travels

82 TRAVELS IN EGYPT, NUBIA,sitting, in alto relieto, much defaced. There are a few lines,rudely traced, as a sort of cornice to the entrance, in whichis a winged globe. On the walls of the chamber, half wayfrom the ceiling downwards, are hieroglyphics and symbolicfigures. The ceiling is rock, unfinished^ but inclined to anarch. I distinguished the Greek letters AH O on one of thesides,^ and something like a cross.Proceeding through the village, I was met by a venerableold man, who I found was called the Aga; who prayed me,in the patriarchal manner, to " tarry till the sun was gonedown; to ahght, refresh myself, and partake of the food hewould prepare for the stranger."I gladly accepted his invitation. A clean mat was spreadfor me under the shade of the wall of his house, and refreshments,consisting of wheaten cake, broken into small bits andput into water sweetened with date-juice, were brought mein a wooden bowl; then curds, with liquid butter and preserveddates; and lastly, a bowl of milk.Having taken what I wanted, I entered the door of theaga's house, which, like all the rest, was of mud. I foundmyself in a room separated from the other part of the houseby a court, and covered by a simple roof of palm-treebranches. This was the place of his divan. Here my matand cushion were brought me; and the natives flocked about,with their usual questions, whether I came'to look forΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗ ΒΙΒΛΙΟΘΗΚΗ