EMBALMED ALIVE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 47, 22 November 1890, Page 6

EMBALMED ALIVE.

HE city of Memphis slept. I 1 " as the noxious hour when Ph-t-ah, the terrible god of Fire, and Ph-Ka, the Sun, pour out ' n emulation of each other, their rays of scorc h' n o heat upon the land of Egypt and bring death to the imprudent traveller. I bad taken refuge from the heat of the day in an inner chamber of my summer palace, lazily stretched on cushions of brilliant hues, fashioned by the people of Lyria. Three slaves, captives from the Canaan land, beat upon the sultry air with fans of gigantic palm leaves. IN THE PALACE. The palace, standing upon the banks of the Nile, was my favourite retreat, whose decoration I had intrusted to the most celebrated artists of the day. On the walls of the room in which I lay were represented the victories and conquests of the great Pharaoh Ramises Meiamoun, called by the ancient Greeks, Tesostris, and from whom I traced my descent. The azure of the ceiling was studded with stars of gold, palm leaves of alternate green and yellow adorned the lintels of the doors and windows, curtained with mats of plaited aloes and rushes. A row of jars of porous earthenware containing cold spring watei contributed their aid to cool the heated atmosphere. Plunged in a sweet reverie, my eyes strayed to the paintings and sculptures which surrounded me; the figures, which ingenious art had fashioned on the walls appeared to move, the terrible Ramises, like an avenging god, threatened with his lash the people on their knees before him. The scarlet plumaged ibis pecked at the grains of corn which lay scattered on the marble flags ; from time to time their melancholy cry mingled with the dull and monotonous wash of the river against its artificial bands of granite. «»««■« * * Shaking off the torpor which had by degrees stolen upon my senses, I seized an ivory stick and beat upon a drum of hippopotamus skin standing near ihy conch. OFF ON THE BARGE. At the signal the hanging curtains parted and gave entrance to thechiefof my slaves. His jet black skin, small, deep sunken eyes and thick piotruding lips proclaimed Jiimof the Naziki race. From his right shoulder the skin of a Libyan panther hung down around his body, while his lower limbs were clothed in diawers of scarlet linen, fastened about the waist by a broad leather strap; from either ear hung a thick ring of gold. His position in my palace was that of Intendant of the Slaves. ‘ Prepare my barge,’ I said, ‘ the one which was lately built for me by Ramneton of Thebes. 1 wish to attend the ceremonies in memory of the death of the God Apis, and would set out at one. ’ Leaving my chamber I soon found myself at the head of the granite stairway, at the foot of which the barge was moored. The sight of my new purchase gave me intense delight, the builder, Ramneton, bad indeed surpassed himself. The hull, which was narrowed to a point at either end, was built of acacia wood, transversed by planks of cedar ; leaves of the byblus tree coated with bitumen and impenetrable to water were used to calk the seams ; at the prow was a figure of Isis wrought in ivory ; the sides were gaily painted and adorned in many colours. In the poop, which was thickly strewn with soft silken cushions, protection from the sun’s rays was afforded by double folds of blue tinted byssus, supported at each corner by little golden masts. Within a few moments I was floating on the Nile. Two powerful, copper-coloured Ethiopians bent to oars of cedar wood, the blades of which threw up the water at each stroke in showers of pearly drops. Standing upright in the prow the Naziki kept a watchful guard lest any obstacle should impede our course, and from time to time the long pole which he held would smite the rugged back of a sleeping crocodile. THE BEAUTIES OF MEMPHIS. Before my eyes passed in procession the majestic and imposing buildings of Memphis, its colonaded temples, monstrous catacombs covered with hieroglyphic signs, the palaces of dark red granite, with their obelisks and avenues of colossal statues, charming villas, half hidden in their verdant gardens and cabins built of reeds and mud, where dwelt the fishermen of the Nile. The broad fields and open meadows came into view. Forests of mimosa trees, or palms and cedars, lotus Howers hanging from their large green leaves, and inland lakes of golden corn stretching in waves beyond the distant horizon. At times, from among the reeds ami mangroves a hippopotamus would raise his massive head and, scared at our approach, plunge suddenly into the muddy stream, causing the barge to rock upon the mimic waves. Upon the sandy banks I perceived huge lizards, seeking and preying upon the eggs left by crocodiles in the sun’s fierce heat, a wise dispensation of the goddess Isis to check the increase of the amphibian reptile. ***** * * As we turned one of the river’s numerous bends our passage was checked by a veritable Heet of various craft. A palm tree’s trunk, clumsily hollowed out and paddled by a single man, darted about among gilded barges urged by a dozen roweis. The Pelasgian from the distant shores of the Hellespont exposed to our sight his body tattooed in red and blue, the skin of a wild beast his only protection against the scorching sun ; his light skiff jostled against the craft which held the grave and dignified Hymiaritan, possessor of the land which produces incense. One would recognise in his rich and training robe, and wearing a tiara covered with precious stones, the son of Assour, sheltered from the burning rays by a canopy of many coloured silks. SCENES ON THE RIVER. Here and there was to be seen, timorous and hidden among the rigging of the heavy ships of commerce, some humble Ben Heber, an exile from the plains of Goshem. Long canoes of sycamore covered with hippopotamus hide made their way among the crowd, full of Egyptian soldiers, whose weapons glistened in the sunlight ; a man of Oeris stood motionless in the prow of each canoe, bearing the in-

