the middle, between the two, a long range of chambers extended from the central and circular shrine towards the north-west; and in this direction appears to have been the principal and original entrance. Proceeding towards it we came to a large room in the middle of the fabric, between the supposed Serapeum and the main outlet, or portal, towards the sea. Here the workmanship was very elaborate; and to the right and left were chambers, with receptacles ranged parallel to each other. Farther on, in the same direction, is a passage with galleries and spacious apartments on either side; probably the chambers for embalming the dead, or those belonging to the priests, who constantly officiated in the Serapeum. In the front is a kind of vestibulum, or porch: but it is exceedingly difficult to ascertain precisely the nature of the excavation towards the main entrance, from the manner in which it is now choked with earth and rubbish. If this part were laid open, it is possible that something further would be known as to the design of the undertaking; and, at all events, one of the most curious of the antiquities of Egypt would then be exposed to the investigation it merits. Having passed about six hours in exploring, to the best of our ability, these gloomy mansions, we regained, by means of our clue, the aperture by which we had entered, and quitted them for ever." RUINS OF PALMYRA. [See Plate, No. 61.] THIS noble city of ancient Syria, also called TADMOR, is of uncertain date and origin, but is thought by many to have been THE TADMOR IN THE WILDERNESS, built by Solomon. Its splendid ruins consist of temples, palaces, and porticoes of Grecian architecture, scattered over an extent of several miles. The most remarkable of them is the Temple of the Sun,the ruins of which are spread over a square of 220 yards. It was encompassed with a stately wall, built of large square stones, and adorned with pilasters within and without, to the number of 62 on each side. Within the court are the remains of two rows of very noble marble pillars 37 feet high, with their capitals of most exquisite workmanship. Of these 58 only remain entire; but there must have been many more, for they appear to have surrounded the whole court, and to have supported a double piazza. The walks on the side of the piazza opposite to the front of the castle seem to have been the most spacious and beautiful. At the end of this line are two niches for statues, with their pedestals, borders, supporters, and canopies, carved with the utmost elegance. The space within the inclosure appears to have been an open court, in the centre of which stood the temple, encompassed with another row of pillars of a different order, and much taller, being 50 feet in height; of these 16 only remain. The whole space contained within these pillars is 59 yards in length, and nearly 28 in breadth. The temple which points north and south, is 33 yards in length, and 13 or 14 in breadth. At its centre, on the west side, is a most magnificent entry, on the remains of which vines and clusters of grapes are carved in the most bold and masterly imitation of nature that can be conceived. Over the door was displayed a pair of wings extending its whole breadth; but the body to which they belonged is totally destroyed, so that it cannot certainly be known, whether it was that of an eagle or of a cherub, several representations of both being visible on other fragments of the building. Its north extremity is adorned with the most curious fret-work and bass-relief; and in the centre is a dome or cupola, about 10 feet in diameter, which appears to have been either hewn out of the rock, or moulded of some composition which by time has become equally hard. North of this place is an obelisk, consisting of seven large stones, besides its capital,and the wreathed work about it. It probably, supported a statue, which the Turks, in their zeal against idolatry, have destroyed. At the distance of a quarter of a mile from this pillar, to the east and west, are two others, besides the fragment of a third, so as to lead to the supposition that there was originally a continued row. About 100 paces from the middle obelisk, straight forward, is a magnificent entry to a piazza, 40 feet in breadth and more than half a mile in length, inclosed with two rows of marble pillars 26 feet high, and 8 or 9 feet in compass. Ofthese there still remain 129; and by a moderate computation, there could not have been originally less than 560. The upper end of this piazza was shut in by a row of pillars, standing somewhat closer than those on each side. A little to the left are the ruins of a stately building, which |