IV 
172 PYRAMIDS OF DJIZA. 
CHAP, yet to us it appeared hardly possible, that per- 
sons susceptible of any feeling of sublimity could 
behold them unmoved. With what amazement 
did we survey the vast surface that was pre- 
sented to us, when we arrived at this stu- 
pendous monument, which seemed to reach the 
clouds! Here and there appeared some Arab 
guides upon the immense masses above us, like 
so many pigmies, waiting to shew the way up 
to the summit. Now and then we thought we 
heard voices, and listened ; but it was the wind, 
in powerful gusts, sweeping the immense ranges 
of stone. Already some of our party had 
begun the ascent, and were pausing at the 
tremendous depth which they saw below\ One 
of our military companions, after having sur- 
mounted the most difficult part of the under- 
taking, became giddy in consequence of looking 
down from the elevation he had attained; and 
being compelled to abandon the project, he 
engaged an Arab to assist him in effecting his 
descent. The rest of us, more accustomed to 
the business of climbing heights, with many a 
halt for respiration, and many an exclamation 
of wonder, pursued our way tow^ards the sum- 
mit. The mode of ascent has been frequently 
described; and yet, from the questions which 
are often proposed to travellers, it does not 
