Publisher's Synopsis
Preface. The Pyramids have been reckoned among the wonders of the world, and every effort has been made to discover for what purpose they were constructed, and by whom they were built. Their immense size, their solid construction, the lonely positions in which they are placed, add to the amazement of the spectator. Many conjectures and assertions have been made regarding them. Some assert they were the tombs of the kings of Egypt, and others differ, and say they were built for astronomical purposes; and those who give up guessing or speculating regarding them, consider they were the tokens of the folly and tyranny of the rulers of Egypt. All travellers, and learned men and women who have visited these gigantic monuments, admit their grandeur, and admire their sublimity. Many expeditions have been sent to Egypt for the purpose of gaining information regarding these Pyramids; and many public and private individuals have spent princely fortunes in exploring them; and on almost every occasion a book has been written, and given to the world, showing the result of each expedition. Everything that could possibly be said and written regarding these relics of antiquity has been given forth to the world in all languages, from the remotest times till the present day. It is now the pleasant task of the author to state that the vexed question may be set at rest, as the solution to the mystery has been found. The discovery was made whilst reading the latest works on the Pyramids; she recognised some features in the interior of the Great Pyramid, and recalled to mind for what purpose such passages have been used, and followed up the incident by reading more carefully every book, and examining all the illustrations showing the interior and the exterior of the noble buildings, till ultimately there remained not the shadow of a doubt that the discovery was real. The sensation after the removal of doubt was painful. When this sensation of amazement and wonder had passed away, a feeling of gratitude took possession of the mind. This memorable discovery was made in August 1880. Began writing this work on the 20th August and finished it on the 30th November.[1] The entire work has been begun and brought to a conclusion without the assistance of any person. The narrative connected with the Pyramids is most touching; on that account the writer proposes giving the life of the builder as she describes these wonderful monuments of antiquity. She has never attempted writing for publication before, therefore she humbly prays the reader to be indulgent and to overlook all errors and shortcomings, and to believe that this volume is brought before the world simply to uphold the truth of the Holy Bible which has recorded the narrative; and the appositeness of St. Paul's assertion, that God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought the things that are.
