The city of Memphis, the second capital of Egypt, is so completely destroyed, that its precise situation has not been clearly ascertained. It coatained the celebrated temple of Phtha. (the vulcan of the Greeks; also one to Osiris. where the sacred ox was kept, and one to Se rapis, with an avenue of sphinxes at some distance. Stra bo says, that there were many palaces situated along the side of a hill stretching down to lakes and groves, 40 stadia from the city ; and it is known that they crossed lakes to convey their dead to the tombs, which were hewn out of the rocks. But the annihilation of the Mem phian temples and palaces are compensated by the ex istence of the pyramids, which are alone sufficient to engage the attention of mankind. At a place called Sakkara, they are scattered over a space of twenty miles by seven. About thirty still exist, and there are traces of many more. The three largest are situated at Geez, and named from their founders Cheops, Chephren, and Nycerines. That of Cheops, which is the largest, is 4g8 feet in height, and 728 on each side of the base ; Chephren 393 feet in height, 653 on each side of the base ; and Mycerines 1E2 feet in height, and 280 on each side of the base.
The stone with which they are built is calcareous, fine grained, of a light grey colour, easily cut, light and po rous, and readily imbibes water. By analysis it con tains 95 carbonate of lime, 4 alumine, and 1 oxide of iron. The masonry is laid in mortar similar to that used in Europe.
The learned Mr Greases, after much discussion, de termines. from the best authorities, that the large pyra mid was built 490 years before the 5rst Olympiad, or about 3000 years ago.
A little to the east of the second, or Chephren's pyra mid, is the sphynx, cut out of the same sort of rock upon which the pyramids are built; the length is about 95 feet, and its height from the knees to the top of the head 33 feet.
It is still a doubt for what purposes these great edi fices were constructed, whether for temples or sepul chres, or both. Tnese points will be discussed at some length, and the particulars of their construction detailed under the articles Torah and PYRAMID; but, in this ge neral historical sketch, we cannot avoid mentioning, that, from the peculiar notions the Egyptians held respecting the importance of preserving their bodies after death, they appear to have devoted much time and labour upon heir sepulchres and tombs. In the whole of Upper Ec-vpt, adjacent to each city, numerous tombs are al ways found excavated in the neighbouring mountains ; the most extensive and highly ornamented are nearest to the base ; those of smaller dimensions and less deco rated occupy the middle ; and the most rude ard simple are situated in the upper pans. Those adjacent to reckoned the tombs of the kings, are composed of extensive galleries, 12 feet broad and 20 high, with many lateral chambers. They are ornamented with pilas ters. sculptures, stucco, and paintings ; both ceilings and walls are covered with emblems of war. agriculture, and music ; and, in some instances, with shapes of very elegant domestic utensils ; and always representing of ferings of bread, fruit, and liquors. The colours upon
the ceilings are blue, and the figures yellow. We have, in Plate CXLIX. reps esenle I :he en:ranee t./ tnase a: Silsilis, situated between Edfou and Ombus.
From this sketch it will be evident, that the whole of Upper Egypt has been crowded with structures. compo sed in a style of architecture the most sublime and impo sing which the world has en er beheld. It has already been mentioned, that Cambyses, from political jealousy or fanatical zeal, terminated Lis conquest of this coun try with a destruction bordering on frenzy ; and also that Alexander. though a more li.seral conqueror, after hav ing, in a fit of intoxication, destroyed the Persepolitan Palace, contributed to the further dilapidation of the structures of the Thebaid, by using tl.eir materials in constructing the city of Alexandria. This city is one of the few instances we distinctly know, where, under the direction of experience and intelligence, an entirely new situation has been chosen, and all the parts conduct ed according to a regular plan. Here the prince was the son of Philip and the pupil of Aristotle, and the archi tect (Dinocrates) was an enterprising Greek. The ma terials and mode of conveyance had all the perfection which the experience of 1000 years could afford; and the wealth and exertions not only of Egypt, but of all Asia, could be rendered subservient to this favourite project. The plan was extensive and magnificent; and a succes sion of wise and good princes rendered it, by means of Egyptian materials and Greek taste, the richest and most perfect city the world has beheld. Its chief features were two streets of great breadth, which crossed each other at right angles, and haring all the smaller ones pa rallel to these. Besides all the private buildings, con structed with marble and porphyry, there was an admi rable temple to Serapis, and another to Neptune ; also a theatre, amphitheatre, gymnasium, and circus. The palace occupied one quarter of the city ; but within its precincts were a museum for learned men, extensive groves, and a temple containing the sepulchre of Alex ander. A mole of a mile in length extended from the Continent to the Isle of Pharos, where the famous light house vs as constructed. This magnificent city maintained its importance for about 1000 ye-ars. under the Greek and Roman emperors In the time of Augustus. it con tained 350.0n0 free people, probably in all about 900,000; but in the year 633, it was taken by the Saracen Ge neral Amrou, and, in E57, its walls were demolished. The foundation of Fostat, or Old Cairo, was laid by Arnron, where he pitched his tent previous to layinn siege to Alexandria. Modern Cairo rose upon its ruins. and Las Leen enriched with the spoils of Alexandria ; from w hence, it is said, 40,000 columns of granite, por phyry, and marble. Inlye been brought, and erected in the mosques and private dwellings.