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SKILL OF THE JEWELLERS OF ANCIENT EGYPT.

gods, and the outstretched wings on either side

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are to indicate the power of the soul to take flight from the body. The Egyptians had some process of cutting stone that is unknown to us, as the carving of these scarabaei, in the hardest materials

as we find them, would defy the skill of

modern lapidaries."

After a general survey of the contents of the case the party moved to another room, where a quantity of gold and silver ornaments were conspicuously displayed.

JEWELLER WITH BLOW-PIPE.

As they halted in front of the collection, the Doctor explained that the jewels they were looking at were found in the coffin (and with the mummy) of Aah-Hotep-a queen who is supposed to have been the wife of one of the kings of the eighteenth dynasty. The show-case of a modern jeweller could not have been more attractive, and the boys were enchanted with the beauty of the articles displayed as well as with the exquisite workmanship.

There was a bracelet with gold figures engraved on blue glass, in imitation of lapis lazuli; there was a large bracelet, hinged in the centre, representing a vulture, its wings composed of bits of lapis lazuli, carnelian, and green glass, in a gold setting, and its back ornamented with lines. of small turquoises; and there was a gold chain nearly three feet long, with a scarabæus at the end. This chain, with the other treasures of the queen, was exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 1867, and attracted much

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attention. It is composed of links curiously woven and twisted together, and a committee of French jewellers who examined it said that if it were broken they did not believe there was a jeweller of modern days who

could properly mend it! And to think that this chain was made many centuries ago!"

We have not time to describe all the wonderful things in the case of Aah-Hotep, nor in the other cases near it. Our friends lingered long among the treasures of the museum, and when the shadows indicated

GOLDEN BASKETS (FROM THE TOMB OF RAMESES III).

the hour for closing, and the attendants hinted that the official day was at an end, they were in no mood for departure. They all agreed that hereafter they should hold the ancient Egyptians in great respect, and regretted that the arts and accomplishments they seem to have possessed are, in great measure, lost to the world.

DRESSES OF WOMEN OF ANCIENT EGYPT.

THE OLD ROUTE TO THE PYRAMIDS.

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CHAPTER IX.

THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZEH AND SAKKARA.-MEMPHIS AND THE APIS

THE

MAUSOLEUM.

HE day after the visit to the museum was devoted to an excursion to the pyramids. An early start was made, so as to have all the time possible for seeing the great works which bear the names of Cheops and Cephren.

Down to a few years ago the traveller on his way to the pyramids was obliged to cross the Nile by ferry, and make his land journey on foot or on the back of a donkey. But at present the bridge over the

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river at Boulak, and the carriage-road all the way to the foot of the pyramids, have made the excursion comparatively easy. A ride of two hours suffices, as the distance is not over ten or twelve miles, and the route is

along the level ground of the Nile Valley. The last two or three hundred yards must usually be made on foot, as the sand covers the road, and makes the progress of a carriage exceedingly difficult, even when empty. The sand is drifted by the action of the wind, exactly as snow

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is whirled in the Northern States of America, and sometimes drifts will form in a few hours several feet in depth.

The boys looked with interest on the troops of camels they met, just after leaving Cairo, carrying great loads of freshly-cut grass for feeding the donkeys and other beasts of burden in the city. Although the roads were good, the natives seemed to prefer the old ways of transportation, and almost the only vehicles to be seen were the carriages carrying visitors to the pyramids. As they drew nearer, our friends began to realize the great height of those structures; while they were yet an hour's drive from their base, it seemed to Frank and Fred that they would be there in ten or fifteen minutes. The optical illusion was partly due to the clear atmosphere, and partly to the immensity of the piles of stone. There was a house two stories high close to one of the pyramids; it seemed a mere speck against the great mass, and revealed the contrast more plainly than could be done in words. It was like placing a cigarbox in front of an ordinary dwelling, and comparing the one with the

other.

ATTENTIONS THAT WERE NOT ASKED FOR.

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A mile or two from the pyramids they passed some villages of natives; two or three dozen Arabs swarmed from these villages and surrounded the carriage, keeping even pace with its progress, no matter how fast the horses went. They had an eye to making something out of the strangers, and were quite indifferent to suggestions that their company was not wanted.

We will let the youths tell the story of their visit to the pyramids : "When we reached the stone platform at the base of the pyramids the driver unharnessed his horses and removed the pole from his carriage. The Arabs gathered about us to assist in making the ascent, and they proved the most persistent and annoying rascals we have yet seen. The hackmen and their kindred at Niagara Falls are politeness itself compared with the Arabs at the pyramids.

"There is a sheik or chief of the Arabs, and he expects two shillings from each visitor who ascends the pyramids, and two more if he goes inside. For this sum he furnishes two men to assist you; half a dozen will offer to go, but two are enough. If you are liable to be thirsty, it is well to employ a boy to carry a gargolet (or bottle) of water, and you may also let him carry your overcoat.

"There are three pyramids in the group at Gizeh, and they are called respectively, in order of size, the Great, the Second, and the Third. The Great Pyramid is the one usually ascended by visitors; in fact, it is the only one they ascend, as it the highest; and, besides, the ascent of the others is much more dangerous. Perhaps you will wonder why it is so.

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