aintings and sculptures, in endless variety,
some representing the deepest mysteries of the Egyptian religion; but,
as Mr. Fergusson says, like all the tombs, they depend for their
magnificence more on the paintings that adorn the walls than on
anything which can strictly be called architecture. One of the tombs
at _Biban-el Molouk_ is 862 feet in length without reckoning the
lateral chambers; the total area of excavation is 23,809, occupying an
acre and a quarter of space for one chamber.

Private individuals were buried according to their rank and fortune.
Their tombs, also excavated from the living rock, consisted of one or
of several chambers ornamented with paintings and sculptures; the last
contained the sarcophagus and the mummy. According to Sir G.
Wilkinson, the tombs were the property of the priests, and a
sufficient number being always kept ready, the purchase was made at
the shortest notice, nothing being requisite to complete even the
sculptures or inscriptions but the insertion of the deceased's name
and a few statements respecting his family and profession. The
numerous subjects representing agricultural scenes, the trades of the
people, in short, the various occupations of the Egyptians, varying
only in their details and the mode of their execution, were figured in
these tombs, and were intended as a short epitome of human life, which
suited equally every future occupant. The tombs at Beni Hassan are
even of an earlier date than those of Thebes. Among these the tomb of
a monarch or provincial governor is of the age of Osirtasen I. The
walls of this tomb are covered with a series of representations,
setting forth the ordinary occupations and daily avocations of the
deceased, thus illustrating the manners and customs of the Egyptians
of that age. These representations are a sort of epitome of life, or
the career of man, previous to his admission to the mansions of the
dead. They were therefore intended to show that the deceased had
carefully and duly fulfilled and performed all the duties and
avocations which his situation in life and the reverence due to the
gods required. In the cemeteries of Gizeh and Sakkara are tombs of the
time of Nephercheres, sixth King of the second dynasty, probably the
most ancient in Egypt. Around the great pyramid are numerous tombs of
different periods; among them are the tombs of the princes, and other
members of the family or time of Khufu. One of the most interesting is
t