CHAP. XV. OMENS. MYSTERIES. 319 



tombs of Thebes were intended for the purj)ose ; 

 but it is more probable that these were used in 

 other rites connected with sacrifice, in whicli the 

 employment of so rude an instrument would not 

 subject the victim to unnecessary inconvenience, 

 and often to unlooked for results. We may con- 

 clude that the means adopted by the Egyptians 

 were more nearly related to the *' sharp knives'* 

 of Joshua*, than the primitive implement used by 

 Zipporah in *' the wilderness." 



OMENS. 



They were particular at all times to observe 

 omens connected with every thing they undertook, 

 whether it related to contracting a matrimonial al- 

 liance, building a house, or any event over which 

 they had or had not control. They even watched 

 the day when any one was bornt ; and, predicting 

 the lot that awaited him, they determined what he 

 would become, the kind of death he would die, and 

 other particulars relative to his fate in this world. 

 With the same scrupulous care they examined the 

 entrails of animals, or other omens, when about to 

 commence a war, or any other undertaking wliich 

 involved the interests of the state. 



MYSTERIES. 



Of the ceremonies performed at the initiation 

 into the mysteries we must necessarily remain ig- 



* Josh. V. 2. f Hcrodot. ii. 82.; aiul Vol.1. (2d Series) p.liS, 



