fragments of an ivory gorget, with figures of various animals oddly grouped upon it; various fragments of carving, and pedestals bearing inscriptions; and in the fourth, or last, division of the case are various baskets, coloured and plain.  The first division of the next case (44, 45) is also given up to palm-leaf baskets of various descriptions, which the visitor should examine as illustrating the perfection to which the workers of the palm-leaf brought their handicraft.  Leaving the tools and baskets behind, the visitor will now approach the

Egyptian musical instruments,

which occupy the second division of the case.  It is well known that music was generally cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, even before Terpander had devised a system of musical notation:  and that in their religious ceremonies music was much used.  The sistrum, of which the visitor will notice one or two samples in the division, was the instrument most generally used.  It consisted of wires suspended through the sides of an arch, to which a handle, generally highly ornamented with the head of Athor, as in the one in the case, is fixed:—­the wires terminating with heads of sacred animals, upon which rings were suspended that produced sounds by being shaken backwards and forwards.

There are also some Egyptian harps; portions of flutes found in the northern brick pyramids at Dashour; a pipe with seven burnt holes in it; and a pair of bronze cymbals tied together by a band of linen.  The division next to that in which the musical instruments are arranged, is filled with

Egyptian toys.

Perhaps, no portion of this interesting Egyptian room so forcibly impresses the spectator with the truth and reality of its revelations, as these rude toys, that must have been handled by prattling Egyptian children, when all was dark throughout Europe, save on the shore of the southern sea, where glimmered fitful lights of awakening civilisation, and Homer was enshrining the poor knowledge of his period in the splendid fancies of his poet soul.  Not vastly different from the rude dolls of the present century must these of Egypt have been when fresh from the workman’s hand.  They are in a very disabled state now, however; one being a rude representation of an Egyptian Miss Biffen, altogether guiltless of legs; and others, the flat variety, having hair made of clay beads.  In the case with these relics are porcelain models of eggs, balls, fruit; wooden fish; leather and palm-leaf balls, stuffed; dice, and various draughtsmen, with the heads of cats; and one with the figure of a jackal.  The last two divisions of the case under notice are entirely filled with a variety of specimens of

Ancient Egyptian fabrics.