Entirely inclosed on three sides, and partly on the fourth, by the intercolumnar screens, 
it has all that solemn gloom—that religious twilight—so characteristic of the Egyptian 
interior, and so strikingly contrasted to the intense brilliancy of an Egyptian day. 
The walls are encrusted with relievos, and the ceiling with astronomic and enigmatic 
emblems; among these is the zodiac which has caused so much speculation. The 
portico leads to a pillared hall or vestibule; beyond are seen a suite of three or 
four chambers, in deeper and deeper shadow; and far within is seen the small dark 
sanctuary.” 
The roof of the Temple, which still remains entire, is covered with Arab huts; 
the portico is only partially cleared of the sand, which externally rises in many places 
to the roof; chambers evidently exist, which on this account are inaccessible, but 
which we may yet hope to see removed. 
Roberts’s Journal. Wathen’s Arts and Antiquities of Egypt. 
TEMPLE OF WADY KARDASSY, NUBIA. 
This vignette of the beautiful little Temple of Kardassy was selected from a point of 
view which marks its striking and relative situation to the Nile, above which it is 
built on a rock, in a commanding position, that overlooks the river. The entrance 
to the Temple, which is seen in the other view, lies between two columns with 
highly-finished Iris-headed capitals, surmounted with the little pronaos, and here faces 
the east towards the Nile. The intercolumniating screens are without ornament, except 
a line of sculptured asps on the cornice; but within, on one of the columns to the 
north, Isis and a priest are represented offering sacrifices. A Greek inscription also 
exists on the northern side, and Greek crosses in many places are evidence of its 
having been used as a Christian church. Around are extensive quarries made in 
the sandstone rock upon which the Temple is built. 
The various ways in which authors and travellers have written the names of Temples 
and places on the Nile, have sometimes almost defied recognition. The orthography 
adopted in this work has generally been from the authority of Sir Gardner Wilkinson, 
who, however, spells Kardassy, Gertassee; Belzoni writes, Cartassy; Dr. Richardson, 
Gartaas; and the natives call it Wady-el-Baracab. 
