Wathen, George H.: Arts, antiquities, and chronology of ancient Egypt: from observations in 1839 (London, 1843)

130

ARTS AND ANTIQUITIES.

and many of its features it is altogether unique.
Two wings, diverging outwards from the central com-
partment, included a widening space between them,
and opened as it were to receive the procession ap-
proaching the palace.

r" "M_i

Three massive brackets (a), at different heights, each
supported by four busts, projected from the inner face
of one wing to three others on the opposite wing.
These may possibly have been intended to support
bridges or platforms, under which all would pass as
they entered the portal, and which, on days of high
festival, might have borne banners and trophies: or
here may have been stationed a band of minstrels
to greet the procession with music and hymns of
triumph, as it approached and entered the royal
precint.

The edifice is crowned with a battlement formed
of semicircular blocks.* The same is seen on a wall
near the tower, and, though rare in actual examples,
is often represented in the sculptures. "Within were
several stories of chambers, decorated with sculp-

* Plate xi. fig. 3.