothed to a great princess -in his own country." - -"That need not prevent him from being my good friend in this," -responded Osiria, pleasantly. - -"Your tradition, noble Luxora?" I asked. - -"It is this. In the ancient days of the earth, before the deluge of -the gods, the thrice great Hermes, who knew all the secrets of -alchemy, engraved them upon an emerald table and placed it in a cave, -which he sealed up. His motive for doing this was both to preserve -them and to conceal them from men--for the race of man had grown so -wicked, that they made use of what they knew of alchemy to injure one -another and defy the deities, answering back the thunder of heaven -with thunders of their own. Over this cave the first pyramid was -built, and there the emerald table, with all its secrets, so dear to -our sex, has remained to this hour!" - -I thanked Luxora for her legend, and assured her that I had quite as -much curiosity to see the wonderful emerald as she had. - -"But if it were discovered," said Osiria, "who could read and -understand the writing upon it! Now, O prince, hear _my_ tradition; -for, having visited the pyramids, it will be agreeable to you to hear -all that is said about them." - -"I will listen with the greatest pleasure," I answered. - -But, dear mother, I will here close this long letter, and reserve, for -the commencement of my next, the singular tradition related to me by -Osiria. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XVII. - - -PALACE OF THE HIERARCH, AT MEMPHIS. - -MY MUCH HONORED MOTHER: - -I have much of interest concerning which to write to you in this -letter; but will first redeem my promise to give you the traditional -story narrated by the lovely Osiria, daughter of the pontiff of -Memphis. Her father came in as she commenced, and smilingly said-- - -"Daughter, are you about to overthrow the prince's faith in the true -history of the pyramids, by a fanciful legend?" - -"No, my dear father," she answered; "I only desire him to know all he -can about these mighty monuments of a former world, and if he does not -believe with me in the legend, it will at least interest him." - -I assured the beautiful maiden that it would without doubt interest -me, and possibly upon hearing it I might receive it "as the most -reliable account of the origin of the pyramids." - -"Not in opposition," said the high-priest, with a smile, "to the -sacred books." - -"Not in opposition," said Luxora, archly, "to my emerald table." - -"Let the prince, dear father, and sister, hear and judge," said the -youngest daughter; and commenced as follows: - -"A very long time ago--before the time of the vast deluge, when all -the oceans that roll around the world's verge met in the centre and -overflowed the highest mountains--a king, whose name was Saurida -Salhouhis, was informed by his astrologers that seven stars had fallen -into the sea, betokening a great overflow thereof. He answered, 'The -mountains of my kingdom are higher than the ocean, and will defy its -waves.' - -"The next year his astrologers again came to him, and said that the -sun was covered with dark spots, and that a comet was visible with a -crest of fire, and threatened evil to the earth. The same night the -king dreamed that the mountains became plains, and that all the stars -of heaven were extinguished. On awakening he called his one hundred -and forty-four priests, and commanding them to consult the gods, -received for answer, that the earth was to be drowned. Thereupon he -commenced building the two pyramids, and ordered vaults to be made -under them, which he filled with the riches and treasures of his -kingdom. He prepared seven tables or shields of pure gold, on which he -engraved all the sciences of the earth, all the knowledge he had -learned from his wise men, the names of the subtle alkalies, and -alakakirs, and the uses and hurts of them; and all the mysteries of -astrology, physics, geometry, and arithmetic." - -"These seven golden tables of my sister's legend," said Luxora, -laughing, "are not near so wonderful as my table of emerald." - -"Lest," said Osiria, "you should imagine I am drawing upon my fancy, I -will read to you the remainder of the tradition from the ancient book -in the keeping of the priests of Amun, in the Thebaïd, given me by my -mother, who was the daughter of the priest of the sacred house there." - -Having thus spoken the maiden retired, and, after a few minutes -absence, returned, followed by a Hebrew woman carrying a pictured -scroll, such as I had never before seen. Aided by her attendant, she -unrolled it for several cubits, and having found the legend, commenced -to read (a rare art among Egyptian ladies, except daughters of the -learned priests) as follows,--the tall and stately Hebrew supporting -the roll rather with an air of royal condescension than of submission: - -"After the king, Saurida Salhouhis, had given orders for the building -of the pyramids, the workmen cut out gigantic columns, vast stones, -and wonderful pillars hewn of single rocks. From the mountains of -Ethiopia they fetched enormous masses of granite, and from Nubia of -gray porphyry, and made with these the foundations of the pyramids, -fastening the stones together by bars of lead and bands of iron. They -built the gates forty cubits under ground, and made the height of them -one hundred royal cubits, each of which is equal to six of ours; and -each side also was made a hundred royal cubits in extent. The -beginning of this undertaking happened under a fortunate horoscope, -and resulted successfully. After he had finished the larger of the -pyramids, the king covered it with blue satin from the top to the -bottom, and appointed a solemn festival, at which were present all the -inhabitants of his kingdom. - -"Then in this great pyramid he built thirty treasure-chambers, which -he filled with an immense store of riches,--precious vessels, -signatures of agates, bloodstones, and cornelian, instruments of iron, -earthen vases, arms which rust not, and crystal which might be bended -yet not broken, strange shells, and deadly poisons, with many other -things besides. He made, in the west pyramid, a subterranean hall with -divers spheres and stars in the vaulted roof, placed in their -celestial houses, as they appear in the sky, each in his own aspect; -and he deposited here the perfumes which are burned to them, and the -books that treat of their mysteries. He placed, also, in the colored -pyramid the scrolls of the priests, in chests of black marble, every -chest having upon it a book with leaves of brass, in which were -inscribed the duties and wonders of the priesthood, its nature, and -the mode of worship in his time; and, in a chest of iron, were seven -books which revealed what was, and is, and shall be from the beginning -to the end of time. - -"In every pyramid he placed a treasurer: the treasurer of the western -pyramid was a statue of red marble-stone, standing upright by the door -of the treasure-house,--a lance in his hand, and about his head a -wreathed serpent. Whosoever came near the door, and stood still, the -serpent entwined about the throat, and, killing him, returned to its -place. - -"The treasurer of the colored pyramid was an idol of black agate, -sitting upon a throne, with a lance in its hand, and its eyes open and -shining. If any mortal looked upon it, he heard a voice so terrible -that his senses fled away from him, and he fell prostrate upon his -face and died. - -"The treasurer of his seven tables of gold was a statue of stone, -called Albutis, in a sitting posture: whosoever looked towards it, was -drawn to the statue till he was pressed against it so hard that he -died there. Over the portal of each he caused to be written: - -"'I, King Saurid, built the pyramids in six years. He that comes after -me, and says he is equal to me, let him destroy them in six hundred -years. It is easier to pluck down than to build up. I also covered -them, when I had finished them, with satin; and let him cover them -with mats of grass.' - -"Here ends the record on the scroll," said the maiden. "Miriam, thou -wilt roll it up, and place it whence I took it, in the sacred shrine -of books." - -The Hebrew woman, whose appearance was so remarkable for dignity and a -certain air of command, that I could not but regard her with interest, -then rolled up the book, and moved quietly, but with a stately step, -from the room. As she went out, attracted by my close scrutiny, she -fixed upon me a large pair of splendid eyes, dark and beautiful, and -lighted up by the inward fire of an earnest spirit. Her age was about -eight or nine and forty. I do not know why, in looking at her, I -thought of Remeses, now at Thebes, waiting to assemble his vast army; -perhaps there was a style of face and shape of the eye that recalled -him. - -"Who is this Hebrew woman?" I asked; for though I have been several -days a guest of the high-priest, I had not before seen her. - -"My assistant and copier of the scrolls and papyrus leaves, in the -Hall of the Sacred Books," answered Osiria; "for know, O prince, that -I am my father's scribe, and have the care of all the rolls of the -temple." - -"Nor can any temple," interposed the hierarch, "boast so orderly a -chamber of books as mine; neither do I see any copies of prayers and -rites so beautifully done as those by Osiria." - -"I do not deserve all the praise, my father," answered the maiden; -"for the rich coloring of the heading cartouches of chapters, as well -as the graceful form of the characters, is due to Miriam." - -"What the servant does the master is praised for," answered the -priest, smilingly. "But you have not told the prince the whole of the -tradition." - -"It is true. I must now state how the pyramid was opened by one of the -Phœnician conqueror kings. This Philistine warrior, whose barbaric -name I have forgotten, and do not wish to remember, on seeing the -pyramids, demanded to know what was within them. He was answered by -the priest of the sphinx, who is the guardian of the two pyramids, -that 'they contained the embalmed bodies of the ancient gods, and -first kings of men, the emerald and golden tablets, and all the -treasures of gold, silver, and works of art, and every thing which -appertained to the world before the deluge,--all of which had been -preserved by them from the waters, and were now therein.' - -"Hearing this, this king told them he would have them opened. All the -priests assured him that it could not be done; but he replied, 'I will -have it certainly done.' So the engineers of his army opened a place -in the great pyramid by means of fire and vinegar; smiths aided the -work with sharpened iron and copper wedges, and huge engines to remove -the stones. It was a vast work, as the thickness of the wall was -twenty cubits. They were many months reaching an apartment within, -where they found a ewer made of bright-green emerald, containing a -thousand dinars, very weighty, one hundred chœnixes of gold-dust, -twenty blocks of ebony, a hundred tusks of ivory, and a thousand -ounces of rings of Arabic gold. - -"This was all he found, for beyond this small chamber the workmen -could not penetrate, by reason of the three treasure-keepers, -namely,--the awful statue, with an enwreathed serpent upon his head; -the statue of agate, with the terrible voice; and the statue of stone, -with the power to draw every one to him, and press him to death -between his arm and his iron breast." - -"Then said the king, 'Cast up the cost of making this entrance.' So -the money expended being computed, lo! it was the same sum which they -had found; it neither exceeded nor was defective. So he closed up the -opening and went his ways, seeing that the gods were against him. - -"Many years afterwards, another king opened the other pyramid, and -found a passage which descended far below in the earth, in the -direction of the centre of the pyramid. By it he reached a -subterranean chamber far beneath the level of the foundation, almost -directly under the apex. In it was a square well, on each side of -which were doors opening into subterranean passages; these he -followed, and at length reached a gate of brass, which he perceived -led into the foundations of the greater pyramid. But he could not open -it, nor has any power been sufficient to do so to this day. Returning -he found another side passage, leading into the pyramid and so upward, -to a vaulted room, containing the mighty sarcophagus of the great -Noah. This dead monarch of two worlds, before and after the deluge, -was reposing in calm majesty in his colossal mummy-case, which was -covered with plates of gold. Upon his head was a crown of emerald -olive-leaves, each leaf an emerald; and upon his breast, a white dove, -made of one pearl. Leaving with awe the father of the world to his -sublime and eternal repose, guarded only by the pure white dove, the -king, in retiring, found, to his great joy, a narrow passage, which -led upward towards the top of the pyramid. It conducted him and his -attendants to a chamber with twelve sides, on each of which was -pictured one of the constellations in the path of the precession of -the equinoxes, in their motion towards the west. The floor was of -polished ivory, inlaid with silver stars, dispersed over it as they -appeared in their heavenly places when the pyramid was completed. The -seven planets, including the sun and the moon, were represented in the -ceiling, each one in a panel of silver, with its deity,--all inlaid -with silver and precious stones. - -"In the centre of this 'Hall of the Universe,' was a hollow stone: -when the king entered the chamber, the stone vanished at the pressure -of his feet on the floor, and a statue larger than life, of pure -crystal, was displayed to his sight. This statue represented a king -upon whom was a breastplate of gold set with jewels; on his breast was -a stone of incalculable price, and over his head, a carbuncle of the -shape and bigness of the sacred egg of the phœnix, shining like the -light of the day. He held upon his left arm a shield formed of one -single topaz, upon which were characters written with a pen, that -neither the king, nor the wise men, nor astrologers, nor magicians, -nor the priests who knew all languages, could interpret. Suddenly -darkness filled the place, their torches were extinguished, and save -only the king who had with him his diamond-set signet, which shed -light before his steps, no one ever returned to the entrance; nor -could he ever find the chamber of the statue again. But the first -passage to the subterranean chamber remains open to this day, by which -men descend; and others are from time to time discovered; the -treasury-chambers, however, remain sealed to the eyes of men!" - -When the intelligent Osiria had ended her account, I gratefully -expressed to her my appreciation of her kindness in giving me such -interesting information. She accepted my thanks in the graceful manner -which characterizes Egyptian ladies of rank. The magnificent Luxora -said, with a charming air of feigned provocation-- - -"With your brilliant tradition, sister, you have quite thrown into the -shade my poor solitary emerald table!" - -"There is no doubt whatever, O Sesostris," said their father, who had -listened to the tradition as he sat in his ivory chair, in the rich -undress vestments he wore when not engaged in official acts in the -temple, "or rather, we of the priesthood do not doubt, that the -pyramids, at least the pair so nearly of a size and so close together, -were builded before the deluge, which, according to our astrologers, -took place under the dynasty of the demigods, about one thousand five -hundred and forty years ago, when the world was nearly two thousand -four hundred years old; but our books of mysteries give many more -thousands of years! In the most ancient temple of Thoth, at Thebes, -which is the true astronomical capital of the kingdom, as well as the -ecclesiastical one, there is a tablet in the ceiling of the adytum, -representing the configuration of the seven planets as they existed on -the first day after the creation. This was the beginning of the world, -and since that day the heavenly bodies have not stood thus again! Upon -the wall beneath it is a _stele_, portraying their position at the -time of the Noachic deluge. The arc of their celestial motion, between -the creation and the deluge, being accurately measured in the progress -of centuries, by astrologers of the houses of the mysteries, compared -with the arc measured for one thousand years since the deluge, shows -that the fixed stars, between the creation and the deluge, moved -thirty spaces of the thousand years along the zodiac westward. That -is, the arc of the zodiac was thirty times as large between the -creation and deluge, as between the deluge and the end of a thousand -years after it; while the seven planets changed their places in the -same proportions of time and change. Hence, guided by the march of the -heavenly bodies, they teach that thirty thousand years elapsed between -the creation and the deluge; since it would take that time to change -the configuration of the stars so greatly as to subtend so vast an arc -as their precession drew along the zodiacal path! But, as I have said, -the sacred books of the priests, who are governed only by the -planetary constellations, aided by tradition, give the number of years -I have previously stated." - -"Do not the Egyptian astrologers," I asked, "give a period for a year -of the heavens to make one revolution through the zodiac?" - -"It is one of their mysteries. Finishing upon a chart the arc of -precession which they measure on the zodiac they measure the whole -circle it will sweep, and calculate a cycle or period of thirty-six -thousand years, as the duration of one grand year of the universe!" - -"As, then, thirty thousand years of this year of the stars passed -before the deluge, if the astrologers are correct in their sidereal -calculations," I remarked, "there are but four thousand and four -hundred and fifty years to the end of the first celestial year of -creation!" - -"Which," said Luxora, "they teach will terminate time; and the earth -will then be recreated, and there will be a new starry world, and the -year of the universe will be doubled to seventy-two thousand years; -and when twelve of these vast years are completed, the creation will -be dissolved and all things return to nothing as before the beginning -of time, and the souls of men will be absorbed in the Divine Essence!" - -"You are remarkably well versed in astrology," I said to the -noble-looking young women. - -"We are priest's daughters," she answered; "and from our father we -derive all our knowledge." - -"Can you, then," I asked, "explain to me one thing that has been -alluded to in our conversation? I am desirous of knowing something -about the phœnix, which I see even now represented, inlaid in -ivory, upon this table of vases." - -"I fear that I shall not be able, prince, to make you understand, -what, I confess, I am not well informed upon. The phœnix has always -been a mystery to me." - -"I understand the bird," said Osiria, "to be the symbol of a star. But -I have never fully comprehended it. I have doubts if there be such an -extraordinary bird. Will you, father, gratify us and the Prince of -Tyre at the same time?" - -The kind and courteous hierarch, before replying, laid down a -beautiful fishing-rod which he was arranging--it being a favorite -pastime of his leisure to sit in the pavilion before his windows, and -amuse himself by fishing in the oval lake that fills one of the areas -of his palace, and around which runs a columnar arcade, in whose cool -shade we take our walks for exercise in the heat of the day. And this -amusement, my dear mother, is not only a favorite one with him, but -with all Egyptian gentlemen; who also delight in hunting the gazelle -and other animals--keeping for the purpose leashes of trained dogs, -some of them very beautiful, and as swift as the winds. They are -singularly fond of having dogs accompany them in their walks, and -adorn them with gold or silver collars. The ladies also have pet dogs, -chosen either for their beauty, or--odd distinction--for their -peculiar ugliness. Luxora boasts a little dog, of the rare and admired -Osirtasen breed, which is as beautiful and symmetrical as a gazelle, -with soft, expressive eyes, and graceful movements; while Osiria -prides herself on a pet animal, the ugliness of which, as it seems to -me, is its only recommendation. Remeses has a noble, lion-like dog, -that he admits into his private sitting-room, and has for his -attendant at all times when he walks abroad. Nearly every lord has his -hounds; and to own a handsome dog is as much a mark of rank, as is the -slender acacia cane. - -"The phœnix, according to the ancients," said the priest, "is a -bird of which there exists but one specimen in the world. It comes -flying from the east once in the course of six hundred and fifty-one -years, many other birds with dazzling wings bearing it company. It -reaches the City of the Sun about the time of the vernal equinox, -where it burns itself upon the roof of the temple, in the fire of the -concentrated rays of the sun, as they are reflected from the golden -shield thereon with consuming radiance. No sooner is it consumed to -ashes, than an egg appears in the funeral pyre, which the heat that -consumed the parent warms instantly into life, and out of it the same -phœnix comes forth, in full plumage, and spreading its wings it -flies away again, to return no more until the expiration of six -hundred and fifty-one years!" - -"This is a very extraordinary story," I said. - -"It is," answered the high-priest; "yet it has a simple explanation." - -"I should be gratified to hear it," I answered. - -"Do you believe, dear father," asked Osiria, "there ever was such a -bird?" - -"I have seen it," answered the priest, mysteriously. "But I will -gratify your curiosity. The first recorded appearance of this -phœnix was nineteen hundred and two years ago, in the reign of -Sesostris, a king of the twelfth Egyptian dynasty." - -"The Pharaoh for whom I am named," I said. - -"How came you, O prince, to have an Egyptian name?" asked Luxora. - -"The memory of Sesostris the Great was highly venerated by my father, -and hence his selection of it for me; besides, I am related to the -Phœnician kings." - -I had no sooner made this unlucky confession, than the two sisters -looked at their father, then interchanged glances, and appeared quite -embarrassed. I at once reflected that the memory of the Phœnician -dynasty is distasteful to the Egyptians; and that, by confessing my -alliance with them, I had risked their good-will. But the surprise -passed off instantly, for they were too well-bred to show any -continued feeling, and the priest resumed-- - -"The last appearance was six hundred years ago and in fifty-one years -he will reappear, to consume himself in the burning rays of the sun." - -"I hope I shall be alive to see it," said Osiria, with animation. - -"This singular myth," pursued the hierarch, "signifies to us of the -priests who are initiated into these astrological mysteries, nothing -more than the transit of the planet Mercury across the disk of the -sun. The fabulous bird, the phœnix, is an emblem of Mercury, as -Osiris is of the Sun, according to the teaching of the books of Isis." - -"I perceive the whole truth now," I answered. - -"What is it, my lord prince?" asked the sisters. - -"There is but one planet Mercury, as there was but one phœnix. The -City of the Sun, or the Temple of the Sun, on which the phœnix was -said to consume himself, is simply the Sun, or the house of the god -Sun, in which Mercury, during his passage across the disk, may be said -to be consumed by fire. As the phœnix consumes himself once every -six hundred and fifty-one years, at the vernal equinox,--so say our -Sabæan books, kept in the Temple of Hercules at Tyre,--Mercury once -every six hundred and fifty-one years enters the flames of the sun on -nearly the same days of the year! As the phœnix flies from the east -westward to the City of the Sun, so the course of Mercury is from east -to west athwart the sun. While the phœnix in its passage to the -City of the Sun is attended by a flight of dazzling birds, so Mercury -in its passage across the disk of the sun is accompanied by bright, -scintillating stars in the heavens around. As the phœnix came forth -anew out of the flames which had consumed him to ashes, so Mercury, -while in the direct line of the sun, is lost to the vision as if -consumed, but, having crossed its disk, reappears and flies away on -his course again, resuming all his former splendor! Is not this a full -solution, my lord priest?" I asked. - -"You have well solved the riddle," he answered; "and I must compliment -you on your knowledge of astrology, O prince. In Egypt we are -acquainted with this science, but it is not expected of strangers. In -all the years in which the phœnix, according to the 'Books of the -Stars,' is said to have destroyed himself with fire in the City of On, -Mercury has likewise performed his transits over the sun, according to -the calculations of our hierogrammatists, whose duty it is to keep -records of descriptions of the world, the course of the sun, moon, and -planets, and the condition of the land of Egypt, and the Nile." - -When I had expressed my thanks to the noble and intelligent priest, -his wife, Nelisa, who entered a few moments before, said to him -playfully: - -"What a beautiful mystery you have destroyed with your science and -learning, my lord! I have from a child delighted in the mysterious -story of the phœnix." - -"We have mysteries enough left in our mythology and astrology, my dear -wife," he answered. "There is scarcely a deity of the land who is not -in his origin a greater mystery than the phœnix. Around them all -are clouds and mists, often impenetrable by the limited reason of man; -and in many lands, as it was anciently in Egypt, the word for religion -is 'mystery.'" - -The hierarch was now summoned by the sound of a sistrum to enter the -temple, with which his palace communicated--it being the hour of -evening prayer and oblation. The young ladies prepared to ride in a -beautiful chariot brought to the palace by their brother, a fine -specimen of the young Egyptian noble; while the lady of the house left -me, to return and oversee her numerous servants in their occupation of -making confections and pastry, and preparing fruits for a festivity -that is to take place in the evening, I believe, in my honor; for, -were I a son, I could not be more cordially regarded than beneath the -hospitable roof of the hierarch of Memphis. - -As I was proceeding along the corridor which leads past the "Hall of -Books," I saw through the open door the stately and handsome Hebrew -woman Miriam. She was engaged in coloring, with cakes of the richest -tints before her, a heading to a scroll of papyrus. Her noble profile -was turned to my view. I started with surprise and a half exclamation, -for I beheld in its grand and faultless outline the features of -Remeses! How wonderful it is that he so strikingly resembles two, nay -three, of this foreign race!--not only this woman, though much older -than Remeses, and the venerable under-gardener Amram, but also a third -Hebrew whom I have met under singular circumstances. I will defer, -however, my dear mother, to another letter the account of it, as well -as of my interview with Miriam; for, hearing my exclamation, she -looked up and smiled so courteously that I asked permission to enter -and examine the work she was so skilfully executing with her pencil. - -The hierarch, the lady Nelisa, and their daughters Luxora and Osiria, -desire to unite with me in my regards to you. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XVIII. - - -CITY OF MEMPHIS, PALACE OF THE HIERARCH. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -I have received from the Prince Remeses a letter informing me of the -arrival of each division of his army, chariots, horse, and footmen, -with the fleets under the viceroy Mœris, at the city of the -Thebaïd. They entered it, however, as conquerors, for the Ethiopian -king had already taken possession of it with his advanced guard. - -I will quote to you from the letter of the prince: - - "I trust, my dear Sesostris," he writes, "that you are passing your - time both with pleasure and profit, in visiting places of interest in - the valley of the Lower Nile, and in studying the manners and usages - of the people. You will find the pyramids an exhaustless source of - attraction. From the priests, who are the most intelligent and - learned class in Egypt, you will obtain all the information - respecting those mysterious monuments of the past, which is known, - besides many legends. - - "The idea of their antediluvian origin is by no means an unlikely - one. As we travel down the past, at every epoch we find the pyramids - uplifting their lofty heads into the skies! Still we move down the - path of ages, and see the throne of the first mortal king - overshadowed by their hoary tops! Farther back, against their bases, - beat the receding waves of the deluge; for between the king of the - first dynasty and the flood, there seems to be no interval in which - they could have been upreared, even if there were time for a nation - to rise and advance in power, civilization, art, and wealth, adequate - to the product of such gigantic geometric works. Either our - chronology is at fault, or the pyramids must have been constructed by - the antediluvian demigods, and have outstood the strength of the - surging seas which rolled over the earth. You will, however, no - doubt, hear all that is to be said, and judge for yourself. - - "My army is in fine order. You already have learned, by my courier to - the queen, how the dark-visaged, barbaric King Occhoris entered - Thebes the day of our arrival in the suburbs. Upon receiving - intelligence that the van of my forces, which was cavalry, had just - reached the sepulchres of the Pharaohs below the city, I pushed - forward, joined them, and, at their head, entered the city; while the - main body of the troops of the Ethiopian king was moving on from - Edfu. But Occhoris had already been driven from his position in the - palace of the Pharaohs, by an infuriated and insulted populace. The - barbarian monarch, after entering the city without opposition, at the - head of two hundred chariots, six hundred horse, and his gigantic - body-guard of Bellardines, consisting of a thousand men in iron - helmets, round shields, and heavy short-swords, in order to show his - contempt of our national religion, here in what has been called both - its cradle and its throne, commanded to be led into the temple of the - sacred Bull, a wild African buffalo,--a bull of a species as - ferocious as the lion,--and ordered him to be let loose against the - god. The fierce animal charged upon him as he stood in the holy - adytum with his curators, and, overthrowing him, gored him to death - in a few moments. Thereupon the priests raised the wild cry of - vengeance for sacrilege. It was caught up by the people, and borne - from tongue to tongue through the city in a few moments of time. - Fearless, indifferent to the arms of the soldiers, the three hundred - and seventy priests of the temple, armed only with their sacrificial - knives, rushed upon the barbarian and his guard. The Ethiopians - rallied about their monarch, and for ten priests they slew, ten-score - filled their places. The floor of the temple became a battle-field. - Occhoris, and the sixty men who entered the temple with him, formed - themselves into a solid phalanx, facing their furious assailants, who - seemed to think they could not die. Gaining at length the door, the - king received reinforcements. But by this time the whole city was in - an uproar and under arms, and the people, who feared Occhoris in the - morning, and refused to oppose him, now knew no fear. The issue of - this fearful combat was, that the sacrilegious king was forced to - retire with the loss of two thirds of his body-guard, and nearly - every chariot and rider; for the avenging people with knives crept - beneath the horses and stabbed them to death; while others, leaping - upon horsemen and chariots, dragged them to the ground, and put them - to death. Not less than four thousand of the citizens of Thebes - perished in the act of pious vengeance. Before I entered the city I - heard the cries, the shouts, the ringing of weapons, and the whole - tumult of war; and, making my way over heaps of slain that lay in the - great 'avenue of the gods,' I pursued the retiring monarch beyond the - gates. He regained the head of his army, and came to a halt near the - ancient temple of Amun on the Nile. My whole army are now in advance - of Thebes, in order of battle, awaiting a threatened attack from the - Ethiopian king. My headquarters are at the palace of Amunophis I., - from which he departed nearly a century ago to drive the foreign - kings from Memphis. I felt a deep interest in being in the house of - my great ancestor. I have also visited the palace of my father, the - Prince of Thebes, who was slain, not long before my birth, in battle - with the Ethiopians. I have paid a visit to his tomb; and as I stood - gazing upon the reposing dead in the royal mausoleum hewn from the - solid mountain, I wondered if his soul were cognizant that a son, - whom he had never seen to bless with a father's benediction, was - bending sorrowfully over the stone sarcophagus that held his remains. - - "To-morrow we join battle with the barbaric king. From the tower of - the pylon which looks towards the south, I see his vast army, with - its battalion of elephants, its host of brazen chariots, its horsemen - and footmen as numerous as the leaves. But I feel confident of - victory. Prince Mœris has moved his galleys on the opposite side, - in order to ascend secretly by night and gain the rear of the enemy, - who are without boats. My chariots, some five hundred in number, have - been crossed over in safety to this side, to co-operate with the - Prince of Thebes. They are now drawn up in the wide, superb - serpentine avenue the 'sacred way' of Thebes, lined with sphinxes and - statues which adorn this vast circle of temples to the gods. - - "You shall hear from me after the battle. If we defeat and pursue - Occhoris, we shall return to Memphis soon. If we are defeated and - driven back upon Thebes--which the great God of battles forbid!--I - know not how long the campaign will continue. I hope my mother, the - queen, is well. Convey to her my most respectful and tender - remembrances, and receive from me, beloved prince, the assurances of - my personal regard and friendship. - - REMESES." - - -In the mean while, my dear mother, until I have further news from -Prince Remeses, I will give you an account of the conversation I held -with the papyrus-copier and decorator, Miriam, the Hebrewess. - -"You are wonderfully skilled in the art," I said to her, as I surveyed -the piece before her, which she said was the commencement of a copy of -a funeral ritual for the priests of Athor. - -"I have been many years engaged in transcribing," she answered with -modest dignity, without raising her eyes to my face. - -"I have not seen you before in the palace, though I have often been in -this hall," I said, feeling awakened in me an interest to learn more -of the extraordinary people who toil for the crown of Egypt, and whose -ancestors have been princes. - -"I have been at Raamses for a few days. My mother was ill, and I -hastened to her." - -"I hope your return is a proof of her recovery," I said kindly. - -She raised her splendid eyes to my face, with a look in them of -surprise. If I interpreted aright their meaning, it was, "Can this -prince take any interest in the welfare of a Hebrew woman?" Seeing -that my own eyes encountered hers with a look of friendly concern, she -spoke, and said: - -"She is better." - -Her voice had a mellow and rich cadence in it, wholly different from -the low, silvery tones with which the Egyptian ladies speak. - -"I rejoice with you," I said. - -She slowly shook her superb head, about which the jet-black hair was -bound in a profusion of braids. There were tones in her voice, too, -that again recalled Prince Remeses. Hence the secret of the interest -that I took in conversing with her. - -"Why do you shake your head?" I asked. - -"Why should the Hebrew wish to prolong life?" - -She said this in a tone of deep emotion, but continued her occupation, -which was now copying a leaf of brilliantly colored hieroglyphic -inscriptions into the sort of running-hand the Egyptians make use of -in ordinary intercourse. There are three modes of tracing the -characters of this system of writing; and scribes adopt one, which, -while it takes the hieroglyph for its copy, represents it by a few -strokes that often bear, to the uninitiated eye, no resemblance to the -model. This mode the Hebrewess was making use of, writing it with ease -and elegance. - -"Life to you, in this palace, under such a gentle mistress as Osiria, -cannot be bitter." - -"I have no want. I am treated here as if I were not of the race of the -Hebrews. But, my lord," she said, elevating slightly her noble-toned -voice, though not raising her eyes, "I am not so selfish, believe me, -as to have no thought beyond my own personal comfort. How can I be -happy, even amid all the kindness I experience in this virtuous -family, when my heart is oppressed with the bondage of my people? Thou -art but a stranger in Egypt, O prince,--for I have heard of thee, and -who thou art,--and yet thou hast seen and felt for my people!" - -"I have, indeed, seen their misery and toil; but how didst thou know -it?" - -"From the venerable Ben Isaac, whose son Israel thou didst pity and -relieve at the fountain of the shepherds." She said this gratefully -and with feeling. - -"Thou didst hear of this?" - -"He was of my kinsfolk. They told me of your kindness with tears and -blessings; for it is so unusual with our people to hear in Egypt the -voice of pity, or behold a look of sympathy!" - -"I hope the lad recovered," I said, feeling that her knowledge of that -little incident had removed from between us the barrier which -separates entire strangers. Besides, dear mother, it is impossible for -me, a Syrian, to look upon the Hebrew people, who are also Syrians by -descent from Abram, the Syrian prince, with Egyptian eyes and -prejudices. They regard them as slaves, and look upon them from the -position of the master. I never have known them as slaves, I am not -their master, and I regard them, therefore, with interest and -sympathy, as an unhappy Syrian people, who deserve a better fate, -which I trust their gods have in store for them. Therefore, while an -Egyptian would feel it a degradation, or at least infinite -condescension, to converse familiarly with a Hebrew of either sex, I -have no such inborn and inbred ideas. Miriam was in my eyes only a -beautiful and dignified Syrian woman, in bondage. No doubt, if the -proud and queenly Luxora had passed by, and discovered me in -conversation with her, she would have marvelled at my taste; or have -been displeased at an impropriety so unworthy of my position; for -though, wheresoever I have seen Hebrews domesticated in families, I -have observed the affability and kindness with which their faithful -services are usually rewarded by those they serve, yet there cannot be -a wider gulf between the realms of Osiris and Typhon, than between the -Egyptian of rank and the Hebrew. The few thousand of the more refined -and attractive of both sexes, who are to be found in palaces and the -houses of nobles, are too limited in number to qualify the feeling of -contempt with which the miserable millions of their brethren, who toil -in the brick-fields south of On, between the Nile and the desert, and -in other parts of Egypt, are universally regarded. Even the lowest -Egyptian is deemed by himself above the best of the Ben Israels. What -marvel, therefore, that the handsome, dark-eyed youths who serve as -pages, and the beautiful brunettes who wait upon mistresses, have a -sad and timid air, and wear a gentle, deprecating look, as if they -were fully conscious of their degradation! - -"He is well," Miriam answered, "and desires me to ask you (I pray you -pardon the presumption!) if he may serve you?" - -"I learn that a stranger cannot take a Hebrew into service," I -answered. - -"True. We are the servants of the Egyptians," she said, sadly. "But -the great Prince Remeses, son of Pharaoh's daughter, will suffer it if -you ask him. Will you do this for the lad? Otherwise he will perish in -the field, for his spirit and strength are not equal to his tasks." - -"The prince is absent, but I will ask the queen," I answered, happy to -do so great a favor to the youthful Hebrew, in whom I felt a deep -interest, inasmuch as it is our nature to feel kindly towards those -for whom we have done offices of kindness. - -"I thank you, and his father and he will bless you, O Prince of Tyre," -she said, taking my hand and carrying it to her forehead, and then -respectfully kissing it; and as she did so, I saw a tear fall upon my -signet finger. - -"I feel much for your people," I said. - -She continued her task in silence; but tears began so rapidly to rain -down upon the papyrus, over which her head was bent, that she was -compelled to turn her face away, lest she should spoil her work. After -a few moments she raised her face, and said, with shining eyes-- - -"Pardon me, my lord prince, but your few kind words, to which my ears -are all unused, have broken up the sealed fountains of my heart. It is -seldom that we children of Jacob hear the accents of sympathy, or find -any one to manifest concern for us, when not personally interested in -doing so." - -At this moment, the sound of the sistrum before the sacred altar of -the temple, fell upon my ears; and, turning round to the east, I laid -my hands across my breast, and bowed my head low in worship, it being -the signal that the hierarch was offering incense and libations. - -To my surprise, the Hebrew woman pursued her work, and remained with -her head, as I thought, more proudly elevated than before. - -"Do you not worship?" I asked, with surprise. - -"Yes, the One God," she answered, with dignity. - -I started with surprise, that a bondwoman should declare, so openly -and familiarly, the mystery which even Remeses scarcely dared to -receive, and which I had accepted with hesitation and awe. - -"How knowest thou there is One God?" I said, regarding her with -deepening interest. - -"From our fathers." - -"Do all your people worship the One Unity?" - -"Not all," she answered, a shadow passing across her queenly brow. -"The masses of our enslaved nation know only the gods of Egypt. They -adore Apis with servility. They are the first to hail the new-found -calf-god, if, by chance, he be found in the nome where they toil. They -are ignorant of the true God, and degraded by their long servitude -(for we are all born in bondage--_all_!); they worship the gods of -their masters; and pots of flesh which are sent from the sacrifices by -the proselyting priests, as bribes to make our chief men bow down to -Osiris and Apis, are temptations enough to cause these elders daily to -deny the God of their father Abraham. Jacob and Joseph are become -Egyptians, and the knowledge of the undivided God is preserved only by -a few, who have kept sacred the traditions of our fathers." - -This was said with deep feeling, and with an expression of anger -mingled with sorrow. - -"What do you worship?" I asked. - -"The God of Abraham." - -"Abram was a Syrian prince," I said. "He must have worshipped fire, -and the sun." - -"In his youth he did. But the great Lord of heaven revealed Himself to -him as One God, and thenceforth he knew and worshipped only the Lord -of heaven and earth." - -"How knowest thou mysteries which are approached with the greatest awe -by the most sacred priests?" - -"Abraham, our father, gave to Isaac, his son, the knowledge of One -God, God _of_ gods!--above, beyond, higher, and over the fabulous -Osiris, Apis, Thoth, Horus, and all other so-called deities. Isaac -left the knowledge with his son Jacob. From Jacob it descended to his -twelve sons, princes by birth; and we are their progeny; and though in -bondage, and tempted to bow down ourselves to the gods of Egypt, yet -there remain a few in Israel who have never bowed the knee to the -black statue of Apis, or crossed the breast before the golden image of -Osiris." - -"What is the name of the One God you, and minds like yours, worship?" -I asked. - -"He is called the One Lord; not only Lord of the sun, but Lord of the -lords of the sun. He is One in His being, One in power, and yields not -His glory and dominion to others. Such is the tradition of our faith." - -"How hast thou resisted the worship of Egypt?" I asked. "Hast thou not -from a child been an inmate of this palace?" - -"Yes, my lord prince. But my mother taught me early the truths of the -faith of Abraham, and I have held firmly to the worship of my fathers, -amid temptations, trials, and menaces. But all the gods of Egypt have -not turned me aside from the One God; and my heart tells me that in -Him, and Him alone, I live, and move, and have my being!" - -I regarded this noble-looking bondwoman with surprise and profound -respect. Here, from the lips of a female, a slave, had I heard the -mystery of God made known, by one who worshipped boldly the Divine -Unity, which the wisdom of Remeses shrunk from certainly -acknowledging; but felt after only with hope and desire. - -"Prince," she said, looking up into my face, and speaking with -feeling, "dost thou believe in these gods of Egypt?" - -I confess, dear mother, I was startled by the question. But I replied, -smiling-- - -"I worship the gods of my own land, Miriam." - -"Are they idols?" - -"What is an idol?" - -"An image or figure in stone, or wood, or metal, or even painted with -colors, to which divine homage is paid,--visible representations of -the invisible." - -"In Phœnicia we worship the sun, and also honor certain gods." - -"Then thou art not above the Egyptians. I saw thee bend in attitude of -prayer at the sound of the sistrum. Dost thou believe that the sacred -bull is God,--who made thee, and me, and nature, and the sun, and -stars, and upholds the universe? Dost thou believe Apis or Mnevis at -On, or Amun at Thebes, either or all of them, GOD?" - -"Thou art a wonderful woman!" I exclaimed. "Art thou not a priestess -of the Hebrew people?" - -"Not a priestess. I simply believe in the unity of God, which you -ought to believe in; for thou art open and ingenuous, and not afraid -of truth. A priestess I am not, yet in my family and tribe is -preserved sacredly the knowledge of the God who spake from heaven to -our ancestor, the Syrian. Canst thou believe, O prince, that a bull is -God?" she asked again, almost authoritatively. - -"No, I do not," I answered, without disguise. - -"Dost thou believe that all minor deities will ultimately be lost in -one God?" - -"I do, most certainly." - -"Then worship Him! Thou art a prince. I hear thou wilt become a king. -What would be your opinion of your subjects, and ambassadors of other -lands, also, if, instead of presenting petitions to you, they should -offer them to your grand-chamberlain, your royal scribe, your chief -butler, or chief baker,--mistaking them ignorantly for you?" - -I made no reply, dear mother. The argument was irresistible. It will -be long, I feel, before I recognize in Apis, or in any statue of -stone, or any figure of a god, the One God, whose existence Remeses -first hinted at to me, and which the Hebrew has made me believe in; -for my own reason responds to the mighty truth! Do not fear, my dear -mother, that I shall return to Tyre an iconoclast; for I cannot set up -a faith in the One God in my realm, until I have His existence -established by infallible proofs. In my own heart I may believe in Him -and adore Him, whom my reason sees through and beyond all material -images of Himself; but, with Remeses, I must secure a foundation for -this new faith, before I overturn the ancient fabric of our mythology -of many gods. - -She resumed her work. It was coloring the wings of an image of the -sun, which, encircled by an asp, his head projected, and with extended -wings, adorned the beginning of one of the leaves. The sun was -overlaid with gold; the asps were painted green, and brown, and gold, -while the feathers of the wide wings were blue, orange, purple, -silver, and gilt. It was an exquisitely beautiful picture. - -"That is a god," I said, after watching for a time her skilful pencil; -"and yet you design and color it." - -"The potter is not responsible for the use that his vases are put to. -The slave must do her mistress's work. I fulfil my task and duty by -obedience to the lords who are over me. Yet this is not a god. It is -the emblem of Egypt. The eternal sunshine is symboled in this golden -disk. The entwining asp is the winding Nile, and the two wings -represent Upper and Lower Egypt, extending along the river. It is an -emblem, not a god. In Egypt, no temple is erected to it. It is used -only in sculpture and over pylones of temples. Yet," she added, "were -it a god, I could not refuse to depict it. Commanded to do, I obey. -The condition of my people is one of submission: if a king rules well, -he is approved; if a slave obeys well, he also is approved." - -At this point of our interesting conversation, I saw the -noble-looking, gray-bearded Prince of Uz pass along the corridor, -preceded by the page of the reception-room. Seeing me, he stopped and -said with benignity and courtesy: - -"Prince of Tyre, it is a pleasure for me to meet with you here! I am -about to leave Egypt for Damascus, and learn from her majesty, the -good queen, that you have a galley which goes in a few days from -Pelusium to Tyre. I have come hither, knowing you to be a guest of my -friend the high-priest, to ask permission to sail in her. I have but a -small retinue, as my caravan has already gone through Arabia Deserta, -on its way to Upper Syria. I take with me but my secretary, scribe, -cup-bearer, armor-bearer, courier, and ten servants." - -I assured the venerable prince that it would give me the greatest -pleasure to surrender to him the cabin and state-chamber of your -galley, my dear mother. And he will be the bearer of a letter from me -presenting him to you. I have already spoken of him in my account of -my first banquet with the queen. He is a prince, wise, good, virtuous, -and greatly honored, not only for his wisdom, but for the patience, -like a god's, with which he has endured the most wonderful sufferings. -At one time he lost sons, daughters, servants, flocks, herds, houses, -treasures, and health: yet he neither cursed the gods nor sought -escape in death. In reward for his patience and endurance, the -heavenly powers restored to him all things; and his name is now but -another term for sacred submission to the divine decrees. - -Having courteously thanked me for granting his wish, he looked closely -at the Hebrew woman, and then said to her-- - -"Is it true that thy people worship the One God?" - -"It is true, O prince!" she answered modestly. - -"This is the true wisdom of life, to know the Almighty, and be -admitted into the secrets of the Holy One! Behold! happy is the man -who attaineth to this knowledge. The world gropes in darkness in the -daytime, and stumbles in the noon-day as in the night, not seeing the -pathway to God. Blessed art thou, O daughter of the wise Abram, the -princely Isaac, the good Jacob--the three great Syrian princes of the -East--in that thou knowest, thou and thy people, the traditions of thy -fathers! Can a man by searching find out God? Can the priests by their -wisdom find out the Almighty to perfection? Their light is darkness! -but the sons of Israel Ben Abram have the knowledge of the Most High, -and are wiser than Egypt!" - -Miriam regarded the majestic old man with eyes expressive of wonder -and joy. They seemed to ask: "Who art thou?" He understood their -interrogating expression, and said: - -"Daughter of Abram, offspring of wise kings, who walked with the One -God, who found Him and came even unto His seat, when darkness covered -the hearts of all men, I also worship GOD! I am of the family of the -King Melchisedec, who knew Abram thy father! They both had knowledge -of the mystery of the Divine Unity! They were friends, and worshipped -God, the Almighty, when the understanding of men knew Him not and -denied the God that is above, and the spirit of God who made them, and -the breath of the Almighty that gave them life. Our God speaketh -everywhere, yet man perceiveth it not, neither doth he know His voice! -Touching the Almighty--who can find him out? The world lacketh wisdom, -and is devoid of understanding, to bow down to the work of their own -hands, and see not Him who laid the foundations of the earth, who hath -stretched His line upon the heavens, and to whom all the morning stars -sang together at their creation, and all the sons of God shouted for -joy!" - -The venerable Syrian uttered these words with an air of inspiration. -His eyes were fixed inquiringly upon my face, as if he directed his -speech to me alone. - -"I would know the God that you and the Hebrews know and worship," I -said, with emotion. "I no longer recognize Deity in stone and metal, -nor God in Osiris and Apis, nor the Creator of all in the sun--who is -but a servant to light the world." - -When I had thus spoken, the eyes of the Hebrew woman beamed with -pleasure, and the Prince of Uz, whose name is Ra-Iub, or Job, took my -hand in his and said, with a smile of benignity-- - -"Thou art not far from the house of Truth, O Prince of Tyre! May the -Almighty instruct thee, and He who ordained the ordinances of heaven -enlighten thee! He alone is the Almighty! Can Apis, or Io, or Adonis, -the gods in whom you believe, give rain and dew, the ice and the hoary -frost? Can they bind up the wintry seas of Colchis, so that men may -walk upon the frozen face of the deep, as upon marble? Can Apis or -Bel-Phegor bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands -of Orion? Can they bring forth Mazzaroth in his season, guide Arcturus -with his sons, and hang Aldebaran and Sirius in the firmament? Can -they send forth the lightning, and give to thunder its voice? My son, -there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth -understanding to them that seek it. Behold, God is great, and we know -Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out; yet -whosoever prayeth unto Him, He will be favorable unto, and will -deliver his soul, and his life shall see the light of the living! Deny -not, my son, the God that is above!" - -"But where, O wise man of God, is the Almighty to be found, and -whither shall my understanding go out to find the place of His -throne?" I asked, feeling like a child at his feet, under the power of -his words. "I am weary of idols," I continued, catching the spirit of -his speech, "and with worshipping myths born of the ignorance of man. -Where shall the Maker be found? Show me His seat, O man of God, that I -may fall down before His footstool!" - -"God is everywhere, but His throne is in thy heart. His wisdom has no -price, neither can it be gotten for gold. The depth says, It is not in -me! The sea saith, It is not with me! It cannot be weighed in the -balance; nor can it be valued with the gold of Ophir; and the exchange -of it shall not be jewels of fine gold. The topaz of Ethiopia shall -not purchase it, nor shall the coral and pearls of the isles of the -sea equal it; for the price of the wisdom of God is above rubies! The -fear of the Lord that is wisdom, and lo the Almighty is found of them -who humbly seek Him. An idol, my son, is a snare, and the false gods -of the world lead to destruction; they have eyes but see not, ears but -hear not, feet but walk not, hands which bless not, mouths that speak -no wisdom! But God is the Maker and Father of His creatures, and -concealeth His glory in the secret places of His heaven; yet the pure -in heart shall find Him, and they that plead with Him shall not be -mocked. He will come unto thee, and abide with thee, and thou shalt -know the Almighty as a father. I have tried Him and He has proved me, -and though He sorely afflicted me He did not forsake me, and in the -end came to me with more abundant honor and blessing." - -"Will God pardon transgression?" I asked, giving utterance in this -brief question to a thought of my heart that no mythology could -answer. - -"There is no promise to man, that transgression against a sacred and -sinless God can be forgiven. We must hope in His mercy at the end! I -have prayed, in my affliction, O prince, for a Day's man--one to stand -between me and the Almighty, to plead for me! My heart hath yearned -for One; and I feel that the yearning of my heart is a prophecy." - -"Dost thou believe a Day's man, or mediator, will be given by the -great God to man, to intercede for transgressors against His -holiness?" I asked, between sweet hope and trembling fear. - -"We have a tradition that has overleaped the flood and come down to -us, that One will yet stand between earth and heaven to plead with the -Creator for His creatures, and that the Almighty will hear His voice." - -"Is not this feebly typified in Horus, the son of Osiris, who presents -the souls of the dead and acts as their friend?" I asked. - -"Without doubt," answered the Prince of Uz. "This belief is found -shadowed forth in all faiths of every land. But I must not detain you, -my lord prince." - -I then accompanied the white-haired Prince of Uz to the galley in -which he had crossed the Nile, and taking leave of him, promised to -see him ere he sailed. - -Believe me, dear mother, there is but One God, and that an idol is -nothing on earth, not even the god-created sun. I have since had -another long conversation with the Prince of Uz, and he has convinced -me that in worshipping images and attributes we offend the High God, -and degrade our own natures. - -Farewell, dear mother. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XIX. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -It is many weeks since my last letter was written. The interval has -been occupied by me, in visiting all places of interest in Lower -Egypt, previous to my voyage up the Nile, to the kingdom of the -Thebaïd. But the intelligence that your last letter contains, of the -misunderstanding arising between you and the King of Cyprus, and your -fear that war may ensue, will compel me to abandon my tour to the -Cataracts, and return to Tyre, unless the next courier brings more -pacific news. But I trust that the wisdom and personal influence of -your ambassador, Isaphris, will result in an amicable termination of -the difficulty. I have no doubt, that the haughty King of the Isle -will make due concessions, for his treatment of your shipwrecked -merchantmen, when your ambassador disclaims all intention, on the part -of your majesty, of planting an invading colony in any part of his -shores, and assures him that the vessels, which he supposed brought a -company of Phœnicians to occupy his soil, were driven thither when -bound for Carthage and distant Gades. But should he refuse to release -your subjects and to restore their vessels and goods, war would -inevitably ensue, and I will hasten home to conduct it in person. Do -not delay sending me the earliest intelligence by a special galley. -Until I hear from you, I shall linger in Lower Egypt. - -Since writing the foregoing, dear mother, I have heard the most -important intelligence from the seat of war in Ethiopia; and what is -more, that the Prince Remeses is even now on his return to Memphis, a -conqueror! The dispatches brought by the courier state, that four -weeks ago the army of Egypt engaged Occhoris, beyond the gates of -Thebes, and after a severe battle, in which the chariots and horse -were engaged, he was forced to retreat; that he gained a new position, -and fortified himself, but was dislodged from it, and finally routed -in the open plain, he himself being taken prisoner, with most of his -chief captains; while a great spoil in treasures, camp-equipage, -elephants, camels, and horses, besides captives innumerable, enriched -the victors. This news has gladdened the heart of Queen Amense, and -relieved her mind from the great anxiety that has oppressed it ever -since the departure of Remeses, lest he should lose his life in the -campaign, as his father had done before him. But, without a wound, he -returns triumphant, leading his enemy captive at the wheels of his -war-chariot. The city is excited with joy, and in all the temples, -ascending incense and bleeding sacrifices, together with libations and -oblations, bear testimony to the universal gratitude of the nation, at -the defeat of the hereditary foe of the kingdom. - -I will for a time delay this letter, that I may witness the scenes in -the city and behold the rites for victory, which, I am told, will be -most imposing, especially in the temples of Apis and of Vulcan. - - -ISLAND AND PALACE OF RHODA. - -Two weeks have elapsed since I laid down my pen, dearest mother. In -the interval I have been too much occupied to resume it, but do so now -with matter of the deepest interest to communicate. Remeses has -returned. Two days ago he entered Memphis in warlike triumph. On -hearing of his approach, I hastened to meet him three days' journey up -the Nile. When we met, he embraced me as a brother, with expressions -of joy; but the first question he put to me was: - -"The queen--my mother, Sesostris, is she well?" - -"Well, and happy at your victories," I answered. - -"And your royal mother also, the Queen Epiphia, how fared she when -last you heard from her?" - -"In good health, save her wish to see me," I answered. - -Thus, dear mother, did this noble prince, amid all the splendor of his -victories, first think of his mother and mine! It is this filial -piety, which is one of the most eminent traits of his lofty and pure -character; and where love for a mother reigns supremely in the heart, -all other virtues will cluster around it. - -I found Remeses descending the river in a hundred-oared galley, to -which I was conveyed by a barge which he sent for me, on recognizing -me. It was decorated with the insignia of all the divisions of his -army. Behind it came two galleys containing the prisoners of rank, who -were bound in chains upon the deck. The Ethiopian king was in the -galley with Remeses, who courteously let him go free in the cabin, -where he was served by his conqueror's own cup-bearer. Further in the -rear came the fleet, their parti-colored green, orange, blue, and -scarlet sails, and the bronzed and gilded heads of hawks, eagles, -wolves, lions, and ibises upon the topmasts, presenting a grand and -brilliant spectacle. Ever and anon, a loud, wild shout would swell -along the water, from the victorious troops. One half of the fleet had -been left in the Thebaïd country with Prince Mœris, who intended to -invade the interior of Ethiopia and menace its capital. - -You may imagine, dear mother, that Remeses had many questions to ask -and answer, as well as I. I drew from him a modest narrative of his -battles; but he spoke more freely of the brilliant courage of Prince -Mœris than of his own acts. After we had sat in the moonlight, upon -the poop of his galley, conversing for several hours, I asked -permission to see his royal captive, who I fancied was some wild -savage chief, with the hairy head and neck of a lion, and the glaring -eyes of a wolf. When I expressed my opinion to Remeses, he smiled and -said: - -"I will send to him and ask if he will receive me and the Prince of -Tyre; for he has heard me make mention of you." - -"You Egyptians treat your captives with delicate courtesy," I said, -"to send to know if they will receive you." - -"I fear such is not our custom. Captives taken in war by our soldiers, -are, I fear, but little better off than those of other conquering -armies; yet I have done all that is possible to alleviate their -condition, and have forbidden unnecessary cruelty, such as tying their -arms in unnatural positions and dragging them in long lines at the -rear of running chariots! If you see the army on shore, you will find -that it is hard to teach the Egyptian soldier mercy towards a captive -foe." - -I regarded the prince with silent admiration. "How is it," I asked of -myself, "that this man is in advance of all his predecessors and -before his age in virtue?" - -"His majesty will see the Prince of Tyre and also his conqueror," were -the words which the messenger brought to Remeses. - -Descending a flight of steps, we advanced along a second deck, and -then passing the door leading to the state-cabins, we descended again, -and came to the range of apartments occupied by the governor of the -rowers and the chief pilot. The latter had vacated his room to the -royal captive. Upon entering, reclining on a couch of leopard's skins -spread in the moonlight, which shone broadly in upon the floor through -the columns that supported the deck, I beheld a young man, not more -than my own age. His features were remarkable. His nose was slightly -aquiline, his forehead high and commanding, his brows arched and -delicate as a woman's, beneath which were the blackest and largest -eyes I ever beheld, and which seemed to emit a burning splendor. His -finely formed mouth was almost voluptuous in its fulness and -expression; yet I could perceive a slight nervous contraction of the -underlip, as if he were struggling between shame and haughty -indifference, when he beheld us. His chin was without beard. His black -locks were braided and bound up by a fillet of gold, studded with -jewels. His helmet, which was of beaten gold, lay by his side dented -with many a stroke of sword and battle-axe; and I saw that a wound -upon his left temple corresponded to one of these indentations. His -hands were very small, and of a nut-brown color (as was his -complexion), and covered with massive rings. A collar, rich with -emeralds, encircled his neck, from which was suspended an amulet of -agate, and a little silver box containing a royal charm. He was -dressed in a gaudy but rich robe of needle-work, which was open in -front, and displayed a corselet and breastplate of the finest steel, -inlaid with gold. His small feet were bare, save a light sandal of -gilded gazelle-leather. Altogether he was as elegant and fine-looking -a barbaric prince as one would care to behold, dear mother, and not at -all the monster in aspect I had pictured him: yet I am well convinced, -that in that splendid form lie powers of endurance which make him -respected, by the barbarians he commands; and that within those fierce -eyes blazes a soul, as fiery as any barbaric prince requires; while -the firm expression of his mouth, at times, betrayed a resolved and -iron will, with which no one of his subjects would willingly come into -antagonism. - -He half-rose gracefully from his recumbent attitude, and said, with an -indolent yet not undignified air, and in good Koptic, as it is spoken -in the Thebaïd: - -"Welcome, Prince of Tyre! I am sorry I cannot extend to you the -hospitality you merit. You see my kingdom is somewhat limited! As for -you, O Prince of Egypt, who have a right to command, I need not ask -you to be seated or recline." Then turning to me again, "I have heard -of Tyre. You are a nation of merchants who cover the great sea with -caravans of galleys, and plant your sandals in all lands. But you have -not yet had Ethiopia beneath them." - -"Our commerce embraces even your own country's productions, O king!" I -answered. "I have seen in the mart of Tyre chœnixes of gold-dust, -ostrich-feathers, dried fruits and skins, vermilion, ebony, ivory, and -even baboons, apes, and leopards. In return we send you our purples." - -"That is the name of Tyre, is it not,--the city of purple-cloth?" he -said interrogatively, and with a pointed sneer. "Ethiopia signifies -the land of warriors--children of the sun." - -I could not help smiling at his vanity. Remeses did not say any thing. -The king then added, pleasantly: - -"I have no quarrel with thee, O Tyre! Receive this ring--that is, if -the great Remeses do not regard all I possess, as well as myself, his -spoil--receive it in token that we are at peace." - -As he spoke, he drew from his thumb a jewel of great price, and, -taking my hand, placed it upon my thumb, without looking to see -whether Remeses approved or no. - -After a brief interview I left his presence, and soon retired to my -state-room. Remeses insists upon my retaining the ring, which, in -truth, the Ethiopian king, being a captive, had no right to dispose -of. Remeses says that he displayed the most daring courage and -marvellous generalship in battle; and that, though young, and -apparently effeminate, he inherits all the fierce, barbaric spirit of -his ancestor, Sabaco I., and of his uncle, Bocchiris the Great, and -third of the name. - -At length arrived at the island of Rhoda, Remeses hastened to embrace -his mother, and to render to her an account of his expedition. The -next day, preparations were made to receive the vast and victorious -army, which had been slowly marching towards the capital, along the -western bank of the river. They entered the plain of the pyramids on -the same night, column succeeding column in a long line, attended by -an interminable train of captives, and by wagons, cars, and chariots -laden with spoils of arms, treasures, goods, and military stores. -Having encamped on their former ground, they awaited the signal to -move towards the city in triumphal procession. - -The following morning the queen made her appearance at the head of the -great square, in front of the temple of Apis. She was arrayed in her -royal robes, and seated in a state-chariot of ivory, inlaid with gold, -drawn by four white horses driven abreast, richly caparisoned, and -with ostrich-plumes nodding on their heads. Attended by a splendid -retinue of the lords of her palace, she took a position near the -pylon, surrounded by her body-guard, in their glittering cuirasses of -silver, and bearing slender lances in their right hands. The lords of -the realm were ranged, in extended wings, on either side of her -chariot; the whole presenting a strikingly beautiful spectacle. - -When all was arranged, from the portals of the vast temple, headed by -the hierarch in full dress, issued a procession of four hundred -priests, a shining host, with golden tiaras, and censers of gold, and -crimson vestments. Other sacred processions came advancing along all -the streets, headed by their chiefs, each escorting the god of their -temple in a gorgeous shrine, blazing with the radiance of precious -stones. - -Prince Remeses, attended by the governor of the city, the twenty-one -rulers of the departments thereof, and by all dignitaries, of whatever -office, in their sumptuous robes and badges of rank, had already -departed from the city to meet the army, which, headed by its -generals, was in full motion. They came on in columns of battalions, -as if marching through an enemy's country, and with all the pomp of -war--their battle-banners waving, and their bands of music sounding. -Instead of accompanying Remeses, I remained, by her request, near the -queen. The towers of the pylones, the roofs of temples, the colonnades -of palaces, terraces, house-tops--every vantage-point--were crowded -thickly with spectators. - -At length the voice of trumpets, faint and far off, broke the silence -of expectation. Nearer and louder it was heard, now rising on the -breeze, now gradually dying away; but soon other instruments were -heard: the cymbals, the drum, the pipe and the cornet from a hundred -bands poured upon the air a martial uproar of instruments, which made -the blood bound quicker in every pulse. All eyes were now turned in -the direction of the entrance to the grand causeway of the pyramids, -and in a few moments, amid the answering clangor of the brazen -trumpets of the queen's guards, a party of cavalry, shining like the -sun, dashed into sight. - -Their appearance was hailed by the vast assemblage of spectators with -acclamations. Then came one hundred and seventy priests abreast, -representing the male deities of Memphis, each attired like the image -of his god--an imposing and wonderful spectacle; as in it Horus was -not without his hawk-head, nor Thoth his horns and globe. Anubis -displayed the head of a jackal, and Osiris held the emblems of his -rank. These were followed by the high-priest of On, before whom was -borne the shield of the sun, resting upon a car carried by twenty-four -men, representing the hours. Following these were one thousand -priests--a hundred in line--chanting, with mighty voice, the song of -victory to the gods. They were succeeded by a battalion of cavalry, -the front of which filled the whole breadth of the avenue. It advanced -in solid column, till four thousand horsemen, in varied armor and -arms, had entered the immense quadrangle. Now burst out afresh the -clang of martial bands, and alone in his state-chariot, drawn by three -black steeds, appeared the Prince of Egypt, standing erect upon the -floor of his car. He was in full armor, and so splendid was his -appearance, so majestic his aspect, that he was hailed with a thunder -of voices, as conqueror! Leaving the golden-hued reins loosely -attached to the hilt of his sword, he suffered his proudly stepping -horses freely to prance and curvet, yet held them obedient to the -slightest gesture of his hand. On each side of their heads walked -three footmen. Behind him came his war-chariot of iron, from which he -had fought in battle on the Theban plains. The horses were led by two -lords of Egypt, and it was empty, save that it held his battered -shield, emptied quiver, broken lances, the hilt of his sword, and his -dented helmet--mute witnesses of his presence in the heat of battle. -Behind the chariot was a guard of honor, consisting of a brave soldier -out of every company in the army. But close to it, his wrists locked -together with a massive chain of gold, which was attached to the axle -of the war-chariot, walked the captive King of Ethiopia. His step was -proud and defiant, and a constant smile of contempt curled his lip, as -he saw the eyes of the spectators bent upon him, and heard their -shouts of hostile joy on beholding him. He moved, the king in heart, -though bound in hand. Over his shoulders hung a lion's skin as a royal -mantle, but his feet were bare. Behind him came a solid front of -chariots, which, line behind line, rolled into the square, until -nearly three thousand war-cars had entered, and moved, with all the -van of the vast warlike procession, towards the great pylon, before -which, in her chariot, stood the Queen of Egypt; for, as soon as the -head of the column came in sight, she had risen to her feet to receive -her returning army. - -When Remeses came before her, he turned his horses towards her and -remained at her side. Past them marched first the foot-soldiers. To -the sound of drums and the tramp of ten thousand sandals, they wheeled -into the arena of temples, elevating their war-hacked symbols, each -man laden with his spoil. Then it was, that a company of sacred -virgins, issuing from the temple of Athor, each with a silver star -upon her brow, all clad in white, and bearing branches of flowers, -green palm-branches, ivy and lotus leaves, cast them before the army, -and sang with beautiful voices the hymn of the Conqueror. As they -passed, the priests, with censers, waved incense towards them, and -others sprinkled sacred water in the path of the battle-worn warriors. -The soldiers responded to the hymn of the maidens with a loud chorus, -that rent the skies as they marched and sang. - -When half the army had defiled, there came a procession of Ethiopian -cars and wagons, drawn by captured oxen, and laden with trophies. Upon -one was piled scores of shields, another was filled with helmets, a -third bristled with spears, and a fourth was weighed down by cuirasses -and swords. After many hundreds of these had passed--for the whole -Ethiopian army was destroyed and their possessions captured--came -chariots, heavy with chests containing gold, and silver, and bronze -vessels; others glaring with ivory tusks; others full of blocks of -ebony. Five royal elephants, with their castles and keepers, and a -troop of camels, laden with treasures and mounted by their -wild-looking guides, preceded a body of horse escorting the purple -pavilion of the captive king--a gorgeous yet barbaric edifice of ivory -frames, covered with silk and fringed with gold. Next came a painted -car containing his wives, all of whom were closely veiled, and -followed by a train of royal servants and slaves. - -Bringing up the rear of the immense procession was another large body -of horse, at the head of a long column of captives, twelve thousand in -number--the disarmed and chained soldiers of the defeated monarch. -Such a spectacle of human misery, such an embodiment of human -woe!--how can I depict the scene, my mother! Perhaps when I am older, -and have seen more of war than I have, I may feel less sympathy at a -sight so painful, and be more indifferent to the necessary horrors of -this dread evil. - -Their features denoted them to be of a race very different from the -Egyptian. They were slender and tall, with swarthy, but not black, -faces like the Nubians--showing more of the Oriental than the African -in their physiognomy. Their long hair hung half-way down the back, and -they were dressed in costumes as various as the tribes which composed -the army of Occhoris. - -These captives marched in parties of from one to two hundred -each--some linked by the wrists to a long connecting chain passing -along the line; others, chained two and two by the hands, and with -shackled feet, were led by their captors. Many of them were confined -to a long iron bar, by neck-collars, eight and ten abreast, each -compelled to step together, and sit or rise at the same moment, or be -subjected to dislocation of the neck. Several, of the most -unmanageable, were tied with their hands high above their heads, in -the most painful positions; while other wretches were so cruelly -bound, that their arms met behind in the most unnatural manner. There -was a long chain of Nubian and Southern Arabian soldiers so bound, who -writhed in agony as they were forced onward in the march. After these -came hundreds of women and children, the latter naked, and led by the -hand, or carried by their mothers in baskets, slung behind by a belt -carried across the forehead. Finally, when these had passed the queen, -who humanely ordered those so unnaturally bound to be relieved, the -rear division of the army came tramping on, with symbols aloft, and -drums beating, and trumpets blowing. - -At length, this vast army of nearly one hundred thousand men, -including chariots, horsemen, and foot-soldiers, had marched past -before the queen, receiving her thanks and smiles, and the flowers -that were showered upon them from thousands of fair hands. As they -moved on, they wheeled in column, and gradually filled up the whole -area of the vast quadrangle, save the space in front of the pyramidal -gateway, where the queen and Remeses stood in their chariots. - -At this juncture, the high-priest of On--a man of venerable -aspect--amid the profoundest silence, advanced before them, and thus -addressed Prince Remeses: - -"Mighty and excellent prince, and lord of worlds, son of the queen, -and upholder of the kingdoms of the earth, may the gods bless thee and -grant thee honor and prosperity! Thou hast led the armies of Misr to -battle, and conquered. Thou hast brought down the pride of Ethiopia, -and placed the crown of the South underneath thy foot. Thou hast -fought, and overthrown, and taken captive the enemy of Egypt, and the -scourge of the world. Lo, chained he walks at thy chariot-wheels! his -soldiers are captives to thy sword, and his spoil is in thy hand! By -thy courage in battle, thou hast saved Egypt from desolation, filled -her borders with peace, and covered her name with glory. Let thy -power, henceforth, be exalted in the world like the sun in the -heavens, and thy glory and virtues only be equalled by those of the -sacred deities themselves!" - -Remeses, with the gentle dignity and modesty which characterize him, -replied to this eulogistic address of the Egyptian pontiff. The queen -then embraced him before the whole army, which cried, "Long live our -queen! Long live Remeses our general!" All the while Occhoris stood by -the wheel of the chariot to which he was chained, his arms folded, and -his bearing as proud as that of a caged lion. He did not even deign to -look upon the queen, whom he had never before beheld; and seemed to be -above, or below, all manifestation of curiosity. Self-reliance, -fearlessness, immobility, characterized him. - -Preparations having already been made for a national thanksgiving, the -queen and Remeses descended from their chariots, and led a procession -consisting of the priest of On, the high-priest of Apis, the priest of -Memphis, hierophants and chief priests from each of the thirty-eight -or forty nomes, and several hundreds of ecclesiastics in magnificent -dresses. This august procession entered the great temple of Pthah. -Here, after an imposing invocation, offerings from the queen to the -presiding deity, and also to Mars--whose statue was present,--were -made in recognition of their presence with the victorious army, and as -an acknowledgment that it was by their special favor and intercession -that the victory had been obtained. - -This done, Remeses, in a formal manner, addressed the priest of the -temple, presenting to the deity all the prisoners, and the spoil taken -with them. As the vast army could not enter the temple, each captain -of fifty and of a hundred was present for his own men. The high-priest -then went forth upon the portico of the temple, and on an altar there, -in the presence of the whole army, offered incense, meat-offerings, -and libations. - -All these customs and rites being ended, the army once more commenced -its march, and passed through the city, and beyond the pyramid of -Cheops' daughter to the plain of Libya, where Osirtasen used to review -his armies. There they pitched their camp, prior to being posted and -garrisoned in different parts of Egypt,--ready again to be summoned, -at three days' notice, to go forth to war. - -The captives, being delivered up to the authorities, were at once put -to labor in the service of the queen, and are already engaged in -building temples, cutting canals, raising dykes and embankments, and -other public and state works. Some were purchased by the nobles; and -the women, both Nubian and white, were distributed among the wealthy -and noble families in the city. The Hebrew is the only captive or -servant in Egypt who cannot be bought and sold. Those who have them in -their houses do not own them, for, as a nation, they belong to the -crown; but the queen's treasurer is paid a certain tribute or tax for -their service, and must restore them whenever the queen commands them -to do so. - -The King of Ethiopia, himself, after having been led through the city -at the chariot-wheel of his conqueror, was sent to the royal prison, -there to await his fate, which hangs upon the word of the queen. - -It is possible he may be redeemed by his own nation with a vast -ransom-price; but if not, he will probably pass his days a captive, -unless he consents to a proposition, which will be made to him by the -prince, for recovering his liberty--namely, the surrender of the -northern half of his kingdom to Egypt, in order that he may be -permitted to reign over the remainder. As half a kingdom is far better -than none, any other monarch would probably acquiesce; but the spirit -of this king (whose looks and movements irresistibly make me think of -a Nubian leopard) is so indomitable and proud, that I believe be would -rather die a prisoner in a dungeon than live a king with half a -sceptre. - -This letter, dear mother, has been written at three or four different -sittings, with a greater or less interval of time between them. It was -my intention to have given you, before closing it, some account of a -meeting which I had with a remarkable Hebrew, whose resemblance to -Remeses, is, if possible, more striking than that of Miriam the -papyrus writer, or of Amram the royal gardener. But having quite -filled it with a description of the triumphal entry of Remeses into -the capital, I must defer doing so till another occasion. - -With my most affectionate wishes for your happiness, I am, my beloved -mother, - - Your faithful son, - SESOSTRIS - - - - -LETTER XX. - - -PALACE OF RHODA. - -MY DEARLY BELOVED MOTHER: - -The excitement, which the return of the triumphant army from its -brilliant Ethiopian campaign created, has now subsided, and the cities -of Memphis and On, and the thousand villages in the valley of the -Nile, have returned to their ordinary quiet, interrupted only by -religious processions, the music of a banquet, or the festivities of a -marriage. In this delicious climate, where there is no particular -incentive to action, the general state of the people is one of -indolence and leisure. The chief business, at the marts and quays, is -over before the sun is at meridian; and during the remainder of the -day, shade and repose are coveted. But when the sun sinks westward, -and hangs low over the brown hills of Libya, this inaction ceases, and -all classes, in their best apparel and most cheerful looks, fill the -streets, the groves, the gardens, the walks and avenues along the -river; and the spirit of enjoyment and life reigns. - -One evening, not long since, I strolled along the banks of the Nile, -beneath a row of mimosa-trees, to enjoy the gay and attractive scenes -upon the river. It was covered with gayly painted barges, containing -happy family parties, whose musicians played for them as the rowers -slowly and idly propelled the boat; others, in sharp-prowed barisæ, -darted in emulous races across the water; others were suspended upon -the bosom of the stream, fishing for amusement; while others still -moved about, with their beautifully pictured sails spread to the -gentle breeze, as if enjoying the panorama of the shores they were -gliding past. - -I had rambled alone some distance up the river, without any vestige of -my rank being apparent, in the plain Phœnician costume of a Tyrian -merchant (which I often wear, to prevent constant interruption by the -homage and prostrations of the deferent Egyptians), when I saw a small -baris, containing a single person, coming close to the steps of the -extensive terrace of one of the numerous temples of the image of Apis, -which here faced the Nile, separated from it only by a double row of -sphinxes. It was rowed by four Nubian slaves, clad in white linen -vests and fringed loin-cloths, each having a red cap upon his head. - -As the boat approached the marble steps, a decorated and unusually -elegant galley, containing three young men of rank, as their dress and -the emblems on their mast indicated, was coming swiftly down the -stream, as if the owner strove to display the fleetness of his vessel -before the eyes of the thousands who looked on. The pilot, at the -lofty helm, called out to the baris to move quicker away from the line -of his course; but either the rowers failed to hear or to comprehend, -for they did not turn their heads. On like the wind came the galley. I -called aloud to the person who sat in the stern of the baris, and who -was intently engaged in reading a book, a portion of which lay -unrolled at his feet. - -He looked up quickly, and saw, first me, and then, by the direction of -my finger, his danger. Before, however, he could give orders to his -rowers, I heard one of the young men say to the pilot, who was -changing his course a little-- - -"Keep right on! It is but a Hebrew; and it would be a favor to the -gods to drown a thousand a day." - -The pilot obeyed his lord, and the bronze hawk-head of the gilded -galley struck the boat near the stern, nearly capsizing it, and then -the whole armament of twelve oars passed over it, striking overboard -two of the slaves, as the twenty-four oarsmen swept the galley along -at the height of its speed. I expected to see the priest, for such his -costume betrayed him, also pressed down by the long oars, under which, -like a low roof of inclined rafters, he was entangled; but stooping -low until his forehead touched the book on his knee, the sweeps passed -harmlessly over him, and when the galley had gone by, he recovered his -sitting posture, maintaining, the while, a composure and dignity that -made me marvel. His dark, handsome, oriental face betrayed scarcely -any emotion at the danger or the indignity. Seeing that one of the -slaves was swimming ashore, and that the other rose no more, he waved -his hand to the remaining two who had fallen into the bottom of the -boat, and who, recovering their oars, pulled him to the steps. - -"A Hebrew!" repeated I to myself. "Truly, and the very likeness of -Remeses, save that his hair is of a browner hue, and his beard tinged -with a golden light. A Hebrew! What philosophy under insult and peril! -A Hebrew! What contempt of him and his life was evinced by the haughty -Egyptian noble! A Hebrew, and a _priest_!" - -Such were the reflections to which I gave utterance, in an under-tone. - -He debarked, and giving an order to the slaves, placed his scroll of -papyrus beneath his robe, and, ascending the steps, bowed low, and -with singular courtesy (for the Hebrews, mother, are naturally the -most polished and benignant people in the world), said in the -Phœnician tongue-- - -"I am indebted to you, sir merchant, for my life! Your timely voice -enabled me to save myself, although I have lost one of the poor Nubian -lads. Accept my gratitude!" - -I could not remove my eyes from his face. It fascinated me! It seemed -to be Remeses himself speaking to me; yet the hair of the prince is -raven-black, and his beard also, while this man's is a rich brown, and -his fine beard like a golden river. The eyes of Remeses are black, -with a mild expression naturally, as if they were animated by a gentle -spirit; while those of the priest are hazel, or rather a brilliant -bronze, and full of the light of courage and of ardent fire. In person -he is just the height of Remeses--carried his head in the same -imperial manner, as if born to command; and the tones of his voice are -marked by that rich emotional cadence--winning the ear and touching -the heart--which characterizes the prince. His step is firm and -commanding--his motions self-poised and dignified. He seems three or -four years older than Remeses; but the likeness of the features, and -the entire presence of the stranger recalled my royal friend so -forcibly to my mind, on the occasion of which I speak, that I said -mentally--"Were the Prince Remeses a Hebrew, or were this Hebrew an -Egyptian, I should think them cousins, if not brothers!" - -Pardon me, dear mother, for thus speaking of a royal personage; but I -only make use of the language, to express to you how wonderful in -every way, save in the color of hair and eyes, is the resemblance of -this man to the prince. - -"I did but a common duty to a fellow-being," was my reply. "But why -did you address me in Syriac?" - -"Are you not a Syrian merchant?" he asked, looking at me more closely, -after I had spoken. - -"I am from Tyre," I answered. "You are a Hebrew?" - -"Yes," was his reply, casting down his eyes and moving past me towards -the temple. - -"Stay one moment," I said. He turned and regarded me with a look of -surprise; just such an one as the Hebrew woman Miriam,--to whom also, -dear mother, he bore a very striking resemblance,--gave me when I -irresistibly addressed her, in the courteous tone I would have used -towards any of her sex: such was my tone in speaking to this Hebrew; -for although his dress showed that he was only a neophyte, or -attendant with secular duties, yet the man himself commanded my -respect. - -"May I inquire, without offence, why I see a Hebrew in the service of -religion?" - -"When we are only degraded slaves, and brick and clay workers, and -worship not the gods of Egypt?" he answered interrogatively; and I -imagined I detected a haughty light in his eyes, and a movement of his -lip, caused by a keen sense of the degradation of which he spake. - -"You have expressed my motives," I replied. "If you are proceeding -along the avenue of sphinxes, I will accompany you, as I am merely -loitering." - -"Will you be seen walking with a Hebrew, my lord prince?" he said, -significantly. - -"You know my rank, then?" - -"Your language betrays you; merchants do not speak as you do. Besides, -the signet of Prince Remeses, on your hand, designates your rank. I -have, moreover, heard you described by one, who will never forget that -the first words of kindness he ever received, save from his kinsfolk, -fell upon his ears from your lips, O Prince of Tyre!" - -"Who is he?" I asked with interest. - -"The lad Israel, whom you assisted in restoring to animation by the -well of Jacob the Shepherd!" - -"At the strangers' fountain!" I repeated. "This little act seems to be -known to all the Hebrews!" - -"Not to all, but to a few," he answered; "yet it will be heard of by -all of them; for kindness and sympathy from any one, especially from a -foreign prince, is so strange an event that it will fly from lip to -ear. Your name, O noble Sesostris, will be engraven in every memory, -and the sound thereof warm hope in every heart!" - -He spoke with deep feeling. We walked some distance side by side -without speaking. After a few moments' silence I said-- - -"Where is the youth Israel?" - -"With his people near Raamses." - -"I am to receive him into my service." - -"He will faithfully serve you, my lord prince. He is of my kindred, -and I shall be grateful to you for protecting his weakness. Every -shoulder in Israel cannot bear the burden!" - -"Are you then of the family of Miriam?" I asked, recollecting that the -ritual transcriber, in the palace of the hierarch, had also claimed -kindred with the son of the venerable Ben Isaac. - -"Miriam the scribe?" - -"In the service of Luxora and Osiria, of Memphis." - -"She is my sister." - -"I would have said it!" I answered. "Is your father living?" - -"He is in charge of the queen's flower-garden in On." - -"I know him," I answered. - -"It is he who has spoken of you to me, as well as the aged Ben Isaac, -young Israel, and Miriam. Therefore did I at once recognize you, when -your polished words led me to see that you were in rank above chief -pilots and governors of galleys." - -"Will you reply to my inquiry? for, as we know each other's friends, -we need not now discourse wholly as strangers. How came you, being a -Hebrew, to become a priest? Do not you Hebrews worship the One -Infinite Maker and Upholder of worlds?" - -"There are a few who retain, unmixed with superstition and -idol-worship, the knowledge of the one God of our ancestors Abraham, -Jacob, and Joseph; but this knowledge is confined, chiefly, to the -descendants of one man, Levi; and only to a few of these. The residue -are little better than the Egyptians." - -"Art thou of the family of this Levi?" I asked. - -"I am. We are more given to study than our brethren, and seek -knowledge and wisdom. Hence it is, that some of our tribe are taken -from the labor of the field to serve the priests. We are ready -writers, skilful with the stylus and the coloring pencil, and our lot -is preferable to that of others, who are more ignorant. Hence you -behold me a servitor in an Egyptian temple!" - -"Hast thou long been in this service?" I asked, as we stopped in the -shade of the pyramidion of an obelisk, in front of the temple porch. - -"From a child." - -"So early! Then thou hast not borne the toils of thy people." - -"I was discovered upon the banks of the Nile, in my fourth year, near -the Island of Rhoda, weeping bitterly; for I had seen my mother commit -my infant brother to a basket and launch it upon the river; and -observing it borne down by the current, young as I was, I so felt all -its danger, that I ran as well as I could along the shore crying -piteously, when a priest (who has made known to me the incident) -seeing me, took pity upon me, and noticing that I was a Hebrew child -led me away, pacifying me by saying that I should see my brother. From -that time I have been an inmate of the temple; for my mother seeing -him take me away followed, and as he promised he would rear me as his -own son, and that I should see her weekly, she yielded me up to him -with reluctant gladness; for, my lord prince, in that day the children -of Hebrew parents were not safe even at home, an edict having been -published commanding all male infants to be strangled or drowned. -Mothers held their children by a slight tenure, and seeing that the -protection of a priest would insure my safety, and spare me the toils -to which the little ones of our nation were early condemned, my -parents readily acquiesced in the wishes of the priest." - -"Was thy infant brother lost?" I asked with interest. - -"Yes, without doubt. Like hundreds of other innocents, he perished." - -"Might he not have been saved by some one as compassionate as your -friendly priest?" - -"Who would dare to save a child from the king's edict of death? Not -one, unless it had been the king's daughter! All his subjects trembled -at his power." - -"I have heard of that cruel command of Pharaoh Amunophis," I answered. -"What is your office in this noble temple?" I asked, surveying the -majestic edifice, before which stood a black statue of Apis, the size -of life. - -"My office is not that of a priest, though it is priestly. I write -books of papyrus for the dead. I cast images, in gold, of the young -calf Apis. I interpret hieroglyphics, make copies of the tables of -rituals, and keep a list of the sacred scrolls. I also study foreign -tongues, and transcribe from their books the wisest codes and most -solemn forms of worship." - -"Yours is an office of trust and honor," I said. - -"It is, through the favor of the venerable priest, who is my -benefactor, and to whom I am as a son," he answered. "If you will now -enter the temple with me, I will show you the casting-room of sacred -images; for my duty is there, during the next four hours." - -I thanked the courteous Hebrew, and ascending the steps of the -portico, entered the vestibule of the temple. By a side corridor, we -reached a small court lined with alabastron, in which three priests -were pacing up and down, reading and meditating. - -Not being noticed at all by them, I was conducted by the stately -Hebrew into a chamber, which was the vestibule to a large apartment, -whither we descended by eight steps, that led to a large brazen door -with two leaves. This was secured; but a small side door admitted us -into a vast subterranean room, which I saw was a place for casting. -Numerous workmen were busy about heated furnaces: some blowing the -fire beneath crucibles for melting gold, some weighing gold and -delivering it to the smiths; and others washing gold. Some were -casting small images of Apis in moulds, while a superintendent moved -up and down, dressed in the close robes of vesture priests wear, when -not performing duties at the altar. It was a scene of busy toil and -constant activity. - -"This," said my guide, "is the casting-chamber of the temple. Each of -us has his departments. It is mine, to oversee the mixing of gold with -the proper alloy, and I have a scribe who records the results. Here, -you see, is a life-size image of Apis, when he was a calf. It is for -the temple at Bubastis, of the Delta. There you behold a mould for one -of larger size, ordered for the shrine at Osymandyes." - -"Do you never cast any figures of the size of Apis?" I asked, looking -about me in amazement at this extraordinary scene. - -"Not of gold," he answered, conducting me through the vast room in -which fourscore men were at work "Those are cast of bronze, not here, -but at a temple near the pyramid Dendara. The gods of this temple are -in great repute throughout all Egypt. They are consecrated here before -they are sent away, with ancient rites, known only to the priesthood -of this shrine. Come with me into this side apartment." - -I followed him through a passage having double-doors of brass, and -found myself in a room full of vases, each one of which contained a -quantity of jewelry, consisting of rings for the fingers and thumb, -ear-rings, bracelets, flower-holders of gold, necklaces, and signets, -all of gold. - -"These are sent here from various temples in the different nomes, out -of which, after melting them, we cast images of the size demanded." - -In another room the intelligent Hebrew exhibited to me a great number -of small figures of Apis, of gold of Havilah, which is remarkably -beautiful from its deep orange-color. These figures, though not a palm -long, were valued at a talent. On all these images of the sacred calf, -I perceived that the mark of the crescent between the shoulders was -distinctly imitated, as well as the other peculiarities. Upon the head -of some of them was a sun enwreathed by the sacred uræus. - -"Does your temple derive a revenue from all this?" I asked the Hebrew. - -"There is a tithe retained from all the gold that is sent hither, for -the expenses of the temple," he answered. - -We now turned aside to see men grinding to powder an old image of -Apis, of solid gold of Ophir. The image had been in the hands of the -Ethiopians, and being recaptured, was sent here to be ground to dust; -for it was regarded as accursed until this were done. This process is -effected by the free use of _natron_, and is an art known only to the -Egyptians. The dust is then washed in consecrated water. In taste, I -am told, it is exceeding bitter and nauseous. Thus gold, as a drink, -would not be coveted by men. - -We next came to a flight of stairs which led to a paved hall -surrounded by columns, and thence a door led into a small garden, -where three majestic palms towered high above the columns that -inclosed it; while a fountain ceaselessly let fall its refreshing -rain, in a vast shallow vase, wherein gold and silver fishes glanced -in the light. - -It was now near the close of day, and I began to thank him for his -courtesy, when he said-- - -"Do not leave now, O prince. This is my apartment, and the one -opposite is that of the aged priest, my benefactor. Enter, and let me -have water for thy feet and hands, and place before thee some -refreshment; for it is a long walk back to the palace where thou art -sojourning." - -Willing to learn all I could of the remarkable Hebrew people, who seem -to be a nation of princes as well as of bondmen, I accepted his -invitation, and entered a cool porch, from which opened a handsome but -simply furnished apartment, where he lodged. I seated myself upon a -stone bench, when, at a signal made by him, two black slaves -approached with ewers of water, one for the hands, and the other with -a silver basin for my feet. Each of them had thrown over his shoulder -a napkin of the finest linen. But upon the vessels, the vestures, the -slaves, and the napkins, I saw the crescent, which showed that they -were all the property of the temple. - -At length fruit, and wheaten bread, and fish, were laid before me. The -Hebrew stood while I partook, declining to eat with me, saying that -his nation never broke bread with any but their own people; adding, -"and the Egyptians regard it as infamy to sit down with us." - -"I have no such prejudices," I said, with a smile. When I had eaten, -and laved my fingers in a crystal vase, which the priest placed before -me, and the Nubians had retired, I said, "My meeting with you has been -a source of great pleasure to me. I am deeply interested in your -nation. As a Syrian we are not far from a kindred origin, and as a -foreigner I have none of the feelings which, as masters, the Egyptians -entertain towards a Hebrew. I have witnessed the working of the -deep-seated prejudice in a variety of ways, and cannot but wonder at -it. From all I can learn of your history, you have never been at war -with them, nor wronged them." - -"We are unfortunate, unarmed, and weak; and the greater ever oppress -the helpless," he answered. - -"Do you feel no resentment?" - -"The bondage of one hundred and seventy years has graven the lines of -patience deep in our hearts. Forbearance has become a second nature to -the Hebrew. But, my lord prince, I feel that this will not always be," -he added. "The time cannot be far off, when Egypt, for her own safety, -will give us our liberty and the privileges of citizens. We are not a -race of bondmen, like Nubia's children. We were once free! Our fathers -were princes in Syria; and was not Joseph the ruler of Egypt for -sixty-one years, during the long reign of Pharaoh-Apophis? Not long -after the Theban dynasty, which now rules the two Egypts, assumed the -double crown, did our degradation begin." - -"Doubtless a change in your condition must ere long take place," I -said. "There must be leaders among you. Not all the suffering of your -oppression has destroyed the princely air among many of your people." - -"But not one Hebrew is trained to war, or knows the use of any sort of -weapon. For three generations, we have been a laboring, patient, -unarmed people. If, here and there, one rises above the masses, it is -by accident or favor, or from interest on the part of those who employ -us. I have said that the family from which I spring is skilled in -letters and art, and is ambitious of the learning of the Egyptians, -and of becoming scribes and copyists to the priests. Others among us, -of the sons of Dan, are skilful boatmen; others are builders; while -others prefer the culture of the field, or the tending of flocks. We -were twelve princes--brethren--in the ancient days, and the -descendants of each are remarkable for some special skill; and the -Egyptian taskmasters having discerned this aptitude, distribute them -to their work accordingly. We are not all brick-makers, though four -fifths of the nation are reduced to that degraded toil--all, of every -tribe or family, who are not skilful in some art, being driven into -the field. Of late years, the Egyptian artificers have made such great -outcries, to the effect that the Hebrews were filling the places of -their own workmen, that the chief governor of the Hebrews in Lower -Egypt has, in order to preserve peace, sent thousands into the -brick-fields, who had never before encountered such heavy toil. The -result is, that hundreds perish, and that youths like Israel sink -hourly under their unendurable sufferings." - -"Have you no gods--no ear to hear your prayers?" I asked impulsively, -as I am apt to do, dear mother, when my feelings are deeply moved. -"Have you no worship? I hear of no altar or temple." - -"A few among us have mysteries, such as the existence of One God; that -He is a spirit; that all men are His offspring; and that we must be -just in order to please Him. But I must confess, O prince," he said, -sadly, "that we have very little knowledge, even the best among us, of -the God in whose existence we profess to believe. It is easier to -serve and trust to the visible gods of Egypt; and our people, from the -depths of their misery, stretch forth their clay-soiled hands to -Osiris, to Pthah, to the images of Apis, and cry, 'Deliver us, O gods -of Egypt, deliver us from our bondage!' They have cried to the -invisible God of Abraham in vain, and they now cry in vain to the gods -of the land, also. Neither hear--neither answer; and they sink into -blank despair, without any hope left in a god--a nation of infidel -slaves!" - -"Can this be a true picture?" I said. - -"Nearly so. Even I, O prince, under the ever-present power of the -religion to which this temple is upreared,--I, from the influence of -example, from ignorance of the worship of the Hebrew God of Isaac, -from the education of my life, am half an Egyptian. The religion of -Egypt appeals to the senses, and these, in most men, are far stronger -than the imagination; and we Hebrews know nothing of a God, except -that our fathers had one, but that He has deserted and left us, their -miserable descendants, under the yoke of oppressors. Is it any wonder -that the wisest of us turn to the gods of Egypt? If the Egyptians can -be happy, and cherish hope, and die in peace under their faith, let us -also seek its shelter, and let their gods be our gods! Such is the -prevailing language and growing feeling of our people." - -This was all said in a tone of sadness and bitterness; while that -despair of which he spoke, cast its shadow heavily over his noble -countenance. I arose soon afterwards, and took my leave of him, more -and more deeply interested, dear mother, in the history and condition -of this singular people. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXI. - - -PALACE OF AMENSE, ISLAND OF RHODA. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -It is with emotions I am unable to command, that I commence, after a -silence of several weeks, another letter to you. I know not how, -properly to unfold and rightly to present before you the extraordinary -events which have transpired since I last wrote to you. But I will -endeavor to give a narrative of the unparalleled circumstances, in the -order of their occurrence up to the present time, and will keep you -advised of the progress of this remarkable and mysterious matter, as -each day it develops itself. - -I believe, in one of my letters to the Princess Thamonda, I spoke of -the approaching birthday of Remeses--his thirty-fifth--and that the -queen had resolved, on that day, to confer upon him the crowns of -Egypt, and resigning, with the sceptre, all dominion into his hand, -retire to a beautiful palace, which she has recently completed on the -eastern slope of the Libyan hills, west of the pyramids, and -overlooking a charming lake, which, begun by former rulers, has been -enlarged and beautified by each, and by none more than by herself. - -This purpose of the queen was made known to Remeses, about three weeks -after his return from Thebes with his victorious army. I was not -present at the interview, but will repeat to you the conversation that -passed, as it was made known to me by the prince, who extends towards -me all the confidence of one beloved brother to another; and, indeed, -keeps no secrets from me. This pleasing confidence is fully -reciprocated on my part, and we are in all things as one. - -I had been, that morning, on a visit to that part of Memphis which -stretches away westward from the Nile in a succession of gardens, -squares, palaces, and monuments, girdling the Lake of Amense with -beautiful villas, and climbing with its terraces, grottoes, shrines, -and marble pavilions, the very sides of the cliffs of Libya, two -leagues from the river; for to the extent of Memphis there seems to be -no limit measurable by the eye. Even the three great pyramids are -almost central in the mighty embrace of the sacred city. - -Upon landing from my galley upon the Island of Rhoda, my Hebrew page -Israel, now become a bright and blooming youth, with a face always -enriched by the light of gratitude, met me, and said: - -"The prince, my lord, desires to see you in his private chamber. He -bade me ask you not to delay." - -I found Remeses walking to and fro in the apartment, with a pale face -and troubled brow. As soon as I entered, he approached me, and taking -my hand between his, pressed it to his heart affectionately, and said: - -"I am glad you have returned, Sesostris, my friend and brother! Come -and sit by me on this seat by the window. I have much to say--much! I -need your counsel." - -"My noble friend," I answered, moved by his unusual emotion, "I am not -able to counsel one so wise and great as you are." - -"Nay, you are too modest, prince. I must tell you all. Strange events -have occurred. Hear me, and you will then be able to strengthen my -soul! You know that of late my dear mother has been given to -melancholy; that she has appeared absent in thought, abrupt in speech, -and ill at ease. Thou hast observed this; for we have spoken of it -together, and marvelled at her mood, which neither the memory of our -victories in Ethiopia, the prosperity of her kingdom, the peace in her -borders, the love of her subjects, nor my own devotion could remove; -nor the music of the harp, nor the happy songs of the chanters -dissipate." - -"Do you not think," I said, "that this state of mind is connected with -her illness before you left, when the viceroy Mœris dined with us?" - -Remeses started, and fixed upon me his full gaze. - -"Sesostris, what led you to connect the present with that event?" - -"Because the queen has never been wholly well and cheerful since that -day." - -"What think you of Prince Mœris? Speak freely." - -"He is a proud, ambitious, and unprincipled man." - -"Do you think he loves me?" - -"I fear not." - -"You are right. But you shall hear what I have to relate. Three hours -since my mother sent for me. I found her in the chapel where the -shrine of Osiris receives her most private prayers. She was kneeling -when I entered, her face towards the god; but her eyes, wet with -tears, penetrated the heavens, and seemed to seek a living Power that -could hear and answer prayer, Sesostris. She did not see me, and her -voice was audible: - -"'Protect him! Guard him from his foe! Spare me the discovery of the -secret, and place him upon the throne of Egypt, O immortal and pitying -Osiris! O Isis, hear! O goddess of the sacred bow, and mother of -Horus, hear! Give me strength to act, and wisdom in this my great -perplexity!' - -"I drew near, and kneeling by my mother's side, laid her head against -my heart, and said-- - -"'The God of all gods, the Father Infinite hear thee, O mother! What -is it thou prayest for with such strong woe and fear?' - -"'Hast thou heard me?' she exclaimed, rising and speaking wildly. -'_What_ didst thou hear? Nay, I have betrayed no secret?' - -"'None, mother, none! Thou didst only speak of one which distressed -thee,' I said soothingly; for, my dear Sesostris, I was inexpressibly -moved by her agitated manner, unlike any thing I have ever before -witnessed in her usually calm, serene, and majestic demeanor. - -"She leaned heavily upon me, and I led her to an alcove in which was -the shrine of Athor. - -"'Sit down, Remeses--my son Remeses,' she repeated, with a singular -emphasis upon the words 'my son.' 'Hear what I wish to reveal to thee! -I am now more composed. There is in my heart a great and ceaseless -anxiety. Do not ask me what it is! The secret, I trust, will remain -sealed forever from thy ears! Ask not--seek not to know it. You may as -successfully obtain an answer from the heart of the great pyramid, -revealing what is buried there from human eyes, as obtain an answer -from me of the mystery lying at my heart. It will be embalmed with me, -and go with me to the lower world!' - -"'Mother,' I said, alarmed at her depressed manner, 'thou art ill--let -me send for thy physician--' - -"'Nay, nay--I am not ill! I shall be better soon! _You_, Remeses, have -the key to my happiness and health,' she said tenderly, yet seriously. - -"'Then I will yield it up to thee!' I answered pleasantly. - -"'Hear my words, my son, for art thou not my son, my noble Remeses?' -she asked, taking both my hands and holding them to her heart, and -then pressing her lips upon them almost passionately; for I felt tears -flow upon my hands. - -"'Thy son, with undying love, my mother,' I answered, wondering in my -heart, and deeply affected. She remained a few moments silent, and at -length said-- - -"'Remeses, hast thou ever doubted my love?' - -"'Never, no never, my mother!' I replied, moved. - -"'Have I not been a true and fond mother to thee?' - -"'Why distress yourself, dear mother, with such useless -interrogatories?' I asked. No longer agitated, and her nervous air -having quite disappeared, she spoke calmly but earnestly: - -"'Have I neglected, in any way, a mother's duty to thee, O Remeses?' - -"'Thou hast ever been all that a mother could be,' I answered her. - -"'Do you think a mother could love a son more than I love thee?' she -repeated. - -"'No, O my mother!' - -"'And _thou_, Remeses, dost thou love me?' she continued, with the -same fixed, solemn, and painful earnestness. - -"'Why shouldst thou doubt?' I asked. - -"'I have no reason to doubt,' she replied; 'yet I would hear thee say, -'Mother, I love thee above all things beneath the sun!' - -"I smiled, and repeated the words, distressed to perceive that -something had taken hold upon her noble and strong mind, and was -shaking it to its centre. - -"'Remeses, my son,' she said, answering my smile, and then immediately -assuming an expression of singular majesty, 'I am now advancing in -life. I have passed my fifty-first year, and am weary of the sceptre. -I wish to see you king of Egypt while I live. I wish to see the -grandeur and wisdom of your reign, and to rejoice in your power and -glory. When I am laid in the sarcophagus, which I have caused to be -hewn out in the chamber beneath the pyramidion of my obelisk, I shall -know and behold nothing of thy dominion. It is my desire, therefore, -to invest you with the sovereignty of Egypt; and after I see you -crowned, robed, and sceptred as her king, I will retire to my Libyan -palace and there contemplate thy greatness, and reign again in thee!' - -"'I rose to my feet in surprise, dear Sesostris, at this announcement -from the lips of my mother, but listened with deference until she had -concluded, and I then said,-- - -"'This intent and purpose be far from thee, O my mother and queen! -Thou art in the meridian of life, and still in the possession of thy -wonderful beauty. Scarcely a silver thread has stolen amid thy soft, -dark hair; thou art yet young; and may the Lord of the kings of the -earth long preserve thee upon thy throne, and lend thee strength and -wisdom to wield thy sceptre. Far be it from me, therefore, my mother, -to accept the crown, until Osiris himself transfers it from thy -majestic brow to mine!' - -"'Nay, Remeses,' she said firmly, yet sadly, 'my will is the law of -Egypt. Thou hast never opposed it.' - -"'But this is where my own elevation involves your depression,' I -answered. 'It cannot be!' - -"'I am firm and immovable, my son, in my purpose,' she replied. 'Your -thirty-fifth birthday will soon arrive. That is the age at which -Horus, the son of Isis, was crowned. It is a number of good omen, and -I wish you to prepare for your coronation, by performing all the rites -and sacrifices, that the religion and laws of Egypt require of a -prince who is about to ascend the throne of the Pharaohs.' - -"'Mother, my dearly honored mother!' I said, kneeling to her, 'forgive -me, but I must firmly decline the throne while you sit thereon. You -are ill at ease in your mind to-day. Some deep grief, which you -conceal from me, preys upon you. It is not because you are old that -you would abdicate the throne to me, who am not yet old or wise enough -to rule this mighty nation; but you have some secret, painful reason, -which I beg you to reveal to me.' - -"My words seemed to inflict pain upon her. She rose to her feet, and -paced the apartment twice across in troubled reflection. Then she came -to my side, and said impressively, placing her trembling grasp upon my -arm: - -"'Remeses, if I reveal to thee the secret of my heart, wilt thou then -consent to be king?' - -"'If I perceive, my mother,' I answered, 'that necessity demands my -acceptance of the crown before my time, I will not refuse it.' - -"'If your views of necessity do not influence you, O my son,' she said -earnestly, and with a sudden gush of tears, 'let my affection, my -happiness, my peace of mind, plead with you!' - -"'Please, my beloved mother, to make known to me the circumstances -under which you are moved to this unusual step,' I said. - -"'Not unusual,' she replied. 'I have consulted the book of the reigns -of the Pharaohs, in the hall of Books, in the temple of Thoth. Within -two thousand years, not less than seven kings and three queens have -resigned the sceptre of Egypt to children or adopted heirs. The Queen -Nitocris resigned to her adopted son, Myrtæus; Chomæphtha, after -reigning eleven years, weary with the weight of the crown, resigned it -to her nephew, Sœconiosochus. Did not Phruron-Nilus, the great -monarch, decide to abdicate in favor of Amuthantæus, his son, when -sudden death only prevented his retirement? The crowns of Egypt are -_mine_, my son, by the laws of the gods, and of the ancestral kings -from whom I have inherited them. I will not wait for the god of death -to remove them from my head; but with my own hands I would put them -upon thy brow! It must be done soon,--_now_! or neither thou nor I -will hold rule long in Egypt!' - -"I begged my mother to explain her mysterious words. - -"'Come, sit by me. Be calm, Remeses! Listen with your usual meekness -and reverence to me when I speak.' I obeyed her, and she thus began: - -"'Thou knowest thy cousin Mœris;--his lofty ambition; his -impatience; his spirit of pride; his lust for dominion, which his -viceroyship in the Thebaïd has only given him an unlimited thirst -for;--his jealousy and hatred of you, Remeses! None of these things -are concealed from you, my son.' My mother paused as if for my assent, -which I signified by a respectful bow. She continued: - -"'This Prince Mœris, for whom I have done all in my power--whom I -have made second only to me in the Thebaïd, I have reason to know -seeks your ruin and my throne!' - -"'What proof hast thou of this?' I cried, deeply moved. - -"'Remeses,' said my mother, in ringing tones, 'I must unfold to thee -all! I know how slow thou art to suspect or believe evil of any one; -and that you fancy Mœris an honorable prince, overlooking his -jealousy of you. You have confidence in my judgment and truth?' - -"'I have, the most undoubted and deferential,' I answered the queen. - -"'Then, my son, hear me!' she said, with a face as pale as the fine -linen of her vesture. 'Prince Mœris possesses a secret (ask me -_not_ what it is) which gives him a dangerous power over me. He -obtained possession of it years ago, how I know not; but it has placed -in his hands a power that I tremble beneath. Nay, ask not! My heart -itself would as soon open to thine eyes, under the shield of my bosom, -as reveal its secret! It will die with me! Yet Mœris, my nephew--a -man of talents and ambition, in morals most unprincipled, and in -disposition cruel and unjust--holds my happiness in his hand!' - -"'My mother,' I cried, 'why then didst thou confer on him the -principality of the Thebaïd and its enormous military power?' - -"'To bribe him, when he menaced me with the betrayal of what he knew!' -was the queen's almost fierce rejoinder. - -"'But why make him the admiral of your fleet of the Nile?' - -"'Another bribe when he renewed his threats to inform you--' - -"'Me!' I exclaimed. - -"'Did I say you? No! no!' she cried, checking herself; 'when he -menaced me with the betrayal of the dreadful secret.' - -"'And, my dear mother, who was interested to know it, whom would it -benefit or injure?' I asked, lost in amazement. - -"'Injure one whom--whom I love--destroy my happiness and -hopes--benefit Mœris himself!' she answered coloring with deepest -confusion and alarm. - -"'Why not crush such a dangerous subject when he menaces your peace?' -I demanded, my whole spirit roused for my mother, and my indignation -excited against this wicked man. 'If thy happiness is thus menaced, O -my mother, if this prince is the cause of all your sorrow, say the -word, and in thirty days hence, he shall be brought bound in chains to -your feet.' - -"'Nay, Remeses, I dare not. One word from his lips, though he were in -chains, would reveal all it has been the study of my life to conceal, -and give him all the revenge his bitter spirit would ask. No, no! -Mœris must not be made angry. It is only his ambitious hopes that -keep him quiet.' - -"What are these hopes?" I inquired, feeling that henceforth Mœris -and I were mortal foes. - -"Didst thou, O prince," said I, as he returned to his seat by me, -which he had left, in the excitement of his narrative, to pace the -floor, "suspect the secret?" - -"No," he answered gloomily; "no, Sesostris; nor do I now know what it -can be; neither have I the least idea, unless--" Here he colored, and -looked confused. - -"Unless what?" I asked, painfully interested. - -"Unless Mœris be the son of the Prince of the Thebaïd, and I the -son of the brother of Pharaoh. In other words, that Mœris and -Remeses have changed places, and that Mœris knows or suspects the -fact." - -"A most extraordinary idea!" I exclaimed; yet at the same time, I must -confess that I was forcibly reminded of what I have before alluded to, -dear mother, the total absence of all likeness between Remeses and his -mother, Amense. - -"What can possibly have suggested to your mind such a strange -conjecture?" I added. - -"A mystery, my dear Sesostris," he said, "calls into exercise the -whole machinery of suspicion, and all the talent of investigation; and -a hundred things, which before had only an ordinary signification, -under its wand, take an importance and meaning wholly new. -Irresistibly, my mother's anxiety to impress upon me that she had been -'all a mother could be to a son,' in connection with her whole manner, -and especially her uncalled for reiterations of affection for me, and -of appeals to my devotion to her;--all this rushed upon my memory, and -with a dizzy brain, and a heart full of anguish, under the dreadful -suspicion, I cried, 'Why must not Prince Mœris be made angry? Why -may he not be prevented from doing thee harm?' - -"'I have told you,' she replied, with a deadly pallor. 'Remeses, your -roused spirit alarms me for us three.' - -"'But I must oppose, and if necessary destroy him,' I said, in my -emotion, 'who destroys my mother's peace.' - -"'Yes, I am thy mother. Thou art a son to me. I know thou wilt protect -me from this prince-nephew,' she said, in broken sentences. 'He shall -not come between me and thee, and the throne.' - -"'He has no claim to the throne. He does not aspire to it in your -lifetime,' I said; 'and if I hold it after, I will take care of my own -crown. My mother, fear not Prince Mœris. Let his secret perish with -him.' - -"'And thou, also, Remeses!' she said, passionately. - -"'I, my mother?' I repeated. A spirit of severe investigation then -came upon me, strengthened by my suspicion. - -"'My mother, Queen Amense,' I said, with the deepest emotion, and, O -Sesostris, with fear and dread, 'a fearful suspicion has taken hold -upon me! _Am_ I thy SON?' - -"No sooner had I given utterance to this interrogative doubt, which -was wrung from my tortured heart, than shrieking aloud, she fell -forward, and but for my intervening arm, her form would have been -prostrate at my feet. I caught her in my arms; I kissed her marble -brow; I chafed her cold pulses; and breathed words of comfort, words -praying her forgiveness, into her ears. At length she revived, as I -supported her against my wildly beating heart; and, with stony eyes -staring me in the face, gasped-- - -"'Remeses! Who hath--who--who hath said this?' - -"'No one, _no one_, my dearly loved mother,' I answered, tenderly. And -when I saw that she was more composed, I said, 'It was only a -conjecture--a wild suspicion--for I could not comprehend the mystery -between you and my cousin Mœris, except that (as has been done in -former dynasties) he and I are in each other's places. Is Mœris thy -son, and am I the son of the brother of Amunophis?' - -"I had no sooner said this, than she raised her head from the -gold-embroidered purple cushion of the ivory couch, on which she lay -reclining against my arm, and with a strange laugh of joy and -surprise, said,-- - -"'So this is _all_, Remeses! Then thou needest not fear. Mœris is -not my son. He is nothing to me but my kinsman. Canst thou believe -that that wicked prince is my offspring? I forgive thee, Remeses, -because, perhaps, my words, and the necessity of guarding my secret, -may have forced thee to this conclusion.' This she spoke with a mind -evidently greatly relieved. - -"'Then, dear mother, I _am_ thy son in spite of Prince Mœris?' - -"'In spite of Mœris,' she answered. 'Hast thou ever known any other -mother? Remeses, let thy heart be at peace! Mœris is not my son! On -that he does not found his hopes to grasp the reins of Egypt. Now hear -me, my son,' she said, solemnly. 'That prince once sought my life. -When I was taken ill on the day that he dined with me, he had bribed -my cup-bearer to drop a subtle poison in my cup. Dread of the prince -forced him, under his eyes, to do it; but, as the cup-bearer handed me -the wine, he pressed my little finger, where it clasped the cup, so -significantly, that I looked in his eyes, and saw them full of -warning. I did not drink, but pleaded illness, and left the -banquet-room. I sent for the cup-bearer, and he confessed what he had -done. When I heard his confession, and was thereby acquainted with the -purpose of Prince Mœris against my life, I was overwhelmed with -despair. My future safety lay in sending for him the next day. He -came. It was a brief but dreadful interview. He acknowledged that he -sought my life, because I had the day before refused him the crown of -Upper Egypt, declining to give him the half of my empire. He -threatened to betray my secret, and I pleaded for silence. He demanded -the white crown of the Thebaïd as his reward, but I put him off with -evasions. He had command of the fleet, and I dared not anger him. I -shrunk from making known to you his demand, and the terror with which -he inspired me. I promised that if he entered the Ethiopian capital -within six months, he should reign in Thebes.' - -"'My mother,' I cried, 'gave you such a promise to him? He is already -marshalling his forces!' - -"'And in order not so much to conquer Ethiopia, as to usurp one of the -thrones of Egypt,' she answered. - -"'And are you bound by this promise to him?' I demanded, overwhelmed -with amazement, both at the audacity of Mœris, and the power he -held over my mother by means of this secret. - -"'By all the vows that a mortal can make to the gods! Here, in this -sacred chapel, before these shrines, he made me swear that in -consideration he subdued the central capital of Ethiopia, and -preserved my secret, I would transfer from my head to his the -white-gold crown of Upper Egypt, the most ancient kingdom mortal ever -ruled over on earth, after the demigods.' - -"When, my dear Sesostris," said Remeses, after having related to me, -with a dark countenance, the foregoing conversation, "I heard this, I -was for some time confounded, and could not speak. At length I cried -out-- - -"'That mystery--that secret, known only to you and Mœris, and for -the safe-keeping of which you part with one of your crowns, _what_ is -it! divulge it! Am I not worthy, O my mother, of the confidence which -Prince Mœris, by foul means, shares with you? Will you not intrust -me with the secret which he can extort by bribery?' - -"The queen looked deadly pale, and her whole frame trembled. She -essayed to reply, and then said, with an effort, as if a corpse had -become vocal-- - -"'Remeses--you must--must not know it! Do not ask--do not suspect -evil. Do not doubt me, or you will kill me! Kiss me, Remeses! Kiss me, -my son! Are you not my son? I love you, and know you love me. Let all -else pass by. You shall be king! You shall wear the double tiara! You -shall grasp both sceptres! Therefore is it, I would now make you king. -Dost thou understand me? Mœris must not march into Ethiopia. That -evil man must have a master. My power is failing! I would surrender it -to thee. The only safety of Egypt, the only security for thy crown and -dominion, is in taking the throne, and ruling all Egypt in thine own -right.' - -"'Is this so, my mother?' I demanded. 'Does Prince Mœris not only -torture thy soul with a secret, which, as a just prince, he ought -forever to forget, if thou desirest it, but does he also aspire to -sever Egypt, and rule in the Thebaïd, on the ancient throne of my -ancestors, as the price of a secret held over thee with an unmanly -advantage?' - -"'He does, my son,' she answered. 'The only safety of the empire -depends on my resignation of the crowns into your hands. Once Pharaoh, -you have Mœris at your feet, and if he prate his secret, you will -then be able to despise it, and put to silence his tongue.' - -"'Mother, my dear mother,' I answered, after long reflection, 'what -you have told me has brought me to a decision. I shall act -blindly--not knowing the nature of the power of the prince over you; -but I shall act from affection and sympathy for you, in obedience to -your wishes, and for the preservation of the integrity of the united -kingdom. I am ready to obey you. In order to defeat Prince Mœris, -and relieve your mind, I will accept the sceptre which you are -desirous of placing in my feeble and inexperienced hand. I am ready to -enter upon the sacred rites of initiation, and in all things will be -your dutiful and obedient son. The wickedness and ambition of Mœris -must be crushed.' - -"When I had thus said, my mother, with a cry of joy cast herself into -my arms. I bore her, almost fainting with happiness realized, to the -apartments of her women, and again assuring her of my full compliance -with her wishes, I took tender leave of her, and hastened to my room -to reflect upon all that had passed in that extraordinary interview; -and then I sought you." - -Thus the Prince Remeses ended his interesting and singular statement. -I knew not what to respond to him when he had done. But be sure, dear -mother, there must something grow out of this, of the greatest -importance to this dynasty. Who can divine the secret? - -But I must here close my letter, with assurances of my fondest -attachment to you, my dear mother, whom the gods guard from all -mysteries and secrets, and from ambitious princes like the lord -Mœris. - - Your ever faithful - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXII. - - -ISLAND OF RHODA, PALACE OF THE QUEEN. - -MY VERY DEAR MOTHER: - -In the preceding letter I have made known to you the extraordinary -purpose of the queen to invest, with the dignity of royalty, her son, -the Prince Remeses; the singular scenes which passed between them; the -mystery which enveloped her motives; and the final yielding of Remeses -to her commands and earnest appeals. - -It now became necessary that he should, according to the custom and -laws of the realm, prepare himself for his coronation, by submitting -to certain religious ceremonies, and a solemn initiation into the -deeper mysteries of the temples; for though, as a prince, he was -nominally, or by courtesy of the laws, the high-priest, yet not until -he became king could he offer the supreme sacrifice on the altar of -Osiris,--which is the highest religious act of the sacred priesthood; -and it is only upon the shields of kings that the symbol of "priest" -is sculptured. Thus, as chief priests, or pontiffs, the Pharaohs were -the head of the hierarchy, which consolidated their political power, -and gave them an influence over the minds of the people that the mere -possession of the sceptre of Egypt could not have commanded; for in -their king, they also behold their mediator with the gods. Yet, -although absolute over his subjects, he had no power over the -priesthood, except by their own consent. As one of their body he was -bound, by certain most solemn and mystic vows, to the rules and -regulations of their order; and in all matters of state he was pledged -to the hierarchy of prince-priests, who constituted a council of -advice, to which he was, by the laws (also made by a legislature -composed of the hierarchs of each nome), compelled to submit his own -will. All his duties are regulated by a code drawn up by the Priest of -On, and subscribed by the king at his coronation. Thus the monarch is -entirely under the influence and control of the priests. I will, by -way of illustration, describe to you how the queen (who is also chief -priestess, by virtue of her rank, and, as such, offered up a sacrifice -on the altar of Osiris on the day of her coronation) has her daily -duties and hours apportioned to her, by this august council of -arch-hierophants: - -When her majesty arises in the morning, her royal scribe brings to -her, in a shallow vase of gold, the letters that have come to her from -all parts of her kingdom, and of the world. These she reads, and lays -aside for reply after consultation with Remeses, and, if of great -importance, with her council of state: for she has also a cabinet of -generals, lords of nomes, and high admirals, together with the lord of -the nilometers, whom she calls together on matters exclusively of -state, such as the affairs of the army or of the navy, the condition -of the harvests and treasure-cities, and the state of the Nile; on -which two last matters the reign of prosperity or famine depends. She -then receives, and at once attends to all reports or messages that are -in writing, from any officers of her palace, such as the captain of -her guard, the chief butler, chief gardener, her captain of chariots, -and her master of horse. She then issues her orders to these and other -servants of her household. All this time she reclines in a robe of -white silk, elegantly embroidered with the leaves of the lotus and -acanthus, and with flowers imitated to the full beauty of natural -ones. Her hair is braided and confined by a rich turban; and before -her is an ivory table containing ink, tablets, a stylus or two, and -parcels of royal papyrus stamped with her signet, and beautifully -gilded, upon which she inscribes her replies either with her own hand, -or by her scribes, and sometimes only by impressing thereon her -signet, upon which vermilion is rubbed from a small cushion by her -side. For religious affairs the signet is different, having the sacred -hawk's-head engraved upon it above the royal cartouch, and instead of -red color,--the sacred hue of the Memphitic realm,--it is bright blue, -which is taken from a very small crystal bottle, held in readiness by -a scribe's page, from whose thumb it is suspended by a ring of gold. - -The queen having dismissed all these attendants, retires to her -bathing-room, which is hung with curtains of cloth of gold; and having -bathed, her handmaidens anoint her with costly perfumes, and arrange -her hair with the highest art; for in the style of the hair the -Egyptian ladies of all ranks display great taste, and expend in -dressing and beautifying it a large proportion of their time; and I -must acknowledge they display perfect skill in making most attractive -this glorious adornment of your sex, dear mother. The young wear it in -numerous braids, mingled with natural tresses; others shape it into a -sort of a helmet, with a crest of curls falling around; others fasten -it behind in a rich knot, and let what is free flow upon the -shoulders. Some cover the head with a braided tiara sparkling with -gold and jewels; and others, especially at banquets, wear rich caps of -embroidered cloth, of beautiful shape, terminating behind in a cape -enriched with needle-work, and ornamented with fringe of floss of -gold,--a peculiar filament I have seen fabricated only in Egypt. -Indeed, an Egyptian lady seems to regard her hair as her crown of -beauty by nature, and she tries by art to make it also a diadem of -glory. As if its natural brilliancy were not enough, after pouring -upon it fragrant perfume, her maid, from a small ivory box, the convex -lid of which is filled with minute perforations, sprinkles its smooth -surface with powder of gold. - -The dressing-room of the queen opens upon gardens, is furnished with -luxury, and is encircled by columns of alabaster; its intercolumnar -panels glitter with foreign marbles, and paintings of the highest art; -the tables are resplendent with gold and silver, electrum, and -variegated stones; while before its doors hang drapery of Tyrian -purple wrought with gold, and representing scenes of the chase. More -or less resembling this, are the dressing-rooms of all the ladies of -rank. The lords of Egypt covet gorgeous and expensively adorned "halls -of books," or libraries; but the ladies beautify and enrich their -dressing-saloons, in which they spend so much of their time, and where -they often receive their very intimate female acquaintances: and as a -great favor, gentlemen, on familiar footing with the family, are -sometimes admitted into this beautiful adytum, where the goddess of -beauty is adored by homage the most religious. - -The queen, after being attired by her ladies in magnificent robes, is -adorned with jewels; and wearing over her shoulders the splendid -leopard's-skin of the sacrificer, and upon her head the insignia of -sovereignty, she enters, with all her train, the private chapel of the -palace, and there presents offerings to the gods, pours a libation of -wine, and invokes Osiris. On certain high days her chief priest is -present, who, after praying, sacrifices a snow-white fowl, and offers -oblations of more or less magnitude. The queen then asks forgiveness -of the gods for what she may have done wrong in ignorance, in -administering her kingdom, and implores wisdom and guidance in the -acts of the day. The priest now gently touches her crown and sceptre -with his finger dipped in the vase of blood, pours the rest into a -vessel upon the altar, and extending his hands over her as she kneels, -blesses her in the name of Osiris, the lord of the worlds, and king of -the rulers of earth. He also pronounces an imprecation against her -enemies, exempts her from all accusation for things done in ignorance, -and solemnly denounces those of her ministers who wrongfully have -instructed her, or administered evil counsel. - -Then the queen, coming forth from prayer, is met by pages who present -her with flowers, and, at the sound of musical instruments, she is led -to her breakfast apartment, where the choicest food is brought on -golden dishes,--cakes of fine flour, steeped in milk or honey, the -flesh of birds roasted or broiled, fruit of all kinds, mild wines of -Palestine and Cyprus, and water of the Nile filtered with the paste of -almonds, and flavored with Arabian spices and Persian condiments. - -The meal over, she goes forth to her throne-room, and seating herself, -the doors are thrown open, and she receives all petitioners and comers -who desire audience; but not official persons, such as ambassadors, -who have certain hours for audience with her. She decides on all final -appeals from the judges in the city, or in the nomes, and determines -with wisdom and equity. - -These duties over, she walks in her garden, or in the colonnades of -her palace; or rides out to visit her public works, or for air. At -noon she dines, as do all other Egyptians. On these occasions she has -her high officers, and strangers of rank, philosophers, and others, at -her table. Whosoever she delights to honor, she invites to a banquet. -If any of her subjects greatly distinguishes himself, so as to confer -a benefit upon Egypt by any new art or improvement, she not only -places him at her table, whatever his previous rank, but invests him -with a robe of honor, throws a gold chain over his neck, puts a ring -upon his finger, presents him with a chariot to ride in, and makes him -a high officer over some of her works or departments. Thus, by her -virtues and justice, has she won the esteem and love of her subjects. - -The queen usually passes the afternoon with her maidens, in her -embroidering rooms, where she always has a large number of handmaids -at work with the needle or the loom, or engaged in the art of -needle-work, or embroidering for the use and decoration of the palace. -She also, at evening, receives guests, and at that time Remeses is -usually found in her company. She retires not long after the close of -day, unless it be a moonlight night, when her players on instruments -of music fill the gardens with harmony, while the queen and her -friends, seated in the corridors, listen, or converse together. In -conversation the queen never speaks evil of any one, and she frowns -upon slander; hence this vice is scarcely known in Egypt, and the -Egyptian ladies, when they hear one of their own sex spoken against, -at once defend her, and find excuses for her. This is certainly a -delightful trait, and should cause the world to concede to the dames -of Egypt the foremost position in the rank of civilization. - -I will now speak of the proposed succession of Prince Remeses to the -throne. As I have before said, the king is the representative of the -deity. His title, Ph'rah, or Pharaoh, signifies "the sun," "a king," -the "lord of light." The head of the religion of the state, he is not -only the judge and lawgiver, but commander of the army, and its leader -in war. These latter duties have been delegated by his mother to -Remeses, by the consent of her council, many years ago. The sceptre of -Egypt is hereditary; but in the event of there being no lineal heir, -the monarch can adopt one, if taken from the priestly or military -class; as the army or the priesthood are the two professions followed -by all men of rank, the navy not having been, until Prince Mœris, -its admiral, demanded it, an exclusive service. Most of the Pharaohs -have been from the military class, and younger princes, from the days -of Osirtasen to Prince Remeses, have adopted the warlike profession; -but it is the universal belief, that no former prince of Egypt has -evinced such ability as Remeses to command vast armies, and lead the -destinies of a mighty people. - -When a prince is about to ascend the throne, the laws require that he -should be instructed in all the mysteries of the religion of his -empire, and initiated into the various offices of a sovereign pontiff. -He is taught all that relates to the gods and other mysteries hitherto -concealed from him, the services of the temple, the laws of the -country, and the duties of a king, as inscribed in the ten sacerdotal -books. - -In order that in these things he may be properly instructed, he is -enjoined to pass forty days in the temples of Osiris, Pthah, Isis, -Athor, and other gods; and to remain one night, the last of all, in -the temple of Thoth, before the pyramids, watching alone, praying for -the blessings of the gods, and offering sacrifice and libations. This -solemn vigil ended, and the sun risen, he is escorted by a grand -procession of priests, who swing incense before him, and lead him to -the temple of the Sun, to be crowned in the presence of all the -nobles, high officers, and people of Egypt. This ceremony, as -described in the royal books, is grand beyond conception. - -In order, therefore, to enter upon this formal preparation, the Prince -Remeses, on the third day after his interview with his mother, retired -from the palace, and sought the holy solitudes of the temple of the -Sun. A council of the hierarchy, assembled by the queen, had -reluctantly given their consent to her abdication; but willingly -yielded to the coronation of Remeses; for, however devoted a warlike -nation may be to a reigning queen, the preference of the people's -heart is for a king. While, therefore, the intelligence, which soon -spread through Egypt, that Amense the Good was to lay down her sceptre -in favor of her son, cast a shadow over their hearts, it was chased -away by the light of the anticipated splendor, which the reign of a -prince, a "Pharaoh," would shed upon the land of Egypt. - -"As the good queen will still live, we need not grieve," said some of -the artisans at work upon her obelisk; "we can rejoice in Remeses, and -still honor his royal mother." - -It was an affecting parting between the prince and his mother when he -left the palace. I accompanied him to the vestibule of the temple. -Here twelve priests, led by the high-priest, received him; and three -others came forward to disrobe him of his vesture, his bonnet and -sandals; while three more invested him with sacerdotal robes, a -priestly tiara, and placed upon his feet the sacred sandals. Then -inclosing him in their midst, as if to shut him out from the world, -they moved forward into the gloomy cloisters of the temple, and -disappeared with him from my gaze. - -At his previous request, and at the earnest solicitation of the queen, -who, in his absence, depressed in spirits, finds relief, as she kindly -says, in my presence, I returned to the Island of Rhoda, and am now -occupying the apartments of the prince; for when he is crowned king, -he will remove to the superb old palace of the Pharaohs, on the banks -of the Nile, between the river and the City of the Sun. - -No one is permitted to speak with the royal novitiate until the forty -days are ended; and when he proceeds from temple to temple, to go -through in each certain rites and receive certain instructions, it is -at midnight; and all persons are forbidden to appear in the streets -through which the mysterious procession of priests passes. - -It is now the thirty-fourth day since he entered upon his initiation. -Since that time I have seen much more of Egypt and of the people. I -have not, however, been far from the Island of Rhoda, as the queen -constantly demands my society, and inquires of Acherres after me, if I -am long away. - -Yesterday afternoon, as I was engaged with a party of nobles fishing -in the Lake Amense, which I have before described as almost a sea in -extent, and bordered by palaces, a galley, rowed by twenty-four oars, -was seen coming towards us at great speed. Upon seeing it, one said: - -"It is a royal barge!" - -"Nay," said another, "it is that of the old Admiral Pathromenes. His -sails are blue and white." - -"I do not heed the color of his sails," said the first lord. "Seest -thou not that it is the queen's galley, by the golden hawk's-head at -the mast, and the cartouch of the Pharaohs above the poop?" - -"It _is_ the queen's galley," I said, "for I have frequently been in -it, and recognize its symbols." - -Hereupon there was manifested a general curiosity to know why it was -coming so swiftly towards us. In a few minutes I discovered my Hebrew -page, Israelisis, (for I have Egyptianized his name since he came into -my service), upon the deck, and began to suspect the queen had sent -him for me. I was not mistaken. The galley came sweeping round us with -a roar of spray from its dashing oars, and the page, springing lightly -upon the bulwarks of our vessel, with a low obeisance presented me the -queen's signet, saying: - -"The queen has sent for thee, my lord!" - -The party of nobles expressed great reluctance at parting with me, and -one of them said: - -"You are in great favor with our royal house, O prince." - -"Only as a guest and stranger," I answered, smiling. - -They returned my parting bow with courtesy, and I went upon the -galley, which was soon cleaving the shining surface of the beautiful -lake, called by the Egyptians "the Celestial Sea." It is twenty stadia -in circuit, and from it lead out canals in numerous directions, lined -with verdure, and rich with harvests. It also communicates with the -majestic Father of rivers by a winding artificial outlet, which is -lined with gardens and palaces. Along this lovely serpentine stream, -our galley, after leaving the broad lake, flew like the wind, all -other vessels swiftly moving from its course and giving it the way. -Shooting out into the swift Nile, between two colossal sea-dragons of -red stone, which guarded the entrance to the canal, we crossed to the -palace-covered Rhoda. As I was about to land at the stately quay, I -saw, to my surprise, the war-galley of Prince Mœris riding near, -her rowers still seated at their banks, as if ready to move at a -moment's warning. I met Acherres, who has wholly recovered from his -long illness, of which I wrote his father, at the gateway of the -palace. - -"My prince," he said, looking anxious, "I am glad you have come. Her -majesty is in some great distress." - -"Is Prince Mœris here?" I quickly asked. - -"No, my prince; but his galley has brought hither a courier with -letters." - -"Perhaps he has been defeated in the borders of Ethiopia," was my -reflection; for I knew he had been contemplating an invasion of its -capital, on account of the promise he had exacted from the queen, that -he should rule alone on the ancient throne of the Theban kings in -Upper Egypt. - -Ushered from apartment to apartment, I was soon led into the immediate -presence of the queen. In the antechamber, before I entered, I had -seen a stranger, whose features and costume showed that he was a -Theban lord or high officer. He bowed haughtily to me, as I -acknowledged his presence in the usual way when strangers meet. - -I found the queen alone. She was walking to and fro with a quick, -nervous step. In her hand she held a letter with the seal broken. Upon -seeing me, she came towards me, and said: - -"O Prince Sesostris, who art to me next to my son, I am glad you have -come! Pardon me for sending for you!" Her eyes were bright with tears, -and her voice was tremulous. - -"You ought to have done so, O noble queen," I answered, "since you are -in trouble." - -"In trouble, Sesostris! It is more than trouble; it is a weight -greater than I can bear!" - -"Has Mœris been defeated?" I asked, with earnest sympathy. - -"Mœris defeated! No, oh no; but rather conqueror. But I speak an -enigma!" - -"Has aught happened to Remeses in his sacred duties?" - -"No, oh no! It is Mœris! He will break my heart!" - -"What has he done? What can I do?" I asked, perplexed. - -"Nothing--that is, _you_ can do nothing! As for Mœris, he has done -every thing! But why do I talk to you? You understand me not! There is -a fearful secret, O Sesostris! I did not send for you to reveal it to -you--but--but for sympathy;--for your company! I know you love me, for -you are the friend of Remeses, and you have a mother whom you love and -honor." - -"And I also love and honor you, O my mother!" I said, taking her hand -and conducting her to a chair. But she refused to sit down. She -regarded me with eager eyes, as if she were penetrating my soul to its -depths. Suddenly she said: - -"Has Remeses told you _all_ the conversations I have had with him?" - -"He has talked much with me of what has passed between you, O queen," -I answered. - -"Did he speak of a secret I held locked in my heart even from him?" - -"He did. He said it was known, however, to Prince Mœris, who held -it over you as a power of evil." - -"Did Remeses suspect its nature?" she demanded. - -"He informed me that he once had a suspicion which your majesty -removed." - -"Yes," she said, with a strange, cold smile, "he fancied that -Mœris's secret was, that he was the true heir of the throne--my -son; and that Remeses was the nephew of Pharaoh, not himself! Was it -not an extraordinary idea, prince?" she asked me with the same icy -irony that was unaccountable to me. "Who could ever doubt that Remeses -is my own son?" - -"No one, your majesty," I answered, seeing she looked to me for a -reply. - -"Surely no one! Dost thou not mark how like our eyes are? And then our -voices are much on the same key, though his, as becomes a man, is -deeper. His smile, is it not mine? Nay, no one could say we are not -mother and son, could they, O Prince of Tyre? How strange, is it not, -that Remeses should have conceived such an idea?" - -"He had probably heard, your majesty, traditions of infant sons of -kings having been interchanged; and as he could not account for the -Prince of Thebes' influence over you by a secret, on any other -reasonable grounds, he ventured this supposition." - -"But he never will doubt again, O Sesostris!" she cried in an earnest -manner; "no one now could make him suspect, a second time, he is not -my son! Oh no, never! never! Could they, think you, my lord prince?" - -"No, madam," I answered; her singular manner and language wholly -surprising me, and leading me to fear that she was not at all well; -that her nerves had been too severely tried by the intelligence, -whatsoever its nature was, which she had received from Prince -Mœris. "Your majesty, I hope, has had no evil tidings," I added, -glancing at the letter she still grasped. - -"Oh, evil! All evil, all!" she cried, with anguish in her looks. -"Prince Sesostris!" she all at once exclaimed, "you can be trusted! I -need sympathy. I cannot have it unless I reveal to you my terrible -secret! I know I can confide in you. My heart will break unless I rest -the weight which oppresses it upon another heart!" - -"Remeses will in a few days be with you, and--" I began; but she -interrupted me with accents of terror, - -"No--no! It is of him! _He_ must never know my secret! It would kill -him--he would fall to the earth a dead man, as if the lightnings of -heaven had smitten him! No, _not_ Remeses! With him silence--eternal -silence!" - -"If it will relieve your majesty to confide in me, I will receive with -gratitude your revelation, and extend you all the sympathy in my -power," I said, with emotion. - -"Noble, excellent, virtuous prince!" she exclaimed, lifting my hand to -her lips. "My determination is fixed! You shall know my secret! It -will be safe in your honorable breast. But will you, O prince, consent -to receive a revelation affecting Remeses, your friend, which you are -forbidden to make known to him?" - -"For your sake, O queen, I will receive it, and conceal it from -Remeses, and all men," I answered. "I would not wish to make known to -him what would affect him, as you say." - -"Come with me, then, O prince, into my private cabinet," she said, -with a voice deep and full, as if she were greatly moved. - -I was about to follow her, as she went with a quick resolved step, -when her page without the door gave the usual sign, by tinkling a -silver sistrum, which forms the handles of their ivory sticks, that he -wished to enter. The queen said, almost sternly-- - -"I can see no one, prince." - -I approached the double door, and, opening one of the inlaid valves, -saw behind the page the tall figure of the Theban. - -"This lord waits for an answer," said the page. - -"The queen will give you audience by and by," I said. "At present her -majesty is engaged. Await her leisure." - -The Theban courier bit his lip, and scowled impatiently. I perceived -that the man had caught the spirit of the master; and could judge how -defiant and haughty Mœris must be when his courier could play the -impatient follower so well. Rejoining her majesty, I said, in answer -to her inquiring look, "The courier from the viceroy." - -"Yes--he is restless. But I must have time!" She grew so deadly pale, -as she spoke, that I supported her into the cabinet, when she sunk -upon a lounge, and would have fainted away but for water at hand. When -she recovered she said-- - -"Sesostris, my son, my friend, when you hear all, you will find -excuses for me. Read that letter first." - -And she placed in my hand an epistle, written upon the silver leaves -which the kings of Thebes have always made use of for their royal -letters. - -But, my dear mother, I will here close this epistle. My next will not -be for your eye at present, if ever; unless circumstances transpire -which will remove the seal from the secret revealed to me. - -I feel that your warmest sympathies will be with the unhappy queen. - -Farewell, dearest mother! May the gods preserve you from all sorrow, -and the Lord of the Sun, the Great Invisible, defend your life and -throne. I hope soon to hear the result of your embassy to the barbaric -King of Cyprus. - - Your dutiful son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXIII. - - -PALACE OF RHODA. - -MY VERY DEAR MOTHER: - -I embrace the first leisure I can command, since closing my last -letter, to resume the subject which filled its pages. - -This letter, however, I shall withhold, until I either have authority -to send it to you, or circumstances render it expedient to destroy it; -but in order to keep a record of the events now transpiring, I write -them down in the shape of an epistle to my dear mother, so that -hereafter, if it be necessary to refer to it for facts, there may be -written evidence of them. - -The letter of Prince Mœris, which the queen placed in my hands, was -dated some years back, and, no doubt, on noticing this, my countenance -betrayed surprise; for she said quickly-- - -"Read that first. I conceal nothing from you. You shall know from the -beginning." - -By permission of her majesty, I took a copy of the letter, and of the -two that follow. It was dated-- - - - "CASTLE OF BUBASTIS, PELUSIAN DELTA. - - "TO AMENSE, QUEEN: - - "Your Majesty,--I address my letter to you from this petty castle, - though, albeit, the stronghold of your kingdom seaward, over which - you have made me governor. For a subject, this would be a post of - honor. For me, the son of your husband's brother, your royal nephew, - it is but an honorable exile from a court where you fear my presence. - Honorable, do I say?--rather, dishonorable; for am I not a prince of - the blood of the Pharaohs? But let this pass, your majesty. I do not - insist upon any thing based upon mere lineage. _I feel that I was - aggrieved by the birth of Remeses._ I see that you turn pale. Do not - do so yet. You must read further before the blood wholly leaves your - cheek. I repeat, I am aggrieved by the 'birth of Remeses.' You see I - quote the last three words. Ere you close this letter, your majesty - will know why I mark them _thus_. Your husband, the vicegerent of the - Thisitic kingdom of the South, after leaving his capital, Thebes, at - the head of a great army, died like a soldier descended from a line - of a thousand warrior kings, in combat with the Ethiopian. I was - then, for your majesty was without offspring, the heir to the throne - of Egypt. I was the son of your husband's younger brother. Though but - three years old when your lord was slain, I had learned the lesson - that I was to be king of Egypt, when I became a man. But to the - surprise of all men, of your council of priests, and your cabinet of - statesmen, lo! you soon afterwards became a mother, when no evidences - of this promise had been apparent! Nay, do not cast down this letter, - O queen! Read it to the end! It is important you should know all. - - "When I became of lawful maturity, it was whispered to me by a - certain person, that there were suspicions that the queen had feigned - maternity, and that she had adopted an infant of the wife of one of - her lords, in order to prevent the son of her husband's brother from - inheriting. It is true, your majesty, that my father, your lord's - brother, loved you, as a maiden, and would have borne you from the - palace of Pharaoh, your father, as his own. Yet why should your - revenge extend to his son, after he married another princess? Why did - you deceive Egypt, and supplant his son (myself), by imposing upon - Egypt the infant Remeses, the child of a lord of your palace, whom no - one knows, for you took care to send him, with an ample bribe of - gold, to Carthage, or some other distant country. Now, your majesty - knows whether this be true or not. I believe it to be so, and that - the haughty, hypocritically meek Remeses, has no more right to be - called the son of Pharaoh's daughter than one of the children of the - base Hebrews, or of an Egyptian swine-herd; and, by the gods, judging - from his features, he might be a Ben Israel! - - "I demand, therefore, that you make me viceroy of the Thebaïd. Unless - you do so, I swear to your majesty, that I will agitate this - suspicion, and fill all Egypt with the idea that your favorite - Remeses is not your son. Whether I believe this or not, matters not. - If there be any truth in it, _your majesty knows_, and will, no - doubt, act accordingly. - - "Your faithful nephew, - "MŒRIS, Prince." - -When I had finished reading this extraordinary letter, I raised my -eyes to the queen. She was intently observing its effect upon my -countenance. - -"Dared that man write thus to your majesty?" I cried, with the -profoundest emotions of indignation. - -"You have read," answered the queen, with a tremulous voice. - -"And did not your majesty at once send and arrest the bold insulter -and dangerous man?" I said. - -She bit her lip, and said, in a hollow tone-- - -"Prince of Tyre, is he not this day viceroy of the Thebaïd?" - -"Does your majesty mean that you yielded to his demand?" - -"Yes." - -"I marvel at it," said I, confounded at the acknowledgment. "If what -he had said had been true--" - -"Sesostris, falsehood often flies faster than truth. It can do as much -mischief. The rumor of such a thing, false or true, would have shaken -my throne, and destroyed the confidence of the mass of the people in -Remeses when he came to the sceptre. I resolved to stifle it by giving -Mœris what he asked." - -I regarded the queen with sentiments of pity and sorrow. She said -quickly-- - -"Read another letter from him." I did so. It was dated three years -later, and demanded the command of the fleet, and its separation -from the control of the general-in-chief of the armies. This -general-in-chief was Remeses, dear mother. To the demand the queen -yielded, and thereby erected the maritime arm of her kingdom into an -independent service, acknowledging no superior authority but that of -the throne. When I had ended the perusal of the letter, the queen -placed in my hand a third missive from this powerful man. - -"This is what I received but now," she gasped. "Read it, Sesostris, -and give me your sympathy." - -It bore date-- - - "CAMP, OPPOSITE THE PALACES OF THE MEMNONIA, THEBAÏD. - - "TO THE QUEEN AMENSE: - - "Your Majesty,--I write from my pavilion pitched at the foot of the - Libyan mountains. I need not forewarn you of the subject of this - letter, when I assure you that within the hour I have received - intelligence from Memphis, that you are about to abdicate your throne - in favor of Remeses, your suppositious son. This intelligence does - not surprise me. When I was in Lower Egypt, I saw through you and - your policy. I perceived that while you feared me, you resolved to - defeat my power over you. This purpose, to surrender the sceptre of - the two Egypts, I can penetrate. You design, thereby, securely to - place Remeses beyond my power to harm him, for that, being king, if I - lift a finger he can destroy me. I admire your policy, and bow in - homage to your diplomacy. But, O queen, both you and Remeses are in - my power! Nay, do not flash your imperial eyes at this assertion. - Hear me for a few moments. - - "Your ready compliance with my demand, a few years ago, to create me - viceroy of Thebes, led me to believe that my suspicions were true; - that is, that Remeses was the son of one of your noble ladies, whom - you had adopted. And when you made me admiral of your fleet, on my - second demand, I was convinced that you feared the truth, and that it - might be proven, with proper evidence, that Remeses was not your son. - I set to work to obtain this evidence. You know that I have something - of the sleuth-hound in my composition, and that once upon a track I - will follow it to its termination, were it under the pyramid of - Noachis itself. I employed emissaries. I bribed even your own - courtiers. I ascertained who were of your court when your husband was - killed in Ethiopia, thirty-five years ago. Three old lords and ladies - still live, and have good memories when gold, and jewels, and - promises of place dazzle their humid eyes. From them I learned, that - about the time of the supposed birth of Remeses, you sent away, in - one day, five of your ladies and maids of honor, to a distant - country: yet not so quickly but that one of them dropped the secret, - that you were not a real mother, and that the infant you called your - own was the son of another woman. This secret was told to her brother - who, in after years, was my master of horse. When, on one occasion, I - was about to put him to death for cowardice in battle, he informed me - that he held a great secret 'concerning the queen, Prince Remeses, - and myself,' and that if I would pardon and restore him to his rank, - he would divulge it, saying, that for fear it would be traced to him - by your majesty if he ever spoke of it, he had never made it known to - any man. - - "Curiosity and instinct led me to pardon him. He then stated what I - have above written,--that you feigned maternity, and, obtaining a - male child from the Hebrew nurse of one of your ladies, who had given - birth to it a few weeks before, you shut yourself up three months, - and then palmed it upon the priests and people, as the heir of your - throne and of the sceptre of the Pharaohs. The mother, the nurse, and - the ladies who were parties to the transaction, were then all - banished from Egypt. - - "Instituting a thorough investigation, by dispatching galleys to - Tyre, Carthage, Gades, and the isles of the sea, at length I was - rewarded by the discovery of the port to which your women were - carried. Two of them only were found alive. Those two are now in the - city of On! When I was in Lower Egypt I saw them, and will name them: - Thebia, of Pythom, and Nilia, of On. Your majesty perceives how exact - I am: that I have my way clear as I advance. Methinks I can see you - turn deadly white, and that with a shriek you let fall the papyrus! - Take it up again, and resume the perusal. It is useless to shrink - from the development of the truth. You may shut your eyes at noon, - and say 'It is night,' but you cannot, by so doing, destroy the light - of the sun. You may close your eyes--you may destroy this letter, or - may read no further; but the truth will shine, nevertheless, with a - brightness which will drive night itself before it! - - "These venerable women, examined apart, told the same tale. It is as - follows: - - "'That you had approached the river on the morning of the festival of - Isis (you see I am particular), to bathe, as your custom was, in the - marble crescent at the foot of the gardens of your palace of Rhoda, - where you now are residing. You had descended the steps into the - water, and your women had taken your necklace, and other ornaments - from you; and, robed in your bathing-dress, you were about to step - into the river, when you descried a basket floating slowly past, - close to the place where you stood. While you were looking at it, it - lodged against a group of flags, near the statue of Nepth, just above - you. Your maidens were lingering upon the bank, or walking near at - hand, awaiting you, when, seeing Nilia not far off, you called to - her, and said-- - - "'Seest thou the little baris of basket-work, O Nilia. Draw it in to - the shore, and look what it contains.' - - "The handmaiden obeyed you, aided by her companion, Thebia, and when - you drew near and opened the lid, you beheld a beautiful child lying - within it. It looked up into your face, and wept so piteously, that - you took it up, deeply impressed by its beauty and helplessness, and - the extraordinary manner in which it had come to you. You placed it - in the arms of Thebia, and said to her: - - "'This child is sent to me by Nilus, the deity of this great river of - Egypt. I will adopt it as my own, for it has no father but the river, - no mother but this little ark of flags and bitumen in which it has - floated to my feet.' - - "You then gave the lovely babe many kisses, tenderly soothed its - cries, and was so happy with the prize, that you hastened to leave - the river. But before you did so, the wind blew aside its mantle, and - you discovered that it was a Hebrew male child, for the Egyptians do - not circumcise their infants. This discovery was made also by the two - women, Nilia and Thebia, and you said: - - "'It is one of the Hebrews' children.' - - "It was at the time when your father's edict for the destruction of - all the male children of this Syrian race was in existence. You - deliberated what to do with it, when its wailing tones moved your - heart, and you said to them: - - "'It shall still be mine! Let us keep the secret! I will raise it as - my son! Its parents think it has perished, for they could not have - hoped to save it by committing it to this frail bark, and it can - never know its origin!' - - "That child, O queen, is Remeses! Of this I have certain evidence. - The two women say, you ordered the little ark to be taken in charge - by your chief of the baths. In verification of the account, the ark - still exists, and I have seen it. - - "It is not necessary for me to add more. I have written enough to - show you the power I hold over you, and over this Remeses-Mosis. His - very name signifies 'Taken out of the water,' and was given to him by - yourself, as if the gods would make you the means of your own - conviction. - - "Now, O queen, who intendeth to place a degraded Hebrew upon the - throne of Egypt, I, Mœris, write this epistle warning you, that - unless you revoke your purpose, and publicly adopt me as your son, - and convey to me the two crowns, I will proclaim through all Egypt - your shame, and the true history of this Remeses! I could have - excused you had he proved to be the son of one of your ladies, as the - report was; but an Hebrew! _He_ deserves death, and _you_ to forfeit - your crown! But I will make these terms with your majesty:--if you - will call a council of your hierarchy and adopt me as your son, that - I may be your heir, and will abdicate in my favor, I will conceal - what I know from the Egyptians; and more still, I will make Remeses - governor over Goshen, and lord of all his people under my rule. Is - not this liberal? - - "If you refuse my terms, I will descend upon Lower Egypt with my - fleet, declare your throne vacant, Remeses a slave, and seize the - sceptre! Once in my power, your favorite Remeses shall die an - ignominious death, and you shall remain a prisoner for life in the - castle of Bubastis. - - "I dispatch a special courier--my master of horse--_whose sister was - your lady in waiting at the finding of Remeses_. Unless I have a - reply in the affirmative, for which my courier will delay six hours, - you shall hear me knocking at the gates of Rhoda with the head of my - spear! - - MŒRIS, - "NEPHEW AND HEIR OF AMENSE, QUEEN OF EGYPT." - -When, my dear mother, I had finished reading this extraordinary -letter, I held it unrolled in my hands for a few moments, stupefied, -as it were, with amazement. My eyes sought the face of the queen. It -was rigid as iron--white as alabaster; but her regards were riveted -upon my countenance. - -"Your majesty," I said, hardly knowing what to say, "what fable is -this of the daring and impious Prince of Thebes--?" - -She interrupted me with-- - -"What dost thou think, O Sesostris? If it be a fable, is it not, in -such a man's hand, as dangerous as truth? Dare I let him circulate -such a tale throughout Egypt? _Can_ I let it reach the ears of -Remeses?" - -"Why not, O queen?" I asked. "If it is false, it can be shown to be -so; and my friend Remeses is too great and wise to heed it. Is it by -so improbable and artfully framed a story as this, you are made -unhappy; and for this you resign your crown and hasten to secure -Remeses in power?" - -"Is it not enough?" - -"No, O wise and virtuous lady!" I answered, with indignant feelings -against Mœris, and sympathy for her womanly fears; "my advice to -you is, to defy the malice and wickedness of the viceroy, inform -Remeses of these letters--nay, let him read them--assemble your army, -and meet him with open war. A row of galleys sunk across the Rile will -stop his fleet; and if he land, your soldiers, with Remeses at their -head, will drive him back to his city of a hundred gates, and--" - -Again the queen interrupted me: - -"No, no! I cannot tell Remeses! He must never know of these letters!" -she almost shrieked. - -"Has Remeses any suspicion of the tale they tell?" I asked. - -"No. He knows no other mother. If he hears this story, he will -investigate it to the last, to show me that he would prove it false in -the mouth of Mœris." - -"And this he ought to do, your majesty," I said, firmly. - -"Prince Sesostris, dost thou believe he could prove it false?" she -demanded, in a mysterious and strange tone. - -"Undoubtedly," I answered; though, my dear mother, I could not wholly -resist the recollection, which forced itself upon me most sharply and -painfully, of the resemblance I had noticed between Remeses and the -Hebrew people. But I banished the idea it suggested, regarding it more -probable for an Egyptian and Hebrew to look alike, than for Remeses to -have been born a Hebrew, and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. -Nevertheless, there was apparent to myself a want of fulness in my -tones when I answered her "undoubtedly." - -The queen came close up to me, and said in a deep, terrible whisper, -looking first wildly around her, to see if any one overheard her,-- - -"_He cannot prove it false!_" - -"You mean, O queen," said I, "that though Remeses cannot prove it -false, it nevertheless _is_ false?" - -"_No._ It cannot be proven _false_, because it is TRUE!" she answered, -as if her voice came from within a sarcophagus. - -"True?" I repeated, with horror. - -"True, O prince! It is impossible for me to conceal or prevaricate. I -promised to confide in you; but I have kept back till the last the -_whole_ truth! I can do so no longer!" She caught by my arm to sustain -her tottering form. - -"Is not Remeses, then, your son?" I cried. - -"No." - -"Is he a Hebrew?" - -"Yes." - -"Then this letter of Mœris is all true?" - -"All, as to the fact that Remeses is a Hebrew!" - -Such was the rapid colloquy which followed. O my dear mother, no -mortal can estimate the amount of agony which overwhelmed my soul at -this intelligence! I sank upon the pedestal of a statue near me, and -covering my face with my hands, burst into tears. The queen did not -speak, but suffered my paroxysm of grief and mortification to exhaust -itself. At length I raised my head. I felt for her--felt, oh how -profoundly, for the unhappy Remeses--ignorant of his calamity, and -engaged, even then, in the vigils and rites which were to prepare him -to ascend the throne! I could now understand all that had been -inexplicable in the queen's conduct, unravel her mysterious language, -see the motive of all her acts. I no longer marvelled that she, loving -Remeses with all a mother's love, trembled before Mœris and his -secret, and gave him all he demanded as the price of silence. But when -he asked for her throne as the bribe for secrecy, it was more than her -spirit could bear; and unable alone, unaided, to meet him in his -demand, she sought counsel of me and sympathy; and little by little -made known to me, as I have narrated, the secret she would have -sacrificed her life to conceal, if she could thereby have concealed it -forever from Remeses. - -"Poor, noble, unhappy Remeses!" I ejaculated. - -"He must _never_ know it!" she cried, passionately. - -"It will be known to him," I answered, sorrowfully "If you refuse -Prince Mœris's demand, he will write another such missive as this, -and dispatch it to Remeses. The prince, if I may, from love, still -call him so, will, as you have said, examine the matter. Mœris will -refer him to the ladies Nilia and Thebia. He will then come to you--" - -"To me?" she cried, with a shudder. - -"To you, O queen, and ask of you if Prince Mœris and these women -relate the truth." - -"He would not believe--he would not believe it--so far as to come to -me. He would not insult me by making such a demand of me!" - -"He may be forced to it. Circumstances may overcome him, so that he -will feel that he must appeal to you. He would refuse to ascend the -throne of Egypt, so high is his integrity, if there were a doubt as to -his legitimate right to it." - -"O prince, counsel me! What shall I do?" she cried, wringing her -hands, and looking towards me in the most appealing and helpless -manner. - -"I know not how to counsel your majesty," I replied, greatly -distressed, my heart bleeding both for her and Remeses, who, I felt, -sooner or later, must come to the truth of the dreadful rumor; and -also from my knowledge of the perfect uprightness and justice of his -character, as well as his firmness, that he would investigate it until -he either disproved or verified it. - -At length, after a long and painful interval of embarrassment, the -queen, of her own will, said to me-- - -"Sesostris, I meant no wrong. I loved the weeping babe, in its -desolate state, and no sooner did I take it up than it smiled, and won -my heart. You know the fine appearance of Remeses as a man; judge you -therefore how lovely he was when an infant three months old. I was -childless. My husband had been a few weeks dead, and this infant -seemed to be sent to me in part to fill up the place made void in my -affections. That it was a Hebrew child did not move me. I had always -opposed the cruel edict of the king, my father; and felt that, to save -this child of the oppressed Hebrews, would in some degree, atone for -the death of so many who were destroyed in obedience to his orders. -Thus I was influenced by a threefold motive--to save the infant, to -adopt a son, to atone for evil." - -"Good and lawful motives, O queen," I said, interested in her -narrative, so touchingly told as to deeply affect me. - -"I did not believe I was doing evil. I at once, at the suggestion of -one of my maids, sent a Hebrew girl, who was gazing upon us from afar, -to call a nurse from the Hebrew women for the child. She brought one, -comely and gentle in manner, whom I took with me to the palace; and, -after instructing her to keep the matter a secret, suffered her to -take the child home, for she lived in a garden, not far above the -palace, upon the island, her father being a cultivator of flowers for -the priests. The tenderness of this Hebrew woman towards the beautiful -babe pleased me, and, after I had, in a public manner, acknowledged -the child, even as Mœris's letter states, I let it remain with her -until it grew to be three years old, when I commanded her to bring it -to the palace to remain; for although I had seen it almost daily, I -now desired to have it wholly in my possession. From that time he has -been brought up in my own palace, as my son, and educated as prince of -the empire and heir to the throne. For all my care and affection, he -has repaid me with the profoundest devotion, and tenderest attachment. -At first, seeing he was very fond of his Hebrew nurse, I jealously -forbade her again to visit him, so that I might be the sole object of -his attachment. He soon forgot her, and from his fourth year has known -no love but mine. When he came to manhood, I had him instructed in the -art of war, and made him general of the army of the pyramids. By the -greatest philosophers and sages he was taught geometry, astrology, -architecture, physics, mythology, and the knowledge of all science. I -have spared no care to educate him in all the learning of the -Egyptians. With all his wisdom and vast knowledge, he is as docile and -gentle in disposition as a child: ever dutifully submissive to my -will, the voice which has led armies by its battle-cry, melts into -tenderness in my presence. Ah, prince, never mother loved a son as I -have loved him!" - -"I pity you, O queen, with all my heart," said I, warmly. - -"Oh, what shall I do? What shall I reply to Mœris?" - -"I know not how to counsel you!" I said, embarrassed by this appeal. - -"I will then act. His courier shall not go back unanswered. I will -defy him!" A new spirit seemed all at once to animate her. - -She clapped her hands. A page entered. - -"Bid the Theban courier enter. His answer is ready." The master of -horse came haughtily in, a cloud of impatience yet upon his brow. - -"Go back to thy master, and say to him, that Amense is still queen of -Egypt, and wears both the crowns of her fathers, and that she will -defend them. Say, that I defy him, and fear him not!" - -The courier looked amazed, bowed with a slight gesture of obeisance, -and left the presence. - -No sooner had the valves of the door closed upon him, than she said-- - -"It is done! The arrow is drawn from the quiver, and set to the -bowstring. There is nothing left but to defy him, and trust the gods -to aid the just cause. Remeses will be crowned king, ere Mœris can -get my message and return a letter to him. There are but five days -more to the end of the forty. Three days afterwards is the coronation. -That is nine from to-day. It will take twelve or more days for a -message to go and come from the camp of Mœris. Three days! Time -enough to make or mar an empire. Sesostris, this prince of Typhon, -this haughty Mœris, shall yet be confounded!" - -Thus speaking, the queen, whose whole powers were aroused by despair -linked with affection, laid her hand in mine, bade me good-night--for -it was now moonlight, so long had we discoursed--and begged me come in -the morning and breakfast with her. - -Here, in the quiet of my chamber, dear mother, I have made a record of -this extraordinary interview. The letter I shall preserve unless it be -necessary to destroy it; but I shall not send it to you until the seal -of secrecy is removed. - -What can I say? How can I realize that Remeses is a Hebrew? How little -he suspects the truth! Will he hear it? If he does; but it is useless -to speculate upon the consequences. I pray that he may be well crowned -before Mœris can do him any mischief; for, son of Misr, or son of -Abram, he is worthy of the throne of Egypt, and will wield its sceptre -with wisdom and justice, beyond that of any of the proud Pharaohs. The -attachment of the queen is natural. I deeply feel for her. The conduct -of Mœris is also natural. What will be his course? Farewell, dear -mother. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXIV. - - -PALACE OF REMESES, CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -I commence this letter, as I did one written and addressed to you two -days ago, with the probability, that circumstances may yet render the -seal of secrecy, now placed upon it, unnecessary; at least I shall -detain both this one and that, for a time, if not finally destroy -them. But I have a feeling that you will yet read what I write. - -If the incidents and scenes recorded, in the preceding letter, were of -an extraordinary kind, you must be prepared to read in this, of events -still more strange, and painfully interesting. It is with an effort -that I calm my pulse, and subdue my emotions sufficiently, to narrate -equably what I desire to make known to you. - -The morning after my interview with the queen, I arose early from a -sleepless couch; for the events of the preceding evening, recalled by -an excited mind, kept me awake with reflections of the most anxious -and distressing nature. I mourned for Remeses, my noble, wise, and -great friend and counsellor,--a prince by nature, and by the seal of -all the gods, if not by inheritance from the Pharaohs. Not regarding -the Hebrew race with the disdainful eye of those who have been masters -over them, like the Egyptians, but looking upon them only as an -unfortunate nation, descendants of the three patriarchal princes of -Palestine, I, dear mother, felt no contempt for Remeses on account of -his lineage and blood: To me, he was still as dear and as much -honored. It was not the "prince" I loved from the first, but the -"_man_" and he remains. I tossed my head on my pillow, grieving for -him; as I knew, should the tidings ever come to his ears, and be -confirmed as a truth, that it would break his great heart--crush his -mighty soul to the earth; for, educated as an Egyptian prince, he -entertains towards the Hebrews, the haughty contempt (so far as this -sentiment can repose in such a benevolent bosom), which characterizes -the Egyptian nation. How will he be humbled, overwhelmed, confounded, -dismayed! - -Such were my wakeful reflections, when at length the morning dawned; -and I arose, bathed, and prepared to obey the command of the queen to -breakfast with her. Believing that she must have passed a sorrowful -night, and would not awake early, I sat down to read in a roll of -papyrus which lay upon my table, among other books that belonged to -Remeses; for I was occupying his own suite of rooms during his -absence, amid the sacred mysteries of his kingly initiation. It proved -to be written in the Theban running character, which I am not familiar -with, and laying it down, I took up a leaf of new papyrus, on which I -recognized the bold and elegant script of Remeses. As he had given me -free access to all upon the table, I examined the subject, and finding -that it was a sacred poem, I read therein a few sentences, when I -perceived that it was the history of a remarkable era in the life of -the venerable Lord of Uz, to whom I have alluded. This aged and -interesting Syrian has already taken his departure, but previously -made known to Remeses, as he told me, all the events connected with an -extraordinary period of his middle life. - -I read, therefore, with interest what Remeses had commenced: for it -was only a beginning. After giving the name of the Lord of Uz, and -that of the land in which he dwelt, he spoke of his uprightness, his -holiness, his riches, and his pious care over his children--who were -seven sons and three daughters; and also of their happiness, -festivities, and prosperity; and how, by the permission of the One -God, Typhon, or the Spirit of Evil, tempted him. - -Thus far had my friend got in the history, and I was about to replace -the scroll, when the door opened, and lo! Prince Remeses himself stood -before me! I started with an exclamation of joyful astonishment; but -seeing his visage haggard and pallid with woe, I was alarmed. I -approached him to embrace him, as he stood just within the door, -regarding me with looks of doubt and solicitude. - -"Wilt thou, O Prince of Tyre, embrace a Hebrew?" he surprised me by -asking, in a voice deep and tremulous. - -"Then thou knowest it all," I cried, "O my friend!" as I threw myself -into his embrace. - -For a few minutes we wept in each other's arms. At length he spoke and -said-- - -"Yes, Sesostris, I have heard it all! Thou knowest the secret also, -says my moth----nay--I forgot--I should have said--the queen!" Here -his emotion overcame him. He leaned his noble head upon my shoulder -and continued: "Yet she is my mother, prince! She has ever been a -mother to me! I have known no other! I shall love her, while my life -lasts, above all earthly things. Pardon my grief, Sesostris! Nature is -mighty in sorrow, and will have her way! The heart, like our Nile, -will sometimes overflow, if full." - -In a few moments he was composed, and said sadly-- - -"Knowing my history, can you regard me as before?" - -"I love thee as ever, O prince--" - -He interrupted me--"Call me not 'prince,' call me by my name--that, at -least, is left me! But I am a slave!" - -"No--not to me! You are a descendant of kings! Are not Prince Abraham, -Isaac, and the great Prince Jacob your ancestors? I am not an Egyptian -any more than thyself," I answered him. - -"True, true! I must not forget that! I thank thee, O prince, for -reminding me of this. A slave in Egypt may be a freeman in Tyre!" - -"That is true also," I said. "May I ask, O Remeses, why you have left -the temples and are here; and how you heard this intelligence, which -you bear up under like a god?" - -"I am calm now; but, Sesostris, I have passed through a sirocco of the -soul! You shall hear all. Come and sit here." - -I placed myself by the table opposite to him. He then began as -follows: - -"I need not describe to you, O my friend, the nature of the rites and -ceremonies, nor the character of the mysteries which I have been in -contact with, for five-and-thirty days; let it be enough for your -curiosity to know, that beneath all the splendor of our polytheism is -hidden the mystery, known to the 'sons of the Lord of heaven, of One -God. This truth is guarded by the mystics, as a mystery, not as a -doctrine; and is of no value to them nor to the world: it is as if the -sun were forever shrouded in impenetrable clouds. I have learned it -only darkly; but this is not to my purpose now, my friend: perhaps at -another time we will discourse of these things. I had passed my -decreed days and nights, at all the shrines which the laws for kings -direct when, last night, I was borne across the Nile by a company of -the mystics, who left me at the entrance of the avenue leading to the -sphinx that is before Cheops and Chephres. There twelve other -ecclesiastical mystics took me in charge. We marched together, six on -each side of me, in profound silence; till, on passing the lion facing -the sphinx, their leader cried-- - -"'Let the king be as a lion in strength and majesty!' - -"The rest answered with one voice-- - -"'And may his enemies be as lambs beneath his paws!' - -"At the small temple, between the feet of the sphinx, three priests -stood, one of whom sprinkled my head with sacred water; the second, -with his little finger that had been dipped in the blood of a cock -which he had sacrificed, touched my forehead; and the third waved -incense before me;--while from within came a low, plaintive chant of -voices and instruments, invoking the gods in a hymn on my behalf. The -whole scene was solemn and impressive. - -"I was then conducted to the pylon of the great temple before the -pyramids. As I passed beneath the gate, the twelve priests left me; -and twenty-four others, dressed in white robes and bearing torches, -took me in charge, and conducted me at a slow march across the great -quadrangle, leading me to a dark portal which descended, as I was -told, to the base of the pyramid, down to the 'hall of all the -mysteries of the earth.'" - -"Is not this the temple of the magicians?" I asked, gratified to see, -that Remeses could for a moment so far forget his great sorrow, as to -enter into these details, for my gratification. - -"Yes, the place where the sorcerers and soothsayers hold their mystic -and fearful rites. For ages, this subterranean temple, under the earth -between the two pyramids, but no part of the pyramidal structure -itself, has been their place of solemn assembly. Into this region I -descended, led by only two men, who received me at the head of the -stairs of stone. - -"But I may not describe, more particularly, the progress of my -mysterious journey through subterranean passages, which I had no -conception existed beneath the space between the two pyramids; -although tradition has it, that the whole territory underneath both is -a labyrinthine catacomb, which assertion I have now no reason to -doubt. After traversing vast gloomy corridors of pillars hewn from the -solid rock, and a succession of chambers dedicated to mysteries, I was -ushered, by the sound of awful music, from an unseen source, into a -great central temple, so large that the torches borne by my guides, -could not penetrate its outer blackness. In the centre of this solemn -hall stood an altar of black marble. We approached it, when suddenly -from it soared aloft a bright flame which illumined the temple, to its -remotest obscurities, with a light like the moon when it is full. -revealing in the height above, a firmament with its thousand stars -reflecting the light. I had already, my Sesostris, passed through such -varied and surprising scenes, in the progress of my initiation, that I -was not surprised at this, for the arts of the priestly magicians seem -to embrace a knowledge of all the secret alchemy of nature; and they -possess wisdom and skill to control her wonderful powers. While this -brilliant flame burned from a brazen vase which stood upon the altar, -a procession of figures entered by a distant door, and slowly made the -circuit of the massive corridor. I perceived at once that they were -attired symbolically, representing the powers of nature, and were -preceded by five stately and imposing forms standing for fire, water, -earth, air, and the Nile; symbols of which were worn upon their heads, -and carried in their hands. Behind these came seven persons, each -crowned with a star, the whole representing the seven stars. Then -advanced Orion, belted and armed; Arcturus, Aldebaran, Procyon, Rigel, -and Antares, each with a blazing coronet above his brow, and carrying -the symbols and wearing the dress of the god. These, with an interval -of space between, were followed by the twelve constellations of the -zodiac; each zodiac consisting of twelve bands of men, subdivided into -twenty-four smaller companies, and so moving, each in a place assigned -him, as to show the position of every star of the constellation, which -he was appointed to aid in illustrating. Each individual carried above -his head a starry light, inclosed in a crystal cup. - -"This imposing and magnificent representation and illustration of the -march of Time through the heavens, with all the movements of the -heavenly orbs, presented a spectacle of splendor unsurpassed by any -human display. Solemn as the march of the stars themselves, this -procession of constellations moved once around the grand circuit of -the temple, and then the five leaders advanced towards the altar, by -which I stood alone, deserted by those who had led me thither. Every -one of these symbolic persons in succession bent the knee before me, -in token that the powers of the earth, air, fire, and water, with the -great Nile itself, were submissive to my will. Ah, Sesostris," -interspoke Remeses here, "how little did they suspect, when paying me -this customary homage, that I was a mere Hebrew slave, who could make -use of the air, of fire, of water, of the earth, or of the Nile, only -by the permission of my Egyptian masters! - -"Other striking ceremonies passed thereafter, and by and by I was left -alone beside the altar, the flame of which it was my duty to feed with -naphtha until morning, this being the first vigil of the last five -nights. I was not, however, long left alone. Seven magicians, in their -gorgeous apparel, came from a door that seemed to be an outlet from -beneath the second pyramid, and approached me, chanting a war-song. -Each bore a piece of royal armor,--one a helmet, one a cuirass, one a -spear, another a shield. As they passed me they presented, and I -received from each, a piece of the armor, and invested myself -therewith. I was told by the leader to be strong and fight valiantly, -for I should be assailed by powers of evil. They then left me, and -again I was alone, yet on my guard. Feeding the flame till it burned -high, I sought to penetrate the gloom, at least expecting to behold a -lion let into the temple for me to combat with, that I might prove my -right to the sword of the Pharaohs which I held in my grasp. - -"I know not, Sesostris, who or what would have been my assailant, if -due time had elapsed for his coming; but I suddenly heard a step -behind me, and behold, instead of a fierce beast or a warrior, a -single magician, tall and commanding, who bore in one hand merely the -sacred _crux_ or emblem of life, and in the other his black wand -tipped with an emerald. I challenged him, as I was directed to do by -my instructors, and demanded whether he came for good or evil, with -war or peace in his heart. - -"He made no other reply than-- - -"'Follow me!' - -"I obeyed. Ah, how little did I suspect, O Sesostris, that I was about -to encounter what was more fearful than a roaring lion,--more terrible -than an armed host! But you shall hear. - -"I crossed the echoing temple-floor to a small portal, which at first -did not reveal its presence, being a slab in the wall, but which, at a -slight pressure of the magician's wand, betrayed an opening through -which we passed,--I, with my sword held in my hand to defend or -attack. The stone door closed behind me, and I was conducted through a -beautiful chamber, adorned with marbles, and sparkling with precious -stones, that seemed to shine by a light of their own, as I could -discover no source of reflection; though doubtless, however, that was, -in some part, concealed by the art of these ingenious and wise -magicians. - -"There was an inner chamber, or adytum, entirely encased with panels -of black marble, polished like a mirror. I was conducted into this -room, and commanded, by a voice unknown, and from an invisible person, -to seat myself upon a stone chair in the centre of the floor. I -obeyed; for princes, during their initiation, are taught constantly, -that 'he who would know how to command must learn how to obey;' and -thus, in these rites, submission and obedience are inculcated, as -necessary elements in the character of one who wishes to exact them -from others. Indeed, Sesostris, the whole routine of the ceremonies, -though sometimes vain and frivolous, sometimes extravagant, is -calculated to impress upon the heart of a prince the wisest lessons in -self government, and the profoundest knowledge of himself. Every -temptation is offered him, that he may resist it. Every condition of -life, from hunger and thirst upward, he passes through in his -progress. Three nights and days I fasted in the temple of Pthah, that -I might pity the hungry: two days I suffered thirst, that I might feel -for the thirsty: six hours I toiled with burdens, that I might know -how my poorer subjects toiled: one hour I was a servant, another a -prisoner, a third cup-bearer to the high-priest. Every rite is a link -in the practical education of a prince; and he who comes to the -throne, has reached it through every grade of society, and through -every condition of humanity; and thus the king centres and unites -within his own person, from having been engaged in each, the pursuits -of all his people, and knows by experience their joys and sorrows, -toils and pleasures; and can say to every class of Egyptians, 'there -is nothing which appertains to you that is foreign to me. The people -of Egypt are represented in their king.' - -"When I had taken my seat in this chamber of black marble, which was -dimly lighted by a misty radiance before me, I saw that I was alone. -Now, O Sesostris, came my trial!--such an one as no prince of the -house of Pharaoh had ever passed through. It is said that Osirtasen, -when he was brought to this chamber, had it revealed to him that he -was the son of the god Hercules but to me was revealed, alas! thou -knowest what, and shalt hear how! - -"'Remeses-Moses,' said a deep and stern voice from what, in the -obscurity, seemed to me a shrine, 'thou art wise, and virtuous, and -strong of heart! Gird thyself with courage, and hear what is to be -revealed to thee! Know that thou art not the son of Amense, queen of -Egypt, as thou believest. She was never a mother!' - -"'It is false, thou wicked magician!' I cried, starting to my feet. -'Art thou, then, the foe I am to meet and destroy?' - -"'Silence, young man!' cried another voice, with a tone of power. -'What the mysterious oracle utters is true. Thou art not the son of -Pharaoh's daughter! Thou hast no title to the throne of Egypt!' - -"'Who am I, then?' I cried, impressed and awed, yet full of anger at -the words. - -"'Thou art the son of a Hebrew mother and a Hebrew father!' said the -voice. - -"I advanced sword in hand to meet these invisible persons, believing -that the insult was but another of the series of tests, and this one -in particular, of my patience and temper; for, O Sesostris," added -Remeses to me, bitterly, "what greater insult could have been put upon -a prince of Egypt than this! When I came forward, I saw the wall, as -it were, open before me; and I beheld the Nile in bright sunshine; the -Island of Rhoda, with its palaces and gardens; the distant towers and -obelisks of On, and all the scenery adjacent, but seemingly so near, -that I could lay my hand upon it all. - -"At this surprising spectacle manifesting itself in the dark chambers -of the pyramids, I stood amazed and arrested! I felt that it was -supernatural, or produced by magic. As I gazed, perplexed, a third -voice said-- - -"'Behold! Thou seest that the obelisk of Amense is wanting; that the -palace of the governor of the Nile has only its foundations laid. The -scene is, as Egypt was thirty-five years ago.' - -"I looked again, and recognized the truth. I saw it was not the Nile -of to-day. I saw, also, that its stream was at a height, different -from its present mark upon the nilometer. I was amazed, and awaited -with intense expectation. Suddenly I saw a party of spearmen enter a -hut, which I perceived was one of a group that was occupied by Hebrew -workmen, who were engaged upon the governor's palace. Presently they -came forth, two of them, each bearing an infant aloft upon a spear, -which was thrust through it, and followed by shrieking women. I could -hear and see all as if I were on the spot. I impulsively advanced to -slay the men, for all seemed so real, but as I did so, saw at my feet -a yawning gulf. Then the men cast the infants into the Nile. I saw -three others go into another hut, whence they were driven forth by two -desperate Hebrews, who, armed with straw-cutters, slew two of them; -but the other fled, and returning with his comrades, they set fire to -the hut of rushes, and consumed the inmates within it. I now perceived -that it seemed drawing towards the close of day. From a hut, near the -water, a man and a young girl, both Hebrews, stole forth, and -collecting bulrushes in their arms, returned to the hut. It was now -night. I had seen the shades of evening fall over the scenery, and the -stars come out. Yet, by a power incomprehensible to me, I could look -into the closed and barred hut, and see that, by the light of a rush -dipped in bitumen, three of its inmates were making, in secret haste, -a large basket. I saw them finish it, and then beheld the man smear it -within and without with pitch. From their conversation, I learned that -they wished it to resist water, and that they were to commit some -precious freight to its frail protection; what, I could not learn; as, -when they spoke of it, their colloquy was in low hushed tones, and -with looks of fear, especially the two females, who wept very much. -One of them, I learned by their words, was the daughter of the man by -a former wife. There was another child, a boy apparently of the age of -three years, lying in sweet sleep upon a bed of rushes, made up in a -corner of the hut. When the little ark was done, I watched with the -deepest interest their further proceedings. At length the three went -out together, and to my surprise I saw, by the setting moon, that it -was near dawn. They bent their steps, swiftly and silently, towards -the ancient temple of Isis, which was then, as now, in ruins, and -deserted by every Egyptian, for the sacrilege done therein under the -reign of Bnon, the Phœnician Pharaoh. I could see them steal along -the tangled avenue beneath the palm-trees, and through that of the -broken sphinxes, until they came to the pyramidion of the obelisk of -Sesostris I. Here a deep, ancient excavation, covered with vines and -rushes, showed a flight of broken steps. After carefully looking all -about, to see if they were observed, they descended. In a few minutes -the three came forth, the elderly woman holding in her arms an infant, -upon the beautiful face of which the waning moon shone for a moment, -but instantly she hid it with her mantle, and hurried to the -river-side. Here the man put the basket upon the shore, and extended -his arms for the child. The poor mother, as I now perceived she must -be, burst into tears, and clasped it closer and closer to her heart. - -"'Nay, Jochebeda,' he said, with gentle firmness, 'thy cries will -attract notice. The child cannot live if we delay. Hast thou not had -warning from the kind Egyptian woman, who was with thee when it was -born, and who aided thee in concealing it, that its hiding-place is -known, and that in the morning soldiers will be there? Bear up, heart! -If we commit it to the Nile, the God of our fathers, in whom we trust, -and who will yet return, to redeem us, according to His promise to our -father Abraham, may guide the frail baris to some secure haven, and -provide for the child a pitiful heart to save it.' - -"I saw the mother give it its last nourishment at her breast, and -then, with tears, lay it softly, sweetly sleeping the while, within -the basket of bulrushes,--pillowing its head first upon her hand, -until the daughter had placed beneath it a pillow of wild-flowers and -lotus-leaves, gathered on the spot in the dawning light. The father -then covered it carefully over, and kissing it, with grief shaking his -strong frame, was about to commit the frail boat to the water, when -the poor mother arrested his arm, implored one more look, one more -embrace of her child! She was a young and beautiful woman; and, the -last kiss given, kneeled by the shore praying to her God, as the -father launched the ark into the stream. At this moment, I beheld, -straying upon the bank, as if seeking its parents, the other child -that I had seen in the house. I now saw the current take to its -embrace the little ark, and upon its bosom bear it downward. In a few -moments it lodged amid some rushes, which the mother seeing, she ran -hastily, entered the water, passionately kissed her child, and would -have offered it the breast again, but the more resolute father sent it -once more upon its way. In the vision, I now saw that day had dawned, -and that the stir of life on land and water was everywhere visible. -The father watched the bark, until it could be no longer seen for the -curve of the shore, and then drew near to his wife, and gently led her -away to the hut,--her lingering looks ceaselessly stretched towards -the Nile. The little maid, who was not more than twelve or thirteen -years of age, having been previously instructed by her mother, -followed along the shore to see what would become of the ark. But I -weary you, Sesostris, with details, which to me had a sort of -fascination, as they were enacted before me in the scenes I beheld." - -"And they are deeply interesting to me, my dear Remeses," I said with -emotion. - -"I followed the bark also," continued Remeses, "until, after several -escapes from imminent peril, it lodged against a group of flags, at -the moment that a beautiful lady, accompanied by her maids, came to -bathe, at the foot of the garden of Pharaoh's palace. At a glance, -Sesostris, I recognized, as she was in her youth, my mother--I mean to -say, the Queen Amense. I saw her attention drawn to the little ark, in -the fate of which I had become intensely interested, little dreaming -how much and intimately it concerned _me_! I heard her bid the maids -take the basket out of the river, and her cry of surprise, on opening -it and seeing the babe, which answered her with a sorrowful wail, as -it were, of appeal. I saw her offer it to the bosoms of three Egyptian -nurses in vain, when the little maid, its half-sister, drew near with -mingled curiosity and fear and said-- - -"'O princess, shall I call one of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse -the child for thee?' - -"The princess said, 'Go!' - -"Immediately the maiden ran with the swiftness of a gazelle, until she -came at length to her mother's house. The poor Hebrew woman was at her -task, combing flax and weeping as she toiled, feeling that she had -parted with her child forever. At the height of her grief, the young -maid flew in at the door, crying with a voice choked with joy-- - -"'Mother, run quickly! make no stay! Pharaoh's daughter has found my -little brother, taken it from the ark, and sent me for a Hebrew nurse! -Come quickly, before any other is found!' - -"With a cry of joy, and with hands clasped to heaven in gratitude, I -saw the mother about to rush out, wild with happiness, when her -daughter said, 'Be calm, mother, or the princess will suspect. Put on -your coif! Arrange your dress! Seem quiet, as if you were not its -mother!' - -"'I will try to do so--oh, I will try to do so!' she said touchingly. -I saw that, in her emotion, she did not think of her other boy, who, -though hardly four years old, had followed the stream, as if he -understood what the ark contained. Him I saw kindly taken pity upon by -an Egyptian priest, who carried him away to his house." - -Here I uttered an exclamation which attracted the notice of Remeses; -for I recollected the story of the young Hebrew ecclesiastic and gold -image-caster, dear mother, and saw now that he was this brother of -Remeses, and the mystery of the resemblance was solved. I did not make -any remark to Remeses, however, in reply to his inquiring look, and he -resumed his wonderful narrative. - -But I will continue the subject, dear mother, in a subsequent letter. - - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXV. - - -PALACE OF REMESES, CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -Your courier reached me yesterday with your important letter, advising -me of the refusal of the King of Cyprus to receive your ambassador, or -release your subjects; and that you only await my return to declare -war. I shall not fail to respond to your call, and will next week -leave Egypt for Syria. I have not yet visited the Thebaïd, and the -superb temples of Upper Egypt, nor seen the wonderful Labyrinth, nor -the Cataracts; but I hope at some future day to revisit this -interesting land. I feel, indeed, rejoiced to go away now, as the -painful and extraordinary events connected with Remeses have cast a -gloom over all things here, and changed all my plans. - -But I will resume the narrative, interrupted by the abrupt ending of -my last letter. That, with the preceding, as well as this, I shall now -send to you, as the seal of secrecy is removed from them, by the -publicity which has been given to all the events by Remeses. - -To return, dear mother, to the account of the scenes which the -magicians presented to his vision, in the black marble chamber of the -pyramid. - -"I now," continued Remeses, "beheld the excited mother reach the -presence of the princess, trying to calm the wild tumult of hope and -fear in her maternal bosom; and to her, I saw the princess, after many -inquiries, commit the charge of the infant. - -"'I shall adopt this child, O nurse,' she said; 'bring it, therefore, -to the palace daily that I may see it. Take as faithful care of it as -if it were your own, and you shall be rewarded with my favor, as well -as with a nurse's wages.' - -"The joyful Hebrew woman tried to repress her happiness, and trembled -so, that the princess said-- - -"'Thou art awkward. Carry it tenderly; and see that thou keep this -secret closely, or I shall take the boy away from thee, woman, and -also punish thee. What is thy name?' - -"'Jochebeda,' she answered. - -"'And thy husband's?' - -"'Amram, your majesty,' she replied. - -"I saw her, O Sesostris, when she had well got out of the princess's -sight, clasp, by stealth, her recovered child to her bosom, while -words of tenderness were in her mouth, and her eyes streaming with -tears of gratitude and wonder. - -"That child, O Sesostris, was myself!" suddenly exclaimed Remeses. "Of -this you have already been convinced. I saw the scene before me, -rapidly change from day to night, and months and years fly by like a -cloud, or like a fleet of ships leaving no trace of their track on the -closing waters. Through all I saw myself, from the infant of three -years old, taken into the palace from my Hebrew mother, to the boy of -twelve--to the youth of twenty! Like the cycle of fate, that scene -rolled by before my eyes, until I saw myself, that is, the Hebrew boy, -in every scene of my life up to the very moment then present. Then, -with a sound of mournful music, the Nile and its scenes slowly faded -from before my vision, and I was alone! The whole fearful history had -terminated in me, and left me standing there in solitude, to reflect -upon what I had seen. - -"Housing myself from my stupor of amazement, I staggered back, and -sunk in horror upon the stone bench. I know not how long I lay there, -but I was at length aroused by a hand upon my shoulder; I looked up -and beheld the magician with the emblem of life, and the -emerald-tipped wand. He said-- - -"'My son, thou hast read the past of thy life! Wilt thou still be King -of Egypt?' - -"'By what power hast thou opened the gates of the past? How hast thou -known all this?' I cried, with a heart of despair. - -"'Dost thou believe?' - -"'As if the open Book of Thoth lay before me! I doubt not,' I -answered. - -"'Wilt thou be King of Egypt?' again asked another voice. A third, in -another direction, took it up, and every subterranean echo of the -vaulted pyramid seemed to take up the cry. I rushed from the hall, not -knowing whither I went. Doors seemed to open before me, as if by -magic, and I at length found myself emerging, guided by the magician, -into the open night. The granite valves of the gate closed behind me, -and I was alone, in the quadrangle of the great temple of Thoth. The -stars shone down upon me like mocking eyes, watching me. I fled -onward, as if I would fly from myself--I feared to reflect. I passed -the sphinx, the pylones, the obelisks; and ran along the avenue of the -Lake of the Dead, until I reached the Nile. I crossed it in a boat -that I found upon the shore, and without having formed any clear idea -of what I ought to do, sought the palace, and gained my mother's -ante-room. Did I say 'my mother,' Sesostris? I meant the good queen. I -sent in a page to say I wished to see her. In surprise at my return, -before the forty days were fulfilled, she came to the door hurriedly, -in her night-robe, and opened it. I entered as calmly as I could, and -did not refuse her kiss, though I knew I was but a Hebrew! One night's -scenes, dreadful as they were, O Sesostris, could not wholly break the -ties of a lifetime of filial love and reverence. I closed the door, -secured it in silence, and then sat down, weary with what I had -undergone; and, as she came near and knelt by me, and laid her hand -against my forehead, and asked me 'if I were ill, and hence had left -the temple,' I was overcome with her kindness; and when the reflection -forced itself upon me that I could no more call her mother, or be -entitled to these acts of maternal solicitude, I gave way to the -strong current of emotion, and fell upon her shoulder, weeping as -heartily as she had seen me weep when lying in the little ark a -helpless infant. - -"During this brief moment, a suspicion flashed across my mind, that -the magicians might have produced this as a part of my trial as a -prince;--that it was not real, but that by their wonderful arts of -magic they had made it appear so to my vision. I seized upon this -idea, as a man drowning in the Nile grasps at a floating flower. - -"'Mother,' I said, 'I am ill. I am also very sorrowful!' - -"'The tasks and toils of thy initiation, my son, have been too great -for thee. Thy face is haggard and thy looks unnatural. What is thy -sorrow?' - -"'I have had a vision, or what was like a dream, my mother. I saw an -infant, in this vision, before me, placed in an ark, and set adrift -upon the Nile. Lo, after being borne by the current some ways, it was -espied by a princess who was bathing, whose maids, at her command, -brought it to her. It contained a circumcised Hebrew child. The -princess, being childless, adopted it, and educated it, and declared -it to be her son. She placed him next to her in the kingdom, and was -about to resign to him the crown, when--' - -"Here my mother, whose face I had earnestly regarded, became pale and -trembled all over. She seized my hands and gasped-- - -"'Tell me, Remeses, tell me, was this a dream, or hast thou heard it?' - -"'I saw it, my mother, in a vision, in the subterranean chamber of the -pyramids. It was one of those scenes of magic which the arts of the -magi know how to produce.' - -"'Dost thou believe it?' she cried. - -"'Is it not thy _secret_, O my mother, which Prince Mœris shares -with thee? Am I not right? Does not that Hebrew child,' I cried, -rising, 'now stand before thee?' - -"She shrieked, and fell insensible! - -"At length I restored her to consciousness. I related all I have told -you. Reluctantly, she confessed that all was true as I had seen it. I -then, in a scene such as I hope never to pass through again, assured -her I should refuse the throne and exile myself from Egypt. She -implored me with strong appeals to keep the secret, and mount the -throne. I firmly refused to do so, inasmuch as it would be an act of -injustice, not only to Mœris, but to the Egyptians, to deceive them -with a Hebrew ruler. She reminded me how, for sixty-one years, Prince -Joseph had governed Egypt. 'Yes,' I said, 'but it was openly and -without deceit; while my reign, would be a gross deception and -usurpation.' But, O Sesostris, I cannot revive the scene. It has -passed!--I have yielded! She showed me the letters of Prince Mœris. -She implored me for her sake to keep the secret, and aid her in -resisting the conspiracy of the viceroy. When I reflected that he had -made my mother so long miserable, and now menaced her throne, I -yielded to her entreaties to remain a few days at the head of the -affairs that have been intrusted to my control, and to lead the army -against Mœris, should he fulfil his menace to invade Lower Egypt. -After that, I said, I shall refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's -daughter, and will retire from the Court." - -"Not among the Hebrews?" I exclaimed. - -"No, perhaps not. I have nothing in common with them. I can do them no -good: I cannot yet consent to share their bondage. I shall seek my own -family, for the queen has told me who they are. My mother, my _own_ -mother, Sesostris, shall again fold her child to her heart! I -recollect her beautiful, tearful face, as seen in the vision of the -pyramids. I have a brother, too, and a sister!" - -"I know them both!" I cried, almost joyfully; though, dear mother, it -was a sad joy I felt, to know that Remeses was a brother to Miriam and -the ecclesiastic gold-caster. He became at once interested, and I told -him all I knew about them, as I have you. He listened with deep -attention, and seemed pleased. I also told him how often I had -conversed, in the garden of flowers, with the venerable Amram, the -father of Miriam. - -"And _my_ father also, you should add," he said, with a melancholy -smile. "I knew it not, Sesostris; I believed him to be the husband of -my nurse. Thinkest thou all this time he knew I was his son?" - -"I doubt it not," I answered. "The eyes of your father and mother must -naturally have been upon you from your childhood up. They must have -witnessed all your career, and rejoiced in it, and kept the secret -locked in their own humble hearts, lest you and the world should know -it, and the glory they secretly saw you sharing, be taken away or -resigned by you." - -"I shall see them. They shall yet hear me say, mother, father, -brother, sister, to each one of them. But, Sesostris, I must then bid -them farewell forever, and Egypt also,--if the queen will permit me to -go," he suddenly added, with bitter irony unusual with him; "for -slaves must have no will but their master's." - -I laid my arm kindly and sympathizingly upon his shoulder, and -silently embraced him. - -"I feel for you, O Remeses, with all my heart," I said. - -"I know you do, O prince: I am sure that you do. But let us terminate -this subject. My mother's--I mean, alas! the queen's desire shall be -gratified. I will, for a few days, continue as I am, but no more -return to the temples. My initiation is over. Without doubt the -priests of the hierarchy will seek to put me to death, when they learn -that a Hebrew has been initiated into all their learning and -mysteries. It will be necessary for me to leave Egypt." - -"Then let Tyre, O prince, be thy asylum--thy future home!" I cried. -"There the Hebrew is not in bondage, and is a Syrian among Syrians. -There you shall have a palace and retinue, and be served as becomes -your wisdom and greatness. My mother Epiphia will welcome you with -pleasure, for she has already learned to honor you, from my letters. -Our city is about to go to war with the King of Cyprus, and my mother -has written, urging me to return. Twelve galleys will await me at -Pelusium, in a fortnight hence, to escort my own to Tyre. Consent, O -Remeses, to go with me." - -"Noble prince," he exclaimed, deeply moved, "how can I thank you! It -is the greatest consolation, in this my sorrow and humiliation, to -know that you do not withdraw from me your friendship; that you can -still esteem me as a man! Sesostris, I thank you. I will accept your -offer, if my--that is, the queen, will change her mind, and permit me -to address a letter, by a swift courier, to Prince Mœris. In it I -will briefly say that I am informed of my true lineage, and that if he -will quietly wait the succession, and be submissive to the queen, and -withhold his army from Memphis, I will, within three days after -obtaining his affirmative reply, leave Egypt for a foreign land. Such -a course will prove the best in the end for him and Egypt, and I have -no doubt he will consent to adopt it. How extraordinary that this wily -man should so long have kept the secret with which he so terribly -menaced my--the queen!" - -I approved of the course suggested. Remeses soon afterwards sought the -queen; and at the end of four hours he returned to me, looking very -weary and pale, yet smiling, saying-- - -"It is achieved! It was a fearful struggle! The queen has consented! -Indeed, she seems heart-broken, spirit-crushed! This discovery, -against which her soul has so long battled, has left her prostrate, -almost wrecked! For her sake I bore up and hid my own unfathomable -sorrow. She has, at my solicitation, consented that I shall not only -write to Prince Mœris, inserting a clause enjoining silence as to -my birth, but her own courier shall be its bearer, signifying her wish -for conciliation. The letter was written in her presence, the clause -for silence introduced, and the courier is already gone with it." - -While Remeses was speaking, a page entered and informed him that the -queen wished to see him. He found her ill with a feverish pulse. She -called him to her, and said-- - -"My son, I am about to die! This blow is too heavy for me to bear! I -shall never recover! It was my wish to leave you firmly seated upon my -throne; but the gods have decreed otherwise. Call a council of the -hierarchy. I must not be faithless to my ancestors, and leave a vacant -throne. You have advised me to adopt Prince Mœris. I can do no -otherwise. For this act, assemble my councils, both of state and of -the priesthood." - -"I obeyed," said Remeses, when he subsequently related what passed. -"The next day the councils met in one session, and the queen, -supported upon her couch, presided. Briefly she announced her -intention of adopting Mœris-Mento,--giving his full name,--as her -son, and the next in succession to the throne, their consent being -obtained. Then came up the question, 'why Prince Remeses declined?' -Being present, I answered that it was my intention to retire from the -court, visit foreign lands, and leave the government of Egypt in the -hands of Mœris. At the earnest request of the queen I made no -allusion to the secret. The united councils yielded their assent, and -the royal secretary drew up the papers in due form, which the queen, -supported by me, signed. A courier was then dispatched with a copy of -the instrument to the prince. The cabinet was soon afterwards -dismissed, and I was left alone with the queen, who soon became very -ill." - -Thus far, my dearest mother, had I written in this letter five days -ago, when the chief chamberlain came hastening to my room, in great -terror, saying that the queen was dying! I lost not a moment in -following him to her apartments. Ever since the meeting of the council -she had been growing worse, and all the skill of her physicians could -not abate the disease, which was pronounced inflammation of the brain. -She had been for two days wildly delirious, calling upon Remeses not -to leave her, and accusing the gods of seeking to put upon her a -stranger for her own son! At length her ravings and her fever ceased, -and she rapidly failed. When I entered, I found Remeses kneeling by -her side, his manly head bowed upon her couch, and tears falling upon -her cold hand, held in his. Her mind was clear now, but I could see -that the azure circle of death girdled her eyes, and that the light of -the soul within was expiring. Her whole attention was fixed upon -Remeses, to whom she kept saying, in a faint whisper, and with a -smile, "My son, my son, my own son! call me mother!" - -"Mother, O my mother!" he exclaimed, in his strong anguish, "I cannot -part with thee! Thou hast been a mother to me indeed!" - -As I entered, her gaze turned towards me. - -"It is the Prince of Tyre! I thought it was the others!" - -"What others, my mother?" asked Remeses. - -"They will soon come. I commanded him to bring them all. I must see -them ere I die. But the Prince of Tyre is welcome!" And she smiled -upon me, and gave me her other hand to kiss. It was cold as ivory! I -also knelt by her, and sorrowfully watched her sharpening features, -which the chisel of Death seemed shaping into the marble majesty of a -god. - -At this moment the door opened, and I saw, ushered in by a Hebrew -page, the venerable head gardener, Amram; the young Hebrew -ecclesiastic; Miriam the papyrus writer; and, leaning upon her arm, a -dignified and still beautiful dame of fifty-five. I could not be -mistaken--this last was the mother of Remeses. - -"Cause all persons to go forth the chamber," cried the queen at the -sight, her voice recovering in part its strength. She glanced at me to -remain. - -"Come hither, Amram," she said, "and lead to my bedside thy wife. -Remeses, behold thy mother and father! Mother, embrace thy son! Since -he can be no longer mine, I will return him to thee forever!" Her -voice was veiled with tears. Remeses rose, and turning to his mother, -who looked worthy of him, said: - -"My mother, I acknowledge thee to be my mother! Give me thy blessing, -as thou hast often done in my infancy." - -He tenderly and respectfully embraced her, and then pressing his -father's hand to his lips, he knelt before them. They were deeply -moved, and instead of blessing him, wept upon him with silent joy. - -"Are there not two more--a brother, a sister?" said Remeses, his fine -face radiant with that ineffable beauty which shines from benevolence -and the performance of a holy duty. I then led forward Miriam, whom he -regarded with admiring surprise (for she looked like a queen in her -own right), and then tenderly embraced, saying to me, "Though I have -lost a kingdom, O Sesostris, I have gained a sister, which no crown -could bestow upon me." Then, when he saw the noble and princely -looking priest, he cried, as he folded him to his breast-- - -"This is, indeed, my brother!" - -The whole scene was touching and interesting beyond the power of my -pen to describe, my dear mother. The dying queen smiled with serene -pleasure, and waving her hand, Remeses led first his mother, and then -his father, and in succession his sister and brother, to her couch. -Upon the heads of each she laid her hand, but longest upon the -mother's, saying: - -"Love him--be kind to him--he has no mother now but thee! Love him for -my sake--you cannot but love him for his own! If I took thy babe, O -mother, I return thee a man and a prince worthy to rule a nation, and -in whom my eyes, closing upon the present, and seeing far into the -future, behold a leader of thy people--a prince to thy nation. Born to -a throne, he shall yet reign king of armies and leader of hosts, who I -see follow him obedient to his will and submissive to the rod of his -power. Remeses, I die! Kiss me!" - -The noble Hebrew reverently bent over her lips, as if in an act of -worship; and when he lifted his face, there remained a statue of clay. -The Queen of Egypt was no more! - - SESOSTRIS. - - -I closed, dear mother, my account of the death of the great and good -Queen Amense (which I wrote the day following that sad event), in -order to accompany Remeses to the chief embalmers. As I passed through -the streets, I saw that the whole population was in mourning. Women -went with dishevelled hair, men ceased to shave their heads and -beards, and all the signs of woe for death, which I have before -described, were visible. By the laws of Egypt, not even a king can be -embalmed in his own palace. Remeses, on reaching the suburb of the -embalmers, was received into the house of the chief, and here he gave -directions as to the fashion of the case and sarcophagus, and the -pattern of the funeral car, and of the baris in which it was to cross -the Nile to the pyramid which, I have already said, she has -been, since the first year of her reign, erecting for her -burial-place--placing a casing of vast stones, brought down from the -quarries near Elephantis, each year. - -I will not delay to describe the ceremonies of preparation, nor the -embalmment and burial of the august lady whose demise has cast a pall -over Egypt. Your assurance that it would take you five months to get -ready your war-fleet against Cyprus, and the desire of Remeses that I -delay until the eighty days' mourning for the queen were over, induced -me to remain. It is now four days since her burial in the centre of -her stately pyramid, with the most imposing and gorgeous rites ever -known at the entombment of a monarch. Prince Mœris was chief -mourner! I have omitted to state that he readily acceded to the -conditions proposed in the letter of Remeses, and when the courier -followed, conveying to him the fact that he had been adopted and -declared her heir by the queen, he addressed a frank and friendly -letter to Remeses; for it is easy for him to assume any character his -interest prompts. As soon as the intelligence of the death of the -queen reached him, he hastened to Memphis. Here he had an interview -with Remeses, whom he treated with courtesy, and offered the -supervision of that part of Egypt where the Hebrew shepherds dwell; -for I have learned that in a valley, which leads from Raamses to the -Sea of Arabia, there are hundreds of Hebrews who, like their -ancestors, keep vast flocks and herds belonging to the crown, but out -of which they are allowed a tenth for their subsistence. Over this -pastoral domain, embracing about twenty thousand shepherds, the -prospective Pharaoh proposed to place Remeses. I felt that it was -intended as an insult; but Remeses viewed it as an evidence of -kindness on the part of one who knows not how to be noble or great. - -The interment of the queen past, there is nothing to detain either -Remeses or myself longer in Egypt. By her bounty he is rich, and has -given to his parents a large treasure, which will enable them to be at -ease; and besides, the queen gave to them and to Aaron (this is the -name of the elder brother of Remeses), and his sister, the right of -citizenship. Mœris, the day of the queen's burial, virtually -ascended the throne. His coronation, however, will not take place -until after he has passed through the forty days' novitiate. - -And now, my dear mother, you will be surprised to learn that, the -information of the Hebrew birth of Remeses (who has modestly dropped -his first Egyptian name and adheres only to the second, which is -Mosis, or Moses, as the Hebrews pronounce it), was wickedly conveyed, -with large bribes, to the magicians by Prince Mœris himself; and -that, upon this information and influence, they recalled from the -past, which, like the future, is open to their magical art, the scenes -of his life, and presented them before his vision. - -Wonderful, incomprehensible, dear mother, above all things I have seen -in Egypt, is the mysterious power of these magicians and sorcerers. -Originally of the priestly order, they have advanced into deeper and -deeper mysteries, until the hierarchy of the regular temple-worship -fear them, and deny their ecclesiastical character, saying, "that they -have climbed so high the mountains of Osiris, that they have fallen -headlong over their summits into the dark realms of Typhon, and owe -their dread power to his auspices." - -Whatever be the source of their powerful art, dear mother, there is no -doubt of its reality. Not even all the invocations, sacrifices, -oblations, prayers, libations, and exercises of the regular priesthood -can compete with these magicians and sorcerers. They can convert day -into night! destroy the shadow of an obelisk! fill the air with a -shower of sand, or of flowers! convert their rods into vines that bear -grapes! and walk with living asps as if they were almond or acacia -rods! They can present before the inquirer, the face or scene in a -distant land that is desired to be beheld! They can remove blocks of -porphyry by a touch of the finger, and make a feather heavy as gold! -They can cause invisible music in the air, and foretell the rain! And -when extraordinary motives and rewards are brought to bear upon them, -they can, by their united skill and necromantic art, aided by sorcery, -reproduce the past, as in the case of Remeses! - -These powerful, yet dreaded and hated men, have for ages been an -appendage to the crown, and call themselves the "servants of the -Pharaohs." The kings of Egypt, who have protected, favored, and sought -their assistance, have also trembled at their power. Without question -they are aided by the evil genii; and perform their works through the -agency of the spirit of evil. - -This, dear mother, will be the last letter I shall write you from -Egypt. Accompanied by Remeses, I shall to-morrow embark in my galley -for Pelusium. My friend, the Admiral Pathromenes, will accompany us to -the mouth of the Eastern Nile. I ought to say that King Mœris, now -Pharaoh-elect, has extended towards me marked civilities, and seeks -for a continuance of friendly intercourse. I shall bear a royal letter -from him to your majesty, expressive of his respect for you, and his -desire to perpetuate the alliance. But I have no love for the man! If -I can, I will raise an army in Phœnicia, after I see the King of -Cyprus chained to the poop of my galley, and, placing Remeses at the -head, invade Egypt, call the Hebrews to arms, and, overturning the -throne of Mœris, place my friend in his seat. Did not the dying -queen prophesy that he was born to rule? It is over Egypt he will yet -wield the sceptre! I will do my part, dear mother, to fulfil the -prophecy. - -To the lovely Princess Thamonda convey my devotions, and assure her -that I shall make war against Cyprus more successfully, with her heart -wedded to mine, than alone. Warn her, dear mother, that I shall claim -her hand as soon as I return, and that Remeses will be the -groom-friend whom I shall honor with the high place of witness and -chief guest at our nuptials. - -Farewell, dear mother. - -Remeses desires to unite with me in affectionate regards to you. - - Your son, - SESOSTRIS. - -[Here the correspondence of the Prince of Tyre with the Queen Epiphia -terminates.] - - - - - LETTERS BETWEEN REMESES AND OTHER PERSONS, - COVERING A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS. - - - - -LETTER I. - -REMESES TO AARON THE HEBREW. - - -CITY OF TYRE, SYRIA, MONTH ATHYR. - -MY ELDER AND DEAR BROTHER: - -It is with emotions wholly new to me, awakened by those fraternal ties -to which I have been hitherto entirely a stranger, that I take up my -pen to address you, inscribing at the commencement of my letter the -endearing words, "my brother!" It is true I have lost much in many -respects; but I have also gained much in the affection of my newly -discovered kindred. - -After you left us below Memphis, the galley of the Prince Sesostris -sped swiftly down the Nile, and ere noon we had entered the Pelusian -branch. As I passed the old city of Bubastis, and Pythom, the new -treasure-city, which is rising upon its ruins, I groaned with -heaviness of heart! Around and upon its walls, I beheld the thousands -of my oppressed countrymen toiling, like Nubian slaves, under the lash -of their taskmasters! I could only groan in heart; for what was I now -able to do for them,--myself an exile, and flying from the land? May -the prophecy which exists among your people (_my_ people), as you -asserted in the last long and interesting conversation we held -together, on the day I embarked, be soon fulfilled! This bondage -cannot continue many years! There is not room in Egypt for two -nations! - -At Pelusium we found the prince's fleet awaiting him. It set sail -shortly after our arrival, and coasting by the shores of Arabia, and -passing Askelon, in Philistia, in seven days we entered the port of -Tyre; which is built upon a rocky isle and peninsula, and rises from -the sea with imposing magnificence. - -I was most kindly received by the mother of Sesostris, whose glad -reception of her son made my eyes fill with tears; for I remembered my -(I was going to say, mother)--the Queen Amense's tenderness, whenever -she met me after the shortest absence. - -But I must not refer to the past. - -Prince Sesostris treats me in every respect as an equal. Were I still -Prince Remeses of Egypt, he could not show me more kindness and -regard. We have now been here one month; and in that time I have seen -much of Tyre, but my continued grief for the death of the beloved -queen,--my more than mother,--renders me quite indifferent to external -objects. As the guest of the prince, I have endeavored to interest -myself in what concerns him. He is engaged earnestly in preparations -for war. The port of Tyre is thronged with war-galleys; and reviews of -troops take place daily, on a plain which is overhung by the -mountain-range of Libanus. The grandeur of this mountain, in which the -earliest worship of men rose to the gods, deeply impressed me. The -fleet will sail in about one month. - - -DAMASCUS, SYRO-PHŒNICIA. - -Since writing the above I have come to this beautiful city, which lies -in a lovely vale watered by two rivers, the Abana and Pharphar, that -fertilize it and render it indeed "the garden of the earth"--as it is -termed. I travelled hither with the prince, who has come to take to -wife Thamonda, the fair princess of this city. She is amiable and -sensible, and I rejoice that my princely friend has such happiness in -store! How fortunate for me, my brother, that while I was Prince of -Egypt, I did not interest myself in any princess, who would be now -humbled and wretched at my degradation! The nuptial ceremonies will -take place soon, and occupy some days. I wish Sesostris every -happiness in his alliance. - -I met here the venerable Prince of Uz. He had travelled thus far on -his return to his own land, which lies on the borders of Chaldea and -Sabæa, and when informed of my present position was deeply moved. We -have had long and interesting conversations together, upon the unity -of God! which have so deeply absorbed my reflections, that I have -accepted an invitation to visit him, after I return from Cyprus, -whither I accompany the prince and his bride. - - -THE PALACE OF THE PRINCESS OF DAMASCUS. - -My beloved Sesostris is married. The ceremonies were unusually -magnificent;--several kings of cities and princes of provinces being -present, with their retinues. But I do not excel in descriptions of -scenes and festivities, and leave them to the more graceful and easy -pen of Sesostris. We depart in three days with a gala procession of -horsemen, to return to Tyre. - - -ISLE OF TYRE. - -Having kept this roll of papyrus with me, I now close my epistle here, -where I commenced writing it, with the intelligence of our arrival; -the happy reception of her new daughter-in-law, by Queen Epiphia; and -with the announcement that the fleet will set sail within three days -for the Levantine island-kingdom. - -Commend me, my brother, with respectful affection, to my father Amram, -to my honored mother, and to my stately sister, Miriam. Trusting you -are all in health and safety, I am your brother, with profound -fraternal regard, - - MOSES, THE HEBREW. - - - - -LETTER II. - -REMESES TO HIS BROTHER. - - -PHŒNICIA. - -A year has passed, my brother, since I last wrote to you. In the mean -while I have received your very kind epistle. It reached me at Tyre, -where I found it awaiting me, on my return from the expedition against -Cyprus. You have probably learned the result of the war, and that -Prince Sesostris landed his army, defeated the King of Cyprus in a -pitched battle, taking his battalion of chariots, which were armed -with scythes, and destroying his cavalry. The king implored peace, and -surrendered his capital. Sesostris, after levying a tribute of two -thousand talents of silver upon it for ten years, and demanding a -portion of the island, on the north, for a Phœnician colony, -returned triumphant to his country. - -I am now travelling through the whole of Syria. From this point I -shall proceed to the province of Uz. I desire to know more fully this -wisdom of the One God, the Almighty, as taught by the Sage of that -land. When I saw him in Damascus, a year ago, I informed him that I -had begun to write an account of the wonderful incidents of his life; -but when I read to him what I had commenced, and afterwards heard his -conversation upon the God he worshipped, I perceived that I was a -child in ignorance, and had entered upon a task impossible for me to -perform, by reason of my religious education as an Egyptian. - -"My son," he said, "thou art not far from the knowledge of the -Almighty, and thy soul aspires after the true God. Come with me to my -own land, for thou sayest thou art a wanderer, and I will teach thee -the knowledge of the Holy One. Then thou mayest write the acts of the -Invisible to man, and justify Him in His ways to me, His servant. The -gods of Egypt darken knowledge, and veil the understanding of those -who trust in them, and say to an idol of gold, 'Thou art my god.'" - -I am now journeying, O my brother, to sit at the feet of this man of -God, whose simple wisdom has enlightened my soul more than all the -learning of Egypt; nay, I would gladly forget all the knowledge I -obtained in Egypt, to know, and fear, and love the "Holy One"--the -Almighty God--of the Prince of Uz. What is particularly worthy of note -is, that his views of the Invisible are the same as those which you -taught me were held by the elders among our people; and of the truth -of which you so eloquently and feelingly endeavored to convince me, on -the evening before my departure from Egypt, as we sat by the door of -our mother's home, under the two palms. Dissatisfied with the gods of -Egypt, and the emptiness and vanity of its worship, as not meeting the -wants of man, I turn to any source which will pour the light of truth -into my soul. We both, brother, are feeling after God, if haply we may -find Him; for I perceive that your own soul is darkened and clouded as -well as mine, by the dark myths of Egypt, in which we have been -educated. But let us both take courage, my noble elder brother. There -is light, there is truth, there is knowledge somewhere on earth! and I -go to the aged Prince of Uz to learn of him. Sitting at his feet, I -will empty myself of all the false and unsatisfying wisdom of Egypt, -and meekly say, "I am ignorant--enlighten me! Teach me concerning thy -God, for I know that He is the God my soul longs for, whom the nations -know not!" - -Your letter spoke of Pharaoh, and his cruelty and power. I am prepared -to hear that he takes new measures to heap burdens upon our people. -The Lake Amense, which you say he is enlarging to an inland sea, will -destroy thousands of the Hebrews whom you tell me he is putting to the -work; for, unaccustomed to labor in the water, they must perish -miserably. I trust he will suffer you and my father's family to dwell -unmolested. Be prepared at any moment to escape, should he seek to -destroy the prosperity in which the beloved queen left you, and those -dear to me by the sacred and affectionate ties of nature. - -Farewell. - - Your brother, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER III. - -REMESES-MOSES TO AARON. - - -THE PALACE OF THE LORD OF UZ. - -MY DEAR AND HONORED BROTHER: - -I have been here now one year. The venerable prince honors me as a -son, and I repay him, so far as I can, by instructing him in the -history of Egypt, and other knowledge; for, so great is his wisdom, he -seeks ever to know more. In astrology, physics, geometry, and all -arts, he is deeply learned. But above all, is his knowledge of the -Almighty. This man has the mysteries of God in his heart, and to the -eyes of his divine piety, the Most High is visible as He is. He hath -spoken to the Lord of heaven face to face, and he communicates with -Him as a servant with his lord. - -When I came hither, after visiting Baal-Phegor and other places, he -received me with affection, and gave me rooms in his palace, and -servants, and a place at his table. I found him dwelling in a city he -himself had builded, and reigning the wealthiest, wisest, and yet -humblest prince in all the East. Around it lay the cities of Shuh, -Teman, and Naamath, the lesser princes of which are his bosom friends, -and once a week meet at his hospitable board. They hang upon the words -of his lips, and reverence him as a father. He also possesses vast -herds of cattle and oxen, which cover his plains; fourteen thousand -sheep are on his mountains; six thousand camels; and stores of silver -and gold. He has seven sons, who are princes of as many provinces, and -three daughters, the youngest of whom, Keren-happuch, is married to -the Lord of Midian; for when the Prince of Uz, three years ago, -travelled down into Egypt with a large caravan of his merchants, he -passed through Midian, having this daughter in company, who, being -comely in person, was admired by the prince of that land, and by him -asked in marriage of her father. Of the two daughters who remain, no -women in all the land are found so fair. Such is the prosperity and -power of this mighty and wise prince. - -Now, at length, my dear brother, I have written the book of the life -of this venerable man; not as I began it in Egypt, with imperfect -ideas of the God of heaven, whose servant he is, but from his own lips -have I received the narrative which I inclose to you. When you have -read it, you will arrive at the knowledge of the Almighty, whose name, -and glory, and being, and goodness, and justice, and love, are -recognized in every page. As you read, reflect that the God of the -Prince of Uz is also my God, and the God worshipped by our fathers -when they were in Syria. Away, O Aaron! with all the gods of Egypt! -They are brazen and golden lies, all! The myth of Osiris and Isis is -an invention of the priests. The whole system of their mythology is -hostile to true religion, and the adorers of idols are the worshippers -of Satan--for this is the name of that spirit of evil, antagonistic to -the true God, hitherto represented to us under the title of Typhon. - -It would take a score of papyri for me to convey to you the course of -divine and sage instruction by which I arrived at that clear, -luminous, and just notion of the Lord God of heaven and earth, which I -now hold; the possession of which fills my soul with repose, my -intellect with satisfaction, my heart with joy, peace, and love to God -and man. With this _certain_ knowledge of the Almighty that has -entered into my soul, is an apprehension of His omnipresence, His -truth, holiness, majesty, and benevolence; and a consciousness that I -have received his Divine Spirit, which last is, as it were, a witness -vouchsafed of Himself to me. By the light of this new spirit within me -I behold His glory, and recognize that He is my God, my Creator, my -Benefactor, and Lawgiver. I feel that in Him I live, move, and have my -being, and that besides Him there is no God. The realization of these -majestic truths, O my brother, is a source to me of the profoundest -happiness. Before their light the dark clouds of the myths of Egypt -dissolve and fade away forever! - -When I speak of Him I find new language rise to my lips: when I write -of Him my words seem to clothe themselves with sublimity and majesty. -Henceforth, like the holy Prince of Uz, I am a worshipper of One God, -whose name is the Almighty, and the Holy One. - -To Sesostris I have written of these great things, and to you also I -will send a treatise, that you may, without obscurity, behold His -unity and glory as they were known to our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and -Jacob, before the false worship of Egypt corrupted our hereditary -faith. With this knowledge, O Aaron, our people, even in bondage, are -superior to Pharaoh on his throne. - - Your affectionate brother, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER IV. - -REMESES TO MIRIAM. - - -TYRE, PHŒNICIA. - -MY DEAR SISTER: - -I received your letter, written to me from Bubastis. I grieve to hear -that King Mœris is increasing so heavily the burdens of our people, -as to drive to the fields, and to the new lake to which he has given -his name, all who were servants in houses. Unused to toil under the -sun, they will suffer more than others. I read the copy of the edict -you inclosed, forbidding the Egyptians to receive, as domestics, any -of the Hebrew people, that so all might be driven to become toilers in -the field. His motive is evident. He is alarmed at the increase of the -Hebrews, and would oppress them, to death by thousands. My heart -bleeds for those he has sent to the mines in the Thebaïd. This is a -new feature in the Hebrew bondage. But there is a just God on high, O -my sister Miriam, the Holy One, whom our fathers worshipped. He will -not forget his people forever, but in due time will bring them out of -their bondage. Has not Aaron, our learned brother, made known to you -the words of tradition that are cherished among our people,--that they -are to serve Pharaoh a certain number of years, forty-one of which are -yet to come? He sent me the copy thereof, wherein I find it written, -as the declaration of Abraham our father, that "his posterity should -serve Pharaoh four hundred years." Aaron, who, since I left Egypt, has -been giving all his time to collecting the traditions, and laws of our -fathers, is confident that ere another generation shall have perished, -God will raise up a deliverer for the sons of Jacob, and lead them -forth to some new and wonderful land. If such a promise, O my sister, -was given by the Almighty, He will redeem it; for He is not a man that -He should lie! Let us therefore wait, and hope, and pray to this -mighty God of our ancestors, to remember His promise, and descend from -Heaven with a stretched-out arm for our deliverance. I rejoice to hear -that my dear mother is well, also my father. Commend me to them with -reverential affection. Aaron reads to you my letters, and you will -have learned from them how I arrived at the knowledge of the true God, -in whom, O Miriam, both you and he believed, while I, considering -myself an Egyptian, was a worshipper of the false gods of Egypt! Yet, -lo! by the goodness of the true God, I have been enabled, at the feet -of the sage of Uz, to arrive at such clear conceptions of His glory, -and majesty, and government of the universe, as to teach even you. I -speak this not boastingly, but with gratitude to Him who has made me -the instrument of illumining your mind, and of giving you greater -confidence and trust in the God, who is the God of Abraham, and the -God of the Prince of Uz. - -I have now been five years absent from Egypt, and my heart yearns for -my brethren in bondage. I feel that it is not becoming in me to remain -here, at ease in the court of Sesostris; for he has now been two years -king, since his royal mother's death, of which I wrote to my mother at -the time. I pant to make known to the elders of the Hebrews, the clear -and true knowledge of the God of our fathers, which has come down to -them imperfectly, and mingled with superstitions, even when it is not -corrupted by the idolatry of Egypt. I wish to learn the character and -condition of my brethren in servitude, whom I formerly viewed from the -proud height of an Egyptian prince. How I feel a desire to mingle -among them to know them, and be one of them. All my Egyptian pride, -dear sister, is long since gone, and I seek daily to cultivate that -spirit of meekness, which better becomes one, who is of a race of -bondmen. But, my sister, rather would I be a slave, chained at the -chariot-wheel of Pharaoh-Mœris, with my present knowledge of the -Holy and Almighty One,--compared with which all the wisdom of Egypt is -foolishness,--than be that monarch himself with his ignorance of Him, -and his worship of Osiris and Apis! - -May the God of our fathers, by whose will we are in bonds, in His own -time send us deliverance, to whom be glory and majesty, and dominion -and power, in heaven and earth, to the end of ages. - - Most affectionately, your younger brother, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER V. - -REMESES TO HIS MOTHER. - - -PALACE OF SESOSTRIS, KING OF TYRE. - -MY MOTHER, REVERED AND LOVED: - -In a letter written a few days ago, and which went by a vessel that -was to touch at Pelusium on its way to Carthage, I alluded to a -feeling (which has been increasing in strength for many months) that -prompted me to visit my brethren in bonds in Egypt. It is true, I have -no power. I am but one, and Mœris would, no doubt, gladly seize -upon me if he knew I was in his kingdom. I have, however, determined -to yield to the desire; and next month shall sail in a galley that -goes to Egypt for ebony and ivory. Not long, therefore, after you -receive this letter, which the scholarly Aaron will read to you, will -you embrace your younger and long-absent son. It is expedient that I -go unknown. I wish to observe the Hebrew people, without awakening -suspicion, as to who I am. Should Mœris hear of me, he would -quickly suspect me of planning evil against him. If I can do no more, -I can carry to the elders the certainty of the truth, as they received -it, by tradition, of One God, Lord of heaven and earth, Infinite in -holiness, and Almighty in power. From the holy Prince of Uz, I not -only received this, but many other things of wonderful interest--which -he seemed to know by the voice of God--concerning the creation of the -world in six days, and the formation of man and woman, whom he placed -in a garden of beauty, with dominion over all things. But I will not -go further into these divine and wonderful things, at this time, O my -mother, as I shall hereafter read to you, from the sacred leaves, the -narrative of the acts of creation, as they were written by the Prince -and Prophet of Uz: to whom, before all men, has been revealed the -truth of the Most High, and the mysteries which have been secret from -eternity. Lo! the pages of the book of his patience under God's trial -show, that no man on earth ever before had such illumination of divine -light! Such language as that of his which I have written in the book, -when he speaks of God, could only have been suggested by the -inspiration of the Almighty. He talks of God as if he had sat at His -feet, and daily beheld His glorious majesty, or heard His voice shake -the heavens. Of him have I learned the wisdom of the past; and there -whispers in my heart, O mother, a solemn voice, which bids me hope -that if I fear God, and walk uprightly, and seek His face, and trust -in Him, He will also draw nigh to me, unveil His glory, and speak face -to face with me, as He hath done to His holy servant, the Prince of -Uz! It shall be the aspiration of my heart, to be received into the -divine favor as He has been, and made the recipient of His will, and -of His laws for men! Censure me not,--charge me not with pride, O my -mother! In the spirit of meekness and lowliness do I cherish this hope -The path to the ear of God, and to His favor, the Prince of Uz hath -taught me, is prayer. On bended knees, therefore, seven times a day, -do I bow in supplication before the Holy One Almighty, the Lord God of -Hosts; and more and more do I feel my spirit go forth to Him; and -daily, the infinite distance between earth and His throne seems to -lessen! Nor will I cease to pray to Him, O mother, until I hear His -voice in my soul, and feel the intimate presence of His Being in union -with my own! Then will I reach the height of humanity, which is the -reunion of the creature with the Creator, the restoration in his soul -of the divine image, and the reception into his own of a divine and -immortal life! - -My friend, King Sesostris, reluctantly consents to my departure. He -has never ceased his affectionate regard for me, and he has called his -beautiful son, now four years old, Remeses--after me. This child, I -love as if he were mine own. He is intelligent and full of affection, -and already understands that I am about to go away, and sweetly urges -me not to leave him. The Queen Thamonda has prepared many gifts for -you and my sister, whom she loves, though not having seen. Here, dear -mother, the bondage and degradation of the Hebrew is not comprehended. -We are not, in their eyes, crown-serfs. We are but a Syrian nation -held in captivity; and other nations regard us with sympathy, and have -no share in the contempt and scorn with which we are regarded by our -Egyptian taskmasters. - -Israelisis the Hebrew, whom Sesostris brought with him five years ago -to Tyre, is now a fine young man, and assistant secretary to his royal -scribe. All that our people want, my mother, is to be placed in -positions favorable to the development of their intellect, and they -will rise, side by side, with any other people on earth. If we were a -nation, with a country of our own, we would give laws to the world. - -Farewell, my dear mother. In a few days you will embrace me. - - Your devoted son, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER VI. - -REMESES IN EGYPT TO SESOSTRIS IN PHŒNICIA. - - -TREASURE-CITY OF RAAMSES. - -It is with gratitude to God, O Sesostris, that I inform you of my safe -arrival in Egypt, after a perilous passage across the sea. Our chief -pilot, finding, after we left the port of Tyre, that the wind was fair -for the mouth of the Nile, and the weather seeming to be settled, -signified to me his intention to leave the coast, and boldly steer -from land to land. Having no knowledge of nautical affairs, I neither -advised nor objected, leaving him to act according to his own -experience and skill: he therefore laid the course of the ship as -nearly straight for Pelusium, as he could ascertain it, by the -position of the sun at noon. - -Before night we were surrounded by a horizon of water, and this being -the first time since I had lived on the earth, that I had been unable -to behold it, the situation was wholly novel, not only to me but to -other passengers,--some of whom manifested the liveliest fears, lest -we should no more behold the land. My mind was impressed by the -sublimity and vastness of the view; and the majestic idea of -eternity--boundless and infinite--filled my soul. It seemed as if, -from our deck, I could survey the universe of space, for there was -nothing terrestrial to arrest and confine the eye. - -"Who," I reflected, "as he surveys the illimitable sky, and the -measureless ocean over which it extends, can withhold the confession -that there is One God only, the Upholder of worlds and the Governor of -His creation? Who, with such a scene before him, as day with its -splendor and vastness of space, and night with its stars presented -above the sea, could give the glory of the Almighty to another, and -put his trust in such myths as are the gods of Egypt and the deities -of Phœnicia?" I rejoice, O king, that you have listened to the -truths it was my happiness to unfold to you, and that in your heart -you acknowledge and secretly adore the Almighty. May the time soon -come when you will have strength given you, from Himself, to establish -His holy worship in your dominions! A king is God's representative on -earth, and his power is great; and if he exercise it,--not like the -Pharaohs, who reign as if they were gods, but--with judgment, and -fear, and humble recognition of the Infinite source of all power, then -He who is King of kings and Lord of lords, will bless him and cause -him to prosper. When a king acknowledges that his power is delegated, -and that he must be accountable for its use or abuse to his God, he -has gained the highest wisdom that earth can give! Seek, O king, that -wisdom! - -Pardon me, my dear Sesostris, for presuming to teach you. I am -diffident in speech when present with you, but you perceive I am bold, -perhaps too much so, when away from you. - -We continued, for three days and nights, sailing upon the sea, without -a shore in view, and in a few hours more hoped to find the mouth of -the Nile; when the wind, after a sudden lull, came round to the south, -the air was darkened with clouds, and night came on, enveloping our -ship in the profoundest gloom, amid which we drove, our pilot knew not -whither! It was a night of painful suspense. The seas dashed over us; -our banks of oars were broken or washed away; and not a cubit's -breadth of sail could remain on the mast, while the air was filled -with sharp sand, blown from the Arabian desert. - -The passengers and crew were in despair, and believing that every -succeeding billow would go over us and destroy us, they called -frantically upon their gods! The Syrian cried to Hercules, and the -Sabæan upon the sun and upon fire. The merchants of Tyre prayed to -Adonis and Io, the Arabians to Ammon, and the Egyptians vowed -libations and offerings to Apis, Osiris, and Thoth. Our pilot, finding -all hope desert him, burned a cake of incense to the deity of the sea, -and vowed an oblation to all the gods he could in his extremity call -to mind. - -Then it was, O Sesostris, that I felt the power and excellency of my -faith in God! Then did the folly, the vanity, and degradation of the -religions of those about me, deeply impress me, and move me to pity. -Calm, serene, confident in the Almighty, who holdeth the sea in the -hollow of His hand, and directeth the stormy winds and tempests of the -skies, I lifted my heart and my voice to Him, whom, with the eye of -instructed intelligence, I beheld seated above the darkness and the -whirlwind, in the ineffable glory and peace of His own heaven, and -directing all things by His will. I felt that He could protect and -defend me, and those who sailed with me; that the night to Him was as -clear as the day; and that even I was not too insignificant to be -cared for by Him, who, in His love, gave voices of music to the little -birds, who painted the lily, and perfumed the flower. - -"O Lord God, Holy One, the Almighty, who art the Creator of all -things, if I have found grace in Thy sight, hear my humble petition, -which I now offer before Thee. Let Thy presence be here, and Thy -power; save us who are tossed upon the great sea, and who have no hope -but in Thee. These call upon their idols, but I, O Lord God, call upon -Thee, the God of our fathers. Guard us in our danger, and bring us in -safety to our haven! For Thou art the only true and living God, and -besides Thee there is no God!" - -All the people who heard my voice, as I thus invoked the Living God, -and saw my hands outstretched heavenward, turned from their idols and -amulets, and ceased their prayers and cries, to hear me. The -lightnings flashed about us in a continual flame, so that the ship -seemed on fire, and I could be seen by all. - -Judge, O Sesostris, my surprise, when instantly the winds--which at -the first word of my prayer softened--ceased to roar; the waves fell -level with the sea; the clouds parted above us, and revealing a bright -moon shining down from the starry sky, they rolled, on all sides, -swiftly away towards the horizon. - -This sudden and wondrous change, evidently in response to my prayer, -as a proof that it was heard by the Ear to which I, in fear and hope, -addressed it, amazed me. It was the power and act of my God! I felt it -to be so, and lifting up my eyes and hands to the cloudless skies, I -said-- - -"Thine, O Lord Almighty, thine be the praise and glory; for Thou art -the hearer and answerer of prayer, and art loving to all Thy -creatures. Thou hast power in heaven and on earth, and on the broad -sea, nor is any thing hid from Thee. Darkness is no darkness with -Thee, and no power can resist thine! Thanks be to Thee, O Lord God on -high, for this manifestation of Thy presence, and this confirmation of -my faith. Let these idolaters likewise glorify Thee, for whose sakes -Thou hast also done this." - -When I ceased, I beheld a crowd, made up of all nations, prostrate -around me. The captain, turning away from his god, was burning incense -before me, while the invocations of the crew and passengers were being -offered to me. With horror I drew back and waved them away, saying, -"Rise, men, stand upon your feet! Not unto me, not unto me, but unto -God, the one invisible Creator, give thanks and praise for your mighty -deliverance!" - -I then made known to them the mystery of the true God, whose power -they and I had witnessed, and exhorted them to turn from their idols, -and worship Him in spirit and in truth; for that He was their Maker, -and besides Him there was no God. Nevertheless, but for my stern anger -against it, they would have sacrificed a sheep to me, as if I were -Hercules. - -In a few hours we reached Pelusium, and to escape the adulations of -the people on shore, to whom the crew made known this miracle of God, -I withdrew privately, and went to Bubastis. After visiting, unknown to -them, the tens of thousands of my brethren, who are engaged in -extending the walls of that place, and increasing the number of -treasure-houses therein, I took boat and came hither secretly, for -fear that Mœris, if he knew me to be in Egypt, might watch my -movements, if not banish or imprison me. - -I have now been several days in the bosom of my family. My mother and -father are well; but they, and Miriam with all the other women of our -nation, have tasks of weaving put upon them, which are to be done each -day before they are permitted to sleep. My heart is deeply wounded at -all this. On every side I behold oppression and cruelty. Daily, scores -of the Hebrews perish, and their dead bodies are thrown into ditches, -dug for the purpose, and covered with earth. Often, the wretched men -who dig them are the first to occupy them, for the work goes on day -and night. An edict has been published throughout all Egypt, within -the past month, that no Egyptian shall assist a Hebrew; and that no -Hebrew who sinks down under his toil, shall be suffered to remain upon -the ground, but must be placed upon his feet again, and driven to his -task, until he sinks to rise no more; and to such, neither bread nor -water shall be offered, that they may die! Such, O king, is the heart -of this Mœris! - -Yet, with all these extraordinary measures, inspired by his fear, to -lessen the number of the Hebrews, they increase in the most -unprecedented manner. The women bring forth without midwives, and are -put to no inconvenience whatsoever afterwards. Such a state of things -alarms the Egyptian king, and well it may; for it seems to me to be a -direct act of the Divinity, so to multiply the people, that Egypt will -be compelled to liberate them, and send them forth to find a country -of their own. - -There is a prophecy which, as I associate more with the elders--who -are slow, however, to give me their confidence, regarding me still as -an Egyptian in feeling and prejudices--I ascertain to be well -preserved, that, at the end of about four hundred years from the days -of Prince Abraham, his descendants shall come out of Egypt a great -nation. This period is drawing to its close. God, who can deliver from -the storm, can deliver from the hand of Pharaoh those who trust in -Him, and call for His Almighty arm to aid them. - - -MEMPHIS, HOUSE OF AARON. - -Since writing the foregoing, my dear Sesostris--for such is the -familiar title, notwithstanding the present difference in our rank and -position, that you condescendingly permit me to make use of in -addressing you--since writing the foregoing, I say, I have been -studying the traditions of my fathers, the Hebrews of old. In them I -have found the following prophecies; and you will observe how -confidently God, the Almighty, is recognized and spoken of as the one -true God: - -"Our father Abram, the Syrian, having been born in the great kingdom -of Chaldea, served idols, as did all other men--the knowledge of the -one God, being yet veiled under the multiplicity of gods. Abram, being -just, and possessing those virtues and excellencies which elevate man, -it pleased the one great and mighty God, only and true--who made all -things in heaven above, in the earth beneath, and in the seas that are -thereunder--to make Himself known unto him, as he was one day uttering -a prayer to the sun. Suddenly, he beheld a hand across the disk of the -sun, and the earth was instantly covered with night. While Abram -wondered and trembled, the mighty hand was removed, and the day was -restored. Then came a voice from above the sun-- - -'O man, and son of man that is clay! dost thou worship the creature, -and know not the Creator? I am the Creator of the sun, the heavens, -the earth, and man upon the earth! Worship me, who alone can create -light, and who maketh darkness! I am God, and will not give my glory -to a creature! The sun is but clay, and thou, O man, art clay also! -Give _me_ thine heart; worship me, the Maker both of thee and of the -sun!' - -"Then Abram saw the hand again cover and extinguish the sun; but lo, -instead of night, the universe was lighted by the brightness of the -hand, which shone with the splendor of a thousand suns, so that our -father fell upon his face, as if dead, before its consuming splendor. -When he rose again, the sun shone as before, and he fell prostrate -upon the ground and said: - -"'Lord God of the sun, Creator of all things, what is man, that thou -displayest thy glory and revealest thyself to him? I am as a worm -before thee! Teach me what thou wouldst have me to do!' - -"Then a still, small voice answered: - -"'Arise, go forth from this Chaldea, thy country, unto a land flowing -with milk and honey, which I will show thee; and there I will make of -thee a great nation, who shall bear thy name; for I will make thy name -great, and a blessing to all men; and those who bless thee I will -bless, and those who curse thee, I will curse; and in thee shall all -the families of the earth be blessed!'" - -This remarkable tradition then goes on to say, O Sesostris, that the -Chaldean hastened to obey God, and going into the city of Haran, where -he dwelt, gathered his substance, and took his wife, and nephew, and -all his servants, and departed from the land--being then -five-and-seventy years old. By a sign, the Lord God went before him -through many lands, until he crossed over the river of the king of -Sodom into Palestine, when the Almighty, taking him into a high -mountain, showed him all the land, from the lake and fair valley of -Gomorrah and Sodom to the great sea westward, and from Libanus on the -north to the desert of Arabia on the south, saying: - -"'Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, -northward and southward, and eastward and westward, for all the land -which thou seest, to thee will I give it and to thy seed after thee! -Arise, walk through the land, in the length of it and in the breadth -of it, for I will give it to thee; for the whole earth is mine!'" - -"Night fell upon them while they looked from the mountain, and the -Lord God said to our father: 'Look now towards heaven, and tell the -stars if thou art able to number them. So shall thy posterity be. But -know thou,' said the Lord to him, 'that thou, and thy son, and thy -son's son shall be strangers in this land, and thy seed after thee -shall also be strangers in the land shadowing with wings, and shall -serve its kings, and they shall afflict thee four hundred years; but -grieve not, for the nation whom they shall serve will I judge, and -afterwards shall thy posterity come out of that land a mighty people, -with great substance; and he whom I will raise up as their deliverer, -shall lead them unto this land, and they shall enter in and possess -it, and shall become a great people, and be in number as the sands of -the seashore, and as the dust for multitude.'" - -Then Abram believed God. We, O Sesostris, are his posterity. Are we -not as the stars of heaven in number, and as the sands of the shore? -The four hundred years are drawing to a close. Will not He who has -brought about the fulfilment of one part of His prophecy, accomplish -also the other? Therefore do I look with hope to our release, ere -another generation passes away. Who shall live to behold it? Who shall -be so blessed as to see this deliverer that is to lead them forth to -the promised land? I may not live to see that day of joyful -deliverance! Perhaps thy son Remeses may behold it. That land, -according to our tradition, is Palestine, through which I journeyed -when I visited the ruins, visible above and beneath the Lake of -Bitumen; near which, also, I beheld that extraordinary statue of an -incrusted woman, on whom the shower of salt fell until it had encased -her alive, and transfixed her to the spot, as if hewn from a column of -salt. The people of that region informed me, that she was a niece of -Prince Abram, overtaken in her flight, when the five cities of the -plain were overthrown by fire from heaven. How beautiful is all that -land of Palestine! It is like a garden for fertility, and is filled -with populous cities, and a cultivated and warlike people. I also -visited the city of Salem, where, anciently, King Melchisedec, the -wise sage, and friend of God and of Abram, dwelt. It is now but a rock -covered with fortresses and the treasure-city of the land. Is this -land yet to be given by God to our people? Is it, indeed, already ours -by the title of God to our Abram, only waiting for us to go up and -possess it? We are then not without a country, though in bondage. This -idea elevates my heart; and I have sought to rouse the dormant -feelings and hopes of our elders and people, with the faith that our -nation has a country reserved for us, by the God of our fathers. - -But they shake their heads. They have so long sat in the dust of -despair, that they have ceased to hope. Still, my brother Aaron and I -everywhere try to lift up their feeble hearts, and to encourage them -with the bright future. But one of the old men answered-- - -"Thou sayest that it is a land filled with a warlike people; that they -are the descendants of the old Phœnician shepherd-kings, who once -conquered Egypt. How, O son of Pharaoh's daughter," he added, giving -me this appellation in his anger, "how can we Hebrews, who know not an -arrow from a lance, or a spear from a bow, who are crushed in spirit -and dwarfed by toil, how are we to conquer such a land, even if the -God of our fathers has given it to us?" - -"Does not this foreign land of which the stranger-Hebrew speaks," -arose and said another, by the name of Uri,--whose son is the most -skilful in Egypt in devising curious works in gold, and in silver, and -in precious stones, having served with the queen's royal -artificer,--"does it not lie beyond Arabia, and are there not many and -strong kings in the way, the armies of Edom, of the Hittites, of the -Philistines, and of the sons of Ishmael! Even though Pharaoh were to -bid us begone to-morrow, to the new country of our God that we boast -of, could we traverse the desert, or do battle with the nations on the -way, much more conquer the warlike people who hold it? Listen not to -this Egyptian-Hebrew, who doubtless would tempt us to leave Egypt, -that we may be destroyed by the warlike people, who will dispute our -march. Doubtless, Pharaoh, his former friend, hath sent him to talk -with us that he might thereby either get rid of us, or seek occasion -to destroy us in a body." - -Thus, my dear Sesostris, were my words turned against me. Yet I will -not fear, but shall quietly strive to influence my brethren, and -persuade them to look forward with hope, to deliverance by the arm of -God. - -Farewell, Sesostris! May the Almighty give you His divine Spirit, and -fill you with wisdom and judgment, that you may honor Him as King of -kings, and rule your people mercifully and prosperously. To the -beloved queen, Thamonda, I send the most respectful greetings; and -thank her from my heart for giving to your daughter the dear and -honored name, "Amense." May the virtues of the pure Queen of Egypt be -transferred to her; but may her life be far happier! To my namesake, -the bright and beautiful Remeses, give my cordial affection. Tell him -that I hope, when he shall be a man, and like other princes, visit -Egypt, he will not find the Hebrew nation there in bondage, and that, -if he inquires after the people of his father's humble friend, he will -be answered-- - -"Their God, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, led them forth -to a land given to them for an inheritance, where they now dwell, free -and happy!" Ah, Sesostris, shall this dream of hope thus be realized? -Tell Remeses to lay a bunch of flowers for me upon the tomb of Queen -Epiphia, whose memory and kindness I shall ever cherish deep in my -heart. - - I once more write, farewell. - REMESES. - - - - -LETTER VII. - -AARON TO KING SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF RAAMSES, EGYPT. - -TO SESOSTRIS, KING OF TYRE, AARON THE HEBREW, GREETING: - -Pardon, O king, thy servant, for addressing an epistle to thee; but -when thou art informed of the reason which has led me to take this -liberty, thou wilt, I feel, acquit me of too great boldness. - -Know, O King Sesostris, that my brother, thy beloved friend, who wrote -the letter which I send to thee with this epistle (and which he -himself would have forwarded, but for what I am about to relate), has -fled from Egypt, pursued by the vindictive power of Pharaoh. I will, -as briefly as I can, make known to thee the painful circumstances -which led to this result. - -The morning after he had completed his letter to thee, O king, he said -to me, "I will go forth and see my brethren who are at work on Lake -Mœris, that I may talk also with the old and young men, and inspire -their heavy hearts with hope." So he departed, and, crossing the -river, disguised as an Egyptian,--for no Hebrew dare now be seen -walking alone for fear of being challenged by the soldiers, who -garrison all the country, and stand guard at every corner, and at -every gate,--he came to the shores of Lake Amense, the beauty of -which, with its garden and palace-lined shores, so much pleased thee, -O king, when, five years ago, thou wast in Egypt. There he saw King -Mœris clothed in scarlet, a chain of gold across his breast, -standing in his chariot, as he slowly drove around the lake, giving -directions to the chief captains over the works. My brother was not -recognized by him, however, and went on his way, observing the severe -labors of his brethren. In the two hours that he was there, he saw -three strong men lie down in the foul water and die! At length, coming -to a place where several young and old men were working together, he -beheld such cruelty exercised upon them, that he groaned in spirit, -and prayed the Almighty to shorten the days of the four hundred years, -and come to their deliverance. Unable longer to behold sufferings that -he could not relieve, he walked sadly away, deeply meditating upon the -mysterious providence of the Almighty, in His dealings with the seed -of His servant Abraham. After a little time he found himself in a -narrow, sand-drifted lane, between two walls, when he was suddenly -aroused from his reflections by a cry of pain, accompanied by sharp -blows with a stick. He looked up, and spied an Egyptian taskmaster -dragging by the hair Izhur, a youth whom he greatly loved. The -Egyptian had pursued him, as he fled up the lane from his blows, and -was now plainly intent, in his great wrath, upon putting him to death. - -My brother, indignant and grieved, commanded him in a tone of -authority to release him; whereupon the Egyptian, cursing him by his -gods, drew his knife from its sheath and would in revenge have driven -it into the heart of Izhur, when Moses caught his arm, and bade the -young man fly. The Egyptian, thereupon, would have slain my brother, -who, looking this way and that, and seeing they were alone, struck him -to the earth with one blow of his hand, in the name of the God of -Abraham, the Avenger of his people, so that he died on the spot! He -then hid the body in the sand, and returned home, where he made known -to me what he had done. - -"Surely," I said, in amazement, "thou art the first Hebrew, my -brother, who hath slain an Egyptian. A divine motion must have moved -thee! Peradventure it is by _thy arm_ that he will yet deliver his -people!" - -Thereupon my brother, with his characteristic modesty, said-- - -"Not mine! not mine, my brother! Breathe into my heart no such -ambitious pride! Yet I felt moved and animated by God to do this. -Therefore do I justify the act to man and my own conscience." - -The next day, my brother visited the lake again, intending to make its -circuit, and see certain elders to whom he wished to make himself -known,--men wise and good, who were superintending the work of others -of their own people. On his way he perceived two Hebrews striving -together, and as he came up, one of them struck the other with his -working tool, so that he staggered from the blow. - -"Sirs, ye are brethren," he said; "why do ye strive together, seeing -ye are brethren?"--and then added, sternly and sorrowfully, to the one -who had struck the blow-- - -"Friend, why hast thou done this wrong? He whom thou hast stricken is -a Hebrew. Do not your taskmasters beat you enough, that you must -strike each other?" - -Whereupon the man who did the injury to his fellow, said fiercely, -looking narrowly upon my brother-- - -"Thou art Remeses, the Hebrew 'son of Pharaoh's daughter!' I remember -thee. Dost thou think that thou art still a Prince of Egypt? Mœris -is now our king. Who hath made _thee_ prince and judge over us? Thou -forgettest that thou art now a slave, like the rest of us. Intendest -thou to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?" - -No sooner had the man thus spoken, than Moses, alarmed, perceived that -the thing was known, and beholding the eyes of the Egyptian officers, -and many of the Hebrews fastened upon him, he hastened to escape, for -he beheld several men run to a high officer of the king, as if with -the news, who at once drove rapidly away in his chariot, probably -seeking Mœris, whom my brother knew to be not far off, superintending -the placing of a statue of Horus upon a new terrace. Several Hebrews -would have interposed to arrest Moses, when they heard who he was, for -they look upon him more as an Egyptian than as one of their brethren. -But he succeeded in retiring unharmed, and at once hastened to recross -the Nile. When he had told us that what he had done to the Egyptian -was known, and that he was recognized, and that Mœris would surely -hear of it, his mother and I advised his immediate flight. - -He said that he had no doubt the king would seek his destruction, and -that he ought to be cautious and consult his own preservation. "But," -he added, "I do not fear the wrath of Pharaoh so far that, were I in -his power, I would either deny, excuse, or ask pardon for my act. What -I have done I will justify. The oppressor deserved to die! And so, one -day, will God, by the hand of a Hebrew, slay Pharaoh and all his -hosts!" This was spoken with the light of prophecy in his noble face, -as if his words were inspiration. When Amram, his father, came in, and -heard all, he said-- - -"The God of Jacob be glorified! There is one man in Israel to whom He -has given courage to smite the oppressor of his people! Fly, my son! -Fly not for fear, for thou art a brave man and hast been a tried -soldier; but fly to preserve a life which my spirit tells me will yet -be dear to our people!" - -"My father," said Moses sorrowfully, "I believed that my brethren -would understand that God was with me, and would acknowledge me as -sent to be their friend, instead of joining the Egyptians against me! -I will fly! Mœris would rejoice to hold me in his power! But with -the hope, that even in a foreign land I may serve my people, at least -by prayer and supplication to God for them, I will keep my life out of -Pharaoh's hand." - -In the garb of an Egyptian, with a store of provisions, and taking -gold in his purse, my brother embraced us all, and departed from the -house, my mother weeping and saying-- - -"A second time have I given up my son from the sword of Pharaoh,--once -to the waters and now to the desert sands!" - -"And the waters, O woman," said my father, "gave him to be a prince of -Egypt, and from the sands of the desert God can call him to be king -over Israel!" - -I looked into my venerable father's face, for often of late years he -is gifted with prophetic inspirations, and I saw that his aged eyes -shone with a supernatural lustre. My brother returned a few steps, -again embraced his mother, bowed his head before his father for his -blessing, arose, and went on his way eastward. I accompanied him for -an hour, when tenderly embracing we parted--he taking the way towards -Midian. Ru-el Jethro, the lord of that country, O king, which was -settled by Midian, son of Abram, by Keturah, thou didst meet at this -table of thy friend "Remeses," when thou wast in Egypt, at which time, -thou mayst remember, he invited my brother to visit his kingdom in -Arabia. - -It was well for Moses that he so thoroughly knew the character of King -Mœris; for when I returned, I learned from my mother, that a party -of soldiers had been sent by Pharaoh to seize him. Another hour, and -he would have fallen into his hand. - -At my mother's request, O king, I have written the foregoing, and now -inclose his letter to you. I had no sooner entered my house, than I -saw my parents and sister preparing to fly from the king, fearing his -vengeance when he should learn of the escape of Moses! Not that -Pharaoh cared for the life of the slain Egyptian, but he would gladly -seize upon the occasion, as a pretext to destroy his former rival. - -May God long preserve thy life, O king. - - Written in Egypt by thy servant, - AARON THE HEBREW. - - - - - AFTER AN INTERVAL OF FORTY YEARS, - REMESES, PRINCE OF TYRE AND OF DAMASCUS, - SON OF SESOSTRIS, - VISITS EGYPT, AND ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING - _Series of Letters to his Father_. - - - - -LETTER I. - - -PALACE OF PHARAOH, LAKE MŒRIS - -MY DEAR FATHER AND KING: - -It is with emotions of no ordinary kind, that I find myself amid the -scenes familiar to your eyes, when forty-six years ago, a young man, -you visited Egypt. Every object upon which I gaze is invested with new -interest as I reflect--"And this my father also saw. On this pylon he -has stood and surveyed the landscape; and along these corridors, his -feet have awakened the echoes which respond to mine." - -The letters which you wrote from Egypt, during the reign of the wise -Queen Amense, addressed to my royal grandmother, and which are now in -my possession, early familiarized my mind with this wonderful land; -and I recognize every place of interest, from your descriptions. - -There are, however, some changes. Pharaoh-Mœris, who has been long -dead, and his son Meiphra-Thothmes, Thothmeses his grandson, and -Thothmeses IV., the present king, all inaugurated their reigns by -laying the foundations of temples, palaces, and pyramids; while the -ruins of others have been repaired. Mœris restored the ancient -temple of Thoth, in the Island of Rhoda, where Prince Remeses was -hidden three months, and also all other temples in Egypt. His reign, -though tyrannical, was distinguished by improvement in arts, in -letters, in astronomy, architecture, and arms. His pyramid is an -imposing one, and singularly pre-eminent, by having an obelisk at each -angle. His lake, however, is this Pharaoh's greatest monument, if I -may so term it. - -This lake was begun by former princes, and enlarged by Queen Amense, -in order to receive the surplus waters of the Nile, when the -inundations, as sometimes happen, arise and overflow the fields after -the corn is up. The lake, however, was not large enough wholly to -correct this evil, and King Mœris still further enlarged it, by -means of the services of the Hebrews, three hundred thousand of whom, -it is said, perished in the work, before it was completed. It is ample -enough in breadth and depth to contain the excess of the Nile. One of -the wonders of the world, it is only paralleled in grandeur by the -pyramids. In the midst of this magnificent inland sea--for such it -seems--arise two pyramids, upon the summit of each of which, three -hundred and eight feet in the air, stands upon a throne, shaped like a -chariot, a statue, one being that of Thoth, the other of Mœris. -Upon the former is inscribed-- - -"The god prospered;" on the other, "Pharaoh builded." Beneath this -inscription is written-- - -"This lake is three hundred and forty miles in circumference, and one -hundred and fifty feet in depth. Within its bounds it can contain all -the rivers of the earth." - -This sublime work, my dear father, has upon the east side a canal -eighty feet broad, and four leagues in length. At its entrance are -seated two colossi, figures of Apis and Mnevis; and along its shores -are double rows of trees, bordering a terrace, upon which face -palaces, villas, temples, gardens, and squares. At the Nile -termination stands a single colossus, representing the god Nilus. He -is astride the canal, his feet upon the bases of pyramids, and beneath -him are great floodgates, that let in or exclude the waters of the -river. On the south of the lake, upon a plain of sand, Mœris -erected a vast temple to Serapis, dedicated it with great pomp, and -inclosed it by gardens a mile square, the earth of which was carried -by Hebrews in baskets, from the excavations of the lake. He commenced -a noble avenue of sphinxes, leading from the lake to the temple, and -which has been recently completed by Thothmeses IV., who last week -invited me to be present at its inauguration. It was a magnificent -spectacle, first the procession of priests and soldiers, nobles and -citizens, with the king and his court, in a thousand galleys, sailing -across the lake; then the landing at the majestic pylon, the march of -the procession for a mile between the double row of sphinxes, the -mighty temple terminating the vista, and the solemn invocations, -libations, and sacrifices before the god. - -I marvel, my dear father, at such splendor having no other object than -a black bull; such glory leading to an enshrined brute, before whom -all this magnificence, power, and rank fall prostrate, as to God! -Happy am I, O my wise and good father, to have been early instructed -in the knowledge of the true God. I pity while I admire what I see in -Egypt. This king is an intelligent man, and I often feel like saying -to him, "O king, dost thou believe in thy heart that this bull is -God?" - -The shores of this vast artificial sea are lined with groves, palaces, -and waving fields. The sides of the Libyan hills are terraced and -adorned with marble palaces and gardens. At one point, where the -cliffs stretch into the lake, are four temples, facing four ways, -respectively dedicated to Athor, Pthah, Apis, and Bubastis, the four -deities of Memphis; and their sides are covered with golden bronze, so -that, in the sunlight, nothing can be more gorgeous. - -Upon a small island, opposite this gilded promontory, and left for the -purpose, Thothmeses II. erected, during his brief reign, a temple of -Syenite stone to the goddess Isis, before which is a recumbent figure -of Osiris, seventy feet in length. Its vestibule is enriched with -sculpture, and is the most splendid portico in Egypt. In the interior -it is surrounded by a peristyle of statues representing the twelve -constellations, each eighteen feet in height. - -Besides all these, I have visited, my dear father, during the six -weeks I have been in Egypt, the "Plain of the Mummies," the Catacombs, -the Labyrinth--a marvel of mystery and perplexity to one not initiated -into the intricacies of its mazes--the chief pyramids, and that also -of Queen Amense, at the entrance of which I placed fresh flowers for -your sake. - -Pharaoh-Mœris greatly extended the bounds of Memphis. It is not -less than twelve miles in circuit. He covered with it a large portion -of the plain westward of the pyramids; and where once was a barren -waste, are now streets, avenues, colonnades, temples, public edifices, -aqueducts, causeways, and all the splendor of metropolitan -magnificence. Avenues of sphinxes are almost innumerable; colossal -statues, obelisks, and pyramids meet the eye everywhere. Near the foot -of the hills he formed a chariot-course, that extends three miles -along the lake. In the rock of the cliff he caused to be hewn fourteen -sarcophagi of black marble, and of gigantic dimensions. In these he -entombed the bodies of as many tributary kings, when, in succession, -they died; commanding their mummies to be brought into Egypt for the -purpose. He has everywhere multiplied, with singular variety, his -statues; and in front of this tomb of kings stands one of them upon a -pedestal, the feet of which are fourteen sculptured crowns, -representatives of their own. - -But, my dear father, Egypt is so familiar to you, that I will not -weary you with any more descriptions, unless, indeed, I should visit -the City of a Hundred Gates, as you were not able to go thither. I -will speak, however, of a visit that I paid yesterday to the sphinx -that stands before Chephres, and near Cheops. I was impressed, as you -were, with the grandeur of the whole. But the great ancient temple, -which you spoke of as ruinous, has, in forty-five years, become still -more defaced. Indeed, the reigning Pharaoh has expressed his intention -of removing it altogether, so that the pyramids may stand forth in -solitary majesty. - -Among other events of the reign of Mœris, was the discovery, by -him, that the tradition which represented the great sphinx as being -hollowed into chambers was a true one. He found the entrance, which -was beneath the small temple, between the fore-paws of the statue. -What he discovered is known to no man; but it is certain that he -suddenly displayed vast treasures of gold and silver, jewels and -precious stones, with which he carried on his magnificent and -expensive works. - -You have not forgotten the Ethiopian captive king, Occhoris. He still -exists, though his beard is snow white and his form bent. He remains a -captive, each monarch in succession retaining so important a personage -in chains, annually to grace their processions to the temples of the -gods. - -The condition, my dear father, of the Hebrew people, in whom you are -so deeply interested, has enlisted all my sympathies also. Forty years -have multiplied their number, notwithstanding all the ingenious -efforts of the Pharaohs to destroy them by deadly labors, until they -amount to three millions and a half of souls. The population of Egypt -is only seven millions; and thus, for every two Egyptians there is one -Hebrew. This alarming state of things fills the mind of Thothmeses IV. -with ceaseless anxiety. He does not hesitate to confess to me, freely, -his fears for the security of his crown. - -I have not yet described this monarch to you. When I arrived and -presented your letters, he received me with marked courtesy; inquired -after your welfare and the prosperity of your reign; asked your age, -and when I told him you were seventy-three, he said he knew of no king -so aged, unless it was Jethro, king of Midian. He inquired why I had -delayed coming to Egypt until I was forty-two (for I told him my age, -which exactly corresponds with his own); and when I informed him that -I had been engaged in improving and restoring my kingdom of Damascus, -which I inherited from my mother, and which the Sabæans had thrice -invaded and devastated before I came of age, he expressed his pleasure -that peace was restored, and that I had come into Egypt, at last. He -seems naturally superstitious, credulous, and irresolute. I think he -possesses little or no stability of character, and that he is easily -influenced to do evil. He is timid in his policy, yet rash; vain of -his wisdom, yet constantly guilty of follies; a devout worshipper of -his gods, yet a slave to the basest personal vices; jealous of his -rights, yet, from want of courage, suffering them continually to be -invaded, both by his subjects and tributary princes; a man whose word -is kept, only so far as his present interest demands; who will pardon -to-night a suppliant, from irresolution and morbid pity, and execute -him in the morning when the coldness of his nature returns. Were he my -friend, I should distrust him; were he my foe, I would not delay to -place the sea between me and his sword. - -Under such a prince, you may imagine that the condition of the Hebrew -people is not less pitiable than under his predecessors. Fearing them, -he doubles their tasks, and resorts to every device of destruction, -short of open and indiscriminate slaughter. Yet even this infernal -idea has been suggested by him to his private council; but it was -opposed, on the ground that the burial of so many millions would be -impossible, and that a plague would result fatal to the population of -Egypt. - -So the Hebrews still exist, feared, suspected, and crushed by -additional burdens. I have been among them, and, as you directed, have -made many cautious inquiries after the learned Hebrew, Moses. They are -more enlightened than when you saw them. The idea of God is less -obscure in their minds, while their hope of a deliverer is bright and -ever present. Few of the old men remember Remeses, or Moses; and none -of them know any thing of his present abode, but seem sure he is long -since dead. I have become deeply interested in some of these venerable -men, in whose majestic features, set off by flowing beards, I -recognize the lineaments of Abram, their ancestor, as sculptured on -the mausoleum of his servant, "Eliezer of Damascus." The beauty of the -children and young women, amid all their degradation, is wonderful. I -was struck with the seeming good feeling which existed among these and -the women of Egypt. The latter, either from pity, or because the -Hebrew women are gentle and attractive, hold kind intercourse with -them; and at a marriage, which I witnessed in one of their huts, the -Hebrew females, especially the bride, were decked with jewels loaned -to them by their friends, the Egyptian maidens. I have also been -struck with the patient, uncomplaining, and gentle manner in which the -Hebrews speak of the Egyptians, excepting their task-officers--who are -brutal soldiers--and the king. Generations of oppression have made -them forbearing and submissive; and, besides, the Egyptians and -Hebrews, who now know one another, knew each other as children, before -either could understand their different positions. - -Here and there I have met a lord who recalled your visit, dear father, -with pleasure; but were you now here you would feel a stranger indeed. - -Farewell, my honored and revered father. I will continue my inquiries -after Prince Remeses. To my sister Amense, and her husband, Sisiris, -king of Sidon, give my kindest greetings. