The MrsE ! whate'er the Muse inspires,
My soul the tuneful strain admires.. ..pcott.
TO THE MOO.N',
O maker of sweet poets ! dear delight
Of this fair world, and all its gentle livers ;
Spangler of clouds halo of chrystarrivers,
stingier with leaves, and dew, and tumbling"
streams,
Closer of lovely eyes to lovely dreams,
Lover of loneliness and wandering-,
Of upcast and tender pondering !
Thee, must I praise, above all other glories
That smilest us on to tell delightful storiei.
There is a love tha lasts awhile,
A one-day's flower, no more,
Opes in the sunshine of a smile,
And shuts when clouds come o'er.
There is a love that ever lasts,
A shrub that's always green ;
Ijt flowers anv.d the bitter blast-,
And decks a wint'ry scene.
A check, an eye, a well turn'd foot
May give the first its birth,
The flow'ret has but little root.
And asks but little earth !
No scanty soil true love must find ts
Its vi-or to contrcl ;
It roots itself upon the mind,
And strikes into the soul !
Variety's the very spice of life,
That gives it alt its flavor.
EGYPTIAN TOMBS AND MUMMIES.
Extracted from a review of "Bekoni's Oper
ations and Discoveries in Egypt," in the last
number of the Quarterly Review.
The inconvenience, and, we may
add, the hazard of visiting these sej -ulchres,
can only be duly appreciated
by ih -se who have made the experi
ment ; r.nd nothing but an extraordina
ry degree of enthusiasm for research
es of ihis kind could have supported
our traveller in the numerous descents
which he made into the mummy pits
of Eypt, and through the long nar
ftjw subterraneous passages, particu
larlv it convenient for a man of his size.
His own account of these difficulties is
extremely interesting.
Of some of these tombs many per
sons could not withstand the suffoca
ting air, which often causes fainting.
A vast quantity of dust rises, so fine
that it enters the throat and nostrils,
and chokes the nose and mouth to such
a degree, that it requires great power
of lungs to resist ii and the strong ef- J
fluvia of the mummies. This is not:
all; the entry or passage where the:
bodies are is roughly cut in the rocks,
and die falling of the sand from the up- .
per pait or ceiling of the passage cau- t:
ses it to be nearly filled up. In some ;
places there is not more than the va-
cancv of a loot left which ou must
connive to pass through in a creeping
position like a snail, on pointed and
keen stones, that cut like glass. After
gc. tting through these passages, some
of them two or three hundred vards
long, you generally find a more com
modious place, perhaps high enough to
sit. But what a place to rest! sui
rounded by bodies, bv heaps of mum
mies in all directions ; which, previous
to my being "accustomed to the sight,!
impressed me with horror. The black
ness of the wall, the faint light given
by the candles or torches for want of
air, the different objects that surround
ed me, seeming to converse with each
other, and the Arabs with the candles
or torches in their hands, naked and
covered with dust, themselves resem
bling living mummies, absolutely form
ed a scene that cannot be described. In
.such a situation I found mvself several
times, and often returned exhausted
and tainting, till at last 1 became mur-
rd to it, and indifferent to what I suf
fered, except from the dust, which nev
r failed to choke my throat and nose ;
aid though, fortunately, I am destitute
of the sense of smelling, 1 could taste
that the mummies were rather unpleas-
ant to swallow.- After the exertion of
' entering into such a place, through a
passage of fifty, a hundred, three hun-
urea, or pernaps six nunarea yards,
Nearly overcome, I sought a resting
place, found one, and contrived to sit ;
but wlwn my weight bore on the body
fj of an Egyptian, it crushed it like a
) bd-box. I-naturally had recourse to
m' nds to sustain my weight,, but.
Lrne ovid no petter support
I sun!: altogether among the broken A io activc llFe- JY obslerv?.tl0n
mummies, with a crash of bones, raKS,i and -'flection upon others we begin an
ami woodtfii cases, whirh ra5i eY acquaintance with human nature,
dast, as kept me motionless for a quar-L'xtei,d our,V7s .e mu T,
ter of an hour, waiting till it subside and are enabled to accll,ire such a habl
again. I could not remove fror tne of discernment, and correctness of
nlace. however, withnnf ;rrp-inc it, judgment, as. others obtain only by
and every step I took I crusb-d a mum
my in some part or otheri. Once I was
conducted from such a place to another
resembling it, through a passage of a
bout twenty feet in length, and no wi
der than that a body ould be forced
through. It was choked with mum
mies, and I could not ptss without put
ting my lace in contact;vith that of some
decayed Egyptian ; bat as the passage
inclined downwards, my w" weight
helped me on : hovevcr, I could not
avoid being cove-ed wilh bones, legs,
arms and heac" rolling from above.