signia of two golden horns upon his helmet and his harpgrasped in his band. in princely' barges were seated like somany gods of carved stone, the chief rulers of Memphis, with plaited hair and fixed stony looks as of a hawk intent upon its prey. Through the middle of the crowd a wide and rqren space was left ; it was here that the sacred rites of the death of Apis were to be celebrated, and that the drowning was totake place according to hieratical custom. Posts, on the top of each was figured the head of a jackal of Anubis, guardian of the Tombs, and which were joined together by black cords, hindered the multitude from trespassing upon the reserved enclosure.

Thanks to my royal descent I was entitled to a space for my barge among the loyalties, and my intendant moored it to a post in the front rank of all. At some distance from the river bank one could see the temples of the god Apis,, with its pillars and obelisks of green basalt; on the walls of the building were represented the principal acts in the life of the ox-god, and his relations with the other gods ;. between the painter ’and the sculptor there had been a worthy emulation in decorating the dwelling of the deity. A gate of bronze hung on immense hinges from the centie pillar, opening by a complicated mechanism, to which the grand priest alone possessed the key. THE CEREMONIES. The clash of cymbals and blare of trumpets announced, the commencement of the ceremonies. All eyes w ere fixed, upon the temple ; the gate once opened; the luneral procession issued at a slow march, tiling along the avenue of the Sphinx, which led from the propylceum to the Nile. Atits headagroup of musicians,clad ingarmentsofmourning, filled the air with a solemn chant, to the accompaniment of bronze horns anddrumsof crocodileskin, then advancing in double tile, with tunics of snow white linen, pointed sandals of byblus wood, close shaven heads, wrapped round with bands of papyrus covered with hieroglyphics, came the hundred priests of Apis : their austere figures seemed a foreshadowing of the mysteries of death, and their eyes looked forward into the infinite. In their midst four and, twenty neophytes, their bodies oiled and painted with vermilion, drew the massive throne of the ox Apis. In white figures upon hisskin of glistening black were the three mystic signs—a triangle and crescent upon his forehead, an eagle upon his back. His chest was decorated with a breastplate of enamel, and between the golden horns was the royal insignia. Above his hoofs,, which w’ere also of gold, were bracelets of precious stones set in lapislazuli. His head could scarcely be seen for thj thick clouds of incense, the scent of which he seemed toinhale with an air of tolerant content. Behind followed the serators of the temple, whose funeral chants filled the minds of the spectators with a nameless fear ; one could fancy, in the air, a rushing of wings as if Nephtis, Goddess of Death, were hovering above the procession. THE BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS. Apis, having been placed upon a sacred barge, was conducted toward the river’s deepest spot, where, being laid, upon a screen of reeds and despoiled of all his ornaments, he was hurled into the water, amid the groans and lamentations of the w’hole crowd. The corpse was then dragged by the priests to the river’s bank and delivered over to the hieratical embalmers. During the ceremony' my attention had been attracted by a far pleasanter spectacle than the death of the god. Not far from where 1 sat was a very handsome barge, its bow and stern finely-worked in representation of lotus buds ; its rose-coloured hangings were fastened to the masts by ringsof gold and silken ropes. From time to time I caught a glimpse of a young girl’s beautiful face. She was of the pure Egyptian type ; black velvety “eyes, artistically enlarged with antimony; aquiline, but perfectly formed nose, and a skin browned by exposure to the sun. Unfortunately the moments when I could obtain an unobstructed view' were few and far between. When the procession had passed she made me a sign to join her ! It was not until then that I recognized in her the Princess Nabis, daughter of Pharaoh Nepherkeres, Our barges'traveiled together toward the palace of the princess, one of the city’s architectural marvels. Beyond the main entrance to the palace was a vast hall with sculptured walls, and intersected by a veritable forest of pillars, some Huted, others smoothly round and polished ; their capitals were exquisitely wrought and represented for the most part the full blown lotus Howers ; the loof of the hall did not meet the capitals, but was supported by thestems m Inch issued from the heart of every Hower. WORK OF MEMPHION ARTISTS. We were met by a crowd of black slaves, who prostrated, themselves at our feet and called down upon us the blessings of the gods. Beyond them was a band of harpists, who, as they twanged their strings, chanted the praises of my hostess. The Princess led me to her nrivate chamber. In its construction the architect had en.'ployed nought but the most precious stones, such as alabaster, jasper, black basalt, green, white and violet coloured porphyry, and rose-tinted granite. Using the various colouis of these stones he had constructed most ingenious mosaics, representing figures of both animal, and human. Large vases at regular intervals contained huge bunches of lotus Howers, whose sweet and languorousscent was diffused throughout the rooms. Such light as penetrated through the heavy silk curtains of the windows was soft and dim.

