The following Paper was then read by the Author : — 
EGYPT AND THE BIBLE. By J. Eliot Howard, F.R.S. 
T is in accordance with the professed objects of the Victoria 
Institute, “to investigate fully and impartially the most 
important questions of philosophy and science”; and as 
the progress of arclneological inquiry brings before us many 
new phases of thought, to keep ourselves informed of these, and 
without dogmatism or assumption to lend our assistance in the 
discussion of “ supposed scientific results,” in order to “ get 
rid of contradictions and conflicting hypotheses, and thus pro- 
mote the real advancement of true science,” and religion also. 
It is with these objects, and without having any title to speak 
as one profoundly versed in Egyptian lore, that I propose for 
discussion this evening some results of investigations such as 
were within my power, into the published works of the most 
advanced Egyptologists. 
I think that we ought to hail with thankfuluess the labours 
of these savans, and to believe that when the truth is fully 
brought before us, much light will be thrown on the even minute 
accuracy of Holy Scripture. In the mean time, we may do 
something towards obviating the danger of rash and imperfect 
conclusions. 
In what manner may we expect Confirmation of Scripture ? 
Egypt and the Bible present us with such vast fields of 
research, and with so many points of contact, that it is quite 
needful to state the limits of the present inquiry. 
Let it be understood, then, in the first place, that with 
the exception of casual and incidental notices, it is not the 
writer’s object to illustrate Scripture. This has been already 
to a certain extent successfully accomplished, and it is an- 
nounced that materials are being accumulated for the further 
Introductory. 
