562 
WONDBRS OF ART. 
Ifi'*' 
Two grand flights, wliich face each other, le.ad to ij® 
cipal platform. To the right is an immense vva ' 
finest masonry, and of Ihe most massive stones ; *9 
are other walls, equaW well built, but not .so ' 'pjet 
On arriving at tire summit of the staircase, the 
which present themselves directly facing the i'’‘j 
four vast portals and two columns. Two portals ^ 
the columns, and then two portals again. On the 
each are represented, in basso-relievo, figures ot 
which, for want of a better name, may ho called 
Thty two sphinxes on the first portals face outwa 
towards the plain and the front of the building; 
others, on the second portals, face inwardly, *• 
the mountain. From the first, (to the right, 
line,) at the distance of fifty-four paces, is a s 
thirty steps, the sides of wdiich are ornamented ^ 
reliefs, originally in three rows, but now partly 
the accumulation of earth beneatli, and by 
above. This staircase leads to the principal comP^ 
.if 
the whole ruins, which may be called a small ^ 
studded with columns, sixteen of which are 
Having crossed this plain, on an eminence are , 
stupendous remains of frames, botliof windows a 
formed by blocks of marble of sizes niost 
These frames are ranged in a square, and 
Tnent the most royal that can be conc^ed. prb'® 
»f the frames are sculptured figures, and tire ^ 
retains a polish which, in its original state, roust 
w'ith tlie finest mirrors. On each comer of ro jiSS (/ 
pedestals, of an elevation much more considera 
surrounding frames ; one is formed of a -af 
marble. The front of this apartment seems ” | 
to the soutli-west, for tew inarL of masonry ^ .^y 
on that exposure, and the base of that side is ^ 
tiired and ornamented. This front opens 
platform, on which no building appears to hav® . pgJi 
13.-4. 4-U,^ frt tV»o rrir\rr^ inttt I\lC^ i.^&^ 
ip'-y 
But on the side opposite to the room just jf 
is the same appearance of a corresponding 
though nothing but the bases of some .j,, r, 
the square of its floor, attest it to have been su 
terval between these two rooms, (on those ang |,ail 
tlie furthest distant from the grand front m 
