4<6C) THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XVI. 



occurred before tlie eyes of those who sought to 

 inquire into them, and are described by Greek 

 writers who visited tlie country. But when we 

 observe the ignorance of Europeans respecting the 

 customs of modern Egypt, — of Europeans, who 

 are a people much less averse to inquire into the 

 manners of other countries, much more exposed 

 to the criticism of their compatriots in giving false 

 information than the ancient Greeks, and to whom 

 tlie modern inhabitants do not oppose tlie same 

 impediments in examining their habits as did 

 the ancient Egyptians ; — when we recollect the 

 great facilities they enjoy of becoming acquainted 

 with the language and manners, and still find 

 that Italians, French, and others, who have re- 

 sided ten, twenty, or more years in Egypt, with 

 a perfect knowledge of Arabic, and enjoying 

 opportunities for constant intercourse with the 

 people, are frequently, I may say generally, ig- 

 norant of their most ordinary customs, and are 

 often prevented by preconceived notions from 

 forming a right judgment of their habits and opi- 

 nions; — when, I say, we bear this in mind, and wit- 

 ness so much ignorance in Europeans at the present 

 day, we can readily account for the misconceptions 

 of the Greeks respecting the customs or opinions 

 of the ancient Egyptians. 



As far as the invocation of the Sun *, and the 



* This and the name of the boat of the dead, Baris, " the boat of the 

 Sun," seem to confirm what I liavc before remarked about tlie early 

 worship of the Sun in Egypt. Vide .supra, p. 413., and Vol. I. (2d Series) 

 p.2R8,2H9. 291. &c. 