Thus I proceeded from one cave to an
other, all fil of mummies piled up in
various w.ws, some standing, some ly
ing, anJ some on their heads. The
purpose of my researches was to rob
the Egyptians of theirpapyri ; of which
I found a few hidden in their breasts,
under their arms, in the tpace above
the knees, or on the legs, and covered
by the numerous folds of cloth, that en
velop the mummy., The people of
Gournou, who make a trade of antiqui
ties of this sort, arc very jealous of
strangers, and keep them as secret as
possible, deceiving travellers by pre
tending, that they have arrived at the
end of the pits, when they are scarcely
at the entrance. I could never prevail
on them to conduct me into these pla
ces till this my second voyage, when I
succeeded in obtaining admission into
any cave where mummies were to be
seen.'
The tombs in the Beban el Molook
were more capacious. The first that
was opened had a staircase eight feet
wide and ten feet high, at the foot of
which were four mummies in their ca
ses, flat on the ground, with their heads
tow ards the stairs ; further on w ere four
more in the same direction ; one of them
had a covering thrown over it exactly
like the pall on the coffins of the present
day.
4 I went through the operation of ex
amining all these mummies one by one.
They were much alike in their foldings,
except that which had the painted lin
en over it. Among the others I found
one, that had new linen, apparently,
put over the old rags ; which proves,
that the Egyptians took great care of
their dead, even for many years after
their decease. That which was distin
guished from all the rest, I observed
was dressed in finer linen, and more
neatly wrapped up. It had garlands
of flowers and leaves, and on the side
over the heart I found a plate of the
metal which I hrve already described,
soft like lead, covered with another
metal, not unlike silver leaf. It had
the eyes of a cow, which so often rep
resents Isis, engraved on it ; and in the
centre of the breast was another plate,
with the winged globe. Both plates
were nearly six inches long. On un
folding the linen, we still found it very
fine, which was not the case with the
t ur mummies ; for, after three or four
loldings, it was generally of a coarser
kind. At last we came to the body,
of which nothing was to be seen but
the bones, which had assumed a vellow
tint. The case was in part painted :
but the linen cloth covering it fell to
pieces as soon as it was touched, I be
lieve owing to the paint that was on it,
which consisted of various devices and
flowers.'
ADVANTAGES
OF A KNOWLEDGE OF HISTORY.
selected.
If we consider the knowledge of his
tory with regard to its application, we
shall find that it is eminently useful to
us in three respects, viz. as it appears
in a moral, a political, and a religious
point of view.
In a moral point of view, it is bene
ficial to mankind at large, as the guide
of their conduct. In a political as
it suggests useful expedients to those
who exercise the public offices of the
state, whether they are kings, minis
ters, or magistrates ; or as it enables us
to form, by comparison with those who
have gone before them, a just estimate
of their merits. In a religious, as it
teaches us to regard the Supreme Be
ing as the governor of the universe,
and the sovereign disposer of all events.
The faculties of the soul are improv
ed by exercise ; and nothing is more
proper to enlarge, to quicken, and to
refine them, than a survey of the con
duct of mankind. History supplies us
yjth--,-jxil-aCfac' nd submits them
y.gL.r3ll-1
I J T I II VI V. I '
experiencer We thus by anticipation
are conversant with the busy scenes of
the world ; by revolving the lives of
sages and heroes, we exercise our vir
tues in a review, and prepare them for
approaching action. We learn the
motives, the opinions, and the passions
of the men who have lived before us ;
and the fruit of that studv is a more
perfect knowledge of ourselves' and a
correction of our failings by their ex-
i amples. At the same time we form
those general principles ot conduct,
which must necessarily be true and
commendable, because they are foun
ded upon the immutable decrees of
right reason, and are sanctioned by
the uniform authority and practice" of
the wise and good of all ages.
Our own experience is imperfect,
but the examples of ancient times are
complete. Actual observation gives
only a partial knowledge of mankind ;
great events and important transactions
open very slowly upon us ; and the
shortness of human life enables us only
to see detached parts of them. We
are not placed at a proper distance to
judge rightly of their real nature md
magnitude. Heated by our passions,
hurried on by precipitation, and imsitd
by interest and prejudice, we view the
affairs uf the present times through an
obscure Si partial medium, &: frequent
ly form very wrong opinions of them.
On the contrary, the examples of his
tory are distinct and clear, they are
presented to us at full length, and we
can contemplate them in their origin,
progress, and termination. We consi-
der them at our leisure, and decide up
on the ac tions of those, who are remov
ed by time to a great distance from us,
with a cool and dispassionate judgment.
Experience and the knowledge of
history reflect mutual light, and afford
mutual assistance. Without the for
mer no one can act with address and
dexterity. Without the latter no one
can add to the natural resources of his
own mind a knowledge of those pre
cepts and examples, which have ten
ded to form the character and promote
the glory of eminent men. Scipio Af
ricanus employed many of his leisure
hours in a diligent perusal of the works
of Xenophon ; and the Commentaries
of Caesar improved the military talents
of the illustrious Eugene.
