formed in war, and a painter must copy pictures. In this,
contemplative life has the advantage. Great actions are seldom
seen, but the labours of art are always at hand for those who
desire to know what art has been able to perform.

"When the eye or the imagination is struck with any uncommon work,
the next transition of an active mind is to the means by which it
was performed. Here begins the true use of such contemplation. We
enlarge our comprehension by new ideas, and perhaps recover some
art lost to mankind, or learn what is less perfectly known in our
own country. At least we compare our own with former times, and
either rejoice at our improvements, or, what is the first motion
towards good, discover our defects."

"I am willing," said the Prince, "to see all that can deserve my
search."

"And I," said the Princess, "shall rejoice to learn something of
the manners of antiquity."

"The most pompous monument of Egyptian greatness, and one of the
most bulky works of manual industry," said Imlac, "are the
Pyramids: fabrics raised before the time of history, and of which
the earliest narratives afford us only uncertain traditions. Of
these the greatest is still standing, very little injured by time."

"Let us visit them to-morrow," said Nekayah. "I have often heard
of the Pyramids, and shall not rest till I have seen them, within
and without, with my own eyes."