30 Some conjectures on the progress of [Jan. 



the very plurality of beings in the case of any one alleged originator, 

 points in all such cases, to the general exertion of a particular power, 

 under the reiterated expression of a single name, or its acknowledged 

 typical synonym. 



The beneficent character of the early Egyptians in their intercourse 

 with foreign nations, and their similarity in this respect of moral civi- 

 lization with their congeners, the Hindus, being once established, as 

 extant in times which Bunsen's chronology, and Layard's practical 

 research now admit within the limit of the historical period, I take up 

 the interesting question of their external relations at a much later 

 epoch, when, having cast off the domination of the shepherd kings, 

 they marched victoriously into other lands in that revengeful and savage 

 spirit, of which they have left us such ample evidence. I cannot 

 attempt this enquiry without quoting Chevalier Bunsen's excellent 

 remarks upon such investigations, which at this time he deprecates, 

 in order to show on what grounds an exception to his rule may, in this 

 case, be admitted. He says (v. II. VI. VII. Sec. 2), "And here we 

 must allow ourselves a word on the treatment up to this period of the 

 names of foreign nations on Egyptian monuments. We stand in 

 respect to a knowledge of these nations and countries on the threshold 

 of great discoveries ; but it will be very wise not to overstep this 

 threshold prematurely. Since it seems overhasty, to declare summa- 

 rily, as does Champollion, nations designated as northern to be Asiatic, 

 and seek their names, if they show no affinity with known countries 

 as Kanana and Naharaim (Canaan and Mesopotamia), as well in new 

 catalogues of peoples as in Iran and Turan, — and not to find them." 

 It is certainly, as above described, an overhasty process of nomination ; 

 the which sound reflection has not however hindered its author from 

 concluding in p. 324 of his II. volume that the "great strangers" of 

 Nevotp's tomb, whom he at p. 310, had termed a northern (European) 

 people, " might still well be, even considering their light complexion, 

 an Asiatic 0116.' ' I do not myself desire to proffer conjectures in this 

 spirit ; but, while following the recorded exploits of the Egyptian con- 

 querors of the 18th dynasty, should I find them connected with a 

 people, whose habitat I can establish, whose conventional name I can 

 recognize in their own language, whose position as a semi-nomad race 

 I can chronologically define, and whose necessary intercourse and fami- 



