The morning call., 1893-05-28
A GRAND SIMPLICITY.
Jeremiah Lynch on egypt Five
thousand Years Ago."


In dear old Khem, centuries before Moses
caused darkness during the daytime TO over
spread the land. people ear, drank ana lived
very like to ourselves. Believe me there were
no giants in those days, for we know not only
the emtalmed bodies but also how many ounces
of lentlls and black bread WAS OF the quantity
in a peasants daily food.
Long ere Master Joseph made his apocryphal
flight from the caressing embrace of Mistress
Poiiphar the Egyptians enjoyed wines and
dinners aud reveled in the hatmonrs of music
ana song. On the sculptufed walls OF the
temples of Beui ilassan are represented
banquet scenes that We might gladly emulate
ourselves. For example, we see in the early
eve the guests sitting at dinner table in high
backed chairs resembling those now usrd in
well-appotnted dinng-halls. They are placed
man aud woman alternating to the number OF
dozen or more. he host and hostess, respleu-
dent with jewels in ears and hands and
feet, lead in gay Wit and laughter. while falr
maids clad like Venus in the contest before
Paris daintiiy fill tile empty golden gobets
with luscious red vine. On uivaus aud carpets
recline beautiful girls. singing soft Egyptian
love songs 10 the music of The Zulmer and the
harp. Flowers lie scattered upou the o>aic
floor and In fragrant garlands are the only
Iaimeut OF The dancers, whose lssome limbs,
encircled by the lily and the snowy jasmine,
glide noiseessly 10 the rhythm OF intoX icating
melodies.
On another wall we observe one Of the revel-
ers carried home by four of his letainers
There can be no mistake-lie is simply dead
drunk. 1t is midnight, and in front and rear
run young boys with lighled fidmbeaux. The
bibulous guest lies helpless, his head and arms
supported by the two foremost and his limp
legs tenderly seposing on a shoulder OF each
carrier behind. The men chat ard laugh as
they trot along. not unaccustomed, apparently,
to the burden and the occasion.
Five thousand years ago when these engrav-
inRs were cut in the solid granite walls of Tie
temple. there were no horsesin Egypt. Those
animals do not appear in he temples ana
heroglyphics until fifteen centuries later when
they were brought from Persia and Assytfa
Lions were very numerous, even on The sea-
shore. and the PharaohS on foot ana armed only
with spear and arrow dauutlessly fought and
slew them In tile open desert.
1t is related of Amenophis that lie killed dur
ing his career hundred lions in fair fight The
bronze spears were very long, and as the AMI
NAL made his deadly spring lie skflful hunter
impaled him Oh tie heavy weapon. IL takes
ones breath away. however, 10 imagine mod
ein nmrod thus daring even a tame circus hon.
Caracalla Initiated AmenOphls by slaughter
ing fourscore lions dining single day in the
Coliseum But lie was safely placed above The
arena and shot them with arrows as ,hey
same.
Five thousand years ago the Egyptians lived
In well-buill houses aud made good writing.
raper of papyruS. They understood surveying
and established relative value Tor silver, gold
aud jewels that practically exists to-day. Ey-
cry year after the inundation and the recession
Of the Nil 10 its channel boundary lines be-
tween adjoining lands were resurveyed and
renewed. rig and daie trees were planted
"a fTn cI,o san
crops were garneied each two Yeas Geese
ducks and chickens were Il prime source of
prosperity. An inyen'ory of mans pos
sessions always Included, besides the lanU
date and ng trees. the number OF ga
zeles and The number OF geese and other
peultrY. GaZees were domesucated, and even
to-day many OF the gardens IN The naiive sub
$50 Cairo inclose several OF these shy tlmld
creatures, the perennial piaymates of the chill
drtn.
They had courts and judges, but, Laus
Dec, no lawyers. Tie persons to a suit went
before the court, stated the grievance, the an
swer followed and the dispute was at once
decided.
What a beatiic epoch And yet there be
those who wonder il the ancient Eayrtiaus
possessed civilization Civilization, indeed !?
what shall be SAID OF a land where there was
marriage without divorce, courts without law
yers, wealth without ignorance and Intelligence
without newspapers? Where The popuIace lived
In continued anliiy, governed by equitable
laws Where but one religion existed and all
worshlied in The fancs of their fathers in peace
aud without fanaticism
Believe mr., the People OF that phosophlc
nation that sung and toied and died 5000 vears
ago wete happier III their grand simpficlty than
aie We eAis'llE under tie shadow of the rol ting
Disqualification.