Upon the plinth of each column an artist had painted the various works of women kind—some were depicted fashioning crowns for their divinities, others weaving llax on spindles of green faience. Each pose was reproduced with an astonishing degree of natuialness. Rumour had it that in recognition of his skill the princess had paid the artist with as much gold as he could carry' from her palace to his dwelling. Upon a pedestal of green jasper I noticed a statue in solid gold of the Goddess Bes, the deity who presides over women’s toilet. I remained alone for some time, admiring the beauty and elegance of the chamber. Perhaps the most striking object was a throne of solid ivory, fashioned in the form of a sphinx and supported on columns of sculptured ebony. Beyond this was a table on which were arranged the various articles of women’s toilet, jars of all sizes and descriptions, boxes containing spikenard and other fragrant ointments, antimony with which to paint the eyes, bracelets, of gold and collars of precious stones.

A STRANGE GROTTO.

A slave approached me and asked me if it were my pleasure to be conducted to the banqueting hall. On my consenting he opened a small door which had been hidden by a Certain of aloes, and signed to me to descend a Higlit of stairs which now met my sight. A torch which he carried threw a red light upon the walls and gave life to the figures which were painted on them. A dark and gloomy passage at the foot of the stairs brought nu to the most curious part of this strange dwelling house. I found myself in a large hall, the walls of which were composed of transparent quartz ; so, too, was the ceiling, which was supported by enormous columns, each representing a different god. It was with a curious sense of fear that I perceived that in reality I was under the Nile. Beyond and above the walls of quartz* one could look into the greenish water ; at the moment of my entrance a monstrous and tierce looking crocodile struck the wall with its scaly tail ; huge water snakes crawled above my head, stirring up the mud of the river’s bed. From lamps of onyx a thousand lights sparkled in the mysterious letreat. Down the centre of the hall stretched a long table of delicately veined marble standing on legs of green jasper. At frequent intervals, from the polished surface, there sprang up an artificial palm tree of green and gold, whose leaves threw out a brilliant flame of light. Behind each guest stood a gigantic slave, a Nasamon, clothed in striped trousers, their beards curled in ringlets, heavy rings of gold upon their arms and legs, and each holding a torch of resinous cinnamon wood. At this moment the Princess Nabis entered. Her blue-black hair was crowned by a golden hawk, whose wings formed a sort of helmet, the head erect over her forehead. In its beak the bird held a string of superb pearls, drawn back around her head and hanging down upon her neck. Her tunic, woven of the finest flax, had but a single fringe of colour ; sandals of the satin-like papyrus bark protected her perfectly formed feet, fastened to her limbs by bands of white pearly shells gathered from the banks of the Nile. THE BANQUET,

