The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-01

Ill SlSut Ol tne clIy OF IheDeB, and
ponds and gardeus with fourishing
trees. made two great double.doors
Of gold. Their height reaches to
heaven. I caused to be- made double
path OF great masts. I set them up in
tho splendid court in sight of his tenn
ple."
These buildings and their accessories
are all constructed Oh so large q scale
and the proportions are so great that 1t
is difficult to realize at first their i'm
mensfty. In one OF the apartme ents of
the temple of Karnak, known as the
great hall, the Intel stones of the door,
way were 40 feet 10 il,ohes in length.
1t measures ITO by 329 feet, and is sup
ported by central avenue of IL COL
umns, 81 feet high. and / feet inches
in diameter, Besides these, tn. ne
8 other rows OF columns measuring 40;
feet in hight and over feet in diane
ter.
Such measurements, however, while
they may suggest something of ancient
skill aud science, are usel 'ss in enabling
one TO form Just idea of the perfect
whole, to complete which other things
besides mere size must be taken into
account. Not the least interesting part
OF these temples are tho sculptures
which adorn-one might almost saw
oover-lheir walls. interesting because
OF the high degree Of art that they il
lustrate in their elegance and richness
and sometimes vlvidness of co!oring,
and also because OF the insight they give
us into ancient customs and manners.
history and religion. They may be di-
~ n1o
or ceremonial aud historical or battle
scenes. But i'll one central idea they all
unite; that of culogizing the monarch to
whom tho temple is dedicated. In the
ceremonial scenes he is usually repre-
sented as the chief parsonage in grand
procession of priests bearing arks and
offering sacrifices. The king, attended,
by an-bearers, who are generally his
sons and daughters. is represented as
offering to gods or delfied ano stors
fruits and other substances, or receiving
from them some token of their favor
and approbation.
The historical scenes arc still more
interesting, being drawn with great
deal Of spirit aud presenting muoh di-
versity of character. They relate to
some victorious CAMPAIGN of the mon
arch, and depict the different stages
and varied incidents belonging thereto.
There will be the onward march OF the
king in his chariot, surrounded by his
generals aud troops. They app coach q
fortified town, tho inhabitants Of whlch
come out to meet the invader, bringing
IN their hands offerings of peace and
tribute Of various kinds. they kneel
before hum aud supplicste for peace. Or
they are flying in disnny before his vic j..
torious banner. Again, he king is ro-
presented as staying the euemy, cutting
them all dewn before him single handed.
Other scenes represent him returning IN
triumph, the captive enc my bound and
and fettered driven before him. His
attendants are carrying the booty taken
oxen and horses and bags OF gold 10
heavy that they stagger beneath the
load. There are long VOWS OF headless
capIves, and in some cases great heaps
OF hards and tongues, Uor it appears
that some OF the Pharaolls made it their
boast that they never killed their Cap
tives, only mutllated thom) and scribea
estimating and recording III books the
number-3, 900 in each heap, says the
record. Sometimes, accompanying the
sculptures, are brief poems in hierogly-
phlcs eulogizlng the monarch, 1.-THE
great and mighty, the beloved OF
Amen" These hierogIyphics are cut
with wonderful clearness and artistic
beauty; and are as easily read to. day
(by those who know the language) us
when they were carved deep IN the
stone 3. 900 years ago.