VI. 
312 FROM GRAND CAIRO TO ROSETTA. 
CHAP, its other extremity to a glohe or hall, evidently 
intend ed for the Sun ' . Admitting, therefore, the 
explanation of the Crux ansata, as given to us, 
upon the testimony of converted Heathens, by 
Riiffinus and by Socrates Scholaslicus^, and sup- 
posing the meaning of these figures to be 
symbolical in this instance rather than literal, we 
may explain the signification of this triple hiero- 
glyphic without further conjecture ; for it plainly 
indicates that Life to come proceeds from, 
AND DEPENDS UPON, THE GiVER OF LiGHT. 
The Christians, says Socrates^, perceiving that 
this great truth was couched under hiei-oglyphical 
signs, and that the same signs did also pro- 
gnosticate the downfall of the Temple of Serapis 
whenever its meaning became known, exulted 
in the discovery, and made it the ground upon 
which many of the Heathens were converted. 
After the same manner, continues the historian % 
did the Apostle St. Paul convert many of the 
representations of this symbol. " As to the Crux ansata (says he) 
which hath so much puzzled the learned world, &c. it is no more than 
a setting-stick for planting roots and larger seeds." See Origin of 
Hieroglypldcs, p. \2\. Lond. 1753. 
(1) See No. 7, of the last Plate. 
(2) See Chap. iV. p. 152, of this volume. 
(3) Socrates Scholasticus, lib. V. c. 17. p. 276. jPffm, 16G8. 
(4) Ibid. 
