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

RUINS. 251
preserve inviolate the illusion of Pliilai's supe-
rior charm, one ought not to land ; for then the
accomplishment of the prophecy which foretold
that " the pomp of Egypt should be destroyed,"
and the land " made desolate from the Tower of
Syene, even unto the border of Ethiopia," be-
comes visible. Ruin effected by the hand of
man, more terrible and unsightly than that
brought about by the operations of time, stares
one in the face all around ; and yet sufficient
still remains unharmed to show how gloriously
beautiful must this place of pilgrimage have ap-
peared when its fanes were all intact, and none