Bunsen, in his late work entitled "Egypt's Place in the World's
History," from the most laborious hierological and critical deductions,
places the era of Menes at 3643 B.C.
I should do wrong to speak of the labors of foreign savans, without
alluding to what has been done in this country. Dr. Morton, it is known,
has published a work on Egyptian Ethnography, from crania in his
possession furnished by Mr. Gliddon, which reflects great credit on his
scholarship, and has been highly commended in Europe. The late Mr.
Pickering, of Boston, was one of the few who cultivated hieroglyphical
literature in America. But perhaps the American people, as a mass, owe a
deeper debt of gratitude to Mr. Geo. R. Gliddon, for his interesting
lectures on Egypt and her literature, and to his work entitled Chapters
on Egyptian Antiquities and Hieroglyphics, than to any other man. Mr.
Gliddon, by a long residence in Egypt, and by a close study subsequently
of her monuments, has been enabled to popularize the subject, and by the
aid of a truly magnificent and costly series of illustrations of the
monuments, the sculptures, the paintings and hieroglyphics of Egypt, to
make this most interesting and absorbing subject, comprehensive to all.
The results of these Egyptian investigations will doubtless be startling
to many; for if the facts announced are true, and we see no reason to
believe otherwise, it places the creation of man far, very far, beyond
the period usually assigned to him in the chronology of the Hebrew
Bible. But again, it must be observed that the common chronology gives
the shortest period for that event. If other scriptural chronologies are
adopted, we gain two or three thousand years for the creation of man,
which gives us quite time enough to account for the high state of
civilization and the arts in Egypt, four thousand years B.C.
But we do not fear these investigations--truth will prevail, and its
attainment can never be detrimental to the highest interests of man.
I must also acknowledge the obligation I am under for the use
of many splendid and valuable books relating to Egypt, from Mr.
Richard K. Haight. This gentleman, with an ample fortune at his
command, and with a taste for archaeological studies, acquired
by a personal tour among the monuments of Egypt, has collected
a large and valuable library of books on Egypt, including all
the great works published by the European governments on that
country. This costly and unique collection, which few but
princes or governments possess, he liberally places at the
command of scholars, who, for purposes of study, may require
them.
Mr. Haight's interest in archaeological researches has been
noticed in Paris, in an article by De Saulcy, member of the
Institute of France, in a memoir entitled, "L'Etude des
Hieroglyphics." Speaking of Mr. Gliddon's success in the United
States in popularizing hieroglyphical discoveries, De Saulcy
justly remarks--"Il a ete puissamment seconde, dans cette
louable entreprise, par une de ces nobles intelligences dont un
pays s'honore; M. Haight, l'ami, le soutien, devoue de tous les
hommes de science, n'a pas peu contribue, par sa genereuse
assistance, a repandre aux Etats-Unis les belles decouvertes
qui concernent les temps pharaoniques." _Revue des Deux
Mondes._ Paris, June 15, 1846.
The following list embraces the late works relating to Egypt:
The Oriental Album; or Historical, Pictorial, and
Ethnographical Sketches, illustrating the human families in the
Valley of the Nile: by E. Prisse. folio. London, 1846.
The History of Egypt, from the earliest times till the conquest
by the Arabs, A.D. 640. By Samuel Sharpe. 8vo. London, 1846.
A Pilgrimage to the Temples and Tombs of Egypt, Nubia, and
Palestine, in 1845-'46, by Mrs. Romer. 2 vols. 8vo. London,
1846.
L'Egypte au XIX siecle, histoire militaire et politique,
anecdotique et pittoresque de Mehemet Ali, etc.; par E. Gouin.
Illustree de gravures.
Panorama d'Egypte et de Nubie avec un texte orne, de vignettes;
par Hector Horeau. folio.
Recherches sur les arts et metiers de la vie civile et
domestique des anciens peuples de l'Egypte, de la Nubie et de
l'Ethiopie, suivi de details sur les moeurs et coutumes des
peuples modernes des memes contrees; par M. Frederic Cailliand.
folio. Paris, 1831-'47. 100 plates.
Das Toedtenbuch der AEgypten nach dem Hieroglyphischen Papyrus in
Turin, von Dr. R. Leipsius. Leipsig.
