270 



THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XV. 



Vignette O. Exterior of a Tomb cut in the rock at Beni Hassan. 



CHAP. XV. 



FESTIVALS. SACRIFICES. 



Processions ; Coronation and other Ceremonies ; Triumphs ; 

 Holydays ; Fttcs^ ^'c. 



No nation took greater delight in the pomp of 

 ceremonies than the Egyptians ; a partiah'ty which 

 the priests did not fail to encourage, as it tended 

 to increase their own consequence, and to give 

 them a great moral ascendency over all classes. 

 Grand processions constantly took place to com- 

 memorate some fanciful legendary event; the public 

 mind was entertained by the s})lendour of impres- 

 sive and striking ceremonies; and a variety of ex- 

 hibitions connected with religion were repeated, to 



