the extent of the conquests of Sesostris. And one imaginary animal is added to the series, viz., a griffin—the well known symbol of hyperborean regions, and of the mountain ranges of northern Scythia, which the sculptured bulletin, either truly or falsely, seems thus to vaunt among the other conquests of the victor. But there is a less imaginary evidence that the march of the conqueror did penetrate, at least, into the region of southern Russia-and possibly through Colchis, one of the latest conquests made by modern Russia. The evidence exists in the appearance of a well known hyperborean animal among the zoological curiosities of the triumph-an animal peculiar to cold and northern regions-we mean the bear. Let us add to this most singular revelation of disentombed history the hieroglyphical corroboration supplied by the last ingenious labours of Champollion. The people against whom the warlike, or perhaps theological, hatred of Sesostris was provoked, -against whom the ultimate object of the whole series of conquests seems to be directed, are called in the hieroglyphical inscriptions-what?- Scythians and Muscovites !!—for we apprehend that there can be no question that the Scheti who are always termed the accursed race in the inscriptions, and the plague spot of the earth," were the Scythians, always hated or dreaded in ancient times as they are now-on account of their tendency to quit their inhospitable icebergs, and press down on the more luxurious seats of southern civilisation. If the "Scheti" are the Scythians, the Chitti of the scriptures, and perhaps the Catti of classical history, as there is every reason for inferring, undoubtedly the "Moschauscht," who are associated with them on the monuments, are the ancestors of the modern Russians the well-known name of their national founder being Mosck, whence, with no radical alteration, the names of Moscow, Moscau, and Muscovy, appear to be derived. Many corroborative proofs from classical history might be brought to demonstrate this identity; but the learned reader is fully acquainted with them; and there is no occasion to "gild refined gold," or "paint the violet" by supererogatory argument. Must we, then, infer that the first great conqueror in the world's youth on record-Sesostrisand the last-the echoes of whose exploits are still ringing

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in our ears-Napoleon-were both employed upon the same object-in protecting southern civilisation against the darkness of northern barbarism, and driving back the Scythian hordes within the natural limits of their barren steppes, their, frowning icebergs, and regions of eternal snow? It is, at all events, a sublime association-it may be a sublime vision-it may appear too sanguine, or too enthusiastic, to indulge it; but the zoological details of the triumph of Sesostris, drive us to inferences not far short of this position; and, at all events, prove, beyond a doubt, the questioned allegation of the vast extent of his conquests. We may add that, without this zoological proof, that extent of conquest would be collaterally demonstrated by the physiognomical variety, as well as the distinguishing costumes, of the conquered nations-from the tattooed and skin-clothed Hyperborean, to the bearded Muscovite, the draperied Persian and Chaldean, the mitred Bactrian of the Persepolitan monuments, the undegraded Negro, and the well ascertained Jew. Some of the conquered nations are in a state of civilisation-not less high, perhaps even higher, than the Egyptian. So we should infer, from their elevated physiognomy, their tasteful costume, and their complete armour, portions of which resemble the horned helmet of our Saxon ancestors, while other portions as singularly resemble the ringed or plated hauberk of the Normans. We may add one word on the subject of the numerous portraits, painted or sculptured, of the great conqueror himself. Rosellini gives several of these portraits;-wherever they are found, they concur in physiognomical expression, as well in the nicer, as in the coarser details of facial delineation. They have been said to resemble the heroic character of Napoleon's profile; which they certainly do: but there is one portrait exhibited by Rosellini, of Sesostris in his youth, which unites the calm beau idéal of Napoleon's expression, with the fiery vigilance and predominant intelligence of Alexander. The features of the young Egyptian conqueror combine a godlike sublimity with physical beauty; the headdress is most tasteful, and the horn of Ammon-which he wears as Rhamses, "beloved of Ammon," and as his vicegerent, conquering, as Alexander professed to do, in his name,

is so gracefully disposed in this portrait, and so unlike the usual stiff Egyptian head-dress, that we suspect that some of the medals of Alexander, also his avowed emulator, and (professedly the beloved son of Ammon), with the same Ammonian horn, may have been borrowed from it.