Under her pencilled eyebrows an enormous light shone from her large black eyes ; her half opened lips, whose blackness was a proof of her Egyptian blood, disclosed a row of whitest teeth. Her cheeks were slightly rouged to the fashion of the day, and her perfectly formed bust agitated, when she breathed, the jewelled stomacher, from which by a chain of gold hung down a pair of ibis feathers. I took my place near her, reclining on a pile of soft cushions, and in my heart gave thanks to Isis in that I had attracted to myself the looks of this royal lady. Slaves filled our goblets with wine and our plates with rarest delicacies, the musicians brought forth sweet music from their instruments while they ehanted words of love, and fair dancers from Diospolis, with their slow and languorous movements, gave pleasure to our sight. Towards the end of the repast the Princess Nabis, fixing a reaching look upon my eyes, held a lotus flower close to my face so that I must needs inhale its heavy perfume. Little by little I felt my head grow dull and heavy and that I was slowly losing my senses. Then all at once, as I sank down upon the cushions, she beckoned two of her Nasamon slaves, and cried to them, ‘Carry him to the house of Thethmosis, the embalmer!’ What could these strange words signify ? Did the Pnneess believe that I was really dead ? Was it some jest on her part? Upon her lips I could see, or fancied that I could, a strange, ironical smile. The two slaves approached and lifted me upon a screen of reeds. I could see, I could understand and I could hear, and yet I could not make a movement, speak a word, or let them know that I was indeed alive. A sort of numbness had seized upon my will, and to all appearances I was dead. With my eyes wide open and fixed, my limbs stiff and cold, my heart pulseless, the slaves carried me toward the quarter of the city called Memnonia.

TO THE EMBALMER.

We crossed through the lieart of Memphis. On all sides was life and health and strength; the children played about the'streets, the merchants cried their wares ; some labouring men, sweating with their toil, cast toward me looks of envy, doubtless thinking of the long sleep and rest before me, but I could see that their jealousy was only transitory and soon forgotten in the mere satisfaction of living. Some young girls, dressed as if for a fete, and full of life and coquetry, paused for a moment in their laughing chatter and east upon me some flowers they carried in their hands. It was with a feeling of the deepest horror that I noted our arrival at Memnonia, a district almost wholly given up to those whose business lay in the disposition of the dead. < »n all sides rose a thick reddish vapour issuing from vats of boilin'* nitre ; the very air one breathed was nauseous with its admixture of bitumen, naphtha, palm oil, gum and myrrh. In every nook anti corner were gloomy emblems of death, cases of mummies, sarcophagi of basalt and granite, alabaster urns to hold the vital parts and wrappers of cardboard covered in funeral pictures. The quarters of Thethnmsis, the royal embalmer, were distinguished from all others by their magnificence and ornate decorations. Flanking the entrance were two rows of mummy cases, on which rich paintings and golden hieroglyphics show through thick coats of varnish; on i ther side stood urns of precious perfumes.

The Nasamons laid me down upon a granite table in a small chamber walled with glazed tiles ; then they departed and in great uneasiness 1 awaited the coming of the proprietor of this sinister establishment. A DREADFUL EXPERIENCE. Before long approaching footsteps warned me of his approach. From his apjiearance one would have thought he ■was a mummy gifted by some unknown power with life. His every movement was jerky and automatic, as if his limbs were confined by some of his own grave cloths ; his wrinkled skin, yellow as papyrus, seemed scarcely to conceal his bones, which one could hear crackle a* every step he took. The spectral embalmer advanced directly toward me, and I could feel his long bony fingers examining every inch of

my body ; it was as if I were in the clutches of some gigantic spider.

A young Nubian attendant stood close by bearing the instruments which were to be used upon me—a long piece of iron bent as a hook, a sharp and pointed blade of stone and several vases filled with perfumes for my embalmment. Thethmosis, taking in his hand an instrument of bent iron, pushed it violently up one of my nostrils until it seemed to touch my brain. The’ pain was frightful. I lost all consciousness ; was real death coming to mv aid ? When I regained my senses I saw that I was no longer in the chamber where the Nasamons had carried me. Such daylight as could struggle through a small circular window showed me that I was in a low ceilinged cellar, and that my body, with the exception of my head, had been plunged into an oblong bath, filled to the brim with nitre. For how long had I been there ?■ Would death have naught to do with me, or was this after punishment for the faults of all my life ? Terrible mystery ! Pei haps I was indeed dead. Suddenly a voice broke upon my ears, and I could hear the opening of a door. ‘Ha! ha ! By the divine Osiris, but he makes a splendid mummy chuckled Thethmosis, as he examined me ;‘ a fine dry skin, muscles like cords—it is time to think of the body cloths.’

WRAPPED IN FLAX. The bantering manner in which the old embalmer spoke exasperated me to a singular degree. From the mocking expression of his lips 1 suspected that he knew well that I was living and the victim of a villainous trick on the part of the princess. They laid me once more upon a granite table. I had remained unconscious throughout seventy days, for such I knew, was the length of time a mummy is left to soak in nitre. I was embalmed ! Thethmosis and his assistants wrapped me carefully in long bands of flax eoated with gum, ard soon 1 was completely shrouded in several thicknesses of linen cloth. A strange thing happened, and one which was a .serious departure from the usual Egyptian custom. Instead of en-

veloping my mummy in three distinct coverings Thethmosis laid me in an o|>en box and simply covered my face with a mask of gold, with openings pierced for eyes and nose and mouth.

