Great Temple of Canute in Thebes. 59 



The presenting figure is generally the hero, with his winged 

 concomitant. The blocks forming the roof are sculptured 

 with birds, grashoppers, &c. On the walls are offerings to 

 the hero by kneeling figures. Offerings occur also to Sothis, 

 (the human figure with the head of the ibis.) This forest of 

 columns measures 167 feet 6 inches across. Passing through 

 the next portal e, we come to a court with two obelisks of red 

 granite O. Upon the faces of these obelisks are very deeply cut 

 serpents, birds, bulls, the ibis, scarabaei, hares, owls, libations of 

 lustral water, phallus often repeated, &c. The obelisks measure 

 six feet two inches on two faces, and six feet eight inches on 

 the other two. Passing through another portal J\ we find a 

 gateway flanked by an obelisk on each side F, measuring on 

 the faces seven feet eight inches, and seven feet ten inches, and 

 cut nearly as the two last described ; they are of the same sort 

 of granite. Behind are rows of colossal figures C'C, holding 

 the crook and flagellum. We now pass through a gateway 

 of granite g, and find two more obelisks of granite, perfect, 

 except the pyramidion. On these are sculptured the monarch, 

 embraced by Isis Lunata ; she has sometimes the right arm 

 thrown round his shoulder, he having the left arm on her 

 shoulder. There are other endearments ; they look at each 

 other, and the sculptor has thrown much tenderness of ex- 

 pression into the countenance of the female. There are also 

 lotus flowers with green stalks, admirably executed. Next 

 follows a granite portal eight feet wide, and seven feet ten 

 inches thick, conducting to the sanctuary (srjxoff,) and having 

 three feet of width on each side of the door, and twenty-six 

 feet in length. It is built entirely of granite, the roof being 

 composed of three large granite slabs, ornamented with gilt 

 stars on a blue or azure ground. Here the god was adored 

 as the grand creative principle, as the being supplying the 

 wants of mankind, and giving animation to nature. The por- 

 tal, as well as the walls of the sanctuary, are sculptured with 

 presentations of vases, &c. to the god — with libations, holding 

 up hands in adoration. He is figured twice on each of the 

 four pannels of each wall, or thirty-two times in all. These 

 sculptures are painted green. Behind is another chamber of 

 granite, with a ceiling of gilt stars on a blue ground. The 



