The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-09-04
announced the commen ,,

trumpets announced the commence
ment of the cerem onies. All eyes
| were fixed upon the temple, the gate
once opened, the funeral procession
issued at a slow march, filing alone
the avenue ef the Sphinx which led
from the propylGum to the Nile.
At it's head a group OF musicians
clad in garments of mourning, filled
the air witha solemn chant, to the
accompaniment Of bronze horns and
drums ofcrockodile skin, then, ad-
vancing in double file, with tunics OF
snow white linen, pointed sandals Of
byblus wood, close-shaven heads
wrapped round with bands OF papy-
rus covered with hieroglyphics, came
the hundred priests of Apis; their aus
tere figures seemed aforeshadowine
Ofthe mysteries of death, and their
eyes looked forward into the infinite.
In their midst four and twenty
neophytes, their bodies oiled and
painted with vermilion, drew the
massive throne of the OK Apis. In
white figures upon his skin OF glisten-
ing black were the three mystic signs,
& triangle and a crescent upon his
forehead, an eagle upon his back.
Ills chest was decorated with a
breastplate OF enamel, and between
the golden horns was the royal in
signin. Above his hoofs which were
also Of gold, were bracelets of pre-
cious stones set in lapislazuli. His
head could scarcely be seen for the
thick clouds ofincense, and scent of
which he seemed to inhale with an air
OF tolerant content.
Z Behind followed the serartors Of
the temple, whose funeral chants
Tiled the minds Of the spectators with
a nameless fear; one could fancy, in
the air, rushing Of wings as if neph-
tvs, goddess Of death were lowering
above the procession.
Apis, having been placed upon a
sacred barge, was conducted towards
the rivers deepest spot, where, being
laid upon screen of reeds and des-
poiled of all his ornaments, he was
hurled into the water, amid the
gr0ans and lamentations of the whole
crowd. The corpse then dragged
by the priests to the rivers bank and
delivered over to the hieratical en-
balmers.
During the ceremony my attention
had been attracted by q far pleasant
er spectacle than the death of the
god. Not far from where I sat was
q very handsome barge, it's bow and
stern finely worked in representation
OF lotus buds; it's rose colored hang
ings were fastened to the masts by
rings Of gold and silken ropes.
From time to time I caught a,
glimpse .of;l young girls beautiful
face. She was OF the pure Egyptian
type; black, velyety eyes, artistically
with antimony, equiline but
perfectly formed nose, and skin
Drowned byexposure to the sun. I'm
fortunately the moments when I
could obtain an unobstructed view
were few and far between.
When the procession had passed
she made me a sign to join her; it
was not until then that recognized
in her the Princess Nabis, daughter
ofPharaoh Nepherkeres. Our barges
travelled together towards the pal
ace OF the princess, one OF the city's
marvels.
A slave approached me and asked
ne if it were my pleasure to be con
1ucted to the banqueting hall. On
ny consenting, he opened a small
door which had been hidden by a
curtain OF aloes, and signed to me
% descend a flight of stairs which
low met my sight. A torch which
le carried threw a red light upon the
wallis and gave life to the figures
which were painted on them. Adark
md gloomy passage at the foot of
The stairs brought me to the most
curious part Of this strange dwelling
louse.
[ found myself in large hall, the
walls of which were composed of
quartz; so, too, was the
ceiling, which was supported by
enormous columns. each represent
ng a different god. 1t was with a
curious sense of fear that | perceived
hat in reality I was under the Nile. !!
Beyond and above the walls Of
quartz one could look into the green
sh water; at the moment of my en-
rance a monstrous and fierce look
ng crocodile struck the wall with it's !
'caly tail; huge ater snakes crawled
above my head, stirring up the mud
If the rivers bed.
From lamps Of onyx thousand
lights spanked in the mysterious re-
;reat. Down the center of the hall |
stretched long table of delicately-
7eined marble, standing on legs Of
green Jasper At frequent intervals,
rom the polishedsurface there sprung:
Up an artificial palm tree Of green
Ind gold, whose leaves threw out a !
brilliant flame oflight. Behind each
,ut't stood q gigantic slave, a Nasa-
non clothed in striped trousers, their
reads curled in ringlets, heavy rings
# gold upon their arms, and legs,
md each holding q torch OF resinous
shannon wood. At this moment the
Princess Nabis entered; her blue
black hair was crowned by a golden
lawk, whose wings formed a sort Of
o1y,, AZ tho Mod o,,oo :, I, 1