CHAP. XVI. REASON OF EMBALMING. 445 



connected with the soul), the custom might ap- 

 pear rather owing to a sanitary regulation for the 

 benefit of the living, or be attributable to a feeling 

 of respect for the dead, — an affectionate family 

 being anxious to preserve that body, or outward 

 form, by which one they loved had been long 

 known to them. 



We are therefore still in uncertainty respecting 

 the actual intentions of the Egyptians, in thus pre- 

 serving the body, and ornamenting their sepulchres * 

 at so great an expense ; nor is there any decided 

 proof that the resurrection of the body was a tenet 

 of their religion. It is, however, highly probable 

 that such was their belief, since no other satisfactory 

 reason can be given for the great care of the body 

 after death. And if many a one, on returning to 

 his tomb, might be expected to feel great dis- 

 appointment in finding it occupied by another, and 

 execrate in no very measured terms the proprietor 

 who had re-sold it after his death, the ofFendina: 

 party would feel secure against any injury from his 

 displeasure, since his return to earth would occur 

 at a different period. For sufficient time always 

 elapsed betw^een the death of two occupants of the 

 same tomb, the 3000 years dating from the demise 

 of each, and not from any fixed epoch. 



The doctrine of transmigration was also admitted 

 by the Pharisees ; their belief, according to Jose- 

 ph us t, being " that all souls were incorruptible ; 

 but that those of good men were only removed into 



* Vide also siqjrcl, p. 393. 395. and 397. 

 f Joseph. Bell. Jiul. ii. 8. U. 



