Wilkinson, John Gardner; Birch, Samuel [Mitarb.]: The Egyptians in the time of the pharaohs: being a companion to the Crystal Palace Egyptian collections (London, 1857)

COMBINATION OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

21

to have a combination of many; and the Egyptians were
acquainted at a very early time -with the triple symphony: the
harmony of instruments, of voices, and of voices and instru-
ments. Their bands were often composed of a harp, lyre, and
guitar, double pipe and tambourine; of a fourteen-stringed
harp, a double pipe, and a lyre of seventeen chords, with
voices; of two harps, a flute, and voices; of a harp, a guitar,
and a double pipe or of two flutes; of a harp and two guitars,
with a double pipe and the clapping of hands; of two harps,
and a jingling instrument which may correspond to the
crescent-crowned bells of our military bands; besides many
other combinations.* And in a tomb at the Pyramids, built in
the early time of the fourth dynasty, bands were already com-
posed of two harps, a pipe, and flute, with several voices.

The musicians on these occasions were hired performers;
and though many of the
harpers and choristers were
poor and blind, the occupa-
tion seems to have agreed
with them, some being in-
ordinately fat.

For though music formed
part of the education of an
Egyptian gentleman, he did
not display his musical ta-
lents at a party ; but in the
temple, at funerals, and in several religious ceremonies, men
and women of high rank, belonging to the priestly order,
played the harp and other instruments adapted to sacred
muaic; and many devoted themselves to the service of religion
in the capacity of minstrels of various deities.

' See P. A. of Ancient Egyptians, vol. i. pp. 85—131.

(W. S.)