INTRODUCTION.
On the Sources of Information Respecting the Learning and Mythology of Egypt.
There are four sources whence we may chielf expect to derive information respecting the learning, the superstitious practices, and the religious fables, of the ancient Egyptians.
The most important of these, since it affords us information of the most authentic description, is to be found in the few works of a few ancient writers who visited Egypt, and who have described what they personally witnessed.
The power of the Egyptian hierarchy had declined from the age of Psammitichus, who first encouraged the intercourse of his subjects with foreigners, and thereby endangered the influence of those superstitions which, during some thousand years, had maintained the character impressed by ancient priestcraft on the people of Egypt. But the conquest of the whole country by the arms of Persia, the wanton tyranny of Cambyses, and the continual discountenance which the old religion sustained while Egypt was under the dominion of a nation who were disposed to persecute idolatry, must
B
