The New York herald., 1879-11-25
The GREAT PYRAMID.
Its Purpose and Meaning Explained
by Professor Proctor.
BUILT FOR ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS
Concluding Lecture of the Course at
Chickering Hall.


which he has been delishtinf and instructing Now
York audiences. The subject chosen was. '.rhe
Great Pyramid. It's Purpose and Meaning" The
lecture arranged by request. for three O'Clock.
in order to accommodate schools and persons living
in the suburban towns. Professor Proctor illus
trated his remarks. usual. with excellent
stereoptcon views. all OF the pictures OF
the pyramids and obelisks being photographs
taken the spot These greatly assisted the correct
understanding Of the lecture. large audience
tn attendance and frequently testified its admiration
of the distinguished astronomer by applause The
occasion was Mr. Proctor's last appearance before
Now York audience for some years. He leaves for
Boston. aud will make extended tour through
this country. returning to England by way OF
Australia. Like the revolving their orbits.
but with much shorter period. the Professor
poets again to visit America year after next. at.
tended by two beautiful satellites-his daughters.
THE LECTURE
Professor Proctor said that the subject of the
Great Pyramid was one to which great deal of at
tention had been caI!sd III connection with some
very fancifu theories. He proposed to treat of it
in the light of astronomy and had special theory
on the subject. although he had very clear opinion
rs to the object OF the builders. Some thought
the pyramids were in some way Notifications against
the foods Of the Nile others protection against the
SANDS OF the deSert others tnat they We're intended
as tombs. This latter the Professor thought
likely enough. although he did not believe
they used for that purpose alone. Others be-
icved that they used treasure houses and it
was this idea which led the Sultan Mahmoud to have
them opened at great expense and labor all Of which
was lost us there was nothing found in them Other
theories were that they were used as astronomical
observatories or as places OF worship. Formerly
on the top OF the pyramids there was square
platform. which might have been used for either
purpose. They had since been covered up so
that at time there not q crack crevce in
any of their four slopins sides, showing that the
purpose for which they had been built had ceased
be of interest. Whatever might have been thoir u-
innate use no astronomer could examine them with
out perceiving quite clearly that they built by
astronomers and for astronomical purposes. None
but astronomer could have given to the Great
Pyramid the perfect astronomical form which it
possessed 1t would be safest to start with what
known clearly.
The lecturer proceeded to suppose himself an
Egyptian king. with unlimited means in labor and
in expense. who desired. without any telescope or
any of the modern appliances of astronomy, to
| fully observe the heavens. In the first place. a
building exceedingly Arm and stable would be re-
| quired then o firm and stable basis, and. finally
certain definite lines. not merely horizontal. but
| along which could look in certain definite
| directions at the heavenly bodies. He would be
| supposed also to be without the table OF
| to..rithms. and could. therefore. only use
large angles, such as tho right angle or it,
searchfor latitude in which to place his build ne
that the altitude OF the pole star should be equal
to one OF these angles, say thirty degrees north at
tude that is the only latitude in Egypt which had
these characteristics. This the very latitude
| which the Great pyramid of Cheops had been placed.
so that the altitude of the pole was one-,hiri
| OF the way to the zenith and of the sun at
the time Of the spring equinox; twocshirds Of
| mid had dealt with the problem in that way. The
rays of tho sun. however. in coming through the
atmosphere would be bent, so that If the position
taken by this means the sun would appear
higher in the heavens and the place indicated would
be too far north. In the same way the pole STAR
| located TOO far south. The mean between
these two observations. .t, placing; however more
that it was only the question of few
| yards relative to the exact position. Then
west was not easy q matter. BY taking the
shadow Of post at its shortest height it would not
position very slowly so that the observation could
| not be mado CO. rect within minute or TWO. A
stellar observation had therefore been TAKEN r
THE PYRAMIDS WERE DUILr
edseperfetly level Professor Proctor thought that
thac must have adopted the method of cutting
| out from the rock place for the foundation
of the pyramid. aud then pouring in water
| marking the height to which 1t
the sides. TO obtaiS duo north and south line it
| would have been necessary to bore into the solid
rock III such direction that from the shaft thus
made the north pole star could have been observed
at it's lowest point in thesma circle 1t makes around
the pole. Then by boring another small perpend-
cular hole to meet the shaft. and dropping plumb
line aud connecting the orlce at the surface with
the orhce of the shaft at its corresponding point
line. According to Hercdotus a fresh set
of 100000 men was employed in building
condae ali these 'a
perments. After getting the base stones land the
other layers OF stone could be put on carrying up
the shaft that had been sunk. This would torini-
at OF the faces and to continue it higher it
would have to turn or branch out i'll another direc
ton. reflected ray OF light would give them
the means of turning the shaft ut right
angles. Thus was completed an instrument
for the measuring OF tho exact time, aud its
large gallery into whch the interior passage widened
out would be useful tor observing the stars passing
it. and, being very deep the stars could be
server but by many, who could take the time of tine
stars southing at the same moment and get rid Of
what is called personal equation or differences in
the readiness of different observers.
VIEWS OF THE PYRAMID.
The hall was than darkeuod and tho stcreopticon
views were thrown on the screen The first three
pictures showed the position of the py ranlid the
earth with reference to several theories. 1t was
situated at almost exactly 10 deg. north latitude
Views of the surrounding region. showing the level
nature Of the country. were next exhibited. This
level ground was the best possible surface for an
servatory. Observations taken high peaks
were often found to be less accurate than
those at lower points. Several views OF the
pyramid of Cheops, showing all it's faces. and the
other smaller pyramids we're next thrown the
The Professor inclined to the idea that they
had been constructed about the same period. Tho
sides OF the Great Pyramid sloped back about ten.
parts for every nine parts of its rse The height
bore TO the circuit of the base about tho ratio
that the circle bears to the circumference. The side
OF the pyramid 762 feet or v.iSO inches. The
number OF sacred cubts. according to some. each
edge 3G5. 2i2. or exactly the number
OF days in y year. Taking the disgonals
from the base to the sides they measured
2y.9O0 inches. or tho period of the syratory mo lion
OF the earth axis. Now. taking the base it was,
the diagonals must come out at that number. Then
ut least OF the two suppositons as to the sgni-
of the cubits of the inches must be merely
u curious coinc idence. One writer had shown tho
argument to be absurd by taking measurements
from piano In his parior and hnding In them quito
remarka Die coincid idences Other pictures followed
in quick succession, showing tho place whence tho
corner stone OF the pyramid had been removed. and
several OF tho great tombs near by. one OF
these arranged that at noon the side walls
would cast no shadow. the sun being just half way
between them.
rYRAAIIp.