3D0 PROFESSOR C. PIAZZI SMYTH'S ACCOUNT OF 



the north and south trenches were all but exactly parallel to the north-east and 

 south-east sockets of the Pyramid's base ; and then, that the grand diverging 

 trench towards the east went off from them at an angle of 76° 18' 38" ; or the 

 angle very nearly of the top of the Pyramid, according to Mr Taylor's hypothesis. 



From the angle at the summit we can, of course, deduce trigonometrically 

 the angle at the foot of the Pyramid ; but we have that given also by these 

 trenches in another and directer manner, viz., by the amount cut off the large 

 angle by the small subsidiary trench ; and if we take the mean of that and the 

 former result, the angle comes out 51° 51' 35", nearly. 



Now it may be said, that this close agreement with Mr Taylor's number is 

 only an accident; but then what an accident ! Tradition and subsequent history 

 have indicated that the other Pyramids of Jeezeh were built in imitation of the 

 Great Pyramid, and that their builders were well content with the success of 

 their imitation ; how close then to their grand exemplar did they come in this 

 ethereal matter of angle ? 



The second Pj^ramid has an angle of 52° 50' ; the third of 51° 0' ; and the others 

 are near upon 52° 12' : i.e, not one of them comes within a quarter of a degree. 



Now I would not attempt to maintain against the architects, that these 

 trenches were not used at the building of the Pyramid for mixing mortar in ; 

 nor would I argue against the Egyptologists, that they were not used for tombs, 

 when the building was finished, and the mortar mixing over, — but I would only 

 point out that these purposes in themselves cannot explain the angles at which 

 the axes of the trenches are actually situated ; and the cutting of them at these 

 angles must have preceded the two subsequent utilitarian purposes the long cuts 

 were eventually put to. 



Hence opinion would seem to be driven to either one or other alternative ; 

 viz., if the Pyramid architects laid out these angles intentionally, they knew 

 something of their scientific importance ; but if they did not lay them out inten- 

 tionally, and attained the precise angles without effort on their part, then, what 

 some men call accident, others may prefer to look on as Providence overruling the 

 fitful works of men for grander ultimate ends than they had any idea of at the 

 time. But let us proceed further in our safe practical examination. 



Proposition IV. 



This proposition refers to the vertical angle of the long inclined passages in 

 the interior of the Pyramid ; they have been described by various travellers at 

 anywhere between 25° and 27°, and even 30° ; but Mr Taylor's theory extended 

 says they should be at 26° 18' 10", and there are three different passages each to 

 be measured. (See Plate XXVI.) 



The first and second, viz., the entrance passage, and the first ascending 

 passage, are indeed both small and of inferior workmanship, and were found by 



