374 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
the powers of the Great Pyramid’s base-side, for accuracy and last- 
ing quality combined, would probably be found vastly above those 
of any standard of measure at present known to be possessed by 
any nation in Christendom. 
PYRAMID ALLEGED TO BE A SUPERHUM*AN, AND MORE 
OR LESS AN INSPIRED, METROLOGICAL ERECTION. 
To the above very serious title the Proceedings' author arrives in 
the last section of his paper (p. 268); and seems to decide that 
Khaliph A1 Mamoon by breaking in, “ upset the supposititious 
“ miracle,” (of the Great Pyramid, as begun to be interpreted by 
the late John Taylor), “ a thousand years ago;” also, that some- 
thing else was recently discovered in the building, “some thou- 
“ sand years too late for the evolution of the alleged miraculous 
“arrangement;” and finally, that Professor Smyth has been 
“ wrongously and disparagingly attributing to Divine Inspiration 
“ and aid, things that are imperfect and human.” 
When from nearly first to last, in that over remarkable paper 
in the Proceedings (the second of the two papers on which I 
have been discoursing this evening),* there has now been shown 
proof that it is characterised by erroneous statements, perverted 
meanings, unworthy insinuations, and denials of some of the most 
commonly known principles of arithmetic, and most widely followed 
methods of physical science, — the members of the Royal Society 
may see, that there is no possibility of my discussing the Pyramid 
question generally with that gentleman on scientific grounds. 
As little can I attempt to do so on a religious foundation. Allu- 
sion indeed to all religious argument the Society ordinarily eschews, 
though the Proceedings' author was allowed to introduce it into his 
pages 267 and 268, besides inserting several rather scoffing and 
derisive passages at pp. 254, 256, 260, and 264. But even though 
the Society should give me equal liberty to answer, — no discussion 
of a peaceful, improving kind can be instituted without some first 
* The present essay, especially in its latter half, was much shortened on the 
occasion of reading before the Society on April 20, in order to bring it within 
the limits of time allowed. All the leading remarks of it were, however, 
noted, and are now again brought forth with fuller materials for proof or 
disproof. 
