126 OBSERVATIONS ON EGYPTIAN ETHNOGRAPHY, 
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I observe that the priests almost invariably present this physiognomy, and in accord- 
ance with the usage of their cast, have the head closely shaven, When coloured they 
are red, like the other Egyptians. ‘The subjoined drawing, (No. 1,) which is somewhat 
harsh in outline, is from the portico of one of the pyramids of Meroé,* and is probably 
one of the oldest human effigies in Nubia. They abound in all the temples of that 
country, and especially at Semneh, Dakkeh, Soleb, Gebel-Berkel, and Messoura.t} 
From the numberless examples of similar conformation, I select another of a priest 
from the bas-relief at Thebes, which is remarkable for delicacy of outline and pleasing 
serenity of expression.{ (No. 2.) 
So invariably are these characters allotted to the sacerdotal caste, that we readily 
detect them in the two priests who, by some unexplained contingency, become kings in 
the twentieth dynasty. Their names read Amensi-Hrai-Pehor and Phisham on the 
monuments; and the accompanying outline is a fac-simile of Rosellini’s portrait of the 
latter personage, who lived about eleven hundred years before the Christian era. In 
this head the Egyptian and Pelasgic characters appear to be blended, but the former 
preponderate. (No. 3.) : 
The last outline, (No. 4,) represents a modification of the same type, that of the 
Harper in Bruce’s tomb at Thebes. The beautiful form of the head and the intellectual 
character of the face, may be compared with similar efforts of Grecian art. It dates 
with Rameses the IV.|| 
* Hoskins’ Travels in Ethiopia, plate XT. 
+ Cailliaud, plate XVI. to XX. Wor the use of the only copy of this work now in the United States, I am indebted 
to the politeness of Colone] Pleasanton, of this city. 
t Rosellini, Monumenti, M. C., plate CXX XII. } Champollion, Figéac, Egypte Ancienne, p. 356. 
|| Rosellini, M. C., plate XCVIL., and Wilkinson’s Topography of Thebes, p. 109. 
