OLD EGYPT. ~ 139 



of their labor they found two skeletons, one of a male and the other of a female 

 of the human family. Neither was in a good state of preservation, but the skulls, 

 thigh bones, and larger bones of the legs were secured. A large number of shell 

 beads were picked up near the neck of the male skeleton, and a corrugated piece 

 of copper, about as large as a man's hand, plated with silver, was also found ly- 

 ing close to the beads. 



Mr, Dodge thinks that the copper plate was strung to the beads, and was, 

 no doubt a rare ornament when manufactured. He thinks, from what he has 

 read in science, that the Albany mounds and their contents are over two thou- 

 sand years old. The copper plate he regards as a rare relic, and thinks that its 

 duplicate has never before been found. At least there is no record of it. About 

 the ankles of the male skeleton similar beads were also found. Mr. Dodge thinks 

 the skeleton to have been undoubtedly that of a chieftain and the female skeleton 

 that of his wife. 



The Albany mounds, he says, are the finest on the Mississippi river. He 

 never yet opened a mound without being more than repaid for his labor by find- 

 ing many curious ancient relics of the strange people known to history as the 

 mound builders. A great many skeletons are often found in one mound, and 

 sometimes the largest mounds contain but one or two skeletons. He thinks that 

 the mound builders buried their leaders and chieftains apart from other people, 

 who were buried less pompously, by many of them being buried in one grave or 

 mound. At no distant day he thinks that another mound may be opened. 



The contents of the Albany mounds have proven of much value to scientists 

 already, and our little city may expect at any time a visit from distinguished men 

 of science and study, who think it well worth their time to investigate these won- 

 derful sepulchers, and especially when they have proven so productive of won- 

 derful and curious relics as have the Albany mounds. — Albany {III.) Times. 



OLD EGYPT. 



Statements in regard to the scope and purpose of the coming European con- 

 ference upon Egyptian affairs are so various and contradictory that it is impossi- 

 ble, at this date, to even guess intelligently about the final result, so far at least 

 as details are concerned. But it is reasonably certain that some definite decision 

 will be reached by the conferring parties, so that when their deliberations are 

 concluded and the arrangement agreed upon duly confirmed, a new chapter will 

 open in the eventful history of a nation whose most vigorous and glorious life 

 ended before history began. For the first time since Egypt ceased to be a prov- 

 ince of the Roman Empire, she will be brought under the controlling and direct- 

 influence of European civilization; for Turkey, though in Europe, is not of it and 

 Egypt has lost rather than gained by her connection with a power essentially Ori- 

 ental in principles and practices, and therefore essentially unprogressive. With- 

 out speculating upon the future now dawning, it may be interesting to glance 



