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Ples, & Other Monuments of Antiquity
EGYPTIAN CURIOSITIES: - Pompey's Pillar-Buildings, and Library, of Alexandria-Temple of Tentyra--Palace of Memnon-Temple of Osiris.
If glorious structures and immortal deeds Enlarge the thought, and set our souls on fire; My tongue has been too cold in Egypt's praise, The queen of nations, and the boast of times, Mother of science, and the house of gods!
Scarce can I open wide my tabouring mind, To comprehend the vast idea, big With arts and arms, so boundless is its fame.
Young.
PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT--From Cabillia's Researches, as recorded in Belzoni's Narrative.- "The enterprise of Captain Cabillia was hazardous and bold, and nothing but an enthusiasm for discovery could induce a man to take such a step. The consul, with Mr. Briggs, Mr. Beechey, and myself, went to see the operations that were going on. Captain Cabillia's circumstances were much better than mine; but he had no superfluous wealth at command, to continue what he had begun, which required a supply beyond his means. Mr. Briggs was the first who generously offered to furnish money for this purpose; and, after a consultation with Mr. Salt, they agreed to support the work to any extent that might be required. This gentleman not only encouraged the undertaking at the pyramid, but has exerted his influence with Mohammed Ali, for the general advantage of the commerce of Europe. "The enterprise of Captain Cabillia is worthy the attention of every one interested in antiquities, as he had solved a question by which the learned world has been puzzled for many centuries. The famous well, which has given rise to so much conjecture, turns out to be a communication with a lower passage, leading into an inferior chamber, discovered and opened by himself. He first descended the well to the depth of thirty-eight feet, where his progress was stopped by four large stones. Three of these being removed, there was space enough for a man to pass through; but the fourth he could not stir, though he had the help of Mr. Kabitsch, a young man in the employment of Mr. Baghos, who bore a share of the expense with the captain. Twenty-one feet below