CHAP. XV. 



TOKENS OF RESPECT. 



377 



form is given to the flame of the censers wherein 



the incense is burnt. 



There is also a ceremony which appears to have 



some connexion with the dead, the purport of 

 ^k 0^ which it is difficult to 



JPr£ (~^ A?l!K ascertain. Two per- 



sons, a man and a 

 woman, hold the oppo- 

 site ends of a cord, fas- 

 tened in a knot around 

 the centre of a pillar 

 of wood, which, held 

 in an upright position, 



No. 487. A game or ceremony. Thebes, jg StrUCk agalust tllC 



ground ; the lower end being pointed, the upper 

 round. It may be connected with some religious 

 rite, or be one of their numerous games. 



** The Egyptians," says Herodotus *, '* are very 

 religious, surpassing all men in the honours they 

 pav to the Gods." The art of predicting future 

 events, as practised in Greek temples, came from 

 Egypt ; and it is certain that they were the first 

 people who established festivals, and the mode of 

 approaching, and communing with the Deity." t 

 Of the customary mode of doing this I have 

 already spoken ; and while praying or presenting 

 offerings it will be seen from the sculptures that the 



dotus in the lamps at Sais. The lines may represent the twisted nature 

 of the cotton wick, as they do the watering of the glass vase. Vide Vol. I. 

 (2d Series) p. 328. Herodot. ii. 62. 



* Herodot. ii. 37. 



f Herodot. ii. 38.; supra, Vol. I. (2d Series) p. 154;. 



