44 The Sepulchral Structures and 



poetry, is sure to be plunged in barbarism. And, further, 

 the prevailing modes of treating the dead amongst different 

 nations are not only worthy of great consideration as testi- 

 monies of their modes of thinking and degrees of civilisa- 

 tion ; over and above all this, they are in general very inti- 

 mately connected with their secret impressions and religious 

 feelings. 



The sepulchres, burial customs, and modes of interment of 

 different races vary as widely as their dwelling-places and cus- 

 toms during life. The Greeks from a remote period used cre- 

 mation for disposing of the remains of the departed. They 

 supposed the spirit of life ascended to heaven in purity amongst 

 the flames, whilst the earthy part remained amongst the ashes 

 as a memorial of the dead. We shall find on further investiga- 

 tion that many of the social customs of the Greeks in the 

 Homeric period were very similar to what prevailed in Erin in 

 her heroic age. If time permitted, we might briefly refer to 

 some of the customs of ancient nations in the disposal of their 

 dead, as they are very interesting, but a few will suffice. An 

 Eastern custom amongst the followers of Zoroaster still pre- 

 vails in Thibet. From a mistaken idea that the pure elements 

 of earth or fire would be contaminated by being made the 

 instruments of dissolution, the corpse is laid upon a platform, 

 and there left a prey to wolves and vultures. The Egyptians 

 embalmed the bodies of the departed ; so did the Peruvians. 

 The bodies of the Incas were embalmed, and placed in a vault 

 with their predecessors. On special occasions a mummy Inca, 

 dressed as in life, Avith magnificent robes, was placed in the 

 audience chamber of the reigning monarch, when the dread 

 power exerted during life was supposed to influence any unruly 

 chieftains present, and to awe them into submission. Many 

 of the Egyptian tombs near Thebes are hewn high up in the 

 rocky cliffs, above the Nile's highest water-mark, and their 

 walls and ceilings are decorated with paintings in brilliant 

 hues, illustrating the manners and domestic life of the former 

 occupiers of the land, so that in the present day we can form 



