New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-02
MOSES AS A SCHOOLBOY.
INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH AT THE TIME OF
THE PHARAOuS.
From The Pail Mall Gazette.

From The Pail Mall Gazette.
Modern research and scholarship especially
the strides that have been made in deClpherinS
the inscriptions of the monuments, point to
system Of instruction. even in the time of Moses.
which surprises US Indeed, we could not be-
lieve il possible were the proof not over
whelming: and when we speak Of lads prcpar-
ing for. the civil service examinations Ill the
time Of the PharaOhs I'VE begin 10 think that some
one is Joking. But | make this assertion IN
sober earnest. about which there can be no
doubt. Lads in those days prepared for the
learned professions just as they DO now, ana
some Of the pictures are strongly suggestive or
"crammers" 1t would seem, too that the none
art OF self-defence was included IN the athletics,
from the way Moses stood up to the bo9rish
shepherds and vanqUished them. Games OF
various kinds were INDUCED in, OF when we
have lost touch but archery and wrestling stand
out prominently in the list and the ILLUSTRATIONS
of such numerous.
The alphabet acquired which would generally
be taught at hOme-probably by private tutors
the course of education could he determined py
the choice of profession. To the educated classes
there were the priesthood, the army ara the
civil service These were the three great pro-
fcSsons. ard the subjects taught AT the great
centres Of learning. like Heiopolis or Hermop-
oils would include religion, astronomy anu
astrologv magic and the use OF inCantatlonS;
medicine anatomy, the use OF amuiets anu
charms; history. probably one extra language
engineering, mensuration, land surve! lnE. con-
struction. architecture, geometry; military ex-
ercisos-all athletic sports were ercouraSed-
arithmetic. said 20 have been revealed 10y Ihot'
and law The civil service was, perhaps the
widest profession. it included the posts IN
the Kings household. the office OF taxes, anu
suucrintcndence of public works. The chiet
butler ana the chief baker in the time OF Joseph
would come under this head, ana were prop
aElv men of refinement and education. There
would also be under this head the record OF
fee. where a large number of men would ne EN-
royed writing the national annals. me MN IA
est education. of course, was demanded for ad-
mission to the priesthood. Indeed the training
never stopped and embraced a'mcst everything.
The priesthood had the pick OF the men. Ger
tainly next came the ciyi! service. For the
army the requirements were not severe, more
regard being paid to the military athletic exer-
cises The priests were not only the ministers
Of religion. they were doctors ana HaSlcldhs'
and probably lawyers.
A most desirable pos, was to get into the regal
household. in immediate attendance upon the
King Mdgicians were specially favored. hence
the diligent study of magic. Perhaps some
yuulhful ralders would offer no objection to
such a subject being introduced into our publlc
schouls ami would regard 1t as hne fuf 10 cause
Walking-s sticks to turn into serpents, ana GATE
trees to grow out of cricket caps one wonders
what Egyptian Etonians were like; whether
they were as mschievous and as boisterous as
English lads If so, what a time the masters
must have had and what fioggngs there must
have been.
Wonderful stories are told of the magicians
mean Of course, the masters of the art-a
position I suppose. every LAD VINO mad taste
for that subject aspired 10 win. rs ii true
said Kheops 10 one of these sOrcerers, that
thou canst replace a head that has been cut
off ." on his admission that he could do so.
Pharaoh Immediately proceeded to put his power
10 the test Bring me a prisoner. and lei nm
be slain" commanded the King. The magician
answered at this: Nay, not man sire. my
master: do not command that this sin should
be committed d fine animal will suffice SO
goose was brought its head was cut off. and
the body placed on the right side anu the head
Of the goose on the left side Of The hail. He re-
cited his Incarnation from the book Of magic;
and lol the goose began 10 hop forward. the
head moved to meet the body, and when both
united the goose began q cachle. me same
process was gene through with a hu!! ana
rciican Many similar stories are told.
Moses as the prot6gc and the adopted son or
a urincess would have within reach the whole
rang. Of education which haS been briefly de-
scribed Hs adopted mother. as princess
ROYAL would have her own estate. palace and
retinue Of attendants Probably she would he
q patroness of one or more Of the colleges, 50
me ,ad afoscs would have every facility whlfh
wealth ard influence coUl1 give Itere j. the
flash Of genius there - also the sohdiiy a. the
scholar IL the man who made Israel nation
and tnt FIRST nchtiug power ~: his age. No man
la ali the worlds history has zone 50 much ds
Moses As statesman. sOidief, lawyer. historian,
poet the story which fasciuaies Us a. children
retains ite attraction and recoub!es It's force
t,hem we read t "a NOR. il the neht az modern
re-rarch How much 81 MS mafNe Nous success
u. Gue f. his education We Cannot - ttmaie. |
venture 10 say that the palm Of being the great
oct man in the worlds history mus, be awarded
to Moses n public school lad @! the time when
The Pharaohs ruled In Egypt, before the hrst
mud huts were bdllt in the Valley Of the TiDer,
anu when this country OF ours was not