Note 23 — CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE.

Sir Gardner Wilkinson writes:—“Of the fixed festivals, one of the most remarkable was the celebration of the grand assemblies, or panegyries, held in the great halls of the principal temples, at which the king presided in person. That they were of the greatest importance is abundantly proved by the frequent mention of them in the sculptures; and that the post of president of the assemblies was the highest possible honour, may be inferred as well from its being enjoyed by the sovereign alone, of all men, as from its being assigned to the deity himself in these legends:—‘Phra (Pharaoh), lord of the panegyries, like Ra,’ or, ‘like his father Ptha.’”