1843.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



357 



casing stones have been removed. In the second pyramid a part of 

 the casing yet remains. In these it is impossible to see the interior 

 construction of the stone work. But some of the small ruined pyra- 

 mids at Gizeh consist of several steps, each of several courses of stone- 

 work in height, instead of the usual form of four sides regularly con- 

 verging to an apex; and in the more ruined parts of these pyramids 

 it is seen that the steps are formed by walls built against each other, 

 as shown by the dotted lines in the following sketch. 



The masonry of the pyramids of Abousir and Saccara is very in- 

 ferior to that of the pyramids of Gizeh — in all of these the step con- 

 struction is clearly seen, and also that the steps are separate walls 

 built against each other. The pyramid at Merdoon, again, exhibits 

 this mode of construction. In its present form it rather resembles a 

 huge square tower, the walls of which are slightly inclined, than a 

 pyramid : the outer layers having been mostly removed, the core or 

 central part is left standing alone. In short, in the examination of a 

 great number of pyramids, from Gizeh to the Fayoom, the same mode 

 of construction was found. 



To explain a mode of building apparently so contrary to sound ma- 

 sonry, we must suppose a chamber a for the tomb, in or under the 



small pyramid B B B, built over it: by filling up the angles of the steps, 

 and adding the fine smooth casing stone, this small pyramid would be 

 completed ; but if it were desired to enlarge the work, instead of 

 filling up the angles to prepare for the casing, another step, of the 

 same height and depth as the first, being added to each step of the 

 first-mentioned pyramid, the outline touching the exterior angles of 

 these steps, c c c, Sic, would be parallel to the outline of the first 

 pyramid ; and so on, by continually adding steps of the same section, 

 the pyramid would be increased to any size. The foregoing sketch 

 thus shows five pyramids, one within the other. Dr. Lepsius stated 

 that he was indebted to Mr. J. Wild, architect, for this suggestion, 

 and it agrees with and explains the account given by Herodotus, who 

 states that machines were placed upon the steps, and the stones raised 

 from one step to another. The Doctor then explained, in confirmation 

 of his views, the remarkable pyramid of Dashour; he considered the 

 obtuse angle of the upper part, as the original angle intended. More- 

 over, Dr. Lepsius observed that this mode of proceeding is in harmony 

 with that adopted by the Egyptians in their tombs excavated in the 

 rock. It is found at Thebes that the first care of the reigning king 

 was to excavate in the rock, and complete and decorate, a chamber 

 for his tomb. If his life continued after the end of this labour, another 

 chamber was added, and then another, and so on ; and it is found that 

 the largest tombs are those built by the kings who have reigned the 

 longest. In the same manner, the pyramids may have been continually 

 enlarged during the lifetime of the kings for whom they were in- 

 tended. All the evidence that remains shows that the largest pyra- 

 mids were of kings who reigned a long time. It must be remembered, 

 that among the Egyptians it was the duty of the individual to provide 

 a tomb for himself; his successor was immediately occupied upon his 

 own, and thus we find many tombs either hastily or imperfectly finished, 

 and chambers left in all states of progress. Could a monument of such 



stupendous size as the great pyramid of Gizeh, have been contem- 

 plated as an original plan, to have been finished, or nearly so, in the 

 lifetime of one man ? but it is easy to conceive that by perpetual 

 additions during a long reign, such a building may have been com- 

 pleted. 



Dr. Lepsius then exhibited a selection of beautifully finished draw- 

 ings of the subjects and inscriptions decorating the tombs round the 

 pyramids of Gizeh and .Saccara, architectural plans, sections, &c. The 

 time allowed was too short for more than a slight examination of them. 

 The explanations given of some of the subjects was very interesting. 



The Doctor did not refer to his researches in the Fayoom. I am, 

 however, enabled to inform you, that he lias fixed satisfactorily the 

 place of the labyrinth near the pyramid of Howarra, and has traced, from 

 what remains, a general plan of it. Its complete ruin is owing to the 

 walls having been built with rude brick, and merely faced with stone; 

 from the same cause, the tombs at Saccara are nearly all destroyed, 

 while those at Gizeh, which are entirely built of stone, are in good 

 preservation. 



By the liberal regulations of the Society at whose rooms this lecture 

 was delivered, strangers are permitted to use the library and attend 

 the lectures, if introduced by a member. I had thus the opportunity 

 of hearing the paper I have endeavoured to report to you. The 

 library, although not very large, contains nearly all the valuable works 

 on the antiquities of Egypt and the surrounding countries, the works 

 of the best travellers and historians, some upon Arabic literature, &c. 



Dr. Lepsius left Cairo to-day for Upper Egypt. — Athenaum. 

 Cairo, August 17. 



ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL, WINDSOR. 



The extensive alterations and embellishments which have been in 

 progress since the early part of May last (from which period the 

 chapel has been closed), at an outlay of several thousands of pounds, 

 throughout the interior of this sacred edifice, having just been brought 

 to a close, the following description of the ornamental and newly em- 

 blazoned portions of the chapel of St. George, the curious discoveries 

 made during the progress of the works, and of other objects of inte- 

 rest connected with the late repairs, will, no doubt, be interesting to 

 a numerous portion of our readers. 



It is now nearly a century since this chapel had undergone any 

 repairs. At a chapter held by the dean and canons in February last, 

 it was resolved that the chapel should undergo throughout a thorough 

 cleansing and renovation ; that new stained glass windows should be 

 introduced in various parts ; the organ repaired, ornamented, and 

 many additions made to it ; the whole of the elaborate wood carvings 

 and the alabaster and marble monuments in the several private chapels 

 and aisles, restored to their original state ; and other embellishments 

 added, so as to render this ancient building one of the most magnifi- 

 cent sacred edifices in the kingdom. 



The beautifully groined ceilings of the nave and choir has been 

 thoroughly cleaned by means of immense scaffolding reaching from 

 the floor to the roof; and the whole of the defective parts carefully 

 pointed and restored by experienced workmen. The groined ceilings, 

 also, of the side aisles, chapels, and transepts, have undergone the 

 same careful and extensive renovation, and likewise the organ-loft 

 and that portion of the chapel at the back of the altar. The whole of 

 the whitewash and colouring matter upon the stone pillars, window- 

 jambs, arches, and piers, and upon the hitherto half-hidden Gothic 

 screens to the Hastings, Beaufort, Lincoln, and other chapels, have 

 been removed, restoring the stonework to its rich and varied natural 

 tints, and producing a most beautiful effect. The numerous monu- 

 ments, and the interiors of the private chapels, belonging to noble and 

 distinguished families, have also been carefully restored. 



The whole of the splendid Gothic oaken stalls of the Knights of 

 the Garter (on either side of the choir and those facing the altar) have 

 been cleaned, and repaired where necessary, so as to render them 

 strictly perfect, at an enormous expense. The richly and most elabo- 

 rately carved canopies over the stalls of the knights (above which are 

 suspended their banners, with their mantles, swords, helmets, and 

 crests, were taken down to undergo a similar renovation and repair. 

 They have also been re-stained and varnished. 



The dark and dingy-looking paint which covered the exquisite 

 wood carving of the stalls, has been carefully scraped off, and the 

 wood left in its own tint, which has considerably improved and heigh- 

 tened the general effect of this portion of the interior of the chapel. 



It may here be mentioned that on the pedestals of the stalls the life 

 of our Saviour is represented in richly carved work, and on those 

 under the organ-gallery are the adventures of St. George. In lt>14 



