Description:
- 89 The most stupendous achievement of mediaeval engineering.
The Great Wall of China. Copyright
1902 by C. H. Graves.
Publisher:
- The Universal Photo Art Co.
C.H. Graves,Publisher; Phila., U.S.A.
- Philadelphia, Nashville, Ill.
London, Paris, Hamburg.
Description (Back):
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.
The Great Wall of China, called by the Chinese, "Wan-li-Chang-cheng" or the wall 10,000 li long, is without doubt the most stupendous fortification raised by human hands. It was founded by the great Emperor Tsi-shih-hwang-ti, in the third century B. C. as a defence against the fierce Mongol and Tartar tribes of northern Asia who had been for centuries a perpetual menace to the peace of the prosperous Chinese Empire and were destined in the end to be its invaders and conquerors. The wall, in height from twenty to thirty feet and about fifteen feet broad at the top, is perhaps most impressive for its tremendous length and the difficulties overcome in its construction. The main wall extends from the sea-shore two hundred miles east of Peking to Lake Alak in the western part of the Empire, a distance of 1200 miles. With its branch walls, the total length is not short of 3000 miles. For miles and miles the wall crests a range of mountains. It does not persue a straight line or take the easiest course. The steepest slopes, the brink of precipices and the sharpest ridges were sought out, even to going miles out of the way to reach some more than usually inaccessible spot; and to increase still further the difficulties of attack, it doubles back in places to reach another rocky peak and runs on parallel ridges, until at points its face can be seen in four successive places beyond each other as it winds over the hills.
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