Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-27
The Centennial.

ICorrespondenoe of the Alexandria Gazette. |
PHILADELPHIA, July 26. lS76.-The mind
of the Oriental Iunneth unto aphonism even as
the heart of a maiden unto coquetry and
adornment. Over The entrance to the Egyptian
department wers emblazooed these words :
Egypt and Soudan, the oldest people, send
greeting to the youngest uation.' And doubt
less could We rouse old Ramases or Sesostrls
from their monumental dreams they would en-
trance US with many quaint aud pregnant
apologize thereon. There greets you, upon the
very threshold, the efigy Of the tutelary croco-
die. Standing this morning, 10 glorious re-
lief against this portentious presence, was a
beautiful girl scanning some hierogl yphic
drawings. Her contour an immortal Pbidias
MIGHT have modelled, and 90 her classic face
was the warfare of the lily aud the ROSE.
. thought it much M IRE opposite to have taken
the pIacard ("bauds of from the denizen Of
old Nile aud to have appended it to the neck
of this glorious girl wonder it she regarded
these Egyptian devices with riva!ry, for well |
know that 10 all her pslmy days none Of
Egypt's daughters could drdao as did this fair
haired syreD of the setting sun. What con
tras was she not with all these dead memen.
toes of dim tradition. About here Were the
iavelins wherewth the followers of Psammet
chu; may have driven buck the Ethiopian lion.
At her feet stood bowl 10 which Cleopatra
NAV have mixed the ingredients of that
iba,ion in which she coosecrated to
Pluto the gaiusayers of her Anthony
Yonder the rude vessels in which the
Israelites mayhap did mioge their tears
with their meat, and in one OF youder cabinets
| the robe that may have girded oemirsmis ab ut
what time she glided in her barque of perfumed
sails, beguiled by some spochryphal Cre;us or
| Solomon for do we not read IN the old chronl'
Giles that she did all the watering places from
sweet girl l spake of was the former city with
| its temples and colonnades and it's pyramids
away off upon the yellow sands.
u land of letters and OF science. of magic and
Of mystery, of dreams and divination who may
| find Alright the clue to thine Interpretation
| Yonder obeisk speaks not, nor from yonder
| sculptured cabinets cometh shy voice. Is thy
| riddle to be read in the lines OF this wondrous
tapestry or may it be craven on yon miniature
! msusoleum2 For about one the very air is IL
certain sound, and the enquirer would only an
swer back, NAY, but 0, land, the key to the
storehouse of thy august secrets lies buried in
the rust Of worn out centuries !" Why old he
rodotus himself could only write, The high
priest at Sails told me" think the charm here
is the incertitude that clings to everything, for
guide have you none, nor the voice OF any inter-
prefer As we'll look here for hearty assurance
rs to find in the whole main hall woman with
little foot or a man with An anxious counter
snce.
You walk hence into the department of Italy,
as legend and fact walk hand in hand in all Of
Egypts annals Let US 20 for awhile from
these musty memorials into the sweet limpid air
of the morning Yonder are the CHEEKY, grace.
full cars that fly about the grounds. But We
ling letter up with paradox Egypt has been
the true cosmopolitan of history. She gave the
world science and philosophy from her library
at Alexandria where was taught the noblest &C.
ecticism and as far back as the time of Moses
was her learning for an honor. wonder if the
old Sphynx don't impercoptbly wink one eye
as he mutely regards all modern pretensions 2
What soIicisln to see confederate generals
marshalling the descendants of the hosts that
pursued the Isrselites (excuse the bully into the
sea- The Egyptians were the inventors of the
game of chess, and Egypt may yet make moves
upon the chess board Of history that will justify
the splendid defamation OF the seer in the last
n Of Pom naii =