Asregardsarchitecture，wefindnotonlythepyramids，whichdatefromtheveryearliestperiodofEgyptianhistory，andwhicharetothishourthewonderoftheworldforsize，forboldness，forexactness，andforskilfulcontrivance，butalsothetemples，withlongrangesofcolossalcolumnswroughtinpolishedgranite，withwonderfulbeautyofornamentation，witharchitravesandroofsvastinsizeandexquisiteinadjustment，whichbytheirproportionstaxtheimagination，andleadthebeholdertoaskwhetherallthiscanbereal。

　　Astosculpture，wehavenotonlythegreatSphinxofGizeh，somarvellousinitsboldnessanddignity，datingfromtheveryfirstperiodofEgyptianhistory，butwehaverangesofsphinxes，heroicstatues，andbas-reliefs，showingthatevenintheearlyagesthisbranchofarthadreachedanamazingdevelopment。

　　Asregardstheperfectionofthese，Lubke，themosteminentGermanauthorityonplasticart，referringtotheearlyworksinthetombsaboutMemphis，declaresthat，“asmonumentsoftheperiodofthefourthdynasty，theyareanevidenceofthehighperfectiontowhichthesculptureoftheEgyptianshadattained。”

　　Brugschdeclaresthat“everyartisticproductionofthoseearlydays，whetherpicture，writing，orsculpture，bearsthestampofthehighestperfectioninart。”Maspero，themosteminentFrenchauthorityinthisfield，whileexpressinghisbeliefthattheSphinxwassculpturedevenbeforethetimeofMena，declaresthat“theartwhichconceivedandcarvedthisprodigiousstatuewasafinishedart——anartwhichhadattainedself-masteryandwassureofitseffects“；while，amongthemoreeminentEnglishauthorities，Saycetellsusthat“artisatitsbestintheageofthepyramid-builders。”andSirJamesFergussondeclares，“WearestartledtofindEgyptianartnearlyasperfectintheoldestperiodsasinanyofthelater。”

　　TheevidenceastothehighdevelopmentofEgyptiansculptureintheearlierdynastiesbecomeseverydaymoreoverwhelming。WhatexquisitegeniustheearlyEgyptiansculptorsshowedintheirlesserstatuesisknowntoallwhohaveseenthosemostpreciousspecimensinthemuseumatCairo，whichwerewroughtbeforetheconventionaltypewasadoptedinobediencetoreligiousconsiderations。

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