202 DESCRIPTIONS OF EGYPT. 
ders of antiquity, which the banks of the Nile 
every where presented. 
In 1801, Mr Hamilton set out from Cairo, 
with the view of examining the antiquities of Up- 
per Egypt, and, if possible, of penetrating into 
Nubia. He did not, however, make his way be- 
yond Philae, and his tract did not thus extend 
farther than that of Denon. His descriptions of 
the same objects, however, are good, and may be 
consulted with advantage by the antiquary ; but, 
from the minute details of which they consist, do 
not easily admit of abridgment. Mr Hamilton's 
admiration of Philae seems to have fully equalled 
that of Denon. He remarks, that the sculptures 
have evidently been studiously defaced, probably 
by the; fanatical zeal of the early Christians. Near 
Syene, Mr Hamilton particularly examined a tem- 
ple supposed by Poeocke to be the celebrated ob- 
servatory of that place. He employed a number 
of men and boys for several days in digging, with 
the hope of discovering the well, where, at the 
summer solstice, the sun's disk was said to be re- 
flected entire. He was obliged to leave the place, 
however, before arriving at any object which could 
reward the investigation. The temples of Edfu, 
of Thebes, and of Dendera, are particularly de- 
scribed by Mr Hamilton. He admired much also 
that of Esne, commonly supposed to be the ancient 
