DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11448#0194
100
THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS. [chap xxii
From Girgeh the traveller crosses the country on donkeys to
Abydus. sending on his boat to Bellianeh. Abydus, now Aiafat
Madfoun, once ranked next to Thebes in importance, and con-
tained the palace of Sesostris (Rameses II.) ; but is now only
represented by some mounds of rubbish, and the remains of that
palace. The latter contains some beautiful bas-reliefs and
paintings, as delicately cut, and as fresh, as if executed yester-
day ; and here was discovered by Mr. Bankes the important
table of the kings, which threw such light on Egypt's earlier
history. After Belliani, some insignificant vilJages only occur,
till we reach Keneh, with the exception of Farshoot, a military
station. The inhabitants in this neighborhood are remarkable
for their breeds of dogs and horses ; they are descendants of the
Howari tribe of Arabs, who, for a long time, enjoyed independ-
ence and prosperity under their native Sheikhs, until conquered
by Mohammed Bey. Opposite to Keneh is Dendera, which, with
Thebes, Hermonthis, Esneh, and Edfou, we left unvisited until
our return; and so I conclude this mere gazetteer of a chapter,
to enter upon ^Ethiopia.
THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS. [chap xxii
From Girgeh the traveller crosses the country on donkeys to
Abydus. sending on his boat to Bellianeh. Abydus, now Aiafat
Madfoun, once ranked next to Thebes in importance, and con-
tained the palace of Sesostris (Rameses II.) ; but is now only
represented by some mounds of rubbish, and the remains of that
palace. The latter contains some beautiful bas-reliefs and
paintings, as delicately cut, and as fresh, as if executed yester-
day ; and here was discovered by Mr. Bankes the important
table of the kings, which threw such light on Egypt's earlier
history. After Belliani, some insignificant vilJages only occur,
till we reach Keneh, with the exception of Farshoot, a military
station. The inhabitants in this neighborhood are remarkable
for their breeds of dogs and horses ; they are descendants of the
Howari tribe of Arabs, who, for a long time, enjoyed independ-
ence and prosperity under their native Sheikhs, until conquered
by Mohammed Bey. Opposite to Keneh is Dendera, which, with
Thebes, Hermonthis, Esneh, and Edfou, we left unvisited until
our return; and so I conclude this mere gazetteer of a chapter,
to enter upon ^Ethiopia.