New-York tribune., 1874-10-23
ANCIENT EGYPT.

RRAPPEARANCE OF BAYARD TAYLOR ON TIE Lee
TURE PLATFORM.
A large and brilliant audience assembled at
the Academy Of Music last evening to greet Bayard
TAYLOR on his return the rostrm from which he has
been 40 long absent Although his lecture was intended
10 be in aid OF Hebrew benevolent society, his audi
tors every OF the cultured residents
of NewYork. Could the intelligence OF the audience
have been reduced to matter the old and tre express
sion OF full from pit dome" would have been very
insufhc lent method OF describiDgit.
Judge Brady, IN Q few happy words, introduced Mr.
TAYLOR who was received with the warmest demonsra
tons OF regard After the applause had subsidized the
lecturer approached his subject entitled, Ancient
Egypt" II an eptome OF the mysterious country
which has fascinated students and puzzled the phloso
pher He said he had selected Ancient Egypt as his
subject because is furnishing with the oldest
and cearest records OF mans development Within the
last few years. Bunsen wrote his work "Eypts
Place IN History" the excavations have yielded their
richest returns and studies Of scholars have
yarded by their most important discoveries While she
was only shadowy picture Of ancient civilization
Egypt already grand as she was mysterious, al
ready a TO awaken reverence and kndle the imag
nation Now that light broad and clear and
the features Of her political system her religious faith
her and domestic life her art aud her architecture
are brought within the sphere OF positive knowledge.
they colossal and rigid and en-
during those statues which have been
for ages in front OF her buried temples.
The speaker traced the history OF Egypt, running
through period from 1000 10 1900 years. through
az dynastes kings. he anaiy Zed the mythology of
the Egyptians and dwelt their peculiar forms and
observances This seemed or Sp6clal interest 10 tile
Hebrew portion of the audience, aud they listened
teptyeiy his demonstrations that many OF the rites
and ceremonies common among the Jews existed pre-
cedent knowledge OF Jewish history, among the
Egyptians who were in fact the fathers OF CIVILIZATION
After tracing the influence of Egypt Palestine. he
showed the influence OF Egyptian civilization aud arts
upon Greece
10 concluding he said: Even as Egypt represents
! through largo portion OF her history,
Greece represents progress These are the great con-
hicpg still. The Present nothing but battle
ground. whereon the Past and the Future constantly
ngnt The spirit OF Egypt Is fully alive In Rome this
day as IL in Memphis or Thebes It is
/ alive IN every individual who resists political
social reforms scientific research We find
10 III fashion against commOnt sense IN party organ
zatioa regardless of capacity or honesty IN ancient
dogma restricting the free and earnest soul. Let
turn to Greece-brght. independent joyous. tolerant,
inventive and unwealfedly aspiring What II she pre-
sented more theoretical than practical philosophy
What II her variety OF individual development scOrned
the compromises out of which enduring political power
her silent spirit that In cur day remoids the
ancient primitive forces and stimulates them 10 new
activity Haste and confusion often born from the
principles OF Progress but too ardent ana impatient
passive content the Past While Egypt nstructs she
warns us while her achievements rampant vanity,
her gives encouragement Leave to the Past
stationary and spiendorour DODer tate Is 10
be forever seeking and forever unsatsned.
When lecturer concluded there a round OF ap
plause which shook the building. Mr. Taylor NAMED
on the TO meet the numerous friends who had
come forward 10 greet him. he entered carriage and
OF friends enjoyed his society until late hour In the
evening.