THE TOMB. 
499 
from the foot of the hills that bound the plain to the south-west. 
(Plate XIV.) A wide area, marked outwardly by the broken shafts 
of 24 circular columns, surrounds the building in a square shape. 
Each column is three feet three inches in diameter. Six com¬ 
plete each face of the square, distant from each other fourteen 
feet. Seventeen columns are still erect, but heaped round with 
rubbish, and barbarously connected with a wall of mud. With¬ 
in this area stands the tomb. The great base, on which it rests, 
is composed of immense blocks of the most beautiful white 
marble, rising in steps ; at the bottom of the lowest step, two sides 
of the base measure forty feet; the other two sides, forty-four. It 
first rises five feet six inches, so forming the lowest step. The se- 
condbegins two feet, interiorly from the extreme edge of the first, 
rising three feet six inches, and receding one foot ten inches ; at 
which point the third step rises three feet four inches, and re¬ 
cedes one foot ten inches ; the fourth step rises one foot eleven 
inches, and recedes one foot ten inches; the fifth, rises one foot 
ten inches, and recedes one foot ten inches; the sixth rises and 
recedes in the same proportion, touching the walls of the tomb, 
which stands on its platform. Thus, a succession of gigantic 
steps, completes, in a beautiful pyramidal shape, the pedestal 
of this royal tomb, majestic in its simplicity and vastness. At 
the base of the lowest step, a projection, or sort of skirting-stone, 
runs all round the foundation of the building, almost even with 
the ground above, and not striking very deep into it below; pro¬ 
bably to what was the ancient level of the earth. 
The charge of this interesting place is given to the females of 
a neighbouring village; and none but that sex are permitted to 
enter the supposed repository of the remains of the mother of 
Sulieman. Two of these fair guardians, who were rather stricken 
3 s 2 
