We had some difficulty in getting this case open without injury; but
having at length accomplished the task, we came to a second,
coffin-shaped, and very considerably less in size than the exterior
one, but resembling it precisely in every other respect. The
interval between the two was filled with resin, which had, in some
degree, defaced the colors of the interior box.
Upon opening this latter (which we did quite easily), we arrived
at a third case, also coffin-shaped, and varying from the second one
in no particular, except in that of its material, which was cedar, and
still emitted the peculiar and highly aromatic odor of that wood.
Between the second and the third case there was no interval- the one
fitting accurately within the other.
Removing the third case, we discovered and took out the body itself.
We had expected to find it, as usual, enveloped in frequent rolls,
or bandages, of linen; but, in place of these, we found a sort of
sheath, made of papyrus, and coated with a layer of plaster, thickly
gilt and painted. The paintings represented subjects connected with
the various supposed duties of the soul, and its presentation to
different divinities, with numerous identical human figures, intended,
very probably, as portraits of the persons embalmed. Extending from
head to foot was a columnar, or perpendicular, inscription, in
phonetic hieroglyphics, giving again his name and titles, and the
names and titles of his relations.
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