306 
York has two aisles. Speaking of York Cathedral alone, the 
nave, the transepts, and the choir were built at three different 
periods ; and as the date of erection of the other two cathe- 
drals also differs, the coincidence in principle so observable 
in the plans, is surprising-, to say the least, and I think 
deserving of serious attention. 
I cannot conclude these imperfect notices of the symmetri- 
cal arrangement in the plans of these cathedrals, without 
adducing further practical proofs of the science displayed by 
their designers. 
It has been ably remarked, that " if science and taste be 
nothing, then may a brick clamp vie in beauty with the 
noblest effort of the architectural art." If science be de- 
serving of consideration, then must we admire those struc- 
tures the most in which it is most clearly developed, and 
wherein we descry proofs of the exercise of matured judgment 
in adapting the means to the obtainment of the desired end. 
The pyramids of Egypt overawe the traveller by their 
mysterious form, and their gigantic proportions, while the 
purpose to which they appear to have been applied, so clearly 
points out a lavish waste of materials and labour, as to detract 
in some measure from the interest which they would other- 
wise excite. 
The area upon which the great pyramid stands covers 13^ 
acres. The pyramid itself may be considered as consisting 
of " solid masses unsubdued by time." It bears the stamp 
and impress of more than 3000 years, and has been calcu- 
lated to contain six times the mass of stone in the breakwater 
at Plymouth — (one of the noblest monuments of modern 
engineering art.) 
Upon calculation I find that this single pyramid covers a 
greater area than fourteen of our English cathedrals, (z.^., 
exclusive of the chapter houses and cloisters.) The area 
covered by the base of the pyramid is 64,752 superficial 
