sage, through which the priest ascended to it’s head, whence he
issued oracular responses to the multitude below.
The date of these astonishing monuments appears to baffle all
conjecture. They are mentioned as works of antiquity by the
most ancient of the heathen historians: from the figure of the
vaulted roof of the gallery in the great pyramid, we may presume
they were built before the art of constructing a circular arch was
known; and as they are totally destitute of hieroglyphics, which
abound on other remains of this country, it is most probable
they were erected before these sacred characters were invented,
the use of which was forgotten at a very remote period.
THE CATACOMBS.
W e have already mentioned the subterraneous repositories of the
dead, which are numerous in the neighbourhood of the two larger
pyramids, and of great antiquity no doubt, though from the
sculptures they exhibit we must naturally infer the work of times
much less rude. Some of them are executed in a style of excellence
superiour to the performances of a similar kind in the sepulchral
grottoes of Upper Egypt. I t is not improbable, therefore,
that these were made at the time when Memphis, which stood
but a few miles south of the pyramids, was the capital of this
kingdom.
No part of Egypt appears to have been explored with any
degree of diligence, in which catacombs have not been found,
though differing much in their form and workmanship. Some