LESSON LXXVI
mu se'um, a place where curiosities are exhibited.
ban'daged, bound with strips of cloth.
dy'nas ties, governments; families of kings.
ex plored', searched; examined.
pop'u lat ed, peopled; filled with people.
gen era' tions, succession of families or peoples.
e rect'ed, raised; built.
cal'cu lat ed, estimated.
flour'ished, prospered; thrived.
EGYPT AND ITS RUINS.—PART I.
Egypt embraces that part of Africa occupied by the valley of the River Nile. For many centuries, it was a thickly populated country, and at one time possessed great influence and wealth, and had reached an advanced state of civilization.
The history of Egypt extends through a period of about six thousand years. During this time great cities were built which flourished for hundreds of years.
Owing to wars and changes of government many of these cities were destroyed, and nothing of them now remains but massive and extensive ruins.
Pyramids were built, obelisks erected, canals projected, and many other vast enterprises were carried out.
Remains of these are to be seen to-day, some in ruins, some fairly preserved, and, altogether, they give present generations an idea of the wealth and power of the different dynasties under which they were built.
Not far from Cairo, which is now the principal city of Egypt, are the famous pyramids. These are of such immense proportions, that from a distance their tops seem to reach the clouds.