are all of late date in comparison of the
statue itself; the antiquity of which is very great. One of these
inscriptions is particular, and relates to the Omphi, which seems to have
frightened away some ill-disposed people in an attempt to deface the image:

[759][Greek: Eikona lobeteres elumenant' hoti dian]
[Greek: Theiotatou nuktor omphen epi Memnonos elthon.]

One of the most famous oracles of Apollo was in Lycia: and in consequence
of it the place was named Patara. Patra in Achaia was of the same purport.
I should imagine, that the place where Balaam the false [760]prophet
resided, was of the same nature; and that by Pethor and Pethora was meant a
place of interpretation, or oracular temple. There was probably a college
of priests; such as are mentioned to have existed among the Amonians: of
whom Balaam had been by the king of Moab appointed chief Petora, or priest.
It seems to have been the celebrated place in Arabia, famous in after times
for the worship of Alilat, and called by the Romans [761]Petra.

The custom of carrying the Deity in a shrine, placed in a boat, and
supported by priests, was in use among the Egyptians, as well as the
[762]Ammonites. It is a circumstance which deserves our notice; as it
appears to be very antient, and had doubtless a mysterious allusion. We
have three curious examples of it among [763]Bishop Pocock's valuable
specimens of antiquity, which he collected in those parts. He met with them
at Luxorein, or [764]Lucorein, near Carnac, in the Thebais; but mentions
not what they relate to: nor do I know of any writer who has attended to
their history. The accounts given above by Curtius, and Diodorus, are
wonderfully illustrated by these representations from Egypt. It is plain
that they all relate to the same religious ceremony, and very happily
concur to explain each other. It may be worth observing, that the originals
whence these copies were taken are of the highest antiquity; and, probably,
the most early specimens of sculpture in the world. Diodorus mentions that
the shrine of Ammon had eighty persons to attend it: but Dr. Pocock, when
he took these copies, had not time to be precisely accurate in this
article. In his specimens the greatest number of attendants are twenty:
eighteen support the boat, and one precedes with a kind of sceptre; another
brings up the rear, having in his hand a rod, or staff, which had
undoubtedly a mystic allusion. The whole seems to have been emblem