[26]. Vyse, ‘Operations on the Pyramids at Gizeh in 1837,’ vol. i. p. 297, et seq.
[27]. At Wady Meghara, in the Sinaitic peninsula, a king of the 4th dynasty is represented as slaying an Asiatic enemy. It is the only sign of strife which has yet been discovered belonging to this ancient kingdom. Lepsius, Abt. ii. pl. 39.
[28]. By a singular coincidence, China has been suffering from a Hyksos domination of Tartar conquerors, precisely as Egypt did after the period of the Pyramid builders, and, strange to say, for about the same period—five centuries. Had the Taepings been successful, we should have witnessed in China the exact counterpart of what took place in Egypt when the 1st native kings of the 18th dynasty expelled the hated race.
[29]. Col. H. Vyse, ‘Operations carried on the Pyramids of Gizeh in 1837.’ Lond. 1840-43.
[30]. This will be best understood by looking at the section (Woodcut [7]), in which it will be seen that the so-called coping or casing-stones were not simply triangular blocks, filling up the angles formed by the receding steps, and which might have been easily displaced, but stones from 7 to 10 feet in depth, which could not have been supported unless the work had been commenced at the bottom. On the other hand, it is difficult to understand how the casing-stones for the upper portion could have been raised up the sloping portion completed. It is probable, therefore, that the casing was commenced at the angles and was carried up in vertical planes, thus leaving a causeway of steps in the middle of each face, which diminished in width as the work proceeded; this causeway, a few feet wide only, on each face being then encased from the top downwards after the apex blocks had been laid.—Ed.
[31]. ‘The Pyramids and Temples of Gizeh by W. M. Flinders Petrie. Lond. 1883.
[32]. On the north side the paving is carried under the lowest course.
[33]. Except the spires of Cologne Cathedral.
[34]. They are situated in latitude 30° N.
[35]. ‘Pyramids and Temples of Gizeh,’ p. 199.