Page:Light and truth.djvu/51

Rh 51; cv. 23, 27; cvi. 22,) and also Rahab. (Ps. Ixxxvii. 4; lxxxix. 10; Isa. li. 9.) The Arabs now call it Mizr.

Misraim, the grandson of Ham, led colonies into Egypt, from Babylon, which lasted 1663 years. Menes, who was a descendant from Ham, united several independent principalities, which thenceforth became one monarchy under him. The States he united were Thebes, Thin, Memphis and Tanaris. Under his government, Egypt made rapid progress in civilization and the arts and sciences.

The inhabitants of Lower Egypt were colonies from Syria and Arabia—men of various tribes—originally shepherds and fishermen—who were gradually consolidated into one nation.

Egypt is bounded on the east by the Red Sea and the Isthmus of Suez; on the south by Ethiopia; on the west by Lybia; and on the north by the Mediterranean Sea. (Ezek. xxix. 10; xxx. 6.) It anciently comprehended an incredible number of cities, and was remarkably populous.

The Nile runs from south to north, through the whole country, about 200 leagues; and the country is enclosed by ridges of mountains on each side.

The greatest breadth of Egypt is from Alexandria to Damietta—being about 50 leagues.

Ancient Egypt may be divided into three principal parts: Upper Egypt, otherwise called Thebais, which was the most southern part; Middle Egypt, or Heptanomis, so called from its seven names; and Lower Egypt, which included what the Greeks called Delta, and all the country as far as the Red Sea, and along the Mediterra- nean to Rhinocolura, or Mt. Casius. Strabo stated that, under Sesostris, all Egypt became one kingdom, and was divided into 36 governments, or Nomi: 10 in Thebais, 10 in Delta, and 16 in the intermediate country. The cities of Syene and Elephantina divided Egypt from Ethiopia.

The Egyptians extended their reputation by other means than conquest. Egypt loved peace, because it loved justice; and maintained soldiers only for its security. She became known by her sending colonies into all parts of the world, and with them laws and