EGYPT. . 
generation of men, who have been raised from 
their sepulchres to demonstrate the origin of their 
descendants. The characteristic features of every 
race of men, by whatever causes they are pro- 
duced, are difficult to be erased ; and the fea- 
tures of the Copts, which have not been oblite- 
rated by the mixture of so many different races 
of men since the reign of the ancient Egyptian 
kings, exhibit an astonishing proof of this singu- 
lar fact. When, however, we turn our attention 
from the features to the minds of this race, we 
are mortified to discover few indications of that 
profound intelligence which marked the wisdom 
of the Egyptians, or of that brilliant genius which 
characterized the Greeks, from whom the most 
considerable mixture of the Coptic blood is de- 
rived. Instructed for the most part to read and 
write, and possessing a species of hereditary 
knowledge, acquired from tradition, of the ex- 
tent and value of the cultivated lands in the 
various districts of Egypt, they have become the 
depositaries of the public registers, and have 
almost monopolized those occupations which re- 
quire a superficial degree of learning. From this 
class of Egyptians are selected the secretaries, 
the intendants, and the collectors of government. 
Melancholic in their temperament, and fond of 
tranquillity, they distinguish themselves more in 
situations which require assiduity and attention, 
