lery, in Avhieli are arranged the mummies of the Pharaohs wlio
reigned over Egyjit for more than two tliuusand years. As
they lie in their glass cases, the_y tell the visitor an eloquent
story witlnjut words, of earthly ghn-y, which A'anishes like the
flowers of the field that hlossom for a nH)ment, and are then
gone forever. The un;ist interesting one t<i me was that of
Ilameses IT, the oppressor of Israel. Ilis lips, teeth, and
entire countenance are still preserved, and one can almost
hear his words of defiant-e and cruelty. With what strange sen-
sations does one gaze into the features of a man who acted a
prominent part in sacred history previous to the exode !

The beginning of Egyptian history extends back into the
misty regions of tradition ; but at the point where its lines
become legible, it reveals a nation standing at the forefront of
its contemporaries in power, vigor, art, science, or any other
element of greatness. In this position Egypt incurred the
divine displeasure for two reasons : She vaunted herself and
her gods in the sight of Jehovah; and often became an asy-
lum and protector of the Jews, who when under punishment
for their sins, instead of humbling themselves witli repentance,
would flee for help to their haughty neighbor. For these
things God said of Egypt, as recorded in Eze. 29 : 15, '"' It
shall be the basest of the kingdoms ; neither shall it exalt
itself any more al)ove the nations."

iSinee then that country has had its share of adversity.
