XXXIX 



possession of some original and very ancient legal documents from 

 Egypt ; yet, though they had not escaped the notice of jurists on 

 the continent of Europe, he had not seen any allusion to them in 

 the juridical journals, either of Great Britain or of this country. 

 One of these extraordinary documents is an Egyptian deed of a 

 piece of land in the city of Thebes, written on the papyrus of that 

 country, more than a century before the Christian era, with the 

 impression of a seal, or stamp, attached to it, and a certificate of 

 registry on its margin, in as regular a manner, Mr. Pickering adds, 

 as the keeper of the registry in the county of Suffolk would certify 

 to a deed of land in the city of Boston at this day. Of this cu- 

 rious document, written in Greek, as was common while Egypt 

 was under the Greek dynasty, a learned and ingenious explanation, 

 together with a facsimile of it, is given by Mr. Pickering. The 

 whole article is exceedingly interesting, and affords a beautiful 

 specimen, not only of his rare learning, but of his philosophical 

 taste and skill in the application of his learning. 



Such are the chief, though not all, of Mr. Pickering's writings 

 which have a professional bearing. In the second class we include 

 those which partake of a legislative character. 



As a member of the legislature of Massachusetts, Mr. Pickering 

 rendered important public services, and made himself conspicuous 

 among the eminent men of the Commonwealth. His elaborate 

 " Report on the Subject of Impressed Seamen, with the Evidence 

 and Documents accompanying it," made to the legislature of 1812, 

 the first year of the late war with England, is a durable monu- 

 ment of his patriotism, as well as of his ability and learning. We 

 cannot justly appreciate this undertaking, without looking back to 

 his position, in the midst of that dreadful war, — most dreadful to 

 all reflecting men, who saw and felt that it bound us to fight the 



