Ve . ®®YPTUW temples and monuments. 545 
tlian the small number of objects of which this 
Sljy*^** composed. No city whatever makes so proud a 
'ti 0 ^ its approach as this wretched village, the popula- 
V t^pi'ich consists of two or three thousand souls, who 
-•wAi ui Lwu \jk iiiivc: iiiuuacuju suuia^ Wiiu 
•jp u]5 their abode on the roofs and beneath the 
^.cf this temple, which has, nevertheless, the air 
< “ ''■'an'icr uninhabited. 
OF THE KINGS OF Thebes are grottoes con- 
3icJ i '* ■'cgular double gallery supported by pillars, behind 
’'a row of chambers, often double. In proportion as 
I' ‘^€lty| V/lLV.,Ai VAkVUt./A^* .Eli J./1 V lUli Al.T 
pi of these grottoes increases, tliey become more 
\iig®^'crated ; and the spectator is soon convinced, by the 
» li'C paintings and sculptures, and of 
they represent, that he is among tlie tombs 
k\'ij heroes. Those which appear to have be- 
' Ihe ancient kings, arc only distingui.shed ftom the 
^ magnificence of the .sarcophagi, and the myste- 
”^*^lr,Q,'.'lcde of their situation ; the others immediately 
r'lis v'" great buildings in the city. The sculpture 
'p°niparably more laboured and higher finished than 
W .Icreples, and displays a high perfection of the 
.lines of the hieroglyphics have been cut with a 
touch, and a precision, of which marbles otter 
^ 'examples ; and the figures have a particular elegance 
j'V . '^''’^luess of contour. Small subjects taken from 
introduced j and in these the groups of persons are 
k'itji perspective ; and cut in deep relief, in simple and 
Ji(iiVy'’ili'udes. Several of tliese subjects bear but little 
V^ar the spot in which they are immured j for bas- 
V *«s representing games, such as rope-dancing, 
vk:uf 1° pli'y tricks and rear on their hind- 
yltned with all the traits of genuine nature and 
% ^iiH excavations is singular j and many arc so 
complicated, that they might be mistaken for 
subterraneous temples. After passing the 
C*' f,''l’'^'''oients described above, long and gloomy gal- 
'(I'ij In'"*®')! themselves, winding backwards and tbr- 
vAt ' bnmerous angles, and seeming to occupy a great 
gfound. They are melancholy, repulsive, and 
^ decoration ; but open from time to time into 
''tubers covered with hieroglyphics, and branch out 
A a 3 
