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. 7. Already some of our party had begun the ascent, and were pausing at the tremendous depth which they saw below. One of our military company, after having surmounted the most difficult part of the undertaking, became giddy in consequence of looking down from the elevation he had attained, and, being compelled to abandon the project, he hired an Arab to assist him in effecting his descent. The rest of us, more accustomed to the business of climbing hights, with many a halt for respiration, and many an exclamation of wonder, pursued our way toward the summit. 8. The mode of ascent has been frequently described; and yet, from the questions which are often proposed to travelers, it does not appear to be generally understood. The reader may imagine himself to be upon a stair-case, every step of which, to a man of middle stature, is nearly breast high, and the breadth of each step is equal to its hight; consequently, the footing is secure; and, although a retrospect, in going up, be sometimes fearful to persons unaccustomed to look down from any considerable clevation, yet there is little danger of falling. In some places, indeed, where the stones are decayed, caution may be required, and an Arab guide is always necessary to avoid a total interruption; but, upon the whole, the means of ascent are such that almost every one may accomplish it. We carried 9. Our progress was impeded by other causes. with us a few instruments, such as our boat-compass, a thermometer, a telescope, &c.; these could not be trusted in the hands of the Arabs, and they were liable to be broken every instant. At length, we reached the topmost tier, to the great delight and satisfaction of all the party. Here we found a platform thirty-two feet square, consisting of nine large stones, each of which might weigh about a ton, although they are much inferior in size to some of the stones used in the constraction of this pyramid. 10. Travelers of all ages, and of various nations, have here inscribed their names. Some are written in Greek, many in French, a few in Arabic, one or two in English, and others in Latin. We were as desirous as our predecessors, to leave a memorial of our arrival; it seemed to be a tribute of thankfulness due for the success of our undertaking; and presently every one of our party was seen busied in adding the inscription of his name. 11. The view from this eminence amply fulfilled our expectations; nor do the accounts which have been given of it, as it appears at this season of the year, exaggerate the novelty and grandeur of the sight. All the region toward Cairo and the Delta,' resembled a sea covered with innumerable islands. Forests of palm-trees were seen standing in the water, the inundation spreading over the land where they stood, so as to give them an appearance of growing in the flood. 12. To the north, as far as the eye could reach, nothing could be discerned but a watery surface thus diversified by planta tions and by villages. To the south we saw the pyramids of Saccára; and, upon the east of these, smaller monuments of the same kind nearer to the Nile. An appearance of ruins might, indeed, be traced the whole way from these pyramids to those of Saccára, as if they had been once connected, so as to constitute one vast cemetery. 13. Beyond the pyramids of Saccára we could perceive the distant mountains of the Said; and, upon an eminence near the Libyan side of the Nile, appeared a monastery of considerable size. Toward the west and south-west, the eye ranged over the great Libyan Desert, extending to the utmost verge of the horizon, without a single object to interrupt the dreary horror of the landscape, except dark floating spots caused by the shadows of passing clouds upon the sand. 14. Upon the south-east side is the gigantic statue of the Sphinx, the most colossal piece of sculpture which remains of all the works executed by the ancients. The French have uncovered all the pedestal of this statue, and all the cumbent or leonine parts of the figure; these were before entirely concealed by sand, Instead, however, of answering the expectations raised concerning the work, upon which it was supposed to rest, the pedestal proves to be a wretched substructure of brick-work and small pieces of stone put together, like the most insignificant piece of modern masonry, and wholly out of character, both with respect to the prodigious labor bestowed upon the statue itself, and the gigantic appearance of the surrounding objects. LESSON XIII. EXPLANATORY NOTES.-1. MEM NO' NI UM was a palace of ancient Thebes, in Egypt, dedicated to Memnon, an ancient hero. It is now, as well as most of the city, in which it was located, in ruins, among which is a colossal statue of Memnon. 2. POM' PEY'S PIL' LAR, is a stupendous monumental column at Alexandria, in Egypt. It is uncertain by whom or for whom it was built. 3. BALBFC, the ancient Heliopolis, or City of the Sun, in 'Syria, presents the finest ruins of the east.. It contained a magnificent temple of the Sun, a great part of which is still uninjured. It is one of the most splendid remains of antiquity. The size of the stones, of which it is built, is astonishing. No mechanical expedients now known, would be able to place them in their present position. THE RAVAGES OF TIME. 1. (%) I saw a vale-sequestered-green,- 2. 3. 4. Over the tufted marge was swelling. And onward, o'er its verdant bed, Yet noiseless-one might mark it stealing; Now "hiding its diminished head," And now again its course revealing. Time sped. That brooklet onward flowed Were lost amid the waves' commotion. I saw upon Nile's sacred banks, The mighty Pyramids, uprearing 5. 6. 7. Their cloud-capt heads; grim, aged ranks Of Sphinxes, 'midst the tombs appearing. Gigantic--musical--and solemn; O'erthrown by Time's decaying fingers! With all the glories which it cherished? LESSON XIV. DIRECTION.-The movement of the voice in reading or speaking the fol lowing poetry, should, for the most part, be quick, expressing earnestness. The fifth verse should be spoken in a tone denoting sadness and disap pointment. THE VOTARY OF PLEASURE. 1. I saw a gallant youth depart CHARLES H. LYON. 2. From his early home, O'er the world to roam; (=) With joyous eye, and bounding heart, Through the mingled throng; And he recked not of aught that lay in his course, That ne'er would rest till its goal was gained. "Whither, O Youth," a voice inquired, With an earnest tone, And a stifled groan, 3. "Art bound so swift, as thou wast fired With an impulse blind ?" "I am bound for the realm, be it far or near," 4. 5. I saw that youthful form once more, And its end attained; I knew its brief pursuit was o'er, From its altered mien, And its faded sheen. Ah! the bounding heart, and the joy-beaming eye, There scarcely lingered a single trace. "O, what," the voice inquired again, Didst thou, at length, O Youth, obtain, In its full measure, Thy heart's fond treasure? "Didst thou gain the realm where the pleasures of sense In profusion flow, unrestrained, and inténse? Didst thou reach the sphere where mirth and glee Are blended with ceaseless gáyety?" "Too soon!" exclaimed the stricken form, With down cast eye And a bitter sigh, "While hope was young, and passion warm, Did my ardent soul Reach the fatal goal. "Ah! my spirit hath been with the giddy throng, And shared in the revel, the cup, and the song; |