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - -MY DEAREST FATHER: - -I unseal this epistle to inform you, that while it has been lying -three days, waiting for the galley of the Lord of Sarepta to depart, I -have had intelligence of your old friend Remeses. He lives, and is in -Midian, as you suspected, and is well, though, of course, far advanced -in years. This is all that I can now add to my letter, as the -secretary of the Sareptan noble is in my reception-room, and lingers -only to take this letter, the wind being now favorable. - - Your faithful son, - REMESES. - - - - -LETTER II. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS, TO HIS FATHER, KING SESOSTRIS OF PHŒNICIA. - - -CITY OF ON, EGYPT. - -Having an opportunity, my dearest father, to send this letter the day -after to-morrow, I will herewith make known to you, how I obtained the -intelligence, that your ancient friend Remeses is still in the kingdom -of Midian, whither he fled from King Mœris. - -In obedience to your last instructions, I have diligently made all -inquiries that were likely to obtain the information which your lively -friendship prompts you to seek. There is something, dear father, very -beautiful in this undying attachment, which has survived a period of -forty years, and which still looks forward to behold the beloved face -of thy cherished friend once more! - -Learning yesterday that a caravan had arrived from Ezion-geber (by the -Edomites called Ekkaba), which lies near the head of the orient arm of -the Red or Arabian Sea, and not far from which are the borders of -peninsular Midian, I crossed the Nile to the suburbs of the City of -the Sun, where the caravan had found quarters in the quadrangle of the -Serail. - -Having found the governor of the company of merchants, I made myself -known to him as a foreign prince, travelling for knowledge, and sight -of men and scenes. He courteously received me, and I asked him many -questions about his country, his journey, and the articles he brought, -until he was at his ease with me, when I inquired if he had ever been -in Midian. He answered that he himself was a Midianite, and that -twenty days before he had left Midian to join the caravan, part of -which belonged to Jethro, prince and priest of that country. Upon -hearing this name, dear father, I was struck by its similarity to that -mentioned in the last letter of Aaron the Hebrew, as being that of the -king of the country who had invited Moses, while prince, to visit him. - -"Dost thou know this Prince Jethro?" I asked. - -"I have sat at his feet--his hand has often rested upon my head when I -was a lad," he answered. - -"You call him a priest," I said; "what is his religion?" - -"That of our progenitor, Abram the Chaldean." - -"The Hebrews sprung from Abram," I replied. - -"Yes, by Sara, his first wife. The Midianites are the sons of Midian, -a son of Abram by Keturah, the wife he took after Sara died. The -cities of Epher, Ephah, and Hanoch, in Midian, were founded by princes -who were this same Abram's grandsons, and sons of Midian." - -"Do you worship the God of Abram--or Abraham, as the Hebrews call -their ancestor?" I asked. - -"Hast thou ever heard, O prince," he said, with feeling, "that we were -idolaters, or fire-worshippers, or that we pray to bulls, and beasts, -and creeping things, as these Egyptians do? We worship one God--the -Lord of Heaven--the Almighty Creator, who revealed Himself to our -father Abram." - -When I told him that I also worshipped the same God, he took my hand, -kissed it reverently, and said solemnly-- - -"There is but one God!" - -"What is your form of worship, that your king is also your priest?" I -inquired. - -"By sacrifices. Morning and evening, the priests offer up to God -incense, and oblations, and sacrifices of lambs. Hence we have large -flocks and herds. On great days, the king himself officiates, lays his -hand upon the head of the victim, and asks the Almighty to take the -life of the sacrifice instead of that of the people, and to visit upon -its head the wrath which the kingdom had incurred." - -"Did Abram thus sacrifice?" - -"Not only Abram, but Noah, the first father, and all the fathers of -the old world. Our worship, therefore, O prince, consists in offering -the life of a victim, to preserve our own!" - -"Yes, if the great Lord of Heaven will so receive it! For who can -weigh the life of a man with that of his lamb?" I said. - -"None but God, who, in His goodness and glory, wills it so to be!" -answered the Midianite. - -"Hast thou ever heard, in Midian, of a Hebrew called Moses?" - -"Dost thou mean Moses the Egyptian?" he asked, quickly. - -"He was educated an Egyptian, and was supposed to be the son of -Pharaoh's daughter, but was only adopted by her; and being discovered -to be a Hebrew, he left Egypt." - -"This same Moses, once Prince Remeses, is now in Midian, where he hath -been these forty years," answered the venerable chief-captain of the -caravan. "He is son-in-law to our prince, who has made him ruler over -all the companies of shepherds in the region that lieth between the -city of Keturah and the sea, and even to the back of the desert, -where, on the sides of Horeb and the valleys thereof, he feeds his -flocks. Moreover, there also he meditates, and writes in a cave--for -he is a man of vast learning, and greatly revered in Midian as a wise -sage. He is married to the daughter of the Prince Ru-el Jethro, and by -her hath had many sons, but two only--mere lads--remain, the rest -having died early. Surely, what man in Midian knoweth not Moses, the -wise shepherd of Horeb?" - -Upon hearing this good news, dear father, I rejoiced, in anticipation, -at the pleasure you would receive, when you should read my letter -containing the pleasing tidings. I now asked the good Midianite when -he would return. He said that in seven days he should depart, and that -it would take him eleven days to reach that part of the country where -Moses dwelt. Upon this, my dear father, after making sundry other -inquiries about the route, I determined to accompany him; for I knew -you would value one letter from me, saying I had seen and spoken with -your friend face to face, more highly than many from the hundred-gated -Thebes. I shall be gone but one month, and shall be well repaid, not -only by seeing Moses, whose noble countenance I can just recollect as -a pleasant remembrance of my childhood, but by conferring upon him the -unexpected pleasure of hearing from you by your son, his namesake. -Thus, for your sake, as well as for his, and also my own gratification -in seeing a new and rarely visited country, I take my departure with -the caravan. After I reach Midian, and have seen your old friend in -the land of his long exile, I will write to you fully of all that may -interest you. - -May the God of Abraham and of Moses have you always in His sacred -keeping. - - Your loving son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER III. - -MOSES TO SESOSTRIS. - - -LAND OF MIDIAN. - -MY VENERABLE AND BELOVED KING AND FRIEND: - -With what emotions of joy and gratitude I embraced your princely son, -Remeses, I can feebly express! I give God thanks for this happiness, -vouchsafed to me in my eighty-first year, of hearing from you again, -and by the mouth of your son. I rejoice to hear of your welfare, and -prosperous reign. The sight of the young Remeses revives all the past, -and in his face I see, with delight, your features and smile. I also -perceive that he possesses all your virtues, and, above all, that you -have taught him the knowledge of the true God. His presence here, and -his readiness to come across the desert to see me, gratifies me. It -assures me that I am loved by you both! Although, my friend, I have -not written to you--for, since my flight from Egypt, my life has been -wholly without events--yet, from time to time, by foreign merchants -who have been in Tyre, I have had news of you, and of your prosperity. -Until I beheld your son, I believed that I was quite forgotten! - -I shall keep Remeses with me as long as he will remain. My way of -life, however, is humble. We are a pastoral people, and my occupation -is that of a shepherd; for, though I am chief shepherd of the land, -yet do I not disdain to lead my own flocks to feed upon the -mountains,--where, as they browse, I meditate in solitude upon God, -and also think upon the sad condition of my brethren in bondage in -Egypt. Four kings have reigned and perished, and yet the sons of Jacob -toil on, exchanging only one oppressor for another, each more cruel -than the last! But the day draws near for their deliverance, O -Sesostris, my friend and brother! The four hundred years of prophecy -are drawing to a close! On the arrival of every caravan from Egypt I -look for intelligence, that a deliverer has arisen, who, lifting the -standard of the God of Abraham, shall call on Israel to rally around -it, exchange their spades for spears, assert their freedom, and defy -Pharaoh and his power! Who will be this hero of God? Who the favored -man, to whom shall be committed the happiness and glory of leading the -mighty Hebrew nation out of Egypt? Will they hear his voice? Will they -acknowledge his authority? Will they have the courage to follow him? -or has the yoke of Egypt, so long bound their necks down, that they -have no hope nor desire to be free? Thus I meditate upon their fate, -and meanwhile pray earnestly to my God to send the deliverer of my -people; for the time is come when He will remember His promise to -Abraham, and to our fathers! - -From the painful accounts that your son Remeses gives me, the cup of -their bondage is full to overflowing!--also the cup of Egypt!--for the -same prophecy which foretells their deliverance after four hundred -years, adds, "and the nation which they serve will I judge." Thus, O -king, do I look forward to the overthrow of the power of Egypt, when -God shall send His angel to deliver Israel from beneath Pharaoh's hand -of iron. - -What courage, wisdom, patience, meekness, faith, dignity of person, -and ardent piety, must the servant of God have, who will lead Israel -out of bondage! What man on earth is sufficient for this high office? -What man in all Egypt, among the Hebrews, has God raised up and -endowed with these attributes? Alas, I know none! They are all -oppressed and broken in heart, and the spirit of manhood has died out -within them! But He who wills can do! and He can arm with power the -weakest instrument of His will! Let us trust in Him! for by _His_ arm, -whoever be the agent, they will be delivered. - -During my exile I have re-written the book of the life of the Prince -of Uz, with great care, and a larger share of the wisdom of God. At -the same time I have instructed many, in Midian, in the truths of God. -It has also seemed good to me, under the inspiration of the Almighty, -to write, from our divine traditions, a narrative of the first acts of -creation, from the beginning, when God created the heavens and the -earth, down to the death of Prince Joseph. Of this book, a copy has -been made by my wife Zipporah, which I will send to you by Prince -Remeses for your acceptance. - -With greetings of true and holy friendship, I am, O King Sesostris, -thy servant and friend, - - MOSES THE HEBREW. - - - - -LETTER IV. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO THE KING HIS FATHER. - - -CAVE IN HOREB, WILDERNESS OF MIDIAN. - -MY DEAR AND ROYAL FATHER: - -I have been two weeks a guest of your venerable friend, the Hebrew, -Moses. My journey across the desert was agreeable from its novelty, -and my sensations upon the boundless waste, were combined emotions of -solitude and sublimity, similar to those I experienced on the great -sea. Our route, after leaving the land of Egypt, continued eastward -for five days--most of the time in the Arabian desert, with the -mountains of Etham on our right, far to the south. Having on the sixth -day passed round the western horn of the Sea of Arabia, we turned -southwardly into the desert of Shur, which terminated at the base of a -low range of hills, of mingled cliff and pasture-land. A valley opened -between, and after three days' journeying, amid vales filled with -herds and Arabian villages, we entered a mountainous region, the sea -being on our right. Every hour the scenery became more grand and -rugged, until the ridges, constantly rising in altitude, stretched far -southwardly, and terminated in a majestic twin-peaked mountain, midway -between the two arms or horns of the sea. - -"That is Horeb," said the chief of the caravan. "It is in the land of -Midian, though remote from the town of the king. In that mountain the -royal flocks are pastured, and there you will find your father's -friend Moses the Hebrew, either with his shepherds and flocks or in -the retirement of his cave." - -The same evening we entered the valley of Mount Horeb, which rose in -sublime majesty, with its double crown, far into the skies above us. -We had turned an angle of the mountain, which rose as abruptly as a -pyramid from the plain, and were entering a gorge through which a road -lay to the city of the king--a day's journey distant--when I beheld, -from my camel, a shepherd standing upon a rock and leaning upon his -staff--his sheep reclining about him. He was a tall, venerable man, -with dark locks mingled with white, and a beard, like snow for -whiteness, that descended over his breast. There was a majesty, and -yet simplicity, in his aspect and costume, which impressed me, as he -stood--the evening sun lighting up his kingly visage--upon a rock, -like the statue of the god of the mountain-pass. - -My heart instinctively said, "This is Moses!" - -"Lo! there stands the son-in-law of Jethro!" said the merchant. - -I immediately caused my camel to kneel, and descended to the ground -with haste and joy. The next moment I was bending before thy friend, -my dear father, crying, with reverent feelings of emotion-- - -"I am Remeses, son of Sesostris, thy friend! Venerable father, give me -thy blessing, for I bear thy name!" - -He regarded me for an instant with surprise, and then raising me, -embraced me and said, a holy radiance of love and joy illumining his -face-- - -"I see thy father, and hear his voice, in thee! Welcome, my son! How -fares the good king? Hast thou ventured across the desert to see the -exiled Hebrew?" he asked, with a smile of benignity and pleasure, as -he gazed upon me. "The sight of thee brings up all the past!" - -His voice was disturbed with emotion; though I perceived it had also a -slight natural embarrassment of speech. I related why I had come, and -gave him your messages of love. He took me to his cave, or grotto, -which is like those of the sacred priests in Lebanon. The caravan -encamped, near by, that night, and I remained in the company of the -wise and virtuous sage. We conversed, for many hours, of you, of Tyre, -of my grandmother, of Queen Amense, of the Hebrews in bondage, and his -certain hope of their speedy deliverance. - -How happy the princely old man was to hear from you, my dear father! -What a venerable and holy friendship exists between you!--fresh and -green at fourscore, as in the fire and impulse of youth! - -The next day, I accompanied him to the chief city of Midian. There I -beheld his matronly wife, Zipporah--and his two sons, beautiful and -ingenuous youth of sixteen and eighteen. I was also presented to the -venerable Ru-el Jethro, or the King Jethro, now one hundred and one -years old, but retaining the full vigor of manhood. He described to me -pleasantly, under what circumstances he first met Moses, forty years -ago. - -"My seven daughters," said the patriarchal Prince of Midian, "were -with my shepherds at the well, near the city, drawing water for the -flocks; for the prince of the mountain having no water, had thrice -sent his shepherds to draw it from this well, when we had but little -for our own herds. I sent my daughters, thinking that they would -reverence their presence; but the mountain shepherds would have driven -them away, when a stranger, who was seated by the well, rose up, and -with great courage chastised the assailants. Though many in number, -they fled from him in great fear, when he turned and bade my daughters -remain and heed them not; and he helped them water the flocks. - -"When they returned to me earlier than I looked for them, I inquired -the cause, and they replied-- - -"'An Egyptian, a mighty man of valor, delivered us out of the hand of -the shepherds, and aided us also in drawing water for our flocks.' -'Where is he?' I asked. 'Why is it that ye have left this brave -stranger at the well?' They answered: 'He is an Egyptian;' for such -from his dress, and speech, and looks, they believed him to be. I then -sent my daughter Zipporah after him, to invite him to come and eat -bread with me. From that day we became friends, and when I learned his -story, that he was a Hebrew, and like myself, a descendant of Abram, I -gave him Zipporah to wife, and he was content to remain in the land, -and is now the greatest and wisest man in it, for God is with him." - -I was much interested in this brief account, my dear father, and -believe that you will be, as it is a connecting link in the life of -Moses, that has been hitherto wanting. - -The following week, I retired with Moses to the mountains, and here I -pass my days, listening to his sublime teachings. Not all the wisdom -and learning of Egypt can compare with his sublime knowledge. The -secrets of nature, the mysteries of creation, seem unveiled to his -intellectual vision. It is his habit to pass an hour or two every -night in prayer, upon the mountain, beneath the silent stars, -communing alone with his God, as if he were the high-priest of the -earth, Horeb his altar, the universe his temple, and his theme the -Hebrew nation in Egypt. Ah! my dear father, if God is to deliver them -from Egypt by the hand of man, my heart tells me that Moses will be -appointed their deliverer; for who on earth has so at heart their -misery, or supplicates Heaven so earnestly for aid in their behalf? It -is true he is an old man, seven years your senior, but his step is as -firm as mine, his eye clear and brave, his natural force not abated, -and his looks those of a man in his prime--so healthful is this -mountain life, and the simple routine of his days. - -He has written to you. I shall be the bearer of his letter, as well as -of this, which I write in the door of his grotto, facing the valley, -with the sea beyond. There go the ships of Ezion-geber, and the -galleys of Ind. Far to the west is the blue line of the shores of -Arabian Egypt, and to the east the rocky land of Arabia, and Eastern -Midian. The prospect is sublime, and, at this hour of sunset, while -purple mists are upon the hills, and a golden light upon the sea, it -is beautiful and serene. - -I had almost neglected to inform you, that your learned and eloquent -friend Aaron, the brother of Moses, was lately in Midian, and was, for -a time, an assistant priest of the sacrifices in the city; but has now -returned to Goshen, where he married many years ago. His sister Miriam -is here with Moses, and is one of the most majestic women I ever -beheld. She is in her ninety-fourth year, but is as erect and buoyant -in her step as a young and resolute woman. With her snow-white hair, -piercing black eyes, and queenly mien, she looks like the venerable -priestess of the sun at Baal-Phegor. The mother of Moses also dwells -at Midian; but I think their father died in Arabia Deserta; for -thither they fled from Egypt, before coming finally into Midian. Aaron -is spoken of here as a noble-looking and stately priest, when, in his -flowing robes, he used to offer sacrifices according to the simple -rites of the Midianites, in the plain temple hewn from the rock, in -which they worship God. - -Farewell, my dear father. I am not surprised that you love Moses. He -has won _my_ heart. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER V. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -TREASURE-CITY OF RAAMSES, EGYPT. - -MY HONORED AND BELOVED FATHER: - -You will see by the date that I am once more in Egypt; and I am here -under circumstances the most wonderful and amazing. Remeses--that is, -Moses, the servant of the Most High God--is here also. My trembling -fingers can scarce form the letters legibly, so great is the emotion -under which I now write to you! But I will not delay to give you a -history of the events. - -I wrote to you last, from the grotto of the shepherd-sage of Horeb. - -The following day he led a portion of his own flock, from a distant -plain, to the secluded valley on the rear of the mountain of Horeb, -away from the sea. Expecting his return, I had gone forth to meet him, -and was descending a steep path, when I beheld him advancing before -his shepherds, and leading his flock up the valley. He preceded them -some distance, and was quite alone, when I perceived a bright flame -arise by the side of his path. It rose above the bushes, which it -seemed to consume without smoke. At the same moment I observed that -Moses turned aside and approached the dazzling fire. In an instant he -was lost to my gaze, and enveloped in its flame. I hastened down the -mountain-path, surprised and alarmed at what I had seen; and, as the -way was winding, it was some minutes before I came to the valley, -where I expected to find the venerable sage consumed by the flames, -that appeared to have surrounded him. - -Upon reaching the valley, lo! I beheld the shepherds fallen upon their -faces, the man of God standing before the burning bush, his -countenance like the sun, and his raiment shining with supernatural -light! My soul was seized with an indescribable awe at the sight! His -sandals were removed from his feet, and he seemed as if he were -standing in the presence of his God, so awful was the majesty of his -countenance. He appeared to be holding discourse with one in the -flames. I was transfixed to the spot, and fell upon my face at the -sight of this stupendous vision, feeling the presence of the Almighty -there. Then I heard a voice utter these words from the midst of the -fire, in which I had seen appear the form of a man, radiant with glory -above the brightness of the sun: - -"I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and -the God of Jacob." - -While the calm, divine voice spake in still, soft tones, the earth -seemed to tremble, as if its Creator stood upon it. I looked up with -fear and trembling, and, lo! Moses was standing with his face covered -by his shepherd's mantle, for he was afraid to look upon God; while my -heart sunk within me, and I became as a dead man. - -When I returned to consciousness, I heard, without raising my face -again, Moses talking with the mighty Angel in the flame, which I -perceived rested upon the thorn-bush like dazzling sunbeams -concentrated thereon, but without consuming or changing a leaf. It was -the radiance alone, of this celestial Person's glorious presence, that -constituted the wonderful flame of fire. - -"I have surely seen," said the Voice from the flaming glory, "the -affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry -by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows, and I am -come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to -bring them up out of that land unto a good land, and a large, unto a -land flowing with milk and honey,--the land of the Canaanites and the -Amorites. - -"Now, therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come up -before me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians -oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, -that thou mayest bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of -Egypt." - -Here the holy and divine Voice ceased. How did its words thrill my -heart! Had the mighty God of the Hebrews come down from heaven at last -to deliver His people, fulfil His promise to Abram, and also make -Moses the servant of His power? My soul was overpowered with the -thought. - -Then Moses spake, in accents of the profoundest humility and fear, and -said-- - -"Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth -the children of Israel out of Egypt?" - -And the Voice replied-- - -"Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, -that I have sent thee,--lo! when thou hast brought forth the people -out of Egypt, ye and they shall serve God upon this mountain." - -Then Moses answered the Angel of the flame, with that meekness and -humbleness of heart which characterizes him-- - -"Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto -them, 'The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you;' and they shall -say unto me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say unto them?" - -The inquiry was made by him with the profoundest homage in the tones -of his reverent voice, not as if he doubted God, but his brethren. -Moreover, he now beheld, as it were face to face, the Lord God of -heaven and earth, whom he had so long worshipped, and whose name to -men, neither he nor any man knew. And I heard the Voice answer--with -majesty inconceivable, so that my spirit failed before it--and say -unto Moses-- - -"I AM THAT I AM. Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I -AM hath sent me unto you!'" - -Then after a brief silence, during which Moses fell upon his face and -worshipped, the Voice from the midst of the fire said: - -"Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'The Lord God of -your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of -Jacob, hath sent me unto you. THIS is my NAME _forever_; and this is -my memorial unto all generations!' Go, and gather the elders of Israel -together and say unto them, 'The Lord God of your fathers, the God of -Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying-- - -"'I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in -Egypt; and I have said, I will bring you out of the affliction of -Egypt, unto the land of the Canaanites, unto a land flowing with milk -and honey!' And the children of Israel shall hearken to thy voice; and -thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of -Egypt, and ye shall say unto him-- - -"'The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us; and now let us go, we -beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may -sacrifice to the Lord our God.' And I am sure that the king of Egypt -will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand; and I will stretch out -My hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the -midst thereof; and after that he will let you go: and when ye go, ye -shall not go empty, but ye shall spoil the Egyptians." - -When the Voice had ceased, I heard Moses answer, and say with modest -diffidence: - -"But, behold, the elders and people of my brethren, the Hebrews, will -not believe me nor hearken to my voice; for they will say, 'The Lord -hath not appeared unto thee.'" - -How extraordinary, O my father, this humility of the wisest of men! -How impiously vain some sages and seers would have been, at such an -infinite honor as the appearance of God to them, to talk with them, -face to face, as He did now to Moses,--veiling the ineffable splendor -of His glory under the form of an angel enveloped in a mantle of -dazzling sunbeams,--His presence a flame of fire! But see this great -and holy man modestly declining the service, considering himself mean -and powerless when compared with the mighty Pharaoh, and utterly -unable to do any thing for the Hebrew nation. Forty years ago, he had, -indeed, felt a divine motion in himself to deliver them, which he then -believed was an indication that God would use him as an instrument for -that purpose: but forty years an exile, forgotten by the children of -Israel, and being only a ruler of shepherds, and guardian of the -flocks of a small province, he felt the humility and insignificance of -his position, as well as his total want of means and power to do what -God now commanded him to do. But, lo! God condescends to inspire him -with the confidence and resolution, the magnanimity and fortitude, -that his sublime errand demanded. - -The voice of the Lord spake and said: - -"What is that in thine hand?" - -He answered, "A rod." - -This was the staff with which he climbed the sides of Horeb, and -guided his flock, and upon which he often leaned his head when he -stood and worshipped. - -And the Voice said, with authority: - -"Cast it on the ground." - -As Moses obeyed, I heard first the rod strike the ground, then a sharp -hissing, as of a serpent, and lastly, a cry of surprise from Moses; -when, raising my face from the earth, upon which I had remained -prostrate, fearing to look upon the glory before me, I perceived, with -horror, a serpent rearing its head angrily into the air, and Moses -flying from before it. Then the Voice from the ineffable light said to -him, "Put forth thy hand and take it by the tail." Moses, with -hesitating obedience, obeyed, put forth his hand and caught it, when, -lo! it became a rod again in his hand. - -"This shall be a sign to them, that they may believe that the Lord God -of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of -Jacob, hath appeared unto thee," was again spoken. - -I had risen, and stood upon my feet in terror, at beholding the -serpent, and would have fled, but had no power to move. I now heard -the Voice command Moses to thrust his hand into his bosom; and he put -his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, it was as -leprous as snow. Then the Voice said--for I heard only, not daring to -behold the Angel more--"Put thy hand into thy bosom again." And he put -his hand into his bosom again; and when he had plucked it out of his -bosom, it was turned again as it was before, like his other flesh. - -Then I heard the Angel of God, who was God himself, say to him: - -"It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken -to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of -the latter sign. If they will not believe, also, these two signs, -neither hearken unto thy voice, then thou shalt take of the water of -the river of Egypt and pour it upon the dry land, and it shall become -blood." - -Then Moses looked troubled in spirit, and said unto the Lord-- - -"O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast -spoken unto thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of a slow -tongue." - -This embarrassment of speech, my dear father, which existed in a -slight degree, as I have heard you say, when you knew him, and which -proceeded from modesty and diffidence when expressing himself in -intercourse with others (though with his pen he is powerful and -eloquent beyond all men), has, no doubt, been increased by his long -retirement as a shepherd, and his love of solitude; yet, nevertheless, -he is the most interesting teacher of wisdom to whom I ever listened. -But no one save himself would accuse him of being slow of speech and -slow of tongue. - -Then the voice of the Lord said, with a rebuke in its tones-- - -"Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or the deaf, or -the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the LORD? Now, therefore, go, and -I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say!" - -Notwithstanding all this, the heart of Moses failed him. He trembled -at being an ambassador of God to his people, and said, with great fear -and dread visible in his countenance-- - -"Send, I pray Thee; but not by me, but by the hand of him whom Thou -wilt send." - -Thus speaking, he fell prostrate before the Lord and covered his face. - -Then the anger of the Angel of the Lord seemed to be kindled against -Moses, for the flames were agitated and spread abroad, and shot forth -fiery tongues, and I looked to see him consumed. But from their midst -I heard the Voice demand-- - -"Is not Aaron, the Levite, thy brother? I know that he can speak well; -and also, he cometh forth to meet thee, and when he seeth thee he will -be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him" (the dread Voice -was no longer in anger), "and put words in his mouth; and I will be -with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall -do. And _he_ shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and he shall be, -even he shall be unto _thee_ instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to -_him_ instead of God. And thou shalt take this rod in thy hand, -wherewith thou shalt do signs." - -Then Moses rose from the ground, and bowed his head low in submission -and obedience to the voice of the Lord. The flame had already begun to -fade slowly, until it appeared like a golden cloud, which now rapidly -melted away like a mist touched with the setting sun. The next moment -it was invisible, leaving the sacred bush as before, green with leaves -and brilliant with wild-flowers; and as I gazed, a pair of snow-white -doves lighted upon it. - -Then Moses, lifting up his eyes to heaven, said: "O Lord God, who is -like unto Thee among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious and -fearful, doing wonders? The Lord shall reign forever, great in power -and holiness! He is my God, and I will praise Him; my fathers' God, -and I will magnify His holy name forever! He hath remembered His -covenant with Abraham, and His vengeance against the nation that -oppresseth His people." - -At this moment I beheld Aaron advancing along the defile. When he -beheld Moses, whose person yet seemed bright with the lingering glory -of the divine Presence, he ran to him, and kissing him, said-- - -"Thus did I behold thee in my vision, brother!" - -"Hast thou also seen God face to face?" demanded Moses, regarding him -with affectionate earnestness, "that thou art come hither from Egypt -so soon?" - -"I was at prayer fourteen days ago, in Goshen, when a vision stood -before me!--such a form, doubtless, as our father Abraham beheld. It -said to me, 'Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.' Then, in the -vision, I beheld thee standing in the mount of God, and the glory of -the Lord shone upon thee, and thou wast talking with one who seemed -like an angel of God, and I knew that thou wast ordained of Him, with -authority to deliver Israel out of Egypt. Therefore, delaying not, I -am come hither according to the command of the angel of the Lord. My -heart is glad at beholding thee! Speak now, O my brother, for the -angel said to me, 'He shall tell thee all the words of the Lord, and -all the signs which He hath commanded him.'" - -Moses then told Aaron all the words which God had spoken unto him, and -how the Lord had sent him to deliver Israel, and had given him courage -and power to obey, removing his fears and confirming his faith. -Thereupon he showed Aaron the rod in his hand, and said, "If this rod -becomes a serpent, as it did before the Lord, then wilt thou know that -He hath sent me, and is with me! for this is His sign." - -As he spoke, he cast the rod far from him upon the ground, which it no -sooner struck than it became a serpent, and ran swiftly towards Moses, -who reached forth, and grasping it by the head without fear, lo! it -became again a rod of almond-wood, as before! The other sign also -Moses showed to his brother, who then answered and said-- - -"Thou shalt deliver Israel, and I will be thy servant, and bear thy -rod before thee!" - -I had already, by the invitation of Moses, drawn near to these holy -and great men, and walked with them, feeling, prince that I am, the -deepest sense of inferiority and humility. I felt that I could be the -servant of both, and that I was honored when taking up the sandals -which Moses had put off his feet. I knelt before him to put them on; -but, in his modesty, this prince appointed of God would not suffer me. - -The two venerable brothers--one eighty years of age, and the other -eighty-three--now walked together towards the shepherd's cave on the -mountain-side, discoursing of the wonderful and joyful events which -had just passed, of the promised deliverance of Israel, and how God -would accomplish it, and by what sort of exercise of power and -majesty. - -The next day Moses returned to Jethro, and said to him-- - -"I pray thee let me go, and return unto my people which are in Egypt, -and see how they fare, and if my brethren of the family of Levi be yet -alive--for the Lord hath shown me that all the men are dead which -sought my life." And his venerable father-in-law said-- - -"Go in peace." - -Therefore, my dear father, three days afterwards, Moses, accompanied -by his brother and myself, took leave of Jethro, and taking his wife -and son, and holding the "rod of God" in his hand, left Midian. The -next day we fell in with a caravan from the East, and after many days -I once more reached Egypt. In sight of On, I parted from Moses, who -went with his family to that part of the land of Goshen where his -tribe dwells, which is not far from the treasure-city of Raamses. - -The first hours I could command, after reaching the palace of the -Governor of On, with whom I dwell as a guest, I have devoted, my dear -father, to a recital of these extraordinary events. Moses seems to be -a different man! calm majesty sits enthroned upon his brow, and he is -profoundly impressed with the sublime mission which Heaven has -intrusted to him. - -Aaron, who has, from time to time, revisited Egypt, and is well known -to the elders of his people, will be a great support and aid to Moses, -in his intercourse with the Hebrews. The two mighty brothers are now -assembling the elders together, though it is but two days since they -returned to Egypt. Secretly, messengers have been going by night -throughout the land of Goshen, calling an assembly, in the name of the -God of Abraham, to meet, two nights hence, at the ruined fountain of -Jacob. - -I shall also be present, dear father, by permission of the inspired -Moses. What infinite issues will grow out of that midnight meeting of -these "sons of God," for such, though in bondage, are these Hebrews -shown to be! How little Thothmes-Amosis, who calls himself also, -vainly, after Amunophis, the Great, and assumes the style, "Upholder -of worlds," "Lord of the Diadem of Heaven," and "Beloved of the Sun," -upon his cartouch,--how little, I repeat, he dreams that One mightier -than he, the Upholder of the universe, very Lord of heaven and earth, -and Creator of the sun, is armed with vengeance against him, and will -presently bring him into judgment for the bondage of the Hebrews! I -saw him this morning in his palace, for he is now in his palace at On, -having hastened to pay him my homage after my absence. He was in gay -humor, for news had reached him that his "lord of the mines" had -opened a new vein of silver, in the southern mountains near Ethiopia. - -"I will send one hundred thousand of these Hebrews to work it, O -prince," he said. "I will, to-morrow, give orders to all the -governors, and chief captains, and officers over them, to choose me -the strongest and most dangerous, and assemble them in companies of -thousands, and, under strong guard, march them to the Thebaïd. By the -gods! yesterday I was planning some new device to destroy their -children, male and female; but the mines come happily to my aid!" - -Thus does this proud, weak, luxurious, and cruel monarch, confident of -power, and sitting as a god upon his throne, acknowledging no power -above his own, dream of wealth, and rejoice in dominion! - -Did policy prompt me to give him warning? I feared the God of Moses -more than I sympathized with a contemporaneous prince, albeit Tyre was -his ally. - -Farewell, my dear father. - -My next letter will, no doubt, convey to you startling tidings. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER VI. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO KING SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF ON, EGYPT. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -The secret assembly of the elders, called by Moses, met last night. It -was in a solitary place, far from any of the garrisons of soldiers. In -the disguise of a Hebrew, I also was present, standing by Aaron. It -was after midnight before all the elders could elude the vigilance of -their officers, and had assembled. The well of Jacob, you recollect. -It is where you had the conversation with Remeses (now Moses), upon -the condition of the Hebrews. The Egyptian soldiers, who are very -superstitious, will not venture near this desolate fountain by night; -for the tradition is, that it leads to the realms of the lower world, -and that there are evil beings who issue from it in the darkness, and -drag under the earth all who walk past it. The Hebrews have no such -superstition, or despised their fears on an occasion like the present. -Aaron, in selecting the spot, knew it would be safe from intrusion on -the part of the Egyptians. - -It was a sublime spectacle to see no less than four hundred and eighty -elders of the Hebrews, forty out of each tribe, met together beneath -the aged palm-trees that overshadowed the fountain, and where Jacob -had sat, with his sons about him, in peace, under the protecting -sceptre of the king of that day. - -The moon shone here and there upon a silvery head, while others were -grouped in shadow. There was a deep, expecting silence. At length -Aaron stood up in their midst, his venerable figure visible to all -present, as the pale moonlight fell upon him-- - -"Men and brethren, Hebrews of the house of Abraham our father, hear, -while I make known to you why I have called this strange meeting--for -when before has Israel met in such an assembly! Your presence, your -readiness to come, your courage, and your success in reaching here, -all show to me the hand of God, and the power of God." - -Aaron then gave a history of the origin of their nation, of God's -promise to Abraham, of his prophecy of their bondage and deliverance, -and his promise to give them the land of the Canaanites. They listened -with deep attention, for he spoke with remarkable eloquence. He then -said, "The hour of our deliverance is at hand. God has remembered His -promise, and come down to our deliverance." Then, with thrilling -power, the venerable speaker described the scene at the burning bush -on Horeb, and, in conclusion, presented Moses, his brother, to the -elders. He was received with a murmur of satisfaction; but some -doubted. Others remembered that he had been raised an Egyptian, and -openly expressed their fear that it was a plan to betray them into a -movement, that would give Pharaoh an excuse to destroy them all. - -"Let us see his miracles! If God sent him, let us see his rod become a -serpent before our faces," said an old man brutally and tauntingly. - -Moses took the rod from the hand of his brother, and said with -sternness-- - -"Thou shalt see and believe!" - -He then cast it upon the ground, when it not only became a serpent, -but its scales glittered like fire. With fierce hissing it coiled -itself about the form of the doubter, and lifting its head above his -own, darted it every way with flashing eyes, so that there was a -universal cry of horror. The wretched old man fell to the ground, the -serpent uncoiled from his form, and Moses taking it by the tail it -became a rod again in his hand! - -At this miracle, the whole assembly, save one man became convinced -that Moses had been sent by God to them. This one said-- - -"It is the magician's art! He hath been an Egyptian priest, and knows -their mysteries." - -Upon this, Moses said-- - -"Korah, I remember thee! I was educated as an Egyptian, but I know -none of their magic; and to show thee that this is the power of God, -thrust thy hand into thy bosom!" - -The man obeyed. - -"Take it forth!" said Moses, in a tone of command. - -He did so and it was leprous as snow, and the moon glared upon it, as -upon the alabaster hand of a statue. He uttered a cry of horror. - -"Be not unbelieving," said Moses. "Replace thy hand in thy bosom." He -did so, and took it out restored like the other. The man who had been -entwined by the serpent also rose to his feet, and both acknowledged -the power of God, and the authority of Moses. He now made known to -them that God had sent him to demand their release from Pharaoh; and -that the king would at first refuse, but that after he had seen the -power of God he would yield and let them go forth out of Egypt, to the -good land promised to Abraham for his seed, forever. - -"Return now, elders and brethren," he said to them, like one who spake -by authority to those who recognized it, "return to your places of -toil. Be quiet and patient, and wait the hand of God. He will manifest -His glory and display His power in your behalf, as was never done on -earth before. Bear patiently your labors, and do not doubt that the -time of your deliverance is at hand. Let all Israel know the glad -tidings of God's visitation, and that He has surely stretched out His -arm over Egypt, to break their yoke of bondage." - -This extraordinary assembly then separated, each man to his place; and -Moses and Aaron went to the house of one Naashon, a Levite, whose -sister had become Aaron's wife many years before. Here I remained -until morning; but no eye closed in sleep, for many had followed the -brothers, and till dawn they were holding discourse with their -friends, on the wonderful things about to happen. - -Moses said he should go before Pharaoh the next day but one, when he -held public audience in the throne room, that great hall of Egyptian -state, which, my dear father you once described, and where you were -presented to Queen Amense, as she was seated upon the same throne. - -Farewell, my dear father. In three days I will write you again. - - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER VII. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF ON, EGYPT. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -Moses has met Pharaoh, face to face, and demanded of him the liberty -of the Hebrew nation! The scene in the throne-room was deeply -interesting and striking; and I will endeavor briefly to convey to you -a conception of it. - -The king, on that day gave audience in the throne-room, when, -according to custom, no one, however humble, was refused permission to -lay his petition before his king. At the hour appointed, Moses the -mighty Hebrew, and Aaron his brother, accompanied by seven of the -chief men of their nation--a venerable company with their flowing -beards and snow-white locks--entered the city from Raamses, and -proceeded towards the palace. The captain of the guard, seeing they -were Hebrews, looked amazed, and would have stopped them, but the -majesty and authority with which the two brothers moved, side by side, -awed him, and without speaking, he suffered them to enter the palace, -and they passed on, looking neither to the right nor the left. Knowing -that they would appear at that hour I stood near and beheld them. They -traversed the corridor of the vestibule, and the courtiers and lords -and servitors gave way before them, for they were clad in long robes -like priests, and appeared to them to be some sacred procession: but -when they perceived that they were Hebrews, they looked with contempt -on them, yet let them pass. So these chosen men advanced, and stood -before the ivory throne, where the king sat in robes of cloth of -purple and vestments of gold, wearing the double crown. His high -officers stood about him, his body-guard were stationed on each side -of the throne, while before him kneeled a single petitioner. It was a -woman, whose son had accidentally wounded an ibis with an arrow, and -was condemned to die. She plead to the king for his life. - -"Nay, woman, he must not live!" answered Pharaoh. "If he had slain a -slave or a Hebrew, I might grant thy prayer; but to wound a sacred -bird is sacrilege. Retire! But who come hither?" he demanded of his -grand-chamberlain beside his footstool, as he saw the Hebrew company -advancing. "Who are these?" - -"They look like Hebrews, father," said the son of Thothmeses, a young -prince twenty years of age, who lounged indolently against one of the -ivory figures that adorned the throne. - -"Hebrews?" said the king. "What do they here? And in robes! Ah, Prince -of Tyre, welcome!" he said, turning to me, as, at the moment, I -appeared and made my obeisance before him. "You honor us by your -presence in our hall of judgment." - -While he spoke, Aaron and Moses had reached the foot of the throne. -Their venerable and majestic aspect seemed to impress him. "Who are -ye? Are ye not Hebrews?" he demanded, with a face expressing mingled -surprise and doubt. - -"We are Hebrews, O king," answered Aaron, with respectful homage. "We -are two brethren. My name is Aaron the Levite, and this my brother is -Moses the Midianite; and these others are the elders of Israel--chiefs -of the Hebrew people." This was spoken with calmness and fearlessness. - -"And wherefore are ye come hither?" the king cried. "Who of my -governors has let you from your work? Who is Israel?" - -"Thus saith the Lord, the Governor of the universe," answered Aaron: -"'Israel is my son, even my first-born. Let my son go, that he may -serve me.' And if thou refuse to let Israel go, O king," continued -Aaron with an air of inspiration, "behold our God will slay thy son, -even thy first-born." - -The king started, and became pale with anger and amazement; and his -son, Amunophis, sprang forward a step, and laid his hand upon the -jewelled scimitar he wore at the girdle of his vesture, crying,-- - -"Slay me! What menace is this, graybeard? A conspiracy, my father!" - -"Who is the Lord," demanded the king, "that I should obey His voice, -and let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. -What threats are these? Ho! captain of the guard, seize these Hebrews, -and put them in prison!" - -The captain of the guard prepared to obey, but not a soldier moved. -The majesty of Moses, as he fixed his eyes upon them, as it were, -paralyzed them. Then Aaron answered Pharaoh, and said: - -"He is the God of the Hebrews, O king; the Lord of the sun, and -Upholder of worlds. He hath met with us and commanded us to go three -days' journey out of Egypt into the desert, and sacrifice unto Him, as -our fathers aforetime did: and if we disobey His voice, He will fall -upon us, and destroy us with pestilence or with the sword; for what -other people is there that do not their sacrifices, save our nation? -Therefore, thus saith the Lord of the Hebrews to thee, O King of -Egypt, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a holy feast to me in the -wilderness.'" - -"By the gods of Egypt, ye Moses and Aaron," cried the king, rising -from his throne in great wrath, "I defy the God of the Hebrews! -Wherefore do ye hinder the people from their works? Get you, and these -old men with you, unto your burdens! Ye seek to destroy Egypt; for if -the Hebrews, which are now many in the land, be let three days from -their burdens, they will do mischief, and make sedition. Get thee from -my presence! But for thy gray head, O Aaron, you should be put to -death! This is a new thing in Egypt. Let them forth!" he called to his -servitors. - -Moses answered, speaking for the first time,-- - -"O King Thothmeses, the God of the Hebrews, whose servant I am, will -yet make thee know His power, and that there is none else--no other -God but Him!" - -The king made no reply. He sunk back upon his throne overcome with -surprise; and I could perceive a certain look of fear in his eyes. -Prince Amunophis followed the retiring ambassadors of God, and, as -they reached the vestibule, he gave orders to the outer guard to -arrest the whole company. But with a gesture of his hand, Moses caused -them to retire before him; and the prince, returning with amazement, -said to the king: - -"These two men are gods, O king! They carry the aspect and majesty of -demigods, and all men fear to lay hands on them!" - -"If I hear more of them," answered Pharaoh, by this time recovered -from his emotion, "I will know whether they are gods or men! They -shall die, by the life of Osiris! Do these Hebrews want more work?" - -The king then commanded to come before him his chief officers, -governors, captains, and head taskmasters, and said to them, "Ye shall -no more give the Hebrew people straw to make brick as heretofore. Let -them go and gather straw for themselves. And the number of bricks -which they have made heretofore, shall ye bind them to. Ye shall not -diminish aught thereof; for they are idle, and cry, 'Let us go and -sacrifice to our God.' Let there be more work laid upon the men, that -they may be so employed as not to have leisure to regard the vain -words of this Moses and Aaron!" - -Thus, my dear father, the first result, of the interposition of Moses -for his people, is to increase their oppression! Yet their God is -above all, and will manifest His power for their deliverance. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER VIII. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAR AND VENERABLE FATHER: - -Many days have passed since I wrote to you. You will wish to hear the -ultimate issue of the command of Pharaoh, to increase the burdens of -the Hebrews, and its effects upon them. - -In obedience to this command, the taskmasters and officers of this -unhappy people went out and strictly fulfilled it. The poor Hebrew -brick-makers, in whose work coarse straw of wheat cut fine is -necessary to make the clay cohere, as they are only dried in the sun, -are now distributed all over Egypt seeking straw, which hitherto the -Egyptian laborers brought to them in carts and laden barges. Thus -dispersed, they gather stubble, and dry bulrushes, and grass, and -every thing they can in their haste find on the surface of the ground; -for if night comes and their tale of bricks falls short, they are -beaten. As, therefore, one half of the time of many is consumed in -searching the highways and fields, instead of being all the time, as -heretofore, engaged only in making brick, the task put upon them is an -impossible one; and everywhere the sound of the rod and whip, and the -cry of sufferers, goes up from the land. At length the elders and -officers of the Hebrews (for their own people are often made their -taskmasters, who also had to account to their Egyptian captains for -their fulfillment of the king's command), got courage from despair, -and meeting the king as he was abroad in his chariot, cast themselves -before him, crying, "Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us? It is not -our fault that we cannot make up the number of bricks, as heretofore, -seeing straw is not given us; and thy servants are beaten; but the -fault is in thine own officers." - -Pharaoh angrily answered, "Ye are idle! Ye are idle! Ye have not -enough to do, or ye would not think ye had time to go into the desert -to sacrifice to your God. Go, therefore, and do your tasks, for there -shall no straw be given you." - -"And shall we deliver the tale of bricks?" they cried. - -"To the last one of them!" answered the king; and with an impatient -sign for them to stand aside from his chariot-wheels, he dashed -forward on his way, attended by his brilliant retinue. The unhappy men -then perceived "that they were in evil case," as one of them said to -me in relating this interview; and meeting Moses and Aaron in the -fields not long afterwards, one of their number said, indignantly, and -with grief-- - -"The Lord look upon you, Moses and Aaron, and judge you, because by -your interference with the king, thou hast put a sword into the hand -of Pharaoh to slay us." - -Moses looked sorrowfully and troubled, and raising his eyes heavenward -as he left them without a reply, for he wot not how to answer, they -heard him cry unto his God, and say-- - -"Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this Thy people? Why is -it that Thou didst send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in -Thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither, O Lord God, hast -Thou delivered Thy people at all!" - -Then came a voice from heaven, which they heard, and said-- - -"Thou shalt see what I will do to Pharaoh; for he shall let you go, -and drive you out of his land. I am the Lord who spake to thee in -Horeb, out of the burning bush; and I appeared unto Abraham, unto -Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty. But by my name -JEHOVAH was I not known to them. I have heard the groaning of the -children of Israel. Wherefore say unto them, 'I am the Lord, and I -will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will -take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall -know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under -the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land -which I did swear to give to Abraham, and to Isaac, and to Jacob, and -I will give it to you for an heritage. I am the Lord!'" - -With these words, Moses sought to comfort the Hebrews, his brethren, -going to them and proclaiming it to them in their ears; but for an -anguish of spirit, and the great pressure of their cruel bondage upon -their minds, they did not hearken unto him. Hope in their bosoms was -utterly dead. Moreover, many of them looked on him with eyes of -hatred, as the author of this increase of their wretchedness. - -What a situation was this for the servant of God! Confident of the -power and truth of Jehovah, he could not reconcile therewith this -increase of the power of Pharaoh. Perhaps, at times, his own faith was -severely tried. - -Since then, a month has passed, during which period I saw Moses often -in Goshen, where he passed his time in encouraging those of his -brethren who would give heed to him. - -In the mean while, Pharaoh, as if in contempt or defiance of the God -of the Hebrews, has been engaged in extraordinary religious rites; and -every day the streets have resounded with the music of instruments and -choral songs of processions to the gods. I witnessed all of these -ceremonies, and will describe some of them that are not mentioned by -you in your letters from Egypt, my dear father. - -On the seventh day after Moses and Aaron left him, Thothmeses went in -state to the black marble temple of the sacred serpent, Uræus, to -offer sacrifice and oblation to its great image of gold with jewelled -eyes and hideous head. He addressed it as the god of wisdom and -sagacity, and presented offerings of flowers, and a necklace of -emeralds; while, for the living serpents, held sacred by the -Egyptians, he left gifts of money to purchase food for their -repletion. - -The next day he proceeded, at the head of the priests and the most -magnificent religious procession I have seen in Egypt, from his palace -along the sphinx-lined avenue to the terrace of the Nile, opposite the -Island of Rhoda, where stands a brazen statue of the god Nilus, with -those of Osiris and Thoth on either side of its pedestal. - -Descending from his chariot, he advanced to the river, and poured from -a goblet, set with diamonds, a libation of wine into its waves, and -invoked the river itself as a deity, concluding his prayer with a -curse upon the God of the Hebrews. Then, at his command, the chief -sacrificer advanced, leading a Hebrew boy four years old, whom he laid -upon the altar before the statue of the god, and, at a stroke of his -sacrificial knife, sacrificed there. I could scarcely refrain from a -cry of horror. I knew that the Egyptians, on certain occasions, -sacrificed human beings to the gods; but I never expected to behold an -immolation like this. The palpitating form of the child was then taken -up by two assistants, and the blood of its heart was poured forth into -the Nile, as a libation to the god. The empurpled wave then received -the inanimate form, amid a crash of instrumental music. This unusual -libation of blood to the Nile was intended as an act of defiance to -the Hebrew JEHOVAH. - -The following day, Pharaoh made a procession to the temple of sacred -frogs, on the borders of the canal of Amun. Here libations were poured -out before a colossal sphinx having a frog's head, and offerings made. -The frog is held sacred by the Egyptians, because it is supposed to -purify the waters by feeding on poisons in the marshes and river. - -The succeeding day Pharaoh, as if possessed with a religious -infatuation, that now led him to seek the favor of gods hitherto -neglected by him, in his dread of the God of the Hebrews, paid a -visit, with all his court, to the temple of the scarabæus, or sacred -beetle of Egypt. This is a marble edifice, adorned with a frieze of -scarabæi, having heads of every variety of animal. The god himself is -a gigantic beetle of black marble, with a human head. He is supposed -to protect the temples from vermin, such as lice and fleas; for one of -these seen in a temple, or upon the garments of a priest, causes -ceremonial defilement, and neither priest nor temple may be made holy -again but by purification. - -The next day a procession was made by Pharaoh and his people to the -little temple of Baal-Zebel, a deity that is reverenced as their -protector from flies, which sometimes infest the land in ravenous -swarms, and which, it is believed, this idol only can remove. Can -Thothmeses be so superstitious? Or does he make all this show of piety -merely to humor the superstitions of his people, and sustain the -priests of these shrines? Does he fear Moses and his power, so as to -desire to strengthen himself in the affections of the priesthood and -people? - -The day after the visit to the temple of the fly-god, he went in great -state to the temple of the sacred ox of On, Mnevis. Here he -sacrificed, prayed, poured libations, and offered oblations. It was an -imposing scene, as he was attended by one thousand priests clad in -rich vestments, and wearing shining crowns, the whole waving censers -of gold. Of the god he asked protection to all the cattle of Egypt, -and prosperity to the harvests; and then solemnly denounced the God of -the Hebrews, as a God not known or honored in Egypt, and who, if He -existed, was but a God of slaves. - -The next day of this ten days' ovation, Pharaoh proceeded to the -gloomy temple of Typhon, on the edge of the desert. Here a Nubian -slave was sacrificed to the Evil Principle, by being bound to the -altar and burned alive. The officiating priests then gathered the -ashes and cast them high into the air, calling on their god and -praying him, that wheresoever an atom of the ashes was borne on the -wind, evil might not visit the place. - -Thothmeses has diligently revived the human sacrifices which Queen -Amense forbade, and the act sufficiently illustrates the native -cruelty and superstition of the man. - -Two days afterwards, having crossed the Nile in great pomp, he -proceeded, in grand procession, to the temple of Serapis. The god -Apis, you are aware, my dear father, has the peculiar office, besides -many others, of protecting the country from locusts; and at the -seasons when these destructive insects visit Egypt, Apis is invoked to -command them to retire from the land. - -The rites performed by the king before the god were imposing and -gorgeous. He invoked him, not against locusts, but against the God of -Moses! - -Does not all this show a secret dread of the God he defies? Yet he -knows nothing of His power, and has witnessed no act of wonder -performed by Him. Doubtless he felt, that a servant who dared to be so -bold and confident, must have a divine Master, who is great and -powerful. Perhaps he had heard of the God of the Hebrews in times -past;--of the dream of Prince Joseph and the seven years' famine;--of -the destruction of the vale of Sodom, with its cities, by fire from -heaven at God's command;--of the dispersion of the nations at the -pyramid of Babylon;--of the mighty deluge which He caused to overflow -the mountains and drown the world! Perhaps, for he is learned and -intelligent enough, when Aaron spoke to him of the God of the Hebrews, -he remembered who He was in times of old, and trembled to hear His -name again. - -Three days afterwards the king visited the shrine of Isis, and poured -libations, and made thanksgivings; and invoked her, as the moon, and -controller of the seasons and weather, to send abundant rains upon the -mountains of Ethiopia, and the sources of the Nile, so that the annual -overflow, now near at hand, may not fail, nor the land be deprived of -its fertility. - -Two days later, with a procession of all the priests of all the -temples, and with chariots, and horsemen, and footmen,--a vast -array,--he visited the great temple of Osiris, or the sun; and, after -august ceremonies, himself acting as high-priest, with the high-priest -of On for his assistant, he presented the statue of the god with a new -crown of gold, and a crook and flail of ivory inlaid with jewels. He -invoked him, by the appellation of the god of light, the dispeller of -darkness, the terror of clouds, and the foe of lightnings and storms. -And he implored clear skies, and serene weather for the harvests, as -heretofore. - -Thus the piety of Thothmeses has been quickened into unwonted activity -by the dread of the God of Israel, as if he would secure his gods' -faithfulness should the God of Moses be too strong for him. In the -mean while the children of Israel are groaning under the weight of -their increased oppression. I have seen Aaron to-day. He informed me, -with looks of holy faith in his God, that Moses and he were, -to-morrow, by God's command, to appear again before Pharaoh, and -demand the release of the Hebrews. - -What a scene will be enacted! Will these two courageous men brave his -anger, and escape? I tremble for the result. They are firm and -resolved, being strong in the strength of their God. I shall be sure -to be at the palace to-morrow, that I may behold these servants of -Jehovah meet, once more, face to face, this cruel Pharaoh and his gods. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER IX. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY VERY DEAR FATHER: - -You will read what I am about to write, with the profoundest interest. -The two mighty Hebrews again sought an audience of the king, and -boldly demanded the freedom of Israel. - -This meeting did not take place in the palace of On, but in that at -Memphis, on the avenue of the pyramids. Pharaoh was seated in the -court of the palace, giving audience to the governors of the -thirty-nine nomes, which now constitute the number of his provinces. -When he had ended his instructions to them, Moses and Aaron were -announced. I stood near him conversing with the prince; for I knew -that the two men of God purposed to seek the king's presence. - -"How darest thou announce these Hebrews?" cried the king, sharply, to -his trembling grand-chamberlain. - -"I could not forbid them, O king! I fled instinctively and without -power of resistance before the majesty of their presence. Behold them -advancing!" - -Pharaoh turned pale. He essayed to give some fierce order to those -about him, but his tongue failed him. - -"Who will slay me these men?" cried the Prince Amunophis, seeing the -king's troubled looks. - -Not a man moved. Awe and curiosity took the place of all other -feelings. Side by side the two brothers came unfalteringly forward -till they stood before the monarch,--fixing their regards only upon -him. - -"What are ye come for, Moses and Aaron?" at length he uttered, in a -thick voice. "Have I spared your lives, that you might come again to -mock me in my palace?" - -"We are come, O king," answered Moses with dignity, and looking far -more kingly than he whom he addressed--"we are come in the name of the -God of the Hebrews. He hath heard their cry from all the land of -Egypt, by reason of their taskmasters, and I am sent to command thee, -in His name, to send the children of Israel out of thy land!" - -"Have I knowledge of your God? What is His power? Let Him make Himself -known! Or, if He hath sent thee to me, where are thy credentials from -His hand? I listen to no ambassadors from God or man, unless they show -me that they are sent. By what sign wilt thou declare thy mission? If -a king sent thee, show me his handwriting; if a god, show me a -miracle!" - -Aaron held the rod of Moses in his hand, and casting it upon the -marble pavement of the court, it became a serpent, slowly gliding -along the floor and flashing fire from its eyes. The servants of -Pharaoh fled before it. The king upon his throne, at first, became -alarmed, but seeing the monster inflate its throat and stretch lazily -and innocuously along the lion-skin before his footstool, he smiled -contemptuously and said-- - -"Thy Arabian life has given thee great skill, O Moses. Ho! call my -magicians! I have magi that can equal thy art!" - -All was expectation, until at length two stately personages solemnly -entered, each with his acacia rod. They were Jambres and Jannes, the -royal and chief magicians of Egypt, of whose fame other lands have -heard. They were dark-featured, Arabic-looking men, and dressed with -great magnificence, wearing robes blazing with gold and jewels. Their -bearing was haughty and imperious, and they looked about them with -disdain, as if they were beings of a better order than the Egyptians, -who stood awed, or prostrated themselves in their presence. - -"Seest thou this serpent?" demanded Pharaoh, directing the attention -of Jambres to the monster, which lay coiled upon the lion-skin before -the steps of the throne; while several of the guard with spears stood -near, to thrust it through, should it approach the king. The magicians -regarded it with surprise, and then looked fixedly at Moses and Aaron. -They had evidently heard by the messengers, what had passed. "Half an -hour since, he was a rod in the hand of that Hebrew magician!" said -the king. "Show him thy art, and that we have gods whose servants can -do as great miracles as this!" - -The magicians advanced and said-- - -"O king, beloved of the sun, live forever! Behold the power of thy own -magicians!" Thus speaking, they cast their rods upon the ground, when -they became serpents also, after a few moments had transpired. Pharaoh -then said, addressing the Hebrew brothers-- - -"Ye are but impostors, and have done your miracle by the gods of -Egypt, as my magicians do." - -"If the god of Egypt be strongest, let his serpents destroy my -serpent: but if the God of the Hebrews be the greatest and the only -God, let my serpent devour his!" Thus quietly spake Aaron. - -"So be it," answered Pharaoh. - -In a moment, the serpent of Moses uncoiled himself, and fiercely -seizing, one after another, the two serpents of the magicians, -swallowed them. At this there was an outcry among the people; and, -greatly terrified, Pharaoh half-rose from his throne; but Aaron -catching up the serpent, it became a rod as before. Instead of -acknowledging the God of Moses, the king became exceedingly enraged -against his own magicians, and drove them from him, and ordered Moses -and Aaron to depart, saying that they were only more skilful sorcerers -than the others, and must show him greater signs than these ere he -would let Israel go. I have since learned, that these magicians -brought with them real serpents, which they have the power of -stiffening, and holding at arm's length by pressing upon their -throats: that they came with these, which could not be detected in the -obscurity of the shadows where they stood, and casting them down they -resumed their natural motions. That the rod of Moses should devour -them, and return to a rod again, ought to have shown Pharaoh that it -was a miracle, and not sorcery. But his heart seems to be hardened -against all impressions of this nature. - -The following morning, the governor of the nilometer having reported -to the king that the Nile had commenced to rise, Pharaoh, according to -custom, proceeded to the river, where the statue of Nilus stands, and -where he had caused the Hebrew boy to be sacrificed and his blood -poured as a libation into the stream. Here, with great pomp, he was -about to celebrate the festivities of the happy event, when, lo! Moses -and Aaron stood before him by the river's brink,--the latter with the -rod, which had been turned into a serpent, in his hand. - -"The Lord God of the Hebrews," cried Moses in a loud voice, "hath sent -me unto thee, saying, 'Let My people go.' Lo! hitherto thou wouldst -not hear. Now thus saith the Lord--'In this thou shalt know that I am -the Lord!' Behold, O king, at His command, I will smite with the rod -that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they -shall be turned into blood!" - -"I defy you and your God, and both of ye shall die!" answered Pharaoh, -pale with anger. - -Then Moses, turning calmly to Aaron, his brother, said, in my hearing, -and in that of the king and all his people, "Take this rod of God, and -stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, that there may be -blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and -vessels of stone." - -Aaron, obeying, stretched forth his hand with the rod and smote the -water at his feet, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of the -thousands of Egyptians present, and in a moment the Nile ran blood -instead of water, the fish in hundreds rose to the surface and died, -and the smell of blood filled all the atmosphere. The people uttered a -great cry, and Pharaoh looked petrified with horror. From the galleys -on the river, from the women on the opposite shore, from avenues, -terraces, and plains, from every side, rose a loud and terrible wail, -such as was never before heard. The king sought his chariot, and fled -from the face of Moses and Aaron, and all was wild dismay. These two -servants of the God, whose words had wrought this great wonder, then -walked calmly away. I felt too much awed to come near them, and in my -chariot sought my own palace. On the way I saw that the canals were -red with blood, also the standing pools, the lakes, and every body of -water. Men were running in every direction seeking for water; women -wrung their hands, and despair and fear were impressed upon every -countenance. As I passed the fountains in the court of Pharaoh's -palace, I saw that they also spouted forth blood; and in the corridor -and porticos, the water in the vases for guests, in the earthen jars -for filtering, and in those which stood in the cisterns, was of the -same crimson hue. When I reached my own apartments, lo! there also the -water in the vases and ewers was of the color of blood. The voice of -Moses, empowered by his God, had indeed turned all the waters of Egypt -into blood. Surely, I said, now will the king let Israel go. In the -afternoon I went forth, and saw the Egyptians digging everywhere for -fresh water, along the canals and river. I drove out of the city -towards Goshen, and saw all the people in motion and terror, for but -few knew the cause of the awful visitation. After an hour I reached -Goshen, the fair plain where Prince Jacob once dwelt, and where now -the children of Israel dwell by hundreds of thousands. With joyful -surprise I beheld, as I entered the province, that the canal was free -from blood, the pools sparkling with clear water, and the fountains -bright as crystal. As I rode on in the direction of the dwelling of -Moses, I perceived that the plague of blood had not fallen upon the -land where the Hebrews dwelt--only upon the Egyptians. This was a -twofold miracle. - -When Pharaoh found that water could be obtained by digging shallow -wells, and also that Goshen was free from the plague, he sent for -Jambres and Jannes, and offered to pardon them if they could turn -water into blood. They commenced their incantations upon water dug up -from his gardens--for the miracle of the rod covered only the waters -at the time on the surface, whether in the river or in houses. After -art had for some time been practised upon the water, to my surprise it -was turned to the semblance of blood. - -"See," cried Pharaoh with great joy, "the servants of Pharaoh are -equal to the servants of the Hebrew God!" - -"And O king," said Jambres vainly, "had the Hebrew juggler left us the -Nile, we could have turned that also by our enchantments." - -Then Pharaoh rewarded him with a chain of gold, and hardened his -heart, and defied Moses and his God. But in three days afterwards all -the fish died in the lakes, and river of Lower Egypt, and a stench of -their flesh and of crocodiles and reptiles that perished by the blood -in the river, and the difficulty of getting water, rendered Egypt -almost uninhabitable. Thousands fled to the pure air and water of -Goshen, where also I remained. Every hour I expected to behold a royal -courier coming for Moses and Aaron, ordering them to appear before the -king, to receive permission to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. At the -end of seven days the river and waters of Egypt resumed their natural -color and purity, by God's permission, lest all the people of Egypt -should die for Pharaoh's hardness of heart. - -Then God appeared again unto Moses, and commanded him to go before -Pharaoh with the same message as before. But the king, in great fury, -ordered them from his presence, when Aaron stretched forth his hand -over the streams, the river, the canals, lakes, and fountains, and in -a moment myriads of frogs appeared on the shores, in the fields, in -the streets, squares, corridors, terraces, gardens, groves, and -porticos of the temples. They leaped upon every place, upon the -people, upon the stairways. They found their way by hundreds into the -houses and bedchambers, and upon the beds, tables, chairs of palaces -and huts; leaped into the ovens and kneading-troughs, and occupied -every place. In horror the priests closed all the temples, lest they -should enter, and dying there, defile them. Even Pharaoh was obliged -to shut himself up in the recesses of his palace to escape their -loathsome presence. - -In great alarm, he was about to send for Moses, when Jambres, his -chief sorcerer, stood before him, and said: - -"O king, believe not that the God of this Hebrew is greater than the -gods of Egypt. Thy servants also can do this enchantment." - -"Do so, and thou shalt have a rod of gold," answered the king. - -Then descending into a fountain, inclosed by a high wall of the -palace, where the frogs had not yet appeared, the magician caused -frogs also to appear. "At first," said the chief butler, who spoke to -me of this deed, "the king was greatly pleased, but suddenly said: - -"'What thou hast produced by thy enchantments, remove by thy -enchantments. Command them to disappear from the fountain.' - -"This the two magicians not being able to do, the next day, the frogs -rendering every habitation uninhabitable, and the lords of Egypt -appealing to Pharaoh, he sent for Moses and Aaron. It had become time -to do so. Every part of my rooms was filled with these animals; they -got into the plates and cups, and defiled every place--while by night -their combined roar filled all Egypt with a deafening and terrible -noise, so that if a bed could be found to sleep in, sleep was nowhere -possible; and by day we could tread nowhere but upon frogs." - -When the two Hebrew brothers again stood in the presence of Pharaoh, -he said, with mingled shame and displeasure-- - -"Entreat your God to take away this plague of frogs from me, my -people, and the land of Egypt; and if thou canst free the land from -them, I will acknowledge that it is the power of the God of the -Hebrews, and will let the people go to do sacrifice unto the Lord, who -hath commanded and sent for them." - -Then Moses answered the king-- - -"The Lord shall be entreated as thou desirest; and thou, O king, shalt -set the time, lest thou shouldst say I consulted a favorable aspect of -the stars. Choose when I shall entreat for thee to remove this plague -from the land, the people, and their houses." - -"To-morrow," answered Thothmeses. - -"Be it according to thy word," answered Moses; "and when thou seest -the plague removed at the time appointed by thee, know it is God's -gracious act, and not our sorcery. To-morrow the frogs in all the land -of Egypt shall be found in the river only." - -What a scene did Egypt present the next morning! The land was covered -with dead frogs; and it took all the people of Egypt that day and -night to gather them into heaps and cast them into the river: for they -threatened a pestilence. - -When Pharaoh saw that his wish was granted at the time he named, and -that there was a respite, he said--"This was by my voice and my -power, and not by their God, that the frogs died on the morrow I -named! The glory over Moses shall indeed be mine, as he hath said!" -Ceasing to speak, he sent orders to the taskmasters to increase the -burdens of the Hebrews, refusing to keep his promise to Moses and -Aaron. - -Then the Lord again sent them before Pharaoh, and in his presence -Aaron stretched forth his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, when -all the dust of the earth became alive, and rested upon man and beast -in the form of lice! - -Then, in a rage, Pharaoh called his enchanters, but they could not -perform this miracle, and said plainly to the king-- - -"This is beyond our power. This is the finger of their God." - -Upon hearing this, Pharaoh drove both his magicians, and Moses and -Aaron forth from his palace. The next day no sacrifice was offered, no -temple open in all Egypt; for on the priests were lice, and no one -could perform an official act with any insect upon his person, being -thereby made unclean. The Egyptians were enraged, both with the -Hebrews and with their king--but, shut up in his palace, he refused to -consent to the demands of Moses. - -Three days afterwards, by the command of God, given at the well of -Jacob,--where, in a bright cloud like a pillar of fire, He descended -to speak with Moses, and seemed to be now every day present in Egypt, -in communion with his holy servant,--the two brothers again sought the -presence of the king, as he was entering his galley. Reiterating their -usual demand, Moses continued-- - -"The Lord hath said unto me, 'Stand before Pharaoh when he comes forth -to the water, and say unto him, thus saith the Lord, 'Let my people -go; else, if thou wilt not let my people go, I will send swarms of -flies upon thee and thy servants, and upon thy people, and the houses -of the Egyptians shall be filled with them, and also the ground; and I -will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, -that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end that thou mayest -know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. And I will put a -division between my people and thy people; and to-morrow shall this -sign be!'" - -Pharaoh, in fear and anger, commanded his galley to leave the shore, -heeding none of the words spoken by Moses. The next day when I awoke, -lo! the air was darkened with flies. They covered the city like a -cloud, and their noise was like the roar of the sea after a storm. -When the sun was well risen, they descended and alighted upon the -dwellings, and soon filled the houses, and rooms, and every place they -could penetrate. It was impossible to hear for their hum, or to see -for their number, as they would alight upon the face, seek the corners -of the eyes and the edges of the eyelids, and inflict their bite. In a -few hours the Egyptians became frantic under the plague, as it was -impossible to keep them off; and if driven away, they would -pertinaciously return to the attack. All employment in Egypt ceased. -Eating and sleeping were impracticable. I fled in my chariot towards -Goshen! My horses, stung to madness, flew like the wind. Hundreds of -women, and children, and men were pressing in the same direction, for -safety and relief. I crossed the great canal which divides the -province, and not a fly followed me nor my horses across the aerial -and invisible barrier God had set as their bounds. All Goshen was free -from the plague, and the Hebrews were extending favors to the -Egyptians who sought shelter among them. - -The next day, Pharaoh, unable to endure the plague, and finding his -magicians could neither remove nor cause it, sent for Moses and Aaron, -who immediately answered his summons. - -"Go," he cried, when he beheld them,--"go, sacrifice to thy God in -this land; for He is a mighty God, and may not be mocked!" - -"It is not meet, O king," answered Moses, "that we should sacrifice to -our God in the land of Egypt. We Hebrews sacrifice bulls and rams, -sacrifices abominable to the Egyptians, who call them their gods! Lo! -shall we sacrifice the gods of the Egyptians to our God, before their -eyes, and will they not stone us? If we sacrifice, we will go three -days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God -as He shall command us." - -Seeing the resolute purpose of the terrible Hebrew, Pharaoh consented -to his demand, only adding, "Ye shall not go very far away! Now go and -entreat your God for me, for the removal of these flies!" - -While this discourse was passing between them, the fan-bearers of the -king, with all their diligence, could not protect his face from the -stings of the flies, which plagued him sorely; while upon Aaron and -Moses not one alighted. - -"To-morrow," answered Moses, as he went out, "the Lord, whom I will -entreat for thee, shall remove this plague also. But deal not -deceitfully, O king, any more, in not letting the people go." - -When, the next day, Pharaoh saw that the flies were removed, so that -not one remained, he repented that he had given his promise, and -resolved not to keep it with Moses. - -Once more God sent his servants, the two Hebrews, to the king, -demanding the release of the children of Jacob from their yoke of -bondage, menacing him with a murrain upon all the cattle, horses, -camels, and beasts of Egypt, if he resolved to hold them still in the -land. The king, however, who seemed after every demand to grow more -obstinate when the evil had passed, refused, and sent them away with -threats of vengeance. Indeed, it is surprising, my dear father, that -he hath not slain them before this; and I have no doubt he is -miraculously restrained from doing so, by the Almighty God, whose -faithful and holy servants they are. - -On the morrow, according to the word of Moses, a fatal pestilence -seized upon the oxen, the bulls, and cows of Egypt, so that all the -cattle in the land died. When the priests of the sacred ox, Mnevis, -came rushing from their temple to the palace, crying that their god -was dead with the murrain; when at midnight came before him the -priests of Apis, exclaiming that the sacred bull was also dead, then -Pharaoh began to know and feel that the God of the Hebrews was greater -than the gods of Egypt. Early in the morning, when he rose, hearing -that not one of the cattle of the Israelites was dead, instead of -repenting and trembling, he became enraged, acting like a man blinded -by the gods, when they would destroy him by his own acts. - -Judge, my dear father, of the patience and forbearance of the God of -the Hebrews towards him who still refused to acknowledge His power. -Behold the firmness and steadiness of purpose of Moses and -Aaron,--their courage and independence! What a sublime spectacle--two -private men contending successfully with the most powerful king on the -earth! What a painful sight to see this most powerful king of the -earth measuring the strength of his feeble will against the power of -the God of the universe! - -Upon the refusal of Pharaoh to let Jehovah have His people, that they -might serve Him, God commanded Moses in a vision of the night, beside -the fountain of Jacob, where He talked with him as in the burning -bush, to take the ashes of a human sacrifice, to be immolated by -Pharaoh the next day, and sprinkle it towards heaven upon the winds. -He did so; and instead of protecting the places wheresoever its atoms -were carried, they broke out in boils upon man and beast, breaking -forth with painful blains. The magicians and sorcerers, essaying to -recover their credit with the king, attempted to do the same miracle; -but the boil broke forth upon them also so heavily, that they could -not stand before Moses, and fled with pain and cries from his -presence. Yet Pharaoh remained obdurate, and grew more hardened and -defiant; for the boils touched not his own flesh. - -That night, the Lord appeared unto Moses, and commanded him again to -make his demand upon Pharaoh for His people. Then stood Moses and -Aaron in the morning before the king, who was walking up and down in -the corridor of his palace, ill at ease; for all his public works were -stopped by the sufferings of the Egyptians; and his soldiers in the -fourscore garrisons at On, and Memphis, and Bubastis, and Migdol, were -unfit for military duty. There was not a well man in all Egypt, save -in Goshen. - -"What now, ye disturbers of Egypt and enemies of the gods?" he called -aloud, as he saw them approach and stand before him. - -"Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews," answered Moses: "'Let my -people go, that they may serve me.'" - -"The same words! Thou shalt never have thy wish,--thou nor thy God! -Who is the Lord? Will no man rid me of this Moses and Aaron? Speak! -What more?" - -"Thus saith the Lord, 'If thou, O king, refusest to let Israel go, I -will send all my plagues upon thy heart, and upon thy people, that -thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth! For this -cause, O Pharaoh, have I created thee and raised thee up on the throne -of Egypt, that in thee I may show my power; and that by my dealings -with thee, My name may be declared throughout all the earth. All -nations shall behold My works with thee, and My vengeance on thy gods, -and shall know that I am the Lord, and God of all gods! Thou art My -servant to show forth My glory! Thy proud heart exaltest thyself above -Me, and against My people, and thou wouldst contend with Me! Thou -shalt know I am God, ere thou shalt be cut off from the earth; and -that the heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool, and -none can say, What doest Thou? Behold, to-morrow I will darken the -heavens with clouds, and send hail upon the earth, and every man and -beast in the field shall die by the hail.' If thou regardest the life -of thy servants," continued Moses, "send, therefore, for all thou hast -in the field." - -This threat was made known everywhere in a few hours, and those who -fear the word of the Lord have made their servants and cattle flee -into the houses prepared for them; but those who regard not the -warning have left them in the field. What will to-morrow bring forth? - -Farewell, dear father. - -Warned by Aaron, I depart at once for the sheltering skies of Goshen. - - Your loving son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER X. - - -CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -Scarcely had I reached the confines of Goshen, after the threatened -judgment of God upon Pharaoh, when I heard, as it were in the air, a -voice speaking, which I knew to be the voice of Moses; and behind me I -heard, instantly, loud thunders uttering their voices, and the earth -shook beneath my chariot-wheels. To the right of me, at the same -moment, I beheld Moses and Aaron standing, side by side, on the tower -of the ruined fountain of Jacob, beneath which I was driving; the -former stretching forth his hands, and his rod therein, northward -towards the city of Pharaoh, upon the obelisks of which the sun was -then brilliantly shining, and was also reflected in splendor from the -shield of gold upon the lofty tower of the temple of Osiris. Leaping -from my chariot, and leaving it with my servants, whom I commanded to -hasten further into the land of the Hebrews, I drew reverently near -the men of God, feeling greatly awed by their presence, but assured -that near them was safety,--though they were the visible sources of -God's terrible wrath upon Egypt. I stood not far off, and beheld, with -expectation. Moses, his rod extended, and waving eastward, and -northward, and westward, stood with a majestic and fearful aspect, his -eyes raised to the heavens, which were already answering his voice by -far-off thunderings. He continued, as I drew near, in these words: - -"And let thunder, and hail, and fire, O Egypt, descend out of heaven -from God upon thee, and let the fire mingle with the hail, and smite -throughout all the land of Egypt, all that is in the field, both man -and beast, and every herb in the field, and break every tree! Only in -the land of Goshen let there be no hail." - -No language, my dear father, can convey to you any idea of the -terrible power and godlike authority with which he spake. To his -words, Aaron pronounced a loud "A-men,"--the Hebrew word for -expressing full assent and confirmation. - -Then I looked, with expectant awe, towards the land of Egypt, over -which the thunders rolled without a cloud; when, lo! from the north -came rolling onward a black wall of darkness, which I perceived was a -mighty cloud from the great sea. It advanced with the swiftness and -roar of ten thousand war-chariots rushing to battle. Out of it shot -forth lightnings, and its increasing thunders shook Egypt. In a moment -it had filled half the heavens, and still onward it rolled. Beneath it -moved its shadow, dark as itself, extinguishing the light upon -obelisk, tower, and pylon. I am told that Pharaoh, from the top of his -palace, witnessed this scene also. Directly the sun was blotted out, -and the city of On became invisible. Then I saw fire pour down upon -the earth out of the cloud, as if lightnings could not fast enough -exhaust its angry power; and I heard the voice of falling hail like -the voice of the sea when lashed by a storm. A million of Hebrews, who -had gathered in Goshen, stood and beheld what I did. The roads, the -fields, the plain were covered with people flying from the terror -towards Goshen. - -Onward marched this awful servant of the Almighty, more terrible than -an army with banners. Fire ran along the ground before it, and red -forked lightnings shot far out beyond its advancing edge athwart the -blue sky, while, in a moment afterwards, the cloud of blackness rolled -beneath, like the sulphurous smoke that the priests of Egypt say -forever rolls above the fiery regions of Typhon! - -Each instant it enlarged its compass, until from east to west it -enveloped Egypt, while fire, mingled with hail, ran along the earth -beneath it. Now behold, my father, the power of God! The vast pall -which Jehovah had thus begun to draw over Egypt, no sooner had reached -in the height of heaven over the borders of Goshen, casting its very -shadow, and pouring its stones of hail, and sending its tongues of -fire almost to the foot of the tower whereon Moses stood, than it -ceased to move! It became stationary in the air a mile high, and there -hung beetling over the verge of Goshen like a crag, its edge working -and agitated by the wildest commotion, and shooting its lightnings -into the blue calm sky over Goshen, but restrained from advancing -further by the power of Him who commandeth the heavens, who maketh the -clouds His chariot, and who keepeth the lightnings in His quiver! - -At length the darkness became so dense, that it seemed a wall, between -Egypt and Goshen, from the ground up to the cloud. Over the latter the -sun,--oh, what a sublime contrast!--shone with unclouded brightness, -the winds slept peacefully, the fields waved with the ripened flax and -full-eared barley, the birds sang their songs of gladness, and the -children of God dwelt in security, under the protection of His gentle -love and terrible power. - -Surely Pharaoh must perish if he dare any longer madly to resist the -God of the Hebrews, who has now shown that He is God of heaven as well -as of the earth, and that He is God alone, and there is none else! If, -my dear father, your early instructions had not made known to me the -God of Noah, who is the God of the Hebrews, I should, ere this last -manifestation of His awful majesty and terror, have prostrated myself -before Him and acknowledged Him as _my_ God. Wonderful that He, who -dwells in heaven, should stoop to behold things on the earth, and make -such displays of His glory, and majesty, and strength, for the sake of -a poor, enslaved people like the Hebrews. But, as the holy Moses -taught me the other day, when I was humbly sitting at his feet, and -hearing him discourse on these mighty events (for which he takes to -himself no honor or merit, but only seems the more meek and lowly the -more he is intrusted with power by God), these displays of God's -majesty have a threefold end: first, to prove to the trembling and -heart-crushed Israelites that He who is so terrible in power, doing -wonders, is _their_ God, as He was the God of Abraham, and has power -to deliver them from Pharaoh; as well as to teach them that if He can -so punish the Egyptians, He can punish them also, with equal -judgments, if they rebel and do wickedly: secondly, to punish Pharaoh -for the oppression of His people, to afflict the land upon which they -have groaned so many generations, and to show the Egyptians that He -alone is God, that their gods are as stubble in His hand, "that there -is none like Him in all the earth;" and thus bring them to acknowledge -Him, and to fear and worship Him: and, thirdly, that the word of His -mighty deeds and wonders done in Egypt, going abroad to the ears of -kings and princes, priests and lords, and people of all nations upon -the earth, may give _them_ the knowledge of the true God, prove to -them the impotency of their idols, and the supremacy of the God of the -Hebrews, in heaven, and on earth, and over kings and people. -"Therefore, and for these ends," continued the divine Moses, "that He -might not leave Himself without a witness before men, and that He -might declare His power to all His creatures, and His care for the -oppressed, and His judgment upon kings who reign by cruelty, has He -permitted, not only the bondage of our nation, but raised up such a -man as Pharaoh, in whom to show forth His power and judgments, as He -said to this king, 'And in very deed, for this cause have I raised -thee up, to show in thee my power, and that my Name may be declared -throughout all the earth.' Therefore did the Lord God say to me in the -beginning, when He sent me before Pharaoh, 'I am sure that the king of -Egypt will not let you go, no not until I stretch out my hand with -mighty power, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do; and -after that he will let you go!' I did not understand this all at the -first," said Moses, "but now I perceive the mind of God, and that He -will do His will upon Pharaoh, and send yet more terrible punishments; -after which, humbled, and acknowledging God to be the Lord, he will -let the people go!" - -What a wonderful mystery is passing before us, O my father! How -dreadful is this God! How wonderful, how glorious is His majesty! In -His presence, and before Him, what is man but dust, breath, vanity? I -humble myself before Him, and feel that I am a worm, and no man! Yet -Thothmeses, like a madman, stands and defies this living God! - -Not all the horror of the plague of hail and fire, of the lightnings -and thunderings, moved him to let Israel depart. When the judgment of -God was at its height, driven to the interior of his palace,--from the -tower upon which he had ascended "to see what Moses and Aaron would -do," as he said,--he remained there three days, until, unable longer -to bear the terrors of the scene, and the cries of his people, he sent -for Moses and Aaron. No messenger could be found to go but Israelisis, -your former page, who, since he returned to Egypt, is a servant of the -king, greatly devoted to him, and from whom I have obtained much -interesting information of the effects of these divine judgments upon -him. Three couriers, one after the other, had been struck down by the -hail. But the Hebrew walked forth fearlessly and unharmed, and moved -through the showers of ice, as if he bore a charmed life. This alone -should have proved the power of God to be with the Hebrew servant, and -against Pharaoh and his servants. - -Moving through the darkness, amid the fire upon the ground, and the -hail and scalding rain, the man arrived, and told Moses and Aaron that -the king had repented, and prayed them both to hasten to him, for he -knew their God would defend them from injury on the way. - -The king is represented as having received the Hebrew brothers in his -bath-room, with his physicians around him, his face ghastly with fear, -and anxiety, and an indefinable dread. It is also said that his manner -was servile rather than humble, and that his speech was mingled with -lamentations and accusations. When they entered, he said: - -"It is enough, O men of God, it is enough! Entreat the Lord your God -for me, that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail, and I will -let you go, and without any longer delay." - -As he spoke, the palace shook to its foundations, and the water in the -fountain swayed to and fro with violence, as in an earthquake, while -the hail, descending with a great noise into the outer courts, was -piled many cubits in height against the columns, the sculptured work -of which, struck off in every exposed part, fell to the earth mingled -with the hail-stones. - -"As soon as I am gone out of the city I will spread abroad my hands -unto the Lord," said Moses, "and the thunder shall cease, and the -hail, that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's. But, O -king, as for thee and thy lords, I know that ye will not _yet_ fear -the Lord God. Has He not mocked the power of your pretended goddess, -Isis, over the heavens, and seasons, and winds? Who hath known a rain -and hail in Egypt in this month? or hath seen the winds blowing clouds -from the sea? God is God, and Isis is no god; or if a god, where is -her power? Entreat her to remove this _chamsin_ of heaven, such as -earth never before felt upon her bosom." - -"God is God, and entreat Him for me," answered the king, with a feeble -gesture of impatience, doubtless humbled, and yet angry at being -compelled to consent to lose six hundred thousand working-men from the -mines and great works he is carrying on; for though he fears the -number of the Hebrews, he would rather retain them, keeping them under -by increased oppression, than release them, and thereby be relieved -from the apprehensions to which their unparalleled increase has given -rise. - -When Moses had left the city of On behind him, he spread abroad his -hands towards heaven unto his God; and the thunders, and rain, and -hail, and lightnings ceased. - -Anticipating the removal of the judgment, I had been standing for some -hours by the tower and fountain of Jacob. Suddenly the awful mass of -ebony-black cloud, which, for three days, had never ceased to utter -its voices of thunder, and send forth its lightnings, hail, and fire -upon the earth beneath, began to roll itself up, like a scroll, -towards the north. The thunder ceased. The lightnings were no more -visible. The hail fell no more. And, as the cloud receded, the shadows -upon the land--now smitten and desolate--moved with it. Gradually the -whole landscape reappeared; first I saw the walls of On, then its -towers, then the obelisks caught the light, and all at once the -effulgent sun poured, from the clear sky above it, the splendor of his -beams, which the shield of Osiris caught and again reflected with its -former brilliancy. Slowly, but with awful majesty, the cloud of God's -anger descended the horizon, and finally disappeared in the north. And -I thought that mayhap its dark volume would be seen passing over the -sea, even from Tyre, to your consternation and wonder. - -What a scene of desolation the land presented when, the next day, I -returned to On! The fields of flax and barley were smitten and -consumed; the trees were broken and stripped of their leaves, either -by the fire or hail; the houses and villages of the plain were -devastated; in all the fields were dead corpses; and cattle and horses -which had escaped the former plague, or been purchased from the -Hebrews, were lying dead everywhere with their herdsmen. Chariots and -their riders, overtaken in flight from On, lay upon the highways; and -death, desolation, and horror reigned! - -Entering the city, I saw soldiers that had been struck dead at their -posts by the hail, still lying where they fell; and the streets filled -with the dead and wounded, and with heaps of hail; while the sun shone -down upon a scene of universal wailing and woe! - -I passed on to the palace of Pharaoh, my position and rank having at -all times given me free access to his presence. I found him at a -banquet, as for three days and nights he had scarcely tasted food for -terror and confusion, neither he, nor his lords, nor servants. They -were feasting and drinking wine, and the king's face was flushed with -strong drink; for, seizing the present moment of security, he -revelled, striving to forget the past terrors. As I entered, his -singers were singing a hymn to his gods; and when it was ended, -Pharaoh, with his cup in his hand, cursed the God of the Hebrews who -had sent such terrors upon his land, for hitherto he had said it was -the gods of Egypt who had done these things, forced thereto by the -powerful enchantments of the Hebrew brothers. - -I turned away from his hall, refusing to go in, when Moses and Aaron -passed me, and entered his presence. Upon seeing them, Pharaoh's heart -was hardened against them and their God, and he and his lords rose up -in fear and anger. - -"Are ye come again before me, ye Hebrews?" he cried, in his wrath and -wine. "I will not let Israel go! Not a foot nor hoof shall stir from -the land! I have sworn it by the life of Pharaoh, and by the gods of -Egypt!" - -Then Moses answered the king, and said-- - -"Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, O Pharaoh: 'Let my people go! -How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? Let my people -go, that they may serve me; else on the morrow will I bring the -locusts into thy coasts, and they shall cover the face of the earth, -and devour what remaineth in the field, and shall fill thy houses, and -the houses of all the Egyptians, even as hath not been upon the earth -unto this day!'" - -"We have seen locusts in Egypt, O Hebrew, and fear them not," answered -Pharaoh, with a laugh of derision. "Go tell your God that Pharaoh and -his gods defy Him and His locusts!" - -Then Moses turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. But the lords of -Egypt feared, and said unto their king-- - -"How long shall this man be a snare unto us and the evil destiny of -Egypt? Let the men of the Hebrews go, that they may serve their mighty -and dreadful God, as He commandeth them. Knowest thou not, O king, -that Egypt is destroyed; and the locusts will destroy the wheat and -the rye which are just bursting out of the ground, and the leaves that -are putting forth?" - -Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, who had not yet reached the -gate of the palace, and when they again stood before him, he said-- - -"For the sake of these, and for Egypt's sake, which thy sorcery has -nearly destroyed, I yield to thy demand, not because I fear thy God. -Go, serve the Lord your God; but who are they that shall go?" - -And Moses answered, and said firmly and fearlessly-- - -"We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with -our daughters; with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we -must hold a feast unto the Lord, and a sacrifice unto our God." - -Then Pharaoh answered, in great anger-- - -"Let the Lord look to you, not to me, for his sacrifices, as if I will -let you go, and your little ones, that you may feast to Him! Look to -it! Provoke not my wrath, for evil is before you! Ask not so. Go now, -ye that are men and serve the Lord, since that is what ye ask! Now -leave my presence! Ye are become the curse of Egypt. What! Do ye -linger to ask more? Drive the men forth from the palace!" - -The guards followed for some paces, but drew not near them for fear; -and with calm dignity of demeanor, the divine brothers went out of the -palace, and left the city. When we had departed from the presence of -Pharaoh--for I had joined their holy companionship--he stretched forth -his rod over the land eastward, and invoked the new judgment of God -that he had threatened. Immediately a strong east wind arose, and blew -all that day, and all the night, each hour increasing; and in the -morning, when I waked at a great cry of the people, I looked forth, -and beheld the heavens dark with a strange aspect, wholly unlike a -cloud, yet moving like one, or, rather, like a great ocean-wave -rolling along the sky. It was attended in its approach, which was from -the direction of the Arabian Sea, by a confused humming, like the wind -sweeping through the tall cedars on Libanus. As it drew near, it -covered half the heavens, and appeared many hundred feet in thickness, -the lower surface being not far from the earth. I soon perceived, from -the cries around me, that it was the threatened plague of locusts -coming upon Egypt, loosed from the open palm of God's hand. My -position was at a window in the house of Aaron, and not far from the -line between Goshen and the rest of Egypt. I saw them, as they passed -over the plains, and fields, and city, and villages, descend in -showers like flakes of snow, hundreds and thousands at a time, until -the whole earth was brown with them. Thus the flight continued all -that day, and all night, and all the next day and next night,--an -endless cloud, darkening the sun by day and the stars by night. The -surface of Egypt seemed agitated and alive like the sea after a storm, -restless, and in continual motion in every part; while the noise made -by the wings of the locusts was incessant,--a monotone awful to hear, -without variation or diminution, till the ear became weary of hearing, -and in vain sought relief from the deep, angry bass of this voice of -vengeance of the Hebrews' God! In crossing the Nile, myriads fell into -it, and covered its surface,--galleys, barges, men, and sails; and the -water was defiled by their presence. At noon-day there was a dreadful -twilight prevailing, for the beams of the sun could not penetrate this -living cloud. They covered the whole face of Egypt, and their voracity -left not a bud, or leaf, or any green thing on the trees, which were -just putting out again; or in the herbs of the field, which had sprung -up since the hail; for much seed was in the ground, which came up -after the hail, only to be destroyed by the locusts. - -Then the people, in despair, besieged the palace of Pharaoh with great -cries. Though the Egyptians regard their king as their priest, and as -a god, and are proverbially submissive to his will and power, they had -now lost all fear, being driven to despair by this last plague. -Nothing but famine and death were before them, and their wives, and -little ones! Pharaoh also became alarmed at the endless power of the -God of the Hebrews! He had long since given his magicians, Jambres and -Jannes, to death, because they failed to keep pace with Moses and -Aaron, and he evidently felt that this was the power of a God he could -no longer compete with. He therefore sent for Moses and Aaron in -haste. When they came into his presence they beheld him in a closed -room, lighted by the seven golden lamps which Osirtasen captured from -the king of Nineveh; for the locusts made it necessary to close every -shutter, and turn day into night, in every house. He was reclining -upon a lounge covered with Tyrian purple, and adorned with -needle-work; and was surrounded by the ladies of his palace, who were -imploring him, as the Hebrew brothers entered, to let Israel go! Even -his son, the careless and gay Prince Amunophis, was kneeling before -him, and urging him to abide by his resolution, to grant the demand of -the God of the Hebrews. When he beheld the tall and majestic persons -of Moses and Aaron enter, he rose from his couch, and cried-- - -"I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Now, -therefore, O Moses and Aaron, forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this -once, and entreat the Lord your God that he may take away from me this -death only!" - -This confession seemed to be made with a certain frankness and -sincerity, and a show of deep humility; and Moses answered-- - -"The Lord forgive thee, according to what is in thy heart. I will -entreat the Lord for thee, and the plague shall be removed from thee -and thy people." - -Then Moses went out from the presence of Pharaoh; and when he had come -into Goshen he ascended the tower of Jacob, and entreated the Lord for -Pharaoh. Immediately the cloud of locusts became tossed as with a -whirlwind; and the wind, changing from the east to the west, blew -strongly, and pressed back the mass of locust-clouds, sweeping those -that were on the earth into the air, and rolling the whole body of -winged creatures eastward. This wind blew all night, and all the next -day, and the next night, a mighty wind, and on the following morning -not a living locust was visible in all the coasts of Egypt. - -Moses now sent messengers all through Egypt, calling upon the children -of Israel to leave whatever they might be occupied in, and assemble -themselves in the land of Goshen, with their wives, and children, and -flocks, and all that they had. He had previously sent men into Upper -Egypt and to the mines; and, what is wonderful, the Hebrews in the -mines were permitted to go forth from thence by their keepers, for the -fear of Moses had reached their ears, and they gladly let them go! The -messengers whom Moses now sent everywhere, from Migdol to Syene, were -Hebrews, and were nowhere molested as they went; for a fear and -reverence of them, as the people of the mighty God of Moses, had taken -the place, in the minds of the great body of the Egyptians, of their -former contempt: nay, every one was willing to do them a kindness. - -Now, my dear father, you are prepared to read that Pharaoh, according -to his word, permitted the children of Israel to depart from his -dominions. But Thothmeses IV. is no ordinary man! Probably, such a -character as his is unknown in the history of kings. Such a union of -opposite qualities is rarely encountered in one individual. -Superstitious, yet sacrilegious! cowardly, yet braving death! faithful -to his oath to his gods, yet a perjurer of himself to men! -tender-hearted as a woman to his own children and family, yet cruel as -a tiger and relentless as a lion to the Hebrews and their little ones! -Treacherous, sycophantic, malicious, and ironical, he is twofold in -speech, and double-minded in secret intention; he promises when in -danger, and revokes his word in security! Despising his foes, yet -fearing them, he flatters, smiles upon, and deceives them! Trembling -under judgment, he denies his terrors when they are past! convinced of -the truth, yet opposing it! confessing the power of God, yet defying -it! These qualities, God, who reads the character in the heart, saw in -Pharaoh, and knew from the beginning what he would do, and how he -would receive Moses, far better than we can know how our well-known -friends would act under supposed circumstances. It was perhaps, -therefore, on account of the peculiar character of this Pharaoh, that -God chose the time and the man for showing His power, glory, majesty, -and terror to Egypt, to Israel, and to the world! Under such a queen -as Amense, or such a prince as the mild Thothmeses II., the first -miracle of the serpent swallowing the rods of the magicians, would -have drawn their consent to let Israel go. Where then would have been -the manifestation of the power of God, that the earth is now -witnessing with awe and fear? God, therefore, knowing what was in the -man, chose this Pharaoh as the person in whom, through the natural -agency of his obdurate heart, He might make manifest His name as the -God of heaven and earth, whose power neither man nor gods can resist. -Thus Pharaoh, unwittingly, through the perversity of his own will, and -the instability of his character, is actually carrying out God's -ultimate designs, glorifying Him in His greatness, and drawing forth -these stupendous manifestations of His Almighty power over earth, and -air, and skies! Yet is he no less guilty before God; for he does not -intend His glory, but, on the contrary, denies and defies Him in its -every successive manifestation! - -Pharaoh, therefore, did not stand to his word now, dear father. When -left to himself, he forgot all that had gone before, and sent word to -Moses and Aaron not to attempt to remove the Hebrews, as he would not -let them go; for Egypt was devastated, and nearly ruined in every -part, and he must first have the labors of the Hebrews to restore the -dikes and canals, and the terraces and gardens of the lakes, and then -he would let them go. - -Then Moses and Aaron went at noon-day and sought the Lord as -aforetime, in the silence and loneliness of the well of Jacob, where -they ever prayed unto Him, and where He spake unto them all the words -He commanded them to speak before Pharaoh. And when they had ended -their prayers and supplications before their great and terrible God, -whose name they never spake but with the profoundest awe, the Lord -said unto Moses: - -"Stretch forth thine hand towards heaven, that there may be darkness -over the land of Egypt, even darkness that may be felt." - -Obeying the command, Moses ascended the tower of Jacob, and stretched -forth his hand towards heaven. - -Then followed a scene, my dear father, of solemn terror. The -atmosphere became the color of blood. The sun disappeared as if -extinguished. A thick and instant darkness fell upon the earth. The -birds ceased their songs; the cattle lowed; the wail of Egypt went up -in one great cry! Though On is several miles distant, the cry of the -city reached the ears of the children of Israel in Goshen. But with -them all was light, and joy, and beauty. The sun shone; there was -light in every dwelling; the birds sang; the green harvests waved in -the joyous sunshine; the verdant fields and leafy trees danced in the -soft breeze; for no plague had come nigh the Hebrews, their fields, -foliage, or dwellings. The darkness stood, like a great wall of black -mist rising high as heaven, between Goshen and Egypt. - -Its sudden descent upon Egypt caught the Egyptians on the road, in the -fields, upon the Nile, in the streets, temples, and palaces, as they -chanced to be; and where it fell upon them, there they were compelled -to remain. No flame could burn in the thick, black fog, which felt -slimy to the touch. I would have entered it for a moment after -touching it, but Aaron warned me not to tempt God; that safety was -alone in the sunlight of Goshen. Out from the black abyss came, now -and then, a fearful cry of some desolate wayfarer, and the Hebrews -answered kindly back, and so by their shouts directed the wanderer in -the darkness how to move towards the light. During this darkness, the -Hebrews, by the command of Moses, were collecting their flocks, and -preparing to depart to sacrifice to their God: also, those who had not -been circumcised now received the rite. - -This horrible night continued without change--without moon or star to -lend it a ray--until the third day, when Pharaoh, unable longer to -hold out in this unequal combat against God, sent two Hebrews, born in -his house, to Moses; for only the Hebrew could walk through this night -of God as in the light. Without a word of impatience or doubt, Moses -and Aaron rose up and disappeared in the awful veil of darkness, in -response to the summons of the king. No sooner did Pharaoh behold -them, than he cried out, in a voice of mingled complaint and -condescension-- - -"Go ye, Moses and Aaron, ye and yours, only let your flocks and herds -stay in the land; for hast thou not destroyed," he added with -bitterness, "whatsoever parteth the hoof in all the land of Egypt? -Your little ones may also go with you." This was spoken in a tone of -condescension. - -And Moses answered and said: - -"Thou must suffer our flocks and herds to go with us, O king, that we -may have sacrifices and burnt-offerings wherewith to sacrifice unto -the Lord our God. Our cattle, therefore, must also go with us. There -shall not a hoof be left behind." - -When Pharaoh heard Moses speak thus firmly and boldly to him, abating -nothing from his first demand, he seemed to lose his reason with rage. -Casting his sceptre from his hand at the two brothers, he cried-- - -"Get ye from me, ye destroyers and curse of Egypt! Take heed to -thyself, O Moses, and see my face no more, for in that day thou seest -my face thou shalt die!" - -Then Moses answered, with calm and severe majesty: - -"Thou hast spoken well, O Pharaoh. I will see thy face no more. But -hear thou the word of the Lord, which, knowing thy heart, He hath -spoken unto me to say now before thee: 'I will bring yet one plague -more upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. About midnight will I go out into -the midst of Egypt, and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall -die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even -unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and -all the first-born of beasts: and all these thy servants shall bow -down themselves unto me, saying--"Get thee out, and all the people -that follow thee; and thy lords, and high captains, and governors, and -great men, and all who serve thee, shall come down to me, to urge me -to go forth out of Egypt: after that I will go out."' These, O king, -are the words of the Lord against thee. Thou hast cast thy sceptre at -my feet. As I step my foot upon it, so shall the Lord place his foot -upon Egypt!" - -Thus speaking, Moses went out from Pharaoh in great anger. As he left -the palace, the Egyptians prostrated themselves before him, and sought -his favor, and some cried, "He is a god! Let this god, who is mightier -than Osiris and greater than Serapis, be our god!" - -"But Moses sternly rebuked them," said Aaron, who related to me all -that had passed, "and felt deeply grieved and humbled at so great a -sin, and called upon them to worship God in heaven, whose servant only -he was, with no power in himself to do these wonders which they had -witnessed." - -Farewell, my dear father. My next letter, without doubt, will convey -to you the victory of the Lord God over Pharaoh and his gods, and the -deliverance of the Hebrews from their bondage. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER XI. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -WRITTEN IN THE WILDERNESS OF ARABIA, BY THE SEA. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -The events which have transpired since I last wrote to you, mock my -pen by their sublimity and infinite grandeur. Upon a rock for a -tablet, the desert around me, the Sea of Edom before me, I desire to -record, while they are vivid in my memory, the stupendous scenes of -the past six days. The millions of Israel have come forth out of -Egypt! The Sea of Suphim is between them and the land of their -bondage! But I have so much to write, such wonders to relate, that I -will not anticipate your curiosity, but proceed to send you a -narrative of each event in due order. Let all the earth say that the -Lord God of the Hebrews is the only God: besides Him there is no God! - -The day that Moses and Aaron departed from the presence of -Pharaoh-Thothmeses, in truth to see his face no more, the Lord -commanded them to call together the elders and people of the Hebrews, -and instruct them to take a male lamb, or a kid without blemish, one -to each household, keep it till the fourteenth day of the month, which -day was just at hand, and kill it on the evening thereof, sprinkling, -with a bunch of hyssop, the lintel and door-posts of their houses -dipped in its blood, and roasting the flesh, eat it at night, leaving -none until morning. "And ye shall eat it," said the Lord, "in haste, -with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in -your hand; for it is the Lord's passover, who will the same night pass -through the land of Egypt, and smite all the first-born of the land of -Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will -execute judgment! I am the Lord: and this day shall be a memorial to -you forever." - -Then Moses did as the Lord commanded. Moreover on the day of the night -on which the lamb, that had been selected from the flocks three days -before, was to be slain, he said to the elders of Israel, whom he -called, together, "Thus saith the Lord your God, 'Let none of you go -out at the door of his house until the morning; for this night the -Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the -blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the Lord will _pass -over_ the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your -houses to smite you.'" There were also other ordinances of bread -unleavened established, which bread they were commanded to eat for -seven days, at the "feast of unleavened bread." - -And when Moses had proclaimed these and other ordinances, the people -bowed their heads and worshipped God, and said they would do all that -the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron to say unto them. - -Then, my dear father, followed a scene of the deepest interest! It was -three millions of people preparing to break their bondage of -generations, and to go forth from under the cruel sceptre of the king -of Egypt forever. The mighty miracles of Moses had, long since, -silenced the murmurs and doubts of the elders, openly uttered at the -beginning, when Pharaoh in revenge against Moses and Aaron, increased -their burdens, and denied them straw for their bricks. At each -successive miracle they had gained confidence in their powerful -advocate before Pharaoh; and when they saw that he could not be -equalled by the magicians, they became vain and proud of him, whom -before they had condemned; and waited, with wonder and expectation, -their mighty deliverence. At the occurrence of the sixth miracle they -threw up all work, and no Egyptian had the heart to say, "Go to your -tasks!" for they saw that God was with them. Thus from all parts of -Egypt, drawn by curiosity, hope, wonder, and a desire to behold this -mighty leader whom God had raised up, they flocked to Goshen, until -the land was filled with their vast numbers! The houses and huts could -not contain them, and they slept by thousands in the fields, and by -the wayside. When they perceived that the darkness, and the locusts, -and the hail approached not their land, the most timid and desponding -took courage, and lifted their voices to the God of their fathers, in -hope and gratitude. Indeed, after the awful plague of darkness, -thousands of the most ignorant Hebrews shouted that he was a god, and -the Egyptians of all classes were ready to acknowledge him as Osiris -or Thoth! And in some of the temples, the day after the darkness -passed, the priests waved incense to Osiris by the name of Musæusiris, -or Osiris-Moses: and, I doubt not, divine honors will be paid him in -Egypt for generations to come! Yet this mighty servant of God moves -among the people, as unassuming and self-forgetful as the humblest of -his brethren, quietly giving his directions for the greatest movement -earth was ever to behold--a nation marching in one day from bondage to -freedom! - -I moved in and out, everywhere among them. There was a strange joy -lighting up every face. Old men looked calm and happy; young men were -noisy with hope; maidens were full of joy; mothers smiled with -delight, as they clasped their babes to their bosoms, in the certainty -that they would not grow up in servitude to Pharaoh. All eyes were -turned to Moses and Aaron, as they passed to and fro, and many fell on -their knees, and worshipped them; while others shouted, as the only -way they could express their emotions. How must the heart of the -servant of God have swelled with gratitude to his Creator, as he -beheld the happiness around him! And how deeply he must have realized -his responsibility, as he reflected that the hopes of three millions -of people, whom he had assembled in Goshen, with the promise of -deliverance from the sceptre of Pharaoh, hung upon his single arm, but -which was, for the time, the arm of God! - -With what emotions of awe and expectation did the children of Israel, -each at the door of his house, prepare to slay the chosen lamb, and -sprinkle its blood on the side-posts and lintel! To them it was the -command of Moses simply, and beyond that none knew the significance. -It was a beautiful and serene evening. The sun had filled the skies -with golden atoms, and the horizon was tinged with commingled emerald, -blue, and orange colors, fused into an atmosphere of ineffable glory. -It seemed as if the presence of the God of the Hebrews was in His -skies, beholding His people! At the given hour, being the ninth of the -day, a hundred thousand sacrificial knives--held in the hands of the -men of a whole nation, which became, for the moment, a nation of -priests to God--flashed in the sun, and the blood of the victims, -pouring upon the land of Goshen, consecrated it as the altar where the -God of the Hebrews first received the national worship of His people, -and their recognition of Him as their God. - -Then, with hyssop dipped in a basin of the blood, each man sprinkled -the door-posts, and cross-piece of the entrance of his house, in -behalf of all who either should dwell in it, or who, being -stranger-brethren, came from other parts of Egypt, and could enter no -house for the throngs, yet were numbered with some one household: as, -for instance, the house of Aaron's father-in-law, which could hold but -thirty people, had on its list three hundred and seventy names, as its -household,--all brethren from other provinces; for Goshen was now like -a mighty camp. There were besides, hovering about the confines of -Goshen, and even mingling with the Hebrews, thousands of Egyptian -families, who, flying from the terror of the Lord in Egypt, had sought -safety near the Hebrews, and under the wing of the God who had -protected them,--hoping to share their safety. Many of these brought -their substance with them--their rich apparel, their gold, and jewels, -and silver--hoping, therewith, to purchase the favor of their once -despised, and now dreaded, bondmen. - -How, my dear father, shall I record the events of the night that -followed the death of the lambs! As the sun went down, the Hebrews, -with awe, retired within their dwellings, and closed the doors. -Mothers, with anxious haste, drew in their first-born. Even many of -the hapless Egyptians, who had heard of the command to the Hebrews, -chose a lamb and slew it--their hands trembling, and hearts sinking -between hope and fear--and sprinkled the door-posts of their wretched -places of shelter, if, peradventure, the great and terrible God of the -Hebrews would, in the coming night of His vengeance upon Pharaoh, -seeing the blood, pass them by, and spare their first-born also. - -At length a silence, like that which forever reigns in the heart of -the pyramids, reigned throughout Goshen. Not an eye was closed in all -Israel, during those first hours of dread watching for the first sound -abroad of God's coming down upon Egypt. I remained up, in the house of -the venerable Aminadab, the father-in-law of Aaron. Elisiba, the wife -of Aaron, with her arm around her eldest son Nadab, a fine young man, -held him firmly by her side. Aaron and Moses were apart, in a room by -themselves, engaged in low conversation, or in solemn prayer. No other -sound was heard, but the voice of this wonderful man talking, as if -face to face with his God. - -Suddenly, at midnight, a bright light from heaven shone above the -dwelling, and from it went forth a glory which filled the land of -Goshen with its beams. I stood, at the moment, in the court, and fell -with my face to the earth; for I knew that it was the presence of God. -At length Moses touched me, and said-- - -"Fear not! Rise and behold the glory of God, that when thou shalt -return and sit upon thy throne, thou mayest teach thy people that the -God of the Hebrews is the God of heaven and earth! For thy sake, as -well as for Israel, and Pharaoh, and the Egyptians, and all the -nations who shall hear of this, are these wonders and judgments done; -that Pharaoh, and all kings, and the whole earth, may know who is the -Lord, and worship only Him!" - -I arose, and lo! in the height of heaven I beheld a column, or pillar -of fire, the base of which was above the roof of the house, and the -summit thereof in the region of clouds. It was in the form of a Hebrew -staff, with a bar of light across it near its top, upon which seemed -to be a crown of glory, shooting forth thorns of light and splendor. -In this cloud, or pillar of light, there seemed to stand a form like -that of a man, but resplendent with ineffable radiance, and I covered -my face and worshipped. When I looked again, the dazzling vision, if -such it were, was in motion towards Egypt, and the city of On. As it -moved, it lighted up the whole earth. When it came over the city of -the Sun, a sword seemed to be drawn by the man who stood in the pillar -of fire, and I beheld it sweep over the palace of Pharaoh, and strike. -Then, with the swiftness and dazzling gleam of lightning, it turned -every way over Egypt, till I could not, dared not behold longer and -bowed my head, veiling my eyes, and adoring. - -Then we heard, even in Goshen, a cry as from the living heart of -Egypt, as if every mother in the vast cities of On and Memphis, and -the hundred surrounding villages, had lifted her voice in one -prolonged, dreadful wail of woe. - -I knew what that cry meant, and trembled in silent awe. I prostrated -myself before God and cried for mercy! - -At length the sword was drawn back by the hand of the man in the -pillar of cloud, and the shining column returned and stood over the -house where Moses and Aaron remained; a calm, lambent light, soft as -moonbeams, being now emitted from it, instead of the angry splendor -with which it shone before. - -One or more hours passed, and two horsemen, riding like the wind, -entered Goshen and cast themselves upon the ground at the feet of -Moses and Aaron. They were couriers from Pharaoh. - -"My lords," cried one of them, pale and trembling with fear and haste, -after he had risen from his prostration, "the king hath sent us to -thee, and these are the words he hath commanded us to say: 'Rise up, -Moses and Aaron, and get you forth from among my people, and from -Egypt, both ye and the children of Israel, and go and serve the Lord -as ye have said. Take your flocks, and your herds, and all that ye -have, and be gone; and pray your dreadful God for me, that He may -bless me also, for He hath slain my son!'" - -Then came, while he was yet speaking, a large company of lords, and -high officers, and great men of Egypt, whose sons the wrath of God had -slain (for there was not a house in Egypt where there was not one -dead, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat upon the throne, to the -first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon), and they were -urgent upon Moses and Aaron, and the Hebrew people, imploring them, -with tears and supplications, to hasten from the land, with all they -had, and to make all haste. - -Then Moses, as soon as it was day, sent word throughout all Israel to -prepare to go forth out of Egypt that day. He directed the people to -take all the jewels, and gold, and silver, and raiment, which the -Egyptians were forcing upon them to bribe them to hasten; "for," he -said, "it is yours, as the Lord hath commanded you to spoil the -Egyptians, for whom ye have labored without wages. It is the Lord's -gift to you from those whom He would spoil, and whose lives He has -spared to them." - -Now followed a spectacle of wonderful interest and sublimity. As if -moved by one spirit, Israel marshalled itself into companies of -hundreds, and these into bands of thousands, and these into mighty -divisions of tribes, so that by noon there were twelve separate armies -of God, ready to march at the voice of Moses. The whole plain of -Goshen, as far as the eye could see from the tower of Jacob, was -covered with their mighty hosts. Each tribe had its women, and little -ones, and flocks and herds within its own square. They waited now for -the signal to move forward, every man with his loins girded, his shoes -on his feet, and his staff in his hand, their bread unbaked in their -kneading-troughs, and their persons laden with the jewels and gifts -which the urgent Egyptians had forced upon them, either that they -might see their faces no more, or from fear, or in the hope to be -blessed by their Lord God for these favors: for so the Lord, to whom -the gold and silver of the earth belong, had disposed their hearts -towards the Hebrews. - -Then, at the going down of the sun, Moses gave the signal for this -mighty march. There were no trumpets sounding, no military display of -banners and spears; but they moved to their own tread, which seemed to -shake the earth. They came on in columns, a thousand men abreast, and -marched past the tower of Jacob, on which Moses stood, with Aaron by -his side, the miraculous rod in his hand. When the van of this army of -Jehovah, terrible in its strength, came up with the tower, the white -cloud of the Presence of Jehovah (which, all day had stood in the air -like a snow-white cloud, immovable and wonderful to behold), advanced, -as if borne upon a gentle wind, and placed itself before the host. -Night came on ere half the divisions had passed by where Moses stood; -and, as the sun went down, never more to rise upon Israel in Egypt, -the Pillar of Cloud became a Pillar of Fire, and shed a glory over the -innumerable armies of Israel equal to the splendor of day. - -It was midnight ere the last tribe had passed by with its face to the -desert. Then Moses and Aaron descended, and I kneeled before them, and -asked if I might be permitted to go out of Egypt with the Lord's -people, and continue to behold the power of God. Moses answered me -with benignity, and said I should be with him as a son, that I might -see the wonders of Jehovah, and make known in Phœnicia His glory -and power. - -While he was speaking, a mixed multitude of Egyptians, Nubians, -slaves, captives of Egypt, and of all those persons who hoped to be -blessed and benefited with Israel, fell to the ground before Moses, -and entreated him to suffer them to go up to the new land to which he -was going. Moses granted them, without hesitation, their prayer. - -Then I learned that those among the Egyptians who had, in obedience to -the command of Moses, sprinkled their own door-posts, escaped like the -Israelites, for it was the sign of the blood of obedience alone, that -the angel of the Lord regarded; on the other hand, several Israelitish -families saw their first-born perish, they having neglected to obey -the command of Moses, from avarice or indifference, or doubt of the -intention of God, or supposing that being Israelites would save their -households. - -And here, my dear father, let me make known to you that I have learned -from Aaron the significance of this sign; for God having made known to -him that "he is to become the high-priest, as Moses is the leader, of -his people, has revealed to him that the slaying of the lamb is a type -of a divine and innocent Person, who shall come down from God, and one -day be sacrificed. Earth, as the antitype of Egypt, is to be the altar -of this future stupendous sacrifice. And as by the blood of a lamb, -and the death of the first-born, Israel is delivered from Egypt, so by -the blood of the Lamb, the first-born of God, shall the whole of -mankind who look to his blood be finally delivered from this earth, -and from Satan its Pharaoh, and be led by God into a heaven above the -skies, a land of eternal happiness and peace, to dwell there till the -end of ages." - -Is not this a sublime doctrine? Is God, then, making with Israel, an -outline of what He is to perform with the whole earth? Shall we escape -this world-broad Egypt, and under a divine leader like Moses, by the -blood of the mysterious Lamb of God, be led to another world? I have -but indistinct knowledge, my dear father, of all this; but have -learned enough to make my heart bound with joy. For in this enlarged -conception of the wonderful theme, you and I, and all in the whole -earth,--who shall look to the God of Israel, and by foresight of faith -trust in the sprinkling of the blood of the Lamb upon the threshold of -our hearts,--are also of Israel; their God is our God; their land of -heaven our land of promise also! Oh, who can fathom the wisdom, and -goodness, and love, and power of God? To His name be glory, majesty, -dominion, and worship from all nations! Before Him let kings fall -down, and princes prostrate themselves, and every knee of all people, -nations, kindred, and tongues, be bent; for He is the Lord of heaven -and earth, and besides Him there is no God! - -Also, my dear father, Moses, whose lips ever distil celestial wisdom, -was graciously pleased, on the night before the death of the -first-born, as he walked to and fro in the court of the house of -Aminadab, to reveal to me the divine aim in sending such miracles as -He did upon Egypt, instead of any others. I listened with wonder and -increased awe, and, if I may so express it, redoubled admiration of -the wisdom and justice of God. - -Said the holy Hebrew and sage, "The Egyptians have ever believed, that -the jugglery and magic arts, in which their magicians and priests of -mysteries display such astonishing proficiency, are actual miracles, -exhibiting the power of their deities, and their co-operation with -their priests to enable them to do these deceptions. Miracles, -therefore (or magic), were regarded by them as acts of their idols. It -became necessary that the Lord God of the Hebrews should manifest -Himself and His power by miracles also; and not only this, but that -the miracles which He performed should be of such a character as to -distinguish them from the jugglery of the magicians, and at once -convince the Egyptians that they proceeded from a Being omnipotent -over their idols, and show the Israelites themselves, who had almost -forgotten God, that the author of such mighty miracles as they beheld, -must be the only living and true God of the earth and skies. Now, my -dear Remeses," he continued, "if you will give heed to my words for a -few moments, you will perceive how perfectly fitted the ten miracles -which God performed in the sight of Pharaoh, Egypt, and Israel, were -to destroy their faith in the gods of Egypt, and make known the true -God as the only Deity to be feared and worshipped by men. - -"At first, in conformity with the Divine purpose, the strength of the -magicians was brought out and fairly measured with my own, as God's -servant, inspired by Him, for of myself I did nothing. Unless this -trial of skill had been made, both the Egyptians and doubting -Israelites would have said that I derived my power from their gods -(for they would not forget I had been an Egyptian and knew their -mysteries), and God would not have been honored. But when the royal -magicians appeared in the name of the gods of Egypt, lo! the God of -heaven was shown not only to be superior to their sorcerers by His -miracles, but, as you will perceive, hostile to their idolatrous -worship. The observers of both sides were permitted not only to -distinguish the power of God from the inferior arts of the magicians -of Egypt, but are led to withdraw with us, as is the case with tens of -thousands who seek to follow us from Goshen,--their confidence in the -protection and power of their gods being utterly destroyed. Observe -now, my dear prince, the direction taken by the miracles. - -"The first one, which confirmed my authority and mission to Pharaoh, -destroyed the serpents. This was the first assault of the Almighty -upon the gods and sacred animals and things of Egypt; for you are -aware of the temple of the sacred Uræus, where the serpent is -worshipped. The serpent of the rod of God destroying the serpents of -the Egyptians, showed Pharaoh that his gods could not live, or save -themselves in the presence of the servant of the true God. Thus the -serpent form taken by the rod was not merely an arbitrary shape; there -was profound design concealed thereunder. - -"The Nile is held sacred, revered as a god by the Egyptians, and the -fish they regard as holy. Its waters supply all Egypt with a drink -which they quaff with reverence and pleasure, believing that a healing -virtue dwells in its waves. Changed to blood, and its fish becoming -putrid, they loathed their god and fled from his banks with horror. - -"The next miracle--of frogs--was also directed against a god of the -Egyptians and the worship of these unclean animals. He was made to -become their curse; and as they dared not kill them, being sacred, -they became to them a terror and a disgust unspeakable. - -"The miracle which followed was directed against their priests and -temples; for, by the laws of the forty two books, no one could -approach the altars upon which so impure an insect harbored; and the -priests, to guard against such an accident, wore white linen, and -shaved their heads and bodies every other day. The severe nature of -this miracle, as aimed against the religious rites and altar-services -of the Egyptians, you will perceive. So keenly did the magicians feel -this, and foresee how it would close every temple in Egypt, that they -were forced to exclaim, in my presence-- - -"'This is the finger of God!' - -"The succeeding and fifth miracle was designed to destroy the -confidence of the Egyptians in their god of flies, Baal-zebul. This -god had the reputation of protecting Egypt from the swarms of flies -which, at certain seasons, infest the air throughout all Egypt. The -inability of the magicians who were sent for by Pharaoh to remove -them, showed that the Lord God was more powerful than their fly-god, -and thus led them to look upon their own idol with contempt. - -"The miracle which destroyed their cattle was aimed at Apis, and -Mnevis, and Amun, the ram-headed god of Thebes, and at the entire -system of their worship of animals. Thus, by this one act of power, -the Lord Jehovah vindicated His own honor, and destroyed their -confidence in their idols, and the very existence of their gods. - -"When, by the command of God, I took ashes from the altar of human -sacrifices, and sprinkled it towards heaven, as did their priests, to -avert evil, and evil came in the shape of the boil, God taught them, -that what they trusted to, He could make against them, and out of -their idolatrous rites bring a curse upon them and upon Egypt. - -"The eighth miracle," continued Moses, while I gave ear to his words -with wondering attention, "was directed at the worship of Isis, as the -moon, and controller of the seasons, and clouds, and weather. When the -hail and the rain, the lightning and thunder, was brought by God upon -the land, and all the prayers to Isis failed to stay the fearful -tempest of His wrath, it should have convinced Pharaoh of the folly of -his idolatry, and taught the people not to put their trust in an idol -that could not help them against the power of the God of the Hebrews. - -"The miracle which followed, was directed against the adoration and -rites of Serapis, and his whole gorgeous system of worship; for the -Egyptians saw that the god who was regarded as their peculiar -protector against the destructive power of locusts, was impotent to -remove the cloud of these voracious insects, which God brought upon -them from the sea; and that only when Pharaoh entreated God, were they -removed. - -"The last miracle was aimed at the universal worship of Osiris, or the -Sun. It was intended to teach Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and also -Israel, that the God of the Hebrews was superior to their 'lord of the -sun,' and that He could veil His splendor when, and for any length of -time, it pleased Him! And also that they were called by the exhibition -of this mighty miracle to worship Him who made the sun, and moon, and -stars, and all the glory of them--Jehovah is His name!" - -When, my dear father, the man of God had ceased speaking, I remained -for some time silent with awe, meditating upon what I had heard; -worshipping, and adoring, and praising God, whose wisdom, and power, -and judgments, are over all His works, who will not give His glory to -another, nor leave Himself without a witness of His existence upon -earth. - -Thus you see, my dearest father, that the miracles were not arbitrary -displays of power, but grand divine lessons, mingled with judgments. -It was JEHOVAH vindicating His own worship, and showing the impotency -of false gods, by the manifestation of His supreme power and majesty, -as the destroyer of gods, and the only potentate,--God of gods, King -of kings, and Ruler over all, blessed for evermore! - -Having now revealed to you the mystery, veiled under the miracles of -Moses, I will close my long letter, leaving you to reflect, my father, -upon the wonders of God, and to contemplate His wisdom. In one or two -more letters, I shall close my correspondence; as, travelling in the -desert, I shall have no opportunity to communicate with you. I shall -proceed into Syria by the caravan route in a few days, and by the way -of Palestine and the valley of the Jordan, return to Damascus, and -thence, as soon as my affairs will permit, shall hasten to see you at -your palace in Tyre. - -Farewell, my dear father. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER XII. - -PRINCE REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO KING SESOSTRIS. - - -HOREB IN THE DESERT. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -I will now resume the subject which occupied the foregoing portion of -my last letter, namely, the departure of the twelve armies of the -Hebrews from the land of Egypt. - -When the last division had passed the tower, after midnight, Moses and -Aaron went forward and travelled all night, along the column of march, -addressing the leaders of tribes, divisions, thousands, and hundreds, -as they went, giving them words of courage, and commanding them to -keep in view the Pillar of Fire. - -This Divine Glory, which the whole people of the Hebrews, and even the -Egyptian followers, were permitted to behold and gaze at with wonder, -as if it were the moon or sun, moved onward, far in advance of the -last division, and seemingly directly over the head of the column. -When I reached, with Moses, the van of the mighty slowly-moving host, -I perceived that a sort of sarcophagus on wheels was drawn by twelve -oxen in front of all; and that over this, the "shekinah," as Aaron -termed the presence of God in the cloud of light, was suspended. I had -not seen this before, but knew that it must contain the embalmed body -of Prince Joseph, which the children of Israel had jealously guarded -and concealed from the Pharaohs of the present dynasty, waiting the -time of the deliverance; for the venerable Joseph, on his death, had -taken an oath from his brethren, the children of Israel, that they -would carry up his bones out of Egypt, when God should send the -deliverer to bring them forth. - -Faithfully were this wonderful people now fulfilling the oath of their -fathers to Joseph, after more than two hundred years had passed. Thus -their going out of Egypt bore a resemblance to a national funeral. At -the side of the sarcophagus Moses and Aaron walked, and thus the -solemn march advanced towards the wilderness. All that night they -journeyed from the plain of Raamses, and came to the verge of a rocky -valley where the way was rough, compared with the fertile and level -plains of Egypt. When the sun arose, the pillar of fire faded, as it -were, into a columnar cloud which still advanced miraculously and -wonderfully before us. When the heat of the day increased, the cloud -descended and rested over a place called Succoth. Here Moses ordered -the people to encamp, and bake their unleavened bread which they -brought with them in their kneading-troughs from Egypt. The next night -they travelled up the valley to a place called Etham, a short journey; -and thence, after a rest, turning back a little, they traversed the -valley between rocks eastward, and encamped at a well of water called -Pi-hahiroth, where there were many palm-trees. Here they remained to -rest, with the hills on either hand, wondering why God should not have -let them pass into the desert at Etham, instead of bringing them into -that defile, which seemed to have no outlet but at the shore of the -sea. Passing Pi-hahiroth, with its castle and garrison, the latter of -which fled at our advance, as also the garrison of the tower of -Migdol, which guarded the way to Egypt from the Arabian Sea, and so up -the cliffs of the valley-sides, Moses encamped between Migdol and the -sea, which spread far away eastward in front, with the towers and -fortified city of Baal-zephon visible on the opposite side. The Pillar -of Cloud had indicated this place of encampment, by resting above it -near the shore. - -When I surveyed the place, I marvelled to know how Moses would move -forward the next day; for the mountainous ridges of the rocky valley, -along which we had come, continued close to the shore of the sea on -the right hand, and on the left, and I could perceive, as I walked to -the place, no room for a single man, much less an army, to go either -south or north between the mountains and the water; for the sea broke -with its waves against its perpendicular sides. I concluded, -therefore, that on the morrow the whole host would have to retrace its -steps, and enter the desert by the way of Etham, where it had before -encamped, and so make a sweep around the head of the sea to the -northward and eastward. But I did not express to any one my thoughts. -The calm majesty and repose of Moses awed me. Upon his expansive brow -was stamped confidence in his God, who, if need were, could make a -road across the sea for His people, for whose deliverance He had done -such wonders. I reflected, too, that the leader was God himself, and -that He had gone before, and led them to the place where they were. I -therefore waited the will of God, to see what in His wisdom He would -do. - -How little did I anticipate the end! How far was I from understanding -that God had led His people into this defile, which had no outlet but -that by which they entered, in order to display His glory, and present -to the world the final exhibition of His power, and his judgments upon -Pharaoh and the Egyptians! - -The divinely inspired Moses seemed to understand my thoughts, when I -returned to the camp. - -"My son," he said, "this is done to try Pharaoh; for, when he heareth -that we are in the valley of Pi-hahiroth, before Migdol, he will say, -'They are entangled in the land--the wilderness hath shut them in.' -'Then,' saith the Lord to me, 'Pharaoh will repent that he let you and -my people go, and he will follow after you, and when he shall come -after you, I will be honored upon Pharaoh and upon all his host; that -the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.' God will yet avenge -Himself upon this wicked king, and reward him for all his wickedness -that he hath done against Him and His people Israel! Wait, and thou -shalt see the power of God, indeed!" - -With what expectation, and with what confidence in God I waited the -result, my dear father, you may conceive. How wonderful is this God, -and His ways how past finding out! "It was just four hundred and -thirty years from the day Israel left Egypt," said Aaron to me, "to -the day their father Abram left Chaldea for Canaan; and that, their -books say, is the exact time prophesied for their deliverance. Their -actual residence in Egypt from the Syrian Prince Jacob's coming to -settle in Goshen, to the day they left, was two hundred and fifteen -years. The existence of their _bondage_ began at the death of Joseph, -who died sixty-five years, not seventy, as you supposed, before the -birth of Moses. This servant of God is now eighty years old; -therefore, the number of years _that they were in servitude_ is one -hundred and forty-five, or equal to five generations. Thus, were the -descendants of Abraham, and Abraham himself, wanderers without any -country of their own for four hundred and thirty years, according to -the word of the Lord to Abraham; not all this time in bondage, indeed, -but under kings of another language. Now, at length behold them -returning a mighty nation, to claim from the Canaanites and -Philistines the land so long ago promised to their remote ancestor, -Abram. God is not forgetful of His promise, as this vast multitude -proclaims to the world, though He seems to wait; but His purposes must -ripen, and with the Almighty a day is as a thousand years, and a -thousand years as one day." - -Now behold, my dear father, a new manifestation of His glory and -power, and the awful majesty of His judgments, before whom no man can -stand and live! The next day, being the seventh, whereon a divine -tradition ordains rest, but which in their bondage could not be -regarded, Moses and Aaron commanded the whole host to repose. Thus -time was given Pharaoh, not only to hear the report,--as he did by -some Egyptians who, in dread of the wilderness, went back,--of their -being shut in by the craggy mountains, with the sea before them,--but -to arm and to pursue and destroy them or compel them to submit again -to his yoke. - -I have learned from an officer of Pharaoh, who, fearing God, escaped -from the palace, and came and informed Moses of the king's purposes, -that when the news reached the king, who had been three days bitterly -repenting his compliance with the demands of Moses, he sprang from the -table at which he sat, and, with a great oath by his gods, cried-- - -"They are entangled between Pi-hahiroth and the sea! They have played -me false, and are not gone by Etham into the desert to sacrifice! -Their God has bewildered them in the Valley of Rocks by the sea! Now, -by the life of Osiris, I will up and pursue them!" He called all his -lords and officers, and gave commands to send couriers to the army -already assembled at Bubastis, and expecting to march against the king -of Edom, who had long menaced Egypt. He ordered this army to hasten, -by forced marches, to the plain before On. He then sent to the city, -where he kept his six hundred chosen chariots of war, for them to be -harnessed, and meet him the next day before Raamses. Couriers on fleet -horses were sent to every garrison, and all the chariots in other -cities, and in the three treasure-cities, to the number of four -thousand charioteers, each with his armed soldier, gathered on the -plain which the Israelites had left four days before. The forty-seven -fortresses of the provinces sent forth their garrisons, of three and -four hundred men each, to swell the Egyptian hosts. - -All this intelligence reached Moses; but he remained immovable in his -camp, the Pillar of Fire also standing in the air above the tent of -Aaron, in which was the sarcophagus of Prince Joseph. Messenger after -messenger, sometimes an Egyptian friendly to the Israelites, sometimes -an Israelite who had been detained and did not leave Egypt with his -brethren, came to Moses, and as they passed through the camp, gave up -their news to the people. - -One man said Pharaoh had left his palace, armed in full battle-armor, -and at the head of his body-guard of six hundred chariots of gold and -ivory, was driving to the plain of Raamses. A second messenger brought -tidings, that the king's great army, from the vicinity of Bubastis and -Pelusium, had passed On in full march,--seventy thousand foot, ten -thousand horsemen, and two thousand chariots of iron! A third came, -reporting that four thousand chariots had also assembled from all -parts of Lower Egypt, and that every man was rallying to the standard -of the king, to pursue the Hebrews and destroy them by the edge of the -sword. By and by, a fourth came, an escaped Hebrew, who told that the -king had marshalled his vast hosts of one hundred thousand foot, -twenty thousand horsemen, nine thousand chariots of iron, besides his -six hundred chosen chariots of his body-guard, and was in full pursuit -of the Israelites by the way of Succoth. - -These tidings filled the bosoms of the Hebrews with dismay. They were -in no condition to do battle, there being among them all, one only who -knew the use of arms, which one was Moses; who, with God on his side, -was an army in himself. - -The Egyptian army, marched all night, without rest to hoof or sandal. -Before the sun was up, their approach was made known by the distant -thunder of their chariot-wheels, and the tramp of their horses. At -length, when the Pillar of Fire was fading into a white cloud, and the -sun rose brilliantly over the Sea of Arabia, the van of the Egyptian -army became visible, advancing down the inclosed valley. When the -Israelites beheld its warlike front, and heard the clangor of -war-trumpets and the deep roll of the drums, they fled with fear. The -elders then hastened, and, pale with terror and anger, came before -Moses, and cried to him-- - -"Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die -here in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us to -carry us forth out of Egypt? Did we not, at the first, tell thee in -Egypt, 'Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?' for it had -been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in -the wilderness." - -Then Moses answered their tumult, and said, without displeasure -visible in his godlike countenance-- - -"Fear ye not! Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he -will show you to-day! for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye -shall see them again no more forever! The Lord shall fight for you, -and ye shall hold your peace. Wait to see what He will do." - -Then Moses, with a troubled face, entered his tent, and his voice was -heard by those near by, calling upon God. - -And the Lord answered him from the cloud above the tent-- - -"Why criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel _that they -go forward_! But lift thou up thy rod and stretch out thy hand over -the sea, and divide it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry -ground through the midst of the sea. And behold Pharaoh, (whom I -withhold from nothing which he chooseth in his hard heart to do, -leaving him to his own devices to reap the fruit of his own ways), he -shall follow you with the Egyptians into the sea! and I will get me -honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots and upon -his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord!" - -Then Moses came forth from the tent, whence the voice of the Lord had -been heard by all, both near and afar off. Now, lo! the angel of God -in the Pillar of Cloud, as soon as the armies of Israel began to move -forward to the sea, removed from the front, and went to the rear of -the Hebrew host, and stood behind them in the Pillar of Cloud! Thus, -it stood between the camp of the Israelites and the camp of the -Egyptians, so that when night came, the Israelites, lying encamped on -the shore, had the full splendor of its light; while the Egyptians, to -whom it presented a wall of impenetrable darkness, also encamped, -fearing to go forward in the unnatural night which enveloped them. So -the two hosts remained all night, neither moving--the Pillar of Fire -and the Pillar of Cloud between them, creating day on one side of it, -and tenfold night on the other. - -Now, at the going down of the sun, on that day when the Egyptians -encamped because of the cloud, Moses had stretched forth his hand over -the sea by God's command, and lo! there arose a mighty wind upon the -sea, rising from the south and east; and all that night we heard the -sea and waves roaring, and the hearts of Israel sunk within them for -fear. The Pillar of Fire cast upon the sea a radiance like moonlight, -so that we could perceive that it was in a great commotion, and that -God was doing some great wonder in the deep. It is said that the noise -of the waves reached the ears of Pharaoh, and that he at first -believed it was the sound of the tramping of the whole host of the -Israelites, advancing with their God to give him battle in the -darkness. He called his men to arms, and tried to show front of war; -but the shadow of the cloud between him and the Hebrews, rendered it -impossible for any man to move from one place to another, or to see -his fellow. - -At length morning came to us, but not to the Egyptians, whose night -still continued. But what a spectacle of sublimity and power we -beheld! Before us, an avenue, broad enough for two hundred men to -march abreast, had been cut by the rod of God through the deep sea, -the water of which stood as a wall on the one side and on the other, -glittering like ice on the sides of the rocks of Libanus, when capped -with his snows. At this sight, the Hebrew hosts raised a shout of joy -to God, for they could see that the sacred avenue reached as far as -the eye could extend across the sea; but so great was the distance, -that its sides converged to a point far out from the shore, and seemed -but a hair line. Then Moses, lifting up his voice, commanded the -children of Israel to form into companies and columns of one hundred -and eighty men abreast, and enter the sea by the way God had opened -for them. First went Aaron and the twelve elders, being one of each -tribe, who guarded the body of Prince Joseph. Then followed the -sarcophagus, drawn by twelve oxen, one also furnished by each tribe. -Then came a hundred Levites, carrying all the sacred things which the -Hebrews had preserved in their generations. Now came Moses, leading -the van of the people in column. I also walked near him. As we -descended the shore and entered the crystalline road, I marvelled, yet -had no fear, to see the walls of water, as if congealed to ice, rise -thirty cubits above our heads, firm as if hewn from marble, with sharp -edges at the top catching and reflecting the sunlight. The bed of the -sea was hard and dry sand, smooth as the paved avenue from Memphis to -the pyramids. All day the Israelites marched in, and when night came -not half their vast column had left the land. All the while the Pillar -of Cloud stood behind, in the defile between the Israelites and the -Egyptians. At length, in the first watch of the night, it removed, and -came and went before the Israelites, throwing its beams forward along -our path in the sea. Its disappearance from the rear removed also the -supernatural darkness that enveloped the Egyptians; and when, by the -light of the skies, Pharaoh beheld the Israelites in motion, he -pursued with all his host, leading with his chariots his eager army. -It was just light enough for him to see that his enemy was escaping, -but not enough so to see by what way; but, doubtless, he suspected -that they were wading around the mountains; for great east winds have, -from time to time, swept the sea here outward, so that the water has -been shallow enough for persons to make a circuitous ford around the -northern cliff, and come in again upon the same shore into the desert -above. Pharaoh knew that the wind had been blowing heavily, which he -at first mistook for the Israelites in motion, and there is no doubt -that he pursued with the idea that the sea had been shoaled by the -wind, and that they would come out a mile or two on the north side, -and gain the desert by Etham, and so double the head of the sea into -the peninsula of Horeb. There can be no other reason assigned for his -pursuit into such a road of God's power, unless it was judicial -madness,--a hardening of his heart by God, in punishment for his -contumacy and opposition to His will. Doubtless this is one way in -which God punishes men, by making their peculiar sin the instrument of -their destruction. - -Pharaoh and his chariots, and horsemen, and host pursued, and came -close upon the rear-guard of the Israelites, against whom they pressed -with shouts of battle. The sea was faintly lighted, and the king and -the Egyptians did not see the walls of water which inclosed them, as -they rushed madly and blindly after their prey, urged on by the loud -voice of Pharaoh. At length, when they were in the midst of the sea, -the Lord, in the Pillar of Cloud, suddenly turned and displayed its -side of dazzling light towards the astonished Egyptians! By its -sunlike splendor, Pharaoh and his captains perceived their peril, and -the nature of the dreadful road in which they were entangled. The -walls of water on each side of them, say the Israelites who were in -the rear and saw, moved and swelled, and hung above them in stupendous -scrolls of living water, upheld only by the word of God! The vivid -light of the shekinah blinded their eyes, and bewildered their horses, -and troubled the whole host. All the horrors of his situation were -presented to the mind of the king. With frantic shouts to his -charioteers to turn back, he gave wild orders for his army to retreat, -saying-- - -"Let us flee from the face of Israel! for the Lord their God fighteth -for them against us!" - -Then followed a scene of the most horrible confusion. The steady gaze -upon them of the Angel of the Lord, in the cloud of fire, discomfited -them! They turned to fly! Their chariot-wheels sunk in the deep clay -which the wagons of the Hebrews had cut up, and came off! The king -leaped from his car, and, mounting a horse held by his armor-bearer, -attempted to escape, when the Lord said unto Moses, who now stood upon -the Arabian side of the sea-- - -"Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again -upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." - -Then Moses stretched forth his hand upon the sea, in the deep defile -of which, cleaved by God for his own people, the Egyptian hosts, -chariots, horse and foot, were struggling to retrace their course to -the Egyptian shore, each man battling with his comrade for preference -in advance. The whole scene, for several miles in the midst of the -sea, was a spectacle of terror and despair such as no war, no battle, -nothing under the skies, ever before presented. The shouts and cries -of the Egyptians reached our ears upon the shore with appalling -distinctness. - -Now Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, out of the path -through which the last of the Israelites were coming forth, when the -billows that had been cloven by the rod of God, and made to stand in -two walls like adamant, began to swell and heave, and all at once both -edges of this sea-wall fell over like two mighty cataracts plunging -and meeting, roaring and rushing together each into the chasm wherein -the whole host of Pharaoh--his captains, chariots, and horsemen--with -their faces towards Egypt, were struggling to escape from the snare -that God, in His just vengeance, had laid for them. The returning -waters covered the whole host of them before our eyes, and, while we -looked, the wild sea rolled its huge waves, laden with death, above -the abyss; and then subsiding, the great sea once more flowed calmly -over the spot, and Pharaoh, who had been erecting for years a majestic -pyramid to receive his embalmed body, was buried by the God whom he -defied, beneath the chariots and horses in which he trusted for -victory over the sons of God. - -This spectacle of God's power and judgment filled all Israel with awe. -Those who had murmured against Moses sought his presence, and -prostrated themselves before him, acknowledging their fault, and -asking him to entreat God to pardon their iniquity, declaring that -henceforth they would receive the voice of Moses as the voice of God. - -That day the Israelites encamped on the shore; and all night the waves -cast upon the coast the dead bodies of Pharaoh's host, and chariots -innumerable, with their stores of quivers of arrows, lances, swords, -and spears; so that the men of Israel, to the number of one hundred -thousand chosen out of each tribe, save that of Aaron were armed from -the spoils of the dead soldiers and chariots. Was not this, also, the -finger of God, O my father! The impression made upon the minds of the -children of Israel, by this wonderful exhibition of the power of -God,--of His goodness to them and His vengeance upon Pharaoh,--was -such that they believed God, and feared Him, and professed themselves -ready henceforth to be obedient to His voice. - -When Moses and the children of Israel saw that their enemies were -dead, they chanted a sublime hymn of praise and triumph to God upon -the shore. Then came Miriam, the sister of Aaron, the aged prophetess -of God, bearing a timbrel in her hand, and followed by an innumerable -company of maidens and daughters of Israel, each with her timbrel in -her hand, and singing songs of joy and triumph, while the virgins -danced before the Lord. - -Now, my dear father, I have brought my letters nearly to a close. I -have recorded the most wonderful events earth ever saw, and displays -of Divine power which man has never before witnessed. In contemplating -these wonders, you will be impressed with the terrible majesty of God, -and overwhelmed by His greatness. You will be struck with His -unwavering devotion and care for His people whom He hath chosen, and -with His unceasing vengeance upon His enemies, and such as oppress -those whom He protects. You will be awed and humbled with a sublime -perception of his limitless power in the heavens, on earth, and in the -sea; and feel deeply your own insignificance as a mere worm of the -dust in His sight; and you will cry with me, as I beheld all these -manifestations of His glorious power-- - -"What is man that thou art mindful of him, O God, who fillest the -heavens with the immensity of Thy presence, and in Thine own fulness -art all in all?" - -From the Sea of Arabia, Moses led the armies of Israel, for three -encampments, into the wilderness towards Horeb. Here was no water but -that which was bitter; and the people murmuring, Moses pacified them -by a miracle. Thence they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of -water and seventy palm-trees, and here we encamped for some days. -After certain further wanderings, we came to a wilderness, just one -month after departing from Egypt, God, in all that time, taking not -away the Pillar of Cloud by day nor the Pillar of Fire by night from -before the people. Indeed, the whole journey was a miracle, and -attended by miracles; for in this wilderness, Sinn, their provisions -failed, and the people (who are a perverse and stiff-necked people, -forgetful of favors past, and rebellious--as is perhaps natural to -those who have been so long in bondage, and find themselves now free), -murmured, and again blamed Moses for bringing them from their fare of -flesh and bread in Egypt, to die of hunger in the wilderness. God, -instead of raining fire upon them, mercifully and graciously rained -bread from heaven to feed them, returning their want of faith in Him -with loving-kindness and pardon. And not only did God send bread from -heaven--which continues to fall every morning--but sent quails upon -the camp; so that they covered the whole plain. The taste of this -heavenly bread is like coriander-seed in wafers made with honey. It is -white, is called by the people manna, and is in quantities sufficient -for the whole of them. The camp thence moved forward and came into the -vale of Horeb, where I had first beheld Moses standing by his flock. -Here there was no water, and the people murmured in their thirst, and -again blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt into that -wilderness, not remembering the mighty deliverance at the Sea of -Arabia, nor the manna, nor the quails. At the first obstacle or -privation, they would ever cry out against Moses, who, one day, -exclaimed to his God, in his perplexity-- - -"What shall I do to this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" - -Then the Lord commanded him to take his rod and strike the rock in -Horeb. He did so, and the water gushed forth in a mighty torrent, cool -and clear, and ran like a river, winding through all the camp. - -We are now encamped before Horeb. From this mountain God has given, -amid thunders, and lightnings, and earthquakes, His laws to His -people, by which they are to walk in order to please Him. They are ten -in number: four relating to their duty to Him, and the remaining six -to their duty to one another. It would be impossible, my dear father, -for me to describe to you the awful aspect of Horeb, when God came -down upon it, hidden from the eye of Israel in a thick cloud, with the -thunders, and lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet of God -exceeding loud, so that all the camp trembled for dread and fear. Nor -could I give you any idea of the aspect of the Mount of God, from -which went up a smoke, as the smoke of a furnace, for seven days and -nights, and how the voice of the trumpet waxed louder and louder, -sounding long and with awful grandeur along the skies, calling Moses -to come up into the mount to receive His laws, while the light of the -glory of the Lord was like devouring fire. In obedience to the -terrible voice, Moses left Israel in the plain and ascended the mount. -Aaron and others of the elders accompanied him so near, that they saw -the pavement on which the God of Israel stood. It was, under His feet, -as a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in its -clearness.[2] He was absent forty days. When twenty days were passed -and they saw him not, nor knew what had happened to him, the whole -people murmured, became alarmed, believed that they would never see -him again, and resolved to return to Egypt if they could find a -leader. Aaron refused to go back with them; but at length they -compelled him to consent, if in seven days Moses returned not. At the -end of this period they called Aaron and shouted: - -"Up! Choose us a captain to lead us back to Egypt." - -But Aaron answered that he would not hearken to them, and bade them -wait for Moses. - -Then came a company of a thousand men, all armed, and said: - -"Up! make us gods which shall go before us! As for this Moses, we wot -not has become of him." - -At length Aaron, no longer able to refuse, said-- - -"What god will ye have to lead you?" - -"Apis! the god of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, whom we and our fathers -worshipped in Egypt." - -Then Aaron received from them the jewels of gold they had taken from -the Egyptians, and cast them into a furnace, and made an image of the -calf Serapis, and said, in grief, irony, and anger-- - -"This, and like this, is thy god, O Israel, that brought thee up out -of the land of Egypt!" - -And erecting an altar before this image, these Israelites, not yet -weaned from Egyptian idolatry, burned incense and sacrificed before -it, and made a feast to the god, with music and dancing, as the -Egyptians do. At length Moses reappeared, sent down from the mount by -an indignant God, who beheld this extraordinary return to idolatry. -When the holy prophet saw what was done, he sternly rebuked Aaron, who -excused himself by pleading that he was compelled to yield, and that -he did so to show them the folly of trusting to such an idol, after -they had the knowledge of the true God. Moses took the calf they had -made, and made Aaron burn it in the fire, and he ground it to powder, -and made the idolatrous children of Israel drink of the bitter and -nauseous draught. Again he rebuked Aaron, and called for all who were -on the Lord's side, when several hundreds of the young men came and -stood by him. He commanded them to slay all who had bowed the knee or -danced before the calf; and in one hour three thousand men were slain -by the sword, in expiation of their sin against God. - -Now, my dear father, my last letter must be brought to a close. Moses -informs me that the Lord, in punishment of this sin of Israel, will -cause them to wander many years in the wilderness ere He bring them to -the land promised to their fathers, and will subject them to be -harassed by enemies on all sides, some of whom have already attacked -them, but were discomfited by the courage of a Hebrew youth, called -Joshua, who promises to become a mighty warrior and leader in Israel, -and whom Moses loves as an own son. - -In view, therefore, of this long abode of the children of Israel in -the desert, I shall to-morrow join a caravan which will then pass to -the northward, on its way into Syria from Egypt. It will be with -profound regret that I shall bid adieu to Moses, to Aaron, to Miriam, -and all the friends I have found among this wonderful people. Will not -the world watch from afar the progress of this army of God, which has -beheld the wonders by which He brought them out of Egypt? Doubtless, -ere this you have heard, by ships of Egypt, of some of the mighty -miracles which have devastated her cities and plains; and you will -hear, ere this letter reaches you, of the destruction of the whole -army of Egypt, with their king Pharaoh-Thothmeses, in the Arabian Sea. - -Farewell, my dear father; in a few weeks I shall embrace you. We will -then talk of the majesty, and power, and glory of the God of Israel, -and learn to fear Him; to love, obey, and serve Him,--remembering His -judgments upon Pharaoh, and also upon His chosen people Israel when -they forgot Him; and, that as He dealt with nations, so will He deal -with individuals! Obedience, with unquestioned submission in awe and -love to this great and holy God, our august Creator, is the only path -of peace and happiness for kings or subjects; and the only security -for admission, after death, into His divine heaven above, "whither," -saith His holy servant Moses, "all men will ultimately ascend, who -faithfully serve Him on earth; while those who, like Pharaoh-Thothmeses, -despise Him and His power, will be banished forever from His celestial -presence into the shades below, doomed there to endure woes that know -no termination, through the cycles of the everlasting ages." - -Farewell, my dear father; may the Pillar of Cloud be our guide by day, -and the Pillar of Fire by night, in the wilderness of this world! With -prayer to God to bring me in safety to you, and to guard you in health -until I see your face again, - - I am your ever affectionate son, - REMESES, PRINCE OF DAMASCUS. - -[2] Exodus xxiv. 10. - - - - -APPENDIX. - -A FEW WORDS TO THE EGYPTIAN STUDENT AND TO THE CRITIC. - - -There are necessary, perhaps, a few words to show that the author of -the preceding book has not arbitrarily employed facts, and made use of -traditions to suit a certain series of hypothetical events; but has -been controlled strictly by authorities. - -Scholars, versed in Egyptian archæology, will do the author justice in -the plan and execution of his work; for minds, enriched with true -erudition, upon the history of the land where his scenes are placed, -will not only understand the difficulties which a writer has to -contend with, but appreciate what he has done. Captious criticism -will, of course hold itself wholly independent of facts; while -hypercriticism must be suffered to show its _quasi_ erudition. To fair -and manly scholastic criticism, whether from theological scholars, or -students in the "learning of the Egyptians," the work is open; and the -author will be grateful to any judicious and respectable scholar who -will kindly point out errors--proving them to be such. - -The reader of Egyptian history is aware that but little reliance can -be placed on the assigned length of periods, which furnish us with -neither names nor facts, nor reliable monuments; because at this day -we have no control over the fictions and errors of historians. To -carry up to the first century of history a connected chain of -authentic chronology is not yet possible. - -We have given due credit to MANETHO'S statements, but have little -confidence in many of his alleged facts, vouched as they are by -JOSEPHUS and HERODOTUS. The late discoveries by CHAMPOLLION _le -Jeune_, BUNSEN, Dr. YOUNG, LEPSIUS, and others, with the revelations -of actual historical inscriptions, have rendered the books of these -hitherto universally quoted writers nearly obsolete. The traveller of -to-day, who visits Egypt and can read hieroglyph, knows more of the -history of Egypt than MANETHO, JOSEPHUS, DIODORUS, HERODOTUS, STRABO, -or any of the cis-Pharaoic writers thereupon. As revelations are made -from time to time, we have to change our dates, revise our "facts," -and reform our whole history of the past of Egypt, both in its -chronology and dynasties. In this work we have availed ourselves of -the latest discoveries, down to those of last year, by the celebrated -French _savant_, M. AUGUSTE MARIETTE, whose discoveries have, until -recently been made known only to the Academy of Sciences, France, in -modest and unpretending reports of his scientific researches. - -As we have very thoroughly gone over the ground of Egyptian -archæology, both in its scientific and theological relations, we are -aware from what quarters attacks will be likely to come, if this book -is honored by the notice of scholars. But to such, we beg leave to say -that, while we may not have formed our work on the plan _their_ views -would have suggested, we have done so on a plan which is defensible; -for there are several schools of interpretation of chronology and -dynasty; and as we have chosen to abide by one of them alone, we are -ready to defend our position, so far as may be necessary to prove that -we are not ignorant of the subject we have attempted to illustrate. - -The impartial scholar will see that we have endeavored to combine the -different, and often conflicting statements and opinions of the -mythology of Egypt, and to present a system which should represent the -belief of the Egyptian people at the time; and out of confusion to -create order. - -In writing a book, the _time_ of which is placed anterior to the -language in which it is written, and even to the Greek and Roman, -there is of necessity the use of terms, which in one sense are -anachronisms, unless one actually makes use of the vernacular of the -Egyptians. For instance, the Greek form of names of gods and men, is -often adopted instead of the Misric, the use of which would be -unintelligible pedantry: therefore, Apollo, Hercules, Venus, Isis, and -Mars, are often written in our pages instead of the Egyptian names. - -In order to show the general reader the variety allowable in Egyptian -names and dynasties, as well as chronology, we will append a few -examples: - -According to one writer on Egypt, it was Amenophis who was lost in the -Red Sea. According to another, it was Thothmes III.; to another, -Thothmes IV.; and to still another, Amos I.; and to another, Osis! - -Amuthosis is called by KENRICK (ii. p. 154), Misphragmuthosis. -Thothmes is also called Thothmeses and other variations. Osiris has -many titles and many legends, but we have adopted the popular one in -Egypt. - -Sesostris is called Ositasen, Osokron, Remeses, and other names, -according to the interpretation of his cartouches, and other -inscriptions. - -The pyramid of Chephren is called also Chafre, Chephres, Cephren, and -other designations, while Cheops has half a dozen appellations. A -writer, therefore, who seeks to present an intelligible view of the -manners, customs, religion, and polity of the ancient Egyptians must -decide what authority and what path he will follow; and having chosen -each, he should pursue it undeviatingly to its close. This we have -tried to do; and while those who might have selected a different one -may, perhaps, not coincide with our judgment, they will at least have -the candor to acknowledge that we are as much entitled, as scholars, -to respect in the choice we have made, as if we had made one in -harmony with their own peculiar views. - -The question of "dynasty" has presented singular difficulties; but we -have mainly followed NOLAN and SEYFFARTH, leaving their guidance, -however, when, our own judgment dictated a deviation from their views. -When some chronologers of the highest character place the birth of -MOSES 1572, B. C. (vide NOLAN), others 1947 (vide SEYFFARTH), others -2100 years, others 1460, it is necessary that a writer, whose book -requires a fixed date, should make a decision. We have, after careful -consideration of the whole ground, adopted the era which we believe to -be the true one. The confusion attending the adjustment of the -Pharaoic dynasties to their true time, is well known to scholars and -admitted by all except those who have advanced figures of their own, -and expect Egyptian Chronology henceforth to be construed by them -alone. NOLAN (vide Book IV., Sect. iv.), has presented to our minds -the clearest exposition of the question; and we have followed, very -closely, his table of the dynasty of the Pharaohs between the eras of -Joseph and the Exodus. - -The Biblical scholar need not be informed that Moses was forty years -of age before he interested himself openly in the Hebrews. Egyptian -history (see NOLAN) shows that in his thirty-fifth year, the -queen-mother, Pharaoh's daughter, died, and was succeeded by Mœris; -and as the Scriptures are silent, as to the occupation and place of -Moses in the interval, we are justifiable in placing him out of Egypt, -during the six years that followed, as we have done. - -We desire here to acknowledge our indebtedness to the following -authors, whose works, either directly or indirectly, we have -consulted, and from which we have made use of such parts as served our -purpose; and not wishing to burden our pages with notes and -references, we here make our grateful acknowledgments to them, and -recognition of their works: - - G. SEYFFARTH, A. M., Ph. D., D. D., seriatim, especially, - "Observationes Egyptiorum Astronomicæ, et Hireroglyphice descriptæ in - Zodiaco," &c., &c.--Leipz. - - "The Egyptian Chronology Analyzed;" by FREDERICK NOLAN, LL. D., F. R. - S.--London. - - "The Monuments of Egypt and Voyage up the Nile;" edited by FRANCIS L. - HAWKS, D. D., LL. D. - - "Ancient Egypt under the Pharaohs;" by JOHN KENRICK, M. A. A work - which presents at one view the most complete illustrations of Egypt - extant. - - To SIR GARDINER WILKINSON, D. C. L., F. R. S., &c., the writer is - indebted for much information respecting details of art, society, and - customs. - - "The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation;" edited by Professor C. E. - STOWE, D. D., by an anonymous author. - - Dr. MAX UHLEMANN'S writings on Egyptian antiquities. - - Rt. Rev. BISHOP WAINWRIGHT'S "Land of Bondage." - - MILLS' "Ancient Hebrews." - - LEPSIUS' "Discoveries in Egypt, Ethiopia," &c., and this eminent - author's other valuable writings upon Egyptian archæology and - antiquities. - - STANLEY'S "Sinai and Palestine." - - HENGSTENBERG'S "Egypt and the Books of Moses Illustrated by the - Monuments of Egypt." - - Col. HOWARD VISE on the Pyramids. - - J. A. ST. JOHN'S "Egypt and Nubia;" London, 1845. - - "Antiquities of Egypt;" London, Rel. Tr. Soc., 1841. - - ROSSELLINI'S works. - - BURTON'S "Excerpts Hierogl." - - J. C. NOTT, M. D., Mobile, to whose courtesy the author is indebted - for several valuable works illustrating ancient Egypt. - - VON BOHLEN (Petrus). - - BIROU, Roy-Soc. Lit. - - "Description de l'Egypte," pendant l'Expédition de l'Armée Française, - 1826. - - LESUEUR, "Chron. des Rois d'Egypte." - - Dr. ROBINSON'S very valuable researches. - - BUNSEN'S "Egypten" and other writings, seriatim. - - "DENON'S Voyage." - - HERODOTUS, SOCRATES, DIODORUS, STRABO, PLINY, PTOLEMY, ERATOSTHENES, - PLUTARCH, and other Greek and classic authors who have written upon - Egypt, have been made use of by the author as sources of information, - and adopted as authorities so far as subsequent monumental - revelations have not lessened the weight of their testimony. - - We are also under obligations to Professor HENRY S. OSBORN, for the - aid afforded in the Phœnician portion of our book, by his recently - published work, "Palestine, Past and Present," with "Biblical, - Literary, and Scientific Notes;" one of the most valuable and - interesting books of travel and research which has appeared for many - years, on the East: Challen & Son, Phil., 1859. - -Besides the above, we have availed ourselves of numerous sources of -information accessible to the Egyptian student, to enumerate which -would extend this note to a catalogue. - -We have sought in the foregoing work, to illustrate and delineate -events of the Old Testament, as in the "Prince of the House of David" -the New, so that they should "come home with a new power," to make use -of the language of another, "to those who by long familiarity have -lost, as it were, the vividness of the reality," and bring out their -outlines so as to convey to the mind of the reader a more complete -realization of scenes which seem to be but imperfectly apprehended by -the general reader of the historical parts of the Old Testament. The -work is written, not for scholars nor men learned in Egyptian lore; it -advances nothing new; but simply offers in a new dress that which is -old. The writer will have accomplished his object, "if his book," to -quote the words of Mr. STANLEY, in his preface to "Sinai and -Palestine," "brings any one with fresh interest to the threshold of -the divine story 'of the Exodus,' which has many approaches, and -which, the more it is explored, the more it reveals of poetry, life, -and instruction, such as has fallen to the lot of no other history in -the world." - -The intention of the author in writing these works on Scripture -narratives is to draw the attention of those persons who do not read -the Bible, or who read it carelessly, to the wonderful events it -records, as well as the divine doctrines it teaches; and to tempt them -to seek the inspired sources from which he mainly draws his facts. - -The author's plan embraces three works of equal size. They cover the -three great eras of Hebrew history, viz.: its beginning, at the -Exodus; its culmination, as in the reigns of David and Solomon; its -decline, as in the day of Our Lord's incarnation. - -J. H. I. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Pillar of Fire, by Joseph Holt Ingraham - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PILLAR OF FIRE *** - -***** This file should be named 50611-0.txt or 50611-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/6/1/50611/ - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Pillar of Fire - or, Israel in Bondage - -Author: Joseph Holt Ingraham - -Release Date: December 5, 2015 [EBook #50611] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PILLAR OF FIRE *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -The text comprises a series of letters in three groups. The first -group, the first letter within that group, and the third group, -lack headings. Appropriate headings have been copied from the -Table of Contents and inserted on pages 25 and 468. - -Apparent typographical errors have been corrected as has inconsistent -hyphenation. - -Italics are indicated by _underscores_. Small capitals have been -converted to full capitals. "oe" ligatures have been removed. - - - - -[Illustration: THE FINDING OF MOSES.--PAGE 388.] - - - - - THE - PILLAR OF FIRE; - OR, - Israel in Bondage. - - [Illustration] - - BY REV. J. H. INGRAHAM, - Rector of Christ Church, and of St. Thomas' Hall, Holly Springs, Miss. - - AUTHOR OF - "THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID." - - BOSTON: - ROBERTS BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS. - NO. 299 WASHINGTON STREET. - 1881. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by - G. G. EVANS, - in the Clerk's Office of the District Court - for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. - - - - - THE MEN OF ISRAEL, - SONS OF - ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB, - KINDRED OF MOSES, - THE GREAT LAWGIVER AND FRIEND OF GOD: - This Book - IS INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR; - WITH THE PRAYER, - THAT YOU, OF THIS GENERATION, WHO ARE DISPERSED IN ALL THE EARTH - MAY BEHOLD AND FOLLOW THE LIGHT OF - THE CROSS, - AS YOUR FATHERS FOLLOWED - THE PILLAR OF FIRE - AND ENTER AT LAST THE REAL CANAAN, - UNDER THE TRUE JOSHUA, - JESUS, THE SON OF ABRAHAM, - WHO ALSO WAS - THE SON OF GOD. - - - - -AUTHOR'S CHAPTER TO THE READER. - - -The idea of illustrating scenes of that period of the history of Egypt -in which the Israelites were held in bondage by her kings, and -presenting it from a point of view outside of the Mosaic narrative, -yet strictly harmonizing therewith, occurred to the writer some years -ago. - -In view of his object, he has carefully studied the history and -chronology of Egypt, and endeavored to inform his mind upon the -manners, customs, laws, religion, and polity of the ancient Egyptians, -so far as to aid him in an intelligent and practical execution of his -work. - -The difficulties which the question of dynasty, and of _individual_ -reigns have presented, will be understood by the Egyptian student. -Whatsoever chronology or theory the author might finally decide upon, -he saw would be open to the objections of adherents to the opposite -school. - -After a thorough examination of the subject of the dynasties, the -author has followed, chiefly, the chronology and theory of Nolan and -Seyffarth, whose opinions are sustained by the ablest scholars. - -But this work is by no means a "Book on Egypt." It professes to have -nothing more to do with Egyptian antiquities, mythology, chronology, -and history, than these naturally assemble about his subject, which -is, mainly, "The Bondage and Deliverance of the Children of Israel -from the Land of Egypt." - -The plan upon which the author has constructed his work is similar to -that of "The Prince of the House of David;" viz., by presenting the -scenes and events he would describe, through a series of letters, -alleged to be written by one who is supposed to witness with his own -eyes what he is made to place before those of the reader. - -As in "The Prince of the House of David," a young Jewish maiden is -supposed to witness many of the most remarkable scenes in the human -life of the Lord Jesus, and to write of them to her father in Egypt, -so in the present work a young prince of Phoenicia is made the -medium of communication between the author and his reader. - -This prince, SESOSTRIS, the son of the king and queen of Phoenicia, -upon reaching the age of eight-and-twenty, prepares to go into Egypt, -for the purpose of studying the laws and arts, religion and government -of that country, which, at this period, was the most powerful kingdom -of the earth. Mistress of wisdom, learning, and letters, she drew to -her brilliant court youths, nobles, philosophers, and travellers of -all lands; as in later centuries, even in her decadence, Greece sent -her scholars there to be perfected in the sciences and philosophies of -her academies. - -Young Sesostris takes leave of his mother, now a widowed queen, and -embarks in the royal galley at the marble pier of the palace of the -Isle of Tyre. He bears letters to Amense, the queen of Egypt, -commending him to her courtesy. - -Between Egypt and Phoenicia existed bonds, not only of friendly -alliance, but of relationship. But few centuries had passed since a -king of Phoenicia, at the head of a vast army of Syrians, invaded -Egypt, and taking Memphis, set up a foreign throne in the valley of -the Nile. - -Under this dynasty of conquerors, Joseph ruled in Egypt, and Jacob -dwelt; for, being Syrians, these new Pharaohs regarded with partiality -the descendants of Abraham, who was also "a Syrian." - -But after the death of Joseph, not many years elapsed ere the Theban -kings of Upper Egypt invaded the Memphitic realm of the Nile, and, -overturning the power of this foreign dynasty, friendly to the sons of -Israel, re-established the native Egyptian monarchy, "which knew not -Joseph," nor recognized the descendants of Abraham dwelling in the -land. On the contrary, looking upon them as of similar lineage with -the expelled Syrian or Assyrian invaders, as they were equally called, -the new monarch and conqueror, AMOSIS, at once placed them in -subjection, and oppressed them with a bitter bondage. - -This new Egyptian monarchy, under Pharaoh-Amosis, came into power -again, some years after the death of Joseph, during which period the -children of Israel had increased to a great people. For the space of -seventy years their oppression was continued by successive kings, -until, under Amenophis I. (the father of Amense, "Pharaoh's -daughter"), the alarming increase of the numbers of the Hebrews, led -this monarch to take harsher measures with them, "for the more they -afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew."[1] Fearing for the -stability of his kingdom, if they should rise upon their taskmasters, -and remembering the Syrian shepherd-kings, who had so lately ruled -Egypt, he issued the command for the destruction of all their male -children, as soon as born! - -At the time of the promulgation of this sanguinary edict, Amense was a -young princess, to whose feet the little ark, containing the infant -Moses, God-directed, came. - -The theory of Egyptian chronology which we have decided to follow, -represents this princess as the Queen of Egypt, at the time when we -present the Prince Sesostris of Tyre to the reader Under her wise -rule, Egypt had attained the culmination of its glory and power. Her -father, having died, after reigning twenty-two years, she began her -brilliant reign when Moses was twelve years of age--B. C. about 1560. -She had been upon the throne twenty-one years, when the Prince -Sesostris prepares to visit her court. - -We will not longer delay presenting the reader to the Letters of -Prince Sesostris, trusting that this feeble attempt to illustrate one -of the most interesting periods of human history, as it might have -appeared to a stranger in Egypt, may lead to a study of the Old -Testament by many who are unfamiliar with its pages; and also show -how, in his dealings with Pharaoh, God wielded not merely an arbitrary -power, but that, in all the "mighty works" He did, He was striking at -Egypt's _gods_, and asserting His own Divinity, as the Only Living and -True God, "besides Whom there is none else." - - THE AUTHOR. - - HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, - _Jan. 1, 1859_. - -NOTE.--The Egyptian scholar, the critic, and the Biblical student -are referred to the "Concluding Essay by the Author," in the Appendix, -at the close of the volume. - -[1] Exodus ii. - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - -LETTERS OF SESOSTRIS TO QUEEN EPIPHIA. - -LETTER I. - -On, the City of the Sun--Grandeur of Egypt--Emotions at the sight of -its wonders of art and scenes of beauty--The Queen of the ancient -house of Pharaoh--Her son, Prince Remeses (Moses)--Tyre, and its -traffic with distant lands--Damascus--Voyage from Tyre to -Pelusium--Scene at the departure of the fleet--The Nile--Its -encroachments--First view of Egypt--Meeting with Egyptian -war-ship--Invitation to visit the Court of Queen Amense--Description -of Egyptian war-ship--Banquet on the Admiral's ship--Singular -custom--Panorama of the Nile--pp. 25-38. - -LETTER II. - -Love for native land--Avenue of temples and palaces--Sublime temple of -the Sun--Emblem of Osiris--Artificial canal--Gardens and circular -lake--Gathering of philosophers and scholars--Obelisks--Message from -Queen Amense--Great temple of Osiris--Splendid approach to the City of -the Sun--Row of sphinxes--Osiris and Isis--Colossi--An Arabian -charger--Magnificent scene--Spectacle of architectural grandeur--Beautiful -palace--Religious notions of the Egyptians--Personal appearance of the -Lord-prince Remeses (Moses)--View of the Desert--Hebrew -laborers--Interview with Remeses--pp. 39-52. - -LETTER III. - -Climate of Egypt--Eternal sunshine and crystalline atmosphere--Costume -of the Egyptian prince--Hieroglyphic writing--Legend of the Obelisk of -Mitres--More of the personal appearance of Remeses (Moses)--The Hebrew -prince Abram (the Patriarch)--His personal appearance--His -tomb--Interior of Egyptian palace--Egyptian Mythology--Mnevis, the -sacred ox--Legend of Osiris--Pantheism--Apis, or the sacred -bull--Out-of-door life at midday--Hebrews, under their taskmasters, in -the burning sun--Prospect from the terrace of the palace--Isle of -Rhoda, in the Nile--pp. 53-66. - -LETTER IV. - -Palace of Remeses--Invitation to meet the Queen--Costume of a prince -of Tyre--Egyptian chariots and horses--Nubian charioteer--Escort of -the Queen's body-guard--Pleasure chariots--The Queen in her -chariot--Beautiful lake--Sphinxes--Royal palace described--The -throne-room--The throne-chair of ivory--Its footstool and -canopy--Assembly of military princes--Magnificent attire, and splendid -appearance of Remeses (Moses)--Ceremony of presentation to the -Queen--Queen Amense; her appearance and costume--Termination of the -audience--pp. 67-80. - -LETTER V. - -Egyptian magnificence--Egyptian architecture--Osiride pillars--Vastness -of objects--Avenue of Sphinxes--Temple of the god Horus--The emblem of -Hor-hat--Court of Colonnades--Grand hall--Rich colors in -architecture--Sculpture--Bass-reliefs--Splendid temple--Chamber of art -and beauty--Magnificent review of the army of four thousand chariots -of iron--A warrior-prince in his war-chariot--Description of -war-chariot--Ethiopian slaves--Bewildering spectacle--Military and -civil homage to the Queen--The Lord of Uz (Job) described--Ceremonies -preparatory to a royal banquet--The banquet--Costly wine-goblets--Arabian -dancing-girls--Jugglers--Guests overcome by wine--pp. 81-98. - -LETTER VI. - -Visit from Prince Remeses (Moses)--Great gate of the city--Phalanx of -dark Libyan soldiers--Varied accomplishments of Remeses--Avenue of -gardens, villas, and lakes--Temples in circular lakes--Egyptian -field-laborers--Hebrew brick-makers--Description of this "mysterious" -race--Account of the mode of their toil--Cruelty of their -taskmasters--Emotions of pity at the sight of their sufferings--The -lash!--Beautiful Hebrew girls--Dwellings of brick-makers--Joseph--Scene -at the "Fountain of Strangers"--Distant view of the City of the -Sun--Of Raamses--Of the pyramids--Of the illimitable desert--Wounded -Hebrew youth at the Fountain of Strangers--Majestic old Hebrew beaten -by taskmasters--Touching scene--pp. 99-114. - -LETTER VII. - -Interview with the venerable Ben Isaac at the Well of the -Strangers--Raamses, the Treasure-city--Joseph's granary--Exquisite -temple of Apis--Beautiful young Hebrew girl pursued by the -taskmaster--Her rescue and story--The punishment of the -taskmaster--Intolerable burdens of the Hebrews--Garden of Flowers for -the use of the temple of Apis--Account of the Syrian prince Abram -(Abraham)--Of Melchisedec--Of the Hyksos, or Shepherd-Kings--Their -conquest of Egypt--The Princess Sara (wife of Abraham)--Prince Jacob -(the Patriarch) and his twelve sons--Joseph--Pharaoh's dream--Elevation -of Joseph--Monuments of his power--pp. 115-129. - -LETTER VIII. - -Eagles of prey--Account of the Hebrews--Imposing funeral of the -Patriarch Jacob--His powerful and able government--Overthrow of the -dynasty of the Shepherd-Kings--Dynasty of the Thebad--Flourishing -condition of the Hebrews in the land of Goshen, under the government -of Joseph--Aspirations after the One God--Reduction of the Hebrews to -servitude--Their rapid and miraculous increase--The massacre of their -male infants--Courageous affection of the Hebrew mothers--Egyptian -nurses sympathize with them--Infants hid--Queen Amense's -humanity--Courage and wisdom of many of the Hebrews--Exciting ride -past Joseph's ruined palace--Jacob's Well--The plain of the Hebrew -brick-makers--Death of a Hebrew under his taskmasters--Sculptured -obelisk of Queen Amense--Emotions of Syrian painters at sight of their -prince--pp. 130-144. - -LETTER IX. - -Reflections on the degradation of the Hebrews--Hebrew pages and maidens -in the service of Egyptian nobles--Amram, the palace gardener--Contrast -between the physiognomy of the Egyptians and Hebrews--Remarkable -likeness of Prince Remeses to the Israelites--Description of the -Lord-prince Moeris--He seeks a quarrel with Remeses--Illness of -Queen Amense--Filial devotion of Remeses--Magnificent prospect of the -Nile, the Plain of the Pyramids, the City of the Sun, Jizeh and -Memphis--Myriads of human beings at labor--Naval review and -sham-battle--Exciting scene of contending thousands--pp. 145-157. - -LETTER X. - -Recovery of Queen Amense--Gropings after the True God--Pleasure-galley -of the Nile--Voluptuous ease--River chant--Phoenician Mythology and -Learning--Procession of the Dead--Tradition of the universal Deluge -and of Noe-menes (Noah)--Myths of Ammon, and of Belus the Warrior-god -and Founder of Babylon--Nimrod's temple--Baalbec--Worship of the -Sun--Myths of Apis, Horus, Adonis, and Io--Magnificent worship of -Osiris and Isis--Mysteries of the temple of Tyre--Baal-phegor--Pillars -of the West--Marvels of foreign lands, and islands of wonderful -beauty--Men formed like monkeys--The edge of the world--A -sea-storm--Gulf down which the full sea plunges--Legends of the form -of the Earth; of its foundation; of its motion through space--pp. -158-172. - -LETTER XI. - -The beautiful Isle of Rhoda--Prince Moeris and his favorite -lion--Refinement of Egyptians--Polite observances at the reception of -visitors--Parting between Queen Amense and Remeses--Military -emblems--Magnificent display of the Egyptian "tented hosts"--Striking -religious and military display of the army--Columns formed of trophies -taken in battle--The chief priest of Mars--His gorgeous attire and -imposing ceremonies--Gigantic statue of Mars, in full armor--Offerings -of the soldiers--Invocation by the High-priest--Libations for the -army--Clouds of incense--Appearance of the beautiful daughters of the -priest--The musical sistrum--Sacred offices in the temple filled by -women--The Virgins of the Sun--Social position of Egyptian -women--Thrilling martial hymn chaunted by the priests, the army, and -the maiden--Sacrifice--Remeses reviews the army--Ethiopia--Description -of an Egyptian army; its tactics and weapons--The nations composing -it--pp. 173-190. - -LETTER XII. - -Immense military force of Egypt--Sublime sunrise--Morning hymn--Gala -of the resurrection of Osiris--Festivals to the gods--Visit to the -Queen--Glimpse of dark-eyed Egyptian girls--Their tasteful -dress--Life, manners, and customs of high-born Egyptian ladies--Their -high social estimation--Egyptians can have but one wife--Occupations -of ladies--Classifications of Egyptian society--The habitations of the -Egyptians--Family customs and gatherings--House of the Admiral -Pathromenes--Home-life of the Egyptians--pp. 191-208. - -LETTER XIII. - -Ancient worship of the gods on Libanus--Natural temples--Legend of the -weeping for Tammuz--Unsatisfactory nature of the worship of -idols--More aspirations and gropings after the true God--Where is the -Infinite?--There can be but one God!--His nature--Body-guard rowers of -Prince Remeses--Their captain--Nubian slaves--Great quay, or -landing-mart of Memphis--Merchants from all parts of the world--Street -lined with temples--Avenue of statues and columns--Memphis--Gradual -change of the true religion into idolatry--The four deified bulls of -Egypt--Sacred birds, serpents, scorpions, vegetables, and -monsters--pp. 209-225. - -LETTER XIV. - -Majestic temple of the sacred bull, Apis--Tyrian mariner torn to -pieces by the Egyptians for ignorantly killing a sacred cat--Imposing -worship of the deified bull--Description of the sacred animal--Costly -offerings at his shrine--An omen!--Tasteful palace of the hierarch of -the temple--Transmigration of souls--Brute incarnation of -deity--Tradition concerning Osiris--Foreshadowing of the coming of the -Invisible upon earth in human form--Lamentations upon the death of a -deified bull--His obsequies--Pomp and rejoicings over a new god, -Apis--Mausoleum of the Serapis--Sarcophagi--The Sarapeum--The Lady -Nelisa--Beautiful daughter of the priest of Mars--The Lake of the -Dead--Embalmers and their art--Customs attending death and -embalmment--Funeral procession of Rathmes, "lord of the royal -gardens"--The venerable head-gardener, Amram--The baris, or sacred -boat--pp. 226-244. - -LETTER XV. - -Conclusion of funeral ceremonies of the lord of the royal gardens--The -Sacred Way--Processions of mourners--Avenue to the tombs--The -"dead-life" of the Egyptians--Awful ceremony of the judgment of the -dead--Burial of the unworthy dead prohibited--False accusers stoned -away--Myth as to the state of the soul after death--Metempsychosis--The -mystery of the tribunal of Osiris--Reception of the justified soul -into the celestial kingdom--Doom of the reprobate soul--Monkeys, -emblems of the god Thoth--The gate of the pyramids--Colossal -Andro-sphinx, or Watcher before the pyramids--Beautiful temple of -Osiris--The twin pyramids, Cheops and Chephres--pp. 245-261. - -LETTER XVI. - -Continuation of description of the Pyramids--Colossal monolith of -Horus--Perilous ascent of Cheops--Prospect from a resting-place upon -the pyramid, four hundred feet in air--A prince of Midian falls from -Chephres--Magnificent view from the top of Cheops, six hundred feet in -air--Tombs of kings--The Giants before the Flood founders of the great -pyramids--Ancient appearance of pyramids--Greater duration of human -life--The third pyramid built by Amun, son of Noah--Egyptian tradition -of Noah and his sons--Entombment of Noah in Cheops, and the mourning -of the Nations--Verdant plain of the Nile--The desolation of the -Desert--Jizeh--Raamses and Pythom, the treasure-cities--The smiling -land of Goshen--Prophecy of an Unknown World, in the West--The sacred -papyri--Descent of the pyramid--Luxora, the beautiful daughter of the -high-priest--Her legend of the Emerald Table of Hermes--Osiria--pp. -262-276. - -LETTER XVII. - -The lovely Osiria's legend of King Saurid--Stately Hebrew -woman--Tradition of the construction of the larger pyramid--Its -foundations--Its gates--Its covering of silk--Its treasure-chambers and -magical guardians of stone and agate--Miriam, the papyrus-copier--Her -striking resemblance to Prince Remeses--The pyramid penetrated by a -Phoenician conqueror--Discovery of treasures--Mighty sarcophagus of -the dead monarch of two worlds, Noah--Chamber of the precession of the -equinoxes--Hall of the Universe--Pyramids built before the -Deluge--Configuration of the seven planets as at the Creation--Astrology-- -Enigma of the Phoenix--The riddle solved--Nelisa--Interview with the -stately Miriam in the Hall of Books--pp. 277-293. - -LETTER XVIII. - -Tidings from Prince Remeses and the army--Antediluvian origin of the -pyramids--The barbaric King of Ethiopia, Occhoris--His body-guard of -Bellardines--His sacrilege in the temple of the sacred bull at -Thebes--Pious vengeance of the people--Visit of Remeses to the tomb of -his father--Remarkable conversation with Miriam, the papyrus-copier-- -Description of Miriam--Ben Isaac and the lad Israel--Contempt of the -Egyptians for Israel--Religious and political degradation of the -Hebrews--Miriam declares the mystery of the God of her fathers--Her -denunciation of idol-worship--Miriam's occupation--The winged -asps--Interview with the Prince of Uz, Ra-Iub (Job)--Job speaks of the -ALMIGHTY!--Seems inspired of God--Tradition of a Day's-man, or -mediator--Job convinces Sesostris that there is but one God--pp. -294-313. - -LETTER XIX. - -Intelligence from Ethiopia--Remeses a conqueror--Great spoils--He -enters Memphis in triumphal array--His filial piety--The captive -Ethiopian king--Victorious army of one hundred thousand men in -triumphal procession--The Prince of Egypt in his war-chariot--Column -of twelve thousand Ethiopian captives--Description of the bands of -captives, and their treatment--Invocation of the victors in the great -temple of Pthah--Distinction between captives taken in war and the -Hebrews--pp. 314-330. - -LETTER XX. - -Delightful climate--Indolence and leisure by day--Spirit of life and -enjoyment reigns at night--Galley of a noble designedly runs down a -small baris--Handsome Hebrew--Another startling resemblance to Prince -Remeses!--The lad Israel again--Miriam, the papyrus-copier, the sister -of the handsome Hebrew--What he saw, in boyhood, beside the Nile--His -infant brother committed to the river--Subterranean chambers for -casting images of the gods--The Hebrew gives an account of his people -and his God--He mourns the oppression of his race--pp. 331-346. - -LETTER XXI. - -Thirty-fifth birthday of Prince Remeses--Queen Amense proposes to -abdicate in his favor--The Hebrew page, Israel--Melancholy of the -Queen--Prince Moeris--Moving interview between the Queen and -Remeses--He declines the throne of Egypt--A secret!--Prince Moeris -seeks the ruin of Remeses--A bribe!--Suspicion!--Terrible agitation of -the Queen--Attempt of Moeris to poison Amense at a banquet--Another -bribe--A mystery!--Remeses consents to accept the sceptre--pp. -347-363. - -LETTER XXII. - -Remeses prepares for his coronation by an initiation into the -mysteries of the temple--Power and influence of Egyptian -priesthood--Daily public duties of the Queen--Her attire--Her bathing -and dressing rooms--Skilful adornment of their hair by Egyptian -ladies--The Queen acts as chief priestess--Her delightful -hospitalities--Beautiful trait of character--Proposed succession of -Remeses--Solemn vigil, and other ceremonies of initiation--Remeses -shut out from the world in the gloom of the mysterious temple-- -Israelisis with a message from the Queen--The Celestial Sea--A -courier from Moeris--Great distress and singular manner of the -Queen--A terrible secret--An impatient follower--pp. 364-380. - -LETTER XXIII. - -Revelations--Letter from Moeris--His haughty demand--Is Remeses the -son of Pharaoh's Daughter?--Another letter and another haughty demand -from Moeris--Still another--A doubt!--An investigation--Amense never -a mother!--Her descent to the Nile to bathe--The little ark of -basket-work and beautiful child--The princess adopts it--A -threat!--The Queen unfolds the terrible secret--Her agony of fear--Her -touching story of the discovery of the infant Remeses--She gains -resolution and defies Moeris--Remeses a Hebrew!--pp. 381-397. - -LETTER XXIV. - -Mournful reflections--Sacred poem by Remeses, being scenes in the life -of Job--Remeses discovers all--A sirocco of the soul--He narrates the -mysterious scenes of his initiation--Startling spectacles--Overwhelming -displays of enchantment and magic--Mysterious journey beneath the -pyramids--Labyrinthine catacomb--March of Time through the -heavens--Remeses alone beside the altar--Amense not his mother!--His -vision in the dark chamber of the pyramids--The massacre of the Hebrew -infants--Scene in the Hebrew hut--The mother and child--The babe -committed to the Nile--The little maid--The beautiful lady, Pharaoh's -Daughter--The Hebrew nurse--The image-caster--pp. 398-414. - -LETTER XXV. - -Continuation of vision of Remeses--Himself the child of his -vision--Mysterious voices in the vaulted chamber of the -pyramid--Mocking eyes--He flees--Tender interview between the Queen -and Remeses--He narrates his vision--The secret fully unveiled-- -Discovery of a father, mother, brother, sister--Illness of the -Queen--She assembles the councils of the nation--Remeses renounces the -throne--Amense adopts Moeris--Her death--Amram--The mother of -Remeses--Miriam--Aaron--Egypt in mourning--Remeses assumes his Hebrew -name, Moses--Arts of magicians and sorcerers--pp. 415-431. - - -LETTERS BETWEEN REMESES (MOSES) AND OTHER PERSONS. - -LETTER I. - -Moses beholds the thousands of his countrymen under the lash of the -taskmasters--A prophecy--Visits Tyre and is cordially received by -Queen Epiphia--Tyre--Damascus--He meets the venerable Prince of Uz -(Job)--Nuptials of Sesostris--pp. 432-435. - -LETTER II. - -Defeat of the King of Cyprus by Sesostris--Moses in Syria--He journeys -to sit at the feet of Job--Cruelty of Pharaoh (Moeris)--The Lake -Amense--pp. 436-438. - -LETTER III. - -Moses visits Job--The wisdom of Job--His wealth and power--Moses -writes his life--Job leads Moses to the knowledge of the true God--pp. -439-441. - -LETTER IV. - -Moeris increases the burdens of the Hebrews--Tradition as to the -term of their servitude--Nearly accomplished--Moses, in Syria, yearns -to be with his brethren in Egypt--pp. 442-444. - -LETTER V. - -Moses determines to visit Egypt--Receives from Job the history of the -Creation--Job's piety and his favor with God--Prayer the path to the -throne of God--King Sesostris and Queen Thamonda--Israelisis--pp. -445-448. - -LETTER VI. - -Moses departs for Egypt--The Illimitable Sea--Reflections upon the -infinity of God--A storm--Despair of passengers--Their gods unavailing -to save--Moses invokes the true God--The storm ceases--The crowd offer -divine honors to Moses--His anger at their sacrilege--He arrives in -Egypt--Is in the bosom of his family--Oppression of the Hebrews--Their -miraculous increase--Tradition of God's revelation of Himself to -Abram--A miracle!--God's command to Abraham--His obedience--God's -promise--The fulness of time at hand--Woman of salt--City of -Salem--Moses strives to arouse the Hebrews--He is doubted and -discredited--pp. 449-461. - -LETTER VII. - -Moses, in disguise, sees King Moeris amid his chief captains-- -Terrible cruelties inflicted upon the Hebrews--Taskmaster -pursues a Hebrew youth, to kill him--Moses slays the taskmaster--Comes -upon two Hebrews in altercation--He rebukes them--They threaten to -expose him to Pharaoh for slaying the Egyptian--Prophetic inspiration -of Amram, the father of Moses--Moses flees from Egypt--pp. 462-467. - - -LETTERS OF REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO HIS FATHER, KING SESOSTRIS. - -LETTER I. - -The young prince visits Egypt--The acts of the Egyptian kings--The -reign of Moeris--He constructs an immense lake--Inauguration of a -temple--Splendid spectacle of idol-worship--Plain of the -Mummies--Enlargement of Memphis--Discovery of treasures beneath the -Sphinx before Chephres--The captive King Occhoris--Increase of -Hebrews--Character of the reigning Pharaoh--His cruelty to the -Hebrews--Good feeling between Hebrew and Egyptian women--Intelligence -of the long-absent Remeses (Moses)--pp. 468-476. - -LETTER II. - -A caravan from Ezion-geber--Its governor a Midianite--Prince -Jethro--Abram--Moses in Midian--The young prince determines to -accompany the caravan into Midian, and to seek Moses--pp. 477-481. - -LETTER III. - -Moses to his old friend Sesostris--Account of his mode of life--His -meditations upon the oppression of his nation, and upon the character -of their predicted Deliverer--Is inspired to write a narrative of the -Creation of the World--pp. 482-484. - -LETTER IV. - -Journey across the desert--Mount Horeb--Moses, standing upon a -mountain-rock--Affecting interview--Grotto of Moses--His wife and -sons--Story of his rescue of the daughters of Jethro at the well--His -sublime teachings--Will he be the Deliverer?--View from Mount -Horeb--Aaron--Miriam--pp. 485-490. - -LETTER V. - -Moses leads his flock to a secluded valley--Wonderful appearance of -the Burning Bush--Astonishment of the shepherds--The Voice in the -midst of the fire--God reveals Himself to Moses, and commissions him -to lead forth the people--The humility of Moses--His staff converted -into a living serpent--The leprous hand--Moses hesitates--The Lord -rebukes him, and the flame in the bush shoots fiery tongues--Aaron to -be the mouth-piece of the Lord--Miraculously advised, Aaron comes to -Moses--Moses converts his staff into a serpent, before Aaron--He -obtains the consent of Jethro to his departure from Midian--Moses in -Egypt--Sends messengers to summon the elders of Israel to meet him at -Jacob's well--Pharaoh's cruel designs against the Hebrews--pp. -491-503. - -LETTER VI. - -Midnight meeting of the elders of Israel--Jacob's well a source of -superstitious dread to the Egyptians--Beautiful moonlight scene--Moses -opens his errand from the Most High--Aaron unfolds the traditional -promises--Unbelieving Hebrews--Terrible means used for their -conviction--Korah persists in unbelief--His punishment and horror--The -assembly dissolves--pp. 504-508. - -LETTER VII. - -Moses goes before Pharaoh--Amazement of the Egyptian courtiers--Harshness -of Pharaoh--Moses delivers God's message--Pharaoh defies the Living -God--He is overcome by his emotion, but hardens his heart--New toils -devised for the Hebrews--pp. 509-513. - -LETTER VIII. - -The rod! the whip! the cry of the sufferers!--The Hebrews reproach -Moses and Aaron--Moses appeals to the Lord--Seeks to comfort his -brethren with the words of the Most High--Hope dies in their -hearts--Pharaoh redoubles his worship of all manner of idols--He -curses God--Sacrifices a living Hebrew child to the Nile--Sacrifices a -Nubian slave to Typhon--Invokes his idol-god against the God of -Moses--A secret dread--Children of Israel groan under oppression--pp. -514-522. - -LETTER IX. - -Moses and Aaron again seek Pharaoh, and demand the freedom of -Israel--He requires a miracle--Miracle of Moses' rod--Jambres and -Jannes, the magicians--They convert their rods into serpents--Moses' -serpent destroys theirs--The brothers confront the King at the river's -side--He defies their God--The Nile runs blood--Goshen, the land of -the Hebrews, sparkles with clear water--Jambres again appealed to--The -plague of the frogs--Jambres and Jannes produce, but cannot remove -them--Pharaoh relents, and the plague is stayed--The plague of -lice--Jambres and Jannes disgraced--God speaks to Moses by the well of -Jacob--The plague of flies--Pharaoh again relents--He hardens his -heart, and God sends a pestilence upon the cattle--God again speaks to -Moses beside the well--The plague of boils--Goshen unharmed--God -threatens further vengeance upon Pharaoh--pp. 523-538. - -LETTER X. - -Moses denounces the plague of thunder and hail against Egypt--Grand -gathering of the storm of God's anger--The storm hangs over Goshen but -harms it not--The purpose of God in these judgments--Terror of -Pharaoh--Agrees to let Israel go--Scene of desolation and -death--Pharaoh seeks to drown his terror in a banquet--In his revels -curses God--Again refuses to let the people go--He vacillates--Orders -Moses and Aaron to be thrust from the palace--The plague of the -locusts--Despair of the Egyptians--Pharaoh acknowledges his sin--The -plague ceases--Character of Pharaoh--The plague of darkness--Description -of the plague--Pharaoh unequal to the combat with God--His rage -against Moses--Moses denounces upon Pharaoh God's last and terrible -judgment--The Egyptians deify him--pp. 539-558. - -LETTER XI. - -Moses and Aaron call the elders of Israel together--The Passover -Instituted--The Hebrews cease work--They all flock to Goshen--Moses -deified by priests in the temples--Hopefulness of the Hebrews--The -sprinkling--Egyptians seek refuge with the Hebrews--Silence of -expectation--Awful vision of the Angel of the Lord in the Pillar of -Fire--A cry from Egypt--Messengers from Pharaoh to Moses--Amunophis, -the son of Pharaoh, slain by the Angel of the Lord--Egyptians implore -Moses to depart--Israel marshalled--Guided by the Pillar of Fire, the -Hebrew host leave Egypt--The Lamb of God prefigured--Moses explains -the lessons of God's judgments--pp. 559-575. - -LETTER XII. - -The departure--Sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Joseph--The -Shekinah--Succoth--Etham--Pi-hahiroth--Migdol--Hebrews inclosed -between the mountains and the sea--Calm confidence of Moses--Fulfilment -of prophecy--Pharaoh determines to destroy the entangled -Hebrews--Gathers a mighty host and follows in pursuit--Dismay of the -Hebrews--The Egyptian army comes in sight--The elders reproach -Moses--He calls upon God--The Voice of the Lord--The Pillar of Cloud -and the Pillar of Fire--The sea--Israel in the midst of the sea--The -procession--The pursuit--Frantic terror of Pharaoh and his army--Their -destruction--Israel filled with awe and gratitude--They go into the -wilderness--The bitter waters--Journey abounding in miracles--The rock -in Horeb--God's awful presence on Horeb--Moses disappears in the mount -of God--The people murmur--They demand a god--They sacrifice to a -molten calf--An indignant God!--Terrible vengeance upon the -offenders--Joshua--pp. 576-596. - - -APPENDIX. - -The author to the scholar and critic--pp. 597-600. - - - THE PILLAR OF FIRE, - OR ISRAEL IN BONDAGE. - - - - -LETTERS OF SESOSTRIS TO QUEEN EPIPHIA. - - - - -LETTER I. - - - PRINCE SESOSTRIS - TO HIS ROYAL MOTHER, EPIPHIA, - QUEEN OF PHOENICIA. - -At length, my dear mother, I have reached the "Land of the Seven -Rivers," and do now write to you from her gorgeous capital, ON, The -City of the Sun. - -How shall I describe to you the grand and solemn magnificence of this -city of divine temples, and convey to you a just idea of its palaces -that seem rather to have been erected for the abodes of gods than of -men! - -Wheresoever I turn my eyes, I realize that I am in mighty Egypt; for -everywhere I behold grandeur and glory, excellency and perfection. -Every object illustrates the power, munificence, and taste of the -imperial princess who now sits on the throne of the Pharaohs, and the -splendor of whose reign has raised Egypt above the mightiest empires -of the earth. - -And all that I behold recalls the ancient glory, my dear mother, of -our own land, the once princely Palestina and Phoenicia,--twin -kingdoms which of old gave conquerors, and rulers, and laws to Egypt, -under the short but brilliant dynasty of her Shepherd Kings! But, -though fading with age, Phoenicia still lives in the beauty, pride, -and power of her daughter Egypt. - -I will not lament over the waning glory of my own dear land, my royal -mother, while I can see it revived here with increased magnificence. -Phoenicia is not dead while Egypt lives. Every ruin in my own -kingdom is restored with augmented beauty and splendor on the green -plains of this land of the shining River, whose fountain-head is -underneath the throne of Thoth, far in the southern sky. - -How shall I describe what I behold? Every new object enchants me, and -moves my soul with a fresh pleasure. I am intoxicated, not with wine, -but with the splendor of art and scenes of beauty, and with -manifestations of human glory and power hitherto inconceivable. I have -heard my royal father describe the glory of Salem in Palestine, under -the princes of the dynasty of Melchisedec, with its gorgeous temples -to the Sun, and its palaces of marble, its hanging gardens, and noble -terraces overlooking its flower-enamelled valleys; but the cities of -Egypt surpass this Syriac magnificence. - -In coming hither, across the Levantine seas, from Syria, I seem to -have crossed to the shores of that mystic world where dwell the sacred -divinities, rather than only to another land of the plane of the -earth; for Egypt, compared with the kingdom of Phoenicia seems truly -the land of the blessed. What far-famed warriors! what stately -priests, clothed with power from the gods! what superb princes! what a -majestic queen! what grace and dignity in the virgins of the Sun! what -a stupendous system of worship! what mighty mausoleums, both tomb and -temple, rising like mountains hewn into solid triangles everywhere -over the illimitable plain! What a land of verdure and of -flowers!--land of gardens and palaces, obelisks and fountains, fanes -and altars, sphinxes and gigantic statues!--land, comprising all that -can delight the heart or take captive the sense! - -I ask myself--Am I, indeed, in Egypt, the "Land shadowing with wings," -as those proud Pharaohs, Thothmeses I. and II., termed it, upon their -winged globe-carved shields?--am I in Egypt, the glory of the earth, -the kingdom above all kingdoms, whose queen is above all the monarchs -that reign, and before the elevation of whose golden sceptre all -sceptres fall? - -I have not yet, my dearest mother, seen, save at a distance, as she -was ascending the steps of her palace, this mighty queen of the -ancient house of the Pharaohs; but the third day hence I shall be -formally presented to her in the throne-room, where she receives the -ambassadors and princes of the nations who come into Egypt either to -learn arts or arms, or to behold the magnificence of her empire, or to -study the religion, laws, and government of a nation, the fame of -which has filled the earth. - -Upon my arrival with my galleys off the mouths of the Nile, I -forwarded to her, by a private messenger in my gilded barge, the -letters written by your loving hand and sealed with the regal signet -of your kingdom, commending me to her personal favor and royal -consideration. - -Although I have not yet been presented to the court, I have seen, and -must describe to you, the royal son of Queen Amense--this proud -daughter of the Pharaohs--Prince Remeses. Never did the gods set their -seal upon a nobler and truer prince. Every movement of his stately and -graceful person, his rich voice, his superb height, his lordly eyes, -his majestic yet winning carriage, all bespeak a youth born to -empire--created for dominion over men. - -He is now in his thirty-fourth year, and is in the full glory of -manhood. He is skilled in all the arts of war, and not less celebrated -for his learning in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Sages and -philosophers listen to his words when he converses, not so much with -the deference that is the homage due to rank, as with the attention -which intelligence lends to superior wisdom. - -He received me with kindness and embraced me with affection, inquiring -after the welfare of my royal mother, and welcoming me to his country -with gracious and courteous words. Notwithstanding there is a -difference of six years in our ages, I feel that I shall be regarded -by him on terms of equal friendship, and that to his companionship I -shall owe the happiest hours I may pass in the land of Egypt. - -But, dear mother, as I promised to write you an account of my voyage -hither, with the adventures and scenes thereof worthy of your notice, -I will devote the remainder of my letter to this subject. - -When I took leave of you on the marble steps of the stately pier which -extends along the front of our palace, and had stepped upon the deck -of my galley, I felt that a twofold cord had parted at my heart,--one -which bound me to thee, O mother, from whom I had never before been -separated, and one which tied me to my native land. - -Although for the first time in command of a beautiful fleet, numbering -a score and ten galleys, and about to visit the fairest of all realms -under the sunny skies of Afric, yet the pang of this twofold -separation deeply grieved my soul. It was with tears glittering upon -my eyelids that I gazed upon you, as you waved your adieux and called -on the god of our race to bless me! It was with a voice thick with -emotion that I gave orders to the admiral to spread the purple sails -of my golden galley to the favoring breezes which seemed to be sent in -answer to your prayers. - -Long I stood upon the lofty poop of my ship, gazing towards the -receding city, with its noble lines of palaces, its crowning temples, -its familiar groves, and pleasant gardens. (Even now I am moved as I -recall the sweet emotions of that time.) As I surveyed the fleets of -merchantmen from all lands gathered about her piers and anchored in -the haven, I felt my sorrow at parting, yielding gradually to a -feeling of pride that I was the prince of the great city to which -these argosies came bearing the merchants of all the earth. Indeed it -was a noble and stirring sight, dear mother, and calculated to divert -my thoughts, to see these ships, as my galley passed through them, -lower their banners, or elevate their rows of shining oars high in the -air, both in homage and farewell to the departing lord of the port. -There were vessels for bringing the merchandise of gold, and silver, -and precious stones from unknown seas; galleys from Tarsus and the -isles of the West, bearing pearls, and coral, and precious woods, and -thyme-wood; gayly decked barges, that carry fine linen, and purple, -and silk, and scarlet down to Egypt from Syria; painted ships from the -Nile, that receive by caravans from Ind and the East cinnamon, and -odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and ivory, and diamonds; the -low dark galleys from Afric, that bring Ethiopian slaves; and the -broad heavier vessels from the Delta, laden with wheat and fine flour! -There were also the strong craft from Colchis and the North, with -iron, and brass, and marble; and oaken argosies from further -Britannia, bringing tin; tall ships from Grcia with horses and -chariots; while from the south shores of the summery seas were light, -graceful vessels laden with dainty and goodly fruits, and birds of -gorgeous plumes and of ravishing songs! All these annually lay their -treasures at thy feet! - -As I moved slowly in my galley through the rich fleet of ships which -filled your haven, I felt my heart beat quicker, and I returned the -salutations of the ship-masters and of the foreign merchants on their -decks, with smiles of gratification at the prosperity still at least -of our port of Tyre; though the half our realm has been lost by -invasion and our interior cities are decaying. So long as Damascus and -Tyre remain, dear mother, those two eyes of your kingdom, your power -and throne will stand. The decadence of our sister city Sidon will not -affect our prosperity, since her ships will flock to Tyre. Yet Sidon -will rise again, if in my power to restore it. - -I remained upon the poop of my ship until we had passed, not only the -fleet of merchant galleys, but the fourscore war-ships with their -hundred banks of oars, that ever guard the entrance to the port with -vigilant eyes and arms. The sun was gilding with his setting beams the -battlements of the temple of Hercules; and the columns of the graceful -temple of Io were richly roseate in the blushing glory of his -radiance. The last object on which my eye rested was the gilded gate -of the gorgeous Fane of Nyeth on Lebanon; and I sent from my lips a -prayer to the fair and kind-hearted goddess to guard thee, mother, and -me for thy sake. - -We soon passed the bright red Pharos, from the lofty lantern of which, -as the shades of evening rapidly fell around us, streamed forth like a -new-born star its cheering splendor for the haven-bound mariner. Soon -in the heavens over us other lights were kindled by the gods; and the -moon, rising over the lofty mountain-range of Libanus, made far out -upon the sea a path of light, that seemed like a band of silver with -which she would bind me still to the shores I was leaving! But in -Egypt I yet behold the same moon shine down upon me with familiar -radiance; and as I gaze upon her I can feel, that even here she is a -link to bind me to my native land--that upon her winged beams I can -send a thought to my dear mother, on whom also she shines. - -My whole fleet got well out of the port before the star Aldebaran -rose; and as the breeze was light, the governors of the rowers -commanded them to ply their oars. Thus with the fall of a thousand -sweeps into the blue sea at one motion, keeping time to the voice of a -singer who stood upon the bridge across the mid-ship, we kept our -course down the coast of Palestine. We would have steered directly for -the Delta of the Nile, but had knowledge, by a vessel that met us, of -a fleet of Rhodian pirates, which lay wait, in that vicinity, for the -Egyptian merchant-ships; and, as my galleys were rather an escort of -honor than a war-fleet, I did not wish to measure my strength with -them, but dispatched one of my ships, the same night, back to Tyre, to -the admiral of your Tyrian fleet, who, no doubt, has gone out ere this -in pursuit of these sea-rovers and enemies of our commerce. - -Nevertheless, after we had passed Jaffa, and the next day Ascalon in -lower Philistia, we beheld half a score of ships of doubtful -appearance, and, by my orders, six galleys were detached from the -fleet and gave chase. They proved to be fast-sailing Ionian pirates, -for one of them, being crippled, was overtaken. They had been many -weeks on the sea, and were returning to their own distant and -barbarous islands, richly laden. The captain of the galley took out -her merchandise, and precious stones, and spices, of which she had -robbed other ships, and burned her on the sea, with all the wretches -who appertained to her. - -The shores of Egypt were reached by us on the seventh day, without any -accident to my fleet. It was two hours after the sun rose that we came -in view of the low line of land which marks the entrance to the -"Garden of the World," and from which open the seven gates of the Nile -into the great blue sea. - -Upon ascending to the castle for bowmen on the highest mast of the -ship, I could discern the tall columns erected by King Menes at the -chief entrance of the river, from the summit of each of which at night -blazes a wonderful flame, said to have been invented by the Magi of -Egypt. As our galley rowed nearer the faint line of coast, I could see -numerous ships coming out and entering the Pelusian branch of the -Nile,--some of them in the interior so far, that only their tops could -be seen above the level land. I was now suddenly surprised with a -change in the color of the sea, which, from an emerald green, became -clouded with an intermixture of tawny water, thick with mud, that -seemed to flow upon the surface of the sea, as if lighter than itself. -I soon perceived that this was the outrush of the river against the -sea, with which it refused wholly to intermingle and lose itself,--as -if the proud Father Nilus reluctantly yielded his power, so long -wielded for a thousand miles, to the sceptre and dominion of the god -of the Mediterranean. Yet the latter--so vast was the volume of the -yellow waves of the former--was forced a league from the shore before -the conquered Nile ceased to resist his fate. - -The sun shone upon the battlements of the great city of Pelusium--the -oldest fortified place in Egypt, and called "the Key of Egypt," and -also "the Strength of Egypt"--and lighted up the terraces of its -gardens and temples; but the admiral told me that every year the -deposit of the Nile is covering them, and that ere many centuries no -trace will be left of a city which is older than On or Memphis. We -saw, from the deck, palaces and obelisks and groves in the suburbs, -and further inland a country of wonderful beauty and of the highest -cultivation, but as level as the sea, from which it is elevated but a -few feet. The muddy and wonderful Nile is overflowing annually these -pleasant maritime plains; and as the plane of the Delta is steadily -raised, these ancient cities and palaces and this fair land will -become a fen for the stork and the sea-mew! How different the site of -Tyre, my dear mother! Built upon the firm coast, and defended by -nature, it will stand forever as the key of Syria and of the East; and -to the end of time the commerce of the world will flow into the -palace-like warehouses of its opulent merchants! - -As we drew near the port, one of the large fishing eagles which have -their home in the Delta soared above our heads, scanning our deck with -his piercing glances: and snow-white birds with black-tipped wings -skimmed past from wave to wave; while others, resting upon the crest -of a shining billow, rocked gracefully with the motion of its -undulations. An ibis stalked upon the shore, and numerous aquatic -birds, unknown to us, soared about our galleys with sharp and strange -outcries. - -The atmosphere of the morning was slightly hazy, and, suffused by the -sunbeams, cast a soft veil over the land, investing galley, pharos, -and fane with the hues of gold. It was a scene of novel beauty, and I -hailed the very first view of Egypt with delight. It was a happy omen -of the future. - -As my galley advanced before the fleet, a large war-ship with a triple -poop-deck, and propelled by three hundred oars, swept like a swift -dark cloud out of the mouth of the river and bore down towards me in -hostile attitude. I displayed the insignia of my kingdom at the top of -the chief mast, and awaited the Egyptian guard-ship. The vessel was -brought to, a bow-shot from my own, and I was asked by the governor -thereof, who I was, whence I came, and my destination? To these -inquiries I gave satisfactory replies through my admiral; whereupon -the Egyptian captain, commanding an elegant barge to be made ready, -came on board, attended by his suite, to pay his respects to me as -Prince of Tyre. I came forth from my state-room to receive him, my -dear mother, attired as became my rank. In the most courteous -language, and with an elegance of manners unsurpassed save in the -polite land of Egypt, he assured me of the pleasure it would give his -royal mistress, Queen Amense, "The Support of Worlds," as he termed -her, to have me visit her court. He said she was just then returning -from a visit to the temple of Isis and Nephthys, at Phil, with a vast -retinue of state and sacred galleys, and by the time I arrived at -Memphis she would be either there or at her private palace at On. - -By his advice, I dispatched, in our handsomest galley, my secretary, -Acherres, with a copy of the letter to the queen, which you gave to -me, sealed with my own signet. This done, I entertained the Egyptian -officer with a magnificence becoming my position and his own. He was -much pleased with the elegance of my ship, and the complete -appointment of my fleet. He said he had never seen a Tyrian squadron -before, but had heard much of our luxury and perfection in maritime -affairs. - -His ship was stately in height, and terrible with its warlike aspect. -The poop bristled with armed warriors in polished helms of brass. It -had four short masts, and upon each top thereof a huge castle -containing a score of Libyan bowmen with steel-headed arrows. Upon the -prow was a sort of fortress, on which stood a group of soldiers armed -with long spears and with large oval shields, on which were painted -hieroglyphic devices in brilliant colors. Arranged on the sides above -the rowers were black Ethiopians, gigantic men in steel cuirasses, -with long swords held before them. The captains of these warriors were -stationed at various points, arrayed in rich armor of varied fashion, -according to the class of soldiers that were under them. The prow of -this mighty battle-ship, which carried one thousand fighting men, -besides three hundred rowers, was ornamented with a lion's head and -shoulders of colossal size; while across the stern stretched the -broad, gilded wings of the feathered globe of the Sun, which is the -emblem of the kingdom of Egypt. Besides this gorgeous and majestic -galley, there were many lesser ones near, having but a single mast and -fifty oars. This fleet ever kept guard at the mouth of the Nile, and -thus defended the gates of Egypt on the sea against foes. - -When I had sufficiently admired his ship from my own, the admiral, -whose name is Pathromenes, invited me to go on board. After viewing -all the parts of the ship, and especially the noble apartments devoted -to him and his officers, I was entertained with musical instruments by -players of infinite skill. Then I was amused with the performances of -jugglers and the wonderful antics of grotesque deformed dwarfs, who -seemed kept on board only for the entertainment of these Egyptian -nobles. Towards evening, a banquet was offered me. Among other rare -dishes were gazelles. Before the feast, the admiral made a signal to a -priest of Osiris, who presided over the sacred rites on board, and -inaugurated it by a prayer to the god for the welfare of the queen and -the prosperity of the kingdom. This custom recalled our own, of -offering first a libation of wine to the gods. During the banquet, -sweet strains of music floated around us. After we had closed the -feast, and were drinking wine, an attendant entered, bearing a -miniature mummy, elaborately painted and gilded. Holding this emblem -of mortality before me and the admiral, he said solemnly: - -"Behold this, and drink and be happy; for such thou shalt be when thou -art dead!" - -I was not a little surprised at this unwelcome, and, as it seemed to -me, unseasonable intrusion. Pathromenes, observing my looks, said with -a smile: "This introduction of a memorial of death to our feasts, O -prince, is not unseasonable. It is designed to exhort us to enjoy life -while we possess it, for when we are no more, enjoyment will be past." -Thus saying, he poured out a vase of wine into our golden cups, and -pledged me "Thy health, my mother!" So I drank to thee, and the glory -of thy reign. Nevertheless, I do not agree with the admiral, but -think, rather, that the intention of this exhibition of Death to -guests, is to warn them that, while life is so short, it ought not to -be spent wholly in pleasure and festivities. - -At length, night coming on, I returned to my ship, and the next day, -with a light wind and aided by but one bank of rowers, entered the -mighty Nile, and slowly ascended its powerful but sluggish stream. The -courtly Pathromenes escorted me past Pelusium, and then took leave of -me, embracing me more like a father than a friend. I left my fleet at -the Pelusian Delta, to return to Tyre after it shall have received -fresh water on board from the Nile. The only galleys I took with me -are the one I came in, and that on board of which I sent my secretary -to the capital in advance of me. I trust the remainder will safely -reach Syria. - -The shores of the Eastern Nile, as we ascended, presented an -unchanging scene of gardens, verdant fields of corn, villages, -temples, and tombs, all united in one unbroken belt for leagues. The -river was dotted with fishers in their slender boats, and we -constantly met vessels descending, bound to the open sea: some for -Afric for gold-dust and ivory; others to Philistia, for copper and -iron; others to Colchis, for silver, or to the Isle of Thasos. The -evening of the day we entered the river, we beheld the sacred -crocodile. It was a vast scaly monster, basking on the shore. I gazed -upon him with wonder and fear. If he be a god, his votaries worship -him rather through terror than from love. But to my senses all the -minor deities of Egypt are gross and revolting. Yet I must not dare to -be impious while in the very land of these gods. - -The next day, after sailing for hours between gardens, we drew near -the City of On, on the east bank. Our approach to it was marked by the -increased size and grandeur of the palaces and temples, and the life -and activity on the shores. Before reaching the city, I caught view of -Memphis on the west side of the river, and far beyond towered the apex -of one of those mighty pyramids whose age is lost in the oblivion of -the past. - -Farewell, dear mother. In my next letter I will describe my arrival -and debarking at the terrace of the City of the Sun, and my gratifying -reception by the Prince Remeses. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER II. - - -CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY DEAR AND ROYAL MOTHER: - -Think not that the splendors of the Court of "Pharaoh's Daughter," as -the Egyptians still love to call their queen, will lead me to forget -my own royal home and the dear scenes in which I have passed my -life--scenes that memory will ever cherish, as they are associated -with the love and care of a mother, such as a prince was never before -blessed with by the gods. Think not, my queenly mother, that while I -describe with pleasure the magnificence of Queen Amense's realm, I -think less of your own kingdom; but, rather, all I behold only causes -me to love my native land the more; for the glory of Tyre, my home, is -my mother's presence--and my mother is not here! Queen Amense may have -the homage of my intellect, but that of my heart is reserved only for -thee! - -I have prefaced my letter in this manner, dear mother, lest you should -jealously read the glowing descriptions I give of what I behold, and -may fear that the luxuries and grandeur of Egypt will make me -dissatisfied with the lesser splendor of the Court of Phoenicia. -Fear not. I shall bring back to thee a son's faithful love, and to my -people the loyal affection due to them from their prince. - -I closed my letter to you in sight, as I thought, of the City of the -Sun. But what I believed to be the capital of the gods, was but the -colossal gateway leading from the river to the city, which is half an -hour's ride inland. Yet from the Nile to the city there is a -continuous avenue of temples, such as earth has never beheld--not even -Nineveh or Babylon, in all their glory. For a mile fronting the river -extends a row of palaces, which, stupendous as they are, form but -wings to a central temple of vaster dimensions. The palaces that guard -it, as it were, are adorned with sculptured columns of the most -elegant description. They are three hundred in number, covered with -gorgeous paintings in the richest tints, and carved with the most -finished art. The beautiful capitals of these columns are shaped -alternately like a flower-bud, not yet expanded, or like the open -flower of the lotus, and the sides formed of imitations, by the -wonderful artist, of leaves and flowers indigenous to Egypt. The -columns and capitals, thus exquisitely fashioned, are gigantic in -size, and of the grandest altitude. - -The central temple is a lofty and wonderful edifice of brilliant red -sandstone, with sixty columns of marble enriching its faades; these, -with the three hundred, representing the three hundred and sixty days -of the ancient Egyptian year. The front of this sublime temple is -pierced by three colossal gateways, broad enough for four chariots to -pass abreast. These gateways are adorned with paintings, in the -brightest tints, representing processions of priests, sacrifices, -offering of incense, and all the imposing religious ceremonies -appertaining to the worship of the Sun. - -Above the centre gateway, between the noble wings of the propyla which -flank it, is a representative emblem of Osiris, in the shape of a -splendid shield of the sun, a half-sphere of gold, from which extend -wings for many yards, each feather glittering with precious stones. -Around the globe are entwined two brazen asps emblems of which I have -not yet learned the signification. - -Imagine, my dear mother, this stupendous and noble temple, with its -vast wings facing the river, and reflected upon its sunny surface. -Fancy the river itself, flowing laterally through these gateways into -an artificial canal, lined with trees, and bordered by lesser temples, -which recede in long lines of diminishing columns. Behold oranges -swinging in clusters from branches bending over the water, while -scarlet pomegranates, figs, and olives fill trees innumerable that -shade the terraces; and vines, either gorgeous with flowers of -wonderful beauty and form, or pendent with purple grapes, entwine the -columns, and depend from the carved abacus of the capitals. - -Into this canal my beautiful galley was received, in the sight of -thousands of admiring gazers standing upon the steps of the terrace -which led down to the entrance, and on which I had landed to pay my -homage to the chief captain at the propylon, who, magnificently -attired, waited, by the queen's command, to receive me and conduct me -to the city. - -Returning with me on board my galley, he gave orders for it to be -taken in charge by two royal barges, with prows of silver, and golden -banners waving above the heads of the rowers, who were Nubian slaves -clothed in scarlet tunics. Thus, in state, my dear mother, as became a -prince, was I borne along this avenue of palaces and fanes, and -fragrant gardens. The vanishing line of columns was, at short -intervals, interrupted by gateways, above which were statues of Osiris -and Isis. - -I was almost bewildered by the novelty and splendor of these varied -scenes, and was thinking that nothing could surpass in magnificence -this mighty avenue to a city, when all at once the canal expanded into -a circular lake completely inclosed by columns, forming majestic -colonnades on all sides, in which were walking and conversing -innumerable richly dressed persons, while others were grouped around -noble-looking ancient men, listening to their discourses. The chief -captain, who was with me in my galley, informed me that these columned -halls were the favorite resort of the eminent philosophers and -scholars of all lands, who came hither to be taught in the learning -and wisdom of the Egyptians. I then looked a little closer, when he -was pleased to point out to me several great philosophers, who, called -wise men in their own kingdom, yet had come hither to learn at the -feet of these masters of the world's wisdom, the wise men of Egypt. As -we were rowed past and around this majestic circle of columns, I saw -two noble youths from Damascus, who came last year to Tyre, in order -to embark for Memphis. I beheld also Prince Melchor of the City of -Salem, in Syria, the descendant of the great king Melchisedec, whose -wise reign, about three centuries ago, is still remembered with glory -and honor to his name. The prince recognized me, and returned my -salutation, and leaving the group with which he stood, hastened around -the terrace to meet me at the place of debarkation; for this -delightful lake, dear mother, terminated the noble canal which united -it with the river. Beyond it, the galleys and barges did not go. -Instead of water, this mighty avenue to On was now to be continued by -land. At the place opposite the inlet rose two lofty obelisks a -hundred feet in the air, of incomparable elegance and beauty. They -were dedicated to Osiris and Isis. Elevated upon pedestals of -porphyry, they formed the graceful entrance to a semicircular flight -of marble steps which led from the lake to a broad terrace interlaid -with parti-colored marbles, in every variety of device which taste -could conceive, or art execute. Landing upon these steps, I ascended -to the terrace, and was there met and embraced by the Prince of Salem. -Here the chief captain took leave of me, and immediately there -advanced towards me a noble person, wearing a chain of gold about his -neck, and clothed in purple silk, richly embroidered, and who carried -in his right hand a long silver wand, with the head of an ibis, cut -out of a precious stone, upon it. He said that he was an officer of -the court of the queen, and had come to conduct me on my way to the -city. - -"Her majesty," he said, with dignity becoming one who served so mighty -a monarch, "has received your letter, royal prince, and has directed -her servants to pay you all honor!" - -I acknowledged the grace of the queenly Amense in this courteous -reception of a stranger, and followed him across the terrace, which I -perceived was encircled by statues of all the divinities of the earth; -and I was gratified to see that Io, and Hercules, and the favored -deity of Phoenicia, Athyris, had conspicuous pedestals allotted to -their sacred images, near the Theban god Amun. - -Indeed, dear mother, this fact, and the manner of my reception, shows -that the present dynasty has graciously forgotten the conquest of -Egypt by the warlike hosts of Phoenicia. But when we recollect that -the first Amosis of the present house of Pharaohs had for his queen -the beautiful Ephtha, daughter of the last Phoenician Pharaoh, -taking her captive when he expelled the father from the throne of -Memphis, we need not be surprised at the favor shown us by the noble -Queen Amense, for, fourth only in descent from the fair Phoenician, -who was of our own blood, she is our cousin by just hereditary -lineage. - -When I had traversed the "Hall of the Gods," we came to a lofty -two-leaved gate of brass, which stood between two sculptured propyla -of Libyan stone. At a wave of the wand of my escorter, they flew wide -open, and revealed the most magnificent and awe-inspiring spectacle -that it was possible to conceive the world could present. - -Before me was revealed an avenue, more than a mile in length to the -eye, leading straight to the City of the Sun, which rose, temple -rising beyond temple, shining like gold in the sunbeams, a mountain of -architecture, fashioned as if by the hands of gods rather than of men. -In the midst stood, elevated above all surrounding edifices, the great -temple of Osiris itself, encircled by a belt of twelve glittering -obelisks, representing the twelve months. In the centre of this -wonderful girdle, upon the apex of a pyramid rising within the walls -of the temple, two hundred feet high, blazed that sacred gold shield -of the sun--the shield of Osiris--the fame of which has filled the -world. It was like the sun itself for glory and splendor! Oh, how can -I describe all this! My pen refuses to find language to record what I -wish to write. - -But I will be brief, lest I overpower you with gorgeousness, and blind -you with glory. Verily, the Egyptians seem resolved to rob the heavens -of their celestial architecture, and set up a rival heaven on earth! - -From the open gateway of brass I beheld the city thus described, with -its temple, obelisks, pyramid, and countless palaces, while the whole -was encircled by a green belt of gardens, which shut it in from the -desert, like a setting of Indian diamonds in a bed of Assyrian -emeralds. - -The avenue itself was paved with red-colored Syene stones from the -isles of the Cataracts, and on each side was a gigantic row of -sphinxes, reposing on broad, elevated dromoi. Some of these -represented lions, leopards, and other beasts of the African and -Nubian deserts. Some of them had the head of a ram, with the body of a -lion, the fore-paws extended upon the terrace, the vast body resting -upon the hind-paws, all presenting aspects of majestic repose. There -were one hundred of these stone effigies, in a double row twenty feet -apart, facing the avenue, and fastening upon the passer-by their stony -eyes in immovable watchfulness. This avenue I walked up, preceded by -the queen's officer, and escorted by a retinue, which fell in behind -me. - -Having passed this row of crio-sphinxes we ascended three broad steps, -on each side of which towered a lofty pylon, elaborately adorned with -costly paintings of colossal size, representing sacred scenes. Another -dromo bordered with fourscore andro-sphinxes, having alternate faces -of Osiris and Isis, the one stamped with majesty, the other with -beauty, now began, and passing this solemn and awful range of gigantic -faces we came to another ascent of marble steps, flanked by obelisks: -four lofty pylones, and three spacious courts were at the end of the -dromos of sphinxes, also a vast arena inclosed by palaces. Crossing -this noble square, we came to two colossi of granite, representing -Cheops and Nilus, their shields covered with hieroglyphics wrought -with the highest degree of perfection, each cartouch recording their -titles and deeds. - -At this point there met me a superbly caparisoned Arabian charger, -held by two pages; while a young noble, bearing upon his breast the -insignia of a prince of the queen's palace, addressed me, and invited -me to mount the beautiful and fiery animal. - -I obeyed, leaping into the saddle with delight at once more being upon -horseback. Scarcely had I pressed the bit with the gilded bridle, ere -a score of horsemen, in splendid armor, issued from the propylon on my -left, in two columns, and, inclosing me between them, escorted me -through several magnificent courts, in which I caught glimpses of -obelisks, monoliths of kings, pylones sixty feet in height with -pyramidal wings, giving entrance to courts each more magnificent than -the last. - -At length I saw before me the great and splendid pylon which gives -admission to the city. In front of it, raised upon a throne of crimson -stone, stood, with his ibis head fifty feet in the air, a monolith -statue of Thoth. In his outstretched right hand he held a pair of -scales, and in his left a tablet. - -At this gate, the city is entered in its central point. Two obelisks, -ninety feet in height, towered on each side of the entrance. Here I -was received by a venerable noble, who was mounted upon a snow-white -horse, and attended by a brilliant retinue, all superbly mounted. This -personage extended to me the same hospitable and courteous welcome -from his queen, which had been presented to me from the others. He -rode by my side, and we took our way at a rapid trot along an avenue -of alternate obelisks and sphinxes, until we passed through a pylon -which opened into the streets of the city. The splendor around -bewildered me. Palaces, with gorgeous faades and triple stories of -colonnades, composed street after street, while fountains and statues -and propyla, temples, monoliths, andro-sphinxes and crio-sphinxes -presented, as I rode along through this superb "City of the Sun," an -endless spectacle of architectural grandeur and marble magnificence. -The streets were thronged with handsomely attired citizens, either in -the pursuit of pleasure or business, while priestly processions, -festival parties crowned with flowers and attended by musicians, and -bodies of horse, were met by us. Gilded chariots, palanquins, and -vehicles of rare and graceful forms, were numerous. The whole city -wore an air of pleasure and life, and impressed me with the idea that -the Egyptians are not only master-builders in architecture, but know -how to enjoy the splendid cities they erect with such costly care. - -My senses sated with luxury, I was not unwilling to alight at the -entrance of a beautiful palace, which the venerable horseman said the -queen had placed at my service. Upon its portico I was met by my -private secretary, Acherres, who, in his joy at beholding me again, -forgot for a moment my rank, and embraced me with tears of delight; -for, in this foreign land, he saw in me alone the link which bound him -to his native country. - -I have now been two days in this palace, wherein is furnished me, by -the queen, the attendance of slaves; and every luxury of Egypt is at -my command. As I said to you, dear mother, in my first letter, I have -yet only seen the Queen of Egypt at a distance, as she was ascending -the steps of her palace, but to-morrow I am formally to be presented -to her, for on that day of the week alone she receives princes and -ambassadors. She had returned four days before to Memphis, from Phil, -with a great retinue of the lords and officers of her realm, and -yesterday, crossing the Nile in her barge of state, she entered this -sacred city, which she visits for three days every month to perform in -the great temple the sacred rites of her gorgeous religion. Of this -worship I will soon write you more fully. It is an error, however, to -suppose that these enlightened Egyptians worship the sun, or any other -objects, as such, of mere matter. Their fundamental doctrine is the -unity of the deity, whose attributes are represented under positive -and material forms. The common people perhaps never go beyond these -forms, and their minds never are admitted to a knowledge of the truth -of the mysteries; but the priests, and the high in rank, look upon the -sun, and moon, and animals, and the fecund Nile, only as so many -attributes of a one infinite deity. The sun--believed to possess much -of the divine influence in its vivifying power and its various other -effects--is regarded as one of the grandest agents of the one deity. -The moon is another direct manifestation of the invisible author, and -as the regulator of time, say their sacred books, is figured in -painting and sculpture as the ibis-headed Thoth, and the deity who -records, as time flies, the actions of men's lives. Osiris, if I -understand their mythology, is this supreme god (symbolized here by -the sun), who is also the judge of the souls of the dead, rewarding or -punishing hereafter the creatures he has created, according to their -lives. But when I learn more fully their system of religion, I will -explain it to you, dear mother. - -Although I have not seen, to speak with her, the august lady who -reigns over Egypt, I have been visited by her son, the lord Prince -Remeses. I have already written of him. He is in his thirty-fourth -year, and the noblest appearing man my eyes ever beheld. Upon his brow -the gods have set the seal and impress of command. I will narrate the -manner of our first intercourse. - -I was standing by the window of the stately apartment, which overlooks -one of the squares of the city, interested in watching the toils of -several hundred men, coarsely attired in blue aprons or loin-cloths, -and gray breeches reaching only to the knee, the upper part of their -bodies being naked, who were at work constructing a wall which was to -inclose a new lake before the temple of Apis, in the midst of the -square; for On is a city of alternate lakes (all of great beauty and -adorned with trees), temples, squares, and palaces, interspersed with -dromos of sphinxes connecting court after court, through lofty -pylones; while obelisks, statues, and fountains fill up the -interspaces. - -My window not only commanded a view of these laborers with their heavy -burdens of bricks, borne on their shoulders to the top of the wall -they were building, but also, beyond the wall and distant temples, a -glimpse of the yellow expanse of the desert. How mighty, and grand, -and solemn it looked in its loneliness and ocean-like vastness! A -faint dark line that I at length perceived in motion, was, doubtless, -a caravan coming from the haven of the Red Sea, where the galleys from -Farther Ind land their precious freights of untold wealth. This -caravan seeks the port of On, six miles below on the Nile, whence sail -ships, laden with the treasures of the caravan, to all parts of the -known earth. Sesostris, Thothmes, Menes, all planned a canal from the -Nile to this sea; but the camels are the only ships, to this day, that -cross this desert waste. Again my eyes rested upon the laborers, -seeing that they were sorely pressed by cruel taskmasters, who, with -long rods, urged them to their ceaseless toil. I perceived, then, that -they were men with Syrian features, arched eagle noses, long black -beards, and narrow but fine eyes, which seemed to have a strange -expression of tears in them. There were among them noble and manly -men, handsome youths, though pale with toil, and bent forms of aged -men. I marvelled to see so fine a race thus in bondage, as slaves -under taskmasters, for in the day of the Phoenician Pharaohs, there -were no such bondmen in the land of Egypt. From their remarkable -likeness to some natives of Mesopotamia I had seen in Tyre, I judged -that they must be captives of that ancient Orient people, taken in the -wars of Amunoph. - -While I was regarding them, and especially an interesting youth, whose -dark eyes, as he staggered under a heavy burden of bricks, were turned -up to me as if seeking sympathy, Acherres entered and said: - -"My lord Sesostris, the mighty Prince Remeses is alighting from his -chariot upon the steps of your palace!" - -Upon hearing this news I hastened to the portico, wondering if I were -to be honored with a personal visit from the lord of Egypt, ere the -queen mother should receive me in state. - -Upon reaching the circular peristyle hall within the portico, the -dile of my palace opened the gilded doors, and there stood before me -the Prince of Egypt. I have already described his noble presence and -personal appearance. Upon seeing me he advanced, waving his attendants -to withdraw, and with mingled dignity and sweetness, that at once won -my heart, said: - -"I welcome you, noble Prince of Tyre, to Egypt! I have been engaged in -reviewing the army of the Nile, a day's march hence, and heard but -yesterday of your arrival. I hail you, not as a stranger, but as -cousin, dear Sesostris; for are we not allied by blood?" - -"You, my lord prince," I said, "are descended from two lines of -kings--the Syrian and Theban--I from but one. But by that one we are -indeed of the same blood. But what is a prince of Tyre, compared with -the heir to the throne of Egypt?" - -"We are to be friends and equals," he said, smiling, as he pressed my -hands. I accepted this pledge of friendship with grateful emotion, my -dear mother; and from that moment we became as brothers,--he the -elder, I the younger, and looking up to him with admiration and pride, -as henceforth my model of what a prince should be. - -He remained with me three hours. We discoursed of you, of Tyre, of the -beautiful city of Damascus,--my sword of Damascene steel attracting -his notice (for he is a famous soldier), and leading to the mention of -this city. We talked also of Egypt, and her glory, and her power; of -the queen, his mother, and the manners, religion, and policy of the -kingdom. - -But, my dear mother, I will here close this letter, and in another -relate to you what passed at our interview, and the most interesting -portion of his conversation. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER III. - - -THE CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -The climate of this land of the Sun is so delightful to the senses -that one feels a constant buoyancy of the heart, and experiences in -the consciousness of mere existence, an undefinable and delicious joy; -and herein I discover the key to the cheerful gayety of the Egyptians. -The skies are blue with eternal sunshine. The atmosphere, free from -moisture, is so transparent and crystalline, that distant objects lose -one half their distance to the eye. The sun rises ever with cloudless -splendor, and sets in a sea of golden glory, without a shadow of a -cloud falling upon his fiery disk. The moon sails by night across the -starry ocean of the heavens, with a brilliancy unknown in other lands; -while the stars burn with an increased intensity, and seem enlarged by -means of the purity of the upper air through which we behold them. It -is no marvel that the dwellers in this happy land are wise, and love -art, and delight in forms of beauty, and build palaces for gods! But I -promised in my last letter, dear mother, to describe what particularly -passed in the long and interesting interview which the Prince Remeses -had with me on his first visit to my palace. I have already described -his personal appearance; but, as ladies are always interested in -costume, I will relate to you how he was attired. - -The Egyptians, you are aware, always shave the head and beard closely, -save when in mourning. They have nevertheless a plaited lock of hair -on the height of the forehead, which falls down over the ear. Such is -the fashion with which the youthful god Horus is represented in -paintings and statues, though the beautiful locks of this deity are -not so closely removed but that a crest of golden tresses covers the -top of his head like the plume of a helmet. Something in this manner -Prince Remeses wore the lock of jet-black hair which remained. But -upon his head he had a rich cap or kaftan of green silk, the front of -which was shaped like the beak of an eagle, while behind, it fell to -the shoulders in a sort of cape, fashioned like drooping wings--the -whole most becoming and striking. In the eyes of the eagle, blazed -diamonds, and his plumage was studded with precious stones, beryls, -sardine gems, and the onyx-stone. This head-costume, in varied forms, -is worn by all the nobles and men of high rank. With some the ibis or -the vulture, with others the lion or the hawk, form the insignia. I -have seen him since in his chariot, in a close-fitting helmet-cap of -burnished gold, resembling that of the Egyptian god of war, which, -with his martial form and commanding glance, lent to him the aspect of -the god himself! - -His vesture was of fine linen, worn in numerous folds about his form; -and a surcoat embroidered with gold in royal devices, left open in -front, displayed a girdle of links of steel and gold, exquisitely and -cunningly woven, to which hung his jewelled sword. About his neck was -fastened, by a pearl of price, a collar of the red-hued gold of Ophir, -massive and large; and upon his manly chest glittered a breastplate, -sparkling with the enamelled _cartouch_ of the god Athothis, the deity -who presided at his birth, and who is the same as our Taut, the -inventor of letters. - -And here let me remark, that writing by letters is scarcely yet known -in Egypt, the hieroglyphic form being still in current use; but -Remeses has cultivated the Phoenician art, and writes with a -character of his own construction, with the facility and beauty of one -of our own men of letters. Ere long, through his influence, this form -of writing will supersede wholly the hieroglyph, which is cumbersome -and difficult to be understood, save by a native-born Egyptian; yet I -have commenced the study of it, and can read already the cartouch of -Mitres, on his obelisk over against the portico of my residence. Of -this obelisk, which is ninety-nine feet high, it is said that when it -was about to be elevated to its position, he employed 20,000 workmen, -and apprehensive that the engineer would not raise it with sufficient -care, he bound the prince his son to the apex while it lay on the -ground, and thus effectually guaranteed the safety of his monument. -This was many centuries ago; but, as I gazed to-day upon the towering -apex, I could not but think, with a tremor of the nerves, of the -hapless young prince as he mounted into the sky, on that slow and -perilous journey! - -Have I not been digressing, dear mother? But you must not, in familiar -letters, look for artistic continuity of narrative. I shall digress, -or go from subject to subject, as collateral objects suggest -themselves in passing them; but, nevertheless, I shall not leave your -curiosity unsatisfied upon any matter which I have commenced, but in -due time, from every digression, shall return to it. I will, -therefore, this apology once for all, return to the princely Remeses. - -He wore upon his right hand a signet-ring of silver, once belonging to -his ancestor, Amosis, the leader of the XVIIIth dynasty; and also a -large ring of pure gold, set with a chrysoprasus, and bearing the -shield of Osirtasen I., or Sesostris--for he has both names in -history--for whom I am named. - -In all respects he was attired with magnificence, and yet with -simplicity, as became a man of taste and a prince. The profuse -ornaments of jewelry, with which I perceive the nobles about the court -load themselves, his good sense disdains. He retains only the insignia -belonging to his high rank. - -I have said that his hair is raven-black, and may add that his eyes -are large, expressive, heavily-lidded, and with a peculiar expression -of mingled softness and brilliancy. Unlike the Egyptians, his features -are truly Syriac, with the high arched nose and full red lips of the -inhabitants of the city of Damascus. Do you remember when we last year -visited Damascus, seeing, in the painted chamber of the adytum of the -mausoleum of Eliezer, a representation of the Hebrew prince Abram, of -Syria? To that venerable prince, whose virtues and wisdom tradition -would have preserved, even if he had not erected this tomb to his own -and his master's memory, Eliezer was chamberlain or steward for many -years. Returning to Damascus with great wealth, which Abram had -bestowed upon him, he brought with him from Egypt, where he had once -been, a cunning artist in colors, who decorated the tomb he erected -for himself, in that wonderful manner which has excited the admiration -of all beholders. But, dear mother, beautiful as that is, and well -preserved as it has been for four hundred years, it is not to be -compared with art in Egypt at the present day. You remember you were -struck with the majesty and almost celestial sublimity of the old -shepherd prince's face, which the affection of his steward has -preserved. You spoke of the eagle-like nose, the dark, yet -tearful-looking eyes, with the drooping lid just casting into shadow -the depth of its inner light. You remember the nobly shaped head and -commanding brow. Such a head and profile is that of Remeses, the -Prince of Egypt. My first look at his face recalled the portrait in -the tomb, which its founder has so beautifully and modestly inscribed: - - "ELIEZER OF DAMASCUS, - THE STEWARD OF ABRAM, - PRINCE BELOVED OF THE GODS." - -After I had received Remeses into my house, I conducted him through a -two-valved door, opened before us by my chief butler, into the superb -apartment allotted for recreation and repose. My mansion consisted of -a court encircled by columns, and from it extended corridors to -various chambers. The court is crossed by avenues of trees, while -fountains and flowering plants refresh the eye in every direction. - -The apartment into which Remeses came with me, was divided into tall -panels, upon which were executed, in the most brilliant colors, the -fairest pictures. These panels were intercolumnar, each column adorned -with carvings of leaves and flowers, and terminating in a capital in -imitation of an open lotus. This room was open to the air, but -shielded from the sun by a purple awning that extended to its four -sides, and was a little raised above the walls upon the columns, so -that the breezes, which were wafted over the gardens of flowers, might -freely enter. - -This was my reception-room, or _mndara_, as it is termed. A beautiful -cornice surrounds the whole room. The furniture is of the most -tasteful and luxurious description, and of forms and uses unknown to -our severer Syrians. There are tables of Arabian wood, inlaid with -ivory; sofas of ebony and other rare materials, covered with silken -cushions; a chair ornamented with the skin of a leopard; another, of -still more graceful outline, embroidered with silk and threads of -gold; another, the frame of which recedes gradually, terminating at -its summit in a graceful curve, and supported by resting upon the back -of a swan with feathers of ivory. A chair for repose is covered with -gilded leather, and arched by a rich canopy of painted flowers, birds, -and fancy devices. The legs of all these chairs were in imitation of -some wild beast, while the arms represented in ivory or ebony the -beaks of birds,--that of the ibis, sacred as it is, being the -favorite. There are couches, too, which are nothing more nor less than -crouching lions gilded, upon the backs of which the sleeper reposes on -gorgeous housings stuffed with the softest down. The shapes of the -furniture exhaust all forms. There are, in some of my rooms, chairs -shaped like harps, others like leaves of the fig-tree, others like -birds. Tables of ebony are supported on the heads of naked Nubian -slaves two feet high, carved in ebony, while the bronze lamps are -uplifted upon the palm of a dancing girl cast in bronze, who seems to -hold the light for you while you read or write. Carpets and -foot-stools, covered with embroidery, are not wanting; and I have -three round tables--one of metal, one of ivory, one of ebony--polished -like mirrors of steel. These are covered with ornaments of the most -exquisite finish and beauty; and before my window where I write is a -sort of bureau ornamented with hieroglyphics, carved in intaglio, -inlaid with sycamore, tamarisk, and palm woods, and enriched with -bosses of solid gold. - -In this apartment I received Remeses. Placing a seat by the window, I -sat near him. For a moment he surveyed me with a close but courteous -scrutiny, such as strangers irresistibly cast upon each other after a -first meeting. - -"I hope you are at home here, noble Sesostris," he said. "This is one -of my palaces, but I have more than I can make use of, such is the -bounty and affection of my mother." - -"I have every comfort and luxury--more than I desire," I answered. "I -was not prepared to find in Egypt such splendor and magnificence. The -half, my noble prince, has not been told the world." - -"And yet you have seen but a small portion of this kingdom," he said, -with a smile of pardonable pride. "Although On is the city of palaces -and temples, for there is a temple to each of the three hundred and -sixty gods of our calendar year, yet Memphis is the true seat of our -empire. We rule Egypt from Memphis: we worship the gods from On." - -"But is not the great god Apis the peculiar deity of Memphis?" I -asked; "and is not his worship the most magnificent and imposing on -earth?" - -"Yet here in the City of the Sun is the temple of Mnevis, the sacred -ox of On, honored with a worship as profound and universal as that of -Apis." - -"But do the more polished Egyptians indeed worship the ox, either here -or in Memphis?" I asked with some hesitation, for, as prince, Remeses -is first priest of the realm, next to the high-priest of Osiris. - -"Do not fear to ask freely any questions, my dear Sesostris," he said. -"We do not worship these animals. They are but the embodiment of -attributes. Under both of these gods, at On and at Memphis, Osiris the -great Judge of men is veiled. They are but the living images of -Osiris. The origin of their introduction is unknown save to the -priests, whose office it is to keep the records of all things -appertaining to religion." - -"What is revealed concerning the history of Osiris?" I asked; "for I -am at a loss to understand the exact relation a deity known over the -world by name, but of whose worship little is understood, holds to -Egypt and to the other gods. At home, in Syria, I have marvelled how -the Egyptian mythology could stand, when made up of such contradictory -elements,--a part directing the worship of an invisible divinity, and -a part directing the adoration of the hosts of heaven and beasts of -the earth. In Phoenicia we worship the Invisible through the sun, as -his representative. We worship nothing earthly. In Palestine, south of -us, Ashteroth, Belus, and images of stone and brass are adored, but -not with us." - -"The Egyptians, through all their forms, and by all their gods, adore -the Supreme Infinite, my Sesostris," said the prince. "The history of -our faith is briefly this, according to common tradition: Osiris was -in the beginning the one lord of worlds; the sun of truth and the -glory of his universe. He came upon earth for the benefit of mankind. -Before his coming, the ox and all other animals were wild, and of no -service to man. The Nile was a terror to Egypt. Vegetation had -perished. He came as a 'manifester of good and truth,' as saith the -great golden book in the Hall of Books. He entered into all things, -and infused his life, and good, and uses into all. He bound the Nile -to its banks, by breasting its flood and subduing it. His spirit -passed into the bull, and all cattle. He tempered the heat of the sun, -and drew the poison from the moon. The earth became his bride, under -the name of Isis; and brought forth Horus, and the order of equal -times, and thus man was benefited and the earth made habitable. Upon -this, his brother Sethis, who represented 'evil,' as Osiris did -'good,' sought his destruction, and caused him to be hated and put to -death. He was buried, and rose again, and became the judge of the -dead. And this legend or fable is the foundation, noble Sesostris, of -our mythology. The sun, moon, Nile, animals, and vegetables even, are -regarded as sacred, therefore, because the spirit or soul of Osiris -had been infused into them, to change them from evil to good. Thus one -god is worshipped through visible objects, which he has -consecrated,--objects once his temples and abodes; for, says the -sacred record, he had to enter into every thing which he restored to -the use of man." - -"The mythology of Egypt," I said, "is at once relieved, O prince, from -the charge of grossness and superstition which has been attached to -it. I can now understand more clearly your system of religion." - -"The mysteries of our religion are still unfathomable," answered -Remeses. "It is doubtful if they are fully comprehended by the -priests. In the multiplicity and diversity of objects of worship I am -often confounded, and it is a relief to me to pass by all material -forms of Osiris, and send my mind upward only to himself!" - -"That is a noble conception, great prince," I said, admiring the lofty -and almost divine expression with which this pure sentiment lighted up -his fine countenance. - -"But the people of Egypt are not able to comprehend Deity except -through visible forms; and, in order to convey an impression of the -abstract notions men form of the attributes of Deity, it will always -be necessary, perhaps, to distinguish them by some fixed -representation; hence the figures of Osiris under the various forms in -which he is worshipped, of Pthah, of Amun, Neith, and other gods and -goddesses, were invented by the ancient priests as the signs of the -various attributes of the Deity. And as the subtlety of speculation -expanded the simple principles of our mythology, the divine nature was -divided and subdivided, until any thing which seemed to bear any -analogy to it was deified, received a figure or form as a god, and was -admitted into the Pantheon of the kingdom, to a share of the worship -of the people." - -"And this nicety of philosophical speculation," I said, "must have -given rise to the several grades of deities in Egypt." - -"Yes; the gods of the first, second, and third orders: each with its -system of priesthood and rituals." - -"In all this, I see you give no divine honors to departed heroes," I -remarked. - -"No. Our gods are none of them deified men. They are not like Bacchus, -and Hercules, and other of the ancient and Syriac deities, who were -human heroes. Our mythology is a pure spiritualism: its object, -Divinity, worshipped by emblems, symbols, signs, figures, and -representative attributes." - -"It is a pantheism, then, rather than a polytheism," I remarked. - -"You speak justly, Sesostris," he said. "The figures of our gods, -which you see hewn in marble, painted on temples, standing colossal -monoliths in the entrance of the city, are but vicarious forms, not -intended to be looked upon as real divine personages. Not a child in -Egypt believes that a being exists, with the head of a bird joined to -the human form--as the statue of Thoth, with the ibis head, in front -of the temple; or under the form of a Cynocephalus, having the horns -of the moon upon his head; or as the goddess Justice, without a head; -or a bird with the head of a woman; or a god with a ram-headed -vulture's head, or that of a hawk, like the deity Horus; or Anubis, -with the head of a dog. Why these unnatural forms were chosen as -emblems of these gods, the priests fancifully explain, and perhaps in -many cases truly. They are all, simply personifications of divine -attributes." - -"Abuses," I remarked, when he had thus eloquently spoken, "must -naturally flow from such representations, and these emblems, among the -people, soon assume the importance of the divine personages to which -they appertain. The mass of the population must be idolaters." - -"You speak truly. They are. The distinction between the image and the -idea which it represents is too subtle for the ignorant; they lose -sight of the attribute, by filling the whole horizon of their minds -with its image. Thus the Egyptian mind is clearly more and more being -drawn away from its ancient spiritual worship, to a superstitious -veneration for images, which originally were intended only to control -and fix attention, or to represent some religious tradition or idea of -divinity." - -"Are not Apis, the sacred bull, at Memphis, and Mnevis at On, regarded -as gods?" I asked. - -"Only as the soul of Osiris. The bull is the most powerful animal in -all Egypt, and hence a type of the Deity. But this subject, my dear -Sesostris," added the prince, with a fine look of friendship, "you -will know more of by and by, as you dwell among us. I will command -that you shall have every facility from the priests, and also from the -philosophers and wise men, in your further studies of our people. I am -happy to have given you your first lesson in Egyptian lore." - -"You have done me infinite honor, noble Remeses," I replied, returning -with gratitude his looks of kindness. "I hope ere long so to profit by -your information as to understand your ancient system of religion. -From what you have said, I perceive that it stands above all others on -earth, rightly interpreted; and before its spiritual essence, our -worship in Phoenicia--which is chiefly a union of idolatry and -Sabanism--is pure materialism." - -At this moment we rose, as by one impulse, and walked out upon the -terrace to enjoy the breeze which was waving refreshingly, to our -eyes, the branches of a palm that stood before the door. The day was -intensely hot. In the shade of the columns on the square, many of the -citizens had gathered for shelter from the sun's beams. But still in -its burning heat the bondmen of whom I have spoken, toiled on, with -their burdens of brick. Not far off were a score under one taskmaster, -who stood by with a long staff with which he severely beat an old man, -who had sunk to the earth under the combined heat of the sun and the -weight he was compelled to bear. My heart was touched at once with -pity and indignation. - -"What unhappy people are these, O prince," I said, "who endure such -heavy labor?" - -"Hebrews!" he answered, haughtily and indifferently. "Hast thou not -heard of these bond-slaves of our land? They have been in Egypt -several generations. They build our cities, our walls, our canals. -They number two millions, and are the hereditary slaves of the -Pharaohs." - -"To what circumstances do they owe their captivity?" I asked. - -"If it will interest you, my Sesostris," he said, "I will at another -time relate their history." - -"It will gratify me to listen to it," I answered. "I am struck with -the Syriac cast of their features." - -"Indeed! They originally came from Syria. Do they preserve still the -lineaments of their country?" - -"Strikingly so," I answered. - -We now walked the noble terrace together, while he pointed out to me -the prospect from it. In view was one half the city, and the dark -"Lake of the Dead," of which I will speak hereafter; the avenues of -sphinxes; the gigantic gateways or pylones and obelisks on the river; -and the mighty Nile itself, flowing like an ever-lengthening sea amid -the fairest scenery of earth. Reposing upon its bosom, like a gigantic -floating garden, was visible the noble isle of Rhoda, decked with -gorgeous palaces,--one of which, said Remeses, is the favorite home of -his royal mother. Still beyond this lovely island rose from the water -the gardens, villas, palaces, temples, and propyla which lay between -Memphis and the river; while the city of Apis, "the diadem of Egypt," -in all the glory of architectural majesty and beauty, reposed on the -plain beyond; the mighty pyramids, with their winged temples and -colossal dromos of sphinxes, filling the background of this matchless -scene. