AND LOWER EGYPT. l6j 



with the appropriate distinction which the kings 

 of France had adopted for their coat of arms. 

 The fleur-de-lis, such as it has been the emblem 

 of the French monarchy, is well characterized 

 upon the Egyptian figure. In the infinite num- 

 ber of hieroglyphics which I have observed in 

 Egypt, 1 never met with this baton with a fleur- 

 de-lis but once at Dendera. Although projecting, 

 and very apparent, no traveller has paid attention 

 to it ; no author has spoken of this Egyptian 

 sign ; but however singular it may be, as I have 

 observed it very attentively, and repeatedly, and 

 as it was copied under my inspection, I can attest 

 the reality of its existence at Dendera^ and the 

 exact resemblance of figure 3, in plate XXXV, 

 which represents it. 



Furthermore, the fleur-de-lis is very far from 

 having existed, as a coat of arms, co-eval with 

 the origin of the French monarchy ; and it is cer- 

 tain that it was not introduced into the arms of 

 France till seven hundred years after its esta- 

 blishment. The most ancient testimony which 

 we have on this subject, is extracted from the me- 

 moirs of the chamber of accounts in 1179. It 

 is observed there that Louis VII. (named the 

 Young) ordered a fleur-de lis to bestrewed on the 

 mantle of Philip Augustus his son, when he 

 caused him to be consecrated at Rheims. But if 



M 2 the 