Schwartze. Das alte AEgypten, oder Sprache, Geschichte, Religion
und Verfassung d. alt. AEgypt. 2 vols. 4to. Leipsig.
AEgyptens Stelle in der Weltgeschichte: Von Carl J. Bunsen. 3
vols. 8vo.
Manetho und die Hundssternperiode, ein Beitrag zur Geschichte
der Pharaonen: Von August Boeckh. 8vo. Berlin, 1845.
Macrizi's Geschichte der Copten. Aus den Handschriften zu Gotha
und Wien, mit Uebersetzungen and Anmerkungen. Von Wuestenfeld.
4to. Goettingen, 1845.
Monuments de l'Egypte et de la Nubie. Notices descriptives
conformes aux manuscrits autographes rediges sur les lieux par
Champollion le jeune. folio. Paris, 1845-'46.
L'Egypte Pharaonique, ou Histoire des institutions qui regirent
les Egyptiens sous leur Rois nationaux. par D.M.J. Henri. 2
vols. 8vo. Paris, 1846.
Discorso Critici sopra la Cronologia Egizia; del Prof.
Barucchi. 4to. Turin.
Voyage en Egypte, en Nubie, dans les deserts de Beyonda, des
Bycharis, et sur les cotes de la Mer Rouge: par E. Combes. 2
vols. 8vo. Paris, 1847.
THE EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO.
BORNEO.--Among the most remarkable and successful attempts to open a
communication with the natives of the East India Islands, is that of Mr.
James Brooke. This gentleman, prompted solely by a desire to improve the
condition of the people of Borneo, and at the same time to explore this
hitherto unknown region, has established himself at Sarawak, on the
northwestern part of the island, 427 miles from Singapore. Such was the
interest manifested by him on his arrival in the country to promote the
good of the people, and to suppress the piracies which have been carried
on for many years by the Malays, and certain tribes associated with
them, that the then reigning Rajah, Muda Hassim, resigned to him his
right and title to the government of the district, in which he was
afterwards established by the Sultan of Borneo. The success that has
attended Mr. Brooke's government, among a barbarous people, whose
intercourse with foreigners had been confined to the Malays and Chinese,
is most remarkable. Possessed of an independent fortune, of the most
enlarged benevolence; familiar with the language, manners, customs and
institutions of the people by which he is surrounded, with a mind stored
with knowledge acquired from extensive travel and intercourse with
various rude nations, he seems to have been prepared by Providence for
the task which he has attempted, and which has thus far been crowned
with success.
Capt. Keppel's Narrative of his expedition to Borneo, and Mr. Brooke's
Journal, furnish some interesting ethnological facts. The Dyaks, or
aboriginal inhabitants of Borneo, are divided into numerous lesser
tribes, varying in a slight degree in their manners and customs. Their
language belongs to the Polynesian stock, on which has been ingrafted,
particularly along the coast, a large number of Malayan words. It also
exhibits evidences of migrations from India at remote periods. In
speaking of the Sibnowans, Mr. Brooke observes that "they have no idea
of a God, and though they have a name for the Deity, (Battara, evidently
of Hindoo origin), with a faint notion of a future state, the belief
seems a dead letter among them. They have no priests, say no prayers,
make no offerings to propitiate the Deity; and of course have no
occasion for human sacrifices, in which respect they differ from all
other people in the same state of civilization, who bow to their idols
with the same feelings of reverence and devotion, of awe and fear, as
civilized beings do to their invisible God."[43] From their
comparatively innocent state, Mr. Brooke believes they are capable of
being easily raised in the scale of society. "Their simplicity of
manners, the purity of their morals and their present ignorance of all
forms of worship, and all idea of future responsibility, render them
open to conviction of truth and religious impression, when their minds
have been raised by education."[44] It is a well known fact, that since
the establishment of Europeans in the Eastern Archipelago, the tendency
of the Polynesian races has generally been to decay. The case of Mr.
Brooke, however, now warrants us in hoping that such a result need not
necessarily and inevitably ensue.
