Roberts, David; Croly, George: The Holy Land: Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia (Band 5): = Egypt & Nubia [2] (1849)

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This beautiful Island, and the objects which enrich it, seen from any point of view, furnish a subject to
the artist; and he would find in Philae alone materials to fill a portfolio. Beauty is its characteristic;
for however much the ancient structures of Egypt may, by their vastness and extent, and the magnitude
of their composing parts, cause us to reflect upon the powers employed to construct and arrange them,
and thus impress us deeply with emotions of the sublime — in beauty, Philae, with its temples, has no
rival on its sacred river.

In this view the masses of granite are seen which are covered with sculptured inscriptions, the
beautiful hypaethral Temple, the obelisk which contains inscriptions of great interest, part of the
cloistered court, and, towering over all, the great propylon. On this side, too, is the usual harbour
where the boats of travellers are secured, and the materials for the picturesque on this Island are here
seen perhaps in the greatest profusion; granitic rocks and ruined temples, broken and beautiful forms
of natural and artificial embankments, and the refreshing verdure of the palms and sycamores, contrasted
with the arid and burning sands, which descend on the banks of the Nile even to the water's edge,
give an air of enchantment to this spot, selected for the eternal repose of Osiris, of "him who sleeps
in Philae."

This Island is now destitute of resident inhabitants. The remains of Arab huts desecrate the
courts, recesses, and even summits of the temples. Philae appears not long since to have been
inhabited, but the few Nubians who were there have been expelled by order of their tyrant
governors.