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Proceedings of the Royal Society 
In short (to quote the words of Prof. Smyth), “ that wonder 
within a wonder of the Great Pyramid — viz., the porphyry coffer,” 
“this vessel of exquisite meaning” and of “far-reaching char- 
acteristics,” mathematically formed under alleged Divine inspira- 
tion as a measure of capacity (and, according to M. Jomard, of 
length also) for all men and all nations, for all time, and 
particularly for these latter profane times, is, in simple truth, 
nothing more and nothing less than — an old and somewhat mis- 
shapen stone coffin. 
Standard of Linear Measure in the Great Pyramid. 
The standard in the Great Pyramid, according to Messrs Taylor 
and Smyth, for linear measurements, is the length of the base line 
or lines of the pyramid. This, Professor Smyth states, is “ the 
function proper of the pyramid’s base.” It is professed also that 
in this base line there has been found a new mythical inch — one- 
thousandth of an inch longer than the British standard inch ; and 
Professor Smyth has attempted to show that the status of the 
kingdoms of Europe in the general and moral world may be measured 
in accordance with their present deviation or conformity to this 
mythical pyramidal standard in their modes of national measure- 
ment. “ For the linear measure ” (says Prof. Smyth), “ of the base 
line of this colossal monument, viewed in the light of the philoso- 
phical connection between time and space, has yielded a standard 
measure of length which is more admirably and learnedly earth- 
commensurable than anything which has ever yet entered into the 
mind of man to conceive, even up to the last discovery in modern 
metrological science, whether in England, France, or Germany.” 
The engineers and mathematicians of different countries have 
repeatedly measured a meridian arc of a degree of sixty miles in 
order to use it as a standard for linear divisions. As part of 
their standard, they measure off sixty miles of the irregular earth- 
surface of a kingdom with almost perfect mathematical exactitude. 
Professor Smyth holds that the basis side of the pyramid has been 
laid down by Divine authority as such a guiding standard measure. 
What, then , is the exact length of one of its basis lines ? The 
sides of the pyramid have been measured by many different 
measurers. Linear standards have, says Professor Smyth, “ been 
already looked for by many and many an author on the sides of 
