bank of the Nile, nearly opposite to Cairo, and extends southwards with little interruption nearly 20 leagues. They are situated on a plain, occupying the lower slope of a ridge of hills, which runs parallel to the Nile. This plain is elevated about 80 feet above the ground inundated by the river, and consists of hard rock, forming a proper support for the immense weight of the structures erected upon it.

The three large pyramids, and those which most attract the attention of travellers, are those in the neighbourhood of Gizeh. The dimensions of the pyramid of Cheops, the largest one, have been very differently stated: according to the measurement of Greaves, it is 693 feet square at the base, and 499 feet in perpendicular height. The pyramid of Cephrenes, according to Denon, is 398 feet high; that of Mycerinus only 162 in height.

The pyramids, at first view, present the appearance of solid masses; and it seems to have been the intention of the founders, that the few openings which they contain should remain perpetually closed. But. the ingenuity of successive ages has traced the openings of the great pyramid, which were so studiously concealed. The exte

rior opening is 60 feet above the base, and leads into a passage 66 paces long. Beyond are successive galleries, one 120 feet, another 170, and a third 180 feet long The principal chamber, at the end of the longest gallery, is 36 feet long, 16 broad, and 18 high. At the farthest extremity is the sarcophagus, for the reception of which this enormous structure is supposed to have been reared. It is of granite, 6 feet 11 inches long, 3 wide, and 3 feet 14 inches high.

This pyramid is ascended on the outside by an uninterrupted flight of steps from 2 to 4 feet high, regularly diminishing as they approach the top. The breadth is so proportioned to the height, that a line stretched from the top to the bottom, would touch the angle at every step.

The external part is built of square stones, cut from the rock found along the Nile. They are compacted together solely by their own weight, without lime, lead, or cramps of any metal. In the body of the pyramid, however, which is full of irregular stones, it has been necessary to employ a mortar composed of lime, earth, sand, and clay.

No. 75.-View of the suburbs of a Chinese City.

Their punishments are extremely severe; and in their judicial proceedings the decision is given upon the principles of ordeal. Some of their modes of trial are by causing persons accused to walk over red hot iron or burning coals; by immersing them in water; or by throwing them to tigers, on the supposition that the innocent will escape unhurt.

The Siamese are accounted more learned than their neighbours, yet they will bear no comparison to EuropeMusic and poetry form, in a manner, their ruling passion they are very fond of theatrical exhibitions, dancing, wrestling, and puppet shows.

ans.

CHINA.

THE KIAN-KU.

The Kian-Ku, Yang-tse, or Blue River, is the largest river, not only in China, but also in Asia. It rises in the mountains of Thibet, and traversing China from west to east, passing by the city of Nankin, flows into the sea, 120 miles east of that city. Its comparative course is upwards of 2,000 miles in length; in its progress through the different provinces, it assumes different names. Its breadth at Nankin is three or four miles. The country through which it flows is fertile, populous, and highly cultivated, and the river affords great facilities for com

merce.

THE HOANG-HỌ.

The Hoang-Ho, or Yellow River, the second great river of China, is nearly as long as the Kian-Ku. It rises not at a great distance from the sources of that river, though not so far to the west. It winds far to the north into Tartary, then turning southerly, crosses China, and flows into the Yellow sea, only about 100 miles N. of the Kian-Ku, although in a part of their course the two rivers are upwards of 1,000 miles apart. It is broad and rapid, but in many places so shallow, as to be hardly navigable. It flows through some of the finest parts of China. It

often passes its banks, so that it has been found necessary to raise dikes in many places on the sides of the river, and even round some towns.

PEKIN- -See Plate, No. 75.

Pekin, the capital of China, is situated in a very fertile plain, in the northeast part of the empire, 20 leagues distant from the great wall. It is a very large and populous city, containing, according to the information given to lord Macartney, 3,000,000; this, however, is supposed to be an exaggerated statement. It is surrounded

with walls, 30 feet high and 25 thick at the base, inclosing 14 square miles, exclusive of the suburbs, and is divided into two towns, one of which is inhabited by Chinese, the other by Tartars. A street four miles long, and 120 feet wide, reaches from one gate to the other, and is crossed by another of similar length and breadth. The other streets are narrow, and many of them can only be considered as lanes. They are kept very clean, and frequently watered.

The dwelling houses are built of brick, but are of only one story. The principal streets consist chiefly of rows of shops, which are painted, gilded, and magnificently adorned. Sky-blue, and green mixed with gold, are the prevailing colours upon the walls. The goods are not displayed within, but exposed in large groups in front of the houses. The streets are extremely crowded in consequence of the number of trades carried on in the open air, and multitudes passing and repassing. In this immense concourse there are no Chinese women; yet Tartar females are frequently seen.

Of the ornamental buildings are those usually called triumphal arches, but they appear to be erected as monuments to distinguished men. The imperial palace stands within the city, and is encompassed by a double wall, about four miles in circuit. It comprises a vast assemblage of buildings, which are more remarkable, however, for their number than their magnificence, some of them being only mean cottages.