DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4669#0247
218 THE I.AXD OF THE MONUMENTS
was evidently used afterwards as a place of worship
by the early Christians), and a noble hypostyle court
with four rows of lofty columns bearing the lotus bud
capital. At the end nearest to the sanctuary on
either side are double rows of the same columns, then
a huge pylon, and in front of all, a noble avenue of
fourteen still more massive and lofty columns bearing
the lotus-flower capital. This avenue with the usual
pylon appears to have completed the Temple of
Amenophis III. Rameses the Great some 230 years
afterwards added another large court, which was sur-
rounded by a double row of columns ; between these
are gigantic statues of this monarch, more or less
perfect. One on the left of the court is very beautiful,
in most perfect condition, and represents him as a
young man. The expression of the countenance is
very pleasing. By his side, her head reaching to his
knee, stands the diminutive but beautiful form of his
beloved Nefert-ari. This princess is supposed to be
die same who saved the infant Moses from destruc-
tion. This statue is one of the best preserved portraits
of the great monarch. It appears to be uninjured.
We noticed it in the moonlight as looking wonderfully
perfect. Daylight confirmed the impression. While
we were regarding it a pair of beautiful hoopoes,
which no doubt had their nest in the temple, alighted
on the head of the statue. The)-are elegant, dove-like
birds, and looked particularly pretty with their crests
erected. Their name is derived from their note,
which resembles a dove's, or the word hoop-hodp-
hoop. They are rare in England, but common in
Egypt and North Africa. The surface of the walls is
almost entirely covered with inscriptions and sculp-
tures. Among them is one on the right-hand side of
was evidently used afterwards as a place of worship
by the early Christians), and a noble hypostyle court
with four rows of lofty columns bearing the lotus bud
capital. At the end nearest to the sanctuary on
either side are double rows of the same columns, then
a huge pylon, and in front of all, a noble avenue of
fourteen still more massive and lofty columns bearing
the lotus-flower capital. This avenue with the usual
pylon appears to have completed the Temple of
Amenophis III. Rameses the Great some 230 years
afterwards added another large court, which was sur-
rounded by a double row of columns ; between these
are gigantic statues of this monarch, more or less
perfect. One on the left of the court is very beautiful,
in most perfect condition, and represents him as a
young man. The expression of the countenance is
very pleasing. By his side, her head reaching to his
knee, stands the diminutive but beautiful form of his
beloved Nefert-ari. This princess is supposed to be
die same who saved the infant Moses from destruc-
tion. This statue is one of the best preserved portraits
of the great monarch. It appears to be uninjured.
We noticed it in the moonlight as looking wonderfully
perfect. Daylight confirmed the impression. While
we were regarding it a pair of beautiful hoopoes,
which no doubt had their nest in the temple, alighted
on the head of the statue. The)-are elegant, dove-like
birds, and looked particularly pretty with their crests
erected. Their name is derived from their note,
which resembles a dove's, or the word hoop-hodp-
hoop. They are rare in England, but common in
Egypt and North Africa. The surface of the walls is
almost entirely covered with inscriptions and sculp-
tures. Among them is one on the right-hand side of