Six Temples at Thebes, 1896. By W. M. Flinders Petrie,
D.C.L. With a chapter by W. Spiegelberg, Ph.D. (Quaritoh. 10s.)— In this volume Professor Petrie describes the work of the last season conducted at the private expense of Mr. Haworth and Mr. Kennard, to whom the public are greatly indebted for their spirited support of his researches, which are now, we believe, financed by the Egypt Exploration Fund. In 1896 Mr. Petrie explored about half a mile of the desert edge of Thebes, and the result of his work was to identify the temple of Merenptah, to discover, among others, the temple of Amenhotep II., and to clear and map the sites of those of Thothmee IV. and Uazmes. To the general public, the supreme interest of these excavations lies in the discovery of the inscription containing reference to "the people of Israel," of which Dr. Spiegelberg supplies a full translation. Professor Petrie examined the questions arising out of this reference some time ago in an article in the Contemporary Review. He believes that it refers to some attack made by Merenptah upon Israelites who had remained at home (in the north of Palestine) whilst the rest migrated to Egypt ; but the reference is too slight and vague to admit of very positive inferences. It is interesting to read the Professor's opinion of the explorer's chances of success, based upon many years' unrivalled experience :—" Out of any ten great results that were anticipated and worked for, only five will be successfully attained; but ten other results wholly unexpected will be found in the course of the work Following definite duet produces but a small proportion of the successes; much more than half of the discoveries proceed from making very extensive and thorough clearances, acres in extent and yards deep to tht very bottom, on ground which is likely to contain importamb material. While in cemeteries, only one tomb in ten -repays *kb work ; and it is the rare one tomb in a husidred that compensates
for the ninety blanks and nine scanty results." Mr. Petrie's blanks must have been thousands, when the large number of his wonderful successes is remembered. His English, we must say, is not among his successes ; but the twenty-six admirable quarto plates make amends for any literary imperfections.
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