Still, whencesoever derived, the Egyptian people, as it existed in the flourishing times of Egyptian history, was beyond all question a mixed race, showing diverse affinities.  Whatever the people was originally, it received into it from time to time various foreign elements, and those in such quantities as seriously to affect its physique—­Ethiopians from the south, Libyans from the west, Semites from the north-east, where Africa adjoined on Asia.  There are two quite different types of Egyptian form and feature, blending together in the mass of the nation, but strongly developed, and (so to speak) accentuated in individuals.  One is that which we see in portraits of Rameses III, and in some of Rameses II.—­a moderately high forehead, a large, well-formed aquiline nose, a well-shaped mouth with lips not over full, and a delicately rounded chin.  The other is comparatively coarse—­forehead low, nose depressed and short, lower part of the face prognathous and sensual-looking, chin heavy, jaw large, lips thick and projecting.  The two types of face are not, however, accompanied by much difference of frame.  The Egyptian is always slight in figure, wanting in muscle, flat in foot, with limbs that are too long, too thin, too lady-like.  Something more of muscularity appears, perhaps, in the earlier than in the later forms; but this is perhaps attributable to a modification of the artistic ideal.

As Egypt presents us with two types of physique, so it brings before us two strongly different types of character.  On the one hand we see, alike in the pictured scenes, in the native literary remains, and in the accounts which foreigners have left us of the people, a grave and dignified race, full of serious and sober thought, given to speculation and reflection, occupied rather with the interests belonging to another world than with those that attach to this present scene of existence, and inclined to indulge in a gentle and dreamy melancholy.  The first thought of a king, when he began his reign, was to begin his tomb.  The desire of the grandee was similar.  It is a trite tale how at feasts a slave carried round to all the guests the representation of a mummied corpse, and showed it to each in turn, with the solemn words—­“Look at this, and so eat and drink; for be sure that one day such as this thou shalt be.”  The favourite song of the Egyptians, according to Herodotus, was a dirge.  The “Lay of Harper,” which we subjoin, sounds a key-note that was very familiar, at any rate, to large numbers among the Egyptians.

    The Great One[4] has gone to his rest,
      Ended his task and his race;
    Thus men are aye passing away,
      And youths are aye taking their place. 
    As Ra rises up every morn,
      And Turn every evening doth set,
    So women conceive and bring forth,
      And men without ceasing beget. 
    Each soul in its turn draweth breath—­
    Each man born of woman sees Death.