History contributes to divest us ot
many unreasonable prejudices, by en
larcrincr our acciuaintance with the
world. It sets us at liberty from tha
blind partiality to our native country,
which is the sure mark of a contracted
mind, when due merit is not allowed
to any other. It may be serviceable ei
ther as the assistant of Foreign Travel
or as its substitute, by removing an
aversion to nations and institution-.
different from our own. It rectifies
mm mt
our opinions with respect to ancient
and modern times, and thus enables us
to form a just estimate of mankind in
all countries as well as in all ages.
This study likewise tends to strength
en our abhorrence of vice ; and creates
a relish for true greatness and solid
glory. We see the hero and the phi
losopher represented in their proper
colours ; and as magnanimity, honour,
integrity, andgenerosity,when display
ed in illustrious instances, naturally
make a favourable impression on our
minds, our attachment to them is gra
dually formed. The fire of enthusi
asm and virtuous emulation is lighted,
and we long to practise what we have
been instructed to approve.
History likewise is the foundation,
upon which is built the true science of
government. It is the proper school
for princes, politicians, and legislators.
They need not have recourse for in
struction to the Republic of Plato, the
Utopia of more, or the Oceana of
riarnngton. in tneir deliberations
upon state affairs they can form no
safer plans for the guidance of their
conduct, than from the contemplation
of facts. In the records of various
states they may observe by what means
national happiness has been successful
ly pursued, and public liberty has been
firmly established: in what manner
laws have answered the ends of their
institution in. the reformation of man
ners, and the promotion of the general
good ; and thence they may draw such
conclusions as may be most advanta
geous in the regulation of the affairs
of their own country.
In the volumes of history likewise
we see the most deceitful an
LVL
9
men stripped of their disguise of arti-
mi m .
hce and dissimulation, their designs
develoned, and their stratagems expo-
sed. By thef all of the great and pow
erful into a state of disgrace and indi-
gence, as well as by the revolutions oi
empires, we are not so liable to be
astonished at the events which pass be
fore our ovvn eyes. The reverses of
fortune so Trequently recorded in the
Daores of former times convince us ot
the mutability of worldly a flairs, and
m m
the precariousness ot all human gran
deur.
The nortraits, busts, and statues of
the hero, the legislator, the patriot,
and the philosopher, form a most edi-
tying school for the ingenious mmu.
The Roman vouth, accustomed to view
the imaces of their illustrious ancestors
decorated with the emblems of the
highest offices of the state, and crown
ed with the wreaths of victory, were
fired with the love of glory, and strove
to emulate their exploits. History
in a similar manner, by transmitting
the spirit of excellence from one mind
to another, excites a desire for what
ever is fair and good, and engages even
the passions on the side of the judg
ment. It fixes the strongest and most
lasting impressions upon the mind,
sanctions the arguments of reason, and
irives life to the lessons of morality
How tame : spiritless are the precepts
of wisdom, even when taught by a So
crates or a Plato, if compared with the
more animated oeauties ot virtues, ex
emplified in the actions of an Aristides,
or a Phocion ! I o the former wre on
ly crive the cold assent of the iudtrment :
of the latter we express our admiration
with rapture ; they call forth our enco
miums, thev excite a spirit of emula-
m M. -
tion, and we are eager to show by our
conduct the great influence which the)
have rrained over our hearts.
But what is this homage, which is
paid almost involuntarily to such geat
and illustrious examples? It is un
doubtedly the voice of nature, and the
suggestion of reason pure and uncor
runted bv the bad nractices of the
w orld. It is the decision of a correct
judgment, and the proof of a genuine
taste tor true greatness ana soiia glory.
In order therefore to form a virtuous
character, and to be distinguished for
the most laudable actions, it is an object
of the first concern to be ever attentive
to this voice, and to conform to its
wise and friendly admonitions.
to be COXTIXUED.
A 7icxv Subject for Speculation.
A gentleman, more remarkable for
his pomposity, than for any other known
possession, came into one of the news
offices (not a hundred years ago) and
after reading the bulletin and survey
ing the by-standers with an air indica
tive of his cum importance, marched
out with his hands in his pockets, and,
as the phrase is, with nothing in his
pockets but his hands. 44 Begar !" said
. waggish Frenchman who was pres
ent, " I tink dat von ver fine subject
for de speculation, dat leet gentiman
jus gon out suppose I shall buy him
pour vat he be worth, and sell him pour
vat he thik himself ivorth, parblieu I I
vill make too much de l'argent.
N. T. paper
The reason -wliy -women have no beard.
Nature adapting- all thing's in their place,
Planted no beard upon a woman's face ;
Not Packwood's razors, tho' the very best,
Could shave a chin that never is at rest.
