The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-12

of 24O0 years before Jesus Christ, the first
sanctuary was none other than the house
of worship, founded by Osirtasen l.
As to the Greeks was the Temple of Del
phos, Karnak became the national Epnu-
mental oracle of the Egyptians, ans all
the sovereigns ruling the various dynas-
ties following its erection seemed to de-
velop the single aim, that of impressing
their seal upon the newly discovered dec
orations. and bringing these to the civiliz-
ed light of the world as the immediate
discoveries of their own findings, the
grandeur thereof, every work of its prede-
cessor has been, by this one. eclipsed. II
was for this reason that Toutmes II
erected these obelisks, wonders of light
grace, covering at the same time the tenn
pie walls with bas-reliefs.
Toutmes III added the several wings,
built new palace embellished by uni
que chancel, a restoration, as it were, la
granite of the primitive sanctuary at the
same time constructing a fine promenade
or walk through the ground floor OF the
temple.
Under the Ramessides, much more was
accomplished; the hail hypostyle has been
created. (by this expression, it is neces-
sary to understand that every space is
covered by the ceiling), upheld by these
columns, which, as a colonnade, appears
to have been made and set up by the Ii
tans, but In point of fact the work of
Ramses l. of Siti and of Ramses IL and
Ramses III, (1800 years before Christ)
In order to give completeness to the de-
signed edifice, the construction of a new
sanctuary extra rooms and a court Of
porches, appeared necessary TO the archi-
tects, the successors of Ramses Ill not
venturing to undertake more. The han hy-
postyle was, as we have said, entirely COW
cred; even to this date We find windows,
evidently with a view to light and air.
This hall hypostyle was not. properly
speaking, temple, but rather a place or
gathering together of the solemn assem-
blies from various parts of the country,
(panegyries) with a view to draft the ne
cessary encomiums or eulogles of a re-
ligious character when required. Three
centuries later, the last of the Pharaohs
endeavored in vain to excel this inimtable
masterpiece, (chef d'ouvre); their work be-
ing confined to erecting a new hail TYPOS
lyle, leaving ii still unfinished, eight col
umns only stand erect in the vacant space
selected for the work, surmounted by I'M
finished porticos. Up to 1895, the temple
sim remained two-thirds entombed under
a mountain Of debris, accumulations Of
ages and generations of men. Mariette
himself, an archoeologist OF engineering
not believe 1t possible to save the temple ,
he writes: The temple of Karnak has suf-
fered more than any other temple from the
ravages of time, owing chiefly to the over
sight of its designers in not selecting les
site more carefully with regards to the
inundation of the Nile. The same causes
produce the same effects. One can foresee
the time when the crumbling to ruins will
occur to the magnificent hall hypostyle,
for example, q giving way under time s
final effort can be noticed about the base
of the columns, already corroding in some
instances to three-Quarters of their thick-
ness and breaking down Of their own
weight, as happened to the fallen columns
of the grand court at the western front. In
three years and by very simple means
(main strength, mining under and incTin-
ed plains) NJ. G.. Legrain has cleared away
the grand western court, excavating and
restoring the temple of Rames III, turn
Ing up and replacing these columns I'M
earthing and restoring the Palace Toutmes
III the celebrated pro-memoir and the piece
called lie Jardin Botanique. (hierogly-
phics representing faithfully the animals
and the plants brought back from Syria
by Toutmes); clearing off rubbish and dis
covering a passage bordered by superb
sphinx Criocephales bordering upon an
antique quay, an embankment against the