Wilkinson, John Gardner: The Architecture Of Ancient Egypt: In Which The Columns Are Arranged In Orders, And The Temples Classified; With Remarks On The Early Progress Of Architecture, Etc.; With A Large Volume Of Plates Ilustrative Of The Subject, And Containing The Various Columns And details, From Actual Measurement (Text) (London, 1850)

22 ARCHITECTURE OF EGYPT. PART I.

and, indeed, a few instances occur, in small out-of-
the way places, of temples built of crude brick,
witb doorways and columns of masonry.

The borders, mouldings, and other ornaments, in
the houses, were composed of favourite patterns,
as water plants, or other fancy devices, common in
the tombs; at the doorway was the name of the
owner, or of the king in whose service he was em-
ployed ; and a sentence, as " the good house", or
the emblems of the good genius, or some motto,
was occasionally painted above the lintel. Some
were erected around a spacious court, or garden;
and large mansions consisted of a succession of
courts, separated by pyramidal towers, and hand-
some gateways, with walks through long corridors,
or avenues shaded with trees.*

Having been built of crude brick, few vestiges
of them remain; but the paintings of Thebes, and
of Tel el Amarna, give a very good idea of the
plans, and dimensions, of Egyptian houses, and
large villas; and in the ruins of the latter place,
walls of houses may be traced, which have plans
very similar to some of those in the paintings.

Though it is unnecessary to repeat what I have
already mentioned on this subject, I may notice
one building at Thebes, which having been made
of stone still remains partly entire. This is the
pavilion of Remeses III, at Medeenet Haboo ; and
from its sculptured walls some idea may be had of

* Vide Ancient Egyptians, vol. ii. p. 128, and the woodcuts repre-
senting the houses and villas of the Egyptians.