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER IV. - - -CITY OF ON. - -DEAR AND ROYAL MOTHER: - -I am still in the City of the Sun, or RE, as I find it is often called -by the Egyptians, and I write to you from the palace of Remeses, not -the abode which was first allotted me, but in apartments in his own -imperial residence, an honored sharer of his table and society. - -Here, in a sumptuous chamber, the walls of which are intercolumnar -panels, enriched by paintings on gold and blue grounds, tastefully -bordered by flowers and fruit, I once more resume my pen to write to -you about this wonderful land. - -The day after I closed my last letter, dear mother, a high officer -from the Queen Amense alighted from his chariot at my palace, and -placed in my hands the signet of his royal mistress, with a message -that she desired me to be presented to her. - -I had already received an intimation from the prince of this intended -honor, and had made myself ready, being attired, when the messenger -came, in the full costume of a prince of Tyre, save the golden crown, -instead of which I wore the helmet-shaped cap of Tyrian gold-thread, -which was presented to me by your own loved hands. Over my shoulders I -clasped the cloak of Tyrian purple, embroidered by the hands of the -fair princess Thamonda; and instead of my sword I held a gold-tipped -wand, as no one is permitted to appear before the queen with arms. -These wands or rods are carried by all Egyptians, of every rank, as -constant companions; but their value and beauty are regulated by the -position and wealth of the person,--those of nobles being tipped with -gold, while ivory, ebony, palm-wood, and common woods, are the -materials of which others are made. The rod borne by me was a present -from Remeses, and near the burnished gold head of it was a massive -ring of great price, bearing his royal cartouch, in which he is called -"Remeses-Moses, Son of Pharaoh's Daughter, and Prince of Re Memphis, -and Thebes, Son of the god Nilus, and Leader of the Sacred Hosts." - -There stood in front of my palace three chariots, two of them drawn by -a pair of beautifully spotted horses, while to the third, and most -elegant, were harnessed four snow-white steeds. A burnished shield -rising above the gracefully curved back, showed that it was a royal -chariot. The charioteer was a Nubian, wearing bracelets of gold, as -well as otherwise richly attired. The chariot was gorgeously -ornamented at the sides with ornaments of light open-work. It was -lined with crimson silk, which was visible through the interstices of -the open carvings. These chariots had two wheels; the pole projected -from the middle of the axle, and was bent upwards at a short distance -from the body of the carriage. At the end of the pole the yoke was -fastened, and each horse attached to the car by a single trace, -extending on his inner side from the base of the pole to the saddle. I -noticed, too, that the heads of the spirited horses were borne up -tight by a rein made fast to a hook in front of the saddle, and the -long reins passed through a loop or ring at the side. Also, that the -heads of the horses were adorned with lofty plumes; that the harness -was ornamented with silver and gold, or burnished brass, while upon -their bodies were housings of the most elaborate and beautiful -workmanship, representing royal devices. - -One of these superb chariots was that in which the queen's officer -came. In the other sat the grand-chamberlain, behind his charioteer. -The third, I found, was for my use. Drawn up, hard by, there were not -less than threescore footmen of the queen's guard, who, ranging -themselves from the door, paid me the lowest obeisance as I passed to -my chariot, at the side of which stood the venerable and stately -grand-chamberlain, to assist me to enter it. - -There was no seat; for the Egyptians stand in their chariots, as a -more dignified and commanding attitude,--a custom probably derived -from the necessity of doing so in their war-chariots, in order to -combat. I have, however, seen three or four very light and elegant -pleasure-chariots, in which ladies of high rank were seated, but one -only in each. But when the queen rides, she stands upon a dais in her -chariot, and, as she is borne at speed by six horses harnessed -abreast, she has the air and port of a flying goddess. The eyes of her -subjects follow her as if she were a meteor, and gaze after her with -admiration and awe. - -The day was bright, as it always is in Egypt, with a cloudless sun. It -lighted up the long lines of palaces where dwelt priests and nobles, -illumined the propyla of the temples, burnished the lakes, gilded -the obelisks, and flooded the whole City of the Sun with -magnificence;--for there is a splendor and glory in the sunshine of -Egypt unknown in other lands, the result of the purity of the -crystalline atmosphere. - -My charioteer dashed onward as if great speed was a royal pace. Before -me ran footmen with wands clearing the avenue, and behind came the -swift-footed retainers, while on each side of me rolled the two -chariots. Acherres, my secretary, rode near upon an Arabian courser; -and his superb seat in the saddle and his masterly horsemanship drew -the applause of the Egyptians, who are better charioteers than -horsemen. - -After a dashing ride of a mile, we entered a vast square which I had -not before seen. It extended two thousand feet each way. In the centre -was a calm lake basking in the sunshine. Around this lake was a border -of palm-trees, then a border of orange-trees filled with singing -birds, while in their shade walked groups of handsomely attired -people, and children enjoyed themselves in play. Upon the lake, -ornamented pleasure galleys were moving in various directions, and a -spirit of enjoyment pervaded the whole scene. Around this grand square -with its central lake were arranged as follows: on the north side a -superb colonnade of sculptured columns, forming the faade of the -Temple of Mnevis, the sacred ox of On, at the gate or propyla of which -crouched two sphinxes, with majestic human heads. On the west side was -a vast paved area, in the centre of which towered the obelisk of -Thothmes the Great. This area is inclosed by the royal armory, an -edifice expressive of strength and grandeur in its massive and warlike -proportions. On the east is a pyramid two hundred feet high, in front -of which two sphinxes with heads of women and bodies of birds repose, -while on each side extends a range of noble pylones opening into -avenues that lead to interior courts. This singular edifice is the -temple of Re, and sometimes gives its name to the city, Re being also -another name for the sun. On the fourth side of this stupendous area -rises a grand palace, which occupies the whole space of the breadth of -the square. I can only describe the front of this royal palace by -representing it as a city of columns, interspaced at regular intervals -by noble propyla, which, in their turn, are sculptured and adorned in -such profusion as to bewilder the eye with forms of beauty. Two -sphinxes of colossal proportions, with the bodies of lions and the -heads of beautiful women wearing double crowns, guard the entrance to -this august palace. Upon the terrace, to which a flight of broad steps -ascended, stood the royal guard of the palace like statues, each of -the one hundred Theban soldiers leaning upon his spear, with his oval -shield resting against his side. - -We drove up in front, and between the heads of the sphinxes I -alighted. The moment I did so, the Theban guard stood to their arms, -and their captain, with a glittering helmet upon his head and holding -his sword in his hand reversed, descended to receive me. Escorted by -him, and followed by the grand-chamberlain, I ascended to the terrace -saluted by the guard with the honors paid to royalty. The terrace was -surrounded with the statues of the kings of this dynasty, and of the -Theban Pharaohs; but the Phoenician Pharaohs are not now numbered -among the kings of Egypt. The terrace led into a circular hall which -was richly carved, gilded, and painted with historic scenes, -battle-pieces and naval combats. Conspicuous upon a panel, directly in -front of the entrance, was the representation of the expulsion of the -Shepherd Kings from Memphis. In the faces of the monarchs Amosis and -Amunophis, the immediate ancestors of Prince Remeses, I see no -resemblance to him. His style of face is wholly different from the -heroes of the dynasty to which he belongs. His features have a nobler -cast, and seem to belong to a man of a higher intellectual -development, and no doubt he is superior to all other Egyptians; for, -young as he is, his name is already associated with all that is wise, -and great, and true. - -The entablature of the next hall we entered was a wonderful sculpture. -It represented a circle of beautiful girls chained together by wreaths -of flowers, and with interlaced arms, bending over and smiling down -upon those in the hall, each extending a hand holding a vase. There -was a unity of design in the whole of the interior of this adytum or -presence-chamber, with the distribution of light and the groups of -figures shown by it on the walls, that surpassed any apartment I had -yet seen. As I entered this enchanted hall, the martial music which -had hailed me as I came into the outer vestibule ceased, and was -succeeded by the most ravishing sounds of instrumental music from an -unseen source. I would have lingered, but there advanced a beautiful -youth, all clad in gold and purple, it seemed to me, so richly was he -attired, who said: - -"The queen desires me to conduct the noble Prince of Tyre to her -presence." - -I followed, and before him opened, as if by their own volition, a pair -of two-leaved doors of ivory, inlaid with emeralds. The throne-room -stood before me--if an apartment a thousand feet across may be termed -a room. I stood at the threshold of a chamber surrounded by columns -ninety feet high. A guard of soldiers, in silver cuirasses and helmets -covered with silken scarfs, inclosed the space. An avenue of statues -of the gods, in the centre, led for eight hundred feet to the throne. -Along this avenue was arranged a brilliant array of officers, in armor -and uniforms of the most dazzling description, to which every color -and every precious metal contributed, while helm and cuirass, of those -highest in rank, blazed with jewels. I advanced, led by the beautiful -page, in whose fine black eyes and long lashes, arched brow and -aquiline nose, I recognized the now well-known lineaments of the -Hebrew race. He moved with his eyes cast down. I experienced, my dear -mother, at a public reception so august, not a little embarrassment; -but I repressed it, and endeavored to receive these honors, at the -greatest court on earth, with the ease and self-command that became my -rank. As I drew near the throne the scene increased in magnificence. -At length two statues of Osiris and Isis terminated the vista I had -traversed; and I saw before me the throne of Egypt, one hundred feet -in front, in the centre of a space one half a stadium in diameter, and -elevated upon a dais or platform of variegated marble, twelve feet -from the floor. This noble platform was square, and at each of the -four corners crouched a lion, respectively with the head of an eagle, -a sea-dragon (no doubt, a fabulous monster), a bull, and a man--all, -figures representing the four kingdoms of the air, the sea, the earth, -and the intellect or soul. These four colossal beasts faced inward, -towards the throne, to signify that they beheld in its occupant their -mistress and sovereign. Upon their heads were crowns, namely, of -Thebes, Memphis, Re, and Ethiopia. - -The platform, upon the angles of which crouched these majestic -figures, was ascended by four flights of steps of red Syene stone, -inlaid with precious stones. There were seven steps to each ascent, -representing the seven mouths of the Nile by which the land of Egypt -is approached. These symbols were subsequently explained to me by -Remeses; but I describe them now, as I may not again have an -opportunity of so doing in the varied scenes and subjects that -challenge my attention. - -In the midst of this elevation, rising island-like in the centre of -the "Hall of the Pharaohs," stood the throne itself. It was separated -from every object in solitary splendor, a space of many yards being -left on all sides of the polished floor, in the brilliancy of which -not only the throne itself, but the heads of the four sphinxes, were -reflected. How shall I give you, dear mother, a just conception of the -throne-chair? It was of the purest ivory, carved with wonderful -beauty. The simple grandeur of its form and material was more -impressive than the most gorgeous display of gilding and precious -stones. Its shape was not unlike that of a chariot, the back curving -gracefully over the head of the occupant, and terminating in an -expanded canopy of feathers, all of ivory, yet so thin and delicately -executed that they waved in the south breeze that stirred through the -hall. This chariot-shaped throne rested upon the bodies of two -Nigritian lion-leopards of Rhodian marble, between which three steps -ascended to the seat of the chair. The seat was a single pearl, a gift -from the Queen of Ind to Amunophis the Great, the father of Amense. - -The footstool of this beautiful throne was a single onyx stone in a -border of gold, standing upon does' feet, each of which was a ruby. -The carpet before the throne was woven of the plumage of the -bird-of-paradise intermingled with that of birds of India and Arabia, -of divers colors. Skins of lions and leopards, fringed with -gold-thread, lay upon the mirror-like floor of the dais, from the -footstool to the steps which descended from the platform, or no -footstep could have crossed it, so high was the polish of the marble -surface. - -High above the throne was a canopy of blue silk extending over the -whole dais, and representing the signs of the heavens when Amense was -born, with the presiding constellation delineated in its vertical -position. Imagine this court of the throne, a peristyle of aquamarine -and white columns, with capitals carved in imitation of flowers, and -the shafts enriched by painting and sculpture; surround it with -gorgeously attired courtiers, their eyes fixed upon the queen; behold -at the steps of the dais the highest officers of her court, awaiting -with looks of homage. On each side of the throne itself stand the two -military princes of her realm, one who commands her armies, the other -her navies. They are in the full costume of their high rank, and -glitter with jewels. Behind the throne, near two stately figures -representing Truth and Justice, is a brilliant guard of honor, called -"pages of the throne-room," who are sons of nobles, and whose place in -public is always near the person of the queen. Their hands are so -laden with rings that they appear rather like a chain of gold and -jewels held therein. They wear orange-colored jewelled bonnets and -necklaces, and carry blue wands tipped with pearls. - -I have now described, dear mother, all the externals of the scene into -which I was presented, in order that you may form some idea of the -glory and majesty of this court, and the style of its magnificent -monarchs. I will now come to the central person, around whom is -gathered all this courtly splendor and architectural grandeur. - -As I advanced towards the steps of the dais, two chief officers in -flowing linen robes, and wearing chains of gold about their necks, -drew near, when my Hebrew page fell back, giving them place. - -One of these dignified personages said to me in pure Syriac, for the -Egyptians are learned in all polite tongues-- - -"We are sent to lead you to the foot of the stairs of the four -kingdoms." - -They placed themselves one on each side of me, and as I came to the -seven steps, to my great joy I beheld prince Remeses descending them -to welcome and receive me; for the majesty, and glory, and -magnificence, and novelty of the whole scene had nearly overwhelmed me -with awe: indeed, I felt as if verily advancing into the presence of -the enthroned OSIRIS himself. - -The prince looked more strikingly noble than in my first interview. He -was attired with the utmost richness, and looked the personification -of kingly dignity. He was now distinguished by the amplitude of his -robes, and their fineness, and a girdle ornamented with the _urus_ or -royal serpent. All his garments were of the lightest and finest -material, instead of the heavy and costly stuffs which form the robes -of state in Phoenicia and Assyria; for, as my own embroidered and -heavy mantle showed me, such material would be out of place in this -clime of perennial summer. He wore a gorgeous vesture embroidered with -leaves, and a silken sash wound about his body, after the fashion of -ancient Egyptian princes, which sash was divided into three different -folds, over which fell his upper garment of fine Persian cloth, with -long sleeves, also embroidered. The distinguishing mark of his rank, -as a prince and "son," and which hung down the side of his face, was -the badge of the god Horus, terminating in a fringe of gold, of a -fashion worn only by this dynasty. With this badge was entwined his -braided lock of hair, of which I have before spoken. This costume is -arbitrary, and may not be changed, as the laws regulate it for king, -priest, and people; therefore do I so particularly describe it. - -With grace and dignity he saluted me before the whole court, saying, -"Noble prince, with pleasure I present you to my mother the queen. She -is already prepossessed in your favor, and welcomes you to her court -with distinctions becoming the heir to the throne of Phoenicia, and -our royal cousin." - -I bowed in recognition of this courtesy, and Remeses, taking my hand, -led me up the steps of the dais. The Queen Amense, seated upon her -ivory throne, awaited my approach. Remeses, leading me to within three -paces of her footstool, said, with a low obeisance of mingled filial -reverence and princely homage,-- - -"Mother and queen! I introduce to your court, Sesostris, Prince of -Tyre!" - -I also did profound obeisance to the majesty of the presence near -which I stood, and then fixed my eyes upon the mighty potentate about -to address me, and presented to her your original letter. - -As she opened it, I observed her face. I beheld before me a woman of -noble aspect, with rich brown hair, slightly silvered, worn with -severe plainness across her temples. Her face was still beautiful, -though fifty-three years had passed over her head, but it was marked -with lines of thought and care. What her fine features had lost in -beauty, they had gained in majesty. They recalled those of the statue -of Astarte, in the temple of the Moon at Sidon; and, in truth, her air -and port would have become a goddess. Her eyes were the color of her -hair--a rich sunny brown, like that of the Syrian women of Damascus; -and is she not, by descent through Ephtha, the daughter of the last -Phoenician Pharaoh, allied to the royal line of Syro-Phoenicia? I -never beheld a countenance so dignified, yet so benign. Her eyes are -piercing, and imperial in their glance; and she carries her superb -head with a consciousness of dominion. I did not marvel longer at her -vast power over her subjects, and their submission, as well as that of -the kingdoms around her, to the rule of her will. - -Upon her head she wore the double diadem of the Thebad and Memphis, -symbol that the sovereignty of Upper and Lower Egypt is vested in her -person. The inner crown was a graceful conical bonnet of white silk, -sown with pearls and lined with cloth of silver, terminating in a -knob, like a pomegranate bud, which is the emblem, I believe, of Upper -Egypt. The outer crown, which is similar to that worn by the -Phoenician Pharaohs, is a rich band of gold, faced with cloth of -gold and lined with red silk, red being the special color of Lower -Egypt as white is of Upper. This crown is open at the top, and is put -on over the other; and the two worn together form a diadem of beauty -and glory. - -About her neck the queen wore a necklace of precious stones, the clasp -of which was a vulture, his neck encircled by an asp, on which he was -trampling--emblem of the goddess Maut, mother of Isis. She was dressed -in a vestment of Persian gauze of silk, of the purest whiteness and of -the fineness of mist, and a green vesture enriched with gold and blue -needle-work, reaching below the waist and secured by a girdle blazing -with diamonds. Long robes descended to her feet, of those most -beautiful patterns and rare colors which the looms of Damascus produce -only for royal wearers, and in the manufacture of which years are -consumed. Carelessly over one shoulder was thrown a Persian shawl, one -like which is only made in a lifetime, and would buy a king's ransom. -The monarchs of Egypt thus can command with their wealth, dear mother, -what other kings can only sigh for and envy. - -She did not rise to receive me, but when I would have kneeled at her -footstool, she bended forward and touched my hand with her jewelled -right hand, which I reverently raised to my lips and forehead. She -would not suffer me to kneel, but made me stand on one side of her, -while Remeses stood on her right, and proceeded to ask me a variety of -questions. She uttered her interrogatories with grace and benignity. -She expressed her gratification at seeing me at her court--trusted I -would find Egypt so agreeable that I should remain a long time her -guest--asked after your health and welfare, and desired me to convey -to you the expression of her esteem for you, and her desire that the -friendly relations now existing between the two courts may be -strengthened by my visit. She was also pleased to say, that every -opportunity should be afforded me for seeing Egypt, and that if I -desired to visit Karnac and Luxor, and the temples and cities of the -Thebad, she would furnish me with galleys. - -To all this exceeding kindness and courtesy, my dear mother, I -returned, as you may be sure, appropriate acknowledgments; and after -some further conversation, in which Prince Remeses took part, the -audience terminated: but only to introduce a spectacle, such as I had -no conception was in reserve--the review of her army of chariots and -horsemen, on the parade of the palace. - -But I must reserve my description of this scene to a subsequent -letter. Till then, I remain, - - Royal and dear mother, - Your faithful - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER V. - - -CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY EVER BELOVED AND ROYAL MOTHER: - -In my last letter I described to you, as well as the feebleness of -language would admit, my presentation to the Queen Amense, and the -splendors of her court and palace. In Syria we have no approach to -this Egyptian magnificence, unless it is to be found in Tadmor, the -city of the Euphrates country, which travellers call a single temple -the size of a city! The peculiarity of Egyptian architecture is very -striking. It has an air of ponderous majesty--being, in all its -proportions, colossal. Yet this massive aspect is relieved by shaping -the stone and marble in the most graceful lines, and enriching with -sculpture, either in relief or intaglio, the immense surfaces of their -gigantic columns and enormous propyla. In all the temples and palaces -I have yet seen here, two species of column chiefly prevail--one of -which, this being the most ancient style, is fluted and composed of a -single shaft, with a capital in the shape of an opening pomegranate, -the reflexed edge being an imitation of the opened flower of the -lotus, and presenting a graceful object to the eye. The other column, -introduced by the present dynasty, is always colossal; but its -massiveness is relieved by being striated, which gives the mass the -appearance of being composed of united stems, and increased by -horizontal belts or bands cut in the stone, which seem to tie them -together under the capital and in the middle. Just above the square or -round plinth, the base of the shaft itself is rounded and adorned with -leaves, which gives it the appearance of growing up from the plinth. -You can judge of the combined grandeur and grace of such columns, dear -mother, by imagining several buds of the rose of Palestine set like -cups, one upon the other, and upon the top of all a lotus-flower, and -the whole magnified to ninety or a hundred feet in height, and -converted into Syene stone. - -On the abacus of the columns, which form so prominent and universal a -feature in Egyptian architecture, rests a broad but simple architrave, -usually sculptured with hieroglyphics illustrating subjects connected -with the deity of the temple, or the occupant of the palace which they -adorn. The upper edge of it is often occupied by a row of the sacred -serpent, _urus_. The boldness and breadth of the cornice supplies the -want of a pediment--flat roofs being used in this country, when used -at all, where rain is scarcely known, and where snow was never seen. - -The porticos and faades present double and triple rows of columns, -but seldom are they found on the sides or around the temples, as at -Damascus and Tadmor. The circular arenas in the city, which I have -described in a former letter, were not temples but colonnades, and -these column-inclosed squares are the introduction of Queen Amense, -and are only found at On. Usually the great lines of Egyptian edifices -are straight, and their temples are quadrangles, with avenues of -mighty columns extending from pylon to pylon in a succession of inner -courts--these series of vast and magnificent vestibules sometimes -extending half a mile, their avenues bordered by sphinxes and columns -alternately, until the great fane of the temple, to which they are the -approach, is reached. - -For columns, I have seen in the temple of the sacred ox--MNEVIS, -colossal figures of Osiris, or of sovereigns with the attributes of -Osiris. These Osiride pillars are often thirty feet in height. Upon my -mind they produce an unpleasing effect. The impression is as if the -god was brought into the service of man as a slave, to uphold his -temples, though I believe they do not bear any portion of the -superincumbent weight. But one cannot behold a row of these mighty men -of stone without an emotion of awe. The general tone of the temples -and palaces betrays the pyramid as their type. The walls sloping on -the outside as if the lower section of a pyramid, give to the edifices -of Egypt that expression of self-reposing and immovable stability -which belongs to the pyramidal form. The whole effect is in the -highest degree sublime, and at once subdues and elevates my mind as I -gaze. The scale of architecture is so vast, that even the innumerable -sculptured objects by which walls, columns, and entablatures are -covered, do not interfere with the grandeur of the whole effect. -Moreover, the heaviness which would adhere to such massive edifices in -Syria, disappears when they are seen through the crystalline medium of -this Egyptian atmosphere. - -There is another peculiarity, my dear mother, of Egyptian -architecture, which no one can contemplate without an increasing -impression of awe. I allude to the dromos, or double row of -sphinxes--figures of which I have already spoken, and of which we have -no idea in Syria, though an Assyrian noble whom I met in Sidon, -described to me reposing colossi with majestic heads of kings and -bodies of lions, as guarding the approach to the temples of the gods -of his country. Such mysterious compounds of the human form with a -lion or a ram, denoting the union of intellect with strength, are to -be encountered here before every temple. These avenues of sphinxes, in -profound repose and with a grave and serious aspect, are usually -entered through a lofty gateway or pylon, before which are seated -gigantic figures of gods, or stand obelisks of granite, placed in -pairs, and richly and elaborately sculptured with hieroglyphics. -Through such a gateway and avenue, I approached the city of On. A day -or two ago I was in a temple dedicated to the god Horus, son of Osiris -and Isis. Upon the pylon was inscribed a sun, supported by two asps -with outspread wings--the emblem of Hor-hat, the good genius of -Egypt--and hence to be found everywhere represented. It is this which -is erroneously called, by some travellers, a winged globe. In the -entrance, this god was pictured with the head of a hawk (at once his -symbol and a type of the sun, from the piercing brightness of its -eye), as an actor in various scenes, both celestial and terrestrial, -such as hunting, sailing, and engaged in war against Typhon, and -others. - -Passing these, I entered a spacious court, open to the sky and -surrounded by sculptured colonnades. Crossing this court, which -inferior priests were traversing or idly lounging in, I came to a -second propylon, the magnificent wings of which were divided into -numerous compartments, and sculptured ten stories high, with the most -exquisite art. This pylon, in the wings of which the priests lodge, -led into an open court one hundred paces long, through the centre of -which extended an avenue of twenty-four columns, sixty-six feet high -and twelve in diameter, and on each side of these were seven rows of -lesser columns, forty feet in height and nine in diameter. All these -presented sculptured surfaces, and the richest description of -capitals. A still more magnificent gateway, at the extremity of this -street of columns, conducted me into a vast hall with covered -cloisters on the sides, and a double row of colossal pillars running -down the centre. All the rest of the space was paved and adorned with -fountains, statues, and fruit and flower trees, growing from large -alabaster vases. Priests and worshippers moved in all directions -through this and the other courts. The walls of this grand hall were -decorated with battle-pieces--the triumphs of the Pharaohs in the -conquest of neighboring kingdoms--representations of offerings to the -gods, and of captive princes led at the wheels of chariots. I advanced -to another pylon, still loftier and more noble than the rest, and as I -looked back to the remote outer entrance, two thousand feet off, I -discovered that an artifice of architecture had been employed to -increase the apparent distance by diminishing the gateways in height, -as if by the effect of a lengthened perspective. The effect was all -that the architect could have desired. - -The Egyptians apply colors freely to their architecture. This -peculiarity increases in a wonderful degree the richness and harmony -of the general effect. The cloudless sky of Egypt gives brilliancy to -all the colors of nature, and these imitated on the walls of temples -and palaces, have a beauty and splendor that must be seen to be -appreciated. Granite, serpentine stone, breccia, or basalt, whatever -be the material, its appearance, however elaborately polished, is by -the Egyptians enriched, as they believe, and as I begin to think, by -the pencil. The profusion with which they employ colors and sculpture -in their temples, palaces, and tombs, has no parallel on earth. In -Syria they are subsidiary to architecture. Here they are a part of it. -The sloping outer walls, the external surfaces,--ceiling, column, and -pylon,--are all covered with sculpture. Their sculptured bass-reliefs -unite the qualities of a cameo and an intaglio, the figure itself -rising from the broadly cut and deep outline of the design. Thus, -though the design is in relief, the figure does not project, and is -protected from injury. The colors which are laid on these are softened -by their retiring below the surface. Real bass-reliefs, however, exist -on the monuments of the age of Sesortasen I. - -The adytum of the temple which I am describing so minutely, with -descriptions of the peculiarities of the architecture of the Egyptians -(knowing your architectural taste and curiosity about all such -subjects, my dear mother), was, unlike any of the halls I had -traversed, much smaller, and yet far more beautiful than any of them. -It was a square chamber, the ceiling of which was painted blue and -studded with stars, while the moon shone down, a shield of polished -silver, from the zenith point. Figures of vultures, hawks, and other -emblems, were placed upon columns around the hall, and separated only -by the winged asp-encircled sun. These figures were richly colored, -and the eyes of the birds glittered with diamonds set in them. Upon -the entablature around the hall were sculptured the twelve months. All -these, and the walls, were beautifully painted, with a harmony of -distribution and combination of their gorgeous colors singularly -pleasing to the eye. Hieroglyphics, traced in gold on blue panels, -recorded the virtues and deeds of Horus. The floor of this sumptuous -chamber represented the great circle of the sun through the twelve -constellations, and also the images of the seven planetary gods, -executed in the pavement with almost every variety of colored stone, -such as the emerald, amethyst, agate, lapis lazuli, root of emerald, -cornelian, greenstone, hmatite, all interset with gold, silver, and -bronze. Nothing could be richer. A sun of pure gold was placed in the -centre of this wonderful zodiac, if I may so term it, for I do not -know whether it is a true planetary configuration which is represented -with a fixed date, or simply arbitrary, and executed as an ornament. -The Egyptians are, however, skilful astronomers, and have the skill -and learning to interpret and thus record the ages of the past by the -procession of the heavens. - -On one side of this chamber of art and beauty, stood the monolith -which contained the shrine of the god. It was a rock of solid granite, -in which a recess was hollowed out, wherein sat the deity. Nothing -could be more majestic and simple. The Egyptians seem to delight in -contrasts. All the magnificence and architectural glory I have -described, directed the footsteps of the votary to a plain block of -stone, containing a statue of Syenite marble the size of a man. The -face is calm and majestic, and the eyes are fixed upon the worshipper -with a supernatural expression which awes him. The genius which had -erected the superb edifice of the god, had concentrated its power in -the face of the divinity. Though stone, it seemed above humanity; and -the soul of the god seemed dwelling in it, and giving its countenance -a divine energy. - -But, my dear mother, I will not longer occupy your time with temples -and architecture. I have written of them sufficiently to give you an -idea of the land I sojourn in. But my descriptions will enable you to -form a more correct idea of such events as I may hereafter write -about, and enable you, when I relate scenes and actions, to conceive, -in a measure, the surrounding features and aspect of places. If I were -writing a volume "on Egypt," I would then visit and describe all her -magnificent temples, pyramids, obelisks, palaces, canals, lakes, -cities, and tombs, from Pelusium to the tower of Syene. But I know -that these would not interest you, after what I have written, and that -what is personal to myself and descriptive of the people, that is, -life and action, will be more agreeable for you to read (and for me to -write) than gorgeous pictures of architectural results. I shall, -therefore, for the future, only incidentally describe edifices -(unless, indeed, I give you a letter upon the mighty pyramids), and -devote my pen to scenes passing around me. - -And in pursuance of this purpose, my dear mother, I will describe to -you the review of the army of chariots of iron, which followed my -presentation to the queen. I will not be so vain as to suffer you to -think that this superb spectacle was arranged purposely in honor of -your son; though had it been so, it could hardly have added to the -honors which that august and courteous lady has showered upon me; but -I feel that the distinction is due rather to the friendship which -Remeses entertains for me, than to any merit or claim of my own beyond -my simple rank. - -The review in question was prepared for this day; and, in order that I -might witness it, the queen had graciously appointed the occasion for -my presentation to her. Although, in my account of that interview, I -spoke only of myself, yet there had been presented, just before I -entered the palace, several ambassadors, princes, and philosophers, -from various countries, including Arabia, Persia, Sheba, Javan, -Iberia, Abyssinia, and the isles of the sea. These had come to Egypt, -either to enter the schools of philosophy, to negotiate terms of -tribute or alliance, or to study the science of war, for which Egypt -has become eminent, even rivalling the mighty Philistine armies in -discipline, effect, and valor. - -From the throne-room we passed out through a gateway, from which -descended steps to the parade, which was a vast square, capable of -holding one hundred thousand men; while the colonnades around it would -accommodate as many more spectators. - -The queen did not descend the steps, but took her seat by a statue of -the god of war, upon a sort of throne beneath a canopy, supported by -six bearers, to shield her from the sun. But Remeses, leaving me by -the side of his royal mother, who was also surrounded by her guard, -and near whom stood the ambassadors and princes and philosophers, -received from an attendant a helmet of gold, which he put over his -silken bonnet, and from another a corselet of steel inlaid, mounted a -war-chariot in waiting, and, casting a glance around upon the field, -looked all at once the warrior-prince, which the heightened color of -his cheek and proud carriage of his head showed he felt himself to be. -Thus, whether a soldier at the head of the hosts of Egypt, a -counsellor by the throne of his mother, a courtier among the nobles, a -philosopher in the Academies, he is perfect in all things. As a son, -he sets an example of devotion and filial respect to the young men of -the kingdom; as a man, his private character is pure from every vice -or folly--a worthy heir to the throne of the dominant kingdom of the -earth. The sight which the square presented surpasses my ability to -convey to your mind a just conception of. The vast area was one third -occupied by a division of chariots. The chariot corps constitutes a -very large and effective portion of the Egyptian army. Each car -contained two soldiers--for, from the position I occupied, my eyes -could take in the whole splendid scene--besides the charioteer. The -car on which Remeses stood was drawn by two horses, but without any -charioteer, the reins being fastened to an upright spear. His chariot -was inlaid with silver and gold. The sides and back were open, and the -base or floor of the car curved upward in front, serving as a -safeguard to the charioteer when one was required; but it now -supported his quiver of silver and bow-case of gilded leather, richly -ornamented with figures of lions. The spear-case, which was of bronze, -and fastened by chains of gold, pointed over his shoulder. Close to it -was an additional quiver containing Parthian arrows, while a mace of -iron and heavy sword, that reflected the sunlight, hung by thongs from -the rings of the spear-case. All the other chariots, which were -constructed of wood and iron handsomely painted, were similarly -accoutred, though less elegant in form and finish, and provided only -with a single quiver, bow, and spear. The housings upon the horses -were cuirasses of woven links of the finest steel, while gorgeous -feathers decked their heads. - -No sooner had the prince leaped upon his chariot, than the Ethiopian -slaves, who held his two fiery steeds, sprung aside, releasing them in -the act, when they bounded into the air and dashed forward over the -plain. Remeses, immovable as a statue, let them fly before him until -he came in front of the drawn-up phalanx of chariots, when, at a -slight signal with his hands, the horses, whose eyes are wholly free -from shields or blinders, stopped full. These proved to be his -favorite chariot-horses, and had been trained to render perfect -obedience. - -Now commenced a grand movement of the whole battalion. While Remeses -stood in his chariot, the van of the four thousand chariots, which -constituted the host, moved forward. In a few moments the whole body -was in motion. Dashing forward across the field, they swept round at -its extremity in vast curves, and came thundering on, to pass the -point where the queen sat. The ground shook with the roll of eight -thousand wheels and the fall of twice as many horse hoofs! It was a -magnificent sight, as, one hundred abreast, the column came on. The -head of it, led by the chief captains, passed our position like a -mighty river, the surface of which tossed with helmets, glittering -spears, bows, plumed heads of steeds, and gorgeous housings--a -dazzling, bewildering spectacle, full of sublimity and terrible power. -The splendor of the head-dresses and trappings of the steeds, mingling -with the shining cuirasses and steel weapons of the armed charioteers, -presented a scene I shall never cease to remember. - -In the centre of the field of review stood Remeses, his eagle glance -reviewing their movements, with a few of his generals about him, each -in his own chariot. When this grand and imposing army had compassed -the square, they resumed their former position with a precision and -order marvellous to witness. Then followed evolutions by detachments -of chariots. Five hundred of them, divided into two equal bodies, took -position, one at each end of the parade, and, at a signal, charged -upon each other at a speed which, at first slow, increased each -moment. My heart leaped with excitement. I looked to see a very -battle, and to behold horses and charioteers overturned in tumultuous -confusion from the inevitable shock. But so well-drilled were they, -that the two lines, deploying as they drew nearer, passed through each -other in spaces measured by the eyes of the charioteers so nicely, -that in a moment they were rattling away, each to occupy the other's -vacated position. There was a general shout of applause from the tens -of thousands of spectators at this brilliant manoeuvre. Other -displays of battle-charioteering took place, during which was -exhibited every evolution that war demands on the veritable field of -conflict. - -This magnificent review occupied three hours, when it terminated by -all the generals, and chief captains, and leaders of cohorts and -legions, simultaneously detaching themselves from their several -commands, and one after another galloping at full speed, first around -the prince, saluting him, and then wheeling and turning in front of -the queen's pavilion, paying her military homage as they passed her, -by placing the left hand upon the breast, lowering the point of the -spear, and then raising it above their glittering helmets. The queen -rose, smiled, and returned the salute by a graceful wave of her hand. -This company of warrior chiefs excelled, in richness of armor and -apparel, and housings and head-dresses for their steeds, and in the -beauty of their war-chariots, all that had gone before. Returning to -their post, the trumpets of the whole army sounded, and this martial -array of chariots and horsemen moved all together across the parade, -at a rapid trot, and, defiling by fifties through a colossal pylon, -soon disappeared outside of the walls on their way to their camp. -Their retiring trumpets could be still heard dying away beyond the -gates, as Remeses rejoined us, alighting from his chariot after -loosing the reins of his steeds from about his body, to which he had -bound them during one part of the evolutions, in which he took the -lead of a charging legion in his own chariot, as ever without a -charioteer. - -We now retired into the palace, it being past noon, and were conducted -towards the reception-rooms of the royal banquet-hall by the -grand-chamberlain. At the door we were received by the chief butler, -while the other officers of the royal household stood in a line, -bending low as the queen and her guests passed in. We consisted, -besides her majesty, the prince and myself, of the ambassador from -Chaldea, the king's messenger from the Court of Chederlaomer III., in -whose country, three hundred years and more ago, the famous battle of -Sodom was fought; the ambassador from the kingdom of Assyria; the -young Prince of Tarshish; the Duke Chilmed of Sheba, and the Dukes -Javan and Tubal; the Lord of Mesech, and the Prince of Midian. Besides -these was a great and wise prince from the land of Uz, near the -country of Prince Abram, the Mesopotamian. He was accompanied by two -friends, philosophers and men of note, Zophar of Naamath, and Lord -Eliphaz of Teman. This lord of Uz came into Egypt with a great retinue -and train of servants, for he is a man of vast possessions. He had -heard of the wisdom and power of Amense, and had come with his own -merchants to visit her court. He is also an eminently wise man, a -worshipper of the one Deity, as was the ancient king Abram. He is of -venerable and majestic aspect, is learned in all the wisdom of Chaldea -and Arabia, and seeks to add thereto the lore of Egypt. Besides this -distinguished prince, there are other philosophers of note and name. -In such noble company, dear mother, was it my fortunate lot to fall. -Truly, to come into Egypt is to see the whole world! - -The queen, after entering the ante-room, retired to the right, where -her ladies-in-waiting received her and escorted her to her own -apartments to prepare for the banquet, which had been delayed by the -review. Remeses leading the way, with me by his side, we came to the -outer room, where handsomely dressed pages offered us scented water in -ewers of gold, to lave our fingers, removed our sandals, and in -foot-pans of gold washed our feet, beginning with Remeses. They then -dried them with perfumed napkins of the softest linen fringed with -threads of gold, and placed upon them sandals of crimson cloth, -embroidered with flowers. Our upper garments were removed by Nubian -servants, and replaced by a banquet-vesture, more or less rich -according to our rank. Thus refreshed, we entered a beautiful -reception-room containing the most elegant articles of furniture. Here -every one of us was presented by the chief gardener of the palace with -a lotus-flower, to be held in the hand during the entertainment. As we -moved about, admiring the beauty of the rooms and the furniture, and -such objects of luxury and art as were intended to gratify the tastes -of guests, there were several arrivals of generals, and officers of -the chariot legion, and other divisions of the army of Lower Egypt, -who had been summoned to the banquet. Among these I recognized some of -the superbly uniformed officers who had lined the avenue of the grand -approach to the throne--for you will recollect that I said it was an -army of officers, soldiers of this rank alone being permitted to do -the honors of the palace on the reception of princes or foreign -ambassadors. - -There were, also, nobles, and distinguished citizens, Egyptian -gentlemen of worth and condition, that entitled them to the honor of -dining at the palace. From a window I witnessed the arrival of these. -They came in elegant pleasure-chariots, attended by a number of -servants. One of these footmen came forward to announce to the chief -porter his master's name; others took the reins, for the Egyptian lord -prefers to drive himself in the streets; another, who held above his -head, standing behind him, a large parasol of gorgeous plumes, -alighted, carried it still above him as he crossed to the portico of -the palace. - -Several aged persons arrived in palanquins exquisitely carved and -painted, and borne by slaves. Two or three arrived on foot, an -attendant holding a shield or large fan above them. Water was brought -also for their feet, but not in golden foot-bowls, and robes and -sandals were distributed according to rank. - -At length, for these polite Egyptians (as well as ourselves) regard it -as a want of good-breeding to sit down to table immediately on -arriving, the music, which had played all the while the guests were -arriving, ceased, and the chief butler announced the moment of the -banquet. At the same instant the queen entered the apartment, and, -after receiving the salutations of us all, was escorted by Remeses to -the banquet-hall. As we entered, a company of musicians, stationed -near the door, struck up one of the favorite airs of the country, -playing upon tambourines, cymbals, double-pipes, flutes which rested -on the floor, guitars, lyres, and instruments unknown to me. The music -was full of harmony, and, to my ear, novel, from the number of strange -instruments. This continued until we had been seated according to -rank, my place being to the left of the queen, Remeses sitting at her -right. There were four ladies of rank also near the queen, along the -table, which I may mention was of polished silver. - -When we had taken our places the loud music ceased, and seven -minstrels, who stood by as many harps behind the queen, commenced -playing a beautiful air, accompanying it by their voices. The melody -was full of richness and sweetness. While this was performing, -servants approached, and from exquisite porcelain vases poured -sweet-scented ointment upon our heads. Then entered from the gardens, -into which the banquet-room opened on two sides, as many beautiful -maidens, bearing necklaces of fresh flowers which they had just -gathered, and cast them over our shoulders. - -Having received these tokens of welcome, a train of servants presented -us wine in one-handled goblets. That of Remeses, and mine own, was of -gold and jewelled. The others were of silver or agate. The queen's was -presented to her in a single crystal, and that of the ladies in small, -delicate vases of some precious metal. The health of the queen, and of -the prince, and others present, was drunk, while music regaled our -senses. Remeses, who acted as ruler of the feast, pledged me to drink -thy health, my dear mother, which was responded to by all the company; -the Prince of Uz remarking, that the fame of your virtues and the -wisdom of your reign had reached his country. You may judge how my -heart swelled with pride and joy at this testimony to your -excellencies, O my noble and royal mother, from so dignified a source, -in the presence of such a company of witnesses! Until the dinner was -served up, various songs and performances were introduced, and at the -close of the banquet there were the wonderful dances of Arabian girls, -exhibitions of buffoonery, games, and feats of agility by jugglers. I -regret to say, that some of the guests retired overcome with wine, and -had to be borne on the shoulders of their servants to their homes; -while two of the ladies were freer with their little crystal goblets -than was seeming for their sex. The queen scarce touched the wine to -her lips, while Remeses preserved the severest temperance. After the -banquet, Remeses accompanied me to apartments in the palace, which he -said were for the future to be my abode. Here, taking leave of him, I -commenced this letter, which I now close, assuring you of my filial -love and reverence. - - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER VI. - - -PALACE OF THE PHARAOHS, CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAR AND HONORED MOTHER: - -This morning, as I was about leaving the palace, in order to spend -several hours in traversing the city on foot, that I might see the -citizens at their pursuits, and observe the manners and customs of -this people, the Prince Remeses rode up in his silver-embossed -chariot, himself his own charioteer, two footmen, carrying their -sandals in their left hand, running by the side of his superb horses. -With that absence of form and ceremony which belongs to true -friendship, he did not wait for me to order my grand-chamberlain and -other chief officers of my retinue to receive him, but came straight -to the room "of the alabastron," so called from its alabaster columns, -which was my reception-room, and in the window of which he had seen me -from the street. I met him at the door of the ante-room, and when I -would have saluted him by laying his hand against my heart and then -raising it to my lips, he embraced me with affection. - -"Nay, noble Sesostris, said I not we are friends and cousins, and -therefore equals? I have come for you to go with me to Raamses, the -treasure-city, built by Amunophis, my grandfather. I am planning a new -palace, to be erected there for the governor of the treasures of the -kingdom, and am to meet, to-day, the chief architect. Will you -accompany me?" - -"With pleasure, my prince," I said; "though I had just proposed to -walk about the city among the people, and see them in their homes and -domestic pursuits." - -"You will find time for this always--come with me. You can stand with -me in my chariot, or I will give you one to yourself, with a -charioteer." - -I replied that I would go with him, as I should wish to ask him many -questions on the way. In a few moments we were moving rapidly through -the superb streets of the city, and, passing through three grand -pylones uniting as many courts, we came to the great gate of the city -to the south. The towers on each side of it were ninety-nine feet -high, and the pylon between them a wonder of beauty, for the elegance -of its intaglio adornments. - -At this gate stood a phalanx of dark Libyan soldiers, who form, -everywhere, the guards of the gates, being noted both for faithfulness -and for their gigantic size. They were armed with lances and swords, -and as we passed through the gate paid to us the military salutation -due to royalty; for though Remeses is not the ruler of Egypt, yet he -wields an influence and power, both from his personal popularity and -the confidence reposed in him by his queen mother, which is almost -equal to the supreme dignity. And when he comes to the throne he will -rule wisely, and, if possible, raise Egypt to still greater glory. I -have already spoken of the remarkable air of dignity about him, -combined with an infinite gracefulness. He has an excellent -understanding, and the distinguished Egyptians with whom I have -conversed, tell me that "no man ever more perfectly united in his own -person the virtues of a philosopher with the talents of a general." -Gentle in his manner, he is in temper rather reserved; in his morals -irreproachable, and never known (a rare virtue in princes of Egypt) to -exceed the bounds of the most rigid temperance. Candor, sincerity, -affability, and simplicity, seem to be the striking features of his -character; and when occasion offers, he displays, say the officers of -his army, the most determined bravery and masterly soldiership. - -Having passed the gate, the prince drew rein a little, to relieve the -footmen, six of whom ran before and as many behind the chariot, -besides the two "pages of the horse," who kept close to the heads of -the horses. Once outside of the city, we were in a beautiful avenue, -which led through groves and gardens, past villas and ornamental -lakes, for half a mile,--the city, for this breadth, being inclosed by -such a belt of verdure and rural luxury. - -"Here," said Remeses, "dwell the nobles, in the intense heats of -summer. The summer palace of my mother is on the island of Rhoda, -between On and Memphis, in the Nile. I am yet to conduct you thither, -and also to the pyramids. You see pavilions on small islets in these -circular lakes. They are temples, or rather shrines for the private -devotions of the families." - -We left this lovely suburb, and entered upon a broad road, which, -after crossing a plain on which stood the ruins of a palace of -Osirtasen I., wound through a region of wheat-fields, which extended -along the Nile as far as the eye could see. The laborers were chiefly -Egyptian, and wore the loin-cloth, and short trowsers reaching -half-way to the knee, which I have before described. They sang -cheerful songs as they worked, and stopped to gaze after the rolling -chariot which was passing across their lands like a meteor, its silver -panels flashing in the sun. - -About twenty stadia, or nearly four miles, from the city, we came -suddenly upon a vast desolate field, upon which thousands of men -seemed to be engaged in the occupation of making brick. As we drew -near, for the royal road we were traversing passed directly through -this busy multitude, I saw by their faces that the toilers were of -that mysterious race, the Hebrew people. - -I say "mysterious," dear mother; for though I have now been six weeks -in Egypt, I have not yet found any of the Egyptians who can tell me -whence came this nation, now in bondage to the Pharaohs! Either those -whom I questioned were ignorant of their rise, or purposely refrained -from talking with a foreigner upon the subject. - -You will remember that I once inquired of Remeses as to their origin -and present degradation, and he said he would at some other time reply -to my question. Since then I have had no opportunity of introducing -the subject again to him, other objects wholly absorbing our attention -when we met. Yet in the interim I was forced irresistibly to notice -these people and their hard tasks; for, though they were never seen in -the streets mingling with the citizens (save only in palaces, where -handsome Hebrew youths often serve as pages), yet where temples, and -granaries, and walls, and arsenals, and treasure-houses were being -erected, they were to be found in vast numbers. Old and young men, -women, and children, without distinction, were engaged in the plain -across which we moved. - -"Pardon me, noble prince," I said; "permit me to linger a moment to -survey this novel scene." - -Remeses drew up his horses, and from the chariot I cast my eyes over -the vast level which embraced half a square league. - -"These fields, Sesostris," said the prince, "are where the brick are -made which are to erect the walls of the treasure-city, one of the -towers of which you behold two miles distant. The city itself will -take the years of a generation of this people to complete, if the -grand design is carried out. On the left of the tower you see the old -palace, for this is not a new city we are building so much as an -extension of the old on a new site, and with greater magnificence. It -is my mother's pride to fill Egypt with monuments of architecture that -will mark her reign as an era." - -The scene that I beheld from the height of the chariot I will attempt -to describe, my dear mother. As far as I could see, the earth was dark -with people, some stooping down and with wooden mattocks digging up -the clay; others were piling it into heaps; others were chopping straw -to mix with the clay; others were treading it with their feet to -soften it. Some with moulds were shaping the clay into bricks. Another -stood by with the queen's mark, and stamped each brick therewith, or -the one which was to be the head of a course when laid. There were -also the strongest men employed in raising upon the shoulders of -others a load of these bricks, which they bore to a flat open space to -be dried in the sun; and a procession of many hundreds was constantly -moving, performing this task. Some of the slaves carried yokes, which -had cords at each end, to which bricks were fastened; and many of the -young men conveyed masses of clay upon their heads to the moulders. -Those who carried the brick to the smoothly swept ground where they -were to be dried, delivered them to women, who, many hundreds in -number, placed them side by side on the earth in rows--a lighter task -than that of the men. The borders of this busy plain, where it touched -the fields of stubble wheat, were thronged with women and children -gathering straw for the men who mixed the clay. It was an active and -busy spectacle. Yet throughout the vast arena not a voice was heard -from the thousands of toilers; only the sharp authoritative tones of -their taskmasters broke the stillness, or the creaking of carts with -wooden wheels, as, laden with straw from distant fields, they moved -slowly over the plain. - -The laborers were divided into companies or parties of from a score to -one hundred persons, over whom stood, or was seated, an Egyptian -officer. These taskmasters were not only distinguishable from the -laborers by their linen bonnet or cap with a cape descending to the -neck, but by a scarlet or striped tunic, and a rod or whip of a single -thong or of small cords. These men watched closely the workmen, who, -naked above the waist, with only a loin-cloth upon many of them, -worked each moment in fear of the lash. The taskmasters showed no -mercy; but if the laborer sunk under his burden, he was punished on -the spot, and left to perish, if he were dying, and his burden -transferred to the shoulders of another. So vast was the multitude of -these people, that the death of a score a day would not have been -regarded. Indeed, their increase already alarms the Egyptians, and -their lives, therefore, are held in little estimation. - -The vast revenue, however, accruing to the crown from this enslaved -nation of brick-makers, leads to regulations which in a great measure -check the destructive rigor of the taskmasters; for not only are -thousands building cities, but tens of thousands are dispersed all -over Lower Egypt, who make brick to sell to nobles and citizens, the -crown having the monopoly of this branch of labor. Interest alone has -not prompted the queen to make laws regulating their treatment, and -lessening the rigor of their lot; but also humanity, which is, -however, an attribute, in its form of pity, little cultivated in -Egypt. Under the preceding Pharaohs, for seventy years, the condition -of these Hebrews was far more severe than it has been under the milder -reign of the queen. I am assured that she severely punishes all -unnecessary cruelty, and has lightened the tasks of the women, who -also may not be punished with blows. - -I surveyed this interesting and striking scene with emotions of wonder -and commiseration. I could not behold, without the deepest pity, -venerable and august looking old men, with gray heads and flowing -white beards, smeared with clay, stooping over the wooden moulds, -coarsely clad in the blue and gray loin-cloth, which scarcely -concealed their nakedness: or fine youths, bareheaded and burned red -with the sun, toiling like cattle under heavy burdens, here and there -upon a naked shoulder visible a fresh crimson line where the lash or -the rod of an angered officer had left its mark! There were young -girls, too, whose beautiful faces, though sun-burned and neglected, -would have been the envy of fair ladies in any court. These, as well -as the others of their sex, wore a sort of tight gown of coarse -material tied at the neck, with short close sleeves reaching to the -elbow. Their black or brown hair was tied in a knot behind, or cut -short. And occasionally I saw a plain silver or other metallic ring -upon a small hand, showing that even bondage has not destroyed in -woman the love of jewels. - -As we rode along, those Egyptians who were near the road bowed the -knee to the prince, and remained stationary until he passed. We rode -for a mile and a half through this brick-field, when at its extremity -we came upon a large mean town of huts composed of reeds and covered -with straw. - -"There," said Remeses, "are the dwellings of the laborers you have -seen." - -These huts formed long streets or lanes which intersected each other -in all directions. There was not a tree to shade them. The streets and -doors were crowded with children, and old Hebrew women who were left -to watch them while their parents were in the field. There seemed to -be a dozen children to every house, and some of five and six years -were playing at brick-making, one of their number acting as a -taskmaster, holding a whip which he used with a willingness and -frequency that showed how well the Egyptian officers had taught the -lesson of severity and cruelty to the children of their victims. In -these huts dwelt forty thousand Hebrews, who were engaged either in -making brick, or conveying them to Raamses, close at hand, or in -placing them in mortar upon the walls. - -We passed through the very midst of this wretched village of bondmen, -whose only food in their habitations is garlic, and leeks, and fish or -flesh, their drink the turbid water of the Nile, unfiltered from its -impurities by means of porous stone and paste of almonds--a process of -art so well known to the Egyptians. On the skirts of the village was a -vast burial-place, without a tomb or stone; for these Hebrews are too -poor and miserable to embalm their dead, even if customs of their own -did not lead them to place them in the earth. The aspect of this -melancholy place of sepulture was gloomy enough. It had the look of a -vast ploughed plain; but infinitely desolate and hideous when the -imagination pictured the corruption that lay beneath each narrow -mound. I felt a sensation of relief when we left this spot behind, and -drove upon a green plateau which lay between it and the treasure-city -of the king. The place we were crossing had once been the garden of -Hermes or Iosepf, the celebrated prince who about one hundred and -thirty years ago saved the inhabitants of Egypt from perishing by -famine, having received from the god Osiris knowledge of a seven -years' famine to befall the kingdom, after seven years of plenty. This -Prince Iosepf or Joseph was also called Hermes, though he wrote not -all the books attributed to Hermes, as we in Phoenicia understand of -that personage. - -"Was this Joseph an Egyptian?" I asked of the Prince Remeses, as we -dashed past the ruins of a palace in the midst of the gardens. - -"No, a Hebrew," he answered. "He was the favorite of the Phoenician -Pharaoh who commenced the palaces of this City of Treasure." - -"A Hebrew!" I exclaimed. "Not one of the race I behold about me -toiling towards the city with sun-dried bricks upon their heads, and -whom I have seen at work on the plain of bricks?" - -"Of the same," he answered. - -"Your reply reminds me, O Remeses, that you have promised to relate to -me the history of this remarkable people, who evidently, from their -noble physiognomies, belong to a superior race." - -"I will redeem my promise, my dear Sesostris," he said, smiling, "as -soon as I have left the chariot by yonder ruined well, where I see the -architect and his people, whom I have come hither to meet, await me -with their drawings and rules." - -We soon drove up to the spot, having passed several fallen columns, -which had once adorned the baths of the house of this Hebrew prince, -who had once been such a benefactor to Egypt; but, as he was the -favorite of a Phoenician king, the present dynasty neglect his -monuments, as well as deface all those which the Shepherd Kings -erected to perpetuate their conquest. Hence, it is, dear mother, I -find scarcely a trace of the dominion in Lower Egypt of this race of -kings. - -The ruined well was a massive quadrangle of stone; and was called the -"Fountain of the Strangers." It was in ruins, yet the well itself -sparkled with clear water as in its ancient days. Grouped upon a stone -platform, beneath the shade of three palms, stood the party of artists -who awaited the prince. Their horses, and the cars in which they came, -or brought their instruments, stood near, held by slaves, who were -watering the animals from the fountain. - -Upon the approach of the prince these persons, the chief of whom was -attired handsomely, as a man of rank (for architects in Egypt are -nobles, and are in high place at court), bowed the knee reverently -before him. He alighted from his chariot, and at once began to examine -their drawings. Leaving him engaged in a business which I perceived -would occupy him some time, I walked about, looking at the ancient -fountain. In order to obtain a view of the country, I ascended a tower -at one of its angles, which elevated me sixty feet above the plain. -From this height I beheld the glorious City of the Sun, a league and a -half to the north, rising above its girdle of gardens in all its -splendor. In the mid-distance lay the plain of brick-workers, covered -with its tens of thousands of busy workers in clay. Then, nearer -still, stretched their squalid city of huts, and the gloomy -burial-place, bordering on the desert at the farther boundary. - -Turning to the south, the treasure-city of Raamses lay before me, the -one half ancient and ruinous, but the other rising in grand outlines -and vast dimensions, stretching even to the Nile, which, shining and -majestic, flowed to the west of it. Further still the pyramids of -Memphis, the city itself of Apis, and the walls and temples of Jisah -towered in noble perspective. The Nile was lively with galleys -ascending and descending, and upon the road that followed its banks -many people were moving, either on foot, in palanquins, chariots, or -upon horseback. Over the whole scene the bright sun shone, giving life -and brightness to all I beheld. - -To the east the illimitable desert stretched far away, and I could -trace the brown line of road along which the caravans travel between -the Nile cities and the port of Suez, on the sea of Ezion-Geber, in -order to unlade there for ships from Farther Ind that are awaiting -them. - -Almost beneath the crumbling tower, on which I stood taking in this -wide view of a part of the populous valley of the Nile, wound a broad -path, well trodden by thousands of naked feet. It was now crowded with -Hebrew slaves, some going to the city with burdens of brick slung at -the extremities of wooden yokes laid across the shoulder, or borne -upon their heads, and others returning to the plain after having -deposited their burdens. It was a broad path of tears and sighs, and -no loitering step was permitted by the overseers; for even if one -would stop to quench his thirst at the fountain, he was beaten -forward, and the blows accompanied with execrations. Alas, mother, -this cruel bondage of the Hebrews is the only dark spot which I have -seen in Egypt,--the only shadow of evil upon the brilliant reign of -Queen Amense! - -I took one more survey of the wide landscape, which embraces the -abodes of one million of souls; for in the valley of Egypt are -fourteen thousand villages, towns and cities, and a population of -nearly seven millions. Yet the valley of the Nile is a belt of verdure -only a few miles wide, bounded by the Libyan and Arabian hills. Every -foot of soil seems occupied, and every acre teems with population. In -the streets, in the gardens, in the public squares, in temples, and -courts of palaces, in the field, or on the river, one can never be -alone, for he sees human beings all about him, thronging every place, -and engaged either in business or pleasure, or the enjoyment of the -luxury of idleness in the shade of a column or a tree. - -Descending the tower, and seeing the prince still engaged with his -builders, pointing to the unfinished towers of Raamses, and the site -of the new palace he proposed erecting near by, I went down the steps -to the fountain, to quaff its cool waters. Here I beheld an old and -majestic-looking man bending over a youth, a wound in whose temple he -was bathing tenderly with water from the well. I perceived at a -glance, by the aquiline nose and lash-shaded dark, bright eye, that -they were Hebrews. - -The old man had one of those Abrahamic faces I have described as -extant on the tomb of Eliezer of Damascus: a broad, extensive, and -high forehead; a boldly-shaped eagle nose; full lips; and a flowing -beard, which would have been white as wool but that it was stained -yellow by the sun and soil. He wore the coarse, short trowsers, and -body cloth of the bond-slave, and old sandals bound upon his feet with -ropes. The young man was similarly dressed. He was pale and nearly -lifeless. His beautiful head lay upon the edge of the fountain, and as -the old man poured, from the palm of his hand, water upon his face he -repeated a name, perhaps the youth's. I stood fixed with interest by -the scene. At this moment an Egyptian taskmaster entered, and with his -rod struck the venerable man several sharp blows and ordered him to -rise and go to his task. He made no reply--regarded not the shower of -blows--but bending his eyes tearfully upon the marble face before him, -with his fingers softly removed the warm drops of blood that stained -the temples. - -"Nay," I said, quickly, to the Egyptian, "do not beat him! See, he is -old, and is caring for this poor youth!" - -The Egyptian looked at me with an angry glance, as if he would also -chastise the speaker for interfering; when seeing from my appearance -that I was a man of rank, and perceiving, also, the prince through a -passage in the ruined wall, he bent his forehead low and said: - -"My lord, I did not see you, or I would have taken the idle graybeard -out and beaten him." - -"But why beat him?" I asked. - -"His load awaits him on the road where he dropped it, when my second -officer struck down this young fellow, who stopped to gaze at a -chariot!" - -"What relation do they bear to each other?" said I. - -"This is the old man's youngest son. He is a weak fool, my lord, about -him, and though, as you see, he can hardly carry a full load for -himself, he will try and add to his own, a part of the bricks the boy -should bear. Come, old man, leave the boy and on to your work!" - -The aged Hebrew raised to my face a look of despair trembling with -mute appeal, as if he expected no interposition, yet had no other hope -left. - -"Leave them here," I said. "I will be responsible for the act." - -"But I am under a chief captain who will make me account to him for -every brick not delivered. The tale of bricks that leaves the plain -and that which is received are taken and compared. I have a certain -number of men and boys under me, and they have to make up in their -loads a given tale of bricks between sun and sun. If they fail, I lose -my wages!" This was spoken sullenly. - -"What is thy day's wages?" I demanded. - -"A quarter of a scarabus," he answered. This is the common cheap -coin, bearing the sacred beetle cut in stone, copper, lead, and even -wood. Higher values are represented by silver, bronze, brass, and gold -rings. Money in disk-form I have not yet heard of in Egypt. An -Egyptian's purse is a necklace of gold rings of greater or less value. -The scarabus is often broken in four pieces, each fraction containing -a hieroglyphic. The value is about equal to a Syrian neffir. - -I placed in his hand a copper scarabus, and said: "Go thy way! This -shall justify thee to thy conscience. These Hebrews are too helpless -to be of further service to thee this day." - -The taskmaster took the money with a smile of gratification, and at -once left the court of the fountain. The old Hebrew looked at me with -grateful surprise, caught my hand, pressed it to his heart, and then -covered it with kisses. I smiled upon him with friendly sympathy, and, -stooping down, raised the head of the young man upon my knee. By our -united aid he was soon restored to sensibility. - -But, my dear mother, I will, with your permission, continue my -narrative in another letter. The trumpets, which from the temple of -Osiris proclaim that the last rays of the setting sun are disappearing -from its summit, also warn me to draw my letter to a close. The -incense of the altar rises into the blue and golden sky, and typifies -prayer. I will receive the lesson it teaches, and retire to my oratory -and pray, O mother, for thy health and happiness and the prosperity of -thy reign. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS - - - - -LETTER VII. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY ROYAL AND BELOVED MOTHER: - -I will now continue the narrative of my interview with the venerable -bond-servant at the fountain or "well of strangers," near the -treasure-city Raamses. - -After the youth had recovered his senses, I was for a few moments an -object of profound surprise to him. He surveyed me with mingled fear -and wonder. - -"My lord is good, fear him not, Israel," said the old man. The youth -looked incredulous, and, had his strength permitted, would have fled -away from me. I said-- - -"I am not thy taskmaster! Dread not my presence!" The tone of my voice -reassured him. He smiled gently, and an expression of gladness lighted -up his eyes. A drop of blood trickled down his forehead and increased -the paleness of his skin. - -"What is thy name?" I asked the old man, speaking in Syriac, for in -that tongue I had heard him murmur the name of his son; and I have -since found that all Hebrews of the older class speak this language, -or rather Syro-Chaldaic. They also understand and speak the Egyptian -vernacular. - -"Ben Isaac, my lord!" he answered. - -"Art thou in bondage?" - -"I and my children, as my fathers were!" - -"What brought thee and thy people into this servitude?" - -"It is a sad history, my lord! Art thou then a stranger in Egypt, that -thou art ignorant of the story of the Hebrew?" - -"I am a Phoenician. I have been but a few weeks in Egypt." - -"Phoenicia! That is beyond Edom; nay, beyond Philistia," he said -musingly. "Our fathers came farther, even from Palestine." - -"Who were your fathers?" - -"Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." - -"I have heard of them, three princes of Syria, many generations past!" - -"Yes, my lord of Phoenicia," said the venerable man, his eyes -lighting up; "they were princes in their land! But, lo! this day -behold their children in bondage! And _such_ a servitude!" he cried, -raising his withered hands heavenward. "Death, my lord, is preferable -to it! How long must we groan in slavery? How long our little ones -bear the yoke of Egypt?" - -At this moment one of the footmen of Prince Remeses found me and said: - -"My lord prince seeks for thee!" - -I put money in the hands of the venerable Hebrew and his son, and left -them amid their expressions of grateful surprise. When I rejoined -Remeses, he was already in his chariot. Having placed myself by his -side, he said that he would now drive me around the walls of the new -city, and show me its general plan. He had explained all particulars -with his builders, and they were to commence the erection of the -palace of the governor the following week. - -The wide circuit we made along the plain afforded me a commanding view -of the treasure-city in its progress. The walls at one part were -literally black with slaves, who like ants traversed them, carrying -their burdens of bricks to those who laid the courses. A vast pile, -built more for strength than beauty, attracted my notice. "That is one -of the twelve great granaries of the Prince Joseph, which he built one -hundred and fourscore years ago, in the twelve districts of Egypt. It -is still in use as such." As we passed the gateway, I perceived that -the cartouch was defaced. Remeses said that this was the act of -Amunophis, when he came to the throne, whose policy was to remove not -only every trace of the rule of the Palestinian kings, but all the -memorials which brought their dynasty to remembrance; and these -granaries of Pharaoh's prime minister, Iosepf or Joseph, were among -the noblest monuments of the reign of the last of the foreign rulers, -the father of the Princess Ephtha, from whom Remeses is descended, in -the fourth generation only, I believe. - -At length we stopped at a beautiful gate of a small temple dedicated -to Apis. Every part of it was minutely and exquisitely sculptured. It -contained a single shrine, within which was the effigy of the sacred -bull, a cubit in length, of solid gold. Boys dressed in the finest -white linen were the officiating priests. While I was admiring this -miniature edifice and the richness of all its appointments, Remeses -said:-- - -"This is an affectionate tribute of a mother's love On my twelfth -birthday she had this sacred fane dedicated in honor of the event. -Here she consecrated me as a boy to the youthful god Horus. I remember -perfectly, the solemn impression the whole scene made upon my heart -and imagination. Once a year I come hither and pass a night watching -before its altar and in prayer, rather in filial acquiescence with her -wishes, which to me are laws, than from reverence for the god!" - -We had already alighted, and were standing on the portico of the -temple, which was of crescent shape, and bordered by a row of -elegantly veined alabaster columns from Alabastron, rich quarries of -the Pharaohs near the Cataracts. After examining the temple, and -expressing the admiration which it merited, we were going out, when I -saw a young Hebrew girl flying from the pursuit of one of the -taskmasters. Just as we were entering the temple, I had seen her -passing with many other females, some laden with straw, others with -bunches of leeks and garlic, which they were taking to the fields for -the dinner of the laborers, who were not permitted to go to their huts -until dark, having left them at the first blush of dawn to commence -their ceaseless toils. Those women who worked not in the brick-fields -were the providers of food for the rest. This young girl I had noticed -was bending painfully under an intolerable load of garlic and leeks, -which she bore upon her head, and yet assisting a tottering woman, who -was walking by her side with an equally heavy burden of provisions, in -a coarse wicker-basket. I was struck with the elegance of her figure -and with the beauty of her face, as well as with her kindness to her -companion, when she herself needed aid. We were leaving the temple, as -I have said, when I beheld her flying. As she came near, she saw the -prince, and cast herself at his feet, embracing them, and exclaiming-- - -"O my lord--O great and mighty god! mercy!--save me!" - -Remeses regarded her with surprise, and said, sternly yet not -cruelly-- - -"What dost thou wish? Why dost thou fly from thy taskmaster?" - -"When I cast down my load and took up my mother's, who was ready to -die, he struck me because I could not take both together. I would have -done it, O lord prince, but had not the strength." - -"Go back to thy task, young woman. Thou shalt not be punished for a -kind act to thy mother. The gods forbid we should destroy all filial -ties, even among our slaves." This last sentence was spoken rather -with his own mind than addressed to any one. "What is this I hear?" he -continued, speaking to the sub-officer, who, seeing his slave seek the -protection of Remeses, had stopped, a short distance off, expecting to -have her sent back to him. "Didst thou strike this Hebrew girl?" - -"She is wilful and intractable, your highness," answered the man -humbly, "and--" - -"Is there not a law forbidding blows to be given to the females of -this people? You will deliver your rod of office to my chief servant -here, and are no longer a taskmaster. It shall be known, that it is -the will of the queen that women shall have light tasks, that they be -treated leniently, and not made to suffer the punishment of blows." - -The man, with a downcast face, came forward, and placed his rod in the -hands of the chief servant, who was the captain of the twelve footmen -of the prince's chariot, and who, at a glance from his master, broke -it, and cast the pieces upon the ground. "Now go, and bring hither the -basket. I will see what are the burdens you place upon the weak, and, -henceforth, they shall be proportioned to the strength of the bearer." - -The man returned several hundred yards along the road, and after -several strenuous efforts, with great difficulty lifted the basket, -and placed it at the prince's feet. To the amazement of all about him -he stooped to raise the wicker-basket of leeks from the ground. -Putting forth his strength he lifted it, for he is a man of great -vigor, but immediately setting it down again, he said, with -indignation flashing from his eyes, as he addressed the disgraced -taskmaster-- - -"Seest thou what thou wouldst compel this frail child to bear upon her -head? Thou art cruel and barbarous! Bind him! He shall go to prison." - -"My lord, I am not alone--" - -"So much the worse. If the abuse is wide-spread, it is time to correct -it, and see that the law of the realm is observed. Take him away!" - -Two of the servants seized him, and, tying his hands behind him with -the thong of one of his own sandals, led him away into the citadel of -Raamses. The Hebrew girl still kneeled, trembling and wondering. -Remeses spoke to her kindly, no doubt moved by her tears and -extraordinary beauty, and said-- - -"Go in peace, child. Return to thy mother. Fear no more the rod of thy -taskmasters. The hand of the first that is laid on a Hebrew woman -shall be cut off with a sword." - -The young girl kissed the sandaled feet of the prince, and hastened to -the spot where she had left her mother seated on the ground. Remeses, -with his eyes, followed her, and sighed. Who can tell what heavy -thoughts were passing in his mind! When he comes to the throne, I know -him not, my mother, if the condition of the Hebrews will not be -greatly ameliorated, and their lot rendered far happier. I saw the -girl embrace and raise her mother from the earth, and then supporting -her affectionately, lead her away towards a group of huts, not far -off, in one of which, probably, was their abode. - -"My Sesostris," said the prince, "walk with me along this terrace. I -have yet to see the governor of the queen's granaries, and will -converse with thee until he arrives." - -The terrace ran along the south side of the low pyramidal area on -which the temple was elevated. From it there was a lovely view of -fields, and gardens, and groves of palm and orange trees, extending -over the land of Goshen, which is the most fertile and highly-cultivated -portion of Egypt that I have seen. From the terrace, steps of polished -porphyry led to a garden fragrant with flowers, which were cultivated -alongside of the temple, in order to make of them offerings of -chaplets to the god, who was crowned with them every morning by the -"flower priest." The office of this dignitary was as sacred as his who -offered incense, which indeed is but the fragrance of flowers in -another form, purified by fire. In this garden I saw the myrobalanum, -with its rich fruit, out of which a rare ointment is extracted for -anointing the priests; the phoenicobalanus, which bears an -intoxicating fruit, and gives to the priests who eat of it divining -powers; the graceful palma, or sheath for the palm-flowers; the -almond-tree, brilliant with its flowering branches; the wine-giving -myxa; the ivory-palm fruit, of which censers are made; the mimosa -Nilotica, and the golden olive of Arsino. All these grew on one path, -which traversed the garden close to the terrace, and I enumerate them, -dear mother, as I know your horticultural taste, and that any thing -about the plants of Egypt will gratify you. I have already selected -several of the most beautiful, and intend, by the first ship that -sails for Tyre from the Nile, to forward them to you. That they may be -cared for, and rightly managed when you receive them, I shall send -with them an Egyptian gardener. I have seen no oaks in Egypt, nor does -our majestic Libanian cedar grow here. It is a land rather of flowers -than of trees. The myrtle is everywhere seen as an ornamental tree, -and is highly odoriferous in this climate. Here, I saw also the -endive, and the Amaracus, from the latter of which the celebrated -Amaracine ointment, used to anoint the Pharaohs, is expressed. One bed -of variegated flowers, at the end of the terrace, attracted my -attention from their combined splendor. There were the edthbah, with -its proud purple flower; the ivy-shaped-leaved dulcamara, used by the -priests for sacred chaplets; also the acinos, of which wreaths are -made by maidens, to wear intermingled with their braided tresses. -Above all towered the heliochrysum, with which the gods are crowned, -and by it grew its rival, the sacred palm, the branches of which are -borne at the feasts of Isis. - -There were many other rare and beautiful plants, but I have enumerated -these to show you what a land of flowers is this sunny land of Osiris -and Isis. - -The prince, after we had once traversed the terrace in silence, turned -his thoughtful face towards me and said, betraying what was upon his -thoughts-- - -"Prince, this is the problem of Egypt. Its solution calls for greater -wisdom than belongs to man!" - -"You mean the bondage of the Hebrew people?" I answered, at once -perceiving the meaning of his words. - -"Yes," he replied, with a sigh and a grave brow. "I have promised to -acquaint you with their history. Listen, and as far as I know it you -shall have it given to you. Our records, kept and preserved by the -priests in the Hall of Books in the Temple of the Sun, give the -following account of the origin of this race, which, allowing for the -errors that are interwoven in all mere tradition, is, no doubt, worthy -of credit. - -"About four hundred years ago," says the History of the Priests, -"there arrived in the land of Palestine a Syrian prince from -Mesopotamia or Assyria, with large flocks and herds; having formed an -alliance with Melchisedec, king of Salem, the two dwelt near one -another in peace and friendship,--for not only was the Assyrian wise -and upright, but the gods were with him, and blessed and prospered him -in all that he did." - -"This Melchisedec the king," I said, "was also favored of his god; and -his virtues have come down to us fragrant with the beauty of piety and -good deeds." - -"Tradition has been faithful to him," answered Remeses. "Among the -Arabian priests of Petra he is held as a god, who came down on earth -to show kings how to reign and benefit mankind. With him the Prince of -Assyria, Abram, was on terms of the closest friendship. At length a -famine arising in the land where he dwelt, he came down into Egypt -just after the invading hosts of Phoenicia and Palestine had -inundated our kingdom, and conquering On and Memphis, had subdued -Lower Egypt, and set up their foreign dynasty, known as that of the -Hyksos or Shepherd Kings." - -"This history is well known to our archives kept in the temple of -Astarte at Tyre," I answered; "and therein we learn that the hero -SAITES, who had a warlike spirit which could not find field in Lower -Syria, was threatened by famine, and hearing of the abundance in Egypt -and the splendor of its cities, combined with the enervating habits -which grow out of luxury and unbroken peace, he conceived the idea of -its invasion; and at the head of an undisciplined but brave army of -one hundred and seventy thousand men, horsemen and footmen, with three -hundred chariots of iron, he descended through Arabia Deserta, and -entered Egypt by the desert of the sea, capturing and fortifying -Ezion-Geber on his march." - -"These particulars are not so fully given by our historians," answered -Remeses. "This ambitious warrior having entered the Sethroite country, -encamped and founded a city which he made his arsenal of war; and from -it he sent out his armies and conquered Memphis and the whole of Lower -Egypt. The kings of Egypt, abandoning to him Lower Egypt, retired with -their court and army to the Thebad, and were content to reign there -over half the kingdom, while the haughty conquerors established their -foreign throne at Memphis. - -"It was," continued Remeses, "during the reign of Bnon, the first -Phoenician Pharaoh after the death of the conqueror, that Abram came -into Egypt. He had known this prince in Palestine when he was in his -youth, and the king gladly welcomed so powerful a lord and warrior, -who had in battle overthrown Chedorlaomer, the mighty King of Elam, -and whose language was nearly similar to his own. This Prince Abram -dwelt in Egypt during the continuance of the famine in Syria and near -the court of the king, who not only took him into his counsels, but -lavished upon him great riches. 'But the king,' says the history, -'becoming enamored of the beautiful Princess Sara, the wife of the -Lord of Palestine, Abram removed from his court; and with great riches -of gold, silver, cattle, and servants, marched out of Egypt into -Arabia of the South, and so to his own city.'" - -"It is probably," I said, "from this fact of Prince Abram's coming -into Egypt about the time that the Phoenicians came, that some -traditions have made him its conqueror and the founder of the dynasty -of the Shepherd Kings." - -"Yes; for this Abram was not only eminent as a warlike prince, but his -usual retinue was an army, wherever he moved; and no doubt Bnon, the -king, willingly let him depart when he had offended him, rather than -meet the valor of the arm which had already slain five kings of the -East, and taken their spoil. At length Prince Abram died and left a -son, who succeeded him not only in his riches but his wisdom. After a -time he also died and left a son, Prince Jacob, who had twelve sons, -all princes of valor--but who, like the Arabians of to-day, lived a -nomadic life. One of these brothers was beloved of his father more -than the others; and, moved by envy, they seized upon him and sold him -to a caravan of the bands of Ishmael, the robber king of Idumea, as it -was on its way to Egypt. These barbarians sold the young Prince Joseph -to an officer of the king's palace, Potipharis, captain of the guard, -whose descendant, Potiphar-Meses, is the general of cavalry you met at -the queen's banquet. This officer became the friend of the young -Syrian, and raised him to a place of honor in his household. In the -course of time the king, who was the eminent Pharaoh-Apophis, dreamed -a dream which greatly troubled his mind, and which neither his -soothsayers, magicians, nor the priests could interpret. Joseph, who -was eminent for his piety, love of truth, and devotion to his God, -being in prison--to which, on some false charge of seeking the love of -his master's wife, he had been committed--had interpreted the dreams -of two prisoners, one of whom, being released and hearing of the -king's dream, sent him word that while in prison the Hebrew captive -had truly interpreted a dream, which both he and his companion had -dreamed. Thereupon Pharaoh sent for the Hebrew, who interpreted his -dream, which prophesied seven years of great plenty, such as was never -known in Egypt, and seven years to follow them of such scarcity as no -kingdom on earth had ever suffered from. And when the Hebrew had -recommended the king to appoint an officer to gather in the corn -during the years of plenty, and to husband it in treasure-houses -against the seven years of scarcity, Apophis at once elevated him to -that high position. Removing from his hand his own signet ring, he -placed it upon the finger of Joseph; and, having arrayed him in -vestures of fine linen and placed a gold chain about his neck, -presented him with the second state-chariot to ride in, and made him -ruler over all his realm, commanding all men to bow the knee before -him as to a prince of the blood, and second in power only to himself." - -"And these," I said, glancing at a group of Hebrew laborers not far -off, who were seated upon a ruin eating garlic and coarse bread for -their noon-day meal--"and these are of the same blood?" - -"Yes, Sesostris! But you shall hear their history. This Joseph reigned -in Egypt above threescore years, holding in his hand the supreme -power, save only that he wore not the crown of Apophis, who, given up -to pleasure or to war, gladly relieved himself of the active cares of -state. But while he was early in power, and yet a young man, his -father and brothers were driven into Egypt by the seven years' famine, -which followed the seven years of plenty." - -"Then," I interrupted, "the dream of Pharaoh was rightly read by the -Hebrew youth?" - -"In all particulars he interpreted it with the wisdom of a god, who -sees into the future as into the past! But, to resume my narrative--he -recognized his father, Jacob, and his brethren." - -"Did he make use of his power to punish the latter for their cruelty -in selling him into bondage?" - -"On the contrary, he forgave them! At first they did not recognize -their shepherd brother in the powerful and splendid prince of Egypt, -before whom they came under his name of Hermes-Osiris, which Pharaoh -had conferred upon him." - -"It must have been both a wonderful surprise and a source of terror to -them when they at length found in whose presence they bowed," I said, -picturing in my mind the scene when they perceived who he was. I -imagined not only the trembling fear of the men, but the joy of the -venerable father. - -"Doubtless a most touching and interesting interview," answered -Remeses. "Instead of avenging their cruelty he entertained them in his -palace with a banquet, and afterwards solicited of Pharaoh, who -refused him no request, that his father and brethren might dwell in -the land." - -At this moment a tall Hebrew young man passed, returning with a proud, -free step, having carried his burden and placed it by a well, which -some workmen were repairing. I gazed upon him with interest, fancying -I beheld in his face the lineaments of the prince of whom Remeses was -talking. I thought, too, the eyes of my companion followed the -youthful bondman, as he went away, with something like a kindred -sentiment; for, as he discoursed of the glory and virtues of Prince -Joseph, it was impossible that we should not be drawn nearer, as it -were, to these hapless captives of his race. - -"It was in this part of Egypt where the Syrian patriarch dwelt. This -very temple is erected upon the site of his habitation, and from here, -as far as you can see, stretched the rich fields and fertile plains -occupied by him, his sons, and their descendants. Here they erected -cities, most of which were destroyed by the subsequent dynasty, with -all the monuments of Joseph's power; and here they dwelt for seventy -years in peace and plenty, increasing in numbers, wealth, and -intelligence--their best-educated men holding offices in the state, -and commanding the respect and confidence not only of the king, but of -the Egyptians." - -But, my dear mother, it is time I close this letter. Until I again -take up my pen to write you, remain assured, I pray you, of my filial -reverence and love. - - Your affectionate - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER VIII. - - -PALACE OF AMENSE. - -MY HONORED AND BELOVED MOTHER: - -My last letter closed with the narration of a history of the Hebrews, -from the lips of Prince Remeses, to which I listened as we walked to -and fro on the terrace of the temple. I will in this letter continue, -or rather conclude, the subject, feeling that it will have interested -you quite as deeply as it has engaged my attention. - -The governor of the queen's granaries having arrived, mounted upon a -handsomely caparisoned horse, and attended by runners, the prince at -once gave him the orders for which he came, and then, dismissing him -with a wave of his hand, turned to me, as I was watching the majestic -flight of several eagles of prey, which, circling above my head at a -great height, with seemingly immovable wings, through cutting the air -so swiftly, gradually diminished the circles of their flight, and -descended upon some object not far distant, on the road leading to -another treasure-city, called Pithom, many leagues up the Nile, which -the Hebrews had built for Amunophis I., threescore years and more ago. - -"I will now resume my history of the Hebrews, my dear Sesostris," said -the prince, "and will be brief, as we must return to On. The Prince -Joseph, as I have said, obtained for his father and brethren all this -fair plain, the heart and beauty of Egypt. Here they dwelt when the -old man died, after seventeen years' residence in Egypt; and the -Hebrew prime minister of the king made for his father a funeral such -as few kings receive. It is said to have been more magnificent than -that of Osirtasen I., of which our poets have sung. By Pharaoh's -command, as his favorite wished to bury his father in Palestine, a -vast army went up with the body,--chariots, horsemen, and footmen,--so -that to this day the splendor and pomp of the funeral is a tradition -throughout the lands they traversed. Joseph then returned to Egypt, -and ruled sixty-one years, until both he and Apophis the king were -waxed in years. At length he died, and was embalmed, and his body -placed in the second pyramid, which you behold a little to the right -of Memphis. There his body does not now rest, for, after the expulsion -of the Phoenician dynasty, the Hebrews secretly removed it, and its -place of concealment is known only to themselves. There is a saying -among them that the bones of this prince shall rise again, and that he -shall go with them forth from Egypt to a new and fair country beyond -Arabia." - -"Then they have a hope of being one day delivered from their present -condition?" I asked. - -"It is a part of their faith, and inborn, if I may so speak. It is -this hope, I think, which makes them bear up so patiently under their -servitude." - -"And how, noble Remeses, were they reduced to bondage in the fair land -wherein they once dwelt so peacefully, under the benign sway of their -mighty brother?" - -"The answer to this question, my Sesostris," said the prince, "will -involve a history of the overthrow of the dynasty of the Phoenician -conquerors, which lasted over two hundred years, with a succession of -six kings. Upon the death of the Prince Joseph in his one hundred and -tenth year, Apophis the king, being also of great age, became -incapable of managing his kingdom, which he had for sixty years -intrusted to the hands of his Hebrew prime minister. Ignorant of the -true condition of his government--known to but few of his -subjects--aged and imbecile, he was incapable of holding the reins of -state, left by the Hebrew in his hands. The ever-jealous and watchful -king of the Thebad, in Upper Egypt, did not delay to take advantage -of an opportunity like this to attempt the restoration, in Lower -Egypt, of the ancient throne of the native Pharaohs, by the expulsion -of the usurping dynasty. But, my Sesostris, you know well the -subsequent history--how Pharaoh Amosis, with his Theban hosts, drove -them from city to city, and finally pursued them into Arabia, whence -they settled in the land of the Philistines, and, capturing Salem, -made it their capital city--at least such is one of the traditions." - -"They held it for a time," I answered, "but, being driven from it by -the King of Elam, they subsequently fortified Askelon. They are still -a powerful people, under the name of Philistines; and, what is -singular, retain scarcely a custom derived from the two hundred and -twenty-five years' residence and reign in Egypt." - -"It is not more remarkable than the fact that their domination here -made no impression upon the people of Egypt; they left no words of -their own in our language, and no customs of theirs were adopted by -the Egyptians They simply held military possession of the kingdom, -living in fortified cities and levying tribute upon the people for -their support. The few monuments they erected were defaced or -overthrown by the victorious Theban king and restorer, Amosis, my -great ancestor, or by his successor, Amunophis I. - -"When these invaders were expelled from Lower Egypt, then the two -crowns of the Thebad and Memphitic kingdoms became united in the -person of Amunophis, the son of 'the Restorer,' and it is this Thebad -dynasty which now holds the sceptre of the two kingdoms, and which is -represented in the person of my mother, the daughter of Amunophis, who -died when she was a young girl. She has ever since reigned with the -title of 'the Daughter of Pharaoh,' being so called by the people when -she ascended the throne of Memphis and Thebes. But my dear prince," -said Remeses, with a smile, "I have been giving you the history of the -dynasty of my race, rather than of the Hebrew people." - -"I am not the less interested, dear Remeses," I said, "and perceive -that the two histories are naturally united." - -"Yes. The new king, Amosis, called 'Restorer,' upon the obelisk at -Memphis which bears his name, and upon which the scenes of the -expulsion of these Philistine soldier-monarchs are depicted with great -spirit and fidelity--the new king, I say, upon driving out the -invaders, keeping the Phoenician king's fair daughter, Ephtha, as -his wife, turned his attention to the other class of strangers, who -had the fairest portion of Egypt for their possession. He accordingly -visited, in state, the city of Succoth, in the province of Goshen, -which they had built and beautified during the seventy years they had -dwelt there under Prince Joseph's mild and partial rule. It was -without walls, wholly unfortified, and had not even a temple--for the -Hebrews of the better class worship only with the intellect, a -spiritual Deity in his unity." - -"Which, if I dare speak so boldly to you, O Remeses," I said, "appears -to me to be the noblest species of worship, and the purest sort of -religion for an intellectual being." - -"Sayest thou?" quickly demanded the prince, surveying my face with his -full bright gaze. "Thou art in advance of the rest of mankind, my -Sesostris! The same feeling exists in my own bosom; but I believed -myself alone in experiencing it. Some day we will hold discourse -together on this high mystery. There seems to come up from my -childhood a voice which I can never silence, and which I hear loudest -when I am most solemnly engaged in the sacred rites of the altars of -our gods, saying-- - -"'Son of earth, there is but one GOD, invisible, eternal, uncreated, -and whose glory He will not share with another; worship Him with the -spirit and with the understanding.'" - -"This is remarkable," I said, "for such also is the mystery taught by -the priests of Chaldea, of whom Melchisedec was the first high-priest. -I have read their sacred books in Damascus." - -"I have never seen them; yet this voice forces itself upon me -everywhere, my Sesostris. All is dark and inscrutable to us mortals. -We hang our faith upon a tradition, and our hopes upon a myth. We feel -ourselves equal or superior to the deities we worship, and find no -repose in the observances our religion demands. Would that I had the -power to penetrate the blue heavens above us and find out God, and -know what life means, and whence we came and whither we go." - -"Once across the Lake of the Dead," I answered, "and all will be -revealed. Osiris in his vast judgment-hall will give each soul the key -of the past and the future." - -"So say the priests, and so we believe. But to return to the Hebrews. -Another time we will discourse on these themes. The new king hearing -that two hundred thousand and more foreigners dwelt here, called all -the elders and chief men before him; and when he had questioned them -and heard their history, and had learned that the Prince Joseph, who -had done so much to uphold and consolidate the Phoenician rule, was -one of their ancestors, his wrath was presently kindled against them. -He saw in them the friends and adherents of the overthrown dynasty; -both as allied by blood to the great Hebrew prime-minister, and as -originating from the same country with the expelled Phoenician king. -He, therefore, perceiving they were not a warlike people, and could -not be dreaded as an army, instead of declaring war against them and -driving them out of Egypt, as he had done the Syrian kings, resolved -to reduce them to servitude like captives taken in war. Having come to -this resolution, he held as prisoners the chief men before him, and -placed the whole people under the yoke of bondage, enrolling them -under task-officers, and putting them to work upon the cities, -temples, palaces, and canals, which the Phoenicians had either -destroyed, or suffered to fall into ruin. This was the beginning, my -Sesostris, of the subjugation to perpetual labor of these Syrians or -Hebrews in the very land where one of their family had ruled next to -the throne. They have been engaged since in building cities, and -walls, and in cultivating and irrigating the royal wheat-fields; -aiding in hewing stone in the quarries, and in all other works of -servitude: but as the making of bricks requires no intelligence, and -as it was not the policy of Amunophis-Pharaoh to elevate their -intellects, but the contrary, lest they should prove troublesome, they -have chiefly been kept to this, the most degrading of all labor." - -"How long is it that they have been in this condition?" I asked. - -"About one hundred and five or six years have elapsed since the death -of Prince Joseph. But they were gradually reduced to their present -state. During the latter years only of Amunophis were their tasks -increased. They, nevertheless, multiplied in such numbers that the -king began to apprehend danger to his crown from their multitude." - -"Were there men among them who sought to free their fellows?" I -inquired. - -"Always, and to this hour. They are a proud, haughty, resolute, and -stubborn race. They bend to the yoke, indeed, but with hatred of the -oppressor, not with the willing submission of the Libyan or Nubian -captive. The king had reason to fear from the increase of their -numbers, when he found the census of this people gave more than a -million of souls, while the number of his own subjects in both -provinces did not exceed six millions; his own Thebans not amounting -to as many as the Hebrews numbered. Upon this he became alarmed, for -he was about entering into a war with the kings of Syro-Arabia, and -apprehended that being of the same Syrian stock they might join -themselves to his enemies. He, therefore, increased their burdens and -taskmasters in order to keep them in closer subjugation; but the more -he oppressed them the more they multiplied. In relating these facts, O -prince, do not think I approve of cruelty even in my royal ancestor. -It was, no doubt, a great wrong in the beginning inflicted upon them, -in making them servants, and the subsequent series of oppressions were -but the natural results of the first act. It was one unmixed evil -throughout. Having committed the manifest error in the outset, of -enslaving them to the crown, it now became a necessary policy to -prevent their dangerous increase. He would not send them with his army -into Arabia lest they should join his enemies. He, therefore, to keep -down their numbers, ordered all the male infants as soon as born to be -put to death by the Egyptian women." - -"A dreadful alternative!" I exclaimed. - -"Yes, and one not to be defended," answered Remeses, in a decided -tone. "But Amunophis, having caught the lion by the jaws, was -compelled either to destroy him, or be destroyed himself. The result -of the edict was, that many perished. The Nile, it is said, was -constantly bearing down upon its bosom corpses of new-born Hebrew -babes." - -"Dreadful!" I ejaculated. - -"It became so to the king. But he felt that one or the other must -perish, and that these innocent infants must die for the future safety -of the kingdom. There were sad and tragic scenes! Many a Hebrew mother -fought to save her infant, or perished with it clasped to her heart! -Many a desperate father resisted the soldiers who sought his hut for -his concealed child, and died on the threshold, in the ineffectual -effort to save his son! You perceive, Sesostris, that I speak with -emotion. I have heard the scenes of that era described by those who -witnessed them. I was an infant at the time, and do not speak of my -own knowledge; but many live who then saw tragedies of horror such as -few lands have witnessed. Had I been Amunophis I think I should have -devised some other way to ward off the anticipated danger from my -kingdom. But this sanguinary edict was unsuccessful. The Egyptian -nurses were tenderer of heart than the king, and saved many to the -tears and entreaties of mothers. Thousands of mothers, stifling every -cry of nature, gave birth secretly, and in silence, to their babes, -and the fathers or friends stood ready to fly with it to some prepared -concealment. Thousands were thus saved, as the innumerable multitudes -of men you have beheld this day toiling in the fields, making brick to -build up Raamses, bear witness. The edict continued in force for two -years, when Amunophis died. After the seventy days of mourning were -ended, his daughter Amense, who had been married to the prince of the -Thebad, a nephew of Amunophis, but had been left a widow about the -time of her father's death, came to the throne as the next in -succession to the double crown. With the sceptre was bequeathed to her -the iron chain that bound the Hebrews. Young, inexperienced in rule, -without advisers, my mother knew not how to solve the problem these -enslaved Syrians presented to her. As a woman, she felt that she could -originate no new policy. But prompted by humanity, the first act of -her power was to repeal the edict commanding the death of the infants. -This act alone kindled in the hearts of the whole of the oppressed -people a sentiment of gratitude. On the contrary, her lords, generals, -chief princes of the nomes, and dukes of cities, with one voice -assured her that this act of clemency would destroy her throne. But -you see, my Sesostris, that it still stands. For thirty-four years she -has reigned over the empire of Egypt, and it has never before reached -so high a degree of prosperity, power, and strength. Her armies of the -east, and of the south, and of Libya, are superior to those of all -nations." - -"Yet is the problem more intricate, and farther from solution than -ever," I said to the prince. "The Hebrew is still in the land, still -increasing in numbers, and now far more formidable than in the reign -of your grandsire, Amunophis." - -"This is true. My mother and I have talked for hours together upon the -theme. She, with her woman's gentler nature, would not oppress them, -yet has she been compelled by necessity to hold them in strict -subjugation, lest they become a formidable element of insurrection in -the kingdom. So far as is consistent with safety to her two crowns, -she mitigates the severity of their condition; and as you have -understood, has forbidden the women to be struck with blows, or put to -heavy toil. Still it is not easy, among so many thousand taskmasters, -and so many myriads of bondmen, to oversee all individual acts of -oppression; but when brought to our notice they are severely punished. -The condition of the Hebrew is an incubus upon the soul of my noble -mother, and if it were in her power, with safety to her subjects, to -release them to-morrow from their bondage, she would do so. But state -policy demands imperatively, rigid supervision, severe discipline, and -constant labor, lest being idle, and at liberty to go where they -choose, they conspire against us. Several times agents from the King -of Ethiopia, our natural and hereditary foe, with whom we are almost -always at war, have been discovered among them; and arms have been -placed in their possession by the spies of the Queen of Arabia. They -have, moreover, among them men of courage and talent, who, like their -ancestor, Prince Abraham, possess warlike fire, and, like the Prime -Minister Joseph, have wisdom in council, to advise and rule. Such -persons, among slaves, are to be feared, and there is necessary a -certain severity, you would call it oppression, to keep down all such -spirit." - -"The burdens of these Hebrews still seem very heavy, O Remeses," I -said. - -"They doubtless are; but their condition is far lighter than it has -been. They are allotted certain tasks, according to their strength, -and if these are done early they have the rest of the day to -themselves." - -"And if late?" - -"They must complete their tale of bricks, unless disabled by sickness. -Blows are not given to men unless they are wilful and insubordinate. -Once a year the queen visits all the Hebrews in the country of Avaris, -of which Goshen forms but a part, and regulates abuses. The Hebrew -always has the right of appealing to the governor of the province, -against his taskmaster, if cruelly treated. All that the queen can do -is to execute with severity the laws against oppressing them." - -"This Hebrew people, O Remeses," I said, as he ceased speaking, "are -the cloud which overshadows Egypt. I foresee danger to the dynasty -from it." - -"I have in vain tried to settle upon some policy, to be pursued--when -I come to the throne, if it please Heaven that my mother depart this -life before me, (I pray the god to keep her to a good old age)--in -reference to them. But my wisdom is at fault. When I take the sceptre -I shall feel that the bondage of the Hebrew, which I inherit with it, -will make it lead in my hand." - -While he was speaking, the impatient pawing of his spirited -chariot-horses, restrained with difficulty by three footmen, reminded -him that we were delaying at Raamses when we ought to be on our way -back to On. - -"Come, Sesostris, let us get upon the chariot and return, for I -promised to dine with my mother and the Lord Prince Moeris to-day; -and it is already past noon by the shadow of that obelisk." - -We stood upon the silver-chased chariot, and taking the leopard-skin -reins in his left hand, he made a sign to his footmen, who, springing -away from the heads of the fretting and frothing horses, let them fly. -Away, like the wind, we swept the plain in front of the treasure-city; -along the plateau where had stood the palace and gardens of Joseph, -the lord of Egypt; past the ruined strangers' fountain, where I had -talked with the venerable Ben Isaac and his handsome son; past a well -beside which Jacob had his great house, during the seventeen years he -lived in Goshen, the ruins of which were visible a little ways off to -the east. On we rolled, preceded and followed by the fleet-footed -runners, across the plain of the Hebrew brick-makers, who still bent -to their labors. Women and children, with dark fine eyes and raven -hair, gathering straw by the wayside or in the stubble-fields, were -passed in vast numbers. Crossing an open space, I saw before me a -black mass on the ground, which, as we advanced, proved to be a crowd -of vultures or carrion eagles, that slowly and reluctantly moved aside -at our coming; and the next moment our horses shied at the dead body -of a man, around which they had been gathered feasting upon the flesh. -The long beard and dark hair, the coarse blue loin-cloth, and the pile -of bricks at his side, told the whole tale. It was an emaciated -Hebrew, who had perished on the road-side under his burden. - -I did not look at Remeses. I knew that he saw and felt. He reined up, -and sternly commanded two of his footmen to remain and bury the body. - -"Sesostris," he said, as we went forward again, "what can be done? -Humanity, piety, and every element of the soul call for the deepest -commiseration of this unhappy people. I sometimes feel that it would -be better to send them in a mass out of Egypt into Arabia, and follow -them with an army to see that they went beyond our boundaries, and -then establish a cordon of military posts from Ezion-Geber, on the -Arabian Sea, to the shores of the Great Sea, north. But how could we -provide food for such a host, now amounting to two and a half millions -of people? Thousands would perish in the wilderness for want of water -and food. Only a miracle of the gods could preserve them, their women -and children, from a lingering death. And would not this be more cruel -than the edict of Amunophis; only executing it in an indirect way, and -on a gigantic scale? I would, were I Pharaoh to-day, give the half of -my kingdom to the wise man who could devise a practicable way of -freeing Egypt from the Hebrews, without destroying them or suffering -them to die in the wilderness. If men are ever deified, such a -benefactor would deserve the honor." - -These words, my dear mother, were spoken with deep feeling, and showed -me that the heart of Remeses is manly and tender, that his sentiments -are always elevated and noble, and that the oppression of the Hebrew -is not so much the fault of himself or of the queen mother, as it is -the irresistible sequence of causes which were in action before they -were born; and to the effects of which they must yield, until the gods -in their wisdom and power make known to them the way to remove from -the land so great an evil: for none but the Deity Supreme is wise -enough to solve this intricate problem of Egypt. Certain it is, that -if the Hebrews go on multiplying and growing as they now do, in -another generation they will outnumber the Egyptians, and will need -only a great leader like their warlike ancestor Prince Abram, or the -hero king of Philistia, who established the Phoenician dynasty, to -enable them to subvert the kingdom, and upon its ruins establish -another Syro-Hebraic dynasty. One of their ancestors has already ruled -Egypt, and another may yet sit in the very seat of the Pharaohs. - -As we re-entered the City of the Sun, we passed by the base of an -obelisk which Queen Amense is erecting to mark the era and acts of her -long reign. Upon it were sculptured representations of her battles -with the Ethiopians, her wars with Libya, and her conquest of Arabia. -The work was executed by Phoenician and Egyptian artists; and I am -rejoiced to see that the painters of Tyre and the sculptors of Sidon -are greatly esteemed for the delicacy and perfection of their work. -When these persons saw me, they dropped their pencils and chisels, and -with their hands upon their bosoms, manifested every sign of delight. -You may suppose I responded with more than usual gratification to the -homage thus paid me; for in a foreign land the sight of the humblest -of one's own countrymen, refreshes the eye and warms the heart. - -But I have too long occupied your time, dearest mother, with one -letter. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER IX. - - -ISLE OF RHODA, NILE. - -ROYAL AND BELOVED MOTHER: - -My preceding letters, dearest mother, have enabled you to form some -idea of the Hebrew vassalage, which is one of the peculiarities of -Egypt. This subject has deeply interested me. In that oppressed people -I behold Syrians and men of my own race, as it were, reduced to such a -pitiable and miserable condition. My sympathies are therefore -naturally with them. Was not Prince Abram, of Palestine, who conquered -the enemy of our ancestor's throne in those days, Chedorlaomer, King -of Elam and Tidal, and sovereign of the nations east of the inland -sea, the founder of their family; and was not the same Abram the -friend of Neathor, the founder or restorer of Tyre upon the Isle? When -I recall these facts of past history, and how ably the wise Prince -Joseph ruled here, I am deeply moved at their present degradation and -suffering. - -Since writing to you, I have conversed with the queen upon the -subject. I find her ready and willing, with mind and heart and hand, -to take any safe steps for putting an end to this bondage. But, as she -feelingly says:-- - -"It is an evil which descended to me with the crown and sceptre of my -father; and I know not how to remove it, and yet protect that crown -which I am bound to transmit to Remeses!" - -Such then, dear mother, is the present condition of Hebrew servitude. -When it will terminate, whether by some bold act of Remeses, when he -comes to the throne, or by their own act, or by the intervention of -the gods, are questions the solution of which lies hidden in the womb -of the future. - -Not all the Hebrews are employed in the field. It has of late years -been a fashion with the nobles, governors, and chief captains of Egypt -to have the young captives of both sexes as servants near their -persons; their beauty, activity, and trustfulness rendering these -Syrian youths particularly fitted for this domestic employment. Thus, -I have seen Hebrew pages attending on lords and ladies in their -palaces, and Hebrew maidens acting as personal attendants upon the -mistress of the family. These young foreigners soon become favorites, -and are rewarded for their devotion and usefulness by rich dresses and -jewels, which last they all especially delight in, and wear in great -quantities. The Egyptians, also, lavishly display them on their -fingers, in their ears, and upon their necks. Every lord wears a large -signet, on which is carved his _cartouch_, or shield of arms. To -present this to any friend is a mark of the highest confidence and -honor. Such an expression of regard, you will remember, the Prince -Remeses bestowed upon me. With it I shall seal this letter, that you -may see its designs in the hieroglyph representation. - -The queen has three Hebrew pages, noble and princely-looking boys, -with fine, sparkling, black eyes, and intelligent faces; but there is -a fixed air of pensiveness about them all, which is perhaps the result -of hereditary oppression. This pensive look I have remarked in Prince -Remeses, whose style of face is very strongly Syriac or Hebraic. -Indeed, I have seen an old Hebrew bondman, a gardener in the palace -garden, by the name of Amram, who is so strikingly like the prince -that I can easily see by him, how Remeses himself will look at eighty -years of age. But this Syriac countenance of Remeses comes from his -grandmother, Ephtha, the daughter of the last Phoenician Pharaoh; -yet it is marvellous he has about him nothing of the Egyptian type. -The Egyptian or Nilotic race, have a sharp and prominent face, in -which a long and straight, or gently aquiline nose forms a principal -part. The eye is sometimes oblique; the chin short and retracted; the -lips rather full and tumid, so to speak; and the hair, when it is -suffered to escape the razor in times of mourning, long and flowing. -The head is elongated upward, with a receding forehead. The profile is -delicate, rather than strong. This style of features and head is -strictly Egyptian, and pertains to every class, from Amense on the -throne to the priests and people. I see it sculptured on all the tombs -and monuments, and carved on the most ancient sarcophagi. The head of -Horus is but a sublimer modification of this type. - -On the contrary, the head of the Hebrew is large and round, with full -brows, a forehead low in front, and high temples. The nose is strongly -eagle-like; the eyes set even, but of an almond-shape--yet large, -full, and exceedingly black, and soft in expression. The chin is full; -the face oval; the hair short, and inclined to curl in the neck and -over the brow. The profile is strong and bold--not unlike the Arabian. -The Egyptian is slender and light; the Hebrew usually below the medium -height, with broad shoulders and full chest. The Egyptian has a pale -reddish-copper complexion--save the women, who are bright -olive-colored--while the Hebrew face is a ruddy and finely toned -brown. The Egyptian females, when not exposed to the sun and outer -door labor, are exceedingly fair. The children of the race are all -beautiful. Prince Remeses does not share a single characteristic of -this Egyptian national head and face; on the contrary, he resembles -the highest type of the Hebrew. Is not this remarkable? That is, is it -not wonderful that the Syriac blood, derived from the Queen Ephtha, -should descend pure to the third generation, unmingled with the -Thebad characteristics of Amunophis, his grandfather? - -I am not aware whether the prince is conscious of his great likeness -to this oppressed people, nor would I be so rude as to speak to him of -it; for though he has sympathy for them, and tries to improve their -condition, yet he possesses that haughty sense of superiority which is -natural, in a prince and an Egyptian educated to despise them both as -foreigners and slaves of the crown. - -The father of Remeses, as I have before said, was the Vicegerent or -Prince of Upper Egypt, and one of the royal line of the powerful -Theban kings. He had been married but a few months to Pharaoh's -daughter, when, being called to repulse an invasion of the warlike -Ethiopians, he was slain in battle. Remeses was born not long -afterwards, and is, therefore in a twofold degree the heir of the -silver crown of the Thebad. Had he been willing to leave his mother, -she would, when he became thirty years old (which is the age of -maturity by the laws of Egypt), have sent him with a splendid retinue -to Upper Egypt, and made him Prince of Thebes, as his father had been -before him. But he chose to remain with the queen, to whom he appears -as much attached as I am to you, my dear mother; and Amense -substituted a nephew of her deceased husband, Prince Moeris, and -placed him, four years since, on the vicegerent throne of the kingdom -of the Upper Nile. - -It was this Prince Moeris, with whom Remeses was to dine in the -palace on the day we drove to the treasure-city of Raamses. I was also -present, dear mother, at the dinner. The Lord Moeris is about the -age of Remeses, but altogether a very different person. He is -thoroughly Egyptian, both in looks and lineage as well as by prejudice -and feeling. - -He has a slender, elegant person; delicate straight features; a high, -retreating forehead; and a nose slightly aquiline. His mouth is -full-lipped and sensual. His retreating chin betrays deficiency of -firmness, and an undue proportion of obstinacy. The expression of his -oblique, Nubian-looking eye, I did not like. It was sinister and -restlessly observant. He was reserved, and while he asked questions -from time to time, he never replied to any. His complexion is a bright -olive, and he is a handsome man; his rich dress increasing the fine -effect of his personal appearance. The uniform he wore was that of -Admiral of the Nile; the queen having appointed him commander of the -great fleet of war-galleys she has collected near Memphis for the -subjugation of Ethiopia. He has, therefore, come down within a few -days to take charge of his ships. The character of this man for -courage is undoubted, but he has the reputation of great cruelty. He -tarries long at the wine-cup, and in his private life is a gross -sensualist. He professes great piety to the gods, and sacrifices -often, with pomp and display. In Memphis yesterday he burned incense -with his own hands to Apis, and to-day he worshipped Mnevis, the -sacred ox of On. - -He was more communicative with me at the dinner than with Remeses. He -expressed the greatest admiration of Phoenicia, praised the -brilliancy of your reign, and the rich commerce of the Isle of Tyre. -He said he had a great reverence for our deities, Astarte, Hercules, -Io, and Isis; for, he asserted that Isis was quite as much a -Phoenician as an Egyptian goddess. "Had he not in Thebes," said he, -"instituted a procession and a rite in honor of the return of Isis -from Phoenicia! We are one in religion, one in commerce, one in -glory," he continued, with fulsome enthusiasm. "Are not our kingdoms -both ruled by queens? Let us draw closer the bonds of alliance, and -together rule the world! You are a free city, your Tyre! never been -conquered! Amunophis would have exacted tribute, but your king -replied: 'Since the foundation of the earth, and the great Deluge -retired from Libanus, Tyre has been free, and will remain free to the -end of days.'" - -I answered, that I trusted the words of my noble grandsire would -remain prophetic forever. He then gave as a toast:-- - -"Phoenicia and Egypt, twin sisters of Isis, and health to their fair -queens!" - -This was well received. Moeris was, however, evidently deep in his -cups, and soon became quarrelsome towards Remeses, to whom he said, -with a sneer-- - -"You and I, prince, when the queen, my aunt, has departed to the -shades of the realm of Osiris, will divide Egypt between us. I will be -content with the Thebad country, and will defend your borders on that -side. Two crowns are too much for one man's head, albeit you have a -large one upon your shoulders!" - -"Prince Moeris," said Remeses, with a look of indignation, "forget -not yourself in my mother's palace!" - -Thus speaking, the son of Amense rose from the table, and I followed -him to the portico which overlooked the gardens. - -"That man, Sesostris," said he to me, after a moment's silence, "would -not hesitate to conspire to the whole throne and both crowns of Egypt, -if he were hopeful of success." - -"He is a man of an evil eye," I said. - -"And heart! But he must not be incensed. He is powerful, and as wicked -as powerful. In a few days he will be on his way to Upper Egypt; and -in this war with Ethiopia, will find an outlet for his restless -ambition." - -"Suppose (the gods guarding your gracious mother, the queen) you -should come to the throne; what, Remeses, would you do with or for -your cousin, your father's nephew? Would you suffer so dangerous a man -to hold the viceroyalty of Upper Nile?" - -"I should wear both crowns, Sesostris," answered Remeses, quietly and -steadily. - -While we were thus conversing, a Hebrew page came, and said: - -"My lord prince, her majesty is taken ill, and desires to have you -come to her." - -"My mother ill!" he exclaimed, with deadly pallor covering his face. -"Pardon me, prince, I must leave you and go to her." And in a moment -he hastened to the wing of the palace occupied by his mother and the -ladies of her retinue. - -The queen had left the table some time before Prince Moeris began to -converse with me, excusing herself on the plea of slight fatigue and -indisposition; for she had passed an hour that day in giving -directions to the chief architect, to whom was intrusted the erection -of her obelisk, outside of the gate of the Temple of the Sun. Remeses -had been gone but a few moments, when I beheld Prince Moeris borne -across the terrace by his servants to his chariot, in a state of -helpless intoxication. - -The illness of the queen was not of an alarming nature, and the next -day she appeared in the saloon, but was very pale. The result is, the -court physicians have advised her to go to her palace on the isle of -Rhoda, in the Nile, as a more salubrious spot than the interior of a -vast city. Remeses accompanied her thither, and the date of my letter, -my dear mother, shows you that I am also still one of the queen's -favored household. Her health continues doubtful, but she is much -improved in appearance by the change. Remeses, with beautiful filial -devotion, passes with her every hour he can spare from the various -pressing duties which demand his personal attention; and preparations -for the Ethiopian war call for all his time as general of the armies. - -Opposite the palace in which I write to you, the plain between the -river and the pyramids is covered with a vast army assembled there -within three days, preparatory to their southern march; while the -bosom of the Nile, for half a league above this palace-covered island, -is almost concealed by war-galleys, which, to the number of one -thousand and upward, are at anchor ready to ascend the river. - -From the lofty west wing of the propylon of the gate of this -island-palace of the Pharaohs, I command not only a prospect of the -fleet, but of the plain of the pyramids outside of Memphis. I have but -to turn slowly round from that elevation, to see On with its three -hundred and sixty temples--its gardens and towers; and Raamses, the -treasure-city, to the east: to the south, the Nile, studded with -barges and gay vessels having silken and colored sails, filled with -citizens, come to look at the fleet of war-ships; the immense squadron -itself, gay with the variegated flags of its different divisions and -captains; with towers, temples, obelisks, and propyla on the two -shores terminating the perspective: and on the west, Jizeh, with its -sphinxes and colossi, its terraced gardens and amphitheatre of the -gods; and still farther off, Memphis united to the Nile by a -magnificent aqueduct; and the pyramids of Cheops and of his daughter. -Between the city and these mysterious mausolea, stands alone, amid -gardens, the red granite temple of Pthah and Athor, the two chief -divinities of Memphis: for Apis, the sacred bull of Memphis, is not a -divinity, properly, but only a visible incarnation of Osiris, the -emblem and type of the power and strength of the Supreme Creator -Imagine this vast and varied scene of architectural and naval glory, -interspersed with verdure of the brightest green, with palm, orange, -and fig trees, garden linked to garden, grove to grove, and villas -half seen through the foliage; and lastly, the mighty river flowing -with shining waves amid the inimitable landscape, and you have before -you a scene of grandeur and beauty such as Egypt alone can produce. -Add the myriads of human beings, the crowded galleys, the thronged -shores, the eighty thousand soldiers encamped on the west plain, the -army of chariots drawn up on the east bank, and farther up, opposite -the aqueduct of Pharaoh Apophis, a battalion of twelve thousand -cavalry manoeuvering, and the scene which I, an hour since, beheld -from the top of the gateway, is before you. - -Since I wrote the last sentence, I have witnessed a naval review, with -a sham battle. The Prince Moeris, in a gorgeous galley decorated -with all the emblems of the cities and nomes of Egypt, after -displaying the skill of his one hundred oarsmen, and the swiftness of -his vessel in front of the palace, before the eyes of the queen, moved -among his ships, and gave orders for their division into lines of -battle. The greater number of these galleys had only a single mast -with a long swallow-winged sail; and were propelled by forty rowers. -But the ships of the captains were larger and more imposing. All the -galleys were handsomely painted, and the whole fleet together made a -splendid moving spectacle, which was heightened by the thousand -bannerets fluttering in the wind, and the ten thousand shields and -spears gleaming in the sun, as they were held in the hands of the -soldiers upon their decks. - -When the signal was given for the two parties to combat, the air was -filled by a loud shout, and a hundred galleys charged each other, just -as did the battalions of chariots in the review I have already -described. The vessels, set in motion by the rowers, were driven -towards each other with terrific velocity. The Abyssinian soldiers -upon the bows, and the bowmen in the tops, shot off flights of arrows, -which sounded like a storm of wind, as they hurtled through the air. -The Libyan spearmen, on the lofty poops, brandished their spears with -wild cries; while the Nubians, amidships, struck their triangular -shields with battle-axes of iron, producing a sound like crashing -thunders. The war bugles and hollow drums beaten on board each vessel -increased the loud confusion, and added to the terror of the scene. -The fall of thousands of oars, the rush of waters from the cleaving -bows, the shouts of the captains, the warlike spirit and -battle-fierceness of the whole, presented a spectacle of sublimity -unequalled. Nor was it without an element of terror. Such was the -excited manner of the simulating combatants, I believed that no -earthly power could prevent a real collision and hand-to-hand conflict -in hot blood, when, at a signal from the Prince Moeris, the rowers -of the leading galleys turned suddenly, as they came within touch of -each other's sweeps, and so, one after another wheeling in line, both -divisions passed down the river, until they moved in parallel columns. -The whole manoeuvre was one of the most wonderful exhibitions of -naval discipline and generalship. Ere the shouts of the people on the -shores and in the numerous pleasure barges had died away, the two -columns, at a signal from the mast of the ship of their admiral, came -side by side, and a battle between the soldiers on opposite decks -commenced--one party attempting to board, the other repelling them. -Not less than six thousand combatants were engaged at once, above the -heads of the banks of rowers. The clash of swords and spears and -battle-axes, and other offensive and defensive weapons, produced a -noise so terrible and grand that I believe there is no other sound on -earth, as well calculated to quicken the pulse and bring out all the -enthusiasm of the soul of a man. I can compare these metallic and iron -tones, only to what might be the sound of the brazen voice of Mars -himself rolling his war-cry along the battle-ranks of his foes. -Suddenly the iron din of war ceased, and separating, one of the -divisions commenced a flight, and the other a pursuit. This scene was -the most exciting of all. The chase was in a direction down the east -side of the island, opposite the queen's window; for all these -exhibitions were given in her honor, and, though by no means well, she -remained upon the terrace during the whole; and it was, perhaps, the -consciousness of their monarch's eye being upon them, that caused -these demi-barbaric soldiers, gathered from all the provinces and -tributary countries of Egypt, to surpass themselves, being ready even, -at her nod, to convert the mock battle into a real one. - -The two fleets, flying and pursuing, moved past the island like a -sirocco. Their lion or eagle-headed prows tossed high in the air -clouds of white spray. The roar of the waters as the vessels ploughed -through them, the dash of the banks of oars, the cries of pursuit, the -whizzing and shrieks of arrows cleaving the air, the shouts of the -contending thousands, and the velocity with which they moved, brought -color to the queen's cheek, and the light of interest to her eyes. It -was now an actual and real trial for mastery in speed; and the contest -partook of all the realities of a war-chase. The two divisions, -rounding the lower end of the island, were hidden by the Temple of -Isis, which crowns it, but soon reappeared on the west arm of the -river, ascending. When they came opposite to the queen, having passed -entirely round the island, they resumed their former line, two or -three with broken banks of oars, and shattered poops or prows from -collision. - -Prince Moeris came on shore to receive the compliments of the queen, -and dined with us. Remeses was not present, being with the cohorts of -cavalry; for he is visiting and inspecting every arm of the service, -as it is intended this shall be the most formidable host that has ever -been sent into Ethiopia. - - Adieu, dearest mother, and believe me - Your truly devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER X. - - -ISLAND PALACE OF RHODA. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -It is with heartfelt pleasure I assure you of the recovery of the -queen. The heart of the noble and devoted Remeses is lightened of a -heavy weight of solicitude. Smiles once more revisit his features, and -cheerfulness replaces his late depression. - -"Sesostris," said he to me this morning, as we were returning in his -galley from a visit to the pyramids and vast city of tombs that -stretch between Memphis and the Libyan hills, "if my excellent and -dear mother had died, I should have been made one of the most unhappy -of men. I shall to-morrow, in testimony of my gratitude, offer in the -Temple of Osiris a libation and incense to the God of Health and Life, -wherever in his illimitable universe such a Being may dwell." - -"Then you would not, my dear Remeses, offer it to Osiris himself?" I -said. - -"You have heard, my friend," he replied, "my views of these mysteries -of faith: that I look, through all material and vicarious -representatives, onward and upward to the Infinite and Supreme Essence -of Life--the Generator, Upholder, and Guide of the worlds and all that -dwell upon them. From a child I have never entered, as my dear mother -does, into the heart and spirit of our worship. There is something -within me which tells me that we consist of a twofold being--a soul -within a body. The soul must have had a Soul as its creator; -therefore, O Sesostris, do I believe in a Supreme Soul of the -universe--the Fountain of all souls; a Being of thought, invisibility, -intelligence, and reason, each supreme and eternal; for I can conceive -no creator of a SOUL, nor end of its existence. Before all things that -actually exist, and before all beings, there is One Being whom I would -designate, for want of another term, God of gods, prior to the first -god or king of earth, remaining unmoved and unapproachable in the -singleness of His own unity. He is greater than, as He was prior to, -all material things, of which He is the sole fountain; and He is also -the foundation of things conceived by the intellect, and from His -intellect spring the spirits of the gods and the souls of men." - -"Then," said I to the prince, to whom I had listened with surprise and -pleasure--for, mother, similar to these are the deep mysteries taught -by our most sacred priests of Io, into which I was initiated when I -became twenty-five years of age--"then you believe that God is -Intellect conceiving itself, and that the creation of man was but the -beginning of an infinite series of resistless conceptions of Himself?" - -"Not resistless, but voluntary. Finding Himself existing, He -multiplied Himself, for His own glory and delight primarily; and -secondly, for the happiness of the offspring of His Intellect." - -"We are then His offspring, that is, our souls?" - -"Without doubt, if my theories be founded in truth," he answered -contemplatively. We were then in mid-river, and the forty-four rowers -of our gilded barge were slowly dipping their brazen-mounted oars into -the glassy water, while with gentle motion we were borne towards the -isle of palaces and terraces. Our heads were shaded from the sun by a -silken pavilion stretched above the stern of the galley, under which -we reclined upon sumptuous cushions as we conversed. Remeses, however, -is by no means a voluntary seeker of luxurious ease; but in Egypt, -where splendor and voluptuous furniture everywhere invite to -indulgence, one must either deprive himself of all comforts, for the -sake of enduring hardship, or yield unchallenging to the countless -seductive forms of couches, lounges, chairs, and sofas, which -everywhere, on the galleys and in houses, offer themselves to his use. - -The air was balmy and soft, and fanned our faces; while the beautiful -shores, lined with villas of the chief men of the court, afforded a -grateful picture to the eye. Our rowers let their sweeps fall and rise -to the low and harmonious time of a river chant, which, while it -inspired conversation between the prince and myself, did not disturb, -but rather veiled our subdued voices. - -"Do you believe there are lesser gods?" I asked. - -"Do you mean, Sesostris, beings higher in rank than men, and so -created, to whom the Supreme Intellect of the Universe delegates a -part of His authority and power over man and nature? Such, in its -purity, is our Egyptian idea of gods." - -"Such is not the Phoenician," I answered, hesitatingly; for I felt -how far in advance of the hero demigods of our Assyrio-Median -mythology was the Egyptian theological conception of a god, while the -still sublimer idea held by Remeses, that they are celestial princes -under the Supreme Prince, created as his servants, yet so far above -men as to be as gods to us, took fast hold of my imagination, and -commended itself to my intellect. - -"What, my dear Sesostris, is the mythology of your country?" he asked, -with a look of deep interest. "I have read some of your sacred books, -and from them I perceive we obtain our myths of Isis, Mars, Hercules, -Vulcan, and even Venus, who is your Astarte and our Athor. We owe much -of our religion and learning to you Tyrians, my Sesostris." - -"The recipient has become mightier than the giver," I replied. -"Without doubt you have received from us the great invention of the -phonetic alphabet, which your scholars are already making use of, -though I learn the priests oppose it as an invasion upon the sacred -writing of the hieroglyphic representations. I have seen here many -rolls of papyrus written in our Phoenician letter, in the vernacular -Koptic words, and executed with taste and beauty." - -"It is not pictorial, and therefore the priests, who are all artists -and lovers of colors, reject it. It will be slowly introduced. Upon -obelisks and tombs the brilliant and varied hieroglyphic writing will -continue, even though the records and rolls may by and by be written -with the Tyrian alphabet. You have seen my Chaldaic letter, which I -have formed partly on the model of your great Kadmus, and partly on -the sacred characters, reducing forms of things to outlines and -strokes of the stylus. This I invented, hoping to introduce it into -Egypt, if the Tyrian letter is opposed by our priests, on the score of -being foreign cabalistic signs; for such do they see fit to regard -them, and speak of them. But, my Sesostris, let me learn of you -something of your mythology." - -I was about to reply, when my attention was attracted to a "procession -of the dead" crossing the river just above us, the body being placed -in a gorgeous car which stood in a richly painted and gilded _baris_, -with a curved prow carved with the head of Osiris. It was tied to a -barge, with twenty rowers, which moved to a slow and solemn strain of -music that came wildly floating across the waters to our ears, mingled -with the wails of mourners who crowded the deck of the galley; chiefly -women with long dishevelled hair and naked breasts, which they beat -frantically at times, with piercing cries. Through a small window in -the ark or car I could see the painted visage upon the head of the -mummy case. - -It soon landed, and we resumed our conversation. - -"You are aware, O prince," I said, turning to him, "that Phoenicia -was settled among the first of the nations, after Typhon sent the -flood of waters to destroy Osiris upon earth. Of course you Egyptians -believe in the universal inundation of the earth?" - -"The tradition is well-founded," he answered. "We believe that mighty -nations existed aforetime, beyond the history of any kingdom, and that -for their evils the Divine Creator of men brought upon them as -punishment a mighty unknown sea, which drowned the world: that Menes, -a great and good king, also called Noe-Menes, was spared by the gods, -he with all his family being saved in a ship of the old world, which -sailed to the mountains of Arabia Deserta, where, guided by a dove, -they landed and sacrificed to the gods. This Menes, descending from -the mountain, founded Egypt, first building This, or Thebis, and then -Memphthis, dividing Egypt into the Thinite and Memphite provinces; and -so from Egypt all the world was repeopled. - -"Such is our tradition, O Remeses," I said, smiling, "only instead of -a mountain in Arabia, it was Libanus, in Syria, to which his galley -was guided, not by a dove, but by a raven; and that his name was -Ammon, or Hammun; and that the first city built was Sidon, and the -next the city of the Island of Tyre." - -Remeses returned my smile and said, "No doubt there was a disposition -in all our forefathers to give the honor of being the oldest nation to -their own. Hammun is also a person in our Egyptian tradition, but is -called the son of Menes; who, rebelling against his father, was driven -from This or Thebis into Africa, where he founded Libya, and erected -to himself, as a god, the ancient temple and worship of Ammon. From -him come the Nubians and Ethiopians." - -"Then I will claim no traditionary alliance with him," I answered -good-humoredly. "_Our_ Ammon was called also Hercules, and the first -temple of the earth was built to him on the rocky isle of ancient -Tyre. Then Belus, the hero and warrior-god, and founder of Babylon, -became the patron of Tyre; and a noble temple was also erected to -Nimrod, who slew the wild beasts that swarmed in ancient Syria, and -who became the protector of shepherds and agriculture. Thus came our -first gods, being men deified; while yours are but attributes, or -created celestial powers, high above men; or animated forms -representing the Deity incarnate and comprehensible to the senses. -Baalbec was a city built to Bel or Belus, who, like your Osiris, is -the symbol of the sun, which, of burnished gold, he displayed upon his -shield in battle. In Phoenicia we call him 'the Lord of the Sun,' -and the 'Sun-God.' We pay him divine honors by sacrifices, libations, -and offerings of incense. And this recalls a discovery I recently made -in On, that the true meaning of Re and of On is not 'the City of the -Sun,' but the 'Lord of the Sun's' city; that is, the city of Osiris, -who is the lord of the sun. This meaning of the name at once removes -from On the impression which was at first made upon my mind, that you, -and the queen, and your whole court, worshipped the sun as the Persic -and Parthian nations do; whereas it is Osiris, the Lord of the Sun, -that is the Supreme god, generator, producer, and creator of the sun -and all things that are. No sooner had I made this discovery, which I -did by conversing with the high-priest of On, than I perceived that -whatsoever grossness may be found in the religion of the lower castes -of the people, who seldom see beyond the symbol, the theology of the -wise and great is free from idolatry." - -"I am glad you justify us in this matter, dear Sesostris," answered -the prince. "We are not idolaters like the Persian and Barbara kings. -Our sacred books teach an intellectual and spiritual theology. But, as -I have before said to you, the Invisible is so veiled from the people, -by the visible forms under which he is offered to them by the -priesthood, that while _we_ adore the God of power and strength in -Apis, _they_ worship the bull himself: while _we_ in the form of -Horus, with his urus and disk, adore Him who made him a benefactor to -men and a pursuer of evil, _they_ bow down to the hawk-headed statue -of porphyry and worship the sculptured colossus of stone. But I -interrupt you. Proceed, if you please, with the account of the origin -of your country's religion." - -"I have not much more to add of interest," I answered, "save of Adonis -and Astarte." - -"Are not these your Osiris and Isis?" asked the prince readily. - -"I will first explain," said I, not immediately answering his -question, "what we in Phoenicia think of Isis. The priests teach -that the identity of the goddess Io, who is worshipped with rites -unusually imposing at Byblos, is one with Isis." - -"What is your opinion, Sesostris?" - -"There is," I answered, "a close resemblance between the rites which -relate to the death and revival of Adonis at Byblos, and of your -divinity Osiris in Egypt. Indeed the priests at Byblos claim to have -the sepulchre of Osiris among them, and maintain that all the rites -which are commonly referred to Adonis properly relate to Osiris." - -"Then Egypt derives Osiris from Phoenicia?" remarked Remeses, with a -slight movement of the brows, and a smile. - -"Without doubt," I replied. "In Tyre we call Egypt the daughter of -Phoenicia." - -"The daughter has out-grown the mother, dear Sesostris. We are proud -of our parentage. We bow to Phoenicia as the mistress of letters and -queen of the merchants of the earth. But what think the priests of -Baalbec of Osiris and Isis?" - -"It is the tradition of those haughty priests that they are distinct -persons," I replied. "The ceremonies and rites with which they worship -these deities are truly magnificent, and are invested with every form -of the beautiful and gorgeous. Ours, as I have said, in some points -resemble your Egyptian rites in honoring Osiris and Isis; but while -you Egyptians, Remeses, adore only an abstract attribute of the deity, -_we_ adore the hero and the heroic woman--Adonis and Astarte. We rise -not beyond them. We elevate them to the heavens and to the moon, and -call them our gods. Truly, in the presence of the sublimer, purer myth -which is the element of your faith, O Remeses, I feel that I am not -far above the Barbara kings of Southern Africa, who deify each his -predecessor. The priests of Isis, when they were in Phoenicia, -attempted to elevate our worship; but we are still idolaters, that is, -mere men-worshippers. Or, where we do not pay them divine honors, we -offer them to the sun, and moon, and stars. I must be initiated, O -Remeses, into the profounder intellectual mysteries of your spiritual -myth, now that I am in Egypt." - -"You shall have your wish gratified. The high priest of On shall -receive orders to open to you (what is closed to all strangers) the -sacred and mystic rites of our faith." - -"I have alluded to the mysteries of the temple at Tyre," I added. -"Initiated thereinto, I was taught that religion had a higher object -than human heroes, and that in Astarte is worshipped the daughter of -Heaven and Light, who is LIFE, and that Adonis, her son by the Earth, -signifies Truth. Thus, from heaven spring Light, Life, and Truth. -These three, say the mystic books which I studied, constitute the -Trinity of God, who consists and subsists only in this undivided -Trinity as a unit; not Light alone, not Life alone, nor Truth alone; -but One in Three. That these three are not three deities, just as in -geometry the three sides and three angles are not three triangles, but -one triangle. That in order to bring this mystery to a level with the -minds of men, light was symbolized by the sun, life by Astarte, truth -by Adonis. In the temple of Bel-Pheor, in Coele-Syria, the sun -itself is worshipped as light, life, and truth in one; his rays -representing light, his heat life, his material disk or body truth." - -"This is interesting to me, Sesostris," said Remeses. "It explains to -me what I did not before understand, why the Syrians worship the sun. -To them it is the majestic symbol of the trinity of deity. But I fear -that in Egypt he is worshipped as an idol; for he, doubtless, is -worshipped by many, and in many cities are temples to him. But this -material worship, which separates the symbol from the truth behind it, -was introduced by the Palestinian dynasty, and it is almost the only -trace it has left in Egypt of its presence. The worship of Osiris, -rightly understood, is the worship of the deity, as revealed in our -sacred books. But the mystery of his trinity is unknown to our -theology. Have you many temples of the sun in Tyre?" - -"One only," was my answer, "but worthy, if I may so say, from its -splendor, to stand in your city of 'the Lord of the Sun,' as I must -call it." - -"Is there not a city of your kingdom called Baal-phegor, in which is a -famous sun-temple?" - -"You mean Baalbec, the same words, only changed slightly. This city -deserves its great fame, so grand are its fanes, so noble its palaces, -so imposing the worship of the sun before its altars, so gorgeous the -interiors of its temples, so rich the apparel of its priests, so -sublime its choral worship. It is in Syrio-Euphrates, and is so shaded -by palms that it has the aspect, in approaching it across the desert, -of being an oasis filled with temples." - -"Is not Phoenicia a lovely land, Sesostris?" he asked, at the same -time returning the salutation of the admiral, Pathromenes, who passed -in his war-galley, on his way to join the Prince Moeris, whose fleet -sails to-morrow on its expedition. I was glad, also, to behold again -my courteous friend of the Pelusian coast, and cordially received and -answered his polite and pleased recognition of my person. - -"It is indeed a lovely land, with its verdant plains, majestic -mountains clothed with cedar, and beautiful but narrow rivers. It is -covered with fair cities from the peninsula of Tyre to the further -limits of Coele-Syria, and is a rich and lovely kingdom, populous -and happy. Its two great cities, Tyre and Sidon, are called the eyes -of the world." - -"I have so heard," he answered, "and when this Ethiopian war ends, and -I find time to be absent, I hope to cross the sea to your kingdom and -see 'the mother of Egypt,' as she also calls herself; 'the merchant of -the seas,' whose galleys have discovered in unknown oceans, beyond the -Pillars of the West, the isles of the blessed." - -"So report our bold and venturous mariners," I answered. - -"We who stay at home, know not, Sesostris, what marvels lie beyond the -seas at the extremity of the plane of the earth's vast area. It is -possible that islands and lands of wonderful beauty may exist where -the sun wheels over the West to return to his rising in the Orient; -and if we credit mariners who follow the shores of the Arabian and -Indian seas, there are fair shores from whence come off to them -breezes laden with fragrance of unknown flowers, while birds of rare -melody fill the air with their songs by day; but at night the odorant -forests echo with the dread roar of fierce monsters, that guard the -shores from the invasion of man!" - -"I have sailed along those shores, if I may be so bold as to speak in -such a presence, my lord prince," interrupted the captain of the -galley, who had stood by listening to our discourse. - -"Say on, Rathos," answered the prince courteously. "What have you to -tell of marvels on foreign seas?" - -"The lands at the earth's end, your excellency, are not like ours of -Egypt. I have seen isles where the men are like larger monkeys, and -have a language no one understands, and build their houses in the -trees. Evil demons I doubt not, or else souls sent back to earth from -Amenthe, by Osiris, to atone for crimes in monstrous forms, neither -human nor beast!" - -"I have heard of these creatures," said I. "How far hast thou sailed, -O Rathos?" - -"To the very edge of the world, my lord of Tyre," he answered quietly. -"I was in a ship going to Farther Ind. In sailing round the end of the -earth we lost the shore in a dark storm; and when day came we saw only -sky and water. All were in consternation to be thus between heaven and -sea, and no land to guide our course. To add to our terror, I -perceived that we were borne swiftly upon an ocean-current eastward. -It increased in velocity, and I soon saw that we must be approaching -the verge of the vast and horrid gulf, over which the full ocean -plunges, a thousand leagues in breadth, prone into chaos and the -regions of the lost spirits of the unburied souls of men! But by the -interposition of the god of winds, to whom I vowed a libation and a -bale of the richest spices of Bengal, a great storm swept over the sea -against us, and before it we fled as with wings, until we came to a -great island, under the shelter of which we anchored, rejoicing in our -safety." - -"Verily, brave Rathos, thou wert in a great peril," I said. "Thinkest -thou it was at the world's end?" - -"So said the king of the island, and he congratulated us on our -escape; saying that few ships, when once upon that downward tide, ever -returned again to the top of the earth." - -"Thinkest thou the earth is square, Rathos, from what voyages thou -hast made?" I asked of the gray-haired captain, whose silvery locks -were braided around his head, and covered by a green embroidered -bonnet, with a fringed cape falling to his neck. - -"Or a triangle, my lord prince; but some say four square, with a -burning mountain at each angle." - -"Which is thine own opinion, Rathos?" asked the prince, who had been -listening to our conversation. - -"That it is irregular and jagged, my lord of Egypt, in shape not -unlike this fair Isle of Rhoda, at which we are about to land." - -"And what thinkest thou, Rathos, is its foundation?" continued the -prince. - -"The Indian wise men say it is held up on the back of a huge tortoise; -and our priests of Egypt that it floats in a vast ocean; while in -Jaffa they teach that it floats on a boundless sea of fire. I know -not, my lord prince. I leave knowledge of such wisdom to the great -philosophers; and for my part am content to live upon our fair earth -as long as the gods will, be it fire, or tortoise, or even though it -stand on nothing, as the people in Persia hold that it does. But we -are at the terrace-steps, my lord of Memphis!" - -Here he bowed low, holding his hand to his heart, and left us to -superintend the landing of the galley, at the porphyry staircase of -the propylum of the palace. - -"Sesostris," said the prince to me, "has the idea occurred to you that -this world may be a globe, suspended in subtle ether, and in diurnal -revolution around the _fixed_ sun?" - -"Never, Remeses!" I cried, with a look of amazement at this bold and -original thought. "It is impossible it should be so!" - -"Nothing is impossible with the Author of creation!" said Remeses, -with great solemnity. And, then, after an instant's pause, he added -pleasantly--"On what does the sea of fire or the tortoise rest, my -dear prince? Which theory is the most difficult to receive? But I have -given astrology considerable attention, and if you will examine with -me some observations and calculations that I have made, I think you -will be with me in my novel opinion, that this earth _may prove_ to be -a sphere and in orbitual motion, with its seven planets, about the -sun; its annual progress in its circuit giving us seasons, its diurnal -motion night and day! But I see you stand perplexed and amazed. By and -by you shall be initiated into the mysteries of my studies. Let us -land!" - -Farewell, dear mother. The great length of this letter renders it -necessary that I should close it abruptly, but believe me ever - - Your dutiful son, - SESOSTRIS - - - - -LETTER XI. - - -PALACE OF RHODA, ON THE NILE. - -MY BELOVED MOTHER: - -In my last letter I narrated a conversation between Prince Remeses and -myself, upon the myths of Egypt and Phoenicia, and other subjects, -while being borne in his galley from the Memphis bank of the river -down to the Island of Rhoda. I have already described this beautiful -isle, and spoken of it as the favorite residence of the queen. It is -situated nearly midway between her two chief cities, On and Memphis, -both of which--one on the west and the other on the east--are in sight -from the top of the central pylon of her palace, that divides the -"court of fountains and statues" from her gardens. - -Also from this point the queen commands, at one view, the noble -spectacle of her navy anchored in the river, and her armies encamped, -the one on the plain of Memphis, and the other upon that of Raamses. - -I wrote you a letter day before yesterday, my dear mother, after my -return from a very interesting visit to the plain of Memphis, whither -the prince went in his state barge to review the 80,000 soldiers -encamped there. I will devote this letter to an account of a second -visit, and a description of the scenes I witnessed, and a narration of -the events which transpired. - -Early this morning, when the queen and Remeses and I were about to be -seated at our repast; and, as the pious custom of the Egyptians of all -ranks is, Remeses having just asked the blessing of the gods before -partaking, lo! Prince Moeris, lord of the Thebad, came in -unannounced, accompanied by his favorite lion, which always follows -his steps or stalks by his side, and said, with bluntness unsuited to -the presence-- - -"Your majesty, I have come to say to you that I am ready to weigh -anchor and commence my voyage to the Cataracts! I await your orders -and pleasure!" - -Thus speaking, he stood with his head-admiral and half a dozen of his -chief officers behind him in the entrance, his sword at his side, and -his gold helm with its nodding plumes towering proudly. His whole -appearance was singularly splendid and martial, and he seemed to be -conscious of the effect the striking elegance and brilliancy of his -costume produced upon me; for, though brave as Osirtasen the -Conqueror, he is as vain as ever was the fair Princess Nitocris. - -Queen Amense, who enjoined the strictest etiquette in her court, -frowned at this discourteous intrusion; for the nobles of Lower Egypt -are remarkable by the grace and refinement of their manners, and the -court of the Pharaohs has for ages been distinguished for the high -tone of its polite observances. From portico to saloon, from saloon to -ante-room, from ante-room to reception-room, and so onward to the -deepest recesses of the palace or house, the guest is ushered by -successive pages, until the chief steward or grand-chamberlain admits -him into the presence of the lord of the mansion, who already, by a -swift page, has been informed of the advance of the visitor. In no -case are these formalities dispensed with by persons of high breeding. -Breaking through all such ancient and social ceremonies, the rude -Theban viceroy came before her as I have described. The brow of -Remeses darkened, but he preserved silence. - -"I am glad, prince, that you have been so diligent," said Amense, -coldly. "When will you depart?" - -"Within the hour, my royal aunt. If Remeses, my warlike cousin, wishes -to co-operate with me at Thebes, he will not long delay marching his -army forward. I hear, by a swift galley just arrived, that the fierce -Ethiopian king, Occhoris, with half his mighty host, has already dared -to enter the Thinite province, and menaces Thebes!" - -"There is no time for delay, then," cried Remeses, rising from the -table, leaving the grapes, figs, and wheaten rolls untouched. -"Farewell, my mother!" he said, embracing her. "In a few weeks I shall -return to you with tidings that the scourge of your kingdom has -perished with his armies!" - -I will not describe the tenderness of the parting between the queen -and Remeses, whom she would have held, refusing to release him, if he -had not gently disengaged himself, taken up his sword and helmet, and -hastened from the apartment. Prince Moeris, with a haughty bow to -the queen, for whom he seems to entertain bitter dislike, had already -taken his departure with his captains at his heels. I followed -Remeses, and together we crossed to the shore on the side of On, and -there meeting chariots, we were in a short time in the midst of the -war-camp of his chariot legions. They were encamped several stadia -south of On, on the plain beyond Raamses. Here, in the little Temple -of Horus, on the terrace of which we held our conversation about the -Hebrews as we paced its long pavement (and which I have already -repeated to you), the prince with his chief captains offered libations -and burned incense, invoking the favor and aid of Heaven on the -expedition. He then gave his orders to his generals of division, -chiefs of legions, and captains; and the whole host, forming in column -of march, moved forward towards the south, with trumpets sounding and -the rumbling thunder of thousands of wheels of iron. Seeing that they -were all in motion--each battalion under its own head-captain--the -prince took boat to cross the Nile to the plain of Memphis, in order -to put in motion the army of horse and foot there encamped. On our way -over, we saw the van of the fleet of the Prince of Thebes coming up -the broad river in stately style, fifty abreast, propelled by -innumerable oars. It was a brave and battle-like front, and what with -pennons flying, spears and shields gleaming from their poop-decks and -mast-towers, and the brazen or gilt insignia of hawks', eagles', -lions', or ibis' heads rising upon a thousand topmasts, and all -catching the sunbeams, the spectacle was singularly impressive. - -"There comes a prince, my Sesostris," said Remeses to me, as he -surveyed the advancing front of war, "who, if I should fall in this -Ethiopian expedition, will be Pharaoh of Egypt when my mother dies." - -"The gods forbid!" I exclaimed with warmth. - -"He is the next of blood. It is true, my mother could, by will, -alienate her crown and confer her sceptre upon any one she chose to -adopt. Indeed, I now remember that, by our laws, it would be necessary -for her publicly and ceremoniously adopt him as her son before he -could reign--since a nephew, by the ancient Memphitic law regulating -succession, cannot inherit. Moeris would, therefore, have to be -adopted." - -"Then he would never reign," I said. - -Remeses remained silent a moment. Resuming, he said, with a tone of -indignant emotion-- - -"Sesostris, my mother fears that evil young prince. He possesses over -her an inexplicable power. To this influence he owes his elevation, -from being a mere governor of Sas, to the viceroyalty of Upper Egypt. -He would not fail, should I fall, to exert his mysterious power over -her mind, and his ambition would prompt him to aim at even the throne -of all Egypt. But let us mount!" he added, as we touched the shore. - -A score of horsemen, armed with long spears, were in waiting. Remeses -and I mounted horses already provided; and, at a wave of his hand, the -whole party dashed off along the avenue of the aqueduct, a magnificent -thoroughfare, two miles in length, bordered by palm-trees, with, at -intervals, a monolith statue of red Syenite granite, or an obelisk, -casting its needle-like shadow across the wide, paved road. At the end -of this avenue, which leads straight from the river to the pyramids, -we turned south, and before us beheld, spread out as far as the eye -could reach, the tented field of the vast Egyptian host, cavalry and -footmen of all arms, languages, and costumes, belonging to the nations -tributary to Egypt. I had visited this vast camp the preceding day. It -covered a league of ground, presenting a sea of tents, banners, -plumes, spears, and shining helms. As we came in sight, a trumpeter -sounded a few loud notes to proclaim the presence of the -prince-general. We dashed up to the central pavilion, on the summit of -which the winged sun of burnished gold showed that the army was to -march under the particular guardianship of the god. From the summit of -the staff of other handsome tents, the emblems of generals and chiefs -of battalions were displayed in the form of silver hawks' heads, the -brazen head of a lion or wolf, or the heads of the ibis, crocodile, -and vulture. Each phalanx thus marched under and knew its peculiar -emblem, following its lead in the column of advance on the march, and -rallying around it in the midst of battle. - -Prince Remeses was in a few moments surrounded by his generals and -chief warriors, to whom he made known the advance of the Ethiopian -king, Occhoris, upon Thebes,--intelligence of which he and the queen -had received by a mounted messenger, while Prince Moeris, who had -come to announce it also, was in her apartment. In a few words he made -known his orders to each general in succession, who, making a low -military obeisance, by bowing the head and turning the sword-point to -the earth, instantly departed to their divisions. The general-in-chief -in immediate command he retained by his side, with his gorgeous staff -of officers. In a few minutes all was life and movement throughout the -tented field. In four hours the whole army--their tents struck and -conveyed to barges, together with all other military impediments not -necessary for the soldiers on their march--was formed into a hollow -square on the plain, twenty thousand men on each side facing inward to -a temple of their war-god, Ranpo-re, which stood on the plain. This -was a small but beautiful temple, or marble pavilion, in the form of a -peristyle, with brazen columns, dedicated to the Egyptian Mars. It was -erected in this martial plain by Amunophis I., for the purpose of -sacrifices and oblations, and of offering libations and incense for -armies assembled about it before marching on warlike expeditions. The -circle of columns was cast from the shields and weapons which he had -taken in his Arabian and Asiatic wars. - -The chief priest of Mars, who is a prince in rank, and allied to the -throne, attended by more than one hundred inferior priests, advanced -from the inner shrine upon a marble terrace, in the centre of which -stood the iron-columned pavilion that inclosed the shrine of the god. -He was attired in a grand and imposing costume, having a tiara, -adorned by a winged sun sparkling with jewels, and the sacred urus, -encircling his brows. He wore a flowing robe of the whitest linen, -descending to his feet. A loose upper cape of crimson, embroidered -with gold, and having flowing sleeves, was put on over the robe. Still -above this was a breastplate of precious stones, in the form of a -corselet, while the tiara partook also of the martial form, being -shaped like a helmet, with the sacred asp of gold projecting in front -as a visor. Above all this, hanging from his left shoulder, was a -splendid leopard's skin, heavy with a border of closely woven rings of -gold. As he advanced, he extended in his right hand a short sword, the -hilt of which was a crux, or the sacred cross-shaped Tau, surmounted -by a ball, the whole being an emblem of life; while in his helmet -towered, as symbols of truth and order, two ostrich feathers--the -evenness and symmetry with which the feathery filaments grow on each -side of their stem having suggested to the Egyptians the adoption of -this emblem; for order and truth, according to Egyptian philosophy, -are the foundation and preservation of the universe. - -Having reached the front of the lofty terrace, upon which was an altar -of brass, he raised his left arm by throwing back the superb -leopard-skin mantle; and, elevating his commanding form to its full -grandeur, he turned slowly round, pointing heavenward with his left -hand, and holding his sword, as it were, over the army as he turned, -until with it he had swept the circle of the horizon. This was an -invocation to all the gods for a blessing upon the assembled hosts. -During the act, every general bowed his head as if to receive it, -every soldier lowered his weapon, and at its conclusion, all the music -bands in the army before him simultaneously burst into an overwhelming -sound--drums, trumpets, cornets, cymbals, filling the air with their -mingled roll! Silence deep as night then succeeded; and the -high-priest, facing the shrine, stood while a company of priests -rolled out from the door of the temple the statue of the god, clad in -full armor of steel, inlaid with gold, a jewelled helmet upon his -head, and a spear in his right hand. It was of gigantic size, and -standing in an attitude of battle, upon a lofty chariot of burnished -brass, with wheels of iron. It was an imposing and splendid figure, -and a just image of war. The priests, who wheeled the car out of the -temple, having drawn it once all around the terrace, so that the whole -army could behold the mailed and helmeted god (whose presence they -hailed by striking their swords upon their shields, or swords against -swords), stopped in front of the prince-priest. He then prostrated -himself before it, the profoundest silence and awe prevailing during -the few moments he remained upon his face at the feet of the deity. - -When he rose and turned to the west, the Prince Remeses and all his -captains advanced to the steps of the pyramidal base on which the -temple was elevated. Each captain was followed by a Nubian slave, -bearing in a sacred vase the offering of his own phalanx of soldiers. -Remeses bore in his hand a costly necklace, dazzling with precious -stones, the offering of his mother. The generals and captains came -with flowers, chains of gold the lotus-leaf made of ivory, and -sparkling with jewels scattered upon it in imitation of dewdrops. Some -bore swords, and spears, and plumes. - -Remeses, at the head of his officers, ascended the steps and presented -to the priest his mother's offering, which he placed over the head of -the god. He then laid a sword, brought for the purpose, at the feet of -the statue; but, as he afterwards explained to me, and as I -understood, not as an offering to a mythical Mars, but to the Infinite -God of armies, whom the statue symbolized; yet I could see that the -greater part of his officers paid their homage and made their -offerings to the mere material statue. Such is the twofold idea -attached, either by one or another class of devotees, dear mother, to -all worship in Egypt. They do one thing and mean another; of course I -speak of the priests, princes, and philosophers. As for the people, -they mean what they do when they offer a libation or an invocation to -a statue. - -When the chief captains had presented their offerings, and the -high-priest had either decorated the god with them, or laid them upon -the altar of brass, then came the Nubian slaves, laden with the gifts -of the soldiers. There were sixty of these offering-bearers, and in -procession they ascended the terrace, each with a painted earthen vase -upon his shoulder. One after another they deposited them around the -over-burdened altar and descended to the plain, not daring to lift -their eyes to the god, so near to whose presence they came. It was my -privilege to stand always by the side of Remeses, who desired me to -witness the scene. - -The vases contained every imaginable article that, at the moment, a -common soldier might have about his person. There were rings of -silver, of copper, of wood, of glass; dried figs, tamarinds, dates, -and raisins; garlics, leeks, onions, bits of inscribed papyrus, -palm-leaves, flowers innumerable, scarabi of burnt clay, pebbles, and -metal; seeds of the melon and radish, and incense-gum; little clay -images of Mars, of various weapons, and of Osiris. There were also -myrrh, resin, and small pots of ointment; pieces of iron, fragments of -weapons, locks of hair, shreds of linen, and bits of ostrich feathers; -beans, sandal-clasps, charms, amulets, and even tiny bottles of wine. -Indeed, to enumerate what met my eyes in the vases, which the common -soldiers in their piety voted to the god, praying for a successful -campaign, would fill the page on which I write, and give you the name -of nearly every thing to be found in Egypt. - -When all these offerings had been received by the high-priest, and -while the prince and his officers stood some paces to one side, he -stood before the altar: and one article from each vase being brought -to him, he laid it upon the altar, and then, in a solemn manner, -invoked the god, asking him to accept the offerings of this great -army, and of its prince and captains, and to grant them victories over -their foes, and a return to their queen crowned with conquest and -glory. - -In his prayer I could see that he elevated his noble countenance to -the heavens, as if, in his mind, mentally overlooking the inanimate -statue before him, and directing his thoughts to the Invisible and -Supreme Dweller in the secret places of His universe beyond the sun! -Remeses stood in a devotional attitude, but with his thoughtful brow -bent to the ground. I could perceive, now that we had conversed so -much together upon these divine things, that he was worshipping, in -the depths of his heart, the God of gods, wherever that Dread and -Mighty Power is enthroned on the height of His universe, or the wings -of the imagination can go out to Him and find Him. - -The great invocatory prayer ended, the high-priest received from -Remeses a votive crystal box of the fragrant Ameracine ointment--a -gift so costly and precious that only the princes and the priests are -permitted to possess it--and broke it upon the breast of the god, -anointing him in the name of the people of Egypt. The odor filled all -the air. A priest then handed to him a golden cup richly chased with -sacred symbols, and another, filling it from a vase of wine, the -offering of the chief Archencherses, who is next in military rank to -Remeses, he elevated it a moment, and poured it out at the feet of the -god as a libation for the hosts. Some other interesting ceremonies -followed, such as consecrating and presenting a sword to the prince, -and the touching of the altar by all the chiefs with the points of -their weapons as they passed it in descending to the field, the -high-priest sprinkling each one of them with sacred water from the -Nile. The last act of sacrifice--for, though bloodless, the Egyptians -term the whole rite a sacrifice to the god--was by Remeses. The -high-priest placed in his hands a censer--for the prince, by virtue of -his rank, is a royal priest; and Remeses, accepting it with reverence, -cast upon the live coals of palm-wood a quantity of incense. Then -approaching the altar, he waved it before it until clouds of smoke -rose into the air and enveloped his head. - -At this moment, the most sacred one of the whole scene, there appeared -advancing from the pavilion-temple a beautiful maiden, the daughter of -the high-priest. She was arrayed in a pure white robe, which floated -about her in the wind like a cloud. Over her shoulders was thrown a -crimson scarf, on which was embroidered the cartouch of the god. Her -rich, flowing hair was bound about her stately brow by a crown of -flowers, above which rose a silver helm with a crest of emeralds -and sapphires, in imitation of the feathery coronet of the -bird-of-paradise. Her face was wonderfully beautiful, her dark eyes -beamed with love and joy, and her form was the impersonation of grace. - -As she advanced, the priests on either side drew back with their hands -crossed upon their foreheads, and their heads bent lowly before her -presence. Coming forward between the two rows of officials, she shook -in the air above her head a small temple bell called the _sistrum_, -which emitted the sweetest and clearest melody. This little musical -instrument is sacred to the services of the temples, and the sound of -it is the signal for the beginning or ending of every rite. That which -was now borne by the high-priest's daughter consisted of a cylindrical -handle of pearl, surmounted by a double-faced head of ivory, one side -being that of Isis, the other of Nephthys. From this twofold head rose -a silver almond-shaped bow about five inches high, inlaid with gold -and precious stones. In this bended loop of metal were inserted four -metallic bars in the shape of asps, upon the body of which were -loosely strung several silver rings, As the maiden held this beautiful -instrument in the air, and shook it, the rings, moving to and fro upon -the bars, produced the clear bell-like sounds I have mentioned. In -ancient times so great was the privilege of holding the sacred sistrum -in the temple, it was given to the queens; and on great occasions -Amense has performed this high office. On an obelisk, now old, the -daughter of Cheops is represented holding the sistrum while the king -is sacrificing to Thoth. Though I have said little about the Egyptian -females, as in truth I have seen but little of them, yet I ought not -to omit to tell you that some of the most sacred offices are intrusted -to distinguished women, in the services of temples. I have seen not -only priests' daughters, but ladies of rank and eminent beauty, -holding these places; and in On there is a band of noble young ladies -having the distinguished title of "Virgins of the Sun," who devote -their lives until they are thirty years of age, to certain principal -services of the temples of Osiris and Isis. Indeed, my dear mother, in -Egypt woman is singularly free, and regarded as man's companion and -equal. She is respected and honored, both as wife and mother, and her -social relations are of the most unrestrained and agreeable kind. In -all houses, she is prepared gracefully to do honor to her lord's -guests; and while she is devoted to domestic duties, prides herself -upon her skill and taste at home; abroad, at banquets and evening -festivals, which are frequent, and where there is music and dancing, -she shines with all the charms she can borrow from splendor of attire, -or derive from inherent loveliness of person; while a profusion of -jewels upon her hands and neck reveal her wealth and rank. - -When the prince saw her advancing, he approached the statue with his -censer, and waving it once in the sight of the army, hung it upon the -spear of the god. The sistrum sounded as the incense rose, and every -man of that vast host bent his knee for a moment! Then the high-priest -commenced a verse of a loud chant in a sonorous voice. The one hundred -priests marching, in procession around the god, answered antiphonally -with one voice in a part; and, the whole army catching up the hymn, -the very pyramids seemed to tremble at the thunder of eighty thousand -deep voices of men rolling along the air. Then Remeses chanted a few -stirring words of this national and sacred war-hymn, the high-priest -answered, the maiden's clear voice rose in a melodious solo, the -hundred priests caught up the ravishing strain as it melted from her -lips in the skies, and again the great army uttered its voice! My -heart was oppressed by the sublimity. Tears of emotion filled my eyes. -I never was more deeply impressed with the majesty of the human voice, -united in a vast multitude, uttered as the voice of one man. The -combined voice of the human race--if such a thing could be--must be -like the voice of God when He speaks! - -The invocation and sacrifice were over. Remeses embraced the priest, -and receiving his blessing, in a few minutes every chief captain had -joined his battalion, and at the cry of trumpets and cornets, sounded -all over the plain, and echoed back from Cheops, the whole host formed -in columns of march. Remeses, I being in his company, galloped forward -and took a position on an elevation, from which he reviewed the whole -army as it tramped by. The fleet was in parallel motion at the same -time, and I saw the splendid galley of the Prince Moeris, with its -colored silken sails, and golden beak, gallantly ascending the river. -He stood upon the poop; a tame lion crouched by his side, on the tawny -shoulders of which he rested one foot as he gazed at us. The division -of cavalry was the last in moving, and trotted past us in splendid -array. This arm of the service is not large, nor much relied on in -Egypt. The chariots of iron, to the hubs of which terrible scythes are -sometimes fastened on the eve of battle, and the bowmen and spearmen, -have always been the main dependence of the kings in their wars. - -Ethiopia, against which this great army is moving by water and land, -is in a state of civilization and political power not greatly inferior -to Egypt. It has vast cities, noble temples, extensive cultivated -regions, adorned with palaces and villas; it has a gorgeous but -semi-barbaric court, a well-disciplined army, and skilful generals. It -is a race allied by blood and lineage to that of Egypt, and is not to -be confounded with Nubia and the pure Africanic kingdoms. In religion -it is idolatrous, and hostile to the worship of Egypt. A supposed -title, by a former conquest, to the crown of Thebes, has made Ethiopia -for three centuries the hereditary foe of Egypt. - -The Egyptian army is divided into sections, formed and distinguished -according to the arms they bear. They consist, like ours, of bowmen, -spearmen, swordsmen, macemen, slingers, and other corps. There are -captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, fifties, and tens. When -in battle-array, the heavy foot-soldiers, or infantry armed with -spears, and a falchion, or other similar weapon, are drawn up in the -form of an impenetrable phalanx; and once this massive wall of ten -thousand men formed, it is fixed and unchangeable; and such is its -strength, one hundred men on each front, and one hundred deep, no -efforts of any of the enemies of Egypt have been able to break it. -Presenting a wall of huge shields lapping and interlocked, resting on -the ground, and reaching to their heads, the missiles of the foe -rattle against it as against the steel-sheathed side of one of their -battle-ships. The bowmen, slingers, javelin-men, and lighter troops -act in line, or dispose themselves according to the nature of the -ground, or the exigency of the moment. There is a corps armed with -battle-axes and pole-axes, having bronze blades ornamented with heads -of animals. These wear quilted helmets, without crests, which -effectually protect the head. The chariot battalions are drawn up to -charge and rout the enemy's line, and the cavalry follow to slay the -resisting, and pursue the flying. Each battalion has its particular -standard, which represents a sacred subject--either a king's name on -his cartouch or painted shield, a sacred baris, a hawk, or a feather. -The chief standard-bearer is a man of approved valor, and an officer -of the greatest dignity, and stands next to the chief in rank. He is -distinguished by a gold necklace collar, on which are represented two -lions and an eagle--emblems of courage. The troops are summoned to all -movements by the sound of the trumpet and the long drum, with other -instruments. - -The offensive weapons of the army are the bow, spear, javelin, sling, -a short, straight sword, a dagger, broad knife, falchion, battle-axe, -spear-axe, iron-headed mace, and a curved club adopted from the -Ethiopians. Their defensive arms consist of the helmet, either of -iron, bronze, brass, silver, or plaited gold, according to the rank of -the wearer; usually without a crest, and extending to the shoulders, -in a collar or hood of chain-mail, protecting the neck; they wear also -a cuirass of metal plates, or quilted with bands of polished iron, and -an ample shield, of various forms, but usually that of a funeral -tablet, or a long and narrow horseshoe. This piece of armor is the -chief defence. It is a frame covered with bull's or lion's hide, bound -with a rim of metal, and studded with iron pins. The archers wear no -bucklers, but corselets of scale-armor. - -I will now end this long letter, my dear mother, and my description of -Egyptian armies, by naming the nations of which it was made up. As I -sat upon my horse by the side of the prince, surveying the marching -columns as they moved southward, I distinguished the tall, -Asiatic-looking Sharetanian by his helmet ornamented with bull's -horns, and a red ball for a crest, his round shield, and large -ear-rings--a fierce race, once the foes but now the allies of Egypt; -the bearded Tokkari from beyond the horns of the Arabian Sea, armed -with a pointed knife, and short, straight sword, with arched noses and -eagle eyes,--also once enemies of the queen, but now added to her -armies; an unknown people, with tall caps, short kilt and knife-girdle -of lion's hide, an amulet of agate on the neck of every -man--strangers, with wild, restless eyes, and fierce looks; the -swarthy Rebos, with his naked breast and shoulders, and long -two-headed javelin; the Pouonti, with faces painted with vermilion, -and cross-bows with iron-headed arrows, archers that never miss their -mark. There marched by, also, the relentless Shari, who neither ask -nor give quarter to their enemies, their masses of black hair bound up -in fillets of leather, and skull-caps of bull's hide on their heads, -whose weapons are clubs and short daggers. Other bands, differing in -costume and appearance, continued to pass, until it seemed that the -queen's army had in it representatives of all nations tributary to -Egypt. - -Continuing with Remeses a day's march, I then parted from him to -return to the palace, promising, as soon as I had seen Lower Egypt, I -would ascend the Nile and meet him at Thebes. - -Farewell, dearest mother; may the gods of our country preserve you in -health. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XII. - - -PALACE OF THE PHARAOHS, MEMPHIS - -MY HONORED AND VERY DEAR MOTHER: - -In my last letter I was particular in describing to you the armies of -Egypt, as I have not forgotten the interest you take in the discipline -of your own, nor that once you led in your chariot a battle-charge -when your kingdom was invaded by the king of the Elamites. In Egypt, -which is truly a warlike country, one cannot but be inspired by the -military spirit. Not only is she the school to all the world of -astronomy, sculpture, physic, astrology, and magic, but also of arms. - -In the army, recently departed for Ethiopia, I saw many young lords -and princes and heroes, strangers, who accompany the expedition to -learn the art of war. The Egyptians are eminent in planning and -executing sieges, and few fortified towns can resist their -war-engines. - -From my description in the last letter, you would suppose that Egypt -is now emptied of its soldiers. On the contrary, there is a garrison -in every city, and a fortress filled with troops in every one of the -thirty or more nomes. Besides, there are all over the country, where -the Hebrews are congregated, lesser detachments, who keep vigilant -guard over this toiling nation in bondage. The queen is also at war -with a prince of Arabia Deserta, and an army of twelve thousand men, -four hundred chariots, and a thousand horsemen, have recently marched -against him. Egypt is powerful enough to combat the combined world. -Her forces are not less than four hundred thousand trained warriors of -all arms, besides sixteen thousand chariots of iron. Power, thrift, -activity, and energy characterize Egypt. The wise, courageous, firm -rule of the queen has contributed to this. What she has brought to -such glory and perfection, Remeses, when he comes to the throne, will -preserve and perpetuate. - -The mention of my noble friend reminds me that he is no longer near -me. The army has been in motion southward eight days, and he has -written to the queen, and also to me, speaking of the prosperity -attending their advance. The fleet had not kept up with the army of -foot, while the chariot legion on the east bank has gone far in -advance and encamped. Every day, incense is burned, and intervention -made in all the temples, for the success of the expedition. - -In the mean while, my dear mother, I will devote my letters to daily -scenes around me. - -The queen's health is now firmly established, and she extends to me -the kindness and, I may say, affection, which she would to a son; but -I am conscious that I am so honored as the friend of her absent son, -who, at parting from me a stadium above Memphis, said: - -"My Sesostris, be near my mother, and in the pleasure of your society, -let her regrets at my absence find compensation. When you have seen -all of Lower Egypt, come to the Thebad, and go with me and my army -into Ethiopia." - -I promised that I would follow him by and by; but now I am engaged in -seeing the wonders of Memphis, and those marvels of ages--those -"temples of the gods"--the mighty pyramids. I will soon devote a -letter to an account of my first visit to Memphis and the pyramids. It -was made a day or two after we came to reside in the palace at Rhoda. -Remeses, though hourly occupied, had kindly promised he would -accompany me to the city of Apis, and there place me in charge of a -son of the priest of the temple. I arose the following morning a few -minutes before sunrise, in order to be prepared to go early. My window -looked forth upon On, a league and a half distant, with its grand -avenue of columns, sphinxes, obelisks, and towering propyla clasping -it to the shining river. The splendor of that morning, my dear mother, -I shall never cease to remember. The atmosphere of Egypt is so -crystalline, that light lends to it a peculiar glow. As I looked -eastward, the skies had the appearance of sapphire blended with dust -of gold; and from the as yet invisible sun, a gorgeous fan of radiant -beams, of a pale orange-color, spread itself over the sky to the -zenith. Not a cloud was visible; nor, indeed, have I seen one since I -have been in Egypt. This magnificent glory of the Orient steadily grew -more and more wonderful for beauty and richness of colored light, -when, all at once, the disk of the bright god of day himself -majestically rolled up into sight, filling heaven and earth with his -dazzling and overpowering light, while the golden shield on the temple -of the sun caught and reflected his rays with almost undiminished -brilliancy. - -As I regarded with delight this sublime sunrise, there came borne to -my ears, from the direction of the temple of Osiris, in Memphis, the -sound of music. Walking round the terrace to that side, I heard the -voices of a thousand priests chanting the morning hymn to the god of -light, the dazzling "Eye of Osiris." Then I recollected that this was -the day of the celebration of the revival or resurrection of Osiris, -one of the most important days in the sacred calendar. The whole city -seemed to be in motion, and boats garlanded with flowers, and filled -with gayly attired people, were crossing to the city and temple at -every point. Music from a hundred instruments filled the air, which -seemed to vibrate with joy and delight. The city of Apis had on its -gala apparel, and all the world was abroad to welcome the sun-rising -and join in the processions. - -Remeses joined me while I was watching the scene, and listening to the -grand waves of harmony as they rolled away from the temple and sounded -along the air in majestic volumes of sound. - -"I see you are interested, my Sesostris, in this enlivening scene. It -is a day of rejoicing to the worshippers of Osiris." - -"It seems, my dear prince," I replied, "as if every day I have passed -in Egypt has been a festival to some of its deities." - -"Our year is more than two thirds of it consecrated to the gods; that -is, supposing a day given to each, the most of the year is religious. -We are a people given to piety, so far as we understand. All our works -are consecrated by prayer or sacrifice; and whether we go to war, or -engage in merchandise, build a palace or a tomb, prayer and oblation -precede all. Are you ready to go to the city and pyramids as soon as -we break our fast? My mother has invited us to breakfast with her." - -I expressed my readiness, and we left to seek the presence of the -queen. As we entered, she was superintending a piece of embroidery of -the richest colors, which three maidens were at work upon at one end -of the apartment. They remained a few minutes after our entrance, -glancing at us timidly, yet curiously and archly. When their royal -mistress had received us, she made a slight gesture with her hand, and -the dark-eyed girls, disappearing behind a screen, left the apartment. -I had time to see that they were very young, of an olive, brunette -complexion, with braided and tastefully arranged dark-brown hair, -their slender persons habited in neat vestures of mingled colors, -fitting the form, but open in front, displaying a soft, fine linen -robe, with loose, fringed sleeves. They had ear-rings, and numerous -finger-rings, and gilt, red, gazelle-leather sandals, laced with gay -ribbons across the small, naked foot. These, as the queen informed me, -belonged to families of officers of the palace. One of them, the -tallest, and who was most striking in her appearance, had eyes of -wonderful beauty, the effect of the expression of which was deepened -by painting the lids with a delicate shade of cohol. She was the -daughter of the royal scribe, Venephis, and her own name is Venephe; -and here, my dear mother, since you asked me in your last letter why I -am so silent upon the subject of Egyptian ladies, I will devote a -little space to them. But you know that my heart so wholly belongs to -the lovely Princess Thamonda, the daughter of the Prince of Chaldea, -that it is entirely insensible to any impressions which the high-born -Egyptian maids might otherwise make upon it. I will, however, learn -more of them by seeking their society, my dear mother, and -henceforward will give them all the attention they merit in my -letters. - -I have seen many ladies of great elegance and ease of manner. The -court of Egypt is composed of an immense number of nobles and high -officers, whose palaces crowd the cities of On and Memphis, and whose -tasteful, garden-environed villas extend far beyond their limits. Some -of these nobles have the title of princes, when they govern one of the -thirty-six _nomes_, or command armies. They are opulent, fond of -display in apparel and architecture, great lovers of flowers and -paintings, and their dwellings are profusely decorated with the one -and adorned with the other. These men of rank are educated, polished -in bearing, courteous and affable. Their wives are their superiors in -refinement, being daughters of men of the same rank and social -distinction. Nobles and noble ladies by hereditary title there are -none in Egypt; for it is the boast of the Egyptians, and it is often -inscribed on their monuments, that Egyptians, being all equally "sons -of Misr," are all born equal. It is official elevation and position at -court, as the reward of talent or services, which create noble rank. -Yet there are families here who speak with pride of the glory and fame -of ancestors; and I know young Egyptian nobles whose forefathers were -lords in the court of the old Pharaohs, of the XVth and XVIth -dynasties. I have already alluded to the brave young officer of the -chariot battalion, Potipharis, whose ancestor, a lord of the court of -Apophis, purchased of the Idumeans the youthful Hebrew who -subsequently ruled Egypt as prime minister; and whose family, now -grown to a great nation, are held here in hopeless bondage. - -The women of Egypt owe their high social rank to the respect shown -them by the men, who give them precedence everywhere. The fact that -Egypt is ruled by a queen, is testimony that woman is honored here by -the laws of the realm, as well as by the customs of the people, or she -would not have succeeded to the throne. It is not a mere influence -derived from their personal attractions that women possess here; but -their claims to honor and respect are acknowledged by law, in private -as well as in public. Said Remeses to me, a day or two since, when I -was remarking upon the universal deference paid to the sex, "We know, -unless women are treated with respect and made to exercise an -influence over the social state, that the standard of private virtue -and of public opinion would soon be lowered, and the manners and -morals of men would suffer." How differently situated is woman with -us! Respected she undoubtedly is, but instead of the liberty she -enjoys here, behold her confined to certain apartments, not permitted -to go abroad unveiled, and leading a life of indolent repose. - -In acknowledging this, dear mother, the laws point out to the favored -women of Egypt the very responsible duties they have to perform. The -elevation of woman to be the friend and companion of man, is due to -the wisdom of the priesthood. These men have wives whom they love and -respect, and I have seen the priest of On seated in his summer parlor, -which overlooks the street, by the side of his noble-looking wife -(who, it is said, is a descendant of a priest of On, whose daughter -was married to Prince Joseph, the Hebrew), surrounded by their -children, and manifesting their mutual affection by numberless -domestic graces; and I was charmed with the expressions of endearment -I heard them use to each other and to their children. What a contrast -all this to the priests of Tyre, who regard celibacy as the highest -act of piety! - -The hand of your sex, my dear mother, is apparent in all the household -arrangements, and in the furniture and style of the dwellings. In her -contract of marriage it is written, that the lady shall have the whole -regulation of domestic affairs and the management of the house, and -that the husband shall, in all such matters, defer to the judgment and -wishes of the wife. Neither king, priest, nor subject can have more -than one wife, a custom differing from our own, and far superior to -it. It is owing to this universal honor paid to the sex, that queens -have repeatedly, since the ancient reign of Binothris, held the royal -authority and had the supreme direction of affairs intrusted to them. -It is proper to say, that although the Egyptians have but one wife, -they are not forbidden by the laws to have favorites, who are usually -slaves, and owe their elevation to talents or beauty. They do not, -however, hold any social relation; and the wife, to whom alone is -given the title "lady of the house," enjoys an acknowledged -superiority over them. But concubinage, though tolerated, is not -regarded with favor, and is practised by few. - -The Egyptian ladies employ much of their time with the needle; and -either with their own hands, or by the agency of their maidens, they -embroider, weave, spin, and do needle-work--the last in the most -skilful and beautiful manner. They embroider chairs with thread of -gold or silver, adorn sofas with embroidery, and ornament coverings -for their couches with needle-work of divers colors, so artfully -executed as to appear, on both sides, of equal beauty and finish. At -the banquets or social festivals, which are very frequent, for the -Egyptians are fond of society, the ladies sit at the same table with -the men, and no rigid mistrust closes their doors on such occasions to -strangers, towards whom they are ever courteous and hospitable; save -only in religious ceremonies, from which, and "the mysteries of their -theology," they are jealously excluded. - -I have already spoken of the services of women in the temples. These -do not marry. Although females may make offerings to Isis, they cannot -be invested with any sacerdotal office; and a priest must preside at -the oblation. They are rarely seen reading, their leisure being -occupied chiefly in talking together in social companies. They vie -with each other in the display of silver jewels, and jewels set in -gold; in the texture of their raiment, the neatness and elegance of -the form of their sandals, and the arrangement or beauty of their -plaited hair. - -If two ladies meet at a banquet or festival, it is considered an -amiable courtesy to exchange flowers from the bouquet that Egyptian -ladies always carry in the hand when in full costume. They are -passionately devoted to dancing, and frequently both ladies and -gentlemen dance together; but I think when the former dance in -separate parties, their movements are marked by superior grace and -elegance. Their dances consist usually of a succession of figures more -or less involved; yet I have seen two daughters of the captain of the -guard, at a private entertainment given by the queen, perform a dance -to a slow air played upon the flute and lyre, with a grace of attitude -and harmony of motion delightful to follow with the eye. Grace in -posture, elegance of attitude, and ease of movement are their chief -objects in the dance. - -It is not, however, customary for the nobles and their families to -indulge in this amusement in public, where usually the dancing is -performed by those who gain a livelihood by attending festive -meetings. They look upon it, however, as a recreation in which all -classes may partake; and all castes engage in it, either in private -festivities or in public. The lower orders delight in exhibiting great -spirit in their dances, which often partake of the nature of -pantomime; and they aim rather at ludicrous and extravagant dexterity, -than displays of elegance and grace. At evening, under the trees of an -avenue; at noon, in the shade of a temple, by public fountains, and -before the doors of their dwellings, I often see the men and women -amusing themselves, dancing to the sound of music, which is -indispensable. At the houses of the higher classes, they dance to the -harp, pipe, guitar, lyre, and tambourine; but in the streets and other -places, the people perform their part to the music of the shrill -double-pipe, the crotala or wooden clappers, held in the fingers, and -even to the sound of the drum; indeed, I have seen a man dancing a -solo on the deck of a galley at anchor in the river, to the sound of -the clapping of hands by his companions. Certain wanton dances, -consisting of voluptuous and passionate movements, by Arabian and -Theban girls, whose profession it was, from the impure tendency of -their songs and gestures, have been very properly forbidden by the -queen in her dominions. There are certain religious processions in -which women take part; they attend the funerals of their deceased -relatives, and hired women appear as mourners. - -I have devoted, my dear mother, so much of this letter to a -description of the ladies of Egypt, in compliance with your expressed -wish, and I will appropriate the residue of my papyrus, if the ink -fail not, to an account of their homes, that you may see how they -live; since, from their private life, great insight is obtained into -their manners and customs. The household arrangements, the style of -the dwellings, as well as the amusements and occupations of a people, -explain their habits. - -The style of domestic architecture, in this warm climate, is modified -to suit the heat of the weather. The poorer classes (for though all -Egyptians are born equal, yet there are poor classes), as well as -_castes_, live a great part of their time out of doors, seeking rather -the shade of trees than the warmth of habitations. And now that I have -alluded to "castes," I will briefly explain the degrees of society in -Egypt. - -Though a marked line of distinction is maintained between the -different ranks of society, they appear to be divided rather into -"classes" than "castes," as no man is bound by law to follow the -occupation of his father. Sons, indeed, do usually follow the trade of -their father, and the rank of each man depends on his occupation. But -there are occasional exceptions, as, for instance, the sons of a -distinguished priest are in the army with Remeses, and a son of the -admiral of the fleet of the Delta is high-priest in Memphis. - -Below the crown and royal family, the first class consists of the -priests; the second, of soldiers; the third, of husbandmen, gardeners, -huntsmen, and boatmen; the fourth, of tradesmen, shop-keepers, -artificers in stone and metals, carpenters, boat-builders, -stone-masons, and public weighers; the fifth, of shepherds, poulterers -fowlers, fishermen, laborers, and the common people at large. Many of -these, says the record from which I have obtained my information, are -again subdivided, as chief shepherds into ox-herds, goat-herds, and -swine-herds; which last is the lowest grade of the whole community, -since no one of the others will marry their daughters, or establish -any family connection with them; for so degrading is the occupation of -tending swine held by the Egyptians, that they are looked upon as -impure, and are even forbidden to enter a temple without previously -undergoing purification. - -Thus you perceive, my mother, that Egypt practically acknowledges many -degrees of rank, although she boasts that "every son of Misr is born -equal." - -These classes keep singularly distinct, and yet live harmoniously and -sociably with each other. Out of them the queen's workmen are taken, -and the lowest supplies the common laborers on the public -works,--thousands of whom, clad only in an apron and short trowsers of -coarsely woven grass-cloth, are to be found at work all over Egypt, -and even mingled with the Hebrews in some parts of their tasks. "And -the Hebrews?" you may ask; for I perceive by your letter that you are -interested in the fate and history of this captive nation; "what rank -do they hold among all these castes?" - -They remain a distinct and separate people, neither regarded as a -class or _caste_. They pursue but one occupation, brick-making, with -its kindred work of digging the loam, gathering the straw, kneading -the clay, and carrying the bricks to the place where the masons need -them. They neither associate nor intermarry with any of the Egyptian -classes. They are the crown slaves, born in bondage, below the lowest -free-born Egyptian in the land of Misraim. Even the swine-herd belongs -to a _class_, and is equal by birth, at least, with the Pharaoh who -rules; but the Hebrew is a bond-servant, a stranger, despised and -oppressed. Yet among them have I seen men worthy to be kings, if -dignity of aspect and nobleness of bearing entitle men to that -position. - -I will now return, and describe to you the habitations of the -Egyptians, my dear mother. Houses slightly removed beyond the degree -of mere barbarous huts, built of crude brick, and very small, are the -habitations of the lower orders. Others, of more pretension, are -stuccoed, and have a court; others, still superior, have the stuccoed -surface painted, either vermilion and orange, in stripes, or of a -pale-brown color, with green or blue ornaments, fanciful rather than -tasteful. Those of merchants and persons of that grade, are more -imposing;--corridors, supported on columns, give access to the -different apartments, through a succession of shady avenues and -courts, having one side open to the breezes; while currents of fresh -air are made to circulate freely through the rooms and halls, by a -peculiar arrangement of the passages and courts; for, to have a cool -house in this ardent latitude is the aim of all who erect habitations. -Even small detached dwellings of artificers and tradesmen, consisting -of four walls, with a flat roof of palm-branches, laid on split -date-trees as a beam, covered with mats, and plastered with mud of the -Nile, having but one door, and wooden shutters,--even such humble -habitations have in the centre an open court, however limited, with -rooms opening to the air on one side; while around the small court are -planted one or more palms, for shade, besides adorning it with plants -of their favorite flowers. I have seen some such neat little abodes, -not much larger than cages, with a cheerful family in it, who lived -out of doors all day, dining under the shade of their tree, and -dancing in their open court by moonlight, to the music of clapping -hands or the castanets, until bedtime, using their houses only to -sleep in; and such is the happy life of half the Egyptians of their -grade. - -The grander mansions, less than palaces, are not only stuccoed within -and without, but painted with artistic and tasteful combinations of -brilliant tints. They have numerous paved courts, with fountains and -decorated walls, and are adorned with beautiful architectural devices, -copied from the sacred emblems and symbols in the temples, and -arranged and combined in forms or groups in the most attractive style. -Over the doors of many houses are handsome shields or tablets, charged -with the hieroglyph of the master, inscribed with some sentence. Over -that of the house of the chief weigher of metals, opposite my palace -window in On, was written "The House of the Just Balance." Over -another "The good house;" and over a third, "The friend of Rathoth, -the royal scribe, liveth here." Any distinction, or long journey, or -merit, or attribute, gives occasion for an inscription over the -entrances. - -The beauty of a house depends on the taste, caprice, or wealth of its -builders. The priests and lords of Egypt live in luxurious abodes, and -a display of wealth is found to be useful in maintaining their power, -and securing the respect and obedience of the under classes. - -"The worldly possessions of the priest," said an Egyptian scribe of -the temple of Apis, "are very great, and as a compensation for -imposing upon themselves at times abstemiousness, and occasionally -limiting their food to certain things, they are repaid by improved -health, and by the influence they acquire thereby. Their superior -intelligence enables them," he continued, ironically, "to put their -own construction on regulations and injunctions emanating from their -sacred body, with the convenient argument, that what suits them does -not suit others." The windows of the houses are not large, and freely -admit the cool breezes, but are closed at night by shutters. The -apartments are usually on the ground-floor, and few houses, except -perhaps in Thebes, exceed two stories in height. They are accessible -by an entrance court, often having a columnar portico decked with -banners or ribbons, while larger porticos have double rows of columns, -with statues between them. When there is an additional story, a -terrace surmounts it, covered by an awning, or by a light roof -supported upon graceful columns. Here the ladies often sit by day: and -here all the family gather at the close of the afternoon to enjoy the -breeze, and the sight of the thronged streets and surrounding -scene,--for it is open on all sides to the air. In the trades' streets -the shops are on the ground-floor, and the apartments for families are -above. As it scarcely ever rains, the tops of the houses, terraced, -and covered with a handsomely fringed awning, are occupied at all -hours, and even at night as sleeping-places by the "lord of the -house," if the apartments below are sultry and close. Some noble -edifices have flights of steps of porphyry or marble leading to a -raised platform of Elephantine or Arabic stone, with a doorway between -two columns as massive as towers--ambitious imitations of the propyla -of the temples. These gateways have three entrances, a smaller one on -each side of the principal entrance for servants, who are very -numerous in an Egyptian house of the first class. Such is the house of -my friend, the Admiral Pathromenes, whom I visited the day I saw him -in his galley, and just before he sailed with the fleet for Ethiopia. - -On entering the portal, I passed into an open court, on the right side -of which was the mndara or receiving-room for visitors, where -servants took my sandals, and offered water for my hands in silver -ewers, at the same time giving me bouquets of flowers. This room, -surrounded by gilt columns, and decorated with banners, was covered by -an awning supported by the columns, and was on all sides open to -within four feet of the floor, which lower space was closed by -intercolumnar panels, exquisitely painted with marine subjects. Above -the paneling a stream of cool air was admitted, while the awning -afforded protection from the rays of the sun. This elegant -reception-hall had two doors--that by which I had entered from the -street, and another opposite to it which communicated with the inner -apartments. Upon my announcement by the chief usher, the admiral came -through the latter door to receive me; hence the title of -"reception-room" given to this column-adorned and paneled hall. He -embraced me, and entered with me by his side into a corridor which led -into a court of large dimensions, ornamented in the centre with an -avenue of trees--palm, olive, orange, and fig trees, the latter being -an emblem of the land of Egypt. Here numerous birds filled their leafy -coverts with melody. Six apartments faced as many more on two sides of -this court--the corridor, or piazza, of pictured columns extending -along their entire front; and before the corridor was a double row of -acacia-trees. We did not turn to these rooms, but, advancing along the -charming avenue between them, passed around a brazen fountain-statue -of Eothos or Neptune, who was pouring water out of a shell upon a -marble lotus-leaf, from which it fell into a vase of granite. Passing -this figure, we kept the avenue till we came to a beautiful door -facing the great court. It was of palm-wood, carved with devices of -branches and flowers, and inlaid with ivory and colored woods, all -finely polished. At this door a servant, in neat apparel, met us, and -opening it ushered us into the sitting-room of "the lady of the -house," who had already received notice of our approach, and who, -presenting me with flowers, welcomed me graciously, and with a -cordiality that gave me a favorable estimation of the goodness of her -heart, and the amiability of her disposition. - -Thus, dear mother, have I given you some insight into Egyptian -home-life, and introduced you into the inmost private room of one of -their houses. I will close my description by saying, that the ceiling -of the reception-room was richly and tastefully adorned with the -pencil; that gracefully shaped chairs, covered with needle-work; -sofas, inlaid tables, couches with crimson and gold embroidery, and -elegant vases of flowers, were charmingly disposed about it; and that -a lute and two sistra were placed near a window, and a harp stood -between two of the columns that inclosed a pictured panel representing -the finding of Osiris. - -Farewell, dearest mother. You will see that I have now acquitted -myself of the charge of indifference to so interesting a subject as -the mode of life of the ladies of Egypt, and by hastening to describe -it to you in this letter, have evinced my profound filial reverence -for your slightest wish. - - Your faithful and affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XIII. - - -THE CITY OF APIS. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -I thank you for your long and very welcome letter, written from your -palace, at Sidon, whither you went to celebrate the rites of Adonis. -It assures me of your continued health, which may the gods guard with -jealous care, for not only the stability of your kingdom, but my whole -happiness depends on your life, beloved mother and queen. You also -allude to your visits to the temples of Astarte and of Tammuz, on -Lebanon. What a noble worship was that of our fathers, who, amid its -gigantic cedars, old as the earth itself, there first worshipped the -gods! How majestic must have appeared their simple rites, with no -altar but the mountain rock, no columns but the vast trunks of mighty -trees, no roof but the blue heavens by day, and the starry dome by -night; while at morning and evening went up the smoke of the sacrifice -of bullocks to the gods. These were the first temples of men, not -builded by art, but made by the gods themselves as meet places for -their own worship. I question, dear mother, if the subsequent descent -of religion from its solemn shrines, in the dark forests of Libanus, -into the valleys and cities, to be enshrined in temples of marble, -however beautiful, has elevated it. Though the Phoenicians built the -first temples on the peninsula of Tyre, before any others existed, -save in groves; yet in Egypt (which claims also this honor), the -"houses of the gods," in their vast and pyramidal aspects, their -pillars like palm-trees, their columns like cedars, approach more -nearly to the dignity, sublimity, and majesty of the primeval forests -and eternal mountains where religion first offered prayer to heaven. - -Your visit to the temple of Tammuz, at Sareptha, recalls a legend -which, singularly enough, I first heard in Egypt, of the origin of the -rites to that deity. - -The books of the priests here, relating to Phoenician, Saban, -Persian, and Chaldean ceremonies (for the learning of the Egyptians -seems to embrace a knowledge of books of all countries), relate -that Tammuz was a "certain idolatrous prophet of the Saban -Fire-worshippers, who called upon King Ossynoeces, our remote -ancestor, and commanded him to worship the Seven Planets and the -Twelve Signs of the constellations. The king, in reply, ordered him to -be put to death. On the same night on which he was slain," continues -the book from which I write, "a great gathering of all the images of -the gods of the whole earth was held at the palace, where the huge -golden image of the sun was suspended; whereupon this image of the sun -related what had happened to his prophet, weeping and mourning as he -spoke to them. Then all the lesser gods present likewise commenced -weeping and mourning, which they continued until daylight, when they -all departed through the air, returning to their respective temples in -the most distant regions of the earth." Such, dear mother, is the -tradition here of the origin of the weeping for Tammuz, the observance -of which now forms so important a feature in our Phoenician worship, -although introduced, as it was, from the Sabans themselves. - -But the more I have conversed with the wise and virtuous Prince -Remeses, the more I feel the gross nature of our mythology, O mother, -and that images and myths, such as form the ground and expression of -our national worship, and that rest wholly in the material figure -itself, are unworthy the reverence of an intelligent mind. It is true, -we can look at them, and honor that which they represent,--as I daily -look at your picture, which I wear over my heart, and kissing it from -love for thee, do not worship and adore the ivory, and the colors that -mark upon its surface a sweet reflection of your beloved and beautiful -countenance. Oh, no! It is you far away I think of, kiss, love, and in -a manner adore. Yet an Egyptian of the lowest order, seeing me almost -worshipping your picture, would believe I was adoring an effigy of my -tutelar goddess. And he would be right, so far as my heart and -thought, and you are concerned, my mother. In this representative way, -I am now sure that Remeses regards all images, looking through and -beyond them up to the Supreme Infinite. I also have imbibed his lofty -spirit of worship, and have come to adore the statues as I worship -your picture. But _where_, O mother, is the Infinite? When I think of -you, I can send my soul towards you, on wings that bear me to your -feet, either in your private chamber at needle-work, or with your -royal scribe as you are dictating laws for the realm, or upon your -throne giving judgment. In memory and imagination, I can instantly -send my thoughts out to you, and behold you as you are. But the -Infinite, whom Remeses calls GOD, in contradistinction to lesser gods, -where does He hide Himself? Why, if He _is_, does He not reveal -Himself? Why does He suffer us to grope after Him, and not find Him? -If He be good, and loving, and gracious in His nature, He will desire -to make known to His creatures these attributes. But how silent--how -impenetrable the mystery that environs Him in the habitation of His -throne! Will He forever remain wrapped up in the dark clouds of space? -Will He never reveal Himself in His moral nature to man? Will He never -of Himself proclaim to the creation His unity--that there is no God -but One, and besides Him there is none else? How can He demand -obedience and virtue of men when they know not His laws? Yet, -consciousness within, visible nature, reason, all demonstrate that -there is but one Supreme God, a single First Cause, how numerous -soever the inferior deities He may have created to aid in the -government of His vast universe; and that to Him an intellectual and -spiritual worship should be paid. This is the theory of Remeses, who -seems to be infinitely above his people and country in piety and -wisdom. Sometimes I fancy that he draws inspiration from this Infinite -God whom he worships in his heart, and recognizes through his -intellect; for his utterances on these themes are often like the words -of a god, so wonderful are the mysteries treated of by him, so -elevating to the heart and mind. - -But I will repeat part of a conversation we had together, after he had -offered in the temple of Apis his sacrifice for the restoration of the -queen's health. He said, as we walked away together, along a beautiful -and sacred avenue of acacia and delicate, fringe-like ittel or -tamarisk trees, alternating with the pomegranate and mimosa: - -"Sesostris, doubtless, after all my conversations with you, I seemed -an idolater to-day, quite as material and gross, in the offerings and -prayers I made, as the galley-rower we saw offering a coarse garland -of papyrus-leaves and poppies to the god." - -"No, my noble prince," I answered; "I saw in you an intellectual -sacrificer, whose bodily eyes indeed beheld the sacred bull, but whose -spirit saw the Great Osiris, who once dwelt in the bull when on earth. -You honored the house where anciently a god abode." - -"No, Sesostris, the bull is nothing to me in any sense, but as the -prince of a realm whose laws ordain the worship of Apis in Memphis, of -the ram-headed Ammon at Thebes, or the sacred ox at On, I outwardly -conform to customs which I dare not and cannot change. Or if I would, -what shall I give the people if I take away their gods? My own -religion is spiritual, as I believe yours is becoming; but how shall I -present a spiritual faith to the Egyptians? In what form--what visible -shape, can I offer it to them? for the priests will demand a visible -religion--one tangible and material. The people cannot worship an -intellectual abstraction, as we can, Sesostris, and as the more -intelligent priests pretend they do and can. Yet if, when I come to -the throne, by an imperial edict I remodel the theology of the -priesthood and the worship of the people--remove the golden sun from -the temple in On, slay the sacred bull Apis, and banish the idols from -all the thousand temples of the two Egypts, with _what_ shall I -replace the religion I depose?" - -"With an intellectual and spiritual worship of the Supreme Infinite," -I answered. - -"But who will enlighten my own ignorance of Him, Sesostris?" he -inquired sadly. "What do I know of Him save from an awakened -consciousness within my bosom? How can I make others possess that -consciousness which is only intuitive, and so incommunicable? I must -first know _where_ God is, before I can direct the people whither to -look for Him when they pray. I must first cultivate their minds and -imaginations, in order to enable them to embrace a purely mental -religion, and to worship the Infinite independently of figures, -images, and visible mementos or symbols; for, so long as they have -these at all, they will rest their faith in them, and will look upon -them as their gods. But what do I know of the God I would reveal to -them? Absolutely nothing! That there can be but one Supreme God, -reason demonstrates; for if there were two equal gods, they would have -equal power, equal agency in the creation and upholding of all things, -in the government of the world, and in the worship of men! Two equal -gods, who in no case differ one from the other, but are in all things -one and the same, are virtually but one God. Therefore, as neither -two, nor any number of _equal_ gods, can exist without acting as a -unit (for _otherwise_ they cannot act), there can be only one God!" - -I at once assented to the conclusiveness of the prince's reasoning. - -"God, then, existing as One, all beings in his universe are below Him, -even His creatures the 'gods,' if there be such made by Him. It -becomes, therefore, all men to worship, not these gods, but the God of -gods. That he should be worshipped spiritually is evident, for he must -be a spiritual essence; and as we are certainly composed of spirits -and material bodies, and as our spirits are no less certainly our -superior part, so He who made the spirit of man must be superior to -all bodies or forms of matter; that is, he must be that by reason of -which he is superior, namely, a SPIRIT." - -I then said to this learned and great prince, "Thinkest thou, Remeses, -that this Infinite God, whom we believe exists, will ever make a -revelation of Himself, so that He may be worshipped as becomes His -perfections? Do you think the veil of ignorance which hangs between -Him and us will ever be lifted?" - -"Without question, my Sesostris," he answered, with animation, the -light of hope kindling in his noble eyes, "the Creator of this world -must be a benevolent, good, and wise Being." - -"Of that there can be no doubt," was my reply. - -"Benevolence, goodness, and wisdom, then, will seek the happiness and -elevation of man. A knowledge of the true God, whom we are now feeling -and groping after in darkness, with only the faint light of our reason -to illumine its mysterious gloom,--this knowledge would elevate and -render happy the race of men. It would dissipate ignorance, overthrow -idolatry, place man near God, and, consequently, lift him higher in -the scale of the universe. A God of wisdom, benevolence, and justice, -will seek to produce this result. The world, therefore, _will_ have a -revelation from Him, in the fulness of time,--when men are ready to -receive it. It may not be while I live, Sesostris, but the time will -come when the knowledge of the Infinite God will be revealed by -Himself to man, who will then worship Him, and Him alone, with the -pure worship due to His majesty, glory, and dominion." - -As Remeses concluded, his face seemed to shine with a supernatural -inspiration, as if he had talked with the Infinite and Spiritual God -of whom he spoke, and had learned from Him the mighty mysteries of His -being. Then there passed a shadow over his face, and he said, -sorrowfully-- - -"How can I lead the people of Egypt to the true God, when He hath not -taught me any thing of Himself? No, no, Sesostris, Egypt must wait, I -must wait, the world must wait the day of revelation. And that day -will come, or there is _no_ God! For an ever-silent God--a God who -forever hideth Himself from His creatures--is as if there were no God! -But that there is a God the heavens declare in their glory, the ocean -hoarsely murmurs His name, the thunders proclaim His power, the lilies -of the field speak of His goodness, and we ourselves are living -manifestations of His benevolence and love. Let us, therefore, amid -all the splendor of the idolatry which fills the earth, lift up _our_ -hearts, O Sesostris, to the One God! and in secret worship Him, -wheresoever our souls can find Him, until He reveals Himself openly to -the inhabitants of the earth." - -In relating this conversation, my dear mother, I not only am preparing -you to see my views of our mythology materially changed, but I unfold -to you more of the sublime character of Remeses, and give you some -insight into his deep philosophy and wonderful wisdom. - -I will, in connection with this subject, describe to you a religious -scene I witnessed in the Temple of Apis on the occasion of an -excursion made by me in company with Remeses, from the Island of -Rhoda. - -I have already spoken of his courtesy in offering to accompany me to -Memphis, at which city he left me, immediately after his oblation and -thanksgiving, and proceeded to attend to some urgent affairs connected -with the proposed movement of the army; with which, since then, he has -taken his departure. - -The barge in which I left the palace at Rhoda, was rowed by forty-four -men, swarthy and muscular to a noticeable degree, who belong to a -maritime people, once possessing the Pelusian Delta, but who are now -reduced to a servitude to the crown. They have a sort of chief, called -Fellac, whom they regard partly as a priest, partly as a patriarch. -Under him, by permission of the crown, they are held in discipline. -They have a mysterious worship of their own, and are reputed to deal -in magic, and to sacrifice to Typhon, the principle of evil. - -They were attired in scarlet sashes, bound about the waist, and -holding together loose white linen drawers, which terminated at the -knee in a fringe. Their shoulders were naked, but upon their heads -each wore a sort of turban of green cloth, having one end falling over -the ear, and terminating in a silver knob. These were the favorite -body-guard rowers of the prince. Their captain was a young man, with -glittering teeth, and large oval black eyes. He was mild and serene of -aspect, richly attired in a vesture of silver tissue, and had his -black hair perfumed with jasmine oil. His baton of office was a long -stick--not the long, slender, acacia cane which all Egyptian gentlemen -carry, but a staff short and heavy, ornamented with an alligator's -head, which, with that of the pelican, seem to be favorite decorations -of this singular people. - -As we were on the water, moving swiftly towards the quay of the city, -amid countless vessels of all nations, a slave-barge passed down from -Upper Egypt, laden with Nubian boys and girls, destined to be sold as -slaves in the market. Borne with velocity along, we soon landed at the -grand terrace-steps of the quay. They were thronged with pilots, -shipmen, those who hold the helm and the oar, mariners, and -stranger-merchants innumerable. A majestic gateway, at the top of the -flight of porphyry stairs, led to an avenue of palm-trees, on each -side of which was a vast open colonnade covered with a wide awning, -and filled with merchants, buyers, captains, and officers of the -customs, dispersed amid bales of goods from all lands of the earth. I -lingered here, for a short time, gazing upon these representatives of -the wealth and commerce of the world. This is the great landing-mart -of Memphis, for the products of the other lands; while Jizeh, lower -down, is the point from whence all that goes out of the country is -shipped. The strange cry of the foreign seamen, as they hoisted heavy -bales, and the wild song of the Egyptian laborers, as they bore away -the goods, the confused voices of the owners of the merchandise, the -variety and strange fashion of their costumes, the numerous languages -which fell upon my ear, produced an effect as novel as it was -interesting. - -The riches and beauty of what I saw surprised me, familiar as I am -with the commerce of Tyre. There were merchants from Sheba, bearded -and long-robed men, with gold-dust, spices of all kinds, and precious -stones of price; and others from the markets of Javan, with cassia, -iron, and calamus; there were wines from the vine-country of Helbona, -and honey, oil, and balm from Philistia; merchants of Dedan, with -embroidered linings and rich cloths for chariots, and costly housings -for horses, of lynx and leopard-skins; tall, grave-looking merchants -from our own Damascus, with elegant wares, cutlery, and damascened -sword-blades of wonderful beauty, and which bring great price here; -shrewd-visaged merchants of Tyre, with purple and broidered work and -fine linen; and merchants of Sidon, with emeralds, coral, and agate, -and the valuable calmine-stone out of which, in combination with -copper, brass is molten by the Egyptians. - -There were also merchants, in an attire rich and picturesque, from -many isles of the sea, with vessels of bronze, vases, and other -exquisitely painted wares, and boxes inlaid with ivory, jewels, and -ebony. I saw the dark, handsome men of Tarshish and far Gades, with -all kinds of riches of silver, iron, tin, lead, and scales of gold. -Shields from Arvad, beautifully embossed and inlaid; helmets and -shawls from Persia; ivory from Ind, and boxes of precious stones--the -jasper, the sapphire, the sardis, the onyx, the beryl, the topaz, the -carbuncle, and the diamond--from the south seas, and those lands under -the sun, where he casts no shadow. There were, also, wild-looking -merchant horsemen from Arabia, with horses and mules to be traded for -the fine linen, and gilt wares, and dyes of Egypt; and proud-looking -shepherd chiefs of Kedar, with flocks of lambs, rams, and goats; while -beyond these, some merchants of Sas, men of stern aspects, bad bands -of slaves, whose shining black skins and glittering teeth showed them -to be Nubians from Farther Africa, who had been brought from the Upper -Nile to be sold in the mart. - -Thus does all the earth lay its riches at the feet of Egypt, even as -she pours them into the lap of Tyre. Meet it is that two nations, so -equal in commerce, should be allied in friendship. May this friendly -alliance, more closely cemented by my visit to this court, never be -broken! I am willing to surrender to Egypt the title, "Mistress of the -World," which I have seen inscribed on the obelisk that Amense is now -erecting, so long as she makes no attempt upon our cherished freedom, -nor asks of us other tribute to her greatness than the jewelled -necklace it was my pleasure to present to her queen, from your hand. - -Having crossed this wonderful mart of the world, we issued upon a -broad street, which diverging to the right led towards Jizeh, not far -distant, and to the left towards Memphis, the noble pylon of which was -in full sight. The street was lined with small temples, six on each -side, dedicated to the twelve gods of the months, statues of each of -whom stood upon pedestals before its gateway. - -This avenue, which was but a succession of columns and statues, and in -which we met several pleasure-chariots, terminated at an obelisk one -hundred feet in height--a majestic and richly elaborated monument, -erected by Amunophis I., whose name it bears upon a cartouch, to the -honor of his Syrian queen, Ephtha. Upon its surface is recounted, in -exquisitely colored intaglio hieroglyphs, her virtues and the deeds of -his own reign. At each of its four corners crouches a sphinx, with a -dog's head, symbolic of ceaseless vigilance. A noble square surrounds -the obelisk, and on its west side is the propylon of Memphis. The -great wings that inclose the pylon are ninety feet in height, and are -resplendent with colored pictorial designs, done in the most brilliant -style of Egyptian art. - -Here we found a guard of soldiers, whose captain received the prince -with marks of the profoundest military respect. We passed in, through -ranks of soldiers, who bent one knee to the ground, and entered the -chief street of Memphis--the second city in Egypt in architectural -magnificence, and the first in religious importance, as the city of -the sacred bull Apis. - -A description of this city would be almost a repetition of that of On, -slightly varying the avenues, squares, and forms of temples. You have, -therefore, to imagine, or rather recall, the splendor of the "City of -the _Lord of the Sun_" (for this is its true Egyptian designation), -and apply to Memphis the picture hitherto given of that gorgeous -metropolis of Osiris. - -After we had passed a few squares through the thronged and handsome -street, which was exclusively filled with beautiful and tasteful -abodes of priests, adorned with gardens and corridors, we came to a -large open space in the city, where was a great fountain, surrounded -by lions sculptured in gray porphyry stone. On one side of this square -was a lake, bordered with trees; on another, a grove sacred to certain -mysteries; on a third, a temple dedicated to all the sacred animals of -Egypt,--images of which surrounded a vast portico in front. An -enumeration of them will exhibit to you, how the first departure, in -ancient days, from the worship of the One Deity, by personating His -attributes in animal forms, has converted religion into a gross and -sensual superstition. It is not enough that they have fanciful emblems -in all their temples, and on all their sculptured monuments, of Life, -Goodness, Power, Purity, Majesty, and Dominion (as in the crook and -flail of Osiris), of Authority, of Royalty, of Stability; but they -elevate into representatives of the gods, the ape, sacred to Thoth; -the monkey; the fox, dog, wolf, and jackal, all four sacred to Anubis; -the ichneumon and cat, which last is superstitiously reverenced, and -when dead embalmed with divine rites. The ibex, which I once believed -to be sacred, is regarded only as an emblem; and so with the horse, -ass, panther, and leopard, which are not sacred, but merely used in -sculptures as emblems. The hippopotamus is sacred, and also an emblem -of Typhon, dedicated to the god of war. The cow is held eminently -sacred by the Egyptians, and is dedicated to the deity Athor. - -There are four sacred bulls in Egypt,--not only sacred, but deified. -In Middle Egypt, Onuphis and Basis are worshipped in superb temples; -and at On, Mnevis, sacred to the Sun. Here in Memphis is Apis, not -only sacred but a god, and type of Osiris, who, in his turn, is the -type of the Sun, which is the type of the Infinite Invisible; at least -this is the formula, so far as I have learned its mysteries. How much -purer the religion, dear mother, which, passing by or overleaping all -these intermediate types and incarnations, prostrates the soul before -the footstool of the Lord of the Sun Himself, the One Spiritual God of -gods! - -Of all the sacred animals above named, I beheld images in stone upon -the dromos which bordered the portico. There were also figures of the -sacred birds,--as the ibis, sacred to the god Thoth; the vulture, the -falcon-hawk, sacred to Re, and honored in the city of On, and the -egret, sacred to Osiris. Besides these sacred figures which decorated -this pantheonic portico, at each of the four gates was one of the four -deified bulls in stone, larger than life-size. There are also to be -found, all over Egypt, sculptured sphinxes,--a sort of fabulous -monster, represented either with the head of a man, a hawk, or a ram; -to these may be added a vulture with a serpent's head, and a -tortoise-headed god. - -The phoenix, sacred to Osiris, I shall by and by speak of, and the -white and saffron-colored cock, sacred to, and sacrificed in, the -Temple of Anubis. Certain fishes are also held sacred by this -extraordinary people, who convert every thing into gods. The -oxyrhincus, the eel, the lepidotus, and others are sacred, and at -Thebes are embalmed by the priests. The scorpion is an emblem of the -goddess Selk, the frog of Pthah, and the unwieldy crocodile sacred to -the god Savak--a barbarous deity. Serpents having human heads, and -also hawk's and lion's heads, were sculptured along the frieze of this -pantheon, intermingled with figures of nearly all the above sacred -animals. On the abacus of each column was sculptured the -scarabus--the sacred beetle--consecrated to Pthah, and adopted as an -emblem of the world; also the type of the god Hor-hat, the Good Genius -of Egypt, whose emblem is a sun supported by two winged asps -encircling it. Flies, ichneumons, and bees, with many other insects -and animals, are represented in the sculptures, but are not sacred. - -Even vegetables do not escape the service of their religion. The -persea is sacred to Athor; the ivy to Osiris, and much made use of at -his festivals; the feathery tamarisk is also sacred to this deity; and -the peach and papyrus are supposed to be sacred, or at least used, for -religious purposes. Contrary to the opinion I formed when I first came -into Egypt, the onion, leek, and garlic are not sacred. The -pomegranate, vine, and acanthus are used for sacred rites, and the -sycamore-fig is sacred to Netpe. The lotus, the favorite object of -imitation in all temple-sculpture, is sacred to, and the emblem of, -the most ancient god of Egypt, whom the priests call Nofiratmoosis--a -name wholly new to me among the deities;--but it is also clearly a -favorite emblem of Osiris, being found profusely sculptured on all his -temples. Lastly, the palm-branch is a symbol of astrology and type of -the year, and conspicuous among the offerings made to the gods. - -Now, my dear mother, can you wonder at Prince Remeses--that a man of -his learning, intellect, sensibility, and sound judgment, should turn -away from these thousand contemptible gods of Egypt, to seek a purer -faith and worship, and that he should wish to give his people a more -elevating and spiritual religion? Divisions and subdivisions have here -reached their climax, and the Egyptians who worship God in every thing -may be said to have ceased to worship him at all! - -What was on the fourth side of the great square, of which the lake, -the grove, and the pantheon composed three, was the central and great -Temple of Apis in Lower Egypt. In my next letter I will describe my -visit to it. I am at present a guest of the high-priest of the temple, -and hence the date of my letter at Memphis. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XIV. - - -THE PALACE OF THE PRIEST OF APIS. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -I will now describe to you my visit, with the prince, to the most -remarkable shrine in Egypt. While the worship of Osiris, at On, is a -series of splendid pageantries, but little differing from the gorgeous -sun-worship which you witnessed some years ago at Baalbec, the rites -of Apis are as solemn and severe as the temple in which they are -celebrated is grand and majestic. - -The temple itself is a massive and imposing edifice, of reddish -Elephantine stone. It is of vast proportions, and the effect produced -is that of a mountain of rock hewn into a temple, as travellers say -temples are cut out of the face of cliffs in Idumea-Arabia. Its -expression is majesty and grandeur. It occupies the whole of one side -of the vast square described by me in my last letter. - -As we were about to ascend to the gate, I was startled by a loud and -menacing cry from many voices, and, looking around, perceived a Tyrian -mariner, recognized by me as such by his dress, who was flying across -the square with wings of fear. A crowd, which momentarily increased, -pursued him swiftly with execrations and cries of vengeance! As he -drew near, I noticed that he was as pale as a corpse. Seeing that he -was a Phoenician, I felt interested in him, and by a gesture drew -him towards me. He fell at my feet, crying--"Save me, O my prince!" - -"What hast thou done?" I demanded. - -"Only killed one of their cats, my lord!" - -The throng came rushing on, like a stormy wave, uttering fearful -cries. - -"May I try and protect him, O Remeses," I asked, for I knew that, if -taken, he would be slain for destroying one of their sacred animals. - -"I will see if I can; but I fear my interposition will not be heeded -in a case like this," he replied. At the same time he deprecatingly -waved his hand to the infuriated populace, which had in a few moments -increased to a thousand people. - -"No, not even for the prince! He has killed a sacred animal. By our -laws he also must die. We will sacrifice him to the gods!" - -In vain I entreated, and Remeses interposed. The wretched man was torn -from our presence by as many hands as could seize him, thrown down the -steps of the temple, and trampled upon by the furious crowd, until -nothing like a human shape remained. The formless mass was then -divided into pieces, and carried to a temple where numerous sacred -cats are kept, in order to be given to them to devour. Such is the -terrible death they inflict upon one who by accident kills a cat or an -ibis! - -"The power of the State is weak when contending with the mad strength -of superstition," remarked Remeses, as we entered the temple between -two statues of brazen bulls. Entering through a majestic doorway, we -came into an avenue of vast columns, the size of which impressed me -with awe. The temple was originally erected to Pthah, anciently the -chief deity of Memphis, and dedicated in the present reign to the -sacred bull, whose apartment is the original adytum of the temple. - -The worship of Apis and Mnevis, the bulls consecrated to Osiris, -exhibits the highest point to which the worship of animals in Egypt -has reached, and it was with no little interest I felt myself -advancing into the presence of this deified animal. We were met, at -the entrance of the avenue of columns, by two priests in white linen -robes, over which was a crimson scarf, the sacred color of Apis. They -had tall caps on their heads, and each carried a sort of crook. They -received the prince with prostrations. Going one before and one behind -us, they escorted us along the gloomy and solemn avenue of sculptured -columns, until we came to a brazen door. A priest opened it, and we -entered a magnificent peristyle court supported by caryatides twelve -cubits in height, representing the forms of Egyptian women. We -remained in this grand hall a few moments, when a door on the opposite -side opened and the sacred bull appeared. He was conducted by a -priest, who led him by a gold chain fastened to his horns, which were -garlanded with flowers. The animal was large, noble-looking, and -jet-black in color, with the exception of a square spot of white upon -his forehead. Upon his shoulder was the resemblance of a vulture, and -the hairs were double in his tail! These being the sacred marks of -Apis, I observed them particularly: there should be also the mark of a -scarabeus on his tongue. - -The deity stalked proudly forth, slowly heaving up and down his huge -head and thick neck,--a look of barbaric power and grandeur glancing -from his eye. - -The curator of the sacred animal led him once around the hall, the -Egyptians prostrating themselves as he passed them, and even Remeses, -instinctively, from custom, bending his head. When he stopped, the -prince advanced to him, and taking a jewelled collar from a casket -which he brought with him, he said to the high-priest--who, with a -censer of incense, prepared to invoke the god-- - -"My lord priest of Apis: I, Remeses the prince, as a token of my -gratitude to the god, of whom the sacred bull is the emblem, for the -restoration of my mother, the queen, do make to the temple an offering -of this jewelled collar for the sacred bull." - -"His sacred majesty, my lord prince, accepts, with condescension and -grace, your offering," answered the gorgeously attired high-priest. He -then passed the necklace through the cloud of incense thrice, and -going up to the bull, fastened the costly gift about his neck, already -decorated with the price of a kingdom, while his forehead glittered -like a mass of diamonds. A cool draft of wind passing through the open -hall, a priest (at least two hundred attendant priests were assembled -there to witness the prince's offering) brought a covering or housing -of silver and gold tissue, magnificently embroidered, and threw it -over the god. - -The prince now, at the request of the queen, proceeded to obtain an -omen as to the success of his army. He therefore approached and -offered the bull a peculiar cake, of which he is very fond, which the -animal took from his palm and ate. At this good omen there was a -murmur of satisfaction; for a refusal to eat is accounted a bad omen. -Remeses smiled as if gratified. Could it be that he had faith in the -omen? I know not. Much must be allowed to the customs of a lifetime! -Trained to all these rituals from a child, had the philosophy of his -later years wholly destroyed in him _all_ faith and confidence in the -gods of his mother and his country? The priest now asked a question -aloud, addressed to the god: - -"Will the Prince of Egypt, O sacred Apis, be a successful king, when -he shall come to the throne?" - -The reply to the question was to be found in the first words Remeses -should hear spoken by any one when he left the temple. He immediately -departed from the peristyle, and we returned through the solemn avenue -to the portico. As we descended the steps, a seller of small images of -the bull called out, in reply to something said by another-- - -"He will never get there!" - -"Mark those words, Sesostris!" he said, not unimpressed by them; "my -mother is to outlive me, or Moeris will seize the throne from me!" - -"Do you put faith in this omen?" - -"I know not what to answer you, my Sesostris. You have, no doubt," he -added, "after all I have said, marvelled at my offering to Apis. But -it is hard to destroy early impressions, even with philosophy, -especially if the mind has no certain revelation to cling to, when it -casts off its superstitions. But here I must leave you, at the door of -the hierarch's palace. This noble priest is head of the priesthood of -Pthah, a part of whose temple, as you have seen, is devoted to -Apis,--or rather the two temples subsist side by side. You saw him -last week at our palace. He has asked you to be his guest while here. -Honor his invitation, and he will not only teach you much that you -desire to know, but will visit with you the great pyramidal temple of -Cheops." - -Having entered the palace, and placed me under the hospitality of the -noble Egyptian hierarch therein, the prince took leave of me. I would -like to describe to you the taste and elegance of this abode, my dear -mother; its gardens, fountains, flower-courts, paintings, and rich -furniture. But I must first say a little more about the god Apis, who -holds so prominent a place in the mythology of Egypt. In the -hieroglyphic legends he is called Hapi, and his figurative sign on the -monuments is a bull with a globe of the sun upon his head, and the -hieroglyphic cruciform emblem of Life drawn near it. Numerous bronze -figures of this bull are cast, whereupon they are consecrated, -distributed over Egypt, and placed in the tombs of the priests. The -time to which the sacred books limit the life of Apis is twenty-five -years, which is a mystic number here; and if his representative does -not die a natural death by that time, he is driven to the great -fountain of the temple, where the priests were accustomed to bathe him -(for he is fed and tended with the greatest delicacy, luxury, and -servility by his priestly curators), and there, with hymns chanted and -incense burning, they drown him amid many rites and ceremonies, all of -which are written in the forty-two books of papyrus kept in the sacred -archives of the oldest temple. - -No sooner does the god expire, than certain priests, who are selected -for the purpose, go in search of some other bull; for they believe -that the soul of Osiris has migrated into another body of one of these -animals, or "Lords of Egypt," as I have heard them called. This belief -of the constant transfer of himself by Osiris from the body of one -bull to another, is but the expression of a popular notion here, that -souls of men transmigrate from body to body; and my opinion is -confirmed by a scene depicted in the judgment-hall of Osiris, where -the god is represented as sending a soul, whose evil deeds outweighed -his good ones, back to earth, and condemning it to enter the body of a -hog, and so begin anew, from the lowest animal condition, to rise by -successive transmigrations through other beasts, higher and higher; -until he became man again, when, if he had acquired virtue in his -probation, he was admitted to the houses of the gods and became -immortal. - -The prince assures me that the belief in the transmigration of souls -is almost universal in the Thebad, as well as among the lower orders -in the northern nomes; and that the universal reverence for animals -is, without doubt, in a great measure to be traced to this sentiment. -A monstrous doctrine of the perpetual incarnation of deity in the -form, not of man, but of the brute, seems to be the groundwork of all -religious faith in Egypt. This idea is the key to the mysteries, -inconsistencies, and grossness of their outward worship; the -interpreter of their animal Pantheon. - -"There is a tradition," said to me, to-day, the prince-priest Misrai, -with whom I am now remaining, "that when Osiris came down to earth, in -order to benefit the human race by teaching them the wisdom of the -gods, evil men, the sons of Typhon, pursued to destroy him, when he -took refuge in the body of a bull, who protected and concealed him. -After his return to the heavens, he ordained that divine honors should -be paid to the bull forever." - -This account, my dear mother, is a more satisfactory myth than any -other, if any can be so; and recognizes incarnation as the principle -of the worship of Apis. This universal idea in the minds of men, that -the Creator once dwelt in the body of a creature, would lead one to -believe, that in ages past the Infinite had descended from heaven for -the good of men, and dwelt in a body; or that, responding to this -universal idea, he may yet do it. Perhaps, dear mother, the worship of -Osiris under the form of Apis, may be the foreshadowing and type of -what is yet really to come--a dispensation, preparing men for the -actual coming of the Invisible in a visible form. What a day of glory -and splendor for earth, should this prove true! The conception, dear -mother, is not my own; it is a thought of the great, and wise, and -good Remeses, who, if ever men are deified, deserves a place, after -death, among the gods. His vast and earnest mind, enriched with all -the stores of knowledge that man can compass, seems as if it derived -inspiration from the heavens. His conversation is deeper than the -sacred books; the ideas of his soul more wonderful than the mysteries -of the temple! - -The priests who seek another bull, discover him by certain signs -mentioned in their sacred books. These I have already described. In -the mean while, a public lamentation is performed, as if Osiris, that -is, "the Lord of Heaven," had died, and the mourning lasts until the -new Apis is found. This information is proclaimed by swift messengers -in all the cities, and is hailed with the wildest rejoicings. The -scribes who have found the young calf which is to be the new god, keep -it with its mother in a small temple facing the rising sun, and feed -it with milk for four months. When that term is expired, a grand -procession of priests, scribes, prophets, and interpreters of omens, -headed by the high-priest, and often by the king, as hereditary priest -of his realm, proceed to the temple or house of the sacred calf, at -the time of the new moon--the slender and delicate horns of which -symbolize those of the juvenile Apis. With chants and musical -instruments playing, they escort him to a gorgeously decorated _baris_ -or barge, rowed by twelve oars, and place him in a gilded cabin on -costly mats. They then convey him in great pomp and with loud -rejoicings to Memphis. Here the whole city receives him with trumpets -blowing and shouts of welcome; garlands are cast upon his neck by -young girls, and flowers strewed before him by the virgins of the -temple. - -Thus escorted, the "Living Soul of Osiris" is conducted to the temple -provided for him, which is now, as I have before observed, an -appendage to the Temple of Pthah or Vulcan, an edifice remarkable for -its architectural beauty, its extent, and the richness of its -decorations; indeed, the most magnificent temple in the city. A -festival of many days succeeds, and the young deity is then led in -solemn procession throughout the city, that all the people may see -him. These come out of their houses to welcome him, with gifts, as he -passes. Mothers press their children forward towards the sacred animal -that they may receive his breath which, they believe, conveys the -power to them of predicting future events. Returned to his sacred -adytum, he henceforth reigns as a god, daintily fed, and reverently -served. Pleasure-gardens and rooms for recreation are provided for him -when he would exercise. - -At the death of Apis, all the priests are immediately excluded from -the temple, which is given up to profound solitude and silence, as if -it also mourned, in solemn desolation, the loss of its god. His -obsequies are celebrated on a scale of grandeur and expenditure hardly -conceivable. Sometimes the rich treasury of the temple, though filled -with the accumulated gold of a quarter of a century, is exhausted. -Upon the death of the last Apis, the priests expended one hundred -talents of gold in his obsequies, and Prince Moeris, who seeks every -opportunity to make a show of piety, and to please the Egyptians, gave -them fifty talents more, to enable them to defray the enormous costs -of the funeral of the god. - -The burial-place of the Serapis, as the name is on the mausoleum -(formed by pronouncing together Osiris-Apis), is outside of the -western pylon of the city. We approached it through a paved avenue, -with lions ranged on each side of it. It consists of a vast gallery, -hewn in a rocky spur of the Libyan cliff, twenty feet in height, and -two thousand long. I visited this tomb yesterday, accompanied by the -high-priest. He showed me the series of chambers on the sides of this -sepulchral hall, where each embalmed Apis was deposited in a -sarcophagus of granite fifteen feet in length. There were sixty of -these sarcophagi, showing the permanency and age of this system of -worship. They were adorned with royal ovals, inscribed, or with -tablets containing dedications, to Apis. One of these bore the -inscription, "To the god Osiris-Apis, the Lord of the Soul of Osiris, -and emblem of the Sun, by Amense, Queen and upholder of the two -kingdoms." - -In front of the sculptured entrance of this hall of the dead god is -the Sarapeum, a funeral temple for perpetual obsequies. It has a -vestibule of noble proportions, its columns being of the delicately -blue-veined alabaster from the quarries in the south. On each side of -the doorway is a crouching lion, with a tablet above one, upon which a -king is represented making an offering. Within the vestibule stand, in -half circle, twelve statues of ancient kings. In a circle above these -sit, with altars before each, as many gods. Upon a pedestal in the -centre stands the statue of the Pharaoh who erected this beautiful -edifice. - -Thus, my dear mother, have I endeavored, as you requested, to present -before your mind a clear view of the system of theology, and the forms -of worship of the Egyptians. To evolve from the contradictory and -vague traditions a reasonable faith; to select from the countless -myths a dominating idea; to separate the true from the false, to bring -harmony out of what, regarded as a whole, is confusion; to know what -is local, what national in rites, and to reconcile all the theories of -Osiris with one another, is a task far from easy to perform. At first, -I believed I should never be able to arrive at any system in these -multifarious traditions and usages, but I think that my researches -have given me an insight into the difficulties of their religion, and -enabled me, in a great measure, to unravel the tangled thread of their -mythology. - -I will now resume my pen, which, since writing the above, I laid down -to partake of a banquet with the priest, my princely host, at which I -met many of the great lords of Memphis, namely--the lord-keeper of the -royal signet, the lord of the wardrobe and rings of the queen's -palace, and the lord of the treasury. These men of rank I well knew, -having met them before at the table of the queen. There were also -strangers whom I had not met before--men of elegant address, and in -rich apparel, each with the signet of his office on his left hand; -among others, the lord of the nilometer, who reports the progress of -the elevation of the river in the annual overflows, and by which all -Lower Egypt is governed in its agricultural work; the president of the -engravers on hard stones, an officer of trust and high honor; the -governors of several nomes, in their gold collars and chains; the lord -of the house of silver; the president of architects; the lord of -sculptors; the president of the school of art and color; with other -men of dignity. There were also high-priests of several fanes, of -Athor, of Pthah, of Horus, of Maut, and of Amun. Besides these -gentlemen, there was a large company of noble ladies, their wives and -daughters, who came to the banquet by invitation of the Princess -Nelisa, the superb and dark-eyed wife of the Prince Hierarch, and one -of the most magnificent and queenly women (next to the queen herself) -I have seen in this land of beautiful women. - -It was a splendid banquet. The Lady Nelisa presided with matchless -dignity and grace. But I have already described a banquet to you. This -was similar in display and the mode of entertaining the guests. - -I was seated opposite the daughter of the Priest of Mars, of whose -beauty I have before spoken. She asked many questions, in the most -captivating way, about Tyre, and yourself, and the Phoenician ladies -generally. She smiled, and looked surprised, when I informed her that -I was betrothed to the fair Princess Thamonda, and asked me if she -were as fair as the women of Egypt. She inquired if Damascus had -always been a part of Phoenicia, and how large your kingdom was. -When I told her that your kingdom was composed of several lesser -kingdoms, once independent, but now united far east of Libanus, under -your crown, she inquired if you were a warlike queen to make such -conquests. I replied that this union of the free cities of -Phoenicia, and of the cities of Coele-Syria under your sceptre, -was a voluntary one, partly for union against the kings of Philistia, -partly from a desire to be under so powerful and wise a queen. She -said that if the danger were passed, or you were no more, the kings of -these independent cities might dissolve the bonds, and so diminish the -splendor of the crown which I was to wear. To this I replied, that to -be king of Tyre and its peninsula was a glory that would meet my -ambition. "Yes," said she, "for Tyre is the key of the riches of the -earth!" - -I repeat this conversation, dear mother, in order to show you that the -high-born daughters of Egypt are not only affable and sensible, but -that they possess no little knowledge of other lands, and take an -interest in countries friendly to their own. The grace and beauty of -this maiden, as well as her modesty, rendered her conversation -attractive and pleasing. She is to become the wife of a brave young -captain of the chariot battalion, when he returns from the Ethiopian -war. - -My visit to the pyramids I will now describe, dear mother, although in -a letter to the Princess Thamonda I have given a very full account of -it. Accompanied by the hierarch and a few young lords--his friends and -mine--we rode in chariots out of the gate of the city, passed the -guards, who made obeisance to the high-priest, and entered upon an -avenue (what noble avenues are everywhere!) of trees growing upon a -raised and terraced mound which bounded each side of it. The mound was -emerald-green with verdancy, and the color of the foliage of the -palms, acacias, and tamarisk trees was enriched by the bright sunshine -as seen through the pure atmosphere. At intervals we passed a pair of -obelisks, or through a grand pylon of granite. Then we came to a -beautiful lake--the Lake of the Dead--where we passed a procession of -shrines. Every nome and all large cities have such a lake. I will here -state its use, which, like every thing in Egypt, is a religious one. -It is connected with the passage of the dead from this world to the -next; for the Egyptians not only believe in a future state, but that -rewards or punishments await the soul. When a person of distinction -dies, after the second or third day his body is taken charge of by -embalmers, a class of persons whose occupation it is to embalm the -dead. They have houses in a quarter of the city set apart for this -purpose. Here the friends of the dead are shown three models of as -many different modes of embalmment, of which they choose one, -according to the expense they are willing to incur. "The most -honorable and most costly," said the high-priest to me, as we were -surveying the Lake of the Dead, towards which a procession was moving -from the city, when we came before it, "is that in which the body is -made to resemble Osiris. And a custom prevails among us, that the -operator who first wounds the body with the sharp embalming flint, -preparatory to embalming, is odious by the act, and is compelled to -take to flight, pursued with execrations and pelted with stones. No -doubt the man we saw flying out of a house this morning, as we passed, -was one of these incisors." - -The body remains seventy days, if that of a person of rank, at the -embalmers. It is then either taken to the house, to be detained a -longer or shorter time--according to the attachment of relatives, and -their reluctance to part with it--or is prepared for entombment. -During the interval of seventy days, the mourners continue their signs -of lamentation, which often are excessive in degree, such as tearing -off raiment, beating the breast, and pouring dust upon the head. The -pomp of the burial of the Pharaohs, I am informed, is inconceivably -grand and imposing. The whole realm joins in the rites and -processions, and every temple is crowded with sacrificers and -incense-burners. - -We stopped our chariots to witness the funeral procession advance to -the shore of the lake, from the wide street leading from Memphis. - -First came seven musicians, playing a solemn dirge upon lyres, flutes, -and harps with four chords. Then servants carrying vases of flowers; -and others followed, bearing baskets containing gilded cakes, fruit, -and crystal goblets of wine. Two boys led a red calf for sacrifice in -behalf of the dead, and two others carried in a basket three -snow-white geese, also for sacrifice. Others bore beautiful chairs, -tablets, napkins, and numerous articles of a household description; -while others still, held little shrines, containing the household gods -or effigies of their ancestors. Seven men carrying daggers, fans, -sandals, and bows, each having a napkin on his shoulder, followed. -Next I saw eight men appear, supporting a table; and lying upon it, as -offerings, were embroidered couches and lounges, richly inlaid boxes, -and an ivory chariot with silver panels, which, with the foregoing -articles, the high priest informed me had belonged to the deceased, -who, from the cartouch on the chariot, was Rathmes, "lord of the royal -gardens." - -Behind this chariot came the charioteer, with a pair of horses -caparisoned with harness for driving, but which he led on foot out of -respect to his late master. - -Then came a venerable man, with the features and beard of the Hebrew -race. Surprised to see one of these people anywhere, save with an -implement of toil in his hand, or bowed down to the earth under a -burden, I looked more closely, and recognized the face of the head -gardener, Amrami, or Amram, whom I had often seen in the queen's -garden, and whom Remeses had taken, as it were, into his service, as -he was his foster-father: for it is no uncommon thing with the nobles -to have Hebrew nurses for their infants; on the contrary, they are -preferred. When Remeses was an infant, it seems, therefore, that the -wife of this fine-looking old Hebrew was his foster-mother, or nurse. -I have before spoken of the striking resemblance he bears to Remeses. -Were he his father (if I may so speak of a prince in connection with a -slave), there could not be a much greater likeness. - -This venerable man, who must be full seventy years of age, bore in his -hand a bunch of flowers, inverted and trailing, in token that his lord -was no more. He was followed by not less than fifty under-gardeners, -four or five of whom had Hebrew lineaments, but the rest were -Egyptians and Persians,--the latter celebrated for the culture of -flowers, which are so lavishly used here in all the ceremonies of -society and rites of religion. - -After them followed four men, each bearing aloft a vase of gold, upon -a sort of canopy, with other offerings; then came a large bronze -chest, borne by priests, containing the money left to their temple by -the deceased. Then, in succession, one who bore his arms; another, a -pruning-hook of silver; another, his fans; a fourth, his signets, -jewelled collars, and necklaces, displayed upon a cushion of blue -silk, adorned with needle-work; and a fifth, the other insignia -peculiar to a noble who had been intrusted with the supervision of all -the royal gardens in the Memphite kingdom. - -Now came four trumpeters and a cymbal-player, performing a martial -air, in which voices of men mingled, called "The Hymn of Heroes." - -Next appeared a decorated barge or _baris_,--a small, sacred boat, -carried by six men, whom I saw elevate to view the mysterious "Eye of -Osiris;" while others carried a tray of blue images, representing the -deceased under the form of that god, also of the sacred bird -emblematic of the soul. Following these were twelve men, bearing, upon -yokes balanced across the shoulders, baskets and cases filled with -flowers and crystal bottles for libation. Next were a large company of -hired females, with fillets upon their brows, beating their bared -breasts, and throwing dust upon their heads,--now lamenting the dead, -now praising his virtues. - -Then came the officiating priest, his sacred leopard-skin cast over -his shoulders, bearing in his hand the censer and vase of libation, -and accompanied by his attendants holding the various implements -required for the occasion. Behind this priest came a car, without -wheels, drawn by four white oxen and seven men, yoked to it, while -beside them walked a chief officer, who regulated the movements of the -procession. Upon this car was the consecrated boat, containing the ark -or hearse. The pontiff of the Temple of Horus walked by the -sarcophagus, which was decked with flowers, and richly painted with -various emblems. A panel, left open on one side, exposed to view the -head of the mummy. - -Finally came the male relatives of the dead, and his friends. In his -honor the queen's grand-chamberlain and the master of horse marched -together in silence, and with solemn steps, leaning on their long -sticks. Other men followed, whose rich dresses, and long -walking-canes, which are the peculiar mark of an Egyptian gentleman, -showed them to be persons of distinction. A little in the rear of -these walked a young man, who dropped a lotus-flower from a basket at -every few steps, and closed the long procession. - -In no country but this, where rain seldom falls, and it is always -pleasant in the open air, could such a procession safely appear -bearing wares so delicate and frail. The only danger to be apprehended -is from storms of sand from the desert beyond the pyramids, of the -approach of which, however, the atmosphere gives a sufficient warning. - -This letter is quite long enough, dear mother, and I close it, with -wishes for your happiness, and assurances of the filial devotion of - - Your son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XV. - - -CITY OF MEMPHIS. - -DEAREST MOTHER: - -Your last letter, assuring me of your health, and that of the Princess -Thamonda, I received by the chief pilot, Onothis, who, in his new and -handsome galley, reached the head of the Delta two days ago. Thence he -came here in his boat, his ship being too large, in the present depth -of water, to come up to Memphis. - -I will now continue the description of the funeral of "the lord of the -royal gardens." When the procession reached the steps leading down to -the sacred lake, the hearse was borne upon a gilded and carved baris, -the consecrated boat for the dead. This was secured to a decorated -galley with sails and oars and a spacious cabin, richly painted with -funeral emblems. The friends and relatives of the deceased embarked in -other barges in waiting, and to the strains of wailing music, the -procession, reverently joined by the boats of several gentlemen, in -gay apparel, who were fishing on the lake, crossed to the other side. -Reaching the opposite shore, it formed again, as before, and moved -down "the Street of the Tombs," crossed a narrow plain, and entered -the gate of the great burial-place of Memphis. We slowly followed the -procession; and, alighting from the chariot, I saw them take the mummy -from the sarcophagus on the car, and place it upright in a chamber of -the tomb. An assistant priest then sprinkled all who were present with -sacred water, and the chief-priest burnt incense before an altar of -the tomb, and poured libations upon it, with other ceremonies. To -close the scene, the mummy was embraced by weeping friends, and a -funeral dirge played by the musicians without, which was wildly -answered by the mourning wail of woe from within. - -Driving around the Acherusis Lake, under the shade of its solemn -groves, the priest directed his charioteer to take me in again at the -gate of the tombs. Reseating myself by his side--for the chariots of -the priests, as well as those of ladies, are provided with a movable -curved chair which holds two persons--we proceeded in a direct line -towards the greatest of the three pyramids that stand near Memphis. We -were upon what is called "The Sacred Way." It commenced at the gate of -a temple to the god of the winds, beneath the pylon of which we -passed, and extended nearly a league in length over a vast plain -crowded with funeral temples, monuments, mausolean porticos, statues, -and fountains. All the architectural magnificence which is found in -other avenues, seemed to be combined here to form a royal road which -has no parallel on earth; not even the long column-lined approach to -the Temple of the Sun, at the end of the straight street in Damascus, -can be compared with it. - -This noble thoroughfare, as we drove slowly along that I might admire -its grandeur and beauty, was thronged with people going to and coming -from the city. There were processions returning from having deposited -their dead in one of the many tombs which covered the vast plain; -processions of the humbler orders, with but few signs of display and -wealth, proceeding, with real mourners, to the tomb. There were groups -of children, their hands filled with garlands, going to place them -upon the sarcophagus of a departed parent; for the custom of -decorating the resting-places of the dead with wreaths often renewed, -belongs to Egypt as well as to Syria. - -We overtook a rich lady in a gilded palanquin, borne on the shoulders -of four slaves. She was opulently and handsomely attired, and carried -a blue and green fan, while an attendant walked behind and held over -her head a large parasol. - -Two chariots, containing young Egyptian lords, dashed by us at full -speed in the excitement of a race, each driving his own ornamented -car, the charioteers standing a little in the rear. - -People selling little images of gods, or of eminent deceased persons, -or fruit, or flowers, or scarabi, and amulets, were seated all along -the highway, upon pedestals, or in the shade of statues and tombs; -while along the road walked sellers of vegetables, and fowls, and -bread. Indeed, the way was crowded with life and activity. With no -other people would the avenue to its tombs be the most thronged of -any, and the favorite of all in the city; for Memphis, which extends -from and includes Jizeh, past the pyramids south for six miles, has -noble streets, but none like this leading to the pyramids. The -Egyptians say that the house is but the temporary abode of man, but in -the tombs his embalmed body dwells forever. "Let us, therefore, -decorate our tombs with paintings and art, and fill them with flowers, -and adorn the homes which are to be permanent." - -Hence the "dead-life" of the sepulchres is not less a reality to the -Egyptian than his life in the city. The poor, however, do not find -tombs. They are buried in graves or pits, like the Hebrew people. On -the other side of the river lies the most ancient burial-place of -Memphis; but since the construction of the Lake of the Dead, it is no -longer necessary to cross the Nile (for the dead _must_ be ferried -across water) for interment. - -As we drove on, we came to a stately sepulchre, before which was -gathered a large multitude. The coffin had just been removed from a -gorgeous hearse and set down upon the step of the tomb. It was the -funeral of a lady. I never saw any painting so rich as that which -adorned the mummy-case. It was an Osirian coffin, and covered in every -part with columns of hieroglyphics or emblematical figures, among -which were represented the winged serpent, the ibis, the cynocephalus -or the genii of Amenthe, and the scarabus. - -"The hieroglyphics," said my companion, "contain the name and -qualities of the deceased." - -At this moment an official, partly in a priestly dress, advanced in an -imposing manner, touched the coffin with a wand, and said aloud: - -"Approved! Let the good be entombed, and may their souls dwell in -Amenthe with Osiris. Judgment is passed in her favor! Let her be -buried!" - -Upon hearing this address, I asked the high-priest what it signified. -He replied, with that courtesy which has always distinguished his -replies to my numerous questions: - -"This act has reference to the judgment of Osiris. We did not witness -a similar ceremony at the lake, because the deceased was brought from -On, and had already been judged at the crossing of the Nile. If we had -sooner seen this funeral procession, which came only from the city to -the lake, we should have beheld forty-two just persons, chosen as -judges, seated upon a semicircular stone bench along the shore." - -"I noticed the stone seats," I answered, "and intended to have -inquired their use." - -"Seated upon them, the forty-two judges await the procession. The -baris, or gilded galley, which is to receive the body, is then drawn -alongside of the steps. Before it the bearers stop, and turning to the -judges, rest their burden on the ground before them. Then, while all -the friends stand anxiously around, and hundreds of spectators line -the shores, one of the judges rises and asks if any one present can -lawfully accuse the deceased of having done wrong to any man. If the -dead has done injustice or evil, his enemy, or the one wronged, or -their relatives, advance and make the charge. The judges weigh the -accusation, and if it be sustained, the rites of sepulchre are -commanded not to proceed." - -Such a judgment, dear mother, I afterwards witnessed on our return -from the pyramids. It was the funeral of a woman of respectability. - -The accuser said, advancing into the space before the judges-- - -"I accuse the deceased of suffering her father to perish in want." - -"This is a great crime by our laws," said the judge sternly; "for, -though sons are not bound to provide for poor parents, daughters are. -This she knew, and was able to do it. Where are the proofs?" - -Three persons came forward and bore testimony to the fact. - -"The deceased is not worthy to pass the Lake of the Dead. The burial -is prohibited." - -Hereupon there was a great cry of woe on the part of the mortified -relations; and the mummy, without being permitted to enter the sacred -baris, was retaken to the city, where in a shrine in the house it will -remain above-ground for years; until finally, after certain -ceremonies, it is permitted to be ignominiously entombed in "the -sepulchre of the evil." - -This accusation and judgment, dear mother, is a striking illustration -of the veneration and respect children are expected to pay to their -parents in Egypt. - -If, on the other hand, the accusation is not sustained, the accusers -are stoned away by the friends, who then with great joy unite in a -eulogy of the dead, and joined by all the people present pray the gods -below to receive him to dwell among the pious dead. In the eulogy, -they speak only of virtues--praising his learning, his integrity, his -justice, his piety, his temperance, and truthfulness; but no mention -is made of rank, since all Egyptians are deemed equally noble. Such an -ordeal has no doubt a great influence upon the living Egyptian; for he -is certain that at his death every act of injustice he has committed -will be brought up before the forty-two judges, and if found guilty, -he will be denied sepulture, while infamy will be attached to his -memory. - -"What," I asked of my companion, the high-priest, "is the state of the -deceased soul after death?" - -"That, O prince," said he, "is one of the mysteries. But as you have -been initiated into the knowledge of the mystic books in your own -land, I will explain to you what our books of the dead teach. We -priests of Apis do not believe with those of Osiris at On." - -"What is their faith?" I asked. - -"That the soul of man is immortal (which we all believe)," he added -positively; "that when the body decays, the soul enters into and is -born in the form of a lower animal; and when it has gone the round of -the bodies of all terrestrial and marine animals, and of all flying -creatures, it enters again into the body of an infant at its birth." - -"Possibly in this belief," I remarked, "is found the reason for -preserving the human body as long as possible by embalming it, thus -keeping off the transmigration of its soul into a brute as long as -possible." - -"Without doubt," he replied, "embalming the dead grew out of the -doctrine of transmigration of souls. The circuit performed by a soul -in this series of inhabitations of the forms of animals, is three -thousand years in duration. Such is the belief of the priests of the -Sun. This transmigration is not connected either with reward or -punishment, but it is a necessity of its creation that the soul should -accomplish the whole circuit of the kingdom of animated nature ere it -again enters a human body. _Our_ doctrine of metempsychosis only so -far embodies this, as to make Osiris send back the transgressing soul -from Amenthe to earth, to dwell in the body of swine as a punishment; -and when its probation is passed, we allow an ultimate return to the -Divine Essence." - -"What is this tribunal of Osiris?" I asked. - -"The dead carry with them to the tomb a papyrus, on which is written -their address to the gods, and the deeds which entitle them to -admission into Heaven. When the soul leaves the grave, it is received -by Horus son of Osiris, and conducted to the gates of Amenthe, or the -regions of the gods. At the entrance, a dog with four heads--of the -wolf, lion, serpent, and bear--keeps guard. Near the gate, which is -called the Gate of Truth, sits the goddess of Justice, with her -gigantic scales of gold between her and the Gate of Truth. Hard by -sits the god Thoth, with a tablet and stylus. The scales are -superintended by the deity Anubis Through the open gate the throne of -Osiris is visible with the deity upon it. - -"As Horus advances with the soul to the Gate of Truth, as if to enter, -the goddess of Justice commands him to stop, that the sum of its -deeds, both good and evil, may be weighed and recorded. - -"Anubis then places a vase containing all the human virtues in one -scale, and the heart of the deceased, or sometimes the soul itself, in -the other. Horus repeats the result, which the god Thoth inscribes -upon his iron tablet. The dog watches the issue of the weighing with -eyes red with furious longing to devour the soul. If the sum of its -good deeds predominates, Horus, taking it by one hand, and the tablet -of Thoth in the other, advances into the hall, where his father, -Osiris, is seated upon the throne, holding his crook and flagellum, -and awaiting the report from the hand of his son. They approach the -throne between four genii of Amenthe, and come before three deities -who sit in front of the throne. These ask if he has been weighed, and -Horus exhibits to each the tablet of Thoth. They then permit him to -pass. Horus now stands before Osiris, with the soul by his side, and -presents the tablet, which the deity takes from his son's hand. If -satisfied by an inspection of the tablet, which records not only the -virtues but every error of the soul's life on earth, Osiris presents -him with an ostrich feather, the emblem of truth. One of the three -deities then gives him a vase containing all the virtues, his few sins -being pardoned; a second offers him a jewelled band for the forehead, -on which is inscribed in diamonds the word 'justified;' and the third -presents him with the emblem of life. He is now received by Isis, and -conducted through gates of gold that open with divine music, and -enters into scenes of celestial beauty and splendor; palaces of the -gods become his abode, he reposes by heavenly rivers of crystal -beauty, wanders through fields of delight, and dwells with the Lord of -the Sun, and all the immortal gods, in glory ineffable and endless." - -The hierarch said all this with great animation, and like a man who -believes what he utters. I was deeply interested. - -"And what, my lord priest, becomes of the soul which cannot meet the -scales of justice with confidence, whose evil deeds outweigh his good -ones?" - -"Such a soul does not see Osiris, nor the farther heavens where he -dwells illumined by the glory of the divine disk of the Lord of the -Sun. The reprobate spirit does not behold the Eye of Osiris, nor -repose in its pure light. It is not manifested to the sacred deities -of the inner heavens, nor does he hear the voice of the great god, -saying, 'Thou art justified, O soul! Enter thou the Gate of Truth.' - -"If the soul is all wicked, with no virtues, then Horus releases its -hand with horror, and the dog devours the wretched being in a moment. -But if he has one or two virtues--such as honoring his parents, having -saved a human life, or fed the hungry--then he is not given over to -the monster; but Horus, with a sad aspect, leads him to the throne of -Osiris, who, reading the dark tablet of Thoth, sternly inclines his -sceptre in token of condemnation, and pronounces judgment upon him -according to his sin, when, Horus leaving him, two evil gods from the -realms of Typhon appear and lead him forth." - -"What is the punishment ordained?" - -"To be led back to the gate of Truth and delivered to Justice, who, -without a head, sits thereat. The goddess seals the sentence of Osiris -upon the forehead of the unclean soul, and instantly it assumes the -form of a pig, or some other base animal. The god Thoth then calls up -two monkeys, who take the condemned soul to a boat and ferry it back -to the world, while the bridge by which it came from the earth is cut -down by Anubis, in the form of a man with an axe." - -"As every thing in Egyptian mythology is symbolical, what is the -signification of these monkeys?" - -"Monkeys are emblems of Thoth, the god of time," he answered. "The -books of our mysteries teach that the human race began with the -monkey, and progressively advanced to man. Osiris, by his judgment, -condemns the unclean soul to the level of the monkey again, but first -commands it to enter a swine's body, the uncleanest of all beasts, and -make its way through the whole circle of animal creation, back to the -monkey, and up through the black, barbaric races of men, who have arms -like apes, to true man himself. Then, practising virtue and rejecting -his former vices, he may after death finally attain to the mansions of -the blessed, in the presence of Osiris. But I should add, the souls of -bodies unburied can never enter the Gate of Truth." - -Here we came in sight of the gigantic pylon that opens to the Temple -of the Pyramid of Cheops, and the hierarch ceased speaking. He had, -however, but little to add, for his explanations covered all the -ground of my inquiries. - -Thus, dear mother, have I presented to you the system of worship in -this wonderful land. I will now proceed to a description of my visit -to the pyramids, which, in sublime majesty, occupied the whole horizon -as we advanced beyond the plain of the tombs. At the extremity of the -paved causeway of this stately "Avenue of the Dead," leading from the -Nile to the pyramids, we beheld the three great triangular mountains -of gigantic art obliquely, so that they were grasped by the eye in one -grand view. But the lofty mass of Cheops immediately before us, at the -end of the avenue, challenged the eye and whole attention of the -observer. For a moment, as we dashed onward in our brilliantly painted -chariot, our steeds tossing their plumed heads as if proud of their -housings of gold and needle-work, we lost sight of the pyramid by the -interposition of the gigantic wings of the Gate of the Pyramids. These -wings were towers of Syenite rock, one hundred and twenty feet in -height, looking down from their twelfth painted and sculptured story -upon the tops of the loftiest palms that grew on each side of the -entrance. The gate was guarded by priests, who wore a close silver -helmet, and held in their hands a short sword, the sheath of which -hung to a belt of leopard's skin. They were young men, numbering in -all three hundred and sixty, corresponding to the days of the former -Egyptian year; while their five captains typify five days added by the -gods. - -"These young men," said the high-priest, "are all sons of warlike -fathers. They desire to become priests, and are now in their -novitiate; but after a year's service as guards to the greatest of -temples, they will be advanced to a higher degree, and exchange the -sword for the shepherd's crook; and thence they rise to be bearers of -libation vases, and assistants in sacrifices." - -We passed under the lofty pylon, which was spanned by a bronze winged -sun, saluted by sixty of the guard on duty; this being the number of -each of the six bodies into which they are divided. As soon as we -entered the court of the gate, a sight of inconceivable grandeur burst -upon me. Imagine a double colonnade of the most magnificent pillars -which art could create, extending on each side of an open way a -thousand cubits in length. At the end of the grand vista, behold -crouched at full length, on the eastern edge of the elevated table on -which the pyramids stand, and in an attitude of eternal repose, with -an aspect of majesty and benignity inconceivable in the human -lineaments, an andro-sphinx of colossal size, having the face of a -warrior. Although stretched on the earth, with its fore-paws extended, -the summit of the brow is seventy feet above the earth. This sublime -image is emblematical, like all Egyptian sphinxes, and represents -strength or power combined with intellect. The face I at once -recognized to be that of Chephres, as seen upon his obelisk at Rhoda, -aggrandized by the vastness of its proportions to the aspect of a god. - -From my companion, the prince-hierarch, I learned it was begun by an -ancient Pharaoh of the same name, one of the kings of the oldest -dynasty, who conceived the idea of chiselling into these grand -proportions a mass of rock, which, projecting from the Libyan hills, -nearly obstructed the view of the principal pyramid. - -We were here forbidden to advance in our chariot, and the footmen, who -had never left the side of the horses, however swiftly our charioteer -might drive, caught them by the head, and we alighted. - -I had leisure now to contemplate the scene before me. The personation -of majesty, the sphinx, fills the breadth of the approach between the -massive pillars of the colonnade. Between his fore-paws, which extend -fifty feet, while the body is nearly three times this measure, stands -a beautiful temple faced with oriental alabaster. His head is crowned -with a helmet slightly convex, upon which, like a crest, is affixed -the sacred urus or serpent, shining with gold. The cape or neck-band -of the helmet is of scales, colored blue, red, green, and orange, -intermingled with gilding. A great and full beard descends over his -breast, immediately under which, and between his feet, is the summit -of the temple where sacrifices are daily offered to the god. Above his -towering brow soars the mighty pyramid before which this colossus -keeps guard. - -"The majesty of this image, O prince," said the high-priest, as, -leaning at every step upon his slender acacia rod, he walked by my -side, "impresses you." - -"It is the most majestic of all the gods of Egypt," I answered. - -"Yes. Its age is nearly coeval with the pyramid." - -"On the pyramidion base of the left obelisk in front of the temple of -Osiris, have I not seen reposing four small sphinxes copied from -this?" - -"Thou hast seen them. That obelisk is many ages old; yet long before -it, was this sphinx-god, as silent, majestic, and immovable in eternal -repose as you behold him now." - -At the termination of the avenue of direct approach, we descended an -inclined plane to a platform of marble, on which is an image of Osiris -in stone, and were brought nearly opposite the lower part of its face. -Then another flight of steps, cased with polished porphyry, brought us -on a level with the top of the temple. In the centre of this level -platform stands a statue of Horus, cast in bronze. Thence descending -another flight of thirty broad steps, we stood in the space between -the enormous feet of the sphinx, and directly before the beautiful -temple. - -Our gradual approach in this descent, during which the sphinx was kept -constantly in view, rising above us as we descended, heightened the -impressions first made upon me by its colossal size; and I beheld, -with new emotions of sublimity, its posture of repose and calm majesty -of aspect. - -A priest, in the full costume of his sacred office, stood at the door, -and preceded by him we entered. As it was the hour of oblation, he -held a censer in his hand, and approaching an altar before a granite -tablet at the end of the temple, he invoked the mysterious god. The -temple has no roof, but is exquisitely decorated and painted with -sacred symbols. On each side stands a tablet of limestone. The tablet -over the altar is inscribed with the name of the designer of the -sphinx, Menes, the first mortal king after the general overflow of the -mountains, and also with the destruction of the gigantic gods by the -uprising of unknown oceans upon the globe. The tablet holds his -shield, and on it is pictured the escape of the son of the ancient -gods, in a ship, which is resting upon a mountain peak. In this -tradition, mother, we find repeated our Phoenician history of the -flood, before the days of the first kings. Without doubt all nations -retain a similar tradition. Upon the same tablet is also a -representation of a later king offering incense and libations to the -god to whom the sphinx is consecrated. The tablets on the side also -represent kings offering prayer to the god. The floor is beautifully -tesselated with variegated stones; and on all sides are ivory or -silver tables, covered with beautifully shaped vases, containing -offerings of worshippers. There are, besides, ten shrines before the -altar, upon each of which rests a golden crown, gifts of kings of -other lands. Without question this temple of the sphinx is the richest -in Egypt in gifts, as well as most honored by its Pharaohs. Is it not -the vestibule to the grand pyramidal temple which is the tomb of the -first mortal king? - -But, my dear mother, I must not linger at the feet of the sphinx. -Leaving the temple, we ascended one of two broad stair-cases, and -mounting to a succession of terraces, adorned with statues of gods, -the vast bulk of the sphinx being on our right, we reached a noble -stone platform behind the image, upon which stands an ancient figure, -in coarse marble, worn by age, of Chephres the Great. He stamps a -sea-dragon under his feet, and upon his capped head is the beak of a -galley, with the head and wings of a dove. In this symbol, dear -mother, behold again the representation of the deluge, and the dove -that guided the ship which held Chephren, or Chephres, and his father, -the god Noachis, or Noah. - -When we had gained this terrace, we beheld before us both pyramids, -and between them the pylon of a vast temple, which, extending its -great arms on each side, embraced the twin pyramids in one godlike -edifice, of grandeur and dimensions immeasurable to the eye, and -overpowering to the imagination. To explain more clearly what I -beheld: Between, but in advance of them, towered a colossal pylon, to -which each pyramid was a wing, united by a wall of brick, ninety feet -high, encased with marble. This central temple, or pylon, was as -massive and solemn in its aspect as the pyramids which formed its -propyla. For a few moments I stood and gazed with awe. Until the -spectator reaches the terrace, the whole effect is not perceived; for, -though the central temple is visible, even from the Lake of the Dead, -it appears as if merely intervening; it is only on the terrace before -which the sphinx, the gigantic watcher before the pyramids, reposes, -that the whole grand design is comprehended. Had I been all at once -brought in sight of the House of Osiris, in the realm of the gods, I -should not have been more overawed and impressed. - -This temple, built of brick, with marble casing, has in its outline -the ruinous aspect of great age, and is not in as good preservation as -the pyramids, although subsequently erected, not as an after-thought, -but in keeping with the great design. - -But a visitor is announced as in the hall of reception; therefore, at -present, dear mother, farewell, - - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XVI. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY HONORED AND DEAR MOTHER: - -I have described my chariot ride through the plain of tombs, along the -magnificent causeway, which extends from the Lake of the Dead to the -feet of the sphinx. All that I beheld of the grandeur of the monuments -showed, that the Egyptians of past generations who built them, and lie -buried here, were a populous and powerful nation, in advance of all -others in the arts of life; since not only do the cities for the -living, but the "Homes of the Dead," attest their taste and love for -the beautiful and sublime in nature and art. The culmination of all -Egyptian marvels in architecture is the sphinx-guarded pyramidal -temple. - -We approached the central pylon along a paved court, across which two -hundred chariots could have driven in a line. This court was entirely -surrounded by a double row of majestic columns, with the lotus-leaf -capitals I have before described. The vastness of their proportions -seemed to be increased by contrast with a group of priests, who looked -like pigmies in size as they stood by their bases. The gigantic -entablature, which united their summits, was covered with sacred -symbols, richly colored, and crowned with statues of kings, hewn out -of the dark-gray granite of Ethiopia. But some of these were mutilated -by Time, which, indeed, had thrown its mantle of decay over the -whole,--pillars, architecture, and sculpture; for this court is coeval -with the sphinx crouched at its entrance, and but a little later than -the two pyramids. In a few centuries, decay will have brought the -mighty fabric to the earth; for, massive as it looks, it is built of -brick, covered with pictured stucco; but the pyramids of stone, which -have withstood the lapse of ages beyond history, will last as long as -the everlasting hills of granite from which their enormous blocks were -hewn. - -Passing beneath the great portal, we found ourselves in the sacred -square of the temple of the Pyramids, and I could now perceive the -mighty design. Connected by stupendous columnar wings, the pyramids -rose in sublime grandeur on either hand. Their summits shone with the -light of the setting sun, which, reflected from the polished casing of -the pictured tiles yet remaining near the top, and that once covered -the whole surface from base to apex, lent a splendor to them -indescribable. On the opposite side of the quadrangle, formed by the -temple in front and the bases of the pyramids on the two sides, is a -dark grove of palms, intermingled with statues and altars; and beyond -rise the dark hills of Libya--a fitting and solemn background to the -scene. - -About the summits of the Queen's Pyramid, which is a little smaller -than the other, though it appears to be of equal height, from the -superior elevation of the platform of rock on which it stands, soared -flocks of the white ibis, their snow-white wings flashing like pinions -of silver as they wheeled in mid-air. At that immense height they -looked no larger than sparrows. - -A statue of Horus, whose name I had also seen inscribed on the tablet -of the temple of the Sphinx, rose a colossal monolith in the centre of -the quadrangle, with one of Thoth upon his right, and another of -Anubis on his left hand. These figures were symbolical of the funereal -use of the pyramids between which they stood. - -After walking around the columned avenue of this great mausoleum, we -began the ascent of the larger pyramid, known as that of Cheops; the -other bearing the name of Chephres, as the high-priest informs me; and -the third, which towers in its own unaided grandeur farther to the -south, being that of Pharaoh-Men-Cherines. We found the ascent -extremely difficult--indeed, in ancient times it must have been -impossible, when its polished and beautiful casing remained entire; -but this having been removed by time and accident in many places, and -purposely in others, a path, if it may be so termed, is made to the -summit. We were aided by attendants of the temple, who from long -practice ascend with ease, assisting also those strangers who would -climb the perilous height. - -As we reached half-way, a block, which had been removed from its place -either by the irresistible force of a sirocco from the desert, or by -lightning, gave the high-priest and myself a welcome resting-place. - -As we stood here a few moments, I looked down upon the prospect below. -The sight at first made me dizzy, for we were elevated four hundred -feet above the base. I seemed to be suspended upon wings above an -abyss, and a dreadful desire to throw myself out into mid-air seized -me; so that to resist it I closed my eyes and clung firmly to the -attendant. It soon passed off, and I gazed down upon the vast -quadrangle, the persons in which looked no bigger than ants, while the -three colossi of the gods, in the centre, were reduced to the natural -size of men. - -Opposite, not six hundred cubits distant, stood Chephres. From each -pyramid swept the avenues of columns and the great wall connecting -both with the central temple and its pylon. From the grove of palms, -curled up into the pure orange-colored atmosphere a blue cloud of -incense, where some priest offered at one of its shrines. - -Again we mounted upwards, and, after incredible fatigue, gained the -summit--not without peril, for a slip of the foot or the hand, each -block being as high as a man's neck, would prove fatal. Indeed, more -than one life has been lost in falling down the side of the pyramid. A -prince of Midian, a country in Arabia, lost his life last century by -losing his hold and falling from Chephres, which is more difficult of -ascent than Cheops, (or Chuphu), as the priests there call its name. - -How shall I describe to you, my dear mother, the scene which burst -upon my vision, as I gazed about me from this mountain-like elevation! -As I ascended, the prospect of the country enlarged at every step, but -now I seemed to behold the earth itself spread out beneath me. The -place where we stood, which looks from below like a sharp apex, is a -platform several cubits across, on which twenty men could stand or -move about with ease. - -I can give you no adequate conception of the scene I beheld. First, -the valley of the Nile was visible, extending for many leagues to the -right and left, and resembling a green belt a few miles wide, through -which the river flowed like a silver band--while upon its borders -countless cities were set like precious stones. It was a gorgeous and -magnificent assemblage of cities, temples, palaces, obelisks, villas, -gardens, monuments, avenues of trees and sphinxes, sepulchres, -aqueducts, statue-lined causeways, galleys and pleasure barges, -chariots, horses, and multitudes of people. Nor should I omit what now -became visible in one field of view, to the north and south. I mean -not less than one hundred pyramids, all much smaller than the mighty -triad, but each, had not the others been up-builded, would have been a -marvel of grandeur. - -"Those are all tombs of kings, but of a later age than this one," said -the hierarch, looking towards them. "Each monarch, at the commencement -of his reign, laid the foundation of a pyramid. He built first a small -one, containing his sarcophagus and sepulchral chamber. Then every -year he added to the outside a complete layer of stones, which, after -many years, extended its base, and increased its elevation in like -proportions. Therefore the size of the pyramids marks the age to which -the king lived." - -"Then," said I, "the kings who built the multitude of lesser pyramids, -which we behold in the distance, must have had much shorter lives than -the builders of these vast piles." - -"You are right, O prince," he said. "When the pyramid, on which we now -stand, and its companions were builded, men's lives were of the -duration of a thousand years." - -"That was before the traditional deluge?" I replied, with surprise and -interest. - -"True, O Prince of Tyre!" he answered. "These two great pyramids, say -our sacred books, were the work of the giants who lived in the days -before the flood of Noachis, or Noah. They are the tombs of their -kings, and were centuries in being built according to our years. And -when the gods brought the unknown oceans over the earth, to punish the -nations which living so long became as wise as the gods, but at the -same time grew as wicked as wise, these vast sepulchres withstood, -like the lesser hills, the waters of desolation, and remained in -ruinous grandeur, not only as witnesses of the flood, but monuments of -a past people whose towers, as well as tombs, reached unto the -heavens. You see these pyramids, and how they are now defaced by the -billows that dashed against and over them. Anciently, when they were -completed, their whole surfaces were encased with beautiful tiles of -the brightest blue and purest white, inlaid alternately in perfect -squares. Upon this magnificent encasing was inscribed, in pictorial -signs, the history of man; but no person has ever interpreted them. -You see, my prince, that here, at the top, are a few strata still -remaining of this rich encasement; all the rest having been destroyed -by the deluge--by the abrasion of the waves, and the hurling against -its sides of mighty ships, driven by the huge and angry billows which -rolled like a boiling sea across the earth. Thus you behold these vast -structures, as it were in ruins, yet still retaining fragmentary -portions of their original glory and beauty. When the waters departed, -the gods limited the lives of men to one hundred years; hence the -pyramids that the kings this side the flood have erected are -comparatively small in magnitude." - -"But the third, was it not built before the flood?" - -"I did not intend you should so understand," he answered. "It was -commenced before the flood by the king who was destroyed thereby. But -the son of the wise and good Prince Noah completed it during the -several hundred years that he lived--as did his father also--after the -flood; for it was only the lives of their descendants that were to be -limited. Thus Amun, says tradition, finished the third pyramid, but -did not encase it, as the art was lost by the deluge which had -destroyed those who were skilled in it. There are other accounts, my -prince, but they either come near this one, or so far differ from it -that they are entitled to no credit." - -"It is _your_ opinion, then, O high-priest, that these two pyramids -were built by the giants of the ages before the great deluge?" I -asked. - -"I have no other one," he replied firmly. "When the age of man was -shortened to one hundred years from one thousand, his stature was also -lessened. Hence the men of the ages since the flood cannot build a -pyramid like one of these. All the power of engines and art cannot -uprear such stones six hundred feet into the air. This is giants' -work." - -"Then you believe that there were giants in the earth in the days -before the flood?" I said, doubtingly. - -"These pyramids attest the fact," he replied, with an impressive -gesture of his right hand towards the opposite one. "Noah himself, -says tradition, and his sons, Chephres, Chufu, and Amun or -Men-Cherines, were gigantic, and are worshipped as gods, as you know, -not only here and in Syria and Ethiopia, but in the Orient, and beyond -the seas, under various names. In the third pyramid Amun was entombed. -In the second is Chephres, or Chefret, who, when an aged king, was -brought from the place where he died, and placed in a sarcophagus -above the chamber where lay the king who found sepulture there before -the flood. Within the pyramid on which we are, rest the sacred bones -of the Prince-god Noah, who, at the age of nine hundred and fifty -years, came hither to be buried by the side of his eldest son -Chephres. 'Such a mourning of the nations, all of whom sprung from his -loins, the earth never knew, and will never witness more,' say the -sacred scrolls of the temples. All kings, and queens, and princes, and -lords, and nobles, of every realm followed the embalmed body of their -father and deity; and King Menes, his grandson, went up from Egypt -with all the hosts of the land to meet the funeral procession, and to -receive the divine body. Cheops is but another name for Noah. Here -also is entombed Menes." - -Such, my dear mother, is the priestly tradition of the pyramids. We, -of Tyre, have a myth that the Father of the Flood is buried in -Damascus; but though Egyptians love to concentrate all history around -their own land, and make Egypt the cradle of the human race, yet as -this tradition seems to be better founded than ours, and as they can -point to the grand tombs of these kings of the flood, I am ready to -concede to her the honor which she claims of being the place of -sepulture of the giants who survived the deluge. And what fitter -tombs, than these eternal mountains of granite, could the progenitors -of the race repose in! Fit sepulchres are these in their grandeur of -proportions, for men whose stature was gigantic, and whose lives -extended through a thousand years! - -But I must return to the prospect from the summit of this mausoleum of -giants. The sun was near the horizon, and sent his level and mingled -rose, golden, and purple beams aslant across the valley. The air was -perfectly clear, and our view unimpeded in all directions. - -To the south, along the verdant plain of the Nile, the pyramids shone -in the sun as if sheathed with plates of gold. Palms, temples, -obelisks in pairs, and pylones were mingled with them in the richest -confusion; while as far as the eye could penetrate they receded into -the desert, till their size was diminished by distance to shining -mounds. - -Turning my eyes to the west, the yellow plain of Libya, with its rocky -hills inclosing the verdant valley of the Nile in that direction, -rolled away to the edge of the horizon, an arid, undulating, -illimitable expanse, which, under the sun, blazed like a lake of fire -from the burning reflection of its sands. The contrast of this realm -of desolation, and its storm-piled drifts of gray, brown, and dusky -sand, lying so near the groves, and green fields, and blooming gardens -which surrounded the pyramids and extended to the base of the ridge, -was very remarkable. One part looked like the abode of Osiris, full of -beauty, and light, and happiness: the other like that of Typhon, or -the spirit of evil, who strove, ever battling with his storms of sand, -to invade, overwhelm, and desolate these scenes of beauty! And, ere -many centuries, his arid hosts threaten to sweep past the pyramids, -and to overleap the very gates of Memphis! But at present, all the -land within the hills is a region of delight, presenting a pleasing -contrast, with its perennial green, to the desolate and savage realm -of the desert. Luxuriantly covered with verdure; bright with golden -wheat-fields, charming green meadows, foliage of every variety; groups -of trees rising from a thousand courts; countless villages everywhere, -and myriads of brilliant lakes, it was a scene of unmixed beauty. -Jizeh, a little to the east, with its temple-palaces and gardens, -filled the view. Farther east lay, first, the glorious city of Apis, -its squares, avenues, lakes, groves, fanes, and monuments, all open to -the eye like a magnificent picture. Beyond the glittering Nile, the -banks of which were rich with fertility and adorned with villas, I -beheld Raamses, and still farther Pythom, the treasure-cities, in the -fair expanse of the land of Goshen,--alas! beautiful only to the eye, -for upon it rests the dark shadow of Hebrew bondage; and south, a few -miles, after a thousand scenes of rural beauty fill the vision, -towers, like the throne of the kingdom, the city of the Lord of the -Sun, its gorgeous temple and forest of obelisks flinging back the -sunbeams with a splendor that fills the soul with wonder and delight! - -"O happy, glorious, mighty Egypt! what a blessed and favored land art -thou! With one foot upon the seven mouths of thy mighty river, another -upon Ethiopia, and thy head in the clouds, all nations bow down to thy -might and greatness! Leader of the kingdoms of the earth! what a -future is thine, if thy kings and rulers are true to thee and to -themselves!" - -The hierarch heard me utter these words, for I spake aloud in my -wonder at the glory of this kingdom and the magnificence of her power. - -"The future of Egypt, my prince, no man can foresee. But the sacred -books contain a prophecy, that during one cycle of a soul, three -thousand years, she will be a nation despised and ruled by kings of -another race, and all that will remain to her will be her defaced -pyramids and temples; the marvel of which will bring strangers from -the ends of the earth, curious to gaze upon these mute witnesses of -her ancient power and glory." - -"The gods forbid!" I said warmly. - -"The gods," he answered, "govern the earth, and do what they will with -its kingdoms. These sacred papyri also speak of Tyre and prophesy its -desolation, and say that the empire of commerce shall be removed to an -unknown world beyond the great sea of the West, and that a race yet -unborn shall sway the destinies of the earth, and another religion -shall prevail in the hearts of men." - -"What are these papyri?" I asked. - -"Books which have been handed down from the first kings, who in their -turn received them from the ancient gods." - -I turned away sorrowfully at the thought of this prediction, my dear -mother. The idea that Tyre, which now sits a queen upon the shores of -her sea, will ever be desolate, is not possible for me to conceive. -May her prosperity and peace be prolonged to the ends of the ages! - -We now turned to descend this elevation, from whence the heart of -Egypt lay open before us. The sight of the sheer eight hundred feet -along the inclined side of the pyramid was fearful. The projections -which were to receive our feet were not apparent; and we commenced the -descent with the greatest caution, being obliged to lower ourselves -from block to block; and where the encasement of tiles remained, we -were sustained by the iron heads of short spears with which each of us -was provided, a hook being secured at the opposite end. - -At length we reached the broad terrace which surrounds the pyramid, -and upon which are statues and small sphinxes facing outward. Between -two of large size, representing Osiris and Isis, we descended a broad -flight of steps to an ancient gate, which, as I was told, led to the -entrance of the pyramid. The passage, however, has not been opened for -many centuries--the piety of the Pharaohs permitting the mighty dead -to rest in their granite tumuli undisturbed by curiosity or cupidity. - -When we had crossed the court, the priest ascended with me one of the -towers of the pylon. From thence he showed me a mass of rock lying in -a position which answered, in reference to the main pyramid, to that -which the sphinx occupied. - -"Seest thou, O prince," he said, "that isolated rock? The ancients -intended to chisel it also into a sphinx to match this one, for they -used to place them in pairs, like their obelisks. But the grand -conception has never been carried out; and you perceive that our noble -queen, Amense, is erecting the pyramid of her years so near, that it -in part stands upon it. Two such sphinxes crouched in front of Cheops -would have been an entrance to the mausoleum worthy of it, and of him -who reposes therein. Instead of carrying out this original design, the -great temple and colossal wings have been built, and the avenue from -the sphinx so turned aside by a slight angle, as to terminate at the -central pylon; thereby making one sphinx answer the purpose of two, -but at the sacrifice of proportion; for the twofold grandeur of the -combined pyramids lessens the impression of the single sphinx, while -the two reposing before Cheops alone, would have been in keeping with -its majesty." - -As it was now sunset, we hastened to our chariot and drove back to the -city, along the magnificent causeway I have before described. - -Upon my return to the palace of the high-priest, and after describing -to his beautiful daughter, Luxora, the incidents of my visit, she -said, with an arch smile-- - -"You ought not, O Sesostris, to have come away without seeing the -emerald table of Hermes!" - -"I heard nothing of it, lady," I answered. "I have, moreover, seen -splendor enough for one day. What and where is this table?" - -"In the central chamber of the great pyramid. The people of Egypt -believe the tradition, and so also have some of its kings." - -"What is the tradition?" I asked. "But first, do you believe it?" - -"With all my heart. I never doubted it since I was a child," she -answered, smiling, yet with a tone of sincerity. "My father thinks if -it were true, it would have been removed when the god Noachis was -placed there." - -"It is not in the chamber of the sarcophagus, sister," said Osiria, -the sister younger than Luxora--a maiden remarkable for her -sprightliness and intelligence; "it is in a vault of crystal _under_ -the pyramid." - -"You are right, my dear sister," replied the elder, gracefully. "I -will tell the prince the legend." - -"Then I will tell him _mine_," said Osiria, with an arch look. "I know -he will like mine the best." - -"Because he likes you the best, is it?" her sister replied, playfully. -"But have a care, Osiria; our guest is betrothed to a great princess -in his own country." - -"That need not prevent him from being my good friend in this," -responded Osiria, pleasantly. - -"Your tradition, noble Luxora?" I asked. - -"It is this. In the ancient days of the earth, before the deluge of -the gods, the thrice great Hermes, who knew all the secrets of -alchemy, engraved them upon an emerald table and placed it in a cave, -which he sealed up. His motive for doing this was both to preserve -them and to conceal them from men--for the race of man had grown so -wicked, that they made use of what they knew of alchemy to injure one -another and defy the deities, answering back the thunder of heaven -with thunders of their own. Over this cave the first pyramid was -built, and there the emerald table, with all its secrets, so dear to -our sex, has remained to this hour!" - -I thanked Luxora for her legend, and assured her that I had quite as -much curiosity to see the wonderful emerald as she had. - -"But if it were discovered," said Osiria, "who could read and -understand the writing upon it! Now, O prince, hear _my_ tradition; -for, having visited the pyramids, it will be agreeable to you to hear -all that is said about them." - -"I will listen with the greatest pleasure," I answered. - -But, dear mother, I will here close this long letter, and reserve, for -the commencement of my next, the singular tradition related to me by -Osiria. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XVII. - - -PALACE OF THE HIERARCH, AT MEMPHIS. - -MY MUCH HONORED MOTHER: - -I have much of interest concerning which to write to you in this -letter; but will first redeem my promise to give you the traditional -story narrated by the lovely Osiria, daughter of the pontiff of -Memphis. Her father came in as she commenced, and smilingly said-- - -"Daughter, are you about to overthrow the prince's faith in the true -history of the pyramids, by a fanciful legend?" - -"No, my dear father," she answered; "I only desire him to know all he -can about these mighty monuments of a former world, and if he does not -believe with me in the legend, it will at least interest him." - -I assured the beautiful maiden that it would without doubt interest -me, and possibly upon hearing it I might receive it "as the most -reliable account of the origin of the pyramids." - -"Not in opposition," said the high-priest, with a smile, "to the -sacred books." - -"Not in opposition," said Luxora, archly, "to my emerald table." - -"Let the prince, dear father, and sister, hear and judge," said the -youngest daughter; and commenced as follows: - -"A very long time ago--before the time of the vast deluge, when all -the oceans that roll around the world's verge met in the centre and -overflowed the highest mountains--a king, whose name was Saurida -Salhouhis, was informed by his astrologers that seven stars had fallen -into the sea, betokening a great overflow thereof. He answered, 'The -mountains of my kingdom are higher than the ocean, and will defy its -waves.' - -"The next year his astrologers again came to him, and said that the -sun was covered with dark spots, and that a comet was visible with a -crest of fire, and threatened evil to the earth. The same night the -king dreamed that the mountains became plains, and that all the stars -of heaven were extinguished. On awakening he called his one hundred -and forty-four priests, and commanding them to consult the gods, -received for answer, that the earth was to be drowned. Thereupon he -commenced building the two pyramids, and ordered vaults to be made -under them, which he filled with the riches and treasures of his -kingdom. He prepared seven tables or shields of pure gold, on which he -engraved all the sciences of the earth, all the knowledge he had -learned from his wise men, the names of the subtle alkalies, and -alakakirs, and the uses and hurts of them; and all the mysteries of -astrology, physics, geometry, and arithmetic." - -"These seven golden tables of my sister's legend," said Luxora, -laughing, "are not near so wonderful as my table of emerald." - -"Lest," said Osiria, "you should imagine I am drawing upon my fancy, I -will read to you the remainder of the tradition from the ancient book -in the keeping of the priests of Amun, in the Thebad, given me by my -mother, who was the daughter of the priest of the sacred house there." - -Having thus spoken the maiden retired, and, after a few minutes -absence, returned, followed by a Hebrew woman carrying a pictured -scroll, such as I had never before seen. Aided by her attendant, she -unrolled it for several cubits, and having found the legend, commenced -to read (a rare art among Egyptian ladies, except daughters of the -learned priests) as follows,--the tall and stately Hebrew supporting -the roll rather with an air of royal condescension than of submission: - -"After the king, Saurida Salhouhis, had given orders for the building -of the pyramids, the workmen cut out gigantic columns, vast stones, -and wonderful pillars hewn of single rocks. From the mountains of -Ethiopia they fetched enormous masses of granite, and from Nubia of -gray porphyry, and made with these the foundations of the pyramids, -fastening the stones together by bars of lead and bands of iron. They -built the gates forty cubits under ground, and made the height of them -one hundred royal cubits, each of which is equal to six of ours; and -each side also was made a hundred royal cubits in extent. The -beginning of this undertaking happened under a fortunate horoscope, -and resulted successfully. After he had finished the larger of the -pyramids, the king covered it with blue satin from the top to the -bottom, and appointed a solemn festival, at which were present all the -inhabitants of his kingdom. - -"Then in this great pyramid he built thirty treasure-chambers, which -he filled with an immense store of riches,--precious vessels, -signatures of agates, bloodstones, and cornelian, instruments of iron, -earthen vases, arms which rust not, and crystal which might be bended -yet not broken, strange shells, and deadly poisons, with many other -things besides. He made, in the west pyramid, a subterranean hall with -divers spheres and stars in the vaulted roof, placed in their -celestial houses, as they appear in the sky, each in his own aspect; -and he deposited here the perfumes which are burned to them, and the -books that treat of their mysteries. He placed, also, in the colored -pyramid the scrolls of the priests, in chests of black marble, every -chest having upon it a book with leaves of brass, in which were -inscribed the duties and wonders of the priesthood, its nature, and -the mode of worship in his time; and, in a chest of iron, were seven -books which revealed what was, and is, and shall be from the beginning -to the end of time. - -"In every pyramid he placed a treasurer: the treasurer of the western -pyramid was a statue of red marble-stone, standing upright by the door -of the treasure-house,--a lance in his hand, and about his head a -wreathed serpent. Whosoever came near the door, and stood still, the -serpent entwined about the throat, and, killing him, returned to its -place. - -"The treasurer of the colored pyramid was an idol of black agate, -sitting upon a throne, with a lance in its hand, and its eyes open and -shining. If any mortal looked upon it, he heard a voice so terrible -that his senses fled away from him, and he fell prostrate upon his -face and died. - -"The treasurer of his seven tables of gold was a statue of stone, -called Albutis, in a sitting posture: whosoever looked towards it, was -drawn to the statue till he was pressed against it so hard that he -died there. Over the portal of each he caused to be written: - -"'I, King Saurid, built the pyramids in six years. He that comes after -me, and says he is equal to me, let him destroy them in six hundred -years. It is easier to pluck down than to build up. I also covered -them, when I had finished them, with satin; and let him cover them -with mats of grass.' - -"Here ends the record on the scroll," said the maiden. "Miriam, thou -wilt roll it up, and place it whence I took it, in the sacred shrine -of books." - -The Hebrew woman, whose appearance was so remarkable for dignity and a -certain air of command, that I could not but regard her with interest, -then rolled up the book, and moved quietly, but with a stately step, -from the room. As she went out, attracted by my close scrutiny, she -fixed upon me a large pair of splendid eyes, dark and beautiful, and -lighted up by the inward fire of an earnest spirit. Her age was about -eight or nine and forty. I do not know why, in looking at her, I -thought of Remeses, now at Thebes, waiting to assemble his vast army; -perhaps there was a style of face and shape of the eye that recalled -him. - -"Who is this Hebrew woman?" I asked; for though I have been several -days a guest of the high-priest, I had not before seen her. - -"My assistant and copier of the scrolls and papyrus leaves, in the -Hall of the Sacred Books," answered Osiria; "for know, O prince, that -I am my father's scribe, and have the care of all the rolls of the -temple." - -"Nor can any temple," interposed the hierarch, "boast so orderly a -chamber of books as mine; neither do I see any copies of prayers and -rites so beautifully done as those by Osiria." - -"I do not deserve all the praise, my father," answered the maiden; -"for the rich coloring of the heading cartouches of chapters, as well -as the graceful form of the characters, is due to Miriam." - -"What the servant does the master is praised for," answered the -priest, smilingly. "But you have not told the prince the whole of the -tradition." - -"It is true. I must now state how the pyramid was opened by one of the -Phoenician conqueror kings. This Philistine warrior, whose barbaric -name I have forgotten, and do not wish to remember, on seeing the -pyramids, demanded to know what was within them. He was answered by -the priest of the sphinx, who is the guardian of the two pyramids, -that 'they contained the embalmed bodies of the ancient gods, and -first kings of men, the emerald and golden tablets, and all the -treasures of gold, silver, and works of art, and every thing which -appertained to the world before the deluge,--all of which had been -preserved by them from the waters, and were now therein.' - -"Hearing this, this king told them he would have them opened. All the -priests assured him that it could not be done; but he replied, 'I will -have it certainly done.' So the engineers of his army opened a place -in the great pyramid by means of fire and vinegar; smiths aided the -work with sharpened iron and copper wedges, and huge engines to remove -the stones. It was a vast work, as the thickness of the wall was -twenty cubits. They were many months reaching an apartment within, -where they found a ewer made of bright-green emerald, containing a -thousand dinars, very weighty, one hundred choenixes of gold-dust, -twenty blocks of ebony, a hundred tusks of ivory, and a thousand -ounces of rings of Arabic gold. - -"This was all he found, for beyond this small chamber the workmen -could not penetrate, by reason of the three treasure-keepers, -namely,--the awful statue, with an enwreathed serpent upon his head; -the statue of agate, with the terrible voice; and the statue of stone, -with the power to draw every one to him, and press him to death -between his arm and his iron breast." - -"Then said the king, 'Cast up the cost of making this entrance.' So -the money expended being computed, lo! it was the same sum which they -had found; it neither exceeded nor was defective. So he closed up the -opening and went his ways, seeing that the gods were against him. - -"Many years afterwards, another king opened the other pyramid, and -found a passage which descended far below in the earth, in the -direction of the centre of the pyramid. By it he reached a -subterranean chamber far beneath the level of the foundation, almost -directly under the apex. In it was a square well, on each side of -which were doors opening into subterranean passages; these he -followed, and at length reached a gate of brass, which he perceived -led into the foundations of the greater pyramid. But he could not open -it, nor has any power been sufficient to do so to this day. Returning -he found another side passage, leading into the pyramid and so upward, -to a vaulted room, containing the mighty sarcophagus of the great -Noah. This dead monarch of two worlds, before and after the deluge, -was reposing in calm majesty in his colossal mummy-case, which was -covered with plates of gold. Upon his head was a crown of emerald -olive-leaves, each leaf an emerald; and upon his breast, a white dove, -made of one pearl. Leaving with awe the father of the world to his -sublime and eternal repose, guarded only by the pure white dove, the -king, in retiring, found, to his great joy, a narrow passage, which -led upward towards the top of the pyramid. It conducted him and his -attendants to a chamber with twelve sides, on each of which was -pictured one of the constellations in the path of the precession of -the equinoxes, in their motion towards the west. The floor was of -polished ivory, inlaid with silver stars, dispersed over it as they -appeared in their heavenly places when the pyramid was completed. The -seven planets, including the sun and the moon, were represented in the -ceiling, each one in a panel of silver, with its deity,--all inlaid -with silver and precious stones. - -"In the centre of this 'Hall of the Universe,' was a hollow stone: -when the king entered the chamber, the stone vanished at the pressure -of his feet on the floor, and a statue larger than life, of pure -crystal, was displayed to his sight. This statue represented a king -upon whom was a breastplate of gold set with jewels; on his breast was -a stone of incalculable price, and over his head, a carbuncle of the -shape and bigness of the sacred egg of the phoenix, shining like the -light of the day. He held upon his left arm a shield formed of one -single topaz, upon which were characters written with a pen, that -neither the king, nor the wise men, nor astrologers, nor magicians, -nor the priests who knew all languages, could interpret. Suddenly -darkness filled the place, their torches were extinguished, and save -only the king who had with him his diamond-set signet, which shed -light before his steps, no one ever returned to the entrance; nor -could he ever find the chamber of the statue again. But the first -passage to the subterranean chamber remains open to this day, by which -men descend; and others are from time to time discovered; the -treasury-chambers, however, remain sealed to the eyes of men!" - -When the intelligent Osiria had ended her account, I gratefully -expressed to her my appreciation of her kindness in giving me such -interesting information. She accepted my thanks in the graceful manner -which characterizes Egyptian ladies of rank. The magnificent Luxora -said, with a charming air of feigned provocation-- - -"With your brilliant tradition, sister, you have quite thrown into the -shade my poor solitary emerald table!" - -"There is no doubt whatever, O Sesostris," said their father, who had -listened to the tradition as he sat in his ivory chair, in the rich -undress vestments he wore when not engaged in official acts in the -temple, "or rather, we of the priesthood do not doubt, that the -pyramids, at least the pair so nearly of a size and so close together, -were builded before the deluge, which, according to our astrologers, -took place under the dynasty of the demigods, about one thousand five -hundred and forty years ago, when the world was nearly two thousand -four hundred years old; but our books of mysteries give many more -thousands of years! In the most ancient temple of Thoth, at Thebes, -which is the true astronomical capital of the kingdom, as well as the -ecclesiastical one, there is a tablet in the ceiling of the adytum, -representing the configuration of the seven planets as they existed on -the first day after the creation. This was the beginning of the world, -and since that day the heavenly bodies have not stood thus again! Upon -the wall beneath it is a _stele_, portraying their position at the -time of the Noachic deluge. The arc of their celestial motion, between -the creation and the deluge, being accurately measured in the progress -of centuries, by astrologers of the houses of the mysteries, compared -with the arc measured for one thousand years since the deluge, shows -that the fixed stars, between the creation and the deluge, moved -thirty spaces of the thousand years along the zodiac westward. That -is, the arc of the zodiac was thirty times as large between the -creation and deluge, as between the deluge and the end of a thousand -years after it; while the seven planets changed their places in the -same proportions of time and change. Hence, guided by the march of the -heavenly bodies, they teach that thirty thousand years elapsed between -the creation and the deluge; since it would take that time to change -the configuration of the stars so greatly as to subtend so vast an arc -as their precession drew along the zodiacal path! But, as I have said, -the sacred books of the priests, who are governed only by the -planetary constellations, aided by tradition, give the number of years -I have previously stated." - -"Do not the Egyptian astrologers," I asked, "give a period for a year -of the heavens to make one revolution through the zodiac?" - -"It is one of their mysteries. Finishing upon a chart the arc of -precession which they measure on the zodiac they measure the whole -circle it will sweep, and calculate a cycle or period of thirty-six -thousand years, as the duration of one grand year of the universe!" - -"As, then, thirty thousand years of this year of the stars passed -before the deluge, if the astrologers are correct in their sidereal -calculations," I remarked, "there are but four thousand and four -hundred and fifty years to the end of the first celestial year of -creation!" - -"Which," said Luxora, "they teach will terminate time; and the earth -will then be recreated, and there will be a new starry world, and the -year of the universe will be doubled to seventy-two thousand years; -and when twelve of these vast years are completed, the creation will -be dissolved and all things return to nothing as before the beginning -of time, and the souls of men will be absorbed in the Divine Essence!" - -"You are remarkably well versed in astrology," I said to the -noble-looking young women. - -"We are priest's daughters," she answered; "and from our father we -derive all our knowledge." - -"Can you, then," I asked, "explain to me one thing that has been -alluded to in our conversation? I am desirous of knowing something -about the phoenix, which I see even now represented, inlaid in -ivory, upon this table of vases." - -"I fear that I shall not be able, prince, to make you understand, -what, I confess, I am not well informed upon. The phoenix has always -been a mystery to me." - -"I understand the bird," said Osiria, "to be the symbol of a star. But -I have never fully comprehended it. I have doubts if there be such an -extraordinary bird. Will you, father, gratify us and the Prince of -Tyre at the same time?" - -The kind and courteous hierarch, before replying, laid down a -beautiful fishing-rod which he was arranging--it being a favorite -pastime of his leisure to sit in the pavilion before his windows, and -amuse himself by fishing in the oval lake that fills one of the areas -of his palace, and around which runs a columnar arcade, in whose cool -shade we take our walks for exercise in the heat of the day. And this -amusement, my dear mother, is not only a favorite one with him, but -with all Egyptian gentlemen; who also delight in hunting the gazelle -and other animals--keeping for the purpose leashes of trained dogs, -some of them very beautiful, and as swift as the winds. They are -singularly fond of having dogs accompany them in their walks, and -adorn them with gold or silver collars. The ladies also have pet dogs, -chosen either for their beauty, or--odd distinction--for their -peculiar ugliness. Luxora boasts a little dog, of the rare and admired -Osirtasen breed, which is as beautiful and symmetrical as a gazelle, -with soft, expressive eyes, and graceful movements; while Osiria -prides herself on a pet animal, the ugliness of which, as it seems to -me, is its only recommendation. Remeses has a noble, lion-like dog, -that he admits into his private sitting-room, and has for his -attendant at all times when he walks abroad. Nearly every lord has his -hounds; and to own a handsome dog is as much a mark of rank, as is the -slender acacia cane. - -"The phoenix, according to the ancients," said the priest, "is a -bird of which there exists but one specimen in the world. It comes -flying from the east once in the course of six hundred and fifty-one -years, many other birds with dazzling wings bearing it company. It -reaches the City of the Sun about the time of the vernal equinox, -where it burns itself upon the roof of the temple, in the fire of the -concentrated rays of the sun, as they are reflected from the golden -shield thereon with consuming radiance. No sooner is it consumed to -ashes, than an egg appears in the funeral pyre, which the heat that -consumed the parent warms instantly into life, and out of it the same -phoenix comes forth, in full plumage, and spreading its wings it -flies away again, to return no more until the expiration of six -hundred and fifty-one years!" - -"This is a very extraordinary story," I said. - -"It is," answered the high-priest; "yet it has a simple explanation." - -"I should be gratified to hear it," I answered. - -"Do you believe, dear father," asked Osiria, "there ever was such a -bird?" - -"I have seen it," answered the priest, mysteriously. "But I will -gratify your curiosity. The first recorded appearance of this -phoenix was nineteen hundred and two years ago, in the reign of -Sesostris, a king of the twelfth Egyptian dynasty." - -"The Pharaoh for whom I am named," I said. - -"How came you, O prince, to have an Egyptian name?" asked Luxora. - -"The memory of Sesostris the Great was highly venerated by my father, -and hence his selection of it for me; besides, I am related to the -Phoenician kings." - -I had no sooner made this unlucky confession, than the two sisters -looked at their father, then interchanged glances, and appeared quite -embarrassed. I at once reflected that the memory of the Phoenician -dynasty is distasteful to the Egyptians; and that, by confessing my -alliance with them, I had risked their good-will. But the surprise -passed off instantly, for they were too well-bred to show any -continued feeling, and the priest resumed-- - -"The last appearance was six hundred years ago and in fifty-one years -he will reappear, to consume himself in the burning rays of the sun." - -"I hope I shall be alive to see it," said Osiria, with animation. - -"This singular myth," pursued the hierarch, "signifies to us of the -priests who are initiated into these astrological mysteries, nothing -more than the transit of the planet Mercury across the disk of the -sun. The fabulous bird, the phoenix, is an emblem of Mercury, as -Osiris is of the Sun, according to the teaching of the books of Isis." - -"I perceive the whole truth now," I answered. - -"What is it, my lord prince?" asked the sisters. - -"There is but one planet Mercury, as there was but one phoenix. The -City of the Sun, or the Temple of the Sun, on which the phoenix was -said to consume himself, is simply the Sun, or the house of the god -Sun, in which Mercury, during his passage across the disk, may be said -to be consumed by fire. As the phoenix consumes himself once every -six hundred and fifty-one years, at the vernal equinox,--so say our -Saban books, kept in the Temple of Hercules at Tyre,--Mercury once -every six hundred and fifty-one years enters the flames of the sun on -nearly the same days of the year! As the phoenix flies from the east -westward to the City of the Sun, so the course of Mercury is from east -to west athwart the sun. While the phoenix in its passage to the -City of the Sun is attended by a flight of dazzling birds, so Mercury -in its passage across the disk of the sun is accompanied by bright, -scintillating stars in the heavens around. As the phoenix came forth -anew out of the flames which had consumed him to ashes, so Mercury, -while in the direct line of the sun, is lost to the vision as if -consumed, but, having crossed its disk, reappears and flies away on -his course again, resuming all his former splendor! Is not this a full -solution, my lord priest?" I asked. - -"You have well solved the riddle," he answered; "and I must compliment -you on your knowledge of astrology, O prince. In Egypt we are -acquainted with this science, but it is not expected of strangers. In -all the years in which the phoenix, according to the 'Books of the -Stars,' is said to have destroyed himself with fire in the City of On, -Mercury has likewise performed his transits over the sun, according to -the calculations of our hierogrammatists, whose duty it is to keep -records of descriptions of the world, the course of the sun, moon, and -planets, and the condition of the land of Egypt, and the Nile." - -When I had expressed my thanks to the noble and intelligent priest, -his wife, Nelisa, who entered a few moments before, said to him -playfully: - -"What a beautiful mystery you have destroyed with your science and -learning, my lord! I have from a child delighted in the mysterious -story of the phoenix." - -"We have mysteries enough left in our mythology and astrology, my dear -wife," he answered. "There is scarcely a deity of the land who is not -in his origin a greater mystery than the phoenix. Around them all -are clouds and mists, often impenetrable by the limited reason of man; -and in many lands, as it was anciently in Egypt, the word for religion -is 'mystery.'" - -The hierarch was now summoned by the sound of a sistrum to enter the -temple, with which his palace communicated--it being the hour of -evening prayer and oblation. The young ladies prepared to ride in a -beautiful chariot brought to the palace by their brother, a fine -specimen of the young Egyptian noble; while the lady of the house left -me, to return and oversee her numerous servants in their occupation of -making confections and pastry, and preparing fruits for a festivity -that is to take place in the evening, I believe, in my honor; for, -were I a son, I could not be more cordially regarded than beneath the -hospitable roof of the hierarch of Memphis. - -As I was proceeding along the corridor which leads past the "Hall of -Books," I saw through the open door the stately and handsome Hebrew -woman Miriam. She was engaged in coloring, with cakes of the richest -tints before her, a heading to a scroll of papyrus. Her noble profile -was turned to my view. I started with surprise and a half exclamation, -for I beheld in its grand and faultless outline the features of -Remeses! How wonderful it is that he so strikingly resembles two, nay -three, of this foreign race!--not only this woman, though much older -than Remeses, and the venerable under-gardener Amram, but also a third -Hebrew whom I have met under singular circumstances. I will defer, -however, my dear mother, to another letter the account of it, as well -as of my interview with Miriam; for, hearing my exclamation, she -looked up and smiled so courteously that I asked permission to enter -and examine the work she was so skilfully executing with her pencil. - -The hierarch, the lady Nelisa, and their daughters Luxora and Osiria, -desire to unite with me in my regards to you. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XVIII. - - -CITY OF MEMPHIS, PALACE OF THE HIERARCH. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -I have received from the Prince Remeses a letter informing me of the -arrival of each division of his army, chariots, horse, and footmen, -with the fleets under the viceroy Moeris, at the city of the -Thebad. They entered it, however, as conquerors, for the Ethiopian -king had already taken possession of it with his advanced guard. - -I will quote to you from the letter of the prince: - - "I trust, my dear Sesostris," he writes, "that you are passing your - time both with pleasure and profit, in visiting places of interest in - the valley of the Lower Nile, and in studying the manners and usages - of the people. You will find the pyramids an exhaustless source of - attraction. From the priests, who are the most intelligent and - learned class in Egypt, you will obtain all the information - respecting those mysterious monuments of the past, which is known, - besides many legends. - - "The idea of their antediluvian origin is by no means an unlikely - one. As we travel down the past, at every epoch we find the pyramids - uplifting their lofty heads into the skies! Still we move down the - path of ages, and see the throne of the first mortal king - overshadowed by their hoary tops! Farther back, against their bases, - beat the receding waves of the deluge; for between the king of the - first dynasty and the flood, there seems to be no interval in which - they could have been upreared, even if there were time for a nation - to rise and advance in power, civilization, art, and wealth, adequate - to the product of such gigantic geometric works. Either our - chronology is at fault, or the pyramids must have been constructed by - the antediluvian demigods, and have outstood the strength of the - surging seas which rolled over the earth. You will, however, no - doubt, hear all that is to be said, and judge for yourself. - - "My army is in fine order. You already have learned, by my courier to - the queen, how the dark-visaged, barbaric King Occhoris entered - Thebes the day of our arrival in the suburbs. Upon receiving - intelligence that the van of my forces, which was cavalry, had just - reached the sepulchres of the Pharaohs below the city, I pushed - forward, joined them, and, at their head, entered the city; while the - main body of the troops of the Ethiopian king was moving on from - Edfu. But Occhoris had already been driven from his position in the - palace of the Pharaohs, by an infuriated and insulted populace. The - barbarian monarch, after entering the city without opposition, at the - head of two hundred chariots, six hundred horse, and his gigantic - body-guard of Bellardines, consisting of a thousand men in iron - helmets, round shields, and heavy short-swords, in order to show his - contempt of our national religion, here in what has been called both - its cradle and its throne, commanded to be led into the temple of the - sacred Bull, a wild African buffalo,--a bull of a species as - ferocious as the lion,--and ordered him to be let loose against the - god. The fierce animal charged upon him as he stood in the holy - adytum with his curators, and, overthrowing him, gored him to death - in a few moments. Thereupon the priests raised the wild cry of - vengeance for sacrilege. It was caught up by the people, and borne - from tongue to tongue through the city in a few moments of time. - Fearless, indifferent to the arms of the soldiers, the three hundred - and seventy priests of the temple, armed only with their sacrificial - knives, rushed upon the barbarian and his guard. The Ethiopians - rallied about their monarch, and for ten priests they slew, ten-score - filled their places. The floor of the temple became a battle-field. - Occhoris, and the sixty men who entered the temple with him, formed - themselves into a solid phalanx, facing their furious assailants, who - seemed to think they could not die. Gaining at length the door, the - king received reinforcements. But by this time the whole city was in - an uproar and under arms, and the people, who feared Occhoris in the - morning, and refused to oppose him, now knew no fear. The issue of - this fearful combat was, that the sacrilegious king was forced to - retire with the loss of two thirds of his body-guard, and nearly - every chariot and rider; for the avenging people with knives crept - beneath the horses and stabbed them to death; while others, leaping - upon horsemen and chariots, dragged them to the ground, and put them - to death. Not less than four thousand of the citizens of Thebes - perished in the act of pious vengeance. Before I entered the city I - heard the cries, the shouts, the ringing of weapons, and the whole - tumult of war; and, making my way over heaps of slain that lay in the - great 'avenue of the gods,' I pursued the retiring monarch beyond the - gates. He regained the head of his army, and came to a halt near the - ancient temple of Amun on the Nile. My whole army are now in advance - of Thebes, in order of battle, awaiting a threatened attack from the - Ethiopian king. My headquarters are at the palace of Amunophis I., - from which he departed nearly a century ago to drive the foreign - kings from Memphis. I felt a deep interest in being in the house of - my great ancestor. I have also visited the palace of my father, the - Prince of Thebes, who was slain, not long before my birth, in battle - with the Ethiopians. I have paid a visit to his tomb; and as I stood - gazing upon the reposing dead in the royal mausoleum hewn from the - solid mountain, I wondered if his soul were cognizant that a son, - whom he had never seen to bless with a father's benediction, was - bending sorrowfully over the stone sarcophagus that held his remains. - - "To-morrow we join battle with the barbaric king. From the tower of - the pylon which looks towards the south, I see his vast army, with - its battalion of elephants, its host of brazen chariots, its horsemen - and footmen as numerous as the leaves. But I feel confident of - victory. Prince Moeris has moved his galleys on the opposite side, - in order to ascend secretly by night and gain the rear of the enemy, - who are without boats. My chariots, some five hundred in number, have - been crossed over in safety to this side, to co-operate with the - Prince of Thebes. They are now drawn up in the wide, superb - serpentine avenue the 'sacred way' of Thebes, lined with sphinxes and - statues which adorn this vast circle of temples to the gods. - - "You shall hear from me after the battle. If we defeat and pursue - Occhoris, we shall return to Memphis soon. If we are defeated and - driven back upon Thebes--which the great God of battles forbid!--I - know not how long the campaign will continue. I hope my mother, the - queen, is well. Convey to her my most respectful and tender - remembrances, and receive from me, beloved prince, the assurances of - my personal regard and friendship. - - REMESES." - - -In the mean while, my dear mother, until I have further news from -Prince Remeses, I will give you an account of the conversation I held -with the papyrus-copier and decorator, Miriam, the Hebrewess. - -"You are wonderfully skilled in the art," I said to her, as I surveyed -the piece before her, which she said was the commencement of a copy of -a funeral ritual for the priests of Athor. - -"I have been many years engaged in transcribing," she answered with -modest dignity, without raising her eyes to my face. - -"I have not seen you before in the palace, though I have often been in -this hall," I said, feeling awakened in me an interest to learn more -of the extraordinary people who toil for the crown of Egypt, and whose -ancestors have been princes. - -"I have been at Raamses for a few days. My mother was ill, and I -hastened to her." - -"I hope your return is a proof of her recovery," I said kindly. - -She raised her splendid eyes to my face, with a look in them of -surprise. If I interpreted aright their meaning, it was, "Can this -prince take any interest in the welfare of a Hebrew woman?" Seeing -that my own eyes encountered hers with a look of friendly concern, she -spoke, and said: - -"She is better." - -Her voice had a mellow and rich cadence in it, wholly different from -the low, silvery tones with which the Egyptian ladies speak. - -"I rejoice with you," I said. - -She slowly shook her superb head, about which the jet-black hair was -bound in a profusion of braids. There were tones in her voice, too, -that again recalled Prince Remeses. Hence the secret of the interest -that I took in conversing with her. - -"Why do you shake your head?" I asked. - -"Why should the Hebrew wish to prolong life?" - -She said this in a tone of deep emotion, but continued her occupation, -which was now copying a leaf of brilliantly colored hieroglyphic -inscriptions into the sort of running-hand the Egyptians make use of -in ordinary intercourse. There are three modes of tracing the -characters of this system of writing; and scribes adopt one, which, -while it takes the hieroglyph for its copy, represents it by a few -strokes that often bear, to the uninitiated eye, no resemblance to the -model. This mode the Hebrewess was making use of, writing it with ease -and elegance. - -"Life to you, in this palace, under such a gentle mistress as Osiria, -cannot be bitter." - -"I have no want. I am treated here as if I were not of the race of the -Hebrews. But, my lord," she said, elevating slightly her noble-toned -voice, though not raising her eyes, "I am not so selfish, believe me, -as to have no thought beyond my own personal comfort. How can I be -happy, even amid all the kindness I experience in this virtuous -family, when my heart is oppressed with the bondage of my people? Thou -art but a stranger in Egypt, O prince,--for I have heard of thee, and -who thou art,--and yet thou hast seen and felt for my people!" - -"I have, indeed, seen their misery and toil; but how didst thou know -it?" - -"From the venerable Ben Isaac, whose son Israel thou didst pity and -relieve at the fountain of the shepherds." She said this gratefully -and with feeling. - -"Thou didst hear of this?" - -"He was of my kinsfolk. They told me of your kindness with tears and -blessings; for it is so unusual with our people to hear in Egypt the -voice of pity, or behold a look of sympathy!" - -"I hope the lad recovered," I said, feeling that her knowledge of that -little incident had removed from between us the barrier which -separates entire strangers. Besides, dear mother, it is impossible for -me, a Syrian, to look upon the Hebrew people, who are also Syrians by -descent from Abram, the Syrian prince, with Egyptian eyes and -prejudices. They regard them as slaves, and look upon them from the -position of the master. I never have known them as slaves, I am not -their master, and I regard them, therefore, with interest and -sympathy, as an unhappy Syrian people, who deserve a better fate, -which I trust their gods have in store for them. Therefore, while an -Egyptian would feel it a degradation, or at least infinite -condescension, to converse familiarly with a Hebrew of either sex, I -have no such inborn and inbred ideas. Miriam was in my eyes only a -beautiful and dignified Syrian woman, in bondage. No doubt, if the -proud and queenly Luxora had passed by, and discovered me in -conversation with her, she would have marvelled at my taste; or have -been displeased at an impropriety so unworthy of my position; for -though, wheresoever I have seen Hebrews domesticated in families, I -have observed the affability and kindness with which their faithful -services are usually rewarded by those they serve, yet there cannot be -a wider gulf between the realms of Osiris and Typhon, than between the -Egyptian of rank and the Hebrew. The few thousand of the more refined -and attractive of both sexes, who are to be found in palaces and the -houses of nobles, are too limited in number to qualify the feeling of -contempt with which the miserable millions of their brethren, who toil -in the brick-fields south of On, between the Nile and the desert, and -in other parts of Egypt, are universally regarded. Even the lowest -Egyptian is deemed by himself above the best of the Ben Israels. What -marvel, therefore, that the handsome, dark-eyed youths who serve as -pages, and the beautiful brunettes who wait upon mistresses, have a -sad and timid air, and wear a gentle, deprecating look, as if they -were fully conscious of their degradation! - -"He is well," Miriam answered, "and desires me to ask you (I pray you -pardon the presumption!) if he may serve you?" - -"I learn that a stranger cannot take a Hebrew into service," I -answered. - -"True. We are the servants of the Egyptians," she said, sadly. "But -the great Prince Remeses, son of Pharaoh's daughter, will suffer it if -you ask him. Will you do this for the lad? Otherwise he will perish in -the field, for his spirit and strength are not equal to his tasks." - -"The prince is absent, but I will ask the queen," I answered, happy to -do so great a favor to the youthful Hebrew, in whom I felt a deep -interest, inasmuch as it is our nature to feel kindly towards those -for whom we have done offices of kindness. - -"I thank you, and his father and he will bless you, O Prince of Tyre," -she said, taking my hand and carrying it to her forehead, and then -respectfully kissing it; and as she did so, I saw a tear fall upon my -signet finger. - -"I feel much for your people," I said. - -She continued her task in silence; but tears began so rapidly to rain -down upon the papyrus, over which her head was bent, that she was -compelled to turn her face away, lest she should spoil her work. After -a few moments she raised her face, and said, with shining eyes-- - -"Pardon me, my lord prince, but your few kind words, to which my ears -are all unused, have broken up the sealed fountains of my heart. It is -seldom that we children of Jacob hear the accents of sympathy, or find -any one to manifest concern for us, when not personally interested in -doing so." - -At this moment, the sound of the sistrum before the sacred altar of -the temple, fell upon my ears; and, turning round to the east, I laid -my hands across my breast, and bowed my head low in worship, it being -the signal that the hierarch was offering incense and libations. - -To my surprise, the Hebrew woman pursued her work, and remained with -her head, as I thought, more proudly elevated than before. - -"Do you not worship?" I asked, with surprise. - -"Yes, the One God," she answered, with dignity. - -I started with surprise, that a bondwoman should declare, so openly -and familiarly, the mystery which even Remeses scarcely dared to -receive, and which I had accepted with hesitation and awe. - -"How knowest thou there is One God?" I said, regarding her with -deepening interest. - -"From our fathers." - -"Do all your people worship the One Unity?" - -"Not all," she answered, a shadow passing across her queenly brow. -"The masses of our enslaved nation know only the gods of Egypt. They -adore Apis with servility. They are the first to hail the new-found -calf-god, if, by chance, he be found in the nome where they toil. They -are ignorant of the true God, and degraded by their long servitude -(for we are all born in bondage--_all_!); they worship the gods of -their masters; and pots of flesh which are sent from the sacrifices by -the proselyting priests, as bribes to make our chief men bow down to -Osiris and Apis, are temptations enough to cause these elders daily to -deny the God of their father Abraham. Jacob and Joseph are become -Egyptians, and the knowledge of the undivided God is preserved only by -a few, who have kept sacred the traditions of our fathers." - -This was said with deep feeling, and with an expression of anger -mingled with sorrow. - -"What do you worship?" I asked. - -"The God of Abraham." - -"Abram was a Syrian prince," I said. "He must have worshipped fire, -and the sun." - -"In his youth he did. But the great Lord of heaven revealed Himself to -him as One God, and thenceforth he knew and worshipped only the Lord -of heaven and earth." - -"How knowest thou mysteries which are approached with the greatest awe -by the most sacred priests?" - -"Abraham, our father, gave to Isaac, his son, the knowledge of One -God, God _of_ gods!--above, beyond, higher, and over the fabulous -Osiris, Apis, Thoth, Horus, and all other so-called deities. Isaac -left the knowledge with his son Jacob. From Jacob it descended to his -twelve sons, princes by birth; and we are their progeny; and though in -bondage, and tempted to bow down ourselves to the gods of Egypt, yet -there remain a few in Israel who have never bowed the knee to the -black statue of Apis, or crossed the breast before the golden image of -Osiris." - -"What is the name of the One God you, and minds like yours, worship?" -I asked. - -"He is called the One Lord; not only Lord of the sun, but Lord of the -lords of the sun. He is One in His being, One in power, and yields not -His glory and dominion to others. Such is the tradition of our faith." - -"How hast thou resisted the worship of Egypt?" I asked. "Hast thou not -from a child been an inmate of this palace?" - -"Yes, my lord prince. But my mother taught me early the truths of the -faith of Abraham, and I have held firmly to the worship of my fathers, -amid temptations, trials, and menaces. But all the gods of Egypt have -not turned me aside from the One God; and my heart tells me that in -Him, and Him alone, I live, and move, and have my being!" - -I regarded this noble-looking bondwoman with surprise and profound -respect. Here, from the lips of a female, a slave, had I heard the -mystery of God made known, by one who worshipped boldly the Divine -Unity, which the wisdom of Remeses shrunk from certainly -acknowledging; but felt after only with hope and desire. - -"Prince," she said, looking up into my face, and speaking with -feeling, "dost thou believe in these gods of Egypt?" - -I confess, dear mother, I was startled by the question. But I replied, -smiling-- - -"I worship the gods of my own land, Miriam." - -"Are they idols?" - -"What is an idol?" - -"An image or figure in stone, or wood, or metal, or even painted with -colors, to which divine homage is paid,--visible representations of -the invisible." - -"In Phoenicia we worship the sun, and also honor certain gods." - -"Then thou art not above the Egyptians. I saw thee bend in attitude of -prayer at the sound of the sistrum. Dost thou believe that the sacred -bull is God,--who made thee, and me, and nature, and the sun, and -stars, and upholds the universe? Dost thou believe Apis or Mnevis at -On, or Amun at Thebes, either or all of them, GOD?" - -"Thou art a wonderful woman!" I exclaimed. "Art thou not a priestess -of the Hebrew people?" - -"Not a priestess. I simply believe in the unity of God, which you -ought to believe in; for thou art open and ingenuous, and not afraid -of truth. A priestess I am not, yet in my family and tribe is -preserved sacredly the knowledge of the God who spake from heaven to -our ancestor, the Syrian. Canst thou believe, O prince, that a bull is -God?" she asked again, almost authoritatively. - -"No, I do not," I answered, without disguise. - -"Dost thou believe that all minor deities will ultimately be lost in -one God?" - -"I do, most certainly." - -"Then worship Him! Thou art a prince. I hear thou wilt become a king. -What would be your opinion of your subjects, and ambassadors of other -lands, also, if, instead of presenting petitions to you, they should -offer them to your grand-chamberlain, your royal scribe, your chief -butler, or chief baker,--mistaking them ignorantly for you?" - -I made no reply, dear mother. The argument was irresistible. It will -be long, I feel, before I recognize in Apis, or in any statue of -stone, or any figure of a god, the One God, whose existence Remeses -first hinted at to me, and which the Hebrew has made me believe in; -for my own reason responds to the mighty truth! Do not fear, my dear -mother, that I shall return to Tyre an iconoclast; for I cannot set up -a faith in the One God in my realm, until I have His existence -established by infallible proofs. In my own heart I may believe in Him -and adore Him, whom my reason sees through and beyond all material -images of Himself; but, with Remeses, I must secure a foundation for -this new faith, before I overturn the ancient fabric of our mythology -of many gods. - -She resumed her work. It was coloring the wings of an image of the -sun, which, encircled by an asp, his head projected, and with extended -wings, adorned the beginning of one of the leaves. The sun was -overlaid with gold; the asps were painted green, and brown, and gold, -while the feathers of the wide wings were blue, orange, purple, -silver, and gilt. It was an exquisitely beautiful picture. - -"That is a god," I said, after watching for a time her skilful pencil; -"and yet you design and color it." - -"The potter is not responsible for the use that his vases are put to. -The slave must do her mistress's work. I fulfil my task and duty by -obedience to the lords who are over me. Yet this is not a god. It is -the emblem of Egypt. The eternal sunshine is symboled in this golden -disk. The entwining asp is the winding Nile, and the two wings -represent Upper and Lower Egypt, extending along the river. It is an -emblem, not a god. In Egypt, no temple is erected to it. It is used -only in sculpture and over pylones of temples. Yet," she added, "were -it a god, I could not refuse to depict it. Commanded to do, I obey. -The condition of my people is one of submission: if a king rules well, -he is approved; if a slave obeys well, he also is approved." - -At this point of our interesting conversation, I saw the -noble-looking, gray-bearded Prince of Uz pass along the corridor, -preceded by the page of the reception-room. Seeing me, he stopped and -said with benignity and courtesy: - -"Prince of Tyre, it is a pleasure for me to meet with you here! I am -about to leave Egypt for Damascus, and learn from her majesty, the -good queen, that you have a galley which goes in a few days from -Pelusium to Tyre. I have come hither, knowing you to be a guest of my -friend the high-priest, to ask permission to sail in her. I have but a -small retinue, as my caravan has already gone through Arabia Deserta, -on its way to Upper Syria. I take with me but my secretary, scribe, -cup-bearer, armor-bearer, courier, and ten servants." - -I assured the venerable prince that it would give me the greatest -pleasure to surrender to him the cabin and state-chamber of your -galley, my dear mother. And he will be the bearer of a letter from me -presenting him to you. I have already spoken of him in my account of -my first banquet with the queen. He is a prince, wise, good, virtuous, -and greatly honored, not only for his wisdom, but for the patience, -like a god's, with which he has endured the most wonderful sufferings. -At one time he lost sons, daughters, servants, flocks, herds, houses, -treasures, and health: yet he neither cursed the gods nor sought -escape in death. In reward for his patience and endurance, the -heavenly powers restored to him all things; and his name is now but -another term for sacred submission to the divine decrees. - -Having courteously thanked me for granting his wish, he looked closely -at the Hebrew woman, and then said to her-- - -"Is it true that thy people worship the One God?" - -"It is true, O prince!" she answered modestly. - -"This is the true wisdom of life, to know the Almighty, and be -admitted into the secrets of the Holy One! Behold! happy is the man -who attaineth to this knowledge. The world gropes in darkness in the -daytime, and stumbles in the noon-day as in the night, not seeing the -pathway to God. Blessed art thou, O daughter of the wise Abram, the -princely Isaac, the good Jacob--the three great Syrian princes of the -East--in that thou knowest, thou and thy people, the traditions of thy -fathers! Can a man by searching find out God? Can the priests by their -wisdom find out the Almighty to perfection? Their light is darkness! -but the sons of Israel Ben Abram have the knowledge of the Most High, -and are wiser than Egypt!" - -Miriam regarded the majestic old man with eyes expressive of wonder -and joy. They seemed to ask: "Who art thou?" He understood their -interrogating expression, and said: - -"Daughter of Abram, offspring of wise kings, who walked with the One -God, who found Him and came even unto His seat, when darkness covered -the hearts of all men, I also worship GOD! I am of the family of the -King Melchisedec, who knew Abram thy father! They both had knowledge -of the mystery of the Divine Unity! They were friends, and worshipped -God, the Almighty, when the understanding of men knew Him not and -denied the God that is above, and the spirit of God who made them, and -the breath of the Almighty that gave them life. Our God speaketh -everywhere, yet man perceiveth it not, neither doth he know His voice! -Touching the Almighty--who can find him out? The world lacketh wisdom, -and is devoid of understanding, to bow down to the work of their own -hands, and see not Him who laid the foundations of the earth, who hath -stretched His line upon the heavens, and to whom all the morning stars -sang together at their creation, and all the sons of God shouted for -joy!" - -The venerable Syrian uttered these words with an air of inspiration. -His eyes were fixed inquiringly upon my face, as if he directed his -speech to me alone. - -"I would know the God that you and the Hebrews know and worship," I -said, with emotion. "I no longer recognize Deity in stone and metal, -nor God in Osiris and Apis, nor the Creator of all in the sun--who is -but a servant to light the world." - -When I had thus spoken, the eyes of the Hebrew woman beamed with -pleasure, and the Prince of Uz, whose name is Ra-Iub, or Job, took my -hand in his and said, with a smile of benignity-- - -"Thou art not far from the house of Truth, O Prince of Tyre! May the -Almighty instruct thee, and He who ordained the ordinances of heaven -enlighten thee! He alone is the Almighty! Can Apis, or Io, or Adonis, -the gods in whom you believe, give rain and dew, the ice and the hoary -frost? Can they bind up the wintry seas of Colchis, so that men may -walk upon the frozen face of the deep, as upon marble? Can Apis or -Bel-Phegor bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands -of Orion? Can they bring forth Mazzaroth in his season, guide Arcturus -with his sons, and hang Aldebaran and Sirius in the firmament? Can -they send forth the lightning, and give to thunder its voice? My son, -there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth -understanding to them that seek it. Behold, God is great, and we know -Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out; yet -whosoever prayeth unto Him, He will be favorable unto, and will -deliver his soul, and his life shall see the light of the living! Deny -not, my son, the God that is above!" - -"But where, O wise man of God, is the Almighty to be found, and -whither shall my understanding go out to find the place of His -throne?" I asked, feeling like a child at his feet, under the power of -his words. "I am weary of idols," I continued, catching the spirit of -his speech, "and with worshipping myths born of the ignorance of man. -Where shall the Maker be found? Show me His seat, O man of God, that I -may fall down before His footstool!" - -"God is everywhere, but His throne is in thy heart. His wisdom has no -price, neither can it be gotten for gold. The depth says, It is not in -me! The sea saith, It is not with me! It cannot be weighed in the -balance; nor can it be valued with the gold of Ophir; and the exchange -of it shall not be jewels of fine gold. The topaz of Ethiopia shall -not purchase it, nor shall the coral and pearls of the isles of the -sea equal it; for the price of the wisdom of God is above rubies! The -fear of the Lord that is wisdom, and lo the Almighty is found of them -who humbly seek Him. An idol, my son, is a snare, and the false gods -of the world lead to destruction; they have eyes but see not, ears but -hear not, feet but walk not, hands which bless not, mouths that speak -no wisdom! But God is the Maker and Father of His creatures, and -concealeth His glory in the secret places of His heaven; yet the pure -in heart shall find Him, and they that plead with Him shall not be -mocked. He will come unto thee, and abide with thee, and thou shalt -know the Almighty as a father. I have tried Him and He has proved me, -and though He sorely afflicted me He did not forsake me, and in the -end came to me with more abundant honor and blessing." - -"Will God pardon transgression?" I asked, giving utterance in this -brief question to a thought of my heart that no mythology could -answer. - -"There is no promise to man, that transgression against a sacred and -sinless God can be forgiven. We must hope in His mercy at the end! I -have prayed, in my affliction, O prince, for a Day's man--one to stand -between me and the Almighty, to plead for me! My heart hath yearned -for One; and I feel that the yearning of my heart is a prophecy." - -"Dost thou believe a Day's man, or mediator, will be given by the -great God to man, to intercede for transgressors against His -holiness?" I asked, between sweet hope and trembling fear. - -"We have a tradition that has overleaped the flood and come down to -us, that One will yet stand between earth and heaven to plead with the -Creator for His creatures, and that the Almighty will hear His voice." - -"Is not this feebly typified in Horus, the son of Osiris, who presents -the souls of the dead and acts as their friend?" I asked. - -"Without doubt," answered the Prince of Uz. "This belief is found -shadowed forth in all faiths of every land. But I must not detain you, -my lord prince." - -I then accompanied the white-haired Prince of Uz to the galley in -which he had crossed the Nile, and taking leave of him, promised to -see him ere he sailed. - -Believe me, dear mother, there is but One God, and that an idol is -nothing on earth, not even the god-created sun. I have since had -another long conversation with the Prince of Uz, and he has convinced -me that in worshipping images and attributes we offend the High God, -and degrade our own natures. - -Farewell, dear mother. - - Your devoted son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XIX. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -It is many weeks since my last letter was written. The interval has -been occupied by me, in visiting all places of interest in Lower -Egypt, previous to my voyage up the Nile, to the kingdom of the -Thebad. But the intelligence that your last letter contains, of the -misunderstanding arising between you and the King of Cyprus, and your -fear that war may ensue, will compel me to abandon my tour to the -Cataracts, and return to Tyre, unless the next courier brings more -pacific news. But I trust that the wisdom and personal influence of -your ambassador, Isaphris, will result in an amicable termination of -the difficulty. I have no doubt, that the haughty King of the Isle -will make due concessions, for his treatment of your shipwrecked -merchantmen, when your ambassador disclaims all intention, on the part -of your majesty, of planting an invading colony in any part of his -shores, and assures him that the vessels, which he supposed brought a -company of Phoenicians to occupy his soil, were driven thither when -bound for Carthage and distant Gades. But should he refuse to release -your subjects and to restore their vessels and goods, war would -inevitably ensue, and I will hasten home to conduct it in person. Do -not delay sending me the earliest intelligence by a special galley. -Until I hear from you, I shall linger in Lower Egypt. - -Since writing the foregoing, dear mother, I have heard the most -important intelligence from the seat of war in Ethiopia; and what is -more, that the Prince Remeses is even now on his return to Memphis, a -conqueror! The dispatches brought by the courier state, that four -weeks ago the army of Egypt engaged Occhoris, beyond the gates of -Thebes, and after a severe battle, in which the chariots and horse -were engaged, he was forced to retreat; that he gained a new position, -and fortified himself, but was dislodged from it, and finally routed -in the open plain, he himself being taken prisoner, with most of his -chief captains; while a great spoil in treasures, camp-equipage, -elephants, camels, and horses, besides captives innumerable, enriched -the victors. This news has gladdened the heart of Queen Amense, and -relieved her mind from the great anxiety that has oppressed it ever -since the departure of Remeses, lest he should lose his life in the -campaign, as his father had done before him. But, without a wound, he -returns triumphant, leading his enemy captive at the wheels of his -war-chariot. The city is excited with joy, and in all the temples, -ascending incense and bleeding sacrifices, together with libations and -oblations, bear testimony to the universal gratitude of the nation, at -the defeat of the hereditary foe of the kingdom. - -I will for a time delay this letter, that I may witness the scenes in -the city and behold the rites for victory, which, I am told, will be -most imposing, especially in the temples of Apis and of Vulcan. - - -ISLAND AND PALACE OF RHODA. - -Two weeks have elapsed since I laid down my pen, dearest mother. In -the interval I have been too much occupied to resume it, but do so now -with matter of the deepest interest to communicate. Remeses has -returned. Two days ago he entered Memphis in warlike triumph. On -hearing of his approach, I hastened to meet him three days' journey up -the Nile. When we met, he embraced me as a brother, with expressions -of joy; but the first question he put to me was: - -"The queen--my mother, Sesostris, is she well?" - -"Well, and happy at your victories," I answered. - -"And your royal mother also, the Queen Epiphia, how fared she when -last you heard from her?" - -"In good health, save her wish to see me," I answered. - -Thus, dear mother, did this noble prince, amid all the splendor of his -victories, first think of his mother and mine! It is this filial -piety, which is one of the most eminent traits of his lofty and pure -character; and where love for a mother reigns supremely in the heart, -all other virtues will cluster around it. - -I found Remeses descending the river in a hundred-oared galley, to -which I was conveyed by a barge which he sent for me, on recognizing -me. It was decorated with the insignia of all the divisions of his -army. Behind it came two galleys containing the prisoners of rank, who -were bound in chains upon the deck. The Ethiopian king was in the -galley with Remeses, who courteously let him go free in the cabin, -where he was served by his conqueror's own cup-bearer. Further in the -rear came the fleet, their parti-colored green, orange, blue, and -scarlet sails, and the bronzed and gilded heads of hawks, eagles, -wolves, lions, and ibises upon the topmasts, presenting a grand and -brilliant spectacle. Ever and anon, a loud, wild shout would swell -along the water, from the victorious troops. One half of the fleet had -been left in the Thebad country with Prince Moeris, who intended to -invade the interior of Ethiopia and menace its capital. - -You may imagine, dear mother, that Remeses had many questions to ask -and answer, as well as I. I drew from him a modest narrative of his -battles; but he spoke more freely of the brilliant courage of Prince -Moeris than of his own acts. After we had sat in the moonlight, upon -the poop of his galley, conversing for several hours, I asked -permission to see his royal captive, who I fancied was some wild -savage chief, with the hairy head and neck of a lion, and the glaring -eyes of a wolf. When I expressed my opinion to Remeses, he smiled and -said: - -"I will send to him and ask if he will receive me and the Prince of -Tyre; for he has heard me make mention of you." - -"You Egyptians treat your captives with delicate courtesy," I said, -"to send to know if they will receive you." - -"I fear such is not our custom. Captives taken in war by our soldiers, -are, I fear, but little better off than those of other conquering -armies; yet I have done all that is possible to alleviate their -condition, and have forbidden unnecessary cruelty, such as tying their -arms in unnatural positions and dragging them in long lines at the -rear of running chariots! If you see the army on shore, you will find -that it is hard to teach the Egyptian soldier mercy towards a captive -foe." - -I regarded the prince with silent admiration. "How is it," I asked of -myself, "that this man is in advance of all his predecessors and -before his age in virtue?" - -"His majesty will see the Prince of Tyre and also his conqueror," were -the words which the messenger brought to Remeses. - -Descending a flight of steps, we advanced along a second deck, and -then passing the door leading to the state-cabins, we descended again, -and came to the range of apartments occupied by the governor of the -rowers and the chief pilot. The latter had vacated his room to the -royal captive. Upon entering, reclining on a couch of leopard's skins -spread in the moonlight, which shone broadly in upon the floor through -the columns that supported the deck, I beheld a young man, not more -than my own age. His features were remarkable. His nose was slightly -aquiline, his forehead high and commanding, his brows arched and -delicate as a woman's, beneath which were the blackest and largest -eyes I ever beheld, and which seemed to emit a burning splendor. His -finely formed mouth was almost voluptuous in its fulness and -expression; yet I could perceive a slight nervous contraction of the -underlip, as if he were struggling between shame and haughty -indifference, when he beheld us. His chin was without beard. His black -locks were braided and bound up by a fillet of gold, studded with -jewels. His helmet, which was of beaten gold, lay by his side dented -with many a stroke of sword and battle-axe; and I saw that a wound -upon his left temple corresponded to one of these indentations. His -hands were very small, and of a nut-brown color (as was his -complexion), and covered with massive rings. A collar, rich with -emeralds, encircled his neck, from which was suspended an amulet of -agate, and a little silver box containing a royal charm. He was -dressed in a gaudy but rich robe of needle-work, which was open in -front, and displayed a corselet and breastplate of the finest steel, -inlaid with gold. His small feet were bare, save a light sandal of -gilded gazelle-leather. Altogether he was as elegant and fine-looking -a barbaric prince as one would care to behold, dear mother, and not at -all the monster in aspect I had pictured him: yet I am well convinced, -that in that splendid form lie powers of endurance which make him -respected, by the barbarians he commands; and that within those fierce -eyes blazes a soul, as fiery as any barbaric prince requires; while -the firm expression of his mouth, at times, betrayed a resolved and -iron will, with which no one of his subjects would willingly come into -antagonism. - -He half-rose gracefully from his recumbent attitude, and said, with an -indolent yet not undignified air, and in good Koptic, as it is spoken -in the Thebad: - -"Welcome, Prince of Tyre! I am sorry I cannot extend to you the -hospitality you merit. You see my kingdom is somewhat limited! As for -you, O Prince of Egypt, who have a right to command, I need not ask -you to be seated or recline." Then turning to me again, "I have heard -of Tyre. You are a nation of merchants who cover the great sea with -caravans of galleys, and plant your sandals in all lands. But you have -not yet had Ethiopia beneath them." - -"Our commerce embraces even your own country's productions, O king!" I -answered. "I have seen in the mart of Tyre choenixes of gold-dust, -ostrich-feathers, dried fruits and skins, vermilion, ebony, ivory, and -even baboons, apes, and leopards. In return we send you our purples." - -"That is the name of Tyre, is it not,--the city of purple-cloth?" he -said interrogatively, and with a pointed sneer. "Ethiopia signifies -the land of warriors--children of the sun." - -I could not help smiling at his vanity. Remeses did not say any thing. -The king then added, pleasantly: - -"I have no quarrel with thee, O Tyre! Receive this ring--that is, if -the great Remeses do not regard all I possess, as well as myself, his -spoil--receive it in token that we are at peace." - -As he spoke, he drew from his thumb a jewel of great price, and, -taking my hand, placed it upon my thumb, without looking to see -whether Remeses approved or no. - -After a brief interview I left his presence, and soon retired to my -state-room. Remeses insists upon my retaining the ring, which, in -truth, the Ethiopian king, being a captive, had no right to dispose -of. Remeses says that he displayed the most daring courage and -marvellous generalship in battle; and that, though young, and -apparently effeminate, he inherits all the fierce, barbaric spirit of -his ancestor, Sabaco I., and of his uncle, Bocchiris the Great, and -third of the name. - -At length arrived at the island of Rhoda, Remeses hastened to embrace -his mother, and to render to her an account of his expedition. The -next day, preparations were made to receive the vast and victorious -army, which had been slowly marching towards the capital, along the -western bank of the river. They entered the plain of the pyramids on -the same night, column succeeding column in a long line, attended by -an interminable train of captives, and by wagons, cars, and chariots -laden with spoils of arms, treasures, goods, and military stores. -Having encamped on their former ground, they awaited the signal to -move towards the city in triumphal procession. - -The following morning the queen made her appearance at the head of the -great square, in front of the temple of Apis. She was arrayed in her -royal robes, and seated in a state-chariot of ivory, inlaid with gold, -drawn by four white horses driven abreast, richly caparisoned, and -with ostrich-plumes nodding on their heads. Attended by a splendid -retinue of the lords of her palace, she took a position near the -pylon, surrounded by her body-guard, in their glittering cuirasses of -silver, and bearing slender lances in their right hands. The lords of -the realm were ranged, in extended wings, on either side of her -chariot; the whole presenting a strikingly beautiful spectacle. - -When all was arranged, from the portals of the vast temple, headed by -the hierarch in full dress, issued a procession of four hundred -priests, a shining host, with golden tiaras, and censers of gold, and -crimson vestments. Other sacred processions came advancing along all -the streets, headed by their chiefs, each escorting the god of their -temple in a gorgeous shrine, blazing with the radiance of precious -stones. - -Prince Remeses, attended by the governor of the city, the twenty-one -rulers of the departments thereof, and by all dignitaries, of whatever -office, in their sumptuous robes and badges of rank, had already -departed from the city to meet the army, which, headed by its -generals, was in full motion. They came on in columns of battalions, -as if marching through an enemy's country, and with all the pomp of -war--their battle-banners waving, and their bands of music sounding. -Instead of accompanying Remeses, I remained, by her request, near the -queen. The towers of the pylones, the roofs of temples, the colonnades -of palaces, terraces, house-tops--every vantage-point--were crowded -thickly with spectators. - -At length the voice of trumpets, faint and far off, broke the silence -of expectation. Nearer and louder it was heard, now rising on the -breeze, now gradually dying away; but soon other instruments were -heard: the cymbals, the drum, the pipe and the cornet from a hundred -bands poured upon the air a martial uproar of instruments, which made -the blood bound quicker in every pulse. All eyes were now turned in -the direction of the entrance to the grand causeway of the pyramids, -and in a few moments, amid the answering clangor of the brazen -trumpets of the queen's guards, a party of cavalry, shining like the -sun, dashed into sight. - -Their appearance was hailed by the vast assemblage of spectators with -acclamations. Then came one hundred and seventy priests abreast, -representing the male deities of Memphis, each attired like the image -of his god--an imposing and wonderful spectacle; as in it Horus was -not without his hawk-head, nor Thoth his horns and globe. Anubis -displayed the head of a jackal, and Osiris held the emblems of his -rank. These were followed by the high-priest of On, before whom was -borne the shield of the sun, resting upon a car carried by twenty-four -men, representing the hours. Following these were one thousand -priests--a hundred in line--chanting, with mighty voice, the song of -victory to the gods. They were succeeded by a battalion of cavalry, -the front of which filled the whole breadth of the avenue. It advanced -in solid column, till four thousand horsemen, in varied armor and -arms, had entered the immense quadrangle. Now burst out afresh the -clang of martial bands, and alone in his state-chariot, drawn by three -black steeds, appeared the Prince of Egypt, standing erect upon the -floor of his car. He was in full armor, and so splendid was his -appearance, so majestic his aspect, that he was hailed with a thunder -of voices, as conqueror! Leaving the golden-hued reins loosely -attached to the hilt of his sword, he suffered his proudly stepping -horses freely to prance and curvet, yet held them obedient to the -slightest gesture of his hand. On each side of their heads walked -three footmen. Behind him came his war-chariot of iron, from which he -had fought in battle on the Theban plains. The horses were led by two -lords of Egypt, and it was empty, save that it held his battered -shield, emptied quiver, broken lances, the hilt of his sword, and his -dented helmet--mute witnesses of his presence in the heat of battle. -Behind the chariot was a guard of honor, consisting of a brave soldier -out of every company in the army. But close to it, his wrists locked -together with a massive chain of gold, which was attached to the axle -of the war-chariot, walked the captive King of Ethiopia. His step was -proud and defiant, and a constant smile of contempt curled his lip, as -he saw the eyes of the spectators bent upon him, and heard their -shouts of hostile joy on beholding him. He moved, the king in heart, -though bound in hand. Over his shoulders hung a lion's skin as a royal -mantle, but his feet were bare. Behind him came a solid front of -chariots, which, line behind line, rolled into the square, until -nearly three thousand war-cars had entered, and moved, with all the -van of the vast warlike procession, towards the great pylon, before -which, in her chariot, stood the Queen of Egypt; for, as soon as the -head of the column came in sight, she had risen to her feet to receive -her returning army. - -When Remeses came before her, he turned his horses towards her and -remained at her side. Past them marched first the foot-soldiers. To -the sound of drums and the tramp of ten thousand sandals, they wheeled -into the arena of temples, elevating their war-hacked symbols, each -man laden with his spoil. Then it was, that a company of sacred -virgins, issuing from the temple of Athor, each with a silver star -upon her brow, all clad in white, and bearing branches of flowers, -green palm-branches, ivy and lotus leaves, cast them before the army, -and sang with beautiful voices the hymn of the Conqueror. As they -passed, the priests, with censers, waved incense towards them, and -others sprinkled sacred water in the path of the battle-worn warriors. -The soldiers responded to the hymn of the maidens with a loud chorus, -that rent the skies as they marched and sang. - -When half the army had defiled, there came a procession of Ethiopian -cars and wagons, drawn by captured oxen, and laden with trophies. Upon -one was piled scores of shields, another was filled with helmets, a -third bristled with spears, and a fourth was weighed down by cuirasses -and swords. After many hundreds of these had passed--for the whole -Ethiopian army was destroyed and their possessions captured--came -chariots, heavy with chests containing gold, and silver, and bronze -vessels; others glaring with ivory tusks; others full of blocks of -ebony. Five royal elephants, with their castles and keepers, and a -troop of camels, laden with treasures and mounted by their -wild-looking guides, preceded a body of horse escorting the purple -pavilion of the captive king--a gorgeous yet barbaric edifice of ivory -frames, covered with silk and fringed with gold. Next came a painted -car containing his wives, all of whom were closely veiled, and -followed by a train of royal servants and slaves. - -Bringing up the rear of the immense procession was another large body -of horse, at the head of a long column of captives, twelve thousand in -number--the disarmed and chained soldiers of the defeated monarch. -Such a spectacle of human misery, such an embodiment of human -woe!--how can I depict the scene, my mother! Perhaps when I am older, -and have seen more of war than I have, I may feel less sympathy at a -sight so painful, and be more indifferent to the necessary horrors of -this dread evil. - -Their features denoted them to be of a race very different from the -Egyptian. They were slender and tall, with swarthy, but not black, -faces like the Nubians--showing more of the Oriental than the African -in their physiognomy. Their long hair hung half-way down the back, and -they were dressed in costumes as various as the tribes which composed -the army of Occhoris. - -These captives marched in parties of from one to two hundred -each--some linked by the wrists to a long connecting chain passing -along the line; others, chained two and two by the hands, and with -shackled feet, were led by their captors. Many of them were confined -to a long iron bar, by neck-collars, eight and ten abreast, each -compelled to step together, and sit or rise at the same moment, or be -subjected to dislocation of the neck. Several, of the most -unmanageable, were tied with their hands high above their heads, in -the most painful positions; while other wretches were so cruelly -bound, that their arms met behind in the most unnatural manner. There -was a long chain of Nubian and Southern Arabian soldiers so bound, who -writhed in agony as they were forced onward in the march. After these -came hundreds of women and children, the latter naked, and led by the -hand, or carried by their mothers in baskets, slung behind by a belt -carried across the forehead. Finally, when these had passed the queen, -who humanely ordered those so unnaturally bound to be relieved, the -rear division of the army came tramping on, with symbols aloft, and -drums beating, and trumpets blowing. - -At length, this vast army of nearly one hundred thousand men, -including chariots, horsemen, and foot-soldiers, had marched past -before the queen, receiving her thanks and smiles, and the flowers -that were showered upon them from thousands of fair hands. As they -moved on, they wheeled in column, and gradually filled up the whole -area of the vast quadrangle, save the space in front of the pyramidal -gateway, where the queen and Remeses stood in their chariots. - -At this juncture, the high-priest of On--a man of venerable -aspect--amid the profoundest silence, advanced before them, and thus -addressed Prince Remeses: - -"Mighty and excellent prince, and lord of worlds, son of the queen, -and upholder of the kingdoms of the earth, may the gods bless thee and -grant thee honor and prosperity! Thou hast led the armies of Misr to -battle, and conquered. Thou hast brought down the pride of Ethiopia, -and placed the crown of the South underneath thy foot. Thou hast -fought, and overthrown, and taken captive the enemy of Egypt, and the -scourge of the world. Lo, chained he walks at thy chariot-wheels! his -soldiers are captives to thy sword, and his spoil is in thy hand! By -thy courage in battle, thou hast saved Egypt from desolation, filled -her borders with peace, and covered her name with glory. Let thy -power, henceforth, be exalted in the world like the sun in the -heavens, and thy glory and virtues only be equalled by those of the -sacred deities themselves!" - -Remeses, with the gentle dignity and modesty which characterize him, -replied to this eulogistic address of the Egyptian pontiff. The queen -then embraced him before the whole army, which cried, "Long live our -queen! Long live Remeses our general!" All the while Occhoris stood by -the wheel of the chariot to which he was chained, his arms folded, and -his bearing as proud as that of a caged lion. He did not even deign to -look upon the queen, whom he had never before beheld; and seemed to be -above, or below, all manifestation of curiosity. Self-reliance, -fearlessness, immobility, characterized him. - -Preparations having already been made for a national thanksgiving, the -queen and Remeses descended from their chariots, and led a procession -consisting of the priest of On, the high-priest of Apis, the priest of -Memphis, hierophants and chief priests from each of the thirty-eight -or forty nomes, and several hundreds of ecclesiastics in magnificent -dresses. This august procession entered the great temple of Pthah. -Here, after an imposing invocation, offerings from the queen to the -presiding deity, and also to Mars--whose statue was present,--were -made in recognition of their presence with the victorious army, and as -an acknowledgment that it was by their special favor and intercession -that the victory had been obtained. - -This done, Remeses, in a formal manner, addressed the priest of the -temple, presenting to the deity all the prisoners, and the spoil taken -with them. As the vast army could not enter the temple, each captain -of fifty and of a hundred was present for his own men. The high-priest -then went forth upon the portico of the temple, and on an altar there, -in the presence of the whole army, offered incense, meat-offerings, -and libations. - -All these customs and rites being ended, the army once more commenced -its march, and passed through the city, and beyond the pyramid of -Cheops' daughter to the plain of Libya, where Osirtasen used to review -his armies. There they pitched their camp, prior to being posted and -garrisoned in different parts of Egypt,--ready again to be summoned, -at three days' notice, to go forth to war. - -The captives, being delivered up to the authorities, were at once put -to labor in the service of the queen, and are already engaged in -building temples, cutting canals, raising dykes and embankments, and -other public and state works. Some were purchased by the nobles; and -the women, both Nubian and white, were distributed among the wealthy -and noble families in the city. The Hebrew is the only captive or -servant in Egypt who cannot be bought and sold. Those who have them in -their houses do not own them, for, as a nation, they belong to the -crown; but the queen's treasurer is paid a certain tribute or tax for -their service, and must restore them whenever the queen commands them -to do so. - -The King of Ethiopia, himself, after having been led through the city -at the chariot-wheel of his conqueror, was sent to the royal prison, -there to await his fate, which hangs upon the word of the queen. - -It is possible he may be redeemed by his own nation with a vast -ransom-price; but if not, he will probably pass his days a captive, -unless he consents to a proposition, which will be made to him by the -prince, for recovering his liberty--namely, the surrender of the -northern half of his kingdom to Egypt, in order that he may be -permitted to reign over the remainder. As half a kingdom is far better -than none, any other monarch would probably acquiesce; but the spirit -of this king (whose looks and movements irresistibly make me think of -a Nubian leopard) is so indomitable and proud, that I believe be would -rather die a prisoner in a dungeon than live a king with half a -sceptre. - -This letter, dear mother, has been written at three or four different -sittings, with a greater or less interval of time between them. It was -my intention to have given you, before closing it, some account of a -meeting which I had with a remarkable Hebrew, whose resemblance to -Remeses, is, if possible, more striking than that of Miriam the -papyrus writer, or of Amram the royal gardener. But having quite -filled it with a description of the triumphal entry of Remeses into -the capital, I must defer doing so till another occasion. - -With my most affectionate wishes for your happiness, I am, my beloved -mother, - - Your faithful son, - SESOSTRIS - - - - -LETTER XX. - - -PALACE OF RHODA. - -MY DEARLY BELOVED MOTHER: - -The excitement, which the return of the triumphant army from its -brilliant Ethiopian campaign created, has now subsided, and the cities -of Memphis and On, and the thousand villages in the valley of the -Nile, have returned to their ordinary quiet, interrupted only by -religious processions, the music of a banquet, or the festivities of a -marriage. In this delicious climate, where there is no particular -incentive to action, the general state of the people is one of -indolence and leisure. The chief business, at the marts and quays, is -over before the sun is at meridian; and during the remainder of the -day, shade and repose are coveted. But when the sun sinks westward, -and hangs low over the brown hills of Libya, this inaction ceases, and -all classes, in their best apparel and most cheerful looks, fill the -streets, the groves, the gardens, the walks and avenues along the -river; and the spirit of enjoyment and life reigns. - -One evening, not long since, I strolled along the banks of the Nile, -beneath a row of mimosa-trees, to enjoy the gay and attractive scenes -upon the river. It was covered with gayly painted barges, containing -happy family parties, whose musicians played for them as the rowers -slowly and idly propelled the boat; others, in sharp-prowed baris, -darted in emulous races across the water; others were suspended upon -the bosom of the stream, fishing for amusement; while others still -moved about, with their beautifully pictured sails spread to the -gentle breeze, as if enjoying the panorama of the shores they were -gliding past. - -I had rambled alone some distance up the river, without any vestige of -my rank being apparent, in the plain Phoenician costume of a Tyrian -merchant (which I often wear, to prevent constant interruption by the -homage and prostrations of the deferent Egyptians), when I saw a small -baris, containing a single person, coming close to the steps of the -extensive terrace of one of the numerous temples of the image of Apis, -which here faced the Nile, separated from it only by a double row of -sphinxes. It was rowed by four Nubian slaves, clad in white linen -vests and fringed loin-cloths, each having a red cap upon his head. - -As the boat approached the marble steps, a decorated and unusually -elegant galley, containing three young men of rank, as their dress and -the emblems on their mast indicated, was coming swiftly down the -stream, as if the owner strove to display the fleetness of his vessel -before the eyes of the thousands who looked on. The pilot, at the -lofty helm, called out to the baris to move quicker away from the line -of his course; but either the rowers failed to hear or to comprehend, -for they did not turn their heads. On like the wind came the galley. I -called aloud to the person who sat in the stern of the baris, and who -was intently engaged in reading a book, a portion of which lay -unrolled at his feet. - -He looked up quickly, and saw, first me, and then, by the direction of -my finger, his danger. Before, however, he could give orders to his -rowers, I heard one of the young men say to the pilot, who was -changing his course a little-- - -"Keep right on! It is but a Hebrew; and it would be a favor to the -gods to drown a thousand a day." - -The pilot obeyed his lord, and the bronze hawk-head of the gilded -galley struck the boat near the stern, nearly capsizing it, and then -the whole armament of twelve oars passed over it, striking overboard -two of the slaves, as the twenty-four oarsmen swept the galley along -at the height of its speed. I expected to see the priest, for such his -costume betrayed him, also pressed down by the long oars, under which, -like a low roof of inclined rafters, he was entangled; but stooping -low until his forehead touched the book on his knee, the sweeps passed -harmlessly over him, and when the galley had gone by, he recovered his -sitting posture, maintaining, the while, a composure and dignity that -made me marvel. His dark, handsome, oriental face betrayed scarcely -any emotion at the danger or the indignity. Seeing that one of the -slaves was swimming ashore, and that the other rose no more, he waved -his hand to the remaining two who had fallen into the bottom of the -boat, and who, recovering their oars, pulled him to the steps. - -"A Hebrew!" repeated I to myself. "Truly, and the very likeness of -Remeses, save that his hair is of a browner hue, and his beard tinged -with a golden light. A Hebrew! What philosophy under insult and peril! -A Hebrew! What contempt of him and his life was evinced by the haughty -Egyptian noble! A Hebrew, and a _priest_!" - -Such were the reflections to which I gave utterance, in an under-tone. - -He debarked, and giving an order to the slaves, placed his scroll of -papyrus beneath his robe, and, ascending the steps, bowed low, and -with singular courtesy (for the Hebrews, mother, are naturally the -most polished and benignant people in the world), said in the -Phoenician tongue-- - -"I am indebted to you, sir merchant, for my life! Your timely voice -enabled me to save myself, although I have lost one of the poor Nubian -lads. Accept my gratitude!" - -I could not remove my eyes from his face. It fascinated me! It seemed -to be Remeses himself speaking to me; yet the hair of the prince is -raven-black, and his beard also, while this man's is a rich brown, and -his fine beard like a golden river. The eyes of Remeses are black, -with a mild expression naturally, as if they were animated by a gentle -spirit; while those of the priest are hazel, or rather a brilliant -bronze, and full of the light of courage and of ardent fire. In person -he is just the height of Remeses--carried his head in the same -imperial manner, as if born to command; and the tones of his voice are -marked by that rich emotional cadence--winning the ear and touching -the heart--which characterizes the prince. His step is firm and -commanding--his motions self-poised and dignified. He seems three or -four years older than Remeses; but the likeness of the features, and -the entire presence of the stranger recalled my royal friend so -forcibly to my mind, on the occasion of which I speak, that I said -mentally--"Were the Prince Remeses a Hebrew, or were this Hebrew an -Egyptian, I should think them cousins, if not brothers!" - -Pardon me, dear mother, for thus speaking of a royal personage; but I -only make use of the language, to express to you how wonderful in -every way, save in the color of hair and eyes, is the resemblance of -this man to the prince. - -"I did but a common duty to a fellow-being," was my reply. "But why -did you address me in Syriac?" - -"Are you not a Syrian merchant?" he asked, looking at me more closely, -after I had spoken. - -"I am from Tyre," I answered. "You are a Hebrew?" - -"Yes," was his reply, casting down his eyes and moving past me towards -the temple. - -"Stay one moment," I said. He turned and regarded me with a look of -surprise; just such an one as the Hebrew woman Miriam,--to whom also, -dear mother, he bore a very striking resemblance,--gave me when I -irresistibly addressed her, in the courteous tone I would have used -towards any of her sex: such was my tone in speaking to this Hebrew; -for although his dress showed that he was only a neophyte, or -attendant with secular duties, yet the man himself commanded my -respect. - -"May I inquire, without offence, why I see a Hebrew in the service of -religion?" - -"When we are only degraded slaves, and brick and clay workers, and -worship not the gods of Egypt?" he answered interrogatively; and I -imagined I detected a haughty light in his eyes, and a movement of his -lip, caused by a keen sense of the degradation of which he spake. - -"You have expressed my motives," I replied. "If you are proceeding -along the avenue of sphinxes, I will accompany you, as I am merely -loitering." - -"Will you be seen walking with a Hebrew, my lord prince?" he said, -significantly. - -"You know my rank, then?" - -"Your language betrays you; merchants do not speak as you do. Besides, -the signet of Prince Remeses, on your hand, designates your rank. I -have, moreover, heard you described by one, who will never forget that -the first words of kindness he ever received, save from his kinsfolk, -fell upon his ears from your lips, O Prince of Tyre!" - -"Who is he?" I asked with interest. - -"The lad Israel, whom you assisted in restoring to animation by the -well of Jacob the Shepherd!" - -"At the strangers' fountain!" I repeated. "This little act seems to be -known to all the Hebrews!" - -"Not to all, but to a few," he answered; "yet it will be heard of by -all of them; for kindness and sympathy from any one, especially from a -foreign prince, is so strange an event that it will fly from lip to -ear. Your name, O noble Sesostris, will be engraven in every memory, -and the sound thereof warm hope in every heart!" - -He spoke with deep feeling. We walked some distance side by side -without speaking. After a few moments' silence I said-- - -"Where is the youth Israel?" - -"With his people near Raamses." - -"I am to receive him into my service." - -"He will faithfully serve you, my lord prince. He is of my kindred, -and I shall be grateful to you for protecting his weakness. Every -shoulder in Israel cannot bear the burden!" - -"Are you then of the family of Miriam?" I asked, recollecting that the -ritual transcriber, in the palace of the hierarch, had also claimed -kindred with the son of the venerable Ben Isaac. - -"Miriam the scribe?" - -"In the service of Luxora and Osiria, of Memphis." - -"She is my sister." - -"I would have said it!" I answered. "Is your father living?" - -"He is in charge of the queen's flower-garden in On." - -"I know him," I answered. - -"It is he who has spoken of you to me, as well as the aged Ben Isaac, -young Israel, and Miriam. Therefore did I at once recognize you, when -your polished words led me to see that you were in rank above chief -pilots and governors of galleys." - -"Will you reply to my inquiry? for, as we know each other's friends, -we need not now discourse wholly as strangers. How came you, being a -Hebrew, to become a priest? Do not you Hebrews worship the One -Infinite Maker and Upholder of worlds?" - -"There are a few who retain, unmixed with superstition and -idol-worship, the knowledge of the one God of our ancestors Abraham, -Jacob, and Joseph; but this knowledge is confined, chiefly, to the -descendants of one man, Levi; and only to a few of these. The residue -are little better than the Egyptians." - -"Art thou of the family of this Levi?" I asked. - -"I am. We are more given to study than our brethren, and seek -knowledge and wisdom. Hence it is, that some of our tribe are taken -from the labor of the field to serve the priests. We are ready -writers, skilful with the stylus and the coloring pencil, and our lot -is preferable to that of others, who are more ignorant. Hence you -behold me a servitor in an Egyptian temple!" - -"Hast thou long been in this service?" I asked, as we stopped in the -shade of the pyramidion of an obelisk, in front of the temple porch. - -"From a child." - -"So early! Then thou hast not borne the toils of thy people." - -"I was discovered upon the banks of the Nile, in my fourth year, near -the Island of Rhoda, weeping bitterly; for I had seen my mother commit -my infant brother to a basket and launch it upon the river; and -observing it borne down by the current, young as I was, I so felt all -its danger, that I ran as well as I could along the shore crying -piteously, when a priest (who has made known to me the incident) -seeing me, took pity upon me, and noticing that I was a Hebrew child -led me away, pacifying me by saying that I should see my brother. From -that time I have been an inmate of the temple; for my mother seeing -him take me away followed, and as he promised he would rear me as his -own son, and that I should see her weekly, she yielded me up to him -with reluctant gladness; for, my lord prince, in that day the children -of Hebrew parents were not safe even at home, an edict having been -published commanding all male infants to be strangled or drowned. -Mothers held their children by a slight tenure, and seeing that the -protection of a priest would insure my safety, and spare me the toils -to which the little ones of our nation were early condemned, my -parents readily acquiesced in the wishes of the priest." - -"Was thy infant brother lost?" I asked with interest. - -"Yes, without doubt. Like hundreds of other innocents, he perished." - -"Might he not have been saved by some one as compassionate as your -friendly priest?" - -"Who would dare to save a child from the king's edict of death? Not -one, unless it had been the king's daughter! All his subjects trembled -at his power." - -"I have heard of that cruel command of Pharaoh Amunophis," I answered. -"What is your office in this noble temple?" I asked, surveying the -majestic edifice, before which stood a black statue of Apis, the size -of life. - -"My office is not that of a priest, though it is priestly. I write -books of papyrus for the dead. I cast images, in gold, of the young -calf Apis. I interpret hieroglyphics, make copies of the tables of -rituals, and keep a list of the sacred scrolls. I also study foreign -tongues, and transcribe from their books the wisest codes and most -solemn forms of worship." - -"Yours is an office of trust and honor," I said. - -"It is, through the favor of the venerable priest, who is my -benefactor, and to whom I am as a son," he answered. "If you will now -enter the temple with me, I will show you the casting-room of sacred -images; for my duty is there, during the next four hours." - -I thanked the courteous Hebrew, and ascending the steps of the -portico, entered the vestibule of the temple. By a side corridor, we -reached a small court lined with alabastron, in which three priests -were pacing up and down, reading and meditating. - -Not being noticed at all by them, I was conducted by the stately -Hebrew into a chamber, which was the vestibule to a large apartment, -whither we descended by eight steps, that led to a large brazen door -with two leaves. This was secured; but a small side door admitted us -into a vast subterranean room, which I saw was a place for casting. -Numerous workmen were busy about heated furnaces: some blowing the -fire beneath crucibles for melting gold, some weighing gold and -delivering it to the smiths; and others washing gold. Some were -casting small images of Apis in moulds, while a superintendent moved -up and down, dressed in the close robes of vesture priests wear, when -not performing duties at the altar. It was a scene of busy toil and -constant activity. - -"This," said my guide, "is the casting-chamber of the temple. Each of -us has his departments. It is mine, to oversee the mixing of gold with -the proper alloy, and I have a scribe who records the results. Here, -you see, is a life-size image of Apis, when he was a calf. It is for -the temple at Bubastis, of the Delta. There you behold a mould for one -of larger size, ordered for the shrine at Osymandyes." - -"Do you never cast any figures of the size of Apis?" I asked, looking -about me in amazement at this extraordinary scene. - -"Not of gold," he answered, conducting me through the vast room in -which fourscore men were at work "Those are cast of bronze, not here, -but at a temple near the pyramid Dendara. The gods of this temple are -in great repute throughout all Egypt. They are consecrated here before -they are sent away, with ancient rites, known only to the priesthood -of this shrine. Come with me into this side apartment." - -I followed him through a passage having double-doors of brass, and -found myself in a room full of vases, each one of which contained a -quantity of jewelry, consisting of rings for the fingers and thumb, -ear-rings, bracelets, flower-holders of gold, necklaces, and signets, -all of gold. - -"These are sent here from various temples in the different nomes, out -of which, after melting them, we cast images of the size demanded." - -In another room the intelligent Hebrew exhibited to me a great number -of small figures of Apis, of gold of Havilah, which is remarkably -beautiful from its deep orange-color. These figures, though not a palm -long, were valued at a talent. On all these images of the sacred calf, -I perceived that the mark of the crescent between the shoulders was -distinctly imitated, as well as the other peculiarities. Upon the head -of some of them was a sun enwreathed by the sacred urus. - -"Does your temple derive a revenue from all this?" I asked the Hebrew. - -"There is a tithe retained from all the gold that is sent hither, for -the expenses of the temple," he answered. - -We now turned aside to see men grinding to powder an old image of -Apis, of solid gold of Ophir. The image had been in the hands of the -Ethiopians, and being recaptured, was sent here to be ground to dust; -for it was regarded as accursed until this were done. This process is -effected by the free use of _natron_, and is an art known only to the -Egyptians. The dust is then washed in consecrated water. In taste, I -am told, it is exceeding bitter and nauseous. Thus gold, as a drink, -would not be coveted by men. - -We next came to a flight of stairs which led to a paved hall -surrounded by columns, and thence a door led into a small garden, -where three majestic palms towered high above the columns that -inclosed it; while a fountain ceaselessly let fall its refreshing -rain, in a vast shallow vase, wherein gold and silver fishes glanced -in the light. - -It was now near the close of day, and I began to thank him for his -courtesy, when he said-- - -"Do not leave now, O prince. This is my apartment, and the one -opposite is that of the aged priest, my benefactor. Enter, and let me -have water for thy feet and hands, and place before thee some -refreshment; for it is a long walk back to the palace where thou art -sojourning." - -Willing to learn all I could of the remarkable Hebrew people, who seem -to be a nation of princes as well as of bondmen, I accepted his -invitation, and entered a cool porch, from which opened a handsome but -simply furnished apartment, where he lodged. I seated myself upon a -stone bench, when, at a signal made by him, two black slaves -approached with ewers of water, one for the hands, and the other with -a silver basin for my feet. Each of them had thrown over his shoulder -a napkin of the finest linen. But upon the vessels, the vestures, the -slaves, and the napkins, I saw the crescent, which showed that they -were all the property of the temple. - -At length fruit, and wheaten bread, and fish, were laid before me. The -Hebrew stood while I partook, declining to eat with me, saying that -his nation never broke bread with any but their own people; adding, -"and the Egyptians regard it as infamy to sit down with us." - -"I have no such prejudices," I said, with a smile. When I had eaten, -and laved my fingers in a crystal vase, which the priest placed before -me, and the Nubians had retired, I said, "My meeting with you has been -a source of great pleasure to me. I am deeply interested in your -nation. As a Syrian we are not far from a kindred origin, and as a -foreigner I have none of the feelings which, as masters, the Egyptians -entertain towards a Hebrew. I have witnessed the working of the -deep-seated prejudice in a variety of ways, and cannot but wonder at -it. From all I can learn of your history, you have never been at war -with them, nor wronged them." - -"We are unfortunate, unarmed, and weak; and the greater ever oppress -the helpless," he answered. - -"Do you feel no resentment?" - -"The bondage of one hundred and seventy years has graven the lines of -patience deep in our hearts. Forbearance has become a second nature to -the Hebrew. But, my lord prince, I feel that this will not always be," -he added. "The time cannot be far off, when Egypt, for her own safety, -will give us our liberty and the privileges of citizens. We are not a -race of bondmen, like Nubia's children. We were once free! Our fathers -were princes in Syria; and was not Joseph the ruler of Egypt for -sixty-one years, during the long reign of Pharaoh-Apophis? Not long -after the Theban dynasty, which now rules the two Egypts, assumed the -double crown, did our degradation begin." - -"Doubtless a change in your condition must ere long take place," I -said. "There must be leaders among you. Not all the suffering of your -oppression has destroyed the princely air among many of your people." - -"But not one Hebrew is trained to war, or knows the use of any sort of -weapon. For three generations, we have been a laboring, patient, -unarmed people. If, here and there, one rises above the masses, it is -by accident or favor, or from interest on the part of those who employ -us. I have said that the family from which I spring is skilled in -letters and art, and is ambitious of the learning of the Egyptians, -and of becoming scribes and copyists to the priests. Others among us, -of the sons of Dan, are skilful boatmen; others are builders; while -others prefer the culture of the field, or the tending of flocks. We -were twelve princes--brethren--in the ancient days, and the -descendants of each are remarkable for some special skill; and the -Egyptian taskmasters having discerned this aptitude, distribute them -to their work accordingly. We are not all brick-makers, though four -fifths of the nation are reduced to that degraded toil--all, of every -tribe or family, who are not skilful in some art, being driven into -the field. Of late years, the Egyptian artificers have made such great -outcries, to the effect that the Hebrews were filling the places of -their own workmen, that the chief governor of the Hebrews in Lower -Egypt has, in order to preserve peace, sent thousands into the -brick-fields, who had never before encountered such heavy toil. The -result is, that hundreds perish, and that youths like Israel sink -hourly under their unendurable sufferings." - -"Have you no gods--no ear to hear your prayers?" I asked impulsively, -as I am apt to do, dear mother, when my feelings are deeply moved. -"Have you no worship? I hear of no altar or temple." - -"A few among us have mysteries, such as the existence of One God; that -He is a spirit; that all men are His offspring; and that we must be -just in order to please Him. But I must confess, O prince," he said, -sadly, "that we have very little knowledge, even the best among us, of -the God in whose existence we profess to believe. It is easier to -serve and trust to the visible gods of Egypt; and our people, from the -depths of their misery, stretch forth their clay-soiled hands to -Osiris, to Pthah, to the images of Apis, and cry, 'Deliver us, O gods -of Egypt, deliver us from our bondage!' They have cried to the -invisible God of Abraham in vain, and they now cry in vain to the gods -of the land, also. Neither hear--neither answer; and they sink into -blank despair, without any hope left in a god--a nation of infidel -slaves!" - -"Can this be a true picture?" I said. - -"Nearly so. Even I, O prince, under the ever-present power of the -religion to which this temple is upreared,--I, from the influence of -example, from ignorance of the worship of the Hebrew God of Isaac, -from the education of my life, am half an Egyptian. The religion of -Egypt appeals to the senses, and these, in most men, are far stronger -than the imagination; and we Hebrews know nothing of a God, except -that our fathers had one, but that He has deserted and left us, their -miserable descendants, under the yoke of oppressors. Is it any wonder -that the wisest of us turn to the gods of Egypt? If the Egyptians can -be happy, and cherish hope, and die in peace under their faith, let us -also seek its shelter, and let their gods be our gods! Such is the -prevailing language and growing feeling of our people." - -This was all said in a tone of sadness and bitterness; while that -despair of which he spoke, cast its shadow heavily over his noble -countenance. I arose soon afterwards, and took my leave of him, more -and more deeply interested, dear mother, in the history and condition -of this singular people. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXI. - - -PALACE OF AMENSE, ISLAND OF RHODA. - -MY DEAR MOTHER: - -It is with emotions I am unable to command, that I commence, after a -silence of several weeks, another letter to you. I know not how, -properly to unfold and rightly to present before you the extraordinary -events which have transpired since I last wrote to you. But I will -endeavor to give a narrative of the unparalleled circumstances, in the -order of their occurrence up to the present time, and will keep you -advised of the progress of this remarkable and mysterious matter, as -each day it develops itself. - -I believe, in one of my letters to the Princess Thamonda, I spoke of -the approaching birthday of Remeses--his thirty-fifth--and that the -queen had resolved, on that day, to confer upon him the crowns of -Egypt, and resigning, with the sceptre, all dominion into his hand, -retire to a beautiful palace, which she has recently completed on the -eastern slope of the Libyan hills, west of the pyramids, and -overlooking a charming lake, which, begun by former rulers, has been -enlarged and beautified by each, and by none more than by herself. - -This purpose of the queen was made known to Remeses, about three weeks -after his return from Thebes with his victorious army. I was not -present at the interview, but will repeat to you the conversation that -passed, as it was made known to me by the prince, who extends towards -me all the confidence of one beloved brother to another; and, indeed, -keeps no secrets from me. This pleasing confidence is fully -reciprocated on my part, and we are in all things as one. - -I had been, that morning, on a visit to that part of Memphis which -stretches away westward from the Nile in a succession of gardens, -squares, palaces, and monuments, girdling the Lake of Amense with -beautiful villas, and climbing with its terraces, grottoes, shrines, -and marble pavilions, the very sides of the cliffs of Libya, two -leagues from the river; for to the extent of Memphis there seems to be -no limit measurable by the eye. Even the three great pyramids are -almost central in the mighty embrace of the sacred city. - -Upon landing from my galley upon the Island of Rhoda, my Hebrew page -Israel, now become a bright and blooming youth, with a face always -enriched by the light of gratitude, met me, and said: - -"The prince, my lord, desires to see you in his private chamber. He -bade me ask you not to delay." - -I found Remeses walking to and fro in the apartment, with a pale face -and troubled brow. As soon as I entered, he approached me, and taking -my hand between his, pressed it to his heart affectionately, and said: - -"I am glad you have returned, Sesostris, my friend and brother! Come -and sit by me on this seat by the window. I have much to say--much! I -need your counsel." - -"My noble friend," I answered, moved by his unusual emotion, "I am not -able to counsel one so wise and great as you are." - -"Nay, you are too modest, prince. I must tell you all. Strange events -have occurred. Hear me, and you will then be able to strengthen my -soul! You know that of late my dear mother has been given to -melancholy; that she has appeared absent in thought, abrupt in speech, -and ill at ease. Thou hast observed this; for we have spoken of it -together, and marvelled at her mood, which neither the memory of our -victories in Ethiopia, the prosperity of her kingdom, the peace in her -borders, the love of her subjects, nor my own devotion could remove; -nor the music of the harp, nor the happy songs of the chanters -dissipate." - -"Do you not think," I said, "that this state of mind is connected with -her illness before you left, when the viceroy Moeris dined with us?" - -Remeses started, and fixed upon me his full gaze. - -"Sesostris, what led you to connect the present with that event?" - -"Because the queen has never been wholly well and cheerful since that -day." - -"What think you of Prince Moeris? Speak freely." - -"He is a proud, ambitious, and unprincipled man." - -"Do you think he loves me?" - -"I fear not." - -"You are right. But you shall hear what I have to relate. Three hours -since my mother sent for me. I found her in the chapel where the -shrine of Osiris receives her most private prayers. She was kneeling -when I entered, her face towards the god; but her eyes, wet with -tears, penetrated the heavens, and seemed to seek a living Power that -could hear and answer prayer, Sesostris. She did not see me, and her -voice was audible: - -"'Protect him! Guard him from his foe! Spare me the discovery of the -secret, and place him upon the throne of Egypt, O immortal and pitying -Osiris! O Isis, hear! O goddess of the sacred bow, and mother of -Horus, hear! Give me strength to act, and wisdom in this my great -perplexity!' - -"I drew near, and kneeling by my mother's side, laid her head against -my heart, and said-- - -"'The God of all gods, the Father Infinite hear thee, O mother! What -is it thou prayest for with such strong woe and fear?' - -"'Hast thou heard me?' she exclaimed, rising and speaking wildly. -'_What_ didst thou hear? Nay, I have betrayed no secret?' - -"'None, mother, none! Thou didst only speak of one which distressed -thee,' I said soothingly; for, my dear Sesostris, I was inexpressibly -moved by her agitated manner, unlike any thing I have ever before -witnessed in her usually calm, serene, and majestic demeanor. - -"She leaned heavily upon me, and I led her to an alcove in which was -the shrine of Athor. - -"'Sit down, Remeses--my son Remeses,' she repeated, with a singular -emphasis upon the words 'my son.' 'Hear what I wish to reveal to thee! -I am now more composed. There is in my heart a great and ceaseless -anxiety. Do not ask me what it is! The secret, I trust, will remain -sealed forever from thy ears! Ask not--seek not to know it. You may as -successfully obtain an answer from the heart of the great pyramid, -revealing what is buried there from human eyes, as obtain an answer -from me of the mystery lying at my heart. It will be embalmed with me, -and go with me to the lower world!' - -"'Mother,' I said, alarmed at her depressed manner, 'thou art ill--let -me send for thy physician--' - -"'Nay, nay--I am not ill! I shall be better soon! _You_, Remeses, have -the key to my happiness and health,' she said tenderly, yet seriously. - -"'Then I will yield it up to thee!' I answered pleasantly. - -"'Hear my words, my son, for art thou not my son, my noble Remeses?' -she asked, taking both my hands and holding them to her heart, and -then pressing her lips upon them almost passionately; for I felt tears -flow upon my hands. - -"'Thy son, with undying love, my mother,' I answered, wondering in my -heart, and deeply affected. She remained a few moments silent, and at -length said-- - -"'Remeses, hast thou ever doubted my love?' - -"'Never, no never, my mother!' I replied, moved. - -"'Have I not been a true and fond mother to thee?' - -"'Why distress yourself, dear mother, with such useless -interrogatories?' I asked. No longer agitated, and her nervous air -having quite disappeared, she spoke calmly but earnestly: - -"'Have I neglected, in any way, a mother's duty to thee, O Remeses?' - -"'Thou hast ever been all that a mother could be,' I answered her. - -"'Do you think a mother could love a son more than I love thee?' she -repeated. - -"'No, O my mother!' - -"'And _thou_, Remeses, dost thou love me?' she continued, with the -same fixed, solemn, and painful earnestness. - -"'Why shouldst thou doubt?' I asked. - -"'I have no reason to doubt,' she replied; 'yet I would hear thee say, -'Mother, I love thee above all things beneath the sun!' - -"I smiled, and repeated the words, distressed to perceive that -something had taken hold upon her noble and strong mind, and was -shaking it to its centre. - -"'Remeses, my son,' she said, answering my smile, and then immediately -assuming an expression of singular majesty, 'I am now advancing in -life. I have passed my fifty-first year, and am weary of the sceptre. -I wish to see you king of Egypt while I live. I wish to see the -grandeur and wisdom of your reign, and to rejoice in your power and -glory. When I am laid in the sarcophagus, which I have caused to be -hewn out in the chamber beneath the pyramidion of my obelisk, I shall -know and behold nothing of thy dominion. It is my desire, therefore, -to invest you with the sovereignty of Egypt; and after I see you -crowned, robed, and sceptred as her king, I will retire to my Libyan -palace and there contemplate thy greatness, and reign again in thee!' - -"'I rose to my feet in surprise, dear Sesostris, at this announcement -from the lips of my mother, but listened with deference until she had -concluded, and I then said,-- - -"'This intent and purpose be far from thee, O my mother and queen! -Thou art in the meridian of life, and still in the possession of thy -wonderful beauty. Scarcely a silver thread has stolen amid thy soft, -dark hair; thou art yet young; and may the Lord of the kings of the -earth long preserve thee upon thy throne, and lend thee strength and -wisdom to wield thy sceptre. Far be it from me, therefore, my mother, -to accept the crown, until Osiris himself transfers it from thy -majestic brow to mine!' - -"'Nay, Remeses,' she said firmly, yet sadly, 'my will is the law of -Egypt. Thou hast never opposed it.' - -"'But this is where my own elevation involves your depression,' I -answered. 'It cannot be!' - -"'I am firm and immovable, my son, in my purpose,' she replied. 'Your -thirty-fifth birthday will soon arrive. That is the age at which -Horus, the son of Isis, was crowned. It is a number of good omen, and -I wish you to prepare for your coronation, by performing all the rites -and sacrifices, that the religion and laws of Egypt require of a -prince who is about to ascend the throne of the Pharaohs.' - -"'Mother, my dearly honored mother!' I said, kneeling to her, 'forgive -me, but I must firmly decline the throne while you sit thereon. You -are ill at ease in your mind to-day. Some deep grief, which you -conceal from me, preys upon you. It is not because you are old that -you would abdicate the throne to me, who am not yet old or wise enough -to rule this mighty nation; but you have some secret, painful reason, -which I beg you to reveal to me.' - -"My words seemed to inflict pain upon her. She rose to her feet, and -paced the apartment twice across in troubled reflection. Then she came -to my side, and said impressively, placing her trembling grasp upon my -arm: - -"'Remeses, if I reveal to thee the secret of my heart, wilt thou then -consent to be king?' - -"'If I perceive, my mother,' I answered, 'that necessity demands my -acceptance of the crown before my time, I will not refuse it.' - -"'If your views of necessity do not influence you, O my son,' she said -earnestly, and with a sudden gush of tears, 'let my affection, my -happiness, my peace of mind, plead with you!' - -"'Please, my beloved mother, to make known to me the circumstances -under which you are moved to this unusual step,' I said. - -"'Not unusual,' she replied. 'I have consulted the book of the reigns -of the Pharaohs, in the hall of Books, in the temple of Thoth. Within -two thousand years, not less than seven kings and three queens have -resigned the sceptre of Egypt to children or adopted heirs. The Queen -Nitocris resigned to her adopted son, Myrtus; Chomphtha, after -reigning eleven years, weary with the weight of the crown, resigned it -to her nephew, Soeconiosochus. Did not Phruron-Nilus, the great -monarch, decide to abdicate in favor of Amuthantus, his son, when -sudden death only prevented his retirement? The crowns of Egypt are -_mine_, my son, by the laws of the gods, and of the ancestral kings -from whom I have inherited them. I will not wait for the god of death -to remove them from my head; but with my own hands I would put them -upon thy brow! It must be done soon,--_now_! or neither thou nor I -will hold rule long in Egypt!' - -"I begged my mother to explain her mysterious words. - -"'Come, sit by me. Be calm, Remeses! Listen with your usual meekness -and reverence to me when I speak.' I obeyed her, and she thus began: - -"'Thou knowest thy cousin Moeris;--his lofty ambition; his -impatience; his spirit of pride; his lust for dominion, which his -viceroyship in the Thebad has only given him an unlimited thirst -for;--his jealousy and hatred of you, Remeses! None of these things -are concealed from you, my son.' My mother paused as if for my assent, -which I signified by a respectful bow. She continued: - -"'This Prince Moeris, for whom I have done all in my power--whom I -have made second only to me in the Thebad, I have reason to know -seeks your ruin and my throne!' - -"'What proof hast thou of this?' I cried, deeply moved. - -"'Remeses,' said my mother, in ringing tones, 'I must unfold to thee -all! I know how slow thou art to suspect or believe evil of any one; -and that you fancy Moeris an honorable prince, overlooking his -jealousy of you. You have confidence in my judgment and truth?' - -"'I have, the most undoubted and deferential,' I answered the queen. - -"'Then, my son, hear me!' she said, with a face as pale as the fine -linen of her vesture. 'Prince Moeris possesses a secret (ask me -_not_ what it is) which gives him a dangerous power over me. He -obtained possession of it years ago, how I know not; but it has placed -in his hands a power that I tremble beneath. Nay, ask not! My heart -itself would as soon open to thine eyes, under the shield of my bosom, -as reveal its secret! It will die with me! Yet Moeris, my nephew--a -man of talents and ambition, in morals most unprincipled, and in -disposition cruel and unjust--holds my happiness in his hand!' - -"'My mother,' I cried, 'why then didst thou confer on him the -principality of the Thebad and its enormous military power?' - -"'To bribe him, when he menaced me with the betrayal of what he knew!' -was the queen's almost fierce rejoinder. - -"'But why make him the admiral of your fleet of the Nile?' - -"'Another bribe when he renewed his threats to inform you--' - -"'Me!' I exclaimed. - -"'Did I say you? No! no!' she cried, checking herself; 'when he -menaced me with the betrayal of the dreadful secret.' - -"'And, my dear mother, who was interested to know it, whom would it -benefit or injure?' I asked, lost in amazement. - -"'Injure one whom--whom I love--destroy my happiness and -hopes--benefit Moeris himself!' she answered coloring with deepest -confusion and alarm. - -"'Why not crush such a dangerous subject when he menaces your peace?' -I demanded, my whole spirit roused for my mother, and my indignation -excited against this wicked man. 'If thy happiness is thus menaced, O -my mother, if this prince is the cause of all your sorrow, say the -word, and in thirty days hence, he shall be brought bound in chains to -your feet.' - -"'Nay, Remeses, I dare not. One word from his lips, though he were in -chains, would reveal all it has been the study of my life to conceal, -and give him all the revenge his bitter spirit would ask. No, no! -Moeris must not be made angry. It is only his ambitious hopes that -keep him quiet.' - -"What are these hopes?" I inquired, feeling that henceforth Moeris -and I were mortal foes. - -"Didst thou, O prince," said I, as he returned to his seat by me, -which he had left, in the excitement of his narrative, to pace the -floor, "suspect the secret?" - -"No," he answered gloomily; "no, Sesostris; nor do I now know what it -can be; neither have I the least idea, unless--" Here he colored, and -looked confused. - -"Unless what?" I asked, painfully interested. - -"Unless Moeris be the son of the Prince of the Thebad, and I the -son of the brother of Pharaoh. In other words, that Moeris and -Remeses have changed places, and that Moeris knows or suspects the -fact." - -"A most extraordinary idea!" I exclaimed; yet at the same time, I must -confess that I was forcibly reminded of what I have before alluded to, -dear mother, the total absence of all likeness between Remeses and his -mother, Amense. - -"What can possibly have suggested to your mind such a strange -conjecture?" I added. - -"A mystery, my dear Sesostris," he said, "calls into exercise the -whole machinery of suspicion, and all the talent of investigation; and -a hundred things, which before had only an ordinary signification, -under its wand, take an importance and meaning wholly new. -Irresistibly, my mother's anxiety to impress upon me that she had been -'all a mother could be to a son,' in connection with her whole manner, -and especially her uncalled for reiterations of affection for me, and -of appeals to my devotion to her;--all this rushed upon my memory, and -with a dizzy brain, and a heart full of anguish, under the dreadful -suspicion, I cried, 'Why must not Prince Moeris be made angry? Why -may he not be prevented from doing thee harm?' - -"'I have told you,' she replied, with a deadly pallor. 'Remeses, your -roused spirit alarms me for us three.' - -"'But I must oppose, and if necessary destroy him,' I said, in my -emotion, 'who destroys my mother's peace.' - -"'Yes, I am thy mother. Thou art a son to me. I know thou wilt protect -me from this prince-nephew,' she said, in broken sentences. 'He shall -not come between me and thee, and the throne.' - -"'He has no claim to the throne. He does not aspire to it in your -lifetime,' I said; 'and if I hold it after, I will take care of my own -crown. My mother, fear not Prince Moeris. Let his secret perish with -him.' - -"'And thou, also, Remeses!' she said, passionately. - -"'I, my mother?' I repeated. A spirit of severe investigation then -came upon me, strengthened by my suspicion. - -"'My mother, Queen Amense,' I said, with the deepest emotion, and, O -Sesostris, with fear and dread, 'a fearful suspicion has taken hold -upon me! _Am_ I thy SON?' - -"No sooner had I given utterance to this interrogative doubt, which -was wrung from my tortured heart, than shrieking aloud, she fell -forward, and but for my intervening arm, her form would have been -prostrate at my feet. I caught her in my arms; I kissed her marble -brow; I chafed her cold pulses; and breathed words of comfort, words -praying her forgiveness, into her ears. At length she revived, as I -supported her against my wildly beating heart; and, with stony eyes -staring me in the face, gasped-- - -"'Remeses! Who hath--who--who hath said this?' - -"'No one, _no one_, my dearly loved mother,' I answered, tenderly. And -when I saw that she was more composed, I said, 'It was only a -conjecture--a wild suspicion--for I could not comprehend the mystery -between you and my cousin Moeris, except that (as has been done in -former dynasties) he and I are in each other's places. Is Moeris thy -son, and am I the son of the brother of Amunophis?' - -"I had no sooner said this, than she raised her head from the -gold-embroidered purple cushion of the ivory couch, on which she lay -reclining against my arm, and with a strange laugh of joy and -surprise, said,-- - -"'So this is _all_, Remeses! Then thou needest not fear. Moeris is -not my son. He is nothing to me but my kinsman. Canst thou believe -that that wicked prince is my offspring? I forgive thee, Remeses, -because, perhaps, my words, and the necessity of guarding my secret, -may have forced thee to this conclusion.' This she spoke with a mind -evidently greatly relieved. - -"'Then, dear mother, I _am_ thy son in spite of Prince Moeris?' - -"'In spite of Moeris,' she answered. 'Hast thou ever known any other -mother? Remeses, let thy heart be at peace! Moeris is not my son! On -that he does not found his hopes to grasp the reins of Egypt. Now hear -me, my son,' she said, solemnly. 'That prince once sought my life. -When I was taken ill on the day that he dined with me, he had bribed -my cup-bearer to drop a subtle poison in my cup. Dread of the prince -forced him, under his eyes, to do it; but, as the cup-bearer handed me -the wine, he pressed my little finger, where it clasped the cup, so -significantly, that I looked in his eyes, and saw them full of -warning. I did not drink, but pleaded illness, and left the -banquet-room. I sent for the cup-bearer, and he confessed what he had -done. When I heard his confession, and was thereby acquainted with the -purpose of Prince Moeris against my life, I was overwhelmed with -despair. My future safety lay in sending for him the next day. He -came. It was a brief but dreadful interview. He acknowledged that he -sought my life, because I had the day before refused him the crown of -Upper Egypt, declining to give him the half of my empire. He -threatened to betray my secret, and I pleaded for silence. He demanded -the white crown of the Thebad as his reward, but I put him off with -evasions. He had command of the fleet, and I dared not anger him. I -shrunk from making known to you his demand, and the terror with which -he inspired me. I promised that if he entered the Ethiopian capital -within six months, he should reign in Thebes.' - -"'My mother,' I cried, 'gave you such a promise to him? He is already -marshalling his forces!' - -"'And in order not so much to conquer Ethiopia, as to usurp one of the -thrones of Egypt,' she answered. - -"'And are you bound by this promise to him?' I demanded, overwhelmed -with amazement, both at the audacity of Moeris, and the power he -held over my mother by means of this secret. - -"'By all the vows that a mortal can make to the gods! Here, in this -sacred chapel, before these shrines, he made me swear that in -consideration he subdued the central capital of Ethiopia, and -preserved my secret, I would transfer from my head to his the -white-gold crown of Upper Egypt, the most ancient kingdom mortal ever -ruled over on earth, after the demigods.' - -"When, my dear Sesostris," said Remeses, after having related to me, -with a dark countenance, the foregoing conversation, "I heard this, I -was for some time confounded, and could not speak. At length I cried -out-- - -"'That mystery--that secret, known only to you and Moeris, and for -the safe-keeping of which you part with one of your crowns, _what_ is -it! divulge it! Am I not worthy, O my mother, of the confidence which -Prince Moeris, by foul means, shares with you? Will you not intrust -me with the secret which he can extort by bribery?' - -"The queen looked deadly pale, and her whole frame trembled. She -essayed to reply, and then said, with an effort, as if a corpse had -become vocal-- - -"'Remeses--you must--must not know it! Do not ask--do not suspect -evil. Do not doubt me, or you will kill me! Kiss me, Remeses! Kiss me, -my son! Are you not my son? I love you, and know you love me. Let all -else pass by. You shall be king! You shall wear the double tiara! You -shall grasp both sceptres! Therefore is it, I would now make you king. -Dost thou understand me? Moeris must not march into Ethiopia. That -evil man must have a master. My power is failing! I would surrender it -to thee. The only safety of Egypt, the only security for thy crown and -dominion, is in taking the throne, and ruling all Egypt in thine own -right.' - -"'Is this so, my mother?' I demanded. 'Does Prince Moeris not only -torture thy soul with a secret, which, as a just prince, he ought -forever to forget, if thou desirest it, but does he also aspire to -sever Egypt, and rule in the Thebad, on the ancient throne of my -ancestors, as the price of a secret held over thee with an unmanly -advantage?' - -"'He does, my son,' she answered. 'The only safety of the empire -depends on my resignation of the crowns into your hands. Once Pharaoh, -you have Moeris at your feet, and if he prate his secret, you will -then be able to despise it, and put to silence his tongue.' - -"'Mother, my dear mother,' I answered, after long reflection, 'what -you have told me has brought me to a decision. I shall act -blindly--not knowing the nature of the power of the prince over you; -but I shall act from affection and sympathy for you, in obedience to -your wishes, and for the preservation of the integrity of the united -kingdom. I am ready to obey you. In order to defeat Prince Moeris, -and relieve your mind, I will accept the sceptre which you are -desirous of placing in my feeble and inexperienced hand. I am ready to -enter upon the sacred rites of initiation, and in all things will be -your dutiful and obedient son. The wickedness and ambition of Moeris -must be crushed.' - -"When I had thus said, my mother, with a cry of joy cast herself into -my arms. I bore her, almost fainting with happiness realized, to the -apartments of her women, and again assuring her of my full compliance -with her wishes, I took tender leave of her, and hastened to my room -to reflect upon all that had passed in that extraordinary interview; -and then I sought you." - -Thus the Prince Remeses ended his interesting and singular statement. -I knew not what to respond to him when he had done. But be sure, dear -mother, there must something grow out of this, of the greatest -importance to this dynasty. Who can divine the secret? - -But I must here close my letter, with assurances of my fondest -attachment to you, my dear mother, whom the gods guard from all -mysteries and secrets, and from ambitious princes like the lord -Moeris. - - Your ever faithful - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXII. - - -ISLAND OF RHODA, PALACE OF THE QUEEN. - -MY VERY DEAR MOTHER: - -In the preceding letter I have made known to you the extraordinary -purpose of the queen to invest, with the dignity of royalty, her son, -the Prince Remeses; the singular scenes which passed between them; the -mystery which enveloped her motives; and the final yielding of Remeses -to her commands and earnest appeals. - -It now became necessary that he should, according to the custom and -laws of the realm, prepare himself for his coronation, by submitting -to certain religious ceremonies, and a solemn initiation into the -deeper mysteries of the temples; for though, as a prince, he was -nominally, or by courtesy of the laws, the high-priest, yet not until -he became king could he offer the supreme sacrifice on the altar of -Osiris,--which is the highest religious act of the sacred priesthood; -and it is only upon the shields of kings that the symbol of "priest" -is sculptured. Thus, as chief priests, or pontiffs, the Pharaohs were -the head of the hierarchy, which consolidated their political power, -and gave them an influence over the minds of the people that the mere -possession of the sceptre of Egypt could not have commanded; for in -their king, they also behold their mediator with the gods. Yet, -although absolute over his subjects, he had no power over the -priesthood, except by their own consent. As one of their body he was -bound, by certain most solemn and mystic vows, to the rules and -regulations of their order; and in all matters of state he was pledged -to the hierarchy of prince-priests, who constituted a council of -advice, to which he was, by the laws (also made by a legislature -composed of the hierarchs of each nome), compelled to submit his own -will. All his duties are regulated by a code drawn up by the Priest of -On, and subscribed by the king at his coronation. Thus the monarch is -entirely under the influence and control of the priests. I will, by -way of illustration, describe to you how the queen (who is also chief -priestess, by virtue of her rank, and, as such, offered up a sacrifice -on the altar of Osiris on the day of her coronation) has her daily -duties and hours apportioned to her, by this august council of -arch-hierophants: - -When her majesty arises in the morning, her royal scribe brings to -her, in a shallow vase of gold, the letters that have come to her from -all parts of her kingdom, and of the world. These she reads, and lays -aside for reply after consultation with Remeses, and, if of great -importance, with her council of state: for she has also a cabinet of -generals, lords of nomes, and high admirals, together with the lord of -the nilometers, whom she calls together on matters exclusively of -state, such as the affairs of the army or of the navy, the condition -of the harvests and treasure-cities, and the state of the Nile; on -which two last matters the reign of prosperity or famine depends. She -then receives, and at once attends to all reports or messages that are -in writing, from any officers of her palace, such as the captain of -her guard, the chief butler, chief gardener, her captain of chariots, -and her master of horse. She then issues her orders to these and other -servants of her household. All this time she reclines in a robe of -white silk, elegantly embroidered with the leaves of the lotus and -acanthus, and with flowers imitated to the full beauty of natural -ones. Her hair is braided and confined by a rich turban; and before -her is an ivory table containing ink, tablets, a stylus or two, and -parcels of royal papyrus stamped with her signet, and beautifully -gilded, upon which she inscribes her replies either with her own hand, -or by her scribes, and sometimes only by impressing thereon her -signet, upon which vermilion is rubbed from a small cushion by her -side. For religious affairs the signet is different, having the sacred -hawk's-head engraved upon it above the royal cartouch, and instead of -red color,--the sacred hue of the Memphitic realm,--it is bright blue, -which is taken from a very small crystal bottle, held in readiness by -a scribe's page, from whose thumb it is suspended by a ring of gold. - -The queen having dismissed all these attendants, retires to her -bathing-room, which is hung with curtains of cloth of gold; and having -bathed, her handmaidens anoint her with costly perfumes, and arrange -her hair with the highest art; for in the style of the hair the -Egyptian ladies of all ranks display great taste, and expend in -dressing and beautifying it a large proportion of their time; and I -must acknowledge they display perfect skill in making most attractive -this glorious adornment of your sex, dear mother. The young wear it in -numerous braids, mingled with natural tresses; others shape it into a -sort of a helmet, with a crest of curls falling around; others fasten -it behind in a rich knot, and let what is free flow upon the -shoulders. Some cover the head with a braided tiara sparkling with -gold and jewels; and others, especially at banquets, wear rich caps of -embroidered cloth, of beautiful shape, terminating behind in a cape -enriched with needle-work, and ornamented with fringe of floss of -gold,--a peculiar filament I have seen fabricated only in Egypt. -Indeed, an Egyptian lady seems to regard her hair as her crown of -beauty by nature, and she tries by art to make it also a diadem of -glory. As if its natural brilliancy were not enough, after pouring -upon it fragrant perfume, her maid, from a small ivory box, the convex -lid of which is filled with minute perforations, sprinkles its smooth -surface with powder of gold. - -The dressing-room of the queen opens upon gardens, is furnished with -luxury, and is encircled by columns of alabaster; its intercolumnar -panels glitter with foreign marbles, and paintings of the highest art; -the tables are resplendent with gold and silver, electrum, and -variegated stones; while before its doors hang drapery of Tyrian -purple wrought with gold, and representing scenes of the chase. More -or less resembling this, are the dressing-rooms of all the ladies of -rank. The lords of Egypt covet gorgeous and expensively adorned "halls -of books," or libraries; but the ladies beautify and enrich their -dressing-saloons, in which they spend so much of their time, and where -they often receive their very intimate female acquaintances: and as a -great favor, gentlemen, on familiar footing with the family, are -sometimes admitted into this beautiful adytum, where the goddess of -beauty is adored by homage the most religious. - -The queen, after being attired by her ladies in magnificent robes, is -adorned with jewels; and wearing over her shoulders the splendid -leopard's-skin of the sacrificer, and upon her head the insignia of -sovereignty, she enters, with all her train, the private chapel of the -palace, and there presents offerings to the gods, pours a libation of -wine, and invokes Osiris. On certain high days her chief priest is -present, who, after praying, sacrifices a snow-white fowl, and offers -oblations of more or less magnitude. The queen then asks forgiveness -of the gods for what she may have done wrong in ignorance, in -administering her kingdom, and implores wisdom and guidance in the -acts of the day. The priest now gently touches her crown and sceptre -with his finger dipped in the vase of blood, pours the rest into a -vessel upon the altar, and extending his hands over her as she kneels, -blesses her in the name of Osiris, the lord of the worlds, and king of -the rulers of earth. He also pronounces an imprecation against her -enemies, exempts her from all accusation for things done in ignorance, -and solemnly denounces those of her ministers who wrongfully have -instructed her, or administered evil counsel. - -Then the queen, coming forth from prayer, is met by pages who present -her with flowers, and, at the sound of musical instruments, she is led -to her breakfast apartment, where the choicest food is brought on -golden dishes,--cakes of fine flour, steeped in milk or honey, the -flesh of birds roasted or broiled, fruit of all kinds, mild wines of -Palestine and Cyprus, and water of the Nile filtered with the paste of -almonds, and flavored with Arabian spices and Persian condiments. - -The meal over, she goes forth to her throne-room, and seating herself, -the doors are thrown open, and she receives all petitioners and comers -who desire audience; but not official persons, such as ambassadors, -who have certain hours for audience with her. She decides on all final -appeals from the judges in the city, or in the nomes, and determines -with wisdom and equity. - -These duties over, she walks in her garden, or in the colonnades of -her palace; or rides out to visit her public works, or for air. At -noon she dines, as do all other Egyptians. On these occasions she has -her high officers, and strangers of rank, philosophers, and others, at -her table. Whosoever she delights to honor, she invites to a banquet. -If any of her subjects greatly distinguishes himself, so as to confer -a benefit upon Egypt by any new art or improvement, she not only -places him at her table, whatever his previous rank, but invests him -with a robe of honor, throws a gold chain over his neck, puts a ring -upon his finger, presents him with a chariot to ride in, and makes him -a high officer over some of her works or departments. Thus, by her -virtues and justice, has she won the esteem and love of her subjects. - -The queen usually passes the afternoon with her maidens, in her -embroidering rooms, where she always has a large number of handmaids -at work with the needle or the loom, or engaged in the art of -needle-work, or embroidering for the use and decoration of the palace. -She also, at evening, receives guests, and at that time Remeses is -usually found in her company. She retires not long after the close of -day, unless it be a moonlight night, when her players on instruments -of music fill the gardens with harmony, while the queen and her -friends, seated in the corridors, listen, or converse together. In -conversation the queen never speaks evil of any one, and she frowns -upon slander; hence this vice is scarcely known in Egypt, and the -Egyptian ladies, when they hear one of their own sex spoken against, -at once defend her, and find excuses for her. This is certainly a -delightful trait, and should cause the world to concede to the dames -of Egypt the foremost position in the rank of civilization. - -I will now speak of the proposed succession of Prince Remeses to the -throne. As I have before said, the king is the representative of the -deity. His title, Ph'rah, or Pharaoh, signifies "the sun," "a king," -the "lord of light." The head of the religion of the state, he is not -only the judge and lawgiver, but commander of the army, and its leader -in war. These latter duties have been delegated by his mother to -Remeses, by the consent of her council, many years ago. The sceptre of -Egypt is hereditary; but in the event of there being no lineal heir, -the monarch can adopt one, if taken from the priestly or military -class; as the army or the priesthood are the two professions followed -by all men of rank, the navy not having been, until Prince Moeris, -its admiral, demanded it, an exclusive service. Most of the Pharaohs -have been from the military class, and younger princes, from the days -of Osirtasen to Prince Remeses, have adopted the warlike profession; -but it is the universal belief, that no former prince of Egypt has -evinced such ability as Remeses to command vast armies, and lead the -destinies of a mighty people. - -When a prince is about to ascend the throne, the laws require that he -should be instructed in all the mysteries of the religion of his -empire, and initiated into the various offices of a sovereign pontiff. -He is taught all that relates to the gods and other mysteries hitherto -concealed from him, the services of the temple, the laws of the -country, and the duties of a king, as inscribed in the ten sacerdotal -books. - -In order that in these things he may be properly instructed, he is -enjoined to pass forty days in the temples of Osiris, Pthah, Isis, -Athor, and other gods; and to remain one night, the last of all, in -the temple of Thoth, before the pyramids, watching alone, praying for -the blessings of the gods, and offering sacrifice and libations. This -solemn vigil ended, and the sun risen, he is escorted by a grand -procession of priests, who swing incense before him, and lead him to -the temple of the Sun, to be crowned in the presence of all the -nobles, high officers, and people of Egypt. This ceremony, as -described in the royal books, is grand beyond conception. - -In order, therefore, to enter upon this formal preparation, the Prince -Remeses, on the third day after his interview with his mother, retired -from the palace, and sought the holy solitudes of the temple of the -Sun. A council of the hierarchy, assembled by the queen, had -reluctantly given their consent to her abdication; but willingly -yielded to the coronation of Remeses; for, however devoted a warlike -nation may be to a reigning queen, the preference of the people's -heart is for a king. While, therefore, the intelligence, which soon -spread through Egypt, that Amense the Good was to lay down her sceptre -in favor of her son, cast a shadow over their hearts, it was chased -away by the light of the anticipated splendor, which the reign of a -prince, a "Pharaoh," would shed upon the land of Egypt. - -"As the good queen will still live, we need not grieve," said some of -the artisans at work upon her obelisk; "we can rejoice in Remeses, and -still honor his royal mother." - -It was an affecting parting between the prince and his mother when he -left the palace. I accompanied him to the vestibule of the temple. -Here twelve priests, led by the high-priest, received him; and three -others came forward to disrobe him of his vesture, his bonnet and -sandals; while three more invested him with sacerdotal robes, a -priestly tiara, and placed upon his feet the sacred sandals. Then -inclosing him in their midst, as if to shut him out from the world, -they moved forward into the gloomy cloisters of the temple, and -disappeared with him from my gaze. - -At his previous request, and at the earnest solicitation of the queen, -who, in his absence, depressed in spirits, finds relief, as she kindly -says, in my presence, I returned to the Island of Rhoda, and am now -occupying the apartments of the prince; for when he is crowned king, -he will remove to the superb old palace of the Pharaohs, on the banks -of the Nile, between the river and the City of the Sun. - -No one is permitted to speak with the royal novitiate until the forty -days are ended; and when he proceeds from temple to temple, to go -through in each certain rites and receive certain instructions, it is -at midnight; and all persons are forbidden to appear in the streets -through which the mysterious procession of priests passes. - -It is now the thirty-fourth day since he entered upon his initiation. -Since that time I have seen much more of Egypt and of the people. I -have not, however, been far from the Island of Rhoda, as the queen -constantly demands my society, and inquires of Acherres after me, if I -am long away. - -Yesterday afternoon, as I was engaged with a party of nobles fishing -in the Lake Amense, which I have before described as almost a sea in -extent, and bordered by palaces, a galley, rowed by twenty-four oars, -was seen coming towards us at great speed. Upon seeing it, one said: - -"It is a royal barge!" - -"Nay," said another, "it is that of the old Admiral Pathromenes. His -sails are blue and white." - -"I do not heed the color of his sails," said the first lord. "Seest -thou not that it is the queen's galley, by the golden hawk's-head at -the mast, and the cartouch of the Pharaohs above the poop?" - -"It _is_ the queen's galley," I said, "for I have frequently been in -it, and recognize its symbols." - -Hereupon there was manifested a general curiosity to know why it was -coming so swiftly towards us. In a few minutes I discovered my Hebrew -page, Israelisis, (for I have Egyptianized his name since he came into -my service), upon the deck, and began to suspect the queen had sent -him for me. I was not mistaken. The galley came sweeping round us with -a roar of spray from its dashing oars, and the page, springing lightly -upon the bulwarks of our vessel, with a low obeisance presented me the -queen's signet, saying: - -"The queen has sent for thee, my lord!" - -The party of nobles expressed great reluctance at parting with me, and -one of them said: - -"You are in great favor with our royal house, O prince." - -"Only as a guest and stranger," I answered, smiling. - -They returned my parting bow with courtesy, and I went upon the -galley, which was soon cleaving the shining surface of the beautiful -lake, called by the Egyptians "the Celestial Sea." It is twenty stadia -in circuit, and from it lead out canals in numerous directions, lined -with verdure, and rich with harvests. It also communicates with the -majestic Father of rivers by a winding artificial outlet, which is -lined with gardens and palaces. Along this lovely serpentine stream, -our galley, after leaving the broad lake, flew like the wind, all -other vessels swiftly moving from its course and giving it the way. -Shooting out into the swift Nile, between two colossal sea-dragons of -red stone, which guarded the entrance to the canal, we crossed to the -palace-covered Rhoda. As I was about to land at the stately quay, I -saw, to my surprise, the war-galley of Prince Moeris riding near, -her rowers still seated at their banks, as if ready to move at a -moment's warning. I met Acherres, who has wholly recovered from his -long illness, of which I wrote his father, at the gateway of the -palace. - -"My prince," he said, looking anxious, "I am glad you have come. Her -majesty is in some great distress." - -"Is Prince Moeris here?" I quickly asked. - -"No, my prince; but his galley has brought hither a courier with -letters." - -"Perhaps he has been defeated in the borders of Ethiopia," was my -reflection; for I knew he had been contemplating an invasion of its -capital, on account of the promise he had exacted from the queen, that -he should rule alone on the ancient throne of the Theban kings in -Upper Egypt. - -Ushered from apartment to apartment, I was soon led into the immediate -presence of the queen. In the antechamber, before I entered, I had -seen a stranger, whose features and costume showed that he was a -Theban lord or high officer. He bowed haughtily to me, as I -acknowledged his presence in the usual way when strangers meet. - -I found the queen alone. She was walking to and fro with a quick, -nervous step. In her hand she held a letter with the seal broken. Upon -seeing me, she came towards me, and said: - -"O Prince Sesostris, who art to me next to my son, I am glad you have -come! Pardon me for sending for you!" Her eyes were bright with tears, -and her voice was tremulous. - -"You ought to have done so, O noble queen," I answered, "since you are -in trouble." - -"In trouble, Sesostris! It is more than trouble; it is a weight -greater than I can bear!" - -"Has Moeris been defeated?" I asked, with earnest sympathy. - -"Moeris defeated! No, oh no; but rather conqueror. But I speak an -enigma!" - -"Has aught happened to Remeses in his sacred duties?" - -"No, oh no! It is Moeris! He will break my heart!" - -"What has he done? What can I do?" I asked, perplexed. - -"Nothing--that is, _you_ can do nothing! As for Moeris, he has done -every thing! But why do I talk to you? You understand me not! There is -a fearful secret, O Sesostris! I did not send for you to reveal it to -you--but--but for sympathy;--for your company! I know you love me, for -you are the friend of Remeses, and you have a mother whom you love and -honor." - -"And I also love and honor you, O my mother!" I said, taking her hand -and conducting her to a chair. But she refused to sit down. She -regarded me with eager eyes, as if she were penetrating my soul to its -depths. Suddenly she said: - -"Has Remeses told you _all_ the conversations I have had with him?" - -"He has talked much with me of what has passed between you, O queen," -I answered. - -"Did he speak of a secret I held locked in my heart even from him?" - -"He did. He said it was known, however, to Prince Moeris, who held -it over you as a power of evil." - -"Did Remeses suspect its nature?" she demanded. - -"He informed me that he once had a suspicion which your majesty -removed." - -"Yes," she said, with a strange, cold smile, "he fancied that -Moeris's secret was, that he was the true heir of the throne--my -son; and that Remeses was the nephew of Pharaoh, not himself! Was it -not an extraordinary idea, prince?" she asked me with the same icy -irony that was unaccountable to me. "Who could ever doubt that Remeses -is my own son?" - -"No one, your majesty," I answered, seeing she looked to me for a -reply. - -"Surely no one! Dost thou not mark how like our eyes are? And then our -voices are much on the same key, though his, as becomes a man, is -deeper. His smile, is it not mine? Nay, no one could say we are not -mother and son, could they, O Prince of Tyre? How strange, is it not, -that Remeses should have conceived such an idea?" - -"He had probably heard, your majesty, traditions of infant sons of -kings having been interchanged; and as he could not account for the -Prince of Thebes' influence over you by a secret, on any other -reasonable grounds, he ventured this supposition." - -"But he never will doubt again, O Sesostris!" she cried in an earnest -manner; "no one now could make him suspect, a second time, he is not -my son! Oh no, never! never! Could they, think you, my lord prince?" - -"No, madam," I answered; her singular manner and language wholly -surprising me, and leading me to fear that she was not at all well; -that her nerves had been too severely tried by the intelligence, -whatsoever its nature was, which she had received from Prince -Moeris. "Your majesty, I hope, has had no evil tidings," I added, -glancing at the letter she still grasped. - -"Oh, evil! All evil, all!" she cried, with anguish in her looks. -"Prince Sesostris!" she all at once exclaimed, "you can be trusted! I -need sympathy. I cannot have it unless I reveal to you my terrible -secret! I know I can confide in you. My heart will break unless I rest -the weight which oppresses it upon another heart!" - -"Remeses will in a few days be with you, and--" I began; but she -interrupted me with accents of terror, - -"No--no! It is of him! _He_ must never know my secret! It would kill -him--he would fall to the earth a dead man, as if the lightnings of -heaven had smitten him! No, _not_ Remeses! With him silence--eternal -silence!" - -"If it will relieve your majesty to confide in me, I will receive with -gratitude your revelation, and extend you all the sympathy in my -power," I said, with emotion. - -"Noble, excellent, virtuous prince!" she exclaimed, lifting my hand to -her lips. "My determination is fixed! You shall know my secret! It -will be safe in your honorable breast. But will you, O prince, consent -to receive a revelation affecting Remeses, your friend, which you are -forbidden to make known to him?" - -"For your sake, O queen, I will receive it, and conceal it from -Remeses, and all men," I answered. "I would not wish to make known to -him what would affect him, as you say." - -"Come with me, then, O prince, into my private cabinet," she said, -with a voice deep and full, as if she were greatly moved. - -I was about to follow her, as she went with a quick resolved step, -when her page without the door gave the usual sign, by tinkling a -silver sistrum, which forms the handles of their ivory sticks, that he -wished to enter. The queen said, almost sternly-- - -"I can see no one, prince." - -I approached the double door, and, opening one of the inlaid valves, -saw behind the page the tall figure of the Theban. - -"This lord waits for an answer," said the page. - -"The queen will give you audience by and by," I said. "At present her -majesty is engaged. Await her leisure." - -The Theban courier bit his lip, and scowled impatiently. I perceived -that the man had caught the spirit of the master; and could judge how -defiant and haughty Moeris must be when his courier could play the -impatient follower so well. Rejoining her majesty, I said, in answer -to her inquiring look, "The courier from the viceroy." - -"Yes--he is restless. But I must have time!" She grew so deadly pale, -as she spoke, that I supported her into the cabinet, when she sunk -upon a lounge, and would have fainted away but for water at hand. When -she recovered she said-- - -"Sesostris, my son, my friend, when you hear all, you will find -excuses for me. Read that letter first." - -And she placed in my hand an epistle, written upon the silver leaves -which the kings of Thebes have always made use of for their royal -letters. - -But, my dear mother, I will here close this epistle. My next will not -be for your eye at present, if ever; unless circumstances transpire -which will remove the seal from the secret revealed to me. - -I feel that your warmest sympathies will be with the unhappy queen. - -Farewell, dearest mother! May the gods preserve you from all sorrow, -and the Lord of the Sun, the Great Invisible, defend your life and -throne. I hope soon to hear the result of your embassy to the barbaric -King of Cyprus. - - Your dutiful son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXIII. - - -PALACE OF RHODA. - -MY VERY DEAR MOTHER: - -I embrace the first leisure I can command, since closing my last -letter, to resume the subject which filled its pages. - -This letter, however, I shall withhold, until I either have authority -to send it to you, or circumstances render it expedient to destroy it; -but in order to keep a record of the events now transpiring, I write -them down in the shape of an epistle to my dear mother, so that -hereafter, if it be necessary to refer to it for facts, there may be -written evidence of them. - -The letter of Prince Moeris, which the queen placed in my hands, was -dated some years back, and, no doubt, on noticing this, my countenance -betrayed surprise; for she said quickly-- - -"Read that first. I conceal nothing from you. You shall know from the -beginning." - -By permission of her majesty, I took a copy of the letter, and of the -two that follow. It was dated-- - - - "CASTLE OF BUBASTIS, PELUSIAN DELTA. - - "TO AMENSE, QUEEN: - - "Your Majesty,--I address my letter to you from this petty castle, - though, albeit, the stronghold of your kingdom seaward, over which - you have made me governor. For a subject, this would be a post of - honor. For me, the son of your husband's brother, your royal nephew, - it is but an honorable exile from a court where you fear my presence. - Honorable, do I say?--rather, dishonorable; for am I not a prince of - the blood of the Pharaohs? But let this pass, your majesty. I do not - insist upon any thing based upon mere lineage. _I feel that I was - aggrieved by the birth of Remeses._ I see that you turn pale. Do not - do so yet. You must read further before the blood wholly leaves your - cheek. I repeat, I am aggrieved by the 'birth of Remeses.' You see I - quote the last three words. Ere you close this letter, your majesty - will know why I mark them _thus_. Your husband, the vicegerent of the - Thisitic kingdom of the South, after leaving his capital, Thebes, at - the head of a great army, died like a soldier descended from a line - of a thousand warrior kings, in combat with the Ethiopian. I was - then, for your majesty was without offspring, the heir to the throne - of Egypt. I was the son of your husband's younger brother. Though but - three years old when your lord was slain, I had learned the lesson - that I was to be king of Egypt, when I became a man. But to the - surprise of all men, of your council of priests, and your cabinet of - statesmen, lo! you soon afterwards became a mother, when no evidences - of this promise had been apparent! Nay, do not cast down this letter, - O queen! Read it to the end! It is important you should know all. - - "When I became of lawful maturity, it was whispered to me by a - certain person, that there were suspicions that the queen had feigned - maternity, and that she had adopted an infant of the wife of one of - her lords, in order to prevent the son of her husband's brother from - inheriting. It is true, your majesty, that my father, your lord's - brother, loved you, as a maiden, and would have borne you from the - palace of Pharaoh, your father, as his own. Yet why should your - revenge extend to his son, after he married another princess? Why did - you deceive Egypt, and supplant his son (myself), by imposing upon - Egypt the infant Remeses, the child of a lord of your palace, whom no - one knows, for you took care to send him, with an ample bribe of - gold, to Carthage, or some other distant country. Now, your majesty - knows whether this be true or not. I believe it to be so, and that - the haughty, hypocritically meek Remeses, has no more right to be - called the son of Pharaoh's daughter than one of the children of the - base Hebrews, or of an Egyptian swine-herd; and, by the gods, judging - from his features, he might be a Ben Israel! - - "I demand, therefore, that you make me viceroy of the Thebad. Unless - you do so, I swear to your majesty, that I will agitate this - suspicion, and fill all Egypt with the idea that your favorite - Remeses is not your son. Whether I believe this or not, matters not. - If there be any truth in it, _your majesty knows_, and will, no - doubt, act accordingly. - - "Your faithful nephew, - "MOERIS, Prince." - -When I had finished reading this extraordinary letter, I raised my -eyes to the queen. She was intently observing its effect upon my -countenance. - -"Dared that man write thus to your majesty?" I cried, with the -profoundest emotions of indignation. - -"You have read," answered the queen, with a tremulous voice. - -"And did not your majesty at once send and arrest the bold insulter -and dangerous man?" I said. - -She bit her lip, and said, in a hollow tone-- - -"Prince of Tyre, is he not this day viceroy of the Thebad?" - -"Does your majesty mean that you yielded to his demand?" - -"Yes." - -"I marvel at it," said I, confounded at the acknowledgment. "If what -he had said had been true--" - -"Sesostris, falsehood often flies faster than truth. It can do as much -mischief. The rumor of such a thing, false or true, would have shaken -my throne, and destroyed the confidence of the mass of the people in -Remeses when he came to the sceptre. I resolved to stifle it by giving -Moeris what he asked." - -I regarded the queen with sentiments of pity and sorrow. She said -quickly-- - -"Read another letter from him." I did so. It was dated three years -later, and demanded the command of the fleet, and its separation -from the control of the general-in-chief of the armies. This -general-in-chief was Remeses, dear mother. To the demand the queen -yielded, and thereby erected the maritime arm of her kingdom into an -independent service, acknowledging no superior authority but that of -the throne. When I had ended the perusal of the letter, the queen -placed in my hand a third missive from this powerful man. - -"This is what I received but now," she gasped. "Read it, Sesostris, -and give me your sympathy." - -It bore date-- - - "CAMP, OPPOSITE THE PALACES OF THE MEMNONIA, THEBAD. - - "TO THE QUEEN AMENSE: - - "Your Majesty,--I write from my pavilion pitched at the foot of the - Libyan mountains. I need not forewarn you of the subject of this - letter, when I assure you that within the hour I have received - intelligence from Memphis, that you are about to abdicate your throne - in favor of Remeses, your suppositious son. This intelligence does - not surprise me. When I was in Lower Egypt, I saw through you and - your policy. I perceived that while you feared me, you resolved to - defeat my power over you. This purpose, to surrender the sceptre of - the two Egypts, I can penetrate. You design, thereby, securely to - place Remeses beyond my power to harm him, for that, being king, if I - lift a finger he can destroy me. I admire your policy, and bow in - homage to your diplomacy. But, O queen, both you and Remeses are in - my power! Nay, do not flash your imperial eyes at this assertion. - Hear me for a few moments. - - "Your ready compliance with my demand, a few years ago, to create me - viceroy of Thebes, led me to believe that my suspicions were true; - that is, that Remeses was the son of one of your noble ladies, whom - you had adopted. And when you made me admiral of your fleet, on my - second demand, I was convinced that you feared the truth, and that it - might be proven, with proper evidence, that Remeses was not your son. - I set to work to obtain this evidence. You know that I have something - of the sleuth-hound in my composition, and that once upon a track I - will follow it to its termination, were it under the pyramid of - Noachis itself. I employed emissaries. I bribed even your own - courtiers. I ascertained who were of your court when your husband was - killed in Ethiopia, thirty-five years ago. Three old lords and ladies - still live, and have good memories when gold, and jewels, and - promises of place dazzle their humid eyes. From them I learned, that - about the time of the supposed birth of Remeses, you sent away, in - one day, five of your ladies and maids of honor, to a distant - country: yet not so quickly but that one of them dropped the secret, - that you were not a real mother, and that the infant you called your - own was the son of another woman. This secret was told to her brother - who, in after years, was my master of horse. When, on one occasion, I - was about to put him to death for cowardice in battle, he informed me - that he held a great secret 'concerning the queen, Prince Remeses, - and myself,' and that if I would pardon and restore him to his rank, - he would divulge it, saying, that for fear it would be traced to him - by your majesty if he ever spoke of it, he had never made it known to - any man. - - "Curiosity and instinct led me to pardon him. He then stated what I - have above written,--that you feigned maternity, and, obtaining a - male child from the Hebrew nurse of one of your ladies, who had given - birth to it a few weeks before, you shut yourself up three months, - and then palmed it upon the priests and people, as the heir of your - throne and of the sceptre of the Pharaohs. The mother, the nurse, and - the ladies who were parties to the transaction, were then all - banished from Egypt. - - "Instituting a thorough investigation, by dispatching galleys to - Tyre, Carthage, Gades, and the isles of the sea, at length I was - rewarded by the discovery of the port to which your women were - carried. Two of them only were found alive. Those two are now in the - city of On! When I was in Lower Egypt I saw them, and will name them: - Thebia, of Pythom, and Nilia, of On. Your majesty perceives how exact - I am: that I have my way clear as I advance. Methinks I can see you - turn deadly white, and that with a shriek you let fall the papyrus! - Take it up again, and resume the perusal. It is useless to shrink - from the development of the truth. You may shut your eyes at noon, - and say 'It is night,' but you cannot, by so doing, destroy the light - of the sun. You may close your eyes--you may destroy this letter, or - may read no further; but the truth will shine, nevertheless, with a - brightness which will drive night itself before it! - - "These venerable women, examined apart, told the same tale. It is as - follows: - - "'That you had approached the river on the morning of the festival of - Isis (you see I am particular), to bathe, as your custom was, in the - marble crescent at the foot of the gardens of your palace of Rhoda, - where you now are residing. You had descended the steps into the - water, and your women had taken your necklace, and other ornaments - from you; and, robed in your bathing-dress, you were about to step - into the river, when you descried a basket floating slowly past, - close to the place where you stood. While you were looking at it, it - lodged against a group of flags, near the statue of Nepth, just above - you. Your maidens were lingering upon the bank, or walking near at - hand, awaiting you, when, seeing Nilia not far off, you called to - her, and said-- - - "'Seest thou the little baris of basket-work, O Nilia. Draw it in to - the shore, and look what it contains.' - - "The handmaiden obeyed you, aided by her companion, Thebia, and when - you drew near and opened the lid, you beheld a beautiful child lying - within it. It looked up into your face, and wept so piteously, that - you took it up, deeply impressed by its beauty and helplessness, and - the extraordinary manner in which it had come to you. You placed it - in the arms of Thebia, and said to her: - - "'This child is sent to me by Nilus, the deity of this great river of - Egypt. I will adopt it as my own, for it has no father but the river, - no mother but this little ark of flags and bitumen in which it has - floated to my feet.' - - "You then gave the lovely babe many kisses, tenderly soothed its - cries, and was so happy with the prize, that you hastened to leave - the river. But before you did so, the wind blew aside its mantle, and - you discovered that it was a Hebrew male child, for the Egyptians do - not circumcise their infants. This discovery was made also by the two - women, Nilia and Thebia, and you said: - - "'It is one of the Hebrews' children.' - - "It was at the time when your father's edict for the destruction of - all the male children of this Syrian race was in existence. You - deliberated what to do with it, when its wailing tones moved your - heart, and you said to them: - - "'It shall still be mine! Let us keep the secret! I will raise it as - my son! Its parents think it has perished, for they could not have - hoped to save it by committing it to this frail bark, and it can - never know its origin!' - - "That child, O queen, is Remeses! Of this I have certain evidence. - The two women say, you ordered the little ark to be taken in charge - by your chief of the baths. In verification of the account, the ark - still exists, and I have seen it. - - "It is not necessary for me to add more. I have written enough to - show you the power I hold over you, and over this Remeses-Mosis. His - very name signifies 'Taken out of the water,' and was given to him by - yourself, as if the gods would make you the means of your own - conviction. - - "Now, O queen, who intendeth to place a degraded Hebrew upon the - throne of Egypt, I, Moeris, write this epistle warning you, that - unless you revoke your purpose, and publicly adopt me as your son, - and convey to me the two crowns, I will proclaim through all Egypt - your shame, and the true history of this Remeses! I could have - excused you had he proved to be the son of one of your ladies, as the - report was; but an Hebrew! _He_ deserves death, and _you_ to forfeit - your crown! But I will make these terms with your majesty:--if you - will call a council of your hierarchy and adopt me as your son, that - I may be your heir, and will abdicate in my favor, I will conceal - what I know from the Egyptians; and more still, I will make Remeses - governor over Goshen, and lord of all his people under my rule. Is - not this liberal? - - "If you refuse my terms, I will descend upon Lower Egypt with my - fleet, declare your throne vacant, Remeses a slave, and seize the - sceptre! Once in my power, your favorite Remeses shall die an - ignominious death, and you shall remain a prisoner for life in the - castle of Bubastis. - - "I dispatch a special courier--my master of horse--_whose sister was - your lady in waiting at the finding of Remeses_. Unless I have a - reply in the affirmative, for which my courier will delay six hours, - you shall hear me knocking at the gates of Rhoda with the head of my - spear! - - MOERIS, - "NEPHEW AND HEIR OF AMENSE, QUEEN OF EGYPT." - -When, my dear mother, I had finished reading this extraordinary -letter, I held it unrolled in my hands for a few moments, stupefied, -as it were, with amazement. My eyes sought the face of the queen. It -was rigid as iron--white as alabaster; but her regards were riveted -upon my countenance. - -"Your majesty," I said, hardly knowing what to say, "what fable is -this of the daring and impious Prince of Thebes--?" - -She interrupted me with-- - -"What dost thou think, O Sesostris? If it be a fable, is it not, in -such a man's hand, as dangerous as truth? Dare I let him circulate -such a tale throughout Egypt? _Can_ I let it reach the ears of -Remeses?" - -"Why not, O queen?" I asked. "If it is false, it can be shown to be -so; and my friend Remeses is too great and wise to heed it. Is it by -so improbable and artfully framed a story as this, you are made -unhappy; and for this you resign your crown and hasten to secure -Remeses in power?" - -"Is it not enough?" - -"No, O wise and virtuous lady!" I answered, with indignant feelings -against Moeris, and sympathy for her womanly fears; "my advice to -you is, to defy the malice and wickedness of the viceroy, inform -Remeses of these letters--nay, let him read them--assemble your army, -and meet him with open war. A row of galleys sunk across the Rile will -stop his fleet; and if he land, your soldiers, with Remeses at their -head, will drive him back to his city of a hundred gates, and--" - -Again the queen interrupted me: - -"No, no! I cannot tell Remeses! He must never know of these letters!" -she almost shrieked. - -"Has Remeses any suspicion of the tale they tell?" I asked. - -"No. He knows no other mother. If he hears this story, he will -investigate it to the last, to show me that he would prove it false in -the mouth of Moeris." - -"And this he ought to do, your majesty," I said, firmly. - -"Prince Sesostris, dost thou believe he could prove it false?" she -demanded, in a mysterious and strange tone. - -"Undoubtedly," I answered; though, my dear mother, I could not wholly -resist the recollection, which forced itself upon me most sharply and -painfully, of the resemblance I had noticed between Remeses and the -Hebrew people. But I banished the idea it suggested, regarding it more -probable for an Egyptian and Hebrew to look alike, than for Remeses to -have been born a Hebrew, and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. -Nevertheless, there was apparent to myself a want of fulness in my -tones when I answered her "undoubtedly." - -The queen came close up to me, and said in a deep, terrible whisper, -looking first wildly around her, to see if any one overheard her,-- - -"_He cannot prove it false!_" - -"You mean, O queen," said I, "that though Remeses cannot prove it -false, it nevertheless _is_ false?" - -"_No._ It cannot be proven _false_, because it is TRUE!" she answered, -as if her voice came from within a sarcophagus. - -"True?" I repeated, with horror. - -"True, O prince! It is impossible for me to conceal or prevaricate. I -promised to confide in you; but I have kept back till the last the -_whole_ truth! I can do so no longer!" She caught by my arm to sustain -her tottering form. - -"Is not Remeses, then, your son?" I cried. - -"No." - -"Is he a Hebrew?" - -"Yes." - -"Then this letter of Moeris is all true?" - -"All, as to the fact that Remeses is a Hebrew!" - -Such was the rapid colloquy which followed. O my dear mother, no -mortal can estimate the amount of agony which overwhelmed my soul at -this intelligence! I sank upon the pedestal of a statue near me, and -covering my face with my hands, burst into tears. The queen did not -speak, but suffered my paroxysm of grief and mortification to exhaust -itself. At length I raised my head. I felt for her--felt, oh how -profoundly, for the unhappy Remeses--ignorant of his calamity, and -engaged, even then, in the vigils and rites which were to prepare him -to ascend the throne! I could now understand all that had been -inexplicable in the queen's conduct, unravel her mysterious language, -see the motive of all her acts. I no longer marvelled that she, loving -Remeses with all a mother's love, trembled before Moeris and his -secret, and gave him all he demanded as the price of silence. But when -he asked for her throne as the bribe for secrecy, it was more than her -spirit could bear; and unable alone, unaided, to meet him in his -demand, she sought counsel of me and sympathy; and little by little -made known to me, as I have narrated, the secret she would have -sacrificed her life to conceal, if she could thereby have concealed it -forever from Remeses. - -"Poor, noble, unhappy Remeses!" I ejaculated. - -"He must _never_ know it!" she cried, passionately. - -"It will be known to him," I answered, sorrowfully "If you refuse -Prince Moeris's demand, he will write another such missive as this, -and dispatch it to Remeses. The prince, if I may, from love, still -call him so, will, as you have said, examine the matter. Moeris will -refer him to the ladies Nilia and Thebia. He will then come to you--" - -"To me?" she cried, with a shudder. - -"To you, O queen, and ask of you if Prince Moeris and these women -relate the truth." - -"He would not believe--he would not believe it--so far as to come to -me. He would not insult me by making such a demand of me!" - -"He may be forced to it. Circumstances may overcome him, so that he -will feel that he must appeal to you. He would refuse to ascend the -throne of Egypt, so high is his integrity, if there were a doubt as to -his legitimate right to it." - -"O prince, counsel me! What shall I do?" she cried, wringing her -hands, and looking towards me in the most appealing and helpless -manner. - -"I know not how to counsel your majesty," I replied, greatly -distressed, my heart bleeding both for her and Remeses, who, I felt, -sooner or later, must come to the truth of the dreadful rumor; and -also from my knowledge of the perfect uprightness and justice of his -character, as well as his firmness, that he would investigate it until -he either disproved or verified it. - -At length, after a long and painful interval of embarrassment, the -queen, of her own will, said to me-- - -"Sesostris, I meant no wrong. I loved the weeping babe, in its -desolate state, and no sooner did I take it up than it smiled, and won -my heart. You know the fine appearance of Remeses as a man; judge you -therefore how lovely he was when an infant three months old. I was -childless. My husband had been a few weeks dead, and this infant -seemed to be sent to me in part to fill up the place made void in my -affections. That it was a Hebrew child did not move me. I had always -opposed the cruel edict of the king, my father; and felt that, to save -this child of the oppressed Hebrews, would in some degree, atone for -the death of so many who were destroyed in obedience to his orders. -Thus I was influenced by a threefold motive--to save the infant, to -adopt a son, to atone for evil." - -"Good and lawful motives, O queen," I said, interested in her -narrative, so touchingly told as to deeply affect me. - -"I did not believe I was doing evil. I at once, at the suggestion of -one of my maids, sent a Hebrew girl, who was gazing upon us from afar, -to call a nurse from the Hebrew women for the child. She brought one, -comely and gentle in manner, whom I took with me to the palace; and, -after instructing her to keep the matter a secret, suffered her to -take the child home, for she lived in a garden, not far above the -palace, upon the island, her father being a cultivator of flowers for -the priests. The tenderness of this Hebrew woman towards the beautiful -babe pleased me, and, after I had, in a public manner, acknowledged -the child, even as Moeris's letter states, I let it remain with her -until it grew to be three years old, when I commanded her to bring it -to the palace to remain; for although I had seen it almost daily, I -now desired to have it wholly in my possession. From that time he has -been brought up in my own palace, as my son, and educated as prince of -the empire and heir to the throne. For all my care and affection, he -has repaid me with the profoundest devotion, and tenderest attachment. -At first, seeing he was very fond of his Hebrew nurse, I jealously -forbade her again to visit him, so that I might be the sole object of -his attachment. He soon forgot her, and from his fourth year has known -no love but mine. When he came to manhood, I had him instructed in the -art of war, and made him general of the army of the pyramids. By the -greatest philosophers and sages he was taught geometry, astrology, -architecture, physics, mythology, and the knowledge of all science. I -have spared no care to educate him in all the learning of the -Egyptians. With all his wisdom and vast knowledge, he is as docile and -gentle in disposition as a child: ever dutifully submissive to my -will, the voice which has led armies by its battle-cry, melts into -tenderness in my presence. Ah, prince, never mother loved a son as I -have loved him!" - -"I pity you, O queen, with all my heart," said I, warmly. - -"Oh, what shall I do? What shall I reply to Moeris?" - -"I know not how to counsel you!" I said, embarrassed by this appeal. - -"I will then act. His courier shall not go back unanswered. I will -defy him!" A new spirit seemed all at once to animate her. - -She clapped her hands. A page entered. - -"Bid the Theban courier enter. His answer is ready." The master of -horse came haughtily in, a cloud of impatience yet upon his brow. - -"Go back to thy master, and say to him, that Amense is still queen of -Egypt, and wears both the crowns of her fathers, and that she will -defend them. Say, that I defy him, and fear him not!" - -The courier looked amazed, bowed with a slight gesture of obeisance, -and left the presence. - -No sooner had the valves of the door closed upon him, than she said-- - -"It is done! The arrow is drawn from the quiver, and set to the -bowstring. There is nothing left but to defy him, and trust the gods -to aid the just cause. Remeses will be crowned king, ere Moeris can -get my message and return a letter to him. There are but five days -more to the end of the forty. Three days afterwards is the coronation. -That is nine from to-day. It will take twelve or more days for a -message to go and come from the camp of Moeris. Three days! Time -enough to make or mar an empire. Sesostris, this prince of Typhon, -this haughty Moeris, shall yet be confounded!" - -Thus speaking, the queen, whose whole powers were aroused by despair -linked with affection, laid her hand in mine, bade me good-night--for -it was now moonlight, so long had we discoursed--and begged me come in -the morning and breakfast with her. - -Here, in the quiet of my chamber, dear mother, I have made a record of -this extraordinary interview. The letter I shall preserve unless it be -necessary to destroy it; but I shall not send it to you until the seal -of secrecy is removed. - -What can I say? How can I realize that Remeses is a Hebrew? How little -he suspects the truth! Will he hear it? If he does; but it is useless -to speculate upon the consequences. I pray that he may be well crowned -before Moeris can do him any mischief; for, son of Misr, or son of -Abram, he is worthy of the throne of Egypt, and will wield its sceptre -with wisdom and justice, beyond that of any of the proud Pharaohs. The -attachment of the queen is natural. I deeply feel for her. The conduct -of Moeris is also natural. What will be his course? Farewell, dear -mother. - - Your affectionate son, - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXIV. - - -PALACE OF REMESES, CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -I commence this letter, as I did one written and addressed to you two -days ago, with the probability, that circumstances may yet render the -seal of secrecy, now placed upon it, unnecessary; at least I shall -detain both this one and that, for a time, if not finally destroy -them. But I have a feeling that you will yet read what I write. - -If the incidents and scenes recorded, in the preceding letter, were of -an extraordinary kind, you must be prepared to read in this, of events -still more strange, and painfully interesting. It is with an effort -that I calm my pulse, and subdue my emotions sufficiently, to narrate -equably what I desire to make known to you. - -The morning after my interview with the queen, I arose early from a -sleepless couch; for the events of the preceding evening, recalled by -an excited mind, kept me awake with reflections of the most anxious -and distressing nature. I mourned for Remeses, my noble, wise, and -great friend and counsellor,--a prince by nature, and by the seal of -all the gods, if not by inheritance from the Pharaohs. Not regarding -the Hebrew race with the disdainful eye of those who have been masters -over them, like the Egyptians, but looking upon them only as an -unfortunate nation, descendants of the three patriarchal princes of -Palestine, I, dear mother, felt no contempt for Remeses on account of -his lineage and blood: To me, he was still as dear and as much -honored. It was not the "prince" I loved from the first, but the -"_man_" and he remains. I tossed my head on my pillow, grieving for -him; as I knew, should the tidings ever come to his ears, and be -confirmed as a truth, that it would break his great heart--crush his -mighty soul to the earth; for, educated as an Egyptian prince, he -entertains towards the Hebrews, the haughty contempt (so far as this -sentiment can repose in such a benevolent bosom), which characterizes -the Egyptian nation. How will he be humbled, overwhelmed, confounded, -dismayed! - -Such were my wakeful reflections, when at length the morning dawned; -and I arose, bathed, and prepared to obey the command of the queen to -breakfast with her. Believing that she must have passed a sorrowful -night, and would not awake early, I sat down to read in a roll of -papyrus which lay upon my table, among other books that belonged to -Remeses; for I was occupying his own suite of rooms during his -absence, amid the sacred mysteries of his kingly initiation. It proved -to be written in the Theban running character, which I am not familiar -with, and laying it down, I took up a leaf of new papyrus, on which I -recognized the bold and elegant script of Remeses. As he had given me -free access to all upon the table, I examined the subject, and finding -that it was a sacred poem, I read therein a few sentences, when I -perceived that it was the history of a remarkable era in the life of -the venerable Lord of Uz, to whom I have alluded. This aged and -interesting Syrian has already taken his departure, but previously -made known to Remeses, as he told me, all the events connected with an -extraordinary period of his middle life. - -I read, therefore, with interest what Remeses had commenced: for it -was only a beginning. After giving the name of the Lord of Uz, and -that of the land in which he dwelt, he spoke of his uprightness, his -holiness, his riches, and his pious care over his children--who were -seven sons and three daughters; and also of their happiness, -festivities, and prosperity; and how, by the permission of the One -God, Typhon, or the Spirit of Evil, tempted him. - -Thus far had my friend got in the history, and I was about to replace -the scroll, when the door opened, and lo! Prince Remeses himself stood -before me! I started with an exclamation of joyful astonishment; but -seeing his visage haggard and pallid with woe, I was alarmed. I -approached him to embrace him, as he stood just within the door, -regarding me with looks of doubt and solicitude. - -"Wilt thou, O Prince of Tyre, embrace a Hebrew?" he surprised me by -asking, in a voice deep and tremulous. - -"Then thou knowest it all," I cried, "O my friend!" as I threw myself -into his embrace. - -For a few minutes we wept in each other's arms. At length he spoke and -said-- - -"Yes, Sesostris, I have heard it all! Thou knowest the secret also, -says my moth----nay--I forgot--I should have said--the queen!" Here -his emotion overcame him. He leaned his noble head upon my shoulder -and continued: "Yet she is my mother, prince! She has ever been a -mother to me! I have known no other! I shall love her, while my life -lasts, above all earthly things. Pardon my grief, Sesostris! Nature is -mighty in sorrow, and will have her way! The heart, like our Nile, -will sometimes overflow, if full." - -In a few moments he was composed, and said sadly-- - -"Knowing my history, can you regard me as before?" - -"I love thee as ever, O prince--" - -He interrupted me--"Call me not 'prince,' call me by my name--that, at -least, is left me! But I am a slave!" - -"No--not to me! You are a descendant of kings! Are not Prince Abraham, -Isaac, and the great Prince Jacob your ancestors? I am not an Egyptian -any more than thyself," I answered him. - -"True, true! I must not forget that! I thank thee, O prince, for -reminding me of this. A slave in Egypt may be a freeman in Tyre!" - -"That is true also," I said. "May I ask, O Remeses, why you have left -the temples and are here; and how you heard this intelligence, which -you bear up under like a god?" - -"I am calm now; but, Sesostris, I have passed through a sirocco of the -soul! You shall hear all. Come and sit here." - -I placed myself by the table opposite to him. He then began as -follows: - -"I need not describe to you, O my friend, the nature of the rites and -ceremonies, nor the character of the mysteries which I have been in -contact with, for five-and-thirty days; let it be enough for your -curiosity to know, that beneath all the splendor of our polytheism is -hidden the mystery, known to the 'sons of the Lord of heaven, of One -God. This truth is guarded by the mystics, as a mystery, not as a -doctrine; and is of no value to them nor to the world: it is as if the -sun were forever shrouded in impenetrable clouds. I have learned it -only darkly; but this is not to my purpose now, my friend: perhaps at -another time we will discourse of these things. I had passed my -decreed days and nights, at all the shrines which the laws for kings -direct when, last night, I was borne across the Nile by a company of -the mystics, who left me at the entrance of the avenue leading to the -sphinx that is before Cheops and Chephres. There twelve other -ecclesiastical mystics took me in charge. We marched together, six on -each side of me, in profound silence; till, on passing the lion facing -the sphinx, their leader cried-- - -"'Let the king be as a lion in strength and majesty!' - -"The rest answered with one voice-- - -"'And may his enemies be as lambs beneath his paws!' - -"At the small temple, between the feet of the sphinx, three priests -stood, one of whom sprinkled my head with sacred water; the second, -with his little finger that had been dipped in the blood of a cock -which he had sacrificed, touched my forehead; and the third waved -incense before me;--while from within came a low, plaintive chant of -voices and instruments, invoking the gods in a hymn on my behalf. The -whole scene was solemn and impressive. - -"I was then conducted to the pylon of the great temple before the -pyramids. As I passed beneath the gate, the twelve priests left me; -and twenty-four others, dressed in white robes and bearing torches, -took me in charge, and conducted me at a slow march across the great -quadrangle, leading me to a dark portal which descended, as I was -told, to the base of the pyramid, down to the 'hall of all the -mysteries of the earth.'" - -"Is not this the temple of the magicians?" I asked, gratified to see, -that Remeses could for a moment so far forget his great sorrow, as to -enter into these details, for my gratification. - -"Yes, the place where the sorcerers and soothsayers hold their mystic -and fearful rites. For ages, this subterranean temple, under the earth -between the two pyramids, but no part of the pyramidal structure -itself, has been their place of solemn assembly. Into this region I -descended, led by only two men, who received me at the head of the -stairs of stone. - -"But I may not describe, more particularly, the progress of my -mysterious journey through subterranean passages, which I had no -conception existed beneath the space between the two pyramids; -although tradition has it, that the whole territory underneath both is -a labyrinthine catacomb, which assertion I have now no reason to -doubt. After traversing vast gloomy corridors of pillars hewn from the -solid rock, and a succession of chambers dedicated to mysteries, I was -ushered, by the sound of awful music, from an unseen source, into a -great central temple, so large that the torches borne by my guides, -could not penetrate its outer blackness. In the centre of this solemn -hall stood an altar of black marble. We approached it, when suddenly -from it soared aloft a bright flame which illumined the temple, to its -remotest obscurities, with a light like the moon when it is full. -revealing in the height above, a firmament with its thousand stars -reflecting the light. I had already, my Sesostris, passed through such -varied and surprising scenes, in the progress of my initiation, that I -was not surprised at this, for the arts of the priestly magicians seem -to embrace a knowledge of all the secret alchemy of nature; and they -possess wisdom and skill to control her wonderful powers. While this -brilliant flame burned from a brazen vase which stood upon the altar, -a procession of figures entered by a distant door, and slowly made the -circuit of the massive corridor. I perceived at once that they were -attired symbolically, representing the powers of nature, and were -preceded by five stately and imposing forms standing for fire, water, -earth, air, and the Nile; symbols of which were worn upon their heads, -and carried in their hands. Behind these came seven persons, each -crowned with a star, the whole representing the seven stars. Then -advanced Orion, belted and armed; Arcturus, Aldebaran, Procyon, Rigel, -and Antares, each with a blazing coronet above his brow, and carrying -the symbols and wearing the dress of the god. These, with an interval -of space between, were followed by the twelve constellations of the -zodiac; each zodiac consisting of twelve bands of men, subdivided into -twenty-four smaller companies, and so moving, each in a place assigned -him, as to show the position of every star of the constellation, which -he was appointed to aid in illustrating. Each individual carried above -his head a starry light, inclosed in a crystal cup. - -"This imposing and magnificent representation and illustration of the -march of Time through the heavens, with all the movements of the -heavenly orbs, presented a spectacle of splendor unsurpassed by any -human display. Solemn as the march of the stars themselves, this -procession of constellations moved once around the grand circuit of -the temple, and then the five leaders advanced towards the altar, by -which I stood alone, deserted by those who had led me thither. Every -one of these symbolic persons in succession bent the knee before me, -in token that the powers of the earth, air, fire, and water, with the -great Nile itself, were submissive to my will. Ah, Sesostris," -interspoke Remeses here, "how little did they suspect, when paying me -this customary homage, that I was a mere Hebrew slave, who could make -use of the air, of fire, of water, of the earth, or of the Nile, only -by the permission of my Egyptian masters! - -"Other striking ceremonies passed thereafter, and by and by I was left -alone beside the altar, the flame of which it was my duty to feed with -naphtha until morning, this being the first vigil of the last five -nights. I was not, however, long left alone. Seven magicians, in their -gorgeous apparel, came from a door that seemed to be an outlet from -beneath the second pyramid, and approached me, chanting a war-song. -Each bore a piece of royal armor,--one a helmet, one a cuirass, one a -spear, another a shield. As they passed me they presented, and I -received from each, a piece of the armor, and invested myself -therewith. I was told by the leader to be strong and fight valiantly, -for I should be assailed by powers of evil. They then left me, and -again I was alone, yet on my guard. Feeding the flame till it burned -high, I sought to penetrate the gloom, at least expecting to behold a -lion let into the temple for me to combat with, that I might prove my -right to the sword of the Pharaohs which I held in my grasp. - -"I know not, Sesostris, who or what would have been my assailant, if -due time had elapsed for his coming; but I suddenly heard a step -behind me, and behold, instead of a fierce beast or a warrior, a -single magician, tall and commanding, who bore in one hand merely the -sacred _crux_ or emblem of life, and in the other his black wand -tipped with an emerald. I challenged him, as I was directed to do by -my instructors, and demanded whether he came for good or evil, with -war or peace in his heart. - -"He made no other reply than-- - -"'Follow me!' - -"I obeyed. Ah, how little did I suspect, O Sesostris, that I was about -to encounter what was more fearful than a roaring lion,--more terrible -than an armed host! But you shall hear. - -"I crossed the echoing temple-floor to a small portal, which at first -did not reveal its presence, being a slab in the wall, but which, at a -slight pressure of the magician's wand, betrayed an opening through -which we passed,--I, with my sword held in my hand to defend or -attack. The stone door closed behind me, and I was conducted through a -beautiful chamber, adorned with marbles, and sparkling with precious -stones, that seemed to shine by a light of their own, as I could -discover no source of reflection; though doubtless, however, that was, -in some part, concealed by the art of these ingenious and wise -magicians. - -"There was an inner chamber, or adytum, entirely encased with panels -of black marble, polished like a mirror. I was conducted into this -room, and commanded, by a voice unknown, and from an invisible person, -to seat myself upon a stone chair in the centre of the floor. I -obeyed; for princes, during their initiation, are taught constantly, -that 'he who would know how to command must learn how to obey;' and -thus, in these rites, submission and obedience are inculcated, as -necessary elements in the character of one who wishes to exact them -from others. Indeed, Sesostris, the whole routine of the ceremonies, -though sometimes vain and frivolous, sometimes extravagant, is -calculated to impress upon the heart of a prince the wisest lessons in -self government, and the profoundest knowledge of himself. Every -temptation is offered him, that he may resist it. Every condition of -life, from hunger and thirst upward, he passes through in his -progress. Three nights and days I fasted in the temple of Pthah, that -I might pity the hungry: two days I suffered thirst, that I might feel -for the thirsty: six hours I toiled with burdens, that I might know -how my poorer subjects toiled: one hour I was a servant, another a -prisoner, a third cup-bearer to the high-priest. Every rite is a link -in the practical education of a prince; and he who comes to the -throne, has reached it through every grade of society, and through -every condition of humanity; and thus the king centres and unites -within his own person, from having been engaged in each, the pursuits -of all his people, and knows by experience their joys and sorrows, -toils and pleasures; and can say to every class of Egyptians, 'there -is nothing which appertains to you that is foreign to me. The people -of Egypt are represented in their king.' - -"When I had taken my seat in this chamber of black marble, which was -dimly lighted by a misty radiance before me, I saw that I was alone. -Now, O Sesostris, came my trial!--such an one as no prince of the -house of Pharaoh had ever passed through. It is said that Osirtasen, -when he was brought to this chamber, had it revealed to him that he -was the son of the god Hercules but to me was revealed, alas! thou -knowest what, and shalt hear how! - -"'Remeses-Moses,' said a deep and stern voice from what, in the -obscurity, seemed to me a shrine, 'thou art wise, and virtuous, and -strong of heart! Gird thyself with courage, and hear what is to be -revealed to thee! Know that thou art not the son of Amense, queen of -Egypt, as thou believest. She was never a mother!' - -"'It is false, thou wicked magician!' I cried, starting to my feet. -'Art thou, then, the foe I am to meet and destroy?' - -"'Silence, young man!' cried another voice, with a tone of power. -'What the mysterious oracle utters is true. Thou art not the son of -Pharaoh's daughter! Thou hast no title to the throne of Egypt!' - -"'Who am I, then?' I cried, impressed and awed, yet full of anger at -the words. - -"'Thou art the son of a Hebrew mother and a Hebrew father!' said the -voice. - -"I advanced sword in hand to meet these invisible persons, believing -that the insult was but another of the series of tests, and this one -in particular, of my patience and temper; for, O Sesostris," added -Remeses to me, bitterly, "what greater insult could have been put upon -a prince of Egypt than this! When I came forward, I saw the wall, as -it were, open before me; and I beheld the Nile in bright sunshine; the -Island of Rhoda, with its palaces and gardens; the distant towers and -obelisks of On, and all the scenery adjacent, but seemingly so near, -that I could lay my hand upon it all. - -"At this surprising spectacle manifesting itself in the dark chambers -of the pyramids, I stood amazed and arrested! I felt that it was -supernatural, or produced by magic. As I gazed, perplexed, a third -voice said-- - -"'Behold! Thou seest that the obelisk of Amense is wanting; that the -palace of the governor of the Nile has only its foundations laid. The -scene is, as Egypt was thirty-five years ago.' - -"I looked again, and recognized the truth. I saw it was not the Nile -of to-day. I saw, also, that its stream was at a height, different -from its present mark upon the nilometer. I was amazed, and awaited -with intense expectation. Suddenly I saw a party of spearmen enter a -hut, which I perceived was one of a group that was occupied by Hebrew -workmen, who were engaged upon the governor's palace. Presently they -came forth, two of them, each bearing an infant aloft upon a spear, -which was thrust through it, and followed by shrieking women. I could -hear and see all as if I were on the spot. I impulsively advanced to -slay the men, for all seemed so real, but as I did so, saw at my feet -a yawning gulf. Then the men cast the infants into the Nile. I saw -three others go into another hut, whence they were driven forth by two -desperate Hebrews, who, armed with straw-cutters, slew two of them; -but the other fled, and returning with his comrades, they set fire to -the hut of rushes, and consumed the inmates within it. I now perceived -that it seemed drawing towards the close of day. From a hut, near the -water, a man and a young girl, both Hebrews, stole forth, and -collecting bulrushes in their arms, returned to the hut. It was now -night. I had seen the shades of evening fall over the scenery, and the -stars come out. Yet, by a power incomprehensible to me, I could look -into the closed and barred hut, and see that, by the light of a rush -dipped in bitumen, three of its inmates were making, in secret haste, -a large basket. I saw them finish it, and then beheld the man smear it -within and without with pitch. From their conversation, I learned that -they wished it to resist water, and that they were to commit some -precious freight to its frail protection; what, I could not learn; as, -when they spoke of it, their colloquy was in low hushed tones, and -with looks of fear, especially the two females, who wept very much. -One of them, I learned by their words, was the daughter of the man by -a former wife. There was another child, a boy apparently of the age of -three years, lying in sweet sleep upon a bed of rushes, made up in a -corner of the hut. When the little ark was done, I watched with the -deepest interest their further proceedings. At length the three went -out together, and to my surprise I saw, by the setting moon, that it -was near dawn. They bent their steps, swiftly and silently, towards -the ancient temple of Isis, which was then, as now, in ruins, and -deserted by every Egyptian, for the sacrilege done therein under the -reign of Bnon, the Phoenician Pharaoh. I could see them steal along -the tangled avenue beneath the palm-trees, and through that of the -broken sphinxes, until they came to the pyramidion of the obelisk of -Sesostris I. Here a deep, ancient excavation, covered with vines and -rushes, showed a flight of broken steps. After carefully looking all -about, to see if they were observed, they descended. In a few minutes -the three came forth, the elderly woman holding in her arms an infant, -upon the beautiful face of which the waning moon shone for a moment, -but instantly she hid it with her mantle, and hurried to the -river-side. Here the man put the basket upon the shore, and extended -his arms for the child. The poor mother, as I now perceived she must -be, burst into tears, and clasped it closer and closer to her heart. - -"'Nay, Jochebeda,' he said, with gentle firmness, 'thy cries will -attract notice. The child cannot live if we delay. Hast thou not had -warning from the kind Egyptian woman, who was with thee when it was -born, and who aided thee in concealing it, that its hiding-place is -known, and that in the morning soldiers will be there? Bear up, heart! -If we commit it to the Nile, the God of our fathers, in whom we trust, -and who will yet return, to redeem us, according to His promise to our -father Abraham, may guide the frail baris to some secure haven, and -provide for the child a pitiful heart to save it.' - -"I saw the mother give it its last nourishment at her breast, and -then, with tears, lay it softly, sweetly sleeping the while, within -the basket of bulrushes,--pillowing its head first upon her hand, -until the daughter had placed beneath it a pillow of wild-flowers and -lotus-leaves, gathered on the spot in the dawning light. The father -then covered it carefully over, and kissing it, with grief shaking his -strong frame, was about to commit the frail boat to the water, when -the poor mother arrested his arm, implored one more look, one more -embrace of her child! She was a young and beautiful woman; and, the -last kiss given, kneeled by the shore praying to her God, as the -father launched the ark into the stream. At this moment, I beheld, -straying upon the bank, as if seeking its parents, the other child -that I had seen in the house. I now saw the current take to its -embrace the little ark, and upon its bosom bear it downward. In a few -moments it lodged amid some rushes, which the mother seeing, she ran -hastily, entered the water, passionately kissed her child, and would -have offered it the breast again, but the more resolute father sent it -once more upon its way. In the vision, I now saw that day had dawned, -and that the stir of life on land and water was everywhere visible. -The father watched the bark, until it could be no longer seen for the -curve of the shore, and then drew near to his wife, and gently led her -away to the hut,--her lingering looks ceaselessly stretched towards -the Nile. The little maid, who was not more than twelve or thirteen -years of age, having been previously instructed by her mother, -followed along the shore to see what would become of the ark. But I -weary you, Sesostris, with details, which to me had a sort of -fascination, as they were enacted before me in the scenes I beheld." - -"And they are deeply interesting to me, my dear Remeses," I said with -emotion. - -"I followed the bark also," continued Remeses, "until, after several -escapes from imminent peril, it lodged against a group of flags, at -the moment that a beautiful lady, accompanied by her maids, came to -bathe, at the foot of the garden of Pharaoh's palace. At a glance, -Sesostris, I recognized, as she was in her youth, my mother--I mean to -say, the Queen Amense. I saw her attention drawn to the little ark, in -the fate of which I had become intensely interested, little dreaming -how much and intimately it concerned _me_! I heard her bid the maids -take the basket out of the river, and her cry of surprise, on opening -it and seeing the babe, which answered her with a sorrowful wail, as -it were, of appeal. I saw her offer it to the bosoms of three Egyptian -nurses in vain, when the little maid, its half-sister, drew near with -mingled curiosity and fear and said-- - -"'O princess, shall I call one of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse -the child for thee?' - -"The princess said, 'Go!' - -"Immediately the maiden ran with the swiftness of a gazelle, until she -came at length to her mother's house. The poor Hebrew woman was at her -task, combing flax and weeping as she toiled, feeling that she had -parted with her child forever. At the height of her grief, the young -maid flew in at the door, crying with a voice choked with joy-- - -"'Mother, run quickly! make no stay! Pharaoh's daughter has found my -little brother, taken it from the ark, and sent me for a Hebrew nurse! -Come quickly, before any other is found!' - -"With a cry of joy, and with hands clasped to heaven in gratitude, I -saw the mother about to rush out, wild with happiness, when her -daughter said, 'Be calm, mother, or the princess will suspect. Put on -your coif! Arrange your dress! Seem quiet, as if you were not its -mother!' - -"'I will try to do so--oh, I will try to do so!' she said touchingly. -I saw that, in her emotion, she did not think of her other boy, who, -though hardly four years old, had followed the stream, as if he -understood what the ark contained. Him I saw kindly taken pity upon by -an Egyptian priest, who carried him away to his house." - -Here I uttered an exclamation which attracted the notice of Remeses; -for I recollected the story of the young Hebrew ecclesiastic and gold -image-caster, dear mother, and saw now that he was this brother of -Remeses, and the mystery of the resemblance was solved. I did not make -any remark to Remeses, however, in reply to his inquiring look, and he -resumed his wonderful narrative. - -But I will continue the subject, dear mother, in a subsequent letter. - - SESOSTRIS. - - - - -LETTER XXV. - - -PALACE OF REMESES, CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAREST MOTHER: - -Your courier reached me yesterday with your important letter, advising -me of the refusal of the King of Cyprus to receive your ambassador, or -release your subjects; and that you only await my return to declare -war. I shall not fail to respond to your call, and will next week -leave Egypt for Syria. I have not yet visited the Thebad, and the -superb temples of Upper Egypt, nor seen the wonderful Labyrinth, nor -the Cataracts; but I hope at some future day to revisit this -interesting land. I feel, indeed, rejoiced to go away now, as the -painful and extraordinary events connected with Remeses have cast a -gloom over all things here, and changed all my plans. - -But I will resume the narrative, interrupted by the abrupt ending of -my last letter. That, with the preceding, as well as this, I shall now -send to you, as the seal of secrecy is removed from them, by the -publicity which has been given to all the events by Remeses. - -To return, dear mother, to the account of the scenes which the -magicians presented to his vision, in the black marble chamber of the -pyramid. - -"I now," continued Remeses, "beheld the excited mother reach the -presence of the princess, trying to calm the wild tumult of hope and -fear in her maternal bosom; and to her, I saw the princess, after many -inquiries, commit the charge of the infant. - -"'I shall adopt this child, O nurse,' she said; 'bring it, therefore, -to the palace daily that I may see it. Take as faithful care of it as -if it were your own, and you shall be rewarded with my favor, as well -as with a nurse's wages.' - -"The joyful Hebrew woman tried to repress her happiness, and trembled -so, that the princess said-- - -"'Thou art awkward. Carry it tenderly; and see that thou keep this -secret closely, or I shall take the boy away from thee, woman, and -also punish thee. What is thy name?' - -"'Jochebeda,' she answered. - -"'And thy husband's?' - -"'Amram, your majesty,' she replied. - -"I saw her, O Sesostris, when she had well got out of the princess's -sight, clasp, by stealth, her recovered child to her bosom, while -words of tenderness were in her mouth, and her eyes streaming with -tears of gratitude and wonder. - -"That child, O Sesostris, was myself!" suddenly exclaimed Remeses. "Of -this you have already been convinced. I saw the scene before me, -rapidly change from day to night, and months and years fly by like a -cloud, or like a fleet of ships leaving no trace of their track on the -closing waters. Through all I saw myself, from the infant of three -years old, taken into the palace from my Hebrew mother, to the boy of -twelve--to the youth of twenty! Like the cycle of fate, that scene -rolled by before my eyes, until I saw myself, that is, the Hebrew boy, -in every scene of my life up to the very moment then present. Then, -with a sound of mournful music, the Nile and its scenes slowly faded -from before my vision, and I was alone! The whole fearful history had -terminated in me, and left me standing there in solitude, to reflect -upon what I had seen. - -"Housing myself from my stupor of amazement, I staggered back, and -sunk in horror upon the stone bench. I know not how long I lay there, -but I was at length aroused by a hand upon my shoulder; I looked up -and beheld the magician with the emblem of life, and the -emerald-tipped wand. He said-- - -"'My son, thou hast read the past of thy life! Wilt thou still be King -of Egypt?' - -"'By what power hast thou opened the gates of the past? How hast thou -known all this?' I cried, with a heart of despair. - -"'Dost thou believe?' - -"'As if the open Book of Thoth lay before me! I doubt not,' I -answered. - -"'Wilt thou be King of Egypt?' again asked another voice. A third, in -another direction, took it up, and every subterranean echo of the -vaulted pyramid seemed to take up the cry. I rushed from the hall, not -knowing whither I went. Doors seemed to open before me, as if by -magic, and I at length found myself emerging, guided by the magician, -into the open night. The granite valves of the gate closed behind me, -and I was alone, in the quadrangle of the great temple of Thoth. The -stars shone down upon me like mocking eyes, watching me. I fled -onward, as if I would fly from myself--I feared to reflect. I passed -the sphinx, the pylones, the obelisks; and ran along the avenue of the -Lake of the Dead, until I reached the Nile. I crossed it in a boat -that I found upon the shore, and without having formed any clear idea -of what I ought to do, sought the palace, and gained my mother's -ante-room. Did I say 'my mother,' Sesostris? I meant the good queen. I -sent in a page to say I wished to see her. In surprise at my return, -before the forty days were fulfilled, she came to the door hurriedly, -in her night-robe, and opened it. I entered as calmly as I could, and -did not refuse her kiss, though I knew I was but a Hebrew! One night's -scenes, dreadful as they were, O Sesostris, could not wholly break the -ties of a lifetime of filial love and reverence. I closed the door, -secured it in silence, and then sat down, weary with what I had -undergone; and, as she came near and knelt by me, and laid her hand -against my forehead, and asked me 'if I were ill, and hence had left -the temple,' I was overcome with her kindness; and when the reflection -forced itself upon me that I could no more call her mother, or be -entitled to these acts of maternal solicitude, I gave way to the -strong current of emotion, and fell upon her shoulder, weeping as -heartily as she had seen me weep when lying in the little ark a -helpless infant. - -"During this brief moment, a suspicion flashed across my mind, that -the magicians might have produced this as a part of my trial as a -prince;--that it was not real, but that by their wonderful arts of -magic they had made it appear so to my vision. I seized upon this -idea, as a man drowning in the Nile grasps at a floating flower. - -"'Mother,' I said, 'I am ill. I am also very sorrowful!' - -"'The tasks and toils of thy initiation, my son, have been too great -for thee. Thy face is haggard and thy looks unnatural. What is thy -sorrow?' - -"'I have had a vision, or what was like a dream, my mother. I saw an -infant, in this vision, before me, placed in an ark, and set adrift -upon the Nile. Lo, after being borne by the current some ways, it was -espied by a princess who was bathing, whose maids, at her command, -brought it to her. It contained a circumcised Hebrew child. The -princess, being childless, adopted it, and educated it, and declared -it to be her son. She placed him next to her in the kingdom, and was -about to resign to him the crown, when--' - -"Here my mother, whose face I had earnestly regarded, became pale and -trembled all over. She seized my hands and gasped-- - -"'Tell me, Remeses, tell me, was this a dream, or hast thou heard it?' - -"'I saw it, my mother, in a vision, in the subterranean chamber of the -pyramids. It was one of those scenes of magic which the arts of the -magi know how to produce.' - -"'Dost thou believe it?' she cried. - -"'Is it not thy _secret_, O my mother, which Prince Moeris shares -with thee? Am I not right? Does not that Hebrew child,' I cried, -rising, 'now stand before thee?' - -"She shrieked, and fell insensible! - -"At length I restored her to consciousness. I related all I have told -you. Reluctantly, she confessed that all was true as I had seen it. I -then, in a scene such as I hope never to pass through again, assured -her I should refuse the throne and exile myself from Egypt. She -implored me with strong appeals to keep the secret, and mount the -throne. I firmly refused to do so, inasmuch as it would be an act of -injustice, not only to Moeris, but to the Egyptians, to deceive them -with a Hebrew ruler. She reminded me how, for sixty-one years, Prince -Joseph had governed Egypt. 'Yes,' I said, 'but it was openly and -without deceit; while my reign, would be a gross deception and -usurpation.' But, O Sesostris, I cannot revive the scene. It has -passed!--I have yielded! She showed me the letters of Prince Moeris. -She implored me for her sake to keep the secret, and aid her in -resisting the conspiracy of the viceroy. When I reflected that he had -made my mother so long miserable, and now menaced her throne, I -yielded to her entreaties to remain a few days at the head of the -affairs that have been intrusted to my control, and to lead the army -against Moeris, should he fulfil his menace to invade Lower Egypt. -After that, I said, I shall refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's -daughter, and will retire from the Court." - -"Not among the Hebrews?" I exclaimed. - -"No, perhaps not. I have nothing in common with them. I can do them no -good: I cannot yet consent to share their bondage. I shall seek my own -family, for the queen has told me who they are. My mother, my _own_ -mother, Sesostris, shall again fold her child to her heart! I -recollect her beautiful, tearful face, as seen in the vision of the -pyramids. I have a brother, too, and a sister!" - -"I know them both!" I cried, almost joyfully; though, dear mother, it -was a sad joy I felt, to know that Remeses was a brother to Miriam and -the ecclesiastic gold-caster. He became at once interested, and I told -him all I knew about them, as I have you. He listened with deep -attention, and seemed pleased. I also told him how often I had -conversed, in the garden of flowers, with the venerable Amram, the -father of Miriam. - -"And _my_ father also, you should add," he said, with a melancholy -smile. "I knew it not, Sesostris; I believed him to be the husband of -my nurse. Thinkest thou all this time he knew I was his son?" - -"I doubt it not," I answered. "The eyes of your father and mother must -naturally have been upon you from your childhood up. They must have -witnessed all your career, and rejoiced in it, and kept the secret -locked in their own humble hearts, lest you and the world should know -it, and the glory they secretly saw you sharing, be taken away or -resigned by you." - -"I shall see them. They shall yet hear me say, mother, father, -brother, sister, to each one of them. But, Sesostris, I must then bid -them farewell forever, and Egypt also,--if the queen will permit me to -go," he suddenly added, with bitter irony unusual with him; "for -slaves must have no will but their master's." - -I laid my arm kindly and sympathizingly upon his shoulder, and -silently embraced him. - -"I feel for you, O Remeses, with all my heart," I said. - -"I know you do, O prince: I am sure that you do. But let us terminate -this subject. My mother's--I mean, alas! the queen's desire shall be -gratified. I will, for a few days, continue as I am, but no more -return to the temples. My initiation is over. Without doubt the -priests of the hierarchy will seek to put me to death, when they learn -that a Hebrew has been initiated into all their learning and -mysteries. It will be necessary for me to leave Egypt." - -"Then let Tyre, O prince, be thy asylum--thy future home!" I cried. -"There the Hebrew is not in bondage, and is a Syrian among Syrians. -There you shall have a palace and retinue, and be served as becomes -your wisdom and greatness. My mother Epiphia will welcome you with -pleasure, for she has already learned to honor you, from my letters. -Our city is about to go to war with the King of Cyprus, and my mother -has written, urging me to return. Twelve galleys will await me at -Pelusium, in a fortnight hence, to escort my own to Tyre. Consent, O -Remeses, to go with me." - -"Noble prince," he exclaimed, deeply moved, "how can I thank you! It -is the greatest consolation, in this my sorrow and humiliation, to -know that you do not withdraw from me your friendship; that you can -still esteem me as a man! Sesostris, I thank you. I will accept your -offer, if my--that is, the queen, will change her mind, and permit me -to address a letter, by a swift courier, to Prince Moeris. In it I -will briefly say that I am informed of my true lineage, and that if he -will quietly wait the succession, and be submissive to the queen, and -withhold his army from Memphis, I will, within three days after -obtaining his affirmative reply, leave Egypt for a foreign land. Such -a course will prove the best in the end for him and Egypt, and I have -no doubt he will consent to adopt it. How extraordinary that this wily -man should so long have kept the secret with which he so terribly -menaced my--the queen!" - -I approved of the course suggested. Remeses soon afterwards sought the -queen; and at the end of four hours he returned to me, looking very -weary and pale, yet smiling, saying-- - -"It is achieved! It was a fearful struggle! The queen has consented! -Indeed, she seems heart-broken, spirit-crushed! This discovery, -against which her soul has so long battled, has left her prostrate, -almost wrecked! For her sake I bore up and hid my own unfathomable -sorrow. She has, at my solicitation, consented that I shall not only -write to Prince Moeris, inserting a clause enjoining silence as to -my birth, but her own courier shall be its bearer, signifying her wish -for conciliation. The letter was written in her presence, the clause -for silence introduced, and the courier is already gone with it." - -While Remeses was speaking, a page entered and informed him that the -queen wished to see him. He found her ill with a feverish pulse. She -called him to her, and said-- - -"My son, I am about to die! This blow is too heavy for me to bear! I -shall never recover! It was my wish to leave you firmly seated upon my -throne; but the gods have decreed otherwise. Call a council of the -hierarchy. I must not be faithless to my ancestors, and leave a vacant -throne. You have advised me to adopt Prince Moeris. I can do no -otherwise. For this act, assemble my councils, both of state and of -the priesthood." - -"I obeyed," said Remeses, when he subsequently related what passed. -"The next day the councils met in one session, and the queen, -supported upon her couch, presided. Briefly she announced her -intention of adopting Moeris-Mento,--giving his full name,--as her -son, and the next in succession to the throne, their consent being -obtained. Then came up the question, 'why Prince Remeses declined?' -Being present, I answered that it was my intention to retire from the -court, visit foreign lands, and leave the government of Egypt in the -hands of Moeris. At the earnest request of the queen I made no -allusion to the secret. The united councils yielded their assent, and -the royal secretary drew up the papers in due form, which the queen, -supported by me, signed. A courier was then dispatched with a copy of -the instrument to the prince. The cabinet was soon afterwards -dismissed, and I was left alone with the queen, who soon became very -ill." - -Thus far, my dearest mother, had I written in this letter five days -ago, when the chief chamberlain came hastening to my room, in great -terror, saying that the queen was dying! I lost not a moment in -following him to her apartments. Ever since the meeting of the council -she had been growing worse, and all the skill of her physicians could -not abate the disease, which was pronounced inflammation of the brain. -She had been for two days wildly delirious, calling upon Remeses not -to leave her, and accusing the gods of seeking to put upon her a -stranger for her own son! At length her ravings and her fever ceased, -and she rapidly failed. When I entered, I found Remeses kneeling by -her side, his manly head bowed upon her couch, and tears falling upon -her cold hand, held in his. Her mind was clear now, but I could see -that the azure circle of death girdled her eyes, and that the light of -the soul within was expiring. Her whole attention was fixed upon -Remeses, to whom she kept saying, in a faint whisper, and with a -smile, "My son, my son, my own son! call me mother!" - -"Mother, O my mother!" he exclaimed, in his strong anguish, "I cannot -part with thee! Thou hast been a mother to me indeed!" - -As I entered, her gaze turned towards me. - -"It is the Prince of Tyre! I thought it was the others!" - -"What others, my mother?" asked Remeses. - -"They will soon come. I commanded him to bring them all. I must see -them ere I die. But the Prince of Tyre is welcome!" And she smiled -upon me, and gave me her other hand to kiss. It was cold as ivory! I -also knelt by her, and sorrowfully watched her sharpening features, -which the chisel of Death seemed shaping into the marble majesty of a -god. - -At this moment the door opened, and I saw, ushered in by a Hebrew -page, the venerable head gardener, Amram; the young Hebrew -ecclesiastic; Miriam the papyrus writer; and, leaning upon her arm, a -dignified and still beautiful dame of fifty-five. I could not be -mistaken--this last was the mother of Remeses. - -"Cause all persons to go forth the chamber," cried the queen at the -sight, her voice recovering in part its strength. She glanced at me to -remain. - -"Come hither, Amram," she said, "and lead to my bedside thy wife. -Remeses, behold thy mother and father! Mother, embrace thy son! Since -he can be no longer mine, I will return him to thee forever!" Her -voice was veiled with tears. Remeses rose, and turning to his mother, -who looked worthy of him, said: - -"My mother, I acknowledge thee to be my mother! Give me thy blessing, -as thou hast often done in my infancy." - -He tenderly and respectfully embraced her, and then pressing his -father's hand to his lips, he knelt before them. They were deeply -moved, and instead of blessing him, wept upon him with silent joy. - -"Are there not two more--a brother, a sister?" said Remeses, his fine -face radiant with that ineffable beauty which shines from benevolence -and the performance of a holy duty. I then led forward Miriam, whom he -regarded with admiring surprise (for she looked like a queen in her -own right), and then tenderly embraced, saying to me, "Though I have -lost a kingdom, O Sesostris, I have gained a sister, which no crown -could bestow upon me." Then, when he saw the noble and princely -looking priest, he cried, as he folded him to his breast-- - -"This is, indeed, my brother!" - -The whole scene was touching and interesting beyond the power of my -pen to describe, my dear mother. The dying queen smiled with serene -pleasure, and waving her hand, Remeses led first his mother, and then -his father, and in succession his sister and brother, to her couch. -Upon the heads of each she laid her hand, but longest upon the -mother's, saying: - -"Love him--be kind to him--he has no mother now but thee! Love him for -my sake--you cannot but love him for his own! If I took thy babe, O -mother, I return thee a man and a prince worthy to rule a nation, and -in whom my eyes, closing upon the present, and seeing far into the -future, behold a leader of thy people--a prince to thy nation. Born to -a throne, he shall yet reign king of armies and leader of hosts, who I -see follow him obedient to his will and submissive to the rod of his -power. Remeses, I die! Kiss me!" - -The noble Hebrew reverently bent over her lips, as if in an act of -worship; and when he lifted his face, there remained a statue of clay. -The Queen of Egypt was no more! - - SESOSTRIS. - - -I closed, dear mother, my account of the death of the great and good -Queen Amense (which I wrote the day following that sad event), in -order to accompany Remeses to the chief embalmers. As I passed through -the streets, I saw that the whole population was in mourning. Women -went with dishevelled hair, men ceased to shave their heads and -beards, and all the signs of woe for death, which I have before -described, were visible. By the laws of Egypt, not even a king can be -embalmed in his own palace. Remeses, on reaching the suburb of the -embalmers, was received into the house of the chief, and here he gave -directions as to the fashion of the case and sarcophagus, and the -pattern of the funeral car, and of the baris in which it was to cross -the Nile to the pyramid which, I have already said, she has -been, since the first year of her reign, erecting for her -burial-place--placing a casing of vast stones, brought down from the -quarries near Elephantis, each year. - -I will not delay to describe the ceremonies of preparation, nor the -embalmment and burial of the august lady whose demise has cast a pall -over Egypt. Your assurance that it would take you five months to get -ready your war-fleet against Cyprus, and the desire of Remeses that I -delay until the eighty days' mourning for the queen were over, induced -me to remain. It is now four days since her burial in the centre of -her stately pyramid, with the most imposing and gorgeous rites ever -known at the entombment of a monarch. Prince Moeris was chief -mourner! I have omitted to state that he readily acceded to the -conditions proposed in the letter of Remeses, and when the courier -followed, conveying to him the fact that he had been adopted and -declared her heir by the queen, he addressed a frank and friendly -letter to Remeses; for it is easy for him to assume any character his -interest prompts. As soon as the intelligence of the death of the -queen reached him, he hastened to Memphis. Here he had an interview -with Remeses, whom he treated with courtesy, and offered the -supervision of that part of Egypt where the Hebrew shepherds dwell; -for I have learned that in a valley, which leads from Raamses to the -Sea of Arabia, there are hundreds of Hebrews who, like their -ancestors, keep vast flocks and herds belonging to the crown, but out -of which they are allowed a tenth for their subsistence. Over this -pastoral domain, embracing about twenty thousand shepherds, the -prospective Pharaoh proposed to place Remeses. I felt that it was -intended as an insult; but Remeses viewed it as an evidence of -kindness on the part of one who knows not how to be noble or great. - -The interment of the queen past, there is nothing to detain either -Remeses or myself longer in Egypt. By her bounty he is rich, and has -given to his parents a large treasure, which will enable them to be at -ease; and besides, the queen gave to them and to Aaron (this is the -name of the elder brother of Remeses), and his sister, the right of -citizenship. Moeris, the day of the queen's burial, virtually -ascended the throne. His coronation, however, will not take place -until after he has passed through the forty days' novitiate. - -And now, my dear mother, you will be surprised to learn that, the -information of the Hebrew birth of Remeses (who has modestly dropped -his first Egyptian name and adheres only to the second, which is -Mosis, or Moses, as the Hebrews pronounce it), was wickedly conveyed, -with large bribes, to the magicians by Prince Moeris himself; and -that, upon this information and influence, they recalled from the -past, which, like the future, is open to their magical art, the scenes -of his life, and presented them before his vision. - -Wonderful, incomprehensible, dear mother, above all things I have seen -in Egypt, is the mysterious power of these magicians and sorcerers. -Originally of the priestly order, they have advanced into deeper and -deeper mysteries, until the hierarchy of the regular temple-worship -fear them, and deny their ecclesiastical character, saying, "that they -have climbed so high the mountains of Osiris, that they have fallen -headlong over their summits into the dark realms of Typhon, and owe -their dread power to his auspices." - -Whatever be the source of their powerful art, dear mother, there is no -doubt of its reality. Not even all the invocations, sacrifices, -oblations, prayers, libations, and exercises of the regular priesthood -can compete with these magicians and sorcerers. They can convert day -into night! destroy the shadow of an obelisk! fill the air with a -shower of sand, or of flowers! convert their rods into vines that bear -grapes! and walk with living asps as if they were almond or acacia -rods! They can present before the inquirer, the face or scene in a -distant land that is desired to be beheld! They can remove blocks of -porphyry by a touch of the finger, and make a feather heavy as gold! -They can cause invisible music in the air, and foretell the rain! And -when extraordinary motives and rewards are brought to bear upon them, -they can, by their united skill and necromantic art, aided by sorcery, -reproduce the past, as in the case of Remeses! - -These powerful, yet dreaded and hated men, have for ages been an -appendage to the crown, and call themselves the "servants of the -Pharaohs." The kings of Egypt, who have protected, favored, and sought -their assistance, have also trembled at their power. Without question -they are aided by the evil genii; and perform their works through the -agency of the spirit of evil. - -This, dear mother, will be the last letter I shall write you from -Egypt. Accompanied by Remeses, I shall to-morrow embark in my galley -for Pelusium. My friend, the Admiral Pathromenes, will accompany us to -the mouth of the Eastern Nile. I ought to say that King Moeris, now -Pharaoh-elect, has extended towards me marked civilities, and seeks -for a continuance of friendly intercourse. I shall bear a royal letter -from him to your majesty, expressive of his respect for you, and his -desire to perpetuate the alliance. But I have no love for the man! If -I can, I will raise an army in Phoenicia, after I see the King of -Cyprus chained to the poop of my galley, and, placing Remeses at the -head, invade Egypt, call the Hebrews to arms, and, overturning the -throne of Moeris, place my friend in his seat. Did not the dying -queen prophesy that he was born to rule? It is over Egypt he will yet -wield the sceptre! I will do my part, dear mother, to fulfil the -prophecy. - -To the lovely Princess Thamonda convey my devotions, and assure her -that I shall make war against Cyprus more successfully, with her heart -wedded to mine, than alone. Warn her, dear mother, that I shall claim -her hand as soon as I return, and that Remeses will be the -groom-friend whom I shall honor with the high place of witness and -chief guest at our nuptials. - -Farewell, dear mother. - -Remeses desires to unite with me in affectionate regards to you. - - Your son, - SESOSTRIS. - -[Here the correspondence of the Prince of Tyre with the Queen Epiphia -terminates.] - - - - - LETTERS BETWEEN REMESES AND OTHER PERSONS, - COVERING A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS. - - - - -LETTER I. - -REMESES TO AARON THE HEBREW. - - -CITY OF TYRE, SYRIA, MONTH ATHYR. - -MY ELDER AND DEAR BROTHER: - -It is with emotions wholly new to me, awakened by those fraternal ties -to which I have been hitherto entirely a stranger, that I take up my -pen to address you, inscribing at the commencement of my letter the -endearing words, "my brother!" It is true I have lost much in many -respects; but I have also gained much in the affection of my newly -discovered kindred. - -After you left us below Memphis, the galley of the Prince Sesostris -sped swiftly down the Nile, and ere noon we had entered the Pelusian -branch. As I passed the old city of Bubastis, and Pythom, the new -treasure-city, which is rising upon its ruins, I groaned with -heaviness of heart! Around and upon its walls, I beheld the thousands -of my oppressed countrymen toiling, like Nubian slaves, under the lash -of their taskmasters! I could only groan in heart; for what was I now -able to do for them,--myself an exile, and flying from the land? May -the prophecy which exists among your people (_my_ people), as you -asserted in the last long and interesting conversation we held -together, on the day I embarked, be soon fulfilled! This bondage -cannot continue many years! There is not room in Egypt for two -nations! - -At Pelusium we found the prince's fleet awaiting him. It set sail -shortly after our arrival, and coasting by the shores of Arabia, and -passing Askelon, in Philistia, in seven days we entered the port of -Tyre; which is built upon a rocky isle and peninsula, and rises from -the sea with imposing magnificence. - -I was most kindly received by the mother of Sesostris, whose glad -reception of her son made my eyes fill with tears; for I remembered my -(I was going to say, mother)--the Queen Amense's tenderness, whenever -she met me after the shortest absence. - -But I must not refer to the past. - -Prince Sesostris treats me in every respect as an equal. Were I still -Prince Remeses of Egypt, he could not show me more kindness and -regard. We have now been here one month; and in that time I have seen -much of Tyre, but my continued grief for the death of the beloved -queen,--my more than mother,--renders me quite indifferent to external -objects. As the guest of the prince, I have endeavored to interest -myself in what concerns him. He is engaged earnestly in preparations -for war. The port of Tyre is thronged with war-galleys; and reviews of -troops take place daily, on a plain which is overhung by the -mountain-range of Libanus. The grandeur of this mountain, in which the -earliest worship of men rose to the gods, deeply impressed me. The -fleet will sail in about one month. - - -DAMASCUS, SYRO-PHOENICIA. - -Since writing the above I have come to this beautiful city, which lies -in a lovely vale watered by two rivers, the Abana and Pharphar, that -fertilize it and render it indeed "the garden of the earth"--as it is -termed. I travelled hither with the prince, who has come to take to -wife Thamonda, the fair princess of this city. She is amiable and -sensible, and I rejoice that my princely friend has such happiness in -store! How fortunate for me, my brother, that while I was Prince of -Egypt, I did not interest myself in any princess, who would be now -humbled and wretched at my degradation! The nuptial ceremonies will -take place soon, and occupy some days. I wish Sesostris every -happiness in his alliance. - -I met here the venerable Prince of Uz. He had travelled thus far on -his return to his own land, which lies on the borders of Chaldea and -Saba, and when informed of my present position was deeply moved. We -have had long and interesting conversations together, upon the unity -of God! which have so deeply absorbed my reflections, that I have -accepted an invitation to visit him, after I return from Cyprus, -whither I accompany the prince and his bride. - - -THE PALACE OF THE PRINCESS OF DAMASCUS. - -My beloved Sesostris is married. The ceremonies were unusually -magnificent;--several kings of cities and princes of provinces being -present, with their retinues. But I do not excel in descriptions of -scenes and festivities, and leave them to the more graceful and easy -pen of Sesostris. We depart in three days with a gala procession of -horsemen, to return to Tyre. - - -ISLE OF TYRE. - -Having kept this roll of papyrus with me, I now close my epistle here, -where I commenced writing it, with the intelligence of our arrival; -the happy reception of her new daughter-in-law, by Queen Epiphia; and -with the announcement that the fleet will set sail within three days -for the Levantine island-kingdom. - -Commend me, my brother, with respectful affection, to my father Amram, -to my honored mother, and to my stately sister, Miriam. Trusting you -are all in health and safety, I am your brother, with profound -fraternal regard, - - MOSES, THE HEBREW. - - - - -LETTER II. - -REMESES TO HIS BROTHER. - - -PHOENICIA. - -A year has passed, my brother, since I last wrote to you. In the mean -while I have received your very kind epistle. It reached me at Tyre, -where I found it awaiting me, on my return from the expedition against -Cyprus. You have probably learned the result of the war, and that -Prince Sesostris landed his army, defeated the King of Cyprus in a -pitched battle, taking his battalion of chariots, which were armed -with scythes, and destroying his cavalry. The king implored peace, and -surrendered his capital. Sesostris, after levying a tribute of two -thousand talents of silver upon it for ten years, and demanding a -portion of the island, on the north, for a Phoenician colony, -returned triumphant to his country. - -I am now travelling through the whole of Syria. From this point I -shall proceed to the province of Uz. I desire to know more fully this -wisdom of the One God, the Almighty, as taught by the Sage of that -land. When I saw him in Damascus, a year ago, I informed him that I -had begun to write an account of the wonderful incidents of his life; -but when I read to him what I had commenced, and afterwards heard his -conversation upon the God he worshipped, I perceived that I was a -child in ignorance, and had entered upon a task impossible for me to -perform, by reason of my religious education as an Egyptian. - -"My son," he said, "thou art not far from the knowledge of the -Almighty, and thy soul aspires after the true God. Come with me to my -own land, for thou sayest thou art a wanderer, and I will teach thee -the knowledge of the Holy One. Then thou mayest write the acts of the -Invisible to man, and justify Him in His ways to me, His servant. The -gods of Egypt darken knowledge, and veil the understanding of those -who trust in them, and say to an idol of gold, 'Thou art my god.'" - -I am now journeying, O my brother, to sit at the feet of this man of -God, whose simple wisdom has enlightened my soul more than all the -learning of Egypt; nay, I would gladly forget all the knowledge I -obtained in Egypt, to know, and fear, and love the "Holy One"--the -Almighty God--of the Prince of Uz. What is particularly worthy of note -is, that his views of the Invisible are the same as those which you -taught me were held by the elders among our people; and of the truth -of which you so eloquently and feelingly endeavored to convince me, on -the evening before my departure from Egypt, as we sat by the door of -our mother's home, under the two palms. Dissatisfied with the gods of -Egypt, and the emptiness and vanity of its worship, as not meeting the -wants of man, I turn to any source which will pour the light of truth -into my soul. We both, brother, are feeling after God, if haply we may -find Him; for I perceive that your own soul is darkened and clouded as -well as mine, by the dark myths of Egypt, in which we have been -educated. But let us both take courage, my noble elder brother. There -is light, there is truth, there is knowledge somewhere on earth! and I -go to the aged Prince of Uz to learn of him. Sitting at his feet, I -will empty myself of all the false and unsatisfying wisdom of Egypt, -and meekly say, "I am ignorant--enlighten me! Teach me concerning thy -God, for I know that He is the God my soul longs for, whom the nations -know not!" - -Your letter spoke of Pharaoh, and his cruelty and power. I am prepared -to hear that he takes new measures to heap burdens upon our people. -The Lake Amense, which you say he is enlarging to an inland sea, will -destroy thousands of the Hebrews whom you tell me he is putting to the -work; for, unaccustomed to labor in the water, they must perish -miserably. I trust he will suffer you and my father's family to dwell -unmolested. Be prepared at any moment to escape, should he seek to -destroy the prosperity in which the beloved queen left you, and those -dear to me by the sacred and affectionate ties of nature. - -Farewell. - - Your brother, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER III. - -REMESES-MOSES TO AARON. - - -THE PALACE OF THE LORD OF UZ. - -MY DEAR AND HONORED BROTHER: - -I have been here now one year. The venerable prince honors me as a -son, and I repay him, so far as I can, by instructing him in the -history of Egypt, and other knowledge; for, so great is his wisdom, he -seeks ever to know more. In astrology, physics, geometry, and all -arts, he is deeply learned. But above all, is his knowledge of the -Almighty. This man has the mysteries of God in his heart, and to the -eyes of his divine piety, the Most High is visible as He is. He hath -spoken to the Lord of heaven face to face, and he communicates with -Him as a servant with his lord. - -When I came hither, after visiting Baal-Phegor and other places, he -received me with affection, and gave me rooms in his palace, and -servants, and a place at his table. I found him dwelling in a city he -himself had builded, and reigning the wealthiest, wisest, and yet -humblest prince in all the East. Around it lay the cities of Shuh, -Teman, and Naamath, the lesser princes of which are his bosom friends, -and once a week meet at his hospitable board. They hang upon the words -of his lips, and reverence him as a father. He also possesses vast -herds of cattle and oxen, which cover his plains; fourteen thousand -sheep are on his mountains; six thousand camels; and stores of silver -and gold. He has seven sons, who are princes of as many provinces, and -three daughters, the youngest of whom, Keren-happuch, is married to -the Lord of Midian; for when the Prince of Uz, three years ago, -travelled down into Egypt with a large caravan of his merchants, he -passed through Midian, having this daughter in company, who, being -comely in person, was admired by the prince of that land, and by him -asked in marriage of her father. Of the two daughters who remain, no -women in all the land are found so fair. Such is the prosperity and -power of this mighty and wise prince. - -Now, at length, my dear brother, I have written the book of the life -of this venerable man; not as I began it in Egypt, with imperfect -ideas of the God of heaven, whose servant he is, but from his own lips -have I received the narrative which I inclose to you. When you have -read it, you will arrive at the knowledge of the Almighty, whose name, -and glory, and being, and goodness, and justice, and love, are -recognized in every page. As you read, reflect that the God of the -Prince of Uz is also my God, and the God worshipped by our fathers -when they were in Syria. Away, O Aaron! with all the gods of Egypt! -They are brazen and golden lies, all! The myth of Osiris and Isis is -an invention of the priests. The whole system of their mythology is -hostile to true religion, and the adorers of idols are the worshippers -of Satan--for this is the name of that spirit of evil, antagonistic to -the true God, hitherto represented to us under the title of Typhon. - -It would take a score of papyri for me to convey to you the course of -divine and sage instruction by which I arrived at that clear, -luminous, and just notion of the Lord God of heaven and earth, which I -now hold; the possession of which fills my soul with repose, my -intellect with satisfaction, my heart with joy, peace, and love to God -and man. With this _certain_ knowledge of the Almighty that has -entered into my soul, is an apprehension of His omnipresence, His -truth, holiness, majesty, and benevolence; and a consciousness that I -have received his Divine Spirit, which last is, as it were, a witness -vouchsafed of Himself to me. By the light of this new spirit within me -I behold His glory, and recognize that He is my God, my Creator, my -Benefactor, and Lawgiver. I feel that in Him I live, move, and have my -being, and that besides Him there is no God. The realization of these -majestic truths, O my brother, is a source to me of the profoundest -happiness. Before their light the dark clouds of the myths of Egypt -dissolve and fade away forever! - -When I speak of Him I find new language rise to my lips: when I write -of Him my words seem to clothe themselves with sublimity and majesty. -Henceforth, like the holy Prince of Uz, I am a worshipper of One God, -whose name is the Almighty, and the Holy One. - -To Sesostris I have written of these great things, and to you also I -will send a treatise, that you may, without obscurity, behold His -unity and glory as they were known to our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and -Jacob, before the false worship of Egypt corrupted our hereditary -faith. With this knowledge, O Aaron, our people, even in bondage, are -superior to Pharaoh on his throne. - - Your affectionate brother, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER IV. - -REMESES TO MIRIAM. - - -TYRE, PHOENICIA. - -MY DEAR SISTER: - -I received your letter, written to me from Bubastis. I grieve to hear -that King Moeris is increasing so heavily the burdens of our people, -as to drive to the fields, and to the new lake to which he has given -his name, all who were servants in houses. Unused to toil under the -sun, they will suffer more than others. I read the copy of the edict -you inclosed, forbidding the Egyptians to receive, as domestics, any -of the Hebrew people, that so all might be driven to become toilers in -the field. His motive is evident. He is alarmed at the increase of the -Hebrews, and would oppress them, to death by thousands. My heart -bleeds for those he has sent to the mines in the Thebad. This is a -new feature in the Hebrew bondage. But there is a just God on high, O -my sister Miriam, the Holy One, whom our fathers worshipped. He will -not forget his people forever, but in due time will bring them out of -their bondage. Has not Aaron, our learned brother, made known to you -the words of tradition that are cherished among our people,--that they -are to serve Pharaoh a certain number of years, forty-one of which are -yet to come? He sent me the copy thereof, wherein I find it written, -as the declaration of Abraham our father, that "his posterity should -serve Pharaoh four hundred years." Aaron, who, since I left Egypt, has -been giving all his time to collecting the traditions, and laws of our -fathers, is confident that ere another generation shall have perished, -God will raise up a deliverer for the sons of Jacob, and lead them -forth to some new and wonderful land. If such a promise, O my sister, -was given by the Almighty, He will redeem it; for He is not a man that -He should lie! Let us therefore wait, and hope, and pray to this -mighty God of our ancestors, to remember His promise, and descend from -Heaven with a stretched-out arm for our deliverance. I rejoice to hear -that my dear mother is well, also my father. Commend me to them with -reverential affection. Aaron reads to you my letters, and you will -have learned from them how I arrived at the knowledge of the true God, -in whom, O Miriam, both you and he believed, while I, considering -myself an Egyptian, was a worshipper of the false gods of Egypt! Yet, -lo! by the goodness of the true God, I have been enabled, at the feet -of the sage of Uz, to arrive at such clear conceptions of His glory, -and majesty, and government of the universe, as to teach even you. I -speak this not boastingly, but with gratitude to Him who has made me -the instrument of illumining your mind, and of giving you greater -confidence and trust in the God, who is the God of Abraham, and the -God of the Prince of Uz. - -I have now been five years absent from Egypt, and my heart yearns for -my brethren in bondage. I feel that it is not becoming in me to remain -here, at ease in the court of Sesostris; for he has now been two years -king, since his royal mother's death, of which I wrote to my mother at -the time. I pant to make known to the elders of the Hebrews, the clear -and true knowledge of the God of our fathers, which has come down to -them imperfectly, and mingled with superstitions, even when it is not -corrupted by the idolatry of Egypt. I wish to learn the character and -condition of my brethren in servitude, whom I formerly viewed from the -proud height of an Egyptian prince. How I feel a desire to mingle -among them to know them, and be one of them. All my Egyptian pride, -dear sister, is long since gone, and I seek daily to cultivate that -spirit of meekness, which better becomes one, who is of a race of -bondmen. But, my sister, rather would I be a slave, chained at the -chariot-wheel of Pharaoh-Moeris, with my present knowledge of the -Holy and Almighty One,--compared with which all the wisdom of Egypt is -foolishness,--than be that monarch himself with his ignorance of Him, -and his worship of Osiris and Apis! - -May the God of our fathers, by whose will we are in bonds, in His own -time send us deliverance, to whom be glory and majesty, and dominion -and power, in heaven and earth, to the end of ages. - - Most affectionately, your younger brother, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER V. - -REMESES TO HIS MOTHER. - - -PALACE OF SESOSTRIS, KING OF TYRE. - -MY MOTHER, REVERED AND LOVED: - -In a letter written a few days ago, and which went by a vessel that -was to touch at Pelusium on its way to Carthage, I alluded to a -feeling (which has been increasing in strength for many months) that -prompted me to visit my brethren in bonds in Egypt. It is true, I have -no power. I am but one, and Moeris would, no doubt, gladly seize -upon me if he knew I was in his kingdom. I have, however, determined -to yield to the desire; and next month shall sail in a galley that -goes to Egypt for ebony and ivory. Not long, therefore, after you -receive this letter, which the scholarly Aaron will read to you, will -you embrace your younger and long-absent son. It is expedient that I -go unknown. I wish to observe the Hebrew people, without awakening -suspicion, as to who I am. Should Moeris hear of me, he would -quickly suspect me of planning evil against him. If I can do no more, -I can carry to the elders the certainty of the truth, as they received -it, by tradition, of One God, Lord of heaven and earth, Infinite in -holiness, and Almighty in power. From the holy Prince of Uz, I not -only received this, but many other things of wonderful interest--which -he seemed to know by the voice of God--concerning the creation of the -world in six days, and the formation of man and woman, whom he placed -in a garden of beauty, with dominion over all things. But I will not -go further into these divine and wonderful things, at this time, O my -mother, as I shall hereafter read to you, from the sacred leaves, the -narrative of the acts of creation, as they were written by the Prince -and Prophet of Uz: to whom, before all men, has been revealed the -truth of the Most High, and the mysteries which have been secret from -eternity. Lo! the pages of the book of his patience under God's trial -show, that no man on earth ever before had such illumination of divine -light! Such language as that of his which I have written in the book, -when he speaks of God, could only have been suggested by the -inspiration of the Almighty. He talks of God as if he had sat at His -feet, and daily beheld His glorious majesty, or heard His voice shake -the heavens. Of him have I learned the wisdom of the past; and there -whispers in my heart, O mother, a solemn voice, which bids me hope -that if I fear God, and walk uprightly, and seek His face, and trust -in Him, He will also draw nigh to me, unveil His glory, and speak face -to face with me, as He hath done to His holy servant, the Prince of -Uz! It shall be the aspiration of my heart, to be received into the -divine favor as He has been, and made the recipient of His will, and -of His laws for men! Censure me not,--charge me not with pride, O my -mother! In the spirit of meekness and lowliness do I cherish this hope -The path to the ear of God, and to His favor, the Prince of Uz hath -taught me, is prayer. On bended knees, therefore, seven times a day, -do I bow in supplication before the Holy One Almighty, the Lord God of -Hosts; and more and more do I feel my spirit go forth to Him; and -daily, the infinite distance between earth and His throne seems to -lessen! Nor will I cease to pray to Him, O mother, until I hear His -voice in my soul, and feel the intimate presence of His Being in union -with my own! Then will I reach the height of humanity, which is the -reunion of the creature with the Creator, the restoration in his soul -of the divine image, and the reception into his own of a divine and -immortal life! - -My friend, King Sesostris, reluctantly consents to my departure. He -has never ceased his affectionate regard for me, and he has called his -beautiful son, now four years old, Remeses--after me. This child, I -love as if he were mine own. He is intelligent and full of affection, -and already understands that I am about to go away, and sweetly urges -me not to leave him. The Queen Thamonda has prepared many gifts for -you and my sister, whom she loves, though not having seen. Here, dear -mother, the bondage and degradation of the Hebrew is not comprehended. -We are not, in their eyes, crown-serfs. We are but a Syrian nation -held in captivity; and other nations regard us with sympathy, and have -no share in the contempt and scorn with which we are regarded by our -Egyptian taskmasters. - -Israelisis the Hebrew, whom Sesostris brought with him five years ago -to Tyre, is now a fine young man, and assistant secretary to his royal -scribe. All that our people want, my mother, is to be placed in -positions favorable to the development of their intellect, and they -will rise, side by side, with any other people on earth. If we were a -nation, with a country of our own, we would give laws to the world. - -Farewell, my dear mother. In a few days you will embrace me. - - Your devoted son, - MOSES. - - - - -LETTER VI. - -REMESES IN EGYPT TO SESOSTRIS IN PHOENICIA. - - -TREASURE-CITY OF RAAMSES. - -It is with gratitude to God, O Sesostris, that I inform you of my safe -arrival in Egypt, after a perilous passage across the sea. Our chief -pilot, finding, after we left the port of Tyre, that the wind was fair -for the mouth of the Nile, and the weather seeming to be settled, -signified to me his intention to leave the coast, and boldly steer -from land to land. Having no knowledge of nautical affairs, I neither -advised nor objected, leaving him to act according to his own -experience and skill: he therefore laid the course of the ship as -nearly straight for Pelusium, as he could ascertain it, by the -position of the sun at noon. - -Before night we were surrounded by a horizon of water, and this being -the first time since I had lived on the earth, that I had been unable -to behold it, the situation was wholly novel, not only to me but to -other passengers,--some of whom manifested the liveliest fears, lest -we should no more behold the land. My mind was impressed by the -sublimity and vastness of the view; and the majestic idea of -eternity--boundless and infinite--filled my soul. It seemed as if, -from our deck, I could survey the universe of space, for there was -nothing terrestrial to arrest and confine the eye. - -"Who," I reflected, "as he surveys the illimitable sky, and the -measureless ocean over which it extends, can withhold the confession -that there is One God only, the Upholder of worlds and the Governor of -His creation? Who, with such a scene before him, as day with its -splendor and vastness of space, and night with its stars presented -above the sea, could give the glory of the Almighty to another, and -put his trust in such myths as are the gods of Egypt and the deities -of Phoenicia?" I rejoice, O king, that you have listened to the -truths it was my happiness to unfold to you, and that in your heart -you acknowledge and secretly adore the Almighty. May the time soon -come when you will have strength given you, from Himself, to establish -His holy worship in your dominions! A king is God's representative on -earth, and his power is great; and if he exercise it,--not like the -Pharaohs, who reign as if they were gods, but--with judgment, and -fear, and humble recognition of the Infinite source of all power, then -He who is King of kings and Lord of lords, will bless him and cause -him to prosper. When a king acknowledges that his power is delegated, -and that he must be accountable for its use or abuse to his God, he -has gained the highest wisdom that earth can give! Seek, O king, that -wisdom! - -Pardon me, my dear Sesostris, for presuming to teach you. I am -diffident in speech when present with you, but you perceive I am bold, -perhaps too much so, when away from you. - -We continued, for three days and nights, sailing upon the sea, without -a shore in view, and in a few hours more hoped to find the mouth of -the Nile; when the wind, after a sudden lull, came round to the south, -the air was darkened with clouds, and night came on, enveloping our -ship in the profoundest gloom, amid which we drove, our pilot knew not -whither! It was a night of painful suspense. The seas dashed over us; -our banks of oars were broken or washed away; and not a cubit's -breadth of sail could remain on the mast, while the air was filled -with sharp sand, blown from the Arabian desert. - -The passengers and crew were in despair, and believing that every -succeeding billow would go over us and destroy us, they called -frantically upon their gods! The Syrian cried to Hercules, and the -Saban upon the sun and upon fire. The merchants of Tyre prayed to -Adonis and Io, the Arabians to Ammon, and the Egyptians vowed -libations and offerings to Apis, Osiris, and Thoth. Our pilot, finding -all hope desert him, burned a cake of incense to the deity of the sea, -and vowed an oblation to all the gods he could in his extremity call -to mind. - -Then it was, O Sesostris, that I felt the power and excellency of my -faith in God! Then did the folly, the vanity, and degradation of the -religions of those about me, deeply impress me, and move me to pity. -Calm, serene, confident in the Almighty, who holdeth the sea in the -hollow of His hand, and directeth the stormy winds and tempests of the -skies, I lifted my heart and my voice to Him, whom, with the eye of -instructed intelligence, I beheld seated above the darkness and the -whirlwind, in the ineffable glory and peace of His own heaven, and -directing all things by His will. I felt that He could protect and -defend me, and those who sailed with me; that the night to Him was as -clear as the day; and that even I was not too insignificant to be -cared for by Him, who, in His love, gave voices of music to the little -birds, who painted the lily, and perfumed the flower. - -"O Lord God, Holy One, the Almighty, who art the Creator of all -things, if I have found grace in Thy sight, hear my humble petition, -which I now offer before Thee. Let Thy presence be here, and Thy -power; save us who are tossed upon the great sea, and who have no hope -but in Thee. These call upon their idols, but I, O Lord God, call upon -Thee, the God of our fathers. Guard us in our danger, and bring us in -safety to our haven! For Thou art the only true and living God, and -besides Thee there is no God!" - -All the people who heard my voice, as I thus invoked the Living God, -and saw my hands outstretched heavenward, turned from their idols and -amulets, and ceased their prayers and cries, to hear me. The -lightnings flashed about us in a continual flame, so that the ship -seemed on fire, and I could be seen by all. - -Judge, O Sesostris, my surprise, when instantly the winds--which at -the first word of my prayer softened--ceased to roar; the waves fell -level with the sea; the clouds parted above us, and revealing a bright -moon shining down from the starry sky, they rolled, on all sides, -swiftly away towards the horizon. - -This sudden and wondrous change, evidently in response to my prayer, -as a proof that it was heard by the Ear to which I, in fear and hope, -addressed it, amazed me. It was the power and act of my God! I felt it -to be so, and lifting up my eyes and hands to the cloudless skies, I -said-- - -"Thine, O Lord Almighty, thine be the praise and glory; for Thou art -the hearer and answerer of prayer, and art loving to all Thy -creatures. Thou hast power in heaven and on earth, and on the broad -sea, nor is any thing hid from Thee. Darkness is no darkness with -Thee, and no power can resist thine! Thanks be to Thee, O Lord God on -high, for this manifestation of Thy presence, and this confirmation of -my faith. Let these idolaters likewise glorify Thee, for whose sakes -Thou hast also done this." - -When I ceased, I beheld a crowd, made up of all nations, prostrate -around me. The captain, turning away from his god, was burning incense -before me, while the invocations of the crew and passengers were being -offered to me. With horror I drew back and waved them away, saying, -"Rise, men, stand upon your feet! Not unto me, not unto me, but unto -God, the one invisible Creator, give thanks and praise for your mighty -deliverance!" - -I then made known to them the mystery of the true God, whose power -they and I had witnessed, and exhorted them to turn from their idols, -and worship Him in spirit and in truth; for that He was their Maker, -and besides Him there was no God. Nevertheless, but for my stern anger -against it, they would have sacrificed a sheep to me, as if I were -Hercules. - -In a few hours we reached Pelusium, and to escape the adulations of -the people on shore, to whom the crew made known this miracle of God, -I withdrew privately, and went to Bubastis. After visiting, unknown to -them, the tens of thousands of my brethren, who are engaged in -extending the walls of that place, and increasing the number of -treasure-houses therein, I took boat and came hither secretly, for -fear that Moeris, if he knew me to be in Egypt, might watch my -movements, if not banish or imprison me. - -I have now been several days in the bosom of my family. My mother and -father are well; but they, and Miriam with all the other women of our -nation, have tasks of weaving put upon them, which are to be done each -day before they are permitted to sleep. My heart is deeply wounded at -all this. On every side I behold oppression and cruelty. Daily, scores -of the Hebrews perish, and their dead bodies are thrown into ditches, -dug for the purpose, and covered with earth. Often, the wretched men -who dig them are the first to occupy them, for the work goes on day -and night. An edict has been published throughout all Egypt, within -the past month, that no Egyptian shall assist a Hebrew; and that no -Hebrew who sinks down under his toil, shall be suffered to remain upon -the ground, but must be placed upon his feet again, and driven to his -task, until he sinks to rise no more; and to such, neither bread nor -water shall be offered, that they may die! Such, O king, is the heart -of this Moeris! - -Yet, with all these extraordinary measures, inspired by his fear, to -lessen the number of the Hebrews, they increase in the most -unprecedented manner. The women bring forth without midwives, and are -put to no inconvenience whatsoever afterwards. Such a state of things -alarms the Egyptian king, and well it may; for it seems to me to be a -direct act of the Divinity, so to multiply the people, that Egypt will -be compelled to liberate them, and send them forth to find a country -of their own. - -There is a prophecy which, as I associate more with the elders--who -are slow, however, to give me their confidence, regarding me still as -an Egyptian in feeling and prejudices--I ascertain to be well -preserved, that, at the end of about four hundred years from the days -of Prince Abraham, his descendants shall come out of Egypt a great -nation. This period is drawing to its close. God, who can deliver from -the storm, can deliver from the hand of Pharaoh those who trust in -Him, and call for His Almighty arm to aid them. - - -MEMPHIS, HOUSE OF AARON. - -Since writing the foregoing, my dear Sesostris--for such is the -familiar title, notwithstanding the present difference in our rank and -position, that you condescendingly permit me to make use of in -addressing you--since writing the foregoing, I say, I have been -studying the traditions of my fathers, the Hebrews of old. In them I -have found the following prophecies; and you will observe how -confidently God, the Almighty, is recognized and spoken of as the one -true God: - -"Our father Abram, the Syrian, having been born in the great kingdom -of Chaldea, served idols, as did all other men--the knowledge of the -one God, being yet veiled under the multiplicity of gods. Abram, being -just, and possessing those virtues and excellencies which elevate man, -it pleased the one great and mighty God, only and true--who made all -things in heaven above, in the earth beneath, and in the seas that are -thereunder--to make Himself known unto him, as he was one day uttering -a prayer to the sun. Suddenly, he beheld a hand across the disk of the -sun, and the earth was instantly covered with night. While Abram -wondered and trembled, the mighty hand was removed, and the day was -restored. Then came a voice from above the sun-- - -'O man, and son of man that is clay! dost thou worship the creature, -and know not the Creator? I am the Creator of the sun, the heavens, -the earth, and man upon the earth! Worship me, who alone can create -light, and who maketh darkness! I am God, and will not give my glory -to a creature! The sun is but clay, and thou, O man, art clay also! -Give _me_ thine heart; worship me, the Maker both of thee and of the -sun!' - -"Then Abram saw the hand again cover and extinguish the sun; but lo, -instead of night, the universe was lighted by the brightness of the -hand, which shone with the splendor of a thousand suns, so that our -father fell upon his face, as if dead, before its consuming splendor. -When he rose again, the sun shone as before, and he fell prostrate -upon the ground and said: - -"'Lord God of the sun, Creator of all things, what is man, that thou -displayest thy glory and revealest thyself to him? I am as a worm -before thee! Teach me what thou wouldst have me to do!' - -"Then a still, small voice answered: - -"'Arise, go forth from this Chaldea, thy country, unto a land flowing -with milk and honey, which I will show thee; and there I will make of -thee a great nation, who shall bear thy name; for I will make thy name -great, and a blessing to all men; and those who bless thee I will -bless, and those who curse thee, I will curse; and in thee shall all -the families of the earth be blessed!'" - -This remarkable tradition then goes on to say, O Sesostris, that the -Chaldean hastened to obey God, and going into the city of Haran, where -he dwelt, gathered his substance, and took his wife, and nephew, and -all his servants, and departed from the land--being then -five-and-seventy years old. By a sign, the Lord God went before him -through many lands, until he crossed over the river of the king of -Sodom into Palestine, when the Almighty, taking him into a high -mountain, showed him all the land, from the lake and fair valley of -Gomorrah and Sodom to the great sea westward, and from Libanus on the -north to the desert of Arabia on the south, saying: - -"'Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, -northward and southward, and eastward and westward, for all the land -which thou seest, to thee will I give it and to thy seed after thee! -Arise, walk through the land, in the length of it and in the breadth -of it, for I will give it to thee; for the whole earth is mine!'" - -"Night fell upon them while they looked from the mountain, and the -Lord God said to our father: 'Look now towards heaven, and tell the -stars if thou art able to number them. So shall thy posterity be. But -know thou,' said the Lord to him, 'that thou, and thy son, and thy -son's son shall be strangers in this land, and thy seed after thee -shall also be strangers in the land shadowing with wings, and shall -serve its kings, and they shall afflict thee four hundred years; but -grieve not, for the nation whom they shall serve will I judge, and -afterwards shall thy posterity come out of that land a mighty people, -with great substance; and he whom I will raise up as their deliverer, -shall lead them unto this land, and they shall enter in and possess -it, and shall become a great people, and be in number as the sands of -the seashore, and as the dust for multitude.'" - -Then Abram believed God. We, O Sesostris, are his posterity. Are we -not as the stars of heaven in number, and as the sands of the shore? -The four hundred years are drawing to a close. Will not He who has -brought about the fulfilment of one part of His prophecy, accomplish -also the other? Therefore do I look with hope to our release, ere -another generation passes away. Who shall live to behold it? Who shall -be so blessed as to see this deliverer that is to lead them forth to -the promised land? I may not live to see that day of joyful -deliverance! Perhaps thy son Remeses may behold it. That land, -according to our tradition, is Palestine, through which I journeyed -when I visited the ruins, visible above and beneath the Lake of -Bitumen; near which, also, I beheld that extraordinary statue of an -incrusted woman, on whom the shower of salt fell until it had encased -her alive, and transfixed her to the spot, as if hewn from a column of -salt. The people of that region informed me, that she was a niece of -Prince Abram, overtaken in her flight, when the five cities of the -plain were overthrown by fire from heaven. How beautiful is all that -land of Palestine! It is like a garden for fertility, and is filled -with populous cities, and a cultivated and warlike people. I also -visited the city of Salem, where, anciently, King Melchisedec, the -wise sage, and friend of God and of Abram, dwelt. It is now but a rock -covered with fortresses and the treasure-city of the land. Is this -land yet to be given by God to our people? Is it, indeed, already ours -by the title of God to our Abram, only waiting for us to go up and -possess it? We are then not without a country, though in bondage. This -idea elevates my heart; and I have sought to rouse the dormant -feelings and hopes of our elders and people, with the faith that our -nation has a country reserved for us, by the God of our fathers. - -But they shake their heads. They have so long sat in the dust of -despair, that they have ceased to hope. Still, my brother Aaron and I -everywhere try to lift up their feeble hearts, and to encourage them -with the bright future. But one of the old men answered-- - -"Thou sayest that it is a land filled with a warlike people; that they -are the descendants of the old Phoenician shepherd-kings, who once -conquered Egypt. How, O son of Pharaoh's daughter," he added, giving -me this appellation in his anger, "how can we Hebrews, who know not an -arrow from a lance, or a spear from a bow, who are crushed in spirit -and dwarfed by toil, how are we to conquer such a land, even if the -God of our fathers has given it to us?" - -"Does not this foreign land of which the stranger-Hebrew speaks," -arose and said another, by the name of Uri,--whose son is the most -skilful in Egypt in devising curious works in gold, and in silver, and -in precious stones, having served with the queen's royal -artificer,--"does it not lie beyond Arabia, and are there not many and -strong kings in the way, the armies of Edom, of the Hittites, of the -Philistines, and of the sons of Ishmael! Even though Pharaoh were to -bid us begone to-morrow, to the new country of our God that we boast -of, could we traverse the desert, or do battle with the nations on the -way, much more conquer the warlike people who hold it? Listen not to -this Egyptian-Hebrew, who doubtless would tempt us to leave Egypt, -that we may be destroyed by the warlike people, who will dispute our -march. Doubtless, Pharaoh, his former friend, hath sent him to talk -with us that he might thereby either get rid of us, or seek occasion -to destroy us in a body." - -Thus, my dear Sesostris, were my words turned against me. Yet I will -not fear, but shall quietly strive to influence my brethren, and -persuade them to look forward with hope, to deliverance by the arm of -God. - -Farewell, Sesostris! May the Almighty give you His divine Spirit, and -fill you with wisdom and judgment, that you may honor Him as King of -kings, and rule your people mercifully and prosperously. To the -beloved queen, Thamonda, I send the most respectful greetings; and -thank her from my heart for giving to your daughter the dear and -honored name, "Amense." May the virtues of the pure Queen of Egypt be -transferred to her; but may her life be far happier! To my namesake, -the bright and beautiful Remeses, give my cordial affection. Tell him -that I hope, when he shall be a man, and like other princes, visit -Egypt, he will not find the Hebrew nation there in bondage, and that, -if he inquires after the people of his father's humble friend, he will -be answered-- - -"Their God, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, led them forth -to a land given to them for an inheritance, where they now dwell, free -and happy!" Ah, Sesostris, shall this dream of hope thus be realized? -Tell Remeses to lay a bunch of flowers for me upon the tomb of Queen -Epiphia, whose memory and kindness I shall ever cherish deep in my -heart. - - I once more write, farewell. - REMESES. - - - - -LETTER VII. - -AARON TO KING SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF RAAMSES, EGYPT. - -TO SESOSTRIS, KING OF TYRE, AARON THE HEBREW, GREETING: - -Pardon, O king, thy servant, for addressing an epistle to thee; but -when thou art informed of the reason which has led me to take this -liberty, thou wilt, I feel, acquit me of too great boldness. - -Know, O King Sesostris, that my brother, thy beloved friend, who wrote -the letter which I send to thee with this epistle (and which he -himself would have forwarded, but for what I am about to relate), has -fled from Egypt, pursued by the vindictive power of Pharaoh. I will, -as briefly as I can, make known to thee the painful circumstances -which led to this result. - -The morning after he had completed his letter to thee, O king, he said -to me, "I will go forth and see my brethren who are at work on Lake -Moeris, that I may talk also with the old and young men, and inspire -their heavy hearts with hope." So he departed, and, crossing the -river, disguised as an Egyptian,--for no Hebrew dare now be seen -walking alone for fear of being challenged by the soldiers, who -garrison all the country, and stand guard at every corner, and at -every gate,--he came to the shores of Lake Amense, the beauty of -which, with its garden and palace-lined shores, so much pleased thee, -O king, when, five years ago, thou wast in Egypt. There he saw King -Moeris clothed in scarlet, a chain of gold across his breast, -standing in his chariot, as he slowly drove around the lake, giving -directions to the chief captains over the works. My brother was not -recognized by him, however, and went on his way, observing the severe -labors of his brethren. In the two hours that he was there, he saw -three strong men lie down in the foul water and die! At length, coming -to a place where several young and old men were working together, he -beheld such cruelty exercised upon them, that he groaned in spirit, -and prayed the Almighty to shorten the days of the four hundred years, -and come to their deliverance. Unable longer to behold sufferings that -he could not relieve, he walked sadly away, deeply meditating upon the -mysterious providence of the Almighty, in His dealings with the seed -of His servant Abraham. After a little time he found himself in a -narrow, sand-drifted lane, between two walls, when he was suddenly -aroused from his reflections by a cry of pain, accompanied by sharp -blows with a stick. He looked up, and spied an Egyptian taskmaster -dragging by the hair Izhur, a youth whom he greatly loved. The -Egyptian had pursued him, as he fled up the lane from his blows, and -was now plainly intent, in his great wrath, upon putting him to death. - -My brother, indignant and grieved, commanded him in a tone of -authority to release him; whereupon the Egyptian, cursing him by his -gods, drew his knife from its sheath and would in revenge have driven -it into the heart of Izhur, when Moses caught his arm, and bade the -young man fly. The Egyptian, thereupon, would have slain my brother, -who, looking this way and that, and seeing they were alone, struck him -to the earth with one blow of his hand, in the name of the God of -Abraham, the Avenger of his people, so that he died on the spot! He -then hid the body in the sand, and returned home, where he made known -to me what he had done. - -"Surely," I said, in amazement, "thou art the first Hebrew, my -brother, who hath slain an Egyptian. A divine motion must have moved -thee! Peradventure it is by _thy arm_ that he will yet deliver his -people!" - -Thereupon my brother, with his characteristic modesty, said-- - -"Not mine! not mine, my brother! Breathe into my heart no such -ambitious pride! Yet I felt moved and animated by God to do this. -Therefore do I justify the act to man and my own conscience." - -The next day, my brother visited the lake again, intending to make its -circuit, and see certain elders to whom he wished to make himself -known,--men wise and good, who were superintending the work of others -of their own people. On his way he perceived two Hebrews striving -together, and as he came up, one of them struck the other with his -working tool, so that he staggered from the blow. - -"Sirs, ye are brethren," he said; "why do ye strive together, seeing -ye are brethren?"