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DONATION FROM DENMARK.-The present by the
Great Royal Library at Copenhagen of the work
of Lepsius Egyptian and Ethiopian Antiquities
to the Library of the State of New York, made by
order of the Danish Government, by w. RaaslofI
Esq, of this city, consists Of series of six
hundred imperial folio engrayngs, illustrative of
Egyptian Antiquities, drawn and colored in the
highest style of art. They illustrate among the
other Niotic remains, the pyramids of Gizeh, SAX
kara, and Dashchen, the views of Thebes, Philac,
and Dendera.
The work is regarded as the standard one on the
Antiquities of Egypt. The author is Prussian,
celebrated for his learning, particularly in archeo-
logical studies; was in 1912 placed at the head of
fully equipped scientific expedition fitted out by
the King of Prussia, on the recommendation Of
Humboldt, Bunsen, and Eichlinn, for the expora-
ton of the Antiquities of the Nile and of the pc
ninsula of Sinai
The expedition remained in Egypt three years.
and returned laden with specimens of its antiuu-
ties. These were so numerous and valuable that
they were placed in an Egyptian Temple reared
for that purpose withd the walls of the Museum in
Berlin. The work under notice consists of engra-
wings Illustrative of these specimens. 1t was issu-
ed under the auspices of the King of Prussia, and
is regarded as one of the most splendid which ever
emanated from the press.
1t is superior to the French work on Egypt pre-
pared by the of Napoleon's expedition, mas
much as their explorations were accomplished be-
fore the discovery Of the Rosetta stone, by Bus
sard, in 1879, had opened to Young and the Cham
poilIons the art OF deciphering the Egyptian HER
oglyphs
On the contrary, DR.. Lepsius, and his associates,
were skilled in decphering the Inscriptions and as
an Arch@ologist he had, and still has, no living
superior. The consequence is, a work thorough
and profound giving the world better idea of the
Nllotic views than it has hitherto enjoyed. The
author after thorough preparatory studies at Leip-
SIC, Gottingen, and Berlin, went in 1884 with re-
Communications from Humboldt to Paris to continue
his lingual and archaeological studies. In 1885, ne
proceeded to Italy; and at Rome became intimately
acquainted with Chevalier Bunsen, the then Prus-
sian Minister at the Roman See. Here he devoted
himself to the study of Egyptian Antiquities and
his letters to Roseini concerning the Hieroglyphic
Alphabet eicted the profound attention of scientific
men. He also addressed several essays to the
Academy at Paris, and for that on the relation of
the Semitic Ethiopian and other languages Ehas re-
celyed the great Academical prize of twelve hun
dred francs. His soourn in Italy was also occupied
by profound Investigations into the Etrurian and
Oscan languages. In 1888 he went to London,
where he again joined Bunsen, with whom he de-
veloped the plan for an extensive work on the
History and Antiquities of Egypt, and was finally
placed at the head of the expedition in 1872 as
above mentioned Since his return from Egypt he
has resided in Berlin Director of the Archaeology
cal Institute and Professor of the University.
The State Library is indebted for this very i'm
portant and valuable gift the library of His Ma
Jesty the King of Denmark, whose representative
in this country, the Hon. w. de Raaslof maintain
ed the warmest interest in regard to the NATTER
N. Y. SuW.