Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/155

 ATEEKAH, OR OLD CAIRO, AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 125 which last was rebuilt about 150 years ago. In a inche in a wall outside the Church, before a picture, is a brass lamp, imitated from the ancient example in the neighbouring church of the Copts. Part of the boundary wall of this Daiir is surmounted by large earthenware pots, so slightly embedded in mortar that they would come down with any robber who should attempt to climb over. This seems an improvement upon the broken bottles which British householders so delight to place upon their walls. II. Dayr Ahou Seph/n. This Da?/r contains three churches. 1. fSifi Miriam. This Church is of far less antiquity than the others in this walled village, and has apparently been rebuilt. It consists of three r.islcs. In the first compart- ment I noticed in a cupboard a perfect ancient Arabic lamp of white glass. This Church has the almost unique peculiarity of ending square, and not as is usual in apses. The Bishop's scat-niche behind the central altar is lined with coloured Arabic tiles of no great merit. The tradition, even, that the Bishop used to occupy this position is in this Church entirely lost. 2. Amba Shcnouda. A fine large Church of four aisles. The nave is supported upon eight pillars, on one of which is painted the image of a Saint. The baldachino over the central altar deserves notice. The pulpit is a fine example of early woodwork. Here are some fine ancient altar- cloths, and two silver crowns used in marriages, and bear- ing the inscription, " Glory to God ; on Earth Peace." There is also an Evangelisterion of base silver. 3. AOou Sephhi. A Church of extraordinary interest. The massive low door of approach has been covered ex- ternally with the scales of crocodiles, some of which remain ill situ. Inside there are two compartments, and two tanks for the Epiphany water, in the westernmost of which I noticed a unique arrangement, designed apparently' to carry off water to the people outside. In this compartment there is also a very curious prostrate stone column, 4 ft. in length by 10 in. in diameter, completely covered with Arabic in- scriptions. The pavement round one of the water-tanks is adorned with Opus Alc.randrinum. This Church consists of a nave, with a high-pitched roof and lofty dome, and two aisles, the Baptistci-y being in that