While success has attended this gentleman at the north, the American
missionaries, among the Dutch possessions farther south, have totally
failed in their objects. They attribute the unwillingness of the Dyaks
to submit to their instruction, to the influence of the Malays, whose
interests are necessarily opposed to those of the missionaries, for, it
is evident that once under the guidance of the latter, the Dyaks will
see their own degraded and oppressed condition, and submit to it no
longer. Mr. Youngblood says that "so prejudiced are the Dyaks, that I
have been unable to obtain a few boys to instruct, of which I was very
desirous."[45]
The Dutch have long had trading establishments in Borneo, but they had
made no efforts either to suppress the piracies, or improve the moral
and social condition of its inhabitants. Its great value has now become
so apparent, that unless they keep pace with, and follow the example set
by the English, they will be in danger of having it wrested from their
hands by the more enlightened policy of the latter.
Borneo produces all the valuable articles of commerce common to other
islands of the Eastern Archipelago. Its mineral productions are equally
rich, and include gold dust, diamonds, pearls, tin, copper, antimony,
and coal. The interior is quite unknown. It is three times larger than
Great Britain, and is supposed to contain about 3,000,000 of people.
I have purposely avoided speaking of the trade and commerce of the
islands of the Eastern Archipelago, as they are subjects which do not
fall within the sphere of our enquiries, in a review like the present;
although the productions, the trade and commerce of nations are properly
a branch of ethnological enquiry, in a more enlarged view. An
interesting pamphlet, embodying much valuable information on the
commerce of the East, has been lately published by our townsman, Mr.
Aaron H. Palmer. This gentleman is desirous that the United States
government should send a special mission to the East Indies, as well as
to other countries of Asia, with a view to extend our commercial
relations. The plan is one that deserves the attention of our people and
government, and I am happy to state that it has met with favor from many
of our merchants engaged in the commerce of the East, as well as from
some distinguished functionaries of the government.[46] England,
France, Prussia, Denmark, and Holland, have at the present moment,
expeditions in various parts of the East Indies and Oceanica, planned
for the pursuit of various scientific enquiries and the extension of
their commerce. With the exception of Prussia, these nations seem to be
desirous to establish colonies; and they have, within a few years, taken
up valuable positions for the purpose.
Is it not then the duty of our government to be represented in this new
and wide field? Our dominions now extend from ocean to ocean, and we
talk of the great advantages we shall possess in carrying on an eastern
trade; but how greatly would our advantages be increased by having a
depot or colony on one of the fertile islands contiguous to China, Java,
Borneo, Japan, the Philippines, &c. An extended commerce demands it, and
we hope the day is not distant when our government may see its
importance.
England, France, Spain, Portugal and Holland have possessions in the
East. The former, always awake to her commercial interests, now has
three prominent stations in the China Sea,--Singapore, Borneo, and
Hongkong. But even these important points do not satisfy her, and she
looks with a longing eye towards Chusan, a point of great importance,
commanding the trade of the northern provinces of China, and contiguous
to Corea and Japan. The "Friend of India," a leading paper, "is
possessed with a most vehement desire," says the editor of the "China
Mail," "that the British, without infringing their 'political morality,'
could contrive some means of obtaining the cession of Chusan, which, in
their hands, he believes, could be converted into a second Singapore,
and become one of the largest mercantile marts of the East."[47]
It is evident from what has been stated, and from the opinions expressed
in foreign journals, that the attention of the civilized world has been
suddenly attracted to the Eastern Archipelago, and it is only
surprising, considering the knowledge possessed by the European nations,
of the rich productions of these islands, and the miserable state in
which a large portion of their inhabitants live, that efforts have not
before been made to colonize them, and bring them under European rule.
The Spaniards contented themselves with the Philippines, but the Dutch,
more enterprising, as well as more ambitious, extended their conquests
to Sumatra, Java, the Moluccas, and recently to Bali, Sumbawa, Timor and
Celebes. But these are not all, for wherever our ships push their way
through these innumerable islands, they find scattered, far and wide,
their unobtrusive commercial stations, generally protected by a fort and
a cruiser.
It is said that the natives feel no attachment for their Dutch rulers,
which, as they possess so wide spread a dominion in the Archipelago, is
much to be regretted; for this feeling of animosity against them, may
effect the relations that may be hereafter formed between the aboriginal
races and other Christian people. Attempts will doubtless be made to
prejudice the natives against the English, but the popularity of Mr.
