CHAPTER VI. MEROE. Historical Evidence that this is the Cemetery of the Capital of Ethiopia. — The imposing Appearance, Number, Position, and Dimensions of the Pyramids. — Ethiopian Arch. — Proofs that the Knowledge of the Arts descended front Ethiopia. — Edifices of a pyramidal Form the best adapted to resist the Ravages of Time. — Peculiar Style of the Sculpture. — The Language of Hieroglyphics generally known in Ethiopia. — The Style of the Sculpture the Criterion of the Age. — Monumental, geological, and historical Evidence that the Knowledge of the Arts descended from Meroe. — Description of the Sculpture. — Name of Meroe on the Monuments. — Meroe peculiarly interesting, as the Birth-place of the Arts. — Sandstone Quarries. — Site of the City. — Villages of the present Inhabitants. — Agriculture. — Cailliaud 66 CHAPTER VII. Departure from the Ruins. — Numerous Villages, one called Meroueer. — Shendy. — Fortified House of the Melek. — Insignificance of the present Capitals of Ethiopia. — Population of Shendy. — Bazaar. — Prices of Camels, Slaves, &c. — Manner of transacting Business. — Women of Shendy. — Slave System. — Power of the ancient Meleks. — Their Wives. — Army of the Pasha. — Death of Ismael Pasha. — Metammah. — The Katshef of that Place, and his Court. — Katshef of Shendy 86 CHAPTER VIII. Departure from Shendy. — Difficulties. — Desert. — Visit from and Anecdotes of Lions. — Immense Ruins. — Confusion of the Plan. — Built by bad Architects. — Detailed Description of the principal Temple. — Style of the Sculpture. — Other Ruins. — Singular Situation of the Ruins. — The Purpose for which they were constructed. — Their probable Age 94 CHAPTER IX. Deficiency of Water. — Return to the Nile. — Wild Animals. — Ancient Canal. — Temple of Abou Naga. — Difficulties. — The modern Capitals of Ethiopia. — Sennaar. — The Difficulty of penetrating to the Source of the Bahr el Abiad. — Tribe of Arabs on its Banks. — Water less sweet than that of the Bahr el Azruk. — Arab Description of the River. — Inundation of the Nile. — Return to Shendy. — Mameluke Exercise 111 CHAPTER X.