Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/162
very few other Churches, and in some of the most magnificent Mosques. The effect is extremely good and well worthy of imitation. The left-hand altar-chapel has been modernized, in that on the right I observed a curious piece of wood sculptured with two crosses and several Coptic inscriptions. The priest informed me that he knelt upon this board when engaged in prayer.
IV. Dayr Bablún.
This convent is of great antiquity, and interesting, as already stated, as preserving the name of the Roman Babylon of Egypt. It contains the large and interesting church of Sitt Miriam. Its dimensions are as follows:-
| Feet. | Inches. | |
|---|---|---|
| From western wall to first screen | 11 | 0 |
| Thence to second screen | 15 | 0 |
| Second screen to Iconostasis | 12 | 6 |
| Iconostasis to niche in eastern wall | 14 | 9 |
| Depth of seat-niche | 2 | 0 |
| Breadth of central apse | 14 | 10 |
| Breadth of church | 52 | 0 |
Each compartment of the nave of this Church is supported by columns of granite or marble, with marble capitals taken from some edifice of Roman time, and the roof is vaulted with stone. The interior of the baldachino, which surmounts the chief altar, is decorated with a large picture of Christ in Glory in the attitude of benediction. In the niche of the apse our Lord is again represented, but this time holding a book. Here is preserved a silver Evangelisterion, or book-case, with a cross in the centre of each side, and a Saint at each angle. Above the cross is a Coptic, and below it an Arabic inscription. A copper-gilt candle-stick, like the Evangelisterion, does not appear to be of high antiquity. In these ancient Oriental Churches usages and forms are handed down without change from generation to generation. On the central altar there are the usual two candlesticks, and a small taper-stand, all of brass. Suspended hard by is a silver censer, with small bells attached to the chains, precisely similar to those often seen on the silver anklets which adorn the "tinkling feet" of Arab children. The Epiphany water-tank is remarkable as being in the shape of a kind of floriated cross.
In the chapel of Sitt Miriam, to the left of the nave is a