The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-04
DIR. Abbott's Egyptian Antiquities.
MEETING AT sTyyvEsANT INsTITUrE-LECTURE ny
REV. j. z. THOMPSON.

MEETING AT 6TCYvESANT INSTtTUrE-LECTURE BY
REV. J. p. THOMPSON.
Rev. j. p. Thompson delivered lecture last evening"
at stuyvessn Institute in relation to the proposed
chase Of Dr. Abbotts collection of Egyptian antiquities
to fun nd fashionable audience Mr.. Thompson said
that he did not here to avouch for the
Of the coliection-that acknowledged by the Euro
pean sar0ns. He hoped that this collection would be
preserved in New York. as ii made by American
citizen, and contained specimens which be found
nowhere else II should be preserved for the sake of
art history and religion. Egyptology has become
to be important study for theologians it confirms
scriptural history The question is whether shall
give to students the power to pursue this study at
home, whether they shall be obliged to the
Atlantic and trust to the courtesy of Queen Victoria
Louis Napoleon. We have first to consider the value Of
this collection throwing light upon the history of
Egypt We have but very meagrc details as TO the his
tory Of this great nation 1t is very evident that the
ancient Egyptians acquainted with the art of writ
ing. The speaker referred to antique image the
taole to show that the roll Of papyrus and tie
know he continued that at Thebes has been found the
remains OF library which existed in the fourteenth
century before Christ. II is upon these monuments
bearing the names portraits accounts of coronaions
Of kings, that learn the history of Egypt, yet
yation on account the preserving influence the
mate All the Swans agree that the Egyptians
pecay industrious in carving and securing these
ments-the climate being especially excellent for this
purpose The lee tuier went into critical analysis Of
to be correct ana sustained by the Egyptian monuments
and which carry Lack dates TO 2il7 b. c. in oppos
ion to The opinions OF Lepsus and the Chevaer Bansen
Mr. Poole make tie of Menes anterior to that of
the Heuge but this does not initiate against Biblical
] chronology as that is not always well founded and
there dagreemcnts between the Septuagnt and the
Hebrew text These disagreements may be reconced by
the fact that the first was produced at Alexandr aud
the learned work upon it had all the Advantage
Of the monuments To show how Scrptural history is
sustained by the Egyptian monuments, the lecturer in
s'anced the obelisk at Heorolis illustrating incidents in
no a nf 1CsaIh n ran frQC nf
Tolhues the Pharoah Of Exodus, the second monarch
Of the eighteenth dynasty. lie was great builder Of
temples, and We find it recorded in the tombs of coem
Iorares The speaker showed diagrams to Illustrate the
brick making process In this museum there is spec
tomb OF the Egyptian King who came up against crusa-
lem, as related in the Book of Chronicles We also
see representations of the jewish captives brought
by him from Judea The slavery the stewardship and
history of Josephs soourn in Egypt may also be traced
We read that Joseph sealed up the storehouses of grain
and In this collection we have one of the seals with
which the doors sealed We also that Joseph
and his brethren sat at the feast contrary to the usual
Eastern CUSTOM and Dr. Abbott has n fine drawing of
chair. Moses was hid in ark made of papyrus and
btImen, just the material Of which the mummy cases
made, in order that they shall be impervious to
water 1t is also evident that the Israelies learned the
liberal arts in Egypt and in this Museum have evil
dence that tho Egyptians skilled in working in
leather, gliding, carved wood, fine lnen embroidery,
&c and all these arts used by the Iraeltes in the
making Of the tabernacle in the wilderness and their
proficiency In these arts be explained upon the
pothess that they learned them in Egypt The lecturer
proceeded point out various resembances between
early history OF the Jews and the representations
the Egy pan tombs This Museum be eplaced
there stringent laws against the carrying away Of
specimens similar to those which Dr. Abbott pro-
cured. In view Of the various literary and scientific
institutions now sprngng up in this city, this collection
IL invaluable
Rev. Nj. osGoop said few words relative American
ignorance Egyptian subjects which he could represent
lie thought that light needed this subject
to bring old Egypt and young America together. Now
our people know so little about Egypt that do not
wonder at IL. As means of illustrating history the col
lection would be valuable and it pleasant to know
that IL would probably be kept among u.s.
Rev. Dr. SsEScER presented resolutions that the
meeting fully satisfied Of the rarity and genuneness
OF Dr. Abho,ts collection second, that it is highly i'm
rortan that this collection should be retained the
city Of New York; that the meeting approve Of the
means already taken to subscriptions for the pur
pose a. purchasing the collection; and lastly vote of
thanks TO Peter Cooper Esq for mis- generous appropria
ton OF room in his institute for the permanent deposit
terry Of this coic:onand then the meeting dissolved