The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-09

first Egyptians TO have been semi-savages, like
those still living In Africa and America, having
an analogous organization and similar weapons
and tools. A few lived in the desert, in the
oasis of Llbya TO the west, or in the deep val
leys OF the Red Land dDoshirlD between the
Nile and the sea, the poverty Of the country
fostering their native savagery. Even in late
times. the Egyptians had not forgotten the ties
OF common origin which linked them TO these
still barbarous tribes. Others, settled on the
Black Land, gradually became civilized. Their
houses were like those OF the fcllahs OF to-day,
low huts of waffle daubed with puddled clay or
OF bricks dried in tho sun. They contained one
room, either oblong or square, the door being the
only aperture. Only the dwellings Of the richer
class were large enough to make 1t needful to
support the roof by means OF one or more trunks
OF trees, which did duty for columns. Earthen
pots turned by hand, mats of reeds OF plated
straw, two fiat stones for grinding corn, n few
pieces OF wooden furniture. stools, and head
rests for use at night comprised all the contents.
The men went about nearly naked, except the
mobiles, who wore n panther's skin. sometimes
thrown over the shoulders, sometimes drawn
around tho waist, and covering the lower part
of the body, the animals tail touching the heels
behind. as we see later In several representations
Of the negroes OF the Upper Nile. The author
of this book Is inclined to think that, at first,
the Egyptians smearcd their limbs with grease
or oil. as, indeed. the fcllahs of Upper Egypt
and the Nubians still do. TO protect their bodies
from mosquitoes and prevent their skin from
being cracked by the sun. lie thinks also that
they tattoocd their faces and bodies, at least in
part, but this practice was retained only by the
lower classes; the reasons for this belief are
cited in a foot-note. On the other hand. the
custom of painting the face was never given up.
To complete an Egyptian toilet IL was necessary
TO accentuate the arch Of the eyebrows with a
line of kohl tantimony POWDER. A similar
black line surrounded and prolonged the oval
of the eye TO the middle OF the temple; a layer
Of green colored the under lids. and ochre and
carmine enlivened the tints of the cheeks and
lips. The hair. plated, curled. oiled. and plas-
tered with grease. formed an erection which
was as complicated in the case of the man as In
that Of the woman. Should the hair be too
short. n black or blue wig. dressed with much
skill, was substituted for IL: ostrich feathers
waved on the heads of warriors, and a large
lock, fattened behind the right ear, distin-
guished the military or religious chiefs from
their subordinates. When the art OF weaving
became common, q belt and loin cloth of
white linen replaced the leathern garment.
Fastened round the waist, but 30 low as to
leave the navel uncovered, the loin cloth
frequently reached to the knee; the hinder part
was often drawn between the legs and at
tached in front to the belt, thus forming a kind
of drawers. Tails of animals and wild beasts
skins were henceforth only the insignia OF au-
thority, with which priests and princes adorned
themselves on great days and at religious cere-
monies. The skin was sometimes carelessly
thrown over the left shoulder, and swayed with,
the movement of the body; sometimes 1t was
carefully adjusted over ono shoulder and under
the other, 30 as to bring the curve OF the chest
into prominence. The head OF the animal, skill
fully prepared and enlivened by large eyes OF
enamel. rested on the shoulder. or fell Just be-
low the waist of the wearer; the paws. with the
claws attached. hung down over the thighs. The
spots of the skin were manipulated 30 as to form
fve-pointed stars. On going out Of doors a large
wrap was thrown over all; this covering was
either smooth or hairy, similar to that in which
the Nublans and Abyssinians of the pres
ent day envelop themselves. 1t could be
draped In various ways. but the Egyp-
tians never sought TO transform II into
q luxurious garment OF state, as was
the case In later times with the Roman toga.
The women were at first contented with a loin
cloth like that of the men; it was enlarged and
heightened till 1t reached the ankle below and
the bosom above, and became a tightly fitting
garment, with two bands over the shoulders,
like races, to keep it in place. The feet were
not always covered: on certain occasions, how
ever, sandals of coarse leather. plated straw,
split reed. or even painted wood. adorned the
shapely Egyptian feet which. perhaps, we should
prefer TO see n little shorter. Both men and
women loved ornaments, and covered their
neck, dress. arms. wrists, and ankles with many
rows OF necklaces and bracelets. Weapons, at
least among the nobility, were an indispensable
part OF costume. Most OF them were for hand
to hand fighting; sticks, clubs. lances fur
nished with q sharpened bone or stone point
axes OF flint. sabres and clubs OF bone or OF
wood In various shapes, pointed or rounded
at the end. with blunt or sharp blades,
inoffensive enough to look at, but. when
welded by a vigorous hand. sufficient
TO break an arm, crush in tho ribs, or
smash a skull. Tho plain or triple curved bow
was the favorite weapon for attack at assistance.
But. in addition to this, they had the sling. the
javelin, and a missile almost forgotten nova
days, the boomerang. Prof. Maspero can find
no proof, however, that the Egyptians handled
the boomerang with the skill OF the Australians,
or that they knew how TO throw It so as to bring
IL back to its point OF departure. The Egyptian
boomerang is much smaller than that OF the
Australian. 1t is still used by certain tribes OF
the Nile valley, and Is portrayed in the most an
eient tombs. Every museum possesses examples.
Such seems 10 have been approximately the
most ancient equipment OF the Egyptians, as far
as can be now ascertained; at a very early date,
however, copper and iron were known In the
Nile valley. The class OF blacksmiths is ASSOC
ciAted with the worship OF Horus. and appears
In the accounts OF the mythical wars of that
god. Long before historic times the majority OF
the weapons in wood had been replaced by those
OF metal, daggers, sahres, and hAtchets. which
preserved. nevertheless, the shape OF the old
wooden instruments. Such wooden weapons as
were retained were used for hunting, or were
only brought out ON solemn occasions when ira
dition had 10 be respected. The war baton be-
the commanders wand OF authority, and
At last degenerated into the walking stick OF
the rich or noble. The club at length anne TO
represent merely the rank OF a chieftain. FL
nally tho crook and the wooden-handled mace,
with its head Of white stone, the faYorits wea-
pOns Of princes, continued 10 the last 70 be the
revered insignia Of royalty.
vi.
We have dwelt at length upon what the Au-
thor has 70 say regarding the earliest Egyptians,
because, until now. but few efforts have been