Middletown transcript., 1876-10-28
Written for the Middletown Transcript
Centennial Notes No. IL.
EGYPT

When we enter the portals Of Egyp.
guarded as they are by the mysterious
spynx. it seems as if we had fled back
wards two or three thousand years,
SO many ancient articles, and even the
newer ones being but q reproduction
Of ages ago. Here at the very entrance
we encounter plaster cast of the
Pharoah Remeses IL, the Pharoah Of
Moses Of 1850 B. G. taken from the
original statue found in Egypt, repre-
senting the King as young man this
on the right Of us, and on the left, q
model Of the great Pyramid Of Ghizeh,
near Cairo, erected 4, 1000 years B. c..
by Cheops, which is 456 feet high. and
contains 13, 500, 900 cubit feet. Here
also we see a door Of Sanctuary in
Cairo made in the fourteenth century
beautifully inlaid with ebony and ivory.
and made Of rosewood Ebony enters
very largly in the manufacture Of furni-
ture in Egypt. Some magnificent cabi-
nets are shown, one in particular claimed
our attention, it was very large, and
divided into three principal divisions
which were subdivided ad snyfnituns-
this cabinet was elaborately inlaid with
rosewood, ivory, and pearl While
examining it's beauties, and gazing des-
pairingly at the hierogliphics across the
top, some gentleman read aloud both
the native inscription and the English
translation which was as follows ITO
him who hath firm purpose, patience
brings victory" We cannot agree
with the tenor Of this, as we have seen
years Of patience toll, both physical and
and mental, reaping nothing but Dead
Sea fruit-the most noble inventions,
the results Of years Of ceaseless toll, en-
riching men, who bought the jewel for
a song, whilst the inventor lacked the
barest necessities Of life. The brightest
poets, the grandest intellects are only
appreciated after generation has past.
The greatest discoveries Of times gone
by, such as the circulation of the blood
and vaccination, were concealed for a
time for fear Of charge of witchcraft.
or cruelty to small animals. But we
wander from our subject This cabinet
is valued at $4,000, and the one just
back Of it can be bought for $4,000.
Some handsome solid candlesticks are
shown here, also an inkstand Of the
same precious metal, representing bugs
and toads-odd in design, but not very
agreeable to the eye. Solid gold fligree
jewelry, also some formed Of gold fish
and coin are admired by those who 60
crazy over any style, which is unique
rather than beautiful. Amongst the
curiosities Of this department is COM
plcte copy Of the Koran, q curiosity Of
the photographers art, the book being
but about two inches in length, by per-
haps one and a-half in width. Some
fine Photographic views Of Cairo, an
almost level plain, with the pyramids
and spynx in the distance; also por-
traits Of female Bedoins, one Of whom
throws all the banged foreheads Of
modern times in the back ground. her
hair was brought down and twisted,
and plastered by some mysterious
means all over the forehead, over which
was thin mask or veil stretched oyer
a frame work like spectacles., while
fastened to her head and allowed to
dangle over her eyes and nose were
lot Of gold coins strung on black cords.
Some sleepy Arabs in turbans are also
shown. Any quantity Of drugs are ex-
hibitsd, among which are noticed mag
nesia, soda caustic, sulphate Of zinc,
SIENNA tanneri, bismuth, citric acid,
tincture opium, mercury, gum Arabic,
cream tartar, galap, &c. Tobacco is
also here as it is everywhere else on
the face Of the globe nearly. Wine is
also exhibited, as also are brown bis
cults, loaf sugar, rice. wheat, white
maize. yellow sorghum, ground-nuts.
cakes, dates, spices and mad
der root. Some beautiful polished
woods are exhibited, also some Of the
finest cotton in the exhibition. Linen
Of superior quality is seen here, also
scraps Of gold thread. Some oddly
made screw drivers are shown; also the
tooth brushes used by the Nubians,
which were simply sticks Of some soft
tough wood; some ivory rings and
pipes are exhibited, but not to the ex-
tent one would expect from smoking
nation. An odd collection Of objects.
made by some "Colonel Long Boy"
during an expedition in Africa attract
ed our attention next it consisted
Of shields, spears, baskets, crockery,
swords, armor, saddles, mating, hats,
&C.. all Of which were in very dilap-
dated condition. The Egyptian attend
ant endeavored to explain the collection
to us, but his limited knowledge Of
English and our entire ignorance Of his
language, rendered his earnest efforts
futile, and we parted mutually regret
full of the failure. As we have touched
on the gold embroideries and gold tea
sets in previous number. it will not be
worth while to mention them in this
number, but would advise all who are
yet to visit the Centennial not to neg
lect to visit 1.-THE oldest nation Of the
earth" who "sends her morning greet
ing to the youngest" and to say
IL 4