every kind, was to pay to the temple of the god one-tenth of the value
of the material produced or worked by his labour. The decree provided
also for the appointment of an inspector whose duty it would be to
weigh the gold, silver and copper which came into the town of
Elephantine, and to assess the value both of these metals and of the
precious stones, etc., which were to be devoted to the service of
Khnemu. All materials employed in making the images of the gods, and
all handicraftsmen employed in the work were exempted from tithing. In
short, the worship of the god and his company was to be maintained
according to ancient use and wont, and the people were to supply the
temple with everything necessary in a generous spirit and with a
liberal hand. He who failed in any way to comply with the enactments
was to be beaten with the rope, and the name of Tcheser was to be
perpetuated in the temple.





VIII.



THE LEGEND OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF HORUS, AND OTHER MAGICAL
TEXTS.



The magical and religious texts of the Egyptians of all periods contain
spells intended to be used against serpents, scorpions, and noxious