yptian language.

By comparing the words of these inscriptions with many others, the
formation of this peculiar language was ascertained. It was then learned
that the inscriptions on these obelisks were the records of memorable
events, and the heroic deeds of their kings and heroes.

Many of these obelisks have been taken from their positions in Egypt and
transported with great labor to other countries. Nearly two thousand
years ago the Roman emperors began to carry them to the city of Rome.
Altogether, nearly fifty of these remarkable monuments were taken away
and set up in that city. They were then, as now, regarded as curious
examples of the ingenuity of the ancients who first made them.

[Illustration: The Obelisk in Central Park, New York, and as it appeared
in Egypt.]

In later years, specimens were taken to Paris and London, and more
recently one was brought to America, and set up in the Central Park, New
York City.

This one belongs to the largest class, being nearly seventy feet high
and about eight feet square at the base.

The accompanying cut shows the position of this obelisk as it appeared
when standing near the city of Alexandria, Egypt.

The difficulty of transporting one of these huge stone columns is so
great, that for a long time it was thought impossible to remove it from
Egypt to this country.

In their large cities, the Egyptians built massive temples which were
dedicated to religious ceremonies. Some of them, although now in ruins,
are considered to be among the most remarkable productions of the
ancients.

Tourists who nowadays sail up the River Nile and visit the site of the
city of Thebes, the ancient capital of Egypt, are struck with amazement
at the vast ruins surrounding them.

On the eastern side of the Nile lies what is left of the temple of
Karnak.

Imagine a long line of courts, gateways, and halls; here and there an
obelisk rising above the ruins, and shutting off the view of the forest
of columns!

This mass of ruins, some lying in huge heaps of stone, others perfect
and pointed as when they were first built, is approached on every side
by avenues and gateways of colossal grandeur.

The temple originally covered an area of two hundred and seventy acres,
inclosed within a wall of brick. Parts of this wall are still visible,
while the rest lies crumbled and broken.

It is difficult to realize the grand appearance of the thirty rows of
stone columns standing within the