"We crossed the river," said Frank in his journal, "in a _kangia_, or native boat, such as we have already described, and as the wind was favorable it was not long in making the passage. We landed just below the ruins of the temple, in what is called 'Pharaoh's bed,' but were unable to ascertain if any of the monarchs of that name ever slept there, and, if so, how late they slept. We thought the place a very pretty one, and Fred wished he could sit down and write some verses about it, as everything around seemed to favor such a performance. Doctor Bronson says the island of Philæ has been the theme of the poets for many centuries, and farthermore, that a great deal of poetical prose has been composed concerning it. On learning this Fred concluded that he could not improve on what had been done before him, and wisely desisted from the attempt. "From the landing-place we went to the ruins of the temple, where we spent a couple of hours. The building seems to have been the work of several architects at different periods, as it is very irregular in shape, and the floors are not all on the same level. It is more modern than any of the temples we have yet seen, as none of the dates which have been found upon it are earlier than the thirtieth dynasty, or about 400 B.C. The propylon towers are sixty feet high, and there is a fine view from their top. We climbed up without difficulty, though in some places the steps are considerably broken. The solidity of the towers has preserved them from serious injury. "The colors on the walls and towers are better preserved than in the other temples, and some of them are exceedingly beautiful. At the time the temple was built the lotos flower seems to have been very popular among the artists, as it was extensively used in the ornamentation, and for the tops of the pillars that supported the roof of the grand hall. [Illustration: VIEW FROM PHILÆ LOOKING UP THE RIVER.] "Philæ was one of the most sacred spots known to the ancient Egyptians, as it was the resting-place of the god Osiris, to whom they attributed the annual overflow of the Nile, and the consequent fertility of the land. There was a fable that his body was deposited beneath the cataract, and that once a year he rose and 'troubled the waters' so that the Nile burst its banks, and spread over the land of Egypt, to insure an abundant harvest. "The temple was dedicated to this god, and to his wife and sister Isis. On the monuments she has many titles: sometimes she is called 'Mistress of Heaven,' at others 'Regent of the Gods,' and at others 'The Eye of the Sun.' Both Isis and Osiris represented the good and beautiful on earth, and perhaps it is for this reason that the lovely island was chosen as the site of their temple.