Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-24

CAIRO. Egypt.-To write hastily of the
pyramids of Egypt seems almost imper-
tinent. They are so old and so large that
it is hard to describe them properly. Be
sides they have been written about so
much that any extended description would
probably weary the reader. Yet no one
can write even briefly of Egypt without
1aking some mention of the massive mon
uments of stone that so long have with
stood the touch of time.
There are pyramids in Egypt. India.
Persia and Mexico. but the most celebrat-
ed are situated on the banks of the Nile.
In Egypt there are about 20 pyramids
the greatest one having been erected by
King Khufu or King Cheops According
to Psychologists, the building period Of
the various pyramids extended from the
fourth dynasty, 1888 B. c., to the 18th
dynasty, 22oO r. c.
The Egyptians were a mechanical peo-
pie, and their undertakings were gigantic
They took pride in erecting enormous
structures Of monstrous blocks of stone
But the pyramids were intended to be
more than monuments; they are tombS
erected by kings for the preservation OF
their own bodies; they believed in a
blessed future existence in the kingdom
of the body until the day Of its final
reunion with the soul OF all the pyra-
mids. the most celebrated are those of
Ghizeh eight or ten miles from Cairo, not
far from the site of the ancient city Of
Memphis, and of my visit to these pyra-
mids. / shall write briefly.
In driving from Cairo to the pyramids
at Ghizeh 1t is necessary for one to
cross the Nile on the world-famed bridge
Along the way one met endless crowds
OF country people going to the city, laden
with vegetables, fruits and provisions, and
also throngs of camels. donkeys, mules,
horses. carriages, carts, bicycles and au-
tomobiles
The driveway, seven miles long. is d
level roadway six to ten feet above the
adjoining land. 1t is reported to have
been built In one week with forced labor
by thousands upon thousands of Egyp-
tians by command of Khedive Ismail Ia
1870, in order that the Empress Eugenia
on her way to the pyramids, might drive
In a comfortable manner
Today IL is indeed a beautiful drive
way. On both sides lined with superb
and lofty ocacia trees for the entire dis
lance OF seven miles, it becomes in the
afternoon the resort of the beauty. the
wealth and the fashion of Cairo, and un-
der the spell of its enchanting beauty,
many declare that there is no more de-
|lightful driveway in the world.
Probably the greatest attraction In
Egypt is the great pyramid of Cheops-
It is the most gigantic Of the Pharaonic
tombs. IT is claimed that 1t Is the great
est monument in the world, and that mo
ancient monument In existence has been
so much written about"
. According to scholars, 1t was built In
1888 B. c. or 5,642 years ago. That was
nearly 1000 years before the days OF
Abraham. 1900 years before Rome was
founded and $500 years before the estab-
lishrnent of the government OF the United
States. The pyramid was % centuries old
when King Solomon began the temple On
Jerusalem, and 1t is more than twice as
old as the Acropolis at Athens. BY its
side, the Westminster abbey In London IL
but little child; while the Washington
monument in America, In age and size,
is but a tiny infant.
Professor Petrie states that the Pyra-
mid of Cheops is now 451 feet high and
that the east side is 775 feet wide. During
the ages Il has lost 80 feet in height and
20 feet In width, on account of the re-
noval from the exterior Of blocks OF
stone for building purposes.
No single building ever contained so
much stone. Yet how can describe its
stupendous size. when figures convey but
poor Impressions to the mind2
There are 100000 blocks of stone,
varying in weight from 1900 pounds to
10000 pounds, and some Of them being
bigger than a piano. 1t covers more thar
12 acres of space.
With the stone in the pyramid, wall
10 feet high and 1 foot thick could be