File:The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and (14598328287).jpg

Identifier: worldsinhabitant00bett (find matches)
Title: The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and principal islands
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Bettany, G. T. (George Thomas), 1850-1891
Subjects: Civilization Culture
Publisher: London Ward, Lock
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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from theirchief religious book, the Book of the Dead, describing the adventuresThe Book of of the soul after death, and the texts it must quote in order tothe Dead, escape the torments and trials of the lower world. Egyptianliterature is on the whole poor, the historical records being inflatedLanguage P^^^ST^ics. The Egyptian language, which in its later formis called Coptic, is Semitic in grammar, and in manj^ of itsroots; but it is strikingly monosyllabic, and may have some Africanelements in it. In Coptic, the language of the Christianised Egyptians,many Greek words are introduced, and it is written with Greek cha-racters and six added letters from the later Egyptian. The Egyptian hieroglyphics, or pictorial writings, were already in full development in the age of Menes. Each character also stood for one Hiero- 01 more syllables, and several of them represent single letters. giyphics. From the hieroglyphics the running-hand, or hieratic writing, was developed. I THE EGYPTIANS. 535
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CAIRO COFFEE SHOP. The industrial arts were liighly developed by the Egyptians. In 536 THE INHABITANTS OF AFRICA. particular their linen weaving was first-rate. In glass making, potter^-,metal work, domestic utensils and furniture, tliey had great skill. TheirArts and science was quite as remarkable. Astronomy and geometrysciences, made considerable progress, and the mechanical skill theyshowed in the cutting and removal of huge stones is almost inexplic-able. In the Middle Empire medicine had made great advances, manydiseases being minutely described, and treatment by draughts, blisters,powders, etc., being adopted. Later, conservatism came in, and a doctorrecommending new treatment did so at the risk of his life if the patientdied. Many musical instruments were in use, and music and dancingwere much employed in processions and in entertainments. THE MODERN EGYPTIANS. Egypt is the Nile, it has been well said; and its ancient name,Kem (the black land), refers to the black colour of th

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