5GO RUINS IN EGYPT. 



of the ornaments, the delicacy with which they are finished, and 

 their high presentation. Lord Elgin procured from thence two of 

 the capitals, a whole fluted column, and a base. 



[Lord Elgin's memorandums of his pursuits. 



SECTION XV. 



Magnificent remains of Ruins in Egypt. 



THE whole country is crowded with monuments of the gigantic 

 architecture of former times, and of different asras. Among the 

 most ancient are the Pyramids, so generally known that we need 

 not dwell upon them. But among those of comparatirely later 

 times, and more elegant proportions, may be mentioned the ruins 

 at Luxor and Edfii. 



Luxor is one of the finest village towns of the country; it is 

 united to Karnac by a superb avenue of sphinxes; and like the 

 latter is built on the ruins of a magnificent temple, whose name is 

 now lost to us. Nothing can be more awfully grand than the en. 

 trance into the town of which the annexed drawing, copied from 

 M. Denon's superb work, gives a faint sketch. The inhabitants 

 amount to between two and three thousand, whose puny buildings 

 are niched among the ruins, or are supported on the platforms of 

 the decayed temple. 



The magnificent ruins of Edfu, are known to be more extensive: 

 and it is here we meet with the sublime remains of the temple of 

 Apollinopolis, the most beautiful of Egypt, and next to those of 

 Thebes, the largest; erected at an epoch in which the arts and 

 sciences had acquired all their splendour. All the parts are equally 

 finished, the hieroglyphics are elaborately executed, and the figures 

 more varied, and the architecture more perfect than in the edifices 

 of Thebes, which must be referred to a much earlier ago. We have 

 given two views of this magnificent relic from Denon, and we may 

 safely say, that they are among the most sumptuous and interesting 

 of his superb drawings. [Editor. 



' SECTION XVI. 



Porcelain Tower at Nankin. 



WE have taken this elegant and commodious building as a spe. 

 cimen of the oriental pagodas. The tower is about two hundred 



