But it is no wonder that some things about this house and its grounds
strike us as peculiar, for it was built more than three thousand years
ago.
It was the country residence of an Egyptian gentleman, and was, no
doubt, replete with all the modern conveniences of the period. Even in
the present day he might consider himself a very fortunate man who had
so good a house and grounds as these. If the windows were made a
little larger, a few changes effected in the interior of the
establishment, and some chimneys and fire-places built, none of our
rich men need be ashamed of such a house.
But, handsome as it is, it is not probable that this house cost the
Egyptian gentleman very much.
It is very likely, indeed, that it was built, under the supervision of
an architect, by his own slaves, and that the materials came from his
own estates. But he may, of course, have spent large sums on its
decoration and furniture, and it is very probable, judging from the
outside of his house, that he did so. Some of those old Egyptians
were most luxurious fellows.
If you wish to see how his slaves worked while they were building his
house, just examine this picture.
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