New-York tribune., 1879-11-25
THE LECTURE AND THE VIEWS.

the theory that the pyralllus WcIe ouhu i"' '''"
nomical observation.
THE LECTURE AND THE VIEWS.
The lecture yesterday afternoon was pop
uar treatment OF subject that Mr. Proctor rendered
interesting by the clearness with which he made MS
points ana by the simplicity OF his ILLUSTRATIONS INC
theories regard to the purposes for when the pyr
mds built were dwelt upon TO Degh "''n' MI"
then the lecturer up the question OF the consruc
tion OF the great pyramid which was built by Cbeops
The probable in which the points of the compass
were obtained was explained. anu The excellent i"ci
ties which the passages in the pyramid afforded 10 the
astronomers OF these days for watching the course ana
marking time OF the planets aud stars were made
clear by careful explanations and by the aid OF the
stereoscoplc The speaker closed with gracei
quotation from Oliver Wendell Holmes.
There is one theory that comes out clearly enough
said the lecturer speaking OF the origin OF be struc-
lures whatever may have been their object or ulu-
mate use no astronomer study them without per-
cclvng that they built by astronomers, ana In
some degree for astronomers. These TWO points come
ont clearly and the first IS absolutely certain
None but astronomers could have given 10 them the
perfection OF astronomical form which they possess III
well in considering tnis subject, TO lay down, a. an
astronomer wouli. the possible requirements for the
study of that science before telescopes we're known,
Keeping IN SIGHT he fact that this there was an
unlimited supply OF money, material and labor for
would be required even than at the present
day when the varat ns in telescope results were cas-
iy corrected By the lOgarithical tables Then 'berc
would be needed certain cleary-deined line. along
Which the astronomer could look particular drce tons
at the heavenly brdie- The anrirh T. E-3p'lhhS nae
Vouu. student astronomy. would no doubt select an
angie OF the simplest KIND. Ihey ,eirc'oi lautuJ ~
nort, because tnat - one "hch ~ ih' ialuv' h-Sps
has desired characteristic, and 6O0 south III appears
they adopted both the stellar ana me solar sysie"s %
cause IN that position the polar star W"ul. o. tIiI I
OF the wny overhead, and the mildly sun tw9-thtds Or
the way overhead. thus forming au equlaerai triangle
true position When found thas the centre OF the
range of rocas upon which built they banked no tue
surface rock TO make foundation for the edice
DETERMINING THE POINTS "F THE COMPASS.
The next point would be to determine north. south.
east and west. THIS might be- done by observing the
shadow of tho midday; bur the sun changes his
height so slowly at that IL Is almost impossible 70
determine in this when he IL due south There Ia
evidence that rock which the pyramid was built
first leyeed and tnen water poured on, In order TO
obtain the true Astronomical level. Then they bored
down the sod rock along the line Of either the pole
star or the sum- and these preserved the
building advanced. At the bottom Was pool ot water
which, when OF these bodies came INTO Inc won
the purpose OF Viewing IT, BY this means 1t would be
possible to the polar star in tue day time Modern
astronomers would take advantage OF the fact that
reflected ray OF Hight moves IN the same yorcl plane
descending ray, whereas ths solar system would
not be available OH certain occasions.
The lecturer then described tue means adopted by
how they sought. astronomers DO not principally TO
determine time They must nave wanted To Know tue
sOuihing Of special stars ana the sun ana moon anu the
planets aud this IN fact was what they began the sc-
ture FOR as s shown by the proportion O passages d
rected 10 the south
IHE sTERFosCoPIC VIEWS.
Mr. Proctor then showed, 10y Of le stereOcopt-
con- series Of views OF the pyramids intended TO prove
his theory that they erected an astronomical
plan He pointed a number OF remarkable oOinci
dents In regard TO points connected with them.
For instance Alexandria the spot chosen, he said,
because 1t was the of the whole and
the objection that had the pyramids been intended
for observations, hill site would have been
chosen, the lecturer held that. there being at
that time no telescope, more admirable spot than
that plain could not possibly have been selected.
lie also attention to the condolences found in the
quantities OF the building by Professor POzz Smith and
Others the number OF certain cubes in the base which
exactly the as there are days In the year. being
sions drawn from the concldences, Mr. Proctor told
story OF professor who treated his plano la ho same
way and enumerated the remarkable condolences la
numbers which were great IN proportion those
found In the pyramids BY OF these condolences
the world or other means-n 1882 Now that the tine
approaching the upholders OF the theory seemed
disposed " put back the event forty or hty years.
Another argument In favor OF the presumption thar
the pyramids were Intended as was that
by them the two Kings who erected them thought TO DO
materially beneh ed or they would rot have gone To
Of an a Sa , TS oov Hs
read he stars and to look into an individuals u BY
were the arbiters OF destiny.
In support OF this self theory. continued Mr. Proc
have nothing to SOW that they were Interested
whether should not reject the esh theory in
OF that they were built under Divine snpern-
to excite admiration OF His wonderful power
Now have been charged with breathing this theory
PANTY; but how TO treat II seriously Attempt
Ing let say tnat mere l. theory that gives
for gorfying God than before. because He
that He knows the proportions OF His sys-
the solar But nud that the proportions
quite cOrrect aud that the latitude IL exact.
SO must praise the Almighty because He does not |
know His own system And what special cause there
for admiration IN the assumption that the Creator Uf
the Universe was able to fashion The pyramids.
not We know that the pyramids cost thousands Of
lives IN their erection. and thnt the memory OF Kings
CneOps and 5hafra held in detestaon because OF
misery they brought their subjects by this
nous amount OF enforced labor; ana yet We asked
o believe that the work was carried under Divine
erection, for the purpose Of teaching men |
any thing. why, IL is only recently that tho teach
lDgs alleged 10 he conveyed Ia proportions,
which now dilapidated, have been found out | eau
not nd any evidence OF special Divine nerpositiOn la
Respect to them, aud, treating the theory seriously
eve Ii must be regarded insult aud mOcKery to
tine Almighty. IL seems To me that the pyramids
worthy Of study as showing tue Egyptian system of |
astronomy teiI comparatively knowledge OF the
OF the heavenly bodies, and their great |
astery of mathematics.
Mr.. Proctor Will lecture this evening ia Peabody |
Mass, and then will 40 TO Montreal, where ne will |
speak Thursday evening He expects To return New
York about Christmas but VIII not back t. England