Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-06-04
Dome Department.
THE HISTORY OF RASSELAS,
PRINCE OF ABYsslNlA.
CHAPTER XXXI.
They riSit the PyrdmidS.

The resolution being taken, they set
out the next day. They laid tents upon
their camels, being resolved to stay
among the Pyramids till their curiosity
was fully satisfied. They travelled gent
ly, turned aside to everything remarkable,
stopped from time to time and conversed
with the inhabitants, and observed the
various appearances of towns ruined and
inhabited, of wild and cultivated nature.
When they came to the great Pyramid,
they were astonished at the extent of the
base, and the height of the top. lmlac
explained to them the principles upon
which the pyramidal form was chosen
for a fabric intended to co-eXtend its du-
ration with that of the world he showed
that its gradual diminution gave it such
stability as defeated all the common at
tacks of the elements, and could scarcely
be overthrow by earthquakes them
selves, the least resistible of natural vio-
lence. a conclusion that should shatter
the Pyramid would threaten the dissou-
ton of the continent
They measured all It's dimensions. and
pitched their tents at its foot. Next day
they prepared to enter its interior apart
ments; and having hired the common
guides, climbed up to the first passage,
when the favOrite of the princess, look
ing into the cavity, stepped back and
trembled "Pekuah," said the princess,
"Of what art thou afraid?" ''Of the mar
row entrance" answered the lady. ''and
of the dreadful gloom. dare not enter
place which must surely be inhabited
by unquiet souls. The original posses
sOrs of these dreadful vaults will start up
before us, and perhaps shut us in forev-
er." She spoke, and threw her arms
around the neck of her mistress.
IF all your fear be of apparitions.'
said the prince. IL will promise you safe
ty: there is no danger from the dead; he
that is once buried will be seen no more. =
THAT the dead are seen no more. g
said Imlac, II will not undertake to MAIN
tain. against the concurrent and UNMARRIED
testimony of all ages and of all nations.
There is no people, rude or learned, among
whom apparitiOns of the dead are not re-
lated and believed. This opinion, which
prevails as far as human nature is diff
used. could become universal only by its
truth those that never heard of one an
other would not have agreed in a tale
which nothing but experience can make
cavilers can very little weaken the gen
eral evidence: and some who deny il
with their tongues confess it by their
fears.
"let do not mean to add new ter
rors to those which have already seized
upon Pekuah. There can be no reason
why spectre> should haunt the Pyramid
more than other places, or why they
should have power or will to hurt limo
cencc and purity. Our entrance is ne
violation of their privileges we can take
nothing from them. how then can we Of
fend them"
My dear Pekuah." said the princess
Il will always go before you, and ImlaC
shall follow you. Remember that you
are the companion of the princess OF
| AbysSinia."
IF the princess is pleased that hel
servant should die" returned the lady
''let her command some death less dread
full than enclosure in this horrid cavern
you know | dare not disobey you: mus
go if you command me-; but, if once
enter, | never shall come back.
The princess saw that her fear was toe
strong for eXpostulation or reproof; and
embracing her, told her that she should
stay in the tent till their return. Pekual
was yet not satisfied, but entreated the
princess not to pursue so dreadful "A pur
pose as that of entering the recesses OF
the Pyramid. Though | cannot teacl
courage" said Nekayah, 81 must no
learn cowardce; nor leave at last undon,
what | came hither only to do