1871J The Great Pyramid of Egypt. 19 



the first. Not only, too, the first Pyramid of all known 

 Pyramids, but the first example of all known architecture in 

 stone. 



Before that remarkable building, as we shall presently show 

 from independent and impartial authority, there is no known 

 monument in all Egypt ; no material existing proof of the 

 handy-work of man, unless it be some flint chips. After that 

 building comes everything of the hosts of acknowledged 

 Egyptian remains, but nothing equal to it. The Pyramids 

 subsequently built were all smaller, less perfect in mechanical 

 construction, without science in design, and tending to 

 meretricious in taste. The Great Pyramid is alone a perfect 

 example in design and execution, both aesthetically and 

 mechanically ; and, as we are to show, it is the largest ; and 

 it was the first. 



3. The Superior Antiquity and Constructive Excellence of the 

 Great Pyramid as Testified to by Egyptologists. 



Now, each and all of these features of the Great Pyramid 

 are totally opposed to the favourite modern doctrine of 

 "progressive development;" and, whereas the methods of 

 " scientising " in the present day have been for long almost 

 confined to looking out for some minute discrepancy, just 

 perceivable in telescope or microscope, between theory and 

 observation, and following up that little difference until its 

 reason has been discovered, — what amount of attention 

 ought not to be given by all engaged in any branch of 

 anthropological science, to such an entire and confounding 

 difference from theory as this ; viz., that the first stone 

 building ever erected by man, instead of being the smallest 

 and worst, is actually the best and highest of all that have 

 ever been erected on the face of the earth ! 



My readers will require some proof of these things ; and 

 though to set forth full proofs of the greatest marvel in all 

 the general history of man, within the compass of one or two 

 short papers, is totally beyond me, I will yet attempt 

 something in the direction of at least showing what kind of 

 data there are from which proofs may be extracted, if men 

 would only apply themselves heartily to the task. And it 

 may, perhaps, expedite our progress if I quote, whenever 

 printed facts allow of it, not so much from my own observa- 

 tions, as from those authors who hold opposite opinions to 

 myself touching explanations and conclusions, but who are 

 allowed by all the world to be deservedly great in practical 

 Egyptology, or a knowledge of the monuments still standing 