We have left ourselves but little space for our concluding hint and recommendation. But we are not sorry for it; partly because we may be induced at some future time to resume the subject with a stricter regard to its details; partly because our remaining limit compels us to a brevity always advantageous to this inquiry. We have shown that there is good reason to infer that we have already discovered sculptured fragments of the Hermaic tablets, from which Manetho professes to have derived his history. The discovery of the remaining portion of the sculptured narrative is one of the chief desiderata of Egyptian inquiry; and there appears to us to be good hope that the discovery may be made, by continuing the unwearied researches of scientific travellers at the clearly indicated spot"the winding subterranes of the Thebaid, near the statue of "Memnon." If Manetho be correct in his description of these Hermaic books, the discovery would supply us with all that is now requisite, or desirable to be known, both as to matters of date and matters of fact; not only as respects the origin, of society, but as respects the origin, progress, vicissitudes, and, inferentially, perhaps the destinies of the entire human race. The discovery would, in itself, constitute an era -it would create a new book of Genesis, in which the profane history might be compared with the sacred. Moreover, the discovery would fill up all the paradoxical or doubtful voids of cotemporary profane history, down to that period (770 B.C.) when doubt no longer exists, and where the full light of corroborative evidence and authenticated chronology is poured upon every province To effect this object, what are our materials, and how are they to be perfected or improved? We possess an instrument which, if not complete, is capable of being made so. We possess, beyond all question, one of the two keys to the dark chamber of hieroglyphical knowledge, of which Clemens Alexandrinus records the ancient existence. We possess a knowledge of the Phonetic alphabet, which, though slightly im

perfect in some details, is fully adequate, under all circumstances, to the interpretation of proper names. On the demotic character, for the reason stated before, we need not burden our reader with any complicated remarks. The Phonetic and symbolic character united constituted the hieroglyphical language of the monumental inscriptions. We have already materials for the construction of a symbolical dictionary. We have ascertained sufficiently, by the process of corellative testimony, and by the unfailing aid of the deciphering art, the meaning of a large number of symbols. We have ascertained those meanings to such an extent, that inscriptions on the obelisks can be read; and with so much the more certainty, as that one obeliscar inscription thus read, concurs in meaning with that assigned to it by an ancient author (Hermapion), who professes to its interpretation. All that is necessary, therefore, is to adhere to this logical process of interpretation; to admit nothing but what is experimentally or corroboratively proved; to eschew all visionary speculations like the universal alphabetic system, which led Champollion into his last inextricable maze of contradiction and hopeless doubt; and to go on slowly, cautiously, and steadily, with the task of completing the symbolic dictionary to which we have referred—by adding to the number of the symbols whose meaning has been ascertained or proved. The first conquest having been achieved, labour now is more necessary than ingenuity. The door of mystery is open; the key to the "treasures of secret places," is in our hands. Nothing more is required than to press forward, without turning to the right or to the left, without being diverted from our path to the Adytum, by forms of delusive attraction on the one hand, or by the shadows of chimerical alarm on the other-in the spirit of the poet's description of our common earthly pilgrimage,

To hold straight on with constant eye and hand,

Still fixed upon the everlasting goal.

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ARTICLE VIII.

Scenes and Characteristics of Hindostan, &c., &c. By Miss EMMA ROBERTS. 3 Vols. London.

To all who hold the due and suitable administration of an empire, containing nearly an hundred millions of inhabitants, to be a sacred duty, every effort which is made to bring the dominant people better acquainted with their fellow subjects must appear highly praise-worthy and commendable. We insist that not only is it highly important in a prudential and self-interested point of view, but most essential to the ends of common justice and humanity, that the people of these realms should know well, and, so far as may be practicable, be taught to sympathise with, all their brethren of India.

With those, who maintain that the possession of this magnificent empire" the richest jewel in the English crown,” as it has often been justly termed-is not merely a matter of indifference but a source of loss, it appears to us that it were waste of time and pains to argue. To the reflecting portion of this nation, who hold the extension of commerce and manufactures to be in some degree connected with its prosperity-who can appreciate the value of an export trade of seven or eight millions a year, the advantage of an extensive field of adventure for our youth, and the employment of many thousand tons of shipping and a multitude of sailorsto them we confidently appeal, and ask, whether the preservation of our Indian empire, and a zealous improvement of its resources, can be otherwise than important to the maintenance of our national greatness and prosperity?

It will be evident, we conceive, to every thinking man, who has paid the smallest attention to the subject, that India—whatever may have been the case in ancient times-from the first of our connection with it, has never been, and cannot by possibility for a long time be, in a situation to trade as an independent nation with England, upon terms that could be mutually beneficial-terms that could confer on each country the advantages they derive from the existing commerce. Were the wide realms of India in the hands of one