•1^28 



THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. 



CHAP. XI . 



In tlie accompanying woodcut, the head shep- 

 herd presents himself to give an account of the 



Giving an account to the scribes of the stock on the estate. 



Thebes. 



Before fig. 1. is the sachel, and above fig. 2. the box for holding writing implements and 

 p.ipyri. They are writing on boards : in their left hands are the inkstands with black and 

 red ink. 



stock upon the estate, and behind him are the 

 flocks committed to liis charge, con.sisting of sheep, 

 goats, and wild animals belonging to the person of 

 the tomb, in which this subject is represented; 

 and the expressive attitude of this figure, with Iiis 

 hand to his mouth, is well imagined to convey the 

 idea of his endeavour to recollect the numbers he 

 is giving from memory to the scribes. 



The shepherds on the estate were chosen by the 

 steward, who ascertained their character and skill, 

 previous to their being appointed to so important a 

 trust ; as is shown to have been done in the case of 

 the Israelites, on their arrival in the land of Goshen; 

 Pharaoh expressly commanding Joseph, whom 

 he had made superintendent " over all the land of 

 Egypt," to select from among his brethren such 



