THE HYPiETIIRAL TEMPLE AT PIIXLjE, 
CALLED THE BED OF PHARAOH. 
This is one of tlie most beautiful objects on the Island of Philse, and seems to liave 
been built for its striking and picturesque effect. It is placed on the eastern side of 
the island, and, in our view, appears as it is seen by the traveller who ascends the 
Nile. This little Temple is only sixty feet long and forty-five feet wide: the style 
of its proportion is elongated, as if the architect had thus intended to increase its 
effect as seen from the river. It has five columns on each side, and four at each 
end, between the centre columns at each of these is an entrance; all else around is 
inclosed by walls, which reach to two-thirds of the height of the columns. The 
architrave is raised high above the columns, being placed on upright stones, which 
rest upon the lotus-lieaded capitals; the open spaces between are out of all architectural 
rule or proportion, but in spite of this, it is strikingly elegant. The entrances are 
open to the Great Temple on the west, and to the Nile on the east; outside the 
river-gate is a platform, or terrace, which forms also a quay that extends nearly 
round the island; the principal landing-place for travellers is below this Temple, and 
here their boats are usually moored. 
Within the Temple there is no cornice, nor any ruins of structures around, which 
can lead to the conjecture that this beautiful little building had any connexion with 
the Great Temple, or with any other structure on the island. Dr. Richardson says 
it was probably exhibited in ancient times as the tomb of Osiris, who, the Egyptian 
priests maintained, was buried here: the Theban oath was to swear by Osiris, who 
lies buried at Phike. 
In the account of her recent visit to Egypt, Miss Martineau says:—“ I found my 
party preparing to lunch on the terrace of the Temple called Pharaoh’s Bed. This 
Temple was built with a view to its aspect from the river; and truly the Ptolemies 
and Ciesars have given a fine object to voyagers who gaze up at Philse. We, who 
live in an English climate, can hardly reconcile our unaccustomed taste to an hypai- 
thral building anywhere, the only building of that kind that we have at home being 
the village pound; and walls without roof not answering to our idea of an edifice at 
all. But I felt here, and at night, how strong is the temptation to abstain from 
roofing public buildings, where, above the canopy of the clear air, there are the 
circling stars to light them. When I saw this Temple, roofed with Orion and Aldebaran, 
I could ask for nothing better.” 
Roberts’s Journal. 
Dr. Richardson’s Travels. 
Miss Martineau’s Eastern Life. 
