The Soros. 
198 PYRAMIDS OF DJIZA. 
Near the western side, stands the Soros, of 
the same kind of granite as that which is used 
for the walls of the chamber, and as exquisitely 
polished. It is distinguished by no difference 
of form or dimensions from the common appear- 
ance of the Soros, as it is often seen in Turkish 
towns, when employed by the inhabitants to 
supply the place of a cistern. It resembles, as 
Greaves has remarked ', ** two cubes, finely set 
together, and hollowed within ; being cut smooth 
and plain," without sculpture or engraving of 
any kind. Its length on the outside is seven 
feet three inches and a half; its depth, three feet 
three inches and three quarters; and it is the 
same in breadth. Its position is north and south. 
This beautiful relic was entire when our 
troops were landed in Egypt. Even the French 
had refused to violate a monument considered 
by travellers of every age and nation as conse- 
crated by its antiquity; having withstood the 
ravages of time above three thousand years, 
and all the chances of sacrilege to which it was 
exposed during that period from wanton indis- 
criminating barbarity. It is therefore painful 
(1) See Pyramidog. p. 96. 
