cr own readers

130 A DINNER PARTY I N ANCIENT TH EBES.
phy-si-cians
pre-scribed'
ben-e-Fi-cial
myrrh
es-sen-ces
sar-fron
al-oes
cin-na-mon
, .
cas-si-a
fran k-in-cense
spike-nard
am-phi-the-a-tr es
en-signs
an-elat-ed
Icz-en-ges
pom-an-ders
em-broi-dered
san-tal-wood
civ-et
am-ber-gris
\ V ORD E XERCISE :-
J. Make sentences showing t he nse of th e word suspend, in t wo
meanings, and of suspense.
2. Give a list of word s, wit h t heir meanin gs, formed with t he prefixes
for- and fore- .
3. Give a list of words similar in meaning to vale.
For NOTES, Bee page 268.
34. A DINNER PARTY IN ANCIENT THEBES.
1. Let us invite ourselves to a dinn er party in
Egyptian high life, such as might have been given
in the ancient city of Th ebes about three thousand
years ago. Th e time is mid-day , and the guests are
arrivin g on foot, in chairs born e by servants, and in
chariots. A high wall, painted in panels, surrounds
the fashionable villa, and on an obelisk near is inscribed
the name of the owner. We enter the grounds
by a folding gate flanked with lofty towers.
2. At the end of a broad walk , bordered by rows
of trees, stands a br ick mansion, over the door of
which we read in hieroglyphics, " The Good House."
The building is made airy by corridors , colonnades,
and open courts shaded by awnings, all gaily painted
and ornamented. I ts grounds include flower-gardens,
vineyards, date-orchards, and groves of trees.
3. We shall accompany t he guest whose chariot has
just halted. Th e Egyptian nobleman dri ves his own
horse, but he is attended by a train of servants. One