The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-30

Obituary.
DEATH OF GEORGE r. GLiDD0N, ESQ, FORMERLY
UNITED STATES CONSUL IN EGYrT.
Science and the world has suffered loss in the
death Of GEORGE R. GIlpDos, the well known Egyptian
Scholar and author, who died suddenly at Panama, OF
pulmonary congestion on the 10th inst aged ABOUT niy
years Mr.. Gddon was born in England, but went early
10 Egypt, where his father was consul OF the United
fates. which Office was afterwards held BY Mr. Glddon
himself Az consul he was most attentive TO American
nterests and unrng his kindnesses TO American ira
yele,s In 1885, when Mehemet Ali initiated his plans for
Che material Improvement Of Egypt by the Introduction Of
machinery, Mr. Gliddon succeeded in impressing him
with the greater skill of American mechanics in this de-
artment sent by the Pacha TO the United States
% contract for RICE sugar and other mills, which
subsequently put In successful operation. Up this time
Mr. Gliddon known chiefly active business man.
but an easor, acqusye mind like his could not fail
% be arrested by the monuments of @cient
civilization around him, and he early took .
deep interest In the researches Of Bonom Salt vyse and
the other Egyptian scholars and explorers 70 whose Ia
bors tho rapid and brilliant discoveries Of Chsmpoion
had given augmented force and true distinction He be
efficient member Of tho Egyptian Society, com
posed Of all the Of Cairo and Alexandria, and
pdly aoquyed thorough knowledge Of all the results
which had been reached in the various departments Of
Egyptian research II was this knowledge, equally with
DIS gonil epTuS ana Drllant lntegence tnat maue MN
the welcome friend correspondent Of Dr. Morton and
other distinguished scientific in America. But was
with Dr. Norton that he became most intimately connect
ed undertaking supply that eminent cranoiogst and
philosopher with the materials for carrying forward his
Inquiries into the origin and relations OF the various am
Hes OF from the New TO the Old World and from the
valley Of Mississippi to that of the Nile With great
difficulty and expense and at no inconsderable per-
small risk Gliddon collected hundreds Of crania
from the ancient ombs and sepulchra caverns of Egypt
embracing specimens from every part the val
ley Of the Nile from Upper and Lower Egypt dfom the
Delta to the Fails Of Nerve These sent to Dr. Norton
OF Philadelphia who directed upon them those eminent
mowers Of analysis which had high for his
great work. Crania Americana The result was an eiabo
rate work dedicated TO Mr. Gddon and published by the
Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, entitled Crania
1gypuaca which rest and forever, the leading
questions 80 long dispute to the and physical
type Of the ancient Egyptians.
Meantime Mr.. Gliddon was actively occupied with
Che question of the overland route to India,
and after various experiments at his COST submitted
a memorial on the subject TO the British government,
which not only attracted the attention of Lord Palmer
ston but led to his being called to London with a
view to practical realization Of his suggestions. sud
en change OK ministry however, prevented any acton
at the moment and Mr. Giddon returned 10 Egypt, when
he published essay the Production OF Cotton
the Valley of the Nile" and an "Appeal 10 Europe"
against the wholesale destruction Of the Egyptian monu
by Mchcnet Al who spared none OF these venera
Die relics Of the past in his born unitarian zeal
About this time the financial and commercial establish
mepts with which Mr. Gliddon connected met with
reyerses which induced him to abandon Egypt and
SAY his fortunes in the United States. Here his Egyptian
knowledge and experiences led 10 his being invited to
uecture Egypt and Its monuments, by great number
OF literary and scientific societies he accordingly deli
vered . course OF lectures on this interesting
eubject before the Lowell Institute Of Boston, which
met with great II repeated twice in Phila
epha, and in rapid succession in all the principal cities
of the Union. sepeographic report was published
which me, with an unprecedented SALE and il not
zong before Egyptian studies and their results beclne
widely known and thoroughly popuIarized in the
United states than any country Europe Personally
known all the leading Egy pan sayans and IN constant
correspondence with them, Mr. Gliddon was always able
60 present latest and freshest Of their discoveries and
without pretending 10 originality OF research he was
probably better acquainted with the results OF Egyptian
science Than any man Of the age His success as lee
eurer Interested him and more in his subject and
led him, almost mpercepbly 70 himself, TO adopt ectur
ing as profession. In aceumuating his facts and illus
trstions he paid Europe, and resided at
various periods in Berlin, Paris and London where be
was received with ardent welcome by all the
leading Oriental students, such ~ Icprus,
IAnci, Rawnson, Jornard Longperrien, Birch, Maury,
IAyard and wilkinson. They all looked upon him as
larzing Is q consistent whole, the detached results At
tanned by each in his special held Of inquiry.
