CONTENTS OF THE SEPULCHRES. 321 



ESTHER. 



Had the ancients any particular form for their cinerary 



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It appears not; for they are found with two or three handles; 

 and even simple plates have been discovered, containing 

 ashes and burnt bones.* 



HENRIETTA. 



But, from this model, it seems that the tombs are full of 

 curiosities. 



MRS. F. 



Their contents vary, of course, according to the condition 

 of the individual interred. Those of the rich are full of ob- 

 jects of interest, and present a curious insight into the domes- 

 tic life of the ancients. Some of those which are of large 

 dimensions, have the sides of the walls of the interior 

 covered with white stucco, upon which are painted figures 

 in colors and gilding; and some are ornamented with bas-re- 

 liefs. In the centre of the apartment is laid the body, with 

 an incense bottle on the breast, or, as they are termed, la- 

 chrymatories. 



HENRIETTA. 



Why were they so called! 



MRS. F. 



Not from holding the tears of the relatives, as is falsely 

 imagined; but they were so denominated by the ancients, 

 because, from the form of the neck of the bottle, the perfume 

 fell from it drop by drop, as tears flow from the eye. Some- 

 times there are several of these incense bottles round the 

 body, made either of glass, alabaster, or earthenware. It 

 appears that these bottles were carried by the relatives to the 

 grave, when the perfumes which they contained were poured 

 over the body, and the bottles deposited in the tomb. 



* De Jorio. 



