ped
to make its way. Where Sekhet-Aaru was situated we have no means of
saying, and the texts afford us no clue as to its whereabouts; some
scholars think that it lay away to the east of Egypt, but it is far more
likely to represent some district of the Delta either in its northern or
north-eastern portion. Fortunately we have a picture of it in the
Papyrus of Nebseni, [Footnote: Brit. Mus., No. 9900; this document
belongs to the XVIIIth dynasty.] the oldest probably on papyrus, and
from this we may see that Sekhet-Aaru, _i.e._, the "Field of Reeds,"
typified some very fertile region where farming operations could be
carried on with ease and success. Canals and watercourses abound, and in
one section, we are told, the spirits of the blessed dwelt; the picture
probably represents a traditional "Paradise" or "Elysian Fields," and
the general characteristics of this happy land are those of a large,
well-kept, and well-stocked homestead, situated at no great distance
from the Nile or one of its main branches. In the Papyrus of Nebseni the
divisions of the Sekhet-Auru contain the following:--

[Illustration: The Elysian Fields of the Egyptians according to the
Papyrus of Nebseni (XVIIIth dynasty).]

1. Nebseni, the scribe and artist of the Temple of Ptah, with his arms
hanging by his sides, entering the Elysian Fields.

2. Nebseni making an offering of incense to the "great company of the
gods."

3. Nebseni seated in a boat paddling; above the boat are three symbols
for "city."

4. Nebseni addressing a bearded mummied figure.

5. Three Pools or Lakes called Urti, Hetep, and Qetqet.

6. Nebseni reaping in Sekhet-hetepet.

7. Nebseni grasping the Bennu bird, which is perched upon a stand; in
front are three KAU and three KHU.

8. Nebseni seated and smelling a flower; the text reads: "Thousands of
all good and pure things to the KA of Nebseni."

9. A table of offerings.

10. Four Pools or Lakes called Nebt-tani, Uakha, Kha(?), and Hetep.

11. Nebseni ploughing with oxen by the side of a stream which is one
thousand [measures] in length, and the width of which cannot be said;
in it there are neither fish nor worms.

12. Nebseni ploughing with oxen on an island "the length of which is
the length of heaven."

13. A division shaped like a bowl, in which is inscribed: "The
birthplace(?) of the god of the city Qenqentet Nebt."

14. An island whereon are four gods and a