DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.29898#0127
Bk. I. Ch. T.
INTRODUCTORY.
91
BOOK I.
EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE.
CHAPTER I.
OTTRODU CTORY.
In any consecutiye narrative of the architectural undertakings of
mankind the description of what was done in Egypt necessarily
commences the series, not only because the records of authentic history
are found in the Yalley of the Nile long before the traditions of other
nations had assumed anything like tangible consistency, but because,
from the earliest dawn down to the time when Christianity struck
down the old idolatry, the inhabitants of that mysterious land were
essentially and pre-eminently a building race. Were it not for this we
should be left with the dry bones of the skeleton of her history, which
is all that is left us of the dynasties of Manetho; or with the fables
in which ignorant and credulous European travellers expressed their
wonder at a civilisation they could not comprehend.
As the case now stands, the monuments of Egypt give life and reality
to their whole history. It is impossible for any educated man capable
of judging of the value of evidence to wander among the Pyramids
and tombs of Memphis, the Temples of Thebes, or the vast structures
erected by the Ptolemys or Csesars, and not to feel that he has before
him a chapter of history more authentic than we possess of any nation
at all approaching it in antiquity, and a picture of men and manners
more vivid and more ample than remains to us of any other people
who have passed away.
As we wander among the tombs or temples of Egypt we see the
very chisel-marks of the mason, and the actual colours of the painter
which were ordered by a Ivhufu, or a Rameses, and we stand face to
face with works the progress of which they watched, and which
they designed in order to convey to posterity what their thoughts and
feelings were, and what they desired to record for the instruction of
future generations. All is there now, and all who caremay learn whab
these old kings intended should be known by their remotest posterity.
INTRODUCTORY.
91
BOOK I.
EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE.
CHAPTER I.
OTTRODU CTORY.
In any consecutiye narrative of the architectural undertakings of
mankind the description of what was done in Egypt necessarily
commences the series, not only because the records of authentic history
are found in the Yalley of the Nile long before the traditions of other
nations had assumed anything like tangible consistency, but because,
from the earliest dawn down to the time when Christianity struck
down the old idolatry, the inhabitants of that mysterious land were
essentially and pre-eminently a building race. Were it not for this we
should be left with the dry bones of the skeleton of her history, which
is all that is left us of the dynasties of Manetho; or with the fables
in which ignorant and credulous European travellers expressed their
wonder at a civilisation they could not comprehend.
As the case now stands, the monuments of Egypt give life and reality
to their whole history. It is impossible for any educated man capable
of judging of the value of evidence to wander among the Pyramids
and tombs of Memphis, the Temples of Thebes, or the vast structures
erected by the Ptolemys or Csesars, and not to feel that he has before
him a chapter of history more authentic than we possess of any nation
at all approaching it in antiquity, and a picture of men and manners
more vivid and more ample than remains to us of any other people
who have passed away.
As we wander among the tombs or temples of Egypt we see the
very chisel-marks of the mason, and the actual colours of the painter
which were ordered by a Ivhufu, or a Rameses, and we stand face to
face with works the progress of which they watched, and which
they designed in order to convey to posterity what their thoughts and
feelings were, and what they desired to record for the instruction of
future generations. All is there now, and all who caremay learn whab
these old kings intended should be known by their remotest posterity.