DENON— HAMILTON. 
199 
of eight temples, erected at different periods, and 
in different styles of architecture. Each succes- 
sive edifice had been built so as not to injure 
those previously standing ; but> at the same time, 
without any attention to make it harmonize with 
them. An extreme confusion of styles was thus 
produced, which, however, produced often pic- 
turesque and striking effects. From the observa- 
tions here made, Denon inferred, that the ancient 
Egyptians first built their walls in a rude state, 
then smoothed them, next added the hierogly- 
phics, and finally adorned them with stucco and 
paint. He found parts of edifices in all these 
successive stages. He observed also nine species 
of capitals, all which, to his true Egyptian taste, 
appeared beautiful. 
As the French army did not extend its head- 
quarters to the southward of Syene, our traveller 
had no opportunity of tracing higher those won- 
ders of antiquity, which the banks of the Nile 
everywhere presented* 
In 1801 Mr Hamilton set out from Cairo with 
the view of examining the antiquities of Upper 
Egypt, and, if possible, of penetrating into Nubia, 
He did not, however, make his way beyond Philse, 
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 
