PYRAMIDOGRAPHIA. 89
niuch more impression on them. Although they are in a climate less subject. to
rains and winds, yet they have not avoided fuffering more than the sirst; which
can be attributed only to the great number of years they have subsisted.
Page 98. The ascent to the top os the pyramid is contrived in this manner. Fi*om
ail the sides without we afcend by degrees 5 the lowermoss degree is near
sour seet in height', and three in breadth. This runs about the pyramid in a
level; and at the first', when the Jlones were entire, which are now somewhat
decayed, made, on every side os it, a long but narrow walk.
Our author certainly did not give a sufficient attention to it; sor it is not the
injury of time, which alone occafions the inequality os the degrees os the pyramids.
'Vou need but meafure one of them, in different parts os its height, and it will
be found, that the fize of the stones, which form the degrees, dissers sour, sive,
and fometimes even ten inches. These kinds of steps were not designed sor
mounting up, nor for defcending. They have sought regularity in them, no
further than was neceffary, for the general fhape os the pyramid, and for the
facility of the work. I am much deceived, is this inequality of the stones has
not been the occasion, that so many travellers, who have counted the degrees of
the pyramids, differ always with regard to the number.
Page 99. For that latitude, which Herodotus ajsigns to the admirable bridge
below, os which there is nothing now remaining*
I cannot comprehend how a traveller, Co exadt. as Mr. Greaves, could
have neglected a thing fo worthy of remark; since there remains frill a suffi*
ciently considerable part of that admirable bridge, to form a juft idea os its
whole ftru&ure, and of the ufe they made of it. There are likewife at the eaft
0r the third pyramid fome remains of another bridge. My defigns mark their
fi-tuation, and mew what frill fubfifts os them in our time.
Page ib. Upon the ssat top, is we assent to the opinion of Prqclus, it may be
fuppofed that the Egyptian priesls made their obfervations in aflronomy.
The top os the fecond pyramid, Hill covered with granite marble, cut so
*nioothly, that no one can afcend it, decides abfolutely, that the pyramids were
n°t built to ferve as observatories. Although the others are not fo finimed as
the fecond, yet it cannot be doubted, but the intention of those, that were the
Rafters, and os the architect, was to have finimed them, if the expence, or
^nie had permitted it*
Page 102. The air of Egypt is conseffed, by the ancients, to be often sull os
vapours.
Prom Alexandria quite to Feschne, the air is osten soggy, and the sky over-
Caft- It rains likewise there very srequently. But at Feschne, and beyond, in
the upper Egypt, the (ky is always clear and serene. I have however experi-
A a enced
niuch more impression on them. Although they are in a climate less subject. to
rains and winds, yet they have not avoided fuffering more than the sirst; which
can be attributed only to the great number of years they have subsisted.
Page 98. The ascent to the top os the pyramid is contrived in this manner. Fi*om
ail the sides without we afcend by degrees 5 the lowermoss degree is near
sour seet in height', and three in breadth. This runs about the pyramid in a
level; and at the first', when the Jlones were entire, which are now somewhat
decayed, made, on every side os it, a long but narrow walk.
Our author certainly did not give a sufficient attention to it; sor it is not the
injury of time, which alone occafions the inequality os the degrees os the pyramids.
'Vou need but meafure one of them, in different parts os its height, and it will
be found, that the fize of the stones, which form the degrees, dissers sour, sive,
and fometimes even ten inches. These kinds of steps were not designed sor
mounting up, nor for defcending. They have sought regularity in them, no
further than was neceffary, for the general fhape os the pyramid, and for the
facility of the work. I am much deceived, is this inequality of the stones has
not been the occasion, that so many travellers, who have counted the degrees of
the pyramids, differ always with regard to the number.
Page 99. For that latitude, which Herodotus ajsigns to the admirable bridge
below, os which there is nothing now remaining*
I cannot comprehend how a traveller, Co exadt. as Mr. Greaves, could
have neglected a thing fo worthy of remark; since there remains frill a suffi*
ciently considerable part of that admirable bridge, to form a juft idea os its
whole ftru&ure, and of the ufe they made of it. There are likewife at the eaft
0r the third pyramid fome remains of another bridge. My defigns mark their
fi-tuation, and mew what frill fubfifts os them in our time.
Page ib. Upon the ssat top, is we assent to the opinion of Prqclus, it may be
fuppofed that the Egyptian priesls made their obfervations in aflronomy.
The top os the fecond pyramid, Hill covered with granite marble, cut so
*nioothly, that no one can afcend it, decides abfolutely, that the pyramids were
n°t built to ferve as observatories. Although the others are not fo finimed as
the fecond, yet it cannot be doubted, but the intention of those, that were the
Rafters, and os the architect, was to have finimed them, if the expence, or
^nie had permitted it*
Page 102. The air of Egypt is conseffed, by the ancients, to be often sull os
vapours.
Prom Alexandria quite to Feschne, the air is osten soggy, and the sky over-
Caft- It rains likewise there very srequently. But at Feschne, and beyond, in
the upper Egypt, the (ky is always clear and serene. I have however experi-
A a enced