chambers, also having reservoirs for water, and so on to the base of the pyramid; and no doubt, the stone on which they stand is similarly hewn out to a very great depth and extent, as is known to be the case with Cheops; into whose base, by means of passages, the waters of the Nile have been conducted.

From what we see happening during common volcanic eruptions, it is evident that those parts of the world which are distant from the conflagrant region of the earth, will be deluged by the water of profuse rains. Accordingly the Egyptian pyramids are built with their stones slanting inwards so as to collect water; and no doubt, examination would bring to view ample provision for the conveyance of water, from without, into the before described reservoirs; for which purpose, I suppose, may be the grooves in the walls, of which travellers make particular mention; so the water flowing downwards from one chamber into another, they would all be speedily filled. Thus when the pyramids become ignited at the summits, the fire will meet with a collection of water for its refreshment. And the liquid fire, flowing downwards by the rapidly descending passages, will find its way by a tortuous course, and at intervals fed by water, through the pyramid down to its base; where meeting with a very large collection of water, a great conflagration will be occasioned, and the stone completely consumed, so as to cause the land to be fertilized.

It has also been observed that there are extensive excavations in the stone round about the pyramids, with passages leading from the pyramids into these

surrounding excavations, so as to facilitate the extension of the fire. And there is reason to believe that many stony mountains have been hewn out after the manner of the pyramids; so as to collect water to facilitate the progress of the fire when they become ignited. Many stony eminences have been found to be so hewn out into chambers.

It is said that the lake Moris, which is supposed to have been artificially excavated and filled by the Nile, has a subterranean passage leading to the mountain above Memphis, which, no doubt, contains chambers like the pyramids, with surrounding excavations.

I suppose that in the place of the pyramids there formerly existed low stony hills, whose summits, or some of them, had been melted down on the occasion of the last conflagration. And the Egyptians, knowing that on the succeeding occasion combustion could not take place to any considerable extent, cut the stone and re-constructed the mountains with elevated points, making also provision whereby the fire should be supplied with water, so as to bring about a very great conflagration.

The ancients have accomplished in Egypt, the like of what nature has done in Switzerland, for example; there we observe mountains bristling with stony spires, which will become ignited as before described. Amongst the multitude of mountain. heads, nature has, by the intervening cavities, formed her reservoirs for water, now filled with ice. As the stone burns downwards, this water will be poured in upon the fire, which then raging with greater vio

lence, and deeply piercing the earth, great chasms will be opened and the waters of the larger reservoirs, or lakes, so abundant in that country, will then be received.

PART III.

A DISCOURSE

ON THE

MAINTENANCE AND ACQUISITION

OF

HEALTH,

ON

PRINCIPLES IN ACCORDANCE

WITH THE

WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS.

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