Brooke at Sarawak, in Borneo, his kindness to the natives, and the
destruction of the pirates by the British, will no doubt gain for them
throughout the Archipelago, a name and an influence which the jealousies
of other nations cannot counteract. The natives of these islands except
those of the interior, are strictly a trading and commercial people.
Addicted to a seafaring life, and tempted by a love of gain, they
traverse these seas in search of the various articles of commerce which
are eagerly sought after by traders for the European, India, and Chinese
markets. Piracy, which abounds in this region, grows out of this love of
trade--this desire for the accumulation of wealth--and we believe that
nothing would tend to suppress crime so effectually as the establishment
of commercial ports throughout the Archipelago.
It is said that the population embraced in the twelve thousand islands
of which Polynesia consists, amounts to about forty millions. No part of
the world equals it in the great variety and value of its products.
There is scarcely an island but is accessible in every direction,
abounding in spacious bays and harbors, and the larger ones in navigable
rivers. The people are generally intelligent, and susceptible of a
higher degree of cultivation than the natives of Africa, or of many
parts of the adjacent continent.
To obtain a station or an island in this vast Archipelago, we should
require neither the outlay of a large sum of money, nor the loss of
human life; no governments would be subjected, or kings overthrown.
Civilization and its attendant blessings would take the place of
barbarism, idolatry would be supplanted by christianity, and the poor
natives, now bowed down by cruelty and oppression, would, under the care
of an enlightened government, become elevated in the scale of social
existence.
The cultivation of spices in the Archipelago, and the acts by which the
monopoly is secured by the Dutch in the Moluccas, reflect little credit
on human nature. "No where in the world have the aboriginal tribes been
treated with greater cruelty; and in some cases literal extermination
has overtaken them. Their tribe has been extinguished, they have been
cut off to a man, and that merely lest, in order to obtain a humble
subsistence, they should presume to trade on their own account in those
costly spices, the sale of which, without right or reason, Holland has
hitherto thought proper to appropriate to herself. No form of servitude,
moreover, equals the slavery of those who are engaged in the culture of
the nutmeg-tree. They toil without hope. No change ever diversifies
their drudgery; no holiday gladdens them; no reward, however trifling,
repays extra exertion, or acts as a stimulus for the future. The
wretched slave's life is one monotonous round, a mere alternation of
toil and sleep, to be terminated only by death."[48] The northern
portions of New Guinea, as well as other islands, are in the same
latitude as Banda and Amboyna, and produce the nutmeg and other spices.
They might be extensively cultivated by the natives, if encouragement
was given them; and a sufficient supply obtained for all the markets of
Europe and America.
THE ISLAND OF BALI, lying east of Java, from which it is separated by a
narrow strait, has recently been subjected by the Dutch. Some difficulty
growing out of the commerce with the people, is the alleged cause. It is
an island of great importance to Holland, and would seriously injure her
commerce with Java, should any other European nation take it under its
protection, or plant a colony there. A slight pretext therefore sufficed
for its annexation.
NEW CALEDONIA ISLANDS. Later information has been received from the
Catholic Missionaries in New Caledonia; for it seems that even in those
distant and barbarous islands both Protestant and Catholic are
represented. The Propaganda annals contain some interesting accounts of
the natives of these islands, and of other facts of importance in
Ethnology. Two Catholic missionaries, the Rev. Mr. Rougeyron and the
Rev. Mr. Colin, had been twenty months on these islands, during which
time they had accomplished nothing in the way of conversions, and but
little towards improving the moral condition of the natives. It was
hardly time to expect much, as they had only then begun to speak the
language of the country, which they found very difficult to acquire. The
natives are a most lazy and wretched people. They cultivate the ground
with the aid of a piece of pointed wood, or with their nails, but never
in proportion to their wants. For the greater part of the year they are
compelled to live upon a few fish, shell-fish, roots and the bark of
trees, and at times when pressed by hunger, worms, spiders and lizards
are eagerly devoured by them. They are cannibals in every sense of the
word, and openly feed on the flesh of their enemies. Yet they possess
the cocoa, banana and yam, with a luxuriant soil, from which, with a
little labor, an abundance could be raised.
Among no savage tribes are the women worse treated than here. They are
completely at the mercy of their cruel and tyrannical husbands.
