316 THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XV. 



that the Sun was then removing from tlie earth ; 

 and as its hght became weaker and weaker, that 

 it stood in need of a staff to support it. In 

 reference to which notion," he adds, " about the 

 winter solstice, they lead the sacred Cow seven 

 times in procession around her temple ; calling this 

 the searching after Osiris, that season of the year 

 standing most in need of the Sun's warmth." 



In their religious solemnities music was per- 

 mittedj and even required, as acceptable to the 

 Gods ; except, if we may believe Strabo, in the 

 temple of Osiris, at Abydus. It probably differed 

 much from that used on ordinary festive occasions, 

 and was, according to Apuleius, of a lugubrious 

 character.* But this I have already mentioned t in 

 treating of the music of the Egyptians. 



RITES. 



The greater part of the fetes and religious rites 

 of the Egyptians are totally unknown to us ; nor 

 are we acquainted with the ceremonies they adopted 

 at births, weddings t, and other occasions connected 

 with their domestic life. But some little insight 

 may be obtained into their funeral ceremonies from 

 the accounts of Greek writers, as well as from the 

 scul{)tures ; which last show that they were per- 

 formed with all the pomp a solemnity of so much 

 importance required. § 



* Apulciiis says, "iEgyptia miiniiia i'cnne plangorilnis, Grocca ple- 

 rnm(nic chord's, n;auclent." 



+ Vol. II. p.:i]r,. X F/V/rVol. II. p. 58. 



5 Vide i)ifra, on the Funerals. 



