The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-10
UnrolIing the Mummy-second Day.
The Boston Traveller of Wednesday June 5tI

The Boston IrdpeHer, OF "wednesday, June 9th,
says
"Mr Gddon delivered his second lecture to- day,
at IL o'clock, and the mummy was unrolled, in the
presence of very large assembly of ladies and
gentlemen, comprising the elite OF Boston, Cam
bridge, and vicinity. Every available seat was
occupied before the hour of meeting.
g r. G. began by explaining the hieroglyphics
In front of the body, 80 far he had been able TO
translate them. He said the inscriptions found on
mummies were generally parts of the fornu-
larles in the 'bouk of the dead This body
was surmouned by winged beetle holding the
Creator Sun. Below it was a sign which wac a
musical INSTRUMENT, and sign for the word priest
ess. On one side was the god Of science, and be-
hind II the West; the symbol on the other side he
could not find out. Below, was the emblem OF
eternity. On either side the wives of Osiris
the gOd Of the dead, symbols of justice and corrup
tion Below were the words, dedicated TO Osiris,
the god OF the house Of the living and the dead
Below was, The Syrian, or the deceased. beloved
OF the god OF the Western Heavens, Cor THorH-
ANCH- PHI which means eternal life.
"Mr. Ghddon now turned the matter over TO the
scientific gentlemen present He stated, in refer
ence TO the bandages, that every bandage known
in modern science had been ROunu on iIuInrnies.
Professor Agassiz and Drs. Wyman and jackson
then proceeded 20 unroll the mummy. The height
FIVE feet four inches, and Mr. Gliddon said that
il OF the tallest female muInmies he had
ever seen. The bandages were strips Of linen all
OF one kind; and Mr.. g. said all the cloth found on
mummies was linen. Professor Agassiz said he
had examined il with the microscope. and found il
To be linen. Some large pieces were taken of of
coarscr quality. After the outside dry cloth was
taken on they came 10 cloth that was thoroughly
gummed. (probably gum arabic secured by two
leather straps, which Mr.. Gliddon said usually
contained the name Of the person Little pieces Of
wood taken out, the ends of which were
stamped with two figures Of deities.
"a scarf was taken of about ten feet in length
with fringcs on each end. A large piece OF the
gummed linen was cut of. containing the leather
straps, which we're species Of red morocco in per
feet preservation.
"Wben the body unrollcd 30 as TO disc lose the
face, Mr.. Chddon said Il had been plunged in boil
ing bitumen, 80 that u was now a mass Of bitumen
aud even the eyes and the sockets burnt out After
further unrolhng, he brought out and exhibited
papyrus, which he said n leaf from the Book
of the Dead IL was rolled up, and Mr.. G.. said il
would have 10 be damped and carefully unroled
before it could be read. There was also found a
lScarab0us or winged beetle, the figure OF which
placed outside the head OF the mummy
Tb, cloth being removed from the face and upper
part Of the body, u placed in glass case and
exposed In foil view Oi the audience.
"Tbe boiling bitumen had reduced the body 10 a
crisp, 90 that it brittle as burnt bone and
the features nearly destroyed. Tho arms
were extended upon the sides, ibe hands resting
upon the abdomen. On the whole IL was rather a
disgusting object 90 look upon. though interesting
10 men OF science, relic OF antiquity; while 20
the morast, 4 suggests reflection upon the etnp-
tiness OF human greatness aud the folly o attempt
ing TO perpetusie the memory thereof by my mon.
uments OF human device Ifaveiier. june 5fh.