The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-06-24

GENERAL SHERMAN AT TIE PYRAMIDS.
BY 8 A. NJ, on March 20, the party
we're off on visit to the Pyramids, about
five miles distant. They crossed the Nile
by good bridge, in which there SIS a
draw, and continued along a macademized
road, shaded in most part by acacias, to
the bluff of limestone upon which the
Pyramids are built, and which, when once
reached, are not SO imposing as the imag-
ination had pictured Near by were two
villages, from which the natives camo
rushing to offer their services, but Gen.
Stone being along, the sheik kept them
in order. To the ordinary traveller these
people must be great nuisance. 1t was
decided to make the ascent Of the nigh
est, the Pyramid of Cheops, AGO feet
Three Arabs were detailed to each one,
and the ascent began. This was done a.
long the edge of the northeast side, two
Arabs going in advance to pull the pill
grim by the arms, while the third came
behind to push. The Pyramids being
built in layers Of stones, each layer di-
minshing in size, these form q series Of
steps, some of which are four feet high.
The general halted three.quarters Of the
way up, but the rest continued to the top,
where there is a space about fifteen feet
square, and from which the view is very
extended. over the desert of Sahara On
the one side, and the beautifully culti-
waited valley of the Nile on the other,
The descent was made along the opposite
not, however, before four shillings bad
been paid to an importunate native, who
promised to descend, and ascend the Pgr-
amid opposite to the one on which The
,,~..c --.s, 50 minutes.
The next thing in order was to eater
the Pyramid, which is done by narrow
passage. This passage first descendl to
place where one must 90 upon his hands
and knees. This passed, it ascenJs until
one finally enters room about sixteen
feet by twelve feet, in which is a sarco-
phagus The sides of this room were Of
very handsomely cut granite. Return
ing, the party had to submit to be carried
by the guides, as the descent was over
stones too slippery for shoes. Near the
Pyramid is house which was built by
the viceroy upon the visit of Eogcnie,
when Empress of the French. This was
opened for General Sherman by the vice
roy's orders, and in it luncheon was
served which had been brought along.
After luncheon visit was made to the
Sphinx. which IS close to the larger p yr-
awjd. ami on the way tomb some forty
fer .lrep. aul whose sides were linoi
with ,rlnitr WIS .nassed 40 'hc 'y'-
ION. carved ont OF piece gray granite.
was au Egyptian figure which covered the
resting place of the corpse. Near by aro
some other tombs, which are easily reach
ed By steps OF gradual descent The M.
sonry aud polished granite there seen are
very fne and interesting. The Sphinx Is
an Egyptian head, with body something
in shape like that of lion. The nose
has been partially effaced during the pass
} age of five thousand years. The head Is
hollow. The whole ground is mass Of
tombs, but as soon as they are uncovered
the ever-shifting sand again conceals
them. The day was very warm, and the
| party got back to town well tired out by
the days jaunt That evening General
Mott entertained them at dinner.-Col
: J. G. AuDENRIED, in Harper's Magazine
for July.