Though the system of morals could neither he pure nor accurate, under the circumstances in which Egypt was placed, yet there are many reasons which lead us to suppose, that the great principles of moral conduct were known and inculcated there. The principles of justice appear to have been defined with considerable attention, and the laws of the country fairly dispensed. The duties which were due to one another, were as well regulated as the distributions of rank and influence In an absolute government could allow. But still there were many sentiments and practices which we should condemn ; and to •skew the untractable nature of the human mind, we have many deficiencies to cleplort, in most exalted state of knowledge and virtue.
The Greeks are supposed to have obtained the be ginning of their mathematics from Egypt ; but if we may form our judgment from what is related of Thales and Pythagoras, we shall not have reason to form a high opinion of their mathematical learning previous to the time of the Ptolemies. In the schools of Alex andria, that science was carried to an eminent height ; but the ancient state of learning at Thebes, and other schools of the country, appear to have been confined to a lower sphere. It is told, with some interest, that Thalcs was taught to measure the height of the pyra mids by the length of their shadows; and that Pytha goras offered a hecatombe in devotion, when he disco vered the relation which subsists between the hypothe nose of a right-angled triangle, and the sides of the figure which contain that angle. Other instances may be adduced to the same effect ; but still it must be ac knowledged, that Egypt was eminent in her time, and her philosophers appear to have made considerable pro gress in the science of astronomy. The overflowing of the Nile was an object of much national importance ; and, in connection with it, they observed the heliacal rising of the dog-star, which enabled them to fix the commencement of the year, and make considerable ap proximations towards ascertaining the length of its du ration.
Thales divided the sphere into five zones, and in ma ny respects improved the astronomy of Greece. Py thagoras intimated a belief, that the planets moved about the sun as their centre ; and if these philosophers made further progress in knowledge than the Egyp tians themselves had done, yet still the origin of their acquirements may be traced to !Egypt. And though the current of science must have been enlarged by tri butary streams, yet the spring is to be found in the banks of the Nile. The Egyptians had made some im provements in the art of metallurgy; and the golden calf, made by Aaron in the wilderness, is a monument of his skill. No nation can have advanced far in civi lization and the arts of life, without having also culti vated the art of music. Certain tones and inflections of the voice. being agreeable to the car, are cherished and diversified according to the skill and ingenuity of those who are lovers of harmony. It has always been customary to mingle music with festivals and rejoicings ; and though the scanty remains of Egyptian history fur nish us with few materials for ascertaining their musi cal attainments, yet upon the architectural ruins of the most ancient edifices of that country, instruments of music are represented in various states of progress, from the most simple to a highly improved form of the harp; and whore music is cultivated, poetry has always been considerably improved.
The arts of surgery and medicine were simple and deficient in such ancient times, as those of which we are writing ; and in Egypt the inflexible adherence to ancient practices was unfavourable to the progress of the healing art. In the ancient state of Egypt, no re medy was to be applied, nor any application recom mended, but such as were approved of in their sacred books. But such restrictions were gradually removed ; and in the schools of Alexandria considerable progress was made in medical studies. Yet, even in early times, there were some arrangements, which tended strongly to the perfection of those arts. The medical practice was divided into various departments, and some stu died the diseases of the eyes, others the teeth, the ears, and other distinct parts of the human frame. The prac tice of divination was common in all the ancient countries of the East, and it was even applied to the healing of dis eases.
The Coptic, or ancient language of Egypt, is almost extinct, but perhaps might be found in its purity in the manuscript remains, which are said to be deposited in the monasteries of that country ; and the Arabic is now in considerable use in Egypt, though different lan guages are spoken by the people of different nations who sojourn there. We have no means of ascertaining to what degree of improvement the Coptic Nvas carried by men of genius in the ancient schools ; but to Thoth or Mercury are ascribed the most important improve ments of early literature and science in Egypt. Whe ther by Thoth we are to understand an eminent scho lar, who contributed largely to the advancement of knowledge, and by whose name every literary improve ment was dignified ;. or whether by Thoth be intended the general means of knowledge in Egypt, is an in quiry which cannot be satisfied. It is enough to know, that by Thoth, or some adequate persons or means, va rious advances were made in literary pursuits; and amongst these we may enumerate the art of writing and recording events. Dates and inscriptions were ori ginally cut upon the rocks, and in a more portable manner, though not very commodious, upon stones and bricks. Shepherds and rural nymphs cut the names and praises of their lovers upon the bark of trees ; leaves, too, were incribed with verses; and the Papy rus of Egypt was formed and compacted into sheets, and obtained great celebrity, as valuable materials for forming books. To this succeeded parchment, or skins of animals, variously prepared; silks also were employ ed for the purpose of inscriptions; but the most valu able article hitherto invented, is paper, made of cotton or linen rags.