the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid. 9^ 
followed by the most abundant discoveries of Egyptian antiqui- 
ties. The French savans appear to have done notliing more 
than uncover the back of this stupendous piece of sculpture ; 
and, if they attempted any other excavations, cannot possibly 
have proceeded far in their work, as the top of the wall, which 
has now been discovered, is not above three feet below the level 
of the sand. Mr Caviglia first begun to open a deep trench on 
the left or north side, near the shoulder of the figure; but, 
though this opening was about ^0 feet wide at the top, and only 
3 at the bottom, it soon became hazardous for the workmen to 
continue their operations, in consequence of the sand being 
driven back by the wind. He proceeded, therefore, to carry on 
his excavations in the front ; and, after labouring for the space 
of nearly four months, with the assistance of from 60 to 100 
persons every day, he succeeded in laying open the whole figure 
to its base. This wonderful production of ancient art is now as- 
certained to be cut out' of the solid rock on which it had been 
supposed merely to rest ; and though, in digging the first 
trench, it clearly appeared that the external surface of the body 
below was composed of irregular-shaped stones, carefully built, 
and covered with red paint, yet this portion of masonry is con- 
fined to certain projecting ledges, which are supposed to have 
been added by the Romans, and to have been intended for the 
lines of the mantle or dress. The body is in a cumbent posture ; 
Imd the paws (which are formed of masonry) stretch out 50 
feet in advance. Fragments of its enormous beard are seen 
resting under its chin ; and there is a hole in the head, in which 
the priests are supposed to have concealed themselves, for the 
purpose of imposing their oracles upon the deluded people. 
The face, which is of the negro cast, is considerably decayed, 
but still presents a mild and even a subhme expression.” The 
sphinx now appears surrounded with a wall (3), at the distance 
of 30 feet, the top of which is only three feet below the level of 
the surrounding sand, so as to prove, beyond a doubt, that the 
ground around it is not higher now than formerly. This wall 
Is built of unbaked bricks, but cased with stone on the inside. 
From this wall there is a descent in front to the large area, by 
means of two flights of steps, one of 32 and the other of 14 
steps (5, 6) ; and, upon the lower platform, between the^Se 
