DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4020#0063
A N D N U B I A. 51
in length, and of two feet in thickness every way. Above these slones, there
are other large ones, placed cross-ways, and joined one to another as if thev
were ssoors; and all that can be seen of these stones, in the roof, is likewise loaded
with hieroglyphics.
We observe, in this edifice, two sorts of columns. That which is marked (a)
is of the most beautiful kind. Their thickness and solidity give them, at a dis-
tance, a delightful appearance; when you approach them, the hieroglyphics
are agreeable to the sight; and when you are quite near, their colours have a
charming effect.
This sort of painting has neither made nor degradation. The figures are
incrustated like the cyphers on the dial plates of watches, with this difference,
that they cannot be detached. I must own, that this incrustated matter surpasses
in strength all that I have seen in this kind. It is superior to the al-frefco and
the mosaic work ; and indeed it has the advantage of lading a longer time. It
is something surprizing to see how gold, ultra marine, and divers other colours
have preserved their lustre to the present age. Perhaps I shall be asked, how all
these lively colours could /often together; but I own it is a question that I am
unable to decide.
I have remarked, however, that the hieroglyphics, employed in these build-
ings, have not the lame appearance that other pieces more ancient have : Neither
is there all that justness, which the Greeks and the Romans were accustomed
to give to their figures. |
You see, in the inside, upon the weslrern wall, as you go towards the north,
three large figures, that have the defect I have just mentioned. I have given the
design of them in a particular plate ; and if I am not deceived, there is an allu- Pl ATE
sion in it to the fall of Adam and Eve. There is represented a green tree, to LVIII.
the right of which is a man sitting, holding in his right hand some instrument,
with which he seems willing to defend himself against a little oval figure, covered
with hieroglyphical characters, that a woman presents to him, who is standing to
the left of the tree, whilst with the other hand he accepts what is presented to him.
Behind the man appears a figure standing, the head covered with a mitre, and
who stretches out a hand to him. I have examined the rest, to see if I could not
diseover the series of the history j but I saw nothing that appeared to have the
least relation to it. The greatest part of the figures resemble rather amorous
devices, or representations of some heroical exploits.
To return to the architecture of the edifice. I mail mention that, on the
east and west sides there is a wall, which serves as an inclosure ; and that on
the north and south sides there are two colonades; but the external columns
are not so high, nor so well ornamented, as those of the middle. They have
no capital. There is only contrived, on the top, a bulging out, which pro-
duces nearly the same effect: as the great end of a club. Both the one and the
other are entirely covered with hieroglyphics.
There
in length, and of two feet in thickness every way. Above these slones, there
are other large ones, placed cross-ways, and joined one to another as if thev
were ssoors; and all that can be seen of these stones, in the roof, is likewise loaded
with hieroglyphics.
We observe, in this edifice, two sorts of columns. That which is marked (a)
is of the most beautiful kind. Their thickness and solidity give them, at a dis-
tance, a delightful appearance; when you approach them, the hieroglyphics
are agreeable to the sight; and when you are quite near, their colours have a
charming effect.
This sort of painting has neither made nor degradation. The figures are
incrustated like the cyphers on the dial plates of watches, with this difference,
that they cannot be detached. I must own, that this incrustated matter surpasses
in strength all that I have seen in this kind. It is superior to the al-frefco and
the mosaic work ; and indeed it has the advantage of lading a longer time. It
is something surprizing to see how gold, ultra marine, and divers other colours
have preserved their lustre to the present age. Perhaps I shall be asked, how all
these lively colours could /often together; but I own it is a question that I am
unable to decide.
I have remarked, however, that the hieroglyphics, employed in these build-
ings, have not the lame appearance that other pieces more ancient have : Neither
is there all that justness, which the Greeks and the Romans were accustomed
to give to their figures. |
You see, in the inside, upon the weslrern wall, as you go towards the north,
three large figures, that have the defect I have just mentioned. I have given the
design of them in a particular plate ; and if I am not deceived, there is an allu- Pl ATE
sion in it to the fall of Adam and Eve. There is represented a green tree, to LVIII.
the right of which is a man sitting, holding in his right hand some instrument,
with which he seems willing to defend himself against a little oval figure, covered
with hieroglyphical characters, that a woman presents to him, who is standing to
the left of the tree, whilst with the other hand he accepts what is presented to him.
Behind the man appears a figure standing, the head covered with a mitre, and
who stretches out a hand to him. I have examined the rest, to see if I could not
diseover the series of the history j but I saw nothing that appeared to have the
least relation to it. The greatest part of the figures resemble rather amorous
devices, or representations of some heroical exploits.
To return to the architecture of the edifice. I mail mention that, on the
east and west sides there is a wall, which serves as an inclosure ; and that on
the north and south sides there are two colonades; but the external columns
are not so high, nor so well ornamented, as those of the middle. They have
no capital. There is only contrived, on the top, a bulging out, which pro-
duces nearly the same effect: as the great end of a club. Both the one and the
other are entirely covered with hieroglyphics.
There