25 
upon them, which could serve as a guide to a know- 
ledge of the period of their erection. 
The large pyramid is attributed to Cheops, who 
lived about 850 years before the Christian era. I think 
it more probable that it is anterior to the period of 
history. If it was of the period indicated, there would 
remain some other tokens than the simple recital of 
Herodotus, upon a monument which must, even in 
his time, have excited the attention and admiration of 
men. 
There is a douar, or Arab village, at the foot of the 
great pyramid. The comparison of the houses and 
tents, with the monument, served me as a scale to form 
an idea of its enormous magnitude. 
I saw the sphynx which is near the pyramids. It is 
well known that it is a bust or head, formed of a rock 
of immense size. The Arabs call it Aboulphoul. I 
distinguished its head-dress, eyes, and mouth, per- 
fectly; but, as I was in front, I could not perceive its 
profile, which I desired most ardently. 
The plain and the hills of the Sahhara, or Great % 
Desert, covered with moving sand, terminates the 
prospect towards the west. 
Djiza is upon the left bank of the Nile. I had been 
told it was a delightful spot, on account of its country 
houses and gardens. It is now a miserable abode, 
filled with Arnaut soldiers, who conduct themselves 
like banditti. At the moment I leapt ashore, one of 
their chiefs came to me, and took hold of a corner of 
my robe, as if to examine the quality of the cloth; but 
immediately one of my servants, with a menacing air, 
pulled his hand away. When he saw that several other 
armed servants and horses arrived in the sloops, and 
that the moment they disembarked they ranged them- 
Vol. II. D 