--and then added, sternly and sorrowfully, to the one -who had struck the blow-- - -"Friend, why hast thou done this wrong? He whom thou hast stricken is -a Hebrew. Do not your taskmasters beat you enough, that you must -strike each other?" - -Whereupon the man who did the injury to his fellow, said fiercely, -looking narrowly upon my brother-- - -"Thou art Remeses, the Hebrew 'son of Pharaoh's daughter!' I remember -thee. Dost thou think that thou art still a Prince of Egypt? Moeris -is now our king. Who hath made _thee_ prince and judge over us? Thou -forgettest that thou art now a slave, like the rest of us. Intendest -thou to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?" - -No sooner had the man thus spoken, than Moses, alarmed, perceived that -the thing was known, and beholding the eyes of the Egyptian officers, -and many of the Hebrews fastened upon him, he hastened to escape, for -he beheld several men run to a high officer of the king, as if with -the news, who at once drove rapidly away in his chariot, probably -seeking Moeris, whom my brother knew to be not far off, -superintending the placing of a statue of Horus upon a new terrace. -Several Hebrews would have interposed to arrest Moses, when they heard -who he was, for they look upon him more as an Egyptian than as one of -their brethren. But he succeeded in retiring unharmed, and at once -hastened to recross the Nile. When he had told us that what he had -done to the Egyptian was known, and that he was recognized, and that -Moeris would surely hear of it, his mother and I advised his -immediate flight. - -He said that he had no doubt the king would seek his destruction, and -that he ought to be cautious and consult his own preservation. "But," -he added, "I do not fear the wrath of Pharaoh so far that, were I in -his power, I would either deny, excuse, or ask pardon for my act. What -I have done I will justify. The oppressor deserved to die! And so, one -day, will God, by the hand of a Hebrew, slay Pharaoh and all his -hosts!" This was spoken with the light of prophecy in his noble face, -as if his words were inspiration. When Amram, his father, came in, and -heard all, he said-- - -"The God of Jacob be glorified! There is one man in Israel to whom He -has given courage to smite the oppressor of his people! Fly, my son! -Fly not for fear, for thou art a brave man and hast been a tried -soldier; but fly to preserve a life which my spirit tells me will yet -be dear to our people!" - -"My father," said Moses sorrowfully, "I believed that my brethren -would understand that God was with me, and would acknowledge me as -sent to be their friend, instead of joining the Egyptians against me! -I will fly! Moeris would rejoice to hold me in his power! But with -the hope, that even in a foreign land I may serve my people, at least -by prayer and supplication to God for them, I will keep my life out of -Pharaoh's hand." - -In the garb of an Egyptian, with a store of provisions, and taking -gold in his purse, my brother embraced us all, and departed from the -house, my mother weeping and saying-- - -"A second time have I given up my son from the sword of Pharaoh,--once -to the waters and now to the desert sands!" - -"And the waters, O woman," said my father, "gave him to be a prince of -Egypt, and from the sands of the desert God can call him to be king -over Israel!" - -I looked into my venerable father's face, for often of late years he -is gifted with prophetic inspirations, and I saw that his aged eyes -shone with a supernatural lustre. My brother returned a few steps, -again embraced his mother, bowed his head before his father for his -blessing, arose, and went on his way eastward. I accompanied him for -an hour, when tenderly embracing we parted--he taking the way towards -Midian. Ru-el Jethro, the lord of that country, O king, which was -settled by Midian, son of Abram, by Keturah, thou didst meet at this -table of thy friend "Remeses," when thou wast in Egypt, at which time, -thou mayst remember, he invited my brother to visit his kingdom in -Arabia. - -It was well for Moses that he so thoroughly knew the character of King -Moeris; for when I returned, I learned from my mother, that a party -of soldiers had been sent by Pharaoh to seize him. Another hour, and -he would have fallen into his hand. - -At my mother's request, O king, I have written the foregoing, and now -inclose his letter to you. I had no sooner entered my house, than I -saw my parents and sister preparing to fly from the king, fearing his -vengeance when he should learn of the escape of Moses! Not that -Pharaoh cared for the life of the slain Egyptian, but he would gladly -seize upon the occasion, as a pretext to destroy his former rival. - -May God long preserve thy life, O king. - - Written in Egypt by thy servant, - AARON THE HEBREW. - - - - - AFTER AN INTERVAL OF FORTY YEARS, - REMESES, PRINCE OF TYRE AND OF DAMASCUS, - SON OF SESOSTRIS, - VISITS EGYPT, AND ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING - _Series of Letters to his Father_. - - - - -LETTER I. - - -PALACE OF PHARAOH, LAKE MOERIS - -MY DEAR FATHER AND KING: - -It is with emotions of no ordinary kind, that I find myself amid the -scenes familiar to your eyes, when forty-six years ago, a young man, -you visited Egypt. Every object upon which I gaze is invested with new -interest as I reflect--"And this my father also saw. On this pylon he -has stood and surveyed the landscape; and along these corridors, his -feet have awakened the echoes which respond to mine." - -The letters which you wrote from Egypt, during the reign of the wise -Queen Amense, addressed to my royal grandmother, and which are now in -my possession, early familiarized my mind with this wonderful land; -and I recognize every place of interest, from your descriptions. - -There are, however, some changes. Pharaoh-Moeris, who has been long -dead, and his son Meiphra-Thothmes, Thothmeses his grandson, and -Thothmeses IV., the present king, all inaugurated their reigns by -laying the foundations of temples, palaces, and pyramids; while the -ruins of others have been repaired. Moeris restored the ancient -temple of Thoth, in the Island of Rhoda, where Prince Remeses was -hidden three months, and also all other temples in Egypt. His reign, -though tyrannical, was distinguished by improvement in arts, in -letters, in astronomy, architecture, and arms. His pyramid is an -imposing one, and singularly pre-eminent, by having an obelisk at each -angle. His lake, however, is this Pharaoh's greatest monument, if I -may so term it. - -This lake was begun by former princes, and enlarged by Queen Amense, -in order to receive the surplus waters of the Nile, when the -inundations, as sometimes happen, arise and overflow the fields after -the corn is up. The lake, however, was not large enough wholly to -correct this evil, and King Moeris still further enlarged it, by -means of the services of the Hebrews, three hundred thousand of whom, -it is said, perished in the work, before it was completed. It is ample -enough in breadth and depth to contain the excess of the Nile. One of -the wonders of the world, it is only paralleled in grandeur by the -pyramids. In the midst of this magnificent inland sea--for such it -seems--arise two pyramids, upon the summit of each of which, three -hundred and eight feet in the air, stands upon a throne, shaped like a -chariot, a statue, one being that of Thoth, the other of Moeris. -Upon the former is inscribed-- - -"The god prospered;" on the other, "Pharaoh builded." Beneath this -inscription is written-- - -"This lake is three hundred and forty miles in circumference, and one -hundred and fifty feet in depth. Within its bounds it can contain all -the rivers of the earth." - -This sublime work, my dear father, has upon the east side a canal -eighty feet broad, and four leagues in length. At its entrance are -seated two colossi, figures of Apis and Mnevis; and along its shores -are double rows of trees, bordering a terrace, upon which face -palaces, villas, temples, gardens, and squares. At the Nile -termination stands a single colossus, representing the god Nilus. He -is astride the canal, his feet upon the bases of pyramids, and beneath -him are great floodgates, that let in or exclude the waters of the -river. On the south of the lake, upon a plain of sand, Moeris -erected a vast temple to Serapis, dedicated it with great pomp, and -inclosed it by gardens a mile square, the earth of which was carried -by Hebrews in baskets, from the excavations of the lake. He commenced -a noble avenue of sphinxes, leading from the lake to the temple, and -which has been recently completed by Thothmeses IV., who last week -invited me to be present at its inauguration. It was a magnificent -spectacle, first the procession of priests and soldiers, nobles and -citizens, with the king and his court, in a thousand galleys, sailing -across the lake; then the landing at the majestic pylon, the march of -the procession for a mile between the double row of sphinxes, the -mighty temple terminating the vista, and the solemn invocations, -libations, and sacrifices before the god. - -I marvel, my dear father, at such splendor having no other object than -a black bull; such glory leading to an enshrined brute, before whom -all this magnificence, power, and rank fall prostrate, as to God! -Happy am I, O my wise and good father, to have been early instructed -in the knowledge of the true God. I pity while I admire what I see in -Egypt. This king is an intelligent man, and I often feel like saying -to him, "O king, dost thou believe in thy heart that this bull is -God?" - -The shores of this vast artificial sea are lined with groves, palaces, -and waving fields. The sides of the Libyan hills are terraced and -adorned with marble palaces and gardens. At one point, where the -cliffs stretch into the lake, are four temples, facing four ways, -respectively dedicated to Athor, Pthah, Apis, and Bubastis, the four -deities of Memphis; and their sides are covered with golden bronze, so -that, in the sunlight, nothing can be more gorgeous. - -Upon a small island, opposite this gilded promontory, and left for the -purpose, Thothmeses II. erected, during his brief reign, a temple of -Syenite stone to the goddess Isis, before which is a recumbent figure -of Osiris, seventy feet in length. Its vestibule is enriched with -sculpture, and is the most splendid portico in Egypt. In the interior -it is surrounded by a peristyle of statues representing the twelve -constellations, each eighteen feet in height. - -Besides all these, I have visited, my dear father, during the six -weeks I have been in Egypt, the "Plain of the Mummies," the Catacombs, -the Labyrinth--a marvel of mystery and perplexity to one not initiated -into the intricacies of its mazes--the chief pyramids, and that also -of Queen Amense, at the entrance of which I placed fresh flowers for -your sake. - -Pharaoh-Moeris greatly extended the bounds of Memphis. It is not -less than twelve miles in circuit. He covered with it a large portion -of the plain westward of the pyramids; and where once was a barren -waste, are now streets, avenues, colonnades, temples, public edifices, -aqueducts, causeways, and all the splendor of metropolitan -magnificence. Avenues of sphinxes are almost innumerable; colossal -statues, obelisks, and pyramids meet the eye everywhere. Near the foot -of the hills he formed a chariot-course, that extends three miles -along the lake. In the rock of the cliff he caused to be hewn fourteen -sarcophagi of black marble, and of gigantic dimensions. In these he -entombed the bodies of as many tributary kings, when, in succession, -they died; commanding their mummies to be brought into Egypt for the -purpose. He has everywhere multiplied, with singular variety, his -statues; and in front of this tomb of kings stands one of them upon a -pedestal, the feet of which are fourteen sculptured crowns, -representatives of their own. - -But, my dear father, Egypt is so familiar to you, that I will not -weary you with any more descriptions, unless, indeed, I should visit -the City of a Hundred Gates, as you were not able to go thither. I -will speak, however, of a visit that I paid yesterday to the sphinx -that stands before Chephres, and near Cheops. I was impressed, as you -were, with the grandeur of the whole. But the great ancient temple, -which you spoke of as ruinous, has, in forty-five years, become still -more defaced. Indeed, the reigning Pharaoh has expressed his intention -of removing it altogether, so that the pyramids may stand forth in -solitary majesty. - -Among other events of the reign of Moeris, was the discovery, by -him, that the tradition which represented the great sphinx as being -hollowed into chambers was a true one. He found the entrance, which -was beneath the small temple, between the fore-paws of the statue. -What he discovered is known to no man; but it is certain that he -suddenly displayed vast treasures of gold and silver, jewels and -precious stones, with which he carried on his magnificent and -expensive works. - -You have not forgotten the Ethiopian captive king, Occhoris. He still -exists, though his beard is snow white and his form bent. He remains a -captive, each monarch in succession retaining so important a personage -in chains, annually to grace their processions to the temples of the -gods. - -The condition, my dear father, of the Hebrew people, in whom you are -so deeply interested, has enlisted all my sympathies also. Forty years -have multiplied their number, notwithstanding all the ingenious -efforts of the Pharaohs to destroy them by deadly labors, until they -amount to three millions and a half of souls. The population of Egypt -is only seven millions; and thus, for every two Egyptians there is one -Hebrew. This alarming state of things fills the mind of Thothmeses IV. -with ceaseless anxiety. He does not hesitate to confess to me, freely, -his fears for the security of his crown. - -I have not yet described this monarch to you. When I arrived and -presented your letters, he received me with marked courtesy; inquired -after your welfare and the prosperity of your reign; asked your age, -and when I told him you were seventy-three, he said he knew of no king -so aged, unless it was Jethro, king of Midian. He inquired why I had -delayed coming to Egypt until I was forty-two (for I told him my age, -which exactly corresponds with his own); and when I informed him that -I had been engaged in improving and restoring my kingdom of Damascus, -which I inherited from my mother, and which the Sabans had thrice -invaded and devastated before I came of age, he expressed his pleasure -that peace was restored, and that I had come into Egypt, at last. He -seems naturally superstitious, credulous, and irresolute. I think he -possesses little or no stability of character, and that he is easily -influenced to do evil. He is timid in his policy, yet rash; vain of -his wisdom, yet constantly guilty of follies; a devout worshipper of -his gods, yet a slave to the basest personal vices; jealous of his -rights, yet, from want of courage, suffering them continually to be -invaded, both by his subjects and tributary princes; a man whose word -is kept, only so far as his present interest demands; who will pardon -to-night a suppliant, from irresolution and morbid pity, and execute -him in the morning when the coldness of his nature returns. Were he my -friend, I should distrust him; were he my foe, I would not delay to -place the sea between me and his sword. - -Under such a prince, you may imagine that the condition of the Hebrew -people is not less pitiable than under his predecessors. Fearing them, -he doubles their tasks, and resorts to every device of destruction, -short of open and indiscriminate slaughter. Yet even this infernal -idea has been suggested by him to his private council; but it was -opposed, on the ground that the burial of so many millions would be -impossible, and that a plague would result fatal to the population of -Egypt. - -So the Hebrews still exist, feared, suspected, and crushed by -additional burdens. I have been among them, and, as you directed, have -made many cautious inquiries after the learned Hebrew, Moses. They are -more enlightened than when you saw them. The idea of God is less -obscure in their minds, while their hope of a deliverer is bright and -ever present. Few of the old men remember Remeses, or Moses; and none -of them know any thing of his present abode, but seem sure he is long -since dead. I have become deeply interested in some of these venerable -men, in whose majestic features, set off by flowing beards, I -recognize the lineaments of Abram, their ancestor, as sculptured on -the mausoleum of his servant, "Eliezer of Damascus." The beauty of the -children and young women, amid all their degradation, is wonderful. I -was struck with the seeming good feeling which existed among these and -the women of Egypt. The latter, either from pity, or because the -Hebrew women are gentle and attractive, hold kind intercourse with -them; and at a marriage, which I witnessed in one of their huts, the -Hebrew females, especially the bride, were decked with jewels loaned -to them by their friends, the Egyptian maidens. I have also been -struck with the patient, uncomplaining, and gentle manner in which the -Hebrews speak of the Egyptians, excepting their task-officers--who are -brutal soldiers--and the king. Generations of oppression have made -them forbearing and submissive; and, besides, the Egyptians and -Hebrews, who now know one another, knew each other as children, before -either could understand their different positions. - -Here and there I have met a lord who recalled your visit, dear father, -with pleasure; but were you now here you would feel a stranger indeed. - -Farewell, my honored and revered father. I will continue my inquiries -after Prince Remeses. To my sister Amense, and her husband, Sisiris, -king of Sidon, give my kindest greetings. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - -MY DEAREST FATHER: - -I unseal this epistle to inform you, that while it has been lying -three days, waiting for the galley of the Lord of Sarepta to depart, I -have had intelligence of your old friend Remeses. He lives, and is in -Midian, as you suspected, and is well, though, of course, far advanced -in years. This is all that I can now add to my letter, as the -secretary of the Sareptan noble is in my reception-room, and lingers -only to take this letter, the wind being now favorable. - - Your faithful son, - REMESES. - - - - -LETTER II. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS, TO HIS FATHER, KING SESOSTRIS OF PHOENICIA. - - -CITY OF ON, EGYPT. - -Having an opportunity, my dearest father, to send this letter the day -after to-morrow, I will herewith make known to you, how I obtained the -intelligence, that your ancient friend Remeses is still in the kingdom -of Midian, whither he fled from King Moeris. - -In obedience to your last instructions, I have diligently made all -inquiries that were likely to obtain the information which your lively -friendship prompts you to seek. There is something, dear father, very -beautiful in this undying attachment, which has survived a period of -forty years, and which still looks forward to behold the beloved face -of thy cherished friend once more! - -Learning yesterday that a caravan had arrived from Ezion-geber (by the -Edomites called Ekkaba), which lies near the head of the orient arm of -the Red or Arabian Sea, and not far from which are the borders of -peninsular Midian, I crossed the Nile to the suburbs of the City of -the Sun, where the caravan had found quarters in the quadrangle of the -Serail. - -Having found the governor of the company of merchants, I made myself -known to him as a foreign prince, travelling for knowledge, and sight -of men and scenes. He courteously received me, and I asked him many -questions about his country, his journey, and the articles he brought, -until he was at his ease with me, when I inquired if he had ever been -in Midian. He answered that he himself was a Midianite, and that -twenty days before he had left Midian to join the caravan, part of -which belonged to Jethro, prince and priest of that country. Upon -hearing this name, dear father, I was struck by its similarity to that -mentioned in the last letter of Aaron the Hebrew, as being that of the -king of the country who had invited Moses, while prince, to visit him. - -"Dost thou know this Prince Jethro?" I asked. - -"I have sat at his feet--his hand has often rested upon my head when I -was a lad," he answered. - -"You call him a priest," I said; "what is his religion?" - -"That of our progenitor, Abram the Chaldean." - -"The Hebrews sprung from Abram," I replied. - -"Yes, by Sara, his first wife. The Midianites are the sons of Midian, -a son of Abram by Keturah, the wife he took after Sara died. The -cities of Epher, Ephah, and Hanoch, in Midian, were founded by princes -who were this same Abram's grandsons, and sons of Midian." - -"Do you worship the God of Abram--or Abraham, as the Hebrews call -their ancestor?" I asked. - -"Hast thou ever heard, O prince," he said, with feeling, "that we were -idolaters, or fire-worshippers, or that we pray to bulls, and beasts, -and creeping things, as these Egyptians do? We worship one God--the -Lord of Heaven--the Almighty Creator, who revealed Himself to our -father Abram." - -When I told him that I also worshipped the same God, he took my hand, -kissed it reverently, and said solemnly-- - -"There is but one God!" - -"What is your form of worship, that your king is also your priest?" I -inquired. - -"By sacrifices. Morning and evening, the priests offer up to God -incense, and oblations, and sacrifices of lambs. Hence we have large -flocks and herds. On great days, the king himself officiates, lays his -hand upon the head of the victim, and asks the Almighty to take the -life of the sacrifice instead of that of the people, and to visit upon -its head the wrath which the kingdom had incurred." - -"Did Abram thus sacrifice?" - -"Not only Abram, but Noah, the first father, and all the fathers of -the old world. Our worship, therefore, O prince, consists in offering -the life of a victim, to preserve our own!" - -"Yes, if the great Lord of Heaven will so receive it! For who can -weigh the life of a man with that of his lamb?" I said. - -"None but God, who, in His goodness and glory, wills it so to be!" -answered the Midianite. - -"Hast thou ever heard, in Midian, of a Hebrew called Moses?" - -"Dost thou mean Moses the Egyptian?" he asked, quickly. - -"He was educated an Egyptian, and was supposed to be the son of -Pharaoh's daughter, but was only adopted by her; and being discovered -to be a Hebrew, he left Egypt." - -"This same Moses, once Prince Remeses, is now in Midian, where he hath -been these forty years," answered the venerable chief-captain of the -caravan. "He is son-in-law to our prince, who has made him ruler over -all the companies of shepherds in the region that lieth between the -city of Keturah and the sea, and even to the back of the desert, -where, on the sides of Horeb and the valleys thereof, he feeds his -flocks. Moreover, there also he meditates, and writes in a cave--for -he is a man of vast learning, and greatly revered in Midian as a wise -sage. He is married to the daughter of the Prince Ru-el Jethro, and by -her hath had many sons, but two only--mere lads--remain, the rest -having died early. Surely, what man in Midian knoweth not Moses, the -wise shepherd of Horeb?" - -Upon hearing this good news, dear father, I rejoiced, in anticipation, -at the pleasure you would receive, when you should read my letter -containing the pleasing tidings. I now asked the good Midianite when -he would return. He said that in seven days he should depart, and that -it would take him eleven days to reach that part of the country where -Moses dwelt. Upon this, my dear father, after making sundry other -inquiries about the route, I determined to accompany him; for I knew -you would value one letter from me, saying I had seen and spoken with -your friend face to face, more highly than many from the hundred-gated -Thebes. I shall be gone but one month, and shall be well repaid, not -only by seeing Moses, whose noble countenance I can just recollect as -a pleasant remembrance of my childhood, but by conferring upon him the -unexpected pleasure of hearing from you by your son, his namesake. -Thus, for your sake, as well as for his, and also my own gratification -in seeing a new and rarely visited country, I take my departure with -the caravan. After I reach Midian, and have seen your old friend in -the land of his long exile, I will write to you fully of all that may -interest you. - -May the God of Abraham and of Moses have you always in His sacred -keeping. - - Your loving son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER III. - -MOSES TO SESOSTRIS. - - -LAND OF MIDIAN. - -MY VENERABLE AND BELOVED KING AND FRIEND: - -With what emotions of joy and gratitude I embraced your princely son, -Remeses, I can feebly express! I give God thanks for this happiness, -vouchsafed to me in my eighty-first year, of hearing from you again, -and by the mouth of your son. I rejoice to hear of your welfare, and -prosperous reign. The sight of the young Remeses revives all the past, -and in his face I see, with delight, your features and smile. I also -perceive that he possesses all your virtues, and, above all, that you -have taught him the knowledge of the true God. His presence here, and -his readiness to come across the desert to see me, gratifies me. It -assures me that I am loved by you both! Although, my friend, I have -not written to you--for, since my flight from Egypt, my life has been -wholly without events--yet, from time to time, by foreign merchants -who have been in Tyre, I have had news of you, and of your prosperity. -Until I beheld your son, I believed that I was quite forgotten! - -I shall keep Remeses with me as long as he will remain. My way of -life, however, is humble. We are a pastoral people, and my occupation -is that of a shepherd; for, though I am chief shepherd of the land, -yet do I not disdain to lead my own flocks to feed upon the -mountains,--where, as they browse, I meditate in solitude upon God, -and also think upon the sad condition of my brethren in bondage in -Egypt. Four kings have reigned and perished, and yet the sons of Jacob -toil on, exchanging only one oppressor for another, each more cruel -than the last! But the day draws near for their deliverance, O -Sesostris, my friend and brother! The four hundred years of prophecy -are drawing to a close! On the arrival of every caravan from Egypt I -look for intelligence, that a deliverer has arisen, who, lifting the -standard of the God of Abraham, shall call on Israel to rally around -it, exchange their spades for spears, assert their freedom, and defy -Pharaoh and his power! Who will be this hero of God? Who the favored -man, to whom shall be committed the happiness and glory of leading the -mighty Hebrew nation out of Egypt? Will they hear his voice? Will they -acknowledge his authority? Will they have the courage to follow him? -or has the yoke of Egypt, so long bound their necks down, that they -have no hope nor desire to be free? Thus I meditate upon their fate, -and meanwhile pray earnestly to my God to send the deliverer of my -people; for the time is come when He will remember His promise to -Abraham, and to our fathers! - -From the painful accounts that your son Remeses gives me, the cup of -their bondage is full to overflowing!--also the cup of Egypt!--for the -same prophecy which foretells their deliverance after four hundred -years, adds, "and the nation which they serve will I judge." Thus, O -king, do I look forward to the overthrow of the power of Egypt, when -God shall send His angel to deliver Israel from beneath Pharaoh's hand -of iron. - -What courage, wisdom, patience, meekness, faith, dignity of person, -and ardent piety, must the servant of God have, who will lead Israel -out of bondage! What man on earth is sufficient for this high office? -What man in all Egypt, among the Hebrews, has God raised up and -endowed with these attributes? Alas, I know none! They are all -oppressed and broken in heart, and the spirit of manhood has died out -within them! But He who wills can do! and He can arm with power the -weakest instrument of His will! Let us trust in Him! for by _His_ arm, -whoever be the agent, they will be delivered. - -During my exile I have re-written the book of the life of the Prince -of Uz, with great care, and a larger share of the wisdom of God. At -the same time I have instructed many, in Midian, in the truths of God. -It has also seemed good to me, under the inspiration of the Almighty, -to write, from our divine traditions, a narrative of the first acts of -creation, from the beginning, when God created the heavens and the -earth, down to the death of Prince Joseph. Of this book, a copy has -been made by my wife Zipporah, which I will send to you by Prince -Remeses for your acceptance. - -With greetings of true and holy friendship, I am, O King Sesostris, -thy servant and friend, - - MOSES THE HEBREW. - - - - -LETTER IV. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO THE KING HIS FATHER. - - -CAVE IN HOREB, WILDERNESS OF MIDIAN. - -MY DEAR AND ROYAL FATHER: - -I have been two weeks a guest of your venerable friend, the Hebrew, -Moses. My journey across the desert was agreeable from its novelty, -and my sensations upon the boundless waste, were combined emotions of -solitude and sublimity, similar to those I experienced on the great -sea. Our route, after leaving the land of Egypt, continued eastward -for five days--most of the time in the Arabian desert, with the -mountains of Etham on our right, far to the south. Having on the sixth -day passed round the western horn of the Sea of Arabia, we turned -southwardly into the desert of Shur, which terminated at the base of a -low range of hills, of mingled cliff and pasture-land. A valley opened -between, and after three days' journeying, amid vales filled with -herds and Arabian villages, we entered a mountainous region, the sea -being on our right. Every hour the scenery became more grand and -rugged, until the ridges, constantly rising in altitude, stretched far -southwardly, and terminated in a majestic twin-peaked mountain, midway -between the two arms or horns of the sea. - -"That is Horeb," said the chief of the caravan. "It is in the land of -Midian, though remote from the town of the king. In that mountain the -royal flocks are pastured, and there you will find your father's -friend Moses the Hebrew, either with his shepherds and flocks or in -the retirement of his cave." - -The same evening we entered the valley of Mount Horeb, which rose in -sublime majesty, with its double crown, far into the skies above us. -We had turned an angle of the mountain, which rose as abruptly as a -pyramid from the plain, and were entering a gorge through which a road -lay to the city of the king--a day's journey distant--when I beheld, -from my camel, a shepherd standing upon a rock and leaning upon his -staff--his sheep reclining about him. He was a tall, venerable man, -with dark locks mingled with white, and a beard, like snow for -whiteness, that descended over his breast. There was a majesty, and -yet simplicity, in his aspect and costume, which impressed me, as he -stood--the evening sun lighting up his kingly visage--upon a rock, -like the statue of the god of the mountain-pass. - -My heart instinctively said, "This is Moses!" - -"Lo! there stands the son-in-law of Jethro!" said the merchant. - -I immediately caused my camel to kneel, and descended to the ground -with haste and joy. The next moment I was bending before thy friend, -my dear father, crying, with reverent feelings of emotion-- - -"I am Remeses, son of Sesostris, thy friend! Venerable father, give me -thy blessing, for I bear thy name!" - -He regarded me for an instant with surprise, and then raising me, -embraced me and said, a holy radiance of love and joy illumining his -face-- - -"I see thy father, and hear his voice, in thee! Welcome, my son! How -fares the good king? Hast thou ventured across the desert to see the -exiled Hebrew?" he asked, with a smile of benignity and pleasure, as -he gazed upon me. "The sight of thee brings up all the past!" - -His voice was disturbed with emotion; though I perceived it had also a -slight natural embarrassment of speech. I related why I had come, and -gave him your messages of love. He took me to his cave, or grotto, -which is like those of the sacred priests in Lebanon. The caravan -encamped, near by, that night, and I remained in the company of the -wise and virtuous sage. We conversed, for many hours, of you, of Tyre, -of my grandmother, of Queen Amense, of the Hebrews in bondage, and his -certain hope of their speedy deliverance. - -How happy the princely old man was to hear from you, my dear father! -What a venerable and holy friendship exists between you!--fresh and -green at fourscore, as in the fire and impulse of youth! - -The next day, I accompanied him to the chief city of Midian. There I -beheld his matronly wife, Zipporah--and his two sons, beautiful and -ingenuous youth of sixteen and eighteen. I was also presented to the -venerable Ru-el Jethro, or the King Jethro, now one hundred and one -years old, but retaining the full vigor of manhood. He described to me -pleasantly, under what circumstances he first met Moses, forty years -ago. - -"My seven daughters," said the patriarchal Prince of Midian, "were -with my shepherds at the well, near the city, drawing water for the -flocks; for the prince of the mountain having no water, had thrice -sent his shepherds to draw it from this well, when we had but little -for our own herds. I sent my daughters, thinking that they would -reverence their presence; but the mountain shepherds would have driven -them away, when a stranger, who was seated by the well, rose up, and -with great courage chastised the assailants. Though many in number, -they fled from him in great fear, when he turned and bade my daughters -remain and heed them not; and he helped them water the flocks. - -"When they returned to me earlier than I looked for them, I inquired -the cause, and they replied-- - -"'An Egyptian, a mighty man of valor, delivered us out of the hand of -the shepherds, and aided us also in drawing water for our flocks.' -'Where is he?' I asked. 'Why is it that ye have left this brave -stranger at the well?' They answered: 'He is an Egyptian;' for such -from his dress, and speech, and looks, they believed him to be. I then -sent my daughter Zipporah after him, to invite him to come and eat -bread with me. From that day we became friends, and when I learned his -story, that he was a Hebrew, and like myself, a descendant of Abram, I -gave him Zipporah to wife, and he was content to remain in the land, -and is now the greatest and wisest man in it, for God is with him." - -I was much interested in this brief account, my dear father, and -believe that you will be, as it is a connecting link in the life of -Moses, that has been hitherto wanting. - -The following week, I retired with Moses to the mountains, and here I -pass my days, listening to his sublime teachings. Not all the wisdom -and learning of Egypt can compare with his sublime knowledge. The -secrets of nature, the mysteries of creation, seem unveiled to his -intellectual vision. It is his habit to pass an hour or two every -night in prayer, upon the mountain, beneath the silent stars, -communing alone with his God, as if he were the high-priest of the -earth, Horeb his altar, the universe his temple, and his theme the -Hebrew nation in Egypt. Ah! my dear father, if God is to deliver them -from Egypt by the hand of man, my heart tells me that Moses will be -appointed their deliverer; for who on earth has so at heart their -misery, or supplicates Heaven so earnestly for aid in their behalf? It -is true he is an old man, seven years your senior, but his step is as -firm as mine, his eye clear and brave, his natural force not abated, -and his looks those of a man in his prime--so healthful is this -mountain life, and the simple routine of his days. - -He has written to you. I shall be the bearer of his letter, as well as -of this, which I write in the door of his grotto, facing the valley, -with the sea beyond. There go the ships of Ezion-geber, and the -galleys of Ind. Far to the west is the blue line of the shores of -Arabian Egypt, and to the east the rocky land of Arabia, and Eastern -Midian. The prospect is sublime, and, at this hour of sunset, while -purple mists are upon the hills, and a golden light upon the sea, it -is beautiful and serene. - -I had almost neglected to inform you, that your learned and eloquent -friend Aaron, the brother of Moses, was lately in Midian, and was, for -a time, an assistant priest of the sacrifices in the city; but has now -returned to Goshen, where he married many years ago. His sister Miriam -is here with Moses, and is one of the most majestic women I ever -beheld. She is in her ninety-fourth year, but is as erect and buoyant -in her step as a young and resolute woman. With her snow-white hair, -piercing black eyes, and queenly mien, she looks like the venerable -priestess of the sun at Baal-Phegor. The mother of Moses also dwells -at Midian; but I think their father died in Arabia Deserta; for -thither they fled from Egypt, before coming finally into Midian. Aaron -is spoken of here as a noble-looking and stately priest, when, in his -flowing robes, he used to offer sacrifices according to the simple -rites of the Midianites, in the plain temple hewn from the rock, in -which they worship God. - -Farewell, my dear father. I am not surprised that you love Moses. He -has won _my_ heart. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER V. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -TREASURE-CITY OF RAAMSES, EGYPT. - -MY HONORED AND BELOVED FATHER: - -You will see by the date that I am once more in Egypt; and I am here -under circumstances the most wonderful and amazing. Remeses--that is, -Moses, the servant of the Most High God--is here also. My trembling -fingers can scarce form the letters legibly, so great is the emotion -under which I now write to you! But I will not delay to give you a -history of the events. - -I wrote to you last, from the grotto of the shepherd-sage of Horeb. - -The following day he led a portion of his own flock, from a distant -plain, to the secluded valley on the rear of the mountain of Horeb, -away from the sea. Expecting his return, I had gone forth to meet him, -and was descending a steep path, when I beheld him advancing before -his shepherds, and leading his flock up the valley. He preceded them -some distance, and was quite alone, when I perceived a bright flame -arise by the side of his path. It rose above the bushes, which it -seemed to consume without smoke. At the same moment I observed that -Moses turned aside and approached the dazzling fire. In an instant he -was lost to my gaze, and enveloped in its flame. I hastened down the -mountain-path, surprised and alarmed at what I had seen; and, as the -way was winding, it was some minutes before I came to the valley, -where I expected to find the venerable sage consumed by the flames, -that appeared to have surrounded him. - -Upon reaching the valley, lo! I beheld the shepherds fallen upon their -faces, the man of God standing before the burning bush, his -countenance like the sun, and his raiment shining with supernatural -light! My soul was seized with an indescribable awe at the sight! His -sandals were removed from his feet, and he seemed as if he were -standing in the presence of his God, so awful was the majesty of his -countenance. He appeared to be holding discourse with one in the -flames. I was transfixed to the spot, and fell upon my face at the -sight of this stupendous vision, feeling the presence of the Almighty -there. Then I heard a voice utter these words from the midst of the -fire, in which I had seen appear the form of a man, radiant with glory -above the brightness of the sun: - -"I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and -the God of Jacob." - -While the calm, divine voice spake in still, soft tones, the earth -seemed to tremble, as if its Creator stood upon it. I looked up with -fear and trembling, and, lo! Moses was standing with his face covered -by his shepherd's mantle, for he was afraid to look upon God; while my -heart sunk within me, and I became as a dead man. - -When I returned to consciousness, I heard, without raising my face -again, Moses talking with the mighty Angel in the flame, which I -perceived rested upon the thorn-bush like dazzling sunbeams -concentrated thereon, but without consuming or changing a leaf. It was -the radiance alone, of this celestial Person's glorious presence, that -constituted the wonderful flame of fire. - -"I have surely seen," said the Voice from the flaming glory, "the -affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry -by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows, and I am -come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to -bring them up out of that land unto a good land, and a large, unto a -land flowing with milk and honey,--the land of the Canaanites and the -Amorites. - -"Now, therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come up -before me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians -oppress them. Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, -that thou mayest bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of -Egypt." - -Here the holy and divine Voice ceased. How did its words thrill my -heart! Had the mighty God of the Hebrews come down from heaven at last -to deliver His people, fulfil His promise to Abram, and also make -Moses the servant of His power? My soul was overpowered with the -thought. - -Then Moses spake, in accents of the profoundest humility and fear, and -said-- - -"Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth -the children of Israel out of Egypt?" - -And the Voice replied-- - -"Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, -that I have sent thee,--lo! when thou hast brought forth the people -out of Egypt, ye and they shall serve God upon this mountain." - -Then Moses answered the Angel of the flame, with that meekness and -humbleness of heart which characterizes him-- - -"Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto -them, 'The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you;' and they shall -say unto me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say unto them?" - -The inquiry was made by him with the profoundest homage in the tones -of his reverent voice, not as if he doubted God, but his brethren. -Moreover, he now beheld, as it were face to face, the Lord God of -heaven and earth, whom he had so long worshipped, and whose name to -men, neither he nor any man knew. And I heard the Voice answer--with -majesty inconceivable, so that my spirit failed before it--and say -unto Moses-- - -"I AM THAT I AM. Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I -AM hath sent me unto you!'" - -Then after a brief silence, during which Moses fell upon his face and -worshipped, the Voice from the midst of the fire said: - -"Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'The Lord God of -your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of -Jacob, hath sent me unto you. THIS is my NAME _forever_; and this is -my memorial unto all generations!' Go, and gather the elders of Israel -together and say unto them, 'The Lord God of your fathers, the God of -Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying-- - -"'I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in -Egypt; and I have said, I will bring you out of the affliction of -Egypt, unto the land of the Canaanites, unto a land flowing with milk -and honey!' And the children of Israel shall hearken to thy voice; and -thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of -Egypt, and ye shall say unto him-- - -"'The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us; and now let us go, we -beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may -sacrifice to the Lord our God.' And I am sure that the king of Egypt -will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand; and I will stretch out -My hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the -midst thereof; and after that he will let you go: and when ye go, ye -shall not go empty, but ye shall spoil the Egyptians." - -When the Voice had ceased, I heard Moses answer, and say with modest -diffidence: - -"But, behold, the elders and people of my brethren, the Hebrews, will -not believe me nor hearken to my voice; for they will say, 'The Lord -hath not appeared unto thee.'" - -How extraordinary, O my father, this humility of the wisest of men! -How impiously vain some sages and seers would have been, at such an -infinite honor as the appearance of God to them, to talk with them, -face to face, as He did now to Moses,--veiling the ineffable splendor -of His glory under the form of an angel enveloped in a mantle of -dazzling sunbeams,--His presence a flame of fire! But see this great -and holy man modestly declining the service, considering himself mean -and powerless when compared with the mighty Pharaoh, and utterly -unable to do any thing for the Hebrew nation. Forty years ago, he had, -indeed, felt a divine motion in himself to deliver them, which he then -believed was an indication that God would use him as an instrument for -that purpose: but forty years an exile, forgotten by the children of -Israel, and being only a ruler of shepherds, and guardian of the -flocks of a small province, he felt the humility and insignificance of -his position, as well as his total want of means and power to do what -God now commanded him to do. But, lo! God condescends to inspire him -with the confidence and resolution, the magnanimity and fortitude, -that his sublime errand demanded. - -The voice of the Lord spake and said: - -"What is that in thine hand?" - -He answered, "A rod." - -This was the staff with which he climbed the sides of Horeb, and -guided his flock, and upon which he often leaned his head when he -stood and worshipped. - -And the Voice said, with authority: - -"Cast it on the ground." - -As Moses obeyed, I heard first the rod strike the ground, then a sharp -hissing, as of a serpent, and lastly, a cry of surprise from Moses; -when, raising my face from the earth, upon which I had remained -prostrate, fearing to look upon the glory before me, I perceived, with -horror, a serpent rearing its head angrily into the air, and Moses -flying from before it. Then the Voice from the ineffable light said to -him, "Put forth thy hand and take it by the tail." Moses, with -hesitating obedience, obeyed, put forth his hand and caught it, when, -lo! it became a rod again in his hand. - -"This shall be a sign to them, that they may believe that the Lord God -of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of -Jacob, hath appeared unto thee," was again spoken. - -I had risen, and stood upon my feet in terror, at beholding the -serpent, and would have fled, but had no power to move. I now heard -the Voice command Moses to thrust his hand into his bosom; and he put -his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, it was as -leprous as snow. Then the Voice said--for I heard only, not daring to -behold the Angel more--"Put thy hand into thy bosom again." And he put -his hand into his bosom again; and when he had plucked it out of his -bosom, it was turned again as it was before, like his other flesh. - -Then I heard the Angel of God, who was God himself, say to him: - -"It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken -to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of -the latter sign. If they will not believe, also, these two signs, -neither hearken unto thy voice, then thou shalt take of the water of -the river of Egypt and pour it upon the dry land, and it shall become -blood." - -Then Moses looked troubled in spirit, and said unto the Lord-- - -"O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast -spoken unto thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of a slow -tongue." - -This embarrassment of speech, my dear father, which existed in a -slight degree, as I have heard you say, when you knew him, and which -proceeded from modesty and diffidence when expressing himself in -intercourse with others (though with his pen he is powerful and -eloquent beyond all men), has, no doubt, been increased by his long -retirement as a shepherd, and his love of solitude; yet, nevertheless, -he is the most interesting teacher of wisdom to whom I ever listened. -But no one save himself would accuse him of being slow of speech and -slow of tongue. - -Then the voice of the Lord said, with a rebuke in its tones-- - -"Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or the deaf, or -the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the LORD? Now, therefore, go, and -I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say!" - -Notwithstanding all this, the heart of Moses failed him. He trembled -at being an ambassador of God to his people, and said, with great fear -and dread visible in his countenance-- - -"Send, I pray Thee; but not by me, but by the hand of him whom Thou -wilt send." - -Thus speaking, he fell prostrate before the Lord and covered his face. - -Then the anger of the Angel of the Lord seemed to be kindled against -Moses, for the flames were agitated and spread abroad, and shot forth -fiery tongues, and I looked to see him consumed. But from their midst -I heard the Voice demand-- - -"Is not Aaron, the Levite, thy brother? I know that he can speak well; -and also, he cometh forth to meet thee, and when he seeth thee he will -be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him" (the dread Voice -was no longer in anger), "and put words in his mouth; and I will be -with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall -do. And _he_ shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and he shall be, -even he shall be unto _thee_ instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to -_him_ instead of God. And thou shalt take this rod in thy hand, -wherewith thou shalt do signs." - -Then Moses rose from the ground, and bowed his head low in submission -and obedience to the voice of the Lord. The flame had already begun to -fade slowly, until it appeared like a golden cloud, which now rapidly -melted away like a mist touched with the setting sun. The next moment -it was invisible, leaving the sacred bush as before, green with leaves -and brilliant with wild-flowers; and as I gazed, a pair of snow-white -doves lighted upon it. - -Then Moses, lifting up his eyes to heaven, said: "O Lord God, who is -like unto Thee among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious and -fearful, doing wonders? The Lord shall reign forever, great in power -and holiness! He is my God, and I will praise Him; my fathers' God, -and I will magnify His holy name forever! He hath remembered His -covenant with Abraham, and His vengeance against the nation that -oppresseth His people." - -At this moment I beheld Aaron advancing along the defile. When he -beheld Moses, whose person yet seemed bright with the lingering glory -of the divine Presence, he ran to him, and kissing him, said-- - -"Thus did I behold thee in my vision, brother!" - -"Hast thou also seen God face to face?" demanded Moses, regarding him -with affectionate earnestness, "that thou art come hither from Egypt -so soon?" - -"I was at prayer fourteen days ago, in Goshen, when a vision stood -before me!--such a form, doubtless, as our father Abraham beheld. It -said to me, 'Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.' Then, in the -vision, I beheld thee standing in the mount of God, and the glory of -the Lord shone upon thee, and thou wast talking with one who seemed -like an angel of God, and I knew that thou wast ordained of Him, with -authority to deliver Israel out of Egypt. Therefore, delaying not, I -am come hither according to the command of the angel of the Lord. My -heart is glad at beholding thee! Speak now, O my brother, for the -angel said to me, 'He shall tell thee all the words of the Lord, and -all the signs which He hath commanded him.'" - -Moses then told Aaron all the words which God had spoken unto him, and -how the Lord had sent him to deliver Israel, and had given him courage -and power to obey, removing his fears and confirming his faith. -Thereupon he showed Aaron the rod in his hand, and said, "If this rod -becomes a serpent, as it did before the Lord, then wilt thou know that -He hath sent me, and is with me! for this is His sign." - -As he spoke, he cast the rod far from him upon the ground, which it no -sooner struck than it became a serpent, and ran swiftly towards Moses, -who reached forth, and grasping it by the head without fear, lo! it -became again a rod of almond-wood, as before! The other sign also -Moses showed to his brother, who then answered and said-- - -"Thou shalt deliver Israel, and I will be thy servant, and bear thy -rod before thee!" - -I had already, by the invitation of Moses, drawn near to these holy -and great men, and walked with them, feeling, prince that I am, the -deepest sense of inferiority and humility. I felt that I could be the -servant of both, and that I was honored when taking up the sandals -which Moses had put off his feet. I knelt before him to put them on; -but, in his modesty, this prince appointed of God would not suffer me. - -The two venerable brothers--one eighty years of age, and the other -eighty-three--now walked together towards the shepherd's cave on the -mountain-side, discoursing of the wonderful and joyful events which -had just passed, of the promised deliverance of Israel, and how God -would accomplish it, and by what sort of exercise of power and -majesty. - -The next day Moses returned to Jethro, and said to him-- - -"I pray thee let me go, and return unto my people which are in Egypt, -and see how they fare, and if my brethren of the family of Levi be yet -alive--for the Lord hath shown me that all the men are dead which -sought my life." And his venerable father-in-law said-- - -"Go in peace." - -Therefore, my dear father, three days afterwards, Moses, accompanied -by his brother and myself, took leave of Jethro, and taking his wife -and son, and holding the "rod of God" in his hand, left Midian. The -next day we fell in with a caravan from the East, and after many days -I once more reached Egypt. In sight of On, I parted from Moses, who -went with his family to that part of the land of Goshen where his -tribe dwells, which is not far from the treasure-city of Raamses. - -The first hours I could command, after reaching the palace of the -Governor of On, with whom I dwell as a guest, I have devoted, my dear -father, to a recital of these extraordinary events. Moses seems to be -a different man! calm majesty sits enthroned upon his brow, and he is -profoundly impressed with the sublime mission which Heaven has -intrusted to him. - -Aaron, who has, from time to time, revisited Egypt, and is well known -to the elders of his people, will be a great support and aid to Moses, -in his intercourse with the Hebrews. The two mighty brothers are now -assembling the elders together, though it is but two days since they -returned to Egypt. Secretly, messengers have been going by night -throughout the land of Goshen, calling an assembly, in the name of the -God of Abraham, to meet, two nights hence, at the ruined fountain of -Jacob. - -I shall also be present, dear father, by permission of the inspired -Moses. What infinite issues will grow out of that midnight meeting of -these "sons of God," for such, though in bondage, are these Hebrews -shown to be! How little Thothmes-Amosis, who calls himself also, -vainly, after Amunophis, the Great, and assumes the style, "Upholder -of worlds," "Lord of the Diadem of Heaven," and "Beloved of the Sun," -upon his cartouch,--how little, I repeat, he dreams that One mightier -than he, the Upholder of the universe, very Lord of heaven and earth, -and Creator of the sun, is armed with vengeance against him, and will -presently bring him into judgment for the bondage of the Hebrews! I -saw him this morning in his palace, for he is now in his palace at On, -having hastened to pay him my homage after my absence. He was in gay -humor, for news had reached him that his "lord of the mines" had -opened a new vein of silver, in the southern mountains near Ethiopia. - -"I will send one hundred thousand of these Hebrews to work it, O -prince," he said. "I will, to-morrow, give orders to all the -governors, and chief captains, and officers over them, to choose me -the strongest and most dangerous, and assemble them in companies of -thousands, and, under strong guard, march them to the Thebad. By the -gods! yesterday I was planning some new device to destroy their -children, male and female; but the mines come happily to my aid!" - -Thus does this proud, weak, luxurious, and cruel monarch, confident of -power, and sitting as a god upon his throne, acknowledging no power -above his own, dream of wealth, and rejoice in dominion! - -Did policy prompt me to give him warning? I feared the God of Moses -more than I sympathized with a contemporaneous prince, albeit Tyre was -his ally. - -Farewell, my dear father. - -My next letter will, no doubt, convey to you startling tidings. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER VI. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO KING SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF ON, EGYPT. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -The secret assembly of the elders, called by Moses, met last night. It -was in a solitary place, far from any of the garrisons of soldiers. In -the disguise of a Hebrew, I also was present, standing by Aaron. It -was after midnight before all the elders could elude the vigilance of -their officers, and had assembled. The well of Jacob, you recollect. -It is where you had the conversation with Remeses (now Moses), upon -the condition of the Hebrews. The Egyptian soldiers, who are very -superstitious, will not venture near this desolate fountain by night; -for the tradition is, that it leads to the realms of the lower world, -and that there are evil beings who issue from it in the darkness, and -drag under the earth all who walk past it. The Hebrews have no such -superstition, or despised their fears on an occasion like the present. -Aaron, in selecting the spot, knew it would be safe from intrusion on -the part of the Egyptians. - -It was a sublime spectacle to see no less than four hundred and eighty -elders of the Hebrews, forty out of each tribe, met together beneath -the aged palm-trees that overshadowed the fountain, and where Jacob -had sat, with his sons about him, in peace, under the protecting -sceptre of the king of that day. - -The moon shone here and there upon a silvery head, while others were -grouped in shadow. There was a deep, expecting silence. At length -Aaron stood up in their midst, his venerable figure visible to all -present, as the pale moonlight fell upon him-- - -"Men and brethren, Hebrews of the house of Abraham our father, hear, -while I make known to you why I have called this strange meeting--for -when before has Israel met in such an assembly! Your presence, your -readiness to come, your courage, and your success in reaching here, -all show to me the hand of God, and the power of God." - -Aaron then gave a history of the origin of their nation, of God's -promise to Abraham, of his prophecy of their bondage and deliverance, -and his promise to give them the land of the Canaanites. They listened -with deep attention, for he spoke with remarkable eloquence. He then -said, "The hour of our deliverance is at hand. God has remembered His -promise, and come down to our deliverance." Then, with thrilling -power, the venerable speaker described the scene at the burning bush -on Horeb, and, in conclusion, presented Moses, his brother, to the -elders. He was received with a murmur of satisfaction; but some -doubted. Others remembered that he had been raised an Egyptian, and -openly expressed their fear that it was a plan to betray them into a -movement, that would give Pharaoh an excuse to destroy them all. - -"Let us see his miracles! If God sent him, let us see his rod become a -serpent before our faces," said an old man brutally and tauntingly. - -Moses took the rod from the hand of his brother, and said with -sternness-- - -"Thou shalt see and believe!" - -He then cast it upon the ground, when it not only became a serpent, -but its scales glittered like fire. With fierce hissing it coiled -itself about the form of the doubter, and lifting its head above his -own, darted it every way with flashing eyes, so that there was a -universal cry of horror. The wretched old man fell to the ground, the -serpent uncoiled from his form, and Moses taking it by the tail it -became a rod again in his hand! - -At this miracle, the whole assembly, save one man became convinced -that Moses had been sent by God to them. This one said-- - -"It is the magician's art! He hath been an Egyptian priest, and knows -their mysteries." - -Upon this, Moses said-- - -"Korah, I remember thee! I was educated as an Egyptian, but I know -none of their magic; and to show thee that this is the power of God, -thrust thy hand into thy bosom!" - -The man obeyed. - -"Take it forth!" said Moses, in a tone of command. - -He did so and it was leprous as snow, and the moon glared upon it, as -upon the alabaster hand of a statue. He uttered a cry of horror. - -"Be not unbelieving," said Moses. "Replace thy hand in thy bosom." He -did so, and took it out restored like the other. The man who had been -entwined by the serpent also rose to his feet, and both acknowledged -the power of God, and the authority of Moses. He now made known to -them that God had sent him to demand their release from Pharaoh; and -that the king would at first refuse, but that after he had seen the -power of God he would yield and let them go forth out of Egypt, to the -good land promised to Abraham for his seed, forever. - -"Return now, elders and brethren," he said to them, like one who spake -by authority to those who recognized it, "return to your places of -toil. Be quiet and patient, and wait the hand of God. He will manifest -His glory and display His power in your behalf, as was never done on -earth before. Bear patiently your labors, and do not doubt that the -time of your deliverance is at hand. Let all Israel know the glad -tidings of God's visitation, and that He has surely stretched out His -arm over Egypt, to break their yoke of bondage." - -This extraordinary assembly then separated, each man to his place; and -Moses and Aaron went to the house of one Naashon, a Levite, whose -sister had become Aaron's wife many years before. Here I remained -until morning; but no eye closed in sleep, for many had followed the -brothers, and till dawn they were holding discourse with their -friends, on the wonderful things about to happen. - -Moses said he should go before Pharaoh the next day but one, when he -held public audience in the throne room, that great hall of Egyptian -state, which, my dear father you once described, and where you were -presented to Queen Amense, as she was seated upon the same throne. - -Farewell, my dear father. In three days I will write you again. - - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER VII. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF ON, EGYPT. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -Moses has met Pharaoh, face to face, and demanded of him the liberty -of the Hebrew nation! The scene in the throne-room was deeply -interesting and striking; and I will endeavor briefly to convey to you -a conception of it. - -The king, on that day gave audience in the throne-room, when, -according to custom, no one, however humble, was refused permission to -lay his petition before his king. At the hour appointed, Moses the -mighty Hebrew, and Aaron his brother, accompanied by seven of the -chief men of their nation--a venerable company with their flowing -beards and snow-white locks--entered the city from Raamses, and -proceeded towards the palace. The captain of the guard, seeing they -were Hebrews, looked amazed, and would have stopped them, but the -majesty and authority with which the two brothers moved, side by side, -awed him, and without speaking, he suffered them to enter the palace, -and they passed on, looking neither to the right nor the left. Knowing -that they would appear at that hour I stood near and beheld them. They -traversed the corridor of the vestibule, and the courtiers and lords -and servitors gave way before them, for they were clad in long robes -like priests, and appeared to them to be some sacred procession: but -when they perceived that they were Hebrews, they looked with contempt -on them, yet let them pass. So these chosen men advanced, and stood -before the ivory throne, where the king sat in robes of cloth of -purple and vestments of gold, wearing the double crown. His high -officers stood about him, his body-guard were stationed on each side -of the throne, while before him kneeled a single petitioner. It was a -woman, whose son had accidentally wounded an ibis with an arrow, and -was condemned to die. She plead to the king for his life. - -"Nay, woman, he must not live!" answered Pharaoh. "If he had slain a -slave or a Hebrew, I might grant thy prayer; but to wound a sacred -bird is sacrilege. Retire! But who come hither?" he demanded of his -grand-chamberlain beside his footstool, as he saw the Hebrew company -advancing. "Who are these?" - -"They look like Hebrews, father," said the son of Thothmeses, a young -prince twenty years of age, who lounged indolently against one of the -ivory figures that adorned the throne. - -"Hebrews?" said the king. "What do they here? And in robes! Ah, Prince -of Tyre, welcome!" he said, turning to me, as, at the moment, I -appeared and made my obeisance before him. "You honor us by your -presence in our hall of judgment." - -While he spoke, Aaron and Moses had reached the foot of the throne. -Their venerable and majestic aspect seemed to impress him. "Who are -ye? Are ye not Hebrews?" he demanded, with a face expressing mingled -surprise and doubt. - -"We are Hebrews, O king," answered Aaron, with respectful homage. "We -are two brethren. My name is Aaron the Levite, and this my brother is -Moses the Midianite; and these others are the elders of Israel--chiefs -of the Hebrew people." This was spoken with calmness and fearlessness. - -"And wherefore are ye come hither?" the king cried. "Who of my -governors has let you from your work? Who is Israel?" - -"Thus saith the Lord, the Governor of the universe," answered Aaron: -"'Israel is my son, even my first-born. Let my son go, that he may -serve me.' And if thou refuse to let Israel go, O king," continued -Aaron with an air of inspiration, "behold our God will slay thy son, -even thy first-born." - -The king started, and became pale with anger and amazement; and his -son, Amunophis, sprang forward a step, and laid his hand upon the -jewelled scimitar he wore at the girdle of his vesture, crying,-- - -"Slay me! What menace is this, graybeard? A conspiracy, my father!" - -"Who is the Lord," demanded the king, "that I should obey His voice, -and let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. -What threats are these? Ho! captain of the guard, seize these Hebrews, -and put them in prison!" - -The captain of the guard prepared to obey, but not a soldier moved. -The majesty of Moses, as he fixed his eyes upon them, as it were, -paralyzed them. Then Aaron answered Pharaoh, and said: - -"He is the God of the Hebrews, O king; the Lord of the sun, and -Upholder of worlds. He hath met with us and commanded us to go three -days' journey out of Egypt into the desert, and sacrifice unto Him, as -our fathers aforetime did: and if we disobey His voice, He will fall -upon us, and destroy us with pestilence or with the sword; for what -other people is there that do not their sacrifices, save our nation? -Therefore, thus saith the Lord of the Hebrews to thee, O King of -Egypt, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a holy feast to me in the -wilderness.'" - -"By the gods of Egypt, ye Moses and Aaron," cried the king, rising -from his throne in great wrath, "I defy the God of the Hebrews! -Wherefore do ye hinder the people from their works? Get you, and these -old men with you, unto your burdens! Ye seek to destroy Egypt; for if -the Hebrews, which are now many in the land, be let three days from -their burdens, they will do mischief, and make sedition. Get thee from -my presence! But for thy gray head, O Aaron, you should be put to -death! This is a new thing in Egypt. Let them forth!" he called to his -servitors. - -Moses answered, speaking for the first time,-- - -"O King Thothmeses, the God of the Hebrews, whose servant I am, will -yet make thee know His power, and that there is none else--no other -God but Him!" - -The king made no reply. He sunk back upon his throne overcome with -surprise; and I could perceive a certain look of fear in his eyes. -Prince Amunophis followed the retiring ambassadors of God, and, as -they reached the vestibule, he gave orders to the outer guard to -arrest the whole company. But with a gesture of his hand, Moses caused -them to retire before him; and the prince, returning with amazement, -said to the king: - -"These two men are gods, O king! They carry the aspect and majesty of -demigods, and all men fear to lay hands on them!" - -"If I hear more of them," answered Pharaoh, by this time recovered -from his emotion, "I will know whether they are gods or men! They -shall die, by the life of Osiris! Do these Hebrews want more work?" - -The king then commanded to come before him his chief officers, -governors, captains, and head taskmasters, and said to them, "Ye shall -no more give the Hebrew people straw to make brick as heretofore. Let -them go and gather straw for themselves. And the number of bricks -which they have made heretofore, shall ye bind them to. Ye shall not -diminish aught thereof; for they are idle, and cry, 'Let us go and -sacrifice to our God.' Let there be more work laid upon the men, that -they may be so employed as not to have leisure to regard the vain -words of this Moses and Aaron!" - -Thus, my dear father, the first result, of the interposition of Moses -for his people, is to increase their oppression! Yet their God is -above all, and will manifest His power for their deliverance. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER VIII. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY DEAR AND VENERABLE FATHER: - -Many days have passed since I wrote to you. You will wish to hear the -ultimate issue of the command of Pharaoh, to increase the burdens of -the Hebrews, and its effects upon them. - -In obedience to this command, the taskmasters and officers of this -unhappy people went out and strictly fulfilled it. The poor Hebrew -brick-makers, in whose work coarse straw of wheat cut fine is -necessary to make the clay cohere, as they are only dried in the sun, -are now distributed all over Egypt seeking straw, which hitherto the -Egyptian laborers brought to them in carts and laden barges. Thus -dispersed, they gather stubble, and dry bulrushes, and grass, and -every thing they can in their haste find on the surface of the ground; -for if night comes and their tale of bricks falls short, they are -beaten. As, therefore, one half of the time of many is consumed in -searching the highways and fields, instead of being all the time, as -heretofore, engaged only in making brick, the task put upon them is an -impossible one; and everywhere the sound of the rod and whip, and the -cry of sufferers, goes up from the land. At length the elders and -officers of the Hebrews (for their own people are often made their -taskmasters, who also had to account to their Egyptian captains for -their fulfillment of the king's command), got courage from despair, -and meeting the king as he was abroad in his chariot, cast themselves -before him, crying, "Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us? It is not -our fault that we cannot make up the number of bricks, as heretofore, -seeing straw is not given us; and thy servants are beaten; but the -fault is in thine own officers." - -Pharaoh angrily answered, "Ye are idle! Ye are idle! Ye have not -enough to do, or ye would not think ye had time to go into the desert -to sacrifice to your God. Go, therefore, and do your tasks, for there -shall no straw be given you." - -"And shall we deliver the tale of bricks?" they cried. - -"To the last one of them!" answered the king; and with an impatient -sign for them to stand aside from his chariot-wheels, he dashed -forward on his way, attended by his brilliant retinue. The unhappy men -then perceived "that they were in evil case," as one of them said to -me in relating this interview; and meeting Moses and Aaron in the -fields not long afterwards, one of their number said, indignantly, and -with grief-- - -"The Lord look upon you, Moses and Aaron, and judge you, because by -your interference with the king, thou hast put a sword into the hand -of Pharaoh to slay us." - -Moses looked sorrowfully and troubled, and raising his eyes heavenward -as he left them without a reply, for he wot not how to answer, they -heard him cry unto his God, and say-- - -"Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this Thy people? Why is -it that Thou didst send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in -Thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither, O Lord God, hast -Thou delivered Thy people at all!" - -Then came a voice from heaven, which they heard, and said-- - -"Thou shalt see what I will do to Pharaoh; for he shall let you go, -and drive you out of his land. I am the Lord who spake to thee in -Horeb, out of the burning bush; and I appeared unto Abraham, unto -Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty. But by my name -JEHOVAH was I not known to them. I have heard the groaning of the -children of Israel. Wherefore say unto them, 'I am the Lord, and I -will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will -take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall -know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under -the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land -which I did swear to give to Abraham, and to Isaac, and to Jacob, and -I will give it to you for an heritage. I am the Lord!'" - -With these words, Moses sought to comfort the Hebrews, his brethren, -going to them and proclaiming it to them in their ears; but for an -anguish of spirit, and the great pressure of their cruel bondage upon -their minds, they did not hearken unto him. Hope in their bosoms was -utterly dead. Moreover, many of them looked on him with eyes of -hatred, as the author of this increase of their wretchedness. - -What a situation was this for the servant of God! Confident of the -power and truth of Jehovah, he could not reconcile therewith this -increase of the power of Pharaoh. Perhaps, at times, his own faith was -severely tried. - -Since then, a month has passed, during which period I saw Moses often -in Goshen, where he passed his time in encouraging those of his -brethren who would give heed to him. - -In the mean while, Pharaoh, as if in contempt or defiance of the God -of the Hebrews, has been engaged in extraordinary religious rites; and -every day the streets have resounded with the music of instruments and -choral songs of processions to the gods. I witnessed all of these -ceremonies, and will describe some of them that are not mentioned by -you in your letters from Egypt, my dear father. - -On the seventh day after Moses and Aaron left him, Thothmeses went in -state to the black marble temple of the sacred serpent, Urus, to -offer sacrifice and oblation to its great image of gold with jewelled -eyes and hideous head. He addressed it as the god of wisdom and -sagacity, and presented offerings of flowers, and a necklace of -emeralds; while, for the living serpents, held sacred by the -Egyptians, he left gifts of money to purchase food for their -repletion. - -The next day he proceeded, at the head of the priests and the most -magnificent religious procession I have seen in Egypt, from his palace -along the sphinx-lined avenue to the terrace of the Nile, opposite the -Island of Rhoda, where stands a brazen statue of the god Nilus, with -those of Osiris and Thoth on either side of its pedestal. - -Descending from his chariot, he advanced to the river, and poured from -a goblet, set with diamonds, a libation of wine into its waves, and -invoked the river itself as a deity, concluding his prayer with a -curse upon the God of the Hebrews. Then, at his command, the chief -sacrificer advanced, leading a Hebrew boy four years old, whom he laid -upon the altar before the statue of the god, and, at a stroke of his -sacrificial knife, sacrificed there. I could scarcely refrain from a -cry of horror. I knew that the Egyptians, on certain occasions, -sacrificed human beings to the gods; but I never expected to behold an -immolation like this. The palpitating form of the child was then taken -up by two assistants, and the blood of its heart was poured forth into -the Nile, as a libation to the god. The empurpled wave then received -the inanimate form, amid a crash of instrumental music. This unusual -libation of blood to the Nile was intended as an act of defiance to -the Hebrew JEHOVAH. - -The following day, Pharaoh made a procession to the temple of sacred -frogs, on the borders of the canal of Amun. Here libations were poured -out before a colossal sphinx having a frog's head, and offerings made. -The frog is held sacred by the Egyptians, because it is supposed to -purify the waters by feeding on poisons in the marshes and river. - -The succeeding day Pharaoh, as if possessed with a religious -infatuation, that now led him to seek the favor of gods hitherto -neglected by him, in his dread of the God of the Hebrews, paid a -visit, with all his court, to the temple of the scarabus, or sacred -beetle of Egypt. This is a marble edifice, adorned with a frieze of -scarabi, having heads of every variety of animal. The god himself is -a gigantic beetle of black marble, with a human head. He is supposed -to protect the temples from vermin, such as lice and fleas; for one of -these seen in a temple, or upon the garments of a priest, causes -ceremonial defilement, and neither priest nor temple may be made holy -again but by purification. - -The next day a procession was made by Pharaoh and his people to the -little temple of Baal-Zebel, a deity that is reverenced as their -protector from flies, which sometimes infest the land in ravenous -swarms, and which, it is believed, this idol only can remove. Can -Thothmeses be so superstitious? Or does he make all this show of piety -merely to humor the superstitions of his people, and sustain the -priests of these shrines? Does he fear Moses and his power, so as to -desire to strengthen himself in the affections of the priesthood and -people? - -The day after the visit to the temple of the fly-god, he went in great -state to the temple of the sacred ox of On, Mnevis. Here he -sacrificed, prayed, poured libations, and offered oblations. It was an -imposing scene, as he was attended by one thousand priests clad in -rich vestments, and wearing shining crowns, the whole waving censers -of gold. Of the god he asked protection to all the cattle of Egypt, -and prosperity to the harvests; and then solemnly denounced the God of -the Hebrews, as a God not known or honored in Egypt, and who, if He -existed, was but a God of slaves. - -The next day of this ten days' ovation, Pharaoh proceeded to the -gloomy temple of Typhon, on the edge of the desert. Here a Nubian -slave was sacrificed to the Evil Principle, by being bound to the -altar and burned alive. The officiating priests then gathered the -ashes and cast them high into the air, calling on their god and -praying him, that wheresoever an atom of the ashes was borne on the -wind, evil might not visit the place. - -Thothmeses has diligently revived the human sacrifices which Queen -Amense forbade, and the act sufficiently illustrates the native -cruelty and superstition of the man. - -Two days afterwards, having crossed the Nile in great pomp, he -proceeded, in grand procession, to the temple of Serapis. The god -Apis, you are aware, my dear father, has the peculiar office, besides -many others, of protecting the country from locusts; and at the -seasons when these destructive insects visit Egypt, Apis is invoked to -command them to retire from the land. - -The rites performed by the king before the god were imposing and -gorgeous. He invoked him, not against locusts, but against the God of -Moses! - -Does not all this show a secret dread of the God he defies? Yet he -knows nothing of His power, and has witnessed no act of wonder -performed by Him. Doubtless he felt, that a servant who dared to be so -bold and confident, must have a divine Master, who is great and -powerful. Perhaps he had heard of the God of the Hebrews in times -past;--of the dream of Prince Joseph and the seven years' famine;--of -the destruction of the vale of Sodom, with its cities, by fire from -heaven at God's command;--of the dispersion of the nations at the -pyramid of Babylon;--of the mighty deluge which He caused to overflow -the mountains and drown the world! Perhaps, for he is learned and -intelligent enough, when Aaron spoke to him of the God of the Hebrews, -he remembered who He was in times of old, and trembled to hear His -name again. - -Three days afterwards the king visited the shrine of Isis, and poured -libations, and made thanksgivings; and invoked her, as the moon, and -controller of the seasons and weather, to send abundant rains upon the -mountains of Ethiopia, and the sources of the Nile, so that the annual -overflow, now near at hand, may not fail, nor the land be deprived of -its fertility. - -Two days later, with a procession of all the priests of all the -temples, and with chariots, and horsemen, and footmen,--a vast -array,--he visited the great temple of Osiris, or the sun; and, after -august ceremonies, himself acting as high-priest, with the high-priest -of On for his assistant, he presented the statue of the god with a new -crown of gold, and a crook and flail of ivory inlaid with jewels. He -invoked him, by the appellation of the god of light, the dispeller of -darkness, the terror of clouds, and the foe of lightnings and storms. -And he implored clear skies, and serene weather for the harvests, as -heretofore. - -Thus the piety of Thothmeses has been quickened into unwonted activity -by the dread of the God of Israel, as if he would secure his gods' -faithfulness should the God of Moses be too strong for him. In the -mean while the children of Israel are groaning under the weight of -their increased oppression. I have seen Aaron to-day. He informed me, -with looks of holy faith in his God, that Moses and he were, -to-morrow, by God's command, to appear again before Pharaoh, and -demand the release of the Hebrews. - -What a scene will be enacted! Will these two courageous men brave his -anger, and escape? I tremble for the result. They are firm and -resolved, being strong in the strength of their God. I shall be sure -to be at the palace to-morrow, that I may behold these servants of -Jehovah meet, once more, face to face, this cruel Pharaoh and his gods. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER IX. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -CITY OF ON. - -MY VERY DEAR FATHER: - -You will read what I am about to write, with the profoundest interest. -The two mighty Hebrews again sought an audience of the king, and -boldly demanded the freedom of Israel. - -This meeting did not take place in the palace of On, but in that at -Memphis, on the avenue of the pyramids. Pharaoh was seated in the -court of the palace, giving audience to the governors of the -thirty-nine nomes, which now constitute the number of his provinces. -When he had ended his instructions to them, Moses and Aaron were -announced. I stood near him conversing with the prince; for I knew -that the two men of God purposed to seek the king's presence. - -"How darest thou announce these Hebrews?" cried the king, sharply, to -his trembling grand-chamberlain. - -"I could not forbid them, O king! I fled instinctively and without -power of resistance before the majesty of their presence. Behold them -advancing!" - -Pharaoh turned pale. He essayed to give some fierce order to those -about him, but his tongue failed him. - -"Who will slay me these men?" cried the Prince Amunophis, seeing the -king's troubled looks. - -Not a man moved. Awe and curiosity took the place of all other -feelings. Side by side the two brothers came unfalteringly forward -till they stood before the monarch,--fixing their regards only upon -him. - -"What are ye come for, Moses and Aaron?" at length he uttered, in a -thick voice. "Have I spared your lives, that you might come again to -mock me in my palace?" - -"We are come, O king," answered Moses with dignity, and looking far -more kingly than he whom he addressed--"we are come in the name of the -God of the Hebrews. He hath heard their cry from all the land of -Egypt, by reason of their taskmasters, and I am sent to command thee, -in His name, to send the children of Israel out of thy land!" - -"Have I knowledge of your God? What is His power? Let Him make Himself -known! Or, if He hath sent thee to me, where are thy credentials from -His hand? I listen to no ambassadors from God or man, unless they show -me that they are sent. By what sign wilt thou declare thy mission? If -a king sent thee, show me his handwriting; if a god, show me a -miracle!" - -Aaron held the rod of Moses in his hand, and casting it upon the -marble pavement of the court, it became a serpent, slowly gliding -along the floor and flashing fire from its eyes. The servants of -Pharaoh fled before it. The king upon his throne, at first, became -alarmed, but seeing the monster inflate its throat and stretch lazily -and innocuously along the lion-skin before his footstool, he smiled -contemptuously and said-- - -"Thy Arabian life has given thee great skill, O Moses. Ho! call my -magicians! I have magi that can equal thy art!" - -All was expectation, until at length two stately personages solemnly -entered, each with his acacia rod. They were Jambres and Jannes, the -royal and chief magicians of Egypt, of whose fame other lands have -heard. They were dark-featured, Arabic-looking men, and dressed with -great magnificence, wearing robes blazing with gold and jewels. Their -bearing was haughty and imperious, and they looked about them with -disdain, as if they were beings of a better order than the Egyptians, -who stood awed, or prostrated themselves in their presence. - -"Seest thou this serpent?" demanded Pharaoh, directing the attention -of Jambres to the monster, which lay coiled upon the lion-skin before -the steps of the throne; while several of the guard with spears stood -near, to thrust it through, should it approach the king. The magicians -regarded it with surprise, and then looked fixedly at Moses and Aaron. -They had evidently heard by the messengers, what had passed. "Half an -hour since, he was a rod in the hand of that Hebrew magician!" said -the king. "Show him thy art, and that we have gods whose servants can -do as great miracles as this!" - -The magicians advanced and said-- - -"O king, beloved of the sun, live forever! Behold the power of thy own -magicians!" Thus speaking, they cast their rods upon the ground, when -they became serpents also, after a few moments had transpired. Pharaoh -then said, addressing the Hebrew brothers-- - -"Ye are but impostors, and have done your miracle by the gods of -Egypt, as my magicians do." - -"If the god of Egypt be strongest, let his serpents destroy my -serpent: but if the God of the Hebrews be the greatest and the only -God, let my serpent devour his!" Thus quietly spake Aaron. - -"So be it," answered Pharaoh. - -In a moment, the serpent of Moses uncoiled himself, and fiercely -seizing, one after another, the two serpents of the magicians, -swallowed them. At this there was an outcry among the people; and, -greatly terrified, Pharaoh half-rose from his throne; but Aaron -catching up the serpent, it became a rod as before. Instead of -acknowledging the God of Moses, the king became exceedingly enraged -against his own magicians, and drove them from him, and ordered Moses -and Aaron to depart, saying that they were only more skilful sorcerers -than the others, and must show him greater signs than these ere he -would let Israel go. I have since learned, that these magicians -brought with them real serpents, which they have the power of -stiffening, and holding at arm's length by pressing upon their -throats: that they came with these, which could not be detected in the -obscurity of the shadows where they stood, and casting them down they -resumed their natural motions. That the rod of Moses should devour -them, and return to a rod again, ought to have shown Pharaoh that it -was a miracle, and not sorcery. But his heart seems to be hardened -against all impressions of this nature. - -The following morning, the governor of the nilometer having reported -to the king that the Nile had commenced to rise, Pharaoh, according to -custom, proceeded to the river, where the statue of Nilus stands, and -where he had caused the Hebrew boy to be sacrificed and his blood -poured as a libation into the stream. Here, with great pomp, he was -about to celebrate the festivities of the happy event, when, lo! Moses -and Aaron stood before him by the river's brink,--the latter with the -rod, which had been turned into a serpent, in his hand. - -"The Lord God of the Hebrews," cried Moses in a loud voice, "hath sent -me unto thee, saying, 'Let My people go.' Lo! hitherto thou wouldst -not hear. Now thus saith the Lord--'In this thou shalt know that I am -the Lord!' Behold, O king, at His command, I will smite with the rod -that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they -shall be turned into blood!" - -"I defy you and your God, and both of ye shall die!" answered Pharaoh, -pale with anger. - -Then Moses, turning calmly to Aaron, his brother, said, in my hearing, -and in that of the king and all his people, "Take this rod of God, and -stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, that there may be -blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and -vessels of stone." - -Aaron, obeying, stretched forth his hand with the rod and smote the -water at his feet, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of the -thousands of Egyptians present, and in a moment the Nile ran blood -instead of water, the fish in hundreds rose to the surface and died, -and the smell of blood filled all the atmosphere. The people uttered a -great cry, and Pharaoh looked petrified with horror. From the galleys -on the river, from the women on the opposite shore, from avenues, -terraces, and plains, from every side, rose a loud and terrible wail, -such as was never before heard. The king sought his chariot, and fled -from the face of Moses and Aaron, and all was wild dismay. These two -servants of the God, whose words had wrought this great wonder, then -walked calmly away. I felt too much awed to come near them, and in my -chariot sought my own palace. On the way I saw that the canals were -red with blood, also the standing pools, the lakes, and every body of -water. Men were running in every direction seeking for water; women -wrung their hands, and despair and fear were impressed upon every -countenance. As I passed the fountains in the court of Pharaoh's -palace, I saw that they also spouted forth blood; and in the corridor -and porticos, the water in the vases for guests, in the earthen jars -for filtering, and in those which stood in the cisterns, was of the -same crimson hue. When I reached my own apartments, lo! there also the -water in the vases and ewers was of the color of blood. The voice of -Moses, empowered by his God, had indeed turned all the waters of Egypt -into blood. Surely, I said, now will the king let Israel go. In the -afternoon I went forth, and saw the Egyptians digging everywhere for -fresh water, along the canals and river. I drove out of the city -towards Goshen, and saw all the people in motion and terror, for but -few knew the cause of the awful visitation. After an hour I reached -Goshen, the fair plain where Prince Jacob once dwelt, and where now -the children of Israel dwell by hundreds of thousands. With joyful -surprise I beheld, as I entered the province, that the canal was free -from blood, the pools sparkling with clear water, and the fountains -bright as crystal. As I rode on in the direction of the dwelling of -Moses, I perceived that the plague of blood had not fallen upon the -land where the Hebrews dwelt--only upon the Egyptians. This was a -twofold miracle. - -When Pharaoh found that water could be obtained by digging shallow -wells, and also that Goshen was free from the plague, he sent for -Jambres and Jannes, and offered to pardon them if they could turn -water into blood. They commenced their incantations upon water dug up -from his gardens--for the miracle of the rod covered only the waters -at the time on the surface, whether in the river or in houses. After -art had for some time been practised upon the water, to my surprise it -was turned to the semblance of blood. - -"See," cried Pharaoh with great joy, "the servants of Pharaoh are -equal to the servants of the Hebrew God!" - -"And O king," said Jambres vainly, "had the Hebrew juggler left us the -Nile, we could have turned that also by our enchantments." - -Then Pharaoh rewarded him with a chain of gold, and hardened his -heart, and defied Moses and his God. But in three days afterwards all -the fish died in the lakes, and river of Lower Egypt, and a stench of -their flesh and of crocodiles and reptiles that perished by the blood -in the river, and the difficulty of getting water, rendered Egypt -almost uninhabitable. Thousands fled to the pure air and water of -Goshen, where also I remained. Every hour I expected to behold a royal -courier coming for Moses and Aaron, ordering them to appear before the -king, to receive permission to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. At the -end of seven days the river and waters of Egypt resumed their natural -color and purity, by God's permission, lest all the people of Egypt -should die for Pharaoh's hardness of heart. - -Then God appeared again unto Moses, and commanded him to go before -Pharaoh with the same message as before. But the king, in great fury, -ordered them from his presence, when Aaron stretched forth his hand -over the streams, the river, the canals, lakes, and fountains, and in -a moment myriads of frogs appeared on the shores, in the fields, in -the streets, squares, corridors, terraces, gardens, groves, and -porticos of the temples. They leaped upon every place, upon the -people, upon the stairways. They found their way by hundreds into the -houses and bedchambers, and upon the beds, tables, chairs of palaces -and huts; leaped into the ovens and kneading-troughs, and occupied -every place. In horror the priests closed all the temples, lest they -should enter, and dying there, defile them. Even Pharaoh was obliged -to shut himself up in the recesses of his palace to escape their -loathsome presence. - -In great alarm, he was about to send for Moses, when Jambres, his -chief sorcerer, stood before him, and said: - -"O king, believe not that the God of this Hebrew is greater than the -gods of Egypt. Thy servants also can do this enchantment." - -"Do so, and thou shalt have a rod of gold," answered the king. - -Then descending into a fountain, inclosed by a high wall of the -palace, where the frogs had not yet appeared, the magician caused -frogs also to appear. "At first," said the chief butler, who spoke to -me of this deed, "the king was greatly pleased, but suddenly said: - -"'What thou hast produced by thy enchantments, remove by thy -enchantments. Command them to disappear from the fountain.' - -"This the two magicians not being able to do, the next day, the frogs -rendering every habitation uninhabitable, and the lords of Egypt -appealing to Pharaoh, he sent for Moses and Aaron. It had become time -to do so. Every part of my rooms was filled with these animals; they -got into the plates and cups, and defiled every place--while by night -their combined roar filled all Egypt with a deafening and terrible -noise, so that if a bed could be found to sleep in, sleep was nowhere -possible; and by day we could tread nowhere but upon frogs." - -When the two Hebrew brothers again stood in the presence of Pharaoh, -he said, with mingled shame and displeasure-- - -"Entreat your God to take away this plague of frogs from me, my -people, and the land of Egypt; and if thou canst free the land from -them, I will acknowledge that it is the power of the God of the -Hebrews, and will let the people go to do sacrifice unto the Lord, who -hath commanded and sent for them." - -Then Moses answered the king-- - -"The Lord shall be entreated as thou desirest; and thou, O king, shalt -set the time, lest thou shouldst say I consulted a favorable aspect of -the stars. Choose when I shall entreat for thee to remove this plague -from the land, the people, and their houses." - -"To-morrow," answered Thothmeses. - -"Be it according to thy word," answered Moses; "and when thou seest -the plague removed at the time appointed by thee, know it is God's -gracious act, and not our sorcery. To-morrow the frogs in all the land -of Egypt shall be found in the river only." - -What a scene did Egypt present the next morning! The land was covered -with dead frogs; and it took all the people of Egypt that day and -night to gather them into heaps and cast them into the river: for they -threatened a pestilence. - -When Pharaoh saw that his wish was granted at the time he named, and -that there was a respite, he said--"This was by my voice and my -power, and not by their God, that the frogs died on the morrow I -named! The glory over Moses shall indeed be mine, as he hath said!" -Ceasing to speak, he sent orders to the taskmasters to increase the -burdens of the Hebrews, refusing to keep his promise to Moses and -Aaron. - -Then the Lord again sent them before Pharaoh, and in his presence -Aaron stretched forth his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, when -all the dust of the earth became alive, and rested upon man and beast -in the form of lice! - -Then, in a rage, Pharaoh called his enchanters, but they could not -perform this miracle, and said plainly to the king-- - -"This is beyond our power. This is the finger of their God." - -Upon hearing this, Pharaoh drove both his magicians, and Moses and -Aaron forth from his palace. The next day no sacrifice was offered, no -temple open in all Egypt; for on the priests were lice, and no one -could perform an official act with any insect upon his person, being -thereby made unclean. The Egyptians were enraged, both with the -Hebrews and with their king--but, shut up in his palace, he refused to -consent to the demands of Moses. - -Three days afterwards, by the command of God, given at the well of -Jacob,--where, in a bright cloud like a pillar of fire, He descended -to speak with Moses, and seemed to be now every day present in Egypt, -in communion with his holy servant,--the two brothers again sought the -presence of the king, as he was entering his galley. Reiterating their -usual demand, Moses continued-- - -"The Lord hath said unto me, 'Stand before Pharaoh when he comes forth -to the water, and say unto him, thus saith the Lord, 'Let my people -go; else, if thou wilt not let my people go, I will send swarms of -flies upon thee and thy servants, and upon thy people, and the houses -of the Egyptians shall be filled with them, and also the ground; and I -will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, -that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end that thou mayest -know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. And I will put a -division between my people and thy people; and to-morrow shall this -sign be!'" - -Pharaoh, in fear and anger, commanded his galley to leave the shore, -heeding none of the words spoken by Moses. The next day when I awoke, -lo! the air was darkened with flies. They covered the city like a -cloud, and their noise was like the roar of the sea after a storm. -When the sun was well risen, they descended and alighted upon the -dwellings, and soon filled the houses, and rooms, and every place they -could penetrate. It was impossible to hear for their hum, or to see -for their number, as they would alight upon the face, seek the corners -of the eyes and the edges of the eyelids, and inflict their bite. In a -few hours the Egyptians became frantic under the plague, as it was -impossible to keep them off; and if driven away, they would -pertinaciously return to the attack. All employment in Egypt ceased. -Eating and sleeping were impracticable. I fled in my chariot towards -Goshen! My horses, stung to madness, flew like the wind. Hundreds of -women, and children, and men were pressing in the same direction, for -safety and relief. I crossed the great canal which divides the -province, and not a fly followed me nor my horses across the aerial -and invisible barrier God had set as their bounds. All Goshen was free -from the plague, and the Hebrews were extending favors to the -Egyptians who sought shelter among them. - -The next day, Pharaoh, unable to endure the plague, and finding his -magicians could neither remove nor cause it, sent for Moses and Aaron, -who immediately answered his summons. - -"Go," he cried, when he beheld them,--"go, sacrifice to thy God in -this land; for He is a mighty God, and may not be mocked!" - -"It is not meet, O king," answered Moses, "that we should sacrifice to -our God in the land of Egypt. We Hebrews sacrifice bulls and rams, -sacrifices abominable to the Egyptians, who call them their gods! Lo! -shall we sacrifice the gods of the Egyptians to our God, before their -eyes, and will they not stone us? If we sacrifice, we will go three -days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the Lord our God -as He shall command us." - -Seeing the resolute purpose of the terrible Hebrew, Pharaoh consented -to his demand, only adding, "Ye shall not go very far away! Now go and -entreat your God for me, for the removal of these flies!" - -While this discourse was passing between them, the fan-bearers of the -king, with all their diligence, could not protect his face from the -stings of the flies, which plagued him sorely; while upon Aaron and -Moses not one alighted. - -"To-morrow," answered Moses, as he went out, "the Lord, whom I will -entreat for thee, shall remove this plague also. But deal not -deceitfully, O king, any more, in not letting the people go." - -When, the next day, Pharaoh saw that the flies were removed, so that -not one remained, he repented that he had given his promise, and -resolved not to keep it with Moses. - -Once more God sent his servants, the two Hebrews, to the king, -demanding the release of the children of Jacob from their yoke of -bondage, menacing him with a murrain upon all the cattle, horses, -camels, and beasts of Egypt, if he resolved to hold them still in the -land. The king, however, who seemed after every demand to grow more -obstinate when the evil had passed, refused, and sent them away with -threats of vengeance. Indeed, it is surprising, my dear father, that -he hath not slain them before this; and I have no doubt he is -miraculously restrained from doing so, by the Almighty God, whose -faithful and holy servants they are. - -On the morrow, according to the word of Moses, a fatal pestilence -seized upon the oxen, the bulls, and cows of Egypt, so that all the -cattle in the land died. When the priests of the sacred ox, Mnevis, -came rushing from their temple to the palace, crying that their god -was dead with the murrain; when at midnight came before him the -priests of Apis, exclaiming that the sacred bull was also dead, then -Pharaoh began to know and feel that the God of the Hebrews was greater -than the gods of Egypt. Early in the morning, when he rose, hearing -that not one of the cattle of the Israelites was dead, instead of -repenting and trembling, he became enraged, acting like a man blinded -by the gods, when they would destroy him by his own acts. - -Judge, my dear father, of the patience and forbearance of the God of -the Hebrews towards him who still refused to acknowledge His power. -Behold the firmness and steadiness of purpose of Moses and -Aaron,--their courage and independence! What a sublime spectacle--two -private men contending successfully with the most powerful king on the -earth! What a painful sight to see this most powerful king of the -earth measuring the strength of his feeble will against the power of -the God of the universe! - -Upon the refusal of Pharaoh to let Jehovah have His people, that they -might serve Him, God commanded Moses in a vision of the night, beside -the fountain of Jacob, where He talked with him as in the burning -bush, to take the ashes of a human sacrifice, to be immolated by -Pharaoh the next day, and sprinkle it towards heaven upon the winds. -He did so; and instead of protecting the places wheresoever its atoms -were carried, they broke out in boils upon man and beast, breaking -forth with painful blains. The magicians and sorcerers, essaying to -recover their credit with the king, attempted to do the same miracle; -but the boil broke forth upon them also so heavily, that they could -not stand before Moses, and fled with pain and cries from his -presence. Yet Pharaoh remained obdurate, and grew more hardened and -defiant; for the boils touched not his own flesh. - -That night, the Lord appeared unto Moses, and commanded him again to -make his demand upon Pharaoh for His people. Then stood Moses and -Aaron in the morning before the king, who was walking up and down in -the corridor of his palace, ill at ease; for all his public works were -stopped by the sufferings of the Egyptians; and his soldiers in the -fourscore garrisons at On, and Memphis, and Bubastis, and Migdol, were -unfit for military duty. There was not a well man in all Egypt, save -in Goshen. - -"What now, ye disturbers of Egypt and enemies of the gods?" he called -aloud, as he saw them approach and stand before him. - -"Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews," answered Moses: "'Let my -people go, that they may serve me.'" - -"The same words! Thou shalt never have thy wish,--thou nor thy God! -Who is the Lord? Will no man rid me of this Moses and Aaron? Speak! -What more?" - -"Thus saith the Lord, 'If thou, O king, refusest to let Israel go, I -will send all my plagues upon thy heart, and upon thy people, that -thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth! For this -cause, O Pharaoh, have I created thee and raised thee up on the throne -of Egypt, that in thee I may show my power; and that by my dealings -with thee, My name may be declared throughout all the earth. All -nations shall behold My works with thee, and My vengeance on thy gods, -and shall know that I am the Lord, and God of all gods! Thou art My -servant to show forth My glory! Thy proud heart exaltest thyself above -Me, and against My people, and thou wouldst contend with Me! Thou -shalt know I am God, ere thou shalt be cut off from the earth; and -that the heavens are My throne, and the earth is My footstool, and -none can say, What doest Thou? Behold, to-morrow I will darken the -heavens with clouds, and send hail upon the earth, and every man and -beast in the field shall die by the hail.' If thou regardest the life -of thy servants," continued Moses, "send, therefore, for all thou hast -in the field." - -This threat was made known everywhere in a few hours, and those who -fear the word of the Lord have made their servants and cattle flee -into the houses prepared for them; but those who regard not the -warning have left them in the field. What will to-morrow bring forth? - -Farewell, dear father. - -Warned by Aaron, I depart at once for the sheltering skies of Goshen. - - Your loving son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER X. - - -CITY OF THE SUN. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -Scarcely had I reached the confines of Goshen, after the threatened -judgment of God upon Pharaoh, when I heard, as it were in the air, a -voice speaking, which I knew to be the voice of Moses; and behind me I -heard, instantly, loud thunders uttering their voices, and the earth -shook beneath my chariot-wheels. To the right of me, at the same -moment, I beheld Moses and Aaron standing, side by side, on the tower -of the ruined fountain of Jacob, beneath which I was driving; the -former stretching forth his hands, and his rod therein, northward -towards the city of Pharaoh, upon the obelisks of which the sun was -then brilliantly shining, and was also reflected in splendor from the -shield of gold upon the lofty tower of the temple of Osiris. Leaping -from my chariot, and leaving it with my servants, whom I commanded to -hasten further into the land of the Hebrews, I drew reverently near -the men of God, feeling greatly awed by their presence, but assured -that near them was safety,--though they were the visible sources of -God's terrible wrath upon Egypt. I stood not far off, and beheld, with -expectation. Moses, his rod extended, and waving eastward, and -northward, and westward, stood with a majestic and fearful aspect, his -eyes raised to the heavens, which were already answering his voice by -far-off thunderings. He continued, as I drew near, in these words: - -"And let thunder, and hail, and fire, O Egypt, descend out of heaven -from God upon thee, and let the fire mingle with the hail, and smite -throughout all the land of Egypt, all that is in the field, both man -and beast, and every herb in the field, and break every tree! Only in -the land of Goshen let there be no hail." - -No language, my dear father, can convey to you any idea of the -terrible power and godlike authority with which he spake. To his -words, Aaron pronounced a loud "A-men,"--the Hebrew word for -expressing full assent and confirmation. - -Then I looked, with expectant awe, towards the land of Egypt, over -which the thunders rolled without a cloud; when, lo! from the north -came rolling onward a black wall of darkness, which I perceived was a -mighty cloud from the great sea. It advanced with the swiftness and -roar of ten thousand war-chariots rushing to battle. Out of it shot -forth lightnings, and its increasing thunders shook Egypt. In a moment -it had filled half the heavens, and still onward it rolled. Beneath it -moved its shadow, dark as itself, extinguishing the light upon -obelisk, tower, and pylon. I am told that Pharaoh, from the top of his -palace, witnessed this scene also. Directly the sun was blotted out, -and the city of On became invisible. Then I saw fire pour down upon -the earth out of the cloud, as if lightnings could not fast enough -exhaust its angry power; and I heard the voice of falling hail like -the voice of the sea when lashed by a storm. A million of Hebrews, who -had gathered in Goshen, stood and beheld what I did. The roads, the -fields, the plain were covered with people flying from the terror -towards Goshen. - -Onward marched this awful servant of the Almighty, more terrible than -an army with banners. Fire ran along the ground before it, and red -forked lightnings shot far out beyond its advancing edge athwart the -blue sky, while, in a moment afterwards, the cloud of blackness rolled -beneath, like the sulphurous smoke that the priests of Egypt say -forever rolls above the fiery regions of Typhon! - -Each instant it enlarged its compass, until from east to west it -enveloped Egypt, while fire, mingled with hail, ran along the earth -beneath it. Now behold, my father, the power of God! The vast pall -which Jehovah had thus begun to draw over Egypt, no sooner had reached -in the height of heaven over the borders of Goshen, casting its very -shadow, and pouring its stones of hail, and sending its tongues of -fire almost to the foot of the tower whereon Moses stood, than it -ceased to move! It became stationary in the air a mile high, and there -hung beetling over the verge of Goshen like a crag, its edge working -and agitated by the wildest commotion, and shooting its lightnings -into the blue calm sky over Goshen, but restrained from advancing -further by the power of Him who commandeth the heavens, who maketh the -clouds His chariot, and who keepeth the lightnings in His quiver! - -At length the darkness became so dense, that it seemed a wall, between -Egypt and Goshen, from the ground up to the cloud. Over the latter the -sun,--oh, what a sublime contrast!--shone with unclouded brightness, -the winds slept peacefully, the fields waved with the ripened flax and -full-eared barley, the birds sang their songs of gladness, and the -children of God dwelt in security, under the protection of His gentle -love and terrible power. - -Surely Pharaoh must perish if he dare any longer madly to resist the -God of the Hebrews, who has now shown that He is God of heaven as well -as of the earth, and that He is God alone, and there is none else! If, -my dear father, your early instructions had not made known to me the -God of Noah, who is the God of the Hebrews, I should, ere this last -manifestation of His awful majesty and terror, have prostrated myself -before Him and acknowledged Him as _my_ God. Wonderful that He, who -dwells in heaven, should stoop to behold things on the earth, and make -such displays of His glory, and majesty, and strength, for the sake of -a poor, enslaved people like the Hebrews. But, as the holy Moses -taught me the other day, when I was humbly sitting at his feet, and -hearing him discourse on these mighty events (for which he takes to -himself no honor or merit, but only seems the more meek and lowly the -more he is intrusted with power by God), these displays of God's -majesty have a threefold end: first, to prove to the trembling and -heart-crushed Israelites that He who is so terrible in power, doing -wonders, is _their_ God, as He was the God of Abraham, and has power -to deliver them from Pharaoh; as well as to teach them that if He can -so punish the Egyptians, He can punish them also, with equal -judgments, if they rebel and do wickedly: secondly, to punish Pharaoh -for the oppression of His people, to afflict the land upon which they -have groaned so many generations, and to show the Egyptians that He -alone is God, that their gods are as stubble in His hand, "that there -is none like Him in all the earth;" and thus bring them to acknowledge -Him, and to fear and worship Him: and, thirdly, that the word of His -mighty deeds and wonders done in Egypt, going abroad to the ears of -kings and princes, priests and lords, and people of all nations upon -the earth, may give _them_ the knowledge of the true God, prove to -them the impotency of their idols, and the supremacy of the God of the -Hebrews, in heaven, and on earth, and over kings and people. -"Therefore, and for these ends," continued the divine Moses, "that He -might not leave Himself without a witness before men, and that He -might declare His power to all His creatures, and His care for the -oppressed, and His judgment upon kings who reign by cruelty, has He -permitted, not only the bondage of our nation, but raised up such a -man as Pharaoh, in whom to show forth His power and judgments, as He -said to this king, 'And in very deed, for this cause have I raised -thee up, to show in thee my power, and that my Name may be declared -throughout all the earth.' Therefore did the Lord God say to me in the -beginning, when He sent me before Pharaoh, 'I am sure that the king of -Egypt will not let you go, no not until I stretch out my hand with -mighty power, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do; and -after that he will let you go!' I did not understand this all at the -first," said Moses, "but now I perceive the mind of God, and that He -will do His will upon Pharaoh, and send yet more terrible punishments; -after which, humbled, and acknowledging God to be the Lord, he will -let the people go!" - -What a wonderful mystery is passing before us, O my father! How -dreadful is this God! How wonderful, how glorious is His majesty! In -His presence, and before Him, what is man but dust, breath, vanity? I -humble myself before Him, and feel that I am a worm, and no man! Yet -Thothmeses, like a madman, stands and defies this living God! - -Not all the horror of the plague of hail and fire, of the lightnings -and thunderings, moved him to let Israel depart. When the judgment of -God was at its height, driven to the interior of his palace,--from the -tower upon which he had ascended "to see what Moses and Aaron would -do," as he said,--he remained there three days, until, unable longer -to bear the terrors of the scene, and the cries of his people, he sent -for Moses and Aaron. No messenger could be found to go but Israelisis, -your former page, who, since he returned to Egypt, is a servant of the -king, greatly devoted to him, and from whom I have obtained much -interesting information of the effects of these divine judgments upon -him. Three couriers, one after the other, had been struck down by the -hail. But the Hebrew walked forth fearlessly and unharmed, and moved -through the showers of ice, as if he bore a charmed life. This alone -should have proved the power of God to be with the Hebrew servant, and -against Pharaoh and his servants. - -Moving through the darkness, amid the fire upon the ground, and the -hail and scalding rain, the man arrived, and told Moses and Aaron that -the king had repented, and prayed them both to hasten to him, for he -knew their God would defend them from injury on the way. - -The king is represented as having received the Hebrew brothers in his -bath-room, with his physicians around him, his face ghastly with fear, -and anxiety, and an indefinable dread. It is also said that his manner -was servile rather than humble, and that his speech was mingled with -lamentations and accusations. When they entered, he said: - -"It is enough, O men of God, it is enough! Entreat the Lord your God -for me, that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail, and I will -let you go, and without any longer delay." - -As he spoke, the palace shook to its foundations, and the water in the -fountain swayed to and fro with violence, as in an earthquake, while -the hail, descending with a great noise into the outer courts, was -piled many cubits in height against the columns, the sculptured work -of which, struck off in every exposed part, fell to the earth mingled -with the hail-stones. - -"As soon as I am gone out of the city I will spread abroad my hands -unto the Lord," said Moses, "and the thunder shall cease, and the -hail, that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's. But, O -king, as for thee and thy lords, I know that ye will not _yet_ fear -the Lord God. Has He not mocked the power of your pretended goddess, -Isis, over the heavens, and seasons, and winds? Who hath known a rain -and hail in Egypt in this month? or hath seen the winds blowing clouds -from the sea? God is God, and Isis is no god; or if a god, where is -her power? Entreat her to remove this _chamsin_ of heaven, such as -earth never before felt upon her bosom." - -"God is God, and entreat Him for me," answered the king, with a feeble -gesture of impatience, doubtless humbled, and yet angry at being -compelled to consent to lose six hundred thousand working-men from the -mines and great works he is carrying on; for though he fears the -number of the Hebrews, he would rather retain them, keeping them under -by increased oppression, than release them, and thereby be relieved -from the apprehensions to which their unparalleled increase has given -rise. - -When Moses had left the city of On behind him, he spread abroad his -hands towards heaven unto his God; and the thunders, and rain, and -hail, and lightnings ceased. - -Anticipating the removal of the judgment, I had been standing for some -hours by the tower and fountain of Jacob. Suddenly the awful mass of -ebony-black cloud, which, for three days, had never ceased to utter -its voices of thunder, and send forth its lightnings, hail, and fire -upon the earth beneath, began to roll itself up, like a scroll, -towards the north. The thunder ceased. The lightnings were no more -visible. The hail fell no more. And, as the cloud receded, the shadows -upon the land--now smitten and desolate--moved with it. Gradually the -whole landscape reappeared; first I saw the walls of On, then its -towers, then the obelisks caught the light, and all at once the -effulgent sun poured, from the clear sky above it, the splendor of his -beams, which the shield of Osiris caught and again reflected with its -former brilliancy. Slowly, but with awful majesty, the cloud of God's -anger descended the horizon, and finally disappeared in the north. And -I thought that mayhap its dark volume would be seen passing over the -sea, even from Tyre, to your consternation and wonder. - -What a scene of desolation the land presented when, the next day, I -returned to On! The fields of flax and barley were smitten and -consumed; the trees were broken and stripped of their leaves, either -by the fire or hail; the houses and villages of the plain were -devastated; in all the fields were dead corpses; and cattle and horses -which had escaped the former plague, or been purchased from the -Hebrews, were lying dead everywhere with their herdsmen. Chariots and -their riders, overtaken in flight from On, lay upon the highways; and -death, desolation, and horror reigned! - -Entering the city, I saw soldiers that had been struck dead at their -posts by the hail, still lying where they fell; and the streets filled -with the dead and wounded, and with heaps of hail; while the sun shone -down upon a scene of universal wailing and woe! - -I passed on to the palace of Pharaoh, my position and rank having at -all times given me free access to his presence. I found him at a -banquet, as for three days and nights he had scarcely tasted food for -terror and confusion, neither he, nor his lords, nor servants. They -were feasting and drinking wine, and the king's face was flushed with -strong drink; for, seizing the present moment of security, he -revelled, striving to forget the past terrors. As I entered, his -singers were singing a hymn to his gods; and when it was ended, -Pharaoh, with his cup in his hand, cursed the God of the Hebrews who -had sent such terrors upon his land, for hitherto he had said it was -the gods of Egypt who had done these things, forced thereto by the -powerful enchantments of the Hebrew brothers. - -I turned away from his hall, refusing to go in, when Moses and Aaron -passed me, and entered his presence. Upon seeing them, Pharaoh's heart -was hardened against them and their God, and he and his lords rose up -in fear and anger. - -"Are ye come again before me, ye Hebrews?" he cried, in his wrath and -wine. "I will not let Israel go! Not a foot nor hoof shall stir from -the land! I have sworn it by the life of Pharaoh, and by the gods of -Egypt!" - -Then Moses answered the king, and said-- - -"Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, O Pharaoh: 'Let my people go! -How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? Let my people -go, that they may serve me; else on the morrow will I bring the -locusts into thy coasts, and they shall cover the face of the earth, -and devour what remaineth in the field, and shall fill thy houses, and -the houses of all the Egyptians, even as hath not been upon the earth -unto this day!'" - -"We have seen locusts in Egypt, O Hebrew, and fear them not," answered -Pharaoh, with a laugh of derision. "Go tell your God that Pharaoh and -his gods defy Him and His locusts!" - -Then Moses turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. But the lords of -Egypt feared, and said unto their king-- - -"How long shall this man be a snare unto us and the evil destiny of -Egypt? Let the men of the Hebrews go, that they may serve their mighty -and dreadful God, as He commandeth them. Knowest thou not, O king, -that Egypt is destroyed; and the locusts will destroy the wheat and -the rye which are just bursting out of the ground, and the leaves that -are putting forth?" - -Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, who had not yet reached the -gate of the palace, and when they again stood before him, he said-- - -"For the sake of these, and for Egypt's sake, which thy sorcery has -nearly destroyed, I yield to thy demand, not because I fear thy God. -Go, serve the Lord your God; but who are they that shall go?" - -And Moses answered, and said firmly and fearlessly-- - -"We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with -our daughters; with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we -must hold a feast unto the Lord, and a sacrifice unto our God." - -Then Pharaoh answered, in great anger-- - -"Let the Lord look to you, not to me, for his sacrifices, as if I will -let you go, and your little ones, that you may feast to Him! Look to -it! Provoke not my wrath, for evil is before you! Ask not so. Go now, -ye that are men and serve the Lord, since that is what ye ask! Now -leave my presence! Ye are become the curse of Egypt. What! Do ye -linger to ask more? Drive the men forth from the palace!" - -The guards followed for some paces, but drew not near them for fear; -and with calm dignity of demeanor, the divine brothers went out of the -palace, and left the city. When we had departed from the presence of -Pharaoh--for I had joined their holy companionship--he stretched forth -his rod over the land eastward, and invoked the new judgment of God -that he had threatened. Immediately a strong east wind arose, and blew -all that day, and all the night, each hour increasing; and in the -morning, when I waked at a great cry of the people, I looked forth, -and beheld the heavens dark with a strange aspect, wholly unlike a -cloud, yet moving like one, or, rather, like a great ocean-wave -rolling along the sky. It was attended in its approach, which was from -the direction of the Arabian Sea, by a confused humming, like the wind -sweeping through the tall cedars on Libanus. As it drew near, it -covered half the heavens, and appeared many hundred feet in thickness, -the lower surface being not far from the earth. I soon perceived, from -the cries around me, that it was the threatened plague of locusts -coming upon Egypt, loosed from the open palm of God's hand. My -position was at a window in the house of Aaron, and not far from the -line between Goshen and the rest of Egypt. I saw them, as they passed -over the plains, and fields, and city, and villages, descend in -showers like flakes of snow, hundreds and thousands at a time, until -the whole earth was brown with them. Thus the flight continued all -that day, and all night, and all the next day and next night,--an -endless cloud, darkening the sun by day and the stars by night. The -surface of Egypt seemed agitated and alive like the sea after a storm, -restless, and in continual motion in every part; while the noise made -by the wings of the locusts was incessant,--a monotone awful to hear, -without variation or diminution, till the ear became weary of hearing, -and in vain sought relief from the deep, angry bass of this voice of -vengeance of the Hebrews' God! In crossing the Nile, myriads fell into -it, and covered its surface,--galleys, barges, men, and sails; and the -water was defiled by their presence. At noon-day there was a dreadful -twilight prevailing, for the beams of the sun could not penetrate this -living cloud. They covered the whole face of Egypt, and their voracity -left not a bud, or leaf, or any green thing on the trees, which were -just putting out again; or in the herbs of the field, which had sprung -up since the hail; for much seed was in the ground, which came up -after the hail, only to be destroyed by the locusts. - -Then the people, in despair, besieged the palace of Pharaoh with great -cries. Though the Egyptians regard their king as their priest, and as -a god, and are proverbially submissive to his will and power, they had -now lost all fear, being driven to despair by this last plague. -Nothing but famine and death were before them, and their wives, and -little ones! Pharaoh also became alarmed at the endless power of the -God of the Hebrews! He had long since given his magicians, Jambres and -Jannes, to death, because they failed to keep pace with Moses and -Aaron, and he evidently felt that this was the power of a God he could -no longer compete with. He therefore sent for Moses and Aaron in -haste. When they came into his presence they beheld him in a closed -room, lighted by the seven golden lamps which Osirtasen captured from -the king of Nineveh; for the locusts made it necessary to close every -shutter, and turn day into night, in every house. He was reclining -upon a lounge covered with Tyrian purple, and adorned with -needle-work; and was surrounded by the ladies of his palace, who were -imploring him, as the Hebrew brothers entered, to let Israel go! Even -his son, the careless and gay Prince Amunophis, was kneeling before -him, and urging him to abide by his resolution, to grant the demand of -the God of the Hebrews. When he beheld the tall and majestic persons -of Moses and Aaron enter, he rose from his couch, and cried-- - -"I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Now, -therefore, O Moses and Aaron, forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this -once, and entreat the Lord your God that he may take away from me this -death only!" - -This confession seemed to be made with a certain frankness and -sincerity, and a show of deep humility; and Moses answered-- - -"The Lord forgive thee, according to what is in thy heart. I will -entreat the Lord for thee, and the plague shall be removed from thee -and thy people." - -Then Moses went out from the presence of Pharaoh; and when he had come -into Goshen he ascended the tower of Jacob, and entreated the Lord for -Pharaoh. Immediately the cloud of locusts became tossed as with a -whirlwind; and the wind, changing from the east to the west, blew -strongly, and pressed back the mass of locust-clouds, sweeping those -that were on the earth into the air, and rolling the whole body of -winged creatures eastward. This wind blew all night, and all the next -day, and the next night, a mighty wind, and on the following morning -not a living locust was visible in all the coasts of Egypt. - -Moses now sent messengers all through Egypt, calling upon the children -of Israel to leave whatever they might be occupied in, and assemble -themselves in the land of Goshen, with their wives, and children, and -flocks, and all that they had. He had previously sent men into Upper -Egypt and to the mines; and, what is wonderful, the Hebrews in the -mines were permitted to go forth from thence by their keepers, for the -fear of Moses had reached their ears, and they gladly let them go! The -messengers whom Moses now sent everywhere, from Migdol to Syene, were -Hebrews, and were nowhere molested as they went; for a fear and -reverence of them, as the people of the mighty God of Moses, had taken -the place, in the minds of the great body of the Egyptians, of their -former contempt: nay, every one was willing to do them a kindness. - -Now, my dear father, you are prepared to read that Pharaoh, according -to his word, permitted the children of Israel to depart from his -dominions. But Thothmeses IV. is no ordinary man! Probably, such a -character as his is unknown in the history of kings. Such a union of -opposite qualities is rarely encountered in one individual. -Superstitious, yet sacrilegious! cowardly, yet braving death! faithful -to his oath to his gods, yet a perjurer of himself to men! -tender-hearted as a woman to his own children and family, yet cruel as -a tiger and relentless as a lion to the Hebrews and their little ones! -Treacherous, sycophantic, malicious, and ironical, he is twofold in -speech, and double-minded in secret intention; he promises when in -danger, and revokes his word in security! Despising his foes, yet -fearing them, he flatters, smiles upon, and deceives them! Trembling -under judgment, he denies his terrors when they are past! convinced of -the truth, yet opposing it! confessing the power of God, yet defying -it! These qualities, God, who reads the character in the heart, saw in -Pharaoh, and knew from the beginning what he would do, and how he -would receive Moses, far better than we can know how our well-known -friends would act under supposed circumstances. It was perhaps, -therefore, on account of the peculiar character of this Pharaoh, that -God chose the time and the man for showing His power, glory, majesty, -and terror to Egypt, to Israel, and to the world! Under such a queen -as Amense, or such a prince as the mild Thothmeses II., the first -miracle of the serpent swallowing the rods of the magicians, would -have drawn their consent to let Israel go. Where then would have been -the manifestation of the power of God, that the earth is now -witnessing with awe and fear? God, therefore, knowing what was in the -man, chose this Pharaoh as the person in whom, through the natural -agency of his obdurate heart, He might make manifest His name as the -God of heaven and earth, whose power neither man nor gods can resist. -Thus Pharaoh, unwittingly, through the perversity of his own will, and -the instability of his character, is actually carrying out God's -ultimate designs, glorifying Him in His greatness, and drawing forth -these stupendous manifestations of His Almighty power over earth, and -air, and skies! Yet is he no less guilty before God; for he does not -intend His glory, but, on the contrary, denies and defies Him in its -every successive manifestation! - -Pharaoh, therefore, did not stand to his word now, dear father. When -left to himself, he forgot all that had gone before, and sent word to -Moses and Aaron not to attempt to remove the Hebrews, as he would not -let them go; for Egypt was devastated, and nearly ruined in every -part, and he must first have the labors of the Hebrews to restore the -dikes and canals, and the terraces and gardens of the lakes, and then -he would let them go. - -Then Moses and Aaron went at noon-day and sought the Lord as -aforetime, in the silence and loneliness of the well of Jacob, where -they ever prayed unto Him, and where He spake unto them all the words -He commanded them to speak before Pharaoh. And when they had ended -their prayers and supplications before their great and terrible God, -whose name they never spake but with the profoundest awe, the Lord -said unto Moses: - -"Stretch forth thine hand towards heaven, that there may be darkness -over the land of Egypt, even darkness that may be felt." - -Obeying the command, Moses ascended the tower of Jacob, and stretched -forth his hand towards heaven. - -Then followed a scene, my dear father, of solemn terror. The -atmosphere became the color of blood. The sun disappeared as if -extinguished. A thick and instant darkness fell upon the earth. The -birds ceased their songs; the cattle lowed; the wail of Egypt went up -in one great cry! Though On is several miles distant, the cry of the -city reached the ears of the children of Israel in Goshen. But with -them all was light, and joy, and beauty. The sun shone; there was -light in every dwelling; the birds sang; the green harvests waved in -the joyous sunshine; the verdant fields and leafy trees danced in the -soft breeze; for no plague had come nigh the Hebrews, their fields, -foliage, or dwellings. The darkness stood, like a great wall of black -mist rising high as heaven, between Goshen and Egypt. - -Its sudden descent upon Egypt caught the Egyptians on the road, in the -fields, upon the Nile, in the streets, temples, and palaces, as they -chanced to be; and where it fell upon them, there they were compelled -to remain. No flame could burn in the thick, black fog, which felt -slimy to the touch. I would have entered it for a moment after -touching it, but Aaron warned me not to tempt God; that safety was -alone in the sunlight of Goshen. Out from the black abyss came, now -and then, a fearful cry of some desolate wayfarer, and the Hebrews -answered kindly back, and so by their shouts directed the wanderer in -the darkness how to move towards the light. During this darkness, the -Hebrews, by the command of Moses, were collecting their flocks, and -preparing to depart to sacrifice to their God: also, those who had not -been circumcised now received the rite. - -This horrible night continued without change--without moon or star to -lend it a ray--until the third day, when Pharaoh, unable longer to -hold out in this unequal combat against God, sent two Hebrews, born in -his house, to Moses; for only the Hebrew could walk through this night -of God as in the light. Without a word of impatience or doubt, Moses -and Aaron rose up and disappeared in the awful veil of darkness, in -response to the summons of the king. No sooner did Pharaoh behold -them, than he cried out, in a voice of mingled complaint and -condescension-- - -"Go ye, Moses and Aaron, ye and yours, only let your flocks and herds -stay in the land; for hast thou not destroyed," he added with -bitterness, "whatsoever parteth the hoof in all the land of Egypt? -Your little ones may also go with you." This was spoken in a tone of -condescension. - -And Moses answered and said: - -"Thou must suffer our flocks and herds to go with us, O king, that we -may have sacrifices and burnt-offerings wherewith to sacrifice unto -the Lord our God. Our cattle, therefore, must also go with us. There -shall not a hoof be left behind." - -When Pharaoh heard Moses speak thus firmly and boldly to him, abating -nothing from his first demand, he seemed to lose his reason with rage. -Casting his sceptre from his hand at the two brothers, he cried-- - -"Get ye from me, ye destroyers and curse of Egypt! Take heed to -thyself, O Moses, and see my face no more, for in that day thou seest -my face thou shalt die!" - -Then Moses answered, with calm and severe majesty: - -"Thou hast spoken well, O Pharaoh. I will see thy face no more. But -hear thou the word of the Lord, which, knowing thy heart, He hath -spoken unto me to say now before thee: 'I will bring yet one plague -more upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. About midnight will I go out into -the midst of Egypt, and all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall -die, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even -unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and -all the first-born of beasts: and all these thy servants shall bow -down themselves unto me, saying--"Get thee out, and all the people -that follow thee; and thy lords, and high captains, and governors, and -great men, and all who serve thee, shall come down to me, to urge me -to go forth out of Egypt: after that I will go out."' These, O king, -are the words of the Lord against thee. Thou hast cast thy sceptre at -my feet. As I step my foot upon it, so shall the Lord place his foot -upon Egypt!" - -Thus speaking, Moses went out from Pharaoh in great anger. As he left -the palace, the Egyptians prostrated themselves before him, and sought -his favor, and some cried, "He is a god! Let this god, who is mightier -than Osiris and greater than Serapis, be our god!" - -"But Moses sternly rebuked them," said Aaron, who related to me all -that had passed, "and felt deeply grieved and humbled at so great a -sin, and called upon them to worship God in heaven, whose servant only -he was, with no power in himself to do these wonders which they had -witnessed." - -Farewell, my dear father. My next letter, without doubt, will convey -to you the victory of the Lord God over Pharaoh and his gods, and the -deliverance of the Hebrews from their bondage. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER XI. - -REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS. - - -WRITTEN IN THE WILDERNESS OF ARABIA, BY THE SEA. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -The events which have transpired since I last wrote to you, mock my -pen by their sublimity and infinite grandeur. Upon a rock for a -tablet, the desert around me, the Sea of Edom before me, I desire to -record, while they are vivid in my memory, the stupendous scenes of -the past six days. The millions of Israel have come forth out of -Egypt! The Sea of Suphim is between them and the land of their -bondage! But I have so much to write, such wonders to relate, that I -will not anticipate your curiosity, but proceed to send you a -narrative of each event in due order. Let all the earth say that the -Lord God of the Hebrews is the only God: besides Him there is no God! - -The day that Moses and Aaron departed from the presence of -Pharaoh-Thothmeses, in truth to see his face no more, the Lord -commanded them to call together the elders and people of the Hebrews, -and instruct them to take a male lamb, or a kid without blemish, one -to each household, keep it till the fourteenth day of the month, which -day was just at hand, and kill it on the evening thereof, sprinkling, -with a bunch of hyssop, the lintel and door-posts of their houses -dipped in its blood, and roasting the flesh, eat it at night, leaving -none until morning. "And ye shall eat it," said the Lord, "in haste, -with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in -your hand; for it is the Lord's passover, who will the same night pass -through the land of Egypt, and smite all the first-born of the land of -Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will -execute judgment! I am the Lord: and this day shall be a memorial to -you forever." - -Then Moses did as the Lord commanded. Moreover on the day of the night -on which the lamb, that had been selected from the flocks three days -before, was to be slain, he said to the elders of Israel, whom he -called, together, "Thus saith the Lord your God, 'Let none of you go -out at the door of his house until the morning; for this night the -Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the -blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the Lord will _pass -over_ the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your -houses to smite you.'" There were also other ordinances of bread -unleavened established, which bread they were commanded to eat for -seven days, at the "feast of unleavened bread." - -And when Moses had proclaimed these and other ordinances, the people -bowed their heads and worshipped God, and said they would do all that -the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron to say unto them. - -Then, my dear father, followed a scene of the deepest interest! It was -three millions of people preparing to break their bondage of -generations, and to go forth from under the cruel sceptre of the king -of Egypt forever. The mighty miracles of Moses had, long since, -silenced the murmurs and doubts of the elders, openly uttered at the -beginning, when Pharaoh in revenge against Moses and Aaron, increased -their burdens, and denied them straw for their bricks. At each -successive miracle they had gained confidence in their powerful -advocate before Pharaoh; and when they saw that he could not be -equalled by the magicians, they became vain and proud of him, whom -before they had condemned; and waited, with wonder and expectation, -their mighty deliverence. At the occurrence of the sixth miracle they -threw up all work, and no Egyptian had the heart to say, "Go to your -tasks!" for they saw that God was with them. Thus from all parts of -Egypt, drawn by curiosity, hope, wonder, and a desire to behold this -mighty leader whom God had raised up, they flocked to Goshen, until -the land was filled with their vast numbers! The houses and huts could -not contain them, and they slept by thousands in the fields, and by -the wayside. When they perceived that the darkness, and the locusts, -and the hail approached not their land, the most timid and desponding -took courage, and lifted their voices to the God of their fathers, in -hope and gratitude. Indeed, after the awful plague of darkness, -thousands of the most ignorant Hebrews shouted that he was a god, and -the Egyptians of all classes were ready to acknowledge him as Osiris -or Thoth! And in some of the temples, the day after the darkness -passed, the priests waved incense to Osiris by the name of Mususiris, -or Osiris-Moses: and, I doubt not, divine honors will be paid him in -Egypt for generations to come! Yet this mighty servant of God moves -among the people, as unassuming and self-forgetful as the humblest of -his brethren, quietly giving his directions for the greatest movement -earth was ever to behold--a nation marching in one day from bondage to -freedom! - -I moved in and out, everywhere among them. There was a strange joy -lighting up every face. Old men looked calm and happy; young men were -noisy with hope; maidens were full of joy; mothers smiled with -delight, as they clasped their babes to their bosoms, in the certainty -that they would not grow up in servitude to Pharaoh. All eyes were -turned to Moses and Aaron, as they passed to and fro, and many fell on -their knees, and worshipped them; while others shouted, as the only -way they could express their emotions. How must the heart of the -servant of God have swelled with gratitude to his Creator, as he -beheld the happiness around him! And how deeply he must have realized -his responsibility, as he reflected that the hopes of three millions -of people, whom he had assembled in Goshen, with the promise of -deliverance from the sceptre of Pharaoh, hung upon his single arm, but -which was, for the time, the arm of God! - -With what emotions of awe and expectation did the children of Israel, -each at the door of his house, prepare to slay the chosen lamb, and -sprinkle its blood on the side-posts and lintel! To them it was the -command of Moses simply, and beyond that none knew the significance. -It was a beautiful and serene evening. The sun had filled the skies -with golden atoms, and the horizon was tinged with commingled emerald, -blue, and orange colors, fused into an atmosphere of ineffable glory. -It seemed as if the presence of the God of the Hebrews was in His -skies, beholding His people! At the given hour, being the ninth of the -day, a hundred thousand sacrificial knives--held in the hands of the -men of a whole nation, which became, for the moment, a nation of -priests to God--flashed in the sun, and the blood of the victims, -pouring upon the land of Goshen, consecrated it as the altar where the -God of the Hebrews first received the national worship of His people, -and their recognition of Him as their God. - -Then, with hyssop dipped in a basin of the blood, each man sprinkled -the door-posts, and cross-piece of the entrance of his house, in -behalf of all who either should dwell in it, or who, being -stranger-brethren, came from other parts of Egypt, and could enter no -house for the throngs, yet were numbered with some one household: as, -for instance, the house of Aaron's father-in-law, which could hold but -thirty people, had on its list three hundred and seventy names, as its -household,--all brethren from other provinces; for Goshen was now like -a mighty camp. There were besides, hovering about the confines of -Goshen, and even mingling with the Hebrews, thousands of Egyptian -families, who, flying from the terror of the Lord in Egypt, had sought -safety near the Hebrews, and under the wing of the God who had -protected them,--hoping to share their safety. Many of these brought -their substance with them--their rich apparel, their gold, and jewels, -and silver--hoping, therewith, to purchase the favor of their once -despised, and now dreaded, bondmen. - -How, my dear father, shall I record the events of the night that -followed the death of the lambs! As the sun went down, the Hebrews, -with awe, retired within their dwellings, and closed the doors. -Mothers, with anxious haste, drew in their first-born. Even many of -the hapless Egyptians, who had heard of the command to the Hebrews, -chose a lamb and slew it--their hands trembling, and hearts sinking -between hope and fear--and sprinkled the door-posts of their wretched -places of shelter, if, peradventure, the great and terrible God of the -Hebrews would, in the coming night of His vengeance upon Pharaoh, -seeing the blood, pass them by, and spare their first-born also. - -At length a silence, like that which forever reigns in the heart of -the pyramids, reigned throughout Goshen. Not an eye was closed in all -Israel, during those first hours of dread watching for the first sound -abroad of God's coming down upon Egypt. I remained up, in the house of -the venerable Aminadab, the father-in-law of Aaron. Elisiba, the wife -of Aaron, with her arm around her eldest son Nadab, a fine young man, -held him firmly by her side. Aaron and Moses were apart, in a room by -themselves, engaged in low conversation, or in solemn prayer. No other -sound was heard, but the voice of this wonderful man talking, as if -face to face with his God. - -Suddenly, at midnight, a bright light from heaven shone above the -dwelling, and from it went forth a glory which filled the land of -Goshen with its beams. I stood, at the moment, in the court, and fell -with my face to the earth; for I knew that it was the presence of God. -At length Moses touched me, and said-- - -"Fear not! Rise and behold the glory of God, that when thou shalt -return and sit upon thy throne, thou mayest teach thy people that the -God of the Hebrews is the God of heaven and earth! For thy sake, as -well as for Israel, and Pharaoh, and the Egyptians, and all the -nations who shall hear of this, are these wonders and judgments done; -that Pharaoh, and all kings, and the whole earth, may know who is the -Lord, and worship only Him!" - -I arose, and lo! in the height of heaven I beheld a column, or pillar -of fire, the base of which was above the roof of the house, and the -summit thereof in the region of clouds. It was in the form of a Hebrew -staff, with a bar of light across it near its top, upon which seemed -to be a crown of glory, shooting forth thorns of light and splendor. -In this cloud, or pillar of light, there seemed to stand a form like -that of a man, but resplendent with ineffable radiance, and I covered -my face and worshipped. When I looked again, the dazzling vision, if -such it were, was in motion towards Egypt, and the city of On. As it -moved, it lighted up the whole earth. When it came over the city of -the Sun, a sword seemed to be drawn by the man who stood in the pillar -of fire, and I beheld it sweep over the palace of Pharaoh, and strike. -Then, with the swiftness and dazzling gleam of lightning, it turned -every way over Egypt, till I could not, dared not behold longer and -bowed my head, veiling my eyes, and adoring. - -Then we heard, even in Goshen, a cry as from the living heart of -Egypt, as if every mother in the vast cities of On and Memphis, and -the hundred surrounding villages, had lifted her voice in one -prolonged, dreadful wail of woe. - -I knew what that cry meant, and trembled in silent awe. I prostrated -myself before God and cried for mercy! - -At length the sword was drawn back by the hand of the man in the -pillar of cloud, and the shining column returned and stood over the -house where Moses and Aaron remained; a calm, lambent light, soft as -moonbeams, being now emitted from it, instead of the angry splendor -with which it shone before. - -One or more hours passed, and two horsemen, riding like the wind, -entered Goshen and cast themselves upon the ground at the feet of -Moses and Aaron. They were couriers from Pharaoh. - -"My lords," cried one of them, pale and trembling with fear and haste, -after he had risen from his prostration, "the king hath sent us to -thee, and these are the words he hath commanded us to say: 'Rise up, -Moses and Aaron, and get you forth from among my people, and from -Egypt, both ye and the children of Israel, and go and serve the Lord -as ye have said. Take your flocks, and your herds, and all that ye -have, and be gone; and pray your dreadful God for me, that He may -bless me also, for He hath slain my son!'" - -Then came, while he was yet speaking, a large company of lords, and -high officers, and great men of Egypt, whose sons the wrath of God had -slain (for there was not a house in Egypt where there was not one -dead, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat upon the throne, to the -first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon), and they were -urgent upon Moses and Aaron, and the Hebrew people, imploring them, -with tears and supplications, to hasten from the land, with all they -had, and to make all haste. - -Then Moses, as soon as it was day, sent word throughout all Israel to -prepare to go forth out of Egypt that day. He directed the people to -take all the jewels, and gold, and silver, and raiment, which the -Egyptians were forcing upon them to bribe them to hasten; "for," he -said, "it is yours, as the Lord hath commanded you to spoil the -Egyptians, for whom ye have labored without wages. It is the Lord's -gift to you from those whom He would spoil, and whose lives He has -spared to them." - -Now followed a spectacle of wonderful interest and sublimity. As if -moved by one spirit, Israel marshalled itself into companies of -hundreds, and these into bands of thousands, and these into mighty -divisions of tribes, so that by noon there were twelve separate armies -of God, ready to march at the voice of Moses. The whole plain of -Goshen, as far as the eye could see from the tower of Jacob, was -covered with their mighty hosts. Each tribe had its women, and little -ones, and flocks and herds within its own square. They waited now for -the signal to move forward, every man with his loins girded, his shoes -on his feet, and his staff in his hand, their bread unbaked in their -kneading-troughs, and their persons laden with the jewels and gifts -which the urgent Egyptians had forced upon them, either that they -might see their faces no more, or from fear, or in the hope to be -blessed by their Lord God for these favors: for so the Lord, to whom -the gold and silver of the earth belong, had disposed their hearts -towards the Hebrews. - -Then, at the going down of the sun, Moses gave the signal for this -mighty march. There were no trumpets sounding, no military display of -banners and spears; but they moved to their own tread, which seemed to -shake the earth. They came on in columns, a thousand men abreast, and -marched past the tower of Jacob, on which Moses stood, with Aaron by -his side, the miraculous rod in his hand. When the van of this army of -Jehovah, terrible in its strength, came up with the tower, the white -cloud of the Presence of Jehovah (which, all day had stood in the air -like a snow-white cloud, immovable and wonderful to behold), advanced, -as if borne upon a gentle wind, and placed itself before the host. -Night came on ere half the divisions had passed by where Moses stood; -and, as the sun went down, never more to rise upon Israel in Egypt, -the Pillar of Cloud became a Pillar of Fire, and shed a glory over the -innumerable armies of Israel equal to the splendor of day. - -It was midnight ere the last tribe had passed by with its face to the -desert. Then Moses and Aaron descended, and I kneeled before them, and -asked if I might be permitted to go out of Egypt with the Lord's -people, and continue to behold the power of God. Moses answered me -with benignity, and said I should be with him as a son, that I might -see the wonders of Jehovah, and make known in Phoenicia His glory -and power. - -While he was speaking, a mixed multitude of Egyptians, Nubians, -slaves, captives of Egypt, and of all those persons who hoped to be -blessed and benefited with Israel, fell to the ground before Moses, -and entreated him to suffer them to go up to the new land to which he -was going. Moses granted them, without hesitation, their prayer. - -Then I learned that those among the Egyptians who had, in obedience to -the command of Moses, sprinkled their own door-posts, escaped like the -Israelites, for it was the sign of the blood of obedience alone, that -the angel of the Lord regarded; on the other hand, several Israelitish -families saw their first-born perish, they having neglected to obey -the command of Moses, from avarice or indifference, or doubt of the -intention of God, or supposing that being Israelites would save their -households. - -And here, my dear father, let me make known to you that I have learned -from Aaron the significance of this sign; for God having made known to -him that "he is to become the high-priest, as Moses is the leader, of -his people, has revealed to him that the slaying of the lamb is a type -of a divine and innocent Person, who shall come down from God, and one -day be sacrificed. Earth, as the antitype of Egypt, is to be the altar -of this future stupendous sacrifice. And as by the blood of a lamb, -and the death of the first-born, Israel is delivered from Egypt, so by -the blood of the Lamb, the first-born of God, shall the whole of -mankind who look to his blood be finally delivered from this earth, -and from Satan its Pharaoh, and be led by God into a heaven above the -skies, a land of eternal happiness and peace, to dwell there till the -end of ages." - -Is not this a sublime doctrine? Is God, then, making with Israel, an -outline of what He is to perform with the whole earth? Shall we escape -this world-broad Egypt, and under a divine leader like Moses, by the -blood of the mysterious Lamb of God, be led to another world? I have -but indistinct knowledge, my dear father, of all this; but have -learned enough to make my heart bound with joy. For in this enlarged -conception of the wonderful theme, you and I, and all in the whole -earth,--who shall look to the God of Israel, and by foresight of faith -trust in the sprinkling of the blood of the Lamb upon the threshold of -our hearts,--are also of Israel; their God is our God; their land of -heaven our land of promise also! Oh, who can fathom the wisdom, and -goodness, and love, and power of God? To His name be glory, majesty, -dominion, and worship from all nations! Before Him let kings fall -down, and princes prostrate themselves, and every knee of all people, -nations, kindred, and tongues, be bent; for He is the Lord of heaven -and earth, and besides Him there is no God! - -Also, my dear father, Moses, whose lips ever distil celestial wisdom, -was graciously pleased, on the night before the death of the -first-born, as he walked to and fro in the court of the house of -Aminadab, to reveal to me the divine aim in sending such miracles as -He did upon Egypt, instead of any others. I listened with wonder and -increased awe, and, if I may so express it, redoubled admiration of -the wisdom and justice of God. - -Said the holy Hebrew and sage, "The Egyptians have ever believed, that -the jugglery and magic arts, in which their magicians and priests of -mysteries display such astonishing proficiency, are actual miracles, -exhibiting the power of their deities, and their co-operation with -their priests to enable them to do these deceptions. Miracles, -therefore (or magic), were regarded by them as acts of their idols. It -became necessary that the Lord God of the Hebrews should manifest -Himself and His power by miracles also; and not only this, but that -the miracles which He performed should be of such a character as to -distinguish them from the jugglery of the magicians, and at once -convince the Egyptians that they proceeded from a Being omnipotent -over their idols, and show the Israelites themselves, who had almost -forgotten God, that the author of such mighty miracles as they beheld, -must be the only living and true God of the earth and skies. Now, my -dear Remeses," he continued, "if you will give heed to my words for a -few moments, you will perceive how perfectly fitted the ten miracles -which God performed in the sight of Pharaoh, Egypt, and Israel, were -to destroy their faith in the gods of Egypt, and make known the true -God as the only Deity to be feared and worshipped by men. - -"At first, in conformity with the Divine purpose, the strength of the -magicians was brought out and fairly measured with my own, as God's -servant, inspired by Him, for of myself I did nothing. Unless this -trial of skill had been made, both the Egyptians and doubting -Israelites would have said that I derived my power from their gods -(for they would not forget I had been an Egyptian and knew their -mysteries), and God would not have been honored. But when the royal -magicians appeared in the name of the gods of Egypt, lo! the God of -heaven was shown not only to be superior to their sorcerers by His -miracles, but, as you will perceive, hostile to their idolatrous -worship. The observers of both sides were permitted not only to -distinguish the power of God from the inferior arts of the magicians -of Egypt, but are led to withdraw with us, as is the case with tens of -thousands who seek to follow us from Goshen,--their confidence in the -protection and power of their gods being utterly destroyed. Observe -now, my dear prince, the direction taken by the miracles. - -"The first one, which confirmed my authority and mission to Pharaoh, -destroyed the serpents. This was the first assault of the Almighty -upon the gods and sacred animals and things of Egypt; for you are -aware of the temple of the sacred Urus, where the serpent is -worshipped. The serpent of the rod of God destroying the serpents of -the Egyptians, showed Pharaoh that his gods could not live, or save -themselves in the presence of the servant of the true God. Thus the -serpent form taken by the rod was not merely an arbitrary shape; there -was profound design concealed thereunder. - -"The Nile is held sacred, revered as a god by the Egyptians, and the -fish they regard as holy. Its waters supply all Egypt with a drink -which they quaff with reverence and pleasure, believing that a healing -virtue dwells in its waves. Changed to blood, and its fish becoming -putrid, they loathed their god and fled from his banks with horror. - -"The next miracle--of frogs--was also directed against a god of the -Egyptians and the worship of these unclean animals. He was made to -become their curse; and as they dared not kill them, being sacred, -they became to them a terror and a disgust unspeakable. - -"The miracle which followed was directed against their priests and -temples; for, by the laws of the forty two books, no one could -approach the altars upon which so impure an insect harbored; and the -priests, to guard against such an accident, wore white linen, and -shaved their heads and bodies every other day. The severe nature of -this miracle, as aimed against the religious rites and altar-services -of the Egyptians, you will perceive. So keenly did the magicians feel -this, and foresee how it would close every temple in Egypt, that they -were forced to exclaim, in my presence-- - -"'This is the finger of God!' - -"The succeeding and fifth miracle was designed to destroy the -confidence of the Egyptians in their god of flies, Baal-zebul. This -god had the reputation of protecting Egypt from the swarms of flies -which, at certain seasons, infest the air throughout all Egypt. The -inability of the magicians who were sent for by Pharaoh to remove -them, showed that the Lord God was more powerful than their fly-god, -and thus led them to look upon their own idol with contempt. - -"The miracle which destroyed their cattle was aimed at Apis, and -Mnevis, and Amun, the ram-headed god of Thebes, and at the entire -system of their worship of animals. Thus, by this one act of power, -the Lord Jehovah vindicated His own honor, and destroyed their -confidence in their idols, and the very existence of their gods. - -"When, by the command of God, I took ashes from the altar of human -sacrifices, and sprinkled it towards heaven, as did their priests, to -avert evil, and evil came in the shape of the boil, God taught them, -that what they trusted to, He could make against them, and out of -their idolatrous rites bring a curse upon them and upon Egypt. - -"The eighth miracle," continued Moses, while I gave ear to his words -with wondering attention, "was directed at the worship of Isis, as the -moon, and controller of the seasons, and clouds, and weather. When the -hail and the rain, the lightning and thunder, was brought by God upon -the land, and all the prayers to Isis failed to stay the fearful -tempest of His wrath, it should have convinced Pharaoh of the folly of -his idolatry, and taught the people not to put their trust in an idol -that could not help them against the power of the God of the Hebrews. - -"The miracle which followed, was directed against the adoration and -rites of Serapis, and his whole gorgeous system of worship; for the -Egyptians saw that the god who was regarded as their peculiar -protector against the destructive power of locusts, was impotent to -remove the cloud of these voracious insects, which God brought upon -them from the sea; and that only when Pharaoh entreated God, were they -removed. - -"The last miracle was aimed at the universal worship of Osiris, or the -Sun. It was intended to teach Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and also -Israel, that the God of the Hebrews was superior to their 'lord of the -sun,' and that He could veil His splendor when, and for any length of -time, it pleased Him! And also that they were called by the exhibition -of this mighty miracle to worship Him who made the sun, and moon, and -stars, and all the glory of them--Jehovah is His name!" - -When, my dear father, the man of God had ceased speaking, I remained -for some time silent with awe, meditating upon what I had heard; -worshipping, and adoring, and praising God, whose wisdom, and power, -and judgments, are over all His works, who will not give His glory to -another, nor leave Himself without a witness of His existence upon -earth. - -Thus you see, my dearest father, that the miracles were not arbitrary -displays of power, but grand divine lessons, mingled with judgments. -It was JEHOVAH vindicating His own worship, and showing the impotency -of false gods, by the manifestation of His supreme power and majesty, -as the destroyer of gods, and the only potentate,--God of gods, King -of kings, and Ruler over all, blessed for evermore! - -Having now revealed to you the mystery, veiled under the miracles of -Moses, I will close my long letter, leaving you to reflect, my father, -upon the wonders of God, and to contemplate His wisdom. In one or two -more letters, I shall close my correspondence; as, travelling in the -desert, I shall have no opportunity to communicate with you. I shall -proceed into Syria by the caravan route in a few days, and by the way -of Palestine and the valley of the Jordan, return to Damascus, and -thence, as soon as my affairs will permit, shall hasten to see you at -your palace in Tyre. - -Farewell, my dear father. - - Your affectionate son, - REMESES OF DAMASCUS. - - - - -LETTER XII. - -PRINCE REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO KING SESOSTRIS. - - -HOREB IN THE DESERT. - -MY DEAR FATHER: - -I will now resume the subject which occupied the foregoing portion of -my last letter, namely, the departure of the twelve armies of the -Hebrews from the land of Egypt. - -When the last division had passed the tower, after midnight, Moses and -Aaron went forward and travelled all night, along the column of march, -addressing the leaders of tribes, divisions, thousands, and hundreds, -as they went, giving them words of courage, and commanding them to -keep in view the Pillar of Fire. - -This Divine Glory, which the whole people of the Hebrews, and even the -Egyptian followers, were permitted to behold and gaze at with wonder, -as if it were the moon or sun, moved onward, far in advance of the -last division, and seemingly directly over the head of the column. -When I reached, with Moses, the van of the mighty slowly-moving host, -I perceived that a sort of sarcophagus on wheels was drawn by twelve -oxen in front of all; and that over this, the "shekinah," as Aaron -termed the presence of God in the cloud of light, was suspended. I had -not seen this before, but knew that it must contain the embalmed body -of Prince Joseph, which the children of Israel had jealously guarded -and concealed from the Pharaohs of the present dynasty, waiting the -time of the deliverance; for the venerable Joseph, on his death, had -taken an oath from his brethren, the children of Israel, that they -would carry up his bones out of Egypt, when God should send the -deliverer to bring them forth. - -Faithfully were this wonderful people now fulfilling the oath of their -fathers to Joseph, after more than two hundred years had passed. Thus -their going out of Egypt bore a resemblance to a national funeral. At -the side of the sarcophagus Moses and Aaron walked, and thus the -solemn march advanced towards the wilderness. All that night they -journeyed from the plain of Raamses, and came to the verge of a rocky -valley where the way was rough, compared with the fertile and level -plains of Egypt. When the sun arose, the pillar of fire faded, as it -were, into a columnar cloud which still advanced miraculously and -wonderfully before us. When the heat of the day increased, the cloud -descended and rested over a place called Succoth. Here Moses ordered -the people to encamp, and bake their unleavened bread which they -brought with them in their kneading-troughs from Egypt. The next night -they travelled up the valley to a place called Etham, a short journey; -and thence, after a rest, turning back a little, they traversed the -valley between rocks eastward, and encamped at a well of water called -Pi-hahiroth, where there were many palm-trees. Here they remained to -rest, with the hills on either hand, wondering why God should not have -let them pass into the desert at Etham, instead of bringing them into -that defile, which seemed to have no outlet but at the shore of the -sea. Passing Pi-hahiroth, with its castle and garrison, the latter of -which fled at our advance, as also the garrison of the tower of -Migdol, which guarded the way to Egypt from the Arabian Sea, and so up -the cliffs of the valley-sides, Moses encamped between Migdol and the -sea, which spread far away eastward in front, with the towers and -fortified city of Baal-zephon visible on the opposite side. The Pillar -of Cloud had indicated this place of encampment, by resting above it -near the shore. - -When I surveyed the place, I marvelled to know how Moses would move -forward the next day; for the mountainous ridges of the rocky valley, -along which we had come, continued close to the shore of the sea on -the right hand, and on the left, and I could perceive, as I walked to -the place, no room for a single man, much less an army, to go either -south or north between the mountains and the water; for the sea broke -with its waves against its perpendicular sides. I concluded, -therefore, that on the morrow the whole host would have to retrace its -steps, and enter the desert by the way of Etham, where it had before -encamped, and so make a sweep around the head of the sea to the -northward and eastward. But I did not express to any one my thoughts. -The calm majesty and repose of Moses awed me. Upon his expansive brow -was stamped confidence in his God, who, if need were, could make a -road across the sea for His people, for whose deliverance He had done -such wonders. I reflected, too, that the leader was God himself, and -that He had gone before, and led them to the place where they were. I -therefore waited the will of God, to see what in His wisdom He would -do. - -How little did I anticipate the end! How far was I from understanding -that God had led His people into this defile, which had no outlet but -that by which they entered, in order to display His glory, and present -to the world the final exhibition of His power, and his judgments upon -Pharaoh and the Egyptians! - -The divinely inspired Moses seemed to understand my thoughts, when I -returned to the camp. - -"My son," he said, "this is done to try Pharaoh; for, when he heareth -that we are in the valley of Pi-hahiroth, before Migdol, he will say, -'They are entangled in the land--the wilderness hath shut them in.' -'Then,' saith the Lord to me, 'Pharaoh will repent that he let you and -my people go, and he will follow after you, and when he shall come -after you, I will be honored upon Pharaoh and upon all his host; that -the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.' God will yet avenge -Himself upon this wicked king, and reward him for all his wickedness -that he hath done against Him and His people Israel! Wait, and thou -shalt see the power of God, indeed!" - -With what expectation, and with what confidence in God I waited the -result, my dear father, you may conceive. How wonderful is this God, -and His ways how past finding out! "It was just four hundred and -thirty years from the day Israel left Egypt," said Aaron to me, "to -the day their father Abram left Chaldea for Canaan; and that, their -books say, is the exact time prophesied for their deliverance. Their -actual residence in Egypt from the Syrian Prince Jacob's coming to -settle in Goshen, to the day they left, was two hundred and fifteen -years. The existence of their _bondage_ began at the death of Joseph, -who died sixty-five years, not seventy, as you supposed, before the -birth of Moses. This servant of God is now eighty years old; -therefore, the number of years _that they were in servitude_ is one -hundred and forty-five, or equal to five generations. Thus, were the -descendants of Abraham, and Abraham himself, wanderers without any -country of their own for four hundred and thirty years, according to -the word of the Lord to Abraham; not all this time in bondage, indeed, -but under kings of another language. Now, at length behold them -returning a mighty nation, to claim from the Canaanites and -Philistines the land so long ago promised to their remote ancestor, -Abram. God is not forgetful of His promise, as this vast multitude -proclaims to the world, though He seems to wait; but His purposes must -ripen, and with the Almighty a day is as a thousand years, and a -thousand years as one day." - -Now behold, my dear father, a new manifestation of His glory and -power, and the awful majesty of His judgments, before whom no man can -stand and live! The next day, being the seventh, whereon a divine -tradition ordains rest, but which in their bondage could not be -regarded, Moses and Aaron commanded the whole host to repose. Thus -time was given Pharaoh, not only to hear the report,--as he did by -some Egyptians who, in dread of the wilderness, went back,--of their -being shut in by the craggy mountains, with the sea before them,--but -to arm and to pursue and destroy them or compel them to submit again -to his yoke. - -I have learned from an officer of Pharaoh, who, fearing God, escaped -from the palace, and came and informed Moses of the king's purposes, -that when the news reached the king, who had been three days bitterly -repenting his compliance with the demands of Moses, he sprang from the -table at which he sat, and, with a great oath by his gods, cried-- - -"They are entangled between Pi-hahiroth and the sea! They have played -me false, and are not gone by Etham into the desert to sacrifice! -Their God has bewildered them in the Valley of Rocks by the sea! Now, -by the life of Osiris, I will up and pursue them!" He called all his -lords and officers, and gave commands to send couriers to the army -already assembled at Bubastis, and expecting to march against the king -of Edom, who had long menaced Egypt. He ordered this army to hasten, -by forced marches, to the plain before On. He then sent to the city, -where he kept his six hundred chosen chariots of war, for them to be -harnessed, and meet him the next day before Raamses. Couriers on fleet -horses were sent to every garrison, and all the chariots in other -cities, and in the three treasure-cities, to the number of four -thousand charioteers, each with his armed soldier, gathered on the -plain which the Israelites had left four days before. The forty-seven -fortresses of the provinces sent forth their garrisons, of three and -four hundred men each, to swell the Egyptian hosts. - -All this intelligence reached Moses; but he remained immovable in his -camp, the Pillar of Fire also standing in the air above the tent of -Aaron, in which was the sarcophagus of Prince Joseph. Messenger after -messenger, sometimes an Egyptian friendly to the Israelites, sometimes -an Israelite who had been detained and did not leave Egypt with his -brethren, came to Moses, and as they passed through the camp, gave up -their news to the people. - -One man said Pharaoh had left his palace, armed in full battle-armor, -and at the head of his body-guard of six hundred chariots of gold and -ivory, was driving to the plain of Raamses. A second messenger brought -tidings, that the king's great army, from the vicinity of Bubastis and -Pelusium, had passed On in full march,--seventy thousand foot, ten -thousand horsemen, and two thousand chariots of iron! A third came, -reporting that four thousand chariots had also assembled from all -parts of Lower Egypt, and that every man was rallying to the standard -of the king, to pursue the Hebrews and destroy them by the edge of the -sword. By and by, a fourth came, an escaped Hebrew, who told that the -king had marshalled his vast hosts of one hundred thousand foot, -twenty thousand horsemen, nine thousand chariots of iron, besides his -six hundred chosen chariots of his body-guard, and was in full pursuit -of the Israelites by the way of Succoth. - -These tidings filled the bosoms of the Hebrews with dismay. They were -in no condition to do battle, there being among them all, one only who -knew the use of arms, which one was Moses; who, with God on his side, -was an army in himself. - -The Egyptian army, marched all night, without rest to hoof or sandal. -Before the sun was up, their approach was made known by the distant -thunder of their chariot-wheels, and the tramp of their horses. At -length, when the Pillar of Fire was fading into a white cloud, and the -sun rose brilliantly over the Sea of Arabia, the van of the Egyptian -army became visible, advancing down the inclosed valley. When the -Israelites beheld its warlike front, and heard the clangor of -war-trumpets and the deep roll of the drums, they fled with fear. The -elders then hastened, and, pale with terror and anger, came before -Moses, and cried to him-- - -"Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die -here in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us to -carry us forth out of Egypt? Did we not, at the first, tell thee in -Egypt, 'Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?' for it had -been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in -the wilderness." - -Then Moses answered their tumult, and said, without displeasure -visible in his godlike countenance-- - -"Fear ye not! Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he -will show you to-day! for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye -shall see them again no more forever! The Lord shall fight for you, -and ye shall hold your peace. Wait to see what He will do." - -Then Moses, with a troubled face, entered his tent, and his voice was -heard by those near by, calling upon God. - -And the Lord answered him from the cloud above the tent-- - -"Why criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel _that they -go forward_! But lift thou up thy rod and stretch out thy hand over -the sea, and divide it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry -ground through the midst of the sea. And behold Pharaoh, (whom I -withhold from nothing which he chooseth in his hard heart to do, -leaving him to his own devices to reap the fruit of his own ways), he -shall follow you with the Egyptians into the sea! and I will get me -honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots and upon -his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord!" - -Then Moses came forth from the tent, whence the voice of the Lord had -been heard by all, both near and afar off. Now, lo! the angel of God -in the Pillar of Cloud, as soon as the armies of Israel began to move -forward to the sea, removed from the front, and went to the rear of -the Hebrew host, and stood behind them in the Pillar of Cloud! Thus, -it stood between the camp of the Israelites and the camp of the -Egyptians, so that when night came, the Israelites, lying encamped on -the shore, had the full splendor of its light; while the Egyptians, to -whom it presented a wall of impenetrable darkness, also encamped, -fearing to go forward in the unnatural night which enveloped them. So -the two hosts remained all night, neither moving--the Pillar of Fire -and the Pillar of Cloud between them, creating day on one side of it, -and tenfold night on the other. - -Now, at the going down of the sun, on that day when the Egyptians -encamped because of the cloud, Moses had stretched forth his hand over -the sea by God's command, and lo! there arose a mighty wind upon the -sea, rising from the south and east; and all that night we heard the -sea and waves roaring, and the hearts of Israel sunk within them for -fear. The Pillar of Fire cast upon the sea a radiance like moonlight, -so that we could perceive that it was in a great commotion, and that -God was doing some great wonder in the deep. It is said that the noise -of the waves reached the ears of Pharaoh, and that he at first -believed it was the sound of the tramping of the whole host of the -Israelites, advancing with their God to give him battle in the -darkness. He called his men to arms, and tried to show front of war; -but the shadow of the cloud between him and the Hebrews, rendered it -impossible for any man to move from one place to another, or to see -his fellow. - -At length morning came to us, but not to the Egyptians, whose night -still continued. But what a spectacle of sublimity and power we -beheld! Before us, an avenue, broad enough for two hundred men to -march abreast, had been cut by the rod of God through the deep sea, -the water of which stood as a wall on the one side and on the other, -glittering like ice on the sides of the rocks of Libanus, when capped -with his snows. At this sight, the Hebrew hosts raised a shout of joy -to God, for they could see that the sacred avenue reached as far as -the eye could extend across the sea; but so great was the distance, -that its sides converged to a point far out from the shore, and seemed -but a hair line. Then Moses, lifting up his voice, commanded the -children of Israel to form into companies and columns of one hundred -and eighty men abreast, and enter the sea by the way God had opened -for them. First went Aaron and the twelve elders, being one of each -tribe, who guarded the body of Prince Joseph. Then followed the -sarcophagus, drawn by twelve oxen, one also furnished by each tribe. -Then came a hundred Levites, carrying all the sacred things which the -Hebrews had preserved in their generations. Now came Moses, leading -the van of the people in column. I also walked near him. As we -descended the shore and entered the crystalline road, I marvelled, yet -had no fear, to see the walls of water, as if congealed to ice, rise -thirty cubits above our heads, firm as if hewn from marble, with sharp -edges at the top catching and reflecting the sunlight. The bed of the -sea was hard and dry sand, smooth as the paved avenue from Memphis to -the pyramids. All day the Israelites marched in, and when night came -not half their vast column had left the land. All the while the Pillar -of Cloud stood behind, in the defile between the Israelites and the -Egyptians. At length, in the first watch of the night, it removed, and -came and went before the Israelites, throwing its beams forward along -our path in the sea. Its disappearance from the rear removed also the -supernatural darkness that enveloped the Egyptians; and when, by the -light of the skies, Pharaoh beheld the Israelites in motion, he -pursued with all his host, leading with his chariots his eager army. -It was just light enough for him to see that his enemy was escaping, -but not enough so to see by what way; but, doubtless, he suspected -that they were wading around the mountains; for great east winds have, -from time to time, swept the sea here outward, so that the water has -been shallow enough for persons to make a circuitous ford around the -northern cliff, and come in again upon the same shore into the desert -above. Pharaoh knew that the wind had been blowing heavily, which he -at first mistook for the Israelites in motion, and there is no doubt -that he pursued with the idea that the sea had been shoaled by the -wind, and that they would come out a mile or two on the north side, -and gain the desert by Etham, and so double the head of the sea into -the peninsula of Horeb. There can be no other reason assigned for his -pursuit into such a road of God's power, unless it was judicial -madness,--a hardening of his heart by God, in punishment for his -contumacy and opposition to His will. Doubtless this is one way in -which God punishes men, by making their peculiar sin the instrument of -their destruction. - -Pharaoh and his chariots, and horsemen, and host pursued, and came -close upon the rear-guard of the Israelites, against whom they pressed -with shouts of battle. The sea was faintly lighted, and the king and -the Egyptians did not see the walls of water which inclosed them, as -they rushed madly and blindly after their prey, urged on by the loud -voice of Pharaoh. At length, when they were in the midst of the sea, -the Lord, in the Pillar of Cloud, suddenly turned and displayed its -side of dazzling light towards the astonished Egyptians! By its -sunlike splendor, Pharaoh and his captains perceived their peril, and -the nature of the dreadful road in which they were entangled. The -walls of water on each side of them, say the Israelites who were in -the rear and saw, moved and swelled, and hung above them in stupendous -scrolls of living water, upheld only by the word of God! The vivid -light of the shekinah blinded their eyes, and bewildered their horses, -and troubled the whole host. All the horrors of his situation were -presented to the mind of the king. With frantic shouts to his -charioteers to turn back, he gave wild orders for his army to retreat, -saying-- - -"Let us flee from the face of Israel! for the Lord their God fighteth -for them against us!" - -Then followed a scene of the most horrible confusion. The steady gaze -upon them of the Angel of the Lord, in the cloud of fire, discomfited -them! They turned to fly! Their chariot-wheels sunk in the deep clay -which the wagons of the Hebrews had cut up, and came off! The king -leaped from his car, and, mounting a horse held by his armor-bearer, -attempted to escape, when the Lord said unto Moses, who now stood upon -the Arabian side of the sea-- - -"Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again -upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." - -Then Moses stretched forth his hand upon the sea, in the deep defile -of which, cleaved by God for his own people, the Egyptian hosts, -chariots, horse and foot, were struggling to retrace their course to -the Egyptian shore, each man battling with his comrade for preference -in advance. The whole scene, for several miles in the midst of the -sea, was a spectacle of terror and despair such as no war, no battle, -nothing under the skies, ever before presented. The shouts and cries -of the Egyptians reached our ears upon the shore with appalling -distinctness. - -Now Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, out of the path -through which the last of the Israelites were coming forth, when the -billows that had been cloven by the rod of God, and made to stand in -two walls like adamant, began to swell and heave, and all at once both -edges of this sea-wall fell over like two mighty cataracts plunging -and meeting, roaring and rushing together each into the chasm wherein -the whole host of Pharaoh--his captains, chariots, and horsemen--with -their faces towards Egypt, were struggling to escape from the snare -that God, in His just vengeance, had laid for them. The returning -waters covered the whole host of them before our eyes, and, while we -looked, the wild sea rolled its huge waves, laden with death, above -the abyss; and then subsiding, the great sea once more flowed calmly -over the spot, and Pharaoh, who had been erecting for years a majestic -pyramid to receive his embalmed body, was buried by the God whom he -defied, beneath the chariots and horses in which he trusted for -victory over the sons of God. - -This spectacle of God's power and judgment filled all Israel with awe. -Those who had murmured against Moses sought his presence, and -prostrated themselves before him, acknowledging their fault, and -asking him to entreat God to pardon their iniquity, declaring that -henceforth they would receive the voice of Moses as the voice of God. - -That day the Israelites encamped on the shore; and all night the waves -cast upon the coast the dead bodies of Pharaoh's host, and chariots -innumerable, with their stores of quivers of arrows, lances, swords, -and spears; so that the men of Israel, to the number of one hundred -thousand chosen out of each tribe, save that of Aaron were armed from -the spoils of the dead soldiers and chariots. Was not this, also, the -finger of God, O my father! The impression made upon the minds of the -children of Israel, by this wonderful exhibition of the power of -God,--of His goodness to them and His vengeance upon Pharaoh,--was -such that they believed God, and feared Him, and professed themselves -ready henceforth to be obedient to His voice. - -When Moses and the children of Israel saw that their enemies were -dead, they chanted a sublime hymn of praise and triumph to God upon -the shore. Then came Miriam, the sister of Aaron, the aged prophetess -of God, bearing a timbrel in her hand, and followed by an innumerable -company of maidens and daughters of Israel, each with her timbrel in -her hand, and singing songs of joy and triumph, while the virgins -danced before the Lord. - -Now, my dear father, I have brought my letters nearly to a close. I -have recorded the most wonderful events earth ever saw, and displays -of Divine power which man has never before witnessed. In contemplating -these wonders, you will be impressed with the terrible majesty of God, -and overwhelmed by His greatness. You will be struck with His -unwavering devotion and care for His people whom He hath chosen, and -with His unceasing vengeance upon His enemies, and such as oppress -those whom He protects. You will be awed and humbled with a sublime -perception of his limitless power in the heavens, on earth, and in the -sea; and feel deeply your own insignificance as a mere worm of the -dust in His sight; and you will cry with me, as I beheld all these -manifestations of His glorious power-- - -"What is man that thou art mindful of him, O God, who fillest the -heavens with the immensity of Thy presence, and in Thine own fulness -art all in all?" - -From the Sea of Arabia, Moses led the armies of Israel, for three -encampments, into the wilderness towards Horeb. Here was no water but -that which was bitter; and the people murmuring, Moses pacified them -by a miracle. Thence they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of -water and seventy palm-trees, and here we encamped for some days. -After certain further wanderings, we came to a wilderness, just one -month after departing from Egypt, God, in all that time, taking not -away the Pillar of Cloud by day nor the Pillar of Fire by night from -before the people. Indeed, the whole journey was a miracle, and -attended by miracles; for in this wilderness, Sinn, their provisions -failed, and the people (who are a perverse and stiff-necked people, -forgetful of favors past, and rebellious--as is perhaps natural to -those who have been so long in bondage, and find themselves now free), -murmured, and again blamed Moses for bringing them from their fare of -flesh and bread in Egypt, to die of hunger in the wilderness. God, -instead of raining fire upon them, mercifully and graciously rained -bread from heaven to feed them, returning their want of faith in Him -with loving-kindness and pardon. And not only did God send bread from -heaven--which continues to fall every morning--but sent quails upon -the camp; so that they covered the whole plain. The taste of this -heavenly bread is like coriander-seed in wafers made with honey. It is -white, is called by the people manna, and is in quantities sufficient -for the whole of them. The camp thence moved forward and came into the -vale of Horeb, where I had first beheld Moses standing by his flock. -Here there was no water, and the people murmured in their thirst, and -again blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt into that -wilderness, not remembering the mighty deliverance at the Sea of -Arabia, nor the manna, nor the quails. At the first obstacle or -privation, they would ever cry out against Moses, who, one day, -exclaimed to his God, in his perplexity-- - -"What shall I do to this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" - -Then the Lord commanded him to take his rod and strike the rock in -Horeb. He did so, and the water gushed forth in a mighty torrent, cool -and clear, and ran like a river, winding through all the camp. - -We are now encamped before Horeb. From this mountain God has given, -amid thunders, and lightnings, and earthquakes, His laws to His -people, by which they are to walk in order to please Him. They are ten -in number: four relating to their duty to Him, and the remaining six -to their duty to one another. It would be impossible, my dear father, -for me to describe to you the awful aspect of Horeb, when God came -down upon it, hidden from the eye of Israel in a thick cloud, with the -thunders, and lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet of God -exceeding loud, so that all the camp trembled for dread and fear. Nor -could I give you any idea of the aspect of the Mount of God, from -which went up a smoke, as the smoke of a furnace, for seven days and -nights, and how the voice of the trumpet waxed louder and louder, -sounding long and with awful grandeur along the skies, calling Moses -to come up into the mount to receive His laws, while the light of the -glory of the Lord was like devouring fire. In obedience to the -terrible voice, Moses left Israel in the plain and ascended the mount. -Aaron and others of the elders accompanied him so near, that they saw -the pavement on which the God of Israel stood. It was, under His feet, -as a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in its -clearness.[2] He was absent forty days. When twenty days were passed -and they saw him not, nor knew what had happened to him, the whole -people murmured, became alarmed, believed that they would never see -him again, and resolved to return to Egypt if they could find a -leader. Aaron refused to go back with them; but at length they -compelled him to consent, if in seven days Moses returned not. At the -end of this period they called Aaron and shouted: - -"Up! Choose us a captain to lead us back to Egypt." - -But Aaron answered that he would not hearken to them, and bade them -wait for Moses. - -Then came a company of a thousand men, all armed, and said: - -"Up! make us gods which shall go before us! As for this Moses, we wot -not has become of him." - -At length Aaron, no longer able to refuse, said-- - -"What god will ye have to lead you?" - -"Apis! the god of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, whom we and our fathers -worshipped in Egypt." - -Then Aaron received from them the jewels of gold they had taken from -the Egyptians, and cast them into a furnace, and made an image of the -calf Serapis, and said, in grief, irony, and anger-- - -"This, and like this, is thy god, O Israel, that brought thee up out -of the land of Egypt!" - -And erecting an altar before this image, these Israelites, not yet -weaned from Egyptian idolatry, burned incense and sacrificed before -it, and made a feast to the god, with music and dancing, as the -Egyptians do. At length Moses reappeared, sent down from the mount by -an indignant God, who beheld this extraordinary return to idolatry. -When the holy prophet saw what was done, he sternly rebuked Aaron, who -excused himself by pleading that he was compelled to yield, and that -he did so to show them the folly of trusting to such an idol, after -they had the knowledge of the true God. Moses took the calf they had -made, and made Aaron burn it in the fire, and he ground it to powder, -and made the idolatrous children of Israel drink of the bitter and -nauseous draught. Again he rebuked Aaron, and called for all who were -on the Lord's side, when several hundreds of the young men came and -stood by him. He commanded them to slay all who had bowed the knee or -danced before the calf; and in one hour three thousand men were slain -by the sword, in expiation of their sin against God. - -Now, my dear father, my last letter must be brought to a close. Moses -informs me that the Lord, in punishment of this sin of Israel, will -cause them to wander many years in the wilderness ere He bring them to -the land promised to their fathers, and will subject them to be -harassed by enemies on all sides, some of whom have already attacked -them, but were discomfited by the courage of a Hebrew youth, called -Joshua, who promises to become a mighty warrior and leader in Israel, -and whom Moses loves as an own son. - -In view, therefore, of this long abode of the children of Israel in -the desert, I shall to-morrow join a caravan which will then pass to -the northward, on its way into Syria from Egypt. It will be with -profound regret that I shall bid adieu to Moses, to Aaron, to Miriam, -and all the friends I have found among this wonderful people. Will not -the world watch from afar the progress of this army of God, which has -beheld the wonders by which He brought them out of Egypt? Doubtless, -ere this you have heard, by ships of Egypt, of some of the mighty -miracles which have devastated her cities and plains; and you will -hear, ere this letter reaches you, of the destruction of the whole -army of Egypt, with their king Pharaoh-Thothmeses, in the Arabian Sea. - -Farewell, my dear father; in a few weeks I shall embrace you. We will -then talk of the majesty, and power, and glory of the God of Israel, -and learn to fear Him; to love, obey, and serve Him,--remembering His -judgments upon Pharaoh, and also upon His chosen people Israel when -they forgot Him; and, that as He dealt with nations, so will He deal -with individuals! Obedience, with unquestioned submission in awe and -love to this great and holy God, our august Creator, is the only path -of peace and happiness for kings or subjects; and the only security -for admission, after death, into His divine heaven above, "whither," -saith His holy servant Moses, "all men will ultimately ascend, who -faithfully serve Him on earth; while those who, like Pharaoh-Thothmeses, -despise Him and His power, will be banished forever from His celestial -presence into the shades below, doomed there to endure woes that know -no termination, through the cycles of the everlasting ages." - -Farewell, my dear father; may the Pillar of Cloud be our guide by day, -and the Pillar of Fire by night, in the wilderness of this world! With -prayer to God to bring me in safety to you, and to guard you in health -until I see your face again, - - I am your ever affectionate son, - REMESES, PRINCE OF DAMASCUS. - -[2] Exodus xxiv. 10. - - - - -APPENDIX. - -A FEW WORDS TO THE EGYPTIAN STUDENT AND TO THE CRITIC. - - -There are necessary, perhaps, a few words to show that the author of -the preceding book has not arbitrarily employed facts, and made use of -traditions to suit a certain series of hypothetical events; but has -been controlled strictly by authorities. - -Scholars, versed in Egyptian archology, will do the author justice in -the plan and execution of his work; for minds, enriched with true -erudition, upon the history of the land where his scenes are placed, -will not only understand the difficulties which a writer has to -contend with, but appreciate what he has done. Captious criticism -will, of course hold itself wholly independent of facts; while -hypercriticism must be suffered to show its _quasi_ erudition. To fair -and manly scholastic criticism, whether from theological scholars, or -students in the "learning of the Egyptians," the work is open; and the -author will be grateful to any judicious and respectable scholar who -will kindly point out errors--proving them to be such. - -The reader of Egyptian history is aware that but little reliance can -be placed on the assigned length of periods, which furnish us with -neither names nor facts, nor reliable monuments; because at this day -we have no control over the fictions and errors of historians. To -carry up to the first century of history a connected chain of -authentic chronology is not yet possible. - -We have given due credit to MANETHO'S statements, but have little -confidence in many of his alleged facts, vouched as they are by -JOSEPHUS and HERODOTUS. The late discoveries by CHAMPOLLION _le -Jeune_, BUNSEN, Dr. YOUNG, LEPSIUS, and others, with the revelations -of actual historical inscriptions, have rendered the books of these -hitherto universally quoted writers nearly obsolete. The traveller of -to-day, who visits Egypt and can read hieroglyph, knows more of the -history of Egypt than MANETHO, JOSEPHUS, DIODORUS, HERODOTUS, STRABO, -or any of the cis-Pharaoic writers thereupon. As revelations are made -from time to time, we have to change our dates, revise our "facts," -and reform our whole history of the past of Egypt, both in its -chronology and dynasties. In this work we have availed ourselves of -the latest discoveries, down to those of last year, by the celebrated -French _savant_, M. AUGUSTE MARIETTE, whose discoveries have, until -recently been made known only to the Academy of Sciences, France, in -modest and unpretending reports of his scientific researches. - -As we have very thoroughly gone over the ground of Egyptian -archology, both in its scientific and theological relations, we are -aware from what quarters attacks will be likely to come, if this book -is honored by the notice of scholars. But to such, we beg leave to say -that, while we may not have formed our work on the plan _their_ views -would have suggested, we have done so on a plan which is defensible; -for there are several schools of interpretation of chronology and -dynasty; and as we have chosen to abide by one of them alone, we are -ready to defend our position, so far as may be necessary to prove that -we are not ignorant of the subject we have attempted to illustrate. - -The impartial scholar will see that we have endeavored to combine the -different, and often conflicting statements and opinions of the -mythology of Egypt, and to present a system which should represent the -belief of the Egyptian people at the time; and out of confusion to -create order. - -In writing a book, the _time_ of which is placed anterior to the -language in which it is written, and even to the Greek and Roman, -there is of necessity the use of terms, which in one sense are -anachronisms, unless one actually makes use of the vernacular of the -Egyptians. For instance, the Greek form of names of gods and men, is -often adopted instead of the Misric, the use of which would be -unintelligible pedantry: therefore, Apollo, Hercules, Venus, Isis, and -Mars, are often written in our pages instead of the Egyptian names. - -In order to show the general reader the variety allowable in Egyptian -names and dynasties, as well as chronology, we will append a few -examples: - -According to one writer on Egypt, it was Amenophis who was lost in the -Red Sea. According to another, it was Thothmes III.; to another, -Thothmes IV.; and to still another, Amos I.; and to another, Osis! - -Amuthosis is called by KENRICK (ii. p. 154), Misphragmuthosis. -Thothmes is also called Thothmeses and other variations. Osiris has -many titles and many legends, but we have adopted the popular one in -Egypt. - -Sesostris is called Ositasen, Osokron, Remeses, and other names, -according to the interpretation of his cartouches, and other -inscriptions. - -The pyramid of Chephren is called also Chafre, Chephres, Cephren, and -other designations, while Cheops has half a dozen appellations. A -writer, therefore, who seeks to present an intelligible view of the -manners, customs, religion, and polity of the ancient Egyptians must -decide what authority and what path he will follow; and having chosen -each, he should pursue it undeviatingly to its close. This we have -tried to do; and while those who might have selected a different one -may, perhaps, not coincide with our judgment, they will at least have -the candor to acknowledge that we are as much entitled, as scholars, -to respect in the choice we have made, as if we had made one in -harmony with their own peculiar views. - -The question of "dynasty" has presented singular difficulties; but we -have mainly followed NOLAN and SEYFFARTH, leaving their guidance, -however, when, our own judgment dictated a deviation from their views. -When some chronologers of the highest character place the birth of -MOSES 1572, B. C. (vide NOLAN), others 1947 (vide SEYFFARTH), others -2100 years, others 1460, it is necessary that a writer, whose book -requires a fixed date, should make a decision. We have, after careful -consideration of the whole ground, adopted the era which we believe to -be the true one. The confusion attending the adjustment of the -Pharaoic dynasties to their true time, is well known to scholars and -admitted by all except those who have advanced figures of their own, -and expect Egyptian Chronology henceforth to be construed by them -alone. NOLAN (vide Book IV., Sect. iv.), has presented to our minds -the clearest exposition of the question; and we have followed, very -closely, his table of the dynasty of the Pharaohs between the eras of -Joseph and the Exodus. - -The Biblical scholar need not be informed that Moses was forty years -of age before he interested himself openly in the Hebrews. Egyptian -history (see NOLAN) shows that in his thirty-fifth year, the -queen-mother, Pharaoh's daughter, died, and was succeeded by Moeris; -and as the Scriptures are silent, as to the occupation and place of -Moses in the interval, we are justifiable in placing him out of Egypt, -during the six years that followed, as we have done. - -We desire here to acknowledge our indebtedness to the following -authors, whose works, either directly or indirectly, we have -consulted, and from which we have made use of such parts as served our -purpose; and not wishing to burden our pages with notes and -references, we here make our grateful acknowledgments to them, and -recognition of their works: - - G. SEYFFARTH, A. M., Ph. D., D. D., seriatim, especially, - "Observationes Egyptiorum Astronomic, et Hireroglyphice descript in - Zodiaco," &c., &c.--Leipz. - - "The Egyptian Chronology Analyzed;" by FREDERICK NOLAN, LL. D., F. R. - S.--London. - - "The Monuments of Egypt and Voyage up the Nile;" edited by FRANCIS L. - HAWKS, D. D., LL. D. - - "Ancient Egypt under the Pharaohs;" by JOHN KENRICK, M. A. A work - which presents at one view the most complete illustrations of Egypt - extant. - - To SIR GARDINER WILKINSON, D. C. L., F. R. S., &c., the writer is - indebted for much information respecting details of art, society, and - customs. - - "The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation;" edited by Professor C. E. - STOWE, D. D., by an anonymous author. - - Dr. MAX UHLEMANN'S writings on Egyptian antiquities. - - Rt. Rev. BISHOP WAINWRIGHT'S "Land of Bondage." - - MILLS' "Ancient Hebrews." - - LEPSIUS' "Discoveries in Egypt, Ethiopia," &c., and this eminent - author's other valuable writings upon Egyptian archology and - antiquities. - - STANLEY'S "Sinai and Palestine." - - HENGSTENBERG'S "Egypt and the Books of Moses Illustrated by the - Monuments of Egypt." - - Col. HOWARD VISE on the Pyramids. - - J. A. ST. JOHN'S "Egypt and Nubia;" London, 1845. - - "Antiquities of Egypt;" London, Rel. Tr. Soc., 1841. - - ROSSELLINI'S works. - - BURTON'S "Excerpts Hierogl." - - J. C. NOTT, M. D., Mobile, to whose courtesy the author is indebted - for several valuable works illustrating ancient Egypt. - - VON BOHLEN (Petrus). - - BIROU, Roy-Soc. Lit. - - "Description de l'Egypte," pendant l'Expdition de l'Arme Franaise, - 1826. - - LESUEUR, "Chron. des Rois d'Egypte." - - Dr. ROBINSON'S very valuable researches. - - BUNSEN'S "Egypten" and other writings, seriatim. - - "DENON'S Voyage." - - HERODOTUS, SOCRATES, DIODORUS, STRABO, PLINY, PTOLEMY, ERATOSTHENES, - PLUTARCH, and other Greek and classic authors who have written upon - Egypt, have been made use of by the author as sources of information, - and adopted as authorities so far as subsequent monumental - revelations have not lessened the weight of their testimony. - - We are also under obligations to Professor HENRY S. OSBORN, for the - aid afforded in the Phoenician portion of our book, by his recently - published work, "Palestine, Past and Present," with "Biblical, - Literary, and Scientific Notes;" one of the most valuable and - interesting books of travel and research which has appeared for many - years, on the East: Challen & Son, Phil., 1859. - -Besides the above, we have availed ourselves of numerous sources of -information accessible to the Egyptian student, to enumerate which -would extend this note to a catalogue. - -We have sought in the foregoing work, to illustrate and delineate -events of the Old Testament, as in the "Prince of the House of David" -the New, so that they should "come home with a new power," to make use -of the language of another, "to those who by long familiarity have -lost, as it were, the vividness of the reality," and bring out their -outlines so as to convey to the mind of the reader a more complete -realization of scenes which seem to be but imperfectly apprehended by -the general reader of the historical parts of the Old Testament. The -work is written, not for scholars nor men learned in Egyptian lore; it -advances nothing new; but simply offers in a new dress that which is -old. The writer will have accomplished his object, "if his book," to -quote the words of Mr. STANLEY, in his preface to "Sinai and -Palestine," "brings any one with fresh interest to the threshold of -the divine story 'of the Exodus,' which has many approaches, and -which, the more it is explored, the more it reveals of poetry, life, -and instruction, such as has fallen to the lot of no other history in -the world." - -The intention of the author in writing these works on Scripture -narratives is to draw the attention of those persons who do not read -the Bible, or who read it carelessly, to the wonderful events it -records, as well as the divine doctrines it teaches; and to tempt them -to seek the inspired sources from which he mainly draws his facts. - -The author's plan embraces three works of equal size. They cover the -three great eras of Hebrew history, viz.: its beginning, at the -Exodus; its culmination, as in the reigns of David and Solomon; its -decline, as in the day of Our Lord's incarnation. - -J. H. I. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Pillar of Fire, by Joseph Holt Ingraham - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PILLAR OF FIRE *** - -***** This file should be named 50611-8.txt or 50611-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/6/1/50611/ - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Pillar of Fire - or, Israel in Bondage - -Author: Joseph Holt Ingraham - -Release Date: December 5, 2015 [EBook #50611] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PILLAR OF FIRE *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div id="tnote"> - -<p>Transcriber's Note.</p> - -<p>The text comprises a series of letters in three groups. The first -group, the first letter within that group, and the third group, -lack headings. Appropriate headings have been copied from the -Table of Contents and inserted on pages 25 and 468.</p> - -<p>Apparent typographical errors have been corrected as has inconsistent -hyphenation.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="image-center"> - <img width="399" height="600" alt="" src="images/frontis.jpg" /> - <div class="caption"> - <p>THE FINDING OF MOSES.—<span class="smcap">Page</span> 388.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<div id="front"> - - <h1><span class="x-small">THE</span><br /> - PILLAR OF FIRE;<br /> - <span class="x-small">OR,</span><br /> - <span class="large blackletter">Israel in Bondage.</span></h1> - -<div class="image-center"> - <img width="200" height="37" alt="" src="images/wings.jpg" /> -</div> - - <p class="small"><span class="smcap">By REV. J. H. INGRAHAM</span>,<br /> - <span class="blackletter">Rector of Christ Church, and of St. Thomas' Hall, Holly Springs, Miss.</span></p> - - <p class="small">AUTHOR OF<br /> - "THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID."</p> - - <p>BOSTON:<br /> - <span class="smcap">ROBERTS BROTHERS, Publishers.</span><br /> - <span class="smcap">No. 299 Washington Street.</span><br /> - 1881.</p> - -</div> - -<p class="center x-small"> - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by<br /> - G. G. EVANS,<br /> - in the Clerk's Office of the District Court - for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.</p> - -<div id="dedicate"> - - <p>THE MEN OF ISRAEL,</p> - - <p class="x-small">SONS OF</p> - - <p class="small">ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB,</p> - - <p class="x-small gesperrt">KINDRED OF MOSES,</p> - - <p class="x-small">THE GREAT LAWGIVER AND FRIEND OF GOD:</p> - - <p><span class="blackletter">This Book</span></p> - - <p class="small">IS INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR;</p> - - <p class="x-small">WITH THE PRAYER,</p> - - <p class="x-small">THAT YOU, OF THIS GENERATION, - WHO ARE DISPERSED IN ALL THE EARTH</p> - - <p class="x-small">MAY BEHOLD AND FOLLOW THE LIGHT OF</p> - - <p class="small bold">THE CROSS,</p> - - <p class="x-small">AS YOUR FATHERS FOLLOWED</p> - - <p class="small gesperrt">THE PILLAR OF FIRE</p> - - <p class="x-small">AND ENTER AT LAST THE REAL CANAAN,</p> - - <p class="x-small">UNDER THE TRUE JOSHUA,</p> - - <p class="small">JESUS, THE SON OF ABRAHAM,</p> - - <p class="x-small">WHO ALSO WAS</p> - - <p class="gesperrt">THE SON OF GOD.</p> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">{5}</a></span></div> - -<h2>AUTHOR'S CHAPTER TO THE READER.</h2> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> idea of illustrating scenes of that period of the history of -Egypt in which the Israelites were held in bondage by her -kings, and presenting it from a point of view outside of the -Mosaic narrative, yet strictly harmonizing therewith, occurred to -the writer some years ago.</p> - -<p>In view of his object, he has carefully studied the history and -chronology of Egypt, and endeavored to inform his mind upon -the manners, customs, laws, religion, and polity of the ancient -Egyptians, so far as to aid him in an intelligent and practical -execution of his work.</p> - -<p>The difficulties which the question of dynasty, and of <i>individual</i> -reigns have presented, will be understood by the Egyptian -student. Whatsoever chronology or theory the author -might finally decide upon, he saw would be open to the objections -of adherents to the opposite school.</p> - -<p>After a thorough examination of the subject of the dynasties, -the author has followed, chiefly, the chronology and theory of -Nolan and Seyffarth, whose opinions are sustained by the ablest -scholars.</p> - -<p>But this work is by no means a "Book on Egypt." It professes -to have nothing more to do with Egyptian antiquities, -mythology, chronology, and history, than these naturally assemble -about his subject, which is, mainly, "The Bondage and Deliverance -of the Children of Israel from the Land of Egypt."</p> - -<p>The plan upon which the author has constructed his work is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">{6}</a></span> -similar to that of "The Prince of the House of David;" viz., -by presenting the scenes and events he would describe, through -a series of letters, alleged to be written by one who is supposed -to witness with his own eyes what he is made to place before -those of the reader.</p> - -<p>As in "The Prince of the House of David," a young Jewish -maiden is supposed to witness many of the most remarkable -scenes in the human life of the Lord Jesus, and to write of them -to her father in Egypt, so in the present work a young prince of -Phœnicia is made the medium of communication between the -author and his reader.</p> - -<p>This prince, <span class="smcap">Sesostris</span>, the son of the king and queen of -Phœnicia, upon reaching the age of eight-and-twenty, prepares -to go into Egypt, for the purpose of studying the laws and arts, -religion and government of that country, which, at this period, -was the most powerful kingdom of the earth. Mistress of wisdom, -learning, and letters, she drew to her brilliant court youths, -nobles, philosophers, and travellers of all lands; as in later centuries, -even in her decadence, Greece sent her scholars there to -be perfected in the sciences and philosophies of her academies.</p> - -<p>Young Sesostris takes leave of his mother, now a widowed -queen, and embarks in the royal galley at the marble pier of the -palace of the Isle of Tyre. He bears letters to Amense, the -queen of Egypt, commending him to her courtesy.</p> - -<p>Between Egypt and Phœnicia existed bonds, not only of -friendly alliance, but of relationship. But few centuries had -passed since a king of Phœnicia, at the head of a vast army of -Syrians, invaded Egypt, and taking Memphis, set up a foreign -throne in the valley of the Nile.</p> - -<p>Under this dynasty of conquerors, Joseph ruled in Egypt, and -Jacob dwelt; for, being Syrians, these new Pharaohs regarded -with partiality the descendants of Abraham, who was also "a -Syrian."</p> - -<p>But after the death of Joseph, not many years elapsed ere the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">{7}</a></span> -Theban kings of Upper Egypt invaded the Memphitic realm of -the Nile, and, overturning the power of this foreign dynasty, -friendly to the sons of Israel, re-established the native Egyptian -monarchy, "which knew not Joseph," nor recognized the -descendants of Abraham dwelling in the land. On the contrary, -looking upon them as of similar lineage with the expelled Syrian -or Assyrian invaders, as they were equally called, the new monarch -and conqueror, <span class="smcap">Amosis</span>, at once placed them in subjection, -and oppressed them with a bitter bondage.</p> - -<p>This new Egyptian monarchy, under Pharaoh-Amosis, came -into power again, some years after the death of Joseph, during -which period the children of Israel had increased to a great -people. For the space of seventy years their oppression was -continued by successive kings, until, under Amenophis I. (the -father of Amense, "Pharaoh's daughter"), the alarming increase -of the numbers of the Hebrews, led this monarch to take harsher -measures with them, "for the more they afflicted them, the -more they multiplied and grew."<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_1" id="Ref_1" href="#Foot_1">[1]</a></span> -Fearing for the stability of -his kingdom, if they should rise upon their taskmasters, and -remembering the Syrian shepherd-kings, who had so lately ruled -Egypt, he issued the command for the destruction of all their -male children, as soon as born!</p> - -<p>At the time of the promulgation of this sanguinary edict, -Amense was a young princess, to whose feet the little ark, containing -the infant Moses, God-directed, came.</p> - -<p>The theory of Egyptian chronology which we have decided -to follow, represents this princess as the Queen of Egypt, at the -time when we present the Prince Sesostris of Tyre to the reader -Under her wise rule, Egypt had attained the culmination of its -glory and power. Her father, having died, after reigning -twenty-two years, she began her brilliant reign when Moses was -twelve years of age—B. C. about 1560. She had been upon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">{8}</a></span> -the throne twenty-one years, when the Prince Sesostris prepares -to visit her court.</p> - -<p>We will not longer delay presenting the reader to the Letters -of Prince Sesostris, trusting that this feeble attempt to illustrate -one of the most interesting periods of human history, as it might -have appeared to a stranger in Egypt, may lead to a study of -the Old Testament by many who are unfamiliar with its pages; -and also show how, in his dealings with Pharaoh, God wielded -not merely an arbitrary power, but that, in all the "mighty -works" He did, He was striking at Egypt's <i>gods</i>, and asserting -His own Divinity, as the Only Living and True God, "besides -Whom there is none else."</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right1"><span class="smcap">The Author.</span></div> - -<div class="small left1"><span class="smcap">Holly Springs, Mississippi.</span></div> - -<div class="small left3"><i>Jan. 1, 1859</i>.</div> - -</div> - -<p class="gap-above small"><span class="smcap">Note</span>.—The Egyptian scholar, the critic, and the Biblical student -are referred to the "Concluding Essay by the Author," in the Appendix, -at the close of the volume.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_1" id="Foot_1" href="#Ref_1">[1]</a> -Exodus ii.</p> - -</div> - -<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> - -<p class="center">LETTERS OF SESOSTRIS TO QUEEN EPIPHIA.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER I.</p> - -<p>On, the City of the Sun—Grandeur of Egypt—Emotions at the -sight of its wonders of art and scenes of beauty—The Queen of -the ancient house of Pharaoh—Her son, Prince Remeses (Moses)—Tyre, -and its traffic with distant lands—Damascus—Voyage from -Tyre to Pelusium—Scene at the departure of the fleet—The Nile—Its -encroachments—First view of Egypt—Meeting with Egyptian -war-ship—Invitation to visit the Court of Queen Amense—Description -of Egyptian war-ship—Banquet on the Admiral's ship—Singular -custom—Panorama of the Nile—pp. <a href="#Page_25">25</a>-38.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER II.</p> - -<p>Love for native land—Avenue of temples and palaces—Sublime -temple of the Sun—Emblem of Osiris—Artificial canal—Gardens and -circular lake—Gathering of philosophers and scholars—Obelisks—Message -from Queen Amense—Great temple of Osiris—Splendid -approach to the City of the Sun—Row of sphinxes—Osiris and -Isis—Colossi—An Arabian charger—Magnificent scene—Spectacle -of architectural grandeur—Beautiful palace—Religious notions of -the Egyptians—Personal appearance of the Lord-prince Remeses -(Moses)—View of the Desert—Hebrew laborers—Interview with -Remeses—pp. <a href="#Page_39">39</a>-52.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER III.</p> - -<p>Climate of Egypt—Eternal sunshine and crystalline atmosphere—Costume -of the Egyptian prince—Hieroglyphic writing—Legend -of the Obelisk of Mitres—More of the personal appearance of -Remeses (Moses)—The Hebrew prince Abram (the Patriarch)—His -personal appearance—His tomb—Interior of Egyptian palace—Egyptian -Mythology—Mnevis, the sacred ox—Legend of Osiris—Pantheism—Apis, -or the sacred bull—Out-of-door life at midday—Hebrews, -under their taskmasters, in the burning sun—Prospect -from the terrace of the palace—Isle of Rhoda, in the Nile—pp. -<a href="#Page_53">53</a>-66.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER IV.</p> - -<p>Palace of Remeses—Invitation to meet the Queen—Costume of a -prince of Tyre—Egyptian chariots and horses—Nubian charioteer—Escort -of the Queen's body-guard—Pleasure chariots—The Queen -in her chariot—Beautiful lake—Sphinxes—Royal palace described—The -throne-room—The throne-chair of ivory—Its footstool and -canopy—Assembly of military princes—Magnificent attire, and -splendid appearance of Remeses (Moses)—Ceremony of presentation -to the Queen—Queen Amense; her appearance and costume—Termination -of the audience—pp. <a href="#Page_67">67</a>-80.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER V.</p> - -<p>Egyptian magnificence—Egyptian architecture—Osiride pillars—Vastness -of objects—Avenue of Sphinxes—Temple of the god -Horus—The emblem of Hor-hat—Court of Colonnades—Grand -hall—Rich colors in architecture—Sculpture—Bass-reliefs—Splendid -temple—Chamber of art and beauty—Magnificent review of the -army of four thousand chariots of iron—A warrior-prince in his -war-chariot—Description of war-chariot—Ethiopian slaves—Bewildering -spectacle—Military and civil homage to the Queen—The -Lord of Uz (Job) described—Ceremonies preparatory to a royal -banquet—The banquet—Costly wine-goblets—Arabian dancing-girls—Jugglers—Guests -overcome by wine—pp. <a href="#Page_81">81</a>-98.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VI.</p> - -<p>Visit from Prince Remeses (Moses)—Great gate of the city—Phalanx -of dark Libyan soldiers—Varied accomplishments of -Remeses—Avenue of gardens, villas, and lakes—Temples in circular -lakes—Egyptian field-laborers—Hebrew brick-makers—Description -of this "mysterious" race—Account of the mode of their toil—Cruelty -of their taskmasters—Emotions of pity at the sight of their -sufferings—The lash!—Beautiful Hebrew girls—Dwellings of brick-makers—Joseph—Scene -at the "Fountain of Strangers"—Distant -view of the City of the Sun—Of Raamses—Of the pyramids—Of -the illimitable desert—Wounded Hebrew youth at the Fountain of -Strangers—Majestic old Hebrew beaten by taskmasters—Touching -scene—pp. <a href="#Page_99">99</a>-114.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VII.</p> - -<p>Interview with the venerable Ben Isaac at the Well of the -Strangers—Raamses, the Treasure-city—Joseph's granary—Exquisite -temple of Apis—Beautiful young Hebrew girl pursued by the -taskmaster—Her rescue and story—The punishment of the taskmaster—Intolerable -burdens of the Hebrews—Garden of Flowers -for the use of the temple of Apis—Account of the Syrian prince -Abram (Abraham)—Of Melchisedec—Of the Hyksos, or Shepherd-Kings—Their -conquest of Egypt—The Princess Sara (wife of Abraham)—Prince -Jacob (the Patriarch) and his twelve sons—Joseph—Pharaoh's -dream—Elevation of Joseph—Monuments of his power—pp. -<a href="#Page_115">115</a>-129.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VIII.</p> - -<p>Eagles of prey—Account of the Hebrews—Imposing funeral of -the Patriarch Jacob—His powerful and able government—Overthrow -of the dynasty of the Shepherd-Kings—Dynasty of the -Thebad—Flourishing condition of the Hebrews in the land of -Goshen, under the government of Joseph—Aspirations after the -One God—Reduction of the Hebrews to servitude—Their rapid -and miraculous increase—The massacre of their male infants—Courageous -affection of the Hebrew mothers—Egyptian nurses -sympathize with them—Infants hid—Queen Amense's humanity—Courage -and wisdom of many of the Hebrews—Exciting ride past -Joseph's ruined palace—Jacob's Well—The plain of the Hebrew -brick-makers—Death of a Hebrew under his taskmasters—Sculptured -obelisk of Queen Amense—Emotions of Syrian painters at -sight of their prince—pp. <a href="#Page_130">130</a>-144.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER IX.</p> - -<p>Reflections on the degradation of the Hebrews—Hebrew pages -and maidens in the service of Egyptian nobles—Amram, the palace -gardener—Contrast between the physiognomy of the Egyptians and -Hebrews—Remarkable likeness of Prince Remeses to the Israelites—Description -of the Lord-prince Mœris—He seeks a quarrel -with Remeses—Illness of Queen Amense—Filial devotion of Remeses—Magnificent -prospect of the Nile, the Plain of the Pyramids, -the City of the Sun, Jizeh and Memphis—Myriads of human beings -at labor—Naval review and sham-battle—Exciting scene of contending -thousands—pp. <a href="#Page_145">145</a>-157.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER X.</p> - -<p>Recovery of Queen Amense—Gropings after the True God—Pleasure-galley -of the Nile—Voluptuous ease—River chant—Phœnician -Mythology and Learning—Procession of the Dead—Tradition -of the universal Deluge and of Noe-menes (Noah)—Myths of -Ammon, and of Belus the Warrior-god and Founder of Babylon—Nimrod's -temple—Baalbec—Worship of the Sun—Myths of Apis, -Horus, Adonis, and Io—Magnificent worship of Osiris and Isis—Mysteries -of the temple of Tyre—Baal-phegor—Pillars of the West—Marvels -of foreign lands, and islands of wonderful beauty—Men -formed like monkeys—The edge of the world—A sea-storm—Gulf -down which the full sea plunges—Legends of the form of the -Earth; of its foundation; of its motion through space—pp. <a href="#Page_158">158</a>-172.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XI.</p> - -<p>The beautiful Isle of Rhoda—Prince Mœris and his favorite lion—Refinement -of Egyptians—Polite observances at the reception of -visitors—Parting between Queen Amense and Remeses—Military -emblems—Magnificent display of the Egyptian "tented hosts"—Striking -religious and military display of the army—Columns -formed of trophies taken in battle—The chief priest of Mars—His -gorgeous attire and imposing ceremonies—Gigantic statue of Mars, -in full armor—Offerings of the soldiers—Invocation by the High-priest—Libations -for the army—Clouds of incense—Appearance -of the beautiful daughters of the priest—The musical sistrum—Sacred -offices in the temple filled by women—The Virgins of the -Sun—Social position of Egyptian women—Thrilling martial hymn -chaunted by the priests, the army, and the maiden—Sacrifice—Remeses -reviews the army—Ethiopia—Description of an Egyptian -army; its tactics and weapons—The nations composing it—pp. -<a href="#Page_173">173</a>-190.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XII.</p> - -<p>Immense military force of Egypt—Sublime sunrise—Morning -hymn—Gala of the resurrection of Osiris—Festivals to the gods—Visit -to the Queen—Glimpse of dark-eyed Egyptian girls—Their -tasteful dress—Life, manners, and customs of high-born Egyptian -ladies—Their high social estimation—Egyptians can have but one -wife—Occupations of ladies—Classifications of Egyptian society—The -habitations of the Egyptians—Family customs and gatherings—House -of the Admiral Pathromenes—Home-life of the Egyptians—pp. -<a href="#Page_191">191</a>-208.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XIII.</p> - -<p>Ancient worship of the gods on Libanus—Natural temples—Legend -of the weeping for Tammuz—Unsatisfactory nature of the -worship of idols—More aspirations and gropings after the true -God—Where is the Infinite?—There can be but one God!—His -nature—Body-guard rowers of Prince Remeses—Their captain—Nubian -slaves—Great quay, or landing-mart of Memphis—Merchants -from all parts of the world—Street lined with temples—Avenue -of statues and columns—Memphis—Gradual change of the -true religion into idolatry—The four deified bulls of Egypt—Sacred -birds, serpents, scorpions, vegetables, and monsters—pp. <a href="#Page_209">209</a>-225.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XIV.</p> - -<p>Majestic temple of the sacred bull, Apis—Tyrian mariner torn to -pieces by the Egyptians for ignorantly killing a sacred cat—Imposing -worship of the deified bull—Description of the sacred animal—Costly -offerings at his shrine—An omen!—Tasteful palace of the -hierarch of the temple—Transmigration of souls—Brute incarnation -of deity—Tradition concerning Osiris—Foreshadowing of the -coming of the Invisible upon earth in human form—Lamentations -upon the death of a deified bull—His obsequies—Pomp and rejoicings -over a new god, Apis—Mausoleum of the Serapis—Sarcophagi—The -Sarapeum—The Lady Nelisa—Beautiful daughter of the -priest of Mars—The Lake of the Dead—Embalmers and their art—Customs -attending death and embalmment—Funeral procession of -Rathmes, "lord of the royal gardens"—The venerable head-gardener, -Amram—The baris, or sacred boat—pp. <a href="#Page_226">226</a>-244.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XV.</p> - -<p>Conclusion of funeral ceremonies of the lord of the royal gardens—The -Sacred Way—Processions of mourners—Avenue to the -tombs—The "dead-life" of the Egyptians—Awful ceremony of the -judgment of the dead—Burial of the unworthy dead prohibited—False -accusers stoned away—Myth as to the state of the soul after -death—Metempsychosis—The mystery of the tribunal of Osiris—Reception -of the justified soul into the celestial kingdom—Doom of -the reprobate soul—Monkeys, emblems of the god Thoth—The gate -of the pyramids—Colossal Andro-sphinx, or Watcher before the -pyramids—Beautiful temple of Osiris—The twin pyramids, Cheops -and Chephres—pp. <a href="#Page_245">245</a>-261.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XVI.</p> - -<p>Continuation of description of the Pyramids—Colossal monolith -of Horus—Perilous ascent of Cheops—Prospect from a resting-place -upon the pyramid, four hundred feet in air—A prince of Midian -falls from Chephres—Magnificent view from the top of Cheops, six -hundred feet in air—Tombs of kings—The Giants before the Flood -founders of the great pyramids—Ancient appearance of pyramids—Greater -duration of human life—The third pyramid built by Amun, -son of Noah—Egyptian tradition of Noah and his sons—Entombment -of Noah in Cheops, and the mourning of the Nations—Verdant -plain of the Nile—The desolation of the Desert—Jizeh—Raamses -and Pythom, the treasure-cities—The smiling land of -Goshen—Prophecy of an Unknown World, in the West—The sacred -papyri—Descent of the pyramid—Luxora, the beautiful daughter -of the high-priest—Her legend of the Emerald Table of Hermes—Osiria—pp. -<a href="#Page_262">262</a>-276.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XVII.</p> - -<p>The lovely Osiria's legend of King Saurid—Stately Hebrew -woman—Tradition of the construction of the larger pyramid—Its -foundations—Its gates—Its covering of silk—Its treasure-chambers -and magical guardians of stone and agate—Miriam, the papyrus-copier—Her -striking resemblance to Prince Remeses—The pyramid -penetrated by a Phœnician conqueror—Discovery of treasures—Mighty -sarcophagus of the dead monarch of two worlds, Noah—Chamber -of the precession of the equinoxes—Hall of the Universe—Pyramids -built before the Deluge—Configuration of the seven -planets as at the Creation—Astrology—Enigma of the Phœnix—The -riddle solved—Nelisa—Interview with the stately Miriam in the -Hall of Books—pp. <a href="#Page_277">277</a>-293.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XVIII.</p> - -<p>Tidings from Prince Remeses and the army—Antediluvian origin -of the pyramids—The barbaric King of Ethiopia, Occhoris—His -body-guard of Bellardines—His sacrilege in the temple of the -sacred bull at Thebes—Pious vengeance of the people—Visit of -Remeses to the tomb of his father—Remarkable conversation with -Miriam, the papyrus-copier—Description of Miriam—Ben Isaac and -the lad Israel—Contempt of the Egyptians for Israel—Religious and -political degradation of the Hebrews—Miriam declares the mystery -of the God of her fathers—Her denunciation of idol-worship—Miriam's -occupation—The winged asps—Interview with the Prince -of Uz, Ra-Iub (Job)—Job speaks of the <span class="smcap">Almighty</span>!—Seems inspired -of God—Tradition of a Day's-man, or mediator—Job convinces -Sesostris that there is but one God—pp. <a href="#Page_294">294</a>-313.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XIX.</p> - -<p>Intelligence from Ethiopia—Remeses a conqueror—Great spoils—He -enters Memphis in triumphal array—His filial piety—The captive -Ethiopian king—Victorious army of one hundred thousand -men in triumphal procession—The Prince of Egypt in his war-chariot—Column -of twelve thousand Ethiopian captives—Description -of the bands of captives, and their treatment—Invocation of -the victors in the great temple of Pthah—Distinction between -captives taken in war and the Hebrews—pp. <a href="#Page_314">314</a>-330.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XX.</p> - -<p>Delightful climate—Indolence and leisure by day—Spirit of life -and enjoyment reigns at night—Galley of a noble designedly runs -down a small baris—Handsome Hebrew—Another startling resemblance -to Prince Remeses!—The lad Israel again—Miriam, the -papyrus-copier, the sister of the handsome Hebrew—What he saw, -in boyhood, beside the Nile—His infant brother committed to the -river—Subterranean chambers for casting images of the gods—The -Hebrew gives an account of his people and his God—He mourns -the oppression of his race—pp. <a href="#Page_331">331</a>-346.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XXI.</p> - -<p>Thirty-fifth birthday of Prince Remeses—Queen Amense proposes -to abdicate in his favor—The Hebrew page, Israel—Melancholy -of the Queen—Prince Mœris—Moving interview between the -Queen and Remeses—He declines the throne of Egypt—A secret!—Prince -Mœris seeks the ruin of Remeses—A bribe!—Suspicion!—Terrible -agitation of the Queen—Attempt of Mœris to poison -Amense at a banquet—Another bribe—A mystery!—Remeses consents -to accept the sceptre—pp. <a href="#Page_347">347</a>-363.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XXII.</p> - -<p>Remeses prepares for his coronation by an initiation into the -mysteries of the temple—Power and influence of Egyptian priesthood—Daily -public duties of the Queen—Her attire—Her bathing -and dressing rooms—Skilful adornment of their hair by Egyptian -ladies—The Queen acts as chief priestess—Her delightful hospitalities—Beautiful -trait of character—Proposed succession of Remeses—Solemn -vigil, and other ceremonies of initiation—Remeses shut -out from the world in the gloom of the mysterious temple—Israelisis -with a message from the Queen—The Celestial Sea—A courier -from Mœris—Great distress and singular manner of the Queen—A -terrible secret—An impatient follower—pp. <a href="#Page_364">364</a>-380.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XXIII.</p> - -<p>Revelations—Letter from Mœris—His haughty demand—Is Remeses -the son of Pharaoh's Daughter?—Another letter and another -haughty demand from Mœris—Still another—A doubt!—An investigation—Amense -never a mother!—Her descent to the Nile to -bathe—The little ark of basket-work and beautiful child—The -princess adopts it—A threat!—The Queen unfolds the terrible -secret—Her agony of fear—Her touching story of the discovery of -the infant Remeses—She gains resolution and defies Mœris—Remeses -a Hebrew!—pp. <a href="#Page_381">381</a>-397.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XXIV.</p> - -<p>Mournful reflections—Sacred poem by Remeses, being scenes in -the life of Job—Remeses discovers all—A sirocco of the soul—He -narrates the mysterious scenes of his initiation—Startling spectacles—Overwhelming -displays of enchantment and magic—Mysterious -journey beneath the pyramids—Labyrinthine catacomb—March -of Time through the heavens—Remeses alone beside the -altar—Amense not his mother!—His vision in the dark chamber of -the pyramids—The massacre of the Hebrew infants—Scene in the -Hebrew hut—The mother and child—The babe committed to the -Nile—The little maid—The beautiful lady, Pharaoh's Daughter—The -Hebrew nurse—The image-caster—pp. <a href="#Page_398">398</a>-414.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XXV.</p> - -<p>Continuation of vision of Remeses—Himself the child of his -vision—Mysterious voices in the vaulted chamber of the pyramid—Mocking -eyes—He flees—Tender interview between the Queen and -Remeses—He narrates his vision—The secret fully unveiled—Discovery -of a father, mother, brother, sister—Illness of the Queen—She -assembles the councils of the nation—Remeses renounces the -throne—Amense adopts Mœris—Her death—Amram—The mother -of Remeses—Miriam—Aaron—Egypt in mourning—Remeses assumes -his Hebrew name, Moses—Arts of magicians and sorcerers—pp. -<a href="#Page_415">415</a>-431.</p> - -<p class="gap-above center">LETTERS BETWEEN REMESES (MOSES) AND OTHER PERSONS.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER I.</p> - -<p>Moses beholds the thousands of his countrymen under the lash -of the taskmasters—A prophecy—Visits Tyre and is cordially received -by Queen Epiphia—Tyre—Damascus—He meets the venerable -Prince of Uz (Job)—Nuptials of Sesostris—pp. <a href="#Page_432">432</a>-435.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER II.</p> - -<p>Defeat of the King of Cyprus by Sesostris—Moses in Syria—He -journeys to sit at the feet of Job—Cruelty of Pharaoh (Mœris)—The -Lake Amense—pp. <a href="#Page_436">436</a>-438.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER III.</p> - -<p>Moses visits Job—The wisdom of Job—His wealth and power—Moses -writes his life—Job leads Moses to the knowledge of the -true God—pp. <a href="#Page_439">439</a>-441.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER IV.</p> - -<p>Mœris increases the burdens of the Hebrews—Tradition as to -the term of their servitude—Nearly accomplished—Moses, in Syria, -yearns to be with his brethren in Egypt—pp. <a href="#Page_442">442</a>-444.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER V.</p> - -<p>Moses determines to visit Egypt—Receives from Job the history -of the Creation—Job's piety and his favor with God—Prayer -the path to the throne of God—King Sesostris and Queen Thamonda—Israelisis—pp. -<a href="#Page_445">445</a>-448.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VI.</p> - -<p>Moses departs for Egypt—The Illimitable Sea—Reflections upon -the infinity of God—A storm—Despair of passengers—Their gods -unavailing to save—Moses invokes the true God—The storm ceases—The -crowd offer divine honors to Moses—His anger at their -sacrilege—He arrives in Egypt—Is in the bosom of his family—Oppression -of the Hebrews—Their miraculous increase—Tradition -of God's revelation of Himself to Abram—A miracle!—God's -command to Abraham—His obedience—God's promise—The fulness -of time at hand—Woman of salt—City of Salem—Moses -strives to arouse the Hebrews—He is doubted and discredited—pp. -<a href="#Page_449">449</a>-461.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VII.</p> - -<p>Moses, in disguise, sees King Mœris amid his chief captains—Terrible -cruelties inflicted upon the Hebrews—Taskmaster pursues a -Hebrew youth, to kill him—Moses slays the taskmaster—Comes -upon two Hebrews in altercation—He rebukes them—They threaten -to expose him to Pharaoh for slaying the Egyptian—Prophetic inspiration -of Amram, the father of Moses—Moses flees from Egypt—pp. -<a href="#Page_462">462</a>-467.</p> - -<p class="gap-above center">LETTERS OF REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO HIS FATHER, KING SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER I.</p> - -<p>The young prince visits Egypt—The acts of the Egyptian kings—The -reign of Mœris—He constructs an immense lake—Inauguration -of a temple—Splendid spectacle of idol-worship—Plain of -the Mummies—Enlargement of Memphis—Discovery of treasures -beneath the Sphinx before Chephres—The captive King Occhoris—Increase -of Hebrews—Character of the reigning Pharaoh—His -cruelty to the Hebrews—Good feeling between Hebrew and Egyptian -women—Intelligence of the long-absent Remeses (Moses)—pp. -<a href="#Page_468">468</a>-476.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER II.</p> - -<p>A caravan from Ezion-geber—Its governor a Midianite—Prince -Jethro—Abram—Moses in Midian—The young prince determines -to accompany the caravan into Midian, and to seek Moses—pp. -<a href="#Page_477">477</a>-481.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER III.</p> - -<p>Moses to his old friend Sesostris—Account of his mode of life—His -meditations upon the oppression of his nation, and upon the -character of their predicted Deliverer—Is inspired to write a narrative -of the Creation of the World—pp. <a href="#Page_482">482</a>-484.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER IV.</p> - -<p>Journey across the desert—Mount Horeb—Moses, standing upon -a mountain-rock—Affecting interview—Grotto of Moses—His wife -and sons—Story of his rescue of the daughters of Jethro at the -well—His sublime teachings—Will he be the Deliverer?—View -from Mount Horeb—Aaron—Miriam—pp. <a href="#Page_485">485</a>-490.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER V.</p> - -<p>Moses leads his flock to a secluded valley—Wonderful appearance -of the Burning Bush—Astonishment of the shepherds—The Voice -in the midst of the fire—God reveals Himself to Moses, and commissions -him to lead forth the people—The humility of Moses—His -staff converted into a living serpent—The leprous hand—Moses -hesitates—The Lord rebukes him, and the flame in the bush shoots -fiery tongues—Aaron to be the mouth-piece of the Lord—Miraculously -advised, Aaron comes to Moses—Moses converts his staff -into a serpent, before Aaron—He obtains the consent of Jethro to -his departure from Midian—Moses in Egypt—Sends messengers to -summon the elders of Israel to meet him at Jacob's well—Pharaoh's -cruel designs against the Hebrews—pp. <a href="#Page_491">491</a>-503.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VI.</p> - -<p>Midnight meeting of the elders of Israel—Jacob's well a source -of superstitious dread to the Egyptians—Beautiful moonlight scene—Moses -opens his errand from the Most High—Aaron unfolds the -traditional promises—Unbelieving Hebrews—Terrible means used -for their conviction—Korah persists in unbelief—His punishment -and horror—The assembly dissolves—pp. <a href="#Page_504">504</a>-508.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VII.</p> - -<p>Moses goes before Pharaoh—Amazement of the Egyptian courtiers—Harshness -of Pharaoh—Moses delivers God's message—Pharaoh -defies the Living God—He is overcome by his emotion, but -hardens his heart—New toils devised for the Hebrews—pp. <a href="#Page_509">509</a>-513.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER VIII.</p> - -<p>The rod! the whip! the cry of the sufferers!—The Hebrews reproach -Moses and Aaron—Moses appeals to the Lord—Seeks to -comfort his brethren with the words of the Most High—Hope dies -in their hearts—Pharaoh redoubles his worship of all manner of -idols—He curses God—Sacrifices a living Hebrew child to the -Nile—Sacrifices a Nubian slave to Typhon—Invokes his idol-god -against the God of Moses—A secret dread—Children of Israel groan -under oppression—pp. <a href="#Page_514">514</a>-522.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER IX.</p> - -<p>Moses and Aaron again seek Pharaoh, and demand the freedom -of Israel—He requires a miracle—Miracle of Moses' rod—Jambres -and Jannes, the magicians—They convert their rods into serpents—Moses' -serpent destroys theirs—The brothers confront the King at -the river's side—He defies their God—The Nile runs blood—Goshen, -the land of the Hebrews, sparkles with clear water—Jambres again -appealed to—The plague of the frogs—Jambres and Jannes produce, -but cannot remove them—Pharaoh relents, and the plague is stayed—The -plague of lice—Jambres and Jannes disgraced—God speaks to -Moses by the well of Jacob—The plague of flies—Pharaoh again -relents—He hardens his heart, and God sends a pestilence upon the -cattle—God again speaks to Moses beside the well—The plague of -boils—Goshen unharmed—God threatens further vengeance upon -Pharaoh—pp. <a href="#Page_523">523</a>-538.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER X.</p> - -<p>Moses denounces the plague of thunder and hail against Egypt—Grand -gathering of the storm of God's anger—The storm hangs -over Goshen but harms it not—The purpose of God in these judgments—Terror -of Pharaoh—Agrees to let Israel go—Scene of desolation -and death—Pharaoh seeks to drown his terror in a banquet—In -his revels curses God—Again refuses to let the people go—He -vacillates—Orders Moses and Aaron to be thrust from the palace—The -plague of the locusts—Despair of the Egyptians—Pharaoh -acknowledges his sin—The plague ceases—Character of Pharaoh—The -plague of darkness—Description of the plague—Pharaoh unequal -to the combat with God—His rage against Moses—Moses -denounces upon Pharaoh God's last and terrible judgment—The -Egyptians deify him—pp. <a href="#Page_539">539</a>-558.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XI.</p> - -<p>Moses and Aaron call the elders of Israel together—The Passover -Instituted—The Hebrews cease work—They all flock to Goshen—Moses -deified by priests in the temples—Hopefulness of the Hebrews—The -sprinkling—Egyptians seek refuge with the Hebrews—Silence -of expectation—Awful vision of the Angel of the Lord in -the Pillar of Fire—A cry from Egypt—Messengers from Pharaoh -to Moses—Amunophis, the son of Pharaoh, slain by the Angel of -the Lord—Egyptians implore Moses to depart—Israel marshalled—Guided -by the Pillar of Fire, the Hebrew host leave Egypt—The -Lamb of God prefigured—Moses explains the lessons of God's judgments—pp. -<a href="#Page_559">559</a>-575.</p> - -<p class="center large">LETTER XII.</p> - -<p>The departure—Sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of -Joseph—The Shekinah—Succoth—Etham—Pi-hahiroth—Migdol—Hebrews -inclosed between the mountains and the sea—Calm confidence -of Moses—Fulfilment of prophecy—Pharaoh determines to -destroy the entangled Hebrews—Gathers a mighty host and follows -in pursuit—Dismay of the Hebrews—The Egyptian army comes in -sight—The elders reproach Moses—He calls upon God—The Voice -of the Lord—The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire—The sea—Israel -in the midst of the sea—The procession—The pursuit—Frantic -terror of Pharaoh and his army—Their destruction—Israel -filled with awe and gratitude—They go into the wilderness—The -bitter waters—Journey abounding in miracles—The rock in Horeb—God's -awful presence on Horeb—Moses disappears in the mount -of God—The people murmur—They demand a god—They sacrifice -to a molten calf—An indignant God!—Terrible vengeance upon -the offenders—Joshua—pp. <a href="#Page_576">576</a>-596.</p> - -<p class="center large">APPENDIX.</p> - -<p>The author to the scholar and critic—pp. <a href="#Page_597">597</a>-600.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">{25}</a></span></div> - - <p class="gap-above center x-large">THE PILLAR OF FIRE,</p> - <p class="center small">OR</p> - <p class="center large">ISRAEL IN BONDAGE.</p> - -<h2>LETTERS<br /><span class="small">OF SESOSTRIS TO QUEEN EPIPHIA.</span></h2> - -<h3>LETTER I.</h3> - -<div class="head"> - - <div class="left1 smcap">Prince Sesostris</div> - <div class="left3 smcap">To his royal Mother, Epiphia,</div> - <div class="left5 smcap">Queen of Phœnicia.</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">At</span> -length, my dear mother, I have reached the -"Land of the Seven Rivers," and do now write to you -from her gorgeous capital, <span class="smcap">On</span>, The City of the Sun.</p> - -<p>How shall I describe to you the grand and solemn -magnificence of this city of divine temples, and convey -to you a just idea of its palaces that seem rather -to have been erected for the abodes of gods than of -men!</p> - -<p>Wheresoever I turn my eyes, I realize that I am in -mighty Egypt; for everywhere I behold grandeur and -glory, excellency and perfection. Every object illustrates -the power, munificence, and taste of the imperial -princess who now sits on the throne of the Pharaohs, -and the splendor of whose reign has raised Egypt above -the mightiest empires of the earth.</p> - -<p>And all that I behold recalls the ancient glory, my -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">{26}</a></span> -dear mother, of our own land, the once princely Palestina -and Phœnicia,—twin kingdoms which of old gave -conquerors, and rulers, and laws to Egypt, under the -short but brilliant dynasty of her Shepherd Kings! But, -though fading with age, Phœnicia still lives in the -beauty, pride, and power of her daughter Egypt.</p> - -<p>I will not lament over the waning glory of my own -dear land, my royal mother, while I can see it revived -here with increased magnificence. Phœnicia is not -dead while Egypt lives. Every ruin in my own kingdom -is restored with augmented beauty and splendor on -the green plains of this land of the shining River, whose -fountain-head is underneath the throne of Thoth, far in -the southern sky.</p> - -<p>How shall I describe what I behold? Every new -object enchants me, and moves my soul with a fresh -pleasure. I am intoxicated, not with wine, but with -the splendor of art and scenes of beauty, and with manifestations -of human glory and power hitherto inconceivable. -I have heard my royal father describe the -glory of Salem in Palestine, under the princes of the -dynasty of Melchisedec, with its gorgeous temples to -the Sun, and its palaces of marble, its hanging gardens, -and noble terraces overlooking its flower-enamelled -valleys; but the cities of Egypt surpass this Syriac -magnificence.</p> - -<p>In coming hither, across the Levantine seas, from -Syria, I seem to have crossed to the shores of that mystic -world where dwell the sacred divinities, rather than -only to another land of the plane of the earth; for -Egypt, compared with the kingdom of Phœnicia seems -truly the land of the blessed. What far-famed warriors! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">{27}</a></span> -what stately priests, clothed with power from the -gods! what superb princes! what a majestic queen! -what grace and dignity in the virgins of the Sun! what -a stupendous system of worship! what mighty mausoleums, -both tomb and temple, rising like mountains hewn -into solid triangles everywhere over the illimitable -plain! What a land of verdure and of flowers!—land -of gardens and palaces, obelisks and fountains, fanes -and altars, sphinxes and gigantic statues!—land, comprising -all that can delight the heart or take captive the -sense!</p> - -<p>I ask myself—Am I, indeed, in Egypt, the "Land -shadowing with wings," as those proud Pharaohs, -Thothmeses I. and II., termed it, upon their winged -globe-carved shields?—am I in Egypt, the glory of the -earth, the kingdom above all kingdoms, whose queen is -above all the monarchs that reign, and before the elevation -of whose golden sceptre all sceptres fall?</p> - -<p>I have not yet, my dearest mother, seen, save at a -distance, as she was ascending the steps of her palace, -this mighty queen of the ancient house of the Pharaohs; -but the third day hence I shall be formally presented to -her in the throne-room, where she receives the ambassadors -and princes of the nations who come into Egypt -either to learn arts or arms, or to behold the magnificence -of her empire, or to study the religion, laws, and -government of a nation, the fame of which has filled -the earth.</p> - -<p>Upon my arrival with my galleys off the mouths of -the Nile, I forwarded to her, by a private messenger in -my gilded barge, the letters written by your loving -hand and sealed with the regal signet of your kingdom, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">{28}</a></span> -commending me to her personal favor and royal consideration.</p> - -<p>Although I have not yet been presented to the court, -I have seen, and must describe to you, the royal son of -Queen Amense—this proud daughter of the Pharaohs—Prince -Remeses. Never did the gods set their seal -upon a nobler and truer prince. Every movement of -his stately and graceful person, his rich voice, his superb -height, his lordly eyes, his majestic yet winning carriage, -all bespeak a youth born to empire—created for dominion -over men.</p> - -<p>He is now in his thirty-fourth year, and is in the full -glory of manhood. He is skilled in all the arts of war, -and not less celebrated for his learning in all the wisdom -of the Egyptians. Sages and philosophers listen to his -words when he converses, not so much with the deference -that is the homage due to rank, as with the attention -which intelligence lends to superior wisdom.</p> - -<p>He received me with kindness and embraced me with -affection, inquiring after the welfare of my royal mother, -and welcoming me to his country with gracious and -courteous words. Notwithstanding there is a difference -of six years in our ages, I feel that I shall be regarded -by him on terms of equal friendship, and that to his companionship -I shall owe the happiest hours I may pass in -the land of Egypt.</p> - -<p>But, dear mother, as I promised to write you an -account of my voyage hither, with the adventures and -scenes thereof worthy of your notice, I will devote the -remainder of my letter to this subject.</p> - -<p>When I took leave of you on the marble steps of the -stately pier which extends along the front of our palace, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">{29}</a></span> -and had stepped upon the deck of my galley, I felt that -a twofold cord had parted at my heart,—one which -bound me to thee, O mother, from whom I had never -before been separated, and one which tied me to my -native land.</p> - -<p>Although for the first time in command of a beautiful -fleet, numbering a score and ten galleys, and about to visit -the fairest of all realms under the sunny skies of Afric, -yet the pang of this twofold separation deeply grieved -my soul. It was with tears glittering upon my eyelids -that I gazed upon you, as you waved your adieux and -called on the god of our race to bless me! It was with -a voice thick with emotion that I gave orders to the admiral -to spread the purple sails of my golden galley to -the favoring breezes which seemed to be sent in answer -to your prayers.</p> - -<p>Long I stood upon the lofty poop of my ship, gazing -towards the receding city, with its noble lines of palaces, -its crowning temples, its familiar groves, and pleasant -gardens. (Even now I am moved as I recall the sweet -emotions of that time.) As I surveyed the fleets of merchantmen -from all lands gathered about her piers and -anchored in the haven, I felt my sorrow at parting, yielding -gradually to a feeling of pride that I was the prince -of the great city to which these argosies came bearing -the merchants of all the earth. Indeed it was a noble -and stirring sight, dear mother, and calculated to divert -my thoughts, to see these ships, as my galley passed -through them, lower their banners, or elevate their rows -of shining oars high in the air, both in homage and farewell -to the departing lord of the port. There were vessels -for bringing the merchandise of gold, and silver, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">{30}</a></span> -precious stones from unknown seas; galleys from Tarsus -and the isles of the West, bearing pearls, and coral, and -precious woods, and thyme-wood; gayly decked barges, -that carry fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet -down to Egypt from Syria; painted ships from the Nile, -that receive by caravans from Ind and the East cinnamon, -and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and -ivory, and diamonds; the low dark galleys from Afric, -that bring Ethiopian slaves; and the broad heavier vessels -from the Delta, laden with wheat and fine flour! -There were also the strong craft from Colchis and the -North, with iron, and brass, and marble; and oaken -argosies from further Britannia, bringing tin; tall ships -from Grcia with horses and chariots; while from the -south shores of the summery seas were light, graceful -vessels laden with dainty and goodly fruits, and birds of -gorgeous plumes and of ravishing songs! All these annually -lay their treasures at thy feet!</p> - -<p>As I moved slowly in my galley through the rich -fleet of ships which filled your haven, I felt my heart -beat quicker, and I returned the salutations of the ship-masters -and of the foreign merchants on their decks, -with smiles of gratification at the prosperity still at least -of our port of Tyre; though the half our realm has been -lost by invasion and our interior cities are decaying. So -long as Damascus and Tyre remain, dear mother, those -two eyes of your kingdom, your power and throne will -stand. The decadence of our sister city Sidon will not -affect our prosperity, since her ships will flock to Tyre. -Yet Sidon will rise again, if in my power to restore it.</p> - -<p>I remained upon the poop of my ship until we had -passed, not only the fleet of merchant galleys, but the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">{31}</a></span> -fourscore war-ships with their hundred banks of oars, -that ever guard the entrance to the port with vigilant -eyes and arms. The sun was gilding with his setting -beams the battlements of the temple of Hercules; and -the columns of the graceful temple of Io were richly -roseate in the blushing glory of his radiance. The last -object on which my eye rested was the gilded gate of -the gorgeous Fane of Nyeth on Lebanon; and I sent -from my lips a prayer to the fair and kind-hearted goddess -to guard thee, mother, and me for thy sake.</p> - -<p>We soon passed the bright red Pharos, from the lofty -lantern of which, as the shades of evening rapidly fell -around us, streamed forth like a new-born star its cheering -splendor for the haven-bound mariner. Soon in the -heavens over us other lights were kindled by the gods; -and the moon, rising over the lofty mountain-range of -Libanus, made far out upon the sea a path of light, that -seemed like a band of silver with which she would bind -me still to the shores I was leaving! But in Egypt I -yet behold the same moon shine down upon me with -familiar radiance; and as I gaze upon her I can feel, -that even here she is a link to bind me to my native -land—that upon her winged beams I can send a thought -to my dear mother, on whom also she shines.</p> - -<p>My whole fleet got well out of the port before the star -Aldebaran rose; and as the breeze was light, the governors -of the rowers commanded them to ply their oars. -Thus with the fall of a thousand sweeps into the blue -sea at one motion, keeping time to the voice of a singer -who stood upon the bridge across the mid-ship, we -kept our course down the coast of Palestine. We -would have steered directly for the Delta of the Nile, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">{32}</a></span> -but had knowledge, by a vessel that met us, of a fleet -of Rhodian pirates, which lay wait, in that vicinity, for -the Egyptian merchant-ships; and, as my galleys were -rather an escort of honor than a war-fleet, I did not wish -to measure my strength with them, but dispatched one -of my ships, the same night, back to Tyre, to the admiral -of your Tyrian fleet, who, no doubt, has gone out ere -this in pursuit of these sea-rovers and enemies of our -commerce.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, after we had passed Jaffa, and the next -day Ascalon in lower Philistia, we beheld half a score -of ships of doubtful appearance, and, by my orders, six -galleys were detached from the fleet and gave chase. -They proved to be fast-sailing Ionian pirates, for one of -them, being crippled, was overtaken. They had been -many weeks on the sea, and were returning to their own -distant and barbarous islands, richly laden. The captain -of the galley took out her merchandise, and precious -stones, and spices, of which she had robbed other ships, -and burned her on the sea, with all the wretches who -appertained to her.</p> - -<p>The shores of Egypt were reached by us on the seventh -day, without any accident to my fleet. It was two -hours after the sun rose that we came in view of the low -line of land which marks the entrance to the "Garden -of the World," and from which open the seven gates of -the Nile into the great blue sea.</p> - -<p>Upon ascending to the castle for bowmen on the highest -mast of the ship, I could discern the tall columns -erected by King Menes at the chief entrance of the -river, from the summit of each of which at night blazes -a wonderful flame, said to have been invented by the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">{33}</a></span> -Magi of Egypt. As our galley rowed nearer the faint -line of coast, I could see numerous ships coming out and -entering the Pelusian branch of the Nile,—some of them -in the interior so far, that only their tops could be seen -above the level land. I was now suddenly surprised -with a change in the color of the sea, which, from an -emerald green, became clouded with an intermixture of -tawny water, thick with mud, that seemed to flow upon -the surface of the sea, as if lighter than itself. I soon -perceived that this was the outrush of the river against -the sea, with which it refused wholly to intermingle -and lose itself,—as if the proud Father Nilus reluctantly -yielded his power, so long wielded for a thousand miles, -to the sceptre and dominion of the god of the Mediterranean. -Yet the latter—so vast was the volume of the -yellow waves of the former—was forced a league from -the shore before the conquered Nile ceased to resist his -fate.</p> - -<p>The sun shone upon the battlements of the great city -of Pelusium—the oldest fortified place in Egypt, and -called "the Key of Egypt," and also "the Strength of -Egypt"—and lighted up the terraces of its gardens and -temples; but the admiral told me that every year the -deposit of the Nile is covering them, and that ere many -centuries no trace will be left of a city which is older -than On or Memphis. We saw, from the deck, palaces -and obelisks and groves in the suburbs, and further inland -a country of wonderful beauty and of the highest -cultivation, but as level as the sea, from which it is elevated -but a few feet. The muddy and wonderful Nile -is overflowing annually these pleasant maritime plains; -and as the plane of the Delta is steadily raised, these -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">{34}</a></span> -ancient cities and palaces and this fair land will become -a fen for the stork and the sea-mew! How different -the site of Tyre, my dear mother! Built upon the firm -coast, and defended by nature, it will stand forever as -the key of Syria and of the East; and to the end of time -the commerce of the world will flow into the palace-like -warehouses of its opulent merchants!</p> - -<p>As we drew near the port, one of the large fishing -eagles which have their home in the Delta soared above -our heads, scanning our deck with his piercing glances: -and snow-white birds with black-tipped wings skimmed -past from wave to wave; while others, resting upon the -crest of a shining billow, rocked gracefully with the motion -of its undulations. An ibis stalked upon the shore, -and numerous aquatic birds, unknown to us, soared about -our galleys with sharp and strange outcries.</p> - -<p>The atmosphere of the morning was slightly hazy, -and, suffused by the sunbeams, cast a soft veil over the -land, investing galley, pharos, and fane with the hues of -gold. It was a scene of novel beauty, and I hailed the -very first view of Egypt with delight. It was a happy -omen of the future.</p> - -<p>As my galley advanced before the fleet, a large war-ship -with a triple poop-deck, and propelled by three -hundred oars, swept like a swift dark cloud out of the -mouth of the river and bore down towards me in hostile -attitude. I displayed the insignia of my kingdom -at the top of the chief mast, and awaited the Egyptian -guard-ship. The vessel was brought to, a bow-shot from -my own, and I was asked by the governor thereof, who -I was, whence I came, and my destination? To these -inquiries I gave satisfactory replies through my admiral; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">{35}</a></span> -whereupon the Egyptian captain, commanding -an elegant barge to be made ready, came on board, -attended by his suite, to pay his respects to me as -Prince of Tyre. I came forth from my state-room to -receive him, my dear mother, attired as became my -rank. In the most courteous language, and with an -elegance of manners unsurpassed save in the polite land -of Egypt, he assured me of the pleasure it would give -his royal mistress, Queen Amense, "The Support of -Worlds," as he termed her, to have me visit her court. -He said she was just then returning from a visit to the -temple of Isis and Nephthys, at Phil, with a vast -retinue of state and sacred galleys, and by the time I -arrived at Memphis she would be either there or at her -private palace at On.</p> - -<p>By his advice, I dispatched, in our handsomest galley, -my secretary, Acherres, with a copy of the letter to the -queen, which you gave to me, sealed with my own signet. -This done, I entertained the Egyptian officer with -a magnificence becoming my position and his own. He -was much pleased with the elegance of my ship, and the -complete appointment of my fleet. He said he had never -seen a Tyrian squadron before, but had heard much of -our luxury and perfection in maritime affairs.</p> - -<p>His ship was stately in height, and terrible with its -warlike aspect. The poop bristled with armed warriors -in polished helms of brass. It had four short masts, -and upon each top thereof a huge castle containing -a score of Libyan bowmen with steel-headed arrows. -Upon the prow was a sort of fortress, on which stood a -group of soldiers armed with long spears and with large -oval shields, on which were painted hieroglyphic devices -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">{36}</a></span> -in brilliant colors. Arranged on the sides above the -rowers were black Ethiopians, gigantic men in steel -cuirasses, with long swords held before them. The -captains of these warriors were stationed at various -points, arrayed in rich armor of varied fashion, according -to the class of soldiers that were under them. The -prow of this mighty battle-ship, which carried one thousand -fighting men, besides three hundred rowers, was -ornamented with a lion's head and shoulders of colossal -size; while across the stern stretched the broad, gilded -wings of the feathered globe of the Sun, which is the -emblem of the kingdom of Egypt. Besides this gorgeous -and majestic galley, there were many lesser ones -near, having but a single mast and fifty oars. This fleet -ever kept guard at the mouth of the Nile, and thus defended -the gates of Egypt on the sea against foes.</p> - -<p>When I had sufficiently admired his ship from my -own, the admiral, whose name is Pathromenes, invited -me to go on board. After viewing all the parts of the -ship, and especially the noble apartments devoted to him -and his officers, I was entertained with musical instruments -by players of infinite skill. Then I was amused -with the performances of jugglers and the wonderful -antics of grotesque deformed dwarfs, who seemed kept -on board only for the entertainment of these Egyptian -nobles. Towards evening, a banquet was offered me. -Among other rare dishes were gazelles. Before the -feast, the admiral made a signal to a priest of Osiris, -who presided over the sacred rites on board, and inaugurated -it by a prayer to the god for the welfare of the -queen and the prosperity of the kingdom. This custom -recalled our own, of offering first a libation of wine to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">{37}</a></span> -the gods. During the banquet, sweet strains of music -floated around us. After we had closed the feast, and -were drinking wine, an attendant entered, bearing a -miniature mummy, elaborately painted and gilded. -Holding this emblem of mortality before me and the -admiral, he said solemnly:</p> - -<p>"Behold this, and drink and be happy; for such thou -shalt be when thou art dead!"</p> - -<p>I was not a little surprised at this unwelcome, and, as -it seemed to me, unseasonable intrusion. Pathromenes, -observing my looks, said with a smile: "This introduction -of a memorial of death to our feasts, O prince, -is not unseasonable. It is designed to exhort us to enjoy -life while we possess it, for when we are no more, -enjoyment will be past." Thus saying, he poured out -a vase of wine into our golden cups, and pledged me -"Thy health, my mother!" So I drank to thee, and -the glory of thy reign. Nevertheless, I do not agree -with the admiral, but think, rather, that the intention -of this exhibition of Death to guests, is to warn -them that, while life is so short, it ought not to be spent -wholly in pleasure and festivities.</p> - -<p>At length, night coming on, I returned to my ship, -and the next day, with a light wind and aided by but -one bank of rowers, entered the mighty Nile, and -slowly ascended its powerful but sluggish stream. The -courtly Pathromenes escorted me past Pelusium, and -then took leave of me, embracing me more like a father -than a friend. I left my fleet at the Pelusian Delta, to -return to Tyre after it shall have received fresh water -on board from the Nile. The only galleys I took with -me are the one I came in, and that on board of which I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">{38}</a></span> -sent my secretary to the capital in advance of me. I -trust the remainder will safely reach Syria.</p> - -<p>The shores of the Eastern Nile, as we ascended, presented -an unchanging scene of gardens, verdant fields -of corn, villages, temples, and tombs, all united in one -unbroken belt for leagues. The river was dotted with -fishers in their slender boats, and we constantly met vessels -descending, bound to the open sea: some for Afric -for gold-dust and ivory; others to Philistia, for copper -and iron; others to Colchis, for silver, or to the Isle of -Thasos. The evening of the day we entered the river, -we beheld the sacred crocodile. It was a vast scaly -monster, basking on the shore. I gazed upon him with -wonder and fear. If he be a god, his votaries worship -him rather through terror than from love. But to my -senses all the minor deities of Egypt are gross and -revolting. Yet I must not dare to be impious while in -the very land of these gods.</p> - -<p>The next day, after sailing for hours between gardens, -we drew near the City of On, on the east bank. Our -approach to it was marked by the increased size and -grandeur of the palaces and temples, and the life and -activity on the shores. Before reaching the city, I -caught view of Memphis on the west side of the river, -and far beyond towered the apex of one of those mighty -pyramids whose age is lost in the oblivion of the past.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear mother. In my next letter I will -describe my arrival and debarking at the terrace of the -City of the Sun, and my gratifying reception by the -Prince Remeses.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate son,</div> - <div class="right1 smcap">Sesostris.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">{39}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER II.</h3> - -<div class="head"> - -<div class="right1 smcap">City of the Sun.</div> - -<div class="left0 smcap">My dear and royal Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Think</span> -not that the splendors of the Court of -"Pharaoh's Daughter," as the Egyptians still love -to call their queen, will lead me to forget my own -royal home and the dear scenes in which I have passed -my life—scenes that memory will ever cherish, as they -are associated with the love and care of a mother, such -as a prince was never before blessed with by the gods. -Think not, my queenly mother, that while I describe -with pleasure the magnificence of Queen Amense's -realm, I think less of your own kingdom; but, rather, -all I behold only causes me to love my native land the -more; for the glory of Tyre, my home, is my mother's -presence—and my mother is not here! Queen Amense -may have the homage of my intellect, but that of my -heart is reserved only for thee!</p> - -<p>I have prefaced my letter in this manner, dear mother, -lest you should jealously read the glowing descriptions -I give of what I behold, and may fear that the luxuries -and grandeur of Egypt will make me dissatisfied with -the lesser splendor of the Court of Phœnicia. Fear not. -I shall bring back to thee a son's faithful love, and to my -people the loyal affection due to them from their prince.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">{40}</a></span> -I closed my letter to you in sight, as I thought, of the -City of the Sun. But what I believed to be the capital -of the gods, was but the colossal gateway leading from -the river to the city, which is half an hour's ride inland. -Yet from the Nile to the city there is a continuous -avenue of temples, such as earth has never beheld—not -even Nineveh or Babylon, in all their glory. For a -mile fronting the river extends a row of palaces, which, -stupendous as they are, form but wings to a central temple -of vaster dimensions. The palaces that guard it, as -it were, are adorned with sculptured columns of the -most elegant description. They are three hundred in -number, covered with gorgeous paintings in the richest -tints, and carved with the most finished art. The beautiful -capitals of these columns are shaped alternately -like a flower-bud, not yet expanded, or like the open -flower of the lotus, and the sides formed of imitations, -by the wonderful artist, of leaves and flowers indigenous -to Egypt. The columns and capitals, thus exquisitely -fashioned, are gigantic in size, and of the grandest -altitude.</p> - -<p>The central temple is a lofty and wonderful edifice of -brilliant red sandstone, with sixty columns of marble -enriching its faades; these, with the three hundred, -representing the three hundred and sixty days of the -ancient Egyptian year. The front of this sublime temple -is pierced by three colossal gateways, broad enough for -four chariots to pass abreast. These gateways are -adorned with paintings, in the brightest tints, representing -processions of priests, sacrifices, offering of incense, -and all the imposing religious ceremonies appertaining -to the worship of the Sun.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">{41}</a></span> -Above the centre gateway, between the noble wings -of the propyla which flank it, is a representative emblem -of Osiris, in the shape of a splendid shield of the -sun, a half-sphere of gold, from which extend wings for -many yards, each feather glittering with precious stones. -Around the globe are entwined two brazen asps emblems -of which I have not yet learned the signification.</p> - -<p>Imagine, my dear mother, this stupendous and noble -temple, with its vast wings facing the river, and reflected -upon its sunny surface. Fancy the river itself, flowing -laterally through these gateways into an artificial -canal, lined with trees, and bordered by lesser temples, -which recede in long lines of diminishing columns. -Behold oranges swinging in clusters from branches bending -over the water, while scarlet pomegranates, figs, and -olives fill trees innumerable that shade the terraces; and -vines, either gorgeous with flowers of wonderful beauty -and form, or pendent with purple grapes, entwine the -columns, and depend from the carved abacus of the -capitals.</p> - -<p>Into this canal my beautiful galley was received, in -the sight of thousands of admiring gazers standing upon -the steps of the terrace which led down to the entrance, -and on which I had landed to pay my homage to the -chief captain at the propylon, who, magnificently attired, -waited, by the queen's command, to receive me -and conduct me to the city.</p> - -<p>Returning with me on board my galley, he gave orders -for it to be taken in charge by two royal barges, -with prows of silver, and golden banners waving above -the heads of the rowers, who were Nubian slaves clothed -in scarlet tunics. Thus, in state, my dear mother, as -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">{42}</a></span> -became a prince, was I borne along this avenue of -palaces and fanes, and fragrant gardens. The vanishing -line of columns was, at short intervals, interrupted by -gateways, above which were statues of Osiris and Isis.</p> - -<p>I was almost bewildered by the novelty and splendor -of these varied scenes, and was thinking that nothing -could surpass in magnificence this mighty avenue to -a city, when all at once the canal expanded into a circular -lake completely inclosed by columns, forming -majestic colonnades on all sides, in which were walking -and conversing innumerable richly dressed persons, -while others were grouped around noble-looking -ancient men, listening to their discourses. The chief -captain, who was with me in my galley, informed me -that these columned halls were the favorite resort of -the eminent philosophers and scholars of all lands, who -came hither to be taught in the learning and wisdom of -the Egyptians. I then looked a little closer, when he -was pleased to point out to me several great philosophers, -who, called wise men in their own kingdom, yet -had come hither to learn at the feet of these masters of the -world's wisdom, the wise men of Egypt. As we were -rowed past and around this majestic circle of columns, -I saw two noble youths from Damascus, who came last -year to Tyre, in order to embark for Memphis. I beheld -also Prince Melchor of the City of Salem, in Syria, the -descendant of the great king Melchisedec, whose wise -reign, about three centuries ago, is still remembered -with glory and honor to his name. The prince recognized -me, and returned my salutation, and leaving the -group with which he stood, hastened around the terrace -to meet me at the place of debarkation; for this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">{43}</a></span> -delightful lake, dear mother, terminated the noble canal -which united it with the river. Beyond it, the galleys -and barges did not go. Instead of water, this mighty -avenue to On was now to be continued by land. At -the place opposite the inlet rose two lofty obelisks a hundred -feet in the air, of incomparable elegance and -beauty. They were dedicated to Osiris and Isis. Elevated -upon pedestals of porphyry, they formed the -graceful entrance to a semicircular flight of marble -steps which led from the lake to a broad terrace interlaid -with parti-colored marbles, in every variety of device -which taste could conceive, or art execute. Landing -upon these steps, I ascended to the terrace, and was -there met and embraced by the Prince of Salem. Here -the chief captain took leave of me, and immediately -there advanced towards me a noble person, wearing a -chain of gold about his neck, and clothed in purple silk, -richly embroidered, and who carried in his right hand a -long silver wand, with the head of an ibis, cut out of a -precious stone, upon it. He said that he was an officer -of the court of the queen, and had come to conduct me -on my way to the city.</p> - -<p>"Her majesty," he said, with dignity becoming one -who served so mighty a monarch, "has received your -letter, royal prince, and has directed her servants to pay -you all honor!"</p> - -<p>I acknowledged the grace of the queenly Amense in -this courteous reception of a stranger, and followed him -across the terrace, which I perceived was encircled by -statues of all the divinities of the earth; and I was -gratified to see that Io, and Hercules, and the favored -deity of Phœnicia, Athyris, had conspicuous pedestals -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">{44}</a></span> -allotted to their sacred images, near the Theban god -Amun.</p> - -<p>Indeed, dear mother, this fact, and the manner of my -reception, shows that the present dynasty has graciously -forgotten the conquest of Egypt by the warlike hosts of -Phœnicia. But when we recollect that the first Amosis -of the present house of Pharaohs had for his queen the -beautiful Ephtha, daughter of the last Phœnician Pharaoh, -taking her captive when he expelled the father -from the throne of Memphis, we need not be surprised -at the favor shown us by the noble Queen Amense, for, -fourth only in descent from the fair Phœnician, who was -of our own blood, she is our cousin by just hereditary -lineage.</p> - -<p>When I had traversed the "Hall of the Gods," we -came to a lofty two-leaved gate of brass, which stood -between two sculptured propyla of Libyan stone. At -a wave of the wand of my escorter, they flew wide -open, and revealed the most magnificent and awe-inspiring -spectacle that it was possible to conceive the world -could present.</p> - -<p>Before me was revealed an avenue, more than a mile -in length to the eye, leading straight to the City of -the Sun, which rose, temple rising beyond temple, -shining like gold in the sunbeams, a mountain of architecture, -fashioned as if by the hands of gods rather than -of men. In the midst stood, elevated above all surrounding -edifices, the great temple of Osiris itself, encircled -by a belt of twelve glittering obelisks, representing -the twelve months. In the centre of this wonderful -girdle, upon the apex of a pyramid rising within the -walls of the temple, two hundred feet high, blazed that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">{45}</a></span> -sacred gold shield of the sun—the shield of Osiris—the -fame of which has filled the world. It was like the sun -itself for glory and splendor! Oh, how can I describe -all this! My pen refuses to find language to record -what I wish to write.</p> - -<p>But I will be brief, lest I overpower you with -gorgeousness, and blind you with glory. Verily, the -Egyptians seem resolved to rob the heavens of their -celestial architecture, and set up a rival heaven on -earth!</p> - -<p>From the open gateway of brass I beheld the city -thus described, with its temple, obelisks, pyramid, and -countless palaces, while the whole was encircled by a -green belt of gardens, which shut it in from the desert, -like a setting of Indian diamonds in a bed of Assyrian -emeralds.</p> - -<p>The avenue itself was paved with red-colored Syene -stones from the isles of the Cataracts, and on each side -was a gigantic row of sphinxes, reposing on broad, elevated -dromoi. Some of these represented lions, leopards, -and other beasts of the African and Nubian deserts. -Some of them had the head of a ram, with the body of -a lion, the fore-paws extended upon the terrace, the vast -body resting upon the hind-paws, all presenting aspects -of majestic repose. There were one hundred of these -stone effigies, in a double row twenty feet apart, facing -the avenue, and fastening upon the passer-by their stony -eyes in immovable watchfulness. This avenue I walked -up, preceded by the queen's officer, and escorted by a -retinue, which fell in behind me.</p> - -<p>Having passed this row of crio-sphinxes we ascended -three broad steps, on each side of which towered a lofty -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">{46}</a></span> -pylon, elaborately adorned with costly paintings of -colossal size, representing sacred scenes. Another -dromo bordered with fourscore andro-sphinxes, having -alternate faces of Osiris and Isis, the one stamped with -majesty, the other with beauty, now began, and passing -this solemn and awful range of gigantic faces we came -to another ascent of marble steps, flanked by obelisks: -four lofty pylones, and three spacious courts were at -the end of the dromos of sphinxes, also a vast arena -inclosed by palaces. Crossing this noble square, we -came to two colossi of granite, representing Cheops and -Nilus, their shields covered with hieroglyphics wrought -with the highest degree of perfection, each cartouch -recording their titles and deeds.</p> - -<p>At this point there met me a superbly caparisoned -Arabian charger, held by two pages; while a young -noble, bearing upon his breast the insignia of a prince -of the queen's palace, addressed me, and invited me to -mount the beautiful and fiery animal.</p> - -<p>I obeyed, leaping into the saddle with delight at once -more being upon horseback. Scarcely had I pressed -the bit with the gilded bridle, ere a score of horsemen, -in splendid armor, issued from the propylon on my left, -in two columns, and, inclosing me between them, escorted -me through several magnificent courts, in which -I caught glimpses of obelisks, monoliths of kings, pylones -sixty feet in height with pyramidal wings, giving entrance -to courts each more magnificent than the last.</p> - -<p>At length I saw before me the great and splendid -pylon which gives admission to the city. In front of -it, raised upon a throne of crimson stone, stood, with -his ibis head fifty feet in the air, a monolith statue of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">{47}</a></span> -Thoth. In his outstretched right hand he held a pair of -scales, and in his left a tablet.</p> - -<p>At this gate, the city is entered in its central point. -Two obelisks, ninety feet in height, towered on each side -of the entrance. Here I was received by a venerable -noble, who was mounted upon a snow-white horse, and -attended by a brilliant retinue, all superbly mounted. -This personage extended to me the same hospitable and -courteous welcome from his queen, which had been presented -to me from the others. He rode by my side, -and we took our way at a rapid trot along an avenue of -alternate obelisks and sphinxes, until we passed through -a pylon which opened into the streets of the city. The -splendor around bewildered me. Palaces, with gorgeous -faades and triple stories of colonnades, composed -street after street, while fountains and statues and propyla, -temples, monoliths, andro-sphinxes and crio-sphinxes -presented, as I rode along through this superb "City of -the Sun," an endless spectacle of architectural grandeur -and marble magnificence. The streets were thronged -with handsomely attired citizens, either in the pursuit of -pleasure or business, while priestly processions, festival -parties crowned with flowers and attended by musicians, -and bodies of horse, were met by us. Gilded chariots, -palanquins, and vehicles of rare and graceful forms, were -numerous. The whole city wore an air of pleasure and -life, and impressed me with the idea that the Egyptians -are not only master-builders in architecture, but know -how to enjoy the splendid cities they erect with such -costly care.</p> - -<p>My senses sated with luxury, I was not unwilling to -alight at the entrance of a beautiful palace, which the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">{48}</a></span> -venerable horseman said the queen had placed at my -service. Upon its portico I was met by my private -secretary, Acherres, who, in his joy at beholding me -again, forgot for a moment my rank, and embraced me -with tears of delight; for, in this foreign land, he saw -in me alone the link which bound him to his native -country.</p> - -<p>I have now been two days in this palace, wherein -is furnished me, by the queen, the attendance of -slaves; and every luxury of Egypt is at my command. -As I said to you, dear mother, in my first letter, I have -yet only seen the Queen of Egypt at a distance, as she -was ascending the steps of her palace, but to-morrow I -am formally to be presented to her, for on that day of -the week alone she receives princes and ambassadors. -She had returned four days before to Memphis, from -Phil, with a great retinue of the lords and officers of -her realm, and yesterday, crossing the Nile in her barge -of state, she entered this sacred city, which she visits for -three days every month to perform in the great temple -the sacred rites of her gorgeous religion. Of this worship -I will soon write you more fully. It is an error, -however, to suppose that these enlightened Egyptians -worship the sun, or any other objects, as such, of mere -matter. Their fundamental doctrine is the unity of the -deity, whose attributes are represented under positive -and material forms. The common people perhaps never -go beyond these forms, and their minds never are admitted -to a knowledge of the truth of the mysteries; but -the priests, and the high in rank, look upon the sun, and -moon, and animals, and the fecund Nile, only as so -many attributes of a one infinite deity. The sun—believed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">{49}</a></span> -to possess much of the divine influence in its -vivifying power and its various other effects—is regarded -as one of the grandest agents of the one deity. The -moon is another direct manifestation of the invisible -author, and as the regulator of time, say their sacred -books, is figured in painting and sculpture as the ibis-headed -Thoth, and the deity who records, as time flies, -the actions of men's lives. Osiris, if I understand their -mythology, is this supreme god (symbolized here by the -sun), who is also the judge of the souls of the dead, rewarding -or punishing hereafter the creatures he has created, -according to their lives. But when I learn more -fully their system of religion, I will explain it to you, -dear mother.</p> - -<p>Although I have not seen, to speak with her, the -august lady who reigns over Egypt, I have been visited -by her son, the lord Prince Remeses. I have already -written of him. He is in his thirty-fourth year, and the -noblest appearing man my eyes ever beheld. Upon his -brow the gods have set the seal and impress of command. -I will narrate the manner of our first intercourse.</p> - -<p>I was standing by the window of the stately apartment, -which overlooks one of the squares of the city, -interested in watching the toils of several hundred men, -coarsely attired in blue aprons or loin-cloths, and gray -breeches reaching only to the knee, the upper part of -their bodies being naked, who were at work constructing -a wall which was to inclose a new lake before the -temple of Apis, in the midst of the square; for On is a -city of alternate lakes (all of great beauty and adorned -with trees), temples, squares, and palaces, interspersed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">{50}</a></span> -with dromos of sphinxes connecting court after court, -through lofty pylones; while obelisks, statues, and fountains -fill up the interspaces.</p> - -<p>My window not only commanded a view of these laborers -with their heavy burdens of bricks, borne on their -shoulders to the top of the wall they were building, but -also, beyond the wall and distant temples, a glimpse of the -yellow expanse of the desert. How mighty, and grand, -and solemn it looked in its loneliness and ocean-like -vastness! A faint dark line that I at length perceived -in motion, was, doubtless, a caravan coming from the -haven of the Red Sea, where the galleys from Farther -Ind land their precious freights of untold wealth. This -caravan seeks the port of On, six miles below on the Nile, -whence sail ships, laden with the treasures of the caravan, -to all parts of the known earth. Sesostris, Thothmes, -Menes, all planned a canal from the Nile to this -sea; but the camels are the only ships, to this day, that -cross this desert waste. Again my eyes rested upon the -laborers, seeing that they were sorely pressed by cruel -taskmasters, who, with long rods, urged them to their -ceaseless toil. I perceived, then, that they were men -with Syrian features, arched eagle noses, long black -beards, and narrow but fine eyes, which seemed to have -a strange expression of tears in them. There were -among them noble and manly men, handsome youths, -though pale with toil, and bent forms of aged men. I -marvelled to see so fine a race thus in bondage, as slaves -under taskmasters, for in the day of the Phœnician -Pharaohs, there were no such bondmen in the land of -Egypt. From their remarkable likeness to some natives -of Mesopotamia I had seen in Tyre, I judged that they -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">{51}</a></span> -must be captives of that ancient Orient people, taken in -the wars of Amunoph.</p> - -<p>While I was regarding them, and especially an interesting -youth, whose dark eyes, as he staggered under a -heavy burden of bricks, were turned up to me as if seeking -sympathy, Acherres entered and said:</p> - -<p>"My lord Sesostris, the mighty Prince Remeses is -alighting from his chariot upon the steps of your palace!"</p> - -<p>Upon hearing this news I hastened to the portico, -wondering if I were to be honored with a personal visit -from the lord of Egypt, ere the queen mother should receive -me in state.</p> - -<p>Upon reaching the circular peristyle hall within the -portico, the dile of my palace opened the gilded -doors, and there stood before me the Prince of Egypt. -I have already described his noble presence and personal -appearance. Upon seeing me he advanced, waving -his attendants to withdraw, and with mingled dignity -and sweetness, that at once won my heart, said:</p> - -<p>"I welcome you, noble Prince of Tyre, to Egypt! I -have been engaged in reviewing the army of the Nile, -a day's march hence, and heard but yesterday of your -arrival. I hail you, not as a stranger, but as cousin, -dear Sesostris; for are we not allied by blood?"</p> - -<p>"You, my lord prince," I said, "are descended from -two lines of kings—the Syrian and Theban—I from but -one. But by that one we are indeed of the same blood. -But what is a prince of Tyre, compared with the heir to -the throne of Egypt?"</p> - -<p>"We are to be friends and equals," he said, smiling, -as he pressed my hands. I accepted this pledge of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">{52}</a></span> -friendship with grateful emotion, my dear mother; and -from that moment we became as brothers,—he the elder, -I the younger, and looking up to him with admiration -and pride, as henceforth my model of what a prince -should be.</p> - -<p>He remained with me three hours. We discoursed of -you, of Tyre, of the beautiful city of Damascus,—my -sword of Damascene steel attracting his notice (for he -is a famous soldier), and leading to the mention of -this city. We talked also of Egypt, and her glory, and -her power; of the queen, his mother, and the manners, -religion, and policy of the kingdom.</p> - -<p>But, my dear mother, I will here close this letter, and -in another relate to you what passed at our interview, -and the most interesting portion of his conversation.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your devoted son,</div> - -<div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris.</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">{53}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER III.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">The City of the Sun.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The</span> -climate of this land of the Sun is so delightful -to the senses that one feels a constant buoyancy of the -heart, and experiences in the consciousness of mere -existence, an undefinable and delicious joy; and herein -I discover the key to the cheerful gayety of the Egyptians. -The skies are blue with eternal sunshine. The -atmosphere, free from moisture, is so transparent and -crystalline, that distant objects lose one half their distance -to the eye. The sun rises ever with cloudless -splendor, and sets in a sea of golden glory, without a -shadow of a cloud falling upon his fiery disk. The moon -sails by night across the starry ocean of the heavens, -with a brilliancy unknown in other lands; while the -stars burn with an increased intensity, and seem enlarged -by means of the purity of the upper air through -which we behold them. It is no marvel that the -dwellers in this happy land are wise, and love art, and -delight in forms of beauty, and build palaces for gods! -But I promised in my last letter, dear mother, to -describe what particularly passed in the long and interesting -interview which the Prince Remeses had with -me on his first visit to my palace. I have already -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">{54}</a></span> -described his personal appearance; but, as ladies are -always interested in costume, I will relate to you how -he was attired.</p> - -<p>The Egyptians, you are aware, always shave the head -and beard closely, save when in mourning. They have -nevertheless a plaited lock of hair on the height of the -forehead, which falls down over the ear. Such is the -fashion with which the youthful god Horus is represented -in paintings and statues, though the beautiful -locks of this deity are not so closely removed but that a -crest of golden tresses covers the top of his head like -the plume of a helmet. Something in this manner -Prince Remeses wore the lock of jet-black hair which -remained. But upon his head he had a rich cap or -kaftan of green silk, the front of which was shaped like -the beak of an eagle, while behind, it fell to the shoulders -in a sort of cape, fashioned like drooping wings—the -whole most becoming and striking. In the eyes of -the eagle, blazed diamonds, and his plumage was studded -with precious stones, beryls, sardine gems, and the onyx-stone. -This head-costume, in varied forms, is worn by -all the nobles and men of high rank. With some the -ibis or the vulture, with others the lion or the hawk, -form the insignia. I have seen him since in his chariot, -in a close-fitting helmet-cap of burnished gold, resembling -that of the Egyptian god of war, which, with his -martial form and commanding glance, lent to him the -aspect of the god himself!</p> - -<p>His vesture was of fine linen, worn in numerous -folds about his form; and a surcoat embroidered with -gold in royal devices, left open in front, displayed -a girdle of links of steel and gold, exquisitely and cunningly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">{55}</a></span> -woven, to which hung his jewelled sword. -About his neck was fastened, by a pearl of price, a -collar of the red-hued gold of Ophir, massive and large; -and upon his manly chest glittered a breastplate, sparkling -with the enamelled <i>cartouch</i> of the god Athothis, -the deity who presided at his birth, and who is the same -as our Taut, the inventor of letters.</p> - -<p>And here let me remark, that writing by letters is -scarcely yet known in Egypt, the hieroglyphic form -being still in current use; but Remeses has cultivated -the Phœnician art, and writes with a character of his -own construction, with the facility and beauty of one of -our own men of letters. Ere long, through his influence, -this form of writing will supersede wholly the -hieroglyph, which is cumbersome and difficult to be -understood, save by a native-born Egyptian; yet I have -commenced the study of it, and can read already the -cartouch of Mitres, on his obelisk over against the portico -of my residence. Of this obelisk, which is ninety-nine -feet high, it is said that when it was about to be -elevated to its position, he employed 20,000 workmen, -and apprehensive that the engineer would not raise it -with sufficient care, he bound the prince his son to the -apex while it lay on the ground, and thus effectually -guaranteed the safety of his monument. This was many -centuries ago; but, as I gazed to-day upon the towering -apex, I could not but think, with a tremor of the nerves, -of the hapless young prince as he mounted into the sky, -on that slow and perilous journey!</p> - -<p>Have I not been digressing, dear mother? But you -must not, in familiar letters, look for artistic continuity -of narrative. I shall digress, or go from subject -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">{56}</a></span> -to subject, as collateral objects suggest themselves in -passing them; but, nevertheless, I shall not leave your -curiosity unsatisfied upon any matter which I have -commenced, but in due time, from every digression, -shall return to it. I will, therefore, this apology once -for all, return to the princely Remeses.</p> - -<p>He wore upon his right hand a signet-ring of silver, -once belonging to his ancestor, Amosis, the leader of -the XVIIIth dynasty; and also a large ring of pure -gold, set with a chrysoprasus, and bearing the shield of -Osirtasen I., or Sesostris—for he has both names in -history—for whom I am named.