449 
Strabo, on the confines of Ethiopia, the rocks on the western 
banks of the Nile are hewn into grottoes, with places of worship, 
columns, pilasters, and hieroglyphics, as particularly mentioned by 
modern travellers. Strabo also describes the adjacent island of 
Elephantina, with its surrounding rocks in the Nile; from whence 
were hewn those enormous masses used in the magnificent struc- 
tures of Egypt, and especially of that amazing cube, each side 
measuring sixty feet, in which the sanctuary of Butis Avas cut. 
The island of Elephantina in the time of Strabo contained a small 
tOAvn, with the temple of Cneph, and a celebrated Nilometer. 
I have often been struck Avith the idea that there may be some 
affinity between the written mountains in Arabia, and the excavated 
mountains in Hindostan; I mean only as far as relates to such re- 
cords or memorials in times of remote antiquity. The book of 
Job is alloAved to be of a very ancient date; coeval, if not antece- 
dent, to the writings of Moses. In his sublime and pathetic apostro- 
phe the afflicted patriarch exclaims, “ O that my Avords were iioav 
written! oh that they Avere printed in a book! that they Avere 
graven Avith an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! for I 
knoAv that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the 
latter day upon the earth: and though worms destroy this body, 
yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself; and 
mine eyes shall behold, and not another!” 
In this memorable speech to his misjudging and uncharitable 
friends, uttered by the venerable sufferer, in strong faith and fer- 
vent hope, he not only makes this animated appeal, but ardently 
Avishes to have it recorded for the consolation of the latest posterity. 
Printing, so improperly introduced by the English translators, Avas 
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