DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0377
338
APPENDIX.
mids, which he destroyed. There were nearly forty of these arches ;
hut in the present year, (597 of the Hegra,) they were filled
up by a rash and ignorant person, to whom the care of them
was intrusted ; as he imagined that, by confining the waters,
as it were, by a dike, they would spread themselves over the
territory of Gizeh, which would in this manner participate
in the benefits of the inundation ; but it had exactly the
contrary effect, for the force of the waters caused three of
them to burst, without any advantage arising to the country
from the inundation. The remains of the buildings, that were
destroyed by Karakousch, are still to be seen; I mean the small
stones and rubbish not worth taking away.
" In proceeding to describe the Three Pyramids, which are
distinguished above all the others by their immense and wonder-
ful size, it is to be remarked, that they are situated in a line at
Gizeh, in front of Fostat, and at short distances from each other,
facing the east. Two of the three are of enormous magnitude,
and are built of white stone. These are nearer together than
the Third; which is one quarter less than the others, and is
constructed of red speckled granite so extremely hard that it
is worked with great difficulty. This monument appears small
when compared with the others ; but when viewed by itself, and
at a little distance, it is truly magnificent. The form of the
Pyramids, and their extreme solidity, are indeed well worthy of
admiration ; and have enabled them to resist the effects of time
for so many ages, that it might almost be considered that it is
Time, that experiences the eternal duration of these extraordinary
edifices;3 and the more they are considered, the more convincing
is the proof, that the most consummate genius and skill were
employed in their construction. It is also to be observed, 'Que
chacun de leurs angles, fait face a. l'une des quatre vents car-
dinaux, or la violence du vent se trouve rompu, quand elle
est re§u par une angle, ce qui ne serait pas si elle rencontroit
une plane.' From their pyramidal form, founded upon a square
' " Another writer, according to Makrizi, lias expressed the same idea, saying,
'All things dread the effect of Time; but that over the Pyramids Time has no
power.' If these expressions, a little exaggerated, had need of any apology, their
justification would be found in that fine line, which will exist as long as the Pyra-
mids, and which is so applicable to them, 'Leur masse indestructible a fatigue le
Temps.' Was it possible that Frenchmen could neglect the opportunity of engrav-
ing it upon the Pyramids? "—M. De Sacy.
APPENDIX.
mids, which he destroyed. There were nearly forty of these arches ;
hut in the present year, (597 of the Hegra,) they were filled
up by a rash and ignorant person, to whom the care of them
was intrusted ; as he imagined that, by confining the waters,
as it were, by a dike, they would spread themselves over the
territory of Gizeh, which would in this manner participate
in the benefits of the inundation ; but it had exactly the
contrary effect, for the force of the waters caused three of
them to burst, without any advantage arising to the country
from the inundation. The remains of the buildings, that were
destroyed by Karakousch, are still to be seen; I mean the small
stones and rubbish not worth taking away.
" In proceeding to describe the Three Pyramids, which are
distinguished above all the others by their immense and wonder-
ful size, it is to be remarked, that they are situated in a line at
Gizeh, in front of Fostat, and at short distances from each other,
facing the east. Two of the three are of enormous magnitude,
and are built of white stone. These are nearer together than
the Third; which is one quarter less than the others, and is
constructed of red speckled granite so extremely hard that it
is worked with great difficulty. This monument appears small
when compared with the others ; but when viewed by itself, and
at a little distance, it is truly magnificent. The form of the
Pyramids, and their extreme solidity, are indeed well worthy of
admiration ; and have enabled them to resist the effects of time
for so many ages, that it might almost be considered that it is
Time, that experiences the eternal duration of these extraordinary
edifices;3 and the more they are considered, the more convincing
is the proof, that the most consummate genius and skill were
employed in their construction. It is also to be observed, 'Que
chacun de leurs angles, fait face a. l'une des quatre vents car-
dinaux, or la violence du vent se trouve rompu, quand elle
est re§u par une angle, ce qui ne serait pas si elle rencontroit
une plane.' From their pyramidal form, founded upon a square
' " Another writer, according to Makrizi, lias expressed the same idea, saying,
'All things dread the effect of Time; but that over the Pyramids Time has no
power.' If these expressions, a little exaggerated, had need of any apology, their
justification would be found in that fine line, which will exist as long as the Pyra-
mids, and which is so applicable to them, 'Leur masse indestructible a fatigue le
Temps.' Was it possible that Frenchmen could neglect the opportunity of engrav-
ing it upon the Pyramids? "—M. De Sacy.