of the devout were often rewarded by the gods, with an indication of the remedies their sufferings required; but this and magic * were only a last resource, when the skill of the physician had been baffled, and all hopes of their recovery were lost and a similar superstitious feeling induced them to offer ex votos in their temples for the same purpose.

They consisted of various kinds. Some persons promised a certain sum for the maintenance of the sacred animals, belonging to the deity whose interposition they solicited; which, in the case of children, was decided by weighing a certain portion of the hair of their head, "either all, or half, or a thirdt," shaved expressly for the purpose; and as soon as the cure had been effected, they accomplished their vow by giving an equal weight of silver to the curators.

These persons occasionally visited different parts of the country, carrying with them the banners of their respective deities; and the credulity of the peasants being frequently induced to solicit their aid, and to barter the doubtful assistance of the god for the real rewards lavished on his artful servants, much money was collected by them. And so profitable was it, that neither the change of religion, nor the simplicity of Islám, has been able to discard the custom and the guardians of the shekh's tombs, in like manner, send their emissaries with flags and drums to different parts of the

* Wisdom of Solomon, xvii. 8.

+ Herodot. ii. 65.

country, to levy contributions from the credulous, in return for the promised assistance of their wellee, or patron saint.

After the cure was effected, they frequently suspended a model of the restored part, in the temple of the god, whose interposition they had invoked; precisely in the same manner as in the shekh's tombs of modern Egypt, and in the Roman catholic chapels of Italy and other countries, consecrated to the Virgin, or a saint; and ears, eyes, distorted arms, and other members, were dedicated as memorials of their gratitude and superstition.

3

2

No. 419.

Ex votos.

1, Ivory hand, in Mr. Salt's collection. 2, Stone tablet, dedicated to Amunre, for the recovery of a complaint in the ear: found at Thebes. 3, An ear of terra cotta in my possession, from Thebes.

Sometimes travellers, who happened to pass by a temple, inscribed a votive sentence on the walls, to indicate their respect for the deity, and solicit his protection during their journey; the complete formula of which contained the adoration (pros

had been mindful of his wife, his family, and friends; and the reader of the inscription was sometimes included in a share of the blessings it solicited. The date of the king's reign, and the day of the month, were also added, with the profession and parentage of the writer. The complete formula of the proskunéma was as follows: "The adoration of Caius Capitolinus, son of Flavius Julius, of the fifth troop of Theban horse, to the goddess Isis, with ten thousand names. And I have been mindful of (or have made an adoration for) all those who love me, and my consort, and children, and all my household, and for him who reads this. In the year 12 of the emperor Tiberius Cæsar, the 15th of Paüni."

The Egyptians, according to Pliny*, claimed the honour of having invented the art of curing diseases. Indeed, the study of medicine and surgery appears to have commenced at a very early period in Egypt, since Athothes, the second king of the country, is stated to have written upon the subject of anatomyt; and the schools of Alexandria continued till a late period to enjoy the reputation, and display the skill, they had inherited from their predecessors. Hermes was said to have written six books on medicine, the first of which related to anatomy §; and the various recipes, known to have been beneficial, were re

*Plin. vii. 56.

Vide Vol. I. p. 25.

Hermes and Athothes may have been confounded, or they may be in this instance the same person. The god Hermes, or Thoth, generally implied intellect.

Clem. Alex. Strom. vi.

corded, with their peculiar cases, in the memoirs of physic, inscribed among the laws already alluded to; which were deposited in the principal temple of the place, as at Memphis in that of Pthah, or Vulcan.

The embalmers were probably members of the medical profession, since the knowledge, required for that purpose, appears to be connected with their peculiar studies; and the Bible expressly states, that "the physicians embalmed" Jacob. This part, however, belongs more properly to the funeral ceremonies of the Egyptians, into which I do not here intend to enter; reserving that portion of my subject to a future opportunity, and to a work, whose less contracted dimensions will enable me to introduce the paintings connected with it, on a more suitable scale than these pages will permit; I shall also take advantage of the same opportunity of entering more fully into the mythology of the Egyptians, and the ceremonies connected with their religion.

* Gen. 1. 2.

TOPOGRAPHICAL PLAN OF THE PYRAMIDS OF GEezen.

A, Entrance to the great pyramid.
B, Entrance to the second pyramid.
CC, Long pits, by some supposed for mixing
the mortar.

D, Pyramid of the daughter of Cheops
(Herodotus, ii. 126.).

E, Pavement of black stones (basaltic trap), the same as found on the causeways of the pyramids of Saqqára.

F, Remains of masonry.

G, Round inclosures of crude brick, of Arab
date, at N. E. angle of this pyramid.
H, Tombs of individuals, with deep pits.
I, The tomb of numbers.
K, Two inclined passages, meeting under
ground, apparently once belonging to a
small pyramid that stood over them.
LL, The rock is here cut to a level surface.
M, A narrow and shallow trench cut in the
rock.

N, A square space cut in the rock, probably
to receive and support the corner stone of
the casing of the pyramid.

P, Here stood a tomb which has received the
title of the Temple of Osiris.
Q, Tomb of trades, to west of tombs H.
R, A pit cased with stone, of modern date.
S, The third pyramid.

T, Three small pyramids.

U, V, Ruined buildings, whose original use it is now difficult to determine.

W W W, Fragments of stone, arranged in
the manner of a wall.

X, A few palms and sycamores, with a well.
Y, Southern stone causeway.

Z, Northern causeway, repaired by the Ca-
liphs.

a, Tombs cut in the rock.
b, Masonry.

c, Black stones.

d d, Tombs cut in the rock.
e, The sphinx.

f, Pits, probably unopened.
g, Pits.

7, Stone ruin on a rock.

i, Doorway, or passage, through the causek, A grotto in the rock.

way.

1, Inclined causeway, part of Y.
m, n, Tombs in the rock.

o, Some hieroglyphics on the rock.
p, Tombs cut in the scarp of the rock.
q, Stone wall.

r, Steps cut in the rock, near the N. w. angle
of the great pyramid.

s, t, Magnetic south, in 1832 and 1836, corresponding to MN; T N being "true

north."

The names 1. and 2. are of king Ergamenes, mentioned by Diodorus, lib. iii. s. 6., and another Ethiopian monarch, found Dakkeh.

at