Compelled to carry burdens, to collect food, and cultivate the fields,
their existence promises them but little enjoyment; and when there is
any fruit or article of delicacy procured, it is at once _tabooed_ by
the husband, so that she cannot touch it but at the peril of her life.
The missionaries had begun to expostulate with the natives on the
horrors of eating their prisoners, and other vices to which they were
addicted, and observe that "a happy change has already taken place among
them; that they were less disposed to robbery, and that their wars are
less frequent."[49] They are beginning to understand the motive which
brought the missionaries to them, and already show a desire to be
instructed.
The protestant missions have not accomplished any more than the
Catholic's among these savages. The latest accounts state that four of
the native teachers who had been converted to Christianity, had been
cruelly murdered, and that such was the hostility of the chiefs at the
isle of Pines, that the prospects of the missionaries were most
discouraging.[50]
SOOLOO ISLANDS.--Mr. Itier, attache to the French mission in China, has
recently visited a cluster of islands lying to the northeast of Borneo,
between that island and Mindanao.[51] His researches on the natural
history and geology of these islands, are of much interest. The soil is
exceedingly fertile, and the climate more healthy than is usual in
intertropical climates. The sugar cane, cocoa, rice, cotton, the bread
fruit, indigo, and spices of all kinds, are among their products. Fruits
and vegetables of a great variety, are abundant, and of a superior
quality. Nine-tenths of the soil is still covered with the primitive
forest, of which teak-wood, so valuable in shipbuilding, forms a part. A
considerable commerce with China and Manilla is carried on, and from ten
to twelve thousand Chinese annually visit the island of Basilan, the
most northerly of the group, to cultivate its soil, and take away its
products. The peculiar situation of these islands, and their contiguity
to the Philippines, to Celebes, Borneo, Manilla, China, and Singapore,
make them well adapted for a European colony. In fact, there do not
appear to be any islands of the East Indies of equal importance, and
there can be no doubt that with the present desire manifested by
European nations for colonizing, this desirable spot will ere long be
secured by one of them. The Sooloo group embraces sixty inhabited
islands, governed by a Sultan, residing at Soung. One of these would be
an advantageous point for an American colony or station.
The same gentleman has presented to the Geographical Society of Paris,
the journal of a voyage and visit to the Philippine islands, from which
it appears that that large and important croup is not inferior in
interest to the Sooloo islands. The natural history and geology, the
soil and its products, the manners and customs of the people, their
commerce and political history, are described in detail.[52] The group
embraces about twelve hundred islands, with a population of 4,000,000,
of whom about 8,000 are Chinese, 4,000 Spaniards, 120,000 of a mixed
race, and the remainder natives.
THE NICOBAR ISLANDS, a group nineteen in number, in the Bay of Bengal,
have again attracted the attention of the Danish government, by which an
expedition has been sent with a view to colonize them anew. The Danes
planted a colony there in 1756, but were compelled to abandon it in
consequence of the insalubrity of the climate. Subsequently the French
made an attempt with no better success.
Recent publications on the Eastern Archipelago and Polynesia.
Ethnology and Philology. By Horatio Hale, Philologist of the
U.S. Exploring Expedition, imp. 4to. Philadelphia, 1846.
Reise nach Java, und Ausfluege nach den Inseln Mudura und S.
Helena; von Dr. Edward Selberg, 8vo. Oldenburg, 1845.
Philippines (les), histoire, geographie, moeurs, agriculture,
industrie et commerce des colonies espagnoles dans l'Oceanie;
par _J. Mallat_, 2 vols. 8vo., avec un atlas in folio. Paris,
1846.
The expedition of H.M.S. Dido, for the suppression of piracy;
by the Hon. Capt. Keppell, with extracts from the journal of
James Brooke, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1846. Reprinted in New
York.
Trade and Travel in the Far East; or recollections of
twenty-one years passed in Java, Singapore, Australia and
China, by G.F. Davidson, post 8vo. London, 1846.
Typee: Narrative of a four months' residence among the natives
of the Marquesas islands, by Herman Melville. 12mo. New York,
1846.
Besides these, The Missionary Herald, the Baptist Missionary
Magazine, The London Evangelical Magazine, the Annals of the
Society for the Propagation of the Faith, as well as other
similar journals, contain many articles of great interest on
the various islands of the Eastern Archipelago and the South
Sea Islands.