Wilkinson, John Gardner; Birch, Samuel [Mitarb.]: The Egyptians in the time of the pharaohs: being a companion to the Crystal Palace Egyptian collections (London, 1857)

272

HIEROGLYPHS.

Part I. comprises sixteen chapters, probably the prayers
recited by tbe priests during the performing of the funeral, or
escorting the mummy to its tomb—consisting of prayers to the
Sun and other gods, to ensure him a favourable reception in the
future state. Thus one part states—" Let this chapter be read
on earth, it should be painted on the coffin ; he will come out
any day he likes and go to his place without being turned
away; there is given to him bread and drink, and slices of flesh
off the table of the Sun, when he peregrinates the fields of the
blest, corn and barley are given to him, for he is as provided
as he was upon earth." } The vignettes of this section repre-
sent funeral ceremonies.

II. Contains the portion requisite to be known in order to
let the blessed out of the Hades, to enter the service of Osiris,
and to enable him to make the requisite transformation or
transmigration. This remarkable part contains a number of
singular mystic interpretations, which the deceased had to
answer when asked—a kind of theological examination of his
knowledge and faith.2

III. The eleven litanies of Thoth or Mercury, calling upon
that god to make good the words of the deceased against
-accusers before the gods of as many regions—this was called
"the Crown of Truth."3

IV. Certain chapters enabling the deceased to receive his
mouth and heart, or to prevent them being taken away by the
demons or accusers.4

V. A series of chapters enabling the deceased to turn
back, or stop the serpent, tortoise, and crocodiles, called the
eater of the ass and gnawer of the back bone, which come to
devour him.'

1 Lepsius, Todt. ii. 1, 22-3.

Ibid. vii. 17.

Ibid, vii. xiv. 18-20.

4 Ibid., Todt. xiv. xv. 21-30.

5 Ibid. xv. 31, 41.