The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-11-11


member of our party betrayed any particular
trepidation, or seemed to consider that any
thing had gone very especially wrong.
|, For my part Twas convinced it was al
right, and merely stepped aside. out Of the
range Of the Egyptians fist. DR.. PonnonneI
thrust his hands into his breeches' pockets
looked hard at the Mummy, and grew ex,
cessiveIy red in the face. Mr.. Ghddon
stroked his minister's and drew up the collar
of his shirt. Mr.. Buckingham hung down
his head, and put his right thumb into the
left corner of his mouth.
The Egyptian regarded him with severe
coun,enance for some minutes, and at length
with sneer, said:
WHY don't YOU speak, Mr.. Buckingham
Did YOU hear what asked you, or not
DO take your thumb out Of your mouth
Mr.. Buckingham, hereupon, gave slight
start, took his right thumb out OF the left
corner of his me nth, and, by way ofindem-
MITIGATION. inserted his left thumb IN the right
corner of the aperture above mentioned.
Not being able to get an answer from Mr.
B., the figure turned peevishly TO Mr.. "iid-
con, and, in peremptory tone, demanded IN
general terms what we all meant.
Mr. Gliddou replied at great length, IN
phonetics; and but for the deficiency oil
| American printing offices in hieroglyphical
type, it would afford me much pleasure to
record here, in the original, the whole oil his
very excellent speech.
NAV as well take this occasion to remark
that all the subsequent conversation in which
the Mummy took part, was carried on IN
primitive Egyptian, through the medium
$50 far as concerned myself and other untrav-
eled members of the company)-lhrough
the medium, | say, of Messiurs Gliddon and
Buckingh ham, as interpreters. Those gentle
men spoke the mother tongue of the Num-
my with inimitable fuency and grace; but
could not help observing that lowing. no
| doubt, TO the introduction ofimages entirely
modern, and, of course. entirely novel to the
Strangely the two travellers were reduced,oc-
| casionally, to the employment Of sensible
| forms for the purpose Of conveying partic-
ular meaning. Mr.. Gliddon, at one period,
for example, could not make the Egyptian
comprehend the term politics. until he
sketched upon the wall, with bit of char
coal, little cafbuncle-nosed gentleman, out
| at elbows, standing on stump.w his left leg
drawn back, his right arm thrown forward,
with the fist shut, the eyes rolled up toward
Heaven, and the mouth open at an angle Of
ninety degrees. Just iu the same way Mr.
Buckingham failed to convey the absolutely
modern idea, wig until, lat Doctor Pom
onner's suggestion,) he grew very pale in the
face, aud consented to take off his own.
twill be readily understood that Mr..
Gliddon's discourse turned chiefly upon the
vast benefits accruing to science from the I'M
rolling and disembowellng of Mummies I;
apologizing, upon this score, for any distur
bance that might have been occasioned him,
in particular, the individual Mummy called
Administrators; and concluding with a mere
hint. flor it could scarcely be considered
more,) that. as these little matters were now
explained, it might be as well to proceed with
the investigation intended. Here DIR. Pom
onner made ready his instruments.
In regard to the latter suggestion Of the
orator, il appears that Allamistakeo had GER
certain scruples of conscience, the nature Of
which did not distinctly learn but he ex
pressed himself satisfied with the apologies
rendered, and, getting down from the ia
BILE, shook hands with the company all
round.
Immediately busted ourselves in repairing the
damages which oursubject had sustained from
the scalpeI. We sewed up the wound in his
temple, bandaged his foot, and applied a
square inch of black plaster to the top of his
nose.
II was now observed that the Count (this
was the title, It seems. Of Allams TAX co, had
slight fit Of shivering-no doubt from the
cold The doctor Immediately repaired to
his wardrobe, and soon returned with black
dress coat, made Jennings best manner, a
pair of sky-bue plaid pants with straps,
a pink gingham chemise, tapped vest Of
brocade, white sack overcoat, a walking
cane with hook, hat with no brim, patent
leather boots, straw-colored kid gloves, an
eye-glass, pair of whiskers. and waterfall
cravat. Owing to the disparity of size be-
tween the Count and doctor, 1.-THE proportion
being as two TO one,) there was some little |
difficulty in adjusting these habiliments upon
the person of I'll, Egyptian; but when all
was arranged, he might have. been said TO be
dressed. Mr.. Glidden, therefore, gave him
his arm, and led him to comfortable chair
by the fire, while the doctor rang the bell
upon the spot and ordered a supply Of cigars
and wine.
The conversation soon grew animated.
Much curiosity was, of course, expressed in
regard to the somewhat remarkable fact Of
Administrators still remaining alive.
Il should have thought, observed Mr.Buck-
ingham, that it is high time you were dead
Why replied the Count, very much as
tonished. Il am little more than seven hun
dred years old My father lived thousand,
and was by no means in his .dotage when he
died.
Here ensued brisk series ofquestions and
by means Of which it became
evident that the antiquity Of the Mummy had
been grossly misjudged. 1t had been FIVE
thousand and fifty years. and some months
since he had been consigned TO the catcombs
at Eleithias. Il
But my remark resumed Mr.. Bucking-
ham, had no reference royour age at the Pc j
Rod ofmterment; Il am willing 10 grant. in
fact, that you are still young man, and my S
allusion was to the immensely oftime during r
which, by your own showing, you must have I
been dune up in asphaltum.' e
In what 2 said the Count. "
In asphaltum,' persisted Mr.. b.
'Ah, yes: have SEINE faint notion Of what S
you mean; it might made to answer, no c
1oubt,-but in my time we employed scarce {
l,- II. H., tho Richloride of 6ter- I