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have supposed the forms alluded to, to be mere symbols of
the male sex on the monuments; but this notion is dis-
proved by male persons being represented without them.
That they were occasionally so used, however, is clear from
the kingly Beard on that symbol of royalty the Sphynx.
The priests of this ancient nation are stated to have
removed every hair from the body thrice a week; and th^f"
ultimately compelled the people to shave both their heads
and faces ; and all slaves and servants, though foreigners!
were obliged to do the same. That this arose from some
superstitious notion of cleanliness, is confirmed by th^
remark of Herodotus, " that no Egyptian of either sex,
would on any account kiss the lips of a bearded Greek, or
make use of his knife, spit, or caldron, or taste the meat
of an animal which had been slaughtered by his hand."
In times of mourning, however, the Egyptians allowed
the hair of the head and Beard to grow in token of grief.
Jews.
Such was the practice of the Egyptians; and it is
highly important to take the Jews next, because at the
period of our first knowledge of them as a people, they
appear in bondage to the former nation; and it is now
generally believed that most of the usages established by
Moses had more or less reference to Egyptian customs,
from which he was desirous of weaning them. As might
