110 
“ I am glad to see that you were interested by the article I wrote in the 
Revue Chretienne. I think that I expressed there my opinion about Joseph's 
marriage. I believe that the king did it on purpose to have one of his men 
connected with the most ancient and the most venerated college of priests. 
The importance of Heliopolis as a religious centre comes out in many 
inscriptions, and it is natural that Apophis should attempt to create a link 
between his Government and those priests, who most likely were of pure 
Egyptian origin. The priests in general must have been very powerful at 
that time when we see Joseph respecting all their privileges, while he taxed 
so heavily the rest of the country. Of course all those points require some 
further proofs ; but they seem to me to agree pretty well with the Hebrew 
narrative. The Egyptian character of the whole account is certainly the 
best demonstration of its authenticity. 
“There are a good many points on which I should like to make some more 
remarks ; but without any book of reference it is hardly possible, specially 
for a man who is now entirely absorbed in the variants of the Ritual. I 
look forward to the publication of your book, which will deserve careful 
study Excuse this letter, much too long for its worth, and believe 
me, my dear Sir, Yours truly, 
“Edouard Navxlle.” 
I have also received a letter from M. FAbbe Vigouroux, who writes : — 
“ J’ai ete heureux de constater, lors de la publication de vos Studies on the 
Times of Abraham, si interessantes et si remarquables, que nous 6tions 
arrives a des resultats analogues ; cet accord me semble une confirmation 
frappante de la verite que nous cherchons l’un et Fautre a defendre. 
“ Jeviens de lire aussi avec beaucoup de plaisir vos excellentes observa- 
tions sur l’histoire de Joseph. Tout m’y parait juste et exact.” 
There are also letters from Dr. Birch and Mr. Reginald Stuart Poole, to 
whom I am indebted for valuable notes on points of detail, of which I 
will avail myself in some additional observations ultimately. 
Mrs. Finn has kindly sent me the following remarks : — 
P. 85. In Palestine applique-work of coloured is still used as orna- 
mentation. Coloured “ pieces,” = “ patches,” are skilfully laid on and form 
very pretty ornament to garments. 
P. 95. Dnin in its Arabic form is still the name for the signet, whether 
ring or seal. 
[In Egyptian, Teh is the finger-ring, Khatem is the signet or sealing-ring. 
Both occur. — Note by Dr. Birch.] 
P. 96. vbw, known to us in the word Sultan. 
P. 98. “ Is he well ? ” (Arabic Tayyeb, 21D) is still synonymous in Pales- 
tine with “ to be alive.” 
P. 100. You notice the ^ of the agricultural produce. To this day in 
Palestine the cultivator gives the owner of the land if he has found not 