Mr. Ghddons Egyptian studies naturally led him into
rognae researches he became deeply interested in
those anthropoogca subjects which have OF late secured
80 large degree OF attention amongst students especially
M connected with questions OF human origins and the
diversity and permaneDcc Of race Upon these Questions,
DR. Morton previous 70 bus death had begun 70 eonoen
traie the light Of his clear cain intelligence As disciple
Of Morton and in connection with his friend and scientific
colleague Or j. C. Mott, Of Mobile, Mr. Gideon conceived
Abe plan of elaborate work, which should
embrace the unpublished papers OF Morton and
combine the maturcd ideas and conclusions OF the
most distinguished scholars OF America the various
questions above indicated the whole 10 be dedicated To
the Memory OF Morton" This work was published In
1854 under the title of Types OF Mankind &c, and has
been more widely read, and produced profounder i'm
presson the educated mind OF this country and EUROPE
than any similar work hitherto published u contained
and ofh ed
AT once stamped standard work amongst scholars,
and pu, the reach OF those indous attacks and
dsparagements by which previous works on similar sub
jccts been assaulted and put down. Re success OF
thls work, Of which not less THAI ten theu
again, in conjunction with Doctor Mott, To under
take another similar work, entitled indigenous Races
OF tho Earth" &C. which issued IRON the press ~ ,he
pprng OF the present year This work may be regarded
a. a sequel or supplement TO the nrst, and Is
consequently without its noyesy. u could not be
expected therefore, TO produce 80 marked an mpresson
but still II has been warmly welcomed amongst students,
and containing M docs ma'ured papers from Drs Mott
Alfred Maury and fraDcp Puiszkey, must JAKE hgh
ss,and a book OF reference.
Before the publication OF this last work, Mr. Gdaon,
wesried q scdentary c and longing Tor me excemen'
Hood was passed accepted the post endered 70 hun by
Lis old friend and archaeological colleague, = q.
luier1 Of DEPUTY Agent OF the Honduras Inter Oceanic
Railway In Honduras. Central America The ability aud
energy which he had displayed in opening the saez OF
Overland route 10 India made this appointment specially
acceptable 70 the English directors Of company and
CO the 10Th of April last Mr. Glddon aud his staff IN com
with the engineers OF the company, sanea lot hnn
curas, where he at exhibited those qualities OF
acuvy real and personal disregard q danger which had
distinguished him the Fast lie on his return 20
United states leave OF ABSENCE when he was over
by the fatal thmus fever and died. as above stated
ai Panama
In his death, repeat. science aud the world have
sustained severe loss; and the intelligence of this
tnournul event will carry sorrow 70 the hearts 81 his
thousands Of personal friends throughout the United
states and Europe Mr.. Giddon was an extraordinary
man Of versatile talents, varied Information, and sarge
,xerience The and the civilizations of both con
fnept were familiar TO him He had been the guest OF
the Arab and Turk had aycrsed the great deserts wan
ercd over Palestine and Mesopoama, bad been rest
dent of Greece familiar With every country IA Eu-
rore, and was a cosmopolitan ~ America IN language
.oiyelot encyclopedia in Information, he was al once
she entertaining and instructive OF companions But
II VAS respect II the noble qualities Of fast friendship
and unccmpainng fortude, OF honor. and honesty OF
turse that those who knew HIM best loved aud esteemed
attachments and dislfkc1 he 1ay