Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-23
From, an English paper.

From an Enghsh paper.
Extract Of a letter from NJ ChampolIion, the
celebrated French hisroglyPhisi, dated at A
lexandria. In Egypt, on the ls,hpf August:
EVERY description OF This city which have
70, - ad fails 10 give correct idea Of it, 1t was
to rs like an apparirion Of the Antipodes, or
Of an entirely new world Passages lined with
stalls. crowded with men OF all color, sleepy
dogs and harnessed cameIs!-hoarse cries set
nm on all sides, mingled with the shrill cries OF
women and children half naked; suffoca,lng
dust. and in the midst Of il men OF rank IN
magnificent, dresses, managing skilltully beau
,ifui horses in rich trappings -,hese together
will give you an idea Of what is called s.ree'
in Alexandria. After ride OF half an hour
mon our asses and an inhnity OF tuin', we
reached the house of Mr.. Drovetli, who receiv-
| ed rs with kindnes which gave Us the greats
est satisfaction. -.
al have visited all the monuments in the
neiehborhood. Pompey's Pillar has nothing
very extraordinary about it. have, however,
discovered that there is something to be CLEAN
ed respecting it. 1t rests upon mass oil SO
Ind masonry, constru clcd out of some ancient
ruins. and have found among these ruins the
cartouche so called in the risinal, Of Psam.
mrticus III. have not ne elected the Greek in
scription on the base ii the column, upon which
som. uncertainty sill prevails. A good fac
sin,ile of it taken upon paper will put an cod 10
j, and shall be happy TO place under the eyes
of our men Of science faithful copy,which may
econcil- all differences respecting this monu'
men ofhistory. have visited still oftener the
obelisks Of Cleopatra. OFT these two obel'sks,
that which is standing has been given to The
Ki"g by the Pacha Of Egypt, and | hope the
necessary measures will be taken TO transport
il to Paris. The obrlisk which is on the
ground, belongs to the English. have alrea-
6v caused he hyeroglyphical Inscriptions
which sre on them 10 br copied and sketched
under my avn eyes. These two obelisks, with
characters in three columns on the face of each
of them, were originally erected by King Mac
ris, in front Of The great Temple OF he,Sun, at
Heliopois. The lateral Inscriptions were
placed there by Sesostris; and have discover
ed two other on"s on The face, which were
placed there by III successor of Sesostris.--
Thus three cpochs are marked out upon these
monuments. i he ancient DEE in rose colored
q ANTI, on which zach Of them has been placed,
sill! kiss; but have ascer'ained, by causing
my Arabs dig around them under the direc
ton Of our architect, NJ. Bibenr, that his de-
rests on base Of three PAGES, which is OF Greek
or Ro an workmanship.
"Onthe Gath Of August, at eight O'Clock in
the morning, VIZ had az audience Of the Vice
roy. His Highness possesses several beautiful
palaces, constructed with mach care, after the
fashion of those IN Cops'anlinople. These
buildings, which have very beautiful appear
ance, are stu .ted in the ascienl Isle OF Pha-
ros. We went there in body, preceded by
NJ. Drovetli. Descending at the great stair
case OF the saloon of the Divan, we entered in.
10 large court filled with official persons, and
were Immediately introduced into large Sc
cond saloon. Ia one angle CT il, between two
windows BIS Holding n M i HaAs Pipe 'enS
riched with diamonds. He is of the ordinary
>izP, and his physiobnomy presents an air Of
liveliness which, in person engaged in So ma
ny important affairs, is surprising. His eve is
Of a very lively expression, and his breast COW
cred by a magnificent white beard. His High
ness, AFTER enq"iring whether we had any news,
told us thai we were welcome, and then ques-
,inncd me respecting the plan Of my travels.
I explained in few words, and requested the
necessary irnlans. They were granted nae on
the spot, along with two tchaoas Of the Vice.
roy, who will accompany US.
In conclusion, NJ Champollion says
81 shall remain at Alexandria till the 18th
Sept. Tha, delay will be necessary to com
nicte our preparations. ] am filed with con-
fdence as 10 the result Of our journey, and shall
spare no exeriion to render it successful. L
shall write from all the towns in Egypt, al
though The post Offices Of the Pharaohq no
longer exist shall reserve my description Of
the magnifcencc of Thebes for our venerable
friend NJ. Dacisr. 1t will, perhaps, be wor-
thy and just tribute 10 the Ncslor Of amiable
and scientific men.