The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-04-14

Between the first and second cataract rises pre-
cipousy from the eastern shore of the Nile that
mondous and isolated rock which according to popu-
lar belief sesosris, three thousand years ago, cut
into mighty temple, and 10 which Buckhardt was
the first to reveal to the civilized world as one Of tho
greatest wonders of antiquity. Even il the reader has
various descriptions Of Tpsamboul fresh in his mind
he will not dislike to SEQ the latest account Of the
vast
TEMPLE OF OsIRIs Here n space Of about l 90
feet in height is hewn from the mountain, smooth ex-
cept for the relef Along the summit freze
of little monkeys in long array, il tho architect
felt the absurdity OF the whole business, or Byron
sometime finishes off sublime sentence with scoh.
Then succeeds line of hierosyphics and faint
ly carved figures also in relief and then four colos-
sal giants that seemed guard the portal. They are
seated on thrones (Which form with themselves part
Of the living rocky and are about 60 feet high. One
is quite perfect, admirably cut, md the proportions
accurately preserved; the second is deaced far
the knee; the third in sand 10 the waist, and the
fourth has only the face and neck visible above the
deserts sandy avalanche The doorway stands be-
tween the Two central statues, and is surmounted
by statue Of Isis wearing the moon as turban.
On enteJng, the traveller finds himself in temple
which few days work mig int restore to the state in
which it left just finished 5000 years ago. The
dry climate and its extreme sody have preserved its
most delicate details from injury ;besdes which,, was
eimetically sealed by the desert for thousands Of
years until Buckhardt discoveredt, and Mr. Iuy
cleared away its protecting hills.
A vast and gloomy hall. such as Eblck might have
an Vothpk nndence in Won On
from the flaming sunshine into that shadowy portal.
II is time before the eye ascertain its di.
mansions through the imposing gloom contras,ediwith
that glare; but gradually there reveals itself, around
and above you, vast aisle, with pillars formed OF
eight colossal ginns, upon which the light Of heaven
has never shown. These images Of Osiris back
ed by enormous pillars, behind which run two grea,
galleries, and in these, torchght alone enabled TO
pursue a series Of sculptures in relief, representing
the triumphs of Rcmess H. or Sesostris. The paint
ing, which once enhanced tho effect Of those spirited
representations, is not dmmed, hut crumbed away
where it exists, the co'ors are as vivid as ever.
This unequaled hall is 90 feet in length; ard
eight lesser chambers, all scupured, open from il TO
the right and left. Straight on is low doorway, O.
penins into second hall of similar height, supported
by four square pla-s and within all is the adytum,
10 which is simple altar Of the living rock, behind
which there are four large figures seated on rocky
thrones. This inner shrine is hewn at least 100
yards into the rock; and here, in those silent depths
Of that great mountain, those awful idols, and tina,
mysterious altar Of human sacrifice, had very SOL
emn and imposing effect. The statues seemed to sit
there waiting for some great summons which should
rennmate them, and Isaah's apostrophe TO Ncbuchad
nezzar came wildly into my mind gazed on
these kngs Of the earth who lie in glory, every
in his own house."
Nearer to the first cataract is the colossal temple
which appeared to the author surpass in grandeur
and effect all other remains Of the ancient masnif
cence of Nubia. He thinks Ipsumbou itself is sqr
pa sscd by
GUERF HAssAN. III as was, determined 10
visit this stupendous temple, and we'll repnd
for the exertion 1t is the srungest, most unearhy
sight ever beheld. 1t was dark when arrived
in its neighbcrhood, but this did not signify, its
mystic recesses were only visible to orchaht in the
brightest Covered with Sheet was carried |
On bier by four Arabs of our crew, who relieved |
each other in turn; four carried torches, and my
friend r. and Mahmoud brought up the II
must have appeared rather curious procession TO
he Nubian village that passed through, hundreds
oc whose inhabitants, half or wholly naked, poured
,ut TO pass; and some of the men remonsra-
ed anxiousy in favor Of extnguishing the torches
Until we had passed through the cornfeds; these
we're all so dry thnt general conaagraon would
rave been the consequence Of a spark falling a sin
lie straw
We passed through these fields; then came Q strip
If DESERT then tall clif,and The propylna
# the temple stood before US. This was built by
,uman hands, but stands out from the face Of the
nountan lift had formed part Of it from creation
FOUR giant statues leaning against square pillars sup
'ort massive entahature. The vista of this coos
al porico leads to portal in the living rock, some
enty feet in height and this is the entrance to the
emple The coup dell as we entered was VIZ
imposing; group Of our swarthy Arabs were wa
ing blazing Torches and looked like officiating dem
priests the calm, awful, gigantic idols that tow
red above US. The. temple seemed .fqll of those
rim statues, though there only two rows, con-
aiming four in each. The massive pedesials on
which they stand but ten feet apart, which adds
considerably to the effect of their enormous size =
Ience we passed into lesser hill, and then into III