some to conjecture that its site was overflowed by the Nile; but it is much more probable that it has been covered by the continual encroachment of the sands, which, we see, were advancing in the time of Strabo. And it cannot be doubted but that a large part of ancient Egypt has already been completely buried by the sands from the wilderness.
No, (Jer. xlvi. 25; Ezek. xxx. 14,) is generally supposed to be the famous city of Thebes, in Upper Egypt, extending itself on both sides of the Nile.—(Nah. iii. 8.) The fact is so uncertain, however, that we should not feel justified in introducing an article upon Thebes. Instead of No, in Jer. xlvi. 25, it should be rendered Ammon of No, or the seat or dwelling of the god Ammon. It was probably applied to two or three places. A distinction was sometimes made between the No spoken of in Nahum iii. 8—10, and the No mentioned by Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The destruction of the former [supposed to be Thebes,] is described in detail, as already past, while the doom of the other [which is supposed to have been in Lower Egypt,] is predicted by Jeremiah and Ezekiel as a future event. No, was the chief seat of the worship of Jupiter Ammon. Its ruins are the wonder and delight of all travellers.—(Jer. xlvi. 25.)
The city of Thebes. The foundation of the kingdom of Thebes was laid by the celebrated Cadmus, a Phoenician or Ethiopian. The city of Thebes, in Upper Egypt, was one of the most splendid cities in the world, and was built by Busiris, king of Egypt, now called Said. Temples and palaces have been discovered, which are still almost entire, adorned with innumerable columns and statues. Travellers give us accounts of one palace in particular, whose remains seem to have existed solely to eclipse the glory of the most magnificent edifices of ancient or modern times. Four walks, extending farther than the eye can see, and bounded on each side with sphinxes composed of materials as rare and extraordinary as their size is remarkable, serve for avenues to four porticoes, whose height is amazing to behold. Besides, those who describe this wonderful edifice had not time to explore it thoroughly, and suppose they saw no more than half its extent. A hill, which in appearance
