hopelessness of its quest. The world needs but be
informed that on a given point knowledge is dim and uncertain, when
there are found earnest minds applying to the solution of the mystery
all the energies of their natures. All the resources of science are
brought to bear; every department of knowledge is made to contribute of
its store: and soon a mass of facts is established and a new science is
added to the department of human knowledge.

Thus, with our knowledge of prehistoric times, what so seemingly vain as
to attempt to roll back the flight of time, and learn the condition
of primeval man? All the light of ancient history makes but little
impression on the night of time. By its aid we can but dimly see the
outlines of the fortieth century back; beyond is gloom soon lost in
night. But a few short years ago, men did not think it possible to gain
further information. With the materials at hand this could not be
done. The triumph of the intellect was simply delayed, not hopelessly
repulsed. Geology was but just beginning to make good its claim to a
place among the sciences. This unfolded to man the physical history
of the world as read from the rocks, and deals with times so vast and
profound that we speak no longer of years, but of ages. And with the
aid of Geology grand secrets were wrung from the past, and new light was
thrown on the manners and customs of primitive man. Thus the foundation
for still another science was laid, called Archaeology, or the science
of Human Antiquities. These two sister sciences are the keys by whose
aid we have not only acquired much information of a past that seemed a
hopeless enigma--but, as Columbus on the waste of waters could perceive
traces of land as yet invisible, so can the present seekers after
knowledge trace the signs of a satisfactory solution of many of the
great questions relating to the origin and history of the vanished races
of mankind.

In whatever land we commence our investigations, we quickly come
upon the evidences of an ancient life long antedating all historical
information. Ancient Egypt has been a fruitful theme for the
antiquarians pen. The traveler has moralized over the ruins of her past
greatness, and many pointed illustrations of national growth and decay
have been drawn from her history.

Here was the seat of an ancient civilization, which was in the zenith
of its power many centuries before Christ. The changes that have passed
over the earth since t