Evening journal., 1912-04-05
MORGAN \ MAY BUY
TEMPLE OF PHILAE

LUXOR, Egypt, April 5.--A persist
ent report is current here to the ef-
feet that j. Pierpont Morgan is nego-
tiating for the purchase and removal
of the famous ruins of the Temple OF
Philae.
The report originated Immediately
following Mr.. Morgan's extensive trip
up the Nile in the luxurious new dana
beah, specially designed and con-
structed for him. 1t is said that the
art patron was shocked by the pos
sibility of the destruction of the ruins
and Immediately conceived the idea
of preserving them
The ancient edifice is already party
submerged and is in danger OF being
destroyed by the enlargement OF the
Assouan dam. The completion of the
dam extension will. it is feared, cause
a rise of several feet in the Upper
Nile and obliterate the remaining yes-
tiges of the beautiful ruins.
1t is said to be the intention OF MT.
Morgan to export the ruins to New
York, and there restore the dismantled
pillars and crumbling walls. The cost
of the undertaking. il is estimated
would exceed SS,000,000.
The temple stands upon the pictur-
esaue Isle of Philae, beyond the
proper limits of Egypt, in the middle
of the Upper Nile--at a point where
the river threads it's difficult course
through scores of red granite rocks
and small islands which stud its sur
face. The island is small, only a
quarter of a mile in length and about
500 feet broad. On its granite rock is
little alluvial soil and some vege-
tation with a few date palms, but its
verdure had been greatly exaggerated
and to this it owes a little of its
beauty. It was highly reverenced by
the ancient Egyptians as a burial
place of Osiris. On the east side Of
the island is a temple. small but pic
turesque of the Greek and Roman
time and unfinished. 1t is AS feet in
width, 63 in length and has IA col
umns of various forms connected by
intercolumnal walls.
The great temple of Isis. popularity
known as the Temple of Philae."
which is the one indicated in the re-
port. stands west of this small, un-
finished edifce. The portal bears the
name of Nectanabes II, but the wings
were added by the Ptolemies. making
. the entire width about 122 feet.
Through the portal entrance is a
court, on the right side of which is a
gallery fronted by columns, behind
which are several small chambers.
On the left side is separate small
. temple of Athor, the main entrance
. TO which is by a door and passage in
the left wing OF the great propylon.
i This small temple begins with a porti-
co having four columns with the races
. of Athor sculptured in high rellet
kupon each of their sides above the
capitals. Behind this are three cham
hers above the door of the first or
which is Greek dedication by
Ptolemy Euergetes II, and the two
4 Cleopatras. The temple was beguh'
4 however, by Epiphanes.
The court of the great temple, tnat
of Isis. is bounded by a second propy-
4 Ion of smaller dimensions than the
first forming the entrance to the por-
tico. which is a very elegant struc-
i ture raised on 10 columns, eight OF
4 which are at the back and one on
4 each side. II is partly hypaethral, an
4 onen space being left between the
.wo columns last mentioned. The
beautiful forms of the columns and
\ the bright remains of color on them
4 and the walls. with the effect OF sun
4 light through the aperture Of the root,
+ produce a striking result
Behind this hall are several small
4 apartments, one Of which reached by