DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4020#0071
A N D N U B I A. 59
A semi corona borders the whole edifice, the sides of which are filled with
nieroglyphical figures, that seem to be of the mod ancient kind; and which
appear to have been executed in haste, and by workmen that had too much
business upon their hands.
The columns support stones placed crosswise, and on which rest great tables,
that form a roof, adorned in the same manner as the sides with hieroglyphics.
We easily discern, however, that the figures of the inside are by another hand,
and executed with more attention than those that are seen on the outside; but
none of these hieroglyphics are incrustated with colours. The columns are like-
Wise covered with hieroglyphical figures, which in some places are very small>
and very much crowded.
It is to be remarked that, in all this temple, one capital of a column does not
reserable another. Though the proportion is the same, the ornaments are
different. It is owing to the smoak of fire formerly made there, that all the
inside of this edifice is blackened, of which, however, all the parts are very well
preserved, excepting the gate, and the intermediate spaces of the columns of the
front; but these are the effects of the Arabs, who wanted to fill up the void spaces,
in order to shut up their cattle in this temple, which serves at present for no other
use.
The reader ought to consult plate CXV, where I have drawn this antiquity,
although with a good deal of trouble, as well on account of a very painful abscess,
which had befallen me, as by the disturbance the Arabs gave me.
As I was perfedtly well acquainted with the jealousy of these people; I had
taken the precaution, at my entrance into the temple, to place myself behind
a column, and to leave some of our people at the gate; but this was not suf-
ficient to rescue me from those troublesome fellows. The Arabs had assembled
in crouds, and the noise which they made was so great, that I was obliged to
dispatch my design in haste, for fear they should come and seize me in the place
where I had concealed myself. For which reason I went off, and the mob asked
immediately, what business I had to be writing in that place ? As they were
Well assured that no one had seen me, our people denied the fact; but the
Arabs insilled on it; and one of them having brought at length as a proof a
Turkish inkhorn, that I had forgot to take away with me, our people appeared
a little disconcerted at it. Upon this the Arabs became more insolent, and de-
manded to see my papers; but I persisted in refusing it.
I n the mean time, we continued to hasten, by taking long stridcs, to-
wards our barque, tho' the croud, which continually thickened, followed us
pretty close. At length they even began to throw at us clods of earth and
stones, but we seemed to take no notice of it. They were too much superior
Jn numbers, to come to an engagement with them. Besides, we had now got
near to our barque: we called out to our people, and they brought us guns and
pistols. This was a decisive turn: as soon as the Arabs saw the fire-arms in our
hands, the greatest part of them took to their heels. The bravest of them still
kept
A semi corona borders the whole edifice, the sides of which are filled with
nieroglyphical figures, that seem to be of the mod ancient kind; and which
appear to have been executed in haste, and by workmen that had too much
business upon their hands.
The columns support stones placed crosswise, and on which rest great tables,
that form a roof, adorned in the same manner as the sides with hieroglyphics.
We easily discern, however, that the figures of the inside are by another hand,
and executed with more attention than those that are seen on the outside; but
none of these hieroglyphics are incrustated with colours. The columns are like-
Wise covered with hieroglyphical figures, which in some places are very small>
and very much crowded.
It is to be remarked that, in all this temple, one capital of a column does not
reserable another. Though the proportion is the same, the ornaments are
different. It is owing to the smoak of fire formerly made there, that all the
inside of this edifice is blackened, of which, however, all the parts are very well
preserved, excepting the gate, and the intermediate spaces of the columns of the
front; but these are the effects of the Arabs, who wanted to fill up the void spaces,
in order to shut up their cattle in this temple, which serves at present for no other
use.
The reader ought to consult plate CXV, where I have drawn this antiquity,
although with a good deal of trouble, as well on account of a very painful abscess,
which had befallen me, as by the disturbance the Arabs gave me.
As I was perfedtly well acquainted with the jealousy of these people; I had
taken the precaution, at my entrance into the temple, to place myself behind
a column, and to leave some of our people at the gate; but this was not suf-
ficient to rescue me from those troublesome fellows. The Arabs had assembled
in crouds, and the noise which they made was so great, that I was obliged to
dispatch my design in haste, for fear they should come and seize me in the place
where I had concealed myself. For which reason I went off, and the mob asked
immediately, what business I had to be writing in that place ? As they were
Well assured that no one had seen me, our people denied the fact; but the
Arabs insilled on it; and one of them having brought at length as a proof a
Turkish inkhorn, that I had forgot to take away with me, our people appeared
a little disconcerted at it. Upon this the Arabs became more insolent, and de-
manded to see my papers; but I persisted in refusing it.
I n the mean time, we continued to hasten, by taking long stridcs, to-
wards our barque, tho' the croud, which continually thickened, followed us
pretty close. At length they even began to throw at us clods of earth and
stones, but we seemed to take no notice of it. They were too much superior
Jn numbers, to come to an engagement with them. Besides, we had now got
near to our barque: we called out to our people, and they brought us guns and
pistols. This was a decisive turn: as soon as the Arabs saw the fire-arms in our
hands, the greatest part of them took to their heels. The bravest of them still
kept