DESCRIPTIONS OF EGYPT. 
197 
as an artist, had, for his province, to examine those 
gigantic monuments which form the peculiar boast 
of Egypt. Although he is not the most solid or 
sober-minded of observers, and though his opera- 
tions were much obstructed by following the ra- 
pid movements of the army, his narrative still con- 
tains many things deserving of notice. 
Denon did not bestow any particular attention 
on Alexandria, nor did he minutely examine any 
object till he arrived at the pyramids. He made a 
very anxious effort to explore the contents of the great 
pyramid. The only passage is by three long galleries, 
two of which are ascending, and one descending. At 
the end of each there are immense blocks of granite, 
so placed as to bar all further approach ; but these 
have been cut through by the industry of former 
inquirers. At the end of the second gallery is a 
small apartment, called the Queen's chamber, sup- 
posed to have been destined for the spouse of the 
monarch by whom the edifice was built ; but it 
contains neither ornament nor sarcophagus, nor 
any thing else to confirm the supposition. At the 
end of the third gallery is found a larger chamber, 
within which is seen the sarcophagus, for the re- 
ception of which this immense structure is sup- 
posed to have been reared. This chamber is only 
One hundred and sixty feet above the basis of the 
pyramid ; and no higher excavations have been 
made ; but as the entire height is four hundred 
