Among the discoveries of modern times there are few that have excited a more lively interest than those of Young and Champollion and their fellow-labourers in Egypt, which are rapidly unfolding the history and mythology of a nation, whose antiquities are valuable, not merely as affording unexpected illustrations of classic literature, but as independent and confirming records, coeval with the Scriptures, and intimately connected with the Jewish history.

The interest excited by the interpretation of the hieroglyphics, has been so great, that there is perhaps not a University, and scarcely a city in Europe, in which are not to be found some of the tablets and inscriptions of Egypt: and we should deem the present work incomplete unless we gave a sketch of the few but most interesting relics which are collected here. To take them in their chronological order, we shall attempt a slight outline of the succession of the Pharaohs, and in passing, touch upon some points of Egyptian history and arts that may throw light upon our studies as a University.

At the conclusion of the paper we have given a plate of the inscriptions; and have annexed to them translations, as complete, we believe, as the progress of interpretation warrants; but we should be sorry to mislead our readers by giving countenance to the pretensions of some of our continental neighbours, who hesitate not to render full and complete translations of every inscription that is found.