Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-12-18
Abbott's Egyptian Museum

Apropos of the interest excited by
Bayard Taylor's lecture on Ancient
Egypt, Rev. Mr.. Church hands us,
for publication, the following discrip-
ton of Abbott's Egyptian Museum,
on Third Avenue, New York City,
Admission to it is free, and those
who may visit that city would be
well repaid for an examination of the
many objects of interest which it con-
tains. The article is from one of the
religious papers:
1--WE commend to all visitors to
this city, especially to those interest
ed in Sunday school work, place of
deep and thrilling interest," where
hours may be passed of greatest prof
it and value. To all antiquarian or
Biblical student, Abbott's Egyptian
Museum, containing some two thous-
and relics of Egyptian antiquity, has
weird and fascinating interest,"
Here, in the heart of New York, a
city of to-day, are relies of a mighty
kingdom that flourished in Oriental
power and grandeur three thousand
years ago. Here, in this modern
city, we are surrounded with figures,
vases, sculptures, statues, tablets, jew
elry, clothing, made and used by a
people that had been dead for centu-
ries when Christ walked in Galilec.
"This collection is of undoubted an
tiquity, and is commended by such
scholars as Wilkinson, Poole, and
others. DR.. Abbott, who lived in
over thirty years, was an enthusiastic
explorer, and spared no expense in
making this valuable collection
Here are the sacred bulls, once idol
lied by nation, which have come
down to us in their mummied dress,
almost rs perfect as when first en-
tombed. One of them weighs over a
thousand pounds. A mummied fe-
male, with the hair neatly braided by
hands that have been ut rest for CEN
turtles, is fruitful of associations
Who can tell but those sealed eyes
have looked upon the infant Moses
and seen the glories of Pharaoh's
palace? There are relics here of
touching interest. A child's shoe,
pressed by little feet long ages past;
toilet boxes, as left by fair damsels
who may once have held converse
with Cleopatra, whose perfumed locks
and magnetic power led kings cap
tive; children's playthings, bracelets,
necklaces, thread, needles, reveal the
home habits of those who lived so
many centuries since. We see here
the golden necklace Of the first Pha-
raoh of Egypt, who reigned 1850
years b. c., with his name stamped
upon it; unbaked bricks, made by the
Israelites and vouched for by the task
masters seal; an iron helmet and
breastplate Of scale armor, bearing the
cartouche of Shishak, who took Jeru-
salem from Rehoboam OIL years B.
c.; vase of green earthenware, from
the plain Of Zoar, with the oval Of
Zerah, an Ethiopian king who reign
ed IA years B. c.; magnificent pa
pyri of the days of Cleopatra and
Ptolemy; a fragment of a walking
stick, recalling the custom mentioned
in Numbers xvii; 2; comedian stone,
cut in the form of oartouche, bear
ing the name of Rameses the Great,
who tiourished 1885 b. c.
"These figures stai;tle us, and it
seems almost impossible that in busy
New York we are brought into direct
contact by these silent memorials,
with kings famous in Biblical history.
Yet their antiquity is verified by
names and dates lndclibly stamped
upon imperishable materials. Let
visitors to this city seek the Histori-
cal Rooms on Third Avenue, No. IL,
for source of rich and rare enjoy
ment."