DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12664#0166
USES OF A TEMPLE.
155
large temples of Egypt. It measured, however,
440 feet in length and 220 in breadth, about equal
to the whole space occupied by St. Paul's church-
yard. Its dromos, pronaos, columns, and cap-
itals all correspond, and enclosing it is a high wall,
still in a state of perfect preservation. I walked
round it twice, and by means of the wall erected
to exclude the unhallowed gaze of the stranger, I
looked down upon the interior of the temple. Built
by the Egyptians for the highest uses to which a
building could be dedicated, for the worship of
their gods, it is now used by the pacha as a gra-
nary and store-house. The portico and courtyard,
and probably the interior chambers, were filled
with grain. A guard was stationed to secure it
against the pilfering Arabs; and, to secure the
fidelity of the guard himself, he was locked in at
sunset, and the key left with the governor. The
lofty entrance was closed by a wooden door; the
vigilant guard was already asleep, and we were
obliged to knock some time before we could wake
him.
It was a novel and extraordinary scene, our
parley with the guard at the door of the temple.
We were standing under the great propylon, mere
insects at the base of the lofty towers; behind us
at a little distance sat a group of the miserable vil-
lagers, and leaning against a column in the porch
of the temple was the indistinct figure of the guard,
motionless, and answering in a low deep tone, like
an ancient priest delivering the answers of the
oracles. By the mellow light of the moon every
\
155
large temples of Egypt. It measured, however,
440 feet in length and 220 in breadth, about equal
to the whole space occupied by St. Paul's church-
yard. Its dromos, pronaos, columns, and cap-
itals all correspond, and enclosing it is a high wall,
still in a state of perfect preservation. I walked
round it twice, and by means of the wall erected
to exclude the unhallowed gaze of the stranger, I
looked down upon the interior of the temple. Built
by the Egyptians for the highest uses to which a
building could be dedicated, for the worship of
their gods, it is now used by the pacha as a gra-
nary and store-house. The portico and courtyard,
and probably the interior chambers, were filled
with grain. A guard was stationed to secure it
against the pilfering Arabs; and, to secure the
fidelity of the guard himself, he was locked in at
sunset, and the key left with the governor. The
lofty entrance was closed by a wooden door; the
vigilant guard was already asleep, and we were
obliged to knock some time before we could wake
him.
It was a novel and extraordinary scene, our
parley with the guard at the door of the temple.
We were standing under the great propylon, mere
insects at the base of the lofty towers; behind us
at a little distance sat a group of the miserable vil-
lagers, and leaning against a column in the porch
of the temple was the indistinct figure of the guard,
motionless, and answering in a low deep tone, like
an ancient priest delivering the answers of the
oracles. By the mellow light of the moon every
\