The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-05-17
Recent Publications.

RGCGuC L uDllCdClOIlS.
u,sroRy OF ANCIENT EGYPT. By George Raw
Tneon NJ. A., Camden Professor Of Ancient
History in the University OF Oxford; Canon
81 Canterbury, e:c. In Two Volumes. Bos-
ton S. E. Casino, Publisher. 1882.
The publication of Canon Rawlinson's edition
of Herodotus may be said to have constituted
in England an epoch in The study of ancient
history. This work, which was received with
SO much favor was followed by the Five Great
Monarchies of the Ancient EasternWorld," which
met with the same measure Of public approval.
More recently.a sixth volume has been added
to these, giving an account of the Parthian EN-.
pire. Prof Rawlinson is also well known for a
very instructive and valuable little volume en-
titled Historical Illustrations of the Old Tesla
ment' the best popular discussion of the diff
culties of the historical books of the Old Testa-
ment which we have. Prof Rawlinson has also,
within few years past, published another val
liable little work entitled the Origin of Ma
tons" The history of Egypt was not included
in the Five Great Monarchies," and it was no
doubt to complete his review of the ancient
world that the author has now published the
two beautiful volumes before us, which are
not only handsomely printed, but freely illus
trated. Prof. Rawlinson informs us that he does
not claim to possess more than rudimentary
knowledge of the Egyptian language and writ
ing, and he has therefore merely aimed to EN-
body for the English reader the results of the
studies of the modern school of Psychologists,
and to present that rendering which seemed to
him most satisfactory. He modestly tells us
that had the translation of DR.. Brugsch' work
on Egypt, or DIR. Birch's excellent edition of
Wilkinsons work, appeared before he was com
mitted to the present volumes, they would not
have appeared. We are glad, however, that he
was not turned from his purpose by the recent
appearance of these rival works, for he pos
sessed some qualifications which Brugsch and
Wilkinson did not enjoy. And in a field SO
much disputed, it is a matter of congratulation
that one so accomplished in the study of the
whole field of ancient history should have pre-
pared work of a conservative character based
on an intelligent review of all that has appeared
from English and Continental scholars.
The chronology of Egypt Professor Rawlinson
Pronounces to be an unsolvable problem, but he
IS clear in the opinion that some of the earlier
dynasties of Manetho were contemporary, which
Is favorable to the short chronology. There are
also other occasional indications in his work
that he would not run the chronology back of
5000 years B. C.
The first volume is devoted to the climate
productions, people, language, literature, art
agriculture, science, religion and manners of the
Ancient Egyptians. The second is devoted to
the history of this wonderful people from the
earliest times to the close of the twenty sixth
dynasty (B. C. 527)
The illustrations are not only exceedingly
good, but. we have said, exceedingly numer
GUS The paper, typography, binding, are
among the best specimens of such work. The
two volumes are sold at the moderate price of
SIS, which is about one third the price of the
new English edition of Wilkinson, and one half
the cost of the translation of DR.. Brugsch's work
We feel assured that those wishing a reliable
and full account of the builders of the pyramids
and the palaces and temples of the Middle EN-
Pire, will find nothing more satisfactory than
this work. To the Biblical student especially
the history of Ancient Egypt is important and
interesting. The science of Egyptology has
made great progress in the past twenty years
and those who would form a correct idea of the
pictures which we catch glimpses of in the books
Of Moses, and in other parts of the Old Tesla
ment, must have such guide as this before
them Following Brugsch and most Egyptolo
glsts, the author places the Exodus in the reign
OF Menephthah, son of Rameses H. about B. C.
1900