1.Let us invite ourselves to a dinner party in Egyptian high life，such as might have been given in the ancient city of Thebes about three thousand years ago.The time is mid-day，and the guests are arriving on foot，in chairs borne by servants，and in chariots.A high wall，painted in panels，surrounds the fashionable villa，and on anobelisknear is inscribed the name of the owner.Weenter the grounds by a folding gate flanked with lofty towers.
2.At the end of a broad walk，bordered by rows of trees，stands a brick mansion，over the door of which weread in hieroglyphics，“The Good House.”The buildingis made airy by corridors，colonnades，and open courtsshaded by awnings，all gaily painted and ornamented.Its grounds include flower-gardens，vineyards，date-orchards，and groves of trees.
3.We shall accompany the guest whose chariot has just halted.The Egyptian nobleman drives his ownhorse，but he is attended by a train of servants.One of these runs forward to knock at the door，another takes the reins，another presents a stool to assist his master to alight，and others carry the various articles which he may require during the visit.As the guest steps into thecourt，a servant receives his sandals，and brings waterthat he may wash his feet.He is then invited into the festal chamber，where his host and hostess sit side by side on a double chair，to which their favourite monkey is tied.
4.On his shaven head the Egyptian gentleman wearsa wig with little top curls，and long queueswhich hangbehind.His beard is short-a long one is only for the king.His large-sleeved robe is of fine white linen，and he is adorned with necklace，bracelets，and a number of finger-rings.The lady by his side also wears a linen robe over another of a richly coloured stuff.Her hair falls to her shoulders in crisp and glossy braids.Charms，in the form of beetles，dragons，asps，and strange symbolic eyes，dangle from her gold ear-rings，bracelets，necklace，and anklets.
5.Having saluted his host and hostess，the new-comer seats himself on a low stool，where a servant anoints his head with a sweet perfume，hands him a lotus blossom，hangs garlands of flowers on his neck and head，and offers him wine.The servant，as he receives back the emptied cup and offers a napkin，politely remarks，“May it benefit you.”This completesthe formal reception.
6.Every lady is attended，in the same manner，by a female slave.While the guests are arriving，the musicians and dancers belonging to the household amuse the company，who sit on chairs in rows，the ladies commenting on one another’s jewellery，and，in compliment，exchanging lotus flowers.
7.The room is furnished with couches，arm-chairs，and footstools，made of the native acacia，or of ebony and other rare imported woods，inlaid with ivory，carved in animal forms，and cushioned and coveredwith leopard skins.The ceilings are stuccoedandpainted，and the panels of the walls are adorned with coloured designs.The tables are of various sizes and fanciful patterns.The floor is covered with a palm-leaf matting or wool carpet.
8.And now the ox，kid，geese，and ducks，which，according to custom，were hurried into the cooking pots as soon as they were killed，are ready to be served.After hand-washing，the guests take their seats on stools，on chairs，or on the floor，one or two at each little，low，round table.The dishes，many of which are vegetables，are served in courses，and the guests，having neitherknife nor fork，help themselves with their fingers.Servants keep the wine and water cool by fanning the porous jars which contain them.
9.During the repast，when the enjoyment is at its height，the Osiris-an image like a human mummy-is brought in and formally introduced to each visitor，with the reminder that life is short and all must die.This little incident does not in the least disturb the enjoyment of the guests.
10.There is one，however，to whom this warning is not given，and who，though anointed and garlanded and duly placed at a table，does not partake of the delicacies set before him.This is a real mummy，a deceased member of the family，whom the host is keeping for some months before burial.It is in his honour，indeed，that the relatives and friends are assembled：the presence of a beloved mummy is the chief pleasure of an Egyptian party.
