Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-24
4 ROUND THE WORLD
4 n WITH PROF. PARKS

built on each side of the automobile route
from Atlanta to New York If all the
stone were put on ordinary freight cars
the train composing all the cars would
reach the entire distance from New Or
leans to New York. II the stone were
placed on ordinary two-horse wagons. and
a reasonable driving space allowed, the
wagons would reach nearly twice around
the globe. II 1t we're possible to drag
the pyramid it would require 2oooo,ooo
horses to do It
How was this enormous structure built
How did the Egyptians lift the massive
stones to such heights, and how did they
manage to secure such accuracy in con-
struction, such perfect adjustments Of
stone to stone?
They did not have modern machinery
and they knew nothing of steam and cleo
tricity and yet, they have erected gtruc-
ture which is the marvel OF the ages and
which the modern world has not equalled.
Such questions have puzzled many 1t is
probable. however, that the stones were
dragged up to their places along inclined
planes, built or mud bricks and sand ut
the sides Of the pyramid and constructed
with an incalculable amount of labor.
Herodotus, the Greek historian. visited
Egypt in 40 b. c.. and made inquiries
from the priests at the Egyptian univer-
sity at Heliopolis. He says that 10000
men were employed for 20 years on the
pyramid of Cheops-
BY the payment Of 10 piasters go cents)
1 obtained from the sheik OF Ghizeh per-
mission TO enter the pyramid and TO PEN
citrate the corridors and chambers with
in. With a candle as a light and aided
by two Arab guides who alternately pull
ed and pushed. I crawled, walked and
climbed many hundred feet up inclined
passageways sometimes STOPPING low.
sometimes walking erect in lofty halls.
until l came to the very heart OF the pyr-
amid itself looked at the queens
chamber. saw the various passageways
and openings leading in different direc
tons and carefully following the lead Of
guides, I finally entered the kings cham
Der. a large ROOM 81 feet long, II feet
wide and 10 feet high.
In the kings chamber I examined care
fully the massive granite sarcophagus or
coffin of Cheops. 1t W empty. Although
the tomb had probably remained closed
for 5000 years after his death. yet 1t is
supposed that 1t was opened by the In
vading and conquering Persians 500 or 800
years B. c. and possibly also later by the
Romans and Arabs.
What changes time hath wrought And
standing there In the heart of that vast
mass of masonry, accompanied by the
two dark skinned Arabs, with only
fiickering candle to dispsl the awful
darkness in that silent and solemn tomb
of the dead, I looked into the empty
coffin OF one of the mighty men of the
past His vast monument remained and
even his coffin had not been removed.
But his body It had been stolen away
and was no more.
In life he ruled. with an all-powerful
hand. Ten thousand times 10000 men were
his slaves. But in death. even with this
mountain of stone, he cannot protect his
own body from destruction. He has no
more power than the slave who perished
under the lash as the pyramid was built.
His empty coffin Is an object for the
inspection OF the curious Of all lands. while
his secret and sacred tomb lis a profitable
sideshow for the mercenary Arabs
Leaving the tomb, I thought with By
ron:
LET not q moment give you or me hopes,
Since not a pinch remains of Cheops.'
What is my impression OF the great
pyramid? The mind staggers In an ef-
fort to find suitable expression. It is
certainly very old, very large and very
wonderful.
Some people like BaIou look upon IL
as symbol of ancient tyranny and In
justice, tears and death" But Certainly
no man with imagination can fail to be
thrilled while standing in it's presence.
and while lost in contemplation of this
the last remaining Of the seven wonders
of the world.