</p> - -<p>In all respects he was attired with magnificence, and -yet with simplicity, as became a man of taste and a -prince. The profuse ornaments of jewelry, with which -I perceive the nobles about the court load themselves, -his good sense disdains. He retains only the insignia -belonging to his high rank.</p> - -<p>I have said that his hair is raven-black, and may add -that his eyes are large, expressive, heavily-lidded, and -with a peculiar expression of mingled softness and brilliancy. -Unlike the Egyptians, his features are truly -Syriac, with the high arched nose and full red lips of the -inhabitants of the city of Damascus. Do you remember -when we last year visited Damascus, seeing, in the -painted chamber of the adytum of the mausoleum of Eliezer, -a representation of the Hebrew prince Abram, of -Syria? To that venerable prince, whose virtues and -wisdom tradition would have preserved, even if he had -not erected this tomb to his own and his master's -memory, Eliezer was chamberlain or steward for many -years. Returning to Damascus with great wealth, which -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">{57}</a></span> -Abram had bestowed upon him, he brought with him -from Egypt, where he had once been, a cunning artist in -colors, who decorated the tomb he erected for himself, -in that wonderful manner which has excited the admiration -of all beholders. But, dear mother, beautiful as -that is, and well preserved as it has been for four hundred -years, it is not to be compared with art in Egypt at the -present day. You remember you were struck with the -majesty and almost celestial sublimity of the old shepherd -prince's face, which the affection of his steward has -preserved. You spoke of the eagle-like nose, the dark, -yet tearful-looking eyes, with the drooping lid just -casting into shadow the depth of its inner light. You -remember the nobly shaped head and commanding -brow. Such a head and profile is that of Remeses, the -Prince of Egypt. My first look at his face recalled the -portrait in the tomb, which its founder has so beautifully -and modestly inscribed:</p> - - <p class="center small">"ELIEZER OF DAMASCUS,</p> - - <p class="center small gesperrt">THE STEWARD OF ABRAM,</p> - - <p class="center small">PRINCE</p> - - <p class="center small">BELOVED OF THE GODS."</p> - -<p>After I had received Remeses into my house, I conducted -him through a two-valved door, opened before -us by my chief butler, into the superb apartment allotted -for recreation and repose. My mansion consisted of a -court encircled by columns, and from it extended corridors -to various chambers. The court is crossed by -avenues of trees, while fountains and flowering plants -refresh the eye in every direction.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">{58}</a></span> -The apartment into which Remeses came with me, -was divided into tall panels, upon which were executed, -in the most brilliant colors, the fairest pictures. These -panels were intercolumnar, each column adorned with -carvings of leaves and flowers, and terminating in a -capital in imitation of an open lotus. This room was -open to the air, but shielded from the sun by a purple -awning that extended to its four sides, and was a little -raised above the walls upon the columns, so that the -breezes, which were wafted over the gardens of flowers, -might freely enter.</p> - -<p>This was my reception-room, or <i>mndara</i>, as it is -termed. A beautiful cornice surrounds the whole room. -The furniture is of the most tasteful and luxurious description, -and of forms and uses unknown to our severer -Syrians. There are tables of Arabian wood, inlaid with -ivory; sofas of ebony and other rare materials, covered -with silken cushions; a chair ornamented with the skin -of a leopard; another, of still more graceful outline, embroidered -with silk and threads of gold; another, the -frame of which recedes gradually, terminating at its -summit in a graceful curve, and supported by resting -upon the back of a swan with feathers of ivory. A -chair for repose is covered with gilded leather, and -arched by a rich canopy of painted flowers, birds, and -fancy devices. The legs of all these chairs were in -imitation of some wild beast, while the arms represented -in ivory or ebony the beaks of birds,—that of the ibis, -sacred as it is, being the favorite. There are couches, -too, which are nothing more nor less than crouching -lions gilded, upon the backs of which the sleeper reposes -on gorgeous housings stuffed with the softest down. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">{59}</a></span> -The shapes of the furniture exhaust all forms. There -are, in some of my rooms, chairs shaped like harps, -others like leaves of the fig-tree, others like birds. -Tables of ebony are supported on the heads of naked -Nubian slaves two feet high, carved in ebony, while the -bronze lamps are uplifted upon the palm of a dancing -girl cast in bronze, who seems to hold the light for you -while you read or write. Carpets and foot-stools, covered -with embroidery, are not wanting; and I have -three round tables—one of metal, one of ivory, one of -ebony—polished like mirrors of steel. These are covered -with ornaments of the most exquisite finish and -beauty; and before my window where I write is a sort -of bureau ornamented with hieroglyphics, carved in -intaglio, inlaid with sycamore, tamarisk, and palm -woods, and enriched with bosses of solid gold.</p> - -<p>In this apartment I received Remeses. Placing a seat -by the window, I sat near him. For a moment he surveyed -me with a close but courteous scrutiny, such as strangers -irresistibly cast upon each other after a first meeting.</p> - -<p>"I hope you are at home here, noble Sesostris," he said. -"This is one of my palaces, but I have more than I can -make use of, such is the bounty and affection of my -mother."</p> - -<p>"I have every comfort and luxury—more than I -desire," I answered. "I was not prepared to find in -Egypt such splendor and magnificence. The half, my -noble prince, has not been told the world."</p> - -<p>"And yet you have seen but a small portion of this -kingdom," he said, with a smile of pardonable pride. -"Although On is the city of palaces and temples, for -there is a temple to each of the three hundred and sixty -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">{60}</a></span> -gods of our calendar year, yet Memphis is the true seat -of our empire. We rule Egypt from Memphis: we -worship the gods from On."</p> - -<p>"But is not the great god Apis the peculiar deity of -Memphis?" I asked; "and is not his worship the most -magnificent and imposing on earth?"</p> - -<p>"Yet here in the City of the Sun is the temple of -Mnevis, the sacred ox of On, honored with a worship as -profound and universal as that of Apis."</p> - -<p>"But do the more polished Egyptians indeed worship -the ox, either here or in Memphis?" I asked with some -hesitation, for, as prince, Remeses is first priest of the -realm, next to the high-priest of Osiris.</p> - -<p>"Do not fear to ask freely any questions, my dear -Sesostris," he said. "We do not worship these animals. -They are but the embodiment of attributes. Under -both of these gods, at On and at Memphis, Osiris the -great Judge of men is veiled. They are but the living -images of Osiris. The origin of their introduction is -unknown save to the priests, whose office it is to keep -the records of all things appertaining to religion."</p> - -<p>"What is revealed concerning the history of Osiris?" -I asked; "for I am at a loss to understand the exact -relation a deity known over the world by name, but of -whose worship little is understood, holds to Egypt and to -the other gods. At home, in Syria, I have marvelled -how the Egyptian mythology could stand, when made -up of such contradictory elements,—a part directing the -worship of an invisible divinity, and a part directing -the adoration of the hosts of heaven and beasts of the -earth. In Phœnicia we worship the Invisible through -the sun, as his representative. We worship nothing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">{61}</a></span> -earthly. In Palestine, south of us, Ashteroth, Belus, -and images of stone and brass are adored, but not with -us."</p> - -<p>"The Egyptians, through all their forms, and by all -their gods, adore the Supreme Infinite, my Sesostris," -said the prince. "The history of our faith is briefly -this, according to common tradition: Osiris was in the -beginning the one lord of worlds; the sun of truth and -the glory of his universe. He came upon earth for the -benefit of mankind. Before his coming, the ox and all -other animals were wild, and of no service to man. -The Nile was a terror to Egypt. Vegetation had perished. -He came as a 'manifester of good and truth,' as -saith the great golden book in the Hall of Books. He -entered into all things, and infused his life, and good, -and uses into all. He bound the Nile to its banks, by -breasting its flood and subduing it. His spirit passed -into the bull, and all cattle. He tempered the heat of -the sun, and drew the poison from the moon. The -earth became his bride, under the name of Isis; and -brought forth Horus, and the order of equal times, and -thus man was benefited and the earth made habitable. -Upon this, his brother Sethis, who represented 'evil,' as -Osiris did 'good,' sought his destruction, and caused him -to be hated and put to death. He was buried, and rose -again, and became the judge of the dead. And this -legend or fable is the foundation, noble Sesostris, of our -mythology. The sun, moon, Nile, animals, and vegetables -even, are regarded as sacred, therefore, because the -spirit or soul of Osiris had been infused into them, to -change them from evil to good. Thus one god is worshipped -through visible objects, which he has consecrated,—objects -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">{62}</a></span> -once his temples and abodes; for, says the -sacred record, he had to enter into every thing which he -restored to the use of man."</p> - -<p>"The mythology of Egypt," I said, "is at once relieved, -O prince, from the charge of grossness and superstition -which has been attached to it. I can now -understand more clearly your system of religion."</p> - -<p>"The mysteries of our religion are still unfathomable," -answered Remeses. "It is doubtful if they are -fully comprehended by the priests. In the multiplicity -and diversity of objects of worship I am often confounded, -and it is a relief to me to pass by all material forms -of Osiris, and send my mind upward only to himself!"</p> - -<p>"That is a noble conception, great prince," I said, -admiring the lofty and almost divine expression with -which this pure sentiment lighted up his fine countenance.</p> - -<p>"But the people of Egypt are not able to comprehend -Deity except through visible forms; and, in order to -convey an impression of the abstract notions men form -of the attributes of Deity, it will always be necessary, -perhaps, to distinguish them by some fixed representation; -hence the figures of Osiris under the various forms -in which he is worshipped, of Pthah, of Amun, Neith, -and other gods and goddesses, were invented by the ancient -priests as the signs of the various attributes of the -Deity. And as the subtlety of speculation expanded -the simple principles of our mythology, the divine nature -was divided and subdivided, until any thing which -seemed to bear any analogy to it was deified, received -a figure or form as a god, and was admitted into the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">{63}</a></span> -Pantheon of the kingdom, to a share of the worship of -the people."</p> - -<p>"And this nicety of philosophical speculation," I said, -"must have given rise to the several grades of deities in -Egypt."</p> - -<p>"Yes; the gods of the first, second, and third orders: -each with its system of priesthood and rituals."</p> - -<p>"In all this, I see you give no divine honors to departed -heroes," I remarked.</p> - -<p>"No. Our gods are none of them deified men. They -are not like Bacchus, and Hercules, and other of the -ancient and Syriac deities, who were human heroes. Our -mythology is a pure spiritualism: its object, Divinity, -worshipped by emblems, symbols, signs, figures, and representative -attributes."</p> - -<p>"It is a pantheism, then, rather than a polytheism," I -remarked.</p> - -<p>"You speak justly, Sesostris," he said. "The figures -of our gods, which you see hewn in marble, painted on -temples, standing colossal monoliths in the entrance of -the city, are but vicarious forms, not intended to be -looked upon as real divine personages. Not a child in -Egypt believes that a being exists, with the head of a -bird joined to the human form—as the statue of Thoth, -with the ibis head, in front of the temple; or under the -form of a Cynocephalus, having the horns of the moon -upon his head; or as the goddess Justice, without a -head; or a bird with the head of a woman; or a god -with a ram-headed vulture's head, or that of a hawk, -like the deity Horus; or Anubis, with the head of a -dog. Why these unnatural forms were chosen as emblems -of these gods, the priests fancifully explain, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">{64}</a></span> -perhaps in many cases truly. They are all, simply personifications -of divine attributes."</p> - -<p>"Abuses," I remarked, when he had thus eloquently -spoken, "must naturally flow from such representations, -and these emblems, among the people, soon assume the -importance of the divine personages to which they appertain. -The mass of the population must be idolaters."</p> - -<p>"You speak truly. They are. The distinction between -the image and the idea which it represents is too -subtle for the ignorant; they lose sight of the attribute, -by filling the whole horizon of their minds with -its image. Thus the Egyptian mind is clearly more and -more being drawn away from its ancient spiritual worship, -to a superstitious veneration for images, which -originally were intended only to control and fix attention, -or to represent some religious tradition or idea of -divinity."</p> - -<p>"Are not Apis, the sacred bull, at Memphis, and -Mnevis at On, regarded as gods?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Only as the soul of Osiris. The bull is the most -powerful animal in all Egypt, and hence a type of the -Deity. But this subject, my dear Sesostris," added the -prince, with a fine look of friendship, "you will know -more of by and by, as you dwell among us. I will -command that you shall have every facility from the -priests, and also from the philosophers and wise men, -in your further studies of our people. I am happy to -have given you your first lesson in Egyptian lore."</p> - -<p>"You have done me infinite honor, noble Remeses," -I replied, returning with gratitude his looks of kindness. -"I hope ere long so to profit by your information as to -understand your ancient system of religion. From what -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">{65}</a></span> -you have said, I perceive that it stands above all others -on earth, rightly interpreted; and before its spiritual -essence, our worship in Phœnicia—which is chiefly a -union of idolatry and Sabanism—is pure materialism."</p> - -<p>At this moment we rose, as by one impulse, and -walked out upon the terrace to enjoy the breeze which -was waving refreshingly, to our eyes, the branches of -a palm that stood before the door. The day was intensely -hot. In the shade of the columns on the square, -many of the citizens had gathered for shelter from the -sun's beams. But still in its burning heat the bondmen -of whom I have spoken, toiled on, with their burdens -of brick. Not far off were a score under one taskmaster, -who stood by with a long staff with which -he severely beat an old man, who had sunk to the earth -under the combined heat of the sun and the weight he -was compelled to bear. My heart was touched at once -with pity and indignation.</p> - -<p>"What unhappy people are these, O prince," I said, -"who endure such heavy labor?"</p> - -<p>"Hebrews!" he answered, haughtily and indifferently. -"Hast thou not heard of these bond-slaves of our land? -They have been in Egypt several generations. They -build our cities, our walls, our canals. They number two -millions, and are the hereditary slaves of the Pharaohs."</p> - -<p>"To what circumstances do they owe their captivity?" -I asked.</p> - -<p>"If it will interest you, my Sesostris," he said, "I will -at another time relate their history."</p> - -<p>"It will gratify me to listen to it," I answered. "I -am struck with the Syriac cast of their features."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">{66}</a></span> -"Indeed! They originally came from Syria. Do -they preserve still the lineaments of their country?"</p> - -<p>"Strikingly so," I answered.</p> - -<p>We now walked the noble terrace together, while he -pointed out to me the prospect from it. In view was -one half the city, and the dark "Lake of the Dead," of -which I will speak hereafter; the avenues of sphinxes; -the gigantic gateways or pylones and obelisks on the -river; and the mighty Nile itself, flowing like an ever-lengthening -sea amid the fairest scenery of earth. Reposing -upon its bosom, like a gigantic floating garden, -was visible the noble isle of Rhoda, decked with gorgeous -palaces,—one of which, said Remeses, is the -favorite home of his royal mother. Still beyond this -lovely island rose from the water the gardens, villas, -palaces, temples, and propyla which lay between Memphis -and the river; while the city of Apis, "the diadem -of Egypt," in all the glory of architectural majesty and -beauty, reposed on the plain beyond; the mighty pyramids, -with their winged temples and colossal dromos of -sphinxes, filling the background of this matchless scene.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1">Sesostris.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">{67}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER IV.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">Dear and royal Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I am</span> -still in the City of the Sun, or <span class="smcap">Re</span>, as I find -it is often called by the Egyptians, and I write to you -from the palace of Remeses, not the abode which -was first allotted me, but in apartments in his own -imperial residence, an honored sharer of his table and -society.</p> - -<p>Here, in a sumptuous chamber, the walls of which are -intercolumnar panels, enriched by paintings on gold and -blue grounds, tastefully bordered by flowers and fruit, I -once more resume my pen to write to you about this -wonderful land.</p> - -<p>The day after I closed my last letter, dear mother, a -high officer from the Queen Amense alighted from his -chariot at my palace, and placed in my hands the signet -of his royal mistress, with a message that she desired me -to be presented to her.</p> - -<p>I had already received an intimation from the prince -of this intended honor, and had made myself ready, -being attired, when the messenger came, in the full costume -of a prince of Tyre, save the golden crown, instead -of which I wore the helmet-shaped cap of Tyrian gold-thread, -which was presented to me by your own loved -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">{68}</a></span> -hands. Over my shoulders I clasped the cloak of Tyrian -purple, embroidered by the hands of the fair princess -Thamonda; and instead of my sword I held a gold-tipped -wand, as no one is permitted to appear before the queen -with arms. These wands or rods are carried by all -Egyptians, of every rank, as constant companions; but -their value and beauty are regulated by the position and -wealth of the person,—those of nobles being tipped -with gold, while ivory, ebony, palm-wood, and common -woods, are the materials of which others are made. -The rod borne by me was a present from Remeses, and -near the burnished gold head of it was a massive ring of -great price, bearing his royal cartouch, in which he is -called "Remeses-Moses, Son of Pharaoh's Daughter, -and Prince of Re Memphis, and Thebes, Son of the -god Nilus, and Leader of the Sacred Hosts."</p> - -<p>There stood in front of my palace three chariots, two -of them drawn by a pair of beautifully spotted horses, -while to the third, and most elegant, were harnessed -four snow-white steeds. A burnished shield rising -above the gracefully curved back, showed that it was a -royal chariot. The charioteer was a Nubian, wearing -bracelets of gold, as well as otherwise richly attired. The -chariot was gorgeously ornamented at the sides with -ornaments of light open-work. It was lined with crimson -silk, which was visible through the interstices of the -open carvings. These chariots had two wheels; the -pole projected from the middle of the axle, and was -bent upwards at a short distance from the body of the -carriage. At the end of the pole the yoke was fastened, -and each horse attached to the car by a single trace, -extending on his inner side from the base of the pole to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">{69}</a></span> -the saddle. I noticed, too, that the heads of the spirited -horses were borne up tight by a rein made fast to a -hook in front of the saddle, and the long reins passed -through a loop or ring at the side. Also, that the heads -of the horses were adorned with lofty plumes; that the -harness was ornamented with silver and gold, or burnished -brass, while upon their bodies were housings of -the most elaborate and beautiful workmanship, representing -royal devices.</p> - -<p>One of these superb chariots was that in which the -queen's officer came. In the other sat the grand-chamberlain, -behind his charioteer. The third, I found, was -for my use. Drawn up, hard by, there were not less -than threescore footmen of the queen's guard, who, -ranging themselves from the door, paid me the lowest -obeisance as I passed to my chariot, at the side of -which stood the venerable and stately grand-chamberlain, -to assist me to enter it.</p> - -<p>There was no seat; for the Egyptians stand in their -chariots, as a more dignified and commanding attitude,—a -custom probably derived from the necessity of doing -so in their war-chariots, in order to combat. I have, -however, seen three or four very light and elegant -pleasure-chariots, in which ladies of high rank were -seated, but one only in each. But when the queen -rides, she stands upon a dais in her chariot, and, as -she is borne at speed by six horses harnessed abreast, -she has the air and port of a flying goddess. The eyes -of her subjects follow her as if she were a meteor, and -gaze after her with admiration and awe.</p> - -<p>The day was bright, as it always is in Egypt, with a -cloudless sun. It lighted up the long lines of palaces -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">{70}</a></span> -where dwelt priests and nobles, illumined the propyla -of the temples, burnished the lakes, gilded the obelisks, -and flooded the whole City of the Sun with magnificence;—for -there is a splendor and glory in the sunshine -of Egypt unknown in other lands, the result of the -purity of the crystalline atmosphere.</p> - -<p>My charioteer dashed onward as if great speed was a -royal pace. Before me ran footmen with wands clearing -the avenue, and behind came the swift-footed retainers, -while on each side of me rolled the two -chariots. Acherres, my secretary, rode near upon an -Arabian courser; and his superb seat in the saddle -and his masterly horsemanship drew the applause of -the Egyptians, who are better charioteers than horsemen.</p> - -<p>After a dashing ride of a mile, we entered a vast -square which I had not before seen. It extended two -thousand feet each way. In the centre was a calm lake -basking in the sunshine. Around this lake was a border -of palm-trees, then a border of orange-trees filled -with singing birds, while in their shade walked groups -of handsomely attired people, and children enjoyed themselves -in play. Upon the lake, ornamented pleasure galleys -were moving in various directions, and a spirit of -enjoyment pervaded the whole scene. Around this grand -square with its central lake were arranged as follows: on -the north side a superb colonnade of sculptured columns, -forming the faade of the Temple of Mnevis, the sacred -ox of On, at the gate or propyla of which crouched two -sphinxes, with majestic human heads. On the west side -was a vast paved area, in the centre of which towered -the obelisk of Thothmes the Great. This area is inclosed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">{71}</a></span> -by the royal armory, an edifice expressive of strength -and grandeur in its massive and warlike proportions. -On the east is a pyramid two hundred feet high, -in front of which two sphinxes with heads of women -and bodies of birds repose, while on each side extends a -range of noble pylones opening into avenues that lead -to interior courts. This singular edifice is the temple -of Re, and sometimes gives its name to the city, Re -being also another name for the sun. On the fourth -side of this stupendous area rises a grand palace, which -occupies the whole space of the breadth of the square. -I can only describe the front of this royal palace by -representing it as a city of columns, interspaced at -regular intervals by noble propyla, which, in their turn, -are sculptured and adorned in such profusion as to -bewilder the eye with forms of beauty. Two sphinxes -of colossal proportions, with the bodies of lions and the -heads of beautiful women wearing double crowns, -guard the entrance to this august palace. Upon the -terrace, to which a flight of broad steps ascended, -stood the royal guard of the palace like statues, each of -the one hundred Theban soldiers leaning upon his spear, -with his oval shield resting against his side.</p> - -<p>We drove up in front, and between the heads of the -sphinxes I alighted. The moment I did so, the Theban -guard stood to their arms, and their captain, with a -glittering helmet upon his head and holding his sword -in his hand reversed, descended to receive me. Escorted -by him, and followed by the grand-chamberlain, I -ascended to the terrace saluted by the guard with the -honors paid to royalty. The terrace was surrounded -with the statues of the kings of this dynasty, and of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">{72}</a></span> -Theban Pharaohs; but the Phœnician Pharaohs are -not now numbered among the kings of Egypt. The -terrace led into a circular hall which was richly carved, -gilded, and painted with historic scenes, battle-pieces -and naval combats. Conspicuous upon a panel, directly -in front of the entrance, was the representation of the -expulsion of the Shepherd Kings from Memphis. In the -faces of the monarchs Amosis and Amunophis, the immediate -ancestors of Prince Remeses, I see no resemblance -to him. His style of face is wholly different -from the heroes of the dynasty to which he belongs. His -features have a nobler cast, and seem to belong to a man -of a higher intellectual development, and no doubt he is -superior to all other Egyptians; for, young as he is, his -name is already associated with all that is wise, and -great, and true.</p> - -<p>The entablature of the next hall we entered was a -wonderful sculpture. It represented a circle of beautiful -girls chained together by wreaths of flowers, and -with interlaced arms, bending over and smiling down -upon those in the hall, each extending a hand holding a -vase. There was a unity of design in the whole of the -interior of this adytum or presence-chamber, with the -distribution of light and the groups of figures shown by -it on the walls, that surpassed any apartment I had yet -seen. As I entered this enchanted hall, the martial -music which had hailed me as I came into the outer -vestibule ceased, and was succeeded by the most ravishing -sounds of instrumental music from an unseen source. -I would have lingered, but there advanced a beautiful -youth, all clad in gold and purple, it seemed to me, so -richly was he attired, who said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">{73}</a></span> -"The queen desires me to conduct the noble Prince -of Tyre to her presence."</p> - -<p>I followed, and before him opened, as if by their -own volition, a pair of two-leaved doors of ivory, inlaid -with emeralds. The throne-room stood before me—if -an apartment a thousand feet across may be termed a -room. I stood at the threshold of a chamber surrounded -by columns ninety feet high. A guard of soldiers, in -silver cuirasses and helmets covered with silken scarfs, -inclosed the space. An avenue of statues of the gods, -in the centre, led for eight hundred feet to the throne. -Along this avenue was arranged a brilliant array of -officers, in armor and uniforms of the most dazzling -description, to which every color and every precious -metal contributed, while helm and cuirass, of those -highest in rank, blazed with jewels. I advanced, led by -the beautiful page, in whose fine black eyes and long -lashes, arched brow and aquiline nose, I recognized the -now well-known lineaments of the Hebrew race. He -moved with his eyes cast down. I experienced, my dear -mother, at a public reception so august, not a little embarrassment; -but I repressed it, and endeavored to receive -these honors, at the greatest court on earth, with -the ease and self-command that became my rank. As -I drew near the throne the scene increased in magnificence. -At length two statues of Osiris and Isis terminated -the vista I had traversed; and I saw before me the -throne of Egypt, one hundred feet in front, in the centre -of a space one half a stadium in diameter, and elevated -upon a dais or platform of variegated marble, twelve -feet from the floor. This noble platform was square, -and at each of the four corners crouched a lion, respectively -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">{74}</a></span> -with the head of an eagle, a sea-dragon (no -doubt, a fabulous monster), a bull, and a man—all, -figures representing the four kingdoms of the air, the -sea, the earth, and the intellect or soul. These four -colossal beasts faced inward, towards the throne, to signify -that they beheld in its occupant their mistress and -sovereign. Upon their heads were crowns, namely, of -Thebes, Memphis, Re, and Ethiopia.</p> - -<p>The platform, upon the angles of which crouched -these majestic figures, was ascended by four flights of -steps of red Syene stone, inlaid with precious stones. -There were seven steps to each ascent, representing the -seven mouths of the Nile by which the land of Egypt is -approached. These symbols were subsequently explained -to me by Remeses; but I describe them now, -as I may not again have an opportunity of so doing -in the varied scenes and subjects that challenge my -attention.</p> - -<p>In the midst of this elevation, rising island-like in the -centre of the "Hall of the Pharaohs," stood the throne -itself. It was separated from every object in solitary -splendor, a space of many yards being left on all sides -of the polished floor, in the brilliancy of which not -only the throne itself, but the heads of the four -sphinxes, were reflected. How shall I give you, dear -mother, a just conception of the throne-chair? It was -of the purest ivory, carved with wonderful beauty. The -simple grandeur of its form and material was more -impressive than the most gorgeous display of gilding -and precious stones. Its shape was not unlike that of a -chariot, the back curving gracefully over the head of -the occupant, and terminating in an expanded canopy of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">{75}</a></span> -feathers, all of ivory, yet so thin and delicately executed -that they waved in the south breeze that stirred through -the hall. This chariot-shaped throne rested upon the -bodies of two Nigritian lion-leopards of Rhodian marble, -between which three steps ascended to the seat of the -chair. The seat was a single pearl, a gift from the -Queen of Ind to Amunophis the Great, the father of -Amense.</p> - -<p>The footstool of this beautiful throne was a single onyx -stone in a border of gold, standing upon does' feet, each -of which was a ruby. The carpet before the throne was -woven of the plumage of the bird-of-paradise intermingled -with that of birds of India and Arabia, of -divers colors. Skins of lions and leopards, fringed -with gold-thread, lay upon the mirror-like floor of the -dais, from the footstool to the steps which descended -from the platform, or no footstep could have crossed it, -so high was the polish of the marble surface.</p> - -<p>High above the throne was a canopy of blue silk extending -over the whole dais, and representing the signs -of the heavens when Amense was born, with the presiding -constellation delineated in its vertical position. -Imagine this court of the throne, a peristyle of aquamarine -and white columns, with capitals carved in imitation -of flowers, and the shafts enriched by painting and -sculpture; surround it with gorgeously attired courtiers, -their eyes fixed upon the queen; behold at the steps -of the dais the highest officers of her court, awaiting -with looks of homage. On each side of the throne -itself stand the two military princes of her realm, one -who commands her armies, the other her navies. They -are in the full costume of their high rank, and glitter -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">{76}</a></span> -with jewels. Behind the throne, near two stately figures -representing Truth and Justice, is a brilliant guard of -honor, called "pages of the throne-room," who are sons -of nobles, and whose place in public is always near the -person of the queen. Their hands are so laden with -rings that they appear rather like a chain of gold and -jewels held therein. They wear orange-colored jewelled -bonnets and necklaces, and carry blue wands tipped -with pearls.</p> - -<p>I have now described, dear mother, all the externals -of the scene into which I was presented, in order that -you may form some idea of the glory and majesty of this -court, and the style of its magnificent monarchs. I will -now come to the central person, around whom is gathered -all this courtly splendor and architectural grandeur.</p> - -<p>As I advanced towards the steps of the dais, two chief -officers in flowing linen robes, and wearing chains of -gold about their necks, drew near, when my Hebrew -page fell back, giving them place.</p> - -<p>One of these dignified personages said to me in pure -Syriac, for the Egyptians are learned in all polite -tongues—</p> - -<p>"We are sent to lead you to the foot of the stairs of -the four kingdoms."</p> - -<p>They placed themselves one on each side of me, and -as I came to the seven steps, to my great joy I beheld -prince Remeses descending them to welcome and receive -me; for the majesty, and glory, and magnificence, -and novelty of the whole scene had nearly -overwhelmed me with awe: indeed, I felt as if verily -advancing into the presence of the enthroned <span class="smcap">Osiris</span> -himself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">{77}</a></span> -The prince looked more strikingly noble than in my -first interview. He was attired with the utmost richness, -and looked the personification of kingly dignity. -He was now distinguished by the amplitude of his -robes, and their fineness, and a girdle ornamented with -the <i>urus</i> or royal serpent. All his garments were of -the lightest and finest material, instead of the heavy and -costly stuffs which form the robes of state in Phœnicia -and Assyria; for, as my own embroidered and heavy -mantle showed me, such material would be out of place -in this clime of perennial summer. He wore a gorgeous -vesture embroidered with leaves, and a silken sash -wound about his body, after the fashion of ancient -Egyptian princes, which sash was divided into three different -folds, over which fell his upper garment of fine -Persian cloth, with long sleeves, also embroidered. The -distinguishing mark of his rank, as a prince and "son," -and which hung down the side of his face, was the -badge of the god Horus, terminating in a fringe of gold, -of a fashion worn only by this dynasty. With this -badge was entwined his braided lock of hair, of which I -have before spoken. This costume is arbitrary, and may -not be changed, as the laws regulate it for king, priest, -and people; therefore do I so particularly describe it.</p> - -<p>With grace and dignity he saluted me before the -whole court, saying, "Noble prince, with pleasure I -present you to my mother the queen. She is already -prepossessed in your favor, and welcomes you to her -court with distinctions becoming the heir to the throne -of Phœnicia, and our royal cousin."</p> - -<p>I bowed in recognition of this courtesy, and Remeses, -taking my hand, led me up the steps of the dais. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">{78}</a></span> -Queen Amense, seated upon her ivory throne, awaited -my approach. Remeses, leading me to within three -paces of her footstool, said, with a low obeisance of mingled -filial reverence and princely homage,—</p> - -<p>"Mother and queen! I introduce to your court, Sesostris, -Prince of Tyre!"</p> - -<p>I also did profound obeisance to the majesty of the -presence near which I stood, and then fixed my eyes -upon the mighty potentate about to address me, and -presented to her your original letter.</p> - -<p>As she opened it, I observed her face. I beheld before -me a woman of noble aspect, with rich brown hair, -slightly silvered, worn with severe plainness across her -temples. Her face was still beautiful, though fifty-three -years had passed over her head, but it was marked -with lines of thought and care. What her fine features -had lost in beauty, they had gained in majesty. They -recalled those of the statue of Astarte, in the temple of -the Moon at Sidon; and, in truth, her air and port -would have become a goddess. Her eyes were the color -of her hair—a rich sunny brown, like that of the Syrian -women of Damascus; and is she not, by descent through -Ephtha, the daughter of the last Phœnician Pharaoh, -allied to the royal line of Syro-Phœnicia? I never -beheld a countenance so dignified, yet so benign. -Her eyes are piercing, and imperial in their glance; -and she carries her superb head with a consciousness of -dominion. I did not marvel longer at her vast power -over her subjects, and their submission, as well as that -of the kingdoms around her, to the rule of her will.</p> - -<p>Upon her head she wore the double diadem of the -Thebad and Memphis, symbol that the sovereignty of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">{79}</a></span> -Upper and Lower Egypt is vested in her person. The -inner crown was a graceful conical bonnet of white silk, -sown with pearls and lined with cloth of silver, terminating -in a knob, like a pomegranate bud, which is the -emblem, I believe, of Upper Egypt. The outer crown, -which is similar to that worn by the Phœnician Pharaohs, -is a rich band of gold, faced with cloth of gold and -lined with red silk, red being the special color of Lower -Egypt as white is of Upper. This crown is open at the -top, and is put on over the other; and the two worn -together form a diadem of beauty and glory.</p> - -<p>About her neck the queen wore a necklace of precious -stones, the clasp of which was a vulture, his neck encircled -by an asp, on which he was trampling—emblem of -the goddess Maut, mother of Isis. She was dressed in a -vestment of Persian gauze of silk, of the purest whiteness -and of the fineness of mist, and a green vesture -enriched with gold and blue needle-work, reaching below -the waist and secured by a girdle blazing with diamonds. -Long robes descended to her feet, of those -most beautiful patterns and rare colors which the -looms of Damascus produce only for royal wearers, and -in the manufacture of which years are consumed. Carelessly -over one shoulder was thrown a Persian shawl, -one like which is only made in a lifetime, and would -buy a king's ransom. The monarchs of Egypt thus can -command with their wealth, dear mother, what other -kings can only sigh for and envy.</p> - -<p>She did not rise to receive me, but when I would -have kneeled at her footstool, she bended forward and -touched my hand with her jewelled right hand, which I -reverently raised to my lips and forehead. She would -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">{80}</a></span> -not suffer me to kneel, but made me stand on one side -of her, while Remeses stood on her right, and proceeded -to ask me a variety of questions. She uttered her interrogatories -with grace and benignity. She expressed -her gratification at seeing me at her court—trusted I -would find Egypt so agreeable that I should remain a -long time her guest—asked after your health and welfare, -and desired me to convey to you the expression of -her esteem for you, and her desire that the friendly -relations now existing between the two courts may be -strengthened by my visit. She was also pleased to say, -that every opportunity should be afforded me for seeing -Egypt, and that if I desired to visit Karnac and Luxor, -and the temples and cities of the Thebad, she would -furnish me with galleys.</p> - -<p>To all this exceeding kindness and courtesy, my dear -mother, I returned, as you may be sure, appropriate -acknowledgments; and after some further conversation, -in which Prince Remeses took part, the audience terminated: -but only to introduce a spectacle, such as I had -no conception was in reserve—the review of her army -of chariots and horsemen, on the parade of the palace.</p> - -<p>But I must reserve my description of this scene to a -subsequent letter. Till then, I remain,</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right5">Royal and dear mother,</div> - <div class="right3">Your faithful</div> - <div class="right1 smcap">Sesostris.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">{81}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER V.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of the Sun.</div> - -<div class="left0">My ever beloved and royal Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">In</span> -my last letter I described to you, as well as -the feebleness of language would admit, my presentation -to the Queen Amense, and the splendors of her -court and palace. In Syria we have no approach to this -Egyptian magnificence, unless it is to be found in Tadmor, -the city of the Euphrates country, which travellers -call a single temple the size of a city! The peculiarity -of Egyptian architecture is very striking. It has an air -of ponderous majesty—being, in all its proportions, colossal. -Yet this massive aspect is relieved by shaping -the stone and marble in the most graceful lines, and enriching -with sculpture, either in relief or intaglio, the -immense surfaces of their gigantic columns and enormous -propyla. In all the temples and palaces I have -yet seen here, two species of column chiefly prevail—one -of which, this being the most ancient style, is fluted -and composed of a single shaft, with a capital in the -shape of an opening pomegranate, the reflexed edge -being an imitation of the opened flower of the lotus, -and presenting a graceful object to the eye. The other -column, introduced by the present dynasty, is always -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">{82}</a></span> -colossal; but its massiveness is relieved by being striated, -which gives the mass the appearance of being -composed of united stems, and increased by horizontal -belts or bands cut in the stone, which seem to -tie them together under the capital and in the middle. -Just above the square or round plinth, the base of the -shaft itself is rounded and adorned with leaves, which -gives it the appearance of growing up from the plinth. -You can judge of the combined grandeur and grace of -such columns, dear mother, by imagining several buds -of the rose of Palestine set like cups, one upon the other, -and upon the top of all a lotus-flower, and the whole -magnified to ninety or a hundred feet in height, and -converted into Syene stone.</p> - -<p>On the abacus of the columns, which form so prominent -and universal a feature in Egyptian architecture, -rests a broad but simple architrave, usually sculptured -with hieroglyphics illustrating subjects connected -with the deity of the temple, or the occupant of the -palace which they adorn. The upper edge of it is often -occupied by a row of the sacred serpent, <i>urus</i>. The -boldness and breadth of the cornice supplies the want -of a pediment—flat roofs being used in this country, -when used at all, where rain is scarcely known, and -where snow was never seen.</p> - -<p>The porticos and faades present double and triple -rows of columns, but seldom are they found on the sides -or around the temples, as at Damascus and Tadmor. -The circular arenas in the city, which I have described -in a former letter, were not temples but colonnades, and -these column-inclosed squares are the introduction of -Queen Amense, and are only found at On. Usually the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">{83}</a></span> -great lines of Egyptian edifices are straight, and their -temples are quadrangles, with avenues of mighty columns -extending from pylon to pylon in a succession of inner -courts—these series of vast and magnificent vestibules -sometimes extending half a mile, their avenues bordered -by sphinxes and columns alternately, until the great -fane of the temple, to which they are the approach, is -reached.</p> - -<p>For columns, I have seen in the temple of the sacred -ox—<span class="smcap">Mnevis</span>, colossal figures of Osiris, or of sovereigns -with the attributes of Osiris. These Osiride pillars are -often thirty feet in height. Upon my mind they produce -an unpleasing effect. The impression is as if the -god was brought into the service of man as a slave, to -uphold his temples, though I believe they do not bear -any portion of the superincumbent weight. But one -cannot behold a row of these mighty men of stone without -an emotion of awe. The general tone of the temples -and palaces betrays the pyramid as their type. -The walls sloping on the outside as if the lower section -of a pyramid, give to the edifices of Egypt that expression -of self-reposing and immovable stability which belongs -to the pyramidal form. The whole effect is in the -highest degree sublime, and at once subdues and elevates -my mind as I gaze. The scale of architecture is -so vast, that even the innumerable sculptured objects -by which walls, columns, and entablatures are covered, -do not interfere with the grandeur of the whole -effect. Moreover, the heaviness which would adhere to -such massive edifices in Syria, disappears when they are -seen through the crystalline medium of this Egyptian -atmosphere.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">{84}</a></span> -There is another peculiarity, my dear mother, of Egyptian -architecture, which no one can contemplate without -an increasing impression of awe. I allude to the dromos, -or double row of sphinxes—figures of which I have -already spoken, and of which we have no idea in Syria, -though an Assyrian noble whom I met in Sidon, described -to me reposing colossi with majestic heads of -kings and bodies of lions, as guarding the approach to -the temples of the gods of his country. Such mysterious -compounds of the human form with a lion or a ram, -denoting the union of intellect with strength, are to be -encountered here before every temple. These avenues -of sphinxes, in profound repose and with a grave and -serious aspect, are usually entered through a lofty gateway -or pylon, before which are seated gigantic figures -of gods, or stand obelisks of granite, placed in pairs, and -richly and elaborately sculptured with hieroglyphics. -Through such a gateway and avenue, I approached the -city of On. A day or two ago I was in a temple dedicated -to the god Horus, son of Osiris and Isis. Upon the -pylon was inscribed a sun, supported by two asps with -outspread wings—the emblem of Hor-hat, the good -genius of Egypt—and hence to be found everywhere -represented. It is this which is erroneously called, by -some travellers, a winged globe. In the entrance, this -god was pictured with the head of a hawk (at once his -symbol and a type of the sun, from the piercing brightness -of its eye), as an actor in various scenes, both celestial -and terrestrial, such as hunting, sailing, and engaged -in war against Typhon, and others.</p> - -<p>Passing these, I entered a spacious court, open to the -sky and surrounded by sculptured colonnades. Crossing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">{85}</a></span> -this court, which inferior priests were traversing or -idly lounging in, I came to a second propylon, the magnificent -wings of which were divided into numerous -compartments, and sculptured ten stories high, with the -most exquisite art. This pylon, in the wings of which -the priests lodge, led into an open court one hundred -paces long, through the centre of which extended an -avenue of twenty-four columns, sixty-six feet high and -twelve in diameter, and on each side of these were seven -rows of lesser columns, forty feet in height and nine in -diameter. All these presented sculptured surfaces, and -the richest description of capitals. A still more magnificent -gateway, at the extremity of this street of columns, -conducted me into a vast hall with covered cloisters -on the sides, and a double row of colossal pillars -running down the centre. All the rest of the space was -paved and adorned with fountains, statues, and fruit and -flower trees, growing from large alabaster vases. Priests -and worshippers moved in all directions through this and -the other courts. The walls of this grand hall were -decorated with battle-pieces—the triumphs of the Pharaohs -in the conquest of neighboring kingdoms—representations -of offerings to the gods, and of captive -princes led at the wheels of chariots. I advanced to another -pylon, still loftier and more noble than the rest, -and as I looked back to the remote outer entrance, two -thousand feet off, I discovered that an artifice of architecture -had been employed to increase the apparent distance -by diminishing the gateways in height, as if by -the effect of a lengthened perspective. The effect was -all that the architect could have desired.</p> - -<p>The Egyptians apply colors freely to their architecture. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">{86}</a></span> -This peculiarity increases in a wonderful -degree the richness and harmony of the general effect. -The cloudless sky of Egypt gives brilliancy to all the -colors of nature, and these imitated on the walls of -temples and palaces, have a beauty and splendor that -must be seen to be appreciated. Granite, serpentine -stone, breccia, or basalt, whatever be the material, its -appearance, however elaborately polished, is by the -Egyptians enriched, as they believe, and as I begin to -think, by the pencil. The profusion with which they -employ colors and sculpture in their temples, palaces, -and tombs, has no parallel on earth. In Syria they are -subsidiary to architecture. Here they are a part of it. -The sloping outer walls, the external surfaces,—ceiling, -column, and pylon,—are all covered with sculpture. -Their sculptured bass-reliefs unite the qualities of a -cameo and an intaglio, the figure itself rising from the -broadly cut and deep outline of the design. Thus, -though the design is in relief, the figure does not project, -and is protected from injury. The colors which are -laid on these are softened by their retiring below the -surface. Real bass-reliefs, however, exist on the monuments -of the age of Sesortasen I.</p> - -<p>The adytum of the temple which I am describing so -minutely, with descriptions of the peculiarities of the -architecture of the Egyptians (knowing your architectural -taste and curiosity about all such subjects, my -dear mother), was, unlike any of the halls I had traversed, -much smaller, and yet far more beautiful than -any of them. It was a square chamber, the ceiling of -which was painted blue and studded with stars, while -the moon shone down, a shield of polished silver, from -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">{87}</a></span> -the zenith point. Figures of vultures, hawks, and other -emblems, were placed upon columns around the hall, -and separated only by the winged asp-encircled sun. -These figures were richly colored, and the eyes of the -birds glittered with diamonds set in them. Upon the -entablature around the hall were sculptured the twelve -months. All these, and the walls, were beautifully -painted, with a harmony of distribution and combination -of their gorgeous colors singularly pleasing to the -eye. Hieroglyphics, traced in gold on blue panels, -recorded the virtues and deeds of Horus. The floor of -this sumptuous chamber represented the great circle of -the sun through the twelve constellations, and also the -images of the seven planetary gods, executed in the -pavement with almost every variety of colored stone, -such as the emerald, amethyst, agate, lapis lazuli, root -of emerald, cornelian, greenstone, hmatite, all interset -with gold, silver, and bronze. Nothing could be richer. -A sun of pure gold was placed in the centre of this -wonderful zodiac, if I may so term it, for I do not know -whether it is a true planetary configuration which -is represented with a fixed date, or simply arbitrary, and -executed as an ornament. The Egyptians are, however, -skilful astronomers, and have the skill and learning to -interpret and thus record the ages of the past by the -procession of the heavens.</p> - -<p>On one side of this chamber of art and beauty, stood -the monolith which contained the shrine of the god. It -was a rock of solid granite, in which a recess was -hollowed out, wherein sat the deity. Nothing could be -more majestic and simple. The Egyptians seem to -delight in contrasts. All the magnificence and architectural -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">{88}</a></span> -glory I have described, directed the footsteps of -the votary to a plain block of stone, containing a statue -of Syenite marble the size of a man. The face is calm -and majestic, and the eyes are fixed upon the worshipper -with a supernatural expression which awes him. The -genius which had erected the superb edifice of the god, -had concentrated its power in the face of the divinity. -Though stone, it seemed above humanity; and the soul -of the god seemed dwelling in it, and giving its countenance -a divine energy.</p> - -<p>But, my dear mother, I will not longer occupy your -time with temples and architecture. I have written of -them sufficiently to give you an idea of the land I -sojourn in. But my descriptions will enable you to -form a more correct idea of such events as I may hereafter -write about, and enable you, when I relate scenes -and actions, to conceive, in a measure, the surrounding -features and aspect of places. If I were writing a volume -"on Egypt," I would then visit and describe all -her magnificent temples, pyramids, obelisks, palaces, -canals, lakes, cities, and tombs, from Pelusium to the -tower of Syene. But I know that these would not -interest you, after what I have written, and that what is -personal to myself and descriptive of the people, that is, -life and action, will be more agreeable for you to read -(and for me to write) than gorgeous pictures of architectural -results. I shall, therefore, for the future, only -incidentally describe edifices (unless, indeed, I give you -a letter upon the mighty pyramids), and devote my pen -to scenes passing around me.</p> - -<p>And in pursuance of this purpose, my dear mother, I -will describe to you the review of the army of chariots -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">{89}</a></span> -of iron, which followed my presentation to the queen. -I will not be so vain as to suffer you to think that this -superb spectacle was arranged purposely in honor of -your son; though had it been so, it could hardly have -added to the honors which that august and courteous -lady has showered upon me; but I feel that the distinction -is due rather to the friendship which Remeses -entertains for me, than to any merit or claim of my own -beyond my simple rank.</p> - -<p>The review in question was prepared for this day; -and, in order that I might witness it, the queen had -graciously appointed the occasion for my presentation -to her. Although, in my account of that interview, I -spoke only of myself, yet there had been presented, just -before I entered the palace, several ambassadors, princes, -and philosophers, from various countries, including -Arabia, Persia, Sheba, Javan, Iberia, Abyssinia, and -the isles of the sea. These had come to Egypt, either -to enter the schools of philosophy, to negotiate terms -of tribute or alliance, or to study the science of war, -for which Egypt has become eminent, even rivalling -the mighty Philistine armies in discipline, effect, and -valor.</p> - -<p>From the throne-room we passed out through a gateway, -from which descended steps to the parade, which -was a vast square, capable of holding one hundred -thousand men; while the colonnades around it would -accommodate as many more spectators.</p> - -<p>The queen did not descend the steps, but took her -seat by a statue of the god of war, upon a sort of throne -beneath a canopy, supported by six bearers, to shield -her from the sun. But Remeses, leaving me by the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">{90}</a></span> -side of his royal mother, who was also surrounded by -her guard, and near whom stood the ambassadors and -princes and philosophers, received from an attendant a -helmet of gold, which he put over his silken bonnet, -and from another a corselet of steel inlaid, mounted a -war-chariot in waiting, and, casting a glance around upon -the field, looked all at once the warrior-prince, which -the heightened color of his cheek and proud carriage of -his head showed he felt himself to be. Thus, whether a -soldier at the head of the hosts of Egypt, a counsellor -by the throne of his mother, a courtier among the -nobles, a philosopher in the Academies, he is perfect in -all things. As a son, he sets an example of devotion -and filial respect to the young men of the kingdom; as -a man, his private character is pure from every vice or -folly—a worthy heir to the throne of the dominant -kingdom of the earth. The sight which the square -presented surpasses my ability to convey to your mind -a just conception of. The vast area was one third occupied -by a division of chariots. The chariot corps constitutes -a very large and effective portion of the Egyptian -army. Each car contained two soldiers—for, from the -position I occupied, my eyes could take in the whole -splendid scene—besides the charioteer. The car on -which Remeses stood was drawn by two horses, but -without any charioteer, the reins being fastened to an -upright spear. His chariot was inlaid with silver and -gold. The sides and back were open, and the base or -floor of the car curved upward in front, serving as a -safeguard to the charioteer when one was required; but -it now supported his quiver of silver and bow-case of -gilded leather, richly ornamented with figures of lions. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">{91}</a></span> -The spear-case, which was of bronze, and fastened by -chains of gold, pointed over his shoulder. Close to it -was an additional quiver containing Parthian arrows, -while a mace of iron and heavy sword, that reflected -the sunlight, hung by thongs from the rings of the spear-case. -All the other chariots, which were constructed -of wood and iron handsomely painted, were similarly -accoutred, though less elegant in form and finish, and -provided only with a single quiver, bow, and spear. -The housings upon the horses were cuirasses of woven -links of the finest steel, while gorgeous feathers decked -their heads.</p> - -<p>No sooner had the prince leaped upon his chariot, -than the Ethiopian slaves, who held his two fiery steeds, -sprung aside, releasing them in the act, when they -bounded into the air and dashed forward over the plain. -Remeses, immovable as a statue, let them fly before -him until he came in front of the drawn-up phalanx of -chariots, when, at a slight signal with his hands, the -horses, whose eyes are wholly free from shields or -blinders, stopped full. These proved to be his favorite -chariot-horses, and had been trained to render perfect -obedience.</p> - -<p>Now commenced a grand movement of the whole -battalion. While Remeses stood in his chariot, the van -of the four thousand chariots, which constituted the -host, moved forward. In a few moments the whole -body was in motion. Dashing forward across the field, -they swept round at its extremity in vast curves, and -came thundering on, to pass the point where the queen -sat. The ground shook with the roll of eight thousand -wheels and the fall of twice as many horse hoofs! It was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">{92}</a></span> -a magnificent sight, as, one hundred abreast, the column -came on. The head of it, led by the chief captains, -passed our position like a mighty river, the surface of -which tossed with helmets, glittering spears, bows, -plumed heads of steeds, and gorgeous housings—a dazzling, -bewildering spectacle, full of sublimity and terrible -power. The splendor of the head-dresses and -trappings of the steeds, mingling with the shining cuirasses -and steel weapons of the armed charioteers, -presented a scene I shall never cease to remember.</p> - -<p>In the centre of the field of review stood Remeses, -his eagle glance reviewing their movements, with a -few of his generals about him, each in his own chariot. -When this grand and imposing army had compassed -the square, they resumed their former position with a -precision and order marvellous to witness. Then followed -evolutions by detachments of chariots. Five -hundred of them, divided into two equal bodies, took -position, one at each end of the parade, and, at a signal, -charged upon each other at a speed which, at first slow, -increased each moment. My heart leaped with excitement. -I looked to see a very battle, and to behold -horses and charioteers overturned in tumultuous confusion -from the inevitable shock. But so well-drilled were -they, that the two lines, deploying as they drew nearer, -passed through each other in spaces measured by the -eyes of the charioteers so nicely, that in a moment they -were rattling away, each to occupy the other's vacated -position. There was a general shout of applause from -the tens of thousands of spectators at this brilliant -manœuvre. Other displays of battle-charioteering took -place, during which was exhibited every evolution -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">{93}</a></span> -that war demands on the veritable field of conflict.</p> - -<p>This magnificent review occupied three hours, when -it terminated by all the generals, and chief captains, and -leaders of cohorts and legions, simultaneously detaching -themselves from their several commands, and one after -another galloping at full speed, first around the prince, -saluting him, and then wheeling and turning in front of -the queen's pavilion, paying her military homage as -they passed her, by placing the left hand upon the -breast, lowering the point of the spear, and then raising it -above their glittering helmets. The queen rose, smiled, -and returned the salute by a graceful wave of her hand. -This company of warrior chiefs excelled, in richness of -armor and apparel, and housings and head-dresses for -their steeds, and in the beauty of their war-chariots, all -that had gone before. Returning to their post, the -trumpets of the whole army sounded, and this martial -array of chariots and horsemen moved all together -across the parade, at a rapid trot, and, defiling by fifties -through a colossal pylon, soon disappeared outside of -the walls on their way to their camp. Their retiring -trumpets could be still heard dying away beyond the -gates, as Remeses rejoined us, alighting from his chariot -after loosing the reins of his steeds from about his body, -to which he had bound them during one part of the -evolutions, in which he took the lead of a charging -legion in his own chariot, as ever without a charioteer.</p> - -<p>We now retired into the palace, it being past noon, -and were conducted towards the reception-rooms of the -royal banquet-hall by the grand-chamberlain. At the -door we were received by the chief butler, while the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">{94}</a></span> -other officers of the royal household stood in a line, -bending low as the queen and her guests passed in. We -consisted, besides her majesty, the prince and myself, of -the ambassador from Chaldea, the king's messenger -from the Court of Chederlaomer III., in whose country, -three hundred years and more ago, the famous battle of -Sodom was fought; the ambassador from the kingdom -of Assyria; the young Prince of Tarshish; the Duke -Chilmed of Sheba, and the Dukes Javan and Tubal; -the Lord of Mesech, and the Prince of Midian. Besides -these was a great and wise prince from the land of Uz, -near the country of Prince Abram, the Mesopotamian. -He was accompanied by two friends, philosophers and -men of note, Zophar of Naamath, and Lord Eliphaz of -Teman. This lord of Uz came into Egypt with a great -retinue and train of servants, for he is a man of vast -possessions. He had heard of the wisdom and power of -Amense, and had come with his own merchants to visit -her court. He is also an eminently wise man, a worshipper -of the one Deity, as was the ancient king Abram. -He is of venerable and majestic aspect, is learned -in all the wisdom of Chaldea and Arabia, and seeks to -add thereto the lore of Egypt. Besides this distinguished -prince, there are other philosophers of note and -name. In such noble company, dear mother, was it my -fortunate lot to fall. Truly, to come into Egypt is to -see the whole world!</p> - -<p>The queen, after entering the ante-room, retired to the -right, where her ladies-in-waiting received her and escorted -her to her own apartments to prepare for the -banquet, which had been delayed by the review. Remeses -leading the way, with me by his side, we came to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">{95}</a></span> -the outer room, where handsomely dressed pages offered -us scented water in ewers of gold, to lave our fingers, -removed our sandals, and in foot-pans of gold washed -our feet, beginning with Remeses. They then dried -them with perfumed napkins of the softest linen fringed -with threads of gold, and placed upon them sandals of -crimson cloth, embroidered with flowers. Our upper -garments were removed by Nubian servants, and replaced -by a banquet-vesture, more or less rich according -to our rank. Thus refreshed, we entered a beautiful -reception-room containing the most elegant articles of -furniture. Here every one of us was presented by the -chief gardener of the palace with a lotus-flower, to be -held in the hand during the entertainment. As we -moved about, admiring the beauty of the rooms and the -furniture, and such objects of luxury and art as were -intended to gratify the tastes of guests, there were several -arrivals of generals, and officers of the chariot legion, -and other divisions of the army of Lower Egypt, who -had been summoned to the banquet. Among these I -recognized some of the superbly uniformed officers who -had lined the avenue of the grand approach to the -throne—for you will recollect that I said it was an army -of officers, soldiers of this rank alone being permitted to -do the honors of the palace on the reception of princes -or foreign ambassadors.</p> - -<p>There were, also, nobles, and distinguished citizens, -Egyptian gentlemen of worth and condition, that entitled -them to the honor of dining at the palace. From a -window I witnessed the arrival of these. They came in -elegant pleasure-chariots, attended by a number of -servants. One of these footmen came forward to announce -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">{96}</a></span> -to the chief porter his master's name; others took -the reins, for the Egyptian lord prefers to drive himself -in the streets; another, who held above his head, standing -behind him, a large parasol of gorgeous plumes, -alighted, carried it still above him as he crossed to the -portico of the palace.</p> - -<p>Several aged persons arrived in palanquins exquisitely -carved and painted, and borne by slaves. Two or three -arrived on foot, an attendant holding a shield or large -fan above them. Water was brought also for their feet, -but not in golden foot-bowls, and robes and sandals were -distributed according to rank.</p> - -<p>At length, for these polite Egyptians (as well as ourselves) -regard it as a want of good-breeding to sit down -to table immediately on arriving, the music, which had -played all the while the guests were arriving, ceased, -and the chief butler announced the moment of the banquet. -At the same instant the queen entered the apartment, -and, after receiving the salutations of us all, was -escorted by Remeses to the banquet-hall. As we entered, -a company of musicians, stationed near the door, -struck up one of the favorite airs of the country, playing -upon tambourines, cymbals, double-pipes, flutes which -rested on the floor, guitars, lyres, and instruments unknown -to me. The music was full of harmony, and, to -my ear, novel, from the number of strange instruments. -This continued until we had been seated according to -rank, my place being to the left of the queen, Remeses -sitting at her right. There were four ladies of rank also -near the queen, along the table, which I may mention -was of polished silver.</p> - -<p>When we had taken our places the loud music ceased, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">{97}</a></span> -and seven minstrels, who stood by as many harps behind -the queen, commenced playing a beautiful air, accompanying -it by their voices. The melody was full of -richness and sweetness. While this was performing, -servants approached, and from exquisite porcelain vases -poured sweet-scented ointment upon our heads. Then -entered from the gardens, into which the banquet-room -opened on two sides, as many beautiful maidens, bearing -necklaces of fresh flowers which they had just gathered, -and cast them over our shoulders.</p> - -<p>Having received these tokens of welcome, a train of -servants presented us wine in one-handled goblets. That -of Remeses, and mine own, was of gold and jewelled. -The others were of silver or agate. The queen's was -presented to her in a single crystal, and that of the ladies -in small, delicate vases of some precious metal. The -health of the queen, and of the prince, and others present, -was drunk, while music regaled our senses. Remeses, -who acted as ruler of the feast, pledged me to drink thy -health, my dear mother, which was responded to by all -the company; the Prince of Uz remarking, that the fame -of your virtues and the wisdom of your reign had -reached his country. You may judge how my heart -swelled with pride and joy at this testimony to your excellencies, -O my noble and royal mother, from so dignified -a source, in the presence of such a company of witnesses! -Until the dinner was served up, various songs -and performances were introduced, and at the close of -the banquet there were the wonderful dances of Arabian -girls, exhibitions of buffoonery, games, and feats of -agility by jugglers. I regret to say, that some of the -guests retired overcome with wine, and had to be borne -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">{98}</a></span> -on the shoulders of their servants to their homes; while -two of the ladies were freer with their little crystal goblets -than was seeming for their sex. The queen scarce -touched the wine to her lips, while Remeses preserved -the severest temperance. After the banquet, Remeses -accompanied me to apartments in the palace, which he -said were for the future to be my abode. Here, taking -leave of him, I commenced this letter, which I now -close, assuring you of my filial love and reverence.</p> - -<div class="foot smcap"> - - <div class="right1">Sesostris.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">{99}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VI.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of the Pharaohs, City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear and honored Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">This</span> -morning, as I was about leaving the palace, -in order to spend several hours in traversing the city -on foot, that I might see the citizens at their pursuits, -and observe the manners and customs of this people, -the Prince Remeses rode up in his silver-embossed -chariot, himself his own charioteer, two footmen, carrying -their sandals in their left hand, running by the side -of his superb horses. With that absence of form and -ceremony which belongs to true friendship, he did not -wait for me to order my grand-chamberlain and other -chief officers of my retinue to receive him, but came -straight to the room "of the alabastron," so called from -its alabaster columns, which was my reception-room, -and in the window of which he had seen me from the -street. I met him at the door of the ante-room, and -when I would have saluted him by laying his hand -against my heart and then raising it to my lips, he embraced -me with affection.</p> - -<p>"Nay, noble Sesostris, said I not we are friends and -cousins, and therefore equals? I have come for you to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">{100}</a></span> -go with me to Raamses, the treasure-city, built by -Amunophis, my grandfather. I am planning a new -palace, to be erected there for the governor of the treasures -of the kingdom, and am to meet, to-day, the chief -architect. Will you accompany me?"</p> - -<p>"With pleasure, my prince," I said; "though I had -just proposed to walk about the city among the people, -and see them in their homes and domestic pursuits."</p> - -<p>"You will find time for this always—come with me. -You can stand with me in my chariot, or I will give you -one to yourself, with a charioteer."</p> - -<p>I replied that I would go with him, as I should wish -to ask him many questions on the way. In a few moments -we were moving rapidly through the superb -streets of the city, and, passing through three grand -pylones uniting as many courts, we came to the great -gate of the city to the south. The towers on each side -of it were ninety-nine feet high, and the pylon between -them a wonder of beauty, for the elegance of its intaglio -adornments.</p> - -<p>At this gate stood a phalanx of dark Libyan soldiers, -who form, everywhere, the guards of the gates, being -noted both for faithfulness and for their gigantic size. -They were armed with lances and swords, and as we -passed through the gate paid to us the military salutation -due to royalty; for though Remeses is not the -ruler of Egypt, yet he wields an influence and power, -both from his personal popularity and the confidence -reposed in him by his queen mother, which is almost -equal to the supreme dignity. And when he comes to -the throne he will rule wisely, and, if possible, raise -Egypt to still greater glory. I have already spoken of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">{101}</a></span> -the remarkable air of dignity about him, combined with -an infinite gracefulness. He has an excellent understanding, -and the distinguished Egyptians with whom -I have conversed, tell me that "no man ever more -perfectly united in his own person the virtues of a -philosopher with the talents of a general." Gentle in -his manner, he is in temper rather reserved; in his -morals irreproachable, and never known (a rare virtue -in princes of Egypt) to exceed the bounds of the most -rigid temperance. Candor, sincerity, affability, and -simplicity, seem to be the striking features of his character; -and when occasion offers, he displays, say the -officers of his army, the most determined bravery and -masterly soldiership.</p> - -<p>Having passed the gate, the prince drew rein a little, -to relieve the footmen, six of whom ran before and as -many behind the chariot, besides the two "pages of the -horse," who kept close to the heads of the horses. Once -outside of the city, we were in a beautiful avenue, which -led through groves and gardens, past villas and ornamental -lakes, for half a mile,—the city, for this breadth, -being inclosed by such a belt of verdure and rural luxury.</p> - -<p>"Here," said Remeses, "dwell the nobles, in the -intense heats of summer. The summer palace of my -mother is on the island of Rhoda, between On and -Memphis, in the Nile. I am yet to conduct you thither, -and also to the pyramids. You see pavilions on small -islets in these circular lakes. They are temples, or -rather shrines for the private devotions of the families."</p> - -<p>We left this lovely suburb, and entered upon a broad -road, which, after crossing a plain on which stood the -ruins of a palace of Osirtasen I., wound through a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">{102}</a></span> -region of wheat-fields, which extended along the Nile -as far as the eye could see. The laborers were chiefly -Egyptian, and wore the loin-cloth, and short trowsers -reaching half-way to the knee, which I have before -described. They sang cheerful songs as they worked, -and stopped to gaze after the rolling chariot which was -passing across their lands like a meteor, its silver panels -flashing in the sun.</p> - -<p>About twenty stadia, or nearly four miles, from the -city, we came suddenly upon a vast desolate field, upon -which thousands of men seemed to be engaged in the -occupation of making brick. As we drew near, for the -royal road we were traversing passed directly through -this busy multitude, I saw by their faces that the toilers -were of that mysterious race, the Hebrew people.</p> - -<p>I say "mysterious," dear mother; for though I have -now been six weeks in Egypt, I have not yet found any -of the Egyptians who can tell me whence came this -nation, now in bondage to the Pharaohs! Either those -whom I questioned were ignorant of their rise, or purposely -refrained from talking with a foreigner upon the -subject.</p> - -<p>You will remember that I once inquired of Remeses -as to their origin and present degradation, and he said -he would at some other time reply to my question. -Since then I have had no opportunity of introducing -the subject again to him, other objects wholly absorbing -our attention when we met. Yet in the interim -I was forced irresistibly to notice these people and -their hard tasks; for, though they were never seen in -the streets mingling with the citizens (save only in palaces, -where handsome Hebrew youths often serve as -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">{103}</a></span> -pages), yet where temples, and granaries, and walls, and -arsenals, and treasure-houses were being erected, they -were to be found in vast numbers. Old and young -men, women, and children, without distinction, were -engaged in the plain across which we moved.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, noble prince," I said; "permit me to -linger a moment to survey this novel scene."</p> - -<p>Remeses drew up his horses, and from the chariot I -cast my eyes over the vast level which embraced half a -square league.</p> - -<p>"These fields, Sesostris," said the prince, "are where -the brick are made which are to erect the walls of the -treasure-city, one of the towers of which you behold -two miles distant. The city itself will take the years of -a generation of this people to complete, if the grand -design is carried out. On the left of the tower you see -the old palace, for this is not a new city we are building -so much as an extension of the old on a new site, and -with greater magnificence. It is my mother's pride to -fill Egypt with monuments of architecture that will -mark her reign as an era."</p> - -<p>The scene that I beheld from the height of the chariot -I will attempt to describe, my dear mother. As far as I -could see, the earth was dark with people, some stooping -down and with wooden mattocks digging up the clay; -others were piling it into heaps; others were chopping -straw to mix with the clay; others were treading it -with their feet to soften it. Some with moulds were -shaping the clay into bricks. Another stood by with -the queen's mark, and stamped each brick therewith, or -the one which was to be the head of a course when laid. -There were also the strongest men employed in raising -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">{104}</a></span> -upon the shoulders of others a load of these bricks, -which they bore to a flat open space to be dried in -the sun; and a procession of many hundreds was constantly -moving, performing this task. Some of the slaves -carried yokes, which had cords at each end, to which -bricks were fastened; and many of the young men -conveyed masses of clay upon their heads to the moulders. -Those who carried the brick to the smoothly swept -ground where they were to be dried, delivered them to -women, who, many hundreds in number, placed them -side by side on the earth in rows—a lighter task than -that of the men. The borders of this busy plain, where -it touched the fields of stubble wheat, were thronged -with women and children gathering straw for the men -who mixed the clay. It was an active and busy spectacle. -Yet throughout the vast arena not a voice was -heard from the thousands of toilers; only the sharp -authoritative tones of their taskmasters broke the stillness, -or the creaking of carts with wooden wheels, -as, laden with straw from distant fields, they moved -slowly over the plain.</p> - -<p>The laborers were divided into companies or parties -of from a score to one hundred persons, over whom -stood, or was seated, an Egyptian officer. These taskmasters -were not only distinguishable from the laborers -by their linen bonnet or cap with a cape descending to -the neck, but by a scarlet or striped tunic, and a rod or -whip of a single thong or of small cords. These men -watched closely the workmen, who, naked above the -waist, with only a loin-cloth upon many of them, worked -each moment in fear of the lash. The taskmasters -showed no mercy; but if the laborer sunk under his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">{105}</a></span> -burden, he was punished on the spot, and left to perish, -if he were dying, and his burden transferred to the -shoulders of another. So vast was the multitude of -these people, that the death of a score a day would not -have been regarded. Indeed, their increase already -alarms the Egyptians, and their lives, therefore, are held -in little estimation.</p> - -<p>The vast revenue, however, accruing to the crown from -this enslaved nation of brick-makers, leads to regulations -which in a great measure check the destructive rigor -of the taskmasters; for not only are thousands building -cities, but tens of thousands are dispersed all over -Lower Egypt, who make brick to sell to nobles and -citizens, the crown having the monopoly of this branch -of labor. Interest alone has not prompted the queen to -make laws regulating their treatment, and lessening the -rigor of their lot; but also humanity, which is, however, -an attribute, in its form of pity, little cultivated in -Egypt. Under the preceding Pharaohs, for seventy -years, the condition of these Hebrews was far more -severe than it has been under the milder reign of the -queen. I am assured that she severely punishes all unnecessary -cruelty, and has lightened the tasks of the -women, who also may not be punished with blows.</p> - -<p>I surveyed this interesting and striking scene with -emotions of wonder and commiseration. I could not behold, -without the deepest pity, venerable and august -looking old men, with gray heads and flowing white -beards, smeared with clay, stooping over the wooden -moulds, coarsely clad in the blue and gray loin-cloth, -which scarcely concealed their nakedness: or fine youths, -bareheaded and burned red with the sun, toiling like -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">{106}</a></span> -cattle under heavy burdens, here and there upon a -naked shoulder visible a fresh crimson line where the -lash or the rod of an angered officer had left its mark! -There were young girls, too, whose beautiful faces, -though sun-burned and neglected, would have been the -envy of fair ladies in any court. These, as well as the -others of their sex, wore a sort of tight gown of coarse -material tied at the neck, with short close sleeves reaching -to the elbow. Their black or brown hair was tied -in a knot behind, or cut short. And occasionally I saw -a plain silver or other metallic ring upon a small hand, -showing that even bondage has not destroyed in woman -the love of jewels.</p> - -<p>As we rode along, those Egyptians who were near the -road bowed the knee to the prince, and remained stationary -until he passed. We rode for a mile and a half -through this brick-field, when at its extremity we came -upon a large mean town of huts composed of reeds and -covered with straw.</p> - -<p>"There," said Remeses, "are the dwellings of the -laborers you have seen."</p> - -<p>These huts formed long streets or lanes which intersected -each other in all directions. There was not a tree -to shade them. The streets and doors were crowded -with children, and old Hebrew women who were left to -watch them while their parents were in the field. There -seemed to be a dozen children to every house, and some -of five and six years were playing at brick-making, one -of their number acting as a taskmaster, holding a whip -which he used with a willingness and frequency that -showed how well the Egyptian officers had taught the -lesson of severity and cruelty to the children of their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">{107}</a></span> -victims. In these huts dwelt forty thousand Hebrews, -who were engaged either in making brick, or conveying -them to Raamses, close at hand, or in placing them in -mortar upon the walls.</p> - -<p>We passed through the very midst of this wretched -village of bondmen, whose only food in their habitations -is garlic, and leeks, and fish or flesh, their drink the -turbid water of the Nile, unfiltered from its impurities -by means of porous stone and paste of almonds—a process -of art so well known to the Egyptians. On the -skirts of the village was a vast burial-place, without a -tomb or stone; for these Hebrews are too poor and -miserable to embalm their dead, even if customs of their -own did not lead them to place them in the earth. The -aspect of this melancholy place of sepulture was gloomy -enough. It had the look of a vast ploughed plain; but -infinitely desolate and hideous when the imagination -pictured the corruption that lay beneath each narrow -mound. I felt a sensation of relief when we left this -spot behind, and drove upon a green plateau which lay -between it and the treasure-city of the king. The place -we were crossing had once been the garden of Hermes -or Iosepf, the celebrated prince who about one hundred -and thirty years ago saved the inhabitants of Egypt from -perishing by famine, having received from the god -Osiris knowledge of a seven years' famine to befall the -kingdom, after seven years of plenty. This Prince Iosepf -or Joseph was also called Hermes, though he wrote not -all the books attributed to Hermes, as we in Phœnicia -understand of that personage.</p> - -<p>"Was this Joseph an Egyptian?" I asked of the Prince -Remeses, as we dashed past the ruins of a palace in the -midst of the gardens.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">{108}</a></span> -"No, a Hebrew," he answered. "He was the favorite -of the Phœnician Pharaoh who commenced the -palaces of this City of Treasure."</p> - -<p>"A Hebrew!" I exclaimed. "Not one of the race I -behold about me toiling towards the city with sun-dried -bricks upon their heads, and whom I have seen at work -on the plain of bricks?"</p> - -<p>"Of the same," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Your reply reminds me, O Remeses, that you have -promised to relate to me the history of this remarkable -people, who evidently, from their noble physiognomies, -belong to a superior race."</p> - -<p>"I will redeem my promise, my dear Sesostris," he -said, smiling, "as soon as I have left the chariot by yonder -ruined well, where I see the architect and his people, -whom I have come hither to meet, await me with their -drawings and rules."</p> - -<p>We soon drove up to the spot, having passed several -fallen columns, which had once adorned the baths of the -house of this Hebrew prince, who had once been such a -benefactor to Egypt; but, as he was the favorite of a -Phœnician king, the present dynasty neglect his monuments, -as well as deface all those which the Shepherd -Kings erected to perpetuate their conquest. Hence, it -is, dear mother, I find scarcely a trace of the dominion -in Lower Egypt of this race of kings.</p> - -<p>The ruined well was a massive quadrangle of stone; -and was called the "Fountain of the Strangers." It was -in ruins, yet the well itself sparkled with clear water as -in its ancient days. Grouped upon a stone platform, beneath -the shade of three palms, stood the party of artists -who awaited the prince. Their horses, and the cars -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">{109}</a></span> -in which they came, or brought their instruments, stood -near, held by slaves, who were watering the animals -from the fountain.</p> - -<p>Upon the approach of the prince these persons, the -chief of whom was attired handsomely, as a man of -rank (for architects in Egypt are nobles, and are in -high place at court), bowed the knee reverently before -him. He alighted from his chariot, and at once began -to examine their drawings. Leaving him engaged in a -business which I perceived would occupy him some -time, I walked about, looking at the ancient fountain. -In order to obtain a view of the country, I ascended a -tower at one of its angles, which elevated me sixty feet -above the plain. From this height I beheld the glorious -City of the Sun, a league and a half to the north, rising -above its girdle of gardens in all its splendor. In the -mid-distance lay the plain of brick-workers, covered -with its tens of thousands of busy workers in clay. -Then, nearer still, stretched their squalid city of huts, -and the gloomy burial-place, bordering on the desert at -the farther boundary.</p> - -<p>Turning to the south, the treasure-city of Raamses -lay before me, the one half ancient and ruinous, but the -other rising in grand outlines and vast dimensions, -stretching even to the Nile, which, shining and majestic, -flowed to the west of it. Further still the pyramids of -Memphis, the city itself of Apis, and the walls and temples -of Jisah towered in noble perspective. The Nile -was lively with galleys ascending and descending, -and upon the road that followed its banks many people -were moving, either on foot, in palanquins, chariots, -or upon horseback. Over the whole scene the bright -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">{110}</a></span> -sun shone, giving life and brightness to all I beheld.</p> - -<p>To the east the illimitable desert stretched far away, -and I could trace the brown line of road along which the -caravans travel between the Nile cities and the port of -Suez, on the sea of Ezion-Geber, in order to unlade -there for ships from Farther Ind that are awaiting -them.</p> - -<p>Almost beneath the crumbling tower, on which I -stood taking in this wide view of a part of the populous -valley of the Nile, wound a broad path, well trodden by -thousands of naked feet. It was now crowded with -Hebrew slaves, some going to the city with burdens of -brick slung at the extremities of wooden yokes laid -across the shoulder, or borne upon their heads, and -others returning to the plain after having deposited their -burdens. It was a broad path of tears and sighs, and no -loitering step was permitted by the overseers; for even -if one would stop to quench his thirst at the fountain, he -was beaten forward, and the blows accompanied with -execrations. Alas, mother, this cruel bondage of the -Hebrews is the only dark spot which I have seen in -Egypt,—the only shadow of evil upon the brilliant reign -of Queen Amense!</p> - -<p>I took one more survey of the wide landscape, which -embraces the abodes of one million of souls; for in the -valley of Egypt are fourteen thousand villages, towns -and cities, and a population of nearly seven millions. -Yet the valley of the Nile is a belt of verdure only a few -miles wide, bounded by the Libyan and Arabian hills. -Every foot of soil seems occupied, and every acre teems -with population. In the streets, in the gardens, in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">{111}</a></span> -public squares, in temples, and courts of palaces, in the -field, or on the river, one can never be alone, for he sees -human beings all about him, thronging every place, -and engaged either in business or pleasure, or the enjoyment -of the luxury of idleness in the shade of a column -or a tree.</p> - -<p>Descending the tower, and seeing the prince still engaged -with his builders, pointing to the unfinished -towers of Raamses, and the site of the new palace he -proposed erecting near by, I went down the steps to the -fountain, to quaff its cool waters. Here I beheld an old -and majestic-looking man bending over a youth, a wound -in whose temple he was bathing tenderly with water -from the well. I perceived at a glance, by the aquiline -nose and lash-shaded dark, bright eye, that they -were Hebrews.</p> - -<p>The old man had one of those Abrahamic faces I -have described as extant on the tomb of Eliezer of -Damascus: a broad, extensive, and high forehead; a -boldly-shaped eagle nose; full lips; and a flowing beard, -which would have been white as wool but that it was -stained yellow by the sun and soil. He wore the coarse, -short trowsers, and body cloth of the bond-slave, and old -sandals bound upon his feet with ropes. The young man -was similarly dressed. He was pale and nearly lifeless. -His beautiful head lay upon the edge of the fountain, and -as the old man poured, from the palm of his hand, water -upon his face he repeated a name, perhaps the youth's. -I stood fixed with interest by the scene. At this moment -an Egyptian taskmaster entered, and with his -rod struck the venerable man several sharp blows and -ordered him to rise and go to his task. He made no -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">{112}</a></span> -reply—regarded not the shower of blows—but bending -his eyes tearfully upon the marble face before him, with -his fingers softly removed the warm drops of blood that -stained the temples.</p> - -<p>"Nay," I said, quickly, to the Egyptian, "do not -beat him! See, he is old, and is caring for this poor -youth!"</p> - -<p>The Egyptian looked at me with an angry glance, as -if he would also chastise the speaker for interfering; -when seeing from my appearance that I was a man of -rank, and perceiving, also, the prince through a passage -in the ruined wall, he bent his forehead low and said:</p> - -<p>"My lord, I did not see you, or I would have taken -the idle graybeard out and beaten him."</p> - -<p>"But why beat him?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"His load awaits him on the road where he dropped -it, when my second officer struck down this young -fellow, who stopped to gaze at a chariot!"</p> - -<p>"What relation do they bear to each other?" said I.</p> - -<p>"This is the old man's youngest son. He is a weak -fool, my lord, about him, and though, as you see, he can -hardly carry a full load for himself, he will try and add -to his own, a part of the bricks the boy should bear. -Come, old man, leave the boy and on to your work!"</p> - -<p>The aged Hebrew raised to my face a look of despair -trembling with mute appeal, as if he expected no interposition, -yet had no other hope left.</p> - -<p>"Leave them here," I said. "I will be responsible -for the act."</p> - -<p>"But I am under a chief captain who will make me -account to him for every brick not delivered. The tale -of bricks that leaves the plain and that which is received -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">{113}</a></span> -are taken and compared. I have a certain number of -men and boys under me, and they have to make up in -their loads a given tale of bricks between sun and -sun. If they fail, I lose my wages!" This was spoken -sullenly.</p> - -<p>"What is thy day's wages?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"A quarter of a scarabus," he answered. This is -the common cheap coin, bearing the sacred beetle cut in -stone, copper, lead, and even wood. Higher values are -represented by silver, bronze, brass, and gold rings. -Money in disk-form I have not yet heard of in Egypt. -An Egyptian's purse is a necklace of gold rings of -greater or less value. The scarabus is often broken in -four pieces, each fraction containing a hieroglyphic. -The value is about equal to a Syrian neffir.</p> - -<p>I placed in his hand a copper scarabus, and said: -"Go thy way! This shall justify thee to thy conscience. -These Hebrews are too helpless to be of further service -to thee this day."</p> - -<p>The taskmaster took the money with a smile of gratification, -and at once left the court of the fountain. The -old Hebrew looked at me with grateful surprise, caught -my hand, pressed it to his heart, and then covered it -with kisses. I smiled upon him with friendly sympathy, -and, stooping down, raised the head of the young man -upon my knee. By our united aid he was soon restored -to sensibility.</p> - -<p>But, my dear mother, I will, with your permission, -continue my narrative in another letter. The trumpets, -which from the temple of Osiris proclaim that the last -rays of the setting sun are disappearing from its summit, -also warn me to draw my letter to a close. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">{114}</a></span> -incense of the altar rises into the blue and golden sky, -and typifies prayer. I will receive the lesson it teaches, -and retire to my oratory and pray, O mother, for thy -health and happiness and the prosperity of thy reign.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">{115}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My royal and beloved Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I will</span> -now continue the narrative of my interview -with the venerable bond-servant at the fountain or -"well of strangers," near the treasure-city Raamses.</p> - -<p>After the youth had recovered his senses, I was for a -few moments an object of profound surprise to him. He -surveyed me with mingled fear and wonder.</p> - -<p>"My lord is good, fear him not, Israel," said the old -man. The youth looked incredulous, and, had his -strength permitted, would have fled away from me. I -said—</p> - -<p>"I am not thy taskmaster! Dread not my presence!" -The tone of my voice reassured him. He smiled gently, -and an expression of gladness lighted up his eyes. A -drop of blood trickled down his forehead and increased -the paleness of his skin.</p> - -<p>"What is thy name?" I asked the old man, speaking -in Syriac, for in that tongue I had heard him murmur -the name of his son; and I have since found that all -Hebrews of the older class speak this language, or -rather Syro-Chaldaic. They also understand and speak -the Egyptian vernacular.</p> - -<p>"Ben Isaac, my lord!" he answered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">{116}</a></span> -"Art thou in bondage?"</p> - -<p>"I and my children, as my fathers were!"</p> - -<p>"What brought thee and thy people into this servitude?"</p> - -<p>"It is a sad history, my lord! Art thou then a -stranger in Egypt, that thou art ignorant of the story -of the Hebrew?"</p> - -<p>"I am a Phœnician. I have been but a few weeks in -Egypt."</p> - -<p>"Phœnicia! That is beyond Edom; nay, beyond -Philistia," he said musingly. "Our fathers came farther, -even from Palestine."</p> - -<p>"Who were your fathers?"</p> - -<p>"Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."</p> - -<p>"I have heard of them, three princes of Syria, many -generations past!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my lord of Phœnicia," said the venerable -man, his eyes lighting up; "they were princes in -their land! But, lo! this day behold their children -in bondage! And <i>such</i> a servitude!" he cried, raising -his withered hands heavenward. "Death, my lord, -is preferable to it! How long must we groan in slavery? -How long our little ones bear the yoke of Egypt?"</p> - -<p>At this moment one of the footmen of Prince Remeses -found me and said:</p> - -<p>"My lord prince seeks for thee!"</p> - -<p>I put money in the hands of the venerable Hebrew -and his son, and left them amid their expressions of -grateful surprise. When I rejoined Remeses, he was -already in his chariot. Having placed myself by his -side, he said that he would now drive me around the -walls of the new city, and show me its general plan. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">{117}</a></span> -He had explained all particulars with his builders, and -they were to commence the erection of the palace of the -governor the following week.</p> - -<p>The wide circuit we made along the plain afforded -me a commanding view of the treasure-city in its progress. -The walls at one part were literally black with -slaves, who like ants traversed them, carrying their -burdens of bricks to those who laid the courses. A -vast pile, built more for strength than beauty, attracted -my notice. "That is one of the twelve great granaries -of the Prince Joseph, which he built one hundred and -fourscore years ago, in the twelve districts of Egypt. -It is still in use as such." As we passed the gateway, I -perceived that the cartouch was defaced. Remeses said -that this was the act of Amunophis, when he came to -the throne, whose policy was to remove not only every -trace of the rule of the Palestinian kings, but all the -memorials which brought their dynasty to remembrance; -and these granaries of Pharaoh's prime minister, -Iosepf or Joseph, were among the noblest monuments -of the reign of the last of the foreign rulers, the -father of the Princess Ephtha, from whom Remeses is -descended, in the fourth generation only, I believe.</p> - -<p>At length we stopped at a beautiful gate of a small -temple dedicated to Apis. Every part of it was minutely -and exquisitely sculptured. It contained a single -shrine, within which was the effigy of the sacred bull, -a cubit in length, of solid gold. Boys dressed in the -finest white linen were the officiating priests. While I -was admiring this miniature edifice and the richness of -all its appointments, Remeses said:—</p> - -<p>"This is an affectionate tribute of a mother's love -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">{118}</a></span> -On my twelfth birthday she had this sacred fane dedicated -in honor of the event. Here she consecrated me -as a boy to the youthful god Horus. I remember -perfectly, the solemn impression the whole scene made -upon my heart and imagination. Once a year I come -hither and pass a night watching before its altar and in -prayer, rather in filial acquiescence with her wishes, -which to me are laws, than from reverence for the -god!"</p> - -<p>We had already alighted, and were standing on the -portico of the temple, which was of crescent shape, and -bordered by a row of elegantly veined alabaster columns -from Alabastron, rich quarries of the Pharaohs near the -Cataracts. After examining the temple, and expressing -the admiration which it merited, we were going out, -when I saw a young Hebrew girl flying from the pursuit -of one of the taskmasters. Just as we were entering -the temple, I had seen her passing with many other -females, some laden with straw, others with bunches of -leeks and garlic, which they were taking to the fields -for the dinner of the laborers, who were not permitted -to go to their huts until dark, having left them at the -first blush of dawn to commence their ceaseless toils. -Those women who worked not in the brick-fields were -the providers of food for the rest. This young girl I -had noticed was bending painfully under an intolerable -load of garlic and leeks, which she bore upon her head, -and yet assisting a tottering woman, who was walking -by her side with an equally heavy burden of provisions, -in a coarse wicker-basket. I was struck with the elegance -of her figure and with the beauty of her face, as -well as with her kindness to her companion, when she -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">{119}</a></span> -herself needed aid. We were leaving the temple, as I -have said, when I beheld her flying. As she came near, -she saw the prince, and cast herself at his feet, embracing -them, and exclaiming—</p> - -<p>"O my lord—O great and mighty god! mercy!—save -me!"</p> - -<p>Remeses regarded her with surprise, and said, sternly -yet not cruelly—</p> - -<p>"What dost thou wish? Why dost thou fly from thy -taskmaster?"</p> - -<p>"When I cast down my load and took up my mother's, -who was ready to die, he struck me because I could -not take both together. I would have done it, O lord -prince, but had not the strength."</p> - -<p>"Go back to thy task, young woman. Thou shalt not -be punished for a kind act to thy mother. The gods forbid -we should destroy all filial ties, even among our -slaves." This last sentence was spoken rather with his -own mind than addressed to any one. "What is this I -hear?" he continued, speaking to the sub-officer, who, -seeing his slave seek the protection of Remeses, had -stopped, a short distance off, expecting to have her sent -back to him. "Didst thou strike this Hebrew girl?"</p> - -<p>"She is wilful and intractable, your highness," answered -the man humbly, "and—"</p> - -<p>"Is there not a law forbidding blows to be given to -the females of this people? You will deliver your rod -of office to my chief servant here, and are no longer a -taskmaster. It shall be known, that it is the will of the -queen that women shall have light tasks, that they be -treated leniently, and not made to suffer the punishment -of blows."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">{120}</a></span> -The man, with a downcast face, came forward, and -placed his rod in the hands of the chief servant, who was -the captain of the twelve footmen of the prince's chariot, -and who, at a glance from his master, broke it, and cast -the pieces upon the ground. "Now go, and bring hither -the basket. I will see what are the burdens you place -upon the weak, and, henceforth, they shall be proportioned -to the strength of the bearer."</p> - -<p>The man returned several hundred yards along the -road, and after several strenuous efforts, with great -difficulty lifted the basket, and placed it at the prince's -feet. To the amazement of all about him he stooped -to raise the wicker-basket of leeks from the ground. -Putting forth his strength he lifted it, for he is a man -of great vigor, but immediately setting it down again, -he said, with indignation flashing from his eyes, as he -addressed the disgraced taskmaster—</p> - -<p>"Seest thou what thou wouldst compel this frail child -to bear upon her head? Thou art cruel and barbarous! -Bind him! He shall go to prison."</p> - -<p>"My lord, I am not alone—"</p> - -<p>"So much the worse. If the abuse is wide-spread, it -is time to correct it, and see that the law of the realm is -observed. Take him away!"</p> - -<p>Two of the servants seized him, and, tying his hands -behind him with the thong of one of his own sandals, -led him away into the citadel of Raamses. The Hebrew -girl still kneeled, trembling and wondering. Remeses -spoke to her kindly, no doubt moved by her tears and -extraordinary beauty, and said—</p> - -<p>"Go in peace, child. Return to thy mother. Fear -no more the rod of thy taskmasters. The hand of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">{121}</a></span> -first that is laid on a Hebrew woman shall be cut off -with a sword."</p> - -<p>The young girl kissed the sandaled feet of the prince, -and hastened to the spot where she had left her mother -seated on the ground. Remeses, with his eyes, followed -her, and sighed. Who can tell what heavy thoughts -were passing in his mind! When he comes to the -throne, I know him not, my mother, if the condition of -the Hebrews will not be greatly ameliorated, and their -lot rendered far happier. I saw the girl embrace and -raise her mother from the earth, and then supporting -her affectionately, lead her away towards a group of -huts, not far off, in one of which, probably, was their -abode.</p> - -<p>"My Sesostris," said the prince, "walk with me along -this terrace. I have yet to see the governor of the queen's -granaries, and will converse with thee until he arrives."</p> - -<p>The terrace ran along the south side of the low pyramidal -area on which the temple was elevated. From it -there was a lovely view of fields, and gardens, and -groves of palm and orange trees, extending over the land -of Goshen, which is the most fertile and highly-cultivated -portion of Egypt that I have seen. From the terrace, -steps of polished porphyry led to a garden fragrant -with flowers, which were cultivated alongside of the -temple, in order to make of them offerings of chaplets -to the god, who was crowned with them every morning -by the "flower priest." The office of this dignitary was -as sacred as his who offered incense, which indeed is but -the fragrance of flowers in another form, purified by fire. -In this garden I saw the myrobalanum, with its rich -fruit, out of which a rare ointment is extracted for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">{122}</a></span> -anointing the priests; the phœnicobalanus, which bears -an intoxicating fruit, and gives to the priests who eat of -it divining powers; the graceful palma, or sheath for the -palm-flowers; the almond-tree, brilliant with its flowering -branches; the wine-giving myxa; the ivory-palm -fruit, of which censers are made; the mimosa Nilotica, -and the golden olive of Arsino. All these grew on one -path, which traversed the garden close to the terrace, -and I enumerate them, dear mother, as I know your horticultural -taste, and that any thing about the plants of -Egypt will gratify you. I have already selected several -of the most beautiful, and intend, by the first ship that -sails for Tyre from the Nile, to forward them to you. -That they may be cared for, and rightly managed when -you receive them, I shall send with them an Egyptian -gardener. I have seen no oaks in Egypt, nor does our -majestic Libanian cedar grow here. It is a land rather -of flowers than of trees. The myrtle is everywhere -seen as an ornamental tree, and is highly odoriferous -in this climate. Here, I saw also the endive, and -the Amaracus, from the latter of which the celebrated -Amaracine ointment, used to anoint the Pharaohs, is expressed. -One bed of variegated flowers, at the end of -the terrace, attracted my attention from their combined -splendor. There were the edthbah, with its proud purple -flower; the ivy-shaped-leaved dulcamara, used by the -priests for sacred chaplets; also the acinos, of which -wreaths are made by maidens, to wear intermingled with -their braided tresses. Above all towered the heliochrysum, -with which the gods are crowned, and by it grew -its rival, the sacred palm, the branches of which are -borne at the feasts of Isis.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">{123}</a></span> -There were many other rare and beautiful plants, but -I have enumerated these to show you what a land of -flowers is this sunny land of Osiris and Isis.</p> - -<p>The prince, after we had once traversed the terrace in -silence, turned his thoughtful face towards me and said, -betraying what was upon his thoughts—</p> - -<p>"Prince, this is the problem of Egypt. Its solution -calls for greater wisdom than belongs to man!"</p> - -<p>"You mean the bondage of the Hebrew people?" I -answered, at once perceiving the meaning of his words.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied, with a sigh and a grave brow. "I -have promised to acquaint you with their history. -Listen, and as far as I know it you shall have it given -to you. Our records, kept and preserved by the priests -in the Hall of Books in the Temple of the Sun, give the -following account of the origin of this race, which, allowing -for the errors that are interwoven in all mere -tradition, is, no doubt, worthy of credit.</p> - -<p>"About four hundred years ago," says the History of -the Priests, "there arrived in the land of Palestine a -Syrian prince from Mesopotamia or Assyria, with large -flocks and herds; having formed an alliance with Melchisedec, -king of Salem, the two dwelt near one another -in peace and friendship,—for not only was the Assyrian -wise and upright, but the gods were with him, and blessed -and prospered him in all that he did."</p> - -<p>"This Melchisedec the king," I said, "was also favored -of his god; and his virtues have come down to us fragrant -with the beauty of piety and good deeds."</p> - -<p>"Tradition has been faithful to him," answered Remeses. -"Among the Arabian priests of Petra he is held as -a god, who came down on earth to show kings how to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">{124}</a></span> -reign and benefit mankind. With him the Prince of -Assyria, Abram, was on terms of the closest friendship. -At length a famine arising in the land where he dwelt, -he came down into Egypt just after the invading hosts -of Phœnicia and Palestine had inundated our kingdom, -and conquering On and Memphis, had subdued Lower -Egypt, and set up their foreign dynasty, known as that -of the Hyksos or Shepherd Kings."</p> - -<p>"This history is well known to our archives kept in -the temple of Astarte at Tyre," I answered; "and therein -we learn that the hero <span class="smcap">Saites</span>, who had a warlike spirit -which could not find field in Lower Syria, was threatened -by famine, and hearing of the abundance in Egypt -and the splendor of its cities, combined with the enervating -habits which grow out of luxury and unbroken -peace, he conceived the idea of its invasion; and at the -head of an undisciplined but brave army of one hundred -and seventy thousand men, horsemen and footmen, with -three hundred chariots of iron, he descended through -Arabia Deserta, and entered Egypt by the desert of the -sea, capturing and fortifying Ezion-Geber on his march."</p> - -<p>"These particulars are not so fully given by our historians," -answered Remeses. "This ambitious warrior -having entered the Sethroite country, encamped and -founded a city which he made his arsenal of war; and -from it he sent out his armies and conquered Memphis -and the whole of Lower Egypt. The kings of Egypt, -abandoning to him Lower Egypt, retired with their -court and army to the Thebad, and were content to -reign there over half the kingdom, while the haughty -conquerors established their foreign throne at Memphis.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">{125}</a></span> -"It was," continued Remeses, "during the reign of -Bnon, the first Phœnician Pharaoh after the death of -the conqueror, that Abram came into Egypt. He had -known this prince in Palestine when he was in his youth, -and the king gladly welcomed so powerful a lord and -warrior, who had in battle overthrown Chedorlaomer, -the mighty King of Elam, and whose language was -nearly similar to his own. This Prince Abram dwelt in -Egypt during the continuance of the famine in Syria -and near the court of the king, who not only took him -into his counsels, but lavished upon him great riches. -'But the king,' says the history, 'becoming enamored of -the beautiful Princess Sara, the wife of the Lord of -Palestine, Abram removed from his court; and with -great riches of gold, silver, cattle, and servants, marched -out of Egypt into Arabia of the South, and so to his -own city.'"</p> - -<p>"It is probably," I said, "from this fact of Prince -Abram's coming into Egypt about the time that the -Phœnicians came, that some traditions have made him -its conqueror and the founder of the dynasty of the -Shepherd Kings."</p> - -<p>"Yes; for this Abram was not only eminent as a warlike -prince, but his usual retinue was an army, wherever -he moved; and no doubt Bnon, the king, willingly let -him depart when he had offended him, rather than meet -the valor of the arm which had already slain five kings -of the East, and taken their spoil. At length Prince -Abram died and left a son, who succeeded him not -only in his riches but his wisdom. After a time he also -died and left a son, Prince Jacob, who had twelve sons, -all princes of valor—but who, like the Arabians of to-day, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">{126}</a></span> -lived a nomadic life. One of these brothers was -beloved of his father more than the others; and, moved -by envy, they seized upon him and sold him to a caravan -of the bands of Ishmael, the robber king of Idumea, -as it was on its way to Egypt. These barbarians sold -the young Prince Joseph to an officer of the king's palace, -Potipharis, captain of the guard, whose descendant, -Potiphar-Meses, is the general of cavalry you met at the -queen's banquet. This officer became the friend of the -young Syrian, and raised him to a place of honor in his -household. In the course of time the king, who was -the eminent Pharaoh-Apophis, dreamed a dream which -greatly troubled his mind, and which neither his soothsayers, -magicians, nor the priests could interpret. Joseph, -who was eminent for his piety, love of truth, and -devotion to his God, being in prison—to which, on some -false charge of seeking the love of his master's wife, he -had been committed—had interpreted the dreams of -two prisoners, one of whom, being released and hearing -of the king's dream, sent him word that while in prison -the Hebrew captive had truly interpreted a dream, which -both he and his companion had dreamed. Thereupon -Pharaoh sent for the Hebrew, who interpreted his dream, -which prophesied seven years of great plenty, such as -was never known in Egypt, and seven years to follow -them of such scarcity as no kingdom on earth had ever -suffered from. And when the Hebrew had recommended -the king to appoint an officer to gather in the -corn during the years of plenty, and to husband it in -treasure-houses against the seven years of scarcity, Apophis -at once elevated him to that high position. Removing -from his hand his own signet ring, he placed it -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">{127}</a></span> -upon the finger of Joseph; and, having arrayed him in -vestures of fine linen and placed a gold chain about his -neck, presented him with the second state-chariot to ride -in, and made him ruler over all his realm, commanding -all men to bow the knee before him as to a prince of the -blood, and second in power only to himself."</p> - -<p>"And these," I said, glancing at a group of Hebrew -laborers not far off, who were seated upon a ruin eating -garlic and coarse bread for their noon-day meal—"and -these are of the same blood?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sesostris! But you shall hear their history. -This Joseph reigned in Egypt above threescore years, -holding in his hand the supreme power, save only that -he wore not the crown of Apophis, who, given up to -pleasure or to war, gladly relieved himself of the active -cares of state. But while he was early in power, and -yet a young man, his father and brothers were driven -into Egypt by the seven years' famine, which followed -the seven years of plenty."</p> - -<p>"Then," I interrupted, "the dream of Pharaoh was -rightly read by the Hebrew youth?"</p> - -<p>"In all particulars he interpreted it with the wisdom -of a god, who sees into the future as into the past! But, -to resume my narrative—he recognized his father, Jacob, -and his brethren."</p> - -<p>"Did he make use of his power to punish the latter -for their cruelty in selling him into bondage?"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, he forgave them! At first they -did not recognize their shepherd brother in the powerful -and splendid prince of Egypt, before whom they -came under his name of Hermes-Osiris, which Pharaoh -had conferred upon him."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">{128}</a></span> -"It must have been both a wonderful surprise and a -source of terror to them when they at length found in -whose presence they bowed," I said, picturing in my -mind the scene when they perceived who he was. I -imagined not only the trembling fear of the men, but -the joy of the venerable father.</p> - -<p>"Doubtless a most touching and interesting interview," -answered Remeses. "Instead of avenging their -cruelty he entertained them in his palace with a banquet, -and afterwards solicited of Pharaoh, who refused -him no request, that his father and brethren might dwell -in the land."</p> - -<p>At this moment a tall Hebrew young man passed, -returning with a proud, free step, having carried his burden -and placed it by a well, which some workmen were -repairing. I gazed upon him with interest, fancying I -beheld in his face the lineaments of the prince of whom -Remeses was talking. I thought, too, the eyes of my -companion followed the youthful bondman, as he went -away, with something like a kindred sentiment; for, as -he discoursed of the glory and virtues of Prince Joseph, -it was impossible that we should not be drawn nearer, as -it were, to these hapless captives of his race.</p> - -<p>"It was in this part of Egypt where the Syrian patriarch -dwelt. This very temple is erected upon the site -of his habitation, and from here, as far as you can -see, stretched the rich fields and fertile plains occupied -by him, his sons, and their descendants. Here -they erected cities, most of which were destroyed by the -subsequent dynasty, with all the monuments of Joseph's -power; and here they dwelt for seventy years in peace -and plenty, increasing in numbers, wealth, and intelligence—their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">{129}</a></span> -best-educated men holding offices in the -state, and commanding the respect and confidence not -only of the king, but of the Egyptians."</p> - -<p>But, my dear mother, it is time I close this letter. -Until I again take up my pen to write you, remain assured, -I pray you, of my filial reverence and love.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">{130}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VIII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Amense.</div> - -<div class="left0">My honored and beloved Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">My</span> -last letter closed with the narration of a history -of the Hebrews, from the lips of Prince Remeses, -to which I listened as we walked to and fro on the terrace -of the temple. I will in this letter continue, or -rather conclude, the subject, feeling that it will have -interested you quite as deeply as it has engaged my -attention.</p> - -<p>The governor of the queen's granaries having arrived, -mounted upon a handsomely caparisoned horse, and attended -by runners, the prince at once gave him the -orders for which he came, and then, dismissing him with -a wave of his hand, turned to me, as I was watching -the majestic flight of several eagles of prey, which, -circling above my head at a great height, with seemingly -immovable wings, through cutting the air so swiftly, -gradually diminished the circles of their flight, and -descended upon some object not far distant, on the road -leading to another treasure-city, called Pithom, many -leagues up the Nile, which the Hebrews had built for -Amunophis I., threescore years and more ago.</p> - -<p>"I will now resume my history of the Hebrews, my -dear Sesostris," said the prince, "and will be brief, as -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">{131}</a></span> -we must return to On. The Prince Joseph, as I have -said, obtained for his father and brethren all this fair -plain, the heart and beauty of Egypt. Here they dwelt -when the old man died, after seventeen years' residence -in Egypt; and the Hebrew prime minister of the king -made for his father a funeral such as few kings receive. -It is said to have been more magnificent than that of -Osirtasen I., of which our poets have sung. By Pharaoh's -command, as his favorite wished to bury his father -in Palestine, a vast army went up with the body,—chariots, -horsemen, and footmen,—so that to this day the -splendor and pomp of the funeral is a tradition throughout -the lands they traversed. Joseph then returned to -Egypt, and ruled sixty-one years, until both he and -Apophis the king were waxed in years. At length -he died, and was embalmed, and his body placed in the -second pyramid, which you behold a little to the right -of Memphis. There his body does not now rest, for, -after the expulsion of the Phœnician dynasty, the Hebrews -secretly removed it, and its place of concealment -is known only to themselves. There is a saying among -them that the bones of this prince shall rise again, and -that he shall go with them forth from Egypt to a new -and fair country beyond Arabia."</p> - -<p>"Then they have a hope of being one day delivered -from their present condition?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"It is a part of their faith, and inborn, if I may so -speak. It is this hope, I think, which makes them bear -up so patiently under their servitude."</p> - -<p>"And how, noble Remeses, were they reduced to bondage -in the fair land wherein they once dwelt so peacefully, -under the benign sway of their mighty brother?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">{132}</a></span> -"The answer to this question, my Sesostris," said the -prince, "will involve a history of the overthrow of the -dynasty of the Phœnician conquerors, which lasted over -two hundred years, with a succession of six kings. Upon -the death of the Prince Joseph in his one hundred and -tenth year, Apophis the king, being also of great age, became -incapable of managing his kingdom, which he had -for sixty years intrusted to the hands of his Hebrew prime -minister. Ignorant of the true condition of his government—known -to but few of his subjects—aged and imbecile, -he was incapable of holding the reins of state, left by -the Hebrew in his hands. The ever-jealous and watchful -king of the Thebad, in Upper Egypt, did not delay -to take advantage of an opportunity like this to attempt -the restoration, in Lower Egypt, of the ancient throne -of the native Pharaohs, by the expulsion of the usurping -dynasty. But, my Sesostris, you know well the -subsequent history—how Pharaoh Amosis, with his Theban -hosts, drove them from city to city, and finally pursued -them into Arabia, whence they settled in the land -of the Philistines, and, capturing Salem, made it their -capital city—at least such is one of the traditions."</p> - -<p>"They held it for a time," I answered, "but, being -driven from it by the King of Elam, they subsequently -fortified Askelon. They are still a powerful people, -under the name of Philistines; and, what is singular, -retain scarcely a custom derived from the two hundred -and twenty-five years' residence and reign in Egypt."</p> - -<p>"It is not more remarkable than the fact that their -domination here made no impression upon the people of -Egypt; they left no words of their own in our language, -and no customs of theirs were adopted by the Egyptians -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">{133}</a></span> -They simply held military possession of the kingdom, -living in fortified cities and levying tribute upon the -people for their support. The few monuments they -erected were defaced or overthrown by the victorious -Theban king and restorer, Amosis, my great ancestor, -or by his successor, Amunophis I.</p> - -<p>"When these invaders were expelled from Lower -Egypt, then the two crowns of the Thebad and Memphitic -kingdoms became united in the person of Amunophis, -the son of 'the Restorer,' and it is this Thebad -dynasty which now holds the sceptre of the two kingdoms, -and which is represented in the person of my -mother, the daughter of Amunophis, who died when -she was a young girl. She has ever since reigned with -the title of 'the Daughter of Pharaoh,' being so called -by the people when she ascended the throne of Memphis -and Thebes. But my dear prince," said Remeses, -with a smile, "I have been giving you the history of -the dynasty of my race, rather than of the Hebrew -people."</p> - -<p>"I am not the less interested, dear Remeses," I said, -"and perceive that the two histories are naturally -united."</p> - -<p>"Yes. The new king, Amosis, called 'Restorer,' upon -the obelisk at Memphis which bears his name, and upon -which the scenes of the expulsion of these Philistine soldier-monarchs -are depicted with great spirit and fidelity—the -new king, I say, upon driving out the invaders, -keeping the Phœnician king's fair daughter, Ephtha, as -his wife, turned his attention to the other class of strangers, -who had the fairest portion of Egypt for their possession. -He accordingly visited, in state, the city of Succoth, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">{134}</a></span> -in the province of Goshen, which they had built -and beautified during the seventy years they had dwelt -there under Prince Joseph's mild and partial rule. It -was without walls, wholly unfortified, and had not even -a temple—for the Hebrews of the better class worship -only with the intellect, a spiritual Deity in his -unity."</p> - -<p>"Which, if I dare speak so boldly to you, O Remeses," -I said, "appears to me to be the noblest species of worship, -and the purest sort of religion for an intellectual -being."</p> - -<p>"Sayest thou?" quickly demanded the prince, surveying -my face with his full bright gaze. "Thou art in -advance of the rest of mankind, my Sesostris! The same -feeling exists in my own bosom; but I believed myself -alone in experiencing it. Some day we will hold discourse -together on this high mystery. There seems to -come up from my childhood a voice which I can never -silence, and which I hear loudest when I am most solemnly -engaged in the sacred rites of the altars of our -gods, saying—</p> - -<p>"'Son of earth, there is but one GOD, invisible, eternal, -uncreated, and whose glory He will not share with -another; worship Him with the spirit and with the understanding.'"</p> - -<p>"This is remarkable," I said, "for such also is the -mystery taught by the priests of Chaldea, of whom Melchisedec -was the first high-priest. I have read their -sacred books in Damascus."</p> - -<p>"I have never seen them; yet this voice forces itself -upon me everywhere, my Sesostris. All is dark and -inscrutable to us mortals. We hang our faith upon a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">{135}</a></span> -tradition, and our hopes upon a myth. We feel ourselves -equal or superior to the deities we worship, and -find no repose in the observances our religion demands. -Would that I had the power to penetrate the blue -heavens above us and find out God, and know what life -means, and whence we came and whither we go."</p> - -<p>"Once across the Lake of the Dead," I answered, -"and all will be revealed. Osiris in his vast judgment-hall -will give each soul the key of the past and the -future."</p> - -<p>"So say the priests, and so we believe. But to return -to the Hebrews. Another time we will discourse on these -themes. The new king hearing that two hundred thousand -and more foreigners dwelt here, called all the -elders and chief men before him; and when he had -questioned them and heard their history, and had learned -that the Prince Joseph, who had done so much to uphold -and consolidate the Phœnician rule, was one of their -ancestors, his wrath was presently kindled against them. -He saw in them the friends and adherents of the overthrown -dynasty; both as allied by blood to the great -Hebrew prime-minister, and as originating from the -same country with the expelled Phœnician king. He, -therefore, perceiving they were not a warlike people, -and could not be dreaded as an army, instead of declaring -war against them and driving them out of Egypt, as -he had done the Syrian kings, resolved to reduce them -to servitude like captives taken in war. Having come -to this resolution, he held as prisoners the chief men -before him, and placed the whole people under the yoke -of bondage, enrolling them under task-officers, and putting -them to work upon the cities, temples, palaces, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">{136}</a></span> -canals, which the Phœnicians had either destroyed, or -suffered to fall into ruin. This was the beginning, my -Sesostris, of the subjugation to perpetual labor of these -Syrians or Hebrews in the very land where one of their -family had ruled next to the throne. They have been -engaged since in building cities, and walls, and in cultivating -and irrigating the royal wheat-fields; aiding in -hewing stone in the quarries, and in all other works of -servitude: but as the making of bricks requires no intelligence, -and as it was not the policy of Amunophis-Pharaoh -to elevate their intellects, but the contrary, lest -they should prove troublesome, they have chiefly been -kept to this, the most degrading of all labor."</p> - -<p>"How long is it that they have been in this condition?" -I asked.</p> - -<p>"About one hundred and five or six years have -elapsed since the death of Prince Joseph. But they -were gradually reduced to their present state. During -the latter years only of Amunophis were their tasks increased. -They, nevertheless, multiplied in such numbers -that the king began to apprehend danger to his -crown from their multitude."</p> - -<p>"Were there men among them who sought to free -their fellows?" I inquired.</p> - -<p>"Always, and to this hour. They are a proud, -haughty, resolute, and stubborn race. They bend to the -yoke, indeed, but with hatred of the oppressor, not with -the willing submission of the Libyan or Nubian captive. -The king had reason to fear from the increase of their -numbers, when he found the census of this people gave -more than a million of souls, while the number of his -own subjects in both provinces did not exceed six millions; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">{137}</a></span> -his own Thebans not amounting to as many as -the Hebrews numbered. Upon this he became alarmed, -for he was about entering into a war with the kings of -Syro-Arabia, and apprehended that being of the same -Syrian stock they might join themselves to his enemies. -He, therefore, increased their burdens and taskmasters -in order to keep them in closer subjugation; but the -more he oppressed them the more they multiplied. In -relating these facts, O prince, do not think I approve -of cruelty even in my royal ancestor. It was, no -doubt, a great wrong in the beginning inflicted upon -them, in making them servants, and the subsequent -series of oppressions were but the natural results of the -first act. It was one unmixed evil throughout. Having -committed the manifest error in the outset, of enslaving -them to the crown, it now became a necessary policy -to prevent their dangerous increase. He would not -send them with his army into Arabia lest they should -join his enemies. He, therefore, to keep down their -numbers, ordered all the male infants as soon as born to -be put to death by the Egyptian women."</p> - -<p>"A dreadful alternative!" I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and one not to be defended," answered Remeses, -in a decided tone. "But Amunophis, having caught -the lion by the jaws, was compelled either to destroy -him, or be destroyed himself. The result of the edict -was, that many perished. The Nile, it is said, was constantly -bearing down upon its bosom corpses of new-born -Hebrew babes."</p> - -<p>"Dreadful!" I ejaculated.</p> - -<p>"It became so to the king. But he felt that one or -the other must perish, and that these innocent infants -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">{138}</a></span> -must die for the future safety of the kingdom. There -were sad and tragic scenes! Many a Hebrew mother -fought to save her infant, or perished with it clasped to -her heart! Many a desperate father resisted the soldiers -who sought his hut for his concealed child, and died on -the threshold, in the ineffectual effort to save his son! -You perceive, Sesostris, that I speak with emotion. I -have heard the scenes of that era described by those -who witnessed them. I was an infant at the time, and -do not speak of my own knowledge; but many live who -then saw tragedies of horror such as few lands have witnessed. -Had I been Amunophis I think I should have -devised some other way to ward off the anticipated danger -from my kingdom. But this sanguinary edict was -unsuccessful. The Egyptian nurses were tenderer of -heart than the king, and saved many to the tears and -entreaties of mothers. Thousands of mothers, stifling -every cry of nature, gave birth secretly, and in silence, to -their babes, and the fathers or friends stood ready to fly -with it to some prepared concealment. Thousands were -thus saved, as the innumerable multitudes of men you -have beheld this day toiling in the fields, making brick -to build up Raamses, bear witness. The edict continued -in force for two years, when Amunophis died. After -the seventy days of mourning were ended, his daughter -Amense, who had been married to the prince of the -Thebad, a nephew of Amunophis, but had been left a -widow about the time of her father's death, came to the -throne as the next in succession to the double crown. -With the sceptre was bequeathed to her the iron chain -that bound the Hebrews. Young, inexperienced in rule, -without advisers, my mother knew not how to solve the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">{139}</a></span> -problem these enslaved Syrians presented to her. As a -woman, she felt that she could originate no new policy. -But prompted by humanity, the first act of her power -was to repeal the edict commanding the death of the -infants. This act alone kindled in the hearts of the -whole of the oppressed people a sentiment of gratitude. -On the contrary, her lords, generals, chief princes of the -nomes, and dukes of cities, with one voice assured her -that this act of clemency would destroy her throne. -But you see, my Sesostris, that it still stands. For -thirty-four years she has reigned over the empire of -Egypt, and it has never before reached so high a degree -of prosperity, power, and strength. Her armies of the -east, and of the south, and of Libya, are superior to -those of all nations."</p> - -<p>"Yet is the problem more intricate, and farther from -solution than ever," I said to the prince. "The Hebrew -is still in the land, still increasing in numbers, and -now far more formidable than in the reign of your -grandsire, Amunophis."</p> - -<p>"This is true. My mother and I have talked for -hours together upon the theme. She, with her woman's -gentler nature, would not oppress them, yet has -she been compelled by necessity to hold them in strict -subjugation, lest they become a formidable element -of insurrection in the kingdom. So far as is consistent -with safety to her two crowns, she mitigates the severity -of their condition; and as you have understood, has forbidden -the women to be struck with blows, or put to heavy -toil. Still it is not easy, among so many thousand taskmasters, -and so many myriads of bondmen, to oversee -all individual acts of oppression; but when brought to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">{140}</a></span> -our notice they are severely punished. The condition of -the Hebrew is an incubus upon the soul of my noble -mother, and if it were in her power, with safety to her -subjects, to release them to-morrow from their bondage, -she would do so. But state policy demands imperatively, -rigid supervision, severe discipline, and constant -labor, lest being idle, and at liberty to go where they -choose, they conspire against us. Several times agents -from the King of Ethiopia, our natural and hereditary -foe, with whom we are almost always at war, have been -discovered among them; and arms have been placed in -their possession by the spies of the Queen of Arabia. -They have, moreover, among them men of courage and -talent, who, like their ancestor, Prince Abraham, possess -warlike fire, and, like the Prime Minister Joseph, have -wisdom in council, to advise and rule. Such persons, -among slaves, are to be feared, and there is necessary a -certain severity, you would call it oppression, to keep -down all such spirit."</p> - -<p>"The burdens of these Hebrews still seem very -heavy, O Remeses," I said.</p> - -<p>"They doubtless are; but their condition is far lighter -than it has been. They are allotted certain tasks, according -to their strength, and if these are done early -they have the rest of the day to themselves."</p> - -<p>"And if late?"</p> - -<p>"They must complete their tale of bricks, unless disabled -by sickness. Blows are not given to men unless -they are wilful and insubordinate. Once a year the -queen visits all the Hebrews in the country of Avaris, -of which Goshen forms but a part, and regulates abuses. -The Hebrew always has the right of appealing to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">{141}</a></span> -governor of the province, against his taskmaster, if cruelly -treated. All that the queen can do is to execute -with severity the laws against oppressing them."</p> - -<p>"This Hebrew people, O Remeses," I said, as he -ceased speaking, "are the cloud which overshadows -Egypt. I foresee danger to the dynasty from it."</p> - -<p>"I have in vain tried to settle upon some policy, to -be pursued—when I come to the throne, if it please -Heaven that my mother depart this life before me, (I -pray the god to keep her to a good old age)—in reference -to them. But my wisdom is at fault. When I -take the sceptre I shall feel that the bondage of the -Hebrew, which I inherit with it, will make it lead in -my hand."</p> - -<p>While he was speaking, the impatient pawing of his -spirited chariot-horses, restrained with difficulty by three -footmen, reminded him that we were delaying at Raamses -when we ought to be on our way back to On.</p> - -<p>"Come, Sesostris, let us get upon the chariot and -return, for I promised to dine with my mother and the -Lord Prince Mœris to-day; and it is already past noon -by the shadow of that obelisk."</p> - -<p>We stood upon the silver-chased chariot, and taking -the leopard-skin reins in his left hand, he made a sign to -his footmen, who, springing away from the heads of the -fretting and frothing horses, let them fly. Away, like -the wind, we swept the plain in front of the treasure-city; -along the plateau where had stood the palace -and gardens of Joseph, the lord of Egypt; past the -ruined strangers' fountain, where I had talked with the -venerable Ben Isaac and his handsome son; past a well -beside which Jacob had his great house, during the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">{142}</a></span> -seventeen years he lived in Goshen, the ruins of which -were visible a little ways off to the east. On we rolled, -preceded and followed by the fleet-footed runners, -across the plain of the Hebrew brick-makers, who still -bent to their labors. Women and children, with dark -fine eyes and raven hair, gathering straw by the wayside -or in the stubble-fields, were passed in vast numbers. -Crossing an open space, I saw before me a black mass -on the ground, which, as we advanced, proved to be a -crowd of vultures or carrion eagles, that slowly and reluctantly -moved aside at our coming; and the next -moment our horses shied at the dead body of a man, -around which they had been gathered feasting upon the -flesh. The long beard and dark hair, the coarse blue -loin-cloth, and the pile of bricks at his side, told the -whole tale. It was an emaciated Hebrew, who had -perished on the road-side under his burden.</p> - -<p>I did not look at Remeses. I knew that he saw and -felt. He reined up, and sternly commanded two of -his footmen to remain and bury the body.</p> - -<p>"Sesostris," he said, as we went forward again, "what -can be done? Humanity, piety, and every element of -the soul call for the deepest commiseration of this unhappy -people. I sometimes feel that it would be better -to send them in a mass out of Egypt into Arabia, and -follow them with an army to see that they went beyond -our boundaries, and then establish a cordon of military -posts from Ezion-Geber, on the Arabian Sea, to the -shores of the Great Sea, north. But how could we -provide food for such a host, now amounting to two and -a half millions of people? Thousands would perish in -the wilderness for want of water and food. Only a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">{143}</a></span> -miracle of the gods could preserve them, their women -and children, from a lingering death. And would not -this be more cruel than the edict of Amunophis; only -executing it in an indirect way, and on a gigantic scale? -I would, were I Pharaoh to-day, give the half of my -kingdom to the wise man who could devise a practicable -way of freeing Egypt from the Hebrews, without destroying -them or suffering them to die in the wilderness. -If men are ever deified, such a benefactor would deserve -the honor."</p> - -<p>These words, my dear mother, were spoken with deep -feeling, and showed me that the heart of Remeses is -manly and tender, that his sentiments are always elevated -and noble, and that the oppression of the Hebrew -is not so much the fault of himself or of the queen -mother, as it is the irresistible sequence of causes which -were in action before they were born; and to the effects -of which they must yield, until the gods in their wisdom -and power make known to them the way to remove -from the land so great an evil: for none but the Deity -Supreme is wise enough to solve this intricate problem -of Egypt. Certain it is, that if the Hebrews go on multiplying -and growing as they now do, in another generation -they will outnumber the Egyptians, and will need only -a great leader like their warlike ancestor Prince Abram, -or the hero king of Philistia, who established the Phœnician -dynasty, to enable them to subvert the kingdom, -and upon its ruins establish another Syro-Hebraic -dynasty. One of their ancestors has already ruled -Egypt, and another may yet sit in the very seat of the -Pharaohs.</p> - -<p>As we re-entered the City of the Sun, we passed by -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">{144}</a></span> -the base of an obelisk which Queen Amense is erecting -to mark the era and acts of her long reign. Upon it -were sculptured representations of her battles with the -Ethiopians, her wars with Libya, and her conquest of -Arabia. The work was executed by Phœnician and -Egyptian artists; and I am rejoiced to see that the -painters of Tyre and the sculptors of Sidon are greatly -esteemed for the delicacy and perfection of their work. -When these persons saw me, they dropped their pencils -and chisels, and with their hands upon their bosoms, -manifested every sign of delight. You may suppose I -responded with more than usual gratification to the -homage thus paid me; for in a foreign land the sight of -the humblest of one's own countrymen, refreshes the -eye and warms the heart.</p> - -<p>But I have too long occupied your time, dearest -mother, with one letter.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your devoted son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">{145}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER IX.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Isle of Rhoda, Nile.</div> - -<div class="left0">Royal and beloved Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">My</span> -preceding letters, dearest mother, have enabled -you to form some idea of the Hebrew vassalage, -which is one of the peculiarities of Egypt. This subject -has deeply interested me. In that oppressed people -I behold Syrians and men of my own race, as it were, -reduced to such a pitiable and miserable condition. My -sympathies are therefore naturally with them. Was not -Prince Abram, of Palestine, who conquered the enemy -of our ancestor's throne in those days, Chedorlaomer, -King of Elam and Tidal, and sovereign of the nations -east of the inland sea, the founder of their family; and -was not the same Abram the friend of Neathor, the -founder or restorer of Tyre upon the Isle? When I -recall these facts of past history, and how ably the wise -Prince Joseph ruled here, I am deeply moved at their -present degradation and suffering.</p> - -<p>Since writing to you, I have conversed with the queen -upon the subject. I find her ready and willing, with -mind and heart and hand, to take any safe steps for -putting an end to this bondage. But, as she feelingly -says:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">{146}</a></span> -"It is an evil which descended to me with the crown -and sceptre of my father; and I know not how to remove -it, and yet protect that crown which I am bound to -transmit to Remeses!"</p> - -<p>Such then, dear mother, is the present condition of -Hebrew servitude. When it will terminate, whether by -some bold act of Remeses, when he comes to the throne, -or by their own act, or by the intervention of the gods, -are questions the solution of which lies hidden in the -womb of the future.</p> - -<p>Not all the Hebrews are employed in the field. It -has of late years been a fashion with the nobles, governors, -and chief captains of Egypt to have the young -captives of both sexes as servants near their persons; -their beauty, activity, and trustfulness rendering these -Syrian youths particularly fitted for this domestic employment. -Thus, I have seen Hebrew pages attending -on lords and ladies in their palaces, and Hebrew maidens -acting as personal attendants upon the mistress of the -family. These young foreigners soon become favorites, -and are rewarded for their devotion and usefulness by -rich dresses and jewels, which last they all especially -delight in, and wear in great quantities. The Egyptians, -also, lavishly display them on their fingers, in their -ears, and upon their necks. Every lord wears a large -signet, on which is carved his <i>cartouch</i>, or shield of -arms. To present this to any friend is a mark of the -highest confidence and honor. Such an expression of -regard, you will remember, the Prince Remeses bestowed -upon me. With it I shall seal this letter, that -you may see its designs in the hieroglyph representation.</p> - -<p>The queen has three Hebrew pages, noble and princely-looking -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">{147}</a></span> -boys, with fine, sparkling, black eyes, and -intelligent faces; but there is a fixed air of pensiveness -about them all, which is perhaps the result of hereditary -oppression. This pensive look I have remarked -in Prince Remeses, whose style of face is very strongly -Syriac or Hebraic. Indeed, I have seen an old Hebrew -bondman, a gardener in the palace garden, by the name -of Amram, who is so strikingly like the prince that I -can easily see by him, how Remeses himself will look -at eighty years of age. But this Syriac countenance of -Remeses comes from his grandmother, Ephtha, the -daughter of the last Phœnician Pharaoh; yet it is marvellous -he has about him nothing of the Egyptian type. -The Egyptian or Nilotic race, have a sharp and prominent -face, in which a long and straight, or gently aquiline -nose forms a principal part. The eye is sometimes -oblique; the chin short and retracted; the lips rather -full and tumid, so to speak; and the hair, when it is suffered -to escape the razor in times of mourning, long and -flowing. The head is elongated upward, with a receding -forehead. The profile is delicate, rather than strong. -This style of features and head is strictly Egyptian, and -pertains to every class, from Amense on the throne to -the priests and people. I see it sculptured on all the -tombs and monuments, and carved on the most ancient -sarcophagi. The head of Horus is but a sublimer modification -of this type.</p> - -<p>On the contrary, the head of the Hebrew is large and -round, with full brows, a forehead low in front, and -high temples. The nose is strongly eagle-like; the eyes -set even, but of an almond-shape—yet large, full, and -exceedingly black, and soft in expression. The chin is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">{148}</a></span> -full; the face oval; the hair short, and inclined to curl -in the neck and over the brow. The profile is strong -and bold—not unlike the Arabian. The Egyptian is -slender and light; the Hebrew usually below the medium -height, with broad shoulders and full chest. The -Egyptian has a pale reddish-copper complexion—save -the women, who are bright olive-colored—while the -Hebrew face is a ruddy and finely toned brown. The -Egyptian females, when not exposed to the sun and -outer door labor, are exceedingly fair. The children of -the race are all beautiful. Prince Remeses does not -share a single characteristic of this Egyptian national -head and face; on the contrary, he resembles the highest -type of the Hebrew. Is not this remarkable? That -is, is it not wonderful that the Syriac blood, derived -from the Queen Ephtha, should descend pure to the -third generation, unmingled with the Thebad characteristics -of Amunophis, his grandfather?</p> - -<p>I am not aware whether the prince is conscious of his -great likeness to this oppressed people, nor would I be -so rude as to speak to him of it; for though he has sympathy -for them, and tries to improve their condition, -yet he possesses that haughty sense of superiority which -is natural, in a prince and an Egyptian educated to despise -them both as foreigners and slaves of the crown.</p> - -<p>The father of Remeses, as I have before said, was the -Vicegerent or Prince of Upper Egypt, and one of the -royal line of the powerful Theban kings. He had been -married but a few months to Pharaoh's daughter, when, -being called to repulse an invasion of the warlike Ethiopians, -he was slain in battle. Remeses was born not -long afterwards, and is, therefore in a twofold degree the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">{149}</a></span> -heir of the silver crown of the Thebad. Had he been -willing to leave his mother, she would, when he became -thirty years old (which is the age of maturity by the -laws of Egypt), have sent him with a splendid retinue -to Upper Egypt, and made him Prince of Thebes, as his -father had been before him. But he chose to remain -with the queen, to whom he appears as much attached -as I am to you, my dear mother; and Amense substituted -a nephew of her deceased husband, Prince Mœris, -and placed him, four years since, on the vicegerent -throne of the kingdom of the Upper Nile.</p> - -<p>It was this Prince Mœris, with whom Remeses was to -dine in the palace on the day we drove to the treasure-city -of Raamses. I was also present, dear mother, at -the dinner. The Lord Mœris is about the age of Remeses, -but altogether a very different person. He is thoroughly -Egyptian, both in looks and lineage as well as by prejudice -and feeling.</p> - -<p>He has a slender, elegant person; delicate straight -features; a high, retreating forehead; and a nose slightly -aquiline. His mouth is full-lipped and sensual. His -retreating chin betrays deficiency of firmness, and an -undue proportion of obstinacy. The expression of his -oblique, Nubian-looking eye, I did not like. It was -sinister and restlessly observant. He was reserved, and -while he asked questions from time to time, he never -replied to any. His complexion is a bright olive, and -he is a handsome man; his rich dress increasing the fine -effect of his personal appearance. The uniform he wore -was that of Admiral of the Nile; the queen having appointed -him commander of the great fleet of war-galleys -she has collected near Memphis for the subjugation of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">{150}</a></span> -Ethiopia. He has, therefore, come down within a few -days to take charge of his ships. The character of this -man for courage is undoubted, but he has the reputation -of great cruelty. He tarries long at the wine-cup, and -in his private life is a gross sensualist. He professes -great piety to the gods, and sacrifices often, with pomp -and display. In Memphis yesterday he burned incense -with his own hands to Apis, and to-day he worshipped -Mnevis, the sacred ox of On.</p> - -<p>He was more communicative with me at the dinner -than with Remeses. He expressed the greatest admiration -of Phœnicia, praised the brilliancy of your reign, -and the rich commerce of the Isle of Tyre. He said he -had a great reverence for our deities, Astarte, Hercules, -Io, and Isis; for, he asserted that Isis was quite as much -a Phœnician as an Egyptian goddess. "Had he not in -Thebes," said he, "instituted a procession and a rite in -honor of the return of Isis from Phœnicia! We are -one in religion, one in commerce, one in glory," he continued, -with fulsome enthusiasm. "Are not our kingdoms -both ruled by queens? Let us draw closer the -bonds of alliance, and together rule the world! You -are a free city, your Tyre! never been conquered! -Amunophis would have exacted tribute, but your king -replied: 'Since the foundation of the earth, and the -great Deluge retired from Libanus, Tyre has been free, -and will remain free to the end of days.'"</p> - -<p>I answered, that I trusted the words of my noble -grandsire would remain prophetic forever. He then -gave as a toast:—</p> - -<p>"Phœnicia and Egypt, twin sisters of Isis, and health -to their fair queens!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">{151}</a></span> -This was well received. Mœris was, however, evidently -deep in his cups, and soon became quarrelsome -towards Remeses, to whom he said, with a sneer—</p> - -<p>"You and I, prince, when the queen, my aunt, has -departed to the shades of the realm of Osiris, will divide -Egypt between us. I will be content with the Thebad -country, and will defend your borders on that side. Two -crowns are too much for one man's head, albeit you have -a large one upon your shoulders!"</p> - -<p>"Prince Mœris," said Remeses, with a look of indignation, -"forget not yourself in my mother's palace!"</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, the son of Amense rose from the table, -and I followed him to the portico which overlooked the -gardens.</p> - -<p>"That man, Sesostris," said he to me, after a moment's -silence, "would not hesitate to conspire to the -whole throne and both crowns of Egypt, if he were -hopeful of success."</p> - -<p>"He is a man of an evil eye," I said.</p> - -<p>"And heart! But he must not be incensed. He is -powerful, and as wicked as powerful. In a few days -he will be on his way to Upper Egypt; and in this -war with Ethiopia, will find an outlet for his restless -ambition."</p> - -<p>"Suppose (the gods guarding your gracious mother, -the queen) you should come to the throne; what, -Remeses, would you do with or for your cousin, your -father's nephew? Would you suffer so dangerous a man -to hold the viceroyalty of Upper Nile?"</p> - -<p>"I should wear both crowns, Sesostris," answered Remeses, -quietly and steadily.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">{152}</a></span> -While we were thus conversing, a Hebrew page came, -and said:</p> - -<p>"My lord prince, her majesty is taken ill, and desires -to have you come to her."</p> - -<p>"My mother ill!" he exclaimed, with deadly pallor -covering his face. "Pardon me, prince, I must leave -you and go to her." And in a moment he hastened to -the wing of the palace occupied by his mother and the -ladies of her retinue.</p> - -<p>The queen had left the table some time before Prince -Mœris began to converse with me, excusing herself on -the plea of slight fatigue and indisposition; for she had -passed an hour that day in giving directions to the chief -architect, to whom was intrusted the erection of her -obelisk, outside of the gate of the Temple of the Sun. -Remeses had been gone but a few moments, when I beheld -Prince Mœris borne across the terrace by his -servants to his chariot, in a state of helpless intoxication.</p> - -<p>The illness of the queen was not of an alarming -nature, and the next day she appeared in the saloon, -but was very pale. The result is, the court physicians -have advised her to go to her palace on the isle of -Rhoda, in the Nile, as a more salubrious spot than the -interior of a vast city. Remeses accompanied her -thither, and the date of my letter, my dear mother, -shows you that I am also still one of the queen's favored -household. Her health continues doubtful, but she is -much improved in appearance by the change. Remeses, -with beautiful filial devotion, passes with her every hour -he can spare from the various pressing duties which demand -his personal attention; and preparations for the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">{153}</a></span> -Ethiopian war call for all his time as general of the -armies.</p> - -<p>Opposite the palace in which I write to you, the plain -between the river and the pyramids is covered with a vast -army assembled there within three days, preparatory to -their southern march; while the bosom of the Nile, for half -a league above this palace-covered island, is almost concealed -by war-galleys, which, to the number of one thousand -and upward, are at anchor ready to ascend the river.</p> - -<p>From the lofty west wing of the propylon of the gate -of this island-palace of the Pharaohs, I command not only -a prospect of the fleet, but of the plain of the pyramids -outside of Memphis. I have but to turn slowly round -from that elevation, to see On with its three hundred -and sixty temples—its gardens and towers; and Raamses, -the treasure-city, to the east: to the south, the Nile, -studded with barges and gay vessels having silken and -colored sails, filled with citizens, come to look at the -fleet of war-ships; the immense squadron itself, gay with -the variegated flags of its different divisions and captains; -with towers, temples, obelisks, and propyla on the two -shores terminating the perspective: and on the west, -Jizeh, with its sphinxes and colossi, its terraced gardens -and amphitheatre of the gods; and still farther off, Memphis -united to the Nile by a magnificent aqueduct; and -the pyramids of Cheops and of his daughter. Between -the city and these mysterious mausolea, stands alone, -amid gardens, the red granite temple of Pthah and -Athor, the two chief divinities of Memphis: for Apis, -the sacred bull of Memphis, is not a divinity, properly, -but only a visible incarnation of Osiris, the emblem and -type of the power and strength of the Supreme Creator -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">{154}</a></span> -Imagine this vast and varied scene of architectural and -naval glory, interspersed with verdure of the brightest -green, with palm, orange, and fig trees, garden linked -to garden, grove to grove, and villas half seen through -the foliage; and lastly, the mighty river flowing with -shining waves amid the inimitable landscape, and you -have before you a scene of grandeur and beauty such -as Egypt alone can produce. Add the myriads of human -beings, the crowded galleys, the thronged shores, the -eighty thousand soldiers encamped on the west plain, -the army of chariots drawn up on the east bank, and -farther up, opposite the aqueduct of Pharaoh Apophis, -a battalion of twelve thousand cavalry manœuvering, -and the scene which I, an hour since, beheld from -the top of the gateway, is before you.</p> - -<p>Since I wrote the last sentence, I have witnessed a -naval review, with a sham battle. The Prince Mœris, in -a gorgeous galley decorated with all the emblems of the -cities and nomes of Egypt, after displaying the skill of -his one hundred oarsmen, and the swiftness of his vessel -in front of the palace, before the eyes of the queen, -moved among his ships, and gave orders for their division -into lines of battle. The greater number of these galleys -had only a single mast with a long swallow-winged -sail; and were propelled by forty rowers. But the -ships of the captains were larger and more imposing. -All the galleys were handsomely painted, and the whole -fleet together made a splendid moving spectacle, which -was heightened by the thousand bannerets fluttering in -the wind, and the ten thousand shields and spears gleaming -in the sun, as they were held in the hands of the -soldiers upon their decks.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">{155}</a></span> -When the signal was given for the two parties to -combat, the air was filled by a loud shout, and a hundred -galleys charged each other, just as did the battalions -of chariots in the review I have already described. -The vessels, set in motion by the rowers, were driven -towards each other with terrific velocity. The Abyssinian -soldiers upon the bows, and the bowmen in the -tops, shot off flights of arrows, which sounded like a -storm of wind, as they hurtled through the air. The -Libyan spearmen, on the lofty poops, brandished their -spears with wild cries; while the Nubians, amidships, -struck their triangular shields with battle-axes of iron, -producing a sound like crashing thunders. The war -bugles and hollow drums beaten on board each vessel -increased the loud confusion, and added to the terror of -the scene. The fall of thousands of oars, the rush of -waters from the cleaving bows, the shouts of the captains, -the warlike spirit and battle-fierceness of the whole, -presented a spectacle of sublimity unequalled. Nor was -it without an element of terror. Such was the excited -manner of the simulating combatants, I believed that -no earthly power could prevent a real collision and -hand-to-hand conflict in hot blood, when, at a signal -from the Prince Mœris, the rowers of the leading galleys -turned suddenly, as they came within touch of each -other's sweeps, and so, one after another wheeling in -line, both divisions passed down the river, until they -moved in parallel columns. The whole manœuvre was -one of the most wonderful exhibitions of naval discipline -and generalship. Ere the shouts of the people on the -shores and in the numerous pleasure barges had died -away, the two columns, at a signal from the mast of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">{156}</a></span> -ship of their admiral, came side by side, and a battle -between the soldiers on opposite decks commenced—one -party attempting to board, the other repelling them. -Not less than six thousand combatants were engaged at -once, above the heads of the banks of rowers. The -clash of swords and spears and battle-axes, and other -offensive and defensive weapons, produced a noise so -terrible and grand that I believe there is no other sound -on earth, as well calculated to quicken the pulse and -bring out all the enthusiasm of the soul of a man. I can -compare these metallic and iron tones, only to what might -be the sound of the brazen voice of Mars himself rolling -his war-cry along the battle-ranks of his foes. Suddenly -the iron din of war ceased, and separating, one of the -divisions commenced a flight, and the other a pursuit. -This scene was the most exciting of all. The chase was -in a direction down the east side of the island, opposite -the queen's window; for all these exhibitions were -given in her honor, and, though by no means well, she -remained upon the terrace during the whole; and it -was, perhaps, the consciousness of their monarch's eye -being upon them, that caused these demi-barbaric soldiers, -gathered from all the provinces and tributary -countries of Egypt, to surpass themselves, being ready -even, at her nod, to convert the mock battle into a real -one.</p> - -<p>The two fleets, flying and pursuing, moved past the -island like a sirocco. Their lion or eagle-headed prows -tossed high in the air clouds of white spray. The roar -of the waters as the vessels ploughed through them, the -dash of the banks of oars, the cries of pursuit, the whizzing -and shrieks of arrows cleaving the air, the shouts of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">{157}</a></span> -the contending thousands, and the velocity with which -they moved, brought color to the queen's cheek, and the -light of interest to her eyes. It was now an actual and -real trial for mastery in speed; and the contest partook -of all the realities of a war-chase. The two divisions, -rounding the lower end of the island, were hidden by -the Temple of Isis, which crowns it, but soon reappeared -on the west arm of the river, ascending. When they -came opposite to the queen, having passed entirely -round the island, they resumed their former line, two or -three with broken banks of oars, and shattered poops or -prows from collision.</p> - -<p>Prince Mœris came on shore to receive the compliments -of the queen, and dined with us. Remeses was -not present, being with the cohorts of cavalry; for he is -visiting and inspecting every arm of the service, as it is -intended this shall be the most formidable host that has -ever been sent into Ethiopia.</p> - -<p> Adieu, dearest mother, and believe me</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your truly devoted son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">{158}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER X.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Island Palace of Rhoda.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dearest Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">It</span> -is with heartfelt pleasure I assure you of the -recovery of the queen. The heart of the noble and devoted -Remeses is lightened of a heavy weight of solicitude. -Smiles once more revisit his features, and cheerfulness -replaces his late depression.</p> - -<p>"Sesostris," said he to me this morning, as we were -returning in his galley from a visit to the pyramids -and vast city of tombs that stretch between Memphis -and the Libyan hills, "if my excellent and dear mother -had died, I should have been made one of the most unhappy -of men. I shall to-morrow, in testimony of my -gratitude, offer in the Temple of Osiris a libation and incense -to the God of Health and Life, wherever in his -illimitable universe such a Being may dwell."</p> - -<p>"Then you would not, my dear Remeses, offer it to -Osiris himself?" I said.</p> - -<p>"You have heard, my friend," he replied, "my views -of these mysteries of faith: that I look, through all material -and vicarious representatives, onward and upward -to the Infinite and Supreme Essence of Life—the Generator, -Upholder, and Guide of the worlds and all that -dwell upon them. From a child I have never entered, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">{159}</a></span> -as my dear mother does, into the heart and spirit of our -worship. There is something within me which tells me -that we consist of a twofold being—a soul within a body. -The soul must have had a Soul as its creator; therefore, -O Sesostris, do I believe in a Supreme Soul of the universe—the -Fountain of all souls; a Being of thought, -invisibility, intelligence, and reason, each supreme and -eternal; for I can conceive no creator of a <span class="smcap">Soul</span>, nor end -of its existence. Before all things that actually exist, -and before all beings, there is One Being whom I would -designate, for want of another term, God of gods, prior -to the first god or king of earth, remaining unmoved and -unapproachable in the singleness of His own unity. He -is greater than, as He was prior to, all material things, of -which He is the sole fountain; and He is also the foundation -of things conceived by the intellect, and from His -intellect spring the spirits of the gods and the souls of -men."</p> - -<p>"Then," said I to the prince, to whom I had listened -with surprise and pleasure—for, mother, similar to these -are the deep mysteries taught by our most sacred priests -of Io, into which I was initiated when I became twenty-five -years of age—"then you believe that God is Intellect -conceiving itself, and that the creation of man was but -the beginning of an infinite series of resistless conceptions -of Himself?"</p> - -<p>"Not resistless, but voluntary. Finding Himself existing, -He multiplied Himself, for His own glory and delight -primarily; and secondly, for the happiness of the -offspring of His Intellect."</p> - -<p>"We are then His offspring, that is, our souls?"</p> - -<p>"Without doubt, if my theories be founded in truth," -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">{160}</a></span> -he answered contemplatively. We were then in mid-river, -and the forty-four rowers of our gilded barge were slowly -dipping their brazen-mounted oars into the glassy water, -while with gentle motion we were borne towards the -isle of palaces and terraces. Our heads were shaded from -the sun by a silken pavilion stretched above the stern -of the galley, under which we reclined upon sumptuous -cushions as we conversed. Remeses, however, is by no -means a voluntary seeker of luxurious ease; but in -Egypt, where splendor and voluptuous furniture everywhere -invite to indulgence, one must either deprive himself -of all comforts, for the sake of enduring hardship, or -yield unchallenging to the countless seductive forms of -couches, lounges, chairs, and sofas, which everywhere, -on the galleys and in houses, offer themselves to his -use.</p> - -<p>The air was balmy and soft, and fanned our faces; -while the beautiful shores, lined with villas of the chief -men of the court, afforded a grateful picture to the -eye. Our rowers let their sweeps fall and rise to the -low and harmonious time of a river chant, which, while -it inspired conversation between the prince and myself, -did not disturb, but rather veiled our subdued voices.</p> - -<p>"Do you believe there are lesser gods?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean, Sesostris, beings higher in rank than -men, and so created, to whom the Supreme Intellect of -the Universe delegates a part of His authority and power -over man and nature? Such, in its purity, is our Egyptian -idea of gods."</p> - -<p>"Such is not the Phœnician," I answered, hesitatingly; -for I felt how far in advance of the hero demigods -of our Assyrio-Median mythology was the Egyptian theological -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">{161}</a></span> -conception of a god, while the still sublimer -idea held by Remeses, that they are celestial princes -under the Supreme Prince, created as his servants, yet -so far above men as to be as gods to us, took fast hold of -my imagination, and commended itself to my intellect.</p> - -<p>"What, my dear Sesostris, is the mythology of your -country?" he asked, with a look of deep interest. "I -have read some of your sacred books, and from them I -perceive we obtain our myths of Isis, Mars, Hercules, -Vulcan, and even Venus, who is your Astarte and our -Athor. We owe much of our religion and learning to -you Tyrians, my Sesostris."</p> - -<p>"The recipient has become mightier than the giver," -I replied. "Without doubt you have received from us -the great invention of the phonetic alphabet, which your -scholars are already making use of, though I learn the -priests oppose it as an invasion upon the sacred writing -of the hieroglyphic representations. I have seen here -many rolls of papyrus written in our Phœnician letter, -in the vernacular Koptic words, and executed with taste -and beauty."</p> - -<p>"It is not pictorial, and therefore the priests, who -are all artists and lovers of colors, reject it. It will be -slowly introduced. Upon obelisks and tombs the brilliant -and varied hieroglyphic writing will continue, even -though the records and rolls may by and by be written -with the Tyrian alphabet. You have seen my Chaldaic -letter, which I have formed partly on the model of your -great Kadmus, and partly on the sacred characters, reducing -forms of things to outlines and strokes of the -stylus. This I invented, hoping to introduce it into -Egypt, if the Tyrian letter is opposed by our priests, on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">{162}</a></span> -the score of being foreign cabalistic signs; for such do they -see fit to regard them, and speak of them. But, my Sesostris, -let me learn of you something of your mythology."</p> - -<p>I was about to reply, when my attention was attracted -to a "procession of the dead" crossing the river just -above us, the body being placed in a gorgeous car -which stood in a richly painted and gilded <i>baris</i>, with a -curved prow carved with the head of Osiris. It was -tied to a barge, with twenty rowers, which moved to -a slow and solemn strain of music that came wildly -floating across the waters to our ears, mingled with the -wails of mourners who crowded the deck of the galley; -chiefly women with long dishevelled hair and naked -breasts, which they beat frantically at times, with piercing -cries. Through a small window in the ark or car I -could see the painted visage upon the head of the mummy -case.</p> - -<p>It soon landed, and we resumed our conversation.</p> - -<p>"You are aware, O prince," I said, turning to him, -"that Phœnicia was settled among the first of the nations, -after Typhon sent the flood of waters to destroy -Osiris upon earth. Of course you Egyptians believe in -the universal inundation of the earth?"</p> - -<p>"The tradition is well-founded," he answered. "We -believe that mighty nations existed aforetime, beyond -the history of any kingdom, and that for their evils the -Divine Creator of men brought upon them as punishment -a mighty unknown sea, which drowned the world: -that Menes, a great and good king, also called Noe-Menes, -was spared by the gods, he with all his family -being saved in a ship of the old world, which sailed to -the mountains of Arabia Deserta, where, guided by a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">{163}</a></span> -dove, they landed and sacrificed to the gods. This -Menes, descending from the mountain, founded Egypt, -first building This, or Thebis, and then Memphthis, dividing -Egypt into the Thinite and Memphite provinces; -and so from Egypt all the world was repeopled.</p> - -<p>"Such is our tradition, O Remeses," I said, smiling, -"only instead of a mountain in Arabia, it was Libanus, -in Syria, to which his galley was guided, not by a dove, -but by a raven; and that his name was Ammon, or -Hammun; and that the first city built was Sidon, and -the next the city of the Island of Tyre."</p> - -<p>Remeses returned my smile and said, "No doubt there -was a disposition in all our forefathers to give the honor -of being the oldest nation to their own. Hammun is -also a person in our Egyptian tradition, but is called -the son of Menes; who, rebelling against his father, -was driven from This or Thebis into Africa, where he -founded Libya, and erected to himself, as a god, the ancient -temple and worship of Ammon. From him come -the Nubians and Ethiopians."</p> - -<p>"Then I will claim no traditionary alliance with him," -I answered good-humoredly. "<i>Our</i> Ammon was called -also Hercules, and the first temple of the earth was built -to him on the rocky isle of ancient Tyre. Then Belus, the -hero and warrior-god, and founder of Babylon, became -the patron of Tyre; and a noble temple was also erected -to Nimrod, who slew the wild beasts that swarmed in -ancient Syria, and who became the protector of shepherds -and agriculture. Thus came our first gods, being men -deified; while yours are but attributes, or created celestial -powers, high above men; or animated forms representing -the Deity incarnate and comprehensible to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">{164}</a></span> -senses. Baalbec was a city built to Bel or Belus, who, -like your Osiris, is the symbol of the sun, which, of -burnished gold, he displayed upon his shield in battle. -In Phœnicia we call him 'the Lord of the Sun,' and the -'Sun-God.' We pay him divine honors by sacrifices, -libations, and offerings of incense. And this recalls a discovery -I recently made in On, that the true meaning of -Re and of On is not 'the City of the Sun,' but the 'Lord -of the Sun's' city; that is, the city of Osiris, who is the -lord of the sun. This meaning of the name at once removes -from On the impression which was at first made -upon my mind, that you, and the queen, and your whole -court, worshipped the sun as the Persic and Parthian -nations do; whereas it is Osiris, the Lord of the Sun, that -is the Supreme god, generator, producer, and creator of -the sun and all things that are. No sooner had I made -this discovery, which I did by conversing with the high-priest -of On, than I perceived that whatsoever grossness -may be found in the religion of the lower castes of the -people, who seldom see beyond the symbol, the theology -of the wise and great is free from idolatry."</p> - -<p>"I am glad you justify us in this matter, dear Sesostris," -answered the prince. "We are not idolaters like -the Persian and Barbara kings. Our sacred books teach -an intellectual and spiritual theology. But, as I have -before said to you, the Invisible is so veiled from the -people, by the visible forms under which he is offered to -them by the priesthood, that while <i>we</i> adore the God of -power and strength in Apis, <i>they</i> worship the bull himself: -while <i>we</i> in the form of Horus, with his urus and -disk, adore Him who made him a benefactor to men and -a pursuer of evil, <i>they</i> bow down to the hawk-headed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">{165}</a></span> -statue of porphyry and worship the sculptured colossus -of stone. But I interrupt you. Proceed, if you please, -with the account of the origin of your country's religion."</p> - -<p>"I have not much more to add of interest," I answered, -"save of Adonis and Astarte."</p> - -<p>"Are not these your Osiris and Isis?" asked the prince -readily.</p> - -<p>"I will first explain," said I, not immediately answering -his question, "what we in Phœnicia think of Isis. -The priests teach that the identity of the goddess Io, who -is worshipped with rites unusually imposing at Byblos, -is one with Isis."</p> - -<p>"What is your opinion, Sesostris?"</p> - -<p>"There is," I answered, "a close resemblance between -the rites which relate to the death and revival of -Adonis at Byblos, and of your divinity Osiris in Egypt. -Indeed the priests at Byblos claim to have the sepulchre -of Osiris among them, and maintain that all the rites -which are commonly referred to Adonis properly relate -to Osiris."</p> - -<p>"Then Egypt derives Osiris from Phœnicia?" remarked -Remeses, with a slight movement of the brows, -and a smile.</p> - -<p>"Without doubt," I replied. "In Tyre we call Egypt -the daughter of Phœnicia."</p> - -<p>"The daughter has out-grown the mother, dear Sesostris. -We are proud of our parentage. We bow to -Phœnicia as the mistress of letters and queen of the -merchants of the earth. But what think the priests of -Baalbec of Osiris and Isis?"</p> - -<p>"It is the tradition of those haughty priests that they -are distinct persons," I replied. "The ceremonies and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">{166}</a></span> -rites with which they worship these deities are truly -magnificent, and are invested with every form of the -beautiful and gorgeous. Ours, as I have said, in some -points resemble your Egyptian rites in honoring Osiris -and Isis; but while you Egyptians, Remeses, adore only -an abstract attribute of the deity, <i>we</i> adore the hero -and the heroic woman—Adonis and Astarte. We rise -not beyond them. We elevate them to the heavens and -to the moon, and call them our gods. Truly, in the -presence of the sublimer, purer myth which is the element -of your faith, O Remeses, I feel that I am not far -above the Barbara kings of Southern Africa, who deify -each his predecessor. The priests of Isis, when they -were in Phœnicia, attempted to elevate our worship; -but we are still idolaters, that is, mere men-worshippers. -Or, where we do not pay them divine honors, we offer -them to the sun, and moon, and stars. I must be -initiated, O Remeses, into the profounder intellectual -mysteries of your spiritual myth, now that I am in -Egypt."</p> - -<p>"You shall have your wish gratified. The high -priest of On shall receive orders to open to you (what -is closed to all strangers) the sacred and mystic rites of -our faith."</p> - -<p>"I have alluded to the mysteries of the temple at -Tyre," I added. "Initiated thereinto, I was taught that -religion had a higher object than human heroes, and -that in Astarte is worshipped the daughter of Heaven -and Light, who is <span class="smcap">life</span>, and that Adonis, her son by the -Earth, signifies Truth. Thus, from heaven spring Light, -Life, and Truth. These three, say the mystic books -which I studied, constitute the Trinity of God, who consists -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">{167}</a></span> -and subsists only in this undivided Trinity as a -unit; not Light alone, not Life alone, nor Truth alone; -but One in Three. That these three are not three -deities, just as in geometry the three sides and three -angles are not three triangles, but one triangle. That in -order to bring this mystery to a level with the minds of -men, light was symbolized by the sun, life by Astarte, -truth by Adonis. In the temple of Bel-Pheor, in Cœle-Syria, -the sun itself is worshipped as light, life, and truth -in one; his rays representing light, his heat life, his -material disk or body truth."</p> - -<p>"This is interesting to me, Sesostris," said Remeses. -"It explains to me what I did not before understand, -why the Syrians worship the sun. To them it is the -majestic symbol of the trinity of deity. But I fear that -in Egypt he is worshipped as an idol; for he, doubtless, -is worshipped by many, and in many cities are temples -to him. But this material worship, which separates the -symbol from the truth behind it, was introduced by the -Palestinian dynasty, and it is almost the only trace it -has left in Egypt of its presence. The worship of Osiris, -rightly understood, is the worship of the deity, as revealed -in our sacred books. But the mystery of his -trinity is unknown to our theology. Have you many -temples of the sun in Tyre?"</p> - -<p>"One only," was my answer, "but worthy, if I may -so say, from its splendor, to stand in your city of 'the -Lord of the Sun,' as I must call it."</p> - -<p>"Is there not a city of your kingdom called Baal-phegor, -in which is a famous sun-temple?"</p> - -<p>"You mean Baalbec, the same words, only changed -slightly. This city deserves its great fame, so grand are -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">{168}</a></span> -its fanes, so noble its palaces, so imposing the worship of -the sun before its altars, so gorgeous the interiors of its -temples, so rich the apparel of its priests, so sublime its -choral worship. It is in Syrio-Euphrates, and is so shaded -by palms that it has the aspect, in approaching it across -the desert, of being an oasis filled with temples."</p> - -<p>"Is not Phœnicia a lovely land, Sesostris?" he asked, -at the same time returning the salutation of the admiral, -Pathromenes, who passed in his war-galley, on his way -to join the Prince Mœris, whose fleet sails to-morrow on -its expedition. I was glad, also, to behold again my courteous -friend of the Pelusian coast, and cordially received -and answered his polite and pleased recognition of my -person.</p> - -<p>"It is indeed a lovely land, with its verdant plains, -majestic mountains clothed with cedar, and beautiful -but narrow rivers. It is covered with fair cities from -the peninsula of Tyre to the further limits of Cœle-Syria, -and is a rich and lovely kingdom, populous and happy. -Its two great cities, Tyre and Sidon, are called the eyes -of the world."</p> - -<p>"I have so heard," he answered, "and when this Ethiopian -war ends, and I find time to be absent, I hope to -cross the sea to your kingdom and see 'the mother of -Egypt,' as she also calls herself; 'the merchant of the -seas,' whose galleys have discovered in unknown oceans, -beyond the Pillars of the West, the isles of the blessed."</p> - -<p>"So report our bold and venturous mariners," I answered.</p> - -<p>"We who stay at home, know not, Sesostris, what -marvels lie beyond the seas at the extremity of the plane -of the earth's vast area. It is possible that islands and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">{169}</a></span> -lands of wonderful beauty may exist where the sun -wheels over the West to return to his rising in the Orient; -and if we credit mariners who follow the shores -of the Arabian and Indian seas, there are fair shores -from whence come off to them breezes laden with fragrance -of unknown flowers, while birds of rare melody -fill the air with their songs by day; but at night the -odorant forests echo with the dread roar of fierce -monsters, that guard the shores from the invasion of -man!"</p> - -<p>"I have sailed along those shores, if I may be so bold -as to speak in such a presence, my lord prince," interrupted -the captain of the galley, who had stood by listening -to our discourse.</p> - -<p>"Say on, Rathos," answered the prince courteously. -"What have you to tell of marvels on foreign seas?"</p> - -<p>"The lands at the earth's end, your excellency, are -not like ours of Egypt. I have seen isles where the -men are like larger monkeys, and have a language no -one understands, and build their houses in the trees. -Evil demons I doubt not, or else souls sent back to earth -from Amenthe, by Osiris, to atone for crimes in monstrous -forms, neither human nor beast!"</p> - -<p>"I have heard of these creatures," said I. "How far -hast thou sailed, O Rathos?"</p> - -<p>"To the very edge of the world, my lord of Tyre," he -answered quietly. "I was in a ship going to Farther -Ind. In sailing round the end of the earth we lost the -shore in a dark storm; and when day came we saw only -sky and water. All were in consternation to be thus -between heaven and sea, and no land to guide our course. -To add to our terror, I perceived that we were borne -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">{170}</a></span> -swiftly upon an ocean-current eastward. It increased -in velocity, and I soon saw that we must be approaching -the verge of the vast and horrid gulf, over which -the full ocean plunges, a thousand leagues in breadth, -prone into chaos and the regions of the lost spirits of the -unburied souls of men! But by the interposition of the -god of winds, to whom I vowed a libation and a bale of -the richest spices of Bengal, a great storm swept over -the sea against us, and before it we fled as with wings, -until we came to a great island, under the shelter of -which we anchored, rejoicing in our safety."</p> - -<p>"Verily, brave Rathos, thou wert in a great peril," I -said. "Thinkest thou it was at the world's end?"</p> - -<p>"So said the king of the island, and he congratulated -us on our escape; saying that few ships, when once -upon that downward tide, ever returned again to the top -of the earth."</p> - -<p>"Thinkest thou the earth is square, Rathos, from what -voyages thou hast made?" I asked of the gray-haired -captain, whose silvery locks were braided around his -head, and covered by a green embroidered bonnet, with -a fringed cape falling to his neck.</p> - -<p>"Or a triangle, my lord prince; but some say four -square, with a burning mountain at each angle."</p> - -<p>"Which is thine own opinion, Rathos?" asked the -prince, who had been listening to our conversation.</p> - -<p>"That it is irregular and jagged, my lord of Egypt, -in shape not unlike this fair Isle of Rhoda, at which we -are about to land."</p> - -<p>"And what thinkest thou, Rathos, is its foundation?" -continued the prince.</p> - -<p>"The Indian wise men say it is held up on the back of a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">{171}</a></span> -huge tortoise; and our priests of Egypt that it floats in a -vast ocean; while in Jaffa they teach that it floats on a -boundless sea of fire. I know not, my lord prince. I -leave knowledge of such wisdom to the great philosophers; -and for my part am content to live upon our fair -earth as long as the gods will, be it fire, or tortoise, or -even though it stand on nothing, as the people in Persia -hold that it does. But we are at the terrace-steps, my -lord of Memphis!"</p> - -<p>Here he bowed low, holding his hand to his heart, -and left us to superintend the landing of the galley, at -the porphyry staircase of the propylum of the palace.</p> - -<p>"Sesostris," said the prince to me, "has the idea occurred -to you that this world may be a globe, suspended -in subtle ether, and in diurnal revolution around the -<i>fixed</i> sun?"</p> - -<p>"Never, Remeses!" I cried, with a look of amazement -at this bold and original thought. "It is impossible -it should be so!"</p> - -<p>"Nothing is impossible with the Author of creation!" -said Remeses, with great solemnity. And, then, after -an instant's pause, he added pleasantly—"On what does -the sea of fire or the tortoise rest, my dear prince? -Which theory is the most difficult to receive? But I -have given astrology considerable attention, and if you -will examine with me some observations and calculations -that I have made, I think you will be with me in -my novel opinion, that this earth <i>may prove</i> to be a -sphere and in orbitual motion, with its seven planets, -about the sun; its annual progress in its circuit giving -us seasons, its diurnal motion night and day! But -I see you stand perplexed and amazed. By and by -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">{172}</a></span> -you shall be initiated into the mysteries of my studies. -Let us land!"</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear mother. The great length of this letter -renders it necessary that I should close it abruptly, -but believe me ever</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your dutiful son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">{173}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XI.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Rhoda, on the Nile.</div> - -<div class="left0">My beloved Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">In</span> -my last letter I narrated a conversation between -Prince Remeses and myself, upon the myths of -Egypt and Phœnicia, and other subjects, while being -borne in his galley from the Memphis bank of the river -down to the Island of Rhoda. I have already described -this beautiful isle, and spoken of it as the favorite residence -of the queen. It is situated nearly midway -between her two chief cities, On and Memphis, both of -which—one on the west and the other on the east—are -in sight from the top of the central pylon of her palace, -that divides the "court of fountains and statues" from -her gardens.</p> - -<p>Also from this point the queen commands, at one -view, the noble spectacle of her navy anchored in the -river, and her armies encamped, the one on the plain of -Memphis, and the other upon that of Raamses.</p> - -<p>I wrote you a letter day before yesterday, my dear -mother, after my return from a very interesting visit to -the plain of Memphis, whither the prince went in his -state barge to review the 80,000 soldiers encamped -there. I will devote this letter to an account of a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">{174}</a></span> -second visit, and a description of the scenes I witnessed, -and a narration of the events which transpired.</p> - -<p>Early this morning, when the queen and Remeses -and I were about to be seated at our repast; and, as the -pious custom of the Egyptians of all ranks is, Remeses -having just asked the blessing of the gods before partaking, -lo! Prince Mœris, lord of the Thebad, came in -unannounced, accompanied by his favorite lion, which -always follows his steps or stalks by his side, and said, -with bluntness unsuited to the presence—</p> - -<p>"Your majesty, I have come to say to you that I am -ready to weigh anchor and commence my voyage to the -Cataracts! I await your orders and pleasure!"</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, he stood with his head-admiral and -half a dozen of his chief officers behind him in the -entrance, his sword at his side, and his gold helm with -its nodding plumes towering proudly. His whole appearance -was singularly splendid and martial, and he -seemed to be conscious of the effect the striking elegance -and brilliancy of his costume produced upon me; -for, though brave as Osirtasen the Conqueror, he is as -vain as ever was the fair Princess Nitocris.</p> - -<p>Queen Amense, who enjoined the strictest etiquette -in her court, frowned at this discourteous intrusion; for -the nobles of Lower Egypt are remarkable by the grace -and refinement of their manners, and the court of the -Pharaohs has for ages been distinguished for the high -tone of its polite observances. From portico to saloon, -from saloon to ante-room, from ante-room to reception-room, -and so onward to the deepest recesses of the -palace or house, the guest is ushered by successive -pages, until the chief steward or grand-chamberlain -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">{175}</a></span> -admits him into the presence of the lord of the mansion, -who already, by a swift page, has been informed of the -advance of the visitor. In no case are these formalities -dispensed with by persons of high breeding. Breaking -through all such ancient and social ceremonies, the rude -Theban viceroy came before her as I have described. -The brow of Remeses darkened, but he preserved silence.</p> - -<p>"I am glad, prince, that you have been so diligent," -said Amense, coldly. "When will you depart?"</p> - -<p>"Within the hour, my royal aunt. If Remeses, my -warlike cousin, wishes to co-operate with me at Thebes, -he will not long delay marching his army forward. I -hear, by a swift galley just arrived, that the fierce Ethiopian -king, Occhoris, with half his mighty host, has -already dared to enter the Thinite province, and menaces -Thebes!"</p> - -<p>"There is no time for delay, then," cried Remeses, -rising from the table, leaving the grapes, figs, and -wheaten rolls untouched. "Farewell, my mother!" he -said, embracing her. "In a few weeks I shall return to -you with tidings that the scourge of your kingdom has -perished with his armies!"</p> - -<p>I will not describe the tenderness of the parting between -the queen and Remeses, whom she would have -held, refusing to release him, if he had not gently disengaged -himself, taken up his sword and helmet, and -hastened from the apartment. Prince Mœris, with a -haughty bow to the queen, for whom he seems to entertain -bitter dislike, had already taken his departure with -his captains at his heels. I followed Remeses, and -together we crossed to the shore on the side of On, and -there meeting chariots, we were in a short time in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">{176}</a></span> -midst of the war-camp of his chariot legions. They -were encamped several stadia south of On, on the plain -beyond Raamses. Here, in the little Temple of Horus, -on the terrace of which we held our conversation about -the Hebrews as we paced its long pavement (and -which I have already repeated to you), the prince -with his chief captains offered libations and burned incense, -invoking the favor and aid of Heaven on the -expedition. He then gave his orders to his generals of -division, chiefs of legions, and captains; and the whole -host, forming in column of march, moved forward towards -the south, with trumpets sounding and the rumbling -thunder of thousands of wheels of iron. Seeing -that they were all in motion—each battalion under its -own head-captain—the prince took boat to cross the Nile -to the plain of Memphis, in order to put in motion the -army of horse and foot there encamped. On our way -over, we saw the van of the fleet of the Prince of Thebes -coming up the broad river in stately style, fifty abreast, -propelled by innumerable oars. It was a brave and -battle-like front, and what with pennons flying, spears -and shields gleaming from their poop-decks and mast-towers, -and the brazen or gilt insignia of hawks', eagles', -lions', or ibis' heads rising upon a thousand topmasts, -and all catching the sunbeams, the spectacle was singularly -impressive.</p> - -<p>"There comes a prince, my Sesostris," said Remeses -to me, as he surveyed the advancing front of war, -"who, if I should fall in this Ethiopian expedition, will -be Pharaoh of Egypt when my mother dies."</p> - -<p>"The gods forbid!" I exclaimed with warmth.</p> - -<p>"He is the next of blood. It is true, my mother -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">{177}</a></span> -could, by will, alienate her crown and confer her -sceptre upon any one she chose to adopt. Indeed, I -now remember that, by our laws, it would be necessary -for her publicly and ceremoniously adopt him as her -son before he could reign—since a nephew, by the ancient -Memphitic law regulating succession, cannot inherit. -Mœris would, therefore, have to be adopted."</p> - -<p>"Then he would never reign," I said.</p> - -<p>Remeses remained silent a moment. Resuming, he -said, with a tone of indignant emotion—</p> - -<p>"Sesostris, my mother fears that evil young prince. -He possesses over her an inexplicable power. To this -influence he owes his elevation, from being a mere governor -of Sas, to the viceroyalty of Upper Egypt. He -would not fail, should I fall, to exert his mysterious -power over her mind, and his ambition would prompt -him to aim at even the throne of all Egypt. But let us -mount!" he added, as we touched the shore.</p> - -<p>A score of horsemen, armed with long spears, were in -waiting. Remeses and I mounted horses already provided; -and, at a wave of his hand, the whole party -dashed off along the avenue of the aqueduct, a magnificent -thoroughfare, two miles in length, bordered by palm-trees, -with, at intervals, a monolith statue of red Syenite -granite, or an obelisk, casting its needle-like shadow -across the wide, paved road. At the end of this avenue, -which leads straight from the river to the pyramids, we -turned south, and before us beheld, spread out as far -as the eye could reach, the tented field of the vast -Egyptian host, cavalry and footmen of all arms, languages, -and costumes, belonging to the nations tributary -to Egypt. I had visited this vast camp the preceding -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">{178}</a></span> -day. It covered a league of ground, presenting a sea -of tents, banners, plumes, spears, and shining helms. -As we came in sight, a trumpeter sounded a few loud -notes to proclaim the presence of the prince-general. -We dashed up to the central pavilion, on the summit of -which the winged sun of burnished gold showed that the -army was to march under the particular guardianship of -the god. From the summit of the staff of other handsome -tents, the emblems of generals and chiefs of battalions -were displayed in the form of silver hawks' heads, -the brazen head of a lion or wolf, or the heads of the -ibis, crocodile, and vulture. Each phalanx thus marched -under and knew its peculiar emblem, following its lead -in the column of advance on the march, and rallying -around it in the midst of battle.</p> - -<p>Prince Remeses was in a few moments surrounded by -his generals and chief warriors, to whom he made known -the advance of the Ethiopian king, Occhoris, upon -Thebes,—intelligence of which he and the queen had -received by a mounted messenger, while Prince Mœris, -who had come to announce it also, was in her apartment. -In a few words he made known his orders to each general -in succession, who, making a low military obeisance, -by bowing the head and turning the sword-point -to the earth, instantly departed to their divisions. The -general-in-chief in immediate command he retained by -his side, with his gorgeous staff of officers. In a few -minutes all was life and movement throughout the tented -field. In four hours the whole army—their tents -struck and conveyed to barges, together with all other -military impediments not necessary for the soldiers -on their march—was formed into a hollow square on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">{179}</a></span> -the plain, twenty thousand men on each side facing -inward to a temple of their war-god, Ranpo-re, which -stood on the plain. This was a small but beautiful -temple, or marble pavilion, in the form of a peristyle, -with brazen columns, dedicated to the Egyptian Mars. -It was erected in this martial plain by Amunophis I., -for the purpose of sacrifices and oblations, and of offering -libations and incense for armies assembled about it -before marching on warlike expeditions. The circle of -columns was cast from the shields and weapons which -he had taken in his Arabian and Asiatic wars.</p> - -<p>The chief priest of Mars, who is a prince in rank, and -allied to the throne, attended by more than one hundred -inferior priests, advanced from the inner shrine upon a -marble terrace, in the centre of which stood the iron-columned -pavilion that inclosed the shrine of the god. -He was attired in a grand and imposing costume, having -a tiara, adorned by a winged sun sparkling with jewels, -and the sacred urus, encircling his brows. He wore a -flowing robe of the whitest linen, descending to his feet. -A loose upper cape of crimson, embroidered with gold, -and having flowing sleeves, was put on over the robe. -Still above this was a breastplate of precious stones, in -the form of a corselet, while the tiara partook also of -the martial form, being shaped like a helmet, with the -sacred asp of gold projecting in front as a visor. Above -all this, hanging from his left shoulder, was a splendid -leopard's skin, heavy with a border of closely woven -rings of gold. As he advanced, he extended in his right -hand a short sword, the hilt of which was a crux, or -the sacred cross-shaped Tau, surmounted by a ball, the -whole being an emblem of life; while in his helmet -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">{180}</a></span> -towered, as symbols of truth and order, two ostrich -feathers—the evenness and symmetry with which the -feathery filaments grow on each side of their stem having -suggested to the Egyptians the adoption of this -emblem; for order and truth, according to Egyptian -philosophy, are the foundation and preservation of the -universe.</p> - -<p>Having reached the front of the lofty terrace, upon -which was an altar of brass, he raised his left arm by -throwing back the superb leopard-skin mantle; and, elevating -his commanding form to its full grandeur, he -turned slowly round, pointing heavenward with his left -hand, and holding his sword, as it were, over the army -as he turned, until with it he had swept the circle of -the horizon. This was an invocation to all the gods -for a blessing upon the assembled hosts. During the -act, every general bowed his head as if to receive it, -every soldier lowered his weapon, and at its conclusion, -all the music bands in the army before him simultaneously -burst into an overwhelming sound—drums, trumpets, -cornets, cymbals, filling the air with their mingled -roll! Silence deep as night then succeeded; and the -high-priest, facing the shrine, stood while a company of -priests rolled out from the door of the temple the statue -of the god, clad in full armor of steel, inlaid with gold, -a jewelled helmet upon his head, and a spear in his right -hand. It was of gigantic size, and standing in an attitude -of battle, upon a lofty chariot of burnished brass, -with wheels of iron. It was an imposing and splendid -figure, and a just image of war. The priests, who -wheeled the car out of the temple, having drawn it once -all around the terrace, so that the whole army could behold -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">{181}</a></span> -the mailed and helmeted god (whose presence they -hailed by striking their swords upon their shields, or -swords against swords), stopped in front of the prince-priest. -He then prostrated himself before it, the profoundest -silence and awe prevailing during the few moments -he remained upon his face at the feet of the deity.</p> - -<p>When he rose and turned to the west, the Prince Remeses -and all his captains advanced to the steps of the -pyramidal base on which the temple was elevated. Each -captain was followed by a Nubian slave, bearing in a -sacred vase the offering of his own phalanx of soldiers. -Remeses bore in his hand a costly necklace, dazzling -with precious stones, the offering of his mother. The -generals and captains came with flowers, chains of gold -the lotus-leaf made of ivory, and sparkling with jewels -scattered upon it in imitation of dewdrops. Some bore -swords, and spears, and plumes.</p> - -<p>Remeses, at the head of his officers, ascended the -steps and presented to the priest his mother's offering, -which he placed over the head of the god. He then -laid a sword, brought for the purpose, at the feet of the -statue; but, as he afterwards explained to me, and as I -understood, not as an offering to a mythical Mars, but to -the Infinite God of armies, whom the statue symbolized; -yet I could see that the greater part of his officers paid -their homage and made their offerings to the mere -material statue. Such is the twofold idea attached, -either by one or another class of devotees, dear mother, -to all worship in Egypt. They do one thing and mean -another; of course I speak of the priests, princes, and -philosophers. As for the people, they mean what they -do when they offer a libation or an invocation to a statue.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">{182}</a></span> -When the chief captains had presented their offerings, -and the high-priest had either decorated the god with -them, or laid them upon the altar of brass, then came -the Nubian slaves, laden with the gifts of the soldiers. -There were sixty of these offering-bearers, and in procession -they ascended the terrace, each with a painted -earthen vase upon his shoulder. One after another -they deposited them around the over-burdened altar -and descended to the plain, not daring to lift their eyes -to the god, so near to whose presence they came. It -was my privilege to stand always by the side of Remeses, -who desired me to witness the scene.</p> - -<p>The vases contained every imaginable article that, at -the moment, a common soldier might have about his -person. There were rings of silver, of copper, of wood, -of glass; dried figs, tamarinds, dates, and raisins; garlics, -leeks, onions, bits of inscribed papyrus, palm-leaves, -flowers innumerable, scarabi of burnt clay, pebbles, -and metal; seeds of the melon and radish, and incense-gum; -little clay images of Mars, of various weapons, -and of Osiris. There were also myrrh, resin, and small -pots of ointment; pieces of iron, fragments of weapons, -locks of hair, shreds of linen, and bits of ostrich feathers; -beans, sandal-clasps, charms, amulets, and even tiny -bottles of wine. Indeed, to enumerate what met my -eyes in the vases, which the common soldiers in their -piety voted to the god, praying for a successful campaign, -would fill the page on which I write, and give -you the name of nearly every thing to be found in -Egypt.</p> - -<p>When all these offerings had been received by the -high-priest, and while the prince and his officers stood -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">{183}</a></span> -some paces to one side, he stood before the altar: and -one article from each vase being brought to him, he -laid it upon the altar, and then, in a solemn manner, invoked -the god, asking him to accept the offerings of this -great army, and of its prince and captains, and to grant -them victories over their foes, and a return to their -queen crowned with conquest and glory.</p> - -<p>In his prayer I could see that he elevated his noble -countenance to the heavens, as if, in his mind, mentally -overlooking the inanimate statue before him, and directing -his thoughts to the Invisible and Supreme Dweller -in the secret places of His universe beyond the sun! -Remeses stood in a devotional attitude, but with his -thoughtful brow bent to the ground. I could perceive, -now that we had conversed so much together upon these -divine things, that he was worshipping, in the depths -of his heart, the God of gods, wherever that Dread and -Mighty Power is enthroned on the height of His universe, -or the wings of the imagination can go out to -Him and find Him.</p> - -<p>The great invocatory prayer ended, the high-priest received -from Remeses a votive crystal box of the fragrant -Ameracine ointment—a gift so costly and precious that -only the princes and the priests are permitted to possess -it—and broke it upon the breast of the god, anointing -him in the name of the people of Egypt. The odor -filled all the air. A priest then handed to him a golden -cup richly chased with sacred symbols, and another, -filling it from a vase of wine, the offering of the chief -Archencherses, who is next in military rank to Remeses, -he elevated it a moment, and poured it out at the feet of -the god as a libation for the hosts. Some other interesting -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">{184}</a></span> -ceremonies followed, such as consecrating and presenting -a sword to the prince, and the touching of the altar -by all the chiefs with the points of their weapons as they -passed it in descending to the field, the high-priest -sprinkling each one of them with sacred water from the -Nile. The last act of sacrifice—for, though bloodless, -the Egyptians term the whole rite a sacrifice to the god—was -by Remeses. The high-priest placed in his hands -a censer—for the prince, by virtue of his rank, is a royal -priest; and Remeses, accepting it with reverence, cast -upon the live coals of palm-wood a quantity of incense. -Then approaching the altar, he waved it before it until -clouds of smoke rose into the air and enveloped his -head.</p> - -<p>At this moment, the most sacred one of the whole -scene, there appeared advancing from the pavilion-temple -a beautiful maiden, the daughter of the high-priest. -She was arrayed in a pure white robe, which floated -about her in the wind like a cloud. Over her shoulders -was thrown a crimson scarf, on which was embroidered -the cartouch of the god. Her rich, flowing hair was -bound about her stately brow by a crown of flowers, -above which rose a silver helm with a crest of emeralds -and sapphires, in imitation of the feathery coronet of the -bird-of-paradise. Her face was wonderfully beautiful, -her dark eyes beamed with love and joy, and her form -was the impersonation of grace.</p> - -<p>As she advanced, the priests on either side drew back -with their hands crossed upon their foreheads, and their -heads bent lowly before her presence. Coming forward -between the two rows of officials, she shook in the air -above her head a small temple bell called the <i>sistrum</i>, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">{185}</a></span> -which emitted the sweetest and clearest melody. This -little musical instrument is sacred to the services of the -temples, and the sound of it is the signal for the beginning -or ending of every rite. That which was now -borne by the high-priest's daughter consisted of a cylindrical -handle of pearl, surmounted by a double-faced -head of ivory, one side being that of Isis, the other of -Nephthys. From this twofold head rose a silver almond-shaped -bow about five inches high, inlaid with gold and -precious stones. In this bended loop of metal were inserted -four metallic bars in the shape of asps, upon the -body of which were loosely strung several silver rings, -As the maiden held this beautiful instrument in the air, -and shook it, the rings, moving to and fro upon the bars, -produced the clear bell-like sounds I have mentioned. -In ancient times so great was the privilege of holding the -sacred sistrum in the temple, it was given to the queens; -and on great occasions Amense has performed this -high office. On an obelisk, now old, the daughter of -Cheops is represented holding the sistrum while the -king is sacrificing to Thoth. Though I have said little -about the Egyptian females, as in truth I have seen but -little of them, yet I ought not to omit to tell you that -some of the most sacred offices are intrusted to distinguished -women, in the services of temples. I have seen -not only priests' daughters, but ladies of rank and -eminent beauty, holding these places; and in On there -is a band of noble young ladies having the distinguished -title of "Virgins of the Sun," who devote their lives -until they are thirty years of age, to certain principal -services of the temples of Osiris and Isis. Indeed, my -dear mother, in Egypt woman is singularly free, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">{186}</a></span> -regarded as man's companion and equal. She is respected -and honored, both as wife and mother, and -her social relations are of the most unrestrained and -agreeable kind. In all houses, she is prepared gracefully -to do honor to her lord's guests; and while she is -devoted to domestic duties, prides herself upon her skill -and taste at home; abroad, at banquets and evening -festivals, which are frequent, and where there is music -and dancing, she shines with all the charms she can -borrow from splendor of attire, or derive from inherent -loveliness of person; while a profusion of jewels upon -her hands and neck reveal her wealth and rank.</p> - -<p>When the prince saw her advancing, he approached -the statue with his censer, and waving it once in the -sight of the army, hung it upon the spear of the god. -The sistrum sounded as the incense rose, and every man -of that vast host bent his knee for a moment! Then the -high-priest commenced a verse of a loud chant in a -sonorous voice. The one hundred priests marching, in -procession around the god, answered antiphonally with -one voice in a part; and, the whole army catching up -the hymn, the very pyramids seemed to tremble at the -thunder of eighty thousand deep voices of men rolling -along the air. Then Remeses chanted a few stirring words -of this national and sacred war-hymn, the high-priest -answered, the maiden's clear voice rose in a melodious -solo, the hundred priests caught up the ravishing strain -as it melted from her lips in the skies, and again the -great army uttered its voice! My heart was oppressed -by the sublimity. Tears of emotion filled my eyes. I -never was more deeply impressed with the majesty of -the human voice, united in a vast multitude, uttered as -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">{187}</a></span> -the voice of one man. The combined voice of the -human race—if such a thing could be—must be like the -voice of God when He speaks!</p> - -<p>The invocation and sacrifice were over. Remeses -embraced the priest, and receiving his blessing, in a few -minutes every chief captain had joined his battalion, -and at the cry of trumpets and cornets, sounded all over -the plain, and echoed back from Cheops, the whole host -formed in columns of march. Remeses, I being in his -company, galloped forward and took a position on an -elevation, from which he reviewed the whole army as it -tramped by. The fleet was in parallel motion at the -same time, and I saw the splendid galley of the Prince -Mœris, with its colored silken sails, and golden beak, -gallantly ascending the river. He stood upon the poop; -a tame lion crouched by his side, on the tawny shoulders -of which he rested one foot as he gazed at us. The -division of cavalry was the last in moving, and trotted -past us in splendid array. This arm of the service is -not large, nor much relied on in Egypt. The chariots of -iron, to the hubs of which terrible scythes are sometimes -fastened on the eve of battle, and the bowmen and spearmen, -have always been the main dependence of the -kings in their wars.</p> - -<p>Ethiopia, against which this great army is moving by -water and land, is in a state of civilization and political -power not greatly inferior to Egypt. It has vast cities, -noble temples, extensive cultivated regions, adorned -with palaces and villas; it has a gorgeous but semi-barbaric -court, a well-disciplined army, and skilful generals. -It is a race allied by blood and lineage to that of Egypt, -and is not to be confounded with Nubia and the pure -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">{188}</a></span> -Africanic kingdoms. In religion it is idolatrous, and -hostile to the worship of Egypt. A supposed title, by a -former conquest, to the crown of Thebes, has made -Ethiopia for three centuries the hereditary foe of Egypt.</p> - -<p>The Egyptian army is divided into sections, formed -and distinguished according to the arms they bear. -They consist, like ours, of bowmen, spearmen, swordsmen, -macemen, slingers, and other corps. There are -captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, fifties, and -tens. When in battle-array, the heavy foot-soldiers, or -infantry armed with spears, and a falchion, or other -similar weapon, are drawn up in the form of an impenetrable -phalanx; and once this massive wall of ten thousand -men formed, it is fixed and unchangeable; and such -is its strength, one hundred men on each front, and one -hundred deep, no efforts of any of the enemies of Egypt -have been able to break it. Presenting a wall of huge -shields lapping and interlocked, resting on the ground, -and reaching to their heads, the missiles of the foe rattle -against it as against the steel-sheathed side of one of -their battle-ships. The bowmen, slingers, javelin-men, -and lighter troops act in line, or dispose themselves according -to the nature of the ground, or the exigency of -the moment. There is a corps armed with battle-axes -and pole-axes, having bronze blades ornamented with -heads of animals. These wear quilted helmets, without -crests, which effectually protect the head. The chariot -battalions are drawn up to charge and rout the enemy's -line, and the cavalry follow to slay the resisting, and pursue -the flying. Each battalion has its particular standard, -which represents a sacred subject—either a king's -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">{189}</a></span> -name on his cartouch or painted shield, a sacred baris, -a hawk, or a feather. The chief standard-bearer is a -man of approved valor, and an officer of the greatest -dignity, and stands next to the chief in rank. He is distinguished -by a gold necklace collar, on which are represented -two lions and an eagle—emblems of courage. The -troops are summoned to all movements by the sound of -the trumpet and the long drum, with other instruments.</p> - -<p>The offensive weapons of the army are the bow, spear, -javelin, sling, a short, straight sword, a dagger, broad -knife, falchion, battle-axe, spear-axe, iron-headed mace, -and a curved club adopted from the Ethiopians. Their -defensive arms consist of the helmet, either of iron, -bronze, brass, silver, or plaited gold, according to the -rank of the wearer; usually without a crest, and extending -to the shoulders, in a collar or hood of chain-mail, -protecting the neck; they wear also a cuirass of metal -plates, or quilted with bands of polished iron, and an -ample shield, of various forms, but usually that of a -funeral tablet, or a long and narrow horseshoe. This -piece of armor is the chief defence. It is a frame covered -with bull's or lion's hide, bound with a rim of metal, -and studded with iron pins. The archers wear no -bucklers, but corselets of scale-armor.</p> - -<p>I will now end this long letter, my dear mother, and -my description of Egyptian armies, by naming the -nations of which it was made up. As I sat upon my -horse by the side of the prince, surveying the marching -columns as they moved southward, I distinguished the -tall, Asiatic-looking Sharetanian by his helmet ornamented -with bull's horns, and a red ball for a crest, his -round shield, and large ear-rings—a fierce race, once the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">{190}</a></span> -foes but now the allies of Egypt; the bearded Tokkari -from beyond the horns of the Arabian Sea, armed with -a pointed knife, and short, straight sword, with arched -noses and eagle eyes,—also once enemies of the queen, -but now added to her armies; an unknown people, with -tall caps, short kilt and knife-girdle of lion's hide, an -amulet of agate on the neck of every man—strangers, -with wild, restless eyes, and fierce looks; the swarthy -Rebos, with his naked breast and shoulders, and long -two-headed javelin; the Pouonti, with faces painted -with vermilion, and cross-bows with iron-headed arrows, -archers that never miss their mark. There marched by, -also, the relentless Shari, who neither ask nor give -quarter to their enemies, their masses of black hair -bound up in fillets of leather, and skull-caps of bull's -hide on their heads, whose weapons are clubs and short -daggers. Other bands, differing in costume and appearance, -continued to pass, until it seemed that the queen's -army had in it representatives of all nations tributary to -Egypt.</p> - -<p>Continuing with Remeses a day's march, I then parted -from him to return to the palace, promising, as soon as -I had seen Lower Egypt, I would ascend the Nile and -meet him at Thebes.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dearest mother; may the gods of our country -preserve you in health.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your devoted son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">{191}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of the Pharaohs, Memphis.</div> - -<div class="left0">My honored and very dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">In</span> -my last letter I was particular in describing -to you the armies of Egypt, as I have not forgotten the -interest you take in the discipline of your own, nor that -once you led in your chariot a battle-charge when your -kingdom was invaded by the king of the Elamites. In -Egypt, which is truly a warlike country, one cannot -but be inspired by the military spirit. Not only is she -the school to all the world of astronomy, sculpture, -physic, astrology, and magic, but also of arms.</p> - -<p>In the army, recently departed for Ethiopia, I saw -many young lords and princes and heroes, strangers, who -accompany the expedition to learn the art of war. The -Egyptians are eminent in planning and executing sieges, -and few fortified towns can resist their war-engines.</p> - -<p>From my description in the last letter, you would -suppose that Egypt is now emptied of its soldiers. On -the contrary, there is a garrison in every city, and a -fortress filled with troops in every one of the thirty or -more nomes. Besides, there are all over the country, -where the Hebrews are congregated, lesser detachments, -who keep vigilant guard over this toiling nation in -bondage. The queen is also at war with a prince of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">{192}</a></span> -Arabia Deserta, and an army of twelve thousand men, -four hundred chariots, and a thousand horsemen, have -recently marched against him. Egypt is powerful -enough to combat the combined world. Her forces are -not less than four hundred thousand trained warriors of -all arms, besides sixteen thousand chariots of iron. -Power, thrift, activity, and energy characterize Egypt. -The wise, courageous, firm rule of the queen has contributed -to this. What she has brought to such glory -and perfection, Remeses, when he comes to the throne, -will preserve and perpetuate.</p> - -<p>The mention of my noble friend reminds me that he is -no longer near me. The army has been in motion southward -eight days, and he has written to the queen, and -also to me, speaking of the prosperity attending their -advance. The fleet had not kept up with the army of -foot, while the chariot legion on the east bank has gone -far in advance and encamped. Every day, incense is -burned, and intervention made in all the temples, for the -success of the expedition.</p> - -<p>In the mean while, my dear mother, I will devote my -letters to daily scenes around me.</p> - -<p>The queen's health is now firmly established, and she -extends to me the kindness and, I may say, affection, -which she would to a son; but I am conscious that I am -so honored as the friend of her absent son, who, at parting -from me a stadium above Memphis, said:</p> - -<p>"My Sesostris, be near my mother, and in the pleasure -of your society, let her regrets at my absence find -compensation. When you have seen all of Lower -Egypt, come to the Thebad, and go with me and my -army into Ethiopia."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">{193}</a></span> -I promised that I would follow him by and by; but -now I am engaged in seeing the wonders of Memphis, -and those marvels of ages—those "temples of the gods"—the -mighty pyramids. I will soon devote a letter to -an account of my first visit to Memphis and the pyramids. -It was made a day or two after we came to reside -in the palace at Rhoda. Remeses, though hourly -occupied, had kindly promised he would accompany me -to the city of Apis, and there place me in charge of a -son of the priest of the temple. I arose the following -morning a few minutes before sunrise, in order to be -prepared to go early. My window looked forth upon -On, a league and a half distant, with its grand avenue -of columns, sphinxes, obelisks, and towering propyla -clasping it to the shining river. The splendor of that -morning, my dear mother, I shall never cease to remember. -The atmosphere of Egypt is so crystalline, that -light lends to it a peculiar glow. As I looked eastward, -the skies had the appearance of sapphire blended with -dust of gold; and from the as yet invisible sun, a gorgeous -fan of radiant beams, of a pale orange-color, spread -itself over the sky to the zenith. Not a cloud was visible; -nor, indeed, have I seen one since I have been in -Egypt. This magnificent glory of the Orient steadily -grew more and more wonderful for beauty and richness -of colored light, when, all at once, the disk of the bright -god of day himself majestically rolled up into sight, -filling heaven and earth with his dazzling and overpowering -light, while the golden shield on the temple of the -sun caught and reflected his rays with almost undiminished -brilliancy.</p> - -<p>As I regarded with delight this sublime sunrise, there -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">{194}</a></span> -came borne to my ears, from the direction of the temple -of Osiris, in Memphis, the sound of music. Walking -round the terrace to that side, I heard the voices of a -thousand priests chanting the morning hymn to the god -of light, the dazzling "Eye of Osiris." Then I recollected -that this was the day of the celebration of the -revival or resurrection of Osiris, one of the most important -days in the sacred calendar. The whole city seemed -to be in motion, and boats garlanded with flowers, and -filled with gayly attired people, were crossing to the city -and temple at every point. Music from a hundred instruments -filled the air, which seemed to vibrate with -joy and delight. The city of Apis had on its gala apparel, -and all the world was abroad to welcome the sun-rising -and join in the processions.</p> - -<p>Remeses joined me while I was watching the scene, -and listening to the grand waves of harmony as they -rolled away from the temple and sounded along the air -in majestic volumes of sound.</p> - -<p>"I see you are interested, my Sesostris, in this enlivening -scene. It is a day of rejoicing to the worshippers -of Osiris."</p> - -<p>"It seems, my dear prince," I replied, "as if every -day I have passed in Egypt has been a festival to some -of its deities."</p> - -<p>"Our year is more than two thirds of it consecrated -to the gods; that is, supposing a day given to each, the -most of the year is religious. We are a people given to -piety, so far as we understand. All our works are consecrated -by prayer or sacrifice; and whether we go to -war, or engage in merchandise, build a palace or a -tomb, prayer and oblation precede all. Are you ready -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">{195}</a></span> -to go to the city and pyramids as soon as we break our -fast? My mother has invited us to breakfast with her."</p> - -<p>I expressed my readiness, and we left to seek the presence -of the queen. As we entered, she was superintending -a piece of embroidery of the richest colors, which -three maidens were at work upon at one end of the -apartment. They remained a few minutes after our entrance, -glancing at us timidly, yet curiously and archly. -When their royal mistress had received us, she made a -slight gesture with her hand, and the dark-eyed girls, -disappearing behind a screen, left the apartment. I had -time to see that they were very young, of an olive, brunette -complexion, with braided and tastefully arranged -dark-brown hair, their slender persons habited in neat -vestures of mingled colors, fitting the form, but open in -front, displaying a soft, fine linen robe, with loose, -fringed sleeves. They had ear-rings, and numerous finger-rings, -and gilt, red, gazelle-leather sandals, laced -with gay ribbons across the small, naked foot. These, -as the queen informed me, belonged to families of officers -of the palace. One of them, the tallest, and who -was most striking in her appearance, had eyes of wonderful -beauty, the effect of the expression of which was -deepened by painting the lids with a delicate shade of -cohol. She was the daughter of the royal scribe, Venephis, -and her own name is Venephe; and here, my dear -mother, since you asked me in your last letter why I am -so silent upon the subject of Egyptian ladies, I will devote -a little space to them. But you know that my heart so -wholly belongs to the lovely Princess Thamonda, the -daughter of the Prince of Chaldea, that it is entirely insensible -to any impressions which the high-born Egyptian -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">{196}</a></span> -maids might otherwise make upon it. I will, however, -learn more of them by seeking their society, my dear -mother, and henceforward will give them all the attention -they merit in my letters.</p> - -<p>I have seen many ladies of great elegance and ease of -manner. The court of Egypt is composed of an immense -number of nobles and high officers, whose palaces -crowd the cities of On and Memphis, and whose -tasteful, garden-environed villas extend far beyond their -limits. Some of these nobles have the title of princes, -when they govern one of the thirty-six <i>nomes</i>, or command -armies. They are opulent, fond of display in apparel -and architecture, great lovers of flowers and paintings, -and their dwellings are profusely decorated with the -one and adorned with the other. These men of rank -are educated, polished in bearing, courteous and affable. -Their wives are their superiors in refinement, being -daughters of men of the same rank and social distinction. -Nobles and noble ladies by hereditary title there are -none in Egypt; for it is the boast of the Egyptians, and -it is often inscribed on their monuments, that Egyptians, -being all equally "sons of Misr," are all born equal. -It is official elevation and position at court, as the reward -of talent or services, which create noble rank. Yet -there are families here who speak with pride of the -glory and fame of ancestors; and I know young Egyptian -nobles whose forefathers were lords in the court of -the old Pharaohs, of the XVth and XVIth dynasties. I -have already alluded to the brave young officer of the -chariot battalion, Potipharis, whose ancestor, a lord of -the court of Apophis, purchased of the Idumeans the -youthful Hebrew who subsequently ruled Egypt as -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">{197}</a></span> -prime minister; and whose family, now grown to a -great nation, are held here in hopeless bondage.</p> - -<p>The women of Egypt owe their high social rank to -the respect shown them by the men, who give them -precedence everywhere. The fact that Egypt is ruled -by a queen, is testimony that woman is honored here -by the laws of the realm, as well as by the customs of -the people, or she would not have succeeded to the -throne. It is not a mere influence derived from their -personal attractions that women possess here; but their -claims to honor and respect are acknowledged by law, -in private as well as in public. Said Remeses to me, a -day or two since, when I was remarking upon the universal -deference paid to the sex, "We know, unless -women are treated with respect and made to exercise an -influence over the social state, that the standard of private -virtue and of public opinion would soon be lowered, -and the manners and morals of men would suffer." How -differently situated is woman with us! Respected she -undoubtedly is, but instead of the liberty she enjoys -here, behold her confined to certain apartments, not permitted -to go abroad unveiled, and leading a life of indolent -repose.</p> - -<p>In acknowledging this, dear mother, the laws point -out to the favored women of Egypt the very responsible -duties they have to perform. The elevation of woman -to be the friend and companion of man, is due to the -wisdom of the priesthood. These men have wives whom -they love and respect, and I have seen the priest of On -seated in his summer parlor, which overlooks the street, -by the side of his noble-looking wife (who, it is said, is -a descendant of a priest of On, whose daughter was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">{198}</a></span> -married to Prince Joseph, the Hebrew), surrounded by -their children, and manifesting their mutual affection by -numberless domestic graces; and I was charmed with -the expressions of endearment I heard them use to each -other and to their children. What a contrast all this to -the priests of Tyre, who regard celibacy as the highest -act of piety!</p> - -<p>The hand of your sex, my dear mother, is apparent in -all the household arrangements, and in the furniture -and style of the dwellings. In her contract of marriage -it is written, that the lady shall have the whole regulation -of domestic affairs and the management of the -house, and that the husband shall, in all such matters, -defer to the judgment and wishes of the wife. Neither -king, priest, nor subject can have more than one wife, -a custom differing from our own, and far superior to it. -It is owing to this universal honor paid to the sex, that -queens have repeatedly, since the ancient reign of Binothris, -held the royal authority and had the supreme -direction of affairs intrusted to them. It is proper to -say, that although the Egyptians have but one wife, they -are not forbidden by the laws to have favorites, who are -usually slaves, and owe their elevation to talents or -beauty. They do not, however, hold any social relation; -and the wife, to whom alone is given the title "lady of -the house," enjoys an acknowledged superiority over -them. But concubinage, though tolerated, is not regarded -with favor, and is practised by few.</p> - -<p>The Egyptian ladies employ much of their time with -the needle; and either with their own hands, or by the -agency of their maidens, they embroider, weave, spin, -and do needle-work—the last in the most skilful and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">{199}</a></span> -beautiful manner. They embroider chairs with thread -of gold or silver, adorn sofas with embroidery, and ornament -coverings for their couches with needle-work of -divers colors, so artfully executed as to appear, on both -sides, of equal beauty and finish. At the banquets or -social festivals, which are very frequent, for the Egyptians -are fond of society, the ladies sit at the same table -with the men, and no rigid mistrust closes their doors -on such occasions to strangers, towards whom they are -ever courteous and hospitable; save only in religious -ceremonies, from which, and "the mysteries of their -theology," they are jealously excluded.</p> - -<p>I have already spoken of the services of women in the -temples. These do not marry. Although females may -make offerings to Isis, they cannot be invested with any -sacerdotal office; and a priest must preside at the oblation. -They are rarely seen reading, their leisure being -occupied chiefly in talking together in social companies. -They vie with each other in the display of silver jewels, -and jewels set in gold; in the texture of their raiment, -the neatness and elegance of the form of their sandals, -and the arrangement or beauty of their plaited hair.</p> - -<p>If two ladies meet at a banquet or festival, it is considered -an amiable courtesy to exchange flowers from -the bouquet that Egyptian ladies always carry in the -hand when in full costume. They are passionately devoted -to dancing, and frequently both ladies and gentlemen -dance together; but I think when the former dance -in separate parties, their movements are marked by superior -grace and elegance. Their dances consist usually -of a succession of figures more or less involved; yet I -have seen two daughters of the captain of the guard, at -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">{200}</a></span> -a private entertainment given by the queen, perform a -dance to a slow air played upon the flute and lyre, with -a grace of attitude and harmony of motion delightful to -follow with the eye. Grace in posture, elegance of attitude, -and ease of movement are their chief objects in the -dance.</p> - -<p>It is not, however, customary for the nobles and their -families to indulge in this amusement in public, where -usually the dancing is performed by those who gain a -livelihood by attending festive meetings. They look -upon it, however, as a recreation in which all classes -may partake; and all castes engage in it, either in private -festivities or in public. The lower orders delight -in exhibiting great spirit in their dances, which often -partake of the nature of pantomime; and they aim -rather at ludicrous and extravagant dexterity, than displays -of elegance and grace. At evening, under the -trees of an avenue; at noon, in the shade of a temple, -by public fountains, and before the doors of their dwellings, -I often see the men and women amusing themselves, -dancing to the sound of music, which is indispensable. -At the houses of the higher classes, they -dance to the harp, pipe, guitar, lyre, and tambourine; but -in the streets and other places, the people perform their -part to the music of the shrill double-pipe, the crotala -or wooden clappers, held in the fingers, and even to the -sound of the drum; indeed, I have seen a man dancing -a solo on the deck of a galley at anchor in the river, -to the sound of the clapping of hands by his companions. -Certain wanton dances, consisting of voluptuous and -passionate movements, by Arabian and Theban girls, -whose profession it was, from the impure tendency of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">{201}</a></span> -their songs and gestures, have been very properly forbidden -by the queen in her dominions. There are certain -religious processions in which women take part; -they attend the funerals of their deceased relatives, and -hired women appear as mourners.</p> - -<p>I have devoted, my dear mother, so much of this letter -to a description of the ladies of Egypt, in compliance -with your expressed wish, and I will appropriate the -residue of my papyrus, if the ink fail not, to an account -of their homes, that you may see how they live; since, -from their private life, great insight is obtained into their -manners and customs. The household arrangements, -the style of the dwellings, as well as the amusements and -occupations of a people, explain their habits.</p> - -<p>The style of domestic architecture, in this warm climate, -is modified to suit the heat of the weather. The -poorer classes (for though all Egyptians are born equal, -yet there are poor classes), as well as <i>castes</i>, live a great -part of their time out of doors, seeking rather the shade -of trees than the warmth of habitations. And now that -I have alluded to "castes," I will briefly explain the degrees -of society in Egypt.</p> - -<p>Though a marked line of distinction is maintained -between the different ranks of society, they appear to -be divided rather into "classes" than "castes," as no -man is bound by law to follow the occupation of his -father. Sons, indeed, do usually follow the trade of their -father, and the rank of each man depends on his occupation. -But there are occasional exceptions, as, for instance, -the sons of a distinguished priest are in the army -with Remeses, and a son of the admiral of the fleet of -the Delta is high-priest in Memphis.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">{202}</a></span> -Below the crown and royal family, the first class consists -of the priests; the second, of soldiers; the third, -of husbandmen, gardeners, huntsmen, and boatmen; -the fourth, of tradesmen, shop-keepers, artificers in stone -and metals, carpenters, boat-builders, stone-masons, and -public weighers; the fifth, of shepherds, poulterers -fowlers, fishermen, laborers, and the common people at -large. Many of these, says the record from which I -have obtained my information, are again subdivided, as -chief shepherds into ox-herds, goat-herds, and swine-herds; -which last is the lowest grade of the whole community, -since no one of the others will marry their -daughters, or establish any family connection with them; -for so degrading is the occupation of tending swine held -by the Egyptians, that they are looked upon as impure, -and are even forbidden to enter a temple without previously -undergoing purification.</p> - -<p>Thus you perceive, my mother, that Egypt practically -acknowledges many degrees of rank, although -she boasts that "every son of Misr is born equal."</p> - -<p>These classes keep singularly distinct, and yet live -harmoniously and sociably with each other. Out of -them the queen's workmen are taken, and the lowest -supplies the common laborers on the public works,—thousands -of whom, clad only in an apron and short -trowsers of coarsely woven grass-cloth, are to be found -at work all over Egypt, and even mingled with the -Hebrews in some parts of their tasks. "And the Hebrews?" -you may ask; for I perceive by your letter -that you are interested in the fate and history of this -captive nation; "what rank do they hold among all -these castes?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">{203}</a></span> -They remain a distinct and separate people, neither -regarded as a class or <i>caste</i>. They pursue but one occupation, -brick-making, with its kindred work of digging -the loam, gathering the straw, kneading the clay, and -carrying the bricks to the place where the masons need -them. They neither associate nor intermarry with any -of the Egyptian classes. They are the crown slaves, born -in bondage, below the lowest free-born Egyptian in the -land of Misraim. Even the swine-herd belongs to a <i>class</i>, -and is equal by birth, at least, with the Pharaoh who -rules; but the Hebrew is a bond-servant, a stranger, -despised and oppressed. Yet among them have I seen -men worthy to be kings, if dignity of aspect and nobleness -of bearing entitle men to that position.</p> - -<p>I will now return, and describe to you the habitations -of the Egyptians, my dear mother. Houses slightly removed -beyond the degree of mere barbarous huts, built -of crude brick, and very small, are the habitations of -the lower orders. Others, of more pretension, are stuccoed, -and have a court; others, still superior, have the -stuccoed surface painted, either vermilion and orange, -in stripes, or of a pale-brown color, with green or blue -ornaments, fanciful rather than tasteful. Those of merchants -and persons of that grade, are more imposing;—corridors, -supported on columns, give access to the different -apartments, through a succession of shady avenues -and courts, having one side open to the breezes; while -currents of fresh air are made to circulate freely through -the rooms and halls, by a peculiar arrangement of the -passages and courts; for, to have a cool house in this -ardent latitude is the aim of all who erect habitations. -Even small detached dwellings of artificers and tradesmen, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">{204}</a></span> -consisting of four walls, with a flat roof of palm-branches, -laid on split date-trees as a beam, covered with -mats, and plastered with mud of the Nile, having but -one door, and wooden shutters,—even such humble habitations -have in the centre an open court, however limited, -with rooms opening to the air on one side; while -around the small court are planted one or more palms, -for shade, besides adorning it with plants of their favorite -flowers. I have seen some such neat little abodes, -not much larger than cages, with a cheerful family in it, -who lived out of doors all day, dining under the shade -of their tree, and dancing in their open court by moonlight, -to the music of clapping hands or the castanets, -until bedtime, using their houses only to sleep in; and -such is the happy life of half the Egyptians of their grade.</p> - -<p>The grander mansions, less than palaces, are not only -stuccoed within and without, but painted with artistic -and tasteful combinations of brilliant tints. They have -numerous paved courts, with fountains and decorated -walls, and are adorned with beautiful architectural -devices, copied from the sacred emblems and symbols -in the temples, and arranged and combined in forms or -groups in the most attractive style. Over the doors of -many houses are handsome shields or tablets, charged -with the hieroglyph of the master, inscribed with some -sentence. Over that of the house of the chief weigher -of metals, opposite my palace window in On, was written -"The House of the Just Balance." Over another -"The good house;" and over a third, "The friend of -Rathoth, the royal scribe, liveth here." Any distinction, -or long journey, or merit, or attribute, gives occasion -for an inscription over the entrances.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">{205}</a></span> -The beauty of a house depends on the taste, caprice, -or wealth of its builders. The priests and lords of -Egypt live in luxurious abodes, and a display of wealth -is found to be useful in maintaining their power, and -securing the respect and obedience of the under classes.</p> - -<p>"The worldly possessions of the priest," said an -Egyptian scribe of the temple of Apis, "are very great, -and as a compensation for imposing upon themselves at -times abstemiousness, and occasionally limiting their -food to certain things, they are repaid by improved -health, and by the influence they acquire thereby. -Their superior intelligence enables them," he continued, -ironically, "to put their own construction on regulations -and injunctions emanating from their sacred body, with -the convenient argument, that what suits them does not -suit others." The windows of the houses are not large, -and freely admit the cool breezes, but are closed at -night by shutters. The apartments are usually on the -ground-floor, and few houses, except perhaps in Thebes, -exceed two stories in height. They are accessible by an -entrance court, often having a columnar portico decked -with banners or ribbons, while larger porticos have -double rows of columns, with statues between them. -When there is an additional story, a terrace surmounts -it, covered by an awning, or by a light roof supported -upon graceful columns. Here the ladies often sit by -day: and here all the family gather at the close of the -afternoon to enjoy the breeze, and the sight of the -thronged streets and surrounding scene,—for it is open -on all sides to the air. In the trades' streets the shops -are on the ground-floor, and the apartments for families -are above. As it scarcely ever rains, the tops of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">{206}</a></span> -houses, terraced, and covered with a handsomely fringed -awning, are occupied at all hours, and even at night as -sleeping-places by the "lord of the house," if the apartments -below are sultry and close. Some noble edifices -have flights of steps of porphyry or marble leading -to a raised platform of Elephantine or Arabic stone, -with a doorway between two columns as massive as -towers—ambitious imitations of the propyla of the temples. -These gateways have three entrances, a smaller -one on each side of the principal entrance for servants, -who are very numerous in an Egyptian house of the -first class. Such is the house of my friend, the Admiral -Pathromenes, whom I visited the day I saw him in his -galley, and just before he sailed with the fleet for Ethiopia.</p> - -<p>On entering the portal, I passed into an open court, on -the right side of which was the mndara or receiving-room -for visitors, where servants took my sandals, and -offered water for my hands in silver ewers, at the same -time giving me bouquets of flowers. This room, surrounded -by gilt columns, and decorated with banners, -was covered by an awning supported by the columns, -and was on all sides open to within four feet of the floor, -which lower space was closed by intercolumnar panels, -exquisitely painted with marine subjects. Above the -paneling a stream of cool air was admitted, while the -awning afforded protection from the rays of the sun. -This elegant reception-hall had two doors—that by which -I had entered from the street, and another opposite to it -which communicated with the inner apartments. Upon -my announcement by the chief usher, the admiral came -through the latter door to receive me; hence the title -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">{207}</a></span> -of "reception-room" given to this column-adorned and -paneled hall. He embraced me, and entered with me -by his side into a corridor which led into a court of -large dimensions, ornamented in the centre with an -avenue of trees—palm, olive, orange, and fig trees, the -latter being an emblem of the land of Egypt. Here -numerous birds filled their leafy coverts with melody. -Six apartments faced as many more on two sides of this -court—the corridor, or piazza, of pictured columns -extending along their entire front; and before the -corridor was a double row of acacia-trees. We did -not turn to these rooms, but, advancing along the -charming avenue between them, passed around a brazen -fountain-statue of Eothos or Neptune, who was pouring -water out of a shell upon a marble lotus-leaf, from -which it fell into a vase of granite. Passing this figure, -we kept the avenue till we came to a beautiful door -facing the great court. It was of palm-wood, carved -with devices of branches and flowers, and inlaid with -ivory and colored woods, all finely polished. At this -door a servant, in neat apparel, met us, and opening it -ushered us into the sitting-room of "the lady of the -house," who had already received notice of our approach, -and who, presenting me with flowers, welcomed -me graciously, and with a cordiality that gave me a -favorable estimation of the goodness of her heart, and -the amiability of her disposition.</p> - -<p>Thus, dear mother, have I given you some insight -into Egyptian home-life, and introduced you into the -inmost private room of one of their houses. I will close -my description by saying, that the ceiling of the reception-room -was richly and tastefully adorned with the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">{208}</a></span> -pencil; that gracefully shaped chairs, covered with -needle-work; sofas, inlaid tables, couches with crimson -and gold embroidery, and elegant vases of flowers, were -charmingly disposed about it; and that a lute and two -sistra were placed near a window, and a harp stood -between two of the columns that inclosed a pictured -panel representing the finding of Osiris.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dearest mother. You will see that I have -now acquitted myself of the charge of indifference to so -interesting a subject as the mode of life of the ladies of -Egypt, and by hastening to describe it to you in this -letter, have evinced my profound filial reverence for -your slightest wish.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your faithful and affectionate son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">{209}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XIII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">The City of Apis.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I thank</span> -you for your long and very welcome letter, -written from your palace, at Sidon, whither you -went to celebrate the rites of Adonis. It assures me of -your continued health, which may the gods guard with -jealous care, for not only the stability of your kingdom, -but my whole happiness depends on your life, beloved -mother and queen. You also allude to your visits to -the temples of Astarte and of Tammuz, on Lebanon. -What a noble worship was that of our fathers, who, -amid its gigantic cedars, old as the earth itself, there first -worshipped the gods! How majestic must have appeared -their simple rites, with no altar but the mountain rock, -no columns but the vast trunks of mighty trees, no roof -but the blue heavens by day, and the starry dome by -night; while at morning and evening went up the smoke -of the sacrifice of bullocks to the gods. These were the -first temples of men, not builded by art, but made by -the gods themselves as meet places for their own worship. -I question, dear mother, if the subsequent descent -of religion from its solemn shrines, in the dark forests of -Libanus, into the valleys and cities, to be enshrined in -temples of marble, however beautiful, has elevated it. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">{210}</a></span> -Though the Phœnicians built the first temples on the -peninsula of Tyre, before any others existed, save in -groves; yet in Egypt (which claims also this honor), the -"houses of the gods," in their vast and pyramidal aspects, -their pillars like palm-trees, their columns like -cedars, approach more nearly to the dignity, sublimity, -and majesty of the primeval forests and eternal mountains -where religion first offered prayer to heaven.</p> - -<p>Your visit to the temple of Tammuz, at Sareptha, -recalls a legend which, singularly enough, I first heard in -Egypt, of the origin of the rites to that deity.</p> - -<p>The books of the priests here, relating to Phœnician, -Saban, Persian, and Chaldean ceremonies (for -the learning of the Egyptians seems to embrace a -knowledge of books of all countries), relate that Tammuz -was a "certain idolatrous prophet of the Saban -Fire-worshippers, who called upon King Ossynœces, our -remote ancestor, and commanded him to worship the -Seven Planets and the Twelve Signs of the constellations. -The king, in reply, ordered him to be put to -death. On the same night on which he was slain," continues -the book from which I write, "a great gathering -of all the images of the gods of the whole earth was -held at the palace, where the huge golden image of the -sun was suspended; whereupon this image of the sun -related what had happened to his prophet, weeping and -mourning as he spoke to them. Then all the lesser gods -present likewise commenced weeping and mourning, -which they continued until daylight, when they all departed -through the air, returning to their respective -temples in the most distant regions of the earth." Such, -dear mother, is the tradition here of the origin of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">{211}</a></span> -weeping for Tammuz, the observance of which now -forms so important a feature in our Phœnician worship, -although introduced, as it was, from the Sabans themselves.</p> - -<p>But the more I have conversed with the wise and -virtuous Prince Remeses, the more I feel the gross -nature of our mythology, O mother, and that images -and myths, such as form the ground and expression of -our national worship, and that rest wholly in the material -figure itself, are unworthy the reverence of an intelligent -mind. It is true, we can look at them, and honor that -which they represent,—as I daily look at your picture, -which I wear over my heart, and kissing it from love for -thee, do not worship and adore the ivory, and the colors -that mark upon its surface a sweet reflection of your -beloved and beautiful countenance. Oh, no! It is you -far away I think of, kiss, love, and in a manner adore. -Yet an Egyptian of the lowest order, seeing me almost -worshipping your picture, would believe I was adoring -an effigy of my tutelar goddess. And he would be -right, so far as my heart and thought, and you are concerned, -my mother. In this representative way, I am -now sure that Remeses regards all images, looking -through and beyond them up to the Supreme Infinite. -I also have imbibed his lofty spirit of worship, and have -come to adore the statues as I worship your picture. -But <i>where</i>, O mother, is the Infinite? When I think of -you, I can send my soul towards you, on wings that bear -me to your feet, either in your private chamber at -needle-work, or with your royal scribe as you are dictating -laws for the realm, or upon your throne giving -judgment. In memory and imagination, I can instantly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">{212}</a></span> -send my thoughts out to you, and behold you as you are. -But the Infinite, whom Remeses calls GOD, in contradistinction -to lesser gods, where does He hide Himself? -Why, if He <i>is</i>, does He not reveal Himself? Why does -He suffer us to grope after Him, and not find Him? If -He be good, and loving, and gracious in His nature, He -will desire to make known to His creatures these attributes. -But how silent—how impenetrable the mystery -that environs Him in the habitation of His throne! Will -He forever remain wrapped up in the dark clouds of -space? Will He never reveal Himself in His moral -nature to man? Will He never of Himself proclaim to -the creation His unity—that there is no God but One, -and besides Him there is none else? How can He demand -obedience and virtue of men when they know not -His laws? Yet, consciousness within, visible nature, -reason, all demonstrate that there is but one Supreme -God, a single First Cause, how numerous soever the inferior -deities He may have created to aid in the government -of His vast universe; and that to Him an intellectual -and spiritual worship should be paid. This is -the theory of Remeses, who seems to be infinitely above -his people and country in piety and wisdom. Sometimes -I fancy that he draws inspiration from this Infinite God -whom he worships in his heart, and recognizes through -his intellect; for his utterances on these themes are -often like the words of a god, so wonderful are the mysteries -treated of by him, so elevating to the heart and -mind.</p> - -<p>But I will repeat part of a conversation we had together, -after he had offered in the temple of Apis his -sacrifice for the restoration of the queen's health. He -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">{213}</a></span> -said, as we walked away together, along a beautiful -and sacred avenue of acacia and delicate, fringe-like -ittel or tamarisk trees, alternating with the pomegranate -and mimosa:</p> - -<p>"Sesostris, doubtless, after all my conversations with -you, I seemed an idolater to-day, quite as material and -gross, in the offerings and prayers I made, as the galley-rower -we saw offering a coarse garland of papyrus-leaves -and poppies to the god."</p> - -<p>"No, my noble prince," I answered; "I saw in you -an intellectual sacrificer, whose bodily eyes indeed beheld -the sacred bull, but whose spirit saw the Great -Osiris, who once dwelt in the bull when on earth. You -honored the house where anciently a god abode."</p> - -<p>"No, Sesostris, the bull is nothing to me in any sense, -but as the prince of a realm whose laws ordain the worship -of Apis in Memphis, of the ram-headed Ammon at -Thebes, or the sacred ox at On, I outwardly conform to -customs which I dare not and cannot change. Or if I -would, what shall I give the people if I take away their -gods? My own religion is spiritual, as I believe yours -is becoming; but how shall I present a spiritual faith to -the Egyptians? In what form—what visible shape, can -I offer it to them? for the priests will demand a visible -religion—one tangible and material. The people cannot -worship an intellectual abstraction, as we can, Sesostris, -and as the more intelligent priests pretend they -do and can. Yet if, when I come to the throne, by an -imperial edict I remodel the theology of the priesthood -and the worship of the people—remove the golden sun -from the temple in On, slay the sacred bull Apis, and -banish the idols from all the thousand temples of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">{214}</a></span> -two Egypts, with <i>what</i> shall I replace the religion I depose?"</p> - -<p>"With an intellectual and spiritual worship of the -Supreme Infinite," I answered.</p> - -<p>"But who will enlighten my own ignorance of Him, -Sesostris?" he inquired sadly. "What do I know of -Him save from an awakened consciousness within my -bosom? How can I make others possess that consciousness -which is only intuitive, and so incommunicable? -I must first know <i>where</i> God is, before I can direct the -people whither to look for Him when they pray. I -must first cultivate their minds and imaginations, in order -to enable them to embrace a purely mental religion, -and to worship the Infinite independently of figures, images, -and visible mementos or symbols; for, so long as they -have these at all, they will rest their faith in them, and -will look upon them as their gods. But what do I know -of the God I would reveal to them? Absolutely nothing! -That there can be but one Supreme God, reason -demonstrates; for if there were two equal gods, they -would have equal power, equal agency in the creation -and upholding of all things, in the government of the -world, and in the worship of men! Two equal gods, -who in no case differ one from the other, but are in all -things one and the same, are virtually but one God. -Therefore, as neither two, nor any number of <i>equal</i> gods, -can exist without acting as a unit (for <i>otherwise</i> they -cannot act), there can be only one God!"</p> - -<p>I at once assented to the conclusiveness of the prince's -reasoning.</p> - -<p>"God, then, existing as One, all beings in his universe -are below Him, even His creatures the 'gods,' if there -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">{215}</a></span> -be such made by Him. It becomes, therefore, all men -to worship, not these gods, but the God of gods. That -he should be worshipped spiritually is evident, for he -must be a spiritual essence; and as we are certainly -composed of spirits and material bodies, and as our spirits -are no less certainly our superior part, so He who -made the spirit of man must be superior to all bodies or -forms of matter; that is, he must be that by reason of -which he is superior, namely, a SPIRIT."</p> - -<p>I then said to this learned and great prince, "Thinkest -thou, Remeses, that this Infinite God, whom we believe -exists, will ever make a revelation of Himself, so -that He may be worshipped as becomes His perfections? -Do you think the veil of ignorance which hangs between -Him and us will ever be lifted?"</p> - -<p>"Without question, my Sesostris," he answered, with -animation, the light of hope kindling in his noble eyes, -"the Creator of this world must be a benevolent, good, -and wise Being."</p> - -<p>"Of that there can be no doubt," was my reply.</p> - -<p>"Benevolence, goodness, and wisdom, then, will seek -the happiness and elevation of man. A knowledge of -the true God, whom we are now feeling and groping -after in darkness, with only the faint light of our reason -to illumine its mysterious gloom,—this knowledge -would elevate and render happy the race of men. It -would dissipate ignorance, overthrow idolatry, place -man near God, and, consequently, lift him higher in the -scale of the universe. A God of wisdom, benevolence, -and justice, will seek to produce this result. The world, -therefore, <i>will</i> have a revelation from Him, in the fulness -of time,—when men are ready to receive it. It -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">{216}</a></span> -may not be while I live, Sesostris, but the time will -come when the knowledge of the Infinite God will be -revealed by Himself to man, who will then worship -Him, and Him alone, with the pure worship due to His -majesty, glory, and dominion."</p> - -<p>As Remeses concluded, his face seemed to shine with -a supernatural inspiration, as if he had talked with the -Infinite and Spiritual God of whom he spoke, and had -learned from Him the mighty mysteries of His being. -Then there passed a shadow over his face, and he said, -sorrowfully—</p> - -<p>"How can I lead the people of Egypt to the true -God, when He hath not taught me any thing of Himself? -No, no, Sesostris, Egypt must wait, I must wait, the -world must wait the day of revelation. And that day -will come, or there is <i>no</i> God! For an ever-silent God—a -God who forever hideth Himself from His creatures—is -as if there were no God! But that there is a God -the heavens declare in their glory, the ocean hoarsely -murmurs His name, the thunders proclaim His power, -the lilies of the field speak of His goodness, and we ourselves -are living manifestations of His benevolence and -love. Let us, therefore, amid all the splendor of the -idolatry which fills the earth, lift up <i>our</i> hearts, O Sesostris, -to the One God! and in secret worship Him, -wheresoever our souls can find Him, until He reveals -Himself openly to the inhabitants of the earth."</p> - -<p>In relating this conversation, my dear mother, I not -only am preparing you to see my views of our mythology -materially changed, but I unfold to you more of -the sublime character of Remeses, and give you some -insight into his deep philosophy and wonderful wisdom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">{217}</a></span> -I will, in connection with this subject, describe to you -a religious scene I witnessed in the Temple of Apis on -the occasion of an excursion made by me in company -with Remeses, from the Island of Rhoda.</p> - -<p>I have already spoken of his courtesy in offering to -accompany me to Memphis, at which city he left me, -immediately after his oblation and thanksgiving, and -proceeded to attend to some urgent affairs connected -with the proposed movement of the army; with which, -since then, he has taken his departure.</p> - -<p>The barge in which I left the palace at Rhoda, was -rowed by forty-four men, swarthy and muscular to a -noticeable degree, who belong to a maritime people, -once possessing the Pelusian Delta, but who are now reduced -to a servitude to the crown. They have a sort of -chief, called Fellac, whom they regard partly as a priest, -partly as a patriarch. Under him, by permission of the -crown, they are held in discipline. They have a mysterious -worship of their own, and are reputed to deal in -magic, and to sacrifice to Typhon, the principle of evil.</p> - -<p>They were attired in scarlet sashes, bound about the -waist, and holding together loose white linen drawers, -which terminated at the knee in a fringe. Their shoulders -were naked, but upon their heads each wore a sort -of turban of green cloth, having one end falling over -the ear, and terminating in a silver knob. These were -the favorite body-guard rowers of the prince. Their captain -was a young man, with glittering teeth, and large oval -black eyes. He was mild and serene of aspect, richly -attired in a vesture of silver tissue, and had his black -hair perfumed with jasmine oil. His baton of office was -a long stick—not the long, slender, acacia cane which all -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">{218}</a></span> -Egyptian gentlemen carry, but a staff short and heavy, -ornamented with an alligator's head, which, with that of -the pelican, seem to be favorite decorations of this singular -people.</p> - -<p>As we were on the water, moving swiftly towards the -quay of the city, amid countless vessels of all nations, a -slave-barge passed down from Upper Egypt, laden with -Nubian boys and girls, destined to be sold as slaves in -the market. Borne with velocity along, we soon landed -at the grand terrace-steps of the quay. They were -thronged with pilots, shipmen, those who hold the helm -and the oar, mariners, and stranger-merchants innumerable. -A majestic gateway, at the top of the flight of porphyry -stairs, led to an avenue of palm-trees, on each side -of which was a vast open colonnade covered with a wide -awning, and filled with merchants, buyers, captains, and -officers of the customs, dispersed amid bales of goods -from all lands of the earth. I lingered here, for a short -time, gazing upon these representatives of the wealth -and commerce of the world. This is the great landing-mart -of Memphis, for the products of the other lands; -while Jizeh, lower down, is the point from whence all -that goes out of the country is shipped. The strange -cry of the foreign seamen, as they hoisted heavy bales, -and the wild song of the Egyptian laborers, as they bore -away the goods, the confused voices of the owners of the -merchandise, the variety and strange fashion of their -costumes, the numerous languages which fell upon my -ear, produced an effect as novel as it was interesting.</p> - -<p>The riches and beauty of what I saw surprised me, -familiar as I am with the commerce of Tyre. There -were merchants from Sheba, bearded and long-robed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">{219}</a></span> -men, with gold-dust, spices of all kinds, and precious -stones of price; and others from the markets of Javan, -with cassia, iron, and calamus; there were wines from -the vine-country of Helbona, and honey, oil, and balm -from Philistia; merchants of Dedan, with embroidered -linings and rich cloths for chariots, and costly housings -for horses, of lynx and leopard-skins; tall, grave-looking -merchants from our own Damascus, with elegant wares, -cutlery, and damascened sword-blades of wonderful -beauty, and which bring great price here; shrewd-visaged -merchants of Tyre, with purple and broidered -work and fine linen; and merchants of Sidon, with emeralds, -coral, and agate, and the valuable calmine-stone -out of which, in combination with copper, brass is -molten by the Egyptians.</p> - -<p>There were also merchants, in an attire rich and picturesque, -from many isles of the sea, with vessels of -bronze, vases, and other exquisitely painted wares, and -boxes inlaid with ivory, jewels, and ebony. I saw the -dark, handsome men of Tarshish and far Gades, with all -kinds of riches of silver, iron, tin, lead, and scales of -gold. Shields from Arvad, beautifully embossed and -inlaid; helmets and shawls from Persia; ivory from -Ind, and boxes of precious stones—the jasper, the sapphire, -the sardis, the onyx, the beryl, the topaz, the -carbuncle, and the diamond—from the south seas, and -those lands under the sun, where he casts no shadow. -There were, also, wild-looking merchant horsemen from -Arabia, with horses and mules to be traded for the fine -linen, and gilt wares, and dyes of Egypt; and proud-looking -shepherd chiefs of Kedar, with flocks of lambs, -rams, and goats; while beyond these, some merchants -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">{220}</a></span> -of Sas, men of stern aspects, bad bands of slaves, whose -shining black skins and glittering teeth showed them to -be Nubians from Farther Africa, who had been brought -from the Upper Nile to be sold in the mart.</p> - -<p>Thus does all the earth lay its riches at the feet of -Egypt, even as she pours them into the lap of Tyre. -Meet it is that two nations, so equal in commerce, should -be allied in friendship. May this friendly alliance, more -closely cemented by my visit to this court, never be -broken! I am willing to surrender to Egypt the title, -"Mistress of the World," which I have seen inscribed -on the obelisk that Amense is now erecting, so long as -she makes no attempt upon our cherished freedom, nor -asks of us other tribute to her greatness than the jewelled -necklace it was my pleasure to present to her -queen, from your hand.</p> - -<p>Having crossed this wonderful mart of the world, we -issued upon a broad street, which diverging to the right -led towards Jizeh, not far distant, and to the left towards -Memphis, the noble pylon of which was in full sight. -The street was lined with small temples, six on each -side, dedicated to the twelve gods of the months, statues -of each of whom stood upon pedestals before its gateway.</p> - -<p>This avenue, which was but a succession of columns -and statues, and in which we met several pleasure-chariots, -terminated at an obelisk one hundred feet in -height—a majestic and richly elaborated monument, -erected by Amunophis I., whose name it bears upon a -cartouch, to the honor of his Syrian queen, Ephtha. -Upon its surface is recounted, in exquisitely colored intaglio -hieroglyphs, her virtues and the deeds of his own -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">{221}</a></span> -reign. At each of its four corners crouches a sphinx, -with a dog's head, symbolic of ceaseless vigilance. A -noble square surrounds the obelisk, and on its west side -is the propylon of Memphis. The great wings that -inclose the pylon are ninety feet in height, and are -resplendent with colored pictorial designs, done in the -most brilliant style of Egyptian art.</p> - -<p>Here we found a guard of soldiers, whose captain -received the prince with marks of the profoundest military -respect. We passed in, through ranks of soldiers, -who bent one knee to the ground, and entered the chief -street of Memphis—the second city in Egypt in architectural -magnificence, and the first in religious importance, -as the city of the sacred bull Apis.</p> - -<p>A description of this city would be almost a repetition -of that of On, slightly varying the avenues, squares, -and forms of temples. You have, therefore, to imagine, -or rather recall, the splendor of the "City of the <i>Lord -of the Sun</i>" (for this is its true Egyptian designation), -and apply to Memphis the picture hitherto given of -that gorgeous metropolis of Osiris.</p> - -<p>After we had passed a few squares through the -thronged and handsome street, which was exclusively -filled with beautiful and tasteful abodes of priests, -adorned with gardens and corridors, we came to a large -open space in the city, where was a great fountain, -surrounded by lions sculptured in gray porphyry stone. -On one side of this square was a lake, bordered with -trees; on another, a grove sacred to certain mysteries; -on a third, a temple dedicated to all the sacred animals -of Egypt,—images of which surrounded a vast portico -in front. An enumeration of them will exhibit to you, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">{222}</a></span> -how the first departure, in ancient days, from the worship -of the One Deity, by personating His attributes in -animal forms, has converted religion into a gross and -sensual superstition. It is not enough that they have -fanciful emblems in all their temples, and on all their -sculptured monuments, of Life, Goodness, Power, Purity, -Majesty, and Dominion (as in the crook and flail of Osiris), -of Authority, of Royalty, of Stability; but they -elevate into representatives of the gods, the ape, sacred -to Thoth; the monkey; the fox, dog, wolf, and jackal, all -four sacred to Anubis; the ichneumon and cat, which -last is superstitiously reverenced, and when dead embalmed -with divine rites. The ibex, which I once believed -to be sacred, is regarded only as an emblem; and -so with the horse, ass, panther, and leopard, which are -not sacred, but merely used in sculptures as emblems. -The hippopotamus is sacred, and also an emblem of Typhon, -dedicated to the god of war. The cow is held -eminently sacred by the Egyptians, and is dedicated to -the deity Athor.</p> - -<p>There are four sacred bulls in Egypt,—not only sacred, -but deified. In Middle Egypt, Onuphis and Basis are -worshipped in superb temples; and at On, Mnevis, -sacred to the Sun. Here in Memphis is Apis, not only -sacred but a god, and type of Osiris, who, in his turn, -is the type of the Sun, which is the type of the Infinite -Invisible; at least this is the formula, so far as I have -learned its mysteries. How much purer the religion, -dear mother, which, passing by or overleaping all these -intermediate types and incarnations, prostrates the soul -before the footstool of the Lord of the Sun Himself, the -One Spiritual God of gods!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">{223}</a></span> -Of all the sacred animals above named, I beheld -images in stone upon the dromos which bordered the -portico. There were also figures of the sacred birds,—as -the ibis, sacred to the god Thoth; the vulture, the -falcon-hawk, sacred to Re, and honored in the city of -On, and the egret, sacred to Osiris. Besides these -sacred figures which decorated this pantheonic portico, -at each of the four gates was one of the four deified -bulls in stone, larger than life-size. There are also to -be found, all over Egypt, sculptured sphinxes,—a sort -of fabulous monster, represented either with the head -of a man, a hawk, or a ram; to these may be added a -vulture with a serpent's head, and a tortoise-headed -god.</p> - -<p>The phœnix, sacred to Osiris, I shall by and by speak -of, and the white and saffron-colored cock, sacred to, -and sacrificed in, the Temple of Anubis. Certain fishes -are also held sacred by this extraordinary people, who -convert every thing into gods. The oxyrhincus, the eel, -the lepidotus, and others are sacred, and at Thebes are -embalmed by the priests. The scorpion is an emblem -of the goddess Selk, the frog of Pthah, and the unwieldy -crocodile sacred to the god Savak—a barbarous deity. -Serpents having human heads, and also hawk's and -lion's heads, were sculptured along the frieze of this -pantheon, intermingled with figures of nearly all the -above sacred animals. On the abacus of each column -was sculptured the scarabus—the sacred beetle—consecrated -to Pthah, and adopted as an emblem of the -world; also the type of the god Hor-hat, the Good -Genius of Egypt, whose emblem is a sun supported by -two winged asps encircling it. Flies, ichneumons, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">{224}</a></span> -bees, with many other insects and animals, are represented -in the sculptures, but are not sacred.</p> - -<p>Even vegetables do not escape the service of their -religion. The persea is sacred to Athor; the ivy to -Osiris, and much made use of at his festivals; the -feathery tamarisk is also sacred to this deity; and the -peach and papyrus are supposed to be sacred, or at least -used, for religious purposes. Contrary to the opinion I -formed when I first came into Egypt, the onion, leek, -and garlic are not sacred. The pomegranate, vine, and -acanthus are used for sacred rites, and the sycamore-fig -is sacred to Netpe. The lotus, the favorite object of -imitation in all temple-sculpture, is sacred to, and the -emblem of, the most ancient god of Egypt, whom the -priests call Nofiratmoosis—a name wholly new to me -among the deities;—but it is also clearly a favorite -emblem of Osiris, being found profusely sculptured on -all his temples. Lastly, the palm-branch is a symbol of -astrology and type of the year, and conspicuous among -the offerings made to the gods.</p> - -<p>Now, my dear mother, can you wonder at Prince -Remeses—that a man of his learning, intellect, sensibility, -and sound judgment, should turn away from -these thousand contemptible gods of Egypt, to seek a -purer faith and worship, and that he should wish to -give his people a more elevating and spiritual religion? -Divisions and subdivisions have here reached their -climax, and the Egyptians who worship God in every -thing may be said to have ceased to worship him -at all!</p> - -<p>What was on the fourth side of the great square, of -which the lake, the grove, and the pantheon composed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">{225}</a></span> -three, was the central and great Temple of Apis in -Lower Egypt. In my next letter I will describe my -visit to it. I am at present a guest of the high-priest -of the temple, and hence the date of my letter at -Memphis.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">{226}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XIV.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">The Palace of the Priest of Apis.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I will</span> -now describe to you my visit, with the -prince, to the most remarkable shrine in Egypt. While -the worship of Osiris, at On, is a series of splendid -pageantries, but little differing from the gorgeous sun-worship -which you witnessed some years ago at Baalbec, -the rites of Apis are as solemn and severe as the -temple in which they are celebrated is grand and -majestic.</p> - -<p>The temple itself is a massive and imposing edifice, -of reddish Elephantine stone. It is of vast proportions, -and the effect produced is that of a mountain of rock -hewn into a temple, as travellers say temples are cut -out of the face of cliffs in Idumea-Arabia. Its expression -is majesty and grandeur. It occupies the whole of -one side of the vast square described by me in my last -letter.</p> - -<p>As we were about to ascend to the gate, I was startled -by a loud and menacing cry from many voices, and, -looking around, perceived a Tyrian mariner, recognized -by me as such by his dress, who was flying across the -square with wings of fear. A crowd, which momentarily -increased, pursued him swiftly with execrations and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">{227}</a></span> -cries of vengeance! As he drew near, I noticed that -he was as pale as a corpse. Seeing that he was a -Phœnician, I felt interested in him, and by a gesture -drew him towards me. He fell at my feet, crying—"Save -me, O my prince!"</p> - -<p>"What hast thou done?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"Only killed one of their cats, my lord!"</p> - -<p>The throng came rushing on, like a stormy wave, -uttering fearful cries.</p> - -<p>"May I try and protect him, O Remeses," I asked, -for I knew that, if taken, he would be slain for destroying -one of their sacred animals.</p> - -<p>"I will see if I can; but I fear my interposition will -not be heeded in a case like this," he replied. At the -same time he deprecatingly waved his hand to the infuriated -populace, which had in a few moments increased -to a thousand people.</p> - -<p>"No, not even for the prince! He has killed a -sacred animal. By our laws he also must die. We will -sacrifice him to the gods!"</p> - -<p>In vain I entreated, and Remeses interposed. The -wretched man was torn from our presence by as many -hands as could seize him, thrown down the steps of the -temple, and trampled upon by the furious crowd, until -nothing like a human shape remained. The formless -mass was then divided into pieces, and carried to a -temple where numerous sacred cats are kept, in order -to be given to them to devour. Such is the terrible -death they inflict upon one who by accident kills a cat -or an ibis!</p> - -<p>"The power of the State is weak when contending -with the mad strength of superstition," remarked Remeses, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">{228}</a></span> -as we entered the temple between two statues of -brazen bulls. Entering through a majestic doorway, -we came into an avenue of vast columns, the size of -which impressed me with awe. The temple was originally -erected to Pthah, anciently the chief deity of -Memphis, and dedicated in the present reign to the -sacred bull, whose apartment is the original adytum of -the temple.</p> - -<p>The worship of Apis and Mnevis, the bulls consecrated -to Osiris, exhibits the highest point to which the -worship of animals in Egypt has reached, and it was with -no little interest I felt myself advancing into the presence -of this deified animal. We were met, at the entrance -of the avenue of columns, by two priests in white -linen robes, over which was a crimson scarf, the sacred -color of Apis. They had tall caps on their heads, and -each carried a sort of crook. They received the prince -with prostrations. Going one before and one behind us, -they escorted us along the gloomy and solemn avenue of -sculptured columns, until we came to a brazen door. A -priest opened it, and we entered a magnificent peristyle -court supported by caryatides twelve cubits in height, -representing the forms of Egyptian women. We remained -in this grand hall a few moments, when a door -on the opposite side opened and the sacred bull appeared. -He was conducted by a priest, who led him -by a gold chain fastened to his horns, which were garlanded -with flowers. The animal was large, noble-looking, -and jet-black in color, with the exception of a -square spot of white upon his forehead. Upon his -shoulder was the resemblance of a vulture, and the hairs -were double in his tail! These being the sacred marks -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">{229}</a></span> -of Apis, I observed them particularly: there should be -also the mark of a scarabeus on his tongue.</p> - -<p>The deity stalked proudly forth, slowly heaving up -and down his huge head and thick neck,—a look of -barbaric power and grandeur glancing from his eye.</p> - -<p>The curator of the sacred animal led him once around -the hall, the Egyptians prostrating themselves as he -passed them, and even Remeses, instinctively, from -custom, bending his head. When he stopped, the -prince advanced to him, and taking a jewelled collar -from a casket which he brought with him, he said to -the high-priest—who, with a censer of incense, prepared -to invoke the god—</p> - -<p>"My lord priest of Apis: I, Remeses the prince, as -a token of my gratitude to the god, of whom the sacred -bull is the emblem, for the restoration of my mother, -the queen, do make to the temple an offering of this -jewelled collar for the sacred bull."</p> - -<p>"His sacred majesty, my lord prince, accepts, with -condescension and grace, your offering," answered the -gorgeously attired high-priest. He then passed the necklace -through the cloud of incense thrice, and going up -to the bull, fastened the costly gift about his neck, -already decorated with the price of a kingdom, while -his forehead glittered like a mass of diamonds. A cool -draft of wind passing through the open hall, a priest -(at least two hundred attendant priests were assembled -there to witness the prince's offering) brought a covering -or housing of silver and gold tissue, magnificently -embroidered, and threw it over the god.</p> - -<p>The prince now, at the request of the queen, proceeded -to obtain an omen as to the success of his army. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">{230}</a></span> -He therefore approached and offered the bull a peculiar -cake, of which he is very fond, which the animal took -from his palm and ate. At this good omen there was a -murmur of satisfaction; for a refusal to eat is accounted -a bad omen. Remeses smiled as if gratified. Could it -be that he had faith in the omen? I know not. Much -must be allowed to the customs of a lifetime! Trained -to all these rituals from a child, had the philosophy of -his later years wholly destroyed in him <i>all</i> faith and confidence -in the gods of his mother and his country? The -priest now asked a question aloud, addressed to the god:</p> - -<p>"Will the Prince of Egypt, O sacred Apis, be a successful -king, when he shall come to the throne?"</p> - -<p>The reply to the question was to be found in the first -words Remeses should hear spoken by any one when he -left the temple. He immediately departed from the -peristyle, and we returned through the solemn avenue -to the portico. As we descended the steps, a seller of -small images of the bull called out, in reply to something -said by another—</p> - -<p>"He will never get there!"</p> - -<p>"Mark those words, Sesostris!" he said, not unimpressed -by them; "my mother is to outlive me, or -Mœris will seize the throne from me!"</p> - -<p>"Do you put faith in this omen?"</p> - -<p>"I know not what to answer you, my Sesostris. You -have, no doubt," he added, "after all I have said, marvelled -at my offering to Apis. But it is hard to destroy -early impressions, even with philosophy, especially if the -mind has no certain revelation to cling to, when it casts -off its superstitions. But here I must leave you, at the -door of the hierarch's palace. This noble priest is head -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">{231}</a></span> -of the priesthood of Pthah, a part of whose temple, as -you have seen, is devoted to Apis,—or rather the two -temples subsist side by side. You saw him last week at -our palace. He has asked you to be his guest while -here. Honor his invitation, and he will not only teach -you much that you desire to know, but will visit with -you the great pyramidal temple of Cheops."</p> - -<p>Having entered the palace, and placed me under the -hospitality of the noble Egyptian hierarch therein, the -prince took leave of me. I would like to describe to -you the taste and elegance of this abode, my dear mother; -its gardens, fountains, flower-courts, paintings, and rich -furniture. But I must first say a little more about the -god Apis, who holds so prominent a place in the mythology -of Egypt. In the hieroglyphic legends he is -called Hapi, and his figurative sign on the monuments -is a bull with a globe of the sun upon his head, and the -hieroglyphic cruciform emblem of Life drawn near it. -Numerous bronze figures of this bull are cast, whereupon -they are consecrated, distributed over Egypt, and placed -in the tombs of the priests. The time to which the sacred -books limit the life of Apis is twenty-five years, which -is a mystic number here; and if his representative does -not die a natural death by that time, he is driven to the -great fountain of the temple, where the priests were accustomed -to bathe him (for he is fed and tended with -the greatest delicacy, luxury, and servility by his priestly -curators), and there, with hymns chanted and incense -burning, they drown him amid many rites and ceremonies, -all of which are written in the forty-two books of -papyrus kept in the sacred archives of the oldest temple.</p> - -<p>No sooner does the god expire, than certain priests, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">{232}</a></span> -who are selected for the purpose, go in search of some -other bull; for they believe that the soul of Osiris has -migrated into another body of one of these animals, or -"Lords of Egypt," as I have heard them called. This -belief of the constant transfer of himself by Osiris from -the body of one bull to another, is but the expression of -a popular notion here, that souls of men transmigrate -from body to body; and my opinion is confirmed by a -scene depicted in the judgment-hall of Osiris, where the -god is represented as sending a soul, whose evil deeds -outweighed his good ones, back to earth, and condemning -it to enter the body of a hog, and so begin anew, -from the lowest animal condition, to rise by successive -transmigrations through other beasts, higher and higher; -until he became man again, when, if he had acquired -virtue in his probation, he was admitted to the houses -of the gods and became immortal.</p> - -<p>The prince assures me that the belief in the transmigration -of souls is almost universal in the Thebad, as -well as among the lower orders in the northern nomes; -and that the universal reverence for animals is, without -doubt, in a great measure to be traced to this sentiment. -A monstrous doctrine of the perpetual incarnation of -deity in the form, not of man, but of the brute, seems to -be the groundwork of all religious faith in Egypt. This -idea is the key to the mysteries, inconsistencies, and -grossness of their outward worship; the interpreter of -their animal Pantheon.</p> - -<p>"There is a tradition," said to me, to-day, the prince-priest -Misrai, with whom I am now remaining, "that -when Osiris came down to earth, in order to benefit the -human race by teaching them the wisdom of the gods, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">{233}</a></span> -evil men, the sons of Typhon, pursued to destroy him, -when he took refuge in the body of a bull, who protected -and concealed him. After his return to the heavens, he -ordained that divine honors should be paid to the bull -forever."</p> - -<p>This account, my dear mother, is a more satisfactory -myth than any other, if any can be so; and recognizes -incarnation as the principle of the worship of Apis. -This universal idea in the minds of men, that the Creator -once dwelt in the body of a creature, would lead one -to believe, that in ages past the Infinite had descended -from heaven for the good of men, and dwelt in a body; -or that, responding to this universal idea, he may yet do -it. Perhaps, dear mother, the worship of Osiris under -the form of Apis, may be the foreshadowing and type -of what is yet really to come—a dispensation, preparing -men for the actual coming of the Invisible in a visible -form. What a day of glory and splendor for earth, -should this prove true! The conception, dear mother, -is not my own; it is a thought of the great, and wise, -and good Remeses, who, if ever men are deified, deserves -a place, after death, among the gods. His vast -and earnest mind, enriched with all the stores of knowledge -that man can compass, seems as if it derived inspiration -from the heavens. His conversation is deeper -than the sacred books; the ideas of his soul more wonderful -than the mysteries of the temple!</p> - -<p>The priests who seek another bull, discover him by -certain signs mentioned in their sacred books. These I -have already described. In the mean while, a public -lamentation is performed, as if Osiris, that is, "the Lord -of Heaven," had died, and the mourning lasts until the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">{234}</a></span> -new Apis is found. This information is proclaimed by -swift messengers in all the cities, and is hailed with the -wildest rejoicings. The scribes who have found the -young calf which is to be the new god, keep it with its -mother in a small temple facing the rising sun, and feed -it with milk for four months. When that term is expired, -a grand procession of priests, scribes, prophets, -and interpreters of omens, headed by the high-priest, -and often by the king, as hereditary priest of his realm, -proceed to the temple or house of the sacred calf, at the -time of the new moon—the slender and delicate horns -of which symbolize those of the juvenile Apis. With -chants and musical instruments playing, they escort him -to a gorgeously decorated <i>baris</i> or barge, rowed by -twelve oars, and place him in a gilded cabin on costly -mats. They then convey him in great pomp and with -loud rejoicings to Memphis. Here the whole city receives -him with trumpets blowing and shouts of welcome; -garlands are cast upon his neck by young girls, -and flowers strewed before him by the virgins of the -temple.</p> - -<p>Thus escorted, the "Living Soul of Osiris" is conducted -to the temple provided for him, which is now, as -I have before observed, an appendage to the Temple of -Pthah or Vulcan, an edifice remarkable for its architectural -beauty, its extent, and the richness of its decorations; -indeed, the most magnificent temple in the city. -A festival of many days succeeds, and the young deity -is then led in solemn procession throughout the city, -that all the people may see him. These come out of -their houses to welcome him, with gifts, as he passes. -Mothers press their children forward towards the sacred -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">{235}</a></span> -animal that they may receive his breath which, they -believe, conveys the power to them of predicting future -events. Returned to his sacred adytum, he henceforth -reigns as a god, daintily fed, and reverently served. -Pleasure-gardens and rooms for recreation are provided -for him when he would exercise.</p> - -<p>At the death of Apis, all the priests are immediately -excluded from the temple, which is given up to profound -solitude and silence, as if it also mourned, in solemn -desolation, the loss of its god. His obsequies are celebrated -on a scale of grandeur and expenditure hardly -conceivable. Sometimes the rich treasury of the temple, -though filled with the accumulated gold of a quarter -of a century, is exhausted. Upon the death of the last -Apis, the priests expended one hundred talents of gold -in his obsequies, and Prince Mœris, who seeks every -opportunity to make a show of piety, and to please the -Egyptians, gave them fifty talents more, to enable them -to defray the enormous costs of the funeral of the god.</p> - -<p>The burial-place of the Serapis, as the name is on the -mausoleum (formed by pronouncing together Osiris-Apis), -is outside of the western pylon of the city. We -approached it through a paved avenue, with lions ranged -on each side of it. It consists of a vast gallery, hewn in a -rocky spur of the Libyan cliff, twenty feet in height, and -two thousand long. I visited this tomb yesterday, accompanied -by the high-priest. He showed me the series of -chambers on the sides of this sepulchral hall, where each -embalmed Apis was deposited in a sarcophagus of -granite fifteen feet in length. There were sixty of these -sarcophagi, showing the permanency and age of this -system of worship. They were adorned with royal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">{236}</a></span> -ovals, inscribed, or with tablets containing dedications, -to Apis. One of these bore the inscription, "To the -god Osiris-Apis, the Lord of the Soul of Osiris, and -emblem of the Sun, by Amense, Queen and upholder -of the two kingdoms."</p> - -<p>In front of the sculptured entrance of this hall of the -dead god is the Sarapeum, a funeral temple for perpetual -obsequies. It has a vestibule of noble proportions, its -columns being of the delicately blue-veined alabaster -from the quarries in the south. On each side of the -doorway is a crouching lion, with a tablet above one, upon -which a king is represented making an offering. Within -the vestibule stand, in half circle, twelve statues of ancient -kings. In a circle above these sit, with altars before each, -as many gods. Upon a pedestal in the centre stands the -statue of the Pharaoh who erected this beautiful edifice.