Evening star., 1898-10-15
MOSES AS A SCHOOL BOY
Educational Methods in Vogue at the Time
of the Pharaohs
Pr operations for the Learned Profess
Service-Magicians in Favor.
From the Pail Mall Gazette,

FROM the Pall Mall Gazette.
Modern research and scholarship espa-
ciaiiy the strides that have been made in
deciphering the inscriptions of the monu-
ments, point to a system of instruction,
even in the time of Moses, which surprises
US. Indeed, We could not believe it posi-
BILE were the proof not overwhelming; and
when we speak of lads preparing for tbs
civil service examinations in the time of
the Pharaohs We begin to think that some
one is joking. But make this assertion in
sober earnest, about which thers can be 10
doubt Lads in those days prepared for the
learned professions just as they do now,
and some of the pictures are strongly sug-
SestlVe of ''crammers.' 1t would seem, too,
that the noble art of self-defense was in
Guided in the athletics, from the way Moses
stood up to the boorish shepherds and van
pushed them. Games of various kinds
were indulged in, of which we have lost
touch, but archery and wrestling stand on;
prominently in the list, and the Illustrations
of such are numerous.
The alphabet acquired, which would gem
orally be taught at homa-probably by pri-
Vate tutors-the course of education could
be determined by the choice of profession.
To the educated classes there wers the
priesthood. the army and the civil service.
These were the three great professions,
and the subjects taught at the great CEN
ters of learning, like Heiopolis or Herrnop-
Oils, would include religion, astronomy and
astrology; magic and the usa of incanta-
tons; medicine, anatomy, the use of anu
lets and charms; history; probably one
ira language; engineering, mensura ton,
land surveying, construction, architecture,
geometry; military eXerciseS-aU athletic
sports were encouraged-arithme said 10
have been revealed by Thot, and law. The
civil service was, perhaps, the widest pro-
fession, it included the posts in the
kings household, the office of taxes and
superintendence of public works. The chief
butler and the chief baker in the time of
Joseph would come under this head and
were probably men of refinement and cdu-
cation. There would also be under this
head the record office, where large num-
Der of men would be employed writing the
national annals. The highest educat ton, of
course, was demanded for admission to the
priesthood. Indeed, the training never
stopped. and embraced almost everything.
The priesthood had the pick of the men.
Certainly, next came the civil service. For
the army the requirements were not severe,
more regard being paid to the military ath-
letic exercises. The priests were not only
the ministers of religion, they We're doctors
and magicians, and probably lawyers.
A most desirable post was to get into
the regal household, in immediate attend
ance upon the king. Magicians were spe-
cially favored, hence the diligent study of
magic. Perhaps some youthful readers
would offer no objection to such a subject
being introduced into our public schools
and would regard it as fine fun to cause
walking sticks to turn into serpents and
date trees to grow out of cricket caps. One
wonders what Egyptian Etonians were like;
whether they were as m!schievous and as
boisterouS as English lads: II SO, what
time the masters must have had, and what
fogsings there must have been.
Wonderful stories told Of the magi-
clans l mean, of course, the masters Of
the art-a position, l suppose, every lad
who had a taste for that subject aspired
to win. "Is it true said kheops to one
of these sorcerers. that thou canst replace
head that has been cut off2' On his ad-
mission that he could do SO Pharaoh imme-
diately proceeded to put his power to the
test. Bring me prisoner. and let him
be slain.' commanded the king. The magi-
clan answered at this: Nay. not man,
sire, my master. Do not command that
this Sin should be committed. A fine ami
NAL will suffice" So a goose was brought,
its head was cut off and the body placed
on the right side and the head of the goose
on the left side of the hall. He recited his
incarnation from the book of magic, and,
10. the goose began to hop forward the
head moved to meet the body, and when
both united the goose began to cackle. The
same process was gone through with a bull
and a pelican. Many similar stories are
told.
Moses, as the protege and the adopted son
OF princess, would have within reach the
whole range of education which has been
briefly described. His adopted mother. as
princess royal, would have her own
tate, palace and retinue of attendants.
Probably she would be patroness of one
or more of the colleges. So the lad Moses
would have every facility which wealth
and Influence could give. There is the flash
Of genius, there is also the solidity of the
scholar. in the man who made Israel ma
ton and the first fighting power of his
age. No man in all the worlds history
has done so much as Moses. As states
man, soldier lawyer. historian. poet the
story which fascinateS as children re-
tains its attraction and redoubles its force
when we read 1t as men in the light of
modern research. How much of his mar
Feious success is due to his education we
cannot estimate. l venture to say that the
palm of being the greatest man in the
world history must be awarded to Moses
a public school lad of the time when the
fharaohs ruled In Egypt, before the first
mud huts were built in the valley of the
Ilber, and when this country of ours was
not"