Gents Mag 1752 p.344

---

	introduction, lists
	3rd quarter 18th century
	continued from
	Gentleman's Magazine vol.12 p.374, 1752:- SIR, MR G.S. in his account of Long Meg &c. - being of the same opinion as others concerning Stonehenge, that they are a composition, by the improbability of being brought there by carriages, and the superior difficulty of raising them, has induc'd me to make the following observations, to evince the practicableness of these works, though so stupendous. In the history of New-Spain we have an account of stones of a prodigious size brought 12 and 15 leagues, through vallies and over mountains, by main strength, and without the use of iron. And in Tindal's translation of Rapin is as follows; "during the march Caesar, receiving the melancholy news that his fleet was destroyed by a violent storm." - To prevent the like misfortune again, as soon as the ships were refitted, he employs his soldiers night and day, to draw them by strength of arms into the middle of his camp. This work notwithstanding the difficulty of it, was finished in 10 days. "The said ships carried 150 men each from which their tonnage may be inferr'd." The great bells of Moscow, Pekin, Nanking, and Erfurd in Upper Saxony, are also instances of vast weights being moveable. And I am of opinion that the rocking stone on the altar at Stonehenge, which, by my mensuration, weighs upwards of 16 ton could be replaced (if the uprights were whole) by the same means as the great bell at Christ Church, Oxford, which weighs about 8 ton, was raised to the great height it hangs. I have been casually inform'd, that we have 3 cranes about London, that will purchase 10 ton each, and do verily believe, that if any publick work required it, we are as capable of erecting a Stonehenge, as the Druids were Yours &c. MECHANICUS. P.S. The pyramids of Egypt, I tahe to be an incontestable proof of what I advance, viz. The practicableness of bringing and raising stones of an amazing size.
	next page

Lakes Guides menu.

---