?HOM THE RUOUE-ISI.AXD AMEHICA3T.
The following eloquent and impressive article is
taken from a popular French Essay on indif
ference in matters of Itelis?ion, bv the Abbe
de la Mcnnais.
u In the history of Christianity, nations
commence and end :they pass with their
customs, their laws, their opinions, their
science ; one only doctrine remains always
believed) notwithstanding the interest
which the passions have not to believe it ;
always immovable in the midst of this ra
pid and perpetual movement ; always at
tacked and always justified, always shel
tered from the changes which centuries
bring upon the most solid institutions
the- most accredited systems ; always the
more astonishing and the more admired
in proportion as it is the more examined ;
the consolation of the ppori and the sweet
est hope of the rich ; the seiiis of the peo-
V !
pie, and the restraint of Kings; the rule
of the power which it moderates, and of
the obedience which it sanctifies; the
great charter of humanity, where eternal
justice, not willing that even crime should
Jinjvilhout hope and v.ilhout protection
stipulates for mercy in favour ot reper
tance ; a doctrine as humble as it is pro
found, as simple as it is high and magnifi"
cent ; a doctrine which subjugates the
most powerful genius by its. sublimity,
and proportions itself by the clearness of
its light to the most feeble intellect m
fine, an indistructible doctrine, whhh re
sists every thing, triumphs over every
thing over violence and contempt, over
sophisms and scaffolds, and powerlul in hi
antiquity, its victorious evidences and itr?
benefits, seem to reign over the human
mind by right of birth, oi conquest, and
of love.
" Such is the religion, which sonic
men have chosen to make the object of
their indifference. What Bossuet, Pas
cal, Fenelon, Ddscarter, Newton, Leib
nitz, Euler believed after the most atten
tive examination, what was the continual
subject of their meditations is net judged
worthy of a moment's thought. In des
pising Christianity without understanding
it, they think to n.ise themselves above
all the genius and virtue, which has ap
peared on earth, during eighteen centu
ries, and absurdly proud of a careless dis
dain for the truth, whatever it be, they arc
inflated because they keep up a neutrality
of ignorance between the doctrine which
produced Vincent de Paul and that which
produced Marat.
" Whether God exists or not, whether
to this short life succeeds a life that is last
ing, whether the only duty is to follow
our wishes, or whether we ought to reg
ulate them bv a fixed and divine law : we
wish to know every thing, these things
excepted. Men are agreed that every
thing interests them except their etern?!
fate. They have not, say they, time to
think of it ; but they have abundance of
leisure when the question is about satis
fying the most frivolous fantasy. They
have time for business time for plea
sures and they have no time to examine
whether there be a heaven or a hell.
They have time to instruct themselves in
I the most vain trifles of this world, when?
1 they only pass a day ; and they have not
time enough to assure themselves wheth
er there exist another world, which they
must, whether happy or miserable, inher
it eternally. They have time to take caro
of a body, which is about to dissolve, and
none to inform themselves, whether it en
closes an immortal soul They have
time to go far to convince their eyes of
the existence of a rare animal, a curious
plant, and they have none to convince
their reason of the existence of God.
Inconceivable blindness ! And who will
not exclaim with Bousset : u What ! is the
charm of sense so strong that we can foi u -
see nothing V
41 We have seen convicts laugh, dance
upon the scaffold, but the death which
they braved was inevitable, nothing could
save them from it. In the invincible ne
cessity of dying, they strove against na
ture, and found a sort of brutal consola
tion in astonishing the eyes of the people
by the sight of a gaieiy more frightful
than the anguish of fear and the agony of
despair. But that a man, uncertain
whether his head is not about to fall in a
few hours under the axe of the execution
er, and certain of saving it, if he will only
convince himself of the reality of the dan
ger which menaces him, should remain
in repose in the terrific doubt, and pre
fer before life, some moments of pleasure,
or even unlistlessness, which a shocking
and disgraceful punishment is to termi
nate ; this is what we have never seeni
this is what we can never see.
" Whatever contempt we affect for an
existence, brief and burthened with so
many pains, we are not so easily detached
from it ; there is no apathy so profound,
that the announcing of it, the idea alone
of approaching death, does not awaken.
What do I say ? Every thing, which touch
es us, whether in our health or goods, er
enjoyments, or opinions, or habits, sxar
tles, alarms, transports us cut of our
selves, inspires us with an indefatigable
activity and we are indifferent about no
thing but heaven, hell, and eternity."
REFLECTION'.
Gentleness of manners, and softness
of heart,. are the most amiable charac
teristics of a woman. Let maji, like
the strong oak, breye the stoc and,
stand unmoved amftl its. rayVfin o
man, like the weeping J,v yield to
,veryblast; or, like tp-tivc plant,
shrink from every p f - v-v