Then the embalmer left me to the care of his slaves, giving them the one order, ‘Carry him to his Pyramid.’ Again I saw the noble streets of Siem phis with their crowds and animated bustle ; then, by degrees, all signs of city life were left behind. Soon I found myself in my last resting place, close to the mummies of my ancestors ; the doors of bronze were closed and I was cut off from the living world. Death would have l»een a blessing. I was a mummy, and yet alive Was Ito remain thus for all time, a corpse * or had I in reality ceased to exist ? Through the dim light I could look down corridors lined on both sides with grinning parchment skinned faces of mummies, all that was left of proud Pharaohs, builders of the pyramids, bold warriors and wise rulers ! * * The centuries ran on I lived throughout the time. At intervals the bronze doors would creak upon their hinges and slowly open, the daylight would stream in and two human beings enter carrying a new mummy ; my descendants lay beside me in a goodly row.

TIME GOES ON. At times my former life, its pleasures, joys and troubles pass before my eye. I could see again the fair waters of the Nile, the palaces upon its banks and the golden light of day, could taste the pure air once more and scent the perfume of the flowers. Soon,however, the reality of my sad condition would reassert itself and force me to remember that I was buried under a mountain of stone, polluted with the nauseous bitumen. ♦ * * Sometimes loud voices would reecho through the corridors ; a hurricane of flame would sweep across the desert sands and drive them like ocean’s billows against the tomb of all the Pharaohs. « ♦ ♦ Century succeeded century; slowly, slowly. Long time had now elapsed since the bronze doors had opened. * » ♦ A far off rumbling, such as pre-

cedes a tempest, struck upon my ears, ceasing for a moment, only to commence with double force. Surely some awful upheaval of nature ! Was it the very end of all ? Silence once more, and still more terrifying than the tumult ! * * * Suddenly the metal doors are rudely thrust asunder. Men of strange aspect and still stranger customs penetrated the tomb, torches in band. They examined the sarcophagi and mummies, expressing their astonishment in a strange tongue. They lifted me and bore me from the Pyramid ; at last! I was to see my native land again I Alas ! what a mournful sight met my view ! Egypt overcast with gloom and desolate ; ruins and decay on all sides ! A strange race living on the banks of the Nile, speaking a language which I knew not ! Priests, warriors, where are they all ? W’hat has befallen my fellow citizens of Memphis ? Has all Egypt perished '!

DOWN THE NILE.

I am placed in an enormous vessel ami descend the Nile ; but how changed is the sacred stream ! Its banks are deserted and laid waste. Memphis, my birthplace, has disappeared ; a forest’s growth rises among the ruins of its palaces. Here and there stand solitary obelisks, broken trunks of columns, fragments of porticoes ! Time has destroyed everything. The strangers look with curiosity on the bands which encircle me ; one of them raises the mask ot gold and shows my features to his companions. Then they lay me in the depths of the vessel’s hold. • * After a long space of time, when I once more see the daylight, I find myself in the strangest of places, and vainly seek to understand what I see around me. I am placed, standing upright in a sort of chest, having transparent walls, and in whatever direction my looks are cast they fall upon some relics of my country ; images of gods are mixed with tools of husbandry. I can also see a multitude of sarcophagi, tablets of hieroglyphics, enamelled breastplates, mummies of the ibis, the crocodile and the cat. ** * *

At this moment it seems as if life were again about to take possession of my body, a tremor runs through my veins, my right arm breaks suddenly from my side, ami striking the tiansparent wall, smashes it with a loud crash.

THE AWAKENIN'!

And I awoke with a stait, in a Mate of • lire confusion. | have been unfortunate enough to break a glass case in the Egyptian Museum. An attendant admonishes me very sharply, and infoimsme that the museum is not a dormitory; nay, I am almost convinced that the fellow growls out some reflection upon people who have taken too much wine. But I myself, still in a state of bewilderment. seize my hat, ami having paid for the damage I have done hurry off homeward, registering a mental vow that on the next occasion when I wish to dream I will choose some other spot than the inteiment hall in the Egyptian Museum of the Louvre.

‘Why didn't you try to save your mother-in-law when she fell in the water?’ ‘ Why t For the simple reason that nothing 1 ever do suits her.’