On the Origin of the Pyramids of Egypt. 285 



tion to practice. It is a system of framing, which resenihles in 

 some of its qualities, and in its eifects and operations, the trussing 

 employed in the construction of roofs, bridges, and other framed 

 «arpentry of great span, so that a vessel to which it is applied 

 may not improperly be called a trussed ship or vessel ; and this 

 powerfid support, sujieradded to the usual tasteningsj must, it is 

 presimied, infallibly produce the great objects proposed of pre- 

 venting the depression of the two ends, and the butt ends and 

 seams of the plank from opening, and also give general strength 

 and security to the vessel. 



The advantages resulting from this improvement are : 

 First, — .That tlie durability of vessels Avill be increased, thus pre- 

 cluding the early and frequent repairs rendered necessary 

 by the radical weakness of the present mode of construc- 

 tion. 

 Secondly, — That by means of the powerfiil support effected by 

 the truss the filling timbers betAVcen each rib may be 

 omitted, thereby making a very considerable saving in tlie 

 first cost, after allowing for the expense of the truss. 

 Thirdly, — The great benefits eventuallv to accrue to the mer- 

 cantile world are, first, a reduction in the charges of freight, 

 proportioned to the diminution of the expense of buildinc, 

 the less freciuency of repairs, and the comparative greater 

 durability of the vessel; secondlv, a more perfect security 

 of the cargo from damage ; and thirdh', a lower rate of 

 insurance. 

 Fourthly, — The saving annually to their relatives, and to the 

 community, a great immber of valuable lives. 



LI. On the Origin of the Pyramids of Egypt, and the Inten- 

 tion for which they were erected. By Edward DAXit:L 

 Clarke, LL.D. 



[Continued from p. 200.J 



xiFfKR the numerous accounts which, during so many ages, 

 liave been written to illustrate the origin of the Pyramids, it is 

 not probable that any new remarks will meet with much atten- 

 tion. "\'et how few, among all the authors who have undertaken 

 to investigate this subject, have ever ventured to express an 

 0|)inion of their own ! Struck by the magnitude of the objects 

 themselves; by their immense antiquity; and by a consciousness 

 of the obscurity in which their history has been veiled, every 

 succeeding traveller contents himself with a detail of the obser- 

 vations of his predecessors, only showing the extent of the la- 

 byrinth wherein he is bewildered. Yet somethuig perhaps might 



be 



