DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4995#0093
LECTURE ON EGYPT. 59
Sir William Armstrong, for the purpose of maturing my
plan for utilising the mechanical power of the descend-
ing waters of the cataract to haul steamers, dahabeeahs,
and river craft over a ship railway, and thus avoid the
great expense and delay of the present mode of over-
coming the difficulties of the cataract. So satisfied were
Ave of the feasibility and great advantage of the plan,
that I recommended it to His Highness the Khedive,
who authorized me to enter into a contract with Sir
William Armstrong for the requisite hydraulic ma-
chinery. Unfortunately, His Highness was induced to
postpone the work, and the opportunity was lost.
About 200 miles above the first cataract are the Aboo
well-known rock temples of Aboo Simbel. Scrambling
up the slope from the river through the bright golden
sand you stand at the entrance of the larger of the two
temples, guarded, as it were, by four huge statues of
Barneses the Second. The interior consists of a vast
columnar hall and numerous rooms. All the work is
cut out of the solid rock, and it is no exaggeration to
say that the sight of the temples of Aboo Simbel alone
would be an ample reward for a journey from Europe.
There is something awe-inspiring in the magnitude and
attitude of the sculptured giants on the outside of the
Temple, and the effect is not lessened when Ave pene-
trate the vast interior of the Temple and see the sculp-
tures, the halls, and the rooms there.
j>
must here conclude my description of the physical
Sir William Armstrong, for the purpose of maturing my
plan for utilising the mechanical power of the descend-
ing waters of the cataract to haul steamers, dahabeeahs,
and river craft over a ship railway, and thus avoid the
great expense and delay of the present mode of over-
coming the difficulties of the cataract. So satisfied were
Ave of the feasibility and great advantage of the plan,
that I recommended it to His Highness the Khedive,
who authorized me to enter into a contract with Sir
William Armstrong for the requisite hydraulic ma-
chinery. Unfortunately, His Highness was induced to
postpone the work, and the opportunity was lost.
About 200 miles above the first cataract are the Aboo
well-known rock temples of Aboo Simbel. Scrambling
up the slope from the river through the bright golden
sand you stand at the entrance of the larger of the two
temples, guarded, as it were, by four huge statues of
Barneses the Second. The interior consists of a vast
columnar hall and numerous rooms. All the work is
cut out of the solid rock, and it is no exaggeration to
say that the sight of the temples of Aboo Simbel alone
would be an ample reward for a journey from Europe.
There is something awe-inspiring in the magnitude and
attitude of the sculptured giants on the outside of the
Temple, and the effect is not lessened when Ave pene-
trate the vast interior of the Temple and see the sculp-
tures, the halls, and the rooms there.
j>
must here conclude my description of the physical