The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-24
rFrom the New York Tlr,ies.l
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| amount OF trouble 10 antquariaHS. fOr
what purpose they were built has for ages
been classed by our ablest philosophers in
the category of those things which no Eel
low OF any learned society can find out.
The hote-keepers OF Cairo believe that the
pyramids were built in the interests Of the
| bookkeeping business. Mr.. Henry NJ.
| Field, who informs us that he stretched
himself at full length on the so-called royal
sarcophaguS OF the pyramid OF Cheops, is
of the opinion that they were reared in q
prophetic spirit to the greater glory OF the
| Field family. Many superficial thinkers
have hastily concluded that the pyramids
were merely intended as royal tombs, and
Mr.. Piozzi Smith has written powerful
book to prove that they were built in the
interests Of religion, astronomy, and men
suration. Mr.. Smiths theory is unques-
tionably the most interesting OF them all,
although it lacks the simplicity and direct
ness OF the Field theory. There is no doubt
in Mr. Smiths mind that the builders of the
pyramids-or, rather, the builder Of the
ton the chief facts of astronomy, the stand
ard measures Of distance, weight. and capa-
city, and complete history Of the Jewish
and Christian religions. This ingenious ef-
fort to exhibit the pyramid in the light OF a
combined Loomis's astronomy, multiplica-
ton table, and complete Scriptural concord
ance, is certainly extremely entertaining,
| but it is by no means SO plausible rs the
rival theory that it was built in order that
at some distant day one OF the Field family
might enter it and lie down on the dusty
sarcophagus of an Egyptian King.
But now comes Mr.. Richard Proctor, and
sets forth in the pages Of the Contemporary
Rerielg neW theory, in which he attempts
to show that the great pyramid was both an
astronomical observatory and tomb, and
that its purpose was to aid in discovering
the horoscope OF the king who was to be
buried in it. The base OF the pyramid is au
exact square, and its north and south sides
are precisely parallel with the equator.
At distance OF say forty feet from its
base on the north side there is narrow
passage inclined downward at an angle
of say 45o, which ends in large cham
Der. At about third OF the distance from
the entrance OF this passage a second pas
sage branches off, which ascends at about
the same angle OF 45o, and leads to a larger
| chamber in the very centre Of the pyramid.
There are other sllght poouliarities in the
interior plan of the pyramid, but they noeu
not he here described. II we keep in mind
the two passages and the two chambers Just
mentioned, we have sufficient facts before
us to illustrate both Dir. Proctor's theory
and the true theory OF the pyramid.
Now, Mr.. Proctor is convinced that the
sloping passage first mentioned was in
tended to aid in discovering the North Star.
The Egyptians constructed tins passage at
such an angle that an observer standing at
the lower end OF it could see the North Stal,
and accordingly the Egyptian astronomers
were in the habit OF constantly going to the
end OF that passage and discovering the
star in question. The second passage might
have been similarly intended tor the dis
coyery Of some meritorous star in the
southern part OF the heavens, had it been
carried through the pyramid and out ut its
south side. Mr.. Proctor, therefore, as
sumes that it was so carried out, but that it
was afterward partially blocked up. With
the aid of the observations taken through
these two passages the astronomers obtaln-
ed the data for constructing the royal horo-
scope whereby CheOpS was supplied with
information concerning marriage. death,
stolen goods, absent friends, lucky num-
bers, and all affairs OF life. When he died
his horoscope was naturally OF no further
use, and therefore he was buried in his
pyramid, and the sides thereof were in
cascd with polished granite 50 that the boys
OF the period could not climb up to the
summit.
The elaborate theory, based On a small
quantity Of contradictory facts, is curious
illustration Of the proneneSs Of scientific
persons to shut their eyes to what is obvious
and to prefer what is far-fctchcd and in,-
probable. The real purpose for which the
great pyramid was built bears not tie
,, slightest resemblance 10 Mr.. Proctor's little
romance, and ought to be plain to every
thoughtful observer. The pyramid is sur
rounded hy soft sand OF great depth, and
was originally partially cased with polished
stone, though, of course, 4 staircase eX-
listed ut one of its corners. 1t was built to
supply the Egyptian public with the means
OF Sliding down hill in country where
snow never falls. The Egyptian who paid
the requisite entrance-fce was allowed to
ascend the pyramid by the staircase and
then to slide down the polished granite
side, plunging pleasantly and harmlessly
into the sand at the foot. No sleds or other
apparatus were needed. The Egyptian
. simply sat down on the warm and comfort
able granite. and slid down without any
UNPLEASANT friction. Doubtless, this was d
fashionable amusement for both sexes and
all ages, and the builders or lesSees OF the
Great Pyramid Sliding Rink must have
made good thing out OF it.
The interior of the pyramid, as its plan
proves, was combined ice house and beer
| cellar. The ice-man had merely to dumE
bis blocks Of ice in the first passage, and
lthey slid downward into the chamber in.
TENDED for their reception. The second
chamber was i vast beer reservoir, kept cool
1 by its proximity 10 the ice-chamber. Tubes
led from it TO the bar. which, OF course, eX'
isteG outside Of the pyramid, and thus ice
lcoId beer was supplied to the Egyptian pub
lie during the hottest weather, and, let u
hope, at popular prices.
i've have here theory which is at once
rlsaple and probable, and which exactly CO.
'pAides with the known facts as to the con-
6, ruction OF the pyramid. The builders GER
tai u.y deserved great deal OF credit IN
mol une the same structure serve for the
nur, ,ose Of sliding down hill and for the
prese, walton Of ice and beer in an equat orla
clmai, ?. To overlook this obvious eXplana,
tjon OF the object of the great pyramid, and
TO eonst, .uct elaborate and untenabie theo-
ries conn, acting it with astronomical and re-
I;pious affa 'irs, is what we might have ex-
nected OF a scientific person. Alas! when
will the day lone when science and COM
mon sense sbal..l be recouciled?
All the sisners of the Declaration Of Inde-
peudeuce signed their names with quill,
except one--he signed bis Wltherspoon.-
SauGnnQk Recorder.