32 Deportation of the Circular Zodiae from Egypt into France, [Aug.1, 
lowing sentiment :—‘ Dr. Torrey, the 
distinguished friend and successful 
cultivator of natural science.” 
Mr. Thorburn then mounted the 
rostrum, that he might be distinctly 
seen, and explained to the guests in 
what manner he was metamorphosed 
from a nail-maker into a botanist. 
Dr. Mitchell here exhibited a spe- 
cimen of moss recently taken from 
the grave of Bessy Bell and Mary 
Gray, celebrated in one of the songs 
of Allen Ramsay, which was recited 
on the occasion. . 
The festivities at the Hall were 
closed with the coronation of Dr. 
Mitchell by a young lady, who grace- 
fally entwined his brow with a wreath 
of pine, when Mr, Clinton gave the 
following sentiment :—‘‘ The wreath of 
honour placed on the brow of merit by 
the hand of beauty.” 
After dinner the company formed in 
procession, and again repaired to the 
garden, where they amused themselves 
with dancing cotillions in the alleys, 
until the declining sun admonished 
them, tbat it was time to close the 
exercises of the day. Having taken 
leave of Mrs. Prince, and tasted a 
parting glass of her delicious cherry- 
wine, the party re-embarked on board 
the Fanny at seven o’clock, and re- 
turned ‘to New York, over waters 
curled by the evening breeze, and 
lumined by the splendor of the full- 
orbed moon, to dream of the romantic 
pleasures of the excursion. 
—a— 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
BE deportation of the circular 
zodiac from Egypt into France, 
does honour to the zeal, talents, and 
taste, of the individuals concerned in 
it. Nothing which relates to it can be 
perused without a lively interest: this 
has prompted me to send you a brief 
report of a drawing taken of it by M. 
Denon. It is paying a tribute of 
respect to a most excellent writer, and 
estimable man and artist. 
M. Denon, actuated by the honest 
warmth of a genuine virtuoso, had 
attached himself to the French army 
of Egypt; in his general behaviour, 
supporting the firm character of a 
soldicr, in unison with the feelings of 
a classical antiquarian: particular 
circumstances displayed those feel- 
ings to high advantage. 
He had taken a general view of the 
zodiac, but was unable to copy a 
drawing of it, on his first inspection. 
It was only after his return from an 
expedition to the first cataract, that 
he had leisure io display his abilities 
as an artist. The following is a very 
artless account, which he himself 
gives as an author, of his undertaking: 
—‘ At Kené, T could discern from my 
window the ruins of Tintyris, at the 
distance of about two leagues, on the 
other side of the Nile. My first visit 
liad left on my mind the sentiment 
and impression of objects which L 
eannot too warmly praise, and more 
particularly a zodiac, which reflects 
lustre on the genius and habits of ob- 
servation of the ancient Egyptians in 
astronomy. 
“The miri had not been paid at 
Denderah; a hundred men were sent 
there, and I went in their train. The 
ruins of Tintyris are now called Berbé, 
apame given indiscriminately by the 
Arabs to all antique monuments. To- 
‘wards evening, we arrived at the vil- 
lage. On the day following, with 
thirty men, I-repaired to the ruins, 
and here I found every thing entitled 
to my attention, in a high degree ; nor 
was any thing wanting that seemed 
necessary to accomplish my purpose 
undisturbed. 
“IT had now time thoroughly to 
convince myself, that my enthusiasm, 
at the first view of ihe Great Temple, 
was not merely founded on the illu- 
sions of novelty,—an assumption with- 
out proofs; and 1 can affirm, in the 
most decided manner, that every 
thing about it is interesting and 
amazing: in taking drawings. of it, 
nothing should be omitted, or thrown 
into the shade of obscurity, as every 
particular is wonderful, and achieved 
with a dignified simplicity, that bids 
defiance to the severest scrutiny. My 
time was very limited, and I wanted 
no incentive to set about the main ob- 
ject of my journey—copying the celes- 
tial planisphere. 
‘From the ceiling being very low, 
and from the darkness of the chamber, 
I could only work certain hours in the 
day. But nothing could retard my 
zeal; neither the multiplicity of the 
details, nor the difficulty of not con- 
founding them, where the means of 
distinguishing accurately were so de- 
fective. The idea of actually per- 
forming a, transaction for which the 
lcarned -and -scientific -part of my 
country 
