I entered the town, and passed through several
streets, where at different intervals stood men in various attitudes,
but all motionless and petrified. In the quarter inhabited by the
merchants I found most of the shops open; here I likewise found the
people petrified.[30]
[Footnote 30: "There is a city in Upper Egypt (Ishmonie), called the
petrified city, on account of a great number of statues of men, women,
and children, and other animals, which are said to be seen thereat
this day; all which, as it is believed by the inhabitants, were once
animated beings, but were miraculously changed into stone in all the
various positions of falling, standing, eating, sitting, which they
acted at the instant of their supposed transubstantiation. We did not
fail to inquire after these things, and desired to have a sight of
them; but they told us they were in a certain part, pointing westward,
but were too sacred to be seen by any except believers."--Perry's
_View of the Levant._]
Having reached a vast square, in the heart of the city, I perceived a
large folding gate, covered with plates of gold, which stood open; a
curtain of silk stuff seemed to be drawn before it; a lamp hung over
the entrance. After I had surveyed the building, I made no doubt but
it was the palace of the prince who reigned over that country; and
being much astonished that I had not met with one living creature, I
approached in hopes of finding some.
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