TRANSLATORS’ PREFACE.
Joanna B. Horner translation
The first part of this volume consists of Letters from Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Peninsula of Sinai, published in 1852. In addition to the Map of the Nile, published in the German edition, and the view of Mount Barkal, we have been enabled, through the kindness of Dr. Lepsius, to give a Map of the Peninsula of Sinai, from an unpublished pamphlet, printed at Berlin in 1846 (Reise des Prof. Lepsius von Theben nach der Halbinsel des Sinai, vom 4 März bis zum 14 April, 1845), which will be found to contribute much to the elucidation of the interesting Letter on Mount Sinai.
In the Appendix we have inserted a geological paper, by Mr. Horner, from the “Edinburgh Philosophical Journal” for July, 1850, in which some doubts are thrown upon the theory of Dr. Lepsius concerning a supposed excavation of the bed of the Nile within the historical period. We have done this at the request of Dr. Lepsius, who is desirous to call more particular attention to the subject.
The Letters are succeeded by extracts (chiefly relating to the Hebrew Chronology) from Dr. Lepsius’s larger work (of which only one volume has yet been published), Die Chronologie der Ægypter, in which he states his conclusions respecting the date of the Exodus. We have also obtained permission from Chevalier Bunsen to add a note (p. 475), pointing out how far he differs from Dr. Lepsius respecting the period when the Israelites entered Egypt. It has been thought desirable to omit those sections which enter into the subject more minutely than would interest the general reader.
The whole of this portion of the translation has been revised by the author, and throughout the volume, whatever alterations or additions have been suggested by him, are placed between brackets.
A Table of the Egyptian Dynasties, drawn up by Mr. Horner, has been added, and, at his request, revised by Dr. Lepsius, who has inserted the results of his latest investigations concerning the dates of the different Dynasties.
Wherever measurements by feet are mentioned, French feet are to be understood, unless it is otherwise specified.
August, 1853.