The Temple of Karnak, too, is a distinguished mass of columns, the most
imposing structure of its kind in existence. It was erected by Seti I
and his son, Rameses II. Amenophis also had a hand in the building of
it. They were great builders in those days, and all their plans were
conceived on a vast scale. The ruins of Karnak are magnificent. Some
idea of the impressive character of their columns may be gathered from
the following statement: There are 134 great columns forming the central
aisle, 12 of these 62 feet high and 12 feet thick, the rest of them 42
feet high and 9 feet thick. You will notice traces of color, and can
gather from that what the temple must have been in its full glory. On a
recent trip I found some German artists at Karnak, and suggested that if
they would get some water and throw it over the columns they would obtain
the effect of the true coloring. A good color chart of these columns has
now been secured, showing them as they were three thousand years ago. On
its outside walls sculptures tell the history of the splendid conquests
of the kings that erected the structure.
[Illustration: MOONLIGHT ON THE NILE