MOONLIGHT ON THE NILE
Reproduced from a night photograph taken near Luxor.
LUXOR, FROM OPPOSITE BANK OF THE NILE
Egypt is a country of impressive temples and monuments, the interest of which has not been exhausted by a library of books on the subject. A trip through Egypt is not complete without a visit to the Ramesseum and that unique monument, the Temple of Denderah. The latter is a building set apart in architectural and in historic interest. It is not imposing; but it has an appeal that the other temples have not. It was a place of mystery. Its inner chamber, the sanctuary of Denderah, was sacred to Pharaoh himself.
EUERGETES GATE, KARNAK
A splendid example of the Egyptian square arch form.
THE GREAT DAM AT ASSOUAN
As one goes up the river visiting these strange monuments, he finds at the first cataract of the Nile an imposing object of modern interest. This is the dam at Assouan, one of the greatest feats of engineering in the world. The dam, which was completed in 1902, is a mile and a quarter long. It holds back the waters of the Nile, and supplies the reservoir, from which the waters are led into irrigation canals. The benefits of this great dam are felt from its location at the first cataract all through the farms and fields that skirt the Nile clear to the delta, six hundred miles below. It has made acres fertile that had been barren. It also, of course, has relieved the burden of the poor workmen at the shadoofs who dipped water for irrigation. Moreover, the dam has improved the conditions of transportation on the Nile; for it has disposed of the first cataract, where boats formerly had to be pulled through the rapids by men. Now the vessels go into a canal, and are conveniently and promptly lifted up through four locks to the level of the upper Nile.