The glory of the PharaohsWeigall, Arthur E. P. Brome (Arthur Edward Pearse Brome)
History
The glory of the Pharaohs
Weigall, Arthur E. P. Brome (Arthur Edward Pearse Brome)
Egypt -- Antiquities
It is an unfortunate fact that the archæologist is generally considered
to be a kind of rag-and-bone man; one who, sitting all his life in a
dusty room, shuns the touch of the wind and takes no pleasure in the
vanities under the sun. Actually, this is not so very often a true
description of him. The ease with which long journeys are now
undertaken, the immunity from insult or peril which the traveller
usually enjoys, have made it possible for the archæologist to seek his
information at its source in almost all the countries of the world; and
he is not obliged, as was his grandfather, to take it at second-hand
from the volumes of mediæval scholars. Moreover, the necessary
collections of books of reference are now to be found in very diverse
places; and thus it comes about that there are plenty of archæologists
who are able to leave their own museums and studies for limited periods.
And as regards his supposed untidy habits, the phase of cleanliness
which, like a purifying wind, descended suddenly upon the world in the
second half of the nineteenth century, has penetrated even to libraries
and museums, removing every speck of dust therefrom. The archæologist,
when engaged in the sedentary side of his profession, lives nowadays in
an atmosphere charged with the odours of furniture-polish and
monkey-brand. A place less dusty than the Victoria and Albert Museum in
London, or than the Metropolitan Museum in New York, could not easily be
imagined. The disgusting antiquarian of a past generation, with his
matted locks and stained clothing, could but be ill at ease in such
surroundings, and could claim no brotherhood with the majority of the
present-day archæologists. Cobwebs are now taboo; and the misguided old
man who dwelt amongst them is seldom to be found outside of caricature,
save in the more remote corners of the earth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account