that, by thus destroying them, their doubles would go forth and
accompany the human double, and render him their accustomed services
during the whole of his posthumous existence; a charm pronounced over
them bound them indissolubly to his person, and constrained them to obey
his will. This done, the priest muttered a final prayer, and the masons
walled up the doorway.

[Illustration: 027.jpg THE COFFIN OF THE FAVOURITE GAZELLE OF
ISÎMKHOBIU]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a photograph by Emil Brugsch-
Bey.

The funeral feast now took place with its customary songs and dances.
The _almehs_ addressed the guests and exhorted them to make good use of
the passing hour: "Be happy for one day! for when you enter your tombs
you will rest there eternally throughout the length of every day!"

Immediately after the repast the friends departed from the tomb, and the
last link which connected the dead with our world was then broken. The
sacred harper was called upon to raise the farewell hymn:*

* The harper is often represented performing this last
office. In the tomb of Nofirhotpû, and in many others, the
daughters or the relatives of the deceased accompany or even
replace the harper; in this case they belonged to a priestly
family, and fulfilled the duties of the "Female Singers" of
Amon or some other god.

"O instructed mummies, ennead of the gods of the coffin, who listen to