The general plan of the temple was this: an avenue of approach--varying in length, and lined usually on either side by rows of sphinxes--led to a gateway, guarded by towers. In the Old Empire these towers served for defense, and seem later to have been preserved for decorative purposes. The gate admitted one to a court, open to the sky and outlined by pillars. In direct line with the gateway was the entrance to a large hall, supported by columns and lighted by small openings under the roof. Within this hall were celebrated the sacred festivals. At the end of the hall a small chapel was built which contained an image of the god of the temple. Sometimes two other chapels were placed, one on each side of this, and contained images of the god's wife and son, or his wife and daughter. The images sometimes represented the animal sacred to the god, or, again, would have a human body and merely the head of the sacred animal or bird. Later an image of the god himself was attempted. The tiny room or cell wherein these were kept was called the Holy of Holies. Before the door were inscribed these words: Four times must he purify himself who enters here. Some temples were much more elaborate and complex than the simple one just described. The doors of these chapels were always left sealed, and whenever they were opened, a clay seal was affixed. Having purified himself, the priest would fill the hall with the smoke of incense, break the seal, open the door and fall down, offering incense and kissing the ground before the image. Then a hymn of praise was probably sung. RISE OF THE NILE. "King and Father, gift and giver, God revealed in form of river, Issuing perfect and sublime, From the fountain-head of time; "Whom eternal mystery shroudeth, Unapproached, untraced, unknown; Whom the Lord of heaven encloudeth With the curtains of his throne; "From the throne of heaven descending, Glory, power, and goodness blending, Grant us, ere the daylight dies, Token of thy rapid rise." Ha, it cometh! Furrowing, flashing, Red blood rushing o'er brown breast; Peaks and ridges, and dome dashing Foam on foam, crest on crest! But the time of times for wonder Is when ruddy sun goes under; And the dust throws, half afraid, Silver shuttles of long shade. Opens then a scene, the fairest Ever burst on human view; Once behold, and then comparest Nothing in the world thereto. Every skiff a big ship seemeth, Every bush with tall wings clad; Every man his good brain deemeth The only brain that is not mad. 'Tis the signal Thebes hath waited, Libyan Thebes, the hundred-gated; Rouse and robe thee, River-priest For thy dedication feast! --Blackmore: Florilla. RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.