543 
'WONDEAS OF AET. 
THE SPHTNX. ^,1 
At an inconsiderable distance from the great 
pyramids, and by an almost imperceptible desce"^,j.ii' 
traveller airives at the Sphynx, the enormous bulk ® ((J'" 
instantly attracts his attention. It is cut out 
rock, and is said to have been the sepulchre 
The height of this figure is twenty-seven feet 5 
ginning of the breast thirty-three feet in width, 
has been shamefully mutilated. “ Although," j, 
marks, “ the proportions are colossal, the ontlif® ^ (/ 
and graceful ; the expression is mild, gracious, 
quil ; the character is African ; but the mouth, •*’ 
fhinlr tin« a sntrnpsfi anrt dplfracv of 
have been at a high pitch when this 
executed ; for, if the head is deficient in what is cal 
that is the straight and bold lines which give 
the figures under which the Greeks have ' 
which are thick, has a softness and delicacy of 
truly admirable ; it seems real life and flesh. 
^ desigoa'jt"! 
deities, yet sufficient justice lias been rendered 
sintplicity and character of nature displayed in this ^ 
EGYITIAN TEMPLES AND MONUMEN’I'^' J 
tilt- 
The ruins of the Temple of Hermopolis, or 
city of Mercury, afford a precise idea of the J' 
and high perfection the arts had attained in 
stones have preserved their original destination^, 
having been altered or deformed by the works 
times, and have remained untouched for foO r ppy 
years ! They are of freestone, of the fineness 
and have neither cement, nor mode of unioo> ^(OU 
perfect fitting of the respective parts. The colot'j , 
lions of this edifice evince the power the Eg)'P‘'" 
to raise enormous masses. The diameter of fifi ,/ 
which are placed at equal intermediate distanced’ 
10 inches ; and the space between the two niid 
within which the gate was included, 13 
) 20 feet for the portico : its height is 60 fo® ’ i|7 
spring of an arch remains to throw light on | 
of the whole extent of the temple, or of 
