fluence, they, as in many other instances, merely attached to it an idea according with the grossness of their imaginations. It is reasonable to suppose that the Egyptians spent much time in the cool and shady retirement of their gardens, where, like the Romans, they entertained their friends during the summer season; and from the size of some of the kiosks, which occur in the paintings of the tombs, we may conclude they were rather intended for this purpose, than for the sole use of the master of the villa. That the gardens were originally laid out with a view to utility, and were chiefly stocked with vegetables for the consumption of the family, is more than probable; but as riches and luxury increased, to the simple beds of herbs were added avenues of shady trees, and the usual variety of aromatic plants and ornamental flowers. It then became divided into different parts, distinguished by a peculiar name, according to the purpose for which they were intended; and the vineyard, orchard, kitchen and flower garden, had each its own fixed limits, whose dimensions depended on the means or the caprice of its owner. Some of the richer individuals extended still farther the range of their villas; and a park (Tapadeloos *) was added, which, independent of its fish-ponds† and preserves for game, contained many different sections, as the gallinarium for keeping hens, the cheno *Conf. Rosetta stone. 66 detowy." line 15. απο τε της αμπελίτιδος γης και των παρα boscium for geese, the stalls for fattening cattle, and for keeping the wild goats and other animals originally from the desert, whose meat was reckoned among the dainties of the table. It was in these extensive preserves that the rich amused themselves with the pleasures of the chase; and they also enclosed a considerable space in the desert with net fences, into which the animals were driven for the purpose of being hunted, though the usual custom in those districts was to course in view over the open plains. Many, as I have already observed, occupied their leisure hours in fowling and fishing on their own grounds; and there many a youth, and sometimes even a damsel, was wont to practise the bow by shooting at a target.* (No. 2.) Shooting at a target. * Vide wood-cut, No. 155. Thebes. VIGNETTE F. The Noreg, a machine used by the modern Egyptians for threshing corn. CHAP. VI. Bed Furniture of their Rooms. Chairs, Stools, Ottomans, Mats, THE apartments appropriated to the reception of their friends were sometimes on the ground floor, at others on the first story; and the party usually sat on handsome chairs and fauteuils, each, like the povos of the Greeks, containing one person.* They occasionally used stools and low seats, raised very little above the ground, and some sat crosslegged, or on one knee, upon mats or carpets; but * Vide wood-cut, No. 165. fig. 1. men and women were generally apart, though apparently in the same room. While conversing, they did not recline upon diwáns, like eastern people at the present day, nor did they, like the Romans, lie in a recumbent position, supported by the left elbow *, on a triclinium, or couch, during meals; though couches and ottomans formed part of the furniture of an Egyptian saloon. Besides the thronus, or single chair, was what the Greeks termed the digos t, from its holding two persons; which was sometimes kept as a family seat, and occupied by the master and mistress of the house. This kind of chair was not, however, always reserved exclusively for them, nor did custom require them to occupy the same seat, since we Conf. Hor. i. Od. xxii. 8. : "Et cubito remanete presso." + Auppes was also applied to a single chair, as in Theocr. Id. xv. 2.:Ορη διφον Ευνοα αυτα.” |