New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-06-02
VIEWS OF THE PYRAMID..

VIEWS OF TILE PYRAMID.
The hall was then darkened and the
stereopticon views were thrown on the
screen. The first three pictures showed
the position Of the pyramid on the earth
with reference to several theories. Il
was situated at almost exactly thirty
degrees north latitude. Views of the
surrounding region, showing the level
nature of the country, were next exhib-.
tied. This level ground was the best
possible surface for an observatory.
Observations taken on high peaks were
often found to be less accurate than
those at lower points. Several views
of the Pyramid of Cheops, showing all
its faces, and the other smaller pyra-
lnids were next thrown on the screen.
The Professor inclined to the idea that
they had been constructed about the
same period. The sides of the Great
Pyramid sloped back about ten parts
for every nine parts of its rise. The
height bore to the circuit of the base
about the same ratio that the circle
bears to the circumference. The side
Of the pyramid was 762 feet, or 9,1sO
inches. The number of sacred cubits,
according to some. on each edge was
365.242, or exactly the number Of days
in a year. Taking the diagonals from
the base to the sides they measured
$4,000 inches, or the period of the
gyratory motion of the earth's axis.
Now, taking the base as it was, the
diagonals must come out at that
number. Then at least one of the two
suppositions as to the significance of the
cubits or of the inches must be merely
curious coincidence. One writer had
shown the argument to be absurd by
taking measurements from piano in
his parlor and finding in them quite as
remarkable condolences. Other pict-
ures followed in quick succession,
showing the place whence the corner
stone of the pyramid had been removed,
and several of the great tombs near by.
One of these was SO arranged that at
noon the side walls would cast no
shadow, the sun being just halfway be-
'~'@" Theory EafSi OF THE PYRAMID.
Professor Proctor inclined to think
that the pyramid was built about 8, $40
before Christ, when the star Al pha of
the constellation "Dragon'' was the
star nearest the pole, and the bright
star Alpha of the centaur lay in the line
of vision of one of the pyramid pass
ages. Pictures explanatory of these
numerous passages were next shown.
The idea in their building, he thought,
was for the purpose not alone of view
ing the stars and foretelling the future,
but OF ruling the future in measure by
guarding against calamities. The
theory had been advanced that every
year was represented in the pyramid by
IN inch. Thus the original descending
shaft led to chamber below the base
of the pyramid, supposed to represent
che bottomless pit, where all would go
if not turned aside. At the change in
the direction of the passage the Mosaic
dispensation was supposed to have he
gun, lasting l ,5OOinches, or years, when
the passage enlarged, and the Christian
dispensation, represented by the en-
larged gallery, began. This was 1882
inches long, and it was therefore sup
posed that something terrible would
happen in 1882. But the figures did
not correctly coincide with the actual
dates of occurrences, and the Professor
thought people might contemplate with
confidence the end of the period. Sev-
eral pictures Of ancient zodiacs and
modern astrologers' tables closed the
series of illustrations. ..
III conclusion, Professor Proctor SAID
it was clear enough that the pyra mids
were built for astronomical plrp oses,
and with this there might have been
connected religious observances. There
were two other theories about pyramids
one that they were used for purposes
OF sliding down hill or coasting, the
other that they were built by divine in
SEPARATION. He had been &C c1lsed of flip.
pancy in treating the latter theory. TO
support it would be to believe that add
miration was due the Almighty for
knowing the proportions of the uni
verso He had created. and that not per-
fectly, but almost exactly. Such =
theory, if regarded seriously, was an
insult and a mockery to the Almighty.
In view of this massive. building Of the
great Pyramid of Cheops the astrono-
mers of to-day could look back and find
themselves associated with those of
antiquity. In the words of Oliver
Wendell Holmes he could say:
II am as old US Egypt, of myself
Brother to them that squared the pyramids
IN. ?. Herald.