</p> - -<p>Thus, my dear mother, have I endeavored, as you -requested, to present before your mind a clear view of -the system of theology, and the forms of worship of the -Egyptians. To evolve from the contradictory and -vague traditions a reasonable faith; to select from the -countless myths a dominating idea; to separate the true -from the false, to bring harmony out of what, regarded -as a whole, is confusion; to know what is local, what -national in rites, and to reconcile all the theories of -Osiris with one another, is a task far from easy to perform. -At first, I believed I should never be able to -arrive at any system in these multifarious traditions and -usages, but I think that my researches have given me -an insight into the difficulties of their religion, and -enabled me, in a great measure, to unravel the tangled -thread of their mythology.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">{237}</a></span> -I will now resume my pen, which, since writing the -above, I laid down to partake of a banquet with the -priest, my princely host, at which I met many of the -great lords of Memphis, namely—the lord-keeper of the -royal signet, the lord of the wardrobe and rings of the -queen's palace, and the lord of the treasury. These -men of rank I well knew, having met them before at the -table of the queen. There were also strangers whom I -had not met before—men of elegant address, and in rich -apparel, each with the signet of his office on his left -hand; among others, the lord of the nilometer, who -reports the progress of the elevation of the river in the -annual overflows, and by which all Lower Egypt is -governed in its agricultural work; the president of the -engravers on hard stones, an officer of trust and high -honor; the governors of several nomes, in their gold -collars and chains; the lord of the house of silver; the -president of architects; the lord of sculptors; the president -of the school of art and color; with other men of -dignity. There were also high-priests of several fanes, -of Athor, of Pthah, of Horus, of Maut, and of Amun. -Besides these gentlemen, there was a large company of -noble ladies, their wives and daughters, who came to the -banquet by invitation of the Princess Nelisa, the superb -and dark-eyed wife of the Prince Hierarch, and one of -the most magnificent and queenly women (next to the -queen herself) I have seen in this land of beautiful -women.</p> - -<p>It was a splendid banquet. The Lady Nelisa presided -with matchless dignity and grace. But I have -already described a banquet to you. This was similar -in display and the mode of entertaining the guests.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">{238}</a></span> -I was seated opposite the daughter of the Priest of -Mars, of whose beauty I have before spoken. She asked -many questions, in the most captivating way, about -Tyre, and yourself, and the Phœnician ladies generally. -She smiled, and looked surprised, when I informed her -that I was betrothed to the fair Princess Thamonda, and -asked me if she were as fair as the women of Egypt. She -inquired if Damascus had always been a part of Phœnicia, -and how large your kingdom was. When I told -her that your kingdom was composed of several lesser -kingdoms, once independent, but now united far east of -Libanus, under your crown, she inquired if you were a -warlike queen to make such conquests. I replied that -this union of the free cities of Phœnicia, and of the -cities of Cœle-Syria under your sceptre, was a voluntary -one, partly for union against the kings of Philistia, -partly from a desire to be under so powerful and wise -a queen. She said that if the danger were passed, -or you were no more, the kings of these independent -cities might dissolve the bonds, and so diminish the -splendor of the crown which I was to wear. To this -I replied, that to be king of Tyre and its peninsula -was a glory that would meet my ambition. "Yes," -said she, "for Tyre is the key of the riches of the -earth!"</p> - -<p>I repeat this conversation, dear mother, in order to -show you that the high-born daughters of Egypt are not -only affable and sensible, but that they possess no little -knowledge of other lands, and take an interest in countries -friendly to their own. The grace and beauty of -this maiden, as well as her modesty, rendered her conversation -attractive and pleasing. She is to become the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">{239}</a></span> -wife of a brave young captain of the chariot battalion, -when he returns from the Ethiopian war.</p> - -<p>My visit to the pyramids I will now describe, dear -mother, although in a letter to the Princess Thamonda I -have given a very full account of it. Accompanied by -the hierarch and a few young lords—his friends and -mine—we rode in chariots out of the gate of the city, -passed the guards, who made obeisance to the high-priest, -and entered upon an avenue (what noble avenues -are everywhere!) of trees growing upon a raised and -terraced mound which bounded each side of it. The -mound was emerald-green with verdancy, and the -color of the foliage of the palms, acacias, and tamarisk -trees was enriched by the bright sunshine as seen -through the pure atmosphere. At intervals we passed -a pair of obelisks, or through a grand pylon of granite. -Then we came to a beautiful lake—the Lake of the -Dead—where we passed a procession of shrines. Every -nome and all large cities have such a lake. I will here -state its use, which, like every thing in Egypt, is a -religious one. It is connected with the passage of the -dead from this world to the next; for the Egyptians not -only believe in a future state, but that rewards or punishments -await the soul. When a person of distinction -dies, after the second or third day his body is taken -charge of by embalmers, a class of persons whose occupation -it is to embalm the dead. They have houses in -a quarter of the city set apart for this purpose. Here -the friends of the dead are shown three models of as -many different modes of embalmment, of which they -choose one, according to the expense they are willing to -incur. "The most honorable and most costly," said -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">{240}</a></span> -the high-priest to me, as we were surveying the Lake -of the Dead, towards which a procession was moving -from the city, when we came before it, "is that in -which the body is made to resemble Osiris. And a -custom prevails among us, that the operator who first -wounds the body with the sharp embalming flint, preparatory -to embalming, is odious by the act, and is -compelled to take to flight, pursued with execrations -and pelted with stones. No doubt the man we saw -flying out of a house this morning, as we passed, was -one of these incisors."</p> - -<p>The body remains seventy days, if that of a person of -rank, at the embalmers. It is then either taken to the -house, to be detained a longer or shorter time—according -to the attachment of relatives, and their reluctance -to part with it—or is prepared for entombment. During -the interval of seventy days, the mourners continue -their signs of lamentation, which often are excessive in -degree, such as tearing off raiment, beating the breast, -and pouring dust upon the head. The pomp of the -burial of the Pharaohs, I am informed, is inconceivably -grand and imposing. The whole realm joins in the -rites and processions, and every temple is crowded with -sacrificers and incense-burners.</p> - -<p>We stopped our chariots to witness the funeral procession -advance to the shore of the lake, from the wide -street leading from Memphis.</p> - -<p>First came seven musicians, playing a solemn dirge -upon lyres, flutes, and harps with four chords. Then -servants carrying vases of flowers; and others followed, -bearing baskets containing gilded cakes, fruit, and crystal -goblets of wine. Two boys led a red calf for sacrifice -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">{241}</a></span> -in behalf of the dead, and two others carried in a basket -three snow-white geese, also for sacrifice. Others bore -beautiful chairs, tablets, napkins, and numerous articles -of a household description; while others still, held little -shrines, containing the household gods or effigies of their -ancestors. Seven men carrying daggers, fans, sandals, -and bows, each having a napkin on his shoulder, followed. -Next I saw eight men appear, supporting a table; and -lying upon it, as offerings, were embroidered couches -and lounges, richly inlaid boxes, and an ivory chariot -with silver panels, which, with the foregoing articles, the -high priest informed me had belonged to the deceased, -who, from the cartouch on the chariot, was Rathmes, -"lord of the royal gardens."</p> - -<p>Behind this chariot came the charioteer, with a pair -of horses caparisoned with harness for driving, but which -he led on foot out of respect to his late master.</p> - -<p>Then came a venerable man, with the features and -beard of the Hebrew race. Surprised to see one of -these people anywhere, save with an implement of toil -in his hand, or bowed down to the earth under a burden, -I looked more closely, and recognized the face of the -head gardener, Amrami, or Amram, whom I had often -seen in the queen's garden, and whom Remeses had -taken, as it were, into his service, as he was his foster-father: -for it is no uncommon thing with the nobles to -have Hebrew nurses for their infants; on the contrary, -they are preferred. When Remeses was an infant, it -seems, therefore, that the wife of this fine-looking old -Hebrew was his foster-mother, or nurse. I have before -spoken of the striking resemblance he bears to Remeses. -Were he his father (if I may so speak of a prince in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">{242}</a></span> -connection with a slave), there could not be a much -greater likeness.</p> - -<p>This venerable man, who must be full seventy years -of age, bore in his hand a bunch of flowers, inverted -and trailing, in token that his lord was no more. He -was followed by not less than fifty under-gardeners, four -or five of whom had Hebrew lineaments, but the rest -were Egyptians and Persians,—the latter celebrated for -the culture of flowers, which are so lavishly used here -in all the ceremonies of society and rites of religion.</p> - -<p>After them followed four men, each bearing aloft a -vase of gold, upon a sort of canopy, with other offerings; -then came a large bronze chest, borne by priests, containing -the money left to their temple by the deceased. -Then, in succession, one who bore his arms; another, a -pruning-hook of silver; another, his fans; a fourth, his -signets, jewelled collars, and necklaces, displayed upon -a cushion of blue silk, adorned with needle-work; and -a fifth, the other insignia peculiar to a noble who had -been intrusted with the supervision of all the royal gardens -in the Memphite kingdom.</p> - -<p>Now came four trumpeters and a cymbal-player, performing -a martial air, in which voices of men mingled, -called "The Hymn of Heroes."</p> - -<p>Next appeared a decorated barge or <i>baris</i>,—a small, -sacred boat, carried by six men, whom I saw elevate to -view the mysterious "Eye of Osiris;" while others carried -a tray of blue images, representing the deceased under -the form of that god, also of the sacred bird emblematic -of the soul. Following these were twelve men, bearing, -upon yokes balanced across the shoulders, baskets and -cases filled with flowers and crystal bottles for libation. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">{243}</a></span> -Next were a large company of hired females, with fillets -upon their brows, beating their bared breasts, and throwing -dust upon their heads,—now lamenting the dead, now -praising his virtues.</p> - -<p>Then came the officiating priest, his sacred leopard-skin -cast over his shoulders, bearing in his hand the -censer and vase of libation, and accompanied by his -attendants holding the various implements required for -the occasion. Behind this priest came a car, without -wheels, drawn by four white oxen and seven men, yoked -to it, while beside them walked a chief officer, who -regulated the movements of the procession. Upon this -car was the consecrated boat, containing the ark or -hearse. The pontiff of the Temple of Horus walked by -the sarcophagus, which was decked with flowers, and -richly painted with various emblems. A panel, left open -on one side, exposed to view the head of the mummy.</p> - -<p>Finally came the male relatives of the dead, and his -friends. In his honor the queen's grand-chamberlain -and the master of horse marched together in silence, and -with solemn steps, leaning on their long sticks. Other -men followed, whose rich dresses, and long walking-canes, -which are the peculiar mark of an Egyptian gentleman, -showed them to be persons of distinction. A -little in the rear of these walked a young man, who -dropped a lotus-flower from a basket at every few steps, -and closed the long procession.</p> - -<p>In no country but this, where rain seldom falls, and -it is always pleasant in the open air, could such a procession -safely appear bearing wares so delicate and -frail. The only danger to be apprehended is from -storms of sand from the desert beyond the pyramids, of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">{244}</a></span> -the approach of which, however, the atmosphere gives a -sufficient warning.</p> - -<p>This letter is quite long enough, dear mother, and I -close it, with wishes for your happiness, and assurances -of the filial devotion of</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">{245}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XV.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of Memphis.</div> - -<div class="left0">Dearest Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Your</span> -last letter, assuring me of your health, and -that of the Princess Thamonda, I received by the chief -pilot, Onothis, who, in his new and handsome galley, -reached the head of the Delta two days ago. Thence -he came here in his boat, his ship being too large, in -the present depth of water, to come up to Memphis.</p> - -<p>I will now continue the description of the funeral of -"the lord of the royal gardens." When the procession -reached the steps leading down to the sacred lake, -the hearse was borne upon a gilded and carved baris, -the consecrated boat for the dead. This was secured to -a decorated galley with sails and oars and a spacious -cabin, richly painted with funeral emblems. The friends -and relatives of the deceased embarked in other barges -in waiting, and to the strains of wailing music, the procession, -reverently joined by the boats of several gentlemen, -in gay apparel, who were fishing on the lake, -crossed to the other side. Reaching the opposite shore, -it formed again, as before, and moved down "the Street -of the Tombs," crossed a narrow plain, and entered the -gate of the great burial-place of Memphis. We slowly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">{246}</a></span> -followed the procession; and, alighting from the chariot, -I saw them take the mummy from the sarcophagus on -the car, and place it upright in a chamber of the tomb. -An assistant priest then sprinkled all who were present -with sacred water, and the chief-priest burnt incense -before an altar of the tomb, and poured libations upon -it, with other ceremonies. To close the scene, the -mummy was embraced by weeping friends, and a funeral -dirge played by the musicians without, which was wildly -answered by the mourning wail of woe from within.</p> - -<p>Driving around the Acherusis Lake, under the shade -of its solemn groves, the priest directed his charioteer to -take me in again at the gate of the tombs. Reseating -myself by his side—for the chariots of the priests, as well -as those of ladies, are provided with a movable curved -chair which holds two persons—we proceeded in a -direct line towards the greatest of the three pyramids -that stand near Memphis. We were upon what is called -"The Sacred Way." It commenced at the gate of a -temple to the god of the winds, beneath the pylon of -which we passed, and extended nearly a league in length -over a vast plain crowded with funeral temples, monuments, -mausolean porticos, statues, and fountains. All -the architectural magnificence which is found in other -avenues, seemed to be combined here to form a royal -road which has no parallel on earth; not even the long -column-lined approach to the Temple of the Sun, at the -end of the straight street in Damascus, can be compared -with it.</p> - -<p>This noble thoroughfare, as we drove slowly along -that I might admire its grandeur and beauty, was -thronged with people going to and coming from the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">{247}</a></span> -city. There were processions returning from having -deposited their dead in one of the many tombs which -covered the vast plain; processions of the humbler -orders, with but few signs of display and wealth, proceeding, -with real mourners, to the tomb. There were -groups of children, their hands filled with garlands, -going to place them upon the sarcophagus of a departed -parent; for the custom of decorating the resting-places -of the dead with wreaths often renewed, belongs to -Egypt as well as to Syria.</p> - -<p>We overtook a rich lady in a gilded palanquin, borne -on the shoulders of four slaves. She was opulently and -handsomely attired, and carried a blue and green fan, -while an attendant walked behind and held over her -head a large parasol.</p> - -<p>Two chariots, containing young Egyptian lords, dashed -by us at full speed in the excitement of a race, each -driving his own ornamented car, the charioteers standing -a little in the rear.</p> - -<p>People selling little images of gods, or of eminent deceased -persons, or fruit, or flowers, or scarabi, and amulets, -were seated all along the highway, upon pedestals, -or in the shade of statues and tombs; while along -the road walked sellers of vegetables, and fowls, and -bread. Indeed, the way was crowded with life and activity. -With no other people would the avenue to its -tombs be the most thronged of any, and the favorite of -all in the city; for Memphis, which extends from and -includes Jizeh, past the pyramids south for six miles, -has noble streets, but none like this leading to the pyramids. -The Egyptians say that the house is but the temporary -abode of man, but in the tombs his embalmed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">{248}</a></span> -body dwells forever. "Let us, therefore, decorate -our tombs with paintings and art, and fill them with -flowers, and adorn the homes which are to be permanent."</p> - -<p>Hence the "dead-life" of the sepulchres is not less a -reality to the Egyptian than his life in the city. The -poor, however, do not find tombs. They are buried in -graves or pits, like the Hebrew people. On the other -side of the river lies the most ancient burial-place of -Memphis; but since the construction of the Lake of -the Dead, it is no longer necessary to cross the Nile (for -the dead <i>must</i> be ferried across water) for interment.</p> - -<p>As we drove on, we came to a stately sepulchre, before -which was gathered a large multitude. The coffin -had just been removed from a gorgeous hearse and set -down upon the step of the tomb. It was the funeral of -a lady. I never saw any painting so rich as that which -adorned the mummy-case. It was an Osirian coffin, and -covered in every part with columns of hieroglyphics -or emblematical figures, among which were represented -the winged serpent, the ibis, the cynocephalus or the -genii of Amenthe, and the scarabus.</p> - -<p>"The hieroglyphics," said my companion, "contain -the name and qualities of the deceased."</p> - -<p>At this moment an official, partly in a priestly dress, -advanced in an imposing manner, touched the coffin -with a wand, and said aloud:</p> - -<p>"Approved! Let the good be entombed, and may -their souls dwell in Amenthe with Osiris. Judgment is -passed in her favor! Let her be buried!"</p> - -<p>Upon hearing this address, I asked the high-priest -what it signified. He replied, with that courtesy which -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">{249}</a></span> -has always distinguished his replies to my numerous -questions:</p> - -<p>"This act has reference to the judgment of Osiris. -We did not witness a similar ceremony at the lake, because -the deceased was brought from On, and had already -been judged at the crossing of the Nile. If we -had sooner seen this funeral procession, which came -only from the city to the lake, we should have beheld -forty-two just persons, chosen as judges, seated upon a -semicircular stone bench along the shore."</p> - -<p>"I noticed the stone seats," I answered, "and intended -to have inquired their use."</p> - -<p>"Seated upon them, the forty-two judges await the procession. -The baris, or gilded galley, which is to receive -the body, is then drawn alongside of the steps. Before -it the bearers stop, and turning to the judges, rest their -burden on the ground before them. Then, while all the -friends stand anxiously around, and hundreds of spectators -line the shores, one of the judges rises and asks if -any one present can lawfully accuse the deceased of -having done wrong to any man. If the dead has done -injustice or evil, his enemy, or the one wronged, or their -relatives, advance and make the charge. The judges -weigh the accusation, and if it be sustained, the rites of -sepulchre are commanded not to proceed."</p> - -<p>Such a judgment, dear mother, I afterwards witnessed -on our return from the pyramids. It was the funeral of -a woman of respectability.</p> - -<p>The accuser said, advancing into the space before the -judges—</p> - -<p>"I accuse the deceased of suffering her father to perish -in want."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">{250}</a></span> -"This is a great crime by our laws," said the judge -sternly; "for, though sons are not bound to provide for -poor parents, daughters are. This she knew, and was -able to do it. Where are the proofs?"</p> - -<p>Three persons came forward and bore testimony to -the fact.</p> - -<p>"The deceased is not worthy to pass the Lake of the -Dead. The burial is prohibited."</p> - -<p>Hereupon there was a great cry of woe on the part of -the mortified relations; and the mummy, without being -permitted to enter the sacred baris, was retaken to the -city, where in a shrine in the house it will remain above-ground -for years; until finally, after certain ceremonies, -it is permitted to be ignominiously entombed in "the -sepulchre of the evil."</p> - -<p>This accusation and judgment, dear mother, is a striking -illustration of the veneration and respect children -are expected to pay to their parents in Egypt.</p> - -<p>If, on the other hand, the accusation is not sustained, -the accusers are stoned away by the friends, who then with -great joy unite in a eulogy of the dead, and joined by all -the people present pray the gods below to receive him to -dwell among the pious dead. In the eulogy, they speak -only of virtues—praising his learning, his integrity, his -justice, his piety, his temperance, and truthfulness; but no -mention is made of rank, since all Egyptians are deemed -equally noble. Such an ordeal has no doubt a great influence -upon the living Egyptian; for he is certain that -at his death every act of injustice he has committed will -be brought up before the forty-two judges, and if found -guilty, he will be denied sepulture, while infamy will be -attached to his memory.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">{251}</a></span> -"What," I asked of my companion, the high-priest, -"is the state of the deceased soul after death?"</p> - -<p>"That, O prince," said he, "is one of the mysteries. -But as you have been initiated into the knowledge of -the mystic books in your own land, I will explain to you -what our books of the dead teach. We priests of Apis -do not believe with those of Osiris at On."</p> - -<p>"What is their faith?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"That the soul of man is immortal (which we all believe)," -he added positively; "that when the body decays, -the soul enters into and is born in the form of a -lower animal; and when it has gone the round of the -bodies of all terrestrial and marine animals, and of all -flying creatures, it enters again into the body of an infant -at its birth."</p> - -<p>"Possibly in this belief," I remarked, "is found the -reason for preserving the human body as long as possible -by embalming it, thus keeping off the transmigration -of its soul into a brute as long as possible."</p> - -<p>"Without doubt," he replied, "embalming the dead -grew out of the doctrine of transmigration of souls. The -circuit performed by a soul in this series of inhabitations -of the forms of animals, is three thousand years in duration. -Such is the belief of the priests of the Sun. This -transmigration is not connected either with reward or -punishment, but it is a necessity of its creation that the -soul should accomplish the whole circuit of the kingdom -of animated nature ere it again enters a human -body. <i>Our</i> doctrine of metempsychosis only so far embodies -this, as to make Osiris send back the transgressing -soul from Amenthe to earth, to dwell in the body -of swine as a punishment; and when its probation is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">{252}</a></span> -passed, we allow an ultimate return to the Divine Essence."</p> - -<p>"What is this tribunal of Osiris?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"The dead carry with them to the tomb a papyrus, -on which is written their address to the gods, and the -deeds which entitle them to admission into Heaven. -When the soul leaves the grave, it is received by Horus -son of Osiris, and conducted to the gates of Amenthe, or -the regions of the gods. At the entrance, a dog with -four heads—of the wolf, lion, serpent, and bear—keeps -guard. Near the gate, which is called the Gate of -Truth, sits the goddess of Justice, with her gigantic -scales of gold between her and the Gate of Truth. -Hard by sits the god Thoth, with a tablet and stylus. -The scales are superintended by the deity Anubis -Through the open gate the throne of Osiris is visible -with the deity upon it.</p> - -<p>"As Horus advances with the soul to the Gate of -Truth, as if to enter, the goddess of Justice commands -him to stop, that the sum of its deeds, both good and -evil, may be weighed and recorded.</p> - -<p>"Anubis then places a vase containing all the human -virtues in one scale, and the heart of the deceased, or -sometimes the soul itself, in the other. Horus repeats -the result, which the god Thoth inscribes upon his iron -tablet. The dog watches the issue of the weighing with -eyes red with furious longing to devour the soul. If the -sum of its good deeds predominates, Horus, taking it by -one hand, and the tablet of Thoth in the other, advances -into the hall, where his father, Osiris, is seated upon -the throne, holding his crook and flagellum, and awaiting -the report from the hand of his son. They approach -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">{253}</a></span> -the throne between four genii of Amenthe, and -come before three deities who sit in front of the throne. -These ask if he has been weighed, and Horus exhibits -to each the tablet of Thoth. They then permit him to -pass. Horus now stands before Osiris, with the soul by -his side, and presents the tablet, which the deity takes -from his son's hand. If satisfied by an inspection of the -tablet, which records not only the virtues but every -error of the soul's life on earth, Osiris presents him with -an ostrich feather, the emblem of truth. One of the -three deities then gives him a vase containing all the -virtues, his few sins being pardoned; a second offers -him a jewelled band for the forehead, on which is inscribed -in diamonds the word 'justified;' and the third -presents him with the emblem of life. He is now received -by Isis, and conducted through gates of gold that -open with divine music, and enters into scenes of celestial -beauty and splendor; palaces of the gods become his -abode, he reposes by heavenly rivers of crystal beauty, -wanders through fields of delight, and dwells with the -Lord of the Sun, and all the immortal gods, in glory ineffable -and endless."</p> - -<p>The hierarch said all this with great animation, and -like a man who believes what he utters. I was deeply -interested.</p> - -<p>"And what, my lord priest, becomes of the soul -which cannot meet the scales of justice with confidence, -whose evil deeds outweigh his good ones?"</p> - -<p>"Such a soul does not see Osiris, nor the farther -heavens where he dwells illumined by the glory of the -divine disk of the Lord of the Sun. The reprobate -spirit does not behold the Eye of Osiris, nor repose in its -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">{254}</a></span> -pure light. It is not manifested to the sacred deities of -the inner heavens, nor does he hear the voice of the -great god, saying, 'Thou art justified, O soul! Enter -thou the Gate of Truth.'</p> - -<p>"If the soul is all wicked, with no virtues, then Horus -releases its hand with horror, and the dog devours the -wretched being in a moment. But if he has one or two -virtues—such as honoring his parents, having saved a -human life, or fed the hungry—then he is not given -over to the monster; but Horus, with a sad aspect, leads -him to the throne of Osiris, who, reading the dark tablet -of Thoth, sternly inclines his sceptre in token of condemnation, -and pronounces judgment upon him according -to his sin, when, Horus leaving him, two evil gods -from the realms of Typhon appear and lead him forth."</p> - -<p>"What is the punishment ordained?"</p> - -<p>"To be led back to the gate of Truth and delivered -to Justice, who, without a head, sits thereat. The goddess -seals the sentence of Osiris upon the forehead of -the unclean soul, and instantly it assumes the form of a -pig, or some other base animal. The god Thoth then -calls up two monkeys, who take the condemned soul to -a boat and ferry it back to the world, while the bridge -by which it came from the earth is cut down by Anubis, -in the form of a man with an axe."</p> - -<p>"As every thing in Egyptian mythology is symbolical, -what is the signification of these monkeys?"</p> - -<p>"Monkeys are emblems of Thoth, the god of time," -he answered. "The books of our mysteries teach that -the human race began with the monkey, and progressively -advanced to man. Osiris, by his judgment, condemns -the unclean soul to the level of the monkey -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">{255}</a></span> -again, but first commands it to enter a swine's body, -the uncleanest of all beasts, and make its way through -the whole circle of animal creation, back to the monkey, -and up through the black, barbaric races of men, -who have arms like apes, to true man himself. Then, -practising virtue and rejecting his former vices, he -may after death finally attain to the mansions of the -blessed, in the presence of Osiris. But I should add, -the souls of bodies unburied can never enter the Gate -of Truth."</p> - -<p>Here we came in sight of the gigantic pylon that -opens to the Temple of the Pyramid of Cheops, and the -hierarch ceased speaking. He had, however, but little -to add, for his explanations covered all the ground of -my inquiries.</p> - -<p>Thus, dear mother, have I presented to you the system -of worship in this wonderful land. I will now -proceed to a description of my visit to the pyramids, -which, in sublime majesty, occupied the whole horizon -as we advanced beyond the plain of the tombs. At the -extremity of the paved causeway of this stately "Avenue -of the Dead," leading from the Nile to the pyramids, -we beheld the three great triangular mountains of -gigantic art obliquely, so that they were grasped by the -eye in one grand view. But the lofty mass of Cheops -immediately before us, at the end of the avenue, challenged -the eye and whole attention of the observer. -For a moment, as we dashed onward in our brilliantly -painted chariot, our steeds tossing their plumed heads -as if proud of their housings of gold and needle-work, -we lost sight of the pyramid by the interposition of the -gigantic wings of the Gate of the Pyramids. These -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">{256}</a></span> -wings were towers of Syenite rock, one hundred and -twenty feet in height, looking down from their twelfth -painted and sculptured story upon the tops of the loftiest -palms that grew on each side of the entrance. The -gate was guarded by priests, who wore a close silver -helmet, and held in their hands a short sword, the -sheath of which hung to a belt of leopard's skin. They -were young men, numbering in all three hundred and -sixty, corresponding to the days of the former Egyptian -year; while their five captains typify five days added -by the gods.</p> - -<p>"These young men," said the high-priest, "are all -sons of warlike fathers. They desire to become priests, -and are now in their novitiate; but after a year's service -as guards to the greatest of temples, they will be -advanced to a higher degree, and exchange the sword -for the shepherd's crook; and thence they rise to be -bearers of libation vases, and assistants in sacrifices."</p> - -<p>We passed under the lofty pylon, which was spanned -by a bronze winged sun, saluted by sixty of the guard -on duty; this being the number of each of the six bodies -into which they are divided. As soon as we entered -the court of the gate, a sight of inconceivable grandeur -burst upon me. Imagine a double colonnade of the -most magnificent pillars which art could create, extending -on each side of an open way a thousand cubits in -length. At the end of the grand vista, behold crouched -at full length, on the eastern edge of the elevated table -on which the pyramids stand, and in an attitude of eternal -repose, with an aspect of majesty and benignity inconceivable -in the human lineaments, an andro-sphinx -of colossal size, having the face of a warrior. Although -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">{257}</a></span> -stretched on the earth, with its fore-paws extended, the -summit of the brow is seventy feet above the earth. -This sublime image is emblematical, like all Egyptian -sphinxes, and represents strength or power combined -with intellect. The face I at once recognized to be that -of Chephres, as seen upon his obelisk at Rhoda, aggrandized -by the vastness of its proportions to the aspect of -a god.</p> - -<p>From my companion, the prince-hierarch, I learned -it was begun by an ancient Pharaoh of the same name, -one of the kings of the oldest dynasty, who conceived -the idea of chiselling into these grand proportions a mass -of rock, which, projecting from the Libyan hills, nearly -obstructed the view of the principal pyramid.</p> - -<p>We were here forbidden to advance in our chariot, -and the footmen, who had never left the side of the -horses, however swiftly our charioteer might drive, -caught them by the head, and we alighted.</p> - -<p>I had leisure now to contemplate the scene before -me. The personation of majesty, the sphinx, fills the -breadth of the approach between the massive pillars of -the colonnade. Between his fore-paws, which extend -fifty feet, while the body is nearly three times this measure, -stands a beautiful temple faced with oriental alabaster. -His head is crowned with a helmet slightly convex, -upon which, like a crest, is affixed the sacred urus -or serpent, shining with gold. The cape or neck-band -of the helmet is of scales, colored blue, red, green, and -orange, intermingled with gilding. A great and full -beard descends over his breast, immediately under which, -and between his feet, is the summit of the temple where -sacrifices are daily offered to the god. Above his towering -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">{258}</a></span> -brow soars the mighty pyramid before which this -colossus keeps guard.</p> - -<p>"The majesty of this image, O prince," said the high-priest, -as, leaning at every step upon his slender acacia -rod, he walked by my side, "impresses you."</p> - -<p>"It is the most majestic of all the gods of Egypt," I -answered.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Its age is nearly coeval with the pyramid."</p> - -<p>"On the pyramidion base of the left obelisk in front of -the temple of Osiris, have I not seen reposing four small -sphinxes copied from this?"</p> - -<p>"Thou hast seen them. That obelisk is many ages -old; yet long before it, was this sphinx-god, as silent, majestic, -and immovable in eternal repose as you behold -him now."</p> - -<p>At the termination of the avenue of direct approach, -we descended an inclined plane to a platform of marble, -on which is an image of Osiris in stone, and were brought -nearly opposite the lower part of its face. Then another -flight of steps, cased with polished porphyry, brought -us on a level with the top of the temple. In the centre -of this level platform stands a statue of Horus, cast in -bronze. Thence descending another flight of thirty -broad steps, we stood in the space between the enormous -feet of the sphinx, and directly before the beautiful -temple.</p> - -<p>Our gradual approach in this descent, during which -the sphinx was kept constantly in view, rising above us -as we descended, heightened the impressions first made -upon me by its colossal size; and I beheld, with new -emotions of sublimity, its posture of repose and calm -majesty of aspect.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">{259}</a></span> -A priest, in the full costume of his sacred office, stood -at the door, and preceded by him we entered. As it -was the hour of oblation, he held a censer in his hand, -and approaching an altar before a granite tablet at the -end of the temple, he invoked the mysterious god. The -temple has no roof, but is exquisitely decorated and painted -with sacred symbols. On each side stands a tablet of -limestone. The tablet over the altar is inscribed with -the name of the designer of the sphinx, Menes, the first -mortal king after the general overflow of the mountains, -and also with the destruction of the gigantic gods by the -uprising of unknown oceans upon the globe. The tablet -holds his shield, and on it is pictured the escape of the -son of the ancient gods, in a ship, which is resting upon -a mountain peak. In this tradition, mother, we find -repeated our Phœnician history of the flood, before the -days of the first kings. Without doubt all nations retain -a similar tradition. Upon the same tablet is also a -representation of a later king offering incense and libations -to the god to whom the sphinx is consecrated. -The tablets on the side also represent kings offering -prayer to the god. The floor is beautifully tesselated -with variegated stones; and on all sides are ivory or -silver tables, covered with beautifully shaped vases, -containing offerings of worshippers. There are, besides, -ten shrines before the altar, upon each of which rests a -golden crown, gifts of kings of other lands. Without -question this temple of the sphinx is the richest in Egypt -in gifts, as well as most honored by its Pharaohs. Is it -not the vestibule to the grand pyramidal temple which -is the tomb of the first mortal king?</p> - -<p>But, my dear mother, I must not linger at the feet of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">{260}</a></span> -the sphinx. Leaving the temple, we ascended one of -two broad stair-cases, and mounting to a succession of terraces, -adorned with statues of gods, the vast bulk of the -sphinx being on our right, we reached a noble stone -platform behind the image, upon which stands an ancient -figure, in coarse marble, worn by age, of Chephres -the Great. He stamps a sea-dragon under his feet, and -upon his capped head is the beak of a galley, with the -head and wings of a dove. In this symbol, dear mother, -behold again the representation of the deluge, and the -dove that guided the ship which held Chephren, or -Chephres, and his father, the god Noachis, or Noah.</p> - -<p>When we had gained this terrace, we beheld before -us both pyramids, and between them the pylon of a -vast temple, which, extending its great arms on each -side, embraced the twin pyramids in one godlike edifice, -of grandeur and dimensions immeasurable to the -eye, and overpowering to the imagination. To explain -more clearly what I beheld: Between, but in advance -of them, towered a colossal pylon, to which each pyramid -was a wing, united by a wall of brick, ninety feet -high, encased with marble. This central temple, or -pylon, was as massive and solemn in its aspect as the -pyramids which formed its propyla. For a few moments -I stood and gazed with awe. Until the spectator reaches -the terrace, the whole effect is not perceived; for, -though the central temple is visible, even from the Lake -of the Dead, it appears as if merely intervening; it is -only on the terrace before which the sphinx, the gigantic -watcher before the pyramids, reposes, that the -whole grand design is comprehended. Had I been all -at once brought in sight of the House of Osiris, in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">{261}</a></span> -realm of the gods, I should not have been more overawed -and impressed.</p> - -<p>This temple, built of brick, with marble casing, has -in its outline the ruinous aspect of great age, and is not -in as good preservation as the pyramids, although subsequently -erected, not as an after-thought, but in keeping -with the great design.</p> - -<p>But a visitor is announced as in the hall of reception; -therefore, at present, dear mother, farewell,</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">{262}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XVI.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My honored and dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I have</span> -described my chariot ride through the -plain of tombs, along the magnificent causeway, which -extends from the Lake of the Dead to the feet of the -sphinx. All that I beheld of the grandeur of the monuments -showed, that the Egyptians of past generations -who built them, and lie buried here, were a populous -and powerful nation, in advance of all others in the arts -of life; since not only do the cities for the living, but -the "Homes of the Dead," attest their taste and love -for the beautiful and sublime in nature and art. The -culmination of all Egyptian marvels in architecture is -the sphinx-guarded pyramidal temple.</p> - -<p>We approached the central pylon along a paved -court, across which two hundred chariots could have -driven in a line. This court was entirely surrounded -by a double row of majestic columns, with the lotus-leaf -capitals I have before described. The vastness of their -proportions seemed to be increased by contrast with a -group of priests, who looked like pigmies in size as they -stood by their bases. The gigantic entablature, which -united their summits, was covered with sacred symbols, -richly colored, and crowned with statues of kings, hewn -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">{263}</a></span> -out of the dark-gray granite of Ethiopia. But some of -these were mutilated by Time, which, indeed, had -thrown its mantle of decay over the whole,—pillars, -architecture, and sculpture; for this court is coeval -with the sphinx crouched at its entrance, and but a -little later than the two pyramids. In a few centuries, -decay will have brought the mighty fabric to the earth; -for, massive as it looks, it is built of brick, covered with -pictured stucco; but the pyramids of stone, which have -withstood the lapse of ages beyond history, will last as -long as the everlasting hills of granite from which their -enormous blocks were hewn.</p> - -<p>Passing beneath the great portal, we found ourselves -in the sacred square of the temple of the Pyramids, and -I could now perceive the mighty design. Connected -by stupendous columnar wings, the pyramids rose in -sublime grandeur on either hand. Their summits shone -with the light of the setting sun, which, reflected from -the polished casing of the pictured tiles yet remaining -near the top, and that once covered the whole surface -from base to apex, lent a splendor to them indescribable. -On the opposite side of the quadrangle, formed by the -temple in front and the bases of the pyramids on the -two sides, is a dark grove of palms, intermingled with -statues and altars; and beyond rise the dark hills -of Libya—a fitting and solemn background to the -scene.</p> - -<p>About the summits of the Queen's Pyramid, which is -a little smaller than the other, though it appears to be -of equal height, from the superior elevation of the platform -of rock on which it stands, soared flocks of the -white ibis, their snow-white wings flashing like pinions -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">{264}</a></span> -of silver as they wheeled in mid-air. At that immense -height they looked no larger than sparrows.</p> - -<p>A statue of Horus, whose name I had also seen inscribed -on the tablet of the temple of the Sphinx, rose -a colossal monolith in the centre of the quadrangle, -with one of Thoth upon his right, and another of Anubis -on his left hand. These figures were symbolical of the -funereal use of the pyramids between which they stood.</p> - -<p>After walking around the columned avenue of this -great mausoleum, we began the ascent of the larger -pyramid, known as that of Cheops; the other bearing -the name of Chephres, as the high-priest informs me; -and the third, which towers in its own unaided grandeur -farther to the south, being that of Pharaoh-Men-Cherines. -We found the ascent extremely difficult—indeed, in -ancient times it must have been impossible, when its -polished and beautiful casing remained entire; but this -having been removed by time and accident in many -places, and purposely in others, a path, if it may be so -termed, is made to the summit. We were aided by -attendants of the temple, who from long practice ascend -with ease, assisting also those strangers who would -climb the perilous height.</p> - -<p>As we reached half-way, a block, which had been -removed from its place either by the irresistible force -of a sirocco from the desert, or by lightning, gave the -high-priest and myself a welcome resting-place.</p> - -<p>As we stood here a few moments, I looked down -upon the prospect below. The sight at first made me -dizzy, for we were elevated four hundred feet above the -base. I seemed to be suspended upon wings above -an abyss, and a dreadful desire to throw myself out -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">{265}</a></span> -into mid-air seized me; so that to resist it I closed my -eyes and clung firmly to the attendant. It soon passed -off, and I gazed down upon the vast quadrangle, the -persons in which looked no bigger than ants, while the -three colossi of the gods, in the centre, were reduced to -the natural size of men.</p> - -<p>Opposite, not six hundred cubits distant, stood Chephres. -From each pyramid swept the avenues of columns -and the great wall connecting both with the central -temple and its pylon. From the grove of palms, curled -up into the pure orange-colored atmosphere a blue cloud -of incense, where some priest offered at one of its shrines.</p> - -<p>Again we mounted upwards, and, after incredible -fatigue, gained the summit—not without peril, for a slip -of the foot or the hand, each block being as high as a -man's neck, would prove fatal. Indeed, more than one -life has been lost in falling down the side of the pyramid. -A prince of Midian, a country in Arabia, lost his -life last century by losing his hold and falling from -Chephres, which is more difficult of ascent than Cheops, -(or Chuphu), as the priests there call its name.</p> - -<p>How shall I describe to you, my dear mother, the -scene which burst upon my vision, as I gazed about me -from this mountain-like elevation! As I ascended, the -prospect of the country enlarged at every step, but -now I seemed to behold the earth itself spread out -beneath me. The place where we stood, which looks -from below like a sharp apex, is a platform several -cubits across, on which twenty men could stand or -move about with ease.</p> - -<p>I can give you no adequate conception of the scene I -beheld. First, the valley of the Nile was visible, extending -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">{266}</a></span> -for many leagues to the right and left, and -resembling a green belt a few miles wide, through -which the river flowed like a silver band—while upon -its borders countless cities were set like precious stones. -It was a gorgeous and magnificent assemblage of cities, -temples, palaces, obelisks, villas, gardens, monuments, -avenues of trees and sphinxes, sepulchres, aqueducts, -statue-lined causeways, galleys and pleasure barges, -chariots, horses, and multitudes of people. Nor should -I omit what now became visible in one field of view, to -the north and south. I mean not less than one hundred -pyramids, all much smaller than the mighty triad, but -each, had not the others been up-builded, would have -been a marvel of grandeur.</p> - -<p>"Those are all tombs of kings, but of a later age -than this one," said the hierarch, looking towards them. -"Each monarch, at the commencement of his reign, laid -the foundation of a pyramid. He built first a small -one, containing his sarcophagus and sepulchral chamber. -Then every year he added to the outside a complete -layer of stones, which, after many years, extended its -base, and increased its elevation in like proportions. -Therefore the size of the pyramids marks the age to -which the king lived."</p> - -<p>"Then," said I, "the kings who built the multitude -of lesser pyramids, which we behold in the distance, -must have had much shorter lives than the builders of -these vast piles."</p> - -<p>"You are right, O prince," he said. "When the -pyramid, on which we now stand, and its companions -were builded, men's lives were of the duration of a thousand -years."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">{267}</a></span> -"That was before the traditional deluge?" I replied, -with surprise and interest.</p> - -<p>"True, O Prince of Tyre!" he answered. "These -two great pyramids, say our sacred books, were the -work of the giants who lived in the days before the flood -of Noachis, or Noah. They are the tombs of their -kings, and were centuries in being built according to -our years. And when the gods brought the unknown -oceans over the earth, to punish the nations which living -so long became as wise as the gods, but at the same time -grew as wicked as wise, these vast sepulchres withstood, -like the lesser hills, the waters of desolation, and remained -in ruinous grandeur, not only as witnesses of the -flood, but monuments of a past people whose towers, as -well as tombs, reached unto the heavens. You see -these pyramids, and how they are now defaced by the -billows that dashed against and over them. Anciently, -when they were completed, their whole surfaces were -encased with beautiful tiles of the brightest blue and -purest white, inlaid alternately in perfect squares. -Upon this magnificent encasing was inscribed, in pictorial -signs, the history of man; but no person has ever -interpreted them. You see, my prince, that here, at the -top, are a few strata still remaining of this rich encasement; -all the rest having been destroyed by the deluge—by -the abrasion of the waves, and the hurling against -its sides of mighty ships, driven by the huge and angry -billows which rolled like a boiling sea across the earth. -Thus you behold these vast structures, as it were in -ruins, yet still retaining fragmentary portions of their -original glory and beauty. When the waters departed, -the gods limited the lives of men to one hundred years; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">{268}</a></span> -hence the pyramids that the kings this side the flood -have erected are comparatively small in magnitude."</p> - -<p>"But the third, was it not built before the flood?"</p> - -<p>"I did not intend you should so understand," he answered. -"It was commenced before the flood by the -king who was destroyed thereby. But the son of the -wise and good Prince Noah completed it during the -several hundred years that he lived—as did his father -also—after the flood; for it was only the lives of their -descendants that were to be limited. Thus Amun, says -tradition, finished the third pyramid, but did not encase -it, as the art was lost by the deluge which had destroyed -those who were skilled in it. There are other accounts, -my prince, but they either come near this one, or so far -differ from it that they are entitled to no credit."</p> - -<p>"It is <i>your</i> opinion, then, O high-priest, that these -two pyramids were built by the giants of the ages before -the great deluge?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"I have no other one," he replied firmly. "When the -age of man was shortened to one hundred years from -one thousand, his stature was also lessened. Hence the -men of the ages since the flood cannot build a pyramid -like one of these. All the power of engines and art -cannot uprear such stones six hundred feet into the air. -This is giants' work."</p> - -<p>"Then you believe that there were giants in the earth -in the days before the flood?" I said, doubtingly.</p> - -<p>"These pyramids attest the fact," he replied, with an -impressive gesture of his right hand towards the opposite -one. "Noah himself, says tradition, and his sons, Chephres, -Chufu, and Amun or Men-Cherines, were gigantic, -and are worshipped as gods, as you know, not only here -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">{269}</a></span> -and in Syria and Ethiopia, but in the Orient, and beyond -the seas, under various names. In the third pyramid -Amun was entombed. In the second is Chephres, -or Chefret, who, when an aged king, was brought from -the place where he died, and placed in a sarcophagus -above the chamber where lay the king who found sepulture -there before the flood. Within the pyramid on -which we are, rest the sacred bones of the Prince-god -Noah, who, at the age of nine hundred and fifty years, -came hither to be buried by the side of his eldest son -Chephres. 'Such a mourning of the nations, all of whom -sprung from his loins, the earth never knew, and will -never witness more,' say the sacred scrolls of the temples. -All kings, and queens, and princes, and lords, and -nobles, of every realm followed the embalmed body of -their father and deity; and King Menes, his grandson, -went up from Egypt with all the hosts of the land to -meet the funeral procession, and to receive the divine -body. Cheops is but another name for Noah. Here -also is entombed Menes."</p> - -<p>Such, my dear mother, is the priestly tradition of the -pyramids. We, of Tyre, have a myth that the Father -of the Flood is buried in Damascus; but though Egyptians -love to concentrate all history around their own -land, and make Egypt the cradle of the human race, -yet as this tradition seems to be better founded than ours, -and as they can point to the grand tombs of these kings -of the flood, I am ready to concede to her the honor -which she claims of being the place of sepulture of the -giants who survived the deluge. And what fitter tombs, -than these eternal mountains of granite, could the progenitors -of the race repose in! Fit sepulchres are these -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">{270}</a></span> -in their grandeur of proportions, for men whose stature -was gigantic, and whose lives extended through a thousand -years!</p> - -<p>But I must return to the prospect from the summit of -this mausoleum of giants. The sun was near the horizon, -and sent his level and mingled rose, golden, and purple -beams aslant across the valley. The air was perfectly -clear, and our view unimpeded in all directions.</p> - -<p>To the south, along the verdant plain of the Nile, the -pyramids shone in the sun as if sheathed with plates of -gold. Palms, temples, obelisks in pairs, and pylones -were mingled with them in the richest confusion; while -as far as the eye could penetrate they receded into -the desert, till their size was diminished by distance to -shining mounds.</p> - -<p>Turning my eyes to the west, the yellow plain of Libya, -with its rocky hills inclosing the verdant valley of the -Nile in that direction, rolled away to the edge of the -horizon, an arid, undulating, illimitable expanse, which, -under the sun, blazed like a lake of fire from the burning -reflection of its sands. The contrast of this realm -of desolation, and its storm-piled drifts of gray, brown, -and dusky sand, lying so near the groves, and green -fields, and blooming gardens which surrounded the pyramids -and extended to the base of the ridge, was very -remarkable. One part looked like the abode of Osiris, -full of beauty, and light, and happiness: the other like -that of Typhon, or the spirit of evil, who strove, ever -battling with his storms of sand, to invade, overwhelm, -and desolate these scenes of beauty! And, ere many -centuries, his arid hosts threaten to sweep past the pyramids, -and to overleap the very gates of Memphis! But -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">{271}</a></span> -at present, all the land within the hills is a region of delight, -presenting a pleasing contrast, with its perennial -green, to the desolate and savage realm of the desert. -Luxuriantly covered with verdure; bright with golden -wheat-fields, charming green meadows, foliage of every -variety; groups of trees rising from a thousand courts; -countless villages everywhere, and myriads of brilliant -lakes, it was a scene of unmixed beauty. Jizeh, a little -to the east, with its temple-palaces and gardens, filled -the view. Farther east lay, first, the glorious city of -Apis, its squares, avenues, lakes, groves, fanes, and -monuments, all open to the eye like a magnificent -picture. Beyond the glittering Nile, the banks of which -were rich with fertility and adorned with villas, I beheld -Raamses, and still farther Pythom, the treasure-cities, -in the fair expanse of the land of Goshen,—alas! beautiful -only to the eye, for upon it rests the dark shadow of -Hebrew bondage; and south, a few miles, after a thousand -scenes of rural beauty fill the vision, towers, like -the throne of the kingdom, the city of the Lord of the -Sun, its gorgeous temple and forest of obelisks flinging -back the sunbeams with a splendor that fills the soul -with wonder and delight!</p> - -<p>"O happy, glorious, mighty Egypt! what a blessed -and favored land art thou! With one foot upon the -seven mouths of thy mighty river, another upon -Ethiopia, and thy head in the clouds, all nations bow -down to thy might and greatness! Leader of the -kingdoms of the earth! what a future is thine, if -thy kings and rulers are true to thee and to themselves!"</p> - -<p>The hierarch heard me utter these words, for I spake -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">{272}</a></span> -aloud in my wonder at the glory of this kingdom and -the magnificence of her power.</p> - -<p>"The future of Egypt, my prince, no man can foresee. -But the sacred books contain a prophecy, that -during one cycle of a soul, three thousand years, she -will be a nation despised and ruled by kings of another -race, and all that will remain to her will be her defaced -pyramids and temples; the marvel of which will bring -strangers from the ends of the earth, curious to gaze -upon these mute witnesses of her ancient power and -glory."</p> - -<p>"The gods forbid!" I said warmly.</p> - -<p>"The gods," he answered, "govern the earth, and do -what they will with its kingdoms. These sacred papyri -also speak of Tyre and prophesy its desolation, and say -that the empire of commerce shall be removed to an -unknown world beyond the great sea of the West, and -that a race yet unborn shall sway the destinies of the -earth, and another religion shall prevail in the hearts of -men."</p> - -<p>"What are these papyri?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Books which have been handed down from the first -kings, who in their turn received them from the ancient -gods."</p> - -<p>I turned away sorrowfully at the thought of this prediction, -my dear mother. The idea that Tyre, which -now sits a queen upon the shores of her sea, will ever -be desolate, is not possible for me to conceive. May -her prosperity and peace be prolonged to the ends of -the ages!</p> - -<p>We now turned to descend this elevation, from -whence the heart of Egypt lay open before us. The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">{273}</a></span> -sight of the sheer eight hundred feet along the inclined -side of the pyramid was fearful. The projections which -were to receive our feet were not apparent; and we -commenced the descent with the greatest caution, being -obliged to lower ourselves from block to block; and -where the encasement of tiles remained, we were sustained -by the iron heads of short spears with which each -of us was provided, a hook being secured at the opposite -end.</p> - -<p>At length we reached the broad terrace which surrounds -the pyramid, and upon which are statues and -small sphinxes facing outward. Between two of large -size, representing Osiris and Isis, we descended a broad -flight of steps to an ancient gate, which, as I was told, -led to the entrance of the pyramid. The passage, however, -has not been opened for many centuries—the piety -of the Pharaohs permitting the mighty dead to rest in -their granite tumuli undisturbed by curiosity or cupidity.</p> - -<p>When we had crossed the court, the priest ascended -with me one of the towers of the pylon. From thence -he showed me a mass of rock lying in a position which -answered, in reference to the main pyramid, to that -which the sphinx occupied.</p> - -<p>"Seest thou, O prince," he said, "that isolated rock? -The ancients intended to chisel it also into a sphinx to -match this one, for they used to place them in pairs, -like their obelisks. But the grand conception has never -been carried out; and you perceive that our noble queen, -Amense, is erecting the pyramid of her years so near, that -it in part stands upon it. Two such sphinxes crouched -in front of Cheops would have been an entrance to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">{274}</a></span> -the mausoleum worthy of it, and of him who reposes -therein. Instead of carrying out this original design, -the great temple and colossal wings have been built, -and the avenue from the sphinx so turned aside by -a slight angle, as to terminate at the central pylon; -thereby making one sphinx answer the purpose of two, -but at the sacrifice of proportion; for the twofold -grandeur of the combined pyramids lessens the impression -of the single sphinx, while the two reposing before -Cheops alone, would have been in keeping with its majesty."</p> - -<p>As it was now sunset, we hastened to our chariot and -drove back to the city, along the magnificent causeway -I have before described.</p> - -<p>Upon my return to the palace of the high-priest, and -after describing to his beautiful daughter, Luxora, the -incidents of my visit, she said, with an arch smile—</p> - -<p>"You ought not, O Sesostris, to have come away -without seeing the emerald table of Hermes!"</p> - -<p>"I heard nothing of it, lady," I answered. "I have, -moreover, seen splendor enough for one day. What -and where is this table?"</p> - -<p>"In the central chamber of the great pyramid. The -people of Egypt believe the tradition, and so also have -some of its kings."</p> - -<p>"What is the tradition?" I asked. "But first, do -you believe it?"</p> - -<p>"With all my heart. I never doubted it since I was -a child," she answered, smiling, yet with a tone of sincerity. -"My father thinks if it were true, it would -have been removed when the god Noachis was placed -there."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">{275}</a></span> -"It is not in the chamber of the sarcophagus, sister," -said Osiria, the sister younger than Luxora—a maiden -remarkable for her sprightliness and intelligence; "it -is in a vault of crystal <i>under</i> the pyramid."</p> - -<p>"You are right, my dear sister," replied the elder, -gracefully. "I will tell the prince the legend."</p> - -<p>"Then I will tell him <i>mine</i>," said Osiria, with an arch -look. "I know he will like mine the best."</p> - -<p>"Because he likes you the best, is it?" her sister replied, -playfully. "But have a care, Osiria; our guest -is betrothed to a great princess in his own country."</p> - -<p>"That need not prevent him from being my good -friend in this," responded Osiria, pleasantly.</p> - -<p>"Your tradition, noble Luxora?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"It is this. In the ancient days of the earth, before -the deluge of the gods, the thrice great Hermes, who -knew all the secrets of alchemy, engraved them upon -an emerald table and placed it in a cave, which he -sealed up. His motive for doing this was both to preserve -them and to conceal them from men—for the race -of man had grown so wicked, that they made use of -what they knew of alchemy to injure one another and -defy the deities, answering back the thunder of heaven -with thunders of their own. Over this cave the first -pyramid was built, and there the emerald table, with -all its secrets, so dear to our sex, has remained to this -hour!"</p> - -<p>I thanked Luxora for her legend, and assured her -that I had quite as much curiosity to see the wonderful -emerald as she had.</p> - -<p>"But if it were discovered," said Osiria, "who could -read and understand the writing upon it! Now, O -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">{276}</a></span> -prince, hear <i>my</i> tradition; for, having visited the pyramids, -it will be agreeable to you to hear all that is said -about them."</p> - -<p>"I will listen with the greatest pleasure," I answered.</p> - -<p>But, dear mother, I will here close this long letter, -and reserve, for the commencement of my next, the -singular tradition related to me by Osiria.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">{277}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XVII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of the Hierarch, at Memphis.</div> - -<div class="left0">My much honored Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I have</span> -much of interest concerning which to -write to you in this letter; but will first redeem my -promise to give you the traditional story narrated by -the lovely Osiria, daughter of the pontiff of Memphis. -Her father came in as she commenced, and smilingly -said—</p> - -<p>"Daughter, are you about to overthrow the prince's -faith in the true history of the pyramids, by a fanciful -legend?"</p> - -<p>"No, my dear father," she answered; "I only desire -him to know all he can about these mighty monuments -of a former world, and if he does not believe with me in -the legend, it will at least interest him."</p> - -<p>I assured the beautiful maiden that it would without -doubt interest me, and possibly upon hearing it I might -receive it "as the most reliable account of the origin of -the pyramids."</p> - -<p>"Not in opposition," said the high-priest, with a smile, -"to the sacred books."</p> - -<p>"Not in opposition," said Luxora, archly, "to my -emerald table."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">{278}</a></span> -"Let the prince, dear father, and sister, hear and -judge," said the youngest daughter; and commenced as -follows:</p> - -<p>"A very long time ago—before the time of the vast -deluge, when all the oceans that roll around the world's -verge met in the centre and overflowed the highest -mountains—a king, whose name was Saurida Salhouhis, -was informed by his astrologers that seven stars had -fallen into the sea, betokening a great overflow thereof. -He answered, 'The mountains of my kingdom are higher -than the ocean, and will defy its waves.'</p> - -<p>"The next year his astrologers again came to him, and -said that the sun was covered with dark spots, and that -a comet was visible with a crest of fire, and threatened -evil to the earth. The same night the king dreamed -that the mountains became plains, and that all the stars -of heaven were extinguished. On awakening he called -his one hundred and forty-four priests, and commanding -them to consult the gods, received for answer, that the -earth was to be drowned. Thereupon he commenced -building the two pyramids, and ordered vaults to be -made under them, which he filled with the riches and -treasures of his kingdom. He prepared seven tables or -shields of pure gold, on which he engraved all the -sciences of the earth, all the knowledge he had learned -from his wise men, the names of the subtle alkalies, and -alakakirs, and the uses and hurts of them; and all the -mysteries of astrology, physics, geometry, and arithmetic."</p> - -<p>"These seven golden tables of my sister's legend," -said Luxora, laughing, "are not near so wonderful as -my table of emerald."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">{279}</a></span> -"Lest," said Osiria, "you should imagine I am drawing -upon my fancy, I will read to you the remainder of -the tradition from the ancient book in the keeping of the -priests of Amun, in the Thebad, given me by my mother, -who was the daughter of the priest of the sacred house -there."</p> - -<p>Having thus spoken the maiden retired, and, after a -few minutes absence, returned, followed by a Hebrew -woman carrying a pictured scroll, such as I had never -before seen. Aided by her attendant, she unrolled it -for several cubits, and having found the legend, commenced -to read (a rare art among Egyptian ladies, except -daughters of the learned priests) as follows,—the -tall and stately Hebrew supporting the roll rather with -an air of royal condescension than of submission:</p> - -<p>"After the king, Saurida Salhouhis, had given orders -for the building of the pyramids, the workmen cut out -gigantic columns, vast stones, and wonderful pillars -hewn of single rocks. From the mountains of Ethiopia -they fetched enormous masses of granite, and from -Nubia of gray porphyry, and made with these the foundations -of the pyramids, fastening the stones together by -bars of lead and bands of iron. They built the gates -forty cubits under ground, and made the height of them -one hundred royal cubits, each of which is equal to six -of ours; and each side also was made a hundred royal -cubits in extent. The beginning of this undertaking -happened under a fortunate horoscope, and resulted -successfully. After he had finished the larger of the -pyramids, the king covered it with blue satin from the -top to the bottom, and appointed a solemn festival, at -which were present all the inhabitants of his kingdom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">{280}</a></span> -"Then in this great pyramid he built thirty treasure-chambers, -which he filled with an immense store of -riches,—precious vessels, signatures of agates, bloodstones, -and cornelian, instruments of iron, earthen vases, -arms which rust not, and crystal which might be bended -yet not broken, strange shells, and deadly poisons, with -many other things besides. He made, in the west pyramid, -a subterranean hall with divers spheres and stars in -the vaulted roof, placed in their celestial houses, as they -appear in the sky, each in his own aspect; and he deposited -here the perfumes which are burned to them, -and the books that treat of their mysteries. He placed, -also, in the colored pyramid the scrolls of the priests, in -chests of black marble, every chest having upon it a -book with leaves of brass, in which were inscribed the -duties and wonders of the priesthood, its nature, and the -mode of worship in his time; and, in a chest of iron, -were seven books which revealed what was, and is, and -shall be from the beginning to the end of time.</p> - -<p>"In every pyramid he placed a treasurer: the treasurer -of the western pyramid was a statue of red marble-stone, -standing upright by the door of the treasure-house,—a -lance in his hand, and about his head a wreathed -serpent. Whosoever came near the door, and stood -still, the serpent entwined about the throat, and, killing -him, returned to its place.</p> - -<p>"The treasurer of the colored pyramid was an idol of -black agate, sitting upon a throne, with a lance in its -hand, and its eyes open and shining. If any mortal -looked upon it, he heard a voice so terrible that his -senses fled away from him, and he fell prostrate upon -his face and died.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">{281}</a></span> -"The treasurer of his seven tables of gold was a statue -of stone, called Albutis, in a sitting posture: whosoever -looked towards it, was drawn to the statue till he was -pressed against it so hard that he died there. Over the -portal of each he caused to be written:</p> - -<p>"'I, King Saurid, built the pyramids in six years. He -that comes after me, and says he is equal to me, let him -destroy them in six hundred years. It is easier to pluck -down than to build up. I also covered them, when I -had finished them, with satin; and let him cover them -with mats of grass.'</p> - -<p>"Here ends the record on the scroll," said the maiden. -"Miriam, thou wilt roll it up, and place it whence I -took it, in the sacred shrine of books."</p> - -<p>The Hebrew woman, whose appearance was so remarkable -for dignity and a certain air of command, that -I could not but regard her with interest, then rolled up -the book, and moved quietly, but with a stately step, -from the room. As she went out, attracted by my close -scrutiny, she fixed upon me a large pair of splendid -eyes, dark and beautiful, and lighted up by the inward -fire of an earnest spirit. Her age was about eight or -nine and forty. I do not know why, in looking at her, I -thought of Remeses, now at Thebes, waiting to assemble -his vast army; perhaps there was a style of face and -shape of the eye that recalled him.</p> - -<p>"Who is this Hebrew woman?" I asked; for though -I have been several days a guest of the high-priest, I -had not before seen her.</p> - -<p>"My assistant and copier of the scrolls and papyrus -leaves, in the Hall of the Sacred Books," answered -Osiria; "for know, O prince, that I am my father's -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">{282}</a></span> -scribe, and have the care of all the rolls of the temple."</p> - -<p>"Nor can any temple," interposed the hierarch, "boast -so orderly a chamber of books as mine; neither do I -see any copies of prayers and rites so beautifully done -as those by Osiria."</p> - -<p>"I do not deserve all the praise, my father," answered -the maiden; "for the rich coloring of the heading cartouches -of chapters, as well as the graceful form of the -characters, is due to Miriam."</p> - -<p>"What the servant does the master is praised for," -answered the priest, smilingly. "But you have not told -the prince the whole of the tradition."</p> - -<p>"It is true. I must now state how the pyramid was -opened by one of the Phœnician conqueror kings. This -Philistine warrior, whose barbaric name I have forgotten, -and do not wish to remember, on seeing the pyramids, -demanded to know what was within them. He -was answered by the priest of the sphinx, who is the -guardian of the two pyramids, that 'they contained the -embalmed bodies of the ancient gods, and first kings of -men, the emerald and golden tablets, and all the treasures -of gold, silver, and works of art, and every thing -which appertained to the world before the deluge,—all -of which had been preserved by them from the waters, -and were now therein.'</p> - -<p>"Hearing this, this king told them he would have -them opened. All the priests assured him that it could -not be done; but he replied, 'I will have it certainly -done.' So the engineers of his army opened a place in -the great pyramid by means of fire and vinegar; smiths -aided the work with sharpened iron and copper wedges, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">{283}</a></span> -and huge engines to remove the stones. It was a vast -work, as the thickness of the wall was twenty cubits. -They were many months reaching an apartment within, -where they found a ewer made of bright-green emerald, -containing a thousand dinars, very weighty, one hundred -chœnixes of gold-dust, twenty blocks of ebony, a -hundred tusks of ivory, and a thousand ounces of rings -of Arabic gold.</p> - -<p>"This was all he found, for beyond this small chamber -the workmen could not penetrate, by reason of the -three treasure-keepers, namely,—the awful statue, with -an enwreathed serpent upon his head; the statue of -agate, with the terrible voice; and the statue of stone, -with the power to draw every one to him, and press him -to death between his arm and his iron breast."</p> - -<p>"Then said the king, 'Cast up the cost of making this -entrance.' So the money expended being computed, -lo! it was the same sum which they had found; it -neither exceeded nor was defective. So he closed up -the opening and went his ways, seeing that the gods -were against him.</p> - -<p>"Many years afterwards, another king opened the -other pyramid, and found a passage which descended far -below in the earth, in the direction of the centre of the -pyramid. By it he reached a subterranean chamber far -beneath the level of the foundation, almost directly -under the apex. In it was a square well, on each side -of which were doors opening into subterranean passages; -these he followed, and at length reached a gate -of brass, which he perceived led into the foundations of -the greater pyramid. But he could not open it, nor has -any power been sufficient to do so to this day. Returning -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">{284}</a></span> -he found another side passage, leading into the pyramid -and so upward, to a vaulted room, containing the -mighty sarcophagus of the great Noah. This dead monarch -of two worlds, before and after the deluge, was -reposing in calm majesty in his colossal mummy-case, -which was covered with plates of gold. Upon his head -was a crown of emerald olive-leaves, each leaf an emerald; -and upon his breast, a white dove, made of one -pearl. Leaving with awe the father of the world to his -sublime and eternal repose, guarded only by the pure -white dove, the king, in retiring, found, to his great -joy, a narrow passage, which led upward towards the -top of the pyramid. It conducted him and his attendants -to a chamber with twelve sides, on each of which -was pictured one of the constellations in the path of the -precession of the equinoxes, in their motion towards the -west. The floor was of polished ivory, inlaid with silver -stars, dispersed over it as they appeared in their heavenly -places when the pyramid was completed. The -seven planets, including the sun and the moon, were -represented in the ceiling, each one in a panel of silver, -with its deity,—all inlaid with silver and precious stones.</p> - -<p>"In the centre of this 'Hall of the Universe,' was -a hollow stone: when the king entered the chamber, -the stone vanished at the pressure of his feet on the -floor, and a statue larger than life, of pure crystal, was -displayed to his sight. This statue represented a king -upon whom was a breastplate of gold set with jewels; -on his breast was a stone of incalculable price, and over -his head, a carbuncle of the shape and bigness of the -sacred egg of the phœnix, shining like the light of the -day. He held upon his left arm a shield formed of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">{285}</a></span> -one single topaz, upon which were characters written -with a pen, that neither the king, nor the wise men, -nor astrologers, nor magicians, nor the priests who knew -all languages, could interpret. Suddenly darkness filled -the place, their torches were extinguished, and save only -the king who had with him his diamond-set signet, -which shed light before his steps, no one ever returned -to the entrance; nor could he ever find the chamber -of the statue again. But the first passage to the subterranean -chamber remains open to this day, by which -men descend; and others are from time to time discovered; -the treasury-chambers, however, remain sealed to -the eyes of men!"</p> - -<p>When the intelligent Osiria had ended her account, I -gratefully expressed to her my appreciation of her kindness -in giving me such interesting information. She -accepted my thanks in the graceful manner which characterizes -Egyptian ladies of rank. The magnificent -Luxora said, with a charming air of feigned provocation—</p> - -<p>"With your brilliant tradition, sister, you have quite -thrown into the shade my poor solitary emerald table!"</p> - -<p>"There is no doubt whatever, O Sesostris," said their -father, who had listened to the tradition as he sat in his -ivory chair, in the rich undress vestments he wore -when not engaged in official acts in the temple, "or -rather, we of the priesthood do not doubt, that the pyramids, -at least the pair so nearly of a size and so close -together, were builded before the deluge, which, according -to our astrologers, took place under the dynasty -of the demigods, about one thousand five hundred and -forty years ago, when the world was nearly two thousand -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">{286}</a></span> -four hundred years old; but our books of mysteries -give many more thousands of years! In the most ancient -temple of Thoth, at Thebes, which is the true -astronomical capital of the kingdom, as well as the -ecclesiastical one, there is a tablet in the ceiling of the -adytum, representing the configuration of the seven -planets as they existed on the first day after the creation. -This was the beginning of the world, and since -that day the heavenly bodies have not stood thus again! -Upon the wall beneath it is a <i>stele</i>, portraying their position -at the time of the Noachic deluge. The arc of their -celestial motion, between the creation and the deluge, -being accurately measured in the progress of centuries, -by astrologers of the houses of the mysteries, compared -with the arc measured for one thousand years since the -deluge, shows that the fixed stars, between the creation -and the deluge, moved thirty spaces of the thousand -years along the zodiac westward. That is, the arc of -the zodiac was thirty times as large between the creation -and deluge, as between the deluge and the end of -a thousand years after it; while the seven planets -changed their places in the same proportions of time -and change. Hence, guided by the march of the -heavenly bodies, they teach that thirty thousand years -elapsed between the creation and the deluge; since it -would take that time to change the configuration of the -stars so greatly as to subtend so vast an arc as their precession -drew along the zodiacal path! But, as I have -said, the sacred books of the priests, who are governed -only by the planetary constellations, aided by tradition, -give the number of years I have previously stated."</p> - -<p>"Do not the Egyptian astrologers," I asked, "give a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">{287}</a></span> -period for a year of the heavens to make one revolution -through the zodiac?"</p> - -<p>"It is one of their mysteries. Finishing upon a chart -the arc of precession which they measure on the zodiac -they measure the whole circle it will sweep, and calculate -a cycle or period of thirty-six thousand years, as -the duration of one grand year of the universe!"</p> - -<p>"As, then, thirty thousand years of this year of the -stars passed before the deluge, if the astrologers are -correct in their sidereal calculations," I remarked, "there -are but four thousand and four hundred and fifty years -to the end of the first celestial year of creation!"</p> - -<p>"Which," said Luxora, "they teach will terminate -time; and the earth will then be recreated, and there -will be a new starry world, and the year of the universe -will be doubled to seventy-two thousand years; and -when twelve of these vast years are completed, the -creation will be dissolved and all things return to nothing -as before the beginning of time, and the souls of -men will be absorbed in the Divine Essence!"</p> - -<p>"You are remarkably well versed in astrology," I said -to the noble-looking young women.</p> - -<p>"We are priest's daughters," she answered; "and -from our father we derive all our knowledge."</p> - -<p>"Can you, then," I asked, "explain to me one thing -that has been alluded to in our conversation? I am desirous -of knowing something about the phœnix, which -I see even now represented, inlaid in ivory, upon this -table of vases."</p> - -<p>"I fear that I shall not be able, prince, to make you -understand, what, I confess, I am not well informed -upon. The phœnix has always been a mystery to me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">{288}</a></span> -"I understand the bird," said Osiria, "to be the symbol -of a star. But I have never fully comprehended -it. I have doubts if there be such an extraordinary bird. -Will you, father, gratify us and the Prince of Tyre at -the same time?"</p> - -<p>The kind and courteous hierarch, before replying, laid -down a beautiful fishing-rod which he was arranging—it -being a favorite pastime of his leisure to sit in the -pavilion before his windows, and amuse himself by fishing -in the oval lake that fills one of the areas of his -palace, and around which runs a columnar arcade, in -whose cool shade we take our walks for exercise in the -heat of the day. And this amusement, my dear mother, -is not only a favorite one with him, but with all Egyptian -gentlemen; who also delight in hunting the gazelle -and other animals—keeping for the purpose leashes of -trained dogs, some of them very beautiful, and as swift -as the winds. They are singularly fond of having dogs -accompany them in their walks, and adorn them with -gold or silver collars. The ladies also have pet dogs, -chosen either for their beauty, or—odd distinction—for -their peculiar ugliness. Luxora boasts a little dog, of -the rare and admired Osirtasen breed, which is as beautiful -and symmetrical as a gazelle, with soft, expressive -eyes, and graceful movements; while Osiria prides -herself on a pet animal, the ugliness of which, as it -seems to me, is its only recommendation. Remeses has -a noble, lion-like dog, that he admits into his private -sitting-room, and has for his attendant at all times when -he walks abroad. Nearly every lord has his hounds; -and to own a handsome dog is as much a mark of rank, -as is the slender acacia cane.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">{289}</a></span> -"The phœnix, according to the ancients," said the -priest, "is a bird of which there exists but one specimen -in the world. It comes flying from the east once in -the course of six hundred and fifty-one years, many -other birds with dazzling wings bearing it company. -It reaches the City of the Sun about the time of the -vernal equinox, where it burns itself upon the roof of -the temple, in the fire of the concentrated rays of the -sun, as they are reflected from the golden shield thereon -with consuming radiance. No sooner is it consumed to -ashes, than an egg appears in the funeral pyre, which -the heat that consumed the parent warms instantly -into life, and out of it the same phœnix comes forth, in -full plumage, and spreading its wings it flies away -again, to return no more until the expiration of six hundred -and fifty-one years!"</p> - -<p>"This is a very extraordinary story," I said.</p> - -<p>"It is," answered the high-priest; "yet it has a simple -explanation."</p> - -<p>"I should be gratified to hear it," I answered.</p> - -<p>"Do you believe, dear father," asked Osiria, "there -ever was such a bird?"</p> - -<p>"I have seen it," answered the priest, mysteriously. -"But I will gratify your curiosity. The first recorded -appearance of this phœnix was nineteen hundred and -two years ago, in the reign of Sesostris, a king of the -twelfth Egyptian dynasty."</p> - -<p>"The Pharaoh for whom I am named," I said.</p> - -<p>"How came you, O prince, to have an Egyptian -name?" asked Luxora.</p> - -<p>"The memory of Sesostris the Great was highly -venerated by my father, and hence his selection of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">{290}</a></span> -it for me; besides, I am related to the Phœnician -kings."</p> - -<p>I had no sooner made this unlucky confession, than -the two sisters looked at their father, then interchanged -glances, and appeared quite embarrassed. I at once -reflected that the memory of the Phœnician dynasty is -distasteful to the Egyptians; and that, by confessing my -alliance with them, I had risked their good-will. But -the surprise passed off instantly, for they were too well-bred -to show any continued feeling, and the priest -resumed—</p> - -<p>"The last appearance was six hundred years ago -and in fifty-one years he will reappear, to consume -himself in the burning rays of the sun."</p> - -<p>"I hope I shall be alive to see it," said Osiria, with -animation.</p> - -<p>"This singular myth," pursued the hierarch, "signifies -to us of the priests who are initiated into these -astrological mysteries, nothing more than the transit of -the planet Mercury across the disk of the sun. The -fabulous bird, the phœnix, is an emblem of Mercury, as -Osiris is of the Sun, according to the teaching of the -books of Isis."</p> - -<p>"I perceive the whole truth now," I answered.</p> - -<p>"What is it, my lord prince?" asked the sisters.</p> - -<p>"There is but one planet Mercury, as there was but -one phœnix. The City of the Sun, or the Temple of the -Sun, on which the phœnix was said to consume himself, -is simply the Sun, or the house of the god Sun, in -which Mercury, during his passage across the disk, may -be said to be consumed by fire. As the phœnix consumes -himself once every six hundred and fifty-one years, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">{291}</a></span> -at the vernal equinox,—so say our Saban books, kept in -the Temple of Hercules at Tyre,—Mercury once every -six hundred and fifty-one years enters the flames of the -sun on nearly the same days of the year! As the -phœnix flies from the east westward to the City of the -Sun, so the course of Mercury is from east to west -athwart the sun. While the phœnix in its passage to -the City of the Sun is attended by a flight of dazzling -birds, so Mercury in its passage across the disk of the -sun is accompanied by bright, scintillating stars in the -heavens around. As the phœnix came forth anew out -of the flames which had consumed him to ashes, so -Mercury, while in the direct line of the sun, is lost to -the vision as if consumed, but, having crossed its disk, -reappears and flies away on his course again, resuming -all his former splendor! Is not this a full solution, my -lord priest?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"You have well solved the riddle," he answered; -"and I must compliment you on your knowledge of -astrology, O prince. In Egypt we are acquainted with -this science, but it is not expected of strangers. In all -the years in which the phœnix, according to the 'Books -of the Stars,' is said to have destroyed himself with fire -in the City of On, Mercury has likewise performed his -transits over the sun, according to the calculations of -our hierogrammatists, whose duty it is to keep records -of descriptions of the world, the course of the sun, moon, -and planets, and the condition of the land of Egypt, -and the Nile."</p> - -<p>When I had expressed my thanks to the noble and -intelligent priest, his wife, Nelisa, who entered a few -moments before, said to him playfully:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">{292}</a></span> -"What a beautiful mystery you have destroyed with -your science and learning, my lord! I have from a child -delighted in the mysterious story of the phœnix."</p> - -<p>"We have mysteries enough left in our mythology -and astrology, my dear wife," he answered. "There -is scarcely a deity of the land who is not in his origin a -greater mystery than the phœnix. Around them all are -clouds and mists, often impenetrable by the limited reason -of man; and in many lands, as it was anciently in -Egypt, the word for religion is 'mystery.'"</p> - -<p>The hierarch was now summoned by the sound of a -sistrum to enter the temple, with which his palace communicated—it -being the hour of evening prayer and -oblation. The young ladies prepared to ride in a beautiful -chariot brought to the palace by their brother, a -fine specimen of the young Egyptian noble; while the -lady of the house left me, to return and oversee her -numerous servants in their occupation of making confections -and pastry, and preparing fruits for a festivity -that is to take place in the evening, I believe, in -my honor; for, were I a son, I could not be more cordially -regarded than beneath the hospitable roof of the -hierarch of Memphis.</p> - -<p>As I was proceeding along the corridor which leads -past the "Hall of Books," I saw through the open door -the stately and handsome Hebrew woman Miriam. She -was engaged in coloring, with cakes of the richest tints -before her, a heading to a scroll of papyrus. Her noble -profile was turned to my view. I started with surprise -and a half exclamation, for I beheld in its grand and -faultless outline the features of Remeses! How wonderful -it is that he so strikingly resembles two, nay -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">{293}</a></span> -three, of this foreign race!—not only this woman, -though much older than Remeses, and the venerable -under-gardener Amram, but also a third Hebrew whom -I have met under singular circumstances. I will defer, -however, my dear mother, to another letter the account -of it, as well as of my interview with Miriam; for, hearing -my exclamation, she looked up and smiled so courteously -that I asked permission to enter and examine the work -she was so skilfully executing with her pencil.</p> - -<p>The hierarch, the lady Nelisa, and their daughters -Luxora and Osiria, desire to unite with me in my regards -to you.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">{294}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XVIII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of Memphis, Palace of the Hierarch.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I have</span> -received from the Prince Remeses a letter -informing me of the arrival of each division of his -army, chariots, horse, and footmen, with the fleets under -the viceroy Mœris, at the city of the Thebad. They entered -it, however, as conquerors, for the Ethiopian king -had already taken possession of it with his advanced -guard.</p> - -<p>I will quote to you from the letter of the prince:</p> - -<div class="block"> - - <p>"I trust, my dear Sesostris," he writes, "that you - are passing your time both with pleasure and profit, in - visiting places of interest in the valley of the Lower - Nile, and in studying the manners and usages of the - people. You will find the pyramids an exhaustless - source of attraction. From the priests, who are the - most intelligent and learned class in Egypt, you will - obtain all the information respecting those mysterious - monuments of the past, which is known, besides many - legends.</p> - -<p>"The idea of their antediluvian origin is by no means - an unlikely one. As we travel down the past, at every - epoch we find the pyramids uplifting their lofty heads -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">{295}</a></span> - into the skies! Still we move down the path of ages, and - see the throne of the first mortal king overshadowed by - their hoary tops! Farther back, against their bases, beat - the receding waves of the deluge; for between the king - of the first dynasty and the flood, there seems to be no - interval in which they could have been upreared, even - if there were time for a nation to rise and advance in - power, civilization, art, and wealth, adequate to the product - of such gigantic geometric works. Either our - chronology is at fault, or the pyramids must have been - constructed by the antediluvian demigods, and have - outstood the strength of the surging seas which rolled - over the earth. You will, however, no doubt, hear all - that is to be said, and judge for yourself.</p> - -<p>"My army is in fine order. You already have learned, - by my courier to the queen, how the dark-visaged, barbaric - King Occhoris entered Thebes the day of our - arrival in the suburbs. Upon receiving intelligence - that the van of my forces, which was cavalry, had just - reached the sepulchres of the Pharaohs below the city, I - pushed forward, joined them, and, at their head, entered - the city; while the main body of the troops of the - Ethiopian king was moving on from Edfu. But Occhoris - had already been driven from his position in the - palace of the Pharaohs, by an infuriated and insulted - populace. The barbarian monarch, after entering the - city without opposition, at the head of two hundred - chariots, six hundred horse, and his gigantic body-guard - of Bellardines, consisting of a thousand men in iron - helmets, round shields, and heavy short-swords, in order - to show his contempt of our national religion, here in - what has been called both its cradle and its throne, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">{296}</a></span> - commanded to be led into the temple of the sacred - Bull, a wild African buffalo,—a bull of a species as - ferocious as the lion,—and ordered him to be let loose - against the god. The fierce animal charged upon him - as he stood in the holy adytum with his curators, and, - overthrowing him, gored him to death in a few moments. - Thereupon the priests raised the wild cry of vengeance - for sacrilege. It was caught up by the people, and borne - from tongue to tongue through the city in a few moments - of time. Fearless, indifferent to the arms of the - soldiers, the three hundred and seventy priests of the - temple, armed only with their sacrificial knives, rushed - upon the barbarian and his guard. The Ethiopians - rallied about their monarch, and for ten priests they - slew, ten-score filled their places. The floor of the - temple became a battle-field. Occhoris, and the sixty - men who entered the temple with him, formed themselves - into a solid phalanx, facing their furious assailants, - who seemed to think they could not die. Gaining at - length the door, the king received reinforcements. But - by this time the whole city was in an uproar and under - arms, and the people, who feared Occhoris in the - morning, and refused to oppose him, now knew no fear. - The issue of this fearful combat was, that the sacrilegious - king was forced to retire with the loss of two thirds of - his body-guard, and nearly every chariot and rider; for - the avenging people with knives crept beneath the - horses and stabbed them to death; while others, leaping - upon horsemen and chariots, dragged them to the ground, - and put them to death. Not less than four thousand of - the citizens of Thebes perished in the act of pious vengeance. - Before I entered the city I heard the cries, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">{297}</a></span> - shouts, the ringing of weapons, and the whole tumult - of war; and, making my way over heaps of slain that - lay in the great 'avenue of the gods,' I pursued the - retiring monarch beyond the gates. He regained the - head of his army, and came to a halt near the ancient - temple of Amun on the Nile. My whole army are - now in advance of Thebes, in order of battle, awaiting a - threatened attack from the Ethiopian king. My headquarters - are at the palace of Amunophis I., from which - he departed nearly a century ago to drive the foreign - kings from Memphis. I felt a deep interest in being in - the house of my great ancestor. I have also visited the - palace of my father, the Prince of Thebes, who was - slain, not long before my birth, in battle with the Ethiopians. - I have paid a visit to his tomb; and as I stood - gazing upon the reposing dead in the royal mausoleum - hewn from the solid mountain, I wondered if his soul - were cognizant that a son, whom he had never seen to - bless with a father's benediction, was bending sorrowfully - over the stone sarcophagus that held his remains.</p> - -<p>"To-morrow we join battle with the barbaric king. - From the tower of the pylon which looks towards the - south, I see his vast army, with its battalion of elephants, - its host of brazen chariots, its horsemen and - footmen as numerous as the leaves. But I feel confident - of victory. Prince Mœris has moved his galleys - on the opposite side, in order to ascend secretly by night - and gain the rear of the enemy, who are without boats. - My chariots, some five hundred in number, have been - crossed over in safety to this side, to co-operate with the - Prince of Thebes. They are now drawn up in the wide, - superb serpentine avenue the 'sacred way' of Thebes, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">{298}</a></span> - lined with sphinxes and statues which adorn this vast - circle of temples to the gods.</p> - -<p>"You shall hear from me after the battle. If we defeat - and pursue Occhoris, we shall return to Memphis soon. - If we are defeated and driven back upon Thebes—which - the great God of battles forbid!—I know not how long - the campaign will continue. I hope my mother, the - queen, is well. Convey to her my most respectful and - tender remembrances, and receive from me, beloved - prince, the assurances of my personal regard and friendship.</p> - -<div class="foot smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Remeses."</div> - -</div> - -</div> - -<p>In the mean while, my dear mother, until I have further -news from Prince Remeses, I will give you an account -of the conversation I held with the papyrus-copier -and decorator, Miriam, the Hebrewess.</p> - -<p>"You are wonderfully skilled in the art," I said to her, -as I surveyed the piece before her, which she said was -the commencement of a copy of a funeral ritual for the -priests of Athor.</p> - -<p>"I have been many years engaged in transcribing," -she answered with modest dignity, without raising her -eyes to my face.</p> - -<p>"I have not seen you before in the palace, though I -have often been in this hall," I said, feeling awakened -in me an interest to learn more of the extraordinary -people who toil for the crown of Egypt, and whose ancestors -have been princes.</p> - -<p>"I have been at Raamses for a few days. My mother -was ill, and I hastened to her."</p> - -<p>"I hope your return is a proof of her recovery," I -said kindly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">{299}</a></span> -She raised her splendid eyes to my face, with a look -in them of surprise. If I interpreted aright their meaning, -it was, "Can this prince take any interest in the -welfare of a Hebrew woman?" Seeing that my own -eyes encountered hers with a look of friendly concern, -she spoke, and said:</p> - -<p>"She is better."</p> - -<p>Her voice had a mellow and rich cadence in it, wholly -different from the low, silvery tones with which the -Egyptian ladies speak.</p> - -<p>"I rejoice with you," I said.</p> - -<p>She slowly shook her superb head, about which the -jet-black hair was bound in a profusion of braids. There -were tones in her voice, too, that again recalled Prince -Remeses. Hence the secret of the interest that I took -in conversing with her.</p> - -<p>"Why do you shake your head?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Why should the Hebrew wish to prolong life?"</p> - -<p>She said this in a tone of deep emotion, but continued -her occupation, which was now copying a leaf of brilliantly -colored hieroglyphic inscriptions into the sort of -running-hand the Egyptians make use of in ordinary intercourse. -There are three modes of tracing the characters -of this system of writing; and scribes adopt one, -which, while it takes the hieroglyph for its copy, represents -it by a few strokes that often bear, to the uninitiated -eye, no resemblance to the model. This mode -the Hebrewess was making use of, writing it with ease -and elegance.</p> - -<p>"Life to you, in this palace, under such a gentle mistress -as Osiria, cannot be bitter."</p> - -<p>"I have no want. I am treated here as if I were not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">{300}</a></span> -of the race of the Hebrews. But, my lord," she said, -elevating slightly her noble-toned voice, though not -raising her eyes, "I am not so selfish, believe me, as to -have no thought beyond my own personal comfort. -How can I be happy, even amid all the kindness I experience -in this virtuous family, when my heart is oppressed -with the bondage of my people? Thou art but -a stranger in Egypt, O prince,—for I have heard of thee, -and who thou art,—and yet thou hast seen and felt for -my people!"</p> - -<p>"I have, indeed, seen their misery and toil; but how -didst thou know it?"</p> - -<p>"From the venerable Ben Isaac, whose son Israel thou -didst pity and relieve at the fountain of the shepherds." -She said this gratefully and with feeling.</p> - -<p>"Thou didst hear of this?"</p> - -<p>"He was of my kinsfolk. They told me of your kindness -with tears and blessings; for it is so unusual with -our people to hear in Egypt the voice of pity, or behold -a look of sympathy!"</p> - -<p>"I hope the lad recovered," I said, feeling that her -knowledge of that little incident had removed from between -us the barrier which separates entire strangers. -Besides, dear mother, it is impossible for me, a Syrian, -to look upon the Hebrew people, who are also Syrians -by descent from Abram, the Syrian prince, with Egyptian -eyes and prejudices. They regard them as slaves, -and look upon them from the position of the master. I -never have known them as slaves, I am not their master, -and I regard them, therefore, with interest and sympathy, -as an unhappy Syrian people, who deserve a -better fate, which I trust their gods have in store for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">{301}</a></span> -them. Therefore, while an Egyptian would feel it a -degradation, or at least infinite condescension, to converse -familiarly with a Hebrew of either sex, I have no -such inborn and inbred ideas. Miriam was in my eyes -only a beautiful and dignified Syrian woman, in bondage. -No doubt, if the proud and queenly Luxora had -passed by, and discovered me in conversation with her, -she would have marvelled at my taste; or have been -displeased at an impropriety so unworthy of my position; -for though, wheresoever I have seen Hebrews domesticated -in families, I have observed the affability and -kindness with which their faithful services are usually -rewarded by those they serve, yet there cannot be a -wider gulf between the realms of Osiris and Typhon, -than between the Egyptian of rank and the Hebrew. -The few thousand of the more refined and attractive of -both sexes, who are to be found in palaces and the -houses of nobles, are too limited in number to qualify -the feeling of contempt with which the miserable millions -of their brethren, who toil in the brick-fields south -of On, between the Nile and the desert, and in other -parts of Egypt, are universally regarded. Even the -lowest Egyptian is deemed by himself above the best -of the Ben Israels. What marvel, therefore, that the -handsome, dark-eyed youths who serve as pages, and -the beautiful brunettes who wait upon mistresses, have -a sad and timid air, and wear a gentle, deprecating -look, as if they were fully conscious of their degradation!</p> - -<p>"He is well," Miriam answered, "and desires me to -ask you (I pray you pardon the presumption!) if he -may serve you?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">{302}</a></span> -"I learn that a stranger cannot take a Hebrew into -service," I answered.</p> - -<p>"True. We are the servants of the Egyptians," she -said, sadly. "But the great Prince Remeses, son of -Pharaoh's daughter, will suffer it if you ask him. Will -you do this for the lad? Otherwise he will perish in -the field, for his spirit and strength are not equal to his -tasks."</p> - -<p>"The prince is absent, but I will ask the queen," I -answered, happy to do so great a favor to the youthful -Hebrew, in whom I felt a deep interest, inasmuch as it -is our nature to feel kindly towards those for whom we -have done offices of kindness.</p> - -<p>"I thank you, and his father and he will bless you, -O Prince of Tyre," she said, taking my hand and carrying -it to her forehead, and then respectfully kissing it; -and as she did so, I saw a tear fall upon my signet -finger.</p> - -<p>"I feel much for your people," I said.</p> - -<p>She continued her task in silence; but tears began so -rapidly to rain down upon the papyrus, over which her -head was bent, that she was compelled to turn her face -away, lest she should spoil her work. After a few moments -she raised her face, and said, with shining eyes—</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, my lord prince, but your few kind -words, to which my ears are all unused, have broken -up the sealed fountains of my heart. It is seldom that -we children of Jacob hear the accents of sympathy, or -find any one to manifest concern for us, when not personally -interested in doing so."</p> - -<p>At this moment, the sound of the sistrum before the -sacred altar of the temple, fell upon my ears; and, turning -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">{303}</a></span> -round to the east, I laid my hands across my breast, -and bowed my head low in worship, it being the signal -that the hierarch was offering incense and libations.</p> - -<p>To my surprise, the Hebrew woman pursued her work, -and remained with her head, as I thought, more proudly -elevated than before.</p> - -<p>"Do you not worship?" I asked, with surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the One God," she answered, with dignity.</p> - -<p>I started with surprise, that a bondwoman should declare, -so openly and familiarly, the mystery which even -Remeses scarcely dared to receive, and which I had accepted -with hesitation and awe.</p> - -<p>"How knowest thou there is One God?" I said, regarding -her with deepening interest.</p> - -<p>"From our fathers."</p> - -<p>"Do all your people worship the One Unity?"</p> - -<p>"Not all," she answered, a shadow passing across her -queenly brow. "The masses of our enslaved nation know -only the gods of Egypt. They adore Apis with servility. -They are the first to hail the new-found calf-god, -if, by chance, he be found in the nome where they toil. -They are ignorant of the true God, and degraded by their -long servitude (for we are all born in bondage—<i>all</i>!); -they worship the gods of their masters; and pots of -flesh which are sent from the sacrifices by the proselyting -priests, as bribes to make our chief men bow down -to Osiris and Apis, are temptations enough to cause -these elders daily to deny the God of their father Abraham. -Jacob and Joseph are become Egyptians, and -the knowledge of the undivided God is preserved only -by a few, who have kept sacred the traditions of our -fathers."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">{304}</a></span> -This was said with deep feeling, and with an expression -of anger mingled with sorrow.</p> - -<p>"What do you worship?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"The God of Abraham."</p> - -<p>"Abram was a Syrian prince," I said. "He must -have worshipped fire, and the sun."</p> - -<p>"In his youth he did. But the great Lord of heaven -revealed Himself to him as One God, and thenceforth he -knew and worshipped only the Lord of heaven and -earth."</p> - -<p>"How knowest thou mysteries which are approached -with the greatest awe by the most sacred priests?"</p> - -<p>"Abraham, our father, gave to Isaac, his son, the -knowledge of One God, God <i>of</i> gods!—above, beyond, -higher, and over the fabulous Osiris, Apis, Thoth, Horus, -and all other so-called deities. Isaac left the knowledge -with his son Jacob. From Jacob it descended to his -twelve sons, princes by birth; and we are their progeny; -and though in bondage, and tempted to bow down ourselves -to the gods of Egypt, yet there remain a few in -Israel who have never bowed the knee to the black -statue of Apis, or crossed the breast before the golden -image of Osiris."</p> - -<p>"What is the name of the One God you, and minds -like yours, worship?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"He is called the One Lord; not only Lord of the -sun, but Lord of the lords of the sun. He is One in -His being, One in power, and yields not His glory and -dominion to others. Such is the tradition of our faith."</p> - -<p>"How hast thou resisted the worship of Egypt?" I -asked. "Hast thou not from a child been an inmate of -this palace?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">{305}</a></span> -"Yes, my lord prince. But my mother taught me -early the truths of the faith of Abraham, and I have -held firmly to the worship of my fathers, amid temptations, -trials, and menaces. But all the gods of Egypt -have not turned me aside from the One God; and my -heart tells me that in Him, and Him alone, I live, and -move, and have my being!"</p> - -<p>I regarded this noble-looking bondwoman with surprise -and profound respect. Here, from the lips of a -female, a slave, had I heard the mystery of God made -known, by one who worshipped boldly the Divine -Unity, which the wisdom of Remeses shrunk from certainly -acknowledging; but felt after only with hope -and desire.</p> - -<p>"Prince," she said, looking up into my face, and -speaking with feeling, "dost thou believe in these gods -of Egypt?"</p> - -<p>I confess, dear mother, I was startled by the question. -But I replied, smiling—</p> - -<p>"I worship the gods of my own land, Miriam."</p> - -<p>"Are they idols?"</p> - -<p>"What is an idol?"</p> - -<p>"An image or figure in stone, or wood, or metal, or -even painted with colors, to which divine homage is -paid,—visible representations of the invisible."</p> - -<p>"In Phœnicia we worship the sun, and also honor -certain gods."</p> - -<p>"Then thou art not above the Egyptians. I saw thee -bend in attitude of prayer at the sound of the sistrum. -Dost thou believe that the sacred bull is God,—who -made thee, and me, and nature, and the sun, and stars, -and upholds the universe? Dost thou believe Apis or -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">{306}</a></span> -Mnevis at On, or Amun at Thebes, either or all of them, -<span class="smcap">God</span>?"</p> - -<p>"Thou art a wonderful woman!" I exclaimed. "Art -thou not a priestess of the Hebrew people?"</p> - -<p>"Not a priestess. I simply believe in the unity of -God, which you ought to believe in; for thou art open -and ingenuous, and not afraid of truth. A priestess I -am not, yet in my family and tribe is preserved sacredly -the knowledge of the God who spake from heaven to -our ancestor, the Syrian. Canst thou believe, O prince, -that a bull is God?" she asked again, almost authoritatively.</p> - -<p>"No, I do not," I answered, without disguise.</p> - -<p>"Dost thou believe that all minor deities will ultimately -be lost in one God?"</p> - -<p>"I do, most certainly."</p> - -<p>"Then worship Him! Thou art a prince. I hear -thou wilt become a king. What would be your opinion -of your subjects, and ambassadors of other lands, also, -if, instead of presenting petitions to you, they should -offer them to your grand-chamberlain, your royal scribe, -your chief butler, or chief baker,—mistaking them ignorantly -for you?"</p> - -<p>I made no reply, dear mother. The argument was -irresistible. It will be long, I feel, before I recognize -in Apis, or in any statue of stone, or any figure of a -god, the One God, whose existence Remeses first hinted -at to me, and which the Hebrew has made me believe -in; for my own reason responds to the mighty truth! -Do not fear, my dear mother, that I shall return to Tyre -an iconoclast; for I cannot set up a faith in the One God -in my realm, until I have His existence established by -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">{307}</a></span> -infallible proofs. In my own heart I may believe in Him -and adore Him, whom my reason sees through and beyond -all material images of Himself; but, with Remeses, -I must secure a foundation for this new faith, before I -overturn the ancient fabric of our mythology of many -gods.</p> - -<p>She resumed her work. It was coloring the wings -of an image of the sun, which, encircled by an asp, -his head projected, and with extended wings, adorned -the beginning of one of the leaves. The sun was overlaid -with gold; the asps were painted green, and brown, -and gold, while the feathers of the wide wings were -blue, orange, purple, silver, and gilt. It was an exquisitely -beautiful picture.</p> - -<p>"That is a god," I said, after watching for a time her -skilful pencil; "and yet you design and color it."</p> - -<p>"The potter is not responsible for the use that his -vases are put to. The slave must do her mistress's work. -I fulfil my task and duty by obedience to the lords who -are over me. Yet this is not a god. It is the emblem -of Egypt. The eternal sunshine is symboled in this -golden disk. The entwining asp is the winding Nile, -and the two wings represent Upper and Lower Egypt, -extending along the river. It is an emblem, not a god. -In Egypt, no temple is erected to it. It is used only in -sculpture and over pylones of temples. Yet," she added, -"were it a god, I could not refuse to depict it. Commanded -to do, I obey. The condition of my people is -one of submission: if a king rules well, he is approved; -if a slave obeys well, he also is approved."</p> - -<p>At this point of our interesting conversation, I saw -the noble-looking, gray-bearded Prince of Uz pass along -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">{308}</a></span> -the corridor, preceded by the page of the reception-room. -Seeing me, he stopped and said with benignity -and courtesy:</p> - -<p>"Prince of Tyre, it is a pleasure for me to meet with -you here! I am about to leave Egypt for Damascus, -and learn from her majesty, the good queen, that you -have a galley which goes in a few days from Pelusium -to Tyre. I have come hither, knowing you to be a -guest of my friend the high-priest, to ask permission to -sail in her. I have but a small retinue, as my caravan -has already gone through Arabia Deserta, on its way to -Upper Syria. I take with me but my secretary, scribe, -cup-bearer, armor-bearer, courier, and ten servants."</p> - -<p>I assured the venerable prince that it would give me -the greatest pleasure to surrender to him the cabin and -state-chamber of your galley, my dear mother. And -he will be the bearer of a letter from me presenting -him to you. I have already spoken of him in my account -of my first banquet with the queen. He is a -prince, wise, good, virtuous, and greatly honored, not -only for his wisdom, but for the patience, like a god's, -with which he has endured the most wonderful sufferings. -At one time he lost sons, daughters, servants, -flocks, herds, houses, treasures, and health: yet he -neither cursed the gods nor sought escape in death. In -reward for his patience and endurance, the heavenly -powers restored to him all things; and his name is now -but another term for sacred submission to the divine -decrees.</p> - -<p>Having courteously thanked me for granting his wish, -he looked closely at the Hebrew woman, and then said -to her—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">{309}</a></span> -"Is it true that thy people worship the One God?"</p> - -<p>"It is true, O prince!" she answered modestly.</p> - -<p>"This is the true wisdom of life, to know the Almighty, -and be admitted into the secrets of the Holy One! Behold! -happy is the man who attaineth to this knowledge. -The world gropes in darkness in the daytime, -and stumbles in the noon-day as in the night, not seeing -the pathway to God. Blessed art thou, O daughter of -the wise Abram, the princely Isaac, the good Jacob—the -three great Syrian princes of the East—in that thou -knowest, thou and thy people, the traditions of thy -fathers! Can a man by searching find out God? Can -the priests by their wisdom find out the Almighty to -perfection? Their light is darkness! but the sons of -Israel Ben Abram have the knowledge of the Most -High, and are wiser than Egypt!"</p> - -<p>Miriam regarded the majestic old man with eyes expressive -of wonder and joy. They seemed to ask: -"Who art thou?" He understood their interrogating -expression, and said:</p> - -<p>"Daughter of Abram, offspring of wise kings, who -walked with the One God, who found Him and came -even unto His seat, when darkness covered the hearts -of all men, I also worship GOD! I am of the family -of the King Melchisedec, who knew Abram thy father! -They both had knowledge of the mystery of the Divine -Unity! They were friends, and worshipped God, the -Almighty, when the understanding of men knew Him -not and denied the God that is above, and the spirit of -God who made them, and the breath of the Almighty -that gave them life. Our God speaketh everywhere, -yet man perceiveth it not, neither doth he know His -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">{310}</a></span> -voice! Touching the Almighty—who can find him out? -The world lacketh wisdom, and is devoid of understanding, -to bow down to the work of their own hands, and -see not Him who laid the foundations of the earth, who -hath stretched His line upon the heavens, and to whom -all the morning stars sang together at their creation, and -all the sons of God shouted for joy!"</p> - -<p>The venerable Syrian uttered these words with an air -of inspiration. His eyes were fixed inquiringly upon -my face, as if he directed his speech to me alone.</p> - -<p>"I would know the God that you and the Hebrews -know and worship," I said, with emotion. "I no longer -recognize Deity in stone and metal, nor God in Osiris -and Apis, nor the Creator of all in the sun—who is but -a servant to light the world."</p> - -<p>When I had thus spoken, the eyes of the Hebrew -woman beamed with pleasure, and the Prince of Uz, -whose name is Ra-Iub, or Job, took my hand in his and -said, with a smile of benignity—</p> - -<p>"Thou art not far from the house of Truth, O Prince -of Tyre! May the Almighty instruct thee, and He who -ordained the ordinances of heaven enlighten thee! He -alone is the Almighty! Can Apis, or Io, or Adonis, the -gods in whom you believe, give rain and dew, the ice -and the hoary frost? Can they bind up the wintry seas -of Colchis, so that men may walk upon the frozen face -of the deep, as upon marble? Can Apis or Bel-Phegor -bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands -of Orion? Can they bring forth Mazzaroth in his -season, guide Arcturus with his sons, and hang Aldebaran -and Sirius in the firmament? Can they send -forth the lightning, and give to thunder its voice? My -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">{311}</a></span> -son, there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the -Almighty giveth understanding to them that seek it. -Behold, God is great, and we know Him not, neither -can the number of His years be searched out; yet whosoever -prayeth unto Him, He will be favorable unto, -and will deliver his soul, and his life shall see the light -of the living! Deny not, my son, the God that is above!"</p> - -<p>"But where, O wise man of God, is the Almighty to -be found, and whither shall my understanding go out to -find the place of His throne?" I asked, feeling like a -child at his feet, under the power of his words. "I am -weary of idols," I continued, catching the spirit of his -speech, "and with worshipping myths born of the -ignorance of man. Where shall the Maker be found? -Show me His seat, O man of God, that I may fall down -before His footstool!"</p> - -<p>"God is everywhere, but His throne is in thy heart. -His wisdom has no price, neither can it be gotten for -gold. The depth says, It is not in me! The sea saith, -It is not with me! It cannot be weighed in the balance; -nor can it be valued with the gold of Ophir; and the -exchange of it shall not be jewels of fine gold. The -topaz of Ethiopia shall not purchase it, nor shall the -coral and pearls of the isles of the sea equal it; for the -price of the wisdom of God is above rubies! The fear -of the Lord that is wisdom, and lo the Almighty is -found of them who humbly seek Him. An idol, my -son, is a snare, and the false gods of the world lead to -destruction; they have eyes but see not, ears but hear -not, feet but walk not, hands which bless not, mouths -that speak no wisdom! But God is the Maker and -Father of His creatures, and concealeth His glory in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">{312}</a></span> -secret places of His heaven; yet the pure in heart shall -find Him, and they that plead with Him shall not be -mocked. He will come unto thee, and abide with thee, -and thou shalt know the Almighty as a father. I have -tried Him and He has proved me, and though He -sorely afflicted me He did not forsake me, and in the -end came to me with more abundant honor and blessing."</p> - -<p>"Will God pardon transgression?" I asked, giving -utterance in this brief question to a thought of my heart -that no mythology could answer.</p> - -<p>"There is no promise to man, that transgression -against a sacred and sinless God can be forgiven. We -must hope in His mercy at the end! I have prayed, in -my affliction, O prince, for a Day's man—one to stand -between me and the Almighty, to plead for me! My -heart hath yearned for One; and I feel that the yearning -of my heart is a prophecy."</p> - -<p>"Dost thou believe a Day's man, or mediator, will -be given by the great God to man, to intercede for -transgressors against His holiness?" I asked, between -sweet hope and trembling fear.</p> - -<p>"We have a tradition that has overleaped the flood -and come down to us, that One will yet stand between -earth and heaven to plead with the Creator for His -creatures, and that the Almighty will hear His voice."</p> - -<p>"Is not this feebly typified in Horus, the son of Osiris, -who presents the souls of the dead and acts as their -friend?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Without doubt," answered the Prince of Uz. "This -belief is found shadowed forth in all faiths of every -land. But I must not detain you, my lord prince."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">{313}</a></span> -I then accompanied the white-haired Prince of Uz to -the galley in which he had crossed the Nile, and taking -leave of him, promised to see him ere he sailed.</p> - -<p>Believe me, dear mother, there is but One God, and -that an idol is nothing on earth, not even the god-created -sun. I have since had another long conversation -with the Prince of Uz, and he has convinced me -that in worshipping images and attributes we offend the -High God, and degrade our own natures.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear mother.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your devoted son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">{314}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XIX.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dearest Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">It</span> -is many weeks since my last letter was written. -The interval has been occupied by me, in visiting all -places of interest in Lower Egypt, previous to my voyage -up the Nile, to the kingdom of the Thebad. But the intelligence -that your last letter contains, of the misunderstanding -arising between you and the King of Cyprus, and -your fear that war may ensue, will compel me to abandon -my tour to the Cataracts, and return to Tyre, unless -the next courier brings more pacific news. But I trust -that the wisdom and personal influence of your ambassador, -Isaphris, will result in an amicable termination -of the difficulty. I have no doubt, that the haughty -King of the Isle will make due concessions, for his treatment -of your shipwrecked merchantmen, when your -ambassador disclaims all intention, on the part of your -majesty, of planting an invading colony in any part of -his shores, and assures him that the vessels, which he -supposed brought a company of Phœnicians to occupy -his soil, were driven thither when bound for Carthage -and distant Gades. But should he refuse to release your -subjects and to restore their vessels and goods, war would -inevitably ensue, and I will hasten home to conduct it -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">{315}</a></span> -in person. Do not delay sending me the earliest intelligence -by a special galley. Until I hear from you, I -shall linger in Lower Egypt.</p> - -<p>Since writing the foregoing, dear mother, I have heard -the most important intelligence from the seat of war in -Ethiopia; and what is more, that the Prince Remeses is -even now on his return to Memphis, a conqueror! The -dispatches brought by the courier state, that four weeks -ago the army of Egypt engaged Occhoris, beyond the -gates of Thebes, and after a severe battle, in which the -chariots and horse were engaged, he was forced to retreat; -that he gained a new position, and fortified himself, -but was dislodged from it, and finally routed in the -open plain, he himself being taken prisoner, with most -of his chief captains; while a great spoil in treasures, -camp-equipage, elephants, camels, and horses, besides -captives innumerable, enriched the victors. This news -has gladdened the heart of Queen Amense, and relieved -her mind from the great anxiety that has oppressed it -ever since the departure of Remeses, lest he should lose -his life in the campaign, as his father had done before -him. But, without a wound, he returns triumphant, -leading his enemy captive at the wheels of his war-chariot. -The city is excited with joy, and in all the temples, -ascending incense and bleeding sacrifices, together -with libations and oblations, bear testimony to the universal -gratitude of the nation, at the defeat of the hereditary -foe of the kingdom.</p> - -<p>I will for a time delay this letter, that I may witness -the scenes in the city and behold the rites for victory, -which, I am told, will be most imposing, especially in -the temples of Apis and of Vulcan.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">{316}</a></span> -<span class="smcap">Island and Palace of Rhoda.</span></p> - -<p>Two weeks have elapsed since I laid down my pen, -dearest mother. In the interval I have been too much -occupied to resume it, but do so now with matter of the -deepest interest to communicate. Remeses has returned. -Two days ago he entered Memphis in warlike triumph. -On hearing of his approach, I hastened to meet him -three days' journey up the Nile. When we met, he -embraced me as a brother, with expressions of joy; but -the first question he put to me was:</p> - -<p>"The queen—my mother, Sesostris, is she well?"</p> - -<p>"Well, and happy at your victories," I answered.</p> - -<p>"And your royal mother also, the Queen Epiphia, -how fared she when last you heard from her?"</p> - -<p>"In good health, save her wish to see me," I answered.</p> - -<p>Thus, dear mother, did this noble prince, amid all the -splendor of his victories, first think of his mother and -mine! It is this filial piety, which is one of the most -eminent traits of his lofty and pure character; and -where love for a mother reigns supremely in the heart, -all other virtues will cluster around it.</p> - -<p>I found Remeses descending the river in a hundred-oared -galley, to which I was conveyed by a barge which -he sent for me, on recognizing me. It was decorated -with the insignia of all the divisions of his army. Behind -it came two galleys containing the prisoners of -rank, who were bound in chains upon the deck. The -Ethiopian king was in the galley with Remeses, who -courteously let him go free in the cabin, where he was -served by his conqueror's own cup-bearer. Further in -the rear came the fleet, their parti-colored green, orange, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">{317}</a></span> -blue, and scarlet sails, and the bronzed and gilded heads -of hawks, eagles, wolves, lions, and ibises upon the topmasts, -presenting a grand and brilliant spectacle. Ever -and anon, a loud, wild shout would swell along the water, -from the victorious troops. One half of the fleet had -been left in the Thebad country with Prince Mœris, -who intended to invade the interior of Ethiopia and -menace its capital.</p> - -<p>You may imagine, dear mother, that Remeses had -many questions to ask and answer, as well as I. I drew -from him a modest narrative of his battles; but he spoke -more freely of the brilliant courage of Prince Mœris than -of his own acts. After we had sat in the moonlight, -upon the poop of his galley, conversing for several -hours, I asked permission to see his royal captive, who -I fancied was some wild savage chief, with the hairy -head and neck of a lion, and the glaring eyes of a wolf. -When I expressed my opinion to Remeses, he smiled -and said:</p> - -<p>"I will send to him and ask if he will receive me and -the Prince of Tyre; for he has heard me make mention -of you."</p> - -<p>"You Egyptians treat your captives with delicate -courtesy," I said, "to send to know if they will receive -you."</p> - -<p>"I fear such is not our custom. Captives taken in -war by our soldiers, are, I fear, but little better off than -those of other conquering armies; yet I have done all -that is possible to alleviate their condition, and have -forbidden unnecessary cruelty, such as tying their arms -in unnatural positions and dragging them in long lines -at the rear of running chariots! If you see the army -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">{318}</a></span> -on shore, you will find that it is hard to teach the Egyptian -soldier mercy towards a captive foe."</p> - -<p>I regarded the prince with silent admiration. "How -is it," I asked of myself, "that this man is in advance -of all his predecessors and before his age in virtue?"</p> - -<p>"His majesty will see the Prince of Tyre and also his -conqueror," were the words which the messenger brought -to Remeses.</p> - -<p>Descending a flight of steps, we advanced along a -second deck, and then passing the door leading to -the state-cabins, we descended again, and came to the -range of apartments occupied by the governor of the -rowers and the chief pilot. The latter had vacated his -room to the royal captive. Upon entering, reclining -on a couch of leopard's skins spread in the moonlight, -which shone broadly in upon the floor through the -columns that supported the deck, I beheld a young -man, not more than my own age. His features were -remarkable. His nose was slightly aquiline, his forehead -high and commanding, his brows arched and delicate -as a woman's, beneath which were the blackest -and largest eyes I ever beheld, and which seemed to -emit a burning splendor. His finely formed mouth was -almost voluptuous in its fulness and expression; yet I -could perceive a slight nervous contraction of the underlip, -as if he were struggling between shame and haughty -indifference, when he beheld us. His chin was without -beard. His black locks were braided and bound up -by a fillet of gold, studded with jewels. His helmet, -which was of beaten gold, lay by his side dented with -many a stroke of sword and battle-axe; and I saw that -a wound upon his left temple corresponded to one of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">{319}</a></span> -these indentations. His hands were very small, and of -a nut-brown color (as was his complexion), and covered -with massive rings. A collar, rich with emeralds, encircled -his neck, from which was suspended an amulet of -agate, and a little silver box containing a royal charm. -He was dressed in a gaudy but rich robe of needle-work, -which was open in front, and displayed a corselet and -breastplate of the finest steel, inlaid with gold. His -small feet were bare, save a light sandal of gilded gazelle-leather. -Altogether he was as elegant and fine-looking -a barbaric prince as one would care to behold, -dear mother, and not at all the monster in aspect I -had pictured him: yet I am well convinced, that in that -splendid form lie powers of endurance which make him -respected, by the barbarians he commands; and that -within those fierce eyes blazes a soul, as fiery as any -barbaric prince requires; while the firm expression of -his mouth, at times, betrayed a resolved and iron will, -with which no one of his subjects would willingly come -into antagonism.</p> - -<p>He half-rose gracefully from his recumbent attitude, -and said, with an indolent yet not undignified air, and -in good Koptic, as it is spoken in the Thebad:</p> - -<p>"Welcome, Prince of Tyre! I am sorry I cannot extend -to you the hospitality you merit. You see my -kingdom is somewhat limited! As for you, O Prince -of Egypt, who have a right to command, I need not ask -you to be seated or recline." Then turning to me again, -"I have heard of Tyre. You are a nation of merchants -who cover the great sea with caravans of galleys, and -plant your sandals in all lands. But you have not yet -had Ethiopia beneath them."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">{320}</a></span> -"Our commerce embraces even your own country's -productions, O king!" I answered. "I have seen in the -mart of Tyre chœnixes of gold-dust, ostrich-feathers, -dried fruits and skins, vermilion, ebony, ivory, and even -baboons, apes, and leopards. In return we send you -our purples."</p> - -<p>"That is the name of Tyre, is it not,—the city of purple-cloth?" -he said interrogatively, and with a pointed -sneer. "Ethiopia signifies the land of warriors—children -of the sun."</p> - -<p>I could not help smiling at his vanity. Remeses did -not say any thing. The king then added, pleasantly:</p> - -<p>"I have no quarrel with thee, O Tyre! Receive this -ring—that is, if the great Remeses do not regard all I -possess, as well as myself, his spoil—receive it in token -that we are at peace."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, he drew from his thumb a jewel of -great price, and, taking my hand, placed it upon my -thumb, without looking to see whether Remeses approved -or no.</p> - -<p>After a brief interview I left his presence, and soon -retired to my state-room. Remeses insists upon my -retaining the ring, which, in truth, the Ethiopian king, -being a captive, had no right to dispose of. Remeses -says that he displayed the most daring courage -and marvellous generalship in battle; and that, though -young, and apparently effeminate, he inherits all the -fierce, barbaric spirit of his ancestor, Sabaco I., and of -his uncle, Bocchiris the Great, and third of the name.</p> - -<p>At length arrived at the island of Rhoda, Remeses -hastened to embrace his mother, and to render to her -an account of his expedition. The next day, preparations -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">{321}</a></span> -were made to receive the vast and victorious army, -which had been slowly marching towards the capital, -along the western bank of the river. They entered the -plain of the pyramids on the same night, column succeeding -column in a long line, attended by an interminable -train of captives, and by wagons, cars, and chariots -laden with spoils of arms, treasures, goods, and military -stores. Having encamped on their former ground, they -awaited the signal to move towards the city in triumphal -procession.</p> - -<p>The following morning the queen made her appearance -at the head of the great square, in front of the -temple of Apis. She was arrayed in her royal robes, -and seated in a state-chariot of ivory, inlaid with gold, -drawn by four white horses driven abreast, richly caparisoned, -and with ostrich-plumes nodding on their heads. -Attended by a splendid retinue of the lords of her palace, -she took a position near the pylon, surrounded by -her body-guard, in their glittering cuirasses of silver, -and bearing slender lances in their right hands. The -lords of the realm were ranged, in extended wings, on -either side of her chariot; the whole presenting a strikingly -beautiful spectacle.</p> - -<p>When all was arranged, from the portals of the vast -temple, headed by the hierarch in full dress, issued a -procession of four hundred priests, a shining host, with -golden tiaras, and censers of gold, and crimson vestments. -Other sacred processions came advancing along -all the streets, headed by their chiefs, each escorting the -god of their temple in a gorgeous shrine, blazing with -the radiance of precious stones.</p> - -<p>Prince Remeses, attended by the governor of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">{322}</a></span> -city, the twenty-one rulers of the departments thereof, -and by all dignitaries, of whatever office, in their sumptuous -robes and badges of rank, had already departed -from the city to meet the army, which, headed by its -generals, was in full motion. They came on in columns -of battalions, as if marching through an enemy's country, -and with all the pomp of war—their battle-banners -waving, and their bands of music sounding. Instead of -accompanying Remeses, I remained, by her request, -near the queen. The towers of the pylones, the roofs of -temples, the colonnades of palaces, terraces, house-tops—every -vantage-point—were crowded thickly with spectators.</p> - -<p>At length the voice of trumpets, faint and far off, -broke the silence of expectation. Nearer and louder it -was heard, now rising on the breeze, now gradually dying -away; but soon other instruments were heard: the -cymbals, the drum, the pipe and the cornet from a hundred -bands poured upon the air a martial uproar of instruments, -which made the blood bound quicker in every -pulse. All eyes were now turned in the direction of -the entrance to the grand causeway of the pyramids, -and in a few moments, amid the answering clangor of -the brazen trumpets of the queen's guards, a party of -cavalry, shining like the sun, dashed into sight.</p> - -<p>Their appearance was hailed by the vast assemblage -of spectators with acclamations. Then came one hundred -and seventy priests abreast, representing the male -deities of Memphis, each attired like the image of his -god—an imposing and wonderful spectacle; as in it -Horus was not without his hawk-head, nor Thoth his -horns and globe. Anubis displayed the head of a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">{323}</a></span> -jackal, and Osiris held the emblems of his rank. These -were followed by the high-priest of On, before whom -was borne the shield of the sun, resting upon a car carried -by twenty-four men, representing the hours. Following -these were one thousand priests—a hundred in -line—chanting, with mighty voice, the song of victory -to the gods. They were succeeded by a battalion of -cavalry, the front of which filled the whole breadth of -the avenue. It advanced in solid column, till four thousand -horsemen, in varied armor and arms, had entered -the immense quadrangle. Now burst out afresh the -clang of martial bands, and alone in his state-chariot, -drawn by three black steeds, appeared the Prince of -Egypt, standing erect upon the floor of his car. He was -in full armor, and so splendid was his appearance, so majestic -his aspect, that he was hailed with a thunder of -voices, as conqueror! Leaving the golden-hued reins -loosely attached to the hilt of his sword, he suffered his -proudly stepping horses freely to prance and curvet, -yet held them obedient to the slightest gesture of his -hand. On each side of their heads walked three footmen. -Behind him came his war-chariot of iron, from -which he had fought in battle on the Theban plains. -The horses were led by two lords of Egypt, and it was -empty, save that it held his battered shield, emptied -quiver, broken lances, the hilt of his sword, and his -dented helmet—mute witnesses of his presence in the -heat of battle. Behind the chariot was a guard of -honor, consisting of a brave soldier out of every company -in the army. But close to it, his wrists locked -together with a massive chain of gold, which was attached -to the axle of the war-chariot, walked the captive -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">{324}</a></span> -King of Ethiopia. His step was proud and defiant, and -a constant smile of contempt curled his lip, as he saw the -eyes of the spectators bent upon him, and heard their -shouts of hostile joy on beholding him. He moved, the -king in heart, though bound in hand. Over his shoulders -hung a lion's skin as a royal mantle, but his feet -were bare. Behind him came a solid front of chariots, -which, line behind line, rolled into the square, until -nearly three thousand war-cars had entered, and moved, -with all the van of the vast warlike procession, towards -the great pylon, before which, in her chariot, stood the -Queen of Egypt; for, as soon as the head of the column -came in sight, she had risen to her feet to receive her returning -army.</p> - -<p>When Remeses came before her, he turned his horses -towards her and remained at her side. Past them -marched first the foot-soldiers. To the sound of drums -and the tramp of ten thousand sandals, they wheeled -into the arena of temples, elevating their war-hacked -symbols, each man laden with his spoil. Then it was, -that a company of sacred virgins, issuing from the temple -of Athor, each with a silver star upon her brow, all -clad in white, and bearing branches of flowers, green -palm-branches, ivy and lotus leaves, cast them before -the army, and sang with beautiful voices the hymn -of the Conqueror. As they passed, the priests, with -censers, waved incense towards them, and others sprinkled -sacred water in the path of the battle-worn warriors. -The soldiers responded to the hymn of the -maidens with a loud chorus, that rent the skies as they -marched and sang.</p> - -<p>When half the army had defiled, there came a procession -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">{325}</a></span> -of Ethiopian cars and wagons, drawn by captured -oxen, and laden with trophies. Upon one was piled -scores of shields, another was filled with helmets, a third -bristled with spears, and a fourth was weighed down by -cuirasses and swords. After many hundreds of these -had passed—for the whole Ethiopian army was destroyed -and their possessions captured—came chariots, -heavy with chests containing gold, and silver, and -bronze vessels; others glaring with ivory tusks; others -full of blocks of ebony. Five royal elephants, with -their castles and keepers, and a troop of camels, laden -with treasures and mounted by their wild-looking -guides, preceded a body of horse escorting the purple -pavilion of the captive king—a gorgeous yet barbaric -edifice of ivory frames, covered with silk and fringed -with gold. Next came a painted car containing his -wives, all of whom were closely veiled, and followed by -a train of royal servants and slaves.</p> - -<p>Bringing up the rear of the immense procession was -another large body of horse, at the head of a long -column of captives, twelve thousand in number—the -disarmed and chained soldiers of the defeated monarch. -Such a spectacle of human misery, such an embodiment -of human woe!—how can I depict the scene, my -mother! Perhaps when I am older, and have seen -more of war than I have, I may feel less sympathy at a -sight so painful, and be more indifferent to the necessary -horrors of this dread evil.</p> - -<p>Their features denoted them to be of a race very different -from the Egyptian. They were slender and tall, -with swarthy, but not black, faces like the Nubians—showing -more of the Oriental than the African in their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">{326}</a></span> -physiognomy. Their long hair hung half-way down the -back, and they were dressed in costumes as various as -the tribes which composed the army of Occhoris.</p> - -<p>These captives marched in parties of from one to two -hundred each—some linked by the wrists to a long -connecting chain passing along the line; others, chained -two and two by the hands, and with shackled feet, were -led by their captors. Many of them were confined to -a long iron bar, by neck-collars, eight and ten abreast, -each compelled to step together, and sit or rise at the -same moment, or be subjected to dislocation of the -neck. Several, of the most unmanageable, were tied -with their hands high above their heads, in the most -painful positions; while other wretches were so cruelly -bound, that their arms met behind in the most unnatural -manner. There was a long chain of Nubian and Southern -Arabian soldiers so bound, who writhed in agony -as they were forced onward in the march. After these -came hundreds of women and children, the latter naked, -and led by the hand, or carried by their mothers in -baskets, slung behind by a belt carried across the forehead. -Finally, when these had passed the queen, who -humanely ordered those so unnaturally bound to be -relieved, the rear division of the army came tramping -on, with symbols aloft, and drums beating, and trumpets -blowing.</p> - -<p>At length, this vast army of nearly one hundred -thousand men, including chariots, horsemen, and foot-soldiers, -had marched past before the queen, receiving -her thanks and smiles, and the flowers that were showered -upon them from thousands of fair hands. As they -moved on, they wheeled in column, and gradually filled -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">{327}</a></span> -up the whole area of the vast quadrangle, save the -space in front of the pyramidal gateway, where the -queen and Remeses stood in their chariots.</p> - -<p>At this juncture, the high-priest of On—a man of -venerable aspect—amid the profoundest silence, advanced -before them, and thus addressed Prince Remeses:</p> - -<p>"Mighty and excellent prince, and lord of worlds, -son of the queen, and upholder of the kingdoms of the -earth, may the gods bless thee and grant thee honor and -prosperity! Thou hast led the armies of Misr to battle, -and conquered. Thou hast brought down the pride of -Ethiopia, and placed the crown of the South underneath -thy foot. Thou hast fought, and overthrown, and taken -captive the enemy of Egypt, and the scourge of the -world. Lo, chained he walks at thy chariot-wheels! his -soldiers are captives to thy sword, and his spoil is in -thy hand! By thy courage in battle, thou hast saved -Egypt from desolation, filled her borders with peace, -and covered her name with glory. Let thy power, -henceforth, be exalted in the world like the sun in the -heavens, and thy glory and virtues only be equalled by -those of the sacred deities themselves!"</p> - -<p>Remeses, with the gentle dignity and modesty which -characterize him, replied to this eulogistic address of the -Egyptian pontiff. The queen then embraced him before -the whole army, which cried, "Long live our queen! -Long live Remeses our general!" All the while Occhoris -stood by the wheel of the chariot to which he -was chained, his arms folded, and his bearing as proud -as that of a caged lion. He did not even deign to look -upon the queen, whom he had never before beheld; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">{328}</a></span> -and seemed to be above, or below, all manifestation of -curiosity. Self-reliance, fearlessness, immobility, characterized -him.</p> - -<p>Preparations having already been made for a national -thanksgiving, the queen and Remeses descended from -their chariots, and led a procession consisting of the -priest of On, the high-priest of Apis, the priest of -Memphis, hierophants and chief priests from each of the -thirty-eight or forty nomes, and several hundreds of -ecclesiastics in magnificent dresses. This august procession -entered the great temple of Pthah. Here, after -an imposing invocation, offerings from the queen to the -presiding deity, and also to Mars—whose statue was -present,—were made in recognition of their presence -with the victorious army, and as an acknowledgment -that it was by their special favor and intercession that -the victory had been obtained.</p> - -<p>This done, Remeses, in a formal manner, addressed -the priest of the temple, presenting to the deity all the -prisoners, and the spoil taken with them. As the vast -army could not enter the temple, each captain of fifty -and of a hundred was present for his own men. The -high-priest then went forth upon the portico of the temple, -and on an altar there, in the presence of the -whole army, offered incense, meat-offerings, and libations.</p> - -<p>All these customs and rites being ended, the army -once more commenced its march, and passed through -the city, and beyond the pyramid of Cheops' daughter -to the plain of Libya, where Osirtasen used to review his -armies. There they pitched their camp, prior to being -posted and garrisoned in different parts of Egypt,—ready -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">{329}</a></span> -again to be summoned, at three days' notice, to go -forth to war.</p> - -<p>The captives, being delivered up to the authorities, -were at once put to labor in the service of the queen, -and are already engaged in building temples, cutting -canals, raising dykes and embankments, and other public -and state works. Some were purchased by the -nobles; and the women, both Nubian and white, were -distributed among the wealthy and noble families in the -city. The Hebrew is the only captive or servant in -Egypt who cannot be bought and sold. Those who -have them in their houses do not own them, for, as a -nation, they belong to the crown; but the queen's treasurer -is paid a certain tribute or tax for their service, -and must restore them whenever the queen commands -them to do so.</p> - -<p>The King of Ethiopia, himself, after having been -led through the city at the chariot-wheel of his -conqueror, was sent to the royal prison, there to -await his fate, which hangs upon the word of the -queen.</p> - -<p>It is possible he may be redeemed by his own nation -with a vast ransom-price; but if not, he will probably -pass his days a captive, unless he consents to a proposition, -which will be made to him by the prince, for -recovering his liberty—namely, the surrender of the -northern half of his kingdom to Egypt, in order that he -may be permitted to reign over the remainder. As half -a kingdom is far better than none, any other monarch -would probably acquiesce; but the spirit of this king -(whose looks and movements irresistibly make me think -of a Nubian leopard) is so indomitable and proud, that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">{330}</a></span> -I believe be would rather die a prisoner in a dungeon -than live a king with half a sceptre.</p> - -<p>This letter, dear mother, has been written at three or -four different sittings, with a greater or less interval of -time between them. It was my intention to have given -you, before closing it, some account of a meeting which -I had with a remarkable Hebrew, whose resemblance to -Remeses, is, if possible, more striking than that of -Miriam the papyrus writer, or of Amram the royal -gardener. But having quite filled it with a description -of the triumphal entry of Remeses into the capital, I -must defer doing so till another occasion.</p> - -<p>With my most affectionate wishes for your happiness, -I am, my beloved mother,</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your faithful son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">{331}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XX.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Rhoda.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dearly beloved Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The</span> -excitement, which the return of the triumphant -army from its brilliant Ethiopian campaign created, -has now subsided, and the cities of Memphis and On, -and the thousand villages in the valley of the Nile, have -returned to their ordinary quiet, interrupted only by religious -processions, the music of a banquet, or the festivities -of a marriage. In this delicious climate, where -there is no particular incentive to action, the general -state of the people is one of indolence and leisure. The -chief business, at the marts and quays, is over before the -sun is at meridian; and during the remainder of the -day, shade and repose are coveted. But when the sun -sinks westward, and hangs low over the brown hills of -Libya, this inaction ceases, and all classes, in their best -apparel and most cheerful looks, fill the streets, the -groves, the gardens, the walks and avenues along the -river; and the spirit of enjoyment and life reigns.</p> - -<p>One evening, not long since, I strolled along the -banks of the Nile, beneath a row of mimosa-trees, to -enjoy the gay and attractive scenes upon the river. It -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">{332}</a></span> -was covered with gayly painted barges, containing happy -family parties, whose musicians played for them as the -rowers slowly and idly propelled the boat; others, in -sharp-prowed baris, darted in emulous races across the -water; others were suspended upon the bosom of the -stream, fishing for amusement; while others still moved -about, with their beautifully pictured sails spread to the -gentle breeze, as if enjoying the panorama of the shores -they were gliding past.</p> - -<p>I had rambled alone some distance up the river, without -any vestige of my rank being apparent, in the plain -Phœnician costume of a Tyrian merchant (which I often -wear, to prevent constant interruption by the homage -and prostrations of the deferent Egyptians), when I saw -a small baris, containing a single person, coming close -to the steps of the extensive terrace of one of the numerous -temples of the image of Apis, which here faced -the Nile, separated from it only by a double row of -sphinxes. It was rowed by four Nubian slaves, clad in -white linen vests and fringed loin-cloths, each having a -red cap upon his head.</p> - -<p>As the boat approached the marble steps, a decorated -and unusually elegant galley, containing three young -men of rank, as their dress and the emblems on their -mast indicated, was coming swiftly down the stream, as -if the owner strove to display the fleetness of his vessel -before the eyes of the thousands who looked on. The -pilot, at the lofty helm, called out to the baris to move -quicker away from the line of his course; but either the -rowers failed to hear or to comprehend, for they did -not turn their heads. On like the wind came the galley. -I called aloud to the person who sat in the stern of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">{333}</a></span> -baris, and who was intently engaged in reading a book, -a portion of which lay unrolled at his feet.</p> - -<p>He looked up quickly, and saw, first me, and then, -by the direction of my finger, his danger. Before, however, -he could give orders to his rowers, I heard one of -the young men say to the pilot, who was changing his -course a little—</p> - -<p>"Keep right on! It is but a Hebrew; and it would -be a favor to the gods to drown a thousand a day."</p> - -<p>The pilot obeyed his lord, and the bronze hawk-head -of the gilded galley struck the boat near the stern, nearly -capsizing it, and then the whole armament of twelve -oars passed over it, striking overboard two of the slaves, -as the twenty-four oarsmen swept the galley along at -the height of its speed. I expected to see the priest, -for such his costume betrayed him, also pressed down -by the long oars, under which, like a low roof of inclined -rafters, he was entangled; but stooping low until -his forehead touched the book on his knee, the sweeps -passed harmlessly over him, and when the galley had -gone by, he recovered his sitting posture, maintaining, -the while, a composure and dignity that made me marvel. -His dark, handsome, oriental face betrayed scarcely any -emotion at the danger or the indignity. Seeing that one -of the slaves was swimming ashore, and that the other -rose no more, he waved his hand to the remaining two -who had fallen into the bottom of the boat, and who, -recovering their oars, pulled him to the steps.</p> - -<p>"A Hebrew!" repeated I to myself. "Truly, and the -very likeness of Remeses, save that his hair is of a -browner hue, and his beard tinged with a golden light. -A Hebrew! What philosophy under insult and peril! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">{334}</a></span> -A Hebrew! What contempt of him and his life was -evinced by the haughty Egyptian noble! A Hebrew, -and a <i>priest</i>!"</p> - -<p>Such were the reflections to which I gave utterance, -in an under-tone.</p> - -<p>He debarked, and giving an order to the slaves, -placed his scroll of papyrus beneath his robe, and, -ascending the steps, bowed low, and with singular courtesy -(for the Hebrews, mother, are naturally the most -polished and benignant people in the world), said in the -Phœnician tongue—</p> - -<p>"I am indebted to you, sir merchant, for my life! -Your timely voice enabled me to save myself, although -I have lost one of the poor Nubian lads. Accept my -gratitude!"</p> - -<p>I could not remove my eyes from his face. It fascinated -me! It seemed to be Remeses himself speaking -to me; yet the hair of the prince is raven-black, and -his beard also, while this man's is a rich brown, and his -fine beard like a golden river. The eyes of Remeses -are black, with a mild expression naturally, as if they -were animated by a gentle spirit; while those of the -priest are hazel, or rather a brilliant bronze, and full of -the light of courage and of ardent fire. In person he -is just the height of Remeses—carried his head in the -same imperial manner, as if born to command; and the -tones of his voice are marked by that rich emotional -cadence—winning the ear and touching the heart—which -characterizes the prince. His step is firm and -commanding—his motions self-poised and dignified. He -seems three or four years older than Remeses; but -the likeness of the features, and the entire presence of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">{335}</a></span> -the stranger recalled my royal friend so forcibly to my -mind, on the occasion of which I speak, that I said -mentally—"Were the Prince Remeses a Hebrew, or -were this Hebrew an Egyptian, I should think them -cousins, if not brothers!"</p> - -<p>Pardon me, dear mother, for thus speaking of a royal -personage; but I only make use of the language, to express -to you how wonderful in every way, save in the -color of hair and eyes, is the resemblance of this man -to the prince.</p> - -<p>"I did but a common duty to a fellow-being," was -my reply. "But why did you address me in Syriac?"</p> - -<p>"Are you not a Syrian merchant?" he asked, looking -at me more closely, after I had spoken.</p> - -<p>"I am from Tyre," I answered. "You are a Hebrew?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," was his reply, casting down his eyes and moving -past me towards the temple.</p> - -<p>"Stay one moment," I said. He turned and regarded -me with a look of surprise; just such an one as the Hebrew -woman Miriam,—to whom also, dear mother, he -bore a very striking resemblance,—gave me when I -irresistibly addressed her, in the courteous tone I would -have used towards any of her sex: such was my tone in -speaking to this Hebrew; for although his dress showed -that he was only a neophyte, or attendant with secular -duties, yet the man himself commanded my respect.</p> - -<p>"May I inquire, without offence, why I see a Hebrew -in the service of religion?"</p> - -<p>"When we are only degraded slaves, and brick and -clay workers, and worship not the gods of Egypt?" he -answered interrogatively; and I imagined I detected a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">{336}</a></span> -haughty light in his eyes, and a movement of his lip, -caused by a keen sense of the degradation of which he -spake.</p> - -<p>"You have expressed my motives," I replied. "If -you are proceeding along the avenue of sphinxes, I will -accompany you, as I am merely loitering."</p> - -<p>"Will you be seen walking with a Hebrew, my lord -prince?" he said, significantly.</p> - -<p>"You know my rank, then?"</p> - -<p>"Your language betrays you; merchants do not speak -as you do. Besides, the signet of Prince Remeses, on -your hand, designates your rank. I have, moreover, -heard you described by one, who will never forget that -the first words of kindness he ever received, save from -his kinsfolk, fell upon his ears from your lips, O Prince -of Tyre!"</p> - -<p>"Who is he?" I asked with interest.</p> - -<p>"The lad Israel, whom you assisted in restoring to -animation by the well of Jacob the Shepherd!"</p> - -<p>"At the strangers' fountain!" I repeated. "This -little act seems to be known to all the Hebrews!"</p> - -<p>"Not to all, but to a few," he answered; "yet it will -be heard of by all of them; for kindness and sympathy -from any one, especially from a foreign prince, is so -strange an event that it will fly from lip to ear. Your -name, O noble Sesostris, will be engraven in every memory, -and the sound thereof warm hope in every heart!"</p> - -<p>He spoke with deep feeling. We walked some distance -side by side without speaking. After a few moments' -silence I said—</p> - -<p>"Where is the youth Israel?"</p> - -<p>"With his people near Raamses."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">{337}</a></span> -"I am to receive him into my service."</p> - -<p>"He will faithfully serve you, my lord prince. He -is of my kindred, and I shall be grateful to you for protecting -his weakness. Every shoulder in Israel cannot -bear the burden!"</p> - -<p>"Are you then of the family of Miriam?" I asked, -recollecting that the ritual transcriber, in the palace of -the hierarch, had also claimed kindred with the son of -the venerable Ben Isaac.</p> - -<p>"Miriam the scribe?"</p> - -<p>"In the service of Luxora and Osiria, of Memphis."</p> - -<p>"She is my sister."</p> - -<p>"I would have said it!" I answered. "Is your father -living?"</p> - -<p>"He is in charge of the queen's flower-garden in On."</p> - -<p>"I know him," I answered.</p> - -<p>"It is he who has spoken of you to me, as well as the -aged Ben Isaac, young Israel, and Miriam. Therefore -did I at once recognize you, when your polished words -led me to see that you were in rank above chief pilots -and governors of galleys."</p> - -<p>"Will you reply to my inquiry? for, as we know each -other's friends, we need not now discourse wholly as -strangers. How came you, being a Hebrew, to become -a priest? Do not you Hebrews worship the One Infinite -Maker and Upholder of worlds?"</p> - -<p>"There are a few who retain, unmixed with superstition -and idol-worship, the knowledge of the one God of -our ancestors Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph; but this -knowledge is confined, chiefly, to the descendants of one -man, Levi; and only to a few of these. The residue are -little better than the Egyptians."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">{338}</a></span> -"Art thou of the family of this Levi?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"I am. We are more given to study than our brethren, -and seek knowledge and wisdom. Hence it is, -that some of our tribe are taken from the labor of the -field to serve the priests. We are ready writers, skilful -with the stylus and the coloring pencil, and our lot -is preferable to that of others, who are more ignorant. -Hence you behold me a servitor in an Egyptian temple!"</p> - -<p>"Hast thou long been in this service?" I asked, as we -stopped in the shade of the pyramidion of an obelisk, in -front of the temple porch.</p> - -<p>"From a child."</p> - -<p>"So early! Then thou hast not borne the toils of thy -people."</p> - -<p>"I was discovered upon the banks of the Nile, in my -fourth year, near the Island of Rhoda, weeping bitterly; -for I had seen my mother commit my infant brother to -a basket and launch it upon the river; and observing it -borne down by the current, young as I was, I so felt all -its danger, that I ran as well as I could along the shore -crying piteously, when a priest (who has made known to -me the incident) seeing me, took pity upon me, and noticing -that I was a Hebrew child led me away, pacifying -me by saying that I should see my brother. From that -time I have been an inmate of the temple; for my mother -seeing him take me away followed, and as he promised -he would rear me as his own son, and that I should see -her weekly, she yielded me up to him with reluctant -gladness; for, my lord prince, in that day the children -of Hebrew parents were not safe even at home, an edict -having been published commanding all male infants to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">{339}</a></span> -be strangled or drowned. Mothers held their children by -a slight tenure, and seeing that the protection of a priest -would insure my safety, and spare me the toils to which -the little ones of our nation were early condemned, my -parents readily acquiesced in the wishes of the priest."</p> - -<p>"Was thy infant brother lost?" I asked with interest.</p> - -<p>"Yes, without doubt. Like hundreds of other innocents, -he perished."</p> - -<p>"Might he not have been saved by some one as compassionate -as your friendly priest?"</p> - -<p>"Who would dare to save a child from the king's -edict of death? Not one, unless it had been the king's -daughter! All his subjects trembled at his power."</p> - -<p>"I have heard of that cruel command of Pharaoh -Amunophis," I answered. "What is your office in this -noble temple?" I asked, surveying the majestic edifice, -before which stood a black statue of Apis, the size of -life.</p> - -<p>"My office is not that of a priest, though it is priestly. -I write books of papyrus for the dead. I cast images, in -gold, of the young calf Apis. I interpret hieroglyphics, -make copies of the tables of rituals, and keep a list of the -sacred scrolls. I also study foreign tongues, and transcribe -from their books the wisest codes and most -solemn forms of worship."</p> - -<p>"Yours is an office of trust and honor," I said.</p> - -<p>"It is, through the favor of the venerable priest, who -is my benefactor, and to whom I am as a son," he answered. -"If you will now enter the temple with me, I -will show you the casting-room of sacred images; for my -duty is there, during the next four hours."</p> - -<p>I thanked the courteous Hebrew, and ascending the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">{340}</a></span> -steps of the portico, entered the vestibule of the temple. -By a side corridor, we reached a small court lined with -alabastron, in which three priests were pacing up and -down, reading and meditating.</p> - -<p>Not being noticed at all by them, I was conducted by -the stately Hebrew into a chamber, which was the vestibule -to a large apartment, whither we descended by -eight steps, that led to a large brazen door with two -leaves. This was secured; but a small side door admitted -us into a vast subterranean room, which I saw was -a place for casting. Numerous workmen were busy -about heated furnaces: some blowing the fire beneath -crucibles for melting gold, some weighing gold and delivering -it to the smiths; and others washing gold. Some -were casting small images of Apis in moulds, while a -superintendent moved up and down, dressed in the close -robes of vesture priests wear, when not performing duties -at the altar. It was a scene of busy toil and constant -activity.</p> - -<p>"This," said my guide, "is the casting-chamber of -the temple. Each of us has his departments. It is -mine, to oversee the mixing of gold with the proper -alloy, and I have a scribe who records the results. -Here, you see, is a life-size image of Apis, when he -was a calf. It is for the temple at Bubastis, of the -Delta. There you behold a mould for one of larger -size, ordered for the shrine at Osymandyes."</p> - -<p>"Do you never cast any figures of the size of Apis?" -I asked, looking about me in amazement at this extraordinary -scene.</p> - -<p>"Not of gold," he answered, conducting me through -the vast room in which fourscore men were at work -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">{341}</a></span> -"Those are cast of bronze, not here, but at a temple -near the pyramid Dendara. The gods of this temple -are in great repute throughout all Egypt. They are -consecrated here before they are sent away, with ancient -rites, known only to the priesthood of this shrine. -Come with me into this side apartment."</p> - -<p>I followed him through a passage having double-doors -of brass, and found myself in a room full of vases, each -one of which contained a quantity of jewelry, consisting -of rings for the fingers and thumb, ear-rings, bracelets, -flower-holders of gold, necklaces, and signets, all of -gold.</p> - -<p>"These are sent here from various temples in the different -nomes, out of which, after melting them, we cast -images of the size demanded."</p> - -<p>In another room the intelligent Hebrew exhibited to -me a great number of small figures of Apis, of gold of -Havilah, which is remarkably beautiful from its deep -orange-color. These figures, though not a palm long, -were valued at a talent. On all these images of the -sacred calf, I perceived that the mark of the crescent -between the shoulders was distinctly imitated, as well -as the other peculiarities. Upon the head of some of -them was a sun enwreathed by the sacred urus.</p> - -<p>"Does your temple derive a revenue from all this?" -I asked the Hebrew.</p> - -<p>"There is a tithe retained from all the gold that is -sent hither, for the expenses of the temple," he answered.</p> - -<p>We now turned aside to see men grinding to powder -an old image of Apis, of solid gold of Ophir. The image -had been in the hands of the Ethiopians, and being -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">{342}</a></span> -recaptured, was sent here to be ground to dust; for it -was regarded as accursed until this were done. This -process is effected by the free use of <i>natron</i>, and is an -art known only to the Egyptians. The dust is then -washed in consecrated water. In taste, I am told, it is -exceeding bitter and nauseous. Thus gold, as a drink, -would not be coveted by men.</p> - -<p>We next came to a flight of stairs which led to a -paved hall surrounded by columns, and thence a door -led into a small garden, where three majestic palms -towered high above the columns that inclosed it; while -a fountain ceaselessly let fall its refreshing rain, in a -vast shallow vase, wherein gold and silver fishes glanced -in the light.</p> - -<p>It was now near the close of day, and I began to -thank him for his courtesy, when he said—</p> - -<p>"Do not leave now, O prince. This is my apartment, -and the one opposite is that of the aged priest, -my benefactor. Enter, and let me have water for thy -feet and hands, and place before thee some refreshment; -for it is a long walk back to the palace where -thou art sojourning."</p> - -<p>Willing to learn all I could of the remarkable Hebrew -people, who seem to be a nation of princes as -well as of bondmen, I accepted his invitation, and entered -a cool porch, from which opened a handsome but -simply furnished apartment, where he lodged. I seated -myself upon a stone bench, when, at a signal made by -him, two black slaves approached with ewers of water, -one for the hands, and the other with a silver basin for -my feet. Each of them had thrown over his shoulder a -napkin of the finest linen. But upon the vessels, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">{343}</a></span> -vestures, the slaves, and the napkins, I saw the crescent, -which showed that they were all the property of the -temple.</p> - -<p>At length fruit, and wheaten bread, and fish, were -laid before me. The Hebrew stood while I partook, -declining to eat with me, saying that his nation never -broke bread with any but their own people; adding, -"and the Egyptians regard it as infamy to sit down -with us."</p> - -<p>"I have no such prejudices," I said, with a smile. -When I had eaten, and laved my fingers in a crystal -vase, which the priest placed before me, and the Nubians -had retired, I said, "My meeting with you has -been a source of great pleasure to me. I am deeply -interested in your nation. As a Syrian we are not far -from a kindred origin, and as a foreigner I have none of -the feelings which, as masters, the Egyptians entertain -towards a Hebrew. I have witnessed the working of -the deep-seated prejudice in a variety of ways, and cannot -but wonder at it. From all I can learn of your -history, you have never been at war with them, nor -wronged them."</p> - -<p>"We are unfortunate, unarmed, and weak; and the -greater ever oppress the helpless," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Do you feel no resentment?"</p> - -<p>"The bondage of one hundred and seventy years has -graven the lines of patience deep in our hearts. Forbearance -has become a second nature to the Hebrew. -But, my lord prince, I feel that this will not always be," -he added. "The time cannot be far off, when Egypt, for -her own safety, will give us our liberty and the privileges -of citizens. We are not a race of bondmen, like -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">{344}</a></span> -Nubia's children. We were once free! Our fathers -were princes in Syria; and was not Joseph the ruler of -Egypt for sixty-one years, during the long reign of Pharaoh-Apophis? -Not long after the Theban dynasty, -which now rules the two Egypts, assumed the double -crown, did our degradation begin."</p> - -<p>"Doubtless a change in your condition must ere long -take place," I said. "There must be leaders among -you. Not all the suffering of your oppression has destroyed -the princely air among many of your people."</p> - -<p>"But not one Hebrew is trained to war, or knows the -use of any sort of weapon. For three generations, we -have been a laboring, patient, unarmed people. If, here -and there, one rises above the masses, it is by accident -or favor, or from interest on the part of those who employ -us. I have said that the family from which I -spring is skilled in letters and art, and is ambitious of -the learning of the Egyptians, and of becoming scribes -and copyists to the priests. Others among us, of the sons -of Dan, are skilful boatmen; others are builders; while -others prefer the culture of the field, or the tending of -flocks. We were twelve princes—brethren—in the ancient -days, and the descendants of each are remarkable -for some special skill; and the Egyptian taskmasters -having discerned this aptitude, distribute them to their -work accordingly. We are not all brick-makers, though -four fifths of the nation are reduced to that degraded -toil—all, of every tribe or family, who are not skilful in -some art, being driven into the field. Of late years, the -Egyptian artificers have made such great outcries, to the -effect that the Hebrews were filling the places of their -own workmen, that the chief governor of the Hebrews -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">{345}</a></span> -in Lower Egypt has, in order to preserve peace, sent -thousands into the brick-fields, who had never before -encountered such heavy toil. The result is, that hundreds -perish, and that youths like Israel sink hourly -under their unendurable sufferings."</p> - -<p>"Have you no gods—no ear to hear your prayers?" -I asked impulsively, as I am apt to do, dear mother, -when my feelings are deeply moved. "Have you no -worship? I hear of no altar or temple."</p> - -<p>"A few among us have mysteries, such as the existence -of One God; that He is a spirit; that all men are -His offspring; and that we must be just in order to please -Him. But I must confess, O prince," he said, sadly, "that -we have very little knowledge, even the best among -us, of the God in whose existence we profess to believe. -It is easier to serve and trust to the visible gods of Egypt; -and our people, from the depths of their misery, stretch -forth their clay-soiled hands to Osiris, to Pthah, to the -images of Apis, and cry, 'Deliver us, O gods of Egypt, -deliver us from our bondage!' They have cried to the -invisible God of Abraham in vain, and they now cry -in vain to the gods of the land, also. Neither hear—neither -answer; and they sink into blank despair, without -any hope left in a god—a nation of infidel slaves!"</p> - -<p>"Can this be a true picture?" I said.</p> - -<p>"Nearly so. Even I, O prince, under the ever-present -power of the religion to which this temple is upreared,—I, -from the influence of example, from ignorance -of the worship of the Hebrew God of Isaac, from the -education of my life, am half an Egyptian. The religion -of Egypt appeals to the senses, and these, in most men, -are far stronger than the imagination; and we Hebrews -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">{346}</a></span> -know nothing of a God, except that our fathers had one, -but that He has deserted and left us, their miserable descendants, -under the yoke of oppressors. Is it any wonder -that the wisest of us turn to the gods of Egypt? If -the Egyptians can be happy, and cherish hope, and die -in peace under their faith, let us also seek its shelter, and -let their gods be our gods! Such is the prevailing language -and growing feeling of our people."</p> - -<p>This was all said in a tone of sadness and bitterness; -while that despair of which he spoke, cast its shadow -heavily over his noble countenance. I arose soon afterwards, -and took my leave of him, more and more deeply -interested, dear mother, in the history and condition of -this singular people.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">{347}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XXI.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Amense, Island of Rhoda.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">It</span> -is with emotions I am unable to command, that -I commence, after a silence of several weeks, another -letter to you. I know not how, properly to unfold and -rightly to present before you the extraordinary events -which have transpired since I last wrote to you. But I -will endeavor to give a narrative of the unparalleled -circumstances, in the order of their occurrence up to the -present time, and will keep you advised of the progress -of this remarkable and mysterious matter, as each day -it develops itself.</p> - -<p>I believe, in one of my letters to the Princess Thamonda, -I spoke of the approaching birthday of Remeses—his -thirty-fifth—and that the queen had resolved, on -that day, to confer upon him the crowns of Egypt, and -resigning, with the sceptre, all dominion into his hand, -retire to a beautiful palace, which she has recently completed -on the eastern slope of the Libyan hills, west of -the pyramids, and overlooking a charming lake, which, -begun by former rulers, has been enlarged and beautified -by each, and by none more than by herself.</p> - -<p>This purpose of the queen was made known to Remeses, -about three weeks after his return from Thebes with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">{348}</a></span> -his victorious army. I was not present at the interview, -but will repeat to you the conversation that passed, as -it was made known to me by the prince, who extends -towards me all the confidence of one beloved brother to -another; and, indeed, keeps no secrets from me. This -pleasing confidence is fully reciprocated on my part, and -we are in all things as one.</p> - -<p>I had been, that morning, on a visit to that part of -Memphis which stretches away westward from the Nile -in a succession of gardens, squares, palaces, and monuments, -girdling the Lake of Amense with beautiful villas, -and climbing with its terraces, grottoes, shrines, and -marble pavilions, the very sides of the cliffs of Libya, -two leagues from the river; for to the extent of Memphis -there seems to be no limit measurable by the eye. -Even the three great pyramids are almost central in the -mighty embrace of the sacred city.</p> - -<p>Upon landing from my galley upon the Island of -Rhoda, my Hebrew page Israel, now become a bright -and blooming youth, with a face always enriched by the -light of gratitude, met me, and said:</p> - -<p>"The prince, my lord, desires to see you in his private -chamber. He bade me ask you not to delay."</p> - -<p>I found Remeses walking to and fro in the apartment, -with a pale face and troubled brow. As soon as -I entered, he approached me, and taking my hand between -his, pressed it to his heart affectionately, and said:</p> - -<p>"I am glad you have returned, Sesostris, my friend -and brother! Come and sit by me on this seat by the -window. I have much to say—much! I need your -counsel."</p> - -<p>"My noble friend," I answered, moved by his unusual -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">{349}</a></span> -emotion, "I am not able to counsel one so wise and -great as you are."</p> - -<p>"Nay, you are too modest, prince. I must tell you -all. Strange events have occurred. Hear me, and you -will then be able to strengthen my soul! You know -that of late my dear mother has been given to melancholy; -that she has appeared absent in thought, abrupt -in speech, and ill at ease. Thou hast observed this; for -we have spoken of it together, and marvelled at her -mood, which neither the memory of our victories in Ethiopia, -the prosperity of her kingdom, the peace in her -borders, the love of her subjects, nor my own devotion -could remove; nor the music of the harp, nor the happy -songs of the chanters dissipate."</p> - -<p>"Do you not think," I said, "that this state of mind -is connected with her illness before you left, when the -viceroy Mœris dined with us?"</p> - -<p>Remeses started, and fixed upon me his full gaze.</p> - -<p>"Sesostris, what led you to connect the present with -that event?"</p> - -<p>"Because the queen has never been wholly well and -cheerful since that day."</p> - -<p>"What think you of Prince Mœris? Speak freely."</p> - -<p>"He is a proud, ambitious, and unprincipled man."</p> - -<p>"Do you think he loves me?"</p> - -<p>"I fear not."</p> - -<p>"You are right. But you shall hear what I have to relate. -Three hours since my mother sent for me. I found -her in the chapel where the shrine of Osiris receives her -most private prayers. She was kneeling when I entered, -her face towards the god; but her eyes, wet with tears, -penetrated the heavens, and seemed to seek a living -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">{350}</a></span> -Power that could hear and answer prayer, Sesostris. -She did not see me, and her voice was audible:</p> - -<p>"'Protect him! Guard him from his foe! Spare me -the discovery of the secret, and place him upon the -throne of Egypt, O immortal and pitying Osiris! O -Isis, hear! O goddess of the sacred bow, and mother of -Horus, hear! Give me strength to act, and wisdom in -this my great perplexity!'</p> - -<p>"I drew near, and kneeling by my mother's side, laid -her head against my heart, and said—</p> - -<p>"'The God of all gods, the Father Infinite hear thee, -O mother! What is it thou prayest for with such strong -woe and fear?'</p> - -<p>"'Hast thou heard me?' she exclaimed, rising and -speaking wildly. '<i>What</i> didst thou hear? Nay, I have -betrayed no secret?'</p> - -<p>"'None, mother, none! Thou didst only speak of -one which distressed thee,' I said soothingly; for, my -dear Sesostris, I was inexpressibly moved by her agitated -manner, unlike any thing I have ever before witnessed -in her usually calm, serene, and majestic demeanor.</p> - -<p>"She leaned heavily upon me, and I led her to an -alcove in which was the shrine of Athor.</p> - -<p>"'Sit down, Remeses—my son Remeses,' she repeated, -with a singular emphasis upon the words 'my son.' -'Hear what I wish to reveal to thee! I am now more -composed. There is in my heart a great and ceaseless -anxiety. Do not ask me what it is! The secret, I trust, -will remain sealed forever from thy ears! Ask not—seek -not to know it. You may as successfully obtain -an answer from the heart of the great pyramid, revealing -what is buried there from human eyes, as obtain an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">{351}</a></span> -answer from me of the mystery lying at my heart. It -will be embalmed with me, and go with me to the lower -world!'</p> - -<p>"'Mother,' I said, alarmed at her depressed manner, -'thou art ill—let me send for thy physician—'</p> - -<p>"'Nay, nay—I am not ill! I shall be better soon! -<i>You</i>, Remeses, have the key to my happiness and -health,' she said tenderly, yet seriously.</p> - -<p>"'Then I will yield it up to thee!' I answered pleasantly.</p> - -<p>"'Hear my words, my son, for art thou not my son, -my noble Remeses?' she asked, taking both my hands -and holding them to her heart, and then pressing her -lips upon them almost passionately; for I felt tears flow -upon my hands.</p> - -<p>"'Thy son, with undying love, my mother,' I answered, -wondering in my heart, and deeply affected. -She remained a few moments silent, and at length said—</p> - -<p>"'Remeses, hast thou ever doubted my love?'</p> - -<p>"'Never, no never, my mother!' I replied, moved.</p> - -<p>"'Have I not been a true and fond mother to thee?'</p> - -<p>"'Why distress yourself, dear mother, with such -useless interrogatories?' I asked. No longer agitated, -and her nervous air having quite disappeared, she spoke -calmly but earnestly:</p> - -<p>"'Have I neglected, in any way, a mother's duty to -thee, O Remeses?'</p> - -<p>"'Thou hast ever been all that a mother could be,' I -answered her.</p> - -<p>"'Do you think a mother could love a son more than -I love thee?' she repeated.</p> - -<p>"'No, O my mother!'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">{352}</a></span> -"'And <i>thou</i>, Remeses, dost thou love me?' she continued, -with the same fixed, solemn, and painful earnestness.</p> - -<p>"'Why shouldst thou doubt?' I asked.</p> - -<p>"'I have no reason to doubt,' she replied; 'yet I -would hear thee say, 'Mother, I love thee above all -things beneath the sun!'</p> - -<p>"I smiled, and repeated the words, distressed to perceive -that something had taken hold upon her noble and -strong mind, and was shaking it to its centre.</p> - -<p>"'Remeses, my son,' she said, answering my smile, -and then immediately assuming an expression of singular -majesty, 'I am now advancing in life. I have passed -my fifty-first year, and am weary of the sceptre. I -wish to see you king of Egypt while I live. I wish to -see the grandeur and wisdom of your reign, and to rejoice -in your power and glory. When I am laid in the -sarcophagus, which I have caused to be hewn out in the -chamber beneath the pyramidion of my obelisk, I shall -know and behold nothing of thy dominion. It is my -desire, therefore, to invest you with the sovereignty of -Egypt; and after I see you crowned, robed, and sceptred -as her king, I will retire to my Libyan palace and -there contemplate thy greatness, and reign again in -thee!'</p> - -<p>"'I rose to my feet in surprise, dear Sesostris, at this -announcement from the lips of my mother, but listened -with deference until she had concluded, and I then -said,—</p> - -<p>"'This intent and purpose be far from thee, O my -mother and queen! Thou art in the meridian of life, -and still in the possession of thy wonderful beauty. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">{353}</a></span> -Scarcely a silver thread has stolen amid thy soft, dark -hair; thou art yet young; and may the Lord of the -kings of the earth long preserve thee upon thy throne, -and lend thee strength and wisdom to wield thy sceptre. -Far be it from me, therefore, my mother, to accept the -crown, until Osiris himself transfers it from thy majestic -brow to mine!'</p> - -<p>"'Nay, Remeses,' she said firmly, yet sadly, 'my will -is the law of Egypt. Thou hast never opposed it.'</p> - -<p>"'But this is where my own elevation involves your -depression,' I answered. 'It cannot be!'</p> - -<p>"'I am firm and immovable, my son, in my purpose,' -she replied. 'Your thirty-fifth birthday will soon arrive. -That is the age at which Horus, the son of Isis, -was crowned. It is a number of good omen, and I wish -you to prepare for your coronation, by performing all -the rites and sacrifices, that the religion and laws of -Egypt require of a prince who is about to ascend the -throne of the Pharaohs.'</p> - -<p>"'Mother, my dearly honored mother!' I said, kneeling -to her, 'forgive me, but I must firmly decline the -throne while you sit thereon. You are ill at ease in -your mind to-day. Some deep grief, which you conceal -from me, preys upon you. It is not because you are -old that you would abdicate the throne to me, who am -not yet old or wise enough to rule this mighty nation; -but you have some secret, painful reason, which I beg -you to reveal to me.'</p> - -<p>"My words seemed to inflict pain upon her. She -rose to her feet, and paced the apartment twice across in -troubled reflection. Then she came to my side, and said -impressively, placing her trembling grasp upon my arm:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">{354}</a></span> -"'Remeses, if I reveal to thee the secret of my heart, -wilt thou then consent to be king?'</p> - -<p>"'If I perceive, my mother,' I answered, 'that necessity -demands my acceptance of the crown before my -time, I will not refuse it.'</p> - -<p>"'If your views of necessity do not influence you, O -my son,' she said earnestly, and with a sudden gush of -tears, 'let my affection, my happiness, my peace of -mind, plead with you!'</p> - -<p>"'Please, my beloved mother, to make known to me -the circumstances under which you are moved to this -unusual step,' I said.</p> - -<p>"'Not unusual,' she replied. 'I have consulted the -book of the reigns of the Pharaohs, in the hall of Books, -in the temple of Thoth. Within two thousand years, -not less than seven kings and three queens have resigned -the sceptre of Egypt to children or adopted heirs. The -Queen Nitocris resigned to her adopted son, Myrtus; -Chomphtha, after reigning eleven years, weary with -the weight of the crown, resigned it to her nephew, -Sœconiosochus. Did not Phruron-Nilus, the great monarch, -decide to abdicate in favor of Amuthantus, his -son, when sudden death only prevented his retirement? -The crowns of Egypt are <i>mine</i>, my son, by the laws of -the gods, and of the ancestral kings from whom I have -inherited them. I will not wait for the god of death to -remove them from my head; but with my own hands I -would put them upon thy brow! It must be done soon,—<i>now</i>! -or neither thou nor I will hold rule long in -Egypt!'</p> - -<p>"I begged my mother to explain her mysterious -words.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">{355}</a></span> -"'Come, sit by me. Be calm, Remeses! Listen with -your usual meekness and reverence to me when I speak.' -I obeyed her, and she thus began:</p> - -<p>"'Thou knowest thy cousin Mœris;—his lofty ambition; -his impatience; his spirit of pride; his lust for dominion, -which his viceroyship in the Thebad has only -given him an unlimited thirst for;—his jealousy and hatred -of you, Remeses! None of these things are concealed -from you, my son.' My mother paused as if for -my assent, which I signified by a respectful bow. She -continued:</p> - -<p>"'This Prince Mœris, for whom I have done all in -my power—whom I have made second only to me in -the Thebad, I have reason to know seeks your ruin and -my throne!'</p> - -<p>"'What proof hast thou of this?' I cried, deeply moved.</p> - -<p>"'Remeses,' said my mother, in ringing tones, 'I must -unfold to thee all! I know how slow thou art to suspect -or believe evil of any one; and that you fancy Mœris -an honorable prince, overlooking his jealousy of you. -You have confidence in my judgment and truth?'</p> - -<p>"'I have, the most undoubted and deferential,' I answered -the queen.</p> - -<p>"'Then, my son, hear me!' she said, with a face as -pale as the fine linen of her vesture. 'Prince Mœris possesses -a secret (ask me <i>not</i> what it is) which gives him a -dangerous power over me. He obtained possession of -it years ago, how I know not; but it has placed in his -hands a power that I tremble beneath. Nay, ask not! -My heart itself would as soon open to thine eyes, -under the shield of my bosom, as reveal its secret! It -will die with me! Yet Mœris, my nephew—a man of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">{356}</a></span> -talents and ambition, in morals most unprincipled, and -in disposition cruel and unjust—holds my happiness in -his hand!'</p> - -<p>"'My mother,' I cried, 'why then didst thou confer -on him the principality of the Thebad and its enormous -military power?'</p> - -<p>"'To bribe him, when he menaced me with the betrayal -of what he knew!' was the queen's almost fierce -rejoinder.</p> - -<p>"'But why make him the admiral of your fleet of -the Nile?'</p> - -<p>"'Another bribe when he renewed his threats to inform -you—'</p> - -<p>"'Me!' I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"'Did I say you? No! no!' she cried, checking herself; -'when he menaced me with the betrayal of the -dreadful secret.'</p> - -<p>"'And, my dear mother, who was interested to know -it, whom would it benefit or injure?' I asked, lost in -amazement.</p> - -<p>"'Injure one whom—whom I love—destroy my happiness -and hopes—benefit Mœris himself!' she answered -coloring with deepest confusion and alarm.</p> - -<p>"'Why not crush such a dangerous subject when -he menaces your peace?' I demanded, my whole -spirit roused for my mother, and my indignation excited -against this wicked man. 'If thy happiness is -thus menaced, O my mother, if this prince is the cause -of all your sorrow, say the word, and in thirty days -hence, he shall be brought bound in chains to your -feet.'</p> - -<p>"'Nay, Remeses, I dare not. One word from his lips, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">{357}</a></span> -though he were in chains, would reveal all it has been -the study of my life to conceal, and give him all the -revenge his bitter spirit would ask. No, no! Mœris -must not be made angry. It is only his ambitious -hopes that keep him quiet.'</p> - -<p>"What are these hopes?" I inquired, feeling that -henceforth Mœris and I were mortal foes.</p> - -<p>"Didst thou, O prince," said I, as he returned to his -seat by me, which he had left, in the excitement of his -narrative, to pace the floor, "suspect the secret?"</p> - -<p>"No," he answered gloomily; "no, Sesostris; nor do -I now know what it can be; neither have I the least -idea, unless—" Here he colored, and looked confused.</p> - -<p>"Unless what?" I asked, painfully interested.</p> - -<p>"Unless Mœris be the son of the Prince of the Thebad, -and I the son of the brother of Pharaoh. In other -words, that Mœris and Remeses have changed places, -and that Mœris knows or suspects the fact."</p> - -<p>"A most extraordinary idea!" I exclaimed; yet at the -same time, I must confess that I was forcibly reminded -of what I have before alluded to, dear mother, the total -absence of all likeness between Remeses and his mother, -Amense.</p> - -<p>"What can possibly have suggested to your mind -such a strange conjecture?" I added.</p> - -<p>"A mystery, my dear Sesostris," he said, "calls into -exercise the whole machinery of suspicion, and all the -talent of investigation; and a hundred things, which -before had only an ordinary signification, under its -wand, take an importance and meaning wholly new. -Irresistibly, my mother's anxiety to impress upon me that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">{358}</a></span> -she had been 'all a mother could be to a son,' in connection -with her whole manner, and especially her uncalled -for reiterations of affection for me, and of appeals -to my devotion to her;—all this rushed upon my memory, -and with a dizzy brain, and a heart full of anguish, -under the dreadful suspicion, I cried, 'Why must not -Prince Mœris be made angry? Why may he not be -prevented from doing thee harm?'</p> - -<p>"'I have told you,' she replied, with a deadly pallor. -'Remeses, your roused spirit alarms me for us three.'</p> - -<p>"'But I must oppose, and if necessary destroy him,' -I said, in my emotion, 'who destroys my mother's -peace.'</p> - -<p>"'Yes, I am thy mother. Thou art a son to me. I -know thou wilt protect me from this prince-nephew,' -she said, in broken sentences. 'He shall not come between -me and thee, and the throne.'</p> - -<p>"'He has no claim to the throne. He does not aspire -to it in your lifetime,' I said; 'and if I hold it after, I -will take care of my own crown. My mother, fear not -Prince Mœris. Let his secret perish with him.'</p> - -<p>"'And thou, also, Remeses!' she said, passionately.</p> - -<p>"'I, my mother?' I repeated. A spirit of severe investigation -then came upon me, strengthened by my -suspicion.</p> - -<p>"'My mother, Queen Amense,' I said, with the deepest -emotion, and, O Sesostris, with fear and dread, 'a -fearful suspicion has taken hold upon me! <i>Am</i> I thy -<span class="smcap">SON</span>?'</p> - -<p>"No sooner had I given utterance to this interrogative -doubt, which was wrung from my tortured heart, than -shrieking aloud, she fell forward, and but for my intervening -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">{359}</a></span> -arm, her form would have been prostrate at my -feet. I caught her in my arms; I kissed her marble -brow; I chafed her cold pulses; and breathed words of -comfort, words praying her forgiveness, into her ears. -At length she revived, as I supported her against my -wildly beating heart; and, with stony eyes staring me -in the face, gasped—</p> - -<p>"'Remeses! Who hath—who—who hath said this?'</p> - -<p>"'No one, <i>no one</i>, my dearly loved mother,' I answered, -tenderly. And when I saw that she was more composed, -I said, 'It was only a conjecture—a wild suspicion—for -I could not comprehend the mystery between -you and my cousin Mœris, except that (as has been done -in former dynasties) he and I are in each other's places. -Is Mœris thy son, and am I the son of the brother of -Amunophis?'</p> - -<p>"I had no sooner said this, than she raised her head -from the gold-embroidered purple cushion of the ivory -couch, on which she lay reclining against my arm, and -with a strange laugh of joy and surprise, said,—</p> - -<p>"'So this is <i>all</i>, Remeses! Then thou needest not -fear. Mœris is not my son. He is nothing to me but -my kinsman. Canst thou believe that that wicked -prince is my offspring? I forgive thee, Remeses, because, -perhaps, my words, and the necessity of guarding -my secret, may have forced thee to this conclusion.' -This she spoke with a mind evidently greatly relieved.</p> - -<p>"'Then, dear mother, I <i>am</i> thy son in spite of Prince -Mœris?'</p> - -<p>"'In spite of Mœris,' she answered. 'Hast thou ever -known any other mother? Remeses, let thy heart be -at peace! Mœris is not my son! On that he does not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">{360}</a></span> -found his hopes to grasp the reins of Egypt. Now hear -me, my son,' she said, solemnly. 'That prince once -sought my life. When I was taken ill on the day that -he dined with me, he had bribed my cup-bearer to drop -a subtle poison in my cup. Dread of the prince forced -him, under his eyes, to do it; but, as the cup-bearer -handed me the wine, he pressed my little finger, where -it clasped the cup, so significantly, that I looked in his -eyes, and saw them full of warning. I did not drink, -but pleaded illness, and left the banquet-room. I sent -for the cup-bearer, and he confessed what he had done. -When I heard his confession, and was thereby acquainted -with the purpose of Prince Mœris against my life, I -was overwhelmed with despair. My future safety lay -in sending for him the next day. He came. It was a -brief but dreadful interview. He acknowledged that -he sought my life, because I had the day before refused -him the crown of Upper Egypt, declining to give him -the half of my empire. He threatened to betray my -secret, and I pleaded for silence. He demanded the -white crown of the Thebad as his reward, but I put -him off with evasions. He had command of the fleet, -and I dared not anger him. I shrunk from making -known to you his demand, and the terror with which he -inspired me. I promised that if he entered the Ethiopian -capital within six months, he should reign in -Thebes.'</p> - -<p>"'My mother,' I cried, 'gave you such a promise to -him? He is already marshalling his forces!'</p> - -<p>"'And in order not so much to conquer Ethiopia, as -to usurp one of the thrones of Egypt,' she answered.</p> - -<p>"'And are you bound by this promise to him?' I demanded, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">{361}</a></span> -overwhelmed with amazement, both at the -audacity of Mœris, and the power he held over my -mother by means of this secret.</p> - -<p>"'By all the vows that a mortal can make to the gods! -Here, in this sacred chapel, before these shrines, he -made me swear that in consideration he subdued the -central capital of Ethiopia, and preserved my secret, I -would transfer from my head to his the white-gold -crown of Upper Egypt, the most ancient kingdom mortal -ever ruled over on earth, after the demigods.'</p> - -<p>"When, my dear Sesostris," said Remeses, after having -related to me, with a dark countenance, the foregoing -conversation, "I heard this, I was for some time -confounded, and could not speak. At length I cried -out—</p> - -<p>"'That mystery—that secret, known only to you and -Mœris, and for the safe-keeping of which you part with -one of your crowns, <i>what</i> is it! divulge it! Am I not -worthy, O my mother, of the confidence which Prince -Mœris, by foul means, shares with you? Will you not -intrust me with the secret which he can extort by -bribery?'</p> - -<p>"The queen looked deadly pale, and her whole frame -trembled. She essayed to reply, and then said, with an -effort, as if a corpse had become vocal—</p> - -<p>"'Remeses—you must—must not know it! Do not -ask—do not suspect evil. Do not doubt me, or you will -kill me! Kiss me, Remeses! Kiss me, my son! Are -you not my son? I love you, and know you love me. -Let all else pass by. You shall be king! You shall -wear the double tiara! You shall grasp both sceptres! -Therefore is it, I would now make you king. Dost thou -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">{362}</a></span> -understand me? Mœris must not march into Ethiopia. -That evil man must have a master. My power is failing! -I would surrender it to thee. The only safety of Egypt, -the only security for thy crown and dominion, is in -taking the throne, and ruling all Egypt in thine own -right.'</p> - -<p>"'Is this so, my mother?' I demanded. 'Does Prince -Mœris not only torture thy soul with a secret, which, as -a just prince, he ought forever to forget, if thou desirest -it, but does he also aspire to sever Egypt, and rule in -the Thebad, on the ancient throne of my ancestors, as -the price of a secret held over thee with an unmanly -advantage?'</p> - -<p>"'He does, my son,' she answered. 'The only safety -of the empire depends on my resignation of the crowns -into your hands. Once Pharaoh, you have Mœris at -your feet, and if he prate his secret, you will then be -able to despise it, and put to silence his tongue.'</p> - -<p>"'Mother, my dear mother,' I answered, after long -reflection, 'what you have told me has brought me to -a decision. I shall act blindly—not knowing the nature -of the power of the prince over you; but I shall act -from affection and sympathy for you, in obedience to -your wishes, and for the preservation of the integrity of -the united kingdom. I am ready to obey you. In order -to defeat Prince Mœris, and relieve your mind, I -will accept the sceptre which you are desirous of placing -in my feeble and inexperienced hand. I am ready -to enter upon the sacred rites of initiation, and in all things -will be your dutiful and obedient son. The wickedness -and ambition of Mœris must be crushed.'</p> - -<p>"When I had thus said, my mother, with a cry of joy -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">{363}</a></span> -cast herself into my arms. I bore her, almost fainting -with happiness realized, to the apartments of her women, -and again assuring her of my full compliance with her -wishes, I took tender leave of her, and hastened to my -room to reflect upon all that had passed in that extraordinary -interview; and then I sought you."</p> - -<p>Thus the Prince Remeses ended his interesting and -singular statement. I knew not what to respond to him -when he had done. But be sure, dear mother, there -must something grow out of this, of the greatest importance -to this dynasty. Who can divine the secret?</p> - -<p>But I must here close my letter, with assurances of -my fondest attachment to you, my dear mother, whom -the gods guard from all mysteries and secrets, and from -ambitious princes like the lord Mœris.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your ever faithful,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">{364}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XXII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Island of Rhoda, Palace of the Queen.</div> - -<div class="left0">My very dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">In</span> -the preceding letter I have made known to -you the extraordinary purpose of the queen to invest, -with the dignity of royalty, her son, the Prince Remeses; -the singular scenes which passed between them; -the mystery which enveloped her motives; and the -final yielding of Remeses to her commands and earnest -appeals.</p> - -<p>It now became necessary that he should, according to -the custom and laws of the realm, prepare himself for -his coronation, by submitting to certain religious ceremonies, -and a solemn initiation into the deeper mysteries -of the temples; for though, as a prince, he was -nominally, or by courtesy of the laws, the high-priest, -yet not until he became king could he offer the supreme -sacrifice on the altar of Osiris,—which is the highest -religious act of the sacred priesthood; and it is only -upon the shields of kings that the symbol of "priest" -is sculptured. Thus, as chief priests, or pontiffs, the -Pharaohs were the head of the hierarchy, which consolidated -their political power, and gave them an influence -over the minds of the people that the mere possession of -the sceptre of Egypt could not have commanded; for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">{365}</a></span> -in their king, they also behold their mediator with the -gods. Yet, although absolute over his subjects, he had -no power over the priesthood, except by their own consent. -As one of their body he was bound, by certain -most solemn and mystic vows, to the rules and regulations -of their order; and in all matters of state he was -pledged to the hierarchy of prince-priests, who constituted -a council of advice, to which he was, by the laws -(also made by a legislature composed of the hierarchs of -each nome), compelled to submit his own will. All -his duties are regulated by a code drawn up by the -Priest of On, and subscribed by the king at his coronation. -Thus the monarch is entirely under the influence -and control of the priests. I will, by way of illustration, -describe to you how the queen (who is also -chief priestess, by virtue of her rank, and, as such, -offered up a sacrifice on the altar of Osiris on the day -of her coronation) has her daily duties and hours apportioned -to her, by this august council of arch-hierophants:</p> - -<p>When her majesty arises in the morning, her royal -scribe brings to her, in a shallow vase of gold, the letters -that have come to her from all parts of her kingdom, -and of the world. These she reads, and lays aside for -reply after consultation with Remeses, and, if of great -importance, with her council of state: for she has also -a cabinet of generals, lords of nomes, and high admirals, -together with the lord of the nilometers, whom she -calls together on matters exclusively of state, such as the -affairs of the army or of the navy, the condition of the -harvests and treasure-cities, and the state of the Nile; -on which two last matters the reign of prosperity or -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">{366}</a></span> -famine depends. She then receives, and at once attends -to all reports or messages that are in writing, from any -officers of her palace, such as the captain of her guard, -the chief butler, chief gardener, her captain of chariots, -and her master of horse. She then issues her orders to -these and other servants of her household. All this -time she reclines in a robe of white silk, elegantly embroidered -with the leaves of the lotus and acanthus, -and with flowers imitated to the full beauty of natural -ones. Her hair is braided and confined by a rich turban; -and before her is an ivory table containing ink, -tablets, a stylus or two, and parcels of royal papyrus -stamped with her signet, and beautifully gilded, upon -which she inscribes her replies either with her own -hand, or by her scribes, and sometimes only by impressing -thereon her signet, upon which vermilion is rubbed -from a small cushion by her side. For religious affairs -the signet is different, having the sacred hawk's-head -engraved upon it above the royal cartouch, and instead -of red color,—the sacred hue of the Memphitic realm,—it -is bright blue, which is taken from a very small -crystal bottle, held in readiness by a scribe's page, from -whose thumb it is suspended by a ring of gold.</p> - -<p>The queen having dismissed all these attendants, retires -to her bathing-room, which is hung with curtains -of cloth of gold; and having bathed, her handmaidens -anoint her with costly perfumes, and arrange her hair -with the highest art; for in the style of the hair the -Egyptian ladies of all ranks display great taste, and expend -in dressing and beautifying it a large proportion of -their time; and I must acknowledge they display perfect -skill in making most attractive this glorious adornment -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">{367}</a></span> -of your sex, dear mother. The young wear it -in numerous braids, mingled with natural tresses; others -shape it into a sort of a helmet, with a crest of curls falling -around; others fasten it behind in a rich knot, and -let what is free flow upon the shoulders. Some cover -the head with a braided tiara sparkling with gold and -jewels; and others, especially at banquets, wear rich -caps of embroidered cloth, of beautiful shape, terminating -behind in a cape enriched with needle-work, and -ornamented with fringe of floss of gold,—a peculiar -filament I have seen fabricated only in Egypt. Indeed, -an Egyptian lady seems to regard her hair as her crown -of beauty by nature, and she tries by art to make it -also a diadem of glory. As if its natural brilliancy were -not enough, after pouring upon it fragrant perfume, her -maid, from a small ivory box, the convex lid of which is -filled with minute perforations, sprinkles its smooth surface -with powder of gold.</p> - -<p>The dressing-room of the queen opens upon gardens, -is furnished with luxury, and is encircled by columns -of alabaster; its intercolumnar panels glitter with foreign -marbles, and paintings of the highest art; the -tables are resplendent with gold and silver, electrum, -and variegated stones; while before its doors -hang drapery of Tyrian purple wrought with gold, -and representing scenes of the chase. More or less resembling -this, are the dressing-rooms of all the ladies of -rank. The lords of Egypt covet gorgeous and expensively -adorned "halls of books," or libraries; but the -ladies beautify and enrich their dressing-saloons, in -which they spend so much of their time, and where -they often receive their very intimate female acquaintances: -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">{368}</a></span> -and as a great favor, gentlemen, on familiar footing -with the family, are sometimes admitted into this -beautiful adytum, where the goddess of beauty is adored -by homage the most religious.</p> - -<p>The queen, after being attired by her ladies in magnificent -robes, is adorned with jewels; and wearing -over her shoulders the splendid leopard's-skin of the -sacrificer, and upon her head the insignia of sovereignty, -she enters, with all her train, the private chapel -of the palace, and there presents offerings to the gods, -pours a libation of wine, and invokes Osiris. On certain -high days her chief priest is present, who, after -praying, sacrifices a snow-white fowl, and offers oblations -of more or less magnitude. The queen then asks forgiveness -of the gods for what she may have done wrong in -ignorance, in administering her kingdom, and implores -wisdom and guidance in the acts of the day. The -priest now gently touches her crown and sceptre with -his finger dipped in the vase of blood, pours the rest -into a vessel upon the altar, and extending his hands -over her as she kneels, blesses her in the name of Osiris, -the lord of the worlds, and king of the rulers of earth. -He also pronounces an imprecation against her enemies, -exempts her from all accusation for things done in ignorance, -and solemnly denounces those of her ministers -who wrongfully have instructed her, or administered -evil counsel.</p> - -<p>Then the queen, coming forth from prayer, is met by -pages who present her with flowers, and, at the sound of -musical instruments, she is led to her breakfast apartment, -where the choicest food is brought on golden -dishes,—cakes of fine flour, steeped in milk or honey, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">{369}</a></span> -the flesh of birds roasted or broiled, fruit of all kinds, -mild wines of Palestine and Cyprus, and water of the -Nile filtered with the paste of almonds, and flavored -with Arabian spices and Persian condiments.</p> - -<p>The meal over, she goes forth to her throne-room, and -seating herself, the doors are thrown open, and she receives -all petitioners and comers who desire audience; -but not official persons, such as ambassadors, who have -certain hours for audience with her. She decides on all -final appeals from the judges in the city, or in the -nomes, and determines with wisdom and equity.</p> - -<p>These duties over, she walks in her garden, or in the -colonnades of her palace; or rides out to visit her public -works, or for air. At noon she dines, as do all other -Egyptians. On these occasions she has her high officers, -and strangers of rank, philosophers, and others, at -her table. Whosoever she delights to honor, she invites -to a banquet. If any of her subjects greatly distinguishes -himself, so as to confer a benefit upon Egypt by -any new art or improvement, she not only places him at -her table, whatever his previous rank, but invests him -with a robe of honor, throws a gold chain over his neck, -puts a ring upon his finger, presents him with a chariot -to ride in, and makes him a high officer over some of -her works or departments. Thus, by her virtues and -justice, has she won the esteem and love of her subjects.</p> - -<p>The queen usually passes the afternoon with her -maidens, in her embroidering rooms, where she always -has a large number of handmaids at work with the -needle or the loom, or engaged in the art of needle-work, -or embroidering for the use and decoration of the -palace. She also, at evening, receives guests, and at -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">{370}</a></span> -that time Remeses is usually found in her company. -She retires not long after the close of day, unless it be a -moonlight night, when her players on instruments of -music fill the gardens with harmony, while the queen -and her friends, seated in the corridors, listen, or converse -together. In conversation the queen never speaks -evil of any one, and she frowns upon slander; hence -this vice is scarcely known in Egypt, and the Egyptian -ladies, when they hear one of their own sex spoken -against, at once defend her, and find excuses for her. -This is certainly a delightful trait, and should cause the -world to concede to the dames of Egypt the foremost -position in the rank of civilization.</p> - -<p>I will now speak of the proposed succession of Prince -Remeses to the throne. As I have before said, the king -is the representative of the deity. His title, Ph'rah, or -Pharaoh, signifies "the sun," "a king," the "lord of -light." The head of the religion of the state, he is not -only the judge and lawgiver, but commander of the army, -and its leader in war. These latter duties have been -delegated by his mother to Remeses, by the consent of -her council, many years ago. The sceptre of Egypt is -hereditary; but in the event of there being no lineal -heir, the monarch can adopt one, if taken from the -priestly or military class; as the army or the priesthood -are the two professions followed by all men of rank, the -navy not having been, until Prince Mœris, its admiral, -demanded it, an exclusive service. Most of the Pharaohs -have been from the military class, and younger -princes, from the days of Osirtasen to Prince Remeses, -have adopted the warlike profession; but it is the universal -belief, that no former prince of Egypt has evinced -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">{371}</a></span> -such ability as Remeses to command vast armies, and -lead the destinies of a mighty people.</p> - -<p>When a prince is about to ascend the throne, the laws -require that he should be instructed in all the mysteries -of the religion of his empire, and initiated into the -various offices of a sovereign pontiff. He is taught all -that relates to the gods and other mysteries hitherto -concealed from him, the services of the temple, the laws -of the country, and the duties of a king, as inscribed in -the ten sacerdotal books.</p> - -<p>In order that in these things he may be properly instructed, -he is enjoined to pass forty days in the temples -of Osiris, Pthah, Isis, Athor, and other gods; and to remain -one night, the last of all, in the temple of Thoth, -before the pyramids, watching alone, praying for the -blessings of the gods, and offering sacrifice and libations. -This solemn vigil ended, and the sun risen, he is -escorted by a grand procession of priests, who swing -incense before him, and lead him to the temple of the -Sun, to be crowned in the presence of all the nobles, -high officers, and people of Egypt. This ceremony, as -described in the royal books, is grand beyond conception.</p> - -<p>In order, therefore, to enter upon this formal preparation, -the Prince Remeses, on the third day after his interview -with his mother, retired from the palace, and -sought the holy solitudes of the temple of the Sun. A -council of the hierarchy, assembled by the queen, had -reluctantly given their consent to her abdication; but -willingly yielded to the coronation of Remeses; for, -however devoted a warlike nation may be to a reigning -queen, the preference of the people's heart is for a king. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">{372}</a></span> -While, therefore, the intelligence, which soon spread -through Egypt, that Amense the Good was to lay down -her sceptre in favor of her son, cast a shadow over their -hearts, it was chased away by the light of the anticipated -splendor, which the reign of a prince, a "Pharaoh," -would shed upon the land of Egypt.</p> - -<p>"As the good queen will still live, we need not -grieve," said some of the artisans at work upon her obelisk; -"we can rejoice in Remeses, and still honor his -royal mother."</p> - -<p>It was an affecting parting between the prince and his -mother when he left the palace. I accompanied him to -the vestibule of the temple. Here twelve priests, led by -the high-priest, received him; and three others came forward -to disrobe him of his vesture, his bonnet and sandals; -while three more invested him with sacerdotal -robes, a priestly tiara, and placed upon his feet the sacred -sandals. Then inclosing him in their midst, as if -to shut him out from the world, they moved forward -into the gloomy cloisters of the temple, and disappeared -with him from my gaze.</p> - -<p>At his previous request, and at the earnest solicitation -of the queen, who, in his absence, depressed in -spirits, finds relief, as she kindly says, in my presence, -I returned to the Island of Rhoda, and am now occupying -the apartments of the prince; for when he is crowned -king, he will remove to the superb old palace of the -Pharaohs, on the banks of the Nile, between the river -and the City of the Sun.</p> - -<p>No one is permitted to speak with the royal novitiate -until the forty days are ended; and when he proceeds -from temple to temple, to go through in each certain -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">{373}</a></span> -rites and receive certain instructions, it is at midnight; -and all persons are forbidden to appear in the streets -through which the mysterious procession of priests -passes.</p> - -<p>It is now the thirty-fourth day since he entered upon -his initiation. Since that time I have seen much more -of Egypt and of the people. I have not, however, been -far from the Island of Rhoda, as the queen constantly -demands my society, and inquires of Acherres after me, -if I am long away.</p> - -<p>Yesterday afternoon, as I was engaged with a party of -nobles fishing in the Lake Amense, which I have before -described as almost a sea in extent, and bordered by -palaces, a galley, rowed by twenty-four oars, was seen -coming towards us at great speed. Upon seeing it, one -said:</p> - -<p>"It is a royal barge!"</p> - -<p>"Nay," said another, "it is that of the old Admiral -Pathromenes. His sails are blue and white."</p> - -<p>"I do not heed the color of his sails," said the first -lord. "Seest thou not that it is the queen's galley, by -the golden hawk's-head at the mast, and the cartouch of -the Pharaohs above the poop?"</p> - -<p>"It <i>is</i> the queen's galley," I said, "for I have frequently -been in it, and recognize its symbols."</p> - -<p>Hereupon there was manifested a general curiosity to -know why it was coming so swiftly towards us. In a -few minutes I discovered my Hebrew page, Israelisis, -(for I have Egyptianized his name since he came into -my service), upon the deck, and began to suspect the -queen had sent him for me. I was not mistaken. The -galley came sweeping round us with a roar of spray -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">{374}</a></span> -from its dashing oars, and the page, springing lightly -upon the bulwarks of our vessel, with a low obeisance -presented me the queen's signet, saying:</p> - -<p>"The queen has sent for thee, my lord!"</p> - -<p>The party of nobles expressed great reluctance at -parting with me, and one of them said:</p> - -<p>"You are in great favor with our royal house, O -prince."</p> - -<p>"Only as a guest and stranger," I answered, smiling.</p> - -<p>They returned my parting bow with courtesy, and I -went upon the galley, which was soon cleaving the shining -surface of the beautiful lake, called by the Egyptians -"the Celestial Sea." It is twenty stadia in circuit, -and from it lead out canals in numerous directions, lined -with verdure, and rich with harvests. It also communicates -with the majestic Father of rivers by a winding -artificial outlet, which is lined with gardens and palaces. -Along this lovely serpentine stream, our galley, after -leaving the broad lake, flew like the wind, all other vessels -swiftly moving from its course and giving it the way. -Shooting out into the swift Nile, between two colossal -sea-dragons of red stone, which guarded the entrance to -the canal, we crossed to the palace-covered Rhoda. As -I was about to land at the stately quay, I saw, to my -surprise, the war-galley of Prince Mœris riding near, -her rowers still seated at their banks, as if ready to move -at a moment's warning. I met Acherres, who has -wholly recovered from his long illness, of which I wrote -his father, at the gateway of the palace.</p> - -<p>"My prince," he said, looking anxious, "I am glad -you have come. Her majesty is in some great distress."</p> - -<p>"Is Prince Mœris here?" I quickly asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">{375}</a></span> -"No, my prince; but his galley has brought hither -a courier with letters."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he has been defeated in the borders of Ethiopia," -was my reflection; for I knew he had been contemplating -an invasion of its capital, on account of the -promise he had exacted from the queen, that he should -rule alone on the ancient throne of the Theban kings in -Upper Egypt.</p> - -<p>Ushered from apartment to apartment, I was soon led -into the immediate presence of the queen. In the antechamber, -before I entered, I had seen a stranger, whose -features and costume showed that he was a Theban lord -or high officer. He bowed haughtily to me, as I acknowledged -his presence in the usual way when strangers -meet.</p> - -<p>I found the queen alone. She was walking to and fro -with a quick, nervous step. In her hand she held a letter -with the seal broken. Upon seeing me, she came -towards me, and said:</p> - -<p>"O Prince Sesostris, who art to me next to my son, I -am glad you have come! Pardon me for sending for -you!" Her eyes were bright with tears, and her voice -was tremulous.</p> - -<p>"You ought to have done so, O noble queen," I answered, -"since you are in trouble."</p> - -<p>"In trouble, Sesostris! It is more than trouble; it is -a weight greater than I can bear!"</p> - -<p>"Has Mœris been defeated?" I asked, with earnest -sympathy.</p> - -<p>"Mœris defeated! No, oh no; but rather conqueror. -But I speak an enigma!"</p> - -<p>"Has aught happened to Remeses in his sacred duties?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">{376}</a></span> -"No, oh no! It is Mœris! He will break my -heart!"</p> - -<p>"What has he done? What can I do?" I asked, perplexed.</p> - -<p>"Nothing—that is, <i>you</i> can do nothing! As for Mœris, -he has done every thing! But why do I talk to -you? You understand me not! There is a fearful -secret, O Sesostris! I did not send for you to reveal it -to you—but—but for sympathy;—for your company! -I know you love me, for you are the friend of Remeses, -and you have a mother whom you love and honor."</p> - -<p>"And I also love and honor you, O my mother!" I -said, taking her hand and conducting her to a chair. -But she refused to sit down. She regarded me with -eager eyes, as if she were penetrating my soul to its -depths. Suddenly she said:</p> - -<p>"Has Remeses told you <i>all</i> the conversations I have -had with him?"</p> - -<p>"He has talked much with me of what has passed between -you, O queen," I answered.</p> - -<p>"Did he speak of a secret I held locked in my heart -even from him?"</p> - -<p>"He did. He said it was known, however, to Prince -Mœris, who held it over you as a power of evil."</p> - -<p>"Did Remeses suspect its nature?" she demanded.</p> - -<p>"He informed me that he once had a suspicion which -your majesty removed."</p> - -<p>"Yes," she said, with a strange, cold smile, "he fancied -that Mœris's secret was, that he was the true heir of -the throne—my son; and that Remeses was the nephew -of Pharaoh, not himself! Was it not an extraordinary -idea, prince?" she asked me with the same icy irony -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">{377}</a></span> -that was unaccountable to me. "Who could ever doubt -that Remeses is my own son?"</p> - -<p>"No one, your majesty," I answered, seeing she looked -to me for a reply.</p> - -<p>"Surely no one! Dost thou not mark how like our -eyes are? And then our voices are much on the same -key, though his, as becomes a man, is deeper. His -smile, is it not mine? Nay, no one could say we are -not mother and son, could they, O Prince of Tyre? -How strange, is it not, that Remeses should have conceived -such an idea?"</p> - -<p>"He had probably heard, your majesty, traditions of -infant sons of kings having been interchanged; and as -he could not account for the Prince of Thebes' influence -over you by a secret, on any other reasonable grounds, -he ventured this supposition."</p> - -<p>"But he never will doubt again, O Sesostris!" she -cried in an earnest manner; "no one now could make -him suspect, a second time, he is not my son! Oh no, -never! never! Could they, think you, my lord prince?"</p> - -<p>"No, madam," I answered; her singular manner and -language wholly surprising me, and leading me to fear -that she was not at all well; that her nerves had been -too severely tried by the intelligence, whatsoever its -nature was, which she had received from Prince Mœris. -"Your majesty, I hope, has had no evil tidings," I added, -glancing at the letter she still grasped.</p> - -<p>"Oh, evil! All evil, all!" she cried, with anguish in -her looks. "Prince Sesostris!" she all at once exclaimed, -"you can be trusted! I need sympathy. I cannot -have it unless I reveal to you my terrible secret! I -know I can confide in you. My heart will break unless -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">{378}</a></span> -I rest the weight which oppresses it upon another -heart!"</p> - -<p>"Remeses will in a few days be with you, and—" -I began; but she interrupted me with accents of terror,</p> - -<p>"No—no! It is of him! <i>He</i> must never know my -secret! It would kill him—he would fall to the earth a -dead man, as if the lightnings of heaven had smitten -him! No, <i>not</i> Remeses! With him silence—eternal -silence!"</p> - -<p>"If it will relieve your majesty to confide in me, I -will receive with gratitude your revelation, and extend -you all the sympathy in my power," I said, with emotion.</p> - -<p>"Noble, excellent, virtuous prince!" she exclaimed, -lifting my hand to her lips. "My determination is -fixed! You shall know my secret! It will be safe in -your honorable breast. But will you, O prince, consent -to receive a revelation affecting Remeses, your -friend, which you are forbidden to make known to -him?"</p> - -<p>"For your sake, O queen, I will receive it, and conceal -it from Remeses, and all men," I answered. "I -would not wish to make known to him what would affect -him, as you say."</p> - -<p>"Come with me, then, O prince, into my private -cabinet," she said, with a voice deep and full, as if she -were greatly moved.</p> - -<p>I was about to follow her, as she went with a quick -resolved step, when her page without the door gave -the usual sign, by tinkling a silver sistrum, which forms -the handles of their ivory sticks, that he wished to enter. -The queen said, almost sternly—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">{379}</a></span> -"I can see no one, prince."</p> - -<p>I approached the double door, and, opening one of -the inlaid valves, saw behind the page the tall figure of -the Theban.</p> - -<p>"This lord waits for an answer," said the page.</p> - -<p>"The queen will give you audience by and by," I -said. "At present her majesty is engaged. Await her -leisure."</p> - -<p>The Theban courier bit his lip, and scowled impatiently. -I perceived that the man had caught the spirit -of the master; and could judge how defiant and haughty -Mœris must be when his courier could play the impatient -follower so well. Rejoining her majesty, I said, -in answer to her inquiring look, "The courier from the -viceroy."</p> - -<p>"Yes—he is restless. But I must have time!" She -grew so deadly pale, as she spoke, that I supported her -into the cabinet, when she sunk upon a lounge, and -would have fainted away but for water at hand. When -she recovered she said—</p> - -<p>"Sesostris, my son, my friend, when you hear all, -you will find excuses for me. Read that letter first."</p> - -<p>And she placed in my hand an epistle, written upon -the silver leaves which the kings of Thebes have always -made use of for their royal letters.</p> - -<p>But, my dear mother, I will here close this epistle. -My next will not be for your eye at present, if ever; -unless circumstances transpire which will remove the -seal from the secret revealed to me.</p> - -<p>I feel that your warmest sympathies will be with the -unhappy queen.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dearest mother! May the gods preserve -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">{380}</a></span> -you from all sorrow, and the Lord of the Sun, the Great -Invisible, defend your life and throne. I hope soon to -hear the result of your embassy to the barbaric King of -Cyprus.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your dutiful son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">{381}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XXIII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Rhoda.</div> - -<div class="left0">My very dear Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I embrace</span> -the first leisure I can command, since -closing my last letter, to resume the subject which filled -its pages.</p> - -<p>This letter, however, I shall withhold, until I either -have authority to send it to you, or circumstances render -it expedient to destroy it; but in order to keep a -record of the events now transpiring, I write them down -in the shape of an epistle to my dear mother, so that -hereafter, if it be necessary to refer to it for facts, there -may be written evidence of them.</p> - -<p>The letter of Prince Mœris, which the queen placed -in my hands, was dated some years back, and, no doubt, -on noticing this, my countenance betrayed surprise; for -she said quickly—</p> - -<p>"Read that first. I conceal nothing from you. You -shall know from the beginning."</p> - -<p>By permission of her majesty, I took a copy of the -letter, and of the two that follow. It was dated—</p> - -<div class="block"> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">"Castle of Bubastis, Pelusian Delta.</div> - -<div class="left0">"To Amense, Queen:</div> - -</div> - - <p>"Your Majesty,—I address my letter to you from - this petty castle, though, albeit, the stronghold of your - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">{382}</a></span> - kingdom seaward, over which you have made me governor. - For a subject, this would be a post of honor. - For me, the son of your husband's brother, your royal - nephew, it is but an honorable exile from a court where - you fear my presence. Honorable, do I say?—rather, - dishonorable; for am I not a prince of the blood of - the Pharaohs? But let this pass, your majesty. I - do not insist upon any thing based upon mere lineage. - <i>I feel that I was aggrieved by the birth of Remeses.</i> I - see that you turn pale. Do not do so yet. You must - read further before the blood wholly leaves your cheek. - I repeat, I am aggrieved by the 'birth of Remeses.' - You see I quote the last three words. Ere you close - this letter, your majesty will know why I mark them - <i>thus</i>. Your husband, the vicegerent of the Thisitic - kingdom of the South, after leaving his capital, Thebes, - at the head of a great army, died like a soldier descended - from a line of a thousand warrior kings, in - combat with the Ethiopian. I was then, for your majesty - was without offspring, the heir to the throne of - Egypt. I was the son of your husband's younger - brother. Though but three years old when your lord - was slain, I had learned the lesson that I was to be king - of Egypt, when I became a man. But to the surprise - of all men, of your council of priests, and your cabinet - of statesmen, lo! you soon afterwards became a mother, - when no evidences of this promise had been apparent! - Nay, do not cast down this letter, O queen! Read it to - the end! It is important you should know all.</p> - -<p>"When I became of lawful maturity, it was whispered - to me by a certain person, that there were suspicions - that the queen had feigned maternity, and that she - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">{383}</a></span> - had adopted an infant of the wife of one of her lords, - in order to prevent the son of her husband's brother - from inheriting. It is true, your majesty, that my - father, your lord's brother, loved you, as a maiden, and - would have borne you from the palace of Pharaoh, your - father, as his own. Yet why should your revenge extend - to his son, after he married another princess? - Why did you deceive Egypt, and supplant his son (myself), - by imposing upon Egypt the infant Remeses, the - child of a lord of your palace, whom no one knows, for - you took care to send him, with an ample bribe of gold, - to Carthage, or some other distant country. Now, your - majesty knows whether this be true or not. I believe - it to be so, and that the haughty, hypocritically meek - Remeses, has no more right to be called the son of Pharaoh's - daughter than one of the children of the base - Hebrews, or of an Egyptian swine-herd; and, by the - gods, judging from his features, he might be a Ben - Israel!</p> - -<p>"I demand, therefore, that you make me viceroy of the - Thebad. Unless you do so, I swear to your majesty, - that I will agitate this suspicion, and fill all Egypt with - the idea that your favorite Remeses is not your son. - Whether I believe this or not, matters not. If there be - any truth in it, <i>your majesty knows</i>, and will, no doubt, - act accordingly.</p> - -</div> - - <div class="foot"> - - <div class="right5">"Your faithful nephew,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">"Mœris,</span> Prince."</div> - -</div> - -<p>When I had finished reading this extraordinary letter, -I raised my eyes to the queen. She was intently observing -its effect upon my countenance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">{384}</a></span> -"Dared that man write thus to your majesty?" I cried, -with the profoundest emotions of indignation.</p> - -<p>"You have read," answered the queen, with a tremulous -voice.</p> - -<p>"And did not your majesty at once send and arrest -the bold insulter and dangerous man?" I said.</p> - -<p>She bit her lip, and said, in a hollow tone—</p> - -<p>"Prince of Tyre, is he not this day viceroy of the -Thebad?"</p> - -<p>"Does your majesty mean that you yielded to his demand?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"I marvel at it," said I, confounded at the acknowledgment. -"If what he had said had been true—"</p> - -<p>"Sesostris, falsehood often flies faster than truth. It -can do as much mischief. The rumor of such a thing, -false or true, would have shaken my throne, and destroyed -the confidence of the mass of the people in Remeses -when he came to the sceptre. I resolved to stifle -it by giving Mœris what he asked."</p> - -<p>I regarded the queen with sentiments of pity and -sorrow. She said quickly—</p> - -<p>"Read another letter from him." I did so. It was -dated three years later, and demanded the command of -the fleet, and its separation from the control of the general-in-chief -of the armies. This general-in-chief was -Remeses, dear mother. To the demand the queen -yielded, and thereby erected the maritime arm of her -kingdom into an independent service, acknowledging no -superior authority but that of the throne. When I had -ended the perusal of the letter, the queen placed in my -hand a third missive from this powerful man.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">{385}</a></span> -"This is what I received but now," she gasped. -"Read it, Sesostris, and give me your sympathy."</p> - -<p>It bore date—</p> - -<div class="block"> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">"Camp, opposite the Palaces of the Memnonia, Thebad.</div> - -<div class="left0">"To the Queen Amense:</div> - -</div> - - <p>"Your Majesty,—I write from my pavilion pitched - at the foot of the Libyan mountains. I need not forewarn - you of the subject of this letter, when I assure you - that within the hour I have received intelligence from - Memphis, that you are about to abdicate your throne in - favor of Remeses, your suppositious son. This intelligence - does not surprise me. When I was in Lower - Egypt, I saw through you and your policy. I perceived - that while you feared me, you resolved to defeat my - power over you. This purpose, to surrender the sceptre - of the two Egypts, I can penetrate. You design, thereby, - securely to place Remeses beyond my power to - harm him, for that, being king, if I lift a finger he can - destroy me. I admire your policy, and bow in homage - to your diplomacy. But, O queen, both you and - Remeses are in my power! Nay, do not flash your - imperial eyes at this assertion. Hear me for a few - moments.</p> - -<p>"Your ready compliance with my demand, a few years - ago, to create me viceroy of Thebes, led me to believe - that my suspicions were true; that is, that Remeses was - the son of one of your noble ladies, whom you had - adopted. And when you made me admiral of your fleet, - on my second demand, I was convinced that you feared - the truth, and that it might be proven, with proper evidence, - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">{386}</a></span> - that Remeses was not your son. I set to work to - obtain this evidence. You know that I have something - of the sleuth-hound in my composition, and that once - upon a track I will follow it to its termination, were it - under the pyramid of Noachis itself. I employed emissaries. - I bribed even your own courtiers. I ascertained - who were of your court when your husband was - killed in Ethiopia, thirty-five years ago. Three old - lords and ladies still live, and have good memories when - gold, and jewels, and promises of place dazzle their - humid eyes. From them I learned, that about the time - of the supposed birth of Remeses, you sent away, in one - day, five of your ladies and maids of honor, to a distant - country: yet not so quickly but that one of them - dropped the secret, that you were not a real mother, - and that the infant you called your own was the son of - another woman. This secret was told to her brother - who, in after years, was my master of horse. When, - on one occasion, I was about to put him to death for - cowardice in battle, he informed me that he held a - great secret 'concerning the queen, Prince Remeses, - and myself,' and that if I would pardon and restore - him to his rank, he would divulge it, saying, that for - fear it would be traced to him by your majesty if he - ever spoke of it, he had never made it known to any - man.</p> - -<p>"Curiosity and instinct led me to pardon him. He then - stated what I have above written,—that you feigned - maternity, and, obtaining a male child from the Hebrew - nurse of one of your ladies, who had given birth to it - a few weeks before, you shut yourself up three months, - and then palmed it upon the priests and people, as the - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">{387}</a></span> - heir of your throne and of the sceptre of the Pharaohs. - The mother, the nurse, and the ladies who - were parties to the transaction, were then all banished - from Egypt.</p> - -<p>"Instituting a thorough investigation, by dispatching - galleys to Tyre, Carthage, Gades, and the isles of the - sea, at length I was rewarded by the discovery of the - port to which your women were carried. Two of them - only were found alive. Those two are now in the city - of On! When I was in Lower Egypt I saw them, and - will name them: Thebia, of Pythom, and Nilia, of On. - Your majesty perceives how exact I am: that I have - my way clear as I advance. Methinks I can see you - turn deadly white, and that with a shriek you let - fall the papyrus! Take it up again, and resume the - perusal. It is useless to shrink from the development - of the truth. You may shut your eyes at noon, and say - 'It is night,' but you cannot, by so doing, destroy the - light of the sun. You may close your eyes—you - may destroy this letter, or may read no further; but - the truth will shine, nevertheless, with a brightness - which will drive night itself before it!</p> - -<p>"These venerable women, examined apart, told the - same tale. It is as follows:</p> - -<p>"'That you had approached the river on the morning - of the festival of Isis (you see I am particular), to bathe, - as your custom was, in the marble crescent at the foot - of the gardens of your palace of Rhoda, where you now - are residing. You had descended the steps into the - water, and your women had taken your necklace, and - other ornaments from you; and, robed in your bathing-dress, - you were about to step into the river, when you - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">{388}</a></span> - descried a basket floating slowly past, close to the place - where you stood. While you were looking at it, it - lodged against a group of flags, near the statue of Nepth, - just above you. Your maidens were lingering upon - the bank, or walking near at hand, awaiting you, - when, seeing Nilia not far off, you called to her, and - said—</p> - -<p>"'Seest thou the little baris of basket-work, O Nilia. - Draw it in to the shore, and look what it contains.'</p> - -<p>"The handmaiden obeyed you, aided by her companion, - Thebia, and when you drew near and opened the lid, - you beheld a beautiful child lying within it. It looked - up into your face, and wept so piteously, that you took - it up, deeply impressed by its beauty and helplessness, - and the extraordinary manner in which it had come to - you. You placed it in the arms of Thebia, and said - to her:</p> - -<p>"'This child is sent to me by Nilus, the deity of this - great river of Egypt. I will adopt it as my own, for it - has no father but the river, no mother but this little - ark of flags and bitumen in which it has floated to my - feet.'</p> - -<p>"You then gave the lovely babe many kisses, tenderly - soothed its cries, and was so happy with the prize, that - you hastened to leave the river. But before you did - so, the wind blew aside its mantle, and you discovered - that it was a Hebrew male child, for the Egyptians do - not circumcise their infants. This discovery was made - also by the two women, Nilia and Thebia, and you said:</p> - -<p>"'It is one of the Hebrews' children.'</p> - -<p>"It was at the time when your father's edict for the - destruction of all the male children of this Syrian race - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">{389}</a></span> - was in existence. You deliberated what to do with it, - when its wailing tones moved your heart, and you said - to them:</p> - -<p>"'It shall still be mine! Let us keep the secret! I - will raise it as my son! Its parents think it has perished, - for they could not have hoped to save it by committing - it to this frail bark, and it can never know its - origin!'</p> - -<p>"That child, O queen, is Remeses! Of this I have - certain evidence. The two women say, you ordered the - little ark to be taken in charge by your chief of the - baths. In verification of the account, the ark still exists, - and I have seen it.</p> - -<p>"It is not necessary for me to add more. I have written - enough to show you the power I hold over you, and - over this Remeses-Mosis. His very name signifies 'Taken - out of the water,' and was given to him by yourself, - as if the gods would make you the means of your own - conviction.</p> - -<p>"Now, O queen, who intendeth to place a degraded - Hebrew upon the throne of Egypt, I, Mœris, write this - epistle warning you, that unless you revoke your purpose, - and publicly adopt me as your son, and convey to - me the two crowns, I will proclaim through all Egypt - your shame, and the true history of this Remeses! I - could have excused you had he proved to be the son of - one of your ladies, as the report was; but an Hebrew! - <i>He</i> deserves death, and <i>you</i> to forfeit your crown! But - I will make these terms with your majesty:—if you will - call a council of your hierarchy and adopt me as your - son, that I may be your heir, and will abdicate in my - favor, I will conceal what I know from the Egyptians; - <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">{390}</a></span> - and more still, I will make Remeses governor over Goshen, - and lord of all his people under my rule. Is not - this liberal?</p> - -<p>"If you refuse my terms, I will descend upon Lower - Egypt with my fleet, declare your throne vacant, Remeses - a slave, and seize the sceptre! Once in my power, - your favorite Remeses shall die an ignominious death, - and you shall remain a prisoner for life in the castle of - Bubastis.</p> - -<p>"I dispatch a special courier—my master of horse—<i>whose - sister was your lady in waiting at the finding of - Remeses</i>. Unless I have a reply in the affirmative, for - which my courier will delay six hours, you shall hear - me knocking at the gates of Rhoda with the head of my - spear!</p> - - <div class="foot smcap"> - - <div class="right3">"Mœris,</div> - - <div class="right1">"Nephew and heir of Amense, Queen of Egypt."</div> - -</div> - -</div> - -<p>When, my dear mother, I had finished reading this -extraordinary letter, I held it unrolled in my hands for -a few moments, stupefied, as it were, with amazement. -My eyes sought the face of the queen. It was rigid as -iron—white as alabaster; but her regards were riveted -upon my countenance.</p> - -<p>"Your majesty," I said, hardly knowing what to say, -"what fable is this of the daring and impious Prince of -Thebes—?"</p> - -<p>She interrupted me with—</p> - -<p>"What dost thou think, O Sesostris? If it be a fable, -is it not, in such a man's hand, as dangerous as truth? -Dare I let him circulate such a tale throughout Egypt? -<i>Can</i> I let it reach the ears of Remeses?"</p> - -<p>"Why not, O queen?" I asked. "If it is false, it can -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">{391}</a></span> -be shown to be so; and my friend Remeses is too great -and wise to heed it. Is it by so improbable and artfully -framed a story as this, you are made unhappy; -and for this you resign your crown and hasten to secure -Remeses in power?"</p> - -<p>"Is it not enough?"</p> - -<p>"No, O wise and virtuous lady!" I answered, with -indignant feelings against Mœris, and sympathy for her -womanly fears; "my advice to you is, to defy the malice -and wickedness of the viceroy, inform Remeses of these -letters—nay, let him read them—assemble your army, -and meet him with open war. A row of galleys sunk -across the Rile will stop his fleet; and if he land, your -soldiers, with Remeses at their head, will drive him back -to his city of a hundred gates, and—"</p> - -<p>Again the queen interrupted me:</p> - -<p>"No, no! I cannot tell Remeses! He must never -know of these letters!" she almost shrieked.</p> - -<p>"Has Remeses any suspicion of the tale they tell?" I -asked.</p> - -<p>"No. He knows no other mother. If he hears this -story, he will investigate it to the last, to show me that -he would prove it false in the mouth of Mœris."</p> - -<p>"And this he ought to do, your majesty," I said, -firmly.</p> - -<p>"Prince Sesostris, dost thou believe he could prove -it false?" she demanded, in a mysterious and strange -tone.</p> - -<p>"Undoubtedly," I answered; though, my dear mother, -I could not wholly resist the recollection, which forced -itself upon me most sharply and painfully, of the resemblance -I had noticed between Remeses and the Hebrew -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">{392}</a></span> -people. But I banished the idea it suggested, regarding -it more probable for an Egyptian and Hebrew to -look alike, than for Remeses to have been born a Hebrew, -and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. Nevertheless, -there was apparent to myself a want of fulness in -my tones when I answered her "undoubtedly."</p> - -<p>The queen came close up to me, and said in a deep, -terrible whisper, looking first wildly around her, to see -if any one overheard her,—</p> - -<p>"<i>He cannot prove it false!</i>"</p> - -<p>"You mean, O queen," said I, "that though Remeses -cannot prove it false, it nevertheless <i>is</i> false?"</p> - -<p>"<i>No.</i> It cannot be proven <i>false</i>, because it is <span class="smcap">TRUE</span>!" -she answered, as if her voice came from within a sarcophagus.</p> - -<p>"True?" I repeated, with horror.</p> - -<p>"True, O prince! It is impossible for me to conceal -or prevaricate. I promised to confide in you; but I -have kept back till the last the <i>whole</i> truth! I can do -so no longer!" She caught by my arm to sustain her -tottering form.</p> - -<p>"Is not Remeses, then, your son?" I cried.</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"Is he a Hebrew?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Then this letter of Mœris is all true?"</p> - -<p>"All, as to the fact that Remeses is a Hebrew!"</p> - -<p>Such was the rapid colloquy which followed. O -my dear mother, no mortal can estimate the amount of -agony which overwhelmed my soul at this intelligence! -I sank upon the pedestal of a statue near me, and covering -my face with my hands, burst into tears. The queen -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">{393}</a></span> -did not speak, but suffered my paroxysm of grief and -mortification to exhaust itself. At length I raised my -head. I felt for her—felt, oh how profoundly, for the -unhappy Remeses—ignorant of his calamity, and engaged, -even then, in the vigils and rites which were to -prepare him to ascend the throne! I could now understand -all that had been inexplicable in the queen's conduct, -unravel her mysterious language, see the motive -of all her acts. I no longer marvelled that she, loving -Remeses with all a mother's love, trembled before Mœris -and his secret, and gave him all he demanded as the -price of silence. But when he asked for her throne as the -bribe for secrecy, it was more than her spirit could -bear; and unable alone, unaided, to meet him in his -demand, she sought counsel of me and sympathy; and -little by little made known to me, as I have narrated, -the secret she would have sacrificed her life to conceal, -if she could thereby have concealed it forever from -Remeses.</p> - -<p>"Poor, noble, unhappy Remeses!" I ejaculated.</p> - -<p>"He must <i>never</i> know it!" she cried, passionately.</p> - -<p>"It will be known to him," I answered, sorrowfully -"If you refuse Prince Mœris's demand, he will write -another such missive as this, and dispatch it to Remeses. -The prince, if I may, from love, still call him so, will, -as you have said, examine the matter. Mœris will refer -him to the ladies Nilia and Thebia. He will then -come to you—"</p> - -<p>"To me?" she cried, with a shudder.</p> - -<p>"To you, O queen, and ask of you if Prince Mœris -and these women relate the truth."</p> - -<p>"He would not believe—he would not believe it—so -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">{394}</a></span> -far as to come to me. He would not insult me by making -such a demand of me!"</p> - -<p>"He may be forced to it. Circumstances may overcome -him, so that he will feel that he must appeal to -you. He would refuse to ascend the throne of Egypt, -so high is his integrity, if there were a doubt as to his -legitimate right to it."</p> - -<p>"O prince, counsel me! What shall I do?" she -cried, wringing her hands, and looking towards me in -the most appealing and helpless manner.</p> - -<p>"I know not how to counsel your majesty," I replied, -greatly distressed, my heart bleeding both for her and -Remeses, who, I felt, sooner or later, must come to the -truth of the dreadful rumor; and also from my knowledge -of the perfect uprightness and justice of his character, -as well as his firmness, that he would investigate -it until he either disproved or verified it.</p> - -<p>At length, after a long and painful interval of embarrassment, -the queen, of her own will, said to me—</p> - -<p>"Sesostris, I meant no wrong. I loved the weeping -babe, in its desolate state, and no sooner did I take it -up than it smiled, and won my heart. You know the -fine appearance of Remeses as a man; judge you therefore -how lovely he was when an infant three months old. -I was childless. My husband had been a few weeks -dead, and this infant seemed to be sent to me in part to -fill up the place made void in my affections. That it -was a Hebrew child did not move me. I had always -opposed the cruel edict of the king, my father; and felt -that, to save this child of the oppressed Hebrews, would -in some degree, atone for the death of so many who -were destroyed in obedience to his orders. Thus I was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">{395}</a></span> -influenced by a threefold motive—to save the infant, to -adopt a son, to atone for evil."</p> - -<p>"Good and lawful motives, O queen," I said, interested -in her narrative, so touchingly told as to deeply -affect me.</p> - -<p>"I did not believe I was doing evil. I at once, at -the suggestion of one of my maids, sent a Hebrew girl, -who was gazing upon us from afar, to call a nurse from -the Hebrew women for the child. She brought one, -comely and gentle in manner, whom I took with me to -the palace; and, after instructing her to keep the matter -a secret, suffered her to take the child home, for she -lived in a garden, not far above the palace, upon the -island, her father being a cultivator of flowers for the -priests. The tenderness of this Hebrew woman towards -the beautiful babe pleased me, and, after I had, in a -public manner, acknowledged the child, even as Mœris's -letter states, I let it remain with her until it grew to be -three years old, when I commanded her to bring it to -the palace to remain; for although I had seen it almost -daily, I now desired to have it wholly in my possession. -From that time he has been brought up in my own -palace, as my son, and educated as prince of the empire -and heir to the throne. For all my care and affection, -he has repaid me with the profoundest devotion, and tenderest -attachment. At first, seeing he was very fond of -his Hebrew nurse, I jealously forbade her again to visit -him, so that I might be the sole object of his attachment. -He soon forgot her, and from his fourth year -has known no love but mine. When he came to manhood, -I had him instructed in the art of war, and made -him general of the army of the pyramids. By the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">{396}</a></span> -greatest philosophers and sages he was taught geometry, -astrology, architecture, physics, mythology, and the -knowledge of all science. I have spared no care to -educate him in all the learning of the Egyptians. With -all his wisdom and vast knowledge, he is as docile and -gentle in disposition as a child: ever dutifully submissive -to my will, the voice which has led armies by its -battle-cry, melts into tenderness in my presence. Ah, -prince, never mother loved a son as I have loved him!"</p> - -<p>"I pity you, O queen, with all my heart," said I, -warmly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what shall I do? What shall I reply to Mœris?"</p> - -<p>"I know not how to counsel you!" I said, embarrassed -by this appeal.</p> - -<p>"I will then act. His courier shall not go back unanswered. -I will defy him!" A new spirit seemed all at -once to animate her.</p> - -<p>She clapped her hands. A page entered.</p> - -<p>"Bid the Theban courier enter. His answer is ready." -The master of horse came haughtily in, a cloud of impatience -yet upon his brow.</p> - -<p>"Go back to thy master, and say to him, that Amense -is still queen of Egypt, and wears both the crowns of -her fathers, and that she will defend them. Say, that I -defy him, and fear him not!"</p> - -<p>The courier looked amazed, bowed with a slight gesture -of obeisance, and left the presence.</p> - -<p>No sooner had the valves of the door closed upon -him, than she said—</p> - -<p>"It is done! The arrow is drawn from the quiver, -and set to the bowstring. There is nothing left but to -defy him, and trust the gods to aid the just cause. Remeses -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">{397}</a></span> -will be crowned king, ere Mœris can get my message -and return a letter to him. There are but five -days more to the end of the forty. Three days afterwards -is the coronation. That is nine from to-day. It -will take twelve or more days for a message to go and -come from the camp of Mœris. Three days! Time -enough to make or mar an empire. Sesostris, this -prince of Typhon, this haughty Mœris, shall yet be confounded!"</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, the queen, whose whole powers were -aroused by despair linked with affection, laid her hand -in mine, bade me good-night—for it was now moonlight, -so long had we discoursed—and begged me come in the -morning and breakfast with her.</p> - -<p>Here, in the quiet of my chamber, dear mother, I -have made a record of this extraordinary interview. -The letter I shall preserve unless it be necessary to destroy -it; but I shall not send it to you until the seal of -secrecy is removed.</p> - -<p>What can I say? How can I realize that Remeses -is a Hebrew? How little he suspects the truth! Will -he hear it? If he does; but it is useless to speculate -upon the consequences. I pray that he may be well -crowned before Mœris can do him any mischief; for, son -of Misr, or son of Abram, he is worthy of the throne of -Egypt, and will wield its sceptre with wisdom and justice, -beyond that of any of the proud Pharaohs. The -attachment of the queen is natural. I deeply feel for -her. The conduct of Mœris is also natural. What will -be his course? Farewell, dear mother.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your affectionate son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">{398}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XXIV.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Remeses, City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dearest Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I commence</span> -this letter, as I did one written and -addressed to you two days ago, with the probability, that -circumstances may yet render the seal of secrecy, now -placed upon it, unnecessary; at least I shall detain both -this one and that, for a time, if not finally destroy them. -But I have a feeling that you will yet read what I write.</p> - -<p>If the incidents and scenes recorded, in the preceding -letter, were of an extraordinary kind, you must be prepared -to read in this, of events still more strange, and -painfully interesting. It is with an effort that I calm -my pulse, and subdue my emotions sufficiently, to narrate -equably what I desire to make known to you.</p> - -<p>The morning after my interview with the queen, I -arose early from a sleepless couch; for the events of the -preceding evening, recalled by an excited mind, kept -me awake with reflections of the most anxious and distressing -nature. I mourned for Remeses, my noble, -wise, and great friend and counsellor,—a prince by nature, -and by the seal of all the gods, if not by inheritance -from the Pharaohs. Not regarding the Hebrew -race with the disdainful eye of those who have been -masters over them, like the Egyptians, but looking upon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">{399}</a></span> -them only as an unfortunate nation, descendants of the -three patriarchal princes of Palestine, I, dear mother, -felt no contempt for Remeses on account of his lineage -and blood: To me, he was still as dear and as much -honored. It was not the "prince" I loved from the first, -but the "<i>man</i>" and he remains. I tossed my head -on my pillow, grieving for him; as I knew, should the -tidings ever come to his ears, and be confirmed as a truth, -that it would break his great heart—crush his mighty -soul to the earth; for, educated as an Egyptian prince, -he entertains towards the Hebrews, the haughty contempt -(so far as this sentiment can repose in such a -benevolent bosom), which characterizes the Egyptian -nation. How will he be humbled, overwhelmed, confounded, -dismayed!</p> - -<p>Such were my wakeful reflections, when at length the -morning dawned; and I arose, bathed, and prepared to -obey the command of the queen to breakfast with her. -Believing that she must have passed a sorrowful night, -and would not awake early, I sat down to read in a roll -of papyrus which lay upon my table, among other books -that belonged to Remeses; for I was occupying his own -suite of rooms during his absence, amid the sacred mysteries -of his kingly initiation. It proved to be written -in the Theban running character, which I am not familiar -with, and laying it down, I took up a leaf of new -papyrus, on which I recognized the bold and elegant -script of Remeses. As he had given me free access to -all upon the table, I examined the subject, and finding -that it was a sacred poem, I read therein a few sentences, -when I perceived that it was the history of a remarkable -era in the life of the venerable Lord of Uz, to whom -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">{400}</a></span> -I have alluded. This aged and interesting Syrian has -already taken his departure, but previously made -known to Remeses, as he told me, all the events connected -with an extraordinary period of his middle life.</p> - -<p>I read, therefore, with interest what Remeses had -commenced: for it was only a beginning. After giving -the name of the Lord of Uz, and that of the land in -which he dwelt, he spoke of his uprightness, his holiness, -his riches, and his pious care over his children—who -were seven sons and three daughters; and also of their -happiness, festivities, and prosperity; and how, by the -permission of the One God, Typhon, or the Spirit of -Evil, tempted him.</p> - -<p>Thus far had my friend got in the history, and I was -about to replace the scroll, when the door opened, -and lo! Prince Remeses himself stood before me! I -started with an exclamation of joyful astonishment; but -seeing his visage haggard and pallid with woe, I was -alarmed. I approached him to embrace him, as he -stood just within the door, regarding me with looks of -doubt and solicitude.</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou, O Prince of Tyre, embrace a Hebrew?" -he surprised me by asking, in a voice deep and tremulous.</p> - -<p>"Then thou knowest it all," I cried, "O my friend!" -as I threw myself into his embrace.</p> - -<p>For a few minutes we wept in each other's arms. At -length he spoke and said—</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sesostris, I have heard it all! Thou knowest the -secret also, says my moth——nay—I forgot—I should -have said—the queen!" Here his emotion overcame -him. He leaned his noble head upon my shoulder and -continued: "Yet she is my mother, prince! She has -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">{401}</a></span> -ever been a mother to me! I have known no other! I -shall love her, while my life lasts, above all earthly things. -Pardon my grief, Sesostris! Nature is mighty in sorrow, -and will have her way! The heart, like our Nile, will -sometimes overflow, if full."</p> - -<p>In a few moments he was composed, and said sadly—</p> - -<p>"Knowing my history, can you regard me as before?"</p> - -<p>"I love thee as ever, O prince—"</p> - -<p>He interrupted me—"Call me not 'prince,' call me by -my name—that, at least, is left me! But I am a slave!"</p> - -<p>"No—not to me! You are a descendant of kings! -Are not Prince Abraham, Isaac, and the great Prince -Jacob your ancestors? I am not an Egyptian any more -than thyself," I answered him.</p> - -<p>"True, true! I must not forget that! I thank thee, -O prince, for reminding me of this. A slave in Egypt -may be a freeman in Tyre!"</p> - -<p>"That is true also," I said. "May I ask, O Remeses, -why you have left the temples and are here; and how -you heard this intelligence, which you bear up under -like a god?"</p> - -<p>"I am calm now; but, Sesostris, I have passed through -a sirocco of the soul! You shall hear all. Come and -sit here."</p> - -<p>I placed myself by the table opposite to him. He -then began as follows:</p> - -<p>"I need not describe to you, O my friend, the nature -of the rites and ceremonies, nor the character of the -mysteries which I have been in contact with, for five-and-thirty -days; let it be enough for your curiosity to -know, that beneath all the splendor of our polytheism is -hidden the mystery, known to the 'sons of the Lord of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">{402}</a></span> -heaven, of One God. This truth is guarded by the -mystics, as a mystery, not as a doctrine; and is of no -value to them nor to the world: it is as if the sun -were forever shrouded in impenetrable clouds. I have -learned it only darkly; but this is not to my purpose now, -my friend: perhaps at another time we will discourse -of these things. I had passed my decreed days and -nights, at all the shrines which the laws for kings direct -when, last night, I was borne across the Nile by a -company of the mystics, who left me at the entrance of -the avenue leading to the sphinx that is before Cheops -and Chephres. There twelve other ecclesiastical mystics -took me in charge. We marched together, six on each -side of me, in profound silence; till, on passing the lion -facing the sphinx, their leader cried—</p> - -<p>"'Let the king be as a lion in strength and majesty!'</p> - -<p>"The rest answered with one voice—</p> - -<p>"'And may his enemies be as lambs beneath his -paws!'</p> - -<p>"At the small temple, between the feet of the sphinx, -three priests stood, one of whom sprinkled my head -with sacred water; the second, with his little finger -that had been dipped in the blood of a cock which he -had sacrificed, touched my forehead; and the third -waved incense before me;—while from within came -a low, plaintive chant of voices and instruments, invoking -the gods in a hymn on my behalf. The whole -scene was solemn and impressive.</p> - -<p>"I was then conducted to the pylon of the great -temple before the pyramids. As I passed beneath the -gate, the twelve priests left me; and twenty-four others, -dressed in white robes and bearing torches, took me in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">{403}</a></span> -charge, and conducted me at a slow march across the -great quadrangle, leading me to a dark portal which -descended, as I was told, to the base of the pyramid, -down to the 'hall of all the mysteries of the -earth.'"</p> - -<p>"Is not this the temple of the magicians?" I asked, -gratified to see, that Remeses could for a moment so far -forget his great sorrow, as to enter into these details, for -my gratification.</p> - -<p>"Yes, the place where the sorcerers and soothsayers -hold their mystic and fearful rites. For ages, this subterranean -temple, under the earth between the two -pyramids, but no part of the pyramidal structure itself, -has been their place of solemn assembly. Into this -region I descended, led by only two men, who received -me at the head of the stairs of stone.</p> - -<p>"But I may not describe, more particularly, the progress -of my mysterious journey through subterranean -passages, which I had no conception existed beneath the -space between the two pyramids; although tradition has -it, that the whole territory underneath both is a labyrinthine -catacomb, which assertion I have now no reason -to doubt. After traversing vast gloomy corridors of -pillars hewn from the solid rock, and a succession of -chambers dedicated to mysteries, I was ushered, by the -sound of awful music, from an unseen source, into a great -central temple, so large that the torches borne by my -guides, could not penetrate its outer blackness. In the -centre of this solemn hall stood an altar of black marble. -We approached it, when suddenly from it soared aloft a -bright flame which illumined the temple, to its remotest -obscurities, with a light like the moon when it is full. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">{404}</a></span> -revealing in the height above, a firmament with its thousand -stars reflecting the light. I had already, my Sesostris, -passed through such varied and surprising scenes, -in the progress of my initiation, that I was not surprised -at this, for the arts of the priestly magicians seem to embrace -a knowledge of all the secret alchemy of nature; -and they possess wisdom and skill to control her wonderful -powers. While this brilliant flame burned from -a brazen vase which stood upon the altar, a procession -of figures entered by a distant door, and slowly made -the circuit of the massive corridor. I perceived at once -that they were attired symbolically, representing the -powers of nature, and were preceded by five stately and -imposing forms standing for fire, water, earth, air, and -the Nile; symbols of which were worn upon their heads, -and carried in their hands. Behind these came seven -persons, each crowned with a star, the whole representing -the seven stars. Then advanced Orion, belted and -armed; Arcturus, Aldebaran, Procyon, Rigel, and Antares, -each with a blazing coronet above his brow, and -carrying the symbols and wearing the dress of the god. -These, with an interval of space between, were followed -by the twelve constellations of the zodiac; each zodiac -consisting of twelve bands of men, subdivided into -twenty-four smaller companies, and so moving, each in -a place assigned him, as to show the position of every -star of the constellation, which he was appointed to aid -in illustrating. Each individual carried above his head -a starry light, inclosed in a crystal cup.</p> - -<p>"This imposing and magnificent representation and -illustration of the march of Time through the heavens, -with all the movements of the heavenly orbs, presented -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">{405}</a></span> -a spectacle of splendor unsurpassed by any human display. -Solemn as the march of the stars themselves, this -procession of constellations moved once around the -grand circuit of the temple, and then the five leaders -advanced towards the altar, by which I stood alone, deserted -by those who had led me thither. Every one of -these symbolic persons in succession bent the knee before -me, in token that the powers of the earth, air, fire, -and water, with the great Nile itself, were submissive -to my will. Ah, Sesostris," interspoke Remeses here, -"how little did they suspect, when paying me this customary -homage, that I was a mere Hebrew slave, who -could make use of the air, of fire, of water, of the earth, -or of the Nile, only by the permission of my Egyptian -masters!</p> - -<p>"Other striking ceremonies passed thereafter, and by -and by I was left alone beside the altar, the flame of -which it was my duty to feed with naphtha until morning, -this being the first vigil of the last five nights. I -was not, however, long left alone. Seven magicians, in -their gorgeous apparel, came from a door that seemed -to be an outlet from beneath the second pyramid, and -approached me, chanting a war-song. Each bore a piece -of royal armor,—one a helmet, one a cuirass, one a spear, -another a shield. As they passed me they presented, -and I received from each, a piece of the armor, and invested -myself therewith. I was told by the leader to -be strong and fight valiantly, for I should be assailed -by powers of evil. They then left me, and again I -was alone, yet on my guard. Feeding the flame till -it burned high, I sought to penetrate the gloom, at least -expecting to behold a lion let into the temple for me -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">{406}</a></span> -to combat with, that I might prove my right to the -sword of the Pharaohs which I held in my grasp.</p> - -<p>"I know not, Sesostris, who or what would have been -my assailant, if due time had elapsed for his coming; -but I suddenly heard a step behind me, and behold, instead -of a fierce beast or a warrior, a single magician, -tall and commanding, who bore in one hand merely the -sacred <i>crux</i> or emblem of life, and in the other his black -wand tipped with an emerald. I challenged him, as I -was directed to do by my instructors, and demanded -whether he came for good or evil, with war or peace in -his heart.</p> - -<p>"He made no other reply than—</p> - -<p>"'Follow me!'</p> - -<p>"I obeyed. Ah, how little did I suspect, O Sesostris, -that I was about to encounter what was more fearful -than a roaring lion,—more terrible than an armed host! -But you shall hear.</p> - -<p>"I crossed the echoing temple-floor to a small portal, -which at first did not reveal its presence, being a slab -in the wall, but which, at a slight pressure of the -magician's wand, betrayed an opening through which -we passed,—I, with my sword held in my hand to defend -or attack. The stone door closed behind me, and -I was conducted through a beautiful chamber, adorned -with marbles, and sparkling with precious stones, that -seemed to shine by a light of their own, as I could discover -no source of reflection; though doubtless, however, -that was, in some part, concealed by the art of -these ingenious and wise magicians.</p> - -<p>"There was an inner chamber, or adytum, entirely -encased with panels of black marble, polished like a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">{407}</a></span> -mirror. I was conducted into this room, and commanded, -by a voice unknown, and from an invisible person, -to seat myself upon a stone chair in the centre of the -floor. I obeyed; for princes, during their initiation, are -taught constantly, that 'he who would know how to -command must learn how to obey;' and thus, in these -rites, submission and obedience are inculcated, as necessary -elements in the character of one who wishes to -exact them from others. Indeed, Sesostris, the whole -routine of the ceremonies, though sometimes vain and -frivolous, sometimes extravagant, is calculated to impress -upon the heart of a prince the wisest lessons in self -government, and the profoundest knowledge of himself. -Every temptation is offered him, that he may resist it. -Every condition of life, from hunger and thirst upward, -he passes through in his progress. Three nights and -days I fasted in the temple of Pthah, that I might pity -the hungry: two days I suffered thirst, that I might feel -for the thirsty: six hours I toiled with burdens, that I -might know how my poorer subjects toiled: one hour I -was a servant, another a prisoner, a third cup-bearer to -the high-priest. Every rite is a link in the practical -education of a prince; and he who comes to the throne, -has reached it through every grade of society, and -through every condition of humanity; and thus the -king centres and unites within his own person, from -having been engaged in each, the pursuits of all his -people, and knows by experience their joys and sorrows, -toils and pleasures; and can say to every class of -Egyptians, 'there is nothing which appertains to you that -is foreign to me. The people of Egypt are represented -in their king.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">{408}</a></span> -"When I had taken my seat in this chamber of black -marble, which was dimly lighted by a misty radiance -before me, I saw that I was alone. Now, O Sesostris, -came my trial!—such an one as no prince of the house -of Pharaoh had ever passed through. It is said that -Osirtasen, when he was brought to this chamber, had it -revealed to him that he was the son of the god Hercules -but to me was revealed, alas! thou knowest what, and -shalt hear how!</p> - -<p>"'Remeses-Moses,' said a deep and stern voice from -what, in the obscurity, seemed to me a shrine, 'thou art -wise, and virtuous, and strong of heart! Gird thyself -with courage, and hear what is to be revealed to thee! -Know that thou art not the son of Amense, queen of -Egypt, as thou believest. She was never a mother!'</p> - -<p>"'It is false, thou wicked magician!' I cried, starting -to my feet. 'Art thou, then, the foe I am to meet and -destroy?'</p> - -<p>"'Silence, young man!' cried another voice, with a -tone of power. 'What the mysterious oracle utters is -true. Thou art not the son of Pharaoh's daughter! -Thou hast no title to the throne of Egypt!'</p> - -<p>"'Who am I, then?' I cried, impressed and awed, yet -full of anger at the words.</p> - -<p>"'Thou art the son of a Hebrew mother and a Hebrew -father!' said the voice.</p> - -<p>"I advanced sword in hand to meet these invisible -persons, believing that the insult was but another of the -series of tests, and this one in particular, of my patience -and temper; for, O Sesostris," added Remeses to me, -bitterly, "what greater insult could have been put upon -a prince of Egypt than this! When I came forward, I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">{409}</a></span> -saw the wall, as it were, open before me; and I beheld -the Nile in bright sunshine; the Island of Rhoda, with -its palaces and gardens; the distant towers and obelisks -of On, and all the scenery adjacent, but seemingly so -near, that I could lay my hand upon it all.</p> - -<p>"At this surprising spectacle manifesting itself in -the dark chambers of the pyramids, I stood amazed -and arrested! I felt that it was supernatural, or produced -by magic. As I gazed, perplexed, a third voice -said—</p> - -<p>"'Behold! Thou seest that the obelisk of Amense is -wanting; that the palace of the governor of the Nile -has only its foundations laid. The scene is, as Egypt was -thirty-five years ago.'</p> - -<p>"I looked again, and recognized the truth. I saw it -was not the Nile of to-day. I saw, also, that its stream -was at a height, different from its present mark upon the -nilometer. I was amazed, and awaited with intense expectation. -Suddenly I saw a party of spearmen enter -a hut, which I perceived was one of a group that was -occupied by Hebrew workmen, who were engaged upon -the governor's palace. Presently they came forth, two -of them, each bearing an infant aloft upon a spear, -which was thrust through it, and followed by shrieking -women. I could hear and see all as if I were on the spot. -I impulsively advanced to slay the men, for all seemed -so real, but as I did so, saw at my feet a yawning gulf. -Then the men cast the infants into the Nile. I saw three -others go into another hut, whence they were driven -forth by two desperate Hebrews, who, armed with -straw-cutters, slew two of them; but the other fled, and -returning with his comrades, they set fire to the hut of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">{410}</a></span> -rushes, and consumed the inmates within it. I now perceived -that it seemed drawing towards the close of day. -From a hut, near the water, a man and a young girl, -both Hebrews, stole forth, and collecting bulrushes in -their arms, returned to the hut. It was now night. I -had seen the shades of evening fall over the scenery, -and the stars come out. Yet, by a power incomprehensible -to me, I could look into the closed and barred -hut, and see that, by the light of a rush dipped in bitumen, -three of its inmates were making, in secret haste, a -large basket. I saw them finish it, and then beheld the -man smear it within and without with pitch. From -their conversation, I learned that they wished it to resist -water, and that they were to commit some precious -freight to its frail protection; what, I could not learn; -as, when they spoke of it, their colloquy was in low -hushed tones, and with looks of fear, especially the two -females, who wept very much. One of them, I learned -by their words, was the daughter of the man by a -former wife. There was another child, a boy apparently -of the age of three years, lying in sweet sleep upon a bed -of rushes, made up in a corner of the hut. When the -little ark was done, I watched with the deepest interest -their further proceedings. At length the three went out -together, and to my surprise I saw, by the setting moon, -that it was near dawn. They bent their steps, swiftly -and silently, towards the ancient temple of Isis, which -was then, as now, in ruins, and deserted by every Egyptian, -for the sacrilege done therein under the reign of -Bnon, the Phœnician Pharaoh. I could see them steal -along the tangled avenue beneath the palm-trees, and -through that of the broken sphinxes, until they came -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">{411}</a></span> -to the pyramidion of the obelisk of Sesostris I. Here -a deep, ancient excavation, covered with vines and -rushes, showed a flight of broken steps. After carefully -looking all about, to see if they were observed, -they descended. In a few minutes the three came -forth, the elderly woman holding in her arms an infant, -upon the beautiful face of which the waning moon -shone for a moment, but instantly she hid it with her -mantle, and hurried to the river-side. Here the man -put the basket upon the shore, and extended his arms -for the child. The poor mother, as I now perceived she -must be, burst into tears, and clasped it closer and -closer to her heart.</p> - -<p>"'Nay, Jochebeda,' he said, with gentle firmness, -'thy cries will attract notice. The child cannot live if -we delay. Hast thou not had warning from the kind -Egyptian woman, who was with thee when it was born, -and who aided thee in concealing it, that its hiding-place -is known, and that in the morning soldiers will be -there? Bear up, heart! If we commit it to the Nile, -the God of our fathers, in whom we trust, and who will -yet return, to redeem us, according to His promise to -our father Abraham, may guide the frail baris to some -secure haven, and provide for the child a pitiful heart -to save it.'</p> - -<p>"I saw the mother give it its last nourishment at her -breast, and then, with tears, lay it softly, sweetly sleeping -the while, within the basket of bulrushes,—pillowing -its head first upon her hand, until the daughter had -placed beneath it a pillow of wild-flowers and lotus-leaves, -gathered on the spot in the dawning light. The -father then covered it carefully over, and kissing it, with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">{412}</a></span> -grief shaking his strong frame, was about to commit the -frail boat to the water, when the poor mother arrested -his arm, implored one more look, one more embrace of -her child! She was a young and beautiful woman; -and, the last kiss given, kneeled by the shore praying to -her God, as the father launched the ark into the stream. -At this moment, I beheld, straying upon the bank, as if -seeking its parents, the other child that I had seen in the -house. I now saw the current take to its embrace the -little ark, and upon its bosom bear it downward. In a -few moments it lodged amid some rushes, which the -mother seeing, she ran hastily, entered the water, passionately -kissed her child, and would have offered it -the breast again, but the more resolute father sent it -once more upon its way. In the vision, I now saw that -day had dawned, and that the stir of life on land and -water was everywhere visible. The father watched the -bark, until it could be no longer seen for the curve of -the shore, and then drew near to his wife, and gently -led her away to the hut,—her lingering looks ceaselessly -stretched towards the Nile. The little maid, who was -not more than twelve or thirteen years of age, having -been previously instructed by her mother, followed -along the shore to see what would become of the ark. -But I weary you, Sesostris, with details, which to me -had a sort of fascination, as they were enacted before -me in the scenes I beheld."</p> - -<p>"And they are deeply interesting to me, my dear -Remeses," I said with emotion.</p> - -<p>"I followed the bark also," continued Remeses, "until, -after several escapes from imminent peril, it lodged -against a group of flags, at the moment that a beautiful -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">{413}</a></span> -lady, accompanied by her maids, came to bathe, at the -foot of the garden of Pharaoh's palace. At a glance, -Sesostris, I recognized, as she was in her youth, my -mother—I mean to say, the Queen Amense. I saw her -attention drawn to the little ark, in the fate of which I -had become intensely interested, little dreaming how -much and intimately it concerned <i>me</i>! I heard her -bid the maids take the basket out of the river, and -her cry of surprise, on opening it and seeing the babe, -which answered her with a sorrowful wail, as it were, -of appeal. I saw her offer it to the bosoms of three -Egyptian nurses in vain, when the little maid, its half-sister, -drew near with mingled curiosity and fear and -said—</p> - -<p>"'O princess, shall I call one of the Hebrew women, -that she may nurse the child for thee?'</p> - -<p>"The princess said, 'Go!'</p> - -<p>"Immediately the maiden ran with the swiftness of a -gazelle, until she came at length to her mother's house. -The poor Hebrew woman was at her task, combing flax -and weeping as she toiled, feeling that she had parted -with her child forever. At the height of her grief, the -young maid flew in at the door, crying with a voice -choked with joy—</p> - -<p>"'Mother, run quickly! make no stay! Pharaoh's -daughter has found my little brother, taken it from the -ark, and sent me for a Hebrew nurse! Come quickly, -before any other is found!'</p> - -<p>"With a cry of joy, and with hands clasped to heaven -in gratitude, I saw the mother about to rush out, wild -with happiness, when her daughter said, 'Be calm, -mother, or the princess will suspect. Put on your coif! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">{414}</a></span> -Arrange your dress! Seem quiet, as if you were not its -mother!'</p> - -<p>"'I will try to do so—oh, I will try to do so!' she -said touchingly. I saw that, in her emotion, she did -not think of her other boy, who, though hardly four years -old, had followed the stream, as if he understood what -the ark contained. Him I saw kindly taken pity upon -by an Egyptian priest, who carried him away to his -house."</p> - -<p>Here I uttered an exclamation which attracted the -notice of Remeses; for I recollected the story of the -young Hebrew ecclesiastic and gold image-caster, dear -mother, and saw now that he was this brother of Remeses, -and the mystery of the resemblance was solved. -I did not make any remark to Remeses, however, in -reply to his inquiring look, and he resumed his wonderful -narrative.</p> - -<p>But I will continue the subject, dear mother, in a -subsequent letter.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">{415}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XXV.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Remeses, City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dearest Mother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Your</span> -courier reached me yesterday with your -important letter, advising me of the refusal of the -King of Cyprus to receive your ambassador, or release -your subjects; and that you only await my return to declare -war. I shall not fail to respond to your call, and -will next week leave Egypt for Syria. I have not yet -visited the Thebad, and the superb temples of Upper -Egypt, nor seen the wonderful Labyrinth, nor the Cataracts; -but I hope at some future day to revisit this interesting -land. I feel, indeed, rejoiced to go away now, -as the painful and extraordinary events connected with -Remeses have cast a gloom over all things here, and -changed all my plans.</p> - -<p>But I will resume the narrative, interrupted by the -abrupt ending of my last letter. That, with the preceding, -as well as this, I shall now send to you, as the seal -of secrecy is removed from them, by the publicity which -has been given to all the events by Remeses.</p> - -<p>To return, dear mother, to the account of the scenes -which the magicians presented to his vision, in the -black marble chamber of the pyramid.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">{416}</a></span> -"I now," continued Remeses, "beheld the excited -mother reach the presence of the princess, trying to -calm the wild tumult of hope and fear in her maternal -bosom; and to her, I saw the princess, after many inquiries, -commit the charge of the infant.</p> - -<p>"'I shall adopt this child, O nurse,' she said; 'bring -it, therefore, to the palace daily that I may see it. Take -as faithful care of it as if it were your own, and you -shall be rewarded with my favor, as well as with a -nurse's wages.'</p> - -<p>"The joyful Hebrew woman tried to repress her happiness, -and trembled so, that the princess said—</p> - -<p>"'Thou art awkward. Carry it tenderly; and see -that thou keep this secret closely, or I shall take the boy -away from thee, woman, and also punish thee. What -is thy name?'</p> - -<p>"'Jochebeda,' she answered.</p> - -<p>"'And thy husband's?'</p> - -<p>"'Amram, your majesty,' she replied.</p> - -<p>"I saw her, O Sesostris, when she had well got out -of the princess's sight, clasp, by stealth, her recovered -child to her bosom, while words of tenderness were in -her mouth, and her eyes streaming with tears of gratitude -and wonder.</p> - -<p>"That child, O Sesostris, was myself!" suddenly exclaimed -Remeses. "Of this you have already been -convinced. I saw the scene before me, rapidly change -from day to night, and months and years fly by like a -cloud, or like a fleet of ships leaving no trace of their -track on the closing waters. Through all I saw myself, -from the infant of three years old, taken into the palace -from my Hebrew mother, to the boy of twelve—to the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">{417}</a></span> -youth of twenty! Like the cycle of fate, that scene -rolled by before my eyes, until I saw myself, that is, the -Hebrew boy, in every scene of my life up to the very -moment then present. Then, with a sound of mournful -music, the Nile and its scenes slowly faded from before -my vision, and I was alone! The whole fearful history -had terminated in me, and left me standing there in -solitude, to reflect upon what I had seen.</p> - -<p>"Housing myself from my stupor of amazement, I -staggered back, and sunk in horror upon the stone -bench. I know not how long I lay there, but I was -at length aroused by a hand upon my shoulder; I -looked up and beheld the magician with the emblem -of life, and the emerald-tipped wand. He said—</p> - -<p>"'My son, thou hast read the past of thy life! Wilt -thou still be King of Egypt?'</p> - -<p>"'By what power hast thou opened the gates of the -past? How hast thou known all this?' I cried, with a -heart of despair.</p> - -<p>"'Dost thou believe?'</p> - -<p>"'As if the open Book of Thoth lay before me! I -doubt not,' I answered.</p> - -<p>"'Wilt thou be King of Egypt?' again asked another -voice. A third, in another direction, took it up, and -every subterranean echo of the vaulted pyramid seemed -to take up the cry. I rushed from the hall, not knowing -whither I went. Doors seemed to open before -me, as if by magic, and I at length found myself emerging, -guided by the magician, into the open night. The -granite valves of the gate closed behind me, and I was -alone, in the quadrangle of the great temple of Thoth. -The stars shone down upon me like mocking eyes, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">{418}</a></span> -watching me. I fled onward, as if I would fly from -myself—I feared to reflect. I passed the sphinx, the -pylones, the obelisks; and ran along the avenue of the -Lake of the Dead, until I reached the Nile. I crossed -it in a boat that I found upon the shore, and without -having formed any clear idea of what I ought to do, -sought the palace, and gained my mother's ante-room. -Did I say 'my mother,' Sesostris? I meant the good -queen. I sent in a page to say I wished to see her. In -surprise at my return, before the forty days were fulfilled, -she came to the door hurriedly, in her night-robe, -and opened it. I entered as calmly as I could, and did -not refuse her kiss, though I knew I was but a Hebrew! -One night's scenes, dreadful as they were, O Sesostris, -could not wholly break the ties of a lifetime of filial -love and reverence. I closed the door, secured it in -silence, and then sat down, weary with what I had undergone; -and, as she came near and knelt by me, and -laid her hand against my forehead, and asked me 'if I -were ill, and hence had left the temple,' I was overcome -with her kindness; and when the reflection forced -itself upon me that I could no more call her mother, or -be entitled to these acts of maternal solicitude, I gave -way to the strong current of emotion, and fell upon her -shoulder, weeping as heartily as she had seen me weep -when lying in the little ark a helpless infant.</p> - -<p>"During this brief moment, a suspicion flashed across -my mind, that the magicians might have produced this -as a part of my trial as a prince;—that it was not real, -but that by their wonderful arts of magic they had made -it appear so to my vision. I seized upon this idea, as a -man drowning in the Nile grasps at a floating flower.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">{419}</a></span> -"'Mother,' I said, 'I am ill. I am also very sorrowful!'</p> - -<p>"'The tasks and toils of thy initiation, my son, have -been too great for thee. Thy face is haggard and thy -looks unnatural. What is thy sorrow?'</p> - -<p>"'I have had a vision, or what was like a dream, my -mother. I saw an infant, in this vision, before me, -placed in an ark, and set adrift upon the Nile. Lo, after -being borne by the current some ways, it was espied by -a princess who was bathing, whose maids, at her command, -brought it to her. It contained a circumcised -Hebrew child. The princess, being childless, adopted -it, and educated it, and declared it to be her son. She -placed him next to her in the kingdom, and was about -to resign to him the crown, when—'</p> - -<p>"Here my mother, whose face I had earnestly regarded, -became pale and trembled all over. She seized -my hands and gasped—</p> - -<p>"'Tell me, Remeses, tell me, was this a dream, or -hast thou heard it?'</p> - -<p>"'I saw it, my mother, in a vision, in the subterranean -chamber of the pyramids. It was one of those -scenes of magic which the arts of the magi know how -to produce.'</p> - -<p>"'Dost thou believe it?' she cried.</p> - -<p>"'Is it not thy <i>secret</i>, O my mother, which Prince -Mœris shares with thee? Am I not right? Does not -that Hebrew child,' I cried, rising, 'now stand before -thee?'</p> - -<p>"She shrieked, and fell insensible!</p> - -<p>"At length I restored her to consciousness. I related -all I have told you. Reluctantly, she confessed that all -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">{420}</a></span> -was true as I had seen it. I then, in a scene such as I -hope never to pass through again, assured her I should -refuse the throne and exile myself from Egypt. She -implored me with strong appeals to keep the secret, -and mount the throne. I firmly refused to do so, inasmuch -as it would be an act of injustice, not only to -Mœris, but to the Egyptians, to deceive them with a -Hebrew ruler. She reminded me how, for sixty-one -years, Prince Joseph had governed Egypt. 'Yes,' I said, -'but it was openly and without deceit; while my reign, -would be a gross deception and usurpation.' But, O -Sesostris, I cannot revive the scene. It has passed!—I -have yielded! She showed me the letters of Prince -Mœris. She implored me for her sake to keep the -secret, and aid her in resisting the conspiracy of the -viceroy. When I reflected that he had made my mother -so long miserable, and now menaced her throne, I yielded -to her entreaties to remain a few days at the head of -the affairs that have been intrusted to my control, and -to lead the army against Mœris, should he fulfil his -menace to invade Lower Egypt. After that, I said, I -shall refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, -and will retire from the Court."</p> - -<p>"Not among the Hebrews?" I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"No, perhaps not. I have nothing in common with -them. I can do them no good: I cannot yet consent to -share their bondage. I shall seek my own family, for -the queen has told me who they are. My mother, my -<i>own</i> mother, Sesostris, shall again fold her child to her -heart! I recollect her beautiful, tearful face, as seen in -the vision of the pyramids. I have a brother, too, and -a sister!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">{421}</a></span> -"I know them both!" I cried, almost joyfully; though, -dear mother, it was a sad joy I felt, to know that Remeses -was a brother to Miriam and the ecclesiastic gold-caster. -He became at once interested, and I told him -all I knew about them, as I have you. He listened -with deep attention, and seemed pleased. I also told -him how often I had conversed, in the garden of flowers, -with the venerable Amram, the father of Miriam.</p> - -<p>"And <i>my</i> father also, you should add," he said, with -a melancholy smile. "I knew it not, Sesostris; I believed -him to be the husband of my nurse. Thinkest -thou all this time he knew I was his son?"</p> - -<p>"I doubt it not," I answered. "The eyes of your -father and mother must naturally have been upon you -from your childhood up. They must have witnessed all -your career, and rejoiced in it, and kept the secret locked -in their own humble hearts, lest you and the world -should know it, and the glory they secretly saw you -sharing, be taken away or resigned by you."</p> - -<p>"I shall see them. They shall yet hear me say, -mother, father, brother, sister, to each one of them. But, -Sesostris, I must then bid them farewell forever, and -Egypt also,—if the queen will permit me to go," he suddenly -added, with bitter irony unusual with him; "for -slaves must have no will but their master's."</p> - -<p>I laid my arm kindly and sympathizingly upon his -shoulder, and silently embraced him.</p> - -<p>"I feel for you, O Remeses, with all my heart," I -said.</p> - -<p>"I know you do, O prince: I am sure that you do. -But let us terminate this subject. My mother's—I mean, -alas! the queen's desire shall be gratified. I will, for a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">{422}</a></span> -few days, continue as I am, but no more return to the -temples. My initiation is over. Without doubt the -priests of the hierarchy will seek to put me to death, -when they learn that a Hebrew has been initiated into -all their learning and mysteries. It will be necessary -for me to leave Egypt."</p> - -<p>"Then let Tyre, O prince, be thy asylum—thy future -home!" I cried. "There the Hebrew is not in bondage, -and is a Syrian among Syrians. There you shall have -a palace and retinue, and be served as becomes your -wisdom and greatness. My mother Epiphia will welcome -you with pleasure, for she has already learned to -honor you, from my letters. Our city is about to go to -war with the King of Cyprus, and my mother has written, -urging me to return. Twelve galleys will await me at -Pelusium, in a fortnight hence, to escort my own to -Tyre. Consent, O Remeses, to go with me."</p> - -<p>"Noble prince," he exclaimed, deeply moved, "how -can I thank you! It is the greatest consolation, in this -my sorrow and humiliation, to know that you do not -withdraw from me your friendship; that you can still -esteem me as a man! Sesostris, I thank you. I will -accept your offer, if my—that is, the queen, will change -her mind, and permit me to address a letter, by a swift -courier, to Prince Mœris. In it I will briefly say that I -am informed of my true lineage, and that if he will -quietly wait the succession, and be submissive to the -queen, and withhold his army from Memphis, I will, -within three days after obtaining his affirmative reply, -leave Egypt for a foreign land. Such a course will -prove the best in the end for him and Egypt, and I -have no doubt he will consent to adopt it. How extraordinary -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">{423}</a></span> -that this wily man should so long have kept -the secret with which he so terribly menaced my—the -queen!"</p> - -<p>I approved of the course suggested. Remeses soon -afterwards sought the queen; and at the end of four -hours he returned to me, looking very weary and pale, -yet smiling, saying—</p> - -<p>"It is achieved! It was a fearful struggle! The -queen has consented! Indeed, she seems heart-broken, -spirit-crushed! This discovery, against which her soul -has so long battled, has left her prostrate, almost -wrecked! For her sake I bore up and hid my own -unfathomable sorrow. She has, at my solicitation, consented -that I shall not only write to Prince Mœris, inserting -a clause enjoining silence as to my birth, but -her own courier shall be its bearer, signifying her wish -for conciliation. The letter was written in her presence, -the clause for silence introduced, and the courier is already -gone with it."</p> - -<p>While Remeses was speaking, a page entered and -informed him that the queen wished to see him. He -found her ill with a feverish pulse. She called him to -her, and said—</p> - -<p>"My son, I am about to die! This blow is too heavy -for me to bear! I shall never recover! It was my -wish to leave you firmly seated upon my throne; -but the gods have decreed otherwise. Call a council -of the hierarchy. I must not be faithless to my ancestors, -and leave a vacant throne. You have advised -me to adopt Prince Mœris. I can do no otherwise. -For this act, assemble my councils, both of state and of -the priesthood."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">{424}</a></span> -"I obeyed," said Remeses, when he subsequently -related what passed. "The next day the councils met -in one session, and the queen, supported upon her couch, -presided. Briefly she announced her intention of adopting -Mœris-Mento,—giving his full name,—as her son, and -the next in succession to the throne, their consent being -obtained. Then came up the question, 'why Prince -Remeses declined?' Being present, I answered that it -was my intention to retire from the court, visit foreign -lands, and leave the government of Egypt in the hands -of Mœris. At the earnest request of the queen I made -no allusion to the secret. The united councils yielded -their assent, and the royal secretary drew up the papers -in due form, which the queen, supported by me, signed. -A courier was then dispatched with a copy of the instrument -to the prince. The cabinet was soon afterwards -dismissed, and I was left alone with the queen, who soon -became very ill."</p> - -<p>Thus far, my dearest mother, had I written in this -letter five days ago, when the chief chamberlain came -hastening to my room, in great terror, saying that the -queen was dying! I lost not a moment in following -him to her apartments. Ever since the meeting of the -council she had been growing worse, and all the skill of -her physicians could not abate the disease, which was -pronounced inflammation of the brain. She had been -for two days wildly delirious, calling upon Remeses not -to leave her, and accusing the gods of seeking to put -upon her a stranger for her own son! At length her -ravings and her fever ceased, and she rapidly failed. -When I entered, I found Remeses kneeling by her side, -his manly head bowed upon her couch, and tears falling -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">{425}</a></span> -upon her cold hand, held in his. Her mind was clear -now, but I could see that the azure circle of death girdled -her eyes, and that the light of the soul within was -expiring. Her whole attention was fixed upon Remeses, -to whom she kept saying, in a faint whisper, and -with a smile, "My son, my son, my own son! call me -mother!"</p> - -<p>"Mother, O my mother!" he exclaimed, in his strong -anguish, "I cannot part with thee! Thou hast been a -mother to me indeed!"</p> - -<p>As I entered, her gaze turned towards me.</p> - -<p>"It is the Prince of Tyre! I thought it was the others!"</p> - -<p>"What others, my mother?" asked Remeses.</p> - -<p>"They will soon come. I commanded him to bring -them all. I must see them ere I die. But the Prince -of Tyre is welcome!" And she smiled upon me, and -gave me her other hand to kiss. It was cold as ivory! -I also knelt by her, and sorrowfully watched her sharpening -features, which the chisel of Death seemed -shaping into the marble majesty of a god.</p> - -<p>At this moment the door opened, and I saw, ushered -in by a Hebrew page, the venerable head gardener, Amram; -the young Hebrew ecclesiastic; Miriam the papyrus -writer; and, leaning upon her arm, a dignified and -still beautiful dame of fifty-five. I could not be mistaken—this -last was the mother of Remeses.</p> - -<p>"Cause all persons to go forth the chamber," cried -the queen at the sight, her voice recovering in part its -strength. She glanced at me to remain.</p> - -<p>"Come hither, Amram," she said, "and lead to my -bedside thy wife. Remeses, behold thy mother and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">{426}</a></span> -father! Mother, embrace thy son! Since he can be -no longer mine, I will return him to thee forever!" Her -voice was veiled with tears. Remeses rose, and turning -to his mother, who looked worthy of him, said:</p> - -<p>"My mother, I acknowledge thee to be my mother! -Give me thy blessing, as thou hast often done in my infancy."</p> - -<p>He tenderly and respectfully embraced her, and then -pressing his father's hand to his lips, he knelt before -them. They were deeply moved, and instead of blessing -him, wept upon him with silent joy.</p> - -<p>"Are there not two more—a brother, a sister?" said -Remeses, his fine face radiant with that ineffable beauty -which shines from benevolence and the performance of -a holy duty. I then led forward Miriam, whom he regarded -with admiring surprise (for she looked like a -queen in her own right), and then tenderly embraced, -saying to me, "Though I have lost a kingdom, O Sesostris, -I have gained a sister, which no crown could -bestow upon me." Then, when he saw the noble and -princely looking priest, he cried, as he folded him to his -breast—</p> - -<p>"This is, indeed, my brother!"</p> - -<p>The whole scene was touching and interesting beyond -the power of my pen to describe, my dear mother. The -dying queen smiled with serene pleasure, and waving -her hand, Remeses led first his mother, and then his -father, and in succession his sister and brother, to her -couch. Upon the heads of each she laid her hand, but -longest upon the mother's, saying:</p> - -<p>"Love him—be kind to him—he has no mother now -but thee! Love him for my sake—you cannot but love -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">{427}</a></span> -him for his own! If I took thy babe, O mother, I return -thee a man and a prince worthy to rule a nation, -and in whom my eyes, closing upon the present, and seeing -far into the future, behold a leader of thy people—a -prince to thy nation. Born to a throne, he shall yet -reign king of armies and leader of hosts, who I see follow -him obedient to his will and submissive to the rod -of his power. Remeses, I die! Kiss me!"</p> - -<p>The noble Hebrew reverently bent over her lips, as -if in an act of worship; and when he lifted his face, -there remained a statue of clay. The Queen of Egypt -was no more!</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<p>I closed, dear mother, my account of the death of the -great and good Queen Amense (which I wrote the day -following that sad event), in order to accompany Remeses -to the chief embalmers. As I passed through the -streets, I saw that the whole population was in mourning. -Women went with dishevelled hair, men ceased -to shave their heads and beards, and all the signs of woe -for death, which I have before described, were visible. -By the laws of Egypt, not even a king can be embalmed -in his own palace. Remeses, on reaching the suburb -of the embalmers, was received into the house of the -chief, and here he gave directions as to the fashion of -the case and sarcophagus, and the pattern of the funeral -car, and of the baris in which it was to cross the Nile -to the pyramid which, I have already said, she has been, -since the first year of her reign, erecting for her burial-place—placing -a casing of vast stones, brought down -from the quarries near Elephantis, each year.</p> - -<p>I will not delay to describe the ceremonies of preparation, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">{428}</a></span> -nor the embalmment and burial of the august lady -whose demise has cast a pall over Egypt. Your assurance -that it would take you five months to get ready -your war-fleet against Cyprus, and the desire of Remeses -that I delay until the eighty days' mourning for -the queen were over, induced me to remain. It is now -four days since her burial in the centre of her stately -pyramid, with the most imposing and gorgeous rites -ever known at the entombment of a monarch. Prince -Mœris was chief mourner! I have omitted to state that -he readily acceded to the conditions proposed in the letter -of Remeses, and when the courier followed, conveying -to him the fact that he had been adopted and declared -her heir by the queen, he addressed a frank and -friendly letter to Remeses; for it is easy for him to assume -any character his interest prompts. As soon as -the intelligence of the death of the queen reached him, -he hastened to Memphis. Here he had an interview -with Remeses, whom he treated with courtesy, and -offered the supervision of that part of Egypt where the -Hebrew shepherds dwell; for I have learned that in a valley, -which leads from Raamses to the Sea of Arabia, there -are hundreds of Hebrews who, like their ancestors, keep -vast flocks and herds belonging to the crown, but out of -which they are allowed a tenth for their subsistence. -Over this pastoral domain, embracing about twenty -thousand shepherds, the prospective Pharaoh proposed -to place Remeses. I felt that it was intended as an insult; -but Remeses viewed it as an evidence of kindness -on the part of one who knows not how to be noble or -great.</p> - -<p>The interment of the queen past, there is nothing to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">{429}</a></span> -detain either Remeses or myself longer in Egypt. By -her bounty he is rich, and has given to his parents a -large treasure, which will enable them to be at ease; -and besides, the queen gave to them and to Aaron -(this is the name of the elder brother of Remeses), and -his sister, the right of citizenship. Mœris, the day of -the queen's burial, virtually ascended the throne. His -coronation, however, will not take place until after he -has passed through the forty days' novitiate.</p> - -<p>And now, my dear mother, you will be surprised to -learn that, the information of the Hebrew birth of Remeses -(who has modestly dropped his first Egyptian -name and adheres only to the second, which is Mosis, -or Moses, as the Hebrews pronounce it), was wickedly -conveyed, with large bribes, to the magicians by Prince -Mœris himself; and that, upon this information and -influence, they recalled from the past, which, like the -future, is open to their magical art, the scenes of his life, -and presented them before his vision.</p> - -<p>Wonderful, incomprehensible, dear mother, above all -things I have seen in Egypt, is the mysterious power -of these magicians and sorcerers. Originally of the -priestly order, they have advanced into deeper and -deeper mysteries, until the hierarchy of the regular -temple-worship fear them, and deny their ecclesiastical -character, saying, "that they have climbed so high the -mountains of Osiris, that they have fallen headlong over -their summits into the dark realms of Typhon, and owe -their dread power to his auspices."</p> - -<p>Whatever be the source of their powerful art, dear -mother, there is no doubt of its reality. Not even all -the invocations, sacrifices, oblations, prayers, libations, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">{430}</a></span> -and exercises of the regular priesthood can compete with -these magicians and sorcerers. They can convert day -into night! destroy the shadow of an obelisk! fill the -air with a shower of sand, or of flowers! convert their -rods into vines that bear grapes! and walk with living -asps as if they were almond or acacia rods! They can -present before the inquirer, the face or scene in a distant -land that is desired to be beheld! They can remove -blocks of porphyry by a touch of the finger, and -make a feather heavy as gold! They can cause invisible -music in the air, and foretell the rain! And when -extraordinary motives and rewards are brought to bear -upon them, they can, by their united skill and necromantic -art, aided by sorcery, reproduce the past, as in -the case of Remeses!</p> - -<p>These powerful, yet dreaded and hated men, have for -ages been an appendage to the crown, and call themselves -the "servants of the Pharaohs." The kings of -Egypt, who have protected, favored, and sought their -assistance, have also trembled at their power. Without -question they are aided by the evil genii; and perform -their works through the agency of the spirit of evil.</p> - -<p>This, dear mother, will be the last letter I shall write -you from Egypt. Accompanied by Remeses, I shall -to-morrow embark in my galley for Pelusium. My -friend, the Admiral Pathromenes, will accompany us to -the mouth of the Eastern Nile. I ought to say that -King Mœris, now Pharaoh-elect, has extended towards -me marked civilities, and seeks for a continuance of -friendly intercourse. I shall bear a royal letter from -him to your majesty, expressive of his respect for -you, and his desire to perpetuate the alliance. But I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">{431}</a></span> -have no love for the man! If I can, I will raise an -army in Phœnicia, after I see the King of Cyprus -chained to the poop of my galley, and, placing Remeses -at the head, invade Egypt, call the Hebrews to arms, -and, overturning the throne of Mœris, place my friend -in his seat. Did not the dying queen prophesy that he -was born to rule? It is over Egypt he will yet wield -the sceptre! I will do my part, dear mother, to fulfil -the prophecy.</p> - -<p>To the lovely Princess Thamonda convey my devotions, -and assure her that I shall make war against Cyprus -more successfully, with her heart wedded to mine, -than alone. Warn her, dear mother, that I shall claim -her hand as soon as I return, and that Remeses will be -the groom-friend whom I shall honor with the high -place of witness and chief guest at our nuptials.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear mother.</p> - -<p>Remeses desires to unite with me in affectionate regards -to you.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - - <div class="right3">Your son,</div> - - <div class="right1"><span class="smcap">Sesostris</span></div> - -</div> - -<p>[Here the correspondence of the Prince of Tyre with the Queen -Epiphia terminates.]</p> - -<hr /> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">{432}</a></span></div> - -<h2>LETTERS<br /><span class="small">BETWEEN REMESES AND OTHER PERSONS,</span><br /> -<span class="x-small">COVERING A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.</span></h2> - -<h3>LETTER I.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES TO AARON THE HEBREW.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of Tyre, Syria, Month Athyr.</div> - -<div class="left0">My elder and dear Brother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">It</span> -is with emotions wholly new to me, awakened -by those fraternal ties to which I have been hitherto -entirely a stranger, that I take up my pen to address -you, inscribing at the commencement of my letter the -endearing words, "my brother!" It is true I have lost -much in many respects; but I have also gained much -in the affection of my newly discovered kindred.</p> - -<p>After you left us below Memphis, the galley of the -Prince Sesostris sped swiftly down the Nile, and ere -noon we had entered the Pelusian branch. As I passed -the old city of Bubastis, and Pythom, the new treasure-city, -which is rising upon its ruins, I groaned with -heaviness of heart! Around and upon its walls, I beheld -the thousands of my oppressed countrymen toiling, -like Nubian slaves, under the lash of their taskmasters! -I could only groan in heart; for what was I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">{433}</a></span> -now able to do for them,—myself an exile, and flying -from the land? May the prophecy which exists among -your people (<i>my</i> people), as you asserted in the last long -and interesting conversation we held together, on the -day I embarked, be soon fulfilled! This bondage cannot -continue many years! There is not room in Egypt -for two nations!</p> - -<p>At Pelusium we found the prince's fleet awaiting him. -It set sail shortly after our arrival, and coasting by the -shores of Arabia, and passing Askelon, in Philistia, in -seven days we entered the port of Tyre; which is built -upon a rocky isle and peninsula, and rises from the sea -with imposing magnificence.</p> - -<p>I was most kindly received by the mother of Sesostris, -whose glad reception of her son made my eyes fill -with tears; for I remembered my (I was going to say, -mother)—the Queen Amense's tenderness, whenever -she met me after the shortest absence.</p> - -<p>But I must not refer to the past.</p> - -<p>Prince Sesostris treats me in every respect as an equal. -Were I still Prince Remeses of Egypt, he could not -show me more kindness and regard. We have now -been here one month; and in that time I have seen -much of Tyre, but my continued grief for the death of -the beloved queen,—my more than mother,—renders me -quite indifferent to external objects. As the guest of -the prince, I have endeavored to interest myself in what -concerns him. He is engaged earnestly in preparations -for war. The port of Tyre is thronged with war-galleys; -and reviews of troops take place daily, on a plain which -is overhung by the mountain-range of Libanus. The -grandeur of this mountain, in which the earliest worship -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">{434}</a></span> -of men rose to the gods, deeply impressed me. The -fleet will sail in about one month.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Damascus, Syro-Phœnicia.</div> - -</div> - -<p>Since writing the above I have come to this beautiful -city, which lies in a lovely vale watered by two rivers, -the Abana and Pharphar, that fertilize it and render it -indeed "the garden of the earth"—as it is termed. I -travelled hither with the prince, who has come to take -to wife Thamonda, the fair princess of this city. She is -amiable and sensible, and I rejoice that my princely -friend has such happiness in store! How fortunate for -me, my brother, that while I was Prince of Egypt, I -did not interest myself in any princess, who would be -now humbled and wretched at my degradation! The -nuptial ceremonies will take place soon, and occupy -some days. I wish Sesostris every happiness in his -alliance.</p> - -<p>I met here the venerable Prince of Uz. He had travelled -thus far on his return to his own land, which lies on -the borders of Chaldea and Saba, and when informed -of my present position was deeply moved. We have -had long and interesting conversations together, upon -the unity of God! which have so deeply absorbed my -reflections, that I have accepted an invitation to visit -him, after I return from Cyprus, whither I accompany -the prince and his bride.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">The Palace of the Princess of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<p>My beloved Sesostris is married. The ceremonies -were unusually magnificent;—several kings of cities -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">{435}</a></span> -and princes of provinces being present, with their retinues. -But I do not excel in descriptions of scenes and -festivities, and leave them to the more graceful and easy -pen of Sesostris. We depart in three days with a gala -procession of horsemen, to return to Tyre.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Isle of Tyre.</div> - -</div> - -<p>Having kept this roll of papyrus with me, I now close -my epistle here, where I commenced writing it, with -the intelligence of our arrival; the happy reception of -her new daughter-in-law, by Queen Epiphia; and with -the announcement that the fleet will set sail within three -days for the Levantine island-kingdom.</p> - -<p>Commend me, my brother, with respectful affection, -to my father Amram, to my honored mother, and to my -stately sister, Miriam. Trusting you are all in health -and safety, I am your brother, with profound fraternal -regard,</p> - -<div class="foot smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Moses, the Hebrew.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">{436}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER II.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES TO HIS BROTHER.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Phœnicia.</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">A year</span> -has passed, my brother, since I last wrote to -you. In the mean while I have received your very kind -epistle. It reached me at Tyre, where I found it awaiting -me, on my return from the expedition against Cyprus. -You have probably learned the result of the war, -and that Prince Sesostris landed his army, defeated -the King of Cyprus in a pitched battle, taking his battalion -of chariots, which were armed with scythes, and -destroying his cavalry. The king implored peace, and -surrendered his capital. Sesostris, after levying a tribute -of two thousand talents of silver upon it for ten -years, and demanding a portion of the island, on the -north, for a Phœnician colony, returned triumphant to -his country.</p> - -<p>I am now travelling through the whole of Syria. From -this point I shall proceed to the province of Uz. I desire -to know more fully this wisdom of the One God, -the Almighty, as taught by the Sage of that land. -When I saw him in Damascus, a year ago, I informed -him that I had begun to write an account of the wonderful -incidents of his life; but when I read to him what I -had commenced, and afterwards heard his conversation -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">{437}</a></span> -upon the God he worshipped, I perceived that I was a -child in ignorance, and had entered upon a task impossible -for me to perform, by reason of my religious education -as an Egyptian.</p> - -<p>"My son," he said, "thou art not far from the knowledge -of the Almighty, and thy soul aspires after the true -God. Come with me to my own land, for thou sayest -thou art a wanderer, and I will teach thee the knowledge -of the Holy One. Then thou mayest write the -acts of the Invisible to man, and justify Him in His ways -to me, His servant. The gods of Egypt darken knowledge, -and veil the understanding of those who trust in -them, and say to an idol of gold, 'Thou art my god.'"</p> - -<p>I am now journeying, O my brother, to sit at the feet -of this man of God, whose simple wisdom has enlightened -my soul more than all the learning of Egypt; nay, -I would gladly forget all the knowledge I obtained in -Egypt, to know, and fear, and love the "Holy One"—the -Almighty God—of the Prince of Uz. What is particularly -worthy of note is, that his views of the Invisible -are the same as those which you taught me were -held by the elders among our people; and of the truth -of which you so eloquently and feelingly endeavored to -convince me, on the evening before my departure from -Egypt, as we sat by the door of our mother's home, -under the two palms. Dissatisfied with the gods of -Egypt, and the emptiness and vanity of its worship, as -not meeting the wants of man, I turn to any source -which will pour the light of truth into my soul. We -both, brother, are feeling after God, if haply we may -find Him; for I perceive that your own soul is darkened -and clouded as well as mine, by the dark myths of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">{438}</a></span> -Egypt, in which we have been educated. But let us -both take courage, my noble elder brother. There is -light, there is truth, there is knowledge somewhere -on earth! and I go to the aged Prince of Uz to learn of -him. Sitting at his feet, I will empty myself of all the -false and unsatisfying wisdom of Egypt, and meekly -say, "I am ignorant—enlighten me! Teach me concerning -thy God, for I know that He is the God my -soul longs for, whom the nations know not!"</p> - -<p>Your letter spoke of Pharaoh, and his cruelty and -power. I am prepared to hear that he takes new measures -to heap burdens upon our people. The Lake -Amense, which you say he is enlarging to an inland -sea, will destroy thousands of the Hebrews whom you -tell me he is putting to the work; for, unaccustomed -to labor in the water, they must perish miserably. I -trust he will suffer you and my father's family to dwell -unmolested. Be prepared at any moment to escape, -should he seek to destroy the prosperity in which the -beloved queen left you, and those dear to me by the -sacred and affectionate ties of nature.</p> - -<p>Farewell.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your brother,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Moses.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">{439}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER III.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES-MOSES TO AARON.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">The Palace of the Lord of Uz.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear and honored Brother:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I have</span> -been here now one year. The venerable -prince honors me as a son, and I repay him, so far as I -can, by instructing him in the history of Egypt, and -other knowledge; for, so great is his wisdom, he seeks -ever to know more. In astrology, physics, geometry, -and all arts, he is deeply learned. But above all, is his -knowledge of the Almighty. This man has the mysteries -of God in his heart, and to the eyes of his divine -piety, the Most High is visible as He is. He hath spoken -to the Lord of heaven face to face, and he communicates -with Him as a servant with his lord.</p> - -<p>When I came hither, after visiting Baal-Phegor and -other places, he received me with affection, and gave -me rooms in his palace, and servants, and a place at his -table. I found him dwelling in a city he himself had -builded, and reigning the wealthiest, wisest, and yet humblest -prince in all the East. Around it lay the cities of -Shuh, Teman, and Naamath, the lesser princes of which -are his bosom friends, and once a week meet at his hospitable -board. They hang upon the words of his lips, -and reverence him as a father. He also possesses vast -herds of cattle and oxen, which cover his plains; fourteen -thousand sheep are on his mountains; six thousand -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">{440}</a></span> -camels; and stores of silver and gold. He has seven -sons, who are princes of as many provinces, and three -daughters, the youngest of whom, Keren-happuch, is -married to the Lord of Midian; for when the Prince of -Uz, three years ago, travelled down into Egypt with a -large caravan of his merchants, he passed through Midian, -having this daughter in company, who, being -comely in person, was admired by the prince of that -land, and by him asked in marriage of her father. Of -the two daughters who remain, no women in all the -land are found so fair. Such is the prosperity and -power of this mighty and wise prince.</p> - -<p>Now, at length, my dear brother, I have written the -book of the life of this venerable man; not as I began -it in Egypt, with imperfect ideas of the God of -heaven, whose servant he is, but from his own lips have -I received the narrative which I inclose to you. When -you have read it, you will arrive at the knowledge of -the Almighty, whose name, and glory, and being, and -goodness, and justice, and love, are recognized in every -page. As you read, reflect that the God of the Prince -of Uz is also my God, and the God worshipped by our -fathers when they were in Syria. Away, O Aaron! with -all the gods of Egypt! They are brazen and golden -lies, all! The myth of Osiris and Isis is an invention of -the priests. The whole system of their mythology is -hostile to true religion, and the adorers of idols are the -worshippers of Satan—for this is the name of that spirit -of evil, antagonistic to the true God, hitherto represented -to us under the title of Typhon.</p> - -<p>It would take a score of papyri for me to convey to -you the course of divine and sage instruction by which -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">{441}</a></span> -I arrived at that clear, luminous, and just notion of the -Lord God of heaven and earth, which I now hold; the -possession of which fills my soul with repose, my intellect -with satisfaction, my heart with joy, peace, and love -to God and man. With this <i>certain</i> knowledge of the -Almighty that has entered into my soul, is an apprehension -of His omnipresence, His truth, holiness, majesty, -and benevolence; and a consciousness that I have received -his Divine Spirit, which last is, as it were, a witness -vouchsafed of Himself to me. By the light of this -new spirit within me I behold His glory, and recognize -that He is my God, my Creator, my Benefactor, and -Lawgiver. I feel that in Him I live, move, and have -my being, and that besides Him there is no God. The -realization of these majestic truths, O my brother, is a -source to me of the profoundest happiness. Before their -light the dark clouds of the myths of Egypt dissolve -and fade away forever!</p> - -<p>When I speak of Him I find new language rise to my -lips: when I write of Him my words seem to clothe -themselves with sublimity and majesty. Henceforth, -like the holy Prince of Uz, I am a worshipper of One -God, whose name is the Almighty, and the Holy One.</p> - -<p>To Sesostris I have written of these great things, and -to you also I will send a treatise, that you may, without -obscurity, behold His unity and glory as they were -known to our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, before -the false worship of Egypt corrupted our hereditary -faith. With this knowledge, O Aaron, our people, even -in bondage, are superior to Pharaoh on his throne.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate brother,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Moses.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">{442}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER IV.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES TO MIRIAM.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Tyre, Phœnicia.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear sister:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I received</span> -your letter, written to me from Bubastis. -I grieve to hear that King Mœris is increasing -so heavily the burdens of our people, as to drive to the -fields, and to the new lake to which he has given his -name, all who were servants in houses. Unused to toil -under the sun, they will suffer more than others. I -read the copy of the edict you inclosed, forbidding the -Egyptians to receive, as domestics, any of the Hebrew -people, that so all might be driven to become toilers -in the field. His motive is evident. He is alarmed at -the increase of the Hebrews, and would oppress them, -to death by thousands. My heart bleeds for those he -has sent to the mines in the Thebad. This is a new -feature in the Hebrew bondage. But there is a just -God on high, O my sister Miriam, the Holy One, whom -our fathers worshipped. He will not forget his people -forever, but in due time will bring them out of their -bondage. Has not Aaron, our learned brother, made -known to you the words of tradition that are cherished -among our people,—that they are to serve Pharaoh a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">{443}</a></span> -certain number of years, forty-one of which are yet to -come? He sent me the copy thereof, wherein I find it -written, as the declaration of Abraham our father, that -"his posterity should serve Pharaoh four hundred -years." Aaron, who, since I left Egypt, has been giving -all his time to collecting the traditions, and laws of -our fathers, is confident that ere another generation -shall have perished, God will raise up a deliverer for -the sons of Jacob, and lead them forth to some new and -wonderful land. If such a promise, O my sister, was -given by the Almighty, He will redeem it; for He is -not a man that He should lie! Let us therefore wait, -and hope, and pray to this mighty God of our ancestors, -to remember His promise, and descend from Heaven -with a stretched-out arm for our deliverance. I rejoice -to hear that my dear mother is well, also my father. -Commend me to them with reverential affection. Aaron -reads to you my letters, and you will have learned from -them how I arrived at the knowledge of the true God, -in whom, O Miriam, both you and he believed, while I, -considering myself an Egyptian, was a worshipper of -the false gods of Egypt! Yet, lo! by the goodness of -the true God, I have been enabled, at the feet of the -sage of Uz, to arrive at such clear conceptions of His -glory, and majesty, and government of the universe, as -to teach even you. I speak this not boastingly, but -with gratitude to Him who has made me the instrument -of illumining your mind, and of giving you greater confidence -and trust in the God, who is the God of Abraham, -and the God of the Prince of Uz.</p> - -<p>I have now been five years absent from Egypt, and my -heart yearns for my brethren in bondage. I feel that it -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">{444}</a></span> -is not becoming in me to remain here, at ease in the -court of Sesostris; for he has now been two years king, -since his royal mother's death, of which I wrote to my -mother at the time. I pant to make known to the -elders of the Hebrews, the clear and true knowledge of -the God of our fathers, which has come down to them -imperfectly, and mingled with superstitions, even when -it is not corrupted by the idolatry of Egypt. I wish to -learn the character and condition of my brethren in -servitude, whom I formerly viewed from the proud -height of an Egyptian prince. How I feel a desire to -mingle among them to know them, and be one of them. -All my Egyptian pride, dear sister, is long since gone, -and I seek daily to cultivate that spirit of meekness, -which better becomes one, who is of a race of bondmen. -But, my sister, rather would I be a slave, chained at -the chariot-wheel of Pharaoh-Mœris, with my present -knowledge of the Holy and Almighty One,—compared -with which all the wisdom of Egypt is foolishness,—than -be that monarch himself with his ignorance of Him, and -his worship of Osiris and Apis!</p> - -<p>May the God of our fathers, by whose will we are in -bonds, in His own time send us deliverance, to whom -be glory and majesty, and dominion and power, in -heaven and earth, to the end of ages.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right3">Most affectionately, your younger brother,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Moses.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">{445}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER V.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES TO HIS MOTHER.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Sesostris, King of Tyre.</div> - -<div class="left0">My Mother, revered and loved:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">In</span> -a letter written a few days ago, and which -went by a vessel that was to touch at Pelusium on its -way to Carthage, I alluded to a feeling (which has been -increasing in strength for many months) that prompted -me to visit my brethren in bonds in Egypt. It is true, -I have no power. I am but one, and Mœris would, -no doubt, gladly seize upon me if he knew I was in -his kingdom. I have, however, determined to yield to -the desire; and next month shall sail in a galley that -goes to Egypt for ebony and ivory. Not long, therefore, -after you receive this letter, which the scholarly -Aaron will read to you, will you embrace your younger -and long-absent son. It is expedient that I go unknown. -I wish to observe the Hebrew people, without awakening -suspicion, as to who I am. Should Mœris hear of -me, he would quickly suspect me of planning evil -against him. If I can do no more, I can carry to the -elders the certainty of the truth, as they received it, by -tradition, of One God, Lord of heaven and earth, Infinite -in holiness, and Almighty in power. From the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">{446}</a></span> -holy Prince of Uz, I not only received this, but many -other things of wonderful interest—which he seemed to -know by the voice of God—concerning the creation of -the world in six days, and the formation of man and -woman, whom he placed in a garden of beauty, with -dominion over all things. But I will not go further -into these divine and wonderful things, at this time, -O my mother, as I shall hereafter read to you, from -the sacred leaves, the narrative of the acts of creation, -as they were written by the Prince and Prophet -of Uz: to whom, before all men, has been revealed -the truth of the Most High, and the mysteries which -have been secret from eternity. Lo! the pages of -the book of his patience under God's trial show, that -no man on earth ever before had such illumination of -divine light! Such language as that of his which I -have written in the book, when he speaks of God, -could only have been suggested by the inspiration of -the Almighty. He talks of God as if he had sat at -His feet, and daily beheld His glorious majesty, or -heard His voice shake the heavens. Of him have I -learned the wisdom of the past; and there whispers in -my heart, O mother, a solemn voice, which bids me -hope that if I fear God, and walk uprightly, and seek -His face, and trust in Him, He will also draw nigh to -me, unveil His glory, and speak face to face with me, -as He hath done to His holy servant, the Prince of Uz! -It shall be the aspiration of my heart, to be received into -the divine favor as He has been, and made the recipient -of His will, and of His laws for men! Censure me not,—charge -me not with pride, O my mother! In the -spirit of meekness and lowliness do I cherish this hope -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">{447}</a></span> -The path to the ear of God, and to His favor, the Prince -of Uz hath taught me, is prayer. On bended knees, -therefore, seven times a day, do I bow in supplication -before the Holy One Almighty, the Lord God of Hosts; -and more and more do I feel my spirit go forth to -Him; and daily, the infinite distance between earth and -His throne seems to lessen! Nor will I cease to pray -to Him, O mother, until I hear His voice in my soul, -and feel the intimate presence of His Being in union -with my own! Then will I reach the height of humanity, -which is the reunion of the creature with the Creator, -the restoration in his soul of the divine image, and the -reception into his own of a divine and immortal life!</p> - -<p>My friend, King Sesostris, reluctantly consents to my -departure. He has never ceased his affectionate regard -for me, and he has called his beautiful son, now four years -old, Remeses—after me. This child, I love as if he were -mine own. He is intelligent and full of affection, and -already understands that I am about to go away, and -sweetly urges me not to leave him. The Queen Thamonda -has prepared many gifts for you and my sister, -whom she loves, though not having seen. Here, dear -mother, the bondage and degradation of the Hebrew is -not comprehended. We are not, in their eyes, crown-serfs. -We are but a Syrian nation held in captivity; -and other nations regard us with sympathy, and have -no share in the contempt and scorn with which we are -regarded by our Egyptian taskmasters.</p> - -<p>Israelisis the Hebrew, whom Sesostris brought with -him five years ago to Tyre, is now a fine young man, -and assistant secretary to his royal scribe. All that our -people want, my mother, is to be placed in positions -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">{448}</a></span> -favorable to the development of their intellect, and -they will rise, side by side, with any other people on -earth. If we were a nation, with a country of our own, -we would give laws to the world.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my dear mother. In a few days you will -embrace me.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right3">Your devoted son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Moses.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">{449}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VI.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES IN EGYPT TO SESOSTRIS IN PHŒNICIA.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Treasure-City of Raamses.</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">It</span> -is with gratitude to God, O Sesostris, that I inform -you of my safe arrival in Egypt, after a perilous -passage across the sea. Our chief pilot, finding, after -we left the port of Tyre, that the wind was fair for the -mouth of the Nile, and the weather seeming to be -settled, signified to me his intention to leave the -coast, and boldly steer from land to land. Having no -knowledge of nautical affairs, I neither advised nor -objected, leaving him to act according to his own experience -and skill: he therefore laid the course of the -ship as nearly straight for Pelusium, as he could ascertain -it, by the position of the sun at noon.</p> - -<p>Before night we were surrounded by a horizon of -water, and this being the first time since I had lived on -the earth, that I had been unable to behold it, the situation -was wholly novel, not only to me but to other passengers,—some -of whom manifested the liveliest fears, lest -we should no more behold the land. My mind was impressed -by the sublimity and vastness of the view; and -the majestic idea of eternity—boundless and infinite—filled -my soul. It seemed as if, from our deck, I could -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">{450}</a></span> -survey the universe of space, for there was nothing -terrestrial to arrest and confine the eye.</p> - -<p>"Who," I reflected, "as he surveys the illimitable -sky, and the measureless ocean over which it extends, -can withhold the confession that there is One God only, -the Upholder of worlds and the Governor of His creation? -Who, with such a scene before him, as day with -its splendor and vastness of space, and night with its -stars presented above the sea, could give the glory of -the Almighty to another, and put his trust in such myths -as are the gods of Egypt and the deities of Phœnicia?" -I rejoice, O king, that you have listened to the truths -it was my happiness to unfold to you, and that in your -heart you acknowledge and secretly adore the Almighty. -May the time soon come when you will have strength -given you, from Himself, to establish His holy worship -in your dominions! A king is God's representative on -earth, and his power is great; and if he exercise it,—not -like the Pharaohs, who reign as if they were gods, -but—with judgment, and fear, and humble recognition -of the Infinite source of all power, then He who is King -of kings and Lord of lords, will bless him and cause him -to prosper. When a king acknowledges that his power -is delegated, and that he must be accountable for its use -or abuse to his God, he has gained the highest wisdom -that earth can give! Seek, O king, that wisdom!</p> - -<p>Pardon me, my dear Sesostris, for presuming to teach -you. I am diffident in speech when present with you, -but you perceive I am bold, perhaps too much so, when -away from you.</p> - -<p>We continued, for three days and nights, sailing upon -the sea, without a shore in view, and in a few hours -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">{451}</a></span> -more hoped to find the mouth of the Nile; when the -wind, after a sudden lull, came round to the south, -the air was darkened with clouds, and night came on, -enveloping our ship in the profoundest gloom, amid -which we drove, our pilot knew not whither! It was a -night of painful suspense. The seas dashed over us; -our banks of oars were broken or washed away; and -not a cubit's breadth of sail could remain on the mast, -while the air was filled with sharp sand, blown from -the Arabian desert.</p> - -<p>The passengers and crew were in despair, and believing -that every succeeding billow would go over us and -destroy us, they called frantically upon their gods! The -Syrian cried to Hercules, and the Saban upon the sun -and upon fire. The merchants of Tyre prayed to Adonis -and Io, the Arabians to Ammon, and the Egyptians -vowed libations and offerings to Apis, Osiris, and Thoth. -Our pilot, finding all hope desert him, burned a cake -of incense to the deity of the sea, and vowed an oblation -to all the gods he could in his extremity call to -mind.</p> - -<p>Then it was, O Sesostris, that I felt the power and excellency -of my faith in God! Then did the folly, the -vanity, and degradation of the religions of those about -me, deeply impress me, and move me to pity. Calm, -serene, confident in the Almighty, who holdeth the sea -in the hollow of His hand, and directeth the stormy -winds and tempests of the skies, I lifted my heart and -my voice to Him, whom, with the eye of instructed intelligence, -I beheld seated above the darkness and the -whirlwind, in the ineffable glory and peace of His own -heaven, and directing all things by His will. I felt that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">{452}</a></span> -He could protect and defend me, and those who sailed -with me; that the night to Him was as clear as the day; -and that even I was not too insignificant to be cared -for by Him, who, in His love, gave voices of music to -the little birds, who painted the lily, and perfumed the -flower.</p> - -<p>"O Lord God, Holy One, the Almighty, who art the -Creator of all things, if I have found grace in Thy sight, -hear my humble petition, which I now offer before Thee. -Let Thy presence be here, and Thy power; save us who -are tossed upon the great sea, and who have no hope but -in Thee. These call upon their idols, but I, O Lord God, -call upon Thee, the God of our fathers. Guard us in -our danger, and bring us in safety to our haven! For -Thou art the only true and living God, and besides Thee -there is no God!"</p> - -<p>All the people who heard my voice, as I thus invoked -the Living God, and saw my hands outstretched -heavenward, turned from their idols and amulets, and -ceased their prayers and cries, to hear me. The lightnings -flashed about us in a continual flame, so that -the ship seemed on fire, and I could be seen by all.</p> - -<p>Judge, O Sesostris, my surprise, when instantly the -winds—which at the first word of my prayer softened—ceased -to roar; the waves fell level with the sea; the -clouds parted above us, and revealing a bright moon -shining down from the starry sky, they rolled, on all -sides, swiftly away towards the horizon.</p> - -<p>This sudden and wondrous change, evidently in response -to my prayer, as a proof that it was heard by the -Ear to which I, in fear and hope, addressed it, amazed -me. It was the power and act of my God! I felt it to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">{453}</a></span> -be so, and lifting up my eyes and hands to the cloudless -skies, I said—</p> - -<p>"Thine, O Lord Almighty, thine be the praise and -glory; for Thou art the hearer and answerer of prayer, -and art loving to all Thy creatures. Thou hast power in -heaven and on earth, and on the broad sea, nor is any -thing hid from Thee. Darkness is no darkness with -Thee, and no power can resist thine! Thanks be to -Thee, O Lord God on high, for this manifestation of Thy -presence, and this confirmation of my faith. Let these -idolaters likewise glorify Thee, for whose sakes Thou hast -also done this."</p> - -<p>When I ceased, I beheld a crowd, made up of all nations, -prostrate around me. The captain, turning away -from his god, was burning incense before me, while the -invocations of the crew and passengers were being offered -to me. With horror I drew back and waved them -away, saying, "Rise, men, stand upon your feet! Not -unto me, not unto me, but unto God, the one invisible -Creator, give thanks and praise for your mighty deliverance!"</p> - -<p>I then made known to them the mystery of the true -God, whose power they and I had witnessed, and exhorted -them to turn from their idols, and worship Him -in spirit and in truth; for that He was their Maker, and -besides Him there was no God. Nevertheless, but for -my stern anger against it, they would have sacrificed a -sheep to me, as if I were Hercules.</p> - -<p>In a few hours we reached Pelusium, and to escape -the adulations of the people on shore, to whom the crew -made known this miracle of God, I withdrew privately, -and went to Bubastis. After visiting, unknown to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">{454}</a></span> -them, the tens of thousands of my brethren, who are engaged -in extending the walls of that place, and increasing -the number of treasure-houses therein, I took boat -and came hither secretly, for fear that Mœris, if he knew -me to be in Egypt, might watch my movements, if not -banish or imprison me.</p> - -<p>I have now been several days in the bosom of my -family. My mother and father are well; but they, and -Miriam with all the other women of our nation, have -tasks of weaving put upon them, which are to be done -each day before they are permitted to sleep. My heart -is deeply wounded at all this. On every side I behold oppression -and cruelty. Daily, scores of the Hebrews perish, -and their dead bodies are thrown into ditches, dug -for the purpose, and covered with earth. Often, the -wretched men who dig them are the first to occupy -them, for the work goes on day and night. An edict -has been published throughout all Egypt, within the -past month, that no Egyptian shall assist a Hebrew; and -that no Hebrew who sinks down under his toil, shall be -suffered to remain upon the ground, but must be placed -upon his feet again, and driven to his task, until he sinks -to rise no more; and to such, neither bread nor water -shall be offered, that they may die! Such, O king, is -the heart of this Mœris!</p> - -<p>Yet, with all these extraordinary measures, inspired by -his fear, to lessen the number of the Hebrews, they increase -in the most unprecedented manner. The women -bring forth without midwives, and are put to no inconvenience -whatsoever afterwards. Such a state of things -alarms the Egyptian king, and well it may; for it seems -to me to be a direct act of the Divinity, so to multiply -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">{455}</a></span> -the people, that Egypt will be compelled to liberate -them, and send them forth to find a country of their -own.</p> - -<p>There is a prophecy which, as I associate more with -the elders—who are slow, however, to give me their -confidence, regarding me still as an Egyptian in feeling -and prejudices—I ascertain to be well preserved, that, -at the end of about four hundred years from the days of -Prince Abraham, his descendants shall come out of Egypt -a great nation. This period is drawing to its close. God, -who can deliver from the storm, can deliver from the -hand of Pharaoh those who trust in Him, and call for -His Almighty arm to aid them.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Memphis, House of Aaron.</div> - -</div> - -<p>Since writing the foregoing, my dear Sesostris—for -such is the familiar title, notwithstanding the present -difference in our rank and position, that you condescendingly -permit me to make use of in addressing you—since -writing the foregoing, I say, I have been studying -the traditions of my fathers, the Hebrews of old. In -them I have found the following prophecies; and you -will observe how confidently God, the Almighty, is recognized -and spoken of as the one true God:</p> - -<p>"Our father Abram, the Syrian, having been born in -the great kingdom of Chaldea, served idols, as did all -other men—the knowledge of the one God, being yet -veiled under the multiplicity of gods. Abram, being -just, and possessing those virtues and excellencies which -elevate man, it pleased the one great and mighty God, -only and true—who made all things in heaven above, in -the earth beneath, and in the seas that are thereunder—to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">{456}</a></span> -make Himself known unto him, as he was one day -uttering a prayer to the sun. Suddenly, he beheld a -hand across the disk of the sun, and the earth was instantly -covered with night. While Abram wondered -and trembled, the mighty hand was removed, and the -day was restored. Then came a voice from above the -sun—</p> - -<p>'O man, and son of man that is clay! dost thou worship -the creature, and know not the Creator? I am the -Creator of the sun, the heavens, the earth, and man upon -the earth! Worship me, who alone can create light, -and who maketh darkness! I am God, and will not -give my glory to a creature! The sun is but clay, and -thou, O man, art clay also! Give <i>me</i> thine heart; worship -me, the Maker both of thee and of the sun!'</p> - -<p>"Then Abram saw the hand again cover and extinguish -the sun; but lo, instead of night, the universe was -lighted by the brightness of the hand, which shone with -the splendor of a thousand suns, so that our father fell -upon his face, as if dead, before its consuming splendor. -When he rose again, the sun shone as before, and he -fell prostrate upon the ground and said:</p> - -<p>"'Lord God of the sun, Creator of all things, what is -man, that thou displayest thy glory and revealest thyself -to him? I am as a worm before thee! Teach me what -thou wouldst have me to do!'</p> - -<p>"Then a still, small voice answered:</p> - -<p>"'Arise, go forth from this Chaldea, thy country, unto -a land flowing with milk and honey, which I will show -thee; and there I will make of thee a great nation, -who shall bear thy name; for I will make thy name -great, and a blessing to all men; and those who bless -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">{457}</a></span> -thee I will bless, and those who curse thee, I will curse; -and in thee shall all the families of the earth be -blessed!'"</p> - -<p>This remarkable tradition then goes on to say, O Sesostris, -that the Chaldean hastened to obey God, and -going into the city of Haran, where he dwelt, gathered -his substance, and took his wife, and nephew, and all -his servants, and departed from the land—being then -five-and-seventy years old. By a sign, the Lord God -went before him through many lands, until he crossed -over the river of the king of Sodom into Palestine, -when the Almighty, taking him into a high mountain, -showed him all the land, from the lake and fair valley of -Gomorrah and Sodom to the great sea westward, and -from Libanus on the north to the desert of Arabia on -the south, saying:</p> - -<p>"'Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place -where thou art, northward and southward, and eastward -and westward, for all the land which thou seest, to thee -will I give it and to thy seed after thee! Arise, walk -through the land, in the length of it and in the breadth -of it, for I will give it to thee; for the whole earth is -mine!'"</p> - -<p>"Night fell upon them while they looked from the -mountain, and the Lord God said to our father: 'Look -now towards heaven, and tell the stars if thou art able -to number them. So shall thy posterity be. But know -thou,' said the Lord to him, 'that thou, and thy son, and -thy son's son shall be strangers in this land, and thy -seed after thee shall also be strangers in the land shadowing -with wings, and shall serve its kings, and they -shall afflict thee four hundred years; but grieve not, for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">{458}</a></span> -the nation whom they shall serve will I judge, and afterwards -shall thy posterity come out of that land a mighty -people, with great substance; and he whom I will raise -up as their deliverer, shall lead them unto this land, and -they shall enter in and possess it, and shall become a -great people, and be in number as the sands of the seashore, -and as the dust for multitude.'"</p> - -<p>Then Abram believed God. We, O Sesostris, are his -posterity. Are we not as the stars of heaven in number, -and as the sands of the shore? The four hundred -years are drawing to a close. Will not He who has -brought about the fulfilment of one part of His prophecy, -accomplish also the other? Therefore do I look -with hope to our release, ere another generation passes -away. Who shall live to behold it? Who shall be so -blessed as to see this deliverer that is to lead them forth -to the promised land? I may not live to see that day -of joyful deliverance! Perhaps thy son Remeses may -behold it. That land, according to our tradition, is Palestine, -through which I journeyed when I visited the -ruins, visible above and beneath the Lake of Bitumen; -near which, also, I beheld that extraordinary statue of an -incrusted woman, on whom the shower of salt fell until -it had encased her alive, and transfixed her to the spot, -as if hewn from a column of salt. The people of that -region informed me, that she was a niece of Prince -Abram, overtaken in her flight, when the five cities of -the plain were overthrown by fire from heaven. How -beautiful is all that land of Palestine! It is like a garden -for fertility, and is filled with populous cities, and a -cultivated and warlike people. I also visited the city -of Salem, where, anciently, King Melchisedec, the wise -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">{459}</a></span> -sage, and friend of God and of Abram, dwelt. It is now -but a rock covered with fortresses and the treasure-city -of the land. Is this land yet to be given by God to our -people? Is it, indeed, already ours by the title of God -to our Abram, only waiting for us to go up and possess -it? We are then not without a country, though in bondage. -This idea elevates my heart; and I have sought to -rouse the dormant feelings and hopes of our elders and -people, with the faith that our nation has a country reserved -for us, by the God of our fathers.</p> - -<p>But they shake their heads. They have so long sat -in the dust of despair, that they have ceased to hope. -Still, my brother Aaron and I everywhere try to lift up -their feeble hearts, and to encourage them with the -bright future. But one of the old men answered—</p> - -<p>"Thou sayest that it is a land filled with a warlike -people; that they are the descendants of the old Phœnician -shepherd-kings, who once conquered Egypt. -How, O son of Pharaoh's daughter," he added, giving -me this appellation in his anger, "how can we Hebrews, -who know not an arrow from a lance, or a spear from -a bow, who are crushed in spirit and dwarfed by toil, -how are we to conquer such a land, even if the God of -our fathers has given it to us?"</p> - -<p>"Does not this foreign land of which the stranger-Hebrew -speaks," arose and said another, by the name of -Uri,—whose son is the most skilful in Egypt in devising -curious works in gold, and in silver, and in precious -stones, having served with the queen's royal artificer,—"does -it not lie beyond Arabia, and are there not many -and strong kings in the way, the armies of Edom, of the -Hittites, of the Philistines, and of the sons of Ishmael! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">{460}</a></span> -Even though Pharaoh were to bid us begone to-morrow, -to the new country of our God that we boast of, could -we traverse the desert, or do battle with the nations on the -way, much more conquer the warlike people who hold -it? Listen not to this Egyptian-Hebrew, who doubtless -would tempt us to leave Egypt, that we may be destroyed -by the warlike people, who will dispute our -march. Doubtless, Pharaoh, his former friend, hath -sent him to talk with us that he might thereby either -get rid of us, or seek occasion to destroy us in a body."</p> - -<p>Thus, my dear Sesostris, were my words turned -against me. Yet I will not fear, but shall quietly -strive to influence my brethren, and persuade them to -look forward with hope, to deliverance by the arm of -God.</p> - -<p>Farewell, Sesostris! May the Almighty give you -His divine Spirit, and fill you with wisdom and judgment, -that you may honor Him as King of kings, and -rule your people mercifully and prosperously. To the -beloved queen, Thamonda, I send the most respectful -greetings; and thank her from my heart for giving to -your daughter the dear and honored name, "Amense." -May the virtues of the pure Queen of Egypt be transferred -to her; but may her life be far happier! To my -namesake, the bright and beautiful Remeses, give my -cordial affection. Tell him that I hope, when he shall -be a man, and like other princes, visit Egypt, he will -not find the Hebrew nation there in bondage, and that, -if he inquires after the people of his father's humble -friend, he will be answered—</p> - -<p>"Their God, with a mighty hand and an outstretched -arm, led them forth to a land given to them for an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">{461}</a></span> -inheritance, where they now dwell, free and happy!" -Ah, Sesostris, shall this dream of hope thus be realized? -Tell Remeses to lay a bunch of flowers for me upon the -tomb of Queen Epiphia, whose memory and kindness I -shall ever cherish deep in my heart.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right3">I once more write, farewell.</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">{462}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VII.</h3> - -<p class="center small">AARON TO KING SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of Raamses, Egypt.</div> - -<div class="left0">To Sesostris, King of Tyre, Aaron the Hebrew, greeting:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Pardon,</span> -O king, thy servant, for addressing an -epistle to thee; but when thou art informed of the reason -which has led me to take this liberty, thou wilt, I -feel, acquit me of too great boldness.</p> - -<p>Know, O King Sesostris, that my brother, thy beloved -friend, who wrote the letter which I send to thee with -this epistle (and which he himself would have forwarded, -but for what I am about to relate), has fled from Egypt, -pursued by the vindictive power of Pharaoh. I will, as -briefly as I can, make known to thee the painful circumstances -which led to this result.</p> - -<p>The morning after he had completed his letter to thee, -O king, he said to me, "I will go forth and see my -brethren who are at work on Lake Mœris, that I may -talk also with the old and young men, and inspire their -heavy hearts with hope." So he departed, and, crossing -the river, disguised as an Egyptian,—for no Hebrew -dare now be seen walking alone for fear of being challenged -by the soldiers, who garrison all the country, -and stand guard at every corner, and at every gate,—he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">{463}</a></span> -came to the shores of Lake Amense, the beauty of -which, with its garden and palace-lined shores, so much -pleased thee, O king, when, five years ago, thou wast in -Egypt. There he saw King Mœris clothed in scarlet, -a chain of gold across his breast, standing in his chariot, -as he slowly drove around the lake, giving directions to -the chief captains over the works. My brother was -not recognized by him, however, and went on his way, -observing the severe labors of his brethren. In the two -hours that he was there, he saw three strong men lie -down in the foul water and die! At length, coming to -a place where several young and old men were working -together, he beheld such cruelty exercised upon them, -that he groaned in spirit, and prayed the Almighty to -shorten the days of the four hundred years, and come to -their deliverance. Unable longer to behold sufferings -that he could not relieve, he walked sadly away, deeply -meditating upon the mysterious providence of the Almighty, -in His dealings with the seed of His servant -Abraham. After a little time he found himself in a -narrow, sand-drifted lane, between two walls, when he -was suddenly aroused from his reflections by a cry of -pain, accompanied by sharp blows with a stick. He -looked up, and spied an Egyptian taskmaster dragging -by the hair Izhur, a youth whom he greatly loved. -The Egyptian had pursued him, as he fled up the lane -from his blows, and was now plainly intent, in his great -wrath, upon putting him to death.</p> - -<p>My brother, indignant and grieved, commanded him -in a tone of authority to release him; whereupon the -Egyptian, cursing him by his gods, drew his knife from -its sheath and would in revenge have driven it into the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">{464}</a></span> -heart of Izhur, when Moses caught his arm, and bade -the young man fly. The Egyptian, thereupon, would -have slain my brother, who, looking this way and that, -and seeing they were alone, struck him to the earth -with one blow of his hand, in the name of the God of -Abraham, the Avenger of his people, so that he died on -the spot! He then hid the body in the sand, and returned -home, where he made known to me what he -had done.</p> - -<p>"Surely," I said, in amazement, "thou art the first -Hebrew, my brother, who hath slain an Egyptian. A -divine motion must have moved thee! Peradventure it -is by <i>thy arm</i> that he will yet deliver his people!"</p> - -<p>Thereupon my brother, with his characteristic modesty, -said—</p> - -<p>"Not mine! not mine, my brother! Breathe into -my heart no such ambitious pride! Yet I felt moved -and animated by God to do this. Therefore do I justify -the act to man and my own conscience."</p> - -<p>The next day, my brother visited the lake again, intending -to make its circuit, and see certain elders to -whom he wished to make himself known,—men wise -and good, who were superintending the work of others -of their own people. On his way he perceived two -Hebrews striving together, and as he came up, one of -them struck the other with his working tool, so that he -staggered from the blow.</p> - -<p>"Sirs, ye are brethren," he said; "why do ye strive -together, seeing ye are brethren?"—and then added, -sternly and sorrowfully, to the one who had struck the -blow—</p> - -<p>"Friend, why hast thou done this wrong? He whom -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">{465}</a></span> -thou hast stricken is a Hebrew. Do not your taskmasters -beat you enough, that you must strike each other?"</p> - -<p>Whereupon the man who did the injury to his fellow, -said fiercely, looking narrowly upon my brother—</p> - -<p>"Thou art Remeses, the Hebrew 'son of Pharaoh's -daughter!' I remember thee. Dost thou think that -thou art still a Prince of Egypt? Mœris is now our -king. Who hath made <i>thee</i> prince and judge over us? -Thou forgettest that thou art now a slave, like the rest of -us. Intendest thou to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian -yesterday?"</p> - -<p>No sooner had the man thus spoken, than Moses, -alarmed, perceived that the thing was known, and beholding -the eyes of the Egyptian officers, and many of -the Hebrews fastened upon him, he hastened to escape, -for he beheld several men run to a high officer of the -king, as if with the news, who at once drove rapidly -away in his chariot, probably seeking Mœris, whom my -brother knew to be not far off, superintending the -placing of a statue of Horus upon a new terrace. Several -Hebrews would have interposed to arrest Moses, -when they heard who he was, for they look upon him -more as an Egyptian than as one of their brethren. But -he succeeded in retiring unharmed, and at once hastened -to recross the Nile. When he had told us that what he -had done to the Egyptian was known, and that he was -recognized, and that Mœris would surely hear of it, his -mother and I advised his immediate flight.</p> - -<p>He said that he had no doubt the king would seek his -destruction, and that he ought to be cautious and consult -his own preservation. "But," he added, "I do not fear -the wrath of Pharaoh so far that, were I in his power, I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">{466}</a></span> -would either deny, excuse, or ask pardon for my act. -What I have done I will justify. The oppressor deserved -to die! And so, one day, will God, by the hand -of a Hebrew, slay Pharaoh and all his hosts!" This -was spoken with the light of prophecy in his noble face, -as if his words were inspiration. When Amram, his -father, came in, and heard all, he said—</p> - -<p>"The God of Jacob be glorified! There is one man -in Israel to whom He has given courage to smite the -oppressor of his people! Fly, my son! Fly not for -fear, for thou art a brave man and hast been a tried -soldier; but fly to preserve a life which my spirit tells -me will yet be dear to our people!"</p> - -<p>"My father," said Moses sorrowfully, "I believed -that my brethren would understand that God was with -me, and would acknowledge me as sent to be their -friend, instead of joining the Egyptians against me! I -will fly! Mœris would rejoice to hold me in his power! -But with the hope, that even in a foreign land I may -serve my people, at least by prayer and supplication -to God for them, I will keep my life out of Pharaoh's -hand."</p> - -<p>In the garb of an Egyptian, with a store of provisions, -and taking gold in his purse, my brother embraced us -all, and departed from the house, my mother weeping -and saying—</p> - -<p>"A second time have I given up my son from the -sword of Pharaoh,—once to the waters and now to the -desert sands!"</p> - -<p>"And the waters, O woman," said my father, "gave -him to be a prince of Egypt, and from the sands of the -desert God can call him to be king over Israel!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">{467}</a></span> -I looked into my venerable father's face, for often of -late years he is gifted with prophetic inspirations, and I -saw that his aged eyes shone with a supernatural lustre. -My brother returned a few steps, again embraced his -mother, bowed his head before his father for his blessing, -arose, and went on his way eastward. I accompanied -him for an hour, when tenderly embracing we parted—he -taking the way towards Midian. Ru-el Jethro, the -lord of that country, O king, which was settled by -Midian, son of Abram, by Keturah, thou didst meet at -this table of thy friend "Remeses," when thou wast in -Egypt, at which time, thou mayst remember, he invited -my brother to visit his kingdom in Arabia.</p> - -<p>It was well for Moses that he so thoroughly knew -the character of King Mœris; for when I returned, I -learned from my mother, that a party of soldiers had -been sent by Pharaoh to seize him. Another hour, and -he would have fallen into his hand.</p> - -<p>At my mother's request, O king, I have written the -foregoing, and now inclose his letter to you. I had no -sooner entered my house, than I saw my parents and -sister preparing to fly from the king, fearing his vengeance -when he should learn of the escape of Moses! -Not that Pharaoh cared for the life of the slain Egyptian, -but he would gladly seize upon the occasion, as a -pretext to destroy his former rival.</p> - -<p>May God long preserve thy life, O king.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Written in Egypt by thy servant,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Aaron the Hebrew.</div> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">{468}</a></span></div> - -<p class="center">AFTER AN INTERVAL OF FORTY YEARS,<br /> -<span class="small">REMESES, PRINCE OF TYRE AND OF DAMASCUS,</span><br /> -<span class="x-small">SON OF SESOSTRIS,<br /> -VISITS EGYPT, AND ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING</span><br /> -<span class="small"><i>Series of Letters to his Father</i>.</span></p> - -<h2>LETTERS<br /><span class="small">OF REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO HIS FATHER, KING SESOSTRIS.</span></h2> - -<h3>LETTER I.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Palace of Pharaoh, Lake Mœris</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Father and King:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">It</span> -is with emotions of no ordinary kind, that I -find myself amid the scenes familiar to your eyes, when -forty-six years ago, a young man, you visited Egypt. -Every object upon which I gaze is invested with new -interest as I reflect—"And this my father also saw. On -this pylon he has stood and surveyed the landscape; -and along these corridors, his feet have awakened the -echoes which respond to mine."</p> - -<p>The letters which you wrote from Egypt, during the -reign of the wise Queen Amense, addressed to my royal -grandmother, and which are now in my possession, early -familiarized my mind with this wonderful land; and I -recognize every place of interest, from your descriptions.</p> - -<p>There are, however, some changes. Pharaoh-Mœris, -who has been long dead, and his son Meiphra-Thothmes, -Thothmeses his grandson, and Thothmeses IV., the present -king, all inaugurated their reigns by laying the -foundations of temples, palaces, and pyramids; while -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">{469}</a></span> -the ruins of others have been repaired. Mœris restored -the ancient temple of Thoth, in the Island of Rhoda, -where Prince Remeses was hidden three months, and -also all other temples in Egypt. His reign, though -tyrannical, was distinguished by improvement in arts, -in letters, in astronomy, architecture, and arms. His -pyramid is an imposing one, and singularly pre-eminent, -by having an obelisk at each angle. His lake, however, -is this Pharaoh's greatest monument, if I may so -term it.</p> - -<p>This lake was begun by former princes, and enlarged -by Queen Amense, in order to receive the surplus waters -of the Nile, when the inundations, as sometimes happen, -arise and overflow the fields after the corn is up. The -lake, however, was not large enough wholly to correct -this evil, and King Mœris still further enlarged it, by -means of the services of the Hebrews, three hundred -thousand of whom, it is said, perished in the work, before -it was completed. It is ample enough in breadth -and depth to contain the excess of the Nile. One of -the wonders of the world, it is only paralleled in grandeur -by the pyramids. In the midst of this magnificent -inland sea—for such it seems—arise two pyramids, -upon the summit of each of which, three hundred and -eight feet in the air, stands upon a throne, shaped like a -chariot, a statue, one being that of Thoth, the other of -Mœris. Upon the former is inscribed—</p> - -<p>"The god prospered;" on the other, "Pharaoh builded." -Beneath this inscription is written—</p> - -<p>"This lake is three hundred and forty miles in circumference, -and one hundred and fifty feet in depth. Within -its bounds it can contain all the rivers of the earth."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">{470}</a></span> -This sublime work, my dear father, has upon the east -side a canal eighty feet broad, and four leagues in -length. At its entrance are seated two colossi, figures -of Apis and Mnevis; and along its shores are double -rows of trees, bordering a terrace, upon which face palaces, -villas, temples, gardens, and squares. At the Nile -termination stands a single colossus, representing the -god Nilus. He is astride the canal, his feet upon the -bases of pyramids, and beneath him are great floodgates, -that let in or exclude the waters of the river. On -the south of the lake, upon a plain of sand, Mœris -erected a vast temple to Serapis, dedicated it with great -pomp, and inclosed it by gardens a mile square, the -earth of which was carried by Hebrews in baskets, -from the excavations of the lake. He commenced a -noble avenue of sphinxes, leading from the lake to the -temple, and which has been recently completed by -Thothmeses IV., who last week invited me to be present -at its inauguration. It was a magnificent spectacle, -first the procession of priests and soldiers, nobles and -citizens, with the king and his court, in a thousand galleys, -sailing across the lake; then the landing at the -majestic pylon, the march of the procession for a mile -between the double row of sphinxes, the mighty temple -terminating the vista, and the solemn invocations, libations, -and sacrifices before the god.</p> - -<p>I marvel, my dear father, at such splendor having no -other object than a black bull; such glory leading to -an enshrined brute, before whom all this magnificence, -power, and rank fall prostrate, as to God! Happy am -I, O my wise and good father, to have been early instructed -in the knowledge of the true God. I pity while -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">{471}</a></span> -I admire what I see in Egypt. This king is an intelligent -man, and I often feel like saying to him, "O king, -dost thou believe in thy heart that this bull is God?"</p> - -<p>The shores of this vast artificial sea are lined with -groves, palaces, and waving fields. The sides of the -Libyan hills are terraced and adorned with marble palaces -and gardens. At one point, where the cliffs stretch -into the lake, are four temples, facing four ways, respectively -dedicated to Athor, Pthah, Apis, and Bubastis, -the four deities of Memphis; and their sides are covered -with golden bronze, so that, in the sunlight, nothing can -be more gorgeous.</p> - -<p>Upon a small island, opposite this gilded promontory, -and left for the purpose, Thothmeses II. erected, during -his brief reign, a temple of Syenite stone to the goddess -Isis, before which is a recumbent figure of Osiris, seventy -feet in length. Its vestibule is enriched with sculpture, -and is the most splendid portico in Egypt. In the interior -it is surrounded by a peristyle of statues representing -the twelve constellations, each eighteen feet in -height.</p> - -<p>Besides all these, I have visited, my dear father, during -the six weeks I have been in Egypt, the "Plain of the -Mummies," the Catacombs, the Labyrinth—a marvel of -mystery and perplexity to one not initiated into the -intricacies of its mazes—the chief pyramids, and that -also of Queen Amense, at the entrance of which I placed -fresh flowers for your sake.</p> - -<p>Pharaoh-Mœris greatly extended the bounds of Memphis. -It is not less than twelve miles in circuit. He -covered with it a large portion of the plain westward of -the pyramids; and where once was a barren waste, are -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">{472}</a></span> -now streets, avenues, colonnades, temples, public edifices, -aqueducts, causeways, and all the splendor of metropolitan -magnificence. Avenues of sphinxes are almost innumerable; -colossal statues, obelisks, and pyramids -meet the eye everywhere. Near the foot of the hills -he formed a chariot-course, that extends three miles -along the lake. In the rock of the cliff he caused to be -hewn fourteen sarcophagi of black marble, and of gigantic -dimensions. In these he entombed the bodies of as -many tributary kings, when, in succession, they died; -commanding their mummies to be brought into Egypt -for the purpose. He has everywhere multiplied, with -singular variety, his statues; and in front of this tomb of -kings stands one of them upon a pedestal, the feet of -which are fourteen sculptured crowns, representatives -of their own.</p> - -<p>But, my dear father, Egypt is so familiar to you, that I -will not weary you with any more descriptions, unless, -indeed, I should visit the City of a Hundred Gates, as -you were not able to go thither. I will speak, however, -of a visit that I paid yesterday to the sphinx that stands -before Chephres, and near Cheops. I was impressed, as -you were, with the grandeur of the whole. But the -great ancient temple, which you spoke of as ruinous, -has, in forty-five years, become still more defaced. Indeed, -the reigning Pharaoh has expressed his intention -of removing it altogether, so that the pyramids may -stand forth in solitary majesty.</p> - -<p>Among other events of the reign of Mœris, was the -discovery, by him, that the tradition which represented -the great sphinx as being hollowed into chambers was a -true one. He found the entrance, which was beneath -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">{473}</a></span> -the small temple, between the fore-paws of the statue. -What he discovered is known to no man; but it is -certain that he suddenly displayed vast treasures of gold -and silver, jewels and precious stones, with which he -carried on his magnificent and expensive works.</p> - -<p>You have not forgotten the Ethiopian captive king, -Occhoris. He still exists, though his beard is snow -white and his form bent. He remains a captive, each -monarch in succession retaining so important a personage -in chains, annually to grace their processions to the -temples of the gods.</p> - -<p>The condition, my dear father, of the Hebrew people, -in whom you are so deeply interested, has enlisted all -my sympathies also. Forty years have multiplied their -number, notwithstanding all the ingenious efforts of -the Pharaohs to destroy them by deadly labors, until -they amount to three millions and a half of souls. The -population of Egypt is only seven millions; and thus, -for every two Egyptians there is one Hebrew. This -alarming state of things fills the mind of Thothmeses -IV. with ceaseless anxiety. He does not hesitate to -confess to me, freely, his fears for the security of his -crown.</p> - -<p>I have not yet described this monarch to you. When -I arrived and presented your letters, he received me -with marked courtesy; inquired after your welfare and -the prosperity of your reign; asked your age, and when -I told him you were seventy-three, he said he knew of -no king so aged, unless it was Jethro, king of Midian. -He inquired why I had delayed coming to Egypt until -I was forty-two (for I told him my age, which exactly -corresponds with his own); and when I informed him -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">{474}</a></span> -that I had been engaged in improving and restoring -my kingdom of Damascus, which I inherited from my -mother, and which the Sabans had thrice invaded and -devastated before I came of age, he expressed his pleasure -that peace was restored, and that I had come into -Egypt, at last. He seems naturally superstitious, credulous, -and irresolute. I think he possesses little or no -stability of character, and that he is easily influenced to -do evil. He is timid in his policy, yet rash; vain of his -wisdom, yet constantly guilty of follies; a devout worshipper -of his gods, yet a slave to the basest personal -vices; jealous of his rights, yet, from want of courage, -suffering them continually to be invaded, both by his -subjects and tributary princes; a man whose word is -kept, only so far as his present interest demands; who -will pardon to-night a suppliant, from irresolution and -morbid pity, and execute him in the morning when the -coldness of his nature returns. Were he my friend, I -should distrust him; were he my foe, I would not delay -to place the sea between me and his sword.</p> - -<p>Under such a prince, you may imagine that the condition -of the Hebrew people is not less pitiable than under -his predecessors. Fearing them, he doubles their tasks, -and resorts to every device of destruction, short of open -and indiscriminate slaughter. Yet even this infernal -idea has been suggested by him to his private council; -but it was opposed, on the ground that the burial of so -many millions would be impossible, and that a plague -would result fatal to the population of Egypt.</p> - -<p>So the Hebrews still exist, feared, suspected, and -crushed by additional burdens. I have been among -them, and, as you directed, have made many cautious -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">{475}</a></span> -inquiries after the learned Hebrew, Moses. They are -more enlightened than when you saw them. The idea -of God is less obscure in their minds, while their hope -of a deliverer is bright and ever present. Few of the -old men remember Remeses, or Moses; and none of them -know any thing of his present abode, but seem sure he -is long since dead. I have become deeply interested in -some of these venerable men, in whose majestic features, -set off by flowing beards, I recognize the lineaments of -Abram, their ancestor, as sculptured on the mausoleum -of his servant, "Eliezer of Damascus." The beauty of the -children and young women, amid all their degradation, -is wonderful. I was struck with the seeming good feeling -which existed among these and the women of Egypt. -The latter, either from pity, or because the Hebrew -women are gentle and attractive, hold kind intercourse -with them; and at a marriage, which I witnessed in one -of their huts, the Hebrew females, especially the bride, -were decked with jewels loaned to them by their friends, -the Egyptian maidens. I have also been struck with -the patient, uncomplaining, and gentle manner in which -the Hebrews speak of the Egyptians, excepting their -task-officers—who are brutal soldiers—and the king. -Generations of oppression have made them forbearing -and submissive; and, besides, the Egyptians and Hebrews, -who now know one another, knew each other -as children, before either could understand their different -positions.</p> - -<p>Here and there I have met a lord who recalled your -visit, dear father, with pleasure; but were you now here -you would feel a stranger indeed.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my honored and revered father. I will continue -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">{476}</a></span> -my inquiries after Prince Remeses. To my sister -Amense, and her husband, Sisiris, king of Sidon, give -my kindest greetings.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="left0">My dearest Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2">I unseal this epistle to inform you, that while it -has been lying three days, waiting for the galley of the -Lord of Sarepta to depart, I have had intelligence of -your old friend Remeses. He lives, and is in Midian, -as you suspected, and is well, though, of course, far advanced -in years. This is all that I can now add to my -letter, as the secretary of the Sareptan noble is in my -reception-room, and lingers only to take this letter, the -wind being now favorable.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your faithful son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">{477}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER II.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES OF DAMASCUS, TO HIS FATHER, KING SESOSTRIS OF PHŒNICIA.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On, Egypt.</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Having</span> -an opportunity, my dearest father, to send -this letter the day after to-morrow, I will herewith make -known to you, how I obtained the intelligence, that your -ancient friend Remeses is still in the kingdom of Midian, -whither he fled from King Mœris.</p> - -<p>In obedience to your last instructions, I have diligently -made all inquiries that were likely to obtain the -information which your lively friendship prompts you to -seek. There is something, dear father, very beautiful in -this undying attachment, which has survived a period of -forty years, and which still looks forward to behold the -beloved face of thy cherished friend once more!</p> - -<p>Learning yesterday that a caravan had arrived from -Ezion-geber (by the Edomites called Ekkaba), which -lies near the head of the orient arm of the Red or -Arabian Sea, and not far from which are the borders of -peninsular Midian, I crossed the Nile to the suburbs of -the City of the Sun, where the caravan had found quarters -in the quadrangle of the Serail.</p> - -<p>Having found the governor of the company of merchants, -I made myself known to him as a foreign prince, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">{478}</a></span> -travelling for knowledge, and sight of men and scenes. -He courteously received me, and I asked him many -questions about his country, his journey, and the articles -he brought, until he was at his ease with me, when I -inquired if he had ever been in Midian. He answered -that he himself was a Midianite, and that twenty days -before he had left Midian to join the caravan, part -of which belonged to Jethro, prince and priest of that -country. Upon hearing this name, dear father, I was -struck by its similarity to that mentioned in the last -letter of Aaron the Hebrew, as being that of the king -of the country who had invited Moses, while prince, to -visit him.</p> - -<p>"Dost thou know this Prince Jethro?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"I have sat at his feet—his hand has often rested -upon my head when I was a lad," he answered.</p> - -<p>"You call him a priest," I said; "what is his religion?"</p> - -<p>"That of our progenitor, Abram the Chaldean."</p> - -<p>"The Hebrews sprung from Abram," I replied.</p> - -<p>"Yes, by Sara, his first wife. The Midianites are the -sons of Midian, a son of Abram by Keturah, the wife -he took after Sara died. The cities of Epher, Ephah, and -Hanoch, in Midian, were founded by princes who were -this same Abram's grandsons, and sons of Midian."</p> - -<p>"Do you worship the God of Abram—or Abraham, -as the Hebrews call their ancestor?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Hast thou ever heard, O prince," he said, with -feeling, "that we were idolaters, or fire-worshippers, or -that we pray to bulls, and beasts, and creeping things, -as these Egyptians do? We worship one God—the -Lord of Heaven—the Almighty Creator, who revealed -Himself to our father Abram."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">{479}</a></span> -When I told him that I also worshipped the same -God, he took my hand, kissed it reverently, and said -solemnly—</p> - -<p>"There is but one God!"</p> - -<p>"What is your form of worship, that your king is -also your priest?" I inquired.</p> - -<p>"By sacrifices. Morning and evening, the priests -offer up to God incense, and oblations, and sacrifices of -lambs. Hence we have large flocks and herds. On -great days, the king himself officiates, lays his hand -upon the head of the victim, and asks the Almighty to -take the life of the sacrifice instead of that of the people, -and to visit upon its head the wrath which the kingdom -had incurred."</p> - -<p>"Did Abram thus sacrifice?"</p> - -<p>"Not only Abram, but Noah, the first father, and all -the fathers of the old world. Our worship, therefore, O -prince, consists in offering the life of a victim, to preserve -our own!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, if the great Lord of Heaven will so receive it! -For who can weigh the life of a man with that of his -lamb?" I said.</p> - -<p>"None but God, who, in His goodness and glory, -wills it so to be!" answered the Midianite.</p> - -<p>"Hast thou ever heard, in Midian, of a Hebrew called -Moses?"</p> - -<p>"Dost thou mean Moses the Egyptian?" he asked, -quickly.</p> - -<p>"He was educated an Egyptian, and was supposed to -be the son of Pharaoh's daughter, but was only adopted -by her; and being discovered to be a Hebrew, he left -Egypt."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">{480}</a></span> -"This same Moses, once Prince Remeses, is now in -Midian, where he hath been these forty years," answered -the venerable chief-captain of the caravan. "He is son-in-law -to our prince, who has made him ruler over all -the companies of shepherds in the region that lieth between -the city of Keturah and the sea, and even to the -back of the desert, where, on the sides of Horeb and -the valleys thereof, he feeds his flocks. Moreover, there -also he meditates, and writes in a cave—for he is a man -of vast learning, and greatly revered in Midian as a -wise sage. He is married to the daughter of the Prince -Ru-el Jethro, and by her hath had many sons, but two -only—mere lads—remain, the rest having died early. -Surely, what man in Midian knoweth not Moses, the -wise shepherd of Horeb?"</p> - -<p>Upon hearing this good news, dear father, I rejoiced, -in anticipation, at the pleasure you would receive, when -you should read my letter containing the pleasing -tidings. I now asked the good Midianite when he -would return. He said that in seven days he should -depart, and that it would take him eleven days to reach -that part of the country where Moses dwelt. Upon -this, my dear father, after making sundry other inquiries -about the route, I determined to accompany him; for I -knew you would value one letter from me, saying I had -seen and spoken with your friend face to face, more -highly than many from the hundred-gated Thebes. I -shall be gone but one month, and shall be well repaid, -not only by seeing Moses, whose noble countenance I -can just recollect as a pleasant remembrance of my -childhood, but by conferring upon him the unexpected -pleasure of hearing from you by your son, his namesake. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">{481}</a></span> -Thus, for your sake, as well as for his, and also -my own gratification in seeing a new and rarely visited -country, I take my departure with the caravan. After -I reach Midian, and have seen your old friend in the -land of his long exile, I will write to you fully of all -that may interest you.</p> - -<p>May the God of Abraham and of Moses have you -always in His sacred keeping.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your loving son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">{482}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER III.</h3> - -<p class="center small">MOSES TO SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Land of Midian.</div> - -<div class="left0">My venerable and beloved King and Friend:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">With</span> -what emotions of joy and gratitude I embraced -your princely son, Remeses, I can feebly express! -I give God thanks for this happiness, vouchsafed to me -in my eighty-first year, of hearing from you again, and -by the mouth of your son. I rejoice to hear of your welfare, -and prosperous reign. The sight of the young Remeses -revives all the past, and in his face I see, with delight, -your features and smile. I also perceive that he possesses -all your virtues, and, above all, that you have -taught him the knowledge of the true God. His presence -here, and his readiness to come across the desert to -see me, gratifies me. It assures me that I am loved -by you both! Although, my friend, I have not written -to you—for, since my flight from Egypt, my life has -been wholly without events—yet, from time to time, by -foreign merchants who have been in Tyre, I have had -news of you, and of your prosperity. Until I beheld -your son, I believed that I was quite forgotten!</p> - -<p>I shall keep Remeses with me as long as he will remain. -My way of life, however, is humble. We are a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">{483}</a></span> -pastoral people, and my occupation is that of a shepherd; -for, though I am chief shepherd of the land, yet -do I not disdain to lead my own flocks to feed upon the -mountains,—where, as they browse, I meditate in solitude -upon God, and also think upon the sad condition -of my brethren in bondage in Egypt. Four kings have -reigned and perished, and yet the sons of Jacob toil on, -exchanging only one oppressor for another, each more -cruel than the last! But the day draws near for their -deliverance, O Sesostris, my friend and brother! The -four hundred years of prophecy are drawing to a close! -On the arrival of every caravan from Egypt I look for -intelligence, that a deliverer has arisen, who, lifting the -standard of the God of Abraham, shall call on Israel to -rally around it, exchange their spades for spears, assert -their freedom, and defy Pharaoh and his power! Who -will be this hero of God? Who the favored man, to -whom shall be committed the happiness and glory of -leading the mighty Hebrew nation out of Egypt? Will -they hear his voice? Will they acknowledge his authority? -Will they have the courage to follow him? or -has the yoke of Egypt, so long bound their necks down, -that they have no hope nor desire to be free? Thus I -meditate upon their fate, and meanwhile pray earnestly -to my God to send the deliverer of my people; for the -time is come when He will remember His promise to -Abraham, and to our fathers!</p> - -<p>From the painful accounts that your son Remeses -gives me, the cup of their bondage is full to overflowing!—also -the cup of Egypt!—for the same prophecy -which foretells their deliverance after four hundred -years, adds, "and the nation which they serve will I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">{484}</a></span> -judge." Thus, O king, do I look forward to the overthrow -of the power of Egypt, when God shall send His -angel to deliver Israel from beneath Pharaoh's hand of -iron.</p> - -<p>What courage, wisdom, patience, meekness, faith, -dignity of person, and ardent piety, must the servant of -God have, who will lead Israel out of bondage! What -man on earth is sufficient for this high office? What -man in all Egypt, among the Hebrews, has God raised -up and endowed with these attributes? Alas, I know -none! They are all oppressed and broken in heart, and -the spirit of manhood has died out within them! But -He who wills can do! and He can arm with power the -weakest instrument of His will! Let us trust in Him! -for by <i>His</i> arm, whoever be the agent, they will be -delivered.</p> - -<p>During my exile I have re-written the book of the -life of the Prince of Uz, with great care, and a larger -share of the wisdom of God. At the same time I have -instructed many, in Midian, in the truths of God. It -has also seemed good to me, under the inspiration of the -Almighty, to write, from our divine traditions, a narrative -of the first acts of creation, from the beginning, -when God created the heavens and the earth, down to -the death of Prince Joseph. Of this book, a copy has -been made by my wife Zipporah, which I will send -to you by Prince Remeses for your acceptance.</p> - -<p>With greetings of true and holy friendship, I am, O -King Sesostris, thy servant and friend,</p> -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Moses the Hebrew.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">{485}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER IV.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO THE KING HIS FATHER.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Cave in Horeb, Wilderness of Midian.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear and royal Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I have</span> -been two weeks a guest of your venerable -friend, the Hebrew, Moses. My journey across the -desert was agreeable from its novelty, and my sensations -upon the boundless waste, were combined emotions -of solitude and sublimity, similar to those I -experienced on the great sea. Our route, after leaving -the land of Egypt, continued eastward for five -days—most of the time in the Arabian desert, with -the mountains of Etham on our right, far to the south. -Having on the sixth day passed round the western horn -of the Sea of Arabia, we turned southwardly into the -desert of Shur, which terminated at the base of a low -range of hills, of mingled cliff and pasture-land. A -valley opened between, and after three days' journeying, -amid vales filled with herds and Arabian villages, we -entered a mountainous region, the sea being on our -right. Every hour the scenery became more grand and -rugged, until the ridges, constantly rising in altitude, -stretched far southwardly, and terminated in a majestic -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">{486}</a></span> -twin-peaked mountain, midway between the two arms -or horns of the sea.</p> - -<p>"That is Horeb," said the chief of the caravan. "It -is in the land of Midian, though remote from the town -of the king. In that mountain the royal flocks are -pastured, and there you will find your father's friend -Moses the Hebrew, either with his shepherds and flocks -or in the retirement of his cave."</p> - -<p>The same evening we entered the valley of Mount -Horeb, which rose in sublime majesty, with its double -crown, far into the skies above us. We had turned an -angle of the mountain, which rose as abruptly as a -pyramid from the plain, and were entering a gorge -through which a road lay to the city of the king—a -day's journey distant—when I beheld, from my camel, -a shepherd standing upon a rock and leaning upon his -staff—his sheep reclining about him. He was a tall, -venerable man, with dark locks mingled with white, -and a beard, like snow for whiteness, that descended -over his breast. There was a majesty, and yet simplicity, -in his aspect and costume, which impressed me, as -he stood—the evening sun lighting up his kingly visage—upon -a rock, like the statue of the god of the mountain-pass.</p> - -<p>My heart instinctively said, "This is Moses!"</p> - -<p>"Lo! there stands the son-in-law of Jethro!" said the -merchant.</p> - -<p>I immediately caused my camel to kneel, and descended -to the ground with haste and joy. The next -moment I was bending before thy friend, my dear -father, crying, with reverent feelings of emotion—</p> - -<p>"I am Remeses, son of Sesostris, thy friend! Venerable -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">{487}</a></span> -father, give me thy blessing, for I bear thy -name!"</p> - -<p>He regarded me for an instant with surprise, and -then raising me, embraced me and said, a holy radiance -of love and joy illumining his face—</p> - -<p>"I see thy father, and hear his voice, in thee! Welcome, -my son! How fares the good king? Hast thou -ventured across the desert to see the exiled Hebrew?" -he asked, with a smile of benignity and pleasure, as he -gazed upon me. "The sight of thee brings up all the -past!"</p> - -<p>His voice was disturbed with emotion; though I perceived -it had also a slight natural embarrassment of -speech. I related why I had come, and gave him your -messages of love. He took me to his cave, or grotto, -which is like those of the sacred priests in Lebanon. -The caravan encamped, near by, that night, and I remained -in the company of the wise and virtuous sage. -We conversed, for many hours, of you, of Tyre, of my -grandmother, of Queen Amense, of the Hebrews in -bondage, and his certain hope of their speedy deliverance.</p> - -<p>How happy the princely old man was to hear from -you, my dear father! What a venerable and holy -friendship exists between you!—fresh and green at -fourscore, as in the fire and impulse of youth!</p> - -<p>The next day, I accompanied him to the chief city of -Midian. There I beheld his matronly wife, Zipporah—and -his two sons, beautiful and ingenuous youth of sixteen -and eighteen. I was also presented to the venerable -Ru-el Jethro, or the King Jethro, now one hundred -and one years old, but retaining the full vigor of manhood. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">{488}</a></span> -He described to me pleasantly, under what circumstances -he first met Moses, forty years ago.</p> - -<p>"My seven daughters," said the patriarchal Prince of -Midian, "were with my shepherds at the well, near the -city, drawing water for the flocks; for the prince of the -mountain having no water, had thrice sent his shepherds -to draw it from this well, when we had but little for our -own herds. I sent my daughters, thinking that they -would reverence their presence; but the mountain shepherds -would have driven them away, when a stranger, -who was seated by the well, rose up, and with great -courage chastised the assailants. Though many in number, -they fled from him in great fear, when he turned -and bade my daughters remain and heed them not; and -he helped them water the flocks.</p> - -<p>"When they returned to me earlier than I looked for -them, I inquired the cause, and they replied—</p> - -<p>"'An Egyptian, a mighty man of valor, delivered us -out of the hand of the shepherds, and aided us also in -drawing water for our flocks.' 'Where is he?' I asked. -'Why is it that ye have left this brave stranger at the -well?' They answered: 'He is an Egyptian;' for such -from his dress, and speech, and looks, they believed him -to be. I then sent my daughter Zipporah after him, to -invite him to come and eat bread with me. From that -day we became friends, and when I learned his story, -that he was a Hebrew, and like myself, a descendant of -Abram, I gave him Zipporah to wife, and he was content -to remain in the land, and is now the greatest and -wisest man in it, for God is with him."</p> - -<p>I was much interested in this brief account, my dear -father, and believe that you will be, as it is a connecting -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">{489}</a></span> -link in the life of Moses, that has been hitherto -wanting.</p> - -<p>The following week, I retired with Moses to the -mountains, and here I pass my days, listening to his sublime -teachings. Not all the wisdom and learning of -Egypt can compare with his sublime knowledge. The -secrets of nature, the mysteries of creation, seem unveiled -to his intellectual vision. It is his habit to pass -an hour or two every night in prayer, upon the mountain, -beneath the silent stars, communing alone with his -God, as if he were the high-priest of the earth, Horeb -his altar, the universe his temple, and his theme the -Hebrew nation in Egypt. Ah! my dear father, if God -is to deliver them from Egypt by the hand of man, my -heart tells me that Moses will be appointed their deliverer; -for who on earth has so at heart their misery, or -supplicates Heaven so earnestly for aid in their behalf? -It is true he is an old man, seven years your senior, but -his step is as firm as mine, his eye clear and brave, his -natural force not abated, and his looks those of a man -in his prime—so healthful is this mountain life, and the -simple routine of his days.</p> - -<p>He has written to you. I shall be the bearer of his -letter, as well as of this, which I write in the door of his -grotto, facing the valley, with the sea beyond. There -go the ships of Ezion-geber, and the galleys of Ind. -Far to the west is the blue line of the shores of Arabian -Egypt, and to the east the rocky land of Arabia, -and Eastern Midian. The prospect is sublime, and, at -this hour of sunset, while purple mists are upon the -hills, and a golden light upon the sea, it is beautiful and -serene.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">{490}</a></span> -I had almost neglected to inform you, that your -learned and eloquent friend Aaron, the brother of Moses, -was lately in Midian, and was, for a time, an assistant -priest of the sacrifices in the city; but has now returned -to Goshen, where he married many years ago. His -sister Miriam is here with Moses, and is one of the most -majestic women I ever beheld. She is in her ninety-fourth -year, but is as erect and buoyant in her step as -a young and resolute woman. With her snow-white -hair, piercing black eyes, and queenly mien, she looks -like the venerable priestess of the sun at Baal-Phegor. -The mother of Moses also dwells at Midian; but I -think their father died in Arabia Deserta; for thither -they fled from Egypt, before coming finally into -Midian. Aaron is spoken of here as a noble-looking -and stately priest, when, in his flowing robes, he used to -offer sacrifices according to the simple rites of the Midianites, -in the plain temple hewn from the rock, in -which they worship God.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my dear father. I am not surprised that -you love Moses. He has won <i>my</i> heart.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">{491}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER V.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Treasure-city of Raamses, Egypt.</div> - -<div class="left0">My honored and beloved Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">You</span> -will see by the date that I am once more in -Egypt; and I am here under circumstances the most -wonderful and amazing. Remeses—that is, Moses, the -servant of the Most High God—is here also. My trembling -fingers can scarce form the letters legibly, so great -is the emotion under which I now write to you! But I -will not delay to give you a history of the events.</p> - -<p>I wrote to you last, from the grotto of the shepherd-sage -of Horeb.</p> - -<p>The following day he led a portion of his own flock, -from a distant plain, to the secluded valley on the rear -of the mountain of Horeb, away from the sea. Expecting -his return, I had gone forth to meet him, and was -descending a steep path, when I beheld him advancing -before his shepherds, and leading his flock up the -valley. He preceded them some distance, and was -quite alone, when I perceived a bright flame arise by -the side of his path. It rose above the bushes, which it -seemed to consume without smoke. At the same moment -I observed that Moses turned aside and approached -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">{492}</a></span> -the dazzling fire. In an instant he was lost to my -gaze, and enveloped in its flame. I hastened down the -mountain-path, surprised and alarmed at what I had -seen; and, as the way was winding, it was some minutes -before I came to the valley, where I expected to find -the venerable sage consumed by the flames, that appeared -to have surrounded him.</p> - -<p>Upon reaching the valley, lo! I beheld the shepherds -fallen upon their faces, the man of God standing before -the burning bush, his countenance like the sun, and his -raiment shining with supernatural light! My soul was -seized with an indescribable awe at the sight! His -sandals were removed from his feet, and he seemed as if -he were standing in the presence of his God, so awful -was the majesty of his countenance. He appeared to be -holding discourse with one in the flames. I was transfixed -to the spot, and fell upon my face at the sight of -this stupendous vision, feeling the presence of the Almighty -there. Then I heard a voice utter these words -from the midst of the fire, in which I had seen appear -the form of a man, radiant with glory above the -brightness of the sun:</p> - -<p>"I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, -the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."</p> - -<p>While the calm, divine voice spake in still, soft tones, -the earth seemed to tremble, as if its Creator stood -upon it. I looked up with fear and trembling, and, lo! -Moses was standing with his face covered by his shepherd's -mantle, for he was afraid to look upon God; -while my heart sunk within me, and I became as a dead -man.</p> - -<p>When I returned to consciousness, I heard, without -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">{493}</a></span> -raising my face again, Moses talking with the mighty -Angel in the flame, which I perceived rested upon the -thorn-bush like dazzling sunbeams concentrated thereon, -but without consuming or changing a leaf. It was -the radiance alone, of this celestial Person's glorious -presence, that constituted the wonderful flame of fire.</p> - -<p>"I have surely seen," said the Voice from the flaming -glory, "the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, -and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; -for I know their sorrows, and I am come down to deliver -them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to -bring them up out of that land unto a good land, and a -large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey,—the -land of the Canaanites and the Amorites.</p> - -<p>"Now, therefore, behold, the cry of the children of -Israel is come up before me: and I have also seen the -oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. -Come now, therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, -that thou mayest bring forth my people, the -children of Israel, out of Egypt."</p> - -<p>Here the holy and divine Voice ceased. How did its -words thrill my heart! Had the mighty God of the -Hebrews come down from heaven at last to deliver His -people, fulfil His promise to Abram, and also make -Moses the servant of His power? My soul was overpowered -with the thought.</p> - -<p>Then Moses spake, in accents of the profoundest -humility and fear, and said—</p> - -<p>"Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh, and -that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of -Egypt?"</p> - -<p>And the Voice replied—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">{494}</a></span> -"Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a -token unto thee, that I have sent thee,—lo! when thou -hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye and they -shall serve God upon this mountain."</p> - -<p>Then Moses answered the Angel of the flame, with that -meekness and humbleness of heart which characterizes -him—</p> - -<p>"Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, -and shall say unto them, 'The God of your fathers hath -sent me unto you;' and they shall say unto me, 'What -is His name?' what shall I say unto them?"</p> - -<p>The inquiry was made by him with the profoundest -homage in the tones of his reverent voice, not as if he -doubted God, but his brethren. Moreover, he now beheld, -as it were face to face, the Lord God of heaven -and earth, whom he had so long worshipped, and whose -name to men, neither he nor any man knew. And I -heard the Voice answer—with majesty inconceivable, so -that my spirit failed before it—and say unto Moses—</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">I am that I am.</span> Thus shalt thou say unto the -children of Israel, 'I AM hath sent me unto you!'"</p> - -<p>Then after a brief silence, during which Moses fell -upon his face and worshipped, the Voice from the -midst of the fire said:</p> - -<p>"Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'The -Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the -God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto -you. <span class="smcap">This</span> is my <span class="smcap">NAME</span> <i>forever</i>; and this is my memorial -unto all generations!' Go, and gather the elders of -Israel together and say unto them, 'The Lord God of -your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of -Jacob, appeared unto me, saying—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">{495}</a></span> -"'I have surely visited you, and seen that which is -done to you in Egypt; and I have said, I will bring you -out of the affliction of Egypt, unto the land of the -Canaanites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey!' -And the children of Israel shall hearken to thy voice; -and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto -the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him—</p> - -<p>"'The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us; -and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey -into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord -our God.' And I am sure that the king of Egypt will -not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand; and I will -stretch out My hand and smite Egypt with all my wonders -which I will do in the midst thereof; and after that -he will let you go: and when ye go, ye shall not go -empty, but ye shall spoil the Egyptians."</p> - -<p>When the Voice had ceased, I heard Moses answer, -and say with modest diffidence:</p> - -<p>"But, behold, the elders and people of my brethren, -the Hebrews, will not believe me nor hearken to my -voice; for they will say, 'The Lord hath not appeared -unto thee.'"</p> - -<p>How extraordinary, O my father, this humility of the -wisest of men! How impiously vain some sages and -seers would have been, at such an infinite honor as the appearance -of God to them, to talk with them, face to face, -as He did now to Moses,—veiling the ineffable splendor -of His glory under the form of an angel enveloped -in a mantle of dazzling sunbeams,—His presence a flame -of fire! But see this great and holy man modestly declining -the service, considering himself mean and powerless -when compared with the mighty Pharaoh, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">{496}</a></span> -utterly unable to do any thing for the Hebrew nation. -Forty years ago, he had, indeed, felt a divine motion in -himself to deliver them, which he then believed was an -indication that God would use him as an instrument for -that purpose: but forty years an exile, forgotten by the -children of Israel, and being only a ruler of shepherds, -and guardian of the flocks of a small province, he felt -the humility and insignificance of his position, as well as -his total want of means and power to do what God now -commanded him to do. But, lo! God condescends to -inspire him with the confidence and resolution, the -magnanimity and fortitude, that his sublime errand demanded.</p> - -<p>The voice of the Lord spake and said:</p> - -<p>"What is that in thine hand?"</p> - -<p>He answered, "A rod."</p> - -<p>This was the staff with which he climbed the sides of -Horeb, and guided his flock, and upon which he often -leaned his head when he stood and worshipped.</p> - -<p>And the Voice said, with authority:</p> - -<p>"Cast it on the ground."</p> - -<p>As Moses obeyed, I heard first the rod strike the -ground, then a sharp hissing, as of a serpent, and lastly, -a cry of surprise from Moses; when, raising my face -from the earth, upon which I had remained prostrate, -fearing to look upon the glory before me, I perceived, -with horror, a serpent rearing its head angrily into the -air, and Moses flying from before it. Then the Voice -from the ineffable light said to him, "Put forth thy -hand and take it by the tail." Moses, with hesitating -obedience, obeyed, put forth his hand and caught it, -when, lo! it became a rod again in his hand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">{497}</a></span> -"This shall be a sign to them, that they may believe -that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, -the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared -unto thee," was again spoken.</p> - -<p>I had risen, and stood upon my feet in terror, at beholding -the serpent, and would have fled, but had no -power to move. I now heard the Voice command Moses -to thrust his hand into his bosom; and he put his -hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, -it was as leprous as snow. Then the Voice said—for I -heard only, not daring to behold the Angel more—"Put -thy hand into thy bosom again." And he put his hand -into his bosom again; and when he had plucked it out -of his bosom, it was turned again as it was before, like -his other flesh.</p> - -<p>Then I heard the Angel of God, who was God himself, -say to him:</p> - -<p>"It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, -neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they -will believe the voice of the latter sign. If they will -not believe, also, these two signs, neither hearken unto -thy voice, then thou shalt take of the water of the river -of Egypt and pour it upon the dry land, and it shall become -blood."</p> - -<p>Then Moses looked troubled in spirit, and said unto -the Lord—</p> - -<p>"O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, -nor since Thou hast spoken unto thy servant; but I am -slow of speech and of a slow tongue."</p> - -<p>This embarrassment of speech, my dear father, which -existed in a slight degree, as I have heard you say, when -you knew him, and which proceeded from modesty and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">{498}</a></span> -diffidence when expressing himself in intercourse with -others (though with his pen he is powerful and eloquent -beyond all men), has, no doubt, been increased by his -long retirement as a shepherd, and his love of solitude; -yet, nevertheless, he is the most interesting teacher of -wisdom to whom I ever listened. But no one save himself -would accuse him of being slow of speech and slow -of tongue.</p> - -<p>Then the voice of the Lord said, with a rebuke in its -tones—</p> - -<p>"Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the -dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have -not I the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>? Now, therefore, go, and I will be with -thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say!"</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding all this, the heart of Moses failed -him. He trembled at being an ambassador of God to -his people, and said, with great fear and dread visible -in his countenance—</p> - -<p>"Send, I pray Thee; but not by me, but by the hand -of him whom Thou wilt send."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, he fell prostrate before the Lord and -covered his face.</p> - -<p>Then the anger of the Angel of the Lord seemed to be -kindled against Moses, for the flames were agitated and -spread abroad, and shot forth fiery tongues, and I looked -to see him consumed. But from their midst I heard the -Voice demand—</p> - -<p>"Is not Aaron, the Levite, thy brother? I know that -he can speak well; and also, he cometh forth to meet -thee, and when he seeth thee he will be glad in his -heart. And thou shalt speak unto him" (the dread -Voice was no longer in anger), "and put words in his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">{499}</a></span> -mouth; and I will be with thy mouth, and with his -mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. And <i>he</i> -shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and he shall -be, even he shall be unto <i>thee</i> instead of a mouth, and -thou shalt be to <i>him</i> instead of God. And thou shalt -take this rod in thy hand, wherewith thou shalt do -signs."</p> - -<p>Then Moses rose from the ground, and bowed his head -low in submission and obedience to the voice of the -Lord. The flame had already begun to fade slowly, -until it appeared like a golden cloud, which now rapidly -melted away like a mist touched with the setting sun. -The next moment it was invisible, leaving the sacred -bush as before, green with leaves and brilliant with -wild-flowers; and as I gazed, a pair of snow-white doves -lighted upon it.</p> - -<p>Then Moses, lifting up his eyes to heaven, said: "O -Lord God, who is like unto Thee among the gods? Who is -like unto Thee, glorious and fearful, doing wonders? The -Lord shall reign forever, great in power and holiness! -He is my God, and I will praise Him; my fathers' God, -and I will magnify His holy name forever! He hath -remembered His covenant with Abraham, and His vengeance -against the nation that oppresseth His people."</p> - -<p>At this moment I beheld Aaron advancing along the -defile. When he beheld Moses, whose person yet -seemed bright with the lingering glory of the divine -Presence, he ran to him, and kissing him, said—</p> - -<p>"Thus did I behold thee in my vision, brother!"</p> - -<p>"Hast thou also seen God face to face?" demanded -Moses, regarding him with affectionate earnestness, -"that thou art come hither from Egypt so soon?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">{500}</a></span> -"I was at prayer fourteen days ago, in Goshen, when -a vision stood before me!—such a form, doubtless, as -our father Abraham beheld. It said to me, 'Go into -the wilderness to meet Moses.' Then, in the vision, I -beheld thee standing in the mount of God, and the glory -of the Lord shone upon thee, and thou wast talking with -one who seemed like an angel of God, and I knew that -thou wast ordained of Him, with authority to deliver -Israel out of Egypt. Therefore, delaying not, I am come -hither according to the command of the angel of the -Lord. My heart is glad at beholding thee! Speak -now, O my brother, for the angel said to me, 'He shall -tell thee all the words of the Lord, and all the signs -which He hath commanded him.'"</p> - -<p>Moses then told Aaron all the words which God had -spoken unto him, and how the Lord had sent him to -deliver Israel, and had given him courage and power -to obey, removing his fears and confirming his faith. -Thereupon he showed Aaron the rod in his hand, and -said, "If this rod becomes a serpent, as it did before -the Lord, then wilt thou know that He hath sent me, -and is with me! for this is His sign."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, he cast the rod far from him upon the -ground, which it no sooner struck than it became a serpent, -and ran swiftly towards Moses, who reached forth, -and grasping it by the head without fear, lo! it became -again a rod of almond-wood, as before! The other sign -also Moses showed to his brother, who then answered -and said—</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt deliver Israel, and I will be thy servant, -and bear thy rod before thee!"</p> - -<p>I had already, by the invitation of Moses, drawn near -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">{501}</a></span> -to these holy and great men, and walked with them, -feeling, prince that I am, the deepest sense of inferiority -and humility. I felt that I could be the servant of -both, and that I was honored when taking up the sandals -which Moses had put off his feet. I knelt before -him to put them on; but, in his modesty, this prince -appointed of God would not suffer me.</p> - -<p>The two venerable brothers—one eighty years of age, -and the other eighty-three—now walked together towards -the shepherd's cave on the mountain-side, discoursing -of the wonderful and joyful events which had -just passed, of the promised deliverance of Israel, and -how God would accomplish it, and by what sort of exercise -of power and majesty.</p> - -<p>The next day Moses returned to Jethro, and said to -him—</p> - -<p>"I pray thee let me go, and return unto my people -which are in Egypt, and see how they fare, and if my -brethren of the family of Levi be yet alive—for the -Lord hath shown me that all the men are dead which -sought my life." And his venerable father-in-law said—</p> - -<p>"Go in peace."</p> - -<p>Therefore, my dear father, three days afterwards, -Moses, accompanied by his brother and myself, took -leave of Jethro, and taking his wife and son, and holding -the "rod of God" in his hand, left Midian. The -next day we fell in with a caravan from the East, and -after many days I once more reached Egypt. In sight -of On, I parted from Moses, who went with his family -to that part of the land of Goshen where his tribe -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">{502}</a></span> -dwells, which is not far from the treasure-city of Raamses.</p> - -<p>The first hours I could command, after reaching the -palace of the Governor of On, with whom I dwell as a -guest, I have devoted, my dear father, to a recital of -these extraordinary events. Moses seems to be a different -man! calm majesty sits enthroned upon his brow, -and he is profoundly impressed with the sublime mission -which Heaven has intrusted to him.</p> - -<p>Aaron, who has, from time to time, revisited Egypt, -and is well known to the elders of his people, will be a -great support and aid to Moses, in his intercourse with -the Hebrews. The two mighty brothers are now assembling -the elders together, though it is but two days -since they returned to Egypt. Secretly, messengers -have been going by night throughout the land of -Goshen, calling an assembly, in the name of the God of -Abraham, to meet, two nights hence, at the ruined -fountain of Jacob.</p> - -<p>I shall also be present, dear father, by permission of -the inspired Moses. What infinite issues will grow out -of that midnight meeting of these "sons of God," for -such, though in bondage, are these Hebrews shown to -be! How little Thothmes-Amosis, who calls himself -also, vainly, after Amunophis, the Great, and assumes -the style, "Upholder of worlds," "Lord of the Diadem -of Heaven," and "Beloved of the Sun," upon his -cartouch,—how little, I repeat, he dreams that One -mightier than he, the Upholder of the universe, very -Lord of heaven and earth, and Creator of the sun, is -armed with vengeance against him, and will presently -bring him into judgment for the bondage of the Hebrews! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">{503}</a></span> -I saw him this morning in his palace, for he is -now in his palace at On, having hastened to pay him -my homage after my absence. He was in gay humor, -for news had reached him that his "lord of the mines" -had opened a new vein of silver, in the southern mountains -near Ethiopia.</p> - -<p>"I will send one hundred thousand of these Hebrews -to work it, O prince," he said. "I will, to-morrow, give -orders to all the governors, and chief captains, and -officers over them, to choose me the strongest and most -dangerous, and assemble them in companies of thousands, -and, under strong guard, march them to the Thebad. -By the gods! yesterday I was planning some -new device to destroy their children, male and female; -but the mines come happily to my aid!"</p> - -<p>Thus does this proud, weak, luxurious, and cruel -monarch, confident of power, and sitting as a god upon -his throne, acknowledging no power above his own, -dream of wealth, and rejoice in dominion!</p> - -<p>Did policy prompt me to give him warning? I feared -the God of Moses more than I sympathized with a -contemporaneous prince, albeit Tyre was his ally.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my dear father.</p> - -<p>My next letter will, no doubt, convey to you startling -tidings.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">{504}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VI.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO KING SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On, Egypt.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The</span> -secret assembly of the elders, called by -Moses, met last night. It was in a solitary place, far -from any of the garrisons of soldiers. In the disguise of -a Hebrew, I also was present, standing by Aaron. It -was after midnight before all the elders could elude the -vigilance of their officers, and had assembled. The -well of Jacob, you recollect. It is where you had the -conversation with Remeses (now Moses), upon the condition -of the Hebrews. The Egyptian soldiers, who are -very superstitious, will not venture near this desolate -fountain by night; for the tradition is, that it leads to the -realms of the lower world, and that there are evil beings -who issue from it in the darkness, and drag under the -earth all who walk past it. The Hebrews have no such -superstition, or despised their fears on an occasion like -the present. Aaron, in selecting the spot, knew it -would be safe from intrusion on the part of the Egyptians.</p> - -<p>It was a sublime spectacle to see no less than four -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">{505}</a></span> -hundred and eighty elders of the Hebrews, forty out of -each tribe, met together beneath the aged palm-trees -that overshadowed the fountain, and where Jacob had -sat, with his sons about him, in peace, under the protecting -sceptre of the king of that day.</p> - -<p>The moon shone here and there upon a silvery head, -while others were grouped in shadow. There was a -deep, expecting silence. At length Aaron stood up in -their midst, his venerable figure visible to all present, -as the pale moonlight fell upon him—</p> - -<p>"Men and brethren, Hebrews of the house of Abraham -our father, hear, while I make known to you why -I have called this strange meeting—for when before has -Israel met in such an assembly! Your presence, your -readiness to come, your courage, and your success in -reaching here, all show to me the hand of God, and the -power of God."</p> - -<p>Aaron then gave a history of the origin of their nation, -of God's promise to Abraham, of his prophecy of -their bondage and deliverance, and his promise to give -them the land of the Canaanites. They listened with -deep attention, for he spoke with remarkable eloquence. -He then said, "The hour of our deliverance is at hand. -God has remembered His promise, and come down to -our deliverance." Then, with thrilling power, the venerable -speaker described the scene at the burning bush -on Horeb, and, in conclusion, presented Moses, his -brother, to the elders. He was received with a murmur -of satisfaction; but some doubted. Others remembered -that he had been raised an Egyptian, and openly expressed -their fear that it was a plan to betray them into -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">{506}</a></span> -a movement, that would give Pharaoh an excuse to -destroy them all.</p> - -<p>"Let us see his miracles! If God sent him, let us see -his rod become a serpent before our faces," said an -old man brutally and tauntingly.</p> - -<p>Moses took the rod from the hand of his brother, and -said with sternness—</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt see and believe!"</p> - -<p>He then cast it upon the ground, when it not only -became a serpent, but its scales glittered like fire. -With fierce hissing it coiled itself about the form of the -doubter, and lifting its head above his own, darted it -every way with flashing eyes, so that there was a universal -cry of horror. The wretched old man fell to the -ground, the serpent uncoiled from his form, and Moses -taking it by the tail it became a rod again in his hand!</p> - -<p>At this miracle, the whole assembly, save one man -became convinced that Moses had been sent by God to -them. This one said—</p> - -<p>"It is the magician's art! He hath been an Egyptian -priest, and knows their mysteries."</p> - -<p>Upon this, Moses said—</p> - -<p>"Korah, I remember thee! I was educated as an -Egyptian, but I know none of their magic; and to show -thee that this is the power of God, thrust thy hand into -thy bosom!"</p> - -<p>The man obeyed.</p> - -<p>"Take it forth!" said Moses, in a tone of command.</p> - -<p>He did so and it was leprous as snow, and the moon -glared upon it, as upon the alabaster hand of a statue. -He uttered a cry of horror.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">{507}</a></span> -"Be not unbelieving," said Moses. "Replace thy -hand in thy bosom." He did so, and took it out -restored like the other. The man who had been entwined -by the serpent also rose to his feet, and both -acknowledged the power of God, and the authority of -Moses. He now made known to them that God had -sent him to demand their release from Pharaoh; and -that the king would at first refuse, but that after he had -seen the power of God he would yield and let them go -forth out of Egypt, to the good land promised to Abraham -for his seed, forever.</p> - -<p>"Return now, elders and brethren," he said to them, -like one who spake by authority to those who recognized -it, "return to your places of toil. Be quiet and -patient, and wait the hand of God. He will manifest -His glory and display His power in your behalf, as was -never done on earth before. Bear patiently your labors, -and do not doubt that the time of your deliverance is -at hand. Let all Israel know the glad tidings of God's -visitation, and that He has surely stretched out His arm -over Egypt, to break their yoke of bondage."</p> - -<p>This extraordinary assembly then separated, each man -to his place; and Moses and Aaron went to the house of -one Naashon, a Levite, whose sister had become -Aaron's wife many years before. Here I remained -until morning; but no eye closed in sleep, for many had -followed the brothers, and till dawn they were holding -discourse with their friends, on the wonderful things -about to happen.</p> - -<p>Moses said he should go before Pharaoh the next day -but one, when he held public audience in the throne -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">{508}</a></span> -room, that great hall of Egyptian state, which, my dear -father you once described, and where you were presented -to Queen Amense, as she was seated upon the -same throne.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my dear father. In three days I will write -you again.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">{509}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VII.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On, Egypt.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Moses</span> -has met Pharaoh, face to face, and demanded -of him the liberty of the Hebrew nation! The -scene in the throne-room was deeply interesting and -striking; and I will endeavor briefly to convey to you -a conception of it.</p> - -<p>The king, on that day gave audience in the throne-room, -when, according to custom, no one, however humble, was -refused permission to lay his petition before his king. -At the hour appointed, Moses the mighty Hebrew, and -Aaron his brother, accompanied by seven of the chief -men of their nation—a venerable company with their -flowing beards and snow-white locks—entered the city -from Raamses, and proceeded towards the palace. The -captain of the guard, seeing they were Hebrews, looked -amazed, and would have stopped them, but the majesty -and authority with which the two brothers moved, side -by side, awed him, and without speaking, he suffered -them to enter the palace, and they passed on, looking -neither to the right nor the left. Knowing that they -would appear at that hour I stood near and beheld them. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">{510}</a></span> -They traversed the corridor of the vestibule, and the -courtiers and lords and servitors gave way before them, -for they were clad in long robes like priests, and appeared -to them to be some sacred procession: but when -they perceived that they were Hebrews, they looked with -contempt on them, yet let them pass. So these chosen -men advanced, and stood before the ivory throne, where -the king sat in robes of cloth of purple and vestments -of gold, wearing the double crown. His high officers -stood about him, his body-guard were stationed on each -side of the throne, while before him kneeled a single -petitioner. It was a woman, whose son had accidentally -wounded an ibis with an arrow, and was condemned to -die. She plead to the king for his life.</p> - -<p>"Nay, woman, he must not live!" answered Pharaoh. -"If he had slain a slave or a Hebrew, I might grant -thy prayer; but to wound a sacred bird is sacrilege. -Retire! But who come hither?" he demanded of his -grand-chamberlain beside his footstool, as he saw the -Hebrew company advancing. "Who are these?"</p> - -<p>"They look like Hebrews, father," said the son of -Thothmeses, a young prince twenty years of age, who -lounged indolently against one of the ivory figures that -adorned the throne.</p> - -<p>"Hebrews?" said the king. "What do they here? -And in robes! Ah, Prince of Tyre, welcome!" he said, -turning to me, as, at the moment, I appeared and made -my obeisance before him. "You honor us by your -presence in our hall of judgment."</p> - -<p>While he spoke, Aaron and Moses had reached the -foot of the throne. Their venerable and majestic aspect -seemed to impress him. "Who are ye? Are ye not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">{511}</a></span> -Hebrews?" he demanded, with a face expressing mingled -surprise and doubt.</p> - -<p>"We are Hebrews, O king," answered Aaron, with -respectful homage. "We are two brethren. My name -is Aaron the Levite, and this my brother is Moses the -Midianite; and these others are the elders of Israel—chiefs -of the Hebrew people." This was spoken with -calmness and fearlessness.</p> - -<p>"And wherefore are ye come hither?" the king cried. -"Who of my governors has let you from your work? -Who is Israel?"</p> - -<p>"Thus saith the Lord, the Governor of the universe," -answered Aaron: "'Israel is my son, even my first-born. -Let my son go, that he may serve me.' And if thou refuse -to let Israel go, O king," continued Aaron with an -air of inspiration, "behold our God will slay thy son, -even thy first-born."</p> - -<p>The king started, and became pale with anger and -amazement; and his son, Amunophis, sprang forward a -step, and laid his hand upon the jewelled scimitar he -wore at the girdle of his vesture, crying,—</p> - -<p>"Slay me! What menace is this, graybeard? A -conspiracy, my father!"</p> - -<p>"Who is the Lord," demanded the king, "that I -should obey His voice, and let Israel go? I know not -the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. What threats are -these? Ho! captain of the guard, seize these Hebrews, -and put them in prison!"</p> - -<p>The captain of the guard prepared to obey, but not a -soldier moved. The majesty of Moses, as he fixed his -eyes upon them, as it were, paralyzed them. Then -Aaron answered Pharaoh, and said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">{512}</a></span> -"He is the God of the Hebrews, O king; the Lord of -the sun, and Upholder of worlds. He hath met with us -and commanded us to go three days' journey out of -Egypt into the desert, and sacrifice unto Him, as our -fathers aforetime did: and if we disobey His voice, He -will fall upon us, and destroy us with pestilence or with -the sword; for what other people is there that do not -their sacrifices, save our nation? Therefore, thus saith -the Lord of the Hebrews to thee, O King of Egypt, -'Let my people go, that they may hold a holy feast to -me in the wilderness.'"</p> - -<p>"By the gods of Egypt, ye Moses and Aaron," cried -the king, rising from his throne in great wrath, "I defy -the God of the Hebrews! Wherefore do ye hinder the -people from their works? Get you, and these old men -with you, unto your burdens! Ye seek to destroy -Egypt; for if the Hebrews, which are now many in the -land, be let three days from their burdens, they will do -mischief, and make sedition. Get thee from my presence! -But for thy gray head, O Aaron, you should be -put to death! This is a new thing in Egypt. Let them -forth!" he called to his servitors.</p> - -<p>Moses answered, speaking for the first time,—</p> - -<p>"O King Thothmeses, the God of the Hebrews, whose -servant I am, will yet make thee know His power, and -that there is none else—no other God but Him!"</p> - -<p>The king made no reply. He sunk back upon his -throne overcome with surprise; and I could perceive a -certain look of fear in his eyes. Prince Amunophis followed -the retiring ambassadors of God, and, as they -reached the vestibule, he gave orders to the outer -guard to arrest the whole company. But with a gesture -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_513" id="Page_513">{513}</a></span> -of his hand, Moses caused them to retire before him; -and the prince, returning with amazement, said to the -king:</p> - -<p>"These two men are gods, O king! They carry the -aspect and majesty of demigods, and all men fear to lay -hands on them!"</p> - -<p>"If I hear more of them," answered Pharaoh, by this -time recovered from his emotion, "I will know whether -they are gods or men! They shall die, by the life of -Osiris! Do these Hebrews want more work?"</p> - -<p>The king then commanded to come before him his -chief officers, governors, captains, and head taskmasters, -and said to them, "Ye shall no more give the Hebrew -people straw to make brick as heretofore. Let them go -and gather straw for themselves. And the number of -bricks which they have made heretofore, shall ye bind -them to. Ye shall not diminish aught thereof; for they -are idle, and cry, 'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' -Let there be more work laid upon the men, that they -may be so employed as not to have leisure to regard the -vain words of this Moses and Aaron!"</p> - -<p>Thus, my dear father, the first result, of the interposition -of Moses for his people, is to increase their oppression! -Yet their God is above all, and will manifest His -power for their deliverance.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_514" id="Page_514">{514}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER VIII.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear and venerable Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Many</span> -days have passed since I wrote to you. -You will wish to hear the ultimate issue of the command -of Pharaoh, to increase the burdens of the -Hebrews, and its effects upon them.</p> - -<p>In obedience to this command, the taskmasters and -officers of this unhappy people went out and strictly fulfilled -it. The poor Hebrew brick-makers, in whose work -coarse straw of wheat cut fine is necessary to make the -clay cohere, as they are only dried in the sun, are now -distributed all over Egypt seeking straw, which hitherto -the Egyptian laborers brought to them in carts and -laden barges. Thus dispersed, they gather stubble, and -dry bulrushes, and grass, and every thing they can in -their haste find on the surface of the ground; for if -night comes and their tale of bricks falls short, they are -beaten. As, therefore, one half of the time of many is -consumed in searching the highways and fields, instead -of being all the time, as heretofore, engaged only in -making brick, the task put upon them is an impossible -one; and everywhere the sound of the rod and whip, -and the cry of sufferers, goes up from the land. At -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_515" id="Page_515">{515}</a></span> -length the elders and officers of the Hebrews (for their -own people are often made their taskmasters, who also -had to account to their Egyptian captains for their fulfillment -of the king's command), got courage from despair, -and meeting the king as he was abroad in his -chariot, cast themselves before him, crying, "Wherefore -hast thou dealt thus with us? It is not our fault that -we cannot make up the number of bricks, as heretofore, -seeing straw is not given us; and thy servants are -beaten; but the fault is in thine own officers."</p> - -<p>Pharaoh angrily answered, "Ye are idle! Ye are -idle! Ye have not enough to do, or ye would not think -ye had time to go into the desert to sacrifice to your -God. Go, therefore, and do your tasks, for there shall -no straw be given you."</p> - -<p>"And shall we deliver the tale of bricks?" they cried.</p> - -<p>"To the last one of them!" answered the king; and -with an impatient sign for them to stand aside from his -chariot-wheels, he dashed forward on his way, attended -by his brilliant retinue. The unhappy men then perceived -"that they were in evil case," as one of them -said to me in relating this interview; and meeting Moses -and Aaron in the fields not long afterwards, one of their -number said, indignantly, and with grief—</p> - -<p>"The Lord look upon you, Moses and Aaron, and -judge you, because by your interference with the king, -thou hast put a sword into the hand of Pharaoh to -slay us."</p> - -<p>Moses looked sorrowfully and troubled, and raising -his eyes heavenward as he left them without a reply, -for he wot not how to answer, they heard him cry unto -his God, and say—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_516" id="Page_516">{516}</a></span> -"Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this Thy -people? Why is it that Thou didst send me? For since -I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he hath done -evil to this people; neither, O Lord God, hast Thou delivered -Thy people at all!"</p> - -<p>Then came a voice from heaven, which they heard, -and said—</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt see what I will do to Pharaoh; for he -shall let you go, and drive you out of his land. I am -the Lord who spake to thee in Horeb, out of the burning -bush; and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, -and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty. But -by my name <span class="smcap">Jehovah</span> was I not known to them. I -have heard the groaning of the children of Israel. -Wherefore say unto them, 'I am the Lord, and I will -bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, -and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to -you a God; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your -God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of -the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land -which I did swear to give to Abraham, and to Isaac, -and to Jacob, and I will give it to you for an heritage. -I am the Lord!'"</p> - -<p>With these words, Moses sought to comfort the Hebrews, -his brethren, going to them and proclaiming it -to them in their ears; but for an anguish of spirit, and -the great pressure of their cruel bondage upon their -minds, they did not hearken unto him. Hope in their -bosoms was utterly dead. Moreover, many of them -looked on him with eyes of hatred, as the author of this -increase of their wretchedness.</p> - -<p>What a situation was this for the servant of God! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_517" id="Page_517">{517}</a></span> -Confident of the power and truth of Jehovah, he could -not reconcile therewith this increase of the power of -Pharaoh. Perhaps, at times, his own faith was severely -tried.</p> - -<p>Since then, a month has passed, during which period -I saw Moses often in Goshen, where he passed his time -in encouraging those of his brethren who would give -heed to him.</p> - -<p>In the mean while, Pharaoh, as if in contempt or defiance -of the God of the Hebrews, has been engaged -in extraordinary religious rites; and every day the streets -have resounded with the music of instruments and choral -songs of processions to the gods. I witnessed all of -these ceremonies, and will describe some of them that -are not mentioned by you in your letters from Egypt, -my dear father.</p> - -<p>On the seventh day after Moses and Aaron left him, -Thothmeses went in state to the black marble temple of -the sacred serpent, Urus, to offer sacrifice and oblation -to its great image of gold with jewelled eyes and hideous -head. He addressed it as the god of wisdom and sagacity, -and presented offerings of flowers, and a necklace -of emeralds; while, for the living serpents, held -sacred by the Egyptians, he left gifts of money to purchase -food for their repletion.</p> - -<p>The next day he proceeded, at the head of the priests -and the most magnificent religious procession I have -seen in Egypt, from his palace along the sphinx-lined -avenue to the terrace of the Nile, opposite the Island of -Rhoda, where stands a brazen statue of the god Nilus, -with those of Osiris and Thoth on either side of its pedestal.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_518" id="Page_518">{518}</a></span> -Descending from his chariot, he advanced to the -river, and poured from a goblet, set with diamonds, a libation -of wine into its waves, and invoked the river itself -as a deity, concluding his prayer with a curse upon the -God of the Hebrews. Then, at his command, the chief -sacrificer advanced, leading a Hebrew boy four years -old, whom he laid upon the altar before the statue of the -god, and, at a stroke of his sacrificial knife, sacrificed -there. I could scarcely refrain from a cry of horror. I -knew that the Egyptians, on certain occasions, sacrificed -human beings to the gods; but I never expected to behold -an immolation like this. The palpitating form of -the child was then taken up by two assistants, and the -blood of its heart was poured forth into the Nile, as a -libation to the god. The empurpled wave then received -the inanimate form, amid a crash of instrumental music. -This unusual libation of blood to the Nile was intended -as an act of defiance to the Hebrew <span class="smcap">Jehovah</span>.</p> - -<p>The following day, Pharaoh made a procession to the -temple of sacred frogs, on the borders of the canal of -Amun. Here libations were poured out before a colossal -sphinx having a frog's head, and offerings made. The -frog is held sacred by the Egyptians, because it is supposed -to purify the waters by feeding on poisons in the -marshes and river.</p> - -<p>The succeeding day Pharaoh, as if possessed with a -religious infatuation, that now led him to seek the favor -of gods hitherto neglected by him, in his dread of the -God of the Hebrews, paid a visit, with all his court, to -the temple of the scarabus, or sacred beetle of Egypt. -This is a marble edifice, adorned with a frieze of scarabi, -having heads of every variety of animal. The god -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_519" id="Page_519">{519}</a></span> -himself is a gigantic beetle of black marble, with a human -head. He is supposed to protect the temples from -vermin, such as lice and fleas; for one of these seen in -a temple, or upon the garments of a priest, causes ceremonial -defilement, and neither priest nor temple may -be made holy again but by purification.</p> - -<p>The next day a procession was made by Pharaoh and -his people to the little temple of Baal-Zebel, a deity that -is reverenced as their protector from flies, which sometimes -infest the land in ravenous swarms, and which, it -is believed, this idol only can remove. Can Thothmeses -be so superstitious? Or does he make all this show of -piety merely to humor the superstitions of his people, -and sustain the priests of these shrines? Does he fear -Moses and his power, so as to desire to strengthen himself -in the affections of the priesthood and people?</p> - -<p>The day after the visit to the temple of the fly-god, -he went in great state to the temple of the sacred ox of -On, Mnevis. Here he sacrificed, prayed, poured libations, -and offered oblations. It was an imposing scene, -as he was attended by one thousand priests clad in rich -vestments, and wearing shining crowns, the whole waving -censers of gold. Of the god he asked protection to -all the cattle of Egypt, and prosperity to the harvests; -and then solemnly denounced the God of the Hebrews, -as a God not known or honored in Egypt, and who, if -He existed, was but a God of slaves.</p> - -<p>The next day of this ten days' ovation, Pharaoh proceeded -to the gloomy temple of Typhon, on the edge of -the desert. Here a Nubian slave was sacrificed to the -Evil Principle, by being bound to the altar and burned -alive. The officiating priests then gathered the ashes -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_520" id="Page_520">{520}</a></span> -and cast them high into the air, calling on their god -and praying him, that wheresoever an atom of the -ashes was borne on the wind, evil might not visit the -place.</p> - -<p>Thothmeses has diligently revived the human sacrifices -which Queen Amense forbade, and the act sufficiently -illustrates the native cruelty and superstition of the -man.</p> - -<p>Two days afterwards, having crossed the Nile in great -pomp, he proceeded, in grand procession, to the temple -of Serapis. The god Apis, you are aware, my dear -father, has the peculiar office, besides many others, of -protecting the country from locusts; and at the seasons -when these destructive insects visit Egypt, Apis is invoked -to command them to retire from the land.</p> - -<p>The rites performed by the king before the god were -imposing and gorgeous. He invoked him, not against -locusts, but against the God of Moses!</p> - -<p>Does not all this show a secret dread of the God he -defies? Yet he knows nothing of His power, and has -witnessed no act of wonder performed by Him. Doubtless -he felt, that a servant who dared to be so bold and -confident, must have a divine Master, who is great and -powerful. Perhaps he had heard of the God of the -Hebrews in times past;—of the dream of Prince Joseph -and the seven years' famine;—of the destruction of the -vale of Sodom, with its cities, by fire from heaven at -God's command;—of the dispersion of the nations at the -pyramid of Babylon;—of the mighty deluge which He -caused to overflow the mountains and drown the world! -Perhaps, for he is learned and intelligent enough, when -Aaron spoke to him of the God of the Hebrews, he remembered -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">{521}</a></span> -who He was in times of old, and trembled to -hear His name again.</p> - -<p>Three days afterwards the king visited the shrine of -Isis, and poured libations, and made thanksgivings; and -invoked her, as the moon, and controller of the seasons -and weather, to send abundant rains upon the mountains -of Ethiopia, and the sources of the Nile, so that the -annual overflow, now near at hand, may not fail, nor -the land be deprived of its fertility.</p> - -<p>Two days later, with a procession of all the priests of -all the temples, and with chariots, and horsemen, and -footmen,—a vast array,—he visited the great temple of -Osiris, or the sun; and, after august ceremonies, himself -acting as high-priest, with the high-priest of On for -his assistant, he presented the statue of the god with a -new crown of gold, and a crook and flail of ivory inlaid -with jewels. He invoked him, by the appellation of -the god of light, the dispeller of darkness, the terror of -clouds, and the foe of lightnings and storms. And he -implored clear skies, and serene weather for the harvests, -as heretofore.</p> - -<p>Thus the piety of Thothmeses has been quickened into -unwonted activity by the dread of the God of Israel, as -if he would secure his gods' faithfulness should the God -of Moses be too strong for him. In the mean while the -children of Israel are groaning under the weight of their -increased oppression. I have seen Aaron to-day. He -informed me, with looks of holy faith in his God, that -Moses and he were, to-morrow, by God's command, to -appear again before Pharaoh, and demand the release -of the Hebrews.</p> - -<p>What a scene will be enacted! Will these two -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">{522}</a></span> -courageous men brave his anger, and escape? I tremble -for the result. They are firm and resolved, being strong -in the strength of their God. I shall be sure to be at -the palace to-morrow, that I may behold these servants -of Jehovah meet, once more, face to face, this cruel -Pharaoh and his gods.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">{523}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER IX.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of On.</div> - -<div class="left0">My very dear Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">You</span> -will read what I am about to write, with the -profoundest interest. The two mighty Hebrews again -sought an audience of the king, and boldly demanded -the freedom of Israel.</p> - -<p>This meeting did not take place in the palace of On, -but in that at Memphis, on the avenue of the pyramids. -Pharaoh was seated in the court of the palace, giving -audience to the governors of the thirty-nine nomes, -which now constitute the number of his provinces. -When he had ended his instructions to them, Moses and -Aaron were announced. I stood near him conversing -with the prince; for I knew that the two men of God -purposed to seek the king's presence.</p> - -<p>"How darest thou announce these Hebrews?" cried -the king, sharply, to his trembling grand-chamberlain.</p> - -<p>"I could not forbid them, O king! I fled instinctively -and without power of resistance before the majesty -of their presence. Behold them advancing!"</p> - -<p>Pharaoh turned pale. He essayed to give some fierce -order to those about him, but his tongue failed him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">{524}</a></span> -"Who will slay me these men?" cried the Prince -Amunophis, seeing the king's troubled looks.</p> - -<p>Not a man moved. Awe and curiosity took the place -of all other feelings. Side by side the two brothers -came unfalteringly forward till they stood before the -monarch,—fixing their regards only upon him.</p> - -<p>"What are ye come for, Moses and Aaron?" at -length he uttered, in a thick voice. "Have I spared -your lives, that you might come again to mock me in -my palace?"</p> - -<p>"We are come, O king," answered Moses with dignity, -and looking far more kingly than he whom he -addressed—"we are come in the name of the God of -the Hebrews. He hath heard their cry from all the -land of Egypt, by reason of their taskmasters, and I am -sent to command thee, in His name, to send the children -of Israel out of thy land!"</p> - -<p>"Have I knowledge of your God? What is His -power? Let Him make Himself known! Or, if He -hath sent thee to me, where are thy credentials from His -hand? I listen to no ambassadors from God or man, -unless they show me that they are sent. By what sign -wilt thou declare thy mission? If a king sent thee, -show me his handwriting; if a god, show me a miracle!"</p> - -<p>Aaron held the rod of Moses in his hand, and casting -it upon the marble pavement of the court, it became a -serpent, slowly gliding along the floor and flashing fire -from its eyes. The servants of Pharaoh fled before it. -The king upon his throne, at first, became alarmed, but -seeing the monster inflate its throat and stretch lazily -and innocuously along the lion-skin before his footstool, -he smiled contemptuously and said—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">{525}</a></span> -"Thy Arabian life has given thee great skill, O -Moses. Ho! call my magicians! I have magi that -can equal thy art!"</p> - -<p>All was expectation, until at length two stately personages -solemnly entered, each with his acacia rod. They -were Jambres and Jannes, the royal and chief magicians -of Egypt, of whose fame other lands have heard. They -were dark-featured, Arabic-looking men, and dressed -with great magnificence, wearing robes blazing with gold -and jewels. Their bearing was haughty and imperious, -and they looked about them with disdain, as if -they were beings of a better order than the Egyptians, -who stood awed, or prostrated themselves in their -presence.</p> - -<p>"Seest thou this serpent?" demanded Pharaoh, directing -the attention of Jambres to the monster, which -lay coiled upon the lion-skin before the steps of the -throne; while several of the guard with spears stood -near, to thrust it through, should it approach the king. -The magicians regarded it with surprise, and then looked -fixedly at Moses and Aaron. They had evidently heard -by the messengers, what had passed. "Half an hour -since, he was a rod in the hand of that Hebrew -magician!" said the king. "Show him thy art, and -that we have gods whose servants can do as great miracles -as this!"</p> - -<p>The magicians advanced and said—</p> - -<p>"O king, beloved of the sun, live forever! Behold -the power of thy own magicians!" Thus speaking, they -cast their rods upon the ground, when they became serpents -also, after a few moments had transpired. Pharaoh -then said, addressing the Hebrew brothers—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">{526}</a></span> -"Ye are but impostors, and have done your miracle -by the gods of Egypt, as my magicians do."</p> - -<p>"If the god of Egypt be strongest, let his serpents -destroy my serpent: but if the God of the Hebrews be -the greatest and the only God, let my serpent devour -his!" Thus quietly spake Aaron.</p> - -<p>"So be it," answered Pharaoh.</p> - -<p>In a moment, the serpent of Moses uncoiled himself, -and fiercely seizing, one after another, the two serpents -of the magicians, swallowed them. At this there was -an outcry among the people; and, greatly terrified, -Pharaoh half-rose from his throne; but Aaron catching -up the serpent, it became a rod as before. Instead of -acknowledging the God of Moses, the king became exceedingly -enraged against his own magicians, and drove -them from him, and ordered Moses and Aaron to depart, -saying that they were only more skilful sorcerers than -the others, and must show him greater signs than these -ere he would let Israel go. I have since learned, that -these magicians brought with them real serpents, which -they have the power of stiffening, and holding at arm's -length by pressing upon their throats: that they came -with these, which could not be detected in the obscurity -of the shadows where they stood, and casting them -down they resumed their natural motions. That the -rod of Moses should devour them, and return to a rod -again, ought to have shown Pharaoh that it was a -miracle, and not sorcery. But his heart seems to be -hardened against all impressions of this nature.</p> - -<p>The following morning, the governor of the nilometer -having reported to the king that the Nile had -commenced to rise, Pharaoh, according to custom, proceeded -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">{527}</a></span> -to the river, where the statue of Nilus stands, -and where he had caused the Hebrew boy to be sacrificed -and his blood poured as a libation into the stream. -Here, with great pomp, he was about to celebrate the -festivities of the happy event, when, lo! Moses and -Aaron stood before him by the river's brink,—the latter -with the rod, which had been turned into a serpent, in -his hand.</p> - -<p>"The Lord God of the Hebrews," cried Moses in a -loud voice, "hath sent me unto thee, saying, 'Let My -people go.' Lo! hitherto thou wouldst not hear. Now -thus saith the Lord—'In this thou shalt know that I am -the Lord!' Behold, O king, at His command, I will -smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters -which are in the river, and they shall be turned into -blood!"</p> - -<p>"I defy you and your God, and both of ye shall die!" -answered Pharaoh, pale with anger.</p> - -<p>Then Moses, turning calmly to Aaron, his brother, -said, in my hearing, and in that of the king and all his -people, "Take this rod of God, and stretch out thine -hand upon the waters of Egypt, that there may be blood -throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of -wood and vessels of stone."</p> - -<p>Aaron, obeying, stretched forth his hand with the rod -and smote the water at his feet, in the sight of Pharaoh, -and in the sight of the thousands of Egyptians present, -and in a moment the Nile ran blood instead of water, -the fish in hundreds rose to the surface and died, and -the smell of blood filled all the atmosphere. The people -uttered a great cry, and Pharaoh looked petrified with -horror. From the galleys on the river, from the women -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">{528}</a></span> -on the opposite shore, from avenues, terraces, and plains, -from every side, rose a loud and terrible wail, such as -was never before heard. The king sought his chariot, -and fled from the face of Moses and Aaron, and all was -wild dismay. These two servants of the God, whose -words had wrought this great wonder, then walked -calmly away. I felt too much awed to come near them, -and in my chariot sought my own palace. On the way -I saw that the canals were red with blood, also the standing -pools, the lakes, and every body of water. Men -were running in every direction seeking for water; women -wrung their hands, and despair and fear were impressed -upon every countenance. As I passed the fountains -in the court of Pharaoh's palace, I saw that they -also spouted forth blood; and in the corridor and porticos, -the water in the vases for guests, in the earthen -jars for filtering, and in those which stood in the cisterns, -was of the same crimson hue. When I reached -my own apartments, lo! there also the water in the -vases and ewers was of the color of blood. The voice -of Moses, empowered by his God, had indeed turned -all the waters of Egypt into blood. Surely, I said, now -will the king let Israel go. In the afternoon I went -forth, and saw the Egyptians digging everywhere for -fresh water, along the canals and river. I drove out of -the city towards Goshen, and saw all the people in motion -and terror, for but few knew the cause of the awful -visitation. After an hour I reached Goshen, the fair -plain where Prince Jacob once dwelt, and where now -the children of Israel dwell by hundreds of thousands. -With joyful surprise I beheld, as I entered the province, -that the canal was free from blood, the pools sparkling -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">{529}</a></span> -with clear water, and the fountains bright as crystal. As -I rode on in the direction of the dwelling of Moses, I -perceived that the plague of blood had not fallen upon -the land where the Hebrews dwelt—only upon the Egyptians. -This was a twofold miracle.</p> - -<p>When Pharaoh found that water could be obtained -by digging shallow wells, and also that Goshen was free -from the plague, he sent for Jambres and Jannes, and -offered to pardon them if they could turn water into -blood. They commenced their incantations upon water -dug up from his gardens—for the miracle of the rod -covered only the waters at the time on the surface, -whether in the river or in houses. After art had for -some time been practised upon the water, to my surprise -it was turned to the semblance of blood.</p> - -<p>"See," cried Pharaoh with great joy, "the servants of -Pharaoh are equal to the servants of the Hebrew God!"</p> - -<p>"And O king," said Jambres vainly, "had the Hebrew -juggler left us the Nile, we could have turned -that also by our enchantments."</p> - -<p>Then Pharaoh rewarded him with a chain of gold, -and hardened his heart, and defied Moses and his God. -But in three days afterwards all the fish died in the -lakes, and river of Lower Egypt, and a stench of their -flesh and of crocodiles and reptiles that perished by the -blood in the river, and the difficulty of getting water, -rendered Egypt almost uninhabitable. Thousands fled -to the pure air and water of Goshen, where also I remained. -Every hour I expected to behold a royal courier -coming for Moses and Aaron, ordering them to -appear before the king, to receive permission to lead the -Hebrews out of Egypt. At the end of seven days the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">{530}</a></span> -river and waters of Egypt resumed their natural color -and purity, by God's permission, lest all the people of -Egypt should die for Pharaoh's hardness of heart.</p> - -<p>Then God appeared again unto Moses, and commanded -him to go before Pharaoh with the same message as before. -But the king, in great fury, ordered them from -his presence, when Aaron stretched forth his hand over -the streams, the river, the canals, lakes, and fountains, -and in a moment myriads of frogs appeared on the -shores, in the fields, in the streets, squares, corridors, -terraces, gardens, groves, and porticos of the temples. -They leaped upon every place, upon the people, upon -the stairways. They found their way by hundreds into -the houses and bedchambers, and upon the beds, tables, -chairs of palaces and huts; leaped into the ovens and -kneading-troughs, and occupied every place. In horror -the priests closed all the temples, lest they should enter, -and dying there, defile them. Even Pharaoh was obliged -to shut himself up in the recesses of his palace to escape -their loathsome presence.</p> - -<p>In great alarm, he was about to send for Moses, when -Jambres, his chief sorcerer, stood before him, and said:</p> - -<p>"O king, believe not that the God of this Hebrew is -greater than the gods of Egypt. Thy servants also can -do this enchantment."</p> - -<p>"Do so, and thou shalt have a rod of gold," answered -the king.</p> - -<p>Then descending into a fountain, inclosed by a high -wall of the palace, where the frogs had not yet appeared, -the magician caused frogs also to appear. "At first," -said the chief butler, who spoke to me of this deed, "the -king was greatly pleased, but suddenly said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_531" id="Page_531">{531}</a></span> -"'What thou hast produced by thy enchantments, remove -by thy enchantments. Command them to disappear -from the fountain.'</p> - -<p>"This the two magicians not being able to do, the -next day, the frogs rendering every habitation uninhabitable, -and the lords of Egypt appealing to Pharaoh, he -sent for Moses and Aaron. It had become time to do -so. Every part of my rooms was filled with these animals; -they got into the plates and cups, and defiled -every place—while by night their combined roar filled -all Egypt with a deafening and terrible noise, so that if -a bed could be found to sleep in, sleep was nowhere -possible; and by day we could tread nowhere but upon -frogs."</p> - -<p>When the two Hebrew brothers again stood in the -presence of Pharaoh, he said, with mingled shame and -displeasure—</p> - -<p>"Entreat your God to take away this plague of frogs -from me, my people, and the land of Egypt; and if -thou canst free the land from them, I will acknowledge -that it is the power of the God of the Hebrews, and will -let the people go to do sacrifice unto the Lord, who -hath commanded and sent for them."</p> - -<p>Then Moses answered the king—</p> - -<p>"The Lord shall be entreated as thou desirest; and -thou, O king, shalt set the time, lest thou shouldst say I -consulted a favorable aspect of the stars. Choose when -I shall entreat for thee to remove this plague from the -land, the people, and their houses."</p> - -<p>"To-morrow," answered Thothmeses.</p> - -<p>"Be it according to thy word," answered Moses; -"and when thou seest the plague removed at the time -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_532" id="Page_532">{532}</a></span> -appointed by thee, know it is God's gracious act, and -not our sorcery. To-morrow the frogs in all the land of -Egypt shall be found in the river only."</p> - -<p>What a scene did Egypt present the next morning! -The land was covered with dead frogs; and it took all -the people of Egypt that day and night to gather them -into heaps and cast them into the river: for they threatened -a pestilence.</p> - -<p>When Pharaoh saw that his wish was granted at the -time he named, and that there was a respite, he said—"This -was by my voice and my power, and not by their -God, that the frogs died on the morrow I named! The -glory over Moses shall indeed be mine, as he hath -said!" Ceasing to speak, he sent orders to the taskmasters -to increase the burdens of the Hebrews, refusing to -keep his promise to Moses and Aaron.</p> - -<p>Then the Lord again sent them before Pharaoh, and -in his presence Aaron stretched forth his rod, and smote -the dust of the earth, when all the dust of the earth became -alive, and rested upon man and beast in the form -of lice!</p> - -<p>Then, in a rage, Pharaoh called his enchanters, but -they could not perform this miracle, and said plainly to -the king—</p> - -<p>"This is beyond our power. This is the finger of -their God."</p> - -<p>Upon hearing this, Pharaoh drove both his magicians, -and Moses and Aaron forth from his palace. The next -day no sacrifice was offered, no temple open in all -Egypt; for on the priests were lice, and no one could -perform an official act with any insect upon his person, -being thereby made unclean. The Egyptians were -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">{533}</a></span> -enraged, both with the Hebrews and with their king—but, -shut up in his palace, he refused to consent to the -demands of Moses.</p> - -<p>Three days afterwards, by the command of God, -given at the well of Jacob,—where, in a bright cloud -like a pillar of fire, He descended to speak with Moses, -and seemed to be now every day present in Egypt, in -communion with his holy servant,—the two brothers -again sought the presence of the king, as he was entering -his galley. Reiterating their usual demand, Moses -continued—</p> - -<p>"The Lord hath said unto me, 'Stand before Pharaoh -when he comes forth to the water, and say unto him, -thus saith the Lord, 'Let my people go; else, if thou -wilt not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies -upon thee and thy servants, and upon thy people, and -the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with them, -and also the ground; and I will sever in that day the -land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no -swarms of flies shall be there; to the end that thou -mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the -earth. And I will put a division between my people -and thy people; and to-morrow shall this sign be!'"</p> - -<p>Pharaoh, in fear and anger, commanded his galley to -leave the shore, heeding none of the words spoken by -Moses. The next day when I awoke, lo! the air was -darkened with flies. They covered the city like a -cloud, and their noise was like the roar of the sea after -a storm. When the sun was well risen, they descended -and alighted upon the dwellings, and soon filled the -houses, and rooms, and every place they could penetrate. -It was impossible to hear for their hum, or to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">{534}</a></span> -see for their number, as they would alight upon the face, -seek the corners of the eyes and the edges of the eyelids, -and inflict their bite. In a few hours the Egyptians -became frantic under the plague, as it was impossible -to keep them off; and if driven away, they would pertinaciously -return to the attack. All employment in -Egypt ceased. Eating and sleeping were impracticable. -I fled in my chariot towards Goshen! My horses, stung -to madness, flew like the wind. Hundreds of women, -and children, and men were pressing in the same direction, -for safety and relief. I crossed the great canal -which divides the province, and not a fly followed me -nor my horses across the aerial and invisible barrier God -had set as their bounds. All Goshen was free from the -plague, and the Hebrews were extending favors to the -Egyptians who sought shelter among them.</p> - -<p>The next day, Pharaoh, unable to endure the plague, -and finding his magicians could neither remove nor -cause it, sent for Moses and Aaron, who immediately -answered his summons.</p> - -<p>"Go," he cried, when he beheld them,—"go, sacrifice -to thy God in this land; for He is a mighty God, and -may not be mocked!"</p> - -<p>"It is not meet, O king," answered Moses, "that we -should sacrifice to our God in the land of Egypt. We -Hebrews sacrifice bulls and rams, sacrifices abominable -to the Egyptians, who call them their gods! Lo! shall -we sacrifice the gods of the Egyptians to our God, -before their eyes, and will they not stone us? If we -sacrifice, we will go three days' journey into the wilderness, -and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He shall command -us."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">{535}</a></span> -Seeing the resolute purpose of the terrible Hebrew, -Pharaoh consented to his demand, only adding, "Ye -shall not go very far away! Now go and entreat your -God for me, for the removal of these flies!"</p> - -<p>While this discourse was passing between them, the -fan-bearers of the king, with all their diligence, could -not protect his face from the stings of the flies, which -plagued him sorely; while upon Aaron and Moses not -one alighted.</p> - -<p>"To-morrow," answered Moses, as he went out, "the -Lord, whom I will entreat for thee, shall remove this -plague also. But deal not deceitfully, O king, any -more, in not letting the people go."</p> - -<p>When, the next day, Pharaoh saw that the flies were -removed, so that not one remained, he repented that he -had given his promise, and resolved not to keep it with -Moses.</p> - -<p>Once more God sent his servants, the two Hebrews, -to the king, demanding the release of the children -of Jacob from their yoke of bondage, menacing him -with a murrain upon all the cattle, horses, camels, and -beasts of Egypt, if he resolved to hold them still in the -land. The king, however, who seemed after every demand -to grow more obstinate when the evil had passed, -refused, and sent them away with threats of vengeance. -Indeed, it is surprising, my dear father, that he hath not -slain them before this; and I have no doubt he is miraculously -restrained from doing so, by the Almighty -God, whose faithful and holy servants they are.</p> - -<p>On the morrow, according to the word of Moses, a fatal -pestilence seized upon the oxen, the bulls, and cows of -Egypt, so that all the cattle in the land died. When -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_536" id="Page_536">{536}</a></span> -the priests of the sacred ox, Mnevis, came rushing -from their temple to the palace, crying that their god -was dead with the murrain; when at midnight came -before him the priests of Apis, exclaiming that the -sacred bull was also dead, then Pharaoh began to know -and feel that the God of the Hebrews was greater than -the gods of Egypt. Early in the morning, when he -rose, hearing that not one of the cattle of the Israelites -was dead, instead of repenting and trembling, he became -enraged, acting like a man blinded by the gods, -when they would destroy him by his own acts.</p> - -<p>Judge, my dear father, of the patience and forbearance -of the God of the Hebrews towards him who still -refused to acknowledge His power. Behold the firmness -and steadiness of purpose of Moses and Aaron,—their -courage and independence! What a sublime spectacle—two -private men contending successfully with -the most powerful king on the earth! What a painful -sight to see this most powerful king of the earth measuring -the strength of his feeble will against the power -of the God of the universe!</p> - -<p>Upon the refusal of Pharaoh to let Jehovah have His -people, that they might serve Him, God commanded -Moses in a vision of the night, beside the fountain of -Jacob, where He talked with him as in the burning -bush, to take the ashes of a human sacrifice, to be -immolated by Pharaoh the next day, and sprinkle it -towards heaven upon the winds. He did so; and instead -of protecting the places wheresoever its atoms -were carried, they broke out in boils upon man and -beast, breaking forth with painful blains. The magicians -and sorcerers, essaying to recover their credit with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_537" id="Page_537">{537}</a></span> -the king, attempted to do the same miracle; but the boil -broke forth upon them also so heavily, that they could -not stand before Moses, and fled with pain and cries -from his presence. Yet Pharaoh remained obdurate, -and grew more hardened and defiant; for the boils -touched not his own flesh.</p> - -<p>That night, the Lord appeared unto Moses, and commanded -him again to make his demand upon Pharaoh -for His people. Then stood Moses and Aaron in the -morning before the king, who was walking up and down -in the corridor of his palace, ill at ease; for all his public -works were stopped by the sufferings of the Egyptians; -and his soldiers in the fourscore garrisons at On, and -Memphis, and Bubastis, and Migdol, were unfit for military -duty. There was not a well man in all Egypt, save -in Goshen.</p> - -<p>"What now, ye disturbers of Egypt and enemies of -the gods?" he called aloud, as he saw them approach -and stand before him.</p> - -<p>"Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews," answered -Moses: "'Let my people go, that they may serve me.'"</p> - -<p>"The same words! Thou shalt never have thy wish,—thou -nor thy God! Who is the Lord? Will no man -rid me of this Moses and Aaron? Speak! What more?"</p> - -<p>"Thus saith the Lord, 'If thou, O king, refusest to -let Israel go, I will send all my plagues upon thy heart, -and upon thy people, that thou mayest know that there -is none like me in all the earth! For this cause, O -Pharaoh, have I created thee and raised thee up on the -throne of Egypt, that in thee I may show my power; -and that by my dealings with thee, My name may be -declared throughout all the earth. All nations shall -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_538" id="Page_538">{538}</a></span> -behold My works with thee, and My vengeance on thy -gods, and shall know that I am the Lord, and God of all -gods! Thou art My servant to show forth My glory! -Thy proud heart exaltest thyself above Me, and against -My people, and thou wouldst contend with Me! Thou -shalt know I am God, ere thou shalt be cut off from the -earth; and that the heavens are My throne, and the -earth is My footstool, and none can say, What doest Thou? -Behold, to-morrow I will darken the heavens with clouds, -and send hail upon the earth, and every man and beast -in the field shall die by the hail.' If thou regardest the -life of thy servants," continued Moses, "send, therefore, -for all thou hast in the field."</p> - -<p>This threat was made known everywhere in a few -hours, and those who fear the word of the Lord have -made their servants and cattle flee into the houses prepared -for them; but those who regard not the warning -have left them in the field. What will to-morrow bring -forth?</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear father.</p> - -<p>Warned by Aaron, I depart at once for the sheltering -skies of Goshen.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your loving son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_539" id="Page_539">{539}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER X.</h3> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">City of the Sun.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">Scarcely</span> -had I reached the confines of Goshen, -after the threatened judgment of God upon Pharaoh, -when I heard, as it were in the air, a voice speaking, -which I knew to be the voice of Moses; and behind me -I heard, instantly, loud thunders uttering their voices, -and the earth shook beneath my chariot-wheels. To the -right of me, at the same moment, I beheld Moses and -Aaron standing, side by side, on the tower of the ruined -fountain of Jacob, beneath which I was driving; the -former stretching forth his hands, and his rod therein, -northward towards the city of Pharaoh, upon the obelisks -of which the sun was then brilliantly shining, and -was also reflected in splendor from the shield of gold -upon the lofty tower of the temple of Osiris. Leaping -from my chariot, and leaving it with my servants, whom -I commanded to hasten further into the land of the -Hebrews, I drew reverently near the men of God, feeling -greatly awed by their presence, but assured that -near them was safety,—though they were the visible -sources of God's terrible wrath upon Egypt. I stood -not far off, and beheld, with expectation. Moses, his -rod extended, and waving eastward, and northward, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_540" id="Page_540">{540}</a></span> -and westward, stood with a majestic and fearful aspect, -his eyes raised to the heavens, which were already answering -his voice by far-off thunderings. He continued, -as I drew near, in these words:</p> - -<p>"And let thunder, and hail, and fire, O Egypt, descend -out of heaven from God upon thee, and let the -fire mingle with the hail, and smite throughout all the -land of Egypt, all that is in the field, both man and -beast, and every herb in the field, and break every tree! -Only in the land of Goshen let there be no hail."</p> - -<p>No language, my dear father, can convey to you any -idea of the terrible power and godlike authority with -which he spake. To his words, Aaron pronounced a -loud "A-men,"—the Hebrew word for expressing full -assent and confirmation.</p> - -<p>Then I looked, with expectant awe, towards the land -of Egypt, over which the thunders rolled without a -cloud; when, lo! from the north came rolling onward a -black wall of darkness, which I perceived was a mighty -cloud from the great sea. It advanced with the swiftness -and roar of ten thousand war-chariots rushing to -battle. Out of it shot forth lightnings, and its increasing -thunders shook Egypt. In a moment it had filled half -the heavens, and still onward it rolled. Beneath it moved -its shadow, dark as itself, extinguishing the light upon -obelisk, tower, and pylon. I am told that Pharaoh, -from the top of his palace, witnessed this scene also. -Directly the sun was blotted out, and the city of On -became invisible. Then I saw fire pour down upon the -earth out of the cloud, as if lightnings could not fast -enough exhaust its angry power; and I heard the voice -of falling hail like the voice of the sea when lashed by -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_541" id="Page_541">{541}</a></span> -a storm. A million of Hebrews, who had gathered in -Goshen, stood and beheld what I did. The roads, the -fields, the plain were covered with people flying from -the terror towards Goshen.</p> - -<p>Onward marched this awful servant of the Almighty, -more terrible than an army with banners. Fire ran -along the ground before it, and red forked lightnings -shot far out beyond its advancing edge athwart the -blue sky, while, in a moment afterwards, the cloud of -blackness rolled beneath, like the sulphurous smoke -that the priests of Egypt say forever rolls above the -fiery regions of Typhon!</p> - -<p>Each instant it enlarged its compass, until from east to -west it enveloped Egypt, while fire, mingled with hail, -ran along the earth beneath it. Now behold, my father, -the power of God! The vast pall which Jehovah had -thus begun to draw over Egypt, no sooner had reached -in the height of heaven over the borders of Goshen, -casting its very shadow, and pouring its stones of hail, -and sending its tongues of fire almost to the foot of the -tower whereon Moses stood, than it ceased to move! It -became stationary in the air a mile high, and there -hung beetling over the verge of Goshen like a crag, its -edge working and agitated by the wildest commotion, -and shooting its lightnings into the blue calm sky over -Goshen, but restrained from advancing further by the -power of Him who commandeth the heavens, who -maketh the clouds His chariot, and who keepeth the -lightnings in His quiver!</p> - -<p>At length the darkness became so dense, that it seemed -a wall, between Egypt and Goshen, from the ground -up to the cloud. Over the latter the sun,—oh, what a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_542" id="Page_542">{542}</a></span> -sublime contrast!—shone with unclouded brightness, the -winds slept peacefully, the fields waved with the ripened -flax and full-eared barley, the birds sang their songs -of gladness, and the children of God dwelt in security, -under the protection of His gentle love and terrible power.</p> - -<p>Surely Pharaoh must perish if he dare any longer -madly to resist the God of the Hebrews, who has now -shown that He is God of heaven as well as of the earth, -and that He is God alone, and there is none else! If, -my dear father, your early instructions had not made -known to me the God of Noah, who is the God of the -Hebrews, I should, ere this last manifestation of His -awful majesty and terror, have prostrated myself before -Him and acknowledged Him as <i>my</i> God. Wonderful -that He, who dwells in heaven, should stoop to behold -things on the earth, and make such displays of His -glory, and majesty, and strength, for the sake of a poor, -enslaved people like the Hebrews. But, as the holy -Moses taught me the other day, when I was humbly -sitting at his feet, and hearing him discourse on these -mighty events (for which he takes to himself no honor -or merit, but only seems the more meek and lowly the -more he is intrusted with power by God), these displays -of God's majesty have a threefold end: first, to prove -to the trembling and heart-crushed Israelites that He -who is so terrible in power, doing wonders, is <i>their</i> God, -as He was the God of Abraham, and has power to deliver -them from Pharaoh; as well as to teach them that -if He can so punish the Egyptians, He can punish them -also, with equal judgments, if they rebel and do wickedly: -secondly, to punish Pharaoh for the oppression of -His people, to afflict the land upon which they have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_543" id="Page_543">{543}</a></span> -groaned so many generations, and to show the Egyptians -that He alone is God, that their gods are as stubble in -His hand, "that there is none like Him in all the earth;" -and thus bring them to acknowledge Him, and to fear -and worship Him: and, thirdly, that the word of His -mighty deeds and wonders done in Egypt, going abroad -to the ears of kings and princes, priests and lords, and -people of all nations upon the earth, may give <i>them</i> the -knowledge of the true God, prove to them the impotency -of their idols, and the supremacy of the God of the -Hebrews, in heaven, and on earth, and over kings and -people. "Therefore, and for these ends," continued the -divine Moses, "that He might not leave Himself without -a witness before men, and that He might declare His -power to all His creatures, and His care for the oppressed, -and His judgment upon kings who reign by cruelty, -has He permitted, not only the bondage of our nation, -but raised up such a man as Pharaoh, in whom to show -forth His power and judgments, as He said to this king, -'And in very deed, for this cause have I raised thee up, -to show in thee my power, and that my Name may be -declared throughout all the earth.' Therefore did the -Lord God say to me in the beginning, when He sent me -before Pharaoh, 'I am sure that the king of Egypt will -not let you go, no not until I stretch out my hand with -mighty power, and smite Egypt with all my wonders -which I will do; and after that he will let you go!' I -did not understand this all at the first," said Moses, -"but now I perceive the mind of God, and that He will -do His will upon Pharaoh, and send yet more terrible -punishments; after which, humbled, and acknowledging -God to be the Lord, he will let the people go!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_544" id="Page_544">{544}</a></span> -What a wonderful mystery is passing before us, O -my father! How dreadful is this God! How wonderful, -how glorious is His majesty! In His presence, and -before Him, what is man but dust, breath, vanity? I -humble myself before Him, and feel that I am a worm, -and no man! Yet Thothmeses, like a madman, stands -and defies this living God!</p> - -<p>Not all the horror of the plague of hail and fire, of -the lightnings and thunderings, moved him to let Israel -depart. When the judgment of God was at its height, -driven to the interior of his palace,—from the tower upon -which he had ascended "to see what Moses and Aaron -would do," as he said,—he remained there three days, -until, unable longer to bear the terrors of the scene, and -the cries of his people, he sent for Moses and Aaron. -No messenger could be found to go but Israelisis, your -former page, who, since he returned to Egypt, is a servant -of the king, greatly devoted to him, and from -whom I have obtained much interesting information of -the effects of these divine judgments upon him. Three -couriers, one after the other, had been struck down by -the hail. But the Hebrew walked forth fearlessly and -unharmed, and moved through the showers of ice, as if -he bore a charmed life. This alone should have proved -the power of God to be with the Hebrew servant, and -against Pharaoh and his servants.</p> - -<p>Moving through the darkness, amid the fire upon the -ground, and the hail and scalding rain, the man arrived, -and told Moses and Aaron that the king had repented, -and prayed them both to hasten to him, for he knew -their God would defend them from injury on the way.</p> - -<p>The king is represented as having received the Hebrew -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_545" id="Page_545">{545}</a></span> -brothers in his bath-room, with his physicians -around him, his face ghastly with fear, and anxiety, and -an indefinable dread. It is also said that his manner -was servile rather than humble, and that his speech was -mingled with lamentations and accusations. When they -entered, he said:</p> - -<p>"It is enough, O men of God, it is enough! Entreat -the Lord your God for me, that there be no more mighty -thunderings and hail, and I will let you go, and without -any longer delay."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, the palace shook to its foundations, and -the water in the fountain swayed to and fro with violence, -as in an earthquake, while the hail, descending -with a great noise into the outer courts, was piled many -cubits in height against the columns, the sculptured -work of which, struck off in every exposed part, fell to -the earth mingled with the hail-stones.</p> - -<p>"As soon as I am gone out of the city I will spread -abroad my hands unto the Lord," said Moses, "and the -thunder shall cease, and the hail, that thou mayest know -how that the earth is the Lord's. But, O king, as for -thee and thy lords, I know that ye will not <i>yet</i> fear the -Lord God. Has He not mocked the power of your pretended -goddess, Isis, over the heavens, and seasons, and -winds? Who hath known a rain and hail in Egypt in -this month? or hath seen the winds blowing clouds -from the sea? God is God, and Isis is no god; or if a -god, where is her power? Entreat her to remove this -<i>chamsin</i> of heaven, such as earth never before felt upon -her bosom."</p> - -<p>"God is God, and entreat Him for me," answered the -king, with a feeble gesture of impatience, doubtless -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_546" id="Page_546">{546}</a></span> -humbled, and yet angry at being compelled to consent -to lose six hundred thousand working-men from the -mines and great works he is carrying on; for though he -fears the number of the Hebrews, he would rather retain -them, keeping them under by increased oppression, -than release them, and thereby be relieved from the -apprehensions to which their unparalleled increase has -given rise.</p> - -<p>When Moses had left the city of On behind him, he -spread abroad his hands towards heaven unto his God; -and the thunders, and rain, and hail, and lightnings -ceased.</p> - -<p>Anticipating the removal of the judgment, I had been -standing for some hours by the tower and fountain of -Jacob. Suddenly the awful mass of ebony-black cloud, -which, for three days, had never ceased to utter its voices -of thunder, and send forth its lightnings, hail, and fire -upon the earth beneath, began to roll itself up, like a -scroll, towards the north. The thunder ceased. The -lightnings were no more visible. The hail fell no more. -And, as the cloud receded, the shadows upon the land—now -smitten and desolate—moved with it. Gradually -the whole landscape reappeared; first I saw the walls -of On, then its towers, then the obelisks caught the -light, and all at once the effulgent sun poured, from the -clear sky above it, the splendor of his beams, which the -shield of Osiris caught and again reflected with its former -brilliancy. Slowly, but with awful majesty, the -cloud of God's anger descended the horizon, and finally -disappeared in the north. And I thought that mayhap -its dark volume would be seen passing over the sea, -even from Tyre, to your consternation and wonder.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_547" id="Page_547">{547}</a></span> -What a scene of desolation the land presented when, -the next day, I returned to On! The fields of flax and -barley were smitten and consumed; the trees were -broken and stripped of their leaves, either by the fire or -hail; the houses and villages of the plain were devastated; -in all the fields were dead corpses; and cattle -and horses which had escaped the former plague, or -been purchased from the Hebrews, were lying dead -everywhere with their herdsmen. Chariots and their -riders, overtaken in flight from On, lay upon the highways; -and death, desolation, and horror reigned!</p> - -<p>Entering the city, I saw soldiers that had been struck -dead at their posts by the hail, still lying where they -fell; and the streets filled with the dead and wounded, -and with heaps of hail; while the sun shone down upon -a scene of universal wailing and woe!</p> - -<p>I passed on to the palace of Pharaoh, my position and -rank having at all times given me free access to his presence. -I found him at a banquet, as for three days and -nights he had scarcely tasted food for terror and confusion, -neither he, nor his lords, nor servants. They were -feasting and drinking wine, and the king's face was -flushed with strong drink; for, seizing the present -moment of security, he revelled, striving to forget the -past terrors. As I entered, his singers were singing a -hymn to his gods; and when it was ended, Pharaoh, -with his cup in his hand, cursed the God of the Hebrews -who had sent such terrors upon his land, for hitherto -he had said it was the gods of Egypt who had done -these things, forced thereto by the powerful enchantments -of the Hebrew brothers.</p> - -<p>I turned away from his hall, refusing to go in, when -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_548" id="Page_548">{548}</a></span> -Moses and Aaron passed me, and entered his presence. -Upon seeing them, Pharaoh's heart was hardened against -them and their God, and he and his lords rose up in fear -and anger.</p> - -<p>"Are ye come again before me, ye Hebrews?" he -cried, in his wrath and wine. "I will not let Israel go! -Not a foot nor hoof shall stir from the land! I have -sworn it by the life of Pharaoh, and by the gods of -Egypt!"</p> - -<p>Then Moses answered the king, and said—</p> - -<p>"Thus saith the Lord God of the Hebrews, O Pharaoh: -'Let my people go! How long wilt thou refuse -to humble thyself before me? Let my people go, that -they may serve me; else on the morrow will I bring the -locusts into thy coasts, and they shall cover the face of -the earth, and devour what remaineth in the field, and -shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all the Egyptians, -even as hath not been upon the earth unto this day!'"</p> - -<p>"We have seen locusts in Egypt, O Hebrew, and fear -them not," answered Pharaoh, with a laugh of derision. -"Go tell your God that Pharaoh and his gods defy Him -and His locusts!"</p> - -<p>Then Moses turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. -But the lords of Egypt feared, and said unto -their king—</p> - -<p>"How long shall this man be a snare unto us and the -evil destiny of Egypt? Let the men of the Hebrews -go, that they may serve their mighty and dreadful God, -as He commandeth them. Knowest thou not, O king, -that Egypt is destroyed; and the locusts will destroy the -wheat and the rye which are just bursting out of the -ground, and the leaves that are putting forth?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_549" id="Page_549">{549}</a></span> -Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, who had -not yet reached the gate of the palace, and when they -again stood before him, he said—</p> - -<p>"For the sake of these, and for Egypt's sake, which -thy sorcery has nearly destroyed, I yield to thy demand, -not because I fear thy God. Go, serve the Lord your -God; but who are they that shall go?"</p> - -<p>And Moses answered, and said firmly and fearlessly—</p> - -<p>"We will go with our young and with our old, with -our sons and with our daughters; with our flocks and -with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto -the Lord, and a sacrifice unto our God."</p> - -<p>Then Pharaoh answered, in great anger—</p> - -<p>"Let the Lord look to you, not to me, for his sacrifices, -as if I will let you go, and your little ones, that -you may feast to Him! Look to it! Provoke not my -wrath, for evil is before you! Ask not so. Go now, ye -that are men and serve the Lord, since that is what ye -ask! Now leave my presence! Ye are become the -curse of Egypt. What! Do ye linger to ask more? -Drive the men forth from the palace!"</p> - -<p>The guards followed for some paces, but drew not -near them for fear; and with calm dignity of demeanor, -the divine brothers went out of the palace, and left the -city. When we had departed from the presence of -Pharaoh—for I had joined their holy companionship—he -stretched forth his rod over the land eastward, -and invoked the new judgment of God that he had -threatened. Immediately a strong east wind arose, and -blew all that day, and all the night, each hour increasing; -and in the morning, when I waked at a great cry -of the people, I looked forth, and beheld the heavens -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_550" id="Page_550">{550}</a></span> -dark with a strange aspect, wholly unlike a cloud, yet -moving like one, or, rather, like a great ocean-wave rolling -along the sky. It was attended in its approach, which -was from the direction of the Arabian Sea, by a confused -humming, like the wind sweeping through the tall -cedars on Libanus. As it drew near, it covered half the -heavens, and appeared many hundred feet in thickness, -the lower surface being not far from the earth. I soon -perceived, from the cries around me, that it was the -threatened plague of locusts coming upon Egypt, loosed -from the open palm of God's hand. My position was at -a window in the house of Aaron, and not far from the -line between Goshen and the rest of Egypt. I saw them, -as they passed over the plains, and fields, and city, and -villages, descend in showers like flakes of snow, hundreds -and thousands at a time, until the whole earth was -brown with them. Thus the flight continued all that -day, and all night, and all the next day and next night,—an -endless cloud, darkening the sun by day and the -stars by night. The surface of Egypt seemed agitated -and alive like the sea after a storm, restless, and in continual -motion in every part; while the noise made by -the wings of the locusts was incessant,—a monotone -awful to hear, without variation or diminution, till the -ear became weary of hearing, and in vain sought relief -from the deep, angry bass of this voice of vengeance of -the Hebrews' God! In crossing the Nile, myriads fell -into it, and covered its surface,—galleys, barges, men, -and sails; and the water was defiled by their presence. -At noon-day there was a dreadful twilight prevailing, -for the beams of the sun could not penetrate this living -cloud. They covered the whole face of Egypt, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_551" id="Page_551">{551}</a></span> -their voracity left not a bud, or leaf, or any green thing -on the trees, which were just putting out again; or in -the herbs of the field, which had sprung up since -the hail; for much seed was in the ground, which -came up after the hail, only to be destroyed by the -locusts.</p> - -<p>Then the people, in despair, besieged the palace of -Pharaoh with great cries. Though the Egyptians regard -their king as their priest, and as a god, and are -proverbially submissive to his will and power, they had -now lost all fear, being driven to despair by this last -plague. Nothing but famine and death were before -them, and their wives, and little ones! Pharaoh also -became alarmed at the endless power of the God of the -Hebrews! He had long since given his magicians, -Jambres and Jannes, to death, because they failed to -keep pace with Moses and Aaron, and he evidently felt -that this was the power of a God he could no longer -compete with. He therefore sent for Moses and Aaron -in haste. When they came into his presence they beheld -him in a closed room, lighted by the seven golden -lamps which Osirtasen captured from the king of Nineveh; -for the locusts made it necessary to close every -shutter, and turn day into night, in every house. He -was reclining upon a lounge covered with Tyrian purple, -and adorned with needle-work; and was surrounded -by the ladies of his palace, who were imploring him, as -the Hebrew brothers entered, to let Israel go! Even -his son, the careless and gay Prince Amunophis, was -kneeling before him, and urging him to abide by his -resolution, to grant the demand of the God of the Hebrews. -When he beheld the tall and majestic persons -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_552" id="Page_552">{552}</a></span> -of Moses and Aaron enter, he rose from his couch, and -cried—</p> - -<p>"I have sinned against the Lord your God, and -against you. Now, therefore, O Moses and Aaron, forgive, -I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the -Lord your God that he may take away from me this -death only!"</p> - -<p>This confession seemed to be made with a certain -frankness and sincerity, and a show of deep humility; -and Moses answered—</p> - -<p>"The Lord forgive thee, according to what is in thy -heart. I will entreat the Lord for thee, and the plague -shall be removed from thee and thy people."</p> - -<p>Then Moses went out from the presence of Pharaoh; -and when he had come into Goshen he ascended the -tower of Jacob, and entreated the Lord for Pharaoh. -Immediately the cloud of locusts became tossed as with -a whirlwind; and the wind, changing from the east to -the west, blew strongly, and pressed back the mass of -locust-clouds, sweeping those that were on the earth into -the air, and rolling the whole body of winged creatures -eastward. This wind blew all night, and all the next -day, and the next night, a mighty wind, and on the following -morning not a living locust was visible in all the -coasts of Egypt.</p> - -<p>Moses now sent messengers all through Egypt, calling -upon the children of Israel to leave whatever they might -be occupied in, and assemble themselves in the land of -Goshen, with their wives, and children, and flocks, and -all that they had. He had previously sent men into -Upper Egypt and to the mines; and, what is wonderful, -the Hebrews in the mines were permitted to go -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_553" id="Page_553">{553}</a></span> -forth from thence by their keepers, for the fear of Moses -had reached their ears, and they gladly let them go! -The messengers whom Moses now sent everywhere, -from Migdol to Syene, were Hebrews, and were nowhere -molested as they went; for a fear and reverence -of them, as the people of the mighty God of Moses, had -taken the place, in the minds of the great body of the -Egyptians, of their former contempt: nay, every one -was willing to do them a kindness.</p> - -<p>Now, my dear father, you are prepared to read that -Pharaoh, according to his word, permitted the children -of Israel to depart from his dominions. But Thothmeses -IV. is no ordinary man! Probably, such a character as -his is unknown in the history of kings. Such a union -of opposite qualities is rarely encountered in one individual. -Superstitious, yet sacrilegious! cowardly, yet -braving death! faithful to his oath to his gods, yet a -perjurer of himself to men! tender-hearted as a woman -to his own children and family, yet cruel as a tiger and -relentless as a lion to the Hebrews and their little ones! -Treacherous, sycophantic, malicious, and ironical, he is -twofold in speech, and double-minded in secret intention; -he promises when in danger, and revokes his word -in security! Despising his foes, yet fearing them, he -flatters, smiles upon, and deceives them! Trembling -under judgment, he denies his terrors when they are -past! convinced of the truth, yet opposing it! confessing -the power of God, yet defying it! These qualities, -God, who reads the character in the heart, saw in Pharaoh, -and knew from the beginning what he would do, -and how he would receive Moses, far better than we -can know how our well-known friends would act under -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_554" id="Page_554">{554}</a></span> -supposed circumstances. It was perhaps, therefore, on -account of the peculiar character of this Pharaoh, that -God chose the time and the man for showing His power, -glory, majesty, and terror to Egypt, to Israel, and to the -world! Under such a queen as Amense, or such a -prince as the mild Thothmeses II., the first miracle of the -serpent swallowing the rods of the magicians, would -have drawn their consent to let Israel go. Where then -would have been the manifestation of the power of God, -that the earth is now witnessing with awe and fear? -God, therefore, knowing what was in the man, chose -this Pharaoh as the person in whom, through the natural -agency of his obdurate heart, He might make manifest -His name as the God of heaven and earth, whose power -neither man nor gods can resist. Thus Pharaoh, unwittingly, -through the perversity of his own will, and -the instability of his character, is actually carrying out -God's ultimate designs, glorifying Him in His greatness, -and drawing forth these stupendous manifestations of -His Almighty power over earth, and air, and skies! -Yet is he no less guilty before God; for he does not -intend His glory, but, on the contrary, denies and defies -Him in its every successive manifestation!</p> - -<p>Pharaoh, therefore, did not stand to his word now, -dear father. When left to himself, he forgot all that had -gone before, and sent word to Moses and Aaron not to -attempt to remove the Hebrews, as he would not let -them go; for Egypt was devastated, and nearly ruined -in every part, and he must first have the labors of the -Hebrews to restore the dikes and canals, and the terraces -and gardens of the lakes, and then he would let -them go.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_555" id="Page_555">{555}</a></span> -Then Moses and Aaron went at noon-day and sought -the Lord as aforetime, in the silence and loneliness of -the well of Jacob, where they ever prayed unto Him, -and where He spake unto them all the words He commanded -them to speak before Pharaoh. And when they -had ended their prayers and supplications before their -great and terrible God, whose name they never spake -but with the profoundest awe, the Lord said unto Moses:</p> - -<p>"Stretch forth thine hand towards heaven, that there -may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness -that may be felt."</p> - -<p>Obeying the command, Moses ascended the tower of -Jacob, and stretched forth his hand towards heaven.</p> - -<p>Then followed a scene, my dear father, of solemn terror. -The atmosphere became the color of blood. The -sun disappeared as if extinguished. A thick and instant -darkness fell upon the earth. The birds ceased their -songs; the cattle lowed; the wail of Egypt went up -in one great cry! Though On is several miles distant, -the cry of the city reached the ears of the children of -Israel in Goshen. But with them all was light, and joy, -and beauty. The sun shone; there was light in every -dwelling; the birds sang; the green harvests waved in -the joyous sunshine; the verdant fields and leafy trees -danced in the soft breeze; for no plague had come nigh -the Hebrews, their fields, foliage, or dwellings. The -darkness stood, like a great wall of black mist rising -high as heaven, between Goshen and Egypt.</p> - -<p>Its sudden descent upon Egypt caught the Egyptians -on the road, in the fields, upon the Nile, in the streets, -temples, and palaces, as they chanced to be; and where -it fell upon them, there they were compelled to remain. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_556" id="Page_556">{556}</a></span> -No flame could burn in the thick, black fog, which felt -slimy to the touch. I would have entered it for a moment -after touching it, but Aaron warned me not to -tempt God; that safety was alone in the sunlight of -Goshen. Out from the black abyss came, now and then, -a fearful cry of some desolate wayfarer, and the Hebrews -answered kindly back, and so by their shouts -directed the wanderer in the darkness how to move towards -the light. During this darkness, the Hebrews, -by the command of Moses, were collecting their flocks, -and preparing to depart to sacrifice to their God: also, -those who had not been circumcised now received the -rite.</p> - -<p>This horrible night continued without change—without -moon or star to lend it a ray—until the third day, -when Pharaoh, unable longer to hold out in this unequal -combat against God, sent two Hebrews, born in his -house, to Moses; for only the Hebrew could walk -through this night of God as in the light. Without a -word of impatience or doubt, Moses and Aaron rose up -and disappeared in the awful veil of darkness, in response -to the summons of the king. No sooner did Pharaoh -behold them, than he cried out, in a voice of mingled -complaint and condescension—</p> - -<p>"Go ye, Moses and Aaron, ye and yours, only let -your flocks and herds stay in the land; for hast thou -not destroyed," he added with bitterness, "whatsoever -parteth the hoof in all the land of Egypt? Your little -ones may also go with you." This was spoken in a tone -of condescension.</p> - -<p>And Moses answered and said:</p> - -<p>"Thou must suffer our flocks and herds to go with us, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_557" id="Page_557">{557}</a></span> -O king, that we may have sacrifices and burnt-offerings -wherewith to sacrifice unto the Lord our God. Our -cattle, therefore, must also go with us. There shall not a -hoof be left behind."</p> - -<p>When Pharaoh heard Moses speak thus firmly and -boldly to him, abating nothing from his first demand, -he seemed to lose his reason with rage. Casting his -sceptre from his hand at the two brothers, he cried—</p> - -<p>"Get ye from me, ye destroyers and curse of Egypt! -Take heed to thyself, O Moses, and see my face no more, -for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die!"</p> - -<p>Then Moses answered, with calm and severe majesty:</p> - -<p>"Thou hast spoken well, O Pharaoh. I will see thy -face no more. But hear thou the word of the Lord, -which, knowing thy heart, He hath spoken unto me to -say now before thee: 'I will bring yet one plague more -upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. About midnight will -I go out into the midst of Egypt, and all the first-born -in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of -Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the first-born -of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all -the first-born of beasts: and all these thy servants shall -bow down themselves unto me, saying—"Get thee out, -and all the people that follow thee; and thy lords, and -high captains, and governors, and great men, and all who -serve thee, shall come down to me, to urge me to go -forth out of Egypt: after that I will go out."' These, -O king, are the words of the Lord against thee. Thou -hast cast thy sceptre at my feet. As I step my foot -upon it, so shall the Lord place his foot upon Egypt!"</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, Moses went out from Pharaoh in great -anger. As he left the palace, the Egyptians prostrated -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_558" id="Page_558">{558}</a></span> -themselves before him, and sought his favor, and some -cried, "He is a god! Let this god, who is mightier -than Osiris and greater than Serapis, be our god!"</p> - -<p>"But Moses sternly rebuked them," said Aaron, who -related to me all that had passed, "and felt deeply -grieved and humbled at so great a sin, and called upon -them to worship God in heaven, whose servant only he -was, with no power in himself to do these wonders -which they had witnessed."</p> - -<p>Farewell, my dear father. My next letter, without -doubt, will convey to you the victory of the Lord God -over Pharaoh and his gods, and the deliverance of the -Hebrews from their bondage.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_559" id="Page_559">{559}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XI.</h3> - -<p class="center small">REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Written in the Wilderness of Arabia, by the Sea.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">The</span> -events which have transpired since I last -wrote to you, mock my pen by their sublimity and infinite -grandeur. Upon a rock for a tablet, the desert -around me, the Sea of Edom before me, I desire to record, -while they are vivid in my memory, the stupendous -scenes of the past six days. The millions of Israel -have come forth out of Egypt! The Sea of Suphim -is between them and the land of their bondage! But -I have so much to write, such wonders to relate, that -I will not anticipate your curiosity, but proceed to -send you a narrative of each event in due order. Let -all the earth say that the Lord God of the Hebrews is -the only God: besides Him there is no God!</p> - -<p>The day that Moses and Aaron departed from the -presence of Pharaoh-Thothmeses, in truth to see his face -no more, the Lord commanded them to call together the -elders and people of the Hebrews, and instruct them to -take a male lamb, or a kid without blemish, one to each -household, keep it till the fourteenth day of the month, -which day was just at hand, and kill it on the evening -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_560" id="Page_560">{560}</a></span> -thereof, sprinkling, with a bunch of hyssop, the lintel and -door-posts of their houses dipped in its blood, and roasting -the flesh, eat it at night, leaving none until morning. -"And ye shall eat it," said the Lord, "in haste, with -your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your -staff in your hand; for it is the Lord's passover, who -will the same night pass through the land of Egypt, and -smite all the first-born of the land of Egypt, both man -and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute -judgment! I am the Lord: and this day shall be a -memorial to you forever."</p> - -<p>Then Moses did as the Lord commanded. Moreover -on the day of the night on which the lamb, that had -been selected from the flocks three days before, was to -be slain, he said to the elders of Israel, whom he called, -together, "Thus saith the Lord your God, 'Let none of -you go out at the door of his house until the morning; -for this night the Lord will pass through to smite the -Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the -lintel, and on the two side-posts, the Lord will <i>pass over</i> -the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in -unto your houses to smite you.'" There were also other -ordinances of bread unleavened established, which bread -they were commanded to eat for seven days, at the "feast -of unleavened bread."</p> - -<p>And when Moses had proclaimed these and other -ordinances, the people bowed their heads and worshipped -God, and said they would do all that the Lord had commanded -Moses and Aaron to say unto them.</p> - -<p>Then, my dear father, followed a scene of the deepest -interest! It was three millions of people preparing -to break their bondage of generations, and to go forth -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_561" id="Page_561">{561}</a></span> -from under the cruel sceptre of the king of Egypt forever. -The mighty miracles of Moses had, long since, -silenced the murmurs and doubts of the elders, openly -uttered at the beginning, when Pharaoh in revenge -against Moses and Aaron, increased their burdens, -and denied them straw for their bricks. At each successive -miracle they had gained confidence in their -powerful advocate before Pharaoh; and when they saw -that he could not be equalled by the magicians, they -became vain and proud of him, whom before they had -condemned; and waited, with wonder and expectation, -their mighty deliverence. At the occurrence of the -sixth miracle they threw up all work, and no Egyptian -had the heart to say, "Go to your tasks!" for they saw -that God was with them. Thus from all parts of Egypt, -drawn by curiosity, hope, wonder, and a desire to behold -this mighty leader whom God had raised up, they flocked -to Goshen, until the land was filled with their vast numbers! -The houses and huts could not contain them, and -they slept by thousands in the fields, and by the wayside. -When they perceived that the darkness, and the -locusts, and the hail approached not their land, the most -timid and desponding took courage, and lifted their -voices to the God of their fathers, in hope and gratitude. -Indeed, after the awful plague of darkness, thousands of -the most ignorant Hebrews shouted that he was a god, -and the Egyptians of all classes were ready to acknowledge -him as Osiris or Thoth! And in some of the -temples, the day after the darkness passed, the priests -waved incense to Osiris by the name of Mususiris, or -Osiris-Moses: and, I doubt not, divine honors will be -paid him in Egypt for generations to come! Yet this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_562" id="Page_562">{562}</a></span> -mighty servant of God moves among the people, as -unassuming and self-forgetful as the humblest of his -brethren, quietly giving his directions for the greatest -movement earth was ever to behold—a nation marching -in one day from bondage to freedom!</p> - -<p>I moved in and out, everywhere among them. There -was a strange joy lighting up every face. Old men -looked calm and happy; young men were noisy with -hope; maidens were full of joy; mothers smiled with -delight, as they clasped their babes to their bosoms, in -the certainty that they would not grow up in servitude -to Pharaoh. All eyes were turned to Moses and Aaron, -as they passed to and fro, and many fell on their knees, -and worshipped them; while others shouted, as the only -way they could express their emotions. How must the -heart of the servant of God have swelled with gratitude -to his Creator, as he beheld the happiness around him! -And how deeply he must have realized his responsibility, -as he reflected that the hopes of three millions of people, -whom he had assembled in Goshen, with the promise of -deliverance from the sceptre of Pharaoh, hung upon his -single arm, but which was, for the time, the arm of -God!</p> - -<p>With what emotions of awe and expectation did the -children of Israel, each at the door of his house, prepare -to slay the chosen lamb, and sprinkle its blood on the -side-posts and lintel! To them it was the command of -Moses simply, and beyond that none knew the significance. -It was a beautiful and serene evening. The -sun had filled the skies with golden atoms, and the -horizon was tinged with commingled emerald, blue, and -orange colors, fused into an atmosphere of ineffable -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_563" id="Page_563">{563}</a></span> -glory. It seemed as if the presence of the God of the -Hebrews was in His skies, beholding His people! At -the given hour, being the ninth of the day, a hundred -thousand sacrificial knives—held in the hands of the men -of a whole nation, which became, for the moment, a -nation of priests to God—flashed in the sun, and the -blood of the victims, pouring upon the land of Goshen, -consecrated it as the altar where the God of the Hebrews -first received the national worship of His people, -and their recognition of Him as their God.</p> - -<p>Then, with hyssop dipped in a basin of the blood, -each man sprinkled the door-posts, and cross-piece of -the entrance of his house, in behalf of all who either -should dwell in it, or who, being stranger-brethren, -came from other parts of Egypt, and could enter no -house for the throngs, yet were numbered with some -one household: as, for instance, the house of Aaron's -father-in-law, which could hold but thirty people, -had on its list three hundred and seventy names, -as its household,—all brethren from other provinces; -for Goshen was now like a mighty camp. There were -besides, hovering about the confines of Goshen, and -even mingling with the Hebrews, thousands of Egyptian -families, who, flying from the terror of the Lord in -Egypt, had sought safety near the Hebrews, and under -the wing of the God who had protected them,—hoping -to share their safety. Many of these brought their substance -with them—their rich apparel, their gold, and -jewels, and silver—hoping, therewith, to purchase the -favor of their once despised, and now dreaded, bondmen.</p> - -<p>How, my dear father, shall I record the events of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_564" id="Page_564">{564}</a></span> -night that followed the death of the lambs! As the sun -went down, the Hebrews, with awe, retired within their -dwellings, and closed the doors. Mothers, with anxious -haste, drew in their first-born. Even many of the hapless -Egyptians, who had heard of the command to the -Hebrews, chose a lamb and slew it—their hands trembling, -and hearts sinking between hope and fear—and -sprinkled the door-posts of their wretched places of -shelter, if, peradventure, the great and terrible God of -the Hebrews would, in the coming night of His vengeance -upon Pharaoh, seeing the blood, pass them by, and -spare their first-born also.</p> - -<p>At length a silence, like that which forever reigns in -the heart of the pyramids, reigned throughout Goshen. -Not an eye was closed in all Israel, during those first -hours of dread watching for the first sound abroad of -God's coming down upon Egypt. I remained up, in the -house of the venerable Aminadab, the father-in-law of -Aaron. Elisiba, the wife of Aaron, with her arm around -her eldest son Nadab, a fine young man, held him firmly -by her side. Aaron and Moses were apart, in a room by -themselves, engaged in low conversation, or in solemn -prayer. No other sound was heard, but the voice of this -wonderful man talking, as if face to face with his God.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, at midnight, a bright light from heaven -shone above the dwelling, and from it went forth a glory -which filled the land of Goshen with its beams. I stood, -at the moment, in the court, and fell with my face to -the earth; for I knew that it was the presence of God. -At length Moses touched me, and said—</p> - -<p>"Fear not! Rise and behold the glory of God, that -when thou shalt return and sit upon thy throne, thou -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_565" id="Page_565">{565}</a></span> -mayest teach thy people that the God of the Hebrews -is the God of heaven and earth! For thy sake, as well as -for Israel, and Pharaoh, and the Egyptians, and all the -nations who shall hear of this, are these wonders and -judgments done; that Pharaoh, and all kings, and the -whole earth, may know who is the Lord, and worship -only Him!"</p> - -<p>I arose, and lo! in the height of heaven I beheld a -column, or pillar of fire, the base of which was above -the roof of the house, and the summit thereof in the -region of clouds. It was in the form of a Hebrew staff, -with a bar of light across it near its top, upon which -seemed to be a crown of glory, shooting forth thorns of -light and splendor. In this cloud, or pillar of light, -there seemed to stand a form like that of a man, but -resplendent with ineffable radiance, and I covered my -face and worshipped. When I looked again, the dazzling -vision, if such it were, was in motion towards -Egypt, and the city of On. As it moved, it lighted up -the whole earth. When it came over the city of the -Sun, a sword seemed to be drawn by the man who stood -in the pillar of fire, and I beheld it sweep over the palace -of Pharaoh, and strike. Then, with the swiftness -and dazzling gleam of lightning, it turned every way -over Egypt, till I could not, dared not behold longer -and bowed my head, veiling my eyes, and adoring.</p> - -<p>Then we heard, even in Goshen, a cry as from the -living heart of Egypt, as if every mother in the vast -cities of On and Memphis, and the hundred surrounding -villages, had lifted her voice in one prolonged, dreadful -wail of woe.</p> - -<p>I knew what that cry meant, and trembled in silent -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_566" id="Page_566">{566}</a></span> -awe. I prostrated myself before God and cried for -mercy!</p> - -<p>At length the sword was drawn back by the hand of -the man in the pillar of cloud, and the shining column -returned and stood over the house where Moses and -Aaron remained; a calm, lambent light, soft as moonbeams, -being now emitted from it, instead of the angry -splendor with which it shone before.</p> - -<p>One or more hours passed, and two horsemen, riding -like the wind, entered Goshen and cast themselves upon -the ground at the feet of Moses and Aaron. They were -couriers from Pharaoh.</p> - -<p>"My lords," cried one of them, pale and trembling -with fear and haste, after he had risen from his prostration, -"the king hath sent us to thee, and these are the -words he hath commanded us to say: 'Rise up, Moses -and Aaron, and get you forth from among my people, -and from Egypt, both ye and the children of Israel, and -go and serve the Lord as ye have said. Take your -flocks, and your herds, and all that ye have, and be -gone; and pray your dreadful God for me, that He may -bless me also, for He hath slain my son!'"</p> - -<p>Then came, while he was yet speaking, a large company -of lords, and high officers, and great men of Egypt, -whose sons the wrath of God had slain (for there was -not a house in Egypt where there was not one dead, -from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat upon the throne, -to the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon), -and they were urgent upon Moses and Aaron, and the -Hebrew people, imploring them, with tears and supplications, -to hasten from the land, with all they had, and -to make all haste.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_567" id="Page_567">{567}</a></span> -Then Moses, as soon as it was day, sent word throughout -all Israel to prepare to go forth out of Egypt that -day. He directed the people to take all the jewels, and -gold, and silver, and raiment, which the Egyptians were -forcing upon them to bribe them to hasten; "for," he -said, "it is yours, as the Lord hath commanded you to -spoil the Egyptians, for whom ye have labored without -wages. It is the Lord's gift to you from those whom -He would spoil, and whose lives He has spared to them."</p> - -<p>Now followed a spectacle of wonderful interest and -sublimity. As if moved by one spirit, Israel marshalled -itself into companies of hundreds, and these into bands -of thousands, and these into mighty divisions of tribes, -so that by noon there were twelve separate armies of -God, ready to march at the voice of Moses. The whole -plain of Goshen, as far as the eye could see from the -tower of Jacob, was covered with their mighty hosts. -Each tribe had its women, and little ones, and flocks -and herds within its own square. They waited now for -the signal to move forward, every man with his loins -girded, his shoes on his feet, and his staff in his hand, -their bread unbaked in their kneading-troughs, and their -persons laden with the jewels and gifts which the urgent -Egyptians had forced upon them, either that they might -see their faces no more, or from fear, or in the hope to -be blessed by their Lord God for these favors: for so -the Lord, to whom the gold and silver of the earth belong, -had disposed their hearts towards the Hebrews.</p> - -<p>Then, at the going down of the sun, Moses gave the -signal for this mighty march. There were no trumpets -sounding, no military display of banners and spears; -but they moved to their own tread, which seemed to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_568" id="Page_568">{568}</a></span> -shake the earth. They came on in columns, a thousand -men abreast, and marched past the tower of Jacob, on -which Moses stood, with Aaron by his side, the miraculous -rod in his hand. When the van of this army of Jehovah, -terrible in its strength, came up with the tower, the -white cloud of the Presence of Jehovah (which, all day -had stood in the air like a snow-white cloud, immovable -and wonderful to behold), advanced, as if borne upon a -gentle wind, and placed itself before the host. Night -came on ere half the divisions had passed by where Moses -stood; and, as the sun went down, never more to rise -upon Israel in Egypt, the Pillar of Cloud became a Pillar -of Fire, and shed a glory over the innumerable armies -of Israel equal to the splendor of day.</p> - -<p>It was midnight ere the last tribe had passed by with -its face to the desert. Then Moses and Aaron descended, -and I kneeled before them, and asked if I might be permitted -to go out of Egypt with the Lord's people, and -continue to behold the power of God. Moses answered -me with benignity, and said I should be with him as a -son, that I might see the wonders of Jehovah, and make -known in Phœnicia His glory and power.</p> - -<p>While he was speaking, a mixed multitude of Egyptians, -Nubians, slaves, captives of Egypt, and of all -those persons who hoped to be blessed and benefited -with Israel, fell to the ground before Moses, and entreated -him to suffer them to go up to the new land to -which he was going. Moses granted them, without -hesitation, their prayer.</p> - -<p>Then I learned that those among the Egyptians who -had, in obedience to the command of Moses, sprinkled -their own door-posts, escaped like the Israelites, for it -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_569" id="Page_569">{569}</a></span> -was the sign of the blood of obedience alone, that the -angel of the Lord regarded; on the other hand, several -Israelitish families saw their first-born perish, they having -neglected to obey the command of Moses, from avarice -or indifference, or doubt of the intention of God, or -supposing that being Israelites would save their households.</p> - -<p>And here, my dear father, let me make known to you -that I have learned from Aaron the significance of this -sign; for God having made known to him that "he is -to become the high-priest, as Moses is the leader, of his -people, has revealed to him that the slaying of the -lamb is a type of a divine and innocent Person, who -shall come down from God, and one day be sacrificed. -Earth, as the antitype of Egypt, is to be the altar of this -future stupendous sacrifice. And as by the blood of a -lamb, and the death of the first-born, Israel is delivered -from Egypt, so by the blood of the Lamb, the -first-born of God, shall the whole of mankind who look -to his blood be finally delivered from this earth, and -from Satan its Pharaoh, and be led by God into a -heaven above the skies, a land of eternal happiness and -peace, to dwell there till the end of ages."</p> - -<p>Is not this a sublime doctrine? Is God, then, making -with Israel, an outline of what He is to perform with the -whole earth? Shall we escape this world-broad Egypt, -and under a divine leader like Moses, by the blood of -the mysterious Lamb of God, be led to another world? -I have but indistinct knowledge, my dear father, of all -this; but have learned enough to make my heart bound -with joy. For in this enlarged conception of the wonderful -theme, you and I, and all in the whole earth,—who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_570" id="Page_570">{570}</a></span> -shall look to the God of Israel, and by foresight -of faith trust in the sprinkling of the blood of the -Lamb upon the threshold of our hearts,—are also of -Israel; their God is our God; their land of heaven -our land of promise also! Oh, who can fathom the -wisdom, and goodness, and love, and power of God? -To His name be glory, majesty, dominion, and worship -from all nations! Before Him let kings fall down, and -princes prostrate themselves, and every knee of all -people, nations, kindred, and tongues, be bent; for He -is the Lord of heaven and earth, and besides Him there -is no God!</p> - -<p>Also, my dear father, Moses, whose lips ever distil -celestial wisdom, was graciously pleased, on the night -before the death of the first-born, as he walked to and -fro in the court of the house of Aminadab, to reveal to -me the divine aim in sending such miracles as He did -upon Egypt, instead of any others. I listened with -wonder and increased awe, and, if I may so express it, -redoubled admiration of the wisdom and justice of God.</p> - -<p>Said the holy Hebrew and sage, "The Egyptians have -ever believed, that the jugglery and magic arts, in which -their magicians and priests of mysteries display such -astonishing proficiency, are actual miracles, exhibiting -the power of their deities, and their co-operation with -their priests to enable them to do these deceptions. -Miracles, therefore (or magic), were regarded by them -as acts of their idols. It became necessary that the -Lord God of the Hebrews should manifest Himself -and His power by miracles also; and not only this, -but that the miracles which He performed should be -of such a character as to distinguish them from the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_571" id="Page_571">{571}</a></span> -jugglery of the magicians, and at once convince the -Egyptians that they proceeded from a Being omnipotent -over their idols, and show the Israelites themselves, who -had almost forgotten God, that the author of such -mighty miracles as they beheld, must be the only living -and true God of the earth and skies. Now, my -dear Remeses," he continued, "if you will give heed to -my words for a few moments, you will perceive how -perfectly fitted the ten miracles which God performed -in the sight of Pharaoh, Egypt, and Israel, were to destroy -their faith in the gods of Egypt, and make known -the true God as the only Deity to be feared and worshipped -by men.</p> - -<p>"At first, in conformity with the Divine purpose, the -strength of the magicians was brought out and fairly -measured with my own, as God's servant, inspired by -Him, for of myself I did nothing. Unless this trial of -skill had been made, both the Egyptians and doubting -Israelites would have said that I derived my power -from their gods (for they would not forget I had been -an Egyptian and knew their mysteries), and God would -not have been honored. But when the royal magicians -appeared in the name of the gods of Egypt, lo! the God -of heaven was shown not only to be superior to their -sorcerers by His miracles, but, as you will perceive, -hostile to their idolatrous worship. The observers of -both sides were permitted not only to distinguish the -power of God from the inferior arts of the magicians -of Egypt, but are led to withdraw with us, as is the -case with tens of thousands who seek to follow us -from Goshen,—their confidence in the protection and -power of their gods being utterly destroyed. Observe -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_572" id="Page_572">{572}</a></span> -now, my dear prince, the direction taken by the miracles.</p> - -<p>"The first one, which confirmed my authority and -mission to Pharaoh, destroyed the serpents. This was -the first assault of the Almighty upon the gods and -sacred animals and things of Egypt; for you are aware -of the temple of the sacred Urus, where the serpent is -worshipped. The serpent of the rod of God destroying -the serpents of the Egyptians, showed Pharaoh that his -gods could not live, or save themselves in the presence -of the servant of the true God. Thus the serpent form -taken by the rod was not merely an arbitrary shape; -there was profound design concealed thereunder.</p> - -<p>"The Nile is held sacred, revered as a god by the -Egyptians, and the fish they regard as holy. Its waters -supply all Egypt with a drink which they quaff with -reverence and pleasure, believing that a healing virtue -dwells in its waves. Changed to blood, and its fish becoming -putrid, they loathed their god and fled from his -banks with horror.</p> - -<p>"The next miracle—of frogs—was also directed against -a god of the Egyptians and the worship of these unclean -animals. He was made to become their curse; and as -they dared not kill them, being sacred, they became to -them a terror and a disgust unspeakable.</p> - -<p>"The miracle which followed was directed against -their priests and temples; for, by the laws of the forty -two books, no one could approach the altars upon which -so impure an insect harbored; and the priests, to guard -against such an accident, wore white linen, and shaved -their heads and bodies every other day. The severe nature -of this miracle, as aimed against the religious rites -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_573" id="Page_573">{573}</a></span> -and altar-services of the Egyptians, you will perceive. -So keenly did the magicians feel this, and foresee how -it would close every temple in Egypt, that they were -forced to exclaim, in my presence—</p> - -<p>"'This is the finger of God!'</p> - -<p>"The succeeding and fifth miracle was designed to -destroy the confidence of the Egyptians in their god of -flies, Baal-zebul. This god had the reputation of protecting -Egypt from the swarms of flies which, at certain -seasons, infest the air throughout all Egypt. The inability -of the magicians who were sent for by Pharaoh -to remove them, showed that the Lord God was more -powerful than their fly-god, and thus led them to look -upon their own idol with contempt.</p> - -<p>"The miracle which destroyed their cattle was aimed -at Apis, and Mnevis, and Amun, the ram-headed god of -Thebes, and at the entire system of their worship of animals. -Thus, by this one act of power, the Lord Jehovah -vindicated His own honor, and destroyed their confidence -in their idols, and the very existence of their -gods.</p> - -<p>"When, by the command of God, I took ashes from -the altar of human sacrifices, and sprinkled it towards -heaven, as did their priests, to avert evil, and evil came -in the shape of the boil, God taught them, that what -they trusted to, He could make against them, and out of -their idolatrous rites bring a curse upon them and upon -Egypt.</p> - -<p>"The eighth miracle," continued Moses, while I gave -ear to his words with wondering attention, "was directed -at the worship of Isis, as the moon, and controller -of the seasons, and clouds, and weather. When the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_574" id="Page_574">{574}</a></span> -hail and the rain, the lightning and thunder, was brought -by God upon the land, and all the prayers to Isis failed -to stay the fearful tempest of His wrath, it should have -convinced Pharaoh of the folly of his idolatry, and taught -the people not to put their trust in an idol that could not -help them against the power of the God of the Hebrews.</p> - -<p>"The miracle which followed, was directed against -the adoration and rites of Serapis, and his whole gorgeous -system of worship; for the Egyptians saw that the -god who was regarded as their peculiar protector against -the destructive power of locusts, was impotent to remove -the cloud of these voracious insects, which God -brought upon them from the sea; and that only when -Pharaoh entreated God, were they removed.</p> - -<p>"The last miracle was aimed at the universal worship -of Osiris, or the Sun. It was intended to teach Pharaoh -and the Egyptians, and also Israel, that the God of -the Hebrews was superior to their 'lord of the sun,' -and that He could veil His splendor when, and for any -length of time, it pleased Him! And also that they -were called by the exhibition of this mighty miracle to -worship Him who made the sun, and moon, and stars, -and all the glory of them—Jehovah is His name!"</p> - -<p>When, my dear father, the man of God had ceased -speaking, I remained for some time silent with awe, -meditating upon what I had heard; worshipping, and -adoring, and praising God, whose wisdom, and power, -and judgments, are over all His works, who will not -give His glory to another, nor leave Himself without a -witness of His existence upon earth.</p> - -<p>Thus you see, my dearest father, that the miracles -were not arbitrary displays of power, but grand divine -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_575" id="Page_575">{575}</a></span> -lessons, mingled with judgments. It was <span class="smcap">Jehovah</span> vindicating -His own worship, and showing the impotency -of false gods, by the manifestation of His supreme power -and majesty, as the destroyer of gods, and the only -potentate,—God of gods, King of kings, and Ruler over -all, blessed for evermore!</p> - -<p>Having now revealed to you the mystery, veiled -under the miracles of Moses, I will close my long letter, -leaving you to reflect, my father, upon the wonders of -God, and to contemplate His wisdom. In one or two -more letters, I shall close my correspondence; as, travelling -in the desert, I shall have no opportunity to communicate -with you. I shall proceed into Syria by the -caravan route in a few days, and by the way of Palestine -and the valley of the Jordan, return to Damascus, -and thence, as soon as my affairs will permit, shall hasten -to see you at your palace in Tyre.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my dear father.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">Your affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_576" id="Page_576">{576}</a></span></div> - -<h3>LETTER XII.</h3> - -<p class="center small">PRINCE REMESES OF DAMASCUS TO KING SESOSTRIS.</p> - -<div class="head smcap"> - -<div class="right1">Horeb in the Desert.</div> - -<div class="left0">My dear Father:</div> - -</div> - -<p class="indent2"><span class="smcap">I will</span> -now resume the subject which occupied -the foregoing portion of my last letter, namely, the departure -of the twelve armies of the Hebrews from the -land of Egypt.</p> - -<p>When the last division had passed the tower, after -midnight, Moses and Aaron went forward and travelled -all night, along the column of march, addressing the -leaders of tribes, divisions, thousands, and hundreds, as -they went, giving them words of courage, and commanding -them to keep in view the Pillar of Fire.</p> - -<p>This Divine Glory, which the whole people of the -Hebrews, and even the Egyptian followers, were permitted -to behold and gaze at with wonder, as if it were -the moon or sun, moved onward, far in advance of the -last division, and seemingly directly over the head of -the column. When I reached, with Moses, the van of -the mighty slowly-moving host, I perceived that a sort -of sarcophagus on wheels was drawn by twelve oxen in -front of all; and that over this, the "shekinah," as Aaron -termed the presence of God in the cloud of light, was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_577" id="Page_577">{577}</a></span> -suspended. I had not seen this before, but knew that -it must contain the embalmed body of Prince Joseph, -which the children of Israel had jealously guarded and -concealed from the Pharaohs of the present dynasty, -waiting the time of the deliverance; for the venerable -Joseph, on his death, had taken an oath from his brethren, -the children of Israel, that they would carry up his -bones out of Egypt, when God should send the deliverer -to bring them forth.</p> - -<p>Faithfully were this wonderful people now fulfilling -the oath of their fathers to Joseph, after more than two -hundred years had passed. Thus their going out of -Egypt bore a resemblance to a national funeral. At -the side of the sarcophagus Moses and Aaron walked, -and thus the solemn march advanced towards the wilderness. -All that night they journeyed from the plain -of Raamses, and came to the verge of a rocky valley -where the way was rough, compared with the fertile -and level plains of Egypt. When the sun arose, the -pillar of fire faded, as it were, into a columnar cloud -which still advanced miraculously and wonderfully before -us. When the heat of the day increased, the cloud -descended and rested over a place called Succoth. -Here Moses ordered the people to encamp, and bake -their unleavened bread which they brought with them -in their kneading-troughs from Egypt. The next night -they travelled up the valley to a place called Etham, a -short journey; and thence, after a rest, turning back a -little, they traversed the valley between rocks eastward, -and encamped at a well of water called Pi-hahiroth, -where there were many palm-trees. Here they remained -to rest, with the hills on either hand, wondering -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_578" id="Page_578">{578}</a></span> -why God should not have let them pass into the desert -at Etham, instead of bringing them into that defile, -which seemed to have no outlet but at the shore of the -sea. Passing Pi-hahiroth, with its castle and garrison, -the latter of which fled at our advance, as also the garrison -of the tower of Migdol, which guarded the way to -Egypt from the Arabian Sea, and so up the cliffs of the -valley-sides, Moses encamped between Migdol and the -sea, which spread far away eastward in front, with the -towers and fortified city of Baal-zephon visible on the -opposite side. The Pillar of Cloud had indicated this -place of encampment, by resting above it near the -shore.</p> - -<p>When I surveyed the place, I marvelled to know how -Moses would move forward the next day; for the -mountainous ridges of the rocky valley, along which -we had come, continued close to the shore of the sea on -the right hand, and on the left, and I could perceive, as -I walked to the place, no room for a single man, much -less an army, to go either south or north between the -mountains and the water; for the sea broke with its -waves against its perpendicular sides. I concluded, -therefore, that on the morrow the whole host would -have to retrace its steps, and enter the desert by the way -of Etham, where it had before encamped, and so make -a sweep around the head of the sea to the northward -and eastward. But I did not express to any one my -thoughts. The calm majesty and repose of Moses awed -me. Upon his expansive brow was stamped confidence -in his God, who, if need were, could make a road across -the sea for His people, for whose deliverance He had -done such wonders. I reflected, too, that the leader was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_579" id="Page_579">{579}</a></span> -God himself, and that He had gone before, and led them -to the place where they were. I therefore waited the -will of God, to see what in His wisdom He would do.</p> - -<p>How little did I anticipate the end! How far was I -from understanding that God had led His people into -this defile, which had no outlet but that by which they -entered, in order to display His glory, and present to the -world the final exhibition of His power, and his judgments -upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians!</p> - -<p>The divinely inspired Moses seemed to understand my -thoughts, when I returned to the camp.</p> - -<p>"My son," he said, "this is done to try Pharaoh; for, -when he heareth that we are in the valley of Pi-hahiroth, -before Migdol, he will say, 'They are entangled in -the land—the wilderness hath shut them in.' 'Then,' -saith the Lord to me, 'Pharaoh will repent that he let -you and my people go, and he will follow after you, and -when he shall come after you, I will be honored upon -Pharaoh and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may -know that I am the Lord.' God will yet avenge Himself -upon this wicked king, and reward him for all his -wickedness that he hath done against Him and His -people Israel! Wait, and thou shalt see the power -of God, indeed!"</p> - -<p>With what expectation, and with what confidence in -God I waited the result, my dear father, you may conceive. -How wonderful is this God, and His ways how -past finding out! "It was just four hundred and thirty -years from the day Israel left Egypt," said Aaron to me, -"to the day their father Abram left Chaldea for Canaan; -and that, their books say, is the exact time prophesied -for their deliverance. Their actual residence in Egypt -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_580" id="Page_580">{580}</a></span> -from the Syrian Prince Jacob's coming to settle in -Goshen, to the day they left, was two hundred and -fifteen years. The existence of their <i>bondage</i> began at -the death of Joseph, who died sixty-five years, not -seventy, as you supposed, before the birth of Moses. -This servant of God is now eighty years old; therefore, -the number of years <i>that they were in servitude</i> is one -hundred and forty-five, or equal to five generations. -Thus, were the descendants of Abraham, and Abraham -himself, wanderers without any country of their own -for four hundred and thirty years, according to the word -of the Lord to Abraham; not all this time in bondage, -indeed, but under kings of another language. Now, at -length behold them returning a mighty nation, to claim -from the Canaanites and Philistines the land so long ago -promised to their remote ancestor, Abram. God is not -forgetful of His promise, as this vast multitude proclaims -to the world, though He seems to wait; but His purposes -must ripen, and with the Almighty a day is as a thousand years, -and a thousand years as one day."</p> - -<p>Now behold, my dear father, a new manifestation of -His glory and power, and the awful majesty of His judgments, -before whom no man can stand and live! The -next day, being the seventh, whereon a divine tradition -ordains rest, but which in their bondage could not be -regarded, Moses and Aaron commanded the whole host -to repose. Thus time was given Pharaoh, not only to -hear the report,—as he did by some Egyptians who, -in dread of the wilderness, went back,—of their being -shut in by the craggy mountains, with the sea before -them,—but to arm and to pursue and destroy them or -compel them to submit again to his yoke.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_581" id="Page_581">{581}</a></span> -I have learned from an officer of Pharaoh, who, fearing -God, escaped from the palace, and came and informed -Moses of the king's purposes, that when the news -reached the king, who had been three days bitterly repenting -his compliance with the demands of Moses, he -sprang from the table at which he sat, and, with a great -oath by his gods, cried—</p> - -<p>"They are entangled between Pi-hahiroth and the -sea! They have played me false, and are not gone by -Etham into the desert to sacrifice! Their God has bewildered -them in the Valley of Rocks by the sea! Now, -by the life of Osiris, I will up and pursue them!" He -called all his lords and officers, and gave commands to -send couriers to the army already assembled at Bubastis, -and expecting to march against the king of Edom, -who had long menaced Egypt. He ordered this army -to hasten, by forced marches, to the plain before On. -He then sent to the city, where he kept his six hundred -chosen chariots of war, for them to be harnessed, -and meet him the next day before Raamses. Couriers -on fleet horses were sent to every garrison, and all -the chariots in other cities, and in the three treasure-cities, -to the number of four thousand charioteers, each -with his armed soldier, gathered on the plain which -the Israelites had left four days before. The forty-seven -fortresses of the provinces sent forth their garrisons, of -three and four hundred men each, to swell the Egyptian -hosts.</p> - -<p>All this intelligence reached Moses; but he remained -immovable in his camp, the Pillar of Fire also standing -in the air above the tent of Aaron, in which was the -sarcophagus of Prince Joseph. Messenger after messenger, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_582" id="Page_582">{582}</a></span> -sometimes an Egyptian friendly to the Israelites, -sometimes an Israelite who had been detained and did -not leave Egypt with his brethren, came to Moses, and -as they passed through the camp, gave up their news to -the people.</p> - -<p>One man said Pharaoh had left his palace, armed in -full battle-armor, and at the head of his body-guard of -six hundred chariots of gold and ivory, was driving to the -plain of Raamses. A second messenger brought tidings, -that the king's great army, from the vicinity of Bubastis -and Pelusium, had passed On in full march,—seventy -thousand foot, ten thousand horsemen, and two thousand -chariots of iron! A third came, reporting that four -thousand chariots had also assembled from all parts -of Lower Egypt, and that every man was rallying to -the standard of the king, to pursue the Hebrews and -destroy them by the edge of the sword. By and by, a -fourth came, an escaped Hebrew, who told that the king -had marshalled his vast hosts of one hundred thousand -foot, twenty thousand horsemen, nine thousand chariots -of iron, besides his six hundred chosen chariots of his -body-guard, and was in full pursuit of the Israelites by -the way of Succoth.</p> - -<p>These tidings filled the bosoms of the Hebrews with -dismay. They were in no condition to do battle, there -being among them all, one only who knew the use of -arms, which one was Moses; who, with God on his side, -was an army in himself.</p> - -<p>The Egyptian army, marched all night, without rest -to hoof or sandal. Before the sun was up, their approach -was made known by the distant thunder of their -chariot-wheels, and the tramp of their horses. At -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_583" id="Page_583">{583}</a></span> -length, when the Pillar of Fire was fading into a white -cloud, and the sun rose brilliantly over the Sea of Arabia, -the van of the Egyptian army became visible, advancing -down the inclosed valley. When the Israelites beheld -its warlike front, and heard the clangor of war-trumpets -and the deep roll of the drums, they fled with fear. -The elders then hastened, and, pale with terror and -anger, came before Moses, and cried to him—</p> - -<p>"Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou -taken us away to die here in the wilderness? Wherefore -hast thou dealt thus with us to carry us forth out of -Egypt? Did we not, at the first, tell thee in Egypt, 'Let -us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?' for it had -been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we -should die in the wilderness."</p> - -<p>Then Moses answered their tumult, and said, without -displeasure visible in his godlike countenance—</p> - -<p>"Fear ye not! Stand still, and see the salvation of -the Lord, which he will show you to-day! for the Egyptians -whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them -again no more forever! The Lord shall fight for you, -and ye shall hold your peace. Wait to see what He -will do."</p> - -<p>Then Moses, with a troubled face, entered his tent, -and his voice was heard by those near by, calling upon -God.</p> - -<p>And the Lord answered him from the cloud above -the tent—</p> - -<p>"Why criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children -of Israel <i>that they go forward</i>! But lift thou up thy -rod and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide -it; and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_584" id="Page_584">{584}</a></span> -through the midst of the sea. And behold Pharaoh, -(whom I withhold from nothing which he chooseth in -his hard heart to do, leaving him to his own devices to -reap the fruit of his own ways), he shall follow you -with the Egyptians into the sea! and I will get me -honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his -chariots and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians -shall know that I am the Lord!"</p> - -<p>Then Moses came forth from the tent, whence the voice -of the Lord had been heard by all, both near and afar -off. Now, lo! the angel of God in the Pillar of Cloud, -as soon as the armies of Israel began to move forward -to the sea, removed from the front, and went to the rear -of the Hebrew host, and stood behind them in the Pillar -of Cloud! Thus, it stood between the camp of the -Israelites and the camp of the Egyptians, so that -when night came, the Israelites, lying encamped on -the shore, had the full splendor of its light; while the -Egyptians, to whom it presented a wall of impenetrable -darkness, also encamped, fearing to go forward in -the unnatural night which enveloped them. So the -two hosts remained all night, neither moving—the -Pillar of Fire and the Pillar of Cloud between them, -creating day on one side of it, and tenfold night on the -other.</p> - -<p>Now, at the going down of the sun, on that day when -the Egyptians encamped because of the cloud, Moses -had stretched forth his hand over the sea by God's command, -and lo! there arose a mighty wind upon the sea, -rising from the south and east; and all that night we -heard the sea and waves roaring, and the hearts of Israel -sunk within them for fear. The Pillar of Fire cast upon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_585" id="Page_585">{585}</a></span> -the sea a radiance like moonlight, so that we could perceive -that it was in a great commotion, and that God -was doing some great wonder in the deep. It is said -that the noise of the waves reached the ears of Pharaoh, -and that he at first believed it was the sound of the -tramping of the whole host of the Israelites, advancing -with their God to give him battle in the darkness. He -called his men to arms, and tried to show front of war; -but the shadow of the cloud between him and the Hebrews, -rendered it impossible for any man to move -from one place to another, or to see his fellow.</p> - -<p>At length morning came to us, but not to the Egyptians, -whose night still continued. But what a spectacle -of sublimity and power we beheld! Before us, an avenue, -broad enough for two hundred men to march -abreast, had been cut by the rod of God through the -deep sea, the water of which stood as a wall on the -one side and on the other, glittering like ice on the -sides of the rocks of Libanus, when capped with his -snows. At this sight, the Hebrew hosts raised a shout -of joy to God, for they could see that the sacred avenue -reached as far as the eye could extend across the sea; -but so great was the distance, that its sides converged to -a point far out from the shore, and seemed but a hair -line. Then Moses, lifting up his voice, commanded the -children of Israel to form into companies and columns -of one hundred and eighty men abreast, and enter the -sea by the way God had opened for them. First went -Aaron and the twelve elders, being one of each tribe, -who guarded the body of Prince Joseph. Then followed -the sarcophagus, drawn by twelve oxen, one also furnished -by each tribe. Then came a hundred Levites, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_586" id="Page_586">{586}</a></span> -carrying all the sacred things which the Hebrews had -preserved in their generations. Now came Moses, leading -the van of the people in column. I also walked -near him. As we descended the shore and entered the -crystalline road, I marvelled, yet had no fear, to see the -walls of water, as if congealed to ice, rise thirty cubits -above our heads, firm as if hewn from marble, with sharp -edges at the top catching and reflecting the sunlight. -The bed of the sea was hard and dry sand, smooth as -the paved avenue from Memphis to the pyramids. All -day the Israelites marched in, and when night came not -half their vast column had left the land. All the while -the Pillar of Cloud stood behind, in the defile between -the Israelites and the Egyptians. At length, in the first -watch of the night, it removed, and came and went before -the Israelites, throwing its beams forward along our -path in the sea. Its disappearance from the rear removed -also the supernatural darkness that enveloped the -Egyptians; and when, by the light of the skies, Pharaoh -beheld the Israelites in motion, he pursued with all his -host, leading with his chariots his eager army. It was -just light enough for him to see that his enemy was escaping, -but not enough so to see by what way; but, -doubtless, he suspected that they were wading around the -mountains; for great east winds have, from time to time, -swept the sea here outward, so that the water has been -shallow enough for persons to make a circuitous ford -around the northern cliff, and come in again upon the -same shore into the desert above. Pharaoh knew that -the wind had been blowing heavily, which he at first -mistook for the Israelites in motion, and there is no doubt -that he pursued with the idea that the sea had been -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_587" id="Page_587">{587}</a></span> -shoaled by the wind, and that they would come out a -mile or two on the north side, and gain the desert by -Etham, and so double the head of the sea into the peninsula -of Horeb. There can be no other reason assigned -for his pursuit into such a road of God's power, unless -it was judicial madness,—a hardening of his heart by God, -in punishment for his contumacy and opposition to His -will. Doubtless this is one way in which God punishes -men, by making their peculiar sin the instrument of their -destruction.</p> - -<p>Pharaoh and his chariots, and horsemen, and host -pursued, and came close upon the rear-guard of the Israelites, -against whom they pressed with shouts of battle. -The sea was faintly lighted, and the king and the -Egyptians did not see the walls of water which inclosed -them, as they rushed madly and blindly after their prey, -urged on by the loud voice of Pharaoh. At length, -when they were in the midst of the sea, the Lord, in the -Pillar of Cloud, suddenly turned and displayed its side of -dazzling light towards the astonished Egyptians! By -its sunlike splendor, Pharaoh and his captains perceived -their peril, and the nature of the dreadful road in which -they were entangled. The walls of water on each side -of them, say the Israelites who were in the rear and -saw, moved and swelled, and hung above them in stupendous -scrolls of living water, upheld only by the word -of God! The vivid light of the shekinah blinded their -eyes, and bewildered their horses, and troubled the -whole host. All the horrors of his situation were presented -to the mind of the king. With frantic shouts to -his charioteers to turn back, he gave wild orders for his -army to retreat, saying—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_588" id="Page_588">{588}</a></span> -"Let us flee from the face of Israel! for the Lord -their God fighteth for them against us!"</p> - -<p>Then followed a scene of the most horrible confusion. -The steady gaze upon them of the Angel of the Lord, in -the cloud of fire, discomfited them! They turned to fly! -Their chariot-wheels sunk in the deep clay which the -wagons of the Hebrews had cut up, and came off! The -king leaped from his car, and, mounting a horse held -by his armor-bearer, attempted to escape, when the Lord -said unto Moses, who now stood upon the Arabian side -of the sea—</p> - -<p>"Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters -may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, -and upon their horsemen."</p> - -<p>Then Moses stretched forth his hand upon the sea, in -the deep defile of which, cleaved by God for his own -people, the Egyptian hosts, chariots, horse and foot, -were struggling to retrace their course to the Egyptian -shore, each man battling with his comrade for -preference in advance. The whole scene, for several -miles in the midst of the sea, was a spectacle of terror -and despair such as no war, no battle, nothing under the -skies, ever before presented. The shouts and cries of the -Egyptians reached our ears upon the shore with appalling -distinctness.</p> - -<p>Now Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, out -of the path through which the last of the Israelites were -coming forth, when the billows that had been cloven by -the rod of God, and made to stand in two walls like -adamant, began to swell and heave, and all at once both -edges of this sea-wall fell over like two mighty cataracts -plunging and meeting, roaring and rushing together -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_589" id="Page_589">{589}</a></span> -each into the chasm wherein the whole host of Pharaoh—his -captains, chariots, and horsemen—with their faces -towards Egypt, were struggling to escape from the snare -that God, in His just vengeance, had laid for them. The -returning waters covered the whole host of them before -our eyes, and, while we looked, the wild sea rolled its -huge waves, laden with death, above the abyss; and -then subsiding, the great sea once more flowed calmly -over the spot, and Pharaoh, who had been erecting for -years a majestic pyramid to receive his embalmed body, -was buried by the God whom he defied, beneath the -chariots and horses in which he trusted for victory over -the sons of God.</p> - -<p>This spectacle of God's power and judgment filled all -Israel with awe. Those who had murmured against -Moses sought his presence, and prostrated themselves -before him, acknowledging their fault, and asking him -to entreat God to pardon their iniquity, declaring that -henceforth they would receive the voice of Moses as the -voice of God.</p> - -<p>That day the Israelites encamped on the shore; and -all night the waves cast upon the coast the dead bodies -of Pharaoh's host, and chariots innumerable, with their -stores of quivers of arrows, lances, swords, and spears; -so that the men of Israel, to the number of one hundred -thousand chosen out of each tribe, save that of Aaron -were armed from the spoils of the dead soldiers and -chariots. Was not this, also, the finger of God, O my -father! The impression made upon the minds of the -children of Israel, by this wonderful exhibition of the -power of God,—of His goodness to them and His vengeance -upon Pharaoh,—was such that they believed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_590" id="Page_590">{590}</a></span> -God, and feared Him, and professed themselves ready -henceforth to be obedient to His voice.</p> - -<p>When Moses and the children of Israel saw that their -enemies were dead, they chanted a sublime hymn of -praise and triumph to God upon the shore. Then came -Miriam, the sister of Aaron, the aged prophetess of God, -bearing a timbrel in her hand, and followed by an innumerable -company of maidens and daughters of Israel, -each with her timbrel in her hand, and singing songs of -joy and triumph, while the virgins danced before the -Lord.</p> - -<p>Now, my dear father, I have brought my letters nearly -to a close. I have recorded the most wonderful events -earth ever saw, and displays of Divine power which man -has never before witnessed. In contemplating these -wonders, you will be impressed with the terrible majesty -of God, and overwhelmed by His greatness. You will -be struck with His unwavering devotion and care for -His people whom He hath chosen, and with His unceasing -vengeance upon His enemies, and such as oppress -those whom He protects. You will be awed and humbled -with a sublime perception of his limitless power in -the heavens, on earth, and in the sea; and feel deeply -your own insignificance as a mere worm of the dust in -His sight; and you will cry with me, as I beheld all these -manifestations of His glorious power—</p> - -<p>"What is man that thou art mindful of him, O God, -who fillest the heavens with the immensity of Thy presence, -and in Thine own fulness art all in all?"</p> - -<p>From the Sea of Arabia, Moses led the armies of Israel, -for three encampments, into the wilderness towards Horeb. -Here was no water but that which was bitter; and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_591" id="Page_591">{591}</a></span> -the people murmuring, Moses pacified them by a miracle. -Thence they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of -water and seventy palm-trees, and here we encamped -for some days. After certain further wanderings, we -came to a wilderness, just one month after departing from -Egypt, God, in all that time, taking not away the Pillar of -Cloud by day nor the Pillar of Fire by night from before -the people. Indeed, the whole journey was a miracle, -and attended by miracles; for in this wilderness, Sinn, -their provisions failed, and the people (who are a perverse -and stiff-necked people, forgetful of favors past, -and rebellious—as is perhaps natural to those who have -been so long in bondage, and find themselves now free), -murmured, and again blamed Moses for bringing them -from their fare of flesh and bread in Egypt, to die of -hunger in the wilderness. God, instead of raining fire -upon them, mercifully and graciously rained bread from -heaven to feed them, returning their want of faith in -Him with loving-kindness and pardon. And not only -did God send bread from heaven—which continues to -fall every morning—but sent quails upon the camp; so -that they covered the whole plain. The taste of this -heavenly bread is like coriander-seed in wafers made -with honey. It is white, is called by the people manna, -and is in quantities sufficient for the whole of them. -The camp thence moved forward and came into the vale -of Horeb, where I had first beheld Moses standing by -his flock. Here there was no water, and the people -murmured in their thirst, and again blamed Moses for -bringing them out of Egypt into that wilderness, not -remembering the mighty deliverance at the Sea of Arabia, -nor the manna, nor the quails. At the first obstacle -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_592" id="Page_592">{592}</a></span> -or privation, they would ever cry out against Moses, who, -one day, exclaimed to his God, in his perplexity—</p> - -<p>"What shall I do to this people? They are almost -ready to stone me!"</p> - -<p>Then the Lord commanded him to take his rod and -strike the rock in Horeb. He did so, and the water -gushed forth in a mighty torrent, cool and clear, and -ran like a river, winding through all the camp.</p> - -<p>We are now encamped before Horeb. From this -mountain God has given, amid thunders, and lightnings, -and earthquakes, His laws to His people, by which they -are to walk in order to please Him. They are ten in -number: four relating to their duty to Him, and the -remaining six to their duty to one another. It would -be impossible, my dear father, for me to describe to you -the awful aspect of Horeb, when God came down upon -it, hidden from the eye of Israel in a thick cloud, with -the thunders, and lightnings, and the voice of the trumpet -of God exceeding loud, so that all the camp trembled -for dread and fear. Nor could I give you any idea of -the aspect of the Mount of God, from which went up a -smoke, as the smoke of a furnace, for seven days and -nights, and how the voice of the trumpet waxed louder -and louder, sounding long and with awful grandeur -along the skies, calling Moses to come up into the mount -to receive His laws, while the light of the glory of the -Lord was like devouring fire. In obedience to the terrible -voice, Moses left Israel in the plain and ascended -the mount. Aaron and others of the elders accompanied -him so near, that they saw the pavement on which the -God of Israel stood. It was, under His feet, as a sapphire -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_593" id="Page_593">{593}</a></span> -stone, and as it were the body of heaven in its clearness.<span -class="fnanchor"><a name="Ref_2" id="Ref_2" href="#Foot_2">[2]</a></span> -He was absent forty days. When twenty days -were passed and they saw him not, nor knew what had -happened to him, the whole people murmured, became -alarmed, believed that they would never see him again, -and resolved to return to Egypt if they could find a -leader. Aaron refused to go back with them; but at -length they compelled him to consent, if in seven days -Moses returned not. At the end of this period they -called Aaron and shouted:</p> - -<p>"Up! Choose us a captain to lead us back to -Egypt."</p> - -<p>But Aaron answered that he would not hearken to -them, and bade them wait for Moses.</p> - -<p>Then came a company of a thousand men, all armed, -and said:</p> - -<p>"Up! make us gods which shall go before us! As -for this Moses, we wot not has become of him."</p> - -<p>At length Aaron, no longer able to refuse, said—</p> - -<p>"What god will ye have to lead you?"</p> - -<p>"Apis! the god of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, whom -we and our fathers worshipped in Egypt."</p> - -<p>Then Aaron received from them the jewels of gold they -had taken from the Egyptians, and cast them into a furnace, -and made an image of the calf Serapis, and said, in -grief, irony, and anger—</p> - -<p>"This, and like this, is thy god, O Israel, that brought -thee up out of the land of Egypt!"</p> - -<p>And erecting an altar before this image, these Israelites, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_594" id="Page_594">{594}</a></span> -not yet weaned from Egyptian idolatry, burned incense -and sacrificed before it, and made a feast to the -god, with music and dancing, as the Egyptians do. At -length Moses reappeared, sent down from the mount by -an indignant God, who beheld this extraordinary return -to idolatry. When the holy prophet saw what was done, -he sternly rebuked Aaron, who excused himself by -pleading that he was compelled to yield, and that he -did so to show them the folly of trusting to such an idol, -after they had the knowledge of the true God. Moses -took the calf they had made, and made Aaron burn it -in the fire, and he ground it to powder, and made the -idolatrous children of Israel drink of the bitter and nauseous -draught. Again he rebuked Aaron, and called -for all who were on the Lord's side, when several hundreds -of the young men came and stood by him. He -commanded them to slay all who had bowed the knee -or danced before the calf; and in one hour three thousand -men were slain by the sword, in expiation of their -sin against God.</p> - -<p>Now, my dear father, my last letter must be brought -to a close. Moses informs me that the Lord, in punishment -of this sin of Israel, will cause them to wander -many years in the wilderness ere He bring them to the -land promised to their fathers, and will subject them to -be harassed by enemies on all sides, some of whom -have already attacked them, but were discomfited by -the courage of a Hebrew youth, called Joshua, who -promises to become a mighty warrior and leader in Israel, -and whom Moses loves as an own son.</p> - -<p>In view, therefore, of this long abode of the children -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_595" id="Page_595">{595}</a></span> -of Israel in the desert, I shall to-morrow join a caravan -which will then pass to the northward, on its way into -Syria from Egypt. It will be with profound regret that -I shall bid adieu to Moses, to Aaron, to Miriam, and all -the friends I have found among this wonderful people. -Will not the world watch from afar the progress of this -army of God, which has beheld the wonders by which -He brought them out of Egypt? Doubtless, ere this -you have heard, by ships of Egypt, of some of the -mighty miracles which have devastated her cities and -plains; and you will hear, ere this letter reaches you, of -the destruction of the whole army of Egypt, with their -king Pharaoh-Thothmeses, in the Arabian Sea.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my dear father; in a few weeks I shall -embrace you. We will then talk of the majesty, and -power, and glory of the God of Israel, and learn to fear -Him; to love, obey, and serve Him,—remembering His -judgments upon Pharaoh, and also upon His chosen -people Israel when they forgot Him; and, that as He -dealt with nations, so will He deal with individuals! -Obedience, with unquestioned submission in awe and -love to this great and holy God, our august Creator, is -the only path of peace and happiness for kings or subjects; -and the only security for admission, after death, -into His divine heaven above, "whither," saith His holy -servant Moses, "all men will ultimately ascend, who -faithfully serve Him on earth; while those who, like -Pharaoh-Thothmeses, despise Him and His power, will -be banished forever from His celestial presence into the -shades below, doomed there to endure woes that know no -termination, through the cycles of the everlasting ages."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_596" id="Page_596">{596}</a></span> -Farewell, my dear father; may the Pillar of Cloud be -our guide by day, and the Pillar of Fire by night, in the -wilderness of this world! With prayer to God to bring -me in safety to you, and to guard you in health until I -see your face again,</p> -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right5">I am your ever affectionate son,</div> - -<div class="right1 smcap">Remeses, Prince of Damascus.</div> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="nodent"><a name="Foot_2" id="Foot_2" href="#Ref_2">[2]</a> -Exodus, xxiv. 10.</p> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_597" id="Page_597">{597}</a></span></div> - -<h2>APPENDIX.</h2> - -<p class="center">A FEW WORDS TO THE EGYPTIAN STUDENT AND TO THE CRITIC.</p> - -<div class="small"> - -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> are necessary, perhaps, a few -words to show that the author of the preceding book has not -arbitrarily employed facts, and made use of traditions to suit a -certain series of hypothetical events; but has been controlled -strictly by authorities.</p> - -<p>Scholars, versed in Egyptian archology, will do the author justice -in the plan and execution of his work; for minds, enriched with true -erudition, upon the history of the land where his scenes are placed, -will not only understand the difficulties which a writer has to -contend with, but appreciate what he has done. Captious criticism -will, of course hold itself wholly independent of facts; while -hypercriticism must be suffered to show its <i>quasi</i> erudition. To -fair and manly scholastic criticism, whether from theological -scholars, or students in the "learning of the Egyptians," the work is -open; and the author will be grateful to any judicious and respectable -scholar who will kindly point out errors—proving them to be -such.</p> - -<p>The reader of Egyptian history is aware that but little reliance -can be placed on the assigned length of periods, which furnish us with -neither names nor facts, nor reliable monuments; because at this day -we have no control over the fictions and errors of historians. To -carry up to the first century of history a connected chain of -authentic chronology is not yet possible.</p> - -<p>We have given due credit to <span class="smcap">Manetho's</span> statements, but have -little confidence in many of his alleged facts, vouched as they are by -<span class="smcap">Josephus</span> and <span class="smcap">Herodotus</span>. The late discoveries by -<span class="smcap">Champollion</span> <i>le Jeune</i>, <span class="smcap">Bunsen</span>, Dr. -<span class="smcap">Young</span>, <span class="smcap">Lepsius</span>, and others, with the revelations of -actual historical inscriptions, have rendered the books of these -hitherto universally quoted writers nearly obsolete. The traveller of -to-day, who visits Egypt and can read hieroglyph, knows more of the -history of Egypt than <span class="smcap">Manetho</span>, <span class="smcap">Josephus</span>, -<span class="smcap">Diodorus</span>, <span class="smcap">Herodotus</span>, <span class="smcap">Strabo</span>, or any of the -cis-Pharaoic writers thereupon. As revelations are made from time to -time, we have to change our dates, revise our "facts," and reform our -whole history of the past of Egypt, both in its chronology and -dynasties. In this work we have availed ourselves of the latest -discoveries, down to those of last year, by the celebrated French -<i>savant</i>, M. <span class="smcap">Auguste Mariette</span>, whose discoveries have, -until recently been made known only to the Academy of Sciences, -France, in modest and unpretending reports of his scientific -researches.</p> - -<p>As we have very thoroughly gone over the ground of Egyptian -archology, both in its scientific and theological relations, we are -aware from what quarters attacks will be likely to come, if this book -is honored by <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_598" -id="Page_598">{598}</a></span> the notice of scholars. But to such, we -beg leave to say that, while we may not have formed our work on the -plan <i>their</i> views would have suggested, we have done so on a -plan which is defensible; for there are several schools of -interpretation of chronology and dynasty; and as we have chosen to -abide by one of them alone, we are ready to defend our position, so -far as may be necessary to prove that we are not ignorant of the -subject we have attempted to illustrate.</p> - -<p>The impartial scholar will see that we have endeavored to combine -the different, and often conflicting statements and opinions of the -mythology of Egypt, and to present a system which should represent the -belief of the Egyptian people at the time; and out of confusion to -create order.</p> - -<p>In writing a book, the <i>time</i> of which is placed anterior to -the language in which it is written, and even to the Greek and Roman, -there is of necessity the use of terms, which in one sense are -anachronisms, unless one actually makes use of the vernacular of the -Egyptians. For instance, the Greek form of names of gods and men, is -often adopted instead of the Misric, the use of which would be -unintelligible pedantry: therefore, Apollo, Hercules, Venus, Isis, and -Mars, are often written in our pages instead of the Egyptian names.</p> - -<p>In order to show the general reader the variety allowable in -Egyptian names and dynasties, as well as chronology, we will append a -few examples:</p> - -<p>According to one writer on Egypt, it was Amenophis who was lost in -the Red Sea. According to another, it was Thothmes III.; to another, -Thothmes IV.; and to still another, Amos I.; and to another, Osis!</p> - -<p>Amuthosis is called by <span class="smcap">Kenrick</span> (ii. p. 154), -Misphragmuthosis. Thothmes is also called Thothmeses and other -variations. Osiris has many titles and many legends, but we have -adopted the popular one in Egypt.</p> - -<p>Sesostris is called Ositasen, Osokron, Remeses, and other names, -according to the interpretation of his cartouches, and other -inscriptions.</p> - -<p>The pyramid of Chephren is called also Chafre, Chephres, Cephren, -and other designations, while Cheops has half a dozen appellations. A -writer, therefore, who seeks to present an intelligible view of the -manners, customs, religion, and polity of the ancient Egyptians must -decide what authority and what path he will follow; and having chosen -each, he should pursue it undeviatingly to its close. This we have -tried to do; and while those who might have selected a different one -may, perhaps, not coincide with our judgment, they will at least have -the candor to acknowledge that we are as much entitled, as scholars, -to respect in the choice we have made, as if we had made one in -harmony with their own peculiar views.</p> - -<p>The question of "dynasty" has presented singular difficulties; but -we have mainly followed <span class="smcap">Nolan</span> and <span class="smcap">Seyffarth</span>, leaving -their guidance, however, when, our own judgment dictated a deviation -from their views. When some chronologers of the highest character -place the birth of <span class="smcap">Moses</span> 1572, <span class="smcap">B. C.</span> (vide -<span class="smcap">Nolan</span>), others 1947 (vide <span class="smcap">Seyffarth</span>), others 2100 -years, others 1460, it is necessary that a writer, whose book requires -a fixed date, should make a decision. We have, after careful -consideration of the whole ground, adopted the era which we believe to -be the true one. The confusion attending the adjustment of the -Pharaoic dynasties to their true time, is well known to scholars and -admitted <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_599" -id="Page_599">{599}</a></span> by all except those who have advanced -figures of their own, and expect Egyptian Chronology henceforth to be -construed by them alone. <span class="smcap">Nolan</span> (vide Book IV., Sect. iv.), -has presented to our minds the clearest exposition of the question; -and we have followed, very closely, his table of the dynasty of the -Pharaohs between the eras of Joseph and the Exodus.</p> - -<p>The Biblical scholar need not be informed that Moses was forty -years of age before he interested himself openly in the Hebrews. -Egyptian history (see <span class="smcap">Nolan</span>) shows that in his thirty-fifth -year, the queen-mother, Pharaoh's daughter, died, and was succeeded by -Mœris; and as the Scriptures are silent, as to the occupation -and place of Moses in the interval, we are justifiable in placing him -out of Egypt, during the six years that followed, as we have done.</p> - -<p>We desire here to acknowledge our indebtedness to the following -authors, whose works, either directly or indirectly, we have consulted, -and from which we have made use of such parts as served our purpose; -and not wishing to burden our pages with notes and references, we -here make our grateful acknowledgments to them, and recognition of -their works:</p> - -<div class="refs"> - -<ul> - - <li><span class="smcap">G. Seyffarth</span>, A. M., Ph. D., D. D., seriatim, especially, "Observationes Egyptiorum - Astronomic, et Hireroglyphice descript in Zodiaco," &c., &c.—Leipz.</li> - - <li>"The Egyptian Chronology Analyzed;" by <span class="smcap">Frederick Nolan</span>, LL. D., F. R. S.—London.</li> - - <li>"The Monuments of Egypt and Voyage up the Nile;" edited by <span class="smcap">Francis L. Hawks</span>, - D. D., LL. D.</li> - - <li>"Ancient Egypt under the Pharaohs;" by <span class="smcap">John Kenrick</span>, M. A. A work which - presents at one view the most complete illustrations of Egypt extant.</li> - - <li>To <span class="smcap">Sir Gardiner Wilkinson</span>, D. C. L., F. R. S., &c., the writer is indebted for much - information respecting details of art, society, and customs.</li> - - <li>"The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation;" edited by Professor <span class="smcap">C. E. Stowe</span>, D. D., - by an anonymous author.</li> - - <li>Dr. <span class="smcap">Max Uhlemann's</span> writings on Egyptian antiquities.</li> - - <li>Rt. Rev. <span class="smcap">Bishop Wainwright's</span> "Land of Bondage."</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Mills'</span> "Ancient Hebrews."</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Lepsius'</span> "Discoveries in Egypt, Ethiopia," &c., and this eminent author's other - valuable writings upon Egyptian archology and antiquities.</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Stanley's</span> "Sinai and Palestine."</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Hengstenberg's</span> "Egypt and the Books of Moses Illustrated by the Monuments of - Egypt."</li> - - <li>Col. <span class="smcap">Howard Vise</span> on the Pyramids.</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">J. A. St. John's</span> "Egypt and Nubia;" London, 1845.</li> - - <li>"Antiquities of Egypt;" London, Rel. Tr. Soc., 1841.</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Rossellini's</span> works.</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Burton's</span> "Excerpts Hierogl."</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">J. C. Nott</span>, M. D., Mobile, to whose courtesy the author is indebted for several - valuable works illustrating ancient Egypt.</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Von Bohlen</span> (Petrus).</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Birou</span>, Roy-Soc. Lit.</li> - - <li>"Description de l'Egypte," pendant l'Expdition de l'Arme Franaise, 1826.</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Lesueur</span>, "Chron. des Rois d'Egypte."</li> - - <li>Dr. <span class="smcap">Robinson's</span> very valuable researches.</li> - - <li><span class="smcap">Bunsen's</span> "Egypten" and other writings, seriatim.</li> - - <li>"<span class="smcap">Denon's</span> Voyage."</li> - - <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_600" id="Page_600">{600}</a></span> - <span class="smcap">Herodotus</span>, <span class="smcap">Socrates</span>, - <span class="smcap">Diodorus</span>, <span class="smcap">Strabo</span>, - <span class="smcap">Pliny</span>, <span class="smcap">Ptolemy</span>, - <span class="smcap">Eratosthenes</span>, <span class="smcap">Plutarch</span>, - and other Greek and classic authors who have written upon Egypt, have - been made use of by the author as sources of information, and adopted - as authorities so far as subsequent monumental revelations have not - lessened the weight of their testimony.</li> - - <li>We are also under obligations to Professor <span class="smcap">Henry S. - Osborn</span>, for the aid afforded in the Phœnician portion of - our book, by his recently published work, "Palestine, Past and - Present," with "Biblical, Literary, and Scientific Notes;" one of the - most valuable and interesting books of travel and research which has - appeared for many years, on the East: Challen & Son, Phil., - 1859.</li> - -</ul> - -</div> - -<p>Besides the above, we have availed ourselves of numerous sources of -information accessible to the Egyptian student, to enumerate which -would extend this note to a catalogue.</p> - -<p>We have sought in the foregoing work, to illustrate and delineate -events of the Old Testament, as in the "Prince of the House of David" -the New, so that they should "come home with a new power," to make use -of the language of another, "to those who by long familiarity have -lost, as it were, the vividness of the reality," and bring out their -outlines so as to convey to the mind of the reader a more complete -realization of scenes which seem to be but imperfectly apprehended by -the general reader of the historical parts of the Old Testament. The -work is written, not for scholars nor men learned in Egyptian lore; it -advances nothing new; but simply offers in a new dress that which is -old. The writer will have accomplished his object, "if his book," to -quote the words of Mr. <span class="smcap">Stanley</span>, in his preface to "Sinai and -Palestine," "brings any one with fresh interest to the threshold of -the divine story 'of the Exodus,' which has many approaches, and -which, the more it is explored, the more it reveals of poetry, life, -and instruction, such as has fallen to the lot of no other history in -the world."</p> - -<p>The intention of the author in writing these works on Scripture narratives -is to draw the attention of those persons who do not read the -Bible, or who read it carelessly, to the wonderful events it records, as -well as the divine doctrines it teaches; and to tempt them to seek the -inspired sources from which he mainly draws his facts.</p> - -<p>The author's plan embraces three works of equal size. They cover -the three great eras of Hebrew history, viz.: its beginning, at the Exodus; -its culmination, as in the reigns of David and Solomon; its decline, -as in the day of Our Lord's incarnation.</p> - -<div class="foot"> - -<div class="right1">J. H. I.</div> - -</div> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Pillar of Fire, by Joseph Holt Ingraham - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PILLAR OF FIRE *** - -***** This file should be named 50611-h.htm or 50611-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/6/1/50611/ - -Produced by MWS, Chris Pinfield and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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