282 THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XV. 



offices they held : it was the ordinary token of 

 welcome to guests in every party at the house of a 

 friend * ; and in Egypt, no less than in Judsea, the 

 metaphorical expression, *' anointed with the oil of 

 gladness," was fully understood, and applied to the 

 ordinary occurrences of life. It was not confined 

 to the living : the dead were made to participate 

 in it, as if sensible of the token of esteem thus 

 bestowed upon them j and a grateful survivor, in 

 giving an affectionate token of gratitude to a re- 

 gretted friend, neglected not this last unction of his 

 mortal remains. Even the head of the bandaged 

 mummy, and the case which contained it, were 

 anointed with oils and the most precious ointments, t 



Another ceremony represented in the temples 

 was the blessing bestowed by the Gods on the 

 king, at the moment of his assuming the reins of 

 government. They laid their hands upon him ; and, 

 presenting him with the symbol of Life, they pro- 

 mised that his reign should be long and glorious, 

 and that he sliould enjoy tranquillity, with certain 

 victory over his enemies. If about to under- 

 take an expedition against foreign nations, they 

 gave him the falchion of victory, to secure the de- 

 feat of the people whose country he was about to 

 invade, saying, *' Take this weapon, and smite with 

 it the heads of the impure Gentiles." 



To show the special favour ho enjoyed from 

 heaven, the Gods were even represented admitting 

 him into their company and connnuning with him; 

 and sometimes Thoth, with other Deities, taking 



* VklcYol.U. p. 213, t Vide injVu, Chap. 16. 



