20Q DESCRIPTIONS OF EGYPT* 
composed of two obelisks, seventy feet high, and 
covered with hieroglyphics. 
At another visit Denon examined excavations 
near Carnac, which were used as houses by the 
Arabs, but which appear to have been tombs of 
Egyptian kings. He found them variously adorn- 
ed with painting and sculpture, and exhibiting in 
the latter art a perfection far exceeding what he 
had seen on any of the temples. The figures were 
not formed on so stiff a model ; they possessed 
more of ease and nature ; and groups were often 
placed agreeably to the laws of perspective. It is 
remarkable that they did not, as their destination 
might lead us to expect, represent always solemn, 
or even serious subjects. They exhibited often 
pompous and shewy processions, sometimes even 
rope-dancing, and animals placing themselves in 
ludicrous attitudes. 
At Medinet Abu, in the neighbourhood of Car- 
nac, Denon examined those two colossal statues, 
which bear the name of Memnon. So gigantic is 
their height, as to make them be discovered at the 
distance of four leagues. Their attitude, however, 
is not graceful, and they are entirely destitute of 
expression. 
The next ruins, very deserving of attention, are 
those of Edfu, the ancient Apollinopolis Parva, of 
which drawings had already been given by Po- 
cocke and Norden. Our traveller viewed them 
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