Upon this philosophical principle and experimental truth, we may suppose the upper point of the Delta to have been originally at the foot of Mount Mocattem, where Grand Cairo was afterwards built.a

Pursuing the same idea, we shall not venture even to suggest what branches of the Nile may formerly have diffused themselves abroad, or how much it may have overflowed of the Hieropolitan province, which from the Pelusian branch of the Nile reaches the mountains to the south, and the Arabian gulf on the east. This province, at one time denominated Goshen, was assigned to the brethren of Joseph, as a proper place for their flocks and their herds. Their possessions and that of their descendents, might also extend to the province of Zoan, which lies on the opposite side of the Pelusian branch; but Memphis was probably the royal seat of the Pharaohs and not Ta

Ren. Geog. Herod, p. 459; and Volney, tom. i, c. 2.

nis, which was the capital of Zoan. Though Egypt was often divided among contending princes, yet the Pharaohs seem to have been sovereigns of the country; and the confined situation of Zoan, in the damp and unhealthy flats of the Delta, was not suitable to the splendid and powerful princes of the house of Pharaoh. At different periods in ancient history, the strength of Egypt was apparent, and its wealth conspicuous. From Siene to the shore of the Mediterranean, on the coast of the Red sea, on the banks of the Nile, and on the expanse of the Delta, cities flourished, and prosperity prevailed.

Every step we advance among the scenes of ancient Egypt, new interests arise; and they excite the greater curiosity, as they are seen through the mists of time, and the obscurity of former years. Having seen a country rise in importance, by the influence of a people, of whom we know but little, we are anxious, from every accessible source Vol. I.

D

and document, to trace their situation and acquirements. There can be no advancement in useful knowledge, without a communication of sentiments, and mutual intercourse; therefore language is known in every nation, and cultivated in civilized society. The Coptic language is almost obliterated by the successive changes of governments and people, which have happened in Egypt; and perhaps it is only to be found, in its genuine purity, in the monasteries of the country, where valuable manuscripts are said to be deposited.

The ancient language of Ethiopia, that is, the written language of Abyssinia, or that of Geez, as Mr. Bruce defines it, is strictly connected with the Hebrew and Arabic, and they do all appear to be dialects of the Chaldean tongue. It is to be presumed that the ancient language of Egypt was a branch from the same trunk; and nearly allied to the language of the patriarchs of old. For when Abraham descended in

to Egypt. it does not appear that he was a stranger to their speech, nor are the brethren of Joseph represented as finding it difficult to make known their wants to the servants of Pharaoh. We are told, indeed, that Joseph spoke to his brethren by an interpreter; but this species of address might be resorted to in order to prevent them from recognising his voice, and for enabling him to restrain those strong emotions of surprise and affection, which would probably have burst forth, if he had opened his mouth to address them in articulate language. This conduct of Joseph, too, might the more readily be pursued, under this consideration, that although the different dialects of the two countries might be so much understood by the people of both, as to enable them mutually to transact the common affairs of life, yet it might be requisite, in a formal interview at court, to have the sentiments and opinions of the parties more distinctly and fully made known.

Therefore in addition to every other reason for employing an interpreter, Joseph might deem it an expedient measure, lest his accent and the complete knowledge of his brethren's language might betray the secret, and prematurely reveal what he wanted, for a season, to remain unknown. If language be indispensably necessary for the intercourse of society, so marks or characters for recording deeds, and corresponding at a distance, are of the utmost importance to the improvement of society, and are universally prevalent in every civilized state. Before the hand had been directed to draw characters for representing the powers of language, the untutored mind had taught the rude herd of men to perpetuate events, by heaps of unpolished stones, by pillars, by festivals, by altars, by poetic effusions, and groves. The next step in the progress of recording transactions

Gen.

Tacitus de moribus German, c. 2, and 3 & 4. ch. 31, v. 45, 46, &c; Harmer's Observ. vol. ii, p. 471.

2