Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1884 — Old Egyptian Customs. [ARTICLE]

Old Egyptian Customs.

“Ointment and perfume rejoices the heart** Ps. 23:5. ' Of sweet-scented ointments, all Egyptian ladies were, in centuries gone by, extremely fond. These luxuries, as well as rarest perfumes, were usually kept in an alabaster or porcelain vase, very chaste and elegant in design. So passing down through centuries, they have still retained their power of delighting, and even yet bear upon the air the “sweet scents” that characterized them ages ago. At grand gatherings, annointing was one of the early attentions to guests, after which, a lotos-flower was presented to each persoii present, and then were brought necklaces of flew era, and garlands for the head, so deftly placed that a lotos-flower or bud could droop over the forehead. Supplementing the flower-service, wine was offered in cups of silver or porcelain or perhaps of glass.