DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0095
64
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
vegetation around them, and from the perfect seclusion
and stillness of the scene, interrupted only by the in-
distinct noise of the water-wheels, which sounded, par-
ticularly as it happened to be Sunday, like the distant
harmony of church-bells, whilst some yellow stones on
the fertile bank reflected in the water had the appearance
of primroses — a resemblance not a little heightened by
the warmth and serenity of the air; but at present
neither the incense of praise, nor the fragrance of Spring
exist in this desert.
Being obliged to proceed to Es Souan without delay,
I returned to the shore, under which the boat had
been moored during the previous night, in order to
proceed by land to that place. The bank was nearly
semicircular, and about twenty or thirty feet above the
water; a sandy plain extended towards the north totally
devoid of cultivation, and bounded at various distances
by ranges of mountains. In the most inaccessible parts
of the masses of granite opposite to Bigge tablets of
hieroglyphics had been inscribed, and a few huts formed
a village near their base, but not a vestige of cultiva-
tion was to be seen excepting on the islands, whilst
Philse, with its magnificent ruins and waving palm-
trees, universal emblems of victory, appeared above the
stream with a dignity and pre-eminence scarcely inferior
to that of the Parthenon over the plain of Athens.
On proceeding to Es Souan I passed a wall of
unburnt brick, apparently intended as a defence to
the road which wound through a narrow valley
amongst lofty mountains, and on either side the ruins
of buildings, probably Roman guard-houses, and after-
wards several Sheik's tombs, and also a fountain
OPERATIONS CARRIED ON AT GIZEII.
vegetation around them, and from the perfect seclusion
and stillness of the scene, interrupted only by the in-
distinct noise of the water-wheels, which sounded, par-
ticularly as it happened to be Sunday, like the distant
harmony of church-bells, whilst some yellow stones on
the fertile bank reflected in the water had the appearance
of primroses — a resemblance not a little heightened by
the warmth and serenity of the air; but at present
neither the incense of praise, nor the fragrance of Spring
exist in this desert.
Being obliged to proceed to Es Souan without delay,
I returned to the shore, under which the boat had
been moored during the previous night, in order to
proceed by land to that place. The bank was nearly
semicircular, and about twenty or thirty feet above the
water; a sandy plain extended towards the north totally
devoid of cultivation, and bounded at various distances
by ranges of mountains. In the most inaccessible parts
of the masses of granite opposite to Bigge tablets of
hieroglyphics had been inscribed, and a few huts formed
a village near their base, but not a vestige of cultiva-
tion was to be seen excepting on the islands, whilst
Philse, with its magnificent ruins and waving palm-
trees, universal emblems of victory, appeared above the
stream with a dignity and pre-eminence scarcely inferior
to that of the Parthenon over the plain of Athens.
On proceeding to Es Souan I passed a wall of
unburnt brick, apparently intended as a defence to
the road which wound through a narrow valley
amongst lofty mountains, and on either side the ruins
of buildings, probably Roman guard-houses, and after-
wards several Sheik's tombs, and also a fountain