Star.
London, England, 1831-05-25 00:00:00

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eLLUPATRA'S 21'E,E DLL%
TO THE RIGHT HON. SJIL JA3HIS GRAHAM.
PIM LORD UP VIZ • =la& M.

MT Loan—l beg to address you as a Member o. the pret&eut
highly enlightened Administration, on a subject that niut.t be viewed
as one of national Importance.

When in I.gypt, I examined two obelisks at Alexandrie, under the
denomination of the " Needles of Cleopatra," each of which were
formed of one solid block of granite, 190 tons in weight, and beauti-
fully adorned with hieroglyphics ; and their pedestals Cr, of granite.
9 feet square, and 9in bt ight each. One of the columns is ,an upright,
and the other in a horizontal position.
I found that in 1101, when hostilities terminated there, it was
proposed to convey the latter to Eng Lind, in which view 7,0001. ass
railed by subscriptions among officets of rank in the arm. end navy.
This sum not being held as sufficient, it was resolved to leave some
memento; whcn an inscription was engraver on a marble tablet, ex-
planatcry of that valour and intrepidity which had been so con-
spicuously displayed under Sir Ralph Abercrondie, Earl Nelson, Sir
Sidney Smith, and others, near to the spot where tiles: arc, and the
former hero fell, which was placed under its pedestal.
In 1820, the Pach.. most liberally made a present to the Prince
Regent of England, of this obelisk. Officers of ability were then de-
spatched to Alexandria, to determine on the necessary operations to
convey the same to its destination, who drew up a report accordingly.
The Admiralty, however, at that time never made that report public,
which was so anxiously looked for.
I received, sense time ago, advice. from Alexandria, that " Mr.
S dt, the Consul-General, had "thrown old water on the proposition to
st aid it to England, on the ground that it would occasion an expense of
15,0001."—a mere bagatelle, it will be admitted, when compered with
the grandeur and antiquity of this column, its importance to our coun-
try, and the estimation in which it would be held by the traveller,
antiquarian, and man of science.
I now lament to add, by letters this day ece:ivol, that in conic.
quo: ee attic British Govern:neat not ava ling it- elt .be liberal offer
of the Peeltit, hi. R.uropean engineer has invaded the pr•perty, tar being
is state of *rota: fur the arseeal, Le seized upon the pc:dotal with
barletrons avidity, whet toe tablet commemorating the glorious expedi.
lion was taken oat ! TM% was claimed by the [Mash Ciiiisel which
he got hold et; and the same is now in his pox:wagon. Wiiit reeetd to
the upright Needle, it Ina been given by the Pacha to the Foteit, who
are now er geg“l in taking it down, and a vessel has been scut to Alex-
andria to remove it to Paris, where it is to be erected wi.h all et:pee:Won.
Under these circumstances, end considering that reprehensible teg.
!ea upon the part 01 the late government, which has been severely
blamed for its bultilence in not snatching this precious, nay, iriva-
relic, and treniq.orirg it mu Elighead, a fact deplored by thous
sands, particularly those who fought around it, and sited their Wood;
allow me, my lonl, to direct your serious attention to this sul jest,
and that yon will exercise your usual vigilance in giving instant orders to
convey the Obelisk to this country, since circumstances may occur that
so precious an object may be withheld by the next Ruler of Egypt.
Should the slightest doubt, however, far one moment be entertained
with regard to :he practicability of its removal, I would refer to a let-
ter 1 received from Admiral Dooelly (who was employed in Egypt,
and examined it, with Lord Cavan and others), and I bad particulatly
consulted ; with his explicit opinion vs to the means to be empee)ed
with the facility of bringing it to the Thames, and in a work on Egypt
I published last week, dedicated and presented to his Majesty.
Now, nty lord, should this trophy. the I'ridc of Alexandria, be
brought to Britain, and erected in some commanding elevation in its
Metropolis, it will not only form a most striking object, exceed any
monument either in the French, Roman, Turkish, or other capital in
the Globe, but be eminently calculated to keep alive, and transmit to
future egos, that most severe contest between our brave armies w itli the
the forces ef Napelcon. lu that view, it would be highly expedient
that the names of those champions who commanded in Egypt should be
inscribed on its pedestal; since, to use the words of our statesman Fox,
" Mark d distinctions to great men arc honourable."
Li a word, the power is now in the hands of your Lordship, and
should the plan be carried Into effect, it will not fail to reflect eternal
honour on you, and the present .Board of Admiralty, and be recorded
in the page of history, but receive the hearty applause of our army and
navy, who fought in the "land of Egypt," and extricated it from that
attempt which was made to make it the " house of bondage."
I have the honour to be, my Lord,
Four most obedient hinuble Sere ant,
WILLIAM RAE W
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