A pilgrimage to the temples and tombs of Egypt, Nubia, and ...

WADY SEBOOA. 231
tion, although of the time of Rhamses Sesostris.
It is in a dreadfully dilapidated condition, and,
the materials of which it is formed being of very
soft sandstone, its sculptures are nearly effaced.
The most remarkable feature about it is a dro-
mos, or avenue of andro-sphinxes, leading from
the entrance of the temple to the river's side,
but now in as degraded a state as the sanctuary
itself. This and the next temple in succession,
at JVIaharraka, where we arrived early on the
following morning, possess little to admire, or to
excite interest ; nevertheless, they must be seen,
otherwise the chain of Nubian constructions (a
connoisseur would say, the string of pearls,)
would be broken. But I will not inflict Ma-
harraka upon you, for, although it looks well
from the river, its walls contain neither hiero-
glyphic nor embellishment, and it appears to be
altogether of a very inferior order.
But on the same day we came to Dakkeh,
which is indeed a gem; for, with the exception
of the granite obelisk of Luxor, I have not as
yet met anywhere with the same sharpness of
execution, and state of preservation, both in the
bas-relief and the intaglio style of ornament, as
in this temple. It also possesses the advantage
of standing quite isolated in the midst of the
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