DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0106
RETURN FROM U1TER EGYPT.
75
pylasa is considered the finest in Egypt, but is, in my
opinion, inferior to that in the Temple of Karnac; pos-
sibly owing to its being seen to disadvantage, as the
adjacent mounds hide nearly half of it, and as its com-
panion has been sent to France.
30^. — The temples at Karnac have been repeat-
edly described, and much accurate information respecting
them is contained in Mr. Wilkinson's book, to which I
am enabled to add little from the short time I remained
there ; I shall therefore confine myself to such general
observations as occurred on the spot. Having obtained
horses from the Catchief of Karnac, I set out for that
place along the causeway, or avenue of sphinxes, by
which the Great Temple was formerly connected with
Luxor, and afterwards passed through several magnificent
propylaea covered with innumerable hieroglyphics. To
the eastward was another avenue of sphinxes, and near
it a large reservoir of water surrounded by antient found-
ations, and by a variety of mutilated statues chiefly of
basalt. Besides the propylasa, which on every side sur-
round the Great Temple, many stupendous ruins con-
structed of enormous blocks present themselves in all
directions, each of which in any other situation would
merit particular attention. But the principal approach
to the Great Temple is from the westward, the side
towards the river; and here the grandeur of the pro-
pytaa, forming probably the most magnificent entrance
ever constructed by human science, must be seen to be
comprehended. The stones, that compose its exterior, are
laid in horizontal courses, and like the casing-stones of
the Pyramids at Gizeh, have been cut according to the
75
pylasa is considered the finest in Egypt, but is, in my
opinion, inferior to that in the Temple of Karnac; pos-
sibly owing to its being seen to disadvantage, as the
adjacent mounds hide nearly half of it, and as its com-
panion has been sent to France.
30^. — The temples at Karnac have been repeat-
edly described, and much accurate information respecting
them is contained in Mr. Wilkinson's book, to which I
am enabled to add little from the short time I remained
there ; I shall therefore confine myself to such general
observations as occurred on the spot. Having obtained
horses from the Catchief of Karnac, I set out for that
place along the causeway, or avenue of sphinxes, by
which the Great Temple was formerly connected with
Luxor, and afterwards passed through several magnificent
propylaea covered with innumerable hieroglyphics. To
the eastward was another avenue of sphinxes, and near
it a large reservoir of water surrounded by antient found-
ations, and by a variety of mutilated statues chiefly of
basalt. Besides the propylasa, which on every side sur-
round the Great Temple, many stupendous ruins con-
structed of enormous blocks present themselves in all
directions, each of which in any other situation would
merit particular attention. But the principal approach
to the Great Temple is from the westward, the side
towards the river; and here the grandeur of the pro-
pytaa, forming probably the most magnificent entrance
ever constructed by human science, must be seen to be
comprehended. The stones, that compose its exterior, are
laid in horizontal courses, and like the casing-stones of
the Pyramids at Gizeh, have been cut according to the