eption of the dead. The mummy-case was placed upright
against the wall. Here sacrifices similar to those offered at the
temple were made. Ameres himself and a number of the priests of the
rank of those decorated with leopard skins took part of the services.
Incense and libation were offered. Amense and Mysa were present at the
ceremony, and wailed with their hair in disorder over their shoulders
and dust sprinkled on their heads. Oil was poured over the head of the
mummy, and after the ceremony was over Amense and Mysa embraced the
mummied body, bathing its feet with their tears and uttering
expressions of grief and praises of the deceased.

In the evening a feast was held in honor of the dead. On this occasion
the signs of grief were laid aside, and the joyful aspect of the
departure of the dead to a happy existence prevailed. A large number
of friends and relatives were present. The guests were anointed and
decked with flowers, as was usual at these parties, and after the meal
the mummy was drawn through the room in token that his spirit was
still present among them. Amense would fain have kept the mummy for
some time in the house, as was often the practice, but Ameres
preferred that the funeral should take place at once.

Three days later the procession assembled and started from the house.
First came servants bearing tables laden with fruit, cakes, flowers,
vases of ointment, wine, some young geese in a crate for sacrifice,
chairs, wooden tables, napkins, and other things. Then came others
carrying small closets containing the images of the gods; they also
carried daggers, bows, sandals, and fans, and each bore a napkin upon
his shoulder. Then came a table with offerings and a chariot drawn by
a pair of horses, the charioteer driving them as he walked behind the
chariot. Then came the bearers of a sacred boat and the mysterious eye
of Horus, the god of stability. Others carried small images of blue
pottery representing the deceased under the form of Osiris, and the
bird emblematic of the soul. Then eight women of the class of paid
mourners came along beating their breasts, throwing dust upon their
heads, and uttering loud lamentations. Ameres, clad in a leopard skin,
and having in his hands the censer and vase of libation, accompanied
by his attendants bearing the various implements used in the services,
and followed by a number of priests also clad in leopard skins, now
came along. Immediately behind them followed