New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-03

on some HOOD among the hllls OF norway. urgtu
on the boys, as I was anxious to reach Dabod be-
fore dark, ard as Ali who was anxious to get back
u Egypt, took n hand at the occasionally, our
boat tou he'd the high bank below the temple
Just after sunset. There is a little village near
the place, and the reapers in the ripe wheat
fields behind il were closing their day labor. One
old man, who had no doubt been servant in
Cairo, greeted me with "buoHq sera' Achme-
followed, to keep off the candidates for back
shish, and stood alone in the portico of the tenn
pie, just as the evening star began to twinkle in
the fading amber and rose. Like kaiabshee, the
temple il of the times Of the Caesars, aud unhn-
-hed. Its plan, however, is symmetrical and
even eee and the view ofthe pOrtico throughits
three pyons is quit unlike that ofany other Esyp-
tisn ruin. There are three chambers, the interior
walls of which are covered with sculptures, but
little else is represented than the offerings to the
Gsds. Indeed, none Of the sculptures IN the tenn
pie Of the Caesars have the historic interest OF
those of the Eighteenth Egyptian dynasty. The
object of the later architects appears to have been
merely to cs,er the walls, and consequently we
find an endless repetition Of the same subjects.
The novice in Egyptian art might at first be de-
ceived by the fresher appearance of the figures,
their proflsion and the neatness of their chse
ing but lit,le experience will satisfy him how
truly superior were the ancient workmen, both IN
the design and execution Of their historic scalp
lures.
The exterior walls ofthis temple have been VIE
lentlv hurled down at the front, and now lean out
ward, with their loose blocks in many places hang
ing by single corner and threatening to fall every
moment. The inside of the wall ia blackened as if
BY the action of fire. and the whole appearance
of the totterng mass is that Of having been blown
cut by an explosion of gunpowder. 1t is probable,
however, that this was caused by the pressure OF
the immense sandstone blocks which form the
roof and which, supposing the wall to have gwen
way slitte at the top, would have the effect OF 80
many powerful wedges, forcing it violently out
ward. In Daboa, saw the last of the Nubian
temples, in number nearly equal to those of Egypt,
and after Thebes quite equal to them IN interest
No one who has not been beyond Assouan, can
presume to say that he has thorough idea OF
Egyptian art. And the Nile, the glorious river, is
only half known by those who fOrsake him at
Philg.
After dark, we foated past the Shaymt-e Wah,
powerful eddy or whirlpool in the stream, and in
the night came to a small village within hearing Of
the Cataract. Here the rais had his family, and
stopped to see them. We lay there quietly the
rest of the night, but with the first glimpse ofght
was stirring, and called him to his duty. The
dawn was deepening into a clear golden wilderness
in the East, but few large stars were sparkling
overhead, as we approached Philr. Its long col
onnsdes oflight sandstone glimmered in the shad-
ows of the palms, between the dark masses OF the
mountains on either hand, and its tall pylOns rose
beyond, distinct against the sky. The little ham
lets on the shores were still in the hush of Sleep
and there was no sound to disturb the impression
OF that fairy picture. The pillars of the airy
chapel of Athor are perfect in their lightness and
grace when seen thus from a boat coming down
the river, with the palm-groyes behind them and
the island. quay below. We glided softly past that
vision of silence and beauty, took the rapid be-
tween the gates of granite, and swept down to the
village at the head OF the Cataract. The sun had
Just risen lighting mp the fleet of trading boats at
ancher, and the crowds Of Arabs, Egyptians and
Barabras on the beach. The two English dahabl-
yehs | had been chasing were rowed out for the
descent Of the Cataract, MS | jumped ashore and
finished my travels in NubO. B.