lass, who enveloped it in its
coverings. These were linen bandages, which in the case of the rich
were sometimes a thousand yards in length. It was then inclosed in a
sort of case fitting closely to the mummied body. This case was richly
painted, covered in front with a network of beads and bugles arranged
in a tasteful form, the face being overlaid with thick gold leaf and
the eyes made of enamel. This again was placed in other cases,
sometimes three or four in number, all similarly ornamented with
painting and gilding, and the whole inclosed in a sarcophagus or
coffin of wood or stone, profusely decorated with painting and
sculpture. It was then handed over to the family of the deceased, and
afterward taken in solemn procession across the sacred lake, followed
by the mourning relatives throwing dust upon their heads.

Every Egyptian city had a lake of this kind, either natural or
artificial. Notice was given beforehand to the judges and public of
the day on which the funeral would take place, and these assembled at
the side of the lake, where the decorated boat in readiness for the
passage was lying. Before the coffin could be placed upon the boat it
was lawful for any person present to bring forward his accusation
against the deceased. If it could be proved that he had led an evil
life the judge declared that the body was deprived of the accustomed
sepulture. If the accused failed to establish his charge he was
subject to the heaviest penalties. If there was no accuser or if the
accusation was not proved the judge declared the dead man innocent.
The body was placed in the boat and carried across the lake, and then
either taken to the family catacombs or to the room specially prepared
for its reception in the house of the deceased.

The greatest grief and shame were felt by the family of those deprived
of the right of sepulture, for they believed that thereby he was
excluded from the mansions of the blessed, and that in the course of
the transmigrations through which his spirit would pass before it
again returned to a human form, it might be condemned to inhabit the
body of an unclean animal.

As none from the lowest to the very highest rank could escape the
ordeal of public accusation after death, there can be little doubt
that this ceremony exercised a most wholesome effect upon the life of
the Egyptians, and was most efficacious in repressing tyranny,
cruelty, and vice of all kinds among them. Even the most powe