Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-10-18

ment of the ceremonies. All eyes
were fixed upon the temple, the gate
once opened, the funeral procession
issued at n slow march, filing along
the avenue ef The Sphinx which led
from the propyl@um to the Nile.
AT it's head II group o? musicians,
clad in garments OF mourning, filled
the air with n solemn chant, to the
accompaniment of bronze horns and
drums of crockodile skin, then, ad-
vancing in double file, with TUNES of
snow white linen, pointed sandals of
byblus wood, close-shayen heads
wrapped round with bands OF papy-
rus covered with hieroglyphics, came
the hundred priests of Apis; their aus
tere figures seemed a toreshadowing
of the mysteries of death, and their
eyes looked forward into theinfinite.
In their midst four and twenty
neophytes, their bodies oiled ana
painted with vermiion, drew the
massive throne OF the OK Apis. In
white figures upon his skin ofglisten-
inc black were the three mystic signs,
"a triangle and a crescent upon his
forehead, an eagle upon his back.
His chest was decorated with n
breastplate of enamel, and between
| the golden horns was the royal in
| sigma. 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 of incense, and scent OF
which he seemed to inhale with an air
of tolerant content.
Behind followed the serartors of
the temple, whose funeral chants
filed the minds of the spectators with
a nameless fear; one could fancy, in
the air, rushing of wings as ii neph-
tvs, goddess of death, were lowering
above the procession.
Apis, having been placed upon u
sacred barge, was conducted towards
the rivers deepest spot, where, being
laid upon a screen of reeds and des-
4 poiled of all his ornaments, he was
hurled into the water. amid the
/ groans and lamentations OF the whole
crowd The corpse was then dragged
by the priests to the river bank and
delivered over to the hieratical EN-
balmers.
During the ceremony my attention
had been attracted by a tar pleasant
er spectacle than the death OF the
god. Not far from where sat was
u very handsome barge, its bow and
stern finely worked in representation
oi lotus buds; its rose-colored hang,
ings were fastened to the masts by
rings of gold and silken ropes.
From time to time / caught a
glimpse ofu young girls beautiful
lace. She was OF the pure Egyptian
type; black, yelvety eyes, artistically
enlarged with anthony, equiline but
perfectly formed nose, and a Skin
/ Drowned byexposure to the sun Tn
fortunately the moments when
could obtain an unobstructed view
. were few and far between.
When the procession had passeC
she made me a sign to Join her; il
Z was not until then that | recognized
in her the Princess NGbis, daughter
ofPharaoh Nepherkeres. Our barge'
Travelled together towards the pal
, ace of the princess, one OF the city
) architectural marvels.
4 slave approached me and aske,
: me il it were my pleasure to be con
, Quoted to the banqueting hall Or
my consenting, he opened u small
J door which had been hidden by ;
curtain oil aloes, and signed to III
/ to descend a flight of stairs whicl
| now met my sight. A torch whicI
! he carried threw red light upon tn
! walls and gave life to the figure
t which were painted on them. Adarl
9 and gloomy passage at the foot O
3 the stairs brought me to the mos
, curious part OF this strange dwellin;
) house.
found myself in a large hall, tn
. walls OF which were composed Q
+ transparent quartz; so, too, was tn
: ceiling, which was supported b.
: enormous columns. each represent
I, ing o different god. 1t was with
!, curious sense of lear that perceived
Y that in reality / was under the Nile
K Beyond and above the walls c
g quartz one could look into the green
h ish water; at the moment OF my en-
n trance a monstrous and fieree-look
e ing crocodile struck the wall with il
bCdly bhll, huge wa Ter SlhktS CTilWle
! above my head, stirring up the mu
of the rivers bed.
From lamps of onyx a thousan
8 lights sparkled in the mysterious r.
8 treat. Down the center of the ha
l. stretched a long table of delicatel,
!, veined marble, standing on legs
d green jasper. At frequent intervals
It from the polished surface there sprun
q up an artificial palm tree of gree
n and gold, whose leaves threw out
It brilliant flame OF light Behind eac
t. guest stood a gigantic slave, Nnsi
n mon clothed in striped trousers, the
n heads curled in ringlets, heavy ring
It of gold upon their arms, and Leo
h and each holding torch OF resinor
j. cinnamon wood. At this moment I'll
il Princess Nabis entered; her blu
8 black hair was crowned by golde
e, hawk, whose wings formed a sort