Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-10-28
How the pyramids were Built.

From the far distance you see the giant
forms of the pyramids, as if they were regu-
ulaTly crystalized mountains, which the
ver-creatlng nature has called forth from
the rock, to lift themselves up toward the
vault of heaven. And yet, they are but
tombs, built by the hands of men, which
have been the admiration and astOnishment
alike of the ancient and modern world.
Perfectly adjudsted to the cardinal points
of the horison, they differ in breadthh and
height, as is shown by the measurements of
the three Oldest, as follows: /. The Pyra-
mid of Khufa-height, 450' feet; breadth,
TAG feet. 2. Pyramid of Khafra-height,
447'5 feet; breadth, 690'75 feet. 5. Pyra-
mid of Menkara-height, 203 feet; breadth,
352'78 feet. The construction of these
enormous masses has long been an insolu-
bic mystery, but later generations have
succeeded in solving the problem. Ac-
cording to their ancient usages ndcustoms,
the Egyptians while still sojourningin health
and spirits, were ever mindful to turn their
looks TO the region where the departing Ra
took leave of life, where the door of the
grave opened, where the body, well con-
cealed, at length found rest to rise again to
a new existence, after an appointed time of
long, long years, while the soul, though
bound to the body, was at liberty to leave
the grave and return to it during the day
time, in any form 1t chose. In such be-
lief, il was the custom betimes to dig the
grave in the form of a deep shaft in the
rock and above this eternal dwelling TO
raise superstructure of sacrifcial cham
bers sometimes only hall, sometimes sew
eral apartments, and TO adOrn them richly
with colored writings and painted sculp-
lures, as was becoming to house of plea
sure and Joy. The king began his work
from his accession. AS soon as he mount
ed the throne, the sovereign gave orders to
a nobleman, the master of all the buildings
of his land, to plan the work and cut the
stone. The kernel of the future edifice
was raised on the limestone soil of the
desert, in the form of a small pyramid
built in steps, of which the well construct
ed and finished interior formed the kings
eternal dwelling, with his stone sarcophagus
lying on the rocky floor. Let us suppose
that this first building was finished while
the Phsroahs still lived in the bright sun
light. A second covering was added, stone
by stone on the outside of the kernal; 4
third to this second; and to this even
fourth; and the mass of the giant building
grew greater the longer the king enjoyed
existence. And then at last, when it be-
came almost impossible TO extend the area
of the pyramid further, casing of hard
stone, polished like glass, and fitted ac-
curately into the angles of the steps, cover
ed the vast mass of the sepulcher, present
ing gigantic triangle on each of its four
faces. More than seventy such pyramids
once rose on the margin of the desert, each
telling of king of whom il was at once
the tomb and monument. Had not the
greater number of these sepulchers of the
Pharaohs been destroyed almost to the
foundation, and had the names of the
builders of these which still stand been ac-
curately preserved, it would have been
easy for the inquirer to prove and make
clear by calculation what was originally
and of necessity, the proportion between
the masses of the pyramids and the years
of